Floating-Mount Door Lock for Washing Machine Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door locks for domestic washing machines face reliability issues due to mounting tolerances, which can result in a loose or unsecure locking mechanism, compromising safety and user perception of product quality.
Innovation Solution
A door lock system with a lock module mounted in a floating manner on a superordinate component, featuring a module housing with centring slopes and an electrically controllable actuator, allowing compensating movements to align with the closing element despite position deviations, ensuring secure locking and compensating for mounting tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shackle opening is made sufficiently large to accommodate mounting tolerances, then the locking member can reliably enter the shackle opening, but the closing shackle and door have play relative to the locking member in the locked state, giving a loose impression and potential safety problems
Solution Approach 1:
The lock module is designed with floating mounting that allows dynamic adjustment of its position relative to the superordinate component. The lock module can move in floating manner relative to the superordinate component, enabling automatic alignment compensation during the locking process without requiring a permanently loose fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of the lock module dynamically. By allowing the lock module to shift position within certain limits through floating mounting, the system adapts to mounting tolerances and achieves precise alignment between the locking member and shackle opening during operation, rather than relying on fixed rigid positioning.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the shackle opening is made small for precise alignment, then the locking member fits exactly into the opening, but even small mounting tolerances can prevent locking because the locking member and shackle opening are not precisely aligned when the door is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The floating mounting enables the lock module to dynamically adjust its position to compensate for mounting tolerances. This dynamic capability ensures that the shackle opening and locking member can align precisely during the locking operation, even if their nominal positions differ due to manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock module performs self-alignment through its floating mounting mechanism. When the door is closed and the locking process is initiated, the lock module automatically shifts to the correct position through the floating connection, eliminating the need for pre-adjustment or complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid mounting is used to ensure precise alignment, then the locking mechanism is stable, but mounting tolerances cause misalignment between the locking member and shackle opening, preventing reliable locking
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from rigid static mounting to dynamic floating mounting. The lock module can move relative to the superordinate component in the floating mounting arrangement, allowing it to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and achieve proper alignment during operation while maintaining operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating mounting acts as an intermediary mechanism between the lock module and the superordinate component. This intermediary connection absorbs the misalignment caused by manufacturing tolerances and enables the locking components to align properly during the locking process.
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock for a domestic electrical appliance such as, for example, a washing machine of the top loader type includes a lock module, a housing shell for the floating mounting of the lock module on a housing wall portion of a body of the domestic appliance, a locking member which is arranged to be movable between an unlocking position and a locking position, and an electrically controllable actuator for actuating the locking member. The lock module has an insertion opening for insertion of a closing element on closing of the door of the domestic appliance. The locking member in its unlocking position allows the closing element to move out of the insertion opening and in the locking position effects blocking of the closing element against moving out of the insertion opening. At least one centring slope for the closing element is formed at the insertion opening.