Block Lever Latch Design to Reduce Component Count and Failure Risk
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking apparatuses with multiple latch components are costly and prone to failure due to increased complexity, and existing latches fail to effectively control high-frequency emissions when the door is opened.
Innovation Solution
A latch system utilizing a block lever that functions as multiple components, featuring a lever rotatably coupled to a latch housing with a block lever that slides to allow or prevent rotation, accumulating elastic force to detect door opening and closing, thereby reducing component count and potential failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple components are used in the latch to detect door opening, then the detection function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the possibility of failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The block lever combines multiple functions (blocking lever rotation, detecting door opening/closing, and providing elastic force) into a single integrated component. The first lever body receives the key door, the second lever body contacts the lever to prevent or allow rotation, and the third lever body connects them, forming a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate detection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The block lever serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a blocker to prevent lever rotation when the door is open, functions as a detection mechanism through its elastic deformation, and provides the restoring force via its elastic property. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining reliable door status detection.
2Ease of manufacture
If a block lever with multiple functions is used, then the component count is reduced and manufacturing cost decreases, but the structural complexity of the single component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The block lever is divided into three distinct lever bodies (first, second, and third) that perform specific functions. The first lever body interfaces with the key door, the second lever body interacts with the lever, and the third lever body connects them. This segmentation within a unified component allows for functional clarity while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The latch system reduces manufacturing costs and failure risks while effectively controlling high-frequency emissions by using a single block lever to perform multiple functions, ensuring safe operation of cooking apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a block lever slidably coupled to the lever to prevent or allow a rotation of the lever, wherein the block lever is pressed by the key door to slide to allow the rotation of the lever in response to the door being closed, and is configured to return to its original position by an elastic force of the lever itself in response to the door being opened
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking apparatus includes a housing, a door rotatably coupled to the housing, and including a key door protruding rearward, and a latch provided in the housing to lock the door, and configured to detect opening or closing of the door. The latch includes a latch housing coupled to the housing, a lever rotatably coupled to the latch housing, and rotatable about a rotation axis, and a block lever slidably coupled to the lever to prevent or allow a rotation of the lever. The block lever is pressed by the key door to slide to allow the rotation of the lever in response to the door being closed, and is configured to return to an original position by an elastic force of the lever in response to the door being opened.