Floating-Body Actuation Mechanism Resistant to Shock and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Actuation devices used in harsh conditions, such as those experienced by washing agent dispensers in dishwashers, are prone to errors due to violent knocks, shocks, and vibrations, which can cause unintended movements of the floating body, leading to operational errors.
Innovation Solution
The actuation device incorporates a floating body that moves between specifically designed seats on the driving and driven members, with constraint projections and recesses that guide and maintain the floating body's position, preventing accidental movements and ensuring reliable operation even under harsh conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a floating body is used to transfer movement between driving and driven members, then the device achieves compactness and reliability under normal conditions, but the floating body becomes susceptible to accidental movements under harsh conditions such as violent knocks or vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing constraint means (protrusions and recesses) that preemptively prevent the floating body from moving in unintended directions before harmful accidental movements can occur. The constraint protrusions on the driving member engage with constraint recesses on the driven member, creating pre-established mechanical limits that counteract the effects of knocks and vibrations before they can cause operational errors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the floating body is allowed to move freely between seats for selective stroke control, then the device achieves versatility in stroke magnitude, but the floating body becomes vulnerable to unintended displacement under external shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating differentiated zones on the floating body: some surfaces are designed as constraint surfaces that engage with constraint means to prevent unwanted movement, while other surfaces remain as driving surfaces that allow controlled movement for stroke selection. The constraint protrusions and recesses are strategically positioned to locally restrict freedom of movement only in directions that would cause errors, while preserving freedom in directions needed for functional operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An actuation device comprises a driving member (30), a driven member (40) and actuating means (20) operable for producing a movement of the driving member (30). The driven member (40) has a seat (44) into which is operatively inserted, with the possibility of relative movement, an engagement part (35) of the driving member (30). The driving member has a seat (34) which, in at least one position of the actuation device (17), at least partially faces the seat (44) of the driven member (40). The two seats (44, 34) are longitudinally extended and the actuation device (17) further comprises at least one floating body (50), capable of moving between the two seats (34, 44) when they face each other at least in part. According to the invention the actuation device further comprises constraint means (34m, 34m', 34m", 34p, 45a, 45b) configured for preventing accidental or irregular displacements of the floating body (50), particularly accidental or irregular displacements due to knocks, vibrations and similar mechanical stresses.