Dishwasher Liquid Storage Tank Filling via Excess Pump Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers face a conflict between achieving high-quality washes and efficient water and energy use, with washing liquid storage tanks adding production costs due to complex filling and emptying requirements.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a washing chamber with a circulation circuit, a circulation pump, a spray arrangement, a flow control device, and a storage tank connected via a conduit with a flow control valve, allowing excess washing liquid to be pumped from the circuit to the storage tank, reducing production costs while enabling efficient liquid collection and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a washing liquid storage tank is added to store washing liquid for re-use, then water and energy consumption is reduced, but production cost increases due to complex filling and emptying components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the storage tank filling function with the existing circulation pump by utilizing the pump's existing infrastructure (inlet and outlet connections). The storage tank is integrated into the circulation circuit, allowing the same pump to both circulate washing liquid through the spray system and fill the storage tank, thereby eliminating the need for separate filling and emptying components.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it circulates washing liquid to the spray arrangement for the washing process and simultaneously fills the storage tank with washing liquid for later reuse. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components while achieving both water/energy conservation and maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Loss of substance
If a washing liquid storage tank with filling and emptying components is added, then washing liquid can be stored for re-use, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is integrated into the existing circulation circuit, sharing the circulation pump and connection infrastructure. This merging approach allows the system to capture and reuse washing liquid without requiring separate filling and emptying mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while minimizing washing liquid loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically fills the storage tank during the washing cycle using the circulation pump's existing flow path. The tank is self-filling through the pressure differential created by the pump operation, eliminating the need for complex active filling mechanisms and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Productivity
If excess washing liquid is pumped to storage tank during spraying, then collection efficiency increases, but flow rate requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pumps excess washing liquid to the storage tank in addition to the amount needed for spraying. The circulation pump operates at a flow rate higher than the spray arrangement's requirement, and the excess flow automatically directs to the storage tank. This partial/excessive action approach achieves efficient collection without requiring the pump to work at maximum capacity continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically balances the flow distribution between the spray arrangement and the storage tank based on the pump's operating characteristics. The flow control valve and circuit design allow the system to adaptively allocate washing liquid to different destinations, optimizing collection efficiency while maintaining appropriate spray flow rates without excessive power consumption.
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 design allows for cost-effective manufacturing and efficient washing liquid collection and reuse, reducing water and energy consumption without extending wash cycle duration, and enables the use of collected liquid in subsequent cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation pump with an inlet and a first outlet, arranged to pump washing liquid in said circulation circuit
Implementation Method 2
a flow control device arranged to selectively control washing liquid flow to said first spray arrangement
Implementation Method 3
a first spray arrangement arranged to spray washing liquid into the washing chamber
Implementation Method 4
a flow control valve arranged in the first conduit, having at least an open state and a closed state
Implementation Method 5
an actuator arranged to control the flow control valve between the open state and the closed state
Implementation Method 6
The delivery pressure of the pump is adjusted and set such that difference between hydrostatic pressures is equal upon reaching a desired wash liquid level
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A dishwasher (1) and a method (100) for collecting washing liquid in a dishwasher are provided. The dishwasher (1) comprises a washing chamber (2) with a sump (3), a circulation circuit (4), a circulation pump (5), a first spray arrangement (6a), a flow control device (7), a washing liquid storage tank (8) connected to the circulation circuit (4). The flow control device (7) is arrangable to control washing liquid flow to said first spray arrangement (6a) such that washing liquid is arranged to be sprayed into said washing chamber (2) with a first flow rate (12). The circulation pump (5) is arrangable to pump washing liquid with a second flow rate (13), which second flow rate (13) exceeds said first flow rate (12) such that excess washing liquid is arranged to flow from the circulation circuit (4) to the washing liquid storage tank (8).