Claims:
WE CLAIM:

1. An electronic lock (100), comprising:
a first casing (105) and a second casing (107), the first casing (105) and the second casing (107) comprising:
a shackle (125) received through shackle-receiving sections (108) provided at the first casing (105) and the second casing (107), wherein the shackle (125) comprises a first end (126) and a second end (127), wherein the first end (126) of the shackle (125) comprises a first receiving section (128) and a second receiving section (130);
a roller (165) coupled to the shackle (125);
a lever (135) coupled to the roller (165);
a gear (150) received in the lever (135); and
a motor (160) coupled to the gear (150),
wherein the motor (160) is operated to engage the gear (150) to push the lever (135) in order to place the roller (165) in the second receiving section (130) in order to retain the first end (126) and the second end (127) of the shackle (125) inside the first casing (105) and the second casing (107) thereby locking the electronic lock (100), and
wherein the motor (160) is operated to engage the gear (150) to pull the lever (135) in order to place the roller (165) in the first receiving section (128) in order to retain the first end (126) inside the first casing (105) and the second casing (107) and to place the and the second end (127) of the shackle (125) outside the first casing (105) and the second casing (107) thereby unlocking the electronic lock (100).

2. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shackle (125) comprises a first protrusion (132) at the surface of the shackle (125) at the first end (126), wherein the first protrusion (132) helps to retain the first end (126) of the shackle (125) inside the first casing (105) and the second casing (107) during lock and unlocking of the electronic lock (100).

3. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever (135) comprises teeth (141) to receive the gear (150).

4. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever (135) comprises second protrusions (143), each provided at an end of the lever (135).

5. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lever (135) comprises spring members (143) coupled to the second protrusions (143) to facilitate movement of the lever (135) during locking and unlocking of the electronic lock (100).

6. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor (165) is operatively coupled to a battery (122).

7. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor (165) is engaged upon receiving instructions remotely using a protocol, wherein the protocol includes RFID, Bluetooth, Cellular, Zigbee or a request received through internet from a remote computer or smart phone.

8. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first casing (105) and the second casing (107) comprises sensors to detect tampering of the shackle (125) and first casing (105) and the second casing (107).

9. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a buzzer (124).

10. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first casing (105) and the second casing (107) comprises sensors to detect tampering of the shackle (125) and first casing (105) and the second casing (107), wherein the buzzer (124) is engaged to produce sound upon detecting tampering by the sensors.

11. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a plurality of hall sensors (175) configured to detect position of the shackle (125), wherein the plurality of hall sensors (175) sense ends of the shackle (125) being in proximity to determine lock and unlock position of the electronic lock (100).

12. The electronic lock (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the motor (165) is engaged to push or pull the lever (135) based on the position of the shackle (125) detected by the plurality of hall sensors (175).
, Description:LOCKING MECHANISM OF AN ELECTRONIC LOCK

FIELD OF INVENTION

[01] The present disclosure relates to a field of electronic lockers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electronic lock having a unique locking and unlocking mechanism and that can be operated remotely using RFID, Near-Field Communication (NFC), keypads, smart phones, phone-call, DTMF, and SMS.

BACKGROUND

[02] It is known that locks are generally used with doors to ensure proper locking of the doors. Generally, the locks such as padlocks are used to ensure proper locking of the doors. The padlocks are preferred for their portability, ease of use and vast usage for many applications.

[03] As known, the padlocks come with a shackle that may be passed through an opening such as a chain link, or hasp staple to prevent use, theft, vandalism or harm. Typically, intruders cut the shackle to break into a house or wherever the locks are used. Else, the intruders may use a duplicate key to unlock the padlock and may access the door. This is common practice among others, since intruders have gained extensive knowledge to tamper the padlocks to gain access to the doors.

[04] Therefore, there is a need for an electronic lock, which discloses a unique design and makes it difficult for the intruders get access and also provide real-time update in case of any tamper attempt or unauthorized access.

SUMMARY

[05] The problems in the existing art are met by providing an electronic lock having a unique design and that can be operated remotely and using different protocols such as RFID, Near-Field Communication (NFC), keypads, smart phones, phone-call, DTMF, and SMS

