EP2434935B1 - Dishwasher, particularly household dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

In practice, it may happen that fluid escapes from the interior of the washing container and / or at least one fluid-carrying component of a dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, in particular rinsing liquor liquid, in particular drips downwards. The rinsing liquor liquid can be formed, depending on the currently performed cleaning step of a dishwasher program running off the dishwasher, in particular fresh water, service or dirty water, or fresh and / or service water added with one or more cleaners, salt and / or rinse aid. Flush liquor liquid, for example, in the form of spray water on at least one overflow line escape from the washing when the liquid level in the washing exceeds a predetermined allowable upper level limit. Condensate and / or liquid vapor can also escape to the outside through at least one pressure equalization opening in the rinsing container or in its door, when overpressure conditions and steam pulses in the rinsing container occur during the respective heating process of the rinsing liquid, for example in the pre-rinsing step, cleaning step and / or rinsing step. Finally, from the rinsing container fluid, in particular liquid such as water, preferably rinsing liquor liquid, even by leaking, such as in the connecting region between the bottom element and the respective side wall, door and / or back wall of the washing down improperly down. Leakage liquid may additionally or independently thereof also from at least one leak of at least one other fluid-carrying component, in particular the hydraulic component of the fluid circulation system, the dishwasher such as its circulation pump, drain pump, drain line, sump, Regenerierbehälter, lonentauscherbehälter, water bag, Wasserzuführ-, water drain lines, etc. .. drip off. This leaking and / or overflow fluid emerging from the washing container and / or a fluid-conducting component is usually collected by a trough-like collecting container in a base assembly below the washing container. The trough-like collecting container is equipped with a fluid overflow safety unit, for example a safety system with a float. Any leaking and / or overflow fluid that drips into the trough-like receptacle is collected in the receptacle. Exceeds the fluid level of accumulated fluid in the trough-like collection container a certain trigger level limit, so the float of the fluid overflow protection unit and it triggers a control signal for the control device of the dishwasher, with this closes the water inlet device of the dishwasher and turns on the drain pump for pumping the fluid from the washing.

Under some practical circumstances, malfunctions, in particular impairments of the triggering and / or response behavior, of the fluid overflow protection unit may occur, which are undesirable. Thus, it may happen, for example, that the float of the fluid overflow protection unit does not rise quickly enough or not at all from the bottom of the trough-shaped collecting container, although the fluid collected there already exceeds a critical level range, which requires the blocking or stopping of the water inlet device and possibly the drain pump , A dishwasher according to the preamble of claim 1 is made DE 10 2006 047952 A1 known.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, which ensures reliable functioning, in particular a desired response and / or release behavior, of the fluid overflow safety unit in a reliable manner. In particular, a reaction-fast release of the fluid overflow protection unit is desired if more than one specific, permissible fluid quantity, preferably inappropriately, expires from the washing container and / or at least one other fluid-carrying component of the dishwasher.

This object is achieved by a dishwasher according to claim 1.

The one or more additional intermediate reservoirs, in cases where fluid overflows and / or leaks from the purge vessel, and / or leaks from at least one other fluid carrying component, ensures that the particulate matter present in the respective spill fluid and / or leakage fluid is present contained in the one or more intermediate reservoirs largely, ie partially or completely deposit and / or retained there before flowing into the main reservoir. By settling and / or retaining a subset or the total amount of solid particles of leaking from the washing and / or the respective fluid-carrying component leakage fluid and / or overflow fluid in the one or more intermediate reservoir can largely be avoided that accumulate in the main reservoir too many solid particles and there they can unduly impair or interfere with the Überiaufsicherungsfunktion the fluid overflow protection unit, in particular their response and / or tripping behavior. In other words, by dividing the fluid collection device into a main reservoir and into one or more additional intermediate reservoirs, the main reservoir can be kept substantially clean of particulates, i. An impermissibly heavy contamination of the main reservoir and / or the fluid overflow protection unit provided in it can be largely avoided. It can therefore happen now much less or not at all, that solid particles on the fluid collecting device, in particular their float, adhere or even hold on the bottom portion of the main reservoir, and thereby affect a correct movement of the fluid collecting device, in particular their float, or even prevent.

By providing one or more intermediate reservoirs in addition to the main reservoir, at least a subset of the solid particles possibly present in the fluid can sink, in particular due to their own weight, to the bottom of the respective intermediate reservoir. In the first place, however, in addition to or independently of this, the solid particles can largely deposit or settle, in particular due to evaporation of the fluid at the bottom and / or the side walls of the respective intermediate reservoir. The fluid collected in the respective intermediate reservoir can there after a while, in particular during the period during which the dishwasher is switched off or in the period between two expiring dishwashing programs, during which no water runs, evaporate and the solids contained in it such as floating matter, dirt, and / or other contaminants such as leftovers, dust particles, detergent, rinse and / or Salt residues, etc .... remain as sediment in the soil area and / or as deposits in the sidewall area of the intermediate reservoir. It is thus largely avoided that an unacceptably large amount of sump products on the fluid overflow protection unit in the main reservoir, in particular their float, adheres, or even holds this at the bottom of the main reservoir. In this way, a correct movement of the fluid overflow protection unit, in particular its float, for a sufficiently long period of operation, preferably ensured the entire service life of the dishwasher. Both deposition effects are preferably favored when the accumulated in the respective intermediate reservoir fluid does not exceed the predetermined fill level upper limit, ie the capacity of the intermediate reservoir and stops in this, ie not yet runs into the main reservoir or overflows into this. Even if, however, the fluid which is collected in the respective intermediate reservoir becomes too much and runs off the intermediate reservoir into the main reservoir when the intermediate reservoir-specific filling level upper limit is exceeded, in particular overflows, the respective intermediate reservoir ensures at least one separation and / or or for a mechanical retention of solid particles and thus for a kind of primary clarification or pre-cleaning of the fluid collected in it from the solid particles contained in it.

