EP2543307B1 - Dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, with at least one light-emitting passive illuminant in the interior - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, having a loading container having a loading opening, which can be closed by a door. Dishwashers are often equipped with lighting that illuminates, for example, the interior of the washing container with the door open, to facilitate the operation, for example, the loading or unloading of the receiving basket, or the recognition of certain functional parts, such as a handle on the receiving basket, by improved lighting conditions , or to improve the visual appearance of the dishwasher with the door open.

For example, from the DE 10 2010 015 849 B3 a dishwashing machine is known, which has a receiving device equipped with a lighting device. At one off US 5,836,669 known dishwashing machine, a light source is arranged outside the washing at a location not visible from the outside, the light is transmitted with the aid of a light guide in a arranged in the washing compartment further light guide, from which the light exits again. When water-conducting household appliance of WO 2006/042819 A1 the treatment room and the material to be washed with a light source is illuminated so that a user is not blinded by the light source and can judge the cleaning result even in low light conditions in the treatment room. For this purpose, the light source is arranged outside the treatment room. If necessary, the light beams emitted by the light source can be deflected by at least one optical transmission means, such as a reflector and / or a diverging lens.

The object of the invention is to propose a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, in which an illumination and / or an optical design is achieved in an alternative manner.

This object is achieved in a dishwasher of the type mentioned in that in the interior of the dishwasher at least one as a result of illumination by at least one light source, in particular at least open Door, light-emitting, a photoluminescent substance containing passive illuminant is provided.

A passive illuminant is to be understood to mean a luminous means which does not shine on its own power, such as an LED, but which spectrally changes the light of the light source interacting with it or also radiates it unchanged. Reflective material, which reflects back light beams incident on it in a preferred direction, in particular in the direction of the light source, also counts in particular for the passive fluorescent lamp.

These effects can already be caused by a room lighting or by daylight, so an external lighting, as soon as the door of the dishwasher is opened. Thus, with appropriate arrangement of one or more additional passive lighting means in the interior of the dishwasher, the visibility of one or more functional components, such as e.g. Storage baskets for items to be washed or cutlery, and / or components for the operation of relevant parts, such as e.g. Handles on the receiving baskets and / or elements of adding devices for cleaning agents, rinse aid, salt, and / or other additives, which are provided for example on the inner wall of the door or at the bottom of the washing, can be easily improved.

In the context of the invention, the interior of the dishwasher preferably includes that area which is bounded or enclosed by the walls of the washing compartment and the door in its closed end position, including the walls of the washing compartment and the door facing this area. The interior of the dishwasher is in particular also still such zones attributable to the user is usually invisible when the door is closed when the dishwasher is used for a user and are visible only when partially and / or completely open the door. Such zones assigned to the interior of the dishwasher can be, for example, the upper-side outer edge or the upper edge and / or the two lateral outer edges or side walls of the door and / or an edge zone provided between the inner wall (inner door) and the outer wall (outer door) of the door Door in the positional level of the inner door, which in the final closing position of the door outside the wet area of the Rinse tank before and / or laterally attached to this door seal and comes into contact with this. Corresponding to this, a zone assigned to the interior of the dishwasher can be a depth-extending, inner-wall-side edge zone between the front edge of the washing container and a door seal attached to it on the inside, for example, at a predetermined distance away from the front edge of the washing container Side walls, the ceiling wall, and possibly the bottom wall of the washing compartment is attached.

It may be expedient, in particular, if a reinforcing or frame element is mounted on the front and the front edge of the washing container at the front and front edges of the upper, front edge, and possibly at the front edge of the washing container. This can advantageously provide a sealing bed for the door seal. Then, the zone associated with the interior of the dishwasher is formed by the inner wall-side edge zone region of the reinforcement or frame element between its front edge and the sealing bed with the door seal.
In this way, the door seal portions frame a frontal feed opening of the washing container, behind which, viewed in the depth direction, the spray or wet area of the interior of the washing container lies.

Expediently, the one or more passive illuminants in the interior of the dishwashing machine are inside the interior of the washing container, in particular on one or more interior walls and / or on one or more inside the washing container accommodated, preferably movable components, and / or on the door, in particular inner wall of the Door, provided. As a result, surfaces of the inner walls of the washing container and / or functional components in the washing container, such as e.g. one or more components of wash baskets such as e.g. Crockery or cutlery partially or completely brought to light and thus for a user of the dishwasher with the door open, especially in their approximately horizontal opening end, improved in a simple way made visible.

Additionally or independently thereof, one or more passive lighting means can also be provided outside the washing container in the interior of the dishwasher. This may, for example, a marginal zone of the inner wall of the door outside the wet area of the washing between the door seal of the washing in be the closing end position of the door coming into contact area and the outer edge of the inner wall of the door. Additionally or independently thereof, one edge zone of the washing container or of a frame member attached to the front side thereof, which is concealed in the approximately vertical closing end position of the door and runs around the door seal outside the wet region of the washing container, can be equipped with one or more passive lighting elements. As a result, the edge zone can be illuminated partially or continuously around the feed opening of the washing container.

