A door lock for a domestic appliance

Abstract

The application provides a household appliance door lock, which comprises a door bolt, a door lock shell, a telescopic assembly, a locking assembly and a triggering assembly. A gap is formed in the door lock shell. The telescopic assembly is arranged in the locking shell and has a telescopic end capable of extending out of or retracting into the gap. The locking assembly is arranged on the telescopic end and has a first state of elastically engaging with the door bolt and a second state of being separated from the door bolt. The triggering assembly comprises a rotating member, an electric switch and a Hall unit. The electric switch and the Hall unit are arranged in the door lock shell. The rotating member is rotatably arranged in the door lock shell, one end of the rotating member is connected with the triggering member, and the other end of the rotating member is arranged between the electric switch and the Hall unit. The telescopic assembly drives the rotating member to rotate to trigger the electric switch or the Hall unit. The electric switch and the Hall unit are arranged on both sides of the rotating member. Only one rotating member is needed to rotate in two directions to trigger the electric switch and the Hall unit, and the occupied space of the rotating member is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of household appliances, and more particularly to a door lock for household appliances. Background Technology

[0002] Some household appliances typically have a main body, such as a dishwasher, within which a product handling chamber is formed. A door is mounted on the main body to pivot about a horizontal axis; the door closes the entrance opening to the product handling chamber. During operation, the door should be securely locked to prevent products being processed within the chamber from escaping from the machine and potentially endangering nearby people. Therefore, locking mechanisms are usually provided to keep the door closed. Furthermore, to maintain the appliance's aesthetics and tidiness, modern household appliances often feature handle-less doors; therefore, opening is typically achieved by pressing the door to trigger an automatic opening mechanism.

[0003] For example, patent CN120160522A provides a door displacement detection mechanism and a household appliance door lock with the detection mechanism, including a base shell, a detection rod, a first detection element and a second detection element. The detection rod is slidably mounted on the base shell, and the Hall sensor and magnet are directly or indirectly connected to the detection rod. The detection rod drives the first detection element to move relative to the second detection element.

[0004] The aforementioned dishwasher door lock device has the following problem: in order to move the first detection element, an additional rotating arm is provided, which causes the rotating arm to occupy too much space inside the appliance door lock. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a door lock for household appliances that can solve the problem of the rotating arm occupying space.

[0006] This invention provides a door lock for household appliances, comprising: bolt; A door lock housing, wherein a notch is provided on the door lock housing; A telescopic assembly disposed within the locking housing, having a telescopic end capable of extending or retracting relative to the notch; A locking component, disposed on the telescopic end, having a first state of elastically engaging with the bolt and a second state of being disengaged from the bolt; and The triggering component includes a rotating component, an electric switch, and a Hall unit. The electric switch and the Hall unit are disposed inside the door lock housing. The rotating component is rotatably disposed inside the door lock housing, with one end connected to the triggering component and the other end disposed between the electric switch and the Hall unit. The telescopic component drives the rotating component to rotate to trigger the electric switch or the Hall unit.

[0007] In other embodiments, the Hall unit includes a Hall sensor, a rotating arm, a torsion spring, and a magnet. One end of the rotating arm is hinged to the inside of the door lock housing, the magnet is located at the other end of the rotating arm, the torsion spring is located between the rotating arm and the door lock housing, and both ends of the torsion spring are fixed to the rotating arm and the door lock housing. The Hall sensor is located on the inner wall of the door lock housing and corresponds to the rotation path of the rotating arm. The outer side of the rotating arm forms a contact surface that contacts the rotating component.

[0008] In other embodiments, the triggering element includes a trigger rod and a trigger spring. The trigger rod is located below the telescopic assembly along the telescopic direction. One end of the trigger spring is fixed to the trigger rod, and the other end is fixed to the inner wall of the door lock housing. The trigger rod extends to the notch and forms a trigger end that contacts the door bolt. The middle part of the trigger rod is hinged to the rotating element.

[0009] In other embodiments, the locking assembly includes a locking housing, a limiting member, and two latch arms capable of relative movement and encircling the bolt. The locking housing is connected to the telescopic end, one end of each latch arm is hinged to the locking housing, and both ends of the limiting member are respectively connected to the other ends of the latch arms to apply an elastic force to the latch arms to restrict their opposite movement.

[0010] In other embodiments, a limiting groove is provided on the side of the latch arm opposite to the other latch arm, and the limiting member is partially disposed in the limiting groove and fixed to the inner wall of the limiting groove.

[0011] In other embodiments, a pair of latch arm pressing assemblies are also included. The latch arm pressing assemblies are disposed inside the door lock housing. Pressing through holes are respectively opened on both sides of the locking housing. When the locking housing is located inside the door lock housing, the latch arm pressing assemblies partially extend into the pressing through holes to press the latch arm.

