Variable-Angle Dishwasher Spray Arm for Cycle-Specific Water Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers consume excessive water and energy due to a single hydraulic system operating across all cycles with uniform solvent flow rate and spray coverage, failing to tailor these parameters to specific operational modes.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a rotatable spray arm assembly featuring variably positionable nozzles that adjust angular orientation based on centrifugal force, allowing for controlled rotational speed and solvent flow rate, enabling tailored solvent flow and spray patterns for different cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single hydraulic system is employed for all dishwasher cycles, then the system structure is simple, but water and energy consumption are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The spray arm assembly incorporates variable speed capability allowing the rotational speed to be dynamically adjusted based on the operational cycle requirements. The system transitions from a fixed-speed single hydraulic system to a dynamic multi-speed system, enabling optimization of water flow rate and spray coverage for each specific cycle (pre-wash, wash, rinse), thereby reducing overall water and energy consumption while maintaining effective cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the hydraulic system by introducing variable speed control. The spray arm assembly can operate at different rotational speeds (RPM) to alter water flow rate, spray pressure, and coverage area. This parameter variation allows the system to match water and energy input to the specific requirements of each wash cycle, eliminating the waste associated with using maximum parameters for all cycles
2Device complexity
If uniform solvent flow rate and spray coverage are used for all cycles, then the spray system is simple, but efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spray arm assembly is designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing the spray coverage area and solvent flow rate to be modified during different operational phases. The system can transition between different spray patterns and flow rates to optimize cleaning efficiency for each cycle type, rather than maintaining a static uniform configuration throughout all operations
3Quantity of substance
If high solvent flow rate is maintained for all cycles, then cleaning coverage is sufficient, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the solvent flow rate parameter based on the specific requirements of each wash cycle. During pre-wash and rinse cycles where lower coverage is sufficient, the flow rate is reduced. During the main wash cycle where maximum cleaning power is needed, the flow rate is increased. This parameter optimization ensures adequate solvent coverage for effective cleaning while minimizing water consumption during cycles that require less intensive washing
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 reduces water and energy consumption by optimizing solvent flow and spray coverage for each dishwasher cycle, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The spray nozzles are variably positionable on the arms as a function of the degree of centrifugal force experienced by the spray nozzles from the induced rotation of the arms. The water pressure and angular orientation of the discharge nozzles generate a rotational torque that causes the arms and hub to rotate.
Implementation Method 2
The spray nozzles are variably positionable on the arms as a function of the degree of centrifugal force experienced by the spray nozzles from the induced rotation of the arms.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a rotatable spray arm assembly disposed to discharge water supplied by a pump, with the spray arm assembly having arms that extend radially from a hub. A plurality of spray nozzles are provided along each of the arms to discharge the water at an angular orientation such that a rotational torque is induced to rotate the arms and hub. The spray nozzles are variably positionable on the arms as a function of the degree of centrifugal force on the spray nozzles from the induced rotation of the arms such that angular orientation of the spray nozzles changes as a function of the rotational speed of the arms.