Lid Lock Mechanism with Breakage Detection for Washing Machine Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locks in electrical devices, such as washing machines, fail to securely lock the lid when subjected to excessive force, leading to potential safety hazards due to breakage of the locking mechanism, which can cause the lid to open during high-speed operation, posing a risk to human safety.
Innovation Solution
A lock mechanism comprising a base, driving mechanism, connecting mechanism, and locking mechanism with a return spring, where the locking mechanism is designed to rotate and retract relative to the base, and a control system determines the connection status of the locking portion to the return spring, allowing for secure locking and unlocking operations while detecting breakage and sending appropriate signals to prevent unsafe conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is used to secure the lid, then the lid can be locked during high-speed operation, but the locking portion may be broken off when excessive force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into a locking portion and a locking shaft as separate functional elements. The locking portion can be disconnected from the locking shaft through a fragile portion when excessive force is applied, segmenting the locking mechanism to prevent complete failure while maintaining normal locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A fragile portion acts as an intermediary element between the locking portion and the locking shaft. This intermediary component is designed to break under excessive force, serving as a sacrificial element that protects the main locking mechanism while allowing the locking portion to remain functional under normal conditions.
2Reliability
If the locking portion is made stronger to prevent breakage, then the locking security is improved, but the locking mechanism may fail to retract when forced open, causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The potential harm of the locking portion breaking under excessive force is converted into a beneficial safety feature. When the locking portion breaks, it automatically disengages from the return spring, allowing the locking mechanism to retract and the lid to open, transforming a failure mode into a safety release mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The fragile portion is pre-designed to break at a specific stress threshold before the locking mechanism can cause damage or safety hazards. This preliminary action of controlled breakage prevents the locking mechanism from remaining in a locked state when it should be able to open, ensuring safety before actual damage occurs.
3Reliability
If a control system is added to detect breakage, then safety protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements feedback by monitoring the position of the locking mechanism through the dome switch. When the locking portion breaks and disconnects from the return spring, the locking mechanism remains in the unfolded position, triggering the dome switch to send a signal to the control system, which then stops the device operation to prevent safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism itself provides the detection function through its interaction with the return spring and dome switch. The breaking of the locking portion automatically changes the position of the locking mechanism, which self-triggers the detection system without requiring additional sensors or complex detection mechanisms.
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 lock mechanism ensures secure lid closure during high-speed operations by detecting breakage and sending signals to stop the device, preventing accidental opening and ensuring user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring is sleeved on the locking mechanism, the return spring has a first protruding end connected to the housing and a second protruding end connected to the locking mechanism, in the unlocking operation, the return spring drives the locking mechanism to retract relative to the base
Data Source
AI summary
A lock, a lid lock and a locking mechanism are provided. The lock includes a base, and a driving mechanism, a connecting mechanism and a locking mechanism which are provided on the base. The base is buckled to a housing. The connecting mechanism has a first end connected to the driving mechanism, and a second end thereof connected to the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is rotatably connected to the base to perform a locking operation or an unlocking operation. A return spring is sleeved on the locking mechanism, one end of the return spring is connected to the housing, and the other end to the locking portion of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is connected to a control system. In the unlocking operation, the control system determines that the locking portion is disconnected to the return spring according to the locking portion in an unfolded position relative to the base, and determines that the locking mechanism is connected to the return spring according to the locking mechanism in a retracted position relative to the base.