Dishwasher Door Actuation for Gasket Sealing and Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residential dishwashers require significant user force to properly compress the door gasket for sealing during washing and lack efficient venting mechanisms for drying, leading to cumbersome operation and suboptimal drying performance.
Innovation Solution
An automatic dishwasher door system using an electric actuator to move the door from an open position to a sealed position, allowing for improved sealing without user force and incorporating a venting mechanism that increases drying efficiency by providing a larger gap for water vapor passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lever-action latch is used to compress the door gasket, then sufficient sealing force is achieved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and requires adjustment over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lever-action latch system with an electrically actuated motorized latch. The motorized latch uses an electric motor to provide the necessary force to compress the gasket, eliminating the need for manual lever operation. This substitution maintains reliable sealing force while dramatically improving ease of operation, as users simply press a button or the system operates automatically without manual manipulation of mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized latch system can operate automatically to close and seal the door without user intervention. The system self-regulates the latching process, providing consistent sealing force through automated motor control. This eliminates the need for users to manually adjust mechanical latches over time, as the motorized system maintains consistent performance through electronic control and can self-correct for wear or compliance changes.
2Productivity
If standard door vents are used during drying, then noise is reduced during washing, but drying performance is suboptimal due to limited venting area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic venting system where the door or vent components can change position or configuration between washing and drying cycles. During washing, the vents remain closed or in a noise-reducing position. During drying, the vents open or expand to provide a larger effective venting area, improving drying performance. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize for noise reduction during washing and for drying efficiency during the drying phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting system is divided into multiple segments or zones that can be independently controlled. Rather than a single fixed vent, the system uses multiple vent openings or a door with segmented venting capability. This segmentation allows the system to provide a larger total venting area during drying while maintaining noise reduction during washing, as different segments can be activated or positioned differently based on the operational phase.
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 electric actuator simplifies door operation, enhances sealing efficiency, and improves drying performance by increasing the venting area, reducing noise and gasket wear, while allowing for easy manual operation and jam detection.
Implementation Method 1
An electric actuator responding to an electric signal moves the door between the close position and the seal position
Data Source
AI summary
Automatic sealing of a dishwasher door is obtained through an electric actuator that moves the door from a close position adjacent to the opening of the washing chamber to a seal position in which the washing chamber is sealed typically against a gasket or the like. The actuator eliminates the need for the user to provide the force necessary to seal the gasket and/or can be used for improved venting of the washing chamber.