Door locks

Abstract

The present application discloses a door lock, comprising a housing, a locking module, an upper cover and a lock module, wherein the lock module adopts a cam structure; the cam structure is matched with a door hook; the door lock with the upper cover state detection function also includes: a slider mechanism, located between the housing and the locking module; the free end of the slider mechanism cooperates with the upper cover or the lock module; an outer door pin, one end of which slides on the slider mechanism, and the other end cooperates with the circuit switch on the locking module; a track platform mechanism is provided on the slider mechanism; when the outer door pin moves vertically, the top of the outer door pin touches the circuit switch to change the state of the circuit in the locking module; the upper cover is against the slider mechanism, and the elastic mechanism is always kept in a compressed state. In the embodiment of the present application, through the internal structure design, the function of detecting the detachment of the door lock upper cover is achieved, the safety performance of the washing machine is improved, and errors are reported in time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of door locks, and in particular to a door lock with an upper cover status detection function. Background Art

[0002] At present, some drum washing machine door locks have the phenomenon of upper cover parts falling off. When this phenomenon occurs, after the upper cover falls off abnormally, close the front door of the washing machine, the door lock does not have the door lock function, but the washing machine determines that the front door is closed and performs the washing program normally. In this case, the washing machine will not report an error, and the front door can be opened during operation. At this time, it is necessary to detect the upper cover parts falling off. If the upper cover is found to be falling off, an error will be reported immediately and the washing program will be stopped to prevent safety accidents. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a door lock with an upper cover status detection function. Through the internal structure design, the function of detecting the detachment of the door lock upper cover is achieved, thereby improving the safety performance of the washing machine and reporting errors in a timely manner.

[0004] An embodiment of the present application provides a door lock having a self-checking structure for upper cover status.

[0005] Furthermore, the upper cover status self-checking structure includes:

[0006] A slider mechanism is located in the door lock; the free end of the slider mechanism abuts against the part to be detected;

[0007] A trigger circuit, located inside the door lock;

[0008] Among them, an elastic mechanism is arranged between the slider mechanism and the housing of the door lock; when the door lock is switched between open and closed states, the slider mechanism slides in the housing under the action of the elastic mechanism and touches the trigger circuit; the trigger electrical signal data of the trigger circuit is used as the basis for determining the state of the upper cover.

[0009] Furthermore, the door lock comprises a housing, a locking module, an upper cover, an outer door pin and a lock module, wherein the housing and the upper cover form a cavity; the lock module is located in the cavity, and the locking module is mounted on the housing; the lock module adopts a cam structure; and the cam structure is matched with a door hook;

[0010] One end of the outer door pin slides on the slider mechanism, and the other end cooperates with the circuit switch inside the locking module;

[0011] The slider mechanism is located between the housing and the locking module; the free end of the slider mechanism cooperates with the upper cover or the locking module;

[0012] When the lock module is switched on and off, the slider mechanism slides in the housing and touches the bottom of the outer door pin; the outer door pin directly touches the trigger circuit.

[0013] Furthermore, a track platform mechanism is provided on the slider mechanism; the plane of the track platform mechanism is not completely parallel to the sliding direction of the slider mechanism; the bottom end of the outer door pin slides on the track platform mechanism; during the sliding process of the outer door pin on the track platform mechanism, the upper end of the outer door pin touches the circuit switch to change the state of the circuit in the locking module;

[0014] The upper cover abuts against the slider mechanism, and the elastic mechanism is always kept in a compressed state.

[0015] Furthermore, the outer door pin performs vertical movement, rotational movement or oblique movement during the sliding process.

[0016] Furthermore, the circuit switch adopts a reed contact type circuit connection switch, and the top is matched with the circuit in the locking module.

[0017] Furthermore, the plane of the track platform mechanism includes:

[0018] At least one valley point and two peak points, and the valley point is located between the peak points; two slopes are formed between the valley point and the two peak points; the peak point closer to the lock module is recorded as the proximal peak point, and the peak point farther from the lock module is recorded as the distal peak point;

[0019] When the outer door pin slides to the valley point, the top end of the outer door pin does not trigger the circuit switch;

[0020] When the outer door pin slides to the peak point, the top end of the outer door pin triggers the circuit switch;

[0021] After the upper cover falls off, the outer door pin moves to the far end peak point under the action of the elastic mechanism, triggering the circuit switch.

