FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock, a lock arrangement and a locking method. The lock that can be remote controlled.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the field of locks it is a constant need to improve the handling of the lock and/or of arrangements comprising a lock in order to improve the handling for an user. Especially locks that are used in daily operations that are already somewhat uncomfortable for some users like opening a letter box or accessing a trash can are often cumbersome e.g. the user has to use both hands. Also, conventional locks are not loT-ready such that they can be controlled e.g. remotely to specifically grant access at a selected time to e.g. a selected person (neighbor collecting the mail during the holidays).

[0003] Object of the present application is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. This object is solved by an apparatus, an arrangement and a method according to the appended independent claims. The dependent claims refer to possible developments.

[0004] According to an aspect of the disclosure a lock comprises a lock mechanism, an electric actuator, a control unit, a first biasing element and a catch, all being arranged in an inner section of the lock. The lock further comprises a first antenna being arranged in an outer section of the lock. The lock mechanism is designed to be set at least in a locked position and in an open position. In the locked position, the lock mechanism is biased by the first biasing element towards the open position. The catch is movable and operatively coupled between the electric actuator and the lock mechanism. The electric actuator, the first antenna and the control unit are operatively coupled to each other. The inner section is designed to be arranged on the inside of a container and the outer section on the outside of said container in an installed state of the lock. The lock may be a letterbox lock or a trash can lock. The catch may move in any kind of movement, e.g. a rotational movement and/or linear movement. The inner section and the outer section are physically connected.

[0005] The lock mechanism may comprise a rotatable axle or a slide and its movement from the locked position to the open position (and vice versa) may be a rotational and/or linear movement. If the lock mechanism is set in the locked position a recloseable container to which the lock is attached to cannot be opened. In the open position said container can be opened. The first antenna may be any kind of antenna, for example an NFC, WiFi or Bluetooth-antenna. If the first antenna is an NFC-antenna, the antenna may be the passive part of a NFC-communication system. This may have the advantage that an energy consumption of the lock is reduced to a minimum. The electric actuator may be any kind of electric actuator, for example an electric motor providing rotational or linear movement (e.g. linear motor, solenoid, etc.). The control unit controls the electrical functions of the lock such as receiving and sending signals by means of the first (and second) antenna and controlling the electric actuator (also dependent on the signals received and/or sent).

[0006] The first biasing element may be any suitable biasing element known in the art, for example any sort of spring material and/or function wise (linear spring, torsion spring, wire spring, elastomer spring, etc.). The first biasing element is operatively coupled to the lock mechanism such that if the lock mechanism is moved from the open position to the locked position the first biasing element is tensioned (e.g. by an user or an external force). Accordingly, the catch is needed to keep the lock mechanism in the locked position, acting against the biasing force of the first biasing element that wants to move the lock mechanism towards the open position. In case the electric actuator is controlled to move, the catch is removed and the biasing force of the first biasing element moves the lock mechanism from the locked position to the open position. The catch can be also biased into contact with the lock mechanism by means of a second biasing element. The catch may engage with an accordingly designed matching (catch) structure of the lock mechanism such as a recess or protrusion. The biasing elements may be any kind of biasing elements known in the art, e.g. any kind of wound springs, leaf springs, dish springs, torsion springs, membrane springs, rubber springs, etc. [0007] The lock is designed to be mounted on the inside of a container that is supposed to be locked with the lock. Further, the lock comprises at least two sections, an inner section and an outer section. The inner section is designed to be located inside the container in the installed state of usual use, for example located at the moving-part, (e.g. a lid, for example of a letter box) or the non-moving part of said container (e.g. the body of a trash can). The outer section is designed to protrude at least partially to the outside of said container, for example to the outside of said lid. The lock mechanism may be designed to be arranged on the inner section as well as on the outer section. That is, the lock mechanism may protrude from the inner section to the outer section and consequently (in an installed state of the lock) from the inside of said container to the outside of said container.

[0008] This aspect may have the advantage that the lock can open automatically if the electric actuator moves the catch and thus releases the lock mechanism. Further, almost all functional parts of the lock are arranged in the inner section of the lock or on the inside of a container being equipped with the lock, respectively.

