Global Design Competition - The Rockpool Dishwasher

Ah, yes, I got a copy of your drawings. Come in and tell me about it. What sort of competition is it?

是的，我收到了你的设计图。进来介绍一下吧，这是什么比赛？

Well, it's an international design competition and we have to come up with a new design for a typical domestic kitchen appliance.

这是一个国际设计大赛，我们要为常见家用厨房电器设计一种新方案。

I see, and are there any special conditions? Does it have to save energy for example?

明白了。比赛有特殊条件吗，比如必须节能？

Actually that was the focus in last year's competition. This year's different.

节能是去年的重点，今年不一样。

We have to adopt an innovative approach to existing technology, using it in a way that hasn't been thought of before.

我们要创新运用现有技术，采用以前没人想到的方式。

I see, that sounds tricky. And what kitchen appliance have you chosen?

明白了，听起来不容易。你选择了哪种厨房电器？

Well, I decided to choose the dishwasher.

我选择了洗碗机。

Interesting, what made you choose that?

有意思，为什么选择它？

Well, they're an everyday kitchen appliance in most Australian houses but they're all pretty boring and almost identical to each other.

洗碗机在多数澳大利亚家庭很常见，但外观乏味而且几乎都一样。

I think some people will be prepared to pay a little extra for something that looks different.

我认为有些人愿意多付一点钱购买外观不同的产品。

That's a nice idea. I see you've called your design 'the Rockpool'; why is that?

这个想法不错。你把设计叫作“Rockpool”，为什么？

Basically because it looks like the rock pools you find on a beach. The top is made of glass so that you can look down into it.

因为它像海滩上的岩石潮池，顶部由玻璃制成，可以从上面向里看。

And there's a stone at the bottom. Is that just for decoration?

底部还有一块石头，那只是装饰吗？

Actually it does have a function. Instead of pushing a button, you turn the stone.

它确实有功能：不用按按钮，而是转动石头。

So it's really just a novel way of starting the dishwasher.

所以这只是启动洗碗机的一种新颖方式。

That's right.

没错。

It's a really nice design, but what makes it innovative?

设计很不错，但它的创新之处是什么？

Well, I decided to make a dishwasher that uses carbon dioxide.

我决定设计一台使用二氧化碳的洗碗机。

In place of water and detergent? How will you manage that?

用它代替水和洗涤剂？你准备怎么实现？

The idea is to pressurise the carbon dioxide so that it becomes a liquid. The fluid is then released into the dishwasher where it cleans the dishes all by itself.

原理是给二氧化碳加压使其液化，再把液体释放进洗碗机自动清洁餐具。

Sounds like a brilliant idea! Your system will totally do away with the need for strong detergents. So what happens once the dishes are clean?

听起来很棒！这个系统完全不需要强力洗涤剂。餐具洗净后会怎样？

Well, to allow them to dry, the liquid carbon dioxide and the waste materials all go to an area called the holding chamber.

为了让餐具变干，液态二氧化碳和废料会进入一个叫作储存室的区域。

That's where the liquid is depressurised and so it reverts to a gas. Then the oil and grease are separated out and sent to the waste system.

液体会在那里减压并恢复成气体，油脂则被分离并送入废物系统。

It sounds like you've thought it all out very thoroughly.

听起来你已经考虑得非常周全。

So, what happens to the carbon dioxide once the process is complete? Not wasted I hope.

流程完成后二氧化碳会怎样？希望不会被浪费。

Actually, that's where the real savings are made.

实际上，真正的节省就在这里。

The carbon dioxide is sent back to the cylinder and can be used again and again.

二氧化碳会被送回气缸，可以反复使用。

What a terrific idea. Do you think it will ever be built?

真是个好主意。你认为它会被制造出来吗？

Probably not, but that's OK.

可能不会，不过没关系。

Well, I'm sure a lot of positive things will come out of your design.

我相信你的设计会带来很多积极成果。

Now, you seem to have thought about everything so what exactly did you need me to help you with?

你似乎已经考虑得很全面了，那么具体需要我帮什么？

Well, my design has made it to the final stage of the competition and, in a few months' time. I have to give a presentation, and that's the part I was hoping you could help me with.

我的设计进入了决赛阶段，几个月后要做展示，我希望您能在这方面帮助我。

Right, well that should be easy enough. What have you managed to do so far?

好，这应该不难。你目前完成了哪些工作？

Well, I've got detailed drawings to show how it will work and I've also written a 500-word paper on it.

我有展示工作原理的详细图纸，还写了一篇500字的论文。

I see. Well, if you want to stand a good chance of winning you really need a model of the machine.

如果想提高获胜机会，你确实需要制作机器模型。

Yes, I thought I might but l'm having a few problems.

是的，我也这么想，但现在遇到了一些问题。

What is the main difficulty so far? Let me guess - is it the materials?

目前最大的困难是什么？让我猜猜，是材料吗？

Yes. I want it to look professional but everything that's top quality is also very expensive.

是的。我想让它看起来专业，但高质量材料都很贵。

Look, projects like this are very important to us. They really help lift our profile.

这类项目对我们很重要，能帮助提升我们的形象。

So why don't you talk to the university about a grant? I can help you fill out the application forms if you like.

你可以向学校申请资助，我也可以帮你填写申请表。

That would be great.

那太好了。

You'd better show me this paper you've written as well. For a global competition such as this you need to make sure the technical details you've given are accurate and thorough.

你也最好把论文给我看看。参加全球比赛，技术细节必须准确而全面。

That would be a great help.

那会帮我很大的忙。

Is there anything else I can do?

还有其他需要我做的吗？