Electronic locks, electrical and electronic equipment storage boxes

Abstract

To provide an electronic lock with reduced electricity consumption.SOLUTION: An electronic lock 1 includes a handle 11 that can be raised and lowered for opening and closing the door, a body case 12 having a recessed portion that can accommodate the handle, a switching operation unit operable to switch between a locked state in which a state in which the handle is laid on the recessed portion is maintained and an unlocked state in which the state in which the handle is laid on the recessed portion can be released, and a receiving unit 14 capable of receiving a command to operate the switching operation unit. The switching operation unit operates to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state in response to an operation signal from the receiving unit. The electronic lock 1 is provided with an activation unit 15 used to control the activation state of the receiving unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic lock and a box for storing electrical and electronic equipment equipped with an electronic lock. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrical and electronic equipment storage boxes that house electrical and electronic equipment such as switchboards are usually provided with flat handles. It has been considered to operate these flat handles using electrical signals, and Patent Document 1 discloses that, in order to improve the efficiency of locking and unlocking operations, a locking means locks and unlocks the box in response to a signal from a control unit that has a sensor that detects locking and unlocking commands. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-155644

[0004] In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, the sensor is constantly activated to detect lock / unlock commands from a card or the like. This means that the sensor is constantly consuming power. This constant consumption of electricity increases the frequency of battery replacements, which is time-consuming. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors of the present invention have made extensive research into this issue and have attempted to solve it.The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an electronic lock that reduces electricity consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the electronic lock is an electronic lock for an electrical and electronic equipment storage box, which comprises a retractable handle used to open and close the door, a main body case having a recessed portion capable of accommodating the handle, a switching operation unit operable to switch between a locked state in which the handle is kept lying in the recessed portion and an unlocked state in which the state in which the handle is lying in the recessed portion can be released, and a receiving unit capable of receiving commands to operate the switching operation unit, wherein the switching operation unit operates to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state upon receiving an operating signal from the receiving unit, and which comprises an activation unit used to change the receiving unit from a stopped state to an activated state.

[0007] Furthermore, it is preferable that the starting unit comprises a switch that is operated to start the receiving unit and an operating unit that can operate the switch, that the switching operation unit is arranged in the recessed portion, that when the main body case is attached to a mounting hole provided in a box for storing electrical and electronic equipment, the starting unit comprises an internal storage unit that passes through the mounting hole and is arranged on the back side of the door, and that the operating unit is arranged on the outer side of the recessed portion when viewed from the front.

[0008] It is also preferable that the switch be arranged on the outer side of the recessed portion when viewed from the front.

[0009] It is also preferable that the handle be rotatably supported at one end of the main body case, and the actuation portion be disposed at the end of the main body case opposite to the end supporting the handle.

[0010] It is also preferable that the electronic lock is provided in a box for storing electrical and electronic equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention makes it possible to provide an electronic lock that reduces electricity consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of an electronic lock according to an embodiment, with the depth direction of the paper being the rear direction. [Figure 2]1 is a diagram showing an electronic lock according to an embodiment as seen obliquely from the side, with the handle being visible from the front side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic lock shown in FIG. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the electronic lock shown in Figure 1 attached to the box for storing electrical and electronic equipment, as viewed from a position slightly shifted to the right from the front. [Figure 5] 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an electrical / electronic device storage box with an electronic lock attached, taken vertically around the electronic lock. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an electronic lock according to an embodiment, with the handle in an upright position and the receiver omitted. [Figure 7] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an electronic lock according to an embodiment, in which the handle is in a down position and the receiver is omitted. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a side view of the cover member of the embodiment as viewed from the right side. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover member of the embodiment as viewed from below on the rear side. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the cover member being attached to the main body case. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the main body case, the cover member, and the switching operation unit according to an embodiment, where the main body case is shown by dashed lines so that the interior can be seen through. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the invention is described below. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 5, an electronic lock 1 according to this embodiment is used in a box 8 for storing electrical and electronic equipment. The electronic lock 1 includes a retractable handle 11 used to open and close a door 81, a main body case 12 having a recessed portion 12a capable of accommodating the handle 11, a switching unit 13 operable to switch between a locked state in which the handle 11 is kept reclined in the recessed portion 12a and an unlocked state in which the handle 11 can be released from the reclined state in the recessed portion 12a, and a receiving unit 14 operable to receive a command to operate the switching unit 13. In this electronic lock 1, the switching unit 13 operates to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state in response to an operating signal from the receiving unit 14. The electronic lock 1 also includes an activation unit 15 used to control the activation state of the receiving unit 14. This allows the electronic lock 1 to consume less electricity.