[0009] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the lock comprises a handle and the handle comprises the first antenna. This may have the advantage that an user may operate the lock more easily and the antenna is protected.

[0010] According to a further aspect of the disclosure, when in the locked position, the electric actuator moves the catch based on a signal received by the first antenna and/or a second antenna. This may have the advantage that the lock can be opened remotely in a convenient way.

[0011] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the handle is operatively coupled to the lock mechanism This may have the advantage that an user may operate the lock more easily.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the handle covers a fixation of the lock. The fixation is designed to fix the lock to the container that is supposed to be locked with the lock. The handle covers the fixation such that it cannot be tampered with. This may have the advantage that the lock is compact and safe.

[0013] The handle is designed to be mounted from the outer section. In other words, the handle is mounted from the outside of the container that is supposed to be closed with the lock. This may have the advantage that the lock is installed more easily.

[0014] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the handle is only detachable from the inner section. In other words, once the handle is installed on the lock it can only be removed by having access to the inner section of the lock or the inside of the container that is equipped with the lock, respectively. This may have the advantage that the lock has an increased level of safety.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the fixation is attached to the lock from the outer section. In other words, the lock is installed in a way that the inner section is located on the inside of the container that is equipped with the lock and the fixation is installed from the outside of the container to the lock. This may have the advantage that the lock can be installed more easily.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the lock further comprises a second antenna, located in the inner section. The second antenna may for example comprise an NFC, WiFi or Bluetooth-antenna. The second antenna is also operatively coupled to the control unit and the electric actuator. This may have the advantage that the lock can be operated more conveniently (e.g. from a distance/remotely).

[0017] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the first antenna is stationary with respect to the handle and/or the lock mechanism. In other words, the first antenna does not move even if the moving parts such as the lock mechanism of the lock move. This may have the advantage that the lock works more reliable as movable electrical connections are avoided. [0018] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the lock further comprises a terminal being electrically connected to the electric actuator and to the control unit, wherein the terminal is located in the outer section of the lock. This may have the advantage that the control unit can be accessed from the outside even if the antenna fails and/or a power supply of the lock is drained. The terminal may be stationary. Also, the terminal may be unitary with the first antenna.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the terminal is located at the handle. This may have the advantage that the terminal is protected and the overall experience of the lock is improved. As the antenna and the terminal may be stationary, the terminal may be only accessible if the handle/the lock mechanism is in the locked position as an access to the terminal being located in the handle moves with the handle and is arranged to align with the terminal if handle/the lock mechanism is in the locked position. The terminal may be covered with a terminal cover that is attached to the handle and moves therewith.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the handle is a fixation of the lock. In other words, the lock is fixed to a container by means of the handle. This may have the advantage that the complexity and consequently manufacturing costs of the lock can be reduced.

[0021] According to an aspect of the disclosure a reclosable container comprises a body, a lid and a lock according to any of the above aspects. The lock is installed on the lid such that the inner section is located on the inside of the container in a closed state of the lid, and wherein the antenna is located on the outside of the container. This may have the advantage that the lock is protected on the inside of the container, however, the antenna is located such that it has maximum reception.

[0022] According to an aspect of the disclosure a lock arrangement comprises a lock according to any of the above and further comprises a mobile device being capable of communicating with the lock. The mobile device may be any mobile device having the capability to communicate with the lock (e.g. mobile phone or smart watch). This may have the advantage that the lock arrangement is very user friendly. The lock arrangement may comprise at least one NFC-tag that may be passively present on the lock. If the mobile device comes into range, said NFC-tag is activated/carried out and as a consequence the electric actuator is actuated and moves the catch and the lock opens.

[0023] According to another aspect of the disclosure the mobile device of the lock arrangement comprises an NFC-antenna. Said NFC-antenna may be the active part of the NFC-communication system of the lock arrangement. This may have the advantage that the communication between the lock and the mobile device is energy effective.

[0024] According to another aspect of the disclosure the NFC-antenna is an active antenna. This may have the advantage that the communication between the lock and the mobile device is even more energy effective.

