EP1827198B2 - Dishwashing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A dishwashing machine is provided with a washing compartment and with devices for washing dishes using a washing solution as well as with a sorption drying device, which is connected to the washing compartment in an air-conducting manner via an outlet of the washing compartment and via an inlet of the washing compartment and which comprises a sorption column containing reversibly dehydratable material, the outlet of the washing compartment being connected to the sorption drying device via an air duct. In order to obtain an optimized sorption drying device, the air duct is provided, at least in part, in the form of a condensing surface.

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher with a rinsing container and devices for rinsing dishes by means of rinsing liquor and with a Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung which is connected to the rinsing air-conducting via an outlet of the rinsing and an inlet of the rinse and having a sorption column with reversibly dehydratable material. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a dishwasher.

Conventional dishwashing machines are known to have a rinsing process whose program sequence generally consists of at least one partial program step "pre-rinsing", one sub-program step "cleaning", at least one subprogram step "intermediate rinsing", one subprogram step "rinsing" and one subprogram step "drying". To increase the cleaning effect while the rinsing liquid is heated before or during a Teilprogrammschrittes. The heating of the rinsing liquid is usually carried out by means of electric heaters. For drying the items to be washed in a dishwasher different drying systems are known.

So is out of the DE 20 16 831 a dishwashing machine of the type mentioned, in which the air is passed from the washing container via a closable opening in the wall of the washing container on reversibly dehydratable material and from there via an opening to the outside. The desorption of the reversible dehydratable material takes place during the stoppage phase of the device, wherein the resulting water vapor is passed through the opening to the outside. The dishwasher described is disadvantageous from an energetic point of view, since the regeneration of the reversibly dehydratable material takes place during a standstill phase of the device, thus at a time when none of the partial program steps described above is performed. A further disadvantage is that damage to the surrounding kitchen furniture can not be ruled out by discharging the water vapor produced during the regeneration of the reversibly dehydratable material to the outside. The regeneration is associated with an additional energy requirement, which is incurred in addition to the energy required during the sub-program steps.

To keep the energy consumption when operating a dishwasher as low as possible, is from the DE 103 53 774.0 the Applicant discloses a dishwasher with a rinsing container and devices for rinsing crockery by means of rinsing, which has a sorptionskolonne containing air-conducting, reversibly dehydratable material containing the rinsing, wherein the sorption on the one hand for drying the dishes and on the other hand for the desorption of the sorption used thermal energy Heating the rinsing liquor and / or the dishes located in the washing container is at least partially used.

To solve the same problem suggests the DE 103 53 775.9 the applicant, for operating a device in the at least one partial program step "drying" air from a treatment room and / or from ambient air through a sorption column and into the treatment room to guide, wherein the sorbent column contains reversible dehydratable material and the air withdraws moisture during the passage ,

By using reversibly dehydratable material with hygroscopic property, e.g. Zeolite, a heating of the material to be treated in the preceding part program step "drying" partial program step is normally no longer necessary. As a result, a considerable energy saving is possible.

From the EP 0 358 279 B1 a dishwashing machine with a closed drying system is known in which the air circulates from the washing container via a regenerable by heating drying device and from this back into the washing. The drying device is assigned to the heater arranged outside the washing compartment for the washing liquor, preferably a continuous flow heater. The outlet of the washing container is located in the ceiling of the washing container, while the inlet is integrated in the washing tub of the washing container. The outlet of the washing container is connected via an air duct with the Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung. After the sorption drying device is assigned to the heater for the wash liquor, this is arranged in an area below the wash tub.

All the arrangements described above have in common that the integration of the sorption drying device in a dishwasher is merely conceptually described. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a dishwasher in which a sorption drying device can be integrated in a simple and cost-effective manner, and which enables energy-efficient operation.

This object is achieved by a dishwasher with the features according to claim 1 and by a method for operating a dishwasher with the features of claim 20. Advantageous developments of the present invention are specified in the respective subclaims.

A dishwasher according to the invention, in particular household dishwasher, has a rinsing container and devices for rinsing dishes by means of rinsing liquor and a Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung which is connected to the rinsing air-conducting via an outlet of the rinsing and an inlet of the rinsing, and a sorption column with reversibly dehydrierbarem Material, wherein the outlet of the washing container is connected via an air duct with the Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung. According to the invention, the air channel is at least partially formed as a condensation surface.

In the inventive method for operating a dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, with at least one partial program step "drying" in the air from a washing and / or ambient air is passed through a sorption column in the washing, wherein the sorbent column contains reversibly dehydratable material and the Extracting moisture during passage through the sorbent column, the air supplied to the sorption column is at least partially passed past a condensation surface to withdraw the air removed from the rinsing container a portion of their moisture before the air having a residual moisture is fed to the sorption column.

