Dishwasher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers face issues with filter unit clogging due to heavy use and low-temperature operation, leading to incomplete drainage and reduced cleaning performance, as a clogged filter unit prevents complete pumping out of liquid, causing residual dirt to mix with fresh water.
Innovation Solution
Activating the circulating pump after draining to evaluate operating parameters and detect residual liquid, generating an error signal and initiating a cleaning program if necessary, using a brushless DC motor to monitor power consumption and potentially reverse the drain pump's direction for cleaning, with the option to automatically insert a cleaning program into the wash cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drain pump operates to pump out liquid from the pump sump, then liquid drainage is achieved, but residual liquid remains when the filter unit is clogged
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the power consumption of the circulating pump and compares it against reference values to detect residual liquid. This feedback mechanism enables the system to identify when the filter unit is clogged and residual liquid remains, allowing for automatic initiation of cleaning programs or error signaling to ensure complete drainage reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the circulating pump's own power consumption characteristics as an indicator of system state. By evaluating whether the pump consumes more or less power than expected during operation, the system self-diagnoses filter clogging conditions without requiring additional sensors, enabling autonomous detection and response to drainage issues.
2Productivity
If the circulating pump operates to apply liquid to items to be cleaned, then cleaning function is achieved, but power consumption increases when residual liquid is present
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the circulating pump's power consumption and uses this feedback to determine the presence of residual liquid. When power consumption deviates from expected ranges, the system identifies filter clogging and can initiate corrective actions, ensuring cleaning productivity is maintained while managing energy usage efficiently.
3Productivity
If the filter unit retains dirt particles from circulated liquid, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the filter unit becomes clogged with filter cake and fat deposits
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors circulating pump power consumption as an indirect indicator of filter unit condition. When the filter becomes clogged with dirt particles, fat deposits, or filter cake, the pump's power consumption changes. This feedback enables early detection of filter clogging before it severely impacts drainage, allowing for timely cleaning program initiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of filter clogging by monitoring power consumption patterns during normal circulating pump operation. By detecting early signs of filter obstruction before they cause complete drainage failure, the system can initiate cleaning programs in advance, preventing severe clogging and maintaining optimal filter performance.
4Device complexity
If no additional sensors are used to detect residual liquid, then device complexity is reduced, but detection capability must rely on indirect methods
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directly measuring residual liquid with sensors, the system creates an indirect measurement by monitoring the power consumption pattern of the circulating pump. This copied indicator (power consumption) serves as a reliable proxy for detecting residual liquid presence, achieving accurate detection without adding physical sensors to the system.
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
Effectively detects and addresses filter unit blockages, ensuring complete drainage and maintaining cleaning performance by identifying residual liquid and automatically triggering a cleaning program to clear fat deposits and maintain filter functionality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one circulating pump that can be activated for applying liquid to items to be cleaned
Implementation Method 2
at least one drain pump that can be activated for conveying a minimum quantity of liquid from a pump sump of the dishwasher
Implementation Method 3
a filter unit for retaining in the liquid-containing dirt particles from the circulation pump
Implementation Method 4
using a brushless DC motor to monitor power consumption
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with at least one activatable circulating pump (UP) for applying liquid to items to be cleaned, at least one activatable drain pump (LP) for pumping out a minimum liquid quantity of an operating liquid quantity from a pump sump (PT) of Dishwasher (GS) and a filter unit (FE) to retain dirt particles contained in the liquid from the circulation pump (UP). According to the invention, after activating and deactivating the drain pump (LP) to pump out the minimum amount of liquid, the circulating pump (UP) can be activated, the operating parameters of which can be evaluated for the amount of liquid remaining in the dishwasher (GS).