Dishwasher Door Latch with Separate Control Lever for Secure Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door latch devices for domestic electrical appliances, such as dishwashers, lack design flexibility and secure closing mechanisms, particularly in ensuring proper door closure detection and preventing unintentional latching while the door is open.
Innovation Solution
A door latch device with a separate control member that allows for a block-cancelling movement of the latching unit, featuring a pivotally mounted control lever with an impact system and application system, enabling reduced user force for disengagement while maintaining secure closure, and incorporating a self-healing mechanism to avoid unintended latching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the application system is integrated directly on the latching unit (as in prior art), then the structure is simpler, but the design flexibility is reduced and the latching unit cannot be optimally configured for action by the second appliance component
Solution Approach 1:
The latch device is divided into separate functional components: the latching unit (with blocking system) and the control member (with application system and impact system). This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized for its specific function, thereby improving design flexibility while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If the latching unit is pre-tensioned strongly to ensure secure closing, then closing reliability is improved, but more force is required for disengagement and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control member is designed to dynamically change the tension state of the latching spring assembly during operation. When the impact system acts on the latching unit, it temporarily reduces the pre-tensioning force, allowing easy disengagement. After operation, the latching spring assembly automatically restores full pre-tensioning, ensuring secure closing reliability without requiring high disengagement force.
3Reliability
If the blocking system prevents movement in the open position, then unintentional latching is prevented, but the mechanism requires additional components for block-cancelling movement
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking system and the control member are merged into a single integrated component. The control member simultaneously provides the application system for actuating the second appliance component, the impact system for enabling block-cancelling movement, and the blocking system for preventing unintentional latching. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining all necessary functions.
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 provides enhanced design flexibility, secure and reliable door closure detection, and self-healing functionality to prevent unintentional latching, ensuring proper operation and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a latching spring assembly that pre-tensions the latching unit and which in the open position of the latching unit forces the unit into engagement with a blocking surface
Implementation Method 2
a pivotally mounted control lever with an impact system for a block-cancelling effect on the latching unit and with an application system for an actuating portion of the second appliance component
Data Source
AI summary
A door latch device for a domestic electrical appliance, in particular for a dishwasher, has a frame (10) provided or to be provided on a first component of the domestic appliance, a latching unit (28) arranged so it can be displaced relative to the frame between an open position and a latched position for engagement with a closure system of a second component of the domestic appliance that can be moved relative to the first appliance component and is to be locked with respect thereto, and a latching spring assembly that pre-tensions the latching unit and which in the open position of the latching unit forces the unit into engagement with a blocking surface (24) that blocks relaxation of the latching spring assembly. According to one aspect of the invention a control member (52) that is separate from the latching unit and arranged so it can be moved relative thereto is provided, comprising an application system (64) for an actuating portion of the second appliance component and comprising an impact system for a block-cancelling effect on the latching unit. According to a further aspect the latching unit is formed by a one-piece latching body on which, in addition to a latching system (38) for engagement with the closure system of the second appliance component and a blocking system (50) for engagement with the blocking surface (24), supporting surfaces for the latching spring assembly are also arranged.