KR20090126456A - Door locker for a washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A door locking device of a washing machine is provided to prevent generation of impact noise during operation of a locker by a buffer member. CONSTITUTION: A solenoid device(120) sucks a plunger(126). So that a portion of a locker(160) is protruded outside a case, the locker is elastically installed inside the case by an elastic body(129). The locker selectively restricts a hook of a door by linking with the plunger. A switch selectively interferes with one side of the locker to sense opening of the door. When a portion of the locker is contacted with an inner side of the case, a buffer member mitigates shock. A shock absorbing unit absorbs sucking impact of the plunger.

Description

Door locker for a washing machine {Door locker for a washing machine}

It relates to a door lock of the washing machine of the present invention.

In general, the washing machine is programmed in the microcomputer of the washing and rinsing and drainage and dehydration stroke, and the laundry is automatically washed through a series of programmed strokes.

The conventional washing machine having such a function is provided with a suspension tank installed inside the housing and storing the wash water, a rotating tank rotatably installed in the tank and having a dewatering hole perforated throughout the wall, and disposed to be rotated forward and backward on the bottom of the rotating tank. It is equipped with the pulsator which generate | occur | produces a water flow, and the drive device which drives a rotating tank and a pulsator simultaneously or only a pulsator.

In addition, the upper cover that covers the upper portion of the housing is provided with an inlet formed so that the laundry can be put out of the rotating tub, and a door hinged to open and close the inlet. The door is provided with a handle for easy holding. Therefore, by holding the handle to lift the door upwards, the opening can be opened to put or take out the laundry.

However, in the conventional washing machine, since the door is easily opened without special attention, children and the like can be operated without permission during washing and dehydrating administration. In particular, recently, a washing machine that implements washing by heating the washing water stored in the water tank through an electric heater is commercially available, but if the door is opened suddenly without attention while the washing process is in progress, a burn may be caused by hot steam. There is this.

An object of the present invention is a locker which is selectively moved by a solenoid device restrains the hook of the washing machine door to prevent the arbitrary opening of the door, the shock absorber door of the washing machine does not occur during operation of the rocker by the buffer member To provide a lock.

In addition, an object of the present invention relates to a door lock of a washing machine in which shock noise generated when the solenoid device is operated for movement of the rocker is absorbed by the shock absorbing means.

To this end, the door lock device of the washing machine according to the present invention includes a case in which an accommodation space is formed; A cover for shielding one surface of the case; A solenoid device provided inside the case and forming a magnetic field to suck the plunger; A rocker that is coalesced inside the case by an elastic body so that a part of the case protrudes out of the case, and interlocks with the plunger to selectively restrain the hook of the door; A switch provided at one side of the rocker and selectively interfering with one side of the rocker to detect whether the door is opened; A buffer member interposed between the rocker and the case to mitigate an impact when a part of the rocker is in contact with the inner surface of the case; And shock absorbing means interposed between the solenoid device and the case to limit movement of the plunger when the plunger is sucked by a magnetic field and absorb the suction shock of the plunger; Includes.

According to the door lock of the washing machine according to the present invention as described above, the hook of the door is constrained by the locker to prevent the arbitrary opening of the door. Therefore, there is an advantage that can prevent a safety accident due to arbitrary opening during use of the washing machine.

In addition, the shock generated when the rocker restrains the hook is absorbed by the shock absorbing member, there is an advantage that the operation noise of the rocker is prevented.

In addition, the suction shock of the plunger generated when the solenoid device is operated to open the door is absorbed by the shock absorbing means, there is an advantage that the operation noise of the solenoid device is not generated.

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the door lock of the washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention.

The door lock device (hereinafter locking device) of the washing machine according to the present invention is preferably installed in the drum washing machine main body at a position corresponding to the door so as to lock the door when the door of the washing machine is closed. That is, it is preferable to be installed at a position that can be engaged with the hook 20 so as to restrain the hook 20 provided on the rear surface of the door.

