Automatic door lock and lock catch structure with forced self-locking function

Abstract

An automatic door lock and lock catch structure with a forced self-locking function comprises a door lock assembly installed on an electric appliance and a lock catch assembly installed on a door plate, a rack is arranged on the door lock assembly, a catching groove is formed in the front end of the rack, a clasp is arranged in the door lock assembly, and the rack extends forwards to the lock catch assembly so that a hook body on the clasp can be buckled with the catching groove; a limiting hook is arranged on the front side of the sliding block, a self-locking rotating plate is arranged outside the lock catch shell, an automatic pushing device is arranged below the self-locking rotating plate, and after the door plate is closed, the automatic pushing device is powered on and pushes upwards, so that the self-locking rotating plate rotates upwards till the edge of the self-locking rotating plate is buckled with the limiting hook, and forced self-locking is achieved. The door can be applied to electrical products in high-temperature application scenes such as dishwashers and steam boxes, and people are prevented from being hurt by steam when the door is suddenly opened in the high-temperature operation process. The door plate is simple in structure, safe and reliable, and prevents the door plate from being opened when electric appliances work.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a door lock structure for household appliances, specifically an automatic door lock and latch structure with forced self-locking. Background Technology

[0002] To ensure airtightness and safety during operation, appliances such as dishwashers and steam ovens are typically equipped with door locks. However, many of these locks lack a self-locking mechanism, allowing the door to be forcibly opened under significant external force, posing a safety hazard.

[0003] A door lock structure for a steam oven, published by the Chinese Patent Office on March 12, 2024 (patent number 202322107574.6), includes a cabinet with a steaming / baking cavity inside. A face frame with a locking hole is located at the opening of the steaming / baking cavity. The cabinet has a door hinged to the face frame and is used to open or close the opening of the steaming / baking cavity. It also includes a door lock device mounted on the door, which passes through the locking hole and engages with the face frame. A handle device is also mounted on the door and connected to the door lock device, used to control the door lock device to enter a self-locking or disengaging state. In the locked state, pressing down on the handle device engages the door lock device, preventing it from disengaging under pressure. Lifting up the handle device disengages the door lock device, allowing it to be opened. However, this door lock structure requires manual self-locking, which is cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to address the defects and shortcomings of the existing technology by providing an automatic door lock and latch structure with forced self-locking for use in electrical appliances such as dishwashers and steam ovens in high-temperature applications.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: the automatic door lock and latch structure with forced self-locking includes a door lock assembly installed on an electrical appliance and a latch assembly installed on a door panel. A rack is provided on the door lock assembly, and the front end of the rack has a latch groove. A latch hook is provided inside the door lock assembly. The rack extends forward into the latch assembly, enabling the hook body on the latch hook to engage with the latch groove.

[0006] The hook is installed inside the lock housing. A slider is also provided on the lock housing. The slider is hinged to the bottom of the hook. A push spring is provided at the bottom of the slider. The restoring force of the push spring can switch the slider to the front or rear side, and the hook body of the hook rotates to the locked or unlocked state.

[0007] A limit hook is provided on the front side of the slider, and a self-locking rotating plate is provided outside the lock housing. An automatic pushing device is provided below the self-locking rotating plate. After the door is closed, the hook body of the latch rotates to the locked state, the slider is located on the front side, and the limit hook on the slider is exposed outside the lock housing. The automatic pushing device is powered on and pushes upward, causing the self-locking rotating plate to rotate upward until the edge of the self-locking rotating plate is engaged with the limit hook, forcibly self-locking.

[0008] The automatic pushing device is a wax motor push rod or an electromagnetic push rod. After being powered on, the push rod automatically pushes the self-locking rotating plate upward.

[0009] The locking housing is provided with a mounting post. A screw passes through the self-locking rotating plate and is connected to the end of the mounting post, so that the self-locking rotating plate can rotate relative to the mounting post.

