Automatic unlocking and locking mechanism, door lock and electric appliance

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic unlocking and locking mechanism, a door lock and an electric appliance, and relates to the technical field of door locks, the automatic unlocking and locking mechanism comprises a cam and a bias part which are matched with each other, and when the cam gets close to a locking position, the bias part can provide first bias pressure enabling the cam to move towards the locking position; when the cam gets close to the unlocking position, the bias piece can provide second bias pressure enabling the cam to move towards the unlocking position; the driving part is matched with the cam and used for driving the cam to overcome the first bias pressure of the bias part to move from the unlocking position to the locking position to the action range of the second bias pressure and / or used for driving the cam to overcome the second bias pressure of the bias part to move from the locking position to the unlocking position to the action range of the first bias pressure. Through cooperative control of the bias part and the driving part, the cam can be reliably switched between the locking position and the unlocking position, the force for manually opening and / or closing the door is relieved, and the service life of the door lock and the service life of the door plate are prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of door locks, and in particular to an automatic switch lock mechanism, a door lock and an electrical appliance. Background Art

[0002] In household appliances such as washing machines and clothes dryers, door panels can generally be automatically locked and unlocked through door locks. For example, the door lock of a washing machine will automatically lock the door lock before washing, and will automatically unlock the door lock after the washing is finished.

[0003] However, before the existing door lock automatically locks the door panel, it is necessary to manually close the door panel, and after unlocking the door panel, it is also necessary to manually open the door panel. For example, Chinese patent document CN214576353U discloses a door lock, in which a locking member locks and unlocks the door hook by flipping inside the lock shell, and a torsion spring is connected to the locking member, which can keep the locking member in the locked position and the unlocked position. In other words, when the electrical box unlocks the locking member, the locking member will not leave the locked position, and the door panel needs to be opened manually, and this process requires overcoming the elastic force of the torsion spring connected to the locking member. Similarly, when the door panel needs to be locked, it is also necessary to manually push the door panel into place, and this process also requires overcoming the elastic force of the torsion spring connected to the locking member, and then the electrical box in the door lock can lock the locking member.

[0004] The technical solution of the above-mentioned door lock requires manual effort to open and close the door panel during use, and when too much force is used, the door panel and the door lock are easily damaged. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides an automatic opening and closing lock mechanism, a door lock and an electrical appliance to solve the problem in the prior art that the operation of opening and closing the door panel is relatively laborious.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an automatic switch lock mechanism, comprising: A cam is rotatably arranged, wherein the cam has an opening for inserting the door hook; a biasing member, cooperating with the cam, wherein when the cam approaches the locking position, the biasing member can provide a first biasing force to move the cam toward the locking position; and when the cam approaches the unlocking position, the biasing member can provide a second biasing force to move the cam toward the unlocking position; A driving member, cooperating with the cam, is used to drive the cam to overcome the first biasing force of the biasing member and move from the unlocking position toward the locking position to the range of action of the second biasing force, and / or to drive the cam to overcome the second biasing force of the biasing member and move from the locking position toward the unlocking position to the range of action of the first biasing force.

[0007] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages: When opening and / or closing the door, the driving member provides sufficient power to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member and push the cam to move. When the cam enters the power-assisting range of the biasing member, the biasing member can ensure that the cam is reliably locked and unlocked. Specifically, when the cam approaches the locking position, the first biasing force provided by the biasing member prompts the cam to quickly and firmly complete the locking action. When the cam approaches the unlocking position, the second biasing force provided by the biasing member realizes smooth unlocking.

[0008] The present invention enables the cam to reliably switch between the locking and unlocking positions through the coordinated control of the biasing member and the driving member, reduces the force of manual door opening and / or door closing, and prolongs the service life of the door lock and the door panel.

[0009] Optionally, the driving member cooperates with the cam through a transmission structure, and the transmission structure includes: a lever, which is rotatably arranged, a first end of the lever cooperates with the cam, and a second end of the lever is driven by the driving member.

[0010] In the above scheme, the driving member cooperates with the cam through the lever. Due to the rotational arrangement of the lever, the driving member only needs to apply a driving force to the second end of the lever to easily drive the first end of the lever to interact with the cam, thereby realizing the conversion of the cam between the locked and unlocked positions. The lever is a key part of the transmission structure, and its rotational arrangement and cooperation with the cam and the driving member enhance the structural stability of the entire automatic switch lock mechanism.

[0011] Optionally, the distance between the second end of the lever and its rotation center is greater than the distance between the first end and its rotation center.

[0012] In the above scheme, the distance between the second end of the lever and the rotation center is greater than that between the first end, which forms a force-saving lever structure. According to the lever principle, when the power arm (the distance between the second end and the rotation center) is greater than the resistance arm (the distance between the first end and the rotation center), a smaller force applied to the second end of the lever can generate a larger force at the first end to drive the cam. With this force-saving design, in the case of electric drive, the motor can run at a lower power, because the force-saving effect of the lever reduces the resistance that the motor needs to overcome, thereby reducing energy consumption, and also extending the service life of the motor and other drive components.

[0013] Optionally, a triggering member is further included, wherein the triggering member is electrically connected to the driving member and is used to switch the driving state of the driving member, and the triggering member is triggered by the shifting rod.

[0014] In the above solution, the triggering member is connected to the driving member and is triggered by the lever, so that the entire switch lock operation process is simplified. Specifically, when the driving member drives the lever to move to a certain position, the lever triggers the triggering member, and the triggering member switches the state of the driving member, so that the driving of the driving member can be stopped in time.

[0015] Optionally, one end of the shifting rod used for cooperating with the cam is arranged in parallel with the cam, and the cam has an eccentric block used for cooperating with the shifting rod.

