A door lock for a home appliance and a washing machine having the same

Abstract

This invention discloses a door lock for household appliances and a washing machine incorporating the door lock. The door lock includes a lock body and a limiting slider. The lock body includes a side panel with a sliding groove. The sliding groove contains a clearance groove and a boss, and is used to accommodate the limiting slider's sliding within it. This invention reduces the difficulty of door lock installation and disassembly, minimizes deformation to the door panel during installation, and ensures high stability of the connection between the door lock and the door panel after installation. It is suitable for household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of home appliance door lock technology, specifically a door lock for home appliances and a washing machine having the door lock. Background Technology

[0002] Door locks are essential security components for home appliances such as washing machines. They are typically installed on the door panel of these appliances using screws. Screw installation requires drilling holes in the door panel and then screwing in the screws, which is inconvenient due to limited space. Furthermore, because washing machines and other appliances frequently vibrate or shake during operation, the screws can easily loosen, rendering the door lock unusable.

[0003] In recent years, methods such as snap-fit ​​installation have emerged to mount door locks onto the door panels of household appliances. A snap-fit ​​mechanism is installed on the lock, and a lock groove is provided on the door panel. One end of the snap-fit ​​is inserted into the lock groove and slid forward until the tail end passes over the edge of the groove. Then, the lock is pulled back, and the snap-fit ​​locks against the edge of the lock groove, thus securing and installing the lock. However, snap-fit ​​installation methods still have problems such as difficulty in installation or removal, and excessive deformation of the door panel when installing locks on household appliances. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a door lock for household appliances and a washing machine having the door lock. The door lock for household appliances has a simple installation structure, is easy to install and disassemble, and has minimal door panel deformation.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A door lock for household appliances includes a door lock body and a limiting slider. The door lock body includes a door lock side, and the door lock side is provided with a sliding groove. The sliding groove is provided with a relief groove and a boss. The sliding groove is used to accommodate the limiting slider to slide therein.

[0007] Furthermore, the surface adjacent to the relief groove on the boss is an inclined surface or a curved surface. Setting the adjacent surface as an inclined surface or a curved surface reduces the resistance of the limiting slider sliding from the relief groove onto the boss.

[0008] Furthermore, the top surface of the boss is an inclined surface, with the end of the top surface away from the clearance groove being lower than the end of the top surface near the clearance groove. The limiting slider is located on the inclined surface, resulting in a more stable positional relationship with the boss and reducing the possibility of the limiting slider moving during non-operational situations.

[0009] Furthermore, there are two bosses and two limiting sliders, the clearance groove is located in the middle of the groove, and the two bosses are located on both sides.

[0010] Furthermore, there are two clearance grooves, which are paired with the boss and distributed on both sides of the slide groove.

[0011] Furthermore, the door lock also includes a traction bar, one end of which is connected to the limiting slider, and the traction bar is used to pull the limiting slider to slide within the groove.

[0012] Furthermore, the other end of the traction bar is fixed to the door lock body.

[0013] Another improvement is that the other end of the traction bar is hinged to the door lock body.

[0014] Furthermore, the traction bar also includes a reset bar, one end of which is connected to the middle section of the traction bar, and the other end is connected to or abuts against the door lock body. The reset bar has a certain degree of elasticity, allowing the traction bar to return to its original position.

[0015] Furthermore, the side of the door lock also includes a guide groove, and the portion of the traction bar near the limiting slider is slidably connected to the guide groove.

[0016] Another improvement is that the door lock also includes a traction bar, one end of which is a reset end and the other end is a fixed end. The fixed end is fixedly connected to the door lock body, and the limiting slider is connected between the fixed end and the reset end.

[0017] Another improvement is that the door lock also includes a traction bar, which includes a fixed end, a first traction edge and a second traction edge. One end of the first traction edge and the second traction edge are respectively connected to a limiting slider, and the other end of the first traction edge and the second traction edge are both connected to the fixed end. The fixed end is fixed to the door lock body.

