Safety lock for a ground handling equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a safety lock for a ground equipment, comprising: a lock housing comprising a fixing mechanism, wherein the fixing mechanism is configured to fix the safety lock on the ground equipment; a lock cylinder comprising an electronic lock cylinder; a sensing device configured to sense working condition data of the safety lock; and a communication device, wherein the communication device, the sensing device and the electronic lock cylinder are communicatively connected, and the communication device is configured to transmit the working condition data. The safety lock is beneficial to improve the safety of the ground equipment and the management efficiency of the daily business of the airport.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of safety accessories, and more specifically, to a safety lock for apron equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Apron equipment refers to all kinds of equipment used on the airport apron to ensure the ground operation of aircraft, provide loading and unloading services and maintenance operations. These devices are mainly non-powered equipment on the apron, and can specifically include aircraft towing and moving equipment, loading and unloading service equipment, ground energy supply equipment, cleaning and maintenance equipment and safety and emergency equipment. Their core function is to ensure that flights can complete ground operations efficiently and safely.

[0003] Currently, securing apron equipment relies on tools such as chains, and its effectiveness depends on the conscientiousness of personnel. Often, users fail to return the equipment to its original position as required, making it difficult for subsequent users to locate or quickly find the equipment. Furthermore, improper securing by users can cause equipment to shift in strong winds, leading to collisions with aircraft or vehicles and causing safety accidents, posing a significant safety hazard. In addition, the current idle rate of tooling and equipment is as high as 60% or more, making it difficult to realize shared benefits. Utility Model Content

[0004] This disclosure proposes a safety lock for apron equipment, which supports multiple unlocking methods, has real-time positioning capabilities, can securely hold locked apron equipment in strong winds, and can also achieve real-time monitoring and trigger early warnings with the assistance of sensors. The specific solution is as follows:

[0005] A safety lock for apron equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized in that the safety lock includes a lock housing, a lock cylinder, a sensing device, and a communication device. The lock housing includes a fixing mechanism for fixing the safety lock to the apron equipment; the lock cylinder includes an electronic lock cylinder; the sensing device is used to sense the operating condition data of the safety lock; the communication device, the sensing device, and the electronic lock cylinder are communicatively connected, and the communication device is used to transmit the operating condition data.

[0006] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the sensing device is connected to the lock housing, and the sensing device transmits operating data to at least one of the electronic lock cylinder and the communication device.

[0007] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the sensing device includes at least one of a first photosensitive sensor and a second photosensitive sensor, wherein the first photosensitive sensor is installed inside the lock housing to monitor for damage to the security lock; and the second photosensitive sensor is installed on the back of the lock housing to monitor for detachment of the security lock.

[0008] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the sensing device includes a vibration sensor to monitor displacement of the security lock.

[0009] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the sensing device includes a positioning device that transmits location data of the apron equipment to a communication device.

[0010] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the security lock also includes a timer that sends time data to a communication device.

[0011] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the communication device sends at least one of location data and time data to the electronic lock cylinder.

[0012] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the safety lock further includes an alarm device connected to the lock housing, and the alarm device is activated based on a comparison of operating data with a preset threshold.

[0013] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the alarm device includes at least one of a first indicator light displaying a first color, a second indicator light displaying a second color, and a buzzer.

[0014] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the security lock further includes a power supply device that is communicatively connected to the sensing device and the communication device.

[0015] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the security lock further includes a solar panel disposed on the surface of the lock housing, and the solar panel is connected to a power supply via a charging interface on the lock housing.

[0016] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the security lock also includes a waterproof device installed on the outer surface or inside the lock housing.

[0017] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the safety lock also includes a one-way pressure reducing valve installed inside the lock housing.

[0018] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the security lock also includes a buffer device mounted on the outer surface of the lock housing.

[0019] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the lock cylinder also includes a mechanical lock cylinder.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this utility model are that by setting an electronic lock cylinder that supports multiple automatic opening and closing methods, it is easier for ground staff to operate in daily business management; on this basis, the addition of a mechanical lock cylinder provides a disaster recovery plan, ensuring that the safety lock can be opened and closed in emergency situations such as power outages, no network signal, or electronic circuit failures.

[0021] By setting up positioning devices, the latest location can be monitored in real time, making it easy to accurately and quickly locate safety locks and locked apron equipment, reducing the time spent on manual inspections and minimizing losses.

[0022] By installing sensing devices, the environmental information around the apron equipment and the status information of the safety locks can be monitored in real time. This makes it easier to confirm from the data processing backend whether the safety locks have been displaced, fallen off, or damaged on the apron, thereby improving management efficiency.

[0023] By incorporating fixing mechanisms, waterproofing devices, pressure-reducing devices, and / or buffering devices, safety locks that are exposed to the open environment of the tarmac for extended periods can be protected against wind, water, high temperatures, and / or collisions.

