Moving Dishwasher Nozzles for Corner Zone Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers face challenges in efficiently covering corner areas of the washing chamber, with traditional solutions either resulting in poor cleaning due to water jets impinging on walls or increasing complexity and vertical dimension with orbital spray arms.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of rotating nozzles at the distal ends of the spray arm, which change their inclination through a back-and-forth rocking movement, allowing for vertical water jets near walls and inclined jets in corner areas, ensuring comprehensive coverage without increasing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If nozzles are inclined to cover corner zones, then corner coverage is improved, but water jets impinge on walls causing poor cleaning results
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is made rotatable relative to the spray arm through a cam-follower mechanism. As the spray arm rotates, the cam profile causes the nozzle to oscillate between different angular positions, dynamically adjusting the spray direction to cover both wall areas and corner zones effectively without fixed inclination compromises
2Area of stationary object
If orbital spray arms are added to improve corner coverage, then corner area coverage is improved, but device complexity and vertical dimension are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The spray arm is segmented into a fixed portion and a rotatable nozzle portion. The cam-follower mechanism divides the rotation function between the spray arm's main rotation and the nozzle's secondary oscillation, achieving complex coverage patterns through coordinated simple motions rather than adding entire orbital spray arm subsystems
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 solution effectively covers all corner zones of the washing chamber with improved cleaning efficiency while maintaining a compact design, addressing the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The cam groove 22 is adapted to cooperate with a feeler pin 24 of an elongated follower 26 slidably mounted in the spray arm 10. During such movement, the feeler pin 24 of the follower 26 slides in the cam groove 22 of the fixed pin 20, driving a back and forth movement of the follower 26.
Implementation Method 2
one or more spray arms fed by water manifolds and driven into rotation by the force exerted by water jets projected by certain nozzles properly disposed on the spray arms
Data Source
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AI summary
A dishwasher with at least a rotating spray arm having water nozzles presents one of such nozzles which is moving while the spray arm is rotating in order to improve the efficiency of washing, particularly in the corner area of the washing chamber.