WO2021038139A1

WO2021038139A1 - Portable padlock-type closing device

Info

Publication number: WO2021038139A1
Application number: PCT/FR2019/051965
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alban Veau De Lanouvelle
Original assignee: Chen
Priority date: 2019-08-26
Filing date: 2019-08-26
Publication date: 2021-03-04

Abstract

The invention concerns a padlock-type closing device (1) comprising at least one main body (10) and a closing element (20) movably connected to the body (10) in order to switch alternately from an open position to a closed position, the body (10) enclosing at least an electronic circuit for locking the closing element (20), an electronic geolocation circuit, an electronic cellular communication module and an electronic scale, characterised in that the closing element (20) comprises at least one generally U-shaped arch (21), one arm (22) of which is connected to the body (10), a bolt attached to the other arm (23) of the arch (21) and protruding into the body (10), an electric motor, a movable hook mechanically connected to the motor and capable of pivoting between a position of engagement with the bolt and a position in which the bolt is released, and an elastic return spring applying a permanent compressive force to the hook against the force of the motor in order to hold/return the hook to its closed position.

Description

Portable padlock type closing device Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a portable locking device of the padlock type. It is particularly applicable in the field of luggage (suitcases, backpack) but can also be used to secure a bicycle or a door.

Prior art

It is common to have to secure luggage to prevent someone from opening it and / or stealing its contents. There is therefore a multitude of possibilities to fulfill this function and in particular the recent use of padlocks equipped with an electronic communication circuit. This solution has advantages, such as the possibility of controlling the opening or closing of the padlock electronically, and remotely, for example from a mobile telephone. This avoids having to memorize a combination (secret code), at least if the opening is ordered with an existing code of the mobile phone or with other means of authentication (fingerprint measured on the phone or directly on the padlock , etc.). Such a padlock makes it possible to reduce the risks of a trip by avoiding forgetting a combination and having to saw (or more generally damage) the padlock.

Among these improved padlocks, there are also some which further comprise an electronic geolocation circuit, an electronic circuit for cellular communication and an electronic scale. Such padlocks have already been described in the Applicant's patent FR3048714, or in other similar devices. However, the electromechanical systems used for opening / closing the padlock are not satisfactory in their use, reliability, compactness and resistance.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks with a completely innovative, compact and reliable approach.

To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a portable locking device of the padlock type, in particular for luggage, comprising at least one main body and one closure element movably linked to said body to pass alternately from a first open position to a second closed position, said body further enclosing at least one electronic circuit for locking the closure element, an electronic geolocation circuit, an electronic cellular communication module and an electronic scale, characterized in that said closure element comprises at least:

- an arch in the general shape of a U, one branch of which is linked to the body,

- a piton fixed to the other branch of the arch and protruding at least partially into the body,

- an electric motor and its controller,

- a mobile hook mechanically connected to the motor and being able to pivot thanks to the latter between a first position in engagement with said pin, corresponding to the first closed position of the padlock-type device, and a second position of release of said pin, corresponding to the second open position of said padlock-type device, and

- an elastic return spring exerting a permanent compressive force on the hook against the force of the motor to maintain / return said hook to its first closed position.

The invention is implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or in any technically operative combination.

Advantageously, the motor comprises a cam connected to the hook, which is movable in rotation about an axis between the first and second positions thanks to said cam.

Preferably, the hook, the cam, the spring and the motor are integrally housed in the body, which makes it possible to make the device particularly compact by offering protection to the mobile elements of the latter.

According to a specific mode of design, the eyelet has a protruding head and the hook has at least one finger adapted to be engaged with said head in the first closed position of the padlock-type device. This solution allows a simple, efficient and immediate transmission of the movement of the motor to the hook in order to free the eyebolt. Preferably, the spring is held on the one hand in a housing of the hook and on the other hand in a housing of the body so as to bear on one as on the other, which allows a compact design of the device in reducing the number, dimensions and mass of parts.

According to another aspect of the present invention, also comprises a mechanical secondary lock provided with a rotary element adapted to bear locally on the lever in order to make it pass from the closed position to the open position in the absence of operation of the engine. .

According to a particular embodiment, the electronic scale comprises an external weighing lever and an internal sensor, said external weighing lever being removably attached to the closure element while being articulated on the body in a part opposite to said said element. removable connection zone so that it can take a first folded down position in which it locally matches the outer contour of the body and a second vertically deployed position for weighing an object. Once again, this solution makes it possible to increase the compactness of the portable closing device without compromising its efficiency.

