Dishwasher comprising a drying unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face inefficiencies in drying items, particularly large or obstructed regions, due to constant air flow rates and speeds, which can lead to incomplete drying and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design that varies air flow volume and exit speed over the drying phase using a blower with adjustable rotation speeds and potentially a sector disk or movable flap, ensuring efficient air distribution without the need for sensors, allowing for better coverage of all items regardless of their position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constant air flow rate and speed are used during drying phase, then the drying system is simple to control, but drying efficiency is insufficient for large or obstructed regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by varying the air flow volume and exit speed over time during the drying phase. The blower operates at different rotation speeds in different time segments, creating dynamically changing air flow conditions that adapt to different drying needs throughout the cycle, thereby improving drying efficiency without requiring complex sensor-based control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing the drying phase into multiple time segments with different air flow characteristics. The blower rotation speed is varied periodically through predefined time segments, creating alternating phases of high and low air flow that effectively reach different regions of the wash container over time, improving overall drying performance
2Productivity
If high air flow volume is maintained throughout drying phase, then drying speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by alternating between high air flow volume phases and low air flow volume phases during the drying cycle. High volume flow is applied in initial time segments to achieve rapid drying, then reduced in later segments when less intensive drying is needed, thereby maintaining high drying speed overall while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to sustained high flow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the blower rotation speed and air flow volume as functions of time during the drying phase. Different time segments are assigned different volume flow values and exit speeds, allowing the system to optimize the balance between drying speed and energy consumption by adjusting these parameters dynamically throughout the cycle
3Area of stationary object
If high exit speed is used continuously, then air reaches distant regions effectively, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between high exit speed phases and low exit speed phases during the drying cycle. High exit speed is used in specific time segments to effectively reach distant and obstructed regions, then reduced in other segments, thereby maintaining adequate air coverage area while significantly reducing the mean noise level experienced throughout the drying phase
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 approach enhances drying efficiency and reduces energy consumption by ensuring thorough drying of all items, including those obstructed or distant from the air outlet, while maintaining a lower noise level and independence from load configuration.
Implementation Method 1
the volume flow of air for drying the items being washed that can be introduced into or supplied to the wash container through the at least one inlet opening varies or fluctuates a number of times when considered over the time period of the drying phase
Implementation Method 2
the exit speed of the air that can be introduced into the wash container at the inlet opening varies a number of times over the drying phase
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a wash container for cleaning dishes, glasses, flatware or similar items to be washed during a program sequence which includes a drying phase or another process phase. The wash container has an inlet opening for inflow of a volume flow of air. The volume flow of air entering the wash container through the inlet opening varies a number of times over the drying phase or the other process phase.