Exhaust air treatment system for an industrial dishwasher and industrial dishwasher comprising such an exhaust air treatment system

Abstract

The invention relates to an exhaust air treatment system (10) for a commercial dishwasher (1), which is configured in particular as a single-tank dishwasher and preferably as a hood-type dishwasher. The exhaust air treatment system (10) comprises a first condenser unit (11) configured to lower the dew point temperature of exhaust air (B) discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher (1) at least as required, using a fluid medium, in particular air (A). Optionally, the exhaust air treatment system (10) further comprises a second condenser unit (30) configured to transfer at least a portion of the thermal energy of the exhaust air (B) discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher (1) to a liquid medium, in particular water (C) and preferably fresh water, at least as required.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of, in particular, commercial dishwashing.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a commercial dishwasher, which is especially designed as a program-controlled automatic dishwasher.

[0003] Automatic dishwashers are manually loaded and unloaded. These dishwashers (also known as "box-type" or "batch dishwashers") can be either pass-through dishwashers (hood-type) or front-loading models. Front-loading dishwashers can be undercounter machines, top-counter machines, or freestanding front-loading models.

[0004] A dishwasher designed as a program-controlled automatic dishwasher typically has a treatment chamber for cleaning the dishes. Usually, a wash tank is located below the treatment chamber, into which liquid from the treatment chamber can flow back by gravity. The wash tank contains washing fluid, which is usually water, to which detergent can be added if necessary.

[0005] A dishwasher designed as a program-controlled automatic dishwasher typically also includes a washing system with a wash pump, a pipe system connected to the wash pump, and a multitude of spray nozzles integrated into at least one wash arm. The washing liquid in the wash tank can be pumped by the wash pump via the pipe system to the spray nozzles and sprayed onto the items to be cleaned in the wash chamber. The sprayed washing liquid then flows back into the wash tank.

[0006] A dishwasher designed as a program-controlled automatic dishwasher is known, for example, from publication DE 10 2005 023 429 A1.

[0007] The term "dishwashing items" used herein refers in particular to dishes, glasses, cutlery, cooking utensils, baking utensils and serving trays.

[0008] A commercial dishwasher designed as a program-controlled automatic dishwasher differs from a domestic dishwasher primarily in that a commercial dishwasher must be designed to achieve program durations of between one and five minutes, depending on the selected cleaning program, while domestic dishwashers typically have cycles of up to 2.5 hours or more. Due to the short program durations required for commercial dishwashers, technologies used in domestic dishwashers are generally not directly transferable to commercial models.

[0009] Commercial dishwashers, which are designed as automatic programs, typically operate in two main process steps: a first step which involves washing with a washing liquid, and a second step which involves rinsing with heated fresh water and dosed rinse aid.

[0010] To perform these process steps, a commercial dishwasher designed as a program-controlled machine is typically equipped with two independent, completely separate fluid systems. One fluid system is a wash water circuit responsible for washing the dishes, using recirculated water from the dishwasher's wash tank. The other fluid system is a fresh water system responsible for rinsing. Rinsing is carried out with fresh water, preferably from a water heater (boiler). After spraying, the fresh water is also drawn from the dishwasher's wash tank.

[0011] The main purpose of the rinse cycle is to remove any remaining cleaning solution from the items being washed. Additionally, the rinse water flowing into the wash tank during the rinse cycle serves to regenerate the wash water already present in the tank.

[0012] Before fresh water is sprayed as rinse fluid and thus directed into the dishwasher's wash tank, an equal amount of wash fluid is pumped out of the wash tank.

[0013] Commercial dishwashers, typically designed as automatic programs, are equipped with several programs. These programs differ primarily in the length of the wash cycle. The operator can select a short wash program for lightly soiled items or a longer program for heavily soiled items.

[0014] Commercial dishwashers designed for automatic program selection and batch loading and unloading are primarily front-loading or pass-through dishwashers. In front-loading dishwashers, the dishes are placed in a basket, which is then inserted into the dishwasher's cleaning chamber through a front door and removed again through the same door after cleaning. In pass-through dishwashers, the loaded dish baskets are manually pushed into the cleaning chamber from an inlet side and manually removed from the cleaning chamber from an outlet side after a wash program is complete. Both front-loading and pass-through dishwashers contain a single cleaning chamber. Front-loading dishwashers can be either undercounter or overcounter models.

[0015] In the field of commercial dishwashing, various standards and guidelines define the requirements for the hygiene performance of cleaning processes and their procedural testing. All of these standards and guidelines stipulate minimum temperatures during the washing and rinsing processes of commercial dishwashers. This is intended, among other things, to achieve at least partial thermal disinfection.

[0016] The requirements regarding the specified minimum temperatures during the dishwasher's cleaning process mean that a relatively large amount of energy is required to heat the washing and rinsing liquids to the required minimum temperatures during operation. Furthermore, in currently known commercial dishwashers, a significant portion of the energy used during operation is released as waste heat into the wastewater and exhaust air.

[0017] The problem discussed above with reference to a commercial dishwasher designed as a program-controlled automatic dishwasher, namely that a large part of the energy used in the operation of the dishwasher is released as waste heat into wastewater and exhaust air, also exists in transport dishwashers.

[0018] A further problem directly related to this issue, particularly with commercial dishwashers designed as automatic programs, is the exhaust air produced during operation of the dishwasher in the form of water vapor or fumes.

[0019] Typically, the moisture-laden exhaust air from a dishwasher is released directly into the room where the dishwasher is located.

[0020] Particularly in dishwashing areas where several dishwashers, some of which are equipped with automatic programs, are operated simultaneously, the expulsion of moisture-laden exhaust air into the installation room negatively impacts the indoor climate. This is because expelling the warmer, moisture-laden exhaust air inevitably increases the humidity level of the ambient air in the installation room. Specifically, there is a risk that the humidity level in the installation room will rise to such an extent that unwanted condensation of water vapor occurs, particularly on cool surfaces within the installation room.

[0021] In order to save resources, especially energy, in the operation of a dishwasher - be it a program-controlled or a conveyor dishwasher - it is already known from the prior art to use wastewater and exhaust air heat recovery systems with which at least part of the kinetic energy of the wastewater and / or the exhaust air of the machine can be recovered as usable heat.

[0022] In this regard, reference should be made, for example, to the publication DE 10 2014 208 813 A1, which concerns a transport dishwasher with a heat recovery device.

[0023] In this state-of-the-art conveyor dishwasher, a heat pump is used as the exhaust air heat recovery system. This heat pump transfers some of the kinetic energy of the conveyor dishwasher's exhaust air to a refrigerant circulating within it. The recovered kinetic energy is absorbed by the refrigerant evaporating at low pressure in an evaporator. The gaseous refrigerant is then compressed to a higher pressure by a compressor unit and subsequently liquefied at a high temperature in a condenser unit. Finally, the refrigerant is expanded back to its evaporation pressure using an expansion valve. The condensation temperature of the refrigerant in the condenser unit is used to heat the rinse or wash fluid of the conveyor dishwasher.For this purpose, a suitable heat exchanger is provided in the rinse aid tank or wash fluid tank.

