Dishwasher leveling assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unbalanced dishwashers can lead to liquid accumulation in low areas, causing issues such as odor, mold, and mildew, due to improper leveling.
Innovation Solution
A leveling assembly with a threaded shaft and a flexible nut that allows for snap-fitting to the chassis, enabling rotational adjustment of the leveling foot for height adjustment without threading, ensuring the dishwasher remains balanced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional threaded leveling foot is used, then the chassis can be adjusted for height, but the installation process is complex and time-consuming due to threading requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling assembly is divided into separate components: a leveling foot with external threads and a nut with internal threads. These segments can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing the leveling foot to be inserted into the nut without threading during installation, thereby simplifying the installation process and reducing time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The threads are pre-formed on the leveling foot and nut during manufacturing, but the actual threading action is eliminated during installation. The leveling foot is simply inserted into the nut which is already attached to the chassis, performing the threading function in advance during production rather than during installation.
2Reliability
If the leveling foot is threaded into the nut, then secure attachment is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the threading function into pre-manufactured features on the leveling foot and nut, the actual assembly process becomes simpler. Each component can be manufactured independently with standard threading processes, and then assembled through simple insertion and snap-fit operations, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The threading is performed during the manufacturing of individual components rather than during final assembly. This preliminary action allows each part to be produced using efficient, standardized threading processes, while the final assembly requires only simple insertion and snapping operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the nut is rigid and fixed, then structural stability is maintained, but adjustment of the leveling foot becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The nut incorporates a flexible portion that allows temporary deformation during the adjustment process, enabling the leveling foot to be rotated and repositioned. Once adjusted, the flexible portion returns to its original shape, securing the leveling foot in place and maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible portion of the nut changes its physical state from a constrained configuration to a deformed configuration during adjustment, allowing the leveling foot to be repositioned. After adjustment, the flexible portion returns to its original state, maintaining structural integrity and stability.
4Ease of operation
If the leveling assembly allows easy adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of improper installation or loosening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portion of the nut provides dynamic behavior during adjustment, allowing easy rotation and repositioning of the leveling foot. Once the desired position is achieved, the flexible portion naturally returns to its original shape, creating a self-locking effect that secures the adjustment and prevents loosening during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible portion of the nut automatically secures the leveling foot in place through its elastic recovery after adjustment. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional locking components or complex fastening procedures, while still ensuring reliable attachment.
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
The solution effectively prevents liquid accumulation and maintains the dishwasher's performance by ensuring it remains level, thereby reducing the risk of odor and mold issues.
Implementation Method 1
a nut having a threaded interior and a flexible or moveable portion configured to receive a portion of the threaded shaft without threading of the leveling foot
Implementation Method 2
the nut is configured to be snap-fitted to the chassis such that the nut is constrained
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher with a tub defining a treating chamber, a chassis supporting the tub, and a set of leveling assemblies mounted to the chassis. A leveling assembly can include a leveling foot having a threaded shaft and a nut having a threaded interior and a flexible or moveable portion configured to receive a portion of the threaded shaft.