Dishwasher Vane-Controlled Spray for Filter Garbage Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dish washing machines often leave garbage at the bottom of the washing tub and on filters, leading to user dissatisfaction and maintenance issues.

Innovation Solution

A dish washing machine with a vane that moves between two positions to change the spray direction of washing water, allowing it to effectively remove garbage from the filter by spraying water towards the rear wall of the tub, combined with a controller to manage the vane's movement and water flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter is installed at the bottom of the washing tub to filter garbage, then washing water can be cleaned, but garbage accumulates on the filter and at the bottom of the tub

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing qualityVSAvoidgarbage accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically removes garbage from the filter and tub bottom using a self-service mechanism. The vane redirects washing water to flow over the filter and bottom surface, carrying garbage to the drain without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining washing quality while preventing garbage accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The garbage removal function is activated periodically during the washing cycle, specifically during the drainage operation. The controller timing the vane movement and water flow creates periodic flushing action that prevents garbage accumulation while maintaining continuous washing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the vane moves to change spray direction, then garbage removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegarbage removal efficiencyVSAvoidvane movement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vane is designed to move between different positions during the washing cycle to dynamically change the spray direction of washing water. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to target garbage accumulation areas effectively while using a relatively simple mechanical structure controlled by timing signals from the controller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution ensures effective removal of garbage from the filter and bottom of the tub, reducing user effort and maintaining appliance performance by using a controlled water flow and directional spray.

Implementation Method 1

spraying washing water by the nozzle toward a rear wall of the washing tub, and thus removing garbage which remains at the filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

a vane which moves between a first position adjacent to the door and a second position adjacent to the nozzle and changes a spray direction of the washing water sprayed from the nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid deflection:

Data Source

PatentEP3090673B1Dish washer and method for controlling same
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3090673B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3090673B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3090673B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a dish washing machine capable of effectively removing garbage which remains at the bottom of a washing tub and a filter and a method of controlling the same. When washing water is sprayed from a nozzle while a vane is positioned at a reference position during a drainage operation, since a deflection angle of the vane is bent back and the washing water is strongly sprayed toward a rear wall of a washing tub, the washing water may form a fast and strong water current over a bottom plate of the washing tub, and the fast and strong water current may remove garbage which remains at a filter while flowing over the bottom of the washing tub. Also, even when an excessive amount of garbage is accumulated at a filter at a top end of a sump and blocks the filter during a washing operation such as preliminary washing, main washing, etc., the filter is automatically washed using a small amount of water, thereby eliminating inconvenience of a user to directly separate and wash the filter. Also, washing performance may be effectively improved by precisely determining whether degradation in washing performance caused by a poor circulation of washing water occurs due to a filter blockage or generation of bubbles.