Movable Dishwasher Fluid Conduit With Bellows Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face challenges with liquid conduit management, particularly in multi-compartment models, where conduits can become tangled or kinked, leading to leaks and interruptions in the washing cycle as the drawer is moved between open and closed positions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a telescoping fluid line with a bellows system that expands and contracts as the drawer moves, ensuring a continuous fluid connection and using a wiper to clean the bellows interior, preventing debris accumulation and leaks, and a mechanism that maintains fluid coupling without spilling residual liquid when the drawer is opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional liquid conduit is used to supply liquid to sprayers as the drawer moves, then the conduit can become tangled or kinked, but this leads to leaks and interruptions in the washing cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using a bellows structure that can dynamically expand and contract as the drawer moves between open and closed positions. The bellows absorbs the movement through its pleated design, allowing the fluid conduit to extend and retract without tangling or kinking, thus maintaining reliable fluid connection while enabling smooth drawer operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the flexible shells principle by using a bellows made of flexible material with multiple pleats. This flexible structure can deform elastically to accommodate drawer movement, expanding when the drawer is pulled out and contracting when pushed in, preventing the rigid conduit from becoming tangled or kinked while maintaining fluid integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drawer is moved between open and closed positions, then loading and washing functions are enabled, but residual liquid spills from the conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a wiper that proactively cleans the bellows interior before residual liquid can spill. The wiper is positioned to contact and wipe the inner surface of the bellows as it moves, removing accumulated liquid and debris in advance, thus preventing harmful liquid spillage while maintaining the adaptability of drawer movement
3Reliability
If the bellows is used to accommodate drawer movement, then fluid connection is maintained, but debris accumulates inside the bellows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing a wiper that automatically cleans the bellows interior during the drawer's normal movement cycle. The wiper is integrated into the system and utilizes the drawer's own motion to activate the cleaning function, continuously removing debris and preventing accumulation without requiring separate maintenance operations, thus maintaining both fluid connection reliability and cleanliness
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 solution maintains a continuous and leak-free fluid connection between the wash and load positions, reduces the risk of clogs, and prevents residual liquid from spilling, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the washing cycle.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows comprising multiple pleats and extending between the first fluid coupling and the second fluid coupling, and encompassing the telescoping fluid line. As the drawer is slid from a wash position, where the treating chamber is located within the interior, to a loading position, where at least a portion of the treating chamber is exterior of the chassis, the fluid conduit moves from a contracted position to an extended position to extend the segments relative to each other and expand the pleats of the bellows.
Implementation Method 2
a wiper provided within the bellows interior. The wiper is arranged relative to the bellows to contact and wipe the pleats as the drawer is slid between a loading position, where at least a portion of the tub is exterior of the chassis, and a wash position where the tub is located within the interior
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a compartment in the form of a drawer or pull-out treating chamber slidably mounted in a chassis is provided with one or more liquid supply and draining conduits for supplying and draining liquid to and from the treating chamber.