Movable Bottle Washer Tines for Dishwasher Fluid Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle washer assemblies in dishwashers suffer from constant wash fluid flow when not in use, reducing fluid availability for other spray assemblies and being obtrusive during loading.
Innovation Solution
A bottle washer assembly with movable spray tines that can restrict wash fluid flow when not in use, allowing for increased fluid flow to other assemblies and a more unobtrusive position during loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spray tine is maintained in a stationary vertical position, then the bottle washer assembly is ready for use, but it becomes obtrusive to users when loading articles and restricts wash fluid flow when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The spray tine is made movable between a vertical operational position and a horizontal storage position. The conduit is rotatable about an axis to transition between these positions, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on whether it is being used or stored, thereby resolving the contradiction between being ready for use and being unobtrusive during loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottle washer assembly periodically transitions between operational and storage states. During wash cycles, the spray tine is in the vertical position to perform washing. During loading/unloading phases, it transitions to the horizontal position to be unobtrusive. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by having the system in different states at different times.
2Reliability
If wash fluid flows constantly through the bottle washer assembly, then the assembly is ready for immediate use, but it reduces the amount of wash fluid available to other spray assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
Wash fluid flow through the bottle washer assembly is made periodic rather than continuous. The movable conduit opens the passage to main fluid communication only during wash cycles when needed, and closes or restricts the passage during other times. This periodic flow ensures readiness when required while conserving wash fluid for other assemblies during non-operational periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid passage configuration is made dynamic through the movable conduit. The conduit can transition between positions that open fluid communication with the main passage and positions that restrict or close this communication. This dynamic control allows the system to have wash fluid available only when the bottle washer is actively needed, resolving the contradiction between constant readiness and fluid conservation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spray tine remains in a fixed position, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different operational states (use vs. storage)
Solution Approach 1:
A single movable conduit provides both positional adaptation and fluid control functions. The conduit rotates about an axis to achieve different positions (vertical for operation, horizontal for storage) while simultaneously controlling fluid passage opening/closing. This dynamic element provides adaptability without requiring multiple separate components, thus managing complexity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable conduit serves multiple functions: it positions the spray tine for operational readiness, controls the opening/closing of the fluid passage, and transitions between storage and operational configurations. This multi-functionality provides adaptability to different operational states while avoiding the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Bottle washer assemblies for dishwasher appliances are provided. A bottle washer assembly includes a main conduit defining a main passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. The bottle washer assembly further includes a spray tine, the spray tine including a conduit defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. The passage is in selective fluid communication with the main passage. The conduit is movable between a first position wherein wash fluid flow into the passage is permitted and a second position wherein wash fluid flow into the passage is restricted relative to the wash fluid flow in the first position.