EP3944804A1

EP3944804A1 - A dishwasher comprising a heater

Info

Publication number: EP3944804A1
Application number: EP21182232.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yusuf Koc; Nasir Efe ARAS; Ayla Kuran; Onder Balioglu; Mehmet DIKSAN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2020-07-28
Filing date: 2021-06-29
Publication date: 2022-02-02
Also published as: TR202011936A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is arranged in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is realized; at least one rack (4) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed to be washed; at least one spraying member (5) which enables the water to be sprayed onto the rack (4); at least one valve (6) which provides the delivery of the water from the spraying member (5) into the washing tub (3); a sump (7) which is provided on the base of the washing tub (3) and wherein the water is collected; a strainer (8) which is positioned on the base of the washing tub (3) so as to cover the sump (7); at least one filter (9) which extends from the strainer (8) towards the sump; a heater (10) which is provided on the sump (7); and a control unit (11) which enables the water collected in the sump (7) to be heated by the heater (10) to a value predetermined by the producer and to be kept in the sump (7) for a period of time predetermined by the producer.

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a heater.
In dishwashers, the kitchen items are placed onto the racks provided in the washing tub. The kitchen items placed onto the racks are washed by means of the spraying member. The water leaving the spraying member and hitting the kitchen items ensure that the dirt residues are removed from the kitchen items and the kitchen items are cleaned. The dirt residues leaving the kitchen items move through the washing tub by means of the water and reach the base of the washing tub. The dirt residues are first strained by means of the strainer provided on the base of the washing tub. The strainer ensures the straining of large dirt residues. Smaller dirt residues pass through the holes of the strainer to be delivered onto the filter provided in the sump. The filter ensures the filtration of smaller dirt residues. Thus, the dirt residues are prevented from entering the circulation line and clogging the spraying members. While passing through the filter and the strainer, the dirt residues may cause the clogging of the filter and the strainer. Therefore, the user must periodically remove and clean the strainer and the filter. The dirt residues which cannot be strained or filtered by the strainer or the filter move into the sump and stuck onto the surface of the sump, causing the accumulation of dirt thereon. Moreover, the chemical cleaning agents mostly cause the formation of a film layer on the wall of the sump. Therefore, the user is required to periodically perform the cleaning of the strainer, the filter and the sump. However, the cleaning process may not be always performed. When the user fails to perform the cleaning process, the accumulating dirt residues cause clogging and adversely affect the washing performance.
In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO2006045374 , a dishwasher is disclosed, comprising a method for cleaning the sump.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher which ensures hygiene.
The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body; a washing tub which is disposed in the body; at least one rack which is disposed in the washing tub; at least one spraying member which sprays water onto the rack; a valve which controls the delivery of the water through the spraying member; a sump which is provided on the base of the washing tub; a strainer which covers the sump; and at least one filter which extends from the strainer towards the sump. The kitchen items are placed onto the rack to be cleaned. The water is sprayed onto the kitchen items by means of the spraying member, thus performing the cleaning process. The water delivered onto the kitchen items by means of the spraying member is controlled by the valve. The water trickling down the kitchen items are delivered to the sump through the washing tub. The dirty water is cleansed of dirt residues by passing through the strainer and the filter before being delivered to the sump.
The dishwasher of the present invention comprises a heater which is provided on the sump, and a control unit which provides the heating of the water collected in the sump to a predetermined value and which keeps the heated water in the sump for a predetermined period of time. By keeping the water heated by the heater in the sump, the dirt residues accumulating in the sump and sticking onto the wall of the sump are dissolved. Thus, the wall of the sump and the filter in the sump are cleaned.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the heater which heats the water collected in the sump to a value between 50°C and 100°C, and the control unit which controls the heater. The sump and the filter are efficiently cleaned by heating the water to high temperatures.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the control unit which ensures that an amount of water sufficient to reach the level of the strainer is collected in the sump. As the water reaches the level of the strainer, the hot water contacts the strainer, and thus the dirt residues sticking on the strainer and collected on the strainer are dissolved.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the control unit which ensures that the water is kept in the sump together with the cleaning agent. When the cleaning agent is added to the washing process, the collection and the storage processes are performed. Thus, the hot water is kept in the sump together with the chemical agent, ensuring a more efficient cleaning process.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a sensor which is provided on the sump, and the control unit which determines the period of time for keeping the water in the sump depending on the data received from the sensor. The sensor can be a dirt, turbidity or conductivity sensor. Thus, the amount of dirt residues in the sump is determined, and the time of the cleaning process is controlled.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the control unit which repeats the process of keeping the water in the sump depending on the data received from the sensor. The amount of dirt residues in the sump can be determined by means of the data received from the sensor, and thus, the cleaning process performed by keeping the hot water in the sump can be repeated. Thus, the process is repeated until the sump is thoroughly.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a circulation line which provides the delivery of the water into the washing tub, and the control unit which provides the delivery of the heated water to the circulation line. By delivering the water heated to high temperatures in the sump to the circulation line, the dirt residues accumulating on the spraying members are also cleaned, thus increasing the washing performance.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a discharge line which discharges the water, and the control unit which provides the delivery of the water heated in the sump to the discharge line. By delivering the water heated in the sump to the discharge water, the dirt residues accumulating in the discharge line are dissolved. Thus, the discharge line is prevented from getting clogged, ensuring safety.
By means of the present invention, a dishwasher is realized, comprising a heater which heats the water in the sump while it is static, and a control unit which performs the cleaning process by delivered the heated water to the sump, the filter, the strainer, the circulation line and the discharge line.
A dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the dishwasher.
Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the spraying member and the strainer.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the strainer and the filter.
Figure 4 - is the perspective view of the washing tub, the circulation line and the discharge line.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Dishwasher
2. Body
3. Washing tub
4. Rack
5. Spraying member
6. Valve
7. Sump
8. Strainer
9. Filter
10. Heater
11. Control unit
12. Sensor
13. Circulation line
14. Discharge line

