EP2227130A1

EP2227130A1 - Dish washing machine

Info

Publication number: EP2227130A1
Application number: EP08854212A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Helmut Jerg; Hans-Peter Nannt
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2007-11-26
Filing date: 2008-10-27
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-27
Also published as: CN101873821A; EP2227130B1; DE102007056707A1; ATE512617T1; CN101873821B; ES2366076T3; PL2227130T3; WO2009068381A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for the provision of steam in the washing chamber of a dish washing machine, having at least one dish rack which can be pulled out of the washing chamber, the rack having a nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) for releasing steam into the washing container. The invention is characterized in that the nozzle body (24, 29, 30, 32) is attached to the dish rack and can be fluid coupled to the steam generator (2) via a detachable fluid coupling, wherein the nozzle body is fluid coupled to the steam generator when the dish rack is in the inserted position.

Description

dishwasher

The invention relates to a dishwasher according to the preamble of claim 1.

Dishwashers with a device for providing steam in the washing container for cleaning items to be washed have been known for a long time.

Thus, the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 29 00 954 shows a dishwasher, in which during a so-called steam rinsing steam generated by a steam generator is discharged uncontrollably in several places in the washing. The disadvantage of this dishwasher is especially that heavily soiled dishes can not be specifically cleaned with steam.

One possibility for the specific cleaning of dishes with steam is disclosed in German Offenlegungsschriften DE 101 64 503 A1 and DE 102 60 163 A1. There, a dishwasher is shown in each case, which is provided with a steam dispenser for generating steam and supplied by the steam dispenser steam jet, can be discharged through the steam at a predetermined location in the washing. To specifically purify dishes with steam, it is necessary to place them in the rinse tank just above the steam jet. Now, rinsing containers are usually filled by pulling a pull-out on casters basket out of the washing, put the dishes to be cleaned on the crockery basket and the crockery basket is pushed back into the washing. If the dishware to be cleaned with steam is placed here in an unfavorable position in the dish rack, it is that the dish rack is not provided with a corresponding marking for the placement of items to be cleaned with steam, be it that the user does not take the necessary care when granting the Dishwashing machine, it is to be expected with a reduced or even lack of cleaning effect by the steam jet. While a positioning of flat dishes, such as pots and pans, on the steam jet in general should not be problematic, deep dishes with small openings, such as bottles, juice jugs, casseroles, to position very precisely, which is not always succeed because the dish rack is pushed back into the washing and thus changes in position of dishes can not be safely excluded. In addition, another problem arises: Since the opening into the washing steam jets may not hinder the removal and insertion of the dish rack, the mouth of the steam jet is generally below the basket bottom, so that between the steam jet mouth and the items to be cleaned a relatively large distance remains, which is accompanied by a reduced vapor pressure and a reduced temperature and weakens the steam cleaning effect. In addition, the steam jet emerging from the steam jet expands, so that at a large distance to the tableware, especially with deep dishes with a relatively small opening, a greatly reduced steam cleaning effect can be expected.

Accordingly, there is a need for a dishwasher with a means for providing steam in the rinse tank, which allows accurate and safe placement of dishes above the steam nozzle and ensures a reliable and effective steam cleaning, especially of deep dishes.

This object is achieved according to the proposal of the invention by a dishwasher with a washing container and a device for providing steam in the washing with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated by the features of the subclaims.

According to the invention, a dishwasher is provided with a rinsing container which is provided with at least one crockery basket which can be pulled out of the rinsing container for receiving items to be washed, and with a device for providing steam in the rinsing container. The device for providing steam in the washing compartment is equipped with a steam generator for generating steam and a steam nozzle supplied with steam by the steam generator with a nozzle head having at least one nozzle head opening for dispensing steam into the washing compartment.

The dishwasher according to the invention is characterized essentially by the fact that the nozzle head is arranged on the extendable dish rack in the device for providing steam in the washing container. It can be a steam generator also be arranged on the dish rack, which is supplied by means of a coupling with both water to be evaporated and electrical energy.

