Dishwasher comprising flow controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow controllers in dishwashers do not efficiently manage water flow, leading to unused water remaining in the system, which increases water consumption and cycle time.
Innovation Solution
A flow controller comprising a rotatable disc and plate with openings, allowing water to return from closed outlets to a drain outlet, reducing unpressurized water in the conduit system and optimizing water usage by routing it back to the sump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water outlets are closed by the disc to spray water only through selected spray arms, then wash performance is improved and cycle time is reduced, but water remains unused in the closed sections of the water conduit system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers water that would otherwise be discarded in closed conduit sections by providing a return path through the cavity and drain outlet back to the sump, allowing the circulating pump to reuse this water in subsequent cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity acts as an intermediary channel between the closed water outlets and the drain outlet, enabling water to flow back from previously closed outlets through the plate to the sump without requiring direct connection
2Reliability
If a flow controller with multiple outlets is used to independently perform intensive wash modes, then wash effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases due to unused water in closed conduit sections
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a feedback loop where water from closed outlets is returned to the sump and can be pumped again, ensuring continuous utilization of water resources across multiple wash cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The water conduit system serves multiple functions: delivering water to active spray arms and simultaneously providing a return path for water from closed outlets, making the system adaptable to different wash modes without water waste
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 ensures all water is efficiently used, reducing overall water consumption and cycle time by preventing unpressurized water from being left in closed sections of the conduit system.
Implementation Method 1
water can return from a closed water outlet in the plate via the drain outlet in the disc to the sump
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a flow controller (30) for controlling water flow from a pump pumping water from a sump of a dishwasher to a water conduit system of the dishwasher. The flow controller comprises a plate (39) with openings. The openings form water outlets to the water conduit system. The flow controller also comprises a disc (36) rotatably arranged in relation to the plate. The disc comprises openings arranged for allowing closing and opening of the water outlets in the plate during rotation of the disc. The flow controller comprises a cavity (41) formed between the disc and the plate configured to allow water to flow back from the water conduit system via a water outlet in the plate being closed by the disc and via the cavity to a-drain outlet in the plate. Hereby water can return from a closed water outlet in the plate via the drain outlet in the disc to the sump. This is advantageous because no or little water will be left unused in the water conduit system. In other words, because water can return from a closed part of the water conduit system no un-pressurized, water will be left in a closed section of the water conduit system so that all water is efficiently used and the overall water consumption of the dishwasher can be reduced.