Dishwasher Adsorbent Drying Circuit With In-Cycle Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwasher drying systems often fail to completely dry loads efficiently, take longer than desired, and can allow humid air to condense back onto dishes, leading to performance and energy efficiency issues.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a drying system featuring an inverted V-shaped air circuit and adsorbent components positioned along the airflow path, where the adsorbent material is regenerated via heat transfer from the tub during the wash cycle, and dry air is circulated back into the tub during the dry cycle, using a gate check valve to control airflow and facilitate moisture removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional drying systems are used, then the drying function is provided, but the drying performance is insufficient and drying time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
An adsorbent material is introduced as an intermediary substance between the humid air and the drying system. The adsorbent material actively captures moisture from the air, accelerating the drying process and ensuring complete moisture removal, thereby simultaneously improving drying speed and drying completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The adsorbent material utilizes porous structure to increase surface area for moisture adsorption. The porous configuration enables rapid moisture uptake from the air, enhancing drying performance while maintaining compact system design.
2Reliability
If conventional drying systems operate continuously, then drying function is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates in periodic cycles: during the wash cycle, the adsorbent material is regenerated by heating to desorb captured moisture; during the drying cycle, the regenerated adsorbent material actively dries the load. This periodic operation maintains drying effectiveness while reducing continuous energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between adsorption mode (drying cycle) and desorption mode (wash cycle). During the wash cycle, temperature parameter is increased to regenerate the adsorbent, while during the drying cycle, the adsorbent operates at lower temperature to capture moisture, optimizing energy efficiency across different phases.
3Productivity
If adsorbent material is used for drying, then drying performance improves, but the adsorbent material requires regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system serves dual functions: it dries the load during the drying cycle using the adsorbent material, and it regenerates the adsorbent material during the wash cycle by heating. This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle both drying and adsorbent regeneration, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the drying function and adsorbent regeneration function into a unified process. The same air circulation system, heating element, and control mechanism are used for both drying the load and regenerating the adsorbent material at different times, simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If gate check valve is closed during wash cycle, then adsorbent regeneration occurs, but airflow is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The gate check valve dynamically changes its state based on the operational cycle: closed during the wash cycle to enable adsorbent regeneration by preventing air leakage, and open during the drying cycle to allow air flow for drying. This dynamic operation optimizes both heat transfer efficiency and airflow control at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from the cycle stage (wash or dry) to automatically adjust the gate check valve position. During the wash cycle, the system detects the need for regeneration and closes the valve; during the drying cycle, it detects the need for air flow and opens the valve, ensuring optimal operation without manual intervention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances drying performance, reduces drying time, and improves energy efficiency by effectively removing moisture from the air and regenerating the adsorbent material without external heating sources, ensuring dry air is circulated back into the tub for continued drying.
Implementation Method 1
at least one adsorbent component having an adsorbent material positioned along the airflow path
Implementation Method 2
The adsorbent material is regenerated via heat transfer through the at least one wall from the tub during a wash cycle
Implementation Method 3
In at least one other embodiment, the drying system may further include at least one drain positioned to remove water formed during regeneration of the adsorbent by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a housing having walls defining a tub having an outlet for humid air to flow out from the tub, an inlet for dry air to flow into the tub, and a door for closing the tub to an exterior environment, and a drying system contacting at least one wall of the tub. The drying system includes an inlet conduit fluidly connected to the outlet and an outlet conduit fluidly connected to the inlet with the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit forming an inverted V-shaped air circuit defining an airflow path therethrough. The drying system also includes at least one adsorbent component having an adsorbent material positioned along the airflow path, and at least one gate check valve blocking airflow from the tub to the adsorbent material during a wash cycle. The adsorbent material is regenerated via heat transfer through the at least one wall from the tub during a wash cycle when the gate check valve is closed.