EP2368477B1 - Dishwasher having water-softening means and regeneration means therefor - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, at least comprising a washing container for receiving items to be cleaned and / or dried and a softening device for softening applied to the wash water, wherein the softening a supply line for supplying the softening device with at least a regenerating agent, in particular regenerating salt, which extends through a container opening of the washing container in the washing compartment, and a supply line for directing water from the softener is provided in the washing compartment.

Dishwashers, in particular domestic dishwashers, have a rinsing container in which rinsing items to be washed can be stored in dish racks which can be pulled out of the rinsing container, wherein the rinsing container can be opened or closed by means of a door for loading and / or unloading the racks.

To clean the items arranged in the dishwashing items, water can be passed into the washing container. For this purpose, an inlet opening is provided in a side wall of the washing container, can be passed through the water from a house-side supply system or a water tank of the dishwasher in the washing. To reduce the water hardness of the water fed into the washing container, the water passes through a softening device of the dishwasher before it is filled. Such a softening device requires as a resource a regenerating agent, in particular a regenerating salt. For refilling the regenerating salt, a conduit is provided which extends through the wall of the washing compartment in the interior of the washing compartment, and by means of which the softening unit can be supplied with regenerating salt, if necessary. Since this opening is arranged in the interior of the washing container, an opening of the washing container is therefore required for refilling. However, two openings in the washing compartment are required, a first opening for filling water and a second opening for refilling Regenerating salt if necessary, which increases the production cost in connection with the required sealing measures.

From the EP 1 844 694 A1 For example, there is known a device for feeding and treating water for a dishwasher comprising a supply line, a first container for receiving substances having water-softening properties, and a second container for receiving salt having a throat. An annular wall is mounted in an opening in the bottom of the washing chamber and at least surrounds the lower portion of the neck from the outside and thus forms a gap. A connecting line connects an outlet opening of the first container with the gap, so that the supplied softened water is passed through the intermediate space into the washing chamber.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dishwasher, which can be produced with low production costs.

According to the invention it is provided that extends through the container opening a supply line for conducting water into the washing. It is therefore intended to guide two lines through a single container opening, a supply line for supplying the softening device with regenerating salt, and a supply line, can be performed with the water in the washing, which is applied for cleaning dishes on this. By arranging the manufacturing cost is reduced, since it is only necessary to introduce a passage opening in the washing, this seal and finally to check.

It is further provided according to the invention that the supply line is associated with at least one retaining means for blocking a directed from the washing liquid flow. Thus, it is reliably prevented by the valve means that there is a backflow in the line, with the water from the softening device can be passed into the washing. This can be, for example, spray water that bounces off the items to be washed during operation of the dishwasher or, in the event of a blockage-related malfunction, a quantity of liquid collecting on the bottom of the washing container which penetrates into the open end of the supply line inside the washing container.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the retaining means are arranged on a cover which closes the end of the supply line. In this case, the lid is used to close the line, with the softening regenerating salt can be supplied if necessary and ensures during normal operation of the dishwasher that no liquid can pass through the feed undesirably in the softening device. The cover may have a threaded portion which cooperates with a corresponding portion in the washing container, with which the lid can be attached by a rotary movement and also released again. Alternatively, a bayonet catch can be provided.

It is further preferably provided that the retaining means are associated with the lid. This allows in the case of a defect of the retaining means this easy to replace with the lid.

According to the invention the retaining means is designed as a check valve. In this case, the check valve is arranged such that it allows a liquid flow to pass into the washing, while blocking a flow of liquid out of the washing out.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the retaining means are arranged at the end of the feed line. This means that the retention means are located inside the washing container and thus ensures that no unwanted liquid residues remain in a liquid section. Furthermore, in this case ensures that the retention means without the installation of the dishwasher can be achieved simply by opening the rinse tank to fix malfunctions if necessary.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the supply line and supply line at least partially, in particular in the passage area in the washing, ie when passing through the Spülbehälterwandung, are arranged parallel to each other. This allows a particularly simple structure. The section of the Supply line and the supply line of the softener extend into the interior of the washing.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the supply line and supply line at least in sections, in particular in the passage region into the washing container, i. when passing through the Spülbehälterwandung, are arranged concentrically to each other. This allows a particularly space-saving, compact design.

It is preferably provided that the supply line and supply line at least in sections, in particular in the passage area into the washing container, i. when passing through the Spülbehälterwandung, are arranged running in the direction of gravity. This ensures that regenerating salt can be fed to the softening device, in particular through the supply line for supplying the softening device by gravity, without the need for additional aids.

