A door lock assembly of a home appliance and a home appliance

Abstract

The application provides a door lock assembly of a household appliance and the household appliance. The door lock assembly of the household appliance comprises a door lock and a lock hook. The door lock has a lock hole matched with the lock hook. The bottom of the lock hole is provided with a downward extending avoiding opening. A guide part is arranged in the avoiding opening. The top of the guide part is rotatable to the inside of the door lock. The application sets the downward extending avoiding opening at the bottom of the lock hole and sets the guide part with the rotatable top to the inside of the door lock in the avoiding opening. When the door body is drooping, the lock hook contacts with the guide part. Under the action of the door closing force, at least the top of the guide part rotates to the inside of the lock hole to avoid the lock hook, so that the lock hook is smoothly inserted into the door lock. Meanwhile, the guide part can also buffer the impact force of the lock hook and the door lock, so as to avoid the damage of the door lock and the lock hook.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of household appliance technology, specifically relating to a door lock component for a household appliance, and also to a household appliance equipped with the door lock component, particularly to a drum-type garment processing device equipped with the door lock component. Background Technology

[0002] Existing drum washing machines use a front-opening design. The door of a drum washing machine is relatively heavy, and the viewing window of the entire door tends to be large, thus increasing the overall size of the door and the cantilever from the center of the door to the center of the hinge. In particular, some models have additional functional modules on the door, further increasing the door's weight. During use, with the increase in the number of times the door is opened and closed, the door is prone to sagging. The lock hook and door lock will deviate significantly from their normal positions when closed, causing misalignment of the lock hook and door lock. When the door is closed, the lock hook and door lock collide, damaging the lock hook and door lock, resulting in a poor user experience.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, existing technologies typically involve improving door hinges, such as increasing their strength or reducing installation errors. For instance, Chinese invention patent application CN201910968872.X discloses an installation structure for an observation window door hinge and a clothing handling device. However, due to the large distance between the hinge and the latch, even a small error at the hinge will result in a significant deviation in the position at the latch. Furthermore, the special hinge structure and the reinforced front panel of the washing machine can impose substantial burdens on the manufacturing process and increase costs.

[0004] Therefore, designing a door lock assembly for home appliances that can improve the smoothness of the lock hook insertion into the door lock has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art.

[0005] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a door lock assembly for a household appliance. By providing a downwardly extending clearance at the bottom of the lock hole, and a guide portion with at least its top rotatable inwards within the clearance, the lock hook can contact the guide portion when the door is drooping. Under the force of closing the door, at least the top of the guide portion rotates inwards towards the lock hole to avoid the lock hook, allowing the lock hook to be smoothly inserted into the lock. This solves the problem in existing drum-type garment handling equipment where the lock hook cannot be smoothly inserted into the lock due to door drooping.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A door lock assembly for a household appliance includes a door lock and a lock hook. The door lock has a lock hole that engages with the lock hook. The bottom of the lock hole has a downwardly extending clearance, and a guide portion is provided inside the clearance. The top of the guide portion is rotatable toward the interior of the door lock.

[0009] Furthermore, the guide portion rotates with the bottom of the clearance opening, and / or, at least the top of the guide portion is made of an elastic material;

[0010] Preferably, the guide is made of a rigid material and rotates with the bottom of the clearance opening.

[0011] Furthermore, in the unlocked state, the locking part of the latch inside the door lock is lower than the keyhole, and the top of the guide part can rotate within the height range between the bottom of the keyhole and the top of the locking part in the unlocked state;

[0012] Preferably, in the unlocked state, the rotation axis of the guide part is not higher than the top of the locking part.

[0013] Furthermore, the guide section and the door lock are provided with:

[0014] The first limiting structure is used to limit the guide part to a first position. When the guide part is in the first position, the top of the guide part is flush with the bottom of the lock hole.

[0015] The second limiting structure is used to limit the guide part to the second position. In the unlocked state, when the guide part is in the second position, the top of the guide part is not lower than the top of the locking part.

[0016] Furthermore, the first limiting structure protrudes outward from the bottom of the guide portion toward the outside of the door lock, and when the guide portion rotates to the first position, the first limiting structure abuts against the bottom of the clearance opening;

[0017] Preferably, the clearance extends vertically, or the clearance extends obliquely upwards toward the interior of the door lock; the extension direction of the guide portion when it is in the first position is the same as the extension direction of the clearance portion;

[0018] Preferably, the second limiting structure is a locking part, and in the unlocked state, when the guide part is in the second position, the top of the guide part abuts against the top of the locking part.

[0019] Furthermore, during the process of switching to the locked state, the bolt pushes the lock hook to rise to the set height;

[0020] Preferably, the latch is rotatably disposed inside the door lock, and a first working surface is provided on the latch. The first working surface is located on the side of the locking part away from the key hole. During the process of switching to the locked state, the first working surface abuts against the bottom of the lock hook and pushes the lock hook up to a set height from the end of the lock hook.

