EP4678858A1

EP4678858A1 - Clutch module for electronic lock

Info

Publication number: EP4678858A1
Application number: EP25188120.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Chung-Yu Chen
Original assignee: Powertek Hardware Co Ltd
Current assignee: Powertek Hardware Co Ltd
Priority date: 2024-07-12
Filing date: 2025-07-08
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: TWI880812B; TW202603268A

Abstract

A clutch module (20) for an electronic lock (100) has an input member (22) and an output member (23). The output member (23) can slide closer to or away from the input member (22), so that the output member (23) is selectively engaged with or disengaged from the input member (22). The input member (22) may be connected to a drive module (30), and the output member (23) may be connected to a lock cylinder (203). Normally, the output member (23) is engaged with the input member (22), enabling the drive module (30) to drive the lock cylinder (203) by means of an electronic control operation mode. When the clutch module (20) is switched to a manual operation mode, the output member (23) is pushed away from the input member (22), such that the output member (23) is disengaged from the input member (22), and the lock cylinder (203) can be driven manually.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clutch module applied to an electronic lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional electronic lock mainly includes a main body, a lock cylinder inside the main body, and an electric control motor connected to the lock cylinder. The user can operate the lock cylinder to lock or unlock by means of an electric control. In addition, a clutch module is provided between the lock cylinder and the electric control motor, which can selectively disengage the lock cylinder from the electric control motor so that the user can control the lock cylinder to lock or unlock manually.
However, the foregoing clutch module is driven by an additional motor for engagement or disengagement of the clutch module, which is not only more complicated in structure but also more expensive. Besides, the user must use a mobile phone, a card reader or other control device to operate the clutch motor to activate the clutch function of the clutch module before controlling the lock cylinder, which is inconvenient, unintuitive and slow in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a clutch module for an electronic lock, which has a simple structure and can be operated in a convenient, intuitive, and quick manner.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, the clutch module provided by the present invention comprises an input member and an output member on one side of the input member. The input member has a first rotating shaft and can be rotated about the first rotating shaft. The first rotating shaft has a shaft hole therein. The output member further has a second rotating shaft inserted in the shaft hole. The second rotating shaft has a freedom to slide axially along the shaft hole and rotate about the shaft hole. The input member has a first engaging portion and a driven portion. The output member has a second engaging portion and a force-receiving portion. The output member is movable along the shaft hole between an engagement position and a disengagement position. when the output member is in the engagement position, the second engaging portion is engaged with the first engaging portion. When the output member is in the disengagement position, the second engaging portion is disengaged from the first engaging portion.
In the clutch module provided by the present invention, the input member may be connected to a drive module, and the output member may be connected to a lock cylinder. Normally, the second engaging portion is engaged with the first engaging portion, and the input member can be driven to rotate the output member by means of an electronic control operation mode through the drive module for controlling the lock cylinder to lock or unlock. When the clutch module is switched to a manual operation mode, the force-receiving portion can be pushed by applying an external force to drive the output member away from the input member, such that the second engaging portion is disengaged from the first engaging portion, enabling the output member to rotate for controlling the lock cylinder to lock or unlock. The clutch module has a simple structure and can be operated in a convenient, intuitive, and quick manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a clutch module according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an input member;
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the clutch module is in an engagement position;
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the clutch module is in a disengagement position;
FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a connecting member;
FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a drive module;
FIG. 10 is a schematic view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention when in use;
FIG. 11 is a schematic view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention when in use, illustrating an electronic control operation mode; and
FIG. 12 is a schematic view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention when in use, illustrating a manual operation mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention discloses an electronic lock 100. The electronic lock 100 may be any type of lock, such as a mortise lock, a deadbolt lock, or an externally-mounted smart lock for indoor use as shown in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the electronic lock 100 includes a main body 10. The main body 10 has a mounting plate 11, a first outer cover 12, a second outer cover 13, and an accommodation room 14 surrounded by the mounting plate 11, the first outer cover 12 and the second outer cover 13. A clutch module 20 and a drive module 30 are accommodated in the accommodation room 14. The first outer cover 12 has an opening 121 communicating with the accommodation room 14. An operation button 15 is provided at the opening 121. The operation button 15 is connected to the clutch module 20.