[0012] In other embodiments, the latch arm pressing assembly includes a pressing rod, a pressing roller, and a pressing spring. One end of the pressing rod is hinged to the inner wall of the lock housing, and the other end of the pressing rod corresponds to the pressing through hole. The pressing roller is fixed to the free end of the pressing rod. One end of the pressing spring is fixed to the inner wall of the lock housing, and the other end is fixed to the pressing rod. When the lock housing is located inside the lock housing, the pressing spring applies a force to the pressing rod to compress the latch arm, so that the latch arm moves relative to the bolt body.

[0013] In other embodiments, the bolt includes a carrier plate and a bolt body, the bolt body being fixed to the carrier plate, and the locking assembly being elastically engaged with the bolt body to restrict movement of the bolt body relative to the lock housing.

[0014] In other embodiments, the edge of the carrier plate forms an arcuate surface that guides the movement of the latch arm.

[0015] In other embodiments, the telescopic assembly includes a motor, a push rack, and a gear set. The motor is fixed inside the door lock housing and meshes with the gear set. The push rack is movably disposed inside the door lock housing, with one end connected to the locking assembly, and the push rack meshes with the gear set.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: In this invention, a bolt, a lock housing, a telescopic assembly, a locking assembly, and a trigger assembly are provided. The lock housing has a notch. The telescopic assembly is disposed within the locking housing and has a telescopic end that can extend or retract relative to the notch. The locking assembly is disposed on the telescopic end and has a first state of elastic engagement with the bolt and a second state of separation from the bolt. The trigger assembly includes a rotating member, an electric switch, and a Hall effect sensor. The electric switch and the Hall effect sensor are disposed within the lock housing. The rotating member is rotatably disposed within the lock housing, with one end connected to the trigger assembly and the other end located between the electric switch and the Hall effect sensor. The telescopic assembly drives the rotating member to rotate, triggering the electric switch or the Hall effect sensor. When unlocking is required, the door is pushed from the outside, causing the bolt and the trigger assembly to move, which in turn drives the rotating member to rotate, triggering the Hall effect sensor and generating a signal. The telescopic assembly then pushes out the locking assembly and the bolt according to the signal. At this time, the rotating member rotates in the opposite direction, triggering the electric switch. The present invention places the electric switch and the Hall unit on both sides of the rotating component. Only one rotation of the rotating component in two directions is needed to trigger the electric switch and the Hall unit respectively, which effectively reduces the space occupied by the rotating component. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the household appliance door lock in this invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the household appliance door lock in this invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a household appliance door lock from another angle in this invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the back of a household appliance door lock after removing the door lock housing according to the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the bolt structure in this invention; Wherein: 1-door bolt, 11-carrier plate, 12-bolt body; 2-Door lock housing, 21-Notch; 3-Telescopic assembly, 31-Motor, 32-Push rack, 33-Gear set; 4-Locking assembly, 41-Locking housing, 411-Locking notch, 412-Pressure through hole, 42-Limiting element, 43-Latch arm, 431-Limiting groove 5-Trigger assembly, 51-Rotating component, 52-Electric switch, 53-Hall unit, 531-Hall sensor, 532-Rotating arm, 533-Torsion spring, 534-Magnet, 54-Trigger element, 541-Trigger rod, 542-Trigger spring; 6-Latch arm pressing assembly, 61-Pressing rod, 62-Pressing roller, 63-Pressing spring. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this application and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0020] like Figure 1-5As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a door lock for a household appliance, comprising: a bolt 1, a lock housing 2, a telescopic assembly 3, a locking assembly 4, and a triggering assembly 5. The lock housing 2 has a notch 21. The telescopic assembly 3 is disposed within the lock housing 2 and has a telescopic end capable of extending or retracting relative to the notch. The locking assembly 4 is disposed on the telescopic end and has a first state of elastic engagement with the bolt 1 and a second state of separation from the bolt 1. The triggering assembly 5 includes a rotating member 51, an electric switch 52, and a Hall effect sensor. The electric switch 52 and the Hall unit 53 are disposed inside the door lock housing 2. The trigger 54 is disposed inside the lock housing 2. The trigger 54 extends to the notch 21 and forms a trigger end that contacts the bolt 1. The rotating member 51 is rotatably disposed inside the door lock housing 2. One end is connected to the trigger 54, and the other end is disposed between the electric switch 52 and the Hall unit 53. The telescopic component 3 drives the rotating member 51 to rotate to trigger the electric switch 52 or the Hall unit 53.

