EP2461731B1 - Water-bearing domestic appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a dishwasher, with a liquid storage container, in particular a storage container in which rinsing liquid is temporarily stored.

With water-bearing household appliances, a reduction of water consumption is of great importance. The use of a so-called storage tank allows a reduction in water consumption. For this example, the rinse water is deposited from a rinse to the next rinse in the storage tank and used to pre-rinse the items to be washed in the dishwasher.

After execution of a wash program consisting of a number of partial program steps, e.g. Pre-rinsing, cleaning, intermediate rinsing, rinsing and drying, e.g. after rinsing no longer required rinsing liquid in the storage container, or generally in a storage container, cached and reused in a subsequent part program step, for example, the pre-rinsing.

During the rinses, greasy dirt films and dirt particles can accumulate in the storage tank. This is enhanced by reduced process temperatures during the rinses.

From the EP 0 911 439 A1 an automatic dishwashing machine with a washing container is known, which is connected to a drain line via a pump. The dishwasher further comprises at least one reservoir having an inlet and an outlet and receiving at least a portion of the water from at least one of the rinse phases to reuse the water during a subsequent phase of operation. The outlet of the reservoir is upstream of the pump with the wash tank via a siphon-like arrangement in connection.

The object of the invention is to provide a water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher, in which such soiling can be eliminated in a simple manner.

The object of the invention is solved by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

According to the features of claim 1, at least one inflowing and / or outflowing flushing liquid is arranged in the liquid space of the storage tank and deflecting and / or dividing flow guide arranged. In this way it can be achieved that the entire liquid space during filling, emptying or flowing through the storage container is subjected to flow. Flow-free zones within the storage container can therefore be eliminated, whereby a removal of dirt particles is ensured. Accordingly, neither odor or hygiene problems nor functional impairments of the storage container arise due to conglomerations of dirt particles.

Depending on the position of the flow guiding element, the geometry of the storage container and the flow velocity, a laminar or turbulent flow pattern can therefore be generated in the liquid space of the storage container.

For a flow through the storage container which is as uniform as possible, the at least one flow guide element can delimit a flow channel in the liquid space. Depending on the geometric conditions, the flow channel may extend in a circular or meandering manner through the liquid space of the storage container.

Preferably, the flow channel can follow an edge contour of the inner wall of the storage container. Regions removed from an inlet opening of the storage container can thus be subjected to a targeted flow. Overall, therefore, additional degrees of freedom can be provided with regard to the geometry of the storage container.

The flow channel can thus be formed between the flow guide and the container inner wall.

The cleaning efficiency in the storage tank cleaning can thus be significantly increased. The flow rate can also be chosen so that the inside of the storage container fixed dirt particles can be mechanically entrained by the liquid flow. Flow rates in the storage container in the order of 20 to 30 l / min are preferred. To further increase the cleaning efficiency, it is advantageous if the rinsing liquid conducted into the storage container is heated to a temperature in the order of 60 to 75 ° C, whereby fat deposits are thermally split and discharged from the storage container.

The water-conducting household appliance can flow through the storage tank in a special cleaning mode. In this case, rinsing liquid is pumped through a liquid inlet into the storage container and this is returned via an outlet opening, for example, into a rinsing container of the dishwasher. The outlet opening is arranged locally separated from the liquid inlet.

In order to ensure a predetermined residence time of the liquid flowing through in the storage container, the liquid outlet can be shielded from another flow guide with respect to the flow channel, to form a flow passage which connects the flow channel directly to the liquid outlet. In this way it is achieved that on the one hand a main flow flows along the flow channel, while on the other hand a partial flow is passed through the flow passage in the direction of the outlet opening of the storage container.

Preferably, the at least one flow guide can be formed as a guide wall with uniformly low material thickness. Depending on the geometric conditions in the liquid space of the storage container, the guide wall can be bent or curved accordingly. The guide wall is interrupted according to the invention at least partially with recesses. This can especially at Curvatures on the inside of the guide wall are avoided dead spaces in which otherwise dirt particles can accumulate.

The storage container can be made in a simple manner from plastic parts, which in turn have been previously formed three-dimensionally in the plastic injection molding process. By way of example, the storage container may have two substantially congruent, opposite side walls. The two opposite side walls can be connected in a liquid-tight manner via a narrow peripheral edge.

For reasons of saving material, the storage container itself can only have a reduced dimensional stability. Against this background, it is advantageous to stabilize the storage container by means of additional stiffening elements. In a simple way, the flow guide elements in a double function can serve as such stiffening elements, which connect the opposite side walls of the storage container with each other and define a predetermined distance therebetween.

In a further development, it is provided that a plurality of flow guide elements are provided, which together effect a substantially circular deflection. Thus, it is ensured that a quantity of liquid in the storage container is imparted with a rotation, so that it is ensured that there is no flow-stabilized region in the storage container.

