LOCK DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a lock device for locking and unlocking and in particular a lock device having a plurality of positions at locking/unlocking. In particular, the invention relates to a lock device for preferably safety functions, comprising a displaceable lock bolt which can cooperate with a receiver in order to provide a locked and an unlocked position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need to be able to control the safety at for example hazardous machines in a workshop environment. Especially for machine safety it is required that the locks except for manual operability also can be remote-controlled (electrical operability) and monitored. In these cases, the lock device should be kept locked from the outside during the time when for example a hazardous machine in the locked area is running, at the same time as the lock device can be opened from the inside.

Certain kinds of lock devices require adaptation for industrial applications and to manage rough environments. In safety applications, e.g. gates surrounding hazardous machines, such a device should keep a door locked even at energy drop-out, i.e. energy must be applied in order to unlock the door.

DE 196 32 962 refers to a switch and a door system. The system comprises two handles, an inner and an outer handle, which are coupled together through a pin, and an elongated key-like actuator. The system further comprises a gear rack section provided with a gear drive section cooperating with the pin in a longitudinal direction of the housing in communication with the actuator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is thus a demand for a lock device for primarily, but not exclusively, safety applications, wherein e.g. a door is kept locked when clear signal for hazardous functions

inside an area provided with a door has been given. Preferably the lock device should comprise parts and fulfill functions such as:

- built-in safety sensors having electrically operable locking with two positions, i.e. unlocked and locked

- which works as an ordinary door lock as long as a handle has been turned to a reset position, i.e. when hazardous function can be allowed on the other side

- three positions: one position for opening, one for closed door and one position for reset position, i.e. when hazardous function can be allowed on the other side of the door

- built-in sensors showing that the door is closed respectively in reset position

- mechanical indication of reset position

- emergency opening from the inside, i.e. a handle which can only open the door from the inside; the handle is not able to reset the safety - a sensor on the handle portion can be controlled by a bi-stable spring function, i.e. with a handle in reset position so that a bolt is spring-biased using a sensor out towards a sensor mounted in or on the door frame, and with a handle in not reset position the bolt with the sensor is spring-biased in opposite direction.

For these reasons a lock device according to the preamble is provided, wherein the lock bolt comprises a portion configured to by means of a guiding means applying a force to the lock bolt guide said lock bolt from the unlocked position to the locked position, whereby said guiding means in the locked position is prevented from displacing the lock bolt to the unlocked position, and that the lock bolt is arranged to be displaced from the locked position to the unlocked position through the influence of an external force applied to a first lock bolt portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the lock bolt comprises a first lock bolt portion for locking and a second lock bolt portion for guiding of the lock bolt in a guiding groove, which guiding groove comprises a first portion allowing said guiding means to be moved essentially freely and to displace said lock bolt and a second portion, in which said guiding means is fixed and prevents the lock bolt from being displaced. The guiding unit is arranged to displace said lock bolt and arrange said guiding means from its locked position, in which the guiding means can be essentially freely moved. Preferably, the device comprises a housing and a handle. According to a second embodiment said second portion comprises

said guiding groove and a second guiding groove. Preferably, said first portion of said groove is essentially formed as an arc and said second portion of said groove is essentially straight and runs essentially parallel to said first portion. In a preferred embodiment, the lock bolt comprises a sensor. Preferably, the lock bolt is resiliently attached to the housing by means of a bi-stable spring. For closing but not locking the device further comprises at least a second lock bolt connected to a movable part. Preferably, the device further comprises a first lever connectable to the handle and comprising said guiding means. The lock device further comprises a second lever connectable to a second handle at an opposite side of the first handle. The second lever is arranged to guide said lock bolt and the movable part. The lever may comprise a connection part to the handle in one end around which the lever can rotate and a first guiding pin running in said groove in order to influence the bolt and a second guiding pin guiding said movable part.

Preferably, the receiver comprises a drive unit, a guiding part, and a sensor. The drive unit may be a motor arranged to drive said guiding part and drive the lock bolt. A sensor is arranged to sense and give a signal regarding the position of the lock bolt. Said signal may be connected to a control unit for steering other units.

According to a second embodiment the guiding means is a gear wheel and/or a motor.

In one embodiment, the lock housing may comprise a means for correct positioning of the housing which may be an extension provided with one or more holes, which are arranged to cooperate with a means arranged on the receiver. This facilitates that the lock bolts are guided into the receiver in a correct way and secure closing and locking can arise.

