EP1183984A2 - Valve for a dishwasher with a movable closure device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve for a dishwasher with a cavity (13), which is delimited by a valve body (12), with an inlet for washing liquid and at least one outlet (15), which is arranged in a movable manner in the cavity (13) by a closing element ( 14) can be locked. According to the invention, at least one projection (17) is arranged on the inlet side of the at least one outlet (15), so that when the closure element (14) bears against the outlet (15), a gap between the inlet side of the outlet (15) and the closure element (14) is trained. As a result, a minimum leakage liquid flow through the outlet (15) is maintained in a reproducible manner, even if the closing element (14) blocks the first outlet (15).

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher with a arranged in a cavity of the valve body, movable Closing element with a liquid outlet is lockable.

DE 197 10 644 A1 describes a valve for a Dishwasher described in which the valve body encloses a cavity in which a movably arranged Valve ball is included. The inlet side of the valve is with the circulation pump and the outlet side either only with a spray arm in the upper area of a wash cabinet or only with connected to a spray arm in the lower area of the wash cabinet. Without liquid flow, the valve ball takes one Rest position in the cavity, in which they pass through a Actuator can be fixed so that despite flow begins the valve ball in the rest position is held. By releasing the actuator the valve ball is carried away by the liquid flow and pressed against the spout so that it is complete is closed. Using two such valves can if necessary by the actuators Rinse liquid supply to one of the two spray arms be interrupted so that the rinsing liquid is optional is fed to either the upper or lower spray arm.

EP 0 237 994 B1 also discloses a reversing valve, in which a sphere is enclosed in a cavity. The The cavity is connected on the inlet side to a circulation pump and on the output side through a first outlet with a first Line to a lower spray arm and through a second Outlet with a second line to an upper spray arm connected. If the pump is switched off for a longer period, the Valve ball in a rest position, from which it moves after Turning on the pump to the second outlet is raised and closes this except for a leakage current. For a short time The valve ball is switched off by the backflowing liquid from the second line from the second Outlet pushed away towards the first outlet. The Valve ball stays near the first outlet for so long the liquid flows out of the second line. Becomes the circulation pump again within this period turned on, so the ball is from the liquid flow pressed in the cavity to the first outlet and closes the first outlet. This will make a valve with two Switch positions provided with which the Fluid flow through either the first or through the second outlet can be omitted. Through a Case drain bypass from the cavity to the second outlet ensures that even in the position in which the Valve ball closes the second outlet, a small one The amount of case drain flows into the second line around the described switching process by the flowing back To allow flushing liquid from the second line. there however, the cross-section of the bypass must be chosen small, so that the liquid flow through it remains small and locking the second outlet to a clear one Reduction of the flow through the second line leads. It however, there is a risk that due to the small Cross-section of the bypass adhering dirt particles which are tight clogged walls and so permanently none Fluid flow through the bypass is possible. Furthermore, the additional bypass increases the manufacturing and Design effort of the valve and leads to a Enlargement of the valve dimensions.

In the valve arrangements described above in one Dishwasher is used to save washing liquid or optionally to increase the washing efficiency Rinse liquid supply to the lower or upper spray arm interrupted or only a small amount of liquid passed the respective liquid line. However are many dishwashers with a water heater in the supply line between the circulation pump and the upper one Spray arm equipped. With such Dishwashing liquid circulation through the The line to the upper spray arm is interrupted, so the Instantaneous water heater can be damaged by overheating. moreover it is not possible to operate only the lower spray arm, e.g. solely through the low leakage fluid flow through the bypass to heat the flushing liquid.

Based on this, the object of the invention is a valve to propose for a dishwasher on which simple way through a sufficient amount of case drain an outlet closed by a closing element is guaranteed.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with the features of Claim 1 solved.

According to claim 1 is on the inlet side of the outlet at least one projection arranged so that when the Closing element at the outlet a gap between the Entry side of the outlet and the closing element is trained.

A closing element is regularly one in the cavity movably arranged flap which is foldable to the outlet and can be folded away from this, a cylinder that can roll within the cavity, and preferably one Ball, for example, guided by running edges inside of the cavity driven back and forth by the liquid can roll.

By the height of the projection and / or its protrusion in the cavity can be the gap and thus the Set the exact amount of case drain. The lead can be integrally formed with the valve body or is retrofitted, e.g. as a nose on one Clamping ring on the inlet side of the outlet is insertable.

If the closing element closes the outlet, the Limiting surface of the case drain flow predominantly of the gap between the closing element and the Outlet limited, while the projection itself the The case drain flow is only minimally limited. This changes itself when dirt particles are deposited on the ledge the cross section of the gap and thus the Leakage amount hardly. In contrast to narrow ones Bypass passages, e.g. as a separate tube or as a groove are formed, the protrusion with the maximum Amount of liquid washed around when the closing element is not rests on the outlet. This will remove dirt particles that are at the ledge or at the gap, due to the increased liquid flow slightly when open washed away again and there is a self-cleaning effect on. As a result, a defined one becomes reproducible Leakage amount through the gap at the outlet passed through.

