Dishwasher Door Opening Device with Spring-Driven Rod Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher door opening mechanisms are prone to slow retraction of the rod, which increases the risk of breakage or jamming as it projects from the top edge of the dishwasher during the retraction process.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a speed reducer mechanism with a gearwheel system and resilient elements to rapidly retract the rod into the initial position after opening the dishwasher door, ensuring the rod is safely retracted before exposing it to potential hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rod is operated by an electrical actuator to push against the inner side of the door for opening, then the door opening function is achieved, but the retraction of the rod back into the initial position becomes slow and risky
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the electrical actuator to retract the rod (as in conventional solutions), the invention uses a resilient element (spring) to perform the retraction action. The actuator only performs the opening push action, while the resilient element automatically returns the rod to its initial position, inverting the conventional approach where the actuator controls both extension and retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element (spring) automatically retracts the rod without requiring active control from the electrical actuator. Once the actuator releases the rod after opening the door, the resilient element self-activates to return the rod to its initial position, making the system self-serving for the retraction phase.
2Ease of operation
If the rod projects from the top edge of the dishwasher during retraction, then the opening function is completed, but the rod becomes susceptible to breakage or jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is pre-loaded during the rod extension phase, storing elastic energy that will be used for rapid retraction. This preliminary action ensures that as soon as the actuator releases the rod, the stored energy immediately drives the rod back into the safe retracted position, preventing exposure to harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element causes the rod to retract rapidly, skipping through the dangerous zone where the rod projects from the top edge. This rushed retraction minimizes the time the rod is exposed to potential breakage or jamming hazards, effectively skipping the vulnerable state.
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 solution ensures the rod is retracted instantaneously and safely, reducing the risk of breakage and maintaining the door's operational integrity, while also providing a seamless user experience with a nearly unnoticed opening operation.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element arranged between the rod and the base and tending to recall the rod into its initial position
Data Source
AI summary
A device for opening a door includes an electric motor on a base, a slider movable relative to the base along a rectilinear direction between a rest position and an open position, and a rod pushing against the door and movable relative to the base and the slider along the rectilinear direction between a retracted position and an extracted position. An actuating element resiliently pushes the rod towards the extracted position. A gearwheel transmission is arranged between the electric motor and a transmission device to cause movement of the slider into the open position. The gearwheel transmission includes a gearwheel having a non-toothed segment which disengages the slider from the electric motor when the slider reaches the open position. A recall element recalls the slider towards the rest position or the rod towards the retracted position when the non-toothed segment disengages the slider from the electric motor.