dishwasher

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwashers face issues with filter maintenance, including damage during withdrawal, contamination of users' hands, poor filtering efficiency due to misalignment, and exposure of electronic components to wash water, primarily because of the design of the hot air supply device which lacks a proper grip mechanism and adequate protection.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher design featuring a grip part integrated into the upper cover of the filter member for easy handling, a dual-suction system for effective filtration, and a sealing mechanism to prevent wash water from reaching electronic components, ensuring the filter is properly aligned and protected during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the filter member is simply fit-coupled to the filter accommodation space without a grip mechanism, then the structure is simple, but the filter member is easily damaged during withdrawal and insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidfilter member integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The grip part is integrated with the upper cover of the filter member as a single unified structure. The grip part protrudes from the upper cover and provides a dedicated handling interface, eliminating the need for separate grip mechanisms while ensuring secure withdrawal and insertion of the filter member without damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If the filter member is exposed outward with outer surface filtration, then air filtration is effective, but contaminants accumulate on the outer surface and contaminate the user's hand during withdrawal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair filtration efficiencyVSAvoidhand contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of filtering air through the outer surface of the filter member, the invention inverts the filtration approach by drawing air through suction openings in the filter housing and filtering it through the filter material before it reaches the user. The grip part is positioned to contact only the filtered air side, preventing contaminant transfer to the user's hand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the filter member is simply fit-coupled without positioning means, then the structure is simple, but the filter member may escape from its right position due to vibrations and external impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling mechanism simplicityVSAvoidfilter member positioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The grip part has an asymmetric cross-sectional shape that corresponds to an asymmetric groove in the filter housing. This asymmetric coupling provides automatic positioning and prevents the filter member from rotating or escaping from its correct position, while maintaining a simple fit-coupled structure without additional locking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Device complexity

If the electronic components are disposed outside the filter housing, then the structure is simple, but the components are directly affected by wash water leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent arrangement simplicityVSAvoidelectronic component exposure to water

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic components (motor and PCB substrate) are nested inside the filter housing, which serves as a protective enclosure. The filter housing acts as a nested protective structure that shields the electronic components from wash water leakage, eliminating the need for separate protective housings or seals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enhances user convenience, reduces filter damage, minimizes contamination risks, maintains filtering efficiency, and safeguards electronic components by providing a secure grip and comprehensive protection mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

a filter material disposed between the upper cover and the lower cover and filtering air drawn into the upper opening and the lower opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4205625A1dishwasher

Publication Date: 2023.07.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

A dishwasher includes a filter member having a handle integrally provided at an upper cover of the filter member. The filter member is accommodated in a filter accommodation space of a filter housing, where a movement space of the filter member is larger than the filter member, thereby preventing damage to the filter material or a fall of contaminants into the filter housing effectively, during withdrawal and insertion of the filter member. A separation space defined between the filter housing and the upper cover of the filter member is closed by a gasket, in the state where the filter member is disposed in the filter housing completely, thereby preventing the flow of non-filtered air into the filter housing effectively.