[0010] The locking housing has two micro switches at both ends and a pressure plate. When the hook is in the locked state, the end of the hook presses against the pressure plate, so that the pressure plate abuts against the contact of one micro switch. After the self-locking rotating plate rotates upward until the edge engages with the limit hook, the self-locking rotating plate abuts against the contact of the other micro switch.

[0011] The pressure plate is provided with two guide rods, which can be inserted into the locking housing, and a pressure plate spring is installed on the guide rod.

[0012] The door lock assembly includes a rack and a motor. A multi-stage transmission wheel is installed between the motor's output shaft and the rack. The key feature is that one of the multi-stage transmission wheels is a clutch wheel, comprising an upper clutch wheel and a lower clutch wheel. The lower clutch wheel is directly or indirectly linked to the motor's output shaft, and the upper clutch wheel is directly or indirectly linked to the rack. A bottom tooth is provided on the lower surface of the upper clutch wheel, and a top tooth is provided on the lower clutch wheel. When the bottom and top teeth mesh, the upper and lower clutch wheels are linked. A compression spring is provided above the upper clutch wheel, providing a downward thrust. Both the top and bottom teeth have inclined surfaces on both sides. The relative torque between the upper and lower clutch wheels generates an upward component force on the upper clutch wheel. When this upward component force exceeds the compression spring's thrust and the upper clutch wheel's weight, the upper clutch wheel moves upward, and the bottom and top teeth disengage.

[0013] This invention can be applied to products used in high-temperature applications such as dishwashers and steam ovens, preventing steam from escaping and injuring people when the door suddenly opens during high-temperature operation. It features a simple structure, high safety and reliability, and prevents the door from being opened while the appliance is operating. Its automatic push-pull device uses a wax motor push rod or an electromagnetic push rod. When energized, the push rod automatically extends upwards; when de-energized, it retracts to its original position. Therefore, even when the door is closed and power is off, it will not be in a high-temperature environment, and the door can still open and close normally, providing sufficient safety for the user. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the locking assembly of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the self-locking rotating plate of this utility model when it is self-locking.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-locking rotating plate of this utility model when it is unlocked.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the hook body pressing plate of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the hook body leaving the pressure plate of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a structural schematic diagram of the door lock assembly of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the upper clutch wheel and lower clutch wheel of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, this utility model is an automatic door lock with forced self-locking and a hook 202 structure. It includes a door lock assembly 100 installed on an electrical appliance and a hook 202 assembly 200 installed on a door panel. A rack 101 is provided on the door lock assembly 100, with a latch groove 102 at its front end. The hook 202 is provided within the door lock assembly 100. When the door panel is closed, the rack 101 extends forward to engage the hook 202 assembly 200, allowing the hook body 2021 on the hook 202 to engage with the latch groove 102. When the door panel is opened, the hook body 2021 on the hook 202 simply unlocks from the latch groove 102.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the hook 202 is installed inside the lock housing 201. The hook 202 is hinged to the lock housing 201 via a long pin 203, thus allowing the hook 202 to rotate. A hook body 2021 is provided on the front side of the hook 202. When the latch groove 102 of the rack 101 extends into the door lock assembly 100 and abuts against the hook 202, it can push the hook 202 to rotate, causing the hook body 2021 on the hook 202 to insert into the latch groove 102 from top to bottom, locking the hook 202 and the latch groove 102.

[0025] A slider 208 is also provided on the locking housing 201. The slider 208 is hinged to the bottom of the hook 202 by a short pin 209. A push spring 207 is provided at the bottom of the slider 208. The restoring force of the push spring 207 can switch the slider 208 to the front or rear side, corresponding to the hook body 2021 of the hook 202 rotating to the locked or unlocked state. As long as the pushing or pulling force of the rack 101 overcomes the restoring force of the push spring 207, the hook 202 can be rotated and the slider 208 can be switched.

