Appliance Door Hinge Drive for Controlled Automatic Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances, such as dishwashers, face challenges in providing a robust and space-efficient door opening mechanism that can automatically pivot the door while ensuring safety and ease of use, often requiring complex mechanisms and multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A compact door opening mechanism utilizing a cable drum connected to an electric motor, which winds and unwinds a cable to pivot the door, combined with a spring element and friction elements to balance the door's weight and prevent uncontrolled opening, allowing for a simple and robust operation with reduced components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable mechanism with spring and friction elements is used to counteract door weight, then the door can be prevented from falling open, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spring element and friction element into a single integrated hinge assembly. The spring is positioned inside the hinge and works together with the friction element to provide both weight compensation and controlled movement, eliminating the need for separate cable and spring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a pivot point for door rotation, contains the spring for weight compensation, incorporates friction elements for movement control, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the door mechanism.
2Extent of automation
If a rope drum with motor is used to pivot the door, then automatic door opening can be achieved, but the mechanism requires more space and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motor from the traditional rope drum mechanism and integrates it directly into the hinge assembly. The motor is positioned within the hinge structure, allowing it to directly drive the door rotation without requiring external rope drums, cables, and associated mounting hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor, hinge, and door rotation mechanism are merged into a single integrated assembly. The motor shaft is directly connected to the hinge pivot, combining the functions of motor mounting, hinge operation, and door rotation control into one compact unit.
3Reliability
If friction elements are incorporated to impede door swinging motion, then uncontrolled opening is prevented, but the operating mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The friction element is integrated into the hinge assembly, working in conjunction with the spring and motor. The friction material is positioned within the hinge structure to provide controlled resistance to door movement, preventing uncontrolled opening while maintaining a compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction element is positioned at the specific location within the hinge where it can most effectively control door movement. The friction characteristics are localized to the hinge contact surfaces, providing precise control without affecting other parts of the door mechanism.
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
This solution provides a space-saving, secure, and automatic door pivoting mechanism that prevents uncontrolled opening, reduces the risk of injury, and allows for easy manual closing, while using minimal components and low motor power.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (25), which is designed to at least partially compensate for the weight force of the door (3)
Implementation Method 2
friction elements may be incorporated to impede the door's swinging motion
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance (1), in particular a water-bearing household appliance, comprising a housing (16), a door (3) pivotably connected to the housing (16), a spring element (25), a rope (17) which is connected at one end (18) to the door (3) and at the other end (24) to the spring element (25), and a linear drive (61) which is attached to the housing (16), is directly connected to the spring element (25) and is configured to move the spring element (25) in order to effect a pivoting movement of the door (3).