Dishwasher Spray Arm Gear Shielding for Stable Reciprocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers face issues with foreign substances adhering to gear parts, leading to unstable rotation and reduced washing efficiency, as well as potential water leakage at the connection between the auxiliary arm and spray arm, which complicates manufacturing and affects performance.
Innovation Solution
The dishwasher incorporates a spray arm system with a main arm that rotates and an auxiliary arm that reciprocates, supported by a fixed gear part and a rotating gear part, along with a link unit and foreign substance blocking part to prevent adherence and facilitate smooth operation, and includes nozzles to spray water for removing adhered substances and preventing water leakage through integral connection units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the spray arm rotates to spray wash water evenly, then washing performance is improved, but foreign substances adhere to the gear parts causing unstable rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful factor (foreign substances) from the system by introducing a blocking part that prevents foreign substances from reaching the gear parts. This isolation protects the rotational mechanism while maintaining the spray arm's washing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking part acts as an intermediary element between the wash water flow and the gear parts. It mediates by allowing the spray arm to rotate freely while blocking foreign substances from adhering to the gear parts, thus protecting the rotational stability.
2Productivity
If the rotating gear part engages with the fixed gear part to enable reciprocation, then washing coverage is improved, but foreign substances cause engagement instability
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking part removes the harmful influence of foreign substances from the gear engagement area, allowing the rotating gear part and fixed gear part to engage reliably without contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking part provides preliminary protection by preventing foreign substances from reaching the gear parts before they can cause engagement instability. This preventive measure ensures continuous reliable operation.
3Productivity
If the auxiliary arm connects to the main arm for reciprocating movement, then washing efficiency is improved, but water leakage occurs at the connection
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary arm and main arm are merged into an integral connection unit, eliminating the separate connection interface that caused water leakage. This integration maintains reciprocating movement functionality while ensuring water-tight connection.
4Reliability
If the gear parts are exposed to wash water for cleaning, then foreign substances are removed, but water leakage occurs and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking part extracts the gear parts from the wash water environment, preventing foreign substance adhesion in the first place. This eliminates the need for additional cleaning mechanisms and reduces manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking part performs preliminary protection by preventing foreign substances from reaching the gear parts before contamination occurs. This proactive approach avoids the need for complex post-contamination cleaning systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a tub. The dishwasher further includes a spray arm that includes a main arm and an auxiliary arm. The dishwasher further includes a fixed gear part that is connected to the tub, that is configured to rotatably support the main arm, and that includes teeth along an outer circumferential surface of the fixed gear part. The dishwasher further includes a rotating gear part that is connected to the main arm and that is configured to rotate and engage the teeth of the fixed gear part based on rotation of the main arm. The dishwasher further includes a link unit that is connected to the rotating gear part, the main arm, and the auxiliary arm, that is configured to move based on rotation of the rotating gear part, and that is configured to guide reciprocation of the auxiliary arm through the predetermined arc.