The one or more passive illuminants in the interior of the dishwasher make it possible in particular to also illuminate areas in the interior of the dishwasher, i. to visualize where an active light source is difficult or impossible to attach. In particular, by one or more passive illuminants movable functional components in the washing container, such as e.g. rotatable spray arms, out and in movable receiving baskets, operating parts of feeders, and / or other handling components in a simple way to be made visible. It is advantageously not like an active light source such as e.g. LED or incandescent lamp required that this is laid by an electrical power supply unit, which is housed, for example, in the base support member below the washing compartment, a power line. On the contrary, the ambient light which falls on the respective passive illuminant when the door is open may already be sufficient to stimulate it to illuminate and / or focus, i. to reflect with a preferred direction. The passive lighting means can also be accommodated in the wet area of the washing container without the need for complex electrical insulation measures and / or spray-water protection measures, as in the case of an electric light source. Because the respective passive lighting means is formed in an advantageous manner largely insensitive to moisture and spray.

It may be particularly expedient if, in addition, at least one light source is provided as part of the dishwasher, which is arranged in particular in the interior of the dishwasher, preferably outside and / or inside the washing container and / or on the door, in particular inside wall of the door, and in whose light cone the respective passive lighting directly, or possibly also indirectly arranged or is positionable. The respective light source is arranged and aligned such that an interaction with the one or more passive lighting means in the interior of the dishwasher is effected. This can reliably ensure that the respective passive lighting means by direct way, or possibly also indirectly such as by reflections on the metallic Spülbehälter-Innenwandungen or by additional deflection or deflection, sufficiently affected by light rays of the light source and is excited to glow and / or brought to reflect light rays incident in a preferred direction. Due to the additional light source as a component of the dishwasher, a flawless lighting excitation and / or reflector effect of the one or more passive lighting means is / is made possible largely independently of the ambient lighting respectively present at the respective location of the dishwasher. In particular, the dishwashing machine's own light source ensures that one or more passive illuminants having a high degree of freedom in the interior of the dishwasher, preferably on function components accommodated therein, can be attached and illuminated there by the light source in addition to the light source. Even in places with little space or at the door open from the outside difficult to reach places of the interior of the dishwasher, and / or on moving components such as receiving baskets so one or more passive lighting can be readily attached. In interaction with the dishwashing machine's own luminous source, the respective passive illuminant can be made to shine by virtue of the fact that this light beam directly or indirectly incident on it, which is emitted by the light source, in a targeted manner with a preferred direction, such as frontal forward, and reflected / or by this his material for emitting or for the emission of light is excited.

It may be particularly preferred if at least one light source in the interior of the dishwasher is provided outside the wet area of the washing container at its front frame element, in particular at the upper portion of the front frame element, viewed in the depth direction of the dishwasher in front of the door seal of the door, and at least in its light cone a passive lighting in the interior of the dishwasher is arranged or positioned. As a result, complex protective measures for splash water protection the light source dispensable. With the aid of a suitably mounted on the upper portion of the washing or on the upper portion of the frame element light source can be illuminated below her in particular the region of the feed opening of the washing so that the content of a moving out of the interior of the washing container receiving basket can be improved illuminated.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one light source is present in the interior of the dishwasher, in the light cone of which at least one passive illuminant is arranged or positionable. In this embodiment, no light-conducting cable between the respective light source and the respective passive lighting means is required, which extends both the range of applications and the possibilities for optical design in particular of the interior region of the dishwasher, which is also the inside of the door. Thus, for example, not all conceivable places for lighting or visual highlighting can be reached in a dishwashing machine with the aid of a light-conducting cable. This is especially true for movable components, such as e.g. for baskets for crockery and / or cutlery, spray arms, retracting and facilitating roles on a receiving basket and / or the pivotally mounted door to. But even with fixed parts, the connection with a photoconductive cable is usually associated only with increased design and assembly effort, such as a fiber optic cable to lay so that it is not visible and is protected by the prevailing conditions in the dishwasher during dishwashing. This effort is no longer required by the solution according to the invention.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light source, in particular if it is part of the dishwasher, preferably its interior, a double function, for example, by serving to illuminate a dish rack and also at a remote location by means of their respective illuminated by her passive lighting can cause a luminous effect. The respective passive lighting means may expediently be either a separate part fixed to a component of the dishwasher or a component of the component, or may form it in its entirety.