More precisely, the internal sensor comprises a deformation gauge of a test body connected to a yoke fixed to the body and on which the weighing lever is articulated as well as an electronic processing unit transforming the mechanical deformation of the gauge. in a measurement of the mass of the object lifted using said lever.

Advantageously, the lever comprises, at its end of connection with the closure element, a hook for lifting an object, for example a piece of luggage, in the deployed position of said lever. This solution thus makes it possible to easily lift a piece of luggage and in a very intuitive way.

According to a particular mode of design, the device further comprises a member of the magnetic type to maintain the connection between the weighing lever and the closure element.

Advantageously, the hollow body comprises two half-shells interconnected, one of which has a longitudinal slot for receiving at least part of the weighing lever in the closed position of the latter. This allows optimal integration, both technically / functionally and aesthetically, of the lever in the general roller shape of the closure device, in order to make it compact, practical and elegant.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the motor controller is controlled by a microcontroller integrating or connected to a short-distance wireless communication module, for example a Bluetooth module.

The device further comprises a barometer connected to the microcontroller to cut the connection between the electronic cellular communication module and the motor controller beyond a determined threshold of atmospheric pressure and / or of a significant variation in pressure detected (e ) in the environment immediately surrounding the padlock-type device. This solution makes it possible in particular to cut the lock opening system when the barometer detects that the latter is attached to luggage placed in a moving aircraft.

According to another aspect of the invention, the device also comprises an accelerometer connected to the electronic geolocation circuit via the microcontroller to authorize the connection between the electronic cellular communication module and the motor controller only when it detects that the padlock-type device is completely stationary. This solution makes it possible to cut the opening system of the padlock on the one hand when the latter is attached to a baggage placed in a moving aircraft (in the hold in particular) and on the other hand when a person has stolen the baggage on which the padlock is attached to prevent it from being opened.

Finally, for reasons of compactness, the hollow body internally houses a printed circuit board carrying at least the electronic locking circuit of the closure element, the electronic geolocation circuit, the electronic cell communication module and a barometer and / or an accelerometer.

Brief description of the figures

Other advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention emerge from the following description given, for explanatory and in no way limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the present invention in a first closed position, [Fig. 2] figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of figure 1 in a second weighing position,

[Fig. 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in a third open position, [FIG. 4] figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the device of figure 1,

[Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of the interior of the device of Figure 1,

[Fig. 6] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of FIG. 4 showing closure means of the device of FIG. 1,

[Fig. 7] figure 7 is a detail view of figure 6,

[Fig. 8] Figure 8 is a front detail view of Figures 6 and 7 in a first position of the closure means,

[Fig. 9] FIG. 9 is a front detail view of FIGS. 6 and 7 in a second position of the closure means,

[Fig. 10] figure 10 is a detail rear perspective view of figures 6 and 7, [fig. 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view from another angle of FIG. 7, [FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing the weighing means in a first closed position, [FIG. 13] figure 13 is a view similar to figure 12 in which the weighing means are deployed,

[Fig. 14] Figure 14 is a detail view of the weighing means shown in Figures 12 and 13, and

[Fig. 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram of the layout and operation of the various electronic and mechanical components integrated into the device according to the present invention.

Description of the embodiments

FIGS. 1 to 15 represent a portable closing device 1 for securing an object, and typically a padlock for closing a baggage intended in particular for air transport in order to prevent it from being stolen and / or opened in an untimely manner. This padlock 1 typically comprises: - a hollow main body 10 made of two rigid parts (half-shells) 11 and 12 joined together permanently or removable by any means, in particular mechanical (screws, clips, gluing), and

- a closure element 20 partially inserted into said hollow body 10.

The hollow main body 10 has the overall shape of a domed roller adapted to fit in the hand of an individual and measures approximately 6-15 centimeters in height, preferably between 8 and 12 centimeters. It can therefore be easily stored in a bag or travel suitcase (cabin or hold) when not in use. Its very ergonomic and refined shape makes it particularly attractive and elegant, also giving off an important feeling of perceived quality and solidity.

The two rigid half-shells 11 and 12, for example made of aluminum alloy, covered with an outer skin for its aesthetic appearance (satin or leather effect for example), contain most of the elements which will be described below. .