[0024] It should be recognized that the above advantages do not need to be concentrated in one or a few specific embodiments, but can be partially distributed in different embodiments according to this disclosure. Embodiments according to this disclosure may have one or some of the above advantages, or alternatively or additionally have other advantages.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a safety lock for apron equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a safety lock for apron equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3 This is an exemplary structural diagram of a working system for a safety lock for apron equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 4 This is an exemplary structural diagram of an apron equipment management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a management method for apron equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the scope of this disclosure or its application or use. That is, the structures and methods herein are shown in an exemplary manner to illustrate different embodiments of the structures and methods in this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that they merely illustrate exemplary ways that can be used to implement this disclosure, and not exhaustive ways. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be enlarged to show details of specific components.

[0033] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0034] Currently, apron equipment is typically secured using chains and other tools. This method relies heavily on manual operation and requires detailed usage guidelines, return locations, and securing procedures. If personnel fail to return and / or secure the equipment according to regulations, it will be difficult to locate the equipment during subsequent use, potentially leading to its idleness. Furthermore, the equipment is prone to displacement in strong winds, potentially causing safety accidents. In addition, current safety features are insufficient to promptly notify personnel and trace responsible parties when apron equipment malfunctions or is abnormally moved.

[0035] Therefore, this disclosure proposes a safety lock for apron equipment that supports multiple unlocking methods, has real-time positioning capabilities, can secure locked apron equipment under strong wind conditions, and can also achieve real-time monitoring and trigger early warnings with the assistance of sensors. Furthermore, the safety lock of this disclosure also has communication capabilities, enabling communication with various functional modules and the data processing backend to transmit remote control commands. Based on this, the smart lock of this disclosure can ensure the safety of apron equipment while enabling shared use, coordinating the allocation of equipment resources among multiple user units, avoiding resource waste caused by low utilization rates, thereby bringing shared benefits and improving the rationality and efficiency of the overall apron resource allocation.

[0036] The safety lock for apron equipment proposed in this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of a safety lock 100 for apron equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0038] like Figure 1As shown, the safety lock 100 structurally includes a lock housing 110, a lock cylinder 120, a sensing device 130, and a communication device 140. The lock cylinder 120, sensing device 130, and communication device 140 are the internal structure of the safety lock 100, while the lock housing 110 is the external structure of the safety lock 100, serving to encapsulate and protect the internal structure. The lock housing 110 has a fixing structure 111 for securing the safety lock 100 to apron equipment. The sensing device 130 is used to sense the operating condition data of the safety lock 100. The communication device 140 is communicatively connected to the sensing device 130 and the lock cylinder 120, and is used to transmit the operating condition data from the sensing device 130. The following will refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structural and functional features of the safety lock 100 are described in detail.

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a safety lock 10 for apron equipment according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the safety lock 10 structurally includes components such as a lock housing 110, a lock body, and a lock cylinder. The lock housing 110 is used to protect the internal structure of the safety lock 10 and to install the safety lock 10 to a designated location such as apron equipment via a fixing mechanism 111. The lock body includes a lock beam 112 and a transmission mechanism (not shown) for locking and unlocking operations. The lock cylinder is located inside the lock housing 110 and includes identification components for verifying whether unlocking is permitted. It may include an electronic lock cylinder and a mechanical lock cylinder.

[0041] In some embodiments, the fixing mechanism 111 can be disposed on the outer surface of the lock housing 110 or partially embedded inside the lock housing 110. Preferably, the fixing mechanism 111 can be disposed at the four corners of the lock housing 110 and has a thickened shape, thereby enabling the lock housing 110 to be evenly stressed while reinforcing the fixing mechanism 111. Additionally, the fixing mechanism 111 can be used to fix the safety lock 10 to the ground, wall, apron equipment, or other object surface using auxiliary accessories such as screws or wire ropes. In a non-limiting embodiment, when the safety lock 10 is fixed at a fixed position on the ground, wall, or other surface of the apron, it is mainly used to lock the apron equipment at a designated point. At this time, the position information of the safety lock 10 and the changes in the surrounding environmental conditions are limited, and its function is similar to an anti-theft bollard or anchor bollard with a communication device.

[0042] To highlight the technical features and effects of this disclosure, the following embodiments mainly describe the example of the safety lock 10 being fixed to apron equipment. That is, the safety lock 10 can change position as the apron equipment moves, and be in the same or similar environment as the apron equipment. However, it should be understood that this structure and the safety lock 10 with its related functions can also be applied to other application scenarios such as anchor piles. The fixing mechanism 111 can reduce the risk of the safety lock 10 and the locked apron equipment moving in typhoons or other windy weather.

[0043] The locking beam 112 is an openable component of the safety lock 10, and at least one of its two ends can be inserted into or pulled out of the lock body to perform locking or unlocking operations. In some embodiments, compared to a fixed locking beam that is not deformable, the locking beam 112 can use a deformable soft steel wire rope to support or bind irregularly shaped apron equipment; alternatively, the locking beam 112 can also have a telescopic length to accommodate the dimensions of various apron equipment in different directions, thereby providing greater flexibility and wider applicability in locking and unlocking applications.

