Push-type auto-open door lock device

Abstract

A push-type auto-open door lock device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is a push-type auto-open door lock device that operates to engage or disengage a hook installed on a door, the device comprising: a locker that fixes the hook and receives a rotational force in a first direction by a first torsion spring installed in a first center; a latch that receives a rotational force in a second direction by a second torsion spring installed in a second center attached to one side; a release lever that disengages the latch from the locker; and a bracket that engages the first center with the second center, connects the release lever to an outer side through a first hinge, and has a first spring attached to the outer side that provides a rotational restoring force of the release lever.

Description

Push type auto open door lock device

[0001] The present invention relates to a push type auto-open door lock device, and more specifically, to a push type auto-open door lock device used in a washing machine or the like.

[0002] A variety of home appliances exist in our daily lives. Washing machines, in particular, are designed to be filled and used, and have doors to keep the contents sealed from the outside world. The door lock, which opens and closes the door, is an essential component of washing machines, dryers, and other 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 locking of the locker, and a drive unit that selectively controls door holding, door locking, and door automatic opening operations by a rotational motion of a rotating shaft having a rocker protrusion 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] Push-and-push door locks used in washing machines and dryers are complex to operate and frequently fail due to excessive force applied to the torsion spring. Manual door locks, while stable, are inconvenient because they are dependent on human action to open and close the door. Furthermore, the irregular force applied to the device can also cause failure.

[0008] Therefore, a door lock device that implements organic connection between components and various functions is needed.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an auto-open door lock device that automatically opens the door when in the open state.

[0010] A push-type auto-open door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a push-type auto-open door lock device that operates to engage or disengage a hook installed on a door, the device including: a locker that fixes the hook and receives a rotational force in a first direction by a first torsion spring installed at a first center; a latch that receives a rotational force in a second direction by a second torsion spring installed at a second center attached to one side; a release lever that separates the latch from the locker; and a bracket in which the first center and the second center are engaged, the release lever is connected to an outer side through a first hinge, and a first spring that provides a rotational restoring force of the release lever is attached to the outer side.

[0011] As an example, the latch includes a first slope which is an edge formed in the rocker direction, a second slope which is an edge formed in the rocker direction and is separated from the first slope by a different height, a receiving portion in which the catch piece is received to fix the rocker, and a protruding portion having a shape that is slanted at one edge of the receiving portion.

[0012] A push-type auto-open door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a locking flange that is secured to the groove to prevent rotation of the locker, a rack slide to which the locking flange is fastened and which moves linearly by a motor to operate the release lever, and a protruding surface formed on the rack slide pushes the release lever to rotate the release lever about a second center.

[0013] As an example, the release lever is connected via a first hinge attached to a connecting tab of the bracket, and pushes the latch through an open hole formed in the bracket to separate the latch and the rocker.

[0014] As an example, the bracket has a hinge hole formed at one end and a protruding tab formed at the other end, and a second spring is coupled to the protruding tab.

[0015] As an example, the locking flange penetrates an inverted T-shaped track hole formed on the side of the bracket, and moves along the track hole by the movement of the rack slide.

[0016] As an example, the invention further includes a switch that transmits information on the locked, closed or open state of the locker depending on the movement position of the rack slide.

[0017] The push type auto-open door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention has almost no device failure and can be implemented in a compact size for mounting on a main body.

[0018] Additionally, the connection between the parts that make up the device is organic, and the durability is excellent with little movement play between the parts.

[0019] Additionally, the risk of device failure is reduced by limiting the load applied to the device due to the push.

[0020] Additionally, the door lock can be released from inside the device, ensuring safe use in potentially dangerous situations.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a push-type auto-open door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 is a diagram of the internal structure of a push-type auto-open door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3a is a state diagram of a locker and a latch when the door is open according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3b is a state diagram of the locker and latch when the door begins to close according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3c is a state diagram of a locker and a latch when the door is closed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3D is a state diagram of a locker and a latch when the door is locked according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a rack slide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a push-type auto-open door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a push-type auto-open door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] As illustrated in Fig. 1, a push-type auto-open door lock device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed by combining an upper body (10) and a lower body (20). A space is formed within the interior enclosed by the upper body (10) and the lower body (20), and components to be described later are arranged therein.

[0039] A push-type auto-open door lock device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device attached to a door area of ​​a home appliance to open and close the door, and is an opening / closing device in which the door is automatically released from the main body when the door is opened.