For the design or the choice of the respective passive lighting means is a variety of different options available. Thus, for example, bulbs are used, the are formed reflective, such as due to a corresponding surface structure, or due to a coating, in particular with a reflective color unfold their lighting effect. According to the invention, however, passive illuminants are used whose luminous effect is based on the principle of photoluminescence. By the light emitted by the light source, a corresponding substance, here exemplified the known fluorescein, placed in an excited state, wherein in the case of fluorescence with virtually no time delay and in the phosphorescence with a time delay, for example, a few minutes, under Emission of fluorescent light returns to the ground state. The advantage of the passive luminescent means based on photoluminescence over reflective passive luminescent means is that with regard to the spatial design of the respective passive element, there is a greater latitude, since, for example, the dependence of the incidence and the angle of reflection of the light on reflective elements is largely irrelevant and therefore not to be considered. The photoluminescent substance can in principle have any state of aggregation, that is to say solid, liquid or gaseous. In the latter two cases, the passive illuminant may comprise a substance receiving container with a transparent wall. The passive illuminant may also be coated with a photoluminescent ink or other photoluminescent material layer. However, passive fluorescent lamps are preferably used which consist at least partially of a transparent, solid material containing the photoluminescent substance, in particular of a glass or plastic, for example acrylic glass. Such solids can be easily produced in almost any shape and are, which is especially true for plastic, easily deformed and machined. In addition to the above-mentioned passive illuminants, those which comprise or consist of a light guide which has at least one light entry surface are also still considered. The at least one light entry surface is expediently arranged or positionable so that it is illuminated by the light source. In order to ensure a coupling of light into the light guide, the light entry surface may optionally be preceded by a collecting optical element, or the light entry surface is itself part of such an element, which may for example have the shape of a parabolic mirror.

A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the light source and passive lighting means are arranged to be movable relative to each other. Thus, expediently, a passive illuminant can be arranged on a receiving basket, ie movable, and at least one light source can be arranged on a component, in particular stationary, and / or the door of the dishwasher. The door can also be considered as a stationary component, and that is when it is open. The light source is, for example, above the receiving basket, for example outside the wet space of the washing container at a position located above a receiving basket, for example at the upper edge of the washing container, in particular a front frame element mounted there before the sealing bed, which is a seal for liquid-tight closing of the door in its Schließendposition, arranged and - at least also - directed downwards, so that at least a portion of its cone of light detects the respective passive illuminant on the receiving basket in a height position below the light source, ie hits. In this case, one or more light sources on the underside of the upper portion of this frame or reinforcing element are provided in particular such that they are substantially invisible to a user standing in front of the dishwasher at the installation site, and thus do not dazzle the user in the on state. When extending and retracting the respective receiving basket with respect to the depth extension of the washing container, the passive illuminant attached to the receiving basket changes according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, its relative position to the light source. So that at least one region of the passive illuminant emits light in each depth position of the receiving basket, which can be displaced into different depth positions in the depth direction of the washing container, it expediently extends in the direction of movement of the receiving basket or in the depth direction of the dishwasher. During the retraction and extension of the receiving basket, the passive illuminant thus illuminates at different longitudinal sections. In other words, as viewed from the receiving basket, an illuminated area of the passive illuminant moves along the moving path of the receiving basket, such as when moving out front to back and when retracting the receiving basket in the reverse direction.

The respective passive illuminant can in particular also be configured as an optical waveguide, ie it is designed such that the coupled or photoluminescent light is passed on within the passive illuminant, so that even areas which are not acted upon or illuminated directly by the light cone of the light source, at least to some extent shine. In the case of a passive illuminant embodied as a light guide or of a passive illuminant containing it, light coupling during the retraction and extension movement of the receiving basket is ensured by having a light entry surface extending in the direction of movement or a plurality of light entry surfaces spaced apart in said direction, so that at different points or respectively In different depth positions of the receiving basket, which can be displaced in different depth positions in the depth direction of the washing container, light can be introduced into the passive lighting means.

In the sense of a dual function, it is expedient if the passive illuminant is simultaneously a component or a functional part of the dishwasher or at least one - preferably functionally essential - element of such a part. Especially in the case of parts made of plastic, such a design is simple, e.g. with 2-component injection molding technology, feasible. In addition, this reduces the assembly effort that eliminates the need to fix a separate passive lighting element on a component of the dishwasher. Particularly advantageous is a measure of the type in question in functional elements of the receiving basket, in particular in a existing there, for holding items to be washed holding element, such as a hinged basket row or a serving for receiving cutlery insert a cutlery basket such. a cutlery drawer.

The baskets for e.g. Crockery and / or cutlery form a central and functionally essential area of the dishwasher, which is subjected to a particularly critical consideration by the user. For example, the categorization of cutlery and / or crockery is associated with a certain skill, so that supporting lightheads may be attached to one or more functional components of the cassettes, e.g. their holding elements or holding structures for receiving and holding crockery and / or cutlery for an improvement of the lighting conditions are advantageous. Another essential functional component is a spray arm present in the washing container. If a receiving basket located below the spray arm is loaded too high, the spray arm touches the wash ware or is prevented from rotating by it. Again, it makes sense if the spray arm is at least partially formed by a passive lighting or provided with a passive lighting to make him and his height position easily recognizable.