[0044] Regarding the lock cylinder of security lock 10, although... Figure 2 The internal structure of the security lock 10 is not shown, but as those skilled in the art will know, the identification device of the lock cylinder can be set according to a specific unlocking verification method. For electronic lock cylinders, the identification device may include an identification code 113 for scanning and verification by mobile devices, a radio frequency identification (RFID) card reader 114, a button 115 for manual operation, etc.; for mechanical lock cylinders, the identification device is mainly used for physical identification, such as verifying the unlocking device such as the key used by the user via the keyhole 116. In a non-limiting embodiment, the lock cylinder of the security lock 10 can be a commercially available general-purpose lock cylinder, and other functional modules matching the security lock 10 are set in corresponding positions inside the lock housing 110.

[0045] Additionally, the security lock 10 may also include an alarm device disposed on the lock housing 110, such as indicator lights 117 (e.g., first indicator light 117-1, second indicator light 117-2) for displaying visual alarm information. Figure 2 As shown, indicator lights 117 can be installed on the surface of the lock housing 110 as needed to indicate the open / closed status or maintenance status of the safety lock 10 to the operator. Additionally, the safety lock 10 also has a power supply device for powering other electronic functional modules, wherein the power supply device includes a solar panel 118 disposed on the outer surface of the lock housing 110.

[0046] Please refer to the following. Figure 3An exemplary structural diagram of a working system for a safety lock 10 for apron equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, the safety lock 10 functionally includes a lock cylinder 120, a sensing device 130, a communication device 140, a timing device 150, a protection device 160, an alarm device 170, and a power supply device 180, all located inside the lock housing 110. In some embodiments, the working system of the safety lock 10 further includes a data processing backend 20 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "platform" or "platform side"), and the operator 30 can interact with the data processing backend 20 and / or the safety lock 10 through manual operation or via a mobile terminal or other device. Data transmission between the safety lock 10 and the data processing backend 20 can occur via the communication device 140, for example, by uploading the operating status data of the safety lock 10 to the data processing platform 20 and / or receiving remote control commands for the safety lock 10 from the data processing platform 20. Additionally, the operator 30 can interact with the safety lock 10 on the device side, including but not limited to the operator 30 performing manual operations on the safety lock 10, or communicating data with the safety lock 10 via a mobile terminal, etc. In some embodiments, the operator 30 can also operate the data processing backend 20 on the platform side, including but not limited to reading data received and stored by the data processing backend 20, or configuring the state of a certain safety lock 10 to be unlockable, etc. In some non-limiting examples, the number of safety locks 10 and operators 30 can be one or more, and the operator 30 can manage multiple apron devices located on the apron corresponding to each safety lock 10 based on the data processing backend 20.

[0048] In some embodiments, the lock cylinder 120 may be an electronic lock cylinder. The electronic lock cylinder can be electrically connected to an integrated circuit board, which controls the lock cylinder to achieve locking and unlocking. In some embodiments, the electronic lock cylinder supports unlocking based on Bluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. When a worker 30 approaches the electronic lock 10 with a mobile terminal carrying a corresponding communication module, unlocking can be achieved through pairing and communication via the communication module. Alternatively, the worker 30 can also scan the identification code (such as...) on the surface of the security lock 10 using the scanning function of the mobile terminal. Figure 2 The identification code 113 shown is used to transmit the verification request to the data processing backend 20. After the staff member 30's mobile terminal passes the platform-side verification of "whether it is bound and authorized", the electronic lock cylinder can be unlocked immediately. In some embodiments, the identification code 113 can be a QR code, barcode, or other identifier.

[0049] In other embodiments, the electronic lock cylinder supports unlocking via RFID card swiping. For example... Figure 2 As shown, a card reader 114 is disposed inside the lock housing 110 of the security lock 10, and a card reading area is arranged on the surface of the lock housing 110 for reading the electronic tag in the nearby RFID card. Upon reading the corresponding electronic tag, the electronic lock cylinder immediately unlocks if the RFID card has been registered and authorized on the platform side; otherwise, the electronic lock cylinder remains locked. In some embodiments, the RFID device installed on the security lock 10 can be a passive RFID, thereby facilitating integration, reducing costs, and extending service life.

[0050] In some embodiments, the electronic lock cylinder supports remote unlocking. To protect the asset security of the apron equipment, remote unlocking requires first setting the security lock 10 to an unlockable state in the data processing backend 20, and then requiring manual pressing of the button 115 on the outer surface of the lock housing 110 by personnel such as worker 30 at the apron equipment end. This dual confirmation on both the platform and equipment sides provides protection against accidental unlocking and reduces the risk of accidents. Similarly, the electronic lock cylinder can also support remote locking. Locking is achieved by setting the security lock 10 to a lockable state in the data processing backend 20 on the platform side and manually pressing the button 115 on the outer surface of the lock housing 110 at the apron equipment end.

