Dishwasher Impact Nozzle for Corner Spray Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic dishwashers often fail to achieve optimal cleaning results, particularly in corner areas of wash baskets, due to the circular spray pattern of rotatably mounted spray arms, which leaves these areas unsprayed, and the complex, costly assembly of conventional spray arms.

Innovation Solution

The use of an impact nozzle with two deflector disks arranged one behind the other, creating a double spray cone pattern that effectively reaches corner areas and simplifies assembly by being a one-piece plastic component, reducing production and assembly costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If rotatably mounted spray arms are used to distribute washing liquid, then the spray coverage is circular and easy to implement, but the corner areas of wash baskets are left unsprayed resulting in poor cleaning performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidspray coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spray device is segmented into multiple fixed spray jets arranged to cover different areas including corner zones, replacing the single rotating spray arm. This segmentation allows each jet to target specific areas statically, ensuring comprehensive coverage including corners that rotating arms miss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a rotating mechanism to achieve coverage, the invention inverts the approach by using multiple fixed spray jets arranged in specific patterns. This static arrangement with strategically positioned jets achieves better corner coverage than rotation can provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional spray arms with multiple parts are used, then the design is flexible, but the assembly is complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate components of the spray device (nozzle body, spray jets, mounting elements) are merged into a single integrated plastic component manufactured via injection molding. This consolidation eliminates the need for assembling multiple parts, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining design flexibility through the molding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spray device is manufactured as a simple, inexpensive plastic component that can be easily replaced if needed. The one-piece construction reduces manufacturing cost and assembly time, making it economically advantageous despite potentially shorter service life compared to metal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 impact nozzle ensures improved cleaning performance by evenly distributing wash liquid into corner areas and reduces manufacturing and assembly costs through a simpler design.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the spraying devices (5, 6, 7) is designed as an impact nozzle (10). The impact nozzle (10) has two deflector disks (16, 17), which are arranged one behind the other in the loading direction (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2695566B1Dishwasher
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2695566B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2695566B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2695566B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The machine has a rinsing container comprising a rinsing chamber for containing rinsing goods. Spraying devices are arranged within the container for feeding the rinsing goods with rinsing water, where one of the spraying devices is designed as a percussion nozzle (10) with two percussion disks (16, 17) that are arranged one behind the other in a feed direction (15). The nozzle has a connection piece (11) for arrangement at a supply line, where the connection piece has an opening (14). The nozzle is designed as a single-piece component and made from plastic.