WO2019034373A1

WO2019034373A1 - A dishwasher comprising a heat pump

Info

Publication number: WO2019034373A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/069767
Authority: WO
Inventors: Onur Poyraz; Erkan KUTUK; Emre SAGLICAN; Nurgul Gokdere; Cafer OZYURD
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2017-08-18
Filing date: 2018-07-20
Publication date: 2019-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-18
Also published as: TR201712321A2

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un lave-vaisselle (1) comprenant un corps (2) ; une cuve de lavage (3) qui est disposée dans le corps (2) et dans laquelle le processus de lavage est effectué ; une pompe à chaleur (4) qui est disposé dans le corps (2) et qui a au moins un premier échangeur de chaleur (5) pour absorber la chaleur ambiante en formant une surface froide, un second échangeur de chaleur (6) qui permet à l'eau de lavage d'être chauffée par création d'une surface chaude à l'aide de la chaleur absorbée par le premier échangeur de chaleur (5) et un compresseur (7) qui est en communication fluidique avec le premier échangeur de chaleur (5) et le second échangeur de chaleur (6) et qui réalise le cycle de réfrigération ; et au moins un ventilateur (8) qui permet à l'air d'environnement extérieur d'être transporté vers le premier échangeur de chaleur (5).The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and in which the washing process is carried out; a heat pump (4) which is disposed in the body (2) and which has at least a first heat exchanger (5) for absorbing the ambient heat by forming a cold surface, a second heat exchanger (6) which allows the wash water to be heated by creating a hot surface using the heat absorbed by the first heat exchanger (5) and a compressor (7) which is in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger; heat (5) and the second heat exchanger (6) and which carries out the refrigeration cycle; and at least one fan (8) which allows the outside environment air to be transported to the first heat exchanger (5).

Description

A DISHWASHER COMPRISING A HEAT PUMP

The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a heat pump.

In dishwashers, heat pumps are used for decreasing the energy consumption and improve the drying performance. In heat pump dishwashers, the heat pump is composed of elements such as the compressor, the condenser, the throttle element and the evaporator. The components of the heat pump are connected via a pipe line and the heat transfer is provided by means of the cycle fluid in the line. The condenser is a tube bundle that has a hot surface and enables the washing water used in the washing process to be heated. 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 condenser. In a large number of heat pump systems, a fan is used, that enables the ambient air to be sucked and directed towards the evaporator. The air directed towards the heat pump by means of the fan transfers its heat to the evaporator and sent back to the environment with its temperature decreased. The air that has cooled down leaves from the rear side of the dishwasher. The read side of the dishwashers is generally closed. The cold air hits the rear surface of the dishwasher and causes the formation of condensation. In particular in built-in products, the condensed water droplets cause the surface whereon the condensation occurs to be damaged in the course of time.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2682038, a dishwasher is disclosed, comprising a duct that enables the air on the heat pump to be directed.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher wherein the condensation caused by the air that cools down while passing over the heat pump is prevented.

The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises at least one heat source that is disposed after the first heat exchanger in a first air flow direction provided by the fan, and a duct wherein the first heat exchanger is disposed and that enables the air cooled by the first heat exchanger to be directed onto the heat source. In order to prevent the air that loses its heat and cools down by being passed over the first heat exchanger from causing condensation, the air is directed by means of the duct and heated by means of the heat source positioned after the first heat exchanger in the direction of the air flow.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a compressor that is used as the heat source. By means of this embodiment, the compressor generating thermal energy is used while performing the refrigerant cycle without the need for using an external/additional heat source. Thus, the air that cools down thanks to thermal contact with the first heat exchanger is directed towards the compressor by means of the duct, and the air is heated, decreasing the possibility of condensation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the compressor is disposed in the duct in the dishwasher. In this embodiment, the air passing over the first heat exchanger is enabled to directly reach the compressor acting as the heat source without any loss. Thus, the heat provided by the compressor is completely used and the air is almost completely heated, preventing condensation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the compressor is disposed at the outlet of the duct in the dishwasher. By means of this embodiment, the need for producing the duct with large dimensions so as to receive the compressor is eliminated, and the volume wherein the available small components are placed is enabled to be used more efficiently.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the heat source that is a resistance heater. By means of the heater, the air is heated before being discharged outside. In a version of this embodiment, the dishwasher comprises a temperature sensor that is disposed after the heat source and a control unit that provides the controlling of the heat source according to the data received from the temperature sensor. The temperature of the air passing over the first heat exchanger is not always the same. In this case, operating the heat source continuously at the same temperature and at the same setting causes energy loss. The control unit measures the temperature of the air to be discharged outside by means of the temperature sensor, and enables the heat source to be operated with less energy if the air is hotter than it should be, in other words hotter than required, and enables the heat source to be operated with more energy if not. Thus, the heat source is prevented from being operated unnecessarily when it is hot, providing energy savings.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the compressor positioned before the first heat exchanger in the direction of the air flow, and the duct that enables the air sucked from the outer environment by means of the fan and heated by the compressor to be directed towards the first heat exchanger and enables the air passing over the first heat exchanger to be directed towards the heat source. In this embodiment, the temperature of the air passing over the first heat exchanger is enabled to be higher so as to allow the heat source to be operated with less energy, thus decreasing the possibility of condensation while the efficiency of the heat pump is increased by sending hot air onto the first heat exchanger.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the compressor is disposed at the inlet of the duct in the dishwasher. In this embodiment, it is aimed to use more efficiently the small volume wherein the components are placed as disclosed in the above embodiments.

