Dishwasher Dosing Opening Self-Cleaning to Prevent Detergent Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers face issues with unwanted clogging of the dosing opening due to moisture-related clumping of cleaning agents, leading to improper operation as cleaning agents are held back and cannot be introduced into the washing compartment.
Innovation Solution
The dishwasher incorporates a spray device with a spray nozzle that targets the dosing opening to clean and remove residues, combined with a hood-like cover to prevent dirt and liquids from entering, and a flexible discharge channel with a sensor to ensure proper cleaning agent dispensing and detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dosing opening is left open for cleaning agent dispensing, then cleaning agent can be introduced into the washing compartment, but moisture enters the dosing opening causing cleaning agent clumping and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
A hood-like cover is positioned over the dosing opening to preemptively block moisture entry before clumping occurs. The cover is designed to be movable, allowing it to be positioned in a closed state during storage to prevent moisture contact, and opened during operation to allow cleaning agent dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed as a movable component that can transition between closed and open positions. A spray nozzle applies washing liquor to the inner surface of the cover during operation, and the cover's movable nature allows it to be opened for maintenance and cleaning, adapting to different operational states.
2Reliability
If a cover is added to protect the dosing opening, then protection against moisture and contamination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hood-like cover serves multiple functions: it protects the dosing opening from moisture during storage, guides the spray jet during operation, and can be opened for maintenance. The spray nozzle integrated into the cover structure provides both cleaning function and structural support, reducing the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray nozzle is integrated into the cover structure, combining the protective cover and cleaning nozzle into a single component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall dosing unit structure while maintaining both protection and cleaning functions.
3Ease of repair
If manual cleaning of the dosing opening is required, then maintenance can be performed, but productivity is reduced due to additional manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-cleaning through an automated spray mechanism. A spray nozzle integrated into the cover structure automatically directs washing liquor onto the inner surface of the cover during the cleaning cycle, eliminating the need for manual cleaning intervention and maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray cleaning mechanism operates automatically during the cleaning cycle without interrupting the overall dishwasher operation. The cover remains in place and the spray nozzle continuously cleans the inner surface, maintaining uninterrupted cleaning action throughout the cycle.
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 effectively prevents clogging, ensures the dosing opening and discharge channel remain free of residues, and provides protection against spills and contamination, ensuring reliable operation and optimal cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spray jet of a spray device can hit the dosing opening during operation
Implementation Method 2
the spray jet emitted by the spray nozzle during operation can be directed into one of the hood hits uncovered spray gap
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) which serves to hold items to be cleaned, wherein the wash chamber (3) has a loading opening (5) for loading items to be cleaned, which can be closed fluid-tight by means of a pivotably mounted wash chamber door (6), with a spray device (8) arranged in the wash chamber (3) for applying wash liquor to the items to be cleaned, and with a dosing unit (18) provided by the wash chamber door (6) for storing free-flowing cleaning agent for a plurality of cleaning cycles, wherein the dosing unit (18) is connected to a dosing opening (23) opening into the wash chamber (4) for the portion-wise introduction of cleaning agent into the wash chamber (4), wherein the spray device (8) has a spray nozzle (25) that interacts in a targeted manner with the dosing opening (23).