EP4364634A1

EP4364634A1 - A dishwasher comprising a cleaning agent box

Info

Publication number: EP4364634A1
Application number: EP23207202.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehmet DIKSAN; Fatih ENGINSEL; Ugur Kan
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2022-11-07
Filing date: 2023-10-31
Publication date: 2024-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2043-10-31
Also published as: EP4364634B1; PL4364634T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a washing tub; at least one rack (2) which carries the items placed therein; a water line (3) which provides the delivery of water into the washing tub; a cylinder (4) which is provided on the water line (3) and through which the water in the water line (3) flows; a piston (5) which is disposed in the cylinder (4); further comprising a frame (7); a carrier (8) which is fitted into the frame (7) and which has at least one first hole (12) on the base thereof; a dispenser (9) which is attached to the base of the carrier (8), which has at least a second hole (13) at the base thereof and which moves with the piston (5) relative to the frame (7) and the carrier (8); and a cleaning agent box (6) which enables the cleaning agent to be carried when the first and second holes (12 and 13) are not aligned, and enables the cleaning agent to be poured into the washing tub when the first and second holes (12 and 13) are aligned.

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a cleaning agent box.
In dishwashers, the cleaning of items is performed by mixing detergents in powder, liquid/gel, or tablet form, as well as rinse aid and similar cleaning agents which prevent water stains etc. from remaining on the dishes, with water sprayed on the items.
In the state of the art, cleaning agent boxes are placed on the inner surface of the door and comprise a lid such that the cleaning agents placed therein can be included in the washing process in a controlled manner. Thus, it is ensured that the cleaning agent is introduced into the washing process at the appropriate time and amount according to the selected washing program.
In the state of the art, there are cleaning agent boxes having automatic dosing units which only allow the use of liquid detergents. In such embodiments, it is not possible to use detergents in powder or tablet form.
In the state of the art German Patent Application No. DE102013113845 , a dosing unit is disclosed, which is disposed on the washing rack of the dishwasher.
Another state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the European Patent Application No. EP 1002494 . This document discloses a detergent dispensing device which enables the use of detergents in powder, liquid or tablet form
Another state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the German Patent Application No. DE102011077083 . This document discloses a cleaning agent box which is connected to spraying members.
In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP3932286 , a movement mechanism is disclosed, which is disposed on the line through which the washing water is delivered from the mains to the washing tub and which has a piston one end of which gets into contact with a cleaning agent box where tablet detergent is used. By means of the movement mechanism which is activated when the water coming from the line moves the piston, the tablet detergent in the cleaning agent box is transferred to the washing tub.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher having a cleaning agent box.
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 washing tub; at least one rack which carries the items placed therein; a water line which provides the delivery of water into the washing tub; a cylinder which is provided on the water line and through which the water in the water line flows; a piston which is disposed in the cylinder; further comprising a frame; a carrier which is fitted into the frame and which has at least one first hole on the base thereof; a dispenser which is attached to the base of the carrier, which has at least a second hole at the base thereof and which moves with the piston relative to the frame and the carrier; and a cleaning agent box which enables the cleaning agent to be carried when the first and second holes are not aligned, and enables the cleaning agent to be poured into the washing tub when the first and second holes are aligned. Thus, the water passing into the cylinder with the pressure of the water flowing in the water line hits the piston and pushes the piston forward such that the dispenser is moved by the piston, and the carrier and the dispenser, which only serve to carry the cleaning agent placed thereon since the first and second holes are not aligned before the movement, enable the cleaning agent to be poured into the washing tub as the first and second holes are aligned.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame supporting the carrier and the dispenser has two side walls and is in the form of a U. The dishwasher comprises two slides which are disposed on opposite side walls of the frame, in a horizontal plane along the side wall, whereon the edges of the carrier are seated. Thus, the carrier moves by sliding back and forth relative to the frame. Consequently, the user is enabled to easily and quickly put the cleaning agent into the cleaning agent box by pulling the carrier towards himself/herself. In the embodiment of the present invention, since the carrier does not contact the piston, the carrier does not move with the movement of the piston, but only moves back and forth relative to the frame as a result of the force applied by the user from outside.