By means of the dishwasher of the present invention, the problem of condensation that is encountered especially in built-in dishwashers is eliminated by means of the heat source heating the cold air and the duct that enables the air to be directed and wherein the first heat exchanger is disposed.

A dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the dishwasher.

Figure 2 - is the schematic view of the heat pump.

Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the duct and the heat source.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Dishwasher
Body
Washing tub
Heat pump
First heat exchanger
Second heat exchanger
Compressor
Fan
Heat source
Duct
Temperature sensor
Control unit

The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2); a washing tub (3) that is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; a heat pump (4) that is disposed in the body (2) and that has at least one first heat exchanger (5) for absorbing the ambient heat by forming a cold surface, a second heat exchanger (6) that enables the washing water to be heated by creating a hot surface using the heat absorbed from the first heat exchanger (5) and a compressor (7) that is in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger (5) and the second heat exchanger (6) and that performs the refrigerant cycle; and at least one fan (8) that enables the outer environment air to be delivered onto the first heat exchanger (5). The ambient air is sucked and delivered to the first heat exchanger (5) by means of the fan (8). By drawing heat from the air in the first heat exchanger (5), thermal energy is drawn from the environment, and the thermal energy drawn is transferred to the second heat exchanger (6) so as to heat the water used for washing. By performing the refrigerant cycle by means of the compressor (7), the heat drawn from the environment is transferred between the heat exchangers (5, 6) (Figure 1, Figure 2).

