A DISHWASHER COMPRISING A HEAT PUMP

Abstract

 The present invention relates to 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; and a heat pump (7) which is arranged under the washing tub (3) and which 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

[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a heat pump.

[0002] 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 the compressor, the condenser, the throttle valve and the evaporator. 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 the 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 which heats the water. In order to ensure the continuity of the operation of the heat pump, the evaporator continuously absorbs heat from the environment, and, while using the heat for the heat pump, causes the discharged air to cool down. The cooled-down air is discharged after passing through the evaporator. The section through which the cold air is discharged is positioned at the rear side of the dishwasher. The cold air remaining between the mounting gap and the dishwasher increases in time so as to cover the entire rear side. This causes heat exchange between the washing tub and the cold air, adversely affecting the washing and drying performance. Moreover, the accumulation of cold air between the mounting gap and the dishwasher leads to deformation in the kitchen furniture.

[0003] In the state of the art German Patent Document No. DE3600820, a dishwasher is disclosed, comprising protective members which are mounted to the sides of the body and which protect the kitchen furniture from steam.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher with improved washing and drying performance.

[0005] 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 which is disposed in the body and wherein the kitchen items to be washed are placed; and a heat pump which is disposed between the washing tub and the body. The heat pump comprises a first heat exchanger which absorbs heat from the environment so as to enable the water used in the washing step to be heated; a second heat exchanger which transfers the heat received from the first heat exchanger to the washing tub; and a compressor which performs the refrigerant cycle between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

[0006] The dishwasher of the present invention comprises a closure member which prevents the air, the heat of which is absorbed by the heat pump, from being delivered behind the body. By means of the closure member, the cooled-down air is not delivered behind the body. Thus, the heat exchange with the interior of the washing tub is prevented, and the heat in the washing tub is insulated.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the closure member which is disposed on the lower edge of the body between the body and the mounting gap where the body is disposed. By positioning the closure member at the lower edge of the body, the rising of the cold air and the heat exchange with the washing tub are prevented.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the closure member which is a shutter opening in one direction. One edge of the closure member in the form of a shutter can open in one direction by making a constant circular movement on the body. Thus, the area behind the dishwasher can be reached when desired. However, the cold air is prevented from reaching behind the dishwasher.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the closure member having dimensions which can be adjusted depending on the distance between the body and the mounting gap. Thus, during any mounting, the dimensions of the closure member can be changed depending on the dimensions of the mounting gap and the dishwasher. Consequently, the space between the mounting gap and the body is completed closed.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the closure member in the form of an accordion. Thanks to being in the form of an accordion with foldable surfaces, the closure member can be adjusted depending on the distance between the mounting gap and the body. Moreover, since the surface area increases, the cold air is enabled to hit a larger surface area, thus dampening any noise.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the closure member which is manufactured from a layered insulation material. The insulation material can be easily separated from the areas predetermined by the manufacturer, and thus the dimensions thereof can be adjusted.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a spring which is disposed between the mounting gap and the body, and the closure member which moves depending on the spring. The spring shortens and lengthens depending on the distance between the mounting gap and the body, thus the dimensions of the closure member can be changed.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a screw which is disposed between the mounting gap and the body, and the closure member which moves depending on the screw. The screw moves depending on the distance between the mounting gap and the body, thus the dimensions of the closure member can be changed.

[0014] By means of the present invention, a dishwasher is realized, comprises a closure member which completely closes the distance between the mounting gap and the body.

[0015] 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 closure member on the dishwasher.

Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the foldable closure member on the dishwasher.

Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the shutter on the dishwasher.

Figure 5 - is the schematic view of the closure member and the spring on the dishwasher.

Figure 6 - is the schematic view of the closure member and the screw on the dishwasher.

