An actuator with automatic door opening and closing function

Abstract

The present invention discloses an actuator with an automatic door opening and closing function, comprising a motor, a transmission structure, a push rod, a connector and a door catch, wherein the motor drives the push rod to move through the transmission structure; the connector is installed at one end of the push rod; after the connector is inserted into the door catch, when the connector is in a third position, the door catch prevents the connector from moving. The actuator of the present invention is independent of the door lock of household appliances and can be used in household appliances with different door locks or without door locks, such as dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, etc. Under the control of the household appliance's own software system, the automatic door opening and closing of the household appliance can be realized, which improves the user experience and prevents the user from failing to close the door properly or damaging the household appliance due to misoperation. It also has the functions of preventing fingers from being pinched and child locks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular is an actuator with an automatic door opening and closing function. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the economy, people have higher and higher requirements for the automation of household appliances, but the development of the automation technology of household appliance door opening and closing is relatively slow. A few manufacturers have installed automatic door opening and closing devices, but there are also some problems. For example, they can only open the door automatically, but cannot realize the automatic door closing function. Some technologies have also realized the automatic door opening and closing function. For example, the Chinese patent with publication number CN106761149 discloses an actuator with automatic door opening and closing function, which drives the reduction gear mechanism and the clutch gear device with a motor, and transmits the driving force to the rack, and then realizes automatic door opening and closing through the cooperation of the front lock structure of the rack and the door lock. This patent directly combines the automatic door opening and closing device with the door lock, and the structure is very complicated. However, there are many types of household appliances, and the door lock structures are different. If each door lock is upgraded automatically, the design cost is high and may affect other functions. The technical solution of this patent also does not consider the problem of foreign objects blocking or users pinching their hands during the door closing process. Summary of the invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an actuator with an automatic door opening and closing function. The actuator is independent of the door lock device, can realize the automatic door opening and closing function, prevent injuries during the door closing process, and also has a child lock function.

[0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned invention object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] An actuator with automatic door opening and closing function includes a motor, a transmission structure, a push rod, a connector and a door catch, wherein the motor drives the push rod to move through the transmission structure; the connector is installed at one end of the push rod; after the connector is inserted into the door catch, when the connector is in a third position, the door catch prevents the connector from moving.

[0006] Furthermore, the connecting head includes a door hook, a door hook mounting shaft and an elastic element, the door hook is mounted to one end of the push rod through the door hook mounting shaft; the elastic element is installed between the door hook and the push rod; the door catch has a cavity, and a door catch boss for cooperating with the door hook is arranged inside or on the edge of the cavity; the actuator with automatic door opening and closing function also includes a locking surface, and when the door hook is in the fourth position, the locking surface prevents the door hook from rotating.

[0007] The elastic element is selected from one of a torsion spring, a leaf spring or a compression spring; when a torsion spring is selected, the torsion spring is installed on the door hook mounting shaft, and the two arms of the torsion spring are respectively inserted into the door hook and the push rod; when the elastic element is selected from a leaf spring, one end of the leaf spring is installed in the groove of the push rod, and the other end of the leaf spring is pressed on the door hook; when the elastic element is selected from a compression spring, the compression spring is located between the push rod and the door hook, and the compression spring is fixed on the door hook or the push rod.

[0008] Furthermore, a raised locking protrusion is provided on the upper surface of the door hook, and when the door hook is located at the fourth position, the locking protrusion contacts the locking surface.

[0009] Furthermore, the installation shaft includes a first installation shaft and a second installation shaft; the torsion spring is installed on the first installation shaft; an elliptical groove is opened on the door hook, and the second installation shaft passes through the elliptical groove and is installed on the push rod.

[0010] Another improvement is that the connector includes a plug and a plug mounting shaft, and the plug is mounted to one end of the push rod through the plug mounting shaft; the door buckle includes a buckle and a second spring leaf, the buckle has a cavity and a buckle opening, and the second spring leaf clamps the buckle opening.