[0014] Here, we will start with the explanation of the electrical and electronic equipment storage box 8 to which the electronic lock 1 is attached. The electrical and electronic equipment storage box 8 includes a housing 82 having an opening through which electrical and electronic equipment can be put in and taken out, and a door 81 attached to the housing 82 so as to cover the opening.

[0015] 1 to 5, the electronic lock 1 is attached to the side opposite the pivot axis of the door 81, which is rotatably attached to the housing 82. More specifically, the electronic lock 1 is attached in such a manner that the main body case 12 is fitted into a mounting hole provided on the side edge of the door 81. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the main body case 12 is attached to the door 81 so that its longitudinal direction is the up-down direction. The handle 11 is supported on one end side in the longitudinal direction, and normally the side supporting the handle 11 is located on the upper side of the main body case 12 provided on the door 81.

[0016] 1 and 3, main body case 12 is a box-shaped body having recessed portion 12a capable of accommodating handle 11, and is provided with flange portion 12b on its periphery. This flange portion 12b is configured to have an outer shape slightly larger than the mounting hole so as to fit along the outer periphery of the mounting hole. Therefore, when main body case 12 is attached to door 81, a part of main body case 12 is located on the front side of door 81, and another part of main body case 12 is located on the back side of door 81. In other words, a part of recessed portion 12a is located on the front side of door 81, and another part of recessed portion 12a is located on the back side of door 81.

[0017] A portion of the recessed portion 12a that is located behind the front surface of the door 81 is used as an internal storage portion 12aa in which some of the components used to function as the electronic lock 1 can be placed. This portion is located on the opposite side from the side that supports the handle 11, and is configured to become a recessed portion on the back side of the door 81 when the electronic lock 1 is attached to the door 81. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the internal storage portion 12aa is formed below the recessed portion 12a.

[0018] The handle 11 supported by the main body case 12 is the part that is operated when opening the door 81, and can be rotated around a handle shaft 21 attached to the main body case 12. More specifically, the handle 11 can be rotated around the handle shaft 21 in both the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions.

[0019] The handle 11 is rotated in the forward and backward directions when the handle 11 is brought into a state where it protrudes from the main body case 12, as shown in Figure 6, or when it is brought from that state into a state where it is retracted into the main body case 12 (see Figure 7). In this specification, these are collectively referred to as the raising and lowering of the handle 11. The handle 11 is rotated in the left and right directions when, after the handle 11 is brought into a state where it protrudes from the main body case 12, the lock piece 22 located on the back side of the door 81 switches between a state where it is caught on the housing 82 and a state where it is not caught on the housing 82.

[0020] The locking piece 22 is connected to the handle 11 via the handle shaft 21 so that the locking piece 22 can be moved by rotating the handle 11 left and right. More specifically, the locking piece 22 is connected to the handle shaft 21 on the side opposite to the part connected to the handle 11. In this embodiment, the locking piece 22 is connected to the handle shaft 21 by a bolt 23, but the bolt 23 fastens the locking piece 22 and the handle shaft 21 on the back side of the door 81, so that the bolt 23 cannot be operated when the door 81 is closed.

[0021] Incidentally, when the electronic lock 1 of the embodiment attached to the door 81 as shown in Figure 4 is in the locked state (a state in which the handle 11 is kept lying in the recessed portion 12a), the handle 11 cannot be changed from a state in which it extends substantially vertically. To release this state, it is usually determined from information recognized by the receiving unit 14 whether or not it is acceptable to operate the handle 11.

[0022] The receiver 14 determines the situation based on a signal received from the outside, and there are various possible examples of what kind of signal the receiver 14 receives to determine the situation. For example, the situation may be determined from a signal wirelessly sent from a terminal that the user operates, or the situation may be determined from information read by swiping a card, etc. In the former case, it is desirable to place the receiver 14 inside the electrical and electronic device storage box 8, and in the latter case, it is desirable to place the receiver 14 outside the electrical and electronic device storage box 8.

[0023] In this embodiment, the receiving unit 14 is provided on the outside of the main body case 12 and is connected by wiring to devices arranged inside the main body case 12. The receiving unit 14 is attached to the rear side of the door 81 and can receive unlocking commands transmitted from an external terminal device using wireless communication or the like. Note that the receiving unit 14 may be configured to be provided inside the main body case 12, but in order to make the main body case 12 smaller, it is preferable to place the receiving unit 14 on the outside of the main body case 12.

