Dishwasher having a heat pump and associated operating method

Abstract

A dishwasher (1) having at least one heat pump (14) is designed such that the evaporator (20) of the heat pump (14) is functionally divided into at least two parts (20a, 20b), wherein, in a phase for heating washing liquor (24), both parts (20a, 20b) are switched one after the other in the same function, and wherein, in a phase for drying and reheating washing compartment air (33) removed from the washing container, a second part (20b) of the evaporator is switched over to a region of the condenser (18).

Description

[0001] Dishwasher with a heat pump and associated operating procedure

[0002] The present invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, having at least one heat pump which comprises at least one compressor, a condenser, an expansion element (or expansion element) and an evaporator, which are connected to one another and between which a working medium which changes its state of aggregation during operation circulates, and which further comprises at least one circulation pump for liquid which has come into contact with the items to be washed, so-called washing liquor, and wherein the dishwasher enables automated operation in several chronologically successive phases.

[0003] It is known to equip dishwashers with heat pumps or heat pump assemblies to optimize their energy efficiency. This can at least support the heating of the circulating dishwashing liquid within the dishwasher, i.e., either partially or, if the dishwasher is appropriately designed, completely via its heat pump. Such a heat pump is typically an air heat pump, which extracts heat from the ambient air (e.g., the air in a kitchen where the dishwasher is located) and transfers it, via its condenser, to the dishwashing liquid to be heated.

[0004] It has also recently become known to allow air from the dishwasher's wash compartment, which contains the wash ware, to first run or flow over the heat pump's evaporator during the drying phase of a dishwashing program to dry the wash cabinet air by cooling it down and thereby condensing out the moisture it contains. Subsequently, this cooled, dried or drier air is reheated and then allowed to flow back into the wash compartment. Such a solution for drying wash cabinet air using a heat pump during the drying phase of a dishwashing program is shown, for example, in CN108888215A. However, this requires a high level of constructional effort, since in addition to the heat pump's condenser, which exchanges heat with the dishwasher's rinsing liquid circulation circuit, another, i.e.An additional condenser section of the heat pump is provided which, during a rinsing phase with rinsing liquid to be heated, in particular the cleaning phase and / or final rinse phase of the respective dishwashing program, in which heat is extracted from the outside or ambient air by means of the heat pump's evaporator and transferred to the rinsing liquid to be heated via its condenser, does not contribute anything to heating the rinsing liquid, i.e. is ineffective for this purpose. The additional condenser section only has an effect when air from the rinsing container, i.e. rinse chamber air, is dried, in that it reheats rinse chamber air that has been led out of the rinsing container and cooled by the heat pump's evaporator, before this air is fed back into the rinsing container. Since it releases unused heat to the environment during the respective rinsing phase with rinsing liquid that needs to be heated, the heat pump arrangement of the CN108888215A is energetically unfavorable.

[0005] The invention is based on the problem of achieving an improvement here.

[0006] The invention solves this problem by a dishwasher having the features of claim 1. With regard to advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention, reference is made to the further claims 2 to 12.

[0007] Because, according to the invention according to claim 1, in a dishwasher with at least one heat pump, the evaporator is functionally divided at least into two parts, wherein in a phase for heating dishwashing liquid or dishwashing liquor both parts are connected in series with the same function, and wherein in a phase for drying and reheating dishwashing chamber air taken from the dishwashing compartment a second part of the evaporator is switched or converted, i.e. repurposed, into a heat-exchanging or heat-emitting region of the condenser, it is possible to use the heat pump in a structurally favorable and energy-efficient manner not only for heating dishwashing liquor, but also in a drying phase for drying and reheating air from the dishwashing compartment. A second part of the evaporator, which in a phase for heating dishwashing liquid from outside air viewed in the direction of flow after its first part orThe section that is additionally flowed through as a second section of the evaporator can therefore be converted or changed into a heat-emitting part or area of ​​the condenser during a drying phase for dishwashing air, which is flowed through by dishwashing air, viewed in its flow direction, after it has been cooled and moisture condensed by the first part of the evaporator. The equipment complexity of the heat pump arrangement or heat pump according to the invention remains minimal. Due to the switching option or conversion option of the second part or section of the evaporator, a complete evaporator size can be provided for heating dishwashing liquor, as with a conventional heat pump arrangement designed only for heating dishwashing liquid.The evaporator size is designed in particular to ensure that, in the respective phase with the dishwashing liquid to be heated, a sufficient amount of thermal energy can be transferred from the outside air or ambient air to the working medium flowing in the evaporator and from there, in a heat-emitting part of the heat pump's condenser, to the dishwashing liquid to be heated. The dishwashing liquid flows in a region or section, in particular a pipe section, that is coupled to this heat-emitting part of the condenser in a heat-exchanging manner in order to heat the dishwashing liquid to a desired target temperature. This region or section, in particular a pipe section, can in particular be part of the dishwasher's circulation circuit or of a specially provided liquid heating circuit, in particular one that runs fluidically parallel to the evaporator.On the other hand, even after switching, the switched part of the evaporator is not without function in the drying phase, but then serves as a heat-transferring or heat-emitting part of the condenser.

[0008] Within the scope of the invention, the second part of the evaporator is, in particular, that region or section of the evaporator which, in the respective phase with the rinsing liquid to be heated by the heat pump, draws heat from the passing ambient air in addition to the first part of the evaporator arranged in front of it (in the direction of air flow). In the drying phase, it is converted into a region of the heat pump's condenser which releases heat to the passing rinsing chamber air. During the drying phase, the second part of the evaporator thus assumes a condenser function, so that the heat pump's working medium condenses, i.e., is liquefied, in it.In each phase (the respective dishwashing liquid heating phase and, in particular, the drying phase concluding the program) of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, only those functional units of the heat pump according to the invention are active which contribute to either the heating of dishwashing liquid or the drying and reheating of dishwashing chamber air, i.e. are effective for this purpose. Neither part of the evaporator nor part of the condenser is without function in any operating phase of the heat pump, i.e. without contributing to the heating of dishwashing liquid or to the drying and reheating of dishwashing chamber air. Both the heating of dishwashing liquid and the drying and reheating of air from the dishwashing container therefore take place with high effectiveness and good space utilization.

[0009] During the drying phase, the part of the condenser which is effective or active for heating the rinsing liquid during the respective heating phase can at least partially retain its condensing function (which is accompanied by the condensation of the working medium flowing through it) even during the drying phase. This means that in this case, the condenser comprises two heat-emitting parts during the drying phase. The second part of the evaporator, which is converted into the heat-emitting condenser part during the drying phase, then supplements the first part of the condenser, which was effective in the respective heating phase of the rinsing liquid preceding the drying phase and now also allows the working medium flowing through it to at least partially condense during the drying phase.In this case, the condenser functionally comprises two parts in the drying phase, namely the second part of the evaporator converted into a condenser in addition to the part of the condenser (the first in the flow direction of the working medium), which was effective in the respective heating phase of the rinsing liquid supported or carried out by means of a heat pump and now also releases heat in the drying phase.

[0010] According to an advantageous further development, it can be particularly expedient if the area or section, in particular pipe section, which carries the washing liquid to be heated in the respective heating phase and which is heat-exchangingly coupled to the heat-emitting part of the condenser to form a condenser / washing liquid heat exchanger unit, is preferably filled and / or flowed through in the drying phase with unheated water, in particular cold fresh water, the temperature of which is lower, in particular at least 10 ° C and more lower, than the temperature of the warm, humid air, in particular having 100% relative humidity, in the washing chamber at the end of the partial washing phase preceding the drying phase, in particular the final rinse phase, of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out.This allows the maximum condensation temperature of the working medium flowing through the evaporator and the part of the evaporator that has been converted into a heat-emitting area of ​​the condenser to be reduced during the drying process. This ensures that, despite the washing temperatures achieved in one or more previous partial washing phases by heat pump operation, a rapid and energy-efficient continuation of the heat pump operation for drying the dishwashing chamber air during the subsequent drying phase of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, the heat pump operation for drying the dishwashing chamber air is ensured. In particular, this prevents overheating of the compressor and / or other components of the heat pump arrangement and any associated damage to them during the operation of the heat pump in the drying phase. A longer, for exampleA switch-off phase of the heat pump of at least twenty minutes after the end of the partial rinsing phase preceding the drying phase, in particular the final rinsing phase, of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, in order to allow the working temperature of the working medium in the heat pump circuit to drop by means of gradual heat transfer to the dishwasher and / or to the environment to a temperature level at which the heat pump can then continue to operate safely during the drying phase, is therefore not required to this extent. This means that the heat pump operation can be continued into the drying phase after one or more rinsing phases, at least with almost no waiting time. In particular, an at least almost seamless orContinuous, preferably continuous, operation of the heat pump from the last partial rinse phase with rinse liquid to be heated, in particular the final rinse phase, through to the drying phase, in particular until its end, is possible, without the need for an excessively long switch-off phase of the heat pump compressor at the end of the last partial rinse phase with rinse liquid to be heated, in particular the final rinse phase, and / or at the beginning of the drying phase, which would otherwise lead to an undesirable extension of the drying phase and thus of the respective dishwashing program. The cooling of the working medium by filling the area or section, in particular the pipe section, which is thermally coupled to the heat-emitting part of the condenser to form a condenser / rinse liquid heat exchanger unit, with colder water, in particular fresh water, can be achieved, in particular in a non-ECO dishwashing program such as, for example,a quick cleaning program, or grease-dissolving hot cleaning program or intensive cleaning program, or hygiene cleaning program at the beginning of the drying phase can be advantageous if, in the one or more partial rinsing phases with rinsing liquid to be heated, in particular in the final rinse phase, the rinsing liquid has been brought to a desired target temperature which is higher than in the eco dishwashing program, in particular the final rinse temperature at the end of the final rinse phase, preferably of at least 50 °C, by means of the part of the condenser which is effective for its heating.

