Dishwasher with a dirt discharge system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashers with recirculation circuits face challenges in efficiently separating dirt particles from wash liquid, leading to increased soil load and re-soiling of washware, particularly in pre-wash and main wash zones, due to limited dirt removal capacity and reliance on fresh water volume, which conflicts with reducing water consumption goals.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher with a dirt collection system and separator device that separates and recycles wash liquid independently of fresh water input, using a dirt discharge system and sensor-controlled pump to optimize dirt removal performance without increasing water consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a recirculation circuit is used to clean washware, then washing efficiency is improved, but dirt particles accumulate in the wash liquid leading to re-soiling of washware

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing efficiencyVSAvoidre-soiling of washware
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts dirt particles from the recirculating wash liquid using a separation system with filters and centrifugal separation devices. This removes the harmful dirt particles while allowing the wash liquid to continue circulating, thus maintaining washing efficiency while preventing re-soiling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously discards accumulated dirt particles through automatic discharge mechanisms while recovering and recycling the clean wash liquid. This maintains the beneficial recirculation effect while eliminating the harmful dirt accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Object-generated harmful factors

If tank cover sieves are used to separate dirt particles, then dirt removal is achieved, but water consumption increases due to limited dirt removal capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt particle separationVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs hydraulic systems with centrifugal separation devices and pressure-driven filtration mechanisms that efficiently separate dirt particles from wash liquid without requiring large volumes of fresh water. The hydraulic system enables continuous separation with minimal water loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameters of the wash liquid circulation, using centrifugal force and pressure differentials to enhance dirt separation efficiency. This allows effective dirt removal with reduced water consumption compared to conventional gravity-based sieving alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If fresh water is continuously supplied to increase dirt removal capacity, then dirt removal performance is improved, but water conservation goals are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt removal performanceVSAvoidwater conservation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous dirt separation and removal throughout the washing operation, rather than periodic cleaning. The recirculating system continuously filters and separates dirt particles, maintaining high dirt removal performance while minimizing the need for additional fresh water input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that monitor dirt particle concentration in the wash liquid and automatically adjust the separation and discharge rates. This feedback mechanism optimizes dirt removal performance while preventing excessive water consumption by only discharging what is necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 enables continuous and automatic dirt removal, maintaining wash quality and reducing re-soiling risks while adhering to water conservation standards, without extending operation time or increasing fresh water use.

Implementation Method 1

a tank cover sieve, for separating dirt particles from the sprayed wash liquid flowing back into the wash tank by gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a wash pump for supplying wash liquid collected in the wash tank to the at least one wash nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 3

a nozzle system with at least one wash nozzle for spraying wash liquid onto the items to be cleaned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP4306030B1Dishwasher with a dirt discharge system
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP4306030B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4306030B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a dishwasher (50) with a washing system (51, 52) designed as a recirculation circuit and a dirt discharge system (70) associated with the washing system (51, 52). According to the invention, it is particularly provided that a separator device (80) is associated with the dirt discharge system (70), which is designed to separate at least a portion of the washing liquid required to empty a dirt collection area (71) of the dirt discharge system and discharged together with the dirt particles from the dirt collection area (71) from the dirt particles discharged from the dirt collection area (71), and to return the separated washing liquid to the water circuit of the dishwasher (50).