[0025] According to an aspect of the disclosure a locking method for a lock comprises the steps of

- actuating upon reception of a signal via an antenna of an electric actuator;

- moving the catch from an engaged position in an unengaged position by means of the electric actuator;

- moving the lock mechanism by means of the biasing force to an open state;

- moving the catch towards the engaged position;

- moving the lock mechanism against the biasing force from the open state to the locked state;

- moving the catch from the unengaged position to the engaged position.

[0026] The lock mechanism has at least two states that correspond to the above mentioned open position/lock position: a lock state and an open state. The open state is a state of the lock in which e.g. a container the lock is attached to can be opened. Accordingly, the locked state is a state of the lock in which e.g. a container the lock is attached to cannot be opened. In the engaged position the catch is engaged with the lock mechanism and thus acting against the biasing a force that acts on the lock mechanism. If the catch is moved to the unengaged position the biasing force moves the lock mechanism from the lock position into the open position. This aspect may have the advantage that a locking method is provided that is convenient to be used for an user.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the disclosure the step of moving the lock mechanism by means of the biasing force and the step of moving the catch towards the engaged position may happen at least partially simultaneously. The catch may be moved from the engaged position or from the engagement with the lock mechanism, respectively, only for a short time and then being moved back to the engaged position.

[0028] The catch may be biased into the engaged position and when moved from the engaged position to the unengaged position by the electric actuator, the force applied by the electric actuator on the catch counteracts the biasing force. In other words, if the electric actuator stops to apply force on the catch, the biasing force moves the catch to the engaged position.

[0029] Also, the step of moving the lock mechanism against the biasing force from the open state to the locked state and at the step of moving the catch from the unengaged position to the engaged position may happen simultaneously. This may have the advantage that a time for unlocking and locking may be reduced.

[0030] According to another aspect of the disclosure the step of activating upon reception of a signal of the electric activator further comprises attaching an external energy source to the lock. In other words, to open the lock it is necessary that an external energy source is connected with the lock, as well as the presence of said (opening) signal. This may have the advantage that the lock can be opened even if an internal power source is drained.

[0031] According to another aspect of the disclosure the electric actuator moves from one defined position to another defined position. In other words, if the electric actuator is controlled by the control unit to move it moves from a defined position to another defined position. For example, the electric actuator carries out a full revolution or an half revolution. This has the advantage that the method works more reliable.

[0032] According to another aspect of the disclosure the signal received by the antenna is an active NFC-signal that activates at least one (passive) NFC-tag present on the lock. The execution of said at least one NFC-tag causes the actuation of the electric actuator and consequently moves the catch. This may have the advantage that the lock is even more user friendly.

[0033] The biasing elements may be omitted and the lock mechanism and/or the catch may be moved manually (lock mechanism) or by means of the electric actuator (catch) to the open position or engaged position, respectively.

[0034] According to an aspect of the disclosure a lock comprises a lock mechanism, an electric actuator, a control unit and a catch, all being arranged in an inner section of the lock. The lock further comprises a first antenna being arranged in an outer section of the lock. The lock mechanism is design to be set at least in a locked position and an open position. The catch is movable and operatively coupled between the electric actuator and the lock mechanism. The electric actuator, the first antenna and the control unit are operatively coupled. The inner section is designed to be arranged on the inside of a container and the outer section on the outside of said container in an installed state of the lock. The lock may be a letterbox lock or a lock for a trash can. The catch may move in any kind of movement, e.g. a rotational movement and/or linear movement. The inner section and the outer section are physically connected.

[0035] According to an aspect of the disclosure a locking method for a lock comprises the steps of

- actuating upon reception of a signal via an antenna of an electric actuator;

- moving the catch from an engaged position in an unengaged position by means of the electric actuator;

- moving the lock mechanism to an open state;

- moving the catch towards the engaged position;

- moving the lock mechanism from the open state to the locked state; - moving the catch from the unengaged position to the engaged position.

[0036] The lock mechanism has at least two states that correspond to the above mentioned open position/lock position: a lock state and an open state. The open state is a state of the lock in which e.g. a container the lock is attached to can be opened. Accordingly, the locked state is a state of the lock in which e.g. a container the lock is attached to cannot be opened. In the engaged position the catch is engaged with the lock mechanism and thus blocking the movement of the lock mechanism. If the catch is moved to the unengaged position the lock mechanism can be moved from the lock position into the open position.

