Electronic padlock

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic padlock (1) with which the probability of erroneous opening of the electronic padlock is reduced. The electronic padlock according to the present invention comprises a body (2) and a shackle (3). The body has a latching member (4), a cam piece (5) and an electronic actuator (6). The electronic actuator (6) comprises a pivot (7) which is arranged to rotate the cam piece (5) to release the latching member (4) from a locked state and also to rotate the cam piece (5) to keep the latching member in the locked state. In the locked state, the latching member (4) prevents the shackle (2) from moving to open the electronic padlock (1). A blocking mechanism (8) is present between the electronic actuator (6) and the cam piece (5). The blocking mechanism functionally connects the pivot (7) of the electronic actuator (6) to the cam piece (5) to rotate the cam piece by the electronic actuator (6) and prevents any other rotation of the cam piece (5) relative to the body (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic padlock. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic padlock in which an electronic actuator is arranged to rotate a cam piece to release a latch member from a locked state. When the latch member is released from the locked state, the electronic padlock can be opened. Background Art

[0002] Prior art electronic padlocks typically use an electronic actuator to unlock. Depending on the implementation, electronic padlocks can receive the unlock code in different ways. For example, the unlock code can be entered into the electronic padlock from a mobile phone via a Bluetooth connection or some other wireless network. RFID or NFC technology can also be used. The electronic padlock can also have a keypad or touch screen for entering the unlock code, or the lock can have a fingerprint reader, for example. When the correct unlock code is entered into the electronic padlock, the electronic actuator in the lock releases the lock, allowing the padlock to be opened. Once the lock is released, the padlock shackle can be moved from the closed position to the open position, thus opening the padlock.

[0003] The electronic actuator can be, for example, an electric motor, which is arranged to rotate a cam piece of the padlock. The cam piece is a component that holds the latch component against the countersunk hole in the shackle when the padlock is locked. When the electronic padlock receives the correct unlocking code, the electronic actuator rotates the cam piece (usually 90 degrees) so that the notch in the cam piece is next to the latch component. As a result, the latch component can be moved away from the countersunk hole in the shackle, i.e. the locked state is released and the electronic padlock can be opened. When the electronic padlock is locked, the shackle is in the closed position and the electronic actuator rotates the cam piece into the locked position, whereby it holds the latch component against the countersunk hole in the shackle. The latch component is usually a ball.

[0004] In electronic padlocks similar to those described above, the rotation of the cam plate may be limited only by internal friction in the electronic actuator or its gearing. Therefore, it is also possible that by knocking on the electronic padlock, the cam plate can be rotated by mistake, whereby the electronic padlock is no longer locked and can be opened.

[0005] WO 2018184070 provides an embodiment of an electronic padlock in which a coil spring influences the rotation of a cam. In this solution, the coil spring strives to maintain the cam in the locked position. In the solution of the WO publication, there is a blocking plate and a rotation knob connected to an electronic actuator. When the blocking plate is released from the blocking position with the assistance of the electronic actuator, the rotation knob can be manually rotated to rotate the cam and open the electronic padlock. Therefore, in this solution, the cam is manually rotated against the coil spring to open the lock.

[0006] WO 2017 / 097186 discloses an electronic padlock having a blocking mechanism with a solenoid. WO 2019 / 119631 discloses an electronic padlock having a blocking mechanism with a plate having a cavity. CN 205 531 813 also discloses an electronic padlock having a clutch mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic padlock that reduces or even eliminates the possibility of erroneous opening of the electronic padlock. This is achieved in the manner presented in the independent claim. The dependent claims present different embodiments of the invention.

[0008] The electronic padlock according to the present invention includes a main body and a shackle. The main body has a latch component, a cam plate, and an electronic actuator. The electronic actuator includes a pivot shaft that is configured to rotate the cam plate to release the latch component from a locked state, and to rotate the cam plate to retain the latch component in the locked state. In the locked state, the latch component prevents the shackle from moving and thereby opening the electronic padlock. A blocking mechanism is located between the electronic actuator and the cam plate, in the direction of the electronic actuator's pivot shaft. The blocking mechanism functionally connects the electronic actuator's pivot shaft to the cam plate, enabling rotation of the cam plate by the electronic actuator, while preventing any further rotation of the cam plate relative to the main body.

[0009] The blocking mechanism includes a locking plate, a latching plate, and an actuator. The locking plate is connected to a pivot of the electronic actuator. The locking plate has a peripheral edge with a release notch. The locking plate is also arranged to rotate relative to the actuator. The actuator has a torsion protrusion connected to the cam plate. The actuator also has a hole in which the latching plate is positioned, and the body has a notch for the latching plate.

