EP2355687B1 - Dishwashing machine having a water flow control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher with a water flow control device comprising a movably mounted closure element which is alternately movable to one of a plurality of control positions so as to control a flow of water from at least one water inlet to at least one water outlet, and a sensor device which detects an intake the control positions detected by the closure element has.

Dishwashers, each with a water flow control device are known in practice. They each have, as a water flow control device, a water diverter with a water inlet and a plurality of water outlets. In this case, the water inlet is connected to a circulating pump, wherein each of the water outlets communicates with a spray element of a spraying device of the dishwasher.

The water switch has a movably mounted closure element, which is movable by a drive in each one of a plurality of provided control positions. In each of the control positions, one of the water outlets is connected to the water inlet. In this way, it is possible to spray water for rinsing dishes by means of the circulation pump via a selected spray element, for example via one of several rotatable spray arms, in a washing container of the dishwasher, so as to clean there dishes located there. In comparison to dishwashers without water separator, in which all spray elements are simultaneously acted upon by the circulation pump with water, so a reduction in the required amount of water, a spray pressure in the respective controlled, supplied with rinsing liquid spray element, and thus an improvement of the washing result can be achieved.

In order to enable automatic operation of the dishwasher, the drive is controllable by a control device of the dishwasher. Thus, if in response to a controlled by the controller Spülprogramm the Closing element is to be moved from a starting position to a specific control position, then sets the control device according to the drive in motion. In order to be able to control the drive so that the closure element is brought exactly into the intended control position, a sensor device is connected to the control device, which detects an assumption of the control positions.

For this purpose, it may be particularly useful if the closure element of the water distributor is coupled to a cam, which actuates a pressure switch upon reaching a designated control position. As a result, the control device detects the reaching of a control position and then switches off the drive of the closure element.

Such a water separator with a cam disc and a pressure switch for a dishwasher has a comparatively complicated mechanical structure. Dirt or wear of the mechanical components may possibly lead to malfunction of the water distributor, which can only be remedied by a complex repair.

Furthermore, for example, the dishwasher has the EP 1 101 435 A2 for controlling supply lines to at least two liquid spraying devices a reversing device with a rotatable closure element which is movable by means of an actuator in at least a first working position in which at least one supply line is separated from the hydraulic water circulation of the dishwasher. In order to be able to detect the reaching of this working position of the closure element during its respective movement, a stop means is provided which follows the movement of the closure element and comes into contact with a stop surface when the closure element has reached its first working position. This stop means may be associated with a magnetic element. Thus, the reaching of the working position of the closure element can be detected by means of a sensor.

The object of the present invention is to increase the reliability of a dishwasher, in particular household dishwasher, with a water flow control device.

The object is achieved in a dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, of the type mentioned above in that the sensor device comprises a permanent magnet arrangement and a magnetic field detecting sensor, wherein the closure element has at least one portion of a hard magnetic material, wherein the permanent magnet arrangement comprises at least one permanent magnet which permanently magnetizing a part of the hard magnetic material portion.

The permanent magnet arrangement and the magnetic field detecting sensor are arranged such that a movement of the closure element to a relative movement between the permanent magnet arrangement and magnetic field detecting sensor takes place. As a result, the magnetic field acting on the magnetic field-detecting sensor changes as a function of the position of the closure element. This makes it possible to detect a capture of one of the control positions by the closure element without contact. Malfunction of the water switch, e.g. due to mechanical wear and / or soiling can be effectively avoided.

For constructional reasons, it may be particularly expedient in this case to move the permanent magnet arrangement together with the closure element in a manner movable relative to a housing of the water flow control device and to position the magnetic field detecting sensor in relation to the housing of the water flow control device. The permanent magnet arrangement can be arranged in particular directly on the closure element, so that a coupled movement of closure element and permanent magnet arrangement is ensured without additional components.