[0016] In the above scheme, the lever and the cam are arranged in parallel and the cam is provided with an eccentric block, which is offset from the center of the cam. When the lever rotates, it cooperates with the eccentric block to convert the rotation of the lever into the rotation of the cam, thereby realizing the locking and unlocking of the door lock. Since the radial extension distance of the eccentric block is smaller than the maximum diameter of the cam, the distance for driving the eccentric block to move is relatively shorter, so that the lever can drive the eccentric block to rotate with a smaller moving distance, thereby driving the cam to flip.

[0017] Optionally, the eccentric block is located on a side of the rotating shaft of the cam away from the opening.

[0018] In the above scheme, the eccentric block is located on the side of the cam shaft away from the opening. When unlocking, the lever pushes the eccentric block upward on the side of the opening away from the cam, so that the cam can be flipped downward and unlocked.

[0019] Optionally, the eccentric block is located on a side of the rotating shaft of the cam close to the opening.

[0020] In the above scheme, the eccentric block is located on the side of the cam shaft close to the opening. During the locking process, the lever pushes the eccentric block upward on the side close to the opening of the cam, so that the cam can be flipped upward, thereby locking the door hook.

[0021] Optionally, the transmission structure also includes: a slider, which is slidably matched with the second end of the lever, and a guide structure for driving the lever to rotate is provided between the slider and the second end of the lever, and when the slider slides relative to the lever, the guide structure is used to drive the lever to rotate, and the slider slides by being driven by the driving member.

[0022] In the above scheme, after the slider is introduced, the driving member drives the slider to slide linearly, and the slider then drives the lever to rotate through the guide structure. This design enriches the movement form of the transmission structure. After the slider is added, the movement process becomes more complex but also more controllable. This diversified movement conversion method can better adapt to different door lock design requirements and provide more possibilities for optimizing the performance of the automatic switch lock mechanism.

[0023] Optionally, the guide structure includes: an inclined surface arranged on the sliding block and a sliding protrusion arranged at the second end of the shifting rod for slidingly cooperating with the inclined surface.

[0024] In the above scheme, the inclined surface on the slider cooperates with the sliding protrusion at the second end of the lever, which can efficiently convert the linear motion of the slider into the rotation of the lever. When the slider slides linearly under the drive of the gear rack structure, the sliding protrusion moves along the inclined surface. The slope design of the inclined surface determines the speed and angle change of the lever rotation, so that the lever can be driven to rotate smoothly and effectively. For example, by reasonably setting the inclination angle of the inclined surface, the lever can be rotated at a larger angle under a smaller linear displacement of the slider, thereby quickly driving the cam to move and meet the needs of fast opening and closing the lock.

[0025] Optionally, the sliding protrusion is a cylinder detachably connected to the second end of the lever, and the side surfaces at both ends of the cylinder are respectively used to cooperate with the inclined surfaces of the sliding block.

[0026] In the above scheme, the side surfaces at both ends of the cylinder cooperate with the inclined surface of the slider to provide more stable support. This symmetrical layout ensures that the force on the sliding protrusion is evenly distributed when the slider moves linearly to drive the lever to rotate. When the slider pushes the sliding protrusion along the inclined surface, the columnar structures on both sides are subjected to force at the same time, preventing the sliding protrusion from tilting or deflecting due to uneven force, thereby ensuring the stability of the lever rotation.

[0027] Optionally, the slider and the driving member are coupled and transmitted via a gear rack structure.

[0028] In the above scheme, the slider and the driving member are driven by the gear rack structure, which can accurately convert the rotational motion of the gear into the linear motion of the slider. Every rotation of the gear can cause the slider to produce precise linear displacement through the meshing rack. In the automatic switch lock mechanism, this precise position control is crucial for controlling the rotation angle of the lever. For example, by accurately setting the number of teeth on the gear and the pitch of the rack, the movement distance of the slider can be accurately controlled, and then the rotation angle of the lever can be accurately controlled, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the door lock action.

[0029] Optionally, the transmission structure also includes: a gear set, the gear set having a plurality of transmission gears that mesh with each other, one transmission gear of the gear set is connected to the driving member and rotated by the driving member, and another transmission gear of the gear set is matched with the second end of the shifting rod to drive the shifting rod to rotate.

[0030] In the above scheme, the multiple gears of the gear set can accurately transmit the movement of the driving member to the lever through meshing. The driving member drives the transmission gear connected to it to rotate, and the rotation is accurately transmitted to the transmission gear matched with the second end of the lever through the precise meshing relationship between the gears, thereby driving the lever to rotate. This precise motion transmission ensures that the angle and speed of the lever rotation are highly matched with the input of the driving member. By selecting gears with different numbers of teeth to form a gear set, the transmission ratio can be flexibly adjusted. If the lever needs to rotate at a slower speed but obtain a larger torque to drive the cam to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member, a larger transmission ratio can be set, that is, the number of teeth of the gear connected to the driving member is smaller, and the number of teeth of the gear connected to the lever is larger. Conversely, if the lever is expected to rotate quickly to achieve a fast switch lock, the transmission ratio can be reduced. This adjustability enables the automatic switch lock mechanism to adapt to different application scenarios and requirements, such as using a smaller transmission ratio in places where the switch lock speed is required to be higher, and using a larger transmission ratio in places where the locking force is required to be greater.

[0031] Optionally, the driving member and the gear set are driven by a worm gear structure.

