EP3629872A1

EP3629872A1 - Liquid spraying device for a dishwasher with improved cleaning performance

Info

Publication number: EP3629872A1
Application number: EP17730081.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yusuf Koc; Furkan BAYAV; Mehmet Kaya; Ozcan Hatipoglu; Nevin AYATA AKKAS; Cihat SOFRACI
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2017-06-02
Filing date: 2017-06-02
Publication date: 2020-04-08
Also published as: WO2018219470A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid spraying device (1) for use in a dishwasher (2) comprising: a tub (3) for receiving the articles to be cleaned with a cleaning liquid. The liquid spraying device (1) comprises: a rotating spraying means (4) which comprises: a hub (5) which has a center of rotation (C); and one or more nozzles (6) for spraying the cleaning liquid into the tub (3).

Description

LIQUID SPRAYING DEVICE FOR A DISHWASHER WITH IMPROVED CLEANING PERFORMANCE

The present invention relates to washers, in particular to dishwashers. The present invention more particularly relates to the liquid spraying devices of the dishwasher.
Dishwashers are commonly known in the art. A dishwasher generally comprises: a tub for receiving the articles to be washed/rinsed with a washing/rinsing liquid; a pivotable door for opening/closing the tub; an upper article rack, a lower article rack and optionally a cutlery tray which are extendably disposed into the tub; at least two liquid spraying devices for spraying the washing/rinsing liquid respectively towards the upper article rack and the lower article rack, wherein the liquid spraying devices are respectively disposed onto the bottom of the tub, and to the underside of the upper article rack, and wherein each liquid spraying device comprises a rotating spraying means which has a hub that has a center of rotation, two diametrically opposed arms extending from the hub, and a plurality of nozzles disposed along each arm for spraying the liquid into the tub; a cutlery basket which is removably disposed into the lower article rack; a supply means for supplying the liquid by means of a circulation pump through the conduits to the liquid spraying devices; and a sump in the bottom of the tub for collecting the liquid and the dirt that drips down.
The cleaning cycle generally includes a cold washing step, a main washing step, a rinsing step, and a drying step. When the dishwasher is taken into operation, the circulation pump circulates the liquid that is collected in the sump to the liquid spraying devices. The rotating spraying means are set into rotary movement as the liquid is jetted out of the inclined nozzles which generate a rotational thrust. The inclined nozzles which generate the rotational thrust are generally located further away from the hub and close to the tips of the arms. The geometry and the position of the nozzles are generally determined such that the liquid can be effectively sprayed over the surface of the articles inside the upper/lower article racks. The flow rate and the pressure of the liquid jets positively influence the cleaning performance. The rotating spraying means traverses a circular area. In contrast thereto, the tub is parallelepiped. In order to properly clean the articles close to the corners of the tub, the rotating spraying means is provided with nozzles that eject the liquid directly towards the corners. During the cleaning cycle, the jets of liquid hit the articles in the upper article rack and the lower article rack. The dirt on the articles is dissolved under the influence of the cleansing agent and the heat of the liquid. The liquid drips from the articles down into the sump or flows along the surface of the tub into the sump. The dirt is partially removed from the liquid through the filters in the sump during the circulation.
WO2009132949 (A1) discloses a prior art dishwasher.
A problem with the prior art dishwasher is that the dirt on the articles cannot always be sufficiently removed. In order to prevent inferior washing results the flow rate and the pressure of the liquid can be increased. Also the duration of the cleaning cycle can be prolonged. However, these measures increase the operating costs, and thus the user satisfaction decreases.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a liquid spraying device for a dishwasher that solves the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables an improved cleaning performance.
This objective has been achieved by the liquid spraying device as defined in claim 1, and the dishwasher as defined in claim 12. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.
The liquid spraying device of the present invention comprises a driving means for causing the center of rotation of the hub to oscillate back and forth along a track through a reference position.
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the oscillating hub increases the area onto which the liquid is directly jetted through the nozzles. Thereby, the articles inside the tub can be more effectively washed and rinsed, and thus the cleaning performance can be improved.
The liquid spraying device of the present inventions is not limited for use in dishwashers and may be used for cleaning objects in other washing systems. In alternative embodiments, the dishwasher of the present invention comprises one or more liquid spraying devices.
In an embodiment, one liquid spraying device is disposed onto the bottom of the tub below the lower article rack. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the articles inside the lower article rack can be more effectively washed and rinsed, and thus cleaning performance can be improved.
In an embodiment, one liquid spraying device is disposed onto the underside of the upper article rack. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the articles inside the upper article rack can be more effectively washed and rinsed, and thus cleaning performance can be improved.
