Removable Check Valve Assembly for Dishwasher Drain Clogs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwasher drain systems experience backflow of soiled wash fluid, leading to recirculation during wash cycles and require costly and time-consuming maintenance to access and clear clogs, which can result in air locking of the drain pump and degraded sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A check valve assembly with a removably positioned check valve and positioning arm is placed between the drain pump and drain basin, preventing backflow and simplifying clog removal by allowing access without removing the dishwasher from the cabinet, ensuring the drain pump remains primed and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a check valve is positioned on the drain hose downstream of the drain pump, then backflow of wash fluid is prevented, but the drain pump becomes air locked and requires priming before effective pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is inverted from its conventional position downstream of the pump to an upstream position between the pump and drain basin. This inversion allows the valve to prevent backflow into the pump while maintaining fluid contact with the pump inlet, preventing air locking and eliminating the need for priming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A removable service cover is introduced as an intermediary component that provides access to the check valve and drain basin. This mediator allows maintenance personnel to clear clogs and service the check valve without removing the entire dishwasher from the cabinet, simplifying the operation while maintaining backflow prevention functionality.
2Ease of repair
If the check valve is accessed by removing the dishwasher from the cabinet, then clog issues can be resolved, but the procedure becomes time consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The service cover is segmented as a separate removable component that provides access to the check valve and drain basin. This segmentation allows the check valve to be serviced independently without removing the entire dishwasher assembly from the cabinet, significantly reducing maintenance time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve and drain basin are extracted as accessible components through the removable service cover. This extraction allows maintenance personnel to reach and clear clogs in the drain basin and service the check valve without the time-consuming process of removing the entire dishwasher from the cabinet.
3Reliability
If the check valve prevents wash fluid from remaining in the drain volute, then backflow is prevented, but the pump requires priming before effective pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve position is inverted upstream of the pump rather than downstream. This inversion maintains backflow prevention while allowing wash fluid to remain in contact with the pump inlet, preventing air locking and maintaining continuous pumping efficiency without productivity losses from priming cycles.
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 effectively prevents backflow, simplifies maintenance, and improves dishwasher operation by maintaining pump priming and reducing noise, enhancing wash performance and user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve removably positioned over the discharge port between the drain pump and the drain basin
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher appliance includes a drain basin defined at a bottom of a sump of the dishwasher. The drain basin defines a discharge port and a drain pump is in fluid communication with the discharge port for selectively urging a flow of wash fluid through the discharge port to an external drain during a drain cycle. A check valve assembly includes a check valve removably positioned over the discharge port between the drain pump and the drain basin and a positioning arm attached to the check valve for positioning and locking the check valve in place.