Dishwasher Injection Arm for Heat Pump Air Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers consume excessive energy for heating and drying due to the use of electric heaters and have prolonged drying times due to reliance on natural convection, which limits heat transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dish washer equipped with a heat pump system and an injection arm featuring nozzles for both water and air, where the air injection nozzle has a larger hole size than the water nozzle, allowing for selective opening and closing, and rotates using air pressure to enhance airflow and heat transfer, reducing drying time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electric heater is used to heat washing water, then the washing function is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric heater (electrical heating system) with a heat pump system that uses mechanical compression and thermal transfer to heat water. The heat pump compressor mechanically compresses refrigerant to generate heat, which is then transferred to the washing water through heat exchange, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to direct electrical resistance heating
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system utilizes phase transitions of the refrigerant (evaporation from liquid to gas, and condensation from gas to liquid) to transfer heat. The refrigerant evaporates at low temperature absorbing heat, then condenses at high temperature releasing heat to the washing water, enabling efficient thermal energy transfer
2Productivity
If high temperature washing water is discharged after washing, then the washing process is completed, but energy loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers thermal energy from the discharged washing water by using it as a heat source for the heat pump system. The heat pump extracts heat from the warm discharged water and transfers it to the incoming cold water or air, thereby recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted and reducing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system operates continuously to maintain optimal water temperature throughout the washing cycle, and continues to operate during the drying phase to heat air for drying dishes. This continuous operation eliminates temperature fluctuations and ensures consistent thermal processing, improving overall system efficiency
3Device complexity
If natural convection is used to move hot air in the washing tank, then no additional fan is needed, but drying time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by designing the injection arm to rotate automatically when air is injected through nozzles. The injected air creates pressure that drives the rotation of the injection arm, generating active airflow circulation within the washing tank without requiring an electric motor, thus achieving forced convection through pneumatic means
Solution Approach 2:
The injection arm system is self-actuating through the pressure of injected air, which automatically rotates the arm to distribute hot air throughout the washing tank. The system uses the energy of the injected air itself to create the airflow pattern needed for drying, without requiring external mechanical power
4Device complexity
If no motor is used to generate air flow, then device complexity is reduced, but heat transfer efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic actuation where compressed air injected through nozzles creates rotational motion of the injection arm. This rotating arm distributes hot air effectively throughout the washing tank, generating sufficient airflow for efficient heat transfer and drying without requiring any mechanical motor components
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
The solution significantly reduces energy consumption and drying time by directly injecting hot air into dishes through the injection arm, improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing energy loss, while rotating the injection arm without a motor to actively generate airflow.
Implementation Method 1
a dish washer capable of reducing energy consumption by heating washing water using a heat pump
Implementation Method 2
a suction fan that suctions the air and supplies the air to the injection arm
Implementation Method 3
an air heating element provided inside the duct unit to heat the air to be supplied to the injection arm
Implementation Method 4
the injection arm is rotatably mounted about a rotary shaft, and the plurality of nozzles rotate the injection arm by a pressure that injects the air
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a dish washer having a heat pump, and the dish washer may include a washing tank having an accommodation space for storing dishes therein; an injection arm disposed inside the washing tank, and provided with a plurality of nozzles to inject washing water or air to the dishes according to a washing stroke and a drying stroke; a duct unit that defines a passage for delivering air to the injection arm; a suction fan that suctions the air and supplies the air to the injection arm; and an air heating element provided inside the duct unit to heat the air to be supplied to the injection arm, wherein the injection arm is rotatably mounted about a rotary shaft, and the plurality of nozzles rotate the injection arm by a pressure that injects the air.