EP3747337A1 - Water-conducting domestic applicance and method for operating the water-conducting domestic applicance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a water-carrying household appliance, in particular a dishwasher, with a washing compartment (3) which provides a washing area (4) and is used to hold items to be cleaned, the washing compartment (3) having a loading opening (5) for loading items to be washed, which can be closed by means of a pivotably mounted wash cabinet door (6), as well as with a lighting device (15) arranged outside the washing room (4) and provided by an upper end edge (12) of the loading opening (5), the lighting device (15) having a sensor unit ( 18).

Description

The invention relates to a water-carrying household appliance, in particular a dishwasher, with a washing compartment providing a washing area, which is used to hold items to be cleaned, the washing compartment having a loading opening for loading items to be washed, which can be closed by means of a pivotably mounted washing compartment door, and with a arranged outside the washing area and provided by a, in particular an upper, terminating edge of the loading opening.

Water-carrying household appliances in general and dishwashers in particular are well known per se from the prior art, which is why separate printed evidence is not required at this point. It is therefore only an example of the EP 2 394 557 A2 referenced, which relates to a generic dishwasher.

The ones from the EP 2 394 557 A2 The previously known dishwasher has, in a manner known per se, a washing container which provides a washing area. In the intended use, the washing area serves to hold items to be cleaned. The washing container has a loading opening for the user to load the washing compartment with items to be washed. This can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a pivotably mounted wash cabinet door.

In order to make it easier for a user to load and / or empty the dishwasher, it is also known from the prior art to provide a lighting device by means of which the washing area and / or a washing rack moved out of the washing area can be illuminated.

Typically, such a lighting device can be switched by means of a door-operated circuit arrangement, so that the lighting device is switched on automatically when the wash cabinet door is pivoted from the closed position into an open position.

From the prior art, two fundamentally differentiated embodiments are known for the arrangement of a lighting device.

According to a first embodiment, the lighting device is arranged inside the washing area. However, this embodiment can have the disadvantage that a user is dazzled by the lighting device in the intended use.

It has therefore been proposed according to a second embodiment to arrange the lighting device outside of the washing area. Such an embodiment is for example from the DE 10 2004 051 174 A1 known, according to which the lighting device is formed on the pivotably arranged wash cabinet door. But this embodiment is not free from disadvantages either. It is particularly problematic that when the lower basket is extended as intended, the lighting device is covered by the lower basket, so that adequate illumination of the washing area is no longer reliably guaranteed.

It is therefore with the one already mentioned EP 2 394 557 A2 has been proposed to arrange the lighting device in the region of an upper end edge of the loading opening. This solution has the particular advantage that sufficient illumination of a lower and / or upper basket that has been moved out of the wash cabinet is made possible.

The embodiment described above in particular according to EP 2 394 557 A2 has proven itself in everyday practical use. There is, however, a constant effort to improve. And so it is the object of the invention to further develop a dishwasher of the type mentioned at the outset such that an improvement in the handling by the user is made possible.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes a water-bearing household appliance of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is characterized in that the lighting device has a sensor unit.

It is proposed with the invention to equip a generic household appliance with a sensor unit which is designed as a component of the lighting device and cooperates with it.

When used as intended, the sensor unit serves to be able to detect an event to be triggered by the user, so that a measure on the device side can then be carried out after such a detection. For example, it is particularly conceivable for the wash cabinet door to move from an open position into a closed position by motor after a corresponding detection by the sensor unit. Such an automatic door closing is permitted, such a door closing without manual intervention by the user, solely by the fact that the sensor unit detects a corresponding specification by the user. For this purpose, the household appliance has, in particular, a control device connected to the sensor unit in terms of control technology, which, based on an event detected by the sensor unit, carries out a device-side measure, in particular an automatic door closing and possibly also an automatic start of a cleaning program. An event to be triggered by the sensor unit and to be triggered by the user can be a manual actuation of the sensor unit by the user, for example touching or pressing the sensor unit or approaching the sensor unit by the user or his hand or finger.

Sensor units are, of course, not unknown per se from the prior art, nor are they used in connection with a water-bearing household appliance. The integration of the sensor unit into the lighting device is a particular advantage of the embodiment according to the invention. On the one hand, this does not require any device-side redesign or redesign. Only the lighting device known per se from the prior art is supplemented by a corresponding sensor unit and installed in the household appliance, which otherwise remains unchanged. This is easy and inexpensive to implement and also allows retrofitting. On the other hand, simple and intuitive use by the user is possible. This is because the sensor unit interacts with the lighting device, so that, when used as intended, no special user-side measures are required to create an event to be detected by the sensor unit. The sensor unit is easy to reach by the user, does not require any additional installation space whether it is integrated in the lighting device and can be easily located by the user even under difficult external lighting conditions, since the lighting device is open when in use easiest way can be identified.

