Dishwasher Dual Circulation Circuit for Low-Loss Liquid Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers experience inefficiency due to unnecessary energy consumption and heat loss when heating washing liquid, as the warming of the liquid also warms the washing compartment and items, leading to increased energy usage and water vapor production.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design with a branching point in the circulation circuit allows the washing liquid to optionally circulate through a second circuit with a mixture store, where it can be heated separately from the washing compartment, reducing heat emission and energy consumption by minimizing the liquid's presence in the compartment during heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the washing liquid is heated in the washing compartment, then the washing liquid reaches the required temperature, but the washing compartment and items are unnecessarily warmed causing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation circuit is divided into two separate circuits: a first circulation circuit for immediate washing where liquid is sprayed directly onto items, and a second circulation circuit for preheating where liquid circulates through a mixture store without contacting items. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each circuit's function, enabling energy-efficient preheating separate from the washing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixture store acts as an intermediary component in the second circulation circuit, providing a storage volume where washing liquid can be heated without directly contacting the washing compartment or items. This intermediary allows the heating process to be decoupled from the washing compartment, preventing unnecessary warming of items while still achieving the required liquid temperature.
2Device complexity
If the washing liquid circulates through the washing compartment during heating, then the heating process is simple, but heat is transferred to the washing compartment causing water vapor production and energy inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system is segmented into two distinct circuits with different functions. The first circuit maintains simplicity for immediate washing needs, while the second circuit adds a mixture store to enable separate preheating. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to choose the appropriate circuit based on operational requirements, achieving energy efficiency without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two circulation modes using a flow control means (three-way valve). When preheating is needed, the system activates the second circulation circuit through the mixture store. When immediate washing is required, it uses the first circulation circuit. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize energy efficiency based on real-time operational needs without maintaining permanent complex infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If a single circulation circuit is used, then the device structure is simple, but heating efficiency is low due to unnecessary warming of the washing compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The single circulation circuit is segmented into two functional circuits: a first circulation circuit for direct washing and a second circulation circuit for efficient preheating through the mixture store. This segmentation enables the system to achieve high heating efficiency by isolating the heating process from the washing compartment, while maintaining relatively simple overall structure through shared components like the circulation pump and spray device.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation pump, water heater, and spray device serve multiple functions across both circuits. The circulation pump moves liquid in both circuits, the water heater heats liquid in either circuit, and the spray device can draw from either circuit depending on needs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for duplicate components, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling efficient preheating through the mixture store.
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 improves energy efficiency by reducing heat loss and energy consumption, allowing for more efficient heating of the washing liquid while minimizing heat transfer to the washing compartment and items, thus enhancing the overall performance of the dishwasher.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation pump for circulating the washing liquid
Implementation Method 2
a water heater for heating the circulated washing liquid
Implementation Method 3
a spraying device for spraying the items to be washed with the circulated washing liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher having a washing compartment for items to be washed and a first circulation circuit to subject the items to a washing liquid. The first circulation circuit includes a circulation pump; a water heater; and a spraying device. The washing liquid is routed from the washing compartment to the pump and fed back into the washing compartment. A second circulation circuit has the circulation pump, the water heater and a mixture store with input and output openings. An output side of the pump has a branching point that flow controllers are assigned to to allow the washing liquid to circulate in the first circulation circuit and/or the second circulation circuit. In the second circulation circuit, the washing liquid is routed from the washing compartment to the pump, pumped into the mixture store via the input opening, and fed back into the washing compartment via the output opening.