Removable Nozzle Gasket Assembly for Dispenser Chute Cleanability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensing assemblies in domestic appliances face cleanliness issues due to fungus and mineral build-up in ice and water chutes, which are difficult to clean and aesthetically unappealing.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing assembly with a removable nozzle gasket assembly that includes an ice gasket and a water gasket, featuring an inner and outer ring, and optionally antimicrobial and hydrophobic coatings, to prevent build-up and facilitate cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional dispensing assemblies are used with fixed ice and water chutes, then the structure is simple and integrated, but fungus and mineral build-up occurs on surfaces that are difficult to clean and inaccessible to users
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing assembly is divided into separate modular components: the dispenser housing, the ice chute assembly, and the water chute assembly. Each chute can be independently removed from the dispenser housing, allowing users to access and clean the internal surfaces that were previously inaccessible. The ice chute and water chute are separate replaceable parts that can be detached for thorough cleaning without disassembling the entire dispenser.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice chute and water chute are extracted as removable components from the fixed structure of conventional dispensers. This extraction allows the chute surfaces to be accessed, cleaned, and replaced independently from the main dispenser body, solving the problem of inaccessible surfaces that accumulate fungus and mineral build-up.
2Ease of repair
If conventional fixed chutes are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but cleaning and maintenance becomes uncomfortable and awkward for users
Solution Approach 1:
The chute assemblies are segmented into removable modules that can be easily detached from the dispenser housing. This segmentation enables users to maintain and clean the chutes by simply removing them from the front of the dispenser, eliminating the need for complex disassembly procedures while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If water passes through fixed ice and water chutes, then the dispensing function is continuous, but mineral build-up and fungus growth occur on the surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The removable chute design enables preliminary maintenance actions before significant build-up occurs. Users can periodically remove and clean the chutes to prevent mineral and fungus accumulation, maintaining the dispensing function's reliability over time. The easy removability encourages regular maintenance that prevents harmful build-up.
Solution Approach 2:
The chutes are designed as replaceable components that can be discarded when excessively contaminated or damaged and replaced with new ones. This discarding approach ensures that the dispensing surfaces remain clean and functional, eliminating the reliability issues associated with persistent build-up that cannot be cleaned.
4Ease of operation
If conventional dispensing assemblies are used, then the overall structure is compact, but the build-up of fungus or minerals at inaccessible areas is not aesthetically appealing
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the chute assemblies into removable components, the design allows complete access to all internal surfaces for cleaning. This eliminates hidden areas where fungus and mineral build-up would occur and remain visible, maintaining aesthetic appearance while keeping the overall dispenser structure compact.
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 nozzle gasket assembly effectively reduces fungus and mineral accumulation, enhancing cleanliness and aesthetics while allowing easy removal and replacement for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The outer ring may include a resilient snap clip. The resilient snap clip may be snapped onto the bottom portion of the ice chute to secure the ice gasket to the bottom portion of the ice chute.
Implementation Method 2
A dispensing assembly with a removable nozzle gasket assembly that includes an ice gasket and a water gasket, featuring an inner and outer ring, and optionally antimicrobial and hydrophobic coatings, to prevent build-up and facilitate cleaning.
Implementation Method 3
A dispensing assembly with a removable nozzle gasket assembly that includes an ice gasket and a water gasket, featuring an inner and outer ring, and optionally antimicrobial and hydrophobic coatings, to prevent build-up and facilitate cleaning.
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic appliance may include a housing defining a chamber, a door mounted to the housing, and a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly may include a dispenser disposed at an exterior of the door. The dispenser may include a dispenser outlet for accessing ice pieces or liquid water. The dispensing assembly may include an ice chute positioned within the dispenser outlet for dispensing ice pieces. The dispensing assembly may include a water assembly that may include a water chute disposed adjacent to the ice chute and a water tube positioned within the water chute for dispensing liquid water. The dispensing assembly may include a nozzle gasket assembly removably mounted to a bottom portion of the ice chute and a bottom portion of the water chute. The nozzle gasket assembly may include an ice gasket positioned around the ice chute and a water gasket positioned around the water chute.