FR2805729A1 - DISHWASHER COMPRISING A CONDENSING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a condensing device and a washing chamber. The dishwasher is improved by one or more air channels (2) which connect the washing chamber (7) to at least one. outer surface of one or more regeneration water tanks and / or at least one outer surface of a supply channel for fresh water, which is arranged between a fresh water supply valve and a free flow path. In addition, embodiments are shown where the supply channel for fresh water has a large volume and the air channel (s) (2) has an opening (3) to the upper area of the washing chamber. (7) and an opening (4) towards the lower zone of the washing enclosure. The invention is applicable in particular in the field of household appliances.

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher with a device for

  condensation and a washing chamber.

  In a conventional dishwasher, a rinsing cycle is carried out after the washing cycle, where the parts to be washed in the dishwasher are heated by the rinsing liquid to a higher temperature. After rinsing, the rinsing liquid is pumped, and the drying phase to dry the parts to be washed follows. During the drying operation, the drops of liquid adhering to the parts to be washed must evaporate and condense on

  colder places inside the dishwasher.

  To speed up the drying operation, it is known from document EP 0 486 828 B1 a dishwasher with a condensation device where a condensation container is partially filled with water. At a lower opening in the washing chamber, moist air is removed and is guided over the surface of the water in the condensation container before being discharged to the outside of the dishwasher. By cooling the air on the surface of the water, water is condensed. However, the cooled air is saturated now as before with water vapor so that the air containing water vapor arrives, for example, in the living atmosphere of a kitchen. This can lead to unpleasant odors due to leftover washing liquid.

  entrained in the air. DE 37 41 652 A1 discloses a washing machine

  dishes with a condensation device where the drying operation is supported by a closed air circulation system. The humid air of the washing chamber is guided by a channel to a heat exchanger / condenser arranged outside the washing chamber and thermally insulated from it.

  which is cooled by the melting of a state change thermal regulator.

  The air is cooled by the transmission of energy to the change-of-state thermal controller in the heat exchanger / condenser, and thus the water in it is condensed. In doing so, the absolute water content of the circulating air decreases. By the air channel, the air is brought back to the washing chamber. An additional heating element is also provided in the section of air channel leading from the thermal regulator to change of state to the washing chamber to obtain optimal drying. Thus, to accelerate the drying of the parts to be washed, it is also necessary to provide a thermal regulator with change of state and a heating element, the latter causing the

  energy consumption of the dishwasher.

  On the basis of this, the invention relates to the improvement of a dishwasher with a condensing device so that, by using the smallest number of additional construction parts possible, efficient condensation at an advantageous cost. water vapor present

  in the washing chamber is made possible.

  This object is achieved according to a first embodiment of the washing machine.

  crockery comprising a condensing device and a washing enclosure in that the washing enclosure is connected by one or more air channels to at least one external face of one or more containers of regeneration water. The regeneration water container (s) are used in a conventional dishwasher for the supply of water which is brought after each or after a certain number of washing cycles to the salt tank and from there to the heat exchanger d 'ions for water softening. Depending on the hardness of

  water, different amounts of regeneration water are required. In washers

  tableware with switching control, this is brought in an adjustable manner according to the degree of water hardness from one or more tanks of regeneration water to the tank for salt. In the case of an electronic control, the regeneration water is supplied from a regeneration water tank according to the degree of hardness of the water after each washing cycle or only after a certain number of cycles of

washing.

  The regeneration water tank (s) contain a total volume of water which is typically 0.4 I. Therefore, the regeneration water tank is a component which is provided anyway. in the dishwasher, which in comparison with the heated atmosphere of the washing enclosure a heat sink and therefore a mass of condensation. It is therefore no longer necessary to provide a

  additional heat absorbing component.

  The water stored in the regeneration water tanks is exchanged at each water supply operation, for example during the washing operation or during the rinsing operation, at least partially with fresh water from the supply duct. The regeneration water heated by the previous condensation operation is thus replaced by cooler water so that, also in the case of close washing cycles, each time

  times fresh regeneration water is available for condensation.