[0021] Furthermore, the latch also includes a stop, which is positioned opposite to the end of the lock hook. When the lock hook is inserted into the door lock, it pushes the stop to rotate the latch and the locking part enters the hook hole.

[0022] The first working surface is located between the top and the locking part.

[0023] Furthermore, a second working surface is provided on the side of the lock tongue near the lock hole. In the locked state, the guide part rotates to the first position, and the second working surface abuts against the side of the guide part facing the inside of the lock.

[0024] Preferably, a protrusion is provided on the side of the guide near the latch, and the protrusion is used to abut against the second working surface.

[0025] Furthermore, an arcuate surface extending around the rotation axis of the lock tongue is provided on the side of the lock tongue near the lock hole, and the top of the guide part abuts against the arcuate surface when the guide part is in the second position; the second working surface is provided at the lower end of the arcuate surface, and the distance between the second working surface and the rotation axis of the lock tongue gradually increases in the direction away from the arcuate surface.

[0026] Preferably, an elastic element is provided between the guide portion and the clearance opening, the elastic element being used to push the guide portion to rotate to the first position; and / or, during the process of switching to the locked state, the locking tongue pushes the guide portion to rotate to the first position through the second working surface, and locks the guide portion to the first position.

[0027] The present invention also provides a home appliance having the door lock assembly of the aforementioned home appliance;

[0028] Preferably, the door lock is installed on the cabinet of the home appliance, and the lock hook is installed on the door of the home appliance and cooperates with the door lock;

[0029] Preferably, the household appliances include drum-type garment processing equipment.

[0030] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0031] 1. The present invention provides a downwardly extending clearance at the bottom of the lock hole, and a guide part with at least its top rotatable inwards within the clearance. When the door is drooping, the lock hook contacts the guide part. Under the force of closing the door, the top of the guide part rotates inwards towards the lock hole to avoid the lock hook, allowing the lock hook to be smoothly inserted into the lock. At the same time, the guide part can also buffer the impact force between the lock hook and the lock, preventing damage to the lock and the lock hook.

[0032] 2. By setting the guide part to be higher than the top of the locking part when it is in the second position, or the top of the guide part is flush with the top of the locking part, the present invention can raise the lock hook to a certain height through the guide part when the door body sags too much, so that the lock hole of the lock hook can be moved to the position corresponding to the locking part of the lock tongue, and the door lock can lock the lock hook.

[0033] 3. The present invention limits the guide part to the second position by locking the latch, which can ensure the simplicity of the door lock structure and improve the reliability of limiting the guide part; locking the guide part to the first position by locking the latch can prevent the guide part from generating noise due to vibration deflection during the operation of home appliances.

[0034] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the door lock structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the door lock assembly when the door is normally closed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figures 3 to 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the door lock assembly during the closing process when the door body is drooping, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the door lock assembly when the latch is in the locked state in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the door lock behind the hidden guide section in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Description of main components in the diagram: 11. Housing; 111. Lock hole; 112. Guide part; 1121. First pivot; 1122. Protrusion; 113. First extension; 114. Second extension; 1141. Clearance opening; 12. Lock tongue; 122. Locking part; 123. Top abutment; 124. Second pivot; 12-1. First working surface; 12-2. Second working surface; 12-3. Arc surface; 2. Lock hook; 21. Hook hole.

[0042] It should be noted that these accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0044] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0045] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present invention introduces a door lock assembly for a home appliance, including a door lock and a lock hook 2. The door lock is provided with a lock hole 111 and a lock tongue 12 is provided inside the door lock. The lock hook 2 is inserted into the door lock through the lock hole 111 and the lock tongue 12 locks the lock hook 2 inside the door lock.

[0047] The door lock is installed on the cabinet of the home appliance, and the lock hook 2 is installed on the door of the home appliance. When the door is closed, the lock hook 2 is inserted into the door lock horizontally from the lock hole 111.

[0048] In some possible embodiments, the door lock does not have a separate housing 11, but is integrated into the enclosure of the appliance. Specifically, the enclosure has a mounting cavity, the latch 12 is disposed within the mounting cavity, and a lock hole 111 is provided on the side wall of the mounting cavity facing the door.

[0049] In some other possible embodiments, the door lock includes a housing 11 through which it is mounted on the appliance. A latch 12 is mounted within the housing 11, and a keyhole 111 is provided on the housing 11.

[0050] This embodiment uses the example of a door having a separate housing 11 for illustration.

[0051] Existing home appliances with side-opening doors inevitably experience door sagging during use. This causes the lock hook 2 and lock to deviate significantly from their normal positions when closed, leading to misalignment. When the door closes, the lock hook 2 collides with the lock, easily damaging both. For drum-type garment processing equipment, this also reduces the door's locking effectiveness, increasing the risk of water leakage during operation.

