EP3173004B1 - Dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular in the embodiment as a domestic dishwasher, with a washing compartment providing a rinsing container, which serves to receive items to be cleaned, wherein the rinse container for loading with items has a feed opening, which is fluid-tightly closed by means of a pivotally mounted Spülraumtür, with a arranged in the rinsing sprayer for applying to be cleaned items with rinse liquor and with a provided by the dishwasher door dosing unit for storing pourable detergent for a plurality of cleaning cycles, wherein the dosing unit for a portion-wise introduction of detergent into the washing compartment to a in the washing compartment opening metering port is connected.

Dishwashers of the type mentioned are well known in the particular embodiment as household dishwashers from the prior art in itself. A separate documentary proof is therefore not required at this point.

Dishwashers of the generic type have a washing compartment providing a washing compartment. This is the user side accessible via a feed opening, which is fluid-tightly closed by means of a pivotally mounted washroom door. When used as intended, the washing container serves to receive items to be cleaned, which may be dishes, cutlery pieces and / or the like, for example.

To treat items to be cleaned with rinsing liquid, the so-called rinsing liquor, the dishwasher has a spraying device inside the rinsing container. This spraying device typically provides rotatably mounted spray arms, wherein usually two or three such spray arms are provided. In the intended use case, a loading of the items to be cleaned with rinse liquor by means of rotating spray arms.

In order to achieve an optimized rinsing or cleaning result, process chemicals are generally used, which are supplied to the washing compartment during a rinsing and / or drying process. Such process chemicals are, in particular, cleaning chemicals which are supplied programmatically to the washing compartment.

Detergents in liquid and solid form are known from the prior art. In this case, solid detergent in bulk powder form or as so-called tabs, that is in tablet form. However, the practice has shown that can be achieved with pourable detergent in powder form, the comparatively best cleaning results.

When using a pourable cleaning agent in powder form, the user must carry out detergent dosing before starting a cleaning program by hand. Previously known from the prior art dishwashers have for this purpose typically inside the door on a reservoir, which is to be filled with a manually determined amount of detergent before a program start. During a program run, this reservoir opens at a certain time of the wash program and the stockpiled detergent from the reservoir can be flushed out by the rinsing liquor located in the washing compartment of the dishwasher.

In order to be able to carry out a detergent supply for a plurality of cleaning cycles to be completed, that is to say cleaning programs, so that manual detergent dosing does not take place before the beginning of each cleaning program, dosing units have been proposed, for example with US Pat DE 10 2013 104 391 A1 ,

The according to the DE 10 2013 104 391 A1 The previously known dosing unit has a dosing device. This dosing device is equipped with a replaceable reservoir, which serves to store detergent in an amount that is sufficient for a plurality of individual cleaning programs. In the intended metering case, the storage container is programmatically removed for intended execution of a cleaning program provided amount of detergent and the washing compartment of the dishwasher fed. For this purpose, the dosing unit is connected to a metering opening opening into the flushing chamber, via which a portion-wise introduction of cleaning agent into the flushing space takes place in the metering case.

The EP 2090213 A2 discloses a dishwashing machine with a conventional dispensing compartment provided by the washroom door which can be manually filled by the user with a single dose of detergent and which can be closed with a door. The dishwasher also has a metering unit for storing detergent for a plurality of cleaning cycles, wherein cleaning agent can be pumped from the metering unit into the metering compartment.

The above-described construction has proven itself in everyday practice. However, there is the desire to optimize, and it is particularly desirable to be able to permanently prevent unwanted clogging of the metering. It is half the object of the invention to further develop a dishwasher of the type mentioned in that an optimized protection against accidental clogging of the metering is achieved.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a dishwasher with the features of claim 1.

It can not be avoided that, due to the introduction of moisture, there is an adhesion of cleaning agent in or at the metering opening or in the discharge channel of the metering unit leading to the metering opening. These buildup caused by a moisture-related clumping of the detergent and can lead to a narrowing or even a clogging of the discharge channel and / or the metering. A proper operation of the dishwasher is then no longer possible, because actually to be introduced into the washing detergent in an unwanted manner is retained.

The embodiment of the invention provides a remedy. The spray device provided according to the invention has a spray nozzle which cooperates with the metering opening. This leads in the normal operation, that of the spray rinsing targeted in the direction of the dosing with the result is issued that a cleaning of the metering and the discharge opening into the metering discharge channel takes place. As a result of this cleaning effect, an unwanted attachment of detergent is avoided or residual detergent residues possibly remaining from a previous rinse program step are removed. As a result, the metering opening and the discharge opening into the metering opening are kept free of detergent residues, in particular incrustations and / or adhesions.

