Dishwasher Door Latching for Two-Stage Drying Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers face issues with incomplete door opening for effective drying, leading to moisture condensation on countertops and difficulty in closing the door, especially for users with limited strength, due to inadequate opening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a movable closing plate controlled by a motor, allowing for two adjustable gap widths for partial door opening and closing, enabling controlled door operation and improved drying by automatically adjusting the gap size based on cycle requirements and user needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door is partially opened by a motor-driven closing tab, then drying is improved, but the opening gap is insufficient and causes condensation on countertops
Solution Approach 1:
The closing plate is made dynamically adjustable with two distinct positions: a first position providing a small gap for assisted drying, and a second position providing a large gap for effective drying. The motor transforms the static closing tab into a dynamic element that can adapt its position based on drying requirements, resolving the contradiction between providing any opening and providing sufficient opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of opening gap width from a single fixed value to two discrete values (small and large gaps). By switching between these parameter states, the system can optimize for different drying phases: the small gap prevents over-protrusion while the large gap ensures sufficient vapor escape, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Reliability
If the closing tab protrudes far into the room for large opening gap, then drying is improved, but the closing tab becomes an injury hazard and can be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The closing plate transitions from a static element to a dynamic one that can retract to a first position after drying. This dynamic retraction eliminates the injury hazard while maintaining the drying benefit during the critical phase, as the plate only protrudes when needed and retracts when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing plate operates periodically: it protrudes to the second position during the drying phase to enable effective drying, then retracts to the first position afterward to eliminate the injury hazard. This periodic action between two positions resolves the contradiction between providing sufficient opening and preventing harm.
3Reliability
If considerable pressure is applied to close the door against the sealing gasket, then the door closes securely, but weak persons have difficulty closing it
Solution Approach 1:
The motor performs preliminary action by automatically positioning the closing plate and holding the door in a partially open state after the cycle. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for users to apply force to overcome the sealing gasket's resilience, as the motor has already prepared the door in the desired position.
Solution Approach 2:
The door closing function becomes self-service through the motor-driven closing plate that automatically positions itself and holds the door open or closed as needed. The system serves itself by using the motor to counteract the sealing gasket's resistance, eliminating the need for human strength to close the door securely.
4Ease of operation
If the door remains slightly open after the cycle, then users can easily close it, but the closing tab protrudes far and creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The closing plate dynamically adjusts between two positions: it can remain in the first position providing a small gap that assists drying while not protruding far, or move to the second position for large opening. This dynamic capability allows the system to provide ease of operation without creating the same safety hazards as fixed large-protrusion designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a tub, a hinged door for closing the tub, a sealing gasket disposed between the tub and the door, a device control unit, a closing plate connected to the tub and movable by a motor, a latching element disposed on the door, and a closing tab disposed on the closing plate for engaging with the latching element for closing the door and enabling the device control unit to partially open the door. The closing plate is movable into first and second positions to bring the door into respective first and second partially open positions with respective first and second gap widths. The second gap width is larger than the first gap width.