Electronic lock with a battery and emergency energy charge

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic lock (1) with a battery (3) and emergency energy charge consisting of a power source (2) which is formed by a battery voltage meter (3a), a blocking diode (2a), a capacitor (2b) and a capacitor voltage meter (2b1), which powers a microcontroller (5) and a motor (8) to actuate an actuator (9) that actuates a locking element (10) during its opening or closing movement when an energy switch (6) is actuated. The microcontroller (5) is capable of detecting that the voltage of the battery (3) is less than 3.3 V, by means of the battery voltage meter (3a), allowing the capacitor (2b) to be charged with energy by means of the emergency energy emitting device (7), via an antenna (4) of the electronic lock (1).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Electronic lock with battery and emergency energy charge.

[0003] Field of Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a battery-powered electronic lock for use in small lockers, such as those used to restrict access to small spaces such as lockers, drawers, mailboxes, etc. The lock can be energized via RFID or NFC in specific emergency cases due to failure or depletion of the lock's own battery.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Currently, and as a reference to the state of the art, electronic locks for furniture locking are well-known. These locks have a small electric motor configured to operate the lock after the introduction of the appropriate permits. Electronic locks typically have a power source (battery, etc.) that powers the internal electrical and electronic components to operate the lock. Access to the power source is located on the inside of the lock and / or electrically blocked to prevent vandalism. If the power source is insufficient, opening the lock is impossible, and therefore access to the interior of the space and the power source is impossible.

[0007] Locks that have external contacts through which the door can be energized in an emergency are well known, but these external contacts are susceptible to damage due to external agents such as dirt, moisture, etc., rendering the contacts useless when they are truly needed.

[0008] Electronic locks are also well-known which, in order to avoid depending on the use of batteries, are powered by electromagnetic fields generated, for example, by the NFC near field produced by portable elements, such as Smartphones, which, while supplying energy to the lock, are even capable of emitting data to identify the user, with the lock being able to alternate between a mode in which it receives energy and another in which it reads the identification data.The identification data in this type of locks are entered using the same technology used to power the lock, being solutions of little use in certain situations, such as supermarket lockers, or airports where non-regular users use them for a short period of time, not being dynamic the use of portable elements, which require prior accreditation (normally through an online platform) or the download of an application for its use, in lockers of gyms or swimming pools, for example, where the portable element is usually kept inside the locker itself.

[0009] To improve accessibility for non-regular users, there are locks that incorporate a photovoltaic charging device in the lock, configured to recharge the battery when active. However, as the batteries degrade with each recharge, situations still arise in which an emergency opening is necessary, and sufficient energy for opening cannot be guaranteed through the charging device since the collected energy is stored in the battery.

[0010] The electronic lock of this invention allows to incorporate into a lock with its own power source (batteries, etc.), a means of energizing the lock for its opening in emergency situations or in case of battery failure without the need of having external elements / contacts susceptible to vandalism or aggression from external agents and this by means of the use of a specific electronic configuration that together with the configuration of the microprocessor and the components of the locking system, allows to receive sufficient energy to carry out the emergency opening of an emergency energy emission device, complementary to the batteries, not being capable of being energized by this emergency energy source without the recognition of the authorized user.

[0011] Explanation of the invention and advantages

[0012] In view of this state of affairs, the present invention refers to an electronic lock with a battery and emergency energy charge consisting of a power supply that is composed of a battery voltage meter, an anti-return diode, a capacitor and a capacitor voltage meter, which feeds a microcontroller and a motor to activate an actuator that activates a locking element in its opening or closing movement when a power switch is activated in which when the microcontroller detects by means of the battery voltage meter that the battery voltage is less than 3.3 V, and accepts the energy charge by means of the emergency energy emission device and allows it to receive energy from it through an antenna to charge the capacitor.Thanks to this configuration, when the electronic lock detects, through the signal from the battery voltage meter received by the microcontroller that the battery is depleted (understood as the battery voltage being less than 3.3 V), the lock enters into depleted battery mode and allows obtaining energy for opening by another means, specifically by the energy supply provided by the emergency energy emission device which may be an independent device designed solely for this use or another device enabled for this purpose such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0013] The electronic lock described here comprises three operating modes: normal battery mode (voltage above 4.8 V), in which opening or closing is permitted based on the instructions and permissions received; low battery mode (voltage between 3.4 V and 4.7 V), in which only opening is permitted; and dead battery mode, in which the lock cannot be opened by conventional means. If the batteries are not replaced before reaching dead battery mode, an emergency opening would be necessary to gain access to the interior of the space or to replace the batteries, since they are accessed from the inside of the lock. To perform this emergency opening, the microcontroller accepts the energy charge by identifying the emergency energy emitting device using RFID or BLE and receives the energy transmitted via NFC from this device, allowing a single opening cycle.The identification for opening would never be received through the same device that transmits the energy in the event of an emergency opening; this identification would be carried out by a device separate from the emergency energy emitting device. Thus, the identification for opening would be carried out through a separate device, which could be a transponder, card, or any other common opening element, even through BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), which may require the addition of a second data reception antenna.

