I have a dishwasher that does not open automatically when finished. I can detect when it is finished through a power adapter, but need to open it somehow. Any tips? Is fingerbot strong enough?
Are dishwashers meant to do this? I’ve never known one to open when done.
This is something my mother used to do as well. When the machine was finished she opened the door and let it vent. I asked the guy installing our machine some years ago and he told me that in newer machines that won’t be necessary and could even disable the integrated venting mechanism. But of course this depends on your machine…
I’d see if your brand offers that option, and try and retrofit the OEM parts. It’s often the matter of cutting an extra hole or two and wiring it up to your controller. The tub will likely have indentations to make room for the part, even if that model doesn’t include the feature.
This is a whirlpool, Hotpoint, KitchenAid, etc door opener
https://www.hotpoint.co.uk/door-opening-system-j00532596/p
If that’s a dead end, maybe look at a wax motor. They are very cheap, easy to control, compact, and high force. Only problem is, the stroke is only . 25 inches, some up to . 5 inches. There is enough force that you could make a lever.
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Device on top that detects the “I’m done” ding and pulls the latch/whatever to open the door a touch. Genius, I know.
I was just here to see if anyone has a simple (not battery) idea of how to detect if the dishwasher is open/closed. But I’m happy to read all the other comments.
My recommendation is to read the manual, our dishwasher has this function. But I needed to enable it, and it doesn’t by default work in all modes. Maybe it’s good to check?
maybe just a window/door sensor that uses a magnet to detect closure?
Would work but is a challange with an intergrated dishwasher. And I’ve been trying to avoid batteries (unsuccessful but trying)
I could imagine attaching a motorised pulley contraption mounted on one (or both) sides of the dishwasher. When you close the door you clip the pulley onto the door, and when it finishes the motor pushes forward and the door pops open.
Define “finished”. Most newer washers have an indicator light that says when it’s done. Older ones say they are done, but rely on an extended period of time AFTER the actual cycles run to allow the steam and heat to dissipate and help dry out the inside.
If you just want to open it after a specific amount of time without finding a way to integrate a sensor into the mix, I bet you could make this work if you mount it right against the door to push it open. https://www.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-bot
Not sure what kind of dishwasher we’re talking about, but I have a SwitchBot and it’s made to push buttons: it wouldn’t be anywhere near powerful enough to open a dishwasher (as I know them)
It says it supports up to 4.8 grams of force. More than enough to pop a lid or door open. Other option is a solenoid relay that definitely will, but that’s not going to fit very cleanly behind a dishwasher and cabinet setup.
what kind of dishwasher takes less than 2 kilos of force to open?
Yeah, mine (that I didn’t scientifically measure but….) requires a hell of an effort to pull open using only my pinky. Obviously I don’t expect that mine is the only model on the market XD but that’s what I know
An esp controlling a linear actuator to either push the door open, or push against the latch locking it closed, or both.
