Laundry treatment machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry machines with pull-to-open door systems have a grip-only handle that is not ergonomically designed, making it difficult for users to open the door, especially when the handle and electromechanical lock are positioned at the same location on the frame, limiting the design freedom and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
The electromechanical lock and grip-only handle are positioned at different angular locations relative to the rotation axis, with the handle's center of mass offset from the lock's center of mass, allowing for a more ergonomic design that reduces the effort required to open the door and ensures the door can be opened from inside, even by a child.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electromechanical lock and grip-only handle are positioned at the same location on the frame, then the structure is simplified, but the ease of operation deteriorates making it difficult for users to open the door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the door opening system into two separate functional components: the electromechanical lock positioned at a first location and the grip-only handle positioned at a second location on the frame. This spatial segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If the handle is designed as grip-only without pivoting mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation worsens for users needing to pull the door open
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the grip-only handle at a location on the frame that is spaced apart from the electromechanical lock, creating a favorable moment arm for applying opening force. This spatial arrangement in a different dimension allows the simple grip-only design to effectively leverage mechanical advantage, making door opening easy despite the lack of pivoting mechanism.
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
This arrangement enhances the ease of opening the door by distributing the effort more uniformly and allowing the door to be opened from inside, improving user safety and convenience while maintaining the door's tightness when closed.
Implementation Method 1
an electromechanical lock which is configured to be released by applying a force beyond a threshold onto the porthole away from the cabinet
Implementation Method 2
a hinge to pivot the porthole to the cabinet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A laundry machine (1) comprising a cabinet (2) housing a chamber (3) for treating laundry having a rotation axis (RR), a porthole (8) for providing access to and tightly closing the chamber (3), a hinge (11) to pivot the porthole (8) to the cabinet (2), an electromechanical lock (12) comprising a first member (13) on the porthole (8) and a matching member (14) on the cabinet (2), and a grip-only handle (15), wherein said porthole (8) comprises at least one frame (30, 30a, 31), and a glass (32) secured to the at least one frame (30, 30a, 31), wherein said electromechanical lock (12) is configured to be released by applying a force beyond a threshold onto the porthole (8) away from the cabinet (2), and wherein said grip-only handle (15) and said first member (13) of said electromechanical lock (12) are arranged in such a way that, when the porthole (8) is closed, the center of mass of said grip-only handle (15) and the center of mass of said first member (13) of said electromechanical lock (12) are located, with respect to the rotation axis (RR), at different angular positions.