EP4041045A1

EP4041045A1 - Domestic dishwasher

Info

Publication number: EP4041045A1
Application number: EP20781326.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Norbert Gerstner; Thomas Steck; Mario Maza
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2019-10-07
Filing date: 2020-09-23
Publication date: 2022-08-17
Also published as: DE102019215312A1; WO2021069212A1; US20220338709A1; CN114554925A

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic dishwasher (1) having a washware rack (12) for holding washware, and having a lifting device (16) for raising the washware rack (12) from a starting position (AP) into an end position (EP) and for lowering the washware rack (12) from the end position (EP) into the starting position (AP), wherein the lifting device (16) comprises a spring element (20, 34) for assisting the operations of raising and lowering the washware rack (12) with the aid of an assisting force (FU), and also comprises a spring-bias-adjusting unit (26, 35) which, while allowing for a spring bias (FV) of the spring element (20, 34), adapts the assisting force (FU) to a loading state of the washware rack (12).

Description

Household dishwasher

The present invention relates to a domestic dishwasher.

A domestic dishwasher has a washing container and at least one washware receptacle that can be moved into and out of the washing container. In particular, such a household dishwasher can have a plurality of washware receptacles arranged one above the other, such as a lower basket, an upper basket or a cutlery drawer. Since the lower basket is arranged near a bottom of the washware container, it is necessary for loading or unloading the lower basket that the user kneels or bends down towards the lower basket. In order to simplify the loading and unloading of the lower basket, a lifting mechanism can be provided. There are passive lifting mechanisms, which work with the aid of a spring element, and active lifting mechanisms, which have a drive element, for example in the form of an electric motor.

The document DE 102012 107 993 A1 and the document DE 202009004771 U1 each disclose passive front lifting mechanisms which work with the aid of a spring element.

The document DE 102015201 806 A1, the document EP 1 066 789 A1, the document WO 2005/104924 A1, the document US 6,247,771 B1, the document US 2006/0066189 A1, the document US 2007/0035220 A1 and the document US 2010 / 0045152 A1 each show lifting mechanisms that work with the help of an electric motor as a drive element.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved domestic dishwasher.

Accordingly, a household dishwasher is proposed with a washware receptacle for receiving washware and with a lifting device for lifting the washware receptacle from an initial position to an end position and for lowering the washware receptacle from the end position to the initial position. There The lifting device comprises a spring element for supporting the raising and lowering of the washware receptacle with the aid of a support force and a spring preload adjustment unit which, with the aid of understanding a spring preload of the spring element, adapts the support force to a load condition of the washware receptacle.

Because the spring preload of the spring element can be changed with the aid of the spring preload adjustment unit, it is possible to always adapt the support force so that a user can achieve a comfortable actuation force for lifting and lowering the washware receptacle. This increases the ease of use.

The household dishwasher preferably comprises a washing container in which the washware receptacle can be received. In particular, the household dishwasher has several washware receptacles. For example, three washware receptacles can be arranged one above the other in the washing compartment, with a lower washware receptacle or a lower basket, an upper washware receptacle or an upper basket and a cutlery drawer being provided. In particular, the lower washware receptacle can be moved from the starting position into the end position and vice versa with the aid of the lifting device. In the end position, the lower washware receptacle is preferably arranged approximately at the level of the upper washware receptacle. This enables simple loading and unloading of the lower washware receptacle.

The fact that the spring element "supports" the raising and lowering is to be understood in the present case in particular that the lifting is not carried out solely by the supporting force of the spring element, but rather that the user applies an actuating force to the washware receptacle in order to move it from the starting position to to spend the final position. Conversely, when the washware receptacle is moved from the end position to the starting position, the spring preload is changed so that the user does not have to work excessively against the supporting force in order to move the washware receptacle from the end position to the start position. The actuating force is therefore particularly preferably independent of the load condition of the washware receptacle. In particular, the actuation force is constant or constant. “Adjusting” the spring preload is to be understood in particular as meaning that the spring element is either stretched or compressed. The greater the spring preload, the greater the support force. The fact that the support force "adapts" to the load condition of the washware receptacle is to be understood in the present case as meaning that the support force increases or becomes greater as the load on the washware receptacle increases. Conversely, the support force decreases as the load decreases.

According to one embodiment, the household dishwasher further comprises a sensor device for detecting the load status of the washware receptacle.

The sensor device preferably includes the loading state indirectly. That is to say, the loading state can be detected, for example, by detecting the weight of the items to be washed that is held in the item to be washed, which acts on the spring element. Alternatively, however, the load status of the washware receptacle can also be detected in a different way, for example optically.

