HEATING AIR FOR DRYING DISHES IN A DISHWASHER USING AN IN-LINE WASH LIQUID HEATER

• US 20130319482A1
• Filed: 04/03/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: VALLEJO NORIEGA, ALVARO, WELCH, RODNEY M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,833,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/99.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0084 of drawer-type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4221 Arrangements for redirection of washing water, e.g. water diverters to selectively supply the spray arms A47L15/0078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4285 Water-heater arrangements steam generating arrangements A47L15/4234
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/48 Drying arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/488 Connections of the tub with the ambient air, e.g. air intake or venting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/023 Quantity or concentration of the consumable product
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/12 Water temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/18 Air temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/19 Air humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/26 Loading door status, e.g. door latch opened or closed state
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/06 Water heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/07 Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/10 Air circulation, e.g. air intake or venting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/11 Air heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/12 Air blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/30 Regulation of machine operational steps within the washing process, e.g. performing an additional rinsing phase, shortening or stopping of the drying phase, washing at decreased noise operation conditions

Abstract

A dishwasher has a liquid supply system with a first conduit portion through which the liquid passes, and an air supply system with a second conduit portion through which the air passes. The first conduit portion at least partially forms the second conduit portion to define a thermal transfer interface. A heating system includes a heating element provided on the thermal transfer interface. Activation of the heating element provides heat to both the liquid supply system and the air supply system.

Claims

1. A dishwasher for washing utensils according to an automatic cycle of operation, comprising:

a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving utensils for cleaning;

a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the treating chamber and selectively supplying liquid to the treating chamber, and including a first conduit portion through which the liquid passes as it is supplied to the treating chamber;

an air supply system fluidly coupled to the treating chamber and selectively supplying air to the treating chamber, and including a second conduit portion through which the air passes, with the first conduit portion at least partially forming the second conduit portion to define a thermal transfer interface between the liquid supply system and the air supply system; and

a heating system comprising a heating element provided on the thermal transfer interface and fins extending from the heating element;

wherein activation of the heating element provides heat to both of the liquid supply system and the air supply system.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the fins extend into the second conduit portion such that air flowing through the air supply system passes over the fins whereby the heat in the fins is transferred to the passing air.

3. The dishwasher of claim 2 wherein at least some of the fins are oriented in a first direction aligned with the direction of the flowing air.

4. The dishwasher of claim 2 wherein at least some of the fins are oriented in a first direction non-aligned with the direction of the flowing liquid.

5. The dishwasher of claim 4 wherein the first direction is transverse to the direction of the flowing liquid.

6. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the heating element is a film heating element.

7. The dishwasher of claim 6 wherein the film heating element at least partially wraps around the first conduit portion.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7 wherein the second conduit portion envelopes at least one of the film heating element and the first conduit portion.

9. The dishwasher of claim 8 wherein the fins extend from the film heating element.

10. The dishwasher of claim 9 wherein the fins extend into the second conduit portion.

11. The dishwasher of claim 10 wherein the film heating element wraps around an exterior of the first conduit portion.

12. The dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the second conduit portion at least partially envelopes both the film heating element and the first conduit portion.

13. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the first conduit portion defines at least a portion of a liquid sump for the liquid supply system.

14. The dishwasher of claim 13 further comprising a filter located within the sump.

15. The dishwasher of claim 14 wherein the filter comprises a rotating filter.

16. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the liquid passing through the liquid supply system flows in a first direction and the air flowing through the air supply system flows in a second direction, which is non-aligned with the first direction.

17. The dishwasher of claim 16 wherein the first and second directions are transverse.

18. The dishwasher of claim 16 wherein the air supply system comprises a blower having an inlet flow direction non-aligned with the first and second directions.

19. The dishwasher of claim 18 wherein the first, second, and inlet flow directions are transverse to each other.

20. The dishwasher of claim 19 wherein the fins are aligned with the second direction.

21. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the liquid flow is aligned with the airflow.

22. The dishwasher of claim 21 wherein the airflow is aligned with the fins.