Washing machine with a safety device for detection of a securely closed door of a drum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine door safety devices rely on mechanical components that are prone to wear and tear, leading to high maintenance costs and risks of door self-opening during the washing process, which can result in machine damage and operational interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A safety device featuring an electronic sensor, magnetic unit, and pivotable lever with a slipper guide and blocking protrusions, which measures magnetic induction to ensure the door is securely closed, eliminating the need for mechanical calibration and reducing maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical locks are used to secure the door, then the door can be locked during washing, but the mechanical parts are prone to wear and tear leading to high maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensing system with an electronic sensor that detects the position of a lever connected to the lock mechanism. The sensor generates electrical signals to indicate door status, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages and reducing wear on moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically monitors the door lock status through the sensor and can independently determine when the door is improperly secured or opened during operation, eliminating the need for manual inspection and enabling automatic safety responses.
2Measurement precision
If a mechanical control unit with a lever is used to detect door closure, then the door position can be detected, but the mechanism requires calibration and is prone to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lever-based control unit with an electronic sensor that directly detects the lever position and converts it into electrical signals. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical calibration and reduces the complexity of the control mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the drum cover is provided with an opening for the lever, then the lever can pass through to detect door position, but the opening requires sealing which can wear out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lever passing through a sealed opening with an electronic sensor that detects the lever position from the exterior of the drum cover. This eliminates the need for a physical opening and associated sealing, thereby removing the wear issue entirely.
4Measurement precision
If adjustment or calibration of the safety device is required, then the device can be calibrated, but it requires interruption of operation and disassembly of the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically processes the electrical signals from the sensor to determine door status without requiring manual calibration. The system self-adjusts by interpreting the sensor signals, eliminating the need for operational interruption and disassembly for calibration purposes.
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 solution provides reliable door closure detection with reduced maintenance needs, preventing door self-opening and minimizing operational risks, while allowing for easy calibration and auto-calibration without tools, thus enhancing safety and reducing repair costs.
Implementation Method 1
the electronical sensor is arranged to measure a magnetic induction of the magnetic unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A safety device for detection of a securely closed door of a drum of a washing machine, wherein the safety device comprises a control unit, at least one electronic sensor (1) interconnected to the control unit, at least one magnetic unit (2) and at least one lock (3) of the door of the drum of the washing machine (4).