Dishwasher Thermal Gradient Control for Adaptive Washing Programs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers lack the ability to automatically adjust washing parameters based on the number, material, and mass of dishes, leading to inefficient energy, water, and time consumption, as well as suboptimal washing performance.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher equipped with a temperature sensor and electronic control device that calculates a thermal gradient parameter to adjust heating and washing times, allowing for targeted adaptation of washing programs to the quantity and type of dishes, thereby automating parameter settings and optimizing energy, water, and time usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the user manually selects washing parameters based on dish quantity and material, then washing performance can be optimized, but the operation complexity increases and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically detects the number of dishes and determines appropriate washing parameters without user intervention. The system serves itself by using sensors to count dishes and autonomously selecting program settings, eliminating the need for users to manually assess dish quantity and material while maintaining optimized washing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual user assessment and selection with an automated sensing and control system. Optical or capacitive sensors detect dish presence and quantity, while the control unit processes this information to automatically set washing parameters, substituting human judgment and manual operation with electronic detection and automated control.
2Device complexity
If the washing program is fixed for all dish quantities, then device complexity is reduced, but energy and water consumption efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The washing program transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic adaptive program. The control unit modifies washing parameters such as water volume, heating temperature, and cycle duration based on real-time detection of dish quantity. This dynamic adjustment optimizes energy and water consumption for each specific loading condition while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically changes key washing parameters including water volume, heating power, spray pressure, and cycle timing based on the detected number of dishes. For example, fewer dishes trigger reduced water filling, lower heating temperatures, and shorter spray durations, thereby improving resource efficiency without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration.
3Manufacturing precision
If the washing program is extended to accommodate large dish quantities, then washing performance improves, but washing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial washing actions tailored to the actual dish quantity rather than executing full extended cycles for all loadings. For small dish quantities, the control unit reduces spray duration, water volume, and heating time to appropriate partial levels, avoiding unnecessary time consumption while ensuring sufficient washing performance for the actual load size.
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 enables more efficient use of resources and improved washing performance by automatically adjusting parameters based on the quantity and type of dishes, ensuring effective dirt removal while reducing energy and water consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor connected to the electronic control device and put in thermal contact with the washing liquid
Implementation Method 2
a washing liquid heating device... an initial step of heating the washing liquid
Implementation Method 3
a spraying device adapted to spray a washing liquid into the washing container to wet the dishes
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A dishwasher (1) comprises a washing container closable by means of a door (14), a spraying device (4), a washing liquid heating device (10), as well as an electronic control device (12) which controls the heating device (10) during a hot washing step depending on a thermal gradient of the washing liquid measured by a temperature sensor (9).