Dishwasher Coupling Sealing Element with Displaceable Gaskets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling solutions for sealed connections in dishwashers and similar machines rely on compressed air and precise O-ring manufacturing, which can lead to inadequate sealing if air ducts are misaligned or O-rings are not uniformly elastic, causing water leakage into pneumatic control elements.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system comprising a flange and a coupling element with a displaceable sealing element featuring horizontal and vertical gaskets, where medium pressure pushes the sealing element onto the flange for efficient sealing without additional connections, using EPDM, HPU, and PTFE materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed air is used to push the sealing element onto the flange, then sealing is provided, but the air duct must be precisely aligned and the O-ring must have identical elasticity throughout, otherwise sealing fails
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to be self-actuating through medium pressure. The medium pressure automatically displaces the sealing element onto the flange without requiring external compressed air systems, eliminating the need for precise air duct alignment and reducing manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed air system and air ducts are completely removed from the coupling design. The invention replaces the pneumatic actuation system with a direct medium pressure actuation mechanism, extracting the problematic air delivery infrastructure that required precise alignment
2Force
If compressed air systems are used for sealing, then sealing force is provided, but the system complexity increases due to air ducts and pneumatic control elements
Solution Approach 1:
The entire compressed air system including air ducts, compressors, and control elements is extracted and replaced with a simple medium pressure actuation system that uses the process medium itself to provide sealing force
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system uses the medium pressure already present in the system to automatically actuate the sealing element, eliminating the need for separate pneumatic control systems and reducing overall device complexity
3Reliability
If O-rings are used for sealing, then sealing is achieved, but water can emerge from behind the gasket and penetrate into pneumatic control elements if sealing is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring sealing element is replaced with a gasket-based sealing system that is directly actuated by medium pressure, eliminating the risk of water penetration into pneumatic controls by removing the pneumatic control elements entirely from the design
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket acts as an intermediary sealing element that is directly pushed onto the flange by medium pressure, creating a reliable seal that prevents water leakage without requiring protection from pneumatic control systems
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
Ensures reliable sealing without external energy or precise air duct alignment, as medium pressure displaces the sealing element, preventing water leakage and maintaining effective sealing during operation.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure of the medium when passing through the coupling element provides for sufficient pushing force to displace the insert, the sealing element
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The object of the invention is a coupling for a sealing attachment of a medium connector in dishwashers and similar machines with an appropriate insert. The coupling consists of a flange (1) and a coupling element (2), into which a displaceable insert - a sealing element (3) provided with two gaskets (4, 5) - is inserted.