[0018] Another improvement is that the door lock also includes a traction bar, the traction bar having a T-shaped side and including a fixed end, a traction edge, and a pressing bar; the fixed end is located at one end of the traction bar and is fixed to the door lock body; one end of the pressing bar is connected to the traction bar, and the other end is a free end.

[0019] In another improvement, the door lock further includes a traction bar, the limiting slider is connected to the traction bar, and an elastic component is installed between one end of the traction bar and the door lock body, the elastic component being used to reset the traction bar.

[0020] A washing machine with the above-mentioned door lock includes a door panel, wherein an installation opening is provided on the door panel, and the door lock is installed on the door panel through the installation opening.

[0021] This invention discloses a door lock for household appliances and a washing machine incorporating the lock. The lock features a clearance groove, a boss, and a limiting slider. The limiting slider can slide back and forth between the clearance groove and the boss. When the limiting slider is in the clearance groove, the edge thickness is reduced, facilitating lock installation. After the lock is installed, the limiting slider is on the boss, and the combined thickness of the limiting slider and the boss results in a tighter fit between the lock and the door panel, enhancing the stability of the connection. This door lock for household appliances reduces the difficulty of installation and disassembly, minimizes deformation to the door panel during installation, and provides high stability in the connection between the lock and the door panel after installation. It is suitable for household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the door lock according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a front view of the door lock according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a right view of the door lock according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the door lock according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a side view of the door lock in its initial position as shown by the limiting slider in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A sectional view of the BB section;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a side view of the door lock during the sliding process of the limiting slider in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A sectional view of the CC section;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a side view of the door lock when the limiting slider is located in the clearance groove in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A sectional view of the DD section.

[0032] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the door lock being installed on the door panel in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the door panel in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A sectional view of the EE section;

[0035] Figure 14 This is a front view of the door lock according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 15 This is a front view of the door lock according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 17 yes Figure 16 A partial view;

[0038] Figure 18 yes Figure 17 A cross-sectional view of the HH section;

[0039] Figure 19 This is a front view of the door lock according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 20 This is a side view of the door lock according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 21 yes Figure 20 A partial view;

[0042] Figure 22 yes Figure 21 A sectional view of the LL section plane;

[0043] Figure 23 This is a front view of the door lock according to Embodiment Six of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provides an example of a door lock for household appliances and a washing machine incorporating the same door lock. In this description, it should be understood that terms such as "left side," "right side," "upper part," "lower part," and "bottom," indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are used only for ease of description and simplification. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate the importance of components and therefore should not be construed as limitations on the invention. The specific dimensions and values ​​used in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the scope of protection of the invention. The following embodiments use the door lock of this invention in a washing machine as an example; however, it should be noted that the door lock of this invention is not limited to washing machines. Example

[0045] This embodiment uses a door lock applied to a washing machine as an example to illustrate a technical solution for a door lock used in household appliances according to the present invention. Figures 1 to 3As shown, a door lock for household appliances includes a lock body and a limiting slider 15. The lock body includes a housing 11 and a top cover 12. A lock slot 17 and a lock side 13 are provided on the housing 11. Figure 2 and 6 As shown, a sliding groove 14 is provided on the side 13 of the door lock. Figure 8 As shown, the slide groove 14 is provided with a relief groove 141 and a boss 142. The slide groove is used to accommodate the sliding of the limiting slider.

[0046] like Figure 8 As shown, the boss 142 includes an adjacent surface 1421 and a top surface 1422. The adjacent surface 1421 of the boss 142 and the clearance groove 141 can be an inclined surface or a curved surface. Setting the adjacent surface as an inclined or curved surface reduces the resistance of the limiting slider 15 sliding from the clearance groove 141 onto the boss 142. The top surface 1422 can be a plane or an inclined surface; when the top surface 1422 is an inclined surface, the end of the top surface 1422 away from the clearance groove 141 is lower than the end of the top surface 1422 near the clearance groove 141. The limiting slider is located on the inclined surface, making the positional relationship between it and the boss more stable and reducing the possibility of the limiting slider moving when not in operation.