[0011] In general terms, it can be advantageous if the part of the condenser (the first in the flow direction of the working medium) which is in heat-exchanging contact with an area or section, in particular a pipe section, through which washing liquid flows in order to heat it in at least one partial washing phase, in particular in the final rinse phase preceding the drying phase, of a respective dishwashing program to be carried out, can be cooled in the later, in particular program-final, drying phase by filling or flowing through the area or section, in particular a pipe section, with unheated water, in particular fresh water from a building water pipe, which is colder than the washing liquid and / or the air in the washing container at the end of the partial washing phase leading to washing liquid preceding the drying phase, in particular the final rinse phase, of a respective dishwashing program to be carried out.

[0012] Finally, depending on the design of the heat pump circuit, it may also be possible that during the drying phase the part of the condenser (first in the flow direction of the working medium), which was effective or active in heating the rinsing liquid during the respective preceding heating phase, at least almost loses its condenser function (which is characterized by condensation of the working medium flowing in it) after or through the conversion of the second part of the evaporator into a heat-emitting area or section, so that the condenser then consists mainly or entirely of this converted part of the evaporator during the drying phase.

[0013] If, in a drying phase, when the second part of the evaporator is switched over or converted into a heat-exchanging area of ​​the condenser, i.e. when the second part of the evaporator is converted into a heat-emitting area or section of the condenser, this second part is flowed through by the working medium of the heat pump changing into its liquid state (condensing), the then existing second function of a unit which releases heat to the air flowing in and / or around the second part of the evaporator (then the air from the washing container, i.e. washing room air) automatically results, without any further steps being required.

[0014] If, during a drying phase, the second section of the evaporator is switched to a heat-exchanging area of ​​the condenser, this second section heats the air taken from the wash tub (washroom air) after it has passed through the first section of the evaporator and undergone cooling and drying (through condensation of moisture), the air supplied from the wash tub not only has the advantage of being dried, but also the additional advantage of being reheated. The air taken from the wash tub, then dried and reheated in this way, is returned to the wash tub and allows it to absorb a large amount of moisture from the dishes stored in the dishwasher's wash tub.It is particularly advantageous for proper drying of the items to be washed in the washing container if the washing chamber air is circulated by means of at least one air conveying unit, in particular by means of a fan, in a recirculation circuit into which the first part of the evaporator and its second part, which is converted into a heat-exchanging area of ​​the condenser for the drying phase, are inserted one behind the other in the direction of recirculation air flow.

[0015] When the second part of the evaporator is switched to a heat-exchanging area of ​​the condenser during a drying phase, the working medium advantageously passes through the second part of the evaporator, which is switched to a heat-exchanging or heat-emitting area of ​​the condenser, after the part of the condenser (in particular the first part in the flow direction of the working medium), which was active during at least one partial rinsing phase preceding the drying phase with rinsing liquid to be heated to heat it, in particular during the final rinsing phase to heat the final rinsing liquid, changing to its liquid state. Only in the first part of the evaporator, which is arranged downstream of the second part of the evaporator in the flow direction of the working medium, is it then converted to its gaseous state.Then, by converting into its gaseous state (evaporation), the working fluid can extract heat from the environment and thus cool the first part of the evaporator. Water vapor and / or moisture from the air flowing around and / or around this first evaporator part (washroom air) from the wash tub can condense on this cooled first evaporator part.

[0016] Preferably, the switching or conversion of the second part of the evaporator into a heat-exchanging or heat-emitting area of ​​the condenser can already take place at the end of the partial rinsing phase, in particular the final rinsing phase, of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, which phase carries rinsing liquid and precedes this partial rinsing phase.

[0017] The heat pump arrangement according to the invention is characterized in particular in that the two-part functional evaporator-evaporator section (first and second part of the evaporator), which is functionally formed by the first and second part of the evaporator in the rinsing liquid heating mode of the heat pump arrangement and can be supplied with ambient air, functions as a functional evaporator-condenser section (first, heat-absorbing part of the evaporator and the second part of the evaporator converted into a heat-emitting area as a condenser) that can be supplied with rinse chamber air in the drying mode. As a result, the air flow path through the first part and the second part of the evaporator is the same or identical, i.e. standardized, for the rinsing liquid heating mode and for the drying mode. (Only the upstream air supply into the functional two-part evaporator-evaporator section orEvaporator-condenser section and the air discharge downstream of the functional evaporator-evaporator section or evaporator-condenser section are different from each other for the rinsing liquid heating mode and the drying mode.) This ensures a compact and space-saving and component-saving design of the heat pump arrangement according to the invention.

[0018] Advantageously, the first part and the second part of the evaporator can be arranged one behind the other in an at least approximately straight line. This simplifies the air flow for the ambient air conveyed by the air conveying unit (during a phase for heating the dishwashing liquid) as well as for the dishwashing chamber air conveyed by the air conveying unit (during a drying phase). In particular, for a compact design of the evaporator-evaporator section (in the dishwashing liquid heating mode) or evaporator-condenser section (during the drying process) of the heat pump arrangement, it can be advantageous if the first and the second part of the evaporator are positioned one behind the other in a horizontal plane or one above the other in a vertical plane. In this case, it is not necessary for air to be discharged or supplied between the two evaporator parts.

[0019] In order to achieve particularly low expenditure, a first switching element between the first part and the second part of the evaporator and a further, i.e. second, switching element between the part of the condenser that releases heat to the rinsing liquid and the second part of the evaporator are sufficient to switch over the second part of the evaporator. This alone can determine whether the second part of the evaporator is functionally connected to the evaporator (during a rinsing liquid heating phase) or functionally becomes a condenser part that releases heat to the rinsing liquid (during a drying phase), in particular whether it is connected to the condenser of the heat pump as a heat-emitting part, i.e. whether the working medium evaporates or condenses in it.In the context of the invention, the part of the condenser which releases heat to the rinsing liquid is understood to mean the part of the condenser which is in heat-exchanging contact with at least one area or section, in particular a pipe, through which, in particular through which, the rinsing liquid to be heated is conveyed, forming a condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit.

[0020] According to an advantageous development of the invention, at least one of the switching elements, in particular each of the switching elements, can form a parallel circuit of a valve (in a first line branch) that can be switched on and off, in particular a solenoid valve, and a capillary connected in fluidic parallel to this valve (in a second line branch). The switchable valve, in particular a solenoid valve, is thus inserted into the first line branch, while the capillary is located in the second line branch parallel to it. This allows for a very simple design of the respective switching element using proven components.

[0021] In a modification of this, according to an advantageous development, at least one of the switching elements, in particular each of the switching elements, can have a parallel connection of a first line branch through which the working medium of the heat pump flows, in which a switchable valve, in particular a solenoid valve, is inserted, and several (two or more) line branches fluidically connected in parallel to this first line branch, each of which contains a capillary. In these parallel branches or parallel lines (in the flow direction of the working medium), an on-off valve, in particular a solenoid valve, is arranged upstream of or connected upstream of the capillaries.In this modified, advantageous development, at least one of the switching elements can form a parallel circuit comprising a switchable valve, in particular a solenoid valve, and a plurality of capillaries connected in parallel fluidically with said valve, each of which has a switchable valve, in particular a solenoid valve, connected upstream of it in its parallel branches. Capillaries with different throttling characteristics (or associated different expansion effects for the working medium) can be used. This allows the throttling behavior of the respective switching element to be easily adapted depending on the selected dishwashing program, the time of the program, and / or the ambient conditions such as different ambient temperatures, and / or other influencing factors.

[0022] As an alternative to the above embodiments of a switching element comprising one or more capillaries, it may be advantageous if at least one of the switching elements, in particular each of the switching elements, is designed as a controllable (expansion) valve with a non-linear characteristic curve. A characteristic of such a controllable valve is a flow characteristic for the working medium that increases only slightly with progressive opening steps, starting from its closed position, up to an open position from which a steep flow increase begins. The controllable valve with a non-linear characteristic curve thus acts like a capillary to throttle the working medium over some of its open positions and only acts like an open valve when it is at least approximately fully open, in particular in its last opening steps. From then on, a flow of the working medium through this controllable valve can be achieved at least with virtually no pressure loss.

[0023] Furthermore, according to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be advantageous if, with regard to the above-mentioned embodiments of the respective switching element comprising one or more capillaries, the respective capillary is combined in a thermally heat-conducting manner with a suction pipe of the heat pump arrangement, which is formed by the connecting line through which the working medium of the heat pump flows from the outlet or output of the first part of the evaporator to the inlet or input of the compressor, to form a capillary tube-suction pipe heat exchanger.

[0024] If, instead of a switching device with a capillary, i.e., a capillary tube, an adjustable (expansion) valve, particularly an adjustable thermostatic or electric expansion valve, is used, the capillary tube-suction-tube heat exchanger can be designed as a so-called liquid subcooler. In this case, the heat pump's piping, which carries the liquid working medium to the expansion valve, is thermally coupled to the suction pipe of a heat exchanger.

[0025] For the two different switching states of the heat pump arrangement designed according to the invention with regard to heating dishwashing liquid and drying dishwashing chamber air (and the items to be washed with it), it is particularly advantageous to additionally provide on the inlet side of the air flowing through the heat pump a switching option between air flowing in from outside on the one hand and air from the dishwashing compartment (dishwashing chamber air) on the other. In this way, in a first switching state of the heat pump arrangement, which is adopted in a phase for heating dishwashing liquid, the heat pump can cool the outside air in the conventional way and extract thermal energy from it, whereas in the other or second switching state of the heat pump arrangement, which is adopted in a phase for drying dishwashing chamber air, the air from the dishwashing compartment is first cooled and dried before it is fed to the heat-exchanging orThe second part of the evaporator, which has been converted into a heat-emitting part of the condenser, is heated again before it flows back into the rinsing tank.