Referring to FIG. 1, the locking device 10 has an outer shape formed by the case 100 and the cover 200. The case 100 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one surface (upper surface in FIG. 1) opened. In addition, components of the solenoid device 120, the shock absorbing unit 140, the rocker 160, the switch 180, and the like, which will be described below, are disposed inside the case 100 to operate organically with each other. The case 100 is formed in various shapes according to the mounting position and structure, in the present embodiment is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

In addition, a plurality of mounting portions 102 for mounting to the washing machine body are formed at the edge of the case 100. The mounting portion 102 is perforated with a mounting hole 103 through which one end of a fastener such as a screw passes. The case 100, substantially the locking device 10, is fixed to the main body of the washing machine by the fastener passing through the mounting hole 103.

The cover 200 is formed in a substantially plate shape, and shields one open surface of the case 100. A plurality of fastening holes 203 are drilled in the edge of the cover 200. The fastening hole 203 penetrates one end of a fastener such as a screw. That is, the fastener penetrating the fastening hole 203 is fastened to the coupling hole 104 of the case 100 formed at a position corresponding to the fastening hole 203, and the cover 200 is the case 100. ) Is combined.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the back of the cover and the inside of the case which is one configuration of the door lock of the washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention, Figure 3 is a case of one configuration of the door lock of the washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention A plan view of the inside.

2 to 3, a stroke pin 210, a plate spring 220, and a reed switch 230 are provided on the rear surface of the cover 200. The stroke pin 210 acts with the pin guide groove 168 to be described below, the state in which the rocker pin 166 of the rocker 160 is moved into the case 100 as shown in FIG. Play a role.

" 형상으로 형성되며, 회동가능하게 상기 플레이트스프링(220)에 의해 상방(도 2에서 볼 때)으로 탄성이 가해진 상태로 상기 커버(200)에 고정된다. 즉, 상기 플레이트스프링(220)은 상기 스트로크핀(210)의 일단이 하방으로 향하도록 탄성을 가하며, 상기 스트로크핀(210)의 회동각을 제한하는 역할을 한다.The stroke pin 210 is approximately "

"Is formed in a shape, and is fixed to the cover 200 in a state in which elasticity is applied upwardly (as seen in Figure 2) by the plate spring 220 rotatably, that is, the plate spring 220 is One end of the stroke pin 210 is applied to the elasticity to downward, and serves to limit the rotation angle of the stroke pin (210).

The reed switch 230 works with a magnet 24 provided in the door to detect that the door is closed. That is, the reed switch 230 is a type of position sensor that detects the magnetic force of the magnet 24 and is electrically connected to a controller (not shown) that controls the operation of the washing machine. When the magnet 24 is located in the detection range of the reed switch 230, the reed switch 230 transmits a signal to the controller (not shown) that the door is closed.

Meanwhile, a solenoid partition wall 106 protrudes inside the case 100. The solenoid partition wall 106 forms a space into which the body portion 122 of the solenoid device 120 to be described below is inserted. In addition, a protrusion 107 is formed on an inner wall of the case side (left side in FIG. 2). The protrusion 107 serves to support one side of the shock absorbing means 140 to be described below.

The solenoid device 120 is provided in a space partitioned by the solenoid partition wall 106. The solenoid device 120 converts electrical energy into mechanical reciprocating motion, and includes a body portion 122, a coil portion 124, and a plunger 126.

The body portion 122 is a plate formed of a metal having a predetermined width, is formed in a substantially "k" shape when viewed from above, and forms a movement path of the magnetic field generated in the coil portion 124. In addition, a through hole 123 is formed at the center of the body portion 122. The through hole 123 is formed long in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction when viewed in FIG. 2) of the body portion 122, and forms a movement path of the plunger 126.

The coil part 124 is provided on an outer circumference of the through hole 123. The coil unit 124 includes a coil wound in a cylindrical shape to form a concentric circle with the through hole 123. The coil unit 124 is electrically connected to the controller (not shown), and generates a magnetic field by a power source (that is, a current) applied from the controller (not shown).

