Door body driving device of dish washing machine and dish washing machine

Abstract

The invention discloses a door body driving device of a dish-washing machine and the dish-washing machine, the door body driving device of the dish-washing machine comprises a matching part, the matching part can move relative to a machine body of the dish-washing machine, the matching part is provided with a matching groove, and the matching groove is used for accommodating a hinge of a door body of the dish-washing machine; the driving assembly is connected with the matching piece, the driving assembly is suitable for driving the matching piece to move in the first direction so as to drive the hinge to rotate around the rotating axis in the first rotating direction, the door body is opened to the preset door opening angle, and the first direction intersects with the rotating axis of the hinge. According to the door body driving device of the dish-washing machine, the door body can be automatically opened to dry tableware after the dish-washing machine washes the tableware, the door body driving device can be arranged at the position of the hinge to accurately control the rotating angle of the hinge, then the automatic opening speed of the door body is controlled, and the safety of automatic door opening is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dishwasher technology, and more specifically, to a dishwasher door drive device and a dishwasher. Background Technology

[0002] After a dishwasher automatically washes the dishes, because the inside of the dishwasher is a closed environment, if the dishes are not removed for a long time, the residual water on the surface of the dishes can cause problems such as mold and bacterial growth. The automatic door opening technology in dishwashers is used in the drying process. After the dishwasher automatically washes the dishes, the door automatically opens to a certain angle, allowing air to circulate inside and outside the dishwasher to expel water vapor and achieve the purpose of drying the dishes.

[0003] However, in related technologies, the automatic door opening speed of dishwashers is uncontrollable, which can easily lead to problems such as users being injured or the dishwasher being damaged due to excessively fast door opening speed, resulting in poor safety. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a door drive device for a dishwasher, which can control the speed of automatic door opening, reducing the risk of user injury or damage to the dishwasher due to excessively fast door opening, thus improving safety.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher having the above-described door drive device.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a door drive device for a dishwasher includes: a mating member movable relative to the body of the dishwasher, the mating member having a mating groove for accommodating a hinge of the dishwasher door; and a drive assembly connected to the mating member, wherein the drive assembly is adapted to drive the mating member to move along a first direction to drive the hinge to rotate about a rotation axis along a first rotation direction, thereby opening the door to a predetermined opening angle, the first direction intersecting the rotation axis of the hinge.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the door drive device of the dishwasher can automatically open the door to dry the dishes after the dishwasher has washed them. The door drive device can also be located at the hinge to precisely control the rotation angle of the hinge, thereby controlling the speed at which the door opens automatically and improving the safety of automatic door opening.

[0008] In addition, the door drive device of the dishwasher according to the above embodiments of the present invention may also have the following additional technical features:

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the drive assembly is further adapted to drive the mating member to move in a second direction, so as to drive the hinge to rotate about the rotation axis in a second rotation direction, thereby closing the door, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction and the first rotation direction is opposite to the second rotation direction.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the drive assembly includes a drive member, a gear set and a rack, the gear set includes at least one gear, the gear set is meshed between the drive member and the rack, the rack is movable along a first direction and a second direction, the rack is connected to the mating member, and the drive member is used to drive the gear set to rotate, thereby driving the rack to move, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the gear set includes a plurality of gears, the drive assembly includes a transmission component, at least two gears are connected by transmission component, the transmission component includes a connecting portion and a connecting mating portion respectively fixedly connected to two gears, the connecting portion and the connecting mating portion are in contact and the rotation axes of the connecting portion and the connecting mating portion are parallel, when the relative torsional force between the connecting portion and the connecting mating portion is less than or equal to a critical value, the connecting portion and the connecting mating portion rotate synchronously, so that the transmission connection between two adjacent gears is in a connected state; when the relative torsional force between the connecting portion and the connecting mating portion is greater than the critical value, the connecting portion and the connecting mating portion rotate relative to each other, so that the transmission connection between two adjacent gears is in a disconnected state.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the connecting portion has a first protrusion and a second protrusion arranged alternately around a rotation axis. In the circumferential direction of the connecting portion, the protrusion height of the first protrusion gradually decreases and the protrusion height of the second protrusion gradually increases. The connecting mating portion includes a plurality of protrusions arranged around a rotation axis. A portion of the protrusions abuts against the first protrusion, and another portion of the protrusions abuts against the second protrusion. When the relative torsional force is greater than the critical value, each protrusion contacts the first protrusion and the second protrusion in sequence. Wherein, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are made of elastic material, and / or, the protrusions are made of elastic material.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of gears include a first gear and a second gear, the first gear having the connecting portion on its inner circumferential surface and the teeth on its outer circumferential surface, the second gear having the teeth on its outer circumferential surface, and the connecting and mating portion being disposed at one axial end of the second gear and located inside the first gear.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the opening angle of the door is greater than the set opening angle, the hinge separates from the mating groove, and the set opening angle is greater than or equal to the predetermined opening angle.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the door drive device further includes a first track and a second track that are connected. The extension direction of the first track is parallel to the first direction, and the extension direction of the second track intersects the first direction. The second track is located on one side of the first track along the first direction and on the side of the first track opposite to the hinge. The mating member has a first sliding part and a second sliding part. The first sliding part is slidable along the first track, and the second sliding part is slidable along both the first track and the second track. Specifically, when the opening angle of the door is less than or equal to a predetermined opening angle, the second sliding part is located on the first track; when the opening angle of the door is greater than the predetermined opening angle, the second sliding part is located on the second track.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the door drive device includes a mounting box, the mounting box including a box body and a cover body, the box body having a first groove, the cover body having a second groove, the cover body covering the box body so that the first groove and the second groove cooperate to form the first track and the second track, the first sliding part and the second sliding part each including protrusions located on both sides of the mating part, the protrusions on both sides being movably inserted into the first groove and the second groove respectively.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the groove sidewall of the mating groove includes a first groove wall and a second groove wall opposite to each other, the second groove wall being located on one side of the first groove wall along the first direction. When the opening angle of the door is less than or equal to a predetermined opening angle, the projection portions of the first groove wall, the second groove wall, and the hinge along the first direction overlap; when the opening angle of the door is greater than a predetermined opening angle, the projections of the second groove wall and the hinge along the first direction are offset, and the predetermined opening angle is greater than or equal to the predetermined opening angle.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the door driving device includes a limiting component, and the mating component includes a limiting mating portion. When the opening angle of the door is greater than a set opening angle, the limiting component abuts against the limiting mating portion to keep the second sliding portion within the second track, wherein the set opening angle is greater than or equal to the predetermined opening angle; when the opening angle of the door is less than the predetermined opening angle, the limiting component separates from the limiting mating portion.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the opening angle of the door is less than or equal to a predetermined opening angle, the limiting fitting portion extends obliquely towards the side closer to the limiting member along the first direction; when the opening angle of the door is greater than the predetermined opening angle, the limiting fitting portion extends in the horizontal direction.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the limiting component includes a limiting elastic member and a limiting member, the limiting member being used to abut against the limiting mating portion, and the limiting elastic member being used to apply an elastic force to the limiting member in a second direction, the first direction being opposite to the second direction.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the driving member is configured to operate for a predetermined time to open the door to the predetermined opening angle or close it by the predetermined opening angle; or, the door driving device includes a first trigger and a second trigger arranged along the first direction, the first trigger and the second trigger being communicatively connected to the driving member respectively; when the driving member drives the door to open to the predetermined opening angle, the rack or the mating member triggers the second trigger to stop the driving member; when the driving member drives the door to close to the desired position, the rack or the mating member triggers the first trigger to stop the driving member.

