A cathode lock with on-off electric lock logic switchable and switching method thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic and its switching method, belonging to the field of lock technology and its applications. The cathode lock includes a lock body base, a latch assembly, an electromagnetic drive unit, an elastic component, a cylindrical switching element, and a spiral mounting cover. The lock body base has a guide cavity inside, and the cylindrical switching element, consisting of a constricted neck section and two thicker cylindrical sections at both ends, is slidably assembled within the guide cavity. A locking element with a limiting groove is fixed on the latch assembly. The limiting groove intersects the guide cavity perpendicularly, and locking and avoidance are achieved by utilizing the dimensional difference between the groove and different sections of the cylindrical switching element. This invention allows switching between two working logics—normally open and normally closed when powered off—by changing the installation orientation of the cylindrical switching element, making operation simple. The overall structure of this invention is simplified, with low processing and assembly difficulty, low production cost, good operational stability, and is suitable for various access control scenarios, facilitating mass production and widespread use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lock technology and its applications, specifically to a cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic and its switching method. Background Technology

[0002] Cathode locks are core components of modern building access control systems. Utilizing electromagnetic drive, they are widely used in office buildings, residential communities, public venues, computer rooms, and other locations. Unlocking and locking are achieved simply by switching the circuit on and off, making them convenient and widely adaptable. Currently, cathode lock products capable of switching between normally open and normally closed operating modes are publicly available in the industry. For example, the cathode lock described in patent CN104278894B primarily relies on a brake lever, a sliding brake block, and fastening screws. By changing the installation position of the brake block and using a spring for assisted reset, the two operating states of the lock body can be switched.

[0003] However, this structure has significant drawbacks in practical use: First, each time the working mode is switched, the fastening screws need to be repeatedly loosened and tightened, while the brake block is manually moved. The overall operation process is cumbersome and time-consuming. Under long-term and frequent adjustment conditions, the fastening screws are prone to stripping and loosening, and the brake block may also shift, ultimately causing the lock's locking function to fail. Second, the brake block and brake lever are assembled separately, resulting in a large number of parts with gaps between them. When the lock body is repeatedly opened and closed, the moving parts are prone to shaking and jamming, leading to poor overall stability. Third, the separate component structure is complex, with many processing steps and difficult assembly, resulting in high overall manufacturing costs and hindering large-scale application. To address the problems of the existing technology, this invention optimizes the overall structure of the cathode lock. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic includes a lock body base and a latch assembly. In the unlocked state, the latch assembly can slide relative to the lock body base; in the locked state, the latch assembly is blocked and cannot slide relative to the lock body base. The core improvement of this invention lies in the inclusion of an electromagnetic drive unit, an elastic component, a cylindrical switching element, and a mounting cover. The electromagnetic drive unit has an axially moving drive shaft that provides power for the lock body's locking action. The lock body base has a cylindrical guide cavity inside, with one end corresponding to the drive shaft and the other end leading to the outside of the lock body base, providing precise sliding guide space for the cylindrical switching element.

[0005] The cylindrical switching component includes a constricted section with a sudden decrease in radial dimension at one end and thicker cylindrical sections at both ends. The cylindrical switching component is axially slidably disposed in the guide cavity and can reciprocate stably along the guide cavity. The mounting cover is detachably connected to the lock body base and seals the outer end of the guide cavity, which is convenient for disassembly and assembly and provides protection for the internal structure. The elastic component is sandwiched between the inner side of the mounting cover and the end of the cylindrical switching component, which can provide a continuous elastic clamping force for the cylindrical switching component and ensure the stability of the locking action.

[0006] The cylindrical switching component can be integrally molded, resulting in high structural strength and low production cost. Preferably, the necked section of the cylindrical switching component can be set as an elastic structure to fix and connect the thicker cylindrical sections at both ends, further improving structural adaptability and buffering performance, and enhancing durability.

[0007] The elastic component typically uses a single spring; preferably, the elastic component includes an outer spring and an inner spring, with the outer spring sleeved outside the inner spring to form a double-layer spring composite structure; the outer spring is longer than the inner spring, and the outer spring has less elastic force than the inner spring, which can achieve graded elastic buffering, avoid structural jamming caused by insufficient or excessive elastic force of a single spring, and the outer spring and inner spring can be integrally molded to improve the overall stability of the elastic component and prevent spring misalignment or detachment.

