Washing Machine Drawer Lock with Integrated Panel Unlocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing washing machine drawer locking mechanisms are limited by the size and design of the unlocking buttons, which obstruct the simplification of the panel design and user operation, particularly in modern, simplified appearance designs.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine drawer with a linearly movable lock body and a spring mechanism, featuring a tongue portion that moves between a lock slot and a recess, allowing for unlocking by compressing the spring and a push rod mechanism that facilitates easy operation by shifting the lock body's position, enabling both unlocking and locking functions without obstructing the panel design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an unlocking button is disposed on the panel to enable drawer unlocking, then the drawer can be unlocked by users, but the panel design is limited by the button size and cannot be simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking button and the panel are merged into a single integrated structure. The entire panel surface acts as the unlocking interface, eliminating the need for a separate button component. Users can unlock the drawer by pressing any area of the panel, which triggers the unlocking mechanism through the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the structural cover and the unlocking interface. By making the panel itself the unlocking mechanism, it eliminates the need for dedicated button components while maintaining ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a traditional button-based locking mechanism is used, then the drawer can be locked and unlocked, but the button structure obstructs the simplification of the panel design
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional button component is extracted and removed from the design. Instead of having a separate button on the panel, the unlocking function is achieved through the panel's integrated structure, which directly interacts with the locking mechanism without requiring additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses a movable locking piece that can shift between locked and unlocked positions. The panel's pressing action dynamically triggers this movement, allowing the system to transition between states without complex mechanical linkages or separate actuating components.
3Device complexity
If the lock body is fixed in position, then the locking mechanism is simple, but the user cannot easily operate the drawer for both opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The locking piece is designed to be movable rather than fixed. It can shift in response to panel pressing actions to enable unlocking, and its position changes facilitate both drawer opening and closing operations. This dynamic behavior allows a single simple structure to serve multiple operational needs.
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 solution allows for seamless unlocking and locking operations, enhancing user accessibility and panel design flexibility while maintaining a streamlined appearance, as the lock body's movement is independent of the drawer's direction, allowing for intuitive operation and integration with industrial design principles.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring acts on the lock body and applies a force to the lock body in a direction that causes the tongue portion to be inserted into the lock slot
Implementation Method 2
the lock body further includes a first slope inclined relative to a movement direction of the lock body, and the tongue portion has a second slope facing a push-in direction of the drawer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present application discloses a washing machine including a drawer. The washing machine includes a housing (2) accommodating the drawer (1), where the drawer includes a panel (11) and a tray (12) connected to the panel, a linearly movable lock body (31) is provided on the tray, the lock body further includes a first slope (35) inclined relative to a movement direction of the lock body, the panel includes a fixed portion (13) and a moving portion (14) movable relative to the fixed portion, the moving portion includes a push rod (142), and a head portion (143) of the push rod is located in a recess (36) at the bottom of the first slope when the lock body is in an unlocked position. A user can implement unlocking and locking functions respectively by pushing the moving portion on the panel of the drawer, or can push the fixed portion to close and lock the drawer.