[0011] Furthermore, the actuator with automatic door opening and closing function also includes a position measuring device, and the position measuring device is used to measure the position of the push rod.

[0012] Furthermore, the position measuring device includes a first microswitch and a second microswitch; the first microswitch includes a first swing arm, and the second microswitch includes a second swing arm; the push rod is provided with a first push rod rib position and a second push rod rib position; when the push rod is located at the first position, the first push rod rib position touches the first swing arm, thereby triggering the first microswitch, and the first microswitch feeds back the information that the push rod is located at the first position to the household appliance; when the push rod is located at the second position, the second push rod rib position touches the second swing arm, thereby triggering the second microswitch, and the second microswitch feeds back the information that the push rod is located at the second position to the household appliance.

[0013] Furthermore, the transmission device includes a reducer and a clutch; the push rod is connected to the motor through the clutch and the reducer in sequence.

[0014] Furthermore, the push rod has a rack structure; the reducer includes a first reduction gear, a second reduction gear and a third reduction gear; the clutch includes a first clutch gear, a clutch compression spring and a second clutch gear; the first reduction gear is meshed with the motor output shaft, the first reduction gear is meshed with the second reduction gear, the second reduction gear is meshed with the third reduction gear, the third reduction gear is meshed with the first clutch gear, the second clutch gear is meshed with the rack structure, the clutch compression spring is installed in the first clutch gear, the first clutch gear has a boss structure, the second clutch gear has a recessed structure, and the clutch compression spring presses the boss structure into the recessed structure.

[0015] Furthermore, the actuator with automatic door opening and closing function also includes a worm, and the worm is meshed with the motor output shaft and the first reduction gear at the same time.

[0016] The present invention discloses an actuator with an automatic door opening and closing function. The actuator is independent of the door lock of a household appliance and can be used in household appliances with different door locks or without door locks, such as dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, induction cookers, etc. Under the control of the software system of the household appliance itself, the door of the household appliance can be automatically opened and closed, which improves the user experience and prevents the user from failing to close the door or damaging the household appliance due to misoperation. The automatic door opening and closing function can prevent insects, dust, etc. from entering and keep the interior of the household appliance clean. The clutch structure of the actuator of the present invention can automatically slip when encountering obstacles during the door opening process, which can prevent the actuator from being damaged by abnormally large torque. The actuator of the present invention has an anti-pinch function. When the door encounters obstacles during the door closing process, the actuator can be automatically disengaged from the actuator to protect the user's safety; the actuator of the present invention also has a child lock function. When the door of the household appliance is just closed, an additional locking force can be applied to the door to prevent children from opening the door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the actuator of the present invention installed on a household appliance;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the actuator in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 An exploded diagram of the actuator in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a push rod in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 The door hook installation structure in the first embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0022] Figure 6 The door hook installation structure in the first embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a diagram of the spring installation structure in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a diagram of the installation structure of the compression spring in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 9 This is a structural diagram of a door buckle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Fig.10 is a state diagram of the actuator when the door of the household appliance is closed in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Fig.11 This is a cross-sectional view of the automatic door opening position of the actuator in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig.12 It is a cross-sectional view of the first stage position of the automatic door closing of the actuator in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig.13 It is a cross-sectional view of the second stage position of the automatic door closing of the actuator in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig.14 It is a cross-sectional view of the position of the actuator in the first embodiment of the present invention when the child lock function is realized in the third stage of automatic door closing;

