A lock unit for a parcel locker

Abstract

A parcel locker for distribution of packages, wherein the parcel locker comprises - a plurality of compartments including gates with lock units for controlling access to the respective compartments; - a parcel locker controller configured for controlling the power to lock units as a function of received instructions received by a user of the parcel locker; wherein one or more of the lock units comprises - a latch unit comprising a deadbolt for engaging a latch striker and lock rod, wherein the latch unit comprises following states; o a locked state, wherein the deadbolt is prevented from rotating by the lock rod; and o an open state, wherein the deadbolt is rotatable and capable of receiving a latch striker; - a driving unit comprising a motor displacing a linkage beam interconnected to the lock rod, wherein displacing of the lock rod causes the latch unit to change state from the locked state to the open state, wherein the driving unit comprises the following states o a stand-by activatable state, wherein the motor is activatable by the parcel locker controller; o a displacement state, wherein the motor displaces the linkage beam and thereby displaces the lock rod, thereby changing the state of the latch unit to an open state; o a stand-by non-activatable state, wherein the motor is not activable by the parcel locker controller; wherein the receiving of a latch striker at the deadbolt causes the latch unit to change state from the open state to the locked state and the state of the driving unit changes from the stand-by non- activatable state to the stand-by activatable state.

Description

[0001] A lock unit for a parcel locker

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of parcel lockers comprising a plurality of compartments including gates with lock units for controlling access to the respective compartments, wherein one or more of the lock units includes a latch lock or latch unit.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] The latch lock is widely used in daily life and industry, including containers, cabinets, doors, warehouse doors, car doors, and express cabinet doors. In existing technology, there are problems of high cost and instability in controlling the switch of the motor through signal recognition by electronic chips and controlling it through electronic chip systems. During the process of controlling the motor switch, the driving system needs to call the program inside the chip. Once the voltage or current parameters in the driving system change, it is easy to cause the program inside the chip to run unsmoothly, thereby causing adverse effects on the overall movement status of the latch. Therefore, using a chip burning program to control the latch lock has a lower fault tolerance for high-speed rotating motors. Any problems in the system may affect the normal use of the latch lock, and it also requires the combination of chips and circuit board structure, increasing the manufacturing and usage costs of the latch lock or latch unit.

[0006] Within the field of parcel lockers there is a constant need for optimizing space, reducing overall power consumption, and reducing fault rate of the parcel locker or components of the parcel locker such as the lock unit. A parcel locker comprises a plurality of compartments and there will always be an effort for optimizing space such that the effective compartment volume is as high as possible and therefore it is unwanted that the connection from a parcel locker controller to the individual lock units must include a communication protocol for instructing a computer chip of the lock unit. The requirement for communication increases the volume needed for cables and communication boards and that is in increasingly difficult. Swipbox recently launched a battery-powered parcel locker with 32 compartments, and this required several modifications in order to have room for communication boards and cables to all lock units of the parcel locker.

[0007] Furthermore, each communication board and each chip of a lock unit increases risk of failure. Many parcel lockers have more than 15 compartments and thus more than 15 lock units. Swipbox has a fleet of more than 30.000 parcel lockers which is more than 450,000 lock units and the high number also translate to a relative high number of defect lock units.

[0008] 1 IEM240141 PCT Furthermore, the chips of the lock units and communication boards require additional electric energy. The most versatile parcel lockers are battery-powered parcel lockers requiring no additional hardwired power as the parcel lockers can be installed anywhere, however said type of parcel locker has a finite amount of energy before the battery must be replaced. In the case of Swipbox which has more than 30.000 battery powered parcel lockers with a battery life of 10 years this means that more than 3000 batteries must be replaced per year in the near future if the battery life can be extended then that would simplify the maintenance or optionally it would enable the parcel locker to add additional features without changing the 10-year battery life.

[0009] Thus, there is a need for a more reliable, more space efficient and more energy efficient solution for a parcel locker in particular to for a battery-powered parcel locker.

