Appliance Door Latch Control for Automatic Steam-Release Pre-Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door closure systems for household appliances, such as washing machines, require manual operation for pre-opening, which is inefficient and does not allow for automatic steam release during cycles, affecting drying performance.
Innovation Solution
A system with an engagement element and retaining element, where a striker can move between retracted and extracted positions, allowing for automatic pre-opening of the door, enabling steam release and partial drying, using a bidirectional motor and transmission mechanism for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual operation is used for door pre-opening, then the door can be opened, but the operation is inefficient and does not allow for automatic steam release
Solution Approach 1:
The door pre-opening function operates automatically without requiring user intervention. The control unit activates the linear moving unit at predetermined times during the washing cycle, allowing the door to open automatically for steam release and improving drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is opened in advance during the washing cycle before the drying phase begins. This preliminary action allows steam to escape during the washing phase, which improves the subsequent drying performance by reducing moisture inside the chamber.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the door is completely closed, then sealing is maintained, but steam cannot be released during the cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The door positioning system provides multiple positions rather than just fully open or fully closed. The linear moving unit can position the door at intermediate positions where the sealing element maintains contact with the casing for sealing, while still allowing controlled steam release through the access opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The door closure system is divided into separate functional elements: the door body, the sealing element, and the linear moving unit. This segmentation allows the sealing element to maintain contact with the casing while the door is positioned to allow steam release, resolving the contradiction between sealing and venting.
3Extent of automation
If a simple manual latch is used, then the device is simple, but it cannot provide controlled automatic pre-opening
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical latch system is replaced with an electromechanical system. The linear moving unit, controlled by a control unit, replaces the need for manual operation of latches and levers, providing automated and controlled door pre-opening while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The system (10; 110) is designed to control the closing of a door of a casing of a household appliance. The system (10; 110) comprises: an engagement element (11), which, in turn, comprises a support body (12), which is intended to be fitted on the casing (C); a striker (14), for being coupled, in a releasable manner, to a retaining element (16), and is mounted so as to move, relative to the support body (12), between a retracted position and an extracted position; a moving means (20) comprising a bidirectional motor (22) and a transmission mechanism (24), operated by the motor (22) and cooperates with the striker (14). The motor (22) is designed to selectively deliver to the transmission mechanism (24) a pre-opening torque, which is oriented in a direction of rotation (R1) that allows the striker (14) to be brought from the retracted position to the extracted position, and, respectively, a return torque, which is oriented in an opposite direction of rotation that allows the striker (14) to be brought from the extracted position to the retracted position.