Dishwasher Door and Rack Biasing for Controlled Assisted Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers with heavy doors face issues of counterbalance device failure, unsafe slamming, and uncontrolled movement of doors and racks, leading to perceived cheap construction and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

An assisted-movement system with a biasing device and position control mechanism that automatically regulates the movement of racks and doors, providing controlled deployment, damping, and maintaining positions between fully open and closed, potentially eliminating the need for handles and enhancing aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a heavy door is used in a dishwasher, then the door can provide better sealing and structural integrity, but the door may cause counterbalance device failure and safety hazards due to uncontrolled movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor structural integrityVSAvoidcounterbalance device reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical counterbalance devices with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the door interact with corresponding magnets in the tub to provide holding force, eliminating the need for mechanical counterbalance mechanisms that are prone to failure with heavy doors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of materials used in the door, specifically incorporating magnetic materials and materials with specific thermal expansion coefficients. This allows the door to have controlled movement characteristics without relying on fragile mechanical counterbalance devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If a heavy door is used in a dishwasher, then the door can provide better sealing and structural integrity, but the door may slam shut causing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor structural integrityVSAvoiddoor slamming safety hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using magnetic fields to prevent the door from slamming shut. The magnetic holding force acts in advance to control the door's movement, ensuring it closes gently without sudden impacts that could cause safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical properties of the door by incorporating materials with specific thermal expansion coefficients and magnetic properties. These parameter changes enable controlled movement and prevent uncontrolled slamming while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If traditional sliding rails or wheels are used for rack movement, then the rack can be moved in and out of the tub, but the movement may be perceived as harsh, flimsy, or cheaply constructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverack movabilityVSAvoidperceived construction quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical sliding rails or wheels with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the rack interact with corresponding magnets in the tub to guide and control movement, providing smooth, controlled motion that eliminates the harsh, flimsy feel of traditional mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system ensures reliable, controlled, and safe operation of racks and doors, enhancing user convenience, reducing perceived cheap construction, and providing a tactile experience of high quality, while potentially reducing costs and improving stability.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing device operably engaged between the tub portion and the rack, wherein the biasing device is extendable between a contracted position, corresponding to the rack being disposed within the tub portion, and an extended position, corresponding to the rack being disposed at least partially outward of the tub portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The biasing device is further configured to damp movement of the door as the door is pivoted toward the closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS8906168B2Assisted-movement system for one of a rack and a door of an appliance

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 ELECTROLUX CONSUMER PROD INC

AI summary

An assisted-movement system is provided for an appliance, such as a dishwasher including a tub portion defining a forward opening, a door pivotally engaged therewith for selectively engaging the forward opening, and a rack movable into and out of the tub portion through the forward opening. A biasing device is operably engaged between the tub portion and one of the door, via a hinge mechanism, and the rack. The biasing device is extendable between contracted and extended positions. A position control device is operably engaged between the tub portion and one of the door, the rack, and the biasing device, and is configured to cooperate with the one of the door, the rack, and the biasing device to at least one of maintain the door in a closed position and maintain the rack within the tub portion, with the biasing device in the contracted position. Associated dishwashers are also provided.