Dishwasher Water Guide with Redundant Supply Holes Against Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashers with a single supply hole for the upper spraying arm are prone to clogging, leading to interrupted water supply and reduced washing and rinsing performance due to insufficient spray pressure.

Innovation Solution

A dish washer design featuring a water guide with multiple supply holes, ensuring that washing water is consistently supplied through multiple channels regardless of the vertical level of the lower rack and spraying arm holder, preventing clogging from affecting the washing power and maintaining sufficient spray pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single supply hole is used for the upper spraying arm, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of water supply is lowered due to clogging risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidwater supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single water supply path is segmented into multiple supply holes (first supply hole and second supply hole) in the water guide. This segmentation allows water to reach the upper spraying arm through multiple independent channels, so that if one hole becomes clogged, the other can still maintain water supply, thereby resolving the reliability issue without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a single supply hole is used for the upper spraying arm, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the washing performance deteriorates due to insufficient spray pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidspray pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The water supply is segmented into multiple holes, increasing the total cross-sectional area for water flow to the upper spraying arm. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity while improving spray pressure and washing performance by allowing greater water volume to reach the nozzle simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple supply holes are used for the upper spraying arm, then the reliability of water supply is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater supply reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water guide structure performs multiple functions: it guides water from the sump, provides multiple supply holes for redundant water paths, and positions water for both the upper spraying arm and lower rack. This multi-functionality justifies the slight increase in complexity by delivering significant reliability improvements through a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Power

If multiple supply holes are used for the upper spraying arm, then the spray pressure is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray pressureVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The water guide is segmented with multiple holes that can be easily formed during manufacturing processes such as injection molding or drilling. This segmentation achieves improved spray pressure through increased water flow capacity while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the additional holes represent a simple geometric modification rather than a complex structural addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design maintains consistent washing and rinsing performance by ensuring water supply through multiple channels, even if one channel becomes clogged, and provides secure sufficient spray pressure to the upper spraying arm.

Implementation Method 1

a water guide defining a supply flow path therein through which the washing water to be supplied to the spraying arm flows; and a spraying arm holder constructed to supply the spraying arm and to guide the washing water supplied thereto from the water guide to the spraying arm, wherein the water guide has a first supply hole and a second supply hole defined therein communicating with the spraying arm holder so as to supply the washing water flowing along the supply flow path to the spraying arm holder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through multiple channels:

Data Source

PatentEP4523598A1Dish washer
Publication Date: 2025.03.19 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4523598A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4523598A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4523598A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a dish washer (1) comprising a tub (20) having a washing space (21) defined therein; a rack (50) disposed in the washing space (21) so as to extend from or retract into the washing space (21), wherein a dish is mounted on the rack (50), and a vertical level of the rack (50) is adjustable; a spraying arm (62) disposed under the rack (50) so as to spray washing water to the rack (50), wherein the spraying arm (62) is movable together with the rack (50) when the vertical level of the rack (50) is adjusted; a water guide (47) defining a supply flow path therein through which the washing water to be supplied to the spraying arm (62) flows; and a spraying arm holder (48) constructed to supply the spraying arm (62) and to guide the washing water supplied thereto from the water guide (47) to the spraying arm (62), wherein the water guide (47) has a first supply hole (471h1) and a second supply hole (471h2) defined therein communicating with the spraying arm holder (48) so as to supply the washing water flowing along the supply flow path to the spraying arm holder (48). Therefore, even when one of the plurality of supply holes becomes clogged, supply of the washing water is maintained through the remaining supply holes, thereby preventing washing power and rinsing power from being lowered.