Refrigerator safety lock

Abstract

The utility model discloses a refrigerator safety lock, including first locking seat and second locking seat, two locking pieces are symmetrically hinged in first locking seat, and the outside of locking piece is provided with lock head and unlocking button, be equipped with locking groove that is matched with corresponding lock head on second locking seat, and locking groove includes closed end and open end, two locking pieces can reciprocate swing between locking position and release position, when locking piece is located locking position, lock head enters corresponding locking groove, when locking piece is located release position, lock head separates from corresponding locking groove, and the compression spring that makes two locking pieces keep in locking position is assembled between two locking pieces, first locking seat still has the normally closed lock block that can make locking piece keep in release position of sliding assembly, and the normally closed lock block is equipped with the limit structure that is matched with two locking pieces. The refrigerator safety lock provided by the utility model is convenient to operate, and has strong adaptability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of safety lock technology, specifically relating to a refrigerator safety lock. Background Technology

[0002] To prevent children from accidentally opening refrigerators and injuring their fingers or being injured by spilled items, refrigerator safety locks have been designed. These locks are installed at a height inaccessible to children and can only be operated by adults. Refrigerator safety locks typically consist of two separate locking seats: a first locking seat and a second locking seat. These seats have interlocking locking mechanisms; to open the refrigerator door, the locking mechanism is released by pressing an unlock button. However, the unlocking operation of existing refrigerator safety locks cannot be performed simultaneously with opening the door. Opening the refrigerator door requires both hands – one hand to unlock and the other to open, making the operation cumbersome. Furthermore, the engagement position of the lock slot and lock block in existing refrigerator safety locks is not adjustable, making them incompatible with different refrigerator models. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention addresses the problems of inconvenient and unreliable operation and poor compatibility of existing refrigerator safety locks by providing a new type of refrigerator safety lock. The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0004] A refrigerator safety lock includes a first locking seat and a second locking seat, which are separately configured. The first locking seat is mounted on the outer side wall of the refrigerator body, and the second locking seat is mounted on the outer edge wall of the refrigerator door. Two locking members are symmetrically hinged inside the first locking seat. A lock head and an unlocking button are protruding from the outer side of each locking member. The second locking seat has a locking groove that mates with the corresponding lock head. The locking groove is a straight groove and includes a closed end and an open end. Both locking members can reciprocate between a locked position and a released position. When the locking member is in the locked position, the lock head enters the corresponding locking groove. When the locking member is in the released position, the lock head disengages from the corresponding locking groove. A compression spring is installed between the two locking members to keep them in the locked position.

[0005] Preferably, each locking component includes a hinged arm extending along a first direction. The hinged arm includes a main body section and a hinged section and a locking section respectively disposed on both sides of the main body section. The hinged section is hinged to the first locking seat via a hinge shaft. The lock head protrudes from the outside of the locking section. The unlocking button protrudes from the outer wall of the main body section and extends to the outside of the first locking seat. The unlocking button is disposed near the second locking seat.

[0006] Preferably, the second locking seat has a clearance groove for making way for the locking section. The locking groove is formed on the two side walls of the clearance groove. The locking groove extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the length of the locking groove in the second direction is greater than the length of the lock head in the second direction.

[0007] Preferably, the second locking seat is provided with two pressing slopes for pressing the lock head, and the pressing slopes are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the relief groove opening.

[0008] Preferably, the bottom plate of the second locking seat is provided with a retaining piece that abuts against the inner edge of the refrigerator door, and the retaining piece is perpendicular to the outer edge wall; there are two retaining pieces, which are symmetrically distributed on the upper and lower sides of the clearance groove.

[0009] Preferably, the first locking seat is also slidably fitted with a normally closed locking block that can keep the locking member in the released position. The normally closed locking block and the two locking members are provided with mutually cooperating limiting structures. The normally closed locking block includes a push button external to the first locking seat and a slider slidably disposed inside the first locking seat.

[0010] Preferably, the limiting structure includes retractable inserts symmetrically arranged on both sides of the slider; the inner sides of the two locking members are each formed with slots that mate with the retractable inserts; the normally closed locking block can slide back and forth between the initial position and the normally closed position; when the normally closed locking block is in the normally closed position, the two retractable inserts are respectively inserted into the slots of the two locking members, causing the two locking members to swing from the locked position to the released position and remain there; when the normally closed locking block is in the initial position, the retractable inserts disengage from the slots to release interference with the locking members.