[0037] For a better understanding of the invention the latter will be explained in view of the appended figures.

[0038] The figures respectively show in very simplified and schematically depiction that is not to scale:

[0039] Fig. 1 is a schematic principle of an embodiment of the application.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of a locking method according to the application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0041] Fig.1 schematically depicts an embodiment of the present application. A lock 10 comprises a lock mechanism 20, an electric actuator 30, a control unit 40, a first biasing element 50, a second biasing element 55, a catch 60, a first antenna 80, a second antenna 120, a fixation 110, a terminal 130, a handle 100, a terminal cover 140 and a battery 150.

[0042] A lock arrangement 500 comprises a mobile device 510 having an NFC- antenna 520 as well as the lock 10. The lock 10 is located on the inside of an reclosable container 300 (only partially shown in fig. 1 ). The lock 10 comprises an inner section 70 and an outer section 90. In fig. 1 said sections 70 and 90 are separated from each other by a lid 320 (only partially shown) of the reclosable container 300, however, the inner section 70 and the outer section 90 are connected by at least the lock mechanism 20 that protrudes from the inner section 70 and thus the inside of the reclosable container 300 to the outside of said container. The reclosable container 300 maybe for example a letter box or a trash can. In the depicted embodiment the lock 10 is attached to the lid of 320 of the reclosable container 300, however, the lock 10 maybe also attached to a body 310 (only partially shown) of the reclosable container 300.

[0043] The lock mechanism 20 comprises an engagement structure 25 that can be engaged by the catch 60. In the depicted embodiment the lock mechanism 20 is rotatable with respect to a middle axis A as indicated by the arrow on the bottom of fig. 1 . Further, the lock mechanism 20 is biased by means of the first biasing element 50. In the depicted embodiment the first biasing element 50 is a torsion spring that biases the lock mechanism 20 such as to rotate about a middle axis A as indicated by the arrow on the bottom of fig. 1.

[0044] The catch 60 is movable parallel to the arrow as depicted in fig. 1. In the depicted embodiment the catch 60 is in engagement with the engagement structure 25 of the lock mechanism 20 (engaged position). Further, the catch 60 is operatively connected to the electric actuator 30. Also, the catch 60 is biased into engagement with the engagement structure 25 of mechanism 20 by means of the second biasing element 55. The connection between the catch 60 and the electric actuator 30 is it depicted as a direct connection in fig. 1. However, there may be intermediate structures or mechanisms such as a mechanism to translate a rotational movement of electric actuator 30 into a linear movement of the catch 60, e.g. by means of a cam being mounted to the electric actuator. The second biasing element 55 is in the depicted embodiment a coil spring.

[0045] If the lock mechanism 20 is rotated about the middle axis A the lid 320 is locked to the body 310 of the reclosable container 300 or said lid 320 is released from the body 310 and the inside of the reclosable container 300 may be accessed. A latch (not shown) may be attached to the lock mechanism for that purpose in a known manner. The catch 60 prohibits a rotation of the lock mechanism 20 when the catch 60 is engaged with the engagement structure 25 of the lock mechanism 20. In other words, the catch 60 prohibits the lock mechanism 20 from rotating about the middle axis A due to the biasing force of the first biasing element 50. However, it is possible to omit the first biasing element 50. In such a case a user of the lock 10 unlocks the lock 10 by sending the appropriate signal to one of the antennas and then move the lock mechanism 20 from the locked position LP to the open position OP by hand using for example the handle 100.

[0046] The first biasing element 50 is tensioned by rotating the lock mechanism 20 against its biasing force. The catch 60 is it designed to slip on or glide on the lock mechanism 20 being biased towards the lock mechanism 20 by the biasing force of the second biasing element 55. In other words, if the first biasing element 50 is tensioned by rotating the lock mechanism 50 around middle axis A, the catch 60 will slide along the surface of lock mechanism 20 until it is pushed by the biasing force of the second biasing element 55 into the engagement structure 25. Accordingly, the lock mechanism is tensioned. Preferably this state corresponds to a locked position of the lock mechanism 20 and/or the lock 10. If the catch 60 is disengaged by actuation of the electric actuator 30 from the engagement structure 25 of the lock mechanism 20, then the biasing force of the first biasing element 50 rotates the lock mechanism 20 into the open position OP of the lock 10 and/or the lock mechanism 20. Also, the electric actuator 30 pulls the catch 60 from the engagement structure 25 only for a short moment, for example one revolution of the electric actuator 30 or one stroke movement of a solenoid and then the biasing force of the second biasing element 55 pushes the catch 60 again towards to and in contact with the lock mechanism 20.

