Dishwasher Door Detergent Filling Channel for Upright Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwashers require users to bend over to fill detergent into the dispenser, making the process cumbersome and inconvenient, while also lacking easy monitoring and control of the detergent loading and operational status.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher design featuring a door with an opening above the detergent dispenser and a channel that allows detergent to be filled and delivered via gravity, along with a movable panel and transparent channel for easy loading and monitoring, and a control panel that can be operated without bending, including a light source and sensors to indicate detergent loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the detergent dispenser is situated at the inner side of the door at a lower position, then the detergent can be stored inside the machine, but the user must bend over to fill the detergent which is cumbersome and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of detergent fillingVSAvoiddoor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detergent filling opening is repositioned from the lower inner side of the door to the upper inner side of the door, changing the spatial dimension of access. This allows users to fill detergent by reaching upward rather than bending downward, transforming an ergonomically poor operation into a convenient one while maintaining the integrated door structure.

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

2Ease of operation

If the opening for filling detergent is placed at the inner side of the door, then users can fill detergent without bending, but the door structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of detergent fillingVSAvoiddoor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the dishwasher, houses the detergent dispenser, contains the filling opening, and incorporates the control panel. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the apparent structural complexity is justified by the consolidation of multiple system functions into one element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the control panel is fixed on the door, then the user can easily select programs, but the user cannot easily monitor and control the operational status of the dishwasher

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of program selectionVSAvoidmonitoring of operational status
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control panel incorporates visual feedback mechanisms including LEDs and a display that provide real-time information about the dishwasher's operational status, selected programs, and detergent loading confirmation. This feedback system allows users to monitor and control the dishwasher remotely without needing to physically inspect the interior, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If the opening is placed at the uppermost end of the panel, then the gap required for partially opening the door is minimized, but the channel for detergent delivery must be precisely positioned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of door openingVSAvoidchannel positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The channel is pre-positioned and pre-aligned with the filling opening during the door assembly process. The door structure incorporates built-in alignment features such as guide rails or positioning ribs that ensure the channel and opening are correctly aligned before final assembly, eliminating the need for high-precision field adjustments and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables users to easily fill detergent without bending, quickly operate the dishwasher, and monitor the detergent loading status, enhancing user convenience and the dishwasher's elegant appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a channel (8) that joins the opening (7) with the detergent dispenser (6) and that delivers the detergent (D) filled from the opening (7) to the detergent dispenser (6) with the effect of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2941168B1A dishwasher
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 ARCELIK AS
  • EP2941168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2941168B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2941168B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2), a door (3) providing access into the body (2) and a detergent dispenser (6) disposed at the inner side of the door (3), wherein the detergent (D) is filled.