[0011] Preferably, the outer side of the retractable insert is provided with a force-applying inclined surface, and the inside of the slot is provided with a force-receiving inclined surface that cooperates with the force-applying inclined surface.

[0012] Preferably, the bottom of the retractable insert is provided with an elastic locking block, and a limiting piece is formed on the bottom wall of the first locking seat. When the normally closed locking block is in the normally closed position, the elastic locking block and the limiting piece engage in a locking cooperation.

[0013] Preferably, the bottom of the slider is provided with a groove, and the bottom wall of the first locking seat is formed with a slide rail that cooperates with the groove.

[0014] Preferably, the main body of the hinge arm is provided with spring grooves, the openings of the two spring grooves are arranged opposite each other, and spring columns are formed in the spring grooves. The two ends of the compression spring are respectively fitted onto the two spring columns.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following technical advantages: The unlocking button is directly set on the main body of the hinge arm, forming a lever relationship with the lock head, and is located close to the outer edge of the refrigerator door equipped with the second locking seat. The unlocking pressing direction of the unlocking button does not conflict with the door opening direction. The unlocking action can be performed simultaneously with the door opening action. The unlocking and opening actions can be completed by the same hand in the same continuous action, without the need for the other hand to operate the unlocking, making the operation convenient and easy. By optimizing the dimensional relationship between the locking groove and the lock head, the lock head has a considerable fitting allowance in the locking groove along the second direction, thus ensuring the refrigerator door... Whether flush with or parallel to the outer wall of the refrigerator, the outer edge of the door can lock in place. This adjustable locking design removes the strict restrictions on the relative position of the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body, improving the product's versatility and adaptability. The abutment plate provides anti-torsional support to the second locking seat, preventing it from shaking or tilting under force, ensuring stable alignment between the locking groove and the lock head, and improving the rigidity and fitting accuracy of the safety lock. The normally closed locking block ensures that the locking element is always in the released position, removing the restriction of the refrigerator safety lock on the refrigerator door, allowing the refrigerator door to open and close freely to adapt to different usage scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the first locking seat in this utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the second locking seat structure in this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the locking component structure in this utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the normally closed locking block structure in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom wall structure of the first locking seat in this utility model;

[0022] The markings in the diagram are: First locking seat 10; Slide rail 11; Limiting piece 12; Second locking seat 20; Support piece 21; Extrusion slope 22; Relief groove 23; Locking groove 24; Locking component 30; Hinge arm 31; Hinge section 311; Main body section 312; Slot 3121; Locking section 313; Lock head 32; Unlock button 33; Spring column 40; Normally closed locking block 50; Push button 51; Slider 52; Retractable insert block 53; Force-applying slope 531; Elastic locking block 532. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings:

[0024] See Figures 1-3 This embodiment discloses a refrigerator safety lock, including a first locking seat 10 and a second locking seat 20 that are separately arranged. The first locking seat 10 is assembled on the outer side wall of the refrigerator body, and the second locking seat 20 is assembled on the outer edge wall of the refrigerator door.

[0025] Two locking members 30 are symmetrically arranged inside the first locking seat 10. Each locking member 30 includes a hinge arm 31 extending along a first direction. The hinge arm 31 includes a main body section 312, and a hinge section 311 and a locking section 313 respectively disposed on both sides of the main body section 312. The hinge section 311 is hinged to the first locking seat 10 through a hinge shaft. A lock head 32 protrudes from the outer side of the locking section 313. An unlocking button 33 protrudes from the first locking seat 10 from the outer wall of the main body section 312. The two locking elements 30 are positioned close to the second locking seat 20. Both locking elements 30 can swing between the locked and released positions around the hinge axis. A compression spring is fitted between the two hinge arms 31 to provide external tension to the two locking elements 30. Spring grooves are formed on the main body section 312 of the hinge wall, with the openings of the two spring grooves facing each other. A spring post 40 is formed within the spring groove, and the two ends of the compression spring are respectively fitted onto the two spring posts 40 to generate sufficient frictional interference between the lock head and the locking groove. The unlocking button 33 is directly mounted on the main body section 312 of the hinge arm 31, forming a lever relationship with the lock head, and is positioned close to the outer edge of the refrigerator door where the second locking seat 20 is mounted. The unlocking direction of the unlocking button 33 does not conflict with the door opening direction, allowing for simultaneous unlocking and unlocking actions. The unlocking and opening actions can be completed by the same hand in the same continuous action, eliminating the need for a separate hand to operate the unlocking mechanism, making operation convenient and easy.

