JP2015067969A - Electronic lock - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic lock with improved security.SOLUTION: An electronic lock includes; a housing; a shackle having a tip and a base end part, and movable between an insertion position where the tip and the base end part are inserted into the housing and a separation position where the tip is spaced apart from the housing; and a lock mechanism capable of locking the shackle at the insertion position. The housing includes: a plurality of case members fixed to each other through a fixing part so as to be disassembled; and an insertion hole into which the tip is inserted. When the shackle is at the separation position, the fixing part becomes accessible via the insertion hole, and when the shackle is locked at the insertion position, the fixing part is concealed by the shackle and the housing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic lock.

  An electronic lock including a shackle and a housing having a lock mechanism for locking the shackle is known. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose such electronic locks.

JP 2012-225017 A JP 2006-316614 A

  If the casing can be disassembled while the shackle is locked, the lock may be released due to the disassembly. This may reduce security.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic lock with improved security.

  The object includes a housing, a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and an insertion position where the distal end portion and the proximal end portion are inserted into the housing and a separated position where the distal end portion is separated from the housing. A plurality of case members fixed to each other by a fixing portion so that the shackle can be disassembled, and the distal end portion is inserted. The fixing portion is accessible through the insertion hole when the shackle is in the spaced position, and is fixed when the shackle is locked in the insertion position. The part can be achieved by an electronic lock concealed by the shackle and the housing.

  An electronic lock with improved security can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the electronic lock of the present embodiment. 2A and 2B are external views of the electronic lock, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2A. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the internal configuration of the housing. 4A to 4C are external views of the lifting body. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the drive unit. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3B. 7A and 7B show a part of the internal structure of an electronic lock as a comparative example. 8A and 8B show a part of the internal structure of an electronic lock as a comparative example. 9A to 9C are external views of a lift body according to a modification. 10A and 10B are explanatory views of a modified electronic lock. 11A to 11C are external views of modified electronic locks.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the electronic lock 1 of the present embodiment. The electronic lock 1 includes a control unit C, a battery B, an antenna AT, a lock mechanism RM, and the like. The control unit C includes a ROM, a RAM, a CPU, and the like. The control unit C controls the operation of the entire electronic lock 1. Specifically, the control unit C switches the lock mechanism RM to the locked state or the unlocked state by controlling the motor M included in the lock mechanism RM when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The lock mechanism RM is a mechanism for locking the shackle 10. The control unit C records history information such as the time when the state of the lock mechanism RM is switched, that is, the time when the lock mechanism RM is locked and the time when the lock is released, in the ROM or the memory.

  The antenna AT is for performing short-range wireless communication with the electronic key K. The control unit C authenticates the ID information of the electronic key K acquired through the antenna AT and the ID information of the electronic lock 1 recorded in advance in the RAM or the like of the control unit C. When the ID information of the electronic key K matches the ID information of the electronic lock 1 of the control unit C, the control unit C executes predetermined control. Specifically, the lock mechanism RM is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, or from the unlocked state to the locked state.

  The electronic key K includes a non-contact IC tag for performing short-range wireless communication with the antenna AT, a battery connected to the IC tag, and the like. The IC tag stores ID information of the electronic key K. The form of the electronic key K is not limited. For example, it may be a key shape, a card shape, or the like. The electronic key K may be mounted on another device. For example, the electronic key K may use an IC tag mounted on a mobile phone. In other words, the electronic key K may be any device that can wirelessly communicate with the antenna AT of the electronic lock 1.

  2A and 2B are external views of the electronic lock 1. The electronic lock 1 includes a shackle 10 and a housing 20. A battery B, a drive unit DU, and printed circuit boards P1 and P2 are accommodated in the housing 20. The shackle 10 has a substantially inverted U shape, and includes a distal end portion 12, a central portion 14 that is continuously curved to the distal end portion 12, a proximal end portion 16 that is inserted into the housing 20 continuously to the central portion 14, including. In the locked state, the distal end portion 12 and the proximal end portion 16 are both inserted into the housing 20 and the shackle 10 is fixed. In the unlocked state, the shackle 10 can move so that the distal end portion 12 is separated from the housing 20. In FIG. 2A, the shackle 10 in the unlocked state is indicated by a dotted line. FIG. 2B shows a state where the shackle 10 is rotated in the unlocked state. As described above, the shackle 10 is movable between the insertion position where the distal end portion 12 and the proximal end portion 16 are inserted into the housing 20 and the separated position where the distal end portion 12 is separated from the housing 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, insertion holes 22 and 26 into which the distal end portion 12 and the proximal end portion 16 of the shackle 10 are inserted are formed on the upper surface of the housing 20. A ROM, RAM, CPU, and the like are mounted on the printed circuit board P1, and the control unit C is functionally realized. An antenna AT is formed on the printed circuit board P2 that is electrically connected to the printed circuit board P1. The antenna AT is a conductor pattern formed on the printed circuit board P2. The antenna AT may be other antennas or may be a metal bar. Further, the antenna AT is not limited to short-range wireless communication but may be for long-range wireless communication. That is, the electronic lock 1 may perform long-distance wireless communication with the electronic key K.

