A dishwasher comprising a heat pump

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; an inlet line (4) which enables the water taken from the mains to be delivered to the washing tub (3); a discharge line (5) which enables the water in the washing tub (3) to be discharged; and a heat pump (9) which is disposed under the washing tub (3) and which has a first heat exchanger (4) enabling the water to be used in the washing step to be heated by drawing heat from the environment, a second heat exchanger (5) transferring the heat received from the first heat exchanger (4) to the washing water and a compressor (6) fluidly connected to the first heat exchanger (4) and the second heat exchanger (5) so as to realize the refrigerant cycle.

Description

[0001] A DISHWASHER COMPRISING A HEAT PUMP

[0002] The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a heat pump.

[0003] Today, dishwashers are installed in a standard cabinet. Said standard cabinets comprise standard opening(s) with certain dimensions. The location of said opening(s) on the cabinet is determined by the manufacturer. The dishwasher’s water inlet hose and water discharge hose are passed through this opening. Bottom opening(s) at the cabinet is / are generally preferred taking into account the lower amount of thermal losses from the machine surfaces and the mains water intake hose and the discharge hose outlet. In the dishwashers, heat pumps are used for decreasing the energy consumption and improve the drying performance. In heat pump dishwashers, the heat pump is composed of the compressor, the condenser, the throttle valve and the evaporator. The components of the heat pump are connected via a pipe line and the heat pump operates by means of the cycle fluid in the line. The condenser is a tube bundle having a hot surface and enables the water to be heated by being positioned in the washing liquid of the dishwasher. The evaporator has a cold surface and is positioned so as to contact the ambient air. The evaporator absorbs heat from the environment and provides the heat transfer to the compressor and the condenser. In this type of heat pump systems, for heating the water, the compressor is operated to enable the condenser to heat the water, and the evaporator is enabled to absorb heat from the environment to support the condenser which heats the water. In order to ensure the continuity of the operation of the heat pump, the evaporator continuously absorbs heat from the environment, and, while using the heat for the heat pump, causes the discharged air to cool down. The cooled-down air is discharged after passing through the evaporator. Said air opening can be provided on the left or right side of the dishwasher. The dishwasher’s water intake hose and discharge hose can be located at the rear side of the dishwasher, on the left or right, depending on the dishwasher. Said hoses are passed between the dishwasher and the cabinet to exit through the cabinet opening. In this case, depending on the mains supply position of the dishwasher, the hoses are required to pass in front of the evaporator and pass through the air opening. As a result, the hoses block or limit the evaporator air flow. Restricted or blocked air flow causes the heat pump to operate inefficiently, resulting in longer washing times and increased energy consumption.

[0004] In the state of the art German Patent Document No. DE3600820, a dishwasher is disclosed, comprising protective members which are mounted to the sides of the body and which protect the kitchen furniture from steam.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher with improved efficiency, which provides ease of use.

[0006] The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a body; a washing tub which is disposed in the body and wherein the kitchen items to be washed are placed; an inlet line which enables the water to be delivered to the washing tub; a discharge line which enables the water to be discharged from the washing tub; and a heat pump which is positioned between the washing tub and the body. The heat pump comprises a first heat exchanger which absorbs heat from the environment so as to enable the water used in the washing step to be heated; a second heat exchanger which transfers the heat received from the first heat exchanger to the washing tub; and a compressor which performs the refrigerant cycle between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

[0007] The dishwasher of the present invention comprising a grouping member which enables the inlet line and the discharge line to be moved away from the heat pump. By arranging the inlet line and the discharge line on the grouping member, the air suction and air outlet actions can be efficiently performed by the heat pump. Thus, the inlet line and the discharge line are prevented from being deformed due to heat and air flow.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the grouping member having at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening. The inlet line and the discharge line enter the grouping member through the inlet opening and leave the grouping member through the outlet opening. Thus, the layout of said lines is arranged.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the grouping member having a housing and a lid which isolates the housing from the external environment. The inlet line and the discharge line are placed on the housing. The lid isolates the housing from the external environment.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the grouping member having at least one channel which is provided on the housing and which enables the inlet line and the discharge line to be fixed in the housing. The inlet line and the discharge line are placed on the channels. When liquid flows through the inlet line and the discharge line, the lines are prevented from moving in the housing and are enabled to remain stationary.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the grouping member having an insulation zone which is provided on the housing and which provides the thermal insulation of the inlet line and the discharge line. Thus, any thermal loss from the inlet line and the discharge line is prevented.

[0012] By means of the present invention, a dishwasher is realized, which is enabled to operate more efficiently by arranging the heat pump and the water lines.

