JP7789463B2 - Electronic locks, electrical and electronic equipment storage boxes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic lock and a box for storing electrical and electronic equipment equipped with an electronic lock.

Electrical and electronic equipment storage boxes, which house electrical and electronic equipment such as switchboards, are typically equipped with flat handles. It has been proposed that these flat handles can be operated using electrical signals, and Patent Document 1 discloses that, in order to improve the efficiency of locking and unlocking operations, the locking means locks and unlocks the box in response to signals from a control unit equipped with a sensor that detects locking and unlocking commands.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-155644

In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, the sensor is constantly activated so that it can detect lock/unlock commands from a card or other device. This means that the sensor is constantly consuming power. This constant consumption of electricity increases the frequency of battery replacements, which is time-consuming.

The inventors of this invention have thoroughly investigated this issue and attempted to solve it. The problem that this invention aims to solve is to create an electronic lock that reduces electricity consumption.

To solve the above problem, this electronic lock for an electrical/electronic device storage box includes a retractable handle used to open and close the door, a main body case with a recess that can accommodate the handle, a switching unit operable to switch between a locked state in which the handle is kept reclined in the recess and an unlocked state in which the handle can be released from the reclined state in the recess, and a receiving unit capable of receiving commands to operate the switching unit, where the switching unit operates to switch between the locked and unlocked states in response to an operating signal from the receiving unit, and an activation unit used to change the receiving unit from a stopped state to an activated state.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the activation unit includes a switch that is operated to activate the receiving unit and an operating unit that can operate the switch, the switching unit is located 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 main body case includes an internal storage unit that passes through the mounting hole and is located on the back side of the door, and the operating unit is located on the outer side of the recess when viewed from the front.

It is also preferable to configure the switch so that it is positioned on the outer side of the recess when viewed from the front.

It is also preferable that the handle be supported in a rotatable state at one end of the main body case, and the actuation unit be located at the end of the main body case opposite the end that supports the handle.

It is also preferable that the electronic lock is provided as a storage box for electrical and electronic equipment.

This invention makes it possible to create an electronic lock that reduces electricity consumption.

1 is a front view of an electronic lock according to an embodiment, with the depth direction of the paper being the rear direction. 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. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 1 . 2 is a diagram showing the electronic lock shown in FIG. 1 attached to a box for storing electrical and electronic equipment, as viewed from a position slightly shifted to the right from the front. 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. 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. 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. FIG. 4 is a side view of the cover member of the embodiment as viewed from the right side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover member of the embodiment as viewed from below on the rear side. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the cover member being attached to the main body case. 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.

The following describes an embodiment of the invention. As can be seen from Figures 1 to 5, the electronic lock 1 of this embodiment is used in an electrical/electronic device storage box 8 and includes a retractable handle 11 used to open and close the door 81, a main body case 12 having a recessed portion 12a capable of accommodating the handle 11, a switching operation unit 13 operable to switch between a locked state in which the handle 11 is maintained in the recessed portion 12a and an unlocked state in which the handle 11 can be released from the recessed portion 12a, and a receiving unit 14 operable to receive commands to operate the switching operation unit 13. In this electronic lock 1, the switching operation unit 13 operates to switch between the locked and unlocked states 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 enables the electronic lock 1 to consume less electricity.

Here, we will begin by explaining 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 with an opening through which electrical and electronic equipment can be inserted and removed, and a door 81 attached to the housing 82 so as to cover the opening.

In the example shown in Figures 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 such that the main case 12 fits into a mounting hole provided on the side edge of the door 81. In the example shown in Figure 4, the main case 12 is attached to the door 81 so that its longitudinal direction is the up-down direction. A handle 11 is supported on one end side of the longitudinal direction, and the side supporting the handle 11 is usually located on the upper side of the main case 12 provided on the door 81.

In the example shown in Figures 1 and 3, the main body case 12 is a box-shaped body having a recessed portion 12a capable of accommodating the handle 11, and a flange portion 12b is provided on its periphery. This flange portion 12b is configured to have an outer shape slightly larger than the mounting hole so that it fits along the outer edge of the mounting hole. Therefore, when the main body case 12 is attached to the door 81, one part of the main body case 12 is located on the front side of the door 81, and another part of the main body case 12 is located on the back side of the door 81. In other words, one part of the recessed portion 12a is located on the front side of the door 81, and another part of the recessed portion 12a is located on the back side of the door 81.

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

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 in both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions around this handle shaft 21.

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

The locking piece 22 is connected to the handle 11 via the handle shaft 21 so that it can be moved by rotating the handle 11 left and right. More specifically, the locking piece 22 is connected to the side of the handle shaft 21 opposite 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 to 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.

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 flat in the recessed portion 12a), the handle 11 cannot be moved from its substantially vertically extended state. To release this state, it is usually necessary to determine from information recognized by the receiving unit 14 whether or not it is acceptable to operate the handle 11.