[0022] A dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body, a door, and a door drive device for the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. The door includes a door body and a hinge. The door body is rotatably connected to the body via the hinge, and the hinge has a mating protrusion adapted to engage with a mating groove of a mating member.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the dishwasher, the movement path of the mating member is at least partially located within the rotation radius of the mating protrusion.

[0024] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the door is in a closed state, and the arrow indicates the opening direction of the door in the closed state;

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1The middle frame shows a magnified view of a portion of point A;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the door is in the open state;

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The middle frame shows a magnified view of part B.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the arrows indicate the movement direction of the hinges and mating parts during the process of manually opening the door, at which time the opening angle of the door is less than the set opening angle.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the arrow indicates the direction of movement of the drive component during the automatic closing of the door;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the arrows indicate the movement direction of the mating parts and the limiting parts during the process of manually opening the door, at which time the opening angle of the door is greater than the set opening angle.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the arrows indicate the movement directions of the hinges, mating parts, and limiting parts during the manual closing of the door.

[0034] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of a door drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first gear and the second gear according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Exploded view.

[0037] Figure label:

[0038] Dishwasher 1000; Body 200; Door 300; Door Body 310; Hinge 320; Mating Protrusion 3201;

[0039] Door drive device 100;

[0040] Mating part 10; mating groove 11; first groove wall 111; second groove wall 112; first sliding part 121; second sliding part 122; protrusion 123; limiting mating part 13;

[0041] Drive assembly 20; drive component 21; transmission component 22; connecting part 221; first protrusion 2211; second protrusion 2212; connecting mating part 222; protrusion 2221; first gear 223; second gear 224; gear set 23; gear 231; intermediate gear 232; rack 24;

[0042] Mounting box 30; box body 31; first groove 311; cover 32; first track 331; second track 332;

[0043] Limiting component 40; limiting elastic component 41; limiting component 42;

[0044] Door balancing assembly 50; door balancing elastic element 51; pull rope 52; guide wheel 53. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0046] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "length," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0047] In the description of this invention, "first feature" and "second feature" may include one or more of the features, "multiple" means two or more, "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or the first and second features being in contact through another feature between them, and "above," "over," and "on top" the second feature may include the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature.

[0048] The door drive device 100 of a dishwasher 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Reference Figures 1-11 As shown, the door drive device 100 of the dishwasher 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a mating part 10 and a drive assembly 20.

[0050] Specifically, the mating component 10 is movable relative to the body 200 of the dishwasher 1000, for example, in some embodiments, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, Figure 2 The mating part 10 shown moves upward to Figure 4 The state shown is as follows. Figure 4 The mating part 10 shown moves upward to Figure 7 The state shown.

[0051] The mating component 10 has a mating groove 11 for accommodating the hinge 320 of the door 300 of the dishwasher 1000. The hinge 320 and the mating groove 11 can be a plug-in fit or a magnetic fit, etc. For example, in some embodiments, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the rear end of the hinge 320 is a mating protrusion 3201. The mating protrusion 3201 can be inserted into the mating groove 11 to engage with the mating groove 11, so that the hinge 320 can move together with the mating part 10 during the engagement of the mating protrusion 3201 and the mating groove 11.

[0052] The mating part 10 moves relative to the body 200 to drive the hinge 320 to move relative to the body 200. By controlling the movement of the mating part 10, the rotation angle of the hinge 320 can be controlled, which facilitates the opening and closing actions of the dishwasher 1000 opening the door 300 and closing the door 300.

[0053] The drive assembly 20 is connected to the mating member 10, and the drive assembly 20 can drive the mating member 10 along a first direction (e.g., Figures 1-5 The hinge 320 moves about the rotation axis in the first rotational direction (e.g., from bottom to top), as shown in the bottom-up direction, to drive the hinge 320 about the rotation axis in the first rotational direction (e.g., from bottom to top). Figures 1-5 Rotate in the counterclockwise direction shown to open the door 300 to a predetermined opening angle, with the first direction intersecting the rotation axis of the hinge 320.

[0054] The angle between the first direction and the rotation axis of the hinge 320 can be acute, right, or obtuse. This allows the drive member 20 to drive the drive 10 to move along the first direction, causing the hinge 320 to rotate around the rotation axis in the first rotation direction, thus opening the door 300 to a predetermined opening angle. For example, in some embodiments, such as... Figures 1-4 As shown, the first direction is from bottom to top. The rotation axis of the hinge 320 is parallel to the width direction of the dishwasher 1000 in the left-right direction as shown in the figure, making the first direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the hinge 320. The drive assembly 20 drives the mating part 10 to move upward, so as to drive the hinge 320 to rotate counterclockwise around the rotation axis, so that the opening angle of the door 300 gradually increases, and the door 300 opens to the predetermined opening angle.

[0055] The door 300 opens to a predetermined opening angle, allowing air circulation inside and outside the dishwasher 1000 to dry the dishes inside. In embodiments of the present invention, the predetermined opening angle can be flexibly set according to actual conditions such as the weight of the door 300 and drying requirements, or it can be adjusted by changing the stroke of the drive assembly 20 and the drive mating part 10. After the dishwasher 1000 automatically washes the dishes, the door 300 can be automatically opened by the door drive device 100 to dry the dishes.

[0056] The drive assembly 20 drives the mating member 10 to move, which in turn drives the hinge 320 to rotate, enabling the door 300 to open automatically. The drive assembly 20 applies a driving force to the mating member 10 to make the mating member 10 move; for example, the drive assembly 20 may include a motor.

[0057] The door drive device 100 of this application cooperates with the hinge 320 to directly control the rotation angle of the hinge 320, allowing the door drive device 100 to be positioned near the hinge 320. Compared to related technologies that place the automatic door opening device on top of the dishwasher to push open the door, the door drive device 100 of this application facilitates precise control of the rotation angle of the hinge 320 to control the speed of automatic door opening. For example, by controlling the driving force of the drive assembly 20 on the mating part 10, the movement speed of the mating part 10 can be controlled to control the rotation speed of the hinge 320. This reduces the risk of the user being injured or the dishwasher 1000 being damaged due to excessive door opening speed, improving safety and extending the service life of the dishwasher 1000.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the door drive device 100 of the dishwasher 1000 can automatically open the door 300 to dry the dishes after the dishwasher 1000 has washed them. The door drive device 100 can also be set at the hinge 320 to precisely control the rotation angle of the hinge 320, thereby controlling the speed at which the door 300 automatically opens and improving the safety of automatic door opening.

[0059] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1-9 As shown, the drive assembly 20 can also drive the mating member 10 along a second direction (e.g., Figure 3 and Figure 6 The hinge 320 moves in the direction shown (from top to bottom) to drive the hinge 320 about the rotation axis in the second rotation direction (e.g., from top to bottom). Figure 3 and Figure 6 Rotate clockwise as shown to close the door 300. The first direction and the second direction are opposite, and the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction are opposite.

[0060] The rotation axis here is the rotation axis of hinge 320. Hinge 320 rotates around this rotation axis in the second rotation direction, so that the opening angle of door 300 gradually decreases.

[0061] For example, in some embodiments, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, the rotation axis of hinge 320 is parallel to the left and right directions. The first direction is from bottom to top, and the second direction is from top to bottom, making the first and second directions opposite. The drive assembly 20 drives the mating part 10 to move downward, so as to drive hinge 320 to rotate clockwise around the rotation axis, so that the opening angle of door 300 gradually decreases, and door 300 gradually closes from the open state.

[0062] The drive component 20 drives the mating part 10 to move, which in turn drives the hinge 320 to rotate, thus enabling the door 300 to close automatically.

