Dishwasher Door Opening Unit for Smooth Multi-Point Auto Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers require manual operation to open the door after a wash cycle, which can hinder efficient drying and may lead to aesthetic and durability issues due to the mechanical complexity of existing door opening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a door opening unit that includes an actuator, link member, pressurization members, and a restoring spring, which applies force to multiple points of the door to smoothly open it and maintain the open position, improving esthetic appeal and durability by ensuring the pressurization members return to their original positions after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional door opening mechanism is used, then the door can be opened, but the mechanical complexity increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional complex mechanical door opening mechanism with a pneumatic system. A gas spring is used to provide the necessary force to open the door automatically after the washing cycle, eliminating the need for complex linkages, motors, or actuators. This substitution of mechanical systems with pneumatic systems resolves the contradiction by achieving automatic door opening while significantly reducing mechanical complexity.
2Productivity
If the door is opened manually, then the structure remains simple, but drying efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the gas spring automatically opens the door after the washing operation without requiring user intervention. The system uses the pressure differential created during the washing cycle to activate the gas spring, which then automatically opens the door to enable efficient drying. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by improving drying efficiency through automatic door opening while eliminating the need for manual operation.
3Reliability
If pressurization members remain protruding after use, then the door opening function is maintained, but aesthetic appeal and durability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by designing the pressurization member (gas spring) to return to its retracted position after use rather than remaining protruding. The gas spring is positioned and configured to push the door open and then automatically retract to its original position, maintaining both the aesthetic appearance of the dishwasher exterior and the reliability of the door opening function for subsequent cycles. This inversion resolves the contradiction by ensuring the pressurization members do not protrude after use while maintaining functional reliability.
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 door opening unit automatically discharges humid air, enhances drying efficiency, and maintains the door in an open state, preventing physical damage and improving the appliance's appearance by ensuring the pressurization members do not protrude after use.
Implementation Method 1
a gas spring that is pressurized to store elastic potential energy and that is restored to its original length by the elastic potential energy after the washing operation is finished
Data Source
AI summary
A door opening unit for automatically opening a door for a dishwasher includes an actuator, a link member that makes a straight motion due to pressurization of the actuator and has a plurality of legs, a plurality of rotation levers that are connected to the plurality of legs of the link member, and a plurality of pressurization members that are connected to the plurality of rotation levers. Since the plurality of pressurization members may pressurize a plurality of points of the door, the door may be more smoothly opened. Also, the door opening unit for automatically opening the door includes a restoring spring that restores positions of the plurality of pressurization members when power to the actuator is turned off.