A safe intelligent padlock and a working method thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of padlock equipment, and particularly relates to a safe intelligent padlock and a working method thereof, which comprises a panel and a shell that are attached to each other, the shell is a U-shaped structure, the panel outer side is provided with a reverse U-shaped lock beam that penetrates the shell, a containing groove that contains the lock beam penetrating the padlock lock buckle is formed between the shell middle part and the panel, a positioning cylinder and a guide cylinder are transversely arranged in the shell interior, a lock sleeve with adjustable vertical position is arranged in the positioning cylinder, the lock sleeve is used to lock one end of the lock beam, the other end of the lock beam penetrates the guide cylinder, and a steel cable is arranged in the lock beam interior. The present application adopts a hidden design that the lock beam is accommodated between the panel and the shell when the lock beam is closed, eliminates the traditional U-shaped opening to resist the destruction of a crowbar, simultaneously adopts a mechanical lock tongue and a flexible steel cable double locking mechanism to realize hard lock protection and long distance binding function; a screw thread driven lock beam vertical adjustment structure is matched, different thickness lock buckles can be adapted, and only in the unlocked state operation is performed, and the safety is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of padlock devices, specifically to a security smart padlock and its working method. Background Technology

[0002] A padlock is a portable lock that locks itself by mechanically engaging the bolt and shackle inside the lock body. Its core components include the lock body and a U-shaped metal shackle. Common padlocks support key, password, or biometric unlocking. Functionally, they are categorized as mechanical locks, electronic locks, and smart locks. Smart locks enable network control and remote management; however, smart padlocks still use the traditional mechanical padlock structure. The shackle is an inverted U-shape connected to the top of the lock body, forming a U-shaped space between the shackle and the lock body to accommodate the latch (also called the bolt). Because this U-shaped space is easily penetrated by hard objects like pry bars, the padlock is easily pried open, resulting in low security. To improve its anti-pry performance, many padlocks on the market increase the strength of the bolt and shackle structure, increase the number of shackles, and add alarm functions. However, these methods do not solve the problem of the shackle easily penetrating pry bars and other breaking tools, and do not fundamentally change the issue of this padlock structure being easily pried open. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a secure smart padlock and its working method to solve the above-mentioned problems. By using a hidden design where the lock beam is housed between the panel and the outer shell when closed, the traditional U-shaped opening to resist pry bar damage is eliminated. At the same time, a dual locking mechanism of mechanical lock tongue and flexible steel cable is adopted to achieve hard lock protection and long-distance binding function, as detailed below.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0005] This invention provides a security smart padlock, comprising a panel and a shell that fit together. The shell has a U-shaped structure, and an inverted U-shaped locking beam protruding from the outer side of the panel. A receiving groove is formed between the middle of the shell and the panel to accommodate the locking beam through the padlock buckle. A positioning cylinder and a guide cylinder are arranged horizontally inside the shell. A vertically adjustable locking sleeve is provided inside the positioning cylinder. The locking sleeve is used to lock one end of the locking beam. The other end of the locking beam passes through the guide cylinder. A steel cable is threaded inside the locking beam. One end of the steel cable is detachably connected to the end of the locking beam that extends into the positioning cylinder. A winding assembly is provided on the outer side of the guide cylinder to wind up and fix the other end of the steel cable.

[0006] The locking beam has a locking groove at one end that engages with the locking sleeve when it extends into the positioning cylinder. The other end of the locking beam has an auxiliary hole. The top side of the guide cylinder has a push-out spring that extends into the auxiliary hole to keep the locking beam pressed upward. The top opening of the auxiliary hole has a threading hole for accommodating a steel cable extending along the length of the locking beam. The top side of the locking beam has a top groove that connects to the threading hole to guide the steel cable to unfold outward.

[0007] Preferably, a limiting groove extends laterally through the middle section of the locking beam above the locking groove. The limiting groove is connected to the top groove, and a limiting block is fixed to the outer end of the steel cable and inserted into the limiting groove. The limiting block is used to lock the outer end of the steel cable in the positioning cylinder.

[0008] Preferably, a lead seat for accommodating the steel cable is fixed to the bottom side of the guide cylinder, the bottom end of the ejector spring abuts against the top side of the lead seat, and a support lug for supporting the winding assembly is laterally fixed to the outside of the middle section of the guide cylinder. The winding assembly includes a mandrel fixed to the bottom side of the support lug, and a drum is coaxially sleeved on the outside of the mandrel. The end of the steel cable away from the limiting block is fixed to the outside of the drum, and a coil spring for supporting the drum to tighten and wind the steel cable is provided between the drum and the mandrel.

[0009] Preferably, the top two sides of the outer shell are symmetrically provided with two sets of shoulder grooves for accommodating the locking beam, and the bottom side of the outer shell is fixed with a base plate that supports the positioning cylinder and the guide cylinder. The bottom end of the positioning cylinder is a vertical through-hole, and the base plate has an adjustment hole through the positioning cylinder. The side of the positioning cylinder has a vertically extending constraint groove, and the inner wall of the positioning cylinder is provided with internal threads.

