Multi-Part Pipeline Design for Off-Center Dishwasher Spray Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers with non-square washing compartments face challenges in manufacturing and assembling long feed lines for spray devices, leading to reduced wetting of items and inefficient use of cleaning agents, especially with centrally mounted spray arms that struggle to reach all edges and require complex, error-prone assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a multi-part pipeline with short, easily manufactured sections that can achieve a large overall length, secured with resilient elements and locking mechanisms to ensure dimensional accuracy and easy assembly, allowing for precise alignment and operation of spray arms without external sealing or spring rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centrally mounted spray arm is used in a narrow dishwasher, then the spray arm can reach the side walls during rotation, but it remains well away from the front and rear walls, leaving unaffected areas and reducing wetting efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the spray arm offset from the central axis of the dishwasher. Specifically, the spray arm is arranged to be closer to the front wall than the rear wall, allowing it to effectively spray both the front and rear areas during rotation. This asymmetric positioning resolves the contradiction by ensuring all areas including front and rear walls are adequately wetted, while maintaining a simple single-spray-arm configuration.
2Ease of operation
If off-centre spray devices are used to improve coverage, then all areas can be sprayed effectively, but supply lines become comparatively long, making manufacture more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the long supply line into multiple modular pipeline sections that can be assembled in stages. The pipeline is constructed from several individual segments that connect together to form the complete off-center supply line. This resolves the contradiction by enabling effective off-center spray coverage while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly of shorter, more manageable pipeline sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the pipeline sections with integrated connection elements before final installation. The pipeline segments are manufactured with built-in coupling mechanisms that facilitate straightforward assembly. This resolves the contradiction by simplifying the manufacturing process of long off-center supply lines through preparatory modular construction.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pipeline is divided into several short pieces to ease manufacture, then assembly becomes easier and dimensional accuracy improves, but the connection of multiple parts increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the connection function directly into the pipeline segments themselves. Each pipeline section incorporates coupling elements that are formed as integral parts of the segment, eliminating the need for separate connection components. This resolves the contradiction by enabling easy assembly of multiple pipeline sections while reducing overall device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service through self-aligning and self-locking connection mechanisms built into the pipeline segments. The coupling elements are designed to automatically align and secure adjacent sections during assembly without requiring external tools or complex fastening procedures. This resolves the contradiction by simplifying multi-part assembly while maintaining ease of manufacture through self-service connection features.
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 enables efficient water distribution to all areas of the washing compartment, effective use of cleaning agents, and simplified assembly, ensuring high precision and reliability in the dishwasher's cleaning action while minimizing production complexity and component count.
Implementation Method 1
an integrally formed section which is resilient directly or indirectly against the stop in the connected position
Data Source
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AI summary
A dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, with a washing container (2) forming a receiving space for at least one washing basket (4), wherein the goods to be cleaned can be held in the at least one washing basket (4), which can be supplied with water (FW) and/or so-called washing liquor (S) via at least one spray device (5;6) assigned to the respective washing basket (4), wherein the water (FW) and/or the washing liquor can be supplied to the spray device (5;6) via at least one pipe (10;16), is designed such that at least one pipe (10;16) is divided over its axial course and is composed of several parts (14;15).