Dishwasher Sump Pump Layout for Lower Water Volume and Cleaner Valve Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers face issues with increased power consumption and material costs due to a large sump volume, which also leads to contamination of the passage opening-closing part by foreign substances, affecting efficiency and reliability, and complicates filter assembly and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a washing water pump with an impeller part connected directly to the motor, reducing sump height and volume, and features an opening-closing valve that can move vertically to prevent foreign substance trapping, along with a filter assembly that can be coupled in either direction for easier assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the sump volume is increased to accommodate the washing water motor and impeller part, then the washing water pump can be integrated into the sump structure, but the height and volume of the sump increase, leading to increased power consumption for circulating washing water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump integrationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The washing water pump is divided into separate components: the motor is mounted on the side wall of the sump, while the impeller is positioned at the bottom. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned without increasing overall sump volume, resolving the contradiction between integration and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The motor is mounted on the vertical side wall of the sump rather than horizontally within the sump volume. This dimensional change in mounting orientation allows the motor to be integrated into the sump structure without increasing the sump's height or volume, thereby avoiding increased power consumption while maintaining integration benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the sump volume is increased to accommodate the washing water motor and impeller part, then the pump components can be housed within the sump, but material costs and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system is segmented into separately manufacturable components: the motor as a standalone unit mounted on the sump side wall, and the impeller as a separate component at the bottom. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing each component to be produced independently using standard processes, then assembled together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The motor is pre-mounted on the side wall of the sump during sump fabrication, while the impeller is separately manufactured and then installed in the sump bottom. This preliminary mounting of the motor simplifies the overall assembly process and reduces manufacturing complexity compared to integrating all components into a larger monolithic sump structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If the opening-closing member is provided with a driving part to control passages, then passage control is automated, but foreign substances trapped in the opening-closing member can damage the driving part and cause noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassage control automationVSAvoiddriving part reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The driving part is extracted from the opening-closing member and positioned in a separate, protected location. The opening-closing member is actuated through a transmission mechanism that allows the driving part to remain isolated from foreign substances in the washing water, preventing damage and noise while maintaining automated passage control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A transmission mechanism acts as an intermediary between the driving part and the opening-closing member. This intermediary transmits the actuating force while keeping the driving part separated from the washing water and foreign substances, thereby protecting the driving part from damage and noise while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of repair

If the filter device is disassembled for cleaning after prolonged operation, then accumulated foreign substances can be removed, but coupling of the filter members becomes difficult when limited to a single direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaning accessibilityVSAvoidfilter assembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism of the filter members is designed with dynamic, multi-directional movement capability. The filter members can be coupled together in multiple directions and can be easily disconnected for cleaning, then reconnected in any orientation. This dynamic coupling design eliminates the difficulty of assembly while maintaining easy access for cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 decreases power consumption, improves passage control, reduces noise and contamination, enhances user convenience, and simplifies filter assembly, leading to increased efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Implementation Method 1

a heating space under the impeller part, and provided with a heater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2611349B1A dishwasher
Publication Date: 2015.10.14 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2611349B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2611349B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2611349B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is a dishwasher, which includes a washing chamber, a sump, and a washing water pump. The washing chamber accommodates a dish. The sump stores washing water supplied to the washing chamber. The washing water pump is provided to the sump and generates suction force for circulating washing water. The washing water pump includes a washing water motor for generating driving force, an impeller part disposed under the washing water motor and rotated by the driving force, and a heating space under the impeller part. Washing water is heated by a heater in the heating space.