[0010] Preferably, the lock sleeve is a ring structure that fits the inner wall of the positioning cylinder with clearance. The middle section of the lock sleeve has a transversely penetrating side groove. A lock tongue that is slidably engaged with the lock groove at the end of the lock beam is slidably disposed inside the side groove. A support seat that extends transversely through the constraint groove is fixed on the lock sleeve outside the side groove. The support seat is vertically slidably engaged with the constraint groove. A support rod that is fixedly connected to the lock tongue is transversely penetrating the middle of the support seat. A spring that keeps the lock tongue pressed against the lock groove is sleeved on the outside of the support rod.

[0011] Preferably, a longitudinally extending rectangular transmission frame is fixed to the outer end of the support rod, and an actuation component for pulling the lock tongue to move laterally is provided on the outside of the support base. The actuation component includes a reduction motor fixed to the outside of the support base, a cam-structured swing arm fixed to the output end of the reduction motor, and a transmission rod extending vertically into the transmission frame fixed at the eccentric end of the top of the swing arm. The transmission rod rotates with the swing arm to pull the transmission frame to move laterally, thereby driving the support rod and the lock tongue to perform the unlocking action.

[0012] Preferably, a rotating ring is coaxially fixed at the bottom end of the locking sleeve, and a base ring is sleeved on the outer side of the rotating ring. A rotating groove that rotates and engages with the rotating ring is provided on the inner edge of the top end of the base ring. An external thread that adapts to the internal thread of the inner wall of the positioning cylinder is provided on the outer circumference side of the base ring. A regular polygonal adjustment groove is provided on the inner side of the bottom end of the base ring, and the end of the locking beam extends downward through the adjustment groove.

[0013] Preferably, two sets of fixing plates extending longitudinally into the housing are fixed to the rear side of the panel. The fixing plates have vertically penetrating mounting holes in the middle to accommodate the positioning cylinder and the guide cylinder. Screw holes are provided on the fixing plates outside the two sets of mounting holes. Two sets of connecting lugs extending longitudinally below the screw holes are fixed to the inner side of the housing. Threaded fixing screws for fixing the connecting lugs are vertically inserted into the screw holes in both sets of screw holes. A sliding groove is vertically penetrating on one set of fixing plates above the locking sleeve. A sliding seat for covering the top surface of the fixing screw is slidably arranged in the sliding groove.

[0014] Preferably, the positioning cylinder and the guide cylinder are respectively interference-fitted with the mounting holes of the two sets of fixing plates, and the fixing plates and the panel are both made of zinc alloy and are integrally formed. The panel is provided with a control system integrating a fingerprint module and a password module in the middle, and the control system is electrically connected to the geared motor.

[0015] The working method of the security smart padlock includes the following steps:

[0016] a. When locking the padlock latch, the reducer motor drives the swing arm and transmission rod to rotate. The eccentrically mounted transmission rod rotates, causing the transmission frame and support rod to slide laterally. The support rod pulls the latch tongue out of the lock beam's groove along the side groove, thereby releasing the locking state of the lock beam end in the lock sleeve. At this time, the compressed ejector spring pushes the lock beam upward to move it upward, so that one end of the lock beam's groove comes out of the shoulder groove opening of the outer shell, thus completing the unlocking action. Then, the lock beam's groove end passes through the padlock latch that needs to be locked, and the lock beam is pressed so that its end groove is pressed back into the lock sleeve. The spring pushes the wedge-shaped latch tongue to engage with the groove again, completing the padlock latch locking action.

[0017] b. By retracting the lock beam and latch into the receiving groove between the panel and the outer shell, the lock beam is hidden in the locked state, solving the problem that the lock beam can easily be pried open by a crowbar. If it is necessary to restore the lock beam to the traditional padlock structure, the padlock is opened to ensure that one end of the lock beam groove is disengaged from the lock sleeve, releasing the lock beam end from the occupation of the adjustment groove. At this time, the adjustment groove is exposed. Use the polygonal wrench with the corresponding shape of the adjustment groove to insert into the positioning cylinder along the adjustment hole of the outer shell, ensuring that the wrench is engaged in the adjustment groove. Then rotate the wrench to drive the base ring to rotate. Utilize the threaded engagement between the base ring and the inner wall of the positioning cylinder to drive the lock sleeve to slide vertically along the constraint groove, realizing the corresponding adjustment of the vertical position of the lock sleeve and adapting the height position of the lock beam extending into the outer shell. Only when the lock beam is in the unlocked state and the end of the lock beam is disengaged from the lock sleeve can the height position of the lock sleeve and the actuator be adjusted to ensure the structural stability of the lock body in the hidden state.

[0018] c. When it is necessary to pull the steel cable to lock a long object, the locking beam is unlocked by the actuator. After one end of the locking groove of the locking beam comes out of the shell, the limiting block at the end of the steel cable is pushed out laterally from the limiting groove of the locking beam to expose the free end of the steel cable. At this time, the steel cable is pulled outward. By unfolding the winding part of the steel cable wound outside the drum, the end of the steel cable is pulled out along the top groove of the locking beam. Then the steel cable is passed through the object to be locked, and the limiting block at the free end of the steel cable is once again laterally inserted into the limiting groove of the locking beam. The locking beam is then pressed back into the positioning cylinder inside the shell. The locking beam is locked by the locking sleeve to realize the synchronous locking action of the hard locking structure of the locking beam and the soft locking structure of the steel cable.

