CN108431348B

CN108431348B - Electronic sensor and key operated lock

Info

Publication number: CN108431348B
Application number: CN201780003860.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗伯托·卡夫拉尔·埃雷拉
Original assignee: Luo BotuoKafulaerAileila
Current assignee: Luo BotuoKafulaerAileila
Priority date: 2016-12-15
Filing date: 2017-04-28
Publication date: 2021-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2037-04-28
Also published as: CN113153020A; CN113153020B; EP3472412A1; EP3472412A4; MX2018004555A; CN108431348A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety device. Previously, there were no locks that were opened using a combination of manual and electronic mechanisms. Embodiments of the present invention use a toggle switch (135) connected to a shackle (115) in a lock (100) and configured to be operated or movable by both an electronic key mode and a manual key mode. In some embodiments, the shackle may include a lever recess (113) on one end adjacent the pivot lever portion (117) and a recess (119) on the opposite locking end. Ball bearings (140,145) may be received in the recesses (118,119), respectively, to snap the shackle (115) in the locked state.

Description

Electronic sensor and key operated lock

Technical Field

Embodiments herein relate generally to security devices and, more particularly, to electronic sensor and key operated locks.

Background

Prior art locks typically provide only a single means of unlocking. Conventional locks, such as padlocks, use a physical key to unlock them. Some newer locks may be opened using an electronic mechanism. However, these approaches vary in the market place. The two approaches are generally incompatible because they use different means to unlock the safety mechanism. It is therefore the case that a person using a key-based lock and forgetting or losing his key must generally destroy the lock to gain access to the protected item. For those who use electronic based locks, and in particular biometric based systems, a common phenomenon and disadvantage in devices is that they lose power or otherwise fail electronically, rendering the device inoperable for opening, and again generally leaving the owner without choice but to destroy the lock.

It can be seen that there is a need for a lock that provides compatibility with manual and electronic mechanisms for opening, thereby providing users with fail-safe options in the event that one mode of operation is not available.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect of the present technology, a lock comprises: a housing; a biometric scanner coupled to the housing; a circuit controller connected to the biometric scanner; a power source connected to the circuit controller and the biometric scanner; a motor connected to the circuit controller and the power source, the motor configured to operate in response to a signal from the circuit controller based on an input to the biometric scanner; a tumbler (tubbler) coupled to the housing, including a keyway for receiving a key, wherein the tumbler is movable by operation of the key; a clutch transmission coupled to the tumbler and the motor, wherein the clutch transmission is configured to: engaging the motor in response to a signal from the circuit controller and/or engaging the tumblers in response to operation of the key in the keyway; and a shackle coupled to the housing and the clutch transmission, the shackle being movable from a locked position and an unlocked position by engagement of the clutch transmission with the tumbler or engagement of the clutch transmission with the motor.

In another aspect, an electronic and key operated lock includes: a lock housing; an electronic sensor coupled to the lock housing; a power source connected to the electronic sensor; a motor connected to the electronic sensor and the power source, the motor configured to operate in response to a signal from the electronic sensor; a tumbler including a manually operated mechanism, wherein the tumbler is movable by operation of at least the manually operated mechanism; a clutch transmission coupled to the tumbler and the motor, wherein the clutch transmission is configured to: engaging the motor in response to a signal from the electronic sensor and/or engaging the tumblers in response to operation of the key in the keyway; and a shackle coupled to the lock housing and the clutch transmission, the shackle being movable from a locked position and an unlocked position by engagement of the clutch transmission with the tumbler or engagement of the clutch transmission with the motor.

In yet another aspect, a lock includes: a lock housing; a biometric scanner incorporated into the lock housing; a circuit controller connected to the biometric scanner; a power source connected to the circuit controller and the biometric scanner; a motor inside the lock housing connected to the circuit controller and the power source; a tumbler inside the lock housing, the tumbler including a keyway for receiving a key, wherein the tumbler is movable by operation of the key; and a shackle coupled to the lock housing, the shackle being movable from a locked state and an unlocked state by: the circuit controller receives an authorized biometric input and, in response to receiving the authorized biometric input, drives the motor to move the shackle to the unlocked position, or the key engages the shackle to move the shackle to the unlocked position.

Drawings

The following detailed description of some embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate corresponding parts of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electronic sensor and key operated lock in use, in accordance with an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of the lock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the lock of FIG. 1 showing the open and closed positions of the shackle.

FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view of the lock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the keyed tumbler and shackle component of FIG. 1A.

Fig. 3A is an exploded view of the assembly of fig. 3.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the keyed tumbler and shackle component of FIG. 1A.

Fig. 4A is an exploded view of the assembly of fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a top view of the assembly of fig. 3.

Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A of fig. 5.

Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B of fig. 5.

