Dishwasher with overflow conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary dishwashers often experience liquid overflow, leading to leaks within the home due to the inability to effectively manage excess liquid during washing cycles.
Innovation Solution
The dishwasher incorporates an air supply system with a blower, air supply conduit, and air return conduit, where at least one of these conduits is located in the lower portion of the treating chamber and functions as an overflow conduit to remove excess liquid during overfill events, utilizing a float mechanism to detect and address overfill conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the dishwasher uses a recirculation system to spray liquid throughout the tub, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but liquid overflow and leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow conduit is pre-positioned at a specific height in the tub to detect and divert excess liquid before it can overflow beyond the tub. This preliminary protective measure ensures that when liquid level rises above the normal operating level, it is automatically redirected through the overflow conduit to a collection container, preventing harmful leakage while maintaining the recirculation cleaning system's effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow conduit acts as an intermediary element between the treating chamber and the external environment. Instead of allowing liquid to escape directly from the tub (harmful effect), the conduit provides an intermediate pathway that channels excess liquid to a controlled collection point, mediating the overflow process to eliminate the harmful leakage effect
2Ease of operation
If the air supply conduit and air return conduit are located in the lower portion of the treating chamber, then air circulation is improved, but the conduits may be exposed to excess liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply conduit and air return conduit serve dual functions: they provide air circulation for the drying process by positioning outlets and inlets in the lower portion of the treating chamber, and simultaneously serve as overflow conduits to remove excess liquid. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to address both air circulation needs and overflow protection, improving reliability without compromising air circulation effectiveness
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 prevents liquid from overflowing and leaking by directing excess liquid to a container, ensuring the dishwasher operates safely and reducing the risk of home damage, while also preventing further water supply until the overfill issue is resolved.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a float mechanism to detect and address overfill conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one cycle of operation and having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and defining an access opening, a sprayer providing a spray of liquid into the treating chamber, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path for recirculating the sprayed liquid from the treating chamber to the sprayer, and an air supply system having a conduit configured to function as an overflow conduit.