EP2931107B1

EP2931107B1 - A dishwasher

Info

Publication number: EP2931107B1
Application number: EP13821674.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mustafa Kuntay Karaaslan; Musa OZDEMIR; Koray Kazim MENEVSE; Celal Vatansever; Tolga AYTEKIN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2012-12-12
Filing date: 2013-12-11
Publication date: 2017-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-11
Also published as: EP2931107A1; WO2014090876A1

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher, the washing effectiveness of which is improved.
Dishwashers generally comprise upper and lower racks which are placed inside the washing tub and wherein the kitchenware items such as pots, plates etc. are placed. Each rack is moved outwards from the washing tub, enabling the loading of the kitchenware items into the rack or the unloading from the rack.
A spray arm, connected to the water line, is disposed under each rack which sprays water onto the objects placed in the rack by rotating around itself.
The sprays arms should rotate freely without being blocked by any of the dishes in order to effectively clean the dishes placed in the rack. Therefore, the user controls whether or not there is any barrier that may catch the spray arms by manually rotating both spray arms after loading objects to be washed into the rack. Due to positioning of the spray arms, while it is easy for the user to rotate the spray arm disposed under the upper rack, reaching the lower spray arm causes problems. It causes problems for the user to bend to reach the lower spray arm and to find the spray arm under the lower rack.
In the state of the art German Patent Document No. DE4020898 , a dishwasher is described, comprising a sensor which is disposed on the side wall and which records the rotation of the spray arm. The sensor indicates the spray arm blockage originating from incorrect loading of objects to be washed and the damages that may occur are prevented in advance.
The Japanese Patent Document No. JP 2007252733 discloses a dishwasher wherein the orientation of the upper spray arm when the cleaning program is finished can be controlled. To this aim, electro-magnets are installed at the tub in magnetic functional cooperation with the upper spray arm.
The Japanese Patent Document No. JP H07 265249 describes a hydrostatic bearing which allows the spray arm to move up by a distance when water pressure is present in the spray arm and allows the spray arm to drop onto the upper face of the channel when the pressure vanishes in the spray arm.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher, the washing effectiveness of which is improved.
The dishwasher, realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a rack, a spray arm disposed under the rack, that can rotate around the axis whereto it is connected and that sprays water towards inside the rack during washing, a channel whereon the spray arm is disposed so as to move upwards/downwards and a spray arm bearing that almost surrounds the channel. The spray arm disposed on the channel moves upwards/downwards on the channel due to the pressurized water delivered from the channel. When the washing process of the dishes inside the machine is completed, the delivery of water to the spray arm ends. As the delivery of water to the spray arm ends, the spray arm is seated on the spray arm bearing by moving downwards on the channel. The spray arm comprises an extension that extends outwards from the spray arm. The extension rotates together with the spray arm. By means of the interaction of the spray arm bearing and the extension, the movement of the spray arm on the spray arm bearing ends such that one end of the spray arm faces the door. The movement of the spray arm ending by one end of the spray arm facing the door provides convenience for the user to reach the spray arm prior to the washing process, and the user is enabled to control more easily whether or not any one of the objects placed into the rack is blocking the rotation of the spray arm. The washing performance of the dishwasher is improved, problems like spray arm blockage etc. during washing are prevented by means of the user controlling whether or not there is any barrier impacting the spray arm by rotating the spray arm manually at the start of the washing process.
In an embodiment of the present invention, by means of the extension moving together with the spray arm and contacting the spray arm bearing, the movement of the spray arm is enabled to end with one end of the spray arm facing the door.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spray arm bearing has a curved surface. Thus, the extension moves glidingly on the spray arm bearing and when the extension stops on the spray arm bearing, one end of the spray arm faces the door.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one protrusion disposed on the spray arm bearing and extending from the spray arm bearing towards the spray arm. The extension moving together with the spray arm slides over the protrusion and stops at a position wherein one end of the spray arm faces the door. The protrusion is preferably situated on the spray arm bearing so as to be close to the rear wall.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the extension disposed on the spray arm and at least two protrusions, parallel to one another, disposed on the spray arm bearing. The movement of the extension on the spray arm bearing ends such that the extension remains between the protrusions. One end of the spray arm faces the door when the extension remains between the protrusions.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion is shaped as a dome. The protrusion being dome shaped prevents the extension stuck on top of the protrusion. Thus, the extension can move more easily by sliding over the protrusion.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one roller that is mounted on the extension and that facilitates for the extension and the spray arm bearing to slide over one another. Thus, the extension is provided to move on the spray arm bearing more easily.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spray arm bearing is produced to be integrated with the base.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spray arm bearing is produced to be integrated with the channel.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spray arm bearing is circular.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a first magnet disposed on the extension and facing the spray arm bearing, and a second magnet having the like pole with respect to the first magnet and disposed on the protrusion so as to be close to the spray arm. Magnets that have the like poles repel one another. Consequently, the motion of the extension moving together with the spray arm ends such that one end of the spray arm faces the door.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a first magnet disposed on the extension and facing the spray arm bearing and a second magnet having the opposite pole with respect to the first magnet and disposed on the spray arm bearing and close to the door. Magnets that have the opposite poles attract one another. Thus, as the first magnet moves towards the second magnet, the spray arm is provided to be stopped such that one end of the spray arm faces the door.
By means of the present invention, it becomes easier for the user to access the spray arm for performing the rotation process of the spray arm at the start of washing in order to control whether or not any object is impacting the spray arm.
A dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a dishwasher when the rack is in the loading position.
Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a dishwasher when the rack is in the washing position.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the spray arm, the channel and the spray arm bearing related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 - is the perspective view of the spray arm seated on the spray arm bearing related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the spray arm comprising the roller, and of the channel and the spray arm bearing related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 - is the perspective view of detail A in Figure 5.
Figure 7 - is the perspective view of the spray arm bearing related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 - is the perspective view of the spray arm comprising magnets with like poles and the spray arm bearing related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 - is the perspective view of the spray arm comprising magnets with unlike poles and the spray arm bearing related to an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Dishwasher
2. Washing tub
3. Base
4. Rear wall
5. Side wall
6. Door
7. Rack
8. Spray arm
9. Channel
10. Spray arm bearing
11. Extension
12. Protrusion
13. Roller
14. First magnet

