Electronic lock and electronic lock control method and system

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic lock, an electronic lock control method and an electronic lock control system, in particular to an electronic lock with a waterproof function, which comprises a lock body and a lock hook used for hooking and releasing relative to the lock body. The lock body comprises a front shell and a rear cover detachably connected to the front shell, and the front shell and the rear cover jointly form a hollow cavity. A middle frame is arranged in the hollow cavity, and the middle frame is provided with a concave part and a circle of annular groove surrounding the concave part. The waterproof electronic lock comprises an input interface frame, the input interface frame is provided with a top face and a bottom face, and the bottom face of the input interface frame is provided with a first circumferential protrusion correspondingly matched with the circumferential groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to electronic lock systems, and more particularly to an electronic lock, an electronic lock control method, and a system. Background Technology

[0002] The following discussion of the background of the invention is intended to facilitate understanding of the invention. However, it should be understood that this discussion does not imply an admission that the information described has been publicly available, known, or is common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as of the priority date of this application.

[0003] With the increasing popularity of smart electronic locks, their storage and transportation methods have a significant impact on their subsequent performance and lifespan. Currently, one transportation method involves removing the power supply from the electronic lock before transporting it, and then reinstalling the power supply when the user is ready to use it. Another method is to transport the electronic lock in a low-power mode, allowing it to be activated and enter normal working mode at any time.

[0004] However, both of these methods have significant drawbacks. In the first method, the power supply is stored separately from the smart lock body during transportation, making it susceptible to damage. Furthermore, improper installation by the user may cause accidental damage to the internal control circuitry and power supply of the smart lock body, and even affect the lock's sealing performance.

[0005] In the second scenario, during transportation, factors such as packaging compression or human error may cause the electronic lock to unexpectedly exit low-power mode and prematurely enter normal operating mode. This could result in the electronic lock receiving the user having its battery depleted or its power being wasted, thus shortening its subsequent lifespan.

[0006] Electronic locks utilize microprocessors, enabling intelligent management and analysis systems. However, some components, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) and motors, lack waterproofing and are often exposed to outdoor environments, including wind, frost, rain, and snow. Therefore, good waterproofing is crucial for electronic locks, such as padlocks used to protect valuable and critical assets in motion or exposed to environmental factors, to ensure long-term normal operation. Moisture in water-sensitive components can cause short circuits. Current electronic locks have insufficient waterproofing, affecting their lifespan and reliability, and are prone to damage from short circuits. Therefore, it is urgent to address these issues in existing electronic locks to extend their lifespan, improve reliability, and expand their application scenarios in outdoor environments.

[0007] Although some electronic locks employ a replaceable power supply design, replacement typically requires professional personnel, a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. The replacement process often involves applying destructive force to the power supply structure, potentially compromising its sealing performance, allowing moisture to enter the lock, causing a short circuit, or even burning out the PCB board connected to the power supply. This not only affects the lifespan of the electronic lock but also reduces its reliability.

[0008] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide multiple solutions to avoid accidental damage to the power supply during storage and transportation, and to prevent the ineffective consumption of power. In addition, it is necessary to improve the waterproof performance of electronic locks in outdoor environments, and to solve the problem of power supply replacement and the maintenance of its sealing integrity, thereby extending the service life of electronic locks and their power supply components and improving their overall reliability.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve or at least improve some of the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an electronic lock with waterproof performance, the electronic lock comprising a lock body and a locking hook for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body.

[0011] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the lock body includes a front shell and a rear cover detachably connected to the front shell to form a hollow cavity; and a middle frame disposed in the hollow cavity, the middle frame having a recess and an annular groove surrounding the recess.

[0012] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the lock body further includes an input interface frame, the input interface frame having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a first annular protrusion on the bottom surface for fitting with the annular groove.

[0013] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the lock body includes a button plate, the button plate having a bottom plate surface facing the input interface frame, and a top plate surface having a plurality of button protrusions, wherein each of the button protrusions has a pressing post extending from the top plate surface to the bottom plate surface on the bottom plate surface.

[0014] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the button panel includes a second annular protrusion disposed on the top plate surface, and an annular recess facing the top plate surface of the button panel is provided on the opposite surface of the front shell, wherein the second annular protrusion is adapted to the annular recess.

[0015] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the recessed portion further includes a wire hole, a sound outlet hole, and a PCB board on which a speaker is provided, wherein the sound outlet hole is covered with a waterproof and sound-permeable membrane.

[0016] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the lock body further includes a charging port located at the bottom of the middle frame, and a waterproof pressure plate including a protrusion that can engage with the charging port.

[0017] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the lock body further includes a sealing plug detachably connected to the charging port. The sealing plug includes a cover plate, and an anti-disengagement rod and a connector disposed on the side of the cover plate facing the charging port.

[0018] Secondly, the present invention also discloses a control method for an electronic lock. The electronic lock includes a lock body, a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, a power supply, a charging interface for charging the power supply, and a controller communicatively connected to the locking mechanism, the power supply, and the charging interface. The method includes: determining whether the power supply has been placed in the lock body for a first preset duration; if so, the electronic lock enters an ultra-low power consumption mode; determining whether the number of times the electronic lock is enabled and disabled in the ultra-low power consumption mode has reached a preset number; if so, the electronic lock enters a wake-up mode; and determining whether the pairing operation between the electronic lock and the control device is completed within a second preset duration; if completed within the second preset duration, the electronic lock enters a normal operation mode.

[0019] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the electronic lock further includes a locking hook for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, wherein the activation is associated with the locking action of the locking hook, and the deactivation is associated with the unlocking action of the locking hook.

[0020] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the enabling corresponds to inserting an external charging plug that is communicatively connected to an external power receiver into the charging interface, and the disabling corresponds to unplugging the external charging plug from the charging interface.

[0021] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the electronic lock further includes a magnet disposed on the lock hook, a magnetic sensor disposed in the lock body for detecting changes in magnetic induction intensity when the lock hook moves relative to the lock body, and a detection module communicatively connected to the magnetic sensor for determining the number of times the lock is activated and deactivated corresponding to the locking and unlocking actions of the lock hook, wherein the change in magnetic induction intensity is related to the number of times the lock is activated and deactivated.

[0022] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the electronic lock includes a detection module communicatively connected to the charging interface, used to determine whether the number of times the lock is enabled and disabled has reached a preset number, wherein the preset number corresponds to the number of times the external charging plug is inserted into and removed from the charging interface.

[0023] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the electronic lock includes a pairing detection module communicatively connected to the controller, used to determine whether the time taken to complete the pairing operation between the electronic lock and the control device is less than or equal to a second preset time.

[0024] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the first preset duration and the second preset duration are both 1 minute, and the preset number of times is 3.

[0025] Thirdly, the present invention also provides an electronic lock control system, the electronic lock comprising a lock body, a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, a power supply, a charging interface for charging the power supply, and a controller communicatively connected to the locking mechanism, the power supply, and the charging interface, wherein the system comprises: The system includes: A power module is communicatively connected to the power supply and a timing module, wherein the timing module is used to determine a first duration of the power supply in the lock body; The detection module is used to determine the number of times the electronic lock is activated and deactivated. The electronic lock also includes a locking hook for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body. Activation corresponds to the locking action of the locking hook, and deactivation corresponds to the unlocking action of the locking hook. A pairing detection module is used to determine the second duration of the pairing operation between the electronic lock and the control device; The operation mode module is used to enable the electronic lock to enter an ultra-low power mode, a wake-up mode, or a normal operation mode based on the judgment results of the timing module, the detection module, and the pairing detection module. The controller is communicatively connected to the timing module, detection module, pairing detection module, and operation mode module, and is configured to: Determine whether the power supply in the lock body has reached a first preset duration. If it has reached the first preset duration, the electronic lock enters an ultra-low power consumption mode. Determine whether the number of times the electronic lock has been opened and closed has reached a preset number. If the preset number has been reached, the electronic lock enters the wake-up mode. The system determines whether the pairing operation is completed within a second preset time period. If it is completed within the second preset time period, the electronic lock enters the normal working mode.

