A WASHING DEVICE WITH A DRYING FUNCTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing device with a drying function for drying washed items.

Background of the Invention

Washing devices such as dishwashers and washing machines are used to wash and clean various items. In said washing devices, a mixture of detergent and water is generally used for the washing process such that a rinsing process is carried out by means of non-detergent water after the washing process is completed. After these processes, water remains on the washed items. In order for the users to use the washed items, the water must be removed from the washed items. This process is achieved by evaporating the water so as to dry the product.

In washing devices such as dishwashers, the drying function has almost become a standard feature. Here, after the washing process is completed, air received from the outside environment is preferably heated and sent to the inner compartment in which the washing process is carried out, so that the water remaining on the washed dishes is evaporated. On the other hand, in washing devices such as washing machines, the drying process is more difficult, since much higher amount of water remains on the washed textile products. For this reason, the drying function is can be used in washing machines, although it is not very common.

In order to carry out the drying process after washing process in a quick manner, the air drawn from the outside environment and sent on the products to be dried must be heated. In the prior art applications, said heating process is carried out by resistance type heaters or heat pumps. However, especially in cases where the outdoor air is very cold, the energy consumption of the washing device increases since said heating elements will consume a high amount of energy for heating the air. Brief of the Invention

The present invention discloses a washing device with a drying function. Said washing device comprises at least one body; at least one inner compartment which is defined in the body for carrying out the washing process; at least a first opening communicating into said inner compartment; at least a second opening communicating into said inner compartment; at least one storage unit having at least one storage chamber in which at least one washing liquid used in the washing process is stored, at least one air supply duct communicating into the outer environment through at least one air inlet opening, wherein at least a part of the air supply duct is surrounded by the storage chamber, at least a first compartment connection connected to the first opening, at least one condensation line connected with the first compartment connection, at least a second compartment connection which is connected with the second opening on one side thereof, and with the air supply duct on another side thereof; at least a first fan which is connected with the condensation line on at least one side thereof, and with at least one air outlet opening on at least another side thereof, wherein the first fan draws the air in the inner compartment through the first opening and the first compartment connection, and after the moisture in the drawn air is condensed in said condensation line, sends it to the outside environment through the air outlet opening; at least a second fan which is connected with the air supply duct on at least one side thereof, and with the second compartment connection on at least another side thereof, wherein the second fan draws air from the outer environment through the air inlet opening, and after the drawn air passing through the air supply duct is heated by the washing liquid stored in the storage chamber located around the air supply duct, sends it to the inner compartment via the second compartment connection and the second opening.

In the washing device according to the present invention, the heat energy of the washing liquid is used to heat the air to be used for the drying process, since the high temperature washing liquid used in the washing process is stored in the storage chamber. Thus, it is ensured that the drying process is carried out efficiently. The relatively high temperature washing liquid stored in said storage chamber can also be used in a pre-washing step of the next washing process. In addition, as the air in the inner compartment is sent through the condensation line to the outside, an increase in the humidity value of the outdoor air is prevented.

Object of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing device with a drying function.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing device with high energy efficiency.

Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the washing device according to the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the washing device according to the invention, in a semiassembled state.

Figure 2 is a side view of the washing device according to the invention, in a semiassembled state.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a storage unit used in the washing device according to the invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of a storage unit used in the washing device according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a side sectional view of a storage unit used in the washing device according to the invention.

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

Washing device (Y)

Body (G)

Inner compartment (1)

First opening (2)

Second opening (3) Storage unit (4)

Duct front cover (4a)

Condensation line (4b)

Storage chamber (4c)

Water inlet line (4d)

First compartment connection (4e)

Second compartment connection (4f)

Air inlet opening (4g)

Chamber opening (4h)

Air supply duct (4i)

Compartment connection line (4j)

Fan housing (4k)

First fan (5)

Fan front cover (5a)

Propeller (5b)

Fan rear cover (5c)

First connecting piece (5d)

Motor (5e)

Air outlet opening (6)

Second fan (7)

Second connecting piece (7a)

Description of the Invention

Washing devices such as dishwashers and washing machines provide washing of various items using water. After the washing process, the remaining water on or in the item must be removed so that the related items can be used by the users. Such a process, which is called drying, is generally provided by heating the outdoor air and sending it over the wet items, such that the water on the items evaporates. The present invention provides a washing device with a drying function for drying the washed items.

The washing device (Y) according to the present invention, as illustrated in figures 1-5, comprises at least one body (G); at least one inner compartment (1) which is defined in the body (G) for carrying out the washing process; at least a first opening (2) communicating into said inner compartment (1); at least a second opening (3) communicating into said inner compartment (1); at least one storage unit (4) having at least one storage chamber (4c) in which at least one washing liquid used in the washing process is stored, at least one air supply duct (4i) communicating into the outer environment through at least one air inlet opening (4g), wherein at least a part of the air supply duct (4i) is surrounded by the storage chamber (4c), at least a first compartment connection (4e) connected to the first opening (2), at least one condensation line (4b) connected with the first compartment connection (4e), at least a second compartment connection (4f) which is connected with the second opening (3) on one side thereof, and with the air supply duct (4i) on another side thereof; at least a first fan (5) which is connected with the condensation line (4b) on at least one side thereof, and with at least one air outlet opening (6) on at least another side thereof, wherein the first fan (5) draws the air in the inner compartment (1) through the first opening (2) and the first compartment connection (4e), and after the moisture in the drawn air is condensed in said condensation line (4b), sends it to the outside environment through the air outlet opening (6); at least a second fan (7) which is connected with the air supply duct (4i) on at least one side thereof, and with the second compartment connection (4f) on at least another side thereof, wherein the second fan (7) draws air from the outer environment through the air inlet opening (4g), and after the drawn air passing through the air supply duct (4i) is heated by the washing liquid stored in the storage chamber (3c) located around the air supply duct (4i), sends it to the inner compartment (1) via the second compartment connection (4f) and the second opening (3).

