Suspended Sorption Drying Unit Layout for Dishwasher Heat Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwasher sorption drying systems face challenges in adequately and efficiently drying reversibly dehydratable sorption material, leading to incomplete drying and potential overheating during the desorption process.

Innovation Solution

The sorption container is arranged in a largely freely suspended manner below the base of the washing compartment with a predetermined minimum gap distance from adjacent components for heat protection, allowing for improved air flow and efficient drying during the sorption process and gentle regeneration during desorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the sorption container is placed close to the base for compact accommodation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sorption material cannot be adequately dried and may overheat during desorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoiddrying reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sorption container is suspended below the base in the vertical dimension, creating a freely hanging arrangement with gap distances to adjacent components. This spatial reconfiguration in the vertical direction enables adequate heat protection and air circulation for reliable drying while maintaining compact horizontal footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The sorption container is divided into separate functional zones: a drying zone with sorption material accessible to moist air from the washing compartment, and a desorption zone heated by a heating element. The container walls act as thermal insulation layers separating these zones, enabling independent control of drying and regeneration processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a heater is placed in front of the sorption column for air heating during desorption, then the drying performance is improved, but local overheating of the sorption material occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying performanceVSAvoidlocal temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is positioned in the lower region of the sorption container rather than in front of the entire column. This localized heating approach concentrates thermal energy in the desorption zone where moisture needs to be removed, while the upper drying zone remains cooler to prevent overheating of the sorption material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The container walls with thermal insulation layers act as intermediaries that distribute and regulate heat flow within the sorption container. These walls prevent direct thermal contact between the heating element and the sorption material, allowing controlled heat transfer that avoids local overheating while maintaining effective desorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the sorption container is freely suspended with gap distances, then heat protection and adequate drying are achieved, but the device requires more complex mounting structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat protectionVSAvoidmounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container walls themselves provide thermal insulation functionality, eliminating the need for separate insulation components. The freely suspended arrangement with gap distances to adjacent components creates natural thermal barriers, allowing the structure to protect against overheating through its own geometric configuration rather than additional protective elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 arrangement ensures reliable, energy-efficient drying of items and proper regeneration of the sorption material, preventing overheating and enhancing the overall drying performance of the dishwasher.

Implementation Method 1

a sorption drying system TS for drying items to be washed, the sorption drying system having at least one sorption compartment SB with reversibly dehydratable sorption material SE

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSorption: Sorption

Implementation Method 2

at least one heating device HZ, with which an equivalent heating power of between 250 and 2500 W, in particular between 1000 and 1800 W, preferably between 1200 and 1500 W, can be provided for heating the sorption material for its desorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

Water stored in this material escapes as hot water vapor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

moist air from the washing compartment of the dishwasher is passed through the sorption column by means of a blower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2317906B1Dishwasher comprising a sorption drying unit
Publication Date: 2012.01.25 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2317906B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2317906B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2317906B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to the drying unit of a dishwasher (GS), which comprises at least one sorption container (SB) containing a sorption material (ZEO) that can be reversibly dehydrated. Said sorption container is connected to the tub (SPB) of the dishwasher via at least one air-conducting channel (LK). The sorption container (SB) is arranged below the bottom (BO) of the tub (SPB) in a substantially suspended manner such that it has a maximum gap distance (LSP) in relation to adjacent components and/or parts of a bottom assembly (BG) to provide heat protection.