[0026] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the electronic lock further includes a lock hook that can be locked and unlocked relative to the lock body, wherein the activation corresponds to the locking action of the lock hook, and the deactivation corresponds to the unlocking action of the lock hook.

[0027] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the enabling corresponds to inserting an external charging plug that is communicatively connected to an external power receiver into the charging interface, and the disabling corresponds to unplugging the external charging plug from the charging interface.

[0028] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the electronic lock further includes: a magnet disposed on the lock hook, and a magnetic sensor disposed in the lock body for detecting changes in magnetic induction intensity; wherein the detection module is communicatively connected to the magnetic sensor and is configured to determine the number of times the locking and unlocking actions of the lock hook are respectively activated and deactivated, and the change in magnetic induction intensity is associated with the number of times the activation and deactivation are performed.

[0029] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the detection module is communicatively connected to the charging interface and is used to determine whether the number of times the activation and deactivation are reached has reached a preset number, wherein the preset number corresponds to the number of times the external charging plug is inserted into and removed from the charging interface.

[0030] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the first preset duration and the second preset duration are both 1 minute, and the preset number of times is 3.

[0031] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the controller includes a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal, wherein the power supply module, timing module, detection module and pairing operation module are connected to the signal input terminal, and the operation mode module is connected to the signal output terminal.

[0032] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the electronic lock further includes a frame, the frame including a base, and four sidewalls extending upward from the base to define a battery compartment for accommodating a power supply housing; each sidewall has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge is connected to one side of the base, and the top edge has a groove along its length such that the groove extends along the periphery of the top edge of the frame; it also includes a compartment pad having a boss for matching the groove; and it further includes a compartment cover for covering the compartment pad, the compartment pad, the compartment cover, and the frame all having a plurality of aligned through holes for fixing the compartment pad and the compartment cover to the frame by fasteners.

[0033] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the lock body further includes a front shell and a rear cover detachably connected to the front shell to form a hollow cavity; a middle frame is arranged in the hollow cavity, the middle frame having a recess and an annular groove surrounding the recess; the input interface frame has a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the input interface frame having a first annular protrusion that is adapted to the annular groove.

[0034] Fourthly, the present invention also provides an electronic lock, comprising: a lock body, a lock hook for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, a power source, a charging interface for charging the power source, and a controller communicatively connected to the locking mechanism, the power source, and the charging interface respectively; the electronic lock further comprises at least one processor and at least one memory, the memory storing computer program instructions, the power source being electrically connected to the processor, wherein when the processor executes the computer program instructions, the aforementioned method is implemented.

[0035] Fifthly, the present invention also provides a power supply assembly for an electronic lock, the electronic lock including a lock body and a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, the power supply assembly comprising: A frame including a base and four sidewalls extending upward from the base to define a battery compartment for accommodating a power housing, each of the sidewalls having a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge is connected to one side of the base, and the top edge has a groove along its length such that the groove extends along the periphery of the top edge of the frame. A storage pad, wherein the storage pad is provided with a boss for correspondingly engaging with the groove; A bin cover is provided to cover the bin pad. The bin pad, the bin cover, and the frame are all provided with multiple aligned through holes for fixing the bin pad and the bin cover to the frame by fasteners.

[0036] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of aligned through holes are provided on protrusions extending from the chamber pad, the chamber cover and the frame.

[0037] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the bin cover includes a first side facing the bin pad and a second side facing away from the bin pad, wherein two or more sealing ribs are provided near the edge of the first side.

[0038] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, a pulling protrusion is provided at one corner of the storage pad.

[0039] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the power supply housing includes a power circuit board electrically connected to the power supply, a first housing and a second housing detachably connected to the first housing, wherein the power supply and the power circuit board are housed in the first housing and the second housing.

[0040] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the first housing is provided with a charging interface for receiving an external power source, and the charging interface is exposed to the outside of the first housing.

[0041] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the second housing is provided with a plurality of contact holes for electrically connecting the power supply to the locking mechanism; it also includes an electrical contact plate, which is provided with a plurality of electrical contacts corresponding to the plurality of contact holes for electrically connecting to the controller of the electronic lock.

[0042] According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, the first housing is provided with a display indicator structure, the display indicator structure including an indicator light, the indicator light being used to display the operating status of the power supply. Attached Figure Description

[0043] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals generally refer to the same parts. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; the focus is usually on illustrating the principles of the invention. For clarity, the dimensions of various features or elements may be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention will be illustrated in conjunction with the following drawings: Figure 1 A perspective view of an electronic lock according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the electronic lock and its internal components in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 A perspective view of the power supply assembly of the electronic lock according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A perspective view of the storage pad 3 in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 5 A perspective view of the power supply housing in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 A perspective view of the first housing of the power supply housing in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 7 A perspective view of the second housing of the power supply housing in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the internal components on the front of the electronic lock in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the internal components on the back of the electronic lock in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 10 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the power supply housing and the input interface in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 11 A perspective view of the connection between the power supply housing and the input interface frame in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 12 A perspective view of the back side of an electronic lock according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 13 A perspective view of the internal components of the electronic lock after removing the front and rear covers in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 14 A perspective view of the keypad in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 15 A perspective view of the bottom surface of the keypad in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 16 A perspective view of the keypad in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 17 A side view of an electronic lock with the front cover removed according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 18 A waterproof membrane is shown in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 19 A side view of an electronic lock according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 20 A sealing plug for an electronic lock is shown in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 21 A perspective view of the storage pad 3 in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 22 A perspective view of the compartment cover 4 in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 23 The motor cover in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 24 This is a flowchart of a method for controlling an electronic lock according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 25 A flowchart of a method for controlling an electronic lock using a magnetic sensor is shown in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 26 A flowchart of a method for controlling an electronic lock via a charging interface in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 27 A block diagram of a system for controlling an electronic lock is shown; Figure 28 This is a schematic diagram of the overall framework of the electronic lock in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example specific details and embodiments that can be used to practice the invention. These embodiments have been sufficiently described to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be adopted, or modifications to the structure and logic may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention. The embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and some embodiments may be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.

[0045] The expressions "an embodiment," "a particular embodiment," "an example," or "an example" in this specification indicate that a feature, structure, or characteristic associated with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, the appearance of these terms in multiple places in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, databases, or characteristics may be used in any suitable combination and / or sub-combination in one or more embodiments or examples. Additionally, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0046] Therefore, in one or more exemplary embodiments, the above-described functions can be implemented by hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the above-described functions can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.

[0047] In this specification, the term "comprising" should be understood in an open-ended sense, indicating that the listed elements or steps are essential components, but not excluding the presence of other unlisted elements or steps. Similar terms in this specification should also be interpreted in the same way.

[0048] Certain directional terms used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered restrictive. For example, "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," and "right" are descriptions based on the directions shown in the accompanying drawings; "inward" and "outward" respectively indicate directions toward or away from the geometric center of the component. The use of terms should include the listed words, their variations, and semantically similar terms. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar components, parts, or structures.

[0049] The term "coupling" or "connection" as used in this specification can be understood as an electrical or mechanical connection. For example, the connection can be achieved by bonding, fixing, or simply contacting, and the connection can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through other components.

[0050] To facilitate understanding and implementation of the present invention, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood that any characteristic described for a particular system in this specification may also be applied to other systems described in this specification; similarly, any characteristic described for a particular method may also be applied to other methods described in this specification. Furthermore, it should be understood that for any system or method involved in this specification, not all of its components or steps need to be included in the specific implementation scheme; only some components or steps need to be included.