Preference meadow is provided that the nozzle head via a detachable fluidic (fluid-conducting) coupling with the steam generator is coupled fluidly, wherein the nozzle head is coupled fluidly with inserted into the washing crockery basket with the steam generator. In particular, the dishwasher may in this case be designed such that the nozzle head is decoupled from the steam generator in the case of the dishwashing basket which has been pulled out of the washing container.

The dishwasher according to the invention thus allows for the first time a fixation of the nozzle head on the movable crockery basket with the advantageous possibility of an exact positioning of flat and deep crockery parts on the nozzle head even with the crockery basket. In addition, since the nozzle head is attached to the crockery basket, the distance between the nozzle head and the crockery items to be cleaned can be advantageously reduced, so that a desired high steam cleaning effect can be achieved both with flat and deep crockery parts with small openings. In particular, the steam nozzle may be designed so that the nozzle head is inserted into the dishwashing basket placed on the dish rack.

In an advantageous embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, which allows a particularly simple realization of the fluidic coupling between the nozzle head and steam generator, the steam nozzle comprises a fluidically connected to the nozzle head nozzle tube, which is inserted into the washing container in a corresponding opening of a container opening into the washing tub the steam generator is releasably immersed, whereby the nozzle head is fluidly coupled to the steam generator. When the crockery basket is pulled out, the nozzle tube is pulled out in particular out of the opening of the steam line of the steam generator in order thereby to decouple the nozzle tube from the steam generator in terms of flow.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, which is a further particularly simple realization of allows fluidic coupling between the nozzle head and steam generator, the steam nozzle comprises a nozzle tube with a fluidically connected to the nozzle head and attached to the crockery basket first pipe section and a fluidically connected to the steam generator second pipe section. Here, the two pipe sections can be coupled via a releasable fluidic coupling, wherein the two pipe sections are coupled in terms of flow in inserted into the washing container crockery basket and can be fluidly decoupled in the pulled out of the washing crockery basket.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, the nozzle head is in particular a horizontal

Swivel axis pivotally mounted on the dish rack, so that the nozzle head can be pivoted in an advantageous manner in different working positions for cleaning crockery. It is particularly advantageous if the nozzle head by means of a locking device in different pivot positions, for example in an angular range of 0 ° to 90 ° corresponding to a horizontal or a vertical

Position of the nozzle head, can be locked.

Particularly advantageously, the means for providing steam in a washing container is designed so that via a pivoting of the nozzle head, a steam cleaning can be activated or deactivated, wherein the means for providing steam at a selectable first pivot position of the nozzle head activated and at one of them different selectable second pivot position can be disabled. For example, the steam cleaning may be activated when the nozzle head is in a vertical position (90 °) perpendicular to the basket bottom, and deactivated when the nozzle head is in a horizontal position (0 °) parallel to the basket bottom.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, the nozzle head is provided with a plurality of nozzle head openings for discharging steam into the washing container. In particular, in this case, it is particularly advantageous if the nozzle head is pivotally connected to the nozzle tube about a rotation axis and at least one nozzle head opening for the delivery of steam in the rinsing container is arranged so that the nozzle head can be rotated by means of repulsive force about this axis of rotation.

In the dishwasher according to the invention, the device for providing steam in the washing container can be arranged inside or outside the washing container. Similarly, it is possible that a steam chamber for generating steam of the means for providing steam in the washing compartment within the washing compartment and heating means for heating the steam chamber are arranged outside the washing compartment.

The invention further extends to a device for providing steam in a washing container of a dishwasher as described above.

The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention for the provision of steam in

Washing container of a dishwasher;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the steam nozzle of the device for

Provision of steam in the washing compartment of a dishwasher of Fig. 1; and

3A-3D schematic views of various embodiments of the nozzle head of the steam nozzle of Fig. 2nd

In the figures, an embodiment of the device according to the invention for the provision of steam in the washing compartment of a dishwasher is shown.

