NFC electronic padlock with mechanical unlocking function

Abstract

The utility model relates to an NFC (Near Field Communication) electronic padlock with a mechanical unlocking function, which aims at solving the technical problems that the existing similar products are low in driving resistance, so that the reset reliability is low, and a mechanical unlocking structure design is lacked for standby unlocking. The electronic padlock is characterized in that an execution piece of the electronic padlock is a rack spring bolt sliding block, a rack groove is formed in one side of the rack spring bolt sliding block, a protruding spring bolt head is arranged at one end of the rack spring bolt sliding block, a motor shaft of a motor is connected with a motor gear through a speed change gear box assembly, and the motor gear is meshed with the rack groove of the rack spring bolt sliding block. A lock tongue head of the rack lock tongue sliding block is inserted into a lock groove in one side of the fixed end of the lock hook in the lock shell; meanwhile, the rack spring bolt sliding block is provided with a cam groove, a transmission shaft and a mechanical unlocking head are arranged at the position of the mechanical lock cylinder in the base, a protruding cam shaft is arranged on one side of the top end face of the mechanical unlocking head, the cam shaft of the mechanical unlocking head swings in the cam groove of the rack spring bolt sliding block, and a key hole of the mechanical lock cylinder is exposed out of a through hole in the other end of the bottom cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a padlock, specifically an NFC electronic padlock with mechanical unlocking. Background Technology

[0002] A padlock is a type of lock with a ring-shaped or straight hook on the lock body that can be engaged directly with the lock body to achieve a closed locking mechanism. Currently, some NFC electronic padlocks have emerged, representing a new type of electronic lock. In existing NFC padlocks, the power comes from the NFC unlocking device; that is, smart padlocks using NFC reverse power supply technology have no internal battery components. For example, Chinese patent application number 202123447055.1, authorized on July 29, 2022, entitled "Waterproof NFC Electronic Padlock," has this limitation. On one hand, because the NFC power transmission capability of this type of NFC electronic padlock is relatively weak, for a passive padlock to reliably achieve its locking and unlocking functions, the unlocking and locking mechanism must have low driving resistance and reliable reset. On the other hand, given the low driving resistance, it is necessary to add a mechanical unlocking structure to existing NFC electronic padlocks for backup unlocking. Simultaneously, the mechanical lock part of this type of NFC electronic padlock needs to be non-interlocking, remaining in a free-spinning state to reduce resistance. Furthermore, for NFC applications, the structural design must meet certain waterproof and dustproof requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an NFC electronic padlock with mechanical unlocking, thereby solving the technical problems of low driving resistance leading to low reset reliability and the lack of a mechanical unlocking structure for backup unlocking in existing similar products. This objective is achieved through the following technical solution.

[0004] An NFC electronic padlock with mechanical unlocking includes a hook, a lock housing, a motor, a battery, a PCB circuit board, a base, a bottom cover, and an actuator. The actuator within the base, driven by the motor, unlocks or locks the hook. The base is positioned within the lock housing through an opening at the bottom of the lock housing, which is fitted with a bottom cover. The movable end of one end of the hook rotates via a point on the top of the lock housing fixed within the base, while the fixed end of the hook unlocks or locks. A lock groove is provided on the inner side of the fixed end of the hook. An NFC chip is located at one end of the cover or one side of the lock housing, and a wireless Bluetooth module is installed on the PCB circuit board. The wireless Bluetooth module or NFC chip triggers the motor to operate. The key structural design feature is that the actuator is a rack and pinion latch slider. One side of the rack and pinion latch slider has a rack groove, and one end of the slider has a protruding latch tongue. The motor shaft is connected to the motor gear via a gearbox assembly. The motor gear meshes with the rack groove of the rack and pinion latch slider, and the latch tongue of the slider inserts into the lock groove on one side of the fixed end of the lock hook inside the lock housing. Thus, the motor drives the rack and pinion latch slider, pulling it out or retracting it to open and close the lock.

[0005] The rack and pinion latch slider is equipped with a cam groove. The mechanical lock cylinder within the base has a drive shaft connected to a mechanical unlocking head. A protruding camshaft is located on one side of the top face of the mechanical unlocking head. The camshaft of the mechanical unlocking head swings within the cam groove of the rack and pinion latch slider. The keyhole of the mechanical lock cylinder protrudes through a through hole at the other end of the bottom cover and is equipped with a sealing sleeve. Thus, the mechanical lock cylinder can be manually unlocked with a mechanical key. The mechanical unlocking head pushes the rack and pinion latch slider to slide, and after unlocking, the slider retracts to the cam groove, designed as an anti-retraction dead point. Simultaneously, after unlocking through the mechanical lock cylinder, when the rack and pinion latch slider moves back and forth to open and close the lock, the mechanical unlocking head slides in neutral, meeting the requirements of low driving resistance.

[0006] The Hall sensor circuit board inside the base is connected to the PCB circuit board via wiring. When the Hall sensor on the Hall sensor circuit board is aligned with the Hall magnet on the side of the rack and pinion slider, the Hall sensor is triggered.

