Lock and home appliance having the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locks for home appliances require equal force to fix and separate the door from the cabinet, leading to excessive force needed to close the introduction port during operation, which can prevent proper sealing and increase user effort.
Innovation Solution
A lock design with a holder and fastening unit that allows for easier coupling and decoupling, using elastic members and an actuation unit to reduce the force required to close the introduction port, while preventing dislocation and providing a sensing mechanism for door closure detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conventional lock provides sufficient fastening force to prevent the door from being separated during operation, then the door can be securely fixed to the cabinet, but the user must apply excessive force to close the introduction port
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is divided into two distinct functional units: a holder unit that provides strong fastening force to prevent door separation during operation, and a coupling unit that enables easy coupling and decoupling for closing and opening the introduction port. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism transitions between two dynamic states: a locked state where the holder unit engages with the coupling unit to provide strong fastening force during operation, and an unlocked state where the units can be easily coupled or decoupled to close or open the introduction port. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between strong fastening and ease of operation
2Reliability
If the holder is coupled to the coupling unit to close the introduction port, then the door is fixed to the cabinet, but the user must apply excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
A spring-loaded actuator serves as an intermediary element between the holder unit and coupling unit. During closing operation, the spring automatically pushes the coupling unit toward the holder unit, reducing the force the user must apply. The spring acts as a mediator that assists the user's closing action while maintaining secure fixation
3Ease of operation
If the fastening unit is separably coupled to the holder, then the door can be opened and closed, but the fastening unit may become dislocated
Solution Approach 1:
Guide rails and positioning features are provided beforehand to prevent dislocation of the fastening unit during separable coupling operations. These preventive structural elements ensure that the fastening unit remains properly positioned throughout the door opening and closing cycles
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
Reduces the force needed to close the introduction port, prevents dislocation of the fastening unit, and ensures proper sealing with a sound signal indication, while maintaining efficient operation and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member for providing necessary force to move the fastening unit away from the introduction port when the fastening unit is separated from the first stopper
Implementation Method 2
a second elastic member for providing necessary force to move the actuation unit toward the introduction port
Data Source
AI summary
A lock and a home appliance having the same are disclosed. The lock includes a holder provided at one selected from between the cabinet and the door, a housing provided at the other selected from between the cabinet and the door, a first stopper provided at the housing, a fastening unit separably coupled to the first stopper so as to be coupled to the holder when separated from the first stopper, an actuation unit configured to reciprocate in the housing, the actuation unit being configured to be moved away from the introduction port in the state of contacting the holder when the door is moved so as to close the introduction port, the actuation unit being configured to separate the fastening unit from the first stopper while being moved away from the introduction port, a first elastic member for providing force necessary to move the fastening unit away from the introduction port when the fastening unit is separated from the first stopper, a second elastic member for providing force necessary to move the actuation unit toward the introduction port, and an actuation unit lock for fixing the actuation unit to the housing when not in contact with the door and releasing coupling between the actuation unit and the housing when in contact with the door.