Rotating filter for a dishwasher and methods of cleaning a rotating filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashers face challenges in effectively cleaning and maintaining the rotating filters within their recirculation circuits, leading to clogging and reduced performance over time, which affects the filtration efficiency and overall washing quality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a granular agent reservoir that supplies granular agents to contact and scour the rotating filter during operation, combined with a recirculation circuit design that includes a rotating filter and diverter system to physically clean the filter surfaces, ensuring continuous filtration efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotating filter is used in the recirculation circuit to filter liquid, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the filter becomes clogged with soils and debris over time, reducing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidclogging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter cleans itself by utilizing the recirculating liquid flow to carry granular cleaning agents through the filter media. The system automatically removes accumulated soils and debris without requiring manual intervention, maintaining continuous filtration efficiency while preventing clogging through self-cleaning action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the filter operates continuously without cleaning, then productivity is maintained, but the filter accumulates soils and debris leading to performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidfilter performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning action occurs continuously throughout the recirculation process. As liquid constantly circulates through the system, it carries granular cleaning agents that continuously scour and clean the filter media, ensuring the filter maintains optimal performance without interruption to the dishwashing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If manual cleaning of the filter is required, then filter performance can be restored, but user maintenance time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter performanceVSAvoiduser maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates the need for manual user intervention by automatically cleaning the filter through the recirculating liquid carrying granular cleaning agents. The filter maintains itself continuously during normal operation, completely removing the burden of manual cleaning and maintenance from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If a granular agent reservoir is added to the recirculation circuit, then filter cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter cleaning capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recirculation circuit serves dual functions: it continues to circulate liquid for dishwashing while simultaneously transporting granular cleaning agents to clean the filter. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain filter cleaning capability without adding separate dedicated cleaning mechanisms, minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution ensures the rotating filter remains clean and functional, maintaining filtration efficiency and reducing the need for frequent user maintenance, as the granular agent effectively breaks up soils and debris, preventing clogging and ensuring consistent dishwashing performance.

Implementation Method 1

the granular agent becomes entrained within the passing liquid and is carried by the passing liquid into contact with the rotating filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEntrainment: Entrainment

Implementation Method 2

a rotating filter located within the recirculation circuit and filtering liquid passing through the recirculation circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the granular agent effectively breaks up soils and debris, preventing clogging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS9554688B2Rotating filter for a dishwasher and methods of cleaning a rotating filter

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a washing chamber, a liquid spraying system, a liquid recirculation circuit, and a liquid filtering system where the liquid filtering system includes a rotating filter and where a granular agent contacts the rotating filter to clean the filter. Methods of cleaning a rotating filter provided within a liquid flow by scouring the filter with a granular agent.