[0019] d. When it is necessary to remove the outer casing from the panel, unlock the lock beam to push one end of the lock beam upwards out of the outer casing, ensuring that the end of the lock beam near the slide is disengaged from the mounting hole. At this time, the lock beam's obstruction of the slide's lateral movement is removed, allowing the slide above the fixing screw to be pushed laterally to the mounting hole position, thereby removing the slide's cover over the fixing screw. At this time, the operator unscrews the two sets of fixing screws to release the locking state of the fixing plate and connecting lug, ensuring that the lock body can only be disassembled in the unlocked state.

[0020] The beneficial effects are as follows: 1. By setting up an adjustable locking beam, lock sleeve, and actuation components, the locking beam is completely housed in the receiving groove between the panel and the outer shell when closed. The shoulder groove on the top of the outer shell only exposes the end of the locking beam when unlocking, eliminating the U-shaped opening exposed in traditional padlocks. Pry bars cannot directly contact the locking beam, fundamentally solving the defect of traditional padlocks where the U-shaped space is easily damaged by inserting tools, and significantly improving anti-pry performance;

[0021] 2. A dual locking mechanism is set up. The lock sleeve is pushed by a spring to engage the wedge-shaped locking tongue into the lock beam groove, providing high pull-out resistance. The lock beam has a built-in retractable steel cable, and the end limit block of the steel cable engages with the limit groove of the lock beam, realizing long-distance flexible binding and locking, breaking through the fixed length limitation of traditional padlocks.

[0022] 3. The locking sleeve, through the threaded engagement between the base ring and the positioning cylinder, allows the actuator to slide vertically along the constraint groove, changing the locking beam's positioning height to accommodate locks of different thicknesses. In operation, a polygonal wrench is used to steplessly adjust the locking beam height via the adjustment hole and groove. This adjustment can only be performed when the locking beam is unlocked, ensuring the locking beam's position is not adjustable when locked, thus improving safety.

[0023] 4. An anti-tamper slide is installed to cover the fixing screws. When the lock beam is unlocked, the slide can slide laterally to the mounting hole to expose the fixing screws, preventing forced removal. Disassembly must simultaneously allow the lock beam to detach and the slide to move away to prevent unauthorized disassembly.

[0024] 5. The concealed locking beam can also prevent collisions during handling, reduce the shaking of the padlock during movement, and use steel cables to bind goods to the shelf, improving the stability of use. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a front view structural diagram of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a structural breakdown diagram of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a partial structural breakdown diagram of another aspect of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of the invention from another perspective;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the panel of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the outer shell of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a structural disassembly diagram of the lock sleeve of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the locking beam of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 10 This is a structurally disassembled schematic diagram of the guide cylinder of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the base plate of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 12 This is a structural split diagram of the lock sleeve of the present invention from another direction;

[0038] Figure 13 This is a front structural view of the panel of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 14 This is a front view of the panel structure in the usage state of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 15 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention in use;

[0041] Figure 16 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the steel cable of the present invention in use;

[0042] Figure 17 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the unlocked state of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 18 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention in its conventional state.

[0044] The annotations in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0045] 1. Panel; 101. Fixing plate; 102. Mounting hole; 103. Screw hole; 104. Fixing screw; 105. Slide groove; 2. Housing; 201. Shoulder groove; 202. Base plate; 203. Adjustment hole; 204. Support base; 205. Connecting ear; 3. Receiving groove; 4. Locking beam; 401. Locking groove; 402. Auxiliary hole; 403. Wire hole; 404. Top groove; 405. Limiting groove; 5. Positioning cylinder; 501. Constraint groove; 502. Internal thread; 6. Lock sleeve; 601. Side groove; 602. Support base; 603. 604. Locking tongue; 605. Support rod; 606. Spring; 607. Transmission frame; 608. Rotating ring; 609. Base ring; 600a. Rotating groove; 600b. Adjusting groove; 6000. External thread; 701. Actuating assembly; 702. Gear motor; 703. Swing arm; 704. Transmission rod; 805. Guide cylinder; 801. Lead wire seat; 802. Ejector spring; 803. Support lug; 904. Steel cable; 905. Limit block; 10. Rewinding assembly; 10a. Mandrel; 10b. Drum; 10c. Coil spring; 11. Slide; 12. Locking buckle. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0047] See Figures 1-18 As shown, the present invention provides a security smart padlock, including a panel 1 and a shell 2 that fit together. The shell 2 has a U-shaped structure. Both the panel 1 and the shell 2 are manufactured using a zinc alloy one-piece molding process, and are precisely fitted together to form a rigid frame structure. In practical applications, this can effectively enhance the overall stability and anti-damage capability of the padlock. An inverted U-shaped lock beam 4 is provided on the outer side of the panel 1, which extends through the shell 2. A receiving groove 3 is formed between the middle of the shell 2 and the panel 1 to accommodate the lock beam 4 through the padlock latch 12 (the latch 12 is also called a lock nose, door nose, door latch, door snap, etc.). When locked, the panel 1 faces outward and the shell 2 faces the padlock latch 12, fundamentally eliminating the exposed U-shaped opening of traditional padlocks and further improving anti-pry performance. The outer casing 2 has a positioning cylinder 5 and a guide cylinder 8 arranged horizontally inside. The positioning cylinder 5 is equipped with a vertically adjustable locking sleeve 6, which is used to lock one end of the locking beam 4. The other end of the locking beam 4 passes through the guide cylinder 8. A steel cable 9 is threaded through the locking beam 4. The steel cable 9 is made of multiple strands of steel wire wound together. One end of the steel cable 9 is detachably connected to the end of the locking beam 4 that extends into the positioning cylinder 5. A winding assembly 10 is provided on the outside of the guide cylinder 8 to wind up and fix the other end of the steel cable 9.

