Dishwasher with heat pump and related operating method

Abstract

The dishwasher (1) with at least one heat pump (14) is designed in such a way that the evaporator (20) of the heat pump (14) is functionally divided into at least two sections (20a, 20b), wherein, in a phase for heating the rinse liquid (24), the two sections (20a, 20b) are switched over in succession with identical function, and wherein, in a phase for drying and reheating the rinse chamber air (33) removed from the rinse container, the second section (20b) of the evaporator is switched over into the region of the condenser (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to dishwashers, particularly household dishwashers, having at least one heat pump comprising at least one compressor, a condenser, an expansion element (or a pressure relief element), and an evaporator, wherein the components are connected to each other and a working medium that changes its aggregation state during operation circulates between them, and the heat pump also has at least one circulating pump for contacting the liquid to be rinsed, i.e., the so-called rinsing liquid, and wherein the dishwasher supports an automatic operation mode in multiple consecutive stages. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that, in order to optimize the energy efficiency of a dishwasher, a heat pump or heat pump device is provided to assist in heating the rinse solution circulating within the dishwasher, either partially or, in the case of a specific configuration of the dishwasher, entirely via its heat pump. This heat pump is typically an air heat pump that extracts heat from ambient air (e.g., room air in the kitchen where the dishwasher is located) and transfers that heat to the rinse solution to be heated via its condenser.

[0003] Furthermore, it has recently been known that, for the drying phase of a dishwashing program to be performed, air from the dishwasher's rinse container containing the items to be rinsed is first run or circulated via the evaporator of a heat pump, thereby drying the rinse chamber air by cooling and condensing the moisture contained in the rinse chamber air, and then reheating the cooled, dried or drier air before allowing it to flow back into the rinse container. For example, CN108888215A illustrates such a solution for drying the rinse chamber air during the drying phase of a dishwashing program to be performed using a heat pump. However, this requires significant structural cost because, in addition to the condenser of the heat pump which exchanges heat with the dishwasher rinse solution circulation loop, there is an additional condenser component of the heat pump that does not contribute to heating the rinse solution during the rinsing phase with the rinse solution to be heated (particularly the cleaning and / or rinsing phases of the dishwashing program to be performed, where heat is extracted from outside or ambient air by means of the heat pump's evaporator and transferred to the rinse solution to be heated via its condenser), i.e., it is therefore ineffective. The auxiliary condenser component only functions to dry the air from the flushing container (i.e., flushing chamber air) by reheating the flushing chamber air, which has been cooled by the evaporator of the heat pump and discharged from the flushing container, before it is returned to the flushing container. Because this auxiliary condenser component releases heat unused to the environment during the corresponding flushing phase with the flushing solution to be heated, the heat pump unit of CN108888215A is energy-inefficient.

[0004] The present invention is based on the improvement made here. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention solves this problem by providing a dishwasher having the features of claim 1. Advantageous designs and modifications of the invention are described in claims 2 to 12.

[0006] According to claim 1 of the invention, in a dishwasher having at least one heat pump, the evaporator is functionally divided into at least two parts, wherein the two parts are switched sequentially with the same function during the stage for heating the rinsing solution or rinsing liquid, and wherein during the stage for drying and reheating the rinsing chamber air removed from the rinsing container, the second part of the evaporator is switched or converted, i.e., repurposed as a region for heat exchange or heat output to the condenser. It is feasible that the heat pump is not only structurally advantageous and energy-efficiently used for heating the rinsing liquid, but also for drying and reheating the air from the rinsing container during the drying stage. In the stage for heating the rinsing solution, the evaporator, viewed in the direction of external airflow, is a second part through which external air flows additionally as a second section of the evaporator after the first part or section of the evaporator. This allows it to be converted or changed into a portion or region of heat output to the condenser during the stage for drying the rinsing chamber air, which, viewed in the direction of rinsing chamber airflow, flows through the rinsing chamber air after cooling and moisture condensation caused by the first part of the evaporator. Here, the equipment cost of the heat pump device or heat pump according to the invention is kept to a minimum. By employing a switching or repurposing mechanism for the second section or segment of the evaporator, it is possible to provide the heating of the rinse fluid with the full evaporator dimensions found in conventional heat pump units designed solely for heating the rinse solution. Here, the evaporator dimensions are specifically designed such that, in the corresponding stage with the rinse solution to be heated, sufficient heat energy can be transferred from outside air or ambient air to the working medium flowing within the evaporator, and from there to the rinse solution to be heated in the heat output section of the heat pump condenser. This rinse solution flows in a region or segment, particularly a pipe section, coupled with the heat output section of the condenser, in order to heat the rinse solution to the desired target temperature. This region or segment, particularly the pipe section, can be, in particular, part of the dishwasher's circulation loop, or part of a specially designed liquid heating loop, particularly one extending in parallel with its fluid. However, on the other hand, after switching, the switched portion of the evaporator is not without function in the drying stage, but rather serves as a heat transfer or heat output section of the condenser.

[0007] Within the scope of this invention, the second part of the evaporator, particularly a region or section of the evaporator, in the corresponding stage with the flushing solution to be heated by means of a heat pump, additionally extracts heat from the flowing ambient air in addition to the first part of the evaporator (arranged in the airflow direction) in front of the heat pump, and in the drying stage is converted into a condenser of the heat pump to output heat to the flowing flushing chamber air. Therefore, in the drying stage, the second part of the evaporator assumes the function of a condenser, causing the working medium of the heat pump to condense therein, i.e., be liquefied.

[0008] In each stage of the corresponding dishwashing program to be executed (the corresponding rinsing solution heating stage and, in particular, the drying stage at the end of the program), only those functional units of the heat pump according to the invention that contribute to heating the rinsing solution or to drying and reheating the rinsing chamber air, i.e., those that serve this purpose, are active. Whether it is part of the evaporator or part of the condenser, there is always a function in any stage of heat pump operation that contributes to heating the rinsing solution or to drying and reheating the rinsing chamber air. Therefore, heating the rinsing solution and drying and reheating the air from the rinsing container are both carried out with high efficiency and good space utilization.

[0009] During the drying phase, the portion of the condenser that functions or operates during the corresponding heating phase of the flushing solution can also at least partially maintain its condenser function (accompanied by the condensation of the working medium flowing therein) during the drying phase. That is, in this case, the condenser comprises two separate heat-output portions during the drying phase. Thus, the second portion of the evaporator, converted into a heat-output condenser portion during the drying phase, supplements the first portion of the condenser, which functions temporally prior to the corresponding flushing solution heating phase of the drying phase and now also at least partially condenses the working medium flowing therein during the drying phase. Therefore, in this case, the condenser functionally comprises two portions during the drying phase: a portion converted into a condenser (first in the direction of working medium flow) that functions during the corresponding flushing solution heating phase assisted or executed by a heat pump and now also outputs heat during the drying phase.

[0010] According to an advantageous improvement, it would be particularly advantageous to fill and / or flow unheated water, especially cold fresh water, through the area or section, especially the pipe section, that guides the rinse solution to be heated in the corresponding heating stage during the drying stage. This area or section is coupled with a portion of the heat output from the condenser to form a condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit, wherein the water temperature is lower than the temperature of the humid, especially hot, rinse chamber air with 100% relative humidity at the end of the sub-rinse stage preceding the drying stage of the corresponding dishwashing program, especially the rinsing stage, by at least 10°C or more. This reduces the maximum condensation temperature of the portion of the working medium flowing through the evaporator that is awkwardly converted into heat output from the condenser during the drying process, thereby ensuring the rapid and energy-efficient continuation of the heat pump operation for drying the rinse chamber air during the subsequent drying stage of the corresponding dishwashing program, despite the rinsing temperature caused by heat pump operation in one or more previous sub-rinse stages. Therefore, it is particularly possible to avoid overheating of the compressor and / or other components of the heat pump unit, and the potential damage to these components that may occur during heat pump operation in the drying phase. Thus, at this point, a longer shutdown phase, i.e., at least 20 minutes, is no longer needed in the corresponding dishwashing program prior to the drying phase, especially after the end of the rinsing phase, to allow the operating temperature of the working medium in the heat pump circuit to gradually decrease to a temperature level where the heat pump can then safely continue operating during the drying phase by gradually transferring heat to the dishwasher and / or the environment. Therefore, heat pump operation can continue in the drying phase, at least with almost no waiting, after one or more rinsing phases. In particular, it is feasible to operate the heat pump at least with almost no transition or continuously, preferably continuously, from the final sub-rinsing phase with heated rinsing solution, especially the rinsing phase, into the drying phase, especially until its end, without requiring an excessively long shutdown phase of the compressor at the end of the final sub-rinsing phase with heated rinsing solution, especially the rinsing phase, and / or at the beginning of the drying phase, which would otherwise lead to an undesirable extension of the drying phase and thus the corresponding dishwashing program. Cooling the working medium by filling areas or sections, particularly pipe sections (which are thermally coupled with a portion of the condenser's output heat to form a condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit) with colder water, especially fresh water, is particularly advantageous at the beginning of the drying phase in non-ECO dishwashing programs, such as quick cleaning programs, or hot cleaning programs or heavy cleaning programs that dissolve grease, or hygienic cleaning programs. In one or more sub-rinse phases of the rinse solution to be heated, particularly in the rinsing phase, the portion of the rinse solution that has been heated by means of the condenser is heated to a desired target temperature, higher than that of the Eco dishwashing program, particularly the rinsing temperature at the end of the rinsing phase, preferably at least 50°C.

[0011] In general terms, it is advantageous that by filling or flowing unheated water, particularly fresh water from the building's water supply line, through an area or section, particularly a pipe section, a portion of the condenser (the first portion in the direction of the working medium flow) can be cooled in a subsequent, particularly at the end of the drying phase, the portion of the condenser being engaged with the area or section, particularly the pipe section, in a heat-exchange manner, in at least one sub-rinse phase of the currently performed dishwashing procedure, particularly the rinsing phase preceding the drying phase, the rinsing solution flowing through the area or section is heated, the unheated water being colder than the air and / or rinsing solution in the rinsing container (2) at the end of the sub-rinse phase leading to the rinsing phase of the currently performed dishwashing procedure, particularly the rinsing phase preceding the drying phase.

