Dishwasher Pump Steam Segmentation to Prevent Air Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dishwashers, the integration of a heater within the pump to generate steam often leads to reduced performance due to air entry into steam discharge passages and decreased heat exchange efficiency, causing corrosion and durability issues.
Innovation Solution
A pump design featuring a housing with a heater that generates steam, a steam discharge pipe with a smaller cross-sectional area than the water outlet pipe, and a check valve to prevent steam from entering the water inlet pipe, along with a partition wall dividing the pump into positive and negative pressure chambers to efficiently manage steam and water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a heater is integrated into the pump to generate steam, then steam generation capability is improved, but pump performance deteriorates due to air entry and steam leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is divided into a steam generation chamber and a pump chamber by a partition wall, separating the steam generation function from the water pumping function. This segmentation prevents steam from interfering with the impeller operation while maintaining both functions within the same pump unit.
Solution Approach 2:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the steam generation chamber and the water inlet pipe. The check valve allows water to pass from the inlet pipe to the pump chamber but prevents steam from entering the inlet pipe, thus protecting pump performance while enabling steam generation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heater contacts washing water for heat exchange, then heating efficiency is improved, but the heater surface corrodes and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is extracted from direct contact with washing water and placed in a separate steam generation chamber. The heater heats water through conduction via the chamber wall, and the generated steam is discharged through a dedicated steam discharge pipe, preventing direct contact between the heater and washing water that would cause corrosion.
3Device complexity
If steam is discharged through the water outlet pipe, then steam discharge is simplified, but water flow efficiency decreases due to steam interference
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into separate channels: a water outlet pipe for water discharge and a steam discharge pipe for steam discharge. The steam discharge pipe is positioned and sized to allow steam to escape without interfering with the water flow through the outlet pipe, maintaining water flow efficiency while enabling steam discharge.
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 design allows for smooth steam discharge without compromising pump performance, minimizing steam loss and preventing air entry, thereby enhancing both steam and water flow efficiency and extending the heater's durability.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that is coupled to the housing, that is configured to heat washing water in the housing, and that is configured to generate steam based on heating washing water
Implementation Method 2
an impeller located in the housing and configured to cause washing water to be transferred from the water inlet pipe to the water outlet pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A pump includes a housing, a water inlet pipe coupled to the housing and configured to receive washing water, a water outlet pipe coupled to the housing and configured to discharge washing water, an impeller located in the housing and configured to cause washing water to be transferred from the water inlet pipe to the water outlet pipe, a heater that is coupled to the housing, that is configured to heat washing water in the housing, and that is configured to generate steam based on heating washing water, and a steam discharge pipe coupled to the water outlet pipe and configured to discharge steam generated by the heater.