Dishwasher Detergent Dispenser Pump With Water-Tight Bottle Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashing appliances require frequent refilling of wash additive reservoirs, which is time-consuming and inefficient, and existing designs often lack a water-tight seal when attaching bulk storage of wash additives without specialized tools.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser assembly is mounted to the dishwasher door, featuring an adapter that engages a detergent bottle spout and includes a pump to selectively dispense detergent, ensuring a water-tight seal and allowing for bulk storage without specialized tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If bulk detergent storage is implemented, then the number of refilling operations is reduced, but the complexity of the dispensing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent bottle is nested within the dispenser assembly, with the bottle positioned inside the door-mounted housing. The pump mechanism is integrated within the same housing, creating a compact nested structure that accommodates bulk storage while maintaining a space-efficient design.
Solution Approach 2:
A pump mechanism serves as an intermediary between the bulk detergent bottle and the wash compartment. This intermediary component automates the transfer of detergent from bulk storage to the wash area, eliminating the need for manual refilling while managing the complexity through a single integrated pumping action.
2Ease of operation
If a water-tight seal is ensured without specialized tools, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability of the seal may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cap seal is pre-formed with an integrated engagement structure that automatically interfaces with the inlet boss during installation. The seal geometry is predetermined to ensure proper alignment and engagement without requiring specialized tools or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is localized to the cap-bottle interface with a specifically designed cap seal that concentrates the sealing function at the critical connection point. The inlet boss and cap seal are engineered with complementary geometries that create a reliable water-tight seal at this local interface, ensuring reliability without complicating the overall installation process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adapter with inlet boss and discharge barb is used, then adaptability to different bottle types is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with a universal inlet boss that can accommodate various bottle spout configurations, and a standardized discharge barb that interfaces with the pump mechanism. This multi-functional adapter serves both as a connection interface and as a flow control element, reducing the need for additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides the connection interface between bottle and pump, incorporates the inlet boss for bottle engagement, and includes the discharge barb for fluid transfer. By merging these elements into one integrated adapter, the design achieves versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 dispenser assembly allows for multiple dishwashing cycles without refilling and provides a secure, water-tight connection for bulk detergent storage, enhancing convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pump fluidly coupled to the discharge barb of the adapter for selectively urging a flow of detergent from the detergent bottle
Implementation Method 2
the inlet boss is configured to deflect a cap seal of the detergent bottle
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing, the tub including a plurality of sidewalls; a door movable between a closed position and an open position, the door comprising an inner panel enclosing the wash chamber when the door is in the closed position; and a dispenser assembly mounted to the inner panel. The dispenser assembly includes a door box including a pump chamber, the pump chamber defining an inlet hole and an outlet hole; a tunnel piece extending from the pump chamber; a bottle removably coupled to the tunnel piece; and a cap connected to the bottle, wherein the cap is configured to receive at least a portion of the tunnel piece therethrough.