Movable Dishwasher Spray Assembly for Corner Wash Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwasher spray arms struggle to provide uniform wash fluid coverage in the corners of rectangular or square wash chambers, leading to noise and inconsistent cleaning due to fluid impact on the tub and poor distribution.

Innovation Solution

A spray assembly with a movable spray body, linked to a rotating crank and coupler system, allows the spray body to move along a lateral direction within the wash chamber, ensuring uniform wash fluid distribution across the chamber, including its corners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If spray arms are rotatably mounted to improve wash fluid coverage, then spray coverage area is improved, but corners of the rectangular wash chamber still receive poor coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewash chamber coverage areaVSAvoidcorner coverage uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spray assembly is made movable along the lateral direction through a crank-coupler-link mechanism, transforming the static rotating spray arm into a dynamic system that can position itself to target corners effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spray outlets are specifically directed towards the corners when the spray body is in its lateral position, providing localized targeted coverage for the previously underserved corner areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If spray outlets are directed towards wash chamber corners, then corner coverage is improved, but wash fluid impacts the tub and generates noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorner coverage uniformityVSAvoidnoise from fluid impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spray assembly dynamically positions itself laterally to optimize spray angles, allowing corner coverage without direct impact on the tub by adjusting the spray trajectory through lateral movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If spray outlets are directed towards wash chamber corners, then corner coverage is improved, but wash fluid distribution becomes uneven and cleaning is inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorner coverage uniformityVSAvoidcleaning consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral movement capability allows the spray assembly to optimize its position for different spray patterns, enabling consistent and uniform wash fluid distribution across all areas including corners

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spray assembly adds lateral direction movement to the traditional rotation mechanism, creating a two-degree-of-freedom system that enables precise positioning and uniform multi-directional spray coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9420936B2Dishwasher appliance and a spray assembly for the

Publication Date: 2016.08.23 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A dishwasher appliance and a spray assembly for the same are provided. The spray assembly includes a spray body and features for moving the spray body within a wash chamber of the dishwasher appliance. Wash fluid coverage within the wash chamber can be improved by moving the spray body within the wash chamber.