IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,597,902
Granted Patent B2
US 10,597,902 · App. 15/491,980 · Granted Mar 24, 2020

Lock clutches, lock assemblies, lock components and methods of making and using thereof

Inventors: Yan Guo (Sammamish, WA); Henry Guo (Issaquah, WA)
E05B17/044E05B17/045E05B47/068F16D11/14F16D23/00F16D23/12E05B47/0012E05B2015/0496E05B2047/0026E05B2047/0028E05B2047/0031
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,597,902
App. No.
15/491,980
Granted
Mar 24, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A double clutch assembly includes a first clutch assembly and a second clutch assembly. The first clutch assembly includes a cylinder ( 21 ), a driver assembly, comprising a control member ( 11 ), a driver ( 1 ), and a driver shaft ( 9 ), wherein the control member ( 11 ), the driver ( 1 ), the driver shaft ( 9 ) and are configured to rotate concentrically together and a follower ( 2 ). The cylinder ( 21 ) is connected to the driver shaft ( 9 ). The rotation of the cylinder ( 21 ) causes the driver shaft ( 9 ) to engage with or disengage from the follower ( 2 ). The second clutch assembly includes an actuating assembly and a coupler ( 3 ). The coupler ( 3 ) relates to and is configured to rotate concentrically with the driver assembly. The actuating assembly is operably connected to the coupler ( 3 ) and is configured to move the coupler ( 3 ) causing the coupler ( 3 ) to disengage from or engage with the follower ( 2 ).

Claims (35)

1. A clutch assembly for a lock system, comprising,

a driver assembly, comprising a driver ( 1 ) and a driver shaft ( 9 ) as a single piece, wherein the driver ( 1 ) and the driver shaft ( 9 ) are configured to rotate concentrically together;

a follower ( 2 ), wherein the driver shaft ( 9 ) does not extend through the follower ( 2 ); and

a cylinder ( 21 ), wherein the cylinder ( 21 ) is operably connected to the driver shaft ( 9 ) such that the rotation of the cylinder ( 21 ) is configured to move the driver shaft ( 9 ) linearly causing the driver shaft ( 9 ) to engage with or disengage from the follower ( 2 ), wherein, when the driver shaft ( 9 ) engages with the follower ( 2 ), the follower ( 2 ) is operably connected with the driver assembly and rotates concentrically together with the driver assembly, and when the drive shaft ( 9 ) disengages with the follower ( 2 ), the follower ( 2 ) is operably disconnected with the driver assembly,

wherein the driver shaft ( 9 ) has a first driver end ( 19 ) and a second driver end ( 25 ), wherein the driver shaft ( 9 ) is operably connected to the cylinder ( 21 ) at the first driver end ( 19 ) and is configured to engage with the follower ( 2 ) at the second driver end ( 25 ), and wherein the second driver end ( 25 ) does not extend through the follower 2 , and

wherein the first driver end ( 19 ) is operably connected to the cylinder ( 21 ) through a coil spring ( 18 ), and wherein the coil spring ( 18 ) and is configured to rotate with the cylinder ( 21 ).

2. The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coil spring ( 18 ) is operably connected to the cylinder ( 21 ) at a first spring end and to the first driver end ( 19 ) at a second spring end.

3. The clutch assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first driver end ( 19 ) comprises a protruding structure ( 20 ) protruding radially and extending in-between the threads of the coil spring ( 18 ), wherein the protruding structure ( 20 ) is configured to slide between the threads of the coil spring ( 18 ) such that rotation of the coil spring ( 18 ) causes the driver shaft ( 9 ) to move linearly along the central axis of the coil spring ( 18 ).

4. A clutch assembly for a lock system, comprising,

a driver assembly, comprising a driver ( 1 ) and a driver shaft ( 9 ) as a single piece, wherein the driver ( 1 ) and the driver shaft ( 9 ) are configured to rotate concentrically together;

a follower ( 2 ), wherein the driver shaft ( 9 ) does not extend through the follower ( 2 );

a cylinder ( 21 ), wherein the cylinder ( 21 ) is operably connected to the driver shaft ( 9 ) such that the rotation of the cylinder ( 21 ) is configured to move the driver shaft ( 9 ) linearly causing the driver shaft ( 9 ) to engage with or disengage from the follower ( 2 ), wherein, when the driver shaft ( 9 ) engages with the follower ( 2 ), the follower ( 2 ) is operably connected with the driver assembly and rotates concentrically together with the driver assembly, and when the drive shaft ( 9 ) disengages with the follower ( 2 ), the follower ( 2 ) is operably disconnected with the driver assembly;

a coupler ( 3 ) having a groove ( 10 ), wherein the coupler ( 3 ) is configured to rotate concentrically together with the driver assembly, wherein the coupler ( 3 ) are configured to engage or disengage the follower ( 2 ), wherein the follower ( 2 ) is configured to rotate concentrically together with the driver assembly when engaged with the coupler ( 3 ), and wherein the follower ( 2 ) is disconnected from the driver assembly when disengaged from the coupler ( 3 ); and

an actuating assembly, wherein the actuating assembly comprises

a motor ( 8 ) having a rotation shaft ( 7 ), wherein the motor ( 8 ) is configured to rotate the rotation shaft ( 7 ); and

an actuating arm ( 4 ) as a single piece comprising a first end having a spring ( 6 ) and the second end having hook ( 5 ), wherein the first end is operably connected to the rotation shaft ( 7 ) by wounding the spring ( 6 ) onto to the rotation shaft ( 7 ), wherein the second end is operably connected to the coupler ( 3 ) by placing the hook ( 5 ) into the groove ( 10 ), wherein the motor ( 8 ) is configured to rotate the first end of the actuating arm ( 4 ) through the rotation shaft ( 7 ) producing a swing motion at the second end of the actuating arm ( 4 ), wherein the swing motion at the second end of the actuating arm is configured to cause the coupler ( 3 ) to move back and forth along the central axis of the driver shaft ( 9 ) leading to the disengagement and engagement between the first and the second coupling structure.

