Locking mechanism including energy storage
Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein include an apparatus and method for storing energy in a electromechanical lock. The electromechanical lock can include a main housing and a deadbolt. The main housing can be configured to extend a deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door. The deadbolt can have a hollow inner region configured to receive an energy storage device. The energy storage device within the deadbolt can be electrically connected to the main housing. The energy storage device can be used to power an actuator and/or accelerometer in the main housing.
1. An electromechanical lock configured for installation in a door, the electromechanical lock comprising:
a main housing electrically and mechanically connected to a deadbolt, wherein the main housing is configured to extend the deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door; and
the deadbolt having a hollow inner region, wherein the deadbolt is configured to receive an energy storage device in the hollow inner region;
wherein the energy storage device includes an electrochemical cell.
2. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , wherein the hollow inner region extends a length of the deadbolt.
3. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , wherein the deadbolt includes a cylindrical shape encompassing the hollow inner region.
4. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , wherein the deadbolt includes a nitride metal, a precipitation hardened alloy, or a combination thereof.
5. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , wherein the deadbolt includes a deadbolt cap configured to secure the energy storage device within the deadbolt.
6. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , further comprising:
a bolt sleeve to surround the deadbolt; and
a bolt housing to surround the bolt sleeve and the deadbolt.
7. The electromechanical lock of claim 6 , wherein the bolt housing includes an attachment mechanism configured to attach to the main housing.
8. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , wherein the deadbolt includes an attachment mechanism configured to attach to a bolt carriage of the main housing, wherein the bolt carriage is configured to move the deadbolt along the path.
9. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , wherein the deadbolt is mechanically connected to the main chassis via a male detent connector secured into a female groove of a bolt carriage, and wherein the deadbolt is electrically connected to the main chassis via one or more pogo pins connected to electrical receiver elements of the bolt carriage.
10. The electromechanical lock of claim 9 , wherein the male detent connector aligns the one or more pogo pins with the electrical receiver elements of the bolt carriage.
11. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , further comprising:
a bolt carriage including an electrical connection and attachment mechanism for the deadbolt.
12. The electromechanical lock of claim 11 , wherein the electrical connection is configured to direct an electric current from the energy storage device to the main housing.
13. The electromechanical lock of claim 11 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to move the deadbolt along the path to lock and/or unlock the door.
14. The electromechanical lock of claim 11 , further comprising:
a deadbolt extension device including another electrical connection and another attachment mechanism for the deadbolt.
15. The electromechanical lock of claim 14 , wherein the another electrical connection configured to electrically connect the deadbolt with the main housing.
16. The electromechanical lock of claim 14 , wherein the another attachment mechanism is configured to attach the deadbolt a pre-defined distance apart from the main housing.
17. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , wherein the main housing includes an actuator configured to retract the deadbolt to operate in an unlocked state, and configured to extend the deadbolt into a deadbolt slot in a locked state.
18. The electromechanical lock of claim 17 , wherein the actuator is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
19. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , wherein the main housing includes an accelerometer configured to rotate along a non-linear path as the electromechanical lock transitions between an unlocked state and a locked state, wherein the accelerometer is configured to determine a gravity vector representing an inclination of the accelerometer along the non-linear path.
20. The electromechanical lock of claim 19 , wherein the accelerometer is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
21. An apparatus, comprising:
a main housing configured to position a deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door;
a bolt housing attached to the main housing;
an actuator configured to position the deadbolt along the path, wherein the energy storage device provides electric power to the actuator; and
the deadbolt within the bolt housing and connected to a bolt carriage within the main housing, wherein the deadbolt includes a hollow inner region configured to receive an energy storage device.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising:
an accelerometer configured to monitor the position of the deadbolt along the path, wherein the energy storage device provides electric power to the accelerometer.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising:
a control unit configured to manage an actuator, an accelerometer, an antenna, or any combination thereof, wherein the energy storage device provides electric power to the control unit.
24. An electromechanical locking system, comprising:
a main housing connected to a deadbolt;
the deadbolt having an energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device provides electric power to the actuator; and
a control unit electrically connect to the energy storage device, wherein the control unit is configured to:
receive a message indicative of locking or unlocking; and
cause an actuator to extend or retract the deadbolt along a path in response to receiving the message.
25. The electromechanical locking system of claim 24 , the control unit further configured to:
receive vector information from an accelerometer indicative of a position of the deadbolt along the path, wherein the energy storage device provides power to the accelerometer.
