Reciprocating Dishwasher Basket for Small-Load Washing and Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers are inefficient and wasteful when used for small loads, as they require a large volume and consume significant energy and water, leading to prolonged washing times.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a reciprocating basket mechanism that moves between injection and air nozzles within the washing tub, optimizing water and air usage for efficient washing and drying of small dish loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional rotating nozzle is used to wash dishes, then washing coverage is improved, but water consumption and energy usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The basket is designed to reciprocate horizontally between two injection nozzles, creating a dynamic washing system where the dishes move through fixed spray zones. This replaces the traditional rotating nozzle approach with a moving target strategy, reducing water consumption while maintaining washing coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing function is divided into multiple injection nozzles positioned at different locations, with the basket moving sequentially through each spray zone. This segmentation allows for more efficient water distribution compared to a single rotating nozzle, reducing overall water consumption while maintaining comprehensive washing coverage.
2Loss of energy
If a conventional dishwasher is used for small loads, then washing capability is maintained, but energy and water are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The reciprocating basket mechanism allows the washing chamber to effectively reduce its active volume for small loads, as only the necessary portion of the basket travels through the spray zones. This dynamic adjustment reduces energy and water consumption for small loads while maintaining full washing capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (basket position, spray activation) based on load size, allowing efficient operation for both small and large loads. For small loads, the basket travels a shorter distance and fewer nozzles are activated, reducing resource consumption while maintaining washing effectiveness.
3Productivity
If multiple rotating nozzles with various radiuses are arranged to expand washing range, then washing coverage is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple rotating nozzles with different radiuses, the invention uses a single reciprocating basket that moves through fixed injection nozzles. This dynamic approach achieves comprehensive washing coverage with fewer nozzles and less water, as the same water spray zones are reused during each reciprocation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed injection nozzles serve multiple functions by spraying dishes at different positions during the basket's reciprocation. Each nozzle covers multiple dish surfaces as the basket moves back and forth, eliminating the need for multiple specialized nozzles and reducing overall water consumption.
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
This design reduces energy and water consumption while shortening washing time, making it suitable for single-person households by utilizing a reciprocating basket mechanism that moves between injection and air nozzles for efficient washing and drying.
Implementation Method 1
a pump which supplies the washing water in the sump to the injection nozzle and washes the dishes by injecting the washing water at high pressure to the dishes
Implementation Method 2
The air nozzle may inject the air to pressurize and remove humidity which remains on surfaces of the dishes using air pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A washing operation and a drying operation are performed while a basket which is located inside a washing tub and accommodates dishes reciprocates in a vertical direction of a washing tub due to a driving device. The basket reciprocates in order to pass through an injection nozzle which injects washing water and an air nozzle which injects air to perform the washing operation while passing through the injection nozzle and to perform the drying operation while passing through the air nozzle. Through this, a small amount of dishes may be washed and dried in a short time and the dishes may be washed using a small amount of water and energy.