[0014] Thus, in an emergency opening of the electronic lock, once the energy is received by the antenna, it is accumulated in the capacitor, charging it. Since an anti-return diode is provided at the battery output, it is not possible for the transmitted energy to be diverted to the battery, requiring only the transmission time necessary to charge the accumulator, thus speeding up the operation. Upon activation of the Power Switch, which constitutes the opening command, the microcontroller detects that it is in low-battery mode and the capacitor is charged. Only upon receiving the identification corresponding to the opening of another device, other than the energy-emitting device, does it authorize the opening, diverting energy to the motor that drives the actuator to move the locking element (which can be in the form of a plate, latch, or any other form) in the opening direction.

[0015] The microcontroller allows the reception of energy from the emergency power transmission device until the voltage value of the capacitor voltage meter is sufficient to open the lock. To consider this value as sufficient for opening, it is important to consider that the charge must be sufficient not only to open the lock (powering the motor to actually open the locking element) but also to validate the new device, which will unlock the lock. This allows sufficient energy to be accumulated for one opening, and thus, even if the batteries are depleted, the electronic lock can operate following the same operating scheme as it would in normal battery mode by charging the capacitor.

[0016] The capacitor remains charged until the power switch is actuated, preferably by pressing a button, although it can be activated in other ways, such as by turning a knob, activating a lever, or by bringing a card close to the reader. The capacitor's charge is transmitted in the form of energy to the motor. This ensures that the capacitor is sufficiently charged so that, when the capacitor is activated, the electronic lock can fully execute the opening cycle.

[0017] Alternatively, a rectifier circuit is arranged at the antenna output, between the anti-return diode and the capacitor, in charge of converting the received energy into DC. In addition, the rectifier circuit can have a voltage limiter that prevents the high voltages that can be generated in the transmission of NFC energy, allowing the electronic lock to operate independently with energy received from the batteries or from the emergency energy emission device, receiving in both cases the same type of current limited to the same voltage range.

[0018] Drawings and references

[0019] To better understand the nature of the invention, the attached drawings show an industrial embodiment that is merely illustrative and not limiting.

[0020] Figure 1 shows a power supply scheme in which the energy charge of the capacitor (2b) is represented by means of the emergency energy emission device (7) through an antenna (4) when the microcontroller (5) detects by means of the battery voltage meter (3a) that the voltage of the battery (3) is less than 3.3 V, and the energy charge of the capacitor (2b) by means of the battery (3) through the anti-return diode (2a) when the microcontroller (5) detects by means of the battery voltage meter (3a) that the voltage of the battery (3) is greater than or equal to 3.3 V.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an operating diagram of the lock in dead battery mode (the battery voltage is less than or equal to 3.3 V) in which the electronic lock (1) can be seen, composed of a power supply (2) integrated by an anti-return diode (2a) that prevents the flow of energy towards the battery and a capacitor (2b) to which a capacitor voltage meter (2b1) is connected, a battery (3) to which a battery voltage meter (3a) is connected, which when depleted does not transmit energy,an antenna (4) in which a rectifier circuit (4a) is placed at its output which is responsible for receiving energy from an emergency energy emission device (7) to feed the capacitor (2b) after which an energy switch (6) is placed which when activated allows the passage of energy to the microcontroller (5) and to the motor (8) which, controlled by the microcontroller (5), transmits the rotational energy to the actuator (9) which transforms this energy into displacement energy to move the blocking element (10),