[0022] Furthermore, the plane of the track platform mechanism includes:

[0023] at least one valley point and one peak point, forming at least one slope;

[0024] When the outer door pin slides to the valley point, the top end of the outer door pin does not trigger the circuit switch;

[0025] When the outer door pin slides to the peak point, the top end of the outer door pin triggers the circuit switch;

[0026] After the upper cover falls off, the outer door pin moves to the peak point under the action of the elastic mechanism, triggering the circuit switch.

[0027] Furthermore, the slider mechanism comprises:

[0028] The first slider mechanism has a side facing away from the elastic mechanism and is held in position by the upper cover module;

[0029] When the door hook is not inserted, that is, when the door is not closed, the cam mechanism is always in contact with the first slider and compresses the first slider backwards, and the bottom of the outer door pin is at a near-peak position at this time;

[0030] When the door hook enters, that is, when the door is closed, the cam mechanism rotates, presses against the limiting area of ​​the first slider and is removed after rotation, and the first slider mechanism slides toward the cam direction under the force of the elastic mechanism, and the bottom of the outer door pin is at the valley point at this time.

[0031] Furthermore, the slider mechanism comprises:

[0032] The second slider mechanism has a side facing away from the elastic mechanism and is limited by the upper cover;

[0033] After the door hook is inserted into the cam structure, the free end of the second slider mechanism is pushed out by the door hook and moves in the direction of compressing the elastic mechanism, and the valley point of the second slider mechanism slides to the bottom of the outer door pin, and the circuit switch is closed;

[0034] When the slider mechanism includes a first slider mechanism and a second slider mechanism,

[0035] The bottom of the outer door pin is located on the track platform mechanism of the first slider mechanism and the second slider mechanism at the same time;

[0036] The sliding tracks of the first slider mechanism and the second slider mechanism do not interfere with each other.

[0037] Furthermore, the outer door pin is pushed into the locking module by the track platform so that the circuit in the locking module is disconnected;

[0038] After the top of the outer door pin is released from the locking module, the circuit is closed.

[0039] Furthermore, the door lock with upper cover status detection function also includes a limiting spring piece;

[0040] There is an interaction force between the bottom of the slider mechanism and the convex point of the limiting spring sheet; the convex point of the limiting spring sheet exerts a force on the slider mechanism to push it upward.

[0041] The upper cover is provided with a limiting block, and the upper cover flattens the limiting spring piece through the limiting block.

[0042] Furthermore, the door lock with upper cover status detection function further includes a third slider;

[0043] The first slider mechanism or the second slider mechanism is located on both sides of the upper cover;

[0044] One end of the third slider is held in position by the side wall of the upper cover, facing one end of the first slider mechanism or the second slider mechanism, and the other end is connected to the elastic mechanism kept in a compressed state.

[0045] Furthermore, the circuit switch adopts a contact-type leaf spring switch located inside the locking module. The locking module has a contact point that cooperates with the leaf spring, and the bending direction of the leaf spring is consistent with the ejection direction of the outer door pin.

[0046] In the locking module, when the leaf spring bends in a direction away from the contact, the trigger circuit switch is disconnected; when the leaf spring bends in a direction close to the contact, the trigger circuit switch is connected.

[0047] In the embodiment of the present application, the function of detecting the detachment of the door lock cover is achieved through the internal structure design, thereby improving the safety performance of the washing machine and reporting errors in a timely manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0049] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between a slider mechanism and a lock module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a slider mechanism of the present application;

[0051] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another slider mechanism of the present application;

[0052] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a trajectory platform mechanism;

[0053] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the first slider mechanism and the second slider structure included in the present application;

[0054] Figure 6 It is another angle schematic diagram in this application;

[0055] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the explosion structure;

[0056] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a top view structure;

[0057] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the first slider mechanism and the upper cover;

[0058] Fig.10 It is a top perspective view of the cooperation between the third slider mechanism and the first slider mechanism in a normal state;

[0059] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure;

[0060] Fig.12 is a top perspective view of the cooperation between the third slider mechanism and the first slider mechanism in an abnormal state;

[0061] Fig.13 Fig.12 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure;

[0062] Fig.14 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of providing a limiting spring piece;

[0063] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure.

