DE102020213871A1 - Household dishwasher and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a household dishwasher (1) with a washing container (2) which encloses a washing chamber (4) and an expansion system (17) which is fluidly connected to the washing chamber (4) for expanding an expansion system in the washing chamber (4). Overpressure during a rinsing process, the expansion system (17) being cooled with the aid of fresh water (F) in order to cool the air and/or steam (D) conveyed into the expansion system (17) from the rinsing chamber (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a domestic dishwasher and a method for operating such a domestic dishwasher.

A dishwasher has a washing compartment for receiving items to be washed. Fresh water is heated during a rinsing process. The heating of the fresh water can cause an overpressure in the rinsing tank. This overpressure can be compensated for via an expansion opening. In this case, warm air and/or steam flows out of the washing container through the expansion opening and reaches a base support of the dishwasher, where normal pressure prevails, via an expansion channel. In this way, the steam can condense in the expansion channel.

the DE 10 2008 020 922 A1 describes a dishwasher with a washing compartment and an expansion line, the first end of which establishes a connection to a washing compartment of the washing compartment and through which water vapor and/or air can be routed out of the washing compartment during a pressure equalization process. The expansion line is led with its second line end into an expansion housing having at least one condensation surface.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved domestic dishwasher.

Accordingly, a household dishwasher is proposed with a washing container which encloses a washing chamber and an expansion system which is fluidly connected to the washing chamber for reducing an overpressure prevailing in the washing chamber during a washing process, the expansion system being cooled with the aid of fresh water in order to Flushing room in the expansion system funded air and / or steam to cool.

Due to the fact that the expansion system is cooled with the help of the fresh water, on the one hand it can be achieved that there is a negative pressure in the expansion system in relation to the surroundings of the household dishwasher, as a result of which the air and/or the steam are conveyed from the washing compartment into the expansion system, and on the other hand improved condensation of moisture from the air and/or the vapor in the expansion system can be achieved. This reduces the formation of condensate in the vicinity of the domestic dishwasher, for example on or in a piece of furniture in which the domestic dishwasher is installed.

The washing compartment is in particular cube-shaped or cuboid-shaped. The washing compartment comprises a base, a cover arranged opposite the base, a rear wall and two side walls arranged opposite one another. The rinsing compartment can be closed with the aid of a door pivotably mounted on the rinsing compartment. The door is arranged opposite the rear wall in a closed state. The expansion system is preferably arranged outside the rinsing tank. For example, the expansion system is attached to the outside of the rinsing tank.

In the present case, the fact that the washing compartment “encloses” the washing compartment means that the washing compartment and the closed door delimit the washing compartment. That is, the rinsing space is provided inside the rinsing tank. The fact that the expansion system is in “fluid connection” with the scavenging space means here that the air and/or the vapor can flow from the scavenging space into the expansion system. The overpressure is generated in particular by the fact that fresh water is heated during the flushing process.

In the present case, the fact that the expansion system is “cooled” with the help of the fresh water means that the fresh water is conducted through the expansion system or past it. This transfers heat from the air and/or steam to the fresh water. Furthermore, fresh water can also come into direct contact with the air and/or the steam. This can be done, for example, by spraying the fresh water into the air and/or the steam.

According to one embodiment, the expansion system comprises a spray device for spraying the fresh water into the air and/or the steam.

The spray device can have one or more spray nozzles. With the aid of the spray device, the fresh water is finely distributed in the air and/or the steam, as a result of which the air and/or the steam is cooled.

According to a further embodiment, the expansion system comprises an expansion housing which is accommodated at least in sections in a base support of the domestic dishwasher.

In particular, the base support carries the washing container. The base support is box-shaped and can hold components of the household dishwasher, such as a drain pump, a sump or a control unit. The base support is preferably a plastic injection molded component.

According to a further embodiment, the expansion housing comprises at least one wall with a cavity through which the fresh water is passed.

