Dishwasher Dry Cycle Control to Reduce Floor Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwasher appliances face inefficiencies in their drying cycles, particularly during colder months, as the forced air convection systems struggle to prevent condensation on the floor due to the mixing of hot and moist air, which affects performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher appliance equipped with a temperature sensing device and controller that adjusts the dry cycle mode based on the minimum cycle temperature, determining whether to use a base or adapted dry cycle mode by comparing the temperature to thresholds, thereby optimizing the air mixture to prevent condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a forced air convection system exhausts hot and moist air from the tub to dry articles, then drying effectiveness is improved, but condensation builds up on the floor proximate the dishwasher appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second airstream (cool and dry air) as an intermediary substance to mix with the first airstream (hot and moist exhaust air). This intermediary airstream acts as a mediator that modifies the properties of the exhaust stream, lowering its dew point temperature and preventing condensation on the floor while maintaining effective drying performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature and humidity parameters of the exhaust airstream by introducing a second airstream with different parameters (cool and dry). This parameter modification lowers the dew point of the exhaust stream, transforming it from a condensation-causing stream to a condensation-preventing stream while preserving drying effectiveness.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If cool and dry air is added to the hot and moist exhaust stream to lower the dew point and abate floor condensation, then floor condensation is reduced, but drying efficiencies are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the airstream mixing ratio dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The system can adapt the proportion of cool and dry air mixed with the hot and moist exhaust air based on operating conditions, allowing optimization between preventing floor condensation and maintaining drying efficiency for different seasonal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of the temperature and humidity parameters of the exhaust stream by varying the mixing ratio of the two airstreams. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize performance for different environmental conditions, preventing floor condensation when needed while maintaining drying efficiency in warmer conditions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the dry/moist air mixture is set to account for nearly all use cases to abate floor condensation, then floor condensation is prevented, but efficiencies are particularly affected in warmer months
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the airstream mixing system, allowing the operator to modify the mixing ratio based on seasonal conditions. This dynamic capability enables the system to use minimal or no cool and dry air mixing during warmer months when floor condensation is not an issue, thereby preserving drying efficiency, while activating the mixing function during colder months when condensation prevention is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of the exhaust stream parameters (temperature and humidity) by varying the mixing ratio of cool and dry air to hot and moist air. This parameter adjustment allows optimization for different seasonal conditions, preventing floor condensation in cold months while maintaining high drying efficiency in warm months.
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 efficiency and prevents floor condensation by adjusting the dry cycle mode according to temperature thresholds, ensuring optimal performance across varying seasons.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensing device for sensing a minimum cycle temperature indicative of a minimum temperature within or of the tub during the operation cycle
Implementation Method 2
a forced air convection system that exhausts the relatively hot and moist air from the tub
Implementation Method 3
Heating elements may also be used to facilitate drying
Implementation Method 4
adding the relatively cool and dry airstream to the relatively hot and moist airstream lowers the dew point of the exhaust stream and thus abates floor condensation
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher appliance that includes features for condensation abatement on objects surrounding the dishwasher appliance during a drying cycle is provided. The dishwasher appliance is operable in a plurality of drying cycle modes. The mode in which the dishwasher appliance operates the dry cycle is determined based at least in part on a minimum cycle temperature indicative of the minimum temperature within or of a tub of the dishwasher appliance during an operation cycle. Moreover, methods for condensation abatement are also provided.