Dishwasher Auxiliary Arm Joint Structure to Prevent Sagging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers face challenges in maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of auxiliary arms, including sagging, foreign substance accumulation, and warping of support ribs, which affect the efficiency and reliability of wash water distribution.

Innovation Solution

The dishwasher design incorporates a main arm with an auxiliary arm connection member that includes a flow tube, shaft, support ribs, and a departure prevention part to ensure the auxiliary arm's rotation and secure attachment, while also preventing foreign substance accumulation and warping, by using a reinforcement rib and strategically angled support ribs to guide wash water effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the auxiliary arm is rotatably mounted on the main arm by an auxiliary arm connection member, then the auxiliary arm can rotate to spray wash water, but the auxiliary arm may sag due to gravitational force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation capability of auxiliary armVSAvoidsagging of auxiliary arm
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support rib structure that extends from the auxiliary arm connection member to support the auxiliary arm. This support rib acts as a counterbalancing element that opposes the gravitational force causing sagging, thereby maintaining the auxiliary arm's positional stability while allowing rotation capability.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the auxiliary arm connection member is designed with multiple components for rotation and water supply, then the functionality is enhanced, but the structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality of auxiliary arm connection memberVSAvoidstrength of auxiliary arm connection member
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into the auxiliary arm connection member by combining the rotation support structure with the water supply flow tube. The support rib and flow tube are merged into a single integrated component, allowing both mechanical support and fluid transport functions to coexist without compromising structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the support rib is designed to support the auxiliary arm, then sagging is prevented, but foreign substances may accumulate on the support rib

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport of auxiliary armVSAvoidforeign substance accumulation on support rib
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the support rib with a curved surface that slopes downward toward the auxiliary arm connection member. This curved geometry prevents foreign substances from accumulating on the support rib by allowing them to slide off along the curved surface due to gravity, while still maintaining the structural support function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Reliability

If the auxiliary arm connection member includes a departure prevention part, then the auxiliary arm is secured, but the complexity of the connection member increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of auxiliary armVSAvoidcomplexity of auxiliary arm connection member
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The departure prevention part is integrated into the existing support rib structure rather than being added as a separate component. This merging approach secures the auxiliary arm against unintended detachment while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing the already-present structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4039164B1Dish washer
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4039164B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039164B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4039164B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dishwasher. According to an aspect, a dishwasher includes a sump (5) for storing wash water; a main arm (110) provided in the sump for receiving wash water from the sump; an auxiliary arm (140, 150) rotatably mounted to the main arm (110), having therein an auxiliary flow passage (141) in which wash water flows; and an auxiliary arm connection member (1100) extending from the main arm (110) for rotatably supporting the auxiliary arm (140, 150) about the auxiliary arm connection member (1100). The auxiliary arm connection member (1100) comprises: a flow tube (1120, 1140) connected to the main arm (110) so as to communicate with the auxiliary flow passage (141); a shaft (1160) extending to the auxiliary arm (140, 150) so as to be inserted into the auxiliary flow passage (141) ; and at least two support ribs (1151, 1152, 1153) connected to the flow tube (1120, 1140) and the shaft (1160), and having a flow hole (1155) through in the vertical direction.