In this way, a proper overflow protection function of the fluid overflow protection unit over a sufficiently long operating period of the dishwasher - especially over a longer period of service life of the dishwasher as in previous designs that have only a single, trough-shaped receptacle - can be obtained without costly maintenance, ie Safety impairment or malfunction of the fluid overflow protection unit are largely avoided. In the event that there is actually an overflow of fluid from one or more intermediate reservoirs in the main reservoir and there a certain predetermined trigger level is exceeded, therefore, the fluid overflow protection unit is more reliable Way activated. An extra Maintenance maintenance, especially a cleaning, the main reservoir and / or its fluid overflow protection unit is far less than before, ie only rarely, or not at all required.

In the context of the invention, under fluid is in particular a liquid such as. Fresh water, service water, or mixed with one or more cleanser, salt and / or rinse aid added fresh and / or service water. It may optionally contain solid particles such as dirt, floats, and / or other contaminants such as particulate matter. Food scraps, lint, dust, and / or dishwasher cleaner residues, dishwasher residues, rinse aid residues, salt particles, etc ... included.

Conveniently, the respective additional intermediate reservoir is provided spatially separated at a different location from the main reservoir location outside of this in the fluid collecting device. As a result of this separation of the main reservoir and the respective intermediate reservoir, the main reservoir can advantageously be kept particularly clean of solid particles. In particular, the respective intermediate reservoir, irrespective of the main reservoir, can preferably be arranged where a leak or a leak and / or an overflow point of the rinsing container and / or a fluid-conducting component can occur according to experience. In particular, can be achieved by the areal separation of main reservoir and respective additional intermediate reservoir for the fluid collecting device a flat, preferably plate-like geometry shape, which takes up little space in the bottom assembly of the dishwasher. In particular, it may be provided there as the lowest floor level. In general terms, the respective intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir can thus be an integral part of the fluid collection device of the floor assembly.

In particular, when a plurality of intermediate reservoirs are provided, more leakage and / or overflow fluid can be collected for evaporation in the fluid collecting device. This can be improved to prevent dirt, floats, and / or other contaminants, such as leftovers, lint, dust, and / or dishwasher cleaners, dishwashing detergent, rinse aid, salt particles, etc. enter the main reservoir in an undesirable amount, the otherwise there in undesirable Measures would form sump products, which could be associated with malfunction or impairment of fluid overflow protection.

Preferably, at least two intermediate reservoirs, in particular their bottom regions, can be arranged at different height levels. As a result, the collected fluid in the various intermediate reservoirs can flow out of these when their capacity is exceeded, with different, specifically assigned flow velocities. It is thus possible to distinguish between more critical and less critical intermediate reservoirs depending on the place of origin of the leakage and / or overflow fluid. For this purpose, it can also be particularly expedient if the bottom area of at least one intermediate reservoir and the bottom area of the main reservoir are arranged at different height levels. Preferably, the bottom region of the respective intermediate reservoir can be arranged closer to the rinsing container than the bottom region of the main reservoir in order to be able to provide a natural gradient.

In particular, it may be expedient to provide different depth intermediate reservoirs and / or intermediate reservoirs with different capacities. As a result, a differentiated collection of leakage and / or overflow fluid from the washing container and / or at least one fluid-carrying component is made possible. Thus, for example, for a possible leakage in the corner region of the washing container of the dishwasher below this a larger intermediate reservoir in the fluid collecting device may be provided as for a leak below the sump of the pump

It may be expedient, in particular, if the main reservoir and / or the one or more intermediate reservoirs are formed in a common, area-shaped, in particular trough-shaped, bottom element as depressions or shallow dish-shaped depressions or indentations. This makes it possible to provide a sufficiently large evaporation surface.

According to the invention, each intermediate reservoir with the main reservoir via at least one outlet, in particular guide channel, for discharging fluid from the respective intermediate reservoir when it exceeds Maximum volume connected to the main reservoir. In this case, it is advantageous, in particular, that the overflow of leakage and / or overflow fluid, in particular rinsing liquor liquid, runs purposefully from the respective intermediate reservoir to the main reservoir in which the fluid overflow safety unit is arranged. In this way, a fast and effective triggering of the fluid overflow protection unit can be ensured. This is ensured even if the bottom assembly and thus the dishwasher are not absolutely flat, ie not aligned horizontally. The guide channel between the respective intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir ensures that fluid emerging from the intermediate reservoir or escaping liquid, in particular rinsing liquor liquid, is guided directly and purposefully to the fluid overflow safety unit of the main reservoir. As a result, the fluid overflow protection of the main reservoir can stop the supply of water to the dishwasher when more fluid emerges from the washing container than the respective intermediate reservoir can accommodate.

The bottom assembly of the dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, is also referred to as the base support of the dishwasher and represents the connecting part between a substrate, such as a floor or the bottom of a Einbaunische in a kitchen furniture, and the washing compartment of the dishwasher. The washing compartment is above the floor assembly on this attached. The fluid collecting device preferably represents the lowermost end of the dishwasher and serves with its one or more intermediate reservoir and its main reservoir for receiving fluid, in particular Spülflottenflüssigkeit from the dishwasher and / or other fluid-carrying component such as a circulating pump, drain pump, fluid circuit line, etc .... due to leakage and / or leakage through at least one overflow pipe when a maximum permissible level is exceeded. The fluid overflow protection unit is arranged in the main reservoir such that it triggers as soon as fluid, in particular rinsing liquor liquid, enters the main collecting reservoir. The fluid overflow protection unit is provided so that damage to the dishwasher and / or the surroundings of the dishwasher can not occur in the event of fluid leakage from the washing container and / or any other fluid-carrying component.

