Dishwasher

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers experience noise issues due to vibration from the pump being transferred to the cabinet or tub, which is not effectively mitigated by existing designs.

Innovation Solution

The use of insulating units made of elastic materials to space the pump apart from the cabinet and sump, preventing vibration transfer through a combination of supporting and fastening structures that guide the pump's position and attenuate vibrations, including additional insulating units between the pump and spray arms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the pump is directly connected to the sump and cabinet, then the structure is simple and compact, but vibration from the pump is transferred to the cabinet and tub causing noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump connection structureVSAvoidvibration transfer to cabinet

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces insulating units as intermediary components between the pump and the sump/cabinet. These insulating units serve as mediators that physically connect the pump to the sump while simultaneously isolating vibration, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating units are designed as simple, replaceable components made from cost-effective materials. They are positioned as consumable isolation elements that can be easily replaced if needed, providing an economical solution to the vibration isolation problem without complicating the overall pump connection structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If insulating units are added to isolate the pump from the cabinet, then vibration transfer is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise from vibrationVSAvoidpump isolation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating units are designed as flexible isolation components that can be easily installed and integrated into the existing pump-sump connection. Their flexible nature allows them to conform to the mounting space without requiring complex structural modifications, thus reducing the perceived complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into the insulating units: they simultaneously provide vibration isolation, structural support for the pump, and positioning alignment. By merging these functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is minimized while still achieving effective vibration reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the pump is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom, then vibration transfer is attenuated, but the dishwasher volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration transfer to sumpVSAvoiddishwasher volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating units utilize the vertical dimension (height direction) to create vibration isolation. By spacing the pump from the cabinet bottom in the vertical direction rather than requiring horizontal separation, the solution achieves vibration attenuation without significantly increasing the overall footprint or volume of the dishwasher.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating units are designed to fit within the existing spatial configuration of the pump and sump assembly. The isolation components are nested within the connection space between the pump and sump, utilizing existing voids and spaces rather than adding external volume to the dishwasher structure.

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

This solution effectively reduces noise and vibration by isolating the pump's vibrations from the cabinet and sump, minimizing the dishwasher's volume while maintaining efficient water supply to the spray arms.

Implementation Method 1

at least two insulating units for connecting the pump with the sump to allow the pump to be spaced apart from a bottom of the cabinet at a predetermined distance and attenuating transfer of vibration generated in the pump to the sump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration attenuation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The insulating units may include first and second insulating units provided along a height direction of the cabinet, supporting a side of the pump towards the sump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9814367B2Dishwasher

Publication Date: 2017.11.14 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A dishwasher includes a cabinet, a tub providing a washing space, a sump located below the tub and providing a space in which the washing water is stored, racks provided inside the tub and providing a space in which washing targets are received, spray arms for spraying the washing water to the racks, a pump for supplying the washing water stored in the sump to the spray arms, and at least two insulating units for connecting the pump with the sump to allow the pump to be spaced apart from a bottom of the cabinet at a predetermined distance and attenuating transfer of vibration generated in the pump to the sump.