[0010] Description of the Invention

[0011] An object of the invention is achieved by a parcel locker for distribution of packages. The parcel locker comprises

[0012] - a plurality of compartments including gates with lock units for controlling access to the respective compartments;

[0013] - a parcel locker controller configured for controlling power to lock units as a function of instructions received by a user of the parcel locker; wherein one or more of the lock units comprises

[0014] - a latch unit comprising a deadbolt for engaging a latch striker and lock rod, wherein the latch unit comprises following states; o a locked state, wherein the deadbolt is prevented from rotating by the lock rod; and o an open state, wherein the deadbolt is rotatable and capable of receiving a latch striker;

[0015] - a driving unit comprising a motor displacing a linkage beam interconnected to the lock rod, wherein displacing of the lock rod causes the latch unit to change state between the locked state and the open state, wherein the driving unit comprises the following states o a stand-by activatable state, wherein the motor is activatable by the parcel locker controller; o a displacement state, wherein the motor displaces the linkage beam and thereby displaces the lock rod, thereby changing the state of the latch unit to an open state;

[0016] 2 IEM240141 PCT o a stand-by non-activatable state, wherein the motor is not activable by the parcel locker controller; wherein the receiving of a latch striker at the deadbolt causes the latch unit to change state from the open state to the locked state and the state of the driving unit changes from the stand-by non- activatable state to the stand-by activatable state.

[0017] The latch unit has two states corresponding to a locked state wherein the deadbolt is engaging a complementary latch striker such that the gate cannot be opened without the deadbolt releasing the latch striker by changing state to the open state. The change of state from the locked state to the open state is controlled by the driving unit being activatable by the parcel locker controller which powers said motor thereby causing a change of state from the stand-by activatable state to the displacement state wherein the latch unit changes state to the open state, the continued activation of the motor will cause the driving unit to change state to stand-by non-activatable state, wherein the motor is not activable by the parcel locker controller. In most embodiments, the non- activable state of the motor is achieved by mechanically disconnecting power from the parcel locker controller to the motor.

[0018] This cut of power may be detected by the parcel locker controller such that when a person forces the latch striker and the deadlock together, thereby changing state to the locked state, then the parcel locker controller will not cause the latch unit to change state once more. The change of state to the locked state will all cause the driving unit to change state from the stand-by non-activatable state to the stand-by activatable state. This can also be achieved by only powering the motor for a preset period, which period has been calibrated.

[0019] Thereby, the lock unit does not require any chip or lock unit controller and hence the chip or lock unit controller can be removed from the one or more lock units thereby limiting power consumption and decreasing complexity.

[0020] The one or more of the lock units may include all lock units of the parcel locker. Each compartment may have a complementary latch striker to said lock units.

[0021] The user may send or provide instruction via any of a plurality of different known user interfaces such as a mobile app stored on a device such as a smart phone or a pin pad or NFC reader or a touch screen or a screen with associated buttons. Thus, the parcel locker may have any suitable instruction receiver unit.

[0022] 3 IEM240141 PCT In an embodiment, the parcel locker may comprise

[0023] - a short-range communication unit comprising a first antenna for short-range communication, and / or

[0024] - a long-range communication unit comprising a second antenna for long-range communication, and / or

[0025] - a pin pad unit for receiving a pin associated with at least one compartment; and / or

[0026] - a NFC unit for receiving near field communication;

[0027] - a screen including buttons for receiving user input; and / or

[0028] - touch screen for receiving user input.

[0029] The parcel locker can receive instructions from a user or courier via a plurality of different possible communication protocols (such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low-Energy, Zigbee, NB-IOT or NFC or other similar protocols) or via inputs via a pin pad unit or screens including buttons or touch screens.

[0030] In an embodiment, the driving unit may comprise a cylinder rotatable connected to the motor, the cylinder comprises a protrusion extending off center from the cylinder, wherein rotation of the cylinder causes the protrusion to engage the linkage beam, thereby changing the state from the stand-by activatable state to the displacement state, and at the end of rotation to the stand-by non- activatable state. Thereby, the change of state of the driving unit is achieved by rotating the cylinder, when the cylinder has rotated roughly 360 degrees then the driving unit has changed from stand-by activatable state to the displacement state and to the stand-by non-activatable state at or close to 360 degrees rotation of the cylinder.

[0031] In an embodiment, the driving unit may comprise a detection unit for changing the state of driving unit from the displacement state to the stand-by non-activatable state. The detection unit comprises

[0032] - a pivot rod extending to and engaging a cup of the linkage beam, when the driving unit is in the stand-by activatable state;

[0033] - a switch unit between the pivot rod and the linkage beam, the switch unit comprises a spring plate and a push-button switch, while the driving unit is in the stand-by activatable state, the pivot rod forces the spring plate such that the push-button switch is pushed, wherein the displacement of the linkage beam during the displacement state causes the cup to be displaced away from the pivot rod thereby releasing the

[0034] 4 IEM240141 PCT push-button switch, thereby changing the state from the displacement state to the stand-by non- activatable state.

