Lock catch device and cooling fan

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a lock catch device and a cooling fan, the lock catch device is applied to the cooling fan, the cooling fan comprises a machine body and a water tank, the lock catch device comprises a lock catch, the lock catch comprises a pressing end and a buckling end, and the water tank is provided with a clamping groove; the buckle end is clamped with the clamping groove under the pushing effect of the water tank so as to achieve locking of the water tank. The buckle end is separated from the clamping groove under the pressing effect of the pressing end so that the water tank can be unlocked. Compared with the prior art, the water tank locking device is simple in structure, locking and unlocking of the water tank can be achieved through a single part, such as automatic locking of water tank pushing-in and easy pressing unlocking operation, the product structure is greatly simplified, and the assembly and maintenance difficulty and the production cost are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of cooling fans, and in particular to a locking device and a cooling fan. Background Art

[0002] In the field of household appliances such as cooling fans, the water tank is one of the core components of the cooling fan to achieve the cooling function. Its stable fixing method is crucial to ensure the normal operation of the equipment. The water tank lock plays an indispensable role as a bridge connecting the water tank and the main structure of the cooling fan.

[0003] There are various designs of water tank locks in the current market, but the most common and widely used is the spring button design. This design uses the elastic force of the spring to firmly fix the water tank to prevent it from shaking or falling off during the operation of the equipment. At the same time, the spring button design also allows users to easily operate when installing or removing the water tank, improving the convenience of use.

[0004] However, despite the excellent practicality of the spring button design, it also has some disadvantages that cannot be ignored. First, from a structural point of view, the spring button design is relatively complex and requires multiple parts to cooperate with each other to achieve its function. This not only increases the difficulty and cost of the manufacturing process, but also increases the complexity of subsequent maintenance and repair. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a locking device and a cooling fan, aiming to solve the problem that the existing locking device has a complex structure, resulting in high cost and poor maintainability.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a locking device, which is applied to a cooling fan, wherein the cooling fan includes a body and a water tank, and the locking device includes:

[0008] A lock buckle, the lock buckle comprising a pressing end and a buckle end, and the water tank is provided with a card slot;

[0009] The buckle end is engaged with the card slot under the pushing action of the water tank to achieve locking of the water tank;

[0010] The buckle end is separated from the card slot under the pressing action of the pressing end to unlock the water tank.

[0011] Preferably, a rotating shaft is provided in the area between the pressing end and the buckle end, the body is provided with a fixing groove, the rotating shaft is fixedly installed in the fixing groove, and the lock rotates around the rotating shaft.

[0012] Preferably, the pressing end is a horizontal extension plate of an inclined plate provided on one side of the rotating shaft, and the buckle end is a downwardly extending protrusion of a transverse plate provided on the other side of the rotating shaft.

[0013] Preferably, the buckle end comprises a pressing portion and a limiting portion, the pressing portion is arranged close to the rotating shaft, and the limiting portion is arranged away from the rotating shaft.

[0014] Preferably, the outer side wall of the card slot is a guide wall, and when the water tank is pushed in, the guide wall pushes the extrusion portion to lift the buckle end upward to lock the water tank.

[0015] Preferably, the inner side wall of the slot is a limiting wall, and when the water tank is in a locked state, the limiting wall abuts against the limiting portion.

[0016] Preferably, an inner side wall of the fixing groove is provided with an opening, the opening is communicated with an external space, and the pressing end extends from the opening to perform pressing from the outside.

[0017] Preferably, the weight of the buckle end is greater than the weight of the pressing end.

[0018] Preferably, an indicator mark is provided on the surface of the fuselage, and when the water tank is in a locked state, the indicator mark is a locking symbol, and when the water tank is in an unlocked state, the indicator mark is an unlocking symbol.

