ES2901728T3 - Dishwasher with optical device and lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A dishwasher (1) comprising: - a pump (12) that can be connected to a water inlet of the network to take water from the network, - a washing area (2) in fluid communication with said pump (12) , said washing area (2) being defined by a plurality of walls (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E); - a door (3), configured to move between a closed configuration in which it prevents access to said washing area (2) and at least one open configuration in which it allows access to said washing area (2), characterized in that the dishwasher (1) further comprises: - one or more integrated lighting, disinfection and image acquisition complexes (8) comprising: - a lighting device (82) oriented to said washing area (2) and having a first light source (83) configured to emit radiation in the visible spectrum and a second light source (84) configured to emit radiation in the ultraviolet spectrum, and - an optical device (81) oriented to said area washing area (2) and configured to acquire digital images (J) of said washing area (2), where the dishwasher (1) further comprises: - a control unit (4) located in signal communication with one or more integrated lighting, disinfection and image acquisition complexes (8) to control said one or more integrated lighting, disinfection and image acquisition complexes (8), wherein one or more walls of the plurality of walls (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E) of the washing area (2) comprise, within their thickness, a seat (2F) configured to house one or more of the aforementioned integrated lighting, disinfection and image acquisition complexes (8).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Dishwasher with optical device and lighting device

technical field

The present invention relates to a dishwasher with an optical device provided with an integrated lighting device, according to claim 1.

The dishwasher according to the present invention is very useful for use in domestic environments, but also in environments such as bars or restaurants.

state of the art

Dishwashers provided with optical devices, such as cameras, cameras or video cameras, are already known per se in the state of the art. For example, WO2016008699 and US2012/0138092 illustrate dishwashers of the aforementioned type.

These optical devices are arranged in a fixed or mobile position with respect to a washing zone to verify the load of the dishes or the degree of cleanliness of the dishes.

By using optical devices, it is possible to choose the washing program depending on the conditions of the dish load.

DE 102009 023252 A1, WO 2019/015996 A1, US 2012/138092 A1, DE 102007 022572 A1 and DE 10256 168 A1 also show dishwashers provided with optical devices, such as still cameras, cameras or video cameras.

In particular, documents DE 10 2009 023252 A1, WO 2019/015996 A1, US 2012/138092 A1 show a dishwasher with an optical device (photographic camera or video camera) and a lighting device linked to the optical device, which allows acquiring images of it.

DE 10 2007 022572 A1 shows a dishwasher having an ultraviolet lamp or an LED for sterilizing the washing tank.

DE 10256168 A1 shows a dishwasher comprising a light bulb designed to indicate the status of the door.

A control unit is in signal communication with these optical devices and allows the user to manage or modify the operating functions of the dishwasher.

Dirt and debris accumulated during the loading and washing step are collected by a filter. This filter is positioned at the bottom of the wash area so that it can filter the water during the wash cycle to collect and retain dirt and food deposits.

Another function of the filter is to prevent food residues and/or other objects from entering the product washing and draining circuits.

The filter requires periodic cleaning to remove retained debris.

State of the art issues

Disadvantageously, regular cleaning of the filter is not enough to completely remove the accumulated dirt, since it only removes larger debris. Difficult to remove, micro-deposits remain trapped inside the filter, leading to the growth of unwanted micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and mould. These microorganisms stagnate in the filter and consequently contaminate the wash water in each cycle, spreading inside the dishwasher and on the dishes. In the event that frequent washing cycles are carried out, the proliferation and accumulation of the aforementioned pathogenic microorganisms are accentuated, also producing a bad smell.

In known dishwashers, there is also the problem of poor visibility inside the dishwasher. Consequently, when it is dark or when the environment in which the dishwasher is operating is not very bright, the operation of loading the dirty dishes into the dishwasher before washing them is not easy for the user, and neither is the observation of the dishes. washed to verify its final state.

Furthermore, in documents DE 102009 023252 A1, WO 2019/015996 A1 and US 2012/138092 A1 the light source is described in relation to the optical device, to allow image acquisition.

