Dishwasher Spray Arm with Ball-Controlled Bidirectional Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers do not effectively cover the washing chamber with washing liquid, leading to suboptimal cleaning results, and their spray arm designs are either complex or prone to accidental nozzle feeding, resulting in inefficient water usage and compromised cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a spray arm featuring a distribution chamber and a movable control element, such as a ball, that alternates the direction of rotation with each refill, ensuring that the spray arm changes direction with each program section, providing different jet directions, impact angles, and shapes for improved cleaning coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spray arm with separate supply lines for left and right rotation is used, then the spray arm can rotate in both directions, but the device complexity increases due to multiple supply lines and channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple supply lines into a single common supply line that serves both left and right rotation nozzle groups. A distribution chamber with a movable control element (ball) is introduced to alternately direct water flow to either the left rotation nozzles or right rotation nozzles, eliminating the need for separate supply lines and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A distribution chamber acts as an intermediary component between the common supply line and the two nozzle groups. The movable control element (ball) within the distribution chamber serves as a mediator to selectively block one outlet while opening the other, enabling directional control without requiring separate supply lines for each direction.
2Ease of operation
If a ball is used to randomly block nozzle groups in the distribution chamber, then the spray arm rotation direction can be controlled, but accidental or random nozzle feeding occurs leading to inefficient water usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by designing the spray arm to alternate rotation directions in a systematic pattern. The control element is positioned to systematically alternate between blocking the left rotation outlet and right rotation outlet with each refill cycle, ensuring that water is always directed to the intended nozzle group and preventing accidental or random nozzle feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution chamber design incorporates a feedback mechanism where the position of the movable control element (ball) is determined by the refill action itself. The ball is passively positioned by the water flow pattern during refilling, which creates a predictable alternating sequence that prevents random or accidental nozzle activation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the spray arm rotates in a fixed direction, then the nozzle configuration can be simplified, but the washing chamber coverage is insufficient leading to suboptimal cleaning results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the spray arm rotation direction changeable rather than fixed. The spray arm alternates between clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation directions with each refill cycle, allowing the spray pattern to dynamically adapt and cover different areas of the washing chamber, thereby improving cleaning coverage uniformity without requiring multiple fixed spray arms.
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 configuration enhances cleaning efficiency by ensuring optimal coverage of the washing area with varying spray patterns, improving cleaning results and maintaining a simple and robust design by preventing accidental nozzle feeding.
Implementation Method 1
the control element is a ball. This serves as a closing means, whereby in the closed position it closes the fluidic connection between the distribution chamber and the corresponding drive nozzles
Implementation Method 2
When the distribution chamber is filled with washing liquor, the ball is lifted above this stage, as a result of which it is maneuvered into the overflow opening associated with this stage
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dishwasher with a washing chamber and a spray system provided in the washing chamber, which has a rotatably mounted spray arm (1), wherein the spray arm (1) has a distribution chamber (14) and drive nozzles (8, 9) fluidically connected to the distribution chamber (14), which drive nozzles (8, 9) serve to drive the spray arm (1) in a left-hand direction on the one hand and in a right-hand direction on the other.In order to further develop a dishwasher of the type mentioned above in such a way as to achieve improved coverage of the wash chamber with wash liquor with the aim of improved cleaning of the dishes, the invention proposes a dishwasher of the type mentioned above which is characterized by a control element movably arranged within the distribution chamber (14) which alternately releases either the drive nozzles (9) for a rotary drive of the spray arm (1) in the left direction or the drive nozzles (8) for a rotary drive of the spray arm (1) in the right direction.