[0063] After the dishwasher 1000 automatically washes the dishes, the door 300 is automatically opened by the door drive device 100 to dry the dishes. If the door 300 is not closed for an extended period of time after it is automatically opened, it is highly likely that external dust, cockroaches, flies, etc., will enter the dishwasher 1000 and contaminate the cleaned dishes. Therefore, the door 300 needs to be closed after it is automatically opened to dry the dishes to protect them.

[0064] In some related technologies, dishwashers automatically open the door to dry the dishes after washing them, but they do not have the function of automatically closing the door. After the door is automatically opened to dry the dishes, the user needs to close it manually, which is inconvenient.

[0065] The door drive device 100 of this application can automatically open the door 300 to dry the tableware, and can also automatically close the door 300 after it has been open for a period of time to protect the tableware. After the door is opened automatically, the user does not need to pay attention to the drying status of the dishwasher 1000 and then manually close the door, which can more thoroughly free the user's hands. The dishwasher 1000 has a high degree of automation and is easy to operate.

[0066] Furthermore, the door drive device 100 of this application cooperates with the hinge 320 to directly control the rotation angle of the hinge 320. The door drive device 100 can be placed near the hinge 320, which facilitates precise control of the rotation angle of the hinge 320 to control the speed of automatic door opening and closing. This reduces the risk of users being injured or the dishwasher 1000 being damaged due to excessively fast door opening and closing speed, thus improving the safety of the dishwasher 1000's automatic door opening and closing.

[0067] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1-2 and Figure 9 As shown, the drive assembly 20 includes a drive member 21, a gear set 23 and a rack 24. The gear set 23 includes at least one gear 231 and is meshed between the drive member 21 and the rack 24.

[0068] The driving element 21 is used to provide driving force, for example, the driving element 21 is a motor. The driving force of the driving element 21 is transmitted to the mating element 10 through the transmission component 22 to drive the mating element 10 to move.

[0069] The gear set 23 may contain one, two, or more gears 231. Changing the number of gears 231 in the gear set 23 alters the gear ratio, thereby changing the driving force transmitted to the mating member 10 without changing the driving force of the driving member 21. This, in turn, adjusts the travel of the mating member 10 to regulate the rotation angle of the hinge 320. The number of gears 231 in the gear set 23 can be flexibly set according to the desired rotation angle of the hinge 320.

[0070] The rack 24 is movable along a first direction and a second direction. The rack 24 is connected to the mating member 10. The driving member 21 drives the gear set 23 to rotate, thereby moving the rack 24. The rack 24 transmits the driving force from the driving member 21 to the gear set 23 to the mating member 10, allowing both the rack 24 and the mating member 10 to move along the first and second directions under the drive of the driving member 21. This changes the rotation angle of the hinge 320, resulting in more stable transmission. Here, the connection between the rack 24 and the mating member 10 can be a fixed connection or a hinge, etc.

[0071] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1-2 and Figures 9-11 As shown, the gear set 23 includes a plurality of gears 231, and the drive assembly 20 includes a transmission component 22. At least two gears 231 are connected by transmission component 22. The transmission component 22 can control the transmission connection between at least two gears 231 in the gear set 23 to be in a connected state or a disconnected state.

[0072] Specifically, the transmission component 22 includes a connecting part 221 and a connecting mating part 222 that are fixedly connected to the two gears 231 respectively. The connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 are in contact and mating, so that the transmission connection between the two gears 231 connected by the transmission component 22 is in a connected state, so that the driving component 21 of the driving component 21 can be transmitted to the mating component 10 through the gear set 23 and the rack 24.

[0073] For example, the drive member 21 drives the gear set 23 to move, so as to drive one of the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 to move through one gear 231. Through the contact engagement of the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222, the other of the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 drives another gear 231 to move, so as to drive the mating member 10 to move through the rack 24, and then drive the hinge 320 to rotate, so as to control the rotation angle of the hinge 320, for example, to realize the automatic opening or automatic closing of the door 300.

[0074] Once the contact fit between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 fails, the transmission function of the transmission component 22 fails, the transmission connection between the two gears 231 in the gear set 23 fails, the transmission connection between the rack 24 and the driving member 21 is disconnected, and the driving force of the driving member 21 cannot be transmitted to the rack 24 and then to the mating part 10.

[0075] The rotation axis of the connecting part 221 is parallel to the rotation axis of the connecting mating part 222, which helps to increase the contact area between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222, making it less likely for the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 to fail in contact fit under normal working conditions, thereby improving the transmission stability of the transmission component 22.

[0076] When the relative torsional force between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 is less than or equal to a critical value, the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 rotate synchronously and engage, thus connecting the transmission between the two adjacent gears 231. When the relative torsional force between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 is greater than the critical value, the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 rotate relative to each other, causing the engagement to fail and disconnecting the transmission between the two adjacent gears 231.

[0077] The relative torsional force between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 is the interaction force between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222, and the critical value is the value of the relative torsional force when the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 rotate relative to each other.

[0078] In the process of automatically closing the door by rotating the hinge 320, if an accident occurs and a person, such as a user's hand, is placed between the door 300 and the machine body 200, the door 300 will continue to close, potentially causing injury. This application reduces the risk of injury by using the contact engagement between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222.

[0079] Specifically, during the automatic closing process, the human body between the door body 300 and the machine body 200 will exert a resistance force on the door body 300 to prevent the door body 300 from closing. The door body 300, under the resistance force, will transmit the resistance force to the hinge 320. The hinge 320 will transmit the resistance force to the mating part 10 and then to the other of the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 to prevent its rotation. The rotation speed of the other of the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 will decrease. One of the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 driven by the driving member 21 maintains its original speed. The rotation speed of one of the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 is greater than the rotation speed of the other. This will cause the relative torsional force of the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 to exceed the critical value. The contact fit between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 will fail, the door drive device 100 will change from the normal working state to the abnormal working state, and the closing action of the door 300 will stop. This protects the user when the human body is trapped, making it less likely for the user to be injured, and the safety is better.

[0080] When the relative torsional force is less than or equal to a critical value, the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 can maintain synchronous rotation through elastic force or friction, etc. For example, in some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figures 10-11 As shown, the connecting portion 221 has a first protrusion 2211 and a second protrusion 2212 arranged alternately around the rotation axis. In the circumferential direction of the connecting portion 221, the protrusion height of the first protrusion 2211 gradually decreases and the protrusion height of the second protrusion 2212 gradually increases. The first protrusion 2211 and the second protrusion 2212 can protrude toward or away from the rotation axis of the connecting portion 221. In the rotation direction of the connecting portion 221, the first protrusion 2211 is formed as a downslope section and the second protrusion 2212 is formed as an upslope section.

[0081] For example, in some specific embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figures 10-11 As shown, the first protrusion 2211 and the second protrusion 2212 protrude inward toward the rotation axis of the connecting part 221. The connecting part 221 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis. In the counterclockwise direction, the height of the first protrusion 2211 gradually decreases to form a downhill section, and the height of the second protrusion 2212 gradually increases to form an uphill section.

[0082] The connecting and mating part 222 includes a plurality of protrusions 2221 arranged around the rotation axis. The protrusions 2221 may protrude toward or away from the rotation axis of the connecting and mating part 222. A portion of the protrusions 2221 abuts against the first protrusion 2211, and another portion of the protrusions 2221 abuts against the second protrusion 2212. That is, a portion of the protrusions 2221 abuts against the downhill section, and another portion of the protrusions 2221 abuts against the uphill section.

[0083] It should be noted that, for ease of understanding, Figures 1-11 The portion between the first protrusion 2211 and the second protrusion 2212 abuts against the protrusion 2221. In actual transmission, a portion of the protrusion 2221 always abuts against the downhill section, while another portion of the protrusion 2221 abuts against the uphill section.