[0022] Figure 3 shows an operating diagram of the lock in normal or low battery mode (battery voltage greater than 3.3 V) in which the electronic lock (1) is observed, composed of a power supply (2) Integrated by an anti-return diode (2a) and a capacitor (2b) to which a capacitor voltage meter (2b1) is connected, a battery (3) to which a battery voltage meter (3a) is connected that transmits the energy through the anti-return diode (2a) to the capacitor (2b), after which a power switch (6) is placed that when actuated allows the passage of energy to the microcontroller (5) and to the motor (8) that controlled by the microcontroller (5) transmits the rotational energy to the actuator (9) that transforms this energy into displacement energy to move the locking element (10). When the electronic lock (1) is in normal battery mode, the antenna (4) in which a rectifier circuit (4a) is placed at its output, does not receive or transmit energy.

[0023] The following references are indicated in these figures:

[0024] 1.- Electronic lock.

[0025] 2.- Power supply.

[0026] 2a-Anti-return diode 2b-Capacitor

[0027] 2b1 - Capacitor voltage meter

[0028] 3- Battery

[0029] 3a-Battery voltage meter

[0030] 4.- Antenna.

[0031] 4a-Rectifier circuit

[0032] 5.- Microcontroller.

[0033] 6.- Power switch

[0034] 7.- Emergency energy emission device

[0035] 8.- Engine

[0036] 9.- Actuator

[0037] 10.- Locking element

[0038] Exhibition of a preferred embodiment

[0039] With regard to the drawings and references listed above, a preferred embodiment of the object of the invention is illustrated in the attached plans, referring to an electronic lock (1) with battery (3) and emergency energy charge consisting of a power supply (2) that is composed of a battery voltage meter, an anti-return diode (2a), a capacitor (2b) and a capacitor voltage meter (2b1), which feeds a microcontroller (5) and a motor (8) to actuate an actuator (9) that actuates a locking element (10) in its opening or closing movement when a power switch (6) is actuated in which when the microcontroller (5) detects by means of the battery voltage meter (3a) that the battery voltage is less than 3.3 V, and accepts the energy charge by means of the emergency energy emission device (7) and allows it to receive energy from it through an antenna (4) to charge the capacitor (2b).

[0040] The electronic lock (1) described here comprises three operating modes, normal battery mode (3) (battery voltage greater than or equal to 4.8 V) in which opening or closing is permitted depending on the instructions and permissions received, low battery mode (3) (battery voltage between 3.4 V and 4.7 V) in which only opening is permitted and dead battery mode (3) (battery voltage less than or equal to 3.3 V), in which it is not possible to open the lock by conventional means. In the event of not replacing the batteries (3) before reaching dead battery mode (3), it would be necessary to perform an emergency opening in order to access the interior of the space or to replace the batteries (3) if access to them is made from the internal part of the electronic lock (1).When the electronic lock (1) enters battery mode (3) and the electronic lock (1) is depleted, it allows an emergency opening by means of emergency power supply from the emergency energy emission device (7) which can be an independent device designed solely for this use or another device enabled for this purpose such as a Smartphone or a tablet with the capacity to supply energy through NFC. To carry out this emergency opening, the microcontroller (5) exclusively accepts the emergency energy emission device (7) for charging energy by identifying it through RFID or BLE and receives the energy transmitted through NFC by it, allowing a single opening cycle.The identification for opening would never be received by the same device that transmits the energy in case of emergency, this opening identification being by a device other than the emergency energy emission device (7), such as an independent device designed solely for this use or another device enabled for this purpose, RDFI transponder, BLE, etc. In case a device is used for opening that uses BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology, the incorporation of a second antenna (4) in the electronic lock (1) is planned, which allows the reception of the BLE signal.

