A positioning lock device

Abstract

The present invention provides a positioning lock device, which includes a housing, a gear set, a rack assembly, a locking tongue, a first spring, a locking tongue locking assembly and a signal control assembly arranged in the housing. The gear set is driven by a motor, and a driving gear is arranged on the gear set. The driving gear meshes with the rack assembly to drive the rack assembly to move in the vertical direction. A locking tongue is arranged on one side of the rack assembly. The rack assembly is connected to the locking tongue through the first spring. An outlet for the locking tongue to pass through is opened at the top of the housing. A locking tongue locking assembly and a signal control assembly are arranged on one side of the locking tongue. The locking tongue locking assembly moves in the horizontal direction under the drive of the rack assembly. A locking groove is arranged on one side of the locking tongue. The locking tongue locking assembly is used to switch the output state of the signal control assembly. This positioning lock device can more accurately position and lock the inner drum of a drum washing machine, ensuring that the door of the inner drum is in an upward state when the machine stops and when clothes are taken in and out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of washing equipment, and particularly to a positioning lock device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, front-loading drum washing machines have been introduced in the market, which facilitates the placement and removal of clothes. However, the inner drum that does not require positioning and locking in a side-loading drum washing machine has become a problem in a front-loading drum washing machine. Since the door of the inner drum is not necessarily facing up when the machine stops, it is often necessary to manually turn it into place and hold the inner drum by hand to prevent it from rotating in order to facilitate the taking and placing of clothes. The prior art uses the inherent damping of the inner drum and the motor for positioning, but the damping force is small, and it will rotate and shift in the case of eccentric clothes.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems in the prior art and propose a positioning lock device that can more firmly position and lock the inner drum of a drum washing machine, ensuring that the door of the inner drum is always facing up when the machine stops and when taking and placing clothes.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention proposes a positioning lock device, which includes a housing, a gear set, a rack assembly, a locking tongue, a first spring, a locking tongue locking assembly, and a signal control assembly arranged in the housing. The gear set is driven by a motor, and a driving gear is provided on the gear set. The driving gear meshes with the rack assembly to drive the rack assembly to move in the vertical direction. A locking tongue is arranged on one side of the rack assembly. The rack assembly is connected to the locking tongue through the first spring. An outlet for the locking tongue to pass through is opened at the top of the housing. A limiting stop wall for blocking the rack assembly is provided on one side of the outlet. A locking tongue locking assembly and a signal control assembly are arranged on one side of the locking tongue. The locking tongue locking assembly moves horizontally under the drive of the rack assembly. A locking groove is arranged on one side of the locking tongue. The locking tongue locking assembly is used to switch the output state of the signal control assembly;

[0005] When the motor is powered on, the rack assembly drives the locking tongue to extend out of the outlet, controls the locking tongue locking assembly to disengage from the locking groove, the signal control assembly outputs a locked state, and controls the motor to stop being powered on;

[0006] When the motor is powered on again, the rack assembly abuts against the limiting stop wall and is blocked from continuing to move upward. The motor is forced to reverse, driving the rack assembly, the locking tongue, and the locking tongue locking assembly to reset. The locking tongue locking assembly inserts into the locking groove, and the signal control assembly switches to an unlocked state.

[0007] Preferably, a first support is provided on the side of the lock tongue facing the rack assembly. Below the first support, a first mounting post for fixedly connecting a first spring is provided. On the side of the rack assembly facing the lock tongue, a second support is provided. Above the second support, a second mounting post for fixedly connecting the first spring is provided.

[0008] Preferably, a guiding rib adapted to the rack assembly is further provided in the housing. The guiding rib is arranged in the vertical direction. The lower part of the rack assembly facing the driving gear has teeth. On the side of the top of the rack assembly facing the lock tongue, a bent pushing block is provided. The pushing block cooperates with the first support. When the rack assembly moves downward, the lock tongue is pulled back into the housing under the action of the pushing block.

[0009] Preferably, the lock tongue locking assembly includes a movable wedge block, a locking slider, a second spring, and a third spring. The locking slider includes a driving carriage and a locking bar provided below the driving carriage. One end of the driving carriage is connected to the movable wedge block through the second spring, and the other end of the driving carriage is connected to a fixed bracket on the inner wall of the housing through the third spring. A driving wedge block is provided on the back of the rack assembly. The movable wedge block is arranged above the driving wedge block of the rack assembly and moves horizontally under the action of the rack assembly. The movable wedge block is used to control the horizontal movement of the locking slider. A locking groove for inserting the locking bar is provided on the side of the lock tongue facing the locking bar.