[0016] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Dishwasher

2. Body

3. Washing tub

4. First heat exchanger

5. Second heat exchanger

6. Compressor

7. Heat pump

8. Closure member

9. Shutter

10. Spring

11. Screw

M- Mounting gap

[0017] 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; and a heat pump (7) which is arranged under the washing tub (3) and which 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 kitchen items in the washing tub (3) after the washing process can be removed more quickly, thereby improving the drying performance

[0018] The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises a closure member (8) which prevents the air cooling down as the heat pump (7) draws the heat of the ambient air from being delivered behind the body (2). The first heat exchanger (4) draws heat from the environment and transfers the same to the second heat exchanger (5) to heat the water. Therefore, the temperature of the air leaving the first heat exchanger (4) decreases. By means of the closure member (8), the delivery of the cooled-down air behind the body and the heat exchange with the washing tub (3) are prevented. Thus, the heat in the washing tub (3) is insulated.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the closure member (8) which is disposed on the lower edge of the body (2) between the body (2) and the mounting gap (M) where the body (2) is disposed. The dishwasher (1) is mounted to the mounting gap (M) present in the environment. The closure member (8) closes the distance between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2). The closure member (8) is mounted to the lower edge of the body (2). Thus, the cold air is prevented from accumulating and rising towards behind the body (2).

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the closure member (8) which is a shutter (9) mounted on the body (2) so as to open in one direction. The closure member (8) can be a shutter (9) which is fixed on the body (2) at one side and which can rotate about the fixed side. The shutter (9) opens in one direction. Thus, the cold air is prevented from being delivered behind the body (2) while the service staff can easily reach the area behind the body (2) in case of a malfunction.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the closure member (8) which can be adjusted depending on the distance between the body (2) and the mounting gap (M). The distance between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2) changes depending on the dimensions of the mounting gap (M) and the dimensions of the body (2). Therefore, by means of the closure member (8) having adjustable dimensions, the distance between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2) can be completely closed.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the closure member (8) in the form of a foldable accordion. Thanks to being in the form of an accordion having foldable surfaces, the closure member (8) can be adapted to various dimensions. Moreover, since the surface area is increased, noises which may be caused by air flow are dampened.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the closure member which is manufactured from a layered insulation material. By means of the layered structure, the dimensions of the closure member (8) can be changed depending on the distance between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2). By means of the insulation material, heat insulation is provided while dampening the noises caused by airflow.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a spring (10) which is disposed between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2), and the closure member (8) which moves depending on the spring (10). The spring (10) shortens and lengthens depending on the distance between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2), thus the dimensions of the closure member (8) can be changed.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a screw (11) which is disposed between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2), and the closure member (8) which moves depending on the screw (11). The screw (11) moves depending on the distance between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2), thus the dimensions of the closure member (8) can be changed.

[0026] By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized, wherein the air cooled down by the heat pump (7) is prevented from being delivered behind the body (2) by means of the closure member (8) disposed between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2) and wherein heat insulation is provided. The closure member (8) can be adjusted depending on the distance between the body (2) and the mounting gap (M) such that no space remains therebetween. Thus, the heat exchange between the cold air and the washing tub (3) is prevented, increasing the washing and drying performance.

Claims

1. 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; and a heat pump (7) which is arranged under the washing tub (3) and which 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 closure member (8) which prevents the air cooling down as the heat pump (7) draws the heat of the ambient air from being delivered behind the body (2).

2. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the closure member (8) which is disposed on the lower edge of the body (2) between the body (2) and the mounting gap (M) where the body (2) is disposed.

3. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the closure member (8) which is a shutter (9) mounted on the body (2) so as to open in one direction.

4. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the closure member (8) which can be adjusted depending on the distance between the body (2) and the mounting gap (M).

5. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the closure member (8) in the form of a foldable accordion.

6. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the closure member (8) which is manufactured from a layered insulation material.

7. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by a spring (10) which is disposed between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2), and the closure member (8) which moves depending on the spring (10).

8. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by a screw (11) which is disposed between the mounting gap (M) and the body (2), and the closure member (8) which moves depending on the screw (11).

Drawing