Dishwasher Door Lock With Switchable Child-Safety Latching Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locks for dishwashers lack an adjustable locking force mechanism, making it difficult to implement a child safety feature that can easily switch between low and high locking force settings.
Innovation Solution
A door lock design featuring a pivoting element with preloaded torsion springs and a rolling or sliding element that engages with a latching slope, where the locking force can be adjusted by modifying the position of an operating lever and transmission element to either single or dual spring engagement, thereby altering the required opening force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed spring element is used in the door lock, then the structure is simple, but the locking force cannot be adjusted between low and high values
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock transitions from a fixed locking mechanism to a dynamic one where the spring element can be switched between two positions (first and second positions) along the guide. This allows the locking force to be adjusted between low and high values by changing the engagement position of the spring element with the latching slope, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of spring engagement position to adjust the locking force. By moving the spring element between two defined positions along the guide, the effective spring constant and locking force are modified. This parameter change enables adjustable locking force without requiring multiple different spring elements, thus managing device complexity.
2Reliability
If the locking force is increased for child safety, then safety is improved, but the door becomes difficult to open for normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock allows dynamic switching between two operational modes: a high-locking-force mode for child safety and a low-locking-force mode for normal operation. The operating element enables the user to switch between these modes by moving the spring element between its first and second positions, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is divided into two distinct engagement positions along the guide, creating two separate operational states. The first position provides high locking force for child safety, while the second position provides low locking force for easy opening. This segmentation allows the system to offer both safety and ease of operation at different times.
3Reliability
If a form-fit locking device is used instead of force-fit, then positive locking is achieved, but the simplicity of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element is segmented into a latching slope and a horizontal latching surface. The rolling element transitions from engaging the latching slope (force-fit) to engaging the horizontal surface (form-fit), providing positive locking while maintaining operational simplicity through the rolling motion along the defined path.
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 a simple and effective child safety mechanism by allowing the locking force to be easily adjusted between low and high settings, enhancing safety while maintaining secure closure during dishwasher operation.
Implementation Method 1
two preloaded, mirror-symmetrical torsion springs (15, 16) are arranged on the roller holder (13) around the pivot axis (14)
Implementation Method 2
a roll (26) is freely rotatably mounted on the roll axis (25)... the roller (26) runs along the starting slope (6.1) and presses the roller holder (13) clockwise upwards
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The machine i.e. dishwasher (1), has a force-locking latching mechanism i.e. door lock (3), placed on a washing chamber (10), where the latching mechanism is arranged to hold an appliance door (2) in a closed position and to release the door in response to a pulling force. A door opening system includes a push-open unit (5) that is arranged to automatically open the door to an ajar position, where the push-open unit includes a motor-driven push-type opening bar (504). A magnetic coupler is arranged to retain the door on the push-type opening bar.