Electronic lock

Abstract

To provide an electronic lock whose the number of parts can be reduced and whose position accuracy and rotation accuracy can be improved.SOLUTION: An electronic lock 1 of the present embodiment includes a top cover 2 covering a front surface of the electronic lock 1, a knob 3 for manual operation provided on the top cover 2, a thumb turn connecting portion 9 fixed to the knob 3 via a rotating shaft 4, a gear 6 having a surface facing the knob 3 and arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft 4, a top housing 5, and a bottom housing 7, the top housing 5 and the bottom housing 7 being combined to accommodate the gear 6 inside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic lock.

Background Art

[0002] An electric lock that drives a deadbolt of a door with an electric thumbturn is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). Also known is an electronic lock that can be retrofitted to an existing door thumbturn (see, for example, Patent Document 2, etc.).

[0003] In the type of electronic lock that is retrofitted to an existing door thumbturn, a thumbturn for manual operation is provided so that it can be unlocked and locked manually even when it is not possible to perform an electric operation due to battery depletion or the like. Note that if the manual operation is performed with the motor and gears engaged with the manual operation thumbturn, an excessive load is applied to the motor and gears, and there is a risk of damage, etc., so an idling mechanism is often provided to prevent the motor and gears from engaging during manual operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, due to the idling mechanism of the thumb turn, the number of components increases and the electronic lock becomes larger. In the case of a retrofit type electronic lock with limited installation space, there is a problem that the mechanism design becomes difficult. In addition, the drive mechanism of the thumb turn, including the idling mechanism of the thumb turn, requires high accuracy in position and rotation. However, a relatively large torque is applied to the drive mechanism of the thumb turn, making it difficult to improve the accuracy of position and rotation. In this regard, miniaturization is also difficult.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic lock capable of reducing the number of components and improving the accuracy of position and rotation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an electronic lock according to an aspect of the present invention includes a top cover that covers the front surface of the electronic lock, a knob for manual operation provided on the top cover, a thumb turn connecting portion fixed to the knob via a rotation shaft, a gear having a surface facing the knob and arranged coaxially with the rotation shaft, a first housing, and a second housing. The first housing and the second housing are combined with the gear inside.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] The electronic lock according to an aspect of the present invention can reduce the number of components and improve the accuracy of position and rotation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an electronic lock according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Also, the dimensional relationships of the elements in the drawings, the ratios of the elements, etc. may be different from reality. Among the drawings, there may be parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios of each other are different. In addition, the content described in one embodiment or modification is generally applicable to other embodiments and modifications as well.

[0011] [First Embodiment] The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

[0012] In the following description, the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction are perpendicular to each other. The x-direction is the longitudinal direction of the electronic lock 1 and is the direction in which the thumb turn connecting portion 9 and the motor 22 are arranged. The y-direction is the short side direction of the electronic lock 1 and is the direction along the main surface such as the bottom housing 7. The z-direction is the extending direction of the rotation axis of the thumb turn connecting portion 9.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the electronic lock 1 according to the first embodiment. The electronic lock 1 is retrofitted to an existing thumb turn (not shown) of a door and is adapted to receive an operation instruction wirelessly or by wire from a controller (not shown) such as a smartphone or a control panel and perform corresponding operations (locking, unlocking, etc.). As the wireless method, Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi, etc. are used.

[0014] In FIG. 1, the electronic lock 1 has a substantially rectangular appearance with about half of the back side surface cut off, and the front side surface is covered by the top cover 2. A thumb turn connecting portion 9 that engages with an existing thumb turn (not shown) of a door is provided at the cut-off portion of the back side surface. A knob 3 that can be manually operated by the user is provided at a position on the top cover 2 opposite to the thumb turn connecting portion 9. The knob 3 has a concave surface 3a orthogonal to the rotation axis of the knob 3 and a substantially semi-circular knob portion 3b provided at the center of the concave surface 3a. Note that the shape of the knob 3 is not limited to that shown in the figure.

[0015] Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the electronic lock 1 with the top cover 2 removed. In Figure 2, a gear 6 etc. is connected to the knob 3 and continues to the thumb turn connecting part 9.