[0031] Fig.15 It is a cross-sectional view of the door hook disengaged position in the third stage of automatic door closing of the actuator in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Fig.16 This is a structural diagram of the actuator in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Fig.17 This is a buckle structure diagram in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Fig.18 This is a structural diagram of a plug in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Fig.19 This is a cross-sectional view of the plug and buckle assembly in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] In the figure: 1-housing, 21-PCB board, 211-first micro switch, 212-second micro switch, 22-motor, 23-worm, 3-first reduction gear, 4-second reduction gear, 5-third reduction gear, 6-clutch, 61-first clutch gear, 611-boss structure, 62-clutch compression spring, 63-second clutch gear, 631-recessed structure, 7-swing arm compression spring, 8-first swing arm, 9-second swing arm, 10-push rod, 101-first push rod rib position, 10 2-second push rod rib position, 103-push rod mouth, 104-rack structure, 11-door hook, 111-locking protrusion, 12-torsion spring, 012-spring leaf, 112-compression spring, 13-first mounting axis, 131-second mounting axis, 14-gear mounting axis, 15-upper cover, 16-door buckle, 161-door buckle boss, 17-locking surface, 010-push rod in Example 2, 19-plug mounting axis, 20-plug, 201-plug head, 24-clip, 241-second spring leaf, 242-clip opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] In conjunction with the accompanying drawings, an actuator with an automatic door opening and closing function proposed by the present invention is described in detail below. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "left side", "right side", "upper part", "lower part", "bottom" and the like indicate the orientation or position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. "First", "second" and the like do not indicate the importance of the components, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention. The specific dimensions and values ​​used in this embodiment are only for illustrating the technical solution, and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. The following embodiments all take the use of the safety door lock of the present invention for a dishwasher as an example, but it should be noted that the safety door lock of the present invention is not limited to dishwashers.

[0038] Embodiment 1

[0039] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, an actuator with automatic door opening and closing function includes a housing 1 and an upper cover 15, in which a motor 22, a transmission structure, a push rod 10, a connector and a door catch 16 are installed. The motor 22 drives the push rod 10 to move through the transmission structure. The connector is installed at one end of the push rod 10; after the connector is inserted into the door catch 16, when the connector is in the third position, the door catch 16 prevents the connector from moving. Figure 1 Shown, door catch 16 is installed on the household appliance door, and other parts are installed on the household appliance body. Of course, door catch 16 is installed on the household appliance body, and other parts are installed on the household appliance door.

[0040] Preferably, Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the connector includes a door hook 11, a first mounting shaft 13, a second mounting shaft 131 and a torsion spring 12. The door hook 11 is mounted to one end of the push rod 10 through the first mounting shaft 13 and the second mounting shaft 131. The torsion spring 12 is mounted on the first mounting shaft 13. The two arms of the torsion spring 12 are respectively inserted into the door hook 11 and the push rod mouth 103. An elliptical groove is provided on the door hook 11, and the second mounting shaft 131 is installed on the push rod 10 through the elliptical groove. Of course, it is also possible to have only one mounting shaft, and the rotation of the door hook 11 can be limited by increasing the friction between the door hook 11 and the push rod 10. The torsion spring can also be equivalently replaced by an elastic component such as a leaf spring or a compression spring. Figure 7 As shown, one end of the reed 012 is installed in the groove of the push rod, and the other end of the reed 012 is pressed on the door hook. Figure 8 As shown, the compression spring 112 is located between the push rod and the door hook. The compression spring 112 can be fixed on the door hook or the push rod. The example in the figure shows that the compression spring 112 is fixed in the door hook. Fig. 9 As shown, the door catch 16 has a cavity and an opening, and a door catch boss 161 is arranged in the cavity or on the edge thereof for cooperating with the door hook 11. In this embodiment, both sides of the door catch boss 161 are inclined surfaces, and the angles between the door catch boss 161 and the bottom surface of the door catch 16 are obtuse angles. When the door hook 11 is buckled with the door catch boss 161, the connector is located at the third position.

[0041] The actuator with automatic door opening and closing function of the present invention further includes a locking surface 17, which is preferably installed on the housing near the edge and has a certain length. When the door hook 11 is below the locking surface 17 (that is, the door hook 11 is in the fourth position), the locking surface 17 prevents the door hook 11 from rotating. Preferably, a raised locking protrusion 111 is provided on the upper surface of the door hook 11, and when the door hook 11 is below the locking surface 17, the locking protrusion 111 contacts the locking surface 17 to achieve a more precise locking effect.

