JP7798532B2 - Door locks, door lock systems, doors - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a lock, a lock system , and a door .

With the aim of preventing key loss and improving unlocking convenience, Patent Document 1 discloses a door lock that allows for contactless locking and unlocking of the door. The door lock disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a controller instead of a thumb turn, and an authenticating reading means housed in the main case into which the cylinder lock is fitted is connected to the controller via a cable.

JP 2011-007036 A

The door lock disclosed in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that the existing door has a locking function, and therefore cannot be applied to indoor doors that have a box lock that switches the advance and retreat of a latch bolt by operating the door handle.

If an existing door has a locking function, using the door lock disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the installation of a controller and main body case, which increases the size of the door lock and reduces its appearance. It also requires the complicated task of connecting the reading means on the main body case to the controller with a cable, making the installation process cumbersome.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a box lock, box lock system , and door that can be easily installed without being large, and that can be locked and unlocked without contact.

A first aspect of the present disclosure is a box lock comprising: a casing; a latch bolt having a latch and moving back and forth relative to the casing; a latch hub that retracts the latch into the casing; a locking unit movable between a first position located in the rotational path of the latch hub and a second position away from the rotational path; a drive unit that moves the locking unit between the first position and the second position ; a receiving unit that can receive via wireless communication a locking signal and an unlocking signal corresponding to the position of the latch ; a control unit that drives the drive unit in response to either the locking signal or the unlocking signal received by the receiving unit; and a power supply unit that supplies power to the drive unit ;

1 is a perspective view showing a door to which the box lock of the present disclosure is attached. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the locking box of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. A diagram showing the internal configuration of the locking box of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. A diagram showing the internal configuration of a locking box according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. A diagram showing the internal configuration of a locking box according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the locking system of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a door to which the box lock of the present disclosure is attached.

Embodiments of the box lock, box lock system, and door of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The following embodiment illustrates one aspect of the present disclosure and does not limit the present disclosure. Any modifications can be made within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure. In the following drawings, the scale and number of components in each structure are different from the actual structure to make each configuration easier to understand.

As shown in Figure 1, a new box lock 100 is detachably attached to door 1 in place of an existing box lock (not shown). Door 1 is a hinged door, and does not have a locking function when the existing box lock is attached. Box lock 100 is attached by inserting it into a recess provided in the side surface 1a of door 1. Box lock 100 is replaceable for door 1. A handle lever 2 is attached to door 1. When handle lever 2 is operated, a latch 11 extends and retracts from the side surface 1a of door 1. When door 1 is closed, latch 11 protrudes from side surface 1a of door 1 and is inserted into striker 3 of door frame 5. When latch 11 is inserted into striker 3 of door frame 5, door 1 is maintained in the closed state.

As shown in FIG. 2, the locking box 100 of the first embodiment includes a casing 30, a latch bolt 10, a latch hub 20, a locking unit 40, a driving unit 50, a receiving unit 60, a control unit 70, a power supply unit 80, and a front panel 31.

The casing 30 houses the latch bolt 10, latch hub 20, lock unit 40, drive unit 50, receiver unit 60, control unit 70, and power supply unit 80. The lock box 100 is attached to the door 1 by inserting the casing 30 into a recess provided in the side surface 1a.

The latch bolt 10 is mounted on the casing 30 so that it can move back and forth in the left-right direction in Figure 2. In the following description, the direction in which the latch bolt 10 moves back and forth is referred to as the left-right direction. The up-down direction in Figure 2 is referred to as the up-down direction. The direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the up-down direction in Figure 2 is referred to as the thickness direction.

The latch bolt 10 is axially oriented and extends in the left-right direction. It has a latch 11, an engagement portion 12, and a pressing portion 13. The latch 11 is located at the left end of the latch bolt 10. When the latch bolt 10 moves to the left, the latch 11 protrudes from the front plate 31 through an opening 31a in the front plate 31. The engagement portion 12 is located on the right side of the latch 11. The dimensions of the engagement portion 12 are larger than the dimensions of the opening 31a in the front plate 31. When the latch bolt 10 moves to the left, the engagement portion 12 engages with the front plate 31 from the right side. The position of the latch 11 protruding from the front plate 31 is determined by the engagement portion 12 engaging the front plate 31 from the right side.

