Dishwasher Weight Balance Structure for Transport Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashers face issues with lateral panel damage and top panel separation during transportation due to weight balance structures, which also limit tub volume without increasing overall size.

Innovation Solution

A weight balance system with an extended portion inclined towards the body unit, spaced apart from the lateral panel, and a sliding top panel mechanism with projections and grooves to prevent tumbling and separation, while maintaining tub volume without increasing size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the top cover guide is mounted closely to the lateral panel to prevent tumbling, then the stability is improved, but the lateral panel gets stabbed or scratched during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidlateral panel damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An extended portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the top cover guide body unit and the lateral panel. This extended portion protrudes from the body unit toward the lateral panel, creating a buffer zone that prevents direct contact between the weight balance and the lateral panel during transportation, thereby eliminating stabbing or scratching while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the thickness of the top cover guide is reduced to maximize tub volume, then the tub volume is increased, but the structural strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetub volumeVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing thickness in the vertical dimension, the solution extends the top cover guide horizontally by adding an extended portion that protrudes toward the lateral panel. This dimensional shift allows the structure to maintain adequate strength through increased surface area and geometric distribution of forces, while keeping the vertical thickness minimal to maximize tub volume.

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If the weight balance is mounted to prevent tumbling, then the stability is improved, but the top panel gets separated or shaken during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidpanel attachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The top cover guide is segmented into two functional parts: a body unit that provides the primary weighting function for stability, and an extended portion that acts as a protective intermediary. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently - the body unit maintains stability while the extended portion protects against panel separation and damage during transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3337373B1Weight balance of dishwasher
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3337373B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3337373B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3337373B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a dishwasher comprising a dishwasher comprising a cabinet comprising a lateral panel and a top panel for defining an exterior appearance, a tub provided in the cabinet and providing a washing space, a door coupled to a front of the tub and opening and closing the washing space, and a weight balance coupled to a top surface of the tub and preventing the cabinet from tumbling down when the door is open, wherein the weight balance comprises a body coupled to the top surface of the tub, and an extended portion extended from each of lateral surfaces of the body and spaced a preset distance apart from the lateral panel.