Dishwasher Spray Arm Locking Device with Elastic Segmented Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher designs face challenges in securely attaching and easily removing rotating rinse arms for maintenance, leading to increased friction, wear, and inefficiencies in water usage due to partial axis enclosure and interference during welding processes.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a locking lug and a recess that encloses the axis of rotation to a larger extent, with an elastic component for secure attachment and easy release, allowing for complete axis enclosure and reduced friction, enabling installation after welding and facilitating user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is installed before joining the upper shell and lower shell of the flushing arm, then the locking mechanism can be properly positioned, but the locks interfere with the welding process
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate components: locking lugs attached to the upper shell and corresponding recesses in the lower shell. This segmentation allows the shells to be welded independently without interference from the locking mechanism, and the locking components are attached afterward through separate fastening operations.
2Device complexity
If the axis of rotation is only partially enclosed by support surfaces, then the structure is simpler, but frictional forces increase and wear occurs quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements excessive action by providing support surfaces that extend beyond the minimum required, enclosing the axis of rotation over more than 180 degrees (substantially complete enclosure). This excessive support coverage reduces friction and wear by distributing loads more evenly, outweighing the increased structural complexity.
3Device complexity
If the locking mechanism uses only two partial surfaces for force transmission, then the structure is simpler, but frictional forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lugs are designed with extended contact surfaces that provide substantially complete enclosure of the axis of rotation, exceeding the minimum two partial surfaces. This increased contact area distributes force more evenly and reduces frictional forces during rotation.
4Ease of operation
If the rinse arm is designed for quick removal by users, then ease of operation improves, but the attachment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into permanently attached locking lugs on the upper shell and corresponding recesses on the lower shell. The rinse arm can be quickly removed by users through simple detachment actions, while the segmentation allows the locking mechanism to remain structurally integrated during manufacturing.
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 provides improved maintenance and operation by reducing wear, enhancing force distribution, and minimizing water usage through complete axis enclosure, allowing for easy installation and replacement of the rinse arm.
Implementation Method 1
a third component (3), which is elastic, the third component (3) being attached to the first component (1) and to the second component (2) and in this way between the first component (1) and the second component (2) extends so that the first component (1) and the second component (2) move towards and away from each other
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10, 10a, 10b) for securing a spray arm (20) in a dishwasher (40), the device (10, 10a, 10b) comprising: a first component (1), which has a latch lug (11), wherein the latch lug (11) is designed to latch in on a part of the spray arm (20); a second component (2), which has a recess (21) by which the second component (2) is designed to lie on substantially half of the circumference of a rotation axis (4) for the spray arm (20); a third component (3), which is elastic, wherein said third component (3) is secured to the first component (1) and to the second component (2) and extends between the first component (1) and the second component (2) in such a way that the first component (1) and the second component (2) are arranged so as to be movable towards one another and away from one another, the third component (3) being designed to move the first and second components (1, 2) away from one another and thus to cause the latch lug (11) to latch in on the part of the spray arm (20) and the second component (2) to rest on substantially half of the circumference of the rotation axis (4). The device (10, 10a, 10b) is also designed to release the latch lug (11) from the part of the spray arm (20) and to move a part of the first component (1) past the rotation axis by means of a movement of the first component towards the second component (2). The invention also relates to a module (100), a spray system (30), and a dishwasher (40) that each make use of this device (10, 10a, 10b).