Low-Height Oblong Conduit Design for Compact Washing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wash systems in dishwashers and washing machines are inefficient due to high energy and water usage, expensive components, and suboptimal cleaning performance, particularly in compact designs where vertical space is limited.
Innovation Solution
A wash system with a wash tub featuring a base with a sump region, a wash pump, and a heating unit, where the wash liquid conduit is oblong in transverse cross-section, minimizing vertical height and optimizing wash liquid flow paths to reduce water volume and energy consumption while enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large stainless steel coarse filter plate is used to cover much of the base of the wash tub, then filtration is improved, but cost increases and vertical height utilisation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive large stainless steel coarse filter plate with a more cost-effective filter assembly that achieves the same filtration function. The new design uses a fine filter mesh within a sump region rather than a large expensive plate, reducing material costs while maintaining filtration reliability.
2Temperature
If an annular heating element surrounds the motor, then heating function is provided, but access to the motor is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is extracted from its conventional position surrounding the motor and relocated to the sump region. This separation allows the motor to be easily accessible for maintenance while the heating element remains positioned where it can effectively heat the wash liquid in the sump region before it enters the pump.
3Productivity
If the entire volume beneath the coarse filter plate forms a water flow passage filled with wash liquid, then water flow is maintained, but the volume of washing liquid required and energy requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wash system is segmented into distinct regions: a sump region for collecting wash liquid, a pump region for circulation, and a washing space. The sump region acts as a localized reservoir rather than the entire volume beneath the filter plate being filled with wash liquid. This segmentation reduces the total volume of wash liquid required while maintaining continuous water flow through the pump and spray arms.
4Productivity
If the wash liquid flow path includes the entire volume beneath the coarse filter plate, then water circulation is maintained, but water and energy usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The excess wash liquid volume is extracted from the system design by confining the water flow path to essential channels only. The sump region serves as a compact collection point, and wash liquid is pumped directly from there through defined pathways to the spray arms, eliminating the need to circulate wash liquid through the entire volume beneath the filter plate. This reduces both water consumption and the energy required for heating and pumping.
5Reliability
If only a small percentage of wash liquid actively passes through the fine filter mesh during the wash phase, then filter loading is reduced, but cleaning performance could be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The fine filter mesh is positioned in the sump region to perform preliminary filtration of wash liquid before it enters the pump and is distributed to the spray arms. By filtering wash liquid at this early stage in the circulation path, the system ensures that cleaner water reaches the washing surfaces, improving cleaning performance. The sump region design allows adequate flow through the fine filter mesh without overwhelming it, balancing filtration effectiveness with filter longevity.
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 solution reduces water and energy usage, improves cleaning performance, and lowers costs by minimizing the vertical height of the wash system while maintaining effective cleaning and energy efficiency, particularly suitable for compact washing machines.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit positioned in the wash liquid conduit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
A washing machine such as a dishwashing machine, preferably of the drawer-style or table-top style, or a laundry washing machine, the washing machine having at least one low-height wash liquid conduit connecting the outlet of a sump region of a washing tub to a wash pump. The at least one low-height conduit having a transverse cross-section that is substantially oblong. In one aspect, the surface of a heating unit forms a surface of a low-height conduit. In another aspect, the sump is provided with multiple outlets. In another aspect, a cover plate is provided for covering a section of a washing tub base and the at least one low-height conduit is formed between the base of the washing tub and the cover plate by a combination thereof. In another aspect, a pump cap component is located in the washing tub, the pump cap component having upper and lower spaced walls and at least one connecting wall between the upper and lower spaced walls, the connecting wall(s) arranged so as to form a closed shape when viewed from above, the closed shape including a wash pump housing volume for an impeller of the wash pump.