[0010] The blocking mechanism is arranged to prevent the cam piece from rotating when the latch piece is partially in the notch and partially in the driver hole, and the peripheral edge of the locking plate prevents the latch piece from moving toward the pivot. The blocking mechanism is also arranged to allow the cam piece to rotate when the electronic actuator has rotated the release notch of the locking plate to the driver hole by rotating the pivot, thereby allowing the latch piece to move toward the pivot. Still rotating the pivot using the electronic actuator, in addition to the locking plate, the driver and the cam piece connected thereto also rotate.

[0011] The blocking mechanism further includes a spring supported on the actuator and having a spring head. The locking plate includes a hole for the spring head. When the latch plate is partially in the recess and partially in the actuator hole, the spring head is located in the hole and the peripheral edge of the locking plate prevents the latch plate from moving toward the pivot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0013] Figure 1 Showing an example of an electronic padlock according to the present invention,

[0014] Figure 2 An example of an electronic actuator, a blocking mechanism and a cam piece of an electronic padlock according to the present invention is shown,

[0015] Figure 3 Show from another angle Figure 2 For example,

[0016] Figure 4 Shown locked with electronic padlock Figure 1 A partial cross section of an instance of

[0017] Figure 5 Display of electronic padlock locked and released Figure 1 A partial cross section of an instance of

[0018] Figure 6 Demonstrating examples of blocking mechanisms,

[0019] Figure 7 An example showing the components of an electronic padlock according to the present invention, and

[0020] Figure 8 Show from another angle Figure 7 Instance of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 An example of an electronic padlock 1 according to the present invention is shown. The electronic padlock according to the present invention comprises a body 2 and a shackle 3. The body has a latch member 4, a cam 5 and an electronic actuator 6. The electronic actuator comprises a pivot 7 ( Figure 7 ), which is arranged to rotate the cam piece 5 to release the latch component 4 from the locked state, and also rotate the cam piece 5 to keep the latch component 4 in the locked state. In the locked state, the latch component 4 prevents the shackle 3 from moving and opening the electronic padlock. Figure 1 The locked state is shown. When the cam plate is rotated (typically 90 degrees or thereabouts), the notch 25 in the cam plate faces the latch member. As a result, the latch member can be removed from the notch 26 in the shackle 3, and the shackle can be pulled out of the body 2. Removing the shackle from the body 2 opens the circuit between the shackle and the body, thus unlocking the electronic padlock. Figure 4 shows a partial cross section along line L in a locked state of the electronic padlock 1, and Figure 5 Shows what it looks like when the lock is open.

[0022] Figure 1 Other components of the electronic padlock are also shown, such as the shackle opening 28 ( Figure 7) in the main body 2, an attachment part 29 and a communication part 30. The attachment part holds the electronic actuator 6, the blocking mechanism 8 and the cam piece 5 well in a body 2 suitable for these parts. The communication part 30 comprises, for example, an RFID part, a Bluetooth part or another part to receive the opening code for the electronic padlock, and possibly also to send information about the status and operation of the electronic padlock. The communication part is connected to the electronic actuator 6 via a connection part 31. When the opening code is correct, the electronic actuator can be used to open the lock. A power source, such as a battery and control electronics, can also be placed in connection with the communication part. However, it is also possible that a power source, such as a battery, is placed in connection with the electronic actuator 6, as well as the control electronics.

[0023] therefore, Figure 1 Not all components of the electronic padlock are shown, and as can be seen, the electronic padlock can be implemented in many different ways. The communication component can, for example, be positioned differently relative to the main body 2 and can, for example, have a keypad or a touch screen or a fingerprint reader. The electronic padlock can also have different identifiers for detecting the state and operation of the lock. Figure 1 Efforts have been made to illustrate the essential components of the present invention.

[0024] There is a blocking mechanism 8 between the electronic actuator 6 and the cam piece 5 in the direction of the pivot axis 7 of the electronic actuator. The blocking mechanism 8 functionally connects the pivot axis 7 of the electronic actuator to the cam piece 5 for rotating the cam piece by the electronic actuator 6 and prevents any other rotation of the cam piece 5 relative to the body 2. Figure 2 and 3 The electronic actuator 6 , the cam plate 5 and the blocking mechanism 8 are shown positioned on the same axis A, ie in the direction of the pivot 7 of the electronic actuator.

[0025] Figure 6 An example of a blocking mechanism is shown. The blocking mechanism 8 comprises a locking plate 9, a latching piece 10 and a driver 11. The locking plate 9 is connected to the pivot 7 of the electronic actuator. The locking plate has a peripheral edge 13 with a release notch 12. The locking plate 9 is also arranged to rotate relative to the driver 11. The driver has a torsion protrusion 14 that is connected to the cam piece 5. The driver 11 also has a hole 15 in which the latching piece 10 is placed, and the body 2 has a notch 16 for the latching piece 10. The notch 16 is located at Figure 4 and 5 Seen in.

