Dishwasher Multi-Chamber Tank Assembly for Heat Recovery and Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household dishwashers face inefficiencies in managing and utilizing washing liquid, particularly in heating and cooling processes, which affect energy consumption and drying efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multi-chamber tank arrangement with a first tank section for heating and a second tank section for cooling, connected via a liquid line, where the second tank section can be emptied to act as insulation, and filled with cold rinsing liquid to support drying by condensing water vapor, utilizing a heat pump arrangement to transfer heat efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the tank assembly is filled with washing liquid to warm it to environment temperature, then energy is saved, but heat transfer to the receiving space occurs during heating
Solution Approach 1:
The tank assembly is divided into a first tank section for heating and a second tank section that can be filled with cold rinsing liquid. This segmentation allows the system to perform both heating and cooling functions within the same assembly, enabling heat recovery from the cold rinsing liquid to pre-heat incoming water while the heated water from the first tank section is used to warm the receiving space, thereby reducing overall energy consumption without unwanted heat transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameters of the washing liquid in different tank sections. The first tank section contains heated washing liquid while the second tank section contains cold rinsing liquid. By controlling the temperature parameters in each section independently, the system optimizes heat transfer efficiency and prevents unwanted heat transfer to the receiving space during heating operations
2Productivity
If the second tank section is filled with cold rinsing liquid, then drying efficiency is improved through condensation, but the complexity of the tank arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank assembly is segmented into multiple functional sections: a first tank section for heating and a second tank section for storing cold rinsing liquid. This segmentation enables the second tank section to serve as a cooling source during drying cycles, where cold rinsing liquid absorbs heat from water vapor condensing on the tank walls, thereby improving drying efficiency. The segmented design allows independent control of heating and cooling functions without significantly increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tank assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: heating washing liquid in the first tank section, storing cold rinsing liquid in the second tank section, and acting as a heat exchanger during drying cycles. The second tank section serves both as a storage container and as an active cooling element during drying, demonstrating multi-functionality that improves productivity without proportionally increasing device 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
This configuration enhances energy management by minimizing heat transfer to the receiving space during heating, allows for effective cooling and drying by using cold rinsing liquid, and improves the overall efficiency of the washing and drying processes.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump arrangement through which a heat transfer medium flows during its operation, wherein the heat pump arrangement comprises, among other things, an evaporator with the aid of which heat can be transferred from the washing liquid to the heat transfer medium
Implementation Method 2
the evaporator is arranged at least in section within the first tank section or is in heat-conducting contact with it... through which air can flow into the second tank section when it is completely or partially emptied via the drain
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic dishwasher (1) comprising a receiving area (2) for receiving items to be washed (3) and comprising a tank assembly (4) for receiving dishwashing fluid (5). The domestic dishwasher (1) is characterized in that the tank assembly (4) comprises at least one first tank section (6) with an inlet (7), via which the tank assembly (4) can be supplied with dishwashing fluid (5), and the tank assembly (4) comprises at least one second tank section (8) with a outlet (9), via which dishwashing fluid (5) present in the tank assembly (4) can exit the tank assembly (4), wherein the first tank section (6) and the second tank section (8) are fluidically connected together and are arranged fluidically in series such that dishwashing fluid (5) present in the first tank section (6) is displaced into the second tank section (8) when additional dishwashing fluid (5) is introduced into the first tank section (6) via the inlet (7). The invention additionally relates to a method for operating a domestic dishwasher (1).