Smart lock

Abstract

The application discloses an intelligent lock, characterized in that comprising: a manual operating mechanism, comprising a manual operating part configured to drive the intelligent lock to be unlocked, and a locking component configured to selectively lock the manual operating part in a limited operating position; an electric control actuator configured to drive the locking component to move between a locking position and an unlocking position; an emergency unlocking device electrically connected to the electric control actuator, and comprising an emergency power supply interface, an emergency verification module, and an emergency controller electrically connected with the emergency power supply interface and the emergency verification module; and wherein the emergency controller is configured to, under the condition that the emergency power supply interface obtains electric energy from the outside, control the electric control actuator to drive the locking component to move to the unlocking position to release the locking of the manual operating part in response to an unlocking authorization signal received from the emergency verification module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of smart lock technology, and specifically relates to a smart lock with an independent emergency unlocking function. Background Technology

[0002] Smart locks are widely used in modern homes and security systems. They replace traditional mechanical keys with electronic methods such as fingerprints, passwords, and proximity cards, providing greater convenience and manageability. A typical smart lock includes an electronic control unit and a mechanical actuator. However, existing smart locks still have shortcomings in dealing with abnormal situations. When the internal battery of the smart lock is completely depleted, or when core components such as the main control circuit board or the main drive motor malfunction, conventional electronic unlocking methods will fail.

[0003] Existing technologies include several emergency solutions, such as mechanical key emergency unlocking, external emergency power supply, and dual-backup electronic systems. The mechanical key emergency unlocking solution requires users to carry an additional physical key, contradicting the "keyless" principle of smart locks. Furthermore, adding a keyhole to the lock panel disrupts the overall aesthetics and simplicity of the product design. External emergency power supply solutions typically involve placing a power interface on the outside of the lock. When the battery is depleted, users can temporarily power the main system using an external power source such as a power bank, and then unlock the lock using conventional methods such as fingerprint or password. The drawback of this solution is that it still relies on the normal operation of the main control circuit and main drive motor. If these core components fail, even with external power, the lock will still be unable to open, presenting a reliability bottleneck. The dual-backup electronic system solution incorporates two fingerprint recognition modules on the lock mechanism to address unlocking issues when the main fingerprint recognition module fails. However, this solution does not solve the fundamental problem of a power outage or main control board failure in the entire smart lock.

[0004] Therefore, a new solution is urgently needed to provide a reliable unlocking method when the main control system fails or the power is depleted, while taking into account both operational safety and the integrity of the product's appearance. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main objective of this application is to provide a smart lock that addresses the problems of low reliability, insufficient security, or damage to the overall appearance of existing smart locks when the main power is depleted or the main system fails.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a smart lock, characterized in that it includes: a manual operating mechanism comprising a manual operating element configured to drive the smart lock to unlock and a locking component configured to selectively lock the manual operating element in a restricted operating position; an electronically controlled actuator configured to drive the locking component to move between a locked position and an unlocked position; an emergency unlocking device electrically connected to the electronically controlled actuator and including an emergency power supply interface, an emergency verification module, and an emergency controller electrically connected to the emergency power supply interface and the emergency verification module; and wherein the emergency controller is configured to, under the condition that the emergency power supply interface obtains power from an external source, respond to an unlocking authorization signal received from the emergency verification module, control the electronically controlled actuator to drive the locking component to move to the unlocked position to release the lock on the manual operating element.

[0007] According to an optional implementation, the smart lock includes a door lock mechanism; and the manual operating element is drively connected to the door lock mechanism.

[0008] According to an optional implementation, the smart lock includes a front panel and a rear panel; the manual operating mechanism, the electronically controlled actuator, and the emergency unlocking device are disposed in the front panel and / or the rear panel.

[0009] According to an optional implementation, the smart lock further includes a main actuator configured to drive the door lock mechanism to unlock and a main controller configured to control the main actuator; and the emergency unlocking device and the electronically controlled actuator are electrically and / or mechanically independent of the main controller and the main actuator.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment, in the locked position, the locking component engages the manual operating member or a portion linked to the manual operating member to restrict its operation; in the unlocked position, the locking component disengages from the manual operating member or its linked portion.