[0051] To achieve the above-mentioned technical features, advantages and objectives, the present invention provides an electronic lock, an electronic lock control method and system, which aims to extend the service life of the electronic lock, improve its reliability and expand its application range in outdoor environments.

[0052] like Figure 1 The image shows a perspective view of an electronic lock according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic lock is equipped with a mechanical digital keypad input interface 9. The input interface 9 includes multiple physical keys 35, each with sequentially arranged numbers for physical pressing by the user. In this application, the term "electronic lock" broadly refers to any lock that uses electrical energy in some way, including but not limited to electronic bolt locks, electronic lever locks, electronic door locks, and electronic padlocks. See also... Figure 1An electronic lock 100 (e.g., an electronic padlock) includes a lock body 50 and a hook 40. The lock body 50 includes a front housing 9 and a rear cover 10, the rear cover 10 being detachably connected to the front housing 9. The hook 40 is designed to be locked and unlocked relative to the lock body 50, thereby achieving locking and unlocking. The lock body is provided with a charging interface, which may be, but is not limited to, a USB interface, or other interface forms suitable for external power supply, such as a power adapter. The electronic lock includes an input interface 35, such as a mechanical keypad. In one embodiment, the input interface 35 is provided with one or more numeric identifiers (e.g., sequentially arranged numbers), each numeric identifier corresponding to a pressable physical key 35 for the user to enter a password. The upper end of the electronic padlock 100 is provided with a first hook groove 41 and a second hook groove 42, the grooves extending from the upper end of the lock body 50. The hook 40 includes a first locking leg and a second locking leg, one of which is longer than the other. The two locking hook grooves 41 and 42 are respectively used to accommodate the two locking legs of the roughly U-shaped locking hook 40. Each locking hook groove 41 and 42 is provided with a sealing ring, which prevents moisture from seeping into the front housing 9 when the locking hook moves from the extended position to the retracted position, or from the retracted position to the extended position. In one embodiment, the sealing ring is an O-ring or other structure with a sealing function. The input interface 35 allows the user to press a password consisting of a preset set of numbers to operate the locking mechanism inside the electronic lock 100, causing the locking hook 40 to move axially from the retracted position to the extended position, thereby releasing or pulling out the short locking leg of the locking hook 40 from the lock body 50, thus unlocking the electronic lock 100. In one embodiment, the front housing 9 is also provided with an indicator display window 91. The electronic lock has a controller inside, which is connected to a power supply 21. The power supply may include, but is not limited to, a rechargeable battery, a regular battery, a fuel cell, an energy harvesting device, or other suitable power modules. The controller has an indicator light located at a position corresponding to the indicator display window 91. The indicator display window 91 is used to display power status information, such as low battery or depleted battery. This helps users to know the remaining power and replace the power supply when necessary, while also preventing users from mistakenly believing that the electronic lock has malfunctioned due to a depleted battery.

[0053] Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the electronic lock and its internal components is shown. Figure 2As shown, for illustrative purposes, the rear cover 10 of the electronic lock 100 has been removed to reveal its internal structure. The electronic lock 100 includes a power supply assembly comprising a frame 1, a power housing 2 for housing a power supply 21, a compartment pad 3, and a compartment cover 4. The frame 1 has a battery compartment 11 for housing a replaceable power supply 2, and the frame 1 has one or more connectors for connecting the power supply 2 to the locking mechanism. When the power supply 2 is installed in the frame 1, the compartment pad 3 seals the frame 1. The compartment cover 4 covers the compartment pad 3, and both the compartment pad 3 and the compartment cover 4 have multiple aligned through holes to facilitate the installation of the compartment cover 4 on the compartment pad 3 and the securing of the compartment cover 4 to the compartment pad 3 by fasteners.

[0054] Figure 3 A perspective view of the power assembly of various embodiments is shown. The frame 1 includes a base from which four sidewalls 12 extend upward to define a battery compartment or cavity for receiving a replaceable power source. Each sidewall 12 has a top edge and a bottom edge, the bottom edge being connected to a side of the base, and the top edge having a groove along its length such that the groove extends along the periphery of the top edge of the frame. The plurality of sidewalls 12 are connected sequentially to form a closed structure, which may be square or other desired shape. A groove 13 is provided at the top edge of each sidewall 12, extending along the periphery of the top edge of the frame 1. The power housing 2 is removable from the battery compartment 11. A boss 31 is provided on the bottom surface of the compartment pad 3, which engages with the groove 13 by an interference fit for secure fastening. In some embodiments, the compartment pad 3 is made of silicone material. A plurality of through holes 5 are provided on the periphery of the frame 1, protruding outward and extending along the height direction of the frame 1. The through holes 5 are aligned with the through holes 5 on the connecting components (such as the compartment pad 3 and the compartment cover 4) to secure the connecting components to the frame 1 using fasteners. These through holes 5 can be used to insert connectors, such as screws, to firmly connect the compartment cover, compartment pad, and frame. During use, when the power supply needs to be replaced, the connectors, compartment cover 4, and compartment pad 3 can be removed in sequence to expose the power supply housing 2. The power supply housing 2 can then be removed from the battery compartment 11 and replaced with a new power supply housing 2 containing a new power supply 21 of the same model. Finally, the compartment pad 3, compartment cover 4, and connectors are reinstalled in sequence. Because the protrusion of the compartment pad 3 is fixed to the battery compartment groove 13 by an interference fit, the power supply assembly 2 can be securely installed in the electronic lock. The interference fit between the compartment pad 3 and the frame 1 also gives the power supply housing 2 excellent waterproof performance, preventing water infiltration and short circuits. The compartment cover 4 tightly covers the compartment pad 3 and the frame 1, further reducing the risk of damage to the power supply 21. The above structural features effectively improve the reliability of the electronic lock and extend its service life.

[0055] Figure 4A perspective view of the storage pad 3 according to various embodiments is shown. In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the storage pad 3 has a boss 31 extending along its periphery, which is tightly engaged with the groove 13 of the frame 1 by an interference fit. The storage pad 3 is rectangular, and its outline matches the shape of the frame 1. In a portion of the storage pad 3, one or more protrusions extending from the outside of the storage pad 3 are provided, and the protrusions have holes 5 that align with corresponding holes on the frame 1 and the storage cover 4. In one embodiment, the protrusions include a pull tab 32 so that the user can easily remove the storage pad 3 from the frame 1 when replacing the power supply housing 2. In some embodiments, the storage pad 3 is made of silicone material. The storage cover 4 has two or more outwardly protruding hole structures to mate with the holes 5. In another embodiment, the upper surface of the storage pad 3 has a plurality of sealing ribs (not shown) to improve its sealing performance when the storage cover 4 is pressed on top of the storage pad 3.

[0056] Figure 5 A perspective view of a power supply housing 2 according to various embodiments is shown. The power supply housing 2 includes, as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The first housing 23 and the second housing 24 shown are used to house the power supply 21 and its internal components. The power supply housing 2 contains a power circuit board 22 that is electrically connected to the power supply 21. See also... Figure 6 See Figure 6 The first housing 23 (internal components not shown) has a display port 231 and a charging interface 232. The display port 231 corresponds to the power circuit board 22 and has an indicator light 221 for indicating the working status, which can be displayed externally through the display port 231. The charging interface 232 is used to plug in a charging plug 222 to charge the power supply 21 when the power cord is connected. In some embodiments, if the power supply 21 is a rechargeable lithium battery, the user can remove the entire power supply housing 2 from the power supply assembly and connect it to a USB, Type-C plug, or other charging port for charging via the charging interface 222. The indicator light 221 can indicate the charging status, such as "charging" or "fully charged". This design allows the power supply 21 to be reused and charged multiple times, thereby reducing user costs and extending the power supply life. In other embodiments, the power supply 21 can also be a disposable battery, and the user can directly replace the new power supply housing 2 with a fully charged power supply 21. The first housing 23 and the second housing 24 have a rectangular structure, and their opposite sides are provided with protrusions 233 and slots 241 for locking engagement. The two can be arranged on the first housing or the second housing respectively, and engage with each other during assembly. The inner surface of the first housing 23 is also provided with two parallel ribs 234 for vertically limiting and fixing the power circuit board 22, thereby enhancing the structural stability of the first housing and the second housing after assembly.

