Door lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locks for household appliances lack efficient mechanisms for controlling the locking and unlocking process, particularly in terms of providing a clear perception of control during operation and adapting to different latch shapes, while also requiring strong materials.
Innovation Solution
A door lock design featuring a slider with elastic components that change spring force direction during movement, paired with locking arms and a switch assembly, allowing for smooth transition between locked and released positions, and accommodating various latch shapes with reduced material strength requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional door lock mechanism is used, then the door can be locked and unlocked, but the user lacks clear perception of control during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock mechanism incorporates a vibration module that generates tactile feedback during locking and unlocking operations. The vibration motor activates to provide perceptible vibrations through the slider, allowing users to clearly sense the operational state changes without increasing overall system complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the vibration module that responds to operational states. When the door lock transitions between locked and unlocked states, the vibration module provides tactile feedback to the user, creating a clear perception of control while maintaining relatively simple mechanism design.
2Reliability
If strong locking arms are used to ensure secure locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the material strength requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented between the locking arms and the slider mechanism. The slider, which moves along the guide groove, carries the primary locking force, while the locking arms provide auxiliary support. This segmentation allows the locking arms to be made from materials with lower strength requirements while maintaining overall locking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider acts as an intermediary element between the locking arms and the door body. It transfers and distributes the locking force, reducing the burden on the locking arms. This intermediary mechanism enables the use of materials with lower strength requirements for the locking arms while ensuring reliable locking performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different latch shapes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The slider is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate different latch shapes. The guide groove and elastic components are configured to work with various latch geometries, making the door lock mechanism adaptable to multiple applications without requiring complex adjustments or modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism allows for parameter changes in the slider's movement range and elastic component stiffness to adapt to different latch shapes. By adjusting these parameters, the same basic mechanism can effectively work with various latch configurations without significantly increasing device complexity.
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
Enhances the perception of control during door opening and closing by providing resistance and assistance forces, adapts to different latch shapes, and reduces the material strength requirements for locking arms, thus improving usability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a slider elastic device, the slider elastic device is configured to provide a spring force to the slider
Implementation Method 2
the spring force provides a resistance force to the slider in the first stroke, and the spring force provides an assistance force to the slide in the second stroke
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a door lock, comprising: a housing , a locking unit, and a slider , wherein the locking unit is provided within the housing , the pair of locking units are movable with respect to the housing so as to assume a locked position and a released position; and the slider is connected to the locking unit, and the slider is configured to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the slider moves from the first position to the second position, the locking unit can move from the released position to the locked position. The door lock of the present disclosure provides a comfortable sense of control.