Dishwasher Door Guide Structure for Drying Air Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household dishwashers often experience reduced drying performance due to gaps between the inner door and washing baskets, which limit the contact of drying fluid with items to be washed, resulting in incomplete moisture absorption.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a guide structure on the inner door, comprising multiple guide elements that protrude from a flat surface, redirects the drying fluid flow from the door's interior edge gap towards the washing baskets, ensuring better contact and absorption of moisture during the drying cycle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a free space or edge gap is present between the inner door and washing baskets, then the door structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the drying fluid flow has limited contact with items to be washed, reducing drying performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor structure simplicityVSAvoiddrying performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure acts as an intermediary element between the drying fluid flow and the items to be washed. It redirects the flow that would otherwise pass through the edge gap, ensuring the drying fluid contacts the items effectively while maintaining the simple door structure with edge gap

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide structure modifies the local flow characteristics in the edge gap region without changing the overall door structure. By creating localized flow redirection at specific points along the door, it improves drying performance in the gap area while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the drying fluid flows along the inside of the door in the vertical direction, then the flow path is simple, but the drying fluid has limited contact with items to be washed, resulting in incomplete moisture absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow path complexityVSAvoidmoisture absorption effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure segments the vertical drying fluid flow into multiple redirected streams. By dividing the continuous vertical flow into several redirected paths through the guide elements, the drying fluid makes multiple contacts with items at different locations, improving moisture absorption effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide structure introduces a horizontal dimension to the primarily vertical drying fluid flow. By redirecting the flow horizontally towards the items to be washed, it creates a two-dimensional flow pattern that enhances contact between the drying fluid and items, improving drying reliability

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

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

This solution enhances the drying performance by directing the drying fluid flow in a targeted manner onto the items, improving the drying efficiency and effectiveness within the dishwasher.

Implementation Method 1

at least one guide structure in the form of a plurality or a large number of individual guide elements is raised on the inside of the door... such that, in the drying mode of the dishwasher, a drying fluid flowing along the inside of the door is directed to a washing basket accommodated in the interior of the washing compartment or onto items to be washed arranged thereon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow deflection:

Implementation Method 2

air is subjected to a flow as the drying fluid so that it flows around the washware, absorbing moisture and transferring it to another location

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoisture absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2869747B1Dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, comprising at least one guide structure on the inner face of the door thereof for deflecting drying fluid flowing along therefrom
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2869747B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2869747B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2869747B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a dishwasher (1), in particular a domestic dishwasher, having a washing compartment (2), at least one washing basket (4a, 4b) which is disposed in the washing compartment and serves to receive items for washing (30), and a door (3) for closing the washing compartment (2). In the closed position of the door (2) at least one guide structure (9*), in particular in the form of a plurality of individual guide elements (9), projects from a planar surface (8), which forms the inner face of the door (5) as a whole or a part thereof, into the interior of the washing compartment (2) and is disposed in such a way that in the drying mode of the dishwasher (2) a drying fluid (11) flowing along on the inner face (5) of the door is guided onto items for washing (30) disposed in the washing compartment (2).