[0040] A push-type auto-open door lock device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed in a body of a home appliance such as a washing machine, and a hook (30) installed on a door may be structured to be locked or opened by being introduced into the push-type auto-open door lock device (1), but is not necessarily limited to this structure.

[0041] Figure 2 is a diagram of the internal structure of a push-type auto-open door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 3a is a state diagram of a locker and a latch when the door is open according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 3b is a state diagram of the locker and latch when the door begins to close according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 3c is a state diagram of a locker and a latch when the door is closed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 3D is a state diagram of a locker and a latch when the door is locked according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3a to FIG. 3d, a push-type auto-open door lock device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention is a push-type auto-open door lock device that operates to engage or disengage a hook (30) installed on a door, and includes a locker (100) that fixes the hook (30) and receives a rotational force in a first direction by a first torsion spring (102) installed in a first center (101), a latch (200) that receives a rotational force in a second direction by a second torsion spring (202) installed in a second center (201) attached to one side, a release lever (300) that separates the latch (200) from the locker (100), and the first center (101) and the second center (201) are engaged, the release lever (300) is connected to an outer side through a first hinge (330), and the release lever (300) is attached to an outer side. It includes a bracket (700) to which a first spring (350) providing rotational restoring force is attached.

[0047] The rocker (100) is a portion where the incoming hook (30) is engaged, and has structural characteristics such that it can rotate at a predetermined angle and must have a constant restoring force applied. In addition, it can be implemented in various ways depending on the shape of the hook (30), but the rocker (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be formed in a structure in which the incoming hook (30) in a hook shape can be caught.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 3a to 3d, the rocker (100) can continuously receive restoring force in the first direction (clockwise) by the first torsion spring (102).

[0049] The locker (100) may be made of metal, but is not necessarily limited thereto and may be made of a sturdy plastic material.

[0050] The above rocker (100) includes a mounting portion (110) formed by a first hook (111) and a second hook (112) in a hook shape, to which a hook (30) is fastened. The mounting portion (110) according to an embodiment of the present invention refers to a hook-shaped space formed between the first hook (111) and the second hook (112) as a portion where the hook (30) is physically coupled. It is preferable that the first hook (111) and the second hook (112) are formed integrally, and the mounting portion (110) of the rocker (100) may have a U-shape, but may also have an angular shape.

[0051] The locker (100) shares the first center (101) and includes a catch (120) formed to be engaged or disengaged with the latch (200). The catch (120) according to an embodiment of the present invention may share a rotational center with the rod-shaped first center (101) and may be formed to be spaced apart from the first ring (111) and the second ring (112), or may be formed to be integrally joined to the first ring (111) or the second ring (112).

[0052] A hook-shaped hook piece (121) is formed at one end of the hook portion (120). The hook piece (121) is formed by protruding from the hook portion (120) in an area that is engaged or disengaged from the receiving portion (230) of the latch (200) to be described later.

[0053] As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the locker (100) includes a recessed groove (130) on the outer edge. The groove (130) may be formed at the connection point between the first ring (111) and the second ring (112), or may be formed at another location. The groove (130) is a space into which a locking flange (400), which will be described later, is inserted, and is an insertion space of the locking flange (400) to lock the locker (100).

[0054] A latch (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first slope (210) which is an edge formed in the direction of the rocker (100), a second slope (220) which is an edge formed in the direction of the rocker (100) and which is separated from the first slope (210) by a different height, a receiving portion (230) in which the engaging portion (121) is received to fix the rocker (100), and a protruding portion (240) which is slanted and bent at one edge of the receiving portion (230).

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the latch (200) includes two distinguishable edges facing the locker (100), a first slope (210) formed in a direction close to the second center (201), which is the rotational center of the latch (200), and a second slope (220) formed to be separated from the first slope (210) and have different heights.

[0056] In addition, the latch (200) includes a receiving portion (230) in which the catch (121) of the rocker (100) is received. The receiving portion (230) may be a rectangular shape with one side open, and a protruding portion (240) having an obliquely bent shape is formed at a side edge of the receiving portion (230).

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 3a to 3d, the protrusion (240) may be bent obliquely toward the ground.

[0058] The latch (200) is provided with a restoring force to rotate in a second direction with respect to the second center (201) by the second torsion spring (202). The second direction means a rotation direction opposite to the rotation direction of the preceding rocker (100).

[0059] The closing process and locking process of the auto-open door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention are described through FIGS. 3a to 3d.

