LOCK DEVICE
20230399872 · 2023-12-14
Assignee
Inventors
- KEN-CHING CHEN (KAOHSIUNG CITY, TW)
- Chun-Ta Liu (Kaohsiung City, TW)
- Hsin-Cheng Su (Kaohsiung City, TW)
- Shu-Chen Lin (Kaohsiung City, TW)
Cpc classification
E05B47/0006
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E05B2047/0035
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E05B2047/0095
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
Abstract
A lock device adapted for a first object and a second object movable relative to the first object includes a slider, a driving module, a latch and a power module. The driving module can drive the slider to move between a locking position and an unlocking position. The latch is movable relative to the slider. The power module can provide electricity to the driving module. When the second object is located at a retracted position relative to the first object, the driving module can drive the slider to move to the locking position, so that the latch blocks the second object. When the driving module is not driven by the power module, the latch is driven by the second object moving in an opening direction to move from an original state to a non-original state for driving the slider to move from the locking position to the unlocking position.
Claims
1. A lock device adapted for a first object and a second object movable relative to the first object, the lock device comprising: a slider; a driving module configured to drive the slider to move between a locking position and an unlocking position; a latch movably arranged on the slider; and a power module configured to provide electricity to the driving module; wherein when the second object is located at a retracted position relative to the first object, the driving module is configured to drive the slider to move to the locking position, so that the latch blocks the second object; wherein when the driving module is not driven by the power module, the latch is driven by a movement of the second object to a predetermined position in an opening direction to move from an original state to a non-original state for driving the slider to move from the locking position to the unlocking position.
2. The lock device of claim 1, wherein the driving module comprises a magnetic component configured to retain the slider at the unlocking position when the slider is located at the unlocking position.
3. The lock device of claim 2, further comprising a resilient component, when the slider is retained at the unlocking position, a movement of the second object from the predetermined position in a retracted direction causing the latch to move from the non-original state to the original state in response to a resilient force provided by the resilient component for allowing the second object to move to an extended position in the opening direction.
4. The lock device of claim 1, further comprising a first sensor configured to sense whether the second object is located at the retracted position.
5. The lock device of claim 4, further comprising a second sensor configured to sense whether the slider is located at the locking position.
6. The lock device of claim 5, further comprising a base mounted on one of the first object and the second object, and the slider, the driving module, the first sensor and the second sensor being arranged on the base.
7. A lock device adapted for a first object and a second object linearly movable relative to the first object, the lock device comprising: a slider; a driving module configured to drive the slider to move between a locking position and an unlocking position; a latch movable relative to the slider; and a power module configured to provide electricity to the driving module; wherein when the second object is located at a retracted position relative to the first object, the driving module is configured to drive the slider to the locking position; wherein when the driving module is not driven by the power module, the latch is driven by a movement of the second object in an opening direction to rotate by a predetermined angle for driving the slider to move from the locking position to the unlocking position.
8. The lock device of claim 7, wherein the driving module comprises a magnetic component configured to retain the slider at the unlocking position when the slider is located at the unlocking position.
9. The lock device of claim 8, further comprising a resilient component, when the slider is retained at the unlocking position, a movement of the second object in a retracted direction causing the latch to move to an original state in response to a resilient force provided by the resilient component for allowing the second object to move to an extended position in the opening direction.
10. The lock device of claim 7, wherein the latch is pivotally connected to the slider.
11. The lock device of claim 7, further comprising a base mounted on one of the first object and the second object, and the slider and the driving module being arranged on the base.
12. The lock device of claim 7, further comprising a first sensor configured to sense whether the second object is located at the retracted position.
13. The lock device of claim 7, further comprising a second sensor configured to sense whether the slider is located at the locking position.
14. A lock device adapted for a first object and a second object movable relative to the first object, the lock device being communicated with a communication device, the lock device comprising: a slider; a driving module for driving the slider; a latch movable relative to the slider; and a power module configured to provide electricity to the driving module; wherein when the second object is located at a retracted position relative to the first object and the lock device receives a locking signal from the communication device, the driving module is configured to drive the slider to move to a locking position, so that the latch blocks the second object; wherein when the locking device receives an unlocking signal from the communication device, the driving module is configured to drive the slider to move to an unlocking position, so that the latch does not block the second object; wherein when the driving module is not driven by the power module, the latch is driven by a movement of the second object to a predetermined position in an opening direction to move from an original state to a non-original state for driving the slider to move from the locking position to the unlocking position.