[0035] The cup of the linkage beam my be formed by a first side wall and a second side wall.

[0036] The switch unit is a simple reliable means for disconnecting power to the motor, wherein the motor is disconnected from power when the push-button switch is not pressed.

[0037] In a further embodiment, there may be a spring attached to the pivot rod for forcing the pivot rod away from the push-button switch such that the push-button switch is only pushed when intended.

[0038] In an embodiment, the cylinder may comprise an groove opposite to the protrusion and the pivot rod comprises a tongue extending towards said groove, when the driving unit is in the stand-by activatable state the tongue directly faces the groove; and the rotation of the cylinder causes the protrusion to displace the cup away from the pivot rod, wherein the tongue engages a side of the cylinder, thereby keeping the pivot rod in the same position as in the stand-by activatable state; the continued rotation of the cylinder causes the tongue to engage the groove of the cylinder thereby releasing the push-button switch and changing the state to the stand-by non-activatable state.

[0039] In an embodiment, the latch unit may comprise an ejector rod connected to the deadbolt. The ejector rod comprises

[0040] - biasing means for generating a pushing force to the deadbolt; and

[0041] - an ejector rod protrusion extending towards the lock rod, wherein the ejector rod protrusion engages the lock rod in the open state, thereby generating a force on the linkage beam preventing the cup from engaging the pivot rod.

[0042] In an embodiment, the parcel locker controller may be configured for measuring when the switch unit is off and stop powering said one or more lock units. Such that the motor is not restarted when the state is changed to stand-by activatable state.

[0043] In other solutions, the parcel locker controller will not power the motor after a pre-set period substantially corresponding to a full rotation of the cylinder.

[0044] 5 IEM240141 PCT In an embodiment, the parcel locker is battery-powered such that the parcel locker can be off-grid.

[0045] The parcel locker may also be called an automated parcel machine.

[0046] In an embodiment, a lock unit comprises

[0047] - a latch unit comprising a deadbolt for engaging a latch striker and lock rod, wherein the latch unit comprises following states; o a locked state, wherein the deadbolt is prevented from rotating by the lock rod; and o an open state, wherein the deadbolt is rotatable and capable of receiving a latch striker;

[0048] - a driving unit comprising a motor displacing a linkage beam interconnected to the lock rod, wherein displacing of the lock rod causes the latch unit to change state between the locked state and the open state, wherein the driving unit comprises the following states o a stand-by activatable state, wherein the motor is activatable by the parcel locker controller; o a displacement state, wherein the motor displaces the linkage beam and thereby displaces the lock rod, thereby changing the state of the latch unit to an open state; o a stand-by non-activatable state, wherein the motor is not activable by the parcel locker controller; wherein the receiving of a latch striker at the deadbolt causes the latch unit to change state from the open state to the locked state and the state of the driving unit changes from the stand-by non- activatable state to the stand-by activatable state.

[0049] The lock unit described in the present application can also be a separate entity independent of a parcel locker as it provides the effect of mechanically disconnecting motor power without requiring computer chips or computer controllers at or in the lock unit.

[0050] Description of the Drawing

[0051] In order to illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention more clearly, a brief introduction will be made to the drawings used in the description of the embodiments below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary skilled persons in the art, without creative labor, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings, among which:

[0052] 6 IEM240141 PCT Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the lock unit.

[0053] Figure 2 is a structural decomposition diagram of the lock unit.

[0054] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cylinder shown in Figure 2.

[0055] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the linkage beam shown in Figure 2.

[0056] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the open state of the latch unit;

[0057] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the locked state of the latch unit;

[0058] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a parcel locker and a compartment with a gate and a lock unit; and

[0059] Figure 8-10 illustrates the states of the driving unit.

[0060] 7 IEM240141 PCT

[0061] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0062] The following describes the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention clearly and completely, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art in the field without exercising creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to Figures 1 and 2. The lock unit 100 includes a driving unit 1 , a shell 3, and a latch unit 5. Both the driving unit 1 and the latch unit 5 are located inside the shell 3. The driving unit 1 is connected to the latch unit 5 and provides displacement forces to the latch unit 5, thereby changing the state of the latch unit from the locked state to the open sate.