[0026] Figure 4 and 5 The operation of the blocking mechanism is shown while also showing the locking and opening of the electronic padlock. Figure 4 The electronic padlock is locked. Figure 5The blocking mechanism 8 is arranged to prevent the cam plate 5 ( Figure 1 ) is rotated, and the peripheral edge 13 of the locking plate 9 prevents the latch plate 10 from moving towards the pivot 7. The driver 11 cannot be rotated, whereby the cam plate 5 cannot be rotated by means of the twisting protrusion 14.

[0027] The blocking mechanism 8 is also arranged to allow the rotation of the cam piece 5 when the electronic actuator 6 has rotated the release notch 12 of the locking plate 9 to the driver hole 15 by rotating the pivot 7, thereby allowing the latch plate 10 to move toward the pivot 7. Still continuing to rotate the pivot 7 using the electronic actuator 6, in addition to the locking plate 9, the driver 11 and the cam piece 5 connected thereto are also rotated. Figure 5 This situation is shown in which the driver 11 is also rotated. As the driver passes the twisting protrusion connected to the cam piece 5, the cam piece is also rotated, whereby the notch 25 in the cam piece faces the latch member 10. As a result, the latch member can be removed from the notch 26 in the shackle 3 and the shackle can be pulled out of the body 2.

[0028] The blocking mechanism 8 further comprises a spring 17 which is supported on the driver 11 and has a spring head 18 ( Figure 7 and 8 The spring is made of a metal suitable for the purpose. The locking plate 9 comprises a hole 19 for the spring head 18 ( Figure 6 ). When the latch plate 10 is partially in the notch 16 and partially in the driver hole 15, the spring head 18 is located in the hole and the peripheral edge 13 of the locking plate prevents the latch plate 10 from moving toward the pivot 7. The electronic padlock is thus locked. If someone attempts to open the electronic padlock by mistake, for example by knocking, the spring 17 strives to prevent the locking plate 9 from rotating, which may be caused by knocking or other vibrations and other means. The spring thus strives to keep the locking plate in the Figure 4 The electronic padlock is locked in the correct position and the locking plate is prevented from rotating in both directions. Therefore, the direction of the knocks and vibrations does not matter.

[0029] Furthermore, the structure of the blocking mechanism makes it less likely that vibrations and shocks will cause the locking plate 9 to rotate sufficiently to open the electronic padlock. First, the locking plate should be rotated so that the release notch 12 is adjacent to the actuator hole 15, and then the actuator should be rotated further so that the notch 25 of the cam plate 5 faces the latch plate 10. The spring also actively maintains the support plate in position along its radius. This is particularly advantageous if the electronic padlock's shaft 7 has been damaged to some extent.

[0030] from Figure 4-6As can be seen, there may be a protrusion 20 on the peripheral edge 13 of the locking plate, away from the pivot 7. The protrusion is used to transmit torque from the locking plate 9 to the driver 11 (and the latch plate, especially when the locking plate is rotated in the locking direction). The protrusion can also be used with the sensor / switch 32 to detect the state of the lock (for example, whether the lock is locked). The protrusion also forms a support for the locking plate 9 against the body 2.

[0031] from Figure 6 It can also be seen that the driver 11 has a support surface 21 for the spring 17. The counter-support surface 21A of the spring rests against said support surface. It can be seen that the spring 17 remains in position relative to the driver 11 even if the driver is rotated. It can also be seen that when the locking plate is rotated out of the locked position ( Figure 4 In the middle position), the head 18 of the spring is not in the hole 19 of the locking plate.

[0032] from Figure 6 and 8 As can be seen, the driver 11 may have mounting projections 22, 23 for the locking plate 9. In the embodiment shown, projection 23 is larger than projection 22. The locking plate 9 is positioned between projections 22 and 23. Projection 23 also supports the spring. Mounting projections 22, 23 thus make it easier to mount the components against each other.

[0033] As can be seen, the electronic padlock according to the present invention can be implemented in many different ways. For example, while the shaft 7 of the electronic actuator is shown as having a cross shape in the embodiment shown in the figure, it can also have another shape. The shaft 7 shown in the figure is implemented so that it extends from the electronic actuator 6 and can be seated in a shaft-shaped hole 24. The hole is located in the center of the locking plate 9 for pivoting. Of course, it is also possible for the shaft 7 of the electronic actuator to form a recess having another shape, into which a correspondingly shaped protrusion in the locking plate can be seated.

[0034] The electric actuator 6 can be an electric motor or a solenoid. Using an electric motor is generally more straightforward, but rotating the locking plate can also be accomplished using a solenoid. Therefore, the electric actuator 6 has some kind of power transmission to transfer the movement of the solenoid (e.g., the movement of the solenoid's peg) into the movement of the rotating shaft 7.

