Dishwasher Tower Nozzle Design for Flexible Rack Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers have limited rack size and positioning due to the presence of upper and lower arms, which restrict the size and placement of objects being washed.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a tub with upper and lower racks, a lower arm chamber, a detachable pipe chamber, and a channel change unit that alternately opens communication holes based on water pressure, allowing for adjustable water supply to both racks, and a tower nozzle system that reduces height by detaching from the lower arm, enabling more flexible object placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an upper arm is arranged between the upper rack and lower rack to wash upper rack objects, then washing function is provided, but the size and position of racks are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional upper arm structure from the dishwasher. Instead of having an upper arm between the racks, the system uses a tower nozzle that can be detached from the lower arm and positioned to wash upper rack objects. This extraction of the upper arm eliminates the spatial constraint it imposed on rack size and positioning while maintaining the washing function through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower arm is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating a detachable tower nozzle that can serve both as a lower rack washer and an upper rack washer. The tower nozzle can be attached to the lower arm or detached and positioned independently, allowing a single structure to perform multiple washing functions that traditionally required separate upper and lower arms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a second passage is branched from the first passage through a valve to supply water to the upper arm, then water supply is provided, but the size and position of racks are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for a separate second water supply passage by removing the upper arm structure. The water supply system is simplified to use only the first passage that supplies water to the lower arm. The tower nozzle, when detached, can be positioned to wash upper rack objects using water from this single passage, thereby eliminating the complex branched passage structure while maintaining water supply functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a detachable tower nozzle is used to reduce height and enable flexible object placement, then object placement flexibility is improved, but water supply channel switching complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic channel switching mechanism where the lower arm can rotate to alternately open different communication holes. The channel change unit includes a rotating component that switches between opening the first communication hole (for tower nozzle water supply) and the second communication hole (for lower arm water supply) based on the rotational position. This dynamic switching allows flexible object placement with the detachable tower nozzle while managing water supply channel complexity through mechanical rotation rather than complex valve systems.
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
Enhances washing efficiency and flexibility by allowing larger objects to be washed without the size constraints imposed by traditional arm configurations, improving the overall washing performance and usability of the dishwasher.
Implementation Method 1
a channel change unit provided in the lower arm chamber configured to alternately open (i) the chamber communication hole and (ii) an arm channel communication hole based on water pressure inside the lower arm chamber
Implementation Method 2
a water supply pump configured to supply water to the lower arm chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher is disclosed that includes a tub, an upper rack and a lower rack arranged in the tub and configured to receive objects a lower arm, a water supply pump configured to supply water to the lower arm chamber, a tower nozzle included in the lower rack and configured to inject water to the upper rack, a tower connection part detachable from the detachable pipe chamber and configured to connect and supply water to the tower nozzle based on being detached from the detachable pipe chamber, and a channel change unit provided in the lower arm chamber configured to alternately open (i) the chamber communication hole and (ii) an arm channel communication hole based on water pressure inside the lower arm chamber.