Drying device, in particular an air circulation drying device

Abstract

The invention relates to a drying device, in particular a circulating air drying device, for a dishwasher, comprising an intake duct (10) providing an air intake opening (11), an outlet duct (12) providing an air outlet opening (13), and a fan (14) to which the intake duct (10) on the air intake side and the outlet duct (12) on the air outlet side are fluidically connected, as well as a closure element (16) arranged on the outlet duct (12) and covering the air outlet opening (13), which closure element provides an air outlet opening (17) which is divided into air outlet gaps (24) by ribs (23) arranged at a distance from one another, characterized in that the ribs (23) are designed as horizontal ribs and, in the finally assembled state, are aligned perpendicular to the height direction (8) of the dishwasher (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drying device, in particular a circulating air drying device, for a dishwasher, comprising an intake duct providing an air intake opening, an outlet duct providing an air outlet opening, and a fan to which the intake duct is fluidly connected on the air intake side and the outlet duct on the air outlet side. The invention also relates to a closure element arranged on the outlet duct and covering the air outlet opening, which closure element provides an air outlet opening divided into air outlet gaps by spaced-apart ribs. Furthermore, the invention relates to a dishwasher equipped with a drying device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a closure element for a drying device.

[0002] Dishwashers in general and those with a drying device of the type mentioned above in particular are well known from the state of the art, which is why there is no need for separate printed evidence at this point.

[0003] A dishwasher, especially a household dishwasher, of the typical design has a wash tub that provides a wash chamber and serves to hold the items to be cleaned. In the case of a household dishwasher, the items to be washed are, in particular, crockery and cutlery.

[0004] When a dishwasher is used as intended, the dishes are dried after cleaning. Various drying methods are known in the art, including hot-air drying, in which the dishes to be dried are exposed to previously heated drying air. The air in the dishwasher's wash tub can be used as the drying air, in which case hot-air drying takes place in recirculation mode. Alternatively and / or in combination with this, fresh air drawn from the atmosphere surrounding the dishwasher can also be used for drying.

[0005] Regardless of whether hot-air drying is carried out using recirculated air and / or fresh air, a drying device is used for air flow and heating. This device provides appropriate air ducts and is equipped with a fan and a heating element. Furthermore, temperature sensors can be provided to regulate the heating output and monitor the system.

[0006] A generic drying device for hot-air drying has an intake duct on the one hand and an outlet duct on the other. The intake duct provides an air intake opening, whereas the outlet duct has an air outlet opening. During intended use, the intake duct is supplied with drying air through the air intake opening, which is then conveyed through the outlet duct to the air outlet opening. The drying air leaving the drying device through the air outlet opening then enters a washing compartment of a dishwasher that interacts with the drying device.

[0007] The drying system is equipped with a fan to convey the drying air. The intake duct on the air intake side and the outlet duct on the air outlet side are connected to this fan.

[0008] To heat the drying air, the drying device also has a heating element. This is typically located in the outlet duct, meaning that the air drawn in by the fan passes through the heating element before leaving the drying device through the air outlet opening.

[0009] A drying device of this type also features a closure element. This closure element is located on the outlet duct and covers the air outlet opening.

[0010] The closure element covering the air outlet opening provides an air outlet opening. When used as intended, air can be released through this air outlet opening, which then exits the drying unit and is introduced into the wash cabinet of a dishwasher that interacts with the drying unit.

[0011] The air outlet opening is divided into air outlet gaps. For this purpose, spaced-apart ribs are provided. The ribs thus divide the air outlet opening into air outlet gaps.

[0012] The ribs that divide the air outlet opening into air outlet gaps serve primarily to ensure a certain degree of mechanical stability of the closure element. Furthermore, the ribs can serve as a mounting contour. Furthermore, the ribs provide a coarse sieve that prevents unwanted foreign matter from entering the outlet channel. According to a typical, previously known design, the ribs of the closure element are arranged in a star pattern.

[0013] Although the above-described design has proven itself in everyday practical use, there is room for improvement. In particular, it has been shown that, despite the use of drying air, the drying results are not always satisfactory. Furthermore, drying systems of this type suffer from pressure losses within the drying air flow, which has a negative impact on energy consumption.

[0014] Therefore, based on the above, it is Task The invention is to further develop a generic drying device in such a way that improved drying of the dishes is possible.

