Locks with automatic unlocking function

Abstract

The application discloses a lock with an automatic unlocking function, which comprises a lock body, the lock body is provided with a lock hole for inserting an outer lock body, a lock block is movably arranged along the axial direction or the radial direction of the lock hole, and a linkage block is movably arranged along the radial direction of the lock hole; when locking, the locking end of the outer lock body is inserted into the lock hole, and the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body acts on the internal thread of the lock block to simultaneously move the lock block along the axial direction and the radial direction of the lock hole until the outer lock body is locked in place, then the lock block is simultaneously retracted along the axial direction and the radial direction of the lock hole under the action of a spring, so that the internal thread of the lock block locks the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body; when unlocking, a driving unit drives a gear set to rotate, the gear set drives the linkage block to move, the linkage block drives the lock block to move along the radial direction of the lock hole, so that the lock block moves away from the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body and releases the outer lock body; the lock does not need to be manually rotated to be unlocked, can be applied to remote control unlocking of the Internet of Things, and is more convenient to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lock technology, and in particular to a lock with an automatic unlocking function. Background Technology

[0002] In daily life, locks are often needed on cabinet doors or display cases, such as the cabinets of vending machines. Existing locks for vending machines typically consist of two parts: an outer lock body and an inner lock seat. The inner lock seat is installed inside the vending machine cabinet, while the outer lock body is pull-out and inserts into the lock hole of the inner lock seat. The inner lock seat contains three movable locking blocks with internal threads, and the locking end of the outer lock body has external threads. When the outer lock body is inserted into the lock hole, the external threads at the locking end of the outer lock body act on the internal threads of the three locking blocks in the inner lock seat, pushing the three locking blocks to move simultaneously along the axial and radial directions of the lock hole. At this time, the three locking blocks open synchronously relative to each other along the radial direction of the lock hole until the outer lock body is pushed to... Once in position, the internal threads of the three locking blocks, under the spring's return, tightly engage with the external threads at the locking end of the outer lock body, thus completing the locking process. However, when unlocking, because the outer lock body and the locking blocks are threadedly engaged, pulling the outer lock body directly outward will cause the outer lock body and the locking blocks to become increasingly tight, making it impossible to open the cabinet door directly. It is necessary to rotate the handle of the outer lock body until the handle drives the external threads at the locking end of the outer lock body to completely disengage from the internal threads of the locking blocks before the entire outer lock body can be pulled out to complete the unlocking. This makes unlocking inconvenient, requiring manual rotation to unlock, and also makes it unsuitable for IoT remote control unlocking, which is inconvenient for daily management and use.

[0003] Therefore, a new technology needs to be developed to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention addresses the deficiencies of the existing technology, and its main objective is to provide a lock with an automatic unlocking function that does not require manual rotation to unlock, is suitable for remote control unlocking via the Internet of Things, and is more convenient to use.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A lock with an automatic unlocking function includes a lock body having a key hole for inserting an outer lock body, and a drive unit, a gear set, a linkage block, and a lock block disposed inside the lock body;

[0007] The locking block can be movably arranged along the axial or radial direction of the lock hole. The side of the locking block facing the lock hole is provided with an internal thread. The output end of the drive unit is connected to the gear set. The linkage block is connected to the gear set and the locking block respectively. The linkage block can be movably arranged along the radial direction of the lock hole.

[0008] When locked, the locking end of the outer lock body is inserted into the lock hole, and the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body acts on the internal thread of the lock block to push the lock block to move simultaneously along the axial and radial directions of the lock hole until the outer lock body is locked in place. Then, under the action of a spring, the lock block retracts and locks simultaneously along the axial and radial directions of the lock hole, so that the internal thread of the lock block locks the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body.

