Dishwasher Condensation Drying With Worktop Anti-Condensation Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers installed under kitchen worktops face issues with condensation forming on the underside of the worktop during the drying process, leading to potential damage due to the condensation of hot, moisture-laden air.

Innovation Solution

A method where dry, warm air is directed along the underside of the worktop before the dishwasher door is opened, preheating the area and increasing the dew point to prevent condensation, combined with a mechanism for controlled door opening to manage air flow and steam deflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the door is opened after the drying program to allow convection drying, then drying effectiveness is improved, but condensation forms on the worktop causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying effectivenessVSAvoidcondensation on worktop
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by opening the door slightly before the main drying program begins, allowing cool air to enter and pre-cool the worktop area. This preliminary cooling prevents condensation from forming on the worktop during subsequent drying operations, while still enabling effective convection drying when the door is opened fully after the program completes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by using a motor-driven locking plate that can adjust the door opening degree dynamically. The door can be opened to different extents at different times: slightly opened before drying to prevent condensation, and fully opened after drying to maximize drying effectiveness. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize both condensation prevention and drying performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the door is opened slightly before drying to prevent condensation, then worktop protection is improved, but drying capacity may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecondensation preventionVSAvoiddrying capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The door is opened slightly before the drying program begins as a preliminary action to allow cool air to enter and lower the temperature of the worktop area. This brief preliminary opening prevents condensation formation without significantly impacting the overall drying capacity, as the door is closed during the main drying phase to maintain heat and humidity for effective drying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic action by opening the door at specific intervals: slightly opened before drying to prevent condensation, closed during drying to maintain drying conditions, and fully opened after drying to maximize drying effectiveness. This periodic opening/closing cycle optimizes both condensation prevention and drying capacity by applying door opening at the most beneficial times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

Effectively prevents condensation on the worktop by maintaining a dew point below the worktop temperature, ensuring efficient drying within the dishwasher while protecting the kitchen unit from moisture damage.

Implementation Method 1

cooling air is sucked in by a fan in the lower area of the dishwasher and guided past the side surfaces of the washing container. As a result, the moisture from the warm, humid process air condenses inside the rinsing tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

cooling air is sucked in by a fan in the lower area of the dishwasher and guided past the side surfaces of the washing container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

the worktop edge is already exposed to dry, warm air before the door is opened ajar and is thus preheated. This increases the dew point and reliably prevents condensation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2120671B1Method for implementing a drying program section in washing equipment with a condensation drying device
Publication Date: 2012.08.22 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2120671B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2120671B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for implementing a drying program section in washing equipment, in particular in a domestic dishwasher (1), with a washing container (2), which can be closed on its front side by a door (3) mounted pivotably in the lower region, with an apparatus (19, 20) for automatically opening the door (3) to form a gap and with a condensation drying device, which contains means (13) for generating a cooling air flow (15). In order to improve the method such that the formation of condensation on the lower side of a worktop is reliably avoided, some (21) of the cooling air flow (15) is guided along part (12) of the lower side of a worktop (11), which covers the washing equipment casing (8) at the top, before and after the door (3) is opened to form a gap.