[0064] In this embodiment, the shell 3 includes a mounting part 31 , an inner cap 33, and an outer shell part 35. The mounting part 31 is provided with multiple mounting grooves 311 and connecting columns (not shown in the figure). The driving unit 1 and the latch unit 5 are disposed in the mounting grooves 311 , and the driving unit 1 and the latch unit 5 can move relative to the connecting columns. The inner cap 33 is located between the outer shell 35 and the mounting part 31 . The inner cap 33 cooperates with the mounting part 31 to form a cavity. The driving device 1 is located inside the cavity. The cavity is sealed and has a waterproof and dustproof function, protecting the normal use of the driving device 1 , extending its service life, and to some extent

[0065] 8 IEM240141 PCT avoiding interference from the external use environment. The shell 3 is not as such part of the present invention as other solutions could be chosen without changing the spirit of the invention.

[0066] The latch unit 5 includes a deadbolt 51 and a lock rod 53, and the deadbolt 51 and the lock rod 53 are movably arranged in the mounting part 31 . The deadbolt 51 includes an arm of ratchet 511 and a second reset spring 513. The arm of ratchet 511 is located at the edge of the deadbolt 51 , and the second reset spring 513 is located at the connection between the deadbolt 51 and the mounting part 31. The lock rod 53 is provided with a latch hook 531 and a third reset spring 533. The latch hook 531 is set relative to the arm of ratchet 511 , and the third reset spring 533 is located at the connection between the lock rod 53 and the mounting part 31 .

[0067] In this embodiment, the latch unit 5 further includes an ejector rod 55 and a first compression spring 57. One end of the ejector rod 55 is connected to the deadbolt 51 , and the first compression spring 57 is movably disposed between the ejector rod 55 and the shell 3. When the deadbolt 51 moves relative to the lock rod 53, the ejector rod 55 and the first compression spring 57 cooperate with each other to provide thrust for the relative movement of the deadbolt 51 , improving the efficiency of the lock unit 100.

[0068] The driving unit 1 includes a motor 11 , a cylinder 13, a detection unit 15, and a linkage beam 17. The cylinder 13 is connected to one end of the motor 11. The detection unit 15 is in contact with the cylinder 13 and electrically connected to the motor 11. The cylinder 13 and the detection unit 15 are located on one side of the linkage beam 17. The motor 11 controls the cylinder 13 to drive the linkage beam 17 to move. The detection unit 15 detects the motion position of the cylinder 13 and controls the switch state of the motor 11 . One end of the lock rod 53 is connected to the linkage beam 17. The linkage beam 17 is used to drive the lock rod 53 to move relative to the deadbolt 51. When the latch hook 531 abuts against the arm of ratchet 511 , the lock unit 100 is in the locked state; when the latch hook 531 moves away from the arm of ratchet 511 , the lock unit 100 is in the open state.

[0069] The detection unit 15 includes a push-button switch 151 with a spring plate 1511 , a first reset spring 153, and a pivot rod 155. The pivot rod 155 is located between the spring plate 1511 and the cylinder 13 and is in contact with the spring plate 1511. The first reset spring 153 is in contact with the pivot rod 155.

[0070] 9 IEM240141 PCT Referring to Figure 3. The side of the cylinder 13 is provided with a groove 133, and the pivot rod 155 is provided with a tongue 1551 near one end of the groove 133. The cylinder 13 moves to drive the groove 133 to move closer to or away from the tongue 1551. During the movement process of the cylinder 13, the cylinder 13 contacts the tongue 1551 , and when the tongue 1551 approaches the groove 133, the spring plate 1511 pushes the pivot rod 155 away from the pushbutton switch 151 , and the spring plate 1511 bounces, causing the push-button switch 151 to switch to the stand-by non-activatable state, and the motor 11 stops rotating. The design of the detection unit 15 and the cylinder 13 realizes the detection of the rotating position of the cylinder 13 and controls the switching of the state of the driving unit. It has a simple and practical structure, high reliability, and does not require additional control of the motor 11 through a chip, reducing complexity and power consumption.