[0009] When unlocking, the drive unit drives the gear set to rotate, the gear set drives the linkage block to move, and the linkage block moves the lock block along the radial direction of the lock hole, so that the lock block moves away from the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body and releases the outer lock body.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the gear set includes a drive gear and a linkage gear that mesh with each other, the drive gear being connected to the output end of the drive unit, and the linkage block being connected to the linkage gear.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the linkage gear is provided with an annular linkage groove and a limiting protrusion provided on one side of the annular linkage groove. The annular linkage groove extends from the inside to the outside in the circumferential direction. The linkage block is provided with a linkage protrusion and an annular sidewall. The linkage protrusion is adapted to the annular linkage groove. The annular sidewall is restricted to abutting against the limiting protrusion or disengaging from the limiting protrusion as the linkage gear rotates.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the linkage gear includes a main body rotatably mounted in the lock body. A cavity is formed on the rear side of the main body, an annular linkage groove is formed on the inner front sidewall of the cavity, a limiting protrusion is formed on the inner sidewall of the cavity and located around the annular linkage groove, the linkage block is located inside the cavity, and a through hole is provided on the front side of the main body to penetrate the cavity. An internal tooth is provided on the inner sidewall of the through hole, and the drive gear meshes with the internal tooth.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, two auxiliary limiting rods are protruding from the front side of the main body on one side of the through hole. The two auxiliary limiting rods are arranged symmetrically around the axial direction of the through hole. Correspondingly, two annular limiting grooves are provided in the lock body, which are arranged symmetrically around the axial direction of the lock hole. The auxiliary limiting rods are adapted to the annular limiting grooves, and the axis of the through hole coincides with that of the lock hole.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the linkage block has a relief cone surface on the side facing the locking block, the inner wall of the relief cone surface has a first linkage part, the locking block has a second linkage part on the side facing the linkage block, the locking block can be moved and positioned in the relief cone surface along the axial direction, and the first linkage part and the second linkage part are adapted and connected.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, two linkage blocks are provided, and the two linkage blocks are arranged symmetrically around the axial direction of the lock hole. Correspondingly, two lock blocks are provided.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment, the lock body includes a front housing, a middle frame, and a rear housing connected in sequence. The lock hole passes through the front housing, the middle frame, and the rear housing in sequence from front to back. The drive unit is installed in the front housing and one end extends into the middle frame. The gear set is installed in the rear housing and protrudes from the rear opening of the middle frame. The linkage block is movably mounted on a mounting seat in the rear housing along the radial direction of the lock hole. The rear sidewall of the mounting seat abuts against the inner front sidewall of the rear housing. The lock hole passes through the inner cavity of the mounting seat. One end of the linkage block passes through the mounting seat and extends into the inner cavity of the mounting seat, while the other end extends out of the mounting seat. The lock block is located in the inner cavity of the mounting seat and connected to one end of the linkage block.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment, the inner cavity of the mounting base is movably provided with a limiting plate along the axial direction of the lock hole. The front side of the locking block is restricted by the rear side of the limiting plate. The spring is provided on the front side of the limiting plate. The rear end of the spring extends into the inner cavity of the mounting base and is restricted by the front side of the limiting plate. The front end of the spring extends into the inner cavity of the middle frame and is restricted by the limiting wall of the inner cavity of the middle frame. The lock hole passes through the inner cavity of the middle frame.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment, a PCB board is installed inside the front housing, the drive unit is electrically connected to the PCB board, the drive unit is a motor, and the PCB board is connected to an Internet of Things (IoT) communication module, which is used to remotely control the disengagement of the lock block from the outer lock body.

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has significant advantages and beneficial effects. Specifically, as can be seen from the above technical solution, it mainly involves movably setting the lock block along the axial and radial directions of the lock hole, and movably setting the linkage block along the radial direction of the lock hole. Thus, during unlocking, the drive unit can drive the gear set to rotate, the gear set can drive the linkage block to move, and the linkage block can move the lock block along the radial direction of the lock hole, causing the lock block to move away from the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body, thereby releasing the locking end of the outer lock body. This allows the outer lock body to be directly pulled out to open the door without manual rotation. This achieves an automatic unlocking function, making it more convenient to use and suitable for remote control unlocking via the Internet of Things (IoT), facilitating daily management and use. Furthermore, the IoT communication module allows for remote control of the lock block's disengagement from the outer lock body, enabling remote control of the lock's unlocking via the IoT. This achieves IoT-based control. Additionally, the locking part between the lock body and the outer lock body still uses the traditional internal and external thread locking method, allowing the original key-turning unlocking method to be used to open the door.

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the structural features, technical means, and specific objectives and functions achieved by the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the overall structure from another angle of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is another exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0027] 10. Lock body 11. Keyhole