  Through the air channel, a warm atmosphere, saturated with water vapor from the washing chamber, arrives at the fresh external surface of the regeneration water tank, cools and produces condensation water there. following the supersaturation. The cooled air returns to the washing chamber, heats up there and can then be charged with water again so that by the circulation of air through the air channel and the washing chamber, the phase of

drying is shortened.

  The exterior surface of the regeneration water tank is typically of a synthetic material. However, also regeneration water tanks made of a material with thermal conductivity

  high, such as a metal sheet, can be used.

  The regeneration water tank can be spaced apart in this case from the outside of the washing enclosure or can be isolated by means of an insulation layer with respect to the washing enclosure so that the heat transfer from the heated wash cabinet to the regeneration water tank is decreased. As a result, heating of the water in the water tank of

  regeneration, for example during the wash cycle, is decreased.

  For condensation, an additional consumption of water is not required since the fresh water supplied is used anyway, for example for the washing operation, the rinsing operation or the regeneration operation. The air channel is in this case regularly a channel made of a synthetic material, but it can also be made of a metal sheet. Advantageously, there is integrated in the air channel an air evacuation channel necessary anyway for the compensation or equalization of the pressure between the washing chamber and the atmosphere of the outside space. . This helps to decrease the complexity of the manufacturing technique, and a

  additional opening in the washing chamber is avoided.

  In an advantageous embodiment, the air channel is disposed between the washing enclosure and the regeneration water tank or tanks. This makes it possible to obtain additional thermal insulation of the regeneration water tank or tanks with respect to the washing enclosure so that there is no direct heat exchange between the outer wall of the enclosure. and the regeneration water tank. This reduces, on the one hand, the heat loss from the washing chamber and, on the other hand, the regeneration water is heated

  less which provides a better condensation effect.

  Since in this embodiment, due to the construction space, the external surface of the regeneration water tank (s) is produced in the same size as the external wall of the washing enclosure, an external surface respectively particularly large contact area at the air channel is available. In this case, the external surface of the regeneration water tank can constitute entirely or

  partially the lateral delimitation of the air channel.

  The object of the invention is also achieved according to a second embodiment of the dishwasher comprising a condensing device, in that the washing enclosure and at least one external surface of a water supply channel fresh, which is arranged between a fresh water supply valve and a free flow path, are connected by one or more

air channels.

  In a conventional dishwasher, the fresh water supply channel is located between the fresh water supply valve which is connected to the external fresh water supply and a free flow path which is open towards the atmosphere. By the free flow path, on the one hand, the water pipe system inside the dishwasher is uncoupled from the pipe pressure of the fresh water supply and it prevents, on the other hand apart, a backflow of water from the dishwasher's water line to the fresh water supply. The water in the supply channel is exchanged during each supply of water so that here fresh water is available as a cold tank. In doing so, there is no additional water consumption. As in the first embodiment, an element available anyway is used in the dishwasher. As a result, the required components and manufacturing costs are reduced. The advantages described above with regard to the first condensing device

also apply here.

  Thus, here too, part of the air channels present anyway can be used to equalize the pressure between the washing chamber and the atmosphere, as part of the air channel. For thermal insulation, it is also advantageous here to arrange the air channel between the channel

  and the washing chamber.

  The object of the invention is also achieved according to a third embodiment of the dishwasher comprising a condensing device in that the washing enclosure and at least one external surface of a fresh water supply channel which is arranged between the fresh water supply valve and a free flow path, and at least one outer surface of a

  regeneration water tank are connected by one or more air channels.

  Thus, both the regeneration water tank or tanks and the supply channel are used as the condensing surface. In this case, the connection between the washing enclosure and the regeneration water tank (s)

  and the supply channel can be made by one or more air channels.