[0051] In some non-limiting examples, a centralized state management mechanism, data reporting, and data synchronization mechanism on the platform side can be used to allow the safety lock 10 to query its own locked or unlocked status and automatically synchronize the platform side's state change operations on the safety lock 10, thereby realizing point-to-point remote unlocking settings for the safety lock 10 on the platform side. In some embodiments, the centralized state management mechanism mainly includes unified management and control of one or more safety locks 10 distributed on the apron from the data processing backend 20, that is, the staff 30 can remotely determine and execute the locking and unlocking operations of the equipment at specific locations. The data reporting mechanism mainly includes reporting various information such as the operating status data of the safety lock 10 to the data processing backend 20 in real time via the communication device of the safety lock 10. The data reporting cycle and corresponding content can be set based on actual needs to facilitate the effective supervision of each apron equipment by the staff 30. The data synchronization mechanism mainly includes keeping the state values ​​recorded or set on the safety lock 10 and the data processing backend 20 consistent via the communication device. For example, staff member 30 sets the status of a certain security lock 10 to unlocked on the platform side. The security lock 10 periodically reports its own unlocking / closing status information and obtains the unlocking / closing status set on the platform side during data synchronization with the data processing backend 20. In a non-limiting embodiment, the security lock 10 may, in response to inconsistencies between the status data on the platform side and the data on the device side during data synchronization, choose to update the status data on the platform side or change the lock cylinder status of the security lock 10 based on remote control commands.

[0052] Additionally, a verification module for confirming authorized unlocking can be set up on the platform side. In a non-limiting embodiment, when staff 30 triggers device information and user qualification verification via scanning identification code 113, the data processing module can push authorization verification mechanisms such as payment requests or identity authentication requests, and send an unlocking command to the security lock 10 after staff 30 completes the corresponding confirmation operation. The verification module may include a computer program product that implements information verification and payment functions, as well as hardware such as a corresponding memory and processor. It is understood that, combined with the centralized status management mechanism on the platform side, the management of apron equipment can achieve efficient sharing of equipment within the apron area based on the authorization verification mechanism of the verification module, providing unlocking services for apron equipment to users from different units.

[0053] Additionally, for the aforementioned unlocking modes, when the electronic lock cylinder detects that the current unlocking operation is unauthorized, the alarm device 170 can send an alarm to the platform to indicate unauthorized unlocking. It is understood that unauthorized unlocking operations include, but are not limited to, using unauthorized unlocking devices, unlocking at unauthorized times / locations, and the user performing the unlocking operation lacking authorization.

[0054] In other embodiments, the lock cylinder of the security lock 10 also includes a mechanical lock cylinder. In the open environment of the tarmac, to cope with emergencies caused by uncertain factors such as sudden power outages, lack of network signal, and circuit failures, the security lock 10 also supports locking and unlocking via a mechanical structure. The mechanical structure includes a mechanical lock cylinder and a mechanical key as an unlocking device. The mechanical lock cylinder can be a customized Class B lock cylinder with a longer anti-technical unlocking time and a lower mutual unlocking rate, for example, selecting a lock cylinder with a mutual unlocking rate of 1 / 10000 that is available on the market; the mechanical key can be a customized key that matches the mechanical lock cylinder. In some embodiments, to improve handling capabilities and efficiency in emergency situations, the mechanical key can be a master key. For asset security considerations, a specified number and type of smart locks that the master key can unlock can be specified as needed; and the master key can be kept by a limited number of designated personnel, which is beneficial for theft prevention and accountability. (See references...) Figure 2 The keyhole 116 is where the master key and the mechanical lock cylinder meet. The keyhole 116 can be fully or partially embedded in the lock shell 110.

[0055] In some embodiments, the safety lock 10 further includes a sensing device 130 for sensing operational data of the safety lock 10. The sensing device 130 may include at least one of a photosensor, a vibration sensor, and a positioning device, as well as other types of sensing devices.

[0056] As a non-limiting example, the sensing device 130 may include a photosensitive sensor for sensing the light intensity in a designated area of ​​the security lock 10. When the photosensitive sensor is installed inside the lock housing 110, it can be used to monitor for damage inside the lock housing 110 of the security lock 10; when the photosensitive sensor is installed on the back of the lock housing 110, it can be used to monitor for the security lock 10 falling off its fixed position.

[0057] Additionally or alternatively, the sensing device 130 may include a vibration sensor for sensing the vibration of the safety lock 10. Specifically, the vibration sensor can monitor the intensity and duration of vibration when the safety lock 10 vibrates in real time, providing a basis for determining whether the safety lock 10 and the locking device should be displaced. In response to the vibration sensor's sensing data exceeding a specified threshold, it can be inferred that the safety lock 10 has undergone unintended displacement, and the corresponding data information is sent to the data processing backend 20 via the communication device 140.