[0026] It is expedient to provide a switchover facility on the inlet side of the air flowing through the heat pump, by means of which either ambient air flowing in from outside can be fed to the first part and then to the second part of the evaporator for heat extraction from it and heat transfer to the working medium flowing through the first part and the second part of the evaporator in a phase for heating the washing liquor, or wash chamber air taken from the washing container can be fed to the first part of the evaporator for cooling and condensing out moisture and then to the second part of the evaporator, which has been switched or converted into a heat-exchanging or heat-generating area of ​​the condenser, in a phase for drying the wash ware.

[0027] The switching option can, in particular, comprise one or more airflow control units—such as air flaps—that can be opened and closed alternatively or alternately for air flowing in from outside or for air coming from the flushing tank. This prevents the two airflows from mixing.

[0028] In particular, it may be expedient if the switching option in a supply has a first air path control unit, in particular an air flap, which is open in a phase for heating wash liquor to supply ambient air from outside to the first part and the second part of the evaporator arranged downstream of it in the flow direction of the ambient air, and a second air path control unit, in particular an air flap, which is open in a phase for drying wash chamber air to supply wash chamber air to the first part of the evaporator and the second part of the evaporator arranged downstream of it in the flow direction of the wash chamber air and switched or converted into a heat-exchanging or heat-emitting region of the condenser. The second air path control unit is expediently closed when the first air path control unit is open.Conversely, the first air path control unit is expediently closed when the second air path control unit is open. The first air path control unit can preferably be provided in a first air supply path, via which, in the respective phase for heating rinsing liquid, ambient air can be supplied to flow into the section formed from the first and second evaporator parts. The second air path control unit can preferably be provided in a second air supply path, via which, in the drying phase, rinsing chamber air from the rinsing chamber of the rinsing container can be supplied to flow into the section formed from the first evaporator part and the second evaporator part, which has been switched over or converted into a heat-exchanging or heat-emitting area of ​​the condenser.

[0029] If necessary, only a single air damper may be sufficient, which acts alternatively on both supplies or air supply paths (air supply path for ambient air and air supply path for washroom air), thus opening only one of them at a time.

[0030] The air supply path for ambient air and the air supply path for washroom air can each preferably be formed by a supply line, a supply duct or other air supply path.

[0031] According to an advantageous development of the invention, at least one, in particular a single, air conveying unit is assigned to the first part and the second part of the evaporator, in particular arranged upstream of the air conveying unit in the air conveying direction. This conveys either ambient air taken from outside in a phase for heating the wash liquor, or washroom air taken from the wash tub in a phase for drying the washroom air, each first through the first part and then through the second part of the evaporator.

[0032] Conveniently, the flow direction of the working medium through the line section of the first evaporator section and the second evaporator section is opposite to the air conveying direction of the air forced by the air conveying unit (ambient air when heating dishwashing liquid or washroom air when drying dishes), which flows through the line section of the first evaporator section and the second evaporator section, respectively. This improves the heat transfer between the working medium and the forced air in both the first evaporator section and the second evaporator section.

[0033] It may also be advantageous if the fins of the first part of the evaporator (in the air flow direction) have a greater transverse spacing than the fins of the second part of the evaporator (in the air flow direction). This can at least largely ensure that the air ducts between the fins of the first part of the evaporator always remain sufficiently open during the one or more phases for heating dishwashing liquid (using heat pump operation) and during the drying phase (using heat pump operation) of the respective dishwashing program, despite condensate separation and / or possible icing due to condensation and freezing of moisture from the air flowing through them (ambient air in dishwashing liquid heating mode or dishwashing chamber air in drying mode).

[0034] The invention also relates to a method for operating a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with at least one heat pump which comprises at least one compressor, a condenser, an expansion element (or expansion element) and an evaporator, which are connected to one another and between which a working medium, which changes its state of aggregation during operation, circulates, and which further comprises at least one circulating pump for liquid which has come into contact with the items to be washed, so-called.Rinse liquor, and wherein the dishwasher enables automated operation in a plurality of chronologically successive phases, in particular according to at least one of the advantageous developments explained above, which is characterized in that the evaporator, in a phase for heating rinse liquor, operates functionally at least in two parts by means of at least two parts which are connected in series with the same function, and that in a phase for drying and reheating rinse chamber air taken from the washing container, a second part of the evaporator is switched over to a heat-exchanging region of the condenser.

[0035] The dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, expediently comprises at least one control and / or monitoring unit, by means of which the operation of the compressor of the heat pump can be controlled and / or monitored for the respective partial washing phase with washing liquid to be heated by the condenser / washing liquid heat exchanger unit of the heat pump, as well as for the respective drying phase to be carried out using the heat pump, in particular for the drying phase concluding the washing program of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, and / or the switching elements for converting the second part of the evaporator into a heat-exchanging or heat-emitting area of ​​the condenser for the respective drying phase to be carried out using the heat pump,in particular for the drying phase concluding the washing program of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out using the heat pump 14, the operation of the at least one air conveying unit (in particular with regard to its switching on and off times and / or speeds) for the respective partial washing phase with washing liquid to be heated by the condenser / washing liquid heat exchanger unit of the heat pump as well as for the respective drying phase to be carried out using the heat pump, in particular for the drying phase concluding the washing program of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out using the heat pump, can be controlled and / or monitored,and / or the inlet-side switching option for releasing the air path for the flow of ambient air to the two evaporator sections for the respective partial rinsing phase with rinsing liquid to be heated by the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit, as well as for releasing the air path for the circulation of dishwashing chamber air in recirculation mode during the respective drying phase to be carried out using the heat pump, in particular during the drying phase concluding the dishwashing program of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out using the heat pump, can be controlled and / or monitored,and / or the switchover option, if present on the output side, for releasing the exhaust air path for the ambient air, cooled after flowing through the two evaporator sections, from the appliance body of the dishwasher into the environment for the respective partial wash phase with wash liquid to be heated by the condenser / wash liquid heat exchanger unit VWT, as well as for releasing the return air path for the wash cabinet air, heated after flowing through the second evaporator section converted into a heat-emitting area, in recirculation mode during the respective drying phase to be carried out using the heat pump, in particular during the drying phase concluding the wash program of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out using the heat pump, can be controlled and / or monitored.

[0036] The advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention explained above and / or reproduced in the subclaims can be used individually or in any combination with one another - except, for example, in cases of clear dependencies or incompatible alternatives.

[0037] The invention and its advantageous developments and further developments as well as their advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0038] They show, in a schematic principle sketch:

[0039] Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view obliquely from the front of a household dishwasher shown here as an example, with a door that can be swung downwards and a base or base support for receiving functional elements in the lower area, in which a heat pump or heat pump arrangement designed according to the functional principle of the invention for heating washing liquid during at least one partial washing phase and for drying dishes during a program-final drying phase of a dishwashing program to be carried out is additionally accommodated in a connection- and space-efficient manner,

[0040] Fig. 2 is a schematic, block diagram-like functional representation of the household dishwasher of Figure 1 with a first advantageous embodiment of its heat pump arrangement, in which its evaporator is divided into two parts and the second part of the evaporator can be converted into a heat-exchanging area of ​​the condenser of this heat pump arrangement for the drying phase of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out by a first switching element inserted in front of it, which has a parallel circuit of a switchable valve, in particular a solenoid valve, and a capillary, and a second switching element inserted behind it, which has a parallel circuit of a switchable valve, in particular a solenoid valve, and a capillary,

[0041] Fig. 3 is a similar representation to Figure 2 for a second advantageous embodiment of the heat pump arrangement, in which, compared to the first embodiment of the heat pump arrangement of Figure 2, the switching elements are now replaced by valves with a non-linear characteristic curve,

[0042] Fig. 4 schematically shows a characteristic non-linear characteristic curve of a valve used in Figure 3, and

[0043] Fig. 5 is a similar representation to Figure 2 for a third advantageous embodiment of the heat pump arrangement, in which, compared to the first embodiment of the heat pump arrangement of Figure 2, the capillaries of the switching elements are now replaced by capillary tube suction tube heat exchangers.

[0044] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0045] Figure 1 shows an example of a dishwasher 1, in particular a household dishwasher, without the invention being limited thereto. If appropriate, it can also be applied to other household appliances, such as a washing machine or a washer-dryer.

[0046] The household dishwasher according to Figure 1 described below has, as part of a partially outwardly open or closed appliance body 5, a washing container 2 for holding items to be washed or items to be cleaned, such as dishes, pots, cutlery, glasses, cooking utensils, and the like. The items to be washed can be arranged, in particular held, for example in dish baskets 11, in particular in a lower dish basket and in an upper dish basket arranged at a height above this, and / or in a cutlery drawer 10, and can be exposed to so-called washing liquor 24 in one or more partial washing phases of a dishwashing program to be carried out. The washing liquor orRinse liquid 24 is preferably understood to mean fresh water and / or water circulating in particular during the rinse cycle of the household dishwasher, with or without detergent and / or rinse aid and / or drying agent, which comes into contact with the items to be washed. The rinse liquor 24 can additionally also be mixed to a greater or lesser extent with soiling from the ongoing rinse cycle, which is rinsed off the items to be cleaned during the execution of one or more partial rinse phases of the respective dishwashing program. If necessary, rinse liquid can also be used for the one or more partial rinse phases of the respective dishwashing program that was used in at least one partial rinse phase, such as the rinse phase of a previous dishwashing program, but remained relatively clean, and was then stored in a reservoir as process water. In particular, the rinse liquor can be pre-rinsed, i.e.Before being applied to the items to be washed, the water must have passed through an ion exchanger or other water softening device. The washing container 2 can have an at least substantially rectangular floor plan with a front V facing a user in the operating position. This front V can form part of a kitchen front consisting of adjacent kitchen units or, in the case of a stand-alone appliance 1, can also be without any connection to other units.

