[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the door lock switch and the laundry treatment device using the door lock switch in the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0026] Reference figure 1 The figure shows a washing machine using an embodiment of the door lock switch of the present invention. However, the above embodiment is not limited to a washing machine, and it can also be applied to any laundry treatment apparatus having a door such as a laundry dryer.
[0027] figure 1 The washing machine shown in the middle figure includes a housing or a main body 2 formed with a laundry inlet 1, a washing tub is provided inside the main body 2, and a drum rotatably installed in the washing tub. After the laundry is put into the drum, the drum is rotated, and processes such as washing or drying are performed.
[0028] In addition, the door 10 for opening and closing the clothing inlet 1 will be fixed to the front of the main body 2 by a hinge 12, a hook 14 is installed on the inner side of the door 10, and a hook 14 is installed on the back of the main body 2. Door lock switch 40. The door lock switch 40 is combined with the hook 14 and keeps the door closed.
[0029] Reference figure 2 The figure shows the back of the main body 2 and the door lock switch 40. The above-mentioned door lock switch 40 includes a switch body 50 constituting the outer shape of the device. A coupling portion 60 is provided at one end of the switch main body 50, and the coupling portion 60 is coupled to the main body 2 and has a rectangular engaging hole at the center. The upper and lower ends of the coupling portion 60 will be coupled to the back of the outer periphery of the clothing inlet 1 of the main body 2 by fixing bolts 62 so that the door lock switch 40 can be stably supported on the main body 2.
[0030] In addition, a terminal 70 is provided on the lower end side of the switch body 50, and the terminal 70 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) installed in the body 2 of the washing machine. Thereby, by controlling an actuator such as a bimetal to be described later, the drive of the door lock switch 40 described above is controlled.
[0031] In addition, on the back of the switch body 50, a slider 80 is extended and attached to the engaging hole of the coupling portion 60. The slider 80 has a certain size along the length direction of the switch body 50 and can move back and forth. In the slider 80, an opening 82 is formed at a position corresponding to the hole. In addition, two hook contact portions 84 are formed on both sides of the opening 82. The hook contact portions 84 are formed by bending members around the opening 82 to protrude toward the rear side of the washing machine body 2.
[0032] Here, a coil spring 86 is provided between the switch body 50 and the slider 80, and the coil spring 86 is used to figure 2 An elastic force is applied to the slider 80 in the upper right direction of the middle. In addition, a protruding portion 90 is formed on the upper portion of the slider 80, and a locking groove 92 and an unlocking groove 94 are formed on the protruding portion 90, respectively. In addition, a fixing pin 100 is built in the switch body 50, and the fixing pin 100 will protrude or retreat through a bimetallic sheet described later, and will be inserted into either the lock groove 92 or the unlock groove 94.
[0033] figure 2 The middle figure shows the state where the fixing pin 100 is inserted into the unlocking groove 94. In this state, even if the hook 14 is inserted into the inside of the hole, you only need to apply a slight force on the inside of the washing machine. Disengage and open the aforementioned door 10.
[0034] Reference image 3 In the above-mentioned fixing pin 100, an end portion extending toward the inside of the above-mentioned switch body 50 is formed with a locking groove 102. The end of the bimetal 104 is inserted into the card slot 102, and the bimetal 104 is composed of two metal plates having different thermal expansion coefficients butted. in image 3 Here, the bimetallic piece 104 is heated by the heater 106 and is in a state of being bent toward the slider 80 side. As a result, the fixing pin 100 will protrude toward the slider 80 and be inserted into the unlocking groove 94. In this state, the slider 80 will be fixed and will not move.
[0035] In addition, the inner surface of the above-mentioned card hole 64 is composed of two inclined surfaces 64a, 64b and one flat surface 64c. An inclined surface 14a and a bottom surface 14b adjacent to the inclined surface 14a are also formed at the end of the hook 14. In addition, the hook 14 is rotatably installed in the door 10 around the bottom point 14c. When inserted into the above-mentioned engaging hole 64, the inclined surface 14a of the above-mentioned hook 14 will contact the inclined surface 64a of the above-mentioned engaging hole 64, and rotate to the plane 64c, and then return to the original position after passing through the above-mentioned inclined surface 64a, and will slide Block 80 to image 3 In the downward direction to achieve Figure 4 The state shown in the middle figure. Just like image 3 As shown, in the state where the fixed pin 100 is inserted into the unlocking groove 94, the retreating operation of the slider 80 cannot be performed, but can be performed only when the fixed pin 100 is detached from the unlocking groove 94. In addition, the forward and backward operations of the fixed pin 100 are controlled by the control unit.
