Electronic padlock

Abstract

An electronic padlock includes a housing unit having two spaced apart insertion holes, a shackle unit, and a clutch unit. The shackle unit includes two insertion rods movably inserted into the insertion holes, respectively. Each of the insertion rods has a stop portion. The clutch unit includes two sliders movable in left and right directions, and a stop member movable in top and bottom directions. The stop member is movable relative to the sliders between a locking position and an unlocking position. In the locking position, the stop member is blocked between the sliders in the top and bottom directions, the sliders are stopped at the stop portions of the insertion rods, and the sliders are blocked by the insertion rods and the stop member from moving. Thus, the sliders are prevented from moving close to each other in the locking position, resulting in the electronic padlock being accidentally broken, and therefore the electronic padlock has good security.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a padlock, and more particularly to an electronic padlock. Background Technology

[0002] See Figure 1 A conventional padlock 1 disclosed in Chinese Invention Patent No. CN114320037A mainly comprises a lock housing 11, a U-shaped hook 12 movably inserted through the lock housing 11, two hemispherical spring arms 13 spaced apart and with their ends on both sides, and a push rod 14 with opposite sides abutting against the spring arms 13. The hook 12 has a long hook section 121 and a short hook section 122. The hook 12 can switch between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the lock housing 11. In the locked position, the opposite sides of the push rod 14 abut against the spring arms 13, causing the spring arms 13 to engage with the long hook section 121 and the short hook section 122 respectively. When in the unlocked position, the push rod 14 moves downward without contacting the spring arm 13, so that the spring arm 13 moves away from the long hook section 121 and the short hook section 122 respectively. In this way, the lock hook 12 moves upward, thus achieving the unlocking function.

[0003] See Figure 2 However, an unauthorized user can use a thin aluminum sheet 10 inserted into the lock case 11 through the gap between the short hook section 122 and the lock case 11 to separate the left spring arm 13 from the short hook section 122. At this point, the unauthorized user only needs to use pliers (not shown) to clamp and twist the thin aluminum sheet 10 and the short hook section 122, causing the left spring arm 13 to move to the right and disengage from the short hook section 122 due to the pressure and friction from the thin aluminum sheet 10. The push rod 14 will also move downwards due to being pushed by the left spring arm 13, thus breaking the padlock 1. Therefore, the padlock 1 has security concerns. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic padlock that can improve security by preventing it from being hacked.

[0005] The electronic padlock of the present invention includes a housing unit, a lock hook unit, and a clutch unit.

[0006] The housing unit has two spaced-apart insertion holes that extend from one end face toward the other end face in the top-bottom direction.

[0007] The locking hook unit includes two insert rods that are movable along the top and bottom directions and pass through the insertion hole. Each insert rod has a locking portion.

[0008] The clutch unit is mounted on the housing unit and includes two sliders movable in the left-right direction and a stop member movable in the top-bottom direction. Each slider has an actuating portion facing the corresponding locking portion. The stop member is movable relative to the slider in the top-bottom direction between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the stop member blocks the sliders in the top-bottom direction, the actuating portion of the slider engages with the locking portion of the insert rod, and the slider is blocked from moving by the insert rod and the stop member. In the unlocked position, the stop member moves away from the slider, and the slider can move in the left-right direction until the actuating portion disengages from the locking portion of the insert rod.

[0009] The electronic padlock of the present invention further includes a control unit disposed in the housing unit and including an operable motor having a valve stem that is retractable along the top-bottom direction and is used to drive the stop member.

[0010] The electronic padlock of the present invention further includes a control module that is signal-connected to the motor, and a power supply module that is electrically connected to the control module and used to provide power.

[0011] The electronic padlock of the present invention further includes a fingerprint module connected to the control module via a signal. The fingerprint module has an exposed touch surface suitable for sensing fingerprints. The fingerprint module can generate an unlocking signal based on the fingerprint. The control module is also used to receive the unlocking signal and control the valve stem of the motor to move the stop member from the latch position to the unlock position based on the unlocking signal.

[0012] The electronic padlock of the present invention includes a housing unit comprising a housing defining an accommodating space and a cover fitted to the housing and used to close the accommodating space, wherein the insertion hole is formed in the housing and spatially communicates with the accommodating space.

