Power saving electronic lock structure

Abstract

A power-saving electronic lock structure includes a body, a bolt, a movable mechanism provided in the body and having an electromagnet, a movable metal piece, a first magnet, a second magnet and a connecting piece, and a circuit board having a power supply unit and a control unit. The power supply unit is electrically connected to the electromagnet. The control unit is electrically connected to the power supply unit to send a locking signal or an unlocking signal to the power supply unit under control. When the power supply unit receives the locking signal, it sends power to the electromagnet for a short time to generate a first magnetic field to push the movable metal piece toward the first magnet, so that the connecting piece drives the bolt to move to a locking position, and after the power supply ends, the first magnet attracts the movable metal piece to maintain the locking state. When the power supply unit receives the unlocking signal, it sends power to the electromagnet for a short time to generate a second magnetic field to push the movable metal piece toward the second magnet, so that the connecting piece drives the bolt to move to an unlocking position, and after the power supply ends, the second magnet attracts the movable metal piece to maintain the unlocking state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electronic locks, and in particular to a power-saving electronic lock structure. Background Technology

[0002] An electronic lock is a locking device that combines electronic control and mechanical switching, commonly used in access control systems, lockers, entrance and exit security equipment, and automation control. Its basic operating principle involves using electric current to drive internal electromagnetic components, controlling the opening and closing of the bolt (or latch). Electronic locks can be broadly classified into two types based on their electromagnetic drive method: "Anode locks (Fail Safe Type)" and "Cathode locks (Fail Secure Type)." Anode locks are unlocked when power is off and locked when power is on, often used in emergency exits and other situations requiring automatic opening upon power failure. Cathode locks, on the other hand, remain locked when power is off and unlock only when power is on, making them more suitable for general anti-theft and security applications. Both rely on electricity for locking and unlocking control and are integrated with access control modules, keypad or remote control systems to provide flexible and intelligent security solutions.

[0003] However, both anode and cathode locks currently on the market suffer from poor power consumption efficiency in practical use. These electronic locks typically employ a design that requires continuous power to maintain their locked (or unlocked) state. This means that even after locking or unlocking, a prolonged power supply is needed to keep the mechanism in place. For example, an anode lock requires a continuous current supply to keep the bolt extended when the door is closed and needs to be locked; similarly, a cathode lock requires power to maintain an unlocked state for extended periods. This increases the burden on the power module, leading to increased energy consumption over time and potentially causing locking failure due to power supply malfunctions. Furthermore, this design is particularly detrimental to battery-powered access control devices, significantly shortening battery life and increasing the frequency of battery replacements or power supply repairs. Therefore, existing electronic locks require improvement in energy consumption control, necessitating the development of an energy-efficient structure that can maintain the locked state without continuous power supply after locking or unlocking, thereby enhancing ease of use and energy efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this invention is to provide a power-saving electronic lock structure that does not require power to maintain its state after a brief period of power supply, thus saving relatively much power.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model discloses an energy-saving electronic lock structure, comprising: a body having an internal accommodating space; a latch disposed on the body, configured to reciprocate between a locked position and an unlocked position; when the latch is in the locked position, at least a portion of the latch extends out of the body; when the latch is in the unlocked position, the latch retracts into the accommodating space of the body; a movable mechanism disposed on the body, comprising an electromagnetic tube, a movable metal component, a first magnet, a second magnet, and a linkage; the movable metal component is movably disposed inside the electromagnetic tube; the first magnet and the second magnet are respectively disposed at opposite axial ends of the movable metal component, wherein the first magnet is closer to the latch than the second magnet; one end of the linkage is connected to the latch, and the other end is connected to the movable metal component; and a The circuit board includes a power supply unit and a control unit. The power supply unit is electrically connected to the solenoid. The control unit is electrically connected to the power supply unit and is controlled to send a locking signal or an unlocking signal to the power supply unit. When the power supply unit receives the locking signal, it briefly supplies power to the solenoid to generate a first magnetic field that pushes the movable metal part towards the direction of the first magnet, causing the linkage to move the bolt to the locked position. After the power supply is stopped, the movable metal part is held in place by the first magnet to maintain the locked state. When the power supply unit receives the unlocking signal, it briefly supplies power to the solenoid to generate a second magnetic field that pushes the movable metal part towards the direction of the second magnet, causing the linkage to move the bolt to the unlocked position. After the power supply is stopped, the movable metal part is held in place by the second magnet to maintain the unlocked state.

[0006] In one embodiment, the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet is greater than the length of the movable metal part.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first magnetic field has the opposite magnetic field direction to the second magnetic field.

