EP0521815B2 - Dishwasher with an opening or similar connecting the washing compartment with the ambient air - Google Patents

Abstract

In a dishwasher (1) with a washing compartment (3) which can be closed by means of an appliance door (2), a vent (4) or the like for the dishwasher container in the appliance door (2), which vent connects the washing compartment to the ambient air, and a mixing chamber (5) for removal of the moist air from the washing compartment when the dishes are being dried, a separate fresh air duct (6) opens out into the mixing chamber (5). A fan (7), which is arranged downstream of the fresh air duct (6) and the vent (4) for the dishwasher container, is provided for transport of the mixing air. The mixing chamber (5) can be set to a modifiable mixing ratio of the fed-in fresh air to the moist air sucked from the washing compartment, while the volumetric flow rate of mixing air remains constant. By these measures, optimum removal of vapour from the washing container in order to improve drying of the dishes, with a shorter program running time and without the visible formation of vapour, is achieved for a small structural outlay and a very small space requirement. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject matter of the invention relates to a dishwasher with a washroom closable by a door and with a washroom vent opening connecting the washroom to the ambient air or the like in the appliance door and a mixing chamber for removing the moist air from the washroom when drying dishes, in the mixing chamber opens into a separate fresh air duct and a blower is provided for the transport of the mixed air, which is connected on the suction side both to the flushing space vent and to the fresh air duct.

Such a dishwasher is out the German patent application 34 18 304 known.

The known dishwasher has one of the Ventilation outgoing vent to remove the moist air from the rinsing container when drying the dishes. The ventilation duct opens into one separate in the appliance door Fresh air duct, followed by a mixing chamber is. A common blower with two fluidically separate impellers - each for one channel - ensures the distance the moist exhaust air from the rinsing container. The amount of air delivered by the two impellers are dimensioned so that in the ambient mixed air the dew point is not undercut, so that no steam or vapors become visible. In the known facility is a complex fan with two separate blower chambers required. About that beyond the entire life of the blower there is always a constant volume flow ratio. The program duration is also in the section Drying in this known dishwasher without disadvantages when drying dishes cannot be shortened.

From DE-OS 38 42 997 it is one Dishwasher still known to be a blower to be provided with only one impeller, which Outside air drawn in at the bottom of the device in predefinable quantities both in the fresh air duct as well as an additional secondary air duct in the rinse tank. That's what Fresh air duct and the secondary air duct to a common arranged in the base area of the device Flow chamber guided, which pressure side is connected to the blower. The washroom has a ventilation opening in the appliance door, which opens into the mixing chamber. To the mixing chamber is also the one led over the flow chamber Fresh air duct laid.

In this known state of the art, in addition a flow chamber to the mixing chamber needed with a control flap mechanism, those in case of service due to the concealed arrangement not easy in the lower part of the device housing is accessible. It is also in the known device to be regarded as a disadvantage that in Program section drying by the fan in the Bypass through the rinsing tank additional Fresh air builds up an overpressure in the rinsing tank is what it u. U. to a visible Steam escapes from unwanted leaks in the Rinsing tank - e.g. B. under the worktop - come can. In addition, the known embodiment all air inlet and air outlet openings in the immediate door area, so far from the items to be dried. Because of this fluidically unfavorable Arrangement of the openings is the wash ware from the drying air often does not flow sufficiently. Also, there can be no optimal mixing between the moist process air and the fresh air come in the drying phase. There is also an additional opening in the rinsing tank required for the fresh air to be supplied. There is also a long one for drying dishes program duration that cannot be shortened easily necessary.

Starting from a dishwasher of the type mentioned is the invention Based on the task, with little design effort and the smallest space requirement an improved Dish drying with a shorter program duration as well as optimal steam extraction from the Rinse tank without visible vapors.

The object is achieved according to the invention solved by the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are can be found in the subclaims.

