EP4643359A1

EP4643359A1 - Circuit for controlling a switch

Info

Publication number: EP4643359A1
Application number: EP23848315.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yukun LIU; Yang Wang
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 2022-12-26
Filing date: 2023-12-20
Publication date: 2025-11-05
Also published as: JP2025542442A; WO2024145117A1; CN118257093A; KR20250129730A

Abstract

A control circuit, including a first branch circuit, a second branch circuit, and a third branch circuit. The first branch circuit has a first branch circuit head end and a first branch circuit tail end, the first branch circuit comprising a control circuit switch and an excitation device that are electrically connected in a series, the second branch circuit has a second branch circuit head end and a second branch circuit tail end, the second branch circuit comprising a main circuit switch, the third branch circuit is connected to both ends of the control circuit switch in a series, the third branch circuit comprising a hold circuit switch; wherein the first branch circuit head end and the second branch circuit head end are electrically connected to a common terminal, wherein the main circuit switch and the hold circuit switch are configured to close or disconnect in response to the excitation of the excitation device when the control circuit switch closes. The function of the control circuit of the present application is not affected when the door sensor switch is inadvertently disconnected.

Description

CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING A SWITCH

Field of the Invention

The present application relates to a control circuit, in particular to a circuit for controlling an electrical equipment switch.

Background of the Invention

The door of electrical appliances such as washing machines is generally fitted with a door lock. To close the door, exert thrust on the door, and the door hook is inserted into the door lock and meshes with the door lock to lock the door; to open the door, exert tension on the door, and the door hook exits the door lock and demeshes from the door lock. When the door is in the closed state, the door sensor switch is closed and the door lock may be locked or unlocked; when the door is in the open state, the door sensor switch is disconnected and the door lock cannot be locked or unlocked.

Summary of the Invention

When the door of the electrical appliance is in the locked state (i.e., operating state), if an external force pulls the door hook (e.g., action attempting to open the door), or under abnormal circumstances such as differential pressure inside and outside of the drum or pressure of the clothes on the washing machine door inside the washing machine, the door hook moves slightly outwardly (i.e., there is a tendency for the door to open). This may cause the door sensor switch to be disconnected when the door is in the locked state. If the tension on the door hook cannot be eliminated, the door sensor switch will remain disconnected and the electromagnet cannot be energized. Hence, the door lock cannot be unlocked, making it impossible to open the door of the electrical appliance.

A switch control circuit is required to maintain the normal unlocking function when the door sensor switch is inadvertently disconnected.

According to a first aspect of the present application, a circuit for controlling a switch is provided, comprising a first branch circuit, a second branch circuit, and a third branch circuit. The first branch circuit has a first branch circuit head end and a first branch circuit tail end, wherein the first branch circuit comprises a control circuit switch and an excitation device that are electrically connected in a series, the second branch circuit has a second branch circuit head end and a second branch circuit tail end, wherein the second branch circuit comprises a main circuit switch, the third branch circuit is connected to both ends of the control circuit switch in a series, wherein the third branch circuit comprises a hold circuit switch; wherein the first branch circuit head end and the second branch circuit head end are electrically connected to a common terminal and wherein the main circuit switch and the hold circuit switch are configured to close or disconnect in response to the excitation of the excitation device when the control circuit switch closes.

According to a first aspect of the present application, characterized in that the excitation device is capable of being excited when at least one of the control circuit switch and the hold circuit switch is closed.

According to a first aspect of the present application, characterized in that the control circuit switch is configured to be closed or disconnected in response to the actuation of a mechanical force.

According to a first aspect of the present application, the circuit is used to control an electrical equipment having an electrical equipment door, characterized in that the control circuit switch is configured to close in response to the closure of the electrical equipment door.

According to a first aspect of the present application, it further comprises a transmission mechanism, wherein the excitation of the excitation device is capable of driving the movement of the transmission mechanism, and the movement of the transmission mechanism is capable of closing or disconnecting the main circuit switch and the hold circuit switch.

According to a first aspect of the present application, characterized in that the transmission mechanism is a linear drive component having a mechanical commutation device, and the movement of the transmission mechanism is capable of closing or disconnecting the main circuit switch and the hold circuit switch.

According to a first aspect of the present application, characterized in that the excitation device receives a series of pulse signals sent from the main control board (1326) through the first branch circuit tail end (1324), wherein each pulse signal of the series of pulse signals is capable of exciting the excitation device when the control circuit switch or the hold circuit switch is closed. Within the valid period of the series of pulse signals, the transmission mechanism moves in a first direction in response to the previous pulse signal in the series of pulse signals to close the main circuit switch and the hold circuit switch. When the previous pulse signal disappears, the working state of the main circuit switch and hold circuit switch remains unchanged. Within the valid period of the series of pulse signals, the transmission mechanism moves in a second direction in response to the subsequent pulse signal in the series of pulse signals to disconnect the main circuit switch and the hold circuit switch. When the subsequent pulse signal disappears, the working state of the main circuit switch and the hold circuit switch remains unchanged.

According to a first aspect of the present application, characterized in that the common terminal is electrically connected to ground, the first branch circuit tail end is electrically connected to the main control board using a weak voltage, and the second branch circuit tail end is electrically connected to a motor using a high voltage, the motor being used to drive the electrical equipment.

According to a first aspect of the present application, characterized in that the excitation device is a solenoid electromagnet.

According to a second aspect of the present application, a washing machine is provided, comprising the circuit according to the first aspect of the present application.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be partially set forth in the following description, some of which will become apparent from the following description, or will be learned through the practice of the present application.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1A is a stereoscopic view of a top perspective of a door lock 100 of the present application.

Fig. IB is an exploded view of a top perspective of the door lock 100 shown in Fig. 1 A.

Fig. 1C is a stereoscopic view of a bottom perspective of the door lock 100 shown in Fig. 1A.

Fig. ID is a stereoscopic view of the door lock 100 shown in Fig. 1C, concealing a switch box cover 142.

Fig. IE is a stereoscopic view of the door lock 100 shown in Fig. ID, concealing a switch box 124.

Fig. 2Ais a stereoscopic view of another perspective of the switch box 124 shown in Fig. 1C - ID. Fig. 2B is a stereoscopic view of a reed 132 shown in Fig. ID.

Fig. 3 A is a stereoscopic view of a door sensor mechanism 162 shown in Fig. IE when the door is in the open state.

Fig. 3B is a stereoscopic view of the door sensor mechanism 162 shown in Fig. IE when the door is in the closed state.

Fig. 4A is a stereoscopic view of a door hook 102 shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B.

Fig. 4B is a stereoscopic view of a cam 172 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Fig. 5A is a stereoscopic view of a primary slider 174 shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B.

Fig. 5B is a stereoscopic view of another perspective of the primary slider 174 shown in Fig. 5A.

Fig. 6A is a stereoscopic view of a secondary slider 176 shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B.

Fig. 6B is a stereoscopic view from another perspective of the secondary slider 176 shown in Fig. 6A.

Fig. 7 is a stereoscopic view of a pendulum rod 178 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Fig. 8 is a stereoscopic view of a control switch actuation pin 180 shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B.

Fig. 9 is a stereoscopic view of a transmission mechanism 152 inside the switch box 124 shown in Fig. ID.

Fig. 10 is a stereoscopic view of a main switch actuation pin 156 inside the switch box 124 shown in Fig. ID.

Fig. 11 A is a schematic diagram of the door lock 100 of the present application when the door is in the open state.

Fig. 1 IB is a schematic diagram of the door lock 100 of the present application when the door is in the unlocked state.

Fig. 11C is a schematic diagram of the door lock 100 the present application when the door is in the locked state (normal operating state).

Fig. 1 ID is a schematic diagram of the door lock 100 of the present application when the door is in the locked state (door in an abnormal state).

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a washing machine 1200 having the door lock 100 of the present application. Fig. 13A is a schematic diagram of a control circuit 1300 of the door lock 100 of the present application.

Fig. 13B is a schematic diagram of the control circuit 1300 in Fig. 13 A corresponding to the door lock 100 in Fig. 11 A when the door is in the open state.

