Dishwasher Spray Arm Bearing Joint With Tortuous Leak Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers experience significant water leakage at the joint between the stationary and moving portions of the conduit and spray arm assembly, leading to reduced performance, increased energy usage, and component wear due to trapped food particles.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher spray arm assembly with a bearing that includes a low-friction washer and a tortuous interference path to minimize water leakage, featuring a circumferential lip and radial grooves to direct water flow and prevent particle jamming, along with a relief groove for controlled leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a seal is used at the joint between the stationary and moving portions of the conduit and spray arm assembly, then water leakage is reduced, but food particles get trapped causing reduced spray arm rotational speed and assembly deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the seal from the joint between the stationary and moving portions of the conduit and spray arm assembly. By extracting the seal component, the system eliminates the problem of food particles being trapped at the sealing interface, which was causing reduced rotational speed and assembly deterioration. The design accepts a controlled amount of water leakage as a trade-off for eliminating particle entrapment and maintaining reliable spray arm rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of water leakage into a beneficial flushing mechanism. The controlled water leakage that occurs at the sealless joint serves to flush out food particles and prevent them from accumulating and causing damage to the spray arm assembly. This transforms what was previously a harmful leakage issue into a protective cleaning function.
2Loss of energy
If a seal is used at the joint between the stationary and moving portions of the conduit and spray arm assembly, then water leakage is reduced, but energy usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the seal component from the joint interface, eliminating the energy waste associated with water leakage through a compromised seal or the energy required to maintain high-pressure sealing conditions. The sealless design allows for more efficient water delivery to the spray arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled water leakage at the sealless joint is converted into a beneficial flushing action that prevents particle accumulation. This eliminates the need for additional energy-consuming mechanisms to clear debris from sealing surfaces, and the leaked water serves a productive cleaning function rather than representing pure energy waste.
3Loss of energy
If a seal is used at the joint between the stationary and moving portions of the conduit and spray arm assembly, then water leakage is reduced, but component wear increases due to trapped particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the seal component from the joint interface, eliminating the primary location where food particles become trapped and cause abrasive wear. Without the seal creating a confined space, particles cannot accumulate and grind against the sealing surfaces, significantly extending the durability of the stationary and moving components.
Solution Approach 2:
The water that would otherwise be considered leaked waste serves a protective function by continuously flushing the joint area and preventing particle accumulation. This converts the harmful effect of water leakage into a beneficial lubricating and cleaning action that reduces friction and wear on the moving components.
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 reduces water leakage and prevents particle-induced jamming, enhancing the rotational speed and overall washing performance of the dishwasher while minimizing wear and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A bearing is interposed between the spray arm and the conduit to conduct water from the conduit into the internal space of the spray arm
Implementation Method 2
A low-friction washer is disposed between the upper disc section and the lower spray arm component
Implementation Method 3
The lower spray arm component and the disc section define a tortuous interference path for water to leak out from the internal space around the bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher spray arm assembly has a spray arm rotationally configured on a conduit. The spray arm includes a lower spray arm component mated with an upper spray arm component with an internal space defined between the upper and lower spray arm components. A bearing is interposed between the spray arm and conduit to conduct water from said conduit into the internal space, with the spray arm rotatably configured on the bearing. The bearing further includes a lower shaft section that mates with the conduit and an upper disc section sandwiched between the upper and lower spray arm components. A low-friction washer is disposed between the upper disc section and the lower spray arm component. The lower spray arm component and the disc section define a tortuous interference path for water to leak out from the internal space around the bearing.