  As described above, in the locked state, the distal end portion 12 and the proximal end portion 16 of the shackle 10 are fixed while being inserted into the insertion holes 22 and 26 of the housing 20, respectively. When the lock is released, the shackle 10 can move, and the distal end portion 12 can be detached from the insertion hole 22. When the distal end portion 12 is detached from the insertion hole 22 and the shackle 10 is rotated around the proximal end portion 16, the inside of the insertion hole 22 is exposed as shown in FIG. 2B. The screw S is exposed from the insertion hole 22.

  2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C shows the inside of the electronic lock 1 in the locked state. As shown in FIG. 2C, the screw S is disposed directly below the tip end portion 12. The screw S fixes the main body portion 21 and the lid portion 28 constituting the housing 20. The main body 21 holds the shackle 10, the drive unit DU, the battery B, and the printed circuit boards P1 and P2. When the lid 28 is fixed to the main body 21, the drive unit DU, the battery B, and the printed circuit board P1. , P2 is housed in the housing 20. The main body 21 and the lid 28 are examples of a plurality of case members. The screw S is an example of a fixing part.

  On the inner surface of the main body 21, a protrusion 23 that protrudes toward the lid 28 is provided. On the inner surface of the lid portion 28, a protrusion 29 protruding toward the main body portion 21 is provided. The main body 21 and the lid 28 are attached so that the protrusions 23 and 29 overlap each other. The protrusion 23 is formed with a screw hole into which the screw S is screwed. The protrusion 29 is formed with a clearance hole through which the screw S passes. By fixing the protrusions 23 and 29 with the screw S, the main body 21 and the lid 28 are fixed. The lid 28 can be removed from the main body 21 by inserting a jig into the insertion hole 22 and removing the screw S from the main body 21 and the lid 28. That is, the housing 20 can be disassembled. By disassembling the case 20, the battery B can be replaced and the drive unit DU, the printed circuit boards P1, P2, etc. can be inspected.

  As described above, since the distal end portion 12 of the shackle 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 22 in the locked state, the screw S is concealed by the shackle 10 and the housing 20, and the user cannot access the screw S. For this reason, the housing 20 cannot be disassembled in the locked state, and the housing 20 can be disassembled by accessing the screw S only after a legitimate user having the electronic key K releases the lock. In other words, a third party who does not have a legitimate authority cannot release the lock and cannot access the screw S. For this reason, it can suppress that the housing | casing 20 is decomposed | disassembled by the 3rd party. Therefore, the security of the electronic lock 1 of this embodiment is improved.

  It should be noted that it is only necessary that at least one of the battery B, the drive unit DU, and the printed boards P1 and P2 can be accessed by removing the lid 28 from the main body 21. For example, the battery B can be replaced by removing the lid 28 from the main body 21, but may be stored in the main body 21 so that the printed circuit boards P <b> 1 and P <b> 2 cannot be accessed.

  Instead of the screws S, engaging portions that are formed on the main body 21 and the lid 28 side and engage with each other may be provided. This engaging part should just be a structure which can cancel | release engagement using a jig | tool etc. via the insertion hole 12 in the unlocked state. For example, a claw portion may be formed on one of the main body portion 21 and the lid portion 28, and a hole or a notch portion that engages with the claw portion may be formed on the other. As described above, the fixing portion that fixes the main body 21 and the lid 28 may be formed integrally with each of the main body 21 and the lid 28.

  The lock mechanism RM will be described. The lock mechanism RM is provided in the housing 20. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the internal configuration of the housing 20. 3A shows the unlocked state, and FIG. 3B shows the locked state. The lock mechanism RM includes a drive unit DU, an elevating body 30, and four spheres R. The sphere R engages with the shackle 10 to lock the shackle 10. The elevating body 30 regulates the position at which the sphere R is engaged with the shackle 10. The elevating body 30 is an example of a regulating member. The drive unit DU drives the sphere R.