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said washing device (Y) is a dishwasher. In this embodiment, while washing dishes in the dishwasher, a relatively high temperature washing liquid (for example, water with detergent) is used. After the washing process is completed, said high temperature water is sent to the storage chamber (4c) instead of discharging. Here, when the drying process is carried out, the first fan (5) and the second fan (7) are operated. By operating the second fan (7), outdoor air is drawn through the air inlet opening (4g). This air drawn from the outdoor environment is passed through the air supply duct (4i) and sent to the inner compartment (1) through the second compartment connection (4f) and the second opening (3). Here, since the air supply duct (4i) is surrounded by the storage chamber (4c) where the relatively hot washing liquid is stored, the air passing through the air supply duct (4i) is heated. Thus, the outdoor air is heated by the hot washing liquid stored in the storage chamber (4c), and sent to the inner compartment (1). Here, while drying the items in the inner compartment (1) with the heated air, the humidity of the air in the inner compartment (1) increases. Since this increased humidity will adversely affect the evaporation (hence drying) process, moist air must be removed from the inner compartment (1). This process is achieved by the first fan (5). Here, following operation of the first fan (5), moist air in the inner compartment (1) is drawn through the first opening (2) and the first compartment connection (4e). As the air drawn from the inner compartment (1) passes through the condensation line (4b), the moisture in the air condenses. In this way, the dehumidified air is sent back to the outside in a dry state through the air outlet opening (6). Thus, the humidity of the air sent to the outside environment is ensured to be low and the humidity of the area where the dishwasher is used is prevented from increasing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing device (Y) comprises at least one water inlet line (4d) which is connected with the storage chamber (4c) for sending the washing liquid into the storage chamber (4c) and receiving the washing liquid back from the storage chamber (4c). In this embodiment, the washing device (Y) also comprises at least one pump for sending the washing liquid in the inner compartment (1) to the storage chamber (4c) and/or sending the washing liquid stored in the storage chamber (4c) to the inner compartment (1). In this embodiment, the hot washing liquid after the washing process is sent from the inner compartment (1) to the storage chamber (4c). As explained above, after the drying process is completed, when a new washing process is started, the washing liquid stored in the storage chamber (4c) is sent to the inner compartment (1) and used in the pre-washing process of the items to be washed. Thus, it is ensured that the pre-washing process is carried out efficiently.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing device (Y) comprises at least one chamber opening (4h) which is connected with the storage chamber (4c) and preferably located on an upper part of the storage chamber (4c). Said chamber opening (4h) ensures that the air inside the storage chamber (4c) is sent to the outside while the washing liquid is sent into the storage chamber (4c), and that the outside air is taken into the storage chamber (4c) while the washing liquid is received from the storage chamber (4c). Thus, the pressure balance in the storage chamber (4c) can be achieved. Yet in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first fan (5) comprises at least one fan front cover (5a); at least one fan rear cover (5c) connected to the fan front cover (5a); at least one propeller (5b) located between the fan front cover (5a) and the fan rear cover (5c); at least a first connecting piece (5d) (such as a screw) connecting the fan front cover (5a) and the fan rear cover (5c); at least one motor (5e) which is connected to the propeller (5b). Here, rotation of the propeller (5b) is provided by starting the motor (5e). Thus, the air in the inner compartment (1) can be drawn and sent to the outside through the air outlet opening (6).

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing device (Y) comprises at least one fan housing (4k) in which the second fan (7) is located. The fan housing (4k) is connected with the air supply duct (4i) on at least one side thereof, and is connected with the second compartment connection (4f) on at least another side thereof. Here, the washing device (Y) also comprises at least one compartment connection line (4j) for connecting the fan housing (4k) and the second compartment connection (4f). Here, the washing device (Y) comprises at least a second connecting piece (7a) (such as a screw) for connecting the second fan (7) to the fan housing (4k).

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing device (Y) comprises at least one duct front cover (4a) which covers the air supply duct (4i). The duct front cover (4a) can preferably be attached to the storage unit (4) and removed from the storage chamber (4). Thus, when necessary, the duct front cover (4a) can be removed from the storage chamber, allowing access to the air supply duct (4i) (for example, for cleaning the air supply duct (4i)).

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the air supply duct (4i) has a curved form (e.g. an "S" form). Thus, the contact surface between the air supply duct (4i) and the storage chamber (4c) is increased, so that a lot of heat transmission is ensured between the air passing through the air supply duct (4i) and the washing liquid stored in the storage chamber (4c).

In the washing device (Y) according to the present invention, the heat energy of the washing liquid is used to heat the air to be used for the drying process, since the high temperature washing liquid used in the washing process is stored in the storage chamber (4c). Thus, it is ensured that the drying process is carried out efficiently. The relatively high temperature washing liquid stored in said storage chamber (4c) can also be used in a pre-washing step of the next washing process. In addition, as the air in the inner compartment (1) is sent through the condensation line (4b) to the outside, an increase in the humidity value of the outdoor air is prevented.