EP3908167A1

EP3908167A1 - Dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher

Info

Publication number: EP3908167A1
Application number: EP20700243.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Seyfettin Kara; Eckard Riedenklau
Original assignee: Miele und Cie KG
Current assignee: Miele und Cie KG
Priority date: 2019-01-07
Filing date: 2020-01-06
Publication date: 2021-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-06
Also published as: EP3908167C0; WO2020144127A1; DE102019100181A1; US20220095882A1; EP3908167B1; US11786101B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, comprising a washing container (3) providing a washing compartment (4), which has a loading opening (6) for loading items to be cleaned (8), comprising a washing compartment door (5) with which the loading opening (6) can be closed in a fluid-tight manner, and comprising a camera unit (11) for visually observing the washing compartment (4), wherein the camera unit (11) is integrated into a metering device (10) provided by the washing compartment door (5).

Description

description

Dishwasher, in particular household dishwasher

The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular one

Household dishwashing machine, with a washing compartment providing a washing compartment, which has a loading opening for loading items to be cleaned, with a washing compartment door, by means of which the loading opening can be closed in a fluid-tight manner, and with a camera unit for visually detecting the washing compartment.

Dishwashers of the generic type are well known from the prior art, for example from EP 3 205 764 A1, which discloses a dishwasher with two cleaning cameras arranged in the wash cabinet. The cleaning cameras are used to detect soiling.

Furthermore, WO 2017/032629 A1 is a generic one

Dishwasher known. The according to this previously known construction of

The camera unit housed in the rinsing tank is used for load detection.

The known designs have in common that the manufacturer's implementation is complex. Because it is necessary for the intended use of the

Camera unit of a fluid-tight design, specifically both the camera unit itself and its arrangement in a corresponding opening in a wall of the washing compartment. The formation of such a breakthrough also has the disadvantage that this container wall is weakened, which necessitates constructive countermeasures. As a result, previously known constructions are complex and therefore expensive. In addition, there is the basic problem of an undesired leakage of the rinsing container.

It is therefore the object of the invention to further develop a dishwasher in such a way that, while at the same time ensuring the desired tightness of the washing container, an overall simplified construction is possible with regard to the arrangement of the camera unit for visual detection of the washing compartment.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a Dishwasher of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized in that the camera unit is integrated in a metering device provided by the washroom door.

A dosing device is one of a generic type

Dishwasher anyway provided device that serves the dosing of process chemicals into the wash cabinet when used as intended. The dosing device is provided by the wash cabinet door and is accessible by the user when the wash cabinet door is open. Typically, a dosing device has a storage chamber which can be closed by means of a flap for receiving cleaning agent. Before the start of a washing program, this storage chamber must be filled with cleaning agent by the user and closed by means of the flap. During a washing program, the flap opens so that the cleaning agent in the storage chamber is flushed out and added to the circulated washing liquor.

With the configuration according to the invention, it is now provided, in a departure from the state of the art, not to arrange the camera in an opening provided by a wall of the washing compartment, but on the washing compartment door, namely integrated in the metering device provided by the washing compartment door.

A dishwasher door of the generic type has an outer plate on the one hand and an inner plate on the other hand, these two plates being spaced apart from one another to form a cavity. The arrangement of the

Metering device on the wash cabinet door, the door inner panel is equipped with an opening, in which the metering device is inserted protruding into the cavity provided by the wash cabinet door. To seal the opening, there is typically a seal between the metering device on the one hand and the flushing chamber side

On the other hand, the outer surface of the inner door panel is provided.

The configuration according to the invention essentially has two advantages. On the one hand, there is no need for a separate formation of an opening in a wall of the rinsing container for receiving the camera unit. This is because the integration of the camera unit into the dosing device according to the invention takes advantage of the opening for the dosing device that is not already provided in the inner door panel. In this respect, the additional formation of a breakthrough can be dispensed with, which in this respect simplifies manufacture, but also avoids undesired component weakening. On the other hand, there is no sealing problem. The dosing device is already inserted in a fluid-tight manner in the opening provided in the inner door panel. A seal provided according to the prior art between a camera unit and an opening provided for this purpose in a wall of the washing compartment is therefore not required. In this respect, too, there is a simplified production, in particular simplified assembly, and this with the simultaneous elimination of a potential leak.

