Dishwasher Spray Arm Spreading Member for Wide Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher spray arms often experience clogged nozzles due to adjustments in nozzle size and shape, leading to poor cleaning results, as they struggle to achieve efficient water distribution and varying spray patterns.
Innovation Solution
A spray arm design featuring a spreading member arranged near the nozzle to enhance coverage and driving force, allowing for adjustable spray patterns and reduced nozzle clogging, with options for integrated or removable flexible portions to manage pressure and dispersion effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the nozzle size is reduced to achieve thinner spray patterns, then the spray pattern coverage is improved, but the nozzles become clogged more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The spray function is segmented into two separate components: the nozzle responsible for water ejection and the spreading member responsible for spray pattern formation. This allows the nozzle to maintain a larger opening for reliable operation while the spreading member creates the desired thin spray pattern, resolving the contradiction between coverage and clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
A spreading member is introduced as an intermediary component between the nozzle and the dishes. This mediator takes the water jet from the nozzle and transforms it into a spread spray pattern, allowing the nozzle to remain large and unclogged while achieving the desired thin spray coverage.
2Ease of operation
If the nozzle opening is made smaller to achieve better spray distribution, then the spray distribution is improved, but the driving force of the spray arm is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The functions of spray distribution and force generation are segmented into different components. The nozzle maintains its size for force generation while the spreading member handles spray distribution, allowing both functions to be optimized independently without compromising driving force.
3Area of stationary object
If more nozzles are added to improve water coverage, then the coverage area is increased, but the number of driving nozzles required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each nozzle-spreading member combination is designed to perform multiple functions: generating driving force, distributing water, and creating spray patterns. This multi-functionality allows fewer nozzles to achieve the same coverage area that would otherwise require more nozzles, reducing system complexity.
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 design improves dish cleaning by increasing coverage area, reducing water usage, and allowing for flexible spray patterns without nozzle clogging, while maintaining effective mechanical force for removing dirt.
Implementation Method 1
a spreading member adapted to spread washing liquid ejected from the nozzle is arranged on the spray arm in a vicinity of the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
the spreading member comprises an angled surface extending over and above the nozzle, and wherein the angled surface is adapted to be hit by wash liquid ejecting from the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a spray arm for distributing wash liquid in a dishwasher. The spray arm extends in a longitudinal direction and comprises at least one nozzle for ejecting wash liquid from the spray arm, wherein at least one spreading member adapted to spread wash liquid ejected from the nozzle is arranged on the spray arm in a vicinity of the nozzle.