Automatic door lock opening and closing device of dish washing machine and dish washing machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic door lock opening and closing device of a dish-washing machine and the dish-washing machine. An automatic door lock opening and closing device of a dish-washing machine comprises a door lock and a latch, the door lock and the latch are installed on a box body and a door cover of the dish-washing machine respectively, the door lock can elastically clamp a latch head through a grabbing and clamping mechanism so as to be combined with the latch, and the grabbing and clamping mechanism is driven by a push rod to stretch out and draw back. The phenomena of bacterial contamination and insect climbing-in caused by the fact that the door cover is normally opened can be effectively avoided, the door has the advantages of being reliable in sealing performance and small in door closing force, and user experience is better.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of dishwashers, and in particular to the technical field of an automatic door lock device for a dishwasher and the dishwasher itself. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the improvement of living standards, dishwashers have gradually become an indispensable appliance in the kitchen. After washing dishes, dishwashers usually dry them. To achieve this, the dishwasher needs to convert the humid air in the washing chamber into dry air during the drying stage.

[0003] In existing technologies, dishwashers primarily use a ventilation system to connect the washing chamber to the outside, thereby expelling humid air from the washing chamber to the outside and replacing it with dry air from the outside. However, this method suffers from high energy consumption. To reduce energy consumption, some manufacturers have opted for door-opening drying (where natural convection replaces air inside and outside the dishwasher after the door automatically opens), as exemplified by the dishwasher control method and dishwasher disclosed in invention patent CN114642388A.

[0004] Currently, dishwashers on the market that use an open-door drying method cannot automatically close the door. This allows bacteria or insects to seep in after the dishwasher has been open for an extended period, potentially contaminating the dishes. The dishwasher described in CN103584814B (Invention Announcement No.) using an automatic open-door drying method cannot automatically close the door after drying. Furthermore, when manually closing the door, the user needs to not only force open the two latch arms (the latch head first collides with the two latch arms when the door closes, then overcomes the elastic force to open them from a relatively stationary state), but also compress the sealing strip. This results in a relatively large closing force and a poor closing feel. In addition, because the locking arms are fixed, fluctuations in the dimensions of components such as the cabinet, door cover, locking unit, latch, and sealing strip will affect the sealing performance, ultimately leading to variations in the sealing effect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems in the prior art by proposing an automatic door lock device for a dishwasher and a dishwasher. This device can not only effectively prevent bacterial contamination and insect infestation caused by the door being constantly open, but also has the characteristics of reliable sealing and low closing force, resulting in a better user experience.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes an automatic door lock device for a dishwasher, including a door lock and a door latch. The door lock and the door latch are respectively installed on the dishwasher body and door cover. The door lock can use a gripping mechanism to elastically clamp the latch head to engage with the door latch. The gripping mechanism is driven to extend and retract by a push rod.

[0007] Preferably, the door lock can further restrict the position of the latch by retracting the push rod to allow the locking mechanism to elastically lock the clamping state of the gripping mechanism.

[0008] Preferably, the door lock includes a housing, a push rod, a drive mechanism, a gripping mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The push rod, drive mechanism, and locking mechanism are all disposed within the housing cavity. An opening is provided in the housing wall. The drive mechanism adjusts the length of the gripping mechanism extending out of the housing by driving the push rod.

[0009] Preferably, the gripping mechanism includes a movable frame, a first latch arm, and a first spring. The movable frame is fixed to the push rod, and the two first latch arms are respectively hinged to the movable frame. The first spring is installed between the two first latch arms. The locking mechanism includes a second latch arm and a second spring. The two second latch arms are respectively hinged to the outer casing, and the second spring is installed between the two second latch arms.

[0010] Preferably, the two first latch arms have inner hooks bent toward the adjacent side at the ends away from the locking mechanism, the latch head is rhomboid and the tip can be aligned with the slit located between the two inner hooks, the spacing of the slits in the natural state is less than the width of the widest part of the latch head.

[0011] Preferably, both inner hooks are partially or completely protruding through the opening.

[0012] Preferably, the two first latch arms are provided with a first inclined surface on the adjacent surfaces of the two ends near the locking mechanism, and the distance between the two first inclined surfaces gradually decreases from the end to the middle of the first latch arm. The two second latch arms are provided with a second inclined surface on the opposite sides of the two ends near the gripping mechanism, which is adapted to the first inclined surface.

[0013] Preferably, the two adjacent surfaces of the first latch arms, located between the hinge point and the first inclined surface, are provided with first protrusions, and the two ends of the first spring are respectively fixed on the two first protrusions. The two adjacent surfaces of the two second latch arms, located between the hinge point and the second inclined surface, are also provided with second protrusions, and the two ends of the second spring are respectively fixed on the two second protrusions.