Accordingly, the device generally designated by the reference numeral 1 for providing steam in the washing container for cleaning dishes of a dishwasher comprises a steam generator designated overall by the reference numeral 2 and a steam nozzle 3 supplied with steam by the steam generator 2 Dispensing of steam in the washing container of the dishwasher. In Fig. 1, a container bottom 4 of the washing container of the dishwasher is only partially shown.

The steam generator 2 comprises a steam generator housing 5 made, for example, of plastic, which in an opening of the container bottom 4 on

Container bottom 4 is attached. For this purpose, the steam generator housing 5 with an integrally formed on the outside of the housing housing flange 6 on the outside of the

Tank bottom 4 flanged, wherein between the housing flange 6 and the

Outside the container bottom 4, a clamping gasket 7 is provided, which is a fluid-tight connection between the steam generator housing 5 and the container bottom

4 guaranteed.

The steam generator housing 5 partially surrounds a steam chamber 8, which is delimited on its lower side by a metal plate 9 of good thermal conductivity, for example made of stainless steel. For heating the steam chamber 8, an electrical heating device 10 designed in the form of a pipe heater is provided, which is provided with heating pipes 14, in each of which electrical heating wires 15 are arranged centrally. The heating wires 15 are for heating the heating tubes 14 in a good thermal conductivity material, such as magnesium oxide, embedded. The heating pipes 14 of the heater 10 directly contact the underside of the metal plate 9, which is heated thereby, so that the steam chamber 8 can be heated by the heater to generate steam.

In the steam chamber 8 opens a supply line 11 through which rinsing liquid of the steam chamber 8 can be supplied to generate steam. As is customary in conventional dishwashers, the dishwashing container of the dishwasher is provided with various spraying devices, by means of which dishwashing liquid can be sprayed onto the items to be washed. For this purpose, the rinsing liquid is circulated by means of a circulation pump and fed to the spraying devices after passing through a water heater for heating the liquid. In this rinsing liquid circuit, a plurality of supply lines for supplying the rinsing liquid to the spraying devices and a plurality of discharges for returning the rinsing liquid after the rinsing process are usually arranged. As described here Rinsing fluid circuits are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore need not be discussed further here. The supply line 1 1 for supplying rinsing liquid to the steam chamber 8 corresponds to such a conventional supply line for supplying rinsing liquid to the washing, so that the steam chamber 8 can be supplied with already heated by the water heater rinsing liquid.

To the steam generator housing 5 a projecting into the interior of the washing container snorkel 12 is formed, the first snorkel end 16 is provided with a opening into the steam chamber 8 first snorkel opening 17 and the other, approximately at right angles bent second snorkel end 18 with a second snorkel opening 19, in which dips the steam nozzle 3. Via the snorkel 12, the steam nozzle 3 can be supplied with steam from the steam chamber 8 of the steam generator 10.

At the first snorkel opening 17 of the first snorkel end section 16, a bimetallic switch 13 with a bimetal tongue 20 and a bearing 21 for the bimetallic tongue 20 is arranged. The bimetal switch 13 is arranged so that the bimetallic tongue 20, depending on the temperature within the steam chamber 8, the first snorkel opening 17 opens or closes so as to supply the steam nozzle 3 with steam from the steam chamber 8 and to separate from the steam chamber 8. Equally, for example, an electromagnetic valve could be provided for opening and closing the first snorkel opening 17. The electromagnetic valve could in this case be controlled by a conventional control device for the execution of various washing programs by the dishwasher.

If flushing liquid is supplied to the steam chamber 8 via the supply line 11, and if the heating device 10 is energized, the supplied flushing liquid is vaporized in the steam chamber 8. Upon reaching a selectable switching temperature of the bimetallic switch, the bimetal tongue 20 releases the first snorkel opening 17 and the steam nozzle 3 is supplied with steam via the snorkel 12. By energizing the heating device 10, the generation of steam can be regulated, for example by a conventional control device for the execution of washing programs by the dishwasher. To avoid overheating of the steam chamber 8, the heater 10 is also provided with a thermal safety switch 22 which interrupts energization of the heater 10 as soon as the temperature within the steam chamber 8 exceeds a presettable critical temperature value.

