Electronic lockset with multi-source energy harvesting circuit
View Patent ↗An electronic lockset with a radio frequency harvesting circuit. In one embodiment, the electronic lockset includes a mechanical locking portion movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. One or more energy consumption devices are provided that actuate the mechanical locking portion between the locked position and the unlocked position. A rechargeable battery provides electrical power to the energy consumption devices. A radio frequency (“RF”) transmitter and RF energy harvesting circuit are used to wirelessly recharge the battery. Typically, the RF transmitter is configured to transmit at a predetermined frequency. The RF energy harvesting circuit is tuned to the predetermined frequency and is electrically coupled with the rechargeable battery to recharge the battery.
1. An electronic lockset for use with a radio frequency (“RF”) transmitter configured to transmit at one or more predetermined frequencies, the electronic locket comprising:
a locking device moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
one or more energy consumption devices configured to actuate the locking device between the locked position and the unlocked position;
at least one rechargeable battery configured to provide power to the one or more energy consumption devices;
a RF energy harvesting circuit configured to be electrically coupled with the rechargeable battery, wherein the RF energy harvesting circuit is configured to convert RF energy to a direct current (“DC”) power source for recharging the rechargeable battery;
wherein the RF energy harvesting circuit is operably associated with a selector configured to tune a RF receiver to a selected frequency from a plurality of predetermined frequencies, wherein the selector is configured to change the selected frequency by cycling through the plurality of predetermined frequencies; and
wherein the selector comprises a manually-actuated switch configured to change the selected frequency by user actuation of the switch.
2. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of predetermined frequencies includes one or more of 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.
3. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electronic lockset includes a cavity dimensioned to detachably receive a battery holder, wherein the battery holder is configured to carry the at least one rechargeable battery such that the rechargeable battery is electrically coupled with the one or more of the energy consumption devices, and wherein the RF energy harvesting circuit is integral with the battery holder.
4. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 3 , wherein the battery holder includes a body with a plurality of recesses that are each dimensioned to receive a battery.
5. An electronic lockset comprising:
a mechanical locking portion moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
one or more energy consumption devices configured to actuate the mechanical locking portion between the locked position and the unlocked position;
at least one rechargeable battery configured to provide electrical power to the energy consumption devices;
a radio frequency (“RF”) transmitter configured to plug into an AC power outlet, wherein the RF transmitter is configured to transmit at a user-selectable predetermined frequency;
an RF energy harvesting circuit configured to be electrically coupled with the rechargeable battery, wherein the RF energy harvesting circuit is configured to convert RF energy received from the RF transmitter to a direct current (“DC”) power source for recharging the rechargeable battery; and
wherein the energy harvesting circuit includes an RF receiver tunable to the predetermined frequency of the RF transmitter by a user-selectable switch.
6. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 5 , wherein the RF energy harvesting circuit is operably associated with a selector configured to tune the RF receiver to a selected frequency.
7. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 5 , wherein the RF receiver is tunable to a selected frequency from a plurality of predetermined frequencies.
8. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 7 , wherein the plurality of predetermined frequencies includes one or more of 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.
9. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 5 , wherein the RF transmitter is configured to transmit RF energy at the predetermined frequency substantially continuously.
10. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 5 , wherein the RF transmitter is configured to periodically transmit RF energy at the predetermined frequency.
11. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 5 , wherein the electronic lockset includes a cavity dimensioned to detachably receive a battery holder, wherein the battery holder is configured to carry the one or more rechargeable batteries such that the one or more rechargeable batteries is electrically coupled with the one or more of the energy consumption devices, and wherein the RF energy harvesting circuit is integral with the battery holder.
12. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 5 , wherein the RF transmitter includes a plurality of electrical prongs configured to plug into an AC power outlet.
13. A battery holder for use with an electronic lockset, the battery holder comprising:
a body including a cavity for receiving one or more batteries, wherein the body is dimensioned to be detachably received by an electronic lockset to supply electrical power thereto; and
a radio frequency (“RF”) energy harvesting circuit including a RF receiver carried by the body, wherein the RF energy harvesting circuit is configured to recharge one or more batteries received in the body, wherein the RF energy harvesting circuit is operably associated with a selector configured to tune the RF receiver to a selected frequency and the selector comprises a manually-actuated switch configured to change the selected frequency by user actuation of the switch.
14. The battery holder as recited in claim 13 , wherein the RF energy harvesting circuit is integrated into the body.
15. The battery holder as recited in claim 13 , wherein the battery holder includes a body with a plurality of recesses that are each dimensioned to receive a battery.
16. The battery holder as recited in claim 13 , wherein the RF receiver is tunable to a selected frequency from a plurality of predetermined frequencies.
17. The battery holder as recited in claim 16 , wherein the plurality of predetermined frequencies includes one or more of 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.
18. The battery holder as recited in claim 13 , wherein the body includes surface ornamentation for gripping the battery holder for removal from the electronic lockset.
19. The electronic lockset as recited in claim 1 , wherein the selector is one or more of a knob switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a push button switch or a DIP switch.