[0048] The locking beam 4 extends into the positioning cylinder 5 and has a locking groove 401 at one end that engages with the locking sleeve 6. The locking groove 401 has a 45° wedge-shaped bevel design. The other end of the locking beam 4 has an auxiliary hole 402. The top side of the guide cylinder 8 has an ejector spring 802 that extends into the auxiliary hole 402 to keep the locking beam 4 pressed upward. The top opening of the auxiliary hole 402 has a threading hole 403 that accommodates the steel cable 9 extending along the length of the locking beam 4. The top side of the locking beam 4 has a top groove 404 that connects to the threading hole 403 to guide the steel cable 9 to unfold outward, so that the steel cable 9 can be pulled out of the locking beam 4 for flexible locking using the steel cable 9.

[0049] As an optional implementation, a limiting groove 405 is transversely passed through the middle section of the locking beam 4 above the locking groove 401. The limiting groove 405 is connected to the top groove 404, and a limiting block 901 is fixed to the outer end of the steel cable 9 and engages with the limiting groove 405. The limiting block 901 is used to lock the outer end of the steel cable 9 in the positioning cylinder 5, allowing the limiting block 901 at the end of the steel cable 9 to quickly engage or disengage. A lead wire seat 801 is fixed to the bottom side of the guide cylinder 8 to accommodate the passage of the steel cable 9. The lead wire seat 801 has a built-in ceramic bushing that guides the steel cable 9 through, which can reduce the steel cable penetration. When cable 9 wears, the bottom end of ejector spring 802 abuts against the top side of lead wire seat 801. A support lug 803 for supporting winding assembly 10 is laterally fixed on the outside of the middle section of guide cylinder 8. The winding assembly 10 includes a spindle 10a fixed to the bottom side of support lug 803. A drum 10b is coaxially sleeved on the outside of the spindle 10a. The end of steel cable 9 away from limit block 901 is fixed to the outside of drum 10b. A coil spring 10c is provided between drum 10b and spindle 10a to support drum 10b and tighten winding steel cable 9, which can automatically maintain the preload of steel cable 9.

[0050] Two sets of shoulder grooves 201 are symmetrically arranged on the top two sides of the outer shell 2 to accommodate the locking beam 4, facilitating the guidance of the locking beam 4 to extend out of the outer shell 2. A base plate 202 supporting the positioning cylinder 5 and the guide cylinder 8 is fixed to the bottom side of the outer shell 2. A support seat 204 for supporting the spindle 10a is fixed to the top side of the base plate 202, which is matched with the lifting lug 803. The bottom end of the positioning cylinder 5 has a vertical opening, and an adjustment hole 203 corresponding to the positioning cylinder 5 passes through the base plate 202. A vertically extending constraint groove 501 passes through the side of the positioning cylinder 5, and the inner wall of the positioning cylinder 5 is provided with an internal thread 502. The locking sleeve 6 is a clearance fit. The inner wall of the positioning cylinder 5 has a ring structure. The middle section of the locking sleeve 6 has a side groove 601 that runs horizontally through it. Inside the side groove 601, a locking tongue 603 is slidably provided to engage with the locking groove 401 at the end of the locking beam 4. A support seat 602 that runs horizontally through the constraint groove 501 is fixed on the locking sleeve 6 outside the side groove 601. The support seat 602 and the constraint groove 501 slide vertically together. A support rod 604 that is fixedly connected to the locking tongue 603 runs horizontally through the middle of the support seat 602. A spring 605 that keeps the locking tongue 603 pressed against the locking groove 401 is sleeved on the outside of the support rod 604.

[0051] A longitudinally extending rectangular transmission frame 606 is fixed to the outer end of the support rod 604. An execution component 7 for pulling the lock tongue 603 to move laterally is provided on the outside of the support base 602. The execution component 7 includes a reduction motor 701 fixed to the outside of the support base 602. A cam-structured swing arm 702 is fixed to the output end of the reduction motor 701. A transmission rod 703 extending vertically into the transmission frame 606 is fixed to the eccentric top of the swing arm 702. The transmission rod 703 is clearance-fitted with the transmission frame 606. The transmission rod 703 rotates with the swing arm 702 to pull the transmission frame 606 to move laterally, thereby driving the support rod 604 and the lock tongue 603 to perform the unlocking action. A rotating ring 607 is coaxially fixed to the bottom end of the lock sleeve 6. A base ring 608 is sleeved on the outside of the rotating ring 607. The top of the base ring 608 The inner edge of the base ring 608 is provided with a rotating groove 608a for rotating engagement with the rotating ring 607. The rotating groove 608a contains several steel balls to form a rolling friction pair, which improves the rotational stability of the base ring 608 and the locking sleeve 6 at the rotational connection position. The outer circumference of the base ring 608 is provided with an external thread 609 that is adapted to the internal thread 502 of the inner wall of the positioning cylinder 5. The inner side of the bottom end of the base ring 608 is provided with a regular polygonal adjustment groove 608b, preferably a regular hexagon, so that the base ring 608 can be rotated by inserting an external hex wrench into the adjustment groove 608b. The end of the locking beam 4 extends downward through the adjustment groove 608b. When the locking beam 4 is in the locked state, it is ensured that the end of the locking beam 4 extends into the adjustment groove 608b to block the adjustment groove 608b and prevent the height position of the locking beam 4 from being adjusted when the locking beam 4 is in the locked state.

