Appliance with a foot actuating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot-operated devices for appliances like dishwashers and cleaning machines are cumbersome and pose tripping hazards due to their forward protrusion and require precise foot placement, making them inefficient and unsafe for ergonomic operation, especially in commercial settings where easy handling is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A foot-operated device with a pivotably mounted actuating surface via a four-bar linkage, allowing ergonomic operation by forming a seesaw with the tread surface, and coupled to an opening mechanism that partially opens the appliance door via a Bowden cable and spring accumulator, preventing accidental operation and enabling quick loading without manual interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foot pedal protrudes forward from the base area to enable foot operation, then the device can be operated with the foot, but it becomes a tripping hazard and requires precise foot placement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the actuating surface protrude forward from the base area, the patent inverts the design by integrating the actuating surface into the base area itself. The actuating surface is arranged to extend essentially over the entire width of the base area, allowing foot operation without creating a forward protrusion that would cause tripping hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional forward-protruding pedal design to a laterally-extending actuating surface that spans the width of the base area. This dimensional change allows users to actuate the device by pressing anywhere on the broad surface, eliminating the need for precise foot placement while maintaining foot operation capability.
2Productivity
If the actuating surface extends over the entire width of the device, then operation is independent of foot position and becomes faster, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating surface is designed to extend essentially over the entire width of the base area, making the entire region functional for foot actuation. This universal actuation zone allows operation regardless of where the user places their foot, significantly improving operation speed and independence from precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the actuating surface with the base area structure, integrating the functional element directly into the existing structural component. This combination eliminates the need for separate complex mechanisms while achieving full-width actuation capability.
3Ease of operation
If the appliance door is manually opened, then the door can be opened, but it requires interrupting manual operation and placing load on shelf first
Solution Approach 1:
The foot-operated actuating device enables preliminary action by allowing users to trigger the door opening mechanism before manually handling or placing loads. The automatic or assisted door opening preparation eliminates the need to interrupt manual operation, as the door can be preliminarily opened or held open through foot actuation.
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 solution allows for easy, ergonomic, and safe operation of appliances by preventing unintentional actuation and enabling partial door opening for efficient loading, reducing the risk of injury and improving operational efficiency in commercial settings.
Implementation Method 1
coupled to an opening mechanism that partially opens the appliance door via a Bowden cable and spring accumulator
Implementation Method 2
it has an operating surface which is pivotably mounted via at least one four-bar linkage
Implementation Method 3
partially opens the appliance door via a Bowden cable and spring accumulator
Data Source
Figure 1(a)
Figure 1(b)~1(c)
Figure 1(d)~1(e)
AI summary
The invention relates to a foot-operated device (2) for a device, in particular for a cleaning device (1). The foot-operated device is characterized in that it has an operating surface (21) which is pivotably mounted via at least one four-bar linkage.