EP2248456B1 - Household appliance, in particular dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a household appliance, in particular a dishwasher.

background

Dishwashers are typically operated in several process phases. At least in the process phase "drying", in which the items to be washed are dried after being cleaned, the air in the washing container - also called a tub - absorbs the moisture present as a result of the cleaning phase. This moist air must be subsequently removed and dehydrated.

For dehydrating humid air in a dishwasher, sorption drying devices are used, among other things. These sorption drying devices contain a reversibly dehydrating material, for example in the form of a zeolite, through which the air to be dried is passed. Zeolites are typically aluminosilicates with the property of being able to adsorb, inter alia, water. When used in dishwashers, a zeolite-filled adsorbent section is placed in a stream of air to be dried. By flowing through the zeolite, the supplied moist air is dried and discharged again in a dry state.

In order to meet the requirements of a dishwasher, a certain minimum amount of dehydrating material must be provided in order to be able to remove a sufficient amount of moisture from the supplied air. This dehydrating material is typically poured cuboid. Such a cuboid Adsorberbereich However, claims a relatively large amount of space. This space may not be available in conventional dishwashers.

A household appliance according to the preamble of claim 1 is made US 2008/276484 A1 known.

Presentation of the invention

This results in the need for a household appliance with an adsorber, the geometry of the cramped space in the dishwasher is fair and yet can cause sufficient dehydration of the supplied air.

This object is met by a household appliance with the features of claim 1.

The adsorber region is subdivided into several adsorber sections. Each adsorber section in each case contains an entry surface for the entry of process air and an exit surface for the exit of process air. Entry channels for supplying the process air border on at least one of the entry surfaces. Outlet passages for discharging the dried process air each adjoin at least one of the exit surfaces. Each of the channels is only open on one side such that the process air is forced from the inlet channels into the adsorber sections and from the adsorber sections into the outlet channels.

In the adsorber chamber, the air supplied is thus offered a plurality of flow paths through the adsorber material. The supplied air is directed into several, separate inlet channels. From each inlet channel, the supplied air flows through one or more associated adsorber regions according to the principle of the lowest flow resistance and, after flowing through this / these adsorber sections, exits into the associated outlet channel (s). The exit channels are also separated. In that sense will provided by the provision of multiple inlet and outlet channels and intermediate adsorber the condition for making the adsorber variable in geometry and adapt the installation conditions. Nevertheless, it is ensured that a required amount of dehydrating material is provided and flowed through uniformly, whereby the desired dehydrating effect with respect to the supplied volume of air is achieved. As a result of such based on several flow paths through the adsorbent material embodiment of the adsorber, the adsorber chamber may be designed extremely flexible in geometry and adapted to the space in a dishwasher. In this case, even otherwise inaccessible additional space may be used in the dishwasher for the adsorber and thus the amount of dehydrogenatable material used can be increased.

By the specified shape of the adsorber and the departure of cuboid Adsorberbereichen an extremely flat adsorber can also be created, which can be installed vertically, for example, well between the tub and the device wall.

Advantageous developments of the invention relate to the geometric arrangement of the adsorber sections, or else the air flow control through the adsorber sections in general. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized by the features of the dependent claims, individually per se, or in combination with features of other dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

• Figur 1 eine schematische Abbildung eines Spülbehälters inklusive der Beiordnung einer Trocknungsvorrichtung nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• Figur 2 eine Draufsicht auf eine (geöffnete) Adsorberkammer nach einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• Figur 3 eine Draufsicht auf eine (geöffnete) Adsorberkammer nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• Figur 4 eine Draufsicht auf eine (geöffnete) Adsorberkammer nach einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• Figur 5 eine Schnittansicht durch eine Adsorberkammer nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures. Showing:

• FIG. 1 a schematic illustration of a washing container including the arrangement of a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 a plan view of an (open) adsorber according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 3 a plan view of an (open) adsorber according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 4 a plan view of an (open) adsorber according to a third embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 5 a sectional view through an adsorber according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

