TWI808546B - Touch isolated electronic lock - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic lock includes a latch assembly that has a latch housing and a bolt. The bolt is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The electronic lock includes a controller connected to a circuit board. The controller is configured to electronically control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position. The electronic lock includes an exposed conductive touch member. The conductive touch member is in electrical communication with the controller. The electronic lock includes an insulating arrangement positioned between the conductive touch member and the circuit board. The electronic lock includes a housing at least partially surrounding the conductive touch member. The housing is electrically isolated from the conductive touch member by at least a portion of the insulating arrangement.

Description

Electronic lock with touch isolation

The present invention generally relates to an electronic lock with touch isolation.

Electronic locks have gained increasing acceptance and widespread use in residential and commercial markets. These locks can control access through a door into a building by requiring specific electronic identification codes. For example, such locks usually include a control circuit that determines whether to unlock the lock based on an ID code provided by a user. In some cases, for example, identity codes and/or commands may be provided wirelessly to the lock, as disclosed in US Patent No. 9,336,637, "Wireless Access Control System and Related Methods," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In some instances, electronic locks can sense an identification code held by a nearby authorized user and require the user to physically touch the lock to activate the lock, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,024,759, "Wireless Lockset with Integrated Antenna, Touch Activation, and Light Communication Method," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The physical appearance of the lock is important to some users. Some users prefer that all the hardware in their home match, or at least come from the same style line. Typically, in the case of traditional non-electronic locks, this is accomplished by replacing a trim or face of a lock. However, maintaining a proper seal around the internal electronics and ensuring reliable touch actuation makes it difficult to replace a lock housing when using a touch actuated lock.

Accordingly, it is desirable to improve electronic lock designs.

The present invention generally relates to door locks. In one possible configuration, and by way of non-limiting example, an electronic lock having an isolated touch element and a housing is disclosed.

In one example of the present invention, an electronic lock is disclosed. The electronic lock includes a latch assembly with a latch housing and a bolt. The deadbolt is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The electronic lock includes a controller connected to a circuit board. The circuit board is positioned in an inner cavity. The cavity is at least partially bounded by the latch housing. The controller is configured to electronically control movement of the deadbolt between the extended position and the retracted position. The electronic lock includes an exposed conductive touch component. The conductive touch component is in electrical communication with the controller. The electronic lock includes an insulating arrangement positioned between the conductive touch component and the circuit board. The electronic lock includes a casing at least partially surrounding the conductive touch component. The housing is electrically isolated from the conductive touch component by at least a portion of an insulating arrangement.

In another example of the present invention, an electronic lock is disclosed. The electronic lock includes a latch assembly with a latch housing and a bolt. The deadbolt is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The electronic lock includes a controller mounted on a circuit board. The circuit board is positioned in an inner cavity. The cavity is at least partially bounded by the latch housing. The controller is configured to electronically control movement of the deadbolt between the extended position and the retracted position. The electronic lock includes an exposed conductive touch component. The conductive touch component is in electrical communication with the controller. The electronic lock includes an insulating arrangement positioned between the conductive touch component and the circuit board. The insulating arrangement includes a translucent portion configured to transmit light and at least one seal. The translucent portion at least partially defines the interior cavity. The translucent portion is at least partially exposed at a position adjacent to the touch component. The at least one seal is positioned between the translucent portion and the latch housing and the translucent portion Partition between at least one of the touch components to seal the internal cavity. The electronic lock includes a casing at least partially surrounding the conductive touch component. The housing is electrically isolated from the conductive touch component by at least a portion of an insulating arrangement.

In another example of the present invention, an electronic lock is disclosed. The electronic lock includes a latch assembly with a latch housing and a bolt. The deadbolt is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The electronic lock includes a controller mounted on a circuit board. The circuit board is positioned in an inner cavity. The cavity is at least partially bounded by the latch housing. The controller is configured to electronically control movement of the deadbolt between the extended position and the retracted position. The electronic lock includes an exposed conductive touch component. The conductive touch component is in electrical communication with the controller via a conductor. The electronic lock includes an insulating arrangement positioned between the conductive touch component and the circuit board. The insulating arrangement includes a body at least partially defining the interior cavity. The body defines an aperture configured to receive the conductor. A first seal of the insulating arrangement surrounds the aperture. The electronic lock includes a casing at least partially surrounding the conductive touch component. The housing is electrically isolated from the conductive touch component by at least a portion of an insulating arrangement.

