Dishwasher Water Level Control Against Siphon Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dishwashers, the continuous drainage of washing water due to inertial operation of the drain pump and siphon action leads to insufficient water supply, reducing washing efficiency and causing excessive load on components, potentially damaging them.

Innovation Solution

A control device is implemented to stop the water supply for a designated time after the drain operation is finished, using a water level sensor to ensure complete drainage and prevent siphon action, thereby maintaining optimal water levels and reducing component stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the drain pump is stopped during water supply, then water supply is sufficient, but drainage is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater supply quantityVSAvoiddrainage time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements periodic operation by stopping the drain pump at specific intervals during the washing cycle. Instead of continuous operation, the pump works in cycles - operating during drainage phases and stopping during water supply phases. This periodic action ensures that water is supplied to the sump at appropriate moments, preventing water insufficiency while maintaining effective drainage when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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 improves the efficiency of water supply and drainage in dishwashers, preventing water insufficiency and reducing the load on pumps and heaters, thus enhancing the overall performance and longevity of dishwasher components.

Implementation Method 1

a drain channel and a drain pump to drain the washing water in the sump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a siphon action generated between the sump and the drain channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSiphon action: Syphon

Implementation Method 3

the washing water supplied to the sump is drained through the drain channel due to the inertial operation of the drain pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial operation: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP2052661B1Dishwasher and method of controlling the same
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2052661B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2052661B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2052661B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a dishwasher, which prevents a washing cycle from being carried out in an insufficient state of washing water caused by the continuous discharge of the washing water due to a siphon action, and a method of controlling the dishwasher. The method includes draining washing water from the dishwasher; supplying the washing water to the inside of the dishwasher; and temporarily stopping the supply of the washing water for a designated time between the drain of the washing water and the supply of the washing water.