EP3241478A1 - Dishwasher with at least an optical display assigned to a functional component - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwasher (1) with a washing compartment (2) enclosed by a washing compartment (3) and a door (4), and a plurality of functional components (5) arranged in the washing compartment and / or on the door, at least one functional component being one the operating condition and / or is assigned to an imaginable to her operating option indicative optical, display. The optical display is formed by at least one light spot (14) at least on a partial surface of the functional component (5) or its immediate surroundings, the light spot (14) being directed by the directed light beam (16) of a lighting device (5) arranged away from the functional component (5). 17) is generated, and wherein the lighting device (17) by a control device (18) is controllable such that it selectively illuminates the functional component (5) and / or their immediate environment to form the light spot (14).

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher with a washing compartment enclosed by a washing container and a door. The washing compartment contains various functional components, such as at least one horizontally movable receiving basket for items to be washed, one or more spray arms which can be set in rotation for loading the items to be washed with washing liquid, a salt container accessible via a removable screw cap and a filter unit for cleaning the washing liquid. Other functional components are dosing devices for rinsing and rinsing agents, which are generally positioned on the inside of the door. To alert the user to a particular operating state of a functional component, in particular to a malfunction or to a lack of resources, such as lack of detergent or rinse aid, it is out EP 1 532 917 B1 It is known to arrange directly at or in the immediate vicinity of a functional component an optical display in the form of a light source designed, for example, as an LED. However, such a type of display only allows a relatively limited information of the user about an operating state of a functional component or an operation to be performed on this. In addition, it is often only possible with great technical effort to arrange a light source on a functional component or to integrate it, which is particularly difficult in movable functional components or in a moving component or operating element of a functional component.

The object of the invention is to propose a dishwasher of the type mentioned, which is improved with respect to a visual display relating to a functional component.

This object is achieved according to claim 1, at least one light spot is at least on a partial surface of the functional component or its immediate vicinity, wherein the light spot is generated by the directed light beam of a remote from the functional component lighting device, and wherein the lighting device by a control device such it is controllable that they are the Function component and / or their immediate environment selectively forms to form the light spot.

While in the known dishwasher, the display is formed by the lighting device or by a light source itself, the invention provides a spatial decoupling of the lighting device and the optical display caused by it. In this way, a structural and structural decoupling of lighting device and functional component is achieved, ie the visual display does not need to be arranged structurally and technically complex manner to the functional component or integrated into this, but can completely independent of the structural and structural conditions of virtually arbitrary Places or areas of the functional component or in their immediate environment, ie an area which the user assigns the function component uniquely positioned. Thus, for example, the light beam emanating from the lighting device can also be directed without problems to a movable functional component or to a movable operating element of a functional component, such as the closure element of a metering device or a salt container. The user can be communicated in the sense of a higher density of information or improved user guidance not only that an operating measure is to be performed, but also at which point of the functional component manipulation to carry out the action is required. In addition, it is advantageous that a redesign of a functional component in the course of technical development in the known dishwasher in many cases also a structural adjustment of the lighting device and its position must be made to the functional component. In the proposed dishwasher, however, such measures are not required. The technical realization of the lighting device here is essentially completely independent of the structural conditions of the functional component. Another advantage of the spatial decoupling in question is that it is now also possible to use lighting devices which, for example because of their volume or any other technical feature, are difficult to integrate into a functional component or can be positioned in their immediate surroundings.

The structural and structural decoupling of lighting device and functional component further offers the advantage that a much wider range is available with regard to the design of the optical display and the information density that can be achieved with it. Thus, for example, lighting devices come into consideration, which as an optical display, the projection of images, pictograms and even moving light spots, such as with the help of so-called beamer, allow.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, a lighting device is provided which is designed such that it generates light spots in each case at different positions, being controlled by the control device such that a function component associated with a position is selectively illuminated to form a light spot. It can thus be arranged at a for example central and / or structurally particularly suitable position on a wall of the washing compartment or the inside of the washing compartment closing door in manufacturing and assembly costs and installation space-saving manner, a single lighting device, which is associated with several functional components. The advantage here is that in each case only one cable feed for electrical connection to a voltage source and the signal-moderate connection with the outside of the washing compartment in the dishwasher arranged - control device is required.

