Dishwasher comprising heat pump system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher heat pump systems inefficiently dry dishes due to cooling of air during the drying phase, which prolongs the drying time and increases energy consumption, and require a hot rinse phase that further increases power usage.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system in a dishwasher that can be switched between two configurations, using a compressor, first and second condensers, and an evaporator connected by pipes, with valves controlled by a unit to direct the working medium for efficient water heating during washing and air dehumidification and heating during drying, along with passages for ambient and humid air to enhance cooling and condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the evaporator is used to condensate water steam during the drying phase, then the dehumidification efficiency is improved, but the air temperature is cooled down which negatively affects the drying process
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the drying process into two distinct phases with different heat pump configurations: a dehumidification phase where the evaporator cools air to condense moisture, and a heating phase where the heated air is returned to the washing chamber to maintain temperature for effective drying. This segmentation allows each phase to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system dynamically switches between different operational configurations during the drying phase. The control unit adjusts the system to first prioritize dehumidification by directing cooled air through the evaporator, then transitions to prioritize heating by directing heated air back into the washing chamber, creating a dynamic balance between moisture removal and temperature maintenance.
2Productivity
If a hot rinse phase is used to heat dishing goods and speed up drying, then the drying speed is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system maintains continuous useful action throughout the drying phase by continuously circulating and heating air through the washing chamber. Instead of using a separate hot rinse phase to temporarily heat dishes, the system continuously provides warm air that gradually dries dishes over the entire drying phase, eliminating energy-intensive heating cycles while maintaining effective drying speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own heated air to dry the dishes rather than requiring external hot water rinsing. The heat pump heats the air in the washing chamber, and this heated air naturally circulates and dries the dishes, making the drying process self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional energy-consuming hot rinse operations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the heat pump system heats dishing water during the dishing phase, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to multiple configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both the dishing phase and the drying phase effectively. The same heat pump components (compressor, condenser, evaporator) are used for both heating water during washing and dehumidifying/heating air during drying, eliminating the need for separate heating systems and reducing overall system complexity despite the dual-phase functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic configuration switching through control valves that redirect the refrigerant flow based on the operational phase. During the dishing phase, the refrigerant flows through the condenser to heat water; during the drying phase, the flow is redirected through the evaporator to cool and dehumidify air. This dynamic switching allows a single system to perform multiple functions without requiring permanently installed complex dual-system architecture.
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
The system reduces power consumption and shortens drying time by improving air dehumidification and heating, allowing for the elimination or reduction of the hot rinse phase, and acts as an air conditioner to cool the kitchen.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (41), arranged to compress a working medium
Implementation Method 2
a first condenser (42) arranged to heat the dishing water
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator (43) arranged to cool ambient air or humid air
Implementation Method 4
the evaporator (43) arranged to cool ambient air or humid air... the second passage (47) arranged to lead humid air from the washing chamber past the evaporator during operation in the second configuration to condensate the humid air
Implementation Method 5
a second condenser (51) arranged to heat the dehumidified air
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dishwasher (20) comprising: a washing chamber in which dishing goods are packed in one or more baskets; a water circulation system (30); and a heat pump system (40) comprising a compressor (41), a first condenser (42), a second condenser (51) and an evaporator (43); wherein the heat pump system is switchable between a first configuration, used during a dishing phase, in which the compressor (41) is connected to the first condenser (42) arranged to heat the dishing water and the evaporator (43) arranged to cool air ambient the washing chamber, and a second configuration, used during a drying phase, in which the evaporator (43) is arranged to cool humid air from the washing chamber to condensate water from the air and the compressor (41) is connected to the second condenser (51) arranged to heat the dehumidified air.