Dishwasher Pump Mounting Assembly to Reduce Vibration and Tub Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashing appliances experience vibrations from circulation and drain pumps, leading to potential tub cracks, leaks, and excessive noise due to ineffective vibration reduction methods.
Innovation Solution
The appliance incorporates a sump with a recessed chamber and an elastomer seal, along with a fluid pump assembly that includes a fluid impeller, electric motor, and volute cover, where the elastomer columns support the pump housing and volute cover is positioned between the motor and impeller to reduce vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard contact points are used to support the pump motor on the wash tub for precision and strength, then the structural stability is improved, but vibrations are transmitted to the tub causing cracks, leaks, and excessive noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastomeric columns as intermediary elements between the pump motor mounting structure and the wash tub. These elastomeric columns act as vibration-isolating mediators that decouple the rigid mechanical connection, allowing the pump motor to be securely mounted while preventing vibration transmission to the tub, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural stability and vibration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the mounting system by replacing rigid hard contact points with compliant elastomeric columns. This parameter change transforms the mounting system from a rigid structure that transmits vibrations to a compliant structure that isolates vibrations, while maintaining sufficient structural support for the pump motor.
2Reliability
If O-rings are used to form a watertight seal between the pump and tub, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but vibration reduction is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pump assembly into separate functional components: the pump motor housing, the volute, and the mounting structure. By positioning the volute between the motor and the tub, and using elastomeric columns for mounting, the system creates distinct zones for sealing and vibration isolation, allowing the O-rings to maintain watertight sealing while the elastomeric mounting structure handles vibration reduction independently.
3Productivity
If the volute cover is positioned between the motor and impeller, then fluid circulation efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the volute cover component: it serves as both the fluid circulation channel (volute) and the mounting structure support. By integrating these functions into a single component that is positioned between the motor and impeller, the system achieves efficient fluid circulation while managing assembly complexity through functional integration rather than adding separate components.
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 configuration effectively isolates vibrations, reducing the risk of tub damage and noise, while maintaining a watertight seal and efficient fluid circulation and drainage.
Implementation Method 1
The elastomer columns may be configured to hold the pump housing above the sump. In this way, the elastomer columns effectively isolate vibrations, reducing the risk of tub damage and noise.
Implementation Method 2
The sump may include an elastomer seal positioned between the tub and the pump assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwashing appliance having a vibration-reducing mounting assembly is provided herein. The dishwashing appliance may include a tub defining a wash chamber, a sump, and a fluid pump. The sump may be positioned at a bottom portion of the tub along a vertical direction. The sump may include a bottom wall defining a recessed chamber. The fluid pump may be in fluid communication with the recessed chamber of the bottom wall. The fluid pump may include a fluid impeller, an electric motor, and a volute cover. The fluid impeller may be rotatably positioned within the recessed chamber. The electric motor may be in mechanical communication with the fluid impeller to motivate rotation thereof. The electric motor may be positioned above the fluid impeller. The volute cover may be positioned between the electric motor and the fluid impeller along an axial direction.