Dishwasher Sterilizer Cycling for Repeated Germ Eradication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashers have insufficient sterilizing cycles, allowing germs to proliferate due to incomplete drying and brief sterilization durations, compromising their germ-eradicating ability.

Innovation Solution

A sterilizing control method for dishwashers that allows multiple sterilizing cycles at regular intervals, enabling a stand-alone or integrated sterilizing cycle with other wash cycles, using a sterilizer that turns on and off at predetermined times, and combines with a fan motor to maintain a hygienic environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single sterilizing cycle of predetermined duration is performed after the drying cycle, then the sterilizer operates for a fixed time, but the sterilizing ability is insufficient to eradicate germs completely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilizing abilityVSAvoidsterilizing cycle duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sterilizer operates periodically by turning on and off at regular predetermined intervals during the sterilizing cycle. This periodic operation allows multiple sterilizing phases to occur within the extended cycle duration, progressively eradicating germs that would survive a single brief sterilizing attempt.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The sterilizing cycle is performed after the drying cycle to eliminate moisture that promotes germ growth. This preliminary removal of favorable conditions for germ proliferation enhances the effectiveness of subsequent sterilizing phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the sterilizing cycle duration is extended to eradicate germs, then sterilizing ability improves, but the dishwashing process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegerm eradication effectivenessVSAvoidtotal dishwashing process time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous operation, the sterilizer uses periodic on-off cycles at regular intervals. This approach achieves thorough germ eradication through repeated sterilizing phases while managing the total time investment more efficiently than a single extended continuous cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The sterilizing process maintains continuous useful action through repeated cycles within the sterilizing duration. Multiple sterilizing phases occur sequentially, ensuring that germ eradication is continuous and cumulative throughout the extended sterilizing cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Effectively eradicates pathogenic bacteria like salmonella and bacillus subtilis, preventing their sustenance and re-growth, ensuring a consistently hygienic dishwasher interior by repeated sterilization.

Implementation Method 1

a sterilizer (30) installed on an inner wall of the tub (15) to perform sterilizing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS7897104B2Sterilizing control method for dishwasher

Publication Date: 2011.03.01 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Provided is a sterilizing control method for a dishwasher. The method includes inputting a command for a sterilizing cycle, and turning a sterilizer disposed within a tub on and off at regular, predetermined intervals, according to the inputted command.