ES2253628T3 - MACHINE DISHWASHER OF DOMESTIC TYPE WITH IMPROVED LIGHT INDICATORS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Diswashing machine provided with a washing vessel (1) and comprising one or more of the following devices: a filter arrangement (5) for straining the washing liquor, a salt reservoir (3) for holding the salt needed to regenerate water-softening substances, a rinse aid dispenser (40), a washing aid dispenser (30), at least a rotating spray arm (4), in which there are provided one or more light indicator means (9,25,33,43,55), each one of which is applied on a respective device, or in close proximity thereof, said machine being provided with means adapted to supply said light indicator means (9,25,33,43,55) with respective signals depending on and indicative of the operating state of the corresponding device. According to definite variants in the embodiment of the present invention, said indicator means (9,25,33,43,55) constitute the terminal portions of respective light guides that are adapted to receive the light being generated inside the machine itself. Preferably, the light emitted by said indicator means is variously modulated in its intensity and can tale different colours. <IMAGE>

Description

Domestic dishwasher machine with improved light indicators.

The present invention relates to a class Improved dishwashing machine, preferably of the type to be used at home, for use and operation particularly simple and comfortable, even for an average little expert user from a technical point of view.

It is well known that the dishwasher machines of the class currently marketed are provided with a panel of control arranged on the top of the machine, in which no only the control means necessary to make operate the machine, but also the devices intended for indicate the various operational phases that the machine carries out, as well as the possible occurrence of conditions, during the machine operation, requiring the user to Pay particular attention.

Among all these indications, particularly useful and valuable are those related to effectiveness or efficiency of the filter for the wash liquor, the filling level of the tank of salt, as well as the level of filling of the detergent dispenser and as a rinse enhancing agent and the condition of the arms of spray.

A known dishwasher with an indicator luminous for the filling level of the agent dispenser rinse enhancer, described in DE 2810216 TO.

In the vast majority of cases, these signs of Notice are offered to the user through light indications which, in practice, are provided by indicator lights arranged in said control panel. However, although such warning lights or indicators are arranged on the top side of the machine and, consequently, are perfectly visible for the user, in a way can make a user not particularly expert do not be sure of the kind of information that, really, is being offered neither of the real device to that the indication itself refers and that you may need service.

In fact, it occurs quite frequently among users who experience certain doubts when trying to associate a warning indication given by a lamp that lights on the panel control, with a particular device, related, located inside the machine and which can only be accessed by opening the Door of the washing tank of the machine itself. This happens with very often because, when the user is looking at the inside the tank, stop paying attention, too, to the ads of the control panel.

These circumstances are well known for all those skilled in the art, so that they do not require no explanation or additional detailed description in this memory.

In addition, there is a particular variable process on which no indication is usually offered, since the most machines lack, in reality, means for their detection. This operational variable refers, really, to the state of filling the detergent dispenser.

It would therefore be desirable and, really, it is a object of the present invention, to provide a dishwasher that was able to overcome the problems before exposed and, in particular, that it also includes one or more means light indicators, easily visible when the door is opened to access the washing tank of the machine and look inside she. This machine must also be provided with appropriate means  intended to send respective signals to said means of light indication depending on the operating status of the corresponding devices and that provide indications About that state.

In the context of this general object, a purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine dishwasher of the aforementioned class, which may be manufactured using readily available techniques, with means and easy and safe devices to use and manufacture, ensuring consequently low production costs altogether.

In accordance with the present invention, these objects, along with others that will be evident from the following description, are achieved in a dishwasher machine that incorporate the characteristics and particularities contained in the attached claims. Either way, the characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent to from the description given below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in the that:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view, symbolic, from the bottom of the washing tank of a machine dishwasher according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filter for the wash liquor, given by a section plane average thereof;

- Figures 3 and 3A are a front view in elevation and a related middle cross-sectional view, respectively, of a device according to the present invention, illustrated in Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view vertical salt tank, given by its sectional plane half;

- Figures 5A and 5B are a front elevational view and a related middle cross-sectional view, respectively, of a second device according to the present invention, shown in FIG.
Figure 4;

- Figures 6 and 7 are plan views from above an integrated set of two tanks to contain and dispense washing improver agents, shown with the lid related in their closed and open positions, respectively, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- Figures 8 and 9 are a perspective view and a flat side view, respectively, of another embodiment Preferred of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1, on a machine dishwasher according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bowl 1 is provided to accommodate the articles to wash, from which a lid 2 of the filter for the liquor of washing and a lid 3 of the salt tank. In addition, Figure 1 also illustrates a rotating spray arm 4 used to spray wash liquor on the items to be washed.