[0035] The latching piece 10 is a ball or a roller. The length and width of the roller are the same or almost the same. Therefore, the blocking mechanism 8 does not occupy unnecessary space in the direction of the axis 7 of the electronic actuator, and the blocking mechanism can be adapted in a relatively small space. In addition, Figure 4 and 5A sensor / switch 32 can be seen which can be used to detect the rotation of the locking plate 9. This information can be used to detect the state of the electronic padlock. Furthermore, it can be used to lock the electronic padlock. The electronic padlock is locked so that the shackle moves towards the body 2 so that it forms a closed circuit with the body. This can be detected, for example, by means of a possible second sensor (not shown in the figure). A code can also be entered into the electronic padlock in order to lock the lock via the communication means 30. The information about the need to lock the electronic padlock is transmitted, for example as a control command, to the electronic actuator 6, which rotates the shaft 7 and therefore also the locking plate and the drive 11 into the locked state. The locked state is in Figure 1 and 4 Seen in.

[0036] The solution according to the present invention effectively prevents the cam plate 5 from being rotated erroneously if the internal structure of the electronic actuator 6 is unable to maintain the lock. The solution effectively prevents the cam plate 5 from being rotated erroneously out of the locked position, for example, by striking or heating the electronic padlock. Heating may damage components of the electronic actuator, allowing the cam plate to rotate more freely.

[0037] The electronic padlock according to the invention can be implemented in many different ways, as can be discerned from the above description. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the examples presented herein, but can be implemented in different ways within the scope of the independent claims.

Claims

1. An electronic padlock comprising a body (2) and a shackle (3), the body having a latch member (4), a cam piece (5) and an electronic actuator (6), the electronic actuator comprising a pivot (7), the pivot being arranged to rotate the cam piece (5) to release the latch member (4) from a locked state and to rotate the cam piece (5) to maintain the latch member (4) in the locked state, wherein the latch member (4) prevents the shackle (3) from moving to open the electronic padlock, characterized in that There is a blocking mechanism (8) between the electronic actuator (6) and the cam piece (5) in the direction of the pivot (7) of the electronic actuator, the blocking mechanism (8) functionally connecting the pivot (7) of the electronic actuator to the cam piece (5) to rotate the cam piece by means of the electronic actuator (6) and preventing any other rotation of the cam piece (5) relative to the body (2), The blocking mechanism (8) comprises a locking plate (9), a latch plate (10) and a driver (11), wherein the locking plate (9) is connected to the pivot (7) of the electronic actuator, the locking plate has a peripheral edge (13), the peripheral edge has a release notch (12), and the locking plate (9) is arranged to rotate relative to the driver (11), The driver has a twisting protrusion (14) connected to the cam piece (5), and the driver (11) has a driver hole (15), the latch piece (10) is placed in the driver hole, and the body (2) has a recess (16) for the latch piece (10), The blocking mechanism (8) is arranged to prevent the rotation of the cam plate (5) when the latch plate (10) is partially in the recess (16) and partially in the driver hole (15), and the peripheral edge (13) of the locking plate (9) prevents the latch plate (10) from moving toward the pivot (7), and the blocking mechanism (8) is arranged to prevent the cam plate (5) from rotating when the electronic actuator (6) has rotated the release recess (12) of the locking plate (9) to the driver hole (15) by rotating the pivot (7). The cam plate (5) is allowed to rotate when the locking plate (9) is in the hole (15), thereby allowing the latch plate (10) to move towards the pivot (7), whereby the peripheral edge (13) of the locking plate has a protrusion (20) away from the pivot (7) for transmitting torque from the locking plate (9) to the driver (11), whereby the pivot (7) is still rotated by the electronic actuator (6), and in addition to the locking plate (9), the driver (11) and the cam plate (5) connected thereto are also rotated, The blocking mechanism (8) further comprises a spring (17) supported on the driver (11) and having a spring head (18), and the locking plate (9) comprises a hole (19) for the spring head (18), when the latch plate (10) is partially in the recess (16) and partially in the driver hole (15), the spring head (18) is located in the hole (19), and the peripheral edge (13) of the locking plate prevents the latch plate (10) from moving toward the pivot (7).

2. The electronic padlock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The latch piece (10) is a ball or a roller, and the length and width of the roller are the same or almost the same.

3. The electronic padlock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The peripheral edge (13) of the locking plate has a protrusion (20) away from the pivot (7).

4. The electronic padlock according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driver (11) has a support surface (21) for the spring (17).

5. The electronic padlock according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driver has mounting projections (22, 23) for the locking plate (9).

6. The electronic padlock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: At the center of the locking plate (9) there is a hole (24) for the pivot.

7. The electronic padlock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The electronic actuator (6) is an electric motor or a solenoid.

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