Dishwasher Door Locking Mechanism for Thin Push-To-Open Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door lock devices for household appliances, such as dishwashers, are often bulky, limiting the design of thin doors and preventing the integration of 'push to open' motorized systems, which are desired for modern kitchen designs.
Innovation Solution
A door lock device with a movable deadlock that translates and rotates, utilizing elastic compression means and an articulated device to securely lock and unlock the door, allowing for thin door designs and compatibility with 'push to open' systems without external handles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional door lock devices are used, then the locking function is reliable, but the door thickness increases and the design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock device is divided into separate functional components: a lock body mounted on the door, a strike plate mounted on the appliance housing, and a locking mechanism that connects them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the overall thickness requirement while maintaining reliable locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a traditional thick, planar design to a three-dimensional articulated structure that uses rotational and translational movements. The deadlock moves along a curved trajectory combining rotation and translation, allowing the lock to achieve secure engagement with reduced thickness in the door.
2Device complexity
If traditional door lock devices are used, then the locking mechanism is simple, but the compatibility with motorized 'push to open' systems is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lock body is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both manual operation and motorized actuation. The articulated deadlock mechanism can be actuated by either direct manual manipulation or by connection to motorized pushing devices, making the same basic structure compatible with multiple opening methods without requiring separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including the movable deadlock that can translate and rotate, and the elastic compression means that can be compressed by either manual force or motorized actuators. This dynamic design allows the same mechanism to respond to different types of input forces while maintaining reliable locking and unlocking functionality.
3Device complexity
If the deadlock only rotates, then the mechanism is simple, but the locking engagement reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism merges rotational movement with translational movement in a single articulated mechanism. The deadlock rotates on an axis while simultaneously translating along a curved path, combining both motion types to achieve secure engagement with the strike plate. This combination of movements creates a more reliable locking action than rotation alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The deadlock follows a curved trajectory during its movement, combining rotational and translational components. The curved path of movement allows the locking surfaces to engage more effectively, distributing the locking force along the curved engagement path rather than at a single point, thereby improving reliability while maintaining mechanism simplicity.
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
Enables the creation of household appliances with thin doors and integrates seamlessly with motorized 'push to open' systems, enhancing design flexibility and user experience while maintaining reliability and reduced cost.
Implementation Method 1
first elastic compression means operatively associated with the rod and configured to push the rod toward the locking tooth
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock device for a household appliance, including a support body which can be attached to a structural element of the household appliance, and a movable deadlock designed to cooperate with a receiving seat of a door of the household appliance; the movable deadlock having: a locking tooth connected to the support body for translation and rotation relative to the latter along a predetermined trajectory to cooperate by a first end with the receiving compartment; a rod carried in axially sliding manner by the support body and connected by means of an articulated device to a second end of the locking tooth; first elastic compression means operatively associated with the rod and configured to push the rod toward the locking tooth; and a control device comprising a movable element carried by the support body and operatively associated with the locking tooth, cooperating during use with the door to insert the locking tooth in the receiving seat.