[0058] Additionally or alternatively, the sensing device 130 may also include a positioning device. Specifically, the positioning device may be controlled by embedded software according to positioning algorithms and algorithms that trigger positioning conditions, such as supporting dual-mode positioning that combines BeiDou signals and Global Positioning System (GPS) signals to provide more accurate positioning information in real time. In a non-limiting embodiment, the positioning device may be implemented using a commercially available universal positioning module supported by the BeiDou or GPS systems.

[0059] In some embodiments, the safety lock 10 further includes a communication device 140 for transmitting operational data of the safety lock 10. The communication device 140 can be communicatively connected to the electronic lock cylinder 120 and the sensing device 130. In other embodiments, the safety lock 10 may also include a power supply device 180 and / or a timing device 150, a protection device 160, an alarm device 170, etc., and the communication device 140 can be communicatively connected to the above devices. More specifically, the communication device 140 can be electrically connected to the above devices via a wired connection or via wireless transmission. The communication device 140 can receive unlocking / locking identification results from the electronic lock cylinder 120, sensed operational data from the sensing device 130, alarm signals from the alarm device 170, and remaining power information from the power supply device 180, and transmit the above data to the data processing backend 20. In some non-limiting examples, the communication device 140 may also send remote control signals from the data processing backend 20 to the corresponding functional modules such as the electronic lock cylinder 120, the sensing device 130, the timing device 150, and the alarm device 170. For example, it may control the electronic lock cylinder 120 to be in a remote unlocking state, control the sampling frequency or positioning mode of the sensing device 130, control the preset data reporting cycle of the timing device 150, and control the alarm device 170 to stop alarming.

[0060] In some embodiments, the operational data transmitted by the communication device 140 may include location data of the apron equipment sent by the positioning device. In other embodiments, where the safety lock 10 also includes a timing device 150, the operational data transmitted by the communication device may also include time data sent by a timer, wherein the timing device 150 is a timer or related component. It should be understood that the timer set in the safety lock 10 is a commercially available general-purpose device and can upload the current time value according to a preset frequency. Alternatively, the safety lock 10 may also receive time data from the data processing backend 20 and / or the staff 30 via the communication device 140, thereby maintaining time synchronization with the platform side or the user side to execute time-related control commands.

[0061] In some non-limiting examples, the sensing device may transmit operational data of the security lock 10 to at least one of the electronic lock cylinder 120 and the communication device 140. Furthermore, the communication device 140 may also transmit at least one of location data and time data to the electronic lock cylinder 120.

[0062] Specifically, in some embodiments, in response to received location data meeting preset location conditions, unlocking operation time data meeting preset time conditions, and the unlocking operation triggering device meeting preset authorization conditions, the electronic lock cylinder 120 performs an unlocking operation. That is, the security lock 10 unlocks based on the unlocking conditions of an authorized person operating the security lock 10 at a preset location at a preset time. In a non-limiting example, the unlocking conditions of the security lock 10 can be preset so that authorized personnel A or B can unlock it within area A via Bluetooth, RFID card, or remote control between 9:00 AM and 9:10 AM every Monday, and other personnel cannot perform the unlocking operation at other times or locations. In some embodiments, the unlocking conditions can be set and implemented through centralized permission management, authorization mechanisms, status control, and real-time monitoring.

[0063] In some embodiments, the communication device 140 is configured to receive remote control commands, and the electronic lock cylinder 120 is configured to perform unlocking and locking operations on the security lock 10 based on the remote control commands from the communication device 140. As mentioned above, the unlocking method of the security lock 10 includes remote unlocking with dual authentication. In this case, the remote control command issued by the data processing backend includes an unlocking instruction for the security lock 10 and is sent to the electronic lock cylinder 120 via the communication device 140 for the unlocking operation of the security lock 10.

[0064] In some embodiments, the security lock 10 further includes a power supply device 180, which is communicatively connected to the sensing device 130, communication device 140, etc. More specifically, the power supply device 180 can send the power data of the security lock 10 to at least one of the electronic lock cylinder 120 and the communication device 140. Considering factors such as the airport's footprint, the daily workload of personnel, the number and distribution of security locks, a high-capacity lithium battery can be used to extend the standby and working time of the security lock 10, reduce the number of times staff need to charge it, and reduce the resulting waste of human resources and low business processing efficiency.

[0065] In some non-limiting examples, the security lock 10 also includes an alarm device 170 connected to the lock housing, and the alarm device 170 is activated based on a comparison of operating data with a preset threshold. An alarm condition can indicate that the security lock 10 is in an abnormal operating state. In some embodiments, an alarm condition may include at least one of the following: operating data does not meet a preset operating threshold, and the unlocking operation of the security lock 10 does not meet preset authorization conditions. The operating data not meeting the preset operating threshold may include, but is not limited to, the position data of the security lock 10 not meeting preset position conditions, the time data of the unlocking operation not meeting preset time conditions, the security lock 10 being displaced from its installation position as detected by the photosensitive sensor on the back of the lock housing 110, the lock body of the security lock 10 being damaged as detected by the photosensitive sensor inside the lock housing 110, the security lock 10 being in a vibrating state as detected by the vibration sensor, or insufficient power in the power supply device 180; the unlocking operation of the security lock 10 not meeting the preset authorization conditions may include the unlocking operation triggering device or the operator not being authorized.