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the clutch module 20 has a mounting seat 21 and an input member 22 on the mounting seat 21. The mounting seat 21 has a central hole 211. The input member 22 has a first rotating shaft 221. The first rotating shaft 221 is rotatably disposed in the central hole 211 so that the input member 22 can rotate relative to the mounting seat 21. The center of the first rotating shaft 221 has a shaft hole 222. An output member 23 is provided on one side of the input member 22. The output member 23 has a second rotating shaft 231 corresponding to the shaft hole 222. The second rotating shaft 231 is inserted through the shaft hole 222. The end face of the second rotating shaft 231 has a force-receiving portion 232. The force-receiving portion 232 can be driven by an external force for the second rotating shaft 231 to slide axially along the shaft hole 222 or to rotate about the shaft hole 222. In this embodiment, the force-receiving portion 232 is a connecting groove. The clutch module 20 further comprises a control member 24. The control member 24 has a linking shaft 241. One end of the control member 24 passes through the shaft hole 222 and is connected to the force-receiving portion 232. The other end of the linking shaft 241 extends out of the shaft hole 222 and has an operation portion 242. The operation portion 242 is connected to the operation button 15. Thus, the user can use the operation button 15 to drive the control member 24 to apply force to the force-receiving portion 232, so as to drive the output member 23 to move or rotate relative to the input member 22. It should be noted that the mounting seat 21 and the control member 24 may be omitted depending on the type of the electronic lock 100.
As shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the input member 22 has a first engaging portion 223, and the output member 23 has a second engaging portion 233 corresponding to the first engaging portion 223. The output member 23 can slide axially along the shaft hole 222 between an engagement position A as shown in FIG. 6 and a disengagement position B as shown in FIG. 7. When the output member 23 is in the engagement position A, the second engaging portion 233 is engaged with the first engaging portion 223, and the output member 23 cannot rotate relative to the input member 22. When the output member 23 is in the disengagement position B, the second engaging portion 233 is disengaged from the first engaging portion 223, and the output member 23 can rotate relative to the input member 22. In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 223 is an inner toothed portion around the inner wall of the shaft hole 222, and the second engaging portion 233 is an outer toothed portion around the outer wall of the second rotating shaft 231. The outer toothed portion is part of the second rotating shaft 231, so that the second rotating shaft 231 can be divided into a toothless portion and a toothed portion.
Referring to FIG. 8 in cooperation with FIG. 3, the clutch module 20 further includes a connecting member 25. The connecting member 25 is disposed on one side of the output member 23, facing away from the input member 22. In this embodiment, the mounting seat 21 has a receiving groove 212. The connecting member 25 is rotatably disposed in the receiving groove 212. The connecting member 25 has an annular wall 251. The annular wall 251 is formed with a plurality of spaced slide grooves 252. The outer wall of the output member 23 has a plurality of slide blocks 234 corresponding to the slide grooves 252. The slide blocks 234 are slidably disposed in the slide grooves 252, so that the output member 23 can slide relative to the connecting member 25 and drive the connecting member 25 to rotate. An elastic member 26 is provided between the connecting member 25 and the output member 23. The output member 23 is elastically pushed by the elastic member 26 to move toward the input member 22, enabling the second engaging portion 233 to engage with or disengage from the first engaging portion 223. It should be noted that the connecting member 25 and the elastic member 26 may be omitted depending on the type of the electronic lock 100.
Referring to FIG. 9 in cooperation with FIG. 2, the input member 22 has a driven portion 224. The driven portion 224 is connected to the drive module 30, enabling the drive module 30 to drive the input member 22 to rotate about the first rotating shaft 221. In this embodiment, the driven portion 224 is a driven gear on the periphery of the first rotating shaft 221. The drive module 30 has a base 31, a circuit board 32 on the base 31, and a motor 33 on the circuit board 32. The motor 33 is connected to the driven portion 224 through a gear set 34, so that the motor 33 can drive the driven portion 224 through the gear set 34 to drive the input member 22 to rotate relative to the mounting seat 21.
Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic lock 100 may be installed on a door 200. The door 200 has a door panel 201. The inner side of the door panel 201 is provided with a handle 202 and a lock cylinder 203. The lock cylinder 203 may be in different forms, such as a lock cylinder with a knob or a lock cylinder having a key hole 204 that can be locked or unlocked by a key 205 as shown in this embodiment. The mounting plate 11 of the electronic lock 100 has a through hole 111 corresponding to the key hole 204. The connecting member 25 has a holding portion 253 corresponding to the through hole 111 as shown in FIG. 8. When the electronic lock 100 is to be installed, the mounting plate 11 is first secured to the outside of the lock cylinder 203, the through hole 111 is aligned with the key hole 204, and then the key 205 passes through the through hole 111 and is inserted in the key hole 204. Finally, the main body 10 having the clutch module 20 and the drive module 30 is secured to the mounting plate 11, and the key 205 is held by the holding portion 253, such that the electronic lock 100 is mounted on the lock cylinder 203.
As shown in FIG. 11, normally, the output member 23 is pushed by the elastic member 26 for the second engaging portion 233 to engage with the first engaging portion 223. At this time, the user can control the drive module 30 through a mobile phone, a remote controller, a card reader, etc., such that the motor 33 drives the input member 22 to rotate through the gear set 34, and the input member 22 drives the output member 23 to rotate the connecting member 25, enabling the connecting member 25 to drive the key 205 to rotate, so as to operate the lock cylinder 203 to lock or unlock.
As shown in FIG. 12, when the electronic lock 100 is low on power, malfunctions, etc., the core cylinder 203 needs to be operated manually. The user pushes the operation knob 15 with his/her hand. The operation knob 15 activates the control member 24 for the linking shaft 241 to push the output member 23 away from the input member 22, such that the second engaging portion 233 is disengaged from the first engaging portion 223. Then, the operation button 15 is rotated to drive the output member 23 to rotate, enabling the output member 23 to drive the connecting member 25 to rotate, so as to operate the lock cylinder 203 to lock or unlock. This allows the user to operate the clutch module 20 manually in a convenient, intuitive, and quick manner.