[0024] Heat pump technology thus offers itself as an effective method for recovering the energy stored in the warm, humid exhaust air of a dishwasher. The warm, humid airflow from the dishwasher's exhaust can be passed through an evaporator in a refrigeration system, thereby cooling the machine's exhaust air to ambient temperature. Through this energy transfer, the refrigerant in the heat pump evaporates and, after complete evaporation and superheating in its gaseous state, is compressed by the heat pump compressor and brought to a higher pressure and temperature level. On the high-pressure side, the energy is transferred as heat output to the wash, rinse, and / or dry zones of the conveyor dishwasher. During this process, the refrigerant condenses, liquefies, and is supercooled before being expanded through an expansion valve, thus reaching a lower pressure level.

[0025] Thanks to heat pump technology, it is possible to fully recover the energy contained in the exhaust air and thus supply the exhaust air to the installation room (dishwashing area) in an energy-neutral manner. Therefore, no building-integrated exhaust system is required, as the machine's exhaust air can be supplied directly to the room.

[0026] Although heat pump systems have proven successful in conveyor dishwashers, heat pump technology is not readily applicable, or at least not easily so, to dishwashers designed as automatic programs. In particular, a heat pump system is relatively complex and requires a considerable amount of additional installation space, which is often not feasible in automatic programs, as these dishwashers are designed specifically for relatively small dishwashing areas. Care must be taken to keep the dishwasher's installation space as small as possible. Furthermore, the relatively complex nature of heat pump technology means that, for cost reasons alone, it is not economically viable for the end user / customer of the dishwasher.

[0027] Therefore, heat pump technology has not yet become established in the relevant market for commercial dishwashers designed as automatic programs.

[0028] In order to "recover" at least some of the thermal energy generated during the operation of a dishwasher designed as a program-controlled automatic dishwasher, and in particular to use it for heating the fresh water used in the operation of the dishwasher, heat recovery systems are more commonly used in dishwashers known from the prior art and designed as program-controlled automatic dishwashers, with which at least some of the thermal energy of the wastewater generated during the operation of the dishwasher or the exhaust air generated during the operation of the dishwasher is transferred directly to the fresh water to be heated via a classic heat exchanger system.

[0029] A disadvantage of this commonly used approach, however, is that the functionality of heat recovery depends heavily on the temperature of the fresh water being heated. For example, if the dishwasher is operated in areas with a relatively hot climate, the "cold water," i.e., the water drawn from the mains water supply, typically has a different temperature than in areas with a moderate or even cool climate.

[0030] There may also be no cold water connection in the kitchen. In such a case, it is common practice to connect the dishwasher's fresh water supply to a building's hot water supply.

[0031] It should therefore be noted that the functionality of heat recovery can vary greatly, and that in particular, targeted dehumidification of the dishwasher's exhaust air often cannot be guaranteed.

[0032] Accordingly, the invention is based on the objective of providing a system for a commercial dishwasher, in particular designed as a program-controlled automatic dishwasher and preferably as a hood-type dishwasher, in which targeted dehumidification of the dishwasher's exhaust air can be achieved in an efficient and reliable manner even under different operating conditions, while preferably also enabling efficient heat recovery.

[0033] This problem is solved in particular by the subject matter of independent claim 1, which relates to an exhaust air treatment system for a commercial dishwasher.

[0034] Advantageous further developments of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention are specified in particular in dependent claims 1 to 18.

[0035] The invention is further solved by a commercial dishwasher according to dependent claim 19, wherein advantageous further developments of the dishwasher according to the invention are specified in dependent claims 20 to 26.

[0036] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to an exhaust air treatment system for a commercial dishwasher, which is designed in particular as a single-tank dishwasher and preferably as a hood-type dishwasher, wherein the exhaust air treatment system has a first condenser device and optionally a further, second condenser device.

[0037] The first condenser device is designed to lower the dew point temperature of exhaust air discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher, at least as required, using a fluid medium, in particular air and preferably fresh air. The optionally provided second condenser device, on the other hand, is designed to transfer at least a portion of the thermal energy of the exhaust air discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher to a liquid medium, in particular water and preferably fresh water, at least as required.

[0038] The first condenser unit of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention enables the effective dehumidification of the exhaust air discharged from the dishwasher in a simple yet efficient manner. With this first condenser unit alone, it is possible to introduce the dishwasher's exhaust air, after it has passed through the unit, directly into the dishwasher's installation room without causing an undesirable increase in the humidity of the air in the installation room, thus preventing condensation of water vapor, particularly on cool surfaces within the installation room. The efficiency of the first condenser unit is independent of whether the dishwasher is connected to a cold or hot water supply.

[0039] The first condenser unit not only achieves effective dehumidification of the exhaust air from the dishwasher, but is also suitable for recovering at least some of the thermal energy from the exhaust air and using it, for example, to heat the dishwasher's process water.

[0040] The efficient dehumidification of the exhaust air removed or to be removed from the dishwasher, achieved with the first condenser unit, is optionally combined with a more efficient heat recovery from the second condenser unit compared to the heat recovery achievable with the first condenser unit.

[0041] In this way, the advantages achievable with the first condenser device can be effectively combined with the advantages achievable with the second condenser device using the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention.

[0042] The second condenser unit is designed to transfer at least a portion of the thermal energy of the exhaust air discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher to a liquid medium, in particular water and preferably fresh water, at least as required. A conventional heat exchanger technology is preferably used for this purpose.

[0043] Even if, in application cases, no cold water is available as fresh water for operating the dishwasher, but only hot water, effective dehumidification of the exhaust air to be discharged from the dishwasher can still be achieved with the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention using the first condenser device.

[0044] In particular, according to embodiments of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention, the second condenser device can only be switched on as needed, i.e. optionally, namely when effective heat recovery can be achieved using the "classic" heat exchanger principle.

[0045] According to implementations of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention, the first condenser device is designed to draw in fresh air from an installation area, in particular an installation room, of the dishwasher, at least as required, and to use the drawn-in air / fresh air to lower the dew point temperature of the exhaust air discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher.

[0046] In this context, a first embodiment of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention provides that the first condenser assembly has an air-cooled condenser. In such an air-cooled condenser, the exhaust air discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher is passed through the interior of at least one heat exchanger.

[0047] This heat exchanger can, for example, be a finned tube or, in particular, a finned tube system arranged in a meandering shape.