Various additional aspects will be set forth in the description below. These aspects can relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts that underlie the embodiments disclosed herein.

5-5: Line

6-6: Line

12-12: line

13-13: Line

100: Electronic lock/lock/lock assembly/electric lock/electronic lock

102: Internal assembly

104: External assembly

106: shell

108: drive

110:Latch assembly

112: Conductive touch components / touch components

113: film

114: Insulation configuration

115: exposed part

116: shell

118: Controller

120: front

122: Mechanical lock assembly/mechanical lock assembly

124: Bolt

126: Extension

127: Harness

128: Rear

130: translucent part

134:Latch housing

135: Printed circuit board

136: First seal/seal

138: Second seal/seal

140: notch

142: notch

144: Cavity

146: Conductor

148: porosity

200: Electronic lock/electric lock/lock

204: External assembly

210:Latch assembly

212: Conductive touch components / touch components

214: Insulation configuration

215: The first exposed part

216: shell

217:Second exposed part/exposed part

218: Controller

220: front side

222: Mechanical lock assembly/mechanical lock assembly

228: Rear side

230: translucent part

234:Latch housing

235: Printed circuit board

236: First seal/seal

238: Seal/Second Seal

239: seal/third seal

240: notch

242: notch

244: Cavity

246: Conductor

248: porosity

250: Mounting bracket

252: Mounting bracket

The following drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and thus do not limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale and are intended to be used in conjunction with the illustrations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers designate like elements.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic lock according to an example of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of an external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3 is a front view of the external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 1 along line 5-5 in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 1 along line 6-6 in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 1 .

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic lock according to an example of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of an external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 8 .

Fig. 10 is a front view of the external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 8 .

Fig. 11 is a rear view of the external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 8 .

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 8 along line 12-12 in Fig. 10 .

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 8 along line 13-13 in Fig. 10 .

Fig. 14 is an exploded view of the external assembly of the electronic lock of Fig. 8 .

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set forth herein illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and such exemplifications should in no way be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Various embodiments will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers indicate like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. The examples mentioned do not limit the scope of the patent claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the accompanying claims.

The present invention generally relates to an electromechanical lock having specific characteristics. The term "electronic lock" is broadly intended to include any type of lock that uses electricity in some way, including but not limited to electronic locking deadbolts, electronic lever sets, and the like. The invention encompasses combining one or more of the features described herein Multiples are integrated into any type of electronic lock and are not intended to be limited to any particular type of electronic lock.

The electronic lock disclosed herein includes many advantages. The lock provides an isolated touch part for selectively operating the electronic lock between a locked state and an unlocked state. By isolating the touch components, an exposed housing can be selectively interchanged with various different housings (at the time of manufacture or during modification after the lock has been installed) to suit the user's preference without affecting the operation of the electronic lock. Specifically, the touch component is electrically isolated from the housing via an insulating arrangement. In some examples, the insulating arrangement can include at least one seal. In other examples, the insulating arrangement includes a translucent portion configured to deliver light to indicate the state of the lock. In some instances, the insulating configuration makes the lock weatherproof so that the internal electronics (eg, a circuit board and/or controller) are protected from weather, such as water.

FIG. 1 shows a partially exploded electronic lock 100 according to an example of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of a portion of lock 100 . The lock 100 includes an inner assembly 102 and an outer assembly 104 . The internal assembly 102 can include a housing 106 and a driver 108 . The external assembly 104 can include a latch assembly 110 , a conductive touch component 112 , an insulating arrangement 114 and a housing 116 . The lock 100 further includes a controller 118 that may be located within the inner assembly 102 or the outer assembly 104 .