Fig. 13C is a schematic diagram of the control circuit 1300 in Fig. 13 A corresponding to the door lock 100 in Fig. 11B when the door is in the closed state.

Fig. 13D is a schematic diagram of the control circuit 1300 in Fig. 13 A corresponding to the door lock 100 in Fig. 11C when the door is in the locked state (normal operating state).

Fig. 13E is a schematic diagram of the control circuit 1300 in Fig. 13 A corresponding to the door lock 100 in Fig. 1 ID when the door is in the locked state (door in an abnormal state).

Fig. 14 is a block diagram of a main control board 1326 shown in FIGS. 13B - 13E.

Description Of Illustrated Embodiments

Various specific embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the attached drawings that form a part of the present application, but do not thereby limit the present application. It should be understood that while terms denoting orientation, such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” etc., are used in the present application to describe the orientation of various exemplary structural parts and elements of the present application, these terms are used herein for convenience of illustration only, and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the attached drawings. Since the examples in the present application may be disposed in different orientations, these terms denoting orientation are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” used in the present application are only used to distinguish between different objects, and do not imply any specific sequential relationship between these objects. The terms “comprise” and derivatives thereof are meant to be inclusive and not limiting. Unless otherwise specified and defined, the terms “mounted”, “connected”, and “attached” should be broadly understood. For instance, they may refer to mechanical or electrical connections, as well as internal connections between two elements, which may be a direct attachment or an indirect attachment through an intermediary medium. Those of ordinary skill in the art may understand the specific meanings of the above terms according to the specific context. The same or similar reference numerals used in the present application refer to the same components where possible.

FIGS. 1A - IE are stereoscopic views of the door lock 100 of the present application from a plurality of perspectives (top perspective, exploded perspective, and bottom perspective), to show the door lock box 120, the switch box 124, the components inside the door lock box 120 and switch box 124, as well as the positional and mating relationships between these components. The specific description of these figures is as follows:

Fig. 1A is a stereoscopic view of a top perspective of a door lock 100 of the present application, showing the state of a door hook 102 inserted into a door lock box 120; and Fig. IB is an exploded view of a top perspective of the door lock 100 shown in Fig. 1 A, showing a door lock box upper cover 122 and a door lock box lower cover 126 of the door lock box 120 and a switch box 124 received inside the door lock box 120.

As shown in FIGS. 1A - IB, the door lock 100 comprises the door hook 102, the door lock box 120, and the switch box 124 received inside the door lock box, wherein the door lock box upper cover 122 is provided on the upper portion of the door lock box 120, the door lock box lower cover 126 is provided on the lower portion of the door lock box 120, the door lock box upper cover 122 and the door lock box lower cover 126 are fastened together by a plurality of latches 110, 111, 112, 113, and 114 disposed on the door lock box upper cover 122 and the door lock box lower cover 126 to form an interior cavity that is capable of receiving the switch box 124. A door lock hole 130 is provided on the outer side of the door lock box upper cover 122 to receive the door hook 102. The door hook 102 is positioned above the door lock box 120 and may be inserted into the door lock hole 130 to actuate the door sensor mechanism 162 (described in detail in FIGS. IE, 3A, and 3B) disposed inside the door lock box 120.

Fig. 1C is a stereoscopic view of a bottom perspective of the door lock 100 shown in Fig. 1 A, concealing the door lock box lower cover 126 in Fig. 1C to show more components inside the door lock box 120. Fig. ID is a stereoscopic view of the door lock 100 shown in Fig. 1C, concealing a switch box cover 142 to show more components inside the switch box 124; and Fig. IE is a stereoscopic view of the door lock 100 shown in Fig. ID, concealing the switch box 124 to show more components disposed between the switch box 124 and the door lock box 120. As shown in FIGS. 1C - IE, the switch box 124, door sensor mechanism 162 (the complete door sensor mechanism 162 is shown in Fig. IE and the door sensor mechanism 162 is partially blocked by the switch box 124 in FIGS. 1C and ID), a primary slider bias spring 164, a secondary slider bias spring 166, and a cam torsion spring 168 are provided in the internal cavity of the door lock box 120.

The switch box 124 has a switch box cover 142 and a switch box base 144 for receiving the components to be described below. An excitation device 154, a transmission device 152, and a mechanical commutation device largely disposed in the transmission device 152 and mates with the excitation device 154 are disposed in the switch box base 144. A reed 132 made of a conductor material, a main switch actuation pin 156 (i.e. lock pin), a contact guide rod 188, a main switch contact 181, and switch box connectors 182, 184, 186, are further disposed in the switch box base 144, wherein the switch box connector 182 is electrically connected to the main switch contact 181, the switch box connector 184 is a ground terminal and is electrically connected to the middle portion 208 of the reed 132 (refer to Fig. 2B), and the switch box connector 186 and contact guide rod 188 are electrically connected to the excitation device 154. The excitation device 154 is capable of driving the linear movement of the mechanical commutation device in an x-direction and converting the linear movement of the mechanical commutation device in the x-direction through the transmission device 152 into the linear movement of the main switch actuation pin 156 in a z-direction, thereby connecting and disconnecting the electrical connection between the reed 132 and the main switch contact 181. The linear movement of the transmission device 152 in the x-direction is also capable of connecting and disconnecting a first branch circuit between the reed 132 and the switch box connector 186.

The door sensor mechanism 162 is disposed to move in response to the closing or opening of the door of the electrical equipment, and composes a series of components comprising the cam 172, the slider mechanism, the pendulum rod 178, and the control switch actuation pin 180, wherein, in the examples shown in the present application, the slider mechanism comprises the primary slider 174 and the secondary slider 176. The cam 172 is configured to rotate about an axis 198 in a y-direction, the pendulum rod 178 is configured to rotate about a pendulum rod axis 196 of the z-direction, the primary slider 174 is configured to move linearly in the x-direction, the secondary slider 176 is configured to move linearly in the y-direction, and the control switch actuation pin 180 is configured to move linearly in the z-direction. Inserting or pulling out the door hook 132 from the door lock hole 130 in the x- direction is capable of driving the rotation of the cam 172 about the axis 198, the rotation of the cam 172 about the axis 198 is capable of driving the linear movement of the primary slider 174 in the x-direction, the linear movement of the primary slider 174 in the x-direction is capable of driving the linear movement of the secondary slider 176 in the y-direction, the linear movement of the secondary slider 176 in the y-direction is capable of driving the rotation of the pendulum rod 178 about the pendulum rod axis 196, the rotation of the pendulum rod 178 about the pendulum rod axis 196 is capable of driving the upward and downward movement of the control switch actuation pin 180 in the z-direction, and the upward and downward movement of the control switch actuation pin 180 is capable of connecting and disconnecting a second branch circuit between the reed 132 and switch box connector 186. The connection and disconnection of the first or second branch circuit between the reed 132 and the switch box connector 186 is implemented by the connection and disconnection of different conductive contacts and the contact guide rod 188 on the reed 132, wherein the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction are perpendicular to each other. However, for those with at least ordinary skill in the art, there are unavoidable manufacturing tolerances or errors in the actual manufacturing process, so the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction may also be substantially perpendicular to each other with an error range of less than 5 degrees.

The primary slider bias spring 164, secondary slider bias spring 166, and cam torsion spring 168 are auxiliary movement components of the door sensor mechanism 162. The primary slider bias spring 164 is disposed between a first interior sidewall 146 of the door lock box 120 and the primary slider 174 and remains in contact with the first interior sidewall 146 and the primary slider 174 to provide a biasing force for the primary slider 174 to move towards the position corresponding to the closed door (away from the first interior sidewall 146 in the x-direction); the secondary slider bias spring 166 is disposed between a second interior sidewall 148 of the door lock box 120 and the secondary slider 176 and remains in contact with the second interior sidewall 148 and the secondary slider 176 to provide a biasing force for the secondary slider 176 to move towards the position corresponding to the closed door (away from the second interior sidewall 148 in the y-direction); one end of the cam torsion spring 168 is capable of being rotatably secured on the cam 172, the other end of the cam torsion spring 168 abuts an interior sidewall (not shown) of the door lock box lower cover 126 to provide a biasing force for the cam 172 to move towards the position corresponding to the open door. As a result of the interaction of the cam torsion spring 168 and the slider bias spring 164, and the secondary slider bias spring 166, the primary slider 174 and secondary slider 176 reciprocate in movement accordingly during the rotating movement of the cam 172. In particular, the cam torsion spring 168 is capable of providing a biasing force for the primary slider 174 to move towards the first interior sidewall 146 and for the secondary slider 176 to move towards the second interior sidewall 148, while the primary slider bias spring 164 and the secondary slider bias spring 166 respectively provide a biasing force for the primary slider 174 to move away from the first interior sidewall 146 and a biasing force for the secondary slider 176 to move away from the second interior sidewall 148. In some other examples, the cam torsion spring 168 may also be a reset spring or other elastic component.