[0052] To address this technical problem, in this embodiment, a downwardly extending clearance 1141 is provided at the bottom of the lock hole 111, and a guide portion 112 is provided within the clearance 1141. At least the top of the guide portion 112 is rotatable towards the inside of the lock. By providing a downwardly extending clearance 1141 at the bottom of the lock hole 111, and a guide portion 112 with at least its top rotatable towards the inside of the lock within the clearance 1141, the lock hook 2 can contact the guide portion 112 when the door is drooping. Under the force of closing the door, at least the top of the guide portion 112 rotates towards the inside of the lock hole 111 to avoid the lock hook 2, allowing the lock hook 2 to smoothly insert into the lock. At the same time, the guide portion 112 can also buffer the impact force between the lock hook 2 and the lock, preventing damage to the lock and the lock hook 2.

[0053] The width of the clearance opening 1141 in the horizontal direction is the same as the width of the lock hole 111 in the horizontal direction.

[0054] In some possible embodiments, the guide portion 112 is fixed to the bottom of the clearance opening 1141 and extends upward from the bottom of the clearance opening 1141. At least the top of the guide portion 112 is made of an elastic material, so that when the door is drooping, the lock hook 2 pushes the guide portion 112 to rotate inward toward the lock hole 111 under the action of the closing force, and the lock hook 2 can be inserted into the door lock from the clearance opening 1141.

[0055] Preferably, in this embodiment, the guide portion 112 is made entirely of an elastic material.

[0056] In some other possible embodiments, the guide portion 112 is rotatably engaged with the bottom of the clearance opening 1141, and the guide portion 112 is mounted on the bottom of the clearance opening 1141 via a first pivot 1121. In this embodiment, the guide portion 112 can be made of a rigid material or an elastic material.

[0057] In some preferred embodiments, the guide portion 112 is made of a rigid material and rotatably engages with the bottom of the clearance opening 1141. The guide portion 112 is configured with a first position and a second position. When the guide portion 112 is in the first position, the guide portion 112 forms a first angle with the insertion direction of the locking hook 2. When the guide portion 112 is in the second position, the guide portion 112 forms a second angle with the insertion direction of the locking hook 2. The second angle is smaller than the first angle, and the guide portion 112 rotates between the first position and the second position.

[0058] Preferably, the first angle is greater than or equal to 45° and less than or equal to 90°. The second angle is greater than or equal to 0° and less than 45°.

[0059] Specifically, a first limiting structure and a second limiting structure are provided between the guide part 112 and the door lock, and the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure are respectively used to limit the guide part 112 to a first position and a second position.

[0060] In this embodiment, the guide part 112 is rotatably engaged with the left and right side walls of the clearance opening 1141 via the first rotating shaft 1121. That is, the two ends of the first rotating shaft 1121 are connected to the left and right side walls of the clearance opening 1141 and are located near the bottom of the clearance opening 1141.

[0061] The bottom of the guide portion 112 is provided with a first limiting structure that protrudes outward from the door lock. During the process of the guide portion 112 rotating outward from the door lock, the first limiting structure abuts against the bottom of the clearance opening 1141 to prevent the guide portion 112 from continuing to rotate outward. And / or, the housing 11 of the door lock is provided with a first limiting structure. The first limiting structure is provided on the side of the guide portion 112 away from the latch 12. Specifically, the first limiting structure can be provided on the housing 11 on the outer periphery of the clearance opening 1141 to prevent the guide portion 112 from continuing to rotate outward.

[0062] The position of the guide part 112 when it stops rotating outward is the first position of the guide part 112.

[0063] A second limiting structure is provided on the side of the guide portion 112 facing the inside of the lock. During the process of the guide portion 112 rotating into the lock, the second limiting structure abuts against the bottom of the clearance opening 1141 to prevent the guide portion 112 from continuing to rotate inward. And / or, a second limiting structure is provided on the housing 11 of the lock. The second limiting structure is located on the side of the guide portion 112 near the latch 12 to prevent the guide portion 112 from continuing to rotate into the lock.

[0064] The position where the guide part 112 stops rotating inward is the second position of the guide part 112.

[0065] Preferably, the bottom of the clearance opening 1141 is provided with a support plane, and the first limiting structure is provided at the bottom of the guide part 112. Specifically, the first limiting structure is a protrusion extending from the bottom of the guide part 112 toward the outside of the door lock. When the guide part 112 rotates to the first position, the first limiting structure abuts against the support plane.

[0066] Preferably, the side of the guide portion 112 facing the outside of the clearance opening 1141 is a plane. When the guide portion 112 is in the first position, the side of the guide portion 112 facing the outside of the clearance opening 1141 is coplanar with the outer side of the housing 11 around the clearance opening 1141.

[0067] Preferably, in this embodiment, the clearance opening 1141 extends obliquely upwards toward the interior of the door lock.

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the upper and lower sides of the lock hole 111 are provided with extensions extending outward toward the door lock. The extensions extend obliquely toward the side wall of the door lock in a direction close to the lock hole 111, forming a flared structure that facilitates the insertion of the lock hook 2 into the lock hole 111.