The metering opening is partially covered by a cover according to a further feature of the invention flushing space side, leaving a metering gap. This cover ensures in an advantageous manner that in the case of loading the dishwasher with items not accidentally liquids, dirt, food particles and / or the like can fall into the mouth of the metering, for example, by dripping or falling off to be cleaned dishes, equipped with the dishwasher on the user side becomes.

The covering the metering cover is formed according to a further feature of the invention in the manner of a hood or scoop, which is formed in the closed position of the Spülraumtür down open and thus provides a metering. The formation of such a hood provides the advantage that the metering is closed on all sides except for the metering, so that accidental introduction of dirt, liquids, food particles and / or the like in the metering is largely prevented. In this case, the dosing gap left by the hood is aligned so that it points downwards in the closed position of the flushing door. Accordingly, it is covered in the open position of the Spülraumtür upwards and points to the sink and thus by the user who loads the dishwasher with dishes to be cleaned away, so that in the case of loading the dishwasher from the items to be cleaned dripping liquids and / or falling food residues not on can pass directly through the dosing into the dosing.

It is provided according to a further feature of the invention that the metering unit has a metering device with a cleaning agent outlet and a discharge channel, wherein the discharge channel fluidly connects the detergent outlet with the metering opening.

According to this particularly preferred construction, the metering unit has a metering device. In the intended use case, this metering device receives a reservoir, which serves for the storage of pourable cleaning agent for a plurality of cleaning cycles. In the dosing case, a correspondingly portioned amount of cleaning agent is removed from the storage container, which leaves the dosing device via a cleaning agent outlet. For fluidic connection to the metering opening a discharge channel is provided, which opens into the metering opening. This channel is installed inside the door, which results in a spatial decoupling of dosing on the one hand and dosing on the other. An unwanted fluid entry in the stockpiled by the reservoir of the dosing detergent is effectively prevented.

The discharge channel has according to a further feature of the invention on the Dosieröffnungsseitig a sensor. This sensor serves for the detection of cleaning agent, which leaves the discharge channel via the metering opening in the dosing case in a proper manner. It can thus be detected in an advantageous manner, if in the case of a detergent dispensing by the metering device also actually detergent enters the washing or not. Furthermore, it can be inferred by the detection of the actually dispensed detergent portions on the filling level of the reservoir. In that regard, the sensing also serves to be able to indicate to the user at an early stage that the reservoir is to be replenished with detergent or replaced with a fully filled reservoir.

The sensor can according to a further feature of the invention be an IR light barrier. This is preferably arranged close to the metering opening, where "close" in the sense of the invention means that the spray jet emitted in the operating case by the spray nozzle cooperating with the metering opening also ensures cleaning of the sensor. It is thus ensured in a synergetic manner that not only the metering opening and the discharge opening into the metering orifice discharge channel, but also the sensor provided for the detection of the detergent release are subject to repeated cleaning, which advantageously increases the reliability of operation.

It is provided according to a further feature of the invention that the spraying device comprises a rotatable spray arm, whose one branch having the spray nozzle.

A spray arm is known to have a plurality of spray nozzles, which serve the Spülflottenabgabe in case of operation. The spray nozzles are oriented in such a way that a loading of the items to be cleaned with rinse liquor takes place. One of these nozzles, which are provided in any case, is now used to effect a cleaning, in particular of the metering opening, in the manner described above during operation. For this purpose, the spray nozzle is preferably aligned with the metering orifice such that the spray jet emitted by the spray nozzle during operation strikes, in particular directly, the metering gap uncovered by the hood at a specific rotational position of the spray arm. As a result, the inside of the hood, the metering opening, the discharge channel opening into the metering opening and the sensor provided for the detection of a detergent dispensing are cleaned.

It is provided according to a further feature of the invention that the discharge channel is provided by a tube which is flexible. This flexible design of the tube ensures that the discharge channel can be fluidly decoupled from the dosing device, that is to say from the detergent outlet provided by the dosing device, which helps to be able to prevent unwanted liquid entry into the detergent stored by the supply container of the dosing device. The tube providing the discharge channel can, for example, be twistable or pivotable due to its flexibility, which makes it possible to bring the tube into fluid communication with the detergent outlet or to carry out a separation of this fluidic connection. Alternatively, the tube providing the discharge channel can also be designed as a crimp tube, which is held in a squashed position in the non-dosing case for a fluid-tight closure.