[0008] In one embodiment, one end of the latch has a first pivot portion; one end of the movable metal member has a second pivot portion; and both ends of the linkage member are respectively pivotally connected to the first pivot portion and the second pivot portion.

[0009] In one embodiment, the movable mechanism further includes a first magnet seat disposed on the side of the solenoid tube near the latch and in which the first magnet is disposed; the side of the first magnet seat adjacent to the movable metal member has a first inclined groove; the end of the movable metal member adjacent to the first magnet seat has a first inclined surface, such that when the movable metal member approaches the first magnet, the first inclined surface abuts against the first inclined groove.

[0010] In one embodiment, the movable mechanism further includes a second magnet seat disposed on the side of the solenoid tube away from the latch and in which the second magnet is disposed; the side of the second magnet seat adjacent to the movable metal member has a second inclined groove; the end of the movable metal member adjacent to the second magnet seat has a second inclined surface, such that when the movable metal member approaches the second magnet, the second inclined surface abuts against the second inclined groove.

[0011] In one embodiment, a manual operating mechanism is further included, comprising a pull rod, a lock cylinder, and an operating member; the pull rod is disposed within the receiving space of the body and connected to the end of the movable metal member away from the latch; the lock cylinder is disposed in the body and has a rotating member controlled to rotate between a horizontal position and a vertical position; the operating member is connected to the lock cylinder and is used to drive the rotating member of the lock cylinder to push the pull rod to move when the operating member rotates, so that the movable metal member is synchronously pulled to move in the direction of the second magnet.

[0012] In one embodiment, the pull rod has a movable groove and a push top formed on the side of the movable groove away from the movable metal part; when the rotating part is in the horizontal position, the rotating part is a certain distance away from the push top and is generally perpendicular; when the rotating part rotates from the horizontal position to the vertical position, the rotating part extends into the movable groove and pushes against the push top, causing the pull rod to drive the movable metal part to move in the direction of the second magnet.

[0013] The following describes preferred embodiments in accordance with the purpose and effects of this utility model, and provides a detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the electronic lock in the locked state.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the electronic lock changing to the unlocked state after being powered on.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the electronic lock being manually operated to the unlocked state.

[0018] Figure Labels 1. Electronic lock structure 10 body 11. Storage space 12 Openings 20 Locking tongue 21 First pivot section 30 event organizations 31 Electromagnetic tube 32 Moving metal parts 320 First Shaft 321 Second Shaft 322 Second pivot section 323 First inclined plane 324 Second Incline 33 First Magnet 34 Second magnet 35. Linkage components 36 First Magnet Base 360 First Inclined Groove 37 Second Magnet Holder 370 Second Inclined Groove 40 circuit boards 50 Manual operating mechanism 51 Pull rod 510 Activity Slot 511 Push to the top 52 Lock Cylinder 520 Rotating component 53. Operating components. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that these drawings and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "upper" and "lower," "left" and "right," "front" and "rear," "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification are to clearly describe the relative positions between components or mechanisms and are not intended to be limiting.

[0020] Please see Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a preferred embodiment of this utility model provides an electronic lock structure 1 that can be combined with a device, such as a door, window, cabinet, etc., and can be in a locked or unlocked state with the device. The electronic lock mainly includes: a body 10, a latch 20, a moving mechanism 30, and a circuit board 40. Wherein: The main body 10 is a housing with an internal accommodating space 11 for accommodating the components of the electronic lock structure 1. One side of the main body 10 has an opening 12 that connects to the accommodating space 11.

[0021] The latch 20 is movably disposed within the receiving space 11 of the body 10 and corresponds to the opening 12. The latch 20 can be driven to reciprocate between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the latch 20 is in the locked position, at least a portion of the latch 20 extends out of the body 10 from the opening 12; when the latch 20 is in the unlocked position, the latch 20 retracts into the receiving space 11 of the body 10. In this embodiment, a first pivot portion 21 is provided at the end of the latch 20 away from the opening 12.

[0022] The movable mechanism 30 is located within the accommodating space 11 of the main body 10 and connected to the latch 20, and is used to control and drive the latch 20 to move. Specifically, the movable mechanism 30 has an electromagnetic tube 31, a movable metal part 32, a first magnet 33, a second magnet 34, and a linkage 35.

[0023] The solenoid 31 is a hollow tubular component used to generate a magnetic field when driven by electricity. The movable metal part 32 is movably disposed inside the solenoid 31 along its axial direction and can be driven to move along the axial direction of the solenoid 31. The movable metal part 32 has a first shaft portion 320 and a second shaft portion 321 at its two axial ends. The first shaft portion 320 is closer to the latch 20 than the second shaft portion 321, and the movable metal part 32 has a second pivot portion 322 at the end of the first shaft portion 320 away from the movable metal part 32.