A fresh water inlet and a fresh water outlet can be provided for this purpose. The wall can be a bottom of the expansion housing, for example. The wall is interposed in particular in a fresh water supply line of the domestic dishwasher. For example, a water inlet system or a heat exchanger of the domestic dishwasher can be provided downstream of the wall.

According to a further embodiment, the expansion housing includes an air outlet through which dry air can be discharged.

In addition, the air outlet can be used to ensure that there is ambient pressure in the expansion housing.

According to a further embodiment, the expansion housing comprises an inlet connector running at least in sections along the washing compartment, which is in fluid communication with the washing chamber via an opening provided in the washing compartment.

For example, the inlet connector runs along one of the side walls of the washing compartment. The inlet connector preferably includes an inlet opening which is flanged to the opening of the washing compartment. The opening of the flush tank is, or may be referred to as, an expansion opening.

According to a further embodiment, the domestic dishwasher further comprises a heat exchanger attached to the washing tank, which is part of the expansion system.

The heat exchanger is not necessarily part of the expansion system. The heat exchanger can be attached to one of the side walls of the washing compartment, for example. With the help of the heat exchanger, heat can be introduced into the fresh water from the wash cabinet.

According to a further embodiment, the domestic dishwasher further comprises a water inlet system attached to the washing tank, which is part of the expansion system.

A water intake system can be used in place of the heat exchanger. In comparison to the heat exchanger, the water inlet system only feeds the fresh water to a softener and/or the washing container. There is also a fresh water duct here, which can be used to cool the air and/or the steam conveyed from the rinsing chamber into the expansion system.

According to a further embodiment, an expansion channel which is in fluid communication with the scavenging chamber and through which the air and/or the steam can be conducted is provided.

The expansion channel can be part of the heat exchanger. The expansion channel can also be part of the water intake system. The expansion channel can also be an existing component of the domestic dishwasher. The expansion channel is cooled in particular with the help of the fresh water. For this purpose, the fresh water can be routed along the expansion channel.

According to a further embodiment, the expansion channel comprises at least one wall which is cooled with the aid of fresh water introduced into the heat exchanger.

Preferably, the heat exchanger includes a fresh water channel located adjacent to the expansion channel. The wall separates the fresh water channel from the expansion channel. The vapor condenses on the wall. In the event that the expansion channel is part of the water inlet system, the expansion channel also comprises at least one wall which is cooled with the aid of fresh water introduced into the water inlet system.

According to a further embodiment, the expansion channel is in fluid connection with an air outlet through which dry air can be discharged.

The air outlet can also be used to ensure pressure equalization between the surroundings of the domestic dishwasher and the expansion channel.

Furthermore, a method for operating such a domestic dishwasher is proposed, in which an overpressure prevailing during a washing process in a washing chamber of the domestic dishwasher is relieved with the aid of an expansion system, and in which the expansion system is cooled with the aid of fresh water in order to extract water from the washing chamber into to cool the air and/or steam conveyed by the expansion system.

It is in particular possible to cool the expansion system with fresh water only when the excess pressure in the washing compartment is at its highest. This is advantageous in that only the overpressure phases are critical with regard to leaks and the fresh water is not necessary for cooling in non-critical phases and therefore does not have to be heated. This increases the energy efficiency of the domestic dishwasher. It is also sufficient to use a few 100 ml of fresh water in critical overpressure phases or heating phases. This is advantageous in that the use of larger amounts of fresh water can be disadvantageous for the energy consumption of the household dishwasher, since these amounts also have to be heated in order to reach the washing temperature in the heating phase.

Further possible implementations of the household dishwasher and/or the method also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. The person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the domestic dishwasher and/or the method.

• 1 zeigt eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform einer Haushalts-Geschirrspülmaschine;
• 2 zeigt eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Expansionssystems für die Haushalts-Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß 1;
• 3 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht des Expansionssystems gemäß 2;
• 4 zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht des Expansionssystems gemäß 2;
• 5 zeigt eine schematische Schnittansicht des Expansionssystems gemäß der Schnittlinie V-V der 4;
• 6 zeigt eine weitere schematische perspektivische Ansicht der Haushalts-Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß 1;
• 7 zeigt eine weitere schematische perspektivische Ansicht der Haushalts-Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß 1; und
• 8 zeigt die Detailansicht IIX gemäß 7.