The lighting device is used to illuminate the wash cabinet and / or a wash basket moved out of the wash cabinet. The loading and / or unloading process of the loading unit, which comprises one or more washing racks, is thus made easier for the user of the dishwasher, in particular when there is no ambient lighting. The lighting device also offers the user the advantage of being able to easily check the washing result after completing a dishwashing process. Thanks to the lighting device, in particular its brightness, arrangement and alignment, the dishes picked up by the loading unit are illuminated so that the washing result can be checked without having to remove the dishes from the loading unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the household appliance is equipped with a metering device for, in particular, powdery cleaning agent, which can store cleaning agent in an amount which is sufficient for a plurality of individual cleaning processes. In this respect, there is no need for a metered provision of cleaning agent in advance of each cleaning process to be carried out. For example, provision can be made to equip the household appliance with an amount of cleaning agent that is sufficient for 20 to 30 individual cleaning processes.

Since, according to this particular embodiment of a household appliance, manual detergent dosing does not have to take place before each cleaning process, it makes sense, in particular to simplify handling for the user, to provide automatic door closure. For this purpose, a motor-driven drive is provided which, after activation, moves the wash cabinet door from an open position into the closed position. After the door has been properly closed, a cleaning process can then also be initiated automatically.

This automatic handling of door closure and initiation of a cleaning process can be initiated by the sensor unit provided according to the invention. However, other device-related measures or actions can also be combined with the sensor unit provided according to the invention. The only thing that is essential to the invention is that the sensor unit is part of the Lighting device is equipped, which allows simple and intuitive operation by a user.

According to a further feature of the invention, the lighting device has LEDs, preferably RGB LEDs. In contrast to conventional LEDs, RGB LEDs also enable the emission of colored light, for example green, red or orange. This makes it possible, after activation of the sensor unit by the user, to emit a color signal, for example the RGB LEDs light up orange, which serves as a confirmation for a user that the desired activation of the sensor unit has actually occurred. The user is given visual feedback on his actions, which also improves the operation.

According to a further feature of the invention, the household appliance is equipped with an acoustic signal output unit. This signal output unit is preferably also part of the lighting device. It can in particular serve to give a user not only an optical, but also an acoustic response. In particular, when using a motorized door drive, it is possible for an acoustic signal to be emitted during an automatic door closure, which serves as a warning signal to indicate that the door is currently being closed. This configuration is advantageous, in particular for safety reasons.

In this case, an acoustic signal output can take place alone or in combination with a visually perceptible lighting up of the lighting device. It is also possible to operate the lighting device not only in different colors but also, if necessary, for pulsed light output. For example, it is conceivable to switch from a normal white continuous light to a flashing or pulsing orange or red light. In this way, a user is made aware of possible dangers that can occur when the door closes automatically. Acoustic support by a loudspeaker or buzzer can support this in the manner already described.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the sensor unit has an optical proximity sensor, preferably a light-sensitive resistor, comprises a photodiode or a phototransistor.

According to this design, the sensor unit can be activated as intended in a simple manner in that a finger or another part of a hand is held in front of the lighting device or placed on it. In this respect, no cumbersome wiping movements by hand or foot are required on the part of the user, so that intended operation can also be carried out in a simple manner by physically handicapped persons.

Since the lighting device is arranged at the upper end edge of the loading opening, the lighting device and thus also the sensor unit provided by it can be easily reached. A simple laying on of hands on the lighting device is detected by the sensor unit, so that the measure or action triggered by this can then be initiated on the device side, for example automatic door closing.

It is preferred to be able to differentiate between different triggering events on the sensor side. In other words, the sensor unit is set up to distinguish at least two different actuation patterns. Depending on the different operating patterns detected, a control device of the dishwasher connected to the sensor unit can be set up to take different measures. For example, it can be provided that only a comparatively short cover of the lighting device results in automatic door closing being initiated, but a predefined wash program not yet starting. If, however, the lighting device is covered by the user, for example by means of a finger, for a longer predeterminable period of time, this not only leads to an automatic door closure, but also to the initiation of a predeterminable wash program. Alternatively, it can be provided in this context that a single actuation of the sensor unit is distinguished from a multiple actuation of the same. And so, for example, a single actuation of the sensor unit can only lead to a door closure, whereas a double actuation of the sensor unit results in an automatic door closure including an automatic washing program start.