[0024] The first magnet 33 and the second magnet 34 are respectively disposed at opposite axial ends of the solenoid tube 31 (or the movable metal part 32), with the first magnet 33 being closer to the latch 20 than the second magnet 34. The first magnet 33 and the second magnet 34 provide a magnetic force, allowing the movable metal part 32 to be attracted to one of them and maintain its position without power. The distance between the first magnet 33 and the second magnet 34 is greater than the length of the movable metal part 32, ensuring that the movable metal part 32 can only be attracted to one of the first magnet 33 or the second magnet 34 at a time.

[0025] In this embodiment, the linkage 35 is an L-shaped component, movably disposed within the accommodating space 11 of the body 10. One end is pivotally connected to the first pivot portion 21 of the latch 20, and the other end is pivotally connected to the second pivot portion 322 of the movable metal member 32. Thus, when the movable metal member 32 is operated and moves along the axial direction of the solenoid 31, the linkage 35 will rotate synchronously, causing the latch 20 to move between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movable mechanism 30 further includes a first magnet seat 36 and a second magnet seat 37. The first magnet seat 36 is disposed on the side of the solenoid tube 31 near the latch 20 and houses the first magnet 33 therein. The side of the first magnet seat 36 adjacent to the movable metal member 32 has a first inclined groove 360; the end of the movable metal member 32 adjacent to the first magnet seat 36 has a first inclined surface 323, such that when the movable metal member 32 approaches the first magnet 33, the first inclined surface 323 abuts against the first inclined groove 360. The second magnet seat 37 is disposed on the side of the solenoid tube 31 away from the latch 20 and houses the second magnet 34 therein. The second magnet base 37 has a second inclined groove 370 on one side adjacent to the movable metal part 32; the movable metal part 32 has a second inclined surface 324 at one end adjacent to the second magnet base 37, so that when the movable metal part 32 approaches the second magnet 34, the second inclined surface 324 abuts against the second inclined groove 370.

[0027] The circuit board 40 is located on one side of the main body 10 and has a power supply unit and a control unit. The power supply unit is electrically connected to the solenoid 31 to provide power so that the solenoid 31 generates a corresponding magnetic field to drive the movable metal part 32 to move. The control unit is electrically connected to the power supply unit and is controlled to send a lock signal or an unlock signal to the power supply unit.

[0028] According to the above structural configuration, the electronic lock structure 1 of this utility model can determine when to lock or unlock based on the default control of the circuit board 40, computer control, or entry / exit detection control in conjunction with other sensors, and transmit the corresponding locking or unlocking signal to the power supply unit through the control unit. For example, when the power supply unit receives the locking signal, it briefly supplies power to the solenoid 31 to generate a first magnetic field, pushing the movable metal part 32 toward the first magnet 33. At this time, since the linkage 35 connects the movable metal part 32 and the bolt 20, the linkage 35 will move synchronously in the linked state, driving the bolt 20 to move to the locked position. Afterwards, when the movable metal part 32 contacts the first magnet 33, the power supply unit stops supplying power, and after the power supply stops, the first magnet 33 attracts the movable metal part 32, maintaining the locked state of the electronic lock structure 1. On the other hand, when the power supply unit receives the unlocking signal, it briefly supplies power to the solenoid 31 to generate a second magnetic field opposite to the direction of the first magnetic field, pushing the movable metal part 32 toward the second magnet 34. In the linked state, the linkage 35 moves synchronously, causing the bolt 20 to move to the unlocked position. Afterwards, when the movable metal part 32 contacts the second magnet 34, the power supply unit stops supplying power, and the second magnet 34 attracts the movable metal part 32 after the power supply stops, keeping the electronic lock structure 1 in the unlocked state.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a manual operating mechanism 50 is further included, disposed on the body 10, for manually operating to control the movement of the bolt 20 to the unlocked position. Specifically, the manual operating mechanism 50 has a pull rod 51, a lock cylinder 52, and an operating member 53. The pull rod 51 is disposed on the body 10 away from the bolt 20 and connected to the second shaft portion 321 of the movable metal member 32. The pull rod 51 has a movable groove 510 and a push top 511 disposed on the side of the movable groove 510 away from the movable metal member 32. The lock cylinder 52 is disposed on the body 10 and has a rotating member 520 rotatably disposed on one side of the pull rod 51 for controlled rotation between a horizontal position and a vertical position. The operating member 53 is rotatably disposed on one side of the body 10 and connected to the lock cylinder 52. Therefore, when the operating element 53 rotates the lock cylinder 52, the rotating part 520 of the lock cylinder 52 extends into the movable groove 510 and pushes against the push top 511, driving the pull rod 51 to move. This causes the movable metal part 32 to be pulled synchronously towards the second magnet 34, and then, through the linkage 35, drives the bolt 20 to the unlock position, completing manual unlocking. In this embodiment, the operating element 53 is a knob; in another embodiment, the operating element 53 can be a key, or any other similar device that can rotate the lock cylinder 52.