This makes it possible during the drying sub-program step to allow a portion of the water bound in the humid air to condense, so that it no longer needs to be dehumidified by the sorption drying apparatus A structurally simple and particularly energy-efficient dishwashing machine can be realized. because the drying process can be completed in a shorter time.

In an expedient embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, the condensation surface is conditioned by a thermally conductive connection with the washing container and / or with the ambient air. In this case, in a further embodiment, ambient air can be actively conducted to the air duct via a fan in order to obtain the condensation surface. Thus, a very space-economical dishwasher is provided, which, e.g. can be arranged space-saving between a housing wall and the washing container. Conveniently, in one embodiment of the method, a partial program step preceding the partial program step "drying", e.g. "Rinse", no heating of the wash liquor and / or the items to be cleaned in order to create the lowest possible temperature of the washing container in order to increase the efficiency of the condensation surface.

In an expedient embodiment, the air channel extends along a side wall of the washing container. The outlet of the washing compartment is located in an upper section of the washing compartment wall in order to form the largest possible condensation area. By contrast, the sorption drying device is preferably arranged below the rinsing trough for reasons of space and to create the desired condensation surface. This results in the advantage that an optimum heating element of the sorption drying device increases the air only after flowing along through the air duct, so that the condensation of moist air in the washing container along the air channel is made possible.

Conveniently, a barrier against ingress of water is formed in the air duct adjacent to the outlet. This barrier may be a cover covering the outlet. However, it can also be realized in that the connected to the outlet portion of the air duct initially along a side wall a piece up and only then along the side wall of the washing container straight or in tortuous sections down to the Sorptionstrockeneinrichtung. The barrier is thus formed by a portion of a wall of the air channel, which prevents that during a part program step in which items to be washed is subjected to wash liquor, contained in the electrical functional parts Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung can penetrate.

In a further expedient embodiment, it is provided that the air duct in the bottom region has a controllable valve for discharging water condensed in the air duct. The condensed and discharged water then no longer has to be absorbed by the reversibly dehydratable material, so that the sorption column of the sorption drying device can be made smaller in comparison with a conventionally designed sorption drying device without condensation surface. Advantageously, this can gain valuable space again.

In a further expedient embodiment, the air duct on a pressure-regulating means, which ensures in the case of an overpressure occurring in the washing container for a pressure equalization. The pressure-regulating means may be designed as an actively operable valve. The pressure regulating means may, according to another embodiment, passively open or close due to the pressure inside the washing compartment, and e.g. be designed as a flap. During the "drying" part-program step, in which the fan of the sorption drying device is "in operation", a negative pressure is formed in the air duct, so that the pressure-regulating means acts in a sealing manner. In case of overpressure, e.g. however, due to an expansion shock, the pressure regulating means may open and thus reduce the pressure generated inside the purge tank. The integration of the pressure-regulating agent in the air duct of the sorption drying device makes it possible to dispense with the device ventilation otherwise present in every dishwasher.

Because of the sorption drying device preferably arranged in the bottom area of the dishwasher below a rinsing tray, it is expedient to integrate the inlet of the rinsing container into the rinsing tray itself, as this results in a waiver of a further air channel. As a result, a simpler and more cost-effective production is possible.

According to a further expedient embodiment, it is provided to provide the outlet and / or the inlet with a passive closure means against penetrating water. In the simplest case, this can be a cover over the outlet or inlet, which is preferably designed such that the flow direction of the air flow is determined at the same time is to achieve the best possible turbulence of the air in the washing, so that a good moisture absorption is realized.

In an alternative embodiment it can be provided to provide the outlet and / or the inlet with an active closure means. The closure means may be designed to be operable, for example, by applying a voltage. The closure means may thus be designed motor or hydraulic. It is particularly preferred if voltage is applied to the closure means with the application of a voltage to a fan, so that open the closure means, thereby creating an air circulation to Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung. In this case, the inlet and outlet only have to be opened during the regeneration phase of the sorption column and during the partial program step. "During the remaining part program steps, the closure means ensure a secure seal in order to prevent the penetration of spray water into the sorption drying device having electrical functional elements.

In a further expedient embodiment, the closure means can also be actuated by a temperature-sensitive memory metal. The control of the closure means is not carried out in an electrical manner, but is caused due to the prevailing temperatures during different part program steps.

According to a further embodiment, the sorption column is used on the one hand for drying the dishes and on the other hand the thermal energy used for desorption of the sorption column for heating the rinsing liquor and / or the items to be washed. The dishwasher can function of the principle, as in the DE 103 53 774.0 the applicant described, where appropriate, trained. The machine described here differs in the design of the sorption drying device.

