Dishwasher Steam Generator Layout for Faster Food Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face issues with foul smells, reduced heater durability due to food remnants, long heating times, and high energy consumption, as well as difficulty in removing stubborn food items like rice, especially when using high-temperature washing fluids.
Innovation Solution
A dish washer design incorporating a steam generating unit that introduces steam from multiple directions within the tub, controlled by a fluid supplying passage and steam discharging passage, allowing for efficient removal of food remnants and reducing washing time, while minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If washing fluid is heated in the sump to improve washing performance, then washing effectiveness is improved, but foul smell occurs and heater durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the heating function into two separate components: a heater for heating washing fluid in the sump, and a steam generator for producing steam from separate water. This segmentation allows the steam generator to handle the high-temperature steam production without exposing the heater to food remnants and detergent, thereby protecting the heater's durability while still achieving high-temperature washing through steam injection.
Solution Approach 2:
Steam acts as an intermediary substance that transfers thermal energy to the washing fluid and dishes without requiring the heater to directly heat large volumes of soapy water. The steam generator produces steam from clean water, which then condenses on dishes and mixes with washing fluid, providing heat transfer while isolating the heater from direct contact with food remnants and detergent.
2Quantity of substance
If large amount of washing fluid is stored in sump to ensure adequate washing, then washing coverage is improved, but heating time increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the phase transition of water to steam in the steam generator. By converting water to steam and then allowing it to condense on dishes and washing fluid, the system achieves rapid heat transfer without needing to heat large volumes of water in the sump. This phase transition mechanism enables quick heating of the necessary washing fluid while maintaining adequate washing fluid volume for proper washing coverage.
3Temperature
If high temperature washing fluid is used to remove food remnants, then washing effectiveness is improved, but food remnants like rice become more difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of water from liquid to steam through the steam generator. By injecting steam directly into the tub, the system creates a high-humidity, high-temperature environment that softens and loosens food remnants like rice without using excessively hot washing fluid that could harden them. The steam's condensation process provides gentle heat penetration that effectively removes stubborn food particles.
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 steam-based system effectively removes food remnants and reduces washing time, improving performance by uniformly supplying steam and controlling its amount based on the load, thus addressing the issues of foul smells and heater durability.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generating unit provided on an outer side of the tub for generating steam for the tub
Implementation Method 2
an air break connected with the sump and the steam generating unit, the air break supplying washing fluid to the sump and supplying steam to the tub
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dish washer (100) includes a steam generating unit (200) that is configured to control the amount of steam in accordance with the amount of items in the dish washer. The steam generating unit (200) is positioned outside of the tub (110) and is configured to generate and supply steam to the tub (110). The dishwasher (100) includes a fluid supplying passage (230) that supplies washing fluid to the steam generating unit. A steam discharging passage (250) is configured to discharge steam that is generated from the steam generating unit (200) to the tub (110).