The receiver 14 determines the situation based on signals received from the outside, but there are various possible examples of what signals the receiver receives to determine the situation. For example, the situation may be determined from signals sent wirelessly from a terminal held by the user when the user operates the terminal, 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 equipment storage box 8, and in the latter case, it is desirable to place the receiver 14 outside the electrical and electronic equipment storage box 8.

In this embodiment, the receiver 14 is provided on the outside of the main body case 12 and is connected by wiring to devices located inside the main body case 12. The receiver 14 is attached to the back side of the door 81 and can receive unlocking commands sent from an external terminal device using wireless communication, etc. Note that the receiver 14 may be configured to be located inside the main body case 12, but in order to make the main body case 12 smaller, it is preferable to place the receiver 14 on the outside of the main body case 12.

When the receiving unit 14 determines, based on a signal received from an external source, that the situation allows the handle 11 to be operated, it sends a signal to operate the switching operation unit 13. For example, when an unlocking command is recognized, the switching operation unit 13 is operated to switch from a locked state in which the handle 11 is kept reclined in the recess 12a to an unlocked state in which the handle 11 can be released from the reclined state in the recess 12a.

In this embodiment, the locking state is achieved by causing the claw portion 11a provided at the tip of the handle 11 to become engaged with the engagement portion 13a provided on the switching operation unit 13. Therefore, when the receiving unit 14 recognizes an unlocking command, the switching operation unit 13 is operated so that the claw portion 11a is no longer engaged with the engagement portion 13a, thereby achieving the unlocking state.

In this embodiment, a signal from the receiver 14 activates the motor 13b provided in the switching operation unit 13, moving the engagement unit 13a. Note that while the motor 13b is used in this example, the motor used to move the engagement unit 13a is not limited to the motor 13b. For example, the motor may be operated by receiving a signal from a solenoid or the like.

Incidentally, in the present invention, to eliminate the need for the receiving unit 14 to be in standby mode at all times, a start-up unit 15 is provided that is used to change the receiving unit 14 from a stopped state to an activated state. This 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 that is operated to activate the receiving unit 14, and an operation unit 15b that 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, putting it into an activated state. This eliminates the need to keep the receiving unit 14 running all the time.

However, the locking piece 22 is located near the support part of the handle 11. However, if the activation part 15 is located 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 increasing the size of the electronic lock 1.

For example, in this embodiment, the bolt 23, which is the 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 response to the operation of the handle 11. Meanwhile, it is common for the electronic lock 1 to be able to change the orientation of the locking piece 22 to suit the specifications of the electrical/electronic device storage box 8 (left-hand opening, right-hand opening). For this reason, the locking piece 22 can move to either the left or right around the main case 12. For this reason, locating the activation unit 15 near the locking piece 22 would result in the electronic lock 1 becoming larger.

In order to avoid the electronic lock 1 becoming larger, if the handle 11 is supported in a rotatable state at one end of the main case 12, it is preferable to position the activation unit 15 at the end of the main case 12 opposite the end that supports the handle 11. By positioning the activation unit 15 on the other end from the support unit, there is no need to route the wires around the movable range of the locking piece 22, and the electronic lock 1 can be prevented from becoming larger. In particular, it is preferable to position the activation unit 15 on the other side of the main case 12 from the support unit for the handle 11 in the longitudinal direction.

However, since the electronic lock 1 of this 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. Therefore, the electronic lock 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an auxiliary lock 41 that allows the lock to be unlocked even if the battery of the electronic lock 1 runs out of power.

By inserting a key into this auxiliary lock 41 and turning it, the engagement portion 13a can be moved. In this way, the auxiliary lock 41 can be used to disengage the claw portion 11a on the handle 11 from the engagement portion 13a.

In this embodiment, when the main body case 12 is attached to a mounting hole provided in the electrical/electronic device storage box 8, the switching operation unit 13 is disposed in the internal storage section 12aa, which passes through the mounting hole and is disposed on the back side of the door 81. In this embodiment, the internal storage section 12aa is provided in the recessed section 12a. Furthermore, to protect the switching operation unit 13 housed in the internal storage section 12aa, a cover member 16 is attached to cover the switching operation unit 13 from the front. However, in this embodiment, the cover member 16 has an operation hole 16a that allows a key to be inserted into the auxiliary lock 41. The operation hole 16a shown in Figure 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.

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

The cover member 16 shown in Figures 3, 8, and 9 includes an 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 outwardly of the internal storage portion 12aa.

In this embodiment, the two opposing arms 16c are attached so that they sandwich the switching operation unit 13, preventing the switching operation unit 13 from malfunctioning or malfunctioning even when vibrations are applied to the electronic lock 1.

In addition, the extension portion 16d in this embodiment can cover almost the entire internal storage portion 12aa, which is configured as a more recessed portion of the recessed portion 12a, thereby protecting the equipment placed within the internal storage portion 12aa.