[0084] When the relative torsional force exceeds a critical value, each protrusion 2221 contacts the first protrusion 2211 and the second protrusion 2212 in sequence. The first protrusion 2211 and the second protrusion 2212 are made of elastic material, or the protrusion 2221 is made of elastic material, or both the protrusion 2221 and the first protrusion 2211 and the second protrusion 2212 are made of elastic material, allowing at least one of the connecting portion 221 and the connecting mating portion 222 to deform, so that the connecting portion 221 and the connecting mating portion 222 rotate synchronously or relative to each other. For example, in some embodiments, the protrusion 2221 can be an elastic element deformable circumferentially and radially along the connecting mating portion 222, or the protrusion 2221 can be an elastic element such as a spring deformable radially along the connecting mating portion 222.

[0085] When the relative torsional force is less than or equal to the critical value, the protrusion 2221 abuts against the uphill section, so that the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 form a connection relationship similar to gear meshing, making the transmission more stable.

[0086] When the relative torsional force is greater than the critical value, the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 rotate relative to each other, so that the protrusion 2221 that abuts against the uphill section then contacts the adjacent downhill section, then the adjacent uphill section, then the adjacent downhill section, and so on, in sequence contacting the first protrusion 2211 and the second protrusion 2212. Meanwhile, the protrusion 2221 that abuts against the downhill section then contacts the adjacent uphill section, then the adjacent downhill section, then the adjacent uphill section, and so on, in sequence contacting the first protrusion 2211 and the second protrusion 2212, in order to reduce the possibility that all the protrusions 2221 will contact the uphill section, downhill section, uphill section and downhill section in sequence.

[0087] All protrusions 2221 abut against the uphill section, causing a sudden increase in the relative torsional force between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222. All protrusions 2221 abut against the downhill section, causing a sudden decrease in the relative torsional force between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222. All protrusions 2221 partially contact the area between the uphill and downhill sections, potentially reducing the relative torsional force between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 to zero, leaving them in a neutral position. All protrusions 2221 sequentially contact the uphill, downhill, and areas between the uphill and downhill sections, resulting in drastic changes in relative torsional force. This makes the relative rotation speed between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 uncontrollable, potentially causing problems such as door jamming and increasing the risk of injury.

[0088] In the actual transmission process, this application ensures that a portion of the protrusion 2221 abuts against the downhill section and another portion of the protrusion 2221 abuts against the uphill section, which reduces the risk of gaps and makes the relative rotation speed between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 more controllable, making it less likely for the door body 300 to jam, reducing the risk of people being pinched, and improving safety.

[0089] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 10 As shown, the plurality of gears 231 include a first gear 223 and a second gear 224. The inner circumferential surface of the first gear 223 is provided with a connecting portion 221 and the outer circumferential surface is provided with teeth. The outer circumferential surface of the second gear 224 is provided with teeth. The connecting and mating portion 222 is provided at one axial end of the second gear 224 and is located inside the first gear 223.

[0090] The first gear 223 and the second gear 224 are connected by a connecting part 221 and a connecting mating part 222. For example, in some embodiments, a gear-like meshing connection is achieved through a first protrusion 2211, a second protrusion 2212, and a protrusion 2221. The first gear 223 can also mesh with other components such as the drive member 21 or the rack 24 through the teeth on its outer peripheral surface, and the second gear 224 can also mesh with other components, which facilitates the meshing transmission between the drive member 21, the gear set 23, the rack 24, and the mating part 10, making the transmission more stable.

[0091] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 5 and Figures 7-8As shown, when the opening angle of the door 300 is greater than the set opening angle, the hinge 320 separates from the mating groove 11, and the set opening angle is greater than or equal to the predetermined opening angle. When the opening angle of the door 300 is greater than the predetermined opening angle, the hinge 320 and the mating groove 11 may not necessarily separate. For example, in an embodiment where the set opening angle is greater than the predetermined opening angle, if the opening angle of the door 300 is greater than the predetermined opening angle but less than the set opening angle, the hinge 320 and the mating groove 11 do not separate. In an embodiment where the set opening angle is equal to the predetermined opening angle, the hinge 320 and the mating groove 11 separate when the opening angle of the door 300 is greater than the predetermined opening angle.

[0092] The door drive device 100 of this application can automatically open the door 300 to a predetermined opening angle, and can also automatically close the door 300 from the predetermined opening angle. It can also manually open and close the door. For example, the door drive device 100 can manually open the door 300 to a greater than the set opening angle, so that the hinge 320 is separated from the mating groove 11. After the hinge 320 is freed from the constraint of the mating groove 11, it can move freely, so that the door 300 can be opened to any angle greater than the set opening angle for taking out and putting in tableware. It can also manually close the door 300 when it is open.

[0093] Therefore, the door drive device 100 can not only automatically open and close the door 300 to dry tableware, but also manually open and close the door 300 to take out and put in tableware, making it highly practical.

[0094] In some embodiments including the transmission component 22, during the manual opening and closing of the door, the force applied by the hand to the door body 300 is transmitted to the mating component 10, causing the relative torsional force between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 to exceed a critical value. As a result, the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 rotate relative to each other, making the manual opening and closing process less susceptible to the influence of the drive component 20. This makes the automatic opening and closing process and the manual opening and closing process independent of each other, reducing mutual interference between the automatic opening and closing and the manual opening and closing, and improving the operational stability of the automatic opening and closing and the manual opening and closing.

[0095] During the manual opening of the door 300, the user opens the door 300, causing the hinge 320 to rotate. The rotation of the hinge 320 causes the mating member 10 to move. The rotating hinge 320 can be gradually separated from the mating member 10 by the movement of the mating member 10. For example, in some embodiments, the mating member 10 moves upward, and the hinge 320 on the front side of the mating member 10 rotates upward and forward to gradually separate from the mating groove 11.

[0096] Alternatively, the mating member 10 can be rotated in a direction away from the hinge 320, so that the rotating hinge 320 is separated from the mating member 10 by the rotating mating member 10. For example, in some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figures 7-8 As shown, the door drive device 100 further includes a first track 331 and a second track 332 that are connected. The extension direction of the first track 331 is parallel to the first direction, and the extension direction of the second track 332 intersects the first direction. The second track 332 is located on one side of the first track 331 along the first direction and on the side of the first track 331 opposite to the hinge 320. The mating member 10 has a first sliding part 121 and a second sliding part 122. The first sliding part 121 is slidable along the first track 331, and the second sliding part 122 is slidable along the first track 331 and the second track 332.

[0097] Among them, such as Figure 5 As shown, when the opening angle of the door 300 is less than or equal to the predetermined opening angle, the second sliding part 122 is located on the first track 331. Figures 7-8 As shown, when the opening angle of the door 300 is greater than the set opening angle, the second sliding part 122 is located on the second track 332.

[0098] For example, in some embodiments, such as Figures 2-9 As shown, the second track 332 is connected to the upper end of the first track 331. During the opening of the door 300, the first sliding part 121 moves upward along the first track 331. After the opening angle of the door 300 is greater than the predetermined opening angle, the first sliding part 121 moves upward, and the second sliding part 122 rotates clockwise relative to the first sliding part 121. The rotation axis of the second sliding part 122 extends in the left-right direction. The position of this rotation axis is the center line of the first sliding part 121 and moves upward with the first sliding part 121, so that the second sliding part 122 slides from the first track 331 into the second track 332. The rotation axis of the second sliding part 122 moves with the movement of the first sliding part 121, so that the mating part 10 moves and rotates as a whole.