[0024] When receiving unit 14 determines, based on a signal received from the outside, that it is acceptable to operate handle 11, it sends a signal to operate switching operation unit 13. For example, when it recognizes an unlocking command, it operates switching operation unit 13 to switch from a locked state in which handle 11 is kept lying in recess 12a to an unlocked state in which handle 11 can be released from lying in recess 12a.

[0025] In the embodiment, the locked state is achieved by causing the claw portion 11a provided at the tip of the handle 11 to be caught on the engagement portion 13a provided on the switching operation portion 13. Therefore, when the receiving portion 14 recognizes an unlocking command, the unlocked state is achieved by operating the switching operation portion 13 so that the claw portion 11a is no longer caught on the engagement portion 13a.

[0026] In this embodiment, the motor 13b provided in the switching operation unit 13 is actuated by a signal from the receiving unit 14, thereby moving the engaging unit 13a. Although the motor 13b is used in this example, the motor used to move the engaging unit 13a is not limited to the motor 13b. For example, the engaging unit 13a may be actuated by receiving a signal from a solenoid or the like.

[0027] In the present invention, in order to eliminate the need for the receiving unit 14 to be in a standby state at all times, a start-up unit 15 is provided which is used to change the receiving unit 14 from a stopped state to an activated state. The start-up unit 15 is operated when it is desired to activate the receiving unit 14. In this embodiment, the start-up unit 15 includes a switch 15a which is operated to activate the receiving unit 14, and an operation unit 15b which can operate the switch 15a. More specifically, the switch 15a can switch the power supply state of the receiving unit 14. By operating the operation unit 15b to connect the contacts of the switch 15a, electricity from the power source is supplied to the receiving unit 14, and the receiving unit 14 can be activated. This eliminates the need to keep the receiving unit 14 in an activated state at all times.

[0028] Incidentally, the locking piece 22 is placed near the support part of the handle 11, but if the activation part 15 is placed near the locking piece 22, the wiring must be routed to avoid the movable range of the locking piece 22, which makes it difficult to avoid the electronic lock 1 becoming larger.

[0029] For example, in the embodiment, the bolt 23, which is a support part that supports the handle 11, also supports the locking piece 22 that engages with the housing 82, and the locking piece 22 rotates in accordance with the operation of the handle 11. On the other hand, it is common for the electronic lock 1 to be able to change the orientation of the locking piece 22 to suit the specifications (left-hand opening, right-hand opening) of the electrical / electronic device storage box 8. For this reason, the locking piece 22 can move to either the left or right around the main case 12. For this reason, if the activation unit 15 is located near the locking piece 22, the electronic lock 1 will become larger.

[0030] In order to avoid an increase in size of the electronic lock 1, when the handle 11 is supported in a rotatable state at one end of the main body case 12, it is preferable to arrange the activation unit 15 at the end of the main body case 12 opposite the side that supports the handle 11. By arranging the activation unit 15 on the other end side from the support part, it is not necessary to route the lock piece 22 around the movable range, and an increase in size of the electronic lock 1 can be prevented. In particular, it is preferable to arrange the activation unit 15 on the other side of the main body case 12 from the support part for the handle 11 in the longitudinal direction.

[0031] However, since the electronic lock 1 of the embodiment is powered by a battery, it is possible that the battery may no longer be able to supply sufficient power due to the passage of time, etc. Therefore, the electronic lock 1 of the embodiment is equipped with an auxiliary lock 41 that allows the electronic lock 1 to be unlocked even if the battery capacity of the electronic lock 1 runs out.

[0032] The engagement part 13a can be moved by inserting a key into this auxiliary lock 41 and turning the key. In this way, the auxiliary lock 41 can be used to release the claw part 11a provided on the handle 11 from the engagement part 13a.

[0033] In the embodiment, the switching operation unit 13 is disposed in the internal storage unit 12aa, which passes through the mounting hole and is disposed on the back side of the door 81 when the main body case 12 is attached to the mounting hole provided in the electrical / electronic device storage box 8. The internal storage unit 12aa in the embodiment is provided in the recessed portion 12a. Also, in order to protect the switching operation unit 13 housed in the internal storage unit 12aa, a cover member 16 is attached so as to cover the switching operation unit 13 from the front. However, the cover member 16 in the embodiment has an operation hole 16a so that a key can be inserted into the auxiliary lock 41. The operation hole 16a shown in FIG. 3 is a circular hole when viewed from the front, and allows a portion of the front side of the auxiliary lock 41 to protrude forward.

