Dishwasher Selective Spray Control for Targeted Dish Area Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dish washing machines inefficiently wash and rinse by spraying water on areas without distinguishing between dish-placed and empty areas, leading to increased washing time and reduced washing power.
Innovation Solution
A dish washing machine equipped with a sensing unit, nozzles, and a controller that identifies the area where dishes are placed using identifiers and a camera, allowing targeted water supply and cleaning based on detected positions, thereby optimizing water distribution and cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If washing water is sprayed on all areas without distinction, then the washing process covers the entire washing tub, but the washing time increases and washing power decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing washing water only to areas where dishes are detected through image processing, rather than uniformly spraying the entire washing tub. The controller identifies dish locations and activates nozzles specifically for those regions, creating localized high-intensity washing zones that improve efficiency while reducing overall washing time.
2Power
If washing water is sprayed on all areas without distinction, then the washing process is simple to implement, but the washing power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a camera to detect dish positions and feeding this information back to the controller, which then adjusts nozzle activation accordingly. This closed-loop system enables high-power targeted washing by continuously monitoring dish locations and adapting water spray patterns, achieving superior washing power despite the added sensing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical uniform spraying with an intelligent control system that uses image processing and selective nozzle activation. Instead of a simple mechanical spray mechanism covering all areas, the system uses optical detection (camera) and electronic control to substitute and optimize the washing delivery mechanism, achieving higher power concentration on needed areas.
3Productivity
If the system detects dish positions using identifiers and camera, then water supply is optimized to dish areas, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a camera system that serves multiple functions: it detects dish positions, determines loading patterns, and provides feedback for nozzle control. This multi-functional sensing approach improves water distribution efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity, as a single camera system performs multiple detection tasks rather than requiring separate sensors for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A dish washing machine includes a door, a main body in which a washing tub for opening and closing the front opening of the door is provided, and a basket configured to be installed in the washing tub to be able to move in and out of the washing tub and to contain dishes. A sensing unit is configured to sense a basket identifier and a door identifier. A driving unit is configured to drive a vane. A controller is configured to control the driving unit such that cleaning is performed for each dish storage area of the basket based on the sensed result of a sensing unit. The controller determines the area where the dishes are laid, and controls the driving unit to clean the dish storage area where the dishes are laid.