[0099] The second sliding part 122 slides into the second track 332 from the first track 331, so that the mating part 10 can move and rotate in a direction away from the hinge 320, so as to release the hinge 320 from the mating groove 11. The separation of the hinge 320 from the mating groove 11 is faster and more thorough, and manual opening and closing of the door is more convenient.

[0100] For example, in some specific embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figures 7-8As shown, the first track 331 extends vertically, and the second track 332 extends horizontally. The second track 332 is located on the upper and rear side of the first track 331. There is a bend between the first track 331 and the second track 332 to allow the second sliding part 122 to slide between the first track 331 and the second track 332. The second sliding part 122 slides from the first track 331 into the second track 332, causing the mating part 10 to move upward and backward and rotate. The hinge 320 on the front side of the mating part 10 rotates upward and forward, allowing the hinge 320 to separate from the mating groove 11 more quickly.

[0101] In some embodiments that include the first track 331 and the second track 332, such as Figure 2 and Figures 4-9 As shown, the door drive device 100 includes a mounting box 30, which includes a box body 31 and a cover 32. The box body 31 has a first groove 311, and the cover 32 has a second groove. The cover 32 covers the box body 31 so that the first groove 311 and the second groove cooperate to form a first track 331 and a second track 332. The first sliding part 121 and the second sliding part 122 both include protrusions 123 located on both sides of the mating member 10, and the protrusions 123 on both sides are movably inserted into the first groove 311 and the second groove, respectively.

[0102] For example, in some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the first groove 311 and the second groove are opposite each other in the left-right direction. The first groove 311 forms part of the first track 331 and the second track 332, and the second groove forms another part of the first track 331 and the second track 332, so that the first track 331 and the second track 332 are formed by the cooperation of the first groove 311 and the second groove.

[0103] The first track 331 and the second track 332 are defined by the first groove 311 of the box body 31 and the second groove of the cover body 32. The mating part 10 is slidably installed on the first track 331 and the second track 332, making the movement of the mating part 10 more stable and the opening and closing process smoother.

[0104] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figures 7-8 As shown, the groove sidewall of the mating groove 11 includes a first groove wall 111 and a second groove wall 112, the second groove wall 112 being located on one side of the first groove wall 111 along a first direction (e.g. Figure 5 and Figure 7(As shown on the upper side). When the opening angle of the door 300 is less than or equal to the predetermined opening angle, the projections of the first groove wall 111, the second groove wall 112, and the hinge 320 along the first direction overlap. When the opening angle of the door 300 is greater than the predetermined opening angle, the projections of the second groove wall 112 and the hinge 320 along the first direction are offset.

[0105] During manual door opening, the hinge 320 abuts against the second groove wall 112. This application makes the second groove wall 112 shorter than the first groove wall 111, which helps to speed up the separation of the hinge 320 from the limiting groove, making manual door opening and closing more convenient.

[0106] In some embodiments where the hinge 320 gradually separates from the mating member 10 by moving the mating member 10, the mating member 10 moves upward, the hinge 320 on the front side of the mating member 10 rotates upward and forward, and the length of the upper second groove wall 112 in the front-back direction is shorter than the length of the lower first groove wall 111 in the front-back direction, so that the hinge 320 can disengage from the second groove wall 112 more quickly to separate from the mating groove 11.

[0107] In some embodiments where the hinge 320 gradually separates from the mating member 10 by rotating the mating member 10, such as Figures 7-8 As shown, the mating part 10 moves upward and backward and rotates, and the hinge 320 on the front side of the mating part 10 rotates upward and forward. The second groove wall 112 is shorter than the first groove wall 111, so that the hinge 320 can separate from the mating groove 11 more quickly, making it more convenient to manually open and close the door.

[0108] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 5 and Figures 7-9 As shown, the door drive device 100 includes a limiting component 40, and the mating component 10 includes a limiting mating part 13. When the opening angle of the door 300 is greater than the set opening angle, the limiting component 40 abuts against the limiting mating part 13. When the opening angle of the door 300 is less than the predetermined opening angle, the limiting component 40 separates from the limiting mating part 13.

[0109] By limiting the mating part 10 with the limiting component 40, the mating part 10 can remain separated from the hinge 320 after the door is manually opened and the hinge 320 moves freely. This makes it easier for the hinge 320 to re-engage with the mating groove 11 during the subsequent manual closing process, so that the door drive device 100 can repeatedly perform manual opening and closing operations.

[0110] In some embodiments where the mating member 10 includes a second sliding portion 122, such as Figures 2-9As shown, when the opening angle of the door 300 is greater than the set opening angle, the limiting component 40 abuts against the limiting mating part 13, so that the second sliding part 122 can be kept in the second track 332, that is, the mating part 10 can be kept in a state separated from the hinge 320, which facilitates the subsequent closing operation.

[0111] In some embodiments, such as Figures 2-9 As shown, when the opening angle of the door 300 is less than or equal to the predetermined opening angle, the limiting fitting part 13 extends obliquely towards the side closer to the limiting member 40 along the first direction; when the opening angle of the door 300 is greater than the predetermined opening angle, the limiting fitting part 13 extends in the horizontal direction.

[0112] By engaging the limiting component 40 with the limiting mating part 13, the extension direction of the limiting mating part 13 can guide the movement of the mating component 10. As the opening angle of the door 300 increases from less than or equal to the predetermined opening angle to greater than the set opening angle, the mating component 10 can move more smoothly along the first direction and along the direction close to the limiting component 40, such as moving and rotating, so that the hinge 320 separates from the mating component 10, making it more convenient to open the door manually.

[0113] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figures 7-9 As shown, the limiting component 40 includes a limiting elastic member 41 and a limiting member 42. The limiting member 42 abuts against the limiting mating part 13, and the limiting elastic member 41 applies a spring force along the second direction to the limiting member 42. The limiting elastic member 41 can be a component such as a spring that can undergo elastic deformation. Correspondingly, the limiting elastic member 41 can be in a stretched state or a compressed state, so that the limiting elastic member 41 applies a spring force along the second direction to the limiting member 42. For example, in some embodiments, such as... Figures 2-9 As shown, the limiting fitting part 13 is located below the limiting part 42, and the limiting elastic member 41 is in a compressed state to apply a downward elastic force to the limiting member 42.

[0114] During manual door opening, the mating part 10 moves along the first direction, and the mating part 10 abuts against the limiting part 42 to apply pressure to the limiting part 42 along the first direction, while the limiting elastic part 41 applies a spring force to the limiting part 42 along the second direction. Manual door opening causes the pressure of the mating part 10 on the limiting part 42 to be greater than the spring force of the limiting elastic part 41 on the limiting part 42, causing the limiting part 42 to move and rotate along the first direction. The second sliding part 122 slides into the second track 332, and then the hinge 320 separates from the mating groove 11 (the door drive device 100 is...). Figure 5 The state shown becomes Figure 7 (As shown in the figure), the second sliding part 122 remains within the second track 332.

[0115] During manual closing, the hinge 320 re-engages with the mating groove 11, causing the mating part 10 to move and rotate in the second direction, for example... Figure 8 As shown, the mating part 10 moves forward and downward and rotates, causing the limiting mating part 13 to move upward and forward and rotate under the action of the limiting elastic member 41 and the limiting member 42. After the mating part 10 returns to its original position (the mating part 10 is moved from... Figure 8 The state shown becomes Figure 4 (As shown in the diagram) Then, move the mating part 10 downwards as a whole. Manually closing the door causes the pressure of the limiting mating part 13 on the limiting member 42 to be greater than the elastic force of the limiting elastic member 41 on the limiting member 42, causing the limiting elastic member 41 to be further compressed. The limiting mating part 13 and the limiting member 42 move along the first direction. Then, the mating part 10 returns to the center position, and the second sliding part 122 slides into the first track 331, causing the mating part 10 to move along the second direction.

