EP2931108A2

EP2931108A2 - A dishwasher comprising an ion exchanger

Info

Publication number: EP2931108A2
Application number: EP13794917.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gonca EROZKAN; Ismail Demircioglu; Ebru Cetinkaya; Onur Turkmen; Fatih BASARAN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2012-12-12
Filing date: 2013-11-22
Publication date: 2015-10-21
Also published as: WO2014090539A3; WO2014090539A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a tub (2) wherein the dish washing process is performed, an ion exchanger (3) that provides the softening of the water received for the washing process and a salt container (4) providing the regeneration process to be performed by keeping the resin inside the ion exchanger (3) in brine.

Description

A DISHWASHER COMPRISING AN ION EXCHANGER

The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising an ion exchanger that provides the generation of soft water and a salt container used in the regeneration process of the ion exchanger.
In dishwashers, water softening systems are used for decreasing the hardness of the washing water and for providing an effective washing. The water softening system comprises an ion exchanger and a salt container that provides the regeneration process to be performed by keeping the resin inside the ion exchanger in brine. In order to decrease the hardness of water, the water received from the outside is passed over the ion exchanger and is delivered to the tub to be used in the washing process. Brine is present in the salt container that is activated in the regeneration processes of the ion exchanger and the amount of salt content in the brine decreases in the course of time. When salt decreases in the salt container, decreasing of salt is detected by a conductivity sensor and the user is alerted to add salt into the salt container. However, adding salt to the salt container is difficult for the user since it is not easy for the user to access the salt container disposed inside the body of the dishwasher. In the state of the art, funnel-shaped salt filling tools that facilitate pouring salt into the salt container are available. But these tools are stored outside the machine. A salt filling means that provides ease of utilization for the user is necessary.
In the state of the art German Patent Application No. DE4214147, a filling container is disclosed, that can be situated on the salt container and can be stored outside the dishwasher.
In the state of the art German Patent Application No. DE19858841, a neck portion is disclosed, that is situated in the salt filling orifice.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of dishwasher wherein it is made easier for the user to access the salt container for filling in salt.
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 salt filling means that is situated on the salt container, that provides salt to be filled into the salt container and having an active position (A) wherein it projects outwards from the salt container and to which it is changed to by being moved and a passive position (P) to which it is changed from the active position (A).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means remains at least partially inside the salt container in the passive position (P). The salt filling means is changed to the passive position (P) by being pushed into the salt container by the user. Thus, the salt filling means can be at least partially stored in the salt container.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt container comprises a salt filling orifice. The salt filling means is disposed between the inner walls of the salt filling orifice. The salt filling means situated inside the salt container in the passive position (P) can be brought to the active position (A) when desired by being pulled out of the salt filling orifice. In the active position (A), the salt filling means surrounds the salt filling orifice.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means changes shape by widening or narrowing while passing from the passive position (P) to the active position (A) and from the active position (A) to the passive position (P). The salt filling means enters into the salt container by becoming narrower and comes out of the salt container by widening. The salt filling means narrows while passing between the salt container walls and entering into the salt container. The salt filling means is changed from the passive position (P) inside the salt container to the active position (A) by being pulled outwards from the salt container. Thus, the user can fill salt into the salt filling means more conveniently.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means is produced from a resilient material. The salt filling means stretches so as to allow the user to fill salt conveniently.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means is funnel-shaped. When the salt filling means is in the active position (A), the filling orifice of the salt filling means is wider than the pouring orifice of the salt filling means. Thus, the user can pour salt into the salt filling means more conveniently.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means is bellows-shaped like an accordion. The salt filling means being configured in a form that can get longer/shorter provides ease of utilization.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one housing situated on the salt filling orifice, at least one foot situated on the salt filling so as to move upwards/downwards inside the housing and a body that is connected to the foot and that provides the salt poured therein to be transferred to the salt container. The foot moves slidingly inside the housing while the salt filling means passes from the active position (A) to the passive position (P) or from the passive position (P) to the active position (A). It is easy to change the salt filling means, that can move upwards/downwards by sliding, from the active position (A) to the passive position (P) or from the passive position (P) to the active position (A).
In a derivative of this embodiment, the dishwasher comprises a protrusion situated on the salt container and extending into the housing, a recess situated on the foot, almost along the length of the foot and seated on the protrusion, and the body situated on the foot so as not to contact the recess.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means is spring-shaped. The salt filling means has a passive position (P) to which it is changed by being compressed and an active position (A) to which it is changed by releasing the pressure thereon. The salt filling means comprises a spring and a sheath-shaped resilient body that surrounds the spring.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means is produced from a water resistant material. The salt filling means can be produced preferably from talc-reinforced polypropylene “PPTV”. Thus, the salt filling means is not damaged from the corrosion effect of the salt-water solution contained inside the salt container.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means is produced to be integrated with the salt container. Thus, production costs decrease and storage requirement for the salt filling means is eliminated.
In the dishwasher of the present invention, the user is provided with convenience in the salt adding process by means of the salt filling means that projects out of the salt container.
A dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the schematic view of a dishwasher.
Figure 2 – is the perspective view of the salt container while the salt filling means is in the active position (A) relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 – is the perspective view of the salt container while the salt filling means is in the passive position (P) relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 – is the perspective view of the salt filling means and the salt filling orifice relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 – is the perspective view of the salt filling orifice relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 – is the perspective view of the salt container while the salt filling means is in the active position (A) relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 – is the perspective view of the salt container while the salt filling means is in the passive position (P) relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Dishwasher
Tub
Ion exchanger
Salt container
Salt filling means
Salt filling orifice
Housing
Foot
109. Body
Protrusion
Recess
Spring