[0066] In some embodiments, the alarm device 170 displays different visual or audible alarm information based on different alarm conditions. Specifically, the alarm device 170 may include at least one of a first indicator light displaying a first color, a second indicator light displaying a second color, and a buzzer. The first and second indicator lights may be light-emitting diodes (LEDs). For example, the indicator light may display green to indicate that the safety lock 10 is in normal working condition; when it displays red, it indicates that the safety lock 10 is in abnormal working condition. (Reference) Figure 2 In some embodiments, the indicator light 117 may include a first indicator light 117-1 and a second indicator light 117-2, wherein the first indicator light 117-1 is used to indicate the alarm status of the safety lock 10 to the personnel 30 using the safety lock 10; and the second indicator light 117-2 is used to indicate the damage status of the safety lock 10 to the maintenance personnel of the safety lock 10.

[0067] Furthermore, in some non-limiting examples, the indicator lights can flash at different frequencies or preset cycles to further indicate the specific information of the malfunctioning module. The correspondence between the flashing signals of the indicator lights and the malfunctioning module can be predefined according to actual needs. In other non-limiting examples, a buzzer can be set to sound when the safety lock 10 is in an abnormal working state. The frequency and duration of the buzzer can be set according to the needs of the indicated information. In particular, when the unlocking operation of the safety lock 10 does not meet the preset authorization conditions, the buzzer can emit an alarm sound for a certain duration (such as 3 minutes) to remind the staff to check the location of the sound source and to warn the operator.

[0068] Given that security locks are used to monitor airport equipment assets, strict regulations and discipline must be followed regarding their operation, authorization, and business processing logic. Therefore, real-time monitoring of the security lock's operating status is necessary, along with early warnings for potential accidents or unauthorized operations. In some embodiments, the security lock 10 can automatically report all locking and unlocking operations to the platform, and the platform can automatically save relevant parameters to provide data support for future business audits.

[0069] Additionally, in some embodiments, non-human-intervention data can be processed automatically. Any changes in environmental conditions, operational controls, parameter settings, sensor thresholds, or other alterations to the security lock 10, whether internal or external, will trigger automated non-human-intervention data processing. In some embodiments, automated data processing may include periodically reporting status data and proactively reporting behavioral data. Periodic reporting can be based on a period set on the platform side, with the start time of the last status data report as the period's start time. Once the reporting period is reached, data is automatically acquired and reported to the platform-side data processing backend 20.

[0070] In some embodiments, status data may include at least one of the open / closed status of the electronic lock cylinder and operating condition data; behavioral data may include at least one of unlocking / closing operations, alarm behavior of the alarm device 170, and charging operation of the power supply device 180. More specifically, status data may include, but is not limited to, date, time, location, battery level, sensor operating status, etc.; behavioral data may include Bluetooth unlocking, RFID unlocking, remote unlocking by pressing a button, mechanical key unlocking, photosensitive sensor alarm, vibration sensor alarm, charging operation, lock beam insertion and locking operation, etc.

[0071] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the security lock 10 can automatically update and synchronize its parameter settings or status changes on the platform side each time it reports data, including updating the automatic reporting cycle, remote unlocking status, upgrade commands, etc. The data synchronization function enables the platform side to remotely unlock the security lock 10 point-to-point and point-to-area remotely, remotely set working parameters, and remotely issue control commands, and also enables the security lock 10 to perform remote OTA (Over-the-Air) upgrades.

[0072] Additionally, in some embodiments, encryption algorithms can be used in the communication protocol between the security lock 10 and the platform side to increase the threshold for cracking and prevent data leakage due to plaintext transmission.

[0073] Furthermore, the safety lock 10 may also include a protection device 160, including but not limited to a pressure reducing device, a buffer device, a waterproof device, and a heat insulation device.

[0074] In some embodiments, the protective device 160 includes a pressure-reducing device installed inside the lock housing 110. Since the safety lock 10 of this disclosure is exposed to the open environment of the tarmac for extended periods, it needs to be protected against mechanical damage caused by high temperatures and direct sunlight. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent unnecessary damage to the lock housing 110 caused by the expansion of internal gas. In some embodiments, the pressure-reducing device may include a one-way pressure-reducing valve.