Overall, the invention causes a simplification of the mechanical structure of the water flow control device, as can be completely dispensed with the previously required cam and a pressure switch controlled by this. This results in addition to the above-mentioned improvement in the reliability of the dishwasher, a reduction in the cost of the mechanical components of the water flow control device according to the invention. moreover the assembly of the water flow control device is simplified by the smaller number of components. As a result, further cost advantages can be realized.

The sensor device of the dishwasher according to the invention, in particular household dishwasher, further reduces the mechanical load on the drive of the closure element, since the mechanical friction between the cam and pressure switch is eliminated. This increases the reliability of the drive. Likewise, in many cases, a less efficient drive can be used. Due to the non-contact sensor principle, it is also possible to reduce the number of points which must be equipped with a continuous lubrication device or with periodically serviceable lubrication.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the permanent magnet arrangement comprises at least one permanent magnet component fastened to the closure element. The permanent magnet component may comprise one or more permanent magnets. The attachment can be done for example by gluing. In this way, the water flow control device according to the invention is easy to manufacture and reliable.

According to the invention, the closure element may comprise at least one section of a hard magnetic material, wherein the permanent magnet arrangement comprises at least one permanent magnet which is produced by permanently magnetizing a part of the section of the hard magnetic material.

Hard magnetic materials have a wide hysteresis loop with high coercivity. If such substances are exposed to a sufficiently strong magnetic field, they have a permanently remaining independent magnetic field after removal of the external magnetic field. This makes it possible, in particular homogeneous form the hard magnetic portion of the closure element in material terms and then selectively magnetize individual parts of the section by an external magnetic field, so as to form permanent magnets. In this way, the permanent magnet assembly completely in the structure of Closing element can be integrated. The closure element including the permanent magnet assembly can be made so very compact.

In principle, it is sufficient if the hard magnetic section comprises only a small part of the closure element. However, the closure element may also consist entirely of hard magnetic material.

Furthermore, it is possible to form different permanent magnet arrangements on structurally and materially identical closure elements by means of a corresponding magnetization. Therefore, such closure elements can be readily adapted for use in different water flow control devices.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the hard magnetic material may be a carrier material made of plastic with hard magnetic particles embedded therein. From such hard magnetic materials can be in a simple manner by means of known primary molding processes such as extrusion, injection molding or compression molding be formed almost arbitrarily shaped hard magnetic sections. In this way, the closure element as a whole can be easily manufactured.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure element has a portion of a non-magnetic material, which is formed integrally with the portion of the hard magnetic material. By one-piece construction of the various sections is meant, in particular, that they consist of a single body made using only a molded body. In this case, the closure element may in particular be or comprise a multi-component injection-molded part. Multi-component injection molding allow the one-piece design of molded parts, wherein different sections may consist of different materials. However, one-piece molded parts made of different materials can also be produced by means of compression molding or in a coextrusion, extrusion coating, laminating or lamination process. In this way, a closure element can be manufactured with several sections, wherein the material of each section can be optimized specifically. Nevertheless arise between the different sections of the closure element no joints by subsequent connection of independently formed components, so that potential weaknesses are avoided in the structural design of the closure element.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the non-magnetic material can essentially correspond to the carrier material. On the one hand, a particularly good strength in the transition region of the various sections can be achieved by means of this single-material formation of the respective closure element; on the other hand, the material recycling of disused closure elements is simplified.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the hard magnetic particles may include hard ferrites and / or rare earths, such as neodymium. The materials mentioned allow the generation of comparatively strong permanent magnetic fields. As a result, the detection of the same is facilitated, which also increases the accuracy of the positioning of the closure element and the interference immunity.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the plastic may be a thermoplastic material. Thermoplastics allow a high proportion of magnetic particles without the stability of the section produced thereby all too reduced. Suitable plastics are in particular polypropylene, polyphenylsulfide, Polyetherechterketon or mixtures thereof.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure element is in particular formed in one piece. In this way, joints are avoided, which benefits the stability of the closure element. In addition, the production of the closure element simplifies.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the sensor may be a magnetoresistive sensor, a Hall sensor or a reed switch. The sensor types mentioned, in contrast to coil sensors, also allow the detection of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet arrangement when it is stationary with respect to the sensor.