[0071] Referring to Figure 4. The linkage beam 17 is provided with a sliding groove 171 , which is located near one end of the cylinder 13. The top surface of the cylinder 13 is provided with a protrusion 131. The motor 11 drives the protrusion 131 to move in the sliding groove 171 , controlling the movement of the linkage beam 17. The sliding groove 171 includes a first side wall 173 and a second side wall 175. The second side wall 175 is arranged opposite to the first side wall 173, and the thickness of the second side wall 175 is smaller than that of the first side wall 173. The first side wall 173 can push the pivot rod 155 to swing. After the protrusion 131 stops moving in the groove 171 , it contacts the second side wall 175. The transmission function is achieved by setting the sliding groove 171 of the linkage beam 17 to cooperate with the protrusion 131 , and to avoid the inertia causing the protrusion 131 to continue moving after the motor 11 stops working, the transmission accuracy is improved by restricting it with the second side wall 175. In addition, the first side wall 173 cooperates with the pivot rod 155, ensuring that the push-button switch 151 remains closed when the lock unit 100 is in the locked state. The linkage beam 17 achieves multiple functions through a simple mechanical structure design, reducing production costs. The functions do not interfere with each other, and the connection is clever, saving space and expanding the range of use.

[0072] It should be noted that Figure 4 in the accompanying instructions is just one embodiment illustrating the positional relationship between the first side wall 173 and the second side wall 175, and does not thereby limit the positional relationship between the two. They can be connected or not connected. Only the motion relationship between the aforementioned second side wall 175, the first side wall 173, the protrusion 131 , and the pivot rod 155 can be achieved.

[0073] 10 IEM240141 PCT It should be noted that the thickness of the second side wall 175 is smaller than the first side wall 173. When the lock unit 100 transitions from the open state to the locked state, it ensures that the first side wall 173 can push the pivot rod 155 to move without being hindered by the second side wall 175. The design effectively utilizes the space structure on both sides of the sliding groove 171. The linkage beam 17 can utilize a smaller space to achieve cooperation with the cylinder 13 and the detection unit 15. During the movement of the linkage beam 17, the state of the push-button switch 151 is switched. The design is clever, has high stability, and practical value.

[0074] In this embodiment, the lock unit 100 further includes a second compression spring 7, which is disposed between the linkage beam 17 and the shell 3. One end of the second compression spring 7 abuts against the linkage beam 17 to provide thrust for relative movement of the linkage beam 17, thereby improving the accuracy of locking and unlocking of the lock unit 100. However, the second compression spring 7 is optional as the lock unit 100 can work without.

[0075] Combining Figures 5 and 6, the working principle of the lock unit 100 is as follows:

[0076] The driving unit 1 is in the stand-by non-activatable state, the protrusion 1551 is opposite to the groove 133, the first reset spring 153 pushes the pivot rod 155 close to the cylinder 13, the spring plate 1511 is opened, the push-button switch 151 is in the disconnected state, and the protrusion 131 abuts the second side wall 175; In this stand-by non-activatable state, the motor 11 cannot work, correspondingly, the arm of ratchet 511 is away from the lock hook 531 , and the latch unit is in the open state.

[0077] It should be noted that the protrusion 1551 is opposite to the concave groove 133, which means that the protrusion 1551 is precisely positioned in the concave groove 133. At this time, the protrusion 1551 is close to the groove 133.

[0078] When the deadbolt 51 is subjected to external force such as when receiving a latch striker, the deadbolt moves from the open state to the locked state, and the deadbolt 51 moves relative to the lock rod 53; the lock rod 53 drives the linkage beam 17 to move, and the pivot rod 155 is pushed by the first side wall 173 to move towards the direction of the press switch 151 , compressing the spring plate 1511 , so that the push-button switch 151 is in the closed state; the position of the convex column131 and the groove 133 remains unchanged, and the protrusion 131 moves relative to the linkage 17 in the sliding groove 171 ; when the lock hook 531 abuts against the arm of ratchet 511 , the driving unit 1 is in the stand-by activatable state.

[0079] 11 IEM240141 PCT When the motor 11 receives a start signal, it drives the cylinder 13 to rotate. The driving unit 1 is in the displacement state. The protrusion 131 of the cylinder moves along the groove 171 of the linkage beam, thereby causing the linkage beam 17 to move. The first side wall 173 moves away from the pivot rod 155, and the pivot rod 155 moves towards the cylinder 13 under the action of the first reset spring 153. The protrusion 1551 contacts the cylinder 13 until the groove 133 moves to a position opposite to the protrusion 1551. The pivot rod 155 moves to the farthest position from the push-button switch 151 , and the spring plate 1511 opens, causing the push-button switch 151 to disconnect. The motor 11 stops working, and the cylinder 13 stops rotating. Meanwhile, the protrusion 131 moves to a position where it contacts the second side wall 175. During this process, the arm of ratchet 511 moves away from the lock hook 531 , and the deadbolt 51 moves relative to the lock rod 53, transitioning from a locked state to an open state whereas the driving unit 1 is in the stand-by non-activatable state.