The invention is dependent on the actual prevailing steam and vapor development Always the right mix ratio in the wash cabinet between the externally supplied Fresh air and the moist process air from the Rinse tank and vice versa in a selectable Volume ratio to dish drying automatically adjusted, whereby with optimally adjusted Volume ratio also advantageously shorter Drying times can be achieved. The variable mixing chamber allows maximum suction the mixed air laden with moisture, without any steam or vapor being visible becomes. In addition, the direct series connection the mixing chamber and the Fresh air blower as well as by avoiding a direct fresh air addition to process air in the Rinsing tank short channel paths without complex construction Valve flap controls with little effort realized. The suctioned drying air is preferred led diagonally through the washing container, so that good flow as well Mixing and thus a particularly effective Moisture absorption of the drying air on the dishes takes place. It turns out in the washing container the suction of the fan is evenly low Negative pressure. This makes drying air controllable through the in the back of the wash cabinet provided arranged pressure equalization openings (wanted and / or desired Leaks) or ventilation points of the Rinsing container sucked in and over the dishes guided. Another advantage is offered by a additional manual adjustment of the wash-room ventilation opening. If necessary, it is Device operators possible to a desired Drying condition to influence separately or set this.

Fig. 1

eine programmgesteuerte Geschirrspülmaschine in der Seitenansicht im Längsschnitt, in schematischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

eine im Programmabschnitt Trocknen wirksame Einrichtung aus einer Mischkammer und einem Gebläse zum Entfernen der feuchten Prozeßluft aus dem Spülraum, gemäß Einzelheit "X" in Fig. 1, in vergrößerter Darstellung,

Fig. 3a

die in der Gerätetür angeordnete Mischkammer von der Spülraumseite aus gesehen, in einer von einer Mischkammer-Steuerung veranlaßten ersten Betriebsstellung,

Fig. 3b

die Mischkammer in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung,

Fig. 3c

die Mischkammer in einer dritten Betriebsstellung,

Fig. 4a

die Mischkammer in der Draufsicht in schematischer Darstellung vom Gerätetürinnenraum aus betrachtet, in der Betriebsstellung gemäß Fig 3b,

Fig. 4b

die Strömungsverhältnisse gemäß Betriebsstellung Fig. 3b,

Fig. 5a

die Mischkammer in der Betriebsstellung gemäß Fig. 3c,

Fig. 5b

die Strömungsverhältnisse gemäß Betriebsstellung Fig. 3c,

Fig. 6

ein per Hand ohne Werkzeug verstellbares Entlüftungsgitter in der Vorderansicht,

Fig. 7

eine mit dem Entlüftungsgitter kombinierte verstellbare Entlüftungsblende in der Rückansicht,

Fig. 8

ein mit einem Werkzeug verstellbares Entlüftungsgitter in der Vorderansicht,

Fig. 9

die bei dem Entlüftungsgitter gemäß Fig. 8 eingesetzte Entlüftungsblende in der Vorderansicht.

The following description serves to explain the subject matter of the invention, an exemplary embodiment of which is shown in the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a program-controlled dishwasher in a side view in longitudinal section, in a schematic representation,

Fig. 2

a device effective in the drying program section from a mixing chamber and a blower for removing the moist process air from the wash cabinet, according to detail "X" in Fig. 1, in an enlarged view,

Fig. 3a

the mixing chamber arranged in the appliance door seen from the wash cabinet side, in a first operating position initiated by a mixing chamber control,

Fig. 3b

the mixing chamber in a second operating position,

Fig. 3c

the mixing chamber in a third operating position,

Fig. 4a

the mixing chamber viewed from above in a schematic representation from the interior of the appliance door, in the operating position according to FIG. 3b,

Fig. 4b

the flow conditions according to the operating position Fig. 3b,

Fig. 5a

the mixing chamber in the operating position according to FIG. 3c,

Fig. 5b

the flow conditions according to the operating position Fig. 3c,

Fig. 6

a ventilation grille that can be adjusted manually without tools in the front view,

Fig. 7

an adjustable ventilation panel combined with the ventilation grille in the rear view,

Fig. 8

a ventilation grille adjustable with a tool in the front view,

Fig. 9

8 in the front view of the ventilation grille used in FIG.