Further advantageous refinements and aspects of the domestic dishwasher and/or the method are the subject matter of the subclaims and the exemplary embodiment of the domestic dishwasher and/or the method described below. The domestic dishwasher and/or the method are explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures.

• 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a domestic dishwasher;
• 2 FIG. 12 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an expansion system for the household dishwasher according to FIG 1 ;
• 3 shows a schematic front view of the expansion system according to FIG 2 ;
• 4 shows a schematic side view of the expansion system according to FIG 2 ;
• 5 shows a schematic sectional view of the expansion system according to section line VV 4 ;
• 6 FIG. 12 shows a further schematic perspective view of the domestic dishwasher according to FIG 1 ;
• 7 FIG. 12 shows a further schematic perspective view of the domestic dishwasher according to FIG 1 ; and
• 8th shows the detailed view according to IIX 7 .

Elements that are the same or have the same function have been provided with the same reference symbols in the figures, unless otherwise stated.

the 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a domestic dishwasher 1. The domestic dishwasher 1 comprises a washing container 2, which can be closed via a door 3, in particular watertight. For this purpose, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2 . The washing compartment 2 is preferably cuboid. The washing compartment 2 can be arranged in a housing of the domestic dishwasher 1 . The washing compartment 2 and the door 3 can form a washing chamber 4 for washing items to be washed.

Door 3 is in the 1 shown in their open position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3 . With the help of the door 3, a loading opening 6 of the washing compartment 2 can be closed or opened. The washing compartment 2 has a base 7, a cover 8 arranged opposite the base 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The bottom 7, the top 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be made from a stainless steel sheet, for example. The bottom 7 can alternatively be made of a plastic material, for example.

The household dishwasher 1 also has at least one washware holder 12 to 14 . Preferably, several, for example three, washware holders 12 to 14 can be provided, with the washware holder 12 being a lower washware holder or a lower rack, the washware holder 13 being an upper washware holder or an upper rack and the washware holder 14 being a cutlery drawer. As the 1 further shows that the washing items receptacles 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the washing compartment 2 . Each washware holder 12 to 14 can be moved either into or out of the washing compartment 2 . In particular, each washware receptacle 12 to 14 can be pushed or moved into the washing compartment 2 in an insertion direction E and pulled out or moved out of the washing compartment 2 in an extension direction A counter to the insertion direction E.

The washing compartment 2 is arranged on a base support 15 of the domestic dishwasher 1 . The base support 15 is box-shaped and can accommodate components of the household dishwasher 1, such as a sump, a drain pump or the like. The base support 15 can be a plastic injection molded component, for example.

Fresh water is heated up during a rinsing process in the domestic dishwasher 1 . As a result, an overpressure can arise in the washing chamber 4 . To compensate for this excess pressure, the washing container 2 can have an expansion opening. Warm air and/or steam then flows out of the expansion opening and reaches the base support 15 via an expansion channel, where normal pressure prevails. The steam can condense on its way through the expansion channel. However, the excess pressure can also be compensated for at least partially via leaks, essentially at a lower edge 16 of the door 3 . This can result in the escaping steam condensing in unfavorable places, such as a panel or a piece of furniture in which the domestic dishwasher 1 is installed. If the domestic dishwasher 1 is installed high, the steam escapes to the front even more favorably, since the closed niche and the surrounding screens create an almost hermetically sealed space around the domestic dishwasher 1 . This needs to be improved.

the 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an expansion system 17 for the domestic dishwasher 1. FIG 3 shows a schematic front view of the expansion system 17. The 4 shows a schematic side view of the expansion system 17. The 5 shows a schematic sectional view of the expansion system 17 according to the section line VV of FIG 4 . the 6 shows a further schematic perspective view of the domestic dishwasher 1 2 until 6 referenced at the same time.