[0026] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, a limit hook 2081 is provided on the front side of the slider 208, and a self-locking rotating plate 211 is provided outside the locking housing 201. A mounting post 2011 is provided on the locking housing 201. A screw 212 passes through the self-locking rotating plate 211 and is connected to the end of the mounting post 2011, so that the self-locking rotating plate 211 can rotate relative to the mounting post 2011. An automatic pushing device 210 is provided below the self-locking rotating plate 211. The automatic pushing device 210 is a wax motor push rod or an electromagnetic push rod. After being energized, the push rod automatically pushes the self-locking rotating plate 211 upward.

[0027] After the door panel is closed, the hook body 2021 of the latch 202 rotates to the locked state, the slider 208 is located on the front side, and the limiting hook 2081 on the slider 208 is exposed outside the latch housing 201. The automatic push device 210 is powered on and pushes upward, causing the self-locking rotating plate 211 to rotate upward until the edge of the self-locking rotating plate 211 engages with the limiting hook 2081, forcibly locking itself. After the automatic push device 210 is powered off, the push rod automatically retracts, and the self-locking rotating plate 211 rotates downward under its own gravity, releasing the lock on the limiting hook 2081. The door lock assembly 100 and the latch 202 assembly 200 can then be used normally.

[0028] like Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, the locking housing 201 has two microswitches 204 at both ends and a pressure plate 205. Two guide rods 2051 are mounted on the pressure plate 205, which can be inserted into the locking housing 201. A pressure spring 206 is installed on the guide rod 2051. When the hook 2021 of the latch 202 is in the locked state, the end of the hook 2021 presses down the pressure plate 205, causing the pressure plate 205 to abut against the contact 2041 of one of the microswitches 204. When the hook 2021 leaves the pressure plate 205, the pressure plate 205 moves away from the contact 2041 of the microswitches 204 under the restoring force of the pressure spring 206. After the self-locking rotating plate 211 rotates upward until its edge engages with the limiting hook 2081, the self-locking rotating plate 211 simultaneously abuts against the contact 2041 of the other microswitch 204. The self-locking rotary plate 211 rotates downwards and disengages from the contact 2041 of the micro switch 204. Therefore, the door can only be fully locked and cannot be opened by external force when both micro switches 204 are open.

[0029] like Figure 8 , Figure 9 As shown, the door lock assembly 100 includes a rack 101 and a motor 103. A multi-stage transmission wheel 104 is installed between the output shaft of the motor 103 and the rack 101. The characteristic of the multi-stage transmission wheel 104 is that one of the transmission wheels is a clutch wheel. The clutch wheel includes an upper clutch wheel 1042 and a lower clutch wheel 1041. The lower clutch wheel 1041 is directly or indirectly linked to the output of the motor 103, and the upper clutch wheel 1042 is directly or indirectly linked to the rack 101. A bottom tooth 1045 is provided on the lower surface of the upper clutch wheel 1042, and a top tooth 1044 is provided on the lower clutch wheel 1041. After the bottom tooth 1045 and the top tooth 1044 mesh, the upper clutch wheel 1042 and the lower clutch wheel 1041 are linked. A clutch spring 1043 is provided above the upper clutch wheel 1042, and the clutch spring 1043 provides a downward thrust to the upper clutch wheel 1042. Both sides of the top tooth 1044 and the bottom tooth 1045 are inclined surfaces. The relative torque between the upper clutch wheel 1042 and the lower clutch wheel 1041 will generate an upward component force on the upper clutch wheel 1042. After the upward component force is greater than the thrust of the clutch spring 1043 and the weight of the upper clutch wheel 1042, the upper clutch wheel 1042 moves upward, and the bottom tooth 1045 and the top tooth 1044 disengage. With the arrangement of the upper clutch wheel 1042 and the lower clutch wheel 1041, if there is a foreign object blocking the door when closing, the bottom tooth 1045 of the upper clutch wheel 1042 and the top tooth 1044 of the lower clutch wheel 1041 disengage, and the door panel will not continue to press on the obstacle, thus playing a mechanical anti-pinch role.