According to a further feature of the invention, as an alternative to an optical proximity sensor, a sensor unit can be provided which has a magnetically, capacitively and / or inductively acting sensor means. To this extent, different sensor principles can be used. It is crucial that the sensor unit providing the sensor means is designed as a component of the lighting device.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that the lighting device has a cover, for example a lens cover. This cover is designed as a resiliently mounted lifting element, whereby a switch to be operated by the user is provided. The lifting element can be operated by the user simply by pressing. The lifting element is designed to be spring-loaded so that it automatically moves back into its starting position after being actuated by the user.

According to a further feature of the invention, this lifting element is in communication with a button element, which can be, for example, a mechanical button element. A user-side actuation of the lifting element is therefore transmitted to a button element in terms of communication technology, which then causes the actual triggering. The button element can in particular be designed as a mechanical switch which switches, that is, either opens or closes, after a corresponding actuation of the lifting element.

The sensor unit is only accessible when the wash cabinet door is open, whether it is integrated into the lighting device according to the invention. When the wash cabinet door is in the closed position, access to the lighting device is not possible, and thus also not to the sensor unit housed by it. In this respect, only intended actuation is possible when the wash cabinet door is open, which rules out any operating errors when the wash cabinet door is closed.

The configuration according to the invention results in an expansion of the function of the lighting device known per se from the prior art. In this case, the user is provided with a release element that is inexpensive to manufacture for the automatic initiation of a device-side measure such as, for example, automatic door closure. This release element is only available when the wash cabinet door is open accessible and this whether the provision in the upper edge of the loading opening in a simple manner. Furthermore, because of its integration into the lighting device, the sensor unit can be optimally recognized by the user, even in the dark. By changing the color of the LEDs of the lighting device to, for example, red or orange and / or an additional flashing function after an intended triggering, feedback is given to the user, which helps avoid repeated operations and / or incorrect operations.

The inventive integration of the sensor unit into the lighting device also has the advantage that no additional attachments are required, just as little as the implementation of additional assembly work during manufacture.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Darstellung ein erfindungsgemäßes Haushaltsgerät am Beispiel einer Geschirrspülmaschine;

Fig. 2

in schematischer Perspektivansicht eine in eine Küchenzeile integrierte Geschirrspülmaschine nach der Erfindung;

Fig. 3

in einer schematischen perspektivischen Ausschnittsdarstellung die Geschirrspülmaschine nach Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

in schematisch perspektivischer Draufsicht von oben ausschnittsweise die Geschirrspülmaschine nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

in rein schematischer Darstellung eine erfindungsgemäß ausgerüstete Beleuchtungseinrichtung und

Fig. 6

in schematischer Darstellung eine mögliche Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungseinrichtung.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description with reference to the figures. Show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a household appliance according to the invention using the example of a dishwasher;

Fig. 2

a schematic perspective view of a dishwasher according to the invention integrated into a kitchen unit;

Fig. 3

in a schematic perspective detail illustration of the dishwasher according to Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

in a schematic perspective top view from above, the dishwasher according to FIG Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

in a purely schematic representation a lighting device equipped according to the invention and

Fig. 6

in a schematic representation a possible embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 In a purely schematic representation, a water-bearing household appliance decreases recognize the invention in the embodiment of a dishwasher 1.

In a manner known per se, the dishwasher 1 has a housing 2 which houses a washing container 3 which in turn defines a washing space 4. On the user side, the washing area 4 is accessible via a loading opening 5 which can be closed by means of a pivoting washing area door 6. Fig. 1 shows the wash cabinet door 6 in a half-open position.

Fig. 2 shows a kitchen unit 7 with a dishwasher 1 according to the invention in a schematic perspective view. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the dishwasher 1 is designed as a device that is fully integrated into the kitchen unit 7.

Fig. 2 shows the wash cabinet door 6 of the dishwasher 1 in a fully open position. In this position of the wash cabinet door 6, the user can access the wash racks 8 housed in the wash cabinet 4. These can be grasped by the user and moved out of the washing area 3 as required. In the moved-out position, a washing rack 8 can be loaded or emptied by the user.

Like the perspective detail view after Fig. 3 As can be seen, the loading opening 5 is delimited by a peripheral edge 11. This edge 11 provides a circumferential seal 10, against which the wash cabinet door 6 rests in a fluid-tight manner with its inner panel in the closed position.

The marginal edge 11 surrounding the loading opening 5 provides an upper terminating edge 12 in the vertical direction. In the area of this upper terminating edge 12, among other things, a locking block 13 is arranged, as can be seen in particular from a synopsis of the Figures 3 and 4th results. This locking block 13 interacts with a corresponding locking device of the washroom door 6, so that the washroom door 6 is held securely in the closed position and it is ensured that the washroom door 6 with its inner panel rests against the seal 10 provided by the edge 11 in a fluid-sealing manner.