In an embodiment, one liquid spraying device is disposed onto the ceiling of the tub above the cutlery tray. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the articles inside the cutlery tray can be more effectively washed and rinsed, and thus cleaning performance can be improved.
In alternative embodiments, one or more liquid spraying devices are disposed onto the side walls of the tub. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the articles close to side walls of the tub can be more effectively washed and rinsed, and thus cleaning performance can be improved.
In an embodiment, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the respective liquid spraying device through a flexible connection of the supply means. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the flexible connection can compensate for the oscillating movement of the hub.
In an embodiment, the driving means causes the center of rotation of the hub to oscillate in a horizontal plane along a track which is straight. In this embodiment, the axis of rotation of the hub is vertically aligned during the oscillation. In addition, the track is aligned between two diagonal corners of the tub. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the articles close to the corner regions can be more effectively washed and rinsed due to the back-and-forth movement of the hub towards the corners, and thus cleaning performance can be improved in the corner regions.
In an embodiment, the driving means comprises a reciprocating rack-and-pinion mechanism. In alternative versions of the embodiment, the rack-and-pinion mechanism can be arranged above or below the hub. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the reciprocating rack-and-pinion is reliable and cost effective both in terms of material and labor. The size of the rack and the pinion, and the number and the shape of the teeth in the rack-and-pinion mechanism can be determined in accordance with the dimensions of the track and the tub.
In an alternative embodiment, the driving means causes the center of rotation of the hub to oscillate in a vertical plane along a track which is vertical. In this embodiment, the axis of rotation of the hub is vertically aligned during the oscillation. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the articles close to the upper/lower regions can be more effectively washed and rinsed due to the up-and-down movement of the hub, and thus cleaning performance can be improved in the upper/lower regions, including the corners.
In an alternative embodiment, the driving means comprises a reciprocating cylinder-and-cam mechanism. In alternative versions of this embodiment, the cylinder-and-cam mechanism can be arranged above or below the hub. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the reciprocating cylinder-and-cam mechanism is reliable and cost effective both in terms of material and labor.
In an embodiment, the rotating spraying means is provided without nozzles that eject the cleaning liquid directly towards the corners of the tub thanks to the improved cleaning performance in the corner regions. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the flow rate and the pressure of the liquid that is jetted form the nozzles can be increased, and thus the cleaning performance can be further increased. This embodiment is also particularly advantageous as the liquid that directly hits the side walls can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible, and thus the disturbing noises can be further reduced during the cleaning cycle. Thereby, the overall sound level can be further improved.
In an embodiment, the track of the liquid spraying device is adjustable. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the cleaning performance can be more flexibly improved in accordance with the specific arrangement of the upper/lower article racks.
In an embodiment, the rotating spray means can be mounted into the tub at the aforementioned various positions through a mounting means. In alternative versions of this embodiment, the mounting means comprises feet or hooks. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the rotating spray means can be easily assembled into the tub.
In an embodiment, one or more nozzles are inclined to generate rotational thrust so as to rotate the rotating spraying means when jetting the cleaning liquid into the tub. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the need for using a motor that rotates the hub can be obviated. Alternatively or additionally a motor for rotating the hub of the rotating spraying means may be used.
In alternative embodiments, the rotating spray means is provided in various different forms. For instance, the rotating spray means is provided with one or more arms extending from the hub. Alternatively, the rotating spray means is provided without any arms. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the size and shape of the rotating spraying means can be determined in accordance with the available space and the relative arrangement of the articles to be cleaned.
Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the liquid spraying device and the dishwasher according to the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective view of a dishwasher which has at least one liquid spraying device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 – is a schematic partial perspective inner view of the dishwasher of Fig. 1;
Figure 3 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the liquid spraying device of Fig. 2;
Figure 4 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the reciprocating rack-and-pinion mechanism in the liquid spraying device of Fig. 2;
Figure 5 – is a schematic partial top view of the reciprocating rack-and-pinion mechanism in the liquid spraying device of Fig. 2, wherein the arrows show the reciprocating motion;
Figure 6 – is a schematic partial top view of the reciprocating rack-and-pinion mechanism in the liquid spraying device of Fig. 2, wherein the pinion has been omitted.
The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Liquid spraying device
Dishwasher
Tub
Rotating spraying means
Hub
Nozzle
Driving means
Track
Corner
Rack-and-pinion mechanism
Pinion

