Dishwasher Steam Generator Venting for Clogged Tube Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face issues with internal pressure buildup and potential damage or safety hazards when the steam tube becomes clogged, leading to inefficient steam discharge and increased risk of the steam generator breaking or exploding.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an auxiliary tube that connects to the steam generator and can release steam or water to either the tub or outside, equipped with sensors and valves to manage pressure by diverting steam or water when the steam tube is clogged, ensuring safe operation and preventing excessive pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single steam tube is used to discharge steam from the steam generator, then the structure is simple, but the reliability is poor when the tube becomes clogged causing pressure buildup and potential explosion
Solution Approach 1:
The steam discharge system is segmented into multiple independent pathways: a primary steam tube for normal operation and a secondary auxiliary tube for backup. This segmentation ensures that if one pathway becomes clogged, the other can still function, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely complex redundant system.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary tube is pre-positioned and pre-configured within the steam generator, ready to activate immediately if the primary steam tube becomes clogged. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex detection and response systems, as the backup pathway is already in place and requires no additional activation steps.
2Productivity
If the steam tube becomes clogged, then steam discharge efficiency decreases, but adding monitoring and control systems increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural pressure differential created during steam generation to automatically divert steam through the auxiliary tube when the primary tube is clogged. The high pressure inside the steam generator naturally forces steam through the path of least resistance, eliminating the need for external sensors, controllers, or active monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary tube acts as an intermediary pathway that becomes active when the primary steam tube is blocked. It provides an alternative route for steam discharge without requiring direct control or monitoring systems, simply responding to pressure conditions naturally.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure buildup is not prevented, then safety hazards increase, but adding safety valves and monitoring systems increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary tube is installed as a pre-existing safety pathway that can immediately relieve pressure buildup if the primary steam tube becomes clogged. This preliminary safety measure prevents pressure accumulation before it reaches dangerous levels, eliminating the need for additional safety valves or active monitoring 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 solution effectively manages pressure and maintains efficient steam discharge, preventing damage to the steam generator and ensuring safe operation by diverting steam or water when the steam tube is clogged, enhancing washing efficiency and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
means for opening the second outlet when the first tube is blocked
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is related to a dish washer which includes a steam generator. One embodiment of a dish washer according to the present invention may comprise a tub to provide a room for dishes for washing, a sump to hold water for supplying to the tub for the washing; a steam generator to generate steam, a first tube(or a steam tube) to provide a passage for the steam from the steam generator to the tub, and a valve to release the steam or water from the steam generator according to a pressure.