[0032] In the above scheme, the worm gear structure can provide a larger transmission ratio. The driving member (such as a motor) is connected to the worm, and when the worm rotates, it drives the worm wheel to rotate. Due to the special tooth structure of the worm and the worm wheel, a small amount of worm rotation can cause the worm wheel to rotate at a relatively large angle. In the automatic opening and closing lock mechanism, this means that when the driving member is running at a higher speed, after the worm gear structure is decelerated, the gear set and the lever connected to the worm wheel can obtain a suitable speed, thereby accurately controlling the movement of the cam. The large transmission ratio enables the driving member to obtain a larger torque at the output end (at the worm wheel). During the opening and closing of the lock, the cam needs to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member and the friction between the door hook and the cam. The high torque output by the worm gear structure can easily drive the lever, thereby driving the cam to overcome these resistances and ensure the normal operation of the door lock.

[0033] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a door lock, comprising: a lock housing, in which the automatic switch lock mechanism described in any one of the above schemes is installed.

[0034] The technical solution of the present invention has all the advantages of the automatic switch lock mechanism because it adopts the automatic switch lock mechanism.

[0035] In a third aspect, the present invention further provides an electrical appliance, comprising: a door panel, on which the door lock described in the above solution is installed.

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention has all the advantages of the door lock because it adopts the door lock. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0038] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a door lock provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the automatic switch lock mechanism in the door lock shown; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A perspective view of a cam in the automatic switch lock mechanism shown; Figure 4 for Figure 2 The main view of Figure 5 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the middle lever performing the unlocking action; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the middle cam performing unlocking action; Figure 7 A three-dimensional diagram of another embodiment of the automatic switch lock mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 for Figure 7 The main view of Fig. 9 for Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the middle lever performing locking action; Fig.10 for Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the locking action of the middle cam; Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the cooperation between the lever and the slider in the automatic switch lock mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.12 for Figure 1 A top view of the internal structure of the door lock.

[0039] Description of reference numerals: 1. Lock housing; 2. Lock hole; 3. Cam; 4. Opening; 5. Driving member; 6. Push rod; 7. Eccentric block; 8. Sliding block; 9. Inclined surface; 10. Sliding protrusion; 11. Electrical box; 12. First gear; 13. Second gear; 14. Third gear; 15. Fourth gear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings 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 those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0042] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0043] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0044] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, a specific implementation of the door lock provided in this embodiment includes: a lock housing 1 and an automatic switch lock mechanism installed inside the lock housing 1, wherein the lock housing 1 has a lock hole 2, and the lock hole 2 is used to insert a door hook. The automatic switch lock mechanism includes: a cam 3, which is rotatably arranged in the lock housing 1, and the cam 3 has an opening 4 for inserting a door hook; specifically, after the cam 3 is flipped to the unlocking position, the opening 4 faces the lock hole 2 of the lock housing 1, waiting for the door hook to be inserted.

[0045] A biasing member is also provided in the lock housing 1, and the biasing member cooperates with the cam 3. When the cam 3 approaches the locking position, the biasing member can provide a first biasing force to move the cam 3 toward the locking position; when the cam 3 approaches the unlocking position, the biasing member can provide a second biasing force to move the cam 3 toward the unlocking position.

[0046] That is to say, a biasing member is provided inside the lock housing 1. The biasing member closely cooperates with the cam 3, presenting the following working mode: when the cam 3 approaches the locking position, the biasing member generates a force, namely the first biasing force, to push the cam 3 to continue to move toward the locking position; and when the cam 3 approaches the unlocking position, the biasing member provides another force, namely the second biasing force, to push the cam 3 to move toward the unlocking position.

[0047] Specifically, the biasing member may be an elastic biasing member, such as a torsion spring, a tension spring, etc., or a magnetic biasing member, such as a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, etc. When a torsion spring is used, the matching structure of the locking member and the torsion spring in the door lock disclosed in Chinese patent document CN214576353U can be used, so that the cam 3 is biased by the torsion spring when it approaches the locking position and the unlocking position. When a magnetic biasing member is used, permanent magnets can be respectively arranged at the locking position and the unlocking position of the cam 3, and then an iron sheet can be arranged at the relative position of the cam 3, so that when the cam 3 approaches the unlocking position or the locking position, under the action of the magnetic force, the cam 3 moves toward the unlocking position or the locking position and remains at the position.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, a driving member 5 is also provided in the lock housing 1, and the driving member 5 cooperates with the cam 3 to drive the cam 3 to overcome the first biasing force of the biasing member and move from the unlocking position toward the locking position to the range of action of the second biasing force, and / or to drive the cam 3 to overcome the second biasing force of the biasing member and move from the locking position toward the unlocking position to the range of action of the first biasing force.

[0049] That is, in some embodiments, the driving member 5 can drive the cam 3 to resist the first biasing force of the biasing member, so that the cam 3 moves from the unlocking position to the locking position until it enters the range of action of the second biasing force. In some embodiments, the driving member 5 can drive the cam 3 to overcome the second biasing force of the biasing member, so that the cam 3 moves from the locking position to the unlocking position until it reaches the range of action of the first biasing force. In other embodiments, the driving member 5 has the above two functions.

[0050] Specifically, the driving member 5 is an electrically controlled driving member 5, such as a motor driving member 5, an electromagnetic driving member 5, a pneumatic driving member 5, a hydraulic driving member 5, an electric push rod driving member 5, etc. The driving member 5 can directly push the cam 3 by reciprocating driving.