[0116] The limiting elastic element 41 allows the limiting element 42 to have movement space along the first and second directions, enabling the limiting element 42 to move in accordance with the movement of the hinge 320 and the mating element 10. This prevents the limiting element 42 from being damaged by forcibly opening the door manually, and makes it easier to open the door 300 to a greater than the predetermined opening angle to take out and put away tableware.

[0117] In some embodiments, such as Figures 2-9 As shown, the door drive device 100 includes a mounting box 30. The mounting box 30 has a first stop portion 341 and a second stop portion 342 spaced apart along a first direction. A limiting member 42 is movably disposed between the first stop portion 341 and the second stop portion 342. A limiting elastic member 41 is located on the side of the limiting member 42 facing away from the limiting mating portion 13 and abuts against the limiting member 42 and the first stop portion 341, so that the limiting elastic member 41 is in a compressed state. When the mating portion 10 is separated from the limiting member 40, the limiting member 42 abuts against the second stop portion 342 to place the limiting member 42 between the limiting elastic member 41 and the second stop portion 342, so that the limiting elastic member 41 can apply an elastic force along the second direction to the limiting member 42.

[0118] By limiting the limiting elastic member 41 and the limiting member 42 through the first stop part 341 and the second stop part 342, the limiting member 42 is located in a position that can abut against the mating member 10 when the door body 300 is opened to the predetermined opening angle, thereby limiting the hinge 320 by the mating member 10, improving the reliability of the limiting assembly 120 in limiting the hinge 320 when the door body 300 is opened to the predetermined opening angle.

[0119] In some embodiments, such as Figures 2-9As shown, the mounting box 30 includes a box body 31 and a cover 32. The box body 31 has a first protruding rib 312 extending in the vertical direction, and the cover 32 has a second protruding rib extending in the vertical direction. The cover 32 covers the box body 31. The limiting member 42 has guide grooves 421 on its left and right sides, respectively. The guide grooves 421 on both sides are movably engaged with the first protruding rib 312 and the second protruding rib. The limiting member 42 is movably mounted to the first protruding rib 312 and the second protruding rib through the guide grooves 421, making the installation of the limiting member 42 more stable and improving the limiting effect on the mating member 10.

[0120] There are various ways to stop the door drive device 100 from automatically opening or closing. For example, in some embodiments, the drive member 21 is configured to operate for a predetermined time, causing the door 300 to open to a predetermined opening angle or close from a predetermined opening angle. Specifically, after the dishwasher 1000 automatically washes the dishes, the door 300 is in a closed state. The drive member 21 starts working to drive the rack 24 to move through the gear set 23, which in turn drives the mating member 10 to move and drive the hinge 320 to rotate, causing the door 300 to gradually open. After the drive member 21 operates for a predetermined time, the door 300 opens to the predetermined opening angle, the drive member 21 stops working, and the door 300 remains at the predetermined opening angle.

[0121] When the door 300 is opened at a predetermined angle, the drive unit 21 starts working to drive the hinge 320 to rotate, causing the door 300 to gradually close. After the drive unit 21 has worked for a predetermined time, the door 300 is completely closed, the drive unit 21 stops working, and the door 300 is in the closed state. By controlling the working time of the drive unit 21, the automatic opening or closing operation can be stopped, which is highly feasible.

[0122] In other embodiments, the door drive device 100 includes a first trigger and a second trigger arranged along a first direction, which are communicatively connected to the drive unit 21. The first and second triggers can be microswitches, etc. When the drive unit 21 drives the door 300 to open to a predetermined opening angle, the rack 24 or the mating member 10 triggers the second trigger, causing the drive unit 21 to stop driving. When the drive unit 21 drives the door 300 to close completely, the rack 24 or the mating member 10 triggers the first trigger, causing the drive unit 21 to stop driving. When the door 300 is fully closed, it isolates the outside world from the interior of the dishwasher 1000.

[0123] The position of the rack 24 or the mating part 10 is confirmed by the first trigger and the second trigger to determine whether the door 300 is opened to the predetermined opening angle or closed in place, and then to determine whether to stop the automatic opening or the automatic closing. It is not easy for the automatic closing to stop when the door 300 is not open at the predetermined opening angle, nor is it easy for the automatic closing to stop when the door 300 is not completely closed. The control accuracy of automatic opening and closing is high.

[0124] In some embodiments, the door drive device 100 includes a third trigger connected in communication with the drive member 21, and the third trigger is located near the second track 332. When the door 300 opens to an angle greater than a predetermined opening angle, it means that manual door opening and closing operation is involved. At this time, the mating member 10 or the limiting member 42 triggers the third trigger, causing the drive member 21 to stop driving, so that the automatic door opening and closing process and the manual door opening and closing process are independent of each other. For example, the automatic door opening and closing operation can be switched to the manual door opening and closing operation during the automatic door opening and closing process, reducing the mutual interference between automatic door opening and closing and manual door opening and closing, and improving the operational stability of automatic door opening and closing and manual door opening and closing.

[0125] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the door drive device 100 includes a door balancing assembly 50, which includes a door balancing elastic member 51. The door balancing elastic member 51 connects the body 200 and the door 300. When the opening angle of the door 300 is any angle greater than a predetermined opening angle, the door balancing elastic member 51 is used to keep the door 300 at the current opening angle.

[0126] When the door 300 is opened at any angle greater than the predetermined opening angle, the door balancing elastic element 51 is in a stretched state, providing tension to the door 300. This balances the weight of the door 300 with the elastic force of the door balancing elastic element 51, allowing the door 300 to maintain its current opening angle. This requires no electricity, reducing energy consumption. The structure is simple and low-cost, simplifying the structure of the dishwasher 1000 and reducing production costs. Furthermore, when closing the door, only the weight of the door 300 needs to be overcome, facilitating quick and easy closing.

[0127] In some embodiments, the door balancing assembly 50 further includes a guide wheel 53 and a pull rope 52 connected to the door balancing elastic member 51. The pull rope 52 and the guide wheel 53 enable the door balancing assembly 50 to reverse direction, which helps to reduce the space occupied by the door balancing assembly 50.

[0128] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the dishwasher 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising a body 200, a door 300, and a door drive device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Since the door drive device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has the aforementioned beneficial technical effects, the dishwasher 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention can automatically open the door 300 to dry the dishes after washing them. Furthermore, the door drive device 100 can be positioned at the hinge 320 to precisely control the rotation angle of the hinge 320, thereby controlling the speed at which the door 300 automatically opens, improving the safety of automatic door opening.

[0129] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the door body 300 includes a door body 310 and a hinge 320. The door body 310 is rotatably connected to the body 200 through the hinge 320, and the hinge 320 has a mating protrusion 3201. The mating protrusion 3201 can be inserted into the mating groove 11 of the mating part 10. The structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0130] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, the movement path of the mating part 10 is at least partially within the rotation radius of the mating protrusion 3201, so that the mating part 10 and the mating protrusion 3201 can move together for a certain distance, so that the hinge 320 and the mating part 10 can move together during the process of the mating protrusion 3201 engaging with the mating groove 11. For example, the hinge 320 can drive the mating part 10 to move or the mating part 10 can drive the hinge 320 to move, thus making the restriction on the opening angle of the door 300 more stable.

[0131] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, the front end of hinge 320 is connected to door body 310, the middle part of hinge 320 is hinged to body 200, and the rear end of hinge 320 includes a hook and a mating protrusion 3201. The hook is connected to door balance assembly 50. Compared with hinges in related technologies, the hinge 320 of this application adds a mating protrusion 3201, which allows the mating protrusion 3201 to engage with the mating groove 11 to limit the opening angle of door body 310.