[0042] Preferably, the transmission device includes a reducer and a clutch 6. The push rod 10 is connected to the motor 22 through the clutch 6 and the reducer in sequence. Figure 4As shown, the push rod 10 has a rack structure 104. The reducer includes a first reduction gear 3, a second reduction gear 4 and a third reduction gear 5. The reduction gears are all fixed by a gear mounting shaft 14. The clutch 6 includes a first clutch gear 61, a clutch compression spring 62 and a second clutch gear 63. The first reduction gear 3 is meshed with the motor output shaft, the first reduction gear 3 is meshed with the second reduction gear 4, the second reduction gear 4 is meshed with the third reduction gear 5, the third reduction gear 5 is meshed with the first clutch gear 61, and the second clutch gear 62 is meshed with the rack structure 104. The clutch compression spring 62 is installed in the first clutch gear 61, the first clutch gear 61 has a boss structure 611, the second clutch gear 63 has a recessed structure 631, and the clutch compression spring 62 presses the boss structure 611 into the recessed structure 631.

[0043] In order to save space, the actuator further includes a worm 23 , which is meshed with the motor output shaft and the first reduction gear 3 at the same time.

[0044] Preferably, the actuator with automatic door opening and closing function of this embodiment also includes a position measuring device, which is used to measure the position of the push rod. There are multiple measuring methods in the prior art. This embodiment uses two position sensors. The first position sensor is a first micro switch 211, and the second position sensor is a second micro switch 212. The first micro switch 211 and the second micro switch 212 are both welded on the PCB board 21, and the PCB board 21 is installed on the housing 1. The first micro switch 211 includes a first swing arm 8, and the second micro switch 212 includes a second swing arm 9. The swing arm compression spring 7 limits the swing arm 8 and the swing arm 9 from swinging freely. The push rod 10 is provided with a first push rod rib position 101 and a second push rod rib position 102. When the push rod 10 is in the initial position (first position), the first push rod rib position 101 touches the first swing arm 8, and the first swing arm 8 swings, thereby triggering the first micro switch 211, and the first micro switch 211 feeds back the information that the push rod 10 is in the initial position to the household appliance. When the push rod 10 is at the maximum position of the push rod, the second push rod rib 102 touches the second swing arm 9, and the second swing arm 9 swings, thereby triggering the second micro switch 212. The second micro switch 212 feeds back the information that the push rod 10 is at the maximum position (second position) of the push rod to the household appliance. The micro switch is preferred in this embodiment. There are many different position sensors used in the industry, which can be used as substitutes for the position sensor in this embodiment.

[0045] In the absence of a position measurement device, automatic door opening and closing can be achieved by setting the movement time, etc., and it is not necessary to feedback the push rod position. The push rod position can also be determined by measuring the motor current. For example, when the push rod reaches the initial position or the maximum position of the push rod, the motor is powered on and the current will increase rapidly in an instant.

[0046] The working process of the actuator in this embodiment is described below:

[0047] Automatic door opening process:

[0048] like Fig.10 As shown, when the household appliance door is closed, the door hook 11 and the door catch 16 are disengaged. Fig.11 As shown, the door hook 11 enters the door catch 16 under the push of the push rod 10 and pushes against the door catch 16. The push force will be greater than the door opening force, thereby pushing the door of the household appliance open. Finally, the push rod 10 reaches the maximum push position, the second push rod rib 102 touches the second swing arm 9, and the second micro switch 212 feeds back the position of the push rod 10 to the household appliance control system, and the automatic door opening process ends.

