EP2898812B1 - Water carrying cleaning machine, in particular programme-controlled dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a water-conducting cleaning machine, in particular a program-controlled automatic dishwashing machine, with a washing compartment providing a treatment space and a connecting piece, wherein the connecting piece is in fluid communication with the treatment chamber of the washing container, for which purpose the connecting piece fluid-tightly with the interposition of a seal to an inlet opening of the washing connected

Water-conducting cleaning machines according to the invention are in particular domestic appliances, such as washing machines, dryers or program-controlled automatic dishwashers, that is, dishwashers. Such machines are well known from the prior art, which is why it requires no special documentary proof at this point.

Cleaning machines of the aforementioned type and so also programmable dishwashers have a washing container that holds a treatment room. When used as intended, the washing container serves to receive items to be cleaned.

Cleaning machines also often have a storage container. This is juxtaposed to the washing container and communicates with the treatment chamber provided by the washing compartment in fluid communication. Such a storage container is, for example, a water storage, a water bag and / or a steam condenser. In the intended application, the storage container of the intermediate storage of water, condensate and / or rinsing liquor, wherein the cached medium at a later time for further or reuse is performed in the washing. The storage container and the rinsing container are therefore in fluidic connection, for which purpose the storage container has a connection piece which is fluid-tightly connected to an inlet opening of the rinsing container with the interposition of a seal.

The DE 102011006791 A1 describes a water-conducting cleaning machine with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The seal provided for a fluid-tight connection of the connecting piece or of the storage container to the washing container is designed for the entire service life of the cleaning machine. Leakage between the connection piece on the one hand and washing containers on the other hand are thus ruled out basically. Nevertheless, undesired leakages can nevertheless occur, which then disadvantageously has the consequence that, in the event of a media transfer from the connection piece or storage container to the rinse container, unwanted media discharges take place. In such a case, it may happen that leaked media come into contact with the electrical system and / or electronics of the cleaning machine, which in the worst case can lead to a complete failure of the machine by short circuiting.

It is the object of the invention to overcome the problem described above and constructively ensure that even in the case of improbable leakage between fitting and washing a safe operation of the cleaning machine is guaranteed.

To solve this problem, a water-conducting cleaning machine of the type mentioned is proposed with the invention, which is characterized by a mounted in the mounted state below the fitting gutter, which rests below the inlet opening of the washing container on the washing.

The drain channel provided according to the invention serves as additional security protection. It is arranged in the direction of gravity below the inlet opening of the washing container and is in the assembled state of the washing container and fitting on the washing close to tight. If there is a leak unexpectedly with regard to the fluid-tight connection between the washing container and the connection piece, the medium emerging as a result of the leakage is collected and discharged by the drainage channel. It is thus ensured that even in the event of leakage of the otherwise fluid-tight connection between the washing container and connector electrical and / or electronic components of the cleaning machine do not come into contact with escaping medium. This ensures safe and proper operation of the cleaning machine even in case of leakage.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the automatic cleaning machine has a storage container, which is arranged next to the washing container, such as a water reservoir for Intermediate storage of rinsing water, a water bag for storage and inlet of fresh water or a steam condenser. In this case, the connection piece can produce the fluidic connection between the washing container and the storage container. The connecting piece can be designed in particular as an integral part of the storage container. For this embodiment, which is arranged in the mounted state below the connector gutter between rinsing and storage tank and is not only on the one hand to the rinse tank but on the other hand preferably also on the storage tank.

Alternatively, the connection piece can also be used, for example, to establish a fluidic connection between the rinsing container and a water supply line.

The gutter is arranged under the fitting and formed in size and shape, that in the event of leakage in the connection region between the rinsing tank and fitting leaking liquid is collected from the fitting flowing and / or dripping following the gravity of the gutter.

An embodiment provides that the drainage channel is arcuate and surrounds the inlet opening partially circular. It can be provided, for example, that the gutter surrounds the inlet opening over a pitch circle of 90 ° to 180 °, preferably from 100 ° to 170 °, more preferably from 110 ° to 150 °. This ensures that in the transition region between the storage tank and washing in leaking case escaping medium is reliably collected by the gutter and does not flow past about the gutter.

The gutter provides according to a further feature of the invention, a drainage channel which opens into a drain neck, in particular at the lowest point of the gutter. In the case of leakage, the drainage channel collects the medium collected by the drainage channel. The drain spigot is connected to a drain line for this purpose. In this case, the drain line can be formed either as a hose or as an integral part of the connecting piece or possibly of the storage container. It is crucial that leaking medium in the event of leakage can be discharged via the drain line in a non-critical area. Thus, the leakage medium, for example, in cavities of the base of the cleaning machine be spent where it can evaporate without causing harm.

The gutter is made of plastic. It is preferably an elastic plastic used, so that a dense concern of the gutter on the washing and / or optionally on the storage container is ensured and insofar as possible any unevenness in the contact area between the gutter and washing or optionally between the gutter and storage tank are compensated.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the drainage channel carries a seal on the rinsing container side and / or storage container side. This seal is preferably formed in the manner of a lip and is in the mounted state on the outer wall side of the washing and / or the storage container.