[0057] See Figure 7 The second housing 24 is provided with multiple contact holes 242 for electrical connection between the locking mechanism of the electronic lock and the power supply 21. The power supply housing 2 is provided with an electrical contact plate 25 (see...). Figure 5 The electrical contact plate 25 is electrically connected to the power circuit board 22. The electrical contact plate 25 has multiple electrical contacts 251, each corresponding to one of the multiple contact holes 242. The electronic lock 100 includes a controller with several pins that engage with the contact holes 242. Through this engagement, the controller can be reliably connected to the power supply 21, ensuring that the power supply 21 can stably supply power to the controller.

[0058] Figure 8 and Figure 9 The internal components of an electronic lock according to various embodiments of the present invention are shown. See also Figure 8 The electronic lock 100 is equipped with an input interface. This input interface includes an input interface frame 15, which has a recess for accommodating a mechanical button display component. This mechanical button display component is easy to install, has good waterproof performance, and shortens the distance between the mechanical button display component and the power supply housing 2. The input interface frame 15 has multiple holes 16 (see...). Figure 11 ), used to connect the power supply housing 2 and the mechanical button display component.

[0059] Figure 10 and Figure 11 The connection structure between the power supply housing and the input interface is shown in various embodiments of the present invention. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the power supply housing 2 includes conductive pins 81 that pass through multiple holes 16 and are electrically connected to electrical contacts 251 of the input interface. The holes 16 facilitate the smooth passage of the conductive pins 81 and ensure a good electrical connection between the input interface and the power supply housing 2.

[0060] Figure 12 A rear perspective view of an electronic lock according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown. As previously described, the electronic lock 100 (e.g., an electronic padlock) includes a lock body 50 and a latch 40. The lock body 50 includes a front housing 9 and a rear cover 10 detachably connected to the front housing 9. The latch 40 is designed to be locked and unlocked relative to the lock body 50, thereby enabling the locking and unlocking of the electronic lock.

[0061] Figure 13The diagram shows a perspective view of the internal components of the electronic lock according to various embodiments of the present invention after removing the front and rear covers. A hollow cavity is formed between the front cover 9 and the rear cover 10, and a middle frame 3 and an input interface frame 15 are disposed within the cavity. The input interface frame 15 has a recess 31 for mounting a keypad containing alphanumeric symbols 42 for user operation by pressing. The input interface frame 15 has a top surface surrounding its edge and a ring groove around its periphery. In one embodiment, a PCB board (not shown) is disposed in the recess 31 of the input interface frame 15. A wire hole 33 and a sound outlet 34 are provided on the surface of the recess 31. A speaker on the PCB board is arranged facing the sound outlet 34, and the sound outlet 34 is covered with a waterproof and sound-permeable membrane (not shown). The wire hole 33 is used to receive a connecting wire from the power supply housing 2 and to seal the area around the wire with waterproof adhesive. The connecting wire is used to transmit current and signals to the drive motor and to connect the PCB board to the drive motor. In this way, the electronic lock not only achieves good electrical connection and sound function, but also effectively prevents water from seeping in through the wire hole 33 and the sound outlet 34, thereby improving its waterproof performance.

[0062] Figure 14 A perspective view of a keypad 4 according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown. The keypad 4 has alphanumeric symbols 42 for user input via pressing. The keypad 4 is made of a flexible material, such as rubber or silicone, and is configured to cooperate with an input interface controller (not shown in the figure, but described later). The structural shape of the keypad 4 matches the recess 31 of the input interface frame 15, allowing it to fit precisely within the recess 31.

[0063] Figure 15A bottom perspective view of a keypad 4 according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown. The bottom surface of the keypad 4 has a protrusion 41 whose shape matches the through-slot 32 of the input interface frame 15. The protrusion 41 is configured to fit tightly into the through-slot 32 to ensure a good seal between the keypad 4 and the input interface frame 15. In some embodiments, the protrusion 41 has a lip shape to enhance its fitting strength. The engagement of the first protrusion 41 of the keypad 4 with the through-slot 32 of the middle frame 3 seals the internal cavity formed between the front and rear housings, effectively preventing moisture ingress. This cavity also directly or indirectly accommodates power supplies, controllers, drive motors, and other electronic components, thereby structurally providing waterproof protection for these electronic components, preventing short circuits caused by water ingress, and improving the service life, operational reliability, and outdoor applicability of the electronic lock. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the keypad 4 also has multiple grooves around the alphanumeric symbols or around the edge of the keypad. For example, the multiple grooves include a pair of wave-shaped grooves 411, a pair of arc-shaped grooves 412, and a torque groove 413. The grooves described above have different shapes, which allows for different forms of elastic deformation when the keypad 4 is installed in conjunction with the through groove 32 of the input interface frame 15, thereby achieving a stronger sealing effect and further improving waterproof performance.

[0064] See Figure 14 and Figure 15 The keypad 4 has two opposing surfaces: a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has a ring of raised structures 41, and the top surface has multiple button protrusions 42. Each button protrusion 42 has a pressing post 43 below it, extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and visible from the bottom surface. When the pressing post 43 is not pressed, its free end is lower than the free end of the raised structure 41 in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface, thus allowing space for elastic deformation of the pressing post 43 in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface. This structure provides a good tactile feedback when the user presses the buttons and, together with the protrusions 41 on the bottom surface, effectively seals the input interface frame, improving the waterproof performance and user comfort of the electronic lock.

[0065] Figure 16A perspective view of the keypad 4 in various embodiments is shown. In one embodiment, the keypad 4 has multiple openings 70 to accommodate key protrusions 42. Each opening 70 is also provided with a key cover, which has different numbers or symbols to correspond to the identification of the key protrusion 42. The key cover helps the user to more clearly identify the key and enhances the pressing feel. The key cover has multiple notches 71, and multiple ribs 72 are provided on the inner side of the notches 71. The top surface of the keypad 4 has a raised platform 44 around the key area, which is configured to press against the groove 12 of the input interface frame 15 and contact the waterproof rib 13 thereon. By applying waterproof adhesive (not shown) between the raised platform 44 and the groove 12, the sealing performance can be further improved, preventing moisture from seeping into the lock body from the keypad area, thereby effectively improving the overall waterproof performance of the electronic lock.

[0066] Figure 17 A side view of the electronic lock with the front shell removed is shown in each embodiment. Figure 18 The waterproof plate 6 in various embodiments is shown. Referring to the above figures, the middle frame 3 is provided with a charging interface 35, which includes a USB Type-C interface 5 disposed on the PCB. The waterproof plate 6 is disposed at the bottom of the middle frame 3 and is used to enhance the waterproof performance of the charging interface. The waterproof plate 6 has two mounting holes 63, each for mounting screws to fix the waterproof plate 6 to the central frame 3. The waterproof plate 6 also has a protrusion 61, which abuts against the edge of the Type-C interface 5 and has a through hole 62, which corresponds to the charging interface 35 and the Type-C interface 5. The gap between the protrusion 61 and the Type-C interface 5 is filled with waterproof adhesive, which can be injected by a syringe or other device. An elastic ring 7 is installed on the central frame 3, and the protrusion 61 presses against the elastic ring 7. Through the above structure, the waterproof plate 6 can effectively improve the waterproof performance of the Type-C interface 5 and solve the problem that this type of interface is easily affected by water seepage.

