Washing Machine Automatic Door Opening to Prevent Moisture Odors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines typically require manual operation to open the door after a washing course is completed, which can lead to bad smells from laundry due to residual moisture inside the machine.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine equipped with an automatic door opening device that unlocks and opens the door after a washing course is finished, using a controller to manage the door locking device and the automatic door opening device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is manually opened after washing, then the user can access the laundry, but the door remains closed too long causing bad smells from moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The door locking device is unlocked in advance upon completion of the washing course, preparing the door for opening before the user needs to access the laundry. This preliminary unlocking action, combined with the automatic opening mechanism, ensures the door opens promptly without prolonged closure that would cause moisture-related odors.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic door opening device enables the door to open itself without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically detects when the washing course is complete and activates the door opening mechanism, allowing the door to service itself by opening without user action, thereby preventing odor accumulation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an automatic door opening device is added, then the door opens automatically preventing bad smells, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic door opening device is integrated with the existing door locking device, combining two functions (locking and automatic opening) into a unified system. The locking member serves dual purposes: it locks the door during washing and, when actuated by the automatic opening device, unlocks and opens the door. This merging reduces the need for completely separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both a locking mechanism during the washing cycle and as a movable component that, when actuated, enables automatic door opening. This universal component performs multiple functions (locking, unlocking, and facilitating opening) without requiring entirely separate mechanisms, thereby managing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the door locking device is unlocked automatically, then the door can be opened easily, but the door may open unintentionally during washing
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the washing course completion status and uses this feedback to determine when to unlock the door locking device. The system only unlocks the door after detecting that the washing course has been completed, preventing unintentional opening during washing while ensuring timely unlocking when appropriate. The open/close detection sensor provides additional feedback to confirm door status.
Solution Approach 2:
The door locking device is unlocked in advance upon completion of the washing course, but only after the controller confirms washing is complete. This preliminary unlocking action is timed precisely - not during washing (maintaining reliability) but immediately upon completion (enabling ease of operation). The sequence is carefully controlled to prevent premature unlocking.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine includes a housing equipped with an inlet, a door to open or close the inlet and including a latch with a locking hole formed at the latch, a door locking device including a locking member with a locking bar formed at the locking member to be inserted to the locking hole, and configured to lock or unlock the door according to whether the locking member is fixed, an automatic door opening device to deliver driving power to the locking member so that the locking bar is removed from the locking hole, and a controller to control the door locking device to unlock the door by unfixing the locking member, in response to a completion of a washing course and to control the automatic door opening device to open the door by delivering the driving power to the locking member in response to the door being unlocked.