With reference to Figure 2, said filter it also includes, in addition to the aforementioned cover 2, a body 5 of filter and an elongated hollow protective support, substantially cylindrical. Cap 2 itself is made of a transparent material and, preferably, is provided with perforations 2 interns. Said protective support hollow 6 is constituted by a cylinder that is open in a end part thereof and closed at its other end part; the closed end portion 7 of said cylinder is directed face up and look towards the inner surface of said cover 2, while the open end portion 8 of said cylinder is used to mount the support itself in the structure of the machine, as well as to allow the passage through the cables electrical connection, as will be explained in what follows with greater detail. A means 9 photo transmitters are arranged within said hollow protective support, in the vicinity of said end portion closed 7 upper, and are fed with current through appropriate electrical connection cables 14, connected to the means of control and regulation of the machine (not shown in the Figures)

Said photoelectric means 9 may, of course, be constituted by any suitable device adapted for the particular purpose and, preferably, is a photoelectric LED or diode. In order to allow the emitted light to seep out, that is, towards said cover 2 and through it, at least the upper part of said hollow protective support is provided so that it is properly transparent. For this reason, said hollow protective support 6 is molded from one piece from an appropriate plastic material, preferably polypropylene.
pylene

In order to ensure that this protective support 6 hollow has substantial flexibility with respect to the frame of the machine and that therefore has an inherent ability to withstand accidental shocks and shocks, the open end part 8 lower of said hollow protective support 6 is applied of appropriate manner on an appropriate elastic insert 12 which, in its once, it is applied on a terminal sleeve 13 to consolidate the position of said hollow protective support 6on with respect to said filter, as well as to ensure the final tightness of the volume internal of said hollow protective support against any water penetration

Preferably, said elastic insert 12 is made of rubber and, first, is injected together in said terminal sleeve 13 and then said assembly, comprising said support 6 (the illuminator), is mounted in a hole appropriate pre-existing bottom sump.

With reference to Figures 4, 5A and 5B, the salt deposit, whose lid 3 is shown in Figure 1, comprises  substantially a body 20 intended to contain the salt and a hollow protective support 21 consisting of a cylinder open at one end and closed at the other. The limb closed 22 of said cylinder, is directed upwards, of the same way as in the case previously considered, and look towards the transparent cover 23 of said cover 3, while its tip open 24 is used to apply the support 21 to the structure of the machine, as well as to allow connection cables electric pass through; in exactly the same way as in the case previously considered, a photo transmitter means 25 respective are disposed within said protective support 21, in its upper part.

The general configuration of said support 21, its connection to the structure of the machine, the nature of said Photo-emitting media, are totally similar to those described in above in relation to the filter for the wash liquor, of so that they will not be treated again in this document for reasons of brevity. It should only be noted that, in this case, it is not use means to ensure substantial flexibility of protective support 21 because, really, no such flexibility in the case of salt deposit.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, it can be seen that these show a view from the top of a set of containers to contain the products that are used during the washing process and, respectively, a view from above the same set, in which the lids of said containers They are open. It is to be understood, of course, that this set it is preferably applied to the internal surface of the door of the dishwasher and, therefore, it should be understood that Figures 6 and 7, which are generally referred to as, "views from above ", are such when you look inside the door when This one is completely open.

We will now consider deposit 30 of Detergent. On one side of an edge of said tank 30 are provided three grooves 33, which constitute the seats of respective terminal parts of corresponding light guides, not illustrated by being perfectly known in the art.

With particular reference to Figure 6, said tank 30 can be closed by means of a usual lid 35 which, to be opened, it is operated by known means at the time exactly the cycle in which the detergent contained in it must be delivered to the wash tank.

