Dishwasher Switching Assembly With Damping for Dead-Zone Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dish washing machines suffer from dead zones where washing water cannot reach, leading to inefficient washing and increased noise and vibrations due to the rotation of spray units, which complicates the flow paths and reduces durability.

Innovation Solution

A dish washing machine with a switching assembly that includes a damping unit to reduce vibrations and a redirection surface to change the direction of washing water, ensuring even coverage and minimizing noise and vibrations by using a guide rail for the switching unit's movement and elastic damping materials to absorb impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a switching unit is used to change the direction of washing water, then dead zones are prevented and washing coverage is improved, but noise and vibrations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing coverageVSAvoidnoise and vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damping unit is provided in the switching unit to absorb vibrations and reduce noise generated during operation. The damping unit includes a damping member disposed between a support plate and a back plate, providing cushioning before vibrations can propagate through the switching unit structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping unit acts as an intermediary element between the switching unit components, mediating the transmission of vibrations. The damping member serves as a mediator that absorbs vibrational energy, preventing it from being transmitted to the cabinet and reducing noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If spray units rotate to cover all areas, then washing coverage is improved, but mechanical complexity and durability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing coverageVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the spray units to achieve coverage, the invention inverts the approach by using a fixed spray unit with a switching unit that redirects water flow. The switching unit changes the direction of washing water through a redirection surface, eliminating the need for rotating mechanical components while maintaining comprehensive washing coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical rotation system with a fluid-based redirection system. The switching unit uses a redirection surface to change the direction of washing water, substituting complex mechanical rotation with a simpler hydraulic control mechanism that has no moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If spray units rotate to change direction, then water distribution is improved, but vibrations and mechanical stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater distributionVSAvoidmechanical stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by keeping the spray unit fixed and using a switching unit with a redirection surface to change water direction. This eliminates the mechanical stress associated with rotating the spray unit while maintaining effective water distribution across all areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical rotation system is replaced with a hydraulic redirection system. The switching unit redirects water flow using a redirection surface, substituting mechanical movement with fluid dynamics control, thereby eliminating vibrations and mechanical stress on rotating components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The solution effectively prevents dead zones, enhances washing efficiency, reduces noise and vibrations, and improves the durability of the dish washing machine by ensuring uniform water distribution and minimizing mechanical stress on the switching unit.

Implementation Method 1

a damping unit provided in the switching unit and configured to lessen a vibration of the switching unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the damping unit can be configured to support a rear surface of the redirection surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

a redirection surface of which at least a part of a surface which contacts the washing water to change a direction of the washing water sprayed by the at least one spray unit toward the dish basket is provided to be recessed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow redirection:

Data Source

PatentUS10420452B2Dish washing machine

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A dish washing machine is provided herein. The dish washing machine includes a switching assembly configured to change a direction of washing water sprayed by a spray unit. The switching assembly includes a switching unit configured to change the direction of the washing water. The switching assembly also includes a damping unit configured to lessen vibrations of the switching unit. Using this structure, the direction of the washing water is efficiently changed by the switching unit, and vibrations and noise are lessened.