Dishwasher Rack Light-Beam Loading Check for Wash Arm Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current household dishwashers face issues with incorrect positioning of dishes and cutlery in the dish rack basket, leading to interference with rotary wash members, potential damage, and improper wash cycle performance due to overloading or improper support, resulting in jamming and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher equipped with an alarm device that uses a light-emitting system to alert users of incorrect positioning by emitting light beams along specific planes, detecting interruptions caused by dishes or cutlery projecting beyond these planes, and also checks for proper support on the floor, utilizing LEDs, optical modules, and detecting units to generate visual or acoustic signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dishes and cutlery are loaded into the dish rack basket, then the wash cycle can proceed, but incorrect positioning may cause interference with rotary wash members leading to jamming and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm device performs preliminary detection before the wash cycle starts by emitting light beams along reference planes and detecting interruptions caused by incorrectly positioned dishes. This preliminary action alerts users to correct the positioning before the rotary wash members start rotating, preventing jamming and damage while ensuring the wash cycle can proceed normally.
Solution Approach 2:
The detecting unit provides real-time feedback by monitoring light beam interruptions and generating alarm signals when dishes are incorrectly positioned. This feedback mechanism allows users to immediately recognize and correct positioning issues, ensuring reliable operation of the rotary wash members during the wash cycle.
2Quantity of substance
If the basket is loaded with dishes or cutlery over and above the predetermined size, then more items can be washed, but collision with rotary wash members may damage dishes and prevent proper door closing
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm device performs preliminary detection by emitting light beams along reference planes that define the maximum safe loading position. Before the wash cycle begins, the detecting unit identifies if dishes exceed predetermined size limits by interrupting the light beams, alerting users to reduce loading and prevent collision damage and door closing problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm device applies preliminary anti-action by detecting excessive loading conditions before they can cause harm. The light beam detection system prevents dishes from being positioned too far forward, thereby preventing collision with rotary wash members and ensuring proper door watertight closing, eliminating the harmful effects before they occur.
3Ease of operation
If an alarm device is added to detect incorrect positioning, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm device replaces complex mechanical detection mechanisms with an optical system. Light-emitting devices and light-receiving devices detect dish positioning by monitoring light beam interruptions, eliminating the need for mechanical sensors or switches while providing clear visual feedback through alarm signals, thereby improving ease of operation without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light beam acts as an intermediary between the detection system and the dishes. Instead of direct mechanical contact or complex sensors, the optical field mediates the detection process, providing a simple yet effective means to detect incorrect positioning and generate alarm signals with minimal structural complexity.
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 alarm device effectively prevents damage to dishes and cutlery, ensures correct wash cycle performance, and automatically indicates improper support, reducing user inconvenience and risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
an alarm device (9) for generating (10) at least one light beam along a reference plane (R) and for alerting the user to incorrect positioning of the dishes/cutlery inside the basket (6) when the light beam is interrupted by the dishes/cutlery
Implementation Method 2
a light-receiving device (21) for detecting interruptions of the light beam(s) emitted by the light-emitting device (10)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A dishwasher (1) (30) having a box-shaped casing (2) having an inner wash chamber (3) communicating externally through an opening (4) formed in one of the lateral walls of the casing (2); and at least one dish rack basket (6) housed inside the wash chamber (3) to house dishes/cutlery within a hold volume (7) bounded by two predetermined boundary planes (A, B); the dishwasher (1) having an alarm device (9) which generates, inside the wash chamber (3), at least one light beam in a direction coplanar with a reference plane (R) lying in one of the predetermined boundary planes (A, B); and the alarm device (9) alerting the user to incorrect positioning of the dishes/cutlery inside the basket (6) when the light beam is interrupted by the dishes/cutlery.