[0060] As illustrated in Fig. 3a, the hook (30) rotates the rocker (100) while pushing it clockwise in the opposite direction to the first direction until the hook (30) is caught on the fixing portion (110) of the rocker (100). As illustrated in Fig. 3b, the engaging portion (120) of the rocker (100) rotates together, and the engaging piece (121) of the engaging portion (120) comes into contact with the first slope (210) of the latch (200), thereby rotating the latch (200) counterclockwise in the opposite direction to the second direction.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 3c, when the hook (30) pushes the second ring (112) further, the catch (121) moves to the second slope (220), and the latch (200) moves counterclockwise by the second torsion spring (202). The rocker (100) is continuously subjected to a counterclockwise restoring force by the first torsion spring (102), and as shown in Fig. 3c, when the rocker (100) rotates counterclockwise while the second slope (220) and the catch (121) are in contact, the catch (121) flows into the space of the receiving portion (230) formed in the latch (200).

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3d, when the catch (121) of the rocker (100) is introduced into the receiving portion (230), the catch (121) is seated on the protruding portion (240) of the latch (200).

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3d, the hook (30) is caught on the locker (100) and is in the process of being closed, and the door is closed by the rotational force of the locker (100) in the first direction and the rotational force of the latch (200) in the second direction, and when the locking flange (400) to be described later is introduced into the groove (130) along the track hole (760), the locker (100) is in a locked state where it cannot rotate.

[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a push-type auto-open door lock device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a release lever (300). The release lever (300) is connected to a bracket (700) to be described later through a first hinge (330). In particular, the release lever (300) is connected to a connecting tab (730) formed on an outer side surface of the bracket (700) through the first hinge (330), and the release lever (300) receives a rotational restoring force centered on the first hinge (330) by a first spring (350) of which one end is connected to the bracket (700). The first spring (350) may be a coil spring.

[0065] This release lever (300) performs the function of separating the rocker (100) and the latch (200). The specific operation relationship for separation will be described later.

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a push-type auto-open door lock device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a bracket (700). The bracket (700) may be made of a metal material, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and both ends of a first center (101) to which a locker (100) is coupled are connected to the bracket (700), and both ends of a second center (201) to which a latch (200) is coupled are connected to the bracket (700). That is, the locker (100) and the latch (200) can be positioned in the space formed by the bracket (700).

[0067] An open hole (710) is formed on the side of the bracket (700) facing the release lever (300). The release lever (300) passes through the open hole (710) to push the latch (200), and the latch (200) is separated from the rocker (100).

[0068] The bracket (700) has a hinge hole (740) formed at one end and can be connected to the upper body (10) or the lower body (20) via a second hinge (not shown). A protruding tab (720) is formed at the other end of the bracket (700), and a second spring (750) is coupled to the protruding tab (720).

[0069] Additionally, a track hole (760), which is a path along which a locking flange (400), which will be described later, moves, is formed on the side of the bracket (700). The track hole (760) may be in an inverted T shape.

[0070] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a rack slide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a rack slide (500) is engaged with a locking flange (400) and moves linearly by a motor (800) to operate a release lever (300). The rack slide (500) includes a gear (510) that engages a gear (530) connected to the motor (800). In addition, the rack slide (500) has a protruding surface (520) formed at a portion that comes into contact with the release lever (300), and the release lever (300) rises along the protruding surface (520) and tilts toward the open hole (710) with the first hinge (330) as the center, thereby pushing the latch (200).

[0072] The rack slide (500) may be made of plastic material for convenience of processing, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0073] The locking flange (400) passes through an inverted T-shaped track hole (760) formed on the side of the bracket (700) and moves along the track hole (760) by the movement of the rack slide (500). The locking flange (400) is seated in the groove (130) of the rocker (100) to prevent the rocker (100) from rotating, and at the same time, the door is completely locked.

[0074] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a push-type auto-open door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] As illustrated in Fig. 5, the rack slide (500) moves linearly by the rotational force of a motor (800) connected via a gear (530). In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 6, as the rack slide (500) moves, it operates a switch (600) connected to one end, and turns on / off the first micro switch (610) and the second micro switch (620) according to the direction of movement, thereby indicating the open, closed, or locked state of the push-type auto-open door lock device (1).

[0077] The detailed components of the push-type auto-open door lock device (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention have been examined. Hereinafter, the opening mechanism of the push-type auto-open door lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be examined with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0078] When the locked flange (400) is placed at the far left in the track hole (760) of Fig. 2, the rack slide (500) illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is moved to the far left. At this time, the rack slide (500) is in a state of pushing the release lever (300) with the protruding surface (520). In this state, the release lever (300) is pushing the latch (200), so the locker (100) and the latch (200) are in an open state where they cannot be combined.

