Cycloidal Door-Lock Actuator for Compact Appliance Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuator devices for household appliance doors face issues with large footprints, structural complexity, and non-automated locking mechanisms, leading to inefficiency, reliability concerns, and limited adaptability.

Innovation Solution

An actuator device utilizing a cycloidal reducer to transfer movement for locking/unlocking, incorporating a compact design with a cycloidal gearbox that reduces rotation speed and provides a high reduction ratio, enabling precise and automated control through a linear and rotary mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a gearbox is used to control door-lock movement, then motion modulation and control are achieved, but the footprint and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion control capabilityVSAvoiddevice footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional multi-component mechanical gearboxes with a magnetic coupling system that uses magnetic fields to transmit and modulate motion. The magnetic coupling between the driver assembly and follower assembly eliminates the need for physical gear teeth and multiple moving parts, achieving motion control through magnetic interaction while dramatically reducing the device footprint and structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of motion transmission, motion modulation, and position control into a single integrated magnetic coupling mechanism. The driver assembly and follower assembly are merged through magnetic coupling, where the follower's movement is directly controlled by the driver's rotation through magnetic field interaction, eliminating the need for separate gearbox components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If traditional gearboxes with multiple components are used, then motion control is achieved, but the probability of failure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion control capabilityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the gearbox component entirely from the door-lock mechanism, replacing it with a direct magnetic coupling system. By removing the intermediary gearbox with its multiple gears, shafts, and bearings, the design achieves motion control directly through magnetic interaction, significantly reducing the number of potential failure points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If rotating hook or latch mechanisms are used, then door-locking function is achieved, but automation capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidautomation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional rotating hook or latch mechanisms with a linear actuation system driven by magnetic coupling. The follower assembly converts the magnetic driver's rotational motion into linear movement of the operating pin, which directly actuates the door-lock mechanism. This linear actuation system is more easily automated and controlled through electronic means compared to traditional rotating mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic coupling field as an intermediary between the electric motor and the door-lock mechanism. This magnetic field acts as a mediator that translates electrical control signals into precise mechanical motion, enabling automated control of the locking function without the limitations of direct mechanical linkages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device achieves a compact, reliable, and versatile solution with reduced failure risk, adaptable to various appliances, ensuring precise and silent operation with efficient locking/unlocking times.

Implementation Method 1

a cycloidal reducer suitable for transferring the movement for locking or unlocking the device itself

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCycloidal mechanism:

Data Source

PatentEP4592477A1Actuator device for actuating a door-lock device on a household appliance door

Publication Date: 2025.07.30 ELBI INT

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6

AI summary

The present invention concerns an actuator device (1) for operating a door-lock device (BP) of a door of a household appliance, such as a washing machine, a dishwasher, and the like, comprising: an electric motor (2) having an output shaft (21); an activation assembly (3) comprising an activator member (31), having a moving pin (33); a slider (4), movable from a rest position to an actuation position (A), having an eccentric shaped opening (41), presenting an internal lateral surface (42), wherein said moving pin (33) is intended to engage with said internal lateral surface (42), and comprising an operating pin (43) intended to engage with said door-lock device (BP), so as to activate it when said slider (4) is in said actuation position; characterized in that said activation assembly (3) comprises a cycloidal reducer (32) coupled to said shaft (21) of said electric motor (2) and said activating member (31), to operate said shaft (21) of said electric motor (2).