[0016] Figures 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of the main members and peripheral members connected to the knob 3. Figure 3 shows the state viewed from the obliquely upward direction (the same viewpoint as Figures 1 and 2), and Figure 4 shows the state viewed from the obliquely downward direction. In Figures 3 and 4, in order from the upper side of the figure, the knob 3, the rotary shaft 4, the top housing 5 (the first housing), the gear 6, the bottom housing 7 (the second housing), the switch operation board 8, and the thumb turn connecting part 9 are arranged. The thumb turn connecting part 9 is composed of a circular plate 10, a rectangular plate 11, a circular plate 12, and a thumb turn clamping part 13.

[0017] The switch operation board 8 and the thumb turn connecting part 9 are fixed to the knob 3 via the rotary shaft 4, and the switch operation board 8 and the thumb turn connecting part 9 rotate together with the knob 3. One end of the rotary shaft 4 is fixed to the hole 3f on the back side of the knob 3, and the other end of the rotary shaft 4 is fixed to the rectangular plate 11 of the thumb turn connecting part 9 through the switch operation board 8.

[0018] Also, a cylindrical part 3c is connected to the periphery of the concave surface 3a on the front side of the knob 3, and a potentiometer gear 3d is integrally provided around the lower end of the cylindrical part 3c. Note that the front side surface of the knob 3 is exposed on the outer surface of the electronic lock 1, and it is desirable to use an appropriate material from the viewpoint of the appearance. Also, for the potentiometer gear 3d, an appropriate material is desirable in terms of mechanical strength and wear resistance. Therefore, the potentiometer gear 3d may be configured separately from the knob 3. The relationship with the potentiometer (28) will be described later. Also, a protrusion 3e is provided on the back side of the knob 3. Regarding the protrusion 3e as well, from the viewpoint of material selection, it may be configured separately from the knob 3.

[0019] A cylindrical portion 7a is provided approximately at the center of the bottom of the bottom housing 7. The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 7a constitutes a bearing for the rotating shaft 4, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 7a constitutes a bearing for the gear 6. The top housing 5 and the bottom housing 7 are combined with the gear 6 inside. By supporting the rotating shaft 4 rotatably by one bearing by the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 7a of the bottom housing 7, the error due to assembly is reduced compared with the case of being supported by a pair (two) of bearings, and the positional accuracy is enhanced. Further, by supporting the gear 6 rotatably by the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 7a of the bottom housing 7, the gear 6 is not affected by the rotating shaft 4, and the accuracy of the axial distance from the spur gear (spur gear) (27), which meshes with the gear 6 and will be described later, is enhanced.

[0020] On the surface of the gear 6 facing the bottom surface of the knob 3, a protrusion 6a that can come into contact with the protrusion 3e on the back surface of the knob 3 in the rotational direction is provided. The protrusion 3e of the knob 3 and the protrusion 6a of the gear 6 constitute a so-called freewheel mechanism. After the protrusion 6a contacts and pushes the protrusion 3e of the knob 3 by the rotation of the driving-side gear 6 to rotate the knob 3, by reversing the gear 6 by a predetermined angle, a space is created between the protrusion 6a and the protrusion 3e, and the knob 3 can be manually reversed without affecting the driving-side gear 6.

[0021] The switch operation board 8 is substantially disk-shaped, and, for example, eight protrusions 8a are provided at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the switch operation board 8. The switch operation board 8 is for detecting that the knob 3 has been rotated by manual operation of the user, and is used for control in a sleep state to reduce power consumption and lengthen the battery life. Details will be described later.

[0022] Returning to FIG. 2, a motor 22 is disposed on the base housing 21, and a driving force is transmitted from the output shaft of the motor 22 to the gear 6 through a worm 23, a worm gear 24, ···, spur gears 26, 27 disposed in the bottom housing 7. Further, the potentiometer gear 29 on the bottom housing 7 meshes with the potentiometer gear 3d of the knob 3.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an enlarged driving-side gear configuration from the motor 22. In FIG. 5, the driving side includes a worm 23 which is a first driving-side gear fixed to the output shaft 22a of the motor 22, and a worm gear 24 which is a second driving-side gear meshing with the worm 23. Further, the driving side includes a spur gear 25 which is a third driving-side gear integrally formed with the worm gear 24, a spur gear 26 which is a fourth driving-side gear meshing with the spur gear 25, and a spur gear 27 which is a fifth driving-side gear integrally formed with the spur gear 26 and meshing with the gear 6 (FIG. 2 etc.).