Overall, the embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the metering of the metering unit is designed for flushing out so that at least one spray of the preferably lower spray arm of the spray during the flushing can hit in this case with closed Spülraumtür and at the same time with open Spülraumtür sufficient protection is given against the ingress of food and drink residues in the dish load. This is inventively achieved by a dome-shaped cover of the metering, wherein the metering is formed in the closed Spülraumtürstellung directly downwards. The dome-shaped cover in the form of preferably a hood can either be designed to be fixed or pivotable or displaceable for possible revision and service work. Furthermore, located in the outlet of the metering an IR light barrier, which preferably has one above the other oppositely oriented transmitter and receiver units, which can detect trickling down cleaning agent in the discharge channel. Transmitter and receiver units are preferably designed as diodes and arranged in the outlet of the metering so that on the one hand a detergent case can be clearly detected and that on the other hand can be done by means of the output in the operating case towards the metering spray optimized cleaning of the measuring surfaces. The Dosierauslass can be made translucent for this purpose, which also has the advantage that no additional optical lenses must be installed. Alternatively, the dosing outlet can also be equipped with a reflection light barrier. In this case, transmitter and receiver are parallel next to each other in a housing, which can be dispensed with an opposite arrangement. Advantageously, however, can be installed to improve the signal detection opposite a reflector.

Due to the inventive design of the outlet area including hood with the arrangement of a sensor for cleaning agent detection in conjunction with the specifically aligned Sprüharmdüse contamination of Dosierauslasses and the sensor measuring distance can be counteracted. At the same time there is an optimized Klecker protection for the metering or discharge channel through the hood, whereby food and beverage residues, which can fall on the door inner panel when loading the dishwasher, are effectively retained.

Fig. 1

in rein schematischer Darstellung eine Geschirrspülmaschine;

Fig. 2

in schematisch perspektivischer Ansicht von innen eine Spülraumtür sowie ausschnittsweise einen sich an die Spülraumtür anschließenden Spülbehälter;

Fig. 3

in schematischer Draufsicht einen in eine Dosieröffnung mündenden Ausschleusungskanal;

Fig. 4

in geschnittener Ansicht die Darstellung nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

in geschnittener Seitenansicht ausschnittsweise die Geschirrspülmaschine nach Fig. 1 und

Fig. 6

in schematischer Ansicht ausschnittsweise eine Spülraumtür im Beladungsfall.

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

Fig. 1

in a purely schematic representation of a dishwasher;

Fig. 2

in a schematic perspective view from inside a Spülraumtür and partially a subsequent to the Spülraumtür washing compartment;

Fig. 3

in a schematic plan view opening into a metering discharge channel;

Fig. 4

in cut view the representation after Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

in a sectional side view of the dishwasher in detail Fig. 1 and

Fig. 6

in a schematic view of a detail of a Spülraumtür in loading case.

Fig. 1 can be seen in a purely schematic representation of a dishwasher 1. This has in a conventional manner a housing 2, which receives a washing container 3. The washing container 3 in turn provides a washing compartment 4 for receiving items to be cleaned. For loading the washing compartment 4 with items to be cleaned has the rinse tank 3 via a feed opening 5. This is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a Spülraumtür 6, wherein the Spülraumtür 6 is mounted drehverschwenkbar about a horizontal pivot axis.

When used as intended, the dishes to be cleaned are treated with rinsing liquor, for which purpose the dishwasher 1 has a spraying device 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the spraying device 8 includes an upper spray arm 9 and a lower spray arm 10, which are each arranged rotatably mounted and have two Sprüharmäste 11 and 12 or 13 and 14.

Fig. 2 is an inside view of the Spülraumtür 6 refer. As can be seen from this view, the Spülraumtür 6 has on the inside a known from the prior art combination device 15, on the one hand on a rinse aid supply 16 and on the other hand has a reservoir 17, the user side is manually filled with detergent cleaning cycle. In addition to the combination device 15 known per se from the prior art, the dishwasher 1 further has a metering unit 18, which is likewise accessible to the user on the inside 7 of the flushing chamber door 6.

The dosing unit 18 has a housing 20, which accommodates a dosing device 21. Via a feed opening provided by the housing 20, the metering device 21 is accessible to the user. In the intended use case is - as in Fig. 2 shown - the feed opening of the housing 20 by means of a housing cover 22 sealed fluid-tight.

In the intended metering case 18 dispensing agent is dispensed in portions from the dosing device 21 of the dosing unit, which then flows into the washing compartment 4 of the dishwasher 1. For this purpose, a metering opening 23 is provided on the inside 7 of the Spülraumtür 6. This metering opening 23 is covered on the treatment room side with a cover in the form of a hood 24.

For the transfer of detergent from the metering device 21 to the metering orifice 23 is a tube 27 which provides a discharge channel 19, as can be seen in particular from the illustrations according to the Figures 3 and 4 results.

The tube 27 serves to a detergent outlet of the in the Figures 3 and 4 not shown dosing device 21 to connect with the metering port 23 fluidly. In dosing, so discharged from the dosing device 21 cleaning agent through the tube 27 pass through the metering opening 23 and then into the washing compartment 4.

The tube 27 is formed pivotable in the plane shown in the embodiment shown. The show Figures 3 and 4 the closure position in which the tube 27 is not connected to the dosing device 21 in order to avoid an unwanted entry of moisture into the dosing device 21. For a fluidic connection of the tube 27 to the metering device 21, the tube 27 with respect to the plane of the drawing after the Figures 3 and 4 to turn right. This pivotability of the tube 27 is made possible in that the tube 27 is formed as a flexible tube and, for example, consists of silicone or a comparable material.

For a pivoting movement of the tube 27 is a pivotable about the pivot axis 36 mounted lever 35 which carries a connection extension 38 for connection to the tube 27. The lever 35 is in operative connection with a drive device 37, which in the actuation case pivoting of the lever 35 with respect on the drawing plane after the Figures 3 and 4 brought to the right. A Zurückverschwenken the lever 35 in the in the Figures 3 and 4 shown starting position is preferably carried out under spring force.

In order to additionally prevent unwanted introduction of moisture into the metering device 21, a lid 39 cooperating with the tube 27 on the output side is provided. This lid closes the dosiergerätseitige opening of the tube 27 in the in the Figures 3 and 4 When the pipe 27 is pivoted into its connection position to the metering device 21 as a result of an actuation of the lever 35, the cover 39 also pivots. This is accomplished by a gear 40, which is in operative connection with the drive device 37.

How in particular a synopsis of Figures 2 and 5 can be seen, the one branch 13 of the lower spray arm 10 of the sprayer 8 is equipped with a spray nozzle 25 which is aligned with the metering orifice 23 such that the output from the spray nozzle 25 in operation spray 26 at a corresponding rotational position of the spray arm 10 in one of the hood 24 uncovered spray gap 30 meets. In operation, therefore, an admission of the opening into the metering orifice 23 discharge channel 19 of the tube 27 and the metering 23 takes place with wash liquor, which causes a corresponding cleaning. Any cleaning agent residues are removed and flushed out into the washing compartment 4. In addition, it is avoided as a result of the cleaning that incrustations, deposits and / or similar soiling and any detergent residues accumulate and can lead to a narrowing of the discharge channel 19 and / or the metering opening 23.

Like a synopsis of FIGS. 4 and 5 shows, the dishwasher 1 in the outlet region of the discharge channel 19 via an IR light barrier 28, which provides a region of the metering opening 23 passing through the light beam 39. By means of this IR light barrier 28, it can be detected in an advantageous manner whether the detergent portion dispensed by the metering device 21 has actually also entered the washing chamber 4. It can be monitored whether, in the case of the release of detergent, an arrival of detergent in the washroom has actually taken place. Should such a detection recognize that despite dispensed detergent no cleaning agent has flowed into the washroom, this can the user of the Dishwasher 1 are displayed and / or the started wash program is interrupted. The detection of the introduced into the washing compartment 4 detergent can also be used to draw conclusions about the amount of still stored in the dispenser 21 detergent. This, too, can be communicated to the user of the dishwasher 1, for example, via a consumption display.

As in particular the representation after Fig. 5 can recognize, the arrangement of the photocell 28 and the orientation of the spray nozzle 27 is matched to one another such that in operation rinse liquor also reaches up to the transmitting and receiving units of the IR light barrier 28, so that a cleaning of the measuring section takes place.