15. The lock device of claim 14, wherein the driving module comprises a magnetic component configured to retain the slider at the unlocking position when the slider is located at the unlocking position.
16. The lock device of claim 15, further comprising a resilient component, when the slider is retained at the unlocking position, a movement of the second object from the predetermined position in a retracted direction causing the latch to move from the non-original state to the original state in response to a resilient force provided by the resilient component for allowing the second object to move to an extended position in the opening direction.
17. The lock device of claim 14, further comprising a first sensor configured to sense whether the second object is located at the retracted position.
18. The lock device of claim 17, further comprising a second sensor configured to sense whether the slider is located at the locking position.
19. The lock device of claim 18, further comprising a base mounted on the first object, and the slider, the driving module, the first sensor and the second sensor being arranged on the base.
20. The lock device of claim 19, wherein the base is detachably mounted on the first object.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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[0034]
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. The components of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. Also, if not specified, the term “connect” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct mechanical connection. Thus, if a first device is connected to a second device, that connection may be through a direct mechanical connection, or through an indirect mechanical connection via other devices and connections.
[0045] As shown in
[0046] Preferably, the furniture 22 further includes a third object 28 movably mounted between the first object 24 and the second object 26. For example, the first object 24, the second object 26 and the third object 28 can respectively be a first rail, e.g., a fixed rail, a second rail, e.g., a movable rail, and a third rail between the first rail and the second rail, e.g., a middle rail between the fixed rail and the movable rail. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first object 24, the second object 26 and the third object 28 are movable relative to one another longitudinally or linearly and cooperatively form an under-mount slide rail assembly 29. Besides, in another embodiment, the furniture can only include the first rail and the second rail, and the third rail can be omitted.
[0047] Preferably, the first object 24 is arranged on, e.g., fixedly disposed on, a cabinet 30 of the furniture 22, and the second object 26 is arranged on, e.g., fixedly disposed on, a drawer 32 of the furniture 22 and configured to support the drawer 32. The drawer 32 is movable relative to the cabinet 30 by a movement of the second object 26 relative to first object 24.
[0048] Preferably, the first object 24 includes an extending portion 34. The second object 26 includes a supporting portion 36.
[0049] As shown in
[0050] Preferably, the lock device 20 is mounted on the first object 24. Specifically, the lock device 20 includes a mounting feature 40. A lateral wall 35 of the extending portion 34 of the first object 24 includes a mounting structure 42 for detachably engaging with the mounting feature 40. The lock device 20 is detachably mounted on the first object 24 by a cooperation of the mounting feature 40 and the mounting structure 42. For example, one of the mounting feature 40 and the mounting structure 42 can be a protruding portion, and the other of the mounting feature 40 and the mounting structure 42 can be a slot. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the lock device 20 can be mounted on the first object 24 by a screw component or through a welding process.
[0051] Preferably, the lock device 20 further includes a case 44 configured to cover and protect most of related components of the lock device 20.
[0052] Preferably, the furniture 22 further includes an accessory component 46 detachably mounted on the supporting portion 36 of the second object 26 for cooperating with the lock device 20. Specifically, the accessory component 46 includes a connecting feature 48, and the supporting portion 36 of the second object 26 includes a connecting structure 50 for detachably engaging with the connecting feature 48. The accessory component 46 is detachably mounted on the supporting portion 36 of the second object 26 by a cooperation of the connecting feature 48 and the connecting structure 50. For example, one of the connecting feature 48 and the connecting structure 50 can be an engaging slot, and the other of the connecting feature 48 and the connecting structure 50 can be an engaging protrusion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the accessory component 46 can be configured as an extending part of the second object 26 as the accessory component 46 is mounted on the second object 26. Besides, in another embodiment, the accessory component 46 can be mounted on the second object 26 by a screw component or be integrally formed with the second object 26 through a welding process or an injection molding process.
[0053] Preferably, the accessory component 46 includes a first predetermined portion 52, a second predetermined portion 54 and a space 56 defined between the first predetermined portion 52 and the second predetermined portion 54.
[0054] As shown in
[0055] Preferably, for example, the lock device 20 further includes a base 66, a resilient component 68, a first sensor 70, a second sensor 72, a fixing seat 74 and a control circuit board 76.