The pressing portion 13 is positioned to the right of the first arm portion 21 of the latch hub 20 (described below). The first spring 14 contacts the right side of the pressing portion 13. The first spring 14 is a compressed coil spring. The left side of the first spring 14 contacts the pressing portion 13, and the right side contacts the side wall 32 of the casing 30. The pressing portion 13 is biased to the left by the biasing force of the first spring 14. As the first spring 14 biases the pressing portion 13 to the left, the latch bolt 10 can move to the left.

The latch hub 20 rotates around a central axis J extending in the thickness direction. The latch hub 20 has a first arm portion 21, a second arm portion 22, and an axle fitting portion 23. The axle fitting portion 23 is cylindrical and extends in the direction of the central axis J, opening to the interior side. The axle 2a of the handle lever 2 shown in Figure 1 fits into the axle fitting portion 23. By operating the handle lever 2 with the axle 2a fitted in the axle fitting portion 23, the latch hub 20 can rotate around the central axis J.

The first arm portion 21 extends upward from the shaft fitting portion 23. The first arm portion 21 has a gap at a position where it overlaps with the latch bolt 10 in the thickness direction. The latch bolt 10 is inserted into the gap in the first arm portion 21. The latch bolt 10 inserted into the gap in the first arm portion 21 can move left and right without interfering with the first arm portion 21.

When the latch hub 20 is rotated clockwise in Figure 2, the first arm portion 21 comes into contact with the pressing portion 13 located on one side in the circumferential direction about the central axis J. The pressing portion 13 is pressed from the left by the first arm portion 21, and moves to the right against the biasing force of the first spring 14. As the pressing portion 13 moves to the right, the latch 11 moves to the right and is retracted into the casing 30. When the latch 11 is retracted into the casing 30, the door 1 can be opened.

The second arm portion 22 extends downward from the shaft fitting portion 23. The left side of the second arm portion 22 contacts the end face of the slider 34. The slider 34 is provided within the casing 30 so that it can move freely left and right. The left side of the slider 34 contacts the second spring 24. The second spring 24 is a compressed coil spring. The right side of the second spring 24 contacts the slider 34, and the left side contacts the side wall 33 of the casing 30. The slider 34 is biased to the right by the biasing force of the second spring 24. As the second spring 24 biases the slider 34 to the right, the second arm portion 22 is able to move in the counterclockwise direction. When the second arm portion 22 moves in the counterclockwise direction, the latch hub 20 rotates in the counterclockwise direction.

When the handle lever 2, with the shaft 2a fitted in the shaft fitting portion 23, is operated, the latch hub 20 rotates clockwise against the biasing force of the second spring 24. When the latch hub 20 rotates clockwise, the first arm portion 21 presses the pressing portion 13, moving it to the right. When the pressing portion 13 moves to the right against the biasing force of the first spring 14, the latch 11 is retracted into the casing 30, allowing the door 1 to open. When the handle lever 2 is released, the biasing force of the second spring 24 causes the latch hub 20 to rotate counterclockwise and come into contact with the side wall 35 of the casing 30. When the latch hub 20 comes into contact with the side wall 35 of the casing 30, its counterclockwise rotation is restricted.

When the latch hub 20 rotates counterclockwise, the first arm 21 is released from pressing the pressing portion 13. With the first arm 21 no longer pressing, the pressing portion 13 moves to the left due to the biasing force of the first spring 14. When the pressing portion 13 moves to the left, the latch 11 returns to a state in which it protrudes from the front plate 31. The position of the latch hub 20 when the latch hub 20 comes into contact with the side wall 35, restricting counterclockwise rotational movement, and the latch 11 returns to a state in which it protrudes from the front plate 31 is called the return position.

