Steam Dishwasher Rack Layout for Uniform Dish Steam Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dish washing machines face challenges in effectively removing stubborn food waste, such as baked-on food, due to the inefficiency of wash water heating and the time-consuming pre-soaking process, which extends the operational cycle.
Innovation Solution
A dish washing machine that incorporates a steam generator and strategically positions and orients dishes relative to a steam nozzle to maximize the effectiveness of steam flow, ensuring even distribution and high-intensity steam exposure for enhanced cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wash water is heated to remove stubborn food waste, then washing effectiveness is improved, but operational cycle time is extended due to required pre-soaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of water from liquid (wash water) to gas (steam). By using steam instead of heated wash water, the invention achieves higher temperature washing capability without extending the operational cycle, as steam can be generated and applied directly to dishes without requiring extended pre-soaking time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical washing system (heated wash water with mechanical spraying) with a thermal-chemical system (steam). The steam generator produces steam that directly contacts and loosens food waste through condensation heat transfer and chemical action, eliminating the need for extended mechanical pre-soaking
2Productivity
If steam is used to remove food waste, then washing efficiency is improved, but steam distribution uniformity deteriorates without proper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable rack positioning mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of dish positions and orientations. This enables the system to adapt steam distribution patterns to different dish arrangements, ensuring uniform steam exposure across all dishes while maintaining high washing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multiple steam nozzles positioned at different locations and angles, each providing localized steam delivery optimized for specific areas of the washing chamber. This creates non-uniform local steam distribution that collectively achieves uniform overall coverage, with each nozzle targeting specific zones based on dish placement
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 use of steam effectively loosens and removes food particles and waste more efficiently, reducing the need for extended cycles and improving overall washing efficiency by ensuring unimpeded steam flow and targeted high-intensity steam application.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator that generates steam during a washing operation
Data Source
AI summary
Dish washing machine that includes a steam generator, which supplies steam during a washing operation, to aid in the washing of dishes and other items in the dish washing machine. The dish washing machine further including one or more dish washing racks that effectively orient the dishes, and other items to be washed, in such a way so as to avoid inhibiting the steam from being evenly distributed around each of the dishes and other items to be washed. The dish washing machine also including a steam zone indicator to aid in effectively positioning the dishes and other items to be washed by visually distinguishing the region or zone within the dish washing machine that corresponds with high-intensity steam.