In accordance with the present invention, in said lid some through openings 32 are provided, which are arranged so that they are exactly above those cited slots 33, in mutual agreement with them, so that when said light guides transmit a respective ray of light, the light that appear in related ones of said terminal parts, you can spread over said deposit and, in particular, can be extended beyond said cover 35 as it passes through said through openings 32 to eventually spread out where, therefore, it can be seen by a user who looks inside the door, for Of course, when it is open.

In conclusion, if the dishwasher is provided with means to detect any information concerning the detergent and / or the corresponding deposit, this information can be converted, by known means, into lightning of light that, properly channeled into an appropriate light guide, emerge from said through openings thus providing the user The desired information. In addition, the latter will be much more easily identifiable, since it is supplied right in the proximity of the actual component function or part to which it refers and its meaning is to indicate that it requires the attention of the user, both when the lid is closed and when open

The kind of solution just described in The foregoing may vary under the following different embodiment, illustrated by way of example: making reference again to Figures 6 and 7, it can be seen that, in addition, they illustrate the dispensing agent 40 of the improving agent of the rinsed, the lid 41 related and a fixed part 42 protruding juxtaposed to said cover 41, but on which it cannot be realized any action to displace it; in this case, on the surface outside of said projecting part 42 there is provided a plurality of respective slits 43, in which they terminate respective light guides (not shown).

In a manner similar to the previously described case, these light guides are used to transmit light rays that carry information (detected by known means that will not be described herein) relative to the lightening enhancing agent dispenser 40
rado.

The solution just described in what Background has the advantage that it is simpler.

As a result, it is now possible to easily and completely understand that the two different solutions illustrated above in relation to the case of the detergent reservoir and the rinse enhancing agent dispenser are completely interchangeable as long as a contiguous surface is available. one of said tanks / dispensers where the slits in which the respective guides end may be provided
of light.

Finally, with reference to Figures 8 and 9, The present invention may also advantageously extend by appropriate adaptations, to also cover the case of the indications regarding the correct operation of the arms Rotating spray.

In fact, it is generally known that the rotating spray arms suffer accidental stops, that is, they are blocked for various reasons, thereby naturally damaging the operation of the entire machine. In practice, an appropriate detection of the state of the rotating spray arms can be performed thanks to the use of means well known in the art and which, therefore, will not be described in more detail in this document; according to an embodiment variant of the present invention, said information on the operating conditions of the rotating spray arms 50 is converted into a beam of light which is then transmitted by an appropriate light guide 51, contained in the arm 52 which supports the respective rotating spray arrangement
toria

This ray of light can be easily generated by light sources 53 located in a sealed and electrically insulated manner at the rear of the tank, where the arm is connected to the water supply, arranged at one end 54, located inside the machine. , of said light guide; at the other end thereof, the light that is emitted is diffused directly outwards or, alternatively, is sent to a transparent body 55 that transmits this light to the outside, that is, to the inside of the tank of
washed.

It can easily be seen that once has achieved the possibility of transmitting a light signal that represent, in codified form, the actual operation of a particular element located in the wash tank, then it can exploiting this possibility advantageously in order to transmit Different types of light rays.

In fact, a ray of light can be modulated in various ways, according to the type of information it is intended to transmit; in particular, it may be formed as a continuous beam of light or as a beam of light that flashes intermittently in the event that its ability to attract the user's attention or, more generally, whenever it is necessary to increase Desirably transmitted a more striking signal than can be transmitted by a beam of light
continuous.

For the sake of simplicity, in this document a description of the considerable number of possibilities will be omitted existing so that the light is modulated in different ways and much more complex than, however, a user would hardly be able to discern

A certainly much more widespread way of take advantage of the devices described above consists of in channeling, through these devices and, particularly, to through the light guides, different colored light rays different.

Therefore, associating a particular color of the ray of light transmitted with a different task to be executed or with a operating condition of a component part of the machine, it is created the possibility of transmitting defined, differentiated messages, with absolute immediacy and certainly without inducing confusion user, in which case, in fact, these luminous messages, properly colored and / or appropriately modulated pre-coded, have to be monitored and read exactly in the component parts to which they refer or very near them.

The variants and improvements mentioned above may be implemented, in addition, without adding significant burdens, as well as without incurring any particular functional risk, since the techniques to be used to modulate light rays in channels pre-existing physicists, or to transmit different types of light rays or light rays of different colors by the same physical channels mentioned, are well known in the technique and easy application to the present invention.

