Dishwasher Overflow Siphon Mounting for Leak-Tight Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwasher drainage systems are prone to misalignment and leakage due to improper installation of overflow siphons, leading to inefficient drainage of excess water and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

The overflow siphon features a duct with engagement means for easy alignment and attachment to the dishwasher's front feet, ensuring secure installation and preventing misalignment, with optional snap-fit elements and a second engagement means for supporting the washing tub, allowing for separate servicing without compromising leak-tightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the overflow siphon is installed using conventional clamping methods, then the drainage system can be assembled, but misalignment and displacement occur during installation leading to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak-tightness of drainage systemVSAvoidinstallation process stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The overflow siphon is divided into separate modular components: the siphon body, the front foot attachment element, and the reinforcement bracket. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured with precise alignment features, eliminating misalignment issues during assembly while maintaining leak-tightness through dedicated sealing interfaces for each module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated attachment element with alignment features serves as an intermediary between the overflow siphon and the front foot. This intermediary component ensures precise positioning and stable attachment during installation, preventing displacement while maintaining the leak-tight connection required for reliable drainage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the drainage components are tightly integrated for leak-tight operation, then water leakage is prevented, but servicing and uninstallation become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak-tightness of drainage systemVSAvoidserviceability of overflow siphon
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The overflow siphon system is segmented into detachable modules with standardized connection interfaces. The siphon body can be separated from the front foot attachment element and reinforcement bracket through these interfaces, allowing servicing and repairs without compromising the leak-tightness of the sealed connections when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism incorporates dynamic characteristics with snap-fit elements that provide secure engagement during operation for leak-tightness, but can be easily released for servicing. The connection transitions from a rigid sealed state during operation to a detachable state during maintenance, balancing reliability with serviceability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the overflow siphon requires rotation for alignment during installation, then proper positioning is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of overflow siphonVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring the overflow siphon to be rotated into position, the attachment element is designed with pre-aligned directional features that guide the siphon into correct positioning during a single linear insertion motion. This inverts the traditional alignment approach, eliminating rotational movements and reducing installation time while maintaining precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the overflow siphon is designed as a fixed integrated component, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability for different installation positions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stability of drainage systemVSAvoidinstallation position flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage system is segmented with the overflow siphon body separated from the mounting components (front foot attachment element and reinforcement bracket). This segmentation provides structural stability through rigid sealed connections while enabling adaptability by allowing the siphon to be installed at different positions by simply repositioning the detachable mounting elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates reliable and leak-tight installation and servicing of the overflow siphon, ensuring rapid drainage and preventing water leaks, while allowing for independent uninstallation of components without demounting the door, resulting in a compact and cost-effective drainage system.

Implementation Method 1

The overflow siphon is configured by a duct (6) which has a first engagement means (11) for aligning and detachably attaching the same directly to its designated attachment position on one of the front feet (5). The duct (6) has an inlet (7) that adjoins a lower edge (9) of an opening of the washing tub (3) to define an overflow path that fluidly connects the washing tub (3) with the duct (6).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSiphon: Syphon

Data Source

PatentEP3054828B1Dishwasher having an overflow siphon
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3054828B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3054828B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3054828B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an overflow siphon (1) for use in a dishwasher (2) for draining excess water. The dishwasher (2) comprises a washing tub (3) for receiving dishes to be cleaned, wherein the washing tub (3) has an opening for loading or unloading the dishes, a plurality of feet (5) for supporting the washing tub (3) and a reservoir which is arranged under the washing tub (3) for collecting the excess water filled into the washing tub (3). The overflow siphon (1 ) comprises a duct (6) which includes an inlet (7) for drawing the excess water from the washing tub (3) and an outlet (8) for draining the excess water into the reservoir, wherein the outlet (8) is fluidly connected to the inlet (7).