Dishwasher Temperature Control for Mixed Loads with Fragile Glassware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwasher programs designed for delicate items, like glassware, lead to underutilization and inefficiency due to the need for specific temperature control, resulting in environmental concerns and potential damage from rapid temperature changes when mixed loads are washed.
Innovation Solution
A method and appliance that allow users to select a general washing program with an option for temperature-sensitive items, using temperature sensors and a controller to adjust water temperature in the dishwasher to match the initial temperature of the items, ensuring no rapid changes occur during the wash cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated glass washing programme is used to protect fragile items from temperature changes, then the goods sensitive to temperature changes are protected from damage, but the appliance capacity is underutilized and energy efficiency deteriorates due to loading only one or two handfuls of glasses
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the water temperature parameter based on detected goods. When temperature-sensitive goods are detected, the water temperature is controlled to match the initial goods temperature throughout the wash cycle. This allows mixed loads including delicate items to be washed together in a general programme rather than requiring dedicated glass-washing programmes, thereby improving appliance capacity utilization while still protecting sensitive goods.
2Reliability
If a dedicated glass washing programme is used with predefined temperature profile, then temperature-sensitive goods are protected, but energy consumption increases and environmental impact worsens due to underutilization of appliance capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the water temperature parameter based on detected goods. When temperature-sensitive goods are detected, the water temperature is controlled to match the initial goods temperature throughout the wash cycle. This allows mixed loads including delicate items to be washed together in a general programme rather than requiring dedicated glass-washing programmes, thereby improving appliance capacity utilization and reducing energy consumption per item washed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the general washing programme universal by enabling it to handle both regular items and temperature-sensitive goods simultaneously through automatic detection and adaptive temperature control. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated programmes, allowing the appliance to function efficiently for diverse load types while reducing overall energy consumption.
3Productivity
If fresh water is supplied to the washing compartment during a general washing programme, then the washing process continues, but rapid temperature changes occur when cold fresh water contacts hot fragile glassware causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature sensors to continuously monitor the water temperature in the washing compartment. When fresh water is supplied, the feedback control system detects the temperature change and activates the heater to maintain the water temperature at the target value, preventing rapid temperature changes that would damage fragile goods while allowing the washing process to continue uninterrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of the fresh water supply or pre-adjusts the heater activation in anticipation of temperature changes when fresh water is introduced. This preliminary action ensures that the water temperature remains stable and matches the initial goods temperature before fresh water contact occurs, preventing thermal shock to fragile items.
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 damage to temperature-sensitive items by maintaining a stable temperature, optimizing energy use, and reducing the environmental impact by allowing for mixed loads without the need for dedicated programs.
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
Implementation Method 3
The circulation pump is configured to move the process water from the sump to the washing compartment
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method performed by an appliance for washing and rinsing goods, where some of the goods loaded into the appliance are sensitive to process water temperature changes, and an appliance performing the method. The method may include receiving via a user interface, an instruction that an appliance, during execution of a general-type washing program, should take into account that goods sensitive to temperature changes are loaded into the appliance, measuring a temperature value in a washing compartment of the appliance upon executing a draining process, and supplying fresh water to the washing compartment of the appliance. The method may include 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 and if not adjusting the temperature of the process water in the sump to attain the target temperature value.