[0069] Specifically, a first extension 113 is provided above the lock hole 111, protruding outwards from the lock. The bottom of the first extension 113 is flush with the top of the lock hole 111. The first extension 113 extends obliquely from top to bottom and closer to the inside of the lock towards the side wall outside the lock. A second extension 114 is provided below the lock hole 111, protruding outwards from the lock. The top of the second extension 114 is flush with the bottom of the lock hole 111. The second extension 114 extends obliquely from bottom to top and closer to the inside of the lock towards the side wall outside the lock.

[0070] In this embodiment, the clearance opening 1141 is provided on the side wall of the second extension 114 facing the outside of the door lock. The width of the clearance opening 1141 in the horizontal direction is the same as the width of the lock hole 111 in the horizontal direction. The guide part 112 is configured as a plate shape adapted to the shape of the clearance opening 1141.

[0071] Specifically, when the guide portion 112 is in the first position, its extension direction is the same as the extension direction of the clearance opening 1141. Preferably, the side of the guide portion 112 facing the outside of the door lock is coplanar with the side wall of the second extension portion 114 facing the outside of the door lock, the top of the guide portion 112 is flush with the top of the second extension portion 114, and the bottom of the guide portion 112 smoothly transitions with the bottom of the second extension portion 114.

[0072] In this embodiment, the latch 12 includes a locking part 122 corresponding to the hook hole 21 of the lock hook 2. The latch 12 is configured with a locked state and an unlocked state, and the latch 12 can switch between the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0073] Specifically, the "locked state" refers to the state when the locking part 122 of the latch 12 is inserted into the hook hole of the lock hook. In the locked state, the lock hook is locked inside the door lock by the locking part of the latch and cannot be disengaged from the door lock. The "unlocked state" refers to the state when the locking part 122 of the latch 12 is disengaged from the hook hole of the lock hook. In the unlocked state, the locking part of the latch can block the movement path of the lock hook, and the lock hook can freely insert into / disengage from the door lock.

[0074] Preferably, in this embodiment, when the guide portion 112 is in the second position, in the unlocked state, the locking portion 122 of the latch 12 is misaligned with the hook 2, and in the locked state, the locking portion 122 of the latch 12 is at least partially inserted into the hook hole 21.

[0075] Specifically, when the lock hook 2 is inserted into the door lock, if the door body is drooping, the guide part 112 will no longer rotate into the door lock after rotating to the second position. At this time, the guide part 112 can guide the lock hook 2. The lock hook 2 is raised to a certain height by the guide part 112, so that when the lock tongue 12 is switched to the locked state, the locking part 122 of the lock tongue 12 can be inserted into the hook hole 21 of the lock hook 2.

[0076] For door locks where the locking part 122 is lower than the keyhole 111 when the bolt 12 is in the unlocked state, the hook 2 can be raised to a position higher than the locking part 122 by the support and guidance of the guide part 112, thus preventing the hook 2 from hitting the bolt 12.

[0077] In some preferred embodiments, in the unlocked state, the locking portion 122 of the latch 12 is lower than the keyhole 111.

[0078] In this embodiment, the top of the guide portion 112 is rotatable within the height range between the bottom of the lock hole 111 and the top of the locking portion 122.

[0079] Specifically, in the unlocked state, when the guide part 112 is in the first position, the top of the guide part 112 is flush with the bottom of the lock hole 111. When the guide part 112 is in the second position, the top of the guide part 112 is higher than the top of the locking part 122, or the top of the guide part 112 is flush with the top of the locking part 122.

[0080] Preferably, in this embodiment, in the unlocked state, the rotation axis of the guide portion 112 is lower than the top of the locking portion 122, or the rotation axis of the guide portion 112 is flush with the top of the locking portion 122. When the door body sags excessively, the guide portion 112 can raise the lock hook 2 to a certain height, allowing the lock hole 111 of the lock hook 2 to move to a position corresponding to the locking portion 122 of the latch 12. When the latch 12 switches to the locked state, the locking portion 122 of the latch 12 can be inserted into the hook hole 21 of the lock hook 2, locking the lock hook 2 in the door lock.

[0081] Existing door locks typically have a flared guide structure at the keyhole 111. This guide structure protrudes outwards from the lock, with its outer side extending at an inward angle towards the lock's interior, guiding the lock hook 2. However, due to the limited angle of the guide structure's outer surface, its guiding effect on the lock hook 2 is limited. Simply reducing the angle of the slope can cause the lock hook 2 to collide with the housing below the guide structure when the door sags. Alternatively, it can increase the diameter of the keyhole 111, creating a large hole in the appliance's housing and severely affecting its appearance.