According to a preferred feature, air from the rinsing tank and / or from the ambient air is passed through the sorption column and into the rinsing tank during a partial program step with rinsing liquor to be heated, preferably during the partial program step "cleaning" and / or "pre-rinsing" and / or "rinsing" ,

Conveniently, an electrical heating element is arranged for desorption of the reversibly dehydratable material and the heating of the rinsing liquor and / or the dishes. This is preferably arranged in the reversibly dehydratable material or in the line to the sorption column.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß einer ersten Variante, und

Fig. 2

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Geschirrspülmaschine, bei der die Gerätebelüftung in die Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung integriert ist.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. Show it:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of a dishwasher according to the invention according to a first variant, and

Fig. 2

a further embodiment of a dishwasher according to the invention, in which the ventilation device is integrated into the Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a dishwasher 1 according to the invention according to a first variant with a washing container 2, are arranged in the dish racks, not shown, for the classification of also not shown items to be washed. The structure of the dishwasher according to the invention can, in principle, as in the DE 103 53 774 and / or the DE 103 53 775 described by the applicant. The dishwashing machine 1 has a reversibly dehydratable material 11, for example zeolite-containing sorption column 10, which is air-conductively connected to the washing container 2, wherein the sorption column 10 is used on the one hand for drying and on the other for heating conducted-through air. The rinsing container 2 has an outlet 5 arranged in the described embodiment in a central region with a line designed as an air channel 17 for the sorption column 10 and an inlet 8 of the sorption column 10 arranged in a rinsing tray 6 in the described embodiment. In addition to the sorption column 10, a sorption drying device 21 has a fan 9 and an electric heating element 12, wherein a housing 14 of the fan and a housing 13 of the sorption column 10 are integrally formed below the washing tub 6 of the dishwasher. The air path through the sorption drying device is shown by the arrows A, B and C.

To increase the effectiveness of the Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung 21, in particular during the partial program step "drying", the air channel 17 is formed as a condensation surface 18 and thermally conductively connected to the washing compartment 2 and / or via a housing wall 23 with ambient air. In order to ensure the greatest possible efficiency, it is advantageous if, in the subprogram step "drying" preceding subprogram step, usually "rinse" dispensed or almost eliminated heating of the washing compartment and / or the dishes, which due to the described drying process without further is possible. As a result, moist air flowing through the air duct 17 can condense on the walls of the air duct during the partial program step "drying". The drying process per se preferably takes place as in the DE 103 53 774 and / or the DE 103 53 775 described instead. The condensate can be discharged from the air channel 17 through the valve 19 shown schematically, so that this amount of moisture does not have to be absorbed by the sorption column 10. This has the advantage that the sorption column 10 can be made smaller, resulting in a smaller footprint same results. The liquid discharged from the air duct 17 can either be removed therefrom via a wastewater outlet of the dishwasher 1, not shown, or temporarily stored for a subsequent rinse program section.

Alternatively or additionally, the condensing surface 18 may be formed by ambient air, e.g. can be actively transported by an (additional) fan to the air duct 17 (not shown). In addition, other parts of the dishwasher can be used for drying.

In order to prevent ingress of splashing water during a partial program step, with which in the washing container 2 befindliches items to be washed in the air channel 17 and thus in the electrical functional parts (fan 9, heating element 12), the air duct 17 is first from the outlet 5 after above and then along the Spülbehälterwand down to Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung 21. As a result, a barrier 16 is formed in the air channel, which reliably prevents the ingress of water.

In a corresponding manner, the inlet 8 has a closure means 15, which is formed in the embodiment as a cover with a flow function. Both the outlet 5 and the inlet 8 could be provided according to a variant, not shown, with an actively actuated closure means which would be open during operation of the Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung 21 and closed in the remaining part program steps. Particularly advantageous is a direct coupling to the operation of the fan 9 and / or the electric heating element 12. Thus, the active closure means could be motorized, hydraulically operated, wherein the operation is dependent on the operation of the Sorptionstrockenvorrichtung. Alternatively, the use of a memory metal would be conceivable, which could be brought into an open or closed position due to the changing temperatures during different part program steps.

FIG. 2 shows a section of a further embodiment of a dishwasher 1 according to the invention, in which in the air duct 17, a valve 20 is integrated, which takes over the function of a device ventilation in the event of an expansion shock. In the simplest case, the valve 20 may be formed as a mechanical flap, which is kept in a closed position, for example due to the blower (not shown) in the sorption drying device 21 and the negative pressure caused thereby, as long as the sorption drying device 21 is in operation (solid line). , In the case of an expansion shock, the overpressure arising in the Spülbehälterinneren spreads along the air channel 17 to the valve 20, which opens (broken line). This ensures that no damage to the dishwasher can occur due to a sudden overpressure.