For its part, in document DE 102007022572 A1, only the UV source is mentioned, without the photographic camera and without the visible light source to illuminate the tank when the door is open.

In DE 10256168 A1 a lighting device is present, but it is used to indicate if the door is open, while the camera is not present.

Therefore, these prior art documents teach to house the device with its own light source and the UV source in parts of the frame of the dishwasher that are separate and different from each other. This makes it necessary to manufacture more expensive washing tank molds, since they must have several compartments in which the various members, such as the optical device, the light source and the UV source, will be housed.

Summary of the invention

In this context, the technical objective underlying the present invention is to propose a dishwasher that obviates the drawbacks of the state of the art as described above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dishwasher capable of allowing the disinfection of microorganisms that generally accumulate in the washing zone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher capable of facilitating the user's work when arranging the dishes, making them more visible.

The defined technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a dishwasher, which comprises the features set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

Advantages of the invention

This dishwasher solves the technical problem in that it comprises a lighting device capable of illuminating the washing area with visible radiation or ultraviolet radiation. In particular, visible radiation allows the user to see the dishes better, while ultraviolet radiation has a germicidal action.

Thanks to the lighting device according to the present invention, it is possible to illuminate the washing area with visible radiation to check the condition of the dishes and to load the dishwasher more easily without having to turn on the light.

Thanks to the lighting device according to the present invention, it is also possible to illuminate the washing area with ultraviolet radiation to disinfect and sterilize the washing area and the dishes to eliminate accumulated pathogenic microorganisms.

Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to have a seat in a wall on the washing tank side in which to store a single integrated device, which has both the optical device and the two light sources.

Furthermore, thanks to the present invention, it is possible to make a dishwasher in which the same lighting device has a first light source to illuminate the washing tank (during the cycle or when the door is open) and a second light source to disinfect.

Finally, the dishwasher with an optical device and associated lighting device is simpler and cheaper to produce.

List of figures

The other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate description and, therefore, not exclusive of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a dishwasher with an optical device and a lighting device, such and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where:

- Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of an integrated dishwasher, with some parts excluded to better show the others;

- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the dishwasher of figure 1 without some of its components and the dishes;

- figure 3 shows a detailed view of a washing area of the dishwasher of figure 1;

- figure 3A shows a schematic representation of a detail of the dishwasher of figure 1;

- figure 4 is a sectional view along the line V-V of figure 3;

- Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the operation of the dishwasher according to the present invention.

Detailed description

Even when not explicitly highlighted, individual features described with reference to specific embodiments are to be considered incidental to and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other embodiments.

Referring to the attached figures, 1 indicates a dishwasher according to the present invention. Said dishwasher 1 can be, for example, of the type integrated in a kitchen unit and is shown free of finishing panels for a better understanding of the internal volumes.

The dishwasher 1 comprises a washing zone 2 and a door 3.

The washing zone 2 defines the volume within which the dishes S are arranged.

In the following description, the term plates S means, for example, a plate, cutlery, a glass, a saucepan, etc. Dishwasher 1 identifies a base 1A, normally dedicated to housing the necessary mechanisms/devices for the performance of the main operations of dishwasher 1.

Washing zone 2 is defined by a plurality of walls such as base wall 2A, side walls 2B and 2C, top wall 2D and bottom wall 2e and identifies an upper portion 2' and a lower portion 2''.

The term upper/lower must be interpreted in light of the correct installation and condition of use of the dishwasher 1. In such a scenario, the upper term refers to the most distant part of the base 1A, while the lower term refers to the closest part of the base 1A.

The door 3 can be activated manually by the user and/or with an electrical servomechanism and has the purpose of hermetically closing the washing area 2 to prevent losses of washing liquid during the performance of the washing cycle.

In particular, the door 3 is configured to move between a closed configuration in which it prevents access to the washing zone 2 and at least one open configuration in which it allows access to the washing zone 2.