[0012] Finally, depending on the design of the heat pump circuit, it is also feasible if necessary that during the drying stage, the portion of the condenser that is heated or active in the corresponding flushing solution heating stage (the first portion in the direction of working medium flow) loses its condenser function at least almost completely after or through the area or section of the second portion of the evaporator that is converted to output heat, such that the condenser during the drying stage consists mainly or entirely of the converted portion of the evaporator.

[0013] If, during the drying stage, the second part of the evaporator is switched or repurposed as a heat exchange area of ​​the condenser, i.e., when the second part of the evaporator is converted into a region or section for the output heat of the condenser, and the working medium of the heat pump is switched (condensed) to its liquid aggregate state, then the subsequent existence of a second function of the unit that outputs heat to the air flowing through and / or around the second part of the evaporator (and thus the air from the flushing container, i.e., the flushing chamber air) is automatically generated without further steps.

[0014] If, during the drying stage, the second part of the evaporator is switched to the heat exchange area of ​​the condenser, and this second part heats the air (rinse chamber air) taken from the rinse container after it has flowed through the first part of the evaporator and undergone cooling and (through moisture condensation) drying, then the air supplied from the rinse container not only has the advantage of being dried, but also the additional advantage of being reheated thereafter. The air taken from the rinse container and subsequently dried and reheated is then supplied back to the rinse container, achieving the absorption of a large amount of moisture from the items to be rinsed in the dishwasher's rinse container. Particularly advantageous for drying the items to be rinsed in the rinse container without defects is that the rinse chamber air circulates in a recirculating air loop by means of at least one air delivery unit, particularly by means of a fan, with the first part of the evaporator and its second part, which is converted into the heat exchange area of ​​the condenser for the drying stage, connected in series in the direction of the recirculating air flow.

[0015] When the second section of the evaporator is switched to the heat exchange zone of the condenser during the drying phase, the working medium advantageously flows through the second section of the evaporator, which is the zone for heat exchange or heat output, after at least one section of the condenser that precedes the drying phase and contains a rinsing solution to be heated for heating, particularly during the rinsing phase for heating the rinsing solution (especially the first section in the direction of working medium flow), in a manner changing to its liquid condensate state. The working medium is not converted to its gaseous condensate state until it is arranged downstream of the second section of the evaporator in the direction of working medium flow. Then, with the conversion to its gaseous state (evaporation), the working medium is able to extract heat from the environment, thereby causing cooling of the first section of the evaporator. Therefore, in the cooled first evaporator section, water vapor and / or moisture can condense from the air flowing through and / or around the first evaporator section from the rinsing container (rinsing chamber air).

[0016] Preferably, at the end of the sub-rinsing stage of the guiding rinsing solution, which precedes the corresponding dishwashing program, particularly the rinsing stage, the area where the second part of the evaporator can be switched or repurposed as a condenser for heat exchange or heat output is already available.

[0017] A key feature of the heat pump device according to the invention is that, in the flushing solution heating mode, the functional evaporator-evaporator section (the first and second evaporator sections), formed by the first and second evaporator sections and capable of loading ambient air, functions as a functional evaporator-condenser section (the first part of the evaporator, the heat-absorbing part, and the second part of the evaporator, which is repurposed as the output heat of the condenser) capable of loading flushing chamber air in the drying mode. Thus, the air flow path through the first and second evaporator sections is the same for both the flushing solution heating mode and the drying mode, i.e., unified. (Air supply upstream to the functional evaporator-evaporator section or evaporator-condenser section and air discharge downstream of the functional evaporator-evaporator section or evaporator-condenser section are different for the flushing solution heating mode and the drying mode.) Therefore, a compact or space-saving and component-saving structure can be ensured for the heat pump device according to the invention.

[0018] Advantageously, the first and second sections of the evaporator can be arranged in series in at least a generally straight line. This simplifies the air guiding of ambient air supplied by the air delivery unit (in the stage for heating the flushing solution) and flushing chamber air supplied by the air delivery unit (in the drying stage). In particular, it is advantageous for the heat pump unit to have a compact structure of the evaporator-evaporator section (in the flushing solution heating mode) or the evaporator-condenser section (in the drying process), with the first and second sections of the evaporator positioned front to back in a horizontal plane or up to down in a vertical plane. Here, it is not necessary to exhaust or supply air between the two evaporator sections.

[0019] To achieve particularly low consumption, the switching of the second part of the evaporator by a first switching element between the first and second parts of the evaporator, and by a second switching element between the portion of the condenser that outputs heat to the flushing solution and the second part of the evaporator, is sufficient. This alone allows determination of whether the second part of the evaporator is functionally connected as an evaporator (during the flushing solution heating phase), particularly as the portion that outputs heat to the condenser of the heat pump, or whether it is used to evaporate or condense the working medium. Within the scope of this invention, the portion of the condenser that outputs heat to the flushing solution is understood to be a portion of the condenser that is in heat exchange contact with at least one area or section, particularly a pipe (through which the corresponding flushing solution to be heated is transported) to form a condenser / flushing solution heat exchanger unit.

[0020] According to an advantageous improvement of the invention, at least one of the switching elements, particularly each switching element, can form a parallel connection consisting of a valve (in the first pipeline branch) switchable to open and close, particularly a solenoid valve, and a capillary tube (in the second pipeline branch) fluidly connected in parallel with the valve. Thus, the valve, particularly the solenoid valve, switchable to open and close is inserted into the first pipeline branch, while the capillary tube exists in the parallel second pipeline branch. In this way, an extremely simple structure using readily available components for the corresponding switching elements is feasible.

[0021] As a variation of this, according to an advantageous improvement, at least one of the switching elements, particularly each switching element, can have a parallel connection of a first pipeline branch through which the heat pump working medium flows and multiple (two or more) pipeline branches fluidly connected in parallel to the first pipeline branch, each of which includes a capillary tube. Valves, particularly solenoid valves, capable of being switched to open and closed, are respectively positioned upstream of the capillary tubes in the parallel branches or parallel pipelines (in the direction of working medium flow) or connected upstream of the capillary tubes. Therefore, in this modified, advantageous improvement, at least one of the switching elements can form a parallel connection consisting of valves, particularly solenoid valves, capable of being switched to open and closed, and multiple capillary tubes fluidly connected in parallel to them, each connected upstream of a valve, particularly a solenoid valve, capable of being switched to open and closed. Here, capillary tubes with different throttling characteristics (or different expansion effects of the working medium) can be used. This allows for a simple adaptation of the throttling behavior of the corresponding switching element based on the selected dishwashing program, program timing, and / or environmental conditions (such as different ambient temperatures) and / or other influencing variables.

[0022] Instead of the above-described embodiments comprising one or more capillary tubes as switching elements, it is advantageous when necessary that at least one, and particularly each, of the switching elements is configured as an adjustable (expansion) valve with a non-linear characteristic curve. Such an adjustable valve is characterized in that, starting from its closed position, the flow characteristic curve of the working medium rises only slightly with each subsequent opening step, until it reaches the open position, from which point a steep flow increase occurs. Therefore, the adjustable valve with a non-linear characteristic curve exhibits a capillary-like throttling effect on the working medium above a portion of its open position, and only functions like an open valve when at least nearly fully open, particularly in its last few opening steps. From this point onward, the working medium can flow through the adjustable valve with at least almost no pressure loss.

[0023] Furthermore, an advantageous improvement according to the invention is advantageous in that, in the aforementioned embodiment comprising a switching element with one or more capillaries, the corresponding capillaries are combined with the heat pump device's suction pipe to form a capillary-suction pipe heat exchanger, the suction pipe being formed with a connecting line through which the heat pump's working medium flows from the outlet or output end of the first part of the evaporator to the inlet or input end of the compressor or gas compressor.

[0024] If an adjustable (expansion) valve, particularly an adjustable thermostatic or electrically operated expansion valve, is used instead of a switching element with a capillary (i.e., a capillary tube), the capillary-suction pipe heat exchanger can be configured as a so-called liquid subcooler. Here, the pipe of the heat pump that guides the liquid working medium to the expansion valve is thermally coupled to the suction pipe to form a heat exchanger.

[0025] For the two different circuit states of the heat pump device constructed according to the invention in terms of heating the flushing solution and drying the flushing chamber air (and the accompanying material to be flushed), it is particularly advantageous to supplement this by providing a switching mechanism on the input side of the air flowing through the heat pump, which switches between air flowing in from the outside and air from the flushing container (flushing chamber air). Thus, in the first circuit state used in the stage of heating the flushing solution, the heat pump is able to cool the outside air and extract heat energy from it in a conventional manner; while in the other or second circuit state used in the stage of drying the flushing chamber air, the air from the flushing container is first cooled and dried, and then reheated in a second part of the heat exchange or heat output section of the evaporator, which is converted into a condenser, before it flows back into the flushing container.

[0026] Advantageously, a switching mechanism is provided on the input side of the air flowing through the heat pump. By means of this switching mechanism, during the stage of heating the rinsing liquid, ambient air flowing in from the outside can be supplied to the first part of the evaporator and then to the second part to extract heat from it and transfer the heat to the working medium flowing through the first and second parts of the evaporator; or during the stage of drying the object to be rinsed, rinsing chamber air removed from the rinsing container can be supplied to the first part of the evaporator to cool and condense moisture, and thereafter supplied to the second part of the evaporator, the area of ​​heat exchange or heat output of which is switched or converted into a condenser.

[0027] The switching mechanism can, in particular, have one or more air path control units (such as air butterfly valves) that are alternately or sequentially opened and closed for air flowing in from the outside or for air from the flushing container. This allows the mixing of the two airflows to be prevented.

[0028] Specifically, the switching mechanism will have a first air path control unit, particularly an air butterfly valve, in the delivery line. This first air path control unit is open during the stage for heating the flushing fluid to supply ambient air from the outside to a first section of the evaporator and a second section located downstream of it in the direction of ambient air flow. It will also have a second air path control unit, particularly an air butterfly valve, which is open during the stage for drying the flushing chamber air to supply flushing chamber air to the first section of the evaporator and a second section located downstream of it in the direction of flushing chamber air flow, which is switched or converted into a condenser for heat exchange or heat output. Here, when the first air path control unit is open, the second air path control unit is advantageously closed. Conversely, when the second air path control unit is open, the first air path control unit is advantageously closed.