[0047] There may be abutments provided such as a to restrict the rotational movement of the lock mechanism 20 to only part of a full revolution. For example 70° to 120° of angular or rotational movement of the lock mechanism 20 about the middle axis A. [0048] The lock mechanism 20 further comprises a handle 100 that is attached to the lock mechanism 20 in the outer section 90 of the lock 10. The handle 100 comprises the first antenna 80 and the terminal 130. The terminal 130 is protected by a terminal cover 140. The terminal 130 can be used to connect an external energy source with the lock 10 in order to supply the lock 10 with energy in case the battery 150 being operatively coupled to the control unit and supplying energy to the control unit, the antennas and the electric actuator as this known in the art is drained. The handle 100 rotates (moves) with the lock mechanism 20. However, the terminal 100 and the first antenna 80 are designed to remain stationary if the handle 100 and/or the lock mechanism 20 rotate (move). This may be achieved by additional structures (not shown) that are comprised by the lock 10 and/or the lock mechanism 20. Having the first antenna 80 and/or the terminal 130 stationary with respect to a movement of the handle 100 and/or the lock mechanism 20 has the advantage that no specifically designed flexible electric connections have to be provided which renders the lock 10 more reliable. The terminal cover 140 may be hold in place (in an installed state) by means of a form and/or force fit connection with the handle 100.

[0049] The handle 100 covers a fixation 110 that fixes the lock 10 to the lid 320. The fixation 110 is mounted to the lock from the outer section 90 and subsequently covered by the handle 100. In the depicted embodiment, the handle 100 his attached to the lock mechanism 20 such as to only be removable from the inner section 70. In other words, once the handle 100 is attached to the lock mechanism 20 it can only be removed having access to the inside of the container which prohibits tampering with the lock 10. That fixation 110 maybe any fixation known in the art. It may be a nut that is screwed onto a thread on or operatively coupled to the lock mechanism 20 as this is known in the art. There may be an abutment (not shown) on the lock mechanism 20 and the lid 320 is sandwiched between the abutment (not shown) and the fixation 110. It is also possible, that the handle 100 fixes the lock 10 to the lid 320 when the handle 100 is attached to the lock mechanism 20. The handle 100 may be clipped onto the lock mechanism 20.

[0050] The first antenna 80 is operatively coupled to the control unit 40. The second antenna 120 is also operatively coupled to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 is operatively coupled to the electric actuator 30 such as to control the electric actuator 30 upon reception of a respective signal by the first antenna 80 and/or the second antenna 120. The terminal 130 is also operatively coupled to the control unit 40. The battery 150 is operatively coupled to the control unit 40 and/or all other components in need of electricity, as this is known in the art. For the sake of legibility the aforementioned connections are not depicted in fig. 1. In the depicted embodiment, the first antenna 80 is an NFC-antenna and the second antenna 120 is a Bluetooth and/or wireless antenna. However, the first antenna 80 and the second antenna 120 maybe any antenna known in the art. In the depicted embodiment there is one NFC- tag present on the control unit 40. The NFC-tag is activated/executed if there is an active NFC-signal having a matching coding for example emitted by the NFC antenna 520 of mobile device 510. If the NFC-tag is activated/executed by such matching signal the electric actuator 30 is caused to perform e.g. a prescribed number of revolutions or move along a prescribed way and consequently move the catch 60 from engagement with the lock mechanism 20.

[0051] Fig. 2 depicts the flow chart of a locking method 600. In step 10 a lock having an electric actuator is disposed in a locked position. The electric actuator is activated upon reception of a signal by a first antenna and or second antenna. Said first antenna is operatively coupled to a control unit and the control unit is operatively coupled to the electric actuator. There may be also a terminal that is operatively coupled to the control unit and the electric actuator is only actuated if e.g. an energy source is attached to the terminal.