As a result, the configuration according to the invention results in an overall simplified construction, and this while ensuring the desired tightness and stability.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the camera unit has a camera and an optical system interacting with it. The camera can be in the form of a camera chip, for example. The optics of the camera unit are used, in particular, to optimize the visualization of the wash cabinet

To achieve design. In particular, it is desirable to enable image acquisition that is as sharp as possible even over the depth of the wash cabinet.

According to a further feature of the invention, the camera unit has illuminants, for example in the configuration of LEDs. The lamps are used in

Intended use for illuminating the wash cabinet, which improves its visual detection. To be arranged separately in the wash cabinet

According to this preferred embodiment of the invention, lamps can be dispensed with.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the camera unit has a fluid-tight housing with a camera opening. The camera, the optics and any illuminants that may be present are arranged within the housing.

According to this preferred embodiment of the invention, the camera unit is designed as an overall compact structural component. This can be prefabricated, which simplifies assembly and integration into the dosing device. The camera opening provided by the housing enables the camera to capture images in the intended use. According to a further feature of the invention, the camera unit has a

Camera opening on a fluid-tight cover. The housing of the camera unit as such is fluid-tight, except for the camera opening provided by it. The cover serves to close the camera opening in a fluid-tight manner. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the optics provided by the housing are fluid-tight in the

Camera opening is inserted. In this case, no separate fluid-tight covering of the camera opening is required. However, the cover also has the advantage that the camera, the optics and the illuminants provided under certain circumstances are given a certain degree of protection against mechanical stresses, which is why the use of a cover which closes the camera opening in a fluid-tight manner is preferred. Of course, a combination of fluid-tight optics inserted into the camera opening and an additional cover that fluid-tightly seals the camera opening is also conceivable.

According to a further feature of the invention, the camera unit is in one of the

Dosing device provided recess used fluid-tight. The fluid-tight arrangement of the camera unit in the recess of the metering device provided for this purpose can be achieved in a simple manner by gluing and / or welding the housing of the camera unit to the metering device and / or otherwise integrally or quasi-integrally connected.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the housing of the camera unit is formed in such a way that the other structural components of the camera unit, such as the camera, the optics and the illuminants provided under certain circumstances, are extrusion-coated. This creates an intimate one

Connection between the plastic material forming the housing and the further components of the camera unit embedded therein. The so trained

The camera unit can then be glued, for example, into the recess in the metering device provided for this purpose. The recess of the dosing device is designed to be fluid-tight except for the insert opening for the camera unit and an opening that may be provided for the passage of a connection cable for the camera unit.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that connection cables for the camera unit are laid in a cavity formed between an outer door panel and an inner door panel of the wash cabinet door. An additional seal with regard to the connecting cable is therefore advantageously not required also contributes to the simplicity of the construction according to the invention.

According to a further feature of the invention, a closure element is provided. This closure element is made of a covering the camera opening

Locking position can be converted into a position of use that opens the camera opening and vice versa.

The closure element essentially has two advantages. When the washroom door is closed, the closure element is in the use position in which the camera opening is released. In this position of the closure element, the camera unit can visually detect the interior of the washroom in the intended use. With the washroom door open, if one

If the dishwasher can be loaded by a user, the closure element is in its closed position, in which the camera opening is covered. The cover of the camera opening in the closed position ensures that clogging of the camera opening and / or soiling of a cover of the camera opening due to falling and / or flowing food residues, impurities and / or other solids or liquids falling and / or flowing when the wash cabinet is to be cleaned is avoided . In addition, in the closed position of the closing element, there is mechanical security for the camera unit against falling washware.

The closure element has another advantage. Image capture by the camera unit with the washroom door open is excluded if the closure element is in the closed position. The camera unit can therefore neither the environment of the dishwasher nor a user

Dishwasher are detected, which is particularly advantageous for data technology or data protection reasons.