[0019] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a cooling fan, comprising a locking device as described in any one of the above embodiments, wherein the locking device is located between the fuselage and the water tank, the fuselage is provided with an installation groove, and the water tank is installed in the installation groove.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the present invention provides a locking device and a cooling fan, which are provided with a locking device between the body and the water tank, and the water tank is unlocked by pressing the pressing end of the locking device, and the water tank is locked by pushing the water tank to squeeze the buckle end of the locking device. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has a simple structure, and the locking and unlocking of the water tank can be achieved through a single part, such as the automatic locking of the water tank when pushed in and the easy unlocking operation by pressing, which greatly simplifies the product structure, reduces the difficulty of assembly and maintenance, and reduces the production cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without paying any creative work.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a cooling fan provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a cooling fan body provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A local enlarged schematic diagram of point A shown;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a lock in a lock device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the cooling fan provided by an embodiment of the present invention before being pushed into the water tank;

[0027] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of a cooling fan provided by an embodiment of the present invention when the water tank is locked;

[0028] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of a cooling fan provided by an embodiment of the present invention when the water tank is unlocked;

[0029] Figure 8 for Figure 5 A local enlarged schematic diagram of point B shown;

[0030] Fig. 9 for Figure 6 A local enlarged schematic diagram of point C shown;

[0031] Fig.10 for Figure 7 A local enlarged schematic diagram of point D is shown.

[0032] Reference numerals:

[0033] 1. Body; 11. Installation slot; 12. Fixing slot; 121. Rotating shaft slot; 122. Opening; 2. Water tank; 21. Card slot; 211. Guide wall; 212. Limiting wall; 3. Lock; 31. Pressing end; 32. Card end; 321. Extrusion part; 322. Limiting part; 33. Rotating shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be understood that when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "include" and "comprises" indicate the presence of described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0036] It should also be understood that the terms used in this specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used in the specification of the present invention and the appended claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include plural forms.

[0037] It should be further understood that the term "and / or" used in the present description and the appended claims refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0038] See also Figures 1 to 10 A specific embodiment of the present invention discloses a locking device, which is applied to a cooling fan. The cooling fan includes a body 1 and a water tank 2. The locking device includes: a locking buckle 3, the locking buckle 3 includes a pressing end 31 and a buckle end 32, the water tank 2 is provided with a card slot 21, the buckle end 32 is engaged with the card slot 21 under the pushing action of the water tank 2 to achieve locking of the water tank 2, and the buckle end 32 is separated from the card slot 21 under the pressing action of the pressing end 31 to achieve unlocking of the water tank 2.

[0039] Specifically, the water tank 2 is an important component of the cooling fan, which is used to store water and provide cooling effect for the cooling fan through evaporation; the lock buckle 3 is a key component connecting the body 1 and the water tank 2, including a pressing end 31 and a buckle end 32. The buckle end 32 will be in a locked state under the thrust of the water tank 2, ensuring that the water tank 2 is firmly installed on the body 1. The pressing end 31 changes the lock buckle 3 from the locked state to the unlocked state under the action of external force, making it convenient for users to remove the water tank 2.

[0040] Furthermore, the installation process of the water tank 2 is as follows: the user puts the water tank 2 into the fuselage 1, and pushes the water tank 2 to make it contact with the buckle end 32 of the lock 3. Under the action of the thrust, the buckle end 32 will automatically lock and fix the water tank 2 on the fuselage 1; the disassembly process of the water tank 2 is as follows: when the user needs to disassemble the water tank 2, he only needs to press the pressing end 31 of the lock 3 to change the lock 3 from the locked state to the unlocked state. At this time, the user can easily take out the water tank 2. This method can realize the locking and unlocking of the water tank 2 through a single part, greatly simplifying the product structure, reducing the difficulty of assembly and maintenance, and production costs.

[0041] like Figure 3 to Figure 4As shown, a rotating shaft 33 is provided in the area between the pressing end 31 and the buckle end 32 , the fuselage 1 is provided with a fixing groove 12 , the rotating shaft 33 is fixedly installed in the fixing groove 12 , and the lock buckle 3 rotates around the rotating shaft 33 .