According to a further embodiment, the sensor device has a strain gauge.

The sensor device can be part of the spring element. For example, the spring element has a cylindrical spring section on which hook-shaped suspension sections are provided at the end. For example, the sensor device can be arranged in the form of one or more strain gauges between one of the suspension sections and the spring section. In particular, the strain gauge can be glued onto the spring element.

According to a further embodiment, the sensor device has a torque sensor.

The torque sensor is preferably provided on a coupling disc to which the spring preload is applied with the aid of the spring element. The coupling disc can, for example, be firmly connected to a swivel arm of the lifting device. In this case, the spring element applies a torque to it Swivel arm on, with the help of the torque sensor the acting torque can be detected.

According to a further embodiment, the spring preload adjustment unit has an actuating element, in particular a stepping motor, for adjusting the spring preload of the spring element.

The stepping motor can be a linear motor, for example. The stepper motor can, however, also be a rotary motor. In the event that the adjusting element is a linear motor, the spring element can, for example, be coupled directly to the adjusting element. The adjusting element can then expand or compress the spring element to increase and decrease the preload.

According to a further embodiment, the spring preload adjusting unit has an adjusting disk which is coupled to the adjusting element and the spring element, the spring element being coupled to the adjusting disk off-center.

In particular, the adjusting element can set the adjusting disk in rotation about an axis of rotation. "Eccentric" means in the present case at a distance from the axis of rotation of the adjusting disk. For example, the adjusting disk can have a cam or a bolt into which the spring element is suspended with one of its suspension sections. The spring preload adjustment unit can, for example, be attached to the washing compartment of the domestic dishwasher.

According to a further embodiment, the spring element is a tension spring, the spring preload adjustment unit stretching the spring element to increase the spring preload.

This means that the spring element is elongated to increase the spring preload. The spring preload adjustment unit can move the spring element continuously from an initial state in which the spring preload is minimal via any number of intermediate states to an end state in which the spring preload is at a maximum. According to a further embodiment, the spring preload adjustment unit has an engagement element which is coupled to the actuating element with the aid of a threaded spindle.

The threaded spindle can be part of the adjusting element. In particular, the adjusting element can set the threaded spindle in rotation. The engagement element can be a nut placed on the threaded spindle, which nut moves linearly along the threaded spindle when the threaded spindle rotates.

According to a further embodiment, the spring element is arranged between the engagement element and a lever arm of a coupling disc.

As mentioned above, the coupling disc can be connected, for example, to one of the pivot arms of the lifting device. The sensor device with the torque sensor can be provided on the coupling disk.

According to a further embodiment, the spring element is a compression spring, the spring preload adjustment unit compressing the spring element to increase the spring preload.

In particular, the spring element is compressed in that the engagement element moves towards the lever arm of the coupling disc. To relax the spring element, the engagement element moves away from the lever arm again.

Further possible implementations of the household dishwasher also include combinations, which are not explicitly mentioned, of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. The person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic shape of the household dishwasher.

Further advantageous refinements and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims and of the exemplary embodiments of the domestic dishwasher described below. In addition, the household dishwasher explained in more detail on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

Show it

1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the household dishwasher according to FIG.

1 ;

3 shows a further schematic side view of the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

4 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a drive mechanism of a lifting device for the domestic dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a further schematic view of the drive mechanism according to FIG. 4; FIG.

6 shows a further schematic view of the drive mechanism according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 schematically shows a diagram of a force profile when a washware receptacle of the domestic dishwasher according to FIG. 1 is raised; FIG.

8 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a drive mechanism of a lifting device for the domestic dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

9 shows a further schematic view of the drive mechanism according to FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a further schematic view of the drive mechanism according to FIG. 8; and

11 schematically shows a diagram of a force profile when a washware receptacle of the domestic dishwasher according to FIG. 1 is lifted.

In the figures, elements that are the same or have the same function have been given the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher 1. The household dishwasher 1 comprises a washing compartment 2 which can be closed, in particular watertight, by a door 3. For this purpose, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2. The washing container 2 is preferably cuboid. The washing container 2 can be arranged in a housing of the domestic dishwasher 1. The washing compartment 2 and the door 3 can form a washing area 4 for washing items to be washed. The door 3 is shown in FIG. 1 in its open position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3. With the aid of the door 3, a loading opening 6 of the washing compartment 2 can be closed or opened. The washing compartment 2 has a floor 7, a ceiling 8 arranged opposite the floor 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The floor 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be made of stainless steel sheet, for example. Alternatively, for example, the bottom 7 can be made of a plastic material.