[0024] Also, a potentiometer gear 29 is fixed to the input shaft at the center of the thin substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped potentiometer 28. The potentiometer 28 is a component that outputs an analog value (resistance value) according to the angular position of the input shaft.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration example around the switch operation board 8. In FIG. 6, a microswitch 16 is provided on the bottom surface side of a substrate 14 disposed inside the bottom surface of the bottom housing 7 (FIG. 3). Further, an arm 15 is rotatably supported by a shaft portion 15a in the bottom housing 7, and the tip of the arm 15 is biased toward the switch operation board 8 side. Therefore, when the knob 3 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by manual operation by the user and the switch operation board 8 rotates in conjunction, a protrusion 8a provided on the outer periphery of the switch operation board 8 pushes the tip of the arm 15 outward. As a result, the outer surface of the arm 15 presses the actuator 16a of the microswitch 16 to turn on (or off) the microswitch 16.

[0026] Note that a circuit portion (electronic circuit) for realizing functions such as a communication function with a controller such as a smartphone or a control panel and control of the motor 22 is mounted on the substrate 14.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another configuration example for operating the microswitch 16. In FIG. 7, a plurality (for example, eight) of protrusions 3e are integrally provided on the outer periphery of the knob 3, and the microswitch 16 is provided on the substrate 17. Here, when the knob 3 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by manual operation by the user, the protrusion 3e presses the actuator 16a of the microswitch 16 to turn on (or off) the microswitch 16.

[0028] Also, in FIG. 7, a magnetic sensor 18 is shown on the substrate 17. This magnetic sensor 18 is for determining whether the door is open or closed by detecting the proximity to a magnet provided on an existing door side (not shown). Although a similar magnetic sensor is also provided on the substrate 14 shown in FIG. 6, the illustration is omitted. Further, in FIG. 7, in addition to the substrate 17, a substrate 19 is provided, and a circuit section (electronic circuit) for realizing functions such as a communication function with a controller such as a smartphone or a control panel and control of the motor 22 is mounted on this substrate 19.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the above-described first embodiment, and is an example of processing of a circuit section when an operation signal is received from a controller such as a smartphone or an operation panel.

[0030] In FIG. 8, when the circuit section of the electronic lock 1 receives an operation signal from the controller and starts processing, the circuit section releases the sleep state (step S101). The sleep state is a state in which only the function of responding to limited state changes such as the presence or absence of reception of an operation signal from the controller and the turning on of the microswitch 16 is activated, other functions are stopped, and power consumption is suppressed. When the sleep state is released, the functions restricted in the sleep state become effective.

[0031] When the sleep state is released, the circuit section reads the value of the potentiometer 28 (the value corresponding to the rotation angle of the knob 3), acquires the current state (such as the locked state, the unlocked state, etc.), and records it in a non-volatile memory or the like in the circuit section (step S102).

[0032] Next, the circuit unit receives the operation content from the controller (step S103) and branches the process according to the operation content (step S104).

[0033] When the operation content is related to setting (setting in step S104), the circuit unit determines whether the setting content is appropriate (step S105). If it is determined that the setting content is inappropriate (No in step S105), the process returns to the operation content reception (step S103). That the setting content is appropriate means, for example, that there is no contradiction in the setting content.

[0034] When the circuit unit determines that the setting content is appropriate (Yes in step S105), it performs the corresponding setting process (step S106). Examples of the setting process include the setting of the locking and unlocking angle positions and directions, which is performed for the first time after the installation of the electronic lock 1. More specifically, the angle positions (whether the knob part faces the vertical direction or the horizontal direction) in the locked and unlocked states of the thumb turn of the existing door, and the rotation direction (clockwise rotation or counterclockwise rotation) to shift to the locked and unlocked states respectively are set, and the setting content is recorded in a non-volatile memory or the like in the circuit unit. The setting process also includes the setting process of the second and subsequent electronic locks 1 and the setting process of the master key, etc.

[0035] Next, the circuit unit determines whether the setting is completed (step S107). If it is determined that the setting is not completed (No in step S107), the process returns to the operation content reception (step S103). When the circuit unit determines that the setting is completed (Yes in step S107), it shifts to the sleep state (step S114) and ends the process.

[0036] On the other hand, when the operation content commands locking (locking in step S104), the circuit unit determines whether the operation content and the state match (step S108). For example, when it is in the locked state and locking is commanded again, it is determined that the operation content and the state do not match. When locking is commanded while the door is open, it is also determined that the operation content and the state do not match.

