Dishwasher Temperature Control for Mixed-Load Glassware Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher programs designed for delicate items, like glassware, lead to underutilization and inefficiency due to the need for specific programs, which encourages users to overload the dishwasher with fragile items, resulting in rapid temperature changes that can damage glassware and are environmentally unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
A method and appliance that allow users to select a general-type washing program with an option for glassware, which measures the washing compartment temperature and adjusts the water temperature to match a target range around the initial temperature, ensuring gradual temperature changes and preventing damage to temperature-sensitive items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specific glass washing programme is used, then glassware is protected from temperature changes, but the dishwasher capacity is underutilized and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a general washing programme to serve dual purposes: washing both regular dishes and temperature-sensitive glassware. The system detects glassware presence and automatically adjusts the temperature profile to protect glassware while maintaining the ability to wash full dishwasher loads, thus eliminating the need for separate dedicated glass programmes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of glassware in the dishwasher load before the washing cycle begins. Based on this detection, the controller pre-adjusts the temperature profile to ensure gradual temperature changes throughout the cycle, preventing thermal shock to glassware while optimizing the overall washing process for full capacity utilization.
2Reliability
If a specific glass washing programme is used, then glassware is protected from temperature changes, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a general washing programme to serve dual purposes: washing both regular dishes and temperature-sensitive glassware. The system detects glassware presence and automatically adjusts the temperature profile to protect glassware while maintaining the ability to wash full dishwasher loads, thus eliminating the need for separate dedicated glass programmes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the temperature parameter based on detected glassware presence. When glassware is detected, the controller modifies the temperature profile to ensure gradual temperature changes remain within safe thresholds for glassware, while still achieving effective washing results, thereby optimizing energy consumption for the specific load composition.
3Productivity
If rapid temperature changes are applied to wash dishes efficiently, then washing speed improves, but glassware may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of glassware in the dishwasher load before the washing cycle begins. Based on this detection, the controller pre-adjusts the temperature profile to ensure gradual temperature changes throughout the cycle, preventing thermal shock to glassware while optimizing the overall washing process for full capacity utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the temperature profile adaptive rather than fixed. The system continuously monitors the washing process and dynamically adjusts temperature changes based on the detected presence of glassware, allowing rapid temperature changes when only regular dishes are present while switching to gradual temperature changes when glassware is detected, thus optimizing both washing speed and glassware protection.
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 approach prevents rapid temperature changes, reduces the risk of damaging glassware, optimizes dishwasher capacity, and promotes energy efficiency by allowing for the safe washing of temperature-sensitive items within a standard program, thus being more environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
measuring, when the fresh water has been supplied, whether the process water being accommodated in a sump of the appliance is at a target temperature value or not
Implementation Method 2
adjusting the temperature of the process water in the sump to attain the target temperature value
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method performed by an appliance (1) for washing and rinsing goods, where some of the goods loaded into the appliance are sensitive to process water temperature changes, and an appliance (1) performing the method. The method comprises receiving (S101) via a user interface (8), an instruction to execute a general-type washing programme, and receiving (S102) a further instruction that the appliance during execution of the general-type washing programme should take into account that goods sensitive to temperature changes are loaded into the appliance (1), measuring (S103) a temperature value in a washing compartment (2) of the appliance (1) upon executing a draining process, and supplying (S104) fresh water to the washing compartment (2) of the appliance (1). The method further comprises measuring (S105), when the fresh water has been supplied, whether the process water (18) being accommodated in a sump (17) of the appliance (1) is at a target temperature value or not, the target temperature value being defined to assume a value in a predetermined temperature range around the temperature value in the washing compartment (2) measured during the draining process, and if not adjusting (S106) the temperature of the process water (18) in the sump (17) to attain the target temperature value, wherein the process water (18) can be applied (S107) to the goods being sensitive to process water temperature changes.