Identical or equivalent elements in the figures are indicated across the figures by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a washing container including the arrangement of a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The rinsing container 1 contains an outlet 2 from which process air 8 to be dried, which is enriched with water, for example as a result of a drying process in the rinsing container 1, is fed to an adsorber chamber 5 via a feed 3 designed as a channel. After drying in the adsorber 5, the dried process air 8 leaves the drying device via a discharge 6 designed as a channel and is discharged via the outlet 7 again fed to the washing compartment 1. There, the drying phase can continue and the dry air to dry the wet crockery that flows around it. The process air 8 is now again receptive to existing in the washing 1 moisture. The supply of the process air 8 to the adsorber 5 is supported by a fan 4. The closed cycle of the process air 8 is indicated by the sequence of arrows in FIG FIG. 1 indicated. In the present embodiment, the adsorber 5 is arranged between the washing container 1 of a dishwasher and one of its housing walls 9, in particular the rear wall of the housing. A gap 10 between the washing container 1 and the adsorber 5 can be used as explained below for heat conduction.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an uncovered adsorber according to an embodiment of the invention. The adsorber 5 is initially defined by a floor on which the view in FIG. 2 directed and side walls 52 for guiding the process air 8 and for limiting the channels as described below. For this purpose, the bottom and side walls are preferably made of air-impermeable material, which is also heat-resistant. The housing of the adsorber 5 can therefore be made for example of metal.

As indicated by the arrows, the process air flows 8 - supported by a fan as in FIG. 1 shown and encounters an adsorber 53. This adsorber 53 has W-shape. Each leg of the W forms an adsorber section 531, 532, 533, 534. The adsorber section 53 is defined as the sum of all adsorber sections 531-534. Preferably, the length of the W-legs is much larger than their width, and optionally also as their height in the event that the adsorber 5 should take a very flat design. As a result of the adsorber sections 531 - 534 arranged side by side in the adsorber chamber 53, the incoming process air 8 now strikes the "depressions" in the W-shape in the flow direction, thus forming inlet channels 541, 542 and 543 for the process air 8.

Each adsorber section 531-534 now has an entrance surface 5311, 5321, 5331, 5341, at which an assigned inlet channel 541, 542, 543 impinges on the adsorber section 531-534. These entrance surfaces 5311, 5321, 5331, 5341 form the entry point for the process air 8 into the adsorber region 53. The adsorber sections 531-534 are lateral, i. At their entry surfaces 5311, 5321, 5331, 5341 bounded by enclosures that allow on the one hand a passage of the process air without greater flow resistance, on the other hand, but can also hold the dehydrating material 51.

The process air therefore enters the adsorber sections 531-534 via the inlet surfaces 5311, 5321, 5331, 5341, flows through them, and is thereby dehydrated. The dehydrogenatable material 51 is preferably a zeolite and can absorb and store moisture and in particular water vapor. The process of dehydration results in the release of heat so that the dehydrated process air is warmed to the process air supplied to the adsorber.

Each adsorber section 531-534 also has an outlet surface 5312, 5322, 5332 and 5342. Predetermined by the flow direction, the process air 8 exits the adsorber region 53 through these outlet surfaces 5312, 5322, 5332 and 5342 and is formed by subsequent outlet channels 544 and 545 continued. The flow path through the individual adsorber sections 531-534 is indicated by the arrows 8.

In this respect, this embodiment shows an adsorber 53 with adjacent, non-parallel Adsorberabschnitten 531 - 534, which merge into one another at their ends, so that the Adsorberbereich 53 by a continuous, with dehydratable material 51 filled adsorber is formed. Other geometrical orientations of the adsorber sections are conceivable, in particular meander-shaped adsorber sections which, similar to the present W-shape, have the largest possible entrance surface for the supplied process air.

