Dishwasher Door Lock With Deflectable Arms for Reliable Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locks for dishwashing machines are complex and prone to damage when excessive force is applied, failing to reliably keep the door closed during washing operations, which can lead to injuries from hot steam escape.
Innovation Solution
A simplified door lock design featuring a lock housing with deflectable closing arms and a resetting spring arrangement, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement with reduced friction, ensuring the door remains closed with a controlled force release mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex mechanical door lock design is used, then the door can be kept closed during washing operation, but the device complexity increases and it becomes prone to damage when excessive force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock is divided into two independent closing arms instead of a single complex mechanical assembly. Each arm can deflect independently and engage with the closing mouth separately, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable door closing function
Solution Approach 2:
The closing arms are designed with variable flexibility parameters - they are flexible enough to deflect during engagement but rigid enough to maintain locking position. The resetting spring arrangement adjusts the force parameters to enable easy opening after washing cycle
2Reliability
If a complex mechanical door lock design is used, then the door can be kept closed during washing operation, but the ease of operation deteriorates when opening is required
Solution Approach 1:
The closing arms transition from a static locked position to a dynamic deflected position during opening. The arms can be easily deflected by hand pressure to disengage from the closing mouth, then automatically reset to locked position, providing easy operation while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The resetting spring arrangement automatically returns the closing arms to their locked position after deflection, without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically re-locking the door after the washing cycle
3Strength
If the closing arms are made rigid, then the structural strength increases, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates due to precision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The closing arms have non-uniform structural properties - thicker and more rigid at the mounting portion for structural strength, and thinner and more flexible at the free arm portion for easy deflection. This local variation in quality allows the arms to meet both strength and manufacturability requirements
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 door lock effectively keeps the door closed during washing operations without risking damage from excessive force, ensuring safety while allowing for easy opening with reduced effort after the cycle is complete.
Implementation Method 1
counter to the action of a resetting spring arrangement
Implementation Method 2
Free arm portions of the closing arms that project from the lock housing are deflectable relative to one another from a relative normal position
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock for a dishwashing machine includes a lock housing, a pair of closing arms being held in and projecting from the lock housing and having free arm portions projecting from the lock housing that are deflectable relative to one another from a relative normal position in a first deflection direction counter to the action of a resetting spring arrangement, and a closing mouth, into which the free arm portions engage during closing of the door, having deflection surfaces encountered by the free arm portions during engagement into the closing mouth and which bring about a relative deflection of the free arm portions counter to the resetting action of the resetting spring arrangement, where the free arm portions during further engagement is move past the deflection surfaces and in so doing experience an at least partial resetting in the direction of their relative normal position.