[0051] The technical solution provided by this embodiment provides sufficient power through the driving member 5 to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member and push the cam 3 to move when opening and / or closing the door. When the cam 3 enters the power-assisting range of the biasing member, the biasing member can ensure that the cam 3 is reliably locked and unlocked. Specifically, when the cam 3 is close to the locking position, the first biasing force provided by the biasing member prompts the cam 3 to complete the locking action quickly and firmly. When the cam 3 is close to the unlocking position, the second biasing force provided by the biasing member enables smooth unlocking. Through the coordinated control of the biasing member and the driving member 5, the cam 3 can be reliably switched between the locking and unlocking positions, and the force when manually opening and / or closing the door is reduced, thereby extending the service life of the door lock and the door panel.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the driving member 5 cooperates with the cam 3 through a transmission structure, and the transmission structure includes: a lever 6, the lever 6 is rotatably arranged, the first end of the lever 6 cooperates with the cam 3, and the second end of the lever 6 is driven by the driving member 5.

[0053] That is to say, the driving member 5 cooperates with the cam 3 by means of a transmission structure, and the transmission structure includes a lever 6. The lever 6 is rotatably arranged, and its first end cooperates with the cam 3, and its second end is driven by the driving member 5. The connection parts of the lever 6, the cam 3, and the driving member 5 can be made of wear-resistant materials or specially treated to further improve the structural stability and ensure that the mechanism can still operate stably for a long time under frequent switch operations.

[0054] In this embodiment, the type of the driving member 5 is diversified through the design of the lever 6. The driving member 5 can be an electric device, such as a motor, and the motor shaft is connected to the second end of the lever 6 to realize automatic operation; or a linear driving device, such as an electric push rod, is used, and the telescopic end of the electric push rod is connected to the lever 6 to realize automatic operation.

[0055] Specifically, the connection between the lever 6 and the driving member 5 may be directly connected or indirectly connected using a structure such as a gear or a chain.

[0056] In the above scheme, the driving member 5 cooperates with the cam 3 through the lever 6. Since the lever 6 is rotatably arranged, the driving member 5 only needs to apply a driving force to the second end of the lever 6 to easily drive the first end of the lever 6 to interact with the cam 3, thereby realizing the conversion of the cam 3 between the locked and unlocked positions. The lever 6 is a key part of the transmission structure, and its rotation arrangement and cooperation with the cam 3 and the driving member 5 enhance the structural stability of the entire automatic switch lock mechanism.

[0057] In some alternative embodiments, the driving member 5 may also cooperate with the cam 3 through other transmission structures, such as magnetic transmission, where electromagnets with opposite magnetic properties are respectively arranged on the driving member 5 and the cam 3, and when the driving member 5 approaches the cam 3, the cam 3 is deflected under the drive of the electromagnetic force.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the distance between the second end of the lever 6 and its rotation center is greater than the distance between the first end and its rotation center. In other words, the distance between the second end of the lever 6 and its rotation center is greater than the distance between the first end and the rotation center. With this labor-saving design, in the case of electric drive, the motor can run at a lower power, because the labor-saving effect of the lever 6 reduces the resistance that the motor needs to overcome, thereby reducing energy consumption, and also extending the service life of the motor and other drive components.

[0059] Of course, the above description is not restrictive. In some alternative embodiments, the distance between the first end of the lever 6 and the rotation center can also be equal to the distance between the second end and the rotation center, thereby forming an equal-arm lever structure; the equal-arm lever 6 has a simple structure and relatively low manufacturing and installation costs. In some occasions where labor saving is not required but there are special requirements for the symmetry and stability of the movement of the lever 6, the equal-arm lever 6 can provide a more regular movement mode.

[0060] In some alternative embodiments, the distance between the first end of the lever 6 and the rotation center may also be greater than the distance between the second end and the rotation center, thereby forming a force lever structure; this structure can achieve rapid motion transmission. When the cam 3 needs to be driven quickly to lock or unlock, the force lever 6 can cause the cam 3 to produce a larger angular displacement under a smaller movement stroke of the driving member 5.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, one end of the lever 6 used for cooperating with the cam 3 is arranged in parallel with the cam 3, and the cam 3 is provided with an eccentric block 7 used for cooperating with the lever 6. In other words, the end of the lever 6 used for cooperating with the cam 3 is arranged in parallel with the cam 3. The cam 3 is provided with an eccentric block 7 specially used for cooperating with the lever 6. Through this arrangement, the spatial layout of the automatic switch lock mechanism is effectively optimized while ensuring the function.

[0062] Specifically, the lever 6 is arranged in parallel with the cam 3 and the cam 3 has an eccentric block 7, which is offset from the center of the cam 3. When the lever 6 rotates, it cooperates with the eccentric block 7 to convert the rotation of the lever 6 into the rotation of the cam 3, thereby realizing the locking and unlocking of the door lock. Since the radial extension distance of the eccentric block 7 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the cam 3, the distance for driving the eccentric block 7 to move is relatively shorter, so that the lever 6 can drive the eccentric block 7 to rotate with a smaller moving distance, thereby driving the cam 3 to flip.

[0063] Of course, the above description is not restrictive. In some alternative embodiments, the lever 6 can be directly connected to the cam 3 without the eccentric block 7. One end of the lever 6 directly acts on the edge or a specific part of the cam 3, and the cam 3 is directly driven to rotate by the rotation of the lever 6.

[0064] In addition, in this embodiment, a triggering member is further included, which is electrically connected to the driving member 5 and is used to switch the driving state of the driving member 5. The triggering member is triggered by the lever 6. Specifically, the triggering member is installed in the housing, and its triggering end is arranged on the moving path of the lever 6 when the lever 6 is in motion. When the lever 6 moves, the triggering member is triggered to stop or reverse the driving member 5, thereby avoiding the problem of excessive movement of the lever 6.

