Spring-Actuated Door Lock for Manual and Automatic Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door lock mechanisms in household appliances, particularly dishwashers, require manual pre-tensioning of the closing spring for operation, making automatic opening without handles costly and complex, as they rely on additional devices like motors, which are expensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A door lock mechanism that allows both manual and automatic operation by using a spring element and lever system, where the bolt is moved from an open to a locked position under spring tension and back to open with an actuating force not from the spring, enabling adjustable closing force and automatic unlocking through an electromagnetic active element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the closing spring is pre-tensioned when the door lock is in the open position, then the closing force for the closed state is built up, but the spring cannot relax and automatic opening becomes impossible without additional complex devices like motors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the spring pre-tensioning state changeable. The spring is pre-tensioned only when needed (during manual closing) and can be released during automatic opening. The gripping device's position changes dynamically - held in a retracted position during automatic opening to allow spring relaxation, and in an extended position during manual operation to maintain pre-tensioning. This dynamic state change enables both strong closing force and automatic opening capability.
2Extent of automation
If a motor is added to enable automatic opening, then automatic opening is possible, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven mechanical system with a spring-based mechanical system. Instead of using an electric motor to drive the opening mechanism, the invention uses a pre-tensioned spring that stores mechanical energy. The spring is tensioned during manual closing and then releases this stored energy automatically during opening, eliminating the need for expensive motors and complex electrical control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-based system is self-service in that it automatically provides the opening force without requiring external power sources. The spring stores energy during the closing operation and autonomously releases it during opening, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependency on expensive motorized actuation systems.
3Ease of operation
If the gripping device is shaped to lose contact with the contact point during striker movement, then the spring can relax, but manual operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is segmented into functionally distinct zones: a gripping portion with a gripping surface for holding the striker, and an extended portion that acts as a lever arm. This segmentation allows the device to perform multiple functions - the gripping portion maintains contact during manual operation while the extended portion can be positioned to lose contact with the frame during automatic opening, enabling spring relaxation. The geometric segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the manual gripping function from the automatic release function.
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 easy adaptation for doors with or without handles, reduces the need for additional motors, and supports automatic opening, such as during the drying process, by using a rotary actuator and lever system with adjustable spring tension for efficient locking and unlocking.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (7) arranged between the lever element (12) and an abutment (13)
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic active element which can actuate the door lock (1)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
According to the invention, to lock the door, starting from the open position, the bolt is brought into the locking position under tension of the spring element, in which a closing force acting on the bolt is determined by the spring element, and to unlock the door, the bolt is activated by an actuating force not applied by the spring element brought from the locking position into an unlocking position and, after the striker has been moved away from the locking position, moves the bolt into the open position by means of the force of the spring element. The invention makes it possible to use a door lock to open both manually and automatically, with the lock mechanism being able to remain unchanged and an adjustment being able to be made merely by means of an additional active element, for example in the form of a lifting magnet. This structure can be adapted to the appliance-related specifications, so that this locking and unlocking principle can be implemented in all household appliances, in particular dishwashers. It saves additional motors for opening and represents an advantageous alternative to existing door locks for such household appliances.