Thus, in accordance with FIG. 15, the hollow body 1 contains at least:

- an electronic circuit 30 for locking the closing element 20, such as a microcontroller,

- an electronic circuit 40 for geolocation by satellite of the GPS type (or other satellite service such as BeiDou, GLONASS or GALILEO),

- an electronic module 50 for remote cellular communication, for example by 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G network

- a short-range communication module 55 of the Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy or NFC type,

- a weighing scale 60,

- a barometer 70,

- accelerometer 80, and

- a rechargeable battery 110 via a connector 100, for example a USB type socket (conventional USB, micro USB, USB C or other).

All these elements are connected to and / or incorporated in a printed circuit board 120 present in the heart of the padlock 1. Details concerning the electronic parts of the padlock 1 will be specified later in the description. The closure element 20 firstly comprises a hoop / ring 21 movably linked to said body 10 to move from a first open position (Figure 3 for example) to a second closed position (Figures 1 and 2 for example) , and vice versa. In the case illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, this hoop 21 is flexible and is for example in the form of a sheathed cable. Of course, the hoop 21 is made of a very rigid material that is difficult to cut, such as hardened steel. Advantageously, the hoop 21 has a U-shape comprising a first branch 22 permanently attached to the body 10. In parallel, a second branch 23 of the ring 21 can partially enter / exit the body 10 in order to close the padlock 1 or open said ring 21 leaving a space 5 between the free end 23a of the second branch 23 and said body 10 (see FIG. 3).

In the case where the arch 21 is rigid, for example if it is presented as a metal ring as in Figures 5 to 13, the first branch 22 can pivot about a longitudinal axis XX ', preferably 360 ° , and translate relative to said body 10 along this same axis with a movement of a few millimeters to a few centimeters. These two separate movements thus make it possible to open and close the padlock 1.

The closure element 20 of the padlock 1 also comprises a stud 24 crimped on the free end 23a of the second branch 23 and comprising a protruding head 24a in the form of a mushroom. This prominent head 24a cooperates with a movable hook 25 to allow the closure of the padlock 1.

More precisely, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10, the hook 25, fully incorporated in the body 10 of the padlock 1, is articulated around an axis YY 'by means of an axis 26a of a motor 26 acting to rotate it between a first position engaged with said pin 24a, corresponding to the first closed position of the padlock 1 (Figures 1, 2 and 6 to 8), and a second release position of said pin 24, corresponding to the second open position of said padlock 1 (Figures 3 and 9 to 10). The motor 26 acts for this on a cam 27 linked to a lower part of the hook 25, which comprises at least one prominent finger 28 (and preferably two parallel fingers) which can, depending on the position of the cam 27, be engaged or not. with the mushroom head 24a of the piton 24.

A compression spring 29, inserted in two housings 29a and 29b and formed respectively in the hook 25 and in the body 10, makes it possible to exert a force elastic return to maintain the finger 27 of the hook 25 in engagement with the prominent head 24a of the pin 24 in the closed position of the padlock 1, this force being less than that exerted by the motor 26 in order to be able to allow said finger 27 of the hook 25 to release the prominent head 24a of the pin 24 in the open position of the padlock 1. The motor 26 is connected to a controller 26 'controlled by the microcontroller 30 (or electronic locking circuit) connected in particular to the electronic cell communication module 50.

According to another particularly interesting characteristic of the present invention, the electronic scale 60 of the padlock 1 comprises an external weighing lever 61 and a sensor 62 internal to the body 10.

More precisely, as emerges in particular from FIGS. 1 to 13 and 12 to 14, the lever 61 is removably connected to the closing element 20 in an upper zone 14 located between the branches 22 and 23 and held in the closed position at using a magnet 65, while being able to pivot about an axis 13 of body 10 connected to a yoke / plate 15 positioned opposite to the upper removable connection zone 14 of said body 10.

Thus, this articulated lever 21 can take a first closed position using the magnet 65 and folded against the half-shell 11 of the body 10, a position in which it takes the external shape of the latter (FIGS. 1 and 12 by example), and a second position deployed vertically downwards for weighing an object P, such as a piece of luggage (Figures 2 and 13 for example). The complex and optimized shape of the lever 61 also enables it to present, as is especially visible in its deployed position, a hook 63 for lifting the load P.

As illustrated in Figures 12 to 14, the internal sensor 62 for its part comprises a gauge 64 for the deformation of a test body connected to the yoke / plate 15 of the body 10. The gauge 64 for the deformation of a test body The test is preferably electrically linked to an electronic processing unit 67 of the 24 bit analog-to-digital converter type (HX711) transforming the mechanical deformation of said gauge 64 into a measurement of the mass of the object P lifted using the hook 63 for lifting said lever 61.