[0036] Figure 4 The middle figure shows the state in which the hook 14 is inserted into the inside of the hole 64. It is a state where the bottom surface 14b of the hook 14 is clamped by the plane of the peripheral portion of the hole 64 to be fixed and prevent it from being detached. Wherein, the slider 80 cuts its movement because the fixing pin 100 is inserted into the locking groove 92, and the hook contact portion 84 of the slider 80 contacts the back surface of the hook 14, thereby restricting the hook 14 from moving Figure 4 As a result, the hook 14 cannot be disengaged from the catch hole 64 to lock the door 10, and the locked state will be maintained until the fixing pin 100 is disengaged from the locking groove 92.
[0037] Next, the driving of the washing machine using the embodiment of the door lock switch described above will be described.
[0038] In the state in which the above-mentioned fixing pin 100 is housed in the inside of the switch body 50, it will not function to maintain the locked state or the open state. In this state, when the user closes the door 10 after dropping laundry through the laundry inlet 1, the hook 14 will be inserted into the hole 64, and the slider 80 will reach Figure 4 In the state. Subsequently, when the user instructs to perform a washing stroke through a button or the like, the control unit will make the fixing pin 100 protrude, and the fixing pin 100 will be inserted into the lock groove 92, so that the door 10 is in a locked state. The above-mentioned door 10 cannot be opened due to the impact of the impact or through the handle installed on the surface of the door 10.
[0039] When all washing processes are over, the control unit will retreat the fixing pin 100 so that the slider 80 is released from the fixed state. In this state, the user can open the door 10 through the handle installed on the door 10. When the door 10 is opened, the control part will make the fixing pin 100 protrude and insert it into the unlocking groove 94, which will restrict the sliding block 80 from retreating and prevent the hook 14 from being fixed in the hole 64 , Thereby keeping the door 10 open. Therefore, when an infant enters the interior of the drum, the door 10 can be opened and escaped with only a slight impact. Moreover, since the door 10 is not installed in close contact with the main body 2, there is a risk of suffocation. Will be greatly reduced.
[0040] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the present invention can be implemented by various modifications. As an example, two fixing pins may be included, and as each fixing pin protrudes, the slider is fixed at an open position that allows the hook to be released and a fixed position where the hook is cut off.
[0041] That is, as Figure 5 As shown, a protruding portion 80a is formed on the upper part of the slider 80 mounted on the switch body 50, and a first fixing pin 110 is installed on the left side of the protruding portion 80a, and a first fixing pin 110 is installed on the bottom surface of the protruding portion 80a. Two fixing pins 112, the above-mentioned first fixing pin 110 and the second fixing pin 112 can be respectively protruding and retreating through a bimetal or the like. In the above Figure 5 , The slider 80 is in image 3 In the state shown in the figure, the second fixing pin 112 is pressed by the protruding portion 80a and is in a retreat state. In this state, when the first fixing pin 110 protrudes, the retreat operation of the slider 80 is restricted. The hook 14 will be in an open state that can be freely detached from the hole 64.
[0042] When the door 10 is closed in a state where the first fixing pin 110 and the second fixing pin 112 are all retracted, the hook 14 will be inserted into the hole 64, and the slider 80 will move toward Figure 4 When the state shown in the middle figure moves, the second fixing pin 112 will be exposed to the outside and reach a protruding state. Then, when the second fixing pin 112 is protruded, the slider 80 will remain in a retracted state, Thus, the above-mentioned door 10 is maintained in a locked state.
[0043] The present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments. It should be understood that the above embodiments do not limit the present invention in any form, and all technical solutions obtained by equivalent substitutions or equivalent transformations fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