[0042] Specifically, the lock buckle 3 not only includes a pressing end 31 and a buckle end 32, but also a rotating shaft 33 is provided in a certain area (center or side position) between the pressing end 31 and the buckle end 32. This rotating shaft 33 is fixedly installed in the rotating shaft groove 121 opened in the fixing groove 12, and serves as the central axis of rotation of the lock buckle 3. When the water tank 2 is placed in the fuselage 1, it will push the buckle end 32 of the lock buckle 3. Since the lock buckle 3 rotates around the rotating shaft 33, the buckle end 32 will rotate around the rotating shaft 33 under the push of the water tank 2 until it is engaged with the card slot 21 on the water tank 2. In this process, the lock buckle 3 plays the role of fixing the water tank 2 on the fuselage 1. When the user needs to unlock and take out the water tank 2, by pressing the pressing end 31 of the lock buckle 3, the lock buckle 3 will rotate around the rotating shaft 33 again under the action of the pressing force, and the direction of rotation this time is opposite to the rotation direction when the water tank 2 is installed. As the lock buckle 3 rotates, the buckle end 32 will be disengaged from the locking slot 21, thereby unlocking the water tank 2.

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, the pressing end 31 is a horizontal extension plate of the inclined plate provided on one side of the rotating shaft 33 , and the buckle end 32 is a downwardly extending protrusion of the transverse plate provided on the other side of the rotating shaft 33 .

[0044] Specifically, the pressing end 31 is designed as a horizontal extension plate of the inclined plate on one side of the rotating shaft 33. This design allows the user to operate the pressing end 31 by pushing or pulling in the horizontal direction, thereby causing the lock 3 to rotate. The buckle end 32 is a protrusion extending downward from the horizontal plate on the other side of the rotating shaft 33. This protrusion is designed to match the card slot 21 on the water tank 2. When the water tank 2 is pushed into the installation slot of the fuselage 1, the protrusion will be pushed by the water tank 2 and rotate around the rotating shaft 33 until it is completely engaged with the card slot 21. This design ensures the stability and firmness of the water tank 2 during installation.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the buckle end 32 includes a pressing portion 321 and a limiting portion 322 , the pressing portion 321 is disposed close to the rotating shaft 33 , and the limiting portion 322 is disposed away from the rotating shaft 33 .

[0046] Specifically, the extrusion portion 321 is arranged close to the rotating shaft 33, and is the part of the buckle end 32 used to contact the water tank 2 and produce an extrusion effect. Its shape and size must ensure that it can fit the water tank 2 tightly and generate sufficient friction when the water tank 2 is pushed in, so that the buckle end 32 can stay firmly in the card slot 21. The limiting portion 322 is arranged away from the rotating shaft 33, and is the part of the buckle end 32 used to limit the movement range of the water tank 2. Once the extrusion portion 321 is successfully squeezed into the card slot 21 of the water tank 2, the limiting portion 322 will play a blocking role to prevent the water tank 2 from accidentally falling off from the fuselage 1. The shape and size of the limiting portion 322 must match the card slot 21 of the water tank assembly to ensure an effective limiting effect. By subdividing the buckle end 32 into the extrusion portion 321 and the limiting portion 322, the locking process can be controlled more accurately. The pressing portion 321 is responsible for generating friction and stabilizing the position of the buckle end 32 in the slot 21, while the limiting portion 322 is responsible for limiting the movement range of the water tank 2. This design makes the lock 3 more stable and reliable.

[0047] like Figures 5 to 10 As shown, the outer side wall of the slot 21 is a guide wall 211 . When the water tank 2 is pushed in, the guide wall 211 pushes the pressing portion 321 to lift the buckle end 32 upward to lock the water tank 2 .

[0048] Specifically, the outer wall of the card slot 21 is designed as a guide wall 211, and the shape and inclination angle of the guide wall 211 are carefully calculated to ensure that the extrusion part 321 can be pushed smoothly when the water tank 2 is pushed in. The buckle end 32 includes an extrusion part 321 and a limiting part 322, wherein the extrusion part 321 is used to contact with the guide wall 211 and produce a pushing effect. The shape and size of the extrusion part 321 need to match the guide wall 211 to ensure that the buckle end 32 can be smoothly moved along the guide wall 211 and lifted when the water tank 2 is pushed in. When the user pushes the water tank 2 into the body 1 of the cooling fan, the card slot 21 of the water tank 2 first contacts the extrusion part 321 of the buckle end 32. As the water tank 2 continues to be pushed in, the guide wall 211 gradually pushes the extrusion part 321, so that the buckle end 32 is lifted upward around the rotating shaft 33. When the water tank 2 is fully pushed into place, the squeezing portion 321 has moved to a certain position along the guide wall 211, and the limiting portion 322 of the buckle end 32 will fall into the corresponding position of the water tank assembly to achieve the locking of the water tank 2. When the user needs to remove the water tank 2, he only needs to gently press the pressing end 31 to make the buckle end 32 pop out from the locked position, and then the water tank 2 can be easily removed. In this way, the user can lock the water tank 2 without manually adjusting or rotating the lock buckle 3. Once the water tank 2 is pushed into place, the guide wall 211 can automatically push the squeezing portion 321 and lift the buckle end 32 to achieve quick locking.