[0047] There can be two or more bosses 142 and limiting sliders 15. When there are two bosses 142 and limiting sliders 15, a relief groove 141 can be set in the middle of the slide groove 14, and two bosses 142 can be set on both sides of the relief groove 141; or there can be two relief grooves 141, which are paired with the bosses 142 and distributed on both sides of the slide groove 14.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the door lock in this embodiment also includes a traction strip 16. In this embodiment, the traction strip 16 is flat, saving space. The traction strip 16 can also be cylindrical or cuboid. One end 161 of the traction strip is connected to the limiting slider 15, allowing the traction strip 16 to drive the limiting slider 15 to move. In this embodiment, the limiting slider 15 is located on the side of the end of the traction strip 16, or it can be installed in other positions on the traction strip 16, such as near the middle. The other end 162 of the traction strip is fixed to the door lock housing 11. The limiting slider 15, the traction strip 16, and the housing 11 can be installed separately, or for manufacturing convenience, the limiting slider 15, the traction strip 16, and the housing 11 can be integrally formed, for example, the limiting slider 15 and the traction strip 16 can be integrally formed with the top cover 12. The traction strip 16 is generally made of plastic and has a certain degree of elasticity, but it can also be made of other elastic materials. The side 13 of the door lock also includes a guide groove, and the part of the traction strip 16 near the limiting slider 15 is slidably connected to the guide groove. The guide groove can limit the direction of movement of the traction strip 16.

[0049] like Figures 11 to 13A washing machine with the aforementioned door lock includes a door panel 900, an installation opening 901 provided on the door panel, and a door lock 100 is installed on the door panel 900 through the installation opening 901.

[0050] like Figures 5 to 13 The installation process of the door lock for household appliances in this embodiment is as follows: In the initial state of the door lock 100, as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the limiting slider 15 is located on the boss 142. Pushing the traction bar 16, as... Figure 8 As shown, the limiting slider 15 slides from the boss 142 to the clearance groove 141. Figure 10 As shown, the limiting slider 15 slides into the clearance groove 141. At this time, the thickness of the door lock side 13 at the lock opening 17 is determined by the boss 142, and the thickness is less than the combined thickness of the limiting slider 15 and the boss 142. During the process of passing the lock opening edge 171 of the lock opening 17 of the door lock 100 through the mounting opening 901 of the door panel 900, because only the thickness of the boss 142 exists, there is a gap between the door lock side 13 and the mounting opening 901, which does not hinder the installation of the door lock or hinders it very little. After passing the two lock opening edges 171 of the lock opening 17 of the door lock 100 through the mounting opening 901 of the door panel 900, the pull bar 16 is pulled back, and the limiting slider 15 slides from the clearance groove 141 onto the boss 142 until the limiting slider 15 is located on the boss 142. At this point, the thickness of the limiting slider 15 and the boss 142 overlaps, reducing the gap between the door lock side 13 and the mounting opening 901, and even creating an interference fit. Simultaneously, the two locking edges 171 of the lock opening 17 and a portion of the door lock side 13 below the locking edges 171 also clamp the door panel 900. The fit between the door lock 100 and the door panel 900 is very secure and will not detach due to drop tests, etc. In this embodiment, the thickness of the limiting slider 15 and the boss 142 can also overlap, working in conjunction with the two locking edges 171 of the lock opening 17, to clamp the door lock 100 onto the door panel 900.

[0051] In this invention, the thickness of the limiting slider 15 and the boss 142 refers to Figure 3 In the middle, the height value perpendicular to the paper plane. The thickness of the limit slider 15 and the boss 142 is determined according to the height of the door lock side, the size of the door panel mounting opening, and the fit relationship between the door lock and the door panel.

