An electro-mechanical lock with a mechanical overriding mechanism and a method thereof

Abstract

The embodiments herein achieve an electro-mechanical lock (100) for securing at least one object. Embodiments herein achieve the electro-mechanical lock (100) which includes a locking module (10) comprising a housing (12), an electromagnetic mechanism, and a locking member (14) actuated by the electromagnetic mechanism. Embodiments herein further disclose the electromechanical lock (100) with a mechanical overriding mechanism (20) adapted to be provided in communication with the locking module (10), the mechanism (20) configured to manually unlock the locking member (14) in a manual override mode of the electro-mechanical lock (100). Embodiments herein also achieve a method (200) of operating the electro-mechanical lock (100) in the manual override mode.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTIONAN ELECTRO MECHANICAL LOCK WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDING MECHANISM AND A METHOD TEHREOFCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[1] This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Patent of Addition Application 202343057671 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[2] The present embodiments herein generally relate to security systems, more particularly but not exclusively to an electro-mechanical lock for securing one or more objects such as a swappable and portable battery pack.BACKGROUND[3] Electro-mechanical locks have been implemented wherein a combination of mechanical and electronic means are used to secure an object. The electro-mechanical lock typically includes one or more electronic circuits, which may include an electronically controlled mechanical lock mechanism that can be used to secure an object. Though electro-mechanical locks are available for a variety of applications with varying architecture, it typically comprises only one level of authentication, which may not provide adequate security as the lock can be easily tampered with. Further, the electro-mechanical locks do not provide a secure, but accessible override system.OBJECTS[4] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an electro-mechanical lock for securing at least one object.[5] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the electromechanical lock with a mechanical overriding mechanism configured to manually unlock the electro-mechanical lock in a manual override mode.[6] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method of operating the electro-mechanical lock in the manual override mode.[7] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS[8] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:[9] Fig. 1 is a block diagram depicting an electromechanical lock, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0010] Fig. 2 is a top view of the electro-mechanical lock with a mechanical overriding mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0011] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the electro-mechanical lock with the mechanical overriding mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0012] Fig. 4a is a top view of the electro-mechanical lock with the mechanical overriding mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0013] Fig. 4b is a top view of the electro-mechanical lock with the mechanical overriding mechanism, depicting the locking member in an unlocked position in a manual override mode, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0014] Fig. 5a is a perspective view of the locking module with the mechanical overriding mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0015] Fig. 5b is another perspective view of the locking module with the mechanical overriding mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and

[0016] Fig. 6 is a flowchart depicting a method of operating the electro - mechanical lock in the manual override mode, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0018] The embodiments herein achieve an electro -mechanic al lock for securing at least one object. Embodiments herein further disclose the electromechanical lock with a mechanical overriding mechanism configured to manually unlock the electro-mechanical lock in a manual override mode. Embodiments herein also achieve a method of operating the electro-mechanical lock in the manual override mode. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.

[0019] The electro-mechanical lock is configured to be mounted on an object so as to secure the object. In an embodiment, the electro -mechanic al lock is configured to secure the object against unauthorized scenarios such as, but not limited to, unauthorized opening, unauthorized unlocking, unauthorized attempts to unlock, unauthorized movements, vandalism, theft, and unauthorized removal. In an embodiment, the electro-mechanical lock is configured to secure two or more portions of an object, such as, but not limited to, a box, a window, a suitcase, a bag, etc. In another embodiment, the electro-mechanical lock is configured to secure an object by attaching the object to another structure, such as, but not limited to, a battery in a vehicle, a battery in a battery docking bay, a battery in a battery charging station, a door to a frame, a safe to a structure, a frame to a wall, an object on a surface, etc.

[0020] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig.l, the electro-mechanical lock (100) includes an enclosure (102), wherein the enclosure (102) houses a plurality of modules including a location sensing module (104), at least one interface (106), an electromagnetic circuit (108), an alarm member (110), a controller (112), a memory (114), and a mechanical override module (116).