[0029] Here, the first air path control unit can preferably be disposed in the first air delivery path, through which ambient air can be introduced to flow through the section formed by the first and second evaporator sections during the corresponding stage for heating the rinsing solution. The second air path control unit can preferably be disposed in the second air delivery path, through which rinsing chamber air can be introduced from the rinsing chamber of the rinsing container to flow through the section formed by the first part of the evaporator and the second part of the area that is switched or converted into a condenser for heat exchange or heat output.

[0030] When necessary, a single air butterfly valve may be sufficient, which alternately acts on two delivery lines or air delivery paths (the air delivery path for ambient air and the air delivery path for flushing chamber air) and thus opens only one of them.

[0031] The air delivery path for ambient air and the air delivery path for flushing room air can preferably be formed by delivery pipelines, delivery channels or other air delivery paths, respectively.

[0032] According to an advantageous improvement of the invention, at least one, particularly a single, air delivery unit is provided for the first and second parts of the evaporator, and in particular, the air delivery unit is arranged upstream of the evaporator in its air delivery direction. This air delivery unit either delivers ambient air drawn from the outside during the stage for heating the flushing liquid, or flushing chamber air removed from the flushing container during the stage for drying the flushing chamber air, first through the first part of the evaporator and then through the second part.

[0033] Advantageously, the flow direction of the working medium through the pipeline sections of the first and second evaporator sections is opposite to the air supply direction of the air (ambient air when heating the rinsing solution or rinsing chamber air when drying the rinsing material) forced by the air supply unit, with air flowing through the pipeline sections of the first and second evaporator sections respectively. This improves heat transfer between the working medium and the corresponding forced air supply in the first and second evaporator sections respectively.

[0034] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the blades of the first section of the evaporator (in the air delivery direction) have a larger lateral spacing than the blades of the second section of the evaporator (in the air delivery direction). This ensures, at least to a large extent, that the air passage between the blades of the first section of the evaporator remains sufficiently unobstructed during one or more stages of the corresponding dishwashing process for heating the rinsing solution (operated by means of a heat pump) and during the drying stage (operated by means of a heat pump), despite the occurrence of condensation and / or possible icing due to moisture condensing and freezing from the air flowing through them (ambient air in the rinsing solution heating mode or rinsing chamber air in the drying mode).

[0035] The present invention also relates to a method for operating a dishwasher, particularly a household dishwasher, having at least one heat pump comprising at least one compressor, a condenser, an expansion element (or a pressure relief element), and an evaporator, wherein the compressor, condenser, expansion element (or pressure relief element), and evaporator are connected to each other and a working medium that changes its aggregation state during operation circulates between them, and the heat pump also has at least one circulation pump for contacting the liquid to be rinsed, i.e., the so-called rinse fluid, and wherein the dishwasher supports an automatic operation mode in multiple consecutive phases, particularly a dishwasher according to at least one advantageous improvement explained above, characterized in that, in the phase for heating the rinse fluid, the evaporator is functionally divided into at least two halves by means of at least two sections, the two halves being switched sequentially with the same function, and in the phase for drying and reheating the rinse chamber air removed from the rinse container, the second part of the evaporator is switched to the heat exchange area of ​​the condenser.

[0036] Advantageously, dishwashers, especially household dishwashers, include at least one control and / or inspection unit, by means of which

[0037] - Capable of controlling and / or checking the operation of the heat pump compressor for the corresponding sub-rinse phases using the rinse solution to be heated via the heat pump's condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit, and for the corresponding drying phases to be performed using the heat pump (especially for the drying phase of the final rinse cycle of the corresponding dishwashing program), and / or

[0038] - For the drying stage to be performed by heat pump 14, especially for the drying stage of the final rinse program of the dishwashing program, the switching element can control and / or check the area where the second part of the evaporator is converted into a condenser for heat exchange or heat output. - Capable of controlling and / or inspecting the operation of at least one air delivery unit (particularly regarding its on / off times and / or rotational speed) for the corresponding sub-rinse phase using a rinse solution to be heated via a heat pump condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit, and for the corresponding drying phase to be performed using a heat pump, particularly the drying phase of the final rinse phase of the respective dishwashing program to be performed using a heat pump, and / or - Capable of controlling and / or checking the switching mechanism on the input side of the air path for releasing ambient air flowing through the two evaporator sections during the corresponding sub-rinse stage using the rinse solution to be heated via the condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit, and in the corresponding drying stage to be performed using the heat pump, especially in the drying stage of the final rinse program of the dishwashing program to be performed using the heat pump, and / or in the drying stage of the corresponding drying stage using the heat pump, and / or in the drying stage of the air path for releasing air circulating in the rinse chamber during recirculated air operation. - Capable of controlling and / or checking, on the output side, a switching mechanism that may exist for releasing the blow-out air path for the ambient air cooled after flowing through the two evaporator sections from the dishwasher body to the environment during the corresponding sub-rinse stage of the condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit VWT to be heated. Also capable of controlling and checking, on the output side, a switching mechanism that may exist for releasing the return air path for the rinse chamber air heated after flowing through the second evaporator component in the area converted to output heat during circulating air operation.

[0039] Advantageous designs and modifications of the invention explained above and / or reproduced in the dependent claims can be used here alone or in any combination (except, for example, in cases of obvious dependencies or incompatible alternatives). Attached Figure Description

[0040] The present invention, its advantageous designs and improvements, and their advantages will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] The following are schematic diagrams illustrating the principles: Figure 1The diagram shows a perspective view of a household dishwasher, exemplarily illustrated here, schematically shown from a diagonal front. It has a door that can be pivotally opened downwards and a base or base carrier for accommodating functional elements in a lower region. A heat pump or heat pump device configured according to the functional principles of the invention is additionally arranged in the lower region in a manner advantageous in terms of connection and space. The heat pump or heat pump device is used to heat the rinsing solution during at least one sub-rinsing phase of the dishwashing program to be performed and to dry the items to be rinsed during the drying phase of the final program. Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A schematic block diagram functional view of a household dishwasher, having a first advantageous embodiment of its heat pump device, wherein its evaporator is divided into two parts, and the second part of the evaporator can be converted into a heat exchange area of ​​the condenser of the heat pump device for the drying stage of the corresponding dishwashing program by means of a first switching element inserted in front of it and a second switching element inserted behind it, respectively, wherein the first switching element has a valve, in particular a solenoid valve and a capillary tube that can be switched to open and closed, and wherein the second switching element has a valve, in particular a solenoid valve and a capillary tube connected in parallel that can be switched to open and closed; Figure 3 The second advantageous implementation variation of the heat pump device is shown. Figure 2 Similar views, where Figure 2 Compared to the first implementation of the heat pump unit, the switching element is now replaced by a valve with a non-linear characteristic curve. Figure 4 schematically shown Figure 3 The characteristic nonlinear characteristic curves of the valves used; and Figure 5 The third advantageous implementation variation of the heat pump device is shown. Figure 2 Similar views, where Figure 2 Compared to the first implementation variant of the heat pump device, the capillary switching element is now replaced by a capillary-suction pipe heat exchanger.

[0042] Components with the same function and operation are given the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0043] exist Figure 1 The invention is illustrated by way of example with a dishwasher 1, particularly a household dishwasher, but is not intended to limit the invention thereto. The invention can also be adapted to other household appliances, such as washing machines or washer-dryer combos, when needed.

[0044] The following description, based on Figure 1The household dishwasher, as part of the main body 5 of the device that partially opens or closes outwards, has a rinsing container 2 for holding items to be rinsed or cleaned, such as tableware, pots, cutlery, glasses, cooking utensils, etc. Here, the items to be rinsed can be arranged, in particular, held in the dish rack 11, especially in the lower dish rack and in the upper dish rack arranged vertically above the lower dish rack, and / or in the cutlery drawer 10, where so-called rinsing liquid 24 can be loaded during one or more sub-rinsing stages of the corresponding dishwashing program. Here, the rinsing liquid or rinsing solution 24 is preferably understood to be fresh water and / or water circulated, particularly during the rinsing operation of the household dishwasher, with or without detergent and / or dishwashing liquid and / or desiccant, which comes into contact with the items to be rinsed. Additionally, the rinsing fluid 24 may also contain more or less contaminants from the ongoing rinsing operation, which are rinsed away from the items to be cleaned during one or more sub-rinsing stages of the corresponding dishwashing program. If necessary, a rinsing solution may also be used for one or more sub-rinsing stages of the corresponding dishwashing program, which was used in at least one sub-rinsing stage of a previously preceding dishwashing program, such as a rinsing stage, but remains relatively clean thereafter and is then stored in a memory as industrial water. Specifically, the rinsing fluid may be softened beforehand, i.e., before being applied to the items to be rinsed, by passing it through an ion exchanger or other softening device. The rinsing container 2 may have at least a substantially rectangular profile with a front side V facing the user in the operating position. Here, this front side V may form part of the kitchen facade consisting of kitchen furniture standing side-by-side, or, in the case of a freestanding unit 1, may not be associated with other furniture.

[0045] In this embodiment, the loading opening of the rinsing container 2 is preferably located on the front side, particularly at the front V, and can be closed by a (front) door or flap 3, the upper end of which can be pivoted forward and downward about the lower horizontal axis. The door 3... Figure 1 The door is shown in a partially open position, thus leaning relative to the vertical. Conversely, in the closed, terminal position, the door is at least almost upright, and according to... Figure 1 To allow the door to pivot forward and downward about the lower horizontal axis in the direction of arrow 4, the door is positioned such that it is at least nearly horizontal or flat in the fully open position (open end position). Other movements of the door, such as those via a parallelogram or other articulated mechanism, are also possible. Alternatively, a door with a lateral stop may be provided, or the loading opening of the flushing container 2 may be provided with a door that is substantially horizontal in its closed position.

[0046] The door has a decorative panel or door covering on the outside, that is, on the side facing the user. Figure 1 In one embodiment, the front door 3 has decorative panels 6 on its vertical, user-facing outer and front V sides when it is in the closed position, so as to provide a visual and / or tactile enhancement and / or adaptation to the surrounding kitchen furniture.

