EP3638091A1

EP3638091A1 - A dishwasher comprising a heat pump

Info

Publication number: EP3638091A1
Application number: EP18728109.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Onur Poyraz; Erkan KUTUK; Osman Gokhan Ersoy; Hasret GURSOY
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2017-06-12
Filing date: 2018-05-28
Publication date: 2020-04-22
Also published as: WO2018228808A1; TR201708615A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) arranged in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; and a heat pump (7) that is arranged under the washing tub (3) and that has a first heat exchanger (4) enabling the water to be used in the washing step to be heated by drawing heat from the environment, a second heat exchanger (5) transferring the heat received from the first heat exchanger (4) to the washing water and a compressor (6) fluidly connected to the first heat exchanger (4) and the second heat exchanger (5) so as to realize the refrigerant cycle.

Description

A DISHWASHER COMPRISING A HEAT PUMP

The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a heat pump.
In dishwashers, heat pumps are used to decrease the energy consumption and improve the drying performance. In heat pump dishwashers, the heat pump is composed of the compressor, the condenser, the throttle valve and the evaporator elements. The components of the heat pump are connected via a pipe line and the heat pump operates by means of the cycle fluid in the line. The condenser is a tube bundle having a hot surface and enables the water to be heated by being positioned in the washing liquid of the dishwasher. The evaporator has a cold surface and is positioned so as to contact the ambient air. The evaporator absorbs heat from the environment and provides heat transfer to the compressor and the condenser. In this type of heat pump systems, for heating the water, the compressor is operated to enable the condenser to heat the water, and the evaporator is enabled to absorb heat from the environment to support the condenser that heats the water. The compressor pressurize and sends the cycle fluid to the condenser. The cycle fluid passes through the condenser and reaches the evaporator. After the evaporator, the cycle fluid returns to the compressor. By sending the fluid received by the compressor to the condenser again, the cycle is completed. However, due to the continuous pressurization of the fluid during the cycle, the compressor heats up over time. The heat on the compressor causes decreased productivity in the system and damage in the components in the vicinity thereof.
In the state of the art European Patent Document No. EP2322072, a dishwasher is disclosed, comprising a heat pump that enables the stored heat to be used in the drying step since the heat exchanger is placed in a housing.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher comprising a heat pump with increased efficiency.
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 body; a washing tub that is disposed on the body and wherein the items to be washed are placed, and a heat pump that is disposed between the washing tub and the body. The heat pump comprises a first heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the environment so as to enable the water used in the washing step to be heated, a second heat exchanger that transfers the heat received from the first heat exchanger to the washing tub, and a compressor that performs the refrigerant cycle between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.
The dishwasher of the present invention comprises a transfer plate that is disposed on the compressor. The transfer plate absorbs and transfers the heat on the compressor. Thus, the heat on the compressor is reduced.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a surface heat exchanger that contacts the transfer plate so as to transfer the heat collected on the transfer plate.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the surface heat exchanger with one end disposed on the transfer plate and the other end connected to the first heat exchanger. Thus, excess heat absorbed from the compressor is transferred to the first heat exchanger.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a water pocket that is disposed between the washing tub and the body, and a surface heat exchanger that is disposed between the water pocket and the transfer plate and that provides thermal conduction. The water collected in the water pocket can be taken into the washing tub during the washing process. By means of the surface heat exchanger, the heat collected on the transfer plate is transferred to the water pocket.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a channel with one end connected to the water pocket, that enables the water in the water pocket to reach the surface heat exchanger, and a pump that is disposed on the channel. The pump provides the water flow.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a sump that is disposed under the washing tub, and the surface heat exchanger that is disposed between the sump and the transfer plate. The sump collects the excess water dribbling down from the items and the water to be sent to the spraying arm. A part of the surface heat exchanger is positioned on the sump and the other part on the transfer plate.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a condenser receptacle, and the surface heat exchanger that is disposed between the condenser receptacle and the transfer plate. The condenser is disposed in the condenser receptacle, and the condenser receptacle is full of water. By means of the surface heat exchanger, the heat on the transfer plate is transferred to the water in the condenser receptacle.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a drying duct that is disposed between the washing tub and the body, and the surface heat exchanger that is disposed between the drying duct and the transfer plate. By means of the drying duct, the air in the washing tub is dehumidified and sent back into the washing tub.
A 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.
Figure 2 - is the schematic view of the transfer plate.
Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the surface heat exchanger as in the water pocket.
Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the connection between the surface heat exchanger and the water pocket.
Figure 5 - is the schematic view of the surface heat exchanger as in the sump.
Figure 6 - is the schematic view of the surface heat exchanger as in the condenser receptacle.
Figure 7 - is the schematic view of the surface heat exchanger as in the drying duct.
The elements in the figures are numbered as follows:

