Dishwasher Suction Unit to Reduce Moisture Damage to Furniture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household dishwashers often release hot, moisture-laden air or steam during the drying cycle, which can damage surrounding furniture and expose users to unpleasant conditions, leading to the need for additional protection measures like steam protection plates or foils.

Innovation Solution

A suction device is integrated into the dishwasher to capture steam and air escaping from the loading opening, redirecting it away from the environment, thereby reducing moisture impact on adjacent furniture and protecting users from rising steam and odors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hot air and steam are vacuumed up and released into the open air during drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but moisture exposure to environment and furniture increases causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidmoisture exposure to furniture
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A suction device is introduced as an intermediary component between the washing container and the environment. This device captures steam and moisture-laden air at the loading opening and redirects it through a suction duct away from surrounding furniture, thereby mediating the harmful moisture exposure while preserving drying efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful factor (steam and moisture-laden air) is extracted from the environment by capturing it at the loading opening with the suction device. The suction device actively removes the moisture-containing air stream before it can contact and damage surrounding furniture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If steam protection plates or foils are installed on furniture to prevent damage, then furniture protection is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefurniture protectionVSAvoidadditional protection measures
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful moisture-laden air that would normally damage furniture is converted into a controllable air stream. The suction device captures this harmful air and redirects it through a controlled path (suction duct) to a safe discharge location, transforming the harmful exposure into a managed airflow that no longer damages surrounding furniture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction device serves as an intermediary system that eliminates the need for additional protective measures on furniture. By capturing and redirecting the moisture-laden air at its source, the system protects furniture without requiring steam protection plates or foils to be installed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 suction device effectively prevents condensation and precipitation on nearby furniture, keeping the environment dry and reducing exposure to hot steam and odors, eliminating the need for additional protection measures.

Implementation Method 1

at least one suction device (28) is provided for extracting steam and/or air escaping from the loading opening (27)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3223676B1Dishwasher comprising a suction unit
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3223676B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3223676B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3223676B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a domestic dishwasher (1) comprising a rinsing container (2), the loading opening (27) of which can be closed by a door (3), and at least one suction unit (28) for suctioning steam (22) escaping from the loading opening (27), and/or air, in particular moisten-laden air.