[0065] In the above scheme, the triggering member is connected to the driving member 5 and is triggered by the lever 6, so that the entire switch lock operation process is simplified. Specifically, when the driving member 5 drives the lever 6 to move to the desired position, the lever 6 triggers the triggering member, and the triggering member switches the state of the driving member 5, so that the driving of the driving member 5 can be stopped in time. This method of directly triggering by the lever 6 makes the structure of the entire mechanism more compact. In a door lock installation environment with limited space, the compact structure is easier to install and layout, and also reduces the risk of failure caused by too many external connections.

[0066] In addition, in some alternative embodiments, the trigger member may also cooperate with the driving member 5 or the cam 3. Alternatively, the trigger member may be omitted, and a timing control module may be integrated on the driving member 5 to automatically switch the driving state of the driving member 5 through a preset time program.

[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, an electrical box 11 is provided in the lock housing 1, and the electrical box 11 is used to lock the cam 3. Specifically, when the cam 3 locks the door hook, the electrical box 11 locks the cam 3 through the locking block, which can prevent the cam 3 from being unlocked during the operation of the machine. The electrical box 11 drives the locking block to lock the cam 3, which is a common design for improving the front door lock, and is not described in detail here.

[0068] like Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the eccentric block 7 is located on the side of the rotating shaft of the cam 3 away from the opening 4. Such an arrangement can facilitate driving the cam 3 to unlock the door hook.

[0069] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, when unlocking, the lever 6 pushes the eccentric block 7 upward on the side of the opening 4 away from the cam 3, so that the opening 4 of the cam 3 can be flipped downward, thereby unlocking the door hook.

[0070] like Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the eccentric block 7 is located on a side of the rotating shaft of the cam 3 close to the opening 4. Such an arrangement can facilitate driving the cam 3 to lock the door hook.

[0071] like Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, when locking, the lever 6 pushes the eccentric block 7 upward on the side of the opening 4 close to the cam 3, so that the opening 4 of the cam 3 can be turned upward, thereby locking the door hook.

[0072] In addition, in some alternative embodiments, a plurality of eccentric blocks 7 may be provided on the cam 3, which are respectively located at different positions of the rotating shaft, including a side away from the opening 4 and a side close to the opening 4, and a plurality of levers 6 are used to cooperate with the plurality of eccentric blocks 7, respectively, so as to realize the rotation of the cam 3 in different directions. By reasonably designing the positions, shapes and cooperation sequences of the plurality of eccentric blocks 7, different driving forces can be provided to the cam 3 at different stages.

[0073] like Fig.11 As shown, in this embodiment, the transmission structure further includes: a slider 8, the slider 8 is in sliding cooperation with the second end of the lever 6, a guide structure is provided between the slider 8 and the second end of the lever 6 for driving the lever 6 to rotate, when the slider 8 slides relative to the lever 6, the guide structure is used to drive the lever 6 to rotate, and the slider 8 slides by the drive of the driving member 5. That is to say, the slider 8 is in sliding cooperation with the second end of the lever 6, and a guide structure is provided between the slider 8 and the second end of the lever 6, and the guide structure can drive the lever 6 to rotate. When the slider 8 slides relative to the lever 6, the lever 6 is driven to rotate by the guide structure. The slider 8 slides under the drive of the driving member 5.

[0074] In the above scheme, the guide structure between the slider 8 and the lever 6 can accurately control the rotation angle of the lever 6. When the slider 8 slides under the drive of the gear set, the guide structure guides the lever 6 to rotate according to a predetermined trajectory, so that the starting and ending positions of the lever 6 and the angle change during the rotation process can be accurately controlled. In the automatic switch lock mechanism, by accurately controlling the rotation angle of the lever 6, the cam 3 is accurately controlled to ensure that the door hook and the opening 4 of the cam 3 are accurately matched during the locking and unlocking process, thereby improving the reliability and stability of the door lock.

[0075] In addition, the existence of the slider 8 also shares part of the load in the transmission process. In the process of automatically opening and closing the lock, the lever 6 needs to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member and the resistance generated by the movement of the cam 3. The cooperation between the slider 8 and the lever 6 allows these loads to be more evenly distributed on the slider 8 and the lever 6. When the lever 6 is subjected to a large reverse force, the slider 8 can disperse part of the force through the guide structure, reducing the pressure on the lever 6 alone, thereby reducing the risk of deformation or damage of the lever 6 due to excessive force, extending the service life of the lever 6, and further enhancing the stability of the entire transmission structure.

[0076] Compared with the transmission of the lever 6 directly connected to other parts, the sliding of the slider 8 can avoid excessive wear caused by long-term local force, and improve the reliability of the transmission structure. For example, in the case of frequent opening and closing of the lock, uniform friction can ensure that the slider 8 and the lever 6 maintain a good matching state for a long time, reducing the problem of increased clearance due to wear and tear affecting the performance of the door lock.

[0077] The arrangement of the slider 8 provides more flexibility for the spatial layout of the transmission structure inside the door lock. Since the slider 8 can slide within a certain range, the relative positions of the gear set, the slider 8 and the lever 6 can be adjusted according to the shape and size of the internal space of the door lock. For example, in some door locks with irregular shapes or limited space, the slider 8 can cleverly use the remaining space to make the transmission structure more compact and reasonable, thereby improving space utilization.

[0078] In some places where there are special requirements for the speed of opening and closing the lock, the slider 8 and the guide structure can be optimized so that the lever 6 can be rotated quickly to achieve rapid opening and closing of the lock; in places where higher locking force requirements are required, the structural parameters can be adjusted so that the lever 6 can provide greater driving force during the rotation process.