  Because the two volumes of water are used for condensation, the

  absorption capacity of the heat of condensation is further increased.

  In an advantageous embodiment, both the regeneration water tanks and the supply channel are thermally insulated by

  relation to the washing chamber by the air channel or channels situated between them.

  In the embodiments described above, the external surfaces of the regeneration water tank or tanks as well as of the supply channel may also be an external surface extending through the tank, for example when the supply channel air is caused to pass through the tank or tanks. In a conventional dishwasher, the supply channel and the regeneration water tank (s) are integrated in a side element of a regeneration and metering unit of the dishwasher in a modular construction mode. The air channel according to the invention can be placed in a particularly advantageous manner, in a sandwich construction mode as a half-shell open on one side on the regeneration and metering unit present so that the additional or enlarged air channel with the side element of the regeneration and metering unit can be prefabricated

as a finished module.

  By taking advantage of the width and height of the side element of the regeneration and metering unit, a large cross section of the air channel is obtained on the surface thereof in both directions which allows to obtain a high air flow without significantly increasing the mounting depth of the side element of the regeneration and metering unit. When, according to another embodiment, the air channel or channels are connected by an opening to the upper zone of the washing enclosure, the rising atmosphere, heated and saturated with water vapor of the enclosure washing arrives via the channel at the respective condensing surfaces o due to the higher temperature of the atmosphere of the washing chamber,

  the amount of water entrained is particularly high.

  In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the air channel is connected both by an opening in the upper zone of the washing enclosure and also by at least one opening in the lower zone of the washing enclosure at the cooling face. In this case, the exchange of air between the cooling face and the washing chamber is supported by natural convection. The air heated by the stored washing parts rises in the washing chamber, passes through the upper opening in the channel and is guided towards the cooling face. The air cools there, falls inside the air channel at the bottom towards the lower opening towards the washing enclosure and enters it again as cooled air where it can heat up and

  ride up. As a result, a particularly high air exchange takes place.

  For the exchange of air in the lower zone of the washing chamber, the openings present anyway can be used for the compensation of the pressure between the washing chamber and the atmosphere, and thus it is not no need to provide an additional opening towards the interior of

the washing chamber.

  When a blower is provided in at least one of the air channels to circulate the air exchanged between the condensing surface and the washing chamber, natural convection is accelerated. This considerably increases the amount of air exchanged and therefore

shorten the drying phase.

  The external surface of the supply channel and / or of the regeneration water tanks which are in contact with the air channel can be enlarged by a corresponding embodiment of the surface. For example, the surface can be folded or provided with cylindrical projections. A surface configuration by

  sanding would be possible and advantageous.

  In another advantageous embodiment, the volume of the supply channel is enlarged relative to the volume required for the supply of fresh water. Thus, the quantity of water in reserve in the supply channel increases, and the thermal absorption capacity of the supply channel

additionally increases.

  In this case, the supply channel will preferably be flat where the enlargement of the volume takes place by a lateral extension, inside the depth of the construction space of the lateral element of the regeneration unit. and dosage. Thus, the mounting depth of the regeneration and metering unit does not increase while in the case of the embodiment where the air channel is disposed between the supply channel and the washing chamber, the surface outside increases towards the air channel. By enlarging the volume of the supply channel, the quantity of cooling water necessary for condensation can be made available to a

flexible way.

  The supply channel of a larger volume is produced in this case so that the flow of fresh water which passes through it is distributed during the supply of fresh water over the greater part of the cross section of the channel d 'food. This prevents part of the water in the supply channel from being replaced by fresh water for a longer period of time. This avoids hygienic pollution by water

not fresh.

  Almost complete water exchange within the supply channel can be achieved in one embodiment in that the cross section of the supply channel continuously widens from the water inlet side and decreases again continuously towards the water outlet side. In addition, the supply channel can be folded, serpentine or sinuous, where the different sections are connected by flow channels to each other so that the water, for transport of dishwasher,

  can be almost completely drained from the supply channel.

