Dishwasher Rotatable Distributing Plate for Selective Nozzle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers lack the ability to selectively operate the lower nozzle independently, limiting their flexibility in washing modes and efficiency in cleaning heavily soiled items.
Innovation Solution
A dish washer design that includes a sump unit with a circulating pump and a distributing element with a rotatable distributing plate, allowing water to be selectively directed through the lower nozzle, subsidiary nozzle, or upper nozzle, enabling different wash modes such as normal, combined, intensive, and lower part wash modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If water is sprayed through all nozzles simultaneously, then comprehensive washing coverage is achieved, but flexibility in washing modes and energy efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The distributing plate is designed to be rotatable, allowing dynamic switching between different nozzle configurations. By rotating the distributing plate to different angular positions, water can be selectively directed to different nozzles, enabling multiple washing modes (normal, intensive, lower part, combined) without requiring separate valve mechanisms for each nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The single distributing plate serves multiple functions by directing water to different nozzles based on its rotation angle. One component (distributing plate) performs multiple roles (controlling upper, lower, and subsidiary nozzles), reducing the need for separate control mechanisms for each nozzle while maintaining washing mode flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable distributing plate is used to selectively direct water, then washing mode flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributing plate integrates multiple functions into a single component. Instead of having separate valves or control mechanisms for each nozzle, the rotatable distributing plate combines the functions of directing water to upper, lower, and subsidiary nozzles into one unified structure, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributing plate acts as an intermediary component between the water source and the nozzles. It mediates water distribution by rotating to different positions, controlling which nozzles receive water without requiring direct control mechanisms at each nozzle location.
3Productivity
If the lower nozzle is operated independently, then cleaning efficiency for heavily soiled items is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic control of the lower nozzle through rotation of the distributing plate. By rotating the plate to specific angular positions, the lower nozzle can be activated independently or in combination with other nozzles, allowing intensive washing mode for heavily soiled items without requiring a separate control mechanism for the lower nozzle.
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 flexible operation of the dish washer to perform intensive washing on heavily soiled items and independent operation of the lower part wash mode, enhancing cleaning efficiency and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a circulating pump disposed in the sump unit and configured to pump water collected in the sump unit
Implementation Method 2
a distributing element disposed in the sump unit, and configured to enable water pumped by the circulating pump to be sprayed through any one of the lower nozzle and the subsidiary nozzle and to be sprayed selectively through the upper nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A dish washer including a sump unit disposed below a wash tub and configured to collect water, and an upper nozzle, a lower nozzle, and a subsidiary nozzle configured to spray water received from the sump unit onto dishes/cutlery contained in at least one rack. The sump unit includes a circulating pump configured to pump water collected in the sump unit, and a distributing element configured to allow water pumped by the circulating pump to be sprayed through any one of the lower nozzle and the subsidiary nozzle, and to be sprayed selectively through the upper nozzle. Accordingly, it is possible to independently perform an intensive wash mode of spraying water only through the subsidiary nozzle.