[06] In one implementation, an electronic lock (100) that can be operated using digital keys remotely is disclosed. The electronic lock (100) comprises a first casing (105) and a second casing (107), comprising a shackle (125) received through shackle-receiving sections (108) provided at the first casing (105) and the second casing (107). The shackle (125) comprises a first end (126) and a second end (127). The first end (126) of the shackle (125) comprises a first receiving section (128) and a second receiving section (130). The electronic lock (100) comprises a roller (165) coupled to the shackle (125). The electronic lock (100) comprises a lever (135) coupled to the roller (165). The electronic lock (100) comprises a gear (150) received in the lever (135). The electronic lock (100) comprises a motor (160) coupled to the gear (150). The motor (160) is operated to engage the gear (150) to push the lever (135) in order to place the roller (165) in the second receiving section (130) in order to retain the first end (126) and the second end (127) of the shackle (125) inside the first casing (105) and the second casing (107) thereby locking the electronic lock (100). The motor (160) is operated to engage the gear (150) to pull the lever (135) in order to place the roller (165) in the first receiving section (128) in order to retain the first end (126) inside the first casing (105) and the second casing (107) and to place the and the second end (127) of the shackle (125) outside the first casing (105) and the second casing (107) thereby unlocking the electronic lock (100).

[07] Further advantages and examples of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[08] In the following drawings like reference numbers are used to refer to like elements. Although the following figures depict various examples of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to the examples depicted in the figures.

[09] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[010] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective views of a shackle, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[011] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate perspective views of a lever, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[012] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate perspective views of the lever comprising spring members, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[013] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the electronic lock in lock and unlock position, respectively, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[014] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the electronic lock, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[015] The following detailed description is intended to provide example implementations to one of ordinary skill in the art, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the explicit disclosure, as one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that variations can be substituted that are within the scope of the disclosure as described.

[016] Various embodiments of the present disclosure disclosing an electronic lock is explained with the help of FIGs 1-6.

[017] Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded view of an electronic lock 100 is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic lock 100 comprises a first casing 105 and a second casing 107. The first casing 105 may indicate a lower casing and the second casing 107 may indicate an upper casing. The first casing 105 and the second casing 107 might be made using metal or any other suitable hard material.

[018] Each of the first casing 105 and the second casing 107 comprises shackle-receiving sections 108. The shackle-receiving sections108 is preferably provided in circular configuration in that each of the shackle-receiving sections 108 provided at the first casing 105 and the second casing 107 are provided in semi-circular configuration and forms a circular configuration when the first casing 105 is coupled to the second casing 107.

[019] The first casing 105 comprises a first compartment 110, a second compartment 112, a third compartment 114, a fourth compartment 116, a fifth compartment 118 and a sixth compartment 120. The first compartment 110 is used to receive a battery 122. The second compartment 112 is used to receive a buzzer 124. The third compartment 114 and the fourth compartment 118 are used to receive a shackle 125.

[020] Referring to FIG. 2A and 2B, perspective views of the shackle 125 are shown. As can be seen, the shackle 125 comprises a first end 126 and a second end 127. Further, at the first end 126, the shackle 125 comprises a plurality of receiving sections, a first receiving section 128 and a second receiving section 130. Each of the first receiving section 128 and the second receiving section 130 is provided in semi-circular configuration. Further, the shackle 125 is provided with a first protrusion 132 at the surface of the shackle 125.

[021] Further, at the fifth compartment 118, the electronic lock 100 comprises a lever 135. Referring to FIG. 3A and 3B, perspective views of the lever 135 are shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be seen, the lever 135 comprises a first cut section 137 and a second cut section 139. The lever 135 comprises a hole 140 at the top of the lever 135. The hole 140 is provided with a magnet (not shown). At the first cut section 137, the lever 135 is provided with teeth 141. Furthermore, the lever 135 is provided with second protrusions 143, each of the second protrusions 143 is provided at ends of the lever 135.

[022] Further, the lever 135 is provided with spring members 145, each of the spring members 145 is provided at the second protrusions 143 provided at ends of the lever 135. Further, the electronic lock 100 comprises a gear 150 provided in the lever 135. Specifically, the gear 150 is received at the teeth 141 provided in the first cut section 137 of the lever 135. Referring to FIG. 4A and 4B, perspective views of the lever 135 comprising the spring members 145 and the gear 150 are shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the gear 150 is operable over the teeth 141 from a first position to a second position.

[023] At the sixth compartment 120, the electronic lock 100 is provided with a motor 160. Further, the electronic lock 100 is provided with a roller 165 provided in a round configuration. The roller 165 is mounted at the second cut section 139 of the lever 135.

[024] Further, the electronic lock 100 comprises a plurality of plates 170 used to cover the components placed in the compartments.

[025] Further, the electronic lock 100 comprises a plurality of hall sensors 175, each of the hall sensors 175 is provides at the end of the third compartment 114 and the fourth compartment 116.