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least two first holders on top of each of the side walls of the frame, which enable the latter to be attached to the base wires of the rack. The first holders enable the frame to be fixed to the rack and thus the cleaning agent box to be attached. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are four first holders which are in the form of hooks.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises two parallel side edges which are provided on the carrier, and a first base which is positioned between the side edges and which has at least one first hole thereon. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are a total of eight first holes placed in two rows, four in each row, on the first base. In this embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least two L-shaped second holders which are placed opposite to each other, which extend parallel to each other on the lower surface of the first base, and which enable the dispenser to be attached on the carrier and move back and forth. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are six second holders.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a wall which is provided on the side of the carrier facing the front side and a handle which is provided on said wall. The handle is held by the user, thus enabling the carrier to move back and forth on the frame. The carrier moves on the frame like a drawer.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a second base in the form of a plate which is provided on the dispenser and which has at least one second hole thereon. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are a total of eight second holes placed in two rows, four in each row, on the second base. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a contact surface which is provided on the dispenser, which extends perpendicular to the second base and where the piston contacts the dispenser.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one stopper which is provided on the dispenser, which extends perpendicularly to the lower surface of the second base and which forms a protrusion on the lower surface of the second base. When pulled outwards by the user inside the frame, the stopper, the carrier and the dispenser are prevented from hitting the frame and from being pulled further to be detached from the frame.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second holes are in the form of a quadrangle with rounded edges.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser is placed under the carrier by being slidably inserted into the second holders. Then, with the dispenser on the carrier, the two sides of the carrier are fitted onto the slides and slid on the frame. The frame, the carrier and the dispenser are attached to the base of the rack by means of the first holders, and the cleaning agent box is fixed to the rack. In this case, the end of the piston contacts the contact surface.
In the initial position, that is, before the dishwasher starts the washing program, the first and second holes are not aligned and are in the closed position. Thus, the cleaning agent loaded into the cleaning agent box by the user is carried. When the washing program starts, the water coming from the water line passes into the cylinder and pushes the piston in the cylinder. As a result of this movement, the piston contacting the dispenser through the contact surface pushes the dispenser and slides the same forward on the second holders relative to the carrier. At the same time, the first base and the second base move relative to each other and as a result of this movement, when the stopper hits the frame, the dispenser reaches its maximum position and the first hole and the second hole align with each other so as to shift to the open position, and the entire cleaning agent loaded into the cleaning agent box is poured into the washing tub. Dosing time is adjusted or gradual dosing is provided with the help of a spring placed on the piston.
When it is desired to load cleaning agent in the cleaning agent box, the user pulls the handle and slides the carrier and the dispenser attached to the same forward on the frame. Since the first base and the second base do not move relative to each other in this position, the first and second holes are in the closed position and are not aligned. In this case, the cleaning agent is loaded into the cleaning agent box by the user, the latter reaching the initial position by being pushed again by means of the handle with the cleaning agent loaded on the carrier and the dispenser. At the same time, the contact surface also bears against the piston.
By means of the present invention, flexibility and ease of use is provided in the use of liquid, tablet and powder detergent. It also becomes possible to use powder or tablet detergent in the dishwashers with automatic dosing systems.
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 a rack, a water line and a cleaning agent box attached to the rack.
Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the cleaning agent box when in the loading position.
Figure 3 - is the exploded view of the cylinder, the piston and the cleaning agent box.
Figure 4 - is the top view of the cylinder, the piston and the cleaning agent box when in the loading position.
Figure 5 - is the top view of the cylinder, the piston and the cleaning agent box when in the closed position.
Figure 6 - is the top view of the cylinder, the piston and the cleaning agent box when in the open position.
Figure 7 - is the bottom view of the cleaning agent box, the cylinder and the piston while being shifted to the loading position.
