Dishwasher Steam Rack Layout for Faster Baked-On Food Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dish washing machines face challenges in effectively removing stubborn food waste, such as baked-on food, even when using heated wash water, as the process requires extended soaking times and increased operational cycles.
Innovation Solution
A dish washing machine equipped with a steam generator and strategically positioned steam nozzles that direct steam evenly around dishes, utilizing a rack configuration to ensure dishes are oriented parallel to the steam flow, enhancing the effectiveness of steam in loosening and removing food particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high temperature wash water is used to remove stubborn food waste, then washing effectiveness is improved, but operational cycle time is extended due to required soaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes steam (gas phase) instead of liquid water to transfer thermal energy to the dishes. The steam condenses on the dish surfaces, releasing latent heat that effectively loosens baked-on food waste without requiring prolonged soaking periods, thus resolving the contradiction between washing effectiveness and cycle time
2Reliability
If steam is generated and sprayed into the washing space, then food particle removal is improved, but steam distribution uniformity deteriorates without proper rack positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is designed to be rotatable, allowing dynamic adjustment of dish orientation relative to the steam nozzle. This enables the steam to flow evenly around all dishes by optimizing their positioning, thereby maintaining uniform steam distribution while achieving effective food particle removal
3Productivity
If dishes are positioned to maximize steam exposure, then washing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to rack configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable rack design allows automatic optimization of dish positioning through rotation, achieving maximum steam exposure and washing efficiency without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple fixed-position racks. The dynamic adjustment mechanism simplifies the overall system while improving productivity
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 use of steam, when properly directed and positioned, significantly improves the removal of food particles and waste, increasing washing efficiency and reducing the need for prolonged soaking times.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator that generates steam during a washing operation
Implementation Method 2
a steam nozzle that sprays the steam generated by the steam generator into the washing space
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Dish washing machine that includes a steam generator, which supplies steam during a washing operation, to aid in the washing of dishes and other items in the dish washing machine. The dish washing machine further including one or more dish washing racks that effectively orient the dishes, and other items to be washed, in such a way so as to avoid inhibiting the steam from being evenly distributed around each of the dishes and other items to be washed. The dish washing machine also including a steam zone indicator to aid in effectively positioning the dishes and other items to be washed by visually distinguishing the region or zone within the dish washing machine that corresponds with high-intensity steam.