Dual-Position Locking Pin with Securing Structure for Safe Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locking mechanisms for hot appliances, especially in cramped installation situations, fail to prevent unintentional opening or full opening, posing a risk of injury due to the need for complex and space-consuming movements to transition between locking structures.
Innovation Solution
A locking pin with integrated securing structures allows the latch to be released from both locking structures in the same direction, using angular offsets and detents to secure the latch, enabling safe transition without requiring extensive movement, thus preventing unintentional full opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with two locking structures is used to prevent unintentional door opening, then safety against injury is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for complex movements to transition between locking structures
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bolt is segmented into two distinct locking structures (first locking structure and second locking structure) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the latch to engage with either structure independently, providing two levels of locking without requiring complex transition mechanisms between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch acts as an intermediary element that can engage with both locking structures. By designing the latch with a geometry that allows it to interact with both locking structures sequentially or selectively, the patent simplifies the transition process while maintaining safety requirements.
2Reliability
If complex movements are required to transition between locking structures, then safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates in cramped installation situations
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into spatially separated locking structures, allowing the latch to transition between them through simple linear or rotational movements rather than complex multi-axis motions. This segmentation enables operation in confined spaces while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the latch to perform complex movements to engage both locking structures, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the locking structures such that the latch naturally encounters them in sequence during simple door opening/closing movements. This inversion simplifies operation while preserving safety functionality.
3Reliability
If the latch requires extensive movement to release from both locking structures, then safety is improved, but the length of movement required increases beyond what is feasible in compact spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bolt features two separately positioned locking structures that can be engaged or disengaged independently. This segmentation allows the latch to move short distances to engage/disengage each structure without requiring extensive overall movement, making the mechanism suitable for compact appliance doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch is designed with dynamic engagement characteristics, allowing it to transition between locked and unlocked states with minimal movement. The geometry of the latch and locking structures is optimized to enable quick engagement/disengagement with small movements, suitable for confined installation environments.
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
A locking device for closing a door, in particular an appliance door of a hot appliance, with a locking pin (2) and a latch (3) that can be locked onto the locking pin (2), wherein the locking pin (2) has two locking structures (4, 5) axially spaced apart along a main axis (A) of the locking pin (2), on which the latch (3) can be selectively locked in a closed position and a partially open venting position, wherein the locking pin (2) has at least one securing structure (6) for securing the latch (3) when moving between the locking structures (4, 5).