Door-Lock Device with Hall Sensor for Simplified Two-Terminal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current door-lock devices for household appliances are complex due to multiple control terminals, leading to compatibility issues and increased production costs, and they often require mechanical coupling, which can result in accidental breakage and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A door-lock device with at least two electrical connecting terminals, a closing switch, and an actuator with a coil generating a magnetic field, utilizing a Hall sensor in parallel to detect the magnetic field and control the locking and unlocking of the door, reducing mechanical complexity and improving adaptability to different control logic units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control terminals are used in door-lock devices, then the control functionality is enhanced, but the circuit complexity increases and compatibility with different household appliances decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The door-lock device uses a standardized two-terminal electrical connection that can universally interface with different household appliance control logic units. The Hall sensor and actuator circuitry are designed to work with any appliance providing basic electrical connections, eliminating the need for appliance-specific terminal configurations while maintaining full control functionality through magnetic field detection and generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the complex multi-terminal control interface from traditional door-lock devices and replaces it with a simplified two-terminal electrical connection. By removing unnecessary intermediate terminals and integrating multiple functions into the Hall sensor and actuator components, the circuit complexity is reduced while preserving adaptability to various appliance types.
2Reliability
If mechanically coupled systems are used in door-lock devices, then the locking mechanism is robust, but the risk of accidental breakage increases and maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical coupling systems with a magnetic field-based actuator mechanism. The actuator uses electromagnetic fields to actuate the locking mechanism without requiring direct mechanical connections between the door-lock device and the door assembly. This eliminates mechanical stress points and reduces the risk of accidental breakage while maintaining reliable locking operation through magnetic force actuation.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple door-block components are used, then the locking functionality is comprehensive, but the production cost increases and installation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple door-block components into an integrated assembly where the Hall sensor, actuator, and locking mechanism work as a unified system. By combining these functions into fewer integrated components rather than separate parts, the production cost is reduced through simplified manufacturing processes and assembly, while the comprehensive locking functionality is maintained through the coordinated operation of the integrated 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 simplifies the circuit, reduces the number of door-block components, enhances compatibility with various household appliances, and minimizes the risk of accidental breakage by using a magnetic field to control the locking mechanism, thereby improving operational stability and ease of installation.
Implementation Method 1
a Hall sensor is connected between said first and said second terminal, arranged in parallel with said actuator, said Hall sensor being arranged so as to detect said magnetic field of said actuator
Implementation Method 2
an actuator, connected to said first and second connecting terminals, comprising at least one coil, suitable to generate a magnetic field capable of causing the locking and unlocking of said door
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a door-lock device (100) for locking and unlocking a door of a household appliance, such as a washing machine, a dishwasher and the like, comprising a first (110) and a second (120) electrical connecting terminal, a closing switch (130) series connected to said first connecting terminal (110) or to said second connection terminal (120), and arranged to close when the door of said household appliance is closed, an actuator (140), connected to said first (110) and second (120) connecting terminals, comprising at least one coil (141, 142), suitable to generate a magnetic field capable of causing the locking and unlocking of said door, and a Hall sensor (151) connected between said first (110) and said second (120) terminal, arranged in parallel with said actuator (140), said Hall sensor (151) being arranged so as to detect said magnetic field of said actuator (140).