[0047] The loading opening of the washing tub 2, which in this exemplary embodiment is preferably at the front, can be closed in particular at this front side V by a (front) door or flap 3, the upper end of which can be pivoted forwards and downwards about a lower horizontal axis. This door 3 is shown in Figure 1 in a partially open position and then at an angle to the vertical. In its final closed position, however, it is at least almost upright and, as shown in Figure 1, can be pivoted forwards and downwards about a lower horizontal axis in the direction of arrow 4 to open it, so that in the fully open position (final opening position) it is at least almost horizontal. Other movements of the door, e.g. via a parallelogram or other multi-joint arrangement, are also possible.Of course, alternatively, a side-hinged door or a loading opening of the washing container 2 at the top with a door arranged substantially horizontally in its final closed position can also be provided.

[0048] The door can be provided with a decorative panel or door panel on the outside, i.e., on the side facing the user. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the front door 3 is provided with a decorative panel 6 on its exterior and front side V, which is vertical in the closed position and faces the user, in order to thereby enhance the appearance and / or feel of the door and / or to match the surrounding kitchen furniture.

[0049] The household dishwasher 1 is shown here only as an example, either as a stand-alone or free-standing appliance on floor B, or as a so-called partially integrated appliance and installed on floor B within a recess between adjacent kitchen units below a kitchen worktop. In the latter case, the adjacent kitchen units and the kitchen worktop have been omitted from Figure 1 for the sake of simplicity.

[0050] In the lower area of ​​the household dishwasher 1, below its washing container 2, there may be a base or a base support 12, in particular for accommodating functional elements, such as a pump 22 for circulating the washing solution 24 and / or a drain pump for extracting the washing solution 24 from a pump sump PS fluidically connected to the washing container 2, and also a heat pump or heat pump arrangement 14 designed according to the functional principle according to the invention. This can be accommodated there in terms of space and connection technology. In Figure 1, this accommodation of the heat pump arrangement 14 in the base support or base 12 is merely symbolized by a dash-dotted rectangle. However, depending on the design of the household dishwasher, accommodation of the heat pump arrangement in the base is not mandatory, i.e.Deviating from the advantageous embodiment of Figure 1, the heat pump arrangement can also be arranged partially or entirely outside the base 12, for example, on the outside of a side wall and / or rear wall of the washing compartment 2. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the appliance body 5 of the household dishwasher 1 has two opposing side walls S. A rear wall R is provided at the rear, which can also be perforated, for example, and allows access to part of the heat pump 14, such as its evaporator 20.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1, the movable door 3 is assigned, in its upper region, an outer, front-side panel 8 which extends in the transverse or width direction Q of the dishwasher 1 and can comprise displays and / or operating elements and then also serves as a display and / or operating panel. Preferably in the region of its lower edge, as here in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, an access opening 7 accessible from the front side V for manually opening and / or closing the door 3 can expediently be provided. This access opening 7 is provided here, for example, only in the transverse center region of the door 3, although this is not mandatory. An access opening 7 extending in the transverse direction Q at least across almost the entire width of the household dishwasher is also possible, i.e., for example, over 50 to 60 centimeters in the case of a 60 cm wide household dishwasher.As an alternative to such a partially integrated or "stand-alone", i.e. free-standing, installable household dishwasher, whose front door has a control panel in its upper edge area with display and / or operating elements visible on the front when the front door is in the vertically closed position, the entire front of a so-called fully integrated household dishwasher can be covered by a cover such as a kitchen furniture panel. With this door variant, the control and / or display elements of a control panel can be provided, for example, on the upper outer edge of the front door, so that the control and / or display elements are only visible and / or accessible to a user on the upper edge of the door when the front door is in the open position. Other door variants are of course also possible depending on the type of dishwasher and / or setup or installation conditions.

[0052] In the transverse direction Q, the dishwasher often has an extension of 45, 50 or 60 centimeters. In the depth direction from the front V to the rear, the extension is often also around 60 centimeters. These values ​​are not mandatory. Furthermore, the household dishwasher 1 does not have to stand directly on a floor B as in Figure 1, but can also be installed higher on the floorboard of a kitchen base unit or within another piece of kitchen furniture, or can be set up on a pedestal or a kitchen worktop with a height difference from the floor B. In particular, the height difference can be selected so that a user, for example,When loading or unloading the dish baskets, in particular the lower dish basket, of the dishwasher, or when refilling rinse aid into a dosing unit provided on the inside wall of the front door 3, only a slight or no bending movement is required when the front door 3 is brought into its at least approximately horizontal opening end position. The lower edge of the dishwasher 1 can then, in this installation or installation position raised relative to the floor B, preferably lie approximately 40 to 110 centimeters above the floor B. The vertical height (extension in the vertical direction H) of the household dishwasher 1 can also vary depending on the type and / or installation conditions.

[0053] In this exemplary embodiment, the washing compartment 2 is preferably delimited all around by a total of three fixed vertical walls 13 and two horizontal walls 13 when the door or flap is closed, one of which forms a ceiling (top) and another a floor (bottom) of the washing compartment 2. Adjacent to the front V facing the user in the transverse direction Q is a left, at least approximately vertically upright side wall 13 to the left, and opposite this to the right is a right, at least approximately vertically upright side wall 13. They are connected to one another at the rear by an at least almost vertically upright rear wall 13.

[0054] In the wash chamber of the washing container 2, preferably several liquid impingement units are provided as introduction options for the washing solution, in particular spray devices such as a lower rotating spray arm assigned to the lower dish basket, an upper rotating spray arm assigned to the upper dish basket, and, above the upper cutlery drawer, a roof sprayer or a rotating roof gyroscope in the region of the ceiling wall of the washing container 2. The liquid impingement units are supplied with washing liquid via one or more supply lines.For this purpose, a circulating pump, in particular via an intake nozzle or an intake line, sucks in rinsing liquid from the pump sump PS, which is arranged below the bottom wall of the rinsing container 2 and is fluidically connected to an outflow opening provided in the bottom wall of the rinsing container 2, or from another liquid collecting area of ​​the rinsing container 2, and this rinsing liquid is distributed via a water switch preferably integrated into the circulating pump or via a water switch fluidically arranged downstream of the circulating pump in its conveying direction, optionally to supply lines leading to the several liquid application units, in particular only pumped into the supply line leading to a respective individually or selectively operated liquid application unit or into the supply lines leading to at least one desired combination of several simultaneously operated liquid application units.In Figure 2 (as well as in Figures 3 and 5, respectively), the multiple fluid supply units are represented, for the sake of graphic simplicity, only by a highly simplified, single flushing fluid inlet 27. Accordingly, the supply lines leading from the water switch located in the circulation pump 22, possibly on the outlet side or discharge side, or from the water switch located fluidically downstream of the circulation pump in its conveying direction, to the multiple fluid supply units are represented, for the sake of graphic simplicity, only by a single supply line ZL. The water switch is consequently omitted from the simplified representation in Figure 2 (as well as in Figures 3 and 5, respectively).

[0055] In this way, the wash chamber of the wash tub 2, the pump sump PS, the circulation pump 22, the water diverter, the multiple supply lines or liquid distribution lines, and the multiple liquid supply units arranged in the wash chamber of the wash tub form a liquid circulation circuit (i.e., circulation pump circuit) or hydraulic circuit for supplying the washware in the wash chamber with wash liquid. The circulation pump is preferably in operation when the washware in the wash chamber is to be supplied with wash liquid.

[0056] The rinsing liquid flowing through the circulation circuit is symbolized in Figure 2 (as well as in Figures 3 and 5) by separately shown arrows 24, which also indicate the flow direction of the rinsing liquid in the circulation circuit (or circulation pump circuit) from the pump sump PS to the liquid supply units, which are represented by the individual liquid inlet 27.

[0057] According to the embodiment of Figure 2 (as well as in the further embodiments of Figures 3 and 5), the outflow opening leading to the pump sump PS, which is present in the bottom wall of the rinsing container, and / or the pump sump are expediently provided with a filter system Fl, which is indicated in Figure 2 (as well as in Figures 3 and 5) only by a dash-dotted line.

[0058] In Figure 2, the heat pump or heat pump arrangement 14 with which the household dishwasher 1 is equipped is shown only roughly schematically in a first exemplary embodiment. Figures 3 - 5 also show only correspondingly conceptually modified embodiments of the heat pump 14 compared to the embodiment of Figure 2. According to the invention, the heat pump 14 serves not only to heat the washing liquid 24 circulated in the circulation pump circuit or hydraulic circuit during one or more partial washing phases with washing liquid to be heated, in particular the cleaning phase and / or the final rinse phase, of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, but also to dry wash chamber air 33 during the program-final drying phase of this dishwashing program and / or during another drying phase following the dishwashing program, such asa storage phase in which the rinsed and dried items remain in the washing chamber of the washing container, preferably with the door closed. The heat pump 14 can, in particular, represent the only heating option for heating the washing liquid, which requires heating to a desired final temperature in the respective partial washing phase. This can preferably be the case when carrying out an energy-saving program, in particular an Eco program. Or, in addition to or in addition to the heat pump 14, a further heater, in particular an electric heating device such as a continuous-flow heater, can be provided in the circulation circuit. In the exemplary embodiments in Figures 2, 3 - 5, a further heater 23 is provided specifically assigned to the circulation pump 22.The heater 23 can in particular be integrated into the circulation pump 22, preferably on the pressure side of its impeller, so that this then forms a heating pump. If, in combination with the heat pump 14, an additional heater is available to heat the dishwashing liquid, the dishwashing liquid to be heated in a partial dishwashing phase can initially be preheated only by means of the heat pump 14 and then (preferably after its switch-off) reheated by means of the additional heater such as 23 to heat the dishwashing liquid to a desired final temperature. This then also enables dishwashing programs with very high dishwashing liquor temperatures of, for example, 60 to 70°C or more in one or more partial dishwashing phases, in particular the cleaning and / or final rinse phase, such as hygiene programs or very fast dishwashing programs, to be carried out in an energy-efficient manner. Types of dishwashing programs such asShort programs can be provided in which the heat pump 14 remains switched off and the rinsing liquid is heated to the required final target temperature in the respective partial rinsing phase with rinsing liquid to be heated only with the additional electric heater.

