Dishwasher Air Supply Layout for Stability and Control Module Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers face issues with overturning due to changes in the center of mass when the door is opened, potential submergence of control modules, and overheating of control modules from heat transfer, particularly in air supply devices with heating components.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an air supply device and control module as a balance weight to stabilize the dishwasher, along with strategic placement to prevent submergence and overheating, including a heating part and cooling air supply to manage heat effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the door is made heavy to prevent overturning, then stability is improved, but the weight of the door increases causing excessive center of mass shift

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a balance weight component that moves in response to door position changes. When the door opens and shifts the center of mass forward, the balance weight moves to the front to counterbalance this shift. When the door closes, the balance weight returns to its original position. This dynamic counterweight mechanism prevents overturning without requiring the door itself to be heavier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Device complexity

If the control module is disposed in the lower portion for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but the control module may be submerged

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidsubmergence risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the submergence risk by changing the spatial arrangement from a purely horizontal layout to a three-dimensional configuration. The control module is positioned on the rear wall rather than on the bottom surface, utilizing the vertical dimension and rear wall space. This elevates the control module above the water level while maintaining compact overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the heating part is placed close to the control module for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but the control module may overheat

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidtemperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prevents overheating by utilizing three-dimensional spatial separation. The heating part is positioned on the front wall while the control module is positioned on the rear wall, distributing heat-generating and heat-sensitive components along the front-rear axis. This spatial arrangement in the third dimension provides adequate thermal isolation while maintaining compact overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Productivity

If the air supply device is added for drying function, then productivity is improved, but the device occupies more space in the tub

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidspace
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply device is integrated with the existing heating part structure. The heating part serves dual functions: generating heat for drying and acting as part of the air supply system. The air supply device includes an air inlet, heating part, and air outlet that work together as a unified multi-functional component, providing drying capability without requiring separate dedicated space for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively prevents dishwasher overturning, suppresses submergence of control modules, and maintains the air supply control module's temperature, ensuring stable operation and preventing overheating.

Implementation Method 1

an air supply device mounted on the base and spraying air to the tub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow:

Implementation Method 2

a heating part provided in the air supply device, to spray heated air, i.e., hot air, into the tub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

a structure that supplies air for cooling to the control module is required to suppress the overheating of the control module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP4129146B1dishwasher
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4129146B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4129146B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4129146B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dishwasher comprising a tub (2) forming a wash space (21) and accommodating objects to be washed, a base (8) being disposed under the tub (2), a door (3) opening and closing the wash space (21), a sump (4) being under the tub (2) and storing wash water, and an air supply device (100) being disposed at the base (8) and supplying air to the tub (2), the door (3) may be disposed in front of the sump (4) in the front-rear direction of the base (8), and the air supply device (100) may be disposed behind the sump in the front-rear direction of the base.