Dishwasher Rinse Circuit Switching for Continuous Heat Pump Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dishwasher technologies face challenges in energy efficiency and operational reliability, particularly in the heating phase, which accounts for a significant share of energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method where washing liquor is alternately directed into multiple lines leading to spray devices, with a continuous operation of the condenser during multiple heating phases, allowing residual washing liquor to be reheated and reused, thereby optimizing energy use and reducing water consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the condenser is operated continuously during multiple heating phases with alternating spray device lines, then energy efficiency is improved through residual washing liquor reheating, but the device complexity increases due to multiple line switching requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The washing liquor supply system is segmented into multiple lines, each leading to different spray devices. The condenser operates continuously while a water diverter alternately directs washing liquor through different lines, allowing residual liquor in the condenser to be reheated and reused, improving energy efficiency without requiring multiple condensers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The condenser pre-heats washing liquor continuously before it reaches the spray devices. By maintaining continuous operation and alternating lines, the system prepares heated washing liquor in advance, and the residual heated liquor in the condenser is reused in subsequent cycles, reducing energy waste

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If washing liquor is alternately directed to multiple spray device lines with continuous condenser operation, then operational reliability is improved through extended heat pump circuit service life, but the loss of time increases due to line switching operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The condenser operates continuously without interruption during multiple heating phases, maintaining constant heat pump circuit operation. This continuous operation extends the service life of the heat pump components by avoiding repeated start-stop cycles, and the alternating line switching ensures washing liquor flow is maintained without interruption to the cleaning process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of energy

If the condenser operates continuously during alternating heating phases, then energy efficiency is enhanced through residual washing liquor reheating, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for the water diverter and line switching mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The water diverter is designed as a dynamic switching mechanism that alternately directs washing liquor between multiple lines leading to different spray devices. This dynamic switching allows the condenser to maintain continuous operation with residual washing liquor reheating, improving energy efficiency while the diverter's design accommodates the switching requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach enhances energy efficiency and operational reliability by minimizing energy waste and extending the service life of the heat pump circuit without compromising cleaning effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the condenser is operated continuously during the three heating phases, ie during the course of the first heating phase, the second heating phase and the further first heating phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the dishwasher draws in room air (supply air), which is passed through the evaporator of the heat pump and cooled. The thermal energy extracted from the room air is transferred to a working medium (evaporated refrigerant)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

the thermal energy extracted from the room air is transferred to a working medium (evaporated refrigerant), which is then compressed by the compressor and thus brought to a higher temperature level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

Finally, the hot refrigerant condenses on the condenser and heats up the wash water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP2682040B1Method for operating a dishwasher
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2682040B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2682040B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2682040B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The method involves guiding rinsing water into a conductor to be guided to a first spraying unit. First and second rinsing fleets are guided in the conductor that is guided to the spraying unit during a heat phase, where the rinsing fleet is heated by a condenser (12) of a heat pump circuit (9). A third rinsing fleet is guided in the conductor that is guided to second and third spraying units during another heat phase. The condenser is continuously operated during the three heating phases. The first and second spraying units are arranged in a rinsing chamber. An independent claim is also included for a dishwasher.