The expansion system 17 is suitable for reducing an overpressure prevailing in the rinsing chamber 4 during a rinsing process. For this purpose, the expansion system 17 is in fluid connection with the flushing chamber 4 . This means that air and/or steam D can flow into the expansion system 17 from the flushing chamber 4 . The expansion system 17 comprises a box-shaped expansion housing 18 which is accommodated in the base support 15 at least in sections. The expansion housing 18 comprises a plurality of walls 19 to 24. Wall 19 is a rear wall, wall 20 is a front wall, wall 21 is a first side wall, wall 22 is a second side wall, wall 23 is a floor and wall 24 is a top of the expansion housing 18.

The expansion housing 18 is preferably a plastic component. For example, the expansion housing 18 can be a blow molded component or a plastic injection molded component. The expansion housing 18 can be composed of several components, for example two half-shells. At least one of the walls 19 to 24, in this case the wall 23, comprises a cavity 25 through which fresh water F is passed in order to cool the respective wall 19 to 24. Preferably only the wall 23 has such a cavity 25 . Alternatively, however, the other walls 19 to 22, 24 can also have such a cavity 25. In the following, however, it is assumed that only the wall 23 includes such a cavity 25 .

The expansion housing 18 comprises a fresh water inlet 26 for supplying the fresh water F to the wall 23 and a fresh water outlet 27 for removing the fresh water F a heat exchanger or a water intake system. That means, in particular, that the wall 23 is interposed with a fresh water inlet of the domestic dishwasher 1 . The expansion housing 18 further includes an air outlet 28 which may be provided on the wall 20 . Dry air L can be discharged from the expansion housing 18 via the air outlet 28 .

An inlet connection 29 is also provided on the expansion housing 18, which, as in FIG 6 shown, runs from the base support 15 at least in sections along the washing compartment 2 to an opening 30 provided in the washing compartment 2 . Port 30 may be or may be referred to as an expansion port as previously mentioned. The inlet connector 29 or the expansion system 17 is in fluid connection with the scavenging chamber 4 via the opening 30 . The inlet connector 29 includes an inlet opening 31 which is flanged to the opening 30 . The inlet connector 29 can open into the expansion housing 18 at the wall 24 . The expansion housing 18 encloses an interior space 32.

A spray device 33, for example a spray nozzle or a plurality of spray nozzles, can optionally be provided on or in the interior space 32 be which is suitable for spraying or injecting the fresh water F into the air and/or the steam D. In this way, the air and/or the steam D can be cooled.

The operation of the expansion system 17 is explained below. As mentioned above, the heating of the fresh water F creates an overpressure in the washing chamber 4. This overpressure ensures that warm air and/or steam D is conveyed from the washing tank 2 via the inlet connection 29 into the interior 32 of the expansion housing 18. Since at least the wall 23 is cooled with the help of the fresh water F, condensate K from the air and/or the steam D condenses on a surface 34 of the wall 23 that is cooled by the fresh water F. The surface 34 is oriented in the direction of the interior 32. The air L that has been freed from moisture is discharged to the environment via the air outlet 28 . The condensate K can also be drained off via the wall 23 and then via the fresh water outlet 27 . The air and/or the steam D gives off heat to the fresh water F, causing it to heat up.

With the help of the cooling of the wall 23 by the fresh water F, a negative pressure can also be generated in the interior 32, which ensures that the warm air and/or the steam D is conveyed from the washing compartment 4 into the interior 32. This means that not only the overpressure in the scavenging chamber 4 but also the negative pressure in the interior 32 ensures that the air and/or the vapor D is conveyed from the scavenging chamber 4 into the expansion housing 18 . At the same time, the condensation in the area of the wall 23 can be improved by the cooling with the aid of the fresh water F.

