Home appliance door lock device

Abstract

A door lock device comprising a main body cover in which a space is formed and a motor installed inside the main body cover to provide driving force, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a locker, a locker shaft, a rack slide, a pinion gear, a damper, a side plate, a release cam, a release elastic member, a rotary, and a bridge, wherein the side plate comprises a first movement track for inducing up-down and left-right movement of the locker shaft and the release cam includes, on one side surface or the other side surface thereof, a second movement track for inducing left-right movement of the locker shaft.

Description

Home appliance door lock device

[0001] The present invention relates to a door lock device for home appliances, and more specifically, to a door lock device installed in a washing machine, dryer, etc.

[0002] A variety of home appliances exist in our daily lives. In particular, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and microwave ovens, which require a user to fill them with liquid, have doors installed to keep the contents sealed from the outside world. The locking mechanism that opens and closes the door is an essential component of these appliances.

[0003] Recently, various technologies related to door locking devices have been developed. Representative inventions include Korean Patent No. 10-1667916 (Push-and-Push Door Lock Device) and Korean Patent No. 10-1915250 (Manual Door Lock Device).

[0004] A push-and-push door lock device is a door lock device that automatically opens the door when the appliance is turned off without the user having to open the door.

[0005] The push-and-push door lock device is installed inside the main body and includes a release button that releases the binding force of the fixing member by a sliding motion to release the locker, and a drive unit that selectively controls door holding, door locking, and door automatic opening operations by a rotational motion of a rotational shaft equipped with a cam projection on one side.

[0006] A manual door lock device is disclosed that has a simple structure and can be manually operated, unlike the existing method that is operated electronically by a solenoid.

[0007] As an automatic door lock device, in the case of the patent “Auto-open door lock device for automatic home appliances” (hereinafter referred to as “Patent 893”), registered in the Republic of Korea on January 25, 2022, an auto-open door lock device having a structure in which the door lock is automatically released and the door opens when the operation of a washing machine or dryer, etc. is finished is described.

[0008] However, until now, there has only been discussion on whether the door lock should be opened manually or automatically once the device's operation is complete, and it is difficult to find a device that implements a soft door lock that automatically locks the door lock.

[0009] Door locks attached to washing machines and dishwashers are typically categorized into two states: fully locked and closed. Specifically, the door is closed when a rotating cam is caught on a hook. The auto-open door lock described above automatically rotates the cam, opening the door.

[0010] In such cases, users force the door shut, potentially impacting the door lock mechanism and potentially causing it to malfunction. Furthermore, if the door lock is not fully locked, the washing machine or dishwasher may operate, potentially causing leaks or malfunctions.

[0011] Therefore, the ability to automatically close and lock the door is an essential feature that must be built into the door lock device.

[0012] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a door lock device capable of soft closing.

[0013] A door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention relates to a door lock device including a main body cover having a space formed therein and a motor installed inside the main body cover to provide driving force, the door lock device comprising: a locker that is coupled or separated from a hook introduced from the outside through rotation; a rocker shaft having one end connected to the rocker and formed at the center of rotation of the rocker; a rack slide that provides the rotational force of the motor (20) to a rotary; a pinion gear that transmits the rotational force of the motor (20) to the rack slide; a damper connected to one end of the rocker shaft; side plates connected to both ends of the rocker shaft; a release cam in which the rocker is accommodated inside, one end of the rocker shaft passes through and is connected to the damper, and the other end of the rocker shaft passes through and is connected to the side plate, and which performs an arc motion around a rotation axis coupled to the main body; a release elastic member accommodated inside the release cam that provides an elastic force upward; and a release elastic member that provides an elastic force acting on the release cam by the release elastic member. A rotary that moves in the opposite direction, a bridge that connects the rec slide and the rotary to each other and rotates the rotary by the movement of the rec slide, wherein the side plate includes a first movement track that induces up / down / left / right movement of the rocker shaft, and one side and the other side of the release cam include a second movement track that induces left / right movement of the rocker shaft.

[0014] Here, the rec slide includes a track hole, which is a space formed to allow the bridge to rotate in a predetermined area at one end, and a rec gear that meshes with the pinion gear in a predetermined area at the other end.