[0080] It should be noted that during the process of the tongue 1551 contacting the cylinder 13 until the groove 133 moves to a position opposite to the tongue 1551 , the cylinder 13 rotates one cycle and returns to its original position. In this process, the tongue 1551 and the concave groove 133 first approach each other, then move apart in the middle, and finally approach each other again.

[0081] Compared with existing technologies, the driving unit 1 provided by the present invention cooperates with the cylinder 13 and the detecting component 15 by setting the cylinder 13 and the detecting component 15 with the linkage beam 17, and controls the switch state of the motor 11 by using a mechanical structure, without using a circuit structure containing a chip to control the motor 11 , reducing costs, and the mechanical structure control method is less susceptible to interference from other signals, making the driving process more stable and reliable. Among them, the linkage beam 17 achieves transmission by setting the sliding groove 171 of the linkage beam 17 to cooperate with the protrusion 131 of the cylinder. The first side wall 173 and the second side wall 175 can also cooperate with the detection unit 15 to achieve automatic control of the switch of the motor 11. After the motor 11 stops working, the second side wall 175 is used to prevent the continued movement of the cylinder 13, integrating multiple functions into one, greatly reducing the space layout of the product, and eliminating the need for additional control using chip circuits reducing fault rate and reducing power consumption. All switch control is based on the mechanical structure movement itself, simple and efficient. By using the lock unit 100 of the driving unit 1 , stable operation can be ensured while reducing production costs and space required in parcel locker.

[0082] 12 IEM240141 PCT Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a parcel locker 80 (figure 7A) and a compartment 90 (Figure 7B) with a gate 92 and a lock unit 100.

[0083] The parcel locker 80 is positioned on a foundation 82 adapted for moving the parcel locker with a forklift or trolley. The parcel locker 80 comprises a parcel locker controller (not shown) and not shown means enabling users to control said parcel locker 80 and cause the parcel locker controller to open one or more compartments 90. Each compartment 92 includes a lock unit 100 adapted for engaging a complementary latch striker 96.

[0084] Figure 8-10 illustrates the states of the driving unit 5. Figure 8 discloses the stand-by activatable state, wherein the motor is activatable by the parcel locker controller; and Figure 9 discloses the displacement state, wherein the motor displaces the linkage beam and thereby displaces the lock rod, thereby changing the state of the latch unit to an open state; and Figure 10 discloses stand-by non-activatable state, wherein the motor is not activable by the parcel locker controller.

[0085] Figure 8 corresponds to the lock unit 100 shown in figure 6 i.e. the stand-by activatable state; and Figure 10 corresponds to the lock unit 100 shown in figure 5 i.e. the stand-by non-activatable state and figure 9 corresponds to the lock unit 100 in state in-between figure 6 and figure 5 i.e. the displacement state as the cylinder 13 is still being rotated towards the position shown in figure 5 and 10.

[0086] The above description is only an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, improvements can be made without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, but these are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0087] ITEMS

[0088] ITEM 1 . A driving device, characterized by comprising:

[0089] Motor component;

[0090] Cam, which is connected to one end of the motor component;

[0091] Detection component, which is abutting the cam, and electrically connected to the motor component; and

[0092] Linkage component, on one side of which the cam and the detection component are set. The motor component controls the cam to drive the linkage component to move. The detection component detects the motion position of the cam and controls the switch status of the motor component.

[0093] 13 IEM240141 PCT ITEM 2. A driving device according to ITEM 1 , which is characterized in that the detection component comprises:

[0094] Press switch with spring plate;

[0095] Pivot, which is positioned between the spring plate and the cam, and in contact with the spring plate; and

[0096] The first reset spring, which is abutting the pendulum rod.

[0097] ITEM 3. A driving device according to ITEM 2, which is characterized in that the side of the cam is provided with a groove, and the pendulum rod is provided with a protrusion near one end of the groove, and the cam movement drives the groove to approach or move away from the protrusion.

[0098] ITEM 4. A driving device according to ITEM 2, which is characterized in that the linkage component is provided with a groove, and the groove is located near one end of the cam of the linkage component. The top surface of the cam is provided with a convex column, and the motor component drives the convex column to move in the groove to control the movement of the linkage component.

