Dishwasher Dual-Container Cooling System for Warm-Water Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers with warm water connections in countries like the USA cannot utilize energy-saving methods that involve cooling and reusing water for drying, as the water temperature matches the items and air, rendering existing methods ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A water-conducting domestic appliance with a dual container system, where a first container is thermally insulated to cool to ambient temperature and a second container is in thermal contact with the wash container, allowing water to be decanted for condensation and moisture extraction, even with only a warm water connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single warm water connection is used, then the appliance can be installed in countries with warm water infrastructure, but the water temperature matches the items and air making energy-saving drying methods ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The water storage system is divided into two separate containers: a first container for storing warm water from the warm water connection, and a second container for storing cooled water. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both warm water storage capability and cooled water availability simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between installation compatibility and drying energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cooling of water in the first container using a cooling device before transferring it to the second container. This preliminary action ensures that cooled water is ready in advance for the drying phase, enabling energy-saving drying even when the main water supply is warm
2Use of energy by moving object
If water is cooled to ambient temperature for energy-saving drying, then less energy is required for the next wash cycle, but the water temperature must be maintained separately from the wash container
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is extracted as a separate operational phase. The system cools water in the first container independently from the wash container, then transfers the cooled water to the second container for drying use. This extraction allows energy-saving drying without requiring continuous temperature separation during washing
Solution Approach 2:
The first container serves as an intermediary between the warm water supply and the drying process. It receives warm water, cools it to ambient temperature, and then transfers the cooled water to the second container, mediating the temperature transition without direct thermal contact with the wash container
3Temperature
If thermal insulation is applied to the first container, then water can be cooled efficiently to ambient temperature, but thermal contact with the wash container must be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
Different thermal characteristics are applied to different parts of the system: the first container is equipped with thermal insulation to enable efficient cooling to ambient temperature, while the second container maintains thermal contact with the wash container for heat exchange during drying. This local differentiation of thermal properties resolves the contradiction between cooling efficiency and thermal management complexity
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
Enables efficient cooling of water to ambient temperature, allowing for energy-saving drying by condensing moisture from the air, even when the dishwasher operates with warm water, thus accelerating the drying process without additional energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the water temperature to adjust to ambient temperature. To this end the first container is in thermal contact with its surroundings. For example at least part of the first container is made of a metal with a good thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 2
the efficiency of the exchange of heat with the surroundings
Implementation Method 3
the thermal insulation, which is configured for example as a polymer foam and conducts very little or no heat at all, thermally insulates the first container from the wash container
Implementation Method 4
the second container is in thermal contact with the wash container... at least part of the second container is made of a heat-conducting metal, at least part of the wash container also being made of heat-conducting metal, and these two metal parts being in thermal contact
Implementation Method 5
The part of the wash container cooled in this process is preferably a side wall of the wash container. Water from the warm and moist air in the wash container can then condense on an inner face of this side wall
Implementation Method 6
The decanting device to transfer the water from the first container into the second container can be configured as a valve, pump and/or siphon pump
Data Source
AI summary
A water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher, includes a wash container for holding items being washed, a first container and a second container for holding water. A a thermal insulation is arranged between the first container and the wash container. The second container is arranged in thermal contact with the wash container. A decanting device is provided for transferring the water from the first container into the second container to dry the items being washed.