Figure 8 - is the bottom view of the cleaning agent box, the cylinder and the piston when in the loading position.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Dishwasher
2. Rack
3. Water line
4. Cylinder
5. Piston
6. Cleaning agent box
7. Frame
8. Carrier
9. Dispenser
10. First base
11. Second base
12. First hole
13. Second hole
14. First holder
15. Second holder
16. Stopper
17. Wall
18. Handle
19. Side wall
20. Slide
21. Contact surface

The dishwasher (1) comprises a washing tub; at least one rack (2) which carries the items placed therein; a water line (3) which provides the delivery of water into the washing tub; a cylinder (4) which is provided on the water line (3) and through which the water in the water line (3) flows; a piston (5) which is disposed in the cylinder (4); further comprising a frame (7); a carrier (8) which is fitted into the frame (7) and which has at least one first hole (12) on the base thereof; a dispenser (9) which is attached to the base of the carrier (8), which has at least a second hole (13) at the base thereof and which moves with the piston (5) relative to the frame (7) and the carrier (8); and a cleaning agent box (6) which enables the cleaning agent to be carried when the first and second holes (12 and 13) are not aligned, and enables the cleaning agent to be poured into the washing tub when the first and second holes (12 and 13) are aligned. Thus, the water passing into the cylinder (4) with the pressure of the water flowing in the water line (3) hits the piston (5) and pushes the piston (5) forward such that the dispenser (9) is moved by the piston (5), and the carrier (8) and the dispenser (9), which only serve to carry the cleaning agent placed thereon since the first and second holes (12 and 13) are not aligned before the movement, enable the cleaning agent to be poured into the washing tub as the first and second holes (12 and 13) are aligned (Figure 1). When the user pulls the cleaning agent box (6) to load the cleaning agent, the first hole (12) and the second hole (13) do not align. Thus, the cleaning agent is stored.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame (7) supporting the carrier (8) and the dispenser (9) has two side walls (19) and is in the form of a U. The dishwasher (1) comprises two slides (20) which are disposed on opposite side walls (10) of the frame (7), in a horizontal plane along the side wall (19), whereon the edges of the carrier (8) are seated. Thus, the carrier (8) moves by sliding back and forth relative to the frame (7). Consequently, the user is enabled to easily and quickly put the cleaning agent into the cleaning agent box (6) by pulling the carrier (8) towards himself/herself. In the embodiment of the present invention, since the carrier (8) does not contact the piston (5), the piston (5) does not exert a force, but only moves back and forth relative to the frame (7) as a result of the force applied by the user from outside (Figure 3).
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises at least two first holders (14) on top of each of the side walls (19) of the frame (7), which enable the latter to be attached to the base wires of the rack (2). The first holders (14) enable the frame (7) to be fixed to the rack 82) and thus the cleaning agent box (6) to be attached. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are four first holders (14) which are in the form of hooks.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises two parallel side edges which are provided on the carrier (8), and a first base (10) which is positioned between the side edges and which has at least one first hole (12) thereon. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are a total of eight first holes (12) placed in two rows, four in each row, on the first base (10). In this embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises at least two L-shaped second holders (15) which are placed opposite to each other, which extend parallel to each other on the lower surface of the first base (10), and which enable the dispenser (9) to be attached on the carrier (8) and move back and forth. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are six second holders (15).
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a wall (17) which is provided on the side of the carrier (8) facing the front side and a handle (18) which is provided on said wall (17). The handle (18) is held by the user, thus enabling the carrier (8) to move back and forth on the frame (7). The carrier (8) moves on the frame (7) like a drawer.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a second base (11) in the form of a plate which is provided on the dispenser (9) and which has at least one second hole (13) thereon. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are a total of eight second holes (13) placed in two rows, four in each row, on the second base (11). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a contact surface (21) which is provided on the dispenser (9), which extends perpendicular to the second base (11) and where the piston (5) contacts the dispenser (9).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one stopper (16) which is provided on the dispenser (9), which extends perpendicularly to the lower surface of the second base (11) and which forms a protrusion on the lower surface of the second base (11). When pulled outwards by the user inside the frame (7), the stopper (16), the carrier (8) and the dispenser (9) are prevented from hitting the frame (7) and from being pulled further to be detached from the frame (7).
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second holes (12 and 13) are in the form of a quadrangle with rounded edges.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser (9) is placed under the carrier (8) by being slidably inserted into the second holders (15). Then, with the dispenser (9) on the carrier (8), the two sides of the carrier (8) are fitted onto the slides (20) and slid on the frame (7). The frame (7), the carrier (8) and the dispenser (9) are attached to the base of the rack (2) by means of the first holders (14), and the cleaning agent box (6) is fixed to the rack (2). In this case, the piston (5) contacts the contact surface (21).