With (1) in Fig. 1 is a schematic representation a program-controlled dishwasher shown in longitudinal section in side view, whose lockable by an appliance door (2) Rinsing area (3) or rinsing container when the Door in the drying section of the program Rinse chamber ventilation opening (4) or the like in the Appliance door (2) with the ambient air for removal of the steam-laden humid air is. In the previous water-bearing program sections Pre-rinsing, cleaning, intermediate rinsing and rinse a rinse program this ventilation opening (4) preferably completely locked. This controls one of the washroom vents (4) downstream mixing chamber (5), which also has a separate fresh air duct (6) flows openly. The mixing chamber (5) is a blower (7) downstream, which for the The mixed air is removed from the device.

The fresh air duct formed in the appliance door (2) (6) and the washroom vent (4) are each run separately and flow out open (Fig. 2) in the suction side on the blower (7) connected mixing chamber (5). The Mischkammar (5) is on a changeable mixing ratio between the via the fresh air duct (6) fresh air supplied and that from the wash cabinet (3) extracted humid air in the sense of a reduction of fresh air and an increase the amount of moist air during the drying time adjustable, the volume flow the mixed air remains constant.

So in the initial phase of drying, in which is the moisture content of the process air essential higher than at the end of drying dishes over a predeterminable period of time, e.g. B. over about 5 minutes, the volume fraction of the over the separate fresh air duct (6) Fresh air extracted many times over Moisture content from the wash cabinet (3) set. As the dish drying progresses the mixing ratio preferably changes continuously, so that towards the end of drying dishes the moist air or air extracted from the wash cabinet (3) Process air share a multiple of the share the one sucked in via the fresh air duct (6) Fresh air.

Through the direct connection of the Mixing chamber (5) and the fresh air blower (7) can create short canal paths with little effort will be realized. It can also depend on each from the actually prevailing steam and Vapor development in the wash cabinet (3) always the right mix ratio between external supplied fresh air and the moist process air from the wash cabinet (3) and vice versa in one selectable volume ratio for optimal dish drying can be preset, whereby at optimally set volume ratio in advantageous Shorter drying times achieved can be. The variable mixing chamber (5) allows maximum suction of moisture loaded mixed air without vapors visibility.

The from the wash cabinet (3) of the mixing chamber (5) supplied moist or process air is over one or more regular pressure equalization openings or ventilation points Leaks (19) of the wash cabinet (3) from the Blower (7) sucked in, these intentional leaks (19) opposite the horizontal plane the wash cabinet ventilation opening (4) is offset adjacent and / or opposite washroom side walls (20, 21) are arranged. Here is the upstream of the mixed air chamber (5) Rinse chamber ventilation opening (4) preferably in left or right upper area (see Fig. 2) of Appliance door arranged, at least one Pressure equalization opening or ventilation point (Vat ventilation) (19) preferably diagonally on the opposite rear wall of the wash cabinet (21) in the lower right or left Rear wall area or in the wash cabinet side wall (20) is formed. This is advantageous to the regular vat ventilation (22) z. B. with the not shown Fresh water storage bag provided outside the rinsing container communicates as a leak or pressure equalization opening or loading and Bleeding point (19) used. This conscious leakage is in the program section Rinse or effective when adding fresh water. Other pressure equalization openings that may still be present or ventilation points, (possibly also unconscious leaks) can also be used.

