EP2763578A1

EP2763578A1 - A dishwasher comprising a dehumidifying unit

Info

Publication number: EP2763578A1
Application number: EP12768825.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yusuf Koc
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2011-10-04
Filing date: 2012-10-04
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Also published as: WO2013050468A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a dehumidifying unit (9) which has a desiccant material (4) which desiccates the air passing therethrough, at least one heater (6) used for the regeneration of the desiccant material (4), at least one inlet port (7) providing the air exiting the tub (3) to enter the dehumidifying unit (9) and at least one outlet port (8) enabling the air exiting the dehumidifying unit (9) to be delivered into the tub (3).

Description

A DISHWASHER COMPRISING A DEHUMIDIFYING UNIT

The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a dehumidifying unit that provides energy saving.
In the dehumidifying step of dishwasher washing programs, it is aimed to remove the water remaining on the dishes and also to prevent the moisture in the tub from leaving stains on the dishes getting cold by condensing. The last rinsing step is performed with hot water in order to remove the water remaining on the dishes in an easier way in the dehumidifying step. This requires a great amount of energy to be consumed for heating the water. In order to eliminate the said problem, dehumidifying elements comprising reversible type moisture adsorbent materials are used. Adsorbent materials can adsorb moisture upto the saturation point and at that moment emit heat to its surroundings. In the state of the art, zeolite is used as moisture adsorbent in dishwashers. Humid air received from the tub by means of the fan is sent to the zeolite-comprising container and after heating up and leaving its moisture therein, the said air is again directed into the tub. By means of this process, an effective dehumidification process is realized by vaporizing the water on the dishes without requiring the hot rinsing step. However, the heat emitted by the zeolite to its surroundings during desiccation is also emitted to the outside of the tub.
The zeolite that fills its desiccation capacity is regenerated at the next washing step by being heated up to high temperatures by means of a heater placed therein or thereabout and can be used again. However, the high temperature provided by the operation of the heater dissipates from the dehumidifying unit comprising zeolite into the body at the outside of the tub. Therefore, thermal loss occurs and energy consumption increases.
In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO2009010446, a dryer device is described having a dehumidifying unit and a receiving chamber with two compartments.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher comprising a dehumidifying unit that provides energy saving.
The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a tub wherein the washing process is performed, a desiccant material that desiccates the air passing therethrough, a dehumidifying unit having at least one heater that provides the desiccant material to regenerate by transferring heat thereto by means of transmission and convection, an inlet port that provides entry of air therein and an outlet port that provides the air therein to be transmitted to the tub, and at least one receptacle which is integrated to the inner wall of the tub, and wherein the desiccant material is located and the dehumidifying unit is placed.
In the dishwasher of the present invention, hot water is delivered to the tub during the washing of the dishes placed in the dishwasher. With the delivery of the hot water, the temperature of the tub increases. Meanwhile, the temperature of the receptacle integrated to the tub also increases and the desiccant material is provided to be heated. Thus, during the desiccation, the amount of heat dissipating from the desiccant material to the tub increases.
The air passing through the dehumidifying unit is desiccated by means of the desiccant material. Meanwhile, the desiccant material emanates heat. Furthermore, the heater operates and provides the temperature of the receptacle to increase during the regeneration of the desiccant material. The air heated by the effect of the heater dissipates from the receptacle into the tub.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle is produced with the tub as a single piece.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one receptacle that extends from the tub wall in the form of a protrusion. The receptacle is located close to the dishes inside the tub. Thus, the heat dissipating from the receptacle during the regeneration or dehumidification process is used effectively for drying the dishes.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a receptacle that extends from the wall of the tub in the form of a protrusion and a tub inlet that provides entry of air into the tub and a tub outlet that provides the air in the tub to be discharged, a fan which extends between the tub inlet and the tub outlet and which sucks the humid air inside the tub and delivers it towards the dehumidifying unit, and at least one ventilating duct whereon the dehumidifying unit and the fan are located. In the dehumidifying step, the humid air received from inside the tub is directed to the ventilating duct by means of the fan. The humid air moving through the ventilating duct enters the receptacle by means of the inlet port. The air that is desiccated while passing through the desiccant material is delivered to the ventilating duct by passing through the outlet port. The air is transmitted into the tub by means of the tub inlet. The desiccant material emanates heat while the humid air is desiccated. Since the receptacle is located inside the tub, the tub is also heated together with the receptacle and the thermal energy generated during the dehumidification of the humid air is used for drying the dishes located inside the tub.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one protector member that is located in the vicinity of the tub inlet and prevents the entry of water into the ventilating duct.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle surface facing the wall of the tub is coated with insulation material.
By means of the present invention, together with the tub that is heated in the washing step, the desiccant material located inside the dehumidifying unit is also provided to be heated. The temperature of the desiccant material is increased before the desiccation process and thus, increase in the amount of heat emanated during desiccation is provided. By means of the heat dissipating into the receptacle, the efficiency provided by the desiccant material for heating or drying of the dishes is increased. Furthermore, by means of the tub, the heat emanated during the regeneration and dehumidification processes is prevented from damaging the electronic components.
The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the schematic view of the dishwasher of the present invention.
Figure 2 – is the schematic view of a dishwasher having a receptacle.
Figure 3 – is the schematic view of the dishwasher having a receptacle wherein the dehumidifying unit is placed.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Dishwasher
Body
Tub
Desiccant material
Receptacle
Heater
Inlet port
Outlet port
Dehumidifying unit
Fan
Protector member
Tub inlet
Tub outlet
Ventilating duct