[0034] The cover member 16 shown in Fig. 3 has an end cover portion 16b that can cover from the front a part of the vicinity of the lower end of the recessed portion 12a of the main body case 12. The end cover portion 16b shown in Fig. 3 is also the portion where the operation hole 16a is provided, so this portion is open.

[0035] The cover member 16 shown in Figures 3, 8, and 9 includes, in addition to the end cover portion 16b, an arm portion 16c extending from the end cover portion 16b toward the internal storage portion 12aa, an extension portion 16d extending vertically from the arm portion 16c, and a protrusion portion 16e extending from the end cover portion 16b toward the outward side of the internal storage portion 12aa.

[0036] In the embodiment, the arm portions 16c are attached so that the two opposing arm portions 16c sandwich the switching operation unit 13, thereby preventing failure or malfunction of the switching operation unit 13 even if vibrations are applied to the electronic lock 1.

[0037] Furthermore, the extension portion 16d in the embodiment can cover almost the entire internal storage portion 12aa, which is configured as a more recessed portion of the recess portion 12a, and therefore can protect the equipment placed within the internal storage portion 12aa.

[0038] The protruding portion 16e in the embodiment is also a portion that can cover the switch 15a of the activation portion 15. In other words, it is possible to arrange the activation portion 15 on the outer side of the recessed portion 12a. Therefore, the electronic lock 1 can be provided with the activation portion 15 without enlarging the recessed portion 12a, and therefore does not take up too much storage space in the box for storing electrical and electronic equipment 8. Furthermore, the size of the recessed portion 12a can be the same as that of a conventional lock, and when replacing an existing lock, there is no need to rework the box for storing electrical and electronic equipment 8 to change the size of the mounting hole. Note that the protruding portion 16e in the embodiment is also a portion that can cover the switch 15a of the activation portion 15 and is configured to have a substantially triangular shape in a side view.

[0039] The operating portion 15b of the activation portion 15 does not need to be disposed within the protruding portion 16e, but it is preferable to dispose it on the outer side of the recessed portion 12a when viewed from the front. If only the operating portion 15b is provided in such a location, it is possible to prevent the recessed portion 12a from becoming larger. For the same reason, it is also preferable to dispose the switch 15a on the outer side of the recessed portion 12a when viewed from the front.

[0040] Here, we will explain an example of assembling the electronic lock 1 equipped with these. For example, first, the switching operation unit 13 and the auxiliary lock 41 are stored in the internal storage section 12aa of the main body case 12. It is preferable that the wiring connecting the switching operation unit 13 and the receiving unit 14 be routed from the rear side of the main body case 12.

[0041] In this embodiment, the activation unit 15 is attached to the protruding portion 16e of the cover member 16, and the wiring from the switch 15a is routed so as to connect to the switching operation unit 13 and the receiving unit 14 in the internal storage portion 12aa. The operation unit 15b provided on the activation unit 15 is attached so as to be exposed from the protruding portion 16e.

[0042] In the embodiment, the protruding portion 16e has a triangular shape in a side view, and the operation unit 15b is disposed on the surface having an opening located on the lower side. By disposing the operation unit 15b on the surface that opens downward in this manner, even if water droplets are generated due to condensation or the like, it is possible to prevent water from entering the cover member 16 through the gap between the operation unit 15b and the cover member 16.

[0043] The cover member 16 to which the actuation unit 15 is attached is inserted so that the arms 16c are inserted into the internal storage portion 12aa from the front side of the main body case 12. As a result, the arms 16c are positioned so as to sandwich the switching operation unit 13 from the left and right outside of the switching operation unit 13. Then, by inserting a pin 91 that penetrates the cover member 16 and the switching operation unit 13 from the outside of the main body case 12, they are fixed to the main body case 12.

[0044] In this case, extension portion 16d and end cover portion 16b of cover member 16 are positioned to cover internal storage portion 12aa, but if a waterproof packing is placed between main body case 12 and cover member 16, the inside of internal storage portion 12aa can be protected to a higher degree. In Figures 10 and 11, cover member 16 is fixed to main body case 12 using male screw 92. Note that even if water seeps into main body case 12 from the gap between main body case 12 and handle 11, it can be drained through operation hole 16a.

[0045] The handle 11 is arranged so that the main body case 12 is sandwiched between a handle shaft 21 supporting the handle 11 so as to be able to rise and fall and a locking piece 22, and by fastening a bolt 23 to the handle shaft 21 from the locking piece 22 side, the handle 11 can be connected to the main body case 12 and can be supported so as to be able to turn.