5. A double clutch assembly for a lock system, comprising,

a first clutch assembly, comprising,

a cylinder ( 21 ),

a driver assembly, comprising a control member ( 11 ), a driver ( 1 ), and a driver shaft ( 9 ) as a single piece, wherein the control member ( 11 ), the driver ( 1 ), and the driver shaft ( 9 ) are configured to rotate concentrically together; and

a follower ( 2 ), wherein the driver shaft ( 9 ) does not extend through the follower ( 2 ),

wherein the driver shaft ( 9 ) has a first driver end ( 19 ) and a second driver end ( 25 ), wherein the first driver end ( 19 ) is operably connected to the cylinder ( 21 ) through a coil spring ( 18 ), wherein the first driver end ( 19 ) comprises a protruding structure ( 20 ) protruding radially and extending in-between the threads of the coil spring ( 18 ), wherein the protruding structure ( 20 ) is configured to slide between the threads of the coil spring ( 18 ) such that rotation of the coil spring ( 18 ) causes the driver shaft ( 9 ) to move linearly along the central axis of the coil spring ( 18 ), and wherein the coil spring ( 18 ) and is configured to rotate with the cylinder ( 21 ), and wherein the cylinder ( 21 ) is operably connected to the driver shaft ( 9 ) such that the rotation of the cylinder ( 21 ) is configured to move the driver shaft ( 9 ) linearly causing the driver shaft ( 9 ) to engage with or disengage from the follower ( 2 ),

wherein, when the driver shaft ( 9 ) engages with the follower ( 2 ), the follower ( 2 ) is operably connected with the driver assembly and rotates concentrically together with the driver assembly, and wherein, when the drive shaft ( 9 ) disengages with the follower ( 2 ), the follower ( 2 ) is operably disconnected with the driver assembly; and

a second clutch assembly, comprising

an actuating assembly,

a coupler ( 3 ), wherein the coupler ( 3 ) is operably connected with and therefor is configured to rotate concentrically with the driver assembly,

wherein the actuating assembly is operably connected to the coupler ( 3 ) and is configured to move the coupler ( 3 ) causing the coupler ( 3 ) to disengage from or engage with the follower ( 2 ),

wherein, when the coupler ( 3 ) engages with the follower ( 2 ), the follower ( 2 ) is operably connected with the driver assembly and rotates concentrically together with the driver assembly, and wherein, when the coupler ( 3 ) disengages with the follower ( 2 ), the follower ( 2 ) is operably disconnected with the driver assembly.

6. The double clutch assembly of claim 5 , wherein the coupler ( 3 ) comprises a first coupling structure ( 12 ), wherein the follower ( 2 ) comprises a second coupling structure ( 15 ), wherein the first coupling structure is configured to engage with the second coupling structure, and wherein the follower ( 2 ) is configured to be operably connected with or disconnected from the coupler ( 3 ), when the first coupling structure is engaged with or disengaged from the second coupling structure, respectively.

7. The double clutch assembly of claim 5 , wherein the actuating assembly comprises

a motor ( 8 ) having a rotation shaft ( 7 ), wherein the motor ( 8 ) is configured to rotate the rotation shaft ( 7 ); and

an actuating arm ( 4 ) as a single piece comprising a first end having a spring ( 6 ) and the second end having a hook ( 5 ), wherein the first end is operably connected to the rotation shaft ( 7 ) by wounding the spring ( 6 ) onto to the rotation shaft ( 7 ), wherein the second end is operably connected to the coupler ( 3 ) by placing the hook ( 5 ) into the groove ( 10 ), wherein the motor ( 8 ) is configured to rotate the first end of the actuating arm ( 4 ) through the rotation shaft ( 7 ) producing a swing motion at the second end of the actuating arm ( 4 ), wherein the swing motion at the second end of the actuating arm is configured to cause the coupler ( 3 ) to move back and forth along the central axis of the driver shaft ( 9 ) leading to the disengagement and engagement between the first and the second coupling structure.

8. The double clutch assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a latch or a deadbolt operably connected to the follower ( 2 ), wherein, when the coupler ( 3 ) is disengaged from the follower ( 2 ), the control member ( 11 ) is disconnected from the latch or the deadbolt, and wherein, when the coupler ( 3 ) is engaged with the follower ( 2 ), rotating the control member ( 11 ) is configured to produce a linear motion on the latch or deadbolt.

9. A lock system, comprising the double clutch assembly of claim 8 , wherein, when the coupler ( 3 ) is engaged with the follower ( 2 ), rotating the control member ( 11 ) is configured to retract and extend the latch or the deadbolt, and wherein, when the coupler ( 3 ) is disengaged from the follower ( 2 ), the control member ( 11 ) is disconnected from the latch or the deadbolt.

10. The lock system of claim 9 , further comprising an authenticating device, wherein the authenticating device is configured to authenticate an operator and to control the engagement and disengagement between the coupler ( 3 ) and the follower ( 2 ) therefore connecting and disconnecting the control member ( 11 ) with the latch or deadbolt.

Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62325052 · Apr 20, 2016
Related Publication 20170306646A1 · Oct 26, 2017
Cited By (6)
US 12,281,497 US 12,320,159 US 12,359,465 US 12,359,469 US 12,416,184 US 12,735,915