Pivoting Self-Cleaning Filter for Dishwasher Line Blockage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-guiding household appliances, such as dishwashers, face complications in filter maintenance due to complex structures and blockages, with prior solutions requiring additional facilities or mechanisms for filter cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A filter system that can move between a filter position and a cleaning position using flow reversal, inflow wedges, spring-pretension, or an actuator, allowing for self-cleaning without additional facilities, with embodiments including memory wires and rotational movements to generate centrifugal forces for position changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is used to retain dirt particles in the line system, then blockages of the line system are prevented, but the filter itself becomes blocked by filter cake formation requiring complex cleaning facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is designed to clean itself by utilizing the existing pump discharge operation. The filter element can be moved between a filter position (for normal operation) and a cleaning position (for self-cleaning) without requiring external cleaning facilities. The pump's discharge flow directs dirt particles onto the filter element surface, enabling automatic cleaning during routine pump operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is made movable between two positions: a filter position where it retains dirt particles, and a cleaning position where it is cleaned by the pump discharge. This dynamic positioning allows the filter to switch functions based on operational needs, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms while maintaining continuous filtering capability.
2Reliability
If additional facilities are provided for filter cleaning, then filter blockage is removed, but the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The pump discharge operation, originally intended for waste water removal, is utilized for dual purposes: waste disposal and filter cleaning. By directing the pump discharge flow onto the filter element during the discharge operation, the system achieves filter cleaning without adding dedicated cleaning facilities, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing reliability.
3Device complexity
If the filter remains stationary in one position, then the structure is simple, but the filter cannot be cleaned without additional facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is designed with movable capability between a filter position and a cleaning position. This dynamic design allows the filter to be repositioned during the pump discharge operation for self-cleaning, then return to the filter position for normal operation. The movement is integrated into the existing pump cycle, maintaining operational simplicity while enabling effective cleaning.
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
Enables simple and reliable self-cleaning of filters in household appliances, preventing blockages and maintaining appliance efficiency without complex structures or additional facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, which takes in the wash liquor that collects in the base region of a pump sump arranged in the wash compartment and circulates it in a closed circuit during the cleaning operation
Implementation Method 2
provision is made for the at least one filter element to be able to be moved from the first filter position to the second cleaning position and/or vice versa by means of a flow reversal of a liquid flowing through the filter
Implementation Method 3
said spray arms subjecting the items to be washed, which are arranged in the interior of the dishwasher, to the action of wash liquor
Data Source
AI summary
A water-guiding household appliance that includes a filter arranged in a line system, the filter including at least one filter element; and a base body, wherein the at least one filter element is secured to the base body in a pivotable manner at a rotation point and structured to be moved between a filter position and a cleaning position.