[0079] Of course, the above description is not restrictive. In some alternative embodiments, a connecting rod can be used instead of the slider 8, one end of the connecting rod is hinged to the second end of the lever 6, and the other end is hinged to a gear or other driving component in the gear set. When the gear set rotates, the connecting rod hinged thereto is driven to move, and the connecting rod drives the lever 6 to rotate through the hinge point. The connecting rod transmission structure is simple and intuitive, and can directly convert the rotational motion of the gear set into the rotation of the lever 6. The length of the connecting rod and the position of the hinge point can be adjusted according to actual needs, so as to flexibly change the motion trajectory and rotation angle of the lever 6. In addition, the connecting rod transmission has good stability when transmitting a large load, and is suitable for occasions with high driving force requirements.

[0080] In some alternative embodiments, a steel wire rope may be used to connect the driving member 5 and the second end of the lever 6. The steel wire rope is wound around the gear set, and when the driving member 5 rotates, the steel wire rope is pulled or released, thereby driving the lever 6 to rotate. A guide wheel may be provided at one end of the lever 6 connected to the steel wire rope, which is used to change the movement direction of the steel wire rope and ensure its tension. The steel wire rope transmission has a simple structure, low cost, and a certain degree of flexibility, and can realize transmission in a more complex spatial layout. The steel wire rope can bypass obstacles in a smaller space and connect components at different positions. It is suitable for occasions where space utilization requirements are high and the driving force requirements are not particularly large.

[0081] like Fig.11 As shown, in this embodiment, the guide structure includes: an inclined surface 9 provided on the slider 8 and a sliding protrusion 10 provided at the second end of the lever 6 for slidingly cooperating with the inclined surface 9. In other words, the guide structure is composed of two parts: one is the inclined surface 9 provided on the slider 8, and the other is the sliding protrusion 10 located at the second end of the lever 6, and the sliding protrusion 10 forms a sliding cooperation relationship with the inclined surface 9 on the slider 8.

[0082] Specifically, a slide groove is provided at the tail of the slider 8, and a sliding protrusion 10 is provided at the second end of the lever 6, and the sliding protrusion 10 is embedded in the slide groove. The shape of the slide groove determines the movement trajectory and rotation mode of the lever 6, and the slide groove provided on the slider 8 can be linear or curved, depending on the movement requirements of the lever 6. When the slider 8 slides, the protrusion of the lever 6 moves in the slide groove, thereby driving the lever 6 to rotate.

[0083] The guide structure in the above scheme establishes an accurate movement relationship between the linear motion of the slider 8 and the rotation of the lever 6. The matching mode of the inclined surface 9 and the sliding protrusion 10 makes a clear corresponding relationship between the rotation angle of the lever 6 and the linear displacement of the slider 8. By accurately designing the parameters of the inclined surface 9 and the size of the sliding protrusion 10, the rotation of the lever 6 can be accurately controlled, and then the movement of the cam 3 can be accurately controlled.

[0084] In addition, the matching mode of the inclined surface 9 and the sliding protrusion 10 helps to disperse the force during the transmission process. When the slider 8 drives the lever 6 to rotate, the force is evenly distributed on the inclined surface 9 through the sliding protrusion 10, avoiding the situation where the local force is too large. Compared with other simple connection methods, this design of dispersing force can reduce the risk of wear and damage caused by stress concentration on specific parts of the slider 8 and the lever 6. In the process of frequent opening and closing the lock, due to the dispersed force, the slider 8 and the lever 6 can maintain good structural integrity and extend their service life.

[0085] Moreover, the sliding fit between the inclined surface 9 and the sliding protrusion 10 is relatively stable. During the relative movement of the slider 8 and the lever 6, the inclined surface 9 provides a clear motion guide for the sliding protrusion 10, making it difficult for the fit between the two to be misaligned or shaken. This stable fit ensures the accuracy and reliability of the transmission process. Even when the automatic switch lock mechanism is subject to vibration or external force interference, it can still maintain normal transmission function and ensure the normal operation of the door lock.

[0086] The design of the guide structure in this embodiment has high flexibility. By adjusting the parameters such as the inclination angle and length of the inclined surface 9 and the shape and position of the sliding protrusion 10, the rotation characteristics of the lever 6 can be changed. For example, increasing the inclination angle of the inclined surface 9 can make the lever 6 rotate to a larger angle under the same displacement of the slider 8, which is suitable for occasions where rapid opening and closing of the lock is required; while reducing the inclination angle can achieve more precise rotation control of the lever 6, which is suitable for situations where high position accuracy of the cam 3 is required. This parameter adjustability enables the automatic opening and closing lock mechanism to better adapt to different application scenarios and requirements.

[0087] Of course, the above description is not restrictive. In some alternative embodiments, the slider 8 and the second end of the lever 6 can also be connected by a connecting rod, and the two ends of the connecting rod are respectively connected to the slider 8 and the lever 6 in a hinged manner. When the slider 8 moves, the connecting rod drives the lever 6 to rotate around its hinge point. Parameters such as the length of the connecting rod, the position of the hinge point, and the connection angle with the slider 8 and the lever 6 will affect the rotation effect of the lever 6. This guide structure is simple and reliable, and can effectively convert the linear motion of the slider 8 into the rotation of the lever 6. The length and hinge point position of the connecting rod can be adjusted according to actual needs, and has a certain degree of flexibility. In addition, the connecting rod and the hinge point of this structure can withstand large forces, which is suitable for automatic switch lock mechanisms with high driving force requirements.

[0088] like Fig.12As shown, in this embodiment, the slider 8 and the driving member 5 are driven by a gear rack structure. Specifically, a rack is provided on the slider 8, and the driving end of the driving member 5 is connected to a gear. The gear and the rack are meshed and matched. When the gear rotates forward or reversely, the rack can be driven to move, so that the slider 8 can slide back and forth. The gear rack transmission process is relatively smooth, and while converting the motion form, the impact and vibration during the motion process are reduced. The meshing between the gear and the rack can evenly transmit power, so that the slider 8 has a stable speed during the linear motion process, and there will be no obvious speed fluctuations.

