ITTO960073A1 - IMPROVED HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT DISHWASHER - Google Patents

Abstract

A dishwashing machine is disclosed, comprising a washing tank (1), at least a basket (2) adapted to sliding in said tank (1), a supply conduit (15) which ends with a hydraulic supply socket (14; 25 ) on a wall of said tank (1), a sprayer element (3) carried by said basket (2), a tubular element (4, 7) carried by said basket (2) and having a first end connected to said sprayer (3), the second end being designed to couple in use with said hydraulic socket; according to the invention, a guide (11) is fixed to a wall of the washing tub (1) extending substantially between said hydraulic socket (14; 25) and the front part of said tub (1) and by the fact that said tubular element it comprises a telescopic portion (7), the upper part of which is constrained to sliding in said guide (11).

Description

Description of the industrial invention entitled:

"IMPROVED HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT DISHWASHER MACHINE"

SUMMARY

A dishwashing machine is described, comprising a washing tank (1), at least one basket (2) suitable for sliding in said tank (1), a supply duct (15) which ends with a hydraulic supply socket (14; 25) ) on a wall of said tank (1), a sprinkler member (3) carried by said basket (2), a tubular element (4,7) carried by said basket (2) and having a first end connected to said sprinkler (3), the second end being designed to couple in use with said hydraulic socket; according to the invention, a guide (11) is fixed to a wall of the washing tank (1) extending substantially between said hydraulic outlet (14; 25) and the front part of said tank (1) and by the fact that said tubular element comprises a telescopic portion (7), the upper part of which is constrained to slide in said guide (11),

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a dishwashing machine, comprising a washing tank, at least one basket suitable for sliding in said tank, a supply duct that ends in the form of a hydraulic supply socket on a wall of said tank, a sprinkler member carried by said basket, a tubular element also carried by said basket and having a first end connected to said sprinkler, the second end being designed to be coupled in use with said hydraulic socket. It is known that dishwashing machines usually comprise two baskets for the dishes, and in particular an upper loading basket and a lower loading basket.

In these machines <'>, the dishes are sprayed through two rotating manifolds that spray the washing liquid towards the baskets, and which are fed with liquid under pressure coming from a special washing pump, housed in the base of the machine.

The lower manifold is generally fed and supported from below, by means of a tubular element connected directly to the pump body, while the upper manifold is normally fed from above: a nozzle housed in the top of the washing tank, fed through a duct coming from the pump, sends down a jet of liquid and said jet, after having crossed a jump in the air, reaches a conical-shaped receiving element, fixed centrally to the upper basket of the machine; the jump in the air that separates the nozzle from the receiving element is made to allow the basket to slide horizontally, for the normal operations of loading and unloading the dishes.

The conical receiving element, which is associated with the upper rotating manifold and is in communication with it, normally uses a Venturi tube system, to avoid turbulence and regurgitation in the liquid flow.

The jet of liquid that comes out of the nozzle, however, crosses the jump in the air and enters the conical receiving element at high speed, hitting its walls and thus generating a noise that can be heard for the entire duration of the washing, making this noisy way the appliance.

Furthermore, in consideration of the fact that the upper basket of the dishwashing machine is usually adjustable in height (i.e. it is able to assume at least two different positions, one higher and one lower, inside the washing tank), the jump in the air it can be higher or lower, depending on the condition of use of the dishwasher; it is evident that when the upper basket is placed in the lowest position, the path in the air of the liquid flow is greater; in this case the probability that a part of the liquid is missing from the conical receiving element, ending outside it and decreasing the washing efficiency, are increased; another negative effect in this condition of use is the greater noise generated by the liquid entering the conical element.

In an attempt to solve the problem of minimizing the noise and leaks of the fluid under pressure, dishwashers equipped with means have been proposed to eliminate, during the use of the machine, the air gap existing between the upper nozzle and the element. conical receiver.

For example, EP-A-401.767 describes a dishwashing machine with baskets adjustable in height, where a supply duct for the upper manifold, which starts from a pump, extends along the side wall and the bottom wall of the tank. wash; on the bottom wall of the tank, the aforementioned duct is provided with two openings, placed at different heights, equipped with respective valves forming part of a switching device.

