Waste Disposer Power Coupling for Corded or Hardwired Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food waste disposers with permanent magnet motors face installation challenges, particularly when transitioning from corded to hardwired setups, leading to inefficiencies, increased costs, and potential damage during shipping and handling.
Innovation Solution
A food waste disposer system with a permanent magnet motor and an AC-to-DC converter, equipped with a power cord connection structure that allows for either corded or hardwired installation, using adapters and couplers to accommodate both wall outlets and Romex/BX cables, simplifying the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power cord is attached to the waste disposer during manufacturing, then the disposer can be easily connected to wall outlets, but the cord may be damaged during shipping and handling and manufacturing flow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The power connection system is divided into separate components: the waste disposer unit without an attached cord, and separate cord/adapter accessories that the user attaches during installation. This segmentation prevents cord damage during shipping while maintaining ease of connection through the provided accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
Universal adapters serve as intermediaries between the waste disposer's power input and different power sources (wall outlets or Romex/BX cables). These adapters are stored with the disposer and attached during installation, providing flexibility without requiring a permanently attached cord.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the waste disposer is designed for hardwired installation only, then shipping and handling damage is avoided, but installation complexity and costs increase for homes with wall outlets
Solution Approach 1:
The waste disposer is designed with universal power connection capability through included adapters that support both wall outlet connection (via power cord) and hardwired installation (via Romex/BX cable). This multi-functionality allows the same unit to be installed in either configuration based on the home's existing infrastructure, reducing installation complexity while maintaining shipping safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different models are produced for corded and hardwired installations, then each model can be optimized for its specific installation type, but manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power connection functionality into a single universal design by including both power cords and hardwiring adapters with the waste disposer. This combination allows one standardized model to serve both corded and hardwired installation needs, eliminating the need for separate optimized models while maintaining adaptability to different installation types.
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
Facilitates easy and efficient installation of food waste disposers, reducing installation complexity and costs, and minimizing damage during shipping and handling, while ensuring reliable power delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent magnet motor and an Ac-to-Dc converter
Implementation Method 2
an Ac-to-Dc converter having an Ac input port and a Dc output port, the Dc output port being coupled at least indirectly to the Pm motor
Data Source
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AI summary
Food waste disposer systems and related systems for coupling food waste disposer systems having permanent magnet (PM) motors to electrical power sources, and related coupling and configuration methods, are disclosed herein. In at least one example embodiment, a food waste disposer system includes a PM motor, an AC-to-DC converter having AC input and DC output ports, a housing, a power cord connection structure supported at least indirectly upon the housing, an adapter, and a power cord including a first plug configured to be coupled to the connection structure. The disposer system can be selectively implemented either in a first installation environment including a wall outlet by way of coupling the first plug to the connection structure, or in a second installation environment including a hardwired power cable by coupling additional lead wires of the hardwired power cable to the adapter and further coupling the adapter to the connection structure.