dishwasher

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashers face challenges in forming microbubbles without a separate electric device, removing dirt from air taps, preventing contaminant accumulation in tub corners, minimizing vibration and noise during microbubble formation, and avoiding water pooling during noise reduction.

Innovation Solution

The dishwasher incorporates an air jet generator with an air crushing pipe, an air tap, and a nozzle system that includes a decompression portion, a pressurization portion, and an air chamber to form microbubbles in washing water, with a cylindrical nozzle for wide discharge and a noise-reducing air chamber design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a separate electrolysis device is used to generate microbubbles, then washing power is increased, but device complexity increases and requires independent operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing powerVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air jet generator is integrated into the washing pump system, combining the microbubble generation function with the existing washing water circulation system. The air jet generator includes an air crushing pipe with a decompression portion and pressing portion that utilizes the washing water flow from the pump to generate microbubbles, eliminating the need for a separate electrolysis device while maintaining washing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If air tap is blocked by dirt, then microbubble formation is affected, but easy removal of dirt is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrobubble formationVSAvoiddirt removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The air jet generator is designed as a detachable component that can be easily separated from the washing pump system. The air crushing pipe and air tap are configured as separate, removable parts that can be accessed and cleaned independently when blocked by dirt, ensuring easy maintenance while maintaining reliable microbubble formation during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If washing water is discharged in one direction, then injection efficiency is maintained, but contaminant accumulation occurs in corner portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing efficiencyVSAvoidcontaminant accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air jet generator discharges washing water containing microbubbles in multiple directions including upward, downward, and sideways through strategically positioned discharge ports. This multi-directional discharge pattern ensures that washing water reaches corner portions of the tub and prevents contaminant accumulation, while the air jet generator itself is positioned at the bottom center to maintain efficient washing coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Loss of energy

If air crushing pipe is fixed firmly, then vibration is minimized, but noise reduction space creation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air jet generator is nested within the washing pump housing structure, with the air crushing pipe positioned inside the pump assembly. This nested configuration allows the air crushing pipe to be firmly fixed to minimize vibration while the surrounding pump housing and bottom plate structure provide natural noise reduction without requiring additional space. The air inlet hole is positioned to draw air from the surrounding environment, eliminating the need for separate air intake spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

5Object-affected harmful factors

If noise reduction space is created, then operational quietness is improved, but washing water pooling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidwater pooling
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The air jet generator design extracts the air intake function directly from the surrounding environment through air inlet holes formed in the air crushing pipe, eliminating the need for separate noise reduction spaces that could trap washing water. The generator is positioned and configured to draw ambient air while the discharge ports are oriented to prevent water pooling, achieving noise reduction through efficient air bubble generation without creating water-trapping cavities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 ensures constant air bubble formation, easy dirt removal from air taps, effective washing of tub corners, reduced vibration and noise, and prevents water pooling, enhancing cleaning efficiency and operational quietness.

Implementation Method 1

an air jet generator for receiving some of the washing water fed from the washing pump to form air bubbles in the washing water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBubble formation: Bubble

Implementation Method 2

a decompression portion for depressurizing the flowing washing water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecompression: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 3

an air tap for crushing the air existing in the washing water discharged from the air crushing pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrodynamic cavitation: Hydrodynamic Cavitation

Implementation Method 4

an impeller for applying a centrifugal force to the washing water flowing to the decompression portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3753469B1dishwasher
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3753469B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3753469B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3753469B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a tub; an injection module for injecting washing water toward dishes; a sump for supplying washing water to the injection module; a washing pump for feeding the washing water stored in the sump to the injection module; and an air jet generator for receiving some of the washing water fed from the washing pump to form air bubbles in the washing water and to discharge the washing water to the sump, wherein the air jet generator forms a flow path perpendicular to the bottom surface of the tub or the ground and includes a decompression portion for depressurizing the flowing washing water and a pressing portion for pressing the washing water flowing downstream of the decompression portion; an air crushing pipe having an air inlet hole so as to introduce external air in downstream of the decompression portion; an air tap for crushing air existing in the washing water discharged from the air crushing pipe; and an air chamber disposed outside the air crushing pipe and forming a space for introducing air therein, and having an air inlet hole for communicating with the inside of the air crushing pipe at one side of the lower portion.