Automatic Door Opening Mechanism for Safe Appliance Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances, such as dishwashers, face handling disadvantages and safety risks due to door locking mechanisms that require manual force to open and can lead to unexpected door falls if the door spring is defective.
Innovation Solution
A door opening mechanism using a sliding element that interacts with a door lock, allowing for automatic unlocking and controlled door opening with minimal user effort, featuring a reversible drive and sensor-activated control for safe and convenient operation, including both user-requested and program-controlled door opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door lock is engaged in the open position, then the door remains securely locked, but the user must force the door open manually against the locking force to release the lock
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening mechanism transitions the locking system from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocking process. The sliding element moves along the door lock, transforming the locking force into a controlled unlocking motion that gradually reduces the locking force until the door can be freely opened.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding element acts as an intermediary between the user's opening action and the door lock. Instead of directly forcing the locked door open, the user operates the sliding element which then interacts with the door lock to progressively release the locking force, mediating the transition from locked to unlocked state.
2Productivity
If the door is automatically opened using a program-controlled mechanism, then drying is aided by gap formation, but the door poses a safety risk as it could unexpectedly fall down during automatic opening if the door spring were defective
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening mechanism performs preliminary action by gradually moving the sliding element along the door lock before complete door opening. This progressive motion allows the system to prepare for door release in a controlled manner, enabling safety checks and preventing sudden door drops that could occur with direct spring-based opening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism incorporates feedback through the interaction between the sliding element and door lock, where the progression of the sliding element provides continuous information about the unlocking state. This feedback loop allows the control system to monitor the door opening process and respond appropriately to prevent unsafe conditions.
3Reliability
If the sliding element pushes the door against the appliance body with magnetic force connection, then the door remains securely closed, but the door cannot be opened without overcoming the magnetic force
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the sliding element and door lock transitions from a static magnetic force holding the door closed to a dynamic mechanical interaction during opening. The sliding element's movement along the door lock transforms the constant magnetic attraction into a progressive release mechanism, converting the static sealing force into a dynamic unlocking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely magnetic force connection with a hybrid system that incorporates mechanical interaction through the sliding element's physical engagement with the door lock. This substitution allows the system to maintain magnetic sealing force while enabling mechanical assistance for door opening, reducing the effort needed to overcome magnetic attraction.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance (1) for carrying out a treatment program, such as a rinsing, washing or food preparation program, comprising an appliance body (2) which encloses a treatment chamber having a loading opening (3), a door (4) with which the loading opening (3) can be closed in a fluid-tight manner during the treatment program, a pusher element (7) which is mounted to be displaceable between a maximum retraction and maximum extension position, and a control device for controlling the displacement of the pusher element (7), the door (4) being converted into a treatment program can be brought into the closed position, in which the door (4) is pressed by means of the pusher element (7) in a pressing direction (16) with the interposition of a door seal (8) against the device body (2), and wherein the pusher element (7) with a door lock (6) with which the door (4) is locked in the closed position. The invention is characterized in that a movement of the sliding element (7) can cause the door (4) to move out of the closed position in the pressing direction (16), which triggers unlocking of the door lock (6).