[0067] Figure 19 A side view of the electronic lock in each embodiment is shown. Figure 20A sealing plug 8 for an electronic lock is shown. In one embodiment, the sealing plug 8 is configured to be mounted onto a Type-C interface 5. The sealing plug 8 is made of silicone material and has a cover 81, a movable rod 82, and an insertion portion 83 on the side facing the Type-C interface 5. The movable rod 82 includes a rod body 821 and two protrusions 822 to prevent the sealing plug 8 from falling off the electronic lock. The rod body 821 is inserted into a socket 78 at the bottom of the front housing 9, and the protrusions 822 pass through the socket 78 and are held therein, so that the sealing plug 8 is always attached to the front housing 9. The insertion portion 83 has a through hole 831 that matches the Type-C interface 5, and the cover 81 is fitted into a recessed area of ​​the front housing 9. When the Type-C interface 5 is not in use, the cover 81 of the sealing plug 8 covers the recessed area of ​​the front housing 9, and the insertion portion 83 is inserted into and seals the Type-C interface 5, thereby preventing moisture from entering the interior of the electronic lock. In addition, several pairs of drainage holes 79 are provided in the groove area of ​​the front shell 9 and the cover 81. When water accidentally enters, it can be discharged through the drainage holes by gravity to prevent water from accumulating in the groove.

[0068] Figure 21 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the storage pad 3 described in each embodiment. Figure 22 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the compartment cover 4. As described above, and referring to... Figure 21 In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the storage pad 3 has a protrusion 31 extending along its periphery. The protrusion 31 is tightly fitted into the groove 13 of the frame 1 with an interference fit. The storage pad 3 has a rectangular structure, and its outline is adapted to the frame 1. In a specific area of ​​the storage pad 3, one or more outwardly extending protrusions are provided, and these protrusions have multiple through holes 5 for aligning with and inserting into corresponding through holes on the frame 1 and the storage cover 4. In one embodiment, the protrusions have pull protrusions 32 for easy removal by the user, allowing the user to easily remove the storage pad 3 from the frame 1 when replacing the power supply housing 2. In some embodiments, the storage pad 3 may be made of silicone material to enhance its sealing and flexibility.

[0069] See Figure 22The compartment cover 4 is used to install on top of the compartment pad 3. The compartment cover 4 includes two or more outwardly protruding through holes. In one embodiment, the upper surface of the compartment pad 3 is provided with sealing ribs (not shown in the figure) to enhance the sealing performance when the compartment cover 4 is pressed against the compartment pad 3. In some embodiments, the compartment cover 4 is made of plastic material to ensure stable power supply and reduce the risk of damage to the electronic lock due to power short circuit. In one embodiment, the compartment cover 4 is provided with two or more elastic sealing ribs 75. When the compartment cover 4 is installed on the compartment pad 3, the elastic sealing ribs 75 are deformed under pressure, thereby making the connection between the compartment cover 4 and the compartment pad 3 tighter and more stable. In addition, the through holes on the frame 1, the compartment pad 3, and the compartment cover 4 form an acute-angled triangular structure, so that the compartment cover 4 can evenly press the elastic sealing ribs 75, thereby ensuring normal power supply and reducing the risk of damage to the electronic lock due to power short circuit.

[0070] like Figure 23 The diagram shows a schematic of the motor cover in various embodiments. The electronic lock 100 includes a drive motor (not shown) and a motor cover 1F, which may be made of stainless steel. When the electronic lock is a padlock, the drive motor can drive the lock cylinder to move, thereby locking or unlocking with the lock beam. The motor cover 1F has an output hole and an input hole. The output shaft 1E1 of the drive motor passes through the output hole, and a sealing ring (not shown) is provided between the output hole and the output shaft 1E1. The motor wire 1E2 of the drive motor passes through the input hole, and the part of the motor wire 1E2 that contacts the motor cover 1F is sealed with waterproof adhesive. With the above structure, the drive motor can operate in a closed space, and even if the area around the motor cover 1F is underwater, the drive motor can maintain good operating condition for a long time.

[0071] Therefore, this invention provides power supply components and electronic locks in various embodiments and combinations thereof, enabling convenient power supply replacement. Simultaneously, the design of the related structures also gives the electronic lock's power supply excellent waterproof sealing performance, thereby extending the electronic lock's service life and improving its reliability.

[0072] While addressing the issues of convenient power supply replacement and waterproofing during the use of electronic locks, it is also important to note that the storage and transportation methods of electronic locks significantly impact their subsequent usage and lifespan. Currently, there are two main transportation methods: one is to remove the power supply from the electronic lock during transportation and reinstall it when the user needs it; the other is to keep the smart lock in a low-power mode during transportation, allowing it to be activated into normal working mode at any time.

[0073] However, both methods have significant drawbacks. With the first method, the power supply is stored separately from the smart lock body during transportation, which can easily damage the power supply. Furthermore, improper installation by the user may damage the control circuitry and power supply within the smart lock, or even compromise its sealing performance. With the second method, packaging stress or human error during transportation may cause the smart lock to unexpectedly exit low-power mode and prematurely enter normal operating mode, resulting in the power supply being exhausted before delivery to the user or causing unnecessary power loss, thus shortening its subsequent lifespan.

[0074] This invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provides a smart lock control method and system. In this invention, the term "smart lock" is broadly understood to refer to a type of lock that is controlled by electrical energy in some way, including but not limited to electronic bolt locks, electronic lever locks, electronic door locks, and electronic padlocks.

[0075] Figure 24 A flowchart illustrating a smart lock control method according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown. The method includes the following steps: Step S1: Determine whether the duration of the power supply component installed in the lock body meets the preset installation time J. If the preset installation time is met, the smart lock enters the ultra-low power consumption mode and executes step S2; if not, the system is reset and returns to step S1.

[0076] Step S2: Determine whether the number of opening and closing operations of the electronic lock in ultra-low power mode has reached a preset number. If the preset number has been reached, the electronic lock enters wake-up mode; otherwise, it remains in ultra-low power mode. In some embodiments, the opening and closing actions of the electronic lock are related to the locking and unlocking functions of the lock hook. One activation corresponds to the lock hook engaging with the lock body, and one deactivation corresponds to the lock hook unlocking from the lock body. The number of opening and closing operations refers to the total number of times the lock hook is detected engaging and unlocking with the lock body, "K". The number K can be preset as needed, for example, 3 times or more. In other embodiments, the opening and closing actions are related to charging the power supply component through the charging interface of the electronic lock. For example, inserting the charging cable corresponds to activation, and removing the charging cable corresponds to deactivation. In this case, the number of opening and closing operations refers to the total number of times the charging cable is detected being inserted into and removed from the charging interface, "L". When the above number of opening and closing operations reaches a preset value, the electronic lock enters wake-up mode; otherwise, the electronic lock remains in ultra-low power mode.

[0077] Step S3: In the wake-up mode, the controller determines whether the electronic lock has completed the pairing operation within a preset time "M"; if pairing is completed, the electronic lock enters the normal working mode; if pairing is not completed, the electronic lock returns to the ultra-low power mode.

[0078] Where J, K, L, and M are positive integers. Typically, the power consumption ratio of the ultra-low power mode, wake-up mode, and normal operation mode is preferably set to 0.2:0.6:1.5. This power consumption ratio is determined based on empirical data from extensive use of electronic locks and can effectively reduce energy loss in the smart lock circuitry, extending the lifespan of the smart lock.

