Dishwasher Drain Pump Housing for Easy Impeller Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing dishwashers, the integrated housing of the drain pump with the sump case makes it difficult to clean the inside of the drain pump, leading to potential clogging issues.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher design where the drain pump includes a drain impeller and a plurality of separable cases, allowing the drain pump cover to be detached from the sump case for easy cleaning, thereby preventing clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the drain pump housing is formed integrally with the sump case, then the structural complexity is reduced, but the ease of maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidease of maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The drain pump housing is divided into multiple separable cases (first case, second case, third case) that can be detached from each other and from the sump case. This segmentation allows users to access and clean the drain impeller easily by removing the cases, while still maintaining a relatively simple overall structure when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the drain pump housing is formed integrally with the sump case, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing integration precisionVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into multiple cases that can be easily detached and reattached. This allows the housing to be simple to manufacture in separate pieces while enabling easy cleaning access. The cases are designed to fit together with simple engagement features that maintain structural integrity when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the drain pump housing is formed integrally with the sump case, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural reliabilityVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented case design allows the housing to be manufactured with high precision in separate pieces, then assembled with reliable connections. The separable cases can be removed for cleaning without damaging the overall structure, and reattached to restore full structural reliability. This segmentation enables maintenance without compromising the reliability of the assembled structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances user convenience by allowing for easy maintenance and prevents clogging of the drain pump, ensuring efficient operation of the dishwasher.

Implementation Method 1

a drain impeller that induces a flow of wash liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpeller: Impeller

Data Source

PatentUS8104489B2Dishwasher

Publication Date: 2012.01.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Provided is a dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a sump case forming a space to store wash liquid, and a drain pump provided at one side of the sump case. The drain pump includes a drain impeller that induces a flow of wash liquid, and a plurality of mutually separable cases covering the drain impeller.