[0047] The household dishwasher 1 described herein is exemplarily configured as a freestanding or standing device at point B on the floor, or as a so-called semi-integrated device placed at point B on the floor, below the kitchen countertop and within a mounting niche between adjacent kitchen furniture. Regarding the latter case, for the sake of simplicity in the drawing, Figure 1 The adjacent kitchen furniture and kitchen countertop are omitted.

[0048] In the lower region of the household dishwasher 1, below the rinse container 2, a base or foundation carrier 12 can be present, specifically for housing functional components, such as a pump 22 for circulating the rinse fluid 24 and / or a drain pump for drawing the rinse fluid 24 from a pump pit PS fluidly connected to the rinse container 2, as well as a heat pump or heat pump device 14 configured according to the functional principles of the invention. This heat pump or heat pump device can be advantageously positioned there in terms of space and connectivity. Figure 1 In this context, the arrangement of the heat pump unit 14 within the base carrier or base 12 is symbolically represented only by a dashed rectangle. However, (depending on the configuration of a household dishwasher) placing the heat pump unit within the base is not mandatory, i.e., it is not mandatory to place it within the base. Figure 1 Unlike advantageous embodiments, the heat pump unit can also be partially or completely arranged outside the base 12, i.e., outside the side wall and / or rear wall of the flushing container 2.

[0049] The main body 5 of the household dishwasher 1 is here Figure 1 In one embodiment, there are two sidewalls S positioned opposite each other. A rear wall R is provided on the rear side, which can be, for example, penetrated and allow through-intervention of a portion of the heat pump 14, such as the evaporator 20 of the heat pump.

[0050] According to Figure 1 In one embodiment, the movable door 3 is exemplarily associated in its upper region with a front panel 8 extending outward in the lateral or width direction Q of the dishwasher 1. This panel is capable of including display and / or operating elements and thus also serves as a display and / or operating panel. Preferably, in the region of the lower edge of the door, as described here... Figure 1As in the embodiments described, it is advantageous to provide an access opening 7 accessible from the front side V for manually opening and / or closing the door 3. This access opening 7 is exemplary here located only in the laterally centered area of ​​the door 3; however, this is not mandatory. It is also possible for the access opening 7 to extend at least almost across the entire width of the dishwasher in the lateral direction Q, i.e., spanning 50 to 60 centimeters in a 60-cm-wide dishwasher. As an alternative to such semi-integrated or “stand-alone” (i.e., freestanding) dishwashers (whose front door has an operation panel in the upper edge area of ​​the door, the panel having a display and / or operating elements visible from the front in the vertical closed end position of the front door), in so-called fully integrated dishwashers, the entire front of the front door can be covered by a cover (e.g., a kitchen furniture panel). In this door variant, the control panel's operating and / or display elements can be positioned, for example, at the upper outer edge of the front door, making them visible and / or accessible to the user only at the upper door edge when the front door is open. Of course, other door variants are possible depending on the dishwasher's structural type and / or placement or installation conditions.

[0051] In the lateral direction Q, dishwashers typically have an extension of 45, 50, or 60 cm. In the depth direction from the front V to the rear, the extension is also typically around 60 cm. This value is not mandatory. Household dishwashers do not necessarily need to be as long as... Figure 1 Instead of standing directly upright on the ground B, the dishwasher 1 can be mounted higher up on the base of a kitchen cabinet or inside other kitchen furniture, or placed on a base or kitchen countertop at a height distance from the ground B. Specifically, the height distance can be selected such that when the front door 3 is brought into its at least approximately horizontal open end position, the user requires little or no bending, for example, when loading or unloading the dishwasher basket, particularly the lower basket, or when replenishing the dehydrator into the dispensing unit located on the inner wall of the front door 3. In this elevated placement or installation position relative to the ground B, the lower edge of the dishwasher 1 can then preferably be located approximately 40 to 110 centimeters above the ground B. The vertical height (extension in the vertical direction H) of the household dishwasher 1 can also vary depending on the structural type and / or installation conditions.

[0052] In this embodiment, the rinsing container 2 is preferably circumferentially defined by a total of three fixed vertical walls 13 and two horizontal walls 13 when the door or flap is closed. One of the horizontal walls forms the top (upper part) of the rinsing container 2, and the other horizontal wall forms the bottom (lower part) of the rinsing container 2. Moving to the left in the lateral direction Q, the left-hand, at least substantially vertical, side wall 13 is adjacent to the user-facing front side V, and oppositely to it, the right-hand, at least substantially vertical, side wall 13 is adjacent to the user-facing front side V. These side walls are connected to each other on the rear side by a rear wall 13 that is at least almost vertical.

[0053] The rinsing chamber of the rinsing container 2 preferably includes multiple liquid loading units to facilitate the introduction of rinsing fluid, particularly spray devices such as a lower rotatable spray arm associated with the lower dish rack, an upper rotatable spray arm associated with the upper dish rack, and a top sprayer or rotatable top arm located above the upper cutlery drawer in the top wall region of the rinsing container 2. The liquid loading units are supplied with rinsing solution via one or more delivery lines. For this purpose, a flushing solution is drawn from a pump pit PS or from other liquid collection areas of the flushing container 2 by a circulation pump, particularly via a suction connector or suction line, wherein the pump pit is arranged below the bottom wall of the flushing container 2 and fluidly connected to an outflow opening provided in the bottom wall of the flushing container 2, and the flushing solution is optionally distributed via a distributor preferably integrated into the circulation pump or via a distributor fluidly arranged downstream of the circulation pump in the flow direction of the circulation pump to delivery lines leading to multiple liquid loading units, particularly pumped only simultaneously into delivery lines leading to liquid loading units to be operated individually or selectively, or pumped into delivery lines leading to at least one desired combination of multiple liquid loading units to be operated simultaneously. Figure 2 In China (and also separately) Figure 3 and Figure 5 (In the diagram), for the sake of simplicity, multiple liquid loading units are represented by a single, very simplified flushing solution inlet 27. Correspondingly, for the same purpose, for simplicity, the delivery lines leading to the multiple liquid loading units from a distributor that may be housed on the output side or delivery pressure side of the circulation pump 22, or from a distributor downstream of the circulation pump in the delivery direction of the circulation pump, are represented by a single delivery line ZL. Figure 2 (and also separately) Figure 3 and Figure 5 In this simplified diagram (in the middle), the water distributor is therefore omitted.

[0054] In this way, the flushing chamber of the flushing container 2, the pump pit PS, the circulating pump 22, the water distributor, multiple delivery lines or liquid distribution lines, and multiple liquid loading units arranged in the flushing chamber of the flushing container form a liquid circulation loop (i.e., a circulating pump loop) or a hydraulic loop for loading the material to be flushed in the flushing chamber with the aid of the flushing solution. When the material to be flushed is to be loaded in the flushing chamber with the aid of the flushing solution, the circulating pump is preferably then in operation.

[0055] The flushing solution flowing through the circulation loop is Figure 2 In China (and also separately) Figure 3 and Figure 5 The two arrows (24 and 24) are respectively indicated by arrows shown separately, which also indicate the flow direction of the flushing solution in the circulation loop (or circulation pump loop) from the pump pit PS to the liquid loading unit (represented by a single liquid inlet line 27).

[0056] according to Figure 2 The embodiments (and respectively also in Figure 3 and Figure 5 In another embodiment), the outflow opening located in the bottom wall of the flushing container and / or the pump pit is advantageously provided with a filtration system Fl, which guides the flow to the pump pit PS. Figure 2 (and also separately) Figure 3 and Figure 5 The characters in the middle are indicated only by dots and dashes.

[0057] exist Figure 2 In the first exemplary configuration, the heat pump or heat pump device 14 equipped for the household dishwasher 1 is only roughly schematically shown. Figures 3-5 The heat pump 14 is shown only conceptually relative to the heat pump 14. Figure 2 The implementation is modified. According to the invention, the heat pump 14 is used not only to heat the rinsing solution 24 circulating in the circulation pump circuit or hydraulic circuit in one or more sub-rinsing stages with the rinsing solution to be heated in the corresponding dishwashing program, particularly the cleaning stage and / or rinsing stage, but also to dry the rinsing chamber air 33 during the drying stage of the end program of the dishwashing program and / or during other drying stages located after the dishwashing program (e.g., the storage stage, in which the rinsed and dried rinsing items are also retained in the rinsing chamber of the rinsing container, preferably with the door closed). For heating the rinsing solution that requires heating to the desired target terminal temperature in the corresponding sub-rinsing stage, the heat pump 14 can provide, in particular, the only heating possibility. This is preferably the case when performing energy-saving programs, particularly Eco programs. Alternatively, it is possible to supplement or add to the heat pump 14 with additional heating elements, particularly electric heating devices, i.e., for example, cross-flow heaters, inserted into the circulation circuit. Figure 2 , Figures 3-5 In the embodiments, additional heating elements 23 are provided, specifically associated with the circulation pump 22. The heating elements 23 can be particularly integrated into the circulation pump 22, preferably on the pressure side of the pump's delivery wheel, thus forming a heating pump. If additional heating elements are provided in combination with the heat pump 14 for heating the rinsing solution, the rinsing solution to be heated in the sub-rinse phase can first be preheated by means of the heat pump 14 alone, and then (preferably after the heat pump is turned off) post-heated by means of the additional heating elements, such as 23, to heat the rinsing solution to the target end temperature. Dishwashing programs, such as hygienic programs or very fast rinsing programs, with extremely high rinsing solution temperatures (e.g., 60 to 70°C or higher) in one or more sub-rinse phases (particularly cleaning and / or rinsing phases), can also be energy-efficiently implemented. Types of dishwashing programs, such as short programs, can also be provided, in which the heat pump 14 remains off, and the rinsing solution is heated to the corresponding required target end temperature in the respective sub-rinse phase with the rinsing solution to be heated by means of additional electric heating elements.

[0058] exist Figures 2-5 In various embodiments, the heat pump 14 is particularly a compressor heat pump, i.e., the heat pump includes a compressor or compressor 16 by means of which mechanical compression work is performed on the working medium 17 (e.g., a propane / butane mixture or isobutane) circulating in the heat pump 14. Here, the compressor 16 that performs mechanical compression work on the working medium 17 is electrically driven and simultaneously conveys the working medium 17 compressed by it toward the condenser 18.

[0059] Attached to compressor 16, the heat pump or heat pump unit 14 includes at least one condenser 18 arranged downstream of compressor 16 on the pressure side in the direction of working medium 17 delivery, an expansion element or pressure relief element, such as 19 (e.g., an expansion valve or a capillary tube with subsequent expansion possibilities for the working medium 17) following it in the direction of working medium 17 delivery and switchable according to the invention for causing expansion of the working medium 17, and an evaporator 20 arranged downstream of pressure relief element 19 and divided into two parts or sections 20a, 20b. These functional units 16, 18, 19, 20 (20a, 20b) are interconnected via a pipeline region or pipeline section 21 for further conduction of the working medium 17, which changes its aggregate state during operation. The working medium 17 flowing from compressor 16 to condenser 18 via heat pump unit 14 during its operation (compressor 16 is turned on) Figure 2 (and also separately) Figure 3 and Figure 5The directions of flow of the working medium are indicated by separately shown arrows. Furthermore, the heat pump 14 is preferably associated with at least one delivery line ZU and an outlet line ZA for the rinse solution 24 circulating in the household dishwasher 1, as well as electrical connection possibilities (shown here). Additionally, various sensors and interfaces for data buses can be provided. Furthermore, a condensate collection tank with a condensate pump flowing into the rinse container 2 on the output side can be provided below the evaporator 20.

[0060] The first part 20a and the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 are described here. Figure 2 In the embodiments (and respectively in Figure 3 and Figure 5 In the embodiment, they are arranged downstream of the air delivery unit 15 (particularly a ventilator or fan) in the air delivery direction F. They are arranged sequentially along a common airflow path. Advantageously in terms of flow, this airflow path extends at least substantially in a straight line. In particular, it is advantageous that the two parts 20a, 20b of the evaporator 20 are as described here. Figure 2 The embodiments (and respectively also in Figure 3 and Figure 5 In the embodiment, the evaporators 20 are arranged in the base 12 as described above, and are arranged in rows following each other in the depth direction of the dishwasher 1 when viewed from front to back. Here, the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 is preferably arranged in the area of ​​the rear wall of the base 12 so that ambient air 34 can flow from the base 12 to the environment at the installation site of the dishwasher 1 through the exhaust opening therein. The two parts 20a and 20b of the evaporator 20 are sequentially passed through by the ambient air 34 in the respective sub-rinse stages in which the rinsing solution is heated by means of the heat pump 14, so as to transfer its heat to the working medium 17.

[0061] Therefore, generally speaking, at least one, particularly a separate, air delivery unit 15 is associated with the evaporator 20. This air delivery unit, in addition to the aforementioned functional units 16, 18, 19, 20, and 21, can in particular be a component of the heat pump unit 14. Generally speaking, the air delivery unit 15 is arranged in front of the first portion 20a of the evaporator 20 when viewed in its air delivery direction F, and the first portion 20a of the evaporator 20 is arranged in front of its second portion 20b (preferably within the internal space of the equipment base 12).

[0062] Preferably (as here) Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 5(As shown) Each section 20a, 20b of the evaporator 20 has one or more meanders in the lateral direction, particularly at least substantially perpendicular to the air delivery direction F, through which the working medium 17 can flow or (when the heat pump 14 is running). Advantageously, the respective blades LAa and Lab are thermally connected to one or more meanders in the first evaporator section 20a and one or more meanders in the second evaporator section 20b, with the blades protruding from the meanders and extending in the air delivery direction F. When the air delivery unit 15 is turned on, i.e., during operation, the blades increase their respective contact surface through which air can flow or be blown, which improves heat transfer from the air to the working medium 17 flowing in the meanders in the first evaporator section 20a and the second evaporator section 20b. If, according to an advantageous embodiment, one or more meanders in the first evaporator section 20a and one or more meanders in the second evaporator section 20b are particularly located in a plane that is at least substantially horizontal (here in... Figures 2-5 As in the embodiment), the blades LAa and LAb to which they belong protrude upwards and downwards (i.e., along the height direction H and opposite to the height direction H), respectively. Each pair of blades LAa extending laterally, particularly orthogonally or vertically to one or more meandering portions of the first portion 20a of the evaporator 20, has a lateral spacing such that an air passage is formed between the blades in the air transport direction F, in which, when viewed from the air transport direction F (here, in…),… Figures 2-5 In the embodiment of the household dishwasher (in the depth direction), the sections of the meandering pipes or channels through which the working medium 17 flows in the first evaporator section 20a are offset from each other, transversely and particularly perpendicularly to the air passage extension. The blades LAb extending transversely and particularly orthogonally or perpendicularly to each other in every two or more meandering sections of the second evaporator section 20b have a transverse spacing such that an air passage is formed between these blades in the air delivery direction F, in which, when viewed in the air delivery direction F (here, in…),… Figures 2-5 In the embodiments (in the depth direction of the household dishwasher), the laterally, particularly vertically, extended sections of the meandering pipes or channels through which the working medium 17 flows in the second evaporator section 20b are offset from each other. Specifically, the blades LAa of the first evaporator section 20a can be equidistantly mounted at one or more meandering sections of the first evaporator section 20a with at least substantially equal lateral spacing, and the blades LAb of the second evaporator section 20b can be equidistantly mounted at one or more meandering sections of the second section 20b of the evaporator 20 with at least substantially equal lateral spacing.

[0063] To heat the rinsing solution used in or during the rinsing phase of the dishwashing program, particularly the cleaning and / or rinsing phases, the heat pump 14 operates as an air-to-water heat pump. For this purpose, an air delivery unit 15 is activated and draws ambient air 34 from the space surrounding the dishwasher 1 (e.g., the kitchen space). This air delivery unit first blows the ambient air 34 through a first section 20a of the evaporator 20 and then through a second section 20b disposed downstream therein, where heat is extracted from the ambient air and transferred to the working medium 17 flowing through both the first section 20a and the second section 20b of the evaporator 20. The thus cooled ambient air is then blown out from the appliance body 5 of the dishwasher 1. This... Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 The arrows 70 and 70 represent different directions. If, as shown here... Figure 2 In the embodiments (and respectively in Figure 3 and Figure 5 In another embodiment, the air delivery unit 15 is disposed in the base carrier 12, and the air delivery unit is disposed there and / or via gaps, cracks, notches and / or other openings (which exist in one or more walls of the base carrier or appliance base of the household dishwasher 1), particularly via, for example, as described herein. Figure 1 In this embodiment, a front ventilation slit 31 specifically provided in the front part of the device base 12 draws in ambient air 34 from the outside. The air delivery unit here preferably blows the ambient air 34 drawn in by it rearward (in the depth direction of the household dishwasher 1) toward the evaporator 20, the first evaporator section 20a and the second evaporator section 20b of which are preferably located one behind the other in the depth direction of the device base 12. Therefore, the ambient air 34 first flows through the air passage between the blades LAa of the first evaporator section 20a, and then flows through the air passage between the blades LAb of the second evaporator section 20b arranged in a row behind the first evaporator section 20a in the depth direction. In other words, here, one or more meandering pipe areas or pipe sections through which the working medium 17 flows in the two evaporator sections 20a and 20b, as well as their protruding blades, are traversed by the ambient air 34. The ambient air 34, which flows out of the second evaporator section 20b and is cooled by it after flowing through the two evaporator sections 20a and 20b, preferably flows out into the environment through a notch or opening in the rear wall R of the appliance body 5 of the household dishwasher 2. Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 The numbers 70 and 70 are symbolized by arrows.

[0064] When necessary, it is also advantageous to arrange the first evaporator section 20a and the second evaporator section 20b in a vertical row along the height direction H. In this way, if the horizontally available space in the interior space is too small for the horizontally arranged front-to-back arrangement of the first evaporator section 20a and the second evaporator section 20b, it can be achieved, for example, by placing the evaporator sections in the base carrier 12.

[0065] The first section 18' of the condenser 18 of the heat pump 14 (viewed in the flow direction of the working medium 17) is in heat exchange contact with at least one region or section 50, particularly a conduit (through which the flushing solution 24 to be heated is conveyed, respectively) constituting the condenser / flushing solution heat exchanger unit VWT. The region or section 50 of the condenser / flushing solution heat exchanger unit VWT that guides the flushing solution, particularly the conduit that guides the flushing solution, can preferably be a section of a circulation loop. For this purpose, this region or section (particularly the conduit) – as described here in… Figure 2 In the embodiments (and respectively in Figure 3 and Figure 5 As simplified in the embodiment, the delivery line ZL (particularly the conduit) and the outlet line ZA (particularly the conduit) of the region or section are advantageously inserted into the delivery pipeline system of the circulation loop between the pump pit PS (here, for example, particularly on the pressure side in the direction of flushing solution delivery, after the circulation pump 22) and one or more inlet lines 27 (particularly the flushing solution loading unit). If necessary, the delivery line ZL and / or the outlet line ZA can also be omitted, and the region or section 50 guiding the flushing solution, particularly the conduit guiding the flushing solution, can be directly connected to the delivery pipeline system of the circulation loop. After passing through the heat exchange region 50 of the condenser / flushing solution heat exchanger unit VWT, the flushing fluid 24 can be heated and re-delivered to the flushing container 2 via one or more inlet lines 27.

[0066] Alternatively, the area or section 50 of the condenser / flushing solution heat exchanger unit VWT that guides the flushing solution, particularly the conduit for guiding the flushing solution, can be connected via a transport line ZU and an outlet line ZA within that area or section (particularly the conduit), or a section that can be directly formed as a dedicated heating loop in the absence of that area or section or conduit, the heating loop being attached to the circulation loop. For clarity of illustration, this variant is shown in... Figures 2-5The middle part is omitted. When needed, the heating circuit can branch off from the circulation circuit as a bypass circuit or bypass circuit. According to an advantageous improvement, a bypass circuit or bypass circuit can be provided to branch the rinse solution, particularly the rinse solution delivered by the circulation pump, from the dishwasher's hydraulic or circulation circuit (i.e., circulation pump circuit) and deliver it via a delivery pipeline section to the fluid inlet of the area or section 50 (particularly the pipe section) of the condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit VWT for heating the rinse solution. The rinse solution outlet of the area or section 50 (particularly the pipe section) of the condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit VWT is fluidly connected to a feed point, preferably downstream, different from the branch point, to return the heated rinse solution in that area or section, where the heated rinse solution is re-delivered to the dishwasher's hydraulic circuit. Specifically, the flushing solution heated by means of the condenser / flushing solution heat exchanger unit can be fed back to the interior space of the flushing vessel via a return line section of the bypass loop, which is connected to the flushing solution output of the condenser / flushing solution heat exchanger unit VWT. The proportion of flushing solution flowing through the bypass loop and subsequently through the condenser / flushing solution heat exchanger unit, particularly the pipe section, can be switchable, and in particular, settable, according to advantageous implementation variations. Specifically, the flow of flushing solution through the bypass loop can be opened or blocked by means of a switching valve inserted into the bypass loop, particularly into the upstream delivery line preceding the condenser / flushing solution heat exchanger unit's guiding flushing solution area or section, particularly the pipe section.

[0067] After the final rinse stage of the corresponding dishwashing program, particularly the rinsing stage, which involves the initiation of the rinsing solution, at least one drying stage is performed to end the rinsing program, in which the heat pump 14 operates as an air-to-air heat pump. For this purpose, the heat pump unit 14 is now switched to a recirculating air operating loop, in which, by means of an activated air delivery unit 15, the humid hot air 33 (rinsing chamber air) from the rinsing chamber of the rinsing container 2 is drawn out via at least one outlet present in its wall or via at least one outlet present in the front door 3 that closes the rinsing container 2 from the front. This air is then blown by the air delivery unit 15 through the first section 20a of the evaporator 20 for drying, where the air is cooled and moisture is condensed. The cooled, drier rinsing chamber air is then blown through the second section 20b of the evaporator 20, which is now switched or repurposed during the drying phase as the heat exchange or heat output area of ​​the condenser 18, thus reheating the cooled, drier rinsing chamber air. Finally, the drier and reheated rinsing chamber air is fed back into the rinsing chamber via at least one inlet in at least one of the boundary walls of the rinsing chamber. The air fed back into the rinsing chamber... Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 The numbers are marked with 60.

[0068] In this way, during the sub-rinse phase of the corresponding dishwashing program (in which the rinse solution used for the sub-rinse phase is heated by means of the condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit VWT of the heat pump 14), ambient air 34 (which serves as the heat source for the working medium 17 of the heat pump) and subsequently, during the drying phase of the final program of the dishwashing program, rinse chamber air 33 to be dried, flow through the first section 20a of the evaporator 20 and then the second section 20b arranged downstream therefrom, except that during the drying phase, the function of the second section 20b of the evaporator, which evaporates the working medium 17 when heating the rinse solution 24, is now repurposed or converted into the area for liquefying the working medium 17 by the output heat of the condenser 18. Therefore, the air paths via the first section 20a and the second section 20b remain the same for both the ambient air 34 and the rinse chamber air 33. This simplifies the structure of the heat pump unit 14, as well as the structure of the air guiding device associated with the heat pump unit, which is used for ambient air 34 when heating the flushing solution 24 by means of the condenser / flushing solution heat exchanger unit VWT, and for flushing chamber air 33 removed from the flushing chamber of the flushing container 2 during drying. Figure 2 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5In the diagram, the air paths through the sections formed by the first part 20a and the second part 20b arranged downstream of it, for both ambient air 34 and flushing chamber air 33, are indicated by dashed lines.

[0069] Generally, the dishwasher 1 supports an automatic operation mode in multiple consecutive stages, wherein the rinse solution 24 is heated in one or more stages and the items to be rinsed are dried in one or more other stages. With the invention, the heat pump 14 should be able to function not only in one or more stages with the rinse solution to be heated, but also in one or more such drying stages of drying and reheating the air 33 from the rinse container 2 (i.e., the air in the rinse chamber). Here, the drying stage performed by means of the heat pump can be specifically formed as the drying stage of the end of the corresponding dishwashing program. However, when needed, it can also be formed as a storage phase, which follows later in time after the end of the drying stage of the corresponding dishwashing program, in which the items to be rinsed in the rinse chamber of the rinse container should preferably remain dry with the door closed. In order to achieve both the corresponding stages for heating the rinsing solution and the corresponding drying stages by means of the heat pump 14, the evaporator 20 is functionally divided into at least two parts: a first part 20a, which is used as a normal evaporator in which the working medium 17 is evaporated; and at least one other part 20b, which changes function: in the stage for heating the rinsing liquid 24, the two parts 20a and 20b are connected in series with the same function (evaporating the working medium 17 respectively), while in the stage for drying and reheating the rinsing chamber air 33 removed from the rinsing container 2, the second part 20b of the evaporator is switched to the heat exchange or heat output area of ​​the condenser 18, in which the working medium 17 is condensed or liquefied, while the working medium 17 is also evaporated in the first part 20a of the evaporator.

[0070] In order to enable the switching or repurposing of part 20b for the corresponding drying stage, a first switching element 35 is arranged between the first part 20a and the second part 20b of the evaporator. This first switching element is... Figure 2 In preferred embodiments, a solenoid valve M1 is included, along with a capillary tube connected in parallel thereto, functioning as an expansion element 37 and possessing the possibility of further expansion. On the other hand, a second switching element 36 is provided between the first portion 18' of the condenser 18 and the second portion 20b of the evaporator 20. This second switching element is described herein according to... Figure 2 The preferred configuration also includes a solenoid valve M2 and an expansion element 19 connected in parallel therewith, such as a capillary tube with the possibility of subsequent expansion.

[0071] To heat the flushing fluid 24, specifically during the desired heating phase of the flushing fluid 24, the first switching element 35 is brought to its open position. For this purpose, the solenoid valve M1 of the first switching element is opened, allowing all the working medium 17 to flow through or through the valve M1, and the expansion element 37, which is configured as a capillary tube, is inactive. Furthermore, the second switching element 36 is brought to its throttling position. For this purpose, the solenoid valve M2 of the second switching element is closed, allowing all the working medium 17 (liquid) to flow through or through the expansion element 19, which is configured as a capillary tube, and whereby it begins its phase change to a gaseous aggregated state upon entering the second section 20b of the evaporator 20, and completes its phase change to a gaseous aggregated state upon flowing through the second section 20b of the evaporator 20 and through the first section 20a of the evaporator 20 immediately following the second section in the flow direction of the working medium 17, thereby extracting heat from the ambient air 34. The two sections 20a and 20b of the evaporator 20 are then connected in parallel and function as a common evaporator 20, which is cooled in its two sections 20a and 20b because the working medium 17 flowing through the sections evaporates in those sections.

[0072] To dry the air 33 from the rinsing container 2 (i.e., the rinsing chamber air) during the corresponding drying stage, switching elements 36 and 37 are switched in opposite directions: the second switching element 36 is then opened, causing the working medium 17 to flow unimpeded into the second section 20b via the open solenoid valve M2 instead of through the parallel branch with the capillary acting as the expansion element 19. The first switching element 35, located between sections 20b and 20a, is conversely brought into its throttling position, in which the solenoid valve M1 occupies its closed position, forcing the working medium 17 to flow completely through the parallel branch with the expansion element 37 configured as a capillary. In this way, the working medium 17 condenses in the second section 20b, or the condensed medium exits from the first section 18' of the condenser 18 and flows into the second section 20b in a liquid state, where it transfers heat to the flowing rinsing chamber air 33. At this point, the second section 20b is either a separate heat exchange or heat output area of ​​the condenser 18, or another heat exchange or heat output area of ​​the condenser 18 besides its first section 18'. The working medium 17 evaporates in the first evaporator section 20a. The first section 20a of the evaporator 20 thus maintains its evaporator characteristics with respect to the working medium 17 flowing through it, i.e., the first section cools and thus cools the air (rinse chamber air) 33 originating from the rinsing container 2 and supplied by the air supply unit 15, while the water contained therein condenses on the cold outside of the first section 20a. The thus cooled and dried air 33 then enters the second section 20b, which is then used as a heat output area, and is reheated there by the heat exchanger effect, so that the rinsing chamber air 33 can be dried and reheated before re-entering the rinsing container 2.

[0073] In the corresponding sub-rinsing stage where the rinsing solution is heated by means of a heat pump, and also in the drying stage, the working medium 17 flows first through the second evaporator section 20b and then through the first evaporator section 20a, opposite to the air delivery direction F of the air delivery unit 15. This air delivery unit (in the stage for heating the rinsing solution) first blows ambient air 34 through the first section 20a and then through the second section 20b, or (in the drying stage) first blows rinsing chamber air 33 through the first section 20a and then through the second section 20b. This counter-current principle is advantageous for improved heat transfer between the working medium 17 flowing in the first section 20a and the second section 20b and the air flowing through the first section 20a and then through the second section 20b (ambient air 34 in the corresponding heating stage of the rinsing solution or rinsing chamber air 33 in the drying stage), and results in improved efficiency of the corresponding heat exchanger functions of the first section 20a and the second section 20b.

[0074] As a variation of the parallel connection of the solenoid valve and throttling element of the corresponding switching element 35 or 36, multiple capillary tubes with different throttling characteristics can also be connected in parallel with the solenoid valve. Viewed in the flow direction of the working medium 17, a solenoid valve is arranged or connected upstream in each of the parallel branches of the capillary tubes. Therefore, the throttling behavior of the corresponding switching element 35 or 36 can be better adapted according to the selected program, program timing, and environmental conditions (external temperature).

[0075] In order to enable the supply of an external airflow, i.e., ambient air 34, to the section formed by the first part 20a and the second part 20b arranged downstream therefrom in the corresponding stage with the rinsing solution to be heated by the heat pump 14, and then, differently or in contrast, to supply an airflow from the rinsing container 2, i.e., rinsing chamber air 33, to the section formed by the first part 20a and the second part 20b arranged downstream therefrom in the corresponding drying stage, i.e., to load, in particular blow, the first part 20a and subsequently load or blow the second part 20b by means of ambient air 34 in the corresponding stage with the rinsing liquid to be heated by the heat pump, and to load, in particular blow, the first part 20a and subsequently load or blow the second part 20b by means of rinsing chamber air 33 in the drying stage, a switching mechanism 41 is provided on the input side of the air flowing through the heat pump 14 between the externally flowing air 34 and the air 33 from the rinsing container 2. This switching mechanism 41 can be configured differently. For example, the switching mechanism 41 includes a first air butterfly valve 41a in the first air delivery path L1 (i.e., in a delivery line or delivery channel) for air (ambient air) 34 flowing in from the outside. This first air butterfly valve is opened to deliver ambient air 34 to the section formed by the first evaporator section 20a and the second evaporator section 20b when the flushing fluid 24 is heated by the heat pump 14. A second air butterfly valve 41b is included in the air delivery path L2 (e.g., configured as a delivery line or delivery channel) fluidly connected to the flushing chamber of the flushing container 2. This second air butterfly valve is opened to deliver the air (flushing chamber air) 33 originating from the flushing container 2 to the section formed by the first evaporator section 20a and the second evaporator section 20b, which is now used as a heat output area, when the air 33 originating from the flushing container 2 is dried. Here, when the first air butterfly valve 41a is in its open position, the second air butterfly valve 41b is advantageously in its closed position. Conversely, when the second air butterfly valve 41b is in its open position, the first air butterfly valve 41a is advantageously in its closed position. It is also feasible to have a single air butterfly valve that alternately acts on only the two air delivery paths or lines L1 and L2, thus opening only one of them respectively. These two airflows 33 and 34 can be generated by at least one (preferably the only one) air delivery unit 15 arranged in front of the two sections 20a and 20b, which can be formed, in particular, by a fan, blower, or similar delivery mechanism.

[0076] Observing in the air delivery direction F, as shown here Figure 2 The embodiments (and correspondingly in) Figure 3 and Figure 5In the embodiment, an additional switching mechanism 40 can be advantageously provided on the output side behind the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 for drawing the ambient air out of the housing 5 of the dishwasher 1 after it passes through a section consisting of the first evaporator part 20a and the second evaporator part 20b arranged in series downstream of it, in a corresponding stage with the rinse fluid 24 to be heated by the heat pump 14, or for drawing the rinse chamber air 33 back into the rinse container 2 after it passes through a section consisting of the first evaporator part 20a and the second evaporator part 20b arranged in series downstream of it (the area of ​​the second evaporator part being converted into the output heat of the condenser in the drying stage).

[0077] Instead of the aforementioned switching elements 35 and 36 with parallel-connected expansion elements 37 and 19, it is possible to (as in...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows adjustable (expansion) valves 371 and 191 with non-linear (flow) characteristic curves, particularly thermostatic or electro-expansion valves with non-linear characteristic curves. A typical feature of such adjustable valves 371 and 191 is that, starting from their closed position, under a constant pressure difference, the flow rate of the working medium 17 only increases slightly as the opening process proceeds, until a certain open position is reached, from which point the pressure and flow rate increase sharply.

[0078] Therefore, an adjustable valve with a non-linear characteristic curve acts like a capillary throttling mechanism for the working medium via a portion of its open position, and functions like an open valve only when at least substantially fully open (especially in its final opening phase). From this point onward, the working medium can flow through the adjustable valve with at least minimal pressure loss. Figure 4 As becomes clear, valves 371 and 191 can either be completely closed, occupy a throttling region, or, further to the right, occupy a fully open operating point, thus mimicking... Figure 2 The switching elements 35 and 36 (which respectively function as a pipeline branch with a solenoid valve and a parallel pipeline branch with a throttling device) are integrated into a single structural unit. This minimizes material and space requirements.

[0079] exist Figure 5 The text shows the relationship with... Figure 2A similar view in principle, however, viewed in the flow direction of the working medium 17, is the section 21 of the pipeline that exits from the first evaporator section 20a and returns to the compressor 16, guided via two expansion elements 37 and 19, so that heat transfer to the working medium 17 via the capillary-suction pipeline is achieved through thermal contact with the capillary before it enters the compressor 16. Here, for thermal coupling between the suction pipeline and the corresponding capillary, it is preferable to employ not only brazing but also a liner or a capillary located in the suction pipeline (line 21). Here, this coupling can be performed to one capillary or to both capillary tubes.

[0080] If as in Figure 3 In the embodiment where an expansion valve with a non-linear flow characteristic curve is used instead of a capillary tube for the heat pump unit 14, it is advantageous to provide a so-called liquid subcooler instead. Figure 5 The corresponding capillary-suction pipe heat exchanger used in the embodiment. Here, the connecting line 21 that leads to the working medium 17 of the corresponding expansion valves 371, 191 is connected to the line section 21 that, viewed in the flow direction of the working medium 17, extends from the first evaporator section 20a as a suction pipe and leads back to the compressor 16 to form a heat exchanger.

[0081] Starting with the dishwasher 1 equipped with a heat pump 14 for heating the rinsing liquid, there is no additional structural space requirement for the additional air drying possibilities now created in the drying stage.

[0082] In the most advantageous case, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to have only two small air butterfly valves 41a, 41b, which are arranged on the input side in the air delivery direction F in front of the first evaporator section 20a, and a switching element 35 between the two evaporator sections 20a, 20b and a switching element 36 between the condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit VWT and the second evaporator section 20b. Here, if necessary, the switching mechanism 40 arranged on the output side after the second evaporator section 20b can even be omitted, because when the rinse chamber air 33 is dried during the circulating air operation, the air 33 flowing through the second section 20b and heated therethrough (from the output side of the second section 20b in the air delivery direction F) is drawn into the rinse chamber of the rinse container 2 through an inlet opening in at least one of the boundary walls of the rinse chamber. This is because, by means of the fan unit 15, the rinse chamber air 33 is indeed drawn out of the rinse chamber of the rinse container 2 through an outlet opening in at least one of the boundary walls of the rinse chamber, thereby creating a negative pressure in the rinse chamber.

[0083] Conversely, air extraction, which would require additional space, is not performed, particularly between the evaporator sections 20a and 20b.

[0084] For the rinsing water heating process, a large evaporator 20 consisting of two sections 20a and 20b is provided. The different blade divisions of the two evaporator sections 20a and 20b are advantageous for both processes (heating the rinsing solution and drying the rinsing chamber air). In particular, it is advantageous that the blades LAa of the first section 20a of the evaporator 20 have a larger lateral spacing than the blades LAb of the second section 20b of the evaporator 20. This avoids the possibility of icing in the air passages between the blades LAa of the first section 20a of the evaporator 20 during one or more stages for heating the rinsing solution (by means of a heat pump) and during the drying stage of the corresponding dishwashing program, ensuring that air always reaches the second evaporator section 20b and flows through the air passages between its blades.

[0085] During the drying phase, the active portion 18' of the condenser 18, which functions to heat the flushing solution 24 during the corresponding heating phase, also retains its condenser function (accompanied by condensation of the working medium flowing therein) at least partially during the drying phase. That is, in this case, the condenser 18 comprises two portions, 18' and 20b, that respectively output heat during the drying phase. Then, the second portion 20b of the evaporator 20, which is converted into a condenser portion for outputting heat during the drying phase, supplements the first portion 18' of the condenser 18, which functions prior to the corresponding heating phase of the flushing solution in the drying phase and now also at least partially condenses the working medium flowing therein during the drying phase. Therefore, in this case, the condenser 18 functionally comprises two parts during the drying phase, namely, the second part 20b of the evaporator 20, which is converted into a condenser, is added to the first part 18' of the condenser 18 (in the flow direction of the working medium 17), which plays a role in the corresponding heating phase of the rinsing solution and also outputs heat during the drying phase.

[0086] A particularly advantageous improvement is that the area or section 50 (particularly the pipe section, which is heat-coupled with part 18' of the condenser in the case of forming a condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit VWT) of the heat-to-heat rinse solution 24 during the corresponding heating phase is preferably filled and / or flows through unheated water (particularly cold fresh water) during the drying phase. This water is at a temperature lower than the temperature of the humid, particularly warm, rinse chamber air 33 with 100% relative humidity at the end of the sub-rinse phase (particularly the rinsing phase) preceding the drying phase of the corresponding dishwashing procedure, particularly at least 10°C lower and more. Thus, during the drying process, the maximum condensation temperature of the working medium 17 flowing through this area or section and the area of ​​the evaporator 20 converted to output heat for the condenser 18 can be reduced. Therefore, despite the rinsing temperature caused by heat pump operation in one or more previous sub-rinse phases, heat pump operation for drying the rinse chamber air is ensured to continue rapidly and energy-efficiently during the subsequent drying phase of the corresponding dishwashing procedure. Specifically, this avoids overheating of the compressor 16 and / or other components of the heat pump unit 14 during the drying phase, and the potential damage to the compressor and / or other components that may occur. Therefore, a prolonged shutdown or stoppage phase of the heat pump 14, i.e., at least twenty minutes, is not required after the completion of the sub-rinse phase (particularly the rinsing phase) preceding the drying phase of the corresponding dishwashing program, so that the operating temperature of the working medium 17 in the heat pump circuit can be reduced to a temperature level suitable for safe continued operation of the heat pump 14 subsequently during the drying phase by gradually transferring heat to the dishwasher and / or the environment. Thus, heat pump operation can continue in the drying phase, at least with minimal waiting time, after these one or more rinsing phases. In particular, from the final rinsing stage (especially the rinsing stage) with the rinsing solution to be heated until the beginning of the drying stage (especially until its end), it is possible for the heat pump to operate at least almost continuously or through the entire process, without the need for an excessively long shutdown phase of the heat pump compressor at the end of the final sub-rinsing stage (especially the rinsing stage) with the rinsing solution to be heated and / or at the beginning of the drying stage, which would otherwise result in an undesirable and significant extension of the drying stage and consequently the dishwashing process.The working medium 17 is cooled by filling the area or section 50, particularly the pipe section, which is thermally coupled to the portion 18' of the condenser that outputs heat in the case of the condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit VWT, with colder water, particularly fresh water. This is especially advantageous at the beginning of the drying phase in non-ECO washing programs (i.e., such as quick cleaning programs, or hot cleaning programs or heavy cleaning programs that dissolve grease, or hygienic cleaning programs). In one or more sub-rinse phases with rinse solutions to be heated (especially in the rinsing phase), the rinse solution has been brought to a desired target temperature, higher than that of the Eco washing program (especially at the end of the rinsing phase, preferably a rinsing temperature of at least 50°C), by means of the portion 18' of the condenser 18 that acts to heat it.

