Dishwasher Condensing Airflow for Internal Tub Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face challenges in efficiently drying the interior of the tub while preventing the discharge of humid vapor outside, which can lead to mold growth and damage to the dishwasher's components, and existing solutions degrade condensing performance or fail to properly handle condensed water.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a heat exchanger between the tub and cabinet, a condensing module that exchanges heat with external air, and a circulating fan module to recirculate and heat the air, ensuring effective condensation and reuse of condensed water within the tub, thereby preventing external humid vapor discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If humid air is discharged from the tub to the outside, then drying speed is improved, but mold growth and damage to outer components occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful humid air that needs to be removed into a useful resource by routing it through a heat exchanger where it condenses moisture that can be collected and reused. The humid air flow path is redirected through the heat exchanger located between the tub and cabinet, allowing condensation of water vapor while the dried air is recirculated back into the tub, thus eliminating mold growth risks while maintaining efficient drying.
2Productivity
If a condensing flow path is formed to discharge humid air, then drying performance is enhanced, but condensing performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air handling system into distinct functional zones: a condensing module for moisture removal, a heat exchanger for heat exchange between tub air and external air, and a recirculation path. The condensing flow path is separated from the main drying air flow, with dedicated conduits for humid air extraction and condensed water collection, preventing interference between condensation and drying processes.
3Productivity
If additional condensing flow path is formed, then drying efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components: the heat exchanger serves both as a thermal exchange surface and a condensation collection point, while the circulator fan integrates air extraction, condensation, and recirculation functions. The condensing flow path is combined with the existing heat exchanger structure rather than being a completely separate system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining enhanced drying efficiency.
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 design enhances drying efficiency within the tub, maintains dry external air, and prevents water accumulation in the condensing module, ensuring effective condensation without additional thermal sources and keeping the module clean.
Implementation Method 1
a condensing module disposed between the heat exchanger and the cabinet and configured to exchange heat of air discharged from the tub with the external air flowing in the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
condenses and heats the air during a circulating operation, thereby drying dishes in the tub
Implementation Method 3
a heating module configured to heat the air having passed through the condensing module and supply the heated air to an inside of the tub
Implementation Method 4
a circulating fan module configured to enable air in the tub to pass through the condensing module and then flow back into the tub
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed is a dishwasher. The dishwasher includes: a cabinet defining an external appearance of the dishwasher; a tub disposed in the cabinet to form a space where to wash dishes; a heat exchanger disposed between the tub and the cabinet to form a space in which external air flows; and a condensing module disposed between the heat exchanger and the cabinet and configured to exchange heat of air discharged from the tub with the external air flowing in the heat exchanger such that the heat-exchanged air flows into the tub.