Angled leading side for a trigger head of a slide assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide assemblies in dishwashing appliances suffer from unintentional triggering of the soft close mechanism, leading to a false trip failure mode that prevents full retraction of the slide assembly.

Innovation Solution

The slide assembly incorporates a trigger assembly with a trigger head featuring an angled leading side that facilitates resetting after a false trip failure mode, allowing the slide assembly to be manually closed and returned to the retracted position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a soft close mechanism is added to dampen movement of the slide assembly, then the slide assembly movement is controlled and dampened, but the soft close mechanism may be unintentionally triggered prior to retraction operation, preventing full retraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslide assembly movement controlVSAvoidfalse trip failure mode

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger head is positioned and oriented in advance during assembly so that its angled leading side is pre-aligned to contact the saddle only during intentional retraction operations. This preliminary positioning prevents unintentional triggering while maintaining the soft close mechanism's dampening function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The angled leading side of the trigger head acts as an intermediary element between the rack assembly movement and the soft close mechanism activation. This angled surface provides a controlled interface that allows intentional activation while preventing false trips through its specific geometric orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the trigger head has a vertical front surface, then the soft close mechanism can be activated, but the slide assembly cannot be reset following a false trip failure mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoft close activationVSAvoidreset capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger head front surface is made asymmetric with an angled leading side rather than a vertical surface. This asymmetry allows the trigger head to be deflected sideways during false trips and enables manual resetting by applying lateral force, while still maintaining proper activation functionality during intentional operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger head is designed to be dynamically deflectable rather than rigidly fixed. The angled leading side allows the trigger head to move sideways when contacted by the saddle during false trips, and this dynamic characteristic enables manual resetting by allowing the trigger head to be pushed back into its proper position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the trigger head is positioned to engage the soft close mechanism, then the soft close function is activated, but unintentional contact prevents full retraction of the slide assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoft close function activationVSAvoidfull retraction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger head has different surface characteristics at different locations: the angled leading side is designed to contact the saddle at a specific angle during normal operation, while other portions of the trigger head are positioned to avoid unintentional contact. This local differentiation allows proper activation while preventing false trips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger head engagement is designed to occur in a specific dimensional orientation. The angled leading side contacts the saddle in a controlled manner during intentional retraction, while the trigger head's lateral deflection capability provides an additional degree of freedom that prevents unintentional engagement from other directions or forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The angled leading side of the trigger head enables effective resetting of the slide assembly, ensuring it can be fully retracted despite unintentional activation of the soft close mechanism, enhancing the functionality and reliability of the slide assembly.

Implementation Method 1

The soft close mechanism may include an actuator to dampen movement of the slide assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS12616355B2Angled leading side for a trigger head of a slide assembly

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A trigger assembly for a dishwashing appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The trigger assembly includes a trigger support arm attached to a slide assembly of the dishwashing appliance. The trigger assembly also includes a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm. The trigger head includes a base. The base includes a first leg, a second leg, and an arm. The arm is positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction. The trigger head also includes a top attached to the base. The top includes a main body and a tip extended from the main body approximately along the lateral direction. The tip includes an angled leading side and a trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction.