EP3289951B1 - Dishwasher, in particular household dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an automatic dishwasher, in particular in the form of a domestic dishwasher, with a washing compartment providing a washing area, a metering device for the metered dispensing of pourable cleaning agent, the metering device having a cleaning agent channel opening into a cleaning agent dispensing opening, and with a cleaning agent outlet opening into the washing chamber, wherein For the fluidic connection of the detergent dispensing opening and the detergent outlet, a pipe providing a discharge channel is provided, which is designed to be pivotable from a non-metering position into a metering position and vice versa.

A generic dishwasher is from the EP 2 982 288 A1 famous.

The ones from the EP 2 982 288 A1 previously known construction has proven itself in everyday practical use. At the same time, there is an effort to improve, in particular with a view to an even further increased operational safety when used as intended. For example, it has been found that changing temperatures and / or air humidity can lead to moisture rising into the metering device with the result that detergent buildup occurs, in particular on the inside of the detergent channel. Furthermore, due to its low mass, the fine fraction of the cleaning agent can disadvantageously accumulate on the inner surfaces of the cleaning agent channel even without increased air humidity.

If the dosing device and / or the detergent channel provided by the dosing device are vibrated, the detergent buildup in the detergent channel can loosen and get uncontrolled into the installation space housing the dosing device, which is typically the space between the doors. Such a vibration can arise, for example, as a result of the washing chamber door being opened or closed by the user, as is to be carried out when the dishwasher is loaded and unloaded as intended.

On the basis of what has been described above, the object of the invention is to further develop an automatic dishwasher of the generic type in such a way that undesired discharge of detergent from the detergent channel is largely prevented.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes an automatic dishwasher of the type mentioned above, which is characterized by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. An automatic dishwasher of the generic type has a metering device for pourable, in particular solid, preferably powder or granular detergent. In this case, the dosing device is used to introduce program-controlled cleaning agent into the washing area provided by the washing compartment of the machine, the dosing device having a storage container for storing cleaning agent, which takes up cleaning agent in an amount that is sufficient for a plurality of cleaning cycles, preferably in an amount which allows 20 to 30 flushing processes. In an advantageous manner, it is therefore not necessary for the user to manually dose the detergent for each rinsing process.

In the intended dosing case, cleaning agent dispensed from the storage container reaches the cleaning agent channel provided by the dosing device. This opens into a detergent dispensing opening through which the detergent originating from the storage container is discharged into the washing area of the dishwasher. In this context, there is the fundamental problem that detergent can build up on the inside of the detergent channel. Moisture that may enter the cleaning agent channel can then lead to unwanted incrustation, which in the worst case can lead to the cleaning agent channel becoming overgrown. The operational safety of the automatic dishwasher is adversely affected by the detergent remaining on the inside in the detergent channel, which it is desirable to avoid.

For this purpose, a generic dishwasher has a pipe providing a discharge channel. This fluidically connects the detergent discharge opening of the detergent channel with the one in the washing area of the Dishwasher opening detergent outlet. This tube is designed to be pivotable and can be transferred from a non-metering position to a metering position and vice versa. In the metering position, the pipe is fluidically connected to the detergent dispensing opening of the metering device, so that detergent dispensed by the metering device can get into the pipe and from there into the washing area of the dishwasher. In the non-use position, the pipe is fluidically decoupled from the detergent dispensing opening of the metering device, so that any residual moisture that may be in the pipe cannot rise into the detergent channel of the metering device.

Even if this previously known construction has proven itself in everyday practical use, it has been found that moisture can migrate into the detergent channel via the detergent dispensing opening even when the pipe is in the non-metering position. In particular, on humid and warm summer days, the moisture in the room air bypassing the dishwasher can lead to an unwanted entry of moisture into the detergent duct.

