Dishwasher Drain Assembly Routing to Prevent Dish Rack Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automatic dishwashers, soiled dishes or utensils often get stuck with the sprayer, making it difficult to move the dish rack in and out, requiring users to remove and reposition it, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a drain assembly with a structural element and a drain line extending between an inlet and an outlet, received in a socket, which allows for smooth operation and minimizes interactions with the sprayer, preventing sticking issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drain line is routed through the tub structure, then drainage function is achieved, but the dish rack movement is hindered due to interactions with the sprayer
Solution Approach 1:
The drain line is divided into separate segments: a first portion extending from the drain pump along the rear wall, and a second portion extending along the side wall to the socket. This segmentation allows each portion to be positioned in dedicated spaces that do not interfere with the sprayer or dish rack movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain line is routed in three-dimensional space along the rear and side walls of the tub, utilizing vertical and lateral dimensions. This spatial arrangement positions the drain line away from the horizontal path of the sprayer, eliminating interference while maintaining drainage functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If the drain line is positioned close to the sprayer, then space is optimized, but sticking issues occur requiring frequent removal and repositioning of the dish rack
Solution Approach 1:
The drain line is extracted from the central tub area and repositioned along the peripheral walls (rear and side walls). This extraction removes the drain line from the interference zone of the sprayer, allowing the dish rack to move freely without sticking issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear wall and side wall structures serve as intermediary elements that carry the drain line away from the sprayer path. These structural elements act as mediators, allowing the drain line to maintain its function while being spatially separated from the sprayer to prevent sticking.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dishwasher (10) for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation, the dishwasher (10) comprising a chassis, a tub (14) supported by the chassis and at least partially defining a treating chamber (16) for receiving dishes, a structural element (102) extending from the chassis along the tub (14) and defining a socket (112); and a drain line (62) extending between an inlet (132) and an outlet (134) and received in the socket (112).