The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2), a tub (3) which is placed into the body (2) such that a gap remains therebetween and wherein the washing process is performed, a dehumidifying unit (9) which has a desiccant material (4) which desiccates the air received from the tub (3) while the air passes therethrough, at least one heater (6) used for the regeneration of the desiccant material (4), at least one inlet port (7) providing the entry of air therein and at least one outlet port (8) enabling the air exiting therefrom to be discharged to the outer environment, and a receptacle (5) wherein the dehumidifying unit (9) is located and which is integrated with the tub (3) (Figure 1).
In the washing step, the temperature inside the tub (3) increases with the effect of the hot water. With the effect of the tub (3) temperature, the temperature of the receptacle (5) that is integrated with the tub (3) also increases. With the receptacle (5) temperature increasing, the temperature of the desiccant material (4) also increases. The temperature of the desiccant material (4) is increased before the desiccation process and thus, increase in the amount of heat emanated during desiccation is provided. The drying efficiency is increased by means of the heat dissipating from the receptacle (5) into the tub (3).
In the drying step of the washing program, humid air in the tub (3) is transferred to the dehumidifying unit (9) through the inlet port (7). The air passing through the dehumidifying unit (9) is desiccated by means of the desiccant material (4). Meanwhile, the desiccant material (4), the moisture of which is retained upto the saturation point, emanates heat. The emanated heat dissipates from the receptacle (5) into the tub (3) and provides the tub (3) to be heated. Thus, together with the receptacle (5), the tub (3) integrated with the receptacle (5) is also provided to be heated.
The air dehumidified and heated in the dehumidifying unit (9) is delivered onto the dishes by passing through the outlet port (8) and thus, the water remaining on the dishes is removed. The desiccant material (4) saturated with moisture in the drying step is regenerated in the next washing step and regains its desiccant characteristic. The regeneration process is realized between the cold washing and the hot washing steps of the next washing program. During the regeneration process, the heater (6) also operates. The heater (6) provides the desiccant material (4) located therearound to be regenerated by transferring heat to it. The air, the temperature of which increases by passing through the receptacle (5) heated by the effect of the heater (6), dissipates into the tub (3). Thus, the heat dissipating from the heater (6) is used for heating the inside of the tub (3) and provides the water remaining on the dishes to be removed. Furthermore, the heat emanated during the operation of the heater (6) is provided to remain inside the tub (3) and thus the electronic components close to the receptacle (5) are prevented from being damaged by the heat.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle (5) is produced with the tub (3) as a single piece. Thus, an additional operation is not required for mounting the receptacle (5) into the tub (3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a receptacle (5) that extends from the base of the tub (3) towards the inside of the tub (3). The dehumidifying unit (9) is placed into the tub (3) by means of the receptacle (5). In the drying step of the washing program, the humid air in the tub (3) is transmitted to the dehumidifying unit (9) through the inlet port (7). Meanwhile, the desiccant material (4), which retains moisture upto the saturation point, emanates heat. The emanated heat passes through the receptacle (5) and is directed into the tub (3). Thus, the heat dissipating from the dehumidifying unit (9) is used for heating the inside of the tub (3) and provides the water remaining on the dishes to be removed (Figure 1).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the receptacle (5) which extends from the base of the tub (3) towards the outside of the tub (3), a tub inlet (12) which provides entry of air into the tub (3) and a tub outlet (13) which provides the air in the tub (3) to be discharged, a fan (10) which sucks the humid air inside the tub (3) and delivers it towards the dehumidifying unit (9), and a ventilating duct (14) which extends between the tub inlet (12) and the tub outlet (13) and whereon the dehumidifying unit (9) and the fan (10) are located. The dehumidifying unit (9) is placed into the tub (3) by means of the receptacle (5). In the drying step, the humid air received from inside the tub (3) is directed to the dehumidifying unit (9) by means of the fan (10). The humid air is received into the receptacle (5) by passing through the inlet port (7) by means of the ventilating duct (14). The air propelled by the fan (10) reaches the outlet port (8) by moving through the receptacle (5). The heated air is directed from the outlet port (8) into the tub (3) by means of the ventilating duct (14). Heat is emanated by the dehumidifying unit (9) during regeneration or during the operation of the heater (6). Together with the receptacle (5), the tub (3) integrated with the receptacle (5) is also provided to be heated by the emanated heat. Thus, the heat dissipating from the dehumidifying unit (9) during regeneration or desiccation is used for heating the inside of the tub (3) and provides the water remaining on the dishes to be removed (Figure 2, Figure 3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle (5) walls facing the body (2) are coated with insulation material. Thus, heat loss towards the outside of the tub (3) is prevented. Furthermore, the heat emanated during the operation of the heater (6) is provided to remain inside the tub (3) and thus the electronic components close to the receptacle (5) are prevented from being damaged.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one protector member (11) that is located between the tub inlet (12) and the ventilating duct (14) and prevents the entry of water into the ventilating duct (14) from the tub (3). The protector member (11) is shaped as an umbrella. The water inside the tub (3) is prevented from entering the dehumidifying unit (9) by the ventilating duct (14) (Figure 3).
The desiccant material (4) has reversible feature. Preferably zeolite is used as the desiccant material (4).
By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized that comprises a receptacle (5) integrated with the tub (3), the temperature of which increases by means of the hot water in the washing step. Thus, the heat of the tub (3) is transmitted to the receptacle (5) integrated thereto and to the desiccant material (4) inside the receptacle (5). The temperature of the desiccant material (4) is increased before the desiccation process and thus, increase in the amount of heat emanated during desiccation is provided. The drying efficiency is increased by means of the heat dissipating from the receptacle (5) into the tub (3). Furthermore, the heat energy dissipated to the environment by the dehumidifying unit (9) is used for heating the inside of the tub (3). By the dissipation of the heat, generated during the operation of the heater (6) in the regeneration process, into the tub (3), thermal gain is provided, less energy is consumed and the electronic components close to the dehumidifying unit (9) are prevented from being damaged by this heat.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising

- a body (2),

- a tub (3) wherein the washing process is performed, disposed into the body (2) such that a gap remains therebetween,

- a dehumidifying unit (9) which has a desiccant material (4) which desiccates the air received from the tub (3) while the air passes therethrough, at least one heater (6) used for the regeneration of the desiccant material (4), at least one inlet port (7) providing entry of air therein and at least one outlet port (8) enabling the air exiting therefrom to be discharged to the outer environment,

- characterized by a receptacle (5) wherein the dehumidifying unit (9) is located and which is integrated with the tub (3).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a receptacle (5) that is produced as a single piece with the tub (3).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a receptacle (5) that extends from the base of the tub (3) towards the inside of the tub (3).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a receptacle (5) which extends from the base of the tub (3) towards the outside of the tub (3), a tub inlet (12) which provides entry of air into the tub (3) and a tub outlet (13) which provides the air in the tub (3) to be discharged, a fan (10) which sucks the humid air inside the tub (3) and delivers it towards the dehumidifying unit (9), and a ventilating duct (14) which extends between the tub inlet (12) and the tub outlet (13) and whereon the dehumidifying unit (9) and the fan (10) are located.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a receptacle (5) of which the walls facing the body (2) are coated with insulation material.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the Claims 3 to 5, characterized by at least one protector member (11) that is located between the tub inlet (12) and the ventilating duct (14) and prevents the entry of water into the ventilating duct (14) from the tub (3).