[0052] In step 20 the electric actuator disengages a catch from the lock mechanism such that the lock mechanism is free to move. In other words, the electric actuator moves the catch from an engaged position into an disengaged position.

[0053] In step 30 the lock mechanism moves because of the biasing force of the first biasing element into an open position.

[0054] In step 40 the catch is biased into the engaged position by means of the biasing force of a second biasing element. [0055] In step 50 the lock mechanism is moved against the biasing force of the lock mechanism to the locked position.

[0056] In step 60 the catch is moved to the engaged position and prevents the lock mechanism from moving under the biasing force of the first biasing element. At the end of step 60 the lock is in the same state as at the beginning of step 10.

[0057] Steps 20 and 30 may at least partially be carried out simultaneously. The moment the catch disengages from the lock mechanism because of the actuation of the electric actuator, the lock mechanism may start moving due to the biasing force of the first biasing element. Thus, the catch may move at least partially the same time as the lock mechanism also moves. As the electric actuator will perform a prescribed movement, for example the electric actuator will carry out a prescribed amount of revolution or linear movements (i.e. the electric actuator will move from one defined position to another defined position) and the catch will not be finished in its movement when the lock mechanism starts its movement under the biasing force.

[0058] Steps 40 to 50 may at least partially be carried out simultaneously. As the electric actuator stops to act on the catch, the biasing force of the second biasing element will move the catch towards the lock mechanism and thus towards the engaged position. As the lock mechanism is moved in step 50 against the biasing force of the first biasing element, the catch being biased by the second biasing element can be already in contact with the lock mechanism. The engagement of the catch in the engaged position with the lock mechanism in step 60 is dependent on the position of the lock mechanism with respect to the catch. In other words, as long as the catch is not properly aligned with the lock mechanism there will be no engagement of the catch with the lock mechanism. Only when the lock mechanism is moved into the locked position, the catch can be moved by the biasing force into the engaged position and prevent a movement of the lock mechanism.

[0059] In step 10 the received signal may be an active NFC-signal. The active NFC- signal may activate/execute a NFC-tag that in turn causes the electric actuator to move and consequently move the catch. [0060] The movement from the locked position to the unlocked position of the locking mechanism in step 30 can be carried out manually e.g. by moving the lock mechanism. Consequently, it is not necessary that there is a first biasing element that exerts a biasing force on the lock mechanism. Also, the movement from the disengaged position into the engaged position of the catch can be carried out without the biasing force of the second biasing element, for example using the electric actuator.

[0061] The lock may be the lock 10 depicted in fig. 1 and described above. In this case all explanations and reference signs as described in connection with fig. 1 apply.

[0062] The scope of protection is determined by the appended claims. The description and drawings, however, are to be considered when interpreting the claims. Single features or feature combinations of the described and/or depicted features may represent independent inventive solutions. The object of the independent solutions may be found in the description.

[0063] All notations of ranges of values in the present description are to be understood as to also comprise and disclose all arbitrary sub-ranges therein, e.g. the disclosure 1 to 10 is to be understood that all sub-ranges starting from the lower limit 1up to the upper limit 10 are also comprised and disclosed, i.e. all sub-ranges starting with a lower limit of 1 or bigger and end with an upper limit of 10 or smaller, e.g. 1 to 1 ,7, or 3,2 to 8,1 , or 5,5 to 10. Only one digit after the comma is described, however the same applies mutates mutandis to any given number of digits after the comma.

[0064] It is further to be noted that for a better understanding parts/elements are depicted to some extend not to scale and/or enlarged and/or down scaled. Reference sign list

10 lock

20 lock mechanism

25 engagement structure

30 electric actuator

40 control unit

50 first biasing element

55 second biasing element

60 catch

70 inner section

80 first antenna

90 outer section

100 handle

110 fixation

120 second antenna

130 terminal

140 terminal cover

150 battery

300 reclosable container

310 body

320 lid

500 lock arrangement

510 mobile device

520 NFC-antenna

A middle axis

LP locked position

OP open position