External Steam Generator Layout for Faster Dishwasher Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face issues with foul smells, reduced heater durability due to foreign elements sticking to the heater, and inefficient energy use from heating large amounts of fluid, as well as difficulty in removing stubborn food remnants.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a steam generating unit that supplies steam to the tub, allowing for controlled steam generation based on the amount of items, with steam discharging passages that distribute steam uniformly and efficiently, reducing washing time and improving cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If washing fluid is heated in the sump to improve washing performance, then washing performance is improved, but foul smell occurs and heater durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is extracted from the sump environment and relocated to a dedicated steam generating unit. This separation removes the heater from direct contact with foreign elements and food remnants in the sump, preventing contamination and durability issues while maintaining the heating function for improving washing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
A steam generating unit is introduced as an intermediary between the heating function and the washing fluid. The unit generates steam separately and delivers it to the tub, allowing the heater to operate in a cleaner environment while still achieving the desired heating effect for washing performance improvement.
2Quantity of substance
If large amount of washing fluid is stored in sump to ensure sufficient washing, then washing coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases due to heating all fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the bulk sump fluid and relocated to a steam generating unit that processes only a small portion of water. This allows the system to maintain a large volume of washing fluid in the sump for adequate coverage while heating only the minimal amount needed for steam generation, significantly reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of a small portion of water into steam, which then distributes heat throughout the tub. This phase change approach allows efficient heat transfer to the washing fluid and dishes without the need to heat the entire sump volume, resolving the contradiction between fluid quantity and energy use.
3Manufacturing precision
If high temperature washing fluid is used to remove stubborn food remnants, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but washing time increases due to heating duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the phase transition of water to steam to rapidly generate high temperature cleaning vapor. This phase change process is much faster than heating large volumes of washing fluid, allowing high temperature treatment of food remnants without extending the overall washing time, thus maintaining cleaning effectiveness while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical heating of bulk washing fluid with a steam generation mechanism. The steam delivering unit projects high temperature steam directly onto the dishes and food remnants, achieving rapid heating and cleaning effectiveness without the time-consuming process of heating large volumes of water in the sump.
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 steam effectively removes food remnants and reduces washing time, enhancing washing performance while minimizing energy consumption and preventing heater damage.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generating unit (200) mounted on an outer side of the tub (110) and generating steam for the tub (110)
Implementation Method 2
a steam generating unit (200) mounted on an outer side of the tub (110) and generating steam for the tub (110)
Data Source
AI summary
A dish washer includes a steam generating unit that is configured to control the amount of steam in accordance with the amount of items in the dish washer. The steam generating unit is positioned outside of the tub and is configured to generate and supply steam to the tub. The dishwasher includes a fluid supplying passage that supplies washing fluid to the steam generating unit. A steam discharging passage is configured to discharge steam that is generated from the steam generating unit to the tub.