Dishwasher with water valve having volumetric flow control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic dishwashers face issues with excess water flow due to malfunction or failure of the actuatable valve, which cannot shut off the water supply without electricity, leading to inefficiencies and potential overwatering during cycles.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically actuated flow limiter is integrated into the water supply system of the dishwasher, allowing for the determination of a predetermined volume of water flow before automatically shutting off the water supply without the need for electricity, utilizing a combination of mechanisms such as stoppers, plungers, and magnets to control the flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an actuatable valve is used to control water flow, then water supply can be controlled during the cycle, but the valve may malfunction or fail to shut off water without electricity
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanically actuated flow limiter is integrated into the water supply system to provide a backup mechanism that limits water flow before excess water can cause problems. This mechanical limiter acts as a preemptive safeguard that operates independently of the electrical valve control system, ensuring that even if the valve fails to shut off, the flow is automatically restricted to predetermined safe levels.
2Measurement precision
If a mechanically actuated flow limiter is added to control water volume, then precise water volume control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanically actuated flow limiter is integrated directly into the existing water supply system, merging the flow measurement and limitation functions with the valve assembly. This integration approach combines multiple functions (flow control, volume measurement, and automatic shut-off) into a single unified mechanism, thereby achieving precise water volume control while minimizing the increase in overall system 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
Ensures precise control over water volume in the dishwasher, preventing excess water from entering the tub and optimizing the automatic cycle operations by ensuring the water supply is shut off accurately, even in case of valve malfunctions, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing water usage.
Implementation Method 1
supplying water to a tub of the dishwasher through a valve with a mechanically actuated flow limiter; and shutting off the flow of water without the use of electricity after the mechanically actuated flow limit determines the passing of a predetermined volume of water through the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher has a treating chamber for receiving dishes for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation and a dispensing system for storing and dispensing a treating chemistry to the treating chamber during the cycle of operation. The dishwasher may dispense a treating chemistry when a temperature of a liquid in the treating chamber satisfies a predetermined temperature threshold. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained to satisfy the predetermined temperature threshold for a predetermined period of time based on the treating chemistry.