[0059] In the various embodiments of Figures 2-5, the heat pump 14 is in particular a compressor heat pump, i.e., it comprises a compressor 16, by means of which mechanical compression work can be performed on a working medium 17 circulating in the heat pump 14, such as a propane / butane mixture or isobutane. The compressor 16, in which the mechanical compression work is performed on the working medium 17, is electrically driven and simultaneously conveys the compressed working medium 17 toward the condenser 18.

[0060] In addition to the compressor 16, the heat pump or heat pump arrangement 14 comprises at least one condenser 18 arranged downstream of the compressor 16 on the pressure side in the conveying direction of the working medium 17, an expansion element or expansion element such as 19 for expanding the working medium 17, such as an expansion valve or a capillary with subsequent expansion option for the working medium, which follows the condenser 18 in the conveying direction of the working medium 17 and is switchable according to the invention, and an evaporator 20 arranged downstream of the expansion element 19, which is divided into two parts or sections 20a, 20b. These functional units 16, 18, 19, 20 (20a, 20b) are connected to one another via line regions or line sections 21 for conveying the working medium 17, which changes its state of aggregation during operation. The working medium flowing through the heat pump arrangement 14 during its operation (compressor 16 is switched on) from the compressor 16 to the condenser 18

[0061] 17 is symbolized in Figure 2 (as well as in Figures 3 and 5) by a separately shown arrow, which also indicates its flow direction. Furthermore, the heat pump 14 can preferably be assigned at least one supply line ZU and one discharge line ZA of washing liquid 24 circulating in the household dishwasher 1 and an electrical connection option (not shown here). Additionally, various sensors and a connection for a data bus can be provided. Additionally, a condensate collecting tray with a condensate pump, which opens into the washing container 2 on the outlet side, can be provided below the evaporator 20.

[0062] In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 (and also in the exemplary embodiments of Figures 3 and 5), the first part 20a and the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 are arranged downstream of an air conveying unit 15, in particular a fan or blower, in the air conveying direction F thereof. They are arranged one behind the other along a common air flow path. In terms of flow technology, this path advantageously extends in particular at least approximately rectilinearly. It can be particularly advantageous if the two parts 20a, 20b of the evaporator 20 are accommodated in the appliance base 12, as here in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 (and also in the exemplary embodiments of Figures 3 and 5), and follow one behind the other in a row in the depth direction of the household dishwasher 1 from front to back.The second part 20b of the evaporator 20 is preferably arranged in the region of the rear wall of the appliance base 12 so that ambient air 34, with which the two parts 20a, 20b of the evaporator 20 are successively flowed through an outlet opening provided there in order to transfer heat from it to the working medium 17, can flow out of the appliance base 12 into the environment at the installation location of the household dishwasher 1.

[0063] Generally speaking, at least one, in particular a single, air conveying unit 15 is assigned to the evaporator 20. This can, in particular, be a component of the heat pump arrangement 14 in addition to the above-mentioned functional units 16, 18, 19, 20, 21. Generally speaking, viewed in its air conveying direction F, the air conveying unit 15 is arranged upstream of the first part 20a of the evaporator 20, and the first part 20a of the evaporator 20 is arranged upstream of its second part 20b—preferably in the interior of the device base 12.

[0064] Preferably, as shown here in Figures 2, 3 and 5, each part 20a, 20b of the evaporator 20 has one or more meanders of a pipe or duct through which the working medium 17 can flow or through which it flows (during operation of the heat pump 14). One or more meanders of the first evaporator part 20a and one or more meanders of the second evaporator part 20b are expediently thermally connected to respective fins LAa and LAb, which protrude from these meanders and run in the air conveying direction F. They enlarge their respective contact surface, which can be flowed or blown with air when the air conveying unit 15 is switched on, i.e.is in operation, which improves the heat transfer from the air to the working medium 17 flowing in the meandering pipe or duct of the first evaporator part 20a and in the meandering pipe or duct of the second evaporator part 20b. If the one or more meanders of the first evaporator part 20a and the one or more meanders of the second evaporator part 20b lie in an at least approximately horizontal plane according to an expedient embodiment - as here in the embodiments of Figures 2 - 5 -, their associated fins LAa and LAb each project upwards and downwards (i.e. in and opposite to the height direction H). Two transversely, in particular orthogonally orLamellae LAa running perpendicular to the one or more meanders of the first part 20a of the evaporator 20 have a transverse spacing from one another such that an air duct is formed between them in the air conveying direction F, in which sections of the meandering pipe or duct of the first evaporator part 20a through which the working medium 17 can flow or through which it flows, running transversely, in particular perpendicular to this, are arranged in the air conveying direction F - here in the embodiments of Figures 2 - 5 in the depth direction of the.

[0065] Household dishwasher - are offset from one another. Also, two fins LAb running transversely, in particular orthogonally or perpendicularly, to the one or more meanders of the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 are each spaced transversely apart from one another such that an air duct is formed between them in the air conveying direction F, in which sections of the meandering pipe or duct of the second evaporator part 20b through which the working medium 17 can flow or through which it flows, which sections run transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to this air duct, viewed in the air conveying direction F - here in the embodiments of Figures 2 - 5 in the depth direction of the household dishwasher - are offset from one another.In particular, the fins LAa of the first evaporator part 20a can have at least approximately equal transverse distances from one another and thus be attached equidistantly to the one or more meanders of the first evaporator part 20a, and the fins LAb of the second evaporator part 20b can have at least approximately equal transverse distances from one another and thus be attached equidistantly to the one or more meanders of the second part 20b of the evaporator 20.

[0066] To heat dishwashing liquid for one or in a partial dishwashing phase with dishwashing liquid to be heated, in particular the cleaning phase and / or the final rinse phase, of a dishwashing program to be carried out, the heat pump 14 operates as an air-water heat pump. For this purpose, the air conveying unit 15 is switched on and draws in ambient air 34 from the room surrounding the household dishwasher 1, such as the kitchen. It blows the ambient air 34 first over the first part 20a and then the downstream, second part 20b of the evaporator 20, where heat is extracted from it and transferred to the working medium 17 flowing through the first part 20a and the second part 20b of the evaporator 20. The ambient air, cooled in this way, is then blown out of the appliance body 5 of the household dishwasher 1. This is symbolized in Figures 2, 3 and 5 by an arrow 70.If the air conveying unit 15 is accommodated in the base support 12, as here in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 (and correspondingly in the further exemplary embodiments of Figures 3 and 5), it sucks in ambient air 34 from outside from there and / or via gaps, cracks, recesses and / or other openings that are present in one or more walls of the base support or appliance base of the household dishwasher 1, in particular via, for example, front-side ventilation slots 31 specially provided in the front of the appliance base 12, as here in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1. It blows the ambient air 34 that it has sucked in preferably backwards (in the depth direction of the household dishwasher 1) to the evaporator 20, the first evaporator part 20a and second evaporator part 20b of which are preferably arranged one behind the other in the depth direction of the appliance base 12.The ambient air 34 thus first flows through the air channels between the fins LAa of the first evaporator part 20a and then through the air channels between the fins LAb of the second evaporator part 20b, which is arranged in series behind the first evaporator part 20a in the depth direction. In other words, the one or more meandering line regions or line sections of the two evaporator parts 20a and 20b, through which the working medium 17 flows, as well as the fins projecting from them, are supplied with the ambient air 34. The ambient air 34 flowing out of the second evaporator part 20b, which is cooled by the two evaporator parts 20a, 20b after flowing through them, can preferably flow out into the environment through a recess or opening in the rear wall R of the appliance body 5 of the household dishwasher 2, which is symbolized in Figures 2, 3 and 5 by the arrow 70.

[0067] If necessary, it may also be advantageous to arrange the first evaporator part 20a and the second evaporator part 20b one above the other in a row in the vertical direction H. In this way, for example, their accommodation in the base support 12 is possible if the horizontal space available in the interior would be too small for a horizontal, flat sequential arrangement of the first evaporator part 20a and the second evaporator part 20b.

[0068] A first part 18' (viewed in the flow direction of the working medium 17) of the condenser 18 of the heat pump 14 is in heat-exchanging contact with at least one region or section 50, in particular a pipe, through which the flushing liquid 24 to be heated is conveyed, forming a condenser / flushing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT. The flushing liquid-carrying region or section 50, in particular the flushing liquid-carrying pipe, of this condenser / flushing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT can preferably be a section of the circulation circuit.For this purpose, it, in particular it, is - as shown here in simplified form in the embodiment of Figure 2 (and also in the embodiments of Figures 3 and 5) - expediently inserted with its, in particular its, supply line ZU and with its, in particular its, discharge line ZA into the supply line system of the circulation circuit between the pump sump PS, here e.g. in particular on the pressure side downstream of the circulation pump 22 in the direction of conveyance of the rinsing liquid, and the one or more inlets 27, in particular rinsing liquid pressurisation units. If necessary, the supply line ZL and / or the discharge line ZA can also be omitted and the rinsing liquid-carrying region or section 50, in particular the rinsing liquid-carrying pipe, can be connected directly to the supply line system of the circulation circuit.After passing through the heat-exchanging area 50 of the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT, the rinsing liquid 24 can be heated and fed back to the rinsing tank 2 via one or more inlets 27.