The embodiment according to the invention provides a remedy here, because a flap is provided which closes the detergent dispensing opening when the pivotable tube is in the non-metering position. By means of the embodiment according to the invention, care is therefore taken that the cleaning agent channel is closed on the tube side when there is no dosing case, the tube connecting the cleaning agent dispensing opening to the cleaning agent outlet is in its non-dosing position. The flap that closes the detergent dispensing opening ensures that moisture, in particular moist room air, cannot flow through the detergent dispensing opening into the detergent channel of the metering device. The risk that cleaning agent adhesions can form on the inside of the cleaning agent channel due to the entry of moisture is thus further minimized.

In the intended use case, the detergent dispensing opening of the detergent channel is closed in the non-metering position of the tube by the flap provided according to the invention. If, in the case of dosing, the pipe is now pivoted for a fluidic connection to the detergent dispensing opening, then so also pivots the flap, as a result of which it is transferred from a closed position to an open position. The cleaning agent dispensing opening is released in the open position of the flap, so that a flow connection of the pipe to the cleaning agent channel can take place in the manner already described above. As soon as the dosing case is properly completed, the tube is transferred from its dosing position to its non-dosing position, and at the same time the flap is also brought back from its open position to its closed position, so that the detergent dispensing opening is closed in the manner described above.

According to the invention, the flap is arranged on the pivotable tube. The flap provided according to the invention therefore swivels together with the pipe. This embodiment has the advantage that no additional drive and / or control means are required for pivoting the flap. In a structurally simple manner, the arrangement of the flap on the pivotable tube ensures that the tube is transferred from a non-metering position to a metering position and vice versa to a simultaneous pivoting of the flap from a closed position into an open position and vice versa.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that the flap is a concave plate. As a result, the flap always rests against the cleaning agent channel without any gaps. This is because the tube is pivoted for transferring from a metering position to a non-metering position and vice versa, so that the end section of the pipe facing the cleaning agent channel moves on a circular path when pivoted. In correspondence with this circular path, the flap provided according to the invention is designed to be concave, so that undesired gap openings between the flap on the one hand and the cleaning agent channel on the other hand are minimized.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the flap has a rail that receives the cleaning agent channel between them on the mouth side. The railing is preferably two edges pointing in the direction of the cleaning agent channel, which are each formed along a longitudinal side of the flap. A kind of groove-like configuration is achieved, the cleaning agent channel engaging this groove on the mouth side, that is to say with its cleaning agent opening. In an advantageous manner, the railing also makes a lateral one Sealing of the detergent dispensing opening realized.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that the top of the flap facing the cleaning agent dispensing opening in the flap closed position interacts with a scraper. This scraper ensures that in the closed position of the flap on the top of the flap facing the detergent dispensing opening, for example as a result of trickling down, detergent that collects when the flap is moved into the open position is automatically retained and, when the flap continues to pivot, is introduced into the pipe leading to the detergent outlet . The scraper therefore acts in the manner of a sweeping device, by means of which, when the flap is pivoted, the top of the flap facing the cleaning agent channel is turned away.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that the scraper is arranged on the cleaning agent channel. This construction is particularly simple in structure in an advantageous manner. The end of the cleaning agent channel has, for example, a holder into which the scraper is exchangeably inserted. The wiper protrudes with its active edge beyond the detergent dispensing opening, whereby an interaction of the top of the flap facing the detergent channel is ensured. If, in the intended use, the tube and thus the flap arranged thereon pivoted, then the upper side of the flap facing the wiper is swept away by means of the scraper.

According to a further feature of the invention, the scraper provides a brush and / or a rib. This improves the exit result.

In an alternative embodiment according to the invention, it is provided that the flap is arranged pivotably on the cleaning agent channel. According to this alternative embodiment, the flap is therefore not arranged on the pivotable tube but at the end of the cleaning agent channel. To pivot the flap in the intended use, appropriate drivers are formed at the end of the tube. It is preferred if the flap is held in its closed position under spring tension.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Darstellung einen Geschirrspülautomaten nach der Erfindung;

Fig. 2

in einer Draufsicht von oben eine Spülraumtür, und zwar in Blickrichtung II nach Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

in einer schematischen Perspektivansicht eine mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Klappe ausgerüstete Dosiereinrichtung mit einem in Nicht-Dosierstellung befindlichen Ausschleusungsrohr;