In some examples, the exterior assembly 104 is mounted on the outside of a door (not shown), and the interior assembly 102 is mounted on the inside of a door. The latch assembly 110 typically fits at least partially within a bore formed in the door. The term "outside" is used broadly to mean an area outside a door and "inside" is also used broadly to designate an area inside a door. In the case of an exterior entry door, for example, the exterior assembly 104 could be installed on the outside of a building and the interior assembly 102 could be installed on the inside of a building. In the case of an interior door, the exterior assembly can be installed inside a building, but inside the door protected by the lock 100 Outside of a room; the internal assembly 102 can be installed inside the protected room. The lock 100 is applicable to interior doors as well as exterior doors.

When mounted in a door (not shown), at least touch member 112 and housing 116 are exposed to the user at a front 120 of lock 100 at the exterior of the door, as shown in FIG. 3 . In some instances, a portion of insulating arrangement 114 is also exposed to the user. To interact with lock 100 , a user may use a key (not shown) to operate lock 100 via a mechanical locking assembly 122 and/or provide a touch input to conductive touch member 112 in communication with controller 118 to operate lock 100 electronically. If the user provides a touch input to the housing 116, the lock 100 will not operate electronically (even if the user has an authenticated ID).

In the illustrated example, the latch assembly 110 includes a deadbolt 124 that can be manually actuated by the mechanical lock assembly 122 or electronically via the touch control member 112 and the controller 118 to extend/retract the deadbolt 124 . The deadbolt 124 is configured to slide longitudinally and when the deadbolt 124 is retracted, the door is in an unlocked state. When the deadbolt 124 is extended, the deadbolt 124 protrudes from the door into a door frame (not shown) to place the door in a locked state.

The latch assembly 110 also includes an extension 126 extending from a rear portion 128 of the lock 100 . Extension 126 is configured to interface with deadbolt 124 and interior assembly 102 . In some examples, the extension 126 can be actuated to extend/retract the deadbolt 124 in a number of ways. For example, the mechanical lock assembly 122 can be actuated by a mechanical key to rotate the extension 126, which will allow the deadbolt 124 to extend/retract. The external assembly 104 can be used to electronically actuate the latch assembly 110 by providing a touch input to the touch member 112 (assuming the lock 100 receives an authenticated ID code before the user touches the touch member 112). In some examples, by providing a touch input to touch member 112 to actuate deadbolt 124 , harness 127 is used to send a message from outer assembly 104 to inner assembly 102 to actuate actuator 108 that drives extension 126 in inner assembly 102 . In addition, if With the user inside the door, the user can manually rotate a rotary member (not shown) to actuate the extension 126, thereby moving the deadbolt 124 between its extended and retracted positions.

As mentioned above, the touch component 112 is configured to enable the lock 100 to be activated by touch. For example, the lock 100 may use capacitive sensing to determine whether the user intends to actuate the lock 100 . In some examples, the touch component 112 may only be used for capacitive sensing to actuate the surface of the outer assembly 104 of the lock assembly 100 . In other examples, other portions of the exterior assembly 104 may be used for capacitive sensing, including but not limited to a keyway, handle, rose, or other exterior surface of the lock assembly 100 other than the housing 116 . In the example shown, the external assembly 104 uses capacitive sensing to determine when a user touches the touch element 112 . Thus, in the example shown, the user can touch anywhere on the touch component 112 to lock or unlock the lock 100 , or activate various functions of the lock 100 .

The touch component 112 can be formed in any size, shape or from any conductive material. In some examples, touch component 112 is at least partially formed of zinc. In other examples, the touch component 112 is at least partially formed of brass. In some examples, the lock 100 may include a chip 113 that is in electrical communication with the touch element 112 or is electrically isolated from the touch element 112 . In the illustrated example, the film 113 is electrically isolated from the touch element 112 .

The isolation arrangement 114 is configured to electrically isolate the touch component 112 from the housing 116 . In some examples, insulating arrangement 114 includes a translucent portion 130 configured to deliver light from a light source (not shown), which is visible to a user at front 120 of exterior assembly 104 . In some examples, as will be explained in more detail below, the insulating arrangement 114 may also include at least one seal.

