Interlock switch structure and microwave oven
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior interlock switches in microwave ovens suffer from poor reliability due to assembly precision issues, leading to inconsistent switching of micro-switches and inadequate control during door operation, which can result in potential microwave leakage.
Innovation Solution
The interlock switch structure incorporates a substrate with a chute structure, a sliding latch, a tactile disk member, a door hook, and micro-switches, where the tactile disk member is pivotal and features a rotating surface to sequentially trigger and reset micro-switches upon door hook engagement and disengagement, utilizing a first elastic member for reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door hook is touched and matched with a plurality of cams in a multi-touch way, then the door hook can achieve safety control of the microwave oven, but the assembly precision between the various components becomes critical and the reliability of the entire control becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the door hook into multiple independent segments, each responsible for triggering a specific micro-switch. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently adjusted and assembled, reducing the overall assembly precision requirements while maintaining control reliability. Each segment can be separately positioned and secured to the door hook body without requiring precise alignment with all other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable positioning structures as intermediaries between the door hook segments and the micro-switches. These positioning structures include adjustable positioning holes and positioning blocks that can be flexibly adjusted to accommodate variations in assembly precision, thereby ensuring reliable triggering of micro-switches without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
2Ease of operation
If multiple cams are used to match with the door hook, then the micro-switches can be triggered, but the structure complexity increases and the assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex cam mechanisms from the traditional design. Instead of using multiple cams with intricate profiles, the invention employs simple door hook segments with basic geometric shapes that directly engage with micro-switches. This simplification removes unnecessary structural complexity while maintaining the essential function of triggering micro-switches in the correct sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by having the door hook segments actively engage with the micro-switches rather than using passive cams to be triggered by the door hook. This inversion simplifies the door hook structure to basic segments with positioning features, while the micro-switches and their mounting structures assume the role of defining the triggering geometry, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.
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 configuration enhances the stability and reliability of the control mechanism, ensuring consistent switching of micro-switches with fewer parts, resulting in improved safety and reduced assembly complexity, while maintaining a compact design suitable for various microwave oven configurations.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a first elastic member for reliable operation
Data Source
AI summary
An interlock switch structure and a microwave oven are disclosed. The interlock switch structure includes a substrate, a sliding latch, a tactile disk member, a door hook, a first elastic member, and multiple micro-switches. The substrate is provided with a chute structure, the sliding latch slidably matches with a chute of the chute structure, the sliding latch is provided with a sliding surface to match with the door hook. The tactile disk member is pivotally communicated with the substrate, the micro-switch is located on a periphery of the tactile disk member, and contact points of the micro-switches are toward the tactile disk member. The tactile disk member is provided with a seesaw to match with the door hook; a circumferential surface of the tactile disk member is provided with a rotating surface to match with the sliding latch.