26. A method comprising:
disposing an actuator in a main housing of an electromechanical lock, the actuator including an electrical and mechanical connection, the electrical and mechanical connection configured to electrically and mechanically connected to a deadbolt, wherein the actuator is configured to extend and/or retract the deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door;
disposing a hollow inner region in the deadbolt, wherein the inner hollow region of the deadbolt is configured to receive an energy storage device electrically connected to the main housing;
disposing an accelerometer along a non-linear path coupled with the path of the deadbolt, wherein the accelerometer traverses the non-linear path as the deadbolt traverses the path; and
receiving, by a control unit, vector information from the accelerometer indicative of a position of the deadbolt along the path, wherein the energy storage device provides power to the accelerometer and the control unit.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the electrical and mechanical connection includes a bolt carriage configured to attach to the deadbolt via a groove that causes electrical components of the deadbolt to align with electrical components of the bolt carriage.
28. The method of claim 26 , further comprising:
disposing a control unit in the main housing, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the actuator to extent and/or retract the deadbolt along the path.
29. The method of claim 26 , further comprising:
electrically connecting one or more components disposed in the main housing with the energy storage device, wherein the one or more components include any of the actuator, a control unit, an accelerometer, and an antenna.
30. An electromechanical lock configured for installation in a door, the electromechanical lock comprising:
a main housing electrically and mechanically connected to a deadbolt, wherein the main housing is configured to extend the deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door; and
the deadbolt having a hollow inner region, wherein the deadbolt is configured to receive an energy storage device in the hollow inner region;
wherein the deadbolt is mechanically connected to the main chassis via a male detent connector secured into a female groove of a bolt carriage; and
wherein the deadbolt is electrically connected to the main chassis via one or more pogo pins connected to electrical receiver elements of the bolt carriage.
31. The electromechanical lock of claim 30 , further comprising:
a bolt carriage including an electrical connection and attachment mechanism for the deadbolt.
32. The electromechanical lock of claim 31 , wherein the electrical connection is configured to direct an electric current from the energy storage device to the main housing.
33. The electromechanical lock of claim 31 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to move the deadbolt along the path to lock and/or unlock the door.
34. The electromechanical lock of claim 30 , wherein the main housing includes an actuator configured to retract the deadbolt to operate in an unlocked state and configured to extend the deadbolt into a deadbolt slot in a locked state, wherein the actuator is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
35. The electromechanical lock of claim 30 , wherein the main housing includes an accelerometer configured to rotate along a non-linear path as the electromechanical lock transitions between an unlocked state and a locked state, wherein the accelerometer is configured to determine a gravity vector representing an inclination of the accelerometer along the non-linear path, and wherein the accelerometer is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
36. An electromechanical lock configured for installation in a door, the electromechanical lock comprising:
a main housing electrically and mechanically connected to a deadbolt, wherein the main housing is configured to extend the deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door; and
the deadbolt having a hollow inner region, wherein the deadbolt is configured to receive an energy storage device in the hollow inner region;
wherein the deadbolt is mechanically connected to the main chassis via a male detent connector secured into a female groove of a bolt carriage;
wherein the deadbolt is electrically connected to the main chassis via one or more pogo pins connected to electrical receiver elements of the bolt carriage; and
wherein the male detent connector aligns the one or more pogo pins with the electrical receiver elements of the bolt carriage.
37. The electromechanical lock of claim 36 , further comprising:
a bolt carriage including an electrical connection and attachment mechanism for the deadbolt.
38. The electromechanical lock of claim 37 , wherein the electrical connection is configured to direct an electric current from the energy storage device to the main housing.
39. The electromechanical lock of claim 37 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to move the deadbolt along the path to lock and/or unlock the door.
40. The electromechanical lock of claim 36 , wherein the main housing includes an actuator configured to retract the deadbolt to operate in an unlocked state and configured to extend the deadbolt into a deadbolt slot in a locked state, wherein the actuator is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
41. The electromechanical lock of claim 36 , wherein the main housing includes an accelerometer configured to rotate along a non-linear path as the electromechanical lock transitions between an unlocked state and a locked state, wherein the accelerometer is configured to determine a gravity vector representing an inclination of the accelerometer along the non-linear path and, wherein the accelerometer is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
42. An electromechanical lock configured for installation in a door, the electromechanical lock comprising:
a main housing electrically and mechanically connected to a deadbolt, wherein the main housing is configured to extend the deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door; and
a bolt carriage including an electrical connection and attachment mechanism for the deadbolt;
the deadbolt having a hollow inner region, wherein the deadbolt is configured to receive an energy storage device in the hollow inner region; and
wherein the electrical connection is configured to direct an electric current from the energy storage device to the main housing.
