Systems for prevention of accidental control inputs in appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accidental control inputs in dishwashers due to accidental touching or bumping into capacitive touch controls lead to user annoyance, confusion, poor wash performance, or appliance malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A dishwashing appliance with a rotatable door and a pulley system that includes a magnet, where a sensor detects the position of the magnet to disable the user interface when the door is not fully closed, preventing unintended inputs during door operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If capacitive touch controls are provided on the door, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental touch inputs
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic sensor is introduced as an intermediary between the door position and the user interface. The sensor detects the door's magnetic field state and sends signals to the controller, which then determines whether to enable or disable the user interface. This intermediary system prevents accidental inputs by mediating the connection between physical door state and control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring door position through magnetic sensors and automatically adjusting user interface availability based on detected door state. When the door is opened or moved, the sensor provides feedback to the controller, which responds by disabling the user interface to prevent accidental inputs, thus creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to door position.
2Ease of operation
If the user interface is always enabled, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to accidental inputs during door movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively disabling the user interface before accidental inputs can occur. The magnetic sensor detects door movement in advance, and the controller preemptively disables the user interface based on this detection, preventing potential harmful inputs before they can affect appliance operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a preventive mechanism that counteracts potential harmful effects before they manifest. The magnetic sensor and controller work together to detect door position changes and disable the user interface in advance, creating a protective barrier against accidental inputs that could cause harmful effects.
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
Effectively prevents accidental control inputs by ensuring the user interface is only active when the door is fully closed, enhancing user experience and appliance performance by reducing accidental changes and malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet is mounted to the pulley. The magnet configured to rotate with the pulley as the door is rotated. A sensor is mounted to the tub proximate the pulley. The sensor is configured to detect the position of the magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber and a door rotatably mounted to the tub. The door is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. A user interface mounted on the door, and a controller is in signal communication with the user interface. A pulley is mounted to the tub and a cord is coupled to the door. The cord configured to rotate the pulley when the door is rotated between the open position and the closed position. A magnet is mounted to the pulley. The magnet is configured to rotate with the pulley as the door is rotated. A sensor is mounted to the tub proximate the pulley. The sensor is configured to detect the position of the magnet, and the controller is configured to disable the user interface based at least in part on the position of the magnet.