In the dishwasher 1 according to the present invention, the door 3 can also be positioned in a more approximate configuration, in which this door 3 is located close to the washing zone 2. In other words, the door 3 is open, but it prevents access to wash zone 2 when it is in the coarse configuration. The dishwasher also comprises one or more impellers 5. These are of the type known per se and will therefore not be described. It should be noted that there can be one or, preferably, two impellers arranged in the washing zone 2. In particular, the first impeller is located in the lower zone 2', near the base 1A, and the other in the upper part 2" , preferably in the lower part of the upper zone.

In the lower area 2' and/or in the upper area 2", there is a corresponding plate holder basket 21 which has the function of housing the various plates S, in accordance with techniques known in the state of the art and, therefore, does not described here.

The term plate holder basket 21 refers to any device and/or accessory dedicated to their placement and, therefore, suitable for holding the plates S.

Said basket and/or accessory must be compatible with the dimensions of the washing area 2 of the dishwasher 1.

The dishwasher 1 comprises a dispenser 6 shaped to define a volume suitable for housing the products or detergents necessary to clean the dishes S.

For example, these detergents can be powder detergents, tablets or tablets, but also liquid/gel detergents.

Said dispenser 6 can comprise one or more compartments, each of them intended to receive a specific washing product.

According to one aspect, and also referring to figure 1, the dispenser 6 is located on the door 3, in particular in the part turned towards the washing zone 2, at a predefined height. More specifically, the dispenser 6 is housed within the thickness of the door 3.

The dishwasher 1 comprises a pump 12, for example, arranged in the base 1A. The pump 12 can be connected, according to techniques already known to those skilled in the art and therefore not described here, with a mains water inlet to take the water necessary for the washing cycle from the mains.

The washing zone 2 is in fluid communication with the pump 12. In particular, the pump 12 has the task of making the water flow towards the impellers 5 arranged inside the washing zone.

The dishwasher 1 comprises one or more optical devices 81, oriented towards the washing zone 2. The optical devices 81 are designed to acquire digital images J of the washing zone 2. Said images J can be fixed and/or sequential two-dimensional digital images , with a predetermined capture rate, such as a single frame or burst of J-images, or an uninterrupted stream of J-images. Advantageously, it is possible to obtain data from the acquired J-images in such a way that it can be determined some parameters, such as the load of dishes S, to optimize the washing cycle and reduce consumption.

Optical devices 81, for example, are incorporated in a still camera and/or a video camera. Such devices are known in the field and will therefore not be described in detail in the present description. Dishwasher 1 also comprises one or more lighting fixtures 82. The one or more lighting fixtures 82 are oriented toward wash zone 2 and configured to illuminate wash zone 2 with visible or ultraviolet light.

In particular, each lighting device 82 comprises at least:

- a first light source 83 configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum and/or - a second light source 84 configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet spectrum. Advantageously, in this way it is possible to illuminate the washing zone 2 with visible radiation to facilitate the user's observation of the dishes S.

Alternatively or jointly, it is also possible to illuminate the washing zone 2 with ultraviolet radiation to better clean the dishes S or the washing zone 2 itself.

By way of example, the first light source 83 comprises one or more LED light sources, each capable of emitting a flash of visible light in a power range between a few watts and a few tens of watts, preferably between 5 and 40 W.

By way of example, the second light source 84 is incorporated by LED light sources.

Preferably, the second light source 84 is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation in the short ultraviolet band. Said radiation has in fact a germicidal action. Advantageously, it is possible to sterilize the washing zone 2 to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms that accumulate as a result of the dirt on the dishes S, eliminating bad odors due to microorganisms.

It should be noted that the dishwasher 1 according to a preferred embodiment comprises at least one light source 83, 84 associated with a corresponding optical device 81.

Preferably, the first light source 83 is associated with a corresponding optical device 81. In particular, the first light source 83 is integrated with a corresponding optical device 81.

Furthermore, the second light source 84 is adjacent to the first light source 83. The first light source 83 and the second light source 84 form with the optical device 81 an illumination, disinfection and image acquisition complex 8.

Preferably, the second light source 84 is associated with the first light source 83. In other words, the second light source 84 is integrated with the first light source 83.

As a consequence, the complex 8 is a single integrated device in which the illumination device 82, comprising the first light source 83 and the second light source 84 integrated with each other, is associated with the optical device 81.