  1 5 Complete mixing of the water can also be achieved by flow barriers within a large supply channel, where the flow barriers narrow the cross-section respectively. flow direction and thus ensure complete mixing. The flow barriers can be provided with drainage openings so that the water for transporting the dishwasher can

  here also be completely removed from the supply channel.

  The invention will be better understood, and other objects, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the course of the invention.

  explanatory description which will follow made with reference to the drawings

  attached diagrams given solely by way of example illustrating embodiments of the invention, and in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a side element of a regeneration and metering unit, where an air channel is removed, FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the side element of FIG. 1, with the air channel in place, FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a washing chamber of a dishwasher, to which the side element is connected, FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the air channel in a front view, FIG. 5 is a detailed schematic representation of a supply channel of the lateral element according to a first embodiment, FIG. 6 is a partial view of the supply channel of the lateral element according to a second embodiment and FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic representation of the channel

  power supply according to a third embodiment.

  Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a side element 1 of a regeneration and metering unit of a dishwasher and of an air channel 2 removed from the side element 1, in a side view. The air outlet in the air channel 2 takes place via an upper connector 3 and arrives at the lower end of the air channel 2 through a connection opening 31 in the lateral element. From there, the air flows to the lower connection 4. The air guide is characterized in FIG. 3 in a corresponding manner by arrows. On the lower side of the side element 1 are arranged a connection 5 for the supply of fresh water, other connections for the internal water circuits of the dishwasher as well as a flow of water into the tank of the dishwasher. Layout and function

  connection takes place in a known manner.

  From the side element 1, a water hardness adjustment element 6 projects towards the air channel 2. The water hardness adjustment element 6 serves, as is known, to adjust the hardness of the water in a switch-on dishwasher, and dose according to the set degree of hardness

  of water the amount of water supplied to the regeneration unit.

  In Fig. 2, the side element I of the regeneration and metering unit is shown diagrammatically in a side view, where the air channel 2 is

placed on the side element 1.

  As shown by dashed lines, the water hardness adjustment element 6 projects into the lower connection 4 of the side element 1 and ends flush with it. This makes it easier to adjust the degree of water hardness at the water hardness adjusting element 6 after mounting. During assembly, the air channel 2 can be screwed, engaged, glued or connected by a combination of these fixing possibilities to the lateral element 1. The air channel 2 can be made of the same synthetic material as the side element 1 so that the thermal behavior of the materials is identical and that tensions are not produced. At the same time, the air channel 2 thermally insulates the lateral element 1 from the outer wall

  a washing chamber 7 of the dishwasher.

  Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing enclosure 7 of the dishwasher to which the side element 1 is clamped with the air channel 2 in place. The lower connection 4 of the side element 1 is connected by an opening in the lower zone of the washing enclosure 7 to the washing enclosure 7. The upper connection 3 of the air channel is connected by a elongation 8 also at the washing enclosure 7, o the elongation channel 8 opens out through an opening at the upper side of the washing enclosure 7 therein. The water hardness adjustment element 6 projecting away from the side element 1 and ending in flush with the lower connector 4 can be conveniently adjusted by access from the washing chamber 7. When the atmosphere in the washing chamber is heated, the hot air rises in the washing chamber 7, passes through the elongation channel 8 and the upper connector 3 in the air channel 2, cools in the air channel 2 and descends so that the cooled air arrives through the lower connector 4 again in the washing enclosure 7. The air circulation can be reinforced by a blower or a fan arranged , for example, in the channel

elongation 8.

  The lower connector 4 serves at the same time, in a known manner, as a pressure compensation opening between the washing enclosure 7 and the atmosphere of the outside space. The connection to the atmosphere of the external space takes place either by an opening of the air channel 2 towards the external atmosphere or by a connection between the air channel 2 and the lateral element I as well as the element lateral 1 and the external atmosphere. This last connection will preferably be used since for the flow of the condensation water, in any case a connection between the air channel 2 and the element

  lateral 1 is necessary (which will be described below).

  Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the air channel 2. The upper connector 3 is produced in an elongated shape so that during a large cross section, it occupies a reduced construction height above the enclosure of washing 7. The adjusting element 6 of the water hardness is represented in the lower connection 4 by dashed lines. The air channel 2 is closed on four sides, o the front side towards the washing enclosure 7 (the view in Fig. 4) apart from the fittings, the two narrow side parts Io and the upper side are closed while the back side and the side

lower are open.

  After the assembly of the air channel 2 and the side element 1, the rear side of the air channel 2 is formed by a part of the front side of the side element 1, and the narrow bottom side of the channel d air 2 is partially closed by a step 9 which is shown in FIG. 1. In the step 9 there is an opening so that the condensation water formed in the air channel and flowing downwards flows through the opening in the step 9 in the element side 1 and is guided from there by a fitting 20 (Fig. 5) to the tank

of dishwasher.

  As mentioned above, the opening in the step 9 also serves to equalize the pressure between the washing enclosure and the atmosphere of the outside space, where a pressure difference in the washing enclosure 7 is equalized by the lower connector 4 in the element

  lateral 1 and from there by an opening towards the atmosphere.

  Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the lateral element 1. Inside the lateral element 1, apart from other elements not shown here, are arranged a supply channel 10, a flow path free 11, a regeneration water tank 12A, 12B, 12C, a water channel 13, a regeneration water channel 17 and the adjustment element 6 of

water hardness.

  Coming from a fresh water supply valve, fresh water arrives through the connector 5 in the supply channel 10 and from there into the free flow path 11. The free flow path 11 is connected by an opening 14 to an air chamber 15 of the lateral element. The air chamber 15 is opened again with respect to the external atmosphere so that pressure compensation is ensured between the supply system in the lateral element 1 and the external atmosphere. From the free flow path 11, the supplied water arrives through the regeneration water tanks 12A, 12B, 12C to the water channel 13. Through the

  water channel 13, water flows through connection 16 to an ion exchanger of the washing machine

  dishes. The regeneration water tanks 12A, 12B, 12C are filled with each arrival of fresh water, and the volume of water contained in them is partially exchanged by the water flowing towards the water channel 13. For the regeneration of the ion exchanger, as a function of the degree of hardness of the fresh water and of the adjustment linked thereto of the water hardness adjusting element 6, one or more of the water tanks 12A, 12B, 12C are drained by the water hardness adjustment element 6, the regeneration water channel 17 and a

  connection 18 to the salt tank and from there into the ion exchanger.

  Other connections (for example 18) which are not described in more detail are arranged in a known manner also on the underside of the element.

  side 1 and are intended to connect the water circulation systems of the washing machine

dishes.

  The air chamber 15 is connected by a connector 20 to the tank of the washing machine.

  dishes. Through this can flow towards the tank of the dishwasher the water which arrives from the supply channel 10 or from the regeneration water tanks 12A, 12B, 12C through the opening 14 of the flow path free in the air chamber 15 as well as the condensation water from the air channel 2 which enters through the opening in the step 9 of the lateral element 1 in the

inner tube 15.

  Compared to a conventional supply channel, the volume of the supply channel 10 is enlarged so as to store a greater quantity of water. Therefore, the cold tank for the condensation of water vapor from the washing chamber 7 is increased and is available, next to the tanks.

  regeneration water 12A, 12B, 12C, to support condensation.

  Due to the construction technique, despite the enlarged volume of the supply channel 10, the openings of the connector 5 and of the passage to the free flow path 11 are limited as regards their cross section. To avoid dead volumes in which water is not exchanged, the volume of the supply channel 10 is produced in a particular way, like this

  appears from the embodiments of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

  In a first embodiment of the supply channel 10, return elements 21 are provided inside the volume of the channel which divert the flow of water inside the supply channel 10 several times and cause

thus a complete mixture of water.

