Dishwasher Dispenser Mounting With Sealed Gap-Covering Trim
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher detergent dispenser mounting arrangements face issues with long-term integrity, aesthetics, and cleanliness due to potential leakage and trapped water/food soil, which can lead to unsightly streaks and damage from tight screw attachments.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser assembly with a top and rear plate portion, hot welded together, is mounted to the inner liner using mechanical fasteners that avoid stress on the rear plate bosses, combined with primary and secondary seals to prevent leakage, and a flexible trim member to cover gaps, ensuring a secure and aesthetically pleasing installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If screws are driven tight to avoid cosmetic gaps, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the attachment may pull the dispenser parts apart causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A compliant mounting gasket is introduced as an intermediary element between the dispenser assembly and the door liner. This gasket mediates the connection by providing sealing contact while accommodating dimensional variations, allowing screws to be tightened sufficiently for aesthetic appearance without transmitting excessive stress that would pull the dispenser parts apart and cause leakage.
2Shape
If screws are driven in too tight to eliminate gaps, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but stress on fastener bosses causes cracking and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant mounting gasket serves as a stress-absorbing intermediary between the screw fasteners and the dispenser bosses. It allows the screws to be driven tight enough to eliminate cosmetic gaps while the gasket's compliance prevents excessive stress from being transmitted to the bosses, thereby avoiding cracking and maintaining boss integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket material is selected with specific compliance characteristics that allow it to deform under screw tightening forces. This parameter change in the gasket's mechanical properties enables it to absorb stress that would otherwise be transmitted to the bosses, allowing tight fastening without compromising boss strength.
3Strength
If mechanical fasteners are secured to bosses in the rear plate, then mounting strength is improved, but stress on bosses leads to cracking and rinse aid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant mounting gasket is positioned between the mechanical fasteners and the rear plate bosses, serving as a stress-distributing intermediary. It allows the fasteners to be secured with sufficient mounting strength while preventing concentrated stress that would cause boss cracking and subsequent rinse aid leakage.
4Shape
If the dispenser is mounted flush to the door liner, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but water and food soil can trap in gaps causing streaks
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser assembly is mounted slightly protruding from the door liner surface rather than flush, extracting the potential water-trapping gap problem from the system. This protruding configuration eliminates the recessed space where water and food soil could be trapped, preventing streak formation while maintaining acceptable aesthetic appearance through proper gasket sealing.
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 solution provides long-term sealing, prevents leakage, and maintains cleanliness by avoiding stress on fastener bosses and covering gaps between the dispenser and inner liner, ensuring a superior aesthetic and functional mounting arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
The top and rear plate portions are assembled together, preferably by hot welding plastic top and rear plate portions together
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a dispenser assembly, having a top plate portion and a rear plate portion, mounted to a dishwasher liner through at least one mechanical fastener which projects through the liner, extends freely through the rear plate portion and is secured to the top plate portion. Disposed between the liner and the rear panel portion is a seal, either a flat seal or a radial seal. In addition, a trim member, which can be hinged to the top plate portion or formed as a separate component, is provided about a periphery of the top plate portion and seats upon the liner.