The locking portion 40 is rotatable around an axis J2 parallel to the central axis J. The locking portion 40 has a third arm portion 41, a fourth arm portion 42, and an axial fitting portion 43. The axial fitting portion 43 is cylindrical and extends in the direction of the axis J2 parallel to the central axis J, and has a recess 43a that opens to the interior of the vehicle.

The locking portion 40 is rotatable between a first position P1 shown in FIG. 3 and a second position P2 shown in FIG. 2. In the first position P1, the third arm portion 41 extends downward from the shaft fitting portion 43 toward the first arm portion 21. In the first position P1, the tip of the third arm portion 41 is located in the rotation path of the first arm portion 21. In the first position P1, the tip of the third arm portion 41 is on the clockwise side of the first arm portion 21, which is in the return position. The position of the third arm portion 41 in the thickness direction is the same as the position of the first arm portion 21 in the thickness direction. The position of the third arm portion 41 in the thickness direction is a position where it does not interfere with the pressing portion 13. The third arm portion 41 is rotatable between the first position P1 and the second position P2 without interfering with the pressing portion 13.

When the locking portion 40 is in the first position P1 and the tip of the third arm portion 41 is located in the rotation path on the clockwise side of the first arm portion 21, which is in the return position, the clockwise rotational movement of the first arm portion 21 is restricted. When the clockwise rotational movement of the first arm portion 21 is restricted, the latch 11 is maintained in a state protruding from the front panel 31.

In the second position P2, the third arm portion 41 contacts the side wall 36 of the casing 30. When the third arm portion 41 contacts the side wall 36, counterclockwise rotational movement of the locking portion 40 is restricted. When the third arm portion 41 contacts the side wall 36, it moves away from the rotation path of the first arm portion 21. The second position P2 is a position where the locking portion 40 is away from the rotation path of the first arm portion 21.

The fourth arm portion 42 is positioned counterclockwise relative to the third arm portion 41. In the first position P1, the fourth arm portion 42 extends downward from the shaft fitting portion 43. In the first position P1, the fourth arm portion 42 is located to the right of the pressing portion 13. In the second position P2, the fourth arm portion 42 extends to the right from the shaft fitting portion 43. In the second position P2, the fourth arm portion 42 contacts the side wall 37 of the casing 30. When the fourth arm portion 42 contacts the side wall 37, counterclockwise rotational movement of the locking portion 40 is restricted. In the second position P2, the third arm portion 41 contacts the side wall 36, and the fourth arm portion 42 contacts the side wall 37, restricting counterclockwise rotational movement of the locking portion 40.

One end of the torsion coil spring 38 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft fitting portion 43. At the second position P2, the torsion coil spring 38 biases the shaft fitting portion 43 counterclockwise at a position below the axis J2, so the locking portion 40 is maintained in the second position P2. At the first position P1, the torsion coil spring 38 biases the shaft fitting portion 43 radially toward the axis J2 at a position above the axis J2, so the locking portion 40 does not rotate counterclockwise and is maintained in the first position P1.

The drive unit 50 moves the locking unit 40 between the first position P1 and the second position P2. The drive unit 50 is a motor that rotates the locking unit 40 around the axis J2 between the first position P1 and the second position P2. The drive unit 50 has a link mechanism 51 that converts the rotational drive of the motor into rotational movement around the axis J2. The link mechanism 51 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft fitting portion 43.

The receiving unit 60 is capable of receiving locking and unlocking signals via wireless communication. The receiving unit 60 is capable of receiving locking and unlocking signals corresponding to the position of the latch 11 via wireless communication. The locking signal is a signal that prevents operation of the handle lever 2 and keeps the latch 11 protruding from the front panel 31, locking the door 1. The unlocking signal is a signal that allows operation of the handle lever 2 to retract the latch 11 into the casing 30, making it possible to unlock the door 1 locked using the latch 11.

The wireless communication standard used by the receiver 60 can be selected from at least one of Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, EnOcean, and optical communication such as infrared. The receiver 60 outputs the received lock and unlock signals to the control unit 70.

