Lockset and dishwasher

Abstract

This invention provides a lock and a dishwasher, belonging to the technical field of kitchen equipment. The lock includes a lock housing base, a lock tongue, a spring, and a compression spring. The lock housing base surrounds a semi-enclosed mounting cavity. The top wall of the mounting cavity has a threaded hole, and both ends of the side wall of the mounting cavity have axially extending strip-shaped guide holes. One end of the side wall of the lock tongue is provided with an elastic latch corresponding to the strip-shaped guide hole. The elastic latch is axially movable and positioned in the strip-shaped guide hole to limit the lock tongue. One end of the spring abuts against the lock tongue, and one end of the compression spring abuts against the other end of the spring. The other end of the compression spring is provided with a first threaded post, which is adjustablely connected to the threaded hole to adjust the pressure on the spring, thereby adjusting the opening and closing force of the door.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of kitchen equipment technology, and in particular to a lock and a dishwasher. Background Technology

[0002] As people pursue a higher quality of life, high-end smart home appliances are undoubtedly a good choice. A high-end dishwasher brings people a whole new kind of enjoyment in life, so its user experience is particularly important and directly affects people's pursuit of a high-quality life.

[0003] The dishwashers currently on the market vary in their door opening force settings, depending on the brand and manufacturer. As a user, the feeling of the door opening force directly affects the user experience.

[0004] Therefore, it is particularly important to propose a dishwasher door lock with adjustable opening and closing force that can meet the needs of different users. This is one of the technical problems that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a lock that has the advantage of adjusting the force required to open and close a door.

[0006] Another objective of this invention is to provide a dishwasher.

[0007] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the following technical solution is adopted:

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a lock is provided, comprising a lock housing base, a lock tongue, a spring, and a compression spring. The lock housing base surrounds a semi-enclosed mounting cavity. A threaded hole is provided on the top wall of the mounting cavity. Both ends of the side wall of the mounting cavity are provided with axially extending strip-shaped guide holes. One end of the side wall of the lock tongue is provided with an elastic latch corresponding to the strip-shaped guide hole. The elastic latch is axially movable and disposed in the strip-shaped guide hole to limit the lock tongue. One end of the spring abuts against the lock tongue. One end of the compression spring abuts against the other end of the spring. The other end of the compression spring is provided with a first threaded post. The first threaded post is adjustablely connected to the threaded hole to adjust the pressure on the spring.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, one end of the compression spring is provided with a semi-enclosed guide tube that is fixedly connected to the first threaded post, and the other end of the spring extends into the guide tube and abuts against the top wall of the guide tube.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the free end of the first threaded post has a groove for engaging with a screwdriver to rotate and adjust the first threaded post.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes a semi-enclosed fine-tuning nut. The upper end wall of the fine-tuning nut has a first through hole for engaging with a wrench. The annular wall of the fine-tuning nut is provided with an internal thread. A second threaded post is provided inside the locking tongue. The fine-tuning nut is installed on the second threaded post through the internal thread. One end of the spring abuts against the fine-tuning nut. The first threaded post and the semi-enclosed guide tube are each provided with a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole, so that the wrench can be inserted into the first through hole.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lower end of the fine-tuning nut is provided with a first annular outward flange, the spring is sleeved on the outside of the fine-tuning nut, and one end of the spring abuts against the first annular outward flange.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second threaded post has a hollow structure so that a angular wrench can be inserted into the first through hole.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a gasket cap is further included, which is disposed between the spring and the compression spring member, and the compression spring member abuts against the spring through the gasket cap.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the compression spring is a screw.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gasket cap is a semi-closed cylindrical structure, the upper end of the gasket cap is provided with a second annular outward flange, the spring is provided outside the gasket cap, and the other end of the spring abuts against the second annular outward flange.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a dishwasher is provided, including a housing, a door movably mounted on the housing, and the aforementioned lock, wherein the lock is mounted on the housing, and the door has a slot corresponding to the latch; when the door is closed, the door drives the latch to move axially; when the door is closed in place, the free end of the latch is located in the slot.