[0056] The mounting feature 40 is disposed on the base 66 for cooperating with the mounting structure 42 for configuring the lock device 20 to be detachably mounted on the first object 24. The slider 58, the driving module 60, the latch 62, the resilient component 68, the first sensor 70, the second sensor 72, the fixing seat 74 and the control circuit board 76 are arranged on the base 66. The fixing seat 74 is vertically or perpendicularly disposed on the base 66. At least a portion of the control circuit board 76 is arranged on the fixing seat 74.
[0057] The driving module 60 is electrically connected to the control circuit board 76. For example, the driving module 60 can be electrically connected to the control circuit board 76 by a first electrical wire 77a and a second electrical wire 77b. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0058] The driving module 60 includes a magnetic component 78. For example, the magnetic component 78 can be a permanent magnetic. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the driving module 60 can be an electromagnetic module and further includes an accommodating shell 80, a metal rod 82, a coil 84 and an elastic component 86. For example, the metal rod 82 can be a ferrite core. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The magnetic component 78 and the coil 84 are arranged inside the accommodating shell 80. The metal rod 82 can be extended or retracted relative to the accommodating shell 80 by the coil 84 when a current flows through the coil 84. The elastic component 86 is configured to provide an elastic force to the metal rod 82. For example, the elastic component 86 can be a spring sleeved outside the metal rod 82. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0059] The slider 58 is connected to the metal rod 82. For example, the slider 58 can be fixedly connected to the metal rod 82. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The latch 62 is movable relative to the slider 58. Specifically, the latch 62 is movably arranged on the slider 58. For example, the latch 62 can be pivotally connected to the slider 58 by a pivoting shaft 88. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0060] Preferably, the resilient component 68 can provide a resilient force to the latch 62. The first sensor 70 and the second sensor 72 can be electrically connected to the control circuit board 76.
[0061] As shown in
[0062] As mentioned above, the accessory component 46 and the lock device 20 can respectively be mounted on the second object 26 and the first object 24, and the accessory component 46 and the second object 26 can move together. As shown in
[0063] The driving module 60 is configured to drive the slider 58. Specifically, the driving module 60 is configured to drive the slider 58 to move between a locking position X1 as shown in
[0064] Preferably, as shown in
[0065] Preferably, a moving direction of the metal rod 82 and a moving direction of the slider 58 are perpendicular to a moving direction of the second object 26. For example, the moving direction of the metal rod 82 and the moving direction of the slider 58 can be parallel to a traverse direction, and the moving direction of the second object 26 can be parallel to a longitudinal direction, e.g., an opening direction D1 or a retracted direction D2.
[0066] As shown in
[0067] As shown in
[0068] Besides, the first sensor 70 is configured to sense whether the second object 26 is located at the retracted position R. Specifically, the first sensor 70 can generate a first signal or a second signal. For example, when the second object 26 is located at the retracted position R as shown in
[0069] The second sensor 72 is configured to sense whether the slider 58 is located at the locking position X1. Specifically, the second sensor 72 can generate a third signal or a fourth signal. For example, when the slider 58 is located at the locking position X1 as shown in
[0070] As shown in
[0078] In step 110, for example, an application (APP) can be installed on the communication device 94. The locking signal can be transmitted to the lock device 20 via the application installed on the communication device 94 operated by a user.
[0079] In step 120, as shown in
[0080] In step 130, when the second object 26 is located at the retracted position R relative to the first object 24, i.e., the lock device 20 detects the first sensor 70 generates the second signal, and when the lock device 20 receives the locking signal transmitted from the communication device 94, the lock device 20 utilizes the power module 90 to drive the driving module 60 to generate the first current for driving the slider 58 to move to the locking position X1, so that the latch 62 can block the second object 26. Specifically, the metal rod 82 can be driven to move in accordance with the first current passing through the coil 84, so that the slider 58 can be driven to move to the locking position X1 in response to a movement of the metal rod 82 in the first traverse direction T1 for allowing the latch 62, which is at an original state S1 as shown in
[0081] In step 140, when the second object 26 is not located at the retracted position R relative to the first object 24, i.e., the lock device 20 detects the first sensor 70 does not generate the second signal, the communication device 94 can generate a notification sound or message for notifying the user that the second object 26 is not located at the retracted position R, i.e., the drawer 32 is not closed completely.
[0082] Furthermore, step 150 can be executed after step 130. In step 150, when the driving module 60 generates the first current for driving the slider 58 to move to the locking position X1, the lock device 20 can detect whether the second sensor 72 generates the fourth signal. For example, the lock device 20 can detect the second sensor 72 generates the fourth signal for indicating the slider 58 is located at the locking position X1 when the second resilient sensing portion 72a of the second sensor 72 is not pressed by the slider 58.
