Dishwasher Sprinkler Quick Latch Hub for Fast Secure Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional revolving sprinkler connect/disconnect systems in professional dishwashers and disinfection apparatuses are inefficient, requiring significant time and complexity, leading to downtime and high manufacturing costs, while being unreliable and inconvenient to use.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect/disconnect system featuring a hollow pivot with a cylindrical and frusto-conical shape, utilizing radially sliding latches biased by resilient means and a rotor with cam profiles for easy engagement and disengagement, allowing single-handed operation and rapid sprinkler removal and repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional threaded connection system is used to mount the sprinkler, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the time required for connecting and disconnecting is excessive and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional elements: a pivot with cylindrical and frustoconical portions, latches that can slide radially, and a rotor mechanism. This segmentation allows the connection to be established and released quickly through rotational movement of the rotor, which drives the latches to engage or disengage from the pivot, eliminating the time-consuming threaded operation while maintaining secure connection during washing cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The latches are designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of sliding radially with respect to the pivot axis. During connection, the latches are driven outward by the rotor to engage with the pivot; during disconnection, they are driven inward to release. This dynamic behavior enables rapid transition between connected and disconnected states without compromising connection reliability when engaged
2Reliability
If a secure latch mechanism is used to hold the sprinkler firmly, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient means (springs) automatically bias the latches toward the engaged position with the pivot, providing self-latching functionality. When the rotor is rotated to the connected position, the latches are driven outward to engage with the pivot, and the spring force maintains this engaged state without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex control systems, thus achieving reliable mounting with simple structure
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor serves multiple functions: it drives the latches to engage or disengage from the pivot, provides the rotational motion needed for connection/disconnection operation, and can be manually operated or integrated with automated sprinkler replacement systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each operation, simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring reliable connection
3Productivity
If the sprinkler is designed for easy removal and repositioning, then the productivity is improved, but the connection reliability and security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The latches are pre-biased by resilient means toward the engaged position, so that when the rotor is rotated to the connected position, the latches are already positioned to engage with the pivot. This preliminary positioning ensures that the connection is established quickly and securely in a single rotational motion, achieving both rapid sprinkler exchange and reliable connection without requiring multiple steps or compromising security
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 system enables rapid, reliable, and cost-effective sprinkler exchange with reduced downtime, ensuring high productivity and maintaining high cleanliness standards in professional dishwashers and disinfection apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
biased toward said longitudinal axis by corresponding resilient means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
In a quick connect/disconnect system of a revolving sprinkler comprising a tubular elongated body that is centrally pivoted on a hollow pivot (1) with vertical axis fitted at the outlet of a water supply duct of a dishwasher, the hollow pivot (1) has a terminal portion with a cylindrical shape (1a) surmounted by a frusto-conical end shape (1b) having a larger base adjacent to the cylindrical shape (1a) and of a diameter greater than it, the revolving sprinkler being pivoted on the hollow pivot (1) by means of a hub (2) that accommodates two latches (3) sliding radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hollow pivot (1) in correspondence with its cylindrical shape (1a) and biased towards said longitudinal axis by corresponding springs (4), the hub (2) also accomodating a rotor (5) in contact with the latches (3) and shaped in such a way that its rotation in a given direction moves the latches (3) away from the longitudinal axis of the pivot (1) up to a distance greater than the radius of the larger base of the frusto-conical shape (1b), the rotor (5) being provided with a lever (6) external to the hub (2) to be rotated by an operator.