[0075] In other embodiments, the protective device 160 further includes a cushioning device mounted on the outer surface of the lock housing 110. To address the risk of the safety lock 10 falling and being damaged during operation of high-altitude apron equipment, it is necessary to reinforce the corners of the safety lock 10, increase the lock body thickness, and design a cushioning device to improve the safety lock 10's drop resistance. In some embodiments, the cushioning device may include a foam protective sleeve, a silicone protective sleeve, an inflatable protective sleeve, etc.

[0076] In some embodiments, the protective device 160 further includes a waterproof device installed on the outer surface or inside the lock housing 110. For specific weather conditions such as typhoons, it is necessary to extend the water resistance of the safety lock 10. In some embodiments, the waterproof device can be designed based on and enhanced according to the IP67 waterproof standard specified in GB / T4208-2017, that is, based on the IP69 waterproof standard (immersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes), to enhance it to a requirement of immersion in 1 meter of water for 5 days. In some non-limiting examples, the waterproof device may include multiple silicone gaskets.

[0077] In some embodiments, the protective device 160 also includes a thermal insulation device mounted on the outer surface of the lock housing 110. Due to the cold weather in northern winters, stringent sealing requirements are needed for the edge sealing, internal silicone edge sealing, silicone gaskets, and other devices of the lock housing 110, and additional thermal insulation devices may be required to reduce the decrease in battery performance caused by low temperatures. In some non-limiting examples, the material of the thermal insulation device may include cotton, wool, or down.

[0078] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the safety lock 10 can be molded as a single unit. A single-unit design reduces the number of assembly screws, corner accessories, and other parts, thereby reducing the possibility of parts falling off the safety lock 10, improving its tightness, and ensuring the safety of the locked apron equipment. In other embodiments, the safety lock 10 can also be sealed using encapsulation technology to prevent parts from falling off.

[0079] Please refer to the following. Figure 4 An exemplary structural diagram of an apron equipment management device 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 4As shown, the apron equipment management device 300 may include apron equipment 310 and a safety lock 10 according to any of the foregoing embodiments. The apron equipment 310 can be locked to a designated location on the apron via the safety lock 10. In some embodiments, the usage status of the apron equipment 310 can also be obtained based on the operating data of the safety lock 10.

[0080] In other embodiments, the safety lock 10 may further include a solar panel disposed on the surface of the apron equipment management device 300, and the solar panel may be connected to a power supply device 180 via a charging interface on the lock housing 110. In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, solar panels 118 can be mounted on the outer surface of the lock housing 110 to improve energy utilization. By installing additional solar panels, battery power loss can be effectively compensated for, resulting in longer standby time. In particular, since the safety lock 10 has a small surface area, solar panels can be mounted on the outer surface of the apron equipment 310 to provide more power. Additionally, the power consumption of each electronic circuit module can be optimized to reduce standby and operating power consumption, thereby extending the standby and usage time of the safety lock 10.

[0081] For ease of understanding, Figure 5 A flowchart of a management method for apron equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0082] like Figure 5 As shown, in step S102, data communication is performed with the safety lock 10 via the communication device 140 to obtain the operating condition data of the safety lock 10, and the status information of the apron equipment 310 is determined based on the operating condition data. As mentioned above, the operating condition data of the safety lock 10 may include the safety lock 10's position data, time data, various sensor data, and power consumption data. Based on this operating condition data, it can be determined whether the safety lock 10 and / or the apron equipment 310 are in an abnormal working state.

[0083] In step S104, remote control commands are generated based on status information and the usage requirements of the apron equipment 310. In some embodiments, a remote locking command can be generated in response to the apron equipment 310 being in an abnormal working state. In other embodiments, a remote unlocking command can be generated in response to the apron equipment 310 being in a normal working state and needing to be unlocked; when the safety lock 10 is in power-saving mode, a command to stop the positioning function can be generated if positioning is not required, and a command to stop the alarm can be generated if alarm is not required, etc. It is understood that these remote control commands can be generated by the data processing backend 20 communicatively connected to the safety lock 10 according to preset management rules, or can be manually issued by the staff 30 according to the usage requirements of the safety lock 10.

[0084] In step S106, a remote control command is sent to the safety lock 10 via the communication device 140 to control the opening, closing, and use of the apron equipment 310. The electronic lock cylinder 120 in the safety lock 10 can receive control commands from the communication device 140, thereby realizing the opening and closing of the lock.

[0085] As previously mentioned, the safety lock for apron equipment disclosed herein can be used with the assistance of sensing devices to achieve real-time monitoring and trigger early warnings, thereby improving the safety of apron equipment and enhancing the management efficiency of daily airport operations.

[0086] The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “high,” “lower,” etc., used in the specification and claims, if present, are for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing unchanging relative positions. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable where appropriate, enabling embodiments of this disclosure described herein to operate, for example, in orientations different from those shown or otherwise described herein. For example, when the device in the drawings is reversed, a feature previously described as “above” other features may now be described as “below” other features. The device may also be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), in which case the relative spatial relationships will be interpreted accordingly.

