Dishwasher Water Supply Control for Air Gap Overflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water supply and treatment systems in household appliances, such as dishwashers, face challenges in preventing undesired overflow of water into the wash chamber due to load losses in the decalcification system, especially during high water flow rates, which can lead to non-compliance with safety regulations and hydraulic circuit disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A control method for the water supply and treatment system that includes a valve system, a water sensing device, and an air gap, which adjusts the water flow rate by activating and deactivating the valve system in different modes to ensure the water flows correctly into the decalcification system without overflowing, using predefined thresholds and intervals to manage flow rates and prevent overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the water supply and treatment system operates with a continuous water flow at constant rate through the air gap, then the air gap can maintain its safety backflow prevention function, but water may exit through the safety aperture and overflow into the wash chamber when large amounts of water are required or when the water mains deliver a very high flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static continuous flow system to a dynamic variable flow system. The control unit dynamically adjusts the valve system to vary the water flow rate through the air gap based on real-time detection, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and prevent overflow while maintaining backflow prevention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a water sensing device to detect the actual water flow rate and providing this information to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the valve system based on this feedback to maintain optimal flow conditions, ensuring that water does not overflow into the wash chamber while preserving the air gap's safety function.
2Productivity
If the valve system is activated to supply large amounts of water quickly, then the water supply efficiency is improved, but the load losses in the decalcification system increase causing water to potentially overflow through the air gap
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the water flow rate through the valve system based on detected conditions. When high productivity is needed, the valve opens more; when load losses indicate potential overflow risk, the valve modulates to reduce flow, optimizing the balance between supply efficiency and energy loss prevention in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter dynamically by controlling the valve system's opening degree. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize water supply efficiency while preventing excessive load losses in the decalcification system that would cause overflow through the air gap.
3Productivity
If the water flow rate through the decalcification system is increased to handle high supply demands, then the water treatment capacity is improved, but the interaction time between water and decalcifying substances is reduced compromising treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically balances flow rate and treatment time by adjusting the valve system based on detected conditions. When treatment effectiveness is compromised due to high flow rates, the control unit modulates the valve to reduce flow, ensuring adequate interaction time between water and decalcifying substances while maintaining overall treatment capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the flow rate parameter to optimize the balance between treatment capacity and effectiveness. By changing the flow rate dynamically through valve control, the system ensures sufficient interaction time between water and decalcifying substances even when handling high supply demands.
4Reliability
If the air gap structure is modified to comply with amended safety regulations, then the safety compliance is improved, but the hydraulic circuit complexity and structural modifications required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical hydraulic circuit modifications with an electronic control system. Instead of redesigning the air gap's mechanical structure, the system uses a control unit with sensing and valve control to achieve the same safety compliance goal, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the water supply system and the air gap structure. It mediates the flow control to achieve safety compliance without requiring extensive modifications to the hydraulic circuit's mechanical structure, simplifying the overall system design.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for controlling a water supply and treatment system (2) for a household appliance (1), comprising the following phases: • receiving a command for activating the water supply and treatment system (2); • activating the valve system (21) in order to permit the transit of a water flow; • monitoring at least one supplied water sensing device (22) ; • determining the flow rate of the water flowing through the water supply and treatment system (2); • executing a decision-making step, wherein it is evaluated if the determined water flow rate exceeds a predefined threshold; o if the determined flow rate value is greater than or equal to said threshold, then continuing to supply water into the household appliance (1) until the desired quantity is reached, by controlling said valve system (21) in a first mode; o if the determined flow rate value is smaller than said threshold, then continuing to supply water into the household appliance (1) until the desired quantity is reached, by controlling said valve system (21) in a second mode, different from said first mode; • deactivating the valve system (21) in order to prevent the transit of a water flow through the water supply and treatment system (2).