[0011] According to an optional implementation, the emergency controller is configured to prohibit responding to subsequent verification requests for a predetermined lockout time after detecting that the emergency verification module has failed verification a predetermined number of times consecutively.

[0012] According to an optional implementation, the emergency controller is configured to, after controlling the electronic actuator to drive the locking component to the unlocked position, control the electronic actuator to drive the locking component back to the locked position after a preset time period.

[0013] According to an optional implementation, the emergency unlocking device further includes an energy storage element electrically connected to the emergency power supply interface and the emergency controller; the energy storage element is configured to provide continuous power to the emergency controller and the emergency verification module when the external power supply to the emergency power supply interface is momentarily interrupted.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment, the locking component includes a clutch pin; the manual operating mechanism includes a connecting sleeve that is linked to the manual operating component and a insertion groove disposed on the connecting sleeve that mates with the clutch pin.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment, the front panel includes a central hollow area and a lower opening area; the manual operating component and the emergency verification module are hidden within the central hollow area or the lower opening area.

[0016] This application provides a completely independent emergency unlocking system. The emergency unlocking system has its own power supply interface, controller, and verification module, and its operation is independent of the smart lock's main controller and main drive motor. Therefore, even if the main power supply is exhausted or the main control system is completely damaged, as long as the external emergency power supply is normal, the user can still unlock the lock through this emergency system.

[0017] The smart lock of this application has two steps in its unlocking process: authorization and execution. The emergency system is only responsible for authorization, that is, unlocking the manual operating parts after verification. The final unlocking action needs to be completed manually by the user. This design avoids the risk of the lock being opened directly by unauthorized power supply. Even if the emergency power interface is maliciously connected, the locking mechanism will not release without legitimate user authentication, and the lock remains secure.

[0018] Since the emergency verification module and manual operation components of the smart lock of this application can be hidden in the opening or inconspicuous place of the front panel, there is no need to open a traditional mechanical keyhole on the front of the front panel, thus maintaining the simplicity and integrity of the smart lock's appearance. Attached Figure Description

[0019] In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a smart lock according to this application is shown; Figure 2 Show along Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the view from direction A in the diagram; Figure 3 Show along Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the view from direction B in the diagram; Figure 4 Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a smart lock, with some shell components omitted to clearly show the internal structure; Figure 5 Show along Figure 4 The schematic diagram shown in the C direction omits some shell components to clearly illustrate the internal structure; Figure 6 Show Figure 4 A magnified view of position D in the image; Figure 7 Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the manual operation mechanism of a smart lock; Figure 8 Show along Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the view from direction E in the diagram; Figure 9 Show Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the manual operating mechanism; Figure 10 Show Figure 7 Another angle of the internal structure of the manual operating mechanism; Figure 11 Show Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the manual operating element of the manual operating mechanism; and Figure 12 Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the manual operating mechanism, manual operating components, emergency unlocking device, and door lock mechanism of a smart lock.

[0020] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0022] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "middle", "lower", "front", "inner", "inner", etc., which indicate orientation or positional relationship, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the components or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0023] Reference Figures 1 to 12This application discloses a smart lock. The smart lock includes a front panel 1, a rear panel (not shown), a manual operating mechanism 2, an electronically controlled actuator 3, an emergency unlocking device 4, a door lock mechanism 5, and a main controller 6. The front panel 1 is the exterior component of the smart lock, which includes a smooth front panel 101 facing the user and a connecting plate 104 abutting against one side of the door. The front panel 1 is provided with a central hollow area 102 and a lower opening area 103. The central hollow area 102 is formed by the rear part of the front smooth panel 101 and the front part of the connecting plate 104. More specifically, the rear part of the front smooth panel 101 has an inwardly recessed first arc-shaped portion, and the front part of the connecting plate 104 has a corresponding inwardly recessed second arc-shaped portion. The first arc-shaped portion and the second arc-shaped portion are arranged facing each other and jointly define the boundary of the central hollow area 102. The central openwork area 102 replaces the traditional rotary door handle, providing an ergonomic grip and operating space for the user's hand to reach in and unlock the door. The rear panel is located inside the door body and is parallel to the front panel 1. The door lock mechanism 5 is installed inside the door body and cooperates with the front panel 1 and the rear panel of the lock housing.