Expressed in general terms, it may be expedient if such functional components in the interior of the dishwasher are each provided with a passive illuminant which provide the user with a possibility for conversion and / or movement. Thus, for example, the front-side hand or operating handles on the receiving baskets can each be provided with a passive lighting means to the respective user signal that the baskets can be pulled out of the rinsing container and pushed in. In particular, in this way, attachments, preferably if they are made of plastic, in the receiving baskets, such as bearings for foldable folding prong rows or in different height positions and / or inclinations movable Etageren made recognizable. Also other movable components in the interior of the dishwasher can be visually highlighted with the help of passive lighting in terms of their respective function, in particular mobility and / or variability, by lighting. Thus, for example, the movable lid or flaps of a detergent and / or rinse aid addition, which is mounted in the interior of the dishwasher, such as on the treatment room of the washing container facing inside of the door, each be provided with a passive lighting. Additionally or independently thereof, the operating part of a salt addition device, which is provided, for example, below the bottom of the washing container in a base support assembly of the dishwasher, can be expediently identified with a passive illuminant.

Passive illuminants can therefore not only on a receiving basket, but generally at any point in the interior of the dishwasher, inside and outside the washing and / or on or in the door in any form, such as strip-shaped films or plates, for example on a wall , Preferably the bottom of the washing and / or at one of the loading opening bordering area, are arranged.

The position of a light source cooperating with a passive light source is basically arbitrary, provided that its cone of light hits the passive illuminant. The respective light source is preferably part of the dishwasher, which is arranged in particular outside and / or inside the washing container, and / or on the door, preferably the inner wall of the door, and in whose light cone the respective passive lighting means is arranged or positionable. This ensures that the respective passive lighting means can be lit by a dishwashing machine-own light source, ie largely independent of the ambient light at the respective installation location of the dishwasher.

Preferably, however, the respective light source is outside the rinse container, i. The wet area of the washing container, which is acted upon by the spraying system with cleaning liquid and is separated from the environment by the door-cooperating door seal, is arranged outside of the environment. For example, the light source can be arranged at the upper edge, in particular above the upper edge of the washing container. Preferably, at least one light source in the interior of the dishwasher can be arranged outside the wet area of the washing container on its front frame element, in particular on the upper portion of this front frame element (in front view) in front of a seal provided for the door, which is held in a sealing bed of the frame element.

Additionally or independently thereof, at least one light source within the washing container may be fixed to a wall of the washing container, for example on a side or rear wall. Additionally or independently thereof, at least one light source may possibly also be arranged on the inside of the door (facing the interior of the washing compartment in the closing end position of the door).

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

The above-described and / or reproduced in the subclaims advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention can thereby - except, for example. in the case of clear dependencies or incompatible alternatives - individually or in any combination with each other.

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

Fig. 1

eine Frontansicht eines vorteilhaften Ausführungsbeispiels einer Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine mit geöffneter Tür und mit Passivleuchtmitteln, die an diversen Stellen des Innenraums der Geschirrspülmaschine nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Konstruktionsprinzip angeordnet sind,

Fig. 2

ein weiteres vorteilhaftes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine in einer Fig. 1 entsprechenden Darstellung mit gegenüber Fig. 1 alternativ gestalteten und angeordneten Passivleuchtmitteln,

Fig. 3

einen Geschirrkorb mit Passivleuchtmitteln,

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht, welche das Zusammenwirken eines zusammen mit einem Aufnahmekorb in Tiefenrichtung verschiebbaren Leuchtmittels mit einer im Frontbereich der Geschirrspülmaschine oberhalb des Passivleuchtmittels angeordneten Lichtquelle verdeutlicht, und

Fig. 5

eine Fig. 4 entsprechende Darstellung, bei welcher ein in Tiefenrichtung bewegliches Leuchtmittel mit einer an der Rückwand der Geschirrspülmaschine angeordneten Lichtquelle zusammenwirkt.

In each case show in a schematic representation or schematic diagram:

Fig. 1

a front view of an advantageous embodiment of a household dishwasher with open door and with passive lighting, which are arranged at various points of the interior of the dishwasher according to the inventive design principle,

Fig. 2

a further advantageous embodiment of a household dishwasher in one Fig. 1 corresponding representation with opposite Fig. 1 alternatively designed and arranged passive illuminants,

Fig. 3

a crockery basket with passive lighting,

Fig. 4

a side view, which illustrates the interaction of a displaceable together with a receiving basket in the direction of light bulb with a light source arranged in the front of the dishwasher above the light source light source, and

Fig. 5

a Fig. 4 corresponding representation in which a movable in the depth direction illuminant cooperates with a arranged on the rear wall of the dishwasher light source.

In the figures, only those components of a dishwasher are provided with reference numerals and explained which are necessary for the understanding of the invention. It goes without saying that the dishwasher according to the invention can comprise further parts and assemblies. Otherwise, elements with the same function and mode of action in the FIGS. 1 to 5 each provided with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 and 2 each show a household dishwasher 1, which comprises a front loading opening 2 having a washing container 3. The rinsing container 3 may be partially or completely surrounded by an outer housing and / or other attachments in the region of its walls. In the FIG. 1 is an outer housing KO additionally indicated by dash-dotted lines. In the washing container is furthermore a spraying device, for example in the form of one or more spray arms 4 (FIG. Fig. 4 ) arranged. The loading opening 2 can be closed by a door 5 hinged to the front of the dishwasher. The rinse tank 3 has to offset its front edge in the depth direction into the interior of the washing container offset a strip or line-shaped seal DB in a sealing bed on its two side walls 10, its top wall 14, and possibly bottom wall 11. The spanned by the seal DB, thought

Laying plane thus defines the loading opening 2 of the washing container 3, which is closed by the inner wall 51 of the door in its approximately vertical final closing position. The area between the seal DB provided for the liquid-tight closure of the door and the front edge of the washing container 3 (viewed in the depth direction) lies outside the wet area of the washing container and is suitable for accommodating one or more light sources such as e.g. LEDs and / or passive lighting advantageous available.

