Dishwasher having spray manifold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern dishwashers provide uniform wash treatment to all dishes, leading to poor wash performance for heavily soiled items, as lightly and heavily soiled dishes receive the same wash treatment, and require heavily soiled items to be loaded face down for optimal cleaning, limiting the number of dishes that can be loaded.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a second, intensified wash zone and a spray manifold that allows heavily soiled dishes to be loaded upright, featuring multiple rotating spray heads and liquid flow paths to provide a concentrated wash action, optimizing wash performance and loading capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a uniform wash treatment is applied to all dishes in the dishwasher, then the wash system is simple and easy to operate, but the wash performance for heavily soiled dishes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The dishwasher is divided into multiple wash zones with different spray characteristics. The lower rack has a first wash zone with a rotating spray arm providing uniform coverage, while the upper rack has a second wash zone with a stationary spray manifold providing concentrated spray. This segmentation allows different wash treatments for different rack positions, improving overall wash performance without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray manifold in the second wash zone is designed with varying aperture sizes and spray angles to provide locally optimized wash treatment. Dishes in the upper rack receive concentrated spray from the stationary manifold, while dishes in the lower rack receive uniform spray from the rotating arm. This local quality approach ensures each zone has the appropriate wash characteristics for its specific cleaning needs.
2Reliability
If heavily soiled dishes are loaded face down to optimize cleaning, then wash performance improves, but the number of dishes that can be loaded decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spray system provides dynamic wash treatment through the rotating spray arm in the first wash zone, which continuously changes spray angle and coverage area. This dynamic approach, combined with the stationary concentrated spray in the second zone, allows dishes to be washed effectively in upright positions, maximizing loading capacity while maintaining wash performance.
3Reliability
If multiple spray zones are added to provide concentrated wash action, then wash performance for heavily soiled dishes improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different spray approaches into one system: a rotating spray arm for uniform coverage and a stationary spray manifold for concentrated spray. Both zones operate simultaneously, with the rotating arm serving the lower rack and the stationary manifold serving the upper rack, creating a multi-zone system that improves wash performance without requiring separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray manifold serves multiple functions: it provides concentrated spray to the upper rack, can be adjusted to target specific areas, and works in conjunction with the rotating spray arm to create a comprehensive wash system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, managing complexity while enhancing performance.
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 intensified wash zone enhances cleaning performance for heavily soiled dishes while allowing them to be loaded upright, maximizing the number of dishes in each cycle and ensuring effective cleaning without the need for face-down positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid distribution header defining an interior flow path having an inlet from which extends multiple channels corresponding to the multiple branches, with each of the channels in fluid communication with the corresponding branch
Implementation Method 2
the corresponding channel and branch have matching volumetric flow rate requirements to minimize pressure loss from the inlet to the branches
Implementation Method 3
multiple rotating spray heads, and first and second interior flow paths that supply liquid to the rotating spray heads
Implementation Method 4
A pump is provided for re-circulating wash liquid throughout the tub to remove soils from the dishes
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially forming a treating chamber, a dish rack provided within the wash chamber, and a spray manifold. The spray manifold can have multiple apertures and/or sprayers for emitting wash liquid to define a spray zone.