An automatic switch lock mechanism, door lock and electrical appliance

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic lock-unlock mechanism, a door lock and an appliance, relating to the technical field of door locks. The automatic lock-unlock mechanism includes: a cam and a biasing member that cooperate with each other. When the cam approaches the locked position, the biasing member can provide a first biasing force that causes the cam to move towards the locked position; when the cam approaches the unlocked position, the biasing member can provide a second biasing force that causes the cam to move towards the unlocked position; a driving member that cooperates with the cam and is used to drive the cam to move from the unlocked position towards the locked position against the first biasing force of the biasing member to the range of action of the second biasing force, and / or is used to drive the cam to move from the locked position towards the unlocked position against the second biasing force of the biasing member to the range of action of the first biasing force. Through the coordinated control of the biasing member and the driving member, the present invention enables the cam to reliably switch between the locked and unlocked positions, reduces the force required for manual door opening and / or closing, and extends the service life of the door lock and the door panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of door locks, and particularly relates to an automatic locking and unlocking mechanism, a door lock and an appliance. Background Art

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

[0003] However, before the existing door lock automatically locks the door panel, it is also 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, a door lock disclosed in Chinese Patent Document CN214576353U locks and unlocks a door hook by flipping a locking member in a lock case. A torsion spring is connected to the locking member, and the torsion spring can keep the locking member in the locking position and the unlocking position. That is to say, when the electrical box unlocks the locking member, the locking member will not leave the locking position, and it is necessary to manually open the door panel. This process requires overcoming the elastic force of the torsion spring connected to the locking member. Similarly, when it is necessary to lock the door panel, it is also necessary to first manually push the door panel in place. 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] In the technical solution of the above door lock, during use, the operation of manually opening and closing the door panel is relatively laborious, and when the force is too large, it is easy to damage the door panel and the door lock. Summary of the Invention

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

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an automatic locking and unlocking mechanism, including:

[0007] A cam, rotatably arranged, the cam having an opening for inserting a door hook;

[0008] A biasing member, cooperating with the cam, when the cam approaches the locking position, the biasing member can provide a first biasing force for moving the cam towards the locking position; when the cam approaches the unlocking position, the biasing member can provide a second biasing force for moving the cam towards the unlocking position;

[0009] A driving member, which cooperates with the cam and is used to drive the cam to move from the locking position towards the unlocking position against the first biasing force of the biasing member to the range of the second biasing force, and / or is used to drive the cam to move from the unlocking position towards the locking position against the second biasing force of the biasing member to the range of the first biasing force.

[0010] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0011] When opening and / or closing the door, sufficient power is provided by the driving member to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member and push the cam to move. When the cam enters the assisting range of the biasing member, the biasing member can ensure reliable locking and unlocking of the cam. Specifically, when the cam approaches the locking position, the first biasing force provided by the biasing member causes the cam to complete the locking action quickly and stably. When the cam approaches the unlocking position, the second biasing force provided by the biasing member enables smooth unlocking.

[0012] Through the coordinated control of the biasing member and the driving member, the present invention enables the cam to reliably switch between the locking and unlocking positions, reduces the force required for manual door opening and / or closing, and extends the service life of the door lock and the door panel.

[0013] Optionally, the driving member cooperates with the cam through a transmission structure, and the transmission structure includes: a lever, the lever is rotatably arranged, the first end of the lever cooperates with the cam, and the second end of the lever is driven by the driving member.

[0014] In the above solution, the driving member cooperates with the cam through the lever. Since the lever is rotatably arranged, 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, realizing the conversion of the cam between the locking and unlocking positions. As a key part of the transmission structure, the rotation setting of the lever and its cooperation with the cam and the driving member enhance the structural stability of the entire automatic locking and unlocking mechanism.

[0015] 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.

[0016] In the above solution, the distance between the second end of the lever and the rotation center is greater than that of the first end, forming a labor-saving lever structure. According to the lever principle, when the power arm (the distance from the second end to the rotation center) is greater than the resistance arm (the distance from the first end to the rotation center), a smaller force applied to the second end of the lever can generate a larger acting force at the first end to drive the cam. This labor-saving design enables the motor to operate at a lower power in the case of electric drive, because the labor-saving effect of the lever reduces the resistance that the motor needs to overcome, thereby reducing energy consumption and extending the service life of drive components such as the motor.