[0079] Since the locker (100) provides restoring force in the first direction and the latch (200) provides restoring force in the second direction, the hook (30) cannot be accommodated in the locker (100) unless an external force is applied.

[0080] In a state such as FIG. 3b to FIG. 3d, when an external force is applied to the rocker (100) by the hook (30), the rocker (100) rotates clockwise and the groove (130) is placed at a position that matches one end (the right end in FIG. 2) of the track hole (760).

[0081] A state like Figure 3d is a closed state and although not shown, the locked flange (400) is positioned in the middle of the track hole (760) due to the movement of the rack slide (500).

[0082] When the door is pushed while positioned in the middle of the track hole (760), the bracket (700) illustrated in Fig. 2 is pressed in the opposite direction to the elastic force provided by the second spring (750) and pushes the release lever (300) inserted into the opening hole (710) to push the latch (200). Afterwards, the engaging piece (121) of the locker (100) placed on the protruding piece (240) is pulled back, separating the locker (100) and the latch (200), and the locker (100) rotates in the first direction to open the door.

[0083] In contrast, when the locking flange (400) is seated in the right track of the track hole (760) shown in FIG. 2, the locking flange (400) is accommodated in the home portion (130) of the rocker (100), and the switch (600) indicates that the door is locked through signals from the first micro switch (610) and the second micro switch (620) according to the movement position of the rack slide (500).

[0084] When the operation of the appliance is completed and the locking flange (400) is removed from the home (130), the protruding surface (520) of the rack slide (500) lifts the release lever (300), and the release lever (300) tilts toward the latch (200) around the first hinge (330) to push the latch (200), and the locker (100) and the latch (200) are separated.

[0085] If the push-type auto-open door lock device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a drum washing machine, the door automatically opens when the door is pushed while holding laundry, allowing laundry to be easily loaded, and when washing is finished, the release lever (300) pushes the latch (200) to separate the locker (100) and the latch (200), and at the same time, the locker (100) rotates in a direction that separates the hook (30), automatically opening the door.

[0086] The push-type auto-open door lock device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention operates without error in open, close, or locked situations due to the organic connection between its components, and can be implemented in a compact size. Consequently, the volume ratio occupied by the device within a home appliance is reduced. Furthermore, the probability of failure is reduced, which is advantageous for home appliance maintenance.

[0087] 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 push-type auto-open door lock device that operates to engage or disengage a hook installed on a door. A rocker that fixes the above hook and receives a rotational force in the first direction by a first torsion spring installed at the first center; A latch that receives a rotational force in a second direction by a second torsion spring installed in a second center attached to one side; A release lever that separates the above latch from the rocker; and An auto-open door lock device characterized in that it includes a bracket in which the first center and the second center are connected, the release lever is connected to the outer side through a first hinge, and a first spring that provides rotational restoring force of the release lever is attached to the outer side.

2. In paragraph 1, The above latch The first slope is a corner formed in the direction of the rocker; A second slope formed in the direction of the rocker and separated from the first slope by a different height; A receiving portion in which the catch is received to secure the rocker; and A door lock device characterized in that it includes a protruding piece having a slanted shape at one corner of the above-mentioned receiving portion.

3. In paragraph 2, A locking flange that is secured to the above-mentioned groove and prevents rotation of the rocker; The above locking flange is fastened and includes a rack slide that moves linearly by a motor to operate the release lever. An auto-open door lock device characterized in that the protruding surface formed on the rack slide pushes the release lever and rotates the release lever around the second center.

4. In paragraph 3, The above release lever Connected via a first hinge attached to the connecting tab of the above bracket, An auto-open door lock device characterized in that the latch is pushed through an open hole formed in the bracket to separate the latch and the locker.

5. In paragraph 4, The above brackets are A hinge hole at one end; and A protruding tab is formed on the other end, An auto-open door lock device characterized in that a second spring is coupled to the above-mentioned protruding tab.

6. In paragraph 5, The above locked flange An auto-open door lock device characterized in that it penetrates an inverted T-shaped track hole formed on the side of the bracket and moves along the track hole by the movement of the rack slide.

7. In paragraph 6, An auto-open door lock device characterized in that it further includes a switch that transmits locking, closing, or opening status information of the locker according to the movement position of the rack slide.

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