Finally, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to dishwasher machines; it will be applicable to all type of appliances in which it is known to notify signals issued, especially warning signals, in the respective panel of control. For example, it is possible to indicate, similarly, that in a washing machine lacks washing detergent or that the pump drain is blocked or that a filter element of a machine Clothes dryer is stuck. Other ones will also be included. Applications in different appliances.

Claims (17)

1. Dishwasher equipped with a tank washed (1) and which also includes one or more of the following dispositives:

-

a filter arrangement to filter the wash liquor,

-

a salt deposit to contain the salt needed to regenerate substances to soften the water,

-

a rinse enhancing agent dispenser (40),

-

a wash improver agent dispenser (30),

-

to the minus a rotating spray arm (50) to circulate the wash liquor inside the tank,

characterized in that it also comprises one or more means (6, 9, 55) light indicators, each of which is applied in a respective device of the aforementioned group of devices, or very close to it, at least the filter arrangement and / or the rotating spray arm (50), and each of which is located inside the washing tank and is accessible therein, said machine being provided with means intended to feed said luminous indicator means (6 , 9, 55) with respective signals that depend and / or are indicative of the operating status of the corresponding device
tooth. 2. Dishwashing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said salt tank and / or said filter are provided, at the top, with a transparent lid (2, 3). 3. Dishwashing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the respective light indicating means comprise:

-

a hollow protective support (6, 21) in the form of an elongated cylinder and which has a closed upper end part that faces said cover (2),

-

media photo transmitters (9, 25) disposed within said hollow support of protection, in the vicinity of its upper end part closed,

in which at least said part of upper end is made of a material transparent. 4. Dishwasher machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said protective support (6) is impervious to washing and rinsing liquids, and because the end portion (8) thereof, intended to be attached to the machine, is associated with sealing means (12) intended to prevent said liquids from entering said
bearing. 5. Dishwashing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said sealing means comprise a flexible support (12) intended to allow said hollow protective support (6) to oscillate elastically with respect to the structure of said machine. 6. Dishwashing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said flexible support (12) is made of rubber. 7. Dishwashing machine according to claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said flexible support (12) is first injected, together, into a terminal sleeve (13). 8. Dishwashing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said rinse-enhancing agent dispenser (40) and / or in said wash-enhancing agent dispenser (30), grooves are associated (33, 43) respective, in which the corresponding light guide end portions are located, said slits (33, 43) being arranged very close to the dispensers to which they are attached
ciada. 9. Dishwashing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one cover (35) is provided to be selectively actuated in order to open / close at least one (30) of said dispensers, and intended for covering, when in its closed position, the slits (33) associated with said dispenser (30), a plurality of through openings (32) being provided in said cover so that they are exactly over said slits (33) in mutual coincidence with
they. 10. Dishwashing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that said through openings (32) are closed by appropriate sieves, transparent to the light but intended to prevent the passage of substances therethrough into the washing tank and from it. 11. Dishwashing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one rotating spray arm (50) is supported by a related support arm (52) comprising a respective light guide (51), whose end which emits light, which looks at the washing tank, is intended to spread the light it receives, transmitting it inside said washing tank. 12. Dishwashing machine according to claim 11, characterized in that between said light emitting end and said washing tank (1) a transparent body (55) is arranged designed to isolate said light emitting end from the washing environment.
ford. 13. Dishwashing machine according to any of the preceding claims 8 to 12, characterized in that said light guides (51) are intended to receive the light generated by a respective, differentiated light source (53) disposed within the interior of the same machine 14. Dishwashing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light emitted by said indicating means is modulated in intensity in a varied way and, in particular, is intended to be converted into a beam of light that selectively flashes. 15. Dishwashing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light emitted by said indicating means is intended to be generated in selectively different colors. 16. Dishwashing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light indicating means are intended to indicate the position in which an action is necessary or in which a fault occurs and to instruct a user about what action is necessary to take. or what fault has to be eliminated. 17. Dishwashing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reliability check is carried out in order to allow an indication to be provided only when the need for an action or the occurrence of a failure is plausible.