Opposite the sensor 62, the lever 61 is removably linked to the closure element 20, between the branches 21a and 21b of the ring 21, and held in this position using the magnet 65 (or equivalent, such as a clips type system). Thus, in the folded position of the lever 61, the magnetic link 65 keeps the latter in place on the closure element 20, while making it easy and quick to switch to the deployed position for weighing a piece of luggage P.

The padlock 1 is finally equipped with a central lock 90, for example of the TSA type, which can be actuated using a suitable key (not shown) which will act on the closing hook 25 in order to open the second branch 23 as already indicated. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the lock 90 comprises for this purpose an actuator 92 (lever) movable in rotation with the barrel of the latter so as to act on a part 25a of the lever 25 without having to use the motor 26. In some countries like the United States of America this type of manual release system is mandatory. This lock 90 is housed in an empty ring 66 provided substantially in the center of the lever 61 so that it is partially hidden, which contributes to the sober and refined aesthetic of the padlock 1.

With the same aim of making the padlock 1 compact and devoid of prominent parts liable to cling inadvertently, for example to a garment or to injure a user, the lever 61 has just been housed, in the closed position of inactivity (FIG. 1 ), in a longitudinal slot 17 (see FIG. 2) formed on the half-shell 11 and having the same external curved shape as said lever. Thus, in the folded position, the lever 61 is fully integrated into the overall external volume of the padlock 1 while being easy to handle in order to be deployed. Typically this lever 61 is made of a very solid material such as metal (hardened steel), preferably molded.

Figure 15 illustrates a diagram of the various interactions that the electronic and mechanical elements can have in the use of the portable closing device 1 according to the present invention

The padlock 1 is opened using a Smartphone, a 55 Bluetooth nRF52 module to receive the order to open the padlock. The motor 26 of the opening / closing system 20 is driven by the motor controller 30, for example of the MAX14870 type.

The padlock 1 in accordance with the present invention further comprises a barometer 70 connected to the microcontroller 30 to cut the connection between the electronic cellular communication module 50 and the controller 26 'of the motor 26 beyond a threshold. determined atmospheric pressure and / or a significant variation in determined pressure detected in the environment immediately surrounding padlock 1. Indeed, it may be desired, or even mandatory (compliance with national / international traffic management standards air) to temporarily block the closure device 1 in the closed position, in particular throughout the duration of a flight. The proposed solution makes it possible, by measuring with the barometer 70, the atmospheric pressure or a pressure difference prevailing in the immediate environment of the padlock 1, to determine that the latter is in an aircraft in flight (and not on a stopover on the ground) and that it should then automatically switch to locked mode in the closed position. Thus, if the locking device 1 is not placed by the user in airplane mode before an air journey, the observation of a strong variation in pressure and the absence of Bluetooth connections with the user's smartphone may cause padlock 1 to be placed in automatic airplane mode.

The positioning of the padlock 1 is ensured by an electronic geolocation circuit 40, for example of the BG96 type, which offers positioning by satellites (GNSS) and a position relative to the antennas on which the system is attached to the GSM / LTE network (CellID). The BG96 satellite positioning system uses several satellite constellations: GPS (USA), BeiDou (China), Galileo (EU), GLONASS (Russia). The position of the closure device 1 is then sent back to the servers using the BG96 module. In order to cover the whole world, the BG96 module was chosen because it has all the GSM frequencies used in the world (850/900/1800 / 1900Mhz). This module is able to use 2G and 4G networks (LTE Cat M1 & Cat NB1 & EGPRS). In certain areas not covered by the 4G network, the module will use the 2G network and vice versa (loss of the 2G network in the USA).

The padlock 1 also comprises an accelerometer 80 connected to the electronic geolocation circuit 40 via the microcontroller 30 to allow the connection between the electronic cellular communication module 50 and the controller 26 'of the motor 26 only when it detects that padlock 1 is completely stationary.

Indeed, it may also be desirable for the padlock 1 to automatically move to the closed locking position, for example in all situations where the baggage is detected in motion by the accelerometer 80. This may be particularly useful if the baggage is stolen so that the thief cannot open it.

Padlock 1 must be set by the user in a specific mode during air transit. In this mode, the product will only use the GSM cellular communication module 50 when it is completely stationary. The mobility of padlock 1 is characterized by movements and changes in orientation measured by the accelerometer 80 (LIS3D). It is therefore necessary to define a threshold and an inactivity duration, possibility of using the “Motion detection” function implemented in this sensor 80. In addition, the accelerometer 80 also has a function making it possible to count the number of steps taken (“function”). Pedometer ”from the sensor). This function can also be used to activate the 4G module when the padlock 1 is worn by an individual on foot, an individual who is potentially a thief.

