Dishwasher Dosing Channel Split for IR Sensing and Anti-Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers face issues with unwanted clogging of the discharge opening due to cleaning agent residues, which can lead to improper operation, and existing solutions conflict between ensuring reliable detection by IR light barriers and effective cleaning by spray nozzles, requiring a compromise in discharge channel width.
Innovation Solution
The discharge channel is divided into two separate shafts, with one equipped with an IR light barrier for detection and the other optimized for cleaning, allowing for reliable sensing and effective flushing without compromising signal quality or spray jet reach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the discharge channel is made narrower to ensure reliable IR light barrier detection, then measurement precision is improved, but the discharge opening becomes more prone to clogging by detergent residues
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge channel is divided into two separate shafts: a first shaft optimized for IR light barrier detection with appropriate width for reliable measurement, and a second shaft optimized for cleaning access with greater width to accommodate spray jets. This segmentation allows each shaft to be independently optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between narrow width for detection and wide width for cleaning access.
2Reliability
If the discharge channel is made wider to prevent clogging and improve cleaning access, then reliability is improved, but the IR light barrier signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the discharge channel into two shafts, the first shaft can be designed with dimensions optimized for IR light barrier signal quality (narrower width), while the second shaft can be designed wider to prevent clogging and improve cleaning access. The segmented structure allows both reliability and measurement precision requirements to be satisfied simultaneously in their respective shafts.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the discharge channel (first shaft vs. second shaft) are given different local qualities in terms of width and function. The first shaft has quality optimized for detection (narrower), while the second shaft has quality optimized for cleaning (wider), allowing each local region to fulfill its specific functional requirement without compromising the other.
3Device complexity
If a single discharge channel is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously optimize for both detection and cleaning is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge channel is segmented into two shafts to enable simultaneous optimization for detection and cleaning functions. While this increases structural complexity compared to a single channel, it provides the adaptability needed to meet conflicting functional requirements, demonstrating that controlled complexity increase can enable superior overall system performance.
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 configuration prevents unwanted clogging, ensures reliable cleaning agent detection, and allows for a larger discharge opening while maintaining operational safety and efficiency, optimizing both sensing and cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
one of the two shafts being equipped with an IR light barrier which provides a light beam which traverses the channel provided by the shaft
Implementation Method 2
the dishwasher's spray device incorporate a spray nozzle that interacts with the discharge opening. During normal operation, this results in the spray device directing washing liquid in the direction of the discharge opening, thus cleaning the discharge opening and the discharge channel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with a wash chamber (3) providing a wash chamber (4) for receiving items to be cleaned, wherein the wash chamber (3) has a loading opening (5) for loading items, which can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a pivotably mounted wash chamber door (6), and with a dosing unit (14) provided by the wash chamber door (6) for storing a pourable cleaning agent for a plurality of cleaning cycles, wherein the dosing unit (14) has a pipe (29) for portioning the cleaning agent into the wash chamber (4), which provides a discharge channel (30) that opens into a discharge opening (17) on the wash chamber side, wherein the discharge channel (30) is divided on the discharge opening side into two flow-separated shafts (25, 26), wherein one of the two shafts (25,26) is equipped with an IR light barrier (31) which provides a light beam (37) extending through the channel (24) provided by the shaft (26).