Variable-Ratio Door Opener for Fast Appliance Door Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator mechanisms for household appliances face challenges in providing quick and efficient door opening while avoiding the need for oversized electric motors, particularly due to varying resistance forces encountered during the opening process.
Innovation Solution
A variable power transmission mechanism between the electric motor and the coupling part allows for different effective velocities based on the position of the coupling part, adapting to varying resistance forces without requiring an oversized motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If an oversized electric motor is used to overcome initial opening resistance, then the door can be opened quickly, but the device becomes larger and more power-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission ratio variable rather than fixed. The transmission mechanism transitions between different gear pairings during operation, allowing the system to adapt the transmission ratio dynamically based on the operational phase. This enables a smaller motor to deliver high torque when needed (for overcoming initial resistance) and higher speed when the resistance decreases, resolving the contradiction between motor size and door opening performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission ratio parameter during operation. By transitioning between different gear pairings with different transmission ratios, the system optimizes the motor's output characteristics. Initially, a higher transmission ratio provides amplified torque to overcome resistance, then transitions to a lower ratio for faster door movement, allowing a compact motor to achieve both high force and speed requirements.
2Speed
If a fixed transmission ratio is used, then the motor design is simplified, but the door opening speed is insufficient when resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the door opening process into distinct phases with different resistance characteristics. The power transmission mechanism is divided into multiple gear pairings, each optimized for a specific phase. The first gear pairing handles the high-resistance initial phase, while the second gear pairing handles the lower-resistance subsequent phase. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall performance without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism transitions between different gear pairings during operation, making the system dynamic rather than static. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to changing resistance conditions, providing high torque initially and then higher speed afterward, achieving better performance than a fixed ratio system without requiring an oversized motor.
3Reliability
If high force is applied throughout the opening process, then opening resistance is overcome, but energy is wasted when less force is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission ratio parameter based on the operational phase. During the initial phase with high resistance, a higher transmission ratio is used to amplify torque and ensure reliable door opening. When the door moves past the latch point and resistance decreases, the system transitions to a lower transmission ratio, reducing the force applied and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient opening speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The door opening process is divided into periodic phases with different force requirements. The first phase requires high force to overcome the latch and initial resistance, while the second phase requires less force. The transmission mechanism switches between gear pairings to match the force requirements of each phase, preventing energy waste by applying high force only when necessary.
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 mechanism ensures rapid door opening with user comfort by adjusting force and speed according to resistance profiles, using a single electric motor efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor, a coupling part which can be driven by means of the electric motor within a limited range of movement, in particular in linear motion
Implementation Method 2
a power transmission mechanism between the electric motor and the coupling part. According to the invention, the power transmission mechanism is designed to ensure a variable effective velocity of the coupling part at a given rotational frequency of the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a door opener for an electrical appliance of household equipment. The door opener comprises an electric motor and a pusher drivable by means of the electric motor for pressing co-operation with the door of the electrical appliance. A power transmission mechanism is provided between the electric motor and the pusher, which is capable of ensuring a variable effective velocity of the pusher at the same rotational frequency of the electric motor. Certain embodiments provide for a multi-stage rack and pinion gear for this purpose, which is formed by a gear rim and a toothed rack, which can transmit the driving force of the electric motor to the pusher via various gear pairings that can be brought alternately into meshing engagement with one another.