Dishwasher Rinse Reactivation for Delayed Unloading Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers with stationary washing processes often fail to achieve optimal drying results due to items remaining in the dishwasher for extended periods, leading to condensation, glass corrosion, and residue formation, which requires additional effort and resources to rectify.

Innovation Solution

The dishwasher is equipped with a controller that allows for the reactivation of the rinsing step and subsequent drying step after the initial cleaning program, based on predetermined conditions such as dwell time, ensuring optimal drying even if items remain in the cleaning chamber beyond the usual removal time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If items remain in the dishwasher after the cleaning program, then the user has more time to remove them, but condensation and residue formation occur leading to poor drying results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime for user to remove itemsVSAvoiddrying result
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary assessment of the drying situation by monitoring temperature and humidity levels after the cleaning program. Based on this preliminary detection, the control unit decides whether to activate the drying phase, ensuring optimal drying conditions are created before the user removes the items.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors temperature and humidity in the cleaning chamber using sensors. This feedback is processed by the control unit to determine when to activate the drying phase, allowing the system to adapt to actual drying conditions and prevent condensation formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the drying phase is activated immediately after rinsing, then optimal drying conditions are created, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying resultVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit uses feedback from temperature and humidity sensors to intelligently decide when to activate the drying phase. The system monitors the actual drying conditions and only activates energy-consuming drying functions when necessary, optimizing the balance between drying performance and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (activating or deactivating drying phase) based on monitored conditions. By adjusting the drying phase activation timing and intensity according to actual temperature and humidity levels, the system achieves optimal drying results while minimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the rinsing step is repeated after dwell time expires, then drying quality is improved, but the cleaning program duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying qualityVSAvoidcleaning program duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors dwell time and drying conditions using sensors. Based on this feedback, the control unit selectively repeats the rinsing step only when necessary (e.g., when dwell time exceeds a threshold or when condensation is detected), rather than always repeating it, thus balancing drying quality with program duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of always repeating the complete rinsing sequence, the system applies partial action by selectively repeating only the rinsing step when needed, or applying excessive action by repeating it multiple times if conditions require. This flexible approach optimizes drying quality without unnecessarily extending the cleaning program.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 ensures improved drying results and hygiene by allowing for targeted reactivation of the rinsing and drying processes, reducing the need for manual polishing and energy consumption, and maintaining cleanliness without restarting the entire cycle.

Implementation Method 1

the residue of the final-rinse liquid can evaporate without any problems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

condensate forms on the items to be washed, for example inside the glasses, due to condensation of vapors rising from the wash tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP3051995B1Dishwasher and method for cleaning items to be washed
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 MEIKO MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3051995B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3051995B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a dishwasher (110) comprising a cleaning chamber (114) for receiving items (116) to be washed. The dishwasher (110) is designed to supply at least one rinsing liquid (130) and at least one clear rinsing liquid (148) to the items (116) to be washed in the cleaning chamber (114). The dishwasher (110) has a controller (160) which is designed to carry out at least one cleaning program. The cleaning program includes at least one rinsing step in which the rinsing liquid (130) is supplied to the items (116) to be washed and at least one clear rinsing step in which the clear rinsing liquid (148) is supplied to the items (116) to be washed. The dishwasher (110) has at least one operating element (162) which can be actuated by a user. The controller (160) is designed such that the clear rinsing step can be carried out at least once on the basis of an actuation of the operating element (162) after at least the rinsing step of the cleaning program has been carried out.