Dishwasher Basket Hydraulic Coupling for Height-Adjusted Flow Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwashers with height-adjustable baskets face hydraulic inefficiencies in guiding washing liquor from the supply line into the feed pipe, as the liquor can be diverted through the coupling's housing, affecting washing performance.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher design featuring a coupling device with a first part-coupling on the sidewall and a second part-coupling connected to the feed pipe, where the second part-coupling ensures that washing liquor flows directly into the feed pipe through a specific opening, regardless of basket height, and closes other openings to prevent diversion, ensuring optimal hydraulic guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the coupling housing is used to redirect washing liquor, then the coupling can accommodate height adjustments, but hydraulic efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidhydraulic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device is divided into two separate part-couplings: a first part-coupling with multiple first openings for receiving washing liquor, and a second part-coupling with a second opening connected to the feed pipe. This segmentation allows the washing liquor to flow directly from the first part-coupling to the feed pipe through aligned openings, bypassing the coupling housing and maintaining hydraulic efficiency while still accommodating height adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The aligned first and second openings act as an intermediary flow path that directly connects the washing liquor supply to the feed pipe. This intermediary channel eliminates the need for the washing liquor to be diverted through the coupling housing, thereby maintaining optimal hydraulic guidance while allowing the coupling to adapt to different basket heights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple openings are provided in the coupling, then adaptability to basket height is improved, but risk of liquor diversion through housing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasket height compatibilityVSAvoidliquor diversion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling openings are segmented into two distinct groups: first openings in the first part-coupling that receive washing liquor, and a second opening in the second part-coupling that connects to the feed pipe. This segmentation ensures that washing liquor flows only through the intended path (first openings to second opening to feed pipe) and cannot be diverted through the coupling housing, while still providing multiple height options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If washing liquor flows through coupling housing, then coupling structure is simplified, but hydraulic guidance quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling structureVSAvoidhydraulic guidance quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling structure is segmented into two part-couplings with clearly defined functions: the first part-coupling receives washing liquor through multiple first openings, and the second part-coupling delivers it to the feed pipe through the second opening. This segmentation maintains hydraulic guidance quality by ensuring direct flow paths while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through the use of standard coupling components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design ensures consistent and efficient hydraulic guidance of washing liquor into the feed pipe, maintaining washing quality across different basket heights without reducing the cross-sectional area for liquor supply, thus enhancing the washing operation.

Implementation Method 1

a washing liquor under pressure can be discharged through the first openings... the washing liquor passes through the first opening cooperating with the second opening and through the second opening and flows via the feed pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8561624B2Hydraulic coupling of a vertically adjustable dish basket of a dishwasher

Publication Date: 2013.10.22 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A dishwasher having a washing compartment with a sidewall; a height-adjustable basket that can be at least partially withdrawn from the washing compartment; a spray arm; a feed pipe, disposed on the basket, for the spray arm; and a coupling device. The coupling device has a first part-coupling that is disposed on the sidewall and that has first openings arranged vertically one above another. The coupling device also has a second part-coupling that is connected to the feed pipe and that has a second opening which, depending on a height adjustment of the basket, cooperates with one of the first openings such that washing liquor passes through that opening and the second opening and flows via the feed pipe to the spray arm. The washing liquor is discharged under pressure from the first openings. The second part-coupling closes the remaining first openings.