Fig. 4

in schematischer Perspektivansicht die Dosiereinrichtung nach Fig. 3 mit einem sich in Dosierstellung befindlichen Ausschleusungsrohr;

Fig. 5

in schematischer Draufsicht ausschnittsweise die Dosiereinrichtung nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 6

in schematischer Draufsicht von oben ausschnittsweise die Dosiereinrichtung nach Fig. 4;

Fig. 7

in einer schematischen Perspektivdarstellung eine Dosiereinrichtung nach dem Stand der Technik mit einem sich in Nicht-Dosierstellung befindlichen Ausschleusungsrohr und

Fig. 8

in einer schematischen Perspektivdarstellung eine Dosiereinrichtung nach dem Stand der Technik mit einem sich in Dosierstellung befindlichen Ausschleusungsrohr.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following Description based on the figures. Show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a dishwasher according to the invention;

Fig. 2

in a plan view from above a wash cabinet door, in view direction II to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a schematic perspective view of a metering device equipped with a flap according to the invention with a discharge pipe in the non-metering position;

Fig. 4

in a schematic perspective view the metering device according to Fig. 3 with a discharge pipe in the metering position;

Fig. 5

in a schematic plan view of a section of the metering device according to FIG Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 6

in a schematic plan view from above, the metering device according to a section Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 7

in a schematic perspective illustration a metering device according to the prior art with a discharge pipe in the non-metering position and

Fig. 8

a schematic perspective view of a dosing device according to the prior art with a discharge pipe in the dosing position.

Fig. 1 shows an automatic dishwasher 1 according to the invention in a purely schematic representation. In a manner known per se, this has a housing 2 which accommodates a washing container 3. The washing compartment 3 in turn provides a washing area 4 for receiving items to be cleaned. To load the washing area 4 with items to be cleaned, the washing compartment 3 has a loading opening 5. This can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a washing area door 6, wherein the wash cabinet door 6 is mounted such that it can pivot about a horizontally extending pivot axis.

Fig. 2 shows the wash cabinet door 6 in a plan view of the door inner panel 20, that is to say in the direction of view II Fig. 1 .

How Fig. 2 It can be seen that the inside of the wash cabinet door 6 has storage compartments 9 which are known per se from the prior art and which can be closed by means of corresponding covers. The storage compartments 9 are used in a manner known per se, for example, to hold detergent, rinse aid and / or the like.

In addition to the storage compartments 9 known per se from the prior art, the inventive dishwasher 1 has a metering device 7. This metering device 7 provides a storage container 23 for storing detergent for a plurality of cleaning cycles. In the course of intended use, the corresponding amount of cleaning agent is removed from the storage container 23 provided by the dosing device 7 for each wash program cycle and supplied to the washing area 4 of the washing container 3. The storage container 23 provided by the metering device 7 is preferably dimensioned in such a way that it can hold cleaning agent in an amount sufficient to complete twenty to thirty rinsing processes.

For the arrangement of the storage container 23, the metering device 7 has a receptacle 10 which, when the storage container 23 is properly inserted, is closed by means of a pivotable cover 11.

A cleaning agent outlet 8 is used for discharging the cleaning agent originating from the metering device 7. This provides an outlet opening 12 which is covered by a cover 13. The cover 13 does not serve to seal the outlet opening 12 in a fluid-tight manner, but rather as a splash guard in order to minimize the penetration of washing solution into the outlet opening 12. For this purpose, the cover 13 has webs on the outlet opening side, for example, so that the cover 13 comes to lie at a distance from the edge surrounding the outlet opening 12, with these webs being interposed. This creates an opening gap through which washing solution can pass into the outlet opening 12, but only in one such an amount that is required to flush out the cleaning agent located here.