The dishwasher (1) comprises a tub (2) wherein the dish washing process is performed, an ion exchanger (3) that provides the softening of the water received for the washing process and a salt container (4) wherein salt is filled, providing the regeneration process to be performed by keeping the resin inside the ion exchanger (3) in brine (Figure 1).
The dishwasher (1) furthermore comprises a salt filling means (5) situated on the salt container (4), providing salt to be filled into the salt container (4), having an active position (A) wherein it projects outwards from the salt container (4) and to which it is changed to by being moved and a passive position (P) to which it is changed from the active position (A).
In the dishwasher (1), the wash water is softened by being passed through the ion exchanger (3) in order to decrease the hardness of the wash water and to provide an effective washing. The salt container (4) provides the regeneration process to be performed by keeping the resin inside the ion exchanger (3) in brine in the regeneration process. In order to decrease the hardness of water, the water used in washing is passed over the ion exchanger (3) and is delivered to the tub (2) to be included in the washing process. The ion exchanger (3) becomes unable to soften the water in the course of time therefore at certain intervals the regeneration process is performed by keeping it in the salt solution taken from the salt container (4). The user can easily perform the salt filling process by means of a salt filling means (5) situated on the salt container (4), providing salt to be filled into the salt container (4) and having an active position (A) wherein it projects outwards from the salt container (4) by being pulled out and a passive position (P) to which it is changed from the active position (A) by being pushed in.
In the dishwasher (1) of the present invention, the user brings the salt filling means (5) located on the salt container (4) to the active position (A) by pulling outwards when adding salt to the salt container (4) is required. Thus, the user fills the salt container (4) by easily pouring salt into the salt filling means (5). Afterwards, the user bring the salt filling means (5) to the passive position (P) by pushing it into the salt container (4) wherein the salt filling means (5) is situated on the salt container (4) in a stationary manner. Thus, the user is not required to store the salt filling means (5) outside the machine (1).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means (5) remains at least partially inside the salt container (4) in the passive position (P). The salt filling means (5) is changed to the passive position (P) by being pushed into the salt container (4) by the user. Thus, the salt filling means (5) can be at least partially stored inside the salt container (4) (Figure 2, Figure 3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt container (4) comprises a salt filling orifice (6). The salt filling means (5) is disposed at the inner walls of the salt filling orifice (6). The salt filling means (5) situated inside the salt container (4) in the passive position (P) can be brought to the active position (A) when desired by being pulled outwards from the salt filling orifice (6). In the active position (A), the salt filling means (5) surrounds the salt filling orifice (6) (Figure 4, Figure 5).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means (5) changes shape by becoming wider or narrower while changing from the passive position (P) to the active position (A) and from the active position (A) to the passive position (P). The salt filling means (5) enters into the salt container (4) by becoming narrower and comes out of the salt container (4) by getting wider. The salt filling means (5) becomes narrower while passing between the salt container (4) walls and entering into the salt container (4). The salt filling means (5) is brought from the passive position (P) inside the salt container (4) to the active position (A) by being pulled outwards from the salt container (4). Thus, the user can fill salt into the salt filling means (5) more conveniently.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means (5) is produced to be integrated with the salt container (4). Thus, production costs decrease and storage requirement for the salt filling means (5) is eliminated.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means (5) is produced from a resilient material. The salt filling means (5) stretches so as to allow the user to fill salt more conveniently.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means (5) is funnel-shaped. When the salt filling means (5) is in the active position (A), the filling orifice of the salt filling means (5) is wider than the discharging orifice of the salt filling means (5). Thus, the user can pour salt into the salt filling means (5) more conveniently.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means (5) is bellows-shaped. The salt filling means (5) being configured in a form that can get longer/shorter provides ease of utilization.