[0052] Two sets of fixing plates 101 extending longitudinally into the housing 2 are fixed to the rear side of panel 1. The fixing plates 101 have vertically penetrating mounting holes 102 in the middle to accommodate the positioning cylinder 5 and the guide cylinder 8. Screw holes 103 are provided on the fixing plates 101 outside the two sets of mounting holes 102. Two sets of connecting ears 205 extending longitudinally below the screw holes 103 are fixed to the inner side of housing 2. The two sets of screw holes 103 are each vertically threaded with fixing screws 104 to fix the connecting ears 205. A sliding groove 105 is vertically penetrating on the fixing plate 101 above the locking sleeve 6. The slide 105 is laterally slidably provided with a slide block 11 to cover the top surface of the fixing screw 104. The positioning cylinder 5 and the guide cylinder 8 are respectively interference-fitted with the mounting holes 102 of the two sets of fixing plates 101 to improve the structural installation strength of the positioning cylinder 5 and the guide cylinder 8. The fixing plate 101 and the panel 1 are both made of zinc alloy and are integrally formed. The control system with integrated fingerprint module and password module is provided in the middle of the panel 1. The control system is electrically connected to the geared motor 701, and the housing 2 has a built-in rechargeable battery to supply power to the control system and the geared motor 701.

[0053] The security smart padlock disclosed in this application optimizes the traditional padlock structure by using a one-piece molded panel 1 and outer shell 2 to form a robust and rigid frame structure. This effectively optimizes the overall structure of the lock body and lock beam 4, improving overall stability and significantly enhancing anti-vandalism performance. The security smart padlock described in this application features an inverted U-shaped lock beam 4, which achieves precise locking and concealment through internal mechanisms such as the positioning cylinder 5, guide cylinder 8, and lock sleeve 6. This effectively eliminates the vulnerability of traditional padlocks, which are easily penetrated by pry bars or other hard tools due to the exposed U-shaped opening. Furthermore, it incorporates multiple protective mechanisms, including a steel cable 9, a limiting block 901, a winding assembly 10, and a push-out spring 802 working in tandem. The simultaneous locking of the lock beam 4 (hard locking) and the steel cable 9 (soft locking) ensures a tight connection between the latch 12 and the lock body, further guaranteeing the lock body's high security under various external forces. Furthermore, the security smart padlock described in this application also integrates a fingerprint module and a password module recognition and control system. The geared motor 701 drives the execution component 7 to complete the automatic pulling and precise control of the bolt 603. This not only saves users from the cumbersome traditional mechanical unlocking steps, but also greatly reduces the security risks caused by operational errors. Combined with the mutual adjustment design of the lock sleeve 6 and the base ring 608, the height position of the lock beam 4 is flexibly adapted, achieving the best anti-pry effect whether in the concealed locking state of the padlock buckle or in the traditional opening structure state.

[0054] This application also discloses a method for operating a security smart padlock, including the following steps:

[0055] a. When locking the padlock latch 12, the reduction motor 701 drives the swing arm 702 and the transmission rod 703 to rotate. The rotation of the eccentrically mounted transmission rod 703 drives the transmission frame 606 and the support rod 604 to slide laterally. The support rod 604 pulls the latch 603 out of the lock groove 401 of the lock beam 4 along the side groove 601, thereby releasing the locking state of the end of the lock beam 4 in the lock sleeve 6. At this time, the compressed ejector spring 802 pushes the lock beam 4 upward to move it upward, so that one end of the lock groove 401 of the lock beam 4 disengages from the opening of the shoulder groove 201 of the outer casing 2, thus completing the unlocking action (e.g. Figure 17 (As shown), then one end of the locking groove 401 of the locking beam 4 is passed through the padlock latch 12 to be locked, and the locking beam 4 is pressed so that the locking groove 401 at its end is pressed back into the lock sleeve 6. The spring 605 pushes the wedge-shaped locking tongue 603 to engage with the locking groove 401 again, completing the locking action of the padlock latch 12 (as shown). Figure 14 , 15 (as shown);

