Dishwasher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers have high water consumption due to the long length of the feed line, which increases dead volume, and existing solutions do not effectively address this issue while preventing contamination and ensuring efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
The feed line is arranged to pass through a container opening below the operating filling level, with a supply line for a softening device that reduces water hardness, and includes a non-return valve and a cover with a threaded section to prevent backflow and contamination, allowing for easy refilling and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the feed line outlet end is arranged above the operating filling level to prevent contamination, then the reliability of preventing dirty water from getting into the feed line is improved, but the length of the feed line increases, which worsens water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the feed line outlet end below the operating filling level instead of above it. This inversion is made possible by introducing a non-return valve that prevents backflow, thereby eliminating the need for the outlet to be positioned above the filling level. The non-return valve allows the feed line to be shorter while still preventing contamination, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and length.
2Loss of substance
If the feed line length is reduced to decrease dead volume and water consumption, then water consumption is improved, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valve acts as an intermediary element that enables the feed line outlet to be positioned below the operating filling level. This mediator component prevents backflow of dirty water into the feed line, allowing the system to achieve reduced dead volume and lower water consumption without compromising contamination prevention. The non-return valve mediates between the conflicting requirements of short feed line length and contamination protection.
3Length of moving object
If a non-return valve is introduced to enable lower outlet positioning, then the length of the feed line is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valve changes the flow parameter by allowing unidirectional flow only, which enables the outlet end to be positioned below the operating filling level. This parameter change (from bidirectional to unidirectional flow control) allows the system to achieve shorter feed line length while the added complexity is minimal and justified by the significant reduction in water consumption and dead volume.
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 reduces water consumption, prevents contamination, and ensures efficient operation by minimizing dead volume and allowing for easy maintenance, while ensuring that regeneration salt can be supplied to the softening device without additional aids.
Implementation Method 1
the feed line is assigned at least one retaining means for blocking a flow of liquid directed out of the washing compartment
Implementation Method 2
The lid can have a threaded section which interacts with a corresponding section in the washing container, with which the lid can be fastened and also detached again by means of a rotary movement
Implementation Method 3
a supply line for supplying a softening device for softening water with at least one regeneration agent, in particular regeneration salt
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, having at least one washing container (1) for receiving items to be cleaned and/or dried and a supply line (41) for conducting water into the washing container (1), the outlet end the supply line (41) is arranged above an operating filling level of the dishwasher. According to the invention, a container opening (47) for passing the supply line (41) through a wall of the washing container (1) is arranged below the operating filling level.