Electronic combination lock

Abstract

This invention discloses an electronic combination lock capable of delayed locking after unlocking, allowing the user to close the lock at any time to achieve the locking function. It includes a lock housing, a knob, a movable pin, a first spring, a movable block, a second spring, an electric actuator, a battery compartment, and a battery. The knob rotatably extends through the lock housing; an anti-rotation groove is provided on the circumferential surface of the knob; the movable pin slides along the radial direction of the knob and engages with the lock housing; the first spring drives the movable pin to slide and abut against the circumferential surface of the knob, so that one end of the movable pin engages with the anti-rotation groove as the knob rotates; the movable block slides with the lock housing and has a notch that, as the movable block slides, is opposite or misaligned with the other end of the movable pin; the second spring drives the movable block to slide so that the notch is misaligned with the other end of the movable pin; the electric actuator drives the movable block to slide and compress the second spring; the battery compartment is detachably connected to the lock housing and is used to house the battery electrically connected to the electric actuator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of smart lock technology, and in particular to an electronic combination lock. Background Technology

[0002] The typical operating mode of an electronic smart lock involves the user entering a password. When the password is correct, the lock sends an unlocking command to the motor and specifies the unlocking time, causing it to rotate forward and unlock. After the unlocking time ends, the motor reverses and locks the lock. This locking and unlocking mode is entirely electronically driven and controlled, requiring no user intervention. However, this mode introduces uncertainty, particularly as users may not know whether the motor has reversed or whether the lock has been properly locked, posing a risk of property loss due to improper locking.

[0003] Meanwhile, as electronic combination locks become increasingly smaller, they generally use built-in, pop-out battery compartments for power. However, the existing battery compartment structure poses a safety hazard: current battery compartments typically use a snap-lock switch to attach to the lock housing. Users can insert the battery compartment into the lock housing to lock the snap-lock switch, and pressing the battery compartment again will unlock the switch and pop it out. This structure lacks any opening restrictions, allowing children to easily remove the battery compartment, potentially leading to accidental ingestion of the batteries. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic combination lock that solves the problems existing in the prior art, enabling delayed locking after unlocking, and allowing the user to lock the lock at any time.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the solution of the present invention is:

[0006] An electronic combination lock includes a lock housing, a knob, a movable pin, a first spring, a movable block, a second spring, an electric actuator, a battery compartment, and a battery. The knob rotatably extends through the lock housing. An anti-rotation groove is provided on the circumferential surface of the knob. The movable pin slides along the radial direction of the knob against the lock housing. The first spring drives the movable pin to slide and abut against the circumferential surface of the knob, so that one end of the movable pin moves within the anti-rotation groove as the knob rotates. The movable block slides against the lock housing and has a notch that, as the movable block slides, is opposite or misaligned with the other end of the movable pin. The second spring drives the movable block to slide, causing the notch to misalign with the other end of the movable pin. The electric actuator drives the movable block to slide and compress the second spring. The battery compartment is detachably connected to the lock housing and accommodates a battery electrically connected to the electric actuator.

[0007] The lock housing is provided with a shaft hole for the knob to rotate.

[0008] Preferably, at least one pair of third springs and steel balls are installed on the side wall of the shaft hole; a plurality of anti-rotation grooves are provided at equal intervals on the circumference of the knob, and the steel balls abut against the circumference of the knob under the drive of the third springs and move and cooperate in one of the anti-rotation grooves as the knob rotates.

[0009] Preferably, the lock housing is provided with a first sliding groove for sliding engagement of the movable pin and a second sliding groove for sliding engagement of the movable block, and the two ends of the first sliding groove are respectively connected to the shaft hole and the side wall of the second sliding groove.

[0010] Preferably, the first groove and the second groove are perpendicular to each other.

[0011] Preferably, a baffle is provided at one end of the movable pin near the knob, and the two ends of the first spring abut against the end of the first slide groove and the baffle, respectively; a groove is provided at one end of the movable block away from the electric device; one end of the second spring abuts against the end of the second slide groove, and the other end is embedded in the groove.

[0012] The electric device includes a motor installed in the lock housing and a cam installed on the output shaft of the motor, the cam having an eccentrically arranged camshaft; the camshaft pushes the movable block as the cam rotates to compress the second spring, or to provide clearance for the sliding of the movable block.