[0008] A locking element is fixedly installed on one side of the latch assembly. The locking element is slidably connected to the lock body base and its sliding trajectory intersects with the guide cavity. A limit slot is opened on the locking element. The limit slot is an open slot and is set corresponding to the guide cavity. The width of the limit slot is greater than the outer diameter of the neck section and smaller than the outer diameter of the thick column section. The difference in size is used to switch between the locking and unlocking states. At the same time, the limit slot intersects with the guide cavity throughout the entire sliding stroke of the locking element to ensure that there is no jamming when unlocking.

[0009] The guide cavity and the coarse column section are both designed as cylindrical structures, which have high sliding fit precision and low frictional resistance, ensuring smooth movement of the components.

[0010] The latch assembly also includes a latch arm and a latch plate. The locking member and latch arm are fixed to both sides of the latch plate. The latch arm has a first hinge hole, and the locking member has a second hinge hole. The first and second hinge holes are coaxially arranged and hinged together with the lock body base. In the unlocked state, the latch assembly rotates around the coaxial hinge position while sliding relative to the lock body base, realizing the opening and closing action of the lock body. The outer side of the latch plate is arc-shaped, coaxially arranged with the first and second hinge holes, and slides with the inner side of the lock body base as the latch assembly rotates, effectively reducing sliding friction loss and improving the smoothness of opening and closing and the stability of the lock body. The limiting slot is arc-shaped and coaxial with the arc surface of the outer side of the latch plate, ensuring that the limiting slot aligns with the guide cavity position during the rotation of the latch assembly, ensuring a stable fit between the cylindrical switching member and the limiting slot.

[0011] Meanwhile, the latch assembly is equipped with an anti-pry groove, which is a rectangular groove opened on the inner side of the latch plate. Its groove wall forms a surface contact with the anti-pry meniscus of the latch tongue. Compared with the traditional point contact and line contact structure, it greatly increases the anti-pry force area, effectively resists external prying, and improves the security performance of the lock body.

[0012] The core working logic of this invention is as follows: When the electromagnetic drive unit is de-energized, the cylindrical switching component is installed in different directions, and the limit slots correspond to the thick column section and the narrowed section respectively. By switching the installation direction of the cylindrical switching component, the mating object of the limit slot is changed. The switching of the normally open and normally closed logic of the lock body can be realized without changing the circuit or replacing the equipment.

[0013] This invention also discloses a switching method for a cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic, comprising two main steps: switching between normally open and normally closed states. The overall operation is simple and requires no specialized tools, as detailed below: When setting to the normally open state, install the cylindrical switching component into the guide cavity, and then install the elastic component and the mounting cover in sequence; manually push the locking assembly to check the sliding state of the locking assembly relative to the lock body base; if the locking assembly can slide smoothly, it means that the current installation direction of the cylindrical switching component corresponds to the normally open state; if the locking assembly is blocked and cannot slide, remove the mounting cover and the elastic component, install the cylindrical switching component in reverse into the guide cavity, reassemble the elastic component and the mounting cover, and check again. If the locking assembly can slide smoothly, the normally open state switching is complete.

[0014] When switching to the normally closed state, remove the mounting cover and elastic component, reverse the cylindrical switching component and insert it into the guide cavity, reset the mounting elastic component and mounting cover, and push the locking component after assembly. If the locking component cannot slide due to the obstruction of the thick column section of the cylindrical switching component, the rapid switching to the normally closed state can be completed.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: 1. This invention uses a cylindrical switching component with a constricted neck section and a thickened column section. By utilizing the dimensional differences formed by the different installation directions of the cylindrical switching component and the limiting slot of the locking component, the working mode of the cathode lock can be switched simply by reversing the installation of the component. There is no need to replace the lock body or modify the supporting circuit. It can be adapted to various access control scenarios such as fire exits, office areas, and equipment rooms, effectively improving the versatility of the equipment and reducing the cost of equipment procurement and replacement.