[0030] In summary, the energy-saving electronic lock structure provided by this invention, after a brief period of power-on locking or unlocking, does not require continued power supply. The design of the first magnet 33 and the second magnet 34 of the movable mechanism 30 attracts the movable metal part 32, thus maintaining the lock tongue 20 in the locked or unlocked position. Therefore, compared to conventional anode or cathode locks, this invention greatly solves the problem of requiring continuous power supply for locking or unlocking, achieving a more energy-efficient and convenient electronic lock structure.

[0031] The above are preferred embodiments and design drawings of this utility model. These preferred embodiments and design drawings are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. The protection scope of this utility model is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to this utility model within its substance and protection scope, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should also be considered to fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A power-saving electronic lock structure, characterized in that, Includes: A single entity, with an internal accommodating space; A locking tongue is provided on the body and is configured to reciprocate between a locked position and an unlocked position; when the locking tongue is in the locked position, at least a portion of the locking tongue extends out of the body; when the locking tongue is in the unlocked position, the locking tongue retracts into the receiving space of the body. An active mechanism is provided on the main body, comprising an electromagnet, a movable metal part, a first magnet, a second magnet, and a linkage; the movable metal part is movably disposed inside the electromagnet; the first magnet and the second magnet are respectively disposed at the two axial ends of the movable metal part, wherein the first magnet is closer to the latch than the second magnet; one end of the linkage is connected to the latch, and the other end is connected to the movable metal part; as well as A circuit board has a power supply unit and a control unit; the power supply unit is electrically connected to the solenoid; the control unit is electrically connected to the power supply unit and is controlled to send a lock signal or an unlock signal to the power supply unit. When the power supply unit receives the locking signal, it briefly supplies power to the solenoid to generate a first magnetic field that pushes the movable metal part toward the direction of the first magnet, causing the linkage to move the bolt to the locked position. After the power supply is stopped, the movable metal part is held in place by the first magnet to maintain the locked state. When the power supply unit receives the unlocking signal, it briefly supplies power to the solenoid to generate a second magnetic field that pushes the movable metal part toward the direction of the second magnet, causing the linkage to move the bolt to the unlocked position. After the power supply is stopped, the movable metal part is held in place by the second magnet to maintain the unlocked state.

2. The energy-saving electronic lock structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the first magnet and the second magnet is greater than the length of the movable metal part.

3. The energy-saving electronic lock structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first magnetic field has the opposite direction to the second magnetic field.

4. The energy-saving electronic lock structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The latch has a first pivot portion at one end; the movable metal part has a second pivot portion at one end; and the two ends of the linkage are respectively pivotally connected to the first pivot portion and the second pivot portion.

5. The energy-saving electronic lock structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mechanism also includes a first magnet holder located on the side of the solenoid tube near the latch and in which the first magnet is housed; The first magnet base has a first inclined groove on one side adjacent to the movable metal part; the movable metal part has a first inclined surface at one end adjacent to the first magnet base, so that when the movable metal part approaches the first magnet, the first inclined surface abuts against the first inclined groove.

6. The energy-saving electronic lock structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable mechanism also includes a second magnet base, which is located on the side of the solenoid tube away from the latch and where the second magnet is disposed; the side of the second magnet base adjacent to the movable metal part has a second inclined groove; the end of the movable metal part adjacent to the second magnet base has a second inclined surface, such that when the movable metal part approaches the second magnet, the second inclined surface abuts against the second inclined groove.

7. The energy-saving electronic lock structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a manual operating mechanism with a pull rod, a lock cylinder, and an operating member; the pull rod is located within the accommodating space of the body and connected to the end of the movable metal member away from the latch; the lock cylinder is located in the body and has a rotating member that is controlled to rotate between a horizontal position and a vertical position; the operating member is connected to the lock cylinder and is used to drive the rotating member of the lock cylinder to move the pull rod when the operating member is rotated, so that the movable metal member is synchronously pulled towards the direction of the second magnet.

8. The energy-saving electronic lock structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pull rod has a movable groove and a push top formed on the side of the movable groove away from the movable metal part; when the rotating part is in the horizontal position, the rotating part is a certain distance away from the push top and is generally perpendicular; when the rotating part rotates from the horizontal position to the vertical position, the rotating part extends into the movable groove and pushes against the push top, causing the pull rod to drive the movable metal part to move in the direction of the second magnet.

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