[0052] The process of disassembling the door lock is as follows: Push the pull bar 16, and the limiting slider 15 slides from the boss 142 to the clearance groove 141. After the limiting slider 15 slides into the clearance groove 141, the thickness of the door lock side 13 at the lock opening 17 is determined by the boss 142, and the thickness is less than the combined thickness of the limiting slider 15 and the boss 142. During the process of removing the lock opening 17 of the door lock 100 from the mounting opening 901 of the door panel 900, because only the thickness of the boss 142 exists, there is a gap between the door lock side 13 and the mounting opening 901, which does not hinder the disassembly of the door lock or hinders it very little. After disassembly, pull back the pull bar 16, and the limiting slider 15 slides from the clearance groove 141 to the boss 142 until the limiting slider 15 is located on the boss 142, returning to the initial state. If the pull bar 16 has a large elasticity, it does not need to be pulled back and can automatically spring back to the initial position.

[0053] Where there is no conflict, the technical solution of this embodiment can be combined with embodiments two to five. Example

[0054] In this embodiment, as Figure 14 As shown, the fixed end 262 of the traction bar 26 is hinged to the door lock body. The traction bar 26 also includes a reset bar 264. One end of the reset bar 264 is connected to the middle section of the traction bar 26, and the connection position is sufficient to meet the spring-back function; the other end of the reset bar 264 is fixedly connected to the door lock body, or it can be integrally formed with either the door lock body or the traction bar; the other end of the reset bar 264 can also abut against the door lock body, and has a certain degree of freedom of movement. The reset bar 264 has a certain degree of elasticity, which can reset the traction bar 16.

[0055] like Figure 14 As shown, when the lower right end of the traction bar 16 is pressed, one end 261 of the traction bar drives the limiting slider 25 to slide towards the clearance groove 241. When reset is required, the traction bar 26 automatically resets under the elastic force of the reset bar 264. Example

[0056] like Figure 15 As shown, the door lock includes a traction bar 36, one end of which is a reset end 363, and the other end is a fixed end 362. The fixed end 362 is fixedly connected to the door lock body, and a limiting slider is connected between the fixed end and the reset end. A boss is located at the upper part of the slide groove, and the limiting slider rests on the boss. Figure 15 As shown, when the traction bar is pressed, the traction bar drives the limit slider to slide downwards into the clearance groove. When a reset is required, the reset end 363 is pressed, and the traction bar 36 drives the limit slider to reset. Example

[0057] like Figure 16 and 17As shown, the door lock includes a traction bar 46, which includes a fixed end 462, a first traction edge 4611, and a second traction edge 4612. One end of each of the first and second traction edges 4611 and 4612 is connected to a limiting slider 45, and the other end of each is connected to the fixed end 462, which is fixed to the door lock body. In this embodiment, the traction bar 46 is generally triangular. When the first and second traction edges 4611 and 4612 are pressed, the limiting sliders 45 slide from the protrusions 442 on both sides towards the clearance groove 441 in the middle. When no longer pressed, under the elastic force of the first and second traction edges 4611 and 4612, the two limiting sliders 45 slide from the clearance groove 441 in the middle towards the protrusions 442 on both sides.

[0058] In this embodiment, as Figure 18 As shown, the adjacent surfaces 4421 of the boss 442 are inclined surfaces, and the top surface 4422 is also an inclined surface. The inclined surface of the top surface 4422 can prevent the limiting slider 45 from sliding off the top surface of the boss under the action of external forces such as vibration. The boss shape of this embodiment can also be used in other embodiments. Example

[0059] like Figures 19 to 20 As shown, the door lock includes a towing bar 56, which has a T-shaped side and includes a fixed end 562, a towing edge 561, and a pressing strip 565. The fixed end 562 is located at one end of the towing edge 561 and is fixed to the door lock body. One end of the pressing strip 565 is connected to the towing edge 561, for example, in the middle of the towing edge 561, and the other end is a free end.