In this embodiment, the protruding portion 16e is also a portion that can cover the switch 15a of the activation portion 15. In other words, the activation portion 15 can be positioned on the outer side of the recessed portion 12a. Therefore, the electronic lock 1 can be equipped with the activation portion 15 without enlarging the recessed portion 12a, so it does not take up too much storage space in the electrical and electronic equipment storage box 8. Furthermore, the size of the recessed portion 12a can be the same as that of a conventional lock, so when replacing an existing lock, there is no need to rework the electrical and electronic equipment storage box 8 to change the size of the mounting hole. Note that the protruding portion 16e in this embodiment is also a portion that can cover the switch 15a of the activation portion 15, and is configured to be approximately triangular in side view.

The operating part 15b of the activation part 15 does not need to be located within the protruding part 16e, but it is preferable to locate it on the outer side of the recessed part 12a when viewed from the front. Providing just the operating part 15b in such a location can prevent the recessed part 12a from becoming larger. For the same reason, it is also preferable to locate the switch 15a on the outer side of the recessed part 12a when viewed from the front.

Here, we will explain an example of how to assemble the electronic lock 1 equipped with these features. For example, first, the switching operation unit 13 and auxiliary lock 41 are stored in the internal storage section 12aa of the main 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 case 12.

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 inside 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.

In addition, in this embodiment, the protrusion 16e is triangular in side view, and the operating unit 15b is located on the surface with the opening located on the lower side. By locating the operating unit 15b on the surface with the opening facing downward in this way, even if water droplets form due to condensation or the like, it is possible to prevent water from entering the cover member 16 through the gap between the operating unit 15b and the cover member 16.

The cover member 16 with the activation unit 15 attached is inserted from the front side of the main body case 12 so that the arms 16c are inserted into the internal storage section 12aa. This positions the arms 16c so that they 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 passes through 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.

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

The handle 11 is supported by a handle shaft 21 that can be raised or lowered, and a locking piece 22 that sandwiches the main body case 12. By tightening a bolt 23 into the handle shaft 21 from the locking piece 22 side, the handle 11 is connected to the main body case 12 and can be supported rotatably.

Next, we will explain the operation of electronic lock 1. The receiver 14 is not always in operation and is in a stopped state. In this state, electronic lock 1 will not operate even if a command to lock or unlock is sent from outside. This makes it difficult for someone who does not know how to operate it in the following sequence to unlock electronic lock 1, thereby improving its security function.

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 door. Once authentication that it is OK to unlock the door is complete, the receiving unit 14 will send a signal to operate the switching operation unit 13.

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 engagement portion 13a, which is pivotally supported by the internal mechanism, rotates, releasing the engagement between the engagement portion 13a and the claw portion 11a.

The handle 11 is biased in the opening direction by a spring, so when the claw portion 11a and the engagement portion 13a are released from their engaged state, the handle rises up and becomes able to be rotated left and right.

The internal mechanism is spring-loaded so that it can return to its original state. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the internal mechanism began to move, the motor 13b and the internal mechanism disengage, returning the mechanism to its original state. More specifically, in this embodiment, the internal mechanism moves downward. As the internal mechanism moves, the engagement portion 13a also returns to its original state.

To lock the handle, simply push the handle 11 into the main case 12. This action alone will cause the claw 11a at the tip of the handle 11 to engage with the engagement part 13a, thereby locking the handle.

It is preferable to set the switch 15a of the activation unit 15 to return to the off state after a certain period of time has elapsed. This prevents the receiver unit 14 from continuing to use electricity even if the switch 15a is not turned off. Furthermore, setting the switch 15a to return to the off state in a relatively short period of time can also improve security functions.

In this example, after a certain period of time has passed, the electrical connection is severed, causing both the receiving unit 14 and the switching operation unit 13 to stop operating. This prevents electricity from continuing to flow through the switching operation unit 13, which could cause it to malfunction.

The present invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms. For example, while the embodiments show a form in which an unlock command is received and the lock is unlocked, an electronic lock that receives a lock command and locks may also be used.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Electronic lock 8 Electrical and electronic equipment storage box 11 Handle 12 Main body case 12a Recessed portion 12aa Internal storage portion 13 Switching operation portion 14 Receiving portion 15 Activation portion 15a Switch 15b Operation portion 81 Door

Claims (5)

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. An electronic lock for an electrical and electronic equipment storage box as described in claim 1, wherein the activation unit includes a switch that is operated to activate the receiving unit and an operating unit that can operate the switch, the switching unit is located 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 internal storage unit passes through the mounting hole and is located on the back side of the door, and the operating unit is located on the outer side of the recess when viewed from the front. The electronic lock for an electrical/electronic device storage box according to claim 2, wherein the switch is located on the outer side of the recess when viewed from the front. An electronic lock for an electrical/electronic device storage box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the handle is supported in a rotatable state at one end of the main body case, and the activation unit is located at the end of the main body case opposite the end supporting the handle. A box for storing electrical and electronic equipment equipped with the electronic lock described in any one of claims 1 to 4.