[0056] b. By retracting the locking beam 4 and the latch 12 into the receiving groove 3 between the panel 1 and the outer casing 2, the locking beam 4 is concealed in the locked state (e.g., Figure 1 ,2 (As shown in Figures 4 and 13), to solve the problem that the locking beam 4 is easily pried open by a crowbar, if it is necessary to restore the locking beam 4 to the structure of a traditional padlock, the padlock is opened to ensure that one end of the locking groove 401 of the locking beam 4 is disengaged from the locking sleeve 6, releasing the occupancy of the adjusting groove 608b at the end of the locking beam 4. At this time, the adjusting groove 608b is exposed. Using a polygonal wrench of the corresponding shape of the adjusting groove 608b, the wrench is inserted into the positioning cylinder 5 along the adjusting hole 203 of the outer shell 2, ensuring that the wrench is engaged in the adjusting groove 608b. Then, the wrench is rotated to drive the base ring 608 to rotate. Utilizing the threaded engagement between the base ring 608 and the inner wall of the positioning cylinder 5, the locking sleeve 6 is driven to move the actuator 7 vertically along the constraint groove 501, realizing the corresponding adjustment of the vertical position of the locking sleeve 6, and adapting the height position of the locking beam 4 extending into the outer shell 2 (e.g., Figure 18 As shown, only when the locking beam 4 is in the unlocked state and the end of the locking beam 4 is dislodged from the locking sleeve 6 can the height and position of the locking sleeve 6 and the actuator be adjusted to ensure the stability of the lock body structure when the locking beam 4 is in the hidden state.

[0057] c. When it is necessary to pull the steel cable 9 to lock a long-distance object, the locking beam 4 is unlocked by executing component 7 (e.g., Figure 17 As shown), after one end of the locking groove 401 of the locking beam 4 comes out of the outer shell 2, the limiting block 901 at the end of the steel cable 9 is pushed laterally out of the limiting groove 405 of the locking beam 4 to expose the free end of the steel cable 9. At this time, the steel cable 9 is pulled outward, and by unwinding the winding portion of the steel cable 9 wound on the outside of the drum 10b, the end of the steel cable 9 is pulled out along the top groove 404 of the locking beam 4 (as shown). Figure 16 (As shown), then the steel cable 9 is passed through the object to be locked, and the limiting block 901 at the free end of the steel cable 9 is again horizontally inserted into the limiting groove 405 of the locking beam 4. The locking beam 4 is then pressed back into the positioning cylinder 5 inside the outer shell 2, and the locking beam 4 is locked using the locking sleeve 6. Excess steel cable 9 can be wound around the outside of the locking beam 4 to ensure that the steel cable 9 is taut on the locked object, so as to achieve synchronous locking action of the hard locking structure of the locking beam 4 and the soft locking structure of the steel cable 9 (e.g., Figure 16 (as shown);

[0058] d. When it is necessary to remove the outer casing 2 from the panel 1, unlock the locking beam 4 so that one end of the locking groove 401 of the locking beam 4 is pushed upward out of the outer casing 2, ensuring that the end of the locking beam 4 near the slide 11 is disengaged from the mounting hole 102. At this time, the blocking effect of the locking beam 4 on the lateral sliding of the slide 11 is released, so that the slide 11 above the fixing screw 104 can be pushed laterally to the position of the mounting hole 102, thereby releasing the state of the slide 11 covering the fixing screw 104. At this time, the operator unscrews the two sets of fixing screws 104 to release the locking state of the fixing plate 101 and the connecting ear 205, ensuring that the lock body can be disassembled only in the unlocked state.

[0059] This invention, by incorporating an adjustable locking beam 4, a locking sleeve 6, and an actuating component 7, ensures that the locking beam 4 is completely retracted into the receiving groove 3 between the panel 1 and the outer casing 2 when closed. The shoulder groove 201 on the top of the outer casing 2 only exposes the end of the locking beam 4 when unlocking, eliminating the exposed U-shaped opening of traditional padlocks. Pry bars cannot directly contact the locking beam 4, fundamentally solving the defect of traditional padlocks where the U-shaped space is easily damaged by inserting tools, significantly improving anti-pry performance.

[0060] A dual locking mechanism is set up. The lock sleeve 6 pushes the wedge-shaped lock tongue 603 into the lock beam 4 lock groove 401 by the spring 605, providing high pull-out resistance. The lock beam 4 has a built-in retractable steel cable 9. The end limit block 901 of the steel cable 9 is inserted into the limit groove 405 of the lock beam 4, realizing long-distance flexible binding and locking, breaking through the traditional padlock fixed length limitation.

[0061] The locking sleeve 6, through the threaded engagement of the base ring 608 and the positioning cylinder 5, can slide vertically along the constraint groove 501 along with the actuator 7, changing the positioning height of the locking beam 4 to accommodate locking buckles 12 of different thicknesses. In specific operation, a polygonal wrench is used to steplessly adjust the height of the locking beam 4 through the adjustment hole 203 and the adjustment groove 608b. This adjustment can only be performed when the locking beam 4 is unlocked, ensuring that the position of the locking beam 4 is not adjustable when locked, thus improving safety.

[0062] An anti-tamper slide block 11 is provided to cover the fixing screw 104. When the lock beam 4 is unlocked, the slide block 11 can slide laterally to the mounting hole 102 to expose the fixing screw 104, thus preventing forced disassembly. Disassembly must simultaneously require the lock beam 4 to come out and the slide block 11 to move away to prevent unauthorized disassembly.

[0063] The concealed locking beam 4 can also prevent collisions during handling, reduce the shaking of the padlock during movement, and use the steel cable 9 to bind goods to the shelf, improving the stability of use.

