Water supply device for a household washing machine, in particular a dishwasher, and houshold washing machine having such a device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispenser devices for washing machines, particularly dishwashers, face challenges in being compact due to the need for a minimum distance between the liquid injection tract and other components, leading to space constraints, and can malfunction or clog, causing liquid to flow back into the water main and resulting in uncontrolled leakage and electrical safety issues.
Innovation Solution
The dispenser device incorporates an air-break device positioned within an existing unoccupied space, utilizing a dual air-break system with tapered ducts to maintain compactness while ensuring proper liquid flow and preventing backflow, and includes a collection chamber for resin regeneration, with a second air-break device in series to handle malfunctions and clogs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air-break device is designed with a minimum distance of 20 mm between the liquid injection tract and other walls, then the air-break device can prevent liquid from flowing back into the water main, but the dispenser device occupies much room inside the washing machine
Solution Approach 1:
The air-break device is nested within the dispenser device body, with the first air-break tract and second air-break tract positioned concentrically or adjacently within the same housing structure. This allows the air-break function to be integrated without requiring additional external space, resolving the contradiction between maintaining the 20 mm safety distance and minimizing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension and radial arrangement of tracts within the dispenser device. The first air-break tract and second air-break tract are arranged in different spatial dimensions (one above the other, or concentrically), allowing both tracts to maintain the required 20 mm distance from walls and each other while fitting within a compact cylindrical or annular volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the dispenser device is made compact, then it saves space inside the washing machine, but it becomes difficult to ensure proper operation of the air-break device and prevent liquid backflow
Solution Approach 1:
The air-break function is segmented into two separate air-break tracts (first air-break tract and second air-break tract) rather than using a single tract. This segmentation allows each tract to be optimized for compactness while collectively providing redundant protection against liquid backflow, ensuring reliability even in a compact dispenser device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The second air-break tract serves as a backup or cushioning measure against liquid backflow. If the first air-break tract fails or becomes clogged, the second air-break tract provides an additional safety barrier, ensuring that liquid cannot flow back into the water main. This beforehand cushioning approach maintains high reliability within a compact design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the dispenser device includes multiple components for multiple functions, then it can perform several different functions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser device is designed as a multifunctional unit that integrates liquid dispensing, air-breaking, vapor venting, and resin regeneration collection functions within a single housing structure. The same cylindrical body accommodates all these functions through internal tract arrangements, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity despite the multiple functions performed.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional tracts (liquid dispensing tract, first air-break tract, second air-break tract, vapor venting tract) are merged into a single integrated dispenser device body. The first and second air-break tracts are combined within the same housing, and the collection chamber is integrated into the lower portion of the device, merging multiple functions into one compact unit rather than using separate components.
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 allows for a compact, easy-to-manufacture dispenser device that prevents liquid backflow and uncontrolled leakage, ensuring optimal operation and safety by utilizing the existing space for the air-break device and providing a redundant air-break system to handle adverse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an air-break device associated with a liquid supply duct, for preventing the liquid from returning into the water main should a vacuum be created therein
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a dual air-break system with tapered ducts to maintain compactness while ensuring proper liquid flow
Implementation Method 3
includes a collection chamber for resin regeneration
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dispenser device (1) for dispensing a liquid in a washing machine for household use, in particular a dishwasher, said dispenser device (1) being of the type that comprises: - an inner cavity (2); - an air-break device (10) associated with a supply duct (3) for supplying the liquid coming from the water main; - an aperture (4) for collecting and venting vapours, in particular coming from a wash tub, said aperture (4) being such as to communicate with the inner cavity (2) of the dispenser device (1). The present invention is characterized in that said air-break device (10) is positioned in said aperture (4).