Dishwasher Spray Arm Assembly for Dead-Area Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers with one-dimensional rotatable spray arms struggle to clean dead areas effectively, requiring longer washing times and have complex, costly structures due to integral components.
Innovation Solution
A spray arm assembly with a fixed gear, main spray arm, moving gear, and auxiliary spray arm that enables two-dimensional rotation, allowing for improved cleaning and manufacturability by separating components for easier assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a one-dimensional rotatable spray arm is used, then the structure is simple, but the cleaning effect is poor and dead areas cannot be cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The spray arm is transformed from one-dimensional rotation to two-dimensional rotation by adding a moving gear that rotates on its own central axis while the main spray arm rotates about the central axis of the fixed gear. This dimensional change allows the spray nozzles to cover dead areas that were previously inaccessible, thereby improving cleaning efficiency without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray arm system is made dynamic by introducing a moving gear that can rotate independently on its own central axis while simultaneously rotating about the central axis of the fixed gear. This dynamic configuration allows the spray arm to adapt its orientation during operation, enabling it to reach dead areas and improve cleaning coverage compared to a static one-dimensional rotation system.
2Productivity
If a longer washing time is used, then the cleaning effect of one-dimensional spray arm is improved, but the cleaning rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing two-dimensional rotation through the moving gear mechanism, the spray arm can access dead areas that were previously unreachable. This eliminates the need for extended washing times to achieve complete coverage, thereby improving the cleaning rate while maintaining effective cleaning of all surfaces including dead areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-dimensional rotation mechanism ensures continuous and comprehensive coverage of all cleaning surfaces including dead areas. The spray arm maintains optimal spraying angles throughout the rotation, ensuring that every area receives effective cleaning action without requiring prolonged washing times to compensate for missed spots.
3Reliability
If the spray arm is configured as an integral component, then the structure is complete, but the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost are high
Solution Approach 1:
The spray arm system is segmented into distinct components: a fixed gear, a main spray arm, a moving gear, and an auxiliary spray arm. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standardized processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost. The modular design also enables selective replacement of only the defective component during maintenance, rather than replacing the entire integral structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented design with movable connections between components allows the spray arm system to maintain structural completeness and reliability while enabling independent manufacturing and maintenance of each component. The dynamic connections preserve the functional integrity of the assembly while reducing the economic burden of manufacturing and maintenance compared to a monolithic integral structure.
4Reliability
If the spray arm is configured as an integral component, then the structure is complete, but the maintenance is inconvenient and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The spray arm system is divided into separable components including the fixed gear, main spray arm, moving gear, and auxiliary spray arm. This segmentation enables convenient maintenance by allowing technicians to access and replace individual components independently. If one component fails, only that specific component needs to be replaced rather than the entire assembly, significantly improving maintenance convenience and reducing costs while maintaining structural completeness through proper reassembly.
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
The two-dimensional rotation enhances cleaning efficiency, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, and facilitates component replacement, improving overall cleaning performance and manufacturability.
Implementation Method 1
a moving gear, connected to the main spray arm, engaged with the fixed gear, and pivotable on its own central axis and about the central axis of the fixed gear
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a spray arm assembly (1) of a dish washer (100) and a dish washer (100) having same. The spray arm assembly (1) includes: a fixed gear (10), the fixed gear (10) being provided with a water inlet (101); a main spray arm (20), the main spray arm (20) being connected to the fixed gear (10) and being pivotable around a central axis of the fixed gear (10), the main spray arm (20) being internally provided with a first spray lumen (201), and the outer surface of the main spray arm (20) being provided with a thrust aperture (203) and a plurality of first spray apertures (202); a movable gear (30), the movable gear (30) being connected to the main spray arm (20), and the movable gear (30) being meshed with the fixed gear (10) so as to drive the movable gear (30) pivotably around the self-central axis and pivotably around the central axis of the fixed gear (10); and an auxiliary spray arm (40), the auxiliary spray arm (40) being connected to the movable gear (30) and moving synchronously with the movable gear (30), the auxiliary spray arm (40) being internally provided with a second spray lumen (401), and an outer circumferential surface of the auxiliary spray arm (40) being provided with a plurality of second spray apertures (402).