Door-Lock Actuator With Cycloidal Reducer for Compact Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator devices for household appliance doors face challenges such as large footprints, structural complexity leading to reliability issues, and non-automated locking mechanisms, which hinder compact design and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
An actuator device utilizing a cycloidal reducer to transfer movement, incorporating a compact activation assembly with a slider and an electric motor, enabling precise control and automation of door locks with reduced components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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 becomes large and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the traditional gearbox component entirely, replacing it with a direct-drive mechanism where the motor shaft connects directly to the door-lock assembly. This removal of the gearbox resolves the contradiction by providing motion control through the motor's own rotational capability while dramatically reducing the footprint and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical gearbox system with a direct electrical-mechanical coupling system. The motor's electrical control capabilities substitute for the mechanical gear modulation, achieving motion control without the intermediate mechanical transmission components that occupy space and add complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a gearbox with multiple components is used, then motion control is achieved, but the probability of failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the gearbox and its multiple internal components (gears, bearings, shafts), the patent directly reduces the number of potential failure points. The direct-drive architecture eliminates the intermediate mechanical stages that could malfunction, thereby improving reliability while maintaining motion control through the motor's direct connection to the door-lock mechanism.
3Extent of automation
If traditional door-lock mechanisms are used, then locking function is achieved, but automation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor assembly and door-lock mechanism into a single integrated unit. The motor shaft directly drives the locking components, combining the actuation and locking functions into one unified system. This integration enables full automation through electrical control while reducing the overall device complexity by eliminating separate mechanical linkages and intermediate transmission components.
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 compact, reliable, and versatile actuator device with high reduction ratio, ensuring precise and silent operation, adaptable to various appliances, reducing failure risk and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a cycloidal reducer suitable for transferring the movement for locking or unlocking the device itself
Data Source
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).