[0015] To Solution To achieve this object, the invention proposes that the ribs are designed as horizontal ribs and, in the final assembled state, are aligned perpendicular to the height direction of the dishwasher.

[0016] The ribs of the closure element serve to guide the air in a targeted manner. According to the invention, they are aligned perpendicular to the vertical direction of the dishwasher in the final assembled state. They thus serve as horizontal ribs that, when used as intended, ensure that the drying air leaving the drying device is directed into a horizontal plane of the dishwasher's wash tub. The air outlet opening of the outlet duct is preferably positioned vertically such that, with respect to the vertical extent of the wash tub, it is located between two washware supports accommodated by the wash tub, for example, between the cutlery drawer and the upper basket or between the upper basket and the lower basket.The horizontal ribs of the closure element ensure that the drying air is distributed horizontally between two washware carriers, so that all washware can be evenly exposed to drying air, which ultimately leads to optimized drying.

[0017] According to the current state of the art, the drying air is introduced into the washing tub in a downward direction relative to the vertical direction of the dishwasher. This disadvantageously leads to drying air being applied to a dish rack positioned at the bottom of the vertical direction. As a result, the dishes held by the dish racks arranged vertically one above the other are unevenly exposed to air, resulting in uneven drying of the dishes.

[0018] The design according to the invention provides a remedy here, since the ribs provided by the closure element according to the invention act as guide ribs to ensure that drying air fed into the washing chamber of a dishwasher is distributed horizontally evenly, which ensures that all items to be washed accommodated in the washing container are evenly exposed to drying air.

[0019] A further advantage of the inventive design is that the horizontally directed introduction of drying air into the wash tub largely prevents direct exposure to the washware carriers and / or the items contained within them. Instead, the drying air is evenly distributed, thus preventing insufficient drying caused by shadow effects.

[0020] As a result, the inventive design enables the provision of a much larger effective area for the drying air compared to the prior art. The drying air is blown into an unobstructed area of the dishwasher's wash chamber and is not directly blocked by the washware located there. Positioning the air outlet opening vertically directly below a washware carrier has proven advantageous, for example, directly below the cutlery drawer, the upper basket, or the lower basket.

[0021] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the closure element has further ribs which are designed as vertical ribs and are aligned in the height direction of the dishwasher in the final assembled state.

[0022] In addition to the horizontal ribs already described, the closure element preferably also has vertical ribs, i.e., ribs that, in the final assembled state, are aligned vertically with the dishwasher. The vertical ribs are thus aligned perpendicular to the horizontal ribs. The arrangement of the ribs can be rectangular, resulting in an overall rectangular rib structure.

[0023] The vertical ribs serve to distribute drying air throughout the depth of the wash cabinet. The drying air introduced into the wash cabinet should therefore be distributed horizontally. The horizontal ribs described above ensure that the drying air emitted by the drying device is redirected so that the wash cabinet is supplied with drying air as horizontally as possible. The vertical ribs ensure that the drying air is distributed within this horizontal plane in the depth direction of the dishwasher. The result is a drying air supply distributed horizontally throughout the dishwasher. This further supports an optimized distribution of the drying air within the wash tub, which ultimately leads to optimized dish drying.

[0024] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the closure element has further ribs which are designed as oblique ribs and, in the final assembled state, are aligned at an angle ≠ 90 ° transversely to the height direction of the dishwasher.

[0025] According to this alternative design, no vertical ribs are used, but rather diagonal ribs. The diagonal ribs are aligned at ≠ 90° perpendicular to the horizontal ribs.

[0026] Such inclined ribs, like vertical ribs, achieve an even distribution of the drying air within a horizontal plane. However, the resulting rib structure is not rectangular in shape in this case, but rather preferably honeycomb-shaped. This further improves the drying air distribution both across the width and depth of the washing container.

[0027] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the vertical ribs and / or the oblique ribs are rotated at an angle of inclination about an axis of rotation running in the vertical direction of the dishwasher.

[0028] This design feature fans out the ribs along the depth of the wash tub, achieving even better air distribution within a horizontal plane. The drying air flowing from the drying unit into the wash tub can thus be directed toward the wash cabinet door on the one hand and toward the back wall of the wash tub on the other. This ensures optimized air distribution along the depth direction.

[0029] According to a further feature of the invention, the angle of inclination is between -20° and +30°, depending on the position of the rib within the rib structure. By selecting the angle of inclination, the airflow occurring during intended use can be specifically influenced. This ensures optimized drying air flow depending on the geometry specified by the dishwasher.

