Rotating filter for a dishwasher and methods of cleaning a rotating filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwasher systems face challenges in effectively filtering and maintaining the rotating filter within the recirculation pump assembly, leading to clogging and reduced efficiency over time, which requires frequent user intervention for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A pump and filter assembly that includes a rotating filter with a granular agent supply system, where granular agent beads are dispensed to scour the filter, combined with a controller that monitors filter clogging and automatically activates the cleaning process, ensuring continuous filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotating filter is used in the dishwasher recirculation system, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filter becomes clogged with soil and requires frequent manual cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaning system uses the dishwasher's own recirculated water and a granular cleaning agent to automatically clean the rotating filter during normal operation. The system self-maintains without requiring user intervention by utilizing available system resources (water circulation, granular agent reservoir) to perform the cleaning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The granular cleaning agent is pre-loaded into a reservoir before the wash cycle begins. The system prepares the cleaning agent for delivery and positions it for automatic dispensing during the cycle, so that cleaning action is ready before the filter becomes significantly clogged.
2Reliability
If the filter is cleaned manually frequently, then filtration performance is maintained, but user time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs filter cleaning during the wash cycle using the recirculation pump to deliver water and granular agent to the rotating filter. This eliminates the need for users to manually remove and clean the filter, converting a user-time-intensive task into an automated background process.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cleaning occurs continuously during the wash cycle rather than requiring separate manual interventions. The recirculation system maintains continuous water flow and granular agent contact with the rotating filter throughout the cycle, ensuring ongoing cleaning action without interruption.
3Ease of repair
If a granular agent cleaning system is added, then filter cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation pump and water circulation system serve dual functions: they both wash dishes during the wash cycle and deliver cleaning water to the rotating filter during cleaning cycles. The granular agent reservoir integrates with the existing water distribution system, allowing one system to perform multiple functions without requiring entirely separate cleaning apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cleaning function is merged with the existing dishwashing recirculation system. The water delivery mechanism, pump, and control logic are combined with the granular agent dispensing system, creating an integrated cleaning solution rather than a separate standalone filter cleaning device.
4Productivity
If the rotating filter accumulates soil, then filtration efficiency decreases, but immediate cleaning interruption causes operational downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaning occurs continuously during the wash cycle without stopping the recirculation pump or interrupting dishwasher operation. The rotating filter continues to rotate and the water circulation maintains both dishwashing and filter cleaning functions simultaneously, ensuring uninterrupted productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The granular cleaning agent is pre-positioned in the reservoir and the recirculation system is pre-configured to deliver cleaning solution to the filter. This preliminary preparation allows the cleaning action to begin immediately when needed, preventing significant efficiency degradation before cleaning occurs.
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 ensures enhanced filtration performance by preventing soil redeposition on dishes and reducing user maintenance, as the rotating filter is continuously cleaned, maintaining the dishwasher's effectiveness throughout its lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a granular agent configured to be dispensed from the granular agent supply into contact with the rotating filter such that the granular agent cleans the rotating filter by scouring the rotating filter
Implementation Method 2
an impeller adapted to recirculate liquid, a housing defining an interior and exterior, a rotating filter having an upstream surface and a downstream surface, the filter located within the interior such that liquid being pumped through the pump and filter assembly passes through the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A pump and filter assembly including an impeller adapted to recirculate liquid, a housing defining an interior and exterior, a rotating filter having an upstream surface and a downstream surface, the filter located within the interior such that liquid being pumped through the pump and filter assembly passes through the filter from the upstream surface to the downstream surface to effect a filtering of the liquid, and a granular agent supply with granular agent cleaning the rotating filter by scouring the filter.