Dishwasher Spray Arm Vertical Coupling for Adaptive Dish Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dishwashers, the washing performance is compromised when there are too many dishes or when they are not properly aligned, as water from the spray arms fails to reach all surfaces, leading to decreased efficiency and increased energy/water consumption when trying to enhance washing by increasing water flow.

Innovation Solution

A coupling mechanism with a bearer member and a rotatable member allows the spray arm to move vertically, utilizing peaks and dips to adjust its position, enabling it to reach a wider area and adapt to different dish sizes, and includes a user-controlled lock to restrict vertical movement when needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the amount and flow rate of water are increased to enhance washing performance, then washing performance is improved, but energy and water consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spray arm is made dynamically movable in the vertical direction through a coupling mechanism with peaks and dips that interact with a spring. This allows the spray arm to adapt its position dynamically, ensuring water reaches dishes even when they are not properly aligned or when there are high amounts of dishes, thereby maintaining washing performance without increasing water flow rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the amount and flow rate of water are increased to enhance washing performance, then washing performance is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing performanceVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The spray arm is made dynamically movable in the vertical direction through a coupling mechanism with peaks and dips that interact with a spring. This allows the spray arm to adapt its position dynamically, ensuring water reaches dishes even when they are not properly aligned or when there are high amounts of dishes, thereby maintaining washing performance without increasing water flow rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the spray arm is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but water fails to reach dishes when there are high amounts or improper placement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidwashing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spray arm is made dynamically movable in the vertical direction through a coupling mechanism with peaks and dips that interact with a spring. This allows the spray arm to adapt its position dynamically, ensuring water reaches dishes even when they are not properly aligned or when there are high amounts of dishes, thereby maintaining washing performance without increasing water flow rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical position of the spray arm is changed as a variable parameter through the interaction of peaks and dips with the spring mechanism. This parameter change allows the spray arm to adjust its height to accommodate different dish arrangements, improving washing performance without significantly complicating the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances washing performance by ensuring water reaches a broader area and varying dish sizes, improving cleaning efficiency without increasing energy or water consumption.

Implementation Method 1

A spring is provided on the bearer member, enabling the rotatable member to be continuously pushed upwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3796826B1A dishwasher comprising spray arm
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3796826B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3796826B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3796826B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2), a washing tub (3) in which the washing process is performed, at least one spray arm (4) arranged on the washing tub (3), enabling spraying water in the washing tub (3) by rotating about itself, a water supply line (5) conveying water it receives through the mains to the spray arm (4), and a coupling mechanism (6) provided between the water supply line (5) and the spray arm (4), enabling the spray arm (4) to be mounted on the water supply line (5).