Dishwasher Condensation Drying With Countertop Pre-Warming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers with condensation drying systems face issues where moisture from the washing tub condenses on the underside of a countertop when integrated into a row of kitchen units, leading to potential damage, and existing solutions either impair drying performance or require excessive fresh air intake.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves guiding a cooling-air flow along the underside of the countertop before opening the dishwasher door to an ajar position, ensuring the countertop is pre-warmed and preventing condensation by maintaining a dew point below the countertop temperature, thus preventing moisture from condensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the dishwasher door is opened to an ajar position after the wash cycle to improve drying by convection, then drying performance is improved, but moisture from the washing tub condenses on the underside of the cold countertop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying performanceVSAvoidcondensation on countertop

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling air flow is directed along the underside of the countertop before the door is opened to an ajar position, pre-warming the countertop surface. This preliminary action raises the countertop temperature above the dew point of the moisture-laden air, preventing condensation when the door is subsequently opened for convective drying

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Cooling air serves as an intermediary medium to transfer heat from the washing tub to the countertop underside. The air flow acts as a thermal bridge, warming the countertop surface without requiring direct contact between the washing tub and countertop, thus preventing condensation while maintaining drying performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fresh air is discharged above the appliance door to prevent condensation on the countertop, then condensation is prevented, but a very large amount of fresh air must be discharged which impairs drying performance inside the washing tub

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensation on countertopVSAvoiddrying performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful condensation effect is extracted from the countertop area by directing cooling air specifically along the underside of the countertop. This localized extraction of the condensation problem allows the main drying process to continue uninterrupted inside the washing tub without requiring excessive fresh air discharge that would compromise drying performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the dishwasher is integrated into a row of kitchen units with a countertop covering the top, then space utilization is improved, but the countertop becomes cold and prone to condensation from warm moisture-laden air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration into kitchen unitsVSAvoidcondensation on countertop

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Cooling air flow serves as a thermal intermediary between the washing tub and the countertop. The air carries thermal energy from the warm washing tub environment to the cold countertop underside, raising the countertop temperature above the dew point and preventing condensation while allowing the dishwasher to remain integrated into kitchen cabinetry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively prevents condensate formation on the countertop while maintaining effective drying performance within the dishwasher by ensuring the countertop remains dry and preventing damage.

Implementation Method 1

the moisture condenses from the warm moist process air within the washing tub, and collects as condensate in the lower region of the tub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

guiding, with the door in a closed position, a portion of a cooling-air flow along a portion of an underside of a countertop

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8671587B2Method for implementing a drying program section in washing equipment with a condensation drying device

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 MIELE & CO KG

AI summary

A method for carrying out a drying step in a dishwasher that includes a housing, a washing tub, a door with a hinged lower region operable to close the washing tub, an opening device for automatically opening the door to an ajar position and a condensation drying system including a cooling-air flow generator. The method includes guiding a portion of a cooling-air flow along a portion of an underside of a countertop covering a top of the dishwasher housing both before and after the door is opened to an ajar position.