Dishwasher Steam Spray Sequencing for Low-Damage Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dish washing machines face challenges in efficiently removing foreign matter from items without damaging them, often requiring high spray pressure that can break items and consuming excessive water, while still struggling to completely clean surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a dish washing machine that involves performing a steam spraying action followed by a first and second water spraying action, where the first water spraying action begins before the second on racks exposed to steam, optimizing the wash process to efficiently remove foreign matter with reduced water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high spray pressure is used to improve washability, then foreign matter removal capability is improved, but items may be damaged or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by spraying steam on items before spraying water. The steam pre-treats the items by softening and loosening foreign matter, making it easier to remove. This preliminary steam treatment reduces the need for high-pressure water spraying, thereby improving washability while preventing item damage.
2Productivity
If high spray pressure is used to remove foreign matter, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam spraying action serves as a preliminary treatment that loosens and softens foreign matter on items. This pre-treatment reduces the amount of water needed for subsequent washing, as the foreign matter is already softened and easier to remove with lower pressure water spraying, thereby reducing overall water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of water from liquid to vapor (steam) for the preliminary treatment. This phase change allows the water to penetrate and soften foreign matter more effectively, reducing the amount of liquid water needed afterward, thus addressing the water consumption issue while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
3Force
If high spray pressure is used to wash items, then cleaning force is improved, but foreign matter may still remain on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The steam spraying acts as a preliminary action that penetrates and softens foreign matter through heat and moisture. This pre-treatment breaks down the adhesion between foreign matter and item surfaces, making the subsequent water spraying more effective at complete removal, even at lower pressures, thereby achieving more complete foreign matter removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam acts as an intermediary substance between the water spray and the foreign matter. It mediates the cleaning process by first penetrating and softening the foreign matter, then allowing the water to more effectively remove it. This two-stage approach with steam as intermediary achieves more complete removal than direct high-pressure water spray alone.
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 method enhances washability by steeping foreign matter in steam, allowing for effective removal while minimizing water consumption and reducing the risk of item damage.
Implementation Method 1
performing a steam spraying action defined to spray steam on a plurality of racks containing the items to be washed
Implementation Method 2
initiating a first water spraying action defined to spray water on at least one first rack which is exposed firstly to the steam
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a dish washing machine capable of automatically washing items to be washed is disclosed. The method includes performing a steam spraying action defined to spray stream on a plurality of racks containing items to be washed, initiating a first water spraying action defined to spray on at least one first rack which is exposed firstly to the stream, and initiating a second water spraying action defined to spray water on at least one second rack, different from the first rack, wherein spraying water on the first rack begins prior to spraying water on the second rack.