The control unit 70 drives the drive unit 50 in response to either the lock signal or the unlock signal received and input by the receiving unit 60. When a lock signal is input, the control unit 70 controls the drive unit 50 to position the lock unit 40 at the first position P1. When an unlock signal is input, the control unit 70 controls the drive unit 50 to position the lock unit 40 at the second position P2.

The power supply unit 80 supplies power to the drive unit 50, the receiving unit 60, and the control unit 70. An example of the power supply unit 80 is a battery. The power supply unit 80 is replaceable with respect to the casing 30.

The existing box lock is replaced with the box lock 100 and installed on the door 1. When a locking signal is sent via wireless communication to the door 1 equipped with the box lock 100, the locking unit 40 is positioned in the first position P1. When the locking unit 40 is positioned in the first position P1, the latch hub 20 is prevented from rotating clockwise. When the latch hub 20 is prevented from rotating clockwise, the handle lever 2 cannot be operated. When the latch hub 20 is prevented from rotating clockwise and the handle lever 2 cannot be operated, the pressing unit 13 cannot move to the right, so the latch 11 remains protruding from the front panel 31 and the door 1 is locked.

When an unlock signal is sent via wireless communication, the locking portion 40 is located in the second position P2. When the locking portion 40 is located in the second position P2, the latch hub 20 is allowed to rotate clockwise. When the latch hub 20 is allowed to rotate clockwise, operating the handle lever 2 causes the latch hub 20 to rotate clockwise, moving the pressing portion 13 to the right. When the pressing portion 13 moves to the right, the latch 11 is retracted into the casing 30, the door 1 is unlocked, and the door 1 can be opened.

With the box lock 100 and door 1 of this embodiment, even if the existing door 1 has an existing box lock attached and does not have a locking function, such as an indoor door, by replacing the existing box lock with the new box lock 100, the door 1 can be locked and unlocked contactlessly when locking and unlocking signals are transmitted via wireless communication. In this way, because the box lock 100 replaces the existing box lock, it can be easily installed without any complicated work. Because the box lock 100 is inserted into a recess in the existing door 1, there is no need to retrofit a locking unit or the like on the outside of the door 1, and the appearance can be improved without increasing the size.

The second embodiment of the locking box 100 will now be described. In Figures 4 and 5, elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The second embodiment of the locking box 100 differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the drive unit.

As shown in Figure 4, the locking box 100 of the second embodiment has a drive unit 52. The drive unit 52 is a linear actuator. The drive unit 52 has a solenoid unit 52A and a plunger 52B. The solenoid unit 52A linearly moves the plunger 52B depending on whether or not it is energized. The plunger 52B extends in the left-right direction perpendicular to the central axis J. The plunger 52B can linearly move in the left-right direction. The drive unit 52 has a link mechanism 53. The tip of the plunger 52B is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft fitting portion 43. The link mechanism 53 converts the linear movement of the plunger 52B into rotational movement of the shaft fitting portion 43 about the axis J2.

When the solenoid portion 52A is not energized, the plunger 52B is extended to the right. When the plunger 52B is extended to the right, the lock portion 40 is located in the second position P2. The third arm portion 41 moves away from the rotation path of the first arm portion 21 of the latch hub 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the solenoid portion 52A is energized, the plunger 52B is retracted to the left from its extended position to the right. When the plunger 52B is retracted to the left from its extended position to the right, the locking portion 40 is located at the first position P1. The tip of the third arm portion 41 is located in the rotation path of the first arm portion 21 of the latch hub 20.

When a locking signal is transmitted via wireless communication, the control unit 70 energizes the solenoid unit 52A based on the locking signal input via the receiving unit 60. When the solenoid unit 52A is energized, the plunger 52B is pulled to the left, and the lock unit 40 is located in the first position P1. When the lock unit 40 is located in the first position P1, the handle lever 2 cannot be operated, the latch 11 is maintained in a protruding position from the front panel 31, and the door 1 is locked.