[0026] The second locking seat 20 has a clearance groove 23 that allows the locking section 313 to be recessed. Both the top and bottom walls of the clearance groove 23 have locking grooves 24 for the corresponding lock head 32 to insert into. The locking grooves 24 extend along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the length of the locking groove 24 in the second direction is greater than the length of the lock head 32 in the second direction. The length of the locking groove 24 in the second direction is A, and the length of the lock head 32 in the second direction is B. In this embodiment, A = 2B. By optimizing the dimensional relationship between the locking groove 24 and the lock head 32, the lock head 32 has a considerable fitting allowance along the second direction within the locking groove 24. Therefore, whether the outer edge of the refrigerator door is flush with or parallel to the outer wall of the refrigerator, a locking fit can be achieved. This adjustable locking design removes the strict restrictions on the relative positional relationship between the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body, improving the product's versatility and adaptability. The locking groove 24 is a straight groove with an open end and a closed end in the second direction. The open end is located on the side near the bottom plate. The second locking seat is provided with two pressing slopes 22 for pressing the lock head. The pressing slopes 22 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the relief groove opening so that the lock head 32 can quickly enter the locking groove under the pressing of the pressing slope when the door is closed, which is convenient for operation.

[0027] The base plate 21 of the second locking seat 20 is provided with a retaining piece 21 that abuts against the refrigerator door; there are two retaining pieces 21, which are symmetrically distributed on the upper and lower sides of the clearance groove 23. The retaining piece 21 provides anti-torsional support to the second locking seat 20, preventing the second locking seat 20 from shaking or tilting when subjected to force. At the same time, the retaining piece 21 can also be used as a positioning structure to limit the installation position of the second locking seat 20, improve its installation accuracy, and ensure that the locking groove 24 and the lock head 32 can be accurately matched.

[0028] The upper and lower walls of the first locking seat 10 are respectively provided with button holes for the unlocking button 33 to extend out. The button is a triangular block with its apex angle close to the second locking seat 20. The above arrangement can increase the contact area and make it easier for fingers to press. When the user reaches out to pull the door, the position and angle of the fingers are more in line with the unlocking button 33. The door can be opened at the same time by pressing with two fingers, making the operation smooth and convenient.

[0029] See 4- Figure 6 The first locking seat 10 is also slidably fitted with a normally closed locking block 50 that can keep the locking member 30 in the released position. The normally closed locking block 50 and the two locking members 30 are provided with mutually cooperating limiting structures. The normally closed locking block 50 includes a push button 51 externally placed outside the first locking seat 10 and a slider 52 slidably disposed inside the first locking seat 10.

[0030] The limiting structure includes retractable inserts 53 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the slider 52; the inner sides of the two locking members 30 are each formed with slots 3121 that cooperate with the retractable inserts 53; the normally closed locking block 50 can slide back and forth between the initial position and the normally closed position. When the normally closed locking block 50 is in the normally closed position, the two retractable inserts 53 are respectively inserted into the slots 3121 of the two locking members 30, so that the two locking members 30 swing from the locked position to the released position and remain there; when the normally closed locking block 50 is in the initial position, the retractable inserts 53 disengage from the slots 3121 to release the interference with the locking members 30; the outer side of the retractable insert 53 is provided with a force-applying inclined surface 531, and the inside of the slot 3121 is provided with a force-receiving inclined surface that cooperates with the force-applying inclined surface 531. The normally closed locking block 50 allows the refrigerator safety lock to adapt to more usage scenarios. When the safety lock is not needed, simply push the push button 51 to keep the normally closed locking block 50 in the normally closed position and lock the locking member 30 in place.

