Dishwasher Rinse Temperature Control for Hydraulic Deposit Buildup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing methods for water-bearing household appliances, such as dishwashers, often result in deposit formation in the hydraulic system, which is not effectively addressed by current technologies.

Innovation Solution

A washing method that includes a deposit sensor to detect and compare fat deposits and impurities with target values, switching to a higher temperature rinse cycle when thresholds are exceeded, using a second operating mode with elevated temperatures to prevent deposit formation and reduce energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a low-temperature wash cycle is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but deposit formation in the hydraulic system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddeposit formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A deposit sensor detects fat deposits and impurities in advance before they cause significant blockage. When the sensor detects that deposits have reached a critical level, the control device automatically initiates a high-temperature cleaning cycle to remove the deposits, preventing flow restrictions while minimizing the frequency of high-temperature operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The deposit sensor continuously monitors the hydraulic system and provides feedback to the control device. Based on this feedback, the control device dynamically adjusts the operating temperature, switching between low-temperature (energy-saving) and high-temperature (deposit-removal) modes, thereby optimizing the balance between energy consumption and deposit prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a high-temperature rinse cycle is used continuously, then deposit formation is prevented, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposit formationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The deposit sensor detects fat deposits and impurities in advance before they cause significant blockage. When the sensor detects that deposits have reached a critical level, the control device automatically initiates a high-temperature cleaning cycle to remove the deposits, preventing flow restrictions while minimizing the frequency of high-temperature operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The deposit sensor continuously monitors the hydraulic system and provides feedback to the control device. Based on this feedback, the control device dynamically adjusts the operating temperature, switching between low-temperature (energy-saving) and high-temperature (deposit-removal) modes, thereby optimizing the balance between energy consumption and deposit prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a deposit sensor and control system are added, then deposit formation is monitored and controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposit formationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deposit sensor and control device enable the dishwasher to monitor and clean its own hydraulic system automatically. The system self-regulates by detecting deposits and initiating high-temperature cleaning cycles when needed, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex external monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 prevents deposit formation in the dishwasher's hydraulic system while reducing energy consumption by using a high-temperature rinse cycle only when necessary, maintaining a low-temperature profile for most wash cycles.

Implementation Method 1

a deposit sensor arranged in the hydraulic system... To monitor the fat deposits or contamination, a deposit sensor can be provided that covers the formation of deposits in the line system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

the rinsing liquid is set to a second, compared to the first temperature (TR1) elevated temperature (TR2) is heated... Due to the increased temperature in the second operating mode, the deposit in the line system of the hydraulic circuit can be released more quickly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

A sorption column with reversibly dehydratable material is provided as the drying device, which removes an amount of water from the air to be dried in a drying step and stores it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2323533B1Rinsing method for a water-bearing domestic appliance, especially dishwasher
Publication Date: 2011.12.21 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2323533B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2323533B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a rinsing method for a water-bearing domestic appliance, especially for a dishwasher, which especially comprises a drying unit (22) containing a drying agent that can be reversibly dehydrated, rinsing liquid being heated to a first temperature (TR1) in at least one cycle step (R) of a first rinse cycle in a first operating mode (I). The rinsing method comprises the following steps: detection of scale formation in the water-bearing domestic appliance; comparison with a nominal value for scale formation; and carrying out a rinse cycle in a second operating mode (II) while the rinse liquid is heated to a second temperature (TR2) which is higher than the first temperature (TR1), when the nominal value is exceeded.