Sorption Drying Compartment Layout for Uniform Dishwasher Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwasher machines with sorption drying systems face challenges in consistently and thoroughly drying reversibly dehydratable sorption materials during the desorption process, leading to inefficient energy use and potential overheating.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher machine design featuring a sorption compartment with a pot-type housing closed by a cover part, incorporating a coiled-tube heater and flow-conditioning elements to manage air flow and heat distribution, ensuring thorough and energy-efficient drying and regeneration of the sorption material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sorption material is heated to very high temperatures for desorption, then the drying material can be regenerated, but local overheating occurs and consistent adequate drying is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying consistencyVSAvoidtemperature uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The sorption compartment is divided into multiple heating zones with separate heating elements positioned at different locations within the compartment. This segmentation allows independent temperature control in different regions, preventing local overheating while ensuring uniform regeneration of the sorption material throughout the entire compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air is preheated before entering the sorption compartment through a dedicated preheating section. This preliminary heating action ensures that the air reaching the sorption material is at the optimal temperature, allowing for consistent and adequate drying without requiring excessive temperatures that would cause local overheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a heater is arranged upstream of the air inlet for air heating during desorption, then the sorption material can be regenerated, but energy efficiency is reduced and drying reliability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregeneration effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is merged into the air flow path itself, with heating elements positioned along the air flow channels within the sorption compartment. This integration ensures that heat is applied directly to the air and sorption material in the most efficient manner, maximizing regeneration effectiveness while minimizing energy consumption compared to separate preheating systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating elements are positioned to provide continuous heating along the entire air flow path through the sorption material. This continuous heating action ensures that all portions of the sorption material are uniformly regenerated, maintaining reliability while optimizing energy usage by eliminating the need for excessive preheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If the sorption compartment is not properly enclosed, then access is easier, but drying performance is reduced and energy efficiency is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoiddrying performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sorption compartment features selective enclosure with strategic openings positioned to optimize both accessibility and performance. The compartment is enclosed on sides where heat retention is critical, while incorporating accessible openings on opposite sides that allow easy access to the sorption material. This localized quality approach maintains drying performance through proper enclosure while providing ease of operation through strategically placed access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design enables reliable, thorough, and energy-efficient drying of items in the washing compartment, while also ensuring the sorption material is adequately regenerated for subsequent drying processes, preventing overheating and improving overall drying performance.

Implementation Method 1

moisture is removed from the air guided therethrough by the reversibly dehydratable drying material of said sorption column through condensation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

the reversibly dehydratable drying material thereof is heated to very high temperatures. Water stored in this material is thereby released as hot steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9034115B2Dishwasher machine comprising a sorption drying device

Publication Date: 2015.05.19 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A dishwasher having a washing compartment; an air-guiding channel to generate an airflow; and a sorption drying system to dry items to be washed. The sorption drying system has a sorption compartment with reversibly dehydratable sorption material and the sorption compartment is connected to the washing compartment by the air-guiding channel. The reversibly dehydratable sorption material in the sorption compartment is layered in form of a sorption unit that has an inlet cross-sectional area such that the substantially identical respective air volume flow value that is applied to each entry point of the inlet cross-sectional area.