Floating-Ball Actuation Mechanism for Precise Water Flow Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation devices for household appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, are often cumbersome, complicated, and prone to wear due to the use of single or multiple actuators, which complicates the mechanical design and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact actuation device with a solenoid actuator and a mechanism featuring a lever and rod system, utilizing a floating ball to transfer motion between the actuator and the driven member, allowing for selective movement and reduced wear, enabling efficient water flow direction to different compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to control the movable nozzle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mechanism becomes cumbersome and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a solenoid actuator provides linear motion, a lever converts it to angular motion, and a rod transmits the final linear displacement to the nozzle. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary element between the solenoid actuator and the rod. It transforms the linear motion from the solenoid into angular motion, which then drives the rod to produce the required linear displacement at the nozzle. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing a simple yet effective motion transformation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple actuators are used to control the movable nozzle, then the control precision is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism uses dynamic motion transformation rather than multiple static actuators. The lever's angular movement dynamically converts the single actuator's linear motion into controlled linear displacement of the rod, achieving precise nozzle positioning through mechanical advantage and geometric relationships rather than multiple actuators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism with multiple components is used, then the control versatility is improved, but the wear resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential motion transformation functions needed for delivery cycle control, eliminating unnecessary intermediate components. The simplified path from solenoid to lever to rod to nozzle reduces the number of potential wear points while maintaining the versatility to control different delivery cycles through programmed solenoid activation.
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 solution provides a simple, compact, and durable actuation mechanism that reduces mechanical complexity and wear, enabling precise control of water flow to various compartments, enhancing the operational efficiency and longevity of appliances.
Implementation Method 1
A compact actuation device with a solenoid actuator and a mechanism featuring a lever and rod system
Data Source
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AI summary
An actuation device (10) comprises a driving member (30), a driven member (40) and an actuator device. The driven member (40) has a seat (44), in which there is operatively inserted, with possibility of relative movement, an engagement part (35) of the driving member (30). According to the invention also the driving member (30) has a seat (34), which, in at least one position of the actuation system, at least partially faces the seat (44) of the driven member (40). The actuation system further comprises a floating body (50), displaceable in a controlled way between the two seats (44, 34) when said seats at least partially face one another.