Dishwasher Tub Insulation Layout for Heat and Noise Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water-bearing household appliances, such as dishwashers, face challenges in achieving effective acoustic and thermal insulation, leading to increased noise emission and energy consumption when using bitumen mats for insulation, as reducing the coverage area of these mats enhances noise reduction but increases energy usage.

Innovation Solution

A dual-insulation arrangement is implemented, where a first insulation element with low thermal conductivity and specific density is foamed directly onto the receiving area, providing thermal insulation, and a second insulation element with higher density is used for acoustic insulation, preventing heat transfer and transmitting vibrations effectively, thereby reducing noise and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If bitumen mats are applied to the wash tub for thermal insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but noise emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidnoise emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation system is divided into two separate functional layers: a first insulation element (foam material) dedicated to thermal insulation and a second insulation element (bitumen mat) dedicated to acoustic insulation and vibration damping. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function without the compromises required in a single-layer system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite insulation structure combining two different materials with complementary properties: a foam material (polystyrene, polyurethane, or phenolic foam) for thermal insulation and a bitumen mat for acoustic insulation. The composite structure leverages the strengths of each material while mitigating their individual weaknesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the proportion of wash tub surface area covered by bitumen mats is reduced to decrease noise emissions, then noise emissions are reduced, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise emissionsVSAvoidthermal insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the thermal insulation function from the acoustic insulation function into different layers, the system allows the bitumen mat coverage to be optimized for noise reduction without compromising thermal insulation, as the foam material continues to provide thermal protection across the full surface area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure enables independent optimization of each layer's coverage and material properties, allowing the bitumen mat to be applied only where acoustic insulation is most needed while the foam material provides comprehensive thermal insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-generated harmful factors

If additional insulation layers are added to improve acoustic and thermal insulation, then insulation performance is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the attachment function into the first insulation element by providing adhesive means integrated into the foam material structure, eliminating the need for separate attachment operations. This merging of functions reduces assembly steps while maintaining the benefits of dual-layer insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive means is pre-applied or integrated into the first insulation element during its preparation, so that when the insulation elements are assembled, the attachment has already been performed. This preliminary action simplifies the final assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 arrangement reduces noise emission by approximately -1 dB(A) and energy consumption by up to -40 Wh, while simplifying production and assembly by eliminating the need for additional attachment steps and improving energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The first insulation element is configured to transmit vibrations from the receiving area to the second insulation element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration transmission: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

The second insulation element is designed to convert vibrations into heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

the first insulation element prevents heat transfer from the receiving area to the second insulation element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3092935B1Water-bearing domestic appliance
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3092935B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3092935B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3092935B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (13) for acoustically and thermally insulating a receiving area (2) of a water-bearing household appliance (1), in particular a washing compartment of a dishwasher, having a first insulating element (14) which is designed to thermally insulate the receiving area (2). to insulate, and a second insulation element (16) which is set up to acoustically insulate the receiving area (2), wherein the first insulating element (14) is arranged between the receiving area (2) and the second insulating element (16) and wherein the first insulation element (14) is foamed directly onto the receiving area (2).