Furthermore, it is provided in a development that two flow guide elements are provided which each cause a substantially semicircular deflection. Thus, with a particularly simple structure in a storage container with rectangular dimensions by arranging two flow guide elements, all circular areas of the storage tank can be detected. In this case, the flow guide elements are arranged opposite one another.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that a rinsing liquid flow divided by the at least one flow-guiding element flows in the direction of a liquid outlet. Thus, a particularly intensive flow can be achieved in a simple manner.

In this case, in a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the at least one flow-guiding element divides a rinsing-fluid flow into at least two rinsing-fluid flows of essentially the same size. This allows a simultaneous flow of at least two different areas. But it can also be provided, for example, a three- or four-part of the rinsing liquid flow.

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

Fig. 1

in einem schematischen Blockdiagramm eine Geschirrspülmaschine;

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht entsprechend der Fig. 1 zur Veranschaulichung einer Speicherbehälter-Reinigung; und

Fig. 3

in einer Seitenschnittdarstellung einen Flüssigkeitsraum des in der Geschirrspülmaschine montierten Speicherbehälters.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in a schematic block diagram, a dishwasher;

Fig. 2

a view corresponding to the Fig. 1 to illustrate a storage tank cleaning; and

Fig. 3

in a side sectional view of a liquid chamber of the storage container mounted in the dishwasher.

In the Fig. 1 is schematically shown a dishwasher with a, a Spülraum limiting rinse tank 1. In the washing compartment of the washing container 1, a not shown, 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 items to be washed are supplied with washing liquid. In Spülbehälterboden a pump pot 11 is provided with a roughly indicated sieve assembly 10. From the sump 11, a recirculation line 9 is guided away with circulating pump 13 arranged therein. The circulation line 9 is fluidly connected via supply lines 14, 15 with the spray arms 7, 8. The circulating pump 13 is connected downstream, called a water heater heating element, such as a water heater.

The sump 11 is also connected via connecting pieces with a, connected to the water supply network fresh water supply line 16 and a Drain line 17 in conjunction, in which a drain pump 18 is arranged to pump out rinsing liquid from the washing compartment 1.

The washing container 1 has at its in the Fig. 1 right side as a storage container 19 a so-called storage container, which is thermally coupled in the manner of a heat exchanger in contact with a side wall 20 of the washing compartment 1. In the storage container 19 rinsing liquid can be temporarily stored, which is no longer needed after execution of a partial program step of a rinse cycle. The storage tank 19 is in terms of flow in connection with the washing compartment in its upper area via a ventilation opening 22.

To carry out a rinse cycle, among other things the sump 11 with associated sieve arrangement 10, the recirculation line 9, the feed lines 14, 15 and the two spray arms 7, 8 are integrated in the liquid circuit of the dishwasher.

The storage container 19 is not integrated in the liquid circuit. Rather, downstream of the heating element 12 in the circulation line 9 designed as a three-way switching valve 25 water switch is provided, at which a connecting line 23 branches off, which is connected to an input port 28 of the storage container 19.

The three-way switching valve 25 connects in one in the Fig. 2 shown switching position, the circulation line 9 with, leading to the storage tank 19 connecting line 23 and interrupts the flow path to the supply lines 14, 15. This allows in a special cleaning mode, the rinsing liquid on in the Fig. 3 shown inlet opening 28 are pumped into the storage tank 19 and fill this until the rinse liquid enters the rinsing tank 1 via the ventilation opening 22 and along the Spülbehälterwand 20 past the dish racks 3, 5 returned to the sump 11 with associated sieve assembly 10 becomes.

Thus, the filling or emptying of the storage container 19 can be controlled by means of the control device 27, a storage tank valve 26 is provided. The valve 26 is arranged in the connecting line 23 leading to the storage tank 19 and in its open position during the above-mentioned cleaning mode.

The rinse cycle of the dishwasher is started with the pre-rinsing step, in which a rinse water quantity cached in the storage container 19 from the previous rinse cycle is introduced into the sump area of the rinse container 1. For this purpose, the check valve 26 is opened and the three-way valve 25 in the in the Fig. 2 shown switched position.

The rinse-aid quantity temporarily stored in the storage container 19 can therefore flow under gravity into the sump area of the rinse container 1. Subsequently, the three-way switching valve 25 in his in the Fig. 1 shown switching position and the circulation pump 13 is started, whereby the rinse water can circulate during the rinse cycle. After carrying out the pre-rinsing step, the used rinsing liquid is pumped off by means of the rinsing pump 18 and then fresh water is fed into the sump area for the following cleaning step.

To carry out the storage tank cleaning, rinsing liquid is pumped into the storage tank 19 at high flow rate by the circulating pump 13. This flows through one in the Fig. 3 shown liquid space 31 of the storage container 19 and exits from a liquid outlet 33 of the storage container 19.

The rinsing liquid used during the storage tank cleaning is heated to temperatures of the order of 70 ° C, whereby dirt particles in the liquid space 31 of the storage container 19 solve and can be discharged.

In the Fig. 3 the dishwasher is shown in a side view with a storage container 19 shown in full section in a side plane. The storage container 19 is, as already on the basis of Fig. 1 and 2 can be seen directly in contact with the washing-tub side wall 20. In the Fig. 3 the storage tank cleaning is illustrated. As a result, the storage tank valve 26 is opened, whereby the circulation pump 13 can pump rinsing liquid via the inlet opening 27 into the liquid space 31 of the storage tank 19.