[0079] Therefore, this electronic lock control method can prevent accidental damage to the electronic lock during storage and transportation, prevent accidental wake-up, and reduce unnecessary power consumption. Simultaneously, based on the pre-installed power supply setting in ultra-low power mode, users do not need to manually install the power supply to the smart lock, effectively reducing the possibility of damage caused by improper power supply installation and improving power efficiency.

[0080] In some embodiments, the electronic lock includes a lock body, a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking respectively, a power source, a charging interface for charging the power source, and a controller communicatively connected to the locking mechanism, the power source, and the charging interface.

[0081] In one embodiment, the electronic lock 100 includes a lock body, the upper end of which is provided with a first hook groove 41 and a second hook groove 42. The electronic lock is provided with a hook 40, and the lock beam includes first and second locking legs, wherein one locking leg is longer than the other locking leg. The first hook groove 41 and the second hook groove 42 are respectively used to accommodate the first locking leg and the second locking leg of the generally U-shaped hook 40.

[0082] Figure 25 A flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic lock using a magnetic sensor is shown. In one embodiment, a magnet is provided on the lock hook, for example, the magnet may be located at the end of a shorter locking leg of the lock hook. A magnetic sensor is also provided inside the lock body. A detection module (details of which will be described later) is electrically connected to the magnetic sensor and is used to determine the number of changes in magnetic induction intensity. When the lock hook moves relative to the lock body during locking or unlocking, it causes the magnet to move closer to or away from the lock body. By providing a magnet on the lock hook and causing the magnet to move closer to or away from the magnetic sensor as the lock hook moves, the magnetic sensor can accurately determine the number of times the lock hook moves relative to the lock body, based on the number of detected changes in magnetic induction intensity.

[0083] refer to Figure 25The detection module determines whether the changes in magnetic induction intensity caused by the locking and unlocking actions of the lock hook relative to the lock body, as sensed by the magnetic sensor, have reached a preset number of times. If the preset number of times has been reached, the electronic lock enters a wake-up mode; otherwise, the electronic lock remains in an ultra-low power mode. In some embodiments, the controller receives the number of locking and unlocking actions of the lock hook relative to the lock body and determines whether a preset number K has been reached. This step further includes the detection module determining whether the changes in magnetic induction intensity caused by the movement of the magnet on the lock hook have reached a preset number K. This method ensures that the control method of the smart lock has high accuracy and sensitivity.

[0084] Figure 26 A flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic lock via a charging interface is shown. For example, an external charging plug or cable can be connected to an external device such as a USB flash drive or power bank. An external signal source receiver can receive a signal source or power from the USB flash drive or power bank, thus serving as an external input. Therefore, connecting the external charging plug to the charging interface and allowing for multiple plugging and unplugging operations improves ease of use and response speed. In one embodiment, the electronic lock can simultaneously determine the number of both types of plugging and unplugging operations and control accordingly. See also... Figure 26 The detection module is electrically connected to the charging interface and is used to determine whether the number of times the charging interface has been plugged in and unplugged, as detected by the detection module, has reached a preset number. If the preset number is reached, the electronic lock enters the wake-up mode; if not, the electronic lock continues to maintain the ultra-low power consumption mode.

[0085] In one embodiment, the lock body has an input interface, which includes multiple buttons. In another embodiment, the multiple buttons include several numeric keys and are mounted on a button circuit board. Pairing operations include registration operations, such as button registration, webpage registration, and mobile app registration, or establishing a connection with the electronic lock via wireless communication. Therefore, users can operate and register the smart lock through various pairing methods, improving the convenience and flexibility of operation.

[0086] In a further specific implementation, "J", "K", "L", and "M" are set to 1 minute, 3 times, 3 times, and 1 minute, respectively. Through repeated experiments and big data analysis, the inventors finally set "J", "K", "L", and "M" to the above specific values, which not only conforms to the user's actual operating habits but also effectively avoids misjudgments and omissions in related judgments.

[0087] In this embodiment, firstly, once it is confirmed that the power supply is properly installed in the lock body, the electronic lock is controlled to enter ultra-low power consumption mode. Then, by detecting the engagement and disengagement of the lock hook relative to the lock body, or the insertion and removal of the external charging plug and charging interface, the number of times the electronic lock has been activated and deactivated is determined. If the number of activations and deactivations reaches a preset number, the electronic lock is controlled to enter wake-up mode; if the preset number has not been reached, the electronic lock continues to operate in ultra-low power consumption mode. Finally, in wake-up mode, it is determined whether the pairing operation has been completed within a predetermined time. If not, the electronic lock returns to ultra-low power consumption mode. Through the above methods, the electronic lock can be protected from accidental damage and unnecessary power consumption during storage and transportation.

[0088] Figure 27 A block diagram of a system for controlling an electronic lock is shown. (Reference) Figure 27 In addition to the aforementioned embodiments, this embodiment also introduces a system for controlling an electronic lock. The electronic lock includes a lock body, a lock hook, a power supply, a charging interface, and a controller electrically connected to the power supply and charging interface. The lock body is equipped with a charging interface, and the lock hook is designed to perform locking and unlocking actions relative to the lock body, thereby achieving locking and unlocking.

[0089] In various embodiments, the system includes: The controller includes a master control chip (e.g., a wireless transmitter and / or receiver) for Bluetooth communication. The power module is used to draw current from the power supply and power the main control chip. The timing module is used to determine whether the time the power supply has been installed in the lock body has reached or exceeded the preset time "J"; The detection module includes a hook action detection module and / or a charging interface detection module. As mentioned above, the hook action detection module determines the number of times the hook engages and disengages relative to the lock body by detecting the magnetic induction intensity; the charging interface detection module is used to determine whether the number of times the external charging plug is inserted and removed from the charging interface has reached a preset number L. The pairing detection module is used to determine the time required to complete the electronic lock pairing operation and to determine whether the time is less than or equal to the preset time M. The working mode module is used to control the electronic lock to operate in ultra-low power mode based on the judgment results of the timing module, detection module and pairing module, and further control the electronic lock to switch between wake-up mode and ultra-low power mode based on the above judgment results.

[0090] In one implementation, a "module" can be understood as any entity that implements a logical function, which may be a dedicated circuit, a processor executing software in memory, firmware, or any combination thereof. Thus, in one implementation, a "module" may be a hardwired logic circuit or a programmable logic circuit, such as a programmable processor, such as a microprocessor (e.g., a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) processor or a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor). A "module" may also be a processor executing software, such as any form of computer program, such as a computer program using virtual machine code (e.g., Java). According to alternative implementations, any other type of implementation for implementing the relevant function may also be understood as a "circuit".

[0091] In each embodiment, the power module, timing module, detection module, and pairing detection module are respectively connected to the signal input terminal of the controller; the operating mode control module is connected to the signal output terminal of the controller.

[0092] The system can implement the control method of the electronic lock, thereby ensuring that the electronic lock is not accidentally damaged or accidentally woken up during storage and transportation, preventing unnecessary power consumption, and avoiding the adverse effects caused by accidental pressing or power disconnection due to disassembly and assembly operations.

[0093] In various embodiments, as described above, the lock hook is provided with a magnet arranged within the lock body, and the detection module includes a Hall switch sensor and a sensing circuit electrically connected to the Hall switch sensor; when the lock hook performs locking and unlocking actions relative to the lock body, the magnet is driven to move closer to or away from the Hall switch sensor; the sensing circuit is electrically connected to the controller via a signal connection line; in the default state, the sensing circuit outputs a low level to the controller; when the magnet moves closer to the Hall switch sensor, the sensing circuit outputs a high level to the controller; when the magnet moves away from the Hall switch sensor, the sensing circuit outputs a low level to the controller.