[0015] In addition, the door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a slide spring whose one end is connected to the main body cover and whose other end is connected to the rec slide to linearly move the rec slide in the locker direction.

[0016] In addition, the door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a locking slide inserted into the lower portion of the rotary to block rotation of the rotary.

[0017] Here, the pinion gear includes a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear that share a center of rotation and are coupled in the longitudinal direction, and the second pinion gear has gear teeth formed only in a predetermined area of ​​the outer circumference.

[0018] Here, the damper includes a damper cover directly connected to the rocker shaft and a damper body connected to the damper cover to induce a load.

[0019] A door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of soft closing, which induces the door to close naturally.

[0020] Additionally, it is possible to implement a compact size compared to existing door lock devices, which is advantageous in securing space.

[0021] Additionally, it can reduce the impact on the door, thereby reducing the risk of actual door lock failure.

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is a front view of a door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a damper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 is a plan view of a door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Specific structural or functional descriptions of embodiments according to the concept of the present invention disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative for the purpose of explaining embodiments according to the concept of the present invention, and embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification.

[0029] Embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may have various modifications and take various forms, and thus, embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, this is not intended to limit embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to specific disclosed forms, but rather includes all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0030] While terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only intended to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a "first component," without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0031] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Other expressions that describe the relationship between components, such as "between" and "directly between" or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to", should be interpreted similarly.

[0032] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in this specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings attached to this specification. However, the scope of the patent application is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. The same reference numerals in each drawing represent the same elements.

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 is a front view of a door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention relates to a door lock device (1) including a main body cover (10) having a space formed therein according to an embodiment of the present invention and a motor (20) installed inside the main body cover (10) to provide driving force, the door lock device (1) comprising: a locker (100) coupled or separated from a hook (30) introduced from the outside through rotation; a rocker shaft (110) having one end connected to the locker (100) and formed at the center of rotation of the locker (100); a rack slide (200) providing the rotational force of the motor (20) to a rotary (430); a pinion gear (300) transmitting the rotational force of the motor (20) to the rack slide (200); a damper (400) connected to one end of the rocker shaft (110); a side plate (130) coupled to the main body cover (10) and connected to both ends of the rocker shaft (110); and a locker (100) having a side plate (130) formed inside the main body cover (10). A release cam (150) that is stored and has one end of a rocker shaft (110) passing through it and connected to a damper (400) on one side, and the other end of the rocker shaft (110) passing through it and connected to the side plate (130) on the other side, and that performs an arc movement around a rotation axis (151) coupled to a main body cover (10), a release elastic member (153) that is stored inside the release cam (150) and provides an elastic force upward, a rotary (430) that moves in the opposite direction of the elastic force applied to the release cam (150) by the release elastic member (153), and a bridge (450) that connects the rec slide (200) and the rotary (430) to each other and rotates the rotary (430) by the movement of the rec slide (200), wherein the side plate (130) is provided with a bridge (450) that allows the up, down, left, and right movements of the rocker shaft (110) to be provided. It includes a first movement track (138) that guides, and a second movement track (158) that guides left and right movement of the rocker shaft (110) on one side and the other side of the release cam (150).

[0038] The locker (100) is generally configured to rotate at a predetermined angle, where a hook (30) attached to the door of a home appliance is fastened. The locker (100) is where the hook (30) is fastened and directly receives a load, and it is preferably made of a metal alloy material or plastic material that ensures as much rigidity as possible. The shape of the locker (100) can be implemented in various ways, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be an angular ring shape with one side open.

[0039] The rocker (100) is designed to rotate at a predetermined angle, and when the fastening portion of the hook (20) is introduced into the rocker (100), the rocker (100) rotates to prevent the hook (20) from being separated in the same direction, and the rocker (100) rotates back to the angle at which the hook (20) was introduced, so that the hook (20) can be released from the connection.

[0040] The rocker shaft (110) is coupled to the rocker (100). The rocker shaft (110) may be formed integrally with the rocker (100), but may also be formed by being rigidly assembled with the rocker (100). In particular, the rocker shaft (110) can simultaneously perform the function of a rotation axis on which the rocker (100) rotates.