The gutter can be formed in one piece with the connector and / or the storage container according to a further embodiment of the invention. This construction is particularly advantageous for assembly reasons. Incidentally, this one-piece configuration ensures a fluid-tight connection of the drainage channel to the storage container. In this case, the one-piece design of drainage channel and storage container is particularly advantageous if the storage container itself or at least partially made of plastic.

According to an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the drainage channel and the outlet nozzle connected thereto are formed as a separate, one-piece component. In this case, a corresponding connection opening is provided on the storage container side, into which the component formed from the drainage channel and the outlet connection piece is to be inserted on the outlet side. In this context, it is preferable to form at least the discharge nozzle made of an elastic plastic material and / or to equip the discharge nozzle with a corresponding seal, so that a fluid-tight connection to the storage container is ensured.

The drain line cooperating with the drain line is preferably formed as an integral part of the storage container. This design is structurally particularly simple and also easy to install. Furthermore, a fluid-tight design of the drain line is ensured. Alternatively, it is possible to form the drain pipe as a hose, which brings with it the advantage that the outlet end of the hose selectively positioned and can be performed in an area of the cleaning machine, can be discharged into the leakage media uncritical.

The invention proposes a construction which, in the event of leakage of the otherwise fluid-tight connection between connection piece and washing container, in particular between storage container and washing container, helps to prevent an uncontrolled escape of medium. Thanks to the drainage channel provided according to the invention, the leakage medium is instead collected and guided into noncritical areas of the cleaning machine, where evaporation can take place. As a result, even in case of leakage electrical and / or electronic components of the machine in their function are not affected, so that a proper operation of the machine is guaranteed.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Perspektivdarstellung einen Speicherbehälter mit Anschlussstück für eine erste Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsautomaten;

Fig. 2

den Speicherbehälter nach Fig.1 aus einer perspektivischen Schrägansicht von vorn;

Fig. 3

in schematischer Perspektivdarstellung ein Anschlussstück für eine zweite Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsautomaten;

Fig. 4

das Anschlussstück nach Fig.3 aus einer perspektivischen Aufsicht mit schrägem Blickwinkel von oben;

Fig. 5

in schematischer Perspektivdarstellung eine Ablaufrinne als separates Bauteil für eine dritte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsautomaten;

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to FIGS. Showing:

Fig. 1

in a schematic perspective view of a storage container with connector for a first embodiment of the cleaning machine according to the invention;

Fig. 2

the storage container after Fig.1 from a perspective oblique view from the front;

Fig. 3

in a schematic perspective view of a connector for a second embodiment of the cleaning machine according to the invention;

Fig. 4

the connection piece after Figure 3 from a perspective view with an oblique angle from above;

Fig. 5

in a schematic perspective view of a gutter as a separate component for a third embodiment of the cleaning machine according to the invention;

Fig. 1 lets in a schematic perspective view of a storage container 1 in Detecting the design of a water bag. In the final assembled state, the storage container 1 is fluidly connected to a washing container 11 of a dishwasher not shown in the figures, as this Fig. 2 lets recognize.

For a fluid connection of the storage container 1 to the washing container 11, the storage container 1 has a connection piece. This connects the outlet opening 2 of the storage container 11 in the final assembled state with an inlet opening of the washing container 11. For a fluid-tight connection of connection piece (or storage container 1) and washing container 11 provides a seal not shown in the figures, which surrounds the outlet opening 2 Ansetzflansch 3 is applied. For a permanently secure connection of connecting piece (or storage container 1) and washing container 11 provides in the illustrated embodiment, a Spülraumbefestigung 4 in the embodiment of a bayonet lock ring. This engages in the final assembled state in a non-illustrated in the figures counterpart of the washing container 11 a.

The seal provided between connection piece and washing container 11 for a fluid-tight connection is designed for the entire service life of the dishwasher. It can not nevertheless lead to unwanted leaks, in which case cached water in the storage tank 1 passes through the junction between the storage tank 1 and the washing tank 11 and, following gravity, drips downwards into possibly sensitive areas of the automatic dishwasher. This can lead to contact with electrical and / or electronic components of the dishwasher, which in the worst case can lead to a short circuit and thus to a failure of the machine.

In order to avoid an uncontrolled water leakage even in the event of leakage, a gutter 5 is proposed with the invention. This is in the final assembled state between the storage tank 1 on the one hand and rinse tank 11 on the other hand and surrounds the inlet opening of the rinse tank 11 and the outlet opening 2 of the storage tank 1 partially circular, as can be seen in particular from a synopsis of FIGS. 1 and 2 results. In the event of leakage, escaping water is collected by this gutter 5. The gutter 5 in turn has a drainage channel 6, so that collected from the gutter 5 leakage water can be removed.

The drainage channel 6 of the gutter 5 opens into a drain neck 7, which in turn is connected to a drain line 8. In the embodiment shown, the drain line 8 is formed as an integral part of the storage container 1 and opens into a discharge 9 a.