[0017] Optionally, it further includes a trigger, which is electrically connected to the driving member and is used to switch the driving state of the driving member, and the trigger is triggered by the lever.

[0018] In the above solution, the trigger is connected to the driving member and is triggered by the lever, which simplifies the entire operation process of the switch lock. Specifically, when the driving member drives the lever to move in place, the lever triggers the trigger, and the trigger switches the state of the driving member, so as to be able to stop the driving of the driving member in time.

[0019] Optionally, one end of the lever for cooperating with the cam is arranged side by side with the cam, and the cam has an eccentric block for cooperating with the lever.

[0020] In the above solution, the lever is arranged side by side with the cam and there is an eccentric block on the cam. The eccentric block deviates from the center of the cam. When the lever rotates, it cooperates with the eccentric block, and the rotational movement of the lever can be converted 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 less than the maximum diameter of the cam, the distance for driving the eccentric block to move is relatively shorter, so that the eccentric block can be driven to rotate by a relatively small moving distance of the lever, thereby driving the cam to flip.

[0021] Optionally, the eccentric block is located on the side of the rotating shaft of the cam away from the opening.

[0022] In the above solution, the eccentric block is located on the side of the rotating shaft of the cam away from the opening. When unlocking, the lever pushes the eccentric block upward on the side away from the opening of the cam, and the cam can be flipped downward, thereby unlocking.

[0023] Optionally, the eccentric block is located on the side of the rotating shaft of the cam close to the opening.

[0024] In the above solution, the eccentric block is located on the side of the rotating shaft of the cam 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, and the cam can be flipped upward, thereby locking the door hook.

[0025] Optionally, the transmission structure further includes: a slider, which is slidably matched with the second end of the lever. There is a guiding structure between the slider and the second end of the lever for driving the lever to rotate. When the slider slides relative to the lever, the guiding structure is used to drive the lever to rotate, and the slider slides under the drive of the driving member.

[0026] In the above solution, after introducing the slider, the driving member drives the slider to perform linear sliding, and the slider then drives the lever to rotate through the guiding structure. This design enriches the motion forms of the transmission structure. After adding the slider, the motion process becomes more complex but also more controllable. This diverse motion conversion method can better adapt to different door lock design requirements and provides more possibilities for optimizing the performance of the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism.

[0027] Optionally, the guiding structure includes: an inclined surface provided on the slider and a sliding convex block provided at the second end of the lever for sliding cooperation with the inclined surface.

[0028] In the above solution, the inclined surface on the slider cooperates with the sliding convex block 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 performs linear sliding driven by the gear-rack structure, the sliding convex block moves along the inclined surface. The slope design of the inclined surface determines the rotation speed and angle change of the lever, enabling the lever to be driven to rotate smoothly and effectively. For example, by reasonably setting the inclination angle of the inclined surface, a large-angle rotation of the lever can be achieved with a small linear displacement of the slider, thereby quickly driving the cam to move and meeting the requirements of quick locking and unlocking.

[0029] Optionally, the sliding convex block 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 for cooperating with the inclined surface of the slider.

[0030] In the above solution, by cooperating the side surfaces at both ends of the cylinder with the inclined surface of the slider, more stable support can be provided. This symmetric layout ensures that during the process of the linear motion of the slider driving the rotation of the lever, the forces received by the sliding convex block are evenly distributed. When the slider pushes the sliding convex block along the inclined surface, the cylindrical structures on both sides are stressed simultaneously, preventing the sliding convex block from tilting or shifting due to uneven stress, thereby ensuring the stability of the rotation of the lever.

[0031] Optionally, the slider and the driving member are in transmission cooperation through a gear-rack structure.

[0032] In the above solution, the slider and the driving member are in transmission cooperation through a gear-rack structure, which can accurately convert the rotational motion of the gear into the linear motion of the slider. Each rotation of the gear can cause the slider to generate an accurate linear displacement through the engaged rack. In the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism, this accurate position control is crucial for controlling the rotation angle of the lever. For example, by accurately setting the number of teeth of the gear and the pitch of the rack, the moving distance of the slider can be accurately controlled, and then the rotation angle of the lever can be precisely controlled, improving the accuracy and reliability of the door lock operation.