[0037] When the circuit unit determines that the operation content and the state do not match (No in step S108), it returns to the operation content reception (step S103).

[0038] When the circuit unit determines that the operation content and the state match (Yes in step S108), it drives the motor 22 in the set locking direction to rotate the cam turn connecting part 9 (the knob 3 also interlocks) by a predetermined angle to perform locking (step S109), and records the latest state in a non-volatile memory or the like in the circuit unit. For example, when the clockwise direction is set as the locking direction, power is applied to the motor 22 with the polarity corresponding to the clockwise rotation of the knob 3, and the driving is performed until the value of the potentiometer 28 changes by a predetermined angle (for example, 90°).

[0039] Next, the circuit unit reverses the motor 22 by a predetermined angle to put it in a free rotation state where the knob 3 and the gear do not mesh (step S110). For example, if the knob 3 is rotated 90° clockwise to lock, the motor 22 is rotated by an angle corresponding to 90° counterclockwise. Next, the circuit unit shifts to the sleep state (step S114) and ends the process.

[0040] On the other hand, when the operation content commands unlocking (unlocking in step S104), the circuit unit determines whether the operation content and the state match (step S111). For example, when unlocking is commanded while the current state is already unlocked, it is determined that the operation content and the state do not match. When unlocking is commanded while the door is open, it is also determined that the operation content and the state do not match.

[0041] When the circuit unit determines that the operation content and the state do not match (No in step S111), it returns to the operation content reception (step S103).

[0042] When the circuit unit determines that the operation content and the state are consistent (Yes in step S111), it drives the motor 22 in the set unlocking direction to rotate the thumb turn connecting part 9 (the knob 3 also moves in conjunction) by a predetermined angle to perform unlocking (step S112), and records the latest state in a non-volatile memory or the like in the circuit unit. For example, when the counterclockwise direction is set as the unlocking direction, power is applied to the motor 22 with the polarity corresponding to the counterclockwise rotation of the knob 3, and the driving is performed until the value of the potentiometer 28 changes by a predetermined angle (for example, 90°).

[0043] Next, the circuit unit reverses the motor 22 by a predetermined angle to put it in an idling state where the knob 3 and the gear do not mesh (step S113). For example, if the knob 3 is rotated counterclockwise by 90° to perform unlocking, the motor 22 is rotated by an angle corresponding to 90° in the clockwise direction. Next, the circuit unit shifts to the sleep state (step S114) and ends the process.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the first embodiment, and is an example of the processing of the circuit unit when a manual operation of turning the knob 3 of the electronic lock 1 is performed and the microswitch 16 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is turned on (or off).

[0045] In FIG. 9, when a manual operation of turning the knob 3 of the electronic lock 1 is performed and the microswitch 16 is turned on (or off) to start the process, the circuit unit releases the sleep state (step S201).

[0046] Next, when the sleep state is released, the circuit unit reads the value of the potentiometer 28, acquires the current state (such as the locked state, the unlocked state, etc.), and records it in a non-volatile memory or the like in the circuit unit (step S202).

[0047] Next, the circuit unit determines whether or not the state change of the microswitch 16 has not occurred for a predetermined time (step S203). If it is determined that the state change has not occurred for a predetermined time (there has been a state change within the predetermined time) (No in step S203), the process returns to the state acquisition (step S202).

[0048] When the circuit unit determines that the state change of the micro switch 16 has not occurred for a predetermined time (Yes in step S203), it shifts to the sleep state (step S204) and ends the process.

[0049] As described above, the first embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0050] As described above, the electronic lock according to the first embodiment includes a knob for manual operation, a thumb turn connecting portion fixed to the knob via a rotation shaft, a surface facing the bottom surface of the knob, a gear disposed coaxially with the rotation shaft, a first protrusion provided on the bottom surface of the knob, and a second protrusion provided on the surface of the gear facing the bottom surface of the knob and capable of abutting against the first protrusion in the rotation direction. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced and the accuracy of the position and rotation can be improved.

[0051] Further, it includes a bottom housing having a cylindrical portion that constitutes a bearing for the rotation shaft on the inner peripheral surface and a bearing for the gear on the outer peripheral surface. Thereby, the accuracy of the arrangement of the rotation shaft and the gear can be improved.