The storage container 19 made of plastic material has substantially two congruent side walls 35, of which in the Fig. 3 only the side wall 35 in abutment with the washing-tub side wall 20 is shown. The side wall 35 has according to the Fig. 3 a peripheral edge flange 37, which may be, for example, in adhesive connection with the opposite side wall.

Within the liquid space 31 flow guide elements 39 are arranged. The flow guide elements 39, 47 are arranged such that a substantially annular main flow I results, which extends along an inner wall of the inner contour 41 of the storage container 19.

So is according to the Fig. 3 a substantially vertically aligned flow guide 39a is provided, which is arranged centrally between two lateral container walls of the storage container 19. Between the flow guide 39 a and the inner wall 41, a flow channel 42 is formed, along the on the in the Fig. 3 right side, the main flow I is first led upwards and is deflected by a deflecting element 39b by 180 ° in the opposite direction.

The main flow I is then further into a according to the Fig. 3 guided back to the left in the inflow region of the inlet opening 27. For this flow guide, the flow guide 39a below a curvature section 44, which deflects the main flow I in the area 43.

Like from the Fig. 3 In addition, the deflecting element 39b also serves to substantially shield the liquid outlet 33 from the main flow I. The deflecting element 39b is also spaced from the inner wall 41 of the liquid container 19 via flow gaps a, whereby a partial flow II is branched off from the main flow I and in the direction flows on the liquid outlet 33.

The liquid outlet 33 of the storage container 19 merges into an outlet channel 45, which leads the rinsing liquid to the ventilation opening 22. This is in the Fig. 3 not at the top corner, but arranged approximately at half the height of the washing compartment 1.

Like from the Fig. 3 Furthermore, the flow guide elements 39, 47 are designed as guide walls, which in a double function connect the opposite side walls 35 of the storage container 19 as spacers.

In order to avoid deposits in particular in the area of the curved section 44 on the inside of the bend, the flow guide element 39a is interrupted by means of cutouts. As a result, an otherwise forming dead space can be flushed through on the inside of the curved section 44.

The approximately annular flow guide along the inner wall 41 of the storage container 19 is additionally stabilized by further flow guide 39c. The flow guide elements 39c are arranged approximately centrally in the flow channel 42 of the main flow I and also spaced apart from one another via recesses.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

rinse tank

3, 5

baskets

7, 8

spray arms

9

circulation line

10

sieve

11

sump

12

heating element

13

circulating pump

14, 15

leads

16

Fresh water supply

17

drain line

18

Drain pump

19

storage container

20

Rinsing container side wall

22

Ventilation opening

23

connecting line

25

Three-way switching valve

27

control device

28

liquid inlet

31

liquid space

33

liquid outlet

35

Side wall of the storage container 19

37

edge flange

39a, 39b, 39c

flow guide

41

inner wall

42

flow channel

43

Area of the liquid space

44

curved section

45

exhaust port

47

flow guide

a

passage

I

mainstream

II

partial flow

Claims (14)

1. Water-bearing domestic appliance, in particular dishwasher, with a liquid storage container, in particular a storage container (19) in which it is possible to store washing liquor temporarily, wherein there is at least one flow control element (39a, 39b, 39c) arranged in the liquid chamber (31) of the storage container (19) to divert and/or to split the washing liquor flowing into the storage container (19) or being discharged from it, characterised in that the flow control element (39a, 39b, 39c) is punctuated with cut-outs at least in part.
2. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the flow control element (39a) is next to a flow duct (42) which extends in a circular or serpentine form through the liquid chamber (31) of the storage container (19).
3. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to claim 2, characterised in that the flow duct (42) is formed between the flow control element (39a) and at least one internal panel (41) of the storage container (19).
4. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the flow duct (42) follows a contour of the internal panel (41) of the storage container (19).
5. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the storage container (19) has a liquid inlet (28) and a liquid outlet (33).
6. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to claim 5, characterised in that the liquid outlet (33) is screened from the flow duct (42) by another flow control element (39b).
7. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to claim 6, characterised in that the flow control element (39b) forms at least one outlet (a) connecting the flow duct (42) with the liquid outlet (33).
8. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flow control element (39a, 39b, 39c) takes the form of a guide panel with substantially consistent material thickness.
9. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flow control element (39a, 39b, 39c) is arranged with at least one curve section (44) to specify a direction of flow.
10. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the storage container (19) is made of plastic material.
11. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the storage container (19) has two side panels (35) covering substantially the same area, which have a narrow peripheral border (37) providing them with a liquid-tight connection to one another.
12. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flow control element (39a, 39b, 39c) takes the form of a spacer connecting opposite container panels of the storage container (19).
13. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a multiplicity of flow control elements (39b, 47) are provided, which together effect a substantially circular deflection.
14. Water-bearing domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two flow control elements (39b, 47) are provided, each of which effects a substantially semicircular diversion.

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