Reed switches have iron metal lips, which attract with an applied magnetic field and thus establish an electrical contact. Reed switches are very simple and reliable. In addition, they are able to switch relatively large currents, so that signal amplifiers can be dispensed with as a rule.

Hall sensors are based on the effect that in a magnetic field moving charge carriers are deflected. They provide a signal, in particular voltage signal, which is proportional to the applied magnetic field. In this way it is possible to detect a maximum or a minimum of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet arrangement, so as to move the closure element particularly accurately into a provided control position.

Magnetoresistive sensors rely on the change in electrical resistance in thin ferromagnetic layers when a magnetic field is applied. Magnetoresistive sensors are particularly sensitive, so that the permanent magnet arrangement only has to generate small magnetic fields and therefore can be constructed in a simple and compact manner. In addition, the distance between the sensor and Permanent magnet arrangement can be chosen comparatively large, which provides constructive advantages in many cases.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the closure element can be rotationally movable about an axis compared to water points where the closure element is translationally movable, so much more compact dimensions can be achieved.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the permanent magnet arrangement can be arranged, in particular, on a section of the closure element lying outside on the axis. As a result, a particularly accurate positioning of the closure element can be achieved because of the large radius.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the closure element can in particular be designed as a closure disk with at least one water passage through which it is possible to flow axially. The axially permeable water passage allows depending on the position of the closure element, a flow of water from one or more water inlets to one or more water outlets. The water passage may be, for example, an opening or recess in a flat and circular shutter disc. The water flow in this case runs in the region of the water passage substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the closure disk. Closure discs with an axially permeable water passage are comparatively easy to produce and cause a compact design of the water switch overall, especially if the inflow of water and the outflow of water also take place substantially in the axial direction.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure element may alternatively be formed as a cup wheel with at least one radially through-flow water passage. Such a design of the closure element is particularly advantageous when water inlets and water outlets are radially aligned. In this way, a particularly flat design of the water switch can be realized.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the water control device according to the invention is preferably designed as a water diverter, which has a plurality of water outlets, wherein for at least one water outlet, preferably for each water outlet, a switching position is provided in which the respective water outlet is individually connected to the water inlet. Such a water switch makes it possible to direct water from a single source to one of several consumers of water of the dishwasher. Thus, for example, water originating from a single pump can be directed selectively or selectively to a spray element of a plurality of spray elements in order to spray water in a dish containing dishes for the purpose of cleaning. In this way, it is possible to apply individual areas of the washing container at least temporarily with a particularly strong spray, in particular selectively or individually. Likewise, it is possible to less spray on areas where there are no dishes at all. As a result, an optimum washing result can be achieved even with a small amount of water.

According to an expedient, alternative development of the invention, the water control device may optionally be designed as a water distributor, which has a plurality of water outlets, wherein a switching position is provided, in which a plurality of water outlets are connected to the water inlet. If such a water switch is used to control the water flow of a spray system of the dishwasher, the water flow can be better adapted to the particular situation. By the simultaneous admission of several spray elements with water, for example, a particularly uniform loading of the Spülbehälterinnenraums can be realized with water. This can, for example, bring about an improvement in the rinse-off result in a rinse cycle.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the permanent magnet arrangement may in particular have a coding which allows a distinction of the switching positions. Coding in the present sense makes it possible to determine from the signals of the magnetic field-detecting sensor not only whether the closure element is located in one of the intended control positions, but also in which individual or specific control positions it is is currently located. Such coding can be realized by assigning to each of the possible control positions a specific portion of the permanent magnet assembly, each portion generating a magnetic field according to an individual pattern.

Such coding makes it possible to bring the closure element by means of the drive in a certain, desired control position, even if at the beginning of the movement, the starting position of the closure element is unknown, which can occur, for example, after a malfunction or after a power failure.

