Door Latch Rotary Grip Support Without a Separate Carrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door latches for household appliances require a separate rotatable carrier component for the gripping unit, which complicates the construction and increases production costs, while also introducing potential frictional issues.

Innovation Solution

A door latch design that eliminates the need for a separate carrier component by using a closing spring arrangement supported directly or through an intermediate member on coaxially projecting supporting projections, allowing the gripping unit to rotate about its own axis, thus simplifying the construction and reducing friction through the use of low-friction materials or coatings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate rotatable carrier component is used for the gripping unit, then the gripping unit can be rotatably mounted, but the construction becomes more complex and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping unit mountingVSAvoidlatch construction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the carrier component function into the gripping unit itself by providing a rotatable support element that is integrated into the gripping unit's base body. The support element projects coaxially from the base body and can rotate about an axis, eliminating the need for a separate carrier component while maintaining the necessary rotational movement for the pull-shut function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support element serves multiple functions: it provides rotational support for the gripping unit, acts as a bearing surface for the closing spring arrangement, and enables the pull-shut movement. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the latch mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate rotatable carrier component is used for the gripping unit, then the gripping unit can be rotatably mounted, but production expenditure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping unit mountingVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the unnecessary carrier component from the latch mechanism, keeping only the essential rotatable support element integrated into the gripping unit. This reduction in components directly lowers production costs while maintaining the required functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a separate rotatable carrier component is used for the gripping unit, then the gripping unit can be rotatably mounted, but frictional issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping unit mountingVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the support element by providing it with a low-friction coating or using low-friction materials. This reduces the friction between the support element and the closing spring arrangement, enabling smoother rotational movement and reducing wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate low-friction coating or material layer between the support element and the closing spring arrangement. This intermediary reduces direct metal-to-metal contact and minimizes frictional forces during the rotational movement of the gripping unit.

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

This design simplifies the construction and reduces production costs while maintaining functionality and reliability by eliminating the need for a separate carrier component and minimizing friction, enabling efficient pull-shut movement of the door latch.

Implementation Method 1

a closing spring arrangement which is tensioned in an open position of the door latch and relaxes upon closing of the door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the use of low-friction materials or coatings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9107560B2Door latch for an electrical household appliance

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 EMZ HANAUER GMBH & CO KGAA

AI summary

A door latch for an electrical household appliance includes a closing spring arrangement which is tensioned in an open position of the door latch and relaxes upon closing of the door, and a gripping unit which grips a closing element upon closing of the door and releases it again upon opening of the door. The gripping unit in the open position of the door latch is in blocking engagement with a blocking element. The closing element upon the closing of the door causes a rotary movement of the gripping unit about an axis of rotation where the gripping unit comes out of blocking engagement with the blocking element. The gripping unit has a base body bearing at least one supporting projection, projecting coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation, for supporting the gripping unit.