[0052] Further, it includes a potentiometer gear provided integrally with or separately from the outer periphery of the knob and meshing with a gear fixed to the rotation shaft of the potentiometer for position detection. Thereby, the rotation angle of the knob can be directly and accurately grasped.

[0053] Further, it includes a first driving-side gear fixed to the output shaft of the motor, a second driving-side gear meshing with the first driving-side gear, a third driving-side gear integrally formed with the second driving-side gear, a fourth driving-side gear meshing with the third driving-side gear, and a fifth driving-side gear integrally formed with the fourth driving-side gear and meshing with the gear. Thereby, the drive system can be easily configured.

[0054] Furthermore, it includes a switch operation plate that is fixed to the rotation axis and has a protrusion for pressing the operation part of the switch for detecting manual operation. Thereby, the rotation of the knob by the manual operation of the user can be easily detected.

[0055] Also, it is integrally provided on the outer periphery of the knob and has a protrusion for pressing the operation part of the switch for detecting manual operation. Thereby, the rotation of the knob by the manual operation of the user can be easily detected.

[0056] [Second Embodiment] The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 18. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0057] [Configuration of Knob 3] In the electronic lock 1 of the second embodiment, the configuration of the knob 3 is characteristic. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of the knob 3 in the second embodiment. The knob 3 according to the second embodiment can also be expressed as a modification of the knob 3 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10, the knob 3 of the second embodiment has a first member 31 and a second member 32. The first member 31 is the portion of the knob 3 that is exposed to the outside and is the portion having the knob part 3b used for manual operation. The knob part 3b is formed to protrude on the +z direction side of the first member 31. The second member 32 is the portion of the knob 3 that is disposed inside the housing and has a potentiometer gear 3d (gear portion) for transmitting the rotation angle of the knob 3 to the potentiometer 28 (first detection portion). The potentiometer gear 3d is formed concentrically with the hole 3f at the center of the main surface on the main surface on the -z direction side of the second member 32.

[0059] The first member 31 and the second member 32 are formed of different materials. That is, the knob part 3b of the first member 31 and the potentiometer gear 3d of the second member 32 are configured separately.

[0060] Since the knob portion 3b of the first member 31 is an exterior component that is exposed on the outer surface of the electronic lock 1, it is preferable to use an appropriate material for the first member 31 from the perspective of appearance (for example, a material that can have a good-looking surface property, a material that is easy to paint, etc.). On the other hand, for the potentiometer gear 3d of the second member 32, it is preferable to use a material suitable for the power transmission function (for example, a material that is not slippery and not easily worn) for the second member 32. In the second embodiment, by making the knob 3 into a separate body of the first member 31 and the second member 32, there is an advantage that materials suitable for the functions of each part can be used individually, and a more user-friendly knob 3 can be formed.

[0061] On the main surface of the first member 31 on the side opposite to the knob portion 3b (the z-negative direction side), a protrusion 33 that can be disposed in the concave portion 61 of the gear 6 is provided. In FIG. 10, for convenience of explanation, the first member 31 and the second member 32 of the knob 3 are illustrated in a perspective view as viewed from the z-negative direction side, and the gear 6 is illustrated in a perspective view as viewed from the z-positive direction side.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 33 is formed to protrude on the z-negative direction side of the first member 31. In the second member 32, a hole portion 34 through which the protrusion 33 is inserted is provided so as to penetrate in the z direction. When the first member 31 and the second member 32 are integrally connected to form the knob 3, the protrusion 33 penetrates through the hole portion 34 and protrudes to the z-negative direction side of the knob 3. And in a state where the knob 3 and the gear 6 are assembled inside the electronic lock 1, the protrusion 33 of the knob 3 enters the concave portion 61 of the gear 6. The concave portion 61 is recessed on the z-negative direction side in a region between the hole 63 at the center portion of the gear 6 and the gear 64 at the outer edge portion, and extends along the circumferential direction of the gear 6.

[0063] The recess 61 is divided into two regions by a wall portion 62 extending along the radial direction of the gear 6, and one projection 33 of the knob 3 is arranged in each of these two regions. The projection 33 of the knob 3 and the wall portion 62 of the gear 6 constitute an idling mechanism in the same manner as the projection 3e of the knob 3 and the projection 6a of the gear 6 in the first embodiment. That is, after the rotation of the driving-side gear 6 causes the wall portion 62 to contact and push against the projection 33 of the knob 3 to rotate the knob 3, by reversing the gear 6 by a predetermined angle, a space is created between the wall portion 62 and the projection 33, and the knob 3 can be manually reversed without affecting the driving-side gear 6.