[0013] The electronic padlock of the present invention has a housing having a base wall, a cover plate detachably mounted on the base wall, and a rotating assembly disposed on the base wall. The cover plate has a fixing groove. The rotating assembly has a linkage member located within the accommodating space and capable of swinging, and an operable and rotatable knob. One end of the knob is connected to the linkage member, and the other end is located on the side of the base wall opposite to the cover. The linkage member has a limiting surface facing one of the inserts and a hook portion capable of engaging with the fixing groove of the cover plate. When the stop member is in the locking position and the sliding block abuts against the abutting portion of the insert, the bottom end of one of the inserts abuts against the limiting surface of the linkage member, and the hook portion engages with the fixing groove of the cover plate. When the stop member is in the unlocking position and one of the inserts disengages from the linkage member, the linkage member can be driven by the knob until the hook portion disengages from the fixing groove of the cover plate.

[0014] The electronic padlock of the present invention includes a housing unit comprising a housing having a base wall and a surrounding wall extending forward from the base wall in a front-rear direction. The insertion hole is formed on the top side of the surrounding wall. The base wall has two sliding grooves spaced apart in the top-bottom direction and extending in the left-right direction. Each sliding block also has a protrusion capable of engaging with the corresponding sliding groove. When the stop member is in the latching position, the protrusions are far apart from each other. When the stop member is in the unlocking position, the protrusions are close together.

[0015] The electronic padlock of the present invention further includes an elastic element in the clutch unit. The elastic element is disposed between the sliders and spaced apart from the stop member along the top and bottom direction. The elastic element constantly generates a spring force that causes the sliders to move away from each other.

[0016] In the electronic padlock of the present invention, the elastic element is a compression spring.

[0017] In the electronic padlock of the present invention, each slider also has a body portion extending in the left-right direction opposite to the actuating portion. Each actuating portion has a first contact surface, and each body portion has a second contact surface. The body portions are offset from each other in the top-bottom direction. When the stop member is in the latching position, the first contact surface of one slider and the second contact surface of the other slider face the stop member, and the first contact surface and the second contact surface are separated by the maximum distance. When the stop member is in the unlocking position, the sliders are aligned in the left-right direction, and the first contact surface and the second contact surface are separated by the minimum distance.

[0018] The beneficial effect of this invention is that, in the latch position, the stop member can block the sliders along the top-bottom direction, and the sliders are blocked by the insert and the stop member and cannot move. This prevents the sliders from getting close to each other in the latch position, thus preventing accidental unlocking of the electronic padlock, resulting in excellent security. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an existing padlock disclosed in Chinese invention patent number CN114320037A;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how the existing padlock has been cracked;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the electronic padlock of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment described above;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional exploded view from another angle;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a side view of the embodiment described;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a front view of the housing in the embodiment described;

[0027] Figure 8 It is along Figure 6 The sectional view taken by line VIII-VIII in the figure illustrates the connection relationship between the linkage and the cover plate;

[0028] Figure 9 It is along Figure 6 The cross-sectional view taken by line IX-IX in the figure illustrates that the two inserts in the embodiment are located in the locking position;

[0029] Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 The sectional view intercepted by line XX in the diagram;

[0030] Figure 11 This is a block diagram illustrating the control unit of the described embodiment;

[0031] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating that the insertion rod in the embodiment is in the unlocked position;

[0032] Figure 13 It is a continuation Figure 12 A cross-sectional view illustrating that the insertion rod in the embodiment is located in the unlocked position;

[0033] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating that the insertion rod of the embodiment is in the unlocked position, and the linkage is disengaged from the cover plate. Detailed Implementation

[0034] See Figures 3 to 5 An embodiment of the electronic padlock of the present invention includes a housing unit 2, a locking hook unit 3, a clutch unit 4, a control unit 5, a waterproof unit 6, and a playback unit 7.

[0035] The housing unit 2 includes a housing 21 defining a receiving space 20, a cover 22 for closing the receiving space 20, and a base 23 installed between the housing 21 and the cover 22 and located within the receiving space 20.

[0036] See Figures 4 to 6 The housing 21 has a base wall 24, a surrounding wall 25 extending forward in the front-rear direction Y from the outer periphery of the base wall 24, a cover plate 26 that can be detachably mounted on the rear side of the base wall 24, and a rotating assembly 27 disposed on the base wall 24.

[0037] See Figure 5 and Figure 7 The base wall 24 has two grooves 241 that are spaced apart along the top-bottom direction Z and extend along the left-right direction X, a stop block 242 that extends inward from the enclosure wall 25 and is spaced apart from the grooves 241 along the top-bottom direction Z, a limiting block 243 that is opposite to the stop block 242 along the left-right direction X, a protrusion 244 that is adjacent to the limiting block 243 and extends forward from the inner surface along the front-rear direction Y, a slot 245 that connects the accommodating space 20 with the outside, and a generally U-shaped anti-slip strip 246 located on the rear side.