The individual adsorber sections 531-534 preferably have a length l-drawn, for example, for the adsorber section 532 in FIG FIG. 3 - which are at least twice the width b - see also FIG. 3 - corresponds. The width b is defined as a geometric variable, which is flowed through by the process air. Due to the fact that the process air will take the path of least resistance through the adsorber region, the width b with respect to each entry point of process air into the adsorber region is the shortest distance to an exit point. Preferably, the width b is selected between 3 and 7 cm, and in particular between 4 and 5 cm. The dimensioning of the width b is relevant for the pressure dropping at the adsorber area. This should be as low as possible for the purposes of the application. On the other hand, however, a certain minimum width is required for successful dehydration. The above dimensions are advantageous as they meet both requirements. Preferably, the length l corresponds to at least twice the width b, in another advantageous development at least five times the width b. If the individual adsorber sections 531-534 are then preferably arranged next to each other, so that the total length of the adsorber region 53 is not greater than the individual lengths of each adsorber section 531-534, a compact, surface-optimized adsorber region 53 results. The adjacent adsorber sections 531-534 are preferred by not more than 45 ° inclined relative to the direction of the inflowing process air 8. This criterion takes into account both a good flow of the Process air 8 while limiting the area claimed by the adsorber 53 area.

In general, a large entrance surface for the process air 8 can be achieved by "folding" a longitudinally extended adsorber belt. That is, preferably at constant intervals, the adsorber belt is bent at an angle preferably between 135 ° and 180 °. Such a structure can then be introduced into the flow channel as in the present case and form the adsorber chamber 53.

The present exemplary embodiment is also characterized in that the outlet surfaces of two adsorber sections 531-534 are assigned to the two outlet channels 544 and 545, respectively. The outlet channel 544 is thus operated by process air 8 passing through the outlet surfaces 5312 and 5322, while the outlet channel 545 is operated by process air 8 passing through the outlet surfaces 5332 and 5342.

Similarly, the input channel 542 uses two entry surfaces, namely the entry surfaces 5321 and 5331, whereas the two outer entry channels 541 and 543 are only operatively connected to one entry surface, the entrance surface 5311 and the entry surface 5431.

In general, the assignment of one channel to two adsorber sections can be advantageous with regard to the space-saving arrangement of the adsorber sections as well as the formation of the largest possible entrance surface. On the other hand, there may also be advantageous geometries in which a channel is basically associated with only one entrance or exit surface. The following advantageous developments are thus to be cited: An inlet channel adjoins only the inlet surface of a single adsorber element. All inlet channels each adjoin only the entry surface of a single, associated adsorber element. At least one of the entry channels adjoins entry surfaces of two Adsorberelementen on. An exit channel adjoins only the exit surface of a single adsorber element. All outlet channels each adjoin only the exit surface of a single adsorber element. At least one of the exit channels adjoins exit surfaces of two adsorber elements.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a further adsorber according to a second embodiment of the invention. The adsorber region 53 differs from the adsorber region FIG. 2 essentially in that the adsorber sections 531 - 533 - each having a length l and a width b - are now arranged parallel to one another. Furthermore, juxtaposed adsorber sections 531-533 are no longer connected directly via their dehydrating material 51, but via so-called guide walls 56. These guide walls 56 are made of an air-impermeable material and cause an airflow line. For example, the guide wall 56, which connects the air supply-side ends of the adsorber sections 531 and 532, prevents flow of the supplied process air 8 directly into the outlet channel 544, bypassing the adsorber region. Thus, this guide wall 56 also defines the outlet channel 544. The same applies to the guide wall 56 between the air outlet ends of the adsorber 532 and 533. Here, the guide wall 56 forms a boundary for the inlet channel 542 and causes a flow through the adsorber 532 and 533 by the supplied Process air 8.