  A passage portion 25 that holds the spherical body R so as to be movable is formed in the housing 20. The passage portion 25 extends in the horizontal direction and extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the shackle 10 moves. In the unlocked state shown in FIG. 3A, the sphere R can reciprocate in a predetermined range in the horizontal direction by rotating in the passage portion 25. A notch is formed in the central portion of the passage portion 25. The elevating body 30 protrudes into the passage portion 25 through the notch. The elevating body 30 can be moved up and down by the drive unit DU.

  When the shackle 10 is in the insertion position, the right end portion of the passage portion 25 is closed by the distal end portion 12, and the left end portion of the passage portion 25 is closed by the base end portion 16. A recess 13 is formed at the position of the distal end portion 12 that closes the passage portion 25. Similarly, a concave portion 17 is formed at the position of the base end portion 16 that closes the passage portion 25. The recesses 13 and 17 face the passage portion 25. The recesses 13 and 17 can be engaged with the sphere R. Two spheres R are disposed between the lifting body 30 and the recess 13, and two spheres R are also disposed between the lifting body 30 and the recess 17. When the shackle 10 is in the insertion position and is in the unlocked state, the sphere R on the left side can move between the engagement position that engages with the recess 13 and the disengaged position, and the sphere R on the right side. Is movable between an engagement position that engages with the recess 17 and a disengagement position that is disengaged. The sphere R is an example of an engaging member. The recesses 13 and 17 are examples of engaged portions that can engage with the engaging members. The shackle 10, the lifting body 30, and the sphere R are all made of metal. For this reason, metal members engage and abut in the locked state.

  4A to 4C are external views of the lifting body 30. FIG. As shown to FIG. 4B, the raising / lowering body 30 is substantially trapezoid shape by side view. The elevating body 30 includes an upper surface 31, a concave surface 32, a vertical surface 34, and a bottom surface 35. The upper surface 31 is circular when viewed from above. The concave surface 32 is formed so as to be inclined downward from the upper surface 31 that is a horizontal plane. The concave surface 32 is curved to the same extent as the curvature of the outer surface of the sphere R. The vertical surface 34 extends vertically downward from the lower end of the concave surface 32. The vertical surface 34 is also formed on the left and right. As shown in FIG. 4A, the vertical surface 34 is curved so as to protrude outward in a top view. Therefore, the bottom surface 35 has a substantially rectangular shape curved so that the short side protrudes outward.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the horizontal distance between the left and right vertical surfaces 34 is longer than the distance between the left and right concave surfaces 32 in the horizontal direction. The drive shaft DS of the drive unit DU is fixed to the bottom surface 35 as shown in FIG. 3B. When the drive shaft DS moves up and down within a predetermined range, the lifting body 30 also moves up and down within the predetermined range.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the lifting body 30 is located on the lower side, the concave surface 32 is located in the passage portion 25 and the vertical surface 34 is retracted from the passage portion 25. For this reason, the sphere R can contact the concave surface 32. Thereby, the sphere R can freely move between the engagement position where it engages with the shackle 10 and the separation position where it is detached. In this state, the shackle 10 is in an unlocked state that can freely move between the insertion position and the separation position. The concave surface 32 is an example of a support surface.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, when the lifting body 30 is in the upper position, the vertical surface 34 is positioned in the passage portion 25 and the sphere R abuts on the vertical surface 34. As a result, the sphere R is restricted by the vertical surface 34 to a position where it engages with the recesses 13 and 17. As a result, the shackle 10 is locked. The vertical surface 34 is an example of a restriction surface. As described above, the sphere R moves in the horizontal direction, while the elevating body 30 moves up and down in the vertical direction. That is, the elevating body 30 moves in a direction crossing the moving direction of the sphere R.

  Here, the drive unit DU will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the drive unit DU. The drive unit DU includes a motor M and a conversion mechanism CM. The rotation of the motor M is controlled by the control unit C. The conversion mechanism CM converts the rotational motion of the motor M into a straight motion and transmits it to the lifting body 30. Specifically, the conversion mechanism CM is a feed screw mechanism. The feed screw mechanism includes a lead screw that moves in the axial direction when rotated by the motor M. A thread groove is formed on the outer periphery of the lead screw. A support portion having a screw hole for screwing with the lead screw is provided on an outer wall or the like of the drive unit DU. When the lead screw rotates, the lead screw moves in the axial direction with respect to the support portion. The lifting body 30 moves in the straight direction in conjunction with the axial movement of the lead screw.

