Dishwasher Dispenser Soft-Close Lid With Friction Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwasher dispenser lids open quickly under biasing force, resulting in a slamming noise that is audible externally and potentially disconcerting for users.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a friction damper operably coupled to the lid, which applies frictional resistance as the lid opens, slowing its speed and eliminating the hard stop and resulting noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lid is biased open to ensure complete opening and exposure of treating chemistry, then the lid opens sufficiently to expose chemistry to liquid spray, but the lid contacts the stop with sufficient force to generate audible slamming noise
Solution Approach 1:
A friction damper is integrated into the lid assembly to provide frictional resistance during the opening motion. This frictional force acts as a cushioning mechanism that slows the lid as it approaches the fully opened position, preventing the hard contact with the stop that generates slamming noise, while still allowing the lid to open completely for chemistry exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The friction damper serves as an intermediary element between the biasing force (spring) and the lid. It mediates the transition by providing controlled frictional resistance that slows the lid's motion near the opened position, eliminating the direct hard impact with the stop while maintaining the complete opening function
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 friction damper ensures a gradual opening of the dispenser lid, reducing noise and minimizing impact on the dispenser housing, thereby enhancing user experience by eliminating the slamming sound.
Implementation Method 1
a friction damper operably coupled to the lid wherein the frictional damper applies frictional resistance to the lid at least as the lid nears the opened position along the travel path to slow the speed of the lid prior to reaching the opened position
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a tub with an access opening, at least one dish rack within the treating chamber and accessible through the access opening, a closure element moveable between a closed and opened position to selectively close and open the access opening, and a treating chemistry dispenser. The treating chemistry dispenser includes a housing defining a treating chemistry reservoir with a dispensing opening, a lid slidably mounted to the housing for sliding movement along a travel path between a closed and opened position to selectively open and close the treating chemistry reservoir, and a biasing element operably coupled to the lid and biasing the lid from the closed to the opened position.