GB2203933A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

A dishwashing machine has a pump 13 connected to the base 16 of a wash tank by a flanged tube 15 and a rotary sprayer supported thereon. The dishwashing machine may also be provided with a pivotable front opening door and safety lock mechanism. <IMAGE>

Description

A MINI-DISHWASHER The present invention relates to a mini-dishwasher having a tank with supporting enbloc.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a mini-dishwasher including a tank with supporting enbloc, on which a pump is directly fixed by means of a flanged tube without the interposition of sleeves.

The need to provide domestic appliances for use in rooms of limited size, such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, etc., has recently encouraged the research for the construction of products as comet as nossible, for use in confined spaces. Another reason for the widespread use of these compact domestic appliances and in particular dishwashers, is the crowing number of families with few belongings, which consequently require machines with limited storage capacity for daily use.

The known mini-dishwashers produced today, are generally designed for 4 to 8 persons, while providing savings in running costs due to their limited size and capacity, have certain disadvantages, mainly connected with the number of parts used. In fact, for their production there is not a correspondIng reduction in the number of components used proportional to their reduced size, compared to the traditional machines.

Although they have a smaller volume and capacity, the number of mechanical and electrical elements required to construct small domestic appliances are of approximately the same number as those used for machines of larger size and capacity. This is important when considering production costs including their initial assembly and the subsequent repair or maintenance costs.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a mini-dishwasher which overcomes the above referred to disadvantages.

According to the present invention, there is provided a mini-dishwasher comprising a ta.ìk with supporting enbloc, a sealed loading door, a pump, dirtl connected to the tank by means of a flanged tube and a rotor supported by the tube and forming a single self-supporting unit, the flanged tube connecting the mechanical fixing of the pump to the tank and the water supply of the rotor.

Preferably the flanged tube connects the final mechanical fixing and hydraulic feed of the rotor. Conveniently, the door of the mini-dishwasher is also fitted with lower forged facing hinges which are engaged, by means of pins projecting in the lower inner part of the tank, in corresponding seats also obtained by means of forging.

The dishwasher casing conveniently covers the tank on the front framework which is provided with a suitable perimeter self-locking insertion seat for the casing. The casing being secured by means of screws only at the rear of the dishwasher.

A further structural simplification of the minidishwasher of the present invention is the safety closing system of the door, this is preferably obtained by means of a single piece suitable shaped sheet steel, housed in the upper part of the lower framework of the tank.

An embodiment of a mini-dishwasher, açcordir to the present invention, will now be described by way or example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the mini-dishwasher with a part broken away showing an area for the selflocking insertion of the front framework; Fiqure 2 is a front perspective view of the minidishwasher of Figure 1 with casing removed and the door open; Figure 3 is a schematic detailed view of a single piece safety lock; Figure 4 is a fragmentary lateral perspective view of the dishwasher door and relevant forged hinge assembly, and Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a selfsupporting pump unit, anchored to the base of the tank, and rotor.

With particular reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the mini-dishwasher 1, has a tank body 2 provided with a front perimeter groove 3 in which a self-locking casing 4 is inserted.

The final fixing of the casing 4 is made by means of screws 5, placed only behind the tank bocy 2.

The mini-dishwasher is also provided with a front loading door 6 and a lower panel 7 which houses the various conti:uis. Figure 2 shO\NS thc tank 2 without the casing 4. In the upper part of the lower zone of the framework of tank 2 is a closing device 8 with a safety switch, illustrated in detail in Figure 3.

The closing device 8 is formed in a single piece by a sheet of substantially "U" shape, arid is provided with a resilient tang 8' to lock the door 6.

Correspondingly, door 6, which is obtained by forging, is provided with a pin 9 which engages in a hole 9' provided in the closing device 8 underlying the framework. This pin 9 acts on an electric safety contact (not shown).

With reference now to Figures 4 and 5, Figure 4 shows the special construction of one of the hinge arms 10 of the door 6, obtained by forging, and formed towards their outside wall with a small projecting pin (centre of rotation) 11 to be inserted in a corresponding seat (not shown in drawing) provided in the innter wall of the tank 2 and formed during the forging of the latter. The hinge-arm 10, with door 6 open, is engaged in a suitable stop fixed to the inner walls of the tank 2.

The same hinge-arm 10 is provided, at its lower end, with a projection 12 which comes lnto frictlorial contact with the inner walls of the tank 2, rresting the opening of the door G without tije use of counter springs.

The pump-rotor unit is illustrated in Figure 5 and comprises pump- 13 of any suitable known type which is fixed in special seats located under the base 16 of the tank 2.

The pump 13 is equipped with a screw threaded nut with a threaded flange 14 and a flanged tube -15 for connection to a rotor 17. The flanged tube 15 also served for the mechanical fixing of the pump 13 to the base 16 of the tank 2, forming a self-supporting pumprotor unit without the need for sleeves or other connecting elements.

Claims (8)

1. A mini-dishwasher comprising a tank with supporting enbloc, a sealed loading door, a pump, directly connected to the tank by means of a flanged tube and a rotor supported by the tube and forming a single self-supporting unit, the flanged tube connecting -the mechanical fixing of the pump to the tank and the water supply of the rotor.

2. A mini-dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door is hinged to the tank by means of facing hinges each having a pin projecting outwardly, for insertion in a corresponding seat formed on the Inner wall of the tank.

3. A mini-dishwasher as claimed in claim 2, wherein an arm of the hinge is provided with a projection which frictionally engages the walls of the tank to arrest the movement of the door.

4. A mini-dishwasher as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein it is provided with a lock with a safety device, placed on a lower part of the front framework of the tank, the safety device being formed in a single sheet of steel of substantially "U" shape, having a resilient tang to close the door, a striker pin, which may be inserted in a hole to act on an electric safety contact,1 located on the loading door.

5. A mini-dishwasher as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tank is covered by an external casing fixed only to the rear part of the dishwasher and inserted in a perimeter groove formed on at least three sides of the front framework of the tank.

6. A mini-dishwasher as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tank is insulated from heat or sound.

7. A mini-dishwasher as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the loading door is sealed without the interposition of any sealing strip or trimmlings.

8. A mini-dishwasher substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.