[0007] The movable end of the lock hook is limited to rotate within the base by a pin and a corresponding pin spring. Simultaneously, a ball bearing limiting assembly is provided on the other side of the lock hook above the pin. The steel ball inside the ball bearing limiting assembly is wedged into the steel ball groove on the outer diameter of the lock hook by a steel ball spring at one end, while the limiting block at the other end of the steel ball spring abuts against the inner wall of the lock housing. This ball bearing limiting assembly utilizes the principle of ball bearing elasticity to prevent jamming when the electronic padlock is locked, i.e., when the lock hook is being opened or closed.

[0008] The mechanical lock cylinder is located on one side of the base, while the motor and battery are symmetrically arranged on the other side. The opening on one side of the PCB circuit board at the bottom of the motor and battery is located on the outer diameter of the sealing sleeve. The PCB circuit board, battery, mechanical lock cylinder, and motor are inserted through a slot on one side of the base, which is equipped with a dust cover. The base is connected to the lock housing by fixing pins driven into both sides. The movable end of the lock hook on the lock housing is inserted into the outer diameter and has a sealing element. The above is an embodiment of the specific installation positions of the components within the base, which improves the overall waterproofness and sealing performance, reduces the space occupied within the base, rationally arranges the space within the base, and facilitates overall production and assembly.

[0009] This utility model features a reasonable structural design, accurate status detection, precise positioning, low energy consumption, good stability, sealing and waterproofing, and convenient production and assembly. In particular, it has both electronic and mechanical unlocking methods, and the unlocking and locking mechanism has low driving resistance and reliable reset. It is suitable for use as an NFC electronic padlock with mechanical unlocking, as well as for structural improvements of similar products. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is an exploded structural diagram of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembled cross-sectional structure.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the bottom three-dimensional structure after assembly.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the top locking hook, with the dotted line representing the base structure inside the lock case.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows the internal structure of the base. The lock shell is omitted in the diagram, and the dashed lines represent the base structure.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional structural diagram of the movable end of the locking hook.

[0016] Attached Figure Numbers and Names: 1. Lock Hook, 2. Lock Housing, 3. Pulley Limiting Assembly, 301. Pulley, 302. Limiting Block, 4. Rack and Pinion Lock Tongue Slider, 401. Rack Groove, 402. Lock Tongue, 403. Cam Groove, 5. Hall Effect Sensor Circuit Board, 6. Motor Gear, 7. Motor, 8. Mechanical Lock Cylinder, 9. Mechanical Unlocking Head, 10. Fixing Pin, 11. Battery, 12. PCB Circuit Board, 13. Dust Cover, 14. Base, 15. Sealing Sleeve, 16. Bottom Cover, 17. Seal, 18. Hall Effect Magnet, 19. Pin. Implementation

[0017] The structure and use of this utility model will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1-6 As shown, the electronic padlock includes a hook 1, a lock housing 2, a rack and pinion latch slider 4, a motor 7, a battery 11, a PCB circuit board 12, a base 14, and a bottom cover 16. The rack and pinion latch slider is an actuator. The actuator in the base is driven by the motor in the base to unlock or lock the hook. The base is set inside the lock housing through an opening at the bottom of the lock housing. The bottom opening of the lock housing is provided with a bottom cover. The movable end of one end of the hook rotates through the end of the lock housing fixed in the base at the top. The fixed end of the other end of the hook unlocks or locks. The fixed end of the hook has a lock groove on its inner side. An NFC chip is provided at one end of the bottom cover or one side of the lock housing. The PCB circuit board is provided with a wireless Bluetooth module. The wireless Bluetooth module or the NFC chip triggers the motor to work. The aforementioned rack and pinion latch slider has a rack groove 401 on one side and a protruding latch tongue 402 at one end. The motor shaft of the motor is connected to the motor gear 6 through a gearbox assembly. The motor gear meshes with the rack groove of the rack and pinion latch slider, and the latch tongue of the rack and pinion latch slider is inserted into the lock groove on one side of the fixed end of the lock hook inside the lock case. The rack and pinion latch slider has a cam groove 403. The transmission shaft of the mechanical lock cylinder 8 in the base is connected to the mechanical unlocking head 9. A protruding camshaft is provided on one side of the top end face of the mechanical unlocking head. The camshaft of the mechanical unlocking head swings within the cam groove of the rack and pinion latch slider. The keyhole of the mechanical lock cylinder protrudes through the through hole at the other end of the bottom cover and is provided with a sealing sleeve 15.

[0018] The Hall sensor circuit board 5 inside the base is connected to the PCB circuit board via wiring. When the Hall sensor on the Hall sensor circuit board is aligned with the Hall magnet 18 on one side of the rack and pinion slider, the Hall sensor is triggered. The movable end of the lock hook is limited to rotating within the base by the pin 19 and the corresponding pin spring. At the same time, a ball limiting assembly 3 is provided on the other side of the lock hook above the pin. The steel ball in the ball limiting assembly 301 is wedged into the steel ball groove on the outer diameter of the lock hook by one end of the steel ball spring, and the limiting block 302 at the other end of the steel ball spring abuts against the inner wall of the lock shell.

