Dishwasher Spray Arm Synchronization Using Magnetic Repulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household dishwashers with rotatable spray arms often leave regions of a polygonal dish basket underserved by the washing liquor due to the circular path of spray arms, necessitating multiple arms and mechanical control systems to synchronize their rotation, which increases complexity and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A household dishwasher design featuring two spray arms with overlapping spraying circles and a synchronization facility using magnetic fields of the same polarization to repel each other, allowing synchronized rotation without mechanical coupling, thus ensuring efficient washing liquor distribution and reduced space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple spray arms are used to cover all regions of a polygonal dish basket, then washing coverage is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for mechanical synchronization systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical synchronization systems (belts, toothed lock washers, gear wheels, electronic brakes) with a magnetic field-based synchronization facility. The magnetic fields interact to automatically synchronize the rotational speeds of multiple spray arms without mechanical coupling, thereby maintaining comprehensive washing coverage while eliminating complex mechanical synchronization components.
2Productivity
If multiple spray arms are arranged in different spray arm planes, then washing coverage is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from arranging spray arms in multiple vertical planes (three-dimensional spatial distribution) to arranging them in a common horizontal spray arm plane (two-dimensional arrangement). This dimensional change allows multiple spray arms to operate simultaneously in the same plane without increasing vertical space requirements, while the magnetic synchronization enables them to work together effectively for comprehensive washing coverage.
3Speed
If mechanical coupling is used to synchronize spray arms, then rotational speed control is improved, but mechanical complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical coupling systems with a magnetic field-based synchronization facility. The magnetic fields interact between spray arms to automatically adapt and synchronize their rotational speeds without any mechanical connection. This eliminates belts, gear wheels, and electronic brakes while achieving precise rotational speed control for effective washing operation.
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 enables effective cleaning by intensively applying washing liquor in overlap regions, reduces mechanical complexity, and minimizes space requirements by allowing the spray arms to interlock in a common plane, ensuring efficient and economical operation.
Implementation Method 1
the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field have the same polarization, so that the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field repel one another during operation of the household dishwasher, in order to prevent contact between the first spray arm and the second spray arm during a rotational movement of the same
Data Source
AI summary
A household dishwasher includes a first spray arm having a first spraying circle, a second spray arm having a second spraying circle which overlaps with the first spraying circle, and a synchronization facility configured to adapt a rotational speed of the first spray arm to a rotational speed of the second spray arm, or vice versa. The synchronization facility includes a first magnetic field allocated to the first spray arm and a second magnetic field allocated to the second spray arm, with the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field having a same polarization, so that the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field repel one another during operation of the household dishwasher to thereby prevent contact between the first spray arm and the second spray arm during a rotational movement of the first spray arm and the second spray arm.