[0021] Fig.2 depicts the electro-mechanical lock (100) with a mechanical overriding mechanism (20) mounted on a battery dock (D) for securing a battery pack (B) with the battery dock (D). In an embodiment, the electro -mechanical lock (100) includes a locking module (10) mounted onto the battery dock (D). The locking module (10) includes a housing (12), an electro -magnetic mechanism (not shown) disposed within the housing (12), and a locking member (14) coupled with the electro-magnetic mechanism. The locking member (14) is adapted to be coupled with the electro-magnetic mechanism, wherein the locking member (14) is configured to be moved between an unlock position and a lock position on actuation of the electro-magnetic mechanism. The locking member (14) is connected with the housing (12) such that, in the lock position the locking member (14) protrudes from the housing (12) and in the unlock position the locking member (12) retracts into the housing (12). In an embodiment, the locking member (14) is a spring-loaded plunger. It is also within the scope of this invention to have a shaft or any other similar element as a locking member (14) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the locking member (14) as can be deduced from this description. For the purposes of this description and ease of understanding, the locking member (14) is considered to be a metallic shaft having a right-angle trapezoidal profile for facilitating ease of locking. In an embodiment, the locking module (10) includes at least two mounting brackets (16), wherein each of the mounting bracket (16) is connected to the housing (12) of the locking module (10). The locking module (10) is mounted on the battery dock (D) by fastening the mounting brackets (16) on the battery dock (D). In an embodiment, the locking module (10) includes a solenoid lock.

[0022] In an embodiment, the locking member (12) is adapted to be received into a receiving slot defined on the battery pack (B), therefore facilitating locking of the battery pack (B) with the battery dock (D).

[0023] The locking module ( 10) is adapted to be provided in communication with the plurality of modules housed in the enclosure (102), wherein the locking module (10) is configured to lock and unlock the object being secured based on instructions received from the controller (112) through the interface (106). In an embodiment the locking module (10) is connected to the interface (106) through a harness (H). As a non-limiting example, the locking module (10) is configured to unlock the secured object by retracting the locking member (14) to the unlocked position, when a user authenticates the unlocking of the object through an external entity provided in communication with the electromechanical lock (100).

[0024] Fig. 3 depicts an exploded view of the electro-mechanical lock (100) with the mechanical overriding mechanism (20), according to an embodiment. The mechanical overriding mechanism (20) is provided in communication with the locking module (10). The mechanical overriding mechanism (20) is configured to mechanically unlock the locking member (14) when the electro-mechanical lock (100) is operated in a manual override mode. As a non-limiting example, the electro-mechanical lock (100) is operated in the manual override mode when the locking module (10) fails to unlock the secured object on authentication by the user.

[0025] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5a and 5b, the mechanical overriding mechanism (20) includes a connecting member (22) operatively engaged with the locking member (14), a locking arm assembly (21) operatively connectedo the connecting member (22), and a cable (25) housed in a tube (23). The connecting member (22) is configured to move the locking member (14) to the unlocked position when it is displaced to an extracted position (Fig.4a depicts the connecting member (22) in an initial position and Fig.4b depicts the connecting member (22) in the extracted position). Further, the cable (25) is connected to the locking arm assembly (21) such that when the cable (25) is pulled outwards, thelocking arm assembly (21) displaces the connecting member (22) to the extracted position, pulling the locking member (14) to the unlocked position.

[0026] In an embodiment, the connecting member (22) is disposed outside the housing (12) of the locking module (10) and engages with a rear end of the locking member (14). In an embodiment, the connecting member (22) is a bush locking having a circular head (not shown) and a tubular neck (not shown) connected to the head. The rear end of the locking member (14) is connected to the neck of the bush locking through a plurality of threads.

