Dishwasher Utensil Holder Nozzle Layout for Stable Bottle Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwashers with pin-shaped utensil holders struggle to ensure the water jet reaches the interior of hollow articles, such as bottles, due to movement during the wash cycle, and waste water when not all holders are used, as the water supply control affects all nozzles simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

The utensil holders feature a clamping mechanism with a nozzle positioned near the clamping portion, allowing stable article orientation and independent control of water supply through a valve mechanism, ensuring the jet targets the article and conserving water by enabling selective activation of holders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pin-shaped utensil holder is used to hold hollow articles, then the article can be positioned for washing, but the article may move during the washing cycle causing the water jet to miss the interior of the article

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidarticle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The utensil holder is divided into a clamping portion with first and second arms that can independently position and secure the article. This segmentation allows the article to be firmly held in a fixed orientation, preventing movement during washing while maintaining ease of placement and removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping portion is designed to preliminarily secure the article in the correct orientation before the washing cycle begins. By pre-positioning the article securely between the clamping arms, the system ensures the water jet will accurately target the article interior throughout the washing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If a common water supply valve controls all nozzles, then the system is simple to operate, but water is wasted when not all utensil holders are used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve control systemVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The water supply control system is segmented into individual valve means associated with each utensil holder. This allows selective activation of only the nozzles corresponding to used holders, eliminating water waste from inactive nozzles while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive on/off control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each utensil holder receives water supply control independently through its own valve means. This local control quality ensures that water is delivered only where needed (at active holders) rather than uniformly to all holders, reducing overall water consumption while preserving system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the nozzle is positioned远离 the clamping portion, then the structure is simpler, but the water jet cannot consistently target the article interior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle positioningVSAvoidjet targeting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is merged with or positioned in close proximity to the clamping portion, combining the positioning function with the washing function. This integration ensures the water jet is delivered precisely at the article interior while maintaining structural simplicity through the unified design of the clamping and spraying components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design ensures the water jet consistently targets the article, improving cleaning efficiency and reducing water waste by allowing user control over which holders are activated during a cycle.

Implementation Method 1

each utensil holder comprises a valve means which in dependency on the position of the utensil holder opens or blocks the fluid communication between the tubing and the nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 2

the tubing has an outlet for washing liquid, and the utensil holder has a sealing surface which selectively blocks or releases said outlet in dependency of the rotary position of the utensil holder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3082556B1dishwasher
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP3082556B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3082556B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3082556B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A dishwasher comprising: (a) a basket (10) for accommodating articles to be cleaned; (b) tubing (20) located at the bottom of the basket (10), said tubing being adapted for connection to a supply of washing liquid; (c) at least one utensil holder (26) rotatably connected to the tubing (20) and adapted to be rotated between an operating position in which an article to be cleaned can be held at said utensil holder, and a resting position in which said utensil holder is stowed away when not in use; and (d) a nozzle (44) communicating with said tubing (20) and located to direct a jet of washing liquid towards an article held at the utensil holder (26), the utensil holder (26) comprises a clamping portion (34) adapted to engage an article to be cleaned, wherein said nozzle (44) is located in proximity of the clamping portion (34); and the utensil holder (26) comprises a valve means which provides for fluid communication between the tubing (20) and the nozzle (44) when the utensil holder is in the operating position, and which blocks the fluid communication between the tubing and the nozzle when the utensil holder is in the resting position. The dishwasher allows a greater flexibility in use and for a better cleaning result.