Detergent receptacle for a dishwasher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher detergent dispensers are complex and prone to mechanical blockages, requiring costly manufacturing and occupying significant space.
Innovation Solution
A simplified detergent receptacle with a divided structure featuring a baffle that creates a vortex effect for better detergent dissolution, allowing water to overflow from one part to another, and incorporating drain holes and ribs to prevent stagnation and sticking, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex detergent dispenser mechanism is used to dispense detergent, then detergent can be dispensed, but the structure becomes complex and prone to mechanical blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex mechanical dispensing mechanism entirely, replacing it with a passive overflow system. Water enters the first part and automatically overflows into the second part when the internal wall height is exceeded, eliminating moving parts and mechanical blockage risks while maintaining detergent dispensing function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a mechanism to actively dispense detergent, the invention inverts the approach by allowing water to passively overflow and dissolve detergent. The active mechanical control is replaced with passive hydraulic flow, turning a complex active system into a simple passive one.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simplified detergent receptacle structure is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and space is minimized, but detergent dissolution efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a curved baffle element in the first part that creates a vortex effect as water flows over it. This curvature transforms straight water flow into rotational flow, significantly enhancing detergent dissolution and distribution efficiency without adding mechanical complexity or manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by designing the water flow path to create a vortex through the curved baffle. The kinetic energy and rotational motion of the water itself are harnessed to dissolve and distribute detergent, eliminating the need for mechanical agitation devices.
3Device complexity
If water flows directly from the inlet to the outlet without a baffle, then the structure is simpler, but detergent dissolution is less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The curved baffle element is integrated into the existing receptacle structure, adding minimal geometric complexity. The baffle's curvature is specifically designed to induce vortex flow, transforming simple water flow into effective detergent-dissolving rotational flow with minimal additional structural elements.
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 provides effective detergent dissolution, prevents blockages, and reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining a compact design, ensuring efficient detergent distribution during the wash cycle.
Implementation Method 1
The deflector creates a vortex effect allowing better dissolution of the detergent in the water entering the detergent receptacle
Implementation Method 2
the washing water arriving in the first part through the water inlet orifice overflows into the second part
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A detergent receptacle (4) for a dishwasher comprises a base (40), peripheral walls (41, 42, 43, 44) surrounding the base (40), and an internal wall (45) dividing the detergent receptacle (4) into a first part (6) and a second part (7). One of the peripheral walls (41, 42, 43) includes an opening (46) for the inlet of wash water into the first part (6). The internal wall (45) has a height less than the height of the peripheral walls (41, 42, 43) surrounding the first part (6). It is used to improve the mixing and delivery of detergent in a dishwasher.