Fig. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6C-6C of fig. 5.

Fig. 6D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6D-6D of fig. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a keyed tumbler and shackle assembly being opened from a locked position to an intermediate state between the locked and unlocked positions in manual key operation.

Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8A-8A of fig. 7.

Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8B-8B of fig. 7.

Fig. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8C-8C of fig. 7.

Fig. 8D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8D-8D of fig. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the keyed tumbler and shackle assembly in an unlocked position during manual key operation.

Fig. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10A-10A of fig. 9.

Fig. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10B-10B of fig. 9.

Fig. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10C-10C of fig. 9.

Fig. 10D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10D-10D of fig. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the tumbler and shackle component in a locked position under operation of the biometric sensory.

Fig. 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12A-12A of fig. 11.

Fig. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12B-12B of fig. 11.

Fig. 12C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12C-12C of fig. 11.

Fig. 12D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12D-12D of fig. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the tumbler and shackle assembly of FIG. 11 intermediate a locked position and an unlocked position.

Fig. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14A-14A of fig. 13.

Fig. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14B-14B of fig. 13.

Fig. 14C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14C-14C of fig. 13.

Fig. 14D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14D-14D of fig. 13.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the tumbler and shackle assembly of FIG. 11 in an unlocked position.

Fig. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16A-16A of fig. 15.

Fig. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16B-16B of fig. 15.

Fig. 16C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16C-16C of fig. 15.

Fig. 16D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16D-16D of fig. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the tumbler and shackle of FIG. 15 with the clutch transmission disengaged from the second transmission.

Fig. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18A-18A of fig. 17.

Fig. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18B-18B of fig. 17.

Fig. 18C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18C-18C of fig. 17.

Fig. 18D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18D-18D of fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing electrical connections in a biometric sensor and key operated lock in accordance with an embodiment of the subject technology.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings in general, the disclosed embodiments of the invention provide an electronic sensor and key operated lock. The lock incorporates both a manually operated mechanism and an electronic sensor into one device. The lock provides the user with the option of unlocking the lock using at least one of a manually operated mechanism and an electronic sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking element is moved by a toggle switch cooperatively connected with a manually operated mechanism and an electronic sensor. In one aspect, the user may rely primarily on electronic sensors, and in the event of a failure of an electronic sensor, the user may still have the ability to open the lock through a manual mode of operation.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a lock 100 in operation according to an exemplary embodiment of the subject technology is shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the lock 100 is a padlock. The lock 100 includes a lock housing 110 and a shackle 115, which shackle 115 may be a "U" shaped piece of metal in some embodiments. The lock 100 is shown in a locked state and unlocked by the user 50 through the use of element manipulation as described below.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, the lock 100 is shown in an exploded view, with the internal components shown along with the external components. In general, operation of the lock is provided by one of two modes: an electronic key mode and a manual key mode. The shackle 115 is a safety mechanism that is common to both modes. Further, a toggle switch 135 is connected to the shackle 115 and is configured to be operated or movable by both an electronic key mode and a manual key mode. In some embodiments, shackle 115 may include a lever recess 113 on one end adjacent to pivot lever portion 117 and a recess 119 on the opposite locking end.

Ball bearings

140 and 145 may be received in

recesses

118 and 119, respectively, to snap shackle 115 in the locked state. Referring briefly to fig. 2 and 2A along with fig. 1A, the shackle 115 may be moved into and out of a locked state by an electronic key mode, for example, via the electronic sensor 120. In the locked state, the recess 119 of the shackle is positioned inside the housing 110. In the unlocked state, shackle 115 may be free to move upward such that recess 119 is outside of housing 110, and shackle 115 may pivot about the axis of rod portion 117. It will be appreciated that in the manual key mode, the shackle 115 may operate in the same manner.

In the exemplary embodiment, toggle 135 is configured to interface with

ball bearings

140 and 145 such that rotation of toggle 135 moves

ball bearings

140 and 145 into

recesses

118 and 119 and out of

recesses

118 and 119, as described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, the toggle switch 135 is primarily connected to a manual key mode element and secondarily to an electronic key mode element, but it will be appreciated that the configuration may be reversed to achieve the same effect. For purposes of illustration, the connection of the toggle switch 135 will first be described with respect to the manual key mode element.

