Dishwasher Heat Pump Layout for Faster Water Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face inefficiencies in heating water, leading to prolonged washing times and energy loss, with complex configurations and additional heat exchange apparatuses required for waste heat recovery, which complicates the system and reduces operating efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a heat pump system that includes a compressor, evaporator, expansion apparatus, and condenser integrated within the dishwasher body, where the evaporator is positioned to preheat washing water before it enters the washing space, and the condenser is located inside the washing water storage unit to directly heat the water, eliminating the need for additional heat exchange apparatuses and reducing heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If washing water is heated using an electric heater, then washing water can be heated, but a relatively large amount of power is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers waste heat from discharged washing water and uses it to preheat fresh water supplied to the washing space. The heat pump system captures thermal energy that would otherwise be lost and converts it into useful heating capacity, thereby reducing the energy required by the electric heater and overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system preheats the fresh water supplied to the washing space using waste heat from discharged water. By performing this heating action in advance, the system reduces the heating load during the actual washing cycle, thereby reducing peak power consumption and overall energy usage.
2Productivity
If washing water heated to wash dishes is discharged to an outside of the dishwasher in a state having a high temperature, then washing can be performed, but energy loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the waste heat from discharged washing water and redirects it through a heat exchange system to preheat fresh water. This converts the harmful energy loss into a beneficial resource, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining washing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the thermal energy in hot discharged water, the system recovers this waste heat through a heat pump and heat exchanger arrangement. The recovered heat is then utilized to preheat incoming fresh water, thereby eliminating the energy waste that would otherwise occur during discharge.
3Loss of energy
If a plurality of heat exchange apparatuses and a long passage for the movement of washing water are configured separately from the dishwasher, then waste heat can be recovered, but the number of parts for heating of washing water and waste heat recovery and the size thereof are increased and the configuration and control thereof are complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heat pump system and heat exchange apparatuses within the dishwasher body rather than configuring them as separate external components. The condenser is positioned inside the washing water storage unit, and the evaporator is positioned to exchange heat with discharged water, merging multiple functions into a compact integrated system that reduces part count and simplifies control.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange components are nested within the dishwasher structure. The condenser is placed inside the washing water storage unit, and the evaporator is positioned to interact with the discharged water flow path. This nesting arrangement allows waste heat recovery functionality to be incorporated without increasing the overall footprint or requiring separate external apparatuses.
4Loss of energy
If washing water to be supplied is heated using the heat of the washing water discharged after a washing process or after a rinsing process, then waste heat can be recovered, but the washing water to be supplied cannot be preheated before the washing process and it takes a relatively long time to heat washing water
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system operates to preheat fresh water in the washing water storage unit before the washing process begins. By performing this heating action in advance using waste heat from previously discharged water, the system ensures that water is ready for use without extending the actual washing cycle time, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with on-demand heating.
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 configuration shortens heating time, reduces energy loss, and simplifies the system by integrating the heat pump components, allowing for efficient heating of washing water and effective waste heat recovery without additional heat exchange apparatuses, thus enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the evaporator is positioned to preheat washing water before it enters the washing space
Implementation Method 2
the condenser is located inside the washing water storage unit to directly heat the water
Implementation Method 3
in order to recover heat from washing water discharged from a dishwasher
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher having a heat pump, including a dishwasher body provided with a tub configured with a washing space therein and a sump provided at a bottom of the tub to temporarily accommodate washing water; a washing water storage unit provided in the dishwasher body to store washing water therein; a heat pump having a compressor, an evaporator, an expansion apparatus, and a condenser provided to exchange heat with the washing water of the washing water storage unit; and a controller that controls the heat pump to increase the temperature of the washing water of the washing water storage unit. As a result, a heating time of washing water may be shortened, thereby suppressing a time required for washing dishes from being prolonged.