The multiple assignment of a single lighting device to a plurality of functional components is preferably realized in that the lighting device comprises a light source and one of these associated, controllable by the control device optical deflection device for deflecting a light beam generated by the light source. Another, in particular structurally simple option of the multiple assignment in question consists in that a lighting device comprises a plurality, ie a number of light sources corresponding to the number of functional components, these being directed to different positions assigned to a respective functional component. The position assigned to a functional component is generally to be understood as meaning a position on the functional component itself or in its immediate surroundings, wherein in the latter case the position is only so far removed from the functional component that the assignment is readily apparent to a user. A third preferred possibility of a multiple assignment of the type in question sees a controllable by the controller Lighting device with a pivoting light source in front. Both in this case and in the variant with a pivotable deflection device is advantageous that only a single light source is required in a space-saving manner. In general terms, therefore, the light beam of the lighting device can be swiveled so that it can be directed individually, ie selectively, with its light spot or light spot onto the various functional components and / or their immediate surroundings and selectively illuminates each of them.

In a further preferred embodiment, an increased information density of the display is achieved in that different operating states and / or different operating options of a functional component are each correlated with a different property of the light spot, such as its color or light intensity. It is easily possible to identify several operating conditions or operating options about the color. While in the known dishwasher different colored light sources must be integrated in at least costly manner in the functional component or in the immediate vicinity, according to the invention several different colors emitting light sources in a manufacturing and assembly advantageous position in the washing or on the inside of the door without regard to the respective structural conditions of the functional component can be summarized in a lighting device.

Similar conditions exist when a correlation of the type in question on the shape of the light spot occurs when this is designed as an image or icon. For a user to recognize the shape of the light spot and to associate the symbol content thereof with an operating state of the functional component or with an action to be taken thereon, a certain size or area of the light spot is required. According to the invention, however, this can be readily ensured without regard to the respective construction of the functional element or its surroundings, since the required surface is available in most cases at the functional component or at its immediate surroundings. In addition to an image or a pictogram, a reference to an operating state or to an action to be carried out on the functional element can also be produced by the shape of the light spot changing. So it is conceivable that the shape of the light spot in Depending on the supply of a resource, such as regenerating salt or rinse aid changes, for example, as a light bar trained light spot with increasing consumption of the resource is shortened.

A particularly advantageous correlation, which can be achieved in a dishwasher according to the invention in a simple manner, is the correlation of a movement of the light spot, in particular a link between the direction of movement of the light spot and the linear or rotary actuating direction of a movable functional component such. a user-operated control element of a functional component, can be produced. The well-known problem that a user does not know or no longer knows in which direction the closing flap of a metering device, e.g. for detergent linearly moved or in which direction a screwable element, such as the cap of a salt container when refilling Regeneriersalz must be rotated to open or close, can be solved in a simple manner. By spatially remote from the respective functional component arrangement of the lighting device can this easily to generate moving light spots, for example with the help of a beamer, ertüchtigen again also without regard to structural and structural conditions of the functional component or its environment.

A further advantageous embodiment, which is able to specify to the user the direction of actuation of a control element, provides a lighting device which is designed such that it generates a plurality of light spots associated with a functional component and aligned in a line, wherein it is controlled by the control device such that the Patches of light appear in succession. In this way, straight or curved, the respective operating direction of a control element predetermining, formed from light spots or luminous spots and be successively extending in the direction of actuation lines can be generated. Here, and also in the case of a single moving light spot, it is expedient with regard to a comfortable user guidance if the light spot or spots are assigned to the respective operating element of the functional component, ie are generated therefrom or in the immediate surroundings.