The plunger 126 is made of a magnetic material such as iron, and is formed in a rod shape to reciprocate the inside of the through hole 123 by a magnetic field generated by the coil unit 124. The plunger 126 is formed to be longer than the left and right lengths of the through hole 123, and one end thereof is positioned inside the through hole 123.

A coupling groove 127 is formed at the other end of the plunger 126 exposed to the outside of the through hole 123. The coupling groove 127 is formed by recessing the outer circumferential surface of the plunger 126 in the center direction and is inserted into the coupling portion 162 of the rocker 160 to be described below. Thus, the rocker 160 moves in conjunction with the plunger 126.

The plunger 126 is coalesced by the elastic body 129 to be exposed to the outside of the through hole 123 before the magnetic field is formed in the coil unit 124. The elastic body 129 is generally used a compression spring, it is coalesced to generate a predetermined compressive force between the body portion 122 and the coupling portion 162.

Looking at the operation of the solenoid device 120, a magnetic field is formed in the through-hole 123 by the current applied to the coil unit 124. The magnetic field flows through the lower portion of the plunger 126 inserted into the through hole 123, and the plunger 126 is characterized in that the magnetic field flows through the plunger 126 having less resistance than air. It is pulled into the through hole 123. As the plunger 126 is sucked in this way, the rocker 160 connected to the plunger 126 is moved inside.

On the other hand, the shock absorbing means 140 is provided between the body portion 122 and the protrusion 107. The shock absorbing means 140 includes a plate 142, an elastic member 144, and absorbs the shock generated when the plunger 126 is sucked, so that noise is not generated.

The plate 142 is formed of a metal body having an area larger than that of the through hole 123 so as to shield the through hole 123. The plate 142 is in contact with one end of the plunger 126 when the plunger 126 is sucked by a magnetic field, thereby limiting the movement of the plunger 126. In addition, the plate 142 also serves as a passage for the magnetic field generated by the coil unit 124, thereby improving the operation performance of the solenoid device 120.

The elastic member 144 is provided between the plate 142 and the protrusion 107 to absorb the shock generated when the plunger 126 and the plate 142 is in contact. To this end, the elastic member 144 is formed of a material having an elastic force so that the plate 142 is in close contact with the body portion 122. The elastic member 144 may be formed of a soft fibrous (PVC) having a hollow inside or a rubber material having a hollow inside. That is, since the inside is hollow, when the plunger 126 is in contact with the plate 142, the shock can be more efficiently absorbed. In addition, since the inside is hollow, the elastic force is increased, and the plate 142 is in close contact with the body portion 122.

On the other hand, the locker 160 selectively restrains the hook 20 of the door, and serves to prevent the door from being opened arbitrarily. The rocker 160 includes a coupling part 162, a housing 164, a pressing part 165, and a rocker pin 166, and the coupling part 162 to rocker pin 166 are integrally formed. The rocker 160 is movably provided in a space partitioned by a rocker partition 108 formed in the case 100.

The coupling part 162 is formed in a shape corresponding to the coupling groove 127 so that the coupling groove 127 can be inserted. The rocker 160 is interlocked with the plunger 126 by being inserted into and fixed to the coupling part 162.

The rocker pin 166 selectively protrudes to the outside of the case 100 to serve to restrain the hook 20 of the door. The rocker pin 166 is formed in a shape that can be inserted into the hook hole 22 of the hook 20.

In addition, the rocker pin 166 protrudes out of the case 100 by the compressive force of the elastic body 129 and is inserted into the hook hole 22 of the hook 20. To prevent it from being opened arbitrarily. In addition, the rocker pin 166 is moved into the case 100 by the movement of the plunger 126, is released from the hook hole 22, the restraint of the hook 20 is released.

The rocker pin 166 is provided with a buffer member 167. The shock absorbing member 167 moves to the inside of the case 100 when the rocker pin 166 is moved to the inside of the case 100 and protrudes out of the case 100 by the compressive force of the elastic body 129. ) And serves to mitigate contact impact between the wall surface of the case 100. To this end, the buffer member 167 is formed of a material having elasticity. That is, the shock absorbing member 167 is formed in the shape of a rubber O ring, and is fitted to the rocker pin 166.