In the initial position, that is, before the dishwasher (1) starts the washing program, the first and second holes (12 and 13) are not aligned and are in the closed position (Figure 5). Thus, the cleaning agent loaded into the cleaning agent box (6) by the user is carried. When the washing program starts, the water coming from the water line (3) passes into the cylinder (4) and pushes the piston (5) in the cylinder (4). As a result of this movement, the piston (5) contacting the dispenser (9) through the contact surface (21) pushes the dispenser (9) and slides the same forward on the second holders (15) relative to the carrier (8). At the same time, the first base (10) and the second base (11) move relative to each other and as a result of this movement, when the stopper (16) hits the frame (7), the dispenser (9) reaches its maximum position and the first hole (12) and the second hole (13) align with each other so as to shift to the open position, and the entire cleaning agent loaded into the cleaning agent box (6) is poured into the washing tub (Figure 6).
When it is desired to load cleaning agent in the cleaning agent box (6), the user pulls the handle (18) and slides the carrier (8) and the dispenser (9) attached to the same forward on the frame (7). Since the first base (10) and the second base (11) do not move relative to each other in this position, the first and second holes (12 and 13) are in the closed position and are not aligned (Figure 2, Figure 4, Figure 7 and Figure 8). In this case, the cleaning agent is loaded into the cleaning agent box (6) by the user, the latter reaching the initial position by being pushed again by means of the handle (18) with the cleaning agent loaded on the carrier (8) and the dispenser (9). At the same time, the contact surface (21) also bears against the piston (5).
By means of the present invention, flexibility and ease of use is provided in the use of liquid, tablet and powder detergent. It also becomes possible to use powder or tablet detergent in the dishwashers (1) with automatic dosing systems.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising a washing tub; at least one rack (2) which carries the items placed therein; a water line (3) which provides the delivery of water into the washing tub; a cylinder (4) which is provided on the water line (3) and through which the water in the water line (3) flows; a piston (5) which is disposed in the cylinder (4), characterized by a frame (7); a carrier (8) which is fitted into the frame (7) and which has at least one first hole (12) on the base thereof; a dispenser (9) which is attached to the base of the carrier (8), which has at least a second hole (13) at the base thereof and which moves with the piston (5) relative to the frame (7) and the carrier (8); and a cleaning agent box (6) which enables the cleaning agent to be carried when the first and second holes (12 and 13) are not aligned, and enables the cleaning agent to be poured into the washing tub when the first and second holes (12 and 13) are aligned.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the frame (7) which supports the carrier (8) and the dispenser (9), which has two side walls (19) and which is in the form of a U.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by two slides (20) which are disposed on opposite side walls (10) of the frame (7), in a horizontal plane along the side wall (19), whereon the edges of the carrier (8) are seated.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by at least two first holders (14) on top of each of the side walls (19) of the frame (7), which enable the latter to be attached to the base wires of the rack (2).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by two parallel side edges which are provided on the carrier (8), and a first base (10) which is positioned between the side edges and which has at least one first hole (12) thereon.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by a total of eight first holes (12) placed in two rows, four in each row, on the first base (10).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 5 or 6, characterized by at least two L-shaped second holders (15) which are placed opposite to each other, which extend parallel to each other on the lower surface of the first base (10), and which enable the dispenser (9) to be attached on the carrier (8) and move back and forth.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by the six second holders (15).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a wall (17) which is provided on the side of the carrier (8) facing the front side and a handle (18) which is provided on said wall (17).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a second base (11) in the form of a plate which is provided on the dispenser (9) and which has at least one second hole (13) thereon.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 10, characterized by a total of eight second holes (13) placed in two rows, four in each row, on the second base (11).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a contact surface (21) which is provided on the dispenser (9), which extends perpendicular to the second base (11) and where the piston (5) contacts the dispenser (9).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized by at least one stopper (16) which is provided on the dispenser (9), which extends perpendicularly to the lower surface of the second base (11) and which forms a protrusion on the lower surface of the second base (11).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the first and second holes (12 and 13) which are in the form of a quadrangle with rounded edges.