[0014] Preferably, the drive mechanism includes a motor, a worm, a worm wheel, and transmission gears. The worm is coaxially fixed at the output shaft of the motor. The worm wheel and several transmission gears are rotatably connected to the housing via rotating shafts. Each of the transmission gears is arranged sequentially and meshes with the push rod and the worm wheel. The push rod meshes with another transmission gear.

[0015] Preferably, the inner wall of the housing is provided with a guide rail that allows the push rod to slide.

[0016] A dishwasher equipped with an automatic door lock device as described above.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0018] 1) By installing a door lock with a push rod, a gripping mechanism and a locking mechanism on the box body, and a door latch with a bolt head on the door cover, the gripping mechanism can first use the gripping mechanism to elastically clamp the bolt head to achieve the combination between the door lock and the door latch. Then, the push rod can be used to drive the gripping mechanism to retract so that the locking mechanism can elastically lock the gripping state of the gripping mechanism, thereby further restricting the position of the door latch. This not only effectively avoids bacterial contamination and insect crawling in caused by the door cover being open, but also has a good locking effect.

[0019] 2) By keeping the latch head and the two first latch arms engaged throughout the entire opening and closing process, and using the final electric pull action to lock the door (i.e., the engagement between the latch head and the two first latch arms does not count as locking the door), the spring force and the rebound force of the sealing strip that need to be overcome by collision and squeezing open the latch arms in traditional technology can be eliminated, thereby greatly reducing the closing force.

[0020] 3) By using a drive mechanism to tighten the door cover, the sealing of the door can be guaranteed every time it is closed, and the tolerance of the whole machine can also be absorbed.

[0021] 4) By adding first inclined surfaces to the adjacent surfaces of the two first latch arms of the gripping mechanism near the end of the locking mechanism, and gradually reducing the distance between the two first inclined surfaces from the end to the middle of the first latch arm, and by adding second inclined surfaces adapted to the first inclined surfaces to the opposite surfaces of the two second latch arms of the locking mechanism near the end of the gripping mechanism, the smoothness of the locking mechanism in limiting the gripping mechanism can be effectively improved.

[0022] The features and advantages of this utility model will be described in detail through embodiments and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a 3D structural diagram of the dishwasher when the door is closed.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the dishwasher's automatic door lock mechanism in the closed state.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the dishwasher's automatic door lock mechanism during automatic door opening.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a 3D structural diagram of the dishwasher when the door is open.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the dishwasher's automatic door lock mechanism in the open position.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a 3D structural diagram of the dishwasher when the door is manually opened;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the dishwasher's automatic door lock mechanism when the door is manually opened;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the dishwasher's automatic door lock mechanism in standby mode.

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the dishwasher's automatic door lock mechanism in operation when the door is manually closed;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the dishwasher's automatic door lock mechanism during automatic locking.

[0033] In the diagram: 1-Door lock, 11-Outer shell, 111-Opening, 12-Push rod, 13-Drive mechanism, 131-Motor, 132-Worm gear, 133-Worm wheel, 134-Transmission gear, 14-Grip mechanism, 141-Moving frame, 142-First latch arm, 1421-Inner hook, 1422-Slit, 1423-First inclined plane, 1424-First protrusion, 143-First spring, 15-Locking mechanism, 151-Second latch arm, 1511-Second inclined plane, 1512-Second protrusion, 152-Second spring, 2-Door latch, 21-Latch head, 3-Box body, 4-Door cover. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Example 1:

[0035] See Figures 1 to 10 This utility model discloses an automatic door lock device for a dishwasher, including a door lock 1 and a door latch 2. The door lock 1 and the door latch 2 are respectively installed on the dishwasher body 3 and the door cover 4. The door lock 1 can use a gripping mechanism 14 to elastically clamp the latch head 21 to combine with the door latch 2. The gripping mechanism 14 is driven to extend and retract by a push rod 12.

[0036] The door lock 1 can further restrict the position of the door latch 2 by retracting the push rod 12 to make the locking mechanism 15 elastically lock the clamping state of the gripping mechanism 14.

[0037] The door lock 1 includes a housing 11, a push rod 12, a drive mechanism 13, a gripping mechanism 14, and a locking mechanism 15. The push rod 12, the drive mechanism 13, and the locking mechanism 15 are all disposed inside the housing cavity of the housing 11. An opening 111 is provided in the housing wall of the housing 11. The drive mechanism 13 adjusts the length of the gripping mechanism 14 extending out of the housing 11 by driving the push rod 12.