[0024] The smart lock features both a standard unlocking function and a separate emergency unlocking function. The standard unlocking function is achieved by a main controller 6 (such as a main circuit board) located in the front panel 1 and a main actuator (such as a main motor) installed inside the door to drive the unlocking mechanism (such as the bolt and mechanical lock cylinder) within the lock mechanism 5. Under normal operating conditions, after verifying the user's identity—for example, upon receiving a signal from the main authentication module indicating that the user has been authenticated—the main controller 6 controls the main actuator to drive the unlocking mechanism within the lock mechanism 5 to unlock the door. In another embodiment, the main controller 6 may not be located in the front panel 1, but rather in, for example, the rear panel or another location, and may connect to the main actuator using wireless communication methods (such as WiFi).

[0025] The emergency unlocking function is achieved through the coordinated operation of the manual operating mechanism 2, the electronically controlled actuator 3, and the emergency unlocking device 4. To more clearly demonstrate its internal structure, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The assembly relationship between the manual operating mechanism 2 and internal components such as the connecting plate 104 is shown in an exploded view. To avoid obstruction, the rear portion of the front smooth panel 101 and the front portion of the connecting plate 104 are omitted. It should be understood that... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The structure shown is Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a portion of the complete front panel 1 shown, and not a different embodiment. The manual operating mechanism 2 includes a manual operating element 21, a lock cylinder drive element 22, a connecting sleeve 23, a reset elastic element 24, a limit block 25, a locking component 26, a limit ring 27, an elastic element 28, and a insertion slot 29.

[0026] The manual operating component 21 can be a toggle switch with a rectangular connecting block 211. The manual operating component 21 is rotatably mounted within the central hollow area 102. The connecting sleeve 23 includes a pressure plate 231, a connecting socket 232, and a limiting post 233. The manual operating component 21 is inserted into the connecting socket 232 of the connecting sleeve 23 via its rectangular connecting block 211, forming a transmission connection. A lock cylinder driving component 22 (such as a square bar) is connected to the front end of the connecting sleeve 23. The end of the lock cylinder driving component 22 extends into the door lock mechanism 5 and cooperates with the unlocking mechanism inside the door lock mechanism 5. Therefore, operating the manual operating component 21 can drive the unlocking mechanism inside the door lock mechanism 5 via the connecting sleeve 23 and the lock cylinder driving component 22 to complete the unlocking. A reset elastic component 24 (such as a torsion spring) can be mounted on the pressure plate 231 and limited by the limiting post 233 to allow the manual operating component 21 to automatically reset after operation. The concealed design of the manual operating component 21 allows it to be completely concealed within the contours of the front panel 1 when not in use, thus ensuring the integrity and visual simplicity of the smooth front panel 101. The inner wall of the central hollow area 102 (e.g., the surface of the first or second arcuate portion) can also ideally integrate an authentication module (such as a fingerprint sensor), allowing the user to naturally complete authentication as they reach for the door, enhancing the convenience of using the smart lock.

[0027] Locking component 26 is used to lock the manual operating component 21 in the normal state, preventing it from being operated. In this embodiment, locking component 26 is a clutch pin. A insertion groove 29 is provided on the side wall of the connecting sleeve 23. Therefore, the connecting sleeve 23 and its insertion groove 29 constitute a part that is linked with the manual operating component 21. In the locked position, the front end of locking component 26 is inserted into the insertion groove 29, thereby restricting the rotation of the connecting sleeve 23 and locking the manual operating component 21. In the unlocked position, locking component 26 disengages from the insertion groove 29. An elastic element 28 (such as a compression spring) is sleeved on locking component 26 and can be positioned by a limiting ring 27, which applies a biasing force toward the unlocked position to locking component 26. A channel is provided on the limiting block 25 for the locking component 26 to pass through, providing structural support and limiting.