In some examples, translucent portion 130 of insulating arrangement 114 is a generally solid body formed of a non-conductive material. In some examples, the translucent portion 130 is formed of co-molded plastic. In some examples, translucent portion 130 is formed of polycarbonate. in some instances In this case, only a portion of the translucent portion 130 is exposed to and viewable by the user. In some examples, the exposed portion 115 of the translucent portion 130 at the front portion 120 of the outer assembly 104 is a rectangular shape. In some examples, the exposed portion 115 of the translucent portion 130 includes a rectangular shape and a ring shape surrounding the mechanical locking assembly 122 .

In some examples, light may be emitted from translucent portion 130 at independently controllable regions to visually convey information to the user, including but not limited to an action currently being processed by lock 100, information regarding the status of lock 100, and/or user input requests. For example, the translucent portion 130 may visually communicate the direction of deadbolt movement by sequentially illuminating the various regions to produce a rotating or sliding animation showing a direction of movement. The translucent portion 130 can communicate information to the user by controlling various properties of the area, such as turning the area on/off, changing the intensity of the area, changing the color illuminated by the area, or otherwise changing the illumination of the translucent portion 130 .

The housing 116 is at least partially positioned around the insulating arrangement 114 and the touch component 112 . Housing 116 can have a variety of sizes, shapes and finishes. In some examples, housing 116 is generally rectangular. In other examples, housing 116 is generally circular. In some examples, housing 116 is removable. For example, housing 116 having a brass painted finish and a generally rectangular shape may be interchanged with one having a silver painted finish and a generally circular shape (at the time of manufacture or after lock 100 has been installed). Since the housing 116 is electrically isolated from the touch assembly, the housings can be interchanged at low cost after the lock 100 is installed or when the user purchases the lock 100 . In some examples, this allows for the manufacture of a single outer assembly 104 , no housing 116 and the manufacture of an infinite number of different housings 116 to allow the user to customize the physical appearance of the lock 100 . This allows the user to match the size, shape and finish of other hardware at their home or work while still providing a fully featured electronic lock.

In some examples, housing 116 may be connected to the remainder of exterior assembly 104 (eg, latch assembly 110 ) via fasteners. In other examples, housing 116 may be provided via protective tabs or other A similar tool-less guarding solution is connected to the rest of the outer assembly 104 (eg, the latch assembly 110 ). In other examples, the housing 116 is directly connected to the door.

The lock controller 118 is configured to be electrically connected to the touch member 112 to selectively control movement of the deadbolt 124 . In some examples, the controller 118 is mounted within the outer assembly 104 and/or is mounted in the inner assembly 102 and is connected to the outer assembly 104 via a wire harness 127 that passes through a latch housing 134 of the latch assembly 110 at the rear 128 of the outer assembly, as shown in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of outer assembly 104 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 . As shown, touch component 112 is not in contact with housing 116 . Specifically, the touch component 112 is separated from the housing 116 via the insulating arrangement 114 . Also shown is a printed circuit board (PCB) 135 positioned within the outer assembly 104 .

The latch assembly 110 is shown to include a mechanical lock assembly 122 and a latch housing 134 . The latch housing 134 surrounds the mechanical lock assembly 122 . Mechanical lock assembly 122 is shown connected to extension 126 .

In the example depicted, the insulating arrangement 114 includes a translucent portion 130 , a first seal 136 and a second seal 138 . The first seal 136 is positioned between the translucent portion 130 and the latch housing 134 . In some examples, the first seal 136 is positioned in a recess 140 defined in the latch housing 134 of the latch assembly 110 . The second sealing member 138 is located between the translucent portion 130 and the touch component 112 . In some examples, the second seal 138 is positioned in a recess 142 defined by the translucent portion 130 . In some examples, the seals 136, 138 are rubber O-rings. However, it is contemplated that the seals 136, 138 may be any of a variety of different types of seals, including but not limited to sealants, gaskets, or the like, within the scope of the present invention.

The PCB 135 is positioned in a cavity 144 , specifically the translucent portion 130 , formed between the latch housing 134 and the insulating arrangement 114 . In some examples, first seal 136 and second seal 138 weatherproof cavity 144 to prevent moisture from entering cavity 144 .

