Fixed Dishwasher Wash Layout for Corner Coverage and Loading Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers with rotating spray arms often fail to adequately reach the corners of the tub, leading to inadequate water and detergent distribution, which results in poor cleaning of dishes placed in these areas and requires additional space for the spray arm's movement, reducing the capacity for loading dishes.
Innovation Solution
A fixed full coverage wash system with a base portion and tube segments that extend into the corners of the tub, featuring sprayers to deliver pressurized liquid directly into corner areas, eliminating the need for moving parts and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a rotating spray arm is used to spray water in a circular pattern, then the spray can cover most surfaces of dishes and utensils, but the corners of the tub cannot be reached adequately and space is consumed for rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
The spray system is divided into multiple fixed spray arms positioned at different locations and angles within the tub. Each spray arm is equipped with multiple nozzles oriented to target specific areas including corners, replacing the single rotating spray arm and enabling simultaneous multi-zone coverage without requiring rotational space
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single moving spray arm that rotates to cover areas, the invention uses multiple fixed spray arms that simultaneously target different areas including corners. This inverts the approach from one moving component to multiple stationary components, eliminating the need for rotational movement space
2Quantity of substance
If a rotating spray arm is used to spray water, then coverage is provided for dishes adjacent to the spray arm, but dishes in corner areas receive insufficient water and detergent exposure
Solution Approach 1:
Each fixed spray arm is equipped with nozzles specifically oriented and positioned to target particular zones within the tub, including corner areas. This localizes the spray function to match the geometric requirements of different tub regions, ensuring adequate water and detergent delivery to corners while maintaining coverage for central areas
Solution Approach 2:
The spray coverage is extended into the third dimension by positioning spray arms at different heights and angles within the tub. This multi-level arrangement ensures that pressurized liquid reaches corner areas from multiple directional perspectives, overcoming the limitation of a single-plane rotating spray arm
3Ease of operation
If space is dedicated to the rotational movement of the spray arm, then the spray arm can operate, but the space available for cleaning dishes is reduced and taller dishware must be oriented differently
Solution Approach 1:
The function of a single rotating spray arm is segmented into multiple fixed spray arms distributed throughout the tub. This eliminates the need for rotational movement space while maintaining comprehensive spray coverage, thereby maximizing the available loading capacity for dishes and utensils
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational movement capability is extracted from the spray arm system by replacing the rotating mechanism with multiple fixed spray arms. This removes the space requirement for rotation while preserving the essential function of distributing water and detergent throughout the tub
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
Ensures thorough cleaning of all areas, including corners, by directing pressurized liquid directly into corner regions, allowing for larger loads and reducing energy and water consumption by eliminating the need for rotating spray arms.
Implementation Method 1
spraying a pressurized liquid into an interior portion of a tub of a dishwasher
Data Source
AI summary
A fixed full coverage wash system that includes a base portion having a generally square or rectangular shaped outer portion that extends into one or more corners of a tub of a dishwasher. The base portion is operably connected to the plurality of arms for the delivery of a pressurized liquid. The base portion may include a plurality of tube segments that are not in fluid communication with at least a portion of the other tube segments. Such an arrangement may be used in connection with a rotor that controls the release, or timing, of pressurized liquid through sprayers in the tube segments. According to certain embodiments, the movement and/or position of the rotor may be controllable, such as, for example, through the use of a controller and motor that allows for the control of the location and/or concentration of where the pressurized liquid is sprayed.