EP3801181A1

EP3801181A1 - A dishwasher comprising a movable basket

Info

Publication number: EP3801181A1
Application number: EP19721271.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ozgur OZTURK; Bulent Kucukcoskun; Yahya Kose; Firat Mert YILDIZ
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-05-25
Filing date: 2019-04-30
Publication date: 2021-04-14
Also published as: WO2019223972A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2) with two side walls (3), a door (4) enabling access into the body (2), a kickplate (5) provided below the door (4), enabling sound insulation, a panel (6) provided on the door (4), comprising a keypad enabling a user to select washing programs, a sealing member (7) provided on the edges of the door (4) and/or the side walls (3), a washing space (8) in the body (2) surrounded by the door (4), side walls (3) and the sealing member (7), at least one basket (9) on which items to be washed are placed, having a washing position in which it is arranged completely in the body (2) and a loading/unloading position in which it is moved partially out of the body (2) by being pulled forwards, and a lifting mechanism (12) having at least two channels (10) provided opposite each other on the side walls (3), enabling the basket (9) in loading/unloading position to be moved in vertical direction, and at least one slide (11) movable in vertical direction inside the channels (10), used for supporting the basket (9) and enabling the basket (9) to move along the channels (10).

Description

A DISHWASHER COMPRISING A MOVABLE BASKET

The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a movable basket.
Baskets are used in dishwashers, on which items to be washed are placed. A user can load/unload items by pulling forwards the basket provided in the body. In dishwashers comprising a plurality of baskets, when the lower basket is brought to the loading/unloading position, it is supported on a door opened forwards by pivoting about a horizontal axis. A user has to lean forwards in order to load to/unload from a lower basket located at a relatively lower position. This is challenging for users and may lead to low back pain. In dishwashers, in order to place the items to be washed into the lower baskets or to remove the washed items therefrom, users generally have to lean forwards and then rise up while holding the items. Using these baskets may become an ergonomic problem for users.
The present invention relates to electromechanically actuating a lower basket in which items to be washed are placed in dishwashers.
State of the art lifting mechanisms are used as a solution to this problem. Lifting mechanism are applications such as scissors mechanisms in which a basket is lifted from below, suspension mechanisms in which a basket is lifted by means of arms provided in the body, or rail mechanisms in which a basket is lifted from behind by means of rails provided on side walls. The above-mentioned mechanisms each have relative advantages but they all occupy space in the washing volume of a dishwasher, and dirt particles on the items to be washed such as food residue or layers of fat may accumulate during the washing process, on the components of lifting mechanisms such as wheels, rails or arms. Besides visual dirtiness, this adversely affects the operation of a lifting mechanism. Another disadvantage of the solutions known in the art is that they do not possess sufficient flexibility to be applied to different systems.
In the state of the art United States patent no. 5115822, a lower basket pulled over an opened door of a front-load dishwasher, is lifted upwards by means of arms with a multiple-scissors mechanism, connected to each other with pins on their ends.
Another state of the art application, the United States patent no. 3794400 discloses a washing basket lifted upwards by means of chains and gears, and arms connected to the gears and the washing basket.
Another state of the art application, the European patent application no. 1066789 discloses a lower basket lifting mechanism having two pairs of crossed levers with carriage wheels on their ends.
State of the art European patent application no. EP1744656 mentions a dishwasher in which bearer supports supporting a basket are opened and closed by being triggered by a lifting mechanism.
State of the art United States patent application no. US2007035220 mentions a dishwasher comprising a basket lifted by a swinging motion enabled by means of arms connected to side walls.
State of the art United States patent application no. US2003042825 mentions a dishwasher in which the elevation of a basket is adjusted by upwards and downwards motion of the telescopic rail bearings on which the basket is mounted.
The aim of the present invention is to realize a dishwasher in which, to enable the user to load and unload a basket when the dishwasher door is opened, the basket is approached to a user and retracted back to the washing space by being electromechanically lifted and descended.
The dishwasher realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a body with two side walls; a door enabling access into the body; a sealing member provided on the door and/or the side walls; a washing space provided in the body, surrounded by the door, side walls and the sealing member; a basket on which items to be washed are placed, having a washing position in which it is completely arranged in the body and a loading/unloading position in which it is moved partially out of the body; a lifting mechanism having two channels provided opposite each other on the side walls, enabling the basket to ascend upwards/descend downwards in the loading/unloading position and at least one slide movable in vertical direction inside the channels, enabling supporting the basket from its edges; a sensor provided on a kickplate and/or a panel, detecting user movements; and a control unit.