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 einen Spülbehälter und eine diesen verschließende Tür umfassende Geschirrspülmaschine in perspektiver Ansicht, mit einer an der Innenseite der Tür angeordneten Leuchteinrichtung, welche einen Griffbereich eines Aufnahmekorbs für Spülgut anstrahlt,

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt aus dem Bodenbereich des Spülbehälters einer Geschirrspülmaschine in perspektivischer Ansicht, mit einer an einer Seitenwand des Spülbehälters angeordneten Leuchteinrichtung, welche unterschiedliche, jeweils einer unterschiedlichen Funktionskomponente zugordnete Positionen anstrahlt,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch eine Leuchteinrichtung, die mehrere in unterschiedliche Richtungen abstrahlende Lichtquellen umfasst,

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch eine Leuchteinrichtung mit einer schwenkbaren Lichtquelle,

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch eine Leuchteinrichtung mit einer Lichtquelle und einer zur Ablenkung des von der Lichtquelle ausgesandten Lichtstrahls dienenden verschwenkbaren optischen Ablenkeinrichtung,

Fig. 6

einen Ausschnitt des Bodenbereichs eines Spülbehälters, mit einer an einer Seitenwand des Spülbehälters angeordneten Leuchteinrichtung, welche auf dem Verschlussdeckel eines Salzbehälters einen die Drehrichtung zum Öffnen des Verschlussdeckels anzeigenden Lichtfleck erzeugt,

Fig. 7

eine Fig. 6 entsprechende Darstellung, mit einer Leuchteinrichtung, die auf dem Verschlussdeckel eines Salzbehälters mehrere in einer kreisförmig gebogenen Linie ausgerichtete, zeitlich nacheinander erscheinende Lichtflecke erzeugt,

Fig. 8

eine Fig. 1 entsprechende Darstellung, mit einer Leuchteinrichtung, die auf der Verschlussklappe einer Dosiereinrichtung mehrere in einer geraden Linie ausgerichtete, zeitlich nacheinander erscheinende Lichtflecke erzeugt.

Each shows in a schematic schematic diagram:

Fig. 1

a dishwashing machine comprising a washing container and a door closing it in a perspective view, with a light device arranged on the inside of the door, which illuminates a grip area of a wash basket,

Fig. 2

a detail of the bottom region of the washing container of a dishwasher in a perspective view, with a arranged on a side wall of the washing container lighting device which irradiates different, each assigns a different functional component positions,

Fig. 3

a section through a lighting device comprising a plurality of light sources radiating in different directions,

Fig. 4

a section through a lighting device with a pivoting light source,

Fig. 5

a section through a lighting device with a light source and a for deflecting the light beam emitted from the light source serving pivotable optical deflection device,

Fig. 6

a detail of the bottom region of a rinsing container, with a light device arranged on a side wall of the rinsing container, which generates a light spot indicating the direction of rotation for opening the closure lid on the closure lid of a salt container,

Fig. 7

a Fig. 6 corresponding representation, with a lighting device that produces on the closure lid of a salt container a plurality of aligned in a circular curved line, temporally successive appearing light spots,

Fig. 8

a Fig. 1 corresponding representation, with a lighting device that generates on the flap of a metering a plurality of aligned in a straight line, temporally successive appearing light spots.

In the figures, corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals. In this case, 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 groups.

A dishwasher 1 of the present type comprises, in particular Fig. 1 and Fig. 8 it can be seen, a washing compartment 2, which is enclosed by a washing container 3 and a door 4. In the washing compartment 2 and / or on the inside of the door 4 at least one functional component 5 is arranged, that is, the functional component 5 is usually arranged partly in the interior of the door or a space located outside the washing container 3 of the dishwasher. On the other hand, another part of the functional component is visible when looking into the washing compartment 2 or on the inside of the door 4. The eligible functional components are for example a salt container 6 for receiving regenerating salt, a receiving basket 7 for items to be washed, a filter 8 for cleaning the rinsing liquid, a spray arm 9 for loading the items to be washed with rinsing liquid, a dosing device 10 for detergent and a Dosing device 13 for rinse aid. The two latter functional components 5 are usually positioned on the inside of the door 4.