[0048] A finned tube, as defined in the present application, is a tubular component that has fins made of a highly thermally conductive material to improve its transferable heat or cold performance. The fins serve to increase the tube's surface area and can be produced on the outside, for example, by rolling, brazing or welding, pressing, or grooving into the tube wall. Fins can also be rolled, drawn, or applied as pressed or sheet metal profiles to the inside of the tube.

[0049] Of course, the invention is not limited to embodiments in which the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser device is designed as a finned tube or finned tube system.

[0050] In the first aspect of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention, it is preferably further provided that the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser device is surrounded on the outside by air, in particular by fresh air from the installation area, in particular the installation room, of the dishwasher.

[0051] The at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser unit cools the dishwasher's exhaust air using fresh air from the installation area, particularly the installation room, thus lowering the dew point temperature of the exhaust air discharged from the dishwasher. Preferably, the heat exchanger of the first condenser unit is designed to reduce the temperature, and especially the dew point temperature, of the dishwasher's exhaust air to such an extent that no desired condensation of the exhaust air occurs in the dishwasher's installation area / room, even when the cooled exhaust air is introduced directly into the dishwasher's installation area / room.

[0052] Preferably, in this context, it is also possible to select the amount of air used per unit of time to flow around the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser device accordingly, in order to achieve a sufficient reduction in dew point temperature.

[0053] According to implementations of the first aspect of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention, the first condenser unit has an air duct system through which, at least as required, at least a portion of the exhaust air discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher is supplied or can be supplied to the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser unit via an inlet of the first condenser unit. For this purpose, a suction fan, which can be controlled as needed, is preferably associated with the air duct system.

[0054] In various embodiments of the latter embodiment, the air duct system is designed to supply at least a portion of the water condensed in the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser unit to a treatment chamber or liquid tank of the dishwasher, in particular a wash or rinse liquid tank. The condensed water (condensate) is heated accordingly, since at least a portion of the condensation temperature is contained as thermal energy in the recirculated condensed water. This increases the heat recovery efficiency of the exhaust air treatment system.

[0055] Preferably, the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser device has an outlet through which at least part of the exhaust air from the dishwasher is or can be supplied directly to the installation area, in particular the installation room, of the dishwasher, after at least part of the exhaust air has previously been passed through the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser device.

[0056] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser unit has an outlet through which at least part of the exhaust air from the dishwasher is supplied or can be supplied to the second condenser unit, after at least part of the exhaust air has been passed through the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser unit.

[0057] According to the implementations of the last-mentioned embodiment variants of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention, it is provided that the first condenser device has a housing that at least partially or partially surrounds the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser device.

[0058] Preferably, the housing of the first condenser device has an inlet through which, preferably with the aid of a suction blower, air, in particular fresh air, from an installation area, in particular an installation room, of the dishwasher is introduced or can be introduced into the interior of the housing of the first condenser device at least as required.

[0059] The housing also has an outlet through which the air / fresh air previously directed into the interior of the housing of the first condenser unit is returned to the installation area, in particular the installation room of the dishwasher, or can be returned to it. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the fresh air previously directed into the interior of the housing of the first condenser unit is directed or can be returned to a drying zone or drying area of ​​the dishwasher via the outlet of the housing of the first condenser unit.

[0060] Fresh air is supplied either directly to the installation room of the dishwasher or to the drying zone or drying area of ​​the dishwasher, after it has flowed at least partially or partially around the at least one heat exchanger of the first condenser unit inside the housing of the first condenser unit.

[0061] According to a second aspect of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention, which can also be combined with the first aspect of the exhaust air treatment system described above, the first condenser unit has a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber has a first inlet through which at least a portion of the dishwasher's exhaust air is supplied, or can be supplied, at least as needed, particularly with the aid of a first suction fan. The mixing chamber of the first condenser unit further has a second inlet through which air, particularly fresh air, from the installation area, particularly the installation room, is supplied, or can be supplied, to the dishwasher, at least as needed, particularly with the aid of a second suction fan.

[0062] Furthermore, the mixing chamber of the first condenser device has an outlet through which a fresh air-exhaust air mixture formed by mixing the supplied fresh air and the supplied exhaust air in the mixing chamber, with a dew point temperature reduced compared to the dew point temperature of the exhaust air, is preferably optionally supplied or can be supplied either directly to the installation area, in particular the installation room, of the dishwasher, or only to the installation area, in particular the installation room, of the dishwasher after at least part of the fresh air-exhaust air mixture has previously passed through the second condenser device.

[0063] According to implementations of this embodiment of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention, it is provided that the quantity of fresh air supplied to the mixing chamber per unit of time and / or the quantity of exhaust air supplied to the mixing chamber per unit of time are selected such that at least a part of the moisture contained in the exhaust air condenses in the mixing chamber by mixing the supplied air and the supplied exhaust air.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the mixing chamber of the first condenser unit is designed in such a way that, by mixing the supplied fresh air and the supplied exhaust air, at least some of the moisture contained in the exhaust air condenses in the mixing chamber.

[0065] The condensation of the moisture contained in the exhaust air occurs in the mixing chamber due to the reduction in dew point temperature achieved by the supplied fresh air.

[0066] In this context in particular, it is advantageous that the mixing chamber of the first condenser unit has a condensate return system, wherein the condensate return system is designed to supply at least a part of the water condensed in the mixing chamber to a treatment chamber of the dishwasher, or to a liquid tank, in particular a washing or rinsing liquid tank, of the dishwasher.

[0067] Regardless of the design of the first condenser unit of the exhaust air treatment system, i.e., regardless of whether the first condenser unit has a corresponding mixing chamber or an air-cooled condenser, it has proven particularly advantageous for the first condenser unit to be associated with an exhaust air extraction fan, or for the first condenser unit to have an exhaust air extraction fan. This exhaust air extraction fan is designed, in particular, to supply at least a portion of the exhaust air to be discharged from the dishwasher directly to the first condenser unit, as required.

[0068] Of course, it is also conceivable in principle that, with the help of the exhaust fan, the exhaust air to be removed from the dishwasher is first fed to the second condenser unit, and then, i.e., after the exhaust air has passed the second condenser unit, it is fed to the first condenser unit.

[0069] In this context, it is generally advantageous if the exhaust air extraction fan is assigned a control device, or if the exhaust air extraction fan has a control device.

[0070] The control unit serves to control the exhaust air extraction fan accordingly. In particular, the control unit is designed to control the exhaust air extraction fan in such a way that only a predetermined or definable portion of the exhaust air present in the dishwasher's treatment chamber at the end of a cleaning cycle is extracted and, in particular, fed directly or indirectly to the first condenser unit.

[0071] The exhaust air present in the treatment chamber of the dishwasher at the end of a cleaning cycle is preferably only partially extracted before the treatment chamber of the dishwasher is opened and at least fully opened.