[0132] The door drive device 100 and dishwasher 1000 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the following description is merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0133] like Figures 1-11As shown, a dishwasher 1000 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention includes a body 200, a door 300 and a door drive device 100. The door 300 includes a door body 310 and a hinge 320. The door body 310 is rotatably connected to the body 200 through the hinge 320. The rotation axis of the hinge 320 is parallel to the left and right direction. The rear end of the hinge 320 has a mating protrusion 3201.

[0134] The door drive device 100 includes a mating part 10, a drive assembly 20, a mounting box 30, a limiting part 40, and a door balancing assembly 50. The mounting box 30 is mounted on the body 200 and includes a box body 31 and a cover 32. The box body 31 has a first groove 311, and the cover 32 has a second groove. The cover 32 covers the box body 31, such that the first groove 311 and the second groove are opposite each other in the left-right direction. The first groove 311 forms part of the first track 331 and the second track 332, and the second groove forms the other part of the first track 331 and the second track 332, so that the first track 331 and the second track 332 are formed by the cooperation of the first groove 311 and the second groove. The first track 331 extends in the vertical direction, and the second track 332 extends in the front-back direction and communicates with the first track 331. The second track 332 is located on the upper and rear side of the first track 331.

[0135] The mating component 10 has a first sliding portion 121 and a second sliding portion 122. The first sliding portion 121 is slidable along the first track 331, and the second sliding portion 122 is slidable along the first track 331 and the second track 332. Both the first sliding portion 121 and the second sliding portion 122 include protrusions 123 located on the left and right sides of the mating component 10, respectively. The two protrusions 123 are movably inserted into the first groove 311 and the second groove, respectively, so that the mating component 10 is mounted on the first track 331 and the second track 332 in a vertical direction.

[0136] The first sliding part 121 is movable in the vertical direction, and the second sliding part 122 is rotatable relative to the first sliding part 121. The rotation axis of the second sliding part 122 extends in the horizontal direction. The position of the rotation axis is the center line of the first sliding part 121 and it can move in the vertical direction with the first sliding part 121, so that the mating part 10 can move and can also move and rotate at the same time.

[0137] The mating part 10 has a mating groove 11 for receiving the mating protrusion 3201. The groove sidewall of the mating groove 11 includes a first groove wall 111 and a second groove wall 112 that are opposite each other in the vertical direction. The second groove wall 112 is located above the first groove wall 111, and in the front-back direction, the length of the second groove wall 112 is shorter than the length of the first groove wall 111.

[0138] The mating part 10 includes a limiting mating part 13, and the limiting component 40 includes a limiting elastic member 41 and a limiting member 42. The limiting member 42 is used to abut against the limiting mating part 13, and the limiting elastic member 41 is used to apply a downward elastic force to the limiting member 42.

[0139] The drive assembly 20 is connected to the mating part 10 and is used to drive the mating part 10 to move. The drive assembly 20 includes a drive element 21, a transmission component 22, a gear set 23, and a rack 24. The drive element 21 is a motor, and the rack 24 can reciprocate in the vertical direction and is hinged to the mating part 10. The gear set 23 includes five gears 231: a worm gear that meshes with the motor, a worm wheel that meshes with the worm gear, a first gear 223, a second gear 224, and an intermediate gear 232.

[0140] The transmission component 22 includes a connecting portion 221 and a connecting mating portion 222. The connecting portion 221 is fixedly connected to the inner circumferential surface of the first gear 223, and the connecting mating portion 222 is fixedly connected to the axial rear end of the second gear 224 and located inside the first gear 223. The connecting portion 221 and the connecting mating portion 222 are in contact and coaxially arranged, and the rotation axes of the connecting portion 221 and the connecting mating portion 222 are parallel to the left-right direction.

[0141] The connecting portion 221 has a first protrusion 2211 and a second protrusion 2212 arranged alternately around the axis of rotation. In the circumferential direction of the connecting portion 221, the inward protrusion height of the first protrusion 2211 gradually decreases to form a downhill section, and the protrusion height of the second protrusion 2212 gradually increases to form an uphill section. The outer peripheral surface of the first gear 223 is provided with teeth.

[0142] The connecting and mating part 222 includes a plurality of protrusions 2221 arranged around the rotation axis. A portion of the protrusions 2221 abuts against the first protrusion 2211, and another portion of the protrusions 2221 abuts against the second protrusion 2212. The protrusions 2221 are made of elastic material.

[0143] When the relative torsional force between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 is less than or equal to the critical value, the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 rotate synchronously, so that the transmission connection between two adjacent gears 231 is in a connected state, and the driving member 21 can drive the mating member 10 to move through the gear set 23 and the rack 24.

[0144] During the process of the drive component 21 driving the mating component 10 to move through the gear set 23 and rack 24, the motor drives the worm to rotate, the worm drives the worm wheel to rotate, the worm wheel drives the intermediate gear 232 to rotate, the intermediate gear 232 drives the first gear 223 to rotate, the first gear 223 drives the second gear 224 to rotate through the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222, the second gear 224 drives the rack 24 to move in the vertical direction within the first track 331, the rack 24 drives the mating component 10 to move, and the mating component 10 drives the hinge 320 to rotate, so as to automatically open or automatically close the door 300.

[0145] The drive assembly 20 can drive the mating part 10 to move upward, thereby causing the hinge 320 to rotate counterclockwise around the rotation axis, opening the door 300 to a predetermined opening angle and realizing automatic door opening. The drive assembly 20 can also drive the mating part 10 to move downward, thereby causing the hinge 320 to rotate clockwise around the rotation axis, closing the door 300 and realizing automatic door closing.

[0146] When the relative torsional force between the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 is greater than the critical value, the connecting part 221 and the connecting mating part 222 rotate relative to each other. Each protrusion 2221 contacts the first protrusion 2211 and the second protrusion 2212 in sequence, so that the transmission connection between two adjacent gears 231 is disconnected and the driving member 21 cannot drive the mating member 10 to move.

[0147] The door balancing assembly 50 includes a guide wheel 53, a connected door balancing elastic element 51, and a pull rope 52. The door balancing elastic element 51 and the pull rope 52 connect the body 200 and the hinge 320, and the pull rope 52 is wound around the guide wheel 53. At any angle where the opening angle of the door body 310 is greater than a predetermined opening angle, the door balancing elastic element 51 is used to keep the door body 310 at the current opening angle.

[0148] During the opening process, firstly, when the opening angle of the door body 310 is less than the predetermined opening angle, the limiting component 40 and the limiting mating part 13 are separated, the second sliding part 122 is located on the first track 331, and the projections of the first groove wall 111, the second groove wall 112 and the mating protrusion 3201 in the vertical direction overlap.

[0149] Next, with the door body 310 opening angle equal to the predetermined opening angle, the limiting member 40 abuts against the limiting mating part 13, the second sliding part 122 is located on the first track 331, and the projections of the first groove wall 111, the second groove wall 112, and the mating protrusion 3201 overlap in the vertical direction.

[0150] Then, when the opening angle of the door body 310 is greater than the predetermined opening angle and less than or equal to the set opening angle, the limiting member 40 abuts against the limiting mating part 13, the limiting member 42 moves upward, and the second sliding part 122 is located on the first track 331 or the second track 332. The projection portions of the first groove wall 111, the second groove wall 112, and the mating protrusion 3201 overlap in the vertical direction. The set opening angle is greater than the predetermined opening angle.