The upper manifold is equipped with a connection tube which is coupled alternatively with one or the other of said openings, depending on the height position chosen for the basket, controlling with the act of connection also the opening of the valve of the connected part and the closing of the valve of the unconnected part, when the upper basket is introduced to the end of the stroke.

This solution has the disadvantage of having to make a suitable seat in one wall of the tank, in particular the bottom wall, to house the supply duct. This operation obviously complicates the molding operations of a particularly complex piece, such as the rear wall of the tank, with the consequent cost increases. In addition, the presence of the switching device can present obstacles to the flow of water from the supply pipe.

In some known applications, the supply duct and the switching device have been housed inside the washing tank, but this obviously entails a reduction of the useful spaces inside the tank itself and a very bad aesthetic effect (being the duct and the device switch directly in sight).

EP-A-372.342 describes a dishwashing machine having the upper basket capable of assuming two different operating positions, by means of a joint which allows its lateral inclination.

The feeding tube coming from the pump has one end that protrudes from an opening placed on the side wall where the aforementioned joint is located, which is provided with a spherical seat; in this seat the connection pipe to the upper manifold, carried by the dishwasher basket, is intended to be coupled; said connection tube is therefore equipped with the same tilting capacity as the basket.

This solution, which is specific for machines with reduced external dimensions, is clearly configured as a compromise solution, not allowing the full height adjustment of the upper rack provided by common dishwashing machines. Furthermore, the tightness of the coupling between the connection pipe and the supply pipe can give rise to problems, since there are no elements which ensure the watertight seal and the precise coupling between the parts.

The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and to indicate a dishwashing machine equipped with a system for feeding the upper manifold of increased efficiency, practicality and precision.

In this context, the main purpose of the present invention is to indicate a dishwashing machine in which the supply duct of the upper manifold does not have any jumps in the air, is equipped with elements that favor watertightness and is equipped with guide means on the washing operations that make the hydraulic connection operations simple and safe after removing and adjusting the basket. Another object of the invention is to indicate a dishwashing machine in which the arrangement of the supply duct does not require substantial modifications to the molding cycle of the walls of the washing tank.

To achieve these purposes, the subject of the present invention is a dishwashing machine incorporating the characteristics of the attached claims.

Further objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description and from the annexed drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

- Figs. 1 and 2 show in lateral section and in front section respectively the upper part of the washing tank of a dishwashing machine made according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

- Fig. 3 represents an enlarged detail of Fig. 2;

- Figs. 4 and 5 show in lateral section and in front section respectively the upper part of the washing tank of a dishwashing machine made according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

- Fig. 6 represents an enlarged detail of Fig. 5;

- Figs. 7 and 8 show in front section and side section a detail of a dishwashing machine made according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

- Fig. 9 represents an enlarged detail of Fig. 7;

- Fig. 10 represents a possible variant of an element of the dishwasher of the previous figures.

- Fig.11 represents a further possible variant of an element of the dishwasher of the previous figures.

- Fig.12 represents an assembly detail of the variant of Fig.11.

In Figs. 1, 2, 3 shows the upper part of the washing tank of a dishwasher made according to the dictates of the present invention. In this tank, indicated as a whole with 1, an upper basket 2 is housed, to the lower part of which a sprinkler element 3 is fixed. A tubular element 4 is connected to the sprinkler 3, which, by means of a coupling system 5 , possibly provided with sealing rings 6, which provide the watertight seal, it is connected to a telescopic tubular element 7; instead of the coupling system 5, a simple welding can be provided between the telescopic tubular element 7 and the tubular element 4. The element 7 consists of two tubular semi-elements 7A and 7B coupled together, with an interposed ring of seal 8, so that they can slide into each other.

The half-element 7A is fixed to the rear and bottom walls of the basket 2 by means of suitable hooks, one of which is indicated by 9; The same semi-element 7A can optionally provide hooks also in the upper part, to support elements 10 associated with the basket 2,

Reference 11 indicates a guide, fixed to the ceiling of the washing tank, for example by means of screws 11A, and extending for almost the entire depth of the tank 1; this guide 11 has a suitable flaring 11B at the end towards the front of the tank 2, which is open.

The half-element 7B has an end part 12, suitably shaped for coupling with the guide 11, so that the telescopic tubular element 7 can be guided, by sliding the end part 12 into the guide 11. As can be seen, in particular in Figs. 2 and 3, the section of the guide 11 is such as to constrain the vertical movement of the half-element 7B, and to support it.