[0087] Generally speaking, it is advantageous that the condenser (first in the direction of the flow of the working medium) portion, wherein this portion is in heat exchange contact with an area or section (particularly a pipe section) through which the rinsing solution flows to heat it in at least one sub-rinse stage of the corresponding dishwashing procedure (particularly a rinsing stage prior to the drying stage)—can be cooled in the later (particularly the final stage of the procedure) drying stage due to the fact that this area or section (particularly the pipe section) is filled or flows through with unheated water (particularly fresh water from the building's water lines) which is colder than the rinsing solution and / or the air in the rinsing container at the end of the sub-rinse stage (particularly the rinsing stage) that guides the rinsing solution prior to the drying stage of the corresponding dishwashing procedure. By using a portion of the condenser's loaded water to flow through the condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit, the maximum condensation temperature during the drying process can be reduced by targeted water inflow, ensuring rapid and energy-efficient use of the heat pump for drying even at higher rinse solution temperatures (e.g., as required in rapid cleaning programs, hot cleaning programs to dissolve grease, or powerful cleaning programs, or hygienic cleaning programs).

[0088] Finally, depending on the design of the heat pump circuit, it is also possible, if necessary, that during the drying phase, the portion 18' of the condenser 18 (which is first in the direction of flow of the working medium 17 and is functional or active for heating during the corresponding rinsing solution heating phase prior in time), after or through the conversion of the second portion 20b of the evaporator 20 into a region or section for outputting heat, at least almost loses its condenser function (characterized by the condensation of the working medium flowing therein), such that the condenser 18 subsequently consists mainly or entirely of the converted portion 20b of the evaporator 20 during the drying phase.

[0089] The heat pump 14 can be configured as a modular unit and can be assembled, filled with working medium 17 and tested for functionality before being installed in the dishwasher 1, or in particular, its functionality has been tested before installation.

[0090] Specifically, the household dishwasher 1 includes at least one control and / or inspection unit, which, for the sake of simplicity in drawing, is only... Figure 2 It is drawn there only with a dashed line and is represented by CO. The control and / or inspection unit (in...) Figure 2 The arrows drawn with dotted lines in the middle indicate the function of (i.e., to effectively control and / or inspect)

[0091] - The compressor 16 of the heat pump 14 operates for the corresponding sub-rinsing stage of the rinsing solution 24 to be heated via the condenser / rinsing solution heat exchanger unit VWT of the heat pump 14, and for the corresponding drying stage to be performed using the heat pump 14 (particularly for the drying stage of the end of the corresponding dishwashing program), and / or

[0092] - Switching elements 35 and 36 are used to convert the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 into a heat exchange or heat output area of ​​the condenser 18 for the corresponding drying stage to be performed using the heat pump 14 (especially for the drying stage of the end of the corresponding washing program to be performed using the heat pump 14). - At least one air delivery unit 15 (particularly with regard to its on and off times, and / or rotational speed) operates for the corresponding sub-rinsing phase of the condenser / rinsing solution heat exchanger unit VWT to be heated with a heat pump 14, and for the corresponding drying phase to be performed using the heat pump 14 (particularly for the drying phase of the end of the corresponding dishwashing program to be performed using the heat pump), and / or - The input-side switching mechanism 41 releases an air path for the ambient air 34 to flow through the two evaporator sections 20a, 20b in the corresponding sub-rinse stage with the rinse solution to be heated via the condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit VWT, and releases an air path for the air to circulate in the rinse chamber air 33 during the corresponding drying stage to be performed using the heat pump 14 (especially in the drying stage of the end of the corresponding dishwashing program to be performed using the heat pump), and / or - A switching mechanism 40, which may be present on the output side, is used to release an outflow air path for the ambient air 34, which is cooled after flowing through the two evaporator sections 20a and 20b, into the environment for the corresponding sub-rinse stage with the rinse solution to be heated by the condenser / rinse solution heat exchanger unit VWT, and in the corresponding drying stage to be performed using the heat pump 14 (especially in the drying stage of the end of the corresponding dishwashing program to be performed using the heat pump), for the return air path for the rinse chamber air 33, which is heated after flowing through the second evaporator section in the area converted to output heat during the recirculation air operation.

Claims

1. A dishwasher (1), in particular a domestic dishwasher, having at least one heat pump (14) comprising at least one compressor (16), a condenser (18), an expansion element (19) and an evaporator (20), which are connected to one another and through which a working medium (17) circulates, which changes its aggregation state during operation, and which further comprises at least one circulation pump (22) for a liquid, referred to as rinse liquid (24), which comes into contact with the objects to be rinsed, and wherein The dishwasher (1) supports automatic operation modes in multiple consecutive stages. Its features are, The evaporator (20) is functionally divided into at least two parts (20a, 20b), wherein, in the stage for heating the flushing liquid (24), the two parts (20a, 20b) are switched sequentially with the same function, and wherein, in the stage for drying and reheating the flushing chamber air (33) removed from the flushing container (2), the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) is switched to the area of ​​the condenser (18).

2. - The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) has switched to the area of ​​the condenser (18) during the drying stage, the working medium (17) of the heat pump (14) flows through the second part (20b), and the working medium changes (condenses) into a liquid aggregate state through the flow.

3. - The dishwasher (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) has switched to the area of ​​the condenser (18) during the drying phase, the second part (20b) heats the rinse chamber air (33) removed from the rinse container (2) of the dishwasher (1) after the rinse chamber air removed from the rinse container (2) of the dishwasher (1) has passed through the first part (20a) of the evaporator (20) and undergone the drying process through the passage.

4. The dishwasher (1 ) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that When the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) has switched to the region of the condenser (18) during the drying phase, the working medium (17) after the part (18') of the condenser (18) flows through the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) that has switched to the region of the condenser (18) and changes into a liquid aggregated state of the working medium. The part of the condenser effectively acts on the rinse solution to be heated to heat the rinse solution during at least one sub-rinse phase before the drying phase, particularly during the rinsing phase for heating the rinse solution, and the working medium is subsequently able to change into a gaseous aggregated state of the working medium in the first part (20a) of the evaporator (20).

5. The dishwasher (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, In order to switch the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20), a first switching element (35) is provided between the first part (20a) and the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20), and a second switching element (36) is provided between the part (18') of the condenser (18) and the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20), wherein the part of the condenser effectively acts on the rinse solution to be heated to heat the rinse solution during at least one sub-rinse stage before the drying stage, particularly during the rinsing stage for heating the rinse solution.

6. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least one of the switching elements (35, 36) forms a parallel connection consisting of a valve (M1, M2) capable of being switched to open and closed, in particular a solenoid valve, and a capillary tube (37, 19) fluidly connected to said valve; or at least one of the switching elements forms a parallel connection consisting of a valve (M1, M2) capable of being switched to open and closed, in particular a solenoid valve, and a plurality of capillary tubes fluidly connected to said valve, respectively, in each parallel branch of said capillary tubes, a valve capable of being switched to open and closed, in particular a solenoid valve, is connected upstream of said capillary tubes.

7. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that, At least one of the switching elements (35, 36) is implemented as an adjustable valve (371, 191) with a nonlinear characteristic curve.

8. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, A switching mechanism (41) is provided on the input side of the air flowing through the heat pump (14) for switching between air (34) flowing in from the outside and air (33) from the flushing container (2).

9. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The switching mechanism (41) includes a first air path control unit, in particular an air butterfly valve (41a), in the delivery lines (L1, L2). The first air path control unit is open during the stage for heating the flushing fluid (24) to deliver ambient air (34) from the outside to a first part (20a) of the evaporator (20) and a second part (20b) arranged downstream of the first part in the direction of flow of ambient air (34). The switching mechanism also has a second air path control unit, in particular an air butterfly valve (41b), which is open during the stage for drying the flushing chamber air (33) to deliver the flushing chamber air (33) to the first part (20a) of the evaporator (20) and the second part (20b) arranged downstream of the first part in the direction of flow of the flushing chamber air (33) and switched to the area of ​​the condenser (18).

10. The dishwasher (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The blades (LAa) of the first part (20a) of the evaporator (20) have a larger lateral spacing compared to the blades (LAb) of the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20).

11. The dishwasher (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, At least one, particularly a single air delivery unit (15), is assigned to the first part (20a) and the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20), the air delivery unit being arranged, in particular, upstream of the evaporator in the air delivery direction (F).

12. The dishwasher (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, By filling or flowing unheated water, particularly fresh water from the building's water supply line, through an area or section (50), particularly a pipe section, a portion (18') of the condenser (18) is able to be cooled during the drying phase at the end of the program. The portion of the condenser is engaged with the area or section (50), particularly the pipe section, in a heat-exchange manner. During at least one sub-rinse phase of the current dishwashing program to be performed, particularly the rinsing phase prior to the drying phase, the rinsing solution flows through the area or section to be heated. The unheated water is colder than the air and / or the rinsing solution in the rinsing container (2) at the end of the sub-rinse phase of the current dishwashing program prior to the drying phase and leading to the rinsing solution, particularly the rinsing phase.

13. A method for operating a dishwasher (1), particularly a household dishwasher, the dishwasher having at least one heat pump (14), the heat pump comprising at least one compressor (16), a condenser (18), an expansion element (19), and an evaporator (20), the compressor, the condenser, the expansion element, and the evaporator being connected to each other and a working medium (17) circulating between the compressor, the condenser, the expansion element, and the evaporator, the working medium changing its aggregation state during operation, and the heat pump further comprising at least one circulating pump (22) for a liquid, referred to as a rinsing fluid (24), which has come into contact with the object to be rinsed, and wherein, The dishwasher (1) supports automatic operation modes in multiple consecutive stages, and the dishwasher is particularly the dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims. Its features are, In the stage for heating the flushing fluid (24), the evaporator (20) is functionally divided into at least two halves by means of at least two sections (20a, 20b), which are switched sequentially with the same function, and in the stage for drying and reheating the flushing chamber air (33) removed from the flushing container (2), the second section (20b) of the evaporator (20) is switched to the area of ​​the condenser (18).

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