Dishwasher Detergent Dispenser on Delivery Line for Mechanical Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwashers face increased costs and malfunction risks due to the use of electrical components for detergent delivery, and the design of detergent boxes on the door reduces loading volume, making them inconvenient to use.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher with a detergent dispenser mechanism on the delivery line, featuring a piston that moves to push a frame with detergent boxes, allowing mechanical control of detergent delivery into the washing tub, and includes a movement mechanism with positions to ensure timely detergent mixing with water, along with abutments for leakproofing and user-extendable features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical components (solenoid coil or thermal pusher/puller) are used to open the detergent box lid, then the detergent can be delivered into the washing tub at the correct time, but the costs and the risk of malfunction increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent delivery reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical component complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical components (solenoid coil or thermal pusher/puller) with a purely mechanical piston-cam mechanism. The piston is driven by water pressure from the delivery line to mechanically open the lid and trigger detergent delivery, eliminating electrical components while maintaining reliable timed delivery functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes hydraulic pressure from the water delivery line to drive the piston mechanism. The water pressure automatically actuates the mechanical components to open the lid and deliver detergent at the appropriate time during the washing cycle, replacing electrical actuation with hydraulic power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If the detergent box is disposed on the door facing the rack, then the detergent can be easily accessed, but the rack area decreases when the size of the detergent box is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent box accessibilityVSAvoidrack loading volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the detergent dispenser from the vertical door surface to the horizontal delivery line. This spatial repositioning allows the detergent box to be integrated into the water flow path without occupying rack space, effectively moving the function to a different dimension where it no longer competes for loading volume

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates the detergent dispenser directly into the delivery line structure. The detergent box, piston, and lid mechanism are combined with the water delivery pathway, creating a unified system that eliminates the need for separate door-mounted detergent storage while maintaining functional accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 mechanical control of detergent delivery reduces costs and malfunctions, increases loading volume by eliminating the need for electrical components, and ensures efficient detergent mixing, enhancing user convenience and washing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the piston moves towards the detergent dispenser with the pressure of the water flowing through the delivery line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3932286B1A dishwasher comprising a detergent dispenser
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3932286B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3932286B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3932286B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; at least one spraying member (4) which delivers water onto the kitchen items in the washing tub (3); a delivery line (5) which delivers the water received from the mains to the spraying member (4); and a detergent dispenser (6) which is provided on the delivery line (5).