Mounting bracket for a dishwasher

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional mounting brackets in household appliances, such as dishwashers, constrain the movement of motor housings, leading to the transfer of lateral motion and vibrations to adjacent components, causing potential damage and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A mounting bracket with a degree of freedom along its axis, allowing the pump assembly to move freely, is designed to secure the pump assembly to the base while isolating vibrational motions, using a gripping layer with vibration damping materials to reduce vibration transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pump assembly is rigidly secured to the base, then the mounting structure is simple and stable, but vibrations and lateral motions are transferred to adjacent components causing damage and inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of pump assemblyVSAvoidvibration transfer to adjacent components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket acts as an intermediary element between the pump assembly and the base. It provides a compliant connection that isolates vibrations while maintaining secure mounting, preventing vibration transfer to adjacent components through its flexible design and vibration damping materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket changes the mechanical parameters of the connection by introducing flexibility and compliance. It allows controlled movement and deformation to absorb vibrations, transforming the rigid connection into a compliant one that reduces vibration transmission while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the pump assembly is constrained in all directions, then the mounting structure provides maximum stability, but lateral motions and vibrations are transferred to the bracket and adjacent components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stability of pump assemblyVSAvoidvibration generation and transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket segments the constraint functions by providing separate degrees of freedom for different types of motion. It constrains harmful lateral vibrations while allowing beneficial operational movements, dividing the constraint into selective directional restrictions rather than complete rigid fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket introduces dynamic compliance to the mounting system. It allows the pump assembly to move dynamically in controlled ways to absorb vibrations while maintaining overall positional stability, transforming the static rigid constraint into a dynamic compliant constraint that adapts to operational vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution reduces vibration transfer by up to 5 dB at specific frequencies, enhancing the stability and efficiency of the dishwasher's operation by isolating vibrational motions and minimizing the impact on other components.

Implementation Method 1

a gripping layer with vibration damping materials to reduce vibration transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3714756B1Mounting bracket for a dishwasher
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 WHIRLPOOL CORP
  • EP3714756B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3714756B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3714756B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An automatic dishwasher (10) can include a tub (14) having a bottom and at least partially defining an open face (18) treating chamber (16), a base (12) supporting the bottom of the tub (14) and defining a mechanical area beneath the bottom of the tub (14), at least one sprayer (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) emitting liquid into the treating chamber (16), and a rotating inlet filter assembly (105) fluidly coupling the treating chamber (16) to the at least one sprayer (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46). A mounting bracket (170) can be provided to secure the rotating inlet filter assembly (105) to the base (12).