The in Fig. 2 Storage container 23, not shown in more detail, provides a combined labyrinth guide on the cleaning agent delivery side on the one hand and metered quantity storage on the other hand. As can be seen schematically from the further FIGS. 3 and 4 or 7 and 8, the storage container is designed to be rotatable by means of a drive device 19. When used as intended, the storage container 23 performs a 360 ° movement for introducing cleaning agent into the washing area 4. As a result of this twisting movement, cleaning agent provided by the storage container 23 is conveyed out of the storage container 23, the dosing volume provided on the storage container side ensuring that the same amount of dosing is dispensed at all times. The amount of detergent dispensed by the storage container 23 is then dispensed into the washing chamber 4 via the detergent outlet 8. In this case, a flexible tube 16, also called a discharge tube, is used for the fluidic connection of the cleaning agent outlet 8 and a cleaning agent discharge opening 14 provided by the metering device 7, as can be seen from the FIGS Figures 7 and 8th results.

the Figures 7 and 8th show an embodiment according to the prior art. As can be seen from these illustrations, a metering device 7 has a cleaning agent channel 15 which opens into the cleaning agent dispensing opening 14. In the intended use, the cleaning agent dispensed by the metering device 7 flows through the cleaning agent channel 15 to the cleaning agent dispensing opening 14 on the metering device side.

A pipe 16 is interposed between the detergent dispensing opening 14 and the detergent outlet 8. This tube 16 has two end sections, namely the end section near the cleaning agent outlet 8, which provides a flange 18, and an end section 21 opposite the cleaning agent outlet 8. Between the end section 21 and the flange 18, a bend section is formed, in which area the pipe jacket is wavy and is therefore designed to be flexible.

Due to its bending section, the tube 16 is flexible and therefore pivotable formed, as can be seen in particular from a synopsis of the Figures 7 and 8th results.

Fig. 7 shows the tube 16 in its starting position, the so-called non-dosing position. Fig. 8 shows the tube 16, however, in a pivoted position, the so-called metering position, according to which the end section 21 is pivoted in relation to the flange 18 by bending the tube 16. In this position of the pipe 16, the pipe 16 is fluidically connected to the detergent dispensing opening 14 of the detergent channel 15, which is why it is in its so-called metering position, because in this position of the pipe 16 from the storage container 23 detergent dispensed from the pipe 16 to the detergent outlet 8 can be conveyed .

A lever 22, which can be pivoted about a pivot axis, is used for pivoting the tube 16. As a result of a pivoting movement of the lever 22, the above-described pivoting movement also occurs of the pipe 16. A holder 26 in the form of, for example, a pipe clamp or clamp serves to connect the pipe 16 to the lever 22. This holder 26 surrounds the metering device-side end section 21 of the pipe 16 in the manner of a ring and serves as a connecting member between the lever 22 on the one hand and the pipe 16 on the other hand. During operation, the lever 22 acts on the holder 26 and thus also on the end section 21 of the tube 16 caught by it.

The lever 22 is driven by means of an actuator not shown in detail in the figures. In this case, the lever 22 is pivoted against a return means, which is designed, for example, as a tension spring or can also be designed as a compression spring.

In the in Fig. 7 The non-dosing position shown, the cleaning agent discharge opening-side pipe inlet opening of the pipe 16 is closed by means of a closure cover 34. This closure cover 34 is arranged pivotably on the lever 22, a cam device arranged between lever 22 and closure cover 34 ensuring that pivoting of the lever 22 also leads to a pivoting of the closure cover 34 in such a way that the tube 16 is not -Dosing setting according to Fig. 7 closed and in its dosing position according to Fig. 8 is open.

The metering device 7 is - like in particular the Figures 3 and 4th in perspective view and the Figures 5 and 6th can be seen in a top view from above - equipped according to the invention with a flap 24 which closes the cleaning agent discharge opening 14 on the cleaning agent channel side in the non-metering position of the pivotable tube.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the closure flap 24 is arranged at the end of the tube 16. It is designed as a concave plate and provides an upper side 27 facing the cleaning agent channel 15. As can be seen in particular from the representation Fig. 4 results, the upper side 27 of the flap 24 closes both on its one long side and on its other long side with an edge which serves as a railing and extends in the direction of the cleaning agent channel 15. In this way, a groove-like configuration is achieved in which the cleaning agent channel 15 engages on the mouth side.