[0049] Generally, the door hook pushes the door open and maintains the maximum position for a while, then automatically closes the door and the door hook returns to the initial position. If the door hook needs to be disengaged from the door catch during the door opening process, the push rod needs to bring the door hook back to its original position, and a relative position detection element for the door hook and door catch needs to be added to the existing structure.

[0050] Automatic door closing process:

[0051] like Figures 12 to 15 As shown, in the first stage: after the door is opened automatically, the main body of the household appliance is separated from the door lock coupling position, and the main body is at a certain distance from the door. The motor 22 drives the push rod 10 to move, pulling the door toward the main body of the household appliance. In this stage, the door hook 11 is buckled on the boss 161 by the torsion spring 12, and the locking surface 17 does not restrict the rotation of the door hook 11. Since the buckling force of the door hook 11 is relatively small, which is smaller than the closing force of the household appliance door, if it encounters an obstacle (such as the user's hand), the door hook 11 can swing and escape from the door hook 12 to achieve the anti-pinch function.

[0052] The second stage: when the door hook 11 pulls the door to the position where the door lock resistance needs to be overcome, the locking protrusion 111 reaches the bottom of the locking surface 17 of the housing, and the door hook 11 will not be able to swing upwards, and then it will not be able to escape from the door buckle 12. The buckling force will be greater than the closing force of the door (the closing force of the door generally includes the resistance of the door itself and the resistance of the door lock), and the door will continue to be pulled toward the main body of the household appliance. During normal operation, since the boss structure 611 is limited by the recessed structure 631, the first clutch gear 61 will rotate synchronously with the second clutch 63. At this stage, when the door encounters an obstacle or the user pushes or pulls the door with excessive force, due to the limitation of the locking surface 17, the door hook 11 cannot swing, and the boss structure 611 will slide out of the recessed part 631, so that the first clutch gear 61 is idle, but the second clutch gear 62 is not moving. The sliding action, thereby preventing the abnormally large torque from continuing to be transmitted to the motor 22 and causing damage to the gear and the motor 22. If the power to the household appliance goes out after the door is opened, this clutch design also allows the door to be closed manually without causing damage to the motor.

[0053] Clutch reset process: There are 4 boss structures and multiple recessed structures evenly distributed on the clutch. When under the action of large torque, the boss structure will disengage from the existing matching recessed structure; when the large torque is cancelled, if the boss has not entered the recessed structure, the motor can be started again and the clutch boss can be driven into the next recessed structure through the transmission mechanism, thus achieving reset.

[0054] The third stage: when the door is just closed, the locking protrusion 111 is still in the locked position. If the motor 22 stops, the locking force of the door hook 11 plus the locking force of the door lock can prevent children from opening the door, thus realizing the child lock function. If the motor 22 continues to rotate, the locking protrusion 111 is separated from the bottom of the locking surface 17 under the pulling force of the push rod 10, and the door hook 11 can swing and escape from the door buckle 12. The motor 22 reverses, the door hook 11 returns to the initial position, the push rod 10 also returns to the initial position, the first push rod rib 101 touches the first swing arm 8, and the first micro switch 211 feeds back the position of the push rod 10 to the household appliance control system, and the automatic door closing action ends.

[0055] Embodiment 2

[0056] In the first embodiment, the connector and the door catch are described in detail. The door catch can restrict and release the connector in different situations, and there are many structural options for the door catch and the connector. This embodiment gives another example, but the structure of the door catch and the connector is not limited to the examples given in the first and second embodiments.

[0057] like Fig.16 and 19 As shown, the connector includes a plug 20 and a plug mounting shaft 19. Fig.17 As shown, the door buckle includes a buckle 24 and a second spring 241. The plug 20 is installed to one end of the push rod 010 through the plug installation shaft 19, and the plug 20 can swing at a small angle. Fig.18 As shown, a second spring 241 is installed on the buckle 24, and the second spring 241 clamps the buckle mouth structure 242. The actuator in this embodiment does not require the locking surface in the first embodiment.