Thus, if water leaks in the event of leakage, this is collected by the gutter 5 and conveyed via the drainage channel 6 of the gutter to the outlet nozzle 7, from where it then flows through the drain line 8 to the discharge 9. The discharge nozzle 9 typically opens into an uncritical region of the machine, or it is connected to this still another drain line, for example in a design of a hose. In any case, it is ensured by means of the construction according to the invention that water leaking in the event of leakage is discharged into areas of the automatic dishwasher which are not critical for the intended functioning of the machine. Here then an evaporation of the leakage water can take place.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gutter 5 is formed together with the drain pipe 7 as a one-piece plastic part. Trained as an integral part of the storage container drain line 8 provides an inlet opening available, in which the drain pipe 7 is inserted in the final assembled state, as shown in the illustration Fig. 1 lets recognize. It is thus ensured a fluid-tight connection of the gutter 5 to the drain line 8.

The gutter 5 is made of plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, it has a flushing chamber side formed seal in the form of a lip 10. In this case, this lip 10 may be formed either as a separate component or integrally with the gutter 5. In the embodiment shown, the formation of lip 10 and drainage channel 5 is in one piece, for which reason the plastic material forming the drainage channel 5 is an elastic plastic material. As in this context, in particular the presentation after Fig. 2 can recognize, lies the gutter 5 with its lip 10 on the outer wall 12 of the washing container 11, whereby a fluid-tight connection of the gutter 5 is secured to the washing compartment 11. In the event of leakage leaking water can be safely collected by the gutter 5, without the risk that leakage water between the drainage channel 5 and washing tank 11 flows through.

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show an alternative, for the cleaning machine according to the invention usable connector 13. In this embodiment, the connector 13 is not as in the more specific embodiment of Fig. 1 and 2 Part of a storage container and is not used in particular the fluidic connection of the washing container 11 with a storage container. Instead, the connecting piece 13 is used in the final assembled state of the fluidic connection of the washing container 11 with a liquid line, not shown, in particular a water supply. For connection of the connecting piece 13 with the liquid line, the connecting piece 13 has a connecting piece 14, whose length should not be limited to the schematic representation in the figures. The connecting piece 14 is arranged so that the liquid is guided therein at least approximately parallel to the Spülraumaußenwand 12, so that a space-saving arrangement of the connecting piece 13 between the washing compartment 11 and the housing outer wall of the cleaning machine is not shown.

Incidentally, the fitting 13 does not differ from that in FIG Fig. 1 and 2 -Described. In particular, it also has a Ansetzflansch 3 with a seal not shown in the figures and a Spülraumbefestigung 4 in the design of a bayonet lock ring which engages in the final assembled state in a non-illustrated in the figures counterpart of the Spülbehälters 11 and for a permanently secure connection of connector 13 and washing container 11 provides.

Below the connection area between connection piece 13 and washing container 11 is a gutter 5 according to the description Fig. 1 and 2 , Which thus in the final assembled state below the inlet opening of the washing container 11 rests against the latter and serves to catch leaking water in the event of leakage and to discharge via the outlet channel 6 to the outlet nozzle 7.

The drainage channel 5 may be an integral element of the connecting piece 5, ie be formed in one piece with the connecting piece 13. But she can also do it accordingly Fig. 5 be a separate component and are arranged according to the invention below the terminal 5 only in the final assembled state.

reference numeral

1

storage container

2

outlet

3

Ansetzflansch

4

Spülraumbefestigung (bayonet lock ring)

5

gutter

6

drain channel

7

drain connection

8th

drain line

9

diversion connection

10

lip

11

rinse tank

12

outer wall

13

connector

14

connecting pieces

Claims (10)

1. Water-conducting automatic cleaning machine, in particular a program-controlled automatic dishwasher, comprising a washing container (11), which provides a processing chamber, and a connector (13), the connector (13) being in flow connection with the processing chamber of the washing container (11), for which purpose the connector (13) is connected in a fluid-tight manner to an inlet opening of the washing container (11) with the interposition of a seal,
   characterised by
   a drain gutter (5) which is arranged below the connector (13) in the assembled state and rests on the washing container (11), under the inlet opening of the washing container (11).
2. Automatic machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the drain gutter (5) is formed so as to be curved and surrounds the inlet opening in the shape of a part-circle.
3. Automatic machine according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the drain gutter (5) provides a discharge channel (6), which opens into a discharge nozzle (7).
4. Automatic machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the discharge nozzle (7) is connected to a discharge line (8).
5. Automatic machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drain gutter (5) is formed of a preferably resilient plastics material.
6. Automatic machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connector (13) provides a flow connection between the processing chamber of the washing container (11) and a storage container (1) ancillary to the washing container (11), the connector (13) being formed preferably in one piece with the storage container (1).
7. Automatic machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drain gutter (5) has a seal, in particular a sealing lip (10), on the washing container side and/or on the storage container side.
8. Automatic machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drain gutter (5) is formed in one piece with the connector (13) and/or the storage container (1).
9. Automatic machine according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the drain gutter (5) and the discharge nozzle (7) connected thereto are formed as a separate, integral component.
10. Automatic machine according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the discharge line (8) is formed as an integral component of the storage container (1).

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