[026] Further, the electronic lock 100 comprises a printed circuit board, PCB, 180 comprising a processor (not shown), a memory (not shown), and a transceiver (not shown). The processor may indicate a microcontroller or a microprocessor capable of executing instructions. Further, the electronic lock 100 may comprise a buzzer (not shown) to generate an alarm. Furthermore, the electronic lock 100 comprises a plurality of sensors (not shown), for example tamper sensors provided at the shackle 125 capable of detecting tampering of the shackle 125. In one example, the PCB 180 comprises a linear hall sensor (not shown).

[027] Referring to FIGS 5A and 5B, operation of the electronic lock 100 is explained. It should be understood that the FIG. 5A shows the electronic lock 100 in locked position. Further, FIG. 5B shows the lock in unlocked position. In locked position, the roller 165 is placed at the second receiving section 130 and the lever 135 is lowered so that the roller 165 is locked with respect to the second receiving section 130 in the shackle 125. It should be understood that gap G is provided between the spring members 145 at the top of the lever 135 so as to provide tolerances for movement of the lever 135 in the fifth compartment 118. When the electronic lock 100 is in locked position, the first end 126 and the second end 127 of the shackle 125 is in proximity to the hall sensors 175. Further, the gear 150 will be at the teeth 141 as shown in FIG. 4B.

It should be understood that the magnet provided in the hole 140 of the lever 135 along with the help of linear hall sensor provided in the PCB 180 help to determine the location of lever 135. Based on the location or position of the lever 135, lock and unlock condition of the lock 100 can be determined. .

[028] During the locked position, i.e., when the roller 165 is coupled to the at the second receiving section 130 of the shackle 125, if any one of the first end 126 and the second end 127 goes away from the hall sensors 175, then it is considered as the shackle 125 is being tampered. Accordingly, the sensors may send a signal to the processor, which in turn may trigger the buzzer 124 to produce sound. Further, the processor may trigger an alert, which will be sent to a user of the electronic lock 100 to indicate that the electronic lock 100 is being tampered. Accordingly, the user may take necessary action.

[029] In order to unlock the electronic lock 100, the user may send a signal comprising digital keys remotely via the transceiver. In order to precisely identify the location of the lock, the electronic lock 100 may be provided with a Global positioning System (GPS) sensor within the first casing 105 and the second casing 107. Upon receiving the signal i.e., the digital keys, the processor may instruct the motor 160 to operate such that the motor 160 engages the gear 150 on the teeth 141 to the position shown in FIG. 4A. When the electronic lock 100 is unlocked, the gear 150 is operated to pull up the lever 135 such that the roller 165 is made to come in the first receiving section 128, as shown in FIG. 5B.

[030] As can be seen in FIGS 5A and 5B, the shackle 125 at the first end 126 is made to sit in the third compartment 114 at all times due to the presence of the first protrusion 132 at the surface of the shackle 125. It must be understood that the shackle 125 can be rotated at an angle of up to about 165 degrees, but cannot be taken out from its first end 126. This is because; the first protrusion 132 prevents the shackle 125 to come out of the shackle-receiving section 108. Further, it should be understood that the shackle 125 comes out of the shackle-receiving section 108 only during the unlock position of the electronic lock 100 as shown in FIG. 5B.

[031] Similarly, if the user wishes to lock the electronic lock 100, then the user may send signal i.e., the digital keys to the processor. Subsequently, the processor may instruct the motor 160 to operate such that the motor 160 engages the gear 150 on the teeth 141 to the position shown in FIG. 4B. When the electronic lock 100 is locked, the gear 150 is operated to pull down the lever 135 such that the roller 165 is made to come in the second receiving section 130, as shown in FIG. 5A.

[032] Now referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view of the electronic lock 100 is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[033] Based on the above, it is evident that the electronic lock can be operated remotely. Further, due to the design of the electronic lock using the roller, receiving sections at the shackle and the motor, the present disclosure has a unique way of operating the electronic lock to lock and unlock remotely.

[034] It should be understood that the electronic lock could be used at homes for locking or unlocking a door remotely. Further, the electronic lock could also be used to lock doors installed at vehicles. Further, the electronic lock could also be installed cash boxes, metal boxes or any other known mechanisms that are locked to prevent others from using. As the lock can be operated remotely, there is no need for intervention by the user to lock or unlock the electronic lock.

[035] In one implementation, the electronic lock might be provided with tamper or shock sensors to detect impact on the first or second casing. If the impact is more on the first or second casing, then the electronic lock may send an alert to the user indicating the electronic lock is being tampered.

[036] It should be understood that the present disclosure is provided as an exemplary implementation of the electronic lock, however a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the features and/or components presented herein can be provided in variety of shapes and sizes and such implementations are within the purview of the present disclosure.

[037] Although embodiments of the electronic lock have been described in a language specific to features, it is to be understood that the description is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations of the electronic lock