When an unlock signal is transmitted via wireless communication, the control unit 70 stops the flow of electricity to the solenoid unit 52A based on the unlock signal input via the receiving unit 60. When the flow of electricity to the solenoid unit 52A is stopped, the plunger 52B extends to the right, and the lock unit 40 is located in the second position P2. When the lock unit 40 is located in the second position P2, operation of the handle lever 2 is permitted. By operating the handle lever 2, the latch 11 is retracted into the casing 30, the door 1 is unlocked, and the door 1 can be opened.

The locking box 100 and door 1 of this embodiment not only achieve the same functions and effects as the locking box 100 of the first embodiment, but also enable a thinner design by providing a linear actuator as the driving unit 52, which moves the plunger 52B linearly in the left-right direction.

The following describes the locking system SYS. As shown in Figure 6, the locking system SYS includes a locking system 100, a transmitter 111, an infrared sensor 120, an electronic badge 130, and a display 140. The locking system 100 includes a radio wave transmitter 90.

Transmitting unit 111 selectively transmits a locking signal or an unlocking signal via wireless communication. Transmitting unit 111 is a program contained in portable information communication terminal 110. Transmitting unit 111 is stored in the storage of portable information communication terminal 110. When a user operates portable information communication terminal 110 to select either a locking signal or an unlocking signal, terminal control unit 112 issues an instruction to transmitting unit 113 based on the transmission instruction set in transmitting unit 111, causing either a locking signal or an unlocking signal to be transmitted in accordance with a predefined wireless communication standard.

The control unit 70 of the locking box 100 drives the drive units 50 and 52 in response to a signal sent from the mobile information communication terminal 110 and received by the receiving unit 60, to set the door 1 in either a state in which the latch 11 is extended and the door 1 remains locked, or a state in which the latch 11 is retracted into the casing 30 by operating the handle lever 2, allowing the door 1 to be unlocked.

The infrared sensor 120 has a detection unit 121, a transmission unit 122, a terminal control unit 123, and a transmission unit 124. The transmission unit 122 is a program contained in the infrared sensor 120. The detection unit 121 senses ambient heat when it emits infrared light as detection light. The detection unit 121 detects the approach of a user from changes in ambient temperature based on the sensed heat, and outputs the detection result to the terminal control unit 123. The terminal control unit 123 issues an instruction to the transmission unit 124 based on the transmission instruction set in the transmission unit 122, causing it to transmit either a lock signal or an unlock signal in accordance with a pre-defined wireless communication standard. The infrared sensor 120 is, for example, positioned on one side of the door 1. The infrared sensor 120 is a human presence sensor or the like.

The control unit 70 of the locking box 100 drives the drive units 50 and 52 in response to a signal transmitted from the infrared sensor 120 and received by the receiver 60, to place the door 1 in either a locked state with the latch 11 protruding, or a state in which the latch 11 is retracted into the casing 30 by operating the handle lever 2, allowing the door 1 to be unlocked.

The electronic badge 130 has an identification information storage unit 131, a transmission unit 132, a terminal control unit 133, and a transmission unit 134. The transmission unit 132 is a program contained in the electronic badge 130. The identification information storage unit 131 stores identification information related to the owner of the electronic badge 130. When the electronic badge 130 approaches the radio wave transmission unit 90 contained in the lock box 100, it receives radio waves transmitted from the radio wave transmission unit 90. The terminal control unit 133 uses the received radio waves as power and issues instructions to the transmission unit 134 based on the transmission instructions set in the transmission unit 132, causing the electronic badge 130 to transmit its identification information in accordance with a predefined wireless communication standard.

When the identification information transmitted from the electronic badge 130 and received by the receiver 60 matches pre-registered identification information, the control unit 70 of the lock box 100 drives the drive units 50, 52 to reverse either one of the states in which the door 1 remains locked with the latch 11 protruding, or the state in which the latch 11 is retracted into the casing 30 by operating the handle lever 2, enabling the door 1 to be unlocked.

When the display unit 140 receives either a locking signal or an unlocking signal, it displays either locking information or unlocking information. The display unit 140 can display either locking information or unlocking information, for example, by using text or color. When the display unit 140 displays either locking information or unlocking information, the user can easily understand the locking status of the box lock 100 and door 1. The display unit may be displayed on a mobile information communication terminal or attached to the door.