Because the drying air in the wash cabinet (3) preferably diagonally through the rinse tank is carried out, finds a good flow as well Mixing and thus a particularly effective Moisture absorption of the drying air on the dishes (24) instead. It turns out in the wash cabinet (3) the running fan (7) a steady low Negative pressure, which is due to the tub ventilation (22) Air draws in and targeted over the in the dishes (24) loaded with the baskets (23) leads.

The setting or adjustment of the mixing chamber (5) on the progress of drying dishes depending on the correct mixing ratio depends on the program, not shown Program switch of the dishwasher (1) causes, the mixing chamber (5) at predeterminable time intervals when drying continuously or in stages (Fig. 3a to 3c), preferably in two adjustment stages (II, III). For this purpose, the mixing chamber (5) has a separate one the mentioned program control of the dishwasher (1) connected mixing chamber control (8) assigned via an adjustment lever (18) with which the mixed air is regulated.

The mixing chamber control (8) can be used as a thermal relay, Thermal switch (wax switch), bimetal switch or the like. So can e.g. B. one or more such trigger elements can be connected in series if an adjustment is desired in several stages. over a motor controller (servomotor or the like.) Would be for example, a stepless adjustment of the Mixing chamber (5) on the necessary from Mixing ratio determinable drying progress between the moist air and the fresh air realizable.

The mixing chamber (5) is connected with the downstream one Fan (7) if necessary with inclusion the mixing chamber control (8) as a pre-testable Built-in module (Fig. 2), which interchangeably arranged in the interior of the appliance door (9) is.

An advantageous construction of the mixing chamber (5) could be based on the shutter principle. To set the mixing chamber (5) the correct mixing ratio of the fresh air to process air are opposed to each other adjustable closure elements used, which the fresh air duct (6) and the wash chamber ventilation opening (4) are assigned.

One embodiment is easy to implement (see Fig. 2, 3a to 3c and 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b), in which as Closure elements two concentrically one inside the other inserted and rotatable cylinder tubes (11, 12) are provided, whose outer cylinder surface (13 or 14) and / or their End faces of the cylinder (15 or 16) (17) and passage openings (18) embody which when turning the cylinder tubes (11, 12) can be opened or closed continuously. The opening and closing of the passage openings (18) takes place alternately such that when closing of the fresh air duct (6) at the same time the flushing room ventilation opened by a corresponding amount and vice versa. The passage openings (18) or the shutters (17) are for this directly in front of the fresh air duct (6) and in front of the Rinse area ventilation opening (4).

The blower downstream of the mixing chamber (5) (7) is to achieve a low installation effort and to avoid long canal paths aligned coaxially with the cylinder tubes (11, 12), one of the two cylinder tubes (11, 12) is fixed in the door (2) and that second cylinder tube (12) rotatable in the fixed tube stores.

3a marks that position (I) the mixing chamber (5) in the water-carrying program steps, the before the program section Drying lies.

In this position (Fig. 3a) is the washing compartment vent (4) closed and the Fresh air duct (6) opened.

With the start of drying dishes or briefly then the mixing chamber control (8) a slight opening (Fig. 3b, 4a, 4b) of the washing compartment vent (4) as well as a full opening the fresh air duct (6). This makes sense because in the initial phase of drying the moisture content the process air is very high. About one Predeterminable based on empirical values or calculated Period based on values, e.g. B. about 5 minutes, the mixing chamber (5) remains in this position. The volume fraction of the over separate fresh air duct (6) fresh air drawn in is thereby sucked to a multiple of Moisture content from the wash cabinet (3) set.

With the progress of drying dishes the mixing ratio is either steady or changed in steps as in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 shown. In the example of the step by step shown here Setting will be towards the end of drying through the wash cabinet ventilation opening (4) the mixing chamber (5) (Fig. 3c and 5a, 5b) completely opened and the fresh air duct (6) almost closed. The one sucked out of the wash cabinet (3) The proportion of moist air or process air is now one Many times that sucked in via the fresh air duct (6) Fresh air. 4a and 4b and 5a and 5b indicate thick and thin arrows increased fresh air addition or the increased Moist air content. The variable mixing chamber (5) enables an optimally adapted to the drying process Aspiration of the moisture-laden Drying air always in the correct mixing ratio, being the volume flow rate from mixed air removed from the device remains constant.