In the dishwasher of the invention, the channels are disposed beyond the washing space in the body constituted by the door, side walls and the sealing member. The channels are positioned on the side walls, across from the portion of the door arranged inside the body in closed state of the door. A sensor provided on the kickplate and/or the panel, detecting user movements and a control unit enable a user to bring the basket closer to himself/herself by moving, in order to load the items to the dishwasher, or to return the basket to the washing space after unloading.
In an embodiment of the invention, the lifting mechanism has a drive group enabling the basket to move automatically. The drive group comprises a motor, a wheel placed on a motor shaft and a rope group whose one end is wound on the wheel and the other end connected to the slide. Since in the drive group rotation of the motor is transmitted to the slide by the rope group, the lifting mechanism occupies a small space in the body and also the lifting mechanism easily conforms to different systems.
In an embodiment of the invention, a control unit is provided, controlling the lifting mechanism and the sensor. In this embodiment, the control unit controls the drive group according to commands from a user.
In an embodiment of the invention, a sensor pair is provided, namely a transmitter and a receiver. Presence of an object is detected once the signals sent by the transmitter reaches the receiver by being reflected from the object. Incorrect triggering of the system is thus prevented by deciding intentional positioning of said object to shift the loading/unloading position and/or the washing position of the basket.
In an embodiment of the invention, different methods are provided to prevent triggering of the system at an undesired moment while the user is moving. Various control methods from state of the art applications can be employed. For example, the sensor may be enabled to detect an object within a determined time interval. Different sensor groups may be placed in separate regions of the dishwasher after providing safety of the sensors. Operation may be performed upon receiving simultaneous signals from all of the sensors. Operation may be performed upon detecting a certain motion and/or an audible command of the user. Information detected by the receiver sensor is transmitted to the control unit. The control unit decides whether the received information is accurate. The lifting mechanism may be triggered according to decision of the control unit.
In an embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher comprises telescopic rails positioned opposite each other on the side walls and wheels provided on the edges of the basket so as to fit into the rails, enabling conveniently bringing the basket from the washing position to the loading/unloading position.
The elements are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.
1. Dishwasher
2. Body
3. Side wall
4. Door
5. Kickplate
6. Panel
7. Sealing member
8. Washing space
9. Basket
10. Duct
11. Slide
12. Lifting mechanism
13. Sensor
14. Control unit
15. Telescopic rail
The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2) with two side walls (3), a door (4) enabling access into the body (2), a kickplate (5) provided below the door (4), enabling sound insulation, a panel (6) provided on the door (4), comprising a keypad enabling a user to select washing programs, a sealing member (7) provided on the edges of the door (4) and/or the side walls (3), a washing space (8) in the body (2), surrounded by the door (4), side walls (3) and the sealing member (7), at least one basket (9) on which items to be washed are placed, having a washing position in which it is arranged completely in the body (2) and a loading/unloading position in which it is moved partially out of the body (2) by being pulled forwards, a lifting mechanism (12) having at least two channels (10) provided opposite each other on the side walls (3), enabling the basket (9) in loading/unloading position to be moved in vertical direction, and at least one slide (11) movable in vertical direction inside the channels (10), used for supporting the basket (9) and enabling the basket (9) to move along the channels (10), a sensor (13) provided on the kickplate (5) and/or the panel (6) and a control unit (14) detecting user's motions according to data received from the sensor (13).
In the dishwasher (1), the washing space (8) is the volume surrounded by the side walls (3), sealing member (7) and the door (4), and formed by the surfaces contacted by washing water in the body (2). When the door (4) is closed, the sealing member (7) enables the washing space (6) to become an enclosed volume by covering the gaps between the door (4) and the side walls (3). The basket (7) attaches the slide (11) when it is brought from the washing position to the loading/unloading position by being moved in horizontal direction, and the slide (11) holds the basket (7) from its edges. The slide (11) is moved within the channels (10), enabling the basket (7) to displace in vertical direction.
The dishwasher (1) of the invention comprises the channels (10) disposed on the side walls (3) so as to remain out of the washing space (8) and the control unit (14).
In the dishwasher (1) of the invention, the washing space (8) is not surrounded by the entirety of the side wall (3) surfaces, and by means of the sealing member (7) a portion of the side walls (3) is enabled to be arranged out of the washing space (8) when the door (4) is closed. The channels (10) enabling the basket (9) to move in vertical direction while being held by the slide (11) in loading/unloading position, is placed on the portion of the side walls (3) not contacting washing water during the washing process.
In an embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a lifting mechanism (12) detecting user movements by means of the sensor (13) disposed on the kickplate (5) and/or the panel (6), enabling the basket (9) to be moved in vertical direction and be rested in a desired position according to data received from the sensor (13).