The respective intermediate reservoir serves, in particular, to temporarily store a certain amount or a certain volume of fluid, in particular rinsing liquor liquid, in such a way that the fluid overflow protection does not unnecessarily trigger, but the supplied fluid can evaporate. This fluid is usually formed by rinse liquor fluid, i. Water or water leakage, the dirt, floating matter, and other contaminants, such. Food scraps, lint, dust, and / or dishwashing detergent, dishwashing detergent, rinse aid, salt particles, etc. contains. The water that is collected in the respective intermediate reservoir evaporates after a while and the floating matter, the dirt, and / or the other impurities such. Leftovers, cleaners, rinse-aid, salts, etc., settle as sediment in the bottom area and / or as deposits in the side wall area of the respective intermediate reservoir and remain there. The respective intermediate reservoir thus ensures that dirt, floating matter, and other contaminants such. Leftovers, lint, dust, and / or dishwasher cleaners, dishwashing detergents, rinse aid, salt particles, etc ...., which are contained in the leakage and / or overflow fluid, adequately settle or deposit on the bottom and / or on the side walls of the intermediate reservoir can. In this way, such sump products in the leakage and / or overflow fluid can reach the main reservoir far less or not at all, so that dirt, floating substances and / or other contaminants can adhere far less or not at all to the fluid overflow protection, in particular to their floats , As a result, the functionality or trigger safety of the fluid overflow protection for emergency largely maintained that a critical volume of fluid, especially rinse liquor, in the respective intermediate reservoir, which can accommodate this to evaporation is exceeded and this "excess fluid" in the main reservoir, in particular over the respective guide channel, overflows. Impairment of a proper movement of the fluid overflow protection unit, in particular its float element, by setting, hanging or sticking of sump products are largely avoided. As a result, the trigger safety of the fluid overflow protection unit is largely retained.

The guide channel between the respective intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir serves as an overflow from a certain amount of fluid, in particular rinsing fluid, in the respective intermediate reservoir, which is greater than its capacity. there is the intermediate reservoir facing the first end of the guide channel spaced from a bottom portion of the intermediate reservoir disposed on a side wall of the intermediate reservoir. That is to say, only when a certain level or a maximum volume of fluid which can be collected is exceeded in the intermediate reservoir is the fluid directed via the guide channel to the main reservoir of the fluid collecting device in a targeted manner. The bottom region of the respective intermediate reservoir is formed by the lower region of the intermediate reservoir. The floor area can be designed differently. Thus, the floor area may be flat, but also uneven, for example, slightly curved, be formed.

Until the fluid has reached the discharge level of the respective guide channel in the side wall of the intermediate reservoir, it is retained in the intermediate reservoir. The side wall of the intermediate reservoir serves, so to speak, as a barrier, which retains a certain amount of fluid in the intermediate reservoir, in order to open the possibility that this fluid evaporates in the intermediate reservoir due to the ambient conditions.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the fluid collecting device is designed as a flat bottom plate. In this, the main reservoir and the one or more intermediate reservoirs are preferably formed as recessed wells. The respective intermediate reservoir is preferably designed as an evaporation tray.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the height level of each intermediate reservoir is higher than that of the main reservoir. Thus, a dishwasher is particularly preferred which is characterized in that the bottom region of the respective intermediate reservoir is arranged closer to the washing container of the dishwasher than the bottom region of the main reservoir. That is to say, the bottom area of the respective intermediate reservoir is arranged vertically higher than the bottom area of the main reservoir. This creates a gradient, so that the fluid emerging from the intermediate reservoir can automatically run into the main reservoir. The intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir are preferably arranged on different levels. The bottom region of the main reservoir is preferably arranged at one of the lowest points of the fluid collecting device. The fluid overflow protection unit is advantageously provided at the lowest point of the main collecting reservoir. In this way, it is largely ensured that the excess fluid possibly overflowing from the respective intermediate reservoir is also safely guided into the main reservoir, in particular to the fluid overflow safety unit. The respective intermediate reservoir may in particular be arranged in a stepped manner above the main collecting reservoir, similar to a cascade.

It may also be expedient if the respective intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir are in particular an integral part of the bottom plate of the base module. Integral component in the sense of the invention means that neither the intermediate reservoir nor the main reservoir must be subsequently arranged as additional elements on the bottom module or on the bottom plate of the bottom module, but already during the manufacture of the bottom plate part of the bottom plate. That is to say, integral means that the respective intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir are produced directly during the production of the base plate of the base assembly. This is preferably done by a casting process, in particular an injection molding process. Alternatively, the bottom plate of the bottom assembly including the intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir can also be produced by a deep-drawing process. The advantage of such a design of the bottom plate is in addition to the low production costs, since no separate reservoirs must be made in the elimination of the mounting of one or both reservoirs on the bottom plate of the bottom assembly. That is, a complex and time-consuming attachment of the reservoir to the bottom plate is eliminated. The bottom plate may be formed as a separate component of the floor assembly or as an integral part of the floor assembly.
In particular, it may be expedient to produce the base assembly including the bottom plate as a fluid collecting device made of plastic. This allows a simple and inexpensive production.

In a further expedient variant of the dishwasher, it can be provided that the guide channel is formed tapering from the intermediate reservoir to the main reservoir. The guide channel is advantageously designed as an open channel. But it can also have a closed hollow profile shape, such as a pipe. Because of the guide channel tapers tapered to the main reservoir, the overflowing from the intermediate reservoir water can be directed better targeted. That is, the water emerging from the guide channel in the main reservoir can be guided exactly where, for example, the float of the fluid overflow protection is arranged. By tapering the guide channel towards the main reservoir, the flow velocity of the overflowing water can be increased so that the water is rapidly directed toward the fluid overflow protection unit, thus ensuring rapid response of the fluid overflow protection unit in the main collection reservoir. The taper of the guide channel may be formed, for example, cone-shaped. If the guide channel is formed as a hollow profile, the taper can be formed by a constant reduction of the cross section of the guide channel to the main reservoir.