In addition to the automatically controlled if necessary Mixed air control by the customer manual readjustment or fine adjustment in particular with regard to the visibility of the vapor to be able to do so, the washing area ventilation opening (4) a preferably in the inner door panel (26) Appliance door (2) arranged fixed ventilation grille (27), see Fig. 2 and 6 to 9, upstream, which Vent slots (28) z. B. in segment-like Arrangement. Behind the fixed Ventilation grille (27) or behind the ventilation slots (28) is in the existing through the Mixing chamber (5) to the rear of the empty space one from the outside, for example, by hand (Fig. 6, 7) or with a screwdriver (Fig. 8, 9) adjustable ventilation cover (29) with ventilation cutouts (30). Through targeted release or cover of the ventilation slots (28) a desired one via the ventilation cutouts (30) Moist air flow from the rinse tank separately regardless of the program dependent Mixed air control can be adjusted or influenced. The customer has the option of doing whatever they want Setting the drying condition. Also there is the possibility of readjustment or readjustment of the process air control in Depends on the delivery status or on the produced series of a dishwasher.

For manual adjustment, according to Fig. 6 an adjusting pin (31) of the ventilation panel (29) through the ventilation slots (28) of the ventilation grille (27). Concealed in the setting shown the ventilation panel (29) all arranged in segments Vent slots (28) on the vent grille (27) partially, while according to FIG. 8 the Vent slots (28) remain uncovered. After Fig. 8 is an aperture setting with the screwdriver make what a screw slot (32) the vent panel (29) the center of the ventilation grille (27). 7 shows the combined with the ventilation grille (27) Ventilation screen (29) in the rear view. In contrast is the vent in Fig. 9 as Item shown in front view. The vent covers (29) can be on the outer circumference a slight toothing (33) or the like which are in cooperation with counter surfaces of the ventilation grille (27) locking positions generate, whereby the respective aperture setting is secured. Thus, if necessary, one Fine adjustment of the aperture cross-section possible in very small steps. In addition, however also an adjustment in larger or smaller ones Adjustment ranges. Of course could also be a stepless aperture adjustment will be realized. In the examples shown here can only ever complete one aperture segment be covered. By choosing a different segment with the ventilation grille or through another Arrangement of the ventilation cutouts could, however other aperture settings also implemented will.

Claims (19)