[0064] Meaning of the reference numerals in the figures:

[0065] 100-locking module, 200-upper cover, 300-housing, 400-torsion spring, 500-cam structure, 600-door hook, 700-lock module, 800-spring, 310-first slider mechanism, 320-second slider mechanism, 330-external door pin, 340-third slider mechanism, 311, 321, 341-elastic mechanism, A-valley point, B-peak point. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In order to make the purpose, features, and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0067] The present invention is further explained below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0068] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0069] The door lock with upper cover status detection function in the present application is fundamentally achieved by the cooperation between the upper cover 200 and the slider. The existence of the upper cover 200 is a limiting mechanism for the slider. Once the upper cover 200 falls off, the slider will be displaced. A track platform is provided on the slider, and the top surface of the platform has a slope. Through the movement of the outer door pin 330 on the slope, the lateral displacement of the slider is converted into the longitudinal displacement of the outer door pin 330. Through the setting of the internal mechanism, the outer door pin 330 only moves in the longitudinal direction, so that a related trigger circuit is provided on the top of the outer door pin 330, so that the falling of the upper cover 200 can be detected, thereby realizing the alarm function.

[0070] The lock module 700 targeted by the present application adopts a cam structure 500 and is matched with a door hook 600 .

[0071] For the sake of convenience, the slope close to the upper cover 200 is recorded as the proximal slope, and the slope at the other end is recorded as the distal slope. The movement principles of the first slider mechanism, the second slider mechanism and the third slider mechanism in the present application are basically the same, but they are distinguished according to their own positions, slightly different shapes and different mechanisms against which they are abutted, and can be used in combination or separately.

[0072] Embodiment 1 - Slider method:

[0073] In this embodiment, a distal slope is provided at the distal end of the slider mechanism, and the angle between the slope direction and one side of the upper cover 200 is an obtuse angle.

[0074] There is an elastic mechanism at the far end of the slider mechanism, that is, the spring resists, which generates a force on the slider mechanism to move the upper cover 200. When the upper cover 200 is not off, the upper cover 200 resists the movement of the slider mechanism. In the current state, the outer door pin 330 is not on the slope. When the upper cover 200 falls off, the slider moves toward the upper cover 200, and the slope moves to the bottom of the outer door pin 330, lifting the outer door pin 330 upward, so that the top of the outer door pin 330 touches the circuit switch.

[0075] Specifically, Figure 1As shown, in the initial position, the upper cover 200 is maintained on the assembly, and the other end of the slider structure is pressed against the limit position of the upper cover 200 under the action of the end spring. Under normal circumstances (the upper cover 200 has not become loose), the position of the slider remains unchanged and the spring is always in a compressed state.

[0076] When the upper cover 200 becomes loose, the limit of the additional slider in the upper cover 200 fails, and the slider moves under the action of the compression spring on one side. The slope on the slider interacts with the bottom end of the outer door pin 330, pushing open the circuit switch and causing the circuit in the door lock to be connected and disconnected, and the washing machine reports an error.

[0077] Example 2 - Normal door opening and closing function on the locking slide:

[0078] In this embodiment, the slider mechanism is no longer just for detecting whether the upper cover 200 is detached. Generally, if the slider mechanism has only one function of detecting whether the upper cover 200 is detached, the overall structure of the lock will be much larger, and the cost will increase. In addition, the applicable products need to be completely overturned and remade, which has many negative effects on mass production.

[0079] Therefore, the present slider mechanism incorporates the door lock state, and the detection of the door lock state is also a content in the prior art.

[0080] In this embodiment, Figure 2 , two slopes are provided on the slider mechanism, and the two slopes are arranged opposite to each other, similar to the structure of the hull, and are respectively recorded as the distal slope and the proximal slope.

[0081] When in use, the slider mechanism is still held back by the upper cover 200, but a part of the bottom of the proximal end of the slider mechanism still extends into the lock structure, and the proximal end is held back by the cam structure 500. When the door hook 600 enters, the cam structure 500 will rotate, and the rotating surface will contact the proximal end of the slider mechanism. The most preferred situation is that the proximal end is located on the rotating surface, and the rotation of the cam structure 500 will drive the slider mechanism to slide, so that the slider structure slides in the direction away from the upper cover 200, so that the proximal end slope moves to the bottom of the ejection structure, triggering the circuit switch. This action is used to detect whether the door lock is working properly.

[0082] Example 3 - Normal door opening and closing function on the door slider:

[0083] In this embodiment, the slider mechanism adds the door lock state, and the detection of the door lock state is also a content in the prior art.

[0084] In this embodiment, two slopes are provided on the slider mechanism, and the two slopes are arranged opposite to each other, similar to the structure of a hull, and are respectively recorded as a distal slope and a proximal slope.

[0085] Different from Example 2, Figure 3 and 4 The slider mechanism is matched with the cam structure 500. When the present embodiment is in use, the slider mechanism is still held by the upper cover 200, but a part of the bottom of the proximal end of the slider mechanism still extends into the lock structure, and the proximal end is suspended, matched with the door hook 600. The contact surface between the outer door pin 330 and the slider mechanism is an inclined surface. The entry of the door hook 600 will cause the slider mechanism to slide, causing the slider structure to slide in the direction away from the upper cover 200, so that the proximal end slope moves to the bottom of the ejection structure, triggering the circuit switch. This action is used to detect whether the door hook 600 of the door lock enters the door lock normally.

