Bi-stable actuator for electronic lock

A bi-stable actuator for an electronic door lock having a handle shaft selectively rotating independently of a lock shaft, comprising:

• a stationary door lock housing;
• a first magnet assembly fixedly connected to the housing within the electronic door lock;
• a beam movably disposed in the housing and capable of being electrically actuated relative to the first magnet assembly to a first position and a second position;
• and
• a second magnet assembly connected to the beam and configured to be magnetically repulsed away from the first magnet assembly into either the first or the second position;
• and
• a mechanism connected to the beam and movable thereby such that when the beam is in the first position the mechanism transmits rotation between the handle shaft and the lock shaft allowing the electronic door lock to be unlocked.

An electronic door lock, comprising:

• a rotatable door handle;
• a handle shaft operably connected to the door handle and capable of being rotationally actuated thereby;
• a latch mechanism;
• a lock shaft axially co-aligned with and rotatably mounted adjacent the handle shaft and rotatably connected to the latch mechanism;
• a movable clutch capable of coupling the lock shaft with the handle shaft to unlock the latch mechanism;
• and
• an actuator has a movable beam and a stationary first magnet mounted therein, the moveable beam has a second magnet assembly mounted thereon which is configured to be magnetically repulsed away from the first magnet assembly to a first position and a second position;
• wherein when the second magnet assembly is magnetically repulsed away from the first magnet assembly the beam deflects into the first position to engage the clutch and couple the lock shaft with the handle shaft thereby unlocking the latch mechanism.