Dishwasher Locking Device with Tolerance-Compensating Guide Slot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashing machine locking devices face operational issues due to horizontal-lateral mounting tolerances, which can lead to unreliable door closure and potential leakage of hot washing liquid, as they struggle to align and engage the closing pin and latch correctly across varying positional tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a latch and aligning system that includes a guide slot and entry funnel to ensure precise alignment and engagement of the closing pin, allowing for horizontal-lateral movement compensation, and a lock module with play movability to accommodate tolerances, ensuring reliable door closure and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional locking device with a depression and latching nose is used, then the door can be locked during operation, but horizontal-lateral mounting tolerances cause misalignment between the closing pin and latch, leading to unreliable door closure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the locking components by introducing a guide slot with an entry funnel instead of a simple depression. The entry funnel has a wider opening that gradually narrows to the guide slot opening, creating a tolerance-compensating geometry that guides the closing pin into proper alignment regardless of mounting variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide slot acts as an intermediary element between the closing pin and the latch. It provides a transitional path that guides the closing pin from its initial position (affected by mounting tolerances) into the correct engagement position with the latch, mediating the alignment process.
2Reliability
If mounting tolerances are reduced to ensure precise alignment, then the locking device operates reliably, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring tight mounting tolerances, the patent changes the geometric parameters of the engagement features. The entry funnel's gradual taper and the guide slot's dimensions are designed to accommodate larger tolerance ranges while still achieving reliable latch engagement, thereby easing manufacturing requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the latch structure is simplified for easier manufacture, then production cost decreases, but the ability to compensate for mounting tolerances is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The latch structure is segmented into distinct functional elements: the guide slot (with entry funnel) for alignment, the latch mouth for engagement, and the latch body for structural support. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide slot's geometric parameters (width, length, and entry funnel angle) are specifically designed to provide tolerance compensation. These parameter changes enable the simple latch structure to accommodate mounting variations without compromising reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic electrical appliance, in particular a dishwashing machine, includes a main appliance body having a product treatment chamber, a door mounted on the main appliance body so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis close to the floor for closing an access opening to the product treatment chamber and a locking device having a locking assembly arranged on the main appliance body and a closing pin arranged on the door. The locking assembly has a latch movable between a release position and a latching position where the latch engages behind the closing pin to hold the door closed and releases the closing pin to open the door. The latch performs a rotational movement along a horizontal plane as it moves between the release position and the latching position, the closing pin being oriented vertically when the door is closed.