[0064] In the example of FIG. 10, a configuration in which the knob 3 has two projections 33 is illustrated, but the number of projections 33 may be other than two. The number of recesses 61 of the gear 6 is changed according to the number of projections 33.

[0065] <Arrangement of sensors> In the electronic lock 1 of the second embodiment, the arrangement of the potentiometer 28 (first detection unit), the microswitch 16 (second detection unit), and the magnetic sensor 18 (third detection unit) is characteristic. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of the potentiometer 28, the microswitch 16, and the magnetic sensor 18 in the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, from the external perspective view of the electronic lock 1 with the top housing 5 removed as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, components arranged on the +z direction side of the substrate 20 such as the knob 3 and the gear 6 are excluded, and the vicinity of the rotation shaft 4 is shown in an enlarged view. The arrangement of the potentiometer 28, the microswitch 16, and the magnetic sensor 18 according to the second embodiment can also be expressed as a modified example of the arrangement of the potentiometer 28, the microswitch 16, and the magnetic sensor 18 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 and the like.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 11, in the second embodiment, the potentiometer 28, the microswitch 16, and the magnetic sensor 18 are mounted on the same substrate 20 arranged inside the electronic lock 1.

[0067] With this configuration, the substrate installed inside the housing of the electronic lock 1 can be miniaturized, and thus the overall miniaturization of the electronic lock 1 is also possible. In addition, since the processing of a plurality of sensors can be collectively performed on a single substrate 20, cost reduction can also be achieved.

[0068] Further, the magnetic sensor 18 is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the rotation axis 4 of the thumb turn connecting portion 9. In the example of FIG. 11, the magnetic sensor 18 is disposed on the y negative direction side (the short side direction of the electronic lock 1) from the rotation axis 4.

[0069] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a first modification of the arrangement example of the potentiometer 28, the microswitch 16, and the magnetic sensor 18. The outline of FIG. 12 is the same as that of FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12, the magnetic sensor 18 may be disposed in the vicinity of the rotation axis 4 of the thumb turn connecting portion 9, and may be disposed at a position different from that of FIG. 11. In the example of FIG. 12, the magnetic sensor 18 is disposed at a position on the x negative direction side (the motor 22 side, the longitudinal direction side of the electronic lock 1) from the rotation axis 4.

[0070] With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the effect of disposing the magnetic sensor 18 in the vicinity of the rotation axis 4 will be described. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the electronic lock 1 is installed on a door with the longitudinal direction being the vertical direction. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the electronic lock 1 is installed on a door with the longitudinal direction being the horizontal direction.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 13, the electronic lock 1 of the present embodiment engages with the thumb turn 41 of the existing door 40 and operates the thumb turn 41. The magnetic sensor 18 can detect the open / closed state of the door 40 by detecting the proximity to a magnet 43 provided on the building side where the door 40 on which the electronic lock 1 is installed is installed (for example, a door frame 42 to which the door 40 is attached).

[0072] For example, as shown in FIG. 13, consider a magnetic sensor 18 disposed near the rotation axis 4 as an example, and a magnetic sensor 18a disposed away from the rotation axis 4 as a comparative example. In the example of FIG. 13, both the magnetic sensor 18 of the example and the magnetic sensor 18a of the comparative example are disposed on the center line C in the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 13) of the electronic lock 1.

[0073] In the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the electronic lock 1 is installed on the door 40 with the longitudinal direction being the vertical direction, the distance D1 between the magnetic sensor 18 of the example and the magnet 43 and the distance D1a between the magnetic sensor 18a of the comparative example and the magnet 43 are substantially the same.

[0074] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, when the electronic lock 1 is installed on the door 40 with the longitudinal direction being the horizontal direction, the distance D2 between the magnetic sensor 18 of the example and the magnet 43 and the distance D2a between the magnetic sensor 18a of the comparative example and the magnet 43 are significantly different.