PCB 135 is in electrical communication with touch component 112 and is also in electrical communication with wiring harness 127 . In some instances, a wire harness 127 connects the PCB to the internal assembly 102 . In some examples, the PCB draws power from internal assembly 102 via wire harness 127 . In other examples, PCB 135 may include an on-board power source, such as a battery (not shown).

The PCB 135 can host touch electronic devices. In some examples, the PCB includes a controller 118 positioned thereon. The controller 118 can receive a touch input through the touch component 112 and move the bolt 124 between the extended position and the retracted position respectively.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of outer assembly 104 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 . As shown, PCB 135 is positioned within cavity 144 . An electrical connection between PCB 135 and touch component 112 via a conductor 146 is also shown.

In this example, the conductor 146 is a conductive fastener connecting the PCB 135 and the touch component 112 . Conductor 146 passes through an aperture 148 defined in insulating arrangement 114 . Aperture 148 is positioned at a point on the translucent portion to align with cavity 144 . The first seal 136 surrounds the aperture 148 thereby forming a weathertight seal at the side of the aperture 148 closest to the cavity 144 . The second seal 138 surrounds the aperture 148 , thereby forming a weatherproof seal at the side of the aperture closest to the touch component 112 . Thus, the first seal 136 and the second seal 138 prevent moisture (ie, water) from entering the cavity 144 .

Conductor 146 may be any of a variety of conductors used to facilitate electrical connection between touch component 112 and PCB 135 . In the example shown, touch component 112 and PCB 135 are electrically isolated from housing 116 because insulating arrangement 114 (specifically, translucent portion 130 ) is at least partially formed from a non-conductive material.

With the help of the conductor 146 , the PCB 135 can sense when a user touches anywhere on the touch component 112 . Although a conductive fastener is shown as conductor 146 for example purposes, conductor 146 may be a conductive pad/plate, conductive foam, conductive Strips, conductive grease, or any other mechanism that electrically connects the touch component 112 of the lock 100 to the PCB 135 hosting the touch electronics. In some examples, the conductive fastener may be a threaded mechanical fastener. In some instances, PCB 135 may also communicate with an antenna embedded within external assembly 104 .

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the outer assembly 104 . Exterior assembly 104 is but one example of an exterior assembly. For example, touch member 112 may be generally circular and insulating arrangement 114 , housing 116 , latch housing 134 , and PCB 135 may be sized and shaped accordingly to accommodate the shape of touch member 112 .

8 to 14 show an electronic lock 200 according to an example of the present invention. The electric lock 200 is substantially similar to the electric lock 100 described above. The electric lock 200 may include an internal assembly and deadbolt, both of which are substantially similar to the internal assembly 102 and deadbolt 124 set forth above. Therefore, only an external assembly 204 is shown and described. The outer assembly 204 is configured to mate with a deadbolt (eg, deadbolt 124 ) and an inner assembly (eg, inner assembly 102 ) to operate in a manner substantially similar to electronic lock 100 .

FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of the exterior assembly 204 , and FIG. 9 shows a rear perspective view of the exterior assembly 204 . FIG. 10 shows a front view of a front side 220 of the exterior assembly 204 , and FIG. 11 shows a rear view of a rear side 228 of the exterior assembly 204 .

The external assembly 204 of the electronic lock 200 includes a latch assembly 210 , a conductive touch component 212 , an insulating arrangement 214 and a housing 216 . The housing 216 is electronically isolated from the touch component 212 . The lock 200 further includes a controller 218 . To interact with lock 200, a user may use a key (not shown) to operate lock 200 via a mechanical locking assembly 222 and/or provide a touch input to conductive touch member 212 in communication with controller 218 to electronically operate lock 200. If the user provides a touch input to the housing 216, the lock 200 will not operate electronically (even if the user has an authenticated ID).

The housing 216 is at least partially positioned around the insulating arrangement 214 and the touch component 212 . Housing 216 can have a variety of sizes, shapes and finishes. In some examples, housing 216 is generally rectangular. In other examples, housing 216 is generally circular. In some examples, housing 216 is removable. For example, a housing 216 having a first finish and a first shape may be interchanged with a housing 216 having a second finish and/or a second shape (at the time of manufacture or after the lock 200 has been installed).