[0082] In this embodiment, by providing a rotatable guide portion 112, when the door sagging is small, the guide portion 112 rotates to between the first and second positions under the closing force, allowing the lock hook 2 to smoothly insert into the door lock. Simultaneously, it provides a certain buffering effect against the impact force of the lock hook 2. When the door sagging is large, the guide portion 112, after rotating to the second position under the closing force, stops rotating inwards. During rotation, the guide portion 112 provides a buffering effect against the impact of the lock hook 2. After rotating to the second position, the guide portion... The guide portion 112 forms a gently sloping, upward-extending plane on its outer side facing the door lock. As the hook 2 continues to be inserted along the guide portion 112 towards the outer side of the door lock, it is gently lifted by the guide portion 112 to a certain height and enter the door lock. This allows the hook 2 to smoothly insert into its hook hole 21, corresponding to the locking part 122 of the latch 12. During this process, strong impacts between the hook 2 and the guide portion 112, as well as between the hook 2 and the latch 12, are avoided. When the latch 12 switches to the locked state, the hook 2 is smoothly locked. Furthermore, the guide portion 112 can conceal the clearance opening 1141, improving the appearance of the appliance.

[0083] In this embodiment, the horizontal length of the guide portion 112 is greater than the dimension of the hook hole 21 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the hook 2, that is, the horizontal length of the guide portion 112 is greater than the width of the hook hole 21.

[0084] In this embodiment, when the guide portion 112 is in the second position, the latch 12 is in the unlocked state, and the top of the guide portion 112 abuts against the top of the locking portion 122. That is, the latch 12 can serve as a second limiting structure for positioning the guide portion 112 in the second position. By limiting the guide portion 112 to the second position with the latch 12, the structure of the door lock can be kept simple, and at the same time, the reliability of limiting the guide portion 112 can be improved.

[0085] In some preferred embodiments, when the latch 12 is in the unlocked state, the top of the locking part 122 is basically horizontal, and when the guide part 112 is rotated to the second position, the top of the guide part 112 abuts against the end of the top of the locking part 122 near the guide part 112.

[0086] In this embodiment, "basically in a horizontal state" includes the top of the locking part 122 being in a horizontal state, and the top of the locking part 122 forming an angle of less than 10° with the insertion direction of the locking hook 2.

[0087] Preferably, the top of the guide portion 112 is provided with a guide surface that curves and extends inward into the door lock. The guide surface allows the lock hook 2 to smoothly enter the door lock through the top of the guide portion 112 when it is inserted into the door lock, avoiding any jerking sensation during insertion and improving the user experience.

[0088] Preferably, in this embodiment, the dimension of the end of the lock hook 2 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the lock hook 2 gradually decreases along the insertion direction of the lock hook 2, that is, the thickness of the end of the lock hook 2 gradually decreases along the insertion direction of the lock hook 2, and the upper and lower sides of the end of the lock hook 2 are set as inclined surfaces that slope towards the middle, which facilitates the insertion of the lock hook 2 into the door lock.

[0089] Preferably, in this embodiment, during the process of switching the latch 12 to the locked state, the latch hook 2 is pushed up to a set height. Specifically, in the unlocked state, when the latch hook is inserted into the door lock, the hook hole is directly above the locking part. During the process of switching the latch 12 to the locked state, the locking part is inserted from the bottom of the hook hole, and the latch can lift the latch hook 2 from the end of the latch hook 2 to a set height, offsetting the deviation of the door sagging, so that the door is closed in the set position, which can improve the sealing effect of the door on home appliances, especially preventing water leakage from the drum-type clothes handling equipment.

[0090] In some specific embodiments, in this embodiment, the latch 12 is rotatably disposed within the door lock, and the axis of rotation of the latch 12 is located below the keyhole 111 and parallel to the axis of rotation of the guide portion 112. Specifically, the latch 12 is mounted within the door lock housing 11 via a second rotation, and the second rotating shaft 124 is parallel to the first rotating shaft 1121. Both the second rotating shaft 124 and the first rotating shaft 1121 extend in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the lock hook 2.

[0091] In this embodiment, a first working surface 12-1 is provided on the latch 12. The first working surface 12-1 is located on the side of the locking part 122 away from the lock hole 111, and is spaced apart from the rotation axis of the latch 12. The distance between the first working surface 12-1 and the rotation axis of the latch 12 is less than the distance between the top of the locking part 122 and the rotation axis of the latch 12. When the end of the hook 2 moves above the first working surface 12-1, during the process of the latch 12 switching to the locked state, the locking part inserts into the hook hole from the bottom of the hook hole. The first working surface 12-1 abuts against the bottom of the hook 2 and lifts the hook 2 from the bottom of the end of the hook 2, pushing the hook 2 to a set height.

[0092] Specifically, when the latch 12 is in the unlocked state, the first working surface 12-1 is located on the side of the locking part 122 away from the key hole 111. After the lock hook 2 is inserted into the door lock, the end of the lock hook 2 moves above the first working surface 12-1, and the hook hole 21 moves directly above the locking part 122. During the process of switching the latch 12 to the locked state, the locking part 122 is inserted into the hook hole 21, and the first working surface 12-1 pushes the end of the lock hook 2 upward.