For this purpose, it is preferably provided that the container opening is arranged in the bottom of the washing compartment. However, the container opening may also be arranged in the region of a side wall of the washing container.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the softening device is arranged below the washing compartment. This also allows a particularly compact embodiment with low space requirement, which is ensured by the arrangement of the softening device and the washing container that the regenerating salt can reach the softening device automatically by gravity.

Finally, it is preferably provided that the check valve has a displaceable blocking body, which closes the supply line due to gravity or is pressed into its closed position by means of a spring element. With this simple mechanical construction, a reliable function is achieved.

The locking body can be displaced in a connecting piece of the cover in the axial direction between a closed position and a release position. The connecting piece of the lid can flow the inlet with the Connect the dishwasher. For this purpose, the connecting channel of the lid sealingly protrude into the inlet.

The blocking body can be brought into a closed position with a sealing surface in contact with a corresponding sealing surface of the lid. As soon as water is introduced into the washing container, the blocking body is lifted by the inflowing water from its closed position into a release position, in which the water can run into the washing compartment through an annular gap formed between the blocking body and the lid.

The lifting movement of the locking body in the release position may be limited by a movement stop. The movement stop can engage behind the connection piece of the cover at the end facing away from the sealing surfaces of the blocking body. In this way, the locking body is held captive on the lid even when unscrewed from Regeneriermittelbehälter lid of the locking body.

Alternatively to the above-mentioned filling valve, the inlet can be connected with the interposition of a labyrinth seal with the washing compartment of the washing. By means of the labyrinth seal, as with the filling valve, clogging of the feed with impurities can be prevented.

In a technically simple embodiment, the labyrinth seal can be connected downstream of the inlet and be provided by way of example by a correspondingly adapted cover geometry. Thus, by way of example, the inlet can project without contact into a free space of the lid. The lid can be spaced from the Spülbehälterboden via a free flow gap through which the water can flow from the lid-free space in the washing compartment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures will be described.

Fig. 1

in einer Prinzipdarstellung eine Geschirrspülmaschine;

Fig. 2

in einer vergrößerten Teilschnittansicht den erfindungsgemäßen Wasserzulauf in den Spülraum der Geschirrspülmaschine; und

Fig. 3 und 4

einen Sperrkörper des Wasserzulaufes in seiner Schließstellung und in seiner Freigabestellung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in a schematic diagram of a dishwasher;

Fig. 2

in an enlarged partial sectional view of the inventive water inlet into the washing compartment of the dishwasher; and

3 and 4

a locking body of the water inlet in its closed position and in its release position.

It is going on first Fig. 1 Referenced.

In the Fig. 1 is shown as an exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher, a household dishwasher with a, a washing compartment delimiting washing container 1. In the washing compartment of the washing container 1, not to be cleaned, to be cleaned dishes in dish racks 3, 5 are arranged. In the washing container 1 shown, two spraying arms 7, 8 provided in different spraying levels are arranged by way of example, via which the washware to be cleaned is supplied with washing liquid.

In Spülbehälterboden 6 a pump pot 11 is provided with associated circulating pump 13, which is connected via feed lines 14, 15 fluidly connected to the spray arms 7, 8. The pump pot 11 is connected via a drain line 17 with therein provided drain pump 18 with a hausseitigem sewer system.

At the in the Fig. 1 shown left Spülbehälter-side wall serving as a heat exchanger water storage 19 is thermally coupled to the environment of the dishwasher. In the heat exchanger 21 is supplied via a water supply line 21, which can be performed via a supply line 23 to a softening device 25 and further into the washing compartment.

The softening device 25 is preceded by a switching valve 27 which is connected via a first connecting line 29 directly to the ion exchange container 31 of the softening device 25 and is connected to the regenerating agent tank 35 of the softening device 25 by a second connecting line 33. The regenerant container 35 is connected via an intermediate line 37 to the ion exchange container 31, wherein in the intermediate line 37 a in the present embodiment designed as a check valve filling valve 39th is connected, which blocks a water return from the ion exchange container 31 in the Regeneriermittelbehälter 35.

During a normal rinsing operation, the water from the water supply network via a filling valve 39 into the heat exchanger 19 and from there via the switching valve 27 and the first connecting line 29 is passed directly through the ion exchange container 31, in which the water is softened. Subsequently, the thus softened soft water flows via an inlet in a feed line 41 into the washing compartment. As soon as the softening capacity of the softening device 25 has been exhausted, a regeneration process takes place in which the water is first conducted via the switching valve 27 and the second connecting line 33 into the regenerant tank 35, which usually contains salt. The brine formed thereby is further passed via the intermediate conduit 37 into the ion exchange vessel 31 in which the ion exchange between the brine and the ion exchange material takes place. The regenerant container 27 can according to the Fig. 1 be filled with salt via a filler neck 43 on the user side. The filler neck of the supply line 43 can be closed by means of a cover 45.