[0031] To keep the normally closed locking block 50 in the normally closed position, the bottom of the retractable insert block 53 is provided with an elastic locking block 532, and a limiting piece 12 is formed on the bottom wall of the first locking seat 10. When the normally closed locking block 50 is in the normally closed position, the elastic locking block 532 and the limiting piece 12 are engaged. The bottom of the slider 52 is provided with a sliding groove, and the bottom wall of the first locking seat 10 is formed with a sliding rail 11 that cooperates with the sliding groove to ensure that the normally closed locking block 50 slides on a predetermined trajectory.

[0032] It should be understood that in the claims and description of this utility model, all instances of "comprising..." should be understood as having an open-ended meaning, that is, equivalent to "at least comprising...", and should not be understood as having a closed-ended meaning, that is, its meaning should not be understood as "only comprising...". The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated.

[0033] The above description is only a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A refrigerator safety lock, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes a first locking seat and a second locking seat, which are separately configured. The first locking seat is mounted on the outer wall of the refrigerator body, and the second locking seat is mounted on the outer edge of the refrigerator door. Two locking members are symmetrically hinged inside the first locking seat. A lock head and an unlocking button protrude from the outer side of each locking member. The second locking seat has a locking groove that mates with the corresponding lock head. The locking groove is a straight groove and includes a closed end and an open end. Both locking members can reciprocate between the locked position and the released position. When the locking member is in the locked position, the lock head enters the corresponding locking groove. When the locking member is in the released position, the lock head disengages from the corresponding locking groove. A compression spring is installed between the two locking members to keep them in the locked position.

2. A refrigerator safety lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each locking component includes a hinged arm extending along a first direction. The hinged arm includes a main body section and a hinged section and a locking section respectively disposed on both sides of the main body section. The hinged section is hinged to the first locking seat through a hinge shaft. The lock head protrudes from the outside of the locking section. The unlocking button protrudes from the outer wall of the main body section and extends to the outside of the first locking seat. The unlocking button is disposed near the second locking seat.

3. A refrigerator safety lock according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second locking seat has a clearance groove for making way for the locking section. The locking groove is formed on the two side walls of the clearance groove. The locking groove extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the length of the locking groove in the second direction is greater than the length of the lock block in the second direction.

4. A refrigerator safety lock according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second locking seat is provided with two pressing slopes for pressing the lock head, and the pressing slopes are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the relief groove opening.

5. A refrigerator safety lock according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom plate of the second locking seat is provided with a retaining piece that abuts against the refrigerator door. There are two retaining pieces, which are symmetrically distributed on the upper and lower sides of the clearance groove.

6. A refrigerator safety lock according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first locking seat is also slidably fitted with a normally closed locking block that can keep the locking member in the released position. The normally closed locking block and the two locking members are provided with mutually cooperating limiting structures. The normally closed locking block includes a push button external to the first locking seat and a slider slidably disposed inside the first locking seat.

7. A refrigerator safety lock according to claim 6, characterized in that, The limiting structure includes retractable inserts symmetrically arranged on both sides of the slider; the inner sides of the two locking members are each formed with slots that mate with the retractable inserts; the normally closed locking block can slide back and forth between the initial position and the normally closed position. When the normally closed locking block is in the normally closed position, the two retractable inserts are respectively inserted into the slots of the two locking members, causing the two locking members to swing from the locked position to the released position and remain there; when the normally closed locking block is in the initial position, the retractable inserts disengage from the slots to release interference with the locking members.

8. A refrigerator safety lock according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outer side of the retractable insert is provided with a force-applying inclined surface, and the inside of the slot is provided with a force-receiving inclined surface that cooperates with the force-applying inclined surface.

9. A refrigerator safety lock according to claim 8, characterized in that, The bottom of the retractable insert is provided with an elastic locking block, and a limiting piece is formed on the bottom wall of the first locking seat. When the normally closed locking block is in the normally closed position, the elastic locking block and the limiting piece engage in a locking cooperation.

10. A refrigerator safety lock according to claim 8, characterized in that, The bottom of the slider is provided with a sliding groove, and the bottom wall of the first locking seat is formed with a sliding rail that cooperates with the sliding groove.

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