Advantageously, the integration of the lighting device 82 with the optical device 81 makes it possible to optimize the space occupied in the dishwasher 1.

Preferably, the dishwasher according to the present invention comprises two or more complexes 8.

In more detail, each wall 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and/or 2E of the washing zone 2 can house, within its thickness, one or more of the complexes 8 mentioned above. For this purpose, a seat 2F is provided for each complex 8, obtained in the thickness of one of the four side walls 2A 2B, 2C, 2D. In this seat 2F all the electrical and electronic elements necessary for the operation of complex 8 are available.

Seat 2F defines a volume suitable for housing the corresponding complex 8.

Preferably, to protect the light sources 83, 84 and the optics of the optical device 81 from water, dirt or impacts, the complex 8 comprises a cover panel 8A.

In particular, cover panel 8A is transparent to both visible light and ultraviolet light. For example, the cover panel is made of glass, quartz, PMMA or other plastics, or materials with similar technical properties.

Cover panel 8A is preferably arranged so that it is substantially flush with or slightly protruding from wall surface 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D or 2E.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the seat 2F, within which the optical device 81 and the lighting device 82 are disposed, is configured to be watertight, for example, using sealing techniques. It should be noted that the lighting device 82 has a lighting field 8B that allows illumination of the dishes S and/or areas of the washing zone 2 that are located within it. According to a preferred embodiment, the dishwasher 1 comprises two or more lighting devices 82, integrated in particular in corresponding complexes 8 and positioned at diametrically opposite points of the washing zone 2. Advantageously, it is possible to illuminate the washing zone 2 from more efficient way.

The dishwasher 1 comprises a control unit 4, for example arranged in the thickness of the door 3. The control unit 4 is provided with an electronic board on which the usual electrical and electronic devices are located. The control unit 4 is configured to control and monitor the operational functions of the dishwasher 1.

In the context of the present description, the control unit 4 will be divided into a plurality of functional modules. This is done for clarity, but does not necessarily reflect the implementation of the control unit 4. The modules, in fact, may comprise one or more hardware components and/or one or more software programs. The implementation of the control unit 4 can be carried out in local hardware, in one or more virtual machines and/or it can be distributed in one or more devices connected in the network through cables or wireless connections. Referring particularly to figure 5, the control unit 4 comprises a memory module 41 and/or an acquisition module 42 and/or a processing module 43 and/or a drive module 44. The control unit 4 comprises also a series of I/O ports to receive and generate data (not shown in the attached figures).

At least one cleaning program P is permanently stored in a part of the memory module 41. The cleaning program P is the result of one or a combination of more than one of the following parameters: - the duration of the washing step /drying;

- the pressure of the washing pump;

- the temperature of the washing and drying stages;

- the use of a water softening system;

- the amount of detergent dispensed.

The program P may also comprise other parameters not indicated in this document in order to keep the description simple. According to the selected cleaning program P, the control unit 4 controls the various components suitable for carrying out the washing cycle.

Furthermore, as will be discussed in detail in a later part of the present description, the control unit 4 is placed in signal communication with the complex 8, in particular through the I/O ports, to control both the device lens 81 as well as to the illumination device 82 and thus to the light sources 83 and 84.

In particular, the acquisition module 42 is designed to receive one or more images J acquired by the optical device 81, as described above. The processing module 43 processes the images J to obtain data that is compared with the data previously stored in the memory module 41. Consequently, the drive module 44 acts on various parameters of the cleaning program P. For example, the module drive 44 regulates the flow F of pump 12.

Control unit 4 is also placed in signal communication with lighting device 82 to control lighting device 82. Advantageously, it is possible to use a single control unit 4 to control both optical device 81 and lighting device 82. .

A lighting program L is stored in a portion of the memory module 41 of the control unit 4. In more detail, the control unit 4 is configured to send an activation signal A to activate the first light source 83 and/or the second light source 84. The control unit 4 is further configured to send a deactivation signal D to deactivate the first light source 83 and/or the second light source 84, for example, after a period has elapsed predetermined time from activation.