[0030] According to a further feature of the invention, the outer ribs with respect to the air outlet opening have the greatest angle of inclination. The outer ribs, in particular, are responsible for the targeted exposure of the washing compartment with drying air toward the washing compartment door on the one hand and the washing compartment rear wall on the other. For this reason, the outer ribs must each be arranged at a corresponding angle of inclination.

[0031] Since the air outlet opening of a drying device is usually located closer to the wash cabinet door than to the back wall of the wash tub due to its design, it is preferable for the outer rib of the closure element on the back wall to be at a greater angle of inclination than the rib of the closure element on the wash cabinet door side. This ensures that, despite the air outlet opening being aligned toward the wash cabinet door, the drying air is evenly distributed into the wash tub with respect to the wash cabinet door and the back wall of the wash tub.

[0032] The aforementioned fins deflect the drying air flowing through the outlet duct of the drying device, distributed as described above within a horizontal plane. The fins create a diffuser effect, with the distribution quality of the drying air within the wash chamber depending on the length of the fins serving as air guide fins. The longer these air guide fins are, the more effectively the drying air can be deflected from its main flow direction. However, longer air guide fins have the disadvantage of increased pressure loss, which is desirable to avoid.To enable an optimized design with regard to these two conflicting interests, the invention proposes, according to a further feature, that the horizontal ribs, with their rib edges facing away from the closure element, protrude into the flow path provided by the outlet channel. Preferably, the lower ribs, with respect to the vertical direction of the dishwasher, protrude further into the outlet channel than the upper ribs in the vertical direction.

[0033] By extending the guide fins into the flow path provided by the outlet duct, the aforementioned diffuser effect is supported, thus promoting the even distribution of air within the flushing chamber. At the same time, the disadvantage of pressure loss associated with fin extension is minimized by the fact that not all fins extend the same distance into the flow path of the outlet duct. Instead, the length of the fins is increased vertically toward the bottom. This synergistically creates both an improved diffuser effect and a minimized pressure loss.

[0034] With a view to minimizing pressure loss, the honeycomb-shaped rib structure described above is particularly advantageous. The advantage of reduced pressure loss arises from the increased angles between the different guide ribs. In particular, the more acute corner areas of the rectangular structure, at 90°, ensure slower airflow in the corners than with the honeycomb structure. Therefore, a honeycomb orientation of the ribs provided by the closure element is preferred.

[0035] According to a further feature of the invention, the closure element has a connecting piece that is received in the air outlet opening. This enables assembly and disassembly to be as simple as possible. For assembly, the closure element only needs to be inserted, with its connecting piece first, into the air outlet opening of the outlet duct. The connection between the closure element and the outlet duct is preferably detachable, which enables easy disassembly, particularly in the event of repairs. In addition, this design allows the drying device to be arranged on the outside of a washing compartment of a dishwasher. In its intended use, the associated washing compartment wall is arranged between an edge of the closure element on the washing compartment side, on the one hand, and the outlet duct arranged on the outside of the washing compartment, on the other.

[0036] According to a further feature of the invention, the nozzle has a fastening contour for the preferably detachable arrangement of the closure element on the outlet channel, wherein the fastening contour is designed so that the ribs of the closure element, in the final assembled state, are aligned perpendicular to the vertical direction of the dishwasher. The fastening contour thus formed thus ensures that the inventive alignment, in particular of the horizontal ribs, but also of the vertical ribs and / or the inclined ribs, is ensured. For this purpose, the fastening contour can have an end stop that interacts with an abutment on the outlet channel side.As soon as the end stop of the closure element rests against the channel-side abutment as intended, the correct positional fastening of the closure element in relation to the outlet channel is achieved, whereby the inventive alignment of the ribs provided by the closure element is achieved.

[0037] The inventive design provides a construction that enables optimized airflow, resulting in optimized drying of the items in the washing compartment. Furthermore, a reduced pressure loss is achieved, which not only supports optimized drying but also helps save energy during the drying process. This ultimately leads to a more efficient drying process when a dishwasher is used as intended, as well as to an improved drying result compared to the prior art.

[0038] The invention further proposes a dishwasher with a drying device of the inventive design. Such a dishwasher achieves the aforementioned advantages.

[0039] According to a further feature of the invention, the dishwasher has a washing compartment providing a washing chamber for receiving the items to be cleaned, with the channels of the drying device being arranged on the outside of the washing compartment on a washing compartment wall, preferably a washing compartment side wall. This provides a space-saving design, allowing for a standard-sized washing compartment.

[0040] According to a further feature of the invention, the air intake opening and the air outlet opening each open into the washing chamber provided by the washing container. This configuration advantageously enables recirculation operation of the drying device.

[0041] Furthermore, the invention relates to a closure element, specifically a closure element of the type already described, i.e., a closure element that provides an air outlet opening divided into air outlet gaps by spaced-apart ribs. The ribs are designed as horizontal ribs and, in the final assembled state, are aligned perpendicular to the vertical direction of the dishwasher. A closure element designed in this manner provides the advantages already explained above with reference to the drying device according to the invention.

[0042] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a dishwasher according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of the dishwasher according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 in a schematic sectional view in side view of a closure element according to the invention or a closure element of a drying device according to the invention; Fig. 4 in a schematic sectional view in plan view of the closure element according to the invention or the closure element of a drying device according to the invention according to Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 in a schematic plan view from the front, the closure element according to the invention or the closure element of a drying device according to the invention according to the Fig. 3 and 4; Fig. 6 in a schematic plan view from the front of a closure element according to the invention or a closure element of a drying device according to the invention according to a second embodiment; Fig. 7 in a schematic perspective view of the closure element according to the invention or the closure element of a drying device according to the invention according to Fig. 6 ; Fig. 8 shows a schematic sectional side view of a closure element according to the invention or a closure element of a drying device according to the invention according to a further embodiment; Fig. 9 shows a schematic plan view from above of the closure element according to the invention or a closure element of a drying device according to the invention according to Fig. 8; Fig. 10 in a schematic perspective view from behind the closure element-side design of the outlet channel according to a preferred embodiment; Fig. 11 in a schematic plan view from the front of the outlet channel according to Fig. 10 ; Fig. 12 in a schematic perspective view from the front, the closure element-side design of the outlet channel according to a further embodiment; Fig. 13 in a schematic perspective view from the rear, the outlet channel according to Fig. 12 ; Fig. 14 shows a schematic sectional side view of a closure element according to the prior art; Fig. 15 shows a schematic plan view from the front of a washing container of a dishwasher with a drying device arranged laterally thereon according to the prior art; Fig. 16 shows a schematic plan view from above of the washing container according to Fig. 15 .

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a dishwasher 1 according to the invention.

[0044] The dishwasher 1 has, in a manner known per se, a washing container 2 providing a washing chamber 3, which, when used as intended, serves to hold items to be cleaned.

[0045] For the purpose of hot air drying of dishes in the washing container 2, the dishwasher 1 has a drying device 9.

[0046] As can be seen from a summary of the Fig. 1 and 2 The drying device 9 has an intake duct 10 on the one hand and an outlet duct 12 on the other hand for guiding drying air. Furthermore, the drying device 9 has a fan 14, to which the intake duct 10 on the air intake side and the outlet duct 12 on the air outlet side are fluidly connected.

[0047] The fan 14 of the drying device 9 is arranged in the base area, ie in the vertical direction 8 below the washing container 2. The two channels, ie the intake channel 10 and the outlet channel 12, are arranged on the outside of the washing container on a washing container side wall 4 of the washing container 2.

[0048] As can be seen particularly from the presentation after Fig. 1 The washing compartment 2 has two washing compartment side walls 4, a ceiling part 5, a base part 6, and a rear wall 22. Opposite the rear wall 22, a loading opening 7 is provided, through which the washing compartment 2 can be loaded with wash ware during normal use. For a particularly fluid-tight closure of the loading opening 7, the dishwasher 1 further has a washing compartment door 21 (cf. Fig. 16 ), which is pivotably mounted on the rinsing container 2.

[0049] As can be further seen from a summary of the Fig. 1 and 2 The intake duct 10 of the drying device 9 provides an air intake opening 11. Accordingly, the outlet duct 12 has an air outlet opening 13. Both openings, ie the air intake opening 11 and the air outlet opening 13, both open into the washing chamber 3. Accordingly, in the intended use, an air flow can take place, as shown in Fig. 2 drawn arrows can be seen.

[0050] In accordance with the representation according to Fig. 2When the drying device 9 is used as intended, recirculation mode occurs. The fan 14 draws in drying air from the wash cabinet 3 through the air intake opening 11. This drying air passes through the intake duct 10 and through the fan 14 to the outlet duct 12. A heating device 15 is integrated into the outlet duct 12, by means of which the drying air passing through the outlet duct 12 is heated. The heated drying air leaves the drying device 9 through the outlet opening 13 provided by the outlet duct 12 and is returned to the wash cabinet 3.

[0051] According to the state of the art, the drying air leaving the drying device 9 via the air outlet opening 13 results in an air flow 20, as shown in the Fig. 14 , 15 and 16 is shown.

[0052] As in particular the Fig. 14 and 15As can be seen, the air flow 20 is directed downwards in the vertical direction 8 of the dishwasher 1. The drying air is thus discharged from the drying device 9 in the direction of the bottom part 6 of the washing container 2. From the view of the washing container 2 from above, as in Fig. 16 As shown, it also follows that the air flow 20 extends in a flow band that is comparatively narrow with respect to the depth direction and comparatively close to the washing compartment door 21.

[0053] This air flow 20 resulting from the prior art is not able to achieve an optimized drying of the items to be washed held in the washing container 2, since an uneven distribution of the drying air occurs in the washing container 2. The embodiment according to the invention provides a remedy here, as the further Fig. 3 to 13 can be recognized.

[0054] According to the invention, the drying device 9 has a closure element 16. According to a first embodiment, this closure element 16 is shown in a schematic sectional view in side view in Fig. 3 shown.

[0055] The closure element 16 provides an air outlet opening 17. In the intended use, drying air flows through this opening in accordance with the air flow 20, as shown in Fig. 3 shown.

[0056] The air outlet opening 17 is divided into air outlet gaps 24 by spaced-apart ribs 23. According to the invention, the ribs 23 are designed as horizontal ribs and, in the final assembled state, are aligned perpendicular to the vertical direction 8 of the dishwasher 1. When used as intended, this results in a deflection of the air flow 20 passing through the outlet duct 12 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction 8 of the dishwasher. Provided the dishwasher 1 is installed and set up as intended at the installation site, the air flow 20 extends in a substantially horizontal plane.

[0057] The inventive design of the ribs 23 has the effect that, unlike in the prior art, the air flow 20 does not flow downwards in the direction of the bottom part 6 of the washing container 2 (cf. Fig. 15), but is deflected into a plane running substantially parallel to the base part 6. The air outlet opening 13 of the outlet duct 12 is preferably positioned in the vertical direction 8 such that the air flow 20 is transferred in the vertical direction 8 directly beneath a dishware carrier of the dishwasher 1 into the washing tub 2. For example, the air flow 20 can be transferred between a cutlery drawer and an upper basket, or between an upper basket and a lower basket, or beneath a lower basket into the washing chamber 3. This advantageously results in an even distribution of the air flow within this horizontal plane because an unwanted blockage of the air flow 20 by dishes and / or dishes carriers is largely avoided. This even distribution of the drying air within the horizontal plane results in improved dishware drying.

[0058] As can be seen from Fig. 3The closure element 16 has a ring element 18 and a connecting piece 19. In the final assembled state, the connecting piece 19 of the closure element 16 engages in the air outlet opening 13 provided by the outlet channel 12. In the final assembled state, the rinsing container side wall 4 is arranged between the ring element 18 and a section of the outlet channel 12 that overlaps therewith.

[0059] How Fig. 4 As can be seen in a plan view from above, the closure element 16 has further ribs 25, which are designed as vertical ribs and, in the final assembled state, are aligned in the vertical direction 8 of the dishwasher 1. With respect to the width direction 26, the vertical ribs 25 are thus arranged one behind the other, as can also be seen from the illustration according to Fig. 4 results.

[0060] The vertical ribs 25 ensure, when used as intended, that the drying air is distributed within the horizontal plane, ie a fanned-out air flow 20 is produced which, in contrast to the prior art, does not only extend along a narrow air band (cf. prior art according to Fig. 16 ).