The domestic dishwasher 1 also has at least one washware receptacle 12 to 14. Preferably, several, for example three, washware receptacles 12 to 14 can be provided, the washware receptacle 12 being a lower washware receptacle or a lower basket, the washware receptacle 13 an upper washware receptacle or an upper basket and the washware receptacle 14 a cutlery drawer. As FIG. 1 also shows, the washware receptacles 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the wash container 2. Each washware receptacle 12 to 14 can optionally be moved into or out of the wash container 2. In particular, each washware receptacle 12 to 14 can be pushed or moved into the washing container 2 in an insertion direction E (arrow) and can be pulled out or removed from the washing container 2 in a pull-out direction A (arrow) counter to the insertion direction E (arrow).

As FIGS. 2 and 3 show, the lower washware receptacle 12 is guided in the wash container 2 with the aid of a guide device 15. The guide device 15 can be a so-called telescopic rail. Such a guide device 15 is preferably provided on both sides of the washware receptacle 12. With the aid of the guide devices 15, the washware receptacle 12 can be displaced out of the washing container 2 in the pull-out direction A (arrow) and moved into the washing container 2 in the insertion direction E (arrow). The washware receptacle 12 usually represents a lower washware receptacle or a lower basket. The domestic dishwasher 1 further comprises a lifting device 16 with the aid of which the washware receptacle 12 can be raised from a starting position AP shown in FIG. 2 into an end position EP shown in FIG. 3. Conversely, the washware receptacle 12 can be shifted from the starting position AP back into the end position EP with the aid of the lifting device 16. In the starting position AP and in the end position EP, the washware receptacle 12 is completely displaced out of the washing container 2 in the pull-out direction A (arrow) with the aid of the guide devices 15.

In the end position EP, the washware receptacle 12 is raised with the aid of the lifting device 16 approximately at the level of the upper washware receptacle 13, not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, so that a user does not have to bend down to load and unload the washware receptacle 12 . The domestic dishwasher 1 preferably comprises two lifting devices 16 of this type, which are arranged on the mutually opposite side walls 10, 11 of the washing container 2. In the following, however, reference is made to only one lifting device 16. The lifting device 16 supports the lifting of the washware receptacle 12 from the starting position AP into the end position EP with an assisting force FU. However, the lifting device 16 does not automatically lift the washware receptacle 12 from the starting position AP to the end position EP or lowers it from the end position EP to the starting position AP, but the user also applies an actuating force FB (arrow) to the washware receptacle 12.

The lifting device 16 can comprise a drive element not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The drive element can be a passive drive element. In the present case, a “passive” drive element is to be understood as a drive element to which no external energy is supplied. Such a passive drive element can be a spring element, for example. In contrast to this, an “active” drive element is to be understood as a drive element to which external energy is supplied. For example, an electric motor is an active drive element.

The lifting device 16 can comprise the guide device 15. Furthermore, the lifting device 16 comprises a first pivot arm 17 and a second pivot arm 18.

In the starting position AP, the pivot arms 17, 18 are arranged parallel to one another and run in the orientation of FIG. 2 from top to bottom. The pivot arms 17, 18 are rotatably connected by a respective first end section to the washing container 2, in particular to one of the side walls 10, 11 of the washing container 2. Furthermore, the pivot arms 17, 18 are each rotatably connected to the guide device 15 by a second end section facing away from the first end section.

The lifting device 16 further comprises a drive mechanism 19A shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. The drive mechanism 19A comprises a spring element 20. The spring element 20 is a cylinder spring. The spring element 20 can be a tension spring. The spring element 20 comprises a spring section 21, which is designed, for example, as a spiral turn. Furthermore, the spring element 20 comprises two hook-shaped suspension sections 22, 23, with which the spring element 20 can be connected, for example, to the lifting device 16 and / or the washing container 2. The spring section 21 is arranged between the two suspension sections 22, 23.

The drive mechanism 19A further comprises a sensor device 24 for detecting a load status of the washware receptacle 12. The "load status" is understood here to mean the degree to which the washware receptacle 12 is filled with washware and / or what weight the washware received in the washware receptacle 12 has. The sensor device 24 can include a strain gauge 25, for example. The sensor device 24 can be part of the spring element 20 or be arranged on the spring element 20. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the sensor device 24 can be arranged between the spring section 21 and the suspension section 23.