The terminal part 12 of the half-element 7B is also shaped so as to be coupled with a spherical seat 14, obtained at the end of a supply tube 15, which starts from a washing pump, not shown in the figures, housed in the part bottom of the machine.

The supply tube 15 extends outside the tank 1, along a side wall and the top of the tank itself; in the rear part of the top of the tank (i.e. near the bottom wall of the tank), in a central position, there is an opening, in which the duct 15 ends with the seat 14.

As can be seen in Figs. 1-3, the guide 11 is shaped in such a way as to realize, in union with the end of the duct 15, the aforementioned seat 14, which in practice constitutes a water supply socket for the tubular element 7.

On the end part 12 of the half-element 7B there is a housing for a sealing ring 16, intended to operate with the seat 14; on the opposite side, i.e. towards the lower part of the guide 11, the terminal element 12 is equipped with an elastic washer 17, whose function is to act as a spring, allowing the terminal part 12 to lower to engage the seat 14 and create the connection with the seat 14 itself. Operation of the machine described with reference to Figs. 1-3 is very simple.

For the purposes of the normal operations of decay or / unloading of the dishes, i.e. when the basket 2 is made to slide, by known means, towards the outside and / or inside of the tank 1, the basket itself drags the telescopic element with it 7, which is guided in its upper part by the guide 11; when it is necessary to extract the basket 2 from the tank 1, the traction exerted on the basket causes the end part 12 to lower, flexing the elastic washer 17, so that it can be released from its seat 14 and be able to slide in the guide 11 up to bottom of the run foreseen for the basket. In the same way, in case of introduction of the basket 2 into the tank 1, the thrust exerted on the basket causes the end part 12 to lower, again flexing the elastic washer 17, so as to be able to engage in the seat 14.

If it is desired to completely remove the basket 2 from the machine, the end part 12 can freely exit the open flare 11B of the guide 11, freeing the element 7. In this case, when the basket is reinserted inside the tank, it is it is sufficient to insert the end part 12 into the guide 11, through the open flaring 11B and push the basket 2 inside the washing tank 1.

It is evident that the system described is particularly advantageous to use in the case of dishwashing machines equipped with integrated systems for adjusting the height position of the upper rack (for example of the type described in DE-A-42 27 585.

In fact, when it is necessary to vary the height position of the basket 2, the end part 12 remains constrained and supported to the guide 11 and the vertical movement of the basket is followed by the sliding of the half element 7A on the half element 7B. It is clear that such a solution allows not only the known two-position adjustment, one lower and one higher than the basket 2, but also adapts to a possible continuous adjustment of the height of the basket 2.

The proposed solution is also easy to implement even on more traditional dishwashing machines, where the upper basket has on each side two series of wheels, placed at different height levels, suitable for being selectively engaged in rails fixed to the side walls of the door. basin; in these machines, the two different positions in height of the basket are obtained by inserting the upper series of wheels of the basket (low position of the basket) or the series of lower wheels (high position of the basket) into the rails.

It is evident that the present invention is directly applicable also on machines of this type, following the procedures previously described; for this purpose it is in fact sufficient to completely remove the basket 2 from the machine, so that also the end part 12 is freed from the open flaring 11B of the guide 11, and then reintroducing the basket in the new position in height, taking care to enter the end part 12 in the open flare 11B of the guide 11.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show a possible variant of the system of Figs. 1-3, according to which modifications are introduced to the telescopic tubular element 7 and to the guide 11.

In this embodiment, a spring 20 is positioned inside the half-element 7A, on which the half-element 7B rests; the force exerted by this spring 20, which replaces the elastic washer 17 according to the proposed variant, is such as to keep the terminal element 12 inside the guide 11.

Furthermore, as can be seen in particular in Figs. 5 and 6, the guide 11 is in practice open downwards, as it no longer has to act as a support or hook for the half-element 7B, as in the case of Figs. 1-3.

It is clear that in the embodiment of Figs. 4-6, the end part 12 of the telescopic tubular element 7, during normal washing operations, resides in the seat 14, to which it remains connected by virtue of the force exerted by the spring 20.