[0041] The acceptance of the microcontroller (5), exclusively for the reception of energy, from the emergency energy emission device (7) is maintained until the voltage value of the capacitor voltage meter (2b1) is sufficient for the lock opening action. Once the microcontroller (5) has detected the reception of sufficient voltage by the emergency energy emission device (7), it cancels the permissions granted to this emergency energy emission device (7), in this way, once the emergency opening has been carried out, it is not possible to close the electronic lock (1) if the batteries are not changed.This is because, thanks to the installation of the anti-return diode (2a) between the capacitor (2b) and the battery (3), the energy emitted by the emergency energy emission device (7) is not diverted to the battery (3), preventing its charging, so that the electronic lock (1) remains in battery (3) depleted mode until the battery (3) is replaced, and does not have sufficient energy to perform the closing, thus ensuring that there will be no more situations in which an emergency opening is required in the same electronic lock (1) until the battery (3) is replaced, which is a preferred operating mode.

[0042] Once the capacitor (2b) has been sufficiently charged by means of the energy emitted by the emergency energy emission device (7), the capacitor (2b) remains charged until the power switch (6) is activated and transmits the charge to the motor (8) and the microcontroller (5). Thus, the capacitor (2b), capable of accumulating energy, can store energy for the period of time necessary for its charging. In this way it is guaranteed that when the Power Switch (6) is activated, the stored energy is sufficient for the microcontroller (5) to control the motor (8) and this can perform the rotation with sufficient power to activate an actuator (9) which in turn activates the locking element (10) in its emergency opening movement.

[0043] When the electronic lock (1) is in normal battery mode (3), the operation of the electronic lock is similar to that described above, that is, once the capacitor (2b) has been sufficiently charged by means of the energy emitted by the battery (3), the capacitor (2b) remains charged until the power switch (6) is activated and transmits the charge to the motor (8) and to the microcontroller (5). Thus, the capacitor (2b), capable of accumulating energy, can store energy for the period of time necessary for its charge. In this way it is guaranteed that when the power switch (6) is activated, the stored energy is sufficient for the microcontroller (5) to control the motor (8) and this can perform the turn with sufficient power to activate an actuator (9) which in turn activates the locking element (10) in its opening or closing movement.

[0044] In order to ensure that the electronic lock (1) can operate after sufficiently charging the capacitor (2b) independently of the device that supplies it with energy, a rectifier circuit (4a) is arranged at the antenna output (4), between the non-return diode (2a) and the capacitor (2b).This rectifier circuit (4a) is responsible for converting the energy received through the antenna (4) into DC, the same as that supplied by the battery (3). In addition, the rectifier circuit (4a) can have a voltage limiter that limits the voltage emitted to the capacitor (2b) to the maximum voltage that can be emitted by the battery (3) and thus avoid the high voltages that can be generated in the transmission of NFC energy, allowing the electronic lock (1) to operate independently with energy received from the batteries (3) or from the emergency energy emission device (7) by receiving in both cases the same type of current limited to the same voltage range.

[0045] The essentiality of this invention is not altered by variations in materials, shape, size and arrangement of the component elements, described in a non-limiting manner, which is sufficient for its reproduction by an expert.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 a .- Electronic lock (1) with battery (3) and emergency energy charge consisting of a power supply (2) that is composed of a battery voltage meter (3a), an anti-return diode (2a), a capacitor (2b) and a capacitor voltage meter (2b1), which feeds a microcontroller (5) and a motor (8) to activate an actuator (9) that activates a locking element (10) in its opening or closing movement when a power switch (6) is activated, characterized in that the microcontroller (5) is capable of detecting by means of the battery voltage meter (3a) that the voltage of the battery (3) is less than 3.3 V, allowing the energy charging of the capacitor (2b) by means of the emergency energy emission device (7) through an antenna (4) of the electronic lock (1). 2 a.- Electronic lock (1) with battery (3) and emergency opening energy charge according to claim 1, characterized in that the capacitor (2b) receives the energy from the emergency energy emission device (7) until the voltage value of the capacitor voltage meter (2b1) allows the opening of the electronic lock (1). 3 a - Electronic lock (1) with battery (3) and emergency opening energy charge according to the previous claims, characterized in that the capacitor (2b) remains energetically charged until the power switch (6) is activated, the charge being transmitted to the motor (8) with the actuation. 4 a- Electronic lock (1) with battery (3) and emergency opening energy charge according to the previous claims, characterized in that a rectifier circuit (4a) is arranged at the antenna output (4), between the anti-return diode (2a) and the capacitor (2b).

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