It is therefore achieved with the closure element according to the invention that a

Intended image acquisition can only take place in the wash cabinet. In addition, with regard to the camera unit, there is protection against contamination and protection against mechanical stress caused by items which accidentally fall down.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that the Closure element is a flap arranged displaceably on the metering device. This flap can be operated manually by the user and from the

Lock position in the use position and vice versa. In this case, manual actuation of the closure element by the user has the advantage that the user can actively and therefore knowingly ensure that image capture by the camera unit is reliably ruled out when the washroom door is in an open position.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that the

Closing element a flap provided by the dosing device for optional

Close a dosing chamber provided by the dosing device. According to this embodiment, no separate flap is provided for closing the camera opening. Rather, the flap provided by the metering device for closing the metering chamber serves as the closure element.

The invention is according to another feature of the invention by means

characterized that cause a transfer of the closure element from the closed position into the use position and vice versa depending on the position of the wash cabinet door. A manual intervention for transferring the closure element from one position to the other position or vice versa is not necessary according to this embodiment. Rather, there is an automatic movement of the closure element, depending on the position of the washroom door, which is achieved according to the invention by means provided accordingly. These means can be, for example, a cable pull arrangement which, depending on the

Opening angle of the washroom door acts on the closure element. Alternatively, a lever arrangement with a counterweight can also be provided

due to gravity, when the wash cabinet door is pivoted, the closure element moves.

In this context, the invention also proposes a method for operating a dishwasher of the type according to the invention and described above, in which the closure element depends on the position of the washroom door from the closed position into the

Use position and vice versa is run over. Those dealing with such

The advantages of setting the procedure correspond to those already mentioned above advantages explained.

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

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side sectional view of an inventive

Dishwasher;

Fig. 2 schematically shows a partial sectioned side view of the

camera unit according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

3 shows a schematic perspective view of the camera unit according to FIG. 2;

Fig. 4 schematically in partial sectional side view of the

camera unit according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

5 shows a schematic perspective view of the camera unit according to FIG. 4;

Fig. 6 in a partially sectioned side view of the inventive section

Camera unit according to a third embodiment with a

Closure element in the use position; FIG. 7 the camera unit according to FIG. 6 with one in the closed position

Closure element;

8 schematically, in a partially sectioned side view, a further embodiment with a closure element in the use position;

FIG. 9 shows the camera unit according to FIG. 8 with one in the closed position

Closure element;

Fig. 10 in a schematic perspective representation of a detail of another

Embodiment with one in the closed position

Closure element; 11 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 10 with a closure element in the position of use;

Fig. 12 is a schematic, partially sectioned side view of an inventive

Dishwasher with a washroom door in the locked position;

Fig. 13 shows the embodiment of FIG. 12 with one in the open position

Washroom door.

Fig. 1 leaves a purely schematic, partially sectioned side view

Detect dishwasher 1 according to the invention.

The dishwasher 1 has a housing 2 which, among other things, accommodates a washing container 3. The rinsing container 3 in turn provides a rinsing space 4 which, in the intended use, serves to accommodate items 8 to be cleaned.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, washware carriers 7 are used to hold the items to be cleaned 8, specifically in the form of washing baskets, a lower basket, an upper basket and a cutlery drawer being provided.

The washing compartment 4 is accessible through the loading opening 6 on the user side. The loading opening 6 can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a washing compartment door 5, the washing compartment door 5 being pivotable about a horizontally running pivot axis and being able to be transferred by the user from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to an open position and vice versa. 13 shows an example of such an open position of the wash cabinet door 5.

The washroom door 5 has an outer door panel 12 and an inner door panel 13, which are spaced apart from one another while leaving a cavity 14. More can be inside the cavity 14 between the outer door panel 12 and the inner door panel 13

Components of the dishwasher can be arranged, for example an operating and control unit 9. The wash cabinet door 5 also provides a metering device 10. This protrudes at least partially into the cavity 14 provided by the wash cabinet door 5. For this purpose, the inner door panel 13 is equipped with an opening in the form of a recess 15, into which the metering device 10 is inserted in a fluid-tight manner.

The dosing device 10 is a device which, in the intended use of the dishwasher 1, takes care of dosing process chemicals, such as cleaning agents, into the washing area 3.

