Rotating Dishwasher Filter With Pump-Driven Centrifugal Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashing machines face inefficiencies in separating and recirculating wash fluid and soil particles, leading to incomplete cleaning and potential re-deposition of soil on utensils.

Innovation Solution

A dishwashing machine design featuring a rotating filter with a hollow interior and flow diverters that increases fluid speed through a gap, enhancing centrifugal force to separate soil particles from the wash fluid, ensuring effective filtration and recirculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional filter system is used in dishwashing machines, then the structure is simple, but the filtration effectiveness is insufficient leading to incomplete soil particle separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidfilter system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is made dynamic by rotating the filter element within the filter housing. The rotation mechanism is driven by the pump impeller, which transfers rotational motion to the filter. This dynamic rotation enables the filter to continuously change its filtration surface, preventing clogging and maintaining high filtration effectiveness throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element is segmented into multiple filtration surfaces that can be independently activated through rotation. The filter housing is divided into a stationary outer structure and a rotating inner element, allowing different portions of the filter to be used sequentially. This segmentation enables continuous operation without clogging by constantly presenting fresh filtration surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the filter rotates continuously to maintain filtration effectiveness, then soil particles are effectively separated, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil particle separationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter rotation system is designed to be self-driven by the pump impeller without requiring a separate motor or power source. The impeller's rotational motion is directly transferred to the filter element through mechanical coupling, making the filter rotation a byproduct of the pumping operation. This self-service approach eliminates additional energy consumption while maintaining continuous filtration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the filter is stationary, then the device complexity is low, but the filter clogs quickly requiring frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance frequencyVSAvoidfilter mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element rotates continuously during pump operation, preventing soil particles from accumulating and clogging any single filtration surface. This dynamic rotation distributes the filtration load across the entire filter surface area, significantly extending the time between maintenance intervals and reducing the frequency of filter cleaning or replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the fluid flow speed is increased through the gap, then centrifugal force improves separation efficiency, but the force required to move the fluid increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidforce required for fluid movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the kinetic energy already present in the pumped fluid to generate the centrifugal force needed for separation. The fluid's own motion through the rotating filter creates the necessary centrifugal effects, eliminating the need for additional force-generating mechanisms. The pump provides both the fluid movement and the rotational energy simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution effectively filters soil particles from the wash fluid, maintaining cleanliness and reducing user maintenance by ensuring continuous filter cleaning and improved dishwasher performance.

Implementation Method 1

increases fluid speed through a gap, enhancing centrifugal force to separate soil particles from the wash fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the rotation of the impeller advances fluid through the recirculation flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 3

rotation of the rotating filter increases the speed of fluid advanced through the gap relative to the speed of the fluid prior to entering the gap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid acceleration:

Data Source

PatentUS9375129B2Rotating filter for a dishwashing machine

Publication Date: 2016.06.28 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a washing chamber, a liquid spraying system for spraying liquid within the washing chamber, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system. The liquid filtering system includes a rotating filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid.