A Korean-type Dishwasher Relying on Chinese Technology
Despite its claims to the contrary, Samsung Electronics' Korean-style dishwasher relies on technology from Chinese home appliance maker Midea Group for its core part, a local newspaper reported on July 22.
Samsung Electronics has thus far emphasized that it has developed the innovative Korean-type BESPOKE dishwasher based on its long study of Koreans' diet and dishwashing habits.
It has been promoting the product with the advertisement copy "Dishwasher that Suits with Korean Lifestyle." It has explained that although the product was made in China by a Chinese original equipment manufacturing (OEM) company, the core technology used for it comes from Samsung Electronics.
Yet the lower spray arm of the BESPOKE dishwasher released in June has the same appearance and operating system as that of a COLMO dishwasher from Midea, Samsung’s OEM partner in China, the report said. COLMO is a high-end home appliance brand of the Chinese home appliance manufacturer.
A spray arm is a key component that determines the washing power of a dishwasher. It sprays water from the pump to dishes. In particular, the lower spray arm of the BESPOKE dishwasher drew attention at the time of its launch by offering a 720-degree washing function, which was unfamiliar to the domestic market. For this, it was praised for being tailored to Koreans' eating habits.
"Developing technology that fit Koreans’ eating habits has always been a concern for the dishwasher industry,” said an industry insider. “Dishwasher makers have been focused on developing a lower spray arm that can strengthen the cleaning power of their products."
Instead of developing core technology, Samsung Electronics appears to have decided to use technology from its Chinese manufacturing partner. The BESPOKE dishwasher's product introduction website explains that the two spray arms, each rotating 360 degrees in an opposite direction, spray the same number of water spouts to achieve 720-degree cleaning. The lower spray arm on the website is the same in shape, color, and driving method as that of the COLMOCDB312 dishwasher released by Midea. This is because the patent on 720-degree cleaning belongs to the Chinese company.
Prior to this, Midea applied for a total of five patents related to the design of spray arms (CN201821397613, CN201821415644, CN201821410955 and more) in August 2018 and March 2019. The registered patents are guaranteed exclusive rights until 2028. Midea also showcased its 720 degree washing technique at the IFA2019 in Berlin, Germany in 2019.
Samsung Electronics acknowledged that the company had used Midea's lower spray arm technology, but explained that the entire structure of the dishwasher was developed by itself. An official from Samsung Electronics said, “The lower wing comes from an external company, but the cleaning algorithm and the design of other spray arms have been developed by our own know-how.” He added, “We have developed other parts and various functions to make the Korean dishwasher deserve the name of a truly Korean-style home appliance."