A circumferential seal 16 serves for a fluid-tight insertion of the metering device 10 into the recess 15, as can be seen in particular from the detailed view according to FIG. 2. For a positionally secure position fixation of the metering device 10 in relation to the inner door panel 13, a screw connection 17 is provided according to the embodiment shown, by means of which the seal 16 between the inner door panel 13 and the metering device

10 is held securely.

The dishwasher also has a camera unit 11. In the intended use, this serves to visually record the

Interior of the rinsing container, i.e. of the wash cabinet 3, as can be seen in particular from the overview shown in FIG. 1.

According to the invention, it is provided that the camera unit 11 is integrated into the metering device 10 provided by the wash cabinet door 5.

As can be seen in particular from the illustration according to FIG. 2, the camera unit has

11 in the exemplary embodiment shown here via a housing 22 which accommodates a camera 19 and optics 20. The housing 22 is equipped with a camera opening 23, through which, when used as intended, an image is captured by means of the camera with the interposition of the optics 20. To protect the

Camera opening 23 and / or the optics 20 behind it, the camera opening 23 is equipped with a cover 24. The cover 24 preferably closes the camera opening 23 in a fluid-tight manner.

For the integrated arrangement of the camera unit 11 in the metering device 10, the metering device 10 provides a recess 25 into which the camera unit 11 is inserted in a fluid-tight manner. The camera unit 11 is preferably glued or welded into the recess 25 of the metering device 10. For a flow and / or signal connection of the camera unit 11 to an operating and / or control unit 9, connection cabling 18 is provided, which is laid in a fluid-tight manner within the cavity 14 of the wash cabinet door 5.

The particular advantage of the embodiment according to the invention lies in the fact that no separate sealant is required for a fluid-tight arrangement of the camera unit 11 on the metering device 10. A breakthrough to be provided separately, for example in a wall of the rinsing container 3 for receiving the camera unit 11, is also not required, in contrast to the prior art. The integration of the camera unit 11 in the metering device 10 according to the invention takes advantage of the fluid-tight arrangement of the metering device 10 provided in the recess 15 in the inner door panel 13 of the wash cabinet door 5.

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 2 in a schematic perspective view. As can be seen from this illustration, the metering device 10 provides two metering chambers which can each be closed by respective flaps. With reference to the drawing plane according to FIG. 3, the camera unit 11 is arranged on the right of the metering device flaps.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5 provides lighting means 21 provided by the camera unit 11. These lamps 21 are, for example, LEDs which are accommodated by the housing 22 of the camera unit 11. The LEDs are preferably one

Illuminant ring 26 arranged, which surrounds the optics 20 and / or the camera opening 23 all around in the final assembled state, as is particularly the case with the perspective

5 can be seen.

A particularly preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6 to 7. According to this embodiment, a closure element 27 is used, which can be transferred from a use position into a closed position and vice versa. The

The position of use of the closure element 27 is shown in FIG. 6, whereas the closure position of the closure element 27 is shown in FIG. 7. The closure element TI serves for the optional covering of the camera unit H in the use position of the closure element TI according to FIG. 6, the camera unit 11, ie the camera opening 23 is not covered by the closure element TI, which is a

intended use of the camera unit 11 allows. In the

7, however, the camera opening 23 is covered by the closure element TI, so that image capture by the camera unit 11 is prevented.

According to the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 6 and 7, the closure element 27 can be manually adjusted by the user, and therefore manually

Transfer the closure element 27 from the closed position into the

Use position and vice versa.

In the closed position, the locking element 27 protects the camera unit 11 against unwanted soiling and / or against washware that may fall down, in particular when the wash cabinet door 5, as shown in FIG.

13 shown, is in its open position. In addition, covering the camera unit 11 in the open position of the washroom door 5 is advantageous for data protection reasons, since one

Image acquisition by the camera unit 11 when in the open position

Washroom door is prevented.

Figures 8 and 9 show a further embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, means 28 are provided for transferring the closure element 27 from the

Closing position in the use position and vice versa depending on the position of the wash cabinet door 5. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the means 28 has a pivotably mounted pivot lever 29 which interacts with the closure element 27 on one side and with a counterweight 30 on the other side.

