Dishwasher Door Locking Plate for Two-Stage Drying Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers face issues with insufficient door opening for effective drying, leading to moisture condensation on kitchen worktops and difficulty in closing the door due to the need for significant force against a resilient seal, particularly for users with limited strength.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a locking mechanism that includes a motor-controlled locking plate capable of moving into two distinct opening positions, allowing for controlled door opening and closing, ensuring sufficient gap for drying and easy locking, with the first position accommodating the seal thickness and the second position allowing the door to protrude under a worktop for enhanced drying and user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door is opened only slightly to allow moisture escape, then the door remains locked securely, but the drying effect is insufficient and condensation occurs on the worktop
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate is made movable between two positions: a first position for secure locking during washing, and a second position for creating a larger opening gap during drying. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both locking security and drying efficiency at different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening mechanism is segmented into two distinct functional positions: a first opening position with a smaller gap for secure locking, and a second opening position with a larger gap for enhanced drying. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function.
2Productivity
If the door is opened widely to improve drying, then drying efficiency increases, but the locking pin protrudes far creating safety risks and damage potential
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate transitions dynamically between a retracted first position (providing security) and an extended second position (providing drying gap). After drying, the plate returns to the first position, automatically retracting the locking pin to a safe position without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking plate is automatically retracted to the first position before the user opens the door, ensuring the locking pin is already in a safe, non-protruding position. This preliminary action prevents safety risks before the user interacts with the door.
3Reliability
If the door seal is made resilient to ensure sealing, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the force required to close the door increases making it difficult for weak operators
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate is automatically positioned in the first position before door closure, creating pre-positioned alignment that guides the door into the correct closing position. This preliminary positioning reduces the force needed by ensuring proper alignment before the seal engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking plate acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the door seal. By automatically positioning the locking plate and creating alignment guidance, it mediates the closing action to reduce the effort required while maintaining effective sealing.
4Length of moving object
If the locking pin is positioned far out to enable wide opening, then drying gap is sufficient, but the locking mechanism becomes vulnerable to damage and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate is a movable component that extends to provide a large opening gap during drying, then automatically retracts to protect the locking pin. This dynamic behavior allows the system to achieve both a large opening gap when needed and protect the mechanism when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking plate is automatically retracted to the first position before any user interaction, ensuring the locking pin is in a protected, non-protruding position. This preliminary retraction prevents damage and injury while maintaining the capability for wide opening when required.
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 enables efficient drying by allowing steam escape and simplifies door closure by reducing user effort, while also automatically opening the door in case of errors to facilitate troubleshooting in fully integrated models.
Implementation Method 1
the locking pin on a locking plate adjustable by means of a motor
Implementation Method 2
the remaining moisture can escape through natural convection
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The dishwasher has a plate (8) connected to the door latch (5) which can be extended across the gap between the top of the open door and the body of the machine. It can take up two positions, in one of which the gap is wider than the other. It is extended by a motor controlled by a proximity switch. An independent claim is included for a method for operating a dishwasher program, in which the door is opened to produce the narrow gap and then moved to the position with the wider gap, according to the frying of the dishes in the machine.