[0046] Next, we will explain the operation of the electronic lock 1. The receiver 14 is not always in operation and is in a stopped state. In this state, even if a command to lock or unlock is sent from outside, the electronic lock 1 will not operate. For this reason, it is difficult for someone who does not know how to operate it in the following sequence to unlock the electronic lock 1, which improves the security function.

[0047] To operate the electronic lock 1, the user operates the operating unit 15b of the activation unit 15 to turn on the switch 15a. Turning on the switch 15a connects the contacts, connects the internal wiring of the electronic lock 1, and electrically connects the receiving unit 14, putting it into an activated state. If a command is sent from outside after the receiving unit 14 has entered an activated state, the receiving unit 14 will then determine whether or not it is OK to unlock the lock. Once authentication that it is OK to unlock the lock is complete, the receiving unit 14 will send a signal to operate the switching operation unit 13.

[0048] The switching operation unit 13 operates upon receiving a signal from the receiving unit 14. In this embodiment, the motor 13b rotates and engages with the internal mechanism, causing the internal mechanism to move upward. The engaging portion 13a, which is pivotally supported by the internal mechanism, rotates, and the state in which the engaging portion 13a and the claw portion 11a are caught together is released.

[0049] The handle 11 is biased in the opening direction by a spring, so that when the hooked state between the claw portion 11a and the engagement portion 13a is released, the handle 11 rises up and becomes capable of being rotated left and right.

[0050] The internal mechanism is biased by a spring so that it can return to its original state. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the internal mechanism started to move, the internal mechanism returns to its original state when the motor 13b and the internal mechanism are disengaged. More specifically, in this embodiment, the internal mechanism moves downward. As the internal mechanism moves, the engaging portion 13a also returns to its original state.

[0051] To lock the handle 11, simply push the handle 11 into the main body case 12. This action alone causes the claw 11a at the tip of the handle 11 to engage with the engagement portion 13a, thereby locking the handle 11 into place.

[0052] It is preferable to set the switch 15a of the activation unit 15 so that it returns to the off state after a certain period of time has elapsed. In this way, it is possible to prevent the receiving unit 14 from continuing to use electricity even if the switch 15a is not turned off. Also, if the switch 15a returns to the off state in a relatively short period of time, it is possible to improve the security function.

[0053] In this example, after a certain period of time has passed, the electrical connection is cut off, and both the receiving unit 14 and the switching operation unit 13 stop. This can prevent the switching operation unit 13 from breaking down due to electricity continuing to flow through it.

[0054] While the present invention has been described above using the embodiments as examples, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various forms. For example, although the embodiments have shown a form in which an unlock command is received to unlock the door, an electronic lock may be used that receives a lock command to lock the door. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Electronic Lock 8. Electrical and electronic equipment storage boxes 11 Handle 12 Main unit case 12a Recessed part 12aa Internal storage area 13 Switching operation unit 14 Receiving unit 15 Starting part 15a switch 15b Operation section 81 Door

Claims

1. An electronic lock comprising: a retractable handle used to open and close a door; a main body case having a recessed portion capable of accommodating the handle; a switching operation unit operable to switch between a locked state in which the handle is kept reclined in the recessed portion and an unlocked state in which the state in which the handle is reclined in the recessed portion can be released; and a receiving unit operable to receive a command to operate the switching operation unit, wherein the switching operation unit operates to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state upon receiving an operation signal from the receiving unit, a start-up unit used to change the receiving unit from a stopped state to an activated state; An electronic lock for an electrical and electronic equipment storage box in which, when the main body case is attached to a mounting hole provided in the electrical and electronic equipment storage box, the entire activation part is positioned forward of the door.

2. An electronic lock for an electrical and electronic equipment storage box as described in claim 1, wherein the activation unit comprises a switch that is operated to activate the receiving unit and an operating unit that can operate the switch, the switching operation unit is arranged in the recess, and when the main body case is attached to a mounting hole provided in the electrical and electronic equipment storage box, the electronic lock comprises an internal storage unit that passes through the mounting hole and is arranged on the back side of the door, and the operating unit is arranged on the outer side of the recess when viewed from the front.

3. 3. The electronic lock for an electrical / electronic device storage box according to claim 2, wherein the switch is disposed on the outer side of the recessed portion when viewed from the front.

4. An electronic lock for an electrical and electronic equipment storage box as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the handle is supported in a rotatable state at one end of the main body case, and the activation part is positioned at the end of the main body case opposite to the side supporting the handle.

5. A box for storing electrical and electronic equipment, comprising the electronic lock according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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