It is now additionally on Fig. 2 Referenced.

The supply line 41 downstream of the ion exchange container 31 does not discharge into the wash chamber via a separate wash container opening, but the feed line 41 is guided together with the supply line 43 through a common container opening 47 in the wash bowl bottom 6 and terminates in an end section which essentially comprises is formed vertically extending pipe section (in the operating position of the dishwasher, see. Fig. 2 ).

The supply line 41 is in accordance with the Fig. 2 directly guided by the Regeneriermittelbehälter 35 and coaxially to the supply line 43, wherein in the present embodiment, the end of the supply line 43 is formed as a filler neck.

In the Fig. 2 the area of the water inlet according to the invention is shown enlarged in the washing compartment. Accordingly, a threaded sleeve 49 with a on the cover 45 Internal thread formed, which is screwed onto an external thread of the filler neck. Radially outside the threaded sleeve 49 of the lid 45 is surrounded by an annular wall 51. Radially within the threaded sleeve 49, a central connecting piece 53 is integrally formed, which projects into the upper end of the feed line 41.

In order to form the valve means, in the present exemplary embodiment, a mouth opening of the connection piece 53 facing the flushing space is surrounded by an annular stepped valve seat 55 on which a sealing disk 57 of a blocking body 59 is seated in a form-fitting and sealing manner. The locking body 59 is according to the Fig. 2 guided through the connecting piece 53 and has at its lower end locking lugs 61 with expanded diameter, which engage behind the connecting piece 53 with axial distance.

It is now additionally on Fig. 3 and 4 Referenced.

In the Fig. 3 and 4 the water supply according to the invention is shown in each case in its closed position and in its release position. Consequently, according to the Fig. 3 the locking body 59 with its sealing washer 57 on the valve seat 55. Here, the valve seat 55 is a groove base of an annular groove running around the mouth opening of the connecting piece 53, on which groove base a correspondingly shaped annular web of the sealing disk 57 rests in a sealing manner.

At one in the Fig. 4 illustrated water inlet into the washing 1, the locking body 59 is pushed in the flow direction upwards until the locking lugs 61 abut against the lower end face of the connecting piece 53. In this case, there is a free annular gap between the sealing disk 57 and the valve seat 55, through which the water can flow into the flushing chamber. The locking lugs 61 act in this case as a movement stop, which limits the lifting movement of the locking body 59 upwards.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

rinse tank

3, 5

dish rack

6

Spülbehälterboden

7.8

spray arm

11

sump

13

circulating pump

14, 15

supply

17

drain line

18

Drain pump

19

water-tank

21

Water supply line

23

supply line

25

softener

27

switching valve

29

first connection line

31

Ion exchange vessels

33

second connection line

35

regenerant

37

intermediate line

39

filling valve

41

feed

43

supply line

45

cover

47

container opening

49

threaded sleeve

51

ring wall

53

spigot

55

valve seat

57

sealing washer

59

blocking body

61

locking lugs

63

annulus

Claims (8)

1. Dishwasher, especially household dishwasher, having at least one wash tub (1) for accommodating dishes to be cleaned and/or to be dried and a softening device (25) for softening water to be applied to the dishes, wherein the softening device (25) has a supply line (43) for supplying the softening device (25) with at least one regeneration means, especially regeneration salt, which extends through a tub opening (47) of the wash tub (1) into the wash tub (1), and an inlet line (41) for conveying water from the softening device (25) into the wash tub (1) is provided, wherein the inlet line (41) for conveying water into the wash tub (1) extends through a tub opening (47), characterised in that the inlet line (41) is assigned at least one restraining means embodied as a stop valve, for blocking a flow of liquid directed out of the wash tub (1).
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the restraining means is disposed on a cover (45) which closes off the end of the supply line (43).
3. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the supply line (43) and the inlet line (41) at least in sections, especially the area in which they pass into the wash tub (1), are disposed to run parallel to one another.
4. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the supply line (43) and the inlet line (41) at least in sections, especially the area in which they pass into the wash tub (1), are disposed to run concentric to one another.
5. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the supply line (43) and the inlet line (41) at least in sections, especially the area in which they pass into the wash tub (1), are disposed to run in the direction of gravity.
6. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the tub opening (47) is disposed in the floor of the wash tub (1).
7. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the softening device is disposed below the wash tub (1).
8. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the stop valve has a displaceable blocking element (59), which closes off the inlet of the inlet line as a function (41) of gravity and/or is pushed by means of a spring element into its closed position.

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