11a.Passage
12. Rack
13. Alignment means
14. Mounting means
15. Foot
16. Arm
17. Supply means
18. Flexible connection
19. Door
C: Center of rotation
P: Reference position
H: Horizontal plane
A: Axis of rotation
The liquid spraying device (1) is suitable for use in the dishwasher (2) (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
The dishwasher (2) comprises: a tub (3) for receiving the articles to be cleaned with a cleaning liquid; a lower article rack (not shown) and an upper article rack (not shown) which are extendably disposed into the tub (3); and a door (19) for accessing the tub (3), and for closing the tub (3) during the cleaning cycle (Fig. 2).
The liquid spraying device (1) comprises: a rotating spraying means (4) (Fig. 3). The rotating spraying means (4) comprises: a hub (5) which has a center of rotation (C); and one or more nozzles (6) for spraying the cleaning liquid into the tub (3).
The liquid spraying device (1) of the present invention further comprises: a driving means (7) for causing the center of rotation (C) of the hub (5) to oscillate back and forth along a track (8) through a reference position (P) (Fig. 3 and Fig. 5). Herein the reference position (P) is on the track (8).
The dishwasher (2) of the present invention further comprises: one or more liquid spraying devices (1); and a supply means (17) for supplying the cleaning liquid to the liquid spraying devices (1) and for circulating the cleaning liquid through the tub (3) (Fig. 2).
In an embodiment, one liquid spraying device (1) is disposed onto the bottom of the tub (3) below the lower article rack (Fig. 2).
In an embodiment, one liquid spraying device (1) is disposed onto the underside of the upper article rack (not shown). In this embodiment, the liquid spraying device (1) can be moved together with the upper article rack.
In an embodiment, the supply means (17) comprises one or more flexible connections (18) each for supplying the cleaning liquid to the respective liquid spraying device (1) (Fig. 2).
In an embodiment, the flexible connection (18) comprises an expanding/contracting bellow (not shown).
In an embodiment, the driving means (7) is further adapted to cause the center of rotation (C) of the hub (3) to oscillate in a horizontal plane (H) along the track (8) which is straight (Fig. 2). In this embodiment, the axis of rotation (A) of the hub (5) is vertically aligned during the oscillation (Fig.2). In this embodiment, the track (8) is aligned between two diagonal corners (9) of the tub (3) (Fig. 2).
In an embodiment, the driving means (7) comprises a reciprocating rack-and-pinion mechanism (10) (Fig. 4 to Fig. 6). In this embodiment, the rack-and-pinion mechanism (10) comprises: a pinion (11) that is fixed to the hub (5); and a rack (12) for meshing with the pinion (11), wherein the rack (12) extends along the track (8), and wherein the rack (12) supports and guides the pinion (11).
In an embodiment, the pinion (11) has a passage (11a) for the liquid (Fig. 4).
In an alternative embodiment, the driving means (7) is adapted to cause the center of rotation (C) of the hub (5) to oscillate in a vertical plane along a track (8) which is vertical (not shown). In this embodiment, the axis of rotation (A) of the hub (5) is vertically aligned during the oscillation.
In an alternative embodiment, the driving means (7) comprises a reciprocating cylinder-and-cam mechanism (not shown). In this alternative embodiment, the cylinder-and-cam mechanism comprises: a cam (not shown) that is fixed to the hub (5); and a slotted-cylinder (not shown) for meshing with the cam, wherein the slotted-cylinder extends along the track (8).
In an embodiment (not shown), the rotating spraying means (4) is provided without nozzles (6) for ejecting the cleaning liquid directly towards the corners (9) of the tub (3).
In an embodiment, the liquid spraying device (1) further comprises: an alignment means (13) for adjusting the alignment of the track (8) (Fig. 4).
In an embodiment, the liquid spraying device (1) further comprises: a mounting means (14) for mounting the rotating spray means (4) into the tub (3) (Fig. 4).
In an embodiment, the mounting means (11) comprises one or more feet (15) (Fig. 4).
In an embodiment, one or more nozzles (6) are inclined to generate rotational thrust so as to rotate the rotating spraying means (4) when jetting the cleaning liquid into the tub (5) (Fig. 3).
In an embodiment, the liquid spraying device (1) further comprises a motor (not shown) for rotating the rotating spraying means (4).
In an embodiment, the liquid spraying device (1) comprises two diametrically opposed arms (16) extending from the hub (5) (Fig. 3). In this embodiment, one or more nozzles (6) are disposed along each arm (16).
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the oscillating hub (5) increases the area onto which the liquid is directly jetted through the nozzles (6). Thereby, the articles inside the tub (3) can be more effectively washed and rinsed, and thus the cleaning performance can be improved. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above-described embodiments.