Furthermore, the provision of the projection changes the External dimensions of the valve are not, so that unchanged Installation space dimensions of the valve for easy adjustment existing dishwashers can be done.

Due to the reproducible, defined amount of case drain becomes a continuous one in the liquid line Minimum amount of liquid passed so that one at the Liquid heater arranged continuous flow heater with circulated washing liquid and this is sufficiently cooled. The heated rinsing liquid will e.g. via an upper spray arm into the Rinsing chamber supplied so that the rinsing liquid are heated can, even if the water heater is only in the valve blocked liquid line is arranged.

It is also avoided that the in Liquid line rinsing liquid excessive is heated and e.g. when the circulation pump is switched off from the Liquid line via the valve into the circulation pump flows, reaches the axial seals there and these destroyed due to the high heat.

In a further embodiment of the valve, another is (in the following: second) outlet provided, another one (hereinafter: second) line connects to the cavity, and where the liquid column in the (hereinafter: first) liquid line above the liquid column in the second liquid line can stand when the circulation pump is in operation. With such an arrangement as e.g. out EP 0 237 994 B1 described above is known by the amount of case drain that is closed (in following: first) outlet flows through the gap, ensures that the first liquid line is always with Liquid is filled. Because of the back-flowing liquid can change the valve operation in coordination with a switch-off phase of the circulation pump, e.g. switching from the first to the second outlet or if necessary another position.

By providing at least one protrusion on the second In another embodiment, the outlet becomes a reproducible, defined case drain flow into the second liquid line achieved. For example with one arranged in the second line Instantaneous water heater overheating of the instantaneous water heater prevents or the heated liquid in the wash cabinet fed.

By forming the projection as a web in the direction of flow If the outlet is open, the flowing flow will not swirled so that the flow resistance through the Projection is minimally impaired.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the At least three perimeter of the inlet side of the outlet Projections formed, the closing element when Block the outlet only on the at least three Protrusions. This allows the gap width between the closing element and the entry side of the Set the outlet precisely and the position of the Closure element in front of the outlet is through the projections set so that the flow conditions of the liquid do not change the position of the closing element in the cavity can.

By in front of the closing element through the projections the outlet is held, the stability of the length of the Closure element before the outlet through the evenly around the Closing element flowing case drain flow continues stabilized. The central position of the Closing element by symmetrically arranging the Projections on the circumference of the inlet side of the outlet reached. This also creates a symmetrical flow supported by the outlet, in the swirling can be prevented and thus the flow resistance lower is.

The above configuration of the projections can be used for one Outlet of the valve or if there are several outlets of the valve be provided.

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to one of the following Drawings shown embodiment closer explained.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Geschirrspülmaschine mit einem im Spülflüssigkeitskreislauf angeordneten Umschaltventil,

Fig. 2A

eine schematische Draufsicht auf die Eintrittsseite eines Auslasses des Ventils von Fig. 1 und

Fig. 2B

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht der Stellung einer Ventilkugel vor der Eintrittsseite des Auslasses von Fig. 2A.

Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic illustration of a dishwasher with a changeover valve arranged in the washing liquid circuit,

Figure 2A

is a schematic plan view of the inlet side of an outlet of the valve of FIGS. 1 and

Figure 2B

is a schematic cross-sectional view of the position of a valve ball in front of the inlet side of the outlet of Fig. 2A.

Fig. 1 shows schematically the rinsing liquid circuit a dishwasher. In a wash cabinet 1 are a Upper spray arm 2 and a lower spray arm 3 arranged, the the dishes in the crockery baskets 4 with washing liquid apply. In a dishwasher sump 5 of the wash cabinet 1 the sprayed rinsing liquid is collected and over a Line fed to a circulation pump 6. Over a Connection line 7 is the rinsing liquid from the Circulation pump 6 a changeover valve 8 with two Switch positions supplied. From the switching valve 8 Flushing liquid either through a first flushing line 9 upper spray arm 2 supplied or by a second Flushing line 10 the lower spray arm 3. In the first Flushing line 9 is a water heater 11 for heating the Rinsing liquid arranged.

A valve body 12 of the changeover valve 8 encloses one Cavity 13 in which a ball 14 is movable as a switching element is arranged. The ball 14 rests without liquid flow at the position labeled A, and moves to the Switch on the circulation pump 6 to position B, at which it a first outlet 15 of the changeover valve 8 to the first Flush line 9 closes. In this position B flows Flush liquid through a second outlet 16 and the second Flushing line 10 to the lower spray arm 3.