[0099] ITEM 5. A driving device according to ITEM 4, which is characterized in that the sliding groove comprises:

[0100] First sidewall; and

[0101] The second side wall, which is set opposite to the first side wall, with a thickness smaller than the first side wall, and the first side wall drives the swinging of the pendulum rod.

[0102] ITEM 6. A driving device according to ITEM 5, which is characterized in that after the convex column stops moving in the groove, it abuts against the second side wall.

[0103] ITEM 7. A latch, which is characterized by comprising:

[0104] Shell;

[0105] Executing device, which is located within the shell; and

[0106] Any driving device of ITEMs 1 to 6, wherein the driving device is connected to the executing device to drive the movement of the executing device.

[0107] ITEM 8. A latch lock according to ITEM 7, which is characterized in that the shell comprises:

[0108] 14 IEM240141 PCT The mounting part, which is equipped with multiple mounting grooves and connecting columns. The driving device and the executing device are located in the mounting grooves and are connected to the connecting columns.

[0109] Inner cap, which cooperates with the mounting part to form a cavity, and the driving device is located in the cavity; and

[0110] The outer shell, between which and the main body the inner cap is located.

[0111] ITEM 9. A latch lock according to ITEM 8, which is characterized in that the executing device comprises:

[0112] Deadbolt, whose activity is in the mounting part, including:

[0113] Arm of ratchet, which is located at the edge of the deadbolt; and

[0114] The second reset spring, which is located at the connection between the deadbolt and the mounting part.

[0115] The lock bar with a latch hook, wherein the latch hook is arranged opposite to the arm of ratchet, and one end of the lock bar is connected to the linkage component.

[0116] Ejector rod, one end of which is connected to the deadbolt; and

[0117] The first compression spring, whose activity is between the ejector rod and the shell.

[0118] ITEM 10. A latch lock according to ITEM 7, which is characterized by further comprising a second compression spring, positioned between the linkage component and the shell.

[0119] 15 IEM240141 PCT

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A parcel locker for distribution of packages, wherein the parcel locker comprises- a plurality of compartments including gates with lock units for controlling access to the respective compartments;- a parcel locker controller configured for controlling power to the lock units as a function of instructions received by a user of the parcel locker; wherein one or more of the lock units comprises- a latch unit comprising a deadbolt for engaging a latch striker and lock rod, wherein the latch unit comprises following states; o a locked state, wherein the deadbolt is prevented from rotating by the lock rod; and o an open state, wherein the deadbolt is rotatable and capable of receiving a latch striker;- a driving unit comprising a motor displacing a linkage beam interconnected to the lock rod, wherein displacing of the lock rod causes the latch unit to change state between the locked state and the open state, wherein the driving unit comprises the following states o a stand-by activatable state, wherein the motor is activatable by the parcel locker controller; o a displacement state, wherein the motor displaces the linkage beam and thereby displaces the lock rod, thereby changing the state of the latch unit to an open state; o a stand-by non-activatable state, wherein the motor is not activable by the parcel locker controller; wherein the receiving of a latch striker at the deadbolt causes the latch unit to change state from the open state to the locked state and the state of the driving unit changes from the stand-by non- activatable state to the stand-by activatable state.

2. A parcel locker according to claim 1 , wherein the parcel locker comprises- a short-range communication unit comprising a first antenna for short-range communication, and / or- a long-range communication unit comprising a second antenna for long-range communication, and / or- a pin pad unit for receiving a pin associated with at least one compartment; and / or- a NFC unit for receiving near field communication; and / or16 IEM240141 PCT- a screen including buttons for receiving user input; and / or- touch screen for receiving user input.

3. A parcel locker according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the driving unit comprises a cylinder rotatable connected to the motor, the cylinder comprises a protrusion extending off center from the cylinder, wherein rotation of the cylinder causes the protrusion to engage the linkage beam, thereby changing the state from the stand-by activatable state to the displacement state, and at the end of rotation to the stand-by non-activatable state.

4. A parcel locker according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the driving unit comprises a detection unit for changing the state of driving unit from the displacement state to the stand-by non- activatable state, wherein the detection unit comprises- a pivot rod extending to and engaging a cup of the linkage beam, when the driving unit is in the stand-by activatable state;- a switch unit between the pivot rod and the linkage beam, the switch unit comprises a spring plate and a push-button switch, while the driving unit is in the stand-by activatable state, the pivot rod forces the spring plate such that the push-button switch is pushed, wherein the displacement of the linkage beam during the displacement state causes the cup to be displaced away from the pivot rod thereby releasing the push-button switch, thereby changing the state from the displacement state to the stand-by non- activatable state.