It should be noted that in the present example, the biasing force produced by the cam torsion spring 168 is not less than the sum of the biasing force produced by the primary slider bias spring 164 and the secondary slider bias spring 166 while taking into account the gravity of the door. However, in some other examples, in order for the door to have a trend of moving towards the open position or the closed position, the biasing force respectively produced by the cam torsion spring 168, the primary slider bias spring 164, and the secondary slider bias spring 166 may be adjusted accordingly.

Fig. 2A shows a stereoscopic view of another perspective of the switch box 124 shown in FIGS. 1C - ID, and Fig. 2B shows a stereoscopic view of a reed 132 shown in Fig. ID to show more detail of the connection and disconnection of the reed 132 and the contact guide rod 188.

As shown in Fig. 2A, a square hole 293 and a slotted hole 295 are provided side-by-side in the y-direction on the bottom 145 of the switch box 124, wherein the size of the square hole 293 matches the size of the cross-section of the main switch actuation pin 156 (i.e., the lock pin) in the switch box 124 in the z-direction such that the main switch actuation pin 156 protrudes out of the square hole 293 in the z-direction, but cannot move in the x-direction or y-direction in the square hole 293. When the main switch actuation pin 156 passes through the square hole 293 in the z-direction and protrudes out of the bottom 145 of the switch box 124, the main switch actuation pin 156 is capable of being inserted into a lock structure 612 (refer to Fig. 6A) on the secondary slider 176 such that the secondary slider 176 is locked and unable to move. The width of the slotted hole 295 matches the dimensions of a drive guide rod 902 of the transmission device 152 in the switch box 124 (refer to Fig. 9), and the slotted hole 295 extends a certain length in the x-direction such that the drive guide rod 902 passes through the slotted hole 295 and is able to move in the x-direction but is unable to move in the y-direction, wherein the drive guide rod 902 is connected to the transmission device 152 in the switch box 124 or is part of the transmission device 152 (refer to Fig. 9) such that the drive guide rod 902 moves with the linear movement of the transmission device 152 in the x- direction. The movement of the transmission device 152 in the x-direction is capable of driving the linear movement of the main switch actuation pin 156 in the z-direction. Therefore, the main switch actuation pin (i.e., the lock pin) 156 moves upward and downward in the z- direction as the drive guide rod 902 moves accordingly in the x-direction in the slotted hole 295.

A control switch actuation pin hole 291 is further provided on the bottom 145 of the switch box 124, and the size of the control switch actuation pin hole 291 matches the size of the cross-section of the control switch actuation pin 180 in the door lock box 120 in the z- direction, such that the control switch actuation pin 180 is able to extend into the control switch actuation pin hole 291 in the z-direction but cannot move in the x-direction or y- direction in the control switch actuation pin hole 291. As described above, the upward and downward movement of the control switch actuation pin 180 in the z-direction is capable of connecting and disconnecting the second branch circuit between the reed 132 and the switch box connector 186.

As shown in Fig. 2B, the reed 132 has a bifurcated structure and has a first reed arm 252, a second reed arm 254 and a third reed arm 256, wherein the first reed arm 252 and the second reed arm 254 are disposed on the same side of the reed 132 and the third reed arm 256 is disposed on the other side of the reed 132 opposite the first reed arm 252 and the second reed arm 254, the second reed arm 254 and the third reed arm 256 are connected to each other at the middle portion 208 of the reed 132 and remain electrically connected. A control switch reed contact 202 and a control switch actuation portion 212 are disposed on the distal end of the first reed arm 252, a hold switch reed contact 204 is disposed on the distal end of the second reed arm 254, a hold switch actuation portion 214 is disposed at the middle portion of the second reed arm 254, the hold switch actuation portion 214 having a downwardly bent convex structure 215, a main switch reed contact 206 and a main switch actuation portion 216 are disposed on the distal end of the third reed arm 256, and ground terminal contacts 222, 224, and 226 are disposed at the middle portion 208 of the reed 132 for connecting the switch box connector 184 (ground terminal). The middle portion 208 of the reed 132 is secured to the switch box 124 such that the middle portion 208 of the reed 132 becomes a fulcrum for upward and downward movement of the control switch reed contact 202, hold switch reed contact 204, and main switch reed contact 206.

The main switch actuation portion 216 rises upward or falls downward in response to the upward and downward movement of the main switch actuation pin 156 in the z-direction such that the electrical connection between the main switch reed contact 206 and main switch contact 181 (refer to Fig. ID) is connected or disconnected; the control switch actuation portion 212 rises upward or falls downward in response to the upward and downward movement of the control switch actuation pin 180 in the z-direction such that the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 (refer to Fig. ID) are disconnected or connected; the downward bent convex structure 215 of the hold switch actuation portion 214 rises upward or falls downward in response to the linear movement of the transmission device 152 in the x-direction such that the hold switch reed contact 204 and the contact guide rod 188 (refer to Fig. ID) are disconnected or connected, wherein the connection of either of the control switch reed contact 202 and the hold switch reed contact 204 would electrically connect the excitation device 154 such that a pulse signal from the main control board may be received; the connection of the main switch reed contact 206 would electrically connect the main motor of the electrical appliance such that the electrical appliance is able to start operating.

It should be noted that the mechanical closure and disconnection of the reed 132 and other related components described above form a circuit connection relationship as shown in FIGS. 13 A - 13E.

FIGS. 3 A and 3B are stereoscopic views of the door sensor mechanism 162 shown in Fig. IE when the door is in the open state and closed state, respectively, showing how to actuate the connection and disconnection between the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 by inserting and pulling out (upward and downward movement in the z-direction) the door hook 102, and the movement process of the various components of the door sensor mechanism 162 during the opening and closing process of the door.

Fig. 3 A shows a stereoscopic view of a door sensor mechanism 162 when the door is in the open state. As shown in Fig. 3A, during the opening process of the door, the door drives the downward movement of the door hook 102 in the z-direction (the door hook 102 is pulled out from the door lock hole 130) and with the support from the biasing force of the cam torsion spring 168 (refer to Fig. IE), the downward movement of the door hook 102 pulls the counterclockwise rotation of the cam 172 about the axis 198 in an a-direction, the counterclockwise rotation of the cam 172 is capable of pushing the primary slider 174 to overcome the biasing force of the primary slider bias spring 164 (refer to Fig. IE) such that it moves towards the first interior sidewall 146 in the x-direction, the movement of the primary slider 174 towards the first interior sidewall 146 is capable of pushing the secondary slider 176 to overcome the biasing force of the secondary slider bias spring 166 (refer to Fig. IE) such that it moves towards the second interior sidewall 148 (refer to Fig. IE) in the y-direction, the movement of the secondary slider 176 towards the second interior sidewall 148 is capable of driving the counterclockwise swinging of the pendulum rod 178 about the pendulum rod axis 196 in a P-direction, the counterclockwise swinging of the pendulum rod 178 is capable of driving the upward movement of the control switch actuation pin 180 in the z-direction, and the upward movement of the control switch actuation pin 180 is capable of lifting the control switch actuation portion 212 of the reed 132 upward such that the contact between the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 (refer to Fig. ID) is disconnected.