When the wash cabinet door 5 is transferred from the closed position according to FIG. 8 to the open position according to FIG. 9, the counterweight 30 changes in position due to gravity, as a result of which a pivoting movement of the pivot lever 29 starts, with the result that the closure element 27 arranged on the pivot lever 29 is positively guided likewise proceeded.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, which is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, one of the metering device 10 serves as closure element 27 anyway provided flap 31, which serves to close a metering chamber 35 provided by the metering device 10. According to this embodiment, a separate closure element 27 is not required, since the closure element 27 which is already present

Closure flap 31 of the metering device 10 is used. Another exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Also according to this

In one embodiment, a means 28 is used which serves for the automatic movement of the closure element 27 depending on the position of the wash cabinet door 5. The means 28 according to this exemplary embodiment has a cable 33, which cooperates on one side with the closure element 27 and is fixed on the other side to an abutment 34, and a pivot lever 32. When the wash cabinet door 5 is pivoted out of the open position of the wash cabinet door 5 according to FIG. 13 in the

The closed position of the wash cabinet door 5 according to FIG. 12 occurs

Force application of the closure element 27 by the cable pull 33 arranged thereon via the swivel lever 32, which results in a movement of the closure element 27 from the closed position when the wash cabinet door 5 is open into the use position

closed washroom door 5 causes.

Reference numerals

1 dishwasher 19 camera (camera chip)

2 housing 20 optics

3 rinsing containers 21 illuminants

4 wash cabinet 22 housing

5 Washroom door 25 23 camera opening

6 loading opening 24 cover

7 washware carrier 25 recess

8 wash ware 26 lamp ring

9 Operating and / or control unit 27 closing element

10 dosing device 30 28 medium

11 Camera unit 29 Swivel lever

12 outer door panel 30 counterweight 13 inner door panel 31 flap

14 cavity 32 pivot lever

15 recess 35 33 cable

16 seal 34 abutment

17 screw connection 35 dosing chamber 18 connection cable

Claims

1. Dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, with a washing compartment (3) providing a washing compartment (4), which has a loading opening (6) for loading with items to be cleaned (8), with a washing compartment door (5) by means of which the loading opening (6 ) can be closed in a fluid-tight manner, and with a camera unit (11) for visually capturing the wash cabinet (4), characterized in that

that the camera unit (11) is integrated in a metering device (10) provided by the wash cabinet door (5).

2. Dishwasher according to claim 1,

characterized,

that the camera unit (11) has a camera (19) and an optical system (20) interacting therewith.

3. Dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that the camera unit (11) has illuminants (21), preferably LEDs.

4. Dishwasher according to claim 2 or 3,

characterized,

that the camera unit (11) has a fluid-tight housing (22) with a

Has camera opening (23), the camera (19), the optics (20) and the

Illuminant (21) takes.

5. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that the camera unit (11) is fluid-tight in a camera opening (23)

has a closing cover (24).

6. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that the camera unit (11) is provided by the metering device (10)

Recess (25) is inserted in a fluid-tight manner.

7. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that connecting cables (18) for the camera unit (11) are laid in a cavity (14) formed between an outer door panel (12) and an inner door panel (13) of the wash cabinet door (5).

8. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims,

marked by,

a closure element (27) which, from a closure position covering the camera opening (23), opens into a camera opening (23)

Use position and vice versa is convertible.

9. Dishwasher according to claim 8,

characterized,

that the closure element (27) is a flap arranged displaceably on the metering device (10).

10. Dishwasher according to claim 8 or 9,

characterized,

that the closure element (27) has a flap provided by the metering device (10) for selectively closing one provided by the metering device (10)

Dosing chamber (35) or cooperates with such a flap.

11. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized by means (28) for transferring the closure element (27) from the closed position into the use position and vice versa

Depending on the position of the wash cabinet door (5).

12. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 11, characterized in that

that the closure element (27) is in the use position when the wash cabinet door (5) is closed, and / or

that the closure element (27) in when the wash cabinet door (5) is open

Locked position.

13. The method for operating a dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, in which the closure element (27) is transferred depending on the position of the wash cabinet door (5) from the closed position into the use position and vice versa.