According to a particularly preferred development of the invention, the coding can be formed by different dimensions of the permanent magnets in a provided relative movement direction and / or by different spaces between the permanent magnets in a planned direction of relative movement. In this case, the individual switching position can be determined from the shape of the signal of the magnetic field detecting sensor, wherein the absolute amplitude of the magnetic field or the sensor signal is insignificant. In this way, the identification of the respective assumed switching position can be determined with great certainty even if the magnetic field of the permanent magnet arrangement has decreased overall, for example due to aging. In this way, a permanently lasting functional reliability of the water flow control device can be ensured.

Overall, the invention enables a positionally correct, cost-effective position detection (synchronization) of the closure element of a water flow control device. A water flow control device of a dishwasher serves to close and open hydraulic channels and thereby to a reduction of the rinsing fluid in circulation. This opening and closing takes place in the case of water-flow control devices, such as, for example, water softeners based on disk solutions, through the so-called closure disk. However, the invention can also be applied to alternative closure elements, such as cup wheels, rotary valves, trombone valves.

With regard to the control of the closure elements, two similar approaches are known from the prior art. In the first approach, an additional cam is arranged on the shaft which drives the shutter disc of the water switch, which upon reaching a certain desired position of the water switch an additional sensor, e.g. a pressure switch, either opens or closes. As a result, the controller recognizes the attainment of this position and then shuts off the drive of the disc (including, for example, a synchronous motor). Due to the additional components pressure switch and cam, this solution may be too expensive in practice.

The second approach is also based on an additional cam which is e.g. via a lever mechanism opens or closes an additional circuit. The additional cam and the lever components (lever, spring, bearings) of the lever mechanism, this solution may also be too expensive in practice.

In contrast, the present invention provides in an advantageous embodiment, a water-immersed closure element, in particular of a magnetizable plastic. As a result, for example, the position detection of the disc can be carried out directly via a low-cost Hall sensor without additional components having to be provided and mounted.

The advantageous embodiment of the invention provides a magnetization in particular of the collar of the closure element, since this has the largest radius and thus a maximum of accuracy can be achieved in positioning. In this case, the closure disk preferably has magnetized segments of different lengths, so that synchronization of the water separator is ensured even in the event of a power failure. In the case of a known rotational speed of the closure element, the control can ascertain, in particular by time-measuring the signal, in which concrete position the closure element is located. In particular, the times can be evaluated in which the signal is above or below a certain threshold.

The advantages of the underlying design lie in a reduced complexity of the system (at least one component, namely the cam disc, less) in reduced Costs due to lower number of components, in reduced cost due to a saving in assembly of the additional components, in a lower load of the drive motor, since no mechanical friction between the cam and switch occurs, resulting in improved quality or the use of a lower power motor, at a cost allows to avoid lubrication points on moving components and in an increased flexibility in terms of the intended control positions, as the closure element can be easily recoded.

Other embodiments and further developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The above-described and / or reproduced in the dependent claims advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention can be used individually or else in any combination with each other in the dishwasher according to the invention for use.

Figur 1

eine schematisierte Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Geschirrspülmaschine mit einer Wasserflusssteuereinrichtung,

Figur 2

eine Schnittdarstellung einer Wasserflusssteuereinrichtung von unten betrachtet und

Figur 3

eine teilgeschnittene Darstellung der Wasserflusssteuereinrichtung bei seitlicher Betrachtung.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic view of a dishwasher according to the invention with a water flow control device,

FIG. 2

a sectional view of a water flow control device viewed from below and

FIG. 3

a partial sectional view of the water flow control device when viewed from the side.