[0038] The gripping mechanism 14 includes a movable frame 141, a first latch arm 142, and a first spring 143. The movable frame 141 is fixed to the push rod 12. The two first latch arms 142 are respectively hinged to the movable frame 141. The first spring 143 is installed between the two first latch arms 142. The locking mechanism 15 includes a second latch arm 151 and a second spring 152. The two second latch arms 151 are respectively hinged to the outer casing 11. The second spring 152 is installed between the two second latch arms 151.

[0039] The two first latch arms 142 have an inner hook portion 1421 bent toward the adjacent side at one end away from the locking mechanism 15. The latch head 21 is rhomboid and its tip can be aligned with the slit 1422 located between the two inner hook portions 1421. The spacing of the slit 1422 in its natural state is less than the width of the widest part of the latch head 21.

[0040] Both inner hooks 1421 are provided to extend partially or completely through the opening 111.

[0041] The two first latch arms 142 are provided with first inclined surfaces 1423 on adjacent surfaces near one end of the locking mechanism 15. The distance between the two first inclined surfaces 1423 gradually decreases from the end to the middle of the first latch arm 142. The two second latch arms 151 are provided with second inclined surfaces 1511 on opposite sides near one end of the gripping mechanism 14, which are adapted to the first inclined surfaces 1423.

[0042] A first protrusion 1424 is provided on the adjacent surfaces of the two first latch arms 142 and between the hinge point and the first inclined surface 1423. The two ends of the first spring 143 are respectively fixed on the two first protrusions 1424. A second protrusion 1512 is provided on the adjacent surfaces of the two second latch arms 151 and between the hinge point and the second inclined surface 1511. The two ends of the second spring 152 are respectively fixed on the two second protrusions 1512.

[0043] The drive mechanism 13 includes a motor 131, a worm 132, a worm wheel 133, and a transmission gear 134. The worm 132 is coaxially fixed at the output shaft of the motor 131. The worm wheel 133 and several transmission gears 134 are rotatably connected to the housing 11 through rotating shafts. Each of the transmission gears 134 is arranged sequentially and meshes with the push rod 12 and the worm wheel 133. The push rod 12 meshes with another transmission gear 134.

[0044] The inner wall of the outer casing 11 is provided with a guide rail that allows the push rod 12 to slide.

[0045] A dishwasher equipped with an automatic door lock device as described above.

[0046] The working process of this embodiment:

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, when the door is closed, the door cover 4 seals the cleaning chamber of the housing 3. The latch head 21 of the latch 2 is elastically clamped by the two first latch arms 142 of the gripping mechanism 14, while the two first latch arms 142 are simultaneously elastically supported by the two second latch arms 151 of the locking mechanism 15. At this time, if the latch 2 is to be pulled out of the door lock 1, it is necessary to overcome the elastic force of the first spring 143 and the second spring 152 at the same time (that is, the first spring 143 and the second spring 152 simultaneously provide the locking force on the latch 2).

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, when the dishwasher needs to be opened for drying, the drive mechanism 13 can be activated to drive the push rod 12 toward the end of the outer casing 11 with the opening 111, until the gripping mechanism 14 extends a specified distance along the opening 111 under the drive of the push rod 12 and is no longer elastically locked by the locking mechanism 15 (see...). Figure 4 and Figure 5 At this point, only the first spring 143 provides the locking force on the latch 2.

[0049] Subsequently, if the user manually pulls the door cover 4, the latch 2 will overcome the elastic force of the first spring 143 and separate from the door lock 1 under manual action (see...). Figure 6 and Figure 7 The push rod 12 and the gripping mechanism 14 will return to standby mode under the driving action of the drive mechanism 13 (see...). Figure 8 If the user does not manually pull the door cover 4, the dishwasher will restart the drive mechanism 13 to pull back the latch 2 after the door drying cycle is complete, until the door cover 4 re-closes the washing chamber of the cabinet 3. In short, during the door opening and closing phase, unless the user manually opens the door, the door lock 1 and latch 2 remain engaged. Furthermore, as... Figure 9 As shown, even if the user opens the door cover 4 midway, when closing the door cover 4 again to engage the door lock 1 with the door latch 2, it only requires overcoming the small elastic force of the first spring 143, which is very effortless.

[0050] like Figure 10 As shown, when the dishwasher finishes drying with the door open and pulls the latch 2 back, the dishwasher will activate the drive mechanism 13 to drive the push rod 12 toward the end of the housing 11 away from the opening 111, until the two first latch arms 142 of the gripping mechanism 14 are elastically locked again by the two second latch arms 151 of the locking mechanism 15 (see...). Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).