[0089] The gear rack structure is relatively compact, and while achieving motion conversion, it can effectively utilize the space inside the door lock. Compared with some complex transmission structures, the gear rack can be arranged more simply inside the door lock, reducing the space occupied. For example, in some small door locks with strict volume restrictions, the gear rack structure can be compactly installed in a limited space and reasonably arranged with other components to ensure that the entire automatic switch lock mechanism can operate normally.

[0090] Of course, the above description is not restrictive. In some alternative embodiments, a screw nut structure can be used instead of a gear rack structure to connect the slider 8 and the gear set. The gear set drives the screw to rotate, and the nut on the screw is fixedly connected to the slider 8. When the screw rotates, the nut moves linearly on the screw, thereby driving the slider 8 to move. Advantages: The screw nut transmission structure has a higher transmission accuracy and can achieve more precise linear displacement control of the slider 8. At the same time, the screw nut transmission can provide a larger axial force, which is suitable for occasions with higher driving force requirements. In addition, the screw nut transmission process is relatively smooth and the noise is small, which is suitable for environments with lower noise requirements.

[0091] In addition, in some alternative embodiments, a synchronous belt drive can also be used to connect the slider 8 and the gear set. One of the gears in the gear set serves as a driving pulley, a driven pulley is installed on the slider 8, and the synchronous belt is sleeved on the two pulleys. When the gear set rotates, the driving pulley drives the synchronous belt to move, and the synchronous belt drives the driven pulley to rotate, thereby causing the slider 8 to move in a straight line. The inner surface of the synchronous belt has teeth that mesh with the tooth grooves of the pulley to ensure the accuracy of the transmission. The synchronous belt drive has high transmission accuracy and can achieve precise linear motion control of the slider 8. It also has good shock absorption performance, and the transmission process is smooth and low in noise. The synchronous belt drive can also achieve a larger transmission ratio in a smaller space, which is suitable for occasions with high requirements for space utilization and transmission accuracy.

[0092] like Fig.12As shown, in this embodiment, the transmission structure also includes: a gear set, the gear set has a plurality of transmission gears that are meshed and matched, one transmission gear of the gear set is connected to the driving member 5, and is rotated by the driving of the driving member 5, and another transmission gear of the gear set is matched with the second end of the shifting rod 6 to drive the shifting rod 6 to rotate.

[0093] That is to say, there are multiple transmission gears in the gear set, and these gears are meshed with each other to achieve transmission. Among them, one transmission gear of the gear set is connected to the driving member 5 and rotates under the drive of the driving member 5; and another transmission gear of the gear set cooperates with the second end of the lever 6 to drive the lever 6 to rotate.

[0094] Specifically, in this embodiment, there are four sets of gears meshing in sequence, wherein the first gear 12, the second gear 13, and the third gear 14 each have two concentrically arranged gears, a large gear and a small gear, and the fourth gear 15 can be a single gear.

[0095] The large gear in the first gear 12 can cooperate with the driving member 5 through a worm gear structure. Specifically, the driving end of the driving member 5 is connected to the worm, and the large gear in the first gear 12 serves as a turbine, so that the rotation of the worm drives the first gear 12 to rotate.

[0096] The pinion in the first gear 12 meshes with the large gear in the second gear 13, the pinion in the second gear 13 meshes with the large gear in the third gear 14, and the pinion in the third gear 14 meshes with the fourth gear 15. The rotation drive of the driving member 5 is transmitted by the above sequential meshing transmission.

[0097] In this embodiment, the gear set can be used to achieve a force amplification effect. When the power of the driving member 5 is transmitted to the lever 6 through the gear set, according to the setting of the transmission ratio, a greater driving force can be obtained at the lever 6 than when the driving member 5 directly outputs it. This is very helpful for overcoming the large biasing force generated by the biasing member during the process of opening and closing the lock, and ensuring that the cam 3 can smoothly move between the locked and unlocked positions.

[0098] In addition, the gear meshing transmission has high stability. During the process of opening and closing the lock, the close meshing between the gears can reduce the vibration and impact during the transmission process, making the rotation of the lever 6 more stable, thereby ensuring that the movement of the cam 3 is also stable and reliable. This stability helps to extend the service life of the various components of the automatic opening and closing lock mechanism, reduce the problems of component wear and looseness caused by vibration and impact, and improve the reliability and durability of the entire mechanism. In the case of frequent opening and closing of the lock, the stable transmission process can keep the mechanism in good working condition for a long time.

[0099] Moreover, the existence of the gear set makes the layout between the driving member 5 and the lever 6 more flexible. Since the gears can be installed and arranged through different axes, the driving member 5 can be placed at a position far away from the lever 6, and the power can be effectively transmitted through the gear set. This provides more possibilities for the spatial layout of the automatic switch lock mechanism inside the door lock, and can better adapt to the structural design requirements of different door locks. In some door locks with limited space and irregular shapes, the gear set can cleverly utilize the space and reasonably arrange the positions of the driving member 5 and the lever 6.

[0100] Of course, the above description is not restrictive. In some alternative embodiments, a chain drive can also be used instead of a gear set. The driving member 5 is connected to the active sprocket, and the second end of the lever 6 is connected to the driven sprocket, and the chain is wrapped around the two sprockets. When the driving member 5 rotates, the active sprocket drives the chain to move, thereby driving the driven sprocket to rotate, causing the lever 6 to rotate. Chain drive can transmit power over a long distance, is suitable for situations where the driving member 5 and the lever 6 are far apart, and has strong adaptability to the installation space. Chain drive has a certain degree of flexibility and can adapt to different installation angles and positions to a certain extent. In addition, the cost of chain drive is relatively low, and maintenance is also relatively convenient. It only requires regular lubrication and checking of the tension of the chain.