[0064] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A security smart padlock, characterized in that: The device includes a panel (1) and a shell (2) that fit together. The shell (2) has a U-shaped structure. An inverted U-shaped locking beam (4) is provided on the outside of the panel (1) and extends out of the shell (2). A receiving groove (3) is formed between the middle of the shell (2) and the panel (1) to accommodate the locking beam (4) through the padlock buckle (12). A positioning cylinder (5) and a guide cylinder (8) are arranged horizontally inside the shell (2). A vertically adjustable locking sleeve (6) is provided inside the positioning cylinder (5). The locking sleeve (6) is used to lock one end of the locking beam (4). The other end of the locking beam (4) passes through the guide cylinder (8). A steel cable (9) is passed through the locking beam (4). One end of the steel cable (9) is detachably connected to the end of the locking beam (4) that extends into the positioning cylinder (5). A winding assembly (10) is provided on the outside of the guide cylinder (8) to wind up and fix the other end of the steel cable (9). The locking beam (4) extends into the positioning cylinder (5) and has a locking groove (401) at one end that engages with the locking sleeve (6). The locking beam (4) has an auxiliary hole (402) at the other end. The guide cylinder (8) has a push-out spring (802) that extends into the auxiliary hole (402) to keep the locking beam (4) pressed upward. The top opening of the auxiliary hole (402) has a threading hole (403) that accommodates the steel cable (9) extending along the length of the locking beam (4). The top side of the locking beam (4) has a top groove (404) that connects to the threading hole (403) to guide the steel cable (9) to unfold outward. The middle section of the locking beam (4) above the locking groove (401) is transversely penetrated by a limiting groove (405). The limiting groove (405) is connected to the top groove (404). The outer end of the steel cable (9) is fixed with a limiting block (901) that engages and is inserted into the limiting groove (405). The limiting block (901) is used to lock the outer end of the steel cable (9) into the positioning cylinder (5). The bottom side of the guide cylinder (8) is fixed with a lead seat (801) for accommodating the steel cable (9) through which it passes. The bottom end of the ejector spring (802) abuts against the top side of the lead seat (801). The middle section of the guide cylinder (8) is laterally fixed with a support lug (803) for supporting the winding assembly (10). The winding assembly (10) includes a spindle (10a) fixed to the bottom side of the support lug (803). A drum (10b) is coaxially sleeved on the outside of the spindle (10a). The end of the steel cable (9) away from the limiting block (901) is fixed to the outside of the drum (10b). A coil spring (10c) is provided between the drum (10b) and the spindle (10a) to support the drum (10b) in pulling and winding the steel cable (9).

2. The security smart padlock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top two sides of the outer shell (2) are symmetrically provided with two sets of shoulder grooves (201) for accommodating the locking beam (4), and the bottom side of the outer shell (2) is fixed with a base plate (202) for supporting the positioning cylinder (5) and the guide cylinder (8). The bottom end of the positioning cylinder (5) is a vertical through-hole, and the base plate (202) has an adjustment hole (203) through the positioning cylinder (5). The side of the positioning cylinder (5) has a vertically extending constraint groove (501), and the inner wall of the positioning cylinder (5) is provided with an internal thread (502).

3. The security smart padlock according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lock sleeve (6) is a ring structure that fits the inner wall of the positioning cylinder (5) with clearance. The middle section of the lock sleeve (6) has a side groove (601) that runs horizontally through it. The side groove (601) has a locking tongue (603) that slides horizontally inside it and is adapted to the locking groove (401) at the end of the lock beam (4). The lock sleeve (6) on the outside of the side groove (601) has a support seat (602) that runs horizontally through the constraint groove (501). The support seat (602) slides vertically with the constraint groove (501). The middle part of the support seat (602) has a support rod (604) that is fixedly connected to the locking tongue (603) that runs horizontally through it. The support rod (604) has a spring (605) that keeps the locking tongue (603) pressed against the locking groove (401) on the outside.

4. The security smart padlock according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer end of the support rod (604) is fixed with a longitudinally extending square-shaped transmission frame (606). The outer side of the support base (602) is provided with an execution component (7) for pulling the lock tongue (603) to move laterally. The execution component (7) includes a reduction motor (701) fixed to the outer side of the support base (602). The output end of the reduction motor (701) is fixed with a cam structure swing arm (702). The top of the swing arm (702) is fixed with a transmission rod (703) that extends vertically into the transmission frame (606). The transmission rod (703) rotates with the swing arm (702) to pull the transmission frame (606) to move laterally, thereby driving the support rod (604) and the lock tongue (603) to perform the unlocking action.

5. A security smart padlock according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom end of the lock sleeve (6) is coaxially fixed with a rotating ring (607). A base ring (608) is sleeved on the outside of the rotating ring (607). The inner edge of the top end of the base ring (608) is provided with a rotating groove (608a) that rotates and engages with the rotating ring (607). The outer circumference of the base ring (608) is provided with an external thread (609) that adapts to the inner thread (502) of the inner wall of the positioning cylinder (5). The inner side of the bottom end of the base ring (608) is provided with a regular polygonal adjustment groove (608b), and the end of the lock beam (4) extends downward through the adjustment groove (608b).