[0093] In this embodiment, when the latch 12 switches to the locked state, the door moves to the factory-predetermined closing position.

[0094] In this embodiment, the locking tongue 12 can be driven by a power source, such as a motor or telescopic rod, as long as it can drive the locking tongue 12 to switch between the unlocked and locked states.

[0095] In some preferred embodiments, the latch 12 switches to the locked state under the action of closing force.

[0096] Specifically, the latch 12 also includes a top abutment 123, which is positioned opposite to the end of the lock hook 2. When the lock hook 2 is inserted into the door lock, it pushes the top abutment 123 to rotate the latch 12 and the locking part 122 enters the hook hole 21. The first working surface 12-1 is positioned between the top abutment 123 and the locking part 122.

[0097] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the latch 12 includes a main body, an abutment 123 and a locking part 122 disposed on the main body. The main body is mounted inside the lock housing 11 via a second pivot 124. Both the abutment 123 and the locking part 122 protrude from the main body and are spaced apart. The abutment 123 and the locking part 122 extend in substantially the same direction, forming a first working surface 12-1 between them. The space between the abutment 123 and the locking part 122 allows the end of the lock hook 2 to be placed therein.

[0098] like Figure 3 As shown, when the latch 12 is in the unlocked state, the ends of the top 123 and the locking part 122 correspond to the top and bottom of the lock hole 111, respectively. Figures 4 to 6 As shown, when the door is closed, the end of the lock hook 2 first moves between the top 123 and the locking part 122. Then, when the door is pushed further, the end of the lock hook 2 will abut against the top 123. Pushing the top 123 will cause the latch 12 to rotate away from the lock hole 111, and the locking part 122 of the latch 12 will enter the hook hole 21 of the lock hook 2.

[0099] When the latch 12 is in the unlocked state, the first working surface 12-1 is positioned between the second rotating shaft 124 and the lock hole 111, that is, the latch 12 is tilted upwards and towards the lock hole 111. During the process of switching the latch 12 to the locked state, the first working surface 12-1 rotates around the second rotating shaft 124 and moves directly upwards from the second rotating shaft 124. The first working surface 12-1 rises, pushing the lock hook 2 to rise.

[0100] Preferably, in this embodiment, when the latch 12 is in the unlocked state, the end of the top abutment 123 is higher than the top of the lock hole 111, or the end of the top abutment 123 is flush with the top of the lock hole 111, or the end of the top abutment 123 is lower than the top of the lock hole 111, and the height difference between the end of the top abutment 123 and the top of the lock hole 111 is less than the thickness of the end of the lock hook 2, thereby ensuring that the end of the lock hook 2 and the top abutment 123 reliably abut against each other during the process of inserting the lock into the door lock.

[0101] Preferably, when the latch 12 is in the unlocked state, the end of the top 123 is higher than the top of the keyhole 111.

[0102] Preferably, in this embodiment, when the latch 12 is in the locked state, the first working surface 12-1 moves to directly above the second rotating shaft 124, and the opening of the first working surface 12-1 faces upward.

[0103] Preferably, in this embodiment, the door lock is provided with an elastic device for keeping the bolt 12 in the unlocked state. The elastic device can be a torsion spring or a tension spring. The elastic device is connected between the bolt 12 and the housing 11 and is used to drive the bolt 12 to rotate to the unlocked state.

[0104] In some specific embodiments, the door lock also includes a limiting device for restricting the movement of the bolt 12, which limits the bolt 12 to both locked and unlocked states. The door lock also includes a position detection component for detecting the position of the bolt 12. The specific configuration of the limiting device and the position detection component can be shown in Chinese invention patent application number CN202111092203.4.

[0105] In some specific embodiments, a positioning part is provided on the main body of the latch 12. The positioning part is located below the second rotating shaft 124. When the latch 12 is switched to the unlocked state, the positioning part abuts against the inner wall of the housing 11, limiting the latch 12 to the unlocked state.

[0106] In this embodiment, during the process of switching the latch 12 to the locked state, the guide portion 112 rotates to the first position. The latch 12 is provided with a second working surface 12-2 on the side near the lock hole 111. In the locked state, when the guide portion 112 rotates to the first position, the second working surface 12-2 abuts against the side of the guide portion 112 facing the inside of the door lock.

[0107] In some specific embodiments, an elastic element is provided between the guide portion 112 and the clearance opening 1141, the elastic element being used to hold the guide portion 112 in a first position. The elastic element may be a torsion spring disposed between the guide portion 112 and the housing 11.