[0016] 2. The elastic component of the present invention adopts a double-layer composite spring. Through the cooperation of inner and outer springs of different lengths and elastic forces, graded buffering is achieved to avoid component movement jamming and impact wear. The cylindrical switching part and the elastic component can adopt an integral molding structure, with high overall structural strength and not easy to deform or fall off. At the same time, the cylindrical guide cavity and the thick column section are precisely matched, and the arc surface sliding fit design of the lock plate effectively reduces friction loss and ensures long-term stable operation of the lock body.

[0017] 3. The present invention provides a rectangular anti-pry groove on the inner side of the strike plate, which forms a surface contact with the anti-pry meniscus of the lock tongue, thereby improving the anti-pry capability and avoiding the defect of traditional locks being easily pried open by external force, effectively improving the security of access control.

[0018] 4. The present invention sets the necked section of the cylindrical switching component as an elastic structure, which can form an effective buffer when the components come into contact and collide, reduce the impact and vibration generated during operation, avoid wear and collision problems caused by rigid contact, reduce component wear, and effectively extend the overall service life.

[0019] 5. This invention only requires disassembling and assembling the mounting cover and reversing the cylindrical switching component to complete the switching of the lock body's working mode. The operation process is simple and does not require professional technology or special tools, which can improve the efficiency of construction and subsequent maintenance. It can be adapted to the installation and maintenance of large-scale access control systems. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic according to the present invention, showing its split state.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram showing the installation relationship between the cylindrical switching component, the electromagnetic drive unit, the elastic component, and the locking component in this invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram showing the installation relationship between the cylindrical switching component, the electromagnetic drive unit, and the lock body base in this invention.

[0024] Figure 5This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cylindrical switching component in Embodiment 2.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the elastic component in Embodiment 3.

[0026] In the diagram, 1 is the lock body base, 11 is the guide cavity, 2 is the electromagnetic drive unit, 21 is the drive shaft, 3 is the elastic component, 31 is the outer spring, 32 is the inner spring, 4 is the cylindrical switching component, 41 is the necking section, 42 is the thickened section, 5 is the latch assembly, 51 is the locking component, 52 is the latch support arm, 53 is the latch plate, 54 is the first hinge hole, 55 is the second hinge hole, 56 is the anti-pry groove, 57 is the latch support arm, and 6 is the mounting cover. Detailed Implementation Example

[0027] like Figure 1-4 As shown, a cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic includes a lock body base 1, a latch assembly 5, an electromagnetic drive unit 2, an elastic component 3, a cylindrical switching element 4, and a mounting cover 6. The mounting cover 6 adopts a screw cap structure and is assembled onto the lock body base 1 by threaded connection to seal the outer end of the guide cavity 11. A cylindrical guide cavity 11 is provided inside the lock body base 1, with one end of the guide cavity 11 corresponding to the drive shaft 21 of the electromagnetic drive unit 2. The cylindrical switching element 4 is a one-piece molded structure, with a necked section 41 biased to one end and thicker cylindrical sections 42 distributed at both ends. The cylindrical switching element 4 is axially slidably assembled inside the guide cavity 11. In this embodiment, the elastic component 3 adopts a single spring structure. The elastic component 3 is clamped between the inner side of the mounting cover 6 and the end of the cylindrical switching element 4, providing elastic pushing force for the cylindrical switching element 4.

[0028] The latch assembly 5 includes a latch arm 57, a latch plate 53, and a locking member 51. Both the latch arm 57 and the latch plate 53 are fan-shaped structures. The locking member 51 and the latch arm 57 are fixed to both sides of the latch plate 53. The first hinge hole 54 of the latch arm 57 and the second hinge hole 55 of the locking member 51 are coaxially arranged and are hinged together with the lock body base 1. The latch assembly 5 can rotate around the hinge position and slide relative to the lock body base 1. The locking member 51 has an arc-shaped limiting groove 52 with one end open. The limiting groove 52 is perpendicular to the guide cavity 11. The arc-shaped limiting groove 52 is coaxial with the hinge axis, so that the limiting groove 52 always intersects the guide cavity 11 throughout the entire sliding stroke of the locking member 51. The width of the limiting groove 52 is greater than the outer diameter of the necked section 41 and smaller than the outer diameter of the thickened section 42. The outer side of the strike plate 53 is curved, and it slides with the inner side of the lock body base 1 during rotation. A rectangular anti-pry groove 56 is provided on the inner side of the strike plate 53, and the anti-pry groove 56 forms a surface contact with the anti-pry meniscus of the lock tongue.