The structure of this Adsorberkammer thus follows the pattern that adjacent adsorber sections are alternately connected at their luftzufuhrseitigem end and at its luftabfuhrseitigem end by baffles in the sense of channeling, which channels are open only on one side and thus force the process air through the adsorber.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a further adsorber according to a third embodiment of the invention. The difference to the adsorber chamber lies in a different arrangement of the baffles between adjacent Adsorberabschnitten. Here, in each case the air supply-side end of an adsorber section is connected to the air discharge end of the adjacent adsorber section. Thus, a channel structure of inlet channels 542, 543 and outlet channels 544, 545, 546 is created, which causes a steeper angle of attack of the process air when entering the associated adsorber due to the inclined baffles 56. In addition, each adsorber section is assigned only a single inlet channel and a single outlet channel.

FIG. 5 shows an adsorber in cross-section as a further embodiment of the invention. The adsorber chamber in turn has an adsorber region 53, which as a whole has the shape of a flat plate. For example, by means of suitable baffles, inlet channels 541-543 and outlet channels 544-547 are again formed, which are separated from one another. Upper end faces of the inlet channels 541-543 are closed, so that the supplied process air 8 - from the plane of the drawing - is forced laterally into the associated adsorber sections and flows through them. From the adsorber sections, the process air exits, as shown by the arrows 8, into the outlet channels 544-547, which outlet channels 544-547 are closed at their lower end sides, so that the dehydrated process air leaves the outlet channels 544-547 from the plane of the drawing. Regarding a virtual abscissa x in FIG. 5 the inlet channels 541-543 to the outlet channels 544-547 are offset from one another, so that the process air 8 from each inlet channel 541-543 pass through two adsorber sections according to the law of least resistance and are discharged via two different outlet channels 544-547 can. The division of the adsorber area into adsorber sections - in FIG. 5 it is based on the dotted lines - is in contrast to the previous embodiments purely virtual nature, with adsorber conclude with the output channels. An alternative classification allows the assignment of Adsorberabschnitten to input channels, so that the supplied via an inlet channel process air flows through the zugeorneten adsorber and exits through one of the two associated outlet channels the adsorber again.

In general, it can be pointed out that the inlet channels are formed separately from each other, i. Once located in an inlet duct process air can not leave this inlet channel usually and in particular not pass into other inlet channels, but is forced to flow into the one or the zugeorneten adsorber. Adsorberabschnitte are usually associated with one or more inlet channels and outlet channels, so that an adsorber can also be regarded as that portion of the adsorber, which is traversed by the process air from the associated inlet channel according to the principle of least flow resistance. In this respect, adsorber sections can also be "seamlessly" connected to one another and form a common adsorber area.

In all embodiments according to the FIGS. 2 to 5 For example, the individual adsorber sections can have a variable width b over their length l. In particular, the width b can taper along the length l in the direction of process air supply. Due to the requirement that each inlet channel is only open on one side, the process air supplied from the open end is forced into the inlet channels. Due to the constantly tracked process air, there is a higher air pressure at the end of an inlet channel than at its beginning. In the sense of uniform flow through the entire adsorber, it is therefore advantageous where the process air is applied at a higher pressure at the adsorber, this wider, and where the process air is applied at a lower pressure at the adsorber, to provide the adsorber with a smaller width , Preferably, therefore, the width of an adsorber section at its end facing the process air supply is lower than at its end remote from the process air supply.

In all embodiments according to the FIGS. 2 to 4 Heating elements 55 are embedded in the adsorber sections in the form of heating rods. To expel the absorbed moisture, the adsorber sections are preferably heated, release the stored moisture and are ready for the next drying process of supplied moist air. The Heizlemente are preferably formed so that they do not claim the entire height of the adsorber, in order largely not to influence a flow through the process air through the adsorber.

In arrangements in which the adsorber region not only has adsorber sections oriented purely vertically in the domestic appliance but the adsorber region has, for example, obliquely or horizontally oriented adsorber sections, and in particular is designed in a meandering or W-shaped configuration, the heating element (s) can be arranged in the respective adsorber sections in that their distance to the exit surfaces is greater than to the entry surfaces. It is made use of the fact that heated air rises to the top. In such an offset from a central arrangement arrangement, the hot air generated by the heating element can still enforce a large range of adsorbent material and thus dehydrate when they ascend. Such a staggered Arrangement of the heating elements is for example from the embodiment according to FIG. 2 seen.