Fig. 6 shows a typical Beladefall the dishwasher 1, in which case the Spülraumtür 6 pivoted to its open position and a lower dish rack 31 is moved from the washing compartment 4 on the inside 7 of the Spülraumtür 6. In this position of the crockery basket 31, a user-side access to the crockery basket 31 for the purpose of loading crockery is permitted in a simple manner.

With a loading of the crockery basket 31, it inevitably comes to waste to be cleaned dishes adhering liquids, food particles and / or such impurities fall off, which are then collected from the inside 7 of the Spülraumtür 6. In order to avoid that such liquids, food particles and / or such impurities can pass directly through the metering opening 23 in the discharge channel 19 of the tube 27, the metering opening 23 is covered by the hood 24 in the manner already described. In this case, the hood 24 encloses all but the metering gap 30, the metering opening 23 in full, so that the greatest possible penetration protection is given.

As can be seen from a synopsis of Figures 2 and 6 results, the metering opening 23 is disposed within a region 32 of the Spülraumtür 6, with respect to the drawing plane to Fig. 6 compared to the rest of the inner side 7 is formed offset downwards, thus a depression in comparison to the remaining inner side 7 represents. This depression serves to be able to safely catch and house any dripping liquids to be cleaned. It is thus ensured that any dripping liquids can not flow over the flushing door on the right or left. In spite of the recessed trained area 32 nonetheless To be able to ensure that liquids can not unintentionally pass through the metering opening 23 in the discharge channel 21, the metering opening 23 is surrounded by a frame 34, with respect to the drawing plane after Fig. 2 lower subsection represents a barrier 33, as can be seen in particular from the illustration Fig. 6 results. This barrier serves as an overflow protection, so that fluids picked up from the region 32 under certain circumstances can not pass unhindered via the metering opening 23 into the discharge channel 19. Preferably, the frame 34 and the hood 24 are formed as a one-piece component.

reference numeral

1

dishwasher

2

casing

3

rinse tank

4

Wash cabinet

5

loading port

6

rinsing chamber

7

inside

8th

spraying

9

spray arm

10

spray arm

11

Sprüharmast

12

Sprüharmast

13

Sprüharmast

14

Sprüharmast

15

combination device

16

Rinse aid storage

17

reservoir

18

dosing

19

Ausschleusungskanal

20

casing

21

dosing

22

housing cover

23

metering

24

Hood

25

spray nozzle

26

spray

27

pipe

28

IR light barrier

29

beam of light

30

metering

31

wash rack

32

Area

33

barrier

34

frame

35

lever

36

swivel axis

37

driving means

38

Connecting projection

39

cover

40

transmission

Claims (7)

1. Dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, comprising a washing container (3) which provides a washing chamber (4) and is used to receive items to be cleaned, the washing container (3) having a loading opening (5) for loading items to be washed, which opening can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by a pivotally mounted washing chamber door (6), comprising a spraying device (8) arranged in the washing container (3) for supplying a washing solution to items to be cleaned, and comprising a dosing unit (18) provided by the washing chamber door (6) for storing pourable cleaning agents for a plurality of cleaning cycles, the dosing unit (18) for introducing cleaning agent into the washing chamber (4) in portions being connected to a dosing opening (23) which leads into the washing chamber (4), the spraying device (8) having a spray nozzle (25) which cooperates with the dosing opening (23) in a targeted manner, characterised in that the dosing opening (23) is partially covered on the washing chamber side by a cover designed as a scoop or hood (24) that is open at the bottom when the washing chamber door (6) is in a closed position, such that the dosing opening (23), with the exception of a dosing gap (30), is closed on all sides, which dosing gap (30) points downwards when the washing chamber door (6) is in a closed position.
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the dosing unit (18) has a dosing device (21) comprising a cleaning agent outlet, and a discharge channel (19), the discharge channel (19) fluidically connecting the cleaning agent outlet to the dosing opening (23).
3. Dishwasher according to claim 2, characterised in that the discharge channel (19) has a sensor on the dosing opening side.
4. Dishwasher according to claim 3, characterised in that the sensor is an IR light barrier (28).
5. Dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spraying device (8) has a rotatable spray arm (10), one branch (13) of which has the spray nozzle (25).
6. Dishwasher according to claim 5, characterised in that the spray nozzle (25) is oriented in the direction of the dosing opening (23) such that, when the spray arm (10) is in a corresponding rotational position, the spray jet (26) emitted by the spray nozzle (25) during operation enters the dosing gap (30) which is uncovered by the hood (24).
7. Dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the discharge channel (19) is provided by a tube (27) which is flexible.

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