[0013] The electronic combination lock also includes an input panel and a circuit board; the input panel and the electric actuator are electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0014] The electronic combination lock further includes a fourth spring, a movable locking member, a cylindrical pin, and a fifth spring; the lock housing is provided with a battery compartment slot, and the battery compartment slot has a latching hole and a through hole on both sides respectively; the battery compartment is movably fitted in the battery compartment slot, and its side wall facing the latching hole is provided with a movable hook to latch the latching hole; the fourth spring is located at the bottom of the battery compartment slot for ejecting the battery compartment; the movable locking member is fitted in the lock housing and is positioned opposite the latching hole, and the lock housing is provided with a tool hole opposite to the movable locking member; the cylindrical pin is located in the through hole and abuts against the side of the battery compartment under the elastic force of the fifth spring.

[0015] Preferably, a connecting piece is provided at the bottom of the battery compartment slot, and two fourth springs are provided, both of which are connected to the connecting piece; the connecting piece is electrically connected to the circuit board of the electronic combination lock; the two fourth springs are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the battery compartment, and a connecting post is provided on both sides of the battery compartment. The connecting post is made of conductive material and abuts against the battery inside the battery compartment.

[0016] After adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following technical effects:

[0017] This invention utilizes a two-stage transmission structure consisting of a movable pin, a first spring, a movable block, and a second spring between the electric actuator and the knob. The delayed locking function is achieved by relying on the elastic force of the first and second springs. When the electronic combination lock is in the unlocked state, the user simply rotates the knob to the locked position, aligning the movable pin with the anti-rotation groove. The movable pin, under the action of the first spring, is pushed out and engages with the anti-rotation groove, disengaging from the notch and unlocking the movable block. If the electric actuator is in the reverse direction, the movable block resets under the action of the second spring, causing the notch to misalign with the movable pin, and the electronic combination lock resets to the locked state. If the electric actuator is still in the forward direction, the movable block remains in its current state until the electric actuator reverses direction. In other words, the user only needs to manually rotate the knob to the locked position to ensure automatic locking after the electric actuator reverses, achieving the delayed locking function without needing to re-enter the password. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the locked state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the battery compartment in the closed state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the battery compartment in the closed state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the battery compartment in the open state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the battery compartment in the open state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0028] 1-Lock housing; 11-Shaft hole; 12-First slide groove; 13-Second slide groove; 14-Battery compartment slot; 15-Snap-in hole; 16-Through hole; 17-Tool hole; 2-Knob; 21-Anti-rotation groove; 3-Moving pin; 31-Baffle; 4-First spring; 5-Moving block; 51-Notch; 52-Groove; 6-Second spring; 7-Electric actuator; 71-Motor; 72-Cam; 721-Camshaft; 8-Battery compartment; 81-Snap-in; 82-Connecting post; 83-Leaning groove; 9-Battery; 10-Lock tongue; 20-Third spring; 30-Steel ball; 40-Input panel; 50-Circuit board; 60-Fourth spring; 70-Moving locking element; 80-Cylindrical pin; 801-Block; 90-Fifth spring; 100-Unlocking tool; 200-Connecting piece; 300-Rubber plug; 400-Sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To further explain the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below through specific embodiments.

[0030] refer to Figures 1 to 9 As shown, the present invention discloses an electronic combination lock, including a lock housing 1, a knob 2, a movable pin 3, a first spring 4, a movable block 5, a second spring 6, an electric device 7, a battery compartment 8, and a battery 9.

[0031] The knob 2 rotates through the lock housing 1 and is used to drive the bolt 10 of the electronic combination lock to rotate in order to open and close the lock; the circumferential surface of the knob 2 is provided with an anti-rotation groove 21;

[0032] The movable pin 3 slides along the radial direction of the knob 2 and engages with the lock housing 1;

[0033] The first spring 4 is used to drive the movable pin 3 to slide and abut against the circumferential surface of the knob 2, so that one end of the movable pin 3 is movably engaged in the anti-rotation groove 21 as the knob 2 rotates;

[0034] The movable block 5 slides with the lock housing 1 and is provided with a notch 51 that is opposite or misaligned with the other end of the movable pin 3 as the movable block 5 slides.