Dishwasher
Body
Washing tub
First heat exchanger
Second heat exchanger
Compressor
Heat pump
Transfer plate
Surface heat exchanger
Water pocket
Channel
Pump
Sump
Condenser receptacle
Drying duct

The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2); a washing tub (3) arranged in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; and a heat pump (7) that is arranged under the washing tub (3) and that has a first heat exchanger (4) enabling the water to be used in the washing step to be heated by drawing heat from the environment, a second heat exchanger (5) transferring the heat received from the first heat exchanger (4) to the washing water and a compressor (6) fluidly connected to the first heat exchanger (4) and the second heat exchanger (5) so as to realize the refrigerant cycle. By means of the heat pump (7), the air in the washing tub (3) is dehumidified and sent back into the washing tub (3). Thus, the water droplets remaining on the dishes in the washing tub (3) after the washing process can be removed more quickly, thereby improving the drying performance (Figure 1).
The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises a transfer plate (8) that contacts the compressor (6) so as to transfer the heat on the compressor (6). The transfer plate (8) is in contact with the compressor (6). Thus, the heat accumulated on the compressor (6) is accumulated on the transfer plate (8). The heat accumulated on the transfer plate (8) is transferred away from the compressor (6). The heat can be used in the required processes on the heat pump (7).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a surface heat exchanger (9) that is disposed on the transfer plate (8) and that transfers the heat collected on the transfer plate (8). The surface heat exchanger (9) contacts the transfer plate (8) and transfers the heat collected on the transfer plate (8). The surface heat exchanger (9) is composed of pipes. Water or various fluids with high thermal conduction can be used in the pipes. Thus, the heat accumulated on the transfer plate (8) is transferred away from the compressor (6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the surface heat exchanger (9) with one end disposed on the transfer plate (8) and the other end connected to the first heat exchanger (4). The surface heat exchanger (9) transfers the heat received from the transfer plate (8) to the first heat exchanger (4). The first heat exchanger (4) and the surface heat exchanger (9) are joined. Thus, the heat transferred to the first heat exchanger (4) increases, improving the efficiency of the heat pump (Figure 2).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a water pocket (10) that is disposed between the washing tub (3) and the body (2) and that receives the water taken into the washing tub (3) during the washing process, and the surface heat exchanger (9) of which a part is positioned on the water pocket (10) and the other part on the transfer plate (8). The water pocket (10) is positioned close to the washing tub (3). The water collected in the water pocket (10) can be taken into the washing tub (3) and used during the washing process if necessary. By means of the surface heat exchanger (9), the heat collected on the transfer plate (8) can be transferred to the water pocket(10). Thus, the water collected in the water pocket (10) is heated. Heated water is taken into the washing tub (3) from the water pocket (10), and thus the need for heating the water again is eliminated (Figure 3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a channel (11) that enables the water in the water pocket (10) to be delivered to the surface heat exchanger (9), and a pump (12) that is disposed on the channel (11). The pipes of the surface heat exchanger (9) can be directly connected to the water pocket (10). In this case, the water collected in the water pocket (10) flows through the pipes of the surface heat exchanger (9). The pipes extending from the surface heat exchanger (9) to the water pocket (10) form the channel (11). The pump (12) is used to realized liquid delivery on the channel (11) (Figure 4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a sump (13) that is disposed under the washing tub (3) and wherein the water to be sent to the spray arms and the water dribbling down from the items to be washed is collected, and the surface heat exchanger (9) of which a part is positioned on the sump (13) and the other part on the transfer plate (8). The sump (13) is under the washing tub (3). The excess water remaining on the washed items after the washing process dribbles down to be accumulated in the sump (13). Moreover, the water taken from the mains is collected in the sump (13) before being delivered to the spray arms. The water collected in the sump (13) is heated by transferring the heat accumulated on the transfer plate (8) to the sump (13) by means of the surface heat exchanger (9). Thus, hotter water is delivered to the spray arms and the cleaning performance is improved (Figure 5).