Door Locking Device with Control Member for Reliable State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door-locking devices for electrical household appliances lack effective mechanisms to ensure secure locking and reliable detection of door states, leading to potential operational inefficiencies and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A door-locking device featuring a movable locking pin controlled by a magnetic actuator and a detection switch with increased hysteresis, allowing precise locking and unlocking operations, and incorporating a control member that interacts with the latching slider to maintain the door's state detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional detection switch is used to detect door state, then the device structure is simple, but false opening signals may occur leading to unreliable detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor state detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection switch structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control member is designed to be movable along a direction parallel to the latching slider movement direction, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to locking pin movement. This dynamic adjustment ensures the control member maintains proper engagement with the latching slider throughout the door locking/unlocking cycle, preventing false opening signals while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control member acts as an intermediary element between the locking pin and the latching slider. It translates the locking pin's movement into corresponding movement of the latching slider, ensuring reliable state detection. The control member's dual interaction - being movable by the locking pin while also engaging the latching slider - creates a mechanical linkage that prevents false signals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the locking pin movement directly actuates the latching slider, then the mechanism is simple, but the door state detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor state detection accuracyVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control member serves as a mediator that couples the locking pin's movement to the latching slider's movement. It is adapted to cooperate with the latching slider and is also movable by the locking pin movement, creating a controlled mechanical linkage that ensures accurate state detection while maintaining mechanism simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control member performs multiple functions: it is actuated by the locking pin movement, engages with the latching slider to ensure accurate positioning, and maintains the detection switch accuracy throughout the operation. This multi-functional design achieves precise detection without requiring separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhanced security and reliability by ensuring accurate detection of door states and preventing false opening signals, thereby maintaining the appliance's operational integrity and user safety.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator; a locking pin controllable by the actuator and adapted to cooperate with a movable latching slider to lock a door

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

a detection switch, able to switch between an open position and a closed position following a movement of the latching slider, said detection switch comprising a fixed contact element and a movable contact element resiliently stressed in closure towards the fixed contact element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3610105B1Door locking device, particularly for electrical household appliances
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 BITRON SPA
  • EP3610105B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3610105B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3610105B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Door-locking device (1) comprising an actuator (20); a locking pin (11) controllable by the actuator (20) and adapted to cooperate with a movable latching slider (7) to lock a door of an electrical household appliance, the locking pin (11) being movable between a rest position, wherein the locking pin allows the latching slider (7) to move, and a lock position, wherein the locking pin prevents the latching slider (7) from moving; a detection switch (45) able to switch between an open position and a closed position following a movement of the latching slider (7), the detection switch (45) comprising a fixed contact element (45e) and a movable contact element (45c) resiliently stressed in closure towards the fixed contact element (45e), and a movable control member (46) interacting with the movable contact (45c). The control member (46) is also movable by a movement of the locking pin (11).