Rotating Dishwasher Filter With Integrated Soil Chopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face challenges in effectively filtering and chopping foreign objects from recirculated liquid, leading to potential re-deposition of soils on dishes and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design incorporating a rotating filter with a co-rotating blade system and artificial boundaries within the recirculation flow path, which applies greater shear forces and enhances filtration, along with a soil chopping mechanism to macerate foreign objects, ensuring efficient soil removal and reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional filter system is used in dishwashers, then the structure is simple, but the filtration effectiveness is insufficient leading to soil re-deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filter and chopper into a single integrated assembly where the chopper blades are mounted directly on the filter drum. This merging of filtration and chopping functions into one component achieves effective soil removal while avoiding the complexity of separate systems working together.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it filters liquid through the drum screen and chops foreign objects through rotating blades. This multi-functionality improves filtration effectiveness without adding separate dedicated systems, thereby managing device complexity.
2Reliability
If no soil chopping mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but foreign objects cannot be macerated leading to potential damage and increased maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The chopper blades are integrated with the filter drum, combining two protective functions (filtration and foreign object maceration) into a single rotating assembly. This reduces the complexity compared to having separate filter and chopper mechanisms while maintaining reliable protection against foreign object damage.
3Reliability
If a static filter is used, then the structure is simple, but soil particles are not effectively separated from recirculated liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The filter drum rotates during operation, creating dynamic filtration where the rotating motion enhances the separation of soil particles from liquid. This dynamic approach improves soil separation effectiveness compared to static filters while keeping the mechanical complexity relatively low through a simple rotating drum design.
4Reliability
If recirculated liquid is not filtered, then the system is simple, but soils are re-deposited on dishes reducing cleaning quality
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating filter with integrated chopping blades creates a unified system that prevents soil re-deposition by simultaneously filtering liquid and macerating foreign objects in one assembly. This merged approach achieves reliable soil prevention while managing system complexity through integration rather than multiple separate components.
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 soils from the liquid, preventing re-deposition on dishes and reducing user maintenance, thereby enhancing dishwasher performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the filter having an upstream surface and a downstream surface and located within the recirculation flow path such that the recirculation flow path passes through the filter from the upstream surface to downstream surface to effect a filtering of the sprayed liquid
Implementation Method 2
a soil chopping system comprising at least one blade mounted to the rotating filter for co-rotation therewith and defining a blade path upon rotation of the filter
Implementation Method 3
a first artificial boundary spaced from at least one of the upstream surface and the downstream surface such that liquid passing between the first artificial boundary and the corresponding surface applies a greater shear force on the corresponding surface than liquid in an absence of the first artificial boundary
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spraying system supplying a spray of liquid to the treating chamber, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system having a rotating filter. A chopping system is included to macerate foreign objects within the recirculation flow path and includes a blade mounted to the rotating filter.