The upper side 27 of the flap 24 interacts with a scraper 25 which is arranged on the cleaning agent channel 15 in an exchangeable manner. The scraper 25 provides brushes 28 which are in operative engagement with the upper side 27 of the flap 24.

The function of the flap 24 according to the invention is as follows:
If the discharge pipe 16 is in its non-metering position according to the Figures 3 and 5 is located, the top 27 of the flap 24 rests largely without a gap on the detergent dispensing opening 14, thereby closing it. In this way, unwanted entry of moisture into the cleaning agent channel 15 via the cleaning agent dispensing opening 14 is prevented.

A second advantage associated with the flap 24 according to the invention is that any cleaning agent residues that are located on the inside of the cleaning agent channel and can be loosened by vibrations cannot trickle into the inside of the door unhindered. Rather, they are held back by the flap 24 closing the detergent dispensing opening 14.

In the case of metering, the discharge pipe 16 pivots into its metering position according to FIG Figures 4 and 6th . The scraper 25 sweeps any cleaning agent residues on the Top side 27 of the flap 24 have come to rest, namely into the discharge pipe 16. This ensures that detergent residues left behind from previous dosing processes are now properly channeled into the washing area 4 of the dishwasher 1, that is, cannot get into the installation area of the dosing device 7 in an uncontrolled manner.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the figures proves to be particularly simple and robust in structure. The design of the flap 24 as a concave plate, which is arranged at the end of the tube 16, ensures that no additional drive and / or control units are required for an intended movement of the flap 24. Rather, the flap 24 is pivoted together with the tube 16, which automatically results in the flap 24 being in the closed position when the tube 16 is in the non-metering position. At the moment when the tube 16 is moved from its non-metering position into its metering position, the flap 24 arranged on the tube 16 also moves, so that the flap is transferred from its closed position to its open position.

Reference number

1

Dishwasher

2

casing

3

Rinsing container

4th

Wash cabinet

5

Loading opening

6th

Wash cabinet door

7th

Dosing device

8th

Detergent outlet

9

Storage compartment

10

recording

11

lid

12th

Outlet opening

13th

lid

14th

Detergent dispensing opening

15th

Detergent channel

16

pipe

17th

Discharge channel

18th

flange

19th

Drive device

20th

Inner door panel

21

End section

22nd

lever

23

Storage container

24

flap

25th

Scraper

26th

Railing

27

Top

28

brush

Claims (7)

1. Automatic dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, comprising a washing container (3) providing a washing chamber (4), a metering device (7) for dispensing pourable cleaning agent in a metered manner, the metering device (7) having a cleaning agent channel (15) which opens into a cleaning agent dispensing opening (14), and comprising a cleaning agent outlet (8) which opens into the washing chamber (4), a tube (16) which provides a discharge channel (17) being provided for fluidically connecting the cleaning agent dispensing opening (14) and the cleaning agent outlet (8), which tube can be pivoted from a non-metering position into a metering position and vice versa, characterised by a flap (24) which closes the cleaning agent dispensing opening (14) in the non-metering position of the pivotable tube (16), the flap (24) being arranged on the pivotable tube (16), or the flap (24) being pivotably arranged on the cleaning agent channel (15) and entraining elements being formed on the end of the tube (16) in order to pivot said flap.
2. Automatic dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the flap (24) is a concave plate.
3. Automatic dishwasher according to either of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flap (24) comprises railing (26) which accommodates the cleaning agent channel (15) therebetween on the mouth side.
4. Automatic dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the top (27) of the flap (24) that faces the cleaning agent dispensing opening (14) in the flap closed position interacts with a wiper (25).
5. Automatic dishwasher according to claim 4, characterised in that the wiper (25) is arranged on the cleaning agent channel (15).
6. Automatic dishwasher according to either claim 4 or claim 5, characterised in that the wiper (25) is replaceable.
7. Automatic dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the wiper (25) provides a brush (28) and/or a rib.

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