Preferably, the movement of the lock bolt from an unlocked position to a locked position only is allowed when the lever with its belonging axis is in a locked position, wherein said lever comprises an oval portion, which in the locked position of the bolt is located in an enlargement of the groove in the lock bolt. The turning of the axis by the lock bolt and release by itself is prevented by the lock bolt being in its completely unlocked position to allow pin to leave said groove.

According to one embodiment, the lock bolt is arranged to only be actuated from its unlocked position to its locked position on the condition that said second bolt is in a

balanced central position at the same time as the relative position of the receiver and the lock is controlled Said second bolt is arranged to be locked in a central position with guaranteed engagement in the receiver, when the lock bolt is located in its locked position The lock bolt may be arranged to only be actuated from its unlocked position to its locked position by means of the guiding pin if the bolt has engagement in the receiver, which is achieved with a depression in the groove where the guiding pin can engage in a position, in which the lock bolt is allowed to move out, on the condition that said second bolt is in a balanced central position and the guiding of the positions of the receiver and the lock in relation to each other occurs by a hole image in that extension from the lock, which overlaps the receiver

The invention further relates to a lock bolt, for use in a lock device according to above The lock bolt comprises a first lock bolt portion for locking and a second lock bolt portion for guiding of the lock bolt The lock bolt comprises a part in said second lock bolt portion formed to have a force being applied guiding said lock bolt from an unlocked position to the locked position, wherein the lock bolt in the locked position is prevented from displacing to the unlocked position, and that the lock bolt is arranged to be displaced from the locked position to the unlocked position by the influence of an external force applied to the first lock bolt portion

The invention further relates to a safety area provided with a delimitation, which delimitation comprises an openable part, which is provided with a lock device according to above and a receiver arranged on the delimitation, wherein within said area is arranged a machine The lock device is arranged to keep the openable part locked during operation of said machine, and that said machine is arranged to be stopped at opening of said openable part from the inside of the safety area

The invention further relates to a method for locking and unlocking of a lock device according to above The method comprises the steps of setting said lock device in a first locked position by actuating it with a first handle, setting said lock device in a second unlocked position by applying an external force to the lock bolt, which force comprises an influence from a second handle different from the first handle or an external unit different from the first or second handle The lock device may also adopt a third position, wherein the lock device is in a closed but not locked position The lock device may also adopt a fourth position, wherein the lock device is in an open position

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention is described with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments, of which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a frontal view in perspective of a lock device and a receiver according to the present invention mounted on a frame,

Fig. 2 illustrates the lock device according to the present invention with the cover removed, Fig. 3 illustrates the receiver according to the present invention with the cover removed,

Fig. 4 illustrates the lock device according to the present invention in open position,

Fig. 5 illustrates the lock device according to the present invention in closed position,

Fig. 6 illustrates the lock device according to the present invention in locked position,

Fig. 7 illustrates the lock device of Fig. 6 from behind, Fig. 8 illustrates the lock device according to the present invention in reset position,

Fig. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the lock device according to the present invention with the cover removed,

Fig. 10 illustrates the lock device of Fig. 9 from behind,

Fig. 1 1 illustrates schematically an application of the lock device according to the present invention,

Fig. 12 illustrates a part of the lock device according to the present invention, and

Fig. 13 illustrates a part of the lock bolt according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In brief, the invention relates to a lock device, primarily for safety applications, where e.g. a door is kept locked when a clear signal for hazardous functions inside the door has been given. The lock device has a built-in safety sensor having an electrically operable locking with two positions, i.e. unlocked and locked. The lock device works as an ordinary door lock as long as a handle is in a reset position, i.e. when the hazardous function can be allowed on the other side of the door. The lock device further has four positions: one position for opening, one for closed door, one position for reset position and one position for reset and locked position , i.e. when a hazardous function can be allowed on the other side of the door. The lock device further has built-in sensors showing that the door is reset respectively in locked position. Reset position can be mechanically indicated. The lock

device may be provided with an emergency opening from inside, i.e. a handle which can only open the door from the inside; however, the handle is not able to reset the safety function. A sensor on the handle portion can be controlled by a bi-stable spring function, i.e. with a handle in the reset position so that a lock bolt provided with a sensor is spring- biased out towards a sensor mounted in or on the door frame and with a handle in not reset position, the bolt with the sensor is spring-biased in opposite direction.

The lock device will now be described in more detail:

Fig. 1 illustrates the lock device 100 in a perspective frontal view. The lock device comprises a housing 101 , containing a lock housing, handle 102 and attachment means 103. The attachment means 103 are used to attach the lock device 100 at e.g. a frame 190. The lock device 100 further comprises a receiver 104, which may be attached to an opposite frame 191.