At least one functional component 5 is associated with an optical display A, which is at least one light spot 14 covering at least one partial surface of the functional component 5 or a part visible when looking into the washing compartment 2 or onto the inside of the door 4. The visible part of the functional component 5 is, for example, in the case of the salt container 6 arranged in the bottom region of the washing compartment 2, its closure lid 15. A light spot 14 is indicated in the figures by a dotted surface. The light spot 14 is generated by the directed light beam 16 of a lighting device 17 arranged away from the functional component 5. The functional component 5 and / or its immediate environment become with the formation of the light spot 14 with the aid of a control device 18 which is signal-wise connected to the lighting device 17, selectively irradiated. The signal connection of the lighting device 17 with the control device 18 is in Fig. 3 in a crude schematic form indicated by dashed lines 20. The selective irradiation is activated when the user is to be informed of an operating state of the functional component, such as a lack of resources, and / or on a vornehmbare or vornehmender to her operating option. As a rule, such a visual display A takes place with the door open. However, if this comprises a viewing window or is made entirely of a transparent material, the visual display A is useful even with the door closed, especially during operation of the dishwasher. An application case for this purpose would be, for example, when a spray arm is blocked due to a collision with items to be washed, so does not rotate. The control of the lighting device 17 and the light source 19 is carried out with the skilled person well-known means, so that can be dispensed with their detailed explanation at this point. The light beam 16 emanating from a light source 19 is, for example, a parallel light beam of a laser or a beam of light propagating in the beam direction from the light source 19.

The lighting device 17 may be formed so that it generates only one of a specific functional component 5 associated light spot 14, which, for example, in the example of Fig. 1 the case is. Another possibility is that the light-emitting device is designed such that it generates light spots 14 at different positions and is controlled by the control device 18 in such a way that a function component 5 assigned to a position is selectively illuminated to form a light spot 14. To accomplish this, there is an in Fig. 3 shown possibility that the lighting device 17 includes a plurality of light sources 19, each of the light sources is directed to another, each one of a functional component 5 associated positions P1, P2. A light source 19 may ultimately be any light source, with LED LEDs being particularly expedient. In particular, here and in general, a light source 19 can also be formed by a group of light sources which are aligned with a position assigned to a functional component.

In the case of the embodiment according to Fig. 3 the light sources 19 are arranged on a support 23 in each case in a recess forming a reflector 24. The LEDs 19 and the carrier 23 are encompassed by a transparent or translucent cover 25, for example made of glass, which is also the case in the 4 and 5 shown lighting devices 17 is the case.

A further possibility for producing light beams which are aligned differently with a single light-emitting device 17 is that the light-emitting device 17 comprises a pivotable light source 19 that can be activated by the control device 18, as shown in FIG Fig. 4 is shown. Again, the light source 19 is disposed in the reflector 24 of a carrier 23. The pivoting of the light source is accomplished, for example, characterized in that the carrier 23 is pivotally mounted about an axis 26 extending at right angles to the plane of the paper. The pivoting can be accomplished for example by actuators of a shape memory alloy. These are, for example, wires 27 made of the abovementioned alloy, which shorten when energized and return to their initial position when not energized under the action of a spring element (not shown). The wires 27 of the shape memory alloy can be controlled via the control device 18 and thus the carrier 23 and, accordingly, the light source 19 can be aligned to two or more different positions P1, P2, P3.

Another possibility, with a single lighting device 17 to produce a plurality of different aligned light beams 16 is in Fig. 5 shown. The lighting device 17 here comprises an optical deflection device 28 that can be activated by the control device 18 for deflecting a light beam 16 generated by the light source 19 with the aid of an optical deflection element. The optical deflection element is, for example, a prism 29. The optical deflection element is either pivotally mounted itself or held by a pivotable carrier 30. The carrier 30 is mounted so that it is pivotable, for example, about an axis 26 extending at right angles to the plane of the paper. The pivoting can in the same way as in the embodiment of Fig. 4 that is, by wires 27 made of a shape memory alloy.