[0094] In various embodiments, the timing module includes a timing circuit, and the power supply module includes a power supply circuit; the timing circuit combines a first oscillation circuit and a second oscillation circuit to provide a clock to the controller; the power supply circuit consists of a ripple filter and energy storage circuit, an internal power supply circuit for the controller, and a reset circuit; wherein, the ripple filter and energy storage circuit is used to supply electrical energy from the power supply to the controller; the internal power supply circuit for the controller provides DC-DC power to the controller; and the reset circuit performs an operation reset after the controller is powered on.

[0095] like Figure 28 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the overall structure of the electronic lock hardware. Figure 28As shown, the electronic lock in this embodiment can be applied to the aforementioned electronic lock control system and control method. Figure 28 The diagram illustrates one embodiment of the hardware structure of an electronic lock, including: a lock body, a lock hook, a power supply, a charging interface 402, at least one processor 403, and at least one memory 404. The memory 404 stores computer program instructions, which are executed by the processor connected to the power supply. The processor can implement any of the aforementioned control methods. The processor may include, for example, an integrated main control chip and a sensor chip D20. The processor 403 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits required by this invention. The memory 404 can be used to store data or instructions in various forms, such as hard disks, floppy disks, flash memory, optical disks, optical discs, magnetic tapes, USB flash drives, or combinations thereof. The memory 404 may be removable or non-removable and may be located inside or outside the data processing device. In some cases, the memory 404 is a non-volatile solid-state memory; in other cases, the memory 404 is a read-only memory (ROM), which may be a mask-programmed ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), an electrically addressable ROM (EAROM), flash memory, or a combination thereof.

[0096] The electronic lock also includes a communication interface 405 and a bus 410. The communication interface 405 includes a Bluetooth communication interface on the main control chip. Figure 28 As shown, the magnetic sensor 401, charging interface 402, processor 403, memory 404, and communication interface 405 are connected and communicate via bus 410. Communication interface 405 is mainly used for communication between different modules, devices, units, and / or equipment in this invention. Bus 410 can be hardware, software, or a combination thereof for connecting the various components of the smart lock. For example, the bus can be AGP or other graphics buses, EISA bus, front-side bus (FSB), high-speed interconnect bus, ISA bus, infinite bandwidth interconnect, low pin count bus (LPC), memory bus, MCA bus, PCI bus, PCI-X bus, SATA bus, VLB bus, or other suitable buses, or any combination thereof. Bus 410 may include one or more independent buses. This invention is not limited to the bus types listed herein; any suitable bus or interconnection method can be used.

[0097] The electronic lock includes a communication interface 405 and a bus 410. The communication interface 405 includes a Bluetooth communication interface on the main control chip U1. Figure 28As shown, the magnetic sensor 401, charging interface 402, processor 403, memory 404, and communication interface 405 are interconnected and communicate with each other via bus 410. Communication interface 405 is used for communication between the various modules, devices, units, and / or equipment in this invention. Bus 410 can be composed of hardware, software, or a combination of both, and is used to connect the various components of the smart lock. For example, the bus can be AGP or other graphics buses, EISA bus, front-side bus (FSB), high-speed interconnect, ISA bus, unlimited bandwidth interconnect, LPC bus, memory bus, MCA bus, PCI bus, PCI-X bus, SATA bus, VLB bus, or other suitable buses, or any combination thereof. Bus 410 may include one or more independent buses. This invention is not limited to the bus type shown herein; any suitable bus or interconnection method can be used to achieve communication.

[0098] In various embodiments, the controller is equipped with a Bluetooth module for connecting to an application (App) on a control device (e.g., a mobile device). Pairing operations include connecting the electronic lock to the control device, and registration operations completed via button registration, web page registration, and mobile application registration. The lock body includes a button circuit board electrically connected to the buttons. The pairing module includes a registration determination circuit electrically connected to the button circuit board. The registration determination circuit includes a Bluetooth receiving circuit and a local input circuit. The local input circuit receives registration information input by the user via buttons and transmits it to the controller; the Bluetooth receiving circuit receives registration information input by the user via a web page or mobile App via Bluetooth communication and transmits it to the controller. In one embodiment, the main control chip is an nRF52832 chip, capable of supporting Bluetooth Low Energy, ANT, and other related wireless communication protocols.

[0099] This invention can employ a variety of control devices. These control devices may include mobile devices, smartphones, smart devices, tablets, personal computers (PCs), digital home terminals such as PCs and media centers, and other control devices. Typically, the control device can be any portable computing device capable of sending and receiving messages via a network (such as the Internet). The control device can also be broadly described as a client device configured as a portable device. The control device may have the ability to connect to a network via wireless, wired, or a combination of wired and wireless technologies. Therefore, the control device can be any portable computing device capable of connecting to other computing devices and receiving information, such as: cellular phones, smartphones, pagers with displays, radio frequency (RF) devices, infrared (IR) devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, sensors, laptops, wearable computers, tablets, and integrated devices that combine the functions of one or more of the above devices. Therefore, control devices can vary greatly in terms of functionality and characteristics. For example, a mobile phone may only have numeric keys and a few lines of monochrome LCD screen, capable of displaying only text. Another mobile phone or web-enabled mobile device may be equipped with a touchscreen, stylus, and a multi-line color LCD screen, capable of displaying text and graphics.

[0100] Furthermore, this specification also implicitly discloses a computer program, because it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the various steps of the methods described herein can be implemented using computer code. The computer program is not limited to any specific programming language or its implementation. It is understood that various programming languages ​​and corresponding codes can be used to implement the content disclosed in this specification. Moreover, the computer program is not limited to any specific control flow. Various variations of the computer program exist, employing different control flows to achieve the same function without departing from the scope of protection of this specification.

[0101] Although the present invention has been described in detail and specifically illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims, and is intended to cover all changes and alternatives within the meaning of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electronic lock having a waterproof property, characterized by comprising: The electronic lock comprises a lock body and a lock hook for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body.

2. The electronic lock with waterproof performance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lock body comprises: a front shell; a rear cover detachably connected with the front shell to form a hollow cavity; a middle frame arranged in the hollow cavity, the middle frame comprising a recess and an annular groove surrounding the recess.

3. The electronic lock with waterproof performance according to claim 2, characterized in that, Further comprising: an input interface frame comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the input interface frame comprising a first annular protrusion arranged on the bottom surface, the first annular protrusion being matched with the annular groove.

4. The electronic lock with waterproof performance according to claim 3, characterized in that, Further comprising a key plate, the key plate comprising a bottom plate surface facing the input interface frame and a top plate surface provided with a plurality of key protrusions, wherein each key protrusion is provided with a pressing column extending from the top plate surface to the bottom plate surface.

5. The electronic lock with waterproof performance according to claim 4, characterized in that, The key plate is provided with a second annular protrusion on the top plate surface, and the opposite surface of the front shell comprises a ring-shaped notch facing the top plate surface of the key plate, the second annular protrusion being matched with and snap-fitted to the ring-shaped notch.

6. The electronic lock with waterproof performance according to claim 2, characterized in that, The recess is further provided with a wire hole, a sound hole, and a PCB board arranged in the recess, the PCB board comprising a loudspeaker, and the sound hole being covered with a waterproof sound-permeable film.

7. The electronic lock with waterproof performance according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising: a charging port arranged at the bottom of the middle frame, and a waterproof pressing plate, wherein the waterproof pressing plate comprises a protrusion for engaging with the charging port.

8. The electronic lock with waterproof performance according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising a sealing plug detachably connected to the charging port, the sealing plug comprising a cover plate, and a anti-disengagement rod and a plug connector arranged on the side of the cover plate facing the charging port.