Elements with the same function and mode of action are in the FIGS. 1 with 3 each provided with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a dishwasher 1 according to the invention, in particular domestic dishwasher, wherein only the components required for understanding the invention are shown and explained. The dishwasher 1 has a washing container 2, to be cleaned in the Dishes can be introduced. In the cleaning of the utensils, not shown, water W is used, which may be phase-displaced with cleaning substances or auxiliary substances, such as, for example, rinse aid, in the course of a washing program selected by an operator. The water W introduced into the washing container 2 via a fresh water connection, not shown, collects in a bottom trough 3 of the washing container 2 due to gravity.

In order to be able to circulate the water W in the rinsing container 2 during a rinse cycle, for example during a pre-rinse cycle, a cleaning cycle or a final rinse cycle, and to be able to pump it off at the end of a rinse cycle, a pump 4 is connected to the bottom pan 3. The pump 4 makes it possible, as symbolized by the solid straight arrows, to pump water W originating from the floor pan 3 to a water flow control device 5. The water flow control device 5 is designed as a water diverter 5, which makes it possible to spray the water W either via a lower spray arm 6 or an upper spray arm 7 in the washing or pumping out via a sewage connection 8 to the outside, which is shown by dashed arrows.

The water switch 5 is an unillustrated drive, for example, associated with an electric motor, which, like the pump 4 is controlled by a control device of the dishwasher 1 in response to a selected wash program. During a rinse cycle of the washing program while the water diverter 5 supplied water W is alternately sprayed, in particular alternately, in each case via the lower spray arm 6 or the upper spray arm 7 in the washing compartment 2, so as to clean dishes. In this phase, the connection from the pump 4 to the wastewater connection 8 is usually closed. The spray arms 6 and 7 are arranged rotatably in the washing container 2. It goes without saying that fixed spray elements could alternatively or additionally be provided. At the end of a rinse cycle, the water diverter 5 is actuated so that the water W is pumped out via the waste water connection 8. The connection from the pump 4 to the spray arms 6, 7 is interrupted.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the water switch 5 of FIG. 1 , The water switch 5 has a housing 9, which is made of plastic, for example is. In the housing 9, a closure element 10 is arranged, which is connected to an axle 11 and is rotatably mounted together with this. The axis 11 is connected to a controllable drive, not shown, so that the closure element 10 is movable in a direction indicated by the double arrow BR intended movement direction.

The closure disk 10 has a water passage 12. This is arranged in the radial direction so that when the closure element 10 in a in FIG. 2 is shown, corresponding to a first water outlet 13. The water outlet 13 is formed on the housing 9 of the water distributor 5 and, for example, with a line with the in FIG. 1 shown lower spray arm 6 connected. On the housing 9, a second water outlet 14 is formed, which with the in FIG. 1 shown upper spray arm 7 is connected. In this case, the closure element 10 is movable by a rotation in a second control position, wherein the water passage 12 corresponds to the second water outlet 14. Furthermore, a third water outlet 15 is provided, for example via a hose with the in FIG. 1 shown wastewater connection 8 is connected. In this case, the closure element 10 can be brought into a third control position, in which the third water outlet 15 corresponds to the water passage 12.

Since the closure disk 10 in the exemplary embodiment has exactly one water passage 12, when one of the control positions is taken, a water flow from the underside of the closure disk 10 to exactly one of the water outlets 13, 14, 15, ie selectively, is possible. It is essential for the function of the dishwasher that the respective intended control position is taken exactly. For example, would the in FIG. 2 shown only imprecise, so that water passage 12 and water outlet 13 would only partially overlap, so the flow of water would be in the washing container 2 (FIG. FIG. 1 ), which would lead to an unsatisfactory rinsing result.

In order to be able to detect the exact capture of a specific one of the plurality of control positions by the closure element 10, a sensor device 16, 17 is provided. This sensor device 16, 17 comprises a permanent magnet arrangement 16 and a magnetic field detecting sensor 17. During the Magnetic field detecting sensor 17 is fixed to the housing 9, the permanent magnet assembly 16 rotates together with the shutter disk 10 about the central axis 11. The permanent magnet assembly 16 includes a first position magnet 18 which is in the detection range of the sensor 17 when taking the first switching position. Further position magnets 19 and 20 are arranged so that they are opposite to the sensor 17 when taking the second switching position or when taking the third switching position. Furthermore, coding magnets 21, 22 and 23 are provided which differ from the position magnets 18, 19, 20 in that they have a greater extent in the intended direction of movement BR.