[0033] Optionally, the transmission structure further includes: a gear set, the gear set having a plurality of transmission gears that are meshed and cooperate with each other. One transmission gear of the gear set is connected to the driving member and rotates by the drive of the driving member. Another transmission gear of the gear set cooperates with the second end of the lever for driving the lever to rotate.

[0034] In the above solution, the multiple gears of the gear set are meshed and cooperate with each other, and can accurately transmit the movement of the driving member to the lever. The driving member drives the transmission gear connected thereto to rotate, and this rotation is accurately transmitted to the transmission gear cooperating with the second end of the lever through the precise meshing relationship between the gears, thereby driving the lever to rotate. This precise movement transmission ensures that the rotation angle and speed of the lever match the input of the driving member. By selecting gears with different numbers of teeth to form the gear set, the transmission ratio can be flexibly adjusted. If it is necessary for the lever 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 gear connected to the driving member has fewer teeth, while the gear connected to the lever has more teeth. Conversely, if it is desired for the lever to rotate quickly to achieve quick locking and unlocking, the transmission ratio can be reduced. This adjustability enables the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism to adapt to different application scenarios and requirements. For example, a smaller transmission ratio is used in places where a higher speed of locking and unlocking is required, while a larger transmission ratio is used in places where a greater locking force is required.

[0035] Optionally, the driving member and the gear set are cooperatively driven through a worm and worm gear structure.

[0036] In the above solution, the worm and 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 gear to rotate. Due to the special tooth profile structure of the worm and the worm gear, a small rotation of the worm can cause the worm gear to rotate by a relatively large angle. In the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism, this means that when the driving member operates at a higher rotational speed, after deceleration by the worm and worm gear structure, the gear set and the lever connected to the worm gear can obtain an appropriate rotational speed, thereby precisely controlling the movement of the cam. The large transmission ratio enables the driving member to obtain a larger torque at the output end (the worm gear). During the locking and unlocking process, the cam needs to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member and the frictional force between the door hook and the cam and other resistances. The high torque output by the worm and worm gear structure can easily drive the lever, and then drive the cam to overcome these resistances to ensure the normal operation of the door lock.

[0037] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a door lock, including: a lock housing, and the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism according to any one of the above solutions is installed in the lock housing.

[0038] Due to the adoption of the above automatic locking and unlocking mechanism in the technical solution of the present invention, it has all the advantages of the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism.

[0039] In a third aspect, the present invention also provides an electrical appliance, comprising: a door panel, on which the door lock described in the above solution is installed.

[0040] Due to the adoption of the above door lock in the technical solution of the present invention, it has all the advantages of this door lock. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0042] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the door lock provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 a perspective view of the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism inside the door lock shown;

[0044] Figure 3 It is Figure 2 a perspective view of the cam in the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism shown;

[0045] Figure 4 It is Figure 2 the front view of

[0046] Figure 5 It is Figure 4 a schematic diagram of the unlocking action of the lever in

[0047] Figure 6 It is Figure 5 a schematic diagram of the unlocking action of the cam in

[0048] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of another embodiment of the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 8 It is Figure 7 the front view of

[0050] Figure 9 It is Figure 8 a schematic diagram of the locking action of the lever in

[0051] Figure 10 It is Figure 9 a schematic diagram of the locking action of the cam in

[0052] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the lever and the slider in the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 12 is Figure 1 a top view of the internal structure of the door lock in

[0054] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings:

[0055] 1. Lock housing; 2. Lock hole; 3. Cam; 4. Opening; 5. Driving member; 6. Lever; 7. Eccentric block; 8. Slide block; 9. Inclined surface; 10. Sliding projection; 11. Electrical box; 12. First gear; 13. Second gear; 14. Third gear; 15. Fourth gear. Detailed implementation manners

[0056] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0057] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is 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 thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0058] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected" and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection or an integral connection; it may be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0059] 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.