At the in Fig. 2 shown embodiment, with the help of a single lighting device 17, several functional components 5 and their immediate environment to form at least one light spot 14, 14 'selectively irradiated, wherein it is a salt container 6 and the closure lid 17, one upwards in the function components shown in the washing compartment 2 projecting part of a filter 8 and a lower receiving basket 7 acts on the underside thereof with flushing spray 9. In the case of in Fig. 2 This light spot 14 'is generated in the immediate vicinity of a functional component 5, namely on the bottom of the washing container 3 surrounding the closure lid 17. In the case of a spray arm 9, it may be expedient to produce the light spot 14 at a central location close to the axis of rotation 31 of the spray arm 9, ie approximately where the spray arm is connected via a supply line 34 to the circulation system for rinsing liquid of the dishwasher 1.

The lighting device 17 is positioned, for example, on a side wall 35 or the rear wall (not shown) of the washing container 3. Such an arrangement is useful if a positioned within the washing compartment 2 functional component 5 is to be selectively illuminated. At the in Fig. 1 Although an embodiment arranged in the washing compartment functional component 5, namely a receiving basket 7 is also selectively irradiated embodiment shown. By this visual display A, but the user should be guided so that he recognizes a front of the receiving basket handle portion 36, that is, in the sense of user guidance is caused to take the receiving basket 7 when pulling out of the washing compartment 2 on the handle portion 36. The lighting device 17 is mounted on the inside of the door and aligned so that it selectively illuminates the handle portion 36 to form a handle portion 36 at least partially covering the light spot 14 in a complete, so substantially horizontally aligned door.

The given in the dishwasher according to the invention structural and structural decoupling of lighting device and functional component on the one hand and the decoupling of lighting device and the actual optical display on the other hand there is the advantage that a much wider range in terms of the design of the optical display and thus the possible Information is available. Thus, in particular, the possibility of a projection of images, pictograms or moving spots of light is available, this being possible in particular with projectors. In general, therefore, the invention allows a higher amount of information or information density, which can be used in an advantageous manner for user guidance and user information, wherein, to accomplish this, the lighting device 17 is controlled by the control device 18 that different operating conditions and / or different operating options a functional component 5 are each correlated with a different property of the at least one light spot. In addition to a correlation on the color of the light and / or its intensity, there are many possibilities as to how an operating state of a functional component or an action to be taken thereon can be communicated to the user.

Thus, a correlation of the type in question on the shape of the light spot 14 can be made in a technically simple way. The light spot 14, depending on the operating state or depending on the action to be taken on the functional component 5, may have another shape, for example as in FIG Fig. 6 shown, be shaped so that from the form, the direction of movement of a user-operated control element of a functional component 5 can be seen. For example, in the case of a salt container 6, it is often not clear to the user in which direction he has to turn the closure lid 15 in order to unscrew it from the salt container and close it again after the salt container has been filled. Here creates, for example, in the respective direction of rotation (in Fig. 6 in the opening direction) of the closure lid 16 pointing curved arrow 37 for a corresponding hint. Such a display is also expedient for the case that, for example, on the rear wall 38 of the washing compartment 3 a serving for cleaning a baking tray spray arm to be screwed (not shown). In this case, the user must move the spray arm to a fixation position (dotted circle 39 in FIG Fig. 2 ). This is also a display about using an arrow, as in Fig. 6 shown, conceivable.

An even clearer indication of the direction of movement of an operating element of a functional component is achieved by moving the light spot 14 itself in a direction which corresponds to the direction of actuation of the operating element Function component 5 corresponds. So could about in Fig. 6 shown arrow 37 or a differently designed spot of light counterclockwise on the top of the closure lid 15 are moved to indicate the direction of rotation to open. In the case of closing, this process could be assisted by a light spot 14 moved in the opposite direction, ie in the clockwise direction.