Fig. 3B shows a stereoscopic view of the door sensor mechanism 162 when the door is in the closed state. As shown in Fig. 3B, during the closing process of the door, the door drives the upward movement of the door hook 102 in the z-direction (the door hook 102 is inserted into the door lock hole 130), the upward movement of the door hook 102 overcomes the biasing force of the cam torsion spring 168 (refer to Fig. IE) and pushes the clockwise rotation of the cam 172 about the axis 198 in the a-direction such that the primary slider 174 moves away from the first interior sidewall 146 (refer to Fig. IE) in the x-direction under the biasing force of the primary slider bias spring 164 (refer to Fig. IE) such that the primary slider 174 moves away from the second interior sidewall 148 (refer to Fig. IE) in the y-direction under the biasing force of the secondary slider bias spring 166 (refer to Fig. IE), the movement of the secondary slider 176 away from the second interior sidewall 148 is capable of driving the clockwise swinging of the pendulum rod 178 about the pendulum rod axis 196 in the P- direction, the clockwise swinging of the pendulum rod 178 is capable of causing the control switch actuation pin 180 to disengage from the pendulum rod 178 and fall downward in the z-direction, and the falling down of the control switch actuation pin 180 of the reed 132 is capable of causing the control switch actuation portion 212 to fall downward accordingly such that the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 (refer to Fig. ID) remain in contact.

The position layout of the cam 172, primary slider 174, secondary slider 176, pendulum rod 178, and control switch actuation pin 180 in the door sensor mechanism 162 shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B minimizes the space occupied by the door sensor mechanism 162 in the x and y-directions, while also ensuring that the control switch actuation pin 180 is able to move in response to the movement of the door hook 102, and the locking function of the door sensor mechanism 162 (refer to Fig. 6A, lock structure 612 of the secondary slider 176).

To facilitate the following illustration, the position of the primary slider 174 shown in Fig. 3 A is the primary slider movement start position and the position of the secondary slider 176 is the secondary slider movement start position; the position of the primary slider 174 shown in Fig. 3B is the primary slider movement end position and the position of the secondary slider 176 is the secondary slider movement end position.

FIGS. 4A - 8 respectively show stereoscopic views of the door hook 102, cam 172, primary slider 174, secondary slider 176, pendulum rod 178, and control switch actuation pin 180 to further describe the detailed structure of and mating relationship between the various components in the door sensor mechanism 162. The specific description of these figures is as follows: FIGS. 4A - 4B are stereoscopic views of the door hook 102 and cam 172 shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B, respectively, and FIGS. 4A - 4B also show the mating relationship between the door hook 102 and the cam 172.

As shown in Fig. 4A, the door hook 102 is provided with a hook body 410 and a door hook base 412. A door hook hole 416 is provided at the end of the hook body 410 away from the door hook base 412 for engaging and actuating the door hook 102. In particular, the upper surface 418 of the door hook hole 416 may provide a force to pull the door hook 102 downward in the z-direction, and the distal end 420 of the hook body 410 may provide a force to push the door hook 102 upward in the z-direction. Two door hook mounting holes 414A and 414B are provided on the door hook base 412 for securing the door hook 102 to the corresponding positions on the door.

As shown in Fig. 4B, the body of cam 172 has a crescent bent structure and is provided with an arc-shaped opening slot 403, a circular shaft-shaped cam rotating shaft 404 arranged on both sides of cam 172, an arc-shaped primary slider actuation portion 406, and a torsion spring securing portion 408 that is capable of receiving one end of the cam torsion spring 168, wherein the upper end of the arc-shaped opening slot 403 is an upper engagement portion 402 and the lower end of the arc-shaped opening slot 403 is a lower engagement portion 401. The upper engagement portion 402 of the cam 172 is capable of contacting the distal end 420 of the hook body of the door hook and causing the cam 172 to rotate clockwise about the cam rotating shaft 404 under the upward force of the distal end 420 of the hook body in the z- direction (when the door hook 102 is inserted into the door lock hole 130), and the lower engagement portion 401 of the cam 172 is capable of contacting the upper surface 418 of the door hook hole 416 and causing the cam 172 to rotate counterclockwise about the cam rotating shaft 404 under the downward force of the upper surface 418 in the z-direction (when the door hook 102 is pulled out from the door lock hole 130).

Fig. 5A is a stereoscopic view of a primary slider 174 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and shows the mating relationship between the primary slider 174 and the cam 172. Fig. 5B is a stereoscopic view of another perspective of the primary slider 174 shown in Fig. 5A to show more features of the primary slider 174.

As shown in Fig. 5 A, the primary slider 174 is provided with a primary slider mating taper 502 and a primary slider guiding protrusion 504, wherein the primary slider mating taper 502 is disposed at one end of the primary slider 174 and mates with the primary slider actuation portion 406 of the cam 172 such that the primary slider actuation portion 406 of the cam 172 is capable of pushing the primary slider 174 to move towards the first interior sidewall 146 (see Fig. IE) in the x-direction when the cam 172 rotates counterclockwise about the cam rotating shaft 404. The primary slider guiding protrusion 504 mates with the corresponding guide slot disposed in the x-direction on the interior sidewall of the door lock box upper cover 122 to limit the primary slider 174 to reciprocating movement in the x- direction only and not in the y-direction. As shown in Fig. 5B, the primary slider 174 is further provided with a primary slider bias spring receiving portion 506 and a secondary slider actuation portion 508, wherein the primary slider bias spring receiving portion 506 is disposed on the other end of the primary slider 174 opposite the primary slider mating taper 502 for receiving the primary slider bias spring 164. The secondary slider actuation portion 508 is disposed on a side of the primary slider 174 and is provided with a secondary slider actuating taper 510 for actuation of the secondary slider 176.

Fig. 6Ais a stereoscopic view of a secondary slider 176 shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B. Fig. 6B is a stereoscopic view of another perspective of the secondary slider 176 shown in Fig. 6A to show more features of the secondary slider 176.

As shown in Fig. 6A, the secondary slider 176 is provided with a secondary slider mating taper 602, a pendulum rod actuation slot 604, a secondary slider bias spring holding portion 610, and the lock structure 612, wherein, the secondary slider mating taper 602 is disposed at one end of the secondary slider 176 and mates with the secondary slider actuating taper 510 of the primary slider 174 such that the secondary slider actuating taper 510 of the primary slider 174 is capable of pushing the secondary slider 176 to move toward the second interior sidewall 148 (refer to Fig. IE) in the y-direction when the primary slider 174 moves towards the first interior sidewall 146 (refer to Fig. IE) in the x-direction. The pendulum rod actuation slot 604 is disposed on a side of the secondary slider 176 and is used to drive the rotation of the pendulum rod 178. The secondary slider bias spring holding portion 610 is disposed on the other end of the secondary slider 176 opposite the secondary slider mating taper 602 to hold the secondary slider bias spring 166. The lock structure 612 is disposed proximate to the upper surface of the secondary slider bias spring holding portion 610, which is provided with lock protrusion features 613 and 614. When the secondary slider 176 is at the secondary slider movement end position, the lock structure 612 meshes with the main switch actuation pin 156 when it protrudes out of the square hole 293 on the bottom 145 of the switch box in the z- direction, thereby locking the secondary slider 176 in the secondary slider movement end position and causing it to be unable to move in the y-direction, and the secondary slider 176 at the secondary slider movement end position is able to abut the secondary slider actuating taper 510 of the primary slider 174 though the secondary slider mating taper 602, thereby locking the primary slider 174 at the primary slider movement end position; the primary slider 174 at the primary slider movement end position is able to abut the primary slider actuation portion 406 of the cam 172 through the primary slider mating taper 502, thereby locking the cam 172 at the extreme position of the clockwise rotation thereof (position corresponding to the closed state), thereby locking the door of the electrical equipment. Since the secondary slider 176 is placed within a corresponding groove disposed on an interior sidewall of the door lock box upper cover 122 in the y-direction, the secondary slider 176 is limited to movement in the y-direction only and not in the x-direction.

As shown in Fig. 6B, the pendulum rod actuation surfaces 606 and 608 of the pendulum rod actuation slot 604 of the secondary slider 176 are capable of driving the swinging of the pendulum rod 178 about the pendulum rod axis 196 during the reciprocating movement of the secondary slider 176 in the y-direction.