The dishwasher 1 according to the present invention comprises detection means 11 associated with the door 3 and in signal communication with the control unit 4.

These detection means 11 are configured to detect the position X and/or the movement M of the door 3.

According to one embodiment, the detection means 11 comprise a first sensor 111 configured to detect the position X of the door 3 and/or a second sensor 112 configured to detect the movement M of the door 3. The first sensor 111 and the second sensor 112 are configured to send data to control unit 4.

The first sensor 111 can, for example, be a switch capable of defining the open/closed state of the door 3.

The second sensor 112 can, for example, be a gyroscope or an accelerometer, therefore configured to detect the movement M of the door 3, for example, by variations in the position X and/or in the speed of the door 3.

In particular, the detection means 11 are configured to emit a first signal S1 when the door 3 moves from a closed configuration to an open configuration. The control unit 4 is configured to receive the first signal S1 from the detection means 11 and to activate the first light source 83, ie the light source configured to emit visible radiation.

The detection means 11 is configured to also emit a second signal S2 when the gate 3 is in the coarse configuration. The control unit 4 is configured to receive the second signal S2 from the detection means 11 and to deactivate the first light source 83.

Advantageously, when the dishwasher 1 is switched off, after the washing cycle has been completed, and the user approaches the door 3 without closing it, the light remains closed.

The detection means 11 are configured to emit a third signal S3 when the door 3 is in the closed configuration. The control unit 4 is configured to receive the third signal S3 from the detection means 11 and to activate the second light source 84.

With particular reference to figure 5, the acquisition module 42 of the control unit 4 is designed to receive the signals S1, S2, S3 emitted by the detection means 11.

Processing module 43 processes the acquired data by comparing it to data previously stored in memory module 41.

Consequently, the drive module 44 allows to send the activation signal A or the deactivation signal D to the lighting device 83. In particular, the drive module is configured to turn on the second light source 84 if the door 3 is open. in the closed configuration, to turn on the first light source 83 and/or to turn off the second light source 84 if door 3 is in the open configuration, to turn off the first light source 83 if door 3 is in the open configuration. approximate.

In one embodiment, the dishwasher 1 according to the present invention may be provided with multiple sensors to detect the position X and/or the movement M of the door 3 to define the state of the door 3 in one of the configurations open, closed and approximate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the dishwasher 1, the control unit 4 is configured to activate said second light source 84 outside the washing cycle. Advantageously, this makes it possible to sterilize the washing zone 2 when the dishwasher 1 is empty, i.e. free of dishes S.

Alternatively, the control unit 4 is configured to activate the second light source 84, during a stage before and/or after the washing cycle.

According to one embodiment, the control unit 4 is configured to activate the second light source 84 outside of the wash cycle and before and/or after the wash cycle. In this way it is possible to sterilize the dishes S, the washing zone 2 or both.

The dishwasher 1 comprises a user interface 9, that is, the command and control interface through which the user can control and manage the operations and functions of the dishwasher 1 itself.

For said purpose, the user interface 9 is in signal communication with the control unit 4 through its I/O ports to receive the data processed by the processing module 43 of the control unit itself. In one embodiment, the user interface 9 is a display 23 integrated into the dishwasher 1 so that it can be visible to a user during normal use and/or with the addition of a buzzer (not shown in the attached figures). According to one aspect, referring to figure 1, the user interface 9 is integrated in the door 3 so that the screen faces the washing area 2 externally.

It is worth noting that the screen 23 of the user interface 9 is configured to display individual or continuous light indications, text messages and/or images J. In particular, the J images that can be displayed on the screen may be J images of the washing area 2 and related objects acquired by the optical devices 81.

In particular, the screen may be of the touch type (or controllable by touch).

In another embodiment, the user interface 9 comprises one or more analog buttons and/or a combination of analog/digital controls and/or a combination of analog/digital controls and a screen, the latter being, for example, of the touch type.

The user interface buzzer 9 has the purpose of informing the user of any operating condition or situation through an acoustic signal.

