Lg Electronics Inc.

Jangmo Shin

Jeonghyun Lee

Seongho Jeong

Jeongkil Kim

Myeong Jun Shin

Sangki Lee

Janghoon Kim

Chan-Yong Yeo

Hansaem Hwang

A latch module incorporated with an automatic opening function and a secure lock function includes a latch, a spring that applies a force to move the latch in a first direction, a drive to move the latch in a second direction, a cam that transmits power of the drive to the latch, and first and second switches that are turned on and off by the cam. The first and second switches are in a first mode in which the two switches are turned on and the latch is disposed at a manual lock position, a second mode in which the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off and the latch is disposed at an opening position, a third mode in which the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on and the latch is in a secure lock position.

Latch module and an appliance using the same

A latch module for controlling an opening and a closing of a door of an appliance includes a latch, a spring that applies an elastic force to the latch, a motor; and a cam that contacts a contact surface of the latch and is coupled to the motor to drive the cam to pivot the latch. The cam includes a first radius, a second radius, and a third radius in a circumferential direction at an outer circumference of the cam. The latch is positioned at a first basic position when the first radius of the cam contacts the contact surface of the latch, positioned at a second basic position when the second radius of the cam contacts the contact surface of the latch, and positioned at a third basic position when the third radius of the cam contacts the contact surface of the latch.

An appliance includes a hinge module between a main body and a pull-down door. The hinge module includes a housing, a rotational axis member disposed in the housing serving as a center of rotation between the pull-down door and the main body, an inner link housing movably disposed in the housing that moves with the opening of the pull-down door in a direction of the rotational axis member, and a damper installed in the inner link housing, the damper including a piston and a cylinder and providing damping force according to a relative movement of the piston and the cylinder. Any one of the piston and the cylinder of the damper moves with the inner link housing and the other of the piston and the cylinder of the damper moves by a predetermined distance as the inner link housing moves and then is interfered by the housing so as not to move further, and the piston and the cylinder of the damper starts damping, wherein the predetermined distance corresponds to an opening angle of the pull-down door in which the damping is started.

Door opening speed controller and automatic opening structure for an appliance

A latch module includes a latch including a hook for engaging with a pin, a spring that applies a force to move the latch in a first direction; and a motor to pivot the latch. The hook is opened at a front end toward the first direction that opens to an engaging surface provided in the hook for engaging with the pin and the engaging surface includes a disengaging inclined surface that is disposed at a front end portion of the hook and a secure lock surface that is disposed behind the disengaging inclined surface. The disengaging inclined surface has an inclined surface inclined in the first direction and the secure lock surface has an inclined surface inclined in a second direction opposite the first direction. In a first basic position of the latch, the disengaging inclined surface of the hook is positioned to engage with the pin. In a second basic position of the latch, the engaging surface of the hook is positioned to release the pin. In a third basic position of the latch, the secure lock surface of the hook is positioned to engage with the pin.

Latch module, a hinge module and an appliance using the same

A control method includes controlling a lever, a pusher and a motor so as to arrange the same in a correct position when electric power is supplied to the home appliance, or the user turns on the home appliance. Abnormalities involving an automatic opening of the door through changes in a return/stop switch and an opening sensing switch while the motor operates so as to open the door may be confirmed.

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Seoul, South Korea

Jangmo Shin