[0060] Pressing the free end of the pressing strip 565 causes the fixed end 562 to remain stationary. Under the elastic force of the traction strip 56 itself, the traction edge 561 drives the limiting slider 55 to slide from the top surface of the boss 542 to the clearance groove 541 in the slide groove 54. When reset is required, the traction strip 56 resets under its own elastic force, or the pressing strip 565 is pulled to reset the traction strip 56. Example

[0061] like Figure 21 As shown, the door lock includes a pull bar 66, and a limiting slider 65 is connected to the pull bar 66. An elastic component is installed between the upper end of the pull bar 66 and the door lock body. This elastic component is used to reset the pull bar 66. A mounting groove can be provided on the side of the door lock, and the elastic component, such as a spring, is placed in the mounting groove. When the pull bar 66 is pressed and needs to be reset, the pull bar 66 springs back to its original position under the force of the spring.

[0062] Based on the description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be clear that the present invention as defined by the appended claims is not limited to the specific details set forth in the above description, and many obvious modifications to the present invention without departing from its spirit or scope may also achieve the purpose of the present invention.

Claims

1. A door lock for household appliances, characterized in that, The lock includes a door lock body and a limiting slider. The door lock body includes a door lock side panel with a sliding groove. The sliding groove contains a clearance groove and a boss. The sliding groove is used to accommodate the limiting slider to slide within it. When the limiting slider is located on the boss, the thickness of the limiting slider and the boss are combined. When the limiting slider slides into the clearance groove, the thickness of the door lock side panel at the lock opening is less than the combined thickness of the limiting slider and the boss.

2. The door lock for household appliances according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface adjacent to the relief groove on the boss is an inclined surface or a curved surface.

3. The door lock for household appliances according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of the boss is an inclined surface, and the end of the top surface away from the clearance groove is lower than the end of the top surface close to the clearance groove.

4. The door lock for household appliances according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two bosses and two limiting sliders. The clearance groove is located in the middle of the groove, and the two bosses are located on both sides.

5. The door lock for household appliances according to claim 4, characterized in that, There are two clearance grooves, which are paired with the boss and distributed on both sides of the groove.

6. The door lock for household appliances according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The door lock also includes a traction bar, one end of which is connected to the limiting slider. The traction bar is used to pull the limiting slider to slide within the groove.

7. The door lock for household appliances according to claim 6, characterized in that, The other end of the traction bar is fixed to the door lock body.

8. The door lock for household appliances according to claim 6, characterized in that, The other end of the traction bar is hinged to the door lock body.

9. The door lock for household appliances according to claim 8, characterized in that, The traction bar also includes a reset bar, one end of which is connected to the middle section of the traction bar, and the other end is connected to or abuts against the door lock body.

10. The door lock for household appliances according to claim 6, characterized in that, The side of the door lock also includes a guide groove, and the part of the traction bar near the limit slider is slidably connected to the guide groove.

11. The door lock for household appliances according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The door lock also includes a traction bar, one end of which is a reset end and the other end is a fixed end. The fixed end is fixedly connected to the door lock body, and the limiting slider is connected between the fixed end and the reset end.

12. The door lock for household appliances according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The door lock also includes a traction bar, which includes a fixed end, a first traction edge, and a second traction edge. One end of the first traction edge and the second traction edge are respectively connected to a limiting slider, and the other end of the first traction edge and the second traction edge are both connected to the fixed end. The fixed end is fixed to the door lock body.

13. The door lock for household appliances according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The door lock also includes a traction bar, which is T-shaped on the side and includes a fixed end, a traction edge, and a pressing strip. The fixed end is located at one end of the traction bar and is fixed to the door lock body. One end of the pressing strip is connected to the traction bar, and the other end is a free end.

14. The door lock for household appliances according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The door lock also includes a traction bar, the limiting slider is connected to the traction bar, and an elastic component is installed between one end of the traction bar and the door lock body. The elastic component is used to reset the traction bar.

15. The door lock for household appliances according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, A washing machine with the above-mentioned door lock includes a door panel, wherein an installation opening is provided on the door panel, and the door lock is installed on the door panel through the installation opening.

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