114. Second magnet

The dishwasher (1) comprises a washing tub (2) having a base (3), a rear wall (4) and two side walls (5) surrounding the base (3), a door (6) that provides access to the washing tub (2), that is connected to the washing tub (2) from the lower side and that opens by tilting forwards, a rack (7) having a washing position wherein it is placed over the base (3) to remain entirely inside the washing tub (2) and a loading position wherein it is positioned on the inner surface of the door (6) by being moved forwards when the door (6) is open and wherein loading-unloading can be performed, a spray arm (8) that extends from the base (3) towards inside the washing tub (2), that remains under the rack (7) when the rack (7) is in the washing position and that sprays water into the rack (7) by rotating around itself, a channel (9) that extends from the base (3) into the washing tub (2) and whereon the spray arm (8) is disposed so as to move upwards/downwards, and a spray arm bearing (10) that is situated under the spray arm (8), that at least partially surrounds the channel (9) and whereon the spray arm (8) is partially seated when the spray arm (8) is stationary.
The dishwasher (1) furthermore comprises at least one extension (11) situated on the spray arm (8) so as to face the spray arm bearing (10) and moving together with the spray arm (8). The spray arm bearing (10) enables the motion of the extension (11) to end such that one end of the spray arm (8) faces the door (6) (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4).
The door (6) is opened for loading the dishes to be washed into the rack (7) and the rack (7) is pulled outwards so as to be seated on the inner surface of the door (6). The rack (7) changed to the loading position is pushed forwards after loading the dishes to be washed therein and thus the rack (7) is placed into the washing tub (2). During the washing process, water is delivered to the spray arm (8) that is disposed under the rack (7) by means of a channel (9). The pressurized water delivered from the channel (9) to the spray arm (8) causes the spray arm (8) to rise upwards from its current location. The pressurized water delivered to the spray arm (8) is transferred into the rack (7) from the spraying holes arranged on the spray arm (8). The spray arm (8) rotates around itself while the pressurized water is sprayed from the spraying holes. As water delivery to the spray arm (8) is interrupted, the rotation of the spray arm (8) slows down and the spray arm (8) moves downwards on the channel (9). During the descent of the spray arm (8), the movement of the extension (11), disposed on the spray arm (8), on the spray arm bearing (10) ends such that one end of the spray arm (8) faces the door (6). Thus, the user controls whether or not the spray arm (8) rotates freely by rotating the spray arm (8), the end of which faces the door (6).
By means of controlling the spray arm (8), the problem of any container impacting the spray arm (8), originating from placing the dishes incorrectly into the rack (7), and blocking the rotation of the spray arm (8) is eliminated. At the start of the washing process, the spray arm (8) is enabled to rotate freely and thus the risks like blockage of the spray arm (8), motor strain due to the spray arm (8) not being able to rotate etc. are eliminated. During the rotation control of the spray arm (8), the user, upon detecting that there is a container impacting the spray arm (8), corrects the position of the container in the rack (7) by changing the rack (7) to the loading position. Consequently, the spray arm (8) is enabled to rotate freely during the washing process, providing the spray arm (8) to spray water effectively onto the dishes in the rack (7) and the washing effectiveness is guaranteed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, that the extension (11), that moves together with the spray arm (8), contacts the spray arm bearing (10), enables the movement of the spray arm (8) to end such that one end of the spray arm (8) faces the door (6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spray arm bearing (10) has an inclined surface whereon the extension (11) is movable. The extension (11) that moves glidingly on the inclined surface of the spray arm bearing (10) stops such that one end of the spray arm (8) faces the door (6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one protrusion (12) that is situated on the spray arm bearing (10) and that extends from the spray arm bearing (10) towards the spray arm (8). The extension (11) slides over the protrusion (12) situated on the spray arm bearing (10) and stops such that one end of the spray arm (8) faces the door (6). The protrusion (12) is preferably situated on the spray arm bearing (10) so as to be close to the rear wall (4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the extension (11) that extends from the spray arm (8) towards the spray arm bearing (10) and at least two protrusions (12) that face one another, that are situated on the spray arm bearing (10) and that enable the extension (11) to stop between them. The extension (11) moving together with the spray arm (8) moves from one protrusion (12) towards the other protrusion (12). As the rotation of the spray arm (8) ends, the extension (11) cannot go over the protrusion (12) and completes its motion between the two protrusions (12). Consequently, the spray arm (8) is provided to stop in a position wherein one end thereof faces the door (6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion (12) is shaped as a dome. The protrusion (12) being dome-shaped prevents the extension (11) from getting locked right on the protrusion (12). Consequently, the extension (11) can move more easily by sliding over the protrusion (12).