Dishwasher Door Accelerometer for Position and Shock Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers are not optimized for reduced costs and dimensions, and lack intuitive user interaction and malfunction detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a MEMS-type accelerometer sensor in the door to detect gravity acceleration components along multiple axes, enabling detection of door position, inclination, and external shocks, which allows for simplified user interaction and malfunction detection without visible buttons or switches, and using a local processor to manage sensor data without overloading the main card.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a contact sensor with two conductor elements and a striking portion is used to detect door position, then the door position can be detected, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact sensor system (two conductor elements and striking portion) with a capacitive sensor that detects door position through electrical field changes. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical contact components while maintaining detection capability, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary striking portion and second conductor element from the sensor system. By using a single capacitive sensor element that detects door position through capacitance changes, the design removes redundant mechanical components, simplifying the overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and processing units are added to detect door position and user interactions, then detection capabilities improve, but the overall dimensions and cost of the dishwasher increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional capacitive sensor system that serves multiple purposes: detecting door position, identifying user presence, and recognizing interaction patterns. This single sensor system replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate sensors and processing units, thereby maintaining versatile detection capabilities while minimizing the increase in dishwasher dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges door position detection, user presence detection, and interaction recognition into a single capacitive sensor system. By combining these functions into one integrated sensor rather than using separate sensors for each function, the patent reduces the overall space required while maintaining comprehensive detection capabilities.
3Device complexity
If a capacitive sensor is used to detect door position and user interactions, then costs and dimensions are reduced, but the sensor may be affected by environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the capacitive sensor signals and adjusts for environmental variations. By comparing sensor readings against reference values and detecting changes relative to baseline conditions, the system compensates for environmental factors such as temperature changes and humidity, maintaining accurate detection despite environmental sensitivity.
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 efficient control of the door position, intuitive user communication, and detection of malfunctions, reducing costs and dimensions while improving user experience and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (4) which takes a measurement representing the gravity acceleration component at least along a first axis (40) which is integral with the door (3)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
A dishwasher comprising: - a washing compartment (2); - a door (3) giving access to the washing compartment (2). The door (3) comprises a sensor (4) which detects the gravity acceleration component at least along a first axis (40), which is integral with the door (3), in order to detect the inclination of the door (3) and/or abnormal internal vibrations and/or shocks from the outside and associated with predetermined user commands.