[0083] In step 160, when the lock device 20 detects the second sensor 72 generates the fourth signal, which means the slider 58 is located at the locking position X1 and the latch 62 blocks the second object 26 for preventing the second object 26 from moving away from the retracted position R as shown in
[0084] In step 170, when the lock device 20 detects the second sensor 72 does not generate the fourth signal, which means the slider 58 is not located at the locking position X1, the lock device 20 utilizes the communication device 94 to generate a first error notification, such as an error notification sound or message, for notifying the user that the slider 58 is not located at the locking position X1 properly.
[0085] As shown in
[0091] In step 210, the unlocking signal can be transmitted to the lock device 20 via the application installed on the communication device 94 operated by the user.
[0092] In step 220, when the lock device 20 receives the unlocking signal transmitted from the communication device 94 to unlock the drawer 32, the lock device 20 utilizes the power module 90 to drive the driving module 60 to generate the second current for driving the slider 58 to move to the unlocking position X2, so that the latch 62 cannot block the second object 26. Specifically, the metal rod 82 can be driven to move in accordance with the second current passing through the coil 84, so that the slider 58 can be driven to move to the unlocking position X2 in response to a movement of the metal rod 82 in the second traverse direction T2 for allowing the latch 62, which is located at the original state S1 as shown in
[0093] In step 230, as shown in
[0094] In step 240, when the lock device 20 detects the second sensor 72 generates the third signal, which means the slider 58 is located at the unlocking position X2 and the latch 62 does not block the second object 26, the lock device 20 utilizes the communication device 94 to indicate the drawer 32 can be opened.
[0095] In step 250, when the lock device 20 detects the second sensor 72 does not generate the third signal, which means the slider 58 is not located at the unlocking position X2, the lock device 20 utilizes the communication device 94 to generate the second error notification, such as another error notification sound or message, for notifying the user that the slider 58 is not located at the unlocking position X2 properly.
[0096] When the driving module 60 is not driven by the power module e.g., when the power module 90 fails to drive the driving module due to a damage of the power module 90, or empty or lack of electricity of the power source 90, and when the slider 58 is located at the locking position X1, the latch 62 can be driven by a movement of the second object 26 from the retracted position R as shown in
[0097] Preferably, the accessory component 46 further includes an abutting portion 96 located in the space 56 and adjacent to the first predetermined portion 52. The abutting portion 96 can be a concave groove structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The abutting portion 96 can engage with the latch 62 for facilitating the latch 62 to drive the slider 58 to move from the locking position X1 to the unlocking position X2 by overcoming the elastic force provided by the elastic component 86 when the latch 62 rotates relative to the slider 58 from the original state S1 to the non-original state S2.
[0098] Preferably, as shown in
[0099] As shown in
[0100] However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the first object and the second object can be the cabinet and the drawer respectively, and the lock device can be mounted on the cabinet and utilizes the latch to detachably engage with the accessory component, which can be integrally formed with or detachably mounted on the drawer, for locking the drawer. In another embodiment, it is not required to receive the locking signal transmitted from the communication device for locking the drawer, e.g., the lock device can utilizes the power module to drive the driving module to generate the first current for driving the slider to move to the locking position when the lock device detects the first sensor generates the second signal for indicating the second object is located at the retracted position relative to the first object. In another embodiment, the first sensor and the second sensor can be a first non-contact sensor and a second non-contact sensor. The first non-contact sensor can be a first light sensor including a first light emitting component disposed on the first object, a first light receiving component disposed on the first object and a first light reflecting component disposed on the second object for reflecting light emitted from the first light emitting component to the first light receiving component when the second object is located at the retracted position, and the second non-contact sensor can be a second light sensor including a second light emitting component disposed on the first object, a second light receiving component disposed on the first object and a second light reflecting component disposed on the slider for reflecting light emitted from the second light emitting component to the second light receiving component when the slider is located at the locking position.
[0101] From the above, the lock device 20 includes the following feature: when a power failure or a damage of an electronic component of the lock device 20 occurs, a user only has to pull the second object 26 to move by a distance in the opening direction D1 to move the slider 58 to move from the locking position X1 to the unlocking position X2, so that a manual unlocking function can be performed. The present invention does not require any additional manual mechanism. Therefore, the present invention has better utilization convenience and improved aesthetic appearance.
[0102] Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.