Door Lock Slider Gear Assembly for Automatic Dishwasher Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door locks in electrical appliances like dishwashers require manual operation and lack efficient mechanisms for automatic adjustment during drying processes, leading to inefficiencies and space constraints in the lock assembly.
Innovation Solution
A door lock assembly with a slider mechanism, slider gear, and bias device that allows for automatic door opening and closing, utilizing a slider gear that rotates to accumulate bias force and drive the slider, with a rotating bias device and slider racks on both sides to optimize space usage and reduce torque requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the force acting point of the bias device is located on the outer side of the slider, then the bias device can apply bias force to the slider, but the bias device needs to generate a large bias force to overcome the unnecessary torque exerted on the slider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the position of the force acting point from the outer side of the slider to the center line of the slider. This dimensional repositioning eliminates the unnecessary torque arm, converting a rotational moment problem into a direct linear force application, thereby reducing the power requirement while maintaining the bias force function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the driving device is rigidly connected with the slider, then the driving device is fixed relative to the door lock box, but this is not conducive to meeting the requirement for a compact door lock box
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid fixed connection with a dynamic guide groove structure. The driving device can move along the guide groove, providing relative motion capability while maintaining guided stability. This dynamic connection reduces space requirements compared to a rigid fixed structure, enabling a more compact door lock box design.
3Device complexity
If manual operation is used for door locking, then the structure is simple, but automatic adjustment during drying processes cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the bias device automatically positions the door at an intermediate opening during drying processes. The system uses the door's own movement and the bias device's elastic force to achieve automatic positioning without requiring external control systems or complex actuators, thus maintaining structural simplicity while enabling automation.
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
Enables automatic door positioning for ventilation during drying processes, reducing manual intervention and optimizing space utilization in the lock assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the bias device comprises an elastic element deformable in a rotating direction about a rotation axis of the slider gear, and a rotation direction of the slider gear varies according to a deformation direction of the elastic element
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a door lock assembly (100) for an electrical appliance, such as a dishwasher, that comprises a door lock slider (112) capable of reciprocating along a first linear direction (E) and a second linear direction (F) through engagement with a slider gear (302) mounted in a slider groove (308) of the door lock slider (112). The slider gear (302) is driven by a bias device (132) to move the door lock slider (112) in the second linear direction (F). The door lock assembly (100) allows for automated movement of the door (606) between a closed position and one or more intermediate positions, such as a heat dissipation position, to facilitate controlled door opening and closing for improved drying and heat dissipation in the appliance (600).