The drive mechanism 19A further comprises a spring preload adjustment unit 26, with the aid of which a spring preload FV (arrow) of the spring element 20 can be adjusted. The spring preload adjustment unit 26 comprises a circular adjusting disk 27 and an adjusting element 28, with the aid of which the adjusting disk 27 can be rotated about an axis of rotation 29. The adjusting element 28 can for example be a stepping motor. A cam or a bolt 30, into which the suspension section 22 of the spring element 20 is suspended, is provided eccentrically, that is to say at a distance from the axis of rotation 29, on the adjusting disk 27. For example, the spring preload adjustment unit 26 can be firmly connected to the washing container 2. The hanging section 23 io of the spring element 20 is suspended in a further cam or a bolt 31. The bolt 31 can be coupled to one of the pivot arms 17, 18, for example.

The functionality of the drive mechanism 19A is explained below. With the aid of the adjusting element 28, the adjusting disk 27 can be set in rotation. A direction of rotation D (arrow) of the adjusting disk 27 can be oriented clockwise. The direction of rotation D (arrow) can, however, also be oriented counterclockwise. The spring element 20 is brought from an initial state AZ shown in FIG. 4, in which the spring preload FV (arrow) is minimal, via any number of intermediate states ZZ to a final state EZ, in which the spring preload FV (arrow) is at a maximum is.

The adjustment disk 27 is rotated as a function of the load condition of the washware receptacle 12 detected with the aid of the sensor device 24. That is, the higher the load condition and thus the weight of the washware receptacle 12, the greater the spring preload FV (arrow) and the greater is also the support force FU (arrow) when lifting the washware receptacle 12 from the starting position AP into the end position EP. That is, regardless of the load condition of the washware receptacle 12, a user must always apply approximately the same actuating force FB (arrow) in order to raise the washware receptacle 12 from the starting position AP to the end position EP. The drive mechanism 19A therefore does not lift the washware receptacle 12 automatically, but rather supports the user in lifting it with the assistance force FU. The support force FU (arrow) is, as mentioned above, dependent on the load condition of the washware receptacle 12. The actuation force FB (arrow), however, which the user has to apply himself, is preferably independent of the load condition. The actuating force FB (arrow) is preferably constant or constant.

Conversely, the drive mechanism 19A also supports the lowering of the washware receptacle 12 from the end position EP into the starting position AP. Here, too, the support force FU (arrow) depends on the load status of the washware receptacle 12. That is, if the washware receptacle 12 is empty or lightly loaded, the spring preload FV (arrow) is reduced so that the user does not push the washware receptacle 12 against the spring element 20 must press down. At In contrast, when the load is high, the spring preload FV (arrow) is increased so that the washware receptacle 12 does not move in an uncontrolled manner from the end position EP to the starting position AP. When the washware receptacle 12 is lowered, the actuation force FB which the user has to apply is thus independent of the load condition of the washware receptacle 12. The actuation force FB (arrow) is preferably constant or constant.

The drive mechanism 19A is thus semi-passive. The lifting device 16 can therefore be referred to as a semi-passive lifting device 16. With the aid of the drive mechanism 19A, it is possible to adapt the assisting force FU (arrow) to the load on the washware receptacle 12. In comparison to a lifting device which does not have such a spring preload adjustment unit 26, but only a spring element, improved support for the load weight can be achieved. In particular, the actuation force FB (arrow) can be kept in a range that is comfortable for the user. This improves the ease of use.

7 schematically shows a diagram associated with the drive mechanism 19A, in which the force in Newtons is plotted against the lifting height in millimeters. The fully loaded washware receptacle 12 is marked with a solid line. The empty washware receptacle 12 is marked with a dashed line, and the required actuating force FB (arrow) is plotted with a dash-dotted line, which must be applied in order to raise the washware receptacle 12 from the starting position AP to the end position EP. Arrows with the reference numeral 32 stand for a relaxation of the spring element 20, and arrows with the reference numeral 33 stand for a tensioning of the spring element 20. Depending on whether the washware receptacle 12 is loaded or unloaded, the spring element 20 is tensioned or relaxed to a to achieve comfortable actuation force FB (arrow).

8 to 10 show a further embodiment of a drive mechanism 19B for the lifting device 16. The drive mechanism 19B comprises a spring element 34 which is designed as a compression spring. The drive mechanism 19B further comprises a spring preload adjustment unit 35 for adjusting a spring preload FV (arrow) of the spring element 34. The spring preload adjustment unit 35 has a Adjusting element 36, for example a stepper motor. The adjusting element 36 has a threaded spindle 37 and an engaging element 38 in which the threaded spindle 37 engages. The engagement element 38 can be a nut. When the threaded spindle 37 rotates, the engagement element 38 moves along the threaded spindle 37, as indicated with the aid of a double arrow 39. The spring element 34 rests against the engagement element 38. For example, the spring preload adjustment unit 35 is fixedly mounted on the washing container 2.