[0018] One embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0019] The lock of this invention includes a lock housing base, a bolt, a spring, and a compression spring. The lock housing base surrounds a semi-enclosed mounting cavity. A threaded hole is formed in the top wall of the mounting cavity, and axially extending strip-shaped guide holes are formed at both ends of the side walls of the mounting cavity. An elastic latch is provided at one end of the side wall of the bolt, corresponding to the strip-shaped guide hole. The elastic latch is axially movable within the strip-shaped guide hole to limit the bolt's position. One end of the spring abuts against the bolt, and one end of the compression spring abuts against the other end of the spring. The other end of the compression spring is provided with a first threaded post, which is adjustablely connected to the threaded hole to adjust the pressure on the spring. When the force applied to open and close the door is too small, resulting in insufficient engagement force between the bolt and the door, the compression spring can be rotated using an Allen wrench or screwdriver to move it towards the spring, thereby increasing the spring's pressure on the bolt until the required opening and closing force is achieved. When excessive force is applied when opening or closing the door, i.e., the latch is too tightly engaged with the door, use an Allen wrench or screwdriver to rotate the pressure spring in the opposite direction, causing the pressure spring to move away from the spring, thereby reducing the pressure of the spring on the latch until the required opening and closing force is achieved. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a lock according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a lock according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a lock housing base according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a side view schematic diagram of the latch of a lock according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the latch of a lock according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Figure 6 This is another exploded schematic diagram of a lock according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 7 This is another cross-sectional schematic diagram of a lock according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a gasket cap for a lock according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0029] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0030] 1. Lock housing base; 11. Mounting cavity; 12. Threaded hole; 13. Strip guide hole; 2. Lock tongue; 21. Elastic chuck; 22. Second threaded post; 3. Spring; 4. Compression spring; 41. First threaded post; 411. Groove; 42. Guide tube; 5. Fine-tuning nut; 51. First through hole; 52. First annular outward flange; 6. Washer cap; 61. Second annular outward flange; Detailed Implementation

[0031] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and the concept of the exemplary embodiments will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore their detailed description will be omitted.

[0032] The terms “a,” “one,” “the,” and “the” are used to indicate the existence of one or more elements / components / etc.; the terms “including” and “having” are used to indicate an open-ended meaning of inclusion and that other elements / components / etc. may exist in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a breakdown diagram of a lock. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a lock. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the lock housing base of a lock. Figure 4 This is a side view of the latch of a lock. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the bolt of a lock. Figure 6 This is another breakdown diagram of a lock; Figure 7 This is another cross-sectional view of a lock; Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a washer cap for a lock.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the relevant figures, a lock according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lock housing base 1, a lock tongue 2, a spring 3, and a compression spring 4.

[0035] The lock base 1 is surrounded by a semi-enclosed mounting cavity 11. The top wall of the mounting cavity 11 is provided with a threaded hole 12, and both ends of the side wall of the mounting cavity 11 are provided with axially extending strip-shaped guide holes 13.

[0036] One end of the side wall of the locking tongue 2 is provided with an elastic locking head 21 corresponding to the strip guide hole 13. The elastic locking head 21 is axially movable in the strip guide hole 13 to limit the locking tongue 2.

[0037] One end of spring 3 abuts against the locking tongue 2.

[0038] One end of the compression spring 4 abuts against the other end of the spring 3. The other end of the compression spring 4 is provided with a first threaded post 41. The first threaded post 41 is adjustablely connected to the threaded hole 12 to adjust the pressure on the spring 3.

[0039] When the force applied to open and close the door is too small, that is, when there is a defect that the locking tongue 2 and the door body have insufficient engagement force, use an Allen wrench or screwdriver to rotate the pressure spring 4, so that the pressure spring 4 moves towards the spring 3, thereby increasing the pressure of the spring 3 on the locking tongue 2, until the required opening and closing force is adjusted.

