Dishwasher Sorption Dryer Airflow Conditioning for Uniform Desorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sorption drying devices in dishwashers face challenges in achieving uniform and efficient sorption and desorption of reversibly dehydratable materials, leading to incomplete drying and energy inefficiency, with issues of local overheating and uneven flow profiles.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a fan upstream of the sorption unit and a heating element between the fan and the sorption unit, combined with flow conditioning means to equalize the air flow cross-sectional profile, ensures a balanced and evenly distributed air flow, enhancing sorption and desorption performance while preventing local overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If a heater is arranged in front of the sorption column to heat air during desorption, then the washing compartment and dishes can be heated, but local overheating of the dry material occurs and uniform drying is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidlocal overheating
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is segmented into two distinct stages: first, the heater heats the air stream before it enters the sorption column; second, the heated air flows through the sorption material to desorb moisture. This segmentation prevents direct contact between the heater and sorption material, eliminating local overheating while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air stream acts as an intermediary medium that transfers thermal energy from the heater to the sorption material indirectly. The heater heats the air, which then serves as the heating agent for the sorption material during desorption, preventing direct thermal contact and localized overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If air flow is used to pass through the sorption column during drying, then moisture is removed from the air, but the flow cross-sectional profile is uneven leading to incomplete drying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying performanceVSAvoidflow uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow is pre-conditioned before entering the sorption column by ensuring uniform distribution across the inlet cross-section. This preliminary action of equalizing the flow profile ensures that all regions of the sorption material receive adequate air flow, preventing incomplete drying in any local area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If high temperature heating is applied to the sorption column for regeneration, then desorption of moisture is achieved, but energy efficiency is reduced and local overheating occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture removalVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating parameters are optimized by using moderate temperature heating of the air stream rather than direct high-temperature application to the sorption material. This parameter change achieves effective desorption while reducing energy consumption and preventing thermal damage to the material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 results in improved energy efficiency, complete drying of the sorption material, and increased sorption performance, ensuring consistent desorption capacity and adsorption capacity across the sorption unit, reducing energy wastage and maintaining material effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

at least one associated heating element for desorption is provided between the fan and the sorption unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

moisture is removed from the air passed through its reversibly dehydratable dry material by condensation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

at least one fan for generating an air flow is provided upstream of the sorption unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFan: Fan

Data Source

PatentEP2326233B1Dishwasher with sorption dryer device
Publication Date: 2016.01.06 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2326233B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2326233B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2326233B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The washing container (101) of a dishwasher is connected in an air-conducting fashion to a sorption dryer device (105). One or more flow-conditioning means (6) are provided for homogenizing the flow cross-section profile of the airflow (14) as it flows through the sorption dryer device (105).