The lock housing further comprises an extension 1001 or a lip provided with one or more holes 1003. These holes 1003 may be used together with a means arranged on the receiver, e.g. a screw head 1004, to position the lock housing/device so that locking and closing can be done in a correct way.

Fig. 2 illustrates the lock housing with the cover of the housing removed. The lock housing houses a bolt 110, which according to this example is essentially rectangular. The lock bolt comprises a front portion 1 1 1 , and a rear portion 112, comprising a first groove 113, and a second groove 114.

The front portion 111 of the lock bolt is arranged to be conveyed into the receiver 104. The first groove 1 13 is partly formed as an arc 1 131 with a terminal end 1 132 running essentially parallel to and below the arc 1 131. The lock bolt is arranged to be displaced over two sliding pins (or similar) 1 19. The front portion also comprises a space for receiving a sensor 1101 , the function of which will be closer described below. The lock bolt 1 10 is resiliently attached to the housing by means of bi-stable springs 118a and 118b. The position and design of the grooves may of course vary, however, the function according to the invention described below should be provided.

The lock housing, according to this embodiment, comprises moreover two other lock bolts, so called latches an upper and a lower 115a and 115b, respectively. These bolts

are connected to at least one (preferably two) movable base plate 116, spring-biased by means of the springs 1 17a and 117b. Of course, these latches may be omitted or one or more than two may be used.

A first lever 120 is connected to the handle 102 (Fig. 1 ) in a conventional way. The lever guides the lock bolt 110, which will be described in more detail below. The lever 120 comprises a connection portion to the handle in one end around which the lever can rotate and a guiding pin 1201 which is arranged to run in groove 1 13 and guide the lock bolt 110.

A second lever 121 is connected to a second handle (not illustrated) e.g. an emergency handle, on the backside of the housing. The second lever guides the lock bolt 1 10 and the base plate 1 16 (in turn the bolts 1 15a and 1 15b), which will be described in more detail below. The lever 121 comprises a connection portion to the handle in one end around which the lever can rotate and a first guiding pin 1211 (Fig. 7) which runs in groove 114 to guide the bolt 1 10 and a second guiding pin 1212 (Fig. 7) guiding the base plate 1 16.

Of course, the second handle (the emergency handle) may be omitted. Even if the lock bolt 120 is illustrated and described in two parts, it is obvious that the bolt may be in one part.

Fig. 3 illustrates the receiver 104 inside its cover from the side. The receiver 104 comprises two attachment blocks 1041 and 1042, drive motor 1043, lever 1044, lever pins 1045, sensors 1046 and 1047, position sensor 1048 as well as indicators 1049.

The upper attachment block 1041 comprises an opening 1041 1 , through which electrical cables to the electronics within the receiver may be conducted. The indicators 1049, e.g. in the form of light-emitting diodes indicate the locking functions, e.g. red=closed and green=open.

The motor 1043 is arranged to drive the lever 1044 which by means of the lever pins 1045 can drive the lock bolt 110. The sensors 1046 and 1047 give the position of the lever.

The position sensor 1048 cooperates with the sensor 1101 and determines the position of the lock bolt 1 10 at the receiver.

In the following the different positions of the lock device will be described. Fig. 4 illustrates a first position where, e.g. the door is open from the outside by the handle 102 being pressed down. The lever 120 is turned so that the guiding pin 1201 is located 5 essentially in the outermost end of the arc-shaped groove 113. In this position the latches 115a and 1 15b are kept in place by the lever 120 while the lock bolt 110 is retained by the bi-stable springs 1 18a and 118b.

In the receiver the lever 1044 is turned from the receiver opening by means of the motor 10 1043.

Fig. 5 illustrates a second position, in which the door is closed but not locked. In this position the latches 1 15a and 115b are pushed outwards. The lever 120 is positioned in the centre of the arc-shaped groove 113. This occurs by e.g. the door being closed,

15 whereupon the latches are pushed into the receiver. In this position the inner handle, which e.g. is an emergency handle, cannot lock. A locking may imply that if a machine located in a monitored area inside the door comprising the lock device cannot receive an emergency stop resetting, so that the machine can be started again. The function is dependent on that the position sensor 1048 cannot sense the sensor 1101 of the bolt 110. 0 When the bolts 1 15a and 1 15b are in this central position, the lock bolt 1 10 may be brought out by means of the handle 102.

