# US 8,540,291 B2 · Device and method for unlocking a lock by use of monitoring of current > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,291 B2 - Document ID: US8540291B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/449,696 - Filed: 2008-02-19 - Published: 2010-05-27 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-23 - Assignees: Phoniro AB - Applicants: Olle Bliding; Johan Hörberg; Lennart Sjöstedt; Thomas Persson - Inventors: Olle Bliding; Johan Hörberg; Lennart Sjöstedt; Thomas Persson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540291B2 ## CPC - G07C 9/00944: {Details of construction or manufacture} - E05B 17/0062: {with destructive disengagement} - E05B 47/0012: {with rotary electromotors (actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68)} - E05C 1/04: with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the bolt - E05C 17/04: with a movable bar or equivalent member extending between frame and wing - E05C 17/30: of extensible, e.g. telescopic, construction (flexible members E05C17/36 {; locking of telescopic systems in general F16B7/10; lockable telescopic gas springs F16F9/0254}) - E05B 63/0065: {Operating modes; Transformable to different operating modes} - E05B 2047/002: {Geared transmissions} - E05B 2047/0052: {opening the circuit by detection of current increase} - E05B 2047/0083: {Devices of electrically driving keys, e.g. to facilitate opening} - Y10T 292/1047: Closure - Y10T 292/1082: Motor - Y10T 292/699: Motor controlled - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A lock device is adapted to unlock a lock by transferring a lock catch from a locking position to a releasing position. The device has an electric motor mechanically connected to an axle by means of at least one transmission means, and rotation of said axle actuates the lock catch. The device is characterized in that it comprises means for monitoring the current consumed by the electric motor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lock device adapted to unlock a lock by transferring a lock catch from a locking position to a releasing position, said lock device comprising: an electric motor mechanically connected to an axle via at least one transmission device, rotation of the axle actuating the lock catch; and means for monitoring current consumed by the electric motor, the lock device based on the monitored current, stopping a transfer of the lock catch before the lock catch reaches a permanent stop. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lock device of claim 1, further comprising: means for evaluating the monitored current; and storage means for storing current characteristics regarding the current. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The lock device of claim 2, wherein the lock device is configured to determine whether the lock device is in a locked/unlocked state or not based on a comparison between the monitored current and the stored current characteristics. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The lock device of claim 2, wherein the lock device is configured to determine the type of lock that the lock device has been applied to, based on a comparison between the monitored current and the stored current characteristics. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lock device of claim 1, wherein said at least one transmission device comprises a weakening structure adapted to break and disrupt the mechanical connection between the electric motor and the axle if a threshold force is exceeded. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The lock device of claim 5, wherein the at least one transmission device comprises a gear wheel comprising a central region, a peripheral region, and an intermediate weakening region including the weakening structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The lock device of claim 5, wherein the weakening structure comprises a structural weakening. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The lock device of claim 5, wherein the weakening structure comprises an adhesive bond, releasably bonding the central region to the peripheral region. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The lock device of claim 5, wherein the weakening structure comprises at least one structure extending radially between the central region and the peripheral region. ### Claim 10 A method for locking/unlocking a lock with a lock device having a motor controller controlling an electrical motor mechanically connected to a lock catch of the lock and a device capable of monitoring the current consumed by the motor, said method comprising: sending instructions to a motor controller to actuate the motor in an opening direction; monitoring current consumed during the operation of the motor; comparing the current consumed as a function of time with reference current characteristics; determining when the lock is locked/unlocked based on said comparison; and stopping actuation of the motor, wherein the actuation is stopped prior to the lock catch reaching a permanent stop. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method comprising: using a lock device according to claim 1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The lock device of claim 2, wherein the current characteristics regarding the current is a preset value being a threshold value or a reference curve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 3) The lock device of claim 3, wherein the lock device is capable of determining the type of lock that the lock device has been applied to, based on a comparison between the monitored current and the stored current characteristics. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The lock device of claim 7, wherein the structural weakening includes apertures, recesses or cavities in the weakening region. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) The lock device of claim 6, wherein the weakening structure comprises a structural weakening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The lock device of claim 15, wherein the structural weakening includes apertures, recesses or cavities in the weakening region. ### Claim 17 (depends on 6) The lock device of claim 6, wherein the weakening structure comprises an adhesive bond, releasably bonding the central region to the peripheral region. ### Claim 18 (depends on 6) The lock device of claim 6, wherein the weakening structure comprises at least one structure extending radially between the central region and the peripheral region. ### Claim 19 (depends on 7) The lock device of claim 7, wherein the weakening structure comprises an adhesive bond, releasably bonding the central region to the peripheral region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 7) The lock device of claim 7, wherein the weakening structure comprises at least one structure extending radially between the central region and the peripheral region. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The lock device of claim 1, wherein the axle is a rotatable axle directly contacting the lock catch. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The lock device of claim 1, wherein the axle includes a manual operating knob at one end of the axle and the other end of the axle engages the lock catch. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The lock device of claim 1, further comprising a DC power source stored in the lock device.