Two-Contact Door Lock Circuit for Household Appliance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locking devices for household appliances require a minimum of three to six connecting contacts to detect the closing and locking conditions, leading to complex circuits and increased production costs, dimensions, and wiring complexity.
Innovation Solution
A door locking device with only two connecting contacts to the machine electronics, comprising a door closing switch, an actuator in series, a door locking switch in parallel with a diode, and an electric resistor, allowing detection of both closing and locking conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door locking device uses three to six connecting contacts to detect closing and locking conditions, then the detection function is reliable, but the device complexity and wiring complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the door closing switch and door locking switch into a single integrated circuit structure that uses only two connecting contacts. The closing switch is arranged in series with the actuator between the first and second contacts, while the locking switch is arranged in parallel with the actuator-diode branch between the same contacts. This merging of functions into a compact configuration reduces wiring complexity while maintaining reliable detection of both closing and locking conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The two connecting contacts serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide power to the actuator, enable detection of the door closing condition through the closing switch, enable detection of the door locking condition through the locking switch, and allow bidirectional control signals. This multi-functionality reduces the number of required contacts from three to six while maintaining all necessary detection and control capabilities.
2Reliability
If a door locking device uses three to six connecting contacts, then the detection function is complete, but the production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the closing switch and locking switch into a single integrated unit that connects to the machine electronics through only two contacts instead of three to six, the patent reduces manufacturing complexity, assembly steps, and material requirements. This integration directly lowers production costs while maintaining complete detection functionality.
3Reliability
If a door locking device uses three to six connecting contacts, then the detection capability is sufficient, but the device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the closing switch, locking switch, actuator, and diode into a compact integrated configuration that occupies minimal space. By arranging the closing switch in series with the actuator and the locking switch in parallel with the actuator-diode branch, all components share common connection paths between two contacts, significantly reducing the overall device volume compared to separate implementations requiring three to six contacts.
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
This configuration simplifies the device, reduces production and wiring costs, and results in a more compact assembly while maintaining functionality, achieving cost-effectiveness and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a diode, arranged between said first connecting contact and said second connecting contact, and arranged electrically in series with said locking switch
Implementation Method 2
an actuator, arranged electrically in series with said door closing switch
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a door locking device for household appliances. The device according to the present invention allows to detect a door closing or opening condition, to actuate, only with the door closed, an electromagnetic actuator that triggers door locking means and a respective switch, and finally to detect the door locking condition. The operation of the door lock required by current safety standards is obtained here by means of an architecture of the door lock which allows to simplify the architecture of the door lock itself, in particular by reducing the connecting contacts with the household appliance to only two.