Dishwasher Filter Assembly With Self-Cleaning and Water-Level Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dirty or clogged filters in dishwasher recirculation systems hinder efficient filtration of liquid, leading to reduced performance and flow issues due to low water levels in energy-efficient dishwashers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a cleaning element in rolling contact with the filter wall and a displacement body to raise the water level within the filter assembly, ensuring continuous fluid flow and improved filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If energy-efficient low water usage is implemented in dishwashers, then energy consumption is reduced, but filtration efficiency deteriorates due to low water levels
Solution Approach 1:
A displacement body is introduced as an intermediary element within the filter assembly. This displacement body occupies space in the filter housing, thereby reducing the volume available for food particle accumulation and effectively raising the water level in the sump. This ensures adequate submersion of the filter wall for efficient filtration while maintaining low overall water usage in the dishwasher.
2Device complexity
If filter operation continues without cleaning, then device complexity is reduced, but filtration performance deteriorates due to food particle accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly incorporates a self-cleaning mechanism where a cleaning element automatically removes food particles from the filter wall during the wash cycle. The cleaning element, which may be a brush, scraper, or jet, is activated by the wash pump operation, allowing the filter to clean itself without requiring separate manual intervention or complex additional systems.
3Reliability
If water level is maintained high for efficient filtration, then filtration efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: a filtration zone with the filter wall for particle removal, a displacement zone with the displacement body that raises the effective water level, and a food particle storage zone. This segmentation allows the water level to be optimally positioned for filtration without requiring the entire sump to be filled with water, thus maintaining filtration efficiency while minimizing overall water and energy consumption.
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 cleaning element effectively removes food particles from the filter, while the displacement body enhances filtration by maintaining a higher water level, ensuring efficient operation even with low water usage, thus maintaining the dishwasher's performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning element in rolling contact with the filter wall
Implementation Method 2
a displacement body positioned adjacent the filter wall to raise the level of washing fluid level relative to the filter wall
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a tub with an access opening to a treating chamber, a sump, at least one sprayer emitting liquid into the treating chamber, a pump, a conduit fluidly coupling the sump to the pump and the pump to the at least one sprayer, thereby defining a recirculation circuit through which the liquid sprayed into the treating chamber collects in the sump and is pumped back to the at least one sprayer. The dishwasher also includes a filter assembly in the sump for filtering the liquid in the recirculation circuit including a cleaning element.