[0108] In some specific embodiments, during the process of the latch 12 switching to the locked state, it pushes the guide portion 112 to rotate to the first position. Specifically, the distance between the second working surface 12-2 and the rotation axis of the latch 12 gradually increases in the direction away from the arc surface 12-3. During the process of the latch 12 switching to the locked state, the distance between the contact point between the second working surface 12-2 and the guide portion 112 and the rotation axis of the latch 12 gradually increases. When there is no elastic element between the guide portion 112 and the clearance opening 1141, during the process of the latch 12 switching to the locked state, the latch 12 pushes the guide portion 112 to rotate to the first position through the second working surface 12-2.

[0109] Preferably, in this embodiment, an elastic element is provided between the guide portion 112 and the clearance opening 1141. The elastic element is used to push the guide portion 112 to rotate to the first position during the upward movement of the lock hook 2. After the latch 12 switches to the locked state, the latch 12 abuts against the side of the guide portion 112 facing the inside of the door lock, locking the guide portion 112 in the first position. Specifically, when the latch 12 switches to the locked state, the second action surface 12-2 can maintain the stop against the guide portion 112, which can prevent the guide portion 112 from deflecting due to the vibration of the home appliance when the home appliance is working, thereby avoiding noise at the door lock.

[0110] Preferably, the latch 12 has an arcuate surface 12-3 extending around the rotation axis of the latch 12 on the side near the lock hole 111. When the guide portion 112 is in the second position, the top of the guide portion 112 abuts against the arcuate surface 12-3. The second working surface 12-2 is located at the lower end of the arcuate surface 12-3 and smoothly transitions with the arcuate surface 12-3.

[0111] In this embodiment, by setting the arc surface 12-3, the locking tongue 12 can rotate to the locked state by a certain angle before the second working surface 12-2 contacts the guide part 112. During this process, the guide part 112 corresponds to the arc surface 12-3, and the guide part 112 will not be lifted by the locking tongue 12. At the same time, the arc surface 12-3 can support the locking hook, ensuring that the position of the locking hook will not fall before the locking tongue lifts the locking hook. Thus, the locking tongue 12 is used to lift the locking hook 2 first, instead of using the second working surface 12-2 to push the guide part 112 to lift the locking hook 2, thus avoiding damage to the first rotating shaft 1121.

[0112] Preferably, the guide portion 112 is provided with a protrusion 1122 on the side near the latch 12, and the protrusion 1122 is used to abut against the second working surface 12-2.

[0113] Preferably, in this embodiment, the top of the protrusion 1122 is an arc-shaped surface, and the protrusion 1122 slides in cooperation with the arc surface 12-3 on the latch 12 through the arc-shaped surface.

[0114] Preferably, when the guide portion 112 is in the first position, the protrusion 1122 is in contact with the second working surface 12-2 of the latch 12 through a plane.

[0115] In some specific embodiments, when the locking hook 2 is raised to a set height, the top of the locking hook 2 fits against the top of the lock hole 111.

[0116] In this embodiment, a home appliance equipped with the aforementioned door lock assembly is also provided.

[0117] The home appliance includes a cabinet and a door. The door is mounted on the side wall of the cabinet via a hinge, and the door lock assembly is located at the end opposite to the hinge.

[0118] The door lock assembly has the door lock installed on the appliance's enclosure, and the lock hook 2 is installed on the appliance's door, corresponding to the door lock.

[0119] The household appliances include drum-type garment processing equipment.

[0120] In some specific embodiments, a clothing storage opening is provided on the front side of the cabinet, and a door is used to close the clothing storage opening. Specifically, one end of the door is mounted on the front side of the cabinet via a hinge, and the other end of the door is locked to the cabinet via a door lock assembly.

[0121] The door lock is mounted on the housing, with the lock hole 111 facing the front of the housing. A lock hook 2 is mounted on the door, corresponding to the door lock. When the door is closed, the lock hook 2 is inserted horizontally into the door lock and locked by the latch 12 inside the door lock.

[0122] When the door is lowered, during the closing process, the lock hook 2 moves downward relative to the lock hole 111. The lock hook 2 deviates from the lock hole 111 and contacts the guide part 112 below the lock hole 111. Under the action of the closing force, the lock hook 2 pushes the guide part 112, causing it to rotate to the second position. During the rotation of the guide part 112 to the second position, it will buffer the lock hook 2 and reduce the collision.

[0123] If the door sags slightly, the guide 112 will not rotate to the second position, but will only rotate slightly, allowing the hook 2 to be inserted into the lock smoothly. If the door sags significantly, the guide 112 will rotate to the second position and will not rotate further. At this point, the hook 2 moves along the guide 112 toward the outside of the lock and into the lock. Because the angle between the guide 112 and the horizontal direction is small, the hook 2 will rise gently along the guide 112 and be inserted into the lock smoothly.

[0124] After the lock hook 2 is inserted into the door lock, the end of the lock hook 2 is positioned between the top abutment 123 and the locking part 122. Continuing to push the door body, the lock hook 2 can push the latch 12 to switch to the locked state. During this process, the first working surface 12-1 between the top abutment 123 and the locking part 122 pushes the lock hook 2 to a set height.

