Domestic appliance having a locking device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances require complex mechanisms for locking and unlocking doors, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, lacking a simple solution for maintaining the door in a closed state without additional mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A locking device utilizing a permanent magnet for holding the door closed and a coil to generate an opposing magnetic field, allowing for two-stage holding forces that can be switched or canceled, enabling the door to be opened from the inside or via a button, with a magnetic circuit and flux guide pieces for efficient force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical locking mechanism with hooks and handles is used, then the door can be securely locked, but the device complexity and mechanism cumbersome increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical locking system (hooks, handles, latches) with an electromagnetic locking system. A permanent magnet mounted on the door interacts with a magnetically conductive plate in the housing to create a holding force that secures the door closed, eliminating the need for complex mechanical locking components while maintaining secure door closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in magnetic field parameters to control door locking and unlocking. By varying the magnetic flux density through the permanent magnet and magnetically conductive plate, the system can maintain a strong holding force for secure locking while allowing for controlled release when needed, providing reliable locking with simplified mechanics.
2Device complexity
If a permanent magnet is used for holding force, then the door can be kept closed without mechanical mechanisms, but the holding force may be insufficient to prevent forced opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a permanent magnet with a magnetically conductive plate (such as ferromagnetic material) to create a composite magnetic locking system. This combination amplifies the effective holding force by concentrating magnetic flux through the conductive plate, providing sufficient force to prevent forced opening while maintaining the simplicity of the electromagnetic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a magnetically conductive plate with specific geometric features that concentrate and direct magnetic flux. The plate's shape and positioning are optimized to maximize magnetic field concentration at the interface with the permanent magnet, thereby increasing the effective holding force without adding mechanical complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a coil is added to generate opposing magnetic field, then the door can be released electrically, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual door release mechanisms with an electromagnetic release system. A coil wound around a magnetically conductive core generates an opposing magnetic field that counteracts the permanent magnet's holding force, enabling electrical actuation of door release. This substitution provides convenient remote or automated door opening while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetically conductive plate serves multiple functions: it concentrates and directs the permanent magnet's magnetic flux for secure locking, and it also serves as the core for the release coil, enabling electrical actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving convenient electrical door release.
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
This solution simplifies the door construction by eliminating the need for hooks and handles, allows for efficient door closure and release, and provides a robust locking mechanism with low operational forces, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a locking device with at least one permanent magnet for exerting a holding force to hold the door closed
Implementation Method 2
a coil for generating an opposing magnetic field to cancel the holding force
Implementation Method 3
the door or the housing of the household appliance comprises entirely or partially a magnetically highly permeable material for coupling to the magnetic field that is generated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2H
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic appliance (100) comprising a door (101). Said domestic appliance (100) comprises a locking device (103) with at least one permanent magnet (105-1, 105-2) for exerting a retaining force to hold the door (101) closed and a coil (107) for generating at least one counter magnetic field for neutralizing the maintaining force.