[0086] Example 4 - Two sliders combined with each other:

[0087] like Figure 5-8 This embodiment combines Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3, wherein since two slopes are used in Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3, the proximal slopes are used to cooperate with the inside of the lock structure to detect whether the door is closed. Therefore, one of the slopes can be cancelled and only one can be retained, or both can be retained to achieve a double insurance function.

[0088] Embodiment 5 - Solution of shrapnel 800:

[0089] like Fig.14 In this embodiment, a limiting spring piece 800 is provided at the bottom of the slider mechanism. The separate limiting spring piece 800 is in a bent state and is installed on the top of the slider mechanism. Under the pressure of the upper cover 200, it maintains a horizontal state, wherein the limiting protrusion of the limiting spring piece 800 is just located at the bottom of the slider mechanism.

[0090] The limit spring 800 has two states:

[0091] State 1 is the release state. When the upper cover 200 is loosened, the limiting protrusion in the middle of the spring 800 protrudes upward and is stuck in the limiting groove of the door slider. Locking the door slider to prevent it from moving

[0092] State 2 is a compressed state, the upper cover 200 is in a normal position, the limiting protrusion in the middle of the spring 800 is compressed to a lower position, which does not affect the normal movement of the door slider, and the door lock works normally.

[0093] At the same time, the limiting spring piece 800 can be a separate component, or it can be integrated with the door lock bottom shell and be a part of the bottom shell.

[0094] When the upper cover 200 is not loosened and is in the normal position, the slider mechanism works normally and is driven to move back and forth by the door hook 600 entering the lock. The slope on the slider mechanism triggers the outer door pin 330 to open and close normally.

[0095] When the upper cover 200 is loosened, the limit block on the upper cover 200 that contacts the limit spring 800 is loosened, the limit spring 800 opens upward in an arc shape, the upper limit convex point on the limit spring 800 rises, and is stuck in the limit groove at the bottom of the door slider. The slider mechanism is locked by the mechanical structure and cannot move. When the door is closed again, the door hook 600 cannot push the slider mechanism to move after entering, and the door cannot be closed normally. At the same time, the upper slope of the slider mechanism and the outer door pin 330 maintain the signal on-off state that the door is not closed. The circuit recognizes that the door is not closed, the washing machine cannot operate, and an error is reported.

[0096] Example 6 - Additional Slider Method

[0097] In this embodiment, another external slider mechanism, referred to as an additional slider, is provided for coordination.

[0098] The slider mechanism of the previous embodiments is used to cooperate with the additional slider. However, the slider mechanism in the previous embodiments only retains the inclined surface of the proximal end.

[0099] When the door lock is normal, the additional slider is blocked by the upper cover 200 and does not move, and the additional slider spring is always in a compressed state.

[0100] When the door lock upper cover 200 is loosened, the position restriction of the upper cover 200 on the additional slider is removed, and the additional slider can act on the first slider along the horizontal direction and push the locking slider to move backward.

[0101] After the locking slider moves backward, the slope on the slider triggers the outer door pin 330, realizing signal switching, and the washing machine reports an error and stops running.

[0102] Through this structure, different detection results can be given to the same inclined surface, and the normal opening and closing of the door lock and whether the upper cover 200 falls off can be detected by the same inclined surface.

[0103] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present invention, various equivalent transformations (such as quantity, shape, position, etc.) can be made to the technical scheme of the present invention, and these equivalent transformations are all protected by the present invention.

Claims

1. A door lock, characterized in that: The door lock has a self-checking structure for the upper cover status; The upper cover status self-checking structure comprises: A slider mechanism is located in the door lock; the free end of the slider mechanism abuts against the part to be detected; A trigger circuit, located inside the door lock; Wherein, an elastic mechanism is arranged between the slider mechanism and the housing of the door lock; when the door lock is switched between open and closed states, the slider mechanism slides in the housing under the action of the elastic mechanism and touches the trigger circuit; the trigger electrical signal data of the trigger circuit is used as the basis for determining the upper cover state; The door lock further comprises a housing, a locking module, an upper cover, an outer door pin and a lock module, wherein the housing and the upper cover form a cavity; the lock module is located in the cavity, and the locking module is mounted on the housing; the lock module adopts a cam structure; and the cam structure is matched with a door hook; Features: One end of the outer door pin slides on the slider mechanism, and the other end cooperates with the circuit switch inside the locking module; The slider mechanism is located between the housing and the locking module; the free end of the slider mechanism cooperates with the upper cover and the locking module; When the lock module is switched on and off, the slider mechanism slides in the housing and touches the bottom of the outer door pin; the outer door pin directly touches the trigger circuit; The slider mechanism is provided with a track platform mechanism; the plane of the track platform mechanism is not completely parallel to the sliding direction of the slider mechanism; the bottom end of the outer door pin slides on the track platform mechanism; during the sliding process of the outer door pin on the track platform mechanism, the upper end of the outer door pin touches the circuit switch to change the state of the circuit in the locking module; The upper cover abuts against the slider mechanism, and the elastic mechanism is always kept in a compressed state.