[0125] As the latch 12 pushes the hook 2 upward, the elastic element pushes the guide 112 to the first position. When the latch 12 switches to the locked state, the second working surface 12-2 of the latch 12 abuts against the side of the guide 112 facing the inside of the door lock, locking the guide 112 in the first position.

[0126] Preferably, the side of the hook hole 21 near the door lock is configured as an inclined surface that slopes downwards towards the door lock.

[0127] Preferably, the locking hook 2 includes a mounting part for connecting to the door body.

[0128] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. The implementation schemes in the above embodiments can be further combined or replaced. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A door lock assembly for a household appliance, comprising a door lock and a lock hook (2), the door lock having a lock hole (111) that engages with the lock hook (2); characterized in that, The bottom of the lock hole (111) is provided with a downwardly extending clearance (1141), and a guide part (112) is provided inside the clearance (1141). The top of the guide part (112) can rotate toward the inside of the lock.

2. The door lock assembly for a home appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide portion (112) rotates with the bottom of the clearance opening (1141), and / or, at least the top of the guide portion (112) is made of an elastic material; Preferably, the guide (112) is made of a rigid material and the guide (112) is rotatably engaged with the bottom of the clearance opening (1141).

3. The door lock assembly for a household appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the unlocked state, the locking part (122) of the latch (12) inside the door lock is lower than the keyhole (111), and the top of the guide part (112) can rotate within the height range between the bottom of the keyhole (111) and the top of the locking part (122) in the unlocked state; Preferably, in the unlocked state, the rotation axis of the guide (112) is not higher than the top of the locking part (122).

4. The door lock assembly for a household appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that, A: is provided between the guide part (112) and the door lock. The first limiting structure is used to limit the guide (112) to a first position. When the guide (112) is in the first position, the top of the guide (112) is flush with the bottom of the lock hole (111). The second limiting structure is used to limit the guide (112) to the second position. In the unlocked state, when the guide (112) is in the second position, the top of the guide (112) is not lower than the top of the locking part (122).

5. The door lock assembly for a home appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first limiting structure protrudes outward from the bottom of the guide (112) toward the outside of the door lock. When the guide (112) rotates to the first position, the first limiting structure abuts against the bottom of the clearance opening (1141). Preferably, the clearance opening (1141) extends vertically, or the clearance opening (1141) extends obliquely upwards toward the interior of the door lock; the extension direction of the guide portion (112) when it is in the first position is the same as the extension direction of the clearance opening (1141); Preferably, the second limiting structure is a locking part (122). When the guide part (112) is in the second position in the unlocked state, the top of the guide part (112) abuts against the top of the locking part (122).

6. The door lock assembly of the household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, During the process of switching to the locked state, the bolt (12) pushes the hook (2) to rise to the set height; Preferably, the latch (12) is rotatably disposed inside the door lock. The latch (12) is provided with a first working surface (12-1). The first working surface (12-1) is disposed on the side of the locking part (122) away from the lock hole (111). During the process of switching to the locked state, the first working surface (12-1) abuts against the bottom of the lock hook (2) and pushes the lock hook (2) up to the set height from the end of the lock hook (2).

7. The door lock assembly for a home appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that, The latch (12) also includes a top abutment (123), which is positioned opposite to the end of the lock hook (2). When the lock hook (2) is inserted into the door lock, it pushes the top abutment (123) to rotate the latch (12) and the locking part (122) enters the hook hole (21). The first working surface (12-1) is located between the top (123) and the locking part (122).

8. The door lock assembly for a household appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that, The latch (12) has a second working surface (12-2) on the side near the lock hole (111). In the locked state, the guide (112) rotates to the first position, and the second working surface (12-2) abuts against the side of the guide (112) facing the inside of the door lock. Preferably, the guide portion (112) is provided with a protrusion (1122) on the side near the latch (12), and the protrusion (1122) is used to abut against the second working surface (12-2).

9. The door lock assembly for a household appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that, The latch (12) has an arc surface (12-3) extending around the rotation axis of the latch (12) on the side near the lock hole (111). When the guide part (112) is in the second position, the top of the guide part (112) abuts against the arc surface (12-3). The second working surface (12-2) is located at the lower end of the arc surface (12-3). The distance between the second working surface (12-2) and the rotation axis of the latch (12) gradually increases in the direction away from the arc surface (12-3). Preferably, an elastic element is provided between the guide portion (112) and the clearance opening (1141), the elastic element being used to push the guide portion (112) to rotate to the first position; and / or, during the process of switching to the locked state, the locking tongue (12) pushes the guide portion (112) to rotate to the first position through the second working surface (12-2) and locks the guide portion (112) in the first position.

10. A household appliance, characterized in that, The door lock assembly of the household appliance as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; Preferably, the door lock is installed on the cabinet of the home appliance, and the lock hook (2) is installed on the door of the home appliance and cooperates with the door lock; Preferably, the household appliances include drum-type garment processing equipment.

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