[0072] As previously indicated, the first condenser unit and the optionally provided second condenser unit are functionally connected in series in such a way that either the exhaust air to be discharged first passes through the first condenser unit and then the second condenser unit, or that the exhaust air to be discharged first passes through the second condenser unit and then the first condenser unit.

[0073] The order in which the exhaust air passes through the first and second condenser units depends primarily on the application conditions. For example, if only hot water is available as fresh water, and especially if the most efficient possible dehumidification of the exhaust air is paramount, the exhaust air should first pass through the first condenser unit and then the second.

[0074] If, on the other hand, the focus is on achieving the highest possible energy recovery, and if the fresh water supplied to the dishwasher is sufficiently cool, the exhaust air to be discharged can first pass through the second condenser unit and then the first condenser unit.

[0075] The solution according to the invention is characterized in particular by the extremely small installation space required for the exhaust air treatment system. In particular, the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention is also suitable for retrofitting existing dishwashers. Preferably, in this context, the first condenser unit and / or the second condenser unit are designed as interchangeable or replaceable modules.

[0076] The optionally provided second condenser device is designed to transfer at least part of the thermal energy of the exhaust air discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher to a liquid medium, in particular water and preferably fresh water, at least as required.

[0077] According to the implementations of the second condenser unit, it is provided that this unit has a water-cooled condenser in which water, in particular fresh water, is passed through the interior of at least one heat exchanger. The at least one heat exchanger is in particular a tube and preferably a meandering tube system. The tube or tube system can, of course, be designed as a finned tube or finned tube system.

[0078] In this design variant of the second condenser unit, which has a water-cooled condenser, the at least one heat exchanger of the second condenser unit is surrounded on the outside by at least part of the exhaust air from the dishwasher.

[0079] According to conceivable implementations of the last-mentioned embodiment of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention, the second condenser assembly has a housing that at least partially or partially surrounds the at least one heat exchanger of the second condenser assembly. The housing has an inlet through which, preferably with the aid of a suction fan, at least a portion of the dishwasher's exhaust air is introduced or can be introduced into the interior of the housing, at least as required.

[0080] Furthermore, the housing has an outlet through which the exhaust air from the dishwasher, previously directed into the interior of the housing, is supplied or can be supplied to the installation area, in particular the installation room of the dishwasher, after the exhaust air has flowed at least partially or partially around the at least one heat exchanger of the second condenser unit inside the housing of the second condenser unit.

[0081] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the housing of the second condenser unit has an outlet through which the exhaust air from the dishwasher, previously directed into the interior of the housing, is supplied or can be supplied to the first condenser unit, after the exhaust air inside the housing of the first condenser unit has at least partially or partially flowed around the at least one heat exchanger of the second condenser unit.

[0082] In the embodiment of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention, in which the second condenser device has a water-cooled condenser, it is particularly provided that the at least one heat exchanger of the second condenser device has an inlet through which the water, in particular fresh water, is supplied or can be supplied to the at least one heat exchanger of the second condenser device at least as required.

[0083] Furthermore, the at least one heat exchanger of the second condenser assembly has an outlet through which the water previously supplied via the inlet to the at least one heat exchanger of the second condenser assembly – after passing through the at least one heat exchanger of the second condenser assembly – is supplied or can be supplied to a water heater / boiler of the dishwasher, a water tank, in particular a fresh water tank, of the dishwasher, a nozzle system, in particular a rinse aid nozzle system, of the dishwasher and / or to another heat exchanger of the dishwasher.

[0084] Finally, according to preferred embodiments of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention, at least one heat exchanger of the second condenser device is designed as a plastic part, in particular an injection-molded plastic part.

[0085] The invention further relates to a commercial dishwasher, which is designed in particular as a single-tank dishwasher and preferably as a hood-type dishwasher, wherein the commercial dishwasher has an exhaust air treatment system of the aforementioned type according to the invention.

[0086] According to preferred implementations, the commercial dishwasher has a treatment chamber in which items to be washed, and in particular items placed in dishwashing baskets, can be treated according to a predefined or definable treatment program.

[0087] Preferably, the treatment chamber can be closed with a hood that is movable relative to a machine frame of the dishwasher, particularly in a vertical direction.

[0088] In this dishwasher, designed as a hood-type dishwasher, it is specifically provided that an exhaust air extraction opening is formed in the hood of the dishwasher, which is or can be connected in such a way as to a suction side of an exhaust air extraction fan of the exhaust air treatment system, so that, if necessary, at least a part of the exhaust air present in the treatment chamber sealed by the hood, especially at the end of a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher, can be extracted with the help of the exhaust air extraction fan and, in particular, can be fed directly to the first condenser device of the exhaust air treatment system.

[0089] According to further developments of the last-mentioned design variant, it is provided that the exhaust air extraction opening is formed in an upper area of ​​the hood and preferably in a side wall area or rear wall area of ​​the hood.

[0090] By arranging the exhaust air extraction opening in an upper area of ​​the hood, the removal of at least part of the exhaust air from the volume enclosed by the hood is simplified as needed, since the heat of the exhaust air causes it to rise thermally.

[0091] In particular, to prevent untreated fumes / exhaust air from entering the dishwasher's installation room when the hood is opened, embodiments of the dishwasher according to the invention provide that a closing element is assigned to the exhaust air extraction opening, which is designed to close the exhaust air extraction opening in the hood as required.

[0092] In particular, it is provided that the closing element is designed to automatically close the exhaust air extraction opening when the hood is moved from a closed position to an open position.

[0093] For example, it is conceivable that the locking element has a shut-off slide that is mounted to be displaceable in a vertical direction relative to the hood, and which is operatively connected to the machine frame of the dishwasher in such a way that, when the hood transitions from its closed position to its open position, the exhaust air extraction opening in the hood is closed by means of the shut-off slide.

[0094] According to a further aspect of the invention, in particular, it is provided that a control device is assigned to the exhaust air extraction fan of the exhaust air treatment system, which can, for example, be part of the control device of the commercial dishwasher.

[0095] In particular, the control device is designed to control the exhaust air extraction fan in such a way that at the end of a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher only a portion of the exhaust air present in the treatment chamber of the dishwasher at the end of the cleaning cycle, which is determined in advance or can be determined, is extracted and in particular fed directly to the first condenser device.

[0096] In other words, this aspect of the invention provides that not all of the exhaust air or fumes are completely extracted from the volume enclosed by the hood when the hood is moved from its closed to its open position. A portion of the exhaust air deliberately remains in the upper area of ​​the hood. However, this exhaust air cannot enter the dishwasher's installation room because it is warmer than the ambient air in that room and therefore has a lower specific gravity.

[0097] By retaining at least part of the exhaust air in the area of ​​the hood, the thermal energy contained in this part of the exhaust air can be "reused" for the subsequent treatment cycle of the dishwasher.