[0040] When the force applied when opening or closing the door is too great, that is, when the latch 2 is too tightly engaged with the door body, use an Allen wrench or screwdriver to rotate the pressure spring 4 in the opposite direction, so that the pressure spring 4 moves away from the spring 3, thereby reducing the pressure of the spring 3 on the latch 2, until the required opening and closing force is adjusted.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the relevant figures, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one end of the compression spring 4 is provided with a semi-enclosed guide tube 42 that is fixedly connected to the first threaded post 41, and the other end of the spring 3 extends into the guide tube 42 and abuts against the top wall of the guide tube 42, thereby ensuring that the spring 3 applies linear pressure to the locking tongue 2 and avoids displacement and jamming of the locking tongue 2.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the relevant figures, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the free end of the first threaded post 41 is provided with a groove 411 for engaging with a screwdriver or a wrench, so as to facilitate the adjustment of the rotation of the first threaded post 41.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the relevant figures, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a semi-enclosed fine-tuning nut 5 is further included. The upper end wall of the fine-tuning nut 5 is provided with a first through hole 51 for engaging with a wrench. The annular wall of the fine-tuning nut 5 is provided with an internal thread. A second threaded post 22 is provided in the locking tongue 2. The fine-tuning nut 5 is installed on the second threaded post 22 through the internal thread. One end of the spring 3 abuts against the fine-tuning nut 5. The first threaded post 41 and the semi-enclosed guide tube 42 are both provided with second through holes corresponding to the first through hole 51, so that the wrench or screwdriver can be inserted into the first through hole 51.

[0044] When it is necessary to adjust the opening and closing force of the door, it can be adjusted by rotating the spring 4 or by rotating the fine-tuning nut 5. When it is necessary to rotate the fine-tuning nut 5, use an Allen wrench or screwdriver to insert into the first through hole 51 to rotate the fine-tuning nut 5, so that the fine-tuning nut 5 is axially displaced relative to the spring 4. When the distance between the fine-tuning nut 5 and the spring 4 decreases, the spring 3 is compressed, and the pressure of the spring 3 on the latch 2 increases; when the distance between the fine-tuning nut 5 and the spring 4 increases, the pressure of the spring 3 on the latch 2 decreases.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the relevant figures, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower end of the fine-adjusting nut 5 is provided with a first annular outer flange 52, and the spring 3 is sleeved on the outside of the fine-adjusting nut 5 so that the spring 3 applies linear pressure to the locking tongue 2, and one end of the spring 3 abuts against the first annular outer flange 52.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second threaded post 22 is a hollow structure, so that the angular wrench can be inserted into the first through hole 51. This allows the screwdriver or angular wrench to be inserted not only from the direction of the spring member 4, but also from the direction of the locking tongue 2 to rotate the fine-tuning nut 5, thereby achieving a flexible adjustment method.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the relevant figures, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a washer cap 6 is further included. The washer cap 6 is disposed between the spring 3 and the compression spring 4, and the compression spring 4 abuts against the spring 3 through the washer cap 6. For example, the compression spring 4 is a screw, which passes through the threaded hole 12 and abuts against the washer cap 6.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the relevant figures, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gasket cap 6 is a semi-closed cylindrical structure, the upper end of the gasket cap 6 is provided with a second annular outward flange 61, the spring 3 is sleeved on the outside of the gasket cap 6 to guide the force of the spring 3, and the other end of the spring 3 abuts against the second annular outward flange 61.

[0049] This invention also provides a dishwasher, including a housing, a door movably mounted on the housing, and the aforementioned lock. The lock is mounted on the housing, and the door has a slot corresponding to the latch 2. When the door is closed, the door drives the latch 2 to move axially, compressing the spring 3. After the door is closed, the spring 3 pushes the free end of the latch 2 into the slot. This dishwasher, by including the aforementioned lock, achieves adjustable door opening and closing force, thereby improving the user experience.

