Dishwasher Diverter Design for Corner Zone Cleaning Without Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Domestic dishwashers often fail to effectively clean dishes and kitchenware placed in corner zones of racks due to the limited reach of washing/rinsing liquid jets, leading to noise issues and increased production costs in complex solutions with additional nozzles or diverters.
Innovation Solution
A diverter with a deflecting body and connection leg is attached to the rack, redirecting washing/rinsing liquid jets from the spray arm towards corner zones, ensuring efficient cleaning without wasting water or causing noise by hitting the diverter instead of the dishwasher walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If spray arms are equipped with extremity nozzles oriented outwardly to spray washing liquid jets toward corner zones during rotation, then corner zones of racks can be reached, but jets hit the walls and door of the dishwasher causing noise and not serving washing purpose
Solution Approach 1:
A movable diverter is introduced as an intermediary element between the spray arm and the corner zones. This diverter intercepts the washing liquid jets during spray arm rotation and redirects them toward the corner zones, preventing direct impact on walls and door while ensuring adequate cleaning coverage of previously unreachable areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The diverter is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation to optimally intercept and redirect jets at different phases of spray arm rotation. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to changing spray patterns while maintaining effective corner zone coverage and minimizing harmful wall impacts.
2Manufacturing precision
If fix nozzles are provided to spray washing liquid jets toward corners of racks, then corner zones can be cleaned, but constructional complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable diverter serves multiple functions: it acts as a jet interceptor, a redirector to corner zones, and a noise-reducing element. By consolidating these functions into a single movable component rather than adding separate fixed nozzles, the system achieves comprehensive corner zone coverage without proportionally increasing constructional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable diverter is positioned to be directly acted upon by the washing liquid jets themselves, which provide the force needed to move and position the diverter. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for additional motors, actuators, or complex control systems that would otherwise be required to position fixed nozzles or diverters.
3Manufacturing precision
If a movable diverter is slidably mounted on guiding members attached to the bottom of the tub with dedicated fix nozzles, then jets can be deviated toward racks, but constructional complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex guiding members and dedicated fix nozzles from the system. Instead, it uses a simplified movable diverter that can be directly positioned in the jet path and moved by the jet force itself, removing unnecessary mechanical guidance structures and separate nozzle assemblies while maintaining effective jet redirection capability.
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 diverter enables effective cleaning of corner zones without increasing production costs, ensuring efficient use of washing liquid and reducing noise by directing jets precisely to hard-to-reach areas.
Implementation Method 1
the deflecting body of the diverter can be hit by a washing/rinsing liquid jet emitted by the spray arm of the dishwasher and it can deflect such jet toward a selected zone of the tub
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a diverter (1) for a dishwasher comprising a tub, at least one rack (2) placeable in the tub and aimed to accommodate dishes and kitchenware to be cleaned, and at least one rotating spray arm (3) associated to the at least one rack (2) for spraying a plurality of washing/rinsing liquid jets (J) towards the rack (2).