Cam Door Lock Structure for Emergency Release and Child Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door lock mechanisms for electrical equipment, such as washing machines, do not provide sufficient ways for users to conveniently open the door while ensuring safety, particularly for children, and fail to automatically unlock in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A door lock structure that allows locking and unlocking through push-push or push-pull actions from the outside, enables opening from the inside, and includes an automatic unlocking mechanism using a cam and driving means with a sliding block, rocking block, and actuator, which can be actuated by external forces or control signals, along with a buffer mechanism to absorb external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional door lock mechanism is used, then the door can be locked securely, but the door cannot be opened from the inside or automatically unlocked in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be locked securely from outside, opened from inside by pushing the door inward, and automatically unlocked in emergency situations. The cam mechanism with different positions (locked, unlocking, unlocked) and the driving means enable these diverse opening methods, making the lock adaptable to different usage scenarios including normal operation and emergency evacuation
Solution Approach 2:
The door lock employs a dynamic cam mechanism that can transition between different positions (locked, unlocking, unlocked) based on external forces or control signals. The cam's ability to rotate and change position dynamically allows the lock to respond to push forces from inside, pull forces from outside, or automatic actuation signals, providing versatile opening methods while maintaining secure locking
2Reliability
If the door is locked securely to prevent unauthorized access, then safety is improved, but children cannot escape if they accidentally enter the drum
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock mechanism incorporates a preliminary anti-action by designing an internal push force mechanism that automatically overrides the locked state when force is applied from inside. The cam mechanism is positioned and configured so that a push force from inside the drum can trigger the unlocking sequence before dangerous situations develop, allowing children to escape while maintaining normal security against unauthorized access from outside
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the locked state (providing security) and the unlocked state (allowing escape). When a push force is applied from inside, the cam rotates to an unlocking position, transferring the force from the internal push to the door hook release mechanism, thereby enabling child escape while preserving secure locking during normal operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple opening methods are provided for convenience, then user flexibility is improved, but the door lock structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock mechanism merges multiple opening methods into a single integrated cam-based system. The cam mechanism with its different positions and the driving means that responds to push forces, pull forces, and control signals combine multiple functions into one unified structure, avoiding the need for separate mechanisms for each opening method and thereby reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining versatility
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 door lock structure provides multiple opening methods, ensures safe operation, and automatically unlocks in emergency situations, enhancing user convenience and safety, particularly for children, while maintaining reliable operation of the electrical equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the spring is sleeved on the spring guide rod and provides an elastic force to the roller
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a door lock, comprising a cam having a notch, wherein the door hook is fixed in the cam when a door hook mounted on the door is inserted into the notch of the cam; driving means actuated by a push force from outside of the door, a pull force from outside of the door, a push from inside of the door, or by a control signal, wherein the driving means moves the cam from a locked position to an unlocked position.