초록 ▼

A mechanism for locking an access door of an appliance includes a spring biased catch member preferably attached to the door and a latching housing insert fixed to a cabinet shell of the appliance. Upon closing the door, the catch member is caused to ride up a ramped retaining element mounted in a l

A mechanism for locking an access door of an appliance includes a spring biased catch member preferably attached to the door and a latching housing insert fixed to a cabinet shell of the appliance. Upon closing the door, the catch member is caused to ride up a ramped retaining element mounted in a latching cavity, while simultaneously pivoting a first locking element between release and set positions. When the door is fully closed, the catch member drops behind the retaining element to releasably hold the door closed. When it is desired to maintain the door in a securely locked position, a linear actuator is activated to shift a second locking element into engagement with the first locking element. Preferably, the first and second locking elements are engaged through a ratchet connection which enables continued rotation of the first locking element to only further lock the catch member in the latching cavity. De-activation of the linear actuator enables opening of the door, preferably in a timed and controlled manner in accordance with a safety unlocking algorithm.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] In an appliance having a cabinet provided with an access opening and a pivotal door adapted to extend across and close the access opening, a mechanism for locking the pivotal door in the closed position comprising:a latching cavity defined in one of the door and the appliance cabin

[ We claim:] [1.] In an appliance having a cabinet provided with an access opening and a pivotal door adapted to extend across and close the access opening, a mechanism for locking the pivotal door in the closed position comprising:a latching cavity defined in one of the door and the appliance cabinet;a retaining element arranged in the latching cavity;a first locking element including a hub portion and a latching portion, said first locking element being mounted for rotation between release and set positions, with the latching portion projecting into the latching cavity;a catch member attached to another of the door and the appliance cabinet, said catch member being adapted to extend into the latching cavity, abut the retaining element to releasably hold the catch member in the latching cavity and interengage with the latching portion to cause pivoting of the first locking element from the release position to the set position when the door is pivoted to the closed position; anda second locking element shiftably mounted for movement between an unlocked position wherein the first locking element is permitted to rotate and a locking position wherein the second locking element engages the first locking element to prevent rotation of the first locking element to the release position in order to lockingly retain the catch member within the latching cavity and securely maintain the door in the closed position.