Movable Control Panel Hinge for Assisted Manual Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances with control panels require either excessive user effort or experience unwanted independent movements, making them either difficult to operate or prone to unintended motion.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance design where the control panel is moved by a motor drive on a first partial path and by the user on a second partial path, utilizing a multi-joint hinge with a spring mechanism to distribute effort and prevent unwanted movements, allowing for user-friendly and energy-efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an electromechanical drive is used to move the control panel independently, then automation is improved, but unwanted independent movements occur across the entire range
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel's movement path is segmented into two distinct portions: a first portion moved by the electromechanical drive and a second portion moved by the user. This segmentation allows the automated system to only operate over the critical first portion, reducing unwanted independent movements while maintaining necessary automation for panel access.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromechanical drive performs only a partial action, moving the control panel only over the first portion of its total path rather than the entire range. This partial automation eliminates unwanted movements in the user-controlled portion while still providing sufficient automation to facilitate panel access and positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the control panel is moved manually over the entire range, then user control is improved, but excessive user effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The manual operation is segmented so that the user only needs to exert force over the second portion of the control panel's path, while the electromechanical drive handles the first portion. This reduces the total user effort required while maintaining user control over the final positioning of the panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromechanical drive acts as an intermediary that assists the user by providing automated movement for the first portion of the panel's path. This intermediary mechanism reduces the force the user must apply while still allowing the user to complete the movement and maintain control over the panel's final position.
3Productivity
If the control panel moves across the entire range automatically, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromechanical drive performs only a partial action, operating solely over the first portion of the control panel's path rather than the entire range. This reduces energy consumption by limiting the motor's operational distance while still achieving the productivity benefit of automated movement for the critical portion of the task.
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
This design minimizes user effort and prevents unintended panel movements, ensuring seamless and safe operation with reduced energy consumption and enhanced user-friendliness.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a multi-joint hinge with a spring mechanism to distribute effort
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic appliance (1) comprising a front control panel (10) which covers a receiver space (11), arranged behind same, for a domestic appliance component (12), as well as a movement device (13) with a motor drive (22 to 25) designed to move said control panel (10) so as to open and close said receiver space (11), the control panel (10) being moved on a first path section between two end positions of a complete path by the motor drive (22 to 25), and being moved on a second path section between the two end positions of the complete path by a user.