[0010] Preferably, the lock tongue locking assembly further includes a guiding mounting seat provided on one side of the lock tongue. The inner cavity of the guiding mounting seat has a guiding chute for the movement of the locking bar. The locking bar is movably installed in the guiding mounting seat.

[0011] Preferably, a diode fixing bracket, a control unit, a light-emitting diode, and a photoelectric sensor are provided on the signal control assembly. A light-emitting diode is installed on the side of the diode fixing bracket facing the locking bar. The light-emitting diode and the photoelectric sensor are respectively arranged on both sides of the guiding mounting seat. Through holes for the photoelectric sensor to receive light signals are respectively provided on both sides of the guiding mounting seat. The through holes communicate with the guiding chute. The photoelectric sensor is connected to the control unit, and the control unit is connected to the motor.

[0012] Preferably, when the lock tongue locking assembly is inserted into the lock tongue, it disengages from the blocking of the through hole, and the photoelectric sensor receives the signal of the light-emitting diode. The signal control assembly outputs an unlocked state. When the lock tongue locking assembly disengages from the lock tongue, it blocks the through hole and blocks the signal of the light-emitting diode. The signal control assembly outputs a locked state.

[0013] Advantages of the present invention: The lock body of the present invention is installed on the outer shell of the drum washing machine, and the inner drum has a groove adapted to the lock tongue. When the washing machine stops, the motor of the lock body is activated, and the lock tongue extends and engages with the card slot of the inner drum. At this time, the inner drum of the washing machine is in a locked state. When the washing machine is about to stop, the lock body is first activated to the locked state. Before the lock tongue enters the card slot of the inner drum, the first spring is compressed. When the card slot of the inner drum and the lock tongue are aligned, the lock tongue extends into the card slot of the inner drum under the action of the first spring to fix the inner drum. At this time, the opening on the outer side of the inner drum is exactly in an upward state. When the washing machine is in the working state, the positioning lock first switches to the unlocked state, retracts the lock tongue from the card slot of the inner drum, and does not interfere with the rotation of the inner drum.

[0014] The features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail through embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the unlocked state of a positioning lock device of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the intermediate state of a positioning lock device of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the locked state of a positioning lock device of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a rack assembly of a positioning lock device of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a lock tongue of a positioning lock device of the present invention.

Detailed Embodiments

[0020] Refer to Figures 1 to 5 , a positioning lock device of the present invention includes a housing 1, a gear set 2 arranged in the housing 1, a rack assembly 3, a lock tongue 4, a first spring 5, a lock tongue locking assembly, and a signal control assembly 9. The gear set 2 is driven by a motor. A driving gear is provided on the gear set 2. The driving gear meshes with the rack assembly 3 to drive the rack assembly 3 to move in the vertical direction. A lock tongue 4 is arranged on one side of the rack assembly 3. The rack assembly 3 is connected to the lock tongue 4 through the first spring 5. An outlet for the lock tongue 4 to pass through is opened at the top of the housing 1. A limiting wall 12 for blocking the rack assembly 3 is provided on one side of the outlet. A lock tongue locking assembly and a signal control assembly 9 are arranged on one side of the lock tongue 4. The lock tongue locking assembly moves in the horizontal direction under the drive of the rack assembly 3. A locking groove 42 is provided on one side of the lock tongue 4. The lock tongue locking assembly is used to switch the output state of the signal control assembly 9;

[0021] When the motor is powered on, the rack assembly 3 drives the locking tongue 4 to extend out of the outlet, controls the locking tongue locking assembly to disengage from the locking groove 42, the signal control assembly 9 outputs a locked state, and controls the motor to stop being powered on;

[0022] When the motor is powered on again, the rack assembly 3 abuts against the limit retaining wall 12 and is blocked from moving upward continuously. The motor is forced to reverse, driving the rack assembly 3, the locking tongue 4, and the locking tongue locking assembly to reset. The locking tongue locking assembly inserts into the locking groove 42, and the signal control assembly 9 switches to the unlocked state.

[0023] Furthermore, a first support 41 is provided on one side of the locking tongue 4 facing the rack assembly 3. Below the first support 41, a first mounting post 411 for fixedly connecting the first spring 5 is provided. On one side of the rack assembly 3 facing the locking tongue 4, a second support 32 is provided. Above the second support 32, a second mounting post 321 for fixedly connecting the first spring 5 is provided.