Claims

A clutch module (20) for an electronic lock (100), comprising:
an input member (22), having a first rotating shaft (221), the first rotating shaft (221) having a shaft hole (222) therein, the input member (22) further having a first engaging portion (223) and a driven portion (224), the driven portion (224) being connected to a drive module (30), enabling the drive module (30) to drive the input member (22) to rotate about the first rotating shaft (221);

an output member (23), disposed on one side of the input member (22), the output member (23) having a second rotating shaft (231) inserted in the shaft hole (222), the second rotating shaft (231) having a freedom to slide axially along the shaft hole (222) and rotate about the shaft hole (222), the output member (23) having a second engaging portion (233) and a force-receiving portion (232);

wherein the force-receiving portion (232) is driven by an external force, enabling the output member (23) to slide axially along the shaft hole (222) between an engagement position (A) and a disengagement position (B); when the output member (23) is in the engagement position (A), the second engaging portion (233) is engaged with the first engaging portion (223); when the output member (23) is in the disengagement position (B), the second engaging portion (233) is disengaged from the first engaging portion (223).
The clutch module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion (223) is an inner toothed portion around an inner wall of the shaft hole (222), and the second engaging portion (233) is an outer toothed portion around an outer wall of the second rotating shaft (231).
The clutch module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driven portion (224) is a driven gear on a periphery of the first rotating shaft (221).
The clutch module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mounting seat (21), the mounting seat (21) having a central hole (211), the first rotating shaft (221) of the input member (22) being rotatably disposed in the central hole (211).
The clutch module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control member (24) disposed on another side of the input member (22) and connected to the force-receiving portion (232) of the output member (23).
The clutch module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the force-receiving portion (232) is a connecting groove disposed on an end portion of the second rotating shaft (231), the control member (24) has a linking shaft (241), one end of the control member (24) passes through the shaft hole (222) and is connected to the connecting groove, and another end of the linking shaft (241) extends out of the shaft hole (222) and has an operation portion (242).
The clutch module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a connecting member (25), the connecting member (25) being disposed on one side of the output member (23), facing away from the input member (22), the connecting member (25) having an annular wall (251), an inner side of the annular wall (251) being formed with a plurality of spaced slide grooves (252), an outer wall of the output member (23) having a plurality of slide blocks (234) corresponding to the slide grooves (252), the slide blocks (234) being slidably disposed in the slide grooves (252).
The clutch module as claimed in claim 7, wherein an elastic member (26) is provided between the connecting member (25) and the output member (23), and the output member (23) is elastically pushed by the elastic member (26) to move toward the input member (22).