The upper terminating edge 12 also represents an outside of the washing area 4 arranged lighting device 5 ready. This is how in particular the representation after Fig. 4 can be seen, arranged on the top of the terminating edge 12 facing away from the washing chamber 4. The lighting device 15 is assigned a recess 14 formed in the end edge 12, so that, in normal operation, light from a lamp of the lighting device 15 can be emitted through the recess 14 in the direction of the wash cabinet 4 and / or the wash cabinet door 6 that is in the open position.

According to the invention, the lighting device 15 has a sensor unit 18. This is shown schematically in FIG Fig. 5 shown.

Fig. 5 shows that the lighting device 15 has a housing 16. A lighting means, for example in the form of an LED 17, and the sensor unit 18 are arranged within the housing 16. In addition, electrical connections 19 are provided both for the LED 17 and for the sensor unit 18.

The lighting device 15, together with the sensor unit 18 provided by it, is designed as a component that is to be handled separately. This allows simple assembly, since, as before, the lighting device 15 is only to be positioned securely in position above the recess 14 provided by the terminating edge 12 and is to be arranged on the terminating edge 12. There is therefore no additional expenditure on the assembly side due to the configuration according to the invention.

The sensor unit 18 is designed, for example, as an optical proximity sensor. A simple covering of the sensor unit 18, for example by the finger of a user's hand, as shown in FIGS Figures 2 , 3 and 4th is shown schematically is sufficient for an activation, that is for a detection on the part of the sensor unit 18. In the event of detection, a device-side measure can then be automatically initiated, such as an automatic door closure from the open position, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 is shown, in a closed position, according to which the wash cabinet door closes the loading opening 5 in a fluid-tight manner.

The LED 17 is preferably designed as an RGB LED, so that, after activation as intended, a visual feedback that can be perceived by the user can take place, for example through a color change of the LED. In addition or as an alternative to this, an acoustic signal output by a loudspeaker or buzzer can also take place.

An exemplary configuration of a lighting device 15 is shown in FIG Fig. 6 shown schematically. The LED 17 then interacts with a lens cover which is designed as a lifting element 21. This is preloaded by force by means of a spring and therefore moves into the in Fig. 6 Starting position shown. On the user side, a movement of the lifting element 21 can now be achieved against the spring force acting on the lifting element 21, specifically with reference to the plane of the drawing Fig. 6 up. As a result of such a displacement movement of the lifting element 21, a mechanical button element 20 switches, which results in activation, that is to say, detection by the sensor unit 18. The lifting element 21 and the button element 20 are in a communication-related connection 22.

Reference number

1

dishwasher

2

casing

3

Rinsing container

4th

Wash cabinet

5

Loading opening

6th

Wash cabinet door

7th

Kitchenette

8th

Wash basket

9

User hand

10

poetry

11

Edge

12

Finishing edge

13th

Locking bar

14th

Recess

15th

Lighting device

16

casing

17th

LED

18th

Sensor unit

19th

electrical connection

20th

Button element

21st

Lifting element

22nd

communication connection

Claims (10)

Water-conducting household appliance, in particular a dishwasher, with a washing compartment (3) which provides a washing area (4) and which is used to hold items to be cleaned, the washing compartment (3) having a loading opening (5) for loading items to be washed, which is pivoted by means of a The washroom door (6) can be closed, as well as with a lighting device (15) arranged outside the washroom (4) and provided by a, in particular upper, terminating edge (12) of the loading opening (5), set up to illuminate the washroom and / or one of the Wash cabinet moved out of the wash rack,
characterized,
that the lighting device (15) has a sensor unit (18) set up for manual operation by the user. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lighting device has RGB LEDs. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by an acoustic signal output unit. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (18) has an optical proximity sensor, preferably a light-sensitive resistor, a photodiode or a phototransistor. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (18) has a magnetically, capacitively and / or inductively acting sensor means. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting device (15) has a cover, preferably a lens cover, which is designed as a spring-mounted lifting element (21). Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the sensor unit (18) is a mechanical button element (20) which is in communication-related connection (22) with the lifting element (21). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit is set up to distinguish at least two different actuation patterns. Method for operating a water-bearing household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, in which actuation of the sensor unit (19) triggers an automatic closing of the wash cabinet door (6). Method for operating a water-bearing household appliance according to the preceding claim, in which a washing program is also started automatically by actuating the sensor unit (19).

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