Dishwasher Basket Detection for Adaptive Water Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional dishwashers for pot washing often damage sensitive items like crockery and glasses due to high water pressure and granule use, necessitating separate machines, which are costly and space-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher with a detector to automatically identify the type of washing basket, controlling water pressure and granule addition to prevent damage, using indicating members such as metal arms or reflective surfaces, and a dual-speed water pump to adjust washing conditions based on basket type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high water pressure and granules are used for pot washing, then washing efficiency is improved, but sensitive items like crockery and glasses are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing efficiencyVSAvoidbreakage and scratching of sensitive items
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dishwasher dynamically adjusts water pressure based on the detected basket type. The system transitions from a static high-pressure mode to a dynamic pressure control system that adapts to different washing needs, using high pressure for pots and pans and low pressure for sensitive crockery and glasses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the water pressure parameter according to the detected basket type. A detector identifies whether a pot-washing basket or standard basket is present, and the control system adjusts the water pressure parameter accordingly - high pressure for robust items and low pressure for sensitive items, thereby resolving the contradiction between washing efficiency and item protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If separate dishwashers are provided for traditional wares and pots and pans, then item protection is improved, but cost and space consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of sensitive itemsVSAvoidnumber of separate machines
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dishwasher becomes a universal machine capable of handling multiple types of items (pots, pans, crockery, glasses) in a single device. The detector and adjustable pressure system enable the machine to adapt its washing mode to different basket types, eliminating the need for separate dishwashers for different item categories while maintaining protection for sensitive items

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If automatic detection and pressure adjustment systems are added, then item protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage prevention to sensitive itemsVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the basket type and adjusting water pressure without user intervention. The detector automatically identifies the basket type and the control system automatically selects the appropriate pressure mode, eliminating the need for manual user input while keeping the control logic relatively simple through automated decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively prevents breakage and scratching of sensitive items by adjusting water pressure and granule use according to the type of basket, allowing for safe washing of both pots and pans and delicate items in a single machine.

Implementation Method 1

The washing basket may be provided with a reflective surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3162269B1Dishwasher with basket detecting device
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 GRANULDISK AB
  • EP3162269B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3162269B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3162269B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4b

AI summary

A dishwasher (100) for pot washing, comprising a detector (160) for automatically detecting what type of washing basket (140) has been placed in the dishwasher (100). This enables automatic selection of water pressure and granule control, such that more sensitive crockery and plates are not damaged. The detector can be an inductive sensor (160) that detects an indicating member (141) of the washing basket. The washing basket can comprise one or several indicating members, for enabling a more reliable detection. A method of operating such a dishwasher (100) comprises the steps of automatically detecting what type of washing basket (140) is placed in the dishwasher, and then controlling the water pressure and granule addition according to what washing basket was detected. A system comprises an above dishwasher and an above washing basket.