[0021] In this invention, a bolt 1, a lock housing 2, a telescopic assembly 3, a locking assembly 4, and a triggering assembly 5 are provided. The lock housing 2 has a notch 21. The telescopic assembly 3 is disposed within the lock housing 2 and has a telescopic end that can extend or retract relative to the notch. The locking assembly 4 is disposed on the telescopic end and has a first state of elastic engagement with the bolt 1 and a second state of separation from the bolt 1. The triggering assembly 5 includes a rotating element 51, an electric switch 52, and a Hall effect unit 53. The electric switch 52 and the Hall effect unit 53 are disposed within the lock housing 2. The rotating element 51... The rotating component 51 is rotatably disposed within the door lock housing 2, with one end connected to the trigger 54 and the other end positioned between the electric switch 52 and the Hall unit 53. The telescopic assembly 3 drives the rotating component 51 to rotate, triggering either the electric switch 52 or the Hall unit 53. When unlocking is required, the door body is pushed from the outside, causing the bolt 1 and the trigger 54 to move, which in turn drives the rotating component 51 to rotate, triggering the Hall unit 53 and generating a signal. The telescopic assembly 3 then extends the locking assembly 4 and the bolt 1 based on the signal. At this time, the rotating component 51 rotates in the opposite direction, triggering the electric switch 52. This invention utilizes the placement of the electric switch 52 and the Hall unit 53 on both sides of the rotating component 51, requiring only one rotating component 51 to rotate in two directions to trigger both the electric switch 52 and the Hall unit 53, effectively reducing the space occupied by the rotating component 51.

[0022] Specifically, the bolt 1 includes a carrier plate 11 and a bolt body 12. The bolt body 12 is fixed to the carrier plate 11, and the locking assembly 4 can elastically engage with the bolt body 12 to restrict the movement of the bolt body 12 relative to the lock housing 2. In use, the carrier plate 11 is fixed to one component (door body), and the lock housing 2 is fixed to another component (lock body). The locking assembly 4 can elastically engage with the bolt body 12, locking the two components. When the external pulling force on the bolt body 12 is greater than the elastic force of the locking assembly 4, the locking assembly 4 can be relatively separated from the bolt body 12.

[0023] The plug body 12 can take various shapes. In some feasible embodiments, the plug body 12 is cuboid. In some feasible embodiments, the plug body 12 is triangular prism; while in this embodiment, the plug body 12 is spindle-shaped.

[0024] Furthermore, the edge of the carrier plate 11 forms an arc surface that guides the movement of the locking assembly 4.

[0025] Specifically, the telescopic component 3 only needs to be able to push the locking component 4 to move relative to the door lock housing 2. In some other feasible embodiments, the telescopic component 3 includes a telescopic cylinder, the telescopic end of which is connected to the locking component 4, and the telescopic end of the telescopic cylinder can extend or retract the locking component 4 relative to the notch 21.

[0026] In this embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the telescopic component 3 includes a motor 31, a push rack 32, and a gear set 33. The motor 31 is fixed inside the door lock housing 2 and meshes with the gear set 33. The push rack 32 is movably disposed inside the door lock housing 2, with one end connected to the locking component 4, and meshes with the gear set 33. The motor 31 drives the gear set 33 to rotate, thereby causing the push rack 32 to move relative to the door lock housing 2, achieving the technical effect of the push rack 32 extending or retracting relative to the notch 21.

[0027] Furthermore, the locking assembly 4 includes a locking housing 41, a limiting member 42, and two latch arms 43 that can move relative to each other and encircle the bolt 1. The locking housing 41 is connected to the telescopic end, one end of the latch arm 43 is hinged to the locking housing 41, and both ends of the limiting member 42 are respectively connected to the other ends of the latch arm 43 to apply an elastic force to the latch arm 43 to restrict its opposite movement.

[0028] Furthermore, a cavity is formed within the locking housing 41, and the limiting member 42 and the latch arm 43 are disposed within the cavity. A locking notch 411 communicating with the cavity is provided at the end of the locking housing 41, and the end of the latch arm 43 is located at the locking notch 411. The bolt 1 engages with the latch arm 43 at the locking notch 411.

[0029] Furthermore, the limiting member 42 is a spring, with its two ends fixed to the latch arm 43 respectively, and the spring provides an elastic force that resists the opposite movement of the latch arm 43.

[0030] Furthermore, to prevent the limiting member 42 from becoming misaligned in the locking housing 41, a limiting groove 431 is formed on the side of the latch arm 43 opposite to the other latch arm 43. The limiting member 42 is partially disposed within the limiting groove 431 and fixed to the inner wall of the limiting groove 431. The limiting groove 431 can guide the extension and retraction direction of the limiting member 42, preventing the spring from becoming misaligned.