[0027] Further, in an embodiment, the locking arm assembly (21) includes at least one fixed arm (28), at least one pivoting member (26), and at least one movable arm (24). The fixed arm (28) is connected to the housing (12) of the locking module (10) of the electro-mechanical lock (100). The pivoting member (26) is pivotably connected to the fixed arm (28). Further, the cable (25) is connected to the pivoting member (26) such that when the cable (25) is pulled outwards from the tube (23), the pivoting member (26) is displaced towards the fixed arm (28) (as depicted in Fig. 4b). The movable member is connected to the pivoting member (26) at one end and engages with the connecting member (22) at the other end. The movable arm (24) is configured to displace the connecting member (22) to the extracted position when the cable (25) is pulled outwards. In an embodiment, the movable arm (24) includes an upper arm (24A) and a lower arm (24B) connected to the upper arm (24 A). The connecting member (22) is engaged between the upper arm (24 A) and the lower arm (24B). In an embodiment, the neck of the bush locking is engaged between the upper arm (24A) and the lower arm (24B) of the movable arm (24).

[0028] In an embodiment, the fixed arm (28) includes a slot (28S) to receive the tube (23). The fixed arm (28) is connected to the housing (12) of the locking module (10) through fastening means (F) including a screw and a washer.

[0029] In an embodiment, the cable (25) is adapted to be pulled out of the tube (23) with a tool such as a plier having a predefined profile. In an embodiment, an end of the cable (25) is provided on a top side of the battery pack (B).

[0030] As a non-limiting example, the working of the electro-mechanical lock (100) with the mechanical overriding mechanism (20) is explained herein below with respect to a battery pack (B) secured to a battery dock (D). The locking module (10) is configured to actuate the locking member (14) to the unlocked position when the user authenticates the unlocking of the electro-mechanical lock (100) through the external entity. In a scenario where the locking module (10) fails to actuate the locking member (14) upon user authentication or a failure of the locking module (10) is detected by the electro-mechanical lock (100), the electromechanical lock (100) is configured to be operated in the manual override mode.In the manual override mode, upon authentication of the user, the user can access the cable (25) of the mechanical overriding mechanism (20). When the user pulls out the cable (25) from the tube (23), the pivoting member (26) is pulled inwards, towards the fixed arm (28). Since the movable arm (24) is fixedly connected to the pivoting member (26), on movement of the pivoting member (26), the movable arm (24) is displaced, pulling out the connecting member (22) to the extracted position. The displacement of the connecting member (22) causes the locking member (14) to retract and move to the unlocked position, therefore enabling manual unlocking of the locking module (10).

[0031] In an embodiment herein, the mechanical override mechanism (20) is adapted to be provided in communication with at least one control unit. The control unit is configured to provide authentication for accessing the mechanical override mechanism (20). In an embodiment, the control unit includes multi-stage authentication. In an embodiment, the multi-stage authentication comprises of, but not limited to, OTP, biometric authentication, keyword / key phrase, and voice authentication. In an embodiment, an authorized operator is allowed to manually unlock the locking member (14) by biometric authentication. In an embodiment, the locking member is coupled with an electro -permanent magnet.

[0032] Fig.6 is a flowchart depicting a method (200) of operating the electromechanical lock (100) in the manual override mode. In an embodiment, the method (200) includes giving access to the user upon authentication by the control unit, for accessing the cable (25) of the mechanical overriding mechanism (20),when the electro-mechanical lock (100) detects the failure of the locking module (10). The method (200) further includes pulling out the cable (25) by the user using a tool such as a plier. The method (200) also includes alerting the user when the locking member (14) is actuated to the unlocked position in the manual override mode .

[0033] The technical advantages achieved by the embodiments disclosed herein include an electro-mechanical lock for securing an object such as a battery pack with a battery dock which is configured to detect theft or unauthorized unlocking of the object, wherein the object has been secured with the electro- mechanical lock, a mechanical overriding mechanism for the electro-mechanical lock which enable manual unlocking of a locking module when a failure occurs in the locking module.

