Dishwasher with drain assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties when moving the dish rack in and out of the dishwasher due to interactions with the sprayer, causing movement to become difficult or cease, requiring users to remove and reposition the dish rack.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher design featuring a structural element with a socket that includes a first and second portion extending parallel to each other, and a drain line extending between an inlet and an outlet received in the socket, which allows for improved movement of the dish rack without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the dish rack is positioned close to the sprayer for efficient space utilization, then the treating chamber space is optimized, but the dish rack movement becomes difficult due to interactions with the sprayer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreating chamber space utilizationVSAvoiddish rack movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The socket is divided into two separate portions: a first portion for receiving the drain line and a second portion for receiving the sprayer. This segmentation allows the drain line and sprayer to be positioned independently, enabling the dish rack to move freely without interfering with the sprayer while maintaining proper space utilization in the treating chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the drain line is routed through a complex path to avoid the sprayer, then the dish rack movement is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedish rack movementVSAvoiddrain line routing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of routing the drain line through a complex three-dimensional path around the sprayer, the invention positions the drain line socket in a different spatial dimension - specifically, the socket extends parallel to the sprayer but is offset along the length of the tub. This dimensional repositioning allows both the drain line and sprayer to coexist without interference, maintaining simple routing while enabling smooth dish rack movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the socket is designed as a single integrated structure, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the adaptability to different drain line positions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesocket manufacturingVSAvoiddrain line position accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The socket is segmented into a first portion and a second portion that extend parallel to each other along the length of the tub. This segmentation provides adaptability by allowing the drain line to be connected at different positions along the first portion while the second portion remains available for sprayer connection, accommodating various drain line positions without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12232679B2Dishwasher with drain assembly

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising a chassis, a tub supported by the chassis and at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving dishes, a structural element extending from the chassis along the tub and defining a socket; and a drain line extending between an inlet and an outlet and received in the socket.