A low-voltage, direct current apparatus for controlling a door, gate, or other access point to a structure or enclosed area. In some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise a housing, a face plate coupled to the housing, a strike plate coupled to the housing, and a keeper disposed between the face plate and the strike plate. The keeper may be rotatably coupled to the housing and may have a cavity configured to receive a latch coupled to a door or other access point. A motor may be disposed within the housing, and a shaft may be coupled to the motor. An actuator arm may be coupled to the shaft. The motor may be operable to rotate the shaft to move the actuator arm from a locked position to prevent movement of the keeper to an unlocked position to allow movement of the keeper.

A latch assembly for an access door of a storage compartment in a vehicle, includes a locking bar configured to move into an engaged configuration which enables the access door to be placed and held into a closed position and a disengaged configuration which permits the access door to be placed into an opened position; and an automatic locking mechanism including a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator configured to be coupled to the access door, and further including a locking feature operably coupled to a portion of the locking bar, and configured to engage and disengage the SMA actuator which is electrically energized to move into a locked position to prohibit the locking feature from moving. A latch assembly for an access door of a storage compartment in a vehicle includes an SMA actuator configured to move the locking bar into the disengaged configuration with the storage compartment.

Electromechanical lock utilizing magnetic field forces. An actuator is moved between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, a first permanent magnet directs a first magnetic field exerting a pushing force so that rotation of the first axle is blocked, and a second permanent magnet directs a second magnetic field exerting a pulling force so that the first axle is kept uncoupled with the second axle. In the unlocked position, the first permanent magnet directs a reversed first magnetic field exerting a pulling force so that the first axle is released to rotate, and the second permanent magnet directs a reversed second magnetic field exerting a pushing force so that the first axle becomes coupled with the second axle.

An appliance latch receives a strike when the appliance lid is closed and provides an electrically activated lock holding the lid closed during portions of the wash cycle that might present a hazard. The strike presents two different surfaces to the latch, the first to activate a lock mechanism and the second to activate an anti-tamper switch before the appliance may be actuated thereby reducing the risk of tampering.

A wireless deadbolt door lock is an electric dock lock that can be powered and controlled through wireless means. This is accomplished using an electric deadbolt door lock body containing a Dual Position Latching Solenoid (DPLS) to move a deadbolt plunger in a reciprocating linear motion, between a withdrawn deadbolt position and a locking deadbolt position, protruding out from the electric deadbolt door lock body. The DPLS is controlled by an energy efficient bi-stable permanent magnet activation system (BSPMAS), which can be wirelessly controlled. A wireless charging station between the door frame and the door can be used to charge batteries or capacitors to power the BSPMAS. A mechanical release/locking device and electrical mechanical switches are also provided for unlocking or locking the deadbolt door lock when a wireless device is unavailable.

An electric door lock uses an interface to receive a credential to disengage a door lock. The interface is disposed on the user-graspable handle. The interface may comprise a sensor that receives a credential, such as an alphanumeric or symbolic code, a biometric input, or any appropriate combination of inputs. After a credential is entered, a gesture may be input to the interface to indicate that the credential is complete and prompt a controller to disengage the lock device. A gesture may comprise a motion or series or motions. The electric door lock also provides a control system that can be networked to allow remote entry of a credential. The control system can also control a plurality of door handles through a single door, or provide controls through remote devices.

Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein include an apparatus and method for electrically and mechanically connecting a deadbolt to a main housing of a lock. The main housing can be configured to extend a deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door while receiving electrical energy from an energy storage device disposed in the deadbolt. The energy storage device disposed in the deadbolt can be proximate to one or more electrical contacts electrically connected to one or more components in the main housing via conductive components of a bolt carriage. The bolt carriage includes a groove attachable to a male detent connector attached to the deadbolt. The groove in the bolt carriage provides a mechanical connection to the deadbolt and also aligns pogo pins with electrical components of the bolt carriage to enable electrical transmission from the deadbolt to the main housing.

A wirelessly-controlled vehicle hood latch lock system which can be operated by a control device. The system includes latch control module cable installed in place of the factory hood latch release cable to control the hood release action conditional upon control signals from the control device. A latch control switch sends signals to the wireless latch control module when the factory hood latch release lever is operated. The wireless latch control module allows the transfer of movement from the factory cable to the module cable only upon receipt of an enable signal. In an alternate embodiment, a latch lock motor moves a cable jam block to lock or unlock a moveable pulley and an internal pull cable output bracket. Depending upon the position of the jam block, pulling the latch release lever will either open the hood latch or the movement of the factory cable will not be transferred to the module cable.

Determining a position of a deadbolt used to lock and unlock a door is disclosed. An electromechanical lock can include a deadbolt that can retract or extend along a linear path as the door is to be locked and unlocked. A sensor such as an accelerometer can rotate along a non-linear path as the deadbolt moves along a linear path. The accelerometer can determine a gravity vector that can be indicative of a position of the accelerometer along the non-linear path. A controller can then determine a position of the deadbolt based on the gravity vector.

An appliance latch receives a strike when the appliance lid is closed and provides an electrically activated lock holding the lid closed during portions of the wash cycle that might present a hazard. The strike presents two different surfaces to the latch, the first to activate a lock mechanism and the second to activate an anti-tamper switch before the appliance may be actuated thereby reducing the risk of tampering.