[0028] 12. Front housing 13. Mid-frame

[0029] 131. Annular limiting groove; 132. Limiting wall

[0030] 14. Rear housing 15. Mounting bracket

[0031] 16. Limiting plate 17. Spring

[0032] 20. Drive unit; 30. Linkage block

[0033] 31. Linkage protrusion; 32. Annular sidewall

[0034] 33. Yielding cone surface; 34. First linkage part

[0035] 40. Locking block; 41. Internal thread

[0036] 42. Second linkage part; 50. Drive gear

[0037] 60. Linkage gear; 61. Annular linkage groove

[0038] 62. Limiting protrusion 63. Main body

[0039] 64. Cavity 65. Through hole

[0040] 66. Internal teeth section; 67. Auxiliary limit rod

[0041] 70. PCB board. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 As shown, it illustrates the specific structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] A lock with an automatic unlocking function includes a lock body 10, which has a lock hole 11 for inserting an outer lock body. The lock body 10 contains a drive unit 20, a gear set, a linkage block 30, and a locking block 40. The locking block 40 is movably disposed along the axial or radial direction of the lock hole 11. The side of the locking block 40 facing the lock hole 11 has an internal thread 41. The output end of the drive unit 20 is connected to the gear set, and the linkage block 30 is connected to both the gear set and the locking block 40. The linkage block 30 is movably disposed along the radial direction of the lock hole 11. When locked, the locking end of the outer lock body is inserted into the lock hole 11, and the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body acts on the internal thread 41 of the locking block 40, pushing the locking block 40 along the lock hole 11. The lock expands simultaneously in both axial and radial directions until the outer lock body is locked in place. Then, under the action of a spring 17, the lock block 40 retracts and locks along the axial and radial directions of the lock hole 11, so that the internal thread 41 of the lock block 40 locks the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body. During unlocking, the drive unit 20 drives the gear set 50 to rotate. The gear set drives the linkage block 30 to move. The linkage block 30 moves the lock block 40 radially along the lock hole 11, so that the lock block 40 moves away from the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body, releasing the outer lock body. This allows the outer lock body to be directly pulled out to open the door without manual rotation. This achieves automatic unlocking, making it more convenient to use and suitable for remote control unlocking via the Internet of Things, facilitating daily management and use. Furthermore, the locking part of the lock body 10 and the outer lock body still uses the traditional internal and external thread locking method, allowing the original key-turning unlocking method to be used to open the door.

[0044] In this embodiment, the gear set includes a drive gear 50 and a linkage gear 60 that mesh with each other. The drive gear 50 is connected to the output end of the drive unit 20, and the linkage block 30 is connected to the linkage gear 60. The linkage gear 60 is provided with an annular linkage groove 61 and a limiting protrusion 62 provided on one side of the annular linkage groove 61. The annular linkage groove 61 extends circumferentially from the inside to the outside. The linkage block 30 is provided with a linkage protrusion 31 and an annular sidewall 32. The linkage protrusion 31 is adapted to fit inside the annular linkage groove 61. The annular sidewall 32 is restricted to abutting against or disengaging from the limiting protrusion 62 as the linkage gear 60 rotates. Here, when locked, the annular sidewall 32 is restricted by the limiting protrusion 62, preventing the linkage block 30 from moving radially. When unlocked, the linkage gear 60 rotates, causing the annular linkage groove 61 to rotate relative to the linkage protrusion 31 until the annular sidewall 32 disengages from the limiting protrusion 62. At this time, the inner wall of the annular linkage groove 61 acts on the linkage protrusion 31 in the circumferential direction. Since the linkage protrusion 31 is restricted within the annular linkage groove 61, it cannot move radially relative to the annular linkage groove 61. Furthermore, the annular linkage groove 61 extends circumferentially from the inside out. Therefore, under the push of the inner wall of the annular linkage groove 61 in the circumferential direction, the linkage protrusion 31 moves circumferentially from the inside out relative to the annular linkage groove 61 within the annular linkage groove 61, thereby driving the linkage block 30 to move radially relative to the lock hole 11. In this way, the linkage block 30 drives the lock block 40 to move radially.

[0045] The linkage block 30 has a clearance cone surface 33 on the side facing the locking block 40. The inner sidewall of the clearance cone surface 33 has a first linkage part 34. The inner sidewall of the clearance cone surface 33 is a cone surface that gradually decreases in size from front to back. The first linkage part 34 is inclined. The locking block 40 has a second linkage part 42 on the side facing the linkage block 30. The locking block 40 can be moved and positioned in the clearance cone surface 33 along the axial direction. The first linkage part 34 and the second linkage part 42 are adapted to and connected.

[0046] The linkage gear 60 includes a main body 63, which is rotatably mounted inside the lock body 10. A cavity 64 is formed on the rear side of the main body 63. An annular linkage groove 61 is formed on the inner front sidewall of the cavity 64. A limiting protrusion 62 is formed on the inner sidewall of the cavity 64 and located around the annular linkage groove 61. A linkage block 30 is located inside the cavity 64. A through hole 65 is provided on the front side of the main body 63, which passes through the cavity 64. An internal tooth portion 66 is provided on the inner sidewall of the through hole 65. The drive gear 50 meshes with the internal tooth portion 66.