[0098] The proportion of exhaust air remaining in the upper area of ​​the hood when the hood is opened, which is determined in advance or can be determined in advance, can be up to 50%, preferably up to 35% and in particular at least 20% of the volume enclosed by the hood in its closed position.

[0099] According to preferred implementations of the dishwasher according to the invention, the first condenser device of the exhaust air treatment system is arranged on the hood and in particular on one or on an upper horizontal wall area (roof area) of the hood.

[0100] Regarding the second condenser unit of the exhaust air treatment system, it is advantageous to position it on a wall area at the rear of the dishwasher. Specifically, the second condenser unit is designed as a module and can be plugged into a corresponding connection point on the wall area at the rear of the dishwasher or connected in another way.

[0101] In this case, it is advantageous for the second condenser unit to be integrated into a corresponding connection / outlet fitting module.

[0102] This connection / outlet fitting module preferably combines all inlet and outlet fittings necessary for the operation of the dishwasher into one module.

[0103] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0104] They show: FIG. 1A Schematic front view of an exemplary embodiment of the commercial dishwasher according to the invention in the open state; FIG. 1B Schematic side view of the commercial dishwasher according to FIG. 1A FIG. 2 schematically shows a hydraulic diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention; FIG. 3 schematically shows a hydraulic diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention; FIG. 4 schematically shows a hydraulic diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention; FIG. 5 schematically shows a hydraulic diagram of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention; FIG. 6 schematically and in an isometric view shows an exemplary embodiment of a first condenser assembly of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention; FIG. 7 schematically and in a partially cutaway view shows an exemplary embodiment of a second condenser assembly of the exhaust air treatment system according to the invention; and FIG.8. Schematic and in an isometric view, the exemplary embodiment of the second capacitor device according to . FIG. 7 in the closed and connected state.

[0105] The in FIG. 1A und FIG. 1B The exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention shown is designed as a hood-type dishwasher, although the present invention is not limited to hood-type dishwashers.

[0106] The in FIG. 1A und FIG. 1B The hood-type dishwasher shown has a treatment chamber 2 in which items to be washed, and in particular items placed in dish racks, can be treated according to a predefined or definable treatment program. The treatment chamber 2 can be closed with a hood 4 that is movable in a vertical direction relative to a machine frame 3 of the dishwasher 1. FIG. 1A und FIG. 1B The dishwasher 1 is shown in a state in which the hood 4 is in its open position.

[0107] In detail, the hood 4 can be moved and, in particular, shifted in a vertical direction relative to the machine frame 3 of the dishwasher 1 via a handle 5.

[0108] The in FIG. 1A und FIG. 1B The dishwasher 1 shown schematically is equipped with an exhaust air treatment system 10, which is described below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 2 bis FIG. 8 will be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments.

[0109] This can be seen in FIG. 1A und FIG. 1B that a first condenser assembly 11 is arranged on the hood 4 of the dishwasher 1. According to the side view FIG. 1B It can be deduced that a second condenser device 30 of the exhaust air treatment system 10 is arranged on a rear wall area of ​​the machine frame 3 of the dishwasher 1.

[0110] Although in FIG. 1A und FIG. 1B The fact that the dishwasher 1 is shown with an exhaust air treatment system 10, which has both a first condenser unit 11 and a second condenser unit 30, should not be considered restrictive. It is also conceivable that the exhaust air treatment system 10 with which the dishwasher 1 is equipped has only a first condenser unit 11.

[0111] Exemplary embodiments for corresponding first capacitor devices 11 are shown in the illustrations in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 removable.

[0112] In detail, the first condenser device 11 is designed to lower, at least as required, the dew point temperature of an exhaust air B that is discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher 1 by means of a fluid medium (here: fresh air A, which is drawn in from an installation room of the dishwasher 1).

[0113] Several approaches are possible here, which are discussed below with reference to the descriptions in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 be described.

[0114] Specifically, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 The schematic diagram shows the structure of various embodiments of the first condenser device 11. Both embodiments have in common that air, in particular fresh air A, is drawn in from an installation area, in particular an installation room, of the dishwasher 1 and the drawn-in air is used to lower the dew point temperature of the exhaust air B discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher 1.

[0115] At the in FIG. 2 In the schematically shown embodiment of the first condenser assembly 11, this assembly features an air-cooled condenser 12. The exhaust air B, which is discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher 1, is passed through the interior of a heat exchanger 13 of the first condenser assembly 11, which is designed in particular as a finned tube. The heat exchanger 13 of the first condenser assembly 11 is surrounded on the outside by air, in particular fresh air A from the installation area / room of the dishwasher 1.

[0116] For this purpose, the first condenser unit 11 has an air duct system 14, through which, at least as required, at least a portion of the exhaust air B discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher 1 is supplied to the heat exchanger 13 via an inlet 16 of the heat exchanger 13 of the first condenser unit 11. A suction fan 23, which can be controlled as needed, is associated with the air duct system 14 for this purpose.

[0117] Although in FIG. 2 Although not shown, it is generally conceivable that the air duct system 14 is designed to supply at least some of the water condensed in the heat exchanger 13 of the first condenser device 11 to the treatment chamber 2 of the dishwasher 1 or to a liquid tank of the dishwasher 1, in particular to a washing or rinsing liquid tank of the dishwasher 1.

[0118] The heat exchanger 13 of the first condenser unit 11 has an outlet 15 through which at least part of the exhaust air B of the dishwasher 1 can be fed back to the installation area, in particular the installation room, of the dishwasher 1 (directly), after at least part of the exhaust air B has been passed through the heat exchanger 13 of the first condenser unit 11.

[0119] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that – as in FIG. 3 schematically represented - via the outlet 15 of the heat exchanger 13 of the first condenser unit 11, at least part of the exhaust air B of the dishwasher 1 is supplied to a second condenser unit 30, also after at least part of the exhaust air B has previously passed through the heat exchanger 13 of the first condenser unit 11.

[0120] As in FIG. 2 und FIG. 3 In schematic representation, the first condenser assembly 11 has a housing 17 that surrounds at least partially or in sections the heat exchanger 13 of the first condenser assembly 11.

[0121] The housing 17 of the first condenser unit 11 has an inlet 18 through which, at least as required, air, in particular fresh air A, is introduced from the installation area, in particular installation room, of the dishwasher 1 into the interior of the housing 17 of the first condenser unit 11 by means of a suction fan 25.

[0122] Furthermore, the housing 17 of the first condenser unit 11 has an outlet 19, through which the air / fresh air A previously directed into the interior of the housing 17 of the first condenser unit 11 is fed back to the installation area, in particular the installation room, of the dishwasher 1.

