Dishwasher Dosing Channel with Pulse Generator to Prevent Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic dishwashers face issues with cleaning agent buildup and clogging in the dosing channel due to moisture and vibrations, which affect operational safety and the reproducibility of cleaning agent dosage.

Innovation Solution

A pulse generator is integrated into the cleaning agent channel to mechanically shake off adhering cleaning agent residues, ensuring they trickle down and are discharged into the washing compartment, while a movable pipe connects the dosing device to the washing compartment, preventing residual moisture from entering the channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the cleaning agent channel is used for metered dispensing of cleaning agent, then the dosing precision is improved, but cleaning agent buildup and clogging occurs due to moisture and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A pulse generator acts on a channel wall of the cleaning agent channel to generate mechanical vibrations. These vibrations shake off adhering cleaning agent residues from the channel walls, preventing buildup and clogging while maintaining the dosing precision of the cleaning agent channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The pulse generator provides periodic mechanical impulses to the cleaning agent channel at regular intervals. This periodic action ensures that cleaning agent residues are continuously shaken off and discharged, preventing accumulation that would otherwise lead to clogging while preserving dosing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the pipe is made movable to prevent moisture entry, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel integrityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe is designed as a movable component that can change its position or configuration. This dynamic design allows the pipe to adapt to different operational states, enabling it to prevent moisture entry into the cleaning agent channel while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable pipe acts as an intermediary element between the dosing device and the washing compartment. By controlling the pipe's movement and positioning, it mediates the flow path to prevent moisture from entering the cleaning agent channel, thereby protecting channel integrity without requiring complex sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If cleaning agent adheres to the channel walls, then the dosing accuracy is maintained, but vibration causes adhesions to fall uncontrollably into the door housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoiduncontrolled cleaning agent discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pulse generator applies controlled mechanical vibrations to the cleaning agent channel. These vibrations selectively dislodge cleaning agent adhesions from the channel walls at appropriate moments, ensuring they fall into the washing compartment rather than uncontrollably into the door housing, thus maintaining dosing accuracy while preventing harmful discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback control to monitor the state of cleaning agent in the channel and activate the pulse generator when needed. This feedback mechanism ensures that vibrations are applied at the correct timing to dislodge adhesions into the washing compartment rather than allowing uncontrolled discharge into the door housing.

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

This solution effectively prevents cleaning agent buildup and clogging, enhancing operational safety and reliability by ensuring complete discharge of cleaning agents and maintaining channel integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a pulse generator acting on a channel wall of the cleaning agent channel, which ensures that adhering cleaning agent residues trickle down and are discharged as intended into the washing compartment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3289952B1Dishwasher, in particular household dishwasher, and corresponding method
Publication Date: 2019.01.30 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3289952B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3289952B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3289952B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an automatic dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with a washing compartment (3) that provides a washing chamber (4) and has a loading opening (5), with a washing chamber door (6) that is mounted so that it can pivot about a horizontal pivot axis, in particular, for fluid-tight sealing of the loading opening ( 5), with a dosing device (7) provided in particular by the washing compartment door (6) for metered dispensing of pourable cleaning agent, the dosing device (7) having a cleaning agent channel which opens into a cleaning agent dispensing opening (14), and with a, in particular from the washing compartment door ( 6) provided cleaning agent outlet (8) which opens into the washing chamber (4), wherein a pipe (16) which provides a discharge channel (17) and is designed to be movable is provided for the fluidic connection of cleaning agent dispensing opening (14) and cleaning agent outlet (8). by a pulse generator (25) acting on a channel wall (24) of the cleaning agent channel (15) and cooperating with an end section (21) of the movable tube (16).