Door lock for a door, in particular a washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locking mechanisms for washing machines are complex and expensive, often relying on reversing magnets and yokes, which complicates the locking and unlocking processes.
Innovation Solution
A door locking device utilizing a pivotable rotary latch with a coil-actuated armature and a plunger-based locking mechanism, eliminating the need for permanent magnets and yokes, and featuring a spring-loaded mechanism for constant sealing force and manual emergency release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a coil-actuated armature with plunger-based locking mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost decreases, but locking force and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electromagnetic reversing magnets and yokes with a simpler coil-actuated armature and plunger-based mechanical locking mechanism. The coil generates a magnetic field that moves the armature linearly, which in turn actuates the plunger to engage or disengage the locking body from the rotary latch recess, eliminating the need for complex mechanical reversing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses a dynamically actuated plunger that can rapidly move between engaged and disengaged positions based on coil activation. The plunger's linear motion is converted into rotational movement of the locking body, creating a dynamic locking system that responds quickly to electrical signals while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If permanent magnets and yokes are eliminated, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the ability to maintain constant sealing force without power may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism automatically maintains constant sealing force on the door without requiring external power. The spring is pre-loaded to exert a continuous force on the door, ensuring it remains sealed against the sealing surface. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for powered actuators to maintain sealing pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as a counterweight mechanism, providing a continuous opposing force to balance door weight and external pressures. This ensures the door maintains constant contact with the sealing surface, compensating for variations in door position and external forces without requiring active control or permanent magnets.
3Ease of operation
If a simple coil-actuated mechanism is used instead of reversing magnets, then ease of operation improves, but the speed of locking and unlocking may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is activated in periodic pulses to actuate the armature and plunger for locking and unlocking operations. Each pulse generates a brief but strong magnetic field that rapidly moves the plunger to its target position, providing both simplicity of operation and adequate locking speed for door applications.
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 simple, cost-effective locking mechanism that maintains constant sealing force without the need for power to lock or unlock, ensuring reliable operation and easy installation.
Implementation Method 1
an armature, the armature being surrounded by a coil that can be energized and when the coil is energized, the armature and the locking body can be moved linearly
Implementation Method 2
featuring a spring-loaded mechanism for constant sealing force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a door locking device (10) for a door, in particular for a washing machine door, with a pivotable rotary latch (40) for a door hook (60), wherein the pivotable rotary latch (40) is arranged on a pivoting body (42), wherein the rotary latch (40) has a recess (52) for receiving a locking element (32) for the rotary latch (40), wherein a locking element (32) is provided for locking the rotary latch (40) in its closed position, wherein the locking element (32) is connected to an armature (16), wherein the armature (16) is surrounded by an energizable coil (14) and, when the coil (14) is energized, the armature (16) and the locking element (32) are linearly movable or are moved in the closed position of the rotary latch (40), so that the locking element (32) is in a locked position in the recess (52) the rotary latch (40) is arranged or can be arranged.