[0031] Furthermore, one end of the latch arm 43 is hinged to the inside of the locking housing 41, and the other end of the latch arm 43 is a free end, bent into a shape that matches one side of the bolt body 12. The middle part of the latch arm 43 is connected to the limiting member 42.

[0032] Specifically, a button is provided on the surface of the electric switch 52, the bolt body 12 is located inside the door lock housing 2, and the rotating member 51 can press the button by rotating to trigger the electric switch 52.

[0033] Specifically, the Hall unit 53 includes a Hall sensor 531, a rotating arm 532, a torsion spring 533, and a magnet 534. One end of the rotating arm 532 is hinged to the inside of the door lock housing 2. The magnet 534 is located at the other end of the rotating arm 532. The torsion spring 533 is located between the rotating arm 532 and the door lock housing 2, and both ends of the torsion spring 533 are fixed to the rotating arm 532 and the door lock housing 2. The Hall sensor 531 is located on the inner wall of the door lock housing 2 and corresponds to the rotation path of the rotating arm 532. The outer side of the rotating arm 532 forms a contact surface that contacts the rotating component 51. In use, the rotating arm 532 rotates, and the contact surface 534 pushes the rotating arm 532 to rotate. A relative displacement is formed between the Hall sensor 531 and the magnet 534, thereby generating a signal to drive the door to open.

[0034] It is understandable that the Hall sensor 531 can be mounted on the rotating arm 532, and the magnet 534 can be mounted on the inner wall of the door lock housing 2.

[0035] Specifically, the trigger element 54 includes a trigger rod 541 and a trigger spring 542. The trigger rod 541 is located below the telescopic assembly 3 along the telescopic direction of the telescopic assembly 3. One end of the trigger spring 542 is fixed to the trigger rod 541, and the other end is fixed to the inner wall of the door lock housing 2. The trigger rod 541 extends to the notch 21 and forms a trigger end that contacts the door bolt 1. The middle part of the trigger rod 541 is hinged to the rotating member 51. When the door is pushed by the outside, the door bolt 1 abuts against the trigger end, pushing the trigger rod 541 to move, which in turn drives the rotating member 51 to rotate.

[0036] Specifically, it also includes a pair of latch arm pressing components 6, which are disposed inside the door lock housing 2. The locking housing 41 has pressing through holes 412 on both sides. When the locking housing 41 is located inside the door lock housing 2, the latch arm pressing components 6 partially extend into the pressing through holes 412 and press against the latch arm 43.

[0037] Furthermore, the latch arm pressing assembly 6 includes a pressing rod 61, a pressing roller 62, and a pressing spring 63. One end of the pressing rod 61 is hinged to the inner wall of the door lock housing 2, and the other end of the pressing rod 61 corresponds to the pressing through hole 412. The pressing roller 62 is fixed on the free end of the pressing rod 61. One end of the pressing spring 63 is fixed to the inner wall of the door lock housing 2, and the other end is fixed to the pressing rod 61. When the locking housing 41 is located inside the door lock housing 2, the pressing spring 63 applies a force to the pressing rod 61 to compress the latch arm 43, so that the latch arm 43 moves relative to the bolt body 12.

[0038] The advantage of the latch arm pressing assembly 6 is that, in the prior art, a relatively thick spring is often used to connect the latch arm, and the tension on the latch arm is single and linear. However, in this application, three springs are used (one limiting member 42 and two pressing springs 63). When the locking housing 41 is located outside the door lock housing 2, only the limiting member 42 acts on the latch arm 43, and the force is small, which makes it easy for the user to apply force to pull the bolt 12 out of the latch arm 43 (unlocking action) or push the bolt 12 between the latch arms 43 (locking action). When the locking housing 41 retracts into the door lock housing 2, the pressing spring 53 applies force to the latch arm 43 through the pressing rod 61, and the latch arm 43 holds the bolt 12 tightly so that it does not come out.