[0029] When the electromagnetic drive unit 2 is de-energized, changing the installation direction of the cylindrical switching component 4 allows the limiting slot 52 to correspond to either the thicker cylindrical section 42 or the narrower section 41. When the limiting slot 52 corresponds to the narrower section 41, the latch assembly 5 can slide freely, and the lock body is in a normally open state (de-energized). At this time, the electromagnetic drive unit 2 is energized, and the drive shaft 21 axially pushes the cylindrical switching component 4 to move, causing the thicker cylindrical section 42 to enter the limiting slot 52, blocking the movement of the locking component 51, and the lock body completes the locking action. When the limiting slot 52 corresponds to the thicker cylindrical section 42, the thicker cylindrical section 42 blocks the movement of the locking component 51, the latch assembly 5 cannot slide, and the lock body is in a normally closed state (de-energized). After the electromagnetic drive unit 2 is energized, the drive shaft 21 axially pushes the cylindrical switching component 4 to displace, releasing the obstruction, and the lock body completes the unlocking action.

[0030] In this embodiment, when switching the power-on / off logic of the lock body, simply unscrew the mounting cover 6, reverse the orientation of the cylindrical switching component 4, and reassemble it. This allows for flexible switching between the two modes of normally open and normally closed when power is off, making the overall operation simple and quick.

[0031] In this embodiment, the cylindrical switching component adopts an integrated molding structure, with fewer processing steps. The elastic component uses a single spring, resulting in fewer parts and a simple overall structure. This not only makes the production cost low and economical, but also makes the processing and assembly easy and facilitates mass production. Example

[0032] like Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment is an improvement on the structure of Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the cylindrical switching component 4 no longer adopts an integral molding structure; its necked section 41 is replaced with a rigid spring structure, while the thick cylindrical sections 42 at both ends retain their original cylindrical structure and are fixedly connected to the two ends of the rigid spring. The remaining structure is consistent with Embodiment 1.

[0033] When the lock body is in operation and causes collisions or impacts, the rigid spring at the neck section 41 can play a buffering role, absorbing the vibration and impact force generated during operation, weakening the rigid contact between components, and reducing bumps and wear.

[0034] This embodiment utilizes a rigid spring as the neck section, which effectively alleviates the rigid impact during the operation of the mechanism, reduces component wear, and significantly improves the overall durability and service life of the lock body, making it suitable for high-frequency opening and closing scenarios. Example

[0035] like Figure 6As shown, this embodiment is an improvement on the structure of embodiment two. In this embodiment, the original single-spring elastic component 3 is replaced with a double-layer composite spring structure. The elastic component 3 includes an outer spring 31 and an inner spring 32. The outer spring 31 is sleeved on the outside of the inner spring 32. The length of the outer spring 31 is greater than that of the inner spring 32, and the elastic force of the outer spring 31 is less than that of the inner spring 32. The outer spring 31 and the inner spring 32 are sandwiched together between the inner side of the mounting cover 6 and the end of the cylindrical switching component 4. The structure and assembly relationship of the cylindrical switching component 4, the lock body base 1, the latch assembly 5, the electromagnetic drive unit 2, the mounting cover 6, and other components are consistent with those of embodiment two.

[0036] This embodiment uses a double-layer composite spring with varying lengths and elasticity, which combines the advantages of stroke adaptation and elastic support. The elastic output is more stable, the fatigue resistance is stronger, and it can adapt to continuous operation under complex working conditions, further improving the smoothness and reliability of the lock body operation.