[0060] Such as Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown in the figure, a specific implementation of the door lock provided by this embodiment includes: a lock case 1 and an automatic switch lock mechanism installed inside the lock case 1. The lock case 1 has a lock hole 2, and a door hook is inserted into the lock hole 2. The automatic switch lock mechanism includes: a cam 3, which is rotatably arranged in the lock case 1, and the cam 3 has an opening 4 for inserting the door hook. Specifically, after the cam 3 is flipped to the unlocking position, the opening 4 faces the lock hole 2 of the lock case 1 for the door hook to be inserted.

[0061] A biasing member is further arranged in the lock case 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 that causes the cam 3 to move towards the locking position; when the cam 3 approaches the unlocking position, the biasing member can provide a second biasing force that causes the cam 3 to move towards the unlocking position.

[0062] That is to say, inside the lock case 1, a biasing member is provided. This biasing member closely cooperates with the cam 3, presenting such a working mode: when the cam 3 approaches the locking position, the biasing member will generate a force, that is, the first biasing force, to push the cam 3 to continue moving towards the locking position; when the cam 3 approaches the unlocking position, the biasing member will provide another force, that is, the second biasing force, to cause the cam 3 to move towards the unlocking position.

[0063] Specifically, the biasing member can 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 cooperation structure between the locking member and the torsion spring in the door lock disclosed in Chinese Patent Document CN214576353U can be adopted, so that when the cam 3 approaches the locking position and the unlocking position, the biasing force is provided by the torsion spring. 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 iron sheets are arranged at the relative positions of the cam 3. Thus, when the cam 3 approaches the unlocking position or the locking position, under the action of the magnetic force, the cam 3 moves towards the unlocking position or the locking position and stays at this position.

[0064] As Figure 2 As shown in the figure, a driving member 5 is further arranged in the lock case 1. The 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 locking position towards the unlocking position to the action range of the second biasing force, and / or is used to drive the cam 3 to overcome the second biasing force of the biasing member and move from the unlocking position towards the locking position to the action range of the first biasing force.

[0065] That is to say, in some embodiments, the driving member 5 can drive the cam 3 to resist the first biasing force of the biasing member, causing the cam 3 to move from the locked position towards the unlocked 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, causing the cam 3 to move from the unlocked position towards the locked 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.

[0066] Specifically, the driving member 5 is an electrically controlled driving member, such as: a motor driving member, an electromagnetic driving member, a pneumatic driving member, a hydraulic driving member, an electric push rod driving member, etc. The driving member 5 can directly push the cam 3 through reciprocating driving.

[0067] The technical solution provided in this embodiment, when opening and / or closing the door, 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 the cam 3 enters the assisting range of the biasing member, the biasing member can ensure reliable locking and unlocking of the cam 3. Specifically, when the cam 3 approaches the locked position, the first biasing force provided by the biasing member causes the cam 3 to quickly and firmly complete the locking action. When the cam 3 approaches the unlocked 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 reliably switch between the locked and unlocked positions, reducing the force required for manual door opening and / or closing, and extending the service life of the door lock and the door panel.

[0068] As Figure 2 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.

[0069] That is to say, the driving member 5 cooperates with the cam 3 through the transmission structure, and the transmission structure includes the lever 6. The lever 6 is arranged in a rotatable manner, its first end works together with the cam 3, and the second end is driven by the driving member 5. Among them, the connecting parts of the lever 6 with the cam 3 and the driving member 5 can be made of wear-resistant materials or undergo special treatment to further improve the structural stability and ensure that the mechanism can still operate stably for a long time under frequent locking and unlocking operations.

[0070] The design of the lever 6 in this embodiment enables the driving member 5 to have a variety of types. The driving member 5 can be an electric device, such as a motor. Connecting the motor shaft to the second end of the lever 6 can achieve automated operation; it can also use a linear driving device, such as an electric push rod. Connecting the telescopic end of the electric push rod to the lever 6 can also achieve automated operation.

[0071] Specifically, the connection between the lever 6 and the driving member 5 can be a direct connection or an indirect connection using structures such as gears and chains.