Another possibility to show the direction of movement of an operating element of a functional component 5 is accomplished by a lighting device 17, which is designed such that it generates a plurality of light spots 14, wherein these are assigned to a functional component 5 or an operating element present thereon. In order to indicate a direction of movement, the lighting device 17 is controlled by the control device 18 so that the light spots 14 appear in succession in time, specifically in such a way that they are aligned in a line. In the case of a screw-type operating element, this may be a curved line. A straight line is expedient in the case of a dosing device 10 for rinsing agent which is arranged on the inside of the door 4 and a closure flap 43 which can be displaced linearly between an open and a closed position having. The opening of the closure flap 43 in the direction of the arrow 40 is indicated by the fact that first a first, for example punctiform light spot 14a on the closure flap 43 and then in time sequence further light spots 14, of which Fig. 8 whose later outlines are indicated, are generated. Thus, a light bar formed from a plurality of light spots or light spots 14 and extending in the direction of movement (arrow 40) is formed. The last light spot 14b of this light bar can be designed differently than the previous light spots, for example in the form of an arrow pointing in the direction of movement (arrow 40). When displaying the direction of movement of the closure flap 43 in the closing direction (arrow 44), a light bar formed from light spots 14 and extending in the direction of the arrow 44 is generated.

To produce an optical display A on the inside of the door, it is expedient for the lighting device 17 to be arranged on a position 32 near the upper edge region of the washing container.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1 dishwasher
• 2 washing room
• 3 rinse tanks
• 4 door
• 5 functional component
• 6 salt containers
• 7 reception basket
• 8 filters
• 9 spray arm
• 10 metering device for detergent
• 13 Dosing device for rinse aid
• 14 light spot
• 15 cap
• 16 light beam
• 17 lighting device
• 18 control device
• 19 light source
• 20 Dashed line
• 23 carriers
• 24 reflector
• 25 cover
• 26 axis
• 27 wire
• 28 optical deflector
• 29 line
• 30 carriers
• 31 axis of rotation
• 32 position
• 33 axis
• 34 supply line
• 35 sidewall
• 36 grip area
• 37 Curved arrow
• 38 rear wall
• 39 Dashed circle
• 40 arrow
• 43 cap
• 44 arrow

Claims (14)

Dishwasher (1) having a washing compartment (2) enclosed by a washing container (3) and a door (4), and a plurality of functional components (5) arranged in the washing compartment and / or on the door, at least one of the functional components having a working condition and / or or is associated with an optical display indicating that it can be selected,
characterized,
that the optical display is at least one light spot (14) at least on a partial area of the functional component (5) or its immediate vicinity, whereby the light spot (14) from the directed light beam (16) an removed from the functional component (5) arranged light-emitting device (17 ), and wherein the lighting device (17) by a control device (18) is controllable such that it selectively illuminates the functional component (5) and / or their immediate environment to form the light spot (14). Dishwashing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a lighting device (17) which is designed so that it generates light spots (14) respectively at different positions, being controlled by the control device (18) such that one of a functional component (17) 5) associated with formation of at least one light spot (14) is selectively illuminated. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 2, characterized by a lighting device (17) which can be controlled by the control device (18) and has a pivotable light source (19). Dishwasher (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the lighting device (17) comprises a light source (19) and one of these, controllable by the control device (18) optical deflection device (28) for deflecting the light source (19) generated light beam (16). Dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by a light source (17) comprising a plurality of light sources (17), wherein the Light sources (19) are directed to different, each one functional component (5) associated positions. Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting device (17) is controlled by the control device (18) such that different operating states and / or different operating options of a functional component (5) each with a different property of the light spot ( 14) are correlated. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 6, characterized by a correlation on the light color of the light spot (14). Dishwasher (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by a correlation on the light intensity of the light spot (14). Dishwasher (1) according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized by a correlation over the shape of the light spot (14). Dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized by a correlation via a movement of the light spot (14). Dishwasher (1) according to claim 10, characterized by a correlation between the direction of movement of the light spot (14) and the direction of actuation of a user-actuatable operating element of the functional component (5). Dishwasher (1) according to claim 11, characterized by a rotational movement of the light spot (14). Dishwashing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a light-emitting device (17) which is designed such that it generates a plurality of light spots (14) associated with a functional component (5) and aligned in a line, wherein the control device (18 ) is controlled such that the light spots (14) appear in chronological succession. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the light spots (14) are associated with an operating element of a functional component (5).

Images