Particularly preferred is a dishwasher, wherein the first end of the guide channel, which is associated with the respective intermediate reservoir, is arranged closer to the washing container, as a second end of the guide channel, which is associated with the main reservoir, wherein the distance of the guide channel to the washing container from first end to the second end of the guide channel preferably increases permanently. By such an arrangement of the guide channel of the guide channel is arranged inclined. That is, the guide channel has a slope from the respective intermediate reservoir to the main reservoir. The overflowing from the intermediate reservoir in the guide channel fluid is due to the gradient of the guide channel quickly and purposefully the main reservoir, in particular the fluid overflow protection of the main reservoir, fed. Located closer to the washing container means that the distance of the first end of the guide channel to the washing container is less than the distance of the second end of the guide channel to the washing container, which opens into the main reservoir. The overflowing from the respective intermediate reservoir fluid therefore runs automatically due to its gravity in the direction of a specific point, in particular in the vicinity of the fluid overflow protection unit, in the main collection reservoir.

As stated previously, the guide channel can be designed in various ways. The guide channel between the respective intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir of the dishwasher may alternatively be referred to as a tapered Well be formed in a partition wall between the two reservoirs. The two fluid collecting reservoirs can be arranged directly adjacent to each other, separated only by a partition wall. The guide channel is not elongate in this advantageous embodiment, but is formed by a depression in the partition wall between the two reservoirs. In this case, the depression is provided at the intermediate reservoir in such a way that the fluid flowing over from the intermediate reservoir is supplied to a specific point of the main reservoir. The recess may in particular be a recess in the side wall of the intermediate reservoir or container. Due to the tapered shape of the depression of the directed inflow of the overflowing water is ensured to the main reservoir.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the bottom region of the respective intermediate reservoir has a flat horizontal extension or an approximately horizontal horizontal extension. Such a configuration of the bottom region of the intermediate reservoir of the dishwasher ensures that the fluid emerging from the washing container is distributed as uniformly as possible over the entire bottom region of the intermediate reservoir, so that rapid evaporation of the water can occur. An approximately flat horizontal extent means in the sense of the invention that the bottom area can have only a slight or no inclination, for example between 0 ° and 2 degrees, with respect to a horizontal plane. It may be particularly preferred if the lowest point of the bottom portion is not associated with the first end of the guide channel, but from this has a minimum distance. As a result, sump products, if they occur because not store directly in front of the guide channel, so that the entry into the guide channel for the fluid remains free.

For the evaporation, it may be particularly expedient, the ratio of the longitudinal and / or transverse extent of the collecting surface of the respective intermediate reservoir to its depth more than 3: 1, in particular between 5: 1 and 8: 1, preferably more than 10: 1, too choose.

Furthermore, a dishwashing machine is particularly preferred in which the ratio of the planar horizontal extension or the approximately planar horizontal extension the bottom area of the intermediate reservoir to the depth of the intermediate reservoir is more than 5: 1, in particular more than 10: 1. That is, the horizontal extent, based on an x, y, z coordinate system, the extent in an x-direction and a y-direction, is significantly greater than the depth of the intermediate reservoir, ie the extension of the intermediate reservoir in a direction perpendicular to the x - and y-direction extending z-direction. This ensures that the intermediate reservoir is not high, but is advantageously flat. The bottom region of the intermediate reservoir is therefore preferably formed over a large area, so that in the intermediate reservoir from the washing and / or other fluid-carrying component supplied fluid can evaporate as quickly as possible. In particular, a flat horizontal extension of the floor area advantageously ensures that the water is distributed evenly in the floor area. Another advantage of such a design of the bottom region of the intermediate reservoir is that the intermediate reservoir does not have to have a large depth, which in turn keeps the height of the fluid collecting device, in particular the bottom plate, the bottom assembly of the dishwasher, in particular the domestic dishwasher low. A flat formed bottom region of the intermediate reservoir may preferably extend over a large part of the base area of the bottom plate of the bottom assembly. The larger the bottom area of the intermediate reservoir is formed, the lower the depth of the intermediate reservoir can be formed and the faster can fluid that has leaked from the washing and fed to the intermediate reservoir, evaporate in the intermediate reservoir.

In addition, a filter element covering the cross-section of the guide channel may optionally be provided on the guide channel. Such a dishwasher is particularly reliable in terms of fluid overflow protection. The filter element filters contaminants out of the leakage fluid and / or overflow fluid that float on the surface of the leaked fluid. It can always happen that contaminants due to their composition float on the surface of the fluid collected in the intermediate reservoir and do not settle or settle as bottom products at the bottom area of the intermediate reservoir. So that these do not pass from the intermediate reservoir to the main reservoir and thus to the fluid overflow protection in the event of an overflow of the fluid, the filter element covering the cross section of the guide channel is provided. It can the filter element can be designed differently large. For example, the filter element may be a relatively coarse-meshed grid that retains larger contaminants. As a result, they can accumulate far less or not at all underneath the fluid overflow safety unit, in particular below its float element, and thus also do not adversely affect the response and / or release behavior of the fluid overflow safety unit. Also a sticking of impurities on the float can be better prevented by the filter element.

A dishwasher in which according to a further expedient embodiment a closable discharge opening is provided in a side wall of the floor assembly, which faces the intermediate reservoir, allows easy removal of bottoms left in the intermediate reservoir. Preferably, such a closable emptying opening is provided on the front wall of the floor assembly, which is arranged below the door of the washing compartment of the dishwasher. As a result, the discharge opening is usually easily accessible, without it being necessary to move the dishwasher. The emptying of the intermediate reservoir ensures that it retains its full function. If the intermediate reservoir is not freed of deposited bottom products, the fluid absorption capacity of the intermediate reservoir would gradually decrease, so that even with very small quantities of leakage fluid and / or overflow fluid, an overflow of the fluid to the main reservoir and, consequently, unnecessary triggering of the fluid overflow safety device would occur ,

Furthermore, a dishwasher may be expedient in which two or more intermediate reservoirs, each with a guide channel, are provided between each intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir. That is, improperly leaking fluid from the purge bin may be supplied to two or more intermediate reservoirs. In this way, the bottom area of the intermediate reservoirs, ie the size of the bottom areas of all intermediate reservoirs, can be increased again, so that an even more effective evaporation of the overflow and / or leakage fluid can take place. Each intermediate reservoir is connected via at least one guide channel to the main reservoir of the collecting device, in particular the bottom plate of the base assembly. The guide channels between the intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir can be designed differently. Preference is given to all intermediate reservoirs arranged higher than the main reservoir on the bottom plate. The guide channels advantageously all have a gradient towards the main collecting reservoir, so that fluid that overflows from the intermediate reservoirs can, due to its gravity, be supplied to the main collecting reservoir in a rapid and targeted manner.