[0072] In the above solution, 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, and it can easily drive the first end of the lever 6 to interact with the cam 3, realizing the conversion of the cam 3 between the locked and unlocked positions. As a key part of the transmission structure, the rotational arrangement of the lever 6 and its cooperation with the cam 3 and the driving member 5 enhance the structural stability of the entire automatic locking and unlocking mechanism.

[0073] In some alternative embodiments, the driving member 5 can also cooperate with the cam 3 through other transmission structures. For example, magnetic drive, where electromagnets with opposite magnetic poles are respectively arranged on the driving member 5 and the cam 3. When the driving member 5 approaches the cam 3, the cam 3 deflects under the drive of the electromagnetic force, etc.

[0074] As Figure 2 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. That is to say, the distance from the second end of the lever 6 to its rotation center is larger than the distance from the first end to the rotation center. This labor-saving design enables the motor to operate at a relatively low power in the case of electric drive, 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 drive components such as the motor.

[0075] 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, thus 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 there is not high demand for labor-saving but 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.

[0076] In some alternative embodiments, the distance between the first end of the lever 6 and the rotation center can also be greater than the distance between the second end and the rotation center, thus forming a laborious lever structure; this structure can achieve rapid movement transmission. In occasions where it is necessary to quickly drive the cam 3 to perform locking or unlocking actions, the laborious lever 6 can cause a large angular displacement of the cam 3 with a small movement stroke of the driving member 5.

[0077] As Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment, one end of the lever 6 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 for cooperating with the lever 6. That is to say, the end of the lever 6 for cooperating with the cam 3 is arranged in parallel with the cam 3. On the cam 3, there is an eccentric block 7 specifically for cooperating with the lever 6. Through this setting, on the premise of ensuring the function, the spatial layout of the automatic switch lock mechanism is effectively optimized.

[0078] Specifically, the lever 6 is arranged in parallel with the cam 3 and there is an eccentric block 7 on the cam 3. The eccentric block 7 deviates from the center of the cam 3. When the lever 6 rotates, it cooperates with the eccentric block 7, and the rotational movement of the lever 6 can be converted 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 less than the maximum diameter of the cam 3, the distance for driving the eccentric block 7 to move is relatively shorter, so that the eccentric block 7 can be driven to rotate by a relatively small moving distance of the lever 6, and then the cam 3 can be driven to flip.

[0079] 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 rotation of the lever 6 directly drives the rotation of the cam 3.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, it further includes a trigger member. The trigger member is electrically connected to the driving member 5 and is used to switch the driving state of the driving member 5. The trigger member is triggered by the lever 6. Specifically: The trigger member is installed in the housing, and its trigger end is arranged on the moving path of the lever 6 when it moves. When the lever 6 moves, the trigger member is triggered, so that the driving member 5 stops or is driven in the reverse direction, thereby avoiding the problem of excessive movement of the lever 6.

[0081] In the above solution, the trigger member is connected to the driving member 5 and is triggered by the lever 6, which simplifies the entire switch lock operation process. Specifically, when the driving member 5 drives the lever 6 to move in place, the lever 6 triggers the trigger member, and the trigger member switches the state of the driving member 5, so that the driving of the driving member 5 can be stopped in time. This direct triggering method by the lever 6 makes the structure of the entire mechanism more compact. In the door lock installation environment with limited space, a compact structure is easier to install and layout, and at the same time, it also reduces the risk of failure caused by excessive external connections.

[0082] In addition, in some alternative embodiments, the trigger member can also cooperate with the driving member 5 or the cam 3. Or the trigger member can be omitted, and a timing control module is integrated on the driving member 5 to automatically switch the driving state of the driving member 5 through a preset time program.

[0083] Such as Figure 2As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, an electrical box 11 is provided inside the lock housing 1, and the electrical box 11 is used to lock the cam 3. Specifically, after 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. Driving the locking block by the electrical box 11 to lock the cam 3 is a common design of the front door lock before improvement, which will not be elaborated here.

[0084] As Figure 3 shown in the figure, 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 a setting can facilitate driving the cam 3 to unlock the door hook.