The functioning of the water separator 5 is now the following: In the in FIG. 2 In the initial situation shown, the closure element is in the first switching position, so that a water flow to the lower spray arm 6 (FIG. FIG. 1 ) is made. If now, for example, the washing program provides that now the upper spray arm 7 ( FIG. 1 ) is to be acted upon selectively or specifically with water, the drive of the water switch is turned on by the control device of the dishwasher, so that the closure element 10 rotates. In this example, counterclockwise rotation makes sense, but is not required.

When the closure element 10 is rotated counterclockwise, the position magnet 18 initially comes out of the detection range of the sensor 17. This reduces the detected magnetic field until the encoder magnet 21 reaches the detection range of the sensor 17. From the time profile of the signal from the sensor 17, the control device of the dishwasher detects that it is the magnetic field of the coding magnet 21 assigned to the first position magnet 18. The shutter disk 10 is therefore further driven, so that the encoder 22 is detected by the sensor 17 at a later time. Since it is deposited in the control device that exactly two coding magnets 21 and 22 are arranged between the position magnet 18 and the position magnet 19, the drive of the shutter disc 10 continues to be operated by the control device until the magnetic field of the position magnet 19 is detected. At this time, the shutter member 10 has reached its second control position, so that the drive can be turned off. When taking the second control position corresponds to the Position of the water passage 12 with the position of the water outlet 14, so that now the upper spray arm 7 (FIG. FIG. 1 ) can be charged with water.

In the just-described switching from the first to the second control position, the presence of the Kodiermagnete 21 and 22 is not required, since the position of the closure element 10 was known at the beginning of the switching. However, if the position of the closure disk 10, for example after a power failure, is unknown, it can be determined by means of the Kodiermagnete 21, 22, 23, which of the position magnets 18, 19, 20 by rotation of the closure element 10 in the detection range of the sensor 17th was brought. The decision is based on that the first position magnet 18 and its associated Kodiermagnete 21 in the direction of movement BR, i. Generally speaking, viewed in the circumferential direction a small distance, the second position magnet 19 and the Kodiermagnete 22 a middle distance and the third position magnet 20 and the Kodiermagnete 23 have a large distance from each other. These distances can be detected at a known rotational speed from the time course of the signal of the sensor 17. In this way, even after a malfunction, the closure element 10 can be brought into the selected control position.

In the exemplary embodiment, the closure element 10 is preferably an integrally formed multicomponent injection-molded part made of plastic. One component of the closure element 10 forms an outer, annular portion 24. This outer portion 24 is made of a hard magnetic material, which is a carrier material made of plastic with hard magnetic particles embedded therein. On the other hand, another component forms an internal disc-shaped section 25, which consists of a non-magnetic material. Since the closure element 10 as a whole is a multi-component injection-molded part, it has no joint at the transition region from the outer section 24 and from the inner section 25. This results in a particularly stable embodiment of the closure element 10. The arranged on the outer portion 24 magnets 18-23 are prepared in that the corresponding areas 18-23 have been exposed to the actual physical production of the closure element 10 a strong magnetic field, so that the corresponding areas 18-23 permanently are magnetized. The magnets 18-23 are completely integrated into the structure of the closure element 10.

FIG. 3 shows the water diverter 5 of FIG. 2 in a partially sectioned side view. The axis 11 is guided through the housing 9 through to the outside and connected there to a drive, not shown.

In the left-hand part of the closure element 5, the closure plate 10 is visible. This assumes its first control position, so that the water outlet 14 is closed by the shutter disk 10. In order to achieve a particularly good seal, a seal 26 is provided between the closure disk 10 and the water outlet 14. As a result, a water flow from a water inlet 27 to the water outlet 14 is prevented.