[0069] Alternatively, the flushing liquid-carrying area or section 50, in particular the flushing liquid-carrying pipe, of the condenser / flushing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT can form a section of a specially provided heating circuit, which is provided in addition to the circulation circuit, via its, in particular its, supply line ZU and discharge line ZA or even without these. This variant has been omitted in Figures 2 - 5 for the sake of clarity. If necessary, the heating circuit can branch off from the circulation circuit as a bypass circuit or bypass circuit. According to an advantageous development, a bypass circuit or bypass circuit can be provided, which flushes flushing liquid, in particular flushing liquid delivered by the circulation pump, from the hydraulic or circulation circuit (ieCirculation pump circuit) of the dishwasher and feeds it via a supply line section to the fluid inlet of the rinsing liquid-carrying area or section 50, in particular pipe section, of the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT for heating it. The rinsing liquid outlet of the rinsing liquid-carrying area or section 50, in particular pipe section, of the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT is fluidically connected to a feed point different from the branch point, preferably downstream, for the return of the rinsing liquid heated therein, at which feed point the heated rinsing liquid is fed back into the hydraulic circuit of the dishwasher.In particular, the rinsing liquid heated by the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit can be fed back into the interior of the rinsing tank via a return line section of the bypass circuit connected to the rinsing liquid outlet of the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT. According to an advantageous embodiment, the portion of rinsing liquid flowing through the bypass circuit and thus through the rinsing liquid-carrying area or section, in particular the pipe section, of the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit can be switchable, in particular adjustable.In particular, the flow of rinsing liquid through the bypass circuit can be opened or blocked by means of a switching valve inserted into the bypass circuit, in particular in its upstream supply line upstream of the rinsing liquid-carrying region or section, in particular pipe section, of the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit.

[0070] After the last partial rinsing phase containing rinsing liquid, in particular the final rinsing phase, of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, at least one drying phase concluding the rinsing program is carried out, in which the heat pump 14 operates as an air-to-air heat pump.For this purpose, the heat pump arrangement 14 is now switched over to a recirculation operating circuit, in which warm, moist air 33 is sucked out of the wash chamber of the wash tub 2 (wash chamber air) via at least one outlet provided in its walls, or via at least one outlet provided in the front door 3 closing the wash tub 2 at the front, by means of the switched on air conveying unit 15, is then blown by the air conveying unit 15 over the first part 20a of the evaporator 20 for drying, where it is cooled and moisture is condensed out of it, and then the drier wash chamber air, which has been cooled in this way, is blown over the second part 20b of the evaporator 20, which is now switched over oris converted and therefore the cooled, drier wash chamber air is reheated, and finally, the thus drier and reheated wash chamber air is returned to the wash chamber via at least one inlet in at least one of the boundary walls of the wash chamber. The air returned to the wash chamber is marked 60 in Figures 2, 3, and 5, respectively.

[0071] In this way, in a partial rinsing phase of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, in which the rinsing liquid intended for this partial rinsing phase is heated by means of the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT of the heat pump 14, the ambient air 34, which serves as a heat source for the working medium 17 of the heat pump, and later in the program-final drying phase of the dishwashing program, the wash cabinet air 33 to be dried also flows through the first part 20a and then the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 arranged downstream of it, only that in the drying phase the second part 20b of the evaporator is now converted or transformed from its function of evaporating the working medium 17 when heating up rinsing liquid 24 into a heat-emitting area of ​​the condenser 18 which liquefies the working medium 17.The air path through the first part 20a and the second part 20b thus remains the same for both the ambient air 34 and the wash chamber air 33. This simplifies the structure of the heat pump arrangement 14 and the air duct associated with it for the ambient air 34 when heating the wash liquid 24 by means of the condenser / wash liquid heat exchanger unit VWT, as well as during drying for the wash chamber air 33 to be dehumidified, which is taken from the wash chamber of the wash container 2. In Figures 2, 4, and 5, the air path for the ambient air 34 and the wash chamber air 33 through the section formed by the first part 20a and the second part 20b arranged downstream of it is indicated by dash-dotted lines.

[0072] In general terms, the dishwasher 1 enables automated operation in a plurality of chronologically successive phases, wherein in one or more phases the washing liquid 24 is heated and in one or more other phases the dishes are dried. The invention is intended to enable the heat pump 14 to operate not only in the one or more phases in which the washing liquid is to be heated, but also in one or more drying phases during the drying and reheating of the air 33 from the washing tub 2 (i.e. the wash cabinet air). A drying phase carried out with the aid of the heat pump can in particular be formed by the drying phase concluding the washing program of the respective dishwashing program.However, it can also be formed by a storage phase which follows later after the end of the drying phase of the respective dishwashing program and in which the dishes in the washing compartment of the washing container should continue to be kept dry, preferably with the door closed.In order to enable both the respective phase for heating washing liquid and the respective drying phase with the aid of the heat pump 14, the evaporator 20 is functionally divided at least into two parts: a first part 20a, which serves as a conventional evaporator in which the working medium 17 is evaporated, and at least one further part 20b, the function of which changes: In a phase for heating washing liquid 24, both parts 20a, 20b are connected in series with the same function - each evaporating the working medium 17 - whereas in a phase for drying and reheating wash chamber air 33 taken from the washing container 2, a second part 20b of the evaporator is switched over to a heat-exchanging or heat-emitting area of ​​the condenser 18, in which working medium 17 is condensed or liquefied, while in the first part 20a of the evaporator the working medium 17 continues to evaporate.

[0073] In order to enable this switching or re-functioning of part 20b for the respective drying phase, a first switching element 35 is arranged between the first part 20a and the second part 20b of the evaporator. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, this preferably comprises a solenoid valve M1 and a capillary connected in parallel to the valve and acting as an expansion element 37 with a subsequent expansion option. On the other hand, a second switching element 36 is provided between the first part 18' of the condenser 18 and the second part 20b of the evaporator 20. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, this preferably also comprises a solenoid valve M2 and an expansion element 19 connected in parallel to the valve, for example again a capillary with a subsequent expansion option.

[0074] For heating the wash liquor 24, i.e., during the respective desired heating phase of the wash liquor 24, the first switching element 35 is moved to its open position. For this purpose, its solenoid valve M1 is opened, so that all of the working medium 17 flows over or through this valve M1, and its expansion element 37, designed as a capillary, is ineffective. Furthermore, the second switching element 36 is moved to its throttle position. For this purpose, its solenoid valve M2 is closed, so that all of the working medium 17 (liquid) flows over or through this valve M1.flows through its expansion element 19 designed as a capillary and begins its phase change into the gaseous state upon entering the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 and thus completes its phase change into the gaseous state upon flowing through both the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 and the first part 20a of the evaporator 20 following it in the flow direction of the working medium 19, and for this purpose extracts heat from the ambient air 34. Both parts 20a, 20b of the evaporator 20 are then connected together and function as a common evaporator 20, which cools in its two parts 20a, 20b, since the working medium 17 flowing through them evaporates in them. For drying air 33 from the rinsing container 2, ieRinse chamber air, in the respective drying phase, the switching elements 36 and 37 are switched in reverse: The second switching element 36 is then open, so that the working medium 17 does not flow through the parallel branch with the capillary acting as an expansion element 19, but flows unthrottled into the second part 20b via the open solenoid valve M2. The first switching element 35, located between parts 20b and 20a, is, however, brought into its throttle position, in which the solenoid valve M1 assumes its closed position, so that the working medium 17 is forced to flow completely through the parallel branch with the expansion element 37 designed as a capillary. In this way, the working medium 17 condenses in the second part 20b or it flows in liquid form from the first part 18' of the condenser 18 into the second part 20b, so that there it releases heat to the washing chamber air 33 flowing past in the second part 20b.The second part 20b is now either a solely effective heat-exchanging or heat-emitting region of the condenser 18 or a further heat-exchanging or heat-emitting region of the condenser 18 in addition to its first part 18'. The working medium 17 only evaporates in the first evaporator part 20a. The first part 20a of the evaporator 20 therefore retains its evaporating properties with respect to the working medium 17 flowing through it; it therefore becomes cold and thus cools the air (washroom air) 33 originating from the wash tub 2 and conveyed by the air conveying unit 15, while at the same time, the water contained therein condenses on the cold outer surfaces of the first part 20a. The thus cooled and dried air 33 then enters the second part 20b, which has been converted into a heat-emitting area, and is reheated there by the heat exchanger effect, so that the rinse chamber air 33 can re-enter the rinse container 2 in a dried and heated state.

[0075] In the respective partial rinsing phase, in which the rinsing liquid is heated by means of a heat pump, and also in the drying phase, the working medium 17 flows first through the second evaporator part 20b and then through the first evaporator part 20a, counter to the air conveying direction F of the air conveying unit 15, which blows ambient air 34 (in a phase for heating rinsing liquid) or rinse chamber air 33 (during the drying phase) first over the first part 20a and then over the second part 20b. This countercurrent principle can be advantageous for improved heat transfer between the working medium 17 flowing in the first part 20a and in the second part 20b and the air flowing through the first part 20a and then the second part 20b (ambient air 34 in the respective heating phase of rinsing liquid orRinse chamber air 33 in the drying phase) and lead to an improvement in the efficiency of the respective heat exchanger function of the first part 20a and the second part 20b.

[0076] As a modification to the parallel connection of the solenoid valve and throttle of the respective switching element 35 or 36, several capillaries with different throttling characteristics can also be connected fluidically in parallel with the solenoid valve, each of which has a solenoid valve arranged upstream of it in its parallel direction, viewed in the flow direction of the working medium 17. This allows the throttling behavior of the respective switching element 35 or 36 to be better adapted depending on the selected program, the program time, and the ambient conditions (outside temperature).