The expansion system 17 is fluidically coupled to the washing compartment 2 outside the washing compartment 2 via the opening 30 . The expansion system 17 can be open to the outside, for example with the help of the air outlet 28, so that there is normal pressure in the interior 32. As a result, a pressure equalization can also take place without fresh water F flowing in. In the phases in which most of the warm air and/or steam D escapes from leaks in the area of the door 3, i.e. the overpressure in the washing compartment 4 is greatest, the pressure equalization via the expansion system 17 can be improved by cold fresh water F in the expansion system 17 is added or is routed past it, so that at least the wall 23 and the air in the interior 32 cool down. The cooling of the air creates a negative pressure in the interior 32, as a result of which a pressure equalization takes place via the expansion system 17 rather than via leaks. Thus, less warm air and/or vapor D escapes from the leaks. Because of the temperature difference, the vapor condenses. The condensate K is retained in the expansion housing 18 or optionally returned.

The fresh water F can also be added directly to the expansion system 17 with the aid of the spray device 33 . This improves the cooling effect again. The expansion system 17 is preferably arranged in the base support 15 at least in sections. The expansion system 17 is fluidically connected to the scavenging chamber 4 via the inlet connector 29 and the opening 30 . The wall 23 is preferably interposed in a water supply hose, so that the fresh water F first flows through the wall 23 at the water inlet and then enters the washing container 2 through a softener and heat exchanger or a water inlet.

In the case of the water inlet, the design or suitable valves can optionally be used to regulate whether the fresh water F flowing in freshly reaches the heat exchanger. In this way it can be avoided that this fresh water F, which has already been preheated by the warm air and/or the steam D, also has to be heated at the same time. The air outlet 28 ensures that a pressure equalization takes place even without fresh cold fresh water F flowing in.

the 7 shows a further schematic perspective view of the domestic dishwasher 1 with a further embodiment of an expansion system 17 as explained above 8th shows the detailed view IIX according to FIG 7 . The following will refer to the 7 and 8th referenced at the same time.

In this case the expansion system 17 comprises a heat exchanger 35 as previously mentioned or a water inlet system. The heat exchanger 35 is attached to the washing compartment 2 , for example to the side wall 10 of the washing compartment 2 . Fresh water F can be supplied to the heat exchanger 35 via a fresh water inlet 36 . The expansion system 17 comprises an expansion channel 37 which is in fluid communication with the washing chamber 4 via the previously mentioned opening 30 of the washing container 2 . The expansion channel 37 can also be an integral part of the heat exchanger 35 .

Air and/or steam D emerging from the washing compartment 4 is passed through the expansion channel 37 . A fresh water channel 38 through which the fresh water F flows is provided adjacent to the expansion channel 37 . The fresh thing Serkanal 38 is separated from the expansion channel 37 by a wall 39. The wall 39 is cooled with the help of the fresh water F, so that condensate K from the air and/or the steam D condenses on the wall 39 . Dry air L, freed of moisture, exits the expansion system 17 via an air outlet 40 . The air outlet 40 opens into the base support 15. The aim is to let out the dry air L into the base support 15.

To improve the pressure equalization and the condensation, fresh water F is preferably introduced into the heat exchanger 35 in the critical overpressure phases. A few 100 ml of fresh water F, possibly at intervals, can be sufficient to cool the air and/or the steam D in the expansion channel 37 and thus improve the pressure equalization and the condensation. Possibly, the expansion channel 37 can be redesigned due to the improved condensation, so that there is less pressure resistance than through the leaks at the door 3 .

Advantageously, the escape of air and/or steam D via the leaks, in particular on a peripheral door seal or in the area of the lower edge 16 of the door 3, can be prevented or at least significantly reduced. This prevents or reduces fogging of a piece of furniture in which the domestic dishwasher 1 is installed. A vapor barrier can be dispensed with if necessary. If the domestic dishwasher 1 is built in high, a targeted pressure equalization can take place despite the greater pressure resistance. The condensation of the condensate K from the warm air and/or the steam D can also take place in a targeted manner when there is a large escape of steam.