Generally speaking, it is possible in the advantageously designed water separator to connect, in particular to cover, a first group of one or more water outlets with corresponding water passages of the closure disk, while a second group of one or more water outlets is covered by the closed part of the closure disk, in particular is closed. Thereby, a selective flushing liquid inflow is provided to the one or more spraying elements via the one or more water outlets selectively connected to the water passages by means of the water diverter.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

dishwasher

2

rinse tank

3

floor pan

4

pump

5

Water flow control device, water switch

6

lower spray arm

7

upper spray arm

8th

Waste water connection

9

casing

10

Closing element, closure disc

11

axis

12

Water flow

13

water outlet

14

water outlet

15

water outlet

16

Permanent magnet assembly

17

Magnetic field detecting sensor

18

Position magnet for first switching position

19

Position magnet for second switching position

20

Position magnet for third switching position

21

Coding magnet for first switching position

22

Coding magnet for second switching position

23

Coding magnet for third switching position

24

Hard magnetic material section

25

Section made of non-magnetic material

26

poetry

27

water inlet

BR

movement direction

W

water

Claims (17)

1. Dishwashing machine, in particular household dishwashing machine, with a water flow control device (5), which has a movably mounted closure element (10) which is alternately movable in one of a plurality of provided control positions, to control a water flow from at least one water inlet (27) to at least one water outlet (13, 14, 15), and a sensor device (16, 17), which, by means of the closure element (10), detects an assumption of one of the control positions, wherein the sensor device (16, 17) comprises a permanent magnet arrangement (16) and a magnetic field-detecting sensor (17), characterised in that the closure element (10) has at least one portion (24) made of a hard magnetic material, wherein the permanent magnet arrangement (16) comprises at least one permanent magnet (18-23) which, due to permanent magnetisation of a part of the portion (24), is manufactured from the hard magnetic material.
2. Dishwashing machine according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the permanent magnet arrangement (16) comprises at least one permanent magnet component attached to the closure element (10).
3. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hard magnetic material is a substrate made of plastic which contains hard magnetic particles.
4. Dishwashing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure element (10) has a portion (25) made of a non-magnetic material, which is embodied in one piece with the portion (24) made of hard magnetic material.
5. Dishwashing machine according to claim 4, characterised in that the non-magnetic material substantially corresponds to the substrate.
6. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the hard magnetic particles comprise hard ferrite and/or rare earths, such as neodymium, for example.
7. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the plastic is a thermoplastic material, in particular polypropylene, polyphenylene sulphide, polyetheretherketone or a mixture thereof.
8. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure element (10) is embodied in one piece.
9. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor (17) is a magnetoresistive sensor, a Hall sensor or a reed switch.
10. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure element (10) can be moved rotationally around an axis (11).
11. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the permanent magnet arrangement (16) is arranged on a portion (24) of the closure element (10) located externally in relation to the axis (11).
12. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure element (10) is embodied as a closure washer (10) with at least one water throughput (12) which allows water to pass through axially.
13. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure element (10) is embodied as a cup washer with at least one water throughput which allows water to pass through radially.
14. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the water flow control device (5) is embodied as a water switch (5), which has multiple water outlets (13, 14, 15), wherein for at least one water outlet (13, 14, 15), preferably for each water outlet (13, 14, 15), a switching position is provided, in which the respective water outlet (13, 14, 15) is individually connected to the water inlet (27).
15. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the water flow control device (5) is embodied as a water switch (5), which has multiple water outlets (13, 14, 15), wherein a switching position is provided, in which multiple water outlets (13, 14, 15) are connected to the water inlet (27).
16. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the permanent magnet arrangement (16) has a coding which enables differentiation between the switching positions.
17. Dishwashing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coding is formed by different dimensions of the permanent magnets (18-23) and/or by different spaces between the permanent magnets (18-23) in a provided relative movement direction (BR).

Images