[0085] As Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown in the figure, when unlocking, the lever 6 pushes the eccentric block 7 upward on the side away from the opening 4 of the cam 3, which can cause the opening 4 of the cam 3 to flip downward, and then unlock the door hook.

[0086] As Figure 7 shown in the figure, in some embodiments, the eccentric block 7 is located on the side of the rotating shaft of the cam 3 close to the opening 4. Such a setting can facilitate driving the cam 3 to lock the door hook.

[0087] As Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown in the figure, when locking, the lever 6 pushes the eccentric block 7 upward on the side close to the opening 4 of the cam 3, which can cause the opening 4 of the cam 3 to flip upward, and then lock the door hook.

[0088] In addition, in some alternative embodiments, multiple eccentric blocks 7 can be provided on the cam 3, which are located at different positions of the rotating shaft, including the side away from the opening 4 and the side close to the opening 4. By using multiple levers 6 to cooperate with the multiple eccentric blocks 7 respectively, the cam 3 can be rotated in different directions. By reasonably designing the positions, shapes and cooperation sequences of the multiple eccentric blocks 7, different driving forces can be provided for the cam 3 at different stages.

[0089] As Figure 11As 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] Compared with the transmission of the lever 6 directly connected to other components, the sliding of the slider 8 can avoid excessive wear caused by long-term local force, thereby improving 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] In some places with special requirements for the speed of locking and unlocking, the slider 8 and the guiding structure can be optimized so that the lever 6 can rotate quickly to achieve fast locking and unlocking; while in places with higher requirements for the locking force, the structural parameters can be adjusted so that the lever 6 can provide a greater driving force during rotation.

[0095] 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 in the gear set or other driving components. When the gear set rotates, it drives the connected connecting rod 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 large loads and is suitable for occasions with higher requirements for driving force.

[0096] In some alternative embodiments, a steel wire rope can also 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. When the driving member 5 rotates, the steel wire rope is pulled or released, thereby driving the lever 6 to rotate. A guide wheel can be provided at the end of the lever 6 connected to the steel wire rope to change the motion direction of the steel wire rope and ensure its tension. The steel wire rope transmission structure is simple, has a low cost, and has a certain flexibility, and can achieve transmission in a relatively complex spatial layout. The steel wire rope can bypass obstacles in a small space and connect components at different positions, and is suitable for occasions with high requirements for space utilization and not particularly large requirements for driving force.

[0097] As Figure 11 shown, in this embodiment, the guiding structure includes: an inclined surface 9 provided on the slider 8 and a sliding convex block 10 provided at the second end of the lever 6 for sliding cooperation with the inclined surface 9. That is to say, the guiding structure is composed of two parts: one is the inclined surface 9 provided on the slider 8, and the other is the sliding convex block 10 located at the second end of the lever 6, and this sliding convex block 10 forms a sliding cooperation relationship with the inclined surface 9 on the slider 8.

[0098] Specifically, a chute is provided at the tail of the slider 8, and a sliding convex block 10 is provided at the second end of the lever 6, and the sliding convex block 10 is embedded in the chute. Among them, the shape of the chute determines the motion trajectory and rotation mode of the lever 6. The chute provided on the slider 8 can be linear or curved, depending on the motion requirements of the lever 6. When the slider 8 slides, the convex block of the lever 6 moves in the chute, thereby driving the lever 6 to rotate.

[0099] In the guiding structure of the above solution, an accurate motion correlation is established 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 bump 10 enables a clear corresponding relationship between the rotation angle of the lever 6 and the linear displacement of the slider 8. By precisely designing the parameters of the inclined surface 9 and the dimensions of the sliding bump 10, the rotation of the lever 6 can be accurately controlled, and further, the motion of the cam 3 can be precisely controlled.

[0100] In addition, the matching mode of the inclined surface 9 and the sliding bump 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 bump 10, avoiding the situation of excessive local force. Compared with other simple connection methods, this design of force dispersion can reduce the risk of wear and damage caused by stress concentration at specific parts of the slider 8 and the lever 6. During the frequent process of locking and unlocking, due to the dispersed force, the slider 8 and the lever 6 can maintain good structural integrity and extend their service life.

