Dishwasher Height-Adjustable Spray Arm Coupling Without Pivot Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwasher designs face inefficiencies due to the external placement of the inflow pipe, leading to heat loss and flow detentions, and the need for a pivot tube for height-adjustable upper baskets results in complex and less effective fluid connections.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher with a movable pipe connection piece that linearly adjusts in the height direction, eliminating the need for a pivot tube and allowing for stepless height adjustment of the spray arm pipe, optimized for fluid flow and comfort, using a flexible hose and beveled cross-sectional area for seamless fluidic connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the inflow pipe is placed outside the washing chamber, then the spray arm can be supplied with washing liquid, but heat is emitted outside the washing chamber and flow detours are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat retentionVSAvoidpipe routing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inflow pipe transitions from an external horizontal routing to an internal vertical routing through the rear wall, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to achieve a more efficient path. The pipe enters the washing chamber through the rear wall and connects to the spray arm pipe from below, eliminating the need for external horizontal routing and reducing heat loss to the environment.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The inflow pipe is nested within the washing chamber structure by routing it through the rear wall thickness. The pipe passes through the wall from the exterior to the interior, utilizing the wall structure itself as the conduit path, thereby eliminating external routing while maintaining connection between the water supply and spray arm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a pivot tube is used to connect the spray arm pipe to the inflow pipe, then height adjustment of the upper basket is enabled, but the device complexity increases and fluid flow efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidcoupling device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device is segmented into two independent functional components: the inflow pipe fixed to the rear wall and the spray arm pipe mounted to the basket. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the inflow pipe provides stable water supply while the spray arm pipe accommodates basket movement through simple vertical alignment with the funnel opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The funnel-shaped opening acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the fixed inflow pipe and the movable spray arm pipe. Its conical geometry provides a tolerance zone that automatically compensates for height variations, enabling the movable pipe to connect to the fixed pipe without requiring complex active adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a pivot tube with twisting movement is used for height adjustment, then the spray arm pipe can connect to the inflow pipe at different heights, but mechanical stress increases and fluid flow detours occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adaptabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static rigid connection requiring twisting to a dynamic system where the movable spray arm pipe can freely adjust its vertical position. The funnel-shaped opening provides a dynamic adaptation mechanism that passively compensates for height differences through its geometric design, eliminating the need for active twisting movements and reducing mechanical stress on the pipe connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3047785B1Dishwasher, in particular household dishwasher
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3047785B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3047785B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3047785B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a dishwasher with a wash chamber providing a wash chamber, which accommodates a height-adjustable upper basket and an inlet pipe (5) extending at least partially inside the rear wall (4) of the wash chamber, wherein a spray arm and a spray arm tube (6) leading to the spray arm are arranged on the upper basket, and wherein the spray arm tube (6) has a funnel opening (8) on the inlet pipe side, which, when the upper basket is inserted into the wash chamber, is connected to a coupling device (9), which in turn is in fluid-technical connection with the inlet pipe (5) for supplying the spray arm with wash fluid, wherein the coupling device (9) has a pipe connection piece (10) that interacts with the funnel opening (8) of the spray arm tube (6) and is designed to be movable in the height direction (11) of the wash chamber.