Dishwasher Filtration Chamber Layout to Block Soil Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dishwashers, turbulence from the macerator chamber can cause food soils to be driven back into the clean washing fluid circulation system, contaminating dishware during the wash cycle, necessitating a filtration system that separates comminuted contaminants from the washing fluid before it is pumped out of the dishwasher.
Innovation Solution
A filtration system comprising a macerator chamber and a drain chamber with a vented member that allows washing fluid to pass through while retaining comminuted contaminants, ensuring they are contained within the drain chamber and preventing re-introduction into the washing fluid circulation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a macerator chamber is used to chop and break down food soils, then the macerator device can effectively comminute contaminants, but the spinning macerator blade creates turbulence that drives food soils into the drain chamber and back into the washing fluid circulation system
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional chambers: a macerator chamber for comminution and a drain chamber for separation. This segmentation allows the macerator to operate independently without directly contaminating the washing fluid circulation system, while the drain chamber captures and retains comminuted soils before they can be reintroduced to clean water.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain chamber acts as an intermediary between the macerator chamber and the washing fluid circulation system. It receives soils-laden washing fluid from the macerator, allows contaminants to settle and be retained, and only permits relatively clean washing fluid to pass through to the circulation system, thus mediating the harmful turbulence effect.
2Ease of operation
If the vented member is positioned close to the fluid port to facilitate washing fluid flow, then fluid communication is improved, but comminuted contaminants may pass through the vent instead of being retained in the drain chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The vented member incorporates locally differentiated features: a first plurality of vents with larger dimensions positioned away from the fluid port for washing fluid flow, and a second plurality of vents with smaller dimensions positioned near the fluid port for retaining comminuted contaminants. This local quality variation allows simultaneous achievement of fluid flow facilitation and contaminant retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the spatial conflict by utilizing the dimensional arrangement of multiple vent openings in different locations and orientations on the vented member. By distributing vents across different spatial dimensions and positions, the system enables both fluid passage and contaminant retention functions to coexist without direct conflict.
3Quantity of substance
If washing fluid is allowed to flow freely between chambers, then water usage is optimized, but comminuted contaminants are re-introduced into the washing fluid circulation system and onto dishware
Solution Approach 1:
The vented member functions as a porous filtering structure with multiple vent openings that permit washing fluid to pass through while mechanically blocking comminuted contaminants. This porous configuration enables the system to maintain adequate washing fluid volume and circulation while preventing contaminant re-introduction to the dishware.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain chamber performs preliminary separation and retention of comminuted contaminants before washing fluid is returned to the circulation system. By conducting this separation action in advance, the system ensures that only relatively clean washing fluid is recirculated, preventing contaminant re-introduction while maintaining efficient water usage.
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
Effectively retains contaminants within the drain chamber, maintaining cleanliness of the washing fluid circulation system and preventing re-contamination of dishware, while optimizing water usage and energy efficiency by minimizing the volume of washing fluid required for circulation.
Implementation Method 1
the vented member is spaced apart from the fluid port and is configured to strain the comminuted contaminants from the washing fluid so as to retain the comminuted contaminants within the drain chamber while allowing the washing fluid to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
the macerator device and the macerator chamber form a macerator system separately operable from a washing fluid circulation system. The macerator chamber is configured to receive washing fluid for the macerator device to comminute contaminants within the washing fluid
Implementation Method 3
the drain chamber may be a so-called 'still chamber' where the collected soils are allowed to settle out in the drain chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A filtration system for a dishwasher, and an associated apparatus and method, are provided, comprising a macerator chamber adapted to house a macerator device. The macerator chamber is configured to receive washing fluid for the macerator device to comminute contaminants within the washing fluid. A drain chamber is in fluid communication with the macerator chamber and is configured to receive the washing fluid and comminuted contaminants therefrom via a fluid port therebetween. The drain chamber has a vented member associated therewith, which defines at least one first vent providing fluid communication between the drain chamber and the washing fluid circulation system. The vented member is spaced apart from the fluid port, and is configured to strain the comminuted contaminants from the washing fluid so as to retain the comminuted contaminants within the drain chamber while allowing the washing fluid to pass therethrough to the washing fluid circulation system.