Similar to the insulating arrangement 114 described above, the insulating arrangement 214 includes a translucent portion 230 and a plurality of seals. Specifically, the insulating arrangement 214 includes a first seal 236 positioned between the translucent portion 230 and a latch housing 234 of the latch assembly 210 . In some examples, the first seal 236 is positioned in a recess 240 defined in the latch housing 234 of the latch assembly 210 . A second seal 238 is located between the translucent portion 230 and the touch component 212 . In some examples, the second seal 238 is positioned in a recess 242 defined by the translucent portion 230 . A third seal 239 is disposed between the latch housing 234 and the translucent portion 230 . In some examples, the seals 236, 238, 239 are rubber O-rings and gaskets. However, it is contemplated that the seals 236, 238, 239 may be any of a variety of different types of seals, including but not limited to sealants, gaskets, and the like, within the scope of the present invention.

As shown, the translucent portion 230 is exposed to the front side 220 , adjacent to the touch-sensitive member 212 at various locations. Specifically, the translucent portion 230 includes a first exposed portion 215 and a second exposed portion 217 (also shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 ). In the example shown, the first exposed portion 215 forms a rectangular shape at the front side 220 of the lock 200 . In the example depicted, the second exposed portion 217 forms a ring around the mechanical lock assembly 222 . The first exposed portion 215 and/or the second exposed portion 217 are configured to expose a light to the user to inform the user of the state of the lock, which is substantially similar to the translucent portion 130 set forth above. For example, translucent portion 230 (specifically In other words, the exposed portion 217) can visually communicate the direction of deadbolt movement by sequentially illuminating the various regions to create a rotating animation showing a direction of movement.

Since translucent portion 230 includes a second exposed portion 217, third seal 239 is configured to prevent water from entering cavity 244 containing a PCB 235 (substantially similar to cavity 144 and PCB 135 described above). First seal 236 and second seal 238 are also configured to prevent water from entering the PCB.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional side view of lock 200 along line 13 - 13 in FIG. 10 . As shown, PCB 235 is positioned within cavity 244 and is shown in electrical communication between PCB 235 and touch member 212 via a conductor 246 . Similar to the conductor 146 described above, the conductor 246 passes through a hole 248 in the translucent portion 230 , thereby electrically connecting the touch component 212 and the PCB 235 . The aperture 248 is sealed by the first seal 236 , the second seal 238 and the third seal 239 .

Conductor 246 may be any of a variety of conductors used to facilitate an electrical connection between touch component 212 and PCB 235 . With the help of the conductor 246 , the PCB 235 can sense when a user touches anywhere on the touch component 212 . Conductor 246 may be a conductive fastener, gasket/plate embedded within translucent portion 130, conductive foam, conductive strip, conductive grease, or any other mechanism that electrically connects touch component 212 of lock 200 to PCB 235 hosting the touch electronics. In some examples, the conductive fastener may be a threaded mechanical fastener.

FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of the outer assembly 204 . A pair of mounting brackets 250, 252 are shown. Mounting bracket 250 is configured to facilitate attachment of exterior assembly 204 to a door. The mounting bracket 252 may assist in mounting the housing 216 to the latch assembly 210 , and specifically to the latch housing 234 .

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific components, materials and embodiments, based on the above description, those skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention, and can make various changes and modifications to adapt to various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention stated in the scope of claims below.