In this position the bolts 115a and 115b are kept in place by the lever 120, while the lock bolt 1 10 is retained by the bi-stable springs 1 18a and 118b. 5

In one embodiment, the bolts may be provided with sensors which e.g. may identify them and the lock device. These can be of a passive type, e.g. so called RFID (Radio Frequency ID). 0 Fig. 6 illustrates the lock device in a locked position, i.e. the lock bolt 110 and the lock bolts 115a and 115b are pushed into the receiver. The lever 120 is turned (upwards) so that the guiding pin 1201 has passed the edge of the arc-shaped groove and is located in the outermost end of the straight groove 1132. In this position the latches 115a and 115b are kept in place by the lever 120, while the lock bolt 1 10 is pushed out of the housing by 5 the bi-stable springs 118a and 118b.

In the receiver the lever 1044 is turned from the receiver opening and the bolt 110 is pushed into the receiver. The position sensor 1048 senses the position of the bolt (e.g. by sensing the sensor 1101 ) and can give clear signal to a possible machine in the closed off area, so that the machine can start.

The position of the handle 102 indicates mechanically that the door is locked. Moreover, the cover may be provided with indicators, e.g. in colour or signs showing the different positions of the lock more obviously.

Fig. 7 illustrates the locked position from the backside of the lock device. Here the positions of the levers 120 and 121 are illustrated.

The movement of the lock bolt from an unlocked position to a locked position is only allowed when the lever 120 with its belonging axis is in its locked position. Fig. 12 illustrates the lever 120 comprising an oval portion 1203 at the axis for the handle 102 (not illustrated) which in the locked position of the bolt is located in, as illustrated in Fig. 13, an enlargement 1 122 of the bottom groove 1 121 in the rear portion 1 12 of the lock bolt and that the bolt would turn the axis and release itself is prevented by that the lock bolt has to stand in its completely unlocked position in order to allow pin 1201 to leave the end of the arc-shaped groove 1 131. This is important so that the lock bolt will not be able to spring-bias to its locked position at failure of e.g. the bi-stable springs 118a and 1 18b.

Just turning of handle 102 cannot unlock the lock device. The bolt 110 must be displaced in such a way that the pin 1201 can be moved towards the arc-shaped groove 1131 and be released from the straight groove 1132. This position is illustrated in Fig. 8. This can only occur by pressing the bolt 110 inwards, either according to this example from the front, i.e. out of the receiver, or by means of the emergency handle (not illustrated). In the second case, the emergency handle is influencing the lever 121 , so that this by means of the guiding pin 121 1 pulls the bolt 110 inwards by means of the edge 1141 of the groove 114.

In Fig. 8 it is further illustrated that the motor 1043 has rotated the lever 1044 towards the front edge of the bolt 110 and by means of the lever pin 1045 pressed the bolt 1 10 into the unlocked position. Also the positions of levers 121 and 120 are illustrated. The handle

102 is in an upright position. By pressing the handle, it will influence the lever, which will by a radial movement move the guiding pin 1201 in the arc-shaped groove at the same time as the guiding pin 121 1 in contact with the rear edge 1 141 (Fig. 4) of the groove will force the plate (plates) 116 to be displaced inwards and at the same time displace the latches and open the door. The door may also be opened from the inside by means of the emergency handle influencing lever 121.

The motor 1043 is controlled by means of a signal from a control unit (not illustrated) which receives a clear signal from the possible machine working within the safety area that the machine has stopped. As long as no clear signal is received the lock device cannot be unlocked, i.e. the bolt 110 can not be pulled put of the receiver from outside, by means of the handle 102. However, the emergency handle can always activate the bolt 1 10 and unlock the lock device. In this case, a signal is received from the position sensor 1048 that the bolt is not in its locked position and the machine can be immediately stopped.

The lock bolt 1 10 can only be influenced from its unlocked to locked position by means of the pin 1201 if the latches 1 15a and 115b are engaged in the receiver. The latches 115a, 1 15b are locked in an engagement position in the receiver when the lock bolt 110 is in its locked position. This is achieved by a "depression" in the groove 1121 (see Fig. 12) where the pin 1201 can go down to a position in which the lock bolt 1 10 is allowed to move outwards, under the condition that the latches are in their balanced central position (with control of the protrusion of the bolt from the lock housing) and pin 1201 prevents in this position the latches 1 15a, 1 15b from leaving their balanced central position, and the guiding of the position of the receiver and the lock in relation to each other (control of distance together with protrusion facilitates control of engagement) occurs by means of the hole image of that extension from the lock, which overlaps the receiver. This is important in order to know that the locking is occurring with all the bolts.

