Dishwasher Filtration Assembly with Integrated Wash and Drain Pump

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwasher systems require significant space and increase manufacturing costs due to the presence of both a main pump and a drain pump, which are necessary for circulating and filtering wash fluid effectively.

Innovation Solution

A fluid filtration assembly that includes a pump, a filter assembly, and a valve assembly, allowing the pump to selectively direct fluid to either the spray arm assembly for washing or the soil collection chamber for filtering, reducing the need for a separate drain pump by integrating the functionality into a single pump system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a main pump assembly and a drain pump assembly are used separately for circulating and draining wash fluid, then fluid circulation and drainage functions are performed effectively, but the space occupied and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid circulation and drainage functionVSAvoidspace occupied by pump assemblies

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the main pump assembly and drain pump assembly into a single integrated pump assembly. The pump housing contains both a circulation chamber with a circulation impeller for fluid circulation and a drain chamber with a drain impeller for drainage, eliminating the need for separate pump assemblies and reducing space occupation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated pump assembly performs multiple functions through a single device. The pump can operate in circulation mode to distribute wash fluid through spray arms and in drainage mode to remove soiled water, making the pump assembly universal for both fluid circulation and drainage tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a main pump assembly and a drain pump assembly are used separately for circulating and draining wash fluid, then fluid circulation and drainage functions are performed effectively, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid circulation and drainage functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the main pump assembly and drain pump assembly into a single integrated pump assembly. The pump housing contains both a circulation chamber with a circulation impeller for fluid circulation and a drain chamber with a drain impeller for drainage, eliminating the need for separate pump assemblies and reducing space occupation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated pump assembly performs multiple functions through a single device. The pump can operate in circulation mode to distribute wash fluid through spray arms and in drainage mode to remove soiled water, making the pump assembly universal for both fluid circulation and drainage tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration optimizes space usage and reduces manufacturing costs by enabling efficient fluid circulation and filtration within the dishwasher, while maintaining effective washing and draining capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

A pump is configured to direct fluid to the at least one spray arm assembly and/or the soil collection chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

water entering the sump is filtered through one or more coarse filters to remove soil and/or sediment from the wash fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8377228B2Wash fluid distribution and filtration assembly and method

Publication Date: 2013.02.19 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A fluid filtration assembly for a dishwasher system includes at least one spray arm assembly configured to distribute fluid within a wash chamber, and a filter assembly including a filter body defining a fluid inlet and a soil outlet thereon. A soil collection chamber is coupled in flow communication with the soil outlet and is configured to receive soil filtered by the filter assembly. A pump is configured to direct fluid to one of the spray arm assembly and the soil collection chamber. A valve assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. The valve assembly is coupled in flow communication with the spray arm assembly and the soil collection chamber. In the first position, the pump is configured to direct fluid to the at least one spray arm assembly. In the second position, the pump is configured to direct fluid into the soil collection chamber.