Door lock
By designing a door locking device that includes door sensing contacts, sensing pins, main power contacts, cut-off triggers, cut-off pins and lock-off pins, the problem of traditional electrical door switches or sensors being oversensitive to minor interference is solved, and more accurate power control and higher operating efficiency are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411452031.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-10-20
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-22
AI Technical Summary
Traditional electrical door switches or sensors are oversensitive to minor interferences, which may inadvertently interrupt the operation of the electrical appliance, resulting in inconvenience and inefficiency.
A door locking device is designed, including door sensing contacts, sensing pins, main power contacts, cut-off triggers, cut-off pins and lock-off pins. Through the combination and coordinated work of these components, it is possible to distinguish between the state where the door is forced to open, thereby accurately controlling the power cut-off.
The device can effectively distinguish between tiny interference and forced opening, reduce unnecessary power interruptions, and improve the operating efficiency and reliability of electrical appliances.
Smart Images
Figure CN119860119A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Art
[0001] In many appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers and dryers, it is important to ensure that the appliance stops operating when the door is opened. This safety mechanism prevents certain negative outcomes. Traditional systems use door switches or sensors that immediately stop the appliance when the door is pulled open or if the door is not completely closed.
[0002] However, these mechanisms can be overly sensitive to minor disturbances, such as a slight pull or vibration of the door due to operation or external factors. Such disturbances can inadvertently interrupt the operation of the appliance, causing inconvenience and inefficiency.
[0003] What is needed is an improved locking mechanism that can differentiate between minor disturbances (such as a door being slightly pulled or vibrated) and the door being forced open.
[0004] The present invention solves at least some of the problems associated with the prior art. Summary of the invention
[0005] In one aspect, a door locking device for a door of a household appliance includes: a door sensing contact having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration; a sensing pin configured to enable the disengaged configuration of the door sensing contact when the door is opened; a main power contact having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration; a cut-off trigger configured to enable the disengaged configuration of the main power contact when an appliance cycle ends; a cut-off pin configured to disengage the main power contact and the door sensing contact when the door is forced open; and a locking pin movable between a door locked position and a door unlocked position.
[0006] Advantageously, the present invention provides a main power contact and a separate door sensing contact, thereby allowing the door locking device to sense when the door is closed, when the door is open, and by means of a cut-off pin, allows the door locking device to sense when the door is forced open and the main power should be cut off. This combination of features provides additional information about the open, closed, locked, damaged state of the door, which means that a device such as a washing machine can take appropriate action based on the state of the main power contact and the door sensing contact and the combination of signals from each contact. For example, when the door sensing contact enters an engaged configuration, the washing machine can trigger a signal to lock the door, and if the door is subsequently forced open, the main power contact will enter a disengaged configuration and power to the machine can be stopped.
[0007] In one embodiment, the door locking device further comprises a coupling member operably engaged with a cut-off trigger and a locking pin such that when the locking pin is in the door unlocking position, the cut-off trigger enables the disengaged configuration of the main power contacts.
[0008] Advantageously, a coupling member connects the disconnect trigger with the locking pin such that the main power contacts are in a disengaged configuration when the locking pin is in the door unlocking position and can be in an engaged configuration when the locking pin is in the door locking position.
[0009] In one embodiment, the door locking device includes an electromagnetic drive mechanism, which is suitable for actuating the connecting member between a first position (locked position) and a second position (unlocked position), wherein, in the first position, the connecting member pushes the locking pin into the door locking position and pushes the disconnect trigger away from the main power contact.
[0010] In an embodiment, when the door sensing contact is engaged, the electromagnetic drive mechanism is configured to actuate the coupling member toward the first position.
[0011] In one embodiment, the door locking device sensing pin is configured to disengage the main power contact and the door sensing contact when the door is opened.
[0012] Advantageously, the sensing pin is capable of disengaging each of the main power contact and the door sensing contact when the door is opened.
[0013] In an embodiment, the cut-off pin is configured to engage with a cam surface of the door or a cam surface of a safety slide associated with the door when the door is opened to disengage the main power contacts.
[0014] Advantageously, when the door is opened, the disconnect pin engages the door and the main power contacts to force them into the disengaged configuration.
[0015] In an embodiment, when the coupling member is in the second position, the coupling member pushes the locking pin into the door unlocking position and pushes the cut-off trigger to push the main power contacts into the disengaged configuration.
