Dishwasher Door Spring Carriage for Cable-Free Tension Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher spring balancer adjustment devices are complex, prone to faults, and costly due to the use of cables that are susceptible to thermal stress and difficult to assemble, particularly when adjusting the tension spring for optimal door operation.
Innovation Solution
A tension spring adjustment system where the spring is held by an adjustable carriage on the machine stand, which can be moved vertically to set the spring tension, eliminating the need for cables and incorporating a guide slot and locking screw for simplified assembly and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cable is used to connect the tension spring to the machine stand for front access adjustment, then the adjustment can be performed from the front, but the cable is susceptible to thermal stress and mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable component entirely from the system. Instead of using a cable to transmit the adjustment force, the tension spring is directly connected to the machine door through a mounting point on the machine stand, eliminating the intermediate cable that was prone to thermal stress and mechanical failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a direct structural connection (mounting point) as an intermediary between the tension spring and machine door, replacing the cable intermediary. This new intermediary is rigid and thermally stable, providing reliable force transmission without the vulnerabilities of the cable system.
2Ease of operation
If a cable deflection system is used on the machine stand side, then front access adjustment is enabled, but the structure becomes complex and expensive to manufacture and assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the entire cable deflection system from the design. The adjustment mechanism is simplified to a direct connection between the tension spring and the machine door, eliminating rollers, cables, and deflection mechanisms that increased structural complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex cable-based system to achieve front access adjustment, the patent inverts the approach by providing direct front access to the tension spring's mounting point on the machine stand, allowing adjustment without any intermediate mechanical transmission components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustment carriage is fixed in position on the machine stand, then the spring tension can be adjusted, but the adjustment mechanism requires complex assembly and disassembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjustment mechanism into a movable carriage component that can be independently positioned on the machine stand. This carriage can be adjusted to different heights or positions to accommodate various spring tensions and door weights, and it can be easily removed for assembly or service purposes without affecting the entire door assembly.
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
This design simplifies the adjustment process, reduces fault susceptibility, and lowers manufacturing and assembly costs, providing a more reliable and economical spring tension adjustment mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a tension spring (7) being arranged between the machine door (4) and the machine stand (2), by means of which a spring balancer function can be implemented
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The dishwasher has a machine door (4) pivotably arranged at a machine stand (2), and a tension spring (7) arranged between the machine door and the machine stand. The tension spring is held on a machine-stand-side of a traverse carriage (17) and movable along vertical direction of the machine stand. The carriage is slidingly supported in a guide slot of the machine stand, where the slot comprises a region with a slot extension for assembly and/or disassembly of the carriage. The carriage supports a screw thread plate. An adjusting bolt (20) is accessible from the machine stand.