[0024] Furthermore, a guiding rib 11 adapted to the rack assembly 3 is also provided in the housing 1. The guiding rib 11 is arranged in the vertical direction. The lower part of the rack assembly 3 facing the driving gear has teeth 31. The top of the rack assembly 3 facing the locking tongue 4 is provided with a bent push block 33. The push block 33 cooperates with the first support 41. When the rack assembly 3 moves downward, the locking tongue 4 is pulled back into the housing 1 under the action of the push block 33.

[0025] Furthermore, the locking tongue locking assembly includes a movable wedge 6, a locking slider 7, a second spring 81, and a third spring 82. The locking slider 7 includes a driving carriage and a locking bar provided below the driving carriage. One end of the driving carriage is connected to the movable wedge 6 through the second spring 81, and the other end of the driving carriage is connected to the fixed bracket on the inner wall of the housing 1 through the third spring 82. A driving wedge is provided on the back of the rack assembly 3. The movable wedge 6 is arranged above the driving wedge of the rack assembly 3 and moves horizontally under the action of the rack assembly 3. The movable wedge 6 is used to control the horizontal movement of the locking slider 7. On one side of the locking tongue 4 facing the locking bar, a locking groove 42 for inserting the locking bar is provided.

[0026] Furthermore, the locking tongue locking assembly further includes a guiding mounting seat 70 provided on one side of the locking tongue 4. The inner cavity of the guiding mounting seat 70 has a guiding chute for the locking bar to move. The locking bar is movably installed in the guiding mounting seat 70.

[0027] Further, a diode fixing bracket 91, a control unit, a light-emitting diode, and a photoelectric sensor are provided on the signal control component 9. A light-emitting diode is installed on one side of the diode fixing bracket 91 facing the locking bar. The light-emitting diode and the photoelectric sensor are respectively arranged on both sides of the guiding mounting seat 70. Through holes 700 for the photoelectric sensor to receive optical signals are respectively formed on both sides of the guiding mounting seat 70. The through holes 700 communicate with the guiding sliding groove. The photoelectric sensor is connected to the control unit, and the control unit is connected to the motor.

[0028] Further, when the locking tongue locking component is inserted into the locking tongue 4, the blocking of the through hole 700 is released, the photoelectric sensor receives the signal of the light-emitting diode, and the signal control component 9 outputs an unlocked state; when the locking tongue locking component is withdrawn from the locking tongue 4, the through hole 700 is blocked, the signal of the light-emitting diode is blocked, and the signal control component 9 outputs a locked state.

[0029] The working process of the present invention:

[0030] The working principle of a positioning lock device of the present invention is as follows:

[0031] In Figure 1 the shown state, when the motor is powered on, the gear on the motor engages with the gear set to drive the driving gear set 2, and the gear set 2 drives the rack assembly 3 to move upward. As shown in Figure 2 the state shown, the movable wedge block 6 moves leftward under the drive of the rack assembly 3, and controls the locking slider 7 to move leftward synchronously, so that the locking bar is withdrawn from the locking tongue 4, blocking the through hole 700 and blocking the optical signal received by the signal control component 9. The control unit outputs a locked state and controls the motor to stop being powered on. When the card slot of the inner barrel rotates to the corresponding position of the locking tongue, the locking tongue 4 extends out of the outlet under the action of the first spring 5 and enters the card slot of the inner barrel, changing from Figure 2 state to Figure 3 state, and the door lock is in a locked state, as shown in Figure 3 shown;

[0032] In Figure 3 the shown state, when the motor continues to be powered on, the top of the rack assembly 3 of the door lock in the locked state abuts against the limit stop wall 12 and is restricted from continuing to move upward. The motor is forced to reverse, causing the rack assembly 3 to move downward and pulling back the locking tongue 4. The locking slider 7 is reset under the action of the second spring 81 and the third spring. The locking bar is inserted into the locking tongue 4 again, and the through hole 700 is opened. The signal control component 9 receives the optical signal, and the control unit outputs an unlocked state. At this time, the door lock is in an unlocked state, as shown in Figure 1 shown.