[0049] like Figures 5 to 10As shown, the inner side wall of the slot 21 is a limiting wall 212 . When the water tank 2 is in the locked state, the limiting wall 212 abuts against the limiting portion 322 .

[0050] Specifically, the inner wall of the slot 21 of the water tank 2 is designed as a limiting wall 212, and its shape and size are carefully calculated to ensure that the limiting part 322 of the buckle end 32 can be closely abutted when the water tank 2 is locked. The surface treatment of the limiting wall 212 needs to ensure that the friction between the limiting part 322 is large enough to prevent the water tank 2 from falling off easily when subjected to external force. The limiting part 322 of the buckle end 32 is designed to match the shape and size of the limiting wall 212 to ensure that the water tank 2 can be closely abutted when the water tank 2 is locked. When the user pushes the water tank 2 into the body 1 of the cooling fan and locks it in place, the limiting part 322 of the buckle end 32 will be closely abutted against the limiting wall 212 on the inner side of the slot 21. This abutting relationship not only provides additional support, but also increases the friction between the water tank 2 and the cooling fan body 1, thereby preventing the water tank 2 from falling off when subjected to external force. At the same time, the close fit between the limiting wall 212 and the limiting portion 322 also ensures the stability of the water tank 2 in the locked state, avoiding potential problems caused by shaking or vibration.

[0051] like Figures 5 to 10 As shown, the inner side wall of the fixing groove 12 is provided with an opening 122 , the opening 122 is communicated with the external space, and the pressing end 31 extends from the opening 122 for pressing from the outside.

[0052] Specifically, the opening 122 not only allows the pressing end 31 to extend, but also provides it with sufficient range of motion. This means that during the pressing process, the pressing end 31 can move freely within the opening 122 without any hindrance. The size of the range of motion is determined according to the size of the pressing end 31 and the required pressing stroke to ensure that the user can easily press and unlock the water tank 2. In addition, the lock 3 of this method is hidden inside the body 1, eliminating the problem of protruding screws and limit blocks, and significantly improving the overall aesthetics of the product.

[0053] In an optional embodiment, the weight of the buckle end 32 is greater than the weight of the pressing end 31 .

[0054] Specifically, the buckle end 32 is designed to be a heavier part, which is achieved by increasing the material density, volume or using a heavier alloy material. Its shape and structure need to ensure that it can fit tightly with the card slot 21 of the water tank assembly to form an effective locking mechanism. The pressing end 31 is designed to be relatively light so that the user can easily operate it. The material can be selected from plastics or lightweight alloys with lower density while maintaining sufficient strength and durability. When the user pushes the water tank 2 into the body 1 of the cooling fan, the buckle end 32 will first contact the water tank assembly. Since the weight of the buckle end 32 is greater than the pressing end 31, when the water tank 2 is pushed into place, the buckle end 32 will naturally fall under the action of gravity and fall into the card slot 21 of the water tank assembly. Once the buckle end 32 falls into the card slot 21, it will form a tight fit with the card slot 21, thereby locking the water tank 2 to prevent it from shaking or falling off during the operation of the cooling fan. When the user needs to disassemble the water tank 2 , the user only needs to gently press the pressing end 31 to make the buckle end 32 pop out from the card slot 21 , and then the water tank 2 can be easily taken out.

[0055] Furthermore, an indicator mark is provided on the surface of the body 1. When the water tank 2 is in a locked state, the indicator mark is a lock symbol, and when the water tank 2 is in an unlocked state, the indicator mark is an unlock symbol.