The expulsion / desorption / regeneration of the moisture by heating the heating elements is preferably carried out during a process phase in which moist and warm air in the washing container can have a supporting effect, for example during the cleaning of items to be washed. During desorbing, the fan does not necessarily have to be in operation. Alternatively, the fan can be operated during desorbing in pulse mode and / or in the reverse direction.

The adsorber chamber may preferably be mounted between the tub and the back of the dishwasher. Due to the heat released by the zeolite during the drying process as well as due to the supplied heat for the regeneration of zeolite heat insulation is recommended - for example in the form of an insulating layer or a cavity - in particular between the adsorber and the rear panel.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the heat generated in the adsorber chamber during dehydrogenation and / or also the heat generated during the drying process is dissipated and reused. For example, the heat generated during regeneration can also be used to heat the ware. The transition between the adsorber chamber and the tub may be thermally coupled to this extent, as long as the materials used permit it. For this purpose, the adsorber chamber can be arranged close to the tub wall, so that the heat generated in the adsorber chamber radiates onto the tub wall. As a means for deriving this serves the suitably sized gap which is filled with air or other heat-conducting medium. Other heat-conducting means comprise a water film, or an air stream, which are conducted past the adsorber chamber and absorb the heat generated there. The heated water film, or air flow can then be supplied via an inlet to the tub. Such a water film or such an air flow can be provided to one or else on both sides of the adsorber chamber, ie between the adsorber chamber and the tub or between the adsorber chamber and the housing wall. In this case, the water film and / or the pleasure stream is preferably guided on the outer wall of the Adsoberkammer to ensure good heat absorption.

1. 1 Spülbehälter
2. 2 Einlass
3. 3 Zufuhr
4. 4 Lüfter
5. 5 Adsorberkammer
   • 51 Dehydrierbares Material
   • 52 Seitenwand
   • 53 Adsorberbereich
     • 531 - 534 Adsorberabschnitte
       • 5311 - 5341 Eintrittsflächen
       • 5312 - 5342 Austrittsflächen
   • 54 nicht belegt
     • 541 - 543 Eintrittskanäle
     • 544 - 547 Austrittskanäle
   • 55 Heizvorrichtung
   • 56 Leitwand
6. 6 Abfuhr
7. 7 Auslass
8. 8 Prozessluft
9. 9 Gehäusewand
10. 10 Zwischenraum

While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and may be embodied otherwise within the scope of the following claims. The embodiments are described in connection with dishwashers. However, the drying device described can also be used in other household appliances in which also a drying of humid air in the process is required, such as tumble dryers.

1. 1 washing container
2. 2 inlet
3. 3 feed
4. 4 fans
5. 5 Adsorberkammer
   • 51 Dehydratable material
   • 52 side wall
   • 53 Adsorberbereich
     • 531-534 adsorber sections
       • 5311 - 5341 entry surfaces
       • 5312 - 5342 exit surfaces
   • 54 not used
     • 541 - 543 entrance channels
     • 544 - 547 exit channels
   • 55 heating device
   • 56 baffle
6. 6 removal
7. 7 outlet
8. 8 process air
9. 9 housing wall
10. 10 space

Claims (19)