1. Dishwasher with a wash cabinet (3) which can be closed with a door and which incorporates a cabinet vent (4), or similar, situated in the appliance door for mixing air from the wash cabinet with ambient air and a mixer chamber (5) for extracting moisture-laden air from the wash cabinet during drying, and that a separate air duct (6) feeds into the mixer chamber (5) and a fan (7) is fitted for transporting the mixed air, for which the fan (7) is connected on the suction side to both the cabinet vent and the separate air duct (6),
   characterised in that the cabinet vent (4) and the separate air duct (6) feed into the mixer chamber (5), whereby the mixer chamber (5) is fitted upstream of the suction side of the fan (7), and whereby the mixer chamber (5) can be adjusted continuously or in stages, according to the shutter principle, to allow the proportion of the blend of ambient room air and moisture-laden air extracted from the cabinet (3) to be varied, in the sense that the proportion of ambient room air can be reduced or the amount of moisture-laden air increased during the drying process, whereby the total volume discharge of the air blend remains constant.
2. Dishwasher in accordance with claim 1,
   characterised in that the mixer chamber (5) consists of two concentric cylinders (11, 12) rotated relative to each other and fitted with shutters (17) and apertures (18) which can be adjusted with respect to each other and are each fitted in front of the air duct (6) as well as in front of the cabinet vent (4), on the outer casing of the cylinder (13, 14) and/or on one of the end faces of the cylinder (15, 16), so that at the same time as the air duct (6) is closed, the cabinet vent is opened to the appropriate degree and vice versa.
3. Dishwasher in accordance with claims 1 and 2,
   characterised in that one cylinder (11) is firmly connected to the appliance door (2) and does not rotate, and the other cylinder (12) is located inside the fixed cylinder, can be turned and has a lever (18) whose movement can be regulated by the mixer-chamber control unit (8).
4. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that the mixer chamber (5) can be adjusted dependent on the programme to allow a selectable blend of ambient room air intake and that of moisture-laden air from the cabinet (3).
5. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that over a predeterminable period, the percentage of ambient room air taken in via the separate air duct (6) during the initial drying phase is considerably greater than the percentage of moisture-laden air extracted from the cabinet (3), or that at the end of the drying process the percentage of moisture-laden air intake is several times greater than the proportion of ambient room air.
6. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that during the drying process the mixer chamber (5) can be operated from an initial starting position (I) and adjusted to two different settings (II, III).
7. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that the mixer chamber (5) is fitted with a separate mixer-chamber control unit (8) which is dependent on the programme stage and is in the form of a speed-selectable motor drive, or in the form of a single or multi-stage thermal switch, such as a wax-operated sensor or a similar device, for adjustment in fixed or freely adjustable increments.
8. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in that the cabinet vent (4) is kept closed (fig. 3a) by the mixer chamber (5) during the water-intake programme stages which precede the drying phase.
9. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 8,
   characterised in that the air duct (6) and the cabinet vent are separate ducts and feed into the mixer chamber (5) fitted to the suction side of the fan (7).
10. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 9,
    characterised in that the separate air duct (6) passes through the appliance door (2).
11. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 10,
    characterised in that the mixer chamber (5) in the door cavity (9) is detachable.
12. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 11,
    characterised in that the fan (7) is fitted in the appliance door (2).
13. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 12,
    characterised in that the mixer chamber (5), together with the fan (7) which is fitted downstream and, if necessary, the mixer-chamber control unit (8), is designed as a pre-assembled, pre-tested module, and that the fan (7) fitted downstream from the mixer chamber (5) is coaxial to the cylinders (11, 12).
14. Dishwasher in accordance with one or more of the claims 1 to 13,
    characterised in that the moisture-laden or process air directed from the cabinet (3) into the mixer chamber (5) is taken in by the fan (7) via one or several vents (19) which are positioned at regular intervals to ensure pressure equilibrium on both sides of the cabinet (3). The vents (19) are located diametrically opposed to the plane of the cabinet vent (4) on adjacent and/or opposite walls of the cabinet (20, 21).
15. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several claims 1 to 14,
    characterised in that the cabinet vent (4) which is fitted upstream of the mixer chamber (5) is preferably in the top left or right-hand section of the appliance door (2) and at least one vent to provide pressure equilibrium (19) should preferably be diagonally opposite on the rear panel of the cabinet (21) in the bottom right or bottom left-hand section of the rear panel or on the side panel (20) of the cabinet.
16. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 15,
    characterised in that the inner cabinet ventilation (22) which is necessary during the wash cycle and during fresh water intake (connection to fresh water mixer reservoir, or similar) is effected via an air vent to provide pressure equilibrium (19).
17. Dishwasher in accordance with one or several of the claims 1 to 16,
    characterised in that the cross-section of the cabinet vent (4) can be adjusted for moisture-laden air.
18. Dishwasher in accordance with claim 17,
    characterised in that a fixed ventilation grille (27) with an adjustable vent shutter (29) is fitted to the cabinet vent (4) upstream of the mixer chamber (5).
19. Dishwasher in accordance with claims 17 and 18,
    characterised in that the vent shutter (29) can be freely adjusted manually from the inner panel of the appliance door (2).

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