Safety module for door-lock device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door-lock devices for household appliances, such as washing machines, have complex circuit configurations with multiple terminals, lack compactness, and do not integrate electronic devices, making them unreliable and difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A safety module with a simplified electrical circuit comprising a first and second terminal, an actuator, a closing switch, and a blocking switch, where the closing and blocking circuit branches are parallel-connected to the actuator, incorporating a multiple switch with elastic laminas and resistors for efficient door locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex circuit configurations with more than 2 terminals are used, then the door-lock device can achieve basic locking functionality, but the device complexity increases and the structure becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the closing switch and blocking switch into a single multiple switch component with integrated elastic laminas. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate circuit terminals from more than 2 to exactly 2 terminals, simplifying the overall circuit configuration while maintaining the door-lock's basic locking functionality through the coordinated operation of the integrated switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple switch serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the closing switch and blocking switch, and incorporates both elastic laminas for contact operation within a single component structure. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components that would otherwise require additional terminals and circuit connections.
2Device complexity
If non-modular circuit configurations are used, then the door-lock device can be simpler, but adaptability to different control logic systems is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple switch is designed with universal adaptability to work with different control logic systems. By providing exactly 2 terminals and using standard switching mechanisms with elastic laminas, the component can be integrated into various household appliance control systems regardless of their specific logic requirements, while maintaining a simple circuit configuration.
3Reliability
If integrated electronic devices are used, then the circuit becomes more robust, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the closing and blocking switches into a single multiple switch component manufactured as one piece. This integration creates a more robust circuit by eliminating connection points between separate components, while actually simplifying manufacturing compared to assembling multiple separate electronic components. The single-piece construction reduces assembly steps and potential failure points.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used, then the circuit can be more flexible, but the device size increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple switch combines what would traditionally be separate closing and blocking switches into a single integrated component. This merging maintains circuit flexibility through the independent operation of the elastic laminas while significantly reducing the device volume by eliminating the physical space required for multiple separate components and their interconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple switch structure nests the closing and blocking switch functions within a single component housing. The elastic laminas are nested within the same component body, allowing one switch mechanism to contain another, thereby achieving compact integration without sacrificing the functional flexibility of having separate closing and blocking operations.
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 solution provides a reliable, compact, and cost-effective door-lock device with reduced components, enabling easy integration into various household appliance control logic systems while minimizing power consumption and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic lamina, which is one of the contacts of said closing switch, a second elastic lamina, which constitutes one of the contacts of said blocking switch
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a safety module (M) for a door-lock device, intended to block a door of a household appliance, comprising a first terminal (1), a second terminal (2), an actuator (3) arranged between said first terminal (1) and said second terminal (2), a closing switch (4), provided with contacts (41, 42), associated with said door of said household appliance and arranged on a closing circuit branch (81), and a blocking switch (6), provided with contacts (61, 62), functionally associated with said actuator (3) and arranged on a blocking circuit branch (82), wherein said closing circuit branch (81) and said blocking circuit branch (82) are parallel connected to each other and wherein said closing circuit branch (81) and said blocking circuit branch (82) are parallel connected to said actuator (3).