[0041] The rocker shaft (110) is preferably made of the same material as the rocker (100), but is not necessarily limited thereto, and is made of a material that is rigid and does not bend. The rocker shaft (110) is shaped like a long pipe and is connected by a lead so as to support the rocker (100) with the rocker (100) as its center.

[0042] The rec slide (200) transmits the rotational power of the motor (20) to the rotary (430) described below, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The rec slide (200) can be positioned at the edge of the main body cover (10), and is inserted into the main body cover (10) in the shape of a long bar to enable linear movement.

[0043] The rec slide (200) is provided with tension in the longitudinal direction by a slide spring (220) that is fixed to the main body cover (10) at one end. This tension is counteracted by the rotation of the gear according to the rotation of the motor (20).

[0044] As shown in Fig. 2, the rec slide (200) includes a track hole (240), which is a space formed to allow a bridge (450) to rotate in a predetermined area at one end, and a rec gear (270) that engages with the pinion gear (300) in a predetermined area at the other end.

[0045] The pinion gear (300) transmits the rotational power of the motor (20) to the rec slide (200). The pinion gear (300) shares a center of rotation and includes a first pinion gear (310) and a second pinion gear (not shown) that are coupled in the longitudinal direction, and the second pinion gear may have gear teeth formed only in a predetermined area of ​​the outer circumference.

[0046] The rec gear (270) and the second pinion gear of the rec slide (200) discussed above are combined, and the first pinion gear (310) is directly or indirectly connected to the motor (20).

[0047] As the motor (20) rotates, the first pinion gear (310) rotates, and at the same time, the second pinion gear also rotates. However, the second pinion gear rotates by meshing the gear teeth with the recoil gear (270), and in a predetermined section where there are no gear teeth, the recoil gear (270) is not restricted by the rotational force of the motor (20), so that the recoil slide (200) can be freely moved toward the rocker (100).

[0048] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a damper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the damper (400) is connected to one end of the rocker shaft (110). More specifically, the damper (400) is divided into a damper cover (410) and a damper body (430), and the rocker shaft (110) is fixed to the cylindrical damper cover (410). The damper cover (410) has teeth that mesh with each other and are fitted to the damper body (430), and as the damper body (430) rotates, a rotational load is induced by the silicone or fluid contained therein, which acts as a load in the event of a sudden movement or impact.

[0050] The side plate (130) is connected to both ends of the rocker shaft (110). The side plate (130) is coupled to the main body cover (10), and a first moving track (138) is formed on the side plate (130) so that the rocker shaft (110) can move up, down, left, and right, which may be in an “L” shape as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the release cam (150) is a rotating member that performs an arc motion at a predetermined angle around a rotation axis connected to the main body cover (10). A rocker (100) is housed inside, and one end of a rocker shaft (110) passes through one side and is connected to a side plate (130) and then to a damper (400). The other end of the rocker shaft (110) passes through the other side and is connected to a side plate (130).

[0052] The release cam (150) is inserted into the interior of the main body cover (10), and the release cam (150) itself has a hollow interior structure so that the rocker (100) and the release elastic member (153) to be described later are stored therein. The release elastic member (153) stored inside the release cam (150) may be an elastic spring, but is not necessarily limited thereto. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the elastic spring is fixed to the bottom of the main body cover (10) and its upper end is attached to the lower surface of the release cam (150) to perform the function of raising the release cam (150).

[0053] As shown in Fig. 2, a second movement track (158) that induces left-right movement of the rocker shaft (110) is formed on one side and the other side of the release cam (150).

[0054] The rotary (430) applies a force that moves the release cam (150) in the opposite direction of the elastic force applied to the release elastic member (153). As mentioned above, the rotary (430) rotates by the movement of the rec slide (200) and performs the function of pressing the release cam (150) from the opposite side of the rotation axis.

[0055] The bridge (450) connects the rec slide (200) and the rotary (430) to each other and rotates the rotary (430) by moving the rec slide (200).

[0056] More specifically, one end of the bridge (450) is accommodated in the track hole (240) of the rec slide (200), and as the rec slide (200) moves linearly, the bridge (450) rotates left and right along the track hole (240). The rotary (430) connected to the bridge (450) rotates together and presses the release cam (150) downward.

[0057] The door lock device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a locking slide (600) inserted into the lower portion of the rotary (430) to block rotation of the rotary (430).