The housing 164 forms an overall outer shape of the rocker 160, and a pin guide groove 168 is recessed on an upper surface thereof. The pin guide groove 168 forms a movement path of the stroke pin 210. In detail, the pin guide groove 168 is configured to include an opening groove 168a and a switching guide 168b. The opening groove 168a is formed at a position corresponding to an end of the stroke pin 210 when a current is applied to the coil part 124 and the plunger 126 is sucked in, and the stroke pin 210 By limiting movement, the door is kept open. When the current is applied to the coil unit 124 again, the switching guide 168b moves in the direction in which the stroke pin 210 is separated from the opening groove 168a when the plunger 126 is sucked again. It serves as a guide.

The pressing part 165 is formed on the side of the housing 164. The pressing part 165 is formed by protruding a portion of the side surface of the housing 164 laterally. The pressing unit 165 serves to selectively turn on the switch 180 for selectively blocking the power circuit of the washing machine.

One side of the pressing unit 165 is provided with the switch 180. The switch 180 is formed of a pair of conductors spaced a predetermined distance apart, they are electrically connected to the power supply circuit of the washing machine. In addition, at least one conductor is pressed by interference with the pressing unit 165 so that the conductors come into contact with each other, so that the switch 180 is turned on. That is, when the interference between the rocker pin 166 and the hook 20 is released, the pair of conductors are spaced apart from each other so that the switch 180 is turned off, thereby turning off the power supply circuit of the washing machine. When the rocker pin 166 is inserted into the hook hole 22, that is, when the door is closed, the pressing part 165 presses at least one conductor to turn on the switch 180. Let's do it. Therefore, the power supply circuit of the washing machine is connected, the washing machine is operable.

Hereinafter, look at the operation of the door lock of the washing machine according to the idea of the present invention having the configuration as described above.

4 is a view conceptually illustrating a closed state of a door of a washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention. First, a state in which the washing machine door is opened will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

As the rocker pin 166 is inserted into the hook hole 22 as shown in FIG. 4, the door is openable by being moved into the case 100 as shown in FIG. 3. It becomes a state.

In detail, a user presses an open button to open the washing machine door, and the solenoid device 120 is operated by this operation. That is, a current is applied to the coil unit 124, and a magnetic field is generated in the coil unit 124 by the current applied to the coil unit 124. The plunger 126 is sucked into the through hole 123 by the magnetic field generated by the coil unit 124.

In addition, the movement of the plunger 126 is stopped by the shock absorbing means 140. That is, the movement of the plunger 126 is prevented by the contact with the plate 142, the suction shock of the plunger 126 is absorbed by the elastic member 144. Therefore, no operation noise occurs when the plunger 126 is inhaled.

On the other hand, the rocker 160 is moved in conjunction with the plunger 126. That is, the rocker 160 is moved in the same direction as the plunger 126, and the elastic body 129 is compressed. At this time, the pin guide groove 168 guides the movement of the stroke pin 210 so that one end of the stroke pin 210 is located in the opening groove 168a. In addition, the door is kept openable by maintaining the interference state between the stroke pin 210 and the opening groove 168a by the compressive force of the elastic body 129.

Hereinafter, a state in which the washing machine door is closed will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

When the door is closed while the above washing machine door is opened, the magnet 24 and the reed switch 230 provided in the washing machine door are positioned on the same line as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the reed switch 230 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 24 and transmits a signal to the controller that the door is closed.

Then, the control unit generates a magnetic field by applying a current to the coil unit 124 for a short time. Therefore, the plunger 126 is sucked again in the state of FIG. At this time, the stroke pin 210 is changed in direction by the switching guide 168b, is separated from the opening groove (168a). Then, the rocker 160 is moved to the right side (as shown in FIG. 4) by the compressive force of the elastic body 129, and the rocker pin 166 protrudes out of the case 100.