  Next, the case where the shackle 10 is pulled in the unlocked direction in the locked state will be described. For example, this is a case where the shackle 10 is suspended by something in the locked state. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3B. When the shackle 10 is pulled, the sphere R receives a force from the concave portions 13 and 17 of the shackle 10 in the horizontal direction, that is, the lifting body 30 side. Thereby, the force by which the sphere R sandwiches the lifting body 30 increases. Here, when releasing the lock, the elevating body 30 moves downward relative to the stationary sphere R. For this reason, the friction force FF acts on the lifting body 30 in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the lifting body 30. As described above, when the force with which the sphere R sandwiches the elevating body 30 increases, the frictional force FF also increases. Therefore, when the lock is released while the shackle 10 is pulled, it is considered that the elevating body 30 is less likely to descend and the load on the motor M is increased.

  However, as described above, the conversion mechanism CM converts the rotational motion of the motor M into a straight motion by the lead screw. For this reason, even if the reduction ratio of the conversion mechanism CM is large and the frictional force FF increases, the elevating body 30 can be lowered.

  Here, a comparative example different from the present embodiment will be shown. 7A to 8B are explanatory diagrams of a comparative example. 7A to 8B show a part of the internal structure of an electronic lock 1x as a comparative example. In addition, about a comparative example, about the part same as a present Example, the same code | symbol is used and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. 7A and 7B show the locked state, and FIGS. 8A and 8B show the unlocked state. In the electronic lock 1x, the drive unit DUx of the lock mechanism RMx rotates the rotating body 30x together with the drive shaft DS. That is, the position of the sphere R is regulated or released by the rotation of the rotating body 30x. The rotating body 30x has a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from above. The rotating body 30x includes a vertical surface 34x that contacts the sphere R in the locked state and a side surface 32x that can contact the sphere R in the unlocked state.

  The drive unit DUx is provided with a rotatable motor for transmitting power to the drive shaft DSx. The rotational force of the motor is transmitted, for example, through gears or directly to the drive shaft DSx. Here, when the shackle 10 is pulled in the locked state as described above, force acts on the rotating body 30x from the sphere R so as to prevent the rotating body 30x from rotating.

  As in the comparative example, in the method of releasing the lock by rotating, the gear reduction ratio must be increased to resist the force acting on the rotating body 30x, so that the lock mechanism RMx becomes larger or complicated. There is a tendency. Accordingly, since the reduction ratio can be obtained at a time by converting to linear motion, the lock mechanism RM can be made smaller or simplified than the lock mechanism RMx. Therefore, since the structure can be simplified, low cost can be realized and there are few failures. Further, when the same motor M is used, the present embodiment can increase the reduction ratio as compared with the comparative example, so that the increase in power consumption of the motor M can be suppressed. Alternatively, a smaller and lower output motor can be used. Therefore, low cost can be realized.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the locked state, the vertical surface 34 of the elevating body 30 abuts on the sphere R to regulate the position of the sphere R. The vertical surface 34 is parallel to the movable direction of the elevating body 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the sphere R abuts on the front end surface of the vertical surface 34 in a top view of the elevating body 30 in the locked state. The front end surface of the vertical surface 34 is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which a force is received from the sphere R. For this reason, even when the vertical surface 34 receives a force from the sphere R in the locked state, the magnitude of the vertical component of the force is suppressed. Thus, even when the shackle 10 is pulled in the locked state, it is difficult to receive a force from the outside in the direction in which the elevating body 30 can move. For this reason, even if the shackle 10 is pulled in the locked state, the elevating body 30 does not move in the axial direction. Further, there is no fear that a load is applied to the drive shaft DS or the drive unit DU.

  In addition, since the lifting body 30 is partially in the passage portion 25 even in the unlocked state, the movable range of the sphere R in the unlocked state is limited. For this reason, the increase in the rattling sound of the sphere R due to the movement range of the sphere R in the unlocked state becoming too large is suppressed.

  Further, at least a part of the lifting body 30 is located in the passage portion 25 in either the locked state or the unlocked state. For this reason, the raising / lowering body 30 can switch the locked state with a small movement amount. As a result, the motor M can also switch the lock state with a small amount of rotation, and the power consumption can be suppressed.

  Moreover, since the raising / lowering body 30 can switch the locked state with a small amount of movement, a short drive shaft DS can be adopted, and a short lead screw provided in the drive unit DU can be adopted. Thereby, it can suppress that bending generate | occur | produces in these members.

  9A to 9C are external views of a lift 30a according to a modification. 9A to 9C correspond to FIGS. 4A to 4C, respectively. As shown in FIG. 9A, the upper surface 31a and the bottom surface 35a are rectangular. The vertical surface 34a is a plane. For this reason, the contact area with the vertical surface 34a with the spherical body R can be ensured, and the durability of the elevating body 30a is improved.