In an embodiment of the invention, a control unit (14) enables controlling the lifting mechanism (12) enabling the basket (9) in loading/unloading position to be moved in vertical direction and having at least two channels (10) provided opposite each other in vertical direction on the side walls (3) and at least one slide (11) movable in vertical direction inside the channels (10), used for holding the basket (9) and enabling the basket (9) to move along the channels (10).
In an embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a control unit (14) detecting the position of the basket (9) by means of the sensor (13) and thereby enabling controlling a plurality of wheels provided on the edges of the basket (9) and a telescopic rail (15) guiding the shifting motion of the basket (9) between the washing position and the loading/unloading position.
In an embodiment of the invention, a control unit (14) is provided which, when the basket (9) is in loading/unloading position, enables controlling the lifting mechanism (12) assisted movement of the basket (9) by detecting user movements by means of the sensor (13) disposed on the kickplate (5) and/or the panel (6).
In an embodiment of the invention, a control unit (14) is provided which, when the basket (9) is in washing position, prevents extraction of the basket (9) out of the body (2) if user foot is detected by means of the sensor (13) disposed on the kickplate (5) and or the panel (6).
In an embodiment of the invention, a control unit (14) is provided, controlling movement of the basket (9) on the lifting mechanism (12) according to information received from a alert transmission unit transmitting visual alert to the user for detecting user movements and from the sensor (13) disposed on the kickplate (5) and/or the panel (6).
In an embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a control unit (14) enabling controlling the lifting mechanism (12). In different embodiments of the invention, the control unit (14) may be a simple switch or a complex unit comprising elements such as a memory and processor.
In an embodiment of the invention, the number of revolutions (N) is saved in the memory of the control unit (14), required for the motor (12) to rotate in order to drive the slide (11) from one end of the channels (10) to the other end. When the lifting mechanism (12) is activated, the control unit (14) enables the motor to rotate in a saved number (N) of revolutions.
In the dishwasher (1) of the invention, the basket (9) is moved by means of the lifting mechanism (12) by detecting user movements by means of the sensor (13) provided out of the washing area (3), on the kickplate (5) and/or the panel (6), with positive ergonomic effect for the user.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2) with two side walls (3), a door (4) enabling access into the body (2), a kickplate (5) provided below the door (4), enabling sound insulation, a panel (6) provided on the door (4), comprising a keypad enabling a user to select washing programs, a sealing member (7) provided on the edges of the door (4) and/or the side walls (3), a washing space (8) in the body (2) surrounded by the door (4), side walls (3) and the sealing member (7), at least one basket (9) on which items to be washed are placed, having a washing position in which it is arranged completely in the body (2) and a loading/unloading position in which it is moved partially out of the body (2) by being pulled forwards, and a lifting mechanism (12) having at least two channels (10) provided opposite each other on the side walls (3), enabling the basket (9) in loading/unloading position to be moved in vertical direction, and at least one slide (11) movable in vertical direction inside the channels (10), used for supporting the basket (9) and enabling the basket (9) to move along the channels (10), characterized by a sensor (13) provided on the kickplate (5) and/or the panel (6) and by a control unit (14) detecting user's motions according to data received from the sensor (13).
A dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the lifting mechanism (12) detecting user movements by means of the sensor (13), enabling the basket (9) to be moved in horizontal and/or vertical direction and be rested in a desired position according to data received from the sensor (13).
A dishwasher (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the control unit (14) controlling the lifting mechanism (12) enabling the basket (9) in loading/unloading position to be moved in horizontal and/or vertical direction and having at least two channels (10) provided opposite each other in vertical direction on the side walls (3) and at least one slide (11) movable in vertical direction inside the channels (10), used for holding the basket (9) and enabling the basket (9) to move along the channels (10).
A dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the control unit (14) detecting the position of the basket (9) by means of the sensor (13) and thereby enabling controlling a plurality of wheels provided on the edges of the basket (9) and a telescopic rail (15) guiding the shifting motion of the basket (9) between the washing position and the loading/unloading position.
A dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by control unit (14) which, when the basket (9) is in loading/unloading position, enables controlling the lifting mechanism (12) assisted movement of the basket (9) by detecting user movements by means of the sensor (13) disposed on the kickplate (5) and/or the panel (6).
A dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the control unit (14) preventing extraction of the basket (9) out of the body (2) if user movement is detected by means of the sensor (13) when the basket (9) is in washing position.
A dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the control unit (14) controlling movement of the basket (9) on the lifting mechanism (12) according to information received from an alert transmission unit transmitting alert to the user for detecting user movements and from the sensor (13).