[0039] Understandably, the present invention should also include a controller, which is electrically connected to the Hall sensor and the motor. The controller is capable of communicating with the outside world and driving the motor to work based on external signals and the Hall sensor. The controller is a conventional electrical component available on the market, and its internal program and circuit structure are well-known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

[0040] The beneficial effects of this invention are: In this invention, a bolt, a lock housing, a telescopic assembly, a locking assembly, and a trigger assembly are provided. The lock housing has a notch. The telescopic assembly is disposed within the locking housing and has a telescopic end that can extend or retract relative to the notch. The locking assembly is disposed on the telescopic end and has a first state of elastic engagement with the bolt and a second state of separation from the bolt. The trigger assembly includes a rotating member, an electric switch, and a Hall effect sensor. The electric switch and the Hall effect sensor are disposed within the lock housing. The rotating member is rotatably disposed within the lock housing, with one end connected to the trigger assembly and the other end located between the electric switch and the Hall effect sensor. The telescopic assembly drives the rotating member to rotate, triggering the electric switch or the Hall effect sensor. When unlocking is required, the door is pushed from the outside, causing the bolt and the trigger assembly to move, which in turn drives the rotating member to rotate, triggering the Hall effect sensor and generating a signal. The telescopic assembly then pushes out the locking assembly and the bolt according to the signal. At this time, the rotating member rotates in the opposite direction, triggering the electric switch. The present invention places the electric switch and the Hall unit on both sides of the rotating component. Only one rotation of the rotating component in two directions is needed to trigger the electric switch and the Hall unit respectively, which effectively reduces the space occupied by the rotating component.

[0041] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A door lock for household appliances, characterized in that, include: bolt; A door lock housing, wherein a notch is provided on the door lock housing; A telescopic assembly disposed within the locking housing, having a telescopic end capable of extending or retracting relative to the notch; A locking component, which is disposed on the telescopic end, has a first state of elastically engaging with the bolt and a second state of being separated from the bolt; as well as The triggering component includes a rotating component, an electric switch, and a Hall unit. The electric switch and the Hall unit are disposed inside the door lock housing. The rotating component is rotatably disposed inside the door lock housing, with one end connected to the triggering component and the other end disposed between the electric switch and the Hall unit. The telescopic component drives the rotating component to rotate to trigger the electric switch or the Hall unit.

2. The household appliance door lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Hall unit includes a Hall sensor, a rotating arm, a torsion spring, and a magnet. One end of the rotating arm is hinged to the inside of the door lock housing. The magnet is located at the other end of the rotating arm. The torsion spring is located between the rotating arm and the door lock housing, and both ends of the torsion spring are fixed to the rotating arm and the door lock housing. The Hall sensor is located on the inner wall of the door lock housing and corresponds to the rotation path of the rotating arm. The outer side of the rotating arm forms a contact surface that contacts the rotating component.

3. The household appliance door lock as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The triggering element includes a trigger rod and a trigger spring. The trigger rod is located below the telescopic assembly along the telescopic direction. One end of the trigger spring is fixed to the trigger rod, and the other end is fixed to the inner wall of the door lock housing. The trigger rod extends to the notch and forms a trigger end that contacts the door bolt. The middle part of the trigger rod is hinged to the rotating component.

4. The household appliance door lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The locking assembly includes a locking housing, a limiting member, and two latch arms that can move relative to each other and encircle the bolt. The locking housing is connected to the telescopic end, one end of each latch arm is hinged to the locking housing, and both ends of the limiting member are respectively connected to the other ends of the latch arms to apply an elastic force to the latch arms to restrict their opposite movement.

5. The household appliance door lock as described in claim 4, characterized in that, A limiting groove is provided on the side of the latch arm opposite to the other latch arm, and the limiting member is partially disposed in the limiting groove and fixed to the inner wall of the limiting groove.

6. The household appliance door lock as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a pair of latch arm pressing components, which are disposed inside the door lock housing. The locking housing has pressing through holes on both sides. When the locking housing is located inside the door lock housing, the latch arm pressing components partially extend into the pressing through holes to press against the latch arm.

7. The household appliance door lock as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The latch arm pressing assembly includes a pressing rod, a pressing roller, and a pressing spring. One end of the pressing rod is hinged to the inner wall of the door lock housing, and the other end of the pressing rod corresponds to the pressing through hole. The pressing roller is fixed to the free end of the pressing rod. One end of the pressing spring is fixed to the inner wall of the door lock housing, and the other end is fixed to the pressing rod. When the locking housing is located inside the door lock housing, the pressing spring applies a force to the pressing rod to compress the latch arm, so that the latch arm moves relative to the bolt body.

8. The household appliance door lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bolt includes a carrier plate and a bolt body. The bolt body is fixed to the carrier plate, and the locking assembly can elastically engage with the bolt body to restrict the movement of the bolt body relative to the door lock housing.

9. The household appliance door lock as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The edge of the carrier plate forms an arc surface that guides the movement of the latch arm.

10. The household appliance door lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The telescopic component includes a motor, a push rack, and a gear set. The motor is fixed inside the door lock housing and meshes with the gear set. The push rack is movably disposed inside the door lock housing, and one end is connected to the locking component. The push rack meshes with the gear set.

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