[0061] The fanning out of the air flow 20 is further supported by the fact that the vertical ribs are designed to be rotated at an angle of inclination around a rotation axis running in the vertical direction 8 of the dishwasher 1. Such an alignment of the vertical ribs 25 also allows Fig. 4The angle of inclination of a rib varies depending on the position of the rib 25 within the rib structure 27 and varies between -20° and +50°, with the outer ribs with respect to the air outlet opening having the maximum angle of inclination. In the embodiment shown, the angle of inclination with respect to the image plane is Fig. 4 lowest vertical rib 25 at an angle of inclination of -15 °, whereas the one with respect to the image plane Fig. 4upper vertical rib 25 is at an angle of inclination of +30°. In other words, one or more of the vertical ribs 25 arranged on the side of the rib structure 27 facing the wash cabinet door are designed to be rotated in the direction of the wash cabinet door, while one or more of the vertical ribs 25 arranged on the side of the rib structure 27 facing the back wall 22 of the wash tub are designed to be rotated in the direction of the back wall 22 of the wash tub. This different angle of inclination design results in the air flow 20 being deflected more towards the back wall 22 of the wash tub 2 and less towards the wash cabinet door 21. This advantageously takes into account the fact that the air outlet opening 13 of the outlet duct 12 is oriented, for example, in the direction of Fig. 1closer to the wash cabinet door 21 than to the rear wall 22. Due to their inclination, the vertical ribs 25 ensure an even distribution of the air flow 20 within the associated horizontal plane, despite an off-center design of the air outlet opening 13.

[0062] According to a first alternative embodiment of the invention, the horizontal ribs 23 and the vertical ribs 25 form a rectangular rib structure 27, as shown by way of example in Fig. 5 shown.

[0063] According to an alternative embodiment, as can be seen in particular from the Figs. 6 and 7The closure element 16 does not have vertically running ribs 25, but rather further ribs 28, which are designed as diagonal ribs and, in the finally assembled state, are aligned at an angle ≠ 90° transversely to the vertical direction 8 of the dishwasher 1. This results in an arrangement of the horizontal ribs 23 which is offset with respect to the vertical direction 8 and which are connected to one another by means of correspondingly inclined diagonal ribs 28 to form a honeycomb structure. The diagonal ribs 28 are also preferably designed to be inclined, so that an even distribution of the drying air within the horizontal plane is achieved.

[0064] The honeycomb design according to the Figs. 6 and 7Compared to the rectangular rib structure 27, it has the advantage of reduced pressure loss. This reduced pressure loss is achieved by increasing the angles between different ribs. In particular, the more acute corner areas of the rectangular structure, at 90°, ensure slower airflow in the corners than with the honeycomb structure.

[0065] When used as intended, the horizontal ribs 23, vertical ribs 25, and / or diagonal ribs 28, which collectively serve as air guide ribs, create a diffuser effect that ensures that the drying air is directed into a horizontal plane of the washing tub with respect to the vertical direction 8 of the dishwasher and is evenly distributed within this horizontal plane in the depth direction. This achieves a more even flow of the drying air within the washing tub, resulting in improved drying of the dishes while simultaneously minimizing pressure losses.

[0066] The diffuser effect depends on the length of the horizontal and vertical air guide ribs 23 and 25. Therefore, it is desirable to make these ribs as long as possible in the direction of the air flow 20. On the other hand, an extended design of these ribs results in an undesirable pressure loss. To optimize these two conflicting interests, the design variant according to Fig. 8 It is provided that the rib edges 32 of the horizontal ribs 23 facing away from the closure element 16 extend into the flow path provided by the outlet channel 12. To further optimize the air flow, the ribs 23 are not all of the same length, but rather a triangular arrangement results, as can be seen from Fig. 8 can be deduced, in that the image plane is Fig. 8 upper rib 23 is the shortest and the one with respect to the image plane Fig. 8The lower rib 23 is the longest. This design results in a further improved diffuser effect, as already described above, with minimized pressure loss.

[0067] In the case of a honeycomb-shaped rib structure 27, an extension of the ribs 23 and 28 into the flow path provided by the outlet channel 12 results, as in Fig. 9 shown.

[0068] A further embodiment of the invention is shown in the Figs. 10 and 11 . It is then provided that the outlet channel 12 on the outlet opening side with respect to the image plane Fig. 11wider than the diameter of the air outlet opening 13. The outlet duct 12 terminates on the air opening side 13 by means of a bend 29, the lowest point of this bend 29 in the vertical direction 8 being at the level of the outlet opening 13. This ensures that the drying air can flow out of the outlet duct 12 in a targeted manner and, on the other hand, that any condensate accumulating in the outlet duct 12 can collect at the lowest point and from there flow back into the rinsing container via the outlet opening.