The bottom plate of the bottom assembly of the dishwasher is preferably made of plastic or metal. Complicated shapes of the bottom plate are preferably made of plastic, for example by a casting method, in particular by an injection molding process. Furthermore, the bottom plate can be produced by a deep-drawing process. If the bottom plate is an integral part of the bottom assembly, the entire bottom assembly is preferably made by a casting process or a deep drawing process.

In particular, it may also be expedient, if appropriate, to provide at least one guide channel between at least one first intermediate reservoir and at least one second intermediate reservoir in accordance with the embodiment variants of the guide channel between the respective intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir. Through this channeling, i. In general terms, cross-linking or communicating connection between the intermediate reservoirs allows excess fluid to be distributed from the respective intermediate reservoir to one or more other intermediate reservoirs. It can thus be avoided that an intermediate reservoir whose capacity is too small to receive a from the washing and / or other fluid-carrying component, does not overflow into the main reservoir. As a result, it is possible to avoid that fluid enters the main reservoir in an unnecessary manner and addresses its fluid overflow protection unit there.

Other developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The invention and its developments and advantages thereof are explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

Figur 1

schematisch in perspektivischer Ansicht ein vorteilhaftes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine, unterhalb deren Spülbehälter eine Bodenbaugruppe mit einer Bodenplatte, insbesondere Bodenauffangwanne, nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Konstruktionsprinzip vorgesehen ist, und

Figur 2

schematisch in perspektivischer Darstellung die Bodenplatte als Einzelheit der Bodenbaugruppe der Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine von Figur 1 im Detail.

Show it:

FIG. 1

schematically in perspective view of an advantageous embodiment of a domestic dishwasher, below the washing a bottom assembly with a bottom plate, in particular bottom collecting tray, is provided according to the inventive design principle, and

FIG. 2

schematically in perspective view of the bottom plate as a detail of the bottom assembly of the household dishwasher of FIG. 1 in detail.

Elements with the same function and mode of action are in the FIGS. 1 and 2 each provided with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an advantageous embodiment of a household dishwasher 1, the bottom assembly 10 designed as a fluid collecting device according to the construction principle of the invention base plate 13 (see FIG. 2 ) for collecting leaking leakage and / or overflow fluid from its washing container 20 and / or one or more fluid-carrying components, in particular hydraulic components such as circulating pump, drain pump, liquid circuit lines, etc .. These components are in the FIG. 1 only schematically represented by a dash-dot box with the reference numeral 50. The washing container 20 sits above the bottom assembly 10 on this. So he is in the height direction or z-direction of one in the FIG. 1 considered Cartesian x, y, z-coordinate system considered above the bottom assembly 10 arranged, ie, the bottom assembly 10 is provided below the washing container 20. It is surrounded by an outer housing 201.

The floor module 10 establishes contact with a substrate, in particular a floor, at the respective place of installation of the household dishwasher 1. Below the washing container 20, it has a front element running transversely in the x direction, in particular a front wall 11 and side elements, in particular walls 12, extending in the depth direction y. The front element 11 and the side elements 12 and a back element, not shown, in particular a rear wall, form the structural frame of the floor assembly 10. This is closed by a top-mounted ceiling element 25.

The rinsing container 20 comprises a U-shaped hood, which consists of a Spülbehälterdeckenwandung 24 and two laterally molded thereto side walls 22 as leg elements. At this U-shaped hood a Spülbehälterrückwandung 23 is attached to the back. His Spülbehälterbodenwandung is formed here in the embodiment by the ceiling element 25 of the bottom assembly 10. The box-shaped rinsing container 20 assembled in this way has a front-side rectangular charging opening 21, which can be closed by a pivotably mounted door 30. This is here in the embodiment at the two, in the depth direction y extending side walls 12 of the base assembly or base support unit 10 pivotally mounted.

For the U-shaped hood and the rear wall 23 is preferably a metallic material, in particular a corrosion-resistant material such. Stainless steel, preferably selected from stainless steel. In contrast, the box-shaped, in particular rectangular structural frame and the ceiling element of the base assembly are preferably made of plastic, which simplifies their manufacture. In the exemplary embodiment, they form together here preferably a one-piece or one-piece base carrier unit in which the various components of the base assembly can be accommodated. Possibly. For example, other components, in particular hydraulic components, such as e.g. a pump pot or cable guides, preferably monolithic, be formed with. Advantageously, the base carrier unit can be produced by a plastic injection method, which is particularly simple and inexpensive.

The bottom assembly 10 below the washing container 20 has below its fluid-carrying components such as pump sump, circulating pump and / or drain pump, and / or liquid inlet, liquid drain lines, etc ... of the liquid circulation system of the dishwasher, a bottom plate 13 as a bottom, close to the bottom closure element. This bottom plate 13 is formed as a safety drip tray for leakage and / or overflow fluid, which emerges possibly from the washing and / or out of one or more liquid-conducting components. The area Bottom plate 13 is in the FIG. 2 shown schematically in perspective as a detail. The possibly exiting fluid is in particular Spülflottenflüssigkeit, Spülflottenflüssigkeitsdampf and / or condensate thereof. Depending on the program step of the dishwasher program in each case, the rinsing liquor liquid may in particular be fresh water, clear water, gray water, service water, ie dirty water arising from contaminated items during the respective cleaning operation, with or without one or more cleaners, salt and / or rinse aids. It may possibly solid particles such as dirt, floating matter, and / or other contaminants such as lint, dust, and / or dishwasher cleaner residues, dishwasher residues, rinse aid residues, salt particles, food scraps, etc .. included.