[0050] The lock of this invention is compatible with different models of dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, cabinets and other products including doors, including floor-standing, wall-mounted, and countertop models, and can be adapted to door handles in different positions, with the opening force experience adjustable to be consistent.

[0051] This solution is a significant improvement over existing solutions. It has a compact structure and only requires structural improvements and additional parts to the door lock module, which allows for easy adjustment of the door opening force.

[0052] This invention provides different embodiments that can be implemented at different nodes or workstations in the assembly of the whole machine, such as the pre-installation stage of the door lock module, or adjustments can be made when installing the door lock module, which can be easily adapted to existing assembly processes.

[0053] This solution does indeed allow for easy adjustment of the door opening force, enabling quick operation on the production line. Online maintenance requires no replacement of parts or disassembly, thus improving production efficiency.

[0054] During user operation, the door opening force may change abnormally. This solution also allows users to easily adjust the door opening force.

[0055] In this embodiment of the invention, the term "multiple" refers to two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined. The terms "install," "connect," and "fix" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connect" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment of the invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0056] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper" and "lower" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or unit referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] In the description of this specification, the terms "an embodiment," "a preferred embodiment," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0058] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the embodiments of the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the embodiments of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lock, characterized in that, include: Lock base (1), the lock base (1) is surrounded by a semi-closed mounting cavity (11), the top wall of the mounting cavity (11) is provided with a threaded hole (12), and both ends of the side wall of the mounting cavity (11) are provided with axially extending strip-shaped guide holes (13). The latch (2) has an elastic locking head (21) at one end of its sidewall corresponding to the strip guide hole (13). The elastic locking head (21) is axially movable in the strip guide hole (13) to limit the latch (2). Spring (3), one end of which abuts against the latch (2), and A compression spring (4) is provided at one end, which abuts against the other end of the spring (3). The other end of the compression spring (4) is provided with a first threaded post (41). The first threaded post (41) is adjustablely connected to the threaded hole (12) to adjust the pressure on the spring (3). One end of the compression spring (4) is provided with a semi-closed guide tube (42) fixedly connected to the first threaded post (41), and the other end of the spring (3) extends into the guide tube (42) and abuts against the top wall of the guide tube (42). The free end of the first threaded post (41) is provided with a groove (411) for engaging with a screwdriver, so as to rotate and adjust the first threaded post (41). It also includes a semi-closed fine-tuning nut (5), the upper end wall of which is provided with a first through hole (51) for engaging with a wrench. The annular wall of the fine-tuning nut (5) is provided with an internal thread. The locking tongue (2) is provided with a second threaded post (22). The fine-tuning nut (5) is installed on the second threaded post (22) through the internal thread. One end of the spring (3) abuts against the fine-tuning nut (5). The first threaded post (41) and the semi-closed guide tube (42) are both provided with a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole (51) so that the wrench can be inserted into the first through hole (51).

2. The lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end of the fine-tuning nut (5) is provided with a first annular outer flange (52), the spring (3) is sleeved on the outside of the fine-tuning nut (5), and one end of the spring (3) abuts against the first annular outer flange (52).

3. The lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second threaded post (22) has a hollow structure so that the angular wrench can be inserted into the first through hole (51).

4. The lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a gasket cap (6), which is disposed between the spring (3) and the compression spring (4), and the compression spring (4) abuts against the spring (3) through the gasket cap (6).

5. The lock according to claim 4, characterized in that, The compression spring (4) is a screw.

6. The lock according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gasket cap (6) is a semi-closed cylindrical structure. The upper end of the gasket cap (6) is provided with a second annular outward flange (61). The spring (3) is sleeved on the outside of the gasket cap (6), and the other end of the spring (3) abuts against the second annular outward flange (61).

7. A dishwasher, characterized in that, The device includes a housing, a door movably mounted on the housing, and a lock as described in any one of claims 1-6. The lock is mounted on the housing, and the door has a slot corresponding to the latch (2). When the door is closed, the door drives the latch (2) to move axially. When the door is closed, the free end of the latch (2) is located in the slot.

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