In Fig. 2, the steam nozzle 3 of the device 1 for the provision of steam in the washing compartment is shown in more detail. This comprises a nozzle tube 23 which is bent approximately at right angles in three curved sections. A first end portion 24 of the nozzle tube 23 forms a nozzle head having a plurality (not shown) nozzle head openings 25 for discharging steam into the washing. A second end portion 26 of the nozzle tube 23 is provided with a nozzle tube opening 27 which is arranged so that it can dive into the second snorkel opening 19 of the snorkel 12.

The nozzle tube 23 of the steam nozzle 3 is fastened by means of a fastening device 28 to a dishwashing basket (not shown in detail in FIG. 2) of the dishwasher. The crockery basket can be pulled out of the rinsing container or inserted into the rinsing container in a conventional manner, for example by the rinsing container being moved onto rollers which roll on running rails which are attached to the two side walls of the rinsing container. If the crockery basket is pulled out of the rinsing container, the nozzle tube 23 fastened to the crockery basket via the fastening device 28 or the steam nozzle 3 is moved along with the crockery basket. If the dish rack is in its working position pushed into the washing compartment, the steam nozzle 3 with its second nozzle tube end section 26 and the nozzle tube opening 27 dips into the second snorkel opening 19 of the snorkel 12 of the steam generator 2 so that the steam nozzle 3 can be supplied with steam. If the crockery basket is pulled out of the washing container of the dishwasher, for example in order to load the crockery basket with items to be washed, then the steam nozzle 3 is pulled out of the second snorkel opening 19. The second nozzle tube end portion 26 of the steam nozzle 3 or the steam nozzle 3 is thus coupled in a detachable manner with the second snorkel opening 19 of the snorkel 12 and with the steam generator 2 fluidly coupled or coupled. 2, a situation is shown in which the steam nozzle 3 is not immersed in the snorkel 12 of the steam generator 2 and thus is technically decoupled from the steam generator 2. If the steam nozzle 3 is moved towards the snorkel 12 (in FIG. 2 upwards, as indicated by the arrow), then the steam nozzle 3 enters the snorkel 12, so that the steam nozzle 3 is fluidly coupled to the steam generator.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, it would also be conceivable that the nozzle tube 23 comprises a first nozzle tube section connected to the dish rack via the attachment device 20 and a second nozzle tube section fixedly connected to the snorkel 12, wherein the two nozzle tube sections can be coupled via a fluidic coupling, in such a way that, when the dish rack is pulled out of the washing container, the two nozzle tube sections are fluidically decoupled and the two nozzle tube sections are fluidically coupled when the dish rack is inserted into the washing compartment. Such a fluidic coupling of the two nozzle tube sections can be realized in a simple manner by guiding the nozzle tube sections into one another during the insertion of the dish rack and pulling them apart when the dish rack is pulled out.

As indicated in Fig. 2 by the two curved arrows, the second nozzle tube end portion 24 or nozzle head of the steam nozzle 3 can be pivoted about a not shown pivot joint about a parallel to the basket bottom (i.e., paper plane) arranged pivot axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the second nozzle tube end portion 24 is pivotable within a pivoting angle range of about 90 °, so that the steam nozzle can be pivoted from a position deposited on the basket bottom (0 °) to a direction perpendicular to the basket bottom position (90 °). By means of a latching device, not shown, the second nozzle tube end portion 24 can be locked in different pivot positions.

If the steam nozzle 3 is not used, the second nozzle tube end portion 24 can thus be placed on the basket bottom. In addition, with this position, an inactivation of the means for providing steam in the washing container may be connected. If used, the second nozzle tube end portion 24 may be perpendicular to Can be directed basket bottom, the nozzle head especially in heavily soiled deep crockery parts, such as bottles and casseroles, can be introduced to purify them specifically with steam. In addition, this position can be connected to an activation of the provision of steam in the washing container.