In a method for operating the domestic dishwasher 1, the overpressure prevailing during a washing process in the washing chamber 4 of the domestic dishwasher 1 is reduced with the aid of the expansion system 17, with the expansion system 17 being cooled with the aid of fresh water F in order to allow the washing chamber 4 cool in the expansion system 17 funded air and / or steam D.

It is in particular possible to cool the expansion system 17 with fresh water F only when the excess pressure in the washing compartment 4 is at its greatest. This is advantageous in that only the overpressure phases are critical with regard to leaks and the fresh water F is not necessary for cooling in non-critical phases and therefore does not have to be heated either. This increases the energy efficiency of the domestic dishwasher.

It is sufficient to use a few 100 ml of fresh water F in critical overpressure phases or heating phases. This is advantageous in that the use of larger amounts of fresh water F can be disadvantageous for the energy consumption of the household dishwasher 1, since these amounts also have to be heated in order to reach the washing temperature in the heating phase.

Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways.

Reference List

1

domestic dishwasher

2

flush tank

3

door

4

dishwashing room

5

pivot axis

6

loading opening

7

floor

8th

ceiling

9

back panel

10

Side wall

11

Side wall

12

items to be washed

13

items to be washed

14

items to be washed

15

base carrier

16

bottom edge

17

expansion system

18

expansion housing

19

wall

20

wall

21

wall

23

wall

24

wall

25

cavity

26

fresh water inlet

27

fresh water drain

28

air outlet

29

inlet port

30

opening

31

intake port

32

inner space

33

spray device

34

surface

35

heat exchanger

36

fresh water inlet

37

expansion channel

38

freshwater canal

39

wall

40

air outlet

A

pull direction

D

air and/or steam

E

insertion direction

f

fresh water

K

condensate

L

Air

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102008020922 A1 [0003]

Claims (12)

Domestic dishwasher (1) with a washing container (2) which encloses a washing chamber (4) and an expansion system (17) fluidly connected to the washing chamber (4) for reducing an overpressure prevailing in the washing chamber (4) during a washing process , wherein the expansion system (17) is cooled with the aid of fresh water (F) in order to cool the air and/or steam (D) conveyed into the expansion system (17) from the washing chamber (4). Household dishwasher after claim 1 , characterized in that the expansion system (17) comprises a spray device (33) for spraying the fresh water (F) into the air and/or the steam (D). Household dishwasher after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the expansion system (17) comprises an expansion housing (18) which is accommodated at least in sections in a base support (15) of the domestic dishwasher (1). Household dishwasher after claim 3 , characterized in that the expansion housing (18) comprises at least one wall (19 - 24) with a cavity (25) through which the fresh water (F) is passed. Household dishwasher after claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that the expansion housing (18) comprises an air outlet (28) through which dry air (L) can be discharged. Household dishwasher according to any of claims 3 - 5 , characterized in that the expansion housing (18) comprises an inlet connector (29) running at least in sections along the washing container (2) and being in fluid connection with the washing chamber (4) via an opening (30) provided in the washing container (2). Household dishwasher after claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchanger (35) attached to the rinsing tank (2) which is part of the expansion system (17). Household dishwasher after claim 1 , further comprising a water inlet system attached to the rinsing tank (2), which is part of the expansion system (17). Household dishwasher after claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that an expansion channel (37) which is in fluid connection with the scavenging chamber (4) is provided and through which the air and/or the steam (D) can be passed. Household dishwasher after claim 9 , characterized in that the expansion channel (37) comprises at least one wall (39) which is cooled with the aid of fresh water (F) introduced into the heat exchanger (35). Household dishwasher after claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that the expansion channel (37) is in fluid communication with an air outlet (40) through which dry air (L) can be discharged. Method for operating a domestic dishwasher (1), wherein an overpressure prevailing during a washing process in a washing compartment (4) of the domestic dishwasher (1) is reduced with the aid of an expansion system (17), and wherein the expansion system (17) is is cooled by fresh water (F) in order to cool the air and/or steam (D) conveyed from the rinsing chamber (4) into the expansion system (17).

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