[0123] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the air, in particular fresh air A, which was previously directed into the interior of the housing 17 of the first condenser unit 11, is supplied via the outlet 19 of the housing 17 of the first condenser unit 11 to a drying zone or drying area of ​​the dishwasher 1 (not shown in the drawings). This generally occurs after the air inside the housing 17 has at least partially or partially flowed around the heat exchanger 13 of the first condenser unit 11.

[0124] In FIG. 4 An alternative embodiment of the first capacitor device 11 is shown schematically.

[0125] This alternative embodiment of the first condenser device 11 is characterized by having a mixing chamber 21. The mixing chamber 21 has a first inlet 22 through which at least a portion of the exhaust air B from the dishwasher 1 is supplied to the mixing chamber 21, at least as required, in particular by means of a first suction fan 23.

[0126] The mixing chamber 21 also has a second inlet 24, through which air, in particular fresh air A, from the installation area, in particular installation room, is supplied to the dishwasher 1 at least as required by means of a second suction blower 25 to the mixing chamber 21.

[0127] Finally, the mixing chamber 21 includes an outlet 26 through which a fresh air-exhaust air mixture D, formed by mixing the fresh air A previously supplied to the mixing chamber 21 and the exhaust air B also previously supplied, with a dew point temperature reduced compared to the dew point temperature of the exhaust air B, is preferably optionally supplied either directly to the installation area, in particular the installation room, of the dishwasher 1 or only to the installation area, in particular the installation room, of the dishwasher 1 after at least part of the fresh air-exhaust air mixture D has previously passed through the second condenser device 30 (cf. FIG. 5 ).

[0128] The mixing chamber 21 of the first condenser unit 11 is designed such that, by mixing the supplied fresh air A and the supplied exhaust air B, at least some of the moisture contained in the exhaust air B condenses in the mixing chamber 21. For this purpose, it is particularly conceivable that the quantity of fresh air A and / or the quantity of exhaust air B supplied to the mixing chamber 21 per unit of time is selected accordingly.

[0129] In FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5 It is indicated that the mixing chamber 21 of the first condenser device 11 has a condensate return system 20, which is designed to supply at least a part of the water condensed in the mixing chamber 21 to the treatment chamber 2 of the dishwasher 1, or to a liquid tank, in particular a washing or rinsing liquid tank, of the dishwasher 1.

[0130] The two in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 The schematically shown embodiment variants of the first condenser device 11 also have in common that an exhaust air extraction fan 23 is assigned to the first condenser device 11, wherein the exhaust air extraction fan 23 is designed, in particular, to supply at least a part of the exhaust air B to be discharged from the dishwasher 1 to the first condenser device 11, in particular directly, as required.

[0131] In this context, it is particularly conceivable that the exhaust air extraction fan 23 is assigned a control device (not shown in the drawings) which is designed to supply only a portion of the exhaust air B present in the treatment chamber 2 of the dishwasher 1 at the end of a cleaning cycle, preferably directly to the first condenser device 11, and preferably before the treatment chamber 2 of the dishwasher 1 is opened.

[0132] As the schematic representations in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 As can be seen, in these exemplary embodiments of the exhaust air treatment system 10 according to the invention, the first condenser device 11 and the second condenser device 30 are functionally connected in series in such a way that the exhaust air B to be discharged first passes through the first condenser device 11 and then through the second condenser device 30.

[0133] However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Rather, it is also conceivable that the first condenser assembly 11 and the second condenser assembly 30 are functionally connected in series such that the exhaust air B to be discharged first passes through the second condenser assembly 30 and then through the first condenser assembly 11.

[0134] As also shown in the depictions in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 The second condenser assembly 30 has a water-cooled condenser 31 in which water, in particular fresh water C, is passed through the interior of a heat exchanger 32. The heat exchanger 32 of the second condenser assembly 30 is – as can be seen in particular from the illustration in FIG. 7 can be extracted - preferably in the form of a meandering pipe system.

[0135] In particular, it is provided that the heat exchanger 32 of the second condenser unit 30 is surrounded on the outside by at least a part of the exhaust air B of the dishwasher 1.

[0136] For this purpose, the second condenser assembly 30 has a housing 33 that at least partially or partially surrounds the heat exchanger 32 of the second condenser assembly 30. The housing 33 has an inlet 34 through which, preferably with the aid of a suction fan 23, at least a portion of the exhaust air B from the dishwasher 1 is introduced or can be introduced into the interior of the housing 33, at least as required.

[0137] The housing 33 further has an outlet 35, through which the exhaust air B of the dishwasher 1, which was previously directed into the interior of the housing 33, is supplied to the installation area, in particular the installation room, of the dishwasher 1, after the exhaust air B has flowed at least partially or partially around the heat exchanger 32 of the second condenser device 30 inside the housing 33.

[0138] Furthermore, the representations in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 It can be seen that the heat exchanger 32 of the second condenser unit 30 has an inlet 34 through which water, in particular fresh water C, is supplied to the heat exchanger 13 of the second condenser unit 30 at least as required.

[0139] The heat exchanger 32 of the second condenser unit 30 further has an outlet 35 through which the water previously supplied to the heat exchanger 13 of the second condenser unit 30 via the inlet 34, after passing through the heat exchanger 32 of the second condenser unit 30, is supplied to a water heater / boiler of the dishwasher 1, a water tank, in particular a fresh water tank, of the dishwasher 1, a nozzle system, in particular a rinse aid nozzle system, of the dishwasher 1 and / or another heat exchanger of the dishwasher 1.

[0140] As can be seen in particular from the presentation in FIG. 6 In embodiments of the first capacitor device 11, it is provided that it is designed as an interchangeable or replaceable module.

[0141] The same applies, in a figurative sense, to the second capacitor assembly 30. In this regard, reference should be made to the illustrations in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 referred.

[0142] In particular, the in FIG. 7 The schematic embodiment of the second capacitor device 30 is designed as a plastic part, in particular an injection-molded plastic part.

[0143] As the depiction in FIG. 9 In the hood 4 of the dishwasher 1, an exhaust air extraction opening 40 is formed, which is connected or can be connected in such a way as to a suction side of an exhaust air extraction fan 23 of the exhaust air treatment system 10, so that, if necessary, at least a part of the exhaust air B present in the treatment chamber 2, which is closed off by the hood 4, can be extracted with the help of the exhaust air extraction fan 23 and, in particular, can be supplied directly to the first condenser device 11 of the exhaust air treatment system 10.

[0144] The exhaust air extraction opening 40 is preferably located in an upper area of ​​the hood 4, and preferably in a side wall area or rear wall area of ​​the hood 4.

[0145] The representation in FIG. 9 It can also be seen that a closing element 41 is assigned to the exhaust air extraction opening 40, which is designed to close the exhaust air extraction opening 40 in the hood 4 of the dishwasher 1 if necessary.

[0146] In particular, the closing element 41 is designed to automatically close the exhaust air extraction opening 40 in the hood 4 of the dishwasher 1 when the hood 4 – starting from a closed position of the hood 4 – moves into, for example, a FIG. 1A and in FIG. 1B The open position of the hood shown in section 4 is transferred.

