Dishwasher Door Window Insert With Welded Leak-Sealed Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automated dish treating appliances with window assemblies face challenges in minimizing fluid leakage from the treating chamber to other parts of the appliance or exterior, leading to potential moisture accumulation and debris buildup, which can obscure the view and require complex sealing mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A window insert design featuring opposing outer and inner panes with a spacer and seals, a waterproof welded joint, and a frame structure that encapsulates the panes to create a sealed chamber, preventing leakage and moisture entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a window assembly is added to the door to allow viewing of the treating chamber, then user convenience and monitoring capability are improved, but the risk of fluid leakage and moisture accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidfluid leakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the window assembly is integrated within the door structure. The window frame is positioned within the door, and the panes are nested within the frame, creating multiple containment levels that prevent fluid leakage while maintaining viewing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible sealing elements and gaskets between the window frame and door, and between panes, to create fluid-tight barriers. These flexible membranes conform to the window assembly geometry and prevent moisture and fluid penetration while allowing for thermal expansion and contraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If complex sealing mechanisms are used to prevent fluid leakage around the window, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid leakage preventionVSAvoidsealing mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sealing functions into integrated sealing structures. The window frame incorporates sealing surfaces that mate with the door, and the pane edges are sealed within the frame structure, merging support and sealing functions into unified components rather than separate elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing mechanism is designed to self-adjust and maintain its sealing function automatically. The flexible sealing elements naturally conform to the window frame and door surfaces, and the structure itself provides the sealing action through its geometry and material properties without requiring active control or complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10213088B2Dish treating appliance with window insert

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A window insert for a door includes opposing outer and inner panes, a spacer disposed between and spacing the panes, a first seal forming a seal between the panes, a frame having an outer frame element and an inner frame element sandwiching the panes, and a waterproof welded joint extending about the periphery of the frame elements.