Dishwasher Microfilter Self-Cleaning Using Rotating Spray Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwasher microfilters clog due to residue accumulation, reducing washing performance and requiring user intervention for cleaning, which often goes unaddressed.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a hollow cylindrical microfilter with a sprayer and nozzles that rotate to remove residues through tangential water spray, utilizing a controlled water feed and valve to ensure self-cleaning without user intervention, enhancing filtration quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microfilter is used to hold residues, then filtration quality is improved, but the microfilter clogs due to residue accumulation reducing washing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The microfilter cleaning system enables the filter to clean itself automatically through a rotating sprayer that directs water jets at the filter surface, eliminating the need for user intervention and preventing performance degradation from manual cleaning neglect
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic cleaning cycles where the sprayer rotates and directs water jets at the microfilter surface at regular intervals during the washing operation, continuously removing accumulated residues to maintain filtration quality
2Measurement precision
If manual cleaning of the microfilter is required, then filtration quality can be maintained, but user intervention is needed which often goes unaddressed
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic cleaning system performs all cleaning operations without user involvement, with the sprayer rotating and directing water jets at the microfilter surface automatically during washing cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs cleaning actions during the washing cycle itself, preventing residue accumulation before it impacts filtration performance rather than requiring post-cycle manual intervention
3Ease of operation
If a self-cleaning mechanism is implemented, then user intervention is eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sprayer system serves dual functions: it directs water flow for washing and simultaneously performs microfilter cleaning through rotation, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The sprayer is designed to rotate during operation, dynamically changing the direction of water jets to cover different areas of the microfilter surface, enabling comprehensive cleaning without complex mechanical structures
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 self-cleaning mechanism effectively removes residues from the microfilter, improving filtration and washing performance by maintaining the microfilter's cleanliness between wash cycles.
Implementation Method 1
the exit direction of the water exiting their orifices will be in the same rotational direction and the exit direction of the water from the nozzles will be almost tangential to the sprayer surface. The water filling into the sprayer is sprayed to the inner surface of the microfilter by means of the nozzles. Since the water sprayed through the nozzles exits by skimming the sprayer surface in a pressured manner, it creates a moment force such that it will rotate the sprayer around its own axis.
Implementation Method 2
The water filling into the sprayer is sprayed to the inner surface of the microfilter by means of the nozzles. Since the water sprayed through the nozzles exits by skimming the sprayer surface in a pressured manner
Implementation Method 3
a pump (4) which returns the water accumulating in the receptacle (3) to the washing tub (2)
Implementation Method 4
a hollow cylindrical microfilter which is located inside the receptacle and holds the residues carried by the water and thus, prevents them from passing to the washing tub
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises a washing tub (2) wherein items to be washed are placed, a receptacle (3) which is located at the lower portion of the washing tub (2) and wherein the water in the washing tub (2) is collected during the washing process, a hollow cylindrical microfilter (5) which is located in the middle of the receptacle (3) and which holds the residues carried by the water that passes from the receptacle (3) to the water circulation line, a pump (4) which returns the water accumulated in the receptacle (3) to the washing tub (2), an additional line (6), one end of which is connected to the pump (4) and the other end opening to the middle of the microfilter (5), and a sprayer (8) which is disposed into the microfilter (5) and which has more than one nozzle (7) that are located on the surface of the sprayer (8) and that provide the water supplied from the pump (4) by means of the additional line (6) to be sprayed towards the inner surface of the microfilter (5).