[0077] In order to be able to supply the air flow from the outside, ie the ambient air 34 of the section formed from the first part 20a and the second part 20b arranged downstream of it, during the respective phase with the rinsing liquid to be heated by the heat pump 14, and then, differently or differently, during the respective drying phase, the air flow from the washing container 2, ie the washing chamber air 33 of the section formed from the first part 20a and the second part 20b arranged downstream of it, ieIn order to be able to subject the first part 20a and subsequently the second part 20b to ambient air 34, in particular blown through, in the respective phase with the wash liquor to be heated with the aid of the heat pump, and in order to be able to subject the first part 20a and subsequently the second part 20b to wash chamber air 33, in particular blown through, in the drying phase, a switching option 41 is provided on the inlet side of the air flowing through the heat pump 14 between air 34 flowing in from outside and air 33 from the wash tub 2. This switching option 41 can be designed in different ways. For example, the switching option 41 comprises in a first air supply path L1 - such asin a supply line or in a supply duct - for air flowing in from outside (ambient air) 34, a first air flap 41a, which is open when the wash liquor 24 is heated by the heat pump 14 to supply ambient air 34 to the section formed by the first evaporator part 20a and the second evaporator part 20b, and in an air supply path L2 fluidly connected to the wash chamber of the wash container 2 - e.g. designed as a supply line or supply duct - a second air flap 41b, which is open when air originating from the wash container 2 (wash chamber air) 33 is dried to supply it to the section formed by the first evaporator part 20a and the second evaporator part 20b, which has now been converted into a heat-emitting area. The second air flap 41b is expediently in its closed position when the first air flap 41a is in its open position.Conversely, the first air flap 41a is expediently in its closed position when the second air flap 41b is in its open position. It may also be possible to have only a single air flap, which acts alternatively on both air supply paths or inlets L1, L2 and thus opens only one of them at a time. Both air flows 33, 34 can each be generated by at least one, preferably a single, air conveying unit 15, which is positioned upstream of the two parts 20a, 20b and can be formed in particular by a blower, a fan, or a similar conveying device.

[0078] Viewed in the air conveying direction F, as here in the embodiment of Figure 2 (and correspondingly in the embodiments of Figures 3 and 5), a further switching option 40 can expediently be provided on the outlet side behind the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 for the discharge of the ambient air 34 from the housing 5 of the dishwasher 1 in the respective phase with washing liquid 24 to be heated by the heat pump 14 after its passage through the section consisting of the first evaporator part 20a and the second evaporator part 20b arranged in series downstream of this, or for the return of the washing chamber air 33 into the washing container 2 in the drying phase after its passage through the section consisting of the first evaporator part 20a and the second evaporator part 20b arranged in series downstream of this, which is converted into a heat-emitting area of ​​the condenser in the drying phase.

[0079] Instead of the above-mentioned switching elements 35, 36 with an expansion element 37, 19 connected in parallel, a controllable (expansion) valve 371, 191 with a non-linear (flow) characteristic curve, in particular a thermostatic or electric expansion valve with a non-linear characteristic curve, can be provided - as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Characteristic of such a controllable valve 371, 191 is a flow characteristic curve for the working medium 17 that increases only slightly with progressive opening steps at a constant pressure difference up to an open position from which a steep pressure flow increase begins. The controllable valve with a non-linear characteristic curve thus acts like a capillary to throttle the working medium over some of its open positions and only acts like an open valve when at least approximately fully open, particularly in its last opening steps.From then on, the working medium can flow through this controllable valve with at least virtually no pressure loss. As can be seen in Figure 4, this valve 371, 191 can either close completely or assume a throttle range, or further to the right, a fully open operating point, thus mimicking the functions of the switching elements 35, 36 of Figure 2, each of which has a line branch with a solenoid valve and a parallel line branch with a throttle, but combined in a single unit. The material and space requirements are then minimized.

[0080] Figure 5 shows a view fundamentally similar to Figure 2, but line section 21, which, viewed in the flow direction of the working medium 17, emerges from the first evaporator section 20a as a suction pipe and leads back to the compressor 16, is routed over the two expansion elements 37 and 19 in order to achieve capillary tube-suction pipe heat transfer to the working medium 17 before it enters the compressor 16 through thermal contact with the capillaries. For the thermal coupling between the suction pipe and the respective capillary, soldering, an adhesive film, or a capillary located in the suction pipe (line 21) are preferably used. The coupling can be to one capillary or to both capillaries.

[0081] If, instead of capillaries, an expansion valve with a non-linear flow characteristic curve is used for the heat pump arrangement 14, as in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3, a so-called liquid subcooler can expediently be provided instead of the respective capillary tube suction pipe heat exchanger used in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 5. In this case, the connecting line 21 carrying the working medium 17, which leads to the respective expansion valve 371, 191, is connected to the line section 21, which, viewed in the flow direction of the working medium 17, emerges from the first evaporator section 20a as a suction pipe and leads back to the compressor 16, to form a heat exchanger. Starting with a dishwasher 1 with a heat pump 14 for heating the wash liquor, no additional installation space is required for the now additionally created option of air drying in a drying phase.

[0082] In the most favorable case, as in the exemplary embodiments here, only two small air flaps 41a, 41b, which are provided in the air conveying direction F on the inlet side in front of the first evaporator part 20a, and the switching element 35 between the two evaporator parts 20a, 20b, as well as a switching element 36 between the condenser / flushing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT and the second evaporator part 20b, may be sufficient.the switching option 40 arranged on the output side after the second evaporator part 20b is even omitted, since when drying wash cabinet air 33 in recirculation mode, the air 33 which has flowed over the second part 20b and is heated by it (in the air conveying direction F on the output side from the second part 20b) is sucked into the wash cabinet of the washing container 2 via at least one inlet opening present in at least one of the boundary walls of the wash cabinet, since by means of the fan unit 15 the wash cabinet air 33 is sucked out of the wash cabinet of the washing container 2 via at least one outlet opening present in at least one of the boundary walls of the wash cabinet and therefore a negative pressure is caused in the wash cabinet.

[0083] In particular, however, no air will be discharged between the evaporator parts 20a, 20b, which would require additional space.

[0084] A large evaporator 20 consisting of two parts 20a, 20b is available for the rinse water heating process. A different fin pitch of the two evaporator parts 20a, 20b can be advantageous for both processes (heating the rinse liquid and drying the rinse chamber air). It can be particularly advantageous if the fins LAa of the first part 20a of the evaporator 20 have a greater transverse spacing than the fins LAb of the second part 20b of the evaporator 20.This makes it possible to prevent the air ducts between the fins LAa of the first part 20a of the evaporator 20 from remaining sufficiently permeable for the air flowing through them (ambient air in the dishwashing liquid heating mode or dishwashing chamber air in the drying mode) in the one or more phases for heating the dishwashing liquid (by means of a heat pump) as well as in the drying phase of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, despite any icing due to condensation and freezing of moisture from the air flowing through them (ambient air in the dishwashing liquid heating mode or dishwashing chamber air in the drying mode), so that the air can always reach the second evaporator part 20b and flow through the air ducts between its fins.

[0085] During the drying phase, the part 18' of the condenser 18, which is effective or active for heating the rinsing liquid 24 during the respective heating phase thereof, can at least partially retain its condenser function (which is accompanied by the condensation of the working medium flowing through it) even during the drying phase. This means that in this case, the condenser 18 comprises two heat-emitting parts in the drying phase, namely 18' and 20b. The second part 20b of the evaporator 20, which is converted into the heat-emitting condenser part in the drying phase, then supplements the first part 18' of the condenser 18, which was effective in the respective heating phase of the rinsing liquid preceding the drying phase and now also allows the working medium flowing through it to at least partially condense during the drying phase.In this case, the condenser 18 thus functionally comprises two parts in the drying phase, namely the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 converted into a condenser in addition to the part 18' of the condenser 18 (first in the flow direction of the working medium 17), which was effective in the respective heating phase of rinsing liquid and now also releases heat in the drying phase.

[0086] According to an advantageous further development, it can be particularly expedient if the area or section 50, in particular pipe section, which carries the rinsing liquid 24 to be heated in the respective heating phase and is heat-exchangingly coupled to the part 18' of the condenser to form the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT, is filled and / or flowed through in the drying phase preferably with unheated water, in particular cold fresh water, the temperature of which is lower, in particular at least 10 ° C and more lower, than the temperature of the warm, humid air 33, in particular having 100% relative humidity, in the dishwashing chamber at the end of the partial rinsing phase preceding the drying phase, in particular the final rinsing phase, of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out.As a result, the maximum condensation temperature of the working medium 17 flowing through it and through part 20b of the evaporator 20, which has been converted into a heat-emitting area of ​​the condenser 18, can be reduced during the drying process. This ensures that heat pump operation can be continued quickly and energy-efficiently to dry the air in the dishwashing chamber during the subsequent drying phase of the respective dishwashing program, despite the dishwashing temperatures achieved in one or more preceding partial dishwashing phases by heat pump operation. In particular, this prevents overheating of the compressor 16 and / or other components of the heat pump arrangement 14 and any associated damage to these during operation of the heat pump in the drying phase. A longer switch-off phase, for example at least twenty minutes, orA standstill phase of the heat pump 14 after the end of the partial rinsing phase preceding the drying phase, in particular the final rinsing phase, of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, in order to allow the working temperature of the working medium 17 in the heat pump circuit to drop by gradual heat transfer to the dishwasher and / or to the environment to a temperature level at which the heat pump 14 can then continue to operate safely during the drying phase, is therefore not necessary. Thus, the heat pump operation can be continued after one or more rinsing phases in the drying phase at least with almost no waiting time. In particular, an at least almost seamless orContinuous, preferably continuous, operation of the heat pump from the last partial rinse phase with rinse liquid to be heated, in particular the final rinse phase, into the drying phase, in particular until its end, is possible, without the need for an excessively long switch-off phase of the heat pump compressor at the end of the last partial rinse phase with rinse liquid to be heated, in particular the final rinse phase, and / or at the beginning of the drying phase, which would otherwise lead to an undesirably long extension of the drying phase and thus of the respective dishwashing program. The cooling of the working medium 17 by filling the area orSection 50, in particular pipe section which is thermally coupled to the heat-emitting part 18' of the condenser to form the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT, with water which is colder than it, in particular fresh water, can be advantageous in particular in the case of a non-ECO dishwashing program such as a quick cleaning program, or grease-dissolving hot cleaning program or intensive cleaning program, or hygienic cleaning program at the beginning of the drying phase if, in the one or more partial rinsing phases with rinsing liquid to be heated, in particular in the final rinsing phase, the rinsing liquid has been brought to a desired target temperature which is higher than in the ECO dishwashing program, in particular a final rinsing temperature at the end of the final rinsing phase, preferably of at least 50 ° C, by means of the part 18' of the condenser 18 which is effective for its heating.