At this time, the protruding length of the rocker pin 166 is limited by the buffer member 167, the rocker 160 is substantially generated when the wall surface of the housing 164 and the case 100 is in contact with The shock is absorbed by the buffer member 167. Therefore, impact noise due to the movement of the rocker 160 is not generated.

When the rocker 160 is moved to the right side, the pressing unit 165 presses the switch 180, and the switch 180 is turned on. Therefore, the power supply circuit of the washing machine is connected, the washing machine is in an operable state.

The rocker pin 166 is inserted into the hook hole 22, as shown in Figure 4, by restraining the hook 20, thereby preventing the door from being opened arbitrarily.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the door lock of the washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the back and the case of the cover which is one configuration of the door lock of the washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the inside of the case which is one configuration of the door lock of the washing machine according to the idea of the present invention.

4 is a view conceptually showing a closed state of a door of a washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention;

<Description of Symbols for Major Parts of Drawings>

10. Lock 20. Hook

22.Hookhole 24.Magnet

100. Case 102. Mounting part

103. Mounting hole 104. Coupling hole

106. Solenoid bulkhead 108. Rocker bulkhead

120. Solenoid device 122. Body

123. Through hole 124. Coil section

126. Plunger 127. Coupling groove

129. Elastomers 140. Lamellar absorption means

142. Plate 144. Elastic member

160. Rocker 162. Coupling

164. Housing 165. Push

166. Rocker pins 167. Shock absorbing members

168. Pin Guide Grooves 168a. Open groove

168b. Switch Guide 180. Switch

200. Cover 203. Tightening Hole

210. Stroke pin 220. Plate spring

Claims (8)

A case having an accommodation space formed therein; A cover for shielding one surface of the case; A solenoid device provided inside the case and forming a magnetic field to suck the plunger; A rocker that is coalesced inside the case by an elastic body so that a part of the case protrudes out of the case, and interlocks with the plunger to selectively restrain the hook of the door; A switch provided at one side of the rocker and selectively interfering with one side of the rocker to detect whether the door is opened; A buffer member interposed between the rocker and the case to mitigate an impact when a part of the rocker is in contact with the inner surface of the case; And An impact absorbing means interposed between the solenoid device and the case to limit movement of the plunger when the plunger is sucked by a magnetic field and absorb the suction shock of the plunger; Door lock of the washing machine comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the locker, A housing defining an appearance; A coupling part formed at one end of the housing and having one end of the plunger coupled thereto; A rocker pin formed at the other end of the housing and selectively protruding out of the case to interfere with the hook; And And a pressing unit for selectively contacting the switch to turn on the switch. The rocker pin, The door lock device of the washing machine, characterized in that the buffer member is coupled. The method of claim 1, The shock absorbing member is a door lock of a washing machine, characterized in that formed of a material having elasticity. The method of claim 3, wherein The shock absorbing member is a door lock device of a washing machine comprising a rubber (O) ring. The method of claim 1, wherein the solenoid device, A body portion having a through hole formed therein to form a movement path of the plunger; A coil part provided at an outer circumference of the through hole and selectively generating a magnetic field; And A plunger formed of a magnetic material and moved along the through flow by a magnetic field generated in the coil part; Including; The shock absorbing means, the door lock device of the washing machine, characterized in that to shield the through-hole in the direction in which the plunger is sucked and moved. The method of claim 5, wherein the shock absorbing means, A plate in contact with one surface of the body portion and shielding the through hole; And An elastic member provided between the plate and the inner wall surface of the case to absorb the impact of the plate in selective contact with the plunger; Door lock of the washing machine comprising a. The method of claim 6, The elastic member is formed of a material having an elastic force door lock device of the washing machine, characterized in that the plate is in close contact with the body portion. The method of claim 6, The elastic member is formed of an elastic hollow body, the door lock device of the washing machine, characterized in that the noise is generated when one end of the plunger is in contact with the plate.

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