43. The electromechanical lock of claim 42 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to move the deadbolt along the path to lock and/or unlock the door.
44. The electromechanical lock of claim 42 , wherein the main housing includes an actuator configured to retract the deadbolt to operate in an unlocked state and configured to extend the deadbolt into a deadbolt slot in a locked state, wherein the actuator is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
45. The electromechanical lock of claim 42 , wherein the main housing includes an accelerometer configured to rotate along a non-linear path as the electromechanical lock transitions between an unlocked state and a locked state, wherein the accelerometer is configured to determine a gravity vector representing an inclination of the accelerometer along the non-linear path, and wherein the accelerometer is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
46. An electromechanical lock configured for installation in a door, the electromechanical lock comprising:
a main housing electrically and mechanically connected to a deadbolt, wherein the main housing is configured to extend the deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door; and
the deadbolt having a hollow inner region, wherein the deadbolt is configured to receive an energy storage device in the hollow inner region;
wherein the main housing includes an actuator configured to retract the deadbolt to operate in an unlocked state, and configured to extend the deadbolt into a deadbolt slot in a locked state; and
wherein the actuator is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
47. The electromechanical lock of claim 46 , further comprising:
a bolt carriage including an electrical connection and attachment mechanism for the deadbolt.
48. The electromechanical lock of claim 47 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to move the deadbolt along the path to lock and/or unlock the door.
49. The electromechanical lock of claim 46 , wherein the main housing includes an accelerometer configured to rotate along a non-linear path as the electromechanical lock transitions between an unlocked state and a locked state, wherein the accelerometer is configured to determine a gravity vector representing an inclination of the accelerometer along the non-linear path, and wherein the accelerometer is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
50. An electromechanical lock configured for installation in a door, the electromechanical lock comprising:
a main housing electrically and mechanically connected to a deadbolt, wherein the main housing is configured to extend the deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door; and
the deadbolt having a hollow inner region, wherein the deadbolt is configured to receive an energy storage device in the hollow inner region;
wherein the main housing includes an accelerometer configured to rotate along a non-linear path as the electromechanical lock transitions between an unlocked state and a locked state;
wherein the accelerometer is configured to determine a gravity vector representing an inclination of the accelerometer along the non-linear path; and
wherein the accelerometer is powered by the energy storage device within the hollow inner region of the deadbolt.
51. The electromechanical lock of claim 50 , further comprising:
a bolt carriage including an electrical connection and attachment mechanism for the deadbolt.
52. The electromechanical lock of claim 51 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to move the deadbolt along the path to lock and/or unlock the door.
53. The electromechanical lock of claim 50 , wherein the main housing includes an actuator configured to retract the deadbolt to operate in an unlocked state, and configured to extend the deadbolt into a deadbolt slot in a locked state.
54. An apparatus, comprising:
a main housing configured to position a deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door;
a bolt housing attached to the main housing; and
an accelerometer configured to monitor the position of the deadbolt along the path, wherein the energy storage device provides electric power to the accelerometer; and
the deadbolt within the bolt housing and connected to a bolt carriage within the main housing, wherein the deadbolt includes a hollow inner region configured to receive an energy storage device.
55. The apparatus of claim 54 , further comprising:
a control unit configured to manage an actuator, an accelerometer, an antenna, or any combination thereof, wherein the energy storage device provides electric power to the control unit.
56. An apparatus, comprising:
a main housing configured to position a deadbolt along a path to lock and/or unlock a door;
a bolt housing attached to the main housing; and
a control unit configured to manage an actuator, an accelerometer, an antenna, or any combination thereof, wherein the energy storage device provides electric power to the control unit; and
the deadbolt within the bolt housing and connected to a bolt carriage within the main housing, wherein the deadbolt includes a hollow inner region configured to receive an energy storage device.
57. An electromechanical locking system, comprising:
a main housing connected to a deadbolt;
the deadbolt having an energy storage device; and
a control unit electrically connect to the energy storage device, wherein the control unit is configured to:
receive a message indicative of locking or unlocking;
cause an actuator to extend or retract the deadbolt along a path in response to receiving the message; and
receive vector information from an accelerometer indicative of a position of the deadbolt along the path, wherein the energy storage device provides power to the accelerometer.