Various embodiments of the nozzle head 24 of the steam nozzle 3 of FIG. 2 are shown in FIGS. 3A-3D. FIG. 3A shows a first nozzle head 24 with a plurality of nozzle head openings 25, as already shown in FIG. 2. 3B shows a second nozzle head 29, which widens radially toward its end provided with the nozzle head openings 25, so that items to be washed can be treated with a larger jet angle. 3C shows a substantially spherical third nozzle head 30 with integrally formed extensions 31, which are respectively provided with nozzle head openings 25, which allows an even larger jet angle in comparison with the nozzle heads shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Fig. 3D shows a substantially spherical fourth nozzle head 32 with extensions 33 which are each provided with nozzle head openings 25, wherein the fourth nozzle head 32 is mounted via a pivot bearing 34 on the nozzle tube 23 and is rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to the tube axis. The nozzle openings 25 are in this case arranged so that is offset by the recoil of the exiting vapor of the nozzle head 32 in rotation about the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing 34.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 device for providing steam in the washing container

2 steam generators

3 steam nozzle 4 container bottom

5 steam generator housing

6 housing flange

7 clamping gasket

8 steam chamber 9 metal plate

10 heating device

11 supply line

12 snorkels

13 bimetal switch 14 heating tube

15 heating wire

16 first snorkel end section

17 first snorkel opening

18 second snorkel end section 19 second snorkel opening

20 bimetal tongue

21 bearings

22 safety switch

23 nozzle tube 24 first nozzle tube end portion / first nozzle head

25 nozzle head openings

26 second nozzle tube end portion

27 nozzles raw

28 fastening device 29 second nozzle head

30 third nozzle head

31 extension

32 fourth nozzle head Extension pivot bearing

Claims

claims

1. Dishwasher with a washing container and with at least one extendable from the washing container crockery basket, as well as with a device (1) for providing steam in the washing container, a steam generator (2) and supplied by the steam generator nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32nd ) for dispensing steam into the washing compartment, characterized in that the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) is arranged on the dish rack.

2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) by means of a releasable coupling with the steam generator (2) can be coupled fluidly, wherein the nozzle head is coupled fluidly with inserted dish rack with the steam generator.

3. Dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) is uncoupled in the case of extended dish rack from the steam generator (2).

4. Dishwasher according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a steam nozzle (3) with the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) fluidly connected nozzle tube (23), which is inserted with the dish rack in an opening (19 ) of a steam line (12) of the steam generator (2) which opens into the rinsing tank, so that the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) is fluidically coupled to the steam generator (2).

5. Dishwasher according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a steam nozzle (3) a nozzle tube with a fluidically connected to the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) and attached to the crockery basket first pipe section and a fluidic with the steam generator includes connected second pipe section, wherein the two pipe sections are fluidly coupled via a releasable fluidic coupling, wherein the two pipe sections is coupled fluidly with inserted crockery basket.

6. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) is pivotally mounted on the dish rack.

7. Dishwasher according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for providing steam is formed so that it is activated at a selectable first pivot position of the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) and inactivated at a different selectable second pivot position is.

8. Dishwasher according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) can be latched by means of a latching device in different pivot positions.

9. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) is provided with a plurality of nozzle head openings (25) for discharging steam into the washing compartment.

10. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) is rotatably articulated on the nozzle tube (23), wherein at least one nozzle head opening (25) for discharging steam into the

Rinsing container is arranged so that the nozzle head (24, 29, 30, 32) can be rotated by means of repulsive force.

11. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the means for providing steam in the washing compartment is arranged within the washing compartment.

12. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a steam chamber for generating steam of the means for providing steam in the washing compartment within the

Rinse tank and a heater for heating the steam chamber are arranged outside the washing compartment.

13. Device (1) for providing steam in the washing container of a dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 12.