Dishwasher Filter Assembly With Self-Cleaning Flow Diverters

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashers face challenges in effectively cleaning the filter and recirculating liquid, leading to clogging and reduced performance due to the accumulation of soil particles, which affects the filtration efficiency and overall cleaning process.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher design incorporating a recirculation pump with an impeller and rotating flow diverters that generate shear forces on the filter surfaces, aiding in the removal of soil particles and preventing clogging, while ensuring efficient filtration and cleaning of the filter throughout its operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter is provided to remove soil particles from the wash liquid, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the filter accumulates soil particles leading to clogging and reduced performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidfilter performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly performs self-cleaning through the rotation of flow diverters that generate shear forces to remove accumulated soil particles from the filter surfaces. The recirculation pump draws liquid through the filter and the rotating flow diverters create cleaning action without requiring external intervention or manual maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The flow diverters rotate periodically to continuously generate shear forces on the filter surfaces, creating cyclic cleaning action that prevents soil accumulation and maintains filtration efficiency throughout the dishwasher operating cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of manufacture

If the filter is cleaned manually, then soil particles are removed, but user maintenance time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance simplicityVSAvoiduser maintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly performs self-cleaning through the rotation of flow diverters that generate shear forces to remove accumulated soil particles from the filter surfaces. The recirculation pump draws liquid through the filter and the rotating flow diverters create cleaning action without requiring external intervention or manual maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The flow diverters act as intermediary elements between the recirculating liquid and the filter surfaces, transferring mechanical energy from the rotating flow to the filter to create shear forces that remove soil particles automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the recirculation pump operates continuously, then liquid is recirculated effectively, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid recirculation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The recirculation pump operates continuously throughout the wash cycle to maintain constant liquid circulation and filtration, ensuring that soil particles are continuously removed from the wash liquid and the filter surfaces are continuously cleaned by the rotating flow diverters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The filter assembly performs self-cleaning through the rotation of flow diverters that generate shear forces to remove accumulated soil particles from the filter surfaces. The recirculation pump draws liquid through the filter and the rotating flow diverters create cleaning action without requiring external intervention or manual maintenance

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 enhances filtration efficiency by preventing soil redeposition on utensils, reduces user maintenance, and minimizes energy consumption for filter cleaning, while maintaining dishwasher performance.

Implementation Method 1

the rotation of the flow diverter generates a shear force acting on the at least one of the downstream surface and the upstream surface to effect a cleaning of the at least one of the downstream surface and the upstream surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear force: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentUS9107559B2Dishwasher with filter assembly

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

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