[0028] The electronically controlled actuator 3 is an independent drive unit, such as a linear motor or a servo cylinder, which can be a telescopic component. In one embodiment, the electronically controlled actuator 3 includes a telescopic push block 31. The push block 31 abuts against the locking member 26. In the locked state, the push block 31 extends, overcoming the elastic force of the elastic element 28, and holds the locking member 26 in the locked position (i.e., inserted into the insertion slot 29). When unlocking is required, the push block 31 retracts, and the locking member 26 automatically moves to the unlocked position under the biasing force of the elastic element 28.

[0029] Emergency unlocking device 4 is located in the front panel 1 and is electrically connected to the electronic actuator 3. Emergency unlocking device 4 is electrically and / or mechanically independent of the main controller 6 and the main actuator. See also Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 12 The emergency unlocking device 4 is the core of the emergency unlocking function, and it includes an emergency controller, an emergency power supply interface 43, and an emergency verification module 44. In this embodiment, the emergency controller can be a separate backup circuit board or a core processing unit integrated on the backup circuit board. The backup circuit board may also integrate a first port 42 for connecting the electronically controlled actuator 3, a second port 41 for connecting the emergency verification module 44, and an emergency power supply interface 43 for obtaining power from an external source (such as a power bank). Preferably, the emergency power supply interface 43 is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, such as a Micro-USB or USB Type-C interface. The emergency verification module 44 is used to verify the user's identity. Preferably, the emergency verification module 44 can be a fingerprint recognition module or a near-field communication (NFC) sensing module. The user's verification information (such as fingerprint data) is pre-stored in the emergency controller. In another embodiment, the emergency unlocking device 4 and the electronically controlled actuator 3 can be connected via an independent, point-to-point short-range wireless communication method (such as Bluetooth Low Energy). In this case, the emergency unlocking device 4 and the electronically controlled actuator 3 are powered by the same emergency power supply interface to ensure the electrical independence of the entire emergency system.

[0030] To maintain the clean and uncluttered appearance of the smart lock, the components of the emergency system can be concealed. For example, the emergency power supply interface 43 and the emergency verification module 44 can be hidden within the lower opening area 103, while the manual operation component 21 can be hidden inside the central cutout area 102. Users can easily access these components when needed, without affecting the overall appearance of the smart lock during normal use.

[0031] The emergency unlocking operation process of the smart lock in this application is as follows. When the smart lock cannot be unlocked by conventional means due to internal power depletion or main system failure, the user can connect an external power supply to the emergency power supply interface 43 to power the emergency unlocking device 4. Subsequently, the user authenticates their identity on the emergency verification module 44. If the authentication is successful, the emergency controller sends a command to the electric actuator 3 to control the push block 31 to retract. The locking component 26 moves to the unlock position under the action of the elastic element 28, releasing the lock on the manual operating component 21. At this time, the user can unlock the door by manually operating (e.g., rotating) the unlocked manual operating component 21, which drives the unlocking mechanism in the door lock mechanism 5 via the lock cylinder drive component 22. Optionally, the emergency unlocking device 4 may include an indicator module (e.g., an LED light or a buzzer) to provide visual or audible indication when the authentication is successful, informing the user that the authorization was successful.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, to prevent brute-force attacks against the emergency system, the emergency controller can be configured with a trial-and-error locking function. Specifically, the emergency controller can be programmed to count the number of consecutive verification failures from the emergency verification module 44. When the number of consecutive failures reaches a preset threshold (e.g., 3 or 5 times), the emergency controller will enter a temporary lockout state. In the temporary lockout state, even if the emergency power supply interface 43 continues to receive power from the outside, the emergency controller 4 will refuse to respond to any new verification requests for a predetermined lockout time (e.g., 3 or 5 minutes). After the lockout time expires, the emergency controller returns to normal and can accept verification again.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, to ensure that the door lock can automatically return to its initial secure state after an emergency unlocking operation, the emergency controller can be configured with an automatic reset locking function. Specifically, after the emergency controller verifies and controls the locking mechanism to release the manual operating member 21, the emergency controller starts a preset timer. When the preset timer expires (e.g., 30 or 60 seconds), the emergency controller issues a command to control the electronic actuator 3 to actuate again (e.g., extend its push block 31), driving the locking member 26 to overcome the elastic force of the elastic element 28 and return to the locked position (i.e., inserted into the insertion slot 29), thereby relocking the manual operating member 21. This ensures that the authorization for emergency unlocking is only valid within a limited time window.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, to improve the reliability of emergency unlocking under unstable external power supply conditions, the emergency unlocking device 4 may include a miniature energy storage element (not shown in the figures) electrically connected to the emergency power supply interface 43 and the emergency controller. Preferably, the miniature energy storage element is a supercapacitor. When the emergency power supply interface 43 obtains power from an external power source, the miniature energy storage element quickly stores a small amount of energy. The stored energy is sufficient to provide stable power to the emergency controller 4 and the emergency verification module 44 for several seconds in the event of a momentary interruption or unstable connection of the external power supply, thereby ensuring that a complete authentication and unlocking authorization process is not unexpectedly interrupted.

