Electric Oven Door Interlock and Locking for False Closure Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric oven door opening and closing systems fail to prevent user accidents and indoor fires due to incorrect door closure sensing and complex, costly structures.
Innovation Solution
A door opening and closing system featuring a latch, rotary lever, switch, elastic spring, motor, rotary unit, and latch guide unit that accurately senses door closure and prevents erroneous operation, using a simplified structure to enhance safety and reduce manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple door switch is used to sense door closure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of door closure sensing deteriorates due to erroneous sensing when objects are inserted into the latch hole
Solution Approach 1:
The door sensing function is divided into two independent parts: a simple door switch for basic closure detection and a rotary lever mechanism with multiple switch contacts for verification. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability through the rotary lever's multi-position verification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary lever acts as an intermediary mechanism between the latch and the switch contacts. It translates the linear motion of the latch into rotational motion, enabling multiple switch contacts to be engaged in sequence. This intermediary mechanism provides a reliable way to verify door closure without requiring a complex direct sensing system.
2Reliability
If a motorized locking mechanism is added to prevent door opening during operation, then the reliability of door safety is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the existing latch mechanism. The same latch that closes the door also engages with the rotary lever to lock it in position. The motor is integrated into this existing structure, driving the rotary lever to rotate and engage/disengage the locking action. This merging eliminates the need for a separate locking mechanism, reducing overall complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism serves multiple functions: it closes the door, actuates the rotary lever, engages the locking mechanism, and triggers the door switch. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system while providing reliable door safety during operation.
3Reliability
If multiple switch contacts are used to verify door closure sequence, then the reliability of door sensing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch mechanism transitions from a static single-point contact to a dynamic sequential contact system. The rotary lever rotates through different positions, dynamically engaging multiple switch contacts in a specific sequence. This dynamic approach allows verification of door closure without requiring all switches to be active simultaneously, reducing complexity while improving reliability.
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 system effectively prevents door opening during high cavity temperatures and incorrect closure sensing, reducing the risk of user accidents and indoor fires while simplifying the structure and lowering production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a door interlocking structure having a rotary lever, a switch and an elastic spring to sense opening and closing of the door, the rotary lever being pushed by the latch to rotate about one side, the switch sequentially contacting with the rotary lever, and the elastic spring allowing the rotary lever to be supported in one direction
Implementation Method 2
a door locking structure having a motor, a rotary unit and a latch guide unit, the motor rotating after it is sensed that the door is closed by the door interlocking structure, the rotary unit engaged with and rotated about a rotary shaft of the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A door opening and closing system for a electric oven is provided. The system includes: at least one latch provided at one side surface of a door; a door interlocking structure having a rotary lever, a switch and an elastic spring to sense opening and closing of the door, the rotary lever being pushed by the latch to rotate about one side, the switch sequentially contacting with the rotary lever, and the elastic spring allowing the rotary lever to be supported in one direction; and a door locking structure having a motor, a rotary unit and a latch guide unit, the motor rotating after it is sensed that the door is closed by the door interlocking structure, the rotary unit engaged with and rotated about a rotary shaft of the motor, and the latch guide unit being associated with the rotary unit to change a rotation motion of the rotary unit into a straight-line motion such that the door is latched to the latch to prevent an erroneous opening of the door.