[0035] The second spring 6 is used to drive the movable block 5 to slide so that the notch 51 is misaligned with the other end of the movable pin 3;

[0036] Electric device 7 is used to drive movable block 5 to slide and compress second spring 6;

[0037] The battery compartment 8 is detachably connected to the lock housing 1 and is used to house the battery 9, which is electrically connected to the electric device 7.

[0038] Through the above scheme, the present invention sets up a two-stage transmission structure consisting of a movable pin 3, a first spring 4, a movable block 5, and a second spring 6 between the electric device 7 and the knob 2. The delayed locking function is achieved by relying on the elastic force of the first spring 4 and the second spring 6. When the electronic combination lock is in the unlocked state, as long as the user rotates the knob 2 to the locked position, the movable pin 3 is aligned with the anti-rotation groove 21. Under the action of the first spring 4, the movable pin 3 can be pushed out and locked into the anti-rotation groove 21, thus disengaging from the notch 51 and unlocking the restriction on the movable block 5. At this time: if the electric device 7 is in the reverse state, the movable block 5 is reset under the action of the second spring 6 so that the notch 51 and the movable pin 3 are misaligned, and the electronic combination lock is reset to the locked state; if the electric device 7 is still in the forward state, the movable block 5 remains in the current state until the electric device 7 reverses. That is, the user only needs to manually rotate the knob 2 to the locked position to ensure that the electric device 7 automatically locks after reversing to achieve the delayed locking function, without having to enter the password again.

[0039] The following illustrates specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] The lock housing 1 is provided with a shaft hole 11 for the knob 2 to rotate and engage, and the shaft hole 11 extends from the front of the lock housing 1 to its back. In this embodiment, two pairs of third springs 20 and steel balls 30 are installed on the side wall of the shaft hole 11; four anti-rotation grooves 21 are provided at equal intervals on the circumference of the knob 2, and the two pairs of third springs 20 and steel balls 30 are respectively arranged on both sides of the knob 2, forming a 90° angle with the movable pin 3. The steel balls 30 abut against the circumference of the knob 2 under the drive of the third springs 20 and move and engage in one of the anti-rotation grooves 21 as the knob 2 rotates, so as to realize the gear feel when the user rotates the knob 2 and improve the operating feel.

[0041] Furthermore, the lock housing 1 is provided with a first slide groove 12 for sliding engagement of the movable pin 3 and a second slide groove 13 for sliding engagement of the movable block 5. The two ends of the first slide groove 12 are respectively connected to the shaft hole 11 and the side wall of the second slide groove 13. In this embodiment, the first slide groove 12 and the second slide groove 13 are perpendicular to each other, so that the sliding direction of the movable pin 3 is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the movable block 5.

[0042] Secondly, a baffle 31 is provided at one end of the movable pin 3 near the knob 2, and the two ends of the first spring 4 abut against the end of the first slide groove 12 and the baffle 31 respectively, so as to drive the movable pin 3 in the direction of the knob 2.

[0043] Meanwhile, the movable block 5 is provided with a groove 52 at the end away from the electric device 7; one end of the second spring 6 abuts against the end of the second slide groove 13, and the other end is embedded in the groove 52, so as to drive the movable block 5 in the direction of the electric device 7 and make the notch 51 misaligned with the movable pin 3.

[0044] The aforementioned electric device 7 includes a motor 71 installed inside the lock housing 1, and a cam 72 installed on the output shaft of the motor 71. The cam 72 has an eccentrically arranged camshaft 721. As the cam 72 rotates, the camshaft 721 pushes the movable block 5 to compress the second spring 6, or to provide clearance space for the sliding of the movable block 5.

[0045] This invention is a button-type electronic combination lock. The actual product also includes accessories such as an input panel 40 and a circuit board 50. After the user enters the password on the input panel 40, the circuit board 50 receives the corresponding signal. When the password is correct, the circuit board 50 drives the motor 71 to rotate forward to unlock. The motor 71 rotates forward at a certain angle and holds for a period of time before reversing to lock.