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one roller (13) that is mounted on the extension (11) and that facilitates the extension (11) and the spray arm bearing (10) to slide over one another. Thus, the extension (11) is provided to move more easily on the spray arm bearing (10) (Figure 5, Figure 6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the base (3) and the spray arm bearing (10) are produced as a single piece.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the channel (9) and the spray arm bearing (10) are produced as a single piece (Figure 7).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spray arm bearing (10) is circular. The spray arm bearing (10) surrounds the channel (9) almost entirely.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a first magnet (14) that is disposed on the extension (11) and that faces the spray arm bearing (10) and a second magnet (114) that has like pole with respect to the first magnet (14) and that is disposed on the protrusion (12) so as to be close to the spray arm (8). Magnets that have like poles repel one another. Consequently, the extension (11) is prevented from getting locked on the protrusion (12) (Figure 8, Figure 9).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a first magnet (14) that is disposed on the extension (11) and that faces the spray arm bearing (10) and a second magnet (114) that has opposite pole with respect to the first magnet (14) and that is disposed on the spray arm bearing (10) so as to face the first magnet (14). Magnets that have opposite poles attract one another. Consequently, the spray arm (8) is provided to be stopped such that one end of the spray arm (8) faces the door (6) as the magnet (14) disposed on the extension (11) stops over the magnet (114) on the spray arm bearing (10) (Figure 8, Figure 9).
By means of the present invention, the washing effectiveness is improved by facilitating the user to reach the spray arm (8) and to perform control of rotation.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These different embodiments should also be considered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising a washing tub (2) having a base (3), a rear wall (4) and two side walls (5) surrounding the base (3), a door (6) that provides access to the washing tub (2), that is connected to the washing tub (2) from the lower side and that opens by tilting forwards, a rack (7) having a washing position wherein it is placed over the base (3) to remain entirely inside the washing tub (2) and a loading position wherein it is positioned on the inner surface of the door (6) by being moved forwards when the door (6) is open and wherein loading-unloading can be performed, a spray arm (8) that extends from the base (3) towards inside the washing tub (2), that remains under the rack (7) when the rack (7) is in the washing position and that sprays water towards inside the rack (7) by rotating around itself, a channel (9) extending from the base (3) into the washing tub (2) and whereon the spray arm (8) is disposed so as to move upwards/downwards, and a spray arm bearing (10) that is situated under the spray arm (8), that at least partially surrounds the channel (9) and whereon the spray arm (8) is partially seated when the spray arm (8) is stationary, characterized in that it further comprises at least one extension (11) that is disposed on the spray arm (8) so as to face the spray arm bearing (10) and that moves together with the spray arm (8) and in that the spray arm bearing (10) enables the motion of the extension (11) to end such that one end of the spray arm (8) faces the door (6).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the spray arm bearing (10) that provides the motion of the extension (11) to end such that one end of the spray arm (8) faces the door (6) as the extension (11), moving together with the spray arm (8), contacts thereon.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spray arm bearing (10) having an inclined surface whereon the extension (11) is movable.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that a protrusion (12) that is situated on the spray arm bearing (10) and that extends from the spray arm bearing (10) towards the spray arm (8).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 4, characterized in that the extension (11) that extends from the spray arm (8) towards the spray arm bearing (10) and at least two protrusions (12) that face one another, that are situated on the spray arm bearing (10) and that enable the extension (11) to stop between them.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the protrusion (12) that is dome-shaped.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that at least one roller (13) that is mounted on the extension (11) and that facilitates the extension (11) to move on the spray arm bearing (10).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that the spray arm bearing (10) that is a single piece with the base (3).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the spray arm bearing (10) that is a single piece with the channel (9).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spray arm bearing (10) is circular.
A dishwasher (1) as in any of the Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a first magnet (14) that is disposed on the extension (11) and that faces the spray arm bearing (10) and a second magnet (114) that has the like pole with respect to the first magnet (14) and that is disposed on the protrusion (12) so as to be close to the spray arm (8).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a first magnet (14) that is disposed on the extension (11) and that faces the spray arm bearing (10) and a second magnet (114) that has opposite pole with respect to the first magnet (14) and that is disposed on the spray arm bearing (10) so as to face the first magnet (14).