Household Door Locking Circuit Using Pulse-Controlled Three-Wire Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locking devices for household appliances require a large number of connecting contacts, making them inefficient in detecting both the closing and locking conditions simultaneously, which is a safety standard requirement.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit with a reduced number of connecting contacts, utilizing at least one diode in the circuit branch of a solenoid actuator, allows for specific control modes by using pulse signals to lock or unlock the door, enabling univocal correspondence between pulse supply and actuator action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional door locking device with multiple connecting contacts is used, then the door closing and locking conditions can be detected, but the number of connecting contacts increases making the system complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the door closing detection function and door locking detection function into a single three-wire circuit. The first wire connects to the door contact switch, the second wire connects to the locking contact switch, and the third wire serves as common ground. This merging of functions into a unified circuit eliminates the need for separate detection circuits and reduces the total number of connecting contacts required.
Solution Approach 2:
The three-wire circuit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it detects both the door closing condition (via the door contact switch on the first wire) and the door locking condition (via the locking contact switch on the second wire). This multi-functional design allows a single circuit to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate circuits and more connecting contacts.
2Device complexity
If a simplified three-contact connection is used, then the number of connecting contacts is reduced, but the ability to detect both door closing and locking conditions simultaneously is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection of door closing condition and door locking condition into a single integrated three-wire circuit. The door contact switch and locking contact switch are both connected to the control unit through this shared circuit, allowing simultaneous detection of both conditions with minimal connecting contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives signals from both the door contact switch and locking contact switch through the three-wire circuit. It processes these signals to determine both the closing condition and locking condition, enabling the system to maintain full detection capability while using a simplified connection structure.
3Ease of operation
If electromagnetic or thermomagnetic actuators are used, then door locking can be achieved, but numerous connection devices are required on the household appliance side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator control circuit with the door detection circuit into a single integrated three-wire system. The actuator (electromagnetic or thermomagnetic) is controlled through the same three wires that are used for detection, eliminating the need for separate control connections and reducing the total number of connection devices required on the household appliance side.
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
Enables efficient detection and control of door locking and unlocking states using a minimal number of contacts, overcoming the limitations of traditional systems where actuator actions were not specifically controllable by electrical pulses.
Implementation Method 1
A control circuit with a reduced number of connecting contacts, utilizing at least one diode in the circuit branch of a solenoid actuator
Implementation Method 2
at least one diode in the circuit branch of a solenoid actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a locking device of a household appliance door comprising a circuit having a first, a second and a third connecting contacts to the household appliance, the device comprising a door locking switch, a door closing switch and an actuator arranged electrically in series with said door closing switch, at least one diode and at least one control switch on said third contact and electrically in series with said actuator. By virtue of this configuration, the locking and the unlocking of the door may be controlled by specific, different predetermined electrical pulses.