5. A parcel locker according to claim 4, wherein the cylinder comprises an groove opposite to the protrusion and the pivot rod comprises a tongue extending towards said groove, when the driving unit is in the stand-by activatable state the tongue directly faces the groove; and the rotation of the cylinder causes the protrusion to displace the cup away from the pivot rod, wherein the tongue engages a side of the cylinder, thereby keeping the pivot rod in the same position as in the stand-by activatable state; the continued rotation of the cylinder causes the tongue to engage the groove of the cylinder thereby releasing the push-button switch and changing the state to the stand-by non-activatable state.

6. A parcel locker according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the latch unit comprises an ejector rod connected to the deadbolt, wherein the ejector rod comprises- biasing means for generating a pushing force to the deadbolt; and17 IEM240141 PCT- an ejector rod protrusion extending towards the lock rod, wherein the ejector rod protrusion engages the lock rod in the open state, thereby generating a force on the linkage beam preventing the cup from engaging the pivot rod.

7. A parcel locker according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the parcel locker controller is configured for measuring when the switch unit is off and stop powering said one or more lock units.

8. A parcel locker according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein the parcel locker is battery- powered.

9. A lock unit comprises- a latch unit comprising a deadbolt for engaging a latch striker and lock rod, wherein the latch unit comprises following states; o a locked state, wherein the deadbolt is prevented from rotating by the lock rod; and o an open state, wherein the deadbolt is rotatable and capable of receiving a latch striker;- a driving unit comprising a motor displacing a linkage beam interconnected to the lock rod, wherein displacing of the lock rod causes the latch unit to change state from the locked state to the open state, wherein the driving unit comprises the following states o a stand-by activatable state, wherein the motor is activatable by the parcel locker controller; o a displacement state, wherein the motor displaces the linkage beam and thereby displaces the lock rod, thereby changing the state of the latch unit to an open state; o a stand-by non-activatable state, wherein the motor is not activable by the parcel locker controller; wherein the receiving of a latch striker at the deadbolt causes the latch unit to change state from the open state to the locked state and the state of the driving unit changes from the stand-by non- activatable state to the stand-by activatable state.

10. A lock unit according to claim 9, wherein the driving unit comprises a cylinder rotatable connected to the motor, the cylinder comprises a protrusion extending off center from the cylinder, wherein rotation of the cylinder causes the protrusion to engage the linkage beam, thereby18 IEM240141 PCTchanging the state from the stand-by activatable state to the displacement state, and at the end of rotation to the stand-by non-activatable state.11 . A lock unit according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the driving unit comprises a detection unit for changing the state of driving unit from the displacement state to the stand-by non-activatable state, wherein the detection unit comprises- a pivot rod extending to and engaging a cup of the linkage beam, when the driving unit is in the stand-by activatable state;- a switch unit between the pivot rod and the linkage beam, the switch unit comprises a spring plate and a push-button switch, while the driving unit is in the stand-by activatable state, the pivot rod forces the spring plate such that the push-button switch is pushed, wherein the displacement of the linkage beam during the displacement state causes the cup to be displaced away from the pivot rod thereby releasing the push-button switch, thereby changing the state from the displacement state to the stand-by non- activatable state.

12. A lock unit according to claim 11 , wherein the cylinder comprises an groove opposite to the protrusion and the pivot rod comprises a tongue extending towards said groove, when the driving unit is in the stand-by activatable state the tongue directly faces the groove; and the rotation of the cylinder causes the protrusion to displace the cup away from the pivot rod, wherein the tongue engages a side of the cylinder, thereby keeping the pivot rod in the same position as in the stand-by activatable state; the continued rotation of the cylinder causes the tongue to engage the groove of the cylinder thereby releasing the push-button switch and changing the state to the stand-by non-activatable state.

13. A lock unit according to anyone of claims 9 to 12, wherein the latch unit comprises an ejector rod connected to the deadbolt, wherein the ejector rod comprises- biasing means for generating a pushing force to the deadbolt; and- an ejector rod protrusion extending towards the lock rod, wherein the ejector rod protrusion engages the lock rod in the open state, thereby generating a force on the linkage beam preventing the cup from engaging the pivot rod.19 IEM240141 PCT

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