[0051] During the above-mentioned operation, for the drive mechanism 13, the motor 131 can drive the worm gear 132 to rotate forward or reverse, thereby indirectly driving the push rod 12 to extend and retract via the worm wheel 133 and each transmission gear 134.

[0052] Example 2:

[0053] Remove the locking mechanism 15; otherwise, it is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0054] In this embodiment, if the elastic force of the gripping mechanism 14 is large enough, automatic door opening and closing can be achieved solely through the gripping mechanism 14. That is, the locking mechanism 15 is optional, but the closing force will be greater. With the locking mechanism 15 added, the door only needs to overcome the gripping mechanism 14 when closing, resulting in a smaller closing force. When automatically locking the door, the gripping mechanism 14 and the locking mechanism 15 are combined.

[0055] The above embodiments are illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any simple modifications to the present invention are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic door lock device for a dishwasher, characterized in that: The device includes a door lock (1) and a door latch (2), which are respectively installed on the cabinet (3) and the door cover (4) of the dishwasher. The device is characterized in that the door lock (1) can use a gripping mechanism (14) to elastically grip the latch head (21) to combine with the door latch (2), and the gripping mechanism (14) is driven to extend and retract by a push rod (12).

2. The dishwasher automatic door lock device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The door lock (1) can further restrict the position of the door latch (2) by retracting the push rod (12) to make the locking mechanism (15) elastically lock the clamping state of the gripping mechanism (14).

3. The dishwasher automatic door lock device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The door lock (1) includes a shell (11), a push rod (12), a drive mechanism (13), a gripping mechanism (14), and a locking mechanism (15). The push rod (12), the drive mechanism (13), and the locking mechanism (15) are all located inside the shell cavity of the shell (11). The shell wall of the shell (11) has an opening (111). The drive mechanism (13) adjusts the length of the gripping mechanism (14) extending out of the shell (11) by driving the push rod (12).

4. The dishwasher automatic door lock device as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The gripping mechanism (14) includes a movable frame (141), a first latch arm (142) and a first spring (143). The movable frame (141) is fixed to the push rod (12). The two first latch arms (142) are respectively hinged to the movable frame (141). The first spring (143) is installed between the two first latch arms (142). The locking mechanism (15) includes a second latch arm (151) and a second spring (152). The two second latch arms (151) are respectively hinged to the outer shell (11). The second spring (152) is installed between the two second latch arms (151).

5. The dishwasher automatic door lock device as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The two first latch arms (142) have an inner hook (1421) bent toward the adjacent side at one end away from the locking mechanism (15). The latch head (21) is rhomboid and its tip can be aligned with the slit (1422) located between the two inner hooks (1421). The slit (1422) is less than the width of the widest part of the latch head (21) in its natural state.

6. The dishwasher automatic door lock device as described in claim 5, characterized in that: Both inner hooks (1421) are provided to extend partially or completely through the opening (111).

7. The dishwasher automatic door lock device as described in claim 6, characterized in that: Two first latch arms (142) are provided with first inclined surfaces (1423) on adjacent faces near one end of the locking mechanism (15). The distance between the two first inclined surfaces (1423) gradually decreases from the end to the middle of the first latch arm (142). Two second latch arms (151) are provided with second inclined surfaces (1511) on opposite faces near one end of the gripping mechanism (14) respectively, which are adapted to the first inclined surfaces (1423).

8. The dishwasher automatic door lock device as described in claim 7, characterized in that: A first protrusion (1424) is provided on the adjacent surfaces of the two first latch arms (142) and between the hinge point and the first inclined surface (1423). The two ends of the first spring (143) are respectively fixed on the two first protrusions (1424). A second protrusion (1512) is provided on the adjacent surfaces of the two second latch arms (151) and between the hinge point and the second inclined surface (1511). The two ends of the second spring (152) are respectively fixed on the two second protrusions (1512).

9. The dishwasher automatic door lock device as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The drive mechanism (13) includes a motor (131), a worm (132), a worm wheel (133), and a transmission gear (134). The worm (132) is coaxially fixed at the output shaft of the motor (131). The worm wheel (133) and several transmission gears (134) are rotatably connected to the outer casing (11) through rotating shafts. Each of the transmission gears (134) is arranged sequentially and meshes with the worm wheel (133) between the push rod (12). The push rod (12) meshes with another transmission gear (134).

10. A dishwasher, characterized in that: The dishwasher is equipped with an automatic door lock device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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