Fig. 7 is a stereoscopic view of a pendulum rod 178 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. As shown in Fig. 7, the pendulum rod 178 is provided with a pendulum rod mating portion 702, a control switch actuation portion 706, and a pendulum rod rotation portion 704 arranged in the middle portion of the pendulum rod 178, wherein the pendulum rod mating portion 702 is arranged at one end of the pendulum rod 178 and is received in the pendulum rod actuation slot 604 of the secondary slider 176, the pendulum rod actuation surfaces 606 and 608 of the secondary slider 176 are capable of being in contact with the pendulum rod mating portion 702 such that the pendulum rod actuation surfaces 606 and 608 are capable of driving the back-and-forth swinging of the pendulum rod 178 about the pendulum rod axis 196 in the P- direction through the pendulum rod rotation portion 704 during the reciprocating movement of the secondary slider 176 in the y-direction. The control switch actuation portion 706 is arranged at the other end of the pendulum rod 178 opposite the pendulum rod mating portion 702 and has a sliding plane 710 and a control switch actuating taper 708, wherein the sliding plane 710 of the pendulum rod 178 allows it to slide on the bottom of the control switch actuation pin 180 and maintains the upward rising state of the control switch actuation pin 180 and when the pendulum rod 178 swings to the position where the sliding plane 710 disengages from the bottom of the control switch actuation pin 180, and the control switch actuation pin 180 drops immediately; conversely, when the pendulum rod 178 swings from the position where the sliding plane 710 disengages from the bottom of the control switch actuation pin 180 to the position where the sliding plane 710 is in contact with the bottom of the control switch actuation pin 180, the control switch actuating taper 708 is capable of lifting the control switch actuation pin 180 upward in the z-direction.

Fig. 8 is a stereoscopic view of a control switch actuation pin 180 shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B and shows the mating relationship among the control switch actuation pin 180, the pendulum rod 178, and the reed 132.

As shown in Fig. 8, the control switch actuation pin 180 is provided with a top portion 802, a bottom pushing portion 804, and a bottom sliding portion 806, wherein the bottom sliding portion 806 has a spherical surface shape such that the sliding plane 710 of the pendulum rod 178 is capable of sliding back and forth below the spherical surface of the bottom sliding portion 806. In some other examples, the bottom sliding portion 806 may not have a spherical surface shape and may be a surface of any form that remains in smooth contact with the sliding plane 710. The bottom pushing portion 804 is a taper formed from cutting away some of the material of the bottom sliding portion 806 at a certain angle and is capable of mating with the control switch actuating taper 708 of the pendulum rod 178 such that the control switch actuating taper 708 is capable of pushing the taper of the bottom pushing portion 804 of the control switch actuation pin 180 upward with the swinging of the pendulum rod 178, thereby causing the control switch actuation portion 212 to move upward in the z-direction. The top portion 802 of the control switch actuation pin 180 is capable of lifting the control switch actuation portion 212 of the reed 132 upward such that the contact between the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 (refer to Fig. ID) is disconnected, and when the top portion 802 falls downward with the control switch actuation pin 180, the control switch actuation portion 212 of the reed 132 also falls downward accordingly such that the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 (refer to Fig. ID) remain in contact.

As can be seen from the detailed structure of and mating relationship between the various components in the door sensor mechanism 162 shown in FIGS. 4A - 8 above, the upward movement of the door hook 102 in the z-direction that is driven by the door may be transmitted into the upward and downward movement of the control switch actuation pin 180 in the z- direction through the respective movements of the cam 172, primary slider 174, secondary slider 176, and pendulum rod 178 such that the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 (refer to Fig. ID) of the reed 132 are in contact or disconnected. FIGS. 9 and 10 show the corresponding components inside the switch box 124 for actuating the main switch actuation pin 156 and hold switch drive block 904 and the mating relationship thereof, wherein Fig. 9 is a stereoscopic view of a transmission mechanism 152 shown in Fig. ID, showing the mating relationship of the transmission mechanism 152 with the reed 132, and Fig. 10 is a stereoscopic view of a main switch actuation pin 156, showing the mating relationship among the main switch actuation pin 156, the transmission mechanism 152, and the reed 132. The actuation process of the main switch actuation pin 156 and the hold switch drive block 904 is described collectively with FIGS. 9, 10 and ID below.

As shown in Fig. ID, the excitation device 154, transmission device 152 and main switch actuation pin 156 are disposed inside the switch box 124. The excitation device 154 is electrically connected to a main control board (not shown) of the electrical equipment and is capable of receiving an electronic startup signal sent by the main control board. Upon receipt of the electronic startup signal, the excitation device 154 is capable of driving the movement of the main switch actuation pin 156 in the z-direction through the transmission device 152. As an example, the excitation device 154 is a solenoid electromagnet comprising an iron core and a coil, the iron core being inserted into the coil (not shown in Fig. ID), wherein the iron core is connected to the transmission device 152 such that the iron core is capable of driving the movement of the main switch actuation pin 156 by driving the movement of the transmission device 152. In particular, the transmission device 152 has a locked state and a released state, with the transmission device 152 moving accordingly and switching once between the locked state and the released state of the transmission device 152 every time the iron core is moved. In the examples of the present application, the electronic startup signal sent from the main control board of the electrical equipment may be disposed as a pulse signal, each pulse signal being capable of moving the iron core once to push the movement of the transmission device 152 once.

The transmission device 152 is disposed with a mechanical commutation device therein, and as an example, the mechanical commutation device may be a push-push mechanism 158 and may be implemented in various ways, such as a “ballpoint pen refill push-push mechanism”. The push-push mechanism 158 mates with the excitation device 154 and is capable of driving the reciprocating movement of the transmission device 152 in the x- direction to implement the switching between the locked state and released state. In some other examples, the mechanical commutation device may also employ a “heart-shaped” groove structure or other structures to implement the movement in position of the transmission device 152 in response to each pulse signal.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a main switch actuation pin drive taper 906 is provided on a side of the transmission device 152 and a matching drive taper 1002 is further provided at the side of the main switch actuation pin 156 near the transmission device 152 such that the transmission device 152 reciprocates in movement in the x-direction and is capable of driving the upward and downward movement of the main switch actuation pin 156 in the z-direction such that the main switch actuation portion 216 of the reed 132 rises upward or falls downward. A hold switch drive block 904 is further provided on a side of the transmission device 152 and the reciprocating movement of the transmission device 152 in the x-direction is capable of causing the hold switch actuation portion 214 of the reed 132 to rise upward or fall downward through the hold switch drive block 904. In some other examples, the hold switch actuation portion 214 may not necessarily be actuated by a portion of the transmission device 152 (hold switch drive block 904), but may also be actuated by a standalone component disposed similarly to the main switch actuation pin 156.

Continuing to refer to Fig. 10, a main switch reed holding groove 1004 is further provided at the side of the main switch actuation pin 156 opposite the drive taper 1002 and the holding groove 1004 has two upper and lower protruding portions 1006 for holding the main switch actuation portion 216 of the reed 132. During the upward and downward movement of the main switch actuation pin 156 in the z-direction, the protruding portions 1006 of the main switch reed holding groove 1004 is capable of driving the upward and downward movement of the main switch actuation portion 216 of the reed 132 accordingly such that the electrical connection between the main switch reed contact 206 and the main switch contact 181 is disconnected or connected.

In particular, the transmission device 152 in the released state is at a position near the left (but not the extreme left position) and when the excitation device 154 receives an electronic startup signal, the excitation device 154 pulls the transmission device 152 to move to the left to the extreme left position, and the push-push mechanism 158 switches to the locked state. Once the electronic startup signal disappears, the excitation device 154 no longer exerts electromagnetic force and the push-push mechanism 158 pushes the transmission device 152 to the right and holds the transmission device 152 at the right-most extreme right position. The transmission device 152 is in the locked state, and the main switch actuation pin 156 passes through the square hole 293 on the bottom 145 of the switch box and drops accordingly, and is inserted into the lock structure 612 (refer to Fig. 6A) on the secondary slider 176 such that the secondary slider 176 is locked and unable to move (i.e., in the locked position).

