Dishwasher Door Lock Actuation for Low-Force Automatic Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household dishwashers require significant user force to open the door due to the need for the locking device to counteract the seal's pressure, making the opening process cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An automatic door opening mechanism using a spring-mounted roller and a motor-driven pressing unit that engages with the door lock, allowing for easy and controlled opening of the dishwasher door, with optional configurations for different motor types and speeds to accommodate various designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-positive or non-positive and positive locking device is used to seal the washing compartment, then the door remains securely closed during operation, but the user must apply significant force to open the door
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening device performs preliminary action by automatically actuating the locking device before the user attempts to open the door. The control unit triggers the actuator to release the locking lever, which then allows the door to be opened with minimal force. This preliminary unlocking action eliminates the need for the user to overcome the full sealing force manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The door opening device acts as an intermediary between the user and the locking mechanism. Instead of the user directly forcing the door against the seal, the actuator and locking lever serve as intermediate mechanical elements that mediate the opening process. The actuator releases the locking lever, which in turn releases the door from the locked position, allowing easy opening.
2Ease of operation
If a motor-operated locking lever is used to enable easy door opening, then the door can be opened with reduced effort, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into distinct functional components: the locking lever for mechanical engagement, the actuator for automated operation, and the control unit for intelligence. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system design by separating the locking function from the door structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The door opening device operates autonomously through the control unit that automatically activates the actuator when opening is required. The system serves itself by detecting the need for door opening and executing the unlocking sequence without requiring manual intervention beyond the initial trigger, thereby reducing operational complexity for the user.
3Reliability
If the locking device must counteract the seal's pressing force, then the door remains liquid-tight during operation, but the door opening process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device performs preliminary action by engaging the locking lever with the locking latch before the door is fully closed. This pre-engagement creates a mechanical advantage that allows the door to be held securely against the seal's pressing force during operation, while also preparing the system for easy release during opening by simply actuating the locking lever.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever serves as an intermediary mechanical element between the door and the locking latch. It transmits and amplifies the actuator's small movement into sufficient force to overcome the seal's pressing force, enabling reliable locking during operation while allowing easy release when needed. The locking lever mediates between the high force required for sealing and the low force needed for opening.
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 enables a dishwasher door to open automatically with reduced effort, ensuring safe operation and minimizing standby power consumption, while allowing for design flexibility in handleless and fully integrated models.
Implementation Method 1
The pressing unit 5 has a pressing plunger 504, which is moved primarily by means of its motor 506
Implementation Method 2
The pressing unit 5 has a pressing plunger 504, which is moved primarily by means of its motor 506
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher (1), with a washing compartment (10) which can be closed by a pivoting door (2) and which is optionally surrounded by a body, the door (2) being secured by a non-positive locking device (3) held in the closed state and can be unlocked by a pulling force. In order to create a simply constructed and easy-to-operate opening device, there are means which counteract the locking force of the door lock outside of the flushing operation.