[0016] Advantageously, when the door is unlocked, the main power contacts disengage, thereby ensuring that the power supply is disengaged when appropriate.
[0017] In one embodiment, the cut-off trigger further includes a leg, and wherein, when the coupling member is in the first position, the leg blocks the sensing pin so that if the door is opened when the coupling member is in the first position, the door sensing contact remains in the engaged configuration and the main power contact remains in the engaged configuration.
[0018] In one embodiment, the electromagnetic drive mechanism allows the coupling member to rotate toward the second position when the door sensing contact is engaged.
[0019] Advantageously, the electromagnetic drive mechanism releases the locking pin when the door sensing contacts are engaged.
[0020] In an embodiment, the coupling member includes a first cam surface that engages the locking pin.
[0021] In an embodiment, the coupling member includes a second cam surface that engages the cutoff trigger.
[0022] In an embodiment, a cut-off trigger blocks the sensing pin when the coupling member is in the first position.
[0023] Advantageously, when the locking pin is engaged and the door is closed, the sensing pin is blocked.
[0024] In one embodiment, a door locking device for a door of a household appliance is provided, the door locking device including a door sensing contact having an engagement configuration and a disengagement configuration. A sensing pin is configured to enable the disengagement configuration of the door sensing contact when the door is opened. A main power contact is provided, the main power contact having an engagement configuration and a disengagement configuration, and a cut-off trigger is provided, the cut-off trigger is configured to enable the disengagement configuration of the main power contact at the end of the appliance cycle, and a cut-off pin is provided, the cut-off pin is configured to disengage the main power contact and the door sensing contact when the door is opened. A locking pin movable between a door locked position and a door unlocked position is provided, wherein the cut-off trigger further includes a leg configured to block the sensing pin when the door is locked.
[0025] In one aspect, a household appliance comprises a door locking device as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Embodiments of the invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] Figure 1 A perspective view of the door locking mechanism is shown;
[0028] Figure 2 I shows the door locking device in the door open configuration, Figure 2 II shows the door locking device in a door closed but unlocked configuration, Figure 2 III shows the door locking device in the door locked configuration; and
[0029] Figure 3 A perspective view of the door locking mechanism is shown.
[0030] Figure 4 Another view of the door locking mechanism is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Certain terms are used in the following description for convenience only and are not limiting. The terms "right", "left", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "upward", "lower", and "downward" refer to directions referenced in the drawings and are relative to the components being described when assembled and installed. The terms "inward", "inwardly", "outwardly", and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., a central axis) of the components being described, and the specific meanings are apparent from the context of the description.
[0032] Further, as used herein, the terms "connected," "attached," "coupled," and "mounted" are intended to include a direct connection between two components without any other components interposed therebetween, as well as an indirect connection between components with one or more other components interposed therebetween. The terms include the terms specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.
[0033] Further, unless otherwise indicated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first," "second," and "third," etc., merely indicates that different instances of the same type of object are referenced and is not intended to imply that the objects described must be in a given order temporally, spatially, sequentially, or in any other manner.
[0034] Like reference numerals are used to depict like features.
[0035] Figure 1 A perspective view of a door locking device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 The door locking device 100 includes a cut-off trigger 102, a sensing pin 104, a coupling member 106, a locking pin 108, a cut-off pin 110, a main power contact 112, and a door sensing contact 114. The sensing pin 104 and the cut-off pin 110 are configured to move linearly and interact with at least one of the main power contact 112 and the door sensing contact 114. In the example shown, the sensing pin 104 is in contact with the cut-off pin 110, so that if the sensing pin moves upward (toward the door sensing contact 114), the cut-off pin 110 will also move upward (toward the main power contact 112). The sensing pin 104 and the cut-off pin 110 are configured to interact with one or more features of the door of the household appliance or interact with features actuated by the door of the household appliance and / or connected to the door of the household appliance to determine the state of the door, i.e., open, closed, locked, forced open, etc.
[0036] The cut-off trigger 102 is used to push the main power contact 112 from the engaged configuration to the disengaged configuration. In the engaged configuration, the main power contact allows electrical communication between the first component of the appliance and the second component of the door locking device 100, and when disengaged, electrical communication between these components is impossible, thereby establishing a binary signal. The cut-off trigger 102 is used to selectively block the sense pin 104 when the door is locked.
