dishwasher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers face challenges in simplifying the assembly of a blowing unit for air circulation during the drying process, which can lead to increased complexity and size, and potential motor malfunctions due to water exposure.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design where the blowing unit's valve is configured to operate solely by its own weight, eliminating the need for a motor, with a center of gravity positioning that allows for 90-degree rotation between open and closed positions, and includes a blocking portion to prevent moisture from entering the fan, reducing the overall size and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor is used to operate the valve in the blowing unit, then the valve can be precisely controlled, but the risk of motor malfunction due to water exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the motor from the blowing unit assembly, eliminating the component susceptible to water damage. The valve is instead operated by a weight-based mechanism that is sealed against water exposure, extracting the vulnerable motor function while maintaining valve control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operates automatically using a weight-based mechanism that responds to water level changes without requiring external motor power. The system serves itself by using the natural weight difference to open/close the valve in response to drying cycle conditions, eliminating the need for water-exposed electrical components.
2Ease of operation
If a motor and additional control configurations are added to the blowing unit, then the valve can be precisely controlled, but the size of the blowing unit and dishwasher increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motor and associated control electronics from the blowing unit, removing the bulky components required for motorized valve operation. The simplified weight-based mechanism achieves sufficient valve control with minimal space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic weight-based valve operation eliminates the need for motors, control circuits, and power supply components, dramatically reducing the blowing unit's volume while maintaining adequate valve control for the drying function.
3Volume of moving object
If the blowing unit is made compact by removing the motor, then the dishwasher size is reduced, but the valve control mechanism must be simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service weight-based valve control mechanism that uses natural gravity and water level differences to operate the valve without motors or complex electronics. This simplification reduces device complexity while achieving the compact dishwasher design goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical motor-based valve control system with a purely mechanical weight-based system. This substitution eliminates complex electrical components while maintaining functional simplicity through mechanical leverage and gravitational force.
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 configuration prevents motor malfunctions, reduces the dishwasher's size, and enhances drying efficiency by allowing for a more compact and simplified blowing unit assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The drying process consists of increasing a temperature of tableware by increasing a temperature of water injected to the tableware during a final rinsing, promoting the evaporation of water remaining on the tableware, and removing the evaporated water vapor
Implementation Method 2
A valve of the blowing unit is configured to selectively open and close a flow passage of the blowing unit by its own weight
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher including a tub forming a washing chamber and a blowing unit configured to blow air into the tub, wherein the blowing unit includes a housing having a discharge port, a blowing fan disposed inside the housing, and a valve disposed between the blowing fan and the discharge port to prevent moisture from being introduced into the blowing fan, and the valve is configured to be rotated from a closed position to an open position by blowing of the blowing fan and return to the closed position again by an own weight thereof.