Washing Machine Door Lock Control for Automatic Post-Cycle Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
After washing programs end, if the washing machine door is not opened in a timely manner, laundry can develop bacteria and foul smells due to the closed environment, necessitating additional washing cycles.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine with a door lock device that includes a sliding block, resetting spring, and latching parts controlled by the main controller, which automatically unlocks and opens the door after the washing cycle completes, utilizing a relay component with an electromagnet and PTC heater to transition through locking states and ensure the door opens once the cycle is finished.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the washing machine door is locked during operation to prevent opening, then safety and operational integrity are improved, but the door cannot be opened after washing to allow air circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock device transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocked state automatically after the washing cycle completes. The control unit receives a finishing signal and actuates the door lock sliding block to move from the locked position to the unlocked position, enabling the door to be opened. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability during operation while enabling ease of operation after washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the control unit based on the washing cycle status to control the door lock device. When the washing cycle finishes, the control unit receives a signal and automatically unlocks the door. This feedback mechanism ensures the door remains locked during operation (improving reliability) while automatically opening after washing (improving ease of operation).
2Reliability
If the door remains closed after washing to maintain security, then safety is improved, but bacterial growth and foul smells occur due to lack of air circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock device is designed to automatically unlock and open the door preliminary action after the washing cycle completes. The control unit actuates the door lock sliding block to move to the unlocked position, allowing the door to be opened for air circulation. This preliminary action prevents bacterial growth and foul smells by ensuring the door is opened promptly after washing, while maintaining security during the washing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically unlocking the door after the washing cycle finishes without requiring manual intervention. The control unit receives the finishing signal and automatically actuates the door lock device to unlock, enabling air circulation to prevent bacterial growth and foul smells while maintaining security during operation.
3Device complexity
If a simple lock mechanism is used for the door, then device complexity is reduced, but the door cannot automatically open after washing cycle completes
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock device replaces a purely mechanical lock mechanism with an automated system controlled by the control unit. The door lock sliding block is actuated by the control unit based on the washing cycle status, enabling automatic unlocking after washing. This substitution increases automation while maintaining relatively simple mechanical components, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and extent of automation.
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
Prevents bacterial growth and foul smells by ensuring fresh air circulation after the wash cycle, eliminating the need for re-washing due to prolonged door closure.
Implementation Method 1
the relay component has an electromagnet with a hollow passage, a coil wound around the electromagnet, an iron core and an iron core spring disposed on the iron core, the iron core moves in the hollow passage of the electromagnet by the action of an electromagnetic force and the iron core spring
Implementation Method 2
a resetting spring disposed on the door lock sliding block, and used for resetting the door lock sliding block to an initial state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washing machine (100) disposed with a door lock device (30). The door lock device (30) includes: a door lock sliding block (31), disposed with a clipping hole (32) at one end thereof, and used for latching in cooperation with the hook (21); a resetting spring (35) disposed on the door lock sliding block (31), and used for resetting the door lock sliding block to an initial state; and a first latching part (40) and a second latching part (50) used for latching the door lock sliding block (31), where the first latching part (40) and the second latching part (50) are both controlled by the washing machine main controller (13); after washing of the washing machine ends, the washing machine main controller controls the first latching part (40) and the second latching part (50) to unlock the door lock sliding block (31), the door lock sliding block (31) is restored to the initial state by the action of the resetting spring (35), and the hook (21) is separated from the door lock device (30) by the action of the door lock sliding block (31) to automatically open the washing machine door (20). The present invention further relates to a control method of the washing machine.