[0037] To lock the door, the locking pin 108 is actuated between a door unlocked position and a door locked position, in which the door locking pin blocks the movement of a locking slider associated with the door to prevent the door from opening. In the door locked state, when an opening force is applied, the door will not open unless sufficient force is applied to disconnect the door locking pin or another component that holds the door in place. In this case, the cut-off pin 110 is forced upward by interacting with a safety slider (the safety slider cooperates with a door striker or a door or a component attached to the door), forcing the main power contact 112 into a disengaged configuration and de-energizing the entire device or generating a signal indicating an error.
[0038] Actuation of the locking pin 108 is achieved by rotating the coupling member 106, which includes a first surface for interacting with the locking pin 108 and a second surface for interacting with the cut-off trigger 102. The first surface and the second surface can be cam surfaces, so that when the coupling member 106 is rotated in a first direction, the locking pin 108 moves from the door unlocking position to the door locking position, and at the same time the cut-off trigger 102 moves from a position forcing the main power contact 112 from the disengaged configuration to a position allowing the main power contact 112 to enter the engaged configuration. The main power contact 112 enters the engaged configuration only when the cut-off pin 110 also does not prevent it from entering the engaged configuration. Therefore, the main power contact 112 can only be in the engaged configuration when the coupling member 106 moves the cut-off trigger 102 to the appropriate position and the cut-off pin 110 is in place away from the main power contact 112.
[0039] Figure 2 1 shows a side view of the door locking device 100, wherein the sensing pin 104 and the cut-off pin 110 are in the door open position, and therefore, the door sensing contact 114 and the main power contact 112 are in a disengaged configuration. The coupling member 106 is in the second position, so that the locking pin 108 is in the door unlocked position, and the cut-off trigger 102 pushes the main power contact 112 into the disengaged configuration.
[0040] Figure 2II shows the situation when the door is closed. The door sensing contact 114 is resilient and in the closed position by default (e.g., formed of a spring material). The resiliency of the door sensing contact 114 is sufficient to push the sensing pin 104 into the engaged configuration. In this way, the door locking device 100 causes the sensing pin 104 to move downward away from the door sensing contact 114 and allows it to enter the engaged configuration. At this stage, the disconnect trigger 102 prevents the main power contact 112 from entering the engaged configuration, and the locking pin 108 remains in the door unlocked position.
[0041] When the door sensing contacts 114 enter the engaged configuration, a signal is generated to activate a drive mechanism, which may be an electromagnetic drive mechanism (not shown). The drive mechanism is used to rotate the coupling member 106, which has a first cam surface 202 for interacting with the locking pin 108 and a second cam surface 204 for interacting with the cut-off trigger 102.
[0042] Figure 2 III shows the door locking device 100 after the coupling member 106 has been fully rotated to the first position (locked position). In some embodiments of the present invention, the coupling member 106 is rotated by an electromagnetic drive mechanism (not shown). The first cam surface 202 pushes the locking pin 108 to the door locking position, in which the locking pin protrudes from the housing of the door locking device 100. The second cam surface 204 interacts with the cut-off trigger 102 and allows it to rotate around the fulcrum, thereby allowing the main power contact 112 to enter the engagement configuration. The main power contact 112, like 114, is formed of a spring material and is elastic, so that the main power contact 112 is inherently pushed toward the engagement configuration. When the main power contact 112 enters the engagement configuration, the door locking device 100 can provide a signal that the household appliance can be activated, that is, a washing cycle can be started.
[0043] Figure 3An alternative view of the door locking device 100 is shown. The leg 304 of the cut-off trigger 102 enters the notch 302 in the sensing pin 104. The leg 304 prevents the sensing pin 104 from moving and disengaging the door sensing contact 114. Thus, since the sensing pin 104 remains in place and vibrations or light or heavy forces acting on the door do not disengage the sensing pin from the door sensing contact 114 or the main power contact 112, the risk of cycle interruption is reduced. In addition, the sensing pin 104 can be provided with a slack movement (or surplus movement), whereby the small movement of the sensing pin during movement is not transmitted to the cut-off pin until the slack movement is exhausted. The amount of slack movement allowed actually defines a threshold value, which is overcome by a minimum movement before the door sensing contact is disengaged. This is achieved by ensuring that the sensing pin 104 does not contact the cut-off pin when stationary. A similar solution can also be achieved by providing a cut-off pin 110 or a door sensing contact with a slack movement, rather than by the sensing pin 104.