The transmission device 152 in the locked state is located at the right-most extreme right position, and when the excitation device 154 receives another electronic startup signal, the excitation device 154 pulls the transmission device 152 to move to the left and the push-push mechanism 158 switches to the released state. The push-push mechanism 158 causes the transmission device 152 to reset and holds the transmission device 152 at a position near the left (but not the extreme left position) to transition to the released state, and the main switch actuation pin 156 is lifted upward accordingly and disengages from the lock structure 612 (i.e., unlocked position) on the secondary slider 176, wherein a main switch actuation pin holding plane 908 is provided at the top of the main switch actuation pin drive taper 906. When the main switch actuation pin 156 is in the unlocked position (i.e., the transmission device 152 in the released state is at a position near the left), the transmission device 152 is capable of moving to the left to the extreme left position from the position thereof near the left. At this time, the main switch actuation pin holding plane 908 slides below the drive taper 1002 of the main switch actuation pin 156 such that the main switch actuation pin 156 no longer moves in the z-direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 A and 9, a drive guide rod 902 extending below the bottom of the transmission device 152 is provided and the drive guide rod 902 protrudes out of the slotted hole 295 on the bottom 145 of the switch box. Limiting the dimensions of the slotted hole 279 limits the transmission device 152 to movement only in the x-direction without displacement in the y-direction during movement, thus preventing the side of the main switch actuation pin 156 from disengaging from the main switch actuation pin drive taper 906.

The various components of the door lock 100 of the present application and the mating relationship thereof are described above with respect to the FIGS. 1 - 10, and the specific work process of the door lock 100 of the present application will be described below through the FIGS. 11 A - 11D. Fig. 11 A is a schematic diagram of the door lock 100 of the present application when the door is in the open state. As shown in Fig. 11 A, when the door is in the open state, the door hook 102 is in the protruded state and drives the cam 172 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction to the extreme position such that the cam 172 overcomes the biasing force of the primary slider bias spring 164 (the primary slider bias spring 164 is compressed to the compressed state) to push the primary slider 174 in the x-direction toward the first interior sidewall 146 until it reaches the primary slider movement start position and the primary slider 174 overcomes the biasing force of the secondary slider bias spring 166 (the secondary slider bias spring 166 is compressed to the compressed state) to push the secondary slider 176 in the y-direction toward the second interior sidewall 148 until it reaches the secondary slider movement start position such that the secondary slider 176 drives the counterclockwise swinging of the pendulum rod 178. The counterclockwise swinging of the pendulum rod 178 pushes the control switch actuation pin 180 upward in the z-direction to lift the control switch actuation portion 212 of the reed 132 upward such that the contact between the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 is disconnected.

At this time, the transmission device 152 (the transmission device 152 is concealed here to display the moving state of the secondary slider 174 and secondary slider bias spring 166) is in the released state on the left to lift the main switch actuation pin 156 upward in the z- direction to maintain the unlocked state of the secondary slider 176. At the same time, the hold switch actuation portion 214 and main switch actuation portion 216 of the reed 132 also move upward accordingly to disconnect the contact between the hold switch reed contact 204 and contact guide rod 188 and disconnect the electrical connection between the main switch reed contact 206 and main switch contact 181 (refer to Fig. ID).

Fig. 1 IB is a schematic diagram of the door lock 100 of the present application when the door is in the unlocked state. As shown in Fig. 1 IB, when the door is in the closed but unlocked state, the door hook 102 is in the inserted state, which drives the clockwise rotation of the cam 172 to the extreme position such that the cam 172 no longer pushes the primary slider 174. The primary slider 174 moves in the x-direction away from the first interior sidewall 146 until it reaches the primary slider movement end position under the biasing force of the primary slider bias spring 164 (the primary slider bias spring 164 returns from the compressed state to the initial state) such that the primary slider 174 no longer pushes the secondary slider 176. The secondary slider 176 moves in the y-direction away from the second interior sidewall 148 until it reaches the secondary slider movement end position under the biasing force of the secondary slider bias spring 166 (the secondary slider bias spring 166 returns from the compressed state to the initial state) such that the secondary slider 176 drives the clockwise swinging of the pendulum rod 178. The clockwise swinging of the pendulum rod 178 causes the control switch actuation pin 180 to fall downward in the z-direction and the control switch actuation portion 212 of the reed 132 falls downward accordingly such that the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 are in contact.

At this time, the transmission device 152 remains in the released state on the left, thus maintaining the disconnection between the hold switch reed contact 204 and contact guide rod 188, the disconnection of the electrical connection between the main switch reed contact 206 and the main switch contact 181 (see Fig. ID), and the main switch actuation pin 156 maintains the unlocked state of the secondary slider 176.

Fig. 11C is a schematic diagram of the door lock 100 the present application when the door is in the locked state (normal operating state). As shown in Fig. 11C, in the locked state, the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 remain in contact such that the excitation device 154 is electrically connected and the main control board is capable of sending pulse signals to the excitation device 154. In response to the received pulse signal, the excitation device 154 causes the push-push mechanism 158 (the push-push mechanism 158 is concealed here to display the moving state of the secondary slider 174) to push the transmission device 152 to the right and maintains the transmission device 152 in the locked state on the right such that the main switch actuation pin 156 falls downward in the z-direction, and locks the secondary slider 176 at the secondary slider movement end position. The secondary slider 176 at the secondary slider movement end position is capable of locking the primary slider 174 at the primary slider movement end position and the primary slider 174 at the primary slider movement end position is capable of locking the cam 172, thereby locking the door of the electrical equipment. At the same time, the hold switch actuation portion 214 and the main switch actuation portion 216 of the reed 132 also move downward accordingly such that the hold switch reed contact 204 is in contact with the contact guide rod 188 and the electrical connection between the main switch reed contact 206 and the main switch contact 181 (see Fig. ID) is connected. At this time, the appliance may start operating normally. Fig. 1 ID is a schematic diagram of the door lock 100 of the present application when the door is in the locked state (door in an abnormal state). As shown in Fig. 11D, when the door is in the locked state, if an external force (F) pulls the door hook 102, or under abnormal circumstances such as differential pressure inside and outside of the drum or pressure of the clothes on the washing machine door inside the washing machine, the door hook 102 moves slightly outwardly (i.e., there is a tendency for the door hook 102 to move toward the protruded state shown in Fig. 11 A). This may cause the cam 172, primary slider 174, secondary slider 176, pendulum rod 178, and control switch actuation pin 180 to move accordingly and cause the contact between the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 to be disconnected. If the external force (F) acting on the door hook 102 cannot be eliminated, the control switch reed contact 202 (door sensor switch) remains in the disconnected state. As the main control board does not send a new pulse signal, the transmission device 152 remains in the locked state on the right, maintaining the connection between the hold switch reed contact 204 (hold circuit switch) and main switch reed contact 206 (main circuit switch) such that the excitation device 154 remains electrically connected to receive pulse signals sent by the main control board as per normal, so as to drive the upward movement of the main switch actuation pin 156 in the z-direction to unlock the secondary slider 176 and thereby unlock the primary slider 174, cam 172 and door of the electrical equipment. After the door is unlocked, it may be pulled outward to return to the open state of the door lock 100 shown in Fig. 11 A.

In door locks in the prior art, because a hold switch reed contact is not provided on the reed, the excitation device is also electrically disconnected when the door sensor switch is disconnected, thereby preventing the main switch actuation pin from being driven to unlock. In the door lock 100 of the present application, as both the control switch reed contact 202 (door sensor switch) and hold switch reed contact 204 (hold circuit switch) are provided on the reed 132, even if the door sensor switch inadvertently disconnects, the hold circuit switch still remains connected. Hence, the above technical problem would not occur.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a washing machine 1200 having the door lock 100 of the present application, showing an application scenario of the door lock 100. As shown in Fig. 12, the washing machine 1200 has a cavity 1204 that receives clothing and a door 1202 that encloses the cavity. A door hook 102 is mounted on the door 1202 of the washing machine and a door lock box 120 is mounted at the corresponding position on the washing machine body 1206, the door hook 102 on the door 1202 of the washing machine being capable of being inserted into the door lock hole 130 of the door lock box 120. Of course, the door lock box 120 may be mounted on the door 1202 of the washing machine and the door hook 102 may be mounted on the washing machine body 1206.