Of course, other solutions than the motor may be used for pressing the bolt out of the receiver, as e.g. pneumatic solutions. Moreover, a drive unit may be located in the lock housing itself.

Fig. 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment of the lock device 900 according to the invention from the front and from behind, respectively. In this embodiment, the groove 113

has been replaced by a groove 913 with another design and the lever 120 with a lever 920 provided with gear wheel 9201. The lever 920 has the same function as the lever 120 and is provided with an opening in order to allow a handle or similar to be introduced in order to actuate it. The lever 920 is further provided with a guiding base 9202 running in the groove 913 and guiding the lock bolt 910. In the same way as the fore-going example, a second lever 921 is arranged to cooperate with a second handle (emergency handle). The lever 921 is provided with a gear track 9211 arranged to cooperate with a second groove 914 on the bolt 910 in order to unlock and/or open.

Also this embodiment comprises a latch 915. The latch is guided by a third lever 922, the end of which is provided with a gear track 9221 and cooperates with levers 920 and 921 to displace the latch 915.

At locking, the outer handle (not illustrated) is moved, which influences the lever 920 driving the lock bolt 910 by means of guiding base 9202 in groove 913. This is only occurring as long as the base is located in the groove. At locking the base is released from the groove and cannot influence the unlocking. At the same time the latch 915 is guided out from the lock housing by the lever 920 influencing the lever 922. For unlocking it is required that the bolt 910 is pressed into the housing according to earlier examples. The emergency handle, in the same way as before, can unlock by the lever driving the lock bolt 910 by means of the groove 914. Opening and closing (not locked position) occurs by the lever 922 actuated by either lever 920 or 921 moves the latch 915 through the groove 9151.

Fig. 11 illustrates a schematic robot installation in an area provided with gates. The working area is delimited by protection gates 1110. Through openings in the gates, there is a possibility of accessing different sections within the area, e.g. an interlocked gate 1111 , a measurement opening 1112, a gate 1113 and a truck gate 1114. The installation is built up according to:

A robot 1140 handles details 1 150 between pallet 1161 , lathe 1 162, multi-operational machine 1163, test station 1164 and a scrap crate 1195. The working area of the robot is divided into sections, which makes e.g. checking if the robot is located in certain areas, e.g. B or C, possible.

At the test station those details that should be inspection measured are ordered. In this case manually through the opening 1112. The opening is provided with a position switch which gives the robot stop if it is located in sector A. The position and the movement speed of the robot are determined by means of sensors as described above.

The interlocked gate 1 111 and the inspection opening 1112 may be provided with lock devices according to the present invention. In the case with the gate, the lock device 100 is located on the gate 1111 itself and the receiver 104 at the protection gate 1110. When the interlocked gate 11 11 is opened from the inside by means of the emergency handle the bolt is removed from the sensor 1048 in the receiver, which gives a stop signal and the robot stops wherever it is located. The gate cannot be opened from the outside when the robot is at work. If the robot stops, the motor 1043 receives a signal and drives the bolt out of the receiver whereupon the handle 102 can open the gate.

At the measurement station, the details are taken out of the opening 1112, which is provided with a position switch, which gives the robot stop if it is located in position A. The position of the robot is sensed by a sensor, e.g. mounted in the large rotation axis.

Where the truck 1 170 is entering for pallet handling there are light beams 1181 -1 184. When the inner light beam (1 ) is influenced, the robot is stopped wherever it is located, if the outer light beam first has been influenced.

When the outer light beam (2) is influenced, the robot is stopped if it is located in sector C. In other case, the information is given to the robot that somebody is in sector C, i.e. area delimitation. If the light beam is influenced, it must be reset outside the fence.

Outside light beam 2, there are three photo cells. The outer is connected to a sound signal 1 191 giving an entrance warning. The inner photo cell is there to give the robot production stop before stop is given from light beam 2. Production stop gives a smoother slow down.

A third photo cell 1 185, provided for detecting the forks of the truck, may shut the sound signal off. On a control box 1195 comprising the monitoring unit according to the invention, it is displayed which stops have occurred and the reasons for the stops.

The lock device according to the invention may be used in all applications requiring a safe closing and locking. For example the device may be a part of an alarm system and the lock may be mounted on doors and windows.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated described embodiments. Variations and designs may occur depending on needs and requirements.