Dishwasher Bubble Filter to Reduce Steam Path Flow Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers face issues with reduced steam flow velocity and increased resistance due to bubbles forming in the steam path, which affects the amount and straightness of steam sprayed from the steam nozzle.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher configuration that includes a bubble filter with a bubble chamber and a bubble breaker to remove bubbles from the steam path, ensuring only steam reaches the steam nozzle, thereby improving steam flow and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If steam is generated in the wash pump, then steam is supplied to the steam nozzle, but bubbles are created in the steam path which reduces flow velocity and increases resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of steam sprayedVSAvoidflow velocity in steam path

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The bubble filter extracts and removes bubbles from the steam path between the wash pump and steam nozzle. The bubble chamber separates bubbles from steam, allowing only steam to pass through to the steam nozzle, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of bubbles on flow velocity and steam quantity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bubble filter acts as an intermediary device in the steam path. It is positioned between the wash pump (steam source) and the steam nozzle (steam delivery point) to mediate the steam flow by removing bubbles, ensuring smooth steam flow without the direct harmful interaction between bubbles and steam flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If bubbles move along the steam path, then they are transported to the steam nozzle, but resistance in the steam path is increased and steam spray amount is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of steam sprayedVSAvoidresistance in steam path

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bubble filter extracts and removes bubbles from the steam path between the wash pump and steam nozzle. The bubble chamber separates bubbles from steam, allowing only steam to pass through to the steam nozzle, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of bubbles on flow velocity and steam quantity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bubble breaker converts the harmful effect of bubbles into a beneficial separation process. By introducing the bubble breaker, bubbles are intentionally disrupted and separated from steam in the bubble chamber, transforming the harmful bubble-steam mixture into pure steam flow that can be efficiently sprayed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Illumination intensity

If bubbles are present in the steam path, then steam flow is affected, but visibility and straightness of sprayed steam is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of sprayed steamVSAvoidstraightness of steam spray

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bubble filter extracts and removes bubbles from the steam path between the wash pump and steam nozzle. The bubble chamber separates bubbles from steam, allowing only steam to pass through to the steam nozzle, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of bubbles on flow velocity and steam quantity.

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

The solution increases the amount of steam sprayed, reduces flow resistance, and enhances the straightness and visibility of the steam, effectively addressing the issues of bubble interference in the steam path.

Implementation Method 1

a bubble breaker disposed in the bubble chamber to break the bubble

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble breaking:

Implementation Method 2

a wash pump into which the wash water flows from the sump, and generating steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteam generation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11382483B2Dishwasher

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A dishwasher is proposed. The dishwasher includes a case accommodating a cleaning target therein, a sump connected to an interior of the case to collect wash water, a wash pump into which the wash water flows from the sump, and generating steam, a steam nozzle into which the steam flows from the wash pump, and spraying the steam into the case, and a bubble filter disposed on a steam path between the wash pump and the steam nozzle to remove a bubble in the steam path.