  In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the intermediate walls 22 are arranged so as to produce a water channel folded several times, o the cross section of the water channel increases continuously from the inlet side until it remains approximately

  constant and then continuously decreases again to the outlet side.

  It is shown in FIG. 8 a third embodiment of the supply channel 10 o are provided next to the intermediate walls 23 additional barriers to the flow 24 which swirl the flow to

  inside the channel additionally and thus cause mixing.

  To evacuate the water from the supply channel 10, for transporting the dishwasher, additional flow openings 25 are provided at places inside the supply channel 10 o quantities of water can accumulate due to the intermediate walls 22, 23, the return elements 21 or the flow barriers 24 so that the water

  flows completely down.

  Air channel 2 is described here as a single flow air channel.

  However, in other embodiments, the air channel can also have several chambers or guide elements so that the path of the air flowing through the channel 2 is bent several times. The air, for the condensation of water, can also be diverted preferably towards the supply channel 10 or the regeneration water tanks 12A, 12B, 12C.

Claims (18)

Claims   1. Dishwasher with a condensing device and a washing enclosure, characterized in that the washing enclosure (7) is connected by one or more air channels (2) to at least one outer surface of a or from   several regeneration water tanks (12A, 12B, 12C).   2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that the air channel or channels (2) are arranged at least between the regeneration water tank or tanks (12A, 12B, 12C) and an outer surface of the washing chamber (7).   3. Dishwasher comprising a condensing device and a washing enclosure, characterized in that the washing enclosure (7) and at least one external surface of a supply channel (10) for fresh water , which is arranged between a fresh water supply valve and a flow path   free, are connected by one or more air channels (2).   4. Dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that the air channel or channels (2) are disposed at least partially between the channel   supply (10) and an outer surface of the washing enclosure (7).   5. Dishwasher comprising a condensing device and a washing enclosure, characterized in that the washing enclosure (7) and at least one outer surface of a supply channel (10) for fresh water , which is arranged between a fresh water supply valve and a free flow path, and at least one outer surface of a regeneration water tank   (12A, 12B, 12C) are connected by one or more air channels (2).   6. Dishwasher according to claim 5, characterized in that the air channel or channels (2) are arranged at least between the regeneration water tank or tanks (12A, 12B, 12C) and an outer surface of the washing enclosure (7) and between the supply channel (10) and an external surface of the enclosure washing (7).   7. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterized   in that the air channel (s) (2) have at least one opening (3) towards   the upper zone of the washing chamber (7).   8. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterized   in that the air channel (s) (2) have at least one opening (4) towards   the lower zone of the washing chamber (7).   9. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterized   in that an air circulation blower is arranged at least in one of the air channels (2, 8).   10. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the external surfaces, in contact with the air channel (2), of the regeneration water tank (s) (12A, 12B, 12C) and / or the supply channel (10) have elements surface in order to enlarge the   heat exchange and condensation surface.   11. Dishwasher according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in   that the feed channel (10) has a large volume.   12. Dishwasher according to claim 11, characterized in that the   supply channel (10) is made so that it is flat.   13. Dishwasher according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the water flow leading through the supply channel (10) is distributed at least over the largest part of the cross section of the channel supply (10).   14. Dishwasher according to claim 13, characterized in that the supply channel (10) has on the side of the water inlet a cross section increasing continuously and on the side of the water outlet a   continuously decreasing cross section.   15. Dishwasher according to claim 13, characterized in that the supply channel (10) is produced with folds, in a serpentine form or into a curvy shape.   16. Dishwasher according to claim 15, characterized in that the supply channel (10) has flow openings (25) or flow channels for connecting different sections of the supply channel (10).   17. Dishwasher according to claim 13, characterized in that flow barriers (24) for diverting the flow of water are arranged   along the supply channel (10).   18. Dishwasher according to claim 17, characterized in that the flow barriers (24) have flow openings (25) or flow channels.