[0151] Finally, when the opening angle of the door body 310 is greater than the set opening angle, the limiting member 40 abuts against the limiting mating part 13, the limiting member 42 moves upward, the second sliding part 122 is located in the second track 332, and the projections of the second groove wall 112 and the mating protrusion 3201 are offset in the vertical direction.

[0152] During automatic opening and closing, the opening angle of the door body 310 is less than or equal to the predetermined opening angle. For example... Figure 4 As shown, during the automatic door opening process, the mating protrusion 3201 contacts the first groove wall 111, causing the drive assembly 20 to drive the mating part 10 to move upward, thereby causing the hinge 320 to rotate counterclockwise around the rotation axis. Figure 6 As shown, during the automatic closing process, the mating protrusion 3201 contacts the second groove wall 112, causing the drive assembly 20 to drive the mating part 10 to move downward, thereby causing the hinge 320 to rotate clockwise around the rotation axis.

[0153] During manual door opening, such as Figure 5 As shown, when the opening angle of the door body 310 is less than or equal to the set opening angle, the cooperating protrusion 3201 contacts the second groove wall 112; as Figure 7 As shown, when the opening angle of the door body 310 is greater than the set opening angle, the mating protrusion 3201 separates from the mating groove 11, allowing the hinge 320 to move freely. During manual closing, as... Figure 8 As shown, when the opening angle of the door body 310 is greater than the set opening angle, the mating protrusion 3201 separates from the mating groove 11; when the opening angle of the door body 310 is less than or equal to the set opening angle, the mating protrusion 3201 contacts the first groove wall 111.

[0154] The door drive device 100 of this specific embodiment can automatically open the door to a predetermined opening angle and automatically close the door 300 after opening. It can also be manually opened and closed in any state of the door 300. Furthermore, the door drive device 100 is equipped with a connecting part 221 and a connecting mating part 222, which can protect the human body from being pinched during the automatic closing process.

[0155] Other configurations and operations of the door drive device 100 and dishwasher 1000 according to embodiments of the present invention are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0156] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0157] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "embodiment," "specific embodiment," and "example" indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0158] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A door drive device for a dishwasher, characterized in that, include: A mating component, which is movable relative to the body of the dishwasher, has a mating groove for accommodating a hinge of the dishwasher door. A drive assembly, which is connected to the mating component, wherein, The drive assembly is adapted to drive the mating member to move along a first direction, so as to drive the hinge to rotate around the rotation axis along the first rotation direction, so that the door opens to a predetermined opening angle, wherein the first direction intersects the rotation axis of the hinge.

2. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly is also adapted to drive the mating member to move in a second direction, so as to drive the hinge to rotate around the rotation axis in a second rotation direction, thereby closing the door. The first direction is opposite to the second direction, and the first rotation direction is opposite to the second rotation direction.

3. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a drive element, a gear set, and a rack. The gear set includes at least one gear, and the gear set is meshed between the drive element and the rack. The rack is movable along the first direction and the second direction. The rack is connected to the mating member. The driving member is used to drive the gear set to rotate, thereby driving the rack to move. The first direction is opposite to the second direction.

4. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that, The gear set includes a plurality of gears, and the drive assembly includes a transmission component. At least two gears are connected via the transmission component. The transmission component includes a connecting portion and a connecting mating portion that are respectively fixedly connected to two of the gears. The connecting portion and the connecting mating portion are in contact with each other, and their rotation axes are parallel. When the relative torsional force between the connecting part and the connecting mating part is less than or equal to a critical value, the connecting part and the connecting mating part rotate synchronously, so that the transmission connection between two adjacent gears is in a connected state; When the relative torsional force between the connecting part and the connecting mating part is greater than the critical value, the connecting part and the connecting mating part rotate relative to each other, causing the transmission connection between two adjacent gears to be disconnected.

5. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connecting part has a first protrusion and a second protrusion arranged alternately around the rotation axis. In the circumferential direction of the connecting part, the protrusion height of the first protrusion gradually decreases and the protrusion height of the second protrusion gradually increases. The connecting mating part includes a plurality of protrusions arranged around the rotation axis. A portion of the protrusions abuts against the first protrusion, and another portion of the protrusions abuts against the second protrusion. When the relative torsional force is greater than the critical value, each of the protrusions contacts the first protrusion and the second protrusion in sequence.

6. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plurality of gears include a first gear and a second gear. The first gear has a connecting portion on its inner circumferential surface and a toothed portion on its outer circumferential surface. The second gear has a toothed portion on its outer circumferential surface. The connecting and mating portion is located at one axial end of the second gear and inside the first gear.

7. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the opening angle of the door is greater than the set opening angle, the hinge separates from the mating groove, and the set opening angle is greater than or equal to the predetermined opening angle.

8. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a connected first track and a second track, the first track extending parallel to the first direction, and the second track extending intersecting the first direction. The second track is located on one side of the first track along the first direction and on the side of the first track opposite to the hinge. The mating member has a first sliding portion and a second sliding portion, the first sliding portion being slidable along the first track, and the second sliding portion being slidable along both the first track and the second track. When the opening angle of the door is less than or equal to the predetermined opening angle, the second sliding part is located on the first track; when the opening angle of the door is greater than the predetermined opening angle, the second sliding part is located on the second track.

9. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 8, characterized in that, The device includes an installation box, which comprises a box body and a cover. The box body has a first groove, and the cover has a second groove. The cover covers the box body so that the first groove and the second groove cooperate to form the first track and the second track. The first sliding part and the second sliding part each include protrusions located on both sides of the mating part, and the protrusions on both sides are movably inserted into the first groove and the second groove, respectively.

10. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The groove sidewall of the mating groove includes a first groove wall and a second groove wall, the second groove wall being located on one side of the first groove wall along the first direction. When the opening angle of the door is less than or equal to the predetermined opening angle, the projection portions of the first groove wall, the second groove wall, and the hinge along the first direction overlap. When the opening angle of the door is greater than the set opening angle, the projections of the second groove wall and the hinge along the first direction are offset, and the set opening angle is greater than or equal to the predetermined opening angle.

11. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The door drive device includes a limiting component, and the mating component includes a limiting mating part. When the opening angle of the door is greater than the set opening angle, the limiting component abuts against the limiting mating part, and the set opening angle is greater than or equal to the predetermined opening angle. When the opening angle of the door is less than the predetermined opening angle, the limiting component separates from the limiting mating part.

12. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the opening angle of the door is less than or equal to the predetermined opening angle, the limiting fitting part extends obliquely towards the side closer to the limiting component along the first direction; when the opening angle of the door is greater than the predetermined opening angle, the limiting fitting part extends horizontally.

13. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 11, characterized in that, The limiting component includes a limiting elastic element and a limiting element. The limiting element is used to abut against the limiting mating part, and the limiting elastic element is used to apply an elastic force to the limiting element in a second direction, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

14. The door drive device of the dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drive mechanism is configured to operate for a predetermined time to open the door to a predetermined opening angle or close it at the predetermined opening angle; or... The door driving device includes a first trigger and a second trigger arranged along the first direction. The first trigger and the second trigger are respectively communicatively connected to the driving component. When the driving component drives the door to open to a predetermined opening angle, the rack or the mating component triggers the second trigger, causing the driving component to stop driving. When the drive unit drives the door to close in place, the rack or the mating component triggers the first trigger, causing the drive unit to stop driving.

15. A dishwasher, characterized in that, The dishwasher includes a body, a door, and a door drive device according to any one of claims 1-14. The door includes a door body and a hinge, the door body being rotatably connected to the body via the hinge, and the hinge having a mating protrusion adapted to engage with a mating groove of the mating member.

16. The dishwasher according to claim 15, characterized in that, The movement path of the mating component is at least partially within the rotation radius of the mating protrusion.

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