Dishwasher Static Nozzle Design for Predictable Detergent Dissolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers face issues with unpredictable and incomplete dissolution of detergent tablets, leading to reduced cleaning efficiency and potential detergent residue problems, especially with rotating spray arms getting stuck or liquid detergent leaking.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating two or more static nozzle openings in the dishwasher to directly spray water into the detergent compartment, ensuring efficient and predictable detergent dissolution, reducing residue buildup, and minimizing the risk of undissolved detergent displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rotating spray arms are used to dissolve detergent, then detergent dissolution can be achieved, but the dissolution time becomes random and unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent dissolution reliabilityVSAvoiddetergent dissolution time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using rotating spray arms that move around the washing chamber, the patent positions fixed spray nozzles directly facing the detergent compartment. This inversion of the spray approach ensures water is delivered directly to the detergent from the start, making dissolution time predictable and reliable rather than random.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The spray nozzles are positioned to deliver water to the detergent compartment at the beginning of the wash cycle before the main washing process starts. This preliminary action ensures detergent dissolution begins immediately, eliminating the random timing issue where dissolution might only occur later when rotating spray arms accidentally pass near the compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If rotating spray arms are used, then detergent can be dissolved, but detergent tablets may fall out into the sump or rack

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent dissolution completenessVSAvoiddetergent displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spray nozzles are specifically positioned to target only the detergent compartment area with water jets. This localized spray approach dissolves detergent in place without creating strong currents that would displace tablets into the sump or rack, addressing both dissolution completeness and preventing harmful displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If liquid detergent is used, then detergent can be applied, but it may flow out of the compartment and create grease on surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent application flexibilityVSAvoiddetergent residue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Water is sprayed into the detergent compartment at the beginning of the cycle to dissolve liquid detergent in place before the main wash starts. This preliminary dissolution prevents liquid detergent from flowing out and creating grease residues on surrounding surfaces, while still allowing users to choose liquid detergent for ease of application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If detergent is not completely dissolved, then wash cycle can be shortened, but cleaning efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewash cycle speedVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dissolves detergent in advance during the initial phase of the wash cycle before main washing begins. This preliminary dissolution ensures complete detergent activation regardless of cycle length, allowing short cycles to maintain high cleaning efficiency while still achieving full detergent dissolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying on detergent dissolution occurring randomly during the wash cycle, the patent inverts the sequence by ensuring dissolution happens first at the beginning of the cycle. This guarantees cleaning efficiency is maintained even in shortened cycles since the detergent is already dissolved and active before the main wash starts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 provides quicker, more reliable detergent dissolution, maintaining cleaning efficiency even in shorter cycles and reducing residue issues, thus enhancing the dishwasher's performance and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

each of the two or more static nozzle openings is configured to spray water into the detergent compartment, via the opening, during operation of the dishwasher

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP4018902B1dishwasher

Publication Date: 2023.08.09 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES

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AI summary

A dishwasher (1) is disclosed comprising a washing chamber (3) and a detergent compartment (5). The detergent compartment (5) comprises an opening (7) facing the washing chamber (3). The dishwasher (1) further comprises two or more static nozzle openings (9) arranged in the washing chamber (3). Each of the two or more static nozzle openings (9) is configured to spray water into the detergent compartment (5), via the opening (7), during operation of the dishwasher (1). The detergent compartment (5) comprises a detergent outlet (27) connected to a lower portion (5") of the detergent compartment (5) and the dishwasher (1) comprises a siphon (30) with an inlet (31) connected to the lower portion (5") of the detergent compartment (5) and an outlet (33) connected to the detergent outlet (27).