It should be understood that the detailed description of the subject of the invention, given solely by way of illustration, does not in any way constitute a limitation, the technical equivalents also being included within the scope of the present invention.

Thus, the ring 21 can be replaced by a metal chain or another resistant material.

The portable closure device according to the present invention can be used with a container, a trunk or even to secure a bicycle or a motorcycle.

Claims

1. Portable closure device (1) of padlock type, in particular for luggage, comprising at least one main body (10) and a closure element (20) movably linked to said body (10) to pass alternately from a first open position to a second closed position, said body (10) also containing at least one electronic circuit (30) for locking the closing element (20), an electronic geolocation circuit (40), an electronic module communication cell (50) and an electronic scale (60), characterized in that said closure element (20) comprises at least:

- a hoop (21) in the general shape of a U, one branch (22) of which is linked to the body (10),

- a stud (24) fixed to the other branch (23) of the arch (21) and projecting at least partially into the body (10),

- an electric motor (26) and its controller (26 '),

- a mobile hook (25) mechanically connected to the motor (26) and being able to pivot thanks to the latter between a first position in engagement with said eyelet (24), corresponding to the first closed position of the padlock-type device (1), and a second release position of said eyelet (24), corresponding to the second open position of said padlock-type device (1), and

- an elastic return spring (29) exerting a permanent compressive force on the hook (25) against the force of the motor (26) to maintain / return said hook (25) to its first closed position.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor (26) comprises a cam (27) connected to the hook (25), which is movable in rotation about an axis (YY ') between the first and second positions thanks to said cam (27).

3. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the hook (25), the cam (27), the spring (29) and the motor (26) are integrally housed in the body (10).

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stud (24) has a prominent head (24a) and the hook (25) comprises at least one finger (28) adapted to be engaged. with said head (24a) in the first closed position of the padlock-type device (1).

5. Device (1) any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring (29) is held on the one hand in a housing (29a) of the hook (25) and on the other hand in a housing (29b ) of the body (10) so as to be supported on one as on the other.

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a mechanical secondary lock (90) provided with a rotary element (92) adapted to bear locally on the lever (25). in order to change it from the closed position to the open position when the motor is not running.

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic balance (60) comprises an external weighing lever

(61) and an internal sensor (62), said external weighing lever (61) being removably attached to the closure member (20) while being hinged to the body (10) in an opposing portion (15) to said removable connection zone (14) so that it can take a first folded down position in which it locally matches the outer contour of the body (10) and a second vertically deployed position for weighing an object (P).

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the internal sensor

(62) comprises a gauge (64) of deformation of a test body connected to a yoke (15) fixed to the body (10) and on which is articulated the weighing lever (61) as well as a processing unit electronic (67) transforming the mechanical deformation of the gauge (64) into a measurement of the mass of the object lifted (P) using said lever (61).

9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the lever (61) has at its end of connection with the closing element (20) a hook (63) for lifting an object, for example a piece of luggage, in the deployed position of said lever (61).

10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a member of the magnetic type (65) for maintaining the connection between the weighing lever (61) and the element. closure (20).

11. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the hollow body (10) comprises two half-shells (11, 12) interconnected, one of which has a longitudinal slot (17). receiving at least part of the weighing lever (61) in the closed position of the latter.

12. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (26 ') of the motor (26) is controlled by a microcontroller (30) integrating or connected to a module (55) of communication without short distance wire, for example a Bluetooth module.

13. Device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a barometer (70) connected to the microcontroller (30) to cut the connection between the electronic cellular communication module (50) and the controller (26). ') of the motor (26) beyond a determined threshold of atmospheric pressure and / or a significant variation in pressure detected in the environment immediately surrounding the device of the padlock type (1).

14. Device (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises an accelerometer (80) connected to the electronic geolocation circuit (40) via the microcontroller (30) for allow the connection between the electronic cellular communication module (50) and the controller (26 ') of the motor (26) only when it detects that the padlock-type device (1) is completely stationary.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow body (10) internally houses a printed circuit board (120) carrying at least the electronic locking circuit (30) of the closure element ( 20), the electronic geolocation circuit (40), the electronic cellular communication module (50) and a barometer (70) and / or an accelerometer (80).