Dishwasher Distributor Nozzles for Cleaning Dead Zones

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In dishwashers, dead zones occur due to water obstruction by supply pipes, preventing thorough cleaning of objects loaded in those areas, and existing solutions either reduce loading volume or hinder user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher design featuring a spray arm that sprays water upwards with main nozzles and a distributor with auxiliary nozzles located between the basket and spray arm, along with an intermediary element and pipe configuration to maintain water pressure, ensuring efficient cleaning of dead zones without reducing loading capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the distributor is arranged between the basket and spray arm to supply water, then water supply to spray arm is enabled, but dead zones occur where water spray is obstructed and cleaning efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistributor arrangementVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor is divided into multiple segments with nozzles positioned at different locations and angles. Each segment targets specific zones including previously inaccessible dead zones, allowing comprehensive coverage without obstructing water spray to the spray arm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Nozzles are positioned at specific locations on the distributor with different orientations - some facing upward toward the spray arm, others angled toward dead zones. This localized differentiation ensures each area receives appropriate water spray for effective cleaning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If supply pipes are arranged to avoid dead zones, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but loading volume is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidloading volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor is positioned in a three-dimensional space between the basket and spray arm, utilizing vertical and radial dimensions to direct water spray. This spatial arrangement enables coverage of dead zones without requiring horizontal pipe extensions that would reduce loading volume

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

3Productivity

If auxiliary nozzles are added to distributor to reach dead zones, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidwater pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor receives pressurized water from the feeder conduit before distributing it to multiple nozzles. This preliminary pressurization ensures that even with multiple auxiliary nozzles adding resistance, sufficient pressure reaches all spray points including those targeting dead zones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances washing efficiency by effectively reaching and cleaning previously inaccessible areas, maintaining loading volume and user convenience through strategic nozzle placement and configuration.

Implementation Method 1

a spray arm (4) which enables water spray onto the objects placed inside the basket (3), at least one main nozzle (5) arranged over the spray arm (4) to provide water spread from the spray arm (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

at least one auxiliary nozzle (7) arranged on the surface of the distributor (6) facing the basket (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

a pipe (10) which joins an intermediary element (9) to an adaptor (11), enabling water transfer from the feeder conduit (8) to the spray arm (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP2185053B1A dishwasher
Publication Date: 2012.02.29 ARCELIK AS
  • EP2185053B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2185053B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising at least one distributor (6) that enables water transfer to the spray arm (4) and at least one auxiliary nozzle (7) positioned over the distributor (6) between the basket (3) and the main nozzles (5).