Starting from the ball position B, the circulation pump 6 for switched off for a short period of time Backflows from the first and second flush lines 9, 10, that after switching on the circulation pump 6 the Ball 14 moves to position C and so the second outlet 16th closes.

For a reproducible changeover of the changeover valve 8 becomes the first flushing line 9 when the circulation pump is operating kept constantly filled with rinsing liquid so that from this always flows back a specified rinsing liquid, even if the ball 14 closes the first outlet 15. For this purpose, a flows on the ball 14 in position B. defined amount of case drain past by the first Outlet 15 into the first flushing line 9, so that a defined, low flushing fluid flow through the first flushing line 9 is maintained.

Due to this specified amount of case drain, the Water heater 11 cooled when the first outlet 15 through the ball 14 is closed so that the heat Rinsing liquid via the upper spray arm 2 into the washing area 1 arrives.

Fig. 2A shows a plan view of the first outlet 15 from Cavity 13 of the switching valve 8 seen from. At the Inner surface of the first outlet 15 are four webs at 90 ° 17 arranged within the outlet in Flow direction and on the inlet side of the first outlet 15 with the inside of the valve body 12 finish flush. The position of the ball 14 in the case of The first outlet 15 is closed by a dashed circle.

2B shows a partial section of a longitudinal section the switching valve along the line DE shown in Fig. 2A. The ball shown with a solid line shows the Ball 14 in contact with the webs 17, while the means Dashed line represented sphere the creation of the sphere shows that would result without the webs. In case of Ball shown in dashed lines becomes the first outlet 15 completely closed without any Case drain flow flows through the outlet.

The ratio of the diameter of the ball 14 to the diameter the first outlet 15 is chosen so that the ball at At the first outlet 15 partially in the outlet protrudes. Through the webs running in the first outlet 15 17 becomes the depth of penetration of the ball 14 into the outlet 15 limited so that the ball 14 is no longer complete along the circumference of the entry side of the first outlet but there is a gap between the webs 17 the ball 14 and the entry side of the first outlet 15 remains open. Through this gap a defined Leakage amount through the first outlet 15 into the first Flush line 9 flow. This leakage fluid flow is however compared to the one flowing in the open state Flushing liquid amount through the first outlet 15 strong reduced. In contrast, the webs 17 when the first is open Outlet 15 (position C of the ball 14 in Fig. 1) from the the entire flushing liquid flow.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1:

Wash cabinet

2:

upper spray arm

3:

lower spray arm

4:

dish rack

5:

Dishwasher swamp

6:

circulating pump

7:

connecting line

8th:

switching valve

9:

first flush line

10:

second flush line

11:

Heater

12:

valve body

13:

cavity

14:

Bullet

15:

first outlet

16:

second outlet

17:

web

Claims (8)

Valve for a dishwasher with a valve body (12), a cavity (13) which is arranged in the valve body (12), an inlet for the inflow of a liquid into the cavity (13), at least one outlet (15) connecting a liquid line (9) to the cavity (13), a closing element (8) movably mounted in the cavity (13), through which at least one outlet (15) can be blocked, characterized in that at least one projection (17) is arranged on the inlet side of the outlet (15), so that when the closure element (8) lies against the outlet (15) there is a gap between the inlet side of the outlet (15) and the closure element (8 ) is trained. Valve according to claim 1, characterized by a further outlet (16) which connects a further liquid line (10) to the cavity (13), wherein the liquid column present in the liquid line (9) via the liquid column in the other. Liquid line (10) can rise, and the further outlet (16) can be blocked by the closing element (8) depending on the liquid flow in the cavity (13). Valve according to Claim 2, characterized in that at least one projection is arranged on the inlet side of the further outlet (16), so that when the closing element (8) bears against the further outlet (16) there is a gap between the inlet side of the further outlet (16) and the closing element (8) is formed. Valve according to claim 1, characterized by a further outlet (16) which connects a further liquid line (10) to the cavity (13), wherein the further outlet (16) can be blocked by the closing element (8) as a function of the liquid flow in the cavity (13) and at least one projection is arranged on the entry side of the further outlet (16), so that when the closure element (8) bears against the further outlet (16), a gap is formed between the entry side of the further outlet (16) and the closure element (8). Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection (17) on the inside of the inlet side of the one or more outlets (15, 16) is web-shaped in the direction of flow. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least three projections (17) are formed on the circumference of the inlet side, so that the closing element (8) lies completely on the projections (17) when the outlet (s) (15, 16) is blocked , Distributor valve according to claim 6, characterized in that the projections (17) hold the closing element (8) centrally in front of the inlet side of the outlet (s) (15, 16). Distributor valve according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the projections (17) are arranged symmetrically in the region of the inlet side of the outlet (s) (15, 16).

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