[0038] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 The enclosure 25 has two spaced-apart insertion holes 251 that extend from one end face along the top-bottom direction Z toward the other end face. The insertion holes 251 are circular holes and are formed on the top side of the enclosure 25 and are spatially connected to the accommodating space 20.

[0039] See Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 8The cover plate 26 has a plate 261 that is detachably disposed on the rear side of the base wall, and a fixing part 262 extending from one end of the plate 261 toward the accommodating space 20. The fixing part 262 has a fixing groove 263 with an opening facing left.

[0040] The rotating assembly 27 has a pivoting linkage 271 located within the accommodating space 20 and capable of swinging, and an operable and rotatable knob 272. The linkage 271 has a limiting surface 273 facing the limiting block 243 and a hook portion 274 capable of engaging with the fixing groove 263 of the cover plate 26. The front end of the knob 272 is connected to the linkage 271, while the rear end is located on the side of the base wall 24 opposite to the cover body 22.

[0041] See Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 The cover 22 is fitted to the housing 21 along a front-rear direction Y and has an opening 221 that is generally square.

[0042] The base 23 has a generally circular perforation 231 formed on the top side and a battery slot 232 formed on the rear side and facing the cover plate 26.

[0043] See Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 9 The locking hook unit 3 includes two insert rods 31 and 31' that are movable along the top-bottom direction Z and pass through the insertion hole 251. Each insert rod 31 and 31' has an inwardly recessed locking portion 311. The length of the left insert rod 31 along the top-bottom direction Z is greater than the length of the right insert rod 31' along the top-bottom direction Z. The insert rod 31 also has a groove 312 recessed on its outer surface and extending along the top-bottom direction Z, and an annular groove 313 formed at its bottom end and circumferentially surrounding it.

[0044] The clutch unit 4 is mounted on the housing unit 2 and includes two sliders 41 movable in the left-right direction X, a stop 42 movably inserted through the through hole 231 in the top-bottom direction Z, and an elastic member 43 disposed between the sliders 41 and spaced apart from the stop 42 in the top-bottom direction Z. In this embodiment, the elastic member 43 is a compression spring that constantly generates a spring force that causes the sliders 41 to move away from each other.

[0045] See Figure 5 , Figure 9 and Figure 10Each slider 41 has an action portion 411 facing the corresponding locking portion 311, a body portion 412 opposite to the action portion 411 and extending along the left-right direction X, and a protrusion 413 that can engage with the corresponding slide groove 241 and is generally rectangular.

[0046] Each of the functional parts 411 has a first contact surface 414. The body parts 412 are offset from each other along the top-bottom direction Z, and each of the body parts 412 has a second contact surface 415.

[0047] See Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 11 The control unit 5 is disposed in the housing unit 2 and includes an operable motor 51, a control module 52 connected to the motor 51, a power supply module 53 electrically connected to the control module 52, and a fingerprint module 54 connected to the control module 52.

[0048] The motor 51 has a valve stem 511 that can extend and retract along the top-bottom direction Z and is used to drive the stop member 42.

[0049] The control module 52 is, for example, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) circuit board and has a receiver 521 for receiving an unlock signal S1. The receiver 521 is, for example, a Bluetooth receiver. In other variations, a user can wirelessly connect to the receiver 521 via a portable mobile device (not shown) and output the unlock signal S1 through the portable mobile device. The control module 52 can then receive the unlock signal S1 and, based on the unlock signal S1, control the valve stem 511 of the motor 51 to move the stop member 42, thereby achieving the unlocking effect.

[0050] The power supply module 53 can enter the battery slot 232 through the slot 245 and is used to provide power. In this embodiment, the power supply module 53 is a battery.

[0051] The fingerprint module 54 has an exposed touch surface 541 suitable for sensing a fingerprint (not shown). The touch surface 541 faces the opening 221 of the cover 22. The fingerprint module 54 can generate an unlock signal S2 based on the fingerprint that meets preset conditions. The control module 52 is also used to receive the unlock signal S2 and control the valve stem 511 of the motor 51 to move the stop member 42 according to the unlock signal S2, thereby achieving the unlocking effect.

[0052] The waterproof unit 6 includes a waterproof gasket 61 disposed between the fingerprint module 54 and the control module 52, and a waterproof plate 62 disposed between the power supply module 53 and the cover plate 26, sealing the battery compartment 232. The waterproof gasket 61 prevents moisture from flowing into the control module 52 via the fingerprint module 54, thus affecting the performance of the control module 52. The waterproof plate 62 prevents moisture from flowing into the battery compartment 232 via the cover plate 26, thus affecting the service life and performance of the power supply module 53.