In the domestic dishwasher present here in the embodiment is from the washing tank 20 above the bottom assembly 10 improperly leaking fluid, ie, leaking or leakage liquid 40, which drips from the washing tank 20 down to the ground, and / or overflow liquid, which has a in FIG. 2 the sake of clarity, only indicated by dot-dash line supply line 60 from the washing container 20 when a predetermined upper level limit is exceeded runs down the bottom assembly 10.

The bottom plate 13 of FIG. 2 has a top-open, bowl-shaped or trough-shaped main reservoir 14, at the bottom region, preferably at the lowest point of the bottom region, a fluid or liquid overflow protection unit 15 is arranged. The main reservoir 14 is preferably positioned in the region below the sump of the washing container 20. The fluid overflow protection unit 15 has, in particular, a float element. As soon as the float has reached a certain, permissible level level due to inflowing leakage and / or overflow fluid into the main reservoir 14, the fluid overflow protection unit 15 triggers and stops the water supply to the washing container 20 of the dishwasher 1. Furthermore, a drain pump for pumping and thus emptying the wash liquor from the washing container 20 and / or liquid circuit of the dishwasher 1 activated.

The bottom plate 13 has advantageously in addition to the main reservoir 14 more, here in the embodiment, in particular two, intermediate reservoirs 161, 162, which are open at the top and shell or trough-shaped. The respective additional intermediate reservoir 161, 162 is provided spatially separated at a different location from the main reservoir 14 location outside of this in the fluid collecting device 13. The intermediate reservoirs serve for receiving improperly exiting fluid, in particular rinsing liquor liquid, liquid vapor and / or condensate from the rinsing container 20. For example, such fluid can be discharged from the rinsing container 20 when a predetermined upper level limit is exceeded by at least one discharge line such as 60 to the intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 become. Additionally or independently thereof, by means of the respective intermediate reservoir, dripping leakage fluid can also be collected from the rinsing container 20, in particular in the region of the assembly points between its U-shaped hood and / or rear wall 23, and / or the ceiling element 25 of the floor assembly 10. In addition, with the help of the respective intermediate reservoir and condensate can be collected from the washing, for example, when the door 30 of the washing container 20 is briefly opened during operation of the dishwasher 1. In this case 20 escape from the rinse tank moist jets of steam. The exiting condensate is collected and via a in the FIGS. 1 . 2 the illustrated simplicity sake omitted supply line in one of the intermediate reservoirs or in both intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 passed.

The Zwischenreservoirs161, 162 and the main reservoir 14 are each open at the top and flat, ie they each have a large bottom portion 161a, 162a, 14a, but not very high side walls 16b. In other words, they are shallow. The bottom regions 16a of the intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 are preferably flat and have a horizontal extent. Horizontal extension means that the bottom regions 16b extend along the x and y directions of the illustrated x, y, z coordinate system. Preferably, the bottom area 16a of the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 in the x-direction and in the y-direction is at least 5 times to 10 times as long as the side wall 16b of this intermediate reservoir is high. Such a flat bowl-shaped or trough-shaped configuration of the intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 allows a particularly effective evaporation of the introduced into the intermediate reservoir fluid. Impurities in the Fluid usually settle in the bottom region 161 a, 162 a of the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 as so-called bottom products. These can be removed from the intermediate reservoirs 16 via corresponding discharge openings in the side walls 12 or the front wall 11 of the base assembly 10. In the FIG. 2 Such a discharge opening is shown in phantom and denoted by EO.

The intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 serve to inappropriately receive, if necessary, improperly escaping fluid from the washing container 20, in particular dropping fluid, so that it does not directly enter the main reservoir 14 and unnecessarily triggers the fluid overflow protection unit 15 there. The large-area design of the bottom regions 16a of the intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 allows a relatively rapid evaporation of the collected fluid. Between each intermediate reservoir 161, 162 and the main collecting reservoir 14, a guide channel 181, 182 is arranged in each case. Possibly. For example, the intermediate reservoirs such as 161, 162 may also be interconnected with each other via at least one channel in a manner analogous to the respective intermediate reservoir with the main reservoir. As a result, for example, a distribution of the fluid stored in an intermediate reservoir to one or more other intermediate reservoirs is made possible. In particular, the plurality of intermediate reservoirs can communicate with each other via at least one connecting channel from one intermediate reservoir to the next intermediate reservoir such that fluid compensation can be ensured. Here in the embodiment of FIG. 2 is such a connecting channel between the two intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 shown only dash-dotted lines and designated VK.

The guide channels 181, 182 are used for targeted and rapid forwarding of the fluid from the upwardly open intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 to the main reservoir 14, when more fluid from the washing container 20 and / or at least one fluid-carrying component emerges than the intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 can accommodate. The first, smaller intermediate reservoir 161 facing first end 18a of the guide channel 181 is spaced from the bottom portion 161a of the first intermediate reservoir 161 on a side wall 16b of the intermediate reservoir 161 arranged. In particular, it may be provided in the region of the upper edge of the upwardly open, first intermediate reservoir 161. This only starts from a certain, (in particular of zero fluid level height in the first intermediate reservoir 161 fluid, in particular Spülflottenflüssigkeit, in the main reservoir 14 via. The rapid and targeted delivery of the overflowing from the first intermediate reservoir 161 fluid to the main reservoir 14 allows a correspondingly rapid release of the fluid overflow protection unit 15 in an emergency. The guide channel 181 between the smaller, first intermediate reservoir 161 and the main reservoir 14 has a tapered shape in the direction of the main reservoir 14. In this exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1, the bottom regions 16a of the first intermediate reservoir 161 are arranged closer to the washing container 20 than the bottom region of the main reservoir 14. The guide channel 181 therefore has a gradient in the direction of the main reservoir 14 between the smaller intermediate reservoir 161 and the main reservoir 14. The overflowing from the small intermediate reservoir 161 fluid is thereby accelerated passed through the guide channel 181 to the main reservoir 14. The first end 18 a of the guide channel 18 is arranged higher in the z-direction than the second end 18 b of the guide channel 18. As a result, fluid flowing out of the small intermediate reservoir 161 flows rapidly to the main reservoir 14.