[0046] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the working principle of this invention is as follows:

[0047] See Figure 4 This is the locked state of the present invention. At this time, the motor 71 is in the initial state, the cam 72 is not rotating, and the movable block 5 is kept in a state of misalignment between the notch 51 and the movable pin 3 under the action of the second spring 6. When the user rotates the knob 2, the movable pin 3 cannot be pushed open, so the lock cannot be unlocked.

[0048] See Figure 5 This is the unlocked state of the present invention. At this time, the motor 71 is in the forward rotation state, the cam 72 rotates about 180°, the movable block 5 is pushed by the camshaft 721 of the cam 72, the second spring 6 is compressed and stores energy; after the movable block 5 is pushed, the notch 51 is opposite to the movable pin 3, and if the user rotates the knob 2 at this time, the movable pin 3 can be pushed open to realize the unlocking.

[0049] When the lock is in the unlocked state, the user rotates the knob 2 to the locked position, so that the movable pin 3 is opposite to the anti-rotation groove 21. Under the action of the first spring 4, the movable pin 3 is pushed out and locked into the anti-rotation groove 21. Since the movable pin 3 is disengaged from the notch 51, the restriction on the movable block 5 is unlocked. If the motor 71 has already reversed at this time, the movable block 5 is reset under the action of the second spring 6 so that the notch 51 and the movable pin 3 are misaligned, and the lock is reset to the locked state. If the motor 71 is still in the forward rotation state, the movable block 5 remains in the current state until the motor 71 reverses.

[0050] Considering the low security of existing battery compartment structures, this invention also improves the structure of the battery compartment 8 and the locking shell 1, referring to... Figures 6 to 9As shown, the present invention also includes a fourth spring 60, a movable locking member 70, a cylindrical pin 80, and a fifth spring 90; the lock housing 1 is provided with a battery compartment slot 14, and the battery compartment slot 14 has a latching hole 15 and a through hole 16 on both sides respectively; the battery compartment 8 is movably fitted in the battery compartment slot 14, and its side wall facing the latching hole 15 is provided with a latch 81 that is movably hooked into the latching hole 15; the fourth spring 60 is provided at the bottom of the battery compartment slot 14 for ejecting the battery compartment 8; the movable locking member 70 is fitted in the lock housing 1 and is positioned opposite to the latching hole 15, and the lock housing 1 is provided with a tool hole 17 opposite to the movable locking member 70; the cylindrical pin 80 is provided in the through hole 16 and abuts against the side of the battery compartment 8 under the elastic force of the fifth spring 90. Through this structural improvement, the present invention ensures that the battery compartment 8 is securely fastened within the battery compartment slot 14 by the cooperation of the buckle 81 and the buckle hole 15, preventing it from being pushed out by the fourth spring 60. When the battery needs to be replaced, a locking tool 100 matching the tool hole 17 must be inserted into the tool hole 17 and the movable locking member 70 pushed open by the movable locking member 70, allowing the buckle 81 to disengage from the buckle hole 15 and release the restriction on the battery compartment 8. During this process, since the cylindrical pin 80 is always pressed against the battery compartment 8 on the other side by the fifth spring 90, the locking tool must be kept pressing against the movable locking member 70 to pull the battery compartment 8 out of the battery compartment slot 14. That is, both hands are required to remove the battery compartment 8. The operation of removing the battery compartment 8 is subject to certain restrictions, which can prevent the battery compartment 8 from being easily removed, thereby eliminating safety hazards.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, a connecting piece 200 is provided at the bottom of the battery compartment slot 14, and two fourth springs 60 are provided, both connected to the connecting piece 200; the connecting piece 200 is electrically connected to the circuit board 50 of the electronic combination lock; the two fourth springs 60 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the battery compartment 8, and a connecting post 82 is provided on both sides of the battery compartment 8. The connecting post 82 is made of conductive material and abuts against the battery 9 inside the battery compartment 8. With this structure, the connecting piece 200, the fourth spring 60, and the connecting post 82 can be used as one electrode of the electronic combination lock, simplifying the circuit connection structure inside the lock.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present invention, the side wall of the battery compartment 8 is provided with a clearance groove 83, and the buckle 81 is elastically connected in the clearance groove 83. The clearance groove 83 provides clearance space when the buckle 81 is pushed by the movable locking member 70.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present invention, a rubber plug 300 is provided at the end of the movable locking member 70 facing the tool hole 17, which can realize the movable sealing of the tool hole 17 and reduce the entry of moisture into the lock; at the same time, a sealing ring 400 for sealing the opening of the battery compartment slot 14 is sleeved on the circumferential surface of the battery compartment 8.

