Oven Door Lock Mechanism for Automatic and Manual Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance door mechanisms either prevent automatic opening or have complex designs that are not adaptable for both automatic and manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A door opening mechanism featuring a lock with a rigid base, intersecting closing arms, helical pressing springs, and a cam system that allows automatic opening while maintaining manual operation, with a deltoid-shaped pin for controlled door closure and opening forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple lock mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost decreases, but the ability to enable automatic door opening is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The closing arms are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to transition between locked and unlocked positions. The cam mechanism dynamically changes the position of the closing arms during rotation, enabling automatic door opening while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing springs are pre-loaded to store elastic energy that automatically pushes the closing arms against the pin when the cam rotates to the unlocking position. This preliminary storage of energy enables automatic door opening without requiring complex active actuators.
2Extent of automation
If a lock mechanism with automatic opening capability is implemented, then the extent of automation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single cam component: it provides the locking surface, the unlocking surface, and the actuation mechanism for the closing arms. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining automatic door opening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing springs automatically perform the work of pushing the closing arms against the pin during the cam rotation, without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The mechanism uses the cam's rotation itself to trigger the spring action, making the system self-sufficient.
3Reliability
If pressing springs are used to maintain door closure, then the door remains securely closed, but the force required to open the door increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism dynamically modulates the force required to open the door. During normal operation, the pressing springs maintain secure closure. When the cam rotates to the unlocking position, the closing arms are lifted off the pin, and the door can be opened with minimal force. The system transitions between high-force and low-force states based on cam position.
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 mechanism enables both automatic and manual door opening with a simple design, reducing production costs and ensuring secure closure and controlled opening, adaptable to various appliance types.
Implementation Method 1
two helical pressing springs, whose ends are mounted respectively to the rear part of the closing arm and the adjacent to the arm side wall of the base
Implementation Method 2
two helical pressing springs, whose ends are mounted respectively to the rear part of the closing arm and the adjacent to the arm side wall of the base
Implementation Method 3
Between the ends of the rear parts of the closing arms, there is a cam mounted on an driving shaft, which causes the cam to rotate. During a 180° rotation of the cam, the closing arms are temporarily opened and the pin is released.
Data Source
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AI summary
Door opening mechanism for a household appliance, oven in particular, comprising a lock mounted in the appliance body, profile element located on the door of the appliance and, located between the body and the door, element exerting on a closed door constant force in the direction of opening, characterized in that the lock consists of a rigid base (1), a pair of closing arms (2), two helical pressing springs (4), a cam (5) mounted on the drive shaft (6), and the cam position sensor (7), wherein the closing arms (2) are mounted pivotally on the same axle (3) built in the base (1) and are intersecting each other in the place of mounting, wherein the free sections of the front parts (2a) of the closing arms (2) have hook-shaped ends and form a clamps extending below the base of the lock (1), while the profile element is a pin (8) comprising an integral part of the strip of the door (9).