9. An electronic lock control method, for storage and transportation, the electronic lock comprising a lock body, a lock hook for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, a power supply, a charging interface for charging the power supply, and a controller in electrical communication connection with the lock hook, the power supply and the charging interface, characterized in that, The method comprises: determining whether the duration of placing the power supply in the lock body reaches a first preset duration, if the first preset duration is reached, the electronic lock enters an ultra-low power consumption mode; determining whether the number of enabling operations and closing operations of the electronic lock in the ultra-low power consumption mode reaches a preset number, if the preset number is reached, the electronic lock enters a wake-up working mode; determining whether the pairing operation between the electronic lock and the control device is completed within a second preset duration, if it is completed, the electronic lock enters a normal working mode.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The electronic lock further comprises a lock hook for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, the enabling operation corresponds to the locking action of the lock hook, and the closing operation corresponds to the unlocking action of the lock hook.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein, The enabling operation is associated with the operation of inserting an external charging plug for communicating with an external power supply receiver into a charging interface, and the closing operation is associated with pulling out the external charging plug from the charging interface.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein, The electronic lock further comprises: a magnet arranged on the lock hook; a magnetic sensor arranged in the lock body for detecting the change of magnetic induction intensity; and a detection module in communication connection with the magnetic sensor, for determining the number of enabling operations and closing operations corresponding to the locking and unlocking actions of the lock hook respectively, wherein the change of magnetic induction intensity is associated with the number of enabling operations and closing operations.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein, The detection module is in communication connection with the charging interface, and is configured to determine whether the number of the enabling operation and the closing operation reaches a preset number, wherein the preset number corresponds to the number of times that the external charging plug is inserted into and pulled out of the charging interface.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein, The pairing detection module is in communication connection with the controller, and is configured to determine whether the pairing operation between the electronic lock and the control device is completed within a second preset time length.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein, The first preset time length and the second preset time length are both 1 minute, and the preset number is 3 times.

16. An electronic lock control system, the electronic lock comprising a lock body, a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, a power source, a charging interface for charging the power source, and a controller in communication with the locking mechanism, the power source, and the charging interface, wherein, The system comprises: a power module in communication connection with the power supply and a timing module, wherein the timing module is configured to determine a first time length of the power supply in the lock body; a detection module configured to determine the number of the enabling operation and the closing operation of the electronic lock; a pairing detection module configured to determine a second time length of the pairing operation between the electronic lock and the control device; an operation mode module configured to make the electronic lock enter an ultra-low power consumption mode, a wake-up mode or a normal working mode according to the determination results of the timing module, the detection module and the pairing detection module; the controller is in communication connection with the timing module, the detection module, the pairing detection module and the operation mode module, and is configured to: determine whether the first time length of the power supply in the lock body reaches a first preset time length, and if the first time length reaches the first preset time length, make the electronic lock enter the ultra-low power consumption mode; determine whether the number of the enabling and closing operations of the electronic lock reaches a preset number, and if the preset number is reached, make the electronic lock enter the wake-up mode; determine whether the second time length of the pairing operation is completed within a second preset time length, and if the pairing operation is completed within the second preset time length, make the electronic lock enter the normal working mode.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein, The electronic lock further comprises a lock hook for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, the enabling operation corresponds to the locking action of the lock hook, and the closing operation corresponds to the unlocking action of the lock hook.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein, The enabling operation corresponds to the insertion of an external charging plug in communication connection with an external power supply into the charging interface, and the closing operation corresponds to the pulling of the external charging plug out of the charging interface.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein, The electronic lock further comprises a magnet arranged on the lock hook and a magnetic sensor arranged in the lock body and configured to detect the change of the magnetic induction intensity; wherein the detection module is in communication connection with the magnetic sensor, and is configured to determine the number of the enabling operation and the closing operation corresponding to the locking and unlocking actions of the lock hook, respectively, and the change of the magnetic induction intensity is associated with the number of the enabling operation and the closing operation.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein, The detection module is in communication connection with the charging interface, and is configured to determine whether the number of the enabling operation and the closing operation reaches a preset number, wherein the preset number corresponds to the number of times that the external charging plug is inserted into and pulled out of the charging interface.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein, The first preset time length and the second preset time length are both 1 minute, and the preset number is 3 times.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein, The controller comprises a signal input end and a signal output end, the power module, the timing module, the detection module and the pairing detection module are connected to the signal input end, and the operation mode module is connected to the signal output end.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein, The electronic lock further comprises: a frame, the frame comprises a base, four side walls upwardly extending from the base to define a battery compartment for accommodating a power supply shell, each of the side walls has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge is connected to one side of the base, and the top edge is provided with a groove along the length direction of the top edge so that the groove extends along the circumference of the top edge of the frame; a compartment pad, the compartment pad is provided with a boss for elastically and detachably engaging with the groove; a compartment cover, the compartment cover is used for covering the compartment pad, and the compartment pad, the compartment cover and the frame are all provided with a plurality of aligned through holes for fixedly connecting the compartment pad and the compartment cover to the frame by fasteners.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein, The lock body comprises: a front shell; a rear cover, which is detachably connected to the front shell to form a hollow cavity; a middle frame, which is arranged in the hollow cavity and is provided with a recess and an annular groove surrounding the recess; an input interface frame, which has a top surface and a bottom surface, and is provided with a first annular protrusion on the bottom surface, the first annular protrusion being matched with the annular groove.

25. An electronic lock comprising a lock body, a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, a power source, a charging interface for charging the power source, and a controller in communication with the locking mechanism, the power source, and the charging interface, respectively, at least one processor and at least one memory having computer program instructions stored therein, the power source being electrically connected to the processor, wherein, When the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the method of any one of claims 9-15 is implemented.

26. A power pack for an electronic lock, the electronic lock comprising a lock body, a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking relative to the lock body, characterised in that, including a frame, the frame comprises a base, four side walls upwardly extending from the base to define a battery compartment for accommodating a power supply shell, each of the side walls has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge is connected to one side of the base, and the top edge is provided with a groove along the length direction of the top edge so that the groove extends along the circumference of the top edge of the frame; a compartment pad, the compartment pad is provided with a boss for elastically and detachably engaging with the groove; a compartment cover, the compartment cover is used for covering the compartment pad, and the compartment pad, the compartment cover and the frame are all provided with a plurality of aligned through holes for fixedly connecting the compartment pad and the compartment cover to the frame by fasteners.

27. The power pack assembly of claim 26, wherein, A plurality of aligned through holes are respectively arranged on the outwardly extending protruding portions of the compartment pad, the compartment cover and the frame.

28. The power pack of claim 26, wherein, The compartment cover comprises a first side facing the compartment pad and a second side away from the compartment pad, and the edge of the first side is provided with two or more than two sealing ribs.

29. The power pack of claim 26, wherein, One corner of the compartment pad is provided with a pulling protrusion.

30. The power pack of claim 26, wherein, The power supply shell comprises a power supply circuit board electrically connected to a power supply, a first shell and a second shell detachably connected to the first shell, and the power supply and the power supply circuit board are accommodated in the first shell and the second shell.

31. The power pack of claim 26, wherein, The first shell comprises a charging interface for accepting an external power supply interface, and the charging interface is exposed outside the first shell.

32. The power pack of claim 26, wherein, The second shell comprises a plurality of contact holes arranged on the outer surface thereof for electrically connecting the power supply and the locking mechanism, and the electronic lock further comprises an electric contact plate comprising a plurality of electric contacts corresponding to the plurality of contact holes and used for electrically connecting the controller of the electronic lock.

33. The power pack of claim 26, wherein, The first housing is provided with a display indicator, which includes a display lamp for indicating the working state of the power supply.

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