[0075] Since the difference between the distance D1 of the example in FIG. 13 and the distance D2 of the example in FIG. 14 is relatively small, the difference in the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor 18 of the example is also unlikely to occur. On the other hand, since the difference between the distance D1a of the comparative example in FIG. 13 and the distance D2a of the comparative example in FIG. 14 is relatively large, the difference in the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor 18a of the comparative example is also likely to occur.

[0076] Thus, by disposing the magnetic sensor 18 near the rotation axis 4 as in the present embodiment, the difference in the positional relationship with the magnet 43 can be reduced regardless of whether the electronic lock 1 is installed on the door 40 in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, so that the difference in detection accuracy due to the installation direction can be made less likely to occur.

[0077] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a second modification of the arrangement example of the potentiometer 28, the microswitch 16, and the magnetic sensor 18. In the second embodiment, at least the potentiometer 28, the microswitch 16, and the magnetic sensor 18 may be mounted on the same substrate 20, and the magnetic sensor 18 does not necessarily have to be arranged near the rotation axis 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the magnetic sensor 18 may be arranged near the side wall of the peripheral portion of the housing (bottom housing 7). For example, the magnetic sensor 18 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is arranged at a position closer to the rotation axis 4 than the side wall of the peripheral portion of the bottom housing 7, whereas the magnetic sensor 18 shown in FIG. 15 is arranged at a position closer to the side wall of the peripheral portion of the bottom housing 7 than the rotation axis 4.

[0078] <Switching structure of the microswitch 16> The electronic lock 1 of the second embodiment also has a feature in the switching structure of the microswitch 16 for detecting manual operation. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the switching structure of the microswitch 16 in the second embodiment. The outline of FIG. 16 is the same as that of FIG. 11, and the vicinity of the microswitch 16 in FIG. 11 is shown in an enlarged view. FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of the switching structure shown in FIG. 16 viewed from the z-negative direction side. In FIG. 17, for convenience of explanation, the illustration of the bottom housing 7 is omitted. The switching structure of the microswitch 16 according to the second embodiment can also be expressed as a modification of the switching structure of the microswitch 16 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 16, the electronic lock 1 of the second embodiment includes a cam 50 that rotates in response to the rotation of the knob 3. As described above with reference to FIG. 6, the microswitch 16 detects that the actuator 16a (operation unit) has been pressed and switches to the on state (or off state).

[0080] The cam 50 is rotatably attached to a rotation shaft 54 that stands upright in the +z direction from the bottom surface of the bottom housing 7. The cam 50 has a cylindrical rotation part 51 that fits into the rotation shaft 54, a first arm part 52 that extends in a different direction from the rotation part 51, and a second arm part 53. At the tip of the first arm part 52, there is a pressing part 55 that presses the actuator 16a of the microswitch 16 when rotating in response to the rotation of the knob 3.

[0081] Further, the electronic lock 1 includes a biasing part 56 that biases the cam 50 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction for bringing the pressing part 55 close to the actuator 16a of the microswitch 16. The biasing part 56 is, for example, a torsion spring. One end of the torsion spring is connected to the tip of the second arm part 53 of the cam 50, and the other end is fixed to the bottom housing 7 or the like. The cam 50 can rotate against the biasing force of the biasing part 56 in response to the rotation of the knob 3.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 17, a protrusion 57 that protrudes in the -z direction is formed at the tip of the first arm part 52. In the actual structure, as shown in FIG. 18, the protrusion 57 passes through a slit 58 formed by penetrating the bottom surface of the bottom housing 7 and is exposed from the bottom housing 7 to the -z direction side. The protrusion 57 protruding from the bottom housing 7 to the outside is disposed at a position where it can contact a protrusion 8a provided to protrude outward in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the switch operation plate 8, and is slidable along the slit 58 in response to the pressing by the protrusion 8a.

[0083] The knob 3 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by manual operation of the user. When the switch operation plate 8 rotates in conjunction as indicated by arrow A in FIGS. 17 and 18, a protrusion 8a provided on the outer periphery of the switch operation plate 8 pushes the protrusion 57 of the first arm portion 52 of the cam 50 radially outward. The cam 50 rotates about the rotation shaft 54 by the pressing force from the switch operation plate 8 received by the protrusion 57. As a result, the first arm portion 52 moves in the rotation direction approaching the actuator 16a of the microswitch 16 as indicated by arrow B in FIGS. 16 to 18, and the second arm portion 53 moves in the rotation direction approaching the actuator 16a of the microswitch 16 as indicated by arrow C in FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0084] By such rotation of the first arm portion 52, the pressing portion 55 presses the actuator 16a of the microswitch 16, thereby turning on (or off) the microswitch 16.