[0033] The above embodiments are illustrative of the present invention and not restrictive thereof. Any solution obtained by simply transforming the present invention falls within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A positioning lock device, characterized in that: It includes a housing (1), a gear set (2) arranged inside the housing (1), a rack assembly (3), a locking tongue (4), a first spring (5), a locking tongue locking assembly, and a signal control assembly (9). The gear set (2) is driven by a motor. A driving gear is provided on the gear set (2), and the driving gear meshes with the rack assembly (3) to drive the rack assembly (3) to move in the vertical direction. A locking tongue (4) is arranged on one side of the rack assembly (3), and the rack assembly (3) is connected to the locking tongue (4) through the first spring (5). An outlet for the locking tongue (4) to pass through is provided at the top of the housing (1), and a limiting stop wall (12) for blocking the rack assembly (3) is provided on one side of the outlet. A locking tongue locking assembly and a signal control assembly (9) are arranged on one side of the locking tongue (4). The locking tongue locking assembly moves horizontally under the drive of the rack assembly (3). A locking groove (42) is arranged on one side of the locking tongue (4), and the locking tongue locking assembly is used to switch the output state of the signal control assembly (9); on the side of the locking tongue (4) facing the rack assembly (3), there is a first support (41), and below the first support (41), there is a first mounting post (411) for fixedly connecting the first spring (5). On the side of the rack assembly (3) facing the locking tongue (4), there is a second support (32), and above the second support (32), there is a second mounting post (321) for fixedly connecting the first spring (5); When the motor is powered on, the rack assembly (3) drives the locking tongue (4) to extend out of the outlet, controls the locking tongue locking assembly to disengage from the locking groove (42), the signal control assembly (9) outputs in a locked state, and controls the motor to stop being powered on; When the motor is powered on again, the rack assembly (3) abuts against the limiting stop wall (12) and is blocked from continuing to move upward. The motor is forced to reverse, driving the rack assembly (3), the locking tongue (4), and the locking tongue locking assembly to reset. The locking tongue locking assembly inserts into the locking groove (42), and the signal control assembly (9) switches to an unlocked state.

2. The positioning lock device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A guiding rib (11) adapted to the rack assembly (3) is further arranged inside the housing (1). The guiding rib (11) is arranged in the vertical direction. The lower part of the side of the rack assembly (3) facing the driving gear has teeth (31). On the side of the top of the rack assembly (3) facing the locking tongue (4), there is a bent pushing block (33). The pushing block (33) cooperates with the first support (41). When the rack assembly (3) moves downward, the locking tongue (4) is pulled back into the housing (1) under the action of the pushing block (33).

3. The positioning lock device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tongue locking assembly includes a movable wedge block (6), a locking slider (7), a second spring (81), and a third spring (82). The locking slider (7) includes a driving carriage and a locking bar provided below the driving carriage. One end of the driving carriage is connected to the movable wedge block (6) through the third spring (82), and the other end of the driving carriage is connected to the fixed bracket on the inner wall of the housing (1) through the second spring (81). A driving wedge block is provided on the back of the rack assembly (3). The movable wedge block (6) is arranged above the driving wedge block of the rack assembly (3) and moves horizontally under the action of the rack assembly (3). The movable wedge block (6) is used to control the horizontal movement of the locking slider (7). A locking groove (42) for inserting the locking bar is provided on one side of the tongue (4) facing the locking bar.

4. The positioning lock device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The tongue locking assembly further includes a guiding and mounting seat (70) provided on one side of the tongue (4). The inner cavity of the guiding and mounting seat (70) has a guiding chute for the movement of the locking bar, and the locking bar is movably mounted in the guiding and mounting seat (70).

5. The positioning lock device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A diode fixing bracket (91), a control unit, a light-emitting diode, and a photoelectric sensor are provided on the signal control assembly (9). The light-emitting diode is mounted on one side of the diode fixing bracket (91) facing the locking bar. The light-emitting diode and the photoelectric sensor are respectively arranged on both sides of the guiding and mounting seat (70). Light-passing holes (700) for the photoelectric sensor to receive optical signals are respectively formed on both sides of the guiding and mounting seat (70). The light-passing holes (700) communicate with the guiding chute. The photoelectric sensor is connected to the control unit, and the control unit is connected to the motor.

6. The positioning lock device according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the tongue locking assembly is inserted into the tongue (4), the light-passing holes (700) are disengaged from being blocked. The photoelectric sensor receives the signal of the light-emitting diode, and the signal control assembly (9) outputs an unlocked state. When the tongue locking assembly is withdrawn from the tongue (4), the light-passing holes (700) are blocked, shielding the signal of the light-emitting diode, and the signal control assembly (9) outputs a locked state.

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