The drive mechanism 19B furthermore comprises a coupling disk 40 with a lever arm 41. The spring element 34 rests on the lever arm 41. The coupling disk 40 is coupled, for example, to a pivot point of one of the pivot arms 17, 18 of the lifting device 16. The coupling disk 40 is assigned a sensor device 42 which has a torque sensor 43. A braking element 44 can also be assigned to the drive mechanism 19B. The braking element 44 can, for example, interact positively with the coupling disk 40 and brake it. The braking element 44 can, for example, have a plunger 45 which is actuated with the aid of an electromagnet and which interacts with the coupling disk 40.

Like the spring element 20 of the drive mechanism 19A, the spring element 34 can be brought from an initial state AZ, in which the spring element 34 is minimally pretensioned, continuously through any number of intermediate states ZZ to an end state EZ, in which the spring element 34 is maximally pretensioned. The spring preload FV (arrow) is therefore greater in the final state EZ than in the initial state AZ. The functionality of the drive mechanism 19B otherwise corresponds to the functionality of the drive mechanism 19A.

11 shows a schematic diagram associated with the drive mechanism 19B, in which the force in Newtons is plotted against the lifting height in millimeters. The maximum spring preload FV (arrow) is plotted with a dotted line. The minimum spring preload FV (arrow) is plotted with a solid line. A dash-dotted line or a dashed line shows the maximum force curve or the minimum force curve when lifting. Although the present invention has been described on the basis of exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways.

Reference symbols used

1 household dishwasher

2 rinsing containers

3 door

4 wash cabinet

5 swivel axis

6 loading opening

7 floor

8 ceiling 9 back wall

10 side wall

11 side wall

12 Washware holder

13 Washware holder

14 Washware holder

15 Guide device

16 Lifting device

17 swivel arm

18 Swing arm 19A drive mechanism 19B drive mechanism

20 spring element

21 spring section

22 hanging section

23 hanging section

24 Sensor Setup

25 strain gauges

26 Spring preload adjustment unit

27 adjusting disc

28 control element

29 axis of rotation

30 bolts

31 bolts 32 arrow

33 arrow

34 spring element

35 Spring preload adjustment unit

36 control element

37 threaded spindle

38 engagement element

39 double arrow

40 coupling disc

41 lever arm

42 Sensor Setup

43 torque sensor

44 braking element

45 tappets

A pull-out direction (arrow)

AP starting position

AZ initial state

D direction of rotation (arrow)

E direction of insertion (arrow)

EP end position

EZ final state

FB actuation force (arrow)

FU support force (arrow)

FV spring preload (arrow)

Currently intermediate state

Claims

1.Household dishwasher (1) with a wash ware holder (12) for taking up wash ware, and with a lifting device (16) for lifting the wash ware holder (12) from a starting position (AP) to an end position (EP) and for lowering the wash ware holder (12) ) from the end position (EP) to the starting position (AP), the lifting device (16) having a spring element (20, 34) for supporting the lifting and lowering of the washware receptacle (12) with the aid of a support force (FU) and a spring preload Adjusting unit (26, 35) which, with the aid of understanding a spring preload (FV) of the spring element (20, 34), adapts the support force (FU) to a load condition of the washware receptacle (12).

2. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor device (24, 42) for detecting the load status of the washware receptacle (12).

3. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensor device (24) has a strain gauge (25).

4. household dishwasher (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensor device (42) has a torque sensor (43).

5. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring preload adjustment unit (26, 35) has an adjusting element (28, 36), in particular a stepper motor, for adjusting the spring preload (FV) of the spring element (20, 34 ) having.

6. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the spring preload adjusting unit (26) has an adjusting disk (27) which is coupled to the adjusting element (28) and the spring element (20), the spring element (20) is eccentrically coupled to the adjusting disc (27).

7. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the spring element (20) is a tension spring, the spring preload adjusting unit (26) stretching the spring element (20) to increase the spring preload (FV).

8. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the spring preload adjusting unit (35) has an engaging element (38) which is coupled to the adjusting element (36) by means of a threaded spindle (37).

9. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the spring element (34) is arranged between the engagement element (38) and a lever arm (41) of a coupling disc (40).

10. household dishwasher (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the spring element (34) is a compression spring, wherein the spring preload adjustment unit (35) the spring element (34) for increasing the

Spring preload (FV) compressed.