204: External assembly

210:Latch assembly

212: Conductive touch components / touch components

214: Insulation configuration

215: The first exposed part

216: shell

217:Second exposed part/exposed part

220: front side

228: Rear side

230: translucent part

234:Latch housing

235: Printed circuit board

236: First seal/seal

238: Seal/Second Seal

239: seal/third seal

244: Cavity

246: Conductor

248: porosity

Claims (20)

An electronic lock comprising: a latch assembly having a latch housing and a deadbolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position; a controller connected to a circuit board positioned within an interior cavity at least partially defined by the latch housing, the controller configured to electronically control movement of the deadbolt between the extended position and the retracted position; a conductive touch component having an exposed surface and an interior surface, the conductive touch component being in electrical communication with the controller; an insulating arrangement positioned between the conductive touch component and the circuit board; a conductor connecting the circuit board and the conductive touch component, wherein the conductor contacts the inner surface of the circuit board and the conductive touch component; and A housing at least partially surrounds the conductive touch component, the housing being electrically isolated from the conductive touch component by at least a portion of the insulating arrangement. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the conductor passes through an aperture in the insulating arrangement. The electronic lock according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of seals for protecting the circuit board from weather. The electronic lock according to claim 1, wherein the housing is isolated from the conductive touch component by at least one seal of the insulating arrangement. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insulating arrangement comprises a non-conductive translucent part. The electronic lock according to claim 5, wherein the non-conductive translucent part is co-molded polycarbonate. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the internal cavity is defined by the insulating arrangement and the latch housing, and wherein the internal cavity is sealed. The electronic lock of claim 7, wherein the insulating configuration includes a translucent portion, a first seal and a second seal, wherein the first seal is positioned between the conductive touch component and the translucent portion, and wherein the second seal is positioned between the translucent portion and the latch housing. The electronic lock of claim 8, wherein the insulating arrangement further includes a third seal positioned between the translucent portion and the latch housing. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to electronically control movement of the deadbolt between the extended position and the retracted position based on receiving a touch input at the exposed surface of the conductive touch member. The electronic lock according to claim 1, wherein the shell electrically isolated from the conductive touch component is circular. The electronic lock according to claim 1, wherein the casing electrically isolated from the conductive touch component is rectangular. The electronic lock according to claim 1, wherein the conductor further comprises a conductive pad or a conductive plate. An electronic lock comprising: a latch assembly having a latch housing and a deadbolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position; a controller connected to a circuit board positioned within an interior cavity at least partially defined by the latch housing, the controller configured to electronically control movement of the deadbolt between the extended position and the retracted position; a conductive touch component having an exposed surface and an interior surface, the conductive touch component being in electrical communication with the controller; an insulating arrangement positioned between the conductive touch component and the circuit board, the insulating arrangement comprising a translucent portion configured to transmit light and at least one seal, the translucent portion at least partially defining the interior cavity, wherein the translucent portion is at least partially exposed adjacent the conductive touch component, wherein the at least one seal is positioned between the translucent portion and at least one of the latch housing and the translucent portion and the conductive touch component to seal the interior cavity; a conductor connecting the circuit board and the conductive touch component, wherein the conductor contacts the inner surface of the circuit board and the conductive touch component; and A housing at least partially surrounds the conductive touch component, the housing being electrically isolated from the conductive touch component by at least a portion of the insulating arrangement. The electronic lock of claim 14, wherein the conductor passes through an aperture in the insulating arrangement. The electronic lock according to claim 14, wherein the translucent part is co-molded polycarbonate. An electronic lock comprising: a latch assembly having a latch housing and a deadbolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position; a controller mounted to a circuit board positioned within an interior cavity at least partially defined by the latch housing, the controller configured to electronically control movement of the deadbolt between the extended position and the retracted position; a conductive touch component having an exposed surface and an interior surface, the conductive touch component being in electrical communication with the controller via a conductor connected to the circuit board and the interior surface of the conductive touch component; an insulating arrangement positioned between the conductive touch component and the circuit board, the insulating arrangement comprising a body at least partially defining the interior cavity, wherein the body defines an aperture configured to receive the conductor, wherein the conductor passes through the aperture in the insulating arrangement, and wherein a first seal of the insulating arrangement surrounds the aperture; and A housing at least partially surrounds the conductive touch component, the housing being electrically isolated from the conductive touch component by at least a portion of the insulating arrangement. The electronic lock according to claim 17, wherein the first sealing member surrounds the aperture at a first side closest to the conductive touch component. The electronic lock of claim 18, further comprising a second seal surrounding the aperture proximate to a second side of the latch housing. The electronic lock according to claim 17, wherein the main body is translucent and partially exposed outside adjacent to the conductive touch component.