[0053] The playback unit 7 is signal-connected to the control module 52 and is used to emit sound or vibration. In this embodiment, the playback unit 7 is a buzzer. When the power supply module 53 is low on power, the playback unit 7 can remind the user to charge or replace the power supply module 53 by emitting sound or vibration.

[0054] See Figure 9 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 The stop 42 can be driven by the valve stem 511 to be in a locking position relative to the slider 41 along the top-bottom direction Z. Figure 9 ) and an unlock location ( Figure 12 and Figure 13 (Move between)

[0055] See Figure 9 and Figure 10 When in the locking position, the stop 42 blocks the sliders 41 along the top-bottom direction Z. The working part 411 of the slider 41 abuts against the abutting part 311 of the insert rods 31 and 31'. The bottom end of the insert rod 31' on the right abuts against the stop block 242, and the protrusion 244 abuts against the top end of the groove 312 of the insert rod 31 on the left. The slider 41 is blocked by the insert rods 31 and 31' and the stop 42 and cannot move. At this time, the protrusions 413 are far apart from each other, and the first contact surface 414 of one slider 41 and the second contact surface 415 of the other slider 41 face the stop 42, and the first contact surface 414 and the second contact surface 415 are separated by a maximum distance.

[0056] See Figure 5 , Figure 12 and Figure 13When the stop member 42 moves from the latching position to the unlocking position, the stop member 42 moves downward to move away from the slider 41. In the unlocking position, the slider 41 can engage and move along the left-right direction X until the actuating part 411 disengages from the locking part 311 of the insert rods 31 and 31'. At this time, the protrusions 413 are close to each other, and when the left insert rod 31 moves upward to the annular groove 313 abutting against the protrusion 244, the locking part 311 is exposed, and the first contact surface 414 and the second contact surface 415 are separated by a minimum distance.

[0057] It is worth mentioning that the limiting surface 273 of the linkage 271 faces the bottom end of the insertion rod 31 on the left side. Therefore, when the stop member 42 is in the locking position (see... Figure 9 When the sliding block 41's actuating part 411 is engaged with the actuating part 311 of the insert rods 31 and 31', the bottom end of the left insert rod 31 abuts against the limiting surface 273 of the linkage 271, and the hook 274 engages with the fixing part 262 of the cover plate 26. At this time, the insert rod 31 and the limiting surface 273 of the linkage 271 mutually limit each other, causing the cover plate 26 to be unable to be opened. However, when the stop member 42 is in the unlocked position and the left insert rod 31 disengages from the limiting surface 273 of the linkage 271, as Figure 14 As shown, the linkage 271 can be driven by the knob 272 to the hook 274 to disengage from the fixing part 262 of the cover plate 26, thereby opening the battery slot 232 and replacing the power supply module 53.

[0058] Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can only open the cover 26 and replace the power supply module 53 (i.e., battery) when the fingerprint module 54 senses a fingerprint that meets the preset conditions and the stop member 42 is in the unlock position. This achieves the purpose of preventing other persons who are not the user from opening the cover 26 and replacing the power supply module 53 when the latch is in the lock position. Therefore, this embodiment also has the function of anti-theft.

[0059] See Figure 3 , Figure 11 and Figure 13 In actual use, the user first presses their fingertip onto the touch surface 541 of the fingerprint module 54, causing the fingerprint module 54 to generate the unlock signal S2 based on the fingerprint that meets the preset conditions. At this time, the control module 52 receives the unlock signal S2 and controls the valve stem 511 to move the stop member 42 from the latch position to the unlock position according to the unlock signal S2, thereby achieving the unlocking effect.

[0060] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the playback unit 7 can also serve as a prompt sound for unlocking, locking, or fingerprint mismatch, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0061] Based on the above explanation, the advantages of the aforementioned embodiments can be summarized as follows:

[0062] 1. When the stop member 42 is in the latch position, it can block the sliders 41 along the top-bottom direction Z, thereby preventing the sliders 41 from moving due to being blocked by the inserts 31, 31' and the stop member 42. Therefore, the present invention can prevent the sliders 41 from getting close to each other when in the latch position, thus preventing the electronic padlock from being accidentally cracked, and provides excellent security.