It may be advantageous if at least one light source is accommodated in the closing end position of the door in the interior of the dishwasher and is arranged or positionable outside the wet area of the washing compartment. Thus, it may be advantageous, for example, if viewed in the depth direction of the dishwasher one or more light sources on a front frame element such. RE of the washing container in front of a provided on the frame element sealing bed with associated seal such. DB and thus outside the wet area of the interior of the washing container are arranged or positioned so that the respective passive light source in the interior of the dishwasher for emitting light is stimulated or stimulated in the light cone of the respective light source and / or incident light rays are reflected in a preferred direction to the front , The respective passive illuminant may e.g. be provided on the respective receiving basket 7 and / or on the inner wall 51 of the door 5, which points in the approximately horizontal opening end position upwards and faces in the approximately vertical Schließendstellung the interior of the washing compartment. In this arrangement, the one or more light sources, e.g. LEDs in the largely dry area before the sealing bed DB with the door seal of the washing container, the light sources are also largely electrically safe housed inside the dishwasher.

It may be advantageous in particular if one or more light sources 9a are attached to the upper portion of the frame element RE of the washing container 3 and their respective light cone is directed substantially from top to bottom. In this way, for example, a passive lighting means 6a, which is provided on the front side such as on a front handle and / or inside the respective receiving basket 7 such as an upper basket or lower basket, in a plane below the light source (s) 9a, ie is arranged in a lower height position relative to the light source or sources 9a, and from the washing container 3 is partially or completely moved out, be brought to a user for illuminating or lighting. In particular, a passive lighting means 6b, 6c on the inner wall surface 51 of the door 5, which faces the interior 31 of the washing container 3 in the approximately vertical closing end position of the door 5, in the approximately horizontal opening end position of the door 5 from above through the one or more light sources 9a illuminated at the upper portion of the frame element RE and are excited to light up and / or be used for targeted light reflection. Thus, for example, the parking position for a lower basket 7 on the inner wall surface 51 of the door 5 can be made recognizable to a user and animated to extend the lower basket 7 for loading or unloading on the inner wall surface 51 of the door 5 in its approximately horizontal Öffnungsendposition. In particular, if the one or more light sources 9a are attached to the underside of the upper portion of the frontally projecting frame element RE of the washing container 3, for a user standing in front of the dishwasher, a largely low-glare or glare-free illumination of the area below the one or more light sources 9a ensured become.

For visual highlighting of components or areas of the dishwasher 1, generally speaking, passive lighting means are provided, which, as will be explained below, at various points, for example on an inner wall such as side wall 10 and / or bottom wall 11 of the washing compartment 2, the door 5 , and / or at least one in the depth direction, preferably horizontally extendable and retractable receiving basket 7, in particular dish rack and / or a retractable and extendable cutlery drawer or the like, etc. may be arranged. The passive illuminants are each positioned so that they are acted upon by the light cone such as 8 at least one light source such as 9a or by the light emitted by the light source. The respective light source may preferably be arranged within the washing container 2, wherein the side walls 10, the rear wall 13 and / or the top wall 14 come into question. For illuminating a passive illuminant, however, it is also possible to use the light of a light source arranged outside the dishwasher, for example the light of a kitchen lamp or daylight. The following description refers primarily to the embodiment with arranged within the dishwasher light source, but with comments on Design and arrangement of passive lighting mutatis mutandis also apply to the embodiment with external light source.

Passive illuminants, in addition to reflective elements or elements which are coated in a reflective manner, include passive illuminants which contain a photoluminescent substance. It is conceivable that such a substance is applied to a surface area of the washing container 2, the door 5 and / or a component such as a receiving basket 7. Another possibility is that the passive illuminant is at least partially formed of a translucent solid such as glass, plastic or a composite of said materials. Such passive lighting or, above all, such plastics are known, so that no further explanation is needed.

The one or more passive lighting means can not only be attached as a separate part to a component, for example a spray arm 4 or a receiving basket 7, but form a part of the component or component as a whole. For example, on the in Fig. 4 spraying arm 4 shown in the form of strips may be mounted as passive lighting means 6j. It is also conceivable, however, that the entire spray arm 4 or at least a part thereof is formed from a passive illuminant, for example a photoluminescent plastic.