The washing machine 1200 in Fig. 12 is merely an example, and the door lock 100 of the present application may also be mounted on various electrical appliances having a cavity and a door used to enclose the cavity, such as a dishwasher, a dryer, a microwave oven, as well as other non-electrical equipment.

FIGS. 13 A - 13E are schematic diagrams of a control circuit 1300 of the control switch in the door lock 100 of the present application and schematic diagrams of the control circuit 1300 corresponding to the various states in FIGS. 11 A - 11D.

Fig. 13A is a schematic diagram of a control circuit 1300 of the door lock 100 of the present application. As shown in Fig. 13, the control circuit 1300 comprises a first branch circuit (i.e., control circuit) 1304, a second branch circuit (i.e., main circuit) 1302, and a third branch circuit (i.e., hold circuit) 1306, wherein the first branch circuit 1304 has a first branch circuit head end 1323 and a first branch circuit tail end 1324, and the second branch circuit 1302 has a second branch circuit head end 1321 and a second branch circuit tail end 1322. The first branch circuit 1304 comprises a control circuit switch (i.e., door sensor switch) 1314 and an excitation device 154 that are electrically connected in a series, the second branch circuit 1302 comprises a main circuit switch 1312, and the third branch circuit 1306 is connected in parallel to both ends of the control circuit switch (door sensor switch) 1314, and comprises a hold circuit switch 1316, wherein the first branch circuit head end 1323 and the second branch circuit head end 1321 are electrically connected to a common terminal 208 (i.e., the middle portion 208 of the reed 132) that is electrically connected to ground through the switch box connector 184. The first branch circuit tail end 1324 is electrically connected to the main control board 1326 (refer to FIGS. 13B - 13E) using a low voltage through the switch box connector 186 and the second branch circuit tail end 1322 is electrically connected to a motor 1362 (refer to FIGS. 13B - 13E) using a high voltage through the main switch contact 181, the motor 1362 being used to drive the electrical equipment, wherein the control circuit switch (door sensor switch) 1314 may be closed or disconnected in response to the actuation of a mechanical force (e.g., opening of the door), the main circuit switch 1312 and the hold circuit switch 1316 may be closed or disconnected in response to the excitation of the excitation device 154; the closing or disconnection of the main circuit switch 1312 corresponds to the connection or disconnection between the main switch reed contact 206 and the main switch contact 181 of the reed 132, the closing or disconnection of the control circuit switch (door sensor switch) 1314 corresponds to the connection or disconnection between the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 of the reed 132, and the closing or disconnection of the hold circuit switch 1316 corresponds to the connection or disconnection between the hold switch reed contact 204 and the contact guide rod 188 of the reed 132.

As shown in FIGS. 13B - 13E, the main control board 1326 comprises a circuit detection unit 1332, a user control unit 1334, a door lock control unit 1336, and a motor control unit 1338, wherein the circuit detection unit 1332 is capable of detecting whether the second branch circuit 1302 is electrically connected through a switch feedback circuit 1352, the user control unit 1334 is capable of receiving a signal 1354 input by the user through an electrical equipment interaction panel, the door lock control unit 1336 may be used to send an electronic startup signal (e.g., a pulse signal 1358 as shown in FIGS. 13D - 13E) to the excitation device 154, and the motor control unit 1338 is capable of controlling the startup, rotational speed, or stop of the motor 1362 through a motor control circuit 1356. In the present example, the main control board 1326 using a low voltage and the motor 1362 using a high voltage are jointly connected to a power supply 1364 through a transformer 1328. However, for those of at least ordinary skill in the art, in some other example, the main control board 1326 using a low voltage and the motor 1362 using a high voltage may also be separately connected to power supplies of different voltages.

Fig. 13B is a schematic diagram of the control circuit 1300 in Fig. 13 A corresponding to the door lock 100 in Fig. 11 A when the door is in the open state. When the door of the electrical equipment is in the open state, the control circuit switch (door sensor switch) 1314 remains disconnected through the door sensor mechanism 162. As the first branch circuit 1304 is in the disconnected state, the main control board 1326 and the excitation device 154 are unable to power on, which causes the main circuit switch 1312 and the hold circuit switch 1316 to be unable to close in response to the excitation of the excitation device 154. Hence, the second branch circuit 1302 and third branch circuit 1306 are also in the disconnected state and the door of the electrical equipment is in the unlocked state.

Fig. 13C is a schematic diagram of the control circuit 1300 in Fig. 13 A corresponding to the door lock 100 in Fig. 11B when the door is in the closed state. When the door of the electrical equipment is closed, the control circuit switch (door sensor switch) 1314 is closed through the door sensor mechanism 162. At this time, the first branch circuit 1304 is connected and the excitation device 154 is capable of receiving the pulse signal 1358 from the main control board 1326 for excitation.

Fig. 13D is a schematic diagram of the control circuit 1300 in Fig. 13 A corresponding to the door lock 100 in Fig. 11C when the door is in the locked state (normal operating state). When the door of the electrical equipment is closed, the user may input a startup instruction in the main control board 1326 through the electrical equipment interaction panel. When the user control unit 1334 of the main control board 1326 receives the startup signal 1354 input by the user, the door lock control unit 1336 of the main control board 1326 is capable of sending the pulse signal 1358 to the excitation device 154 to excite the excitation device 154 and the main circuit switch 1312 and the hold circuit switch 1316 close in response to the excitation of the excitation device 154 to connect the second branch circuit 1302 and the third branch circuit 1306, lock the door of the electrical equipment, and the start the operation of the motor 1362. In particular, the iron core in the excitation device 154 reciprocates in movement in the coil in the x-direction each time the excitation device 154 is excited such that the transmission mechanism 152 in Fig. ID moves from the released state to the locked state, which closes the main circuit switch 1312 and hold circuit switch 1316 by releasing the main switch actuation pin 156 and hold switch drive block 904 and connects the second branch circuit 1302 and third branch circuit 1306. At the same time, the main switch actuation pin 156 falls into the lock structure 612 on the secondary slider 176, causing the secondary slider to be locked, thereby locking the primary slider 174, the cam 172, and the door of the electrical equipment. After the circuit detection unit 1332 of the main control board 1326 detects that the second branch circuit 1302 is electrically connected through the switch feedback circuit 1352, the motor control unit 1338 controls the startup of the motor 1362 through the motor control circuit 1356 to start the operation of the electrical equipment. When the operating program of the electrical equipment ends, or when the user inputs a stop instruction to the main control board 1326 through the electrical equipment interaction panel, the motor control unit 1338 of the main control board 1326 stops the operation of the motor 1362 through the motor control circuit 1356. Then, the door lock control unit 1336 of the main control board 1326 may send the pulse signal 1358 to the excitation device 154 again to excite the excitation device 154, and the iron core of the excitation device 154 reciprocates in movement again in the coil in the x-direction such that the transmission mechanism 152 in Fig. ID moves from the locked state to the released state, which disconnects the main circuit switch 1312 and hold circuit switch 1316 through actuating the main switch actuation pin 156 and hold switch drive block 904 and disconnects the second branch circuit 1302 and third branch circuit 1306. The door of the electrical equipment unlocks after the main switch actuation pin 156 is lifted upward and the door may be opened as per normal.

In other words, within the valid period of a series of pulse signals 1358 sent by the main control board 1326, in response to the previous pulse signal in the series of pulse signals 1358, the transmission mechanism 152 moves to the locked state to close the main circuit switch 1312 and hold circuit switch 1316. When the previous pulse signal disappears, the working state of the main circuit switch 1312 and hold circuit switch 1316 remains unchanged. Thereafter, in response to the subsequent pulse signal in the series of pulse signals 1358, the transmission mechanism 152 moves from the locked state to the released state to disconnect the main circuit switch 1312 and hold circuit switch 1316. When the subsequent pulse signal disappears, the working state of the main circuit switch 1312 and hold circuit switch 1316 remains unchanged.

