dishwasher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers require separate electrode or level sensors to determine detergent viscosity, complicating the structure, reducing space utilization, and increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A dish washer that uses a roller sensor and pump motor operation time to determine detergent viscosity, eliminating the need for separate sensors and allowing automatic selection of washing modes based on detergent state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate electrode sensor or level sensor is used to sense detergent viscosity, then detergent viscosity can be identified, but structure becomes complicated, space utilization deteriorates, and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller sensor originally designed to detect roller position for detergent supply control is made to serve dual purposes: it now also detects detergent viscosity by monitoring the roller's rotational characteristics. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate viscosity sensors, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The viscosity detection function is merged into the existing roller sensor system. By analyzing the roller's rotational speed, acceleration, or position data during detergent supply, the system combines the mechanical driving function with the sensing function into a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts.
2Measurement precision
If separate electrode sensor or level sensor is used to sense detergent viscosity, then detergent viscosity can be identified, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The roller sensor performs both its original function of controlling detergent supply timing and the additional function of viscosity detection. This eliminates the need for separate sensor components that would occupy additional space within the compact detergent supply chamber.
3Measurement precision
If separate electrode sensor or level sensor is used to sense detergent viscosity, then detergent viscosity can be identified, but manufacturing cost significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing roller sensor for dual purposes, eliminating the need to manufacture and install separate expensive viscosity sensors. This approach significantly reduces component costs and assembly complexity while maintaining the ability to identify detergent viscosity.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller sensor system detects viscosity characteristics through its own operational parameters (rotational speed, acceleration, position) during normal detergent supply operation. The system essentially monitors itself, using the mechanical interaction between the roller and detergent of varying viscosities to infer viscosity information without requiring additional sensing infrastructure.
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
Simplifies the structure, improves space utilization, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances user convenience by automatically selecting suitable washing modes and preventing detergent pump damage.
Implementation Method 1
a roller sensor that senses a location of the roller and generates an output signal corresponding to the location of the roller
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a dish washer that effectively identifies a viscosity of a detergent stored in a detergent supply based on the number of revolutions of a roller sensed via a roller sensor and an operating time of a pump motor, thereby simplifying a structure, improving space utilization, and reducing a manufacturing cost as a separate electrode sensor or level sensor for identifying the viscosity of the detergent is eliminated.