[0047] Two auxiliary limiting rods 67 protrude from one side of the through hole 65 on the front side of the main body 63. The two auxiliary limiting rods 67 are arranged symmetrically around the axial direction of the through hole 65. Correspondingly, two annular limiting grooves 131 are provided inside the lock body 10, arranged symmetrically around the axial direction of the lock hole 11. The auxiliary limiting rods 67 are adapted to fit within the annular limiting grooves 131. The axes of the through hole 65 and the lock hole 11 coincide. Here, through the combined design of the auxiliary limiting rods 67 and the annular limiting grooves 131, the rotation of the linkage gear 60 can be restricted within a certain range.

[0048] The lock body 10 includes a front housing 12, a middle frame 13, and a rear housing 14 connected in sequence. The lock hole 11 passes through the front housing 12, the middle frame 13, and the rear housing 14 in sequence from front to back. The drive unit 20 is installed in the front housing 12 and one end extends into the middle frame 13. The gear set is installed in the rear housing 14 and protrudes from the rear opening of the middle frame 13. The linkage block 30 is movably mounted on a mounting base 15 in the rear housing 14 along the radial direction of the lock hole 11. The rear sidewall of the mounting base 15 abuts against the rear housing. The front end of the mounting base 15 extends into the middle frame 13 through the through hole 65 on the inner front side wall of the body 14. The annular limiting groove 131 is recessed forward from the rear side of the middle frame 13. The rear end of the main body 63 is restricted by the front side of the rear side wall of the mounting base 15. The locking hole 11 passes through the inner cavity of the mounting base 15. One end of the linkage block 30 passes through the mounting base 15 and extends into the inner cavity of the mounting base 15, while the other end extends out of the mounting base 15. The locking block 40 is located in the inner cavity of the mounting base 15 and connected to one end of the linkage block 30. In this embodiment, there are two linkage blocks 30, which are centrally symmetrically arranged around the axial direction of the locking hole 11. Correspondingly, there are two locking blocks 40.

[0049] The inner cavity of the mounting base 15 is movably equipped with a limiting plate 16 along the axial direction of the lock hole 11. The front side of the locking block 40 is restricted by the rear side of the limiting plate 16. A spring 17 is provided on the front side of the limiting plate 16. The rear end of the spring 17 extends into the inner cavity of the mounting base 15 and is restricted by the front side of the limiting plate 16. The front end of the spring 17 extends into the inner cavity of the middle frame 13 and is restricted by the limiting wall 132 of the inner cavity of the middle frame 13. The lock hole 11 passes through the inner cavity of the middle frame 13. Here, through the combined design of the limiting plate 16 and the spring 17, the axial movement of the locking block 40 can be restricted within a certain range, and after the outer lock body is locked in place, it provides locking force between the internal thread 41 of the locking block 40 and the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body.

[0050] In this embodiment, a PCB board 70 is installed inside the front housing 12, and the drive unit 20 is electrically connected to the PCB board 70. The drive unit 20 is a motor, and the PCB board 70 is connected to an IoT communication module. The IoT communication module is used to remotely control the disengagement of the lock block 40 from the outer lock body, so as to achieve the purpose of remotely controlling the unlocking of the lock through the Internet of Things. Here, the IoT communication module is communicatively connected to an IoT terminal. The IoT terminal remotely sends an unlocking command to the IoT communication module, which then sends the unlocking information to the PCB board 70 inside the lock body 10. The PCB board 70 then controls the drive unit 20 inside the lock body 10 to drive the lock block 40 to disengage from the outer lock body, thereby realizing remote unlocking. In this way, IoT-based control is realized, which is convenient for daily management and use.

[0051] In summary, the key design feature of this invention lies in its ability to allow the lock block to move axially and radially along the keyhole, and the linkage block to move radially along the keyhole. During unlocking, the drive unit rotates the gear set, which in turn moves the linkage block. This linkage block then moves the lock block radially along the keyhole, causing the lock block to move away from the external thread of the outer lock body's locking end, releasing the locking end of the outer lock body. This allows the outer lock body to be directly pulled out to open the door without manual rotation, thus achieving automatic unlocking. This makes the invention more convenient and suitable for IoT remote control unlocking, facilitating daily management and use. Furthermore, the IoT communication module allows for remote control of the lock block's disengagement from the outer lock body, enabling remote unlocking via the IoT. This achieves IoT-based control. Additionally, the locking mechanism between the lock body and the outer lock body still uses the traditional internal and external thread locking method, allowing for unlocking using the original key rotation method.