Manual key mode

Still referring to fig. 1A, the manual key mode includes tumblers 125. In an exemplary embodiment, the tumblers 125 can be tumbler pin (pin) type tumblers that include a keyway 129 for receiving a key (not shown). The internal operation of the tumblers 125 can be operated as is known in the art. Some embodiments may include a

retainer system

131, 151 at the interface of the keyway 129 and the housing 110 to prevent the motor 150 from rotating within the lock. Element 151 receives motor 150 while element 131 secures the retainer to tumbler 125, thereby preventing motor 150 from rotating in the lock as it moves. In an exemplary embodiment, the toggle switch 135 is keyed to the tumbler 125 by a clutch actuator 130. Operation of the tumblers 125 can cause rotation of the clutch actuator 130, which in response rotates the toggle switch 135. In some embodiments, the clutch transmission 130 is in a default position to engage the toggle switch 135 through operation of the tumblers 125. The retainer 133 holds the clock spring 137 in place between the clutch actuator 130 and the toggle switch 135. When a key is inserted into the tumbler 125, the clutch actuator 130 rotates the toggle 135 and engages the toggle 135. The toggle switch 135 rotates from the locked state and releases the shackle 115. The clock spring 137 may be configured to return the clutch transmission 130 to the home position in response to the key being removed from the tumblers 125. The limiter 139 limits the movement of the toggle switch 135 so that the spring 137 does not move the toggle switch 135 beyond the vertical position. As seen in the drawing, the spring 137 biases the toggle switch 135 in a counterclockwise direction. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the clutch transmission 130 also serves as a common element for engaging and/or disengaging the motor 150 to activate operation in the electronic key mode as described herein when desired.

Electronic key mode

The electronic key mode includes an electronic sensor 120 on the exterior of the housing 110. Some embodiments may include a scanner key 127 to activate operation of the electronic sensor 120. The electronic sensor 120 may be, for example, a biometric sensor. In the exemplary embodiment, electronic sensor 120 is a fingerprint scanner configured to read a fingerprint. The electronic sensor 120 may be connected to a circuit board controller 160, which circuit board controller 160 may be positioned within the interior of the housing 110 behind the electronic sensor 120. For purposes of illustration, power source 170 (FIG. 12) is omitted from the view of FIG. 1A. The circuit board controller 160 may include a memory and a processor (not shown) configured to store authorized fingerprint records and to identify the fingerprint detected by the electronic sensor 120. In some embodiments, the circuit board 160 may include a programming button 153 that is activated when the lock 100 is unlocked. Button 127 is operable to trigger "add" button 153 to, for example, allow biometric programming of electronic sensor 120. In this way, the lock 100 may only be programmed in the unlocked position when access to the lock 100 is specifically authorized. The circuit board 160 may also be configured to send a signal to the motor 150 (in the housing 110) to rotate the shaft 157 in response to receiving an authorized fingerprint scan from the electronic sensor 120. The shaft 157 may be coupled to the transmission 155. In some embodiments, the transmission 155 may be keyed to splines on the clutch transmission 130. The splined portion of the clutch transmission 130 may only carry the clutch transmission and move the clutch transmission 130 during the electronic key mode. In operation, in response to the user 50 (fig. 1) providing an authorization input to the electronic sensor 120, the motor 150 causes the transmission 155 to rotate the clutch transmission 130, which in turn operates the toggle switch 135 to unlock the shackle 115 as described above.

Locked state

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 3A, 4A and 5, the above-described keyed tumbler and elements of the shackle assembly are shown in a locked state without housing 110. In the exemplary embodiment,

ball bearings

140 and 145 operate as a detent device that retains

recesses

118 and 119 and thus shackle 115 in a locked position. In an exemplary embodiment, toggle 135 may be cylindrical in shape and include

recesses

134 and 136 on its outer surface configured to receive and carry

ball bearings

140 and 145. However, as shown in these figures, in the locked state, the

ball bearings

140 and 145 may be in contact with the cylindrical outer surface and not aligned with the

pockets

134 and 136. 6A-6D show cross-sections along the longitudinal axis of the shackle and tumbler assembly in a locked state.

Figures 7, 8A-8D, 9 and 10A-10D show the elements of the above-described keyed tumbler and shackle assembly without the housing 110 operated via a manual key. The element is being rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position. Fig. 7 and 8A-8D show the locked state. Fig. 9 and 10A-10D show the elements in an unlocked state. It will be appreciated that the manual mode mechanism and the electronic mode mechanism may operate independently of one another to unlock the shackle 115. For example, the transmission 155 may be held in its position without movement as the clutch transmission 130 rotates. As the toggle actuator 135 is rotated by the clutch actuator 130, the

ball bearings

140 and 145 may align with the

recesses

134 and 136, disengage from the bearing of the

recesses

118 and 119 and rotate out of the

recesses

118 and 119, thereby allowing the shackle 115 to move freely upward and rotate along the axis of the end 117.

