Dishwasher Auxiliary Arm Stoppers for Gear-Decoupled Spray Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face challenges in efficiently rotating the spray arm without a separate driving mechanism, leading to reduced washing efficiency and potential clogging due to foreign substances.
Innovation Solution
The dishwasher incorporates a rotary gear unit and link member system, where the spray arm rotates based on engagement with the fixed gear unit, utilizing the repulsive force generated by water spray to create torque, and includes a flow passage switching unit to control water flow, allowing the spray arm to rotate without a motor and preventing clogging by decoupling the gear units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate driving mechanism (motor) is used to rotate the spray arm, then the rotation control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spray arm rotates automatically by utilizing the repulsive force generated from the water spray itself, without requiring an external motor or driving mechanism. The water flow creates a reaction force that drives the rotation, making the system self-powered and simplifying the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic force from the water spray to generate rotational motion. The water flow through the spray arm creates a repulsive force that is converted into torque, enabling the spray arm to rotate without mechanical motors or complex driving mechanisms
2Productivity
If the spray arm rotates continuously without decoupling mechanism, then the washing efficiency is improved, but the reliability decreases due to potential clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between engaged and disengaged states of the gear units. During normal operation, the gears are engaged for continuous rotation and washing. When clogging is detected or to prevent clogging, the gears can be decoupled, allowing the spray arm to stop rotating and enabling maintenance or clearing of obstructions
Solution Approach 2:
The flow passage switching unit acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls the engagement and disengagement of the gear units. It mediates between the need for continuous rotation (washing efficiency) and the need to prevent clogging (reliability), allowing the system to switch states as needed
3Productivity
If the gear units are engaged for continuous rotation, then the washing performance is improved, but the risk of clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement state of the gear units is made dynamic rather than static. The system can switch between engaged (for washing performance) and disengaged (to prevent clogging) states based on operational conditions, allowing continuous rotation during washing while providing a mechanism to stop and clear obstructions when needed
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 enhances washing efficiency by rotating the spray arm using the repulsive force of water spray, eliminating the need for a separate driving mechanism and ensuring continuous operation even if the rotary gear unit is obstructed, thus maintaining high washing performance.
Implementation Method 1
the spray arm rotates based on engagement with the fixed gear unit, utilizing the repulsive force generated by water spray to create torque
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher may include a tub configured to accommodate one or more items to be washed, a spray arm rotatably mounted to the tub, and configured to spray water onto the one or more items to be washed, a sump disposed at a bottom surface of the tub and configured to store water and to supply stored water to the spray arm, a fixed gear unit fixed to the tub with gear teeth arranged along an outer circumferential surface of the fixed gear unit, a rotary gear unit rotatably mounted on the spray arm and configured to engage the gear teeth of the fixed gear unit, and a link member connected to the rotary gear unit and the spray arm, where the spray arm may include, a main arm with a pair of arms, and a pair of auxiliary arms rotatably connected to the main arm.