[0054] The cylindrical pin 80 is provided with a baffle 801 that abuts against the end of the through hole 16 to prevent the cylindrical pin 80 from being pushed out of the through hole 16 by the fifth spring 90 after the battery compartment 8 is removed.

[0055] The above embodiments and figures are not intended to limit the product form and style of the present invention. Any appropriate changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art should be considered as not departing from the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic combination lock, characterized in that: It includes a lock housing, knob, movable pin, first spring, movable block, second spring, electric actuator, battery compartment, fourth spring, movable locking element, cylindrical pin, fifth spring, and battery; The knob rotates through the lock housing; the knob's circumferential surface is provided with an anti-rotation groove; The movable pin slides along the radial direction of the knob with the lock housing; The first spring is used to drive the movable pin to slide and abut against the circumferential surface of the knob, so that one end of the movable pin is movably engaged in the anti-rotation groove as the knob rotates; The movable block slides with the lock housing and is provided with a notch that is opposite to or misaligned with the other end of the movable pin as the movable block slides. The second spring is used to drive the movable block to slide so that the notch is misaligned with the other end of the movable pin; The electric device is used to drive the movable block to slide and compress the second spring; The battery compartment is detachably connected to the lock housing and is used to house the battery that is electrically connected to the electric device; The lock case is provided with a battery compartment slot, and the battery compartment slot is provided with a snap hole and a through hole on both sides respectively; The battery compartment is movably fitted into the battery compartment slot, and its side wall facing the snap-fit ​​hole is provided with a snap-fit ​​hook that is attached to the snap-fit ​​hole. The fourth spring is disposed at the bottom of the battery compartment slot and is used to push out the battery compartment; The movable locking member is fitted inside the lock housing and is positioned opposite to the snap-fit ​​hole. The lock housing is provided with a tool hole opposite to the movable locking member. The cylindrical pin is disposed in the through hole and abuts against the side of the battery compartment under the elastic force of the fifth spring.

2. The electronic combination lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lock housing is provided with a shaft hole for the knob to rotate.

3. The electronic combination lock as described in claim 2, characterized in that: At least one pair of third springs and steel balls are installed on the side wall of the shaft hole; several anti-rotation grooves are provided at equal intervals on the circumference of the knob, and the steel balls abut against the circumference of the knob under the drive of the third springs and move and cooperate in one of the anti-rotation grooves as the knob rotates.

4. The electronic combination lock as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The lock housing is provided with a first sliding groove for the movable pin to slide and a second sliding groove for the movable block to slide. The two ends of the first sliding groove are respectively connected to the shaft hole and the side wall of the second sliding groove.

5. The electronic combination lock as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The first slide groove and the second slide groove are perpendicular to each other.

6. The electronic combination lock as described in claim 4, characterized in that: A baffle is provided at one end of the movable pin near the knob, and the two ends of the first spring abut against the end of the first slide groove and the baffle, respectively; a groove is provided at one end of the movable block away from the electric device; one end of the second spring abuts against the end of the second slide groove, and the other end is embedded in the groove.

7. The electronic combination lock as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The electric device includes a motor installed in the lock housing and a cam installed on the output shaft of the motor, the cam having an eccentrically arranged camshaft; the camshaft pushes the movable block as the cam rotates to compress the second spring, or to provide clearance for the sliding of the movable block.

8. The electronic combination lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an input panel and a circuit board; the input panel and the electric actuator are electrically connected to the circuit board, respectively.

9. The electronic combination lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A connecting piece is provided at the bottom of the battery compartment slot, and two fourth springs are provided, both of which are connected to the connecting piece; the connecting piece is electrically connected to the circuit board of the electronic combination lock; the two fourth springs are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the battery compartment, and a connecting post is provided on both sides of the battery compartment. The connecting post is made of conductive material and abuts against the battery inside the battery compartment.

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