Filter assembly for a dishwasher appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher filter assemblies with parallel configurations of coarse and fine filters face issues with soil particles not being effectively filtered, as some soils may bypass both filters, and the placement of blades adjacent to filters is prone to user error and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A filter assembly with a series arrangement of filters, where wash fluid flows through filters with progressively smaller holes, and a shaft with alternating threaded and unthreaded portions to accurately and efficiently locate discharge blades relative to filters, ensuring all soils are filtered in a single-pass and facilitating easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If parallel configuration of coarse and fine filters is used, then assembly is simple, but soil particles may bypass filters and clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is segmented into multiple filter members arranged in series, where each filter member has progressively smaller pore sizes. This segmentation ensures that soil particles of different sizes are captured at different stages, preventing bypass and improving filtration reliability while maintaining manageable assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter members are nested in a series arrangement within the same housing, with each subsequent filter member positioned to receive fluid that has already passed through the previous filter. This nested configuration allows multiple filtration stages to be compactly integrated without significantly increasing overall assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If blades are positioned close to filters using setpoints or washers, then soil unclogging is improved, but assembly accuracy decreases due to user error and component movement
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is merged with the filter member by directly forming the blade as an integral part of the filter structure. This eliminates the need for separate setpoints or washers, ensuring precise and consistent blade-to-filter positioning while simplifying assembly. The blade is positioned close to the filter surface to effectively unclog soil without requiring additional locating components.
3Ease of operation
If multiple components (setpoints, washers) are used to locate blades, then blade positioning is possible, but assembly complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unnecessary intermediate components (setpoints, washers) are extracted from the assembly, leaving only the essential blade and filter member. The blade is directly positioned relative to the filter through the filter member's own structure, reducing the total number of components and simplifying assembly operations while maintaining the required blade location capability.
4Ease of operation
If multiple components are used for blade location, then blade positioning is achieved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly and filter member are merged into a single integrated component, eliminating the need to separately install and position multiple components such as setpoints and washers. This integration significantly reduces assembly time while maintaining the capability to accurately position the blade relative to the filter for effective soil unclogging.
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 filter assembly ensures all wash fluid is filtered in a single-pass, reducing clogging and user error, allowing for more efficient operation with less water usage and a less powerful circulation pump, and enabling quicker wash cycles.
Implementation Method 1
The shaft includes a body which has an outer surface, the outer surface including a first threaded portion, a second threaded portion... The plurality of first inner threads mesh with the first threaded portion and the plurality of second inner threads mesh with the second threaded portion.
Data Source
AI summary
Filter assemblies for filtering wash fluid to be circulated by a circulation pump in a dishwasher appliance are provided. A filter assembly includes a first filter member, a second filter member, a first discharge blade, and a second discharge blade. The filter assembly further includes a shaft extending through the first filter member, the second filter member, a first central bore hole of the first discharge blade, and a second central bore hole of the second discharge blade. The shaft includes a body which has an outer surface, the outer surface including a first threaded portion, a second threaded portion, a first unthreaded portion, and a second unthreaded portion. The plurality of first inner threads mesh with the first threaded portion and the plurality of second inner threads mesh with the second threaded portion.