Dishwasher Pump Inverter Control for Quiet and Water-Saving Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers face challenges in achieving quiet operation during noise-sensitive hours and efficient water usage while maintaining effective cleaning performance, due to limitations in pump motor noise levels and water flow variability caused by power supply fluctuations and resistance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dishwasher operation that utilizes an inverter to adjust the electrical power condition of the pump motor, allowing for quiet, high-pressure, constant mass flow, and minimum water use cycles by varying the motor speed and water flow rates, independent of the standard operating voltage and frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If larger pump motors are used to increase water pressure for better cleaning performance, then cleaning performance is improved, but operating noise increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using an inverter to enable variable speed control of the pump motor, allowing the motor to operate at different speeds depending on the wash cycle requirements. This dynamic control allows the system to achieve high water pressure when needed for cleaning performance while operating at lower speeds during quiet periods, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning performance and noise generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the pump motor by using an inverter to adjust voltage and frequency, enabling the motor to operate efficiently at multiple speed levels. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between high power output for cleaning and low power output for quiet operation, eliminating the need to always use large, noisy motors
2Object-generated harmful factors
If smaller pump motors are used to reduce cost and operating noise, then noise is reduced and cost is reduced, but water pressure decreases and cleaning performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter enables the smaller pump motor to dynamically adjust its speed and power output, allowing it to deliver high water pressure when needed for effective cleaning while maintaining quiet operation at lower speeds. This dynamic capability allows a smaller motor to perform the work of a larger motor when required, without the constant noise and cost penalty
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of using larger motors for higher power with an electrical control approach using an inverter. This substitution allows a smaller motor to achieve the same effective power output by controlling its speed and torque, thus resolving the contradiction between motor size and cleaning performance
3Productivity
If pump motor speed is increased to improve water flow and cleaning performance, then cleaning performance is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter provides dynamic speed control of the pump motor, allowing the system to operate at optimal speeds for different phases of the wash cycle. This enables the system to achieve effective cleaning with precise water delivery rather than continuous high-speed operation, thus improving cleaning performance while reducing overall water consumption
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
Enables quieter operation during nighttime, increased cleaning efficiency without the need for larger, noisier motors, and reduced water consumption while maintaining thorough cleaning, by dynamically controlling the pump motor speed and water flow.
Implementation Method 1
causing an inverter of the dishwasher to operate a pump motor of the dishwasher at an electrical power condition different from the defined operating voltage and frequency received at the dishwasher
Data Source
AI summary
A method, and corresponding system, for dishwasher operation including receiving an operation setting at a dishwasher to be performed by the dishwasher, where the dishwasher is configured to receive an input of electrical power at a defined operating voltage and frequency; and causing an operation of the dishwasher based on the operation setting by causing an inverter of the dishwasher to operate a pump motor of the dishwasher at an electrical power condition different from the defined operating voltage and frequency received at the dishwasher, where the electrical power condition at the pump motor causes the dishwasher to operate in accordance with a quiet dishwashing cycle, a high water pressure dishwashing cycle, a constant mass flow operation, or a minimum water use operation.