[0087] In the specification and claims, when a component is described as being "on top of," "attached to," "connected to," "coupled to," or "in contact with" another component, the component may be directly located on top of, directly attached to, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly in contact with the other component, or one or more intermediate components may be present. Conversely, when a component is described as being "directly" located on top of, directly attached to, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly in contact with another component, no intermediate components are present. In the specification and claims, when a feature is arranged "adjacent" to another feature, it may mean that a feature has a portion overlapping with the adjacent feature or a portion located above or below the adjacent feature.

[0088] As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration” and not as a “model” to be precisely copied. Any implementation described herein by example is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, this disclosure is not limited to any theory expressed or implied as given in the art, background, utility model, or detailed description.

[0089] As used herein, the term "substantially" means any minor variation resulting from design or manufacturing defects, device or component tolerances, environmental influences, and / or other factors. The term "substantially" also allows for differences from the perfect or ideal situation due to parasitic effects, noise, and other practical considerations that may exist in the actual implementation.

[0090] Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., may be used in this document for reference purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. For example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words “first,” “second,” and other such numerical terms relating to structures or components do not imply order or sequence.

[0091] It should also be understood that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0092] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed items in association. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0093] The various embodiments described herein are presented in a progressive manner, with reference allowed for interchangeable use of identical or similar parts between embodiments. Each embodiment focuses on highlighting its differences from other embodiments. Furthermore, when used in this disclosure, the terms "here," "above," "below," "in the following," "overall," and similar terms should refer to the entirety of this disclosure and not any particular part thereof. Additionally, unless explicitly stated otherwise or otherwise understood in the context, conditional language used herein, such as "may," "possibly," "for example," "such as," etc., is generally intended to express that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not, certain features, elements, and / or states. Therefore, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that one or more embodiments require features, elements, and / or states in any way, or whether such features, elements, and / or states are included, or whether such features, elements, and / or states are performed in any particular embodiment.

[0094] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the boundaries between the above operations are merely illustrative. Multiple operations may be combined into a single operation, a single operation may be distributed among additional operations, and operations may be performed with at least partial overlap in time. Moreover, alternative embodiments may include multiple instances of a particular operation, and the order of operations may be changed in various other embodiments. However, other modifications, variations, and substitutions are equally possible. Aspects and elements of all the embodiments disclosed above may be combined in any way and / or in combination with aspects or elements of other embodiments to provide multiple additional embodiments. Therefore, this specification and the accompanying drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be enlarged to show details of specific components.

[0095] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A safety lock for a ground handling equipment, characterized in that The safety lock includes: A lock housing, the lock housing including a fixing mechanism, wherein the fixing mechanism is used to fix the safety lock to the apron equipment; Lock cylinder, including electronic lock cylinder; A sensing device, wherein the sensing device is used to sense the operating condition data of the safety lock; and A communication device, wherein the communication device, the sensing device, and the electronic lock cylinder are communicatively connected, and the communication device is used to transmit the operating condition data.

2. The safety lock of claim 1, wherein The sensing device is connected to the lock housing, and the sensing device sends the operating condition data to at least one of the electronic lock cylinder and the communication device.

3. The safety lock of claim 2, wherein, The sensing device includes at least one of a first photosensitive sensor and a second photosensitive sensor, wherein The first photosensitive sensor is installed inside the lock housing to monitor for damage to the security lock; and The second photosensitive sensor is mounted on the back of the lock housing to monitor the security lock from falling off.

4. The safety lock of claim 2, wherein, The sensing device includes a vibration sensor to monitor the vibration of the security lock.

5. The safety lock of claim 1, wherein The sensing device includes a positioning device that transmits the location data of the apron equipment to the communication device.

6. The safety lock of claim 5, wherein, The security lock also includes a timer that sends time data to the communication device.

7. The safety lock of claim 6, wherein, The communication device sends at least one of the location data and the time data to the electronic lock cylinder.

8. The security lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The safety lock also includes an alarm device connected to the lock housing, and the alarm device is activated based on a comparison of the operating data with a preset threshold.

9. The safety lock of claim 8, wherein, The alarm device includes at least one of a first indicator light displaying a first color, a second indicator light displaying a second color, and a buzzer.

10. The safety lock of claim 1, wherein, The safety lock also includes a power supply device, which is communicatively connected to the sensing device and the communication device.

11. The safety lock of claim 10, wherein, The security lock also includes a solar panel disposed on the surface of the lock housing, and the solar panel is connected to the power supply via a charging interface on the lock housing.

12. The safety lock of claim 1, wherein, The security lock also includes a waterproof device installed on the outer surface or inside the lock housing.

13. The safety lock of claim 1, wherein, The security lock also includes a pressure relief device installed inside the lock housing.

14. The safety lock of claim 1, wherein, The security lock also includes a buffer device installed on the outer surface of the lock housing.

15. The safety lock of claim 1, wherein, The lock cylinder also includes a mechanical lock cylinder.

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