[0069] A further alternative embodiment of the invention results from the Figs. 12 and 13. Accordingly, a channel design is provided which, when used as intended, results in an even further enhanced diffuser effect. For this purpose, the outlet channel 12 is narrow in height on the outlet side compared to the air outlet opening 17 provided by the closure element 16, but wide in width. This results in a slotted diffuser which, in combination with the previously described ribs of the closure element 16, provides an even better distribution of the drying air introduced into a rinsing container 2. Reference symbol

[0070] 1 Dishwasher 2 Washing container 3 Washing chamber 4 Washing container side wall 5 Ceiling section 6 Floor section 7 Loading opening 8 Height direction 9 Drying device 10 Intake duct 11 Air intake opening 12 Outlet duct 13 Air outlet opening 14 Fan 15 Heating device 16 Closure element 17 Air outlet opening 18 Ring element 19 Connection piece 20 Air flow (arrow) 21 Washing chamber door 22 Rear wall 23 Rib (horizontal rib) 24 Air outlet gap 25 Rib (vertical rib) 26 Width direction 27 Rib structure 28 Rib (slanted rib) 29 Bend 30 Section 31 Slotted hole diffuser 32 Rib edge 33 Mounting contour

Claims

1. Drying device, in particular a circulating air drying device, for a dishwasher, with an intake duct (10) providing an air intake opening (11), an outlet duct (12) providing an air outlet opening (13), and a fan (14) to which the intake duct (10) is fluidically connected on the air intake side and the outlet duct (12) is fluidically connected on the air outlet side, as well as with a closure element (16) arranged on the outlet duct (12) and covering the air outlet opening (13), which closure element provides an air outlet opening (17) which is divided into air outlet gaps (24) by ribs (23) arranged at a distance from one another, characterized in that the ribs (23) are designed as horizontal ribs and, in the final assembled state, are aligned perpendicular to the height direction (8) of the dishwasher (1).

2. Drying device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe closure element (16) has further ribs (25) which are designed as vertical ribs and are aligned in the height direction (8) of the dishwasher (1) in the finally assembled state.

3. Drying device according to claim 2, characterized in that the horizontal ribs (23) and the vertical ribs (25) form a rectangular rib structure (27).

4. Drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (16) has further ribs (28) which are designed as oblique ribs and, in the final assembled state, are aligned at an angle ≠ 90 ° transverse to the height direction (8) of the dishwasher (1).

5. Drying device according to claim 4, characterized in that the horizontal ribs (23) and the diagonal ribs (28) form a honeycomb-shaped rib structure (27).

6. Drying device according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in thatthe vertical ribs (25) and / or the oblique ribs (28) are aligned so as to be rotated at an angle of inclination about an axis of rotation running in the vertical direction (8) of the dishwasher (1), wherein adjacent ribs (25, 28) preferably have different angles of inclination.

7. Drying device according to claim 6, characterized in that the angle of inclination is between -20 ° and +50 ° depending on the position of the rib (25, 28) within the rib structure (27).

8. Drying device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the outer ribs (25, 28) have the greatest angle of inclination with respect to the air outlet opening (17).

9. Drying device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the horizontal ribs (23) with their rib edge edges (32) facing away from the closure element (16) protrude into the flow path provided by the outlet channel (12).

10. Drying device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (16) has a nozzle (19) which is received by the air outlet opening (13).

11. Drying device according to claim 10, characterized in that the nozzle (19) has a fastening contour (33) for the detachable arrangement of the closure element (16) on the outlet channel (12), wherein the fastening contour is designed such that the ribs (23) of the closure element (16) are aligned perpendicular to the height direction (8) of the dishwasher (1) in the finally assembled state of the dishwasher (1).

12. Dishwasher with a drying device (9) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11.

13. Dishwasher according to claim 12, with a washing container (2) providing a washing chamber (3) for receiving items to be cleaned, wherein the channels (10, 12) of the drying device (9) are arranged on the outside of the washing container (2) on a washing container wall (4).

14. Dishwasher according to claim 13, characterized in that the air intake opening (11) and the outlet opening (13) open into the rinsing chamber (3).

15. Closure element for a drying device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, which provides an air outlet opening (17) which is divided into air outlet gaps (24) by ribs (23) arranged at a distance from one another, characterized in that the ribs (23) are designed as horizontal ribs and, in the final assembled state, are aligned perpendicular to the height direction (8) of a dishwasher (1).

Images