[0056] Specifically, an indication mark area is designed on the surface of the fuselage 1 (set at a position that is easily observed by the user). The area can be presented by printing, engraving, LED display or other means. The indication mark includes two symbols: a lock symbol and an unlock symbol. The lock symbol usually represents a closed lock or a similar graphic, while the unlock symbol may represent an open lock, an arrow or other graphics indicating release or movement. A state detection mechanism is set inside the cooling fan to detect the locked or unlocked state of the water tank 2. The mechanism can be implemented by a sensor, a switch or other detection means. When the water tank 2 is correctly locked, the sensor sends a signal to the indication system; when the water tank 2 is unlocked or not correctly locked, the sensor sends another signal. After receiving the signal, the indication system will display the corresponding symbol in the indication mark area according to the signal content. The user can intuitively understand the current state of the water tank 2 by observing the indication mark on the surface of the fuselage 1. If the indication mark shows a lock symbol, the user knows that the water tank 2 has been locked and can use the cooling fan safely. If the indicator shows an unlock symbol, the user knows that the water tank 2 is not locked or has been unlocked, and needs to take corresponding actions (such as relocking the water tank 2).

[0057] On the other hand, Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment also provides a cooling fan, including a body 1 and a locking device 3 as in the above embodiment, wherein the locking device 3 is located between the body 1 and the water tank 2, the body 1 is provided with an installation groove 11, and the water tank 2 is installed in the installation groove 11.

[0058] Specifically, the cooling fan includes a body 1, and the body 1 is provided with a refrigeration system, a fan and other components for generating cold air. A water tank 2 installation position, i.e., an installation slot 11, is designed at the front or top of the body 1 for placing and fixing the water tank 2. A locking device as in the above embodiment is integrated at the installation position of the water tank 2 for fixing and unlocking the water tank 2. The operation interface of the cooling fan is usually located at the front or top of the body 1, including buttons or knobs such as a switch, wind speed adjustment, and cooling intensity adjustment. The user can control parameters such as the start, stop, wind speed, and cooling intensity of the cooling fan through the operation interface. During use, the user can check the working status of the cooling fan and the remaining water amount and other information at any time through the operation interface. By integrating the locking device as in the above embodiment, the installation and fixing of the water tank 2 of the cooling fan becomes more convenient and quick. The user can realize the locking and unlocking functions of the water tank 2 by a simple pressing action.

[0059] The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

[0060] The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A locking device, applied to a cooling fan, the cooling fan comprising a body and a water tank, characterized in that: include: A lock buckle, the lock buckle comprising a pressing end and a buckle end, and the water tank is provided with a card slot; The buckle end is engaged with the card slot under the pushing action of the water tank to achieve locking of the water tank; The buckle end is separated from the card slot under the pressing action of the pressing end to unlock the water tank.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A rotating shaft is provided in the area between the pressing end and the buckle end, the body is provided with a fixing groove, the rotating shaft is fixedly installed in the fixing groove, and the lock buckle rotates around the rotating shaft.

3. The locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressing end is a horizontal extension plate of the inclined plate provided on one side of the rotating shaft, and the buckle end is a downwardly extending protrusion of the transverse plate provided on the other side of the rotating shaft.

4. The locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The buckle end includes a pressing portion and a limiting portion, wherein the pressing portion is arranged close to the rotating shaft, and the limiting portion is arranged away from the rotating shaft.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer side wall of the card slot is a guide wall. When the water tank is pushed in, the guide wall pushes the extrusion part to lift the buckle end upward to lock the water tank.

6. The locking device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner side wall of the slot is a limiting wall, and when the water tank is in a locked state, the limiting wall abuts against the limiting portion.

7. The locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner side wall of the fixing groove is provided with an opening, the opening is communicated with the external space, and the pressing end extends from the opening to perform pressing from the outside.

8. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The weight of the buckle end is greater than the weight of the pressing end.

9. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An indicator mark is provided on the surface of the fuselage. When the water tank is in a locked state, the indicator mark is a locking symbol, and when the water tank is in an unlocked state, the indicator mark is an unlocking symbol.

10. A cooling fan, characterized in that: It comprises a locking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the locking device is located between the fuselage and the water tank, the fuselage is provided with a mounting groove, and the water tank is installed in the mounting groove.

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