[0101] Moreover, the sliding fit between the inclined surface 9 and the sliding bump 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 bump 10, making it difficult for the two to be misaligned or shaken. This stable fit ensures the accuracy and reliability of the transmission process. Even when the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism is affected by vibration or external force interference, it can still maintain normal transmission function and ensure the normal operation of the door lock.

[0102] The design of the guiding structure in this embodiment has high flexibility. By adjusting parameters such as the inclination angle and length of the inclined surface 9 and the shape and position of the sliding bump 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 a larger angle under the same displacement of the slider 8, which is suitable for occasions that require rapid locking and unlocking; while decreasing the inclination angle can achieve more precise control of the rotation of the lever 6, which is suitable for situations with high requirements for the position accuracy of the cam 3. This parameter adjustability enables the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism to better adapt to different application scenarios and requirements.

[0103] 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. The two ends of the connecting rod are respectively hinged to the slider 8 and the lever 6. 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 guiding 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 of the connecting rod and the position of the hinge point can be adjusted according to actual needs, with a certain degree of flexibility. In addition, the connecting rod and the hinge point of this structure can withstand greater forces, and are suitable for automatic switch lock mechanisms with higher requirements for driving force.

[0104] As Figure 12 shown, in this embodiment, the slider 8 and the driving member 5 are in transmission cooperation through a gear-rack structure. Specifically, a rack is provided on the slider 8, the driving end of the driving member 5 is connected to a gear, and the gear meshes with the rack. When the gear rotates forward or backward, it can drive the rack to move, so that the slider 8 makes a reciprocating slide. The gear-rack transmission process is relatively stable, reducing the impact and vibration during the motion while converting the motion form. The meshing between the gear and the rack can evenly transmit power, making the speed of the slider 8 stable during the linear motion and without obvious speed fluctuations.

[0105] The gear-rack structure is relatively compact. While realizing the 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 occupation. 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 the normal operation of the entire automatic switch lock mechanism.

[0106] Of course, the above description is not restrictive. In some alternative embodiments, a lead screw-nut structure can also be used to replace the gear-rack structure to connect the slider 8 and the gear set. The gear set drives the lead screw to rotate, and the nut on the lead screw is fixedly connected to the slider 8. When the lead screw rotates, the nut makes a linear motion on the lead screw, thereby driving the slider 8 to move. Advantages: The lead screw-nut transmission structure has high transmission accuracy and can achieve more precise linear displacement control of the slider 8. At the same time, the lead screw-nut transmission can provide a large axial force and is suitable for occasions with higher requirements for driving force. In addition, the lead screw-nut transmission process is relatively stable and has low noise, making it suitable for environments with low noise requirements.

[0107] 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 the driving pulley, and a driven pulley is installed on the slider 8. 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 perform a linear motion. The inner surface of the synchronous belt has teeth that mesh with the tooth grooves of the pulleys, ensuring the accuracy of the transmission. The synchronous belt drive has a high transmission accuracy, can achieve precise linear motion control of the slider 8, and at the same time has good shock absorption performance, with a smooth transmission process and low noise. The synchronous belt drive can also achieve a large transmission ratio in a relatively small space, and is suitable for occasions with high requirements for space utilization and transmission accuracy.

[0108] As Figure 12 shown, in this embodiment, the transmission structure further includes: a gear set, the gear set having a plurality of transmission gears that are meshed and cooperate to drive, one transmission gear of the gear set is connected to the driving member 5 and rotates through 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.

[0109] That is to say, there are a plurality of transmission gears in the gear set, and these gears achieve transmission through mutual meshing. 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.

[0110] Specifically, in this embodiment, there are four groups of gears that are sequentially meshed and driven. Among them, 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.

[0111] Among them, the large gear in the first gear 12 can be in transmission cooperation with the driving member 5 through a worm and worm gear structure. Specifically, the driving end of the driving member 5 is connected to a worm, and the large gear in the first gear 12 serves as a worm wheel, so as to drive the first gear 12 to rotate through the rotation of the worm.

[0112] The small gear in the first gear 12 meshes and drives with the large gear in the second gear 13, the small gear in the second gear 13 meshes and drives with the large gear in the third gear 14, and the small gear in the third gear 14 meshes with the fourth gear 15. Through the above sequential meshing and driving, the rotational drive of the driving member 5 is transmitted.