In contrast to the first intermediate reservoir 161, the larger, second intermediate reservoir 162 and the main collecting reservoir 14 are separated from each other by a partition 17. The guide channel 182 between the larger intermediate reservoir 162 and the main collecting reservoir 14 is formed by a recess tapering in the direction of flow in the partition wall 17. Via this depression, overflowing fluid can be conducted from the larger intermediate reservoir 16 to the main collecting reservoir 14.
The guide channels 181, 182 of the first and the second intermediate reservoir are thus formed differently or differently.

By means of the liquid overflow securing unit 15 in the main reservoir 14, it is possible to stop the operation of the dishwasher and, if necessary, also pump out rinsing liquor from the washing container and / or liquid circuit of the dishwasher by means of its drainage pump as soon as the leakage and / or liquid trapped there in at least one of the several intermediate reservoirs. or overflow fluid, the maximum volume that can be collected by the respective intermediate reservoir, that is, their capacity exceeds, and overflows from this intermediate reservoir into the main reservoir.

The flat, in particular shell or trough-shaped configuration of the intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 and the likewise not deeply formed main reservoir 14 allows the bottom plate 13 of the bottom module 10 can be very flat, in particular trough or bowl-shaped. That is, the depth of the bottom plate 13 and thus the bottom assembly 10 may be made relatively small. This has e.g. the advantage that it can be accommodated with little space in the floor assembly as the lower end element. The height of the floor assembly can thus be kept lower than before and there is more space for the washing container 20 of the dishwasher 1 is available.

The intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 and the main collecting reservoir 14 are preferably an integral part of the bottom plate 13. That is, these have already been produced in one piece with the bottom plate 3 in the manufacture of the bottom plate 13. The intermediate reservoirs 161, 162, the main collecting reservoir 14 and the bottom plate 13 are thus integrally cast from one and the same material, in particular plastic, molded or deep-drawn. This saves manufacturing costs, since no additional intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 have to be manufactured separately and arranged in the base assembly as individual elements. Furthermore, the assembly effort is significantly lower because no intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 must be subsequently attached to the bottom plate 13.

At the guide channels as here, for example, 181 can each be additionally arranged a filter element. Such is in the FIG. 2 the drawing simplicity only dash-dotted lines in the guide channel 18 between the smaller intermediate reservoir 161 and the main reservoir 14 and designated FI. This advantageously extends over the flow cross section of the guide channel 181, so that impurities floating on the surface can be filtered out or retained in the intermediate reservoir 181, and as a result can not get into the main collecting reservoir 14. This ensures that the fluid overflow protection unit 15 in the main reservoir 14 remains fully functional for a long time. There are thus no or hardly any bottoms below the fluid overflow protection unit 15, in particular below the float element, so that they can affect the fluid overflow protection unit 15 hardly or not at all negatively.

In summary, therefore, according to the advantageous embodiment of the FIGS. 1 . 2 a domestic dishwasher 1 with a bottom assembly 10 below its washing container 20 has provided at least one fluid collecting device 13 for collecting leakage and / or overflow fluid 40 from the washing container 20 and / or from at least one fluid-carrying component 50. In this case, the fluid collecting device 13 comprises a main reservoir 10 with a fluid overflow protection unit 15 and one or more additional intermediate reservoirs 161, 162. The one or more additional intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 for collecting leakage fluid and / or Übertauffluid 40 from the washing container 20 and / or the respective fluid-carrying Component 50 are arranged and configured such that solid particles 70 contained in the leakage and / or overflow fluid 40 are substantially settable and / or retainable in the one or more intermediate reservoirs 161, 162. The respective additional intermediate reservoir 161, 162 is provided spatially separated at a different location from the main reservoir 14 location outside of this in the fluid collecting device 13.

The leakage and / or overflow fluid 40 can be collected in the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 up to a predetermined fill level upper limit, in particular for evaporation, and only flows out of the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 into the main reservoir 14 when the fill level upper limit is exceeded. Expediently, the height level of the fill level upper limit of the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 is higher than the bottom area 14a of the main reservoir 14, so that a gradient is formed between the respective intermediate reservoir and the main reservoir. For this purpose, it is particularly expedient if the bottom region 161a, 162a of the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 is arranged closer to the washing container 20 than the bottom region 14a of the main reservoir 14. In other words, it is thus expedient if the bottom region 161a, 162 of the respective intermediate reservoir is arranged higher than the bottom region 14a of the main reservoir 14. Additionally or independently thereof, the bottom region 161a, 162a of the intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 can be arranged at different height levels.

The respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 and the main reservoir 14 are here in the embodiment preferably an integral part of the fluid collecting device 13 of the bottom module 10. The main reservoir 14 and / or the one or more intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 are in particular in a common, area-shaped, in particular trough or basin-shaped, bottom element or bottom plate element formed as upwardly open troughs or shallow bowl-shaped depressions. The bottom region 161a, 162a of the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 and / or main reservoir 14 may expediently adopt a substantially plane-surface, in particular horizontal, positional plane. The ratio of the longitudinal and / or transverse extent of the bottom region 161a, 162a of the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 to its depth is expediently more than 3: 1, in particular between 5: 1 and 8: 1, particularly preferably more than 10: 1 , The resulting increase in surface area of the respective intermediate reservoir improves the evaporation of the stored therein, in particular standing fluid.