Otherwise, the in FIG. 2 illustrated embodiment of a dishwasher according to the invention of the first variant, in which the air duct 17 is thermally conductively connected to the washing compartment 2 and / or a housing wall 23 to form a condensation surface 18. The sorption drying device 21 shown only schematically is arranged, for example, laterally below the washing tub 6, wherein the inlet 8 is formed in the boundary region between the washing tub 6 and the washing tub wall 22. In order to prevent the penetration of water into the sorption drying device 21, a (passive) closure means 15 in the form of a flow-influencing sheet is provided above the outlet 8 by way of example.

The present invention provides a dishwashing machine which can be produced from an economic point of view and with which the items to be washed located in the washing container can be efficiently cleaned and dried, with the associated expenditure of energy being kept low.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

dishwasher

2

rinse tank

5

outlet

6

wash tub

8th

inlet

9

fan

10

sorption

11

reversibly dehydratable material

12

heater

13

casing

14

casing

15

closure means

16

barrier

17

air duct

18

condensing surface

19

Valve

20

Valve

21

sorption

22

washing tub

23

housing wall

A, B, C

By air

Claims (21)

1. Dishwasher (1) having a washing container (2) and devices for washing dishes using rinse water and having a sorption drying device (21), which is connected in an air-conducting manner to the washing container (2) by way of an outlet (5) of the washing container (2) and an inlet (6) of the washing container (2) and which has a sorption column (10) with reversibly dehydratable material, by means of which in at least one subprogram step "drying" air from the washing container (2) and/or ambient air is routed into the washing container (2) and by means of which humidity is taken from the air while passing through the sorption column (10), wherein the outlet (5) of the washing container (2) is connected to the sorption drying device (21) by way of an air duct (17), characterised in that the air duct (17) is embodied at least partially as a condensation surface (18).
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the condensation surface (18) is conditional on a heat-conducting connection with the washing container (2) and/or with the ambient air.
3. Dishwasher according to claim 2, characterised in that ambient air can be actively routed by way of a fan (9) to the air duct (17) in order to obtain a condensation surface (18).
4. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air duct (17) extends along a side wall of the washing container (2).
5. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sorption drying device (21) is arranged in the base region of the dishwasher (1) below a wash tub (6).
6. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a barrier (16) against infiltrating water is embodied adjacent to the outlet (5) in the air duct (17).
7. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the base region the air duct (17) has an activatable valve (19) for routing out water condensed in the air duct (17).
8. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air duct (17) has a pressure-regulating means (20), which in the case of an overpressure occurring in the washing container (2) provides for a pressure equalisation.
9. Dishwasher according to claim 8, characterised in that the pressure-regulating means (20) is an actively actuatable valve.
10. Dishwasher according to claim 8, characterised in that the pressure-regulating means (20) opens or closes passively on account of the pressure in the washing container interior.
11. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outlet (5) and/or the inlet (8) are provided with a passive closing means (15) against infiltrating water.
12. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outlet (5) and/or the inlet (8) are provided with an active closing means (15).
13. Dishwasher according to claim 12, characterised in that the closing means (15) can be actuated by applying a voltage.
14. Dishwasher according to claim 13, characterised in that voltage is applied to the closing means (15) by the application of a voltage to the fan (9).
15. Dishwasher according to claim 12, characterised in that the closing means (15) is actuated by a temperature-sensitive memory metal.
16. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sorption column is used on the one hand to dry the dishes and on the other hand the thermal energy used to desorb the sorption column is used to heat the rinse water and/or the items to be washed located in the washing container.
17. Dishwasher according to claim 16, characterised in that during a subprogram step with rinse water to be heated, preferably during the subprogram step "clean" and/or "pre-rinse" and/or "rinse" air from the washing container and/or ambient air is routed through the sorption column and into the washing container.
18. Dishwasher according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterised in that an electrical heating element is arranged for the purpose of desorption of the reversibly dehydratable material and heating the rinse water and/or the items to be washed.
19. Dishwasher according to claim 18, characterised in that the heating element is arranged in the reversibly dehydratable material or in the line to the sorption column.
20. Method for operating a dishwasher (1), having at least one subprogram step "drying" in which air from a washing container (2) and/or ambient air is routed through a sorption column (10) into the washing container (2), wherein the sorption column (10) contains reversibly dehydratable material and while passing through the sorption column (10) the air draws out humidity, characterised in that the air supplied to the sorption column (10) is routed at least partially past a condensation surface (18), in order to extract part of its humidity from the air taken from the washing container (2) before the air having residual moisture is supplied to the sorption column (10).
21. Method according to claim 20, characterised in that in a subprogram step preceding the subprogram step "drying", e.g. "rinse", the rinse water and/or the items to be washed are not heated.

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