Dishwasher Filter with Graduated Perforations to Reduce Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid circulation systems in dishwasher appliances rely on filters with constant perforation sizes, which are prone to clogging and fail to adapt to varying soil conditions, leading to inefficiencies in filtering soil from wash fluid.
Innovation Solution
A fluid circulation system with a filter design that includes a sidewall with perforations of increasing volume along the height, allowing the system to respond to differences in soil conditions by accessing more perforations during high soil conditions, thereby reducing clogging and improving filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constant filter hole sizes are used, then the filter structure is simple, but the filter is vulnerable to clogging and cannot respond to differences in soil conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The filter applies local quality by varying the perforation sizes at different locations along the height of the filter. Lower perforations have smaller sizes for filtering fine particles during low soil conditions, while upper perforations have larger sizes to prevent clogging during high soil conditions. This spatial variation in perforation quality resolves the contradiction between simplicity and anti-clogging performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter implements dynamics by enabling the effective filtration area to change based on operating conditions. During low soil conditions, fluid flows through lower perforations providing fine filtration. During high soil conditions, the fluid level rises and activates upper perforations with larger openings, dynamically adapting the filter's effective characteristics to prevent clogging while maintaining filtration.
2Productivity
If constant filter hole sizes are used, then the filter design is simple, but the filtration efficiency cannot adapt to varying soil conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The filter design incorporates local quality by assigning different perforation sizes to different vertical locations. Lower perforations are optimized for fine filtration during low soil conditions, while upper perforations are designed with larger sizes to maintain flow and prevent clogging during high soil conditions. This localized optimization enhances overall filtration efficiency without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter applies parameter changes by varying the perforation size parameter along the height of the filter structure. This gradient in perforation sizes allows the filter to automatically adapt its effective filtration characteristics based on the fluid level and soil load conditions, improving productivity across varying operating scenarios without adding mechanical complexity.
3Reliability
If larger perforation volumes are used, then clogging resistance is improved, but filtration precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The filter segments the filtration function by dividing the perforations into multiple zones along the height, with each zone having optimized perforation sizes for specific operating conditions. Lower segments provide precision filtration during low soil conditions, while upper segments provide clogging resistance during high soil conditions. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing different functional requirements to different spatial segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter applies local quality by providing different perforation characteristics at different locations. Lower perforations have smaller sizes for precision filtration where fine particle removal is needed, while upper perforations have larger sizes for clogging resistance where high flow rates occur during high soil conditions. This localized differentiation simultaneously achieves both filtration precision and clogging resistance.
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 adaptive filter design effectively reduces the risk of clogging and enhances filtering efficiency by allowing fluid to access additional perforations as soil conditions change, ensuring consistent performance across varying soil loads.
Implementation Method 1
a first number of the plurality of perforations can be accessed during operation of the pump when a volume of fluid within the chamber is below a first threshold volume, and a second number of the plurality of perforations can be accessed during operation of the pump when the volume of fluid within the chamber is at or above the first threshold volume
Implementation Method 2
a pump, the pump including an impeller disposed within the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid circulation systems for dishwasher appliances are provided. A dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber. A fluid circulation system includes a sump for receiving fluid from the wash chamber, the sump comprising a chamber having a sidewall and a base wall. The fluid circulation system further includes a pump, the pump including an impeller disposed within the chamber. The fluid circulation system further includes a filter disposed within the chamber and surrounding the impeller, the filter including a sidewall, the sidewall defining a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. In some embodiments, a volume within the filter is greater than a volume between the sidewall of the chamber and the sidewall of the filter for a given height from the base wall. In some embodiments, volumes of the plurality of perforations increase along a height from the base wall.