Claims

A liquid spraying device (1) for use in a dishwasher (2) comprising: a tub (3) for receiving the articles to be cleaned with a cleaning liquid, the liquid spraying device (1) comprising: a rotating spraying means (4) which comprises: a hub (5) which has a center of rotation (C); one or more nozzles (6) for spraying the cleaning liquid into the tub (3), the liquid spraying device (1) being characterized by further comprising: a driving means (7) for causing the center of rotation (C) of the hub (5) to oscillate back and forth along a track (8) through a reference position (P).
The liquid spraying device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving means (7) is further adapted to cause the center of rotation (C) of the hub (3) to oscillate in a horizontal plane (H) along the track (8) which is straight, wherein the axis of rotation (A) of the hub (5) is vertically aligned during the oscillation, and wherein the track (8) is aligned between two diagonal corners (9) of the tub (3).
The liquid spraying device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the driving means (7) comprises a reciprocating rack-and-pinion mechanism (10) which comprises: a pinion (11) that is fixed to the hub (5); and a rack (12) for meshing with the pinion (11), wherein the rack (12) extends along the track (8).
The liquid spraying device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving means (7) is further adapted to cause the center of rotation (C) of the hub (5) to oscillate in a vertical plane along the track (8) which is vertical, wherein the axis of rotation (A) of the hub (5) is vertically aligned during the oscillation.
The liquid spraying device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the driving means (7) comprises a reciprocating cylinder-and-cam mechanism which comprises: a cam that is fixed to the hub (5); and a slotted-cylinder for meshing with the cam, wherein the slotted-cylinder extends along the track (8).
The liquid spraying device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rotating spraying means (4) is provided without nozzles (6) for ejecting the cleaning liquid directly towards the corners (9) of the tub (3).
The liquid spraying device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by further comprising: an alignment means (13) for adjusting the alignment of the track (8).
The liquid spraying device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by further comprising: a mounting means (14) for mounting the rotating spray means (4) into the tub (3).
The liquid spraying device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the mounting means (11) comprises one or more feet (15).
The liquid spraying device (1) according to according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that one or more nozzles (6) are inclined to generate rotational thrust so as to rotate the rotating spraying means (4) when jetting the cleaning liquid into the tub (5).
The liquid spraying device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by comprising two diametrically opposed arms (16) extending from the hub (5), wherein one or more nozzles (6) are disposed along each arm (16).
A dishwasher (2) comprising: a tub (3) for receiving the articles to be cleaned with a cleaning liquid; and a lower article rack and an upper article rack which are extendably disposed into the tub (3), characterized by further comprising: one or more liquid spraying devices (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and a supply means (17) for supplying the cleaning liquid to the liquid spraying devices (1) and for circulating the cleaning liquid through the tub (3).
The dishwasher (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that one liquid spraying device (1) is disposed onto the bottom of the tub (3) below the lower article rack.
The dishwasher (2) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in one liquid spraying device (1) is disposed onto the underside of the upper article rack, wherein said liquid spraying device (1) can be moved together with the upper article rack.
The dishwasher (2) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the supply means (17) comprises a flexible connection (18) for supplying the cleaning liquid to the respective liquid spraying device (1).