Dishwasher Operating Panel Seal With Integrated Liquid Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers face challenges in protecting electronic components from penetrating liquid when the door is open, as existing solutions are complex due to contacts on the wiring harness and required cutouts in the housing.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a one-piece structural unit formed by a sealing element and bed, integrated into the operating panel using a plastic injection molding process, with a liquid discharge chamber and support ribs to divert liquid away from components, reducing the need for additional sealing means and enhancing assembly simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If additional sealing means such as shielding foils or complex housings are used to protect electronic components from penetrating liquid, then liquid protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing element and sealing bed into a one-piece structural unit manufactured as a two-component extrusion. This integration eliminates the need for separate sealing components and their associated assembly steps, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective liquid protection between the operating panel and internal door element
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sealing structure serves multiple functions: it provides liquid protection, structural support, and simplified assembly in a single component. The sealing element and bed work together as a unified system that addresses both sealing requirements and structural needs without requiring additional separate components
2Manufacturing precision
If the sealing bed is integrated into the operating panel during injection molding, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to undercuts
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing bed is designed as a separate insert component that is placed into the operating panel during injection molding rather than being molded as an integrated part. This segmentation allows the sealing bed to be manufactured independently without undercuts, while still achieving precise integration into the final assembly through the insert molding process
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing bed acts as an intermediary component that bridges the operating panel and the internal door element. By introducing this separate insert element, the design achieves both precise positioning and simplified manufacturing, as the sealing bed can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the operating panel during the molding process
3Ease of manufacture
If the operating panel geometry is designed for simple injection molding without additional ejectors, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate due to mold release constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The operating panel geometry is designed with specific local features: the front wall is angled relative to the mold release direction to facilitate easy ejection, while the side walls are designed to be substantially perpendicular to the mold release direction to maintain precision for sealing contacts. This localized differentiation of geometric properties allows both easy manufacturing and high precision in critical areas
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, includes a domestic-appliance door which has at least one front operating panel and an internal door element. A seal is arranged at least in one area between the operating panel and the internal door element and includes a sealing element and a sealing bed, with the sealing element and the sealing bed forming a one-piece structural unit.