The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises at least one heat source (9) that is disposed after the first heat exchanger (5) in a first air flow provided by the fan (8), and a duct (10) wherein the first heat exchanger (5) is disposed and that enables the air cooled by the first heat exchanger (5) to be directed onto the heat source (9). The first heat exchanger (5) which is one of the components of the heat pump (4) is disposed on the duct (10). The air passing over the first heat exchanger (5) is directed through the duct (10) and heated by the heat source (9). Thus, the air to be discharged from the dishwasher (1) is prevented from being heated and condensed in a manner to damage the environment (Figure 3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the heat source (9) that is the compressor (7) performing the refrigerant cycle. Thus, without the need for using an additional heat source (9), the heat generated by the compressor (7) is used. Consequently, the air that cools down while passing over the first heat exchanger (5) is heated by being passed over the compressor (7) and is prevented from causing condensation while being discharged. Moreover, by also cooling the compressor (7), the compressor (7) is prevented from drawing excessive current while in operation, and a safer dishwasher (1) is realized.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the compressor (7) that is disposed in the duct (10). The heat dissipated by the compressor (7) while in operation is lower than the amount of heat dissipated by a resistance heater that is supplied with energy. By disposing the compressor (7) in the duct (10), the air that cools down by being passed over the first heat exchanger (5) is enabled to be completely directed towards the compressor (7) used as the heat source (9) without any loss, and thus, the air is enabled to be heated so as not to cause condensation on the surface the air hits thanks to the compressor (7) providing relatively small amount of heat.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the compressor (7) that is disposed at the outlet of the duct (10). In this embodiment, by being disposed into the duct (10) that forms a closed volume, the compressor (7) is prevented from excessively heating up. The compressor (7) generates heat while in operation; however, the compressor (7) must not heat up excessively for efficient operation. By positioning the compressor (7) just at the outlet of the duct (10), the air passing over the first heat exchanger (5) is heated while preventing the compressor (7) from excessively heating up.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the heat source (9) that is a resistance heater. In this embodiment, the air that cools down by passing over the first heat exchanger (5) is heated by the heat source (9) that is a resistance heater. Thus, the air can be heated up to high temperatures and the problem of condensation is eliminated.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a temperature sensor (11) that is positioned after the heat source (9) in the direction of the air flow, and a control unit (12) that adjusts the amount of heat provided by the heat source (9) according to the data received from the temperature sensor (11). The control unit (12) measures the temperature of the air heated by the heat source (9) and provides that the air is hot enough not to always cause condensation and cold enough to prevent excessive energy consumption. For example, in case the ambient temperature is high, the air passing over the first heat exchanger (5) is relatively hotter and is not required to be heated too much to prevent condensation. In such cases the control unit (12) operates the heat source (9) at lower temperatures, thus providing energy savings.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the compressor (7) positioned before the first heat exchanger (5) in the direction of the air flow, and the duct (10) that enables the air sucked from the outer environment by means of the fan (8) and heated by the compressor (7) to be directed towards the first heat exchanger (5) and enables the air passing over the first heat exchanger (5) to be directed towards the heat source (9). By means of this embodiment, the air sucked from the outer environment is heated by means of the compressor (7) and delivered to the first heat exchanger (5), thus increasing the efficiency of the first heat exchanger (5). Moreover, by sending hot air onto the first heat exchanger (5), the cold air obtained from over the first heat exchanger (5) is enabled to be relatively hotter and the possibility of condensation is decreased.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the compressor (7) that is disposed at the inlet of the duct (10). As disclosed in the above embodiments, the compressor (7) is prevented from excessively heating up by being placed into the duct (10).

In different embodiments of the present invention, the second heat exchanger (6) can be used as the heat source (9). This embodiment decreases the efficiency of the heat pump (4) for a certain amount; however, the condensation is prevented, thus providing user satisfaction.

By directing the air by means of the duct (10) of the present invention, lossless thermal contact with the heat source (9) is provided and condensation is prevented with the heating of the air. Thus, the cold air received from over the first heat exchanger (5) is heated and discharged. Since the temperature of the air discharged from the rear side of the dishwasher (1) is compatible with the ambient temperature, the kitchen environment is prevented from being damaged.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) that is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; a heat pump (4) that is disposed in the body (2) and that has at least one first heat exchanger (5) for absorbing the ambient heat by forming a cold surface, a second heat exchanger (6) that enables the washing water to be heated by creating a hot surface using the heat absorbed from the first heat exchanger (5) and a compressor (7) that is in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger (5) and the second heat exchanger (6) and that performs the refrigerant cycle; and at least one fan (8) that enables the outer environment air to be delivered onto the first heat exchanger (5), characterized by at least one heat source (9) that is disposed after the first heat exchanger (5) in a first air flow provided by the fan (8), and a duct (10) wherein the first heat exchanger (5) is disposed and that enables the air cooled by the first heat exchanger (5) to be directed onto the heat source (9).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the heat source (9) that is the compressor (7) performing the refrigerant cycle.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the compressor (7) that is disposed in the duct (10).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the compressor (7) that is disposed at the outlet of the duct (10).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the heat source (9) that is a resistance heater.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by a temperature sensor (11) that is positioned after the heat source (9) in the direction of the air flow, and a control unit (12) that adjusts the amount of heat provided by the heat source (9) according to the data received from the temperature sensor (11).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the claims 1, 5 or 6, characterized by the compressor (7) positioned before the first heat exchanger (5) in the direction of the air flow, and the duct (10) that enables the air sucked from the outer environment by means of the fan (8) and heated by the compressor (7) to be directed towards the first heat exchanger (5) and enables the air passing over the first heat exchanger (5) to be directed towards the heat source (9).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by the compressor (7) that is disposed at the inlet of the duct (10).