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a condenser receptacle (14) that is full of water to be delivered to the spray arms and wherein the second heat exchanger (5) is disposed, and the surface heat exchanger (9) of which a part is positioned on the condenser receptacle (14) and the other part on the transfer plate (8). The water is heated by means of the condenser in the condenser receptacle (14) before being delivered to the spray arms. The transfer of the heat accumulated on the transfer plate (8) to the condenser receptacle (14) by means of the surface heat exchanger (9) enables the water in the condenser receptacle (14) to be more quickly heated. Thus, the period required for heating the water is reduced, thus shortening the washing time (Figure 6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a drying duct (15) that is disposed between the washing tub (3) and the body (2) and that provides the delivery of dry air into the washing tub (3), and the surface heat exchanger (9) of which a part is positioned on the drying duct (15) and the other part on the transfer plate (8). The humid air in the washing tub (3) is taken into the drying duct (15), and thus the air is dehumidified. The dry air is sent back to the washing tub (3). Thus, the washed items are enabled to be more quickly dried. The humid air is dehumidified by hitting the cold and hot surfaces in the drying duct (15). The transfer of the heat accumulated on the transfer plate (8) to the drying duct (15) by means of the surface heat exchanger (9) enables the air to be more quickly dried. The hot air moves to the drying duct (15) through the surface heat exchanger (9) (Figure 7).
Moreover, the heat transferred from the transfer plate (8) by means of the surface heat exchanger (9) can be delivered into the drying duct (15) by means of metal grill structures or metal foams.
By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized, comprising a heat pump (7) wherein the heat accumulated on the compressor (6) is transferred so as to be used in various processes. The excess heat accumulated on the compressor (6) is moved away from the compressor (6), thus increasing the lifetime of the compressor (6) and enabling the use of the excess heat in various processes. Moreover, the heat generated by the compressor (6) is prevented from heating the dishwasher (1) environment and damaging other components.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) arranged in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; and a heat pump (7) that is arranged under the washing tub (3) and that has a first heat exchanger (4) enabling the water to be used in the washing step to be heated by drawing heat from the environment, a second heat exchanger (5) transferring the heat received from the first heat exchanger (4) to the washing water and a compressor (6) fluidly connected to the first heat exchanger (4) and the second heat exchanger (5) so as to realize the refrigerant cycle, characterized by a transfer plate (8) that contacts the compressor (6) so as to transfer the heat on the compressor (6).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a surface heat exchanger (9) that is disposed on the transfer plate (8) and that transfers the heat collected on the transfer plate (8).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the surface heat exchanger (9) with one end disposed on the transfer plate (8) and the other end connected to the first heat exchanger (4).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by a water pocket (10) that is disposed between the washing tub (3) and the body (2) and that receives the water taken into the washing tub (3) during the washing process, and the surface heat exchanger (9) of which a part is positioned on the water pocket (10) and the other part on the transfer plate (8).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by a channel (11) that enables the water in the water pocket (10) to be delivered to the surface heat exchanger (9), and a pump (12) that is disposed on the channel (11).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by a sump (13) that is disposed under the washing tub (3) and wherein the water to be sent to the spray arms and the water dribbling down from the items to be washed is collected, and the surface heat exchanger (9) of which a part is positioned on the sump (13) and the other part on the transfer plate (8).
A dishwasher (1) as Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by a condenser receptacle (14) that is full of water to be delivered to the spray arms and wherein the second heat exchanger (5) is disposed, and the surface heat exchanger (9) of which a part is positioned on the condenser receptacle (14) and the other part on the transfer plate (8).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by a drying duct (15) that is disposed between the washing tub (3) and the body (2) and that provides the delivery of dry air into the washing tub (3), and the surface heat exchanger (9) of which a part is positioned on the drying duct (15) and the other part on the transfer plate (8).