[0087] In general terms, it can be advantageous if the part of the condenser (the first in the flow direction of the working medium) which is in heat-exchanging contact with an area or section, in particular a pipe section, through which washing liquid flows in order to heat it in at least one partial washing phase, in particular in the final rinse phase preceding the drying phase, of a respective dishwashing program to be carried out, can be cooled in the later, in particular program-final, drying phase by filling or flowing through the area or section, in particular a pipe section, with unheated water, in particular fresh water from a building water pipe, which is colder than the washing liquid and / or the air in the washing container at the end of the partial washing phase leading to washing liquid preceding the drying phase, in particular the final rinse phase, of a respective dishwashing program to be carried out.By flowing through the condenser / rinsing liquid heat exchanger unit with the water-loaded part of the condenser, the maximum condensation temperature in the drying process can be reduced by means of targeted water inflow, so that fast and efficient use of the heat pump for drying is guaranteed even at higher rinsing liquid temperatures, as required, for example, in quick cleaning programs, grease-dissolving hot cleaning programs or intensive cleaning programs, or hygienic cleaning programs.

[0088] Finally, depending on the design of the heat pump circuit, it may also be possible that during the drying phase, the part 18' of the condenser 18 (first in the flow direction of the working medium 17), which was effective or active in heating the dishwashing liquid during the respective preceding heating phase, at least almost loses its condenser function (characterized by condensation of the working medium flowing in it) after or through the conversion of the second part 20b of the evaporator 20 into a heat-emitting area or section, so that the condenser 18 then consists mainly or entirely of this converted part 20b of the evaporator 20 during the drying phase. The heat pump 14 can form a modular unit overall and can be assembled before installation in the dishwasher 1, filled with the working medium 17, and either be testable for function or, in particular, already tested for function before installation.

[0089] In particular, the household dishwasher 1 comprises at least one control and / or monitoring unit, which for the sake of simplicity of the drawing is only shown in Figure 2 and there only in dash-dotted lines and is designated by CO. It controls and / or monitors - indicated in Figure 2 by dash-dotted arrows - expediently the operation of the compressor 16 of the heat pump 14 for the respective partial wash phase with wash liquid 24 to be heated by the condenser / wash liquid heat exchanger unit VWT of the heat pump 14 as well as for the respective drying phase to be carried out using the heat pump 14, in particular for the drying phase concluding the wash program of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out, and / or the switching elements 35, 36 for converting the second part 20b of the

[0090] Evaporator 20 into a heat-exchanging or heat-emitting area of ​​the condenser 18 for the respective drying phase to be carried out using the heat pump 14, in particular for the drying phase concluding the washing program of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out using the heat pump 14, the operation of the at least one air conveying unit 15 (in particular with regard to its switching on and off times and / or speeds) for the respective partial washing phase with washing liquid to be heated by the condenser / washing liquid heat exchanger unit VWT of the heat pump 14 and for the respective drying phase to be carried out using the heat pump 14, in particular for the drying phase concluding the washing program of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out using the heat pump, and / or the inlet-side switching option 41 for releasing the air path for the flow to the two evaporator parts 20a,20b with ambient air 34 for the respective partial wash phase with wash liquid to be heated by the condenser / wash liquid heat exchanger unit VWT as well as for releasing the air path for the circulation of wash cabinet air 33 in recirculation mode during the respective drying phase to be carried out using the heat pump 14, in particular during the drying phase concluding the wash program of the respective dishwashing program to be carried out using the heat pump, and / or the switching option 40, which may be present on the output side, for releasing the exhaust air path for the ambient air 34, cooled after flowing through the two evaporator parts 20a, 20b, from the appliance body of the dishwasher 1 into the environment for the respective partial wash phase with wash liquid to be heated by the condenser / wash liquid heat exchanger unit VWT as well as for releasing the return air path for the ambient air 34, cooled after flowing through the two evaporator parts 20a, 20b, from the appliance body of the dishwasher 1 into the environment for the respective partial wash phase with wash liquid to be heated by the condenser / wash liquid heat exchanger unit VWT as well as for releasing the return air path for the ambient air 33, which has been converted into a heat-emitting area, after flowing through thesecond evaporator part heated dishwashing chamber air 33 in recirculation mode during the respective drying phase to be carried out using the heat pump, in particular during the final drying phase of the dishwashing program to be carried out using the heat pump.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, with at least one heat pump (14) which comprises at least one compressor (16), a condenser (18), an expansion element (19) and an evaporator (20), which are connected to one another and between which a working medium (17), which changes its state of aggregation during operation, circulates, and which further comprises at least one circulation pump (22) for liquid which has come into contact with the items to be washed, so-called.Rinse liquor (24), and wherein the dishwasher (1) enables automated operation in a plurality of chronologically successive phases, characterized in that the evaporator (20) is functionally divided into at least two parts (20a, 20b), wherein in a phase for heating rinse liquor (24) both parts (20a, 20b) are connected in series with the same function, and wherein in a phase for drying and reheating wash chamber air (33) taken from the washing container (2) a second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) is switched over to a region of the condenser (18).

2. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that when the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) is switched over to a region of the condenser (18) in the drying phase, this second part (20b) is flowed through by working medium (17) of the heat pump (14), which in the process changes into its liquid state (condenses).

3. Dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that when the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) is switched over to a region of the condenser (18) in the drying phase, this second part (20b) removes washing chamber air taken from the washing container (2) of the dishwasher (1) (33) is heated after it has passed through the first part (20a) of the evaporator (20) and has been dried in the process.

4. Dishwasher (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) is switched over to a region of the condenser (18) in the drying phase, the working medium (17) after the part (18') of the condenser (18) which was effective during at least one partial rinsing phase preceding the drying phase with rinsing liquid to be heated for heating the latter, in particular during the final rinsing phase for heating final rinsing liquid, passes through the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) switched over to a region of the condenser (18) in an alternating manner into its liquid state and can then be converted into its gaseous state in the first part (20a) of the evaporator (20).

5. Dishwasher (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for switching the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) a first switching element (35) is provided between the first part (20a) and the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) and a second switching element (36) is provided between the part (18') of the condenser (18), which was effective during at least one partial rinsing phase preceding the drying phase with rinsing liquid to be heated for heating the latter, in particular during the final rinsing phase for heating final rinsing liquid, and the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20).

6. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the switching elements (35, 36) is a parallel circuit of a valve (M1, M2) which can be switched on and off, in particular a solenoid valve, and a capillary (37, 19) which is connected in fluidic parallel to the latter, or a parallel circuit of a valve (M1, M2) which can be switched on and off, in particular a solenoid valve, and several capillaries which are connected in fluidic parallel to the latter. capillaries, each of which is preceded by a valve, in particular a solenoid valve, which can be switched on and off in its parallel branches.

7. Dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one of the switching elements (35, 36) is designed as a controllable valve (371, 191) with a non-linear characteristic curve.

8. Dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a switching facility (41) between air flowing in from outside (34) and air (33) from the washing container (2) is provided on the inlet side of the air flowing through the heat pump (14).

9. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the switching option (41) in a supply (L1, L2) has a first air path control unit, in particular an air flap (41a), which is open in a phase for heating wash liquor (24) for supplying ambient air (34) from outside to the first part (20a) and the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) arranged downstream of it in the flow direction of the ambient air (34), and has a second air path control unit, in particular an air flap (41b), which is open in a phase for drying wash chamber air (33) for supplying wash chamber air (33) to the first part (20a) of the evaporator (20) and the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) arranged downstream of it in the flow direction of the wash chamber air (33) and switched over to a region of the condenser (18).

10. Dishwasher (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fins (LAa) of the first part (20a) of the evaporator (20) have a greater transverse spacing than the fins (LAb) of the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20).

11. Dishwasher (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one, in particular a single, air conveying unit (15) is assigned to the first part (20a) and the second part (20b) of the evaporator (20), in particular being arranged upstream thereof as viewed in the air conveying direction (F).

12. Dishwasher (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the part (18') of the condenser (18) which is in heat-exchanging contact with a region or section (50), in particular a pipe section, through which washing liquid flows in at least one partial washing phase, in particular in the final rinsing phase preceding the drying phase, of a respective dishwashing program to be carried out in order to heat the latter, can be cooled in the program-final drying phase in that the region or section (50), in particular a pipe section, is filled with or flows through unheated water, in particular fresh water from a building water pipe, which is colder than the washing liquid and / or the air in the washing container (2) at the end of the partial washing phase leading to washing liquid preceding the drying phase, in particular the final rinsing phase, of a respective dishwashing program to be carried out.

13. A method for operating a dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, with at least one heat pump (14) comprising at least one compressor (16), a condenser (18), an expansion element (19), and an evaporator (20), which are interconnected and between which a working medium (17) circulates, which changes its state of aggregation during operation, and which further comprises at least one circulation pump (22) for liquid that has come into contact with the items to be washed, so-called wash liquor (24), and wherein the dishwasher (1) enables automated operation in several chronologically successive phases, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaporator (20) operates in a phase for heating wash liquor (24) in a functionally at least two-part manner by means of at least two parts (20a, 20b), which are connected in series with the same function, and that in one phase to Drying and reheating of wash chamber air (33) taken from the wash tank (2), a second part (20b) of the evaporator (20) is switched to a region of the condenser (18).

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