Dishwasher Door Spring Tension Adjustment for Custom Cover Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Built-in dishwashers with coupled covers require adjustment of spring tension due to varying materials and weights, leading to potential imbalance and installation challenges, and lack a convenient method to adjust tension without disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a tension adjustment system using a shaft and rotation members with a worm gear to adjust the length of a connection member, allowing simultaneous adjustment of spring tension without disassembly, and a stopper unit to maintain the door at a constant angle, minimizing deviations and preventing sudden door falls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a cover is coupled to the door to provide monolithic beauty, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but door weight changes and spring tension requires adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic tension adjustment mechanism that allows the spring tension to be modified according to the varying door weight caused by different cover materials and weights. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member that can change the effective length of the spring, enabling the system to adapt to different weight conditions while maintaining proper door operation.
2Ease of operation
If spring tension is adjusted to accommodate different cover weights, then door operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tension adjustment function with the existing hinge structure by integrating the adjustment member into the hinge assembly. This merging approach allows tension adjustment without adding a completely separate mechanism, thereby reducing overall device complexity while still providing the necessary adjustment capability for different door weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-contained within the hinge structure, allowing users or technicians to adjust the spring tension directly through the integrated adjustment member without requiring external tools or complex disassembly procedures. This self-service design simplifies the adjustment process while maintaining proper door operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If tension adjustment is performed without disassembling the cover, then installation convenience is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the adjustment member and tension adjustment mechanism into the hinge structure during the manufacturing process, preparing the system in advance for future adjustments. This preliminary action allows the cover to remain assembled while still enabling tension adjustment through the pre-integrated mechanism, thereby maintaining both installation convenience and manufacturing precision.
4Ease of operation
If the door is allowed to open freely without balance adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but door stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the adjustable spring tension system that continuously compensates for door imbalance. The spring tension can be adjusted to provide the appropriate restoring force to counterbalance the door weight, ensuring stable door operation while maintaining ease of opening. The adjustment mechanism allows fine-tuning of the feedback force to achieve optimal door balance.
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 easy and uniform adjustment of door balance and tension, enhancing installation convenience and preventing door deformation, thus improving the dishwasher's quality and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a first rotation member connected to the other end portion of the shaft and formed with a worm on an outer peripheral surface thereof; and a second rotation member engaged with the worm and connected to the wire
Implementation Method 2
The gear part may include a helical gear.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher in which a user conveniently adjusts tension of a spring according to various materials or weights of a cover coupled to a door. The dishwasher includes a housing, a door rotatably mounted to a front surface of the housing, door hinges mounted to both sides of a lower portion of the door and rotatably coupled to the housing, springs connected to the door hinges and arranged at both side portions inside the housing, a wire to connect the springs, a shaft configured to rotate and having one end portion exposed outside the housing, a first rotation member connected to the other end portion of the shaft and formed with a worm, and a second rotation member engaged with the worm and connected to the wire. Tension of the springs is simultaneously adjusted by changing a length of the wire by rotation of the shaft.