6. A security smart padlock according to claim 5, characterized in that: Two sets of fixing plates (101) extending longitudinally into the interior of the outer shell (2) are fixed on the rear side of the panel (1). The fixing plates (101) have vertically penetrating mounting holes (102) for accommodating positioning cylinder (5) and guide cylinder (8). Screw holes (103) are provided on the fixing plates (101) outside the two sets of mounting holes (102). Two sets of connecting ears (205) extending longitudinally below the screw holes (103) are fixed on the inner side of the outer shell (2). The two sets of screw holes (103) are vertically provided with threaded fixing screws (104) for fixing the connecting ears (205). A sliding groove (105) is vertically penetrating on one set of fixing plates (101) above the lock sleeve (6). A sliding seat (11) for covering the top surface of the fixing screw (104) is slidably provided in the sliding groove (105).

7. A security smart padlock according to claim 6, characterized in that: The positioning cylinder (5) and the guide cylinder (8) are respectively press-fitted with the mounting holes (102) of the two sets of fixing plates (101). The fixing plate (101) and the panel (1) are both made of zinc alloy and are integrally formed. The panel (1) is provided with a control system integrating a fingerprint module and a password module in the middle. The control system is electrically connected to the geared motor (701).

8. The working method of the security smart padlock according to claim 7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: a. When locking the padlock latch (12), the swing arm (702) and transmission rod (703) are rotated by the geared motor (701). The eccentrically mounted transmission rod (703) rotates, thereby driving the transmission frame (606) and support rod (604) to slide laterally. The support rod (604) pulls the latch (603) out of the lock groove (401) of the lock beam (4) along the side groove (601), thereby releasing the locking state of the end of the lock beam (4) in the lock sleeve (6). At this time, the compressed ejector spring ( 802) Press the lock beam (4) upward to move it upward so that one end of the lock groove (401) of the lock beam (4) is dislodged from the opening of the shoulder groove (201) of the outer shell (2) to complete the unlocking action. Then, pass one end of the lock groove (401) of the lock beam (4) through the padlock latch (12) to be locked, and press the lock beam (4) so ​​that the end lock groove (401) is pressed back into the lock sleeve (6). Use the spring (605) to push the wedge-shaped lock tongue (603) to engage with the lock groove (401) again to complete the locking action of the padlock latch (12); b. By storing the locking beam (4) and the latch (12) into the receiving groove (3) between the panel (1) and the outer shell (2), the locking beam (4) is hidden in the locked state, solving the problem that the locking beam (4) is easily pried open by a crowbar. If it is necessary to restore the locking state of the locking beam (4) to the structure of a traditional padlock, the padlock is opened to ensure that one end of the locking groove (401) of the locking beam (4) is disengaged from the lock sleeve (6), releasing the occupancy of the adjustment groove (608b) at the end of the locking beam (4). At this time, the adjustment groove (608b) is exposed. Using an external polygonal wrench with the shape corresponding to the adjustment groove (608b), the wrench is inserted into the adjustment hole (203) of the outer shell (2). Inside the positioning cylinder (5), ensure that the wrench is engaged in the adjustment groove (608b). Then, rotate the wrench to drive the base ring (608) to rotate. Utilize the threaded engagement between the base ring (608) and the inner wall of the positioning cylinder (5) to drive the lock sleeve (6) to move the actuator (7) vertically along the constraint groove (501), thereby achieving the corresponding adjustment of the vertical position of the lock sleeve (6) and adapting the height position of the lock beam (4) extending into the outer shell (2). Only when the lock beam (4) is in the unlocked state and the end of the lock beam (4) is dislodged from the lock sleeve (6) can the height position of the lock sleeve (6) and the actuator be adjusted to ensure the stability of the lock body structure in the hidden state of the lock beam (4). c. When it is necessary to pull the steel cable (9) to lock a long object, the locking beam (4) is unlocked by the actuator (7). After one end of the locking groove (401) of the locking beam (4) comes out of the outer shell (2), the limiting block (901) at the end of the steel cable (9) is pushed out laterally from the limiting groove (405) of the locking beam (4) to expose the free end of the steel cable (9). At this time, the steel cable (9) is pulled outward. By unwinding the winding part of the steel cable (9) outside the drum (10b), the end of the steel cable (9) is pulled out along the top groove (404) of the locking beam (4). Then the steel cable (9) is passed through the object to be locked, and the limiting block (901) at the free end of the steel cable (9) is again laterally inserted into the limiting groove (405) of the locking beam (4). The locking beam (4) is then pressed back into the positioning cylinder (5) inside the outer shell (2), and the lock is locked by the lock sleeve (6). Beam (4) to achieve synchronous locking action of the hard locking structure of the locking beam (4) and the soft locking structure of the steel cable (9); d. When the outer shell (2) needs to be removed from the panel (1), unlock the locking beam (4) so ​​that one end of the locking groove (401) of the locking beam (4) is pushed upward out of the outer shell (2), ensuring that the end of the locking beam (4) near the slide (11) is removed from the mounting hole (102). At this time, the blocking effect of the locking beam (4) on the slide (11) is released, so that the slide (11) above the fixing screw (104) can be pushed laterally to the mounting hole (102) position, thereby releasing the covering state of the slide (11) on the fixing screw (104). At this time, the operator unscrews the two sets of fixing screws (104) to release the locking state of the fixing plate (101) and the connecting ear (205), ensuring that the lock body can be disassembled only in the unlocked state.

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