[0019] The aforementioned mechanical lock cylinder is located on one side of the base, and the motor and battery are symmetrically arranged on the other side of the base. The opening on one side of the PCB circuit board at the bottom of the motor and battery is located on the outer diameter of the sealing sleeve 15. The PCB circuit board, battery, mechanical lock cylinder, and motor are inserted through the slot on one side of the base. The slot on this side of the base is provided with a dust cover 13. The base is connected to the lock shell by fixing pins 10 driven into both sides of the lock shell. The movable end of the lock hook at the lock shell is inserted into the outer diameter and is provided with a sealing element 17.

[0020] To use, insert the key into the mechanical lock cylinder of the electronic padlock, turn it 90 degrees clockwise to unlock, and 90 degrees counterclockwise to lock. This allows for easy key removal in the middle. The mechanical lock cylinder cannot rotate when the lock is electrically unlocked. Alternatively, open the mobile app and place the phone's NFC antenna close to the electronic padlock's NFC antenna. Wait for the app to indicate successful locking. The internal lock structure of the electronic padlock is now locked, and the hook is in a closable state. Press the hook to close it. Next, open the mobile app again and place the phone's NFC antenna close to the electronic padlock's NFC antenna. Wait for the app to indicate successful unlocking. The internal lock structure of the electronic padlock is now unlocked, and the hook is in an openable state. The hook can then be pulled and rotated to unlock the padlock.

Claims

1. An NFC electronic padlock with mechanical unlocking, the electronic padlock comprising a hook (1), a lock housing (2), a motor (7), a battery (11), a PCB circuit board (12), a base (14), a bottom cover (16), and an actuator, wherein the actuator in the base is driven by the motor in the base to perform unlocking or locking operations on the hook, the base is disposed in the lock housing through an opening at the bottom of the lock housing, the opening at the bottom of the lock housing is provided with a bottom cover, the movable end of one end of the hook rotates through the end of the lock housing fixed in the base at the top, and the fixed end of the other end of the hook is unlocked or locked, a lock groove is provided on the inner side of the fixed end of the hook, an NFC chip is provided on one end of the bottom cover or one side of the lock housing, a wireless Bluetooth module is provided on the PCB circuit board, and the wireless Bluetooth module or the NFC chip triggers the motor to work; characterized in that The actuator is a rack and pinion latch slider (4). A rack groove (401) is provided on one side of the rack and pinion latch slider, and a protruding latch tongue (402) is provided at one end of the rack and pinion latch slider. The motor shaft of the motor (7) is connected to the motor gear (6) through the gearbox assembly. The motor gear meshes with the rack groove of the rack and pinion latch slider. The latch tongue of the rack and pinion latch slider is inserted into the lock groove on one side of the fixed end of the lock hook (1) inside the lock shell (2).

2. The NFC electronic padlock with mechanical unlocking according to claim 1, characterized in that... The rack and pinion tongue slider (4) is provided with a cam groove (403). The mechanical lock core (8) in the base (14) has a drive shaft and a mechanical unlocking head (9). The top end face of the mechanical unlocking head is provided with a protruding cam shaft. The cam shaft of the mechanical unlocking head swings in the cam groove of the rack and pinion tongue slider. The keyhole of the mechanical lock core protrudes from the through hole at the other end of the bottom cover (16) and is provided with a sealing sleeve (15).

3. The NFC electronic padlock with mechanical unlocking according to claim 1, characterized in that... The Hall sensor circuit board (5) inside the base (14) is connected to the PCB circuit board (12) via a line. When the Hall sensor of the Hall sensor circuit board is aligned with the Hall magnet (18) on one side of the rack and pinion slider (4), the Hall sensor is triggered.

4. The NFC electronic padlock with mechanical unlocking according to claim 1, characterized in that... The movable end of the lock hook (1) is limited to rotating within the base (14) by the pin (19) and the corresponding pin spring. At the same time, a ball limiting assembly (3) is provided on the other side of the lock hook above the pin. The steel ball in the ball (301) of the ball limiting assembly is wedged into the steel ball groove of the outer diameter of the lock hook by one end of the steel ball spring, and the limiting block (302) at the other end of the steel ball spring abuts against the inner wall of the lock shell (2).

5. The NFC electronic padlock with mechanical unlocking according to claim 2, characterized in that... The mechanical lock cylinder (8) is located on one side inside the base (14), and the motor (7) and battery (11) are symmetrically located on the other side inside the base. The opening of one side of the PCB circuit board (12) at the bottom of the motor and battery is located at the outer diameter of the sealing sleeve (15). The PCB circuit board, battery, mechanical lock cylinder and motor are inserted through the slot on one side of the base. The slot on this side of the base is provided with a dust cover (13). The base is connected to the lock shell by the fixing pins (10) driven into both sides of the lock shell (2). The movable end of the lock hook (1) at the lock shell is inserted into the outer diameter and is provided with a sealing element (17).

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