  10A and 10B are explanatory views of a modified electronic lock 1b. The housing 20b includes an outer case 40b and an inner case 50b. The outer case 40b is made of metal. The inner case 50b is made of synthetic resin. The inner case 50b holds the lock mechanism RM, the printed circuit boards P1 and P2, and the battery B described above. The outer case 40b has a substantially box shape having an opening 42b on the bottom surface. The inner case 50b has a bottom 52b. In a state where the inner case 50b is inserted into the outer case 40b, the bottom 52b closes the opening 42b. Since the inner case 50b is substantially covered by the outer case 40b, the strength of the electronic lock 1b is improved.

  Here, as described above, the antenna AT is formed on the printed circuit board P2. The antenna AT is disposed at a position facing the resin bottom 52b through the opening 42b. The bottom portion 52b is made of synthetic resin as described above, and is a non-magnetic material and non-conductive. As a result, the antenna AT can perform wireless communication with the outside. The bottom 52b is an example of a cover. The bottom 52b is not limited to synthetic resin properties, and may be made of rubber, for example.

  FIG. 11A is a side view of a modified electronic lock 1c. The outer case 40c included in the housing 20c is metallic. The bottom 52c located on the bottom surface of the outer case 40c is also made of metal. An opening 42c is formed on the side surface of the outer case 40c. A synthetic resin cover 48c is fitted into the opening 42c. Since the entire outer case 40c is painted and coated including the cover 48c, the boundary line between the opening 42c and the cover 48c is inconspicuous. The printed circuit board P2 is disposed in the housing 20c so that the antenna AT faces the opening 42c. By providing the opening 42c at such a position and arranging the antenna AT, the antenna AT can perform wireless communication.

  FIG. 11B is a front view of a modified electronic lock 1d. Similarly to the electronic lock 1c, an opening 42d is formed on the front surface of the metal outer case 40d. A resin cover 48d is fitted in the opening 42d. By providing the opening 42d at such a position and arranging the antenna AT, the antenna AT can perform wireless communication.

  FIG. 11C is a bottom view of the electronic lock 1e which is a modified example. An opening 52e1 is formed in the metal bottom 52e. A resin cover 58e is embedded in the opening 52e1. By providing the opening 52e1 at such a position and arranging the antenna AT, the antenna AT can perform wireless communication.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Is possible.

  In the present embodiment, two spheres R are arranged on both sides of the lifting body 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. One sphere may be arranged on each side of the lifting body 30. The spherical body R may be disposed only between the lifting body 30 and the distal end portion 12 of the shackle 10, and the spherical body R may not be disposed between the lifting body 30 and the base end portion 16.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical body R is shown as the engaging member, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the engaging member may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a rod shape other than a spherical shape, and may slide within the passage portion 25.

  The lifting body 30 may be completely retracted from the passage portion 25 in the unlocked state.

  Instead of the concave surface 32 of the elevating body 30, an inclined flat surface or a convex surface that protrudes outward and curves may be provided.

  In this embodiment, when the ID information of the electronic key K and the ID information of the electronic lock 1 match, the locked electronic lock 1 is set to the unlocked state, and the unlocked electronic lock 1 is set to the locked state. However, it is not limited to this. For example, only when the ID information of the electronic key K and the ID information of the electronic lock 1 match, the locked electronic lock 1 is unlocked, and the shackle 10 is in the insertion position in the unlocked state for a predetermined period. It may be automatically locked when it has elapsed. In this case, a sensor for detecting the position of the shackle 10 such as an optical sensor or a contact sensor may be provided.

1 Electronic lock AT antenna B battery C control unit RM lock mechanism DU drive unit M motor S screw (fixed part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Shackle 12 Tip part 13, 17 Concave part 16 Base end part 20 Case 21 Main-body part (case member)
22, 26 Insertion hole 25 Passage portion 28 Lid portion (case member)
30 Lifting body 32 Concave surface 34 Vertical surface 40b Outer case (metal case)
42b Opening 48c Cover 50b Inner case 52c Bottom (cover)

Claims (2)

A housing,
A shackle having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and movable between an insertion position where the distal end portion and the proximal end portion are inserted into the housing and a separated position where the distal end portion is separated from the housing;
A lock mechanism capable of locking the shackle at the insertion position;
The housing includes a plurality of case members fixed to each other so as to be disassembled by a fixing portion, an insertion hole into which the tip portion is inserted,
When the shackle is in the separated position, the fixing portion is accessible through the insertion hole,
The electronic lock, wherein when the shackle is locked at the insertion position, the fixing portion is concealed by the shackle and the housing. The housing houses at least one of the lock mechanism, a battery, and a printed circuit board,
The electronic lock according to claim 1, wherein when the plurality of case members are disassembled, at least one of the lock mechanism, the battery, and the printed circuit board is accessible.

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