Dishwasher Spray Arm Valve for Variable Cleaning Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers lack efficient mechanisms for varying spray patterns and liquid distribution, leading to inadequate cleaning of utensils, especially in hard-to-reach areas, and often require excessive water usage.
Innovation Solution
The dishwasher incorporates a rotatable spray arm with a valve body and actuator system that selectively couples different subsets of nozzles to provide varying spray patterns and intensities, allowing for targeted cleaning without increasing water consumption, using a gear assembly to control the valve body's movement and a membrane for improved sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional spraying system is used, then the structure is simple, but the cleaning efficiency is insufficient due to lack of varying spray patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The spray system is segmented into multiple nozzle subsets (first subset and second subset) that can be independently controlled. The valve body divides the liquid passage into separate paths, allowing different spray patterns to be generated by selectively coupling different nozzle subsets to the liquid passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static spray configuration to a dynamic one by incorporating a rotatable spray arm with a valve body that can selectively couple different nozzle subsets. The actuator enables the valve body to move between positions, dynamically changing the spray pattern based on cleaning requirements.
2Productivity
If excessive water is used to improve cleaning coverage, then cleaning efficiency improves, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different nozzle subsets are configured with different spray patterns and intensities tailored to specific cleaning needs. The first subset provides one spray pattern while the second subset provides another, allowing localized optimization of water usage for different areas of the dishwasher chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic switching between different nozzle subsets through the reciprocating valve body. The actuator causes the valve body to move back and forth, periodically coupling different nozzle subsets to the liquid passage, thereby providing varied spray patterns over time to improve overall cleaning coverage without increasing total water consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single spray pattern is used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different cleaning needs is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spray system achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple nozzle subsets that can be selectively coupled to the liquid passage. The valve body and actuator mechanism enable a single spray system to perform multiple functions by switching between different nozzle subsets, providing adaptability to various cleaning needs without requiring multiple separate spray systems.
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 design enhances cleaning efficiency by providing multiple spray patterns and intensities, reducing water usage, and enabling better coverage of the dishwasher chamber, while also reducing the size and energy requirements of the recirculation pump, resulting in cost and energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
a gear assembly operably coupling the rotatable spray arm and the valve body such that rotation of the spray arm moves the gear assembly which in turn moves the valve body between the at least two positions
Implementation Method 2
a membrane for improved sealing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A dishwasher (10) includes a tub (18) at least partially defining a treating chamber (20) and a sprayer (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) for spraying liquid to the treating chamber (20). The sprayer (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) may include a liquid passage and at least one outlet (74, 174, 274, 374, 474) extending from an interior to an exterior of the sprayer (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) and in fluid communication with the liquid passage. A membrane (373, 473) may have at least one opening and may be in fluid communication with the liquid passage to control the flow of liquid through the at least one outlet (74, 174, 274, 374, 474).