[0013] A dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0014] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of the dishwasher.

[0015] Figure 2 - is the cross-sectional view of the dishwasher.

[0016] Figure 3 - is the cross-sectional view of the grouping member.

[0017] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the grouping member.

[0018] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows.

[0019] 1- Dishwasher

[0020] 2- Body

[0021] 3- Washing tub

[0022] 4- Inlet line

[0023] 5- Discharge line

[0024] 6- First heat exchanger 7- Second heat exchanger

[0025] 8- Compressor

[0026] 9- Heat pump

[0027] 10- Grouping member

[0028] 11- Inlet opening

[0029] 12- Outlet opening

[0030] 13- Housing

[0031] 14- Lid

[0032] 15 - Channel

[0033] 16- Insulation zone

[0034] The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; an inlet line (4) which enables the water taken from the mains to be delivered to the washing tub (3); a discharge line (5) which enables the water in the washing tub (3) to be discharged; and a heat pump (9) which is disposed under the washing tub (3) and which has a first heat exchanger (4) enabling the water to be used in the washing step to be heated by drawing heat from the environment, a second heat exchanger (5) transferring the heat received from the first heat exchanger (4) to the washing water and a compressor (6) fluidly connected to the first heat exchanger (4) and the second heat exchanger (5) so as to realize the refrigerant cycle.

[0035] The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprising a grouping member (10) which enables the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) to be grouped so as to be moved away from the heat pump (9). By means of the grouping member (10), the position of the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) is arranged and moved away from the heat pump (9). Thus, the lines (4 and 5) are prevented from blocking the heat pump (9) during operations such as air suction and air transmission. Consequently, the heat pump (9) is enabled to be operated more efficiently. Moreover, the deformation which may be caused on the lines (4 and 5) by the hot air discharged from the washing tub (3) and the power of the absorbed air is prevented. Thus, a dishwasher (1) is realized, comprising a safe heat pump (9) with improved efficiency.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the grouping member (10) having at least one inlet opening (11) through which the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) enter, and at least one outlet opening (12) through which the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) exit. On the grouping member (10), the inlet opening (11) and the outlet opening (12) are provided, which enable the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) to enter and exit on the grouping member (10). Thus, the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) are placed rigidly and safely on the grouping member (10).

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the grouping member (10) having a housing (13) wherein the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) are placed, and a lid (14) which isolates the housing (13) from the external environment. The inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) are placed in the housing (13). The lid (14) isolates the housing (13) from the external environment. Thus, thermal losses which may occur on the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) are prevented, and a safer environment is provided since contact with the external environment is interrupted.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the grouping member (10) having at least one channel (15) which is provided on the housing (13) and which enables the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) to be fixed in the housing (13). The inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) are fixed on the channels (15). Thus, the lines (4 and 5) are prevented from moving during the liquid flow.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the grouping member (10) having an insulation zone which is provided on the housing (13) and which provides thermal insulation of the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5). By means of the insulation zone (16) on the housing (13), the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) are insulated.

[0040] By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized, comprising a grouping member (10) which enables the inlet line (4) and the outlet line (5) to be properly grouped. Thus, the lines (4 and 5) are moved away from the heat pump (9) and the heat pump (9) is enabled to be operated more efficiently. Moreover, the mess which may be caused by the lines (4 and 5) and the deformation which may occur on the lines (4 and 5) are prevented.

Claims

CLAIMS1- A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; an inlet line (4) which enables the water taken from the mains to be delivered to the washing tub (3); a discharge line (5) which enables the water in the washing tub (3) to be discharged; and a heat pump (9) which is disposed under the washing tub (3) and which has a first heat exchanger (4) enabling the water to be used in the washing step to be heated by drawing heat from the environment, a second heat exchanger (5) transferring the heat received from the first heat exchanger (4) to the washing water and a compressor (6) fluidly connected to the first heat exchanger (4) and the second heat exchanger (5) so as to realize the refrigerant cycle, characterized by a grouping member (10) which enables the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) to be grouped so as to be moved away from the heat pump (9).2- A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the grouping member (10) having at least one inlet opening (11) through which the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) enter, and at least one outlet opening (12) through which the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) exit.3- A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the grouping member (10) having a housing (13) wherein the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) are placed, and a lid (14) which isolates the housing (13) from the external environment.4- A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the grouping member (10) having at least one channel (15) which is provided on the housing (13) and which enables the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5) to be fixed in the housing (13).5- A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 3 or Claim 4, characterized by the grouping member (10) having an insulation zone which is provided on the housing (13)and which provides thermal insulation of the inlet line (4) and the discharge line (5).

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