[0101] In some alternative embodiments, a belt drive can also be used to connect the driving member 5 and the lever 6. The driving member 5 is connected to the active pulley, and the second end of the lever 6 is connected to the driven pulley, and the belt is sleeved on the two pulleys. When the driving member 5 rotates, the active pulley drives the belt to move, thereby driving the driven pulley to rotate and realizing the rotation of the lever 6. The belt drive has good shock absorption performance and can reduce vibration and noise during the transmission process. It is suitable for places with low noise requirements, such as home door locks, office door locks, etc. In addition, the belt drive also has an overload protection function. When encountering too much resistance, the belt will slip on the pulley to avoid damage to the driving member 5 or other components due to overload.

[0102] In this embodiment, the driving member 5 is connected to the gear set through a worm gear structure, which has a self-locking characteristic. When the worm stops rotating, the worm wheel will not rotate automatically under the load. In the automatic switch lock mechanism, this feature provides additional safety for the door lock. The worm gear structure is relatively compact and occupies less space between the driving member 5 and the gear set. This is very beneficial for the layout of the automatic switch lock mechanism in the limited space inside the door lock, and can make the entire mechanism more compact. In some small door locks or equipment door locks with strict space requirements, the compact worm gear transmission structure can be better integrated with other components to make full use of the limited space without affecting the normal function of the mechanism.

[0103] In addition, in some alternative embodiments, the driving member 5 can be directly connected to a gear in the gear set, and the power is transmitted through the meshing between the gears. The teeth of the gears are arranged in parallel, and the power is transmitted directly and efficiently when they mesh with each other, which can efficiently transmit the power of the driving member 5 to the gear set and the lever 6, reducing energy loss. It has a simple structure, relatively low manufacturing and installation costs, and is easy to maintain and repair. In addition, the instantaneous transmission ratio of the gear transmission is constant, which can achieve more accurate motion transmission, and is suitable for occasions with high requirements for transmission accuracy and not too stringent requirements for spatial layout.

[0104] In addition, this embodiment further provides an electrical appliance, comprising: a door panel, on which the door lock described in the above solution is installed. Specifically, the electrical appliance may be a household appliance such as a washing machine and a clothes dryer.

[0105] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic switch lock mechanism, characterized in that: include: A cam (3) is rotatably arranged, wherein the cam (3) has an opening (4) for inserting a door hook; a biasing member, cooperating with the cam (3), such that when the cam (3) approaches the locking position, the biasing member can provide a first biasing force causing the cam (3) to move toward the locking position; and when the cam (3) approaches the unlocking position, the biasing member can provide a second biasing force causing the cam (3) to move toward the unlocking position; A driving member (5) cooperates with the cam (3) and is used to drive the cam (3) to overcome the first biasing force of the biasing member and move from the unlocking position toward the locking position to the range of action of the second biasing force, and / or to drive the cam (3) to overcome the second biasing force of the biasing member and move from the locking position toward the unlocking position to the range of action of the first biasing force.

2. The automatic switch lock mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving member (5) cooperates with the cam (3) via a transmission structure, wherein the transmission structure comprises a shifting rod (6), wherein the shifting rod (6) is rotatably arranged, wherein a first end of the shifting rod (6) cooperates with the cam (3), and a second end of the shifting rod (6) is driven by the driving member (5).

3. The automatic switch lock mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distance between the second end of the lever (6) and its rotation center is greater than the distance between the first end and its rotation center.

4. The automatic switch lock mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the shifting rod (6) used for cooperating with the cam (3) is arranged in parallel with the cam (3), and the cam (3) is provided with an eccentric block (7) used for cooperating with the shifting rod (6).

5. The automatic switch lock mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The eccentric block (7) is located on a side of the rotating shaft of the cam (3) away from the opening (4).

6. The automatic switch lock mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The eccentric block (7) is located on a side of the rotating shaft of the cam (3) close to the opening (4).

7. The automatic switch lock mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The transmission structure further comprises: a slider (8), the slider (8) being slidably engaged with the second end of the lever (6), a guide structure for driving the lever (6) to rotate being provided between the slider (8) and the second end of the lever (6), and when the slider (8) slides relative to the lever (6), the guide structure is used to drive the lever (6) to rotate, and the slider (8) is driven by the driving member (5) to slide.

8. The automatic switch lock mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: The guide structure comprises: an inclined surface (9) arranged on the sliding block (8) and a sliding protrusion (10) arranged on the second end of the shifting rod (6) and used for slidingly cooperating with the inclined surface (9).

9. The automatic switch lock mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sliding block (8) and the driving member (5) are coupled and transmitted via a gear rack structure.

10. The automatic switch lock mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The transmission structure further comprises: a gear set, the gear set comprising a plurality of meshing transmission gears, one transmission gear of the gear set being connected to the driving member (5) and being driven to rotate by the driving member (5), and another transmission gear of the gear set being engaged with the second end of the shifting rod (6) and being used to drive the shifting rod (6) to rotate.

11. The automatic switch lock mechanism according to claim 10, characterized in that: The driving member (5) and the gear set are coupled for transmission via a worm gear structure.

12. A door lock, characterized in that: include: A lock housing (1), wherein the automatic switch lock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is installed in the lock housing (1).

13. An electrical appliance, characterized in that: include: A door panel having the door lock according to claim 12 mounted thereon.

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