[0058] Figure 4 is a plan view of a door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] The rocker locking slide (600) is inserted into the lower part of the rotary (430) to prevent the rotary (430) from rotating. That is, the rotary (430) cannot press the release cam (150), and the rocker (100) is maintained in a locked state. In contrast, when the rocker locking slide (600) moves to the right and is removed from the lower part of the rotary (430), the rotary (430) can rotate, and when the lever slide (200) moves to the right, the rotary (430) moves counterclockwise by the bridge (450) to press the release cam (150), and the rocker (100) is released from the locked state and becomes closed.

[0060] The rocker lock slide (600) is operated by a solenoid motor or the like and can be implemented in various forms.

[0061] The components of the door lock device (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention have been examined. Hereinafter, the operating state of the door lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be examined through FIGS. 2, 5, and 6.

[0062] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 5, when the hook (30) attached to the door is drawn toward the locker (100), the hook (30) is caught on a ring formed in the locker (100). As the hook (30) caught on the locker (100) is pushed in, the locker (100) rotates counterclockwise.

[0065] When the rocker (100) is in the closed state as shown in Fig. 5, the rocker shaft (110) is placed at position B of the first moving track (138) of the side plate (130) as shown in Fig. 6. The rotary (430) is pressing the release cam (150).

[0066] As the rec slide (200) illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 moves to the right, it rotates the bridge (450), and at the same time, as the rotary (430) that was pressing the release cam (150) rises, the release cam (150) also rises. When the release cam (150) rises, the rocker shaft (110) is placed at position C of the first moving track (138) illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0067] The driving force for moving from position B to position C is the release elastic member (153). When the release cam (150) rises due to the release elastic member (153), it does not rise abruptly, but is softly closed by the damper (500) installed on the side.

[0068] Finally, the locking slide (600) is introduced into the lower part of the rotary (430) as shown in Fig. 4 to fix the rotary (430) and prevent the rotary (430) from rotating counterclockwise, thereby fixing the hook (30) in a locked state by engaging with the rocker (100).

[0069] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible from the described techniques. For example, appropriate results can be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and / or components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A door lock device including a main body cover having a space formed therein and a motor installed inside the main body cover to provide driving force, A rocker that is coupled or separated from a hook introduced from the outside by rotation; A rocker shaft connected to the rocker and formed at the center of rotation of the rocker; A rec slide that provides the rotational force of the above motor to the rotary; A pinion gear that transmits the rotational power of the above motor to the above rec slide; A damper connected to one end of the above rocker shaft; Side plates connected to both ends of the above rocker shaft; The above rocker is housed inside, one side has one end of the rocker shaft passing through it and connected to the damper, and the other side has the other end of the rocker shaft passing through it and connected to the side plate, and a release cam that moves in an arc around a rotation axis connected to the main body; A release elastic member that is housed inside the above release cam and provides upward elasticity; A rotary that moves in the opposite direction of the elastic force acting on the release cam by the release elastic member; Including a bridge that connects the above rec slide and the above rotary to each other and rotates the rotary by the movement of the rec slide, A door lock device characterized in that the side plate includes a first movement track for inducing up-down, left-right, and right-hand movement of the rocker shaft, and one side and the other side of the release cam include a second movement track for inducing left-right movement of the rocker shaft.

2. In paragraph 1, The above rec slide is A track hole, which is a space formed to allow the bridge to rotate in a predetermined area; and A door lock device characterized by including a leg gear that engages with the pinion gear in a predetermined area of ​​the other end.

3. In paragraph 2, A door lock device characterized in that it further includes a slide spring that is connected to the main body cover at one end and the other end thereof to the rec slide to linearly move the rec slide in the locker direction.

4. In paragraph 1, A door lock device characterized in that it further includes a locking slide inserted into the lower portion of the rotary to block rotation of the rotary.

5. In paragraph 1, A door lock device characterized in that the pinion gear includes a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear that share a center of rotation and are coupled in the longitudinal direction, and the second pinion gear has gear teeth formed only in a predetermined area of ​​the outer surface.

6. In paragraph 1, The above damper has a damper cover directly connected to the rocker shaft; and A door lock device characterized by including a damper body that is connected to the damper cover and causes a load.

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