As passive illuminant such as 6e in FIG. 4 Furthermore, optical fibers come into question, that is to say elements made of plastic, which are designed in such a way that light of the light source, such as 9a, entering via a light entry surface 16 (see FIG FIG. 4 ) is forwarded by total reflection within the passive illuminant, so that it exits again at a light exit surface 17 remote from the light entry surface 16 or also at other surfaces extending, for example, in the propagation direction of the light. Finally, even so-called LISA plastics - light-collecting plastics - can be used. These plastics contain a fluorescent dye, but they are dimensioned so that the fluorescent light is forwarded by total reflection, but in addition a certain part of the fluorescent light exits on all surfaces of the passive illuminant, such as 6e, which extend along the propagation direction of the light.

In Fig. 1 By way of example, some possible arrangement options and refinements of fluorescent plastics are shown. The dishwashing machine 1 here comprises an upper and a lower dish rack 7. In both cases, the front area thereof is provided with a passive lighting means 6a positioned at its upper edge and designed in the form of a strip extending essentially in the width direction of the washing compartment. The passively luminous band on the respective dish rack preferably runs substantially parallel to a plane extending in the height and width direction of the washing compartment. It can act as a front panel or front panel for the respective crockery basket. In particular, a partial section, in particular the middle region of the frontal section of the strap, can be designed as a handle, preferably a grip recess. The excitation of the luminescent dyes contained in the passive lighting means 6a via two outside the washing compartment 2, above the upper basket 7 on the body of the dishwasher 1, for example, at the bottom of an upper cover plate 18 or attached to the upper edge of the washing container 3 section of a frame element RE arranged Light sources 9a. Of course, only a single light source 9a may be present at said position. The light sources 9 a can also be used to illuminate the interior of the washing container 2. They are generally designed so that they form a downward and obliquely inward (into the interior 31 of the washing container 3) directed light cone 8 (indicated by the arrows 19 in Fig. 4 ). In this way it is ensured that when retracted receiving basket 7, as in Fig. 1 is shown, both front-side passive lighting means 6a of the receiving baskets 7 are exposed to light and excited to shine. In order to ensure this, light sources such as 9b, 9d may additionally or independently of the upper-side light sources 9a also be positioned at other locations, for example at a point from which the receiving baskets 7 can be illuminated from the side. The light source 9b can be arranged inside or outside the washing container 2 and at one of its side walls 10 or at a lateral position of the dishwasher machine body. The light source 9b, and possibly also the light sources 9a positioned above the upper receiving basket 7, can be aligned such that they also apply light to areas of the door, for example lateral areas 20, so that passive light means 6b, 6c arranged there, for example likewise strip-shaped, adjoin the light Lights are excited. The passive lighting means 6c are with the door closed 5 within the washing compartment 2 or in the wet area of the Dishwasher 1 is arranged, that is, in the area which is acted upon by the closed door of a present in the washing 3 spray system, for example, the above-mentioned spray arm 4. The passive lighting means 6b, however, are arranged outside the wet area, ie they are located with the door closed to the right or left outside of a present on the inside of the door 5 sealing area 23, at which with the door closed, the door seal DB, in the FIG. 1 only schematically indicated, is present. In particular, a single strip-shaped passive illuminant such as only 6b or only 6c per side area of the door may be sufficient for lighting. When the door assumes a substantially horizontal position in its opening end position, the lateral passive lighting means, such as 6b, 6c, extend on the inner wall of the door substantially along their entire extent in the depth direction of the washing compartment. This corresponds in the vertical closing position of the door about its height extension.

Possibly. can additionally or independently thereof also on the side walls 10 and / or on the bottom 11 of the washing container 3 Passive Illuminants 6l and / or 6m, the z. B. in strip form in the depth direction of the washing container 3, may be provided. These passive illuminants 6l, 6m can also be illuminated by means of the light source (s) 9a, 9b. Such further passive lighting means 6l on the side walls 10 of the washing container are in the FIG. 1 indicated by dash-dotted lines. The passive illuminants 6m at the bottom 11 of the washing compartment are in the FIG. 2 also shown in dash-dotted lines.

Possibly. it may also be appropriate for illuminating the respective passive lighting means such as 6a, if at least one light source on the inner wall (inner door) 51 of the door 5 is provided. In the FIG. 1 If, for example, a light source 9d is additionally shown in dash-dot lines in the inner door 51. It is arranged approximately centrally with respect to the width of the door. It emits a cone of light 8 in the direction of the passive illuminant 6a on the front side of the two stacked baskets 7 arranged one above the other.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a passive lighting means 6d, which serves as a functional element for a basket designed as a cutlery drawer or a cutlery basket 7 'basket above the one or more dishes basket or baskets such as 7. The passive lighting means 6d forms a light-conducting receiving strip 24 for cutlery. there are here in the embodiment, two such receiving strips 24 in the width direction of the dishwasher 1 are arranged so that they are acted upon by the light cone 8 of above the cutlery basket 7 'arranged two light sources 9a. The upper-side light entry surface 16 (see FIG. 4 ) of the respective receiving bar 24 thus moves with the sliding movement of the cutlery drawer 7 '. The respective receiving strip 24 preferably extends along the depth extent of the cutlery drawer 7 '. Depending on the depth position of the cutlery drawer 7 ', another area of the receiving strips 24 illuminates. The receiving strips 24, which preferably extend over the entire depth of the cutlery drawer 7', are, for example, as in FIG Fig. 2a designed. They comprise a strip-shaped base part 25, on which upwardly extending holding elements 27 are formed in a row, which release between each serving for the insertion of cutlery interstices 26. The receiving strip 24 or the passive illuminant 6d is either formed as a separate part, which is fixed to the cutlery drawer or on the cutlery basket 7 ', or it is an integral component of the cutlery basket 7', for example molded on this. The passive illuminant 6d can act not only light-conducting, but additionally or independently thereof in particular luminescent.

