Device for closing and opening and/or for locking and unlocking doors, in particular doors of household appliances such as washing machines or the like
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closing and opening systems for household appliances, such as washing machines, fail to reliably acknowledge the actual position of the hatch and inhibit functions when the hatch is forced open, leading to incorrect electric permission generation and potential breakage of the latch.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a magnetic field sensor and elastic mechanisms to detect the proximity of a magnet on the hatch, ensuring the permission element is locked in the correct position, and using elastic means to automatically switch the closing and opening element, preventing forced opening and ensuring accurate electric permission generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical latch system is used to detect hatch position, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of position acknowledgement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical latch-based position detection system with a magnetic field sensing system. A magnetic sensor (such as a Hall effect sensor or reed switch) detects the position of a magnet attached to the moving latch, providing reliable electrical signals about hatch position without requiring complex mechanical linkages or multiple mechanical switches. This substitution of mechanical detection with magnetic field detection resolves the contradiction by providing reliable position acknowledgement while keeping the mechanical structure simple.
2Reliability
If the permission element is freely switchable, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability of function inhibition is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by designing the permission element to be automatically locked in its position by the mechanical latch system before any function can be activated. The permission element cannot be manually switched unless the latch is in the correct closed position, which prevents incorrect operation. This preliminary constraint ensures that even if a user attempts to operate the system incorrectly, the permission element will not allow function activation, thus providing reliable function inhibition while maintaining ease of legitimate operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The permission element acts as an intermediary between the mechanical latch position and the electrical control system. It translates the mechanical state into an electrical permission signal that must be present for appliance functions to activate. This intermediary ensures that the control system only responds when the hatch is properly closed and latched, providing reliable function inhibition while keeping the interface simple for the user.
3Strength
If the latch is made rigid to prevent forced opening, then the strength is high, but the risk of breakage during forced opening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the latch with a predetermined breaking point or weak link that is intentionally weaker than the main body of the latch. This weak link is positioned to fail first under excessive force, absorbing the energy of forced opening attempts and preventing damage to the main latch structure, the door, or the appliance body. The breaking point acts as a sacrificial element that protects the overall system while maintaining strong normal operation.
4Measurement precision
If electric permission is generated automatically upon latch closing, then the productivity is high, but the accuracy of position detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic field sensing to replace imprecise mechanical position detection methods. The magnetic sensor provides accurate, repeatable detection of the latch position by sensing the magnetic field of a magnet attached to the moving component. This allows for precise determination of whether the hatch is fully closed and latched, eliminating errors associated with mechanical wear, clearance, or misalignment while maintaining fast automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the magnetic sensor to continuously monitor latch position and provide real-time information to the control system. The control system receives feedback about the actual position state and can verify whether the permission condition is truly met before allowing function activation. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate position detection while enabling automatic, high-speed operation without requiring manual verification.
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 provides reliable acknowledgement of the hatch's position and locking state, inhibiting appliance functions during forced opening and breakage, while maintaining low manufacturing costs and compatibility with existing appliances.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a magnetic field sensor and elastic mechanisms to detect the proximity of a magnet on the hatch
Implementation Method 2
using elastic means to automatically switch the closing and opening element
Data Source
AI summary
A device for closing and opening doors and/or hatches and/or similar components, in particular of household appliances such as washing machines, in particular with top loading, dishwashers and similar household appliances, said device comprising a closing and opening assembly adapted to be fixed to one of a fixed part and the hatch of a household appliance and including a closing and opening element which is adapted to be switched by translation between a first end-stop position and a second end-stop position and vice versa; wherein said device comprises a permission element which is adapted to be switched by translation between a first end-stop own position thereof and a second end-stop own position thereof and vice versa, and wherein said permission element, during the translation thereof from said first end-stop own position thereof to said second end-stop own position thereof, is adapted to be locked in a third intermediate own position thereof between said first and second end-stop own positions thereof.