Door latch for an appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door latches for appliances, particularly cooking appliances, lack secure locking mechanisms that prevent access during cleaning cycles and ensure proper engagement to prevent accidental opening during high-heat operations.
Innovation Solution
A door latch mechanism with a latch engagement surface angled between 80° to 90° from the arm, increased coefficient of friction through texturing, and a door position sensor to ensure the door is closed before locking, enhancing security and preventing accidental opening during high-heat cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional door latch mechanism is used, then the door can be opened easily during normal operation, but the door may accidentally open during high-heat operations or cleaning cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The latch engagement surface is angled between 80-90 degrees relative to the arm, creating a geometric parameter change that provides mechanical advantage for secure engagement while allowing easy release when properly actuated
Solution Approach 2:
The door position sensor dynamically monitors door status and controls the actuator to engage or disengage the latch based on real-time conditions, enabling automatic locking during high-heat operations and cleaning cycles while maintaining manual accessibility during normal use
2Reliability
If the door latch is locked during cleaning cycles, then safety is improved, but the door cannot be accessed when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The door position sensor provides feedback to the control system about door status, enabling the actuator to automatically engage the latch during cleaning cycles and disengage when the door is properly closed, creating adaptive locking behavior that responds to operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checking of door position and operational state before engaging the latch, ensuring the door is properly closed and the conditions warrant locking before the secure locking mechanism is activated
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 solution provides a secure and reliable locking mechanism that ensures the door remains closed during cleaning cycles and high-heat operations, reducing the risk of accidental opening and enhancing safety and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The latch engagement surface extends at about an angle of between about 80° to about 90° away from the arm to engage the door frame
Implementation Method 2
A coefficient of friction between the latch engagement surface and the door engagement surface when engaged is between about 0.7 and about 0.8
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance includes an appliance body including a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels includes a front panel and a top panel, where the front panel defines a cavity aperture and a lock aperture. A cooking cavity assembly is disposed within the appliance body, where the cooking cavity assembly defines a cooking cavity. An appliance door includes a door frame defining a latch aperture and a door engagement surface. A door lock assembly is disposed within an electronics cavity and includes a door latch including an arm and a hook end extending from the arm. The hook end defines a latch engagement surface and is configured to engage the door engagement surface. An actuator is configured to rotate the door latch between an unlocked position allowing for selective access of the cooking cavity and a locked position preventing access to the cooking cavity.