Control circuit for electric unlocking devices using actuating solenoids

Abstract

A system and method is provided for an enhanced and user friendly control circuit for an electric unlocking device, such as for example, an electric door strike or other unlocking devices utilizing actuating solenoids. The control circuit minimizes the potential for human error while also providing a small footprint, minimal DC in-rush current, over current protection, and minimized heat dissipation. Additionally, the present invention is directed to providing visual notification/diagnostics and improved field compatibility with existing electric unlocking devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A control circuit for an electric unlocking device, wherein the electric unlocking device is rated for a plurality of voltage levels, and wherein the electric unlocking device includes one of a first voltage rated actuating coil or a second voltage rated actuating coil, the control circuit comprising:
 a power stage including an input rectifier; 
 a microcontroller; 
 a voltage regulator; and 
 means for connecting the control circuit to an external power source having one of said plurality of voltage levels; and 
 mechanical switching means for selecting a specific voltage input level for a connectedcorresponding to one of a plurality ofthe first voltage rated actuatorsactuating coil or the second voltage rated actuating coil; 
 said input rectifier connected to said external power source to provide a rectified DC voltage; 
 said voltage regulator having an input connected to said rectified DC voltage and an output operably connected to power said microcontroller; 
 said microcontroller operably connected to provide said rectified DC voltage at said specific voltage input level for a connected the corresponding one of a plurality of the first voltage rated actuators actuating coil or the second voltage rated actuating coil provided that said specific voltage input level selected by said mechanical switching means matches a voltage rating of said connected the corresponding one of said plurality of the first voltage rated actuators actuating coil or the second voltage rated actuating coil. 
 
     
     
       2. The control circuit of  claim 1  wherein said voltage regulator is a low current voltage regulator. 
     
     
       3. The control circuit of  claim 1  wherein said microcontroller provides pulse width modulation for voltage control and for determining the punch time duration for energizing the electric unlocking device near a full input voltage during a punch time. 
     
     
       4. The control circuit of  claim 1  wherein said mechanical switching means is selectively positionable to provide said selected specific voltage input level and a selected position of said mechanical switch means is fed back to said microcontroller. 
     
     
       5. The control circuit of  claim 4  wherein a correct position of said mechanical switching means is indicated by said microcontroller. 
     
     
       6. The control circuit of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one light emitting diode wherein said correct position of said mechanical switching means is indicated by illumination of said at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
       7. The control circuit of  claim 1  wherein said specific voltage input level for the connected corresponding one of said actuators the first voltage rated actuating coil or the second voltage rated actuating coil is indicated by said microcontroller. 
     
     
       8. The control circuit of  claim 7  further comprising at least one light emitting diode, wherein said specific voltage input level for the connected corresponding one of said actuators the first voltage rated actuating coil or the second voltage rated actuating coil is indicated by illumination of said at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
       9. The control circuit of  claim 4  further comprising at least one light emitting diode, wherein said microcontroller is configured to illuminate said at least one light emitting diode if the selected position of said mechanical switch means is inconsistent with the specific voltage input level for the connected corresponding one of said plurality of the first voltage rated actuators, said at least one light emitting diode is illuminated to convey the inconsistency actuating coil or the second voltage rated actuating coil. 
     
     
       10. The control circuit of  claim 9  wherein said at least one light emitting diode includes first and second light emitting diodes, and said first and second light emitting diodes wherein said microcontroller is configured to convey the inconsistency by an alternating sequencing or pulsating of each of said first and second light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       11. The control circuit of  claim 1  further including a polyfuse connected to said external power source and to said rectifier to provide secondary over current protection for the control circuit, wherein said polyfuse includes a first closed circuit state and a second blown circuit state, and wherein said circuit is configured so that said microcontroller remains powered and active voltage regulator operates to provide power to said microcontroller for a short period of time when said polyfuse is in said second blown circuit state. 
     
     
       12. The control circuit of  claim 1  further comprising a DC input filtering capacitor connected to an output of said rectifier wherein said DC input filtering capacitor is configured to reduce DC in-rush energy and welding together of relay contacts feeding the control circuit. 
     
     
       13. The control circuit of  claim 12  wherein said DC input filtering capacitor is a 4.7 μf capacitor. 
     
     
       14. The control circuit of  claim 1  wherein said rectified DC voltage is provided via a low on-resistance transistor switch. 
     
     
       15. The control circuit of  claim 14  wherein said low on-resistance transistor switch is a MOSFET transistor. 
     
     
       16. The control circuit of  claim 1  further comprising at least one light emitting diode wherein at least one of an over current or shorts at an output of the control circuit is indicated by illumination of said at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
       17. The control circuit of  claim 1  wherein said electric unlocking device is an electric door strike. 
     
     
       18. The control circuit of  claim 17  wherein said electric door strike is solenoid driven. 
     
     
       19. The circuit of  claim 1  wherein said DC voltage provided by said input rectifier is a pulsating unfiltered signal. 
     
     
       20. The circuit of  claim 19  wherein said pulsating unfiltered signal operates a solenoid driven electric unlocking device. 
     
     
       21. A control circuit for an electric unlocking device, wherein the electric unlocking device is rated for a plurality of voltage levels, and wherein the electric unlocking device includes one of a first voltage rated actuating coil or a second voltage rated actuating coil, the control circuit comprising:
 an input rectifier;   a microcontroller;   a voltage regulator; and   means for connecting the control circuit to an external power source having one of said plurality of voltage levels;   mechanical switching means for selecting a specific voltage input level corresponding to one of the first voltage rated actuating coil or the second voltage rated actuating coil;   said input rectifier connected to said external power source to provide a rectified DC voltage;   said voltage regulator having an input connected to said rectified DC voltage and an output operably connected to power said microcontroller;   said microcontroller operably connected to provide pulse width modulation for voltage control.    
     
     
       22. The control circuit in accordance with claim 21 wherein said pulse width modulation is used during a punch time for energizing the unlocking device near a full input voltage.