[0030] This invention can be applied to products used in high-temperature applications such as dishwashers and steam ovens, preventing steam from escaping and injuring people when the door suddenly opens during high-temperature operation. It features a simple structure, high safety and reliability, and prevents the door from being opened while the appliance is operating. Its automatic push-pull device 210 uses a wax motor push rod or an electromagnetic push rod. When energized, the push rod automatically extends upwards; when de-energized, it retracts to its original position. Therefore, even when the door is closed and power is off, it will not be in a high-temperature environment, and the door can still open and close normally, providing sufficient safety for the user.

Claims

1. An automatic door lock and latch structure with forced self-locking, comprising a door lock assembly installed on an electrical appliance and a latch assembly installed on a door panel, wherein a rack is provided on the door lock assembly, the front end of the rack has a latch groove, a latch hook is provided inside the door lock assembly, and the rack extends forward of the latch assembly to enable the hook body on the latch hook to engage with the latch groove. Its features are, The hook is installed inside the lock housing. A slider is also provided on the lock housing. The slider is hinged to the bottom of the hook. A push spring is provided at the bottom of the slider. The restoring force of the push spring can switch the slider to the front or rear side, and the hook body of the hook rotates to the locked or unlocked state. A limit hook is provided on the front side of the slider, and a self-locking rotating plate is provided outside the lock housing. An automatic pushing device is provided below the self-locking rotating plate. After the door is closed, the hook body of the latch rotates to the locked state, the slider is located on the front side, and the limit hook on the slider is exposed outside the lock housing. The automatic pushing device is powered on and pushes upward, causing the self-locking rotating plate to rotate upward until the edge of the self-locking rotating plate is engaged with the limit hook, forcibly self-locking.

2. The automatic door lock and latch structure with forced self-locking as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The automatic pushing device is a wax motor push rod or an electromagnetic push rod. After being powered on, the push rod automatically pushes the self-locking rotating plate upward.

3. The automatic door lock and latch structure with forced self-locking as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The locking housing is provided with a mounting post. A screw passes through the self-locking rotating plate and is connected to the end of the mounting post, so that the self-locking rotating plate can rotate relative to the mounting post.

4. The automatic door lock and latch structure with forced self-locking as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The locking housing has two micro switches at both ends and a pressure plate. When the hook is in the locked state, the end of the hook presses against the pressure plate, so that the pressure plate abuts against the contact of one micro switch. After the self-locking rotating plate rotates upward until the edge engages with the limit hook, the self-locking rotating plate abuts against the contact of the other micro switch.

5. The automatic door lock and latch structure with forced self-locking as described in claim 4, characterized in that... The pressure plate is provided with two guide rods, which can be inserted into the locking housing, and a pressure plate spring is installed on the guide rod.

6. The automatic door lock and latch structure with forced self-locking according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that... The door lock assembly includes a rack and a motor. A multi-stage transmission wheel is installed between the motor's output shaft and the rack. The key feature is that one of the multi-stage transmission wheels is a clutch wheel, comprising an upper clutch wheel and a lower clutch wheel. The lower clutch wheel is directly or indirectly linked to the motor's output shaft, and the upper clutch wheel is directly or indirectly linked to the rack. A bottom tooth is provided on the lower surface of the upper clutch wheel, and a top tooth is provided on the lower clutch wheel. When the bottom and top teeth mesh, the upper and lower clutch wheels are linked. A compression spring is provided above the upper clutch wheel, providing a downward thrust. Both the top and bottom teeth have inclined surfaces on both sides. The relative torque between the upper and lower clutch wheels generates an upward component force on the upper clutch wheel. When this upward component force exceeds the compression spring's thrust and the upper clutch wheel's weight, the upper clutch wheel moves upward, and the bottom and top teeth disengage.

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