Front-Loading Laundry Machine Door with Sensor-Based Unlocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Front-loading laundry treatment machines require complex and potentially error-prone operations for opening the door, involving multiple movements and risk of unintentional incorrect operation due to numerous controls on the door opening lever.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating sensors, such as capacitive or optical sensors, on the door or front wall to detect user intervention, allowing automatic deactivation of the locking device without requiring force or specific handling, and providing guided lighting to facilitate easy and precise door opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a door opening lever with multiple controls is used, then status information can be displayed and program parameters can be set, but unintentional incorrect operation may occur and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram parameter setting capabilityVSAvoidoperation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the door opening function from the complex door opening lever with multiple controls. By using a separate, simple door opening handle that only performs the door opening function, the risk of unintentional incorrect operation is eliminated while the program parameter setting capability is preserved through the existing control elements on the door opening lever

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The door opening mechanism is segmented into two separate components: a simple door opening handle for the primary function of opening the door, and the existing door opening lever with controls for program parameter setting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interference, improving reliability while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a door opening lever with multiple operating elements is used, then functionality is enhanced, but the ease of operation decreases due to risk of incorrect operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoiddoor opening convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door opening function is extracted from the complex control lever and implemented through a separate, intuitive door opening handle. This handle requires only a natural pulling motion, making it extremely easy to operate while the enhanced control functionality remains available through the existing door opening lever with its program parameter settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a button mechanism is used for door opening, then the door can be unlocked, but two movements in different directions are required which reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking device activationVSAvoiddoor opening simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door opening function is extracted from the button mechanism and implemented through a dedicated door opening handle. This handle provides a single, intuitive pulling motion that directly activates the locking device release, eliminating the need for two separate movements in different directions while maintaining reliable locking device activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the user to push a button inward and then pull the door outward (two opposite movements), the invention inverts the approach by providing a handle that naturally pulls outward in a single motion, which is the intuitive and easier direction for door opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 simple and convenient door opening with reduced risk of incorrect operation, as the door can be opened automatically upon hand access, improving user experience and safety by eliminating the need for complex movements and minimizing unintentional actuations.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitive sensor is used as the sensor, which detects contact, for example by the operator, and causes a signal to deactivate the locking device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

an optical sensor is used as the sensor. When the hand enters the effective range of the sensor, which is located between the edge of the door and the front wall, a change in the light impinging on the sensor is detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical sensing: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

at least one light source is arranged on the edge of the door on the side facing the front wall, which essentially applies light to the effective range of the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP1889964B1Front-loading laundry treatment machine such as washing machine, drier or washer-drier

Publication Date: 2018.02.28 MIELE & CO KG

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AI summary

The machine has a loading opening (3) arranged in the front wall (2), which is closable by a rotatable door (4). The actuating device (7) has a sensor (8), with which a contact or a contactless interference is detectable into its effective area. The Sensor is arranged at the door or at the front wall in the area of the admission (13) of the door.