2. The door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer door pin moves vertically, rotates or obliquely during the sliding process.

3. The door lock according to claim 2, characterized in that: The circuit switch adopts a reed contact type circuit connection switch, and the top part cooperates with the circuit in the locking module.

4. The door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plane of the trajectory platform mechanism includes: At least one valley point and two peak points, and the valley point is located between the peak points; two slopes are formed between the valley point and the two peak points; the peak point closer to the lock module is recorded as the proximal peak point, and the peak point farther from the lock module is recorded as the distal peak point; When the outer door pin slides to the valley point, the top end of the outer door pin does not trigger the circuit switch; When the outer door pin slides to the peak point, the top end of the outer door pin triggers the circuit switch; After the upper cover falls off, the outer door pin moves to the far end peak point under the action of the elastic mechanism, triggering the circuit switch.

5. The door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plane of the trajectory platform mechanism includes: at least one valley point and one peak point, forming at least one slope; When the outer door pin slides to the valley point, the top end of the outer door pin does not trigger the circuit switch; When the outer door pin slides to the peak point, the top end of the outer door pin triggers the circuit switch; After the upper cover falls off, the outer door pin moves to the peak point under the action of the elastic mechanism, triggering the circuit switch.

6. The door lock according to claim 4, characterized in that: The slider mechanism comprises: The first slider mechanism has a side facing away from the elastic mechanism and is held in position by the upper cover module; When the door hook is not inserted, that is, when the door is not closed, the cam mechanism is always in contact with the first slider and compresses the first slider backwards, and the bottom of the outer door pin is at a near-peak position at this time; When the door hook enters, that is, when the door is closed, the cam mechanism rotates, presses against the limiting area of ​​the first slider and is removed after rotation, and the first slider mechanism slides toward the cam direction under the force of the elastic mechanism, and the bottom of the outer door pin is at the valley point at this time.

7. The door lock according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The slider mechanism comprises: The second slider mechanism has a side facing away from the elastic mechanism and is limited by the upper cover; After the door hook is inserted into the cam structure, the free end of the second slider mechanism is pushed out by the door hook and moves in the direction of compressing the elastic mechanism, and the valley point of the second slider mechanism slides to the bottom of the outer door pin, and the circuit switch is closed; When the slider mechanism includes a first slider mechanism and a second slider mechanism, the bottom of the outer door pin is located on the track platform mechanism of the first slider mechanism and the second slider mechanism at the same time; The sliding tracks of the first slider mechanism and the second slider mechanism do not interfere with each other.

8. The door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer door pin is pushed into the locking module by the track platform so that the circuit in the locking module is disconnected; After the top of the outer door pin is released from the locking module, the circuit is closed.

9. The door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The door lock also includes a limiting spring; There is an interaction force between the bottom of the slider mechanism and the convex point of the limiting spring sheet; the convex point of the limiting spring sheet applies a force to the slider mechanism to push it out in the direction of the upper cover; The upper cover is provided with a limiting block, and the upper cover flattens the limiting spring piece through the limiting block.

10. The door lock according to claim 7, characterized in that: The door lock also includes a third slider; The first slider mechanism or the second slider mechanism is located on both sides of the upper cover; One end of the third slider is held in position by the side wall of the upper cover, facing one end of the first slider mechanism or the second slider mechanism, and the other end is connected to the elastic mechanism kept in a compressed state.

11. The door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circuit switch adopts a contact-type leaf spring switch located inside the locking module. The locking module has a contact point that cooperates with the leaf spring. The bending direction of the leaf spring is consistent with the ejection direction of the outer door pin. In the locking module, when the leaf spring bends in a direction away from the contact point, the trigger circuit switch is disconnected; When the leaf spring bends toward the contact point, the trigger circuit switch is turned on.

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