Dishwasher Sump Steam Generation to Reduce Internal Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers that use steam to remove smudged garbage from dishes require additional steam supply devices, which reduce the dish receiving space and complicate the internal structure, making them less efficient for washing large quantities and difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heater within the sump to generate steam from wash water, eliminating the need for a separate steam generator and simplifying the structure, while using multiple passages to increase contact area and time between steam and dishes for enhanced washing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional steam supply device is installed to remove smudged garbage from dishes, then the washing capability is improved, but the dish receiving space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam generation function with the existing water supply system by installing a heater in the sump. Instead of adding a separate steam generator, the system uses the water supply unit and heater to generate steam directly where water is already present, merging multiple functions into existing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater in the sump serves multiple functions: it heats wash water for cleaning dishes and generates steam for removing smudged garbage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated steam supply equipment while maintaining both washing and steam cleaning capabilities.
2Reliability
If an additional steam supply device is installed to supply high temperature steam, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the internal structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The steam supply function is merged with the water supply system. The heater installed in the sump uses the existing water supply infrastructure to generate steam, eliminating the need for separate steam generation and distribution systems while maintaining effective steam cleaning capability.
3Reliability
If an additional steam supply device is installed to generate steam, then the steam supply capability is improved, but the maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation function is integrated into the water supply system's existing heater and sump structure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that require maintenance, as the steam is generated using the same infrastructure already present for water supply and heating.
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 allows for a more spacious dishwasher design that can handle larger loads, improves washing efficiency, and simplifies maintenance by eliminating the need for additional steam supply components and enhancing the cleaning effectiveness with increased steam contact.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (10) for heating the wash water stored in the sump (3)
Implementation Method 2
when it is to wash the objects such as dishes, it is difficult to remove the dirt such as smudged garbage adhered to dishes by simply using only the wash water. To remove such as the smudged garbage, dishwashers that can supply moisture, mist, steam, and the like has been recently developed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Provided is a dishwasher (100). The dishwasher includes a tub (1) having a receiving space in which objects to be washed are received, a sump (3) for storing wash water supplied into the tub, a heater (10) that heats the wash water in the sump to generate steam, a steam nozzle (62) for spraying the steam into the tub, a filter assembly (20) that purifies the wash water supplied to the sump and communicates with the tub so that the steam generated in the sump is supplied into the tub and a barrier (12) for dividing inner space of the sump into a first section (5) communicating with the filter assembly and a second section (7) communicating with the steam nozzle. The barrier allows the wash water flows between the first and second sections and suppresses flow of the steam from the second section to the first section.