[0085] Further, by the rotation of the second arm portion 53, the biasing portion 56 applies a biasing force to the second arm portion 53 on the side opposite to the rotation direction indicated by arrow C as indicated by arrow D in FIGS. 16 and 17. While the protrusion 57 of the first arm portion 52 is receiving the pressing force from the protrusion 8a of the switch operation plate 8, the cam 50 can rotate against the biasing force D by the biasing portion 56 in accordance with the rotation of the knob 3.

[0086] On the other hand, when the protrusion 57 of the first arm portion 52 passes through the protrusion 8a of the switch operation plate 8 and the pressing force received by the protrusion 57 from the protrusion 8a disappears, the cam 50 rotates in the direction of separating the pressing portion 55 from the actuator 16a of the microswitch 16, that is, in the direction opposite to the aforementioned pressing direction (the direction of arrow D) by the biasing force D received by the second arm portion 53 from the biasing portion 56. As a result, the microswitch 16 is switched off (or on).

[0087] Thus, in the second embodiment, instead of directly pressing the activation switch (micro switch 16) with a plate (a rotating element such as the switch operation plate 8), a configuration is adopted in which it is pressed via the cam 50. With this configuration, by appropriately adjusting the shape of the cam 50 (for example, the lengths of the first arm portion 52 and the second arm portion 53, the position of the protruding portion 57 with respect to the protrusion 8a of the switch operation plate 8, etc.), the degree of freedom in the placement location of the micro switch 16 is improved, and it can be easily arranged on the same substrate 20 together with other sensors.

[0088] Also, if the degree of freedom in the placement of the micro switch 16 can be improved in this way, for example, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 16, it is also possible to easily arrange the micro switch 16 in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 18 near the rotation axis 4. If it can be arranged in such a manner, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, it is also possible to reduce the area of the substrate 20 by eliminating the portion on the positive x-direction side of the substrate 20 (the portion shown by the oblique lines in FIG. 16), so that further weight reduction and miniaturization of the electronic lock 1 can be achieved.

[0089] Similarly, by adjusting the shape of the cam 50, the pressing force and timing applied from the pressing portion 55 of the cam 50 to the actuator 16a of the micro switch 16 can also be freely adjusted, so that the load received by the micro switch 16 due to pressing can be reduced, and the operating sound can also be reduced.

[0090] Also, the present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiments. Those configured by appropriately combining the above-described respective components are also included in the present invention. Further effects and modification examples can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, a broader aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes are possible.

[0091] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-217448 filed on November 29, 2019, and the entire contents of 2019-217448 are incorporated herein by reference into this international application.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0092] 1 Electronic tablet 2 Top cover 3 Knob 31 First member 32 Second member 3b Knob part 3c Cylindrical part 3d Potentiometer gear (gear part) 3e Projection 4 Rotation axis 5 Top housing (first housing) 6 Gear 6a Projection 7 Bottom housing (second housing) 7a Cylindrical part 8 Switch operation board 8a Projection 9 Thumb turn connecting part 16 Microswitch (second detection part) 16a Actuator (operation part) 18 Magnetic sensor (third detection part) 21 Base housing 22 Motor 22a Output shaft 23 Worm 24 Worm gear 25 - 27 Spur gears 28 Potentiometer (first detection part) 29 Potentiometer gear 20 Substrate 40 Door 41 Thumb turn 42 Door frame 43 Magnet 50 Cam 55 Pressing part 56 Biasing part

Claims

1. An electronic lock, comprising: a top cover covering the front surface of the electronic lock; a knob for manual operation provided on the top cover; a cam turn connecting part fixed to the knob via a rotating shaft; a gear having a surface facing the knob and arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft; a first housing; a second housing; The first housing and the second housing are combined with the gear inside. An electronic lock.

2. The electronic lock according to claim 1, further comprising a base housing for housing the second housing, wherein a motor is arranged on the base housing, and a driving force is transmitted from an output shaft of the motor to the gear through a plurality of driving-side gears arranged in the second housing.

3. The electronic lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first housing and the second housing are combined with a potentiometer gear meshing with a gear fixed to a rotating shaft of a potentiometer for position detection inside. ​ ​

Images