[0035] In summary, this application solves the problems in the prior art by using an independent, externally powered emergency system to control the mechanical locking mechanism to release or lock the operating parts used for manual unlocking, providing a reliable, safe, and aesthetically pleasing emergency unlocking solution for smart locks.

[0036] The preferred embodiments disclosed above are merely illustrative of this application. These preferred embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. These embodiments are selected and specifically described in this specification to better explain the principles and practical applications of this application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize this application. This application is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A smart lock, characterized in that, include: The manual operating mechanism (2) includes a manual operating element (21) configured to drive the smart lock to unlock and a locking element (26) configured to selectively lock the manual operating element (21) in a restricted operating position. An electronically controlled actuator (3) is configured to drive the locking member (26) to move between a locked position and an unlocked position; An emergency unlocking device (4), electrically connected to the electronically controlled actuator (3), includes an emergency power supply interface (43), an emergency verification module (44), and an emergency controller electrically connected to the emergency power supply interface (43) and the emergency verification module (44); and The emergency controller is configured to, in response to an unlocking authorization signal received from the emergency verification module (44), control the electronic actuator (3) to drive the locking component (26) to move to the unlock position to release the lock on the manual operating component (21) when the emergency power supply interface (43) obtains power from the outside.

2. The smart lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The smart lock includes a door lock mechanism (5); and The manual operating component (21) is connected to the door lock mechanism (5) via a transmission connection.

3. The smart lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The smart lock includes a front panel (1) and a rear panel; The manual operating mechanism (2), the electronically controlled actuator (3), and the emergency unlocking device (4) are located in the front panel (1) and / or the rear panel.

4. The smart lock according to claim 3, characterized in that, The smart lock further includes a main actuator configured to drive the door lock mechanism (5) to unlock and a main controller (6) configured to control the main actuator; and The emergency unlocking device (4) and the electronically controlled actuator (3) are electrically and / or mechanically independent of the main controller (6) and the main actuator.

5. The smart lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the locked position, the locking component (26) engages the manual operating component (21) or a portion thereof linked to the manual operating component (21) to restrict its operation; In the unlocked position, the locking component (26) is disengaged from the manual operating component (21) or its linkage portion.

6. The smart lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The emergency controller is configured to prohibit responding to subsequent verification requests for a predetermined lockout time after detecting that the emergency verification module (44) has failed verification a predetermined number of times consecutively.

7. The smart lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The emergency controller is configured to, after controlling the electronic actuator (3) to drive the locking component (26) to the unlock position, after a preset time period, control the electronic actuator (3) to drive the locking component (26) back to the locked position.

8. The smart lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The emergency unlocking device (4) also includes an energy storage element electrically connected to the emergency power supply interface (43) and the emergency controller; The energy storage element is configured to provide continuous power to the emergency controller and the emergency verification module (44) when the external power supply to the emergency power supply interface (43) is momentarily interrupted.

9. The smart lock according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking component (26) includes a clutch pin; The manual operating mechanism (2) includes a connecting sleeve (23) that is linked to the manual operating component (21) and a insertion groove (29) provided on the connecting sleeve (23) that cooperates with the clutch pin.

10. The smart lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front panel (1) includes a central hollow area (102) and a lower opening area (103). The manual operating component (21) and the emergency verification module (44) are hidden in the central hollow area (102) or the lower opening area (103).

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