Single-Wall Dishwasher Casing With Integral Guides and Plugged Embossments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing professional dishwashers face challenges in achieving constructional simplicity, robustness, low cost, and small size due to the complexity of integrating guides within the single-wall casing, which often results in dirt receptacles and unsightly concavities, and previous solutions either weaken the metal panel or require additional panels.
Innovation Solution
The integration of guides within the single-wall metal plate panel using a deep-drawn embossment and a smaller, thinner metal sheet to create a cup-shaped cavity, plugged by a second sheet element with adhesive, along with stiffening ribs and grooves, maintains robustness and aesthetic appeal without needing a second full-wall panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If guides are made by deep drawing integral with metal panels delimiting the washing tub, then cleaning of guides is improved and discontinuities inside the washing tub are eliminated, but the metal plate panel is weakened and an unsightly concavity is created on the exterior side
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the wall structure into multiple functional layers: an inner metal plate panel with deep-drawn guides, an intermediate insulating panel, and an outer metal plate panel. This segmentation allows the inner panel to provide cleanable guides while the outer panel maintains structural strength and aesthetic appearance, resolving the contradiction between cleaning accessibility and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention nests multiple components within each other: the deep-drawn guide structure is nested within the inner panel, the insulating panel is nested between the inner and outer panels, and the entire assembly forms a nested wall structure. This nesting allows the guides to be integral with the washing tub while maintaining overall structural strength through the layered construction.
2Ease of operation
If two metal plate panels are used with deep drawn guides on the inner panel, then guides are integral with the washing tub and cleaning is improved, but constructional complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wall is segmented into three distinct panels with specific functions: the inner panel provides guides, the intermediate panel provides insulation and structural support, and the outer panel provides aesthetic finish. This functional segmentation simplifies the overall construction by assigning specific roles to each layer, making the complex structure more manageable and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate insulating panel serves multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation, maintains the distance between inner and outer panels, provides structural support, and facilitates the integral formation of guides on the inner panel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying construction while achieving guide integration.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If two metal plate panels are used for side walls, then guides can be made integral with the washing tub, but the appliance size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating panel has different local qualities: it is thicker in regions where guides are formed to provide structural support where needed, and thinner in regions where guides are not present to minimize overall appliance size. This local variation in thickness allows the structure to maintain strength only where necessary, reducing unnecessary material and appliance volume.
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
This solution provides a robust and aesthetically pleasing single-wall dishwasher design with integrated guides, achieving high constructional simplicity, low cost, and reduced size by using a smaller outer sheet for the exterior, while ensuring effective cleaning and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a cup-shaped cavity which is plugged by a second, substantially flat sheet element, peripherally glued against the first sheet element from the side of the second flat face of the latter
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
An electric household appliance (1), e.g. a professional dishwasher, including a substantially parallelepiped supporting casing (2) defining a working chamber (3) therein which may be accessed through a front door (4) and provided with at least one receiving guide (5) for an either fixed or sliding supporting element, wherein at least one side wall (6,7) of the supporting casing provided with the guide is delimited inside and outside the supporting casing (2), respectively, by first and second opposite faces (8,9) of a same, substantially flat sheet element (10) provided with at least one embossment (11) defining said guide (5) by means of a convexity thereof overhangingly emerging from the first face (8), and a cup-shaped cavity (12) exposed from the second flat face (9) by means of a concavity thereof; the cup-shaped cavity (12) being plugged by a second, substantially flat sheet element (13), peripherally glued to the second flat face (9) of the first sheet element (10).