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one housing (7) situated on the salt filling orifice (6), at least one foot (8) situated on the salt filling means (5) so as to move upwards/downwards inside the housing (7) and a body (9) connected to the foot (8) and providing the salt poured therein to be transferred to the salt container (4). The foot (8) moves slidingly inside the housing (7) while the salt filling means (5) changes from the active position (A) to the passive position (P) or from the passive position (P) to the active position (A). It is easy to change the salt filling means (5), that can move upwards/downwards by sliding, from the active position (A) to the passive position (P) or from the passive position (P) to the active position (A) (Figure 4).
In a derivative of this embodiment, the dishwasher (1) comprises a protrusion (10) situated on the salt container (4) and extending into the housing (7), and a recess (11) situated on the foot (8), almost along the length of the foot (8) and seated on the protrusion (10). The salt filling means (5) is changed to the active (A) and/or the passive (P) position by sliding the recess (11), arranged on the foot (8), over the protrusion (10) situated on the housing (7).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means (5) comprises a spring (12) that functions as the framework and a sheath-shaped, resilient body (109) that surrounds the spring (12). Thus, the salt filling means (5) is changed from the active position (A) to the passive position (P) by applying force and being compressed. When the force applied thereon is released in the passive position (P), the salt filling means (5) changes to the active position (A) automatically (Figure 6, Figure 7).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt filling means (5) is produced from a water resistant material. The salt filling means (5) can be produced preferably from talc-reinforced polypropylene “PPTV”. Thus, the salt filling means (5) is not damaged from the corrosion effect of the salt-water solution contained inside the salt container (4).
By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized that comprises a salt filling means (5) which provides salt to be filled into the salt container (4) in an easy manner.
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 tub (2) wherein the dish washing process is performed, an ion exchanger (3) that provides the softening of the water received for the washing process and a salt container (4) providing the regeneration process to be performed by keeping the resin inside the ion exchanger (3) in brine, characterized by a salt filling means (5) situated on the salt container (4), providing salt to be filled into the salt container (4), having an active position (A) wherein it projects outwards from the salt container (4) and to which it is changed to by being moved and a passive position (P) to which it is changed from the active position (A).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the salt filling means (5) that remains at least partially inside the salt container (4) in the passive position (P).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a salt filling orifice (6) situated on the salt container (4) and the salt filling means (5) disposed at the inner walls of the salt filling orifice (6).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the salt filling means (5) that changes shape by becoming wider or narrower while changing from the passive position (P) to the active position (A) and from the active position (A) to the passive position (P).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the salt filling means (5) that is produced to be integrated with the salt container (4).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the salt filling means (5) that is produced from resilient material.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a funnel-shaped salt filling means (5).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a bellows-shaped salt filling means (5).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one housing (7) situated on the salt filling orifice (6), at least one foot (8) situated on the salt filling means (5) so as to move upwards/downwards inside the housing (7) and a body (9) connected to the foot (8) and providing the salt poured therein to be transferred to the salt container (4).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 9, characterized by a protrusion (10) situated on the salt container (4) and extending into the housing (7), and by a recess (11) situated on the foot (8), almost along the length of the foot (8) and seated on the protrusion (10).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 6, characterized by the salt filling means (5) comprising a spring (12) that functions as framework and a sheath-shaped, resilient body (109) that surrounds the spring (12).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the salt filling means (5) that is produced from water resistant material.