[0063] 2. In this embodiment, when the latch is in the locked position, the limiting surface 273 of the linkage 271 cannot rotate because it is stuck against the bottom end of the insertion rod 31. In this embodiment, the linkage 271 can only be rotated when the insertion rod 31 is disengaged from the linkage 271 in the unlocked position. This prevents the cover plate 26 from being opened in the latch position, thus this embodiment also has an anti-theft function.

[0064] 3. The waterproof gasket 61 can prevent moisture from flowing into the control module 52 through the fingerprint module 54, and can prevent the control module 52 from getting damp and affecting its performance.

[0065] 4. When the power supply module 53 of this embodiment is low on power, the playback unit 7 can remind the user to charge or replace the power supply module 53 by emitting sound or vibration, which is highly convenient.

[0066] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic padlock, characterized by: The shell unit includes a shell defining a receiving space, and a cover combined with the shell and used to close the receiving space, the shell having a base wall, a cover plate detachably mounted on the base wall, a rotating set arranged on the base wall, and two spaced apart insertion holes extending from one end face to the other end face in a top-bottom direction, the cover plate having a fixing groove, the rotating set having a linkage swingable in the receiving space, and a knob operable and rotatable, one end of the knob being connected to the linkage, and the other end being located on a side of the base wall opposite to the cover, the linkage having a limiting face facing one of the insertion rods, and a hook portion engageable with the fixing groove of the cover plate, the insertion holes being formed in the shell and in space communication with the receiving space; The locking hook unit includes two insertion rods respectively movably arranged in the insertion holes in the top-bottom direction, each of the insertion rods having an abutting portion; and The clutch unit is mounted on the shell unit, and includes two sliders movable in a left-right direction, and a stopper movable in the top-bottom direction relative to the sliders, each of the sliders having an acting portion facing the corresponding abutting portion, the stopper being movable in the top-bottom direction between a locking position and an unlocking position, in the locking position, the stopper blocks the sliders in the top-bottom direction, the acting portions of the sliders are abutted on the abutting portions of the insertion rods, the sliders are blocked by the insertion rods and the stopper and cannot be moved, a bottom end of the one of the insertion rods abuts on the limiting face of the linkage, and the hook portion engages with the fixing groove of the cover plate, in the unlocking position, the stopper is away from the sliders, and the sliders are movable in the left-right direction to disengage the acting portions from the abutting portions of the insertion rods, and when the one of the insertion rods is disengaged from the linkage, the linkage is driven by the knob to disengage the hook portion from the fixing groove of the cover plate. The control unit is arranged on the shell unit, and includes an operable motor having a valve rod extendable and retractable in the top-bottom direction and used to drive the stopper.

2. The electronic padlock of claim 1, wherein: The control unit further includes a control module signal connected to the motor, and a power supply module electrically connected to the control module and used to provide power.

3. The electronic padlock of claim 2, wherein: The control unit further includes a fingerprint module signal connected to the control module, the fingerprint module having a touch surface exposed outside and suitable for sensing a fingerprint, the fingerprint module being capable of generating an opening signal according to the fingerprint, the control module being further used to receive the opening signal, and control the valve rod of the motor to drive the stopper to move from the locking position to the unlocking position according to the opening signal.

4. The electronic padlock of claim 3, wherein: ​ 5. The electronic padlock of claim 1, wherein: The housing further has a surrounding wall extending forward from the base wall in the front-rear direction, the jack is formed on a top side of the surrounding wall, the base wall has two slide grooves spaced apart in the top-bottom direction and extending in the left-right direction, each of the slide blocks further has a protruding post capable of being engaged in the corresponding slide groove, the protruding posts are away from each other when the stopper is in the locked position, and the protruding posts are close to each other when the stopper is in the unlocked position.

6. The electronic padlock of claim 1, wherein: The clutch unit further comprises an elastic member, the elastic member is arranged between the slide blocks and is spaced apart from the stopper in the top-bottom direction, and the elastic member constantly generates elastic force for moving the slide blocks away from each other.

7. The electronic padlock of claim 6, wherein: The elastic member is a compression spring.

8. The electronic padlock of claim 1, wherein: Each of the slide blocks further has a body portion opposite to the action portion and extending in the left-right direction, each of the action portions has a first contact surface, each of the body portions has a second contact surface, the body portions are staggered in the top-bottom direction, the first contact surface of one of the slide blocks and the second contact surface of the other slide block face the stopper and are spaced apart by a maximum distance when the stopper is in the locked position, and the slide blocks are closed in the left-right direction and the first contact surface and the second contact surface are spaced apart by a minimum distance when the stopper is in the unlocked position.

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