If the passive illuminant 6d embodied as a receiving strip 24 or else a differently designed passive illuminant is embodied as an optical waveguide, it can be particularly expedient if a light source 9c is preferably attached to the rear wall 13 of the rinsing container 3 (FIG. Fig. 5 ) is arranged. The respective light source 9 c is located at a height level, which is about the height level of the trajectory of their respective assigned receiving basket 7, in particular at their respective assigned cutlery drawer 7 ', existing passive lighting means, such as a receiving bar 24 of the type described above, located. This embodiment ensures that the passive illuminant in each depth position of the respective receiving basket 7, 7 'is acted upon by the light cone 8 of the rear light source 9c, so that light can be coupled from the rear to the front. In this case, for example, the end face of the passive illuminant 6d facing the rear wall 13 can serve as a light coupling surface 16. It is also conceivable, however, for a light coupling element 28 comprising a light entry surface to be arranged at the rear end of the passive illuminant 6d. The light coupling element 28 is, for example, an element designed in the manner of a parabolic mirror, the mirror surface of which Light entrance surface 16 forms. The beam path of a light beam is in Fig. 5 indicated by the arrow 29.

In Fig. 4 a passive illuminant 6e is shown that, for example, similar to the receiving strip 24 described above can be configured and arranged on the respective receiving basket, but it is a luminescent, in particular fluorescent effective passive lighting. When a receiving basket 7 or 7 'is moved out of the washing container 3 and back into it, a region 30 of the light source 9a facing the light source 9a of the passive illuminating means 6e is acted upon by the light cone 8 and thereby illuminated. In addition, if the passive illuminant 6a is designed so that it is responsible for the resulting luminescence radiation, which in Fig. 4 indicated by the arrow 34, serves as a light guide, the resulting in the region 30 fluorescent light at areas further away from the area 30, ie in the direction of the path of the passive illuminant 6e and the receiving basket 7, 7 'forwarded, the luminescence, in particular Fluorescent light at at right angles to its direction of movement extending light exit surfaces 17 (arrows 34a), and possibly also exits at the front end side of the passive illuminant 6e.

Other examples of the arrangement and design of passive lighting are in Fig. 3 shown. This is a receiving basket 7, the side guide rollers 35 has. These guide rollers 35, optionally also holding them, for example, in the form of a extending in the depth direction of the receiving basket 7 strip carrier 36 may be provided with a passive lighting means or even form such a passive lighting means 6f and 6g. In addition or as an alternative to the aforementioned passive lighting means, a centrally arranged plate 37, which forms a bottom region of the receiving basket 7, of a luminescent plastic can be attached to the receiving basket 7, for example. The plate is pulled upwards at its front end, forming a visible light exit surface 17 when the door is open. As light exit surfaces 17, the side edges 38 of the plate 37 can serve, in which case a gap 40 located between the lateral edge 38 and a basket wire 39 extending in the depth direction of the receiving basket 7 can be illuminated. The passive illuminant 6h formed as a plate 37 may have a light entry surface 16, wherein in the present case of a at the rear end of the plate 37 upwardly projecting leg 43 and that is arranged on the rear side 13 of the washing container 3 side facing. The plate 37 is penetrated by a central opening 41, wherein the opening 41 delimiting edges 42 of the plate 37 also serve as light exit surfaces 17.

In the receiving basket 7 of Fig. 3 By way of example, a further basket element is shown, which is designed as passive illuminant 6i or comprises such a luminous means. This is a row of basket stiles 44 extending in the depth direction of the receiving basket 7 and projecting upwards from, for example, a wire-shaped base support 45 extending in the depth direction of the receiving basket 7. The individual Korbstacheln 44 and the base support 45 are formed by a light guide of the type described above or contain a light guide, wherein at the free ends of the Korbstacheln 44 light exit surfaces 17 are arranged.

At the reception basket of Fig. 3 Finally, a further passive lighting means 6k is shown, which is arranged on the rear side of the receiving basket 7, for example in its bottom area, and is, for example, a strip of material extending over the entire width of the receiving basket 7. The irradiation of light can, for example, via a arranged on the rear wall 13 of the washing container 3 light source 9c ( Fig. 5 ) respectively. If the passive illuminant 6k is designed as an optical waveguide, a light entry surface (not shown) may be present, via which, for example, light from the light source 9c can be coupled in.

Another example of a passive light element 6l is finally still Fig. 4 refer to. It is arranged on an inner wall, such as the respective side wall 10 of the washing container 3, and configured, for example, as a strip or strip extending in the depth direction.