[0147] For this purpose, the locking element 41 has a shut-off slide which is mounted in a vertical direction slidable relative to the hood 4 and which is operatively connected to the machine frame 3 of the dishwasher 1 in such a way that when the hood 4 transitions from its closed position to its open position, the exhaust air extraction opening 40 formed in the hood 4 is closed by means of the shut-off slide.

[0148] The isometric view in FIG. 8 It can be seen that the second capacitor device 30 can be integrated into a connection / outlet fitting module 50.

[0149] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein. Bezugszeichenliste

[0150] 1 Dishwasher 2 Treatment chamber 3 Machine frame 4 Hood 5 Handle 10 Exhaust air treatment system 11 First condenser unit 12 Air-cooled condenser 13 Heat exchanger 14 Air duct system 15 Outlet 16 Inlet 17 Housing 18 Housing inlet 19 Housing outlet 20 Condensate return 21 Mixing chamber 22 First mixing chamber inlet 23 Suction fan / Exhaust fan 24 Second mixing chamber inlet 25 Air suction fan 26 Mixing chamber outlet 30 Second condenser unit 31 Water-cooled condenser 32 Heat exchanger 33 Housing 34 Housing inlet 35 Housing outlet 36 Water inlet 37 Outlet 40 Exhaust air opening 41 Closure element 50 connection / outlet fitting module A Air / Fresh air B Exhaust air C Water / Fresh water D Fresh air / Exhaust air mixture

Claims

1. Exhaust air treatment system (10) for a commercial dishwasher (1), which is designed in particular as a single-tank dishwasher and preferably as a hood-type dishwasher, wherein the exhaust air treatment system (10) comprises: - a first condenser device (11) which is designed to reduce, at least as required, the dew point temperature of an exhaust air (B) discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher (1) by means of a fluid medium, in particular air (A); and - optionally a second condenser device (30) which is designed to transfer, at least as required, at least a portion of the thermal energy of the exhaust air (B) discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher (1) to a liquid medium, in particular water (C) and preferably fresh water.

2. Exhaust air treatment system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first condenser device (11) is configured to draw in air (A) from an installation area, in particular installation room, of the dishwasher (1) at least as required and to use the drawn-in air (A) to lower the dew point temperature of the exhaust air (B) discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher (1).

3. Exhaust air treatment system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first condenser device (11) has a mixing chamber (21), the mixing chamber (21) of the first condenser device (11) having the following: - a first inlet (22) through which at least a part of the exhaust air (B) of the dishwasher (1) is supplied or can be supplied to the mixing chamber (21) at least as required, in particular with the aid of a first suction fan (23); - a second inlet (24) through which air (A), in particular fresh air, from an installation area, in particular installation room, is supplied or can be supplied to the dishwasher (1) at least as required, in particular with the aid of a second suction fan (25);and - an outlet (26) through which a fresh air-exhaust air mixture (D) formed by mixing the supplied air (A), in particular fresh air, and the supplied exhaust air (B) in the mixing chamber (21) with a dew point temperature reduced compared to the dew point temperature of the exhaust air (B) is preferably optionally supplied or can be supplied either directly to the installation area, in particular installation room, of the dishwasher (1), or only to the installation area, in particular installation room, of the dishwasher (1) after at least a part of the fresh air-exhaust air mixture (D) has previously passed through the second condenser device (30).

4. Exhaust air treatment system (10) according to claim 3, wherein a quantity of air (A), in particular fresh air, supplied to the mixing chamber (21) per unit of time, and / or a quantity of exhaust air (B) supplied to the mixing chamber (21) per unit of time are selected, and / or wherein the mixing chamber (21) of the first condenser device (11) is designed such that at least a part of the moisture contained in the exhaust air (B) condenses in the mixing chamber (21) by mixing the supplied air (A), in particular fresh air, and exhaust air (B);and / or wherein the mixing chamber (21) of the first condenser device (11) is associated with a condensate return system (20), or wherein the mixing chamber (21) of the first condenser device (11) has a condensate return system (20), wherein the condensate return system (20) is configured to supply at least a portion of the water condensed in the mixing chamber (21) to a treatment chamber (2) of the dishwasher (1), or to a liquid tank, in particular a wash or rinse liquid tank, of the dishwasher (1).

5. Exhaust air treatment system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first condenser device (11) has an air-cooled condenser (12) in which the exhaust air (B) discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher (1) is guided through the interior of at least one heat exchanger (13), in particular in the form of a finned tube, wherein the at least one heat exchanger (13) of the first condenser device (11) is surrounded on the outside by air (A), in particular fresh air and preferably air (A) from an installation area, in particular installation room, of the dishwasher (1), wherein the first condenser device (11) preferably has an air duct system (14) through which, at least as required, at least a part of the exhaust air (B) discharged or to be discharged from the dishwasher (1) is supplied or can be supplied via an inlet (16) of the at least one heat exchanger (13) of the first condenser device (11),wherein the air duct system (14) is preferably associated with a suction blower (23) which can be controlled as required, and wherein the air duct system (14) is preferably designed to supply at least a portion of the water condensed in the at least one heat exchanger (13) of the first condenser device (11) to a treatment chamber (2) of the dishwasher (1), or to a liquid tank of the dishwasher (1), in particular a wash or rinse liquid tank of the dishwasher (1).

6. Exhaust air treatment system (10) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one heat exchanger (13) of the first condenser assembly (11) has an outlet (15) through which at least a part of the exhaust air (B) of the dishwasher (1) is supplied or can be supplied to the installation area, in particular the installation room, of the dishwasher (1), after the at least a part of the exhaust air (B) has been passed through the at least one heat exchanger (13) of the first condenser assembly (11); or wherein the at least one heat exchanger (13) of the first condenser assembly (11) has an outlet (15) through which at least a part of the exhaust air (B) of the dishwasher (1) is supplied or can be supplied to the second condenser assembly (30).namely after at least part of the exhaust air (B) has been passed through the at least one heat exchanger (13) of the first condenser assembly (11); and / or wherein the first condenser assembly (11) has a housing (17) that at least partially or partially surrounds the at least one heat exchanger (13) of the first condenser assembly (11), wherein the housing (17) has an inlet (18) through which, preferably with the aid of a suction fan (25), air (A), in particular fresh air, from an installation area, in particular an installation room, of the dishwasher (1) is introduced or can be introduced into the interior of the housing (17), at least as required, and wherein the housing (17) has an outlet (19) through which the air (A), in particular fresh air, previously introduced into the interior of the housing (17), is discharged from the installation area, in particular an installation room,the dishwasher (1) or a drying zone or drying area of ​​the dishwasher (1) is supplied or can be supplied, after the air (A) inside the housing (17) of the first condenser unit (11) has flowed at least partially or partially around the at least one heat exchanger (13) of the first condenser unit (11).

