Door-locking device for self-cleaning household ovens
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current door-locking devices for self-cleaning household ovens have complex structures with multiple springs and require separate microswitches to detect the door position, making them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A simplified door-locking device with a reduced number of components, utilizing a main slider, locking arm, and electromagnetic switch, which eliminates the need for external microswitches by using a rack-and-pinion mechanism and an existing electromagnetic switch design from washing machines, allowing for safe and reliable door locking without additional structural changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple springs and separate microswitches are used in the door-locking device, then the door position detection and locking function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the door position detection function and the locking mechanism into a single integrated electromagnetic switch assembly. The electromagnetic switch serves dual purposes: it detects door position and actuates the locking arm, eliminating the need for separate microswitches and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable door position detection
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic switch is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both detection and actuation functions. It detects door position through its internal mechanism and simultaneously controls the locking arm movement, making one component serve multiple functions and reducing the total number of parts required
2Ease of operation
If multiple springs are used to implement various movements in the door-locking device, then the locking and unlocking movements are achieved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring mechanism from the traditional door-locking design and replaces it with an electromagnetic actuation system. The electromagnetic switch directly drives the locking arm through magnetic force, eliminating the need for multiple springs while maintaining the necessary locking and unlocking movements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based movement system with an electromagnetic actuation system. The electromagnetic switch uses magnetic fields to produce the necessary forces for locking and unlocking movements, substituting mechanical springs with an electromagnetic field-based mechanism that reduces component count
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 a safer, more reliable, and simpler door-locking mechanism that reduces the risk of mechanical failure and eliminates the need for separate microswitches, enhancing the safety and efficiency of the self-cleaning process in household ovens.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic switch (56) secured in the rear seat (18) of the support (12), the electromagnetic switch (56) being actuable between an actuated state and a non-actuated state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
Door-locking device for self-cleaning household ovens, comprising: - a support (12) intended to be fixed to a frame (90) of the oven, - a main slider (22) movable relative to the support (12) along a longitudinal rectilinear direction (A), pushed elastically towards an extracted position and intended to be pushed by the door (92) of the oven towards a retracted position, - a locking arm (30) articulated to the support (12) around an articulation axis (B) perpendicular to said longitudinal rectilinear direction (A) and oscillating around said articulation axis (B) between an unlocked position and a locked position, - a transmission mechanism (38) which connects the locking arm (30) to the main slider (22) and arranged to swing the locking arm (30) from the unlocked position to the locked position and vice versa due to the movement of the main slider (22) from the extracted position to the retracted position, and vice versa, and - an electromagnetic switch (56) comprising an electromagnet (60) which drives a movable member (66) associated with a locking pin (70) arranged to lock said main slider (22) in said retracted position.