Oven Door Lock System with Multi-State Hook and Pulling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door lock systems for cooking ovens face challenges in balancing the closing force of the door hinges to ensure proper sealing during cooking while maintaining a low enough opening force for user convenience, and require additional locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access, especially during specific functions like pyrolytic self-cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A door lock system with a pivotable hook element driven by sliding members along a main axis, allowing states for normal operation, locking without pulling, and enhanced locking with increased opening force requirement, utilizing a motor-driven cam and detecting elements for control, and spring elements for compensation and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closing force of door hinges is increased to ensure proper sealing during cooking, then the sealing performance is improved, but the opening force required by the user increases making it harder to open
Solution Approach 1:
The door locking system is divided into multiple independent sliding members (first sliding member, second sliding member, third sliding member) that can be actuated separately. The first sliding member controls the hook element for basic locking, while the second and third sliding members control the pulling element for enhanced locking with gasket compression. This segmentation allows selective application of locking forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static door hinges to dynamic controlled locking with multiple states. The door lock system can be in different configurations: unlocked state, locked state (hook engaged), and pulled locked state (hook engaged + pulling element compressed gasket). This dynamic capability allows optimization of both sealing and opening force characteristics.
2Reliability
If a mechanical or electromechanical lock mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized access during specific functions, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock system performs multiple functions through a unified mechanism. The hook element provides basic door retention, the pulling element provides enhanced retention with gasket compression, and the system can prevent door opening during specific functions. This multi-functionality is achieved through coordinated action of sliding members rather than separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking and pulling functions are merged into a single integrated door lock system. The first sliding member controls the hook element for locking, while the second and third sliding members control the pulling element for compression. Both functions operate within the same structural framework, reducing overall complexity compared to separate mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the door is locked without pulling during specific functions, then the door can be secured without additional opening force, but the sealing effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling element is pre-configured to compress the gasket when actuated. The second sliding member and third sliding member are positioned to engage the pulling element, which is already in place to provide sealing compression. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the pulled locked state is activated, the sealing effect is immediately enhanced without requiring additional adjustment during operation.
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 increases the closing force of the door while allowing users to open it with a greater force, ensuring safety by preventing unauthorized access during specific functions and providing enhanced locking states without manual opening possibilities.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element arranged between the third sliding member and the second sliding member, said third sliding member being provided for pulling the hook element along said main axis
Implementation Method 2
at least one cam driven or drivable by the motor and provided for driving the sliding members, wherein preferably the cam includes at least two eccentric disks provided for driving the first sliding member and the further sliding member, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a door lock system (10) for an appliance, in particular for a domestic appliance, preferably for a cooking oven. The door lock system (10) comprises a hook element (14) pivotable around a pivot axis between an unlocked released state and a locked released state and movable along a main axis perpendicular to said pivot axis between the locked released state and locked pulled state. The door lock system (10) comprises a first sliding member (18) movable along the main axis and provided for pivoting the hook element (14) to the locked released state. The door lock system (10) comprises at least one further sliding member (20, 22) movable along the main axis and provided for pulling the hook element (14) to the locked pulled state.