The above-mentioned, various advantageous possibilities for illumination and / or luminous design of a dishwasher can be used both individually and in any combination quite generally, ie detached from the specific embodiment used.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1 dishwasher
• 2 loading opening
• 3 rinse tanks
• 4 spray arm
• 5 door
• 6a - 6m passive lighting
• 7 reception basket
• 7 'cutlery basket
• 8 light cones
• 9a-9e light source
• 10 sidewall
• 11 bottom wall
• 13 rear wall
• 14 ceiling wall
• 15 strips
• 16 light entry surface
• 17 light exit surface
• 18 cover plate
• 19 arrow
• 20 area
• 23 sealing area
• 24 recording bar
• 25 base part
• 26 space
• 27 retaining element
• 28 light coupling element
• 29 arrow
• 30 area
• 31 Interior of the washing container
• 33 page
• 34 arrow
• 35 leadership role
• 36 carriers
• 37 plate
• 38 side edge
• 39 basket wire
• 40 gap
• 41 opening
• 42 edge
• 43 thighs
• 44 basket-stingray
• 51 inner wall of the door
• DB sealing bed with seal
• KO outer housing
• RE frame element

Claims (16)

1. Dishwasher (1), in particular a domestic dishwasher, with a wash container (3) which has a loading hatch (2) and can be closed by a door (5), characterised in that in the interior of the dishwasher (1) at least one passive illuminant (6a - 6m) is provided, which emits light as a result of illumination by means of at least one light source (9a - 9e), in particular at least when the door (5) is open, and contains a photoluminescent substance.
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1,
   characterised in that one or more passive illuminants (6a - 6m) in the interior of the dishwasher are provided outside and/or inside the interior (31) of the wash container (3), in particular on one or more, preferably movable, components (e.g. 7, 7', 4) accommodated in the interior (31) of the wash container (3), and/or on the door (5), preferably interior wall (51) of the door (5).
3. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that at least one light source (9a - 9e) is provided as part of the dishwasher, which light source is arranged in particular in the interior of the dishwasher, preferably outside and/or inside the wash container (3) and/or on the door (3), in particular interior wall (51) of the door (3), and in the light cones (8) of which the respective passive illuminant (6a - 6m) is disposed or can be positioned.
4. Dishwasher according to claim 3, characterised by at least one light source (9a), which is provided in the interior of the dishwasher (1) outside the wet area of the wash container (3) on the front frame element (RE) thereof, in particular on the upper segment of the front frame element (RE), in front of the door seal (DB) of the door (3) when viewed in the depthwise direction of the dishwasher, and in the light cones (8) of which at least one passive illuminant (e.g. 6a, 6b, 6c) is disposed or can be positioned in the interior of the dishwasher.
5. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective passive illuminant (6a - 6m) contains a fluorescent substance.
6. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the passive illuminant (e.g. 6d) at least partially consists of a translucent solid body containing the photoluminescent substance.
7. Dishwasher according to claim 6, characterised by a solid body made of glass and/or plastic.
8. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a passive illuminant (e.g. 6d), which comprises an optical fibre having at least one light entry surface (16) or is formed by such an optical fibre, wherein the light entry surface is disposed or is able to be positioned such that the light cone (8) of the light source (e.g. 9c) is applied to it.
9. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of its components (e.g. 24, 35, 36, 4) at least partially consists of a passive illuminant (6d, 6f, 6g, 6j).
10. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one receptacle basket (7, 7') for items to be washed, which can be moved out from and into the front of the wash container (3), is provided on which at least one passive illuminant (6a, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6k) is provided.
11. Dishwasher according to claim 10, characterised in that a light source (9a, 9d) disposed on an, in particular fixed, component (RE) of the wash container (3) and/or the door (5) of the dishwasher (1) is provided, which illuminates the passive illuminant (6a, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6k) on the receptacle basket (7, 7') in at least one position of the basket.
12. Dishwasher according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterised in that the passive illuminant (e.g. 6d, 24) extends in the direction of movement of the receptacle basket (7) so that, when the receptacle basket (7) is pulled out and/or inserted at various positions, the passive illuminant is illuminated by the respective light source (9a, 9d).
13. Dishwasher according to claim 12, characterised in that the passive illuminant (6d, 24) has a light entry surface (16) extending in the direction of movement of the receptacle basket (7) or a number of light entry surfaces (16) spaced apart in said direction, so that, when the receptacle basket is pulled out and/or inserted at various longitudinal positions of the receptacle basket (7), light is fed into the passive illuminant (6d, 24).
14. Dishwasher according to one of claims 10 with 13, characterised in that the passive illuminant (6d, 6i) is a retaining element (44, 24) used to retain items to be washed in the receptacle basket (7, 7'), in particular at least one basket spike or a receptacle strip, or a part of such a retaining element.
15. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a passive illuminant (61, 6m) disposed on at least one interior wall (10, 11) of the wash container (3).
16. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a spray arm (4), which is at least partially formed by a passive illuminant (6j) or provided with a passive illuminant, in the wash container (3).

Images