Fig. 13E is a schematic diagram of the control circuit 1300 in Fig. 13 A corresponding to the door lock 100 in Fig. 1 ID when the door is in the locked state (door in an abnormal state). When the electrical equipment is operating, if the door is subject to external force, as shown in Fig. 3 A, it drives the downward movement of the door hook 102 in the z-direction, pulling the counterclockwise rotation of the cam 172, the rotation of the cam 172 pushes the primary slider 174 to move toward the first interior sidewall 146 (refer to Fig. IE) in the x-direction. While the primary slider 174 moves, it is capable of pushing the secondary slider 176 to move toward the second interior sidewall 148 (refer to Fig. IE) in the y-direction. While the secondary slider 176 moves, it is capable of driving the counterclockwise swinging of the pendulum rod 178 and the swinging of the pendulum rod 178 is capable of driving the upward movement of the control switch actuation pin 180 in the z-direction to lift the control switch actuation portion 212 of the reed 132 upward to disconnect the contact between the control switch reed contact 202 and contact guide rod 188 (refer to Fig. ID), eventually causing abnormal disconnection of the control circuit switch (door sensor switch) 1314 to disconnect the second branch circuit 1304. At this time, the main circuit switch 1312 and the hold circuit switch 1316 still remain closed, so that the third branch circuit 1306 is capable of providing the control circuit 1304 with an electrical path parallel to the control circuit switch 1314 (i.e., an alternative control circuit switch 1314), i.e., the excitation device 154 and the main control board 1326 remain electrically connected through the third branch circuit 1306 such that the various components on the second branch circuit (control circuit) 1304 remain electrically connected. Hence, stopping the corresponding motor 1362 and door unlocking functions would not be affected by the disconnection of the control circuit switch (door sensor switch) 1314. The main control board 1326 is capable of controlling the motor 1362 to stop operating and unlock the door in the same manner as described above in Fig. 13D to return to the state of the circuit shown in Fig. 13B.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram of a main control board 1326 shown in FIGS. 13B - 13E, showing the main components of the main control board 1326 and the connection relationship. The main control board 1326 is capable of storing and executing the above-mentioned electrical equipment operating program and receiving and outputting various signals involved in the control circuit 1300.

As shown in Fig. 14, the main control board 1326 comprises a bus 1402, a processor 1404, a memory 1406, an input interface 1408, and an output interface 1410. The processor 1404, memory 1406, input interface 1408, and output interface 1410 are connected to the bus 1402. The memory 1406 is capable of storing the operating program of the electrical equipment. The processor 1404 is capable of reading and executing a program in the memory 1406 to control the operation of the motor 1362. By executing the program in the memory 1406, the processor 1404 is capable of controlling the memory 1406, input interface 1408, and output interface 1410.

The input interface 1408 is configured to receive signals electrically connected to the second branch circuit 1302 and user input signals 1354 through cables (i.e., switch feedback circuits) 1352 and 1353, respectively, convert data of these signals into signals that are identifiable by the processor 1404, and store them in the memory 1406.

The output interface 1410 is configured to receive signals electrically connected to the second branch circuit 1302 from the processor 1404 and user input signals 1354, and to output motor control signals from the output interface 1410 through the cable (i.e., motor control circuit) 1356 to control the operation of the motor 1362 and excite the excitation device 154 through the pulse signal output by the cable 1357.

The above examples illustrate the working principles, exemplary structure, and application of the lock device of the present application using a door lock as an example, but those skilled in the art should understand that the lock device of the present application is not limited to door locks and may also be applied to other lock devices.

The door lock of the present application has the following advantages over the door locks in the prior art:

First, the door lock of the present application adds a reed contact (i.e., hold switch reed contact) arranged to be connected in parallel with a door sensor switch reed contact to the existing switch reed such that the door lock may still be unlocked when the door of the electrical equipment is in the locked state and the door sensor switch is inadvertently disconnected, so that the door may be opened normally after the end of operation of the electrical appliance.

Second, the door lock box and the switch box of the door lock of the present application employ existing modules or standard parts. Compared to the door sensor mechanism of existing door locks, the door sensor mechanism of the present application employs a plurality of slider and pendulum rod mating structures and occupies a relatively small space in the door lock box. Hence, more elements may be arranged in a standard-sized door lock box, thereby allowing the door lock to have more functions.

The control switch circuit of the present application has the following advantages over control switch circuits in the prior art:

The present application adds a hold circuit (i.e., the above-mentioned third branch circuit 1306) connected in parallel with the door sensor switch to the existing control switch circuit, and the hold circuit may be connected in response to control signals after the closure of the door sensor switch. In the event of an inadvertent disconnection of the door sensor switch, the electrical components connected to the main control board may remain electrically connected as the hold circuit remains in a connected state. Hence, the functions of the control circuit are not affected by the inadvertent disconnection of the door sensor switch.

Although the present application has been described in connection with examples of the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or foreseeable now or in the near future, may be apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the technical effects and/or technical problems described in the present application are exemplary and not limiting; therefore, the disclosure in the present application may be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects and/or may solve other technical problems.

Therefore, examples of the present application as set forth above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is intended to include all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.

Claims

1. A circuit (1300) for controlling a switch, comprising: a first branch circuit (1304) having a first branch circuit head end (1323) and a first branch circuit tail end (1324), wherein the first branch circuit (1304) comprises a control circuit switch (1314) and an excitation device (154) that are electrically connected in a series; a second branch circuit (1302) having a second branch circuit head end (1321) and a second branch circuit tail end (1322), wherein the second branch circuit (1302) comprises a main circuit switch (1312); and a third branch circuit (1306) connected in parallel to both ends of the control circuit switch (1314), wherein the third branch circuit (1306) comprises a hold circuit switch (1316); wherein the first branch circuit head end (1323) and the second branch circuit head end (1321) are electrically connected to a common terminal (208), and wherein the main circuit switch (1312) and the hold circuit switch (1316) are configured to close or disconnect in response to the excitation of the excitation device (154) when the control circuit switch (1314) closes.

2. The circuit according to Claim 1, wherein: the excitation device (154) is capable of being excited when at least one of the control circuit switch (1314) and the hold circuit switch (1316) is closed.

3. The circuit according to Claim 2, wherein: the control circuit switch (1314) is configured to be closed or disconnected in response to the actuation of a mechanical force.

4. The circuit according to Claim 3, wherein: the circuit is used to control an electrical equipment having an electrical equipment door, and the control circuit switch (1314) is configured to close in response to the closure of the electrical equipment door.

5. The circuit according to Claim 4, further comprising: a transmission mechanism (152), wherein the excitation of the excitation device (154) is capable of driving the movement of the transmission mechanism (152), and the movement of the transmission mechanism (152) is capable of closing or disconnecting the main circuit switch (1312) and the hold circuit switch (1316).

6. The circuit according to Claim 5, wherein: the transmission mechanism (152) is a linear drive component having a mechanical commutation device (158), and the movement of the transmission mechanism (152) is capable of closing or disconnecting the main circuit switch (1312) and the hold circuit switch (1316).

7. The circuit according to Claim 6, wherein: the excitation device (154) receives a series of pulse signals (1358) sent from the main control board (1326) through the first branch circuit tail end (1324), wherein each pulse signal of the series of pulse signals (1358) is capable of exciting the excitation device (154) when the control circuit switch (1314) or the hold circuit switch (1316) is closed, within the valid period of the series of pulse signals (1358), the transmission mechanism (152) moves in a first direction in response to the previous pulse signal in the series of pulse signals (1358) to close the main circuit switch (1312) and the hold circuit switch (1316), when the previous pulse signal disappears, the working state of the main circuit switch (1312) and hold circuit switch (1316) remains unchanged, within the valid period of the series of pulse signals (1358), the transmission mechanism (152) moves in a second direction in response to the subsequent pulse signal in the series of pulse signals (1358) to disconnect the main circuit switch (1312) and the hold circuit switch (1316), when the subsequent pulse signal disappears, the working state of the main circuit switch (1312) and the hold circuit switch (1316) remains unchanged.

8. The circuit according to Claim 1, wherein: the common terminal (208) is electrically connected to ground, the first branch circuit tail end (1324) is electrically connected to the main control board (1326) using a weak voltage, and the second branch circuit tail end (1322) is electrically connected to a motor (1362) using a high voltage, the motor (1362) being used to drive the electrical equipment.

9. The circuit according to Claim 1, wherein: the excitation device (154) is a solenoid electromagnet.

10. A washing machine (1200), comprising the circuit (1300) according to any one of

Claims 1 to 9.