Each intermediate reservoir 161, 162 is connected to the main reservoir 14 via at least one outlet, in particular guide channel 181, 182, for discharging fluid 40 from the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 when its fill level upper limit is exceeded in the main reservoir 14. The guide channel 181, 182 advantageously has a gradient from the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 to the main reservoir 14. It may be expedient, in particular, when the guide channel 18 is formed tapering from the respective intermediate reservoir 161, 162 to the main reservoir 14. In particular, the first guide channel 181 extends from its inlet-side first end 18a, which is assigned to the intermediate reservoir 161, as a surface recess in a raised portion 80 of the fluid collecting device 13 to its outlet end 18b, which is associated with the main reservoir 14. Alternatively, the second guide channel 18 as a tapered in the direction of flow depression in a partition wall 17 between the main collecting reservoir 14 and the second intermediate reservoir 161, 162 is formed. At the respective guide channel as here, for example, 181 may optionally be provided a filter element FI covering its passage cross-section. Possibly. may be provided between the two intermediate reservoirs 161, 162 optionally at least one additional connecting channel VK, which allows compensation of the collected fluid.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

dishwasher

10

bottom assembly

11

Front wall of the floor assembly

12

Sidewall of the floor assembly

13

Fluid collecting device, in particular bottom plate of the base assembly

14

main reservoir

14a

Ground area of the main reservoir

15

Fluid overflow safety

16

intermediate reservoir

161a, 162a

Ground area of the intermediate reservoir

16b

Sidewall of the intermediate reservoir

17

partition wall

181, 182

guide channel

18a

first end of the guide channel

18b

second end of the guide channel

20

rinse tank

201

outer casing

21

front

22

washing compartment

23

washing compartment

24

washing compartment

25

Spülbehälterbodenwandung

FI

filter element

EO

emptying opening

VK

connecting channel

30

door

32

Swivel range of the door

40

Leakage and / or overflow fluid

50

circulating pump

60

Overflow supply line

70

solid

80

Collection part of the fluid collecting device

Claims (19)

1. Dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, having a bottom assembly (10) below its tub (20), which features at least one fluid collection apparatus (13) for collecting leakage and/or overflow fluid (40) from the tub (20) and/or from at least one fluid-conducting component (50), wherein the fluid collection apparatus (13) comprises a main reservoir (14) having a fluid overflow safety unit (15) and one or more additional intermediate reservoirs (161, 162), and wherein the one or more additional intermediate reservoirs (161, 162) for collecting leakage fluid and/or overflow fluid (40) from the tub (20) and/or the respectively fluid-conducting component (50) are disposed and configured in such a manner that solid particles (70) contained in the leakage and/or overflow fluid (40) can largely be deposited and/or retained in the one or more intermediate reservoirs (161, 162), characterised in that each intermediate reservoir (161, 162) is connected to the main reservoir (14) by way of at least one run-off, in particular guide channel (181, 182), to conduct fluid out of the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) when its fill level top limit is exceeded into the main reservoir (14) and the guide channel (181, 182) features a gradient from the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) to the main reservoir (14).
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the leakage and/or overflow fluid (40) can be collected in the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) up to a predetermined fill level top limit, in particular for evaporation purposes and only flows out of the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) into the main reservoir (14) when the fill level top limit is exceeded.
3. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the height level of the fill level top limit of the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) is higher than the bottom region (14a) of the main reservoir (14).
4. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the solid particles (70) are formed by floating matter, dirt particles, impurities, detergent, rinse aid and/or salt residues and/or other sump products, in particular food residues, dust particles, fluff.
5. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fluid overflow safety unit (15) comprises a float unit.
6. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottom region (161a) of at least one intermediate reservoir (161) and the bottom region (14a) of the main reservoir (14) are disposed at different height levels.
7. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottom region (161a, 162a) of the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) is disposed closer to the tub (20) than the bottom region (14a) of the main reservoir (14).
8. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottom regions (161 a, 162a) of at least two intermediate reservoirs (161, 162) are disposed at different height levels.
9. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) and the main reservoir (14) are integral components of the fluid collection apparatus (13) of the bottom assembly (10).
10. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main reservoir (14) and/or the one or more intermediate reservoirs (161, 162) are moulded in a common, flat, in particular trough-shaped bottom element or bottom plate element in the manner of hollows or flat, tray-shaped depressions.
11. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottom region (161a, 162a) of the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) and/or main reservoir (14) takes up an essentially flat, in particular horizontal, positional plane.
12. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ratio of the longitudinal and/or transverse extension of the bottom region (161a, 162a) of the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) to its depth is selected to be more than 3:1, in particular between 5:1 and 8:1, preferably more than 10:1.
13. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective additional intermediate reservoir (161, 162) is provided in a spatially separate manner at a different location from the main reservoir (14) outside it in the fluid collection apparatus (13).
14. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the guide channel (181, 182) is configured to taper from the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) to the main reservoir (14).
15. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the guide channel (181, 182) extends from its inlet-side first end (18a), which is assigned to the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162), as a surface indentation in an elevated part (80) of the fluid collection apparatus (13), to its outlet-side end (18b), which is assigned to the main reservoir (14).
16. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the guide channel (182) is configured as a tapering depression in a separating wall (17) between the main collection reservoir (14) and the respective intermediate reservoir (162).
17. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a filter element (FI) covering its throughflow cross section is provided on the guide channel (181).
18. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one overflow supply line (60) is provided between the tub (20) and the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162) to conduct fluid (40), in particular liquid, that flows out of the tub (20) when a level top limit is exceeded to the respective intermediate reservoir (161, 162).
19. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one connecting channel (VK) is provided between at least two intermediate reservoirs (161, 162).

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