[0113] In this embodiment, a gear set can be used to achieve the amplification of force. 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 the direct output of the driving member 5. This is very beneficial for overcoming the large biasing force generated by the biasing member during the locking and unlocking process, ensuring that the cam 3 can move smoothly between the locking and unlocking positions.

[0114] In addition, gear meshing transmission has high stability. During the locking and unlocking process, the close meshing between gears can reduce the vibration and impact during transmission, making the rotation of the lever 6 smoother, and further ensuring the smooth and reliable movement of the cam 3. This stability helps to extend the service life of the components of the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism, reduce problems such as component wear and loosening caused by vibration and impact, and improve the reliability and durability of the entire mechanism. In the case of frequent locking and unlocking, the stable transmission process can keep the mechanism in good working condition for a long time.

[0115] Moreover, the presence of the gear set makes the layout between the driving member 5 and the lever 6 more flexible. Since gears can be installed and arranged through different shafts, the driving member 5 can be placed at a relatively far position from the lever 6, and the effective transmission of power can be achieved through the gear set. This provides more possibilities for the spatial layout of the automatic locking and unlocking mechanism inside the door lock and can better meet the structural design requirements of different door locks. Inside some door locks with limited space and irregular shapes, the gear set can make good use of the space and reasonably arrange the positions of the driving member 5 and the lever 6.

[0116] Of course, the above description is not restrictive. In some alternative embodiments, chain drive can also be used to replace the gear set. The driving member 5 is connected to the driving sprocket, the second end of the lever 6 is connected to the driven sprocket, and the chain is wound between the two sprockets. When the driving member 5 rotates, the driving sprocket drives the chain to move, and then drives the driven sprocket to rotate, causing the lever 6 to rotate. Chain drive can transmit power over a long distance, is suitable for the case where the distance between the driving member 5 and the lever 6 is relatively far, and has strong adaptability to the installation space. Chain drive has a certain 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 the maintenance is relatively convenient, only requiring regular lubrication and inspection of the chain tension.

[0117] 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 driving pulley, and the second end of the lever 6 is connected to the driven pulley. The belt is sleeved on the two pulleys. When the driving member 5 rotates, the driving 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, can reduce the vibration and noise during the transmission process, and is suitable for places with low noise requirements, such as household door locks, office door locks, etc. In addition, the belt drive also has an overload protection function. When encountering excessive resistance, the belt will slip on the pulley, avoiding damage to the driving member 5 or other components due to overload.

[0118] In this embodiment, the driving member 5 and the gear set are connected through a worm and worm gear structure, which has a self-locking characteristic. When the worm stops rotating, the worm gear will not rotate by itself under the action of the load. In the automatic door locking and unlocking mechanism, this characteristic provides additional safety for the door lock. The worm and 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 limited space layout of the automatic door locking and unlocking mechanism inside the door lock, enabling the entire mechanism to be more compact. In some small door locks or equipment door locks with strict space requirements, the compact worm and worm gear transmission structure can be better integrated with other components, making full use of the limited space without affecting the normal function of the mechanism.

[0119] In addition, in some alternative embodiments, the driving member 5 can be directly connected to one of the gears in the gear set, and the power is transmitted through the meshing between the gears. The teeth of the gears are arranged parallel to each other, and the power is transmitted directly and efficiently when they mesh, capable of efficiently transmitting the power of the driving member 5 to the gear set and the lever 6, reducing energy loss. Its structure is simple, the manufacturing and installation costs are relatively low, and it is easy to maintain and repair. In addition, the instantaneous transmission ratio of the gear drive is constant, enabling relatively precise motion transmission, and is suitable for occasions with high requirements for transmission accuracy and less demanding requirements for space layout.

[0120] In addition, this embodiment also provides an electrical appliance, including: a door panel, on which the door lock described in the above solution is installed. Specifically, the electrical appliance can be household appliances such as washing machines and dryers.

[0121] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations all fall 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 locking position toward the unlocking 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 unlocking position toward the locking 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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