[0034] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and / or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim,1. An electro -mechanic al lock (100) for securing objects, said electromechanical lock (100) comprising: a locking module (10); and a mechanical overriding mechanism (20); wherein, said locking module (10) comprises: a housing (12); an electro-magnetic mechanism disposed within the housing (11); and a locking member (14) coupled with the electro -magnetic mechanism; wherein, said locking member (14) is configured to move to a lock position, wherein in the lock position said locking member (14) is adapted to protrude from the housing (12), and an unlocked position, wherein in the unlocked position said locking member (14) is adapted to retract into the housing (12), on actuation of the electromagnetic mechanism; and said mecha006Eical overriding mechanism (20) configured to enable manual unlocking of said locking member (14) in a manual override mode, said mechanical overriding mechanism (20) comprising: a connecting member (22) operatively engaged with said locking member (14) of said locking module (10), said connecting member (22) configured to pull back said locking member (14) to the unlocked position when displaced to an extracting position;a locking arm assembly (21) operatively connected with said connecting member (22); and a cable (25) housed in a tube (23), said cable (25) operatively connected with said locking arm assembly (21); wherein, said locking arm assembly (21) is configured to actuate said connecting member (22) in the extracting position when said cable (25) is pulled outwards from said tube (23).

2. The electro-mechanical lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking arm assembly (21) comprises: at least one fixed arm (28) connected to the housing (12) of said locking module (10); at least one pivoting member (26) pivotably connected to said at least one fixed arm (28) and operatively connected with said cable (25), said pivoting member (26) configured to move towards said fixed arm (28) when said cable (25) is pulled outwards; at least one movable arm (24) engaged with said connecting member (22) and fixedly connected to said pivoting member (26); wherein, said movable arm (24) is configured to displace said connecting member (22) to the extracting position when said cable (25) is pulled outwards.

3. The electro-mechanical lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting member (22) is a bush locking comprising a circular head and a tubular neck connected to the head, wherein said movable arm (24) is engaged with the neck of the bush locking.

4. The electro-mechanical lock (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said locking member (14) is connected to the tubular neck of said connecting member (22).

5. The electro -mechanical lock (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said movable arm (24) comprises an upper arm (24 A) and a lower arm (24B) connected to said upper arm (24A), wherein said connecting member (22) is grippingly engaged between said upper arm (24 A) and said lower arm (24B).

6. The electro-mechanical lock (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fixed arm (28) comprises a slot (28S) adapted to receive said tube (23) and said cable (25) housed in said tube (23).

7. The electro-mechanical lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixed arm (28) is connected to the housing (12) of said electro-mechanical lock (100) with fastening means (F) comprising a screw and a washer.

8. The electro -mechanic al lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking member (14) comprises a metal shaft having a right-angle trapezoidal profile.

9. The electro-mechanical lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking member (14) comprises an electro-permanent magnet.

10. A method (200) of operating an electro-mechanical lock (100) in a manual override mode, the method (200) comprising: authenticating a user by a control unit of said electro mechanical lock (100), for accessing a cable (25) connected to a mechanical overriding mechanism (20); wherein, said mechanical overriding mechanism (20) comprises: a connecting member (22) operatively engaged with a locking member (14) of a locking module (10) of said electromechanical lock (100), said connecting member (22) configured to pull back said locking member (14) to an unlocked position when actuated to an extracting position;a locking arm assembly (21) operatively connected with said connecting member (22); and said cable (25) housed in a tube (23), said cable (25) operatively connected with said locking arm assembly (21); wherein, said locking arm assembly (21) is configured to displace said connecting member (22) in the extracting position when said cable (25) is pulled outwards from said tube (23); pulling out said cable (25) from said tube (23) with a tool; and sending an alert to the user when said locking member (14) is actuated to the unlocked position in the manual override mode.

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