Dishwasher Detergent Dispenser Door With Integrated Soft Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for washing agents in household washing machines, particularly dishwashers, lack improved operativeness and user convenience, with complex manufacturing processes and noise/vibration issues during operation.
Innovation Solution
The dispenser incorporates a rigid body with integrated elastic or soft material elements, such as silicone, for enhanced gripping, attenuation, and sealing, allowing for simpler manufacturing through overmoulding processes, reducing noise and vibrations, and improving user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate components (rigid body, sealing elements, gripping elements, damping elements) are used in the dispenser door, then the functionality and operativeness are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate functional components (sealing elements, gripping elements, damping elements) into a single integrated door assembly. The rigid body door incorporates all these elements as integral parts, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining all necessary functions for operation, sealing, gripping, and vibration damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction where the door assembly integrates a rigid body (likely thermoplastic) with elastic/soft material elements. This composite approach allows different regions of the door to exhibit different mechanical properties - rigidity for structural support and elasticity for sealing and damping functions - all within a single integrated component that simplifies manufacturing.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are assembled manually, then functionality is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements, gripping elements, and damping elements are pre-formed and then integrated into the door assembly in a single manufacturing step. This preliminary preparation of functional elements followed by one-step integration ensures reliable sealing effectiveness while simplifying the manufacturing process by eliminating multiple separate assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the manufacturing of multiple components into a single integrated door assembly that can be produced as one piece or pre-assembled in a single operation. This eliminates the need for multiple separate manufacturing processes and manual assembly steps, reducing both complexity and production time while maintaining reliable sealing through the integrated design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If elastic material elements are added for gripping and damping, then ease of operation and noise reduction are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials where elastic/soft material elements are integrated into the rigid door body. These elastic elements serve dual purposes: improving gripping capability for user operation and providing damping to reduce noise and vibrations during door movement. The composite structure allows different material properties to coexist within a single integrated component, addressing multiple harmful factors without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material elements in the door assembly serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide gripping surfaces for user interaction, act as dampers to reduce vibrations and noise during operation, and contribute to the overall sealing effectiveness. This multi-functionality approach addresses noise and vibration issues while avoiding the need for separate dedicated damping components, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 enhances the dispenser's operativeness by facilitating easier manual operation, reducing noise and vibrations, and simplifying the manufacturing process, while maintaining effective sealing and detergent handling.
Implementation Method 1
The dispenser incorporates a rigid body with integrated elastic or soft material elements, such as silicone, for enhanced gripping, attenuation, and sealing
Implementation Method 2
allowing for simpler manufacturing through overmoulding processes
Data Source
AI summary
A washing-agent dispenser for a household washing machine having a main casing, defining at least a container for a washing agent, and a member for closing the container. The closing member includes a substantially rigid body made of a first material, associated to which there are sealing means, made at least in part with a second substantially elastic or soft material. Associated to the rigid body of the closing member there are at least partially elastic or yielding complements, which are functionally distinct from the sealing means and are able to undergo deformation in the course of the use of the closing member. The complements are made at least in part of an elastic, soft, or yielding material, in particular of a synthetic type, which can be overmoulded directly on the rigid body of the closing member. Preferably, a plurality of complements is formed in a single component, which can include also said sealing means.