The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is arranged in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is realized; at least one rack (4) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed to be washed; at least one spraying member (5) which enables the water to be sprayed onto the rack (4); at least one valve (6) which provides the delivery of the water from the spraying member (5) into the washing tub (3); a sump (7) which is provided on the base of the washing tub (3) and wherein the water is collected; a strainer (8) which is positioned on the base of the washing tub (3) so as to cover the sump (7); and at least one filter (9) which extends from the strainer (8) towards the sump (7). The dirt residues on the kitchen items placed onto the rack (4) are removed by means of the water delivered by the spraying member (5). The dirt residues carried by the water are delivered to the sump (7) through the washing tub (3). By means of the strainer (8) provided on the sump (7), large dirt residues are held before entering the sump (7). Smaller dirt residues passing through the strainer (8) are held by means of the filter (9) extending from the strainer (8) towards the sump (7). Thus, large dirt residues are prevented from reaching the sump (7).
The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises a heater (10) which is provided on the sump (7), and a control unit (11) which enables the water collected in the sump (7) to be heated by the heater (10) to a value predetermined by the producer and to be kept in the sump (7) for a period of time predetermined by the producer. The water accumulating in the sump (7) is heated by the heater (10) while it is static. The hot water is kept in the sump (7) for a period of time predetermined by the producer. Thus, the dirt and detergent residues accumulating on the sump (7) are dissolved.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the heater (10) which heats the water collected in the sump (7) to a temperature between 50°C and 100°C, and the control unit (11) which controls the heater (10). The static water accumulating in the sump (7) reaches a value between 50°C and 100°C. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water reaches to a temperature of 80°C.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the control unit (11) which ensures that an amount of water sufficient to reach the level of the strainer (8) is collected in the sump (7). The amount of water accumulating in the sump (7) can be determined so as to reach the level of the strainer (8). Thus, the lower surface of the strainer (8) contacts the heated water, and the dirt and detergent residues accumulating on the strainer (8) are dissolved. Consequently, the strainer (8) is prevented from getting clogged.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the control unit (11) which ensures that the water is kept in the sump (7) together with the cleaning agent. By means of the control unit (11), the washing water is stored together with the cleaning agent. Thus, the dirt residues accumulating on the sump (7), the strainer (8) or the filter (9) are enabled to be quickly and more efficiently dissolved.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a sensor (12) which is provided on the sump (7), and the control unit (11) which determines the period of time for keeping the water in the sump (7) depending on the data received from the sensor (12). The sensor (12) can be a dirt sensor, conductivity sensor or a turbidity sensor. The amount of dirt in the sump (7) can be determined by means of the sensor (12), and the period of time for storing the heated water changes depending on the amount of dirt. Thus, the cleaning of the sump (7) can be controlled.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the control unit (11) which repeats the process of keeping the water in the sump (7) depending on the data received from the sensor (12). By means of the data received from the sensor (12), the amount of dirt in the sump (7) can be determined after the cleaning process, and the cleaning process is repeated if the value received from the sensor (12) is above a certain value.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a circulation line (13) which provides the delivery of the water into the washing tub (3), and the control unit (11) which provides the delivery of the water heated in the sump (7) to the circulation line (13). By delivering the heated water to the circulation line (13), the dirt residues accumulating on the circulation line (13) and the spraying members (5) are dissolved. Thus, the washing performance is increased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a discharge line (14) which discharges the water, and the control unit (11) which provides the delivery of the water heated in the sump (7) to the discharge line (14). By heating the static water collected in the sump (7) and delivering the same to the discharge line (14), the dirt and detergent residues accumulating in the discharge line (14) are dissolved.
By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized, comprising a heater (10) which heats the water used in the washing process after it is collected in the sump (7), and a control unit (11) which enables the heated water to be kept in the sump (7) or to be delivered to the circulation line (13) or the discharge line (14) so as to dissolve the accumulating dirt residues.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is arranged in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is realized; at least one rack (4) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed to be washed; at least one spraying member (5) which enables the water to be sprayed onto the rack (4); at least one valve (6) which provides the delivery of the water from the spraying member (5) into the washing tub (3); a sump (7) which is provided on the base of the washing tub (3) and wherein the water is collected; a strainer (8) which is positioned on the base of the washing tub (3) so as to cover the sump (7); and at least one filter (9) which extends from the strainer (8) towards the sump (7), characterized by a heater (10) which is provided on the sump (7), and a control unit (11) which enables the water collected in the sump (7) to be heated by the heater (10) to a value predetermined by the producer and to be kept in the sump (7) for a period of time predetermined by the producer.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the heater (10) which heats the water collected in the sump (7) to a temperature between 50°C and 100°C, and the control unit (11) which controls the heater (10).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 2 or Claim 2, characterized by the control unit (11) which ensures that an amount of water sufficient to reach the level of the strainer (8) is collected in the sump (7).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the control unit (11) which ensures that the water is kept in the sump (7) together with the cleaning agent.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a sensor (12) which is provided on the sump (7), and the control unit (11) which determines the period of time for keeping the water in the sump (7) depending on the dirt amount data received from the sensor (12).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the control unit (11) which repeats the process of keeping the water in the sump (7) depending on the data received from the sensor (12).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a circulation line (13) which provides the delivery of the water into the washing tub (3), and the control unit (11) which provides the delivery of the water heated in the sump (7) to the circulation line (13).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a discharge line (14) which discharges the water, and the control unit (11) which provides the delivery of the water heated in the sump (7) to the discharge line (14).