Dishwasher Door Hinge Assembly for In-Situ Spring Linkage Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwasher door removal methods require the appliance to be completely removed from the cabinet, leading to increased labor and risk of damage, as one-piece hinge designs still necessitate this process.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher door hinge assembly with a spring linkage system that allows separation of the spring linkage from the hinge while the door remains attached, enabling in-situ door removal without removing the appliance from the cabinet, utilizing a clevis with arched cutouts and tool bores for linkage removal tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If one-piece hinge designs are used, then manufacturing cost and structural robustness are improved, but door removal still requires appliance dismounting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddoor removal accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is divided into separable components: the hinge body remains fixed to the appliance, while the spring linkage is designed as a removable component that can be detached independently. This segmentation allows the spring linkage to be removed without removing the entire appliance, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and service accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring linkage is extracted as a separate removable component from the hinge assembly. By designing the spring linkage with removable pins that can be accessed from the front of the appliance, the invention enables removal of the spring linkage without requiring appliance dismounting, while maintaining the robust one-piece hinge structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the entire dishwasher is removed from the cabinet for door service, then complete access to hinge components is achieved, but labor time and damage risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent accessibilityVSAvoidservice time

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The removable pin acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides access to the spring linkage without requiring removal of the entire appliance. The pin can be accessed and removed from the front of the appliance, serving as a mediator that enables component service while the appliance remains installed in the cabinet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge and spring linkage are pre-designed with built-in accessibility features, including front-accessible pins and appropriate clearances, that allow service personnel to remove the spring linkage directly without preliminary appliance dismounting. This preliminary design consideration eliminates the need for time-consuming appliance removal and reinstallation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the entire dishwasher is removed from the cabinet for door service, then complete access to hinge components is achieved, but cabinet and floor damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent accessibilityVSAvoidcabinet damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring linkage is extracted as a separate removable component that can be serviced independently without removing the appliance from the cabinet. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of potential cabinet and floor damage that would occur during appliance dismounting and reinstallation, while still providing necessary component accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If traditional two-piece hinge designs are used, then door removal is possible without appliance dismounting, but manufacturing cost and structural robustness decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor removal accessibilityVSAvoidhinge robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge system is segmented into a robust one-piece hinge body and a separately removable spring linkage. This segmentation maintains the structural strength and manufacturing advantages of one-piece hinges while enabling independent removal of the spring linkage component without appliance dismounting, thus achieving both robustness and serviceability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9642511B2In-situ door removal device in a dishwashing appliance

Publication Date: 2017.05.09 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A dishwasher door hinge assembly and spring linkage device is disclosed that enables the spring linkage to be removed from the hinge while the door remains attached to the hinge assembly and to the appliance. This provides in-situ removal of the door from the appliance without requiring the unit to be removed from the cabinet. Both the hinge and the spring linkage have geometry that allow for separation while the appliance remains mounted in final installed state (in-situ).