[0052] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any limitation on the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, any minor modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lock with an automatic unlocking function, comprising a lock body having a lock hole for an outer lock body insertion, characterized in that: The lock body is internally provided with a driving unit, a gear set, a linkage block and a lock block; The lock block is movably arranged along the axial direction or the radial direction of the lock hole, and the side of the lock block facing the lock hole is provided with an internal thread. The output end of the driving unit is connected to the gear set, and the linkage block is respectively connected to the gear set and the lock block. The linkage block is movably arranged along the radial direction of the lock hole. When locking, the locking end of the outer lock body is inserted into the lock hole, and the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body acts on the internal thread of the lock block to simultaneously move the lock block along the axial and radial directions of the lock hole until the outer lock body is locked in place. Under the action of a spring, the lock block simultaneously retreats along the axial and radial directions of the lock hole to lock the internal thread of the lock block to the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body. When unlocking, the driving unit drives the gear set to rotate, the gear set drives the linkage block to move, and the linkage block drives the lock block to move along the radial direction of the lock hole to move away from the external thread of the locking end of the outer lock body and release the outer lock body.

2. The lock with automatic unlocking function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gear set includes a driving gear and a linkage gear that mesh with each other. The driving gear is connected to the output end of the driving unit, and the linkage block is connected to the linkage gear.

3. The lock with automatic unlocking function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The linkage gear is provided with an annular linkage groove and a limiting protrusion arranged on one side of the annular linkage groove. The annular linkage groove extends from the inside to the outside along the circumferential direction. The linkage block is provided with a linkage protrusion and an annular side wall. The linkage protrusion is adapted to the annular linkage groove, and the annular side wall is limited to abut or separate from the limiting protrusion with the rotation of the linkage gear.

4. The lock with automatic unlocking function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The linkage gear includes a main body portion that is rotatably installed in the lock body. The rear side of the main body portion forms a recessed cavity. The annular linkage groove is formed on the inner front side wall of the recessed cavity. The limiting protrusion is formed on the inner side wall of the recessed cavity and located at the periphery of the annular linkage groove. The linkage block is located in the recessed cavity. The front side of the main body portion is provided with a through hole penetrating the recessed cavity. The inner side wall of the through hole is provided with an internal tooth portion. The driving gear is engaged with the internal tooth portion.

5. The lock with automatic unlocking function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The front side of the main body portion protrudes two auxiliary limiting rods on one side of the through hole. The two auxiliary limiting rods are centrally symmetrically arranged around the axial direction of the through hole. Correspondingly, the lock body is provided with two annular limiting grooves that are centrally symmetrically arranged around the axial direction of the lock hole. The auxiliary limiting rods are adapted to the annular limiting grooves. The through hole coincides with the axis of the lock hole.

6. The lock with automatic unlocking function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side of the linkage block facing the lock block is provided with a let-go taper surface. The inner side wall of the let-go taper surface is provided with a first linkage portion. The side of the lock block facing the linkage block is provided with a second linkage portion. The lock block can be movably positioned in the let-go taper surface along the axial direction. The first linkage portion and the second linkage portion are adaptively connected.

7. The lock with automatic unlocking function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The linkage block is provided with two linkage blocks that are centrally symmetrically arranged around the axial direction of the lock hole. Correspondingly, the lock block is provided with two lock blocks.

8. The lock with automatic unlocking function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lock body comprises a front shell, a middle frame and a rear shell connected in sequence, the lock hole passes through the front shell, the middle frame and the rear shell in sequence from front to back, the driving unit is installed in the front shell and extends into the middle frame at one end, the gear set is installed in the rear shell and exposed at the rear opening of the middle frame, the linkage block is movably arranged on the mounting seat in the rear shell along the radial direction of the lock hole, the rear side wall of the mounting seat abuts against the inner front side wall of the rear shell, and the lock hole passes through the inner cavity of the mounting seat; one end of the linkage block extends into the inner cavity of the mounting seat through the mounting seat, and the other end extends out of the mounting seat; the lock block is located in the inner cavity of the mounting seat and connected to one end of the linkage block.

9. The lock with automatic unlocking function according to claim 8, characterized in that: The inner cavity of the mounting seat is movably provided with a limiting plate along the axial direction of the lock hole, the front side of the lock block is limited by the rear side of the limiting plate, the front side of the limiting plate is provided with the spring, the rear end of the spring extends into the inner cavity of the mounting seat and is limited by the front side of the limiting plate; the front end of the spring extends into the inner cavity of the middle frame and is limited by the limiting wall of the inner cavity of the middle frame; and the lock hole passes through the inner cavity of the middle frame.

10. The lock with automatic unlocking function according to claim 8, characterized in that: The PCB board is installed in the front shell, the driving unit is electrically connected to the PCB board, the driving unit is a motor, the PCB board is connected with an Internet of Things communication module, and the Internet of Things communication module is used for remotely controlling the disengagement of the lock block from the outer lock body.

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