Dishwasher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers lack an efficient mechanism for automatically opening the door after a wash cycle, which can impede the discharge of humid air and affect drying efficiency, and current solutions may compromise esthetic appeal and durability.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a door opening unit that includes an actuator, link member, pressurization members, rotation levers, buffer spring, and restoring spring, where the pressurization members apply force to multiple points of the door to smoothly open it, and a cam member with a curved surface for efficient power transfer, ensuring the door remains open after the wash cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single pressurization point mechanism is used to open the door, then the structure is simple, but the door cannot be opened smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurization mechanism is divided into multiple pressurization members (first and second pressurization members) that contact different points on the door. This segmentation allows the mechanism to apply force at multiple locations simultaneously, enabling smooth door opening while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through modular design
2Reliability
If pressurization members remain extended after door opening to maintain readiness, then the door can be opened quickly, but the esthetic appeal and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The restoring spring pre-positions the pressurization members in a retracted state, ready for the next operation. When the door needs to be opened, the actuator simply needs to extend the pressurization members, which then automatically return to the retracted position after use. This preliminary positioning ensures both readiness for quick operation and protection of esthetic appeal and durability
3Power
If a cam member with curved surface is used for power transfer, then power transfer is more efficient, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam member incorporates a curved surface that converts rotational motion from the actuator into linear motion of the pressurization members. The curvature is designed to provide smooth power transfer throughout the motion cycle, ensuring efficient force transmission while maintaining manufacturability through standard cam design practices
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 smooth and efficient automatic door opening, improving drying performance, maintaining esthetic appeal by retracting pressurization members, and preventing physical damage during door operation.
Implementation Method 1
a restoring spring that is provided to restore the plurality of pressurization members to original positions of the plurality of pressurization members
Data Source
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AI summary
A door opening unit (100) for automatically opening a door 811) for a dishwasher includes an actuator (110), a link member (120) that makes a straight motion due to pressurization of the actuator (110) and has a plurality of legs, a plurality of rotation levers (130, 140) that are connected to the plurality of legs (121, 122) of the link member (120), and a plurality of pressurization members (150, 160) that are connected to the plurality of rotation levers (130, 140). Since the plurality of pressurization members (150, 160) may pressurize a plurality of points of the door (11), the door may be more smoothly opened. Also, the door opening unit (100) for automatically opening the door (11) includes a restoring spring (180) that restores positions of the plurality of pressurization members (150, 160) when power to the actuator (110) is turned off.