7. Exhaust air treatment system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first condenser assembly (11) is associated with an exhaust air extraction fan (23), or wherein the first condenser assembly (11) has an exhaust air extraction fan (23), wherein the exhaust air extraction fan (23) is configured, in particular, to supply at least a portion of the exhaust air (B) to be discharged from the dishwasher (1) to the first condenser assembly (11), in particular directly, wherein the exhaust air extraction fan (23) is associated with a control device, or wherein the exhaust air extraction fan (23) has a control device, wherein the control device is preferably configured to supply only a portion, in particular a predetermined or definable portion, of the exhaust air (B) present in a treatment chamber (2) of the dishwasher (1) at the end of a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher (1), in particular directly, to the first condenser assembly (11).preferably before the treatment chamber (2) of the dishwasher (1) is opened.

8. Exhaust air treatment system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first condenser device (11) and the second condenser device (30) are functionally connected in series such that: (i) the exhaust air (B) to be discharged passes first through the first condenser device (11) and then through the second condenser device (30); or (ii) the exhaust air (B) to be discharged passes first through the second condenser device (30) and then through the first condenser device (11).

9. Exhaust air treatment system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first condenser device (11) is designed as an interchangeable or replaceable module; and / or wherein the second condenser device (30) is designed as an interchangeable or replaceable module.

10. Exhaust air treatment system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second condenser device (30) has a water-cooled condenser (31) in which water (C), in particular fresh water, is passed through the interior of at least one heat exchanger (32), in particular in the form of a pipe and preferably in the form of a meandering pipe system, wherein the at least one heat exchanger (32) of the second condenser device (30) is surrounded on the outside by at least a part of the exhaust air (B) of the dishwasher (1).

11. Exhaust air treatment system (10) according to claim 10, wherein the second condenser assembly (30) has a housing (33) that at least partially or partially surrounds the at least one heat exchanger (32) of the second condenser assembly (30), wherein the housing (33) has an inlet (34) through which, preferably with the aid of a suction blower (23), at least a portion of the exhaust air (B) of the dishwasher (1) is introduced or can be introduced into the interior of the housing (33), and wherein the housing (33) has an outlet (35) through which the exhaust air (B) of the dishwasher (1) previously directed into the interior of the housing (33) of the second condenser assembly (30) is supplied or can be supplied to an installation area, in particular an installation room, of the dishwasher (1), or to the first condenser assembly (11).namely, after the exhaust air (B) inside the housing (33) of the second condenser unit (30) has flowed at least partially or partially around the at least one heat exchanger (32) of the second condenser unit (30); and / or wherein the at least one heat exchanger (32) of the second condenser unit (30) has an inlet (36) through which the water (C), in particular fresh water, is supplied or can be supplied to the at least one heat exchanger (32) of the second condenser unit (30) at least as required, and wherein the at least one heat exchanger (32) of the second condenser unit (30) has an outlet (37) through which the water (C) previously supplied to the at least one heat exchanger (32) of the second condenser unit (30) via the inlet (36), after passing through the at least one heat exchanger (32) of the second condenser unit (30), a water heater or boiler of the dishwasher (1), a water tank,in particular fresh water tank, the dishwasher (1), a nozzle system, in particular rinse aid nozzle system, the dishwasher (1) and / or a further heat exchanger (13) of the dishwasher (1) is supplied or can be supplied; and / or wherein at least one heat exchanger (32) of the second condenser assembly (30) is designed as a plastic part, in particular an injection-molded plastic part.

12. Commercial dishwasher (1), which is designed in particular as a single-tank dishwasher and preferably as a hood-type dishwasher, wherein the commercial dishwasher (1) has an exhaust air treatment system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Commercial dishwasher (1) according to claim 12, wherein the commercial dishwasher (1) has a treatment chamber (2) in which items to be washed, and in particular items placed in dishwashing baskets, can be treated according to a predetermined or definable treatment program, wherein the treatment chamber (2) can be closed with a hood (4) that is movable relative to a machine frame (3) of the dishwasher (1), in particular in a vertical direction, wherein an exhaust air extraction opening (40) is formed in the hood (4), which is or can be connected in such a way as to a suction side of an exhaust air extraction fan (23) of the exhaust air treatment system (10),that, if required, at least a part of the exhaust air (B) present, in particular at the end of a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher (1) in the treatment chamber (2) sealed by the hood (4), can be extracted by means of the exhaust air extraction fan (23) and, in particular, can be supplied directly to the first condenser unit (11) of the exhaust air treatment system (10), wherein the exhaust air extraction opening (40) of the hood (4) is formed, in particular, in an upper area of ​​the hood (4) and there preferably in a side wall area or rear wall area of ​​the hood (4), wherein the exhaust air extraction opening (40) of the hood (4) is preferably associated with a closing element (41) which is designed to close the exhaust air extraction opening (40) of the hood (4) if required, wherein the closing element (41) is designed, in particular, to close the exhaust air extraction opening (40) of the hood (4) automatically,when the hood (4) is moved from a closed position to an open position, the closing element (41) preferably having a shut-off slide mounted to be displaceable in a vertical direction relative to the hood (4), which is operatively connected to the machine frame (3) of the dishwasher (1) in such a way that, when the hood (4) transitions from its closed position to its open position, the exhaust air extraction opening (40) of the hood (4) is closed by means of the shut-off slide.

14. Commercial dishwasher (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a control device is associated with the exhaust air extraction fan (23), or wherein the exhaust air extraction fan (23) has a control device, wherein the control device is configured to supply only a portion, in particular a predetermined or definable part, of the exhaust air (B) present in the treatment chamber (2) of the dishwasher (1) at the end of a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher (1), in particular directly to the first condenser device (11), preferably before the treatment chamber (2) of the dishwasher (1) is opened, wherein the portion, in particular a predetermined or definable part, of the exhaust air (B) present in the treatment chamber (2) of the dishwasher (1) at the end of a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher (1) corresponds at least substantially to 100% of the volume enclosed by the hood (4) in its closed position;or wherein the portion of the exhaust air (B) present in the treatment chamber (2) of the dishwasher (1), which is determined or determinable in advance, corresponds at least substantially to a maximum of 80%, preferably to a maximum of 65% and even more preferably to a maximum of 50% of the volume enclosed by the hood (4) in its closed position.

15. Commercial dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first condenser device (11) of the exhaust air treatment system (10) is arranged on the hood (4) and in particular on or at an upper horizontal wall area of ​​the hood (4); and / or wherein the second condenser device (30) of the exhaust air treatment system (10) is arranged on a wall area at the rear of the dishwasher (1); and / or wherein the second condenser device (30) is integrated in a connection / outlet fitting module (50).

Images