Dishwasher Drain Pump Venting for Air Bubble and Dirt Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers face issues with pump-down failures due to dirt accumulation in the drain pump, leading to potential overfilling and water spillage, which can be caused by gas bubbles being trapped in the pump chamber, resulting in reduced pumping performance and increased noise.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control mechanism that activates the drain pump for venting before or during the operation of the circulation pump, ensuring the pump chamber is cleared of air bubbles and dirt, thereby preventing pump-down failures and optimizing water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drain pump is vented after filling and before circulation pump operation, then the pump chamber is cleared of air bubbles and reliable operation is ensured, but the risk of water loss increases due to additional pumping action
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pump is activated for venting immediately after the washing container is filled with washing liquid and before the circulating pump is started. This preliminary venting action clears air bubbles from the pump chamber before dirt accumulation occurs, ensuring reliable pump operation without compromising water efficiency through optimized timing
2Reliability
If the drain pump runs longer to vent thoroughly, then air bubbles are completely removed, but water loss increases and pumping performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pump is activated for a specific, limited period of time (2-5 seconds, preferably 3 seconds) to achieve sufficient venting without excessive water loss. This partial action provides the necessary air bubble removal while maintaining water efficiency and preventing pump-down failures
3Loss of substance
If venting is delayed until after circulation pump operation, then water loss is minimized, but dirt accumulates in front of the trap and prevents effective venting
Solution Approach 1:
The venting operation is performed as a preliminary action immediately after filling, before the circulating pump operates and before dirt accumulates in front of the trap. This timing ensures the pump chamber can be effectively vented without compromising water efficiency, as no significant dirt removal has occurred yet
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 ensures reliable operation of the drain pump even with high dirt accumulation, minimizes water loss, and maximizes pumping performance by venting the drain pump after each filling, preventing pump-down failures and maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a gas bubble can be conveyed at least partially from a pump chamber of the pump to a liquid pump inlet of the pump against the conveying direction during the normal operating mode
Implementation Method 2
the impeller dives deeper into the residual liquid of the rinsing liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A household appliance (10) comprises a circulating pump (13) for circulating washing liquid in a washing container (1) of the household appliance (10), a drain pump (19) for emptying the washing liquid from the washing container (1) and a control means (23). The control means (23) is set up to activate the drain pump (19) to vent the drain pump (19) after the washing container (1) has been filled with the washing liquid and before or during operation of the circulating pump (13).