In one embodiment, the dishwasher 1 comprises a radio transceiver device that is configured to create signal communication with a wired and/or wireless network. For example, the wireless network may be a network based on an Internet protocol via a Wi-Fi connection or a WPAN (Personal Area Network) based on the Bluetooth protocol.

In this hypothesis, the user interface 9 comprises a portion of software 26 installed on a portable device (that is, portable or graspable by a user's hand) 22 such as, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a PC or instruments Similar.

In other words, the user interface 9 comprises both the usual control interface of the dishwasher 1 and the screen of the portable device 22.

In particular, the portable device 22 comprises its own radio transceiver that is configured to establish a signal communication with the radio transceiver device of the dishwasher 1.

According to one aspect, the portable device 22, in addition to being able to communicate with the control unit 4 of the dishwasher 1, can also be connected via the Internet, for example via a mobile data network, with one or more more remote servers 24 to carry out the operations of archiving, saving and/or data processing on the images J acquired by the optical devices 81.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment, through the user interface 9 the user can create, delete or modify other cleaning programs P and/or lighting programs L.

With particular reference to the lighting programs L, for example, the user can regulate the time interval of the lighting or temporarily disable the lighting device 82.

In other words, the portable device 22 is suitable for connecting both directly with the dishwasher 1 and with the Internet via the mobile data network. In this scenario, therefore, you set up a system that it comprises the dishwasher 1 and the software portion 26 of the portable device 22, both being in signal communication through a mobile data network, Wi-Fi connection and/or a WPAN.

Claims (9)

1. A dishwasher (1) comprising: - a pump (12) that can be connected to a mains water inlet to take water from the mains, - a washing zone (2) in fluid communication with said pump (12), said washing zone (2) being defined by a plurality of walls (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E); - a door (3), configured to move between a closed configuration in which it prevents access to said washing zone (2) and at least one open configuration in which it allows access to said washing zone (2), characterized in that the dishwasher (1) further comprises: - one or more integrated lighting, disinfection and image acquisition complexes (8) comprising: - a lighting device (82) oriented towards said washing area (2) and having a first light source (83) configured to emitting radiation in the visible spectrum and a second light source (84) configured to emit radiation in the ultraviolet spectrum, and - an optical device (81) oriented towards said washing zone (2) and configured to acquire digital images (J) of said washing zone (2), where the dishwasher (1) further comprises: - a control unit (4) located in signal communication with one or more integrated lighting, disinfection and image acquisition complexes (8) to control said one or more integrated lighting, disinfection and image acquisition complexes (8), wherein one or more walls of the plurality of walls (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E) of the washing zone (2) comprise, within its thickness, a seat (2F) configured to house one or more of the integrated illumination, disinfection and image acquisition complexes (8) mentioned above. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first light source (83) is associated with a corresponding optical device (81) and said second light source (84) is adjacent and integrated with said first light source (83). The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein said control unit (4) is configured to send an activation signal (A) to activate said first light source (83) and/or said second light source (84), the control unit (4) being further configured to send a deactivation signal (D) to deactivate said first (83) and/or second (84) light sources after a period has elapsed predetermined time from activation. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, comprising detection means (11) in signal communication with said control unit (4) and associated with the door (3) for detecting the position (X) and/or the movement (M) of the door (3), said detection means (11) being configured to emit a first signal (S1) when the door (3) moves between the closed configuration and an open configuration, being said control unit (4) configured to receive said first signal (S1) from said detection means (11) and to activate said first light source (83). 5. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 4, wherein the door (3) can be positioned in an approximate configuration in which it is close to the washing area (2), said detection means (11) being ) configured to emit a second signal (S2) when said gate (3) is in the approximate configuration. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 5, wherein said control unit (4) is configured to receive said second signal (S2) from said detection means (11) and to deactivate said first light source ( 83). The dishwasher (1) according to claim 4, wherein said detection means (11) are configured to detect variations in the position and/or in the speed of movement of said door (3). The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein said control unit (4) is configured to activate said second light source (84) when the door (3) is in the closed configuration. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein said control unit (4) is configured to activate said second light source (84) when the door (3) is in the closed configuration before the washing cycle. wash and/or out of the wash cycle.