[0058] When opening the door, the head structure 201 of the plug 20 is inserted into the buckle 24 under the thrust of the push rod 010, thereby pushing the door open; when closing the door, under the action of the second spring 241, the buckle mouth structure 242 clamps the plug head 201 (preventing the plug from escaping from the buckle), and then the door is pulled toward the main body of the household appliance under the pulling force of the push rod 010, and the door is closed.

[0059] Based on the description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be clear that the present invention defined by the attached claims is not limited to the specific details set forth in the above description, and many obvious changes to the present invention that do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention may also achieve the purpose of the present invention.

Claims

1. An actuator with automatic door opening and closing function, characterized in that: It includes a motor, a transmission structure, a push rod, a connector and a door catch, wherein the motor drives the push rod to move through the transmission structure; the connector is installed at one end of the push rod; after the connector is inserted into the door catch, when the connector is in the third position, the door catch hinders the movement of the connector; the connector includes a door hook, a door hook mounting shaft and an elastic element; the door hook is installed to one end of the push rod through the door hook mounting shaft; the elastic element is installed between the door hook and the push rod; the door catch has a cavity, and a door catch boss for cooperating with the door hook is arranged in the cavity or on the edge; the actuator with the automatic door opening and closing function also includes a locking surface. When the door hook is in the fourth position, the locking surface prevents the door hook from rotating; the mounting shaft includes a first mounting shaft and a second mounting shaft; the elastic element is selected from a torsion spring, a leaf spring or a compression spring; when a torsion spring is selected, the torsion spring is installed on the first mounting shaft, and two arms of the torsion spring are respectively inserted into the door hook and the push rod; when a leaf spring is selected, one end of the leaf spring is installed in the groove of the push rod, and the other end of the leaf spring is pressed on the door hook; when a compression spring is selected, the compression spring is located between the push rod and the door hook, and the compression spring is fixed on the door hook or the push rod; an elliptical groove is provided on the door hook, and the second mounting shaft passes through the elliptical groove and is installed on the push rod; A raised locking protrusion is provided on the upper surface of the door hook, and when the door hook is located at the fourth position, the locking protrusion contacts the locking surface.

2. The actuator with automatic door opening and closing function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuator with automatic door opening and closing function also includes a position measuring device, which is used to measure the position of the push rod.

3. The actuator with automatic door opening and closing function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The position measuring device includes a first microswitch and a second microswitch; the first microswitch includes a first swing arm, and the second microswitch includes a second swing arm; the push rod is provided with a first push rod rib position and a second push rod rib position; when the push rod is located at the first position, the first push rod rib position touches the first swing arm, thereby triggering the first microswitch, and the first microswitch feeds back the information that the push rod is located at the first position to the household appliance; when the push rod is located at the second position, the second push rod rib position touches the second swing arm, thereby triggering the second microswitch, and the second microswitch feeds back the information that the push rod is located at the second position to the household appliance.

4. The actuator with automatic door opening and closing function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The transmission structure comprises a reducer and a clutch; the push rod is connected to the motor through the clutch and the reducer in sequence.

5. The actuator with automatic door opening and closing function according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The push rod is provided with a rack structure; the reducer comprises a first reduction gear, a second reduction gear and a third reduction gear; the clutch comprises a first clutch gear, a clutch compression spring and a second clutch gear; the first reduction gear is meshed with the motor output shaft, the first reduction gear is meshed with the second reduction gear, the second reduction gear is meshed with the third reduction gear, the third reduction gear is meshed with the first clutch gear, the second clutch gear is meshed with the rack structure, the clutch compression spring is installed in the first clutch gear, the first clutch gear has a boss structure, the second clutch gear has a recessed structure, and the clutch compression spring presses the boss structure into the recessed structure.

6. The actuator with automatic door opening and closing function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The actuator with automatic door opening and closing function also includes a worm, which is meshed with the motor output shaft and the first reduction gear at the same time.

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