PCB-Based Lock Switch Module for Appliance Door-Lock Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door-lock switch modules for appliances require costly and inflexible production equipment modifications to accommodate different customer demands, as they often need changes in the layout of conductive metal strips and casing components, limiting adaptability and increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
A lock switch module with a printed circuit board (PCB) that allows for easy modification of conductive tracks and terminals, using a low-voltage electric motor and transmission mechanism, eliminating the need for casing modifications, and enabling pin-to-pin compatibility with existing switch modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conductive metal strips and casing components are used in the lock switch module, then electrical connectivity and structural support are achieved, but any modification to accommodate different customer demands requires redoing the layout and modifying production equipment, increasing costs and reducing flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conductive connection system into separate modular components: a printed circuit board with conductive tracks, terminal blocks, and connection elements. This segmentation allows each component to be independently configured and replaced based on customer demands without affecting the entire assembly or requiring production equipment modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flexibility and adjustability into the electrical layout through the printed circuit board design, which allows conductive tracks to be selectively activated or deactivated, and terminal positions to be reconfigured. This dynamic capability enables adaptation to different customer requirements without physical modifications to the casing or production equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lock switch module uses fixed conductive metal strips, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the module cannot be easily modified to meet different market requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical conductive metal strip system with a printed circuit board-based electrical system. This substitution provides superior configurability through PCB trace routing and terminal placement, allowing easy reconfiguration for different market requirements without increasing mechanical structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board serves multiple functions: providing electrical connectivity through conductive tracks, offering mounting surfaces for components, enabling configurable terminal positions, and allowing selective activation of different circuit paths. This multi-functionality achieves configuration flexibility without proportionally increasing device 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
Enables flexible configuration to meet various customer needs without altering production equipment or assembly lines, reducing costs and improving adaptability, with efficient locking and unlocking times and compatibility with existing control units.
Implementation Method 1
a low-voltage electric motor operatively positioned inside the casing and connected to the transmission mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A lock switch module for an appliance door-lock is provided. The lock switch module may include a PCB (printed circuit board) with an insulating support, multiple conductive tracks applied to the insulating support, an electrical connector, multiple terminals connected to respective conductive tracks, and a door-lock switch that is electrically connected between two of the conductive tracks. A locking pin can move between retracted and extracted positions and cooperate with the door-lock switch to correspondingly change the door-lock switch's state. A low voltage electric motor has a rotating output shaft and is connected electrically to at least two conductive tracks of the PCB. A transmission mechanism is operatively positioned between the output shaft of the electric motor and the locking pin to drive, following the actuation of the electric motor, the movement of the locking pin between the retracted and extracted positions.