Washing Machine Emergency Door Opening Without Panel Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines with solenoid-activated door locks become inaccessible during power failures, necessitating costly modifications like specific panel openings for emergency opening solutions.
Innovation Solution
An emergency device with an unlocking member and a reset lever that allows door unlocking from outside without requiring panel modifications, utilizing a return spring and actuation relief to transition the slider from a blocked to a release position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solenoid-activated door-lock device is used, then the door can be locked securely during operation, but the door cannot be opened during a power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency device is pre-installed on the door-lock device with the unlocking member positioned to engage the reset lever. In case of power failure, the user can immediately actuate the actuation relief which translates the unlocking member to trigger the reset lever, opening the door without needing to search for or install an emergency cord during the crisis.
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking member acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the user's manual actuation and the door-lock device's reset lever. When the actuation relief is pressed, it translates the unlocking member, which then interacts with the reset lever to force the slider from blocked to release position, mechanically mediating the emergency opening function.
2Ease of operation
If an emergency cord is used to force the door-lock device open, then the door can be opened during power failure, but specific openings must be created on the panel which is expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency device is merged with the existing door-lock device structure. The unlocking member is integrated onto the door-lock device body, and the actuation relief is positioned to access the unlocking member through the existing reset opening, combining the emergency function with the existing locking mechanism without requiring separate panel modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The door-lock device is designed with dual functionality: normal operation mode where the solenoid controls the slider, and emergency mode where manual actuation of the actuation relief translates the unlocking member to engage the reset lever. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate emergency opening mechanisms and panel modifications.
3Ease of operation
If a large emergency cord is used for manual actuation, then the door can be opened during blackout, but the device becomes complex and requires large access openings
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency function is extracted from the complex emergency cord system and condensed into a compact unlocking member with actuation relief integrated on the door-lock device. This extraction eliminates the need for large cords and complex routing, reducing the overall device complexity while maintaining emergency opening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking member is nested on the door-lock device body, with the actuation relief positioned to access the unlocking member through the existing reset opening. The base supports the unlocking member in a nested configuration, allowing the emergency function to be housed within the existing door-lock device footprint without requiring additional space or complex external structures.
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 door opening during power outages without altering the washing machine's chassis design, ensuring ease of implementation and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
said unlocking member comprises a seat and a return spring arranged in said seat, wherein said return spring is arranged so as to return said unlocking member to its initial position after the actuation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a household appliance, such as a washing machine (1) and the like, comprising a chassis (2), a door (12) hinged to said chassis (11) for closing an opening (130), and at least one door-lock device (2), close to said door (12) to lock said door (12) closed, and comprising a reset lever (23) configured to unlock said door-lock device (2) to release said door when it is blocked closed. Said household appliance comprises an emergency device (3) comprising an unlocking member (31), wherein said unlocking member (31) comprises an actuation relief (314), accessible from the outside of the chassis (11) of the household appliance (1), and an unlocking relief (313) arranged so as to actuate said reset lever (23) to unlock said door-lock device (2).The present invention also concerns an emergency device (3).