1. Household appliance having a drying device for the drying of process air (8) in a dehydratable material (51), which is arranged in an adsorbent region (53) of an adsorbent chamber (5), wherein the adsorbent region (53) has several adsorbent sections (531 - 534) with the dehydratable material (51), wherein the adsorbent chamber (5) has channels for the process air (8), and wherein each adsorbent section (531 - 534) has a respective entry surface (5311, 5321, 5331, 5341) for the entry of the process air (8) and an discharge surface (5312, 5322, 5332, 5342) for the discharge of process air (8), characterised in that the first of the channels are entry channels (541 - 543), which respectively adjoin at least one of the entry surfaces (5311, 5321, 5331, 5341), and the second of the channels are discharge channels (544 - 547), which respectively adjoin at least one of the discharge surfaces (5312, 5322, 5332, 5342), and in that the channels are each open only on one side, in such a way that the process air (8) is forced from the entry channels (541 - 543) into the adsorbent sections (531 - 534) and from the adsorbent sections (531 - 534) into the discharge channels (544 - 547).
2. Household appliance according to claim 1, wherein each adsorbent section (531 - 534) has a length (1), a width (b) and a height, wherein the width (b) is the geometric size that is flowed through by the process air (8), and wherein the length (1) corresponds to at least twice the width (b).
3. Household device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the width (b) of an adsorbent section (531 - 534) that is flowed through by the process air (8) is selected to be between 3 and 7cm, and in particular between 4 and 5cm.
4. Household appliance according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the width (b) is designed to be able to be altered via the length (1), and in particular is designed to decrease along the length (1) in the direction of the process air supply.
5. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual adsorbent sections (531 - 534) are arranged in a plane alongside one another in the adsorbent chamber (5).
6. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual adsorbent sections (531 - 534) are arranged parallel to one another.
7. Household appliance according to claim 5 or 6, wherein adsorbent sections (531 - 534) lying alongside one another are connected to one another.
8. Household device according to claim 7, wherein adsorbent sections (531 - 534) lying alongside one another merge into one another at their ends, such that the adsorbent region (53) is formed by a continuous adsorbent band that is filled with dehydratable material (51).
9. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adsorbent region (53) is designed to be meander-shaped or W-shaped.
10. Household device according to claim 7, wherein adsorbent sections (531 - 534) lying alongside one another are connected to one another by a guide wall (56) that is impermeable to air.
11. Household device according to claim 10, wherein the end of an adsorbent section (531 - 534) facing the process air supply (8) is only connected to the adjacent adsorbent section (531 - 534) on one side through the guide wall (56).
12. Household appliance according to claim 11, wherein the end of this adsorbent section (531 - 534) facing the process air supply (8) is only connected to the adjacent adsorbent section (531 - 534) on the other side through a further guide wall (56).
13. Household appliance according to claim 11, wherein the end of the adsorbent section (531 - 534) facing the process air supply (8) is connected to the end of the adjacent adsorbent section (531 - 534) facing the process air supply (8) on one side through the guide wall (56).
14. Household appliance according to claim 11, wherein the end of the adsorbent section (531 - 534) facing the process air supply (8) is connected to the end of the adjacent adsorbent section (531 - 534) facing the process air supply (8) on one side through the guide wall (56).
15. Household appliance according to claim 12, wherein the end of this adsorbent section (531 - 534) facing the process air supply (8) is connected to the end of the adjacent adsorbent section (531 - 534) facing the process air supply (8) on the other side through a further guide wall (56).
16. Household appliance according to claim 12, wherein the end of this adsorbent section (531 - 534) facing the process air supply (8) is connected to the end of the adjacent adsorbent section (531 - 534) facing the process air supplying (8) on the other side through a further guide wall (56).
17. Household appliance according to claim 9, having a heating element (55) for heating the dehydratable material (51), which heating element (55) being arranged in the adsorbent region (53) in such a way that its distance to the allocated discharge surface (5312, 5322, 5332, 5342) is greater than the allocated entry surface (5311, 5321, 5331, 5341).
18. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dehydratable material is a zeolite.
19. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance is a dishwasher, wherein the adsorbent chamber (5) is arranged between a rinse holder (1) and a housing wall of the dishwasher, and wherein at least one of the intermediate spaces between adsorbent chamber (5) and rinse holder (1) or between adsorbent chamber (5) and housing wall (9) have means for conducting heat generated in the adsorbent chamber added to them.

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