FIGS. 11, 12A-12D, 13, 14A-14D, 15, 16A-16D, 17 and 18A-18D show the above-described keyed tumblers and elements of a shackle component without a housing, operated via an electronic key. Fig. 11 and 12A-12D show the locked state. In this mode, tumblers 125 are not movable/rotatable and thus keyway 129 is not shown to be rotating and transmission 155 is rotating into contact with clutch transmission 130. The clutch actuator 130 in turn rotates the toggle switch 135 (fig. 13, 14A-14D, 15 and 16A-16D) so that the

ball bearings

140 and 145 can align with the

recesses

134 and 136, disengage from the load of the

recesses

118 and 119 and rotate out of the

recesses

118 and 119, thereby allowing the shackle 115 to move freely upward and rotate along the axis of the end 117. Fig. 17 and 18A-18D show the relative positions of the elements as the clutch actuator 130 is disengaged from the actuator 155.

Fig. 12 shows a block diagram of the connections between some of the above-described non-electronic and electronic components. It can be appreciated that the toggle switch 135 provides a beneficial link that links manual (non-electronic) and electronic components to provide the lock 100, which heretofore could use one or the other of manual or electronic mechanisms, but not both substantially simultaneously.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the system of the present invention. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is reflected by the breadth of the following claims, rather than by the foregoing embodiments. For example, although a manually operated mechanism is described in the context of a tumbler of the tumbler pin type, other manual locking mechanisms may be used to the same effect, including for example combination locks. Further, although electronic sensors are described in the context of a fingerprint scanner, other electronic sensors such as RF devices, IR sensors, etc. may trigger authentication/authorization in a circuit board controller to operate the motor 150 to move the toggle switch 135 to lock/unlock the shackle 115. Further, while the lock 100 is generally described in the context of a padlock using a "U" shaped shackle, it will be understood that other shackles, such as a bolt or cable, may be used with modifications to the elements holding the shackle in place and the toggle switch configured to move and release those elements.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Embodiments of the disclosed invention may provide a lock that provides compatibility with manual and electronic mechanisms for opening.

Claims

1. A biometric sensor and key operated padlock comprising:

a padlock housing;

a biometric scanner coupled to the padlock housing;

a circuit board controller connected to the biometric scanner;

a power source connected to the circuit board controller and the biometric scanner;

a motor connected to the circuit board controller and the power source, the motor configured to operate in response to a signal from the circuit board controller based on an input to the biometric scanner;

a tumbler including a keyway for receiving a key, wherein the tumbler is movable by operation of the key;

a toggle switch coupled to the tumbler and the motor, wherein the toggle switch is movable from a first position to a second position;

a clutch transmission coupled to the toggle switch and one of the tumbler and the motor, wherein the clutch transmission is configured to:

operating the motor to engage the toggle switch in response to a signal from the circuit board controller, and/or

Operating the tumblers to engage the toggle switch in response to operation of the key in the keyway; and

a shackle coupled to the padlock housing and the toggle switch, the shackle being movable from a locked position and an unlocked position by operation of the toggle switch.

2. The biometric sensor and key operated padlock of claim 1, wherein the clutching transmission is a first transmission coupled to the tumbler, the keyway, and the shackle, wherein operation of the tumbler by the key rotates the first transmission and the toggle switch to rotate the shackle.

3. The biometric sensor and key operated padlock of claim 2, further comprising a second transmission coupled to the first transmission and the motor, wherein operation of the biometric scanner causes the motor to rotate the second transmission, the first transmission, the toggle switch, and the shackle.

4. The biometric sensor and key operated padlock of claim 1, wherein the biometric scanner is a fingerprint scanner.

5. The biometric sensor and key operated padlock of claim 4, wherein the tumbler is a tumbler based on a tumbler pin.

6. An electronic and key operated lock comprising:

a lock housing;

an electronic sensor coupled to the lock housing;

a circuit board controller connected to the electronic sensor;

a power source connected to the circuit board controller and the electronic sensor;

a motor connected to the circuit board controller and the power source, the motor configured to operate in response to a signal from the circuit board controller based on an input to the electronic sensor;

a tumbler including a manually operated mechanism, wherein said tumbler is movable by operation of at least said manually operated mechanism;

a toggle switch coupled to the tumbler and the motor, wherein the toggle switch is movable from a first position to a second position by operation of at least one of the motor and the tumbler;

engaging the toggle switch by operation of the tumbler other than the motor; or

Engaging the toggle switch by operation of the motor but not the tumbler; and

a shackle coupled to the lock housing and the tumbler, the shackle being movable from a locked position and an unlocked position by operation of the toggle switch.

7. The electronic and key operated lock of claim 6, wherein the electronic sensor is a biometric scanner.

8. The electronic and key operated lock of claim 7 wherein the manually operated mechanism is a key and keyway combination.

9. The electronic and key operated lock of claim 7, wherein the biometric scanner is a fingerprint scanner.

10. The electronic and key operated lock of claim 7, wherein the manually operated mechanism and the biometric scanner work independently to operate the toggle switch.