[0044] Figure 4 A door locking device 100 is shown, which includes a cut-off trigger 102, a sensing pin 104, a coupling member 106, a locking pin 108, a cut-off pin 110, a main power contact 112, and a door sensing contact 114 as described above. In some embodiments of the present invention, the cut-off pin 110 interacts with a safety slider 402, which cooperates with the door of the household appliance. When the door is opened and closed, the safety slider moves linearly, and the cut-off cam 404 converts the movement to interact with the cut-off pin 110. When the door is opened, the cut-off cam 404 of the safety slider 402 pushes the cut-off pin 110 toward the main power contact 112 and / or the door sensing contact 114, so that when the door is opened, the main power contact 112 and / or the door sensing contact 114 are pushed to a disengaged configuration.
[0045] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above detailed examples are described by way of example only, without any limiting meaning, and that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the above detailed examples are possible.
[0046] In the description and claims of the present application, the terms "comprise" and "comprising" and their variations mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additives, components, integral bodies or steps. Throughout the description and claims of the present application, the singular encompasses the plural, unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the present specification should be understood as contemplating plural as well as singular forms, unless the context otherwise requires.
[0047] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except for at least some mutually exclusive combinations of such features and / or steps. The invention is not limited to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract or drawings), or to any novel step or any novel combination of steps in any of the steps of the method or process so disclosed.
Claims
1. A door locking device for a door of a household appliance, the door locking device comprising: a door sensing contact having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration; a sensing pin configured to enable the disengaged configuration of the door sensing contact when the door is opened; a main power contact having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration; a cut-off trigger configured to enable the disengaged configuration of the main power contacts when the appliance cycle ends; a cut-off pin configured to disengage the main power contact and the door sensing contact when the door is forced open; A locking pin is movable between a door locked position and a door unlocked position.
2. The door locking device of claim 1 , further comprising a coupling member operably engaged with the disconnect trigger and the locking pin such that when the locking pin is in the door unlocked position, the disconnect trigger enables the disengaged configuration of the main power contact.
3. The door locking device of claim 2, further comprising an electromagnetic drive mechanism adapted to actuate the coupling member between the first position and the second position, wherein In the first position, the coupling member pushes the locking pin into the door locking position and pushes the disconnect trigger away from the main power contacts.
4. The door locking device according to claim 3, wherein: When the coupling member is in the second position, the coupling member pushes the locking pin into the door unlocked position and pushes the cut-off trigger to push the main power contacts to the disengaged configuration.
5. The door locking device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The cutoff trigger further includes a leg, and wherein, when the coupling member is in the first position, the leg blocks the sensing pin so that if an attempt is made to open the door when the coupling member is in the first position, the door sensing contacts remain in the engaged configuration and the main power contacts remain in the engaged configuration.
6. The door locking device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The electromagnetic drive mechanism is configured to actuate the coupling member toward the first position when the door sensing contact is engaged.
7. The door locking device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: The electromagnetic drive mechanism allows the coupling member to move toward the second position when the door sensing contacts are engaged.
8. The door locking device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein: The coupling member includes a first cam surface that engages the locking pin.
9. The door locking device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein: The coupling member includes a second cam surface that engages the cutoff trigger.
10. The door locking device according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein: The cut-off trigger blocks the sensing pin when the coupling member is in the first position.
11. The door locking device according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein: The sensing pin is configured to disengage the door sensing contact when the door is open and the coupling member is in the second position.
12. The door locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The cut-off pin is configured to engage with a cam surface of the door or a cam surface of a safety slide that cooperates with the door when the door is opened to disengage the main power contacts.
13. A household appliance comprising a door locking device according to any one of the preceding claims.
14. A door locking device for a door of a household appliance, the door locking device comprising: a door sensing contact having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration; a sensing pin configured to enable the disengaged configuration of the door sensing contact when the door is opened; a main power contact having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration; a cut-off trigger configured to enable the disengaged configuration of the main power contacts when the appliance cycle ends; a cut-off pin configured to disengage the main power contact and the door sensing contact when the door is opened; A locking pin movable between a door locked position and a door unlocked position Wherein, the cut-off trigger further includes a leg configured to block the sensing pin when the door is locked.