A modified example of the door will now be described. As shown in Figure 7, door 1A has a thumb turn 7 above the handle lever 2. The thumb turn 7 is located on one side of the door 1. The thumb turn 7 has a shaft 7a. The shaft 7a penetrates the wall surface on one side of the door 1. The tip of the shaft 7a fits into a recess 43a in the shaft fitting portion 43 of the locking portion 40. When the thumb turn 7 is rotated, the locking portion 40 rotates between a first position P1 and a second position P2. When the thumb turn 7 is rotated, the door 1 switches between a locked state and an unlocked state. Door 1A has a locking function.

When a locking signal is sent to door 1A, which has a locking function, via wireless communication, door 1A is locked without operating the thumb turn 7. When an unlocking signal is sent to door 1A, via wireless communication, door 1A is unlocked without operating the thumb turn 7. Door 1A, which has a locking function, can be selectively locked and unlocked without contact using wireless communication.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above examples are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

For example, in the embodiment, a configuration in which the door is a hinged door is illustrated, but this configuration is not limited. The door can also be a sliding door.

In the embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the display unit 140 displays either lock information or unlock information when it receives either a lock signal or an unlock signal, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the radio wave transmitter 90 emits a display instruction signal when the control unit 70 controls the drive units 50, 52 to move the lock unit 40 between the first position P1 and the second position P2. The display unit 140 may receive the display instruction signal emitted from the radio wave transmitter 90 and display either lock information or unlock information in accordance with the instruction contained in the received display instruction signal.

1, 1A...door, 7...thumb turn, 10...latch bolt, 11...latch, 20...latch hub, 30...casing, 40...lock unit, 43a...recess, 50, 52...drive unit, 60...receiving unit, 70...control unit, 80...power supply unit, 90...radio wave transmitting unit, 100...box lock, 111, 122, 132...transmitting unit, 120...infrared sensor, 130...electronic badge, 140...display unit, J...center axis, J2...axis, P1...first position, P2...second position, SYS...box lock system

Claims (9)

A casing;
a latch bolt having a latch and moving back and forth relative to the casing;
a latch hub that retracts the latch into the casing;
a lock portion movable between a first position located on a rotation path of the latch hub and a second position spaced apart from the rotation path;
a drive unit that moves the lock unit between the first position and the second position;
a receiving unit capable of receiving a locking signal and an unlocking signal corresponding to the position of the latch via wireless communication;
a control unit that drives the drive unit in response to either the lock signal or the unlock signal received by the receiving unit;
a power supply unit that supplies power to the drive unit;
Equipped with
the casing accommodates the latch bolt, the latch hub, the locking unit, the driving unit, the receiving unit, the control unit, and the power supply unit therein;
A box lock, wherein the power supply unit and the control unit are arranged adjacent to each other within the casing, and the control unit and the drive unit are arranged adjacent to each other within the casing along the direction of forward and backward movement of the latch bolt. the power supply unit is a battery,
The battery is inserted into the casing from the side of the door so that the longitudinal direction of the battery is aligned with the direction of advancement and retreat of the latch bolt.
The box tablet according to claim 1. The box lock according to claim 1 or 2,
A locking system comprising a transmitting unit that selectively transmits the locking signal and the unlocking signal by wireless communication. The transmission unit is a program included in the mobile information communication terminal.
The lock system according to claim 3. The transmitter is provided in an infrared sensor that emits infrared light, detects heat, and selectively transmits the lock signal and the unlock signal by wireless communication.
The lock system according to claim 3. The locking box has a radio wave transmitting unit,
the transmitter is provided in an electronic badge that selectively transmits the lock signal and the unlock signal by wireless communication when receiving the radio wave transmitted by the radio wave transmitter;
The lock system according to claim 3. a display unit that displays either lock information or unlock information when receiving either the lock signal or the unlock signal;
A lock system according to any one of claims 3 to 6. A door to which the box lock described in claim 1 or 2 is removably attached. The door of claim 8, which has a hinged door.