[0037] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic, comprising a lock body base (1) and a latch assembly (5); in the unlocked state, the latch assembly (5) is able to slide relative to the lock body base (1); in the locked state, the latch assembly (5) is blocked and cannot slide relative to the lock body base (1); Its features are: It also includes an electromagnetic drive unit (2), an elastic component (3), a cylindrical switching component (4) and a mounting cover (6); the electromagnetic drive unit (2) is provided with an axially moving drive shaft (21), and the lock body base (1) is provided with a cylindrical guide cavity (11), one end of the guide cavity (11) corresponds to the drive shaft (21), and the other end leads to the outside of the lock body base (1); The cylindrical switching component (4) includes a constricted section (41) that is biased to one end and has a sudden decrease in radial dimension, and thick cylindrical sections (42) at both ends. The cylindrical switching component (4) is axially slidably disposed in the guide cavity (11). The mounting cover (6) is detachably connected to the lock body base (1) and blocks the outer end of the guide cavity (11). The elastic component (3) is sandwiched between the inner side of the mounting cover (6) and the end of the cylindrical switching component (4). A locking member (51) is fixedly provided on one side of the latch assembly (5). The locking member (51) is slidably connected to the lock body base (1) and its sliding trajectory intersects with the guide cavity (11). A limiting slot (52) is provided on the locking member (51). The limiting slot (52) is an open slot and is correspondingly provided with the guide cavity (11). The width of the limiting slot (52) is greater than the outer diameter of the necking section (41) and smaller than the outer diameter of the thick column section (42). The limiting slot (52) intersects with the guide cavity (11) throughout the entire sliding stroke of the locking member (51). When the electromagnetic drive unit (2) is de-energized, and the cylindrical switching component (4) is inserted in different directions, the limiting slot (52) corresponds to the thick cylindrical section (42) and the constricted section (41) respectively.

2. The cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical switching component (4) is integrally formed.

3. A cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic according to claim 1, characterized in that: The constricted section (41) of the cylindrical switching component (4) is an elastic structure.

4. A cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic component (3) includes an outer spring (31) and an inner spring (32). The outer spring (31) is sleeved on the outside of the inner spring (32). The length of the outer spring (31) is greater than that of the inner spring (32), and the elastic force of the outer spring (31) is less than that of the inner spring (32). The outer spring (31) and the inner spring (32) are sandwiched together between the inner side of the mounting cover (6) and the end of the cylindrical switching component (4).

5. A cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer spring (31) and the inner spring (32) are integrally formed.

6. A cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide cavity (11) is cylindrical, and the thick column section (42) is cylindrical.

7. A cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic according to claim 1, characterized in that: The latch assembly (5) further includes a latch arm (57) and a latch plate (53); the locking member (51) and the latch arm (57) are respectively fixed on both sides of the latch plate (53). The latch arm (57) has a first hinge hole (54), and the locking member (51) has a second hinge hole (55). The first hinge hole (54) and the second hinge hole (55) are coaxially arranged and are hinged together with the lock body base (1). In the unlocked state, the latch assembly (5) rotates around the coaxial hinge position and slides relative to the lock body base (1).

8. A cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic according to claim 7, characterized in that: The outer side of the latch plate (53) is arc-shaped, and the arc-shaped surface is coaxial with the first hinge hole (54) and the second hinge hole (55), and slides with the inner side of the lock body base (1) when the latch assembly (5) rotates; the limiting slot (52) is arc-shaped and coaxial with the arc-shaped surface of the outer side of the latch plate (53).

9. A cathode lock with switchable on / off locking logic according to claim 8, characterized in that: The latch assembly (5) is provided with an anti-pry groove (56), which is a rectangular groove opened on the inner side of the latch plate (53), and its groove wall forms a surface contact fit with the anti-pry meniscus of the latch tongue.

10. A method for switching the on / off locking logic of a cathode lock using a switchable on / off locking logic as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: When it needs to be set to the normally open state, insert the cylindrical switching component (4) into the guide cavity (11); install the elastic component (3) and the mounting cover (6); push the locking component (5) to check whether the locking component (5) can slide smoothly relative to the lock body base (1); if the locking component (5) can slide smoothly, the current insertion direction of the cylindrical switching component (4) corresponds to the normally open state; if the locking component (5) is blocked and cannot slide, remove the mounting cover (6) and the elastic component (3), insert the cylindrical switching component (4) into the guide cavity (11) in the opposite direction, install the elastic component (3) and the mounting cover (6), push the locking component (5) to check, if the locking component (5) can slide smoothly, then the switching to the normally open state is completed; When it is necessary to switch to the normally closed state, remove the mounting cover (6) and the elastic component (3), install the cylindrical switching component (4) in reverse into the guide cavity (11), install the elastic component (3) and the mounting cover (6), push the locking component (5) to check, the locking component (5) is blocked by the cylindrical switching component (4) and cannot slide, thus completing the switch to the normally closed state.

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