Lock, lid lock and locking mechanism

A lock, comprising:

• a base, and a driving mechanism and a locking mechanism which are provided on the base, wherein
• a housing is buckled on the base, a cavity is formed between the housing and the base, and the driving mechanism and the locking mechanism are accommodated in the cavity;
• under the role of the driving mechanism, the locking mechanism is rotatably connected to the base to perform a locking operation or an unlocking operation;
• a return spring is sleeved on the locking mechanism, the return spring has a first protruding end connected to the housing and a second protruding end connected to the locking mechanism, in the unlocking operation, the return spring drives the locking mechanism to retract relative to the base;
• the locking mechanism is connected to a control system;
• and in the unlocking operation, the control system determines that the locking mechanism is disconnected to the return spring according to the locking mechanism in an unfolded position relative to the base, and determines that the locking mechanism is connected to the return spring according to the locking mechanism in a retracted position relative to the base;
• wherein the lock comprises a connecting mechanism accommodated in the cavity, the connecting mechanism has a first end connected to the driving mechanism through a sliding mechanism and a second end connected to the locking mechanism, the connecting mechanism is configured to convert a linear motion of the driving mechanism into a rotating motion of the locking mechanism;
• and
• the lock further comprises a circuit board electrically connected to a power supply and a dome switch connected to the sliding mechanism;
• wherein the circuit board includes a first contacting unit and a second contacting unit;
• in the unfolded position of the locking mechanism with respect to the base, the dome switch comes into contact with the first contacting unit;
• in the retracted position of the locking mechanism with respect to the base, the dome switch comes into contact with the second contacting unit;
• and
• in the unlocking operation, the control system determines that the locking section is disconnected to the return spring according to the dome switch in contact with the first contacting unit, and determines that the locking portion is connected to the return spring according to the dome switch in contact with the second contacting unit.

A lock, comprising:

• a base, and a driving mechanism and a locking mechanism which are provided on the base, wherein
• a housing is buckled on the base, a cavity is formed between the housing and the base, and the driving mechanism and the locking mechanism are accommodated in the cavity;
• under the role of the driving mechanism, the locking mechanism is rotatably connected to the base to perform a locking operation or an unlocking operation;
• a return spring is sleeved on the locking mechanism, the return spring has a first protruding end connected to the housing and a second protruding end connected to the locking mechanism, in the unlocking operation, the return spring drives the locking mechanism to retract relative to the base;
• the locking mechanism is connected to a control system;
• and in the unlocking operation, the control system determines that the locking mechanism is disconnected to the return spring according to the locking mechanism in an unfolded position relative to the base, and determines that the locking mechanism is connected to the return spring according to the locking mechanism in a retracted position relative to the base;
• wherein an upper lid is buckled on a casing;
• the lock is arranged in the casing, and the upper lid is provided with a locking hole at a position corresponding to the lock;
• and
• the locking portion rotatably protrudes relative to the casing and is locked in the locking hole;
• wherein the upper lid is provided with a magnetic element, and a magnetic reed switch switches on under a magnetic force and the driving mechanism is connected to the power supply when the upper lid is buckled to the casing.

A locking mechanism for a lock, wherein the lock comprises a housing, the locking mechanism is arranged in the housing;

• the locking mechanism comprises a locking shaft that defines a rotary axis and a locking portion, and a fragile portion located between the locking shaft and the locking portion, the fragile portion is broken off when subjected to an external force greater than a predetermined threshold;
• the locking mechanism is provided with a return spring sleeved on the locking shaft, the return spring comprises a first protruding end connected to the housing and a second protruding end connected to the locking portion at a location that is spaced further from the rotary axis of the locking shaft than the fragile portion,
• wherein:
• when the second protruding end of the return spring is connected to the locking portion, the return spring provides a biasing force to the locking mechanism;
• and
• when the fragile portion is broken off, the second protruding end of the return spring is disconnected from the locking portion and the return spring does not provide a biasing force to the locking mechanism.

A lock for locking a lid of an appliance, the lock comprising:

• a base;
• a driving mechanism that is actuatable for driving the lock between an unlocked state that allows opening of the lid of the appliance and a locked state that prevents opening of the lid of the appliance;
• a locking mechanism that is moved by the driving mechanism between:
• a retracted position that defines the unlocked state of the lock;
• and
• an unfolded position that defines the locked state of the lock;
• a switch communicating with the locking mechanism to indicate whether the locking mechanism is in the retracted position or the unfolded position;
• a control system that includes:
• a breakage determining unit communicating with the switch and configured to determine a breakage state of the locking mechanism based on a position of the locking mechanism;
• a running control unit communicating with the breakage determining unit and configured to allow or prevent operation of the appliance based on the determination of the breakage determining unit.