The operation of this variant, for the purposes of loading / unloading dishes, removing and adjusting the height of the basket, is practically analogous to that previously described with reference to Figs. 1-3.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 a third possible embodiment of the present invention is represented, according to which the guide 11 is shaped in such a way as to allow the sliding of a pair of wheels 21, which are coupled to the half-element 7B by means of fins 22 of the latter.

In Figs. 8 and 9 it can be seen that the section of the guide 11, substantially with a double T, is able to allow the sliding of the wheels 21, thus realizing the function of rails; in these figures, the position of the fins 22 connected close to the axis of the half-element 7B can also be noted so as to minimize the dimensions of the guide 11.

In this case, the half-element 7B is shaped so as to constitute a Venturi tube, in order to reduce the turbulence of the fluid and therefore avoid dispersion of the jet. Also in this variant, however, the half-element 7B is free to slide inside the half-element 7A.

According to this variant; a nozzle 25 is associated with the end of the duct 15, which in practice replaces the seat 14 of Figs. 1-6, thus providing a hydraulic power supply socket for the tubular element 7; in turn associated with said nozzle 25 is a deformable cap 26, preferably made of an elastomeric material; as can be seen in Figs. 7-9, the upper conical end of the half-element 7B constitutes a seat for this cap 26, which in use is therefore fitted between the nozzle 25 and the half-element 78.

In Fig. 8 it can also be seen how the guide 11 defines, in its terminal part facing the cap 26, an inclined plane 27 so as to favor the coupling and uncoupling between the half-element 7B and the cap 26, in the case of sliding of the basket; also in this case, the guide 11 extends for almost the entire depth of the tank 1, substantially between the point where the nozzle 25 is located and the front part of the tank 1.

The operation of the variant illustrated in Figs. 7-9 is practically analogous to that previously described, with the difference that, in this case, the cap 26 made of elastic material actually replaces the elastic washer 17 and the spring 20 of the previous variants. For the purposes of normal dish loading / unloading operations, i.e. when the basket 2 is made to slide towards the outside and / or inside of the tank 1, the basket itself drags the telescopic element 7 with it, which is guided in its upper part through the guide 11, in which the wheels 21 slide; when it is necessary to extract the basket 2 from the tub 1, the traction exerted on the basket causes the conical end of the half element 7B to disengage from the cap 26, which is able to deform elastically; in this way, therefore, the telescopic element 7 can be guided by means of the guide 11, up to the bottom of the stroke provided for the basket. In the same way, in case of introduction of the basket 2 into the tank 1, the thrust exerted on the basket causes the conical end of the half element 7B to lower, by virtue of the presence of the inclined plane 27, and can fit on the cap 26, with slight bending of the latter.

Also in this case, if it is desired to completely remove the basket 2 from the machine, the wheels 21 can freely exit from the open end of the guide 11 (i.e. the end facing the front of the tub 1), freeing the element 7B. Upon reinserting the basket inside the tank, it will be sufficient to insert the wheels 21 into the guide II and push the basket 2 into the washing tank 1. Figure 11 shows a variant of the invention, in which the basket 2, instead of being constituted, as in the known art, by elements of metal wire, it is constituted by a bottom 28, made of metal wire, and by a frame 29 in plastic material, in turn constituted by a front wall 30, a rear wall 31 and two side walls 32.

The side walls 32 have, in their lower part facing towards the inside of the frame 29, some hooking means for coupling with the bottom 28.

On the rear wall 31 there is also the tubular half-element 7 A described above, which can be made in the same element 31 with the same molding operation.

The frame 29, as mentioned, can be made, in distinct pieces, of molded plastic material, which correspond to the walls 30-32, which are assembled together. For this purpose, as shown in Figure 12, the ends of each of the walls 30-32 are shaped in such a way as to make joints, which allow the angular coupling of the walls themselves; as can be seen, in order to ensure a secure coupling between two walls, a pin 33 is advantageously provided, able to be inserted into through holes 34, which are made in appendages 35 which constitute the complementary profile of the walls.

From the above description the characteristics of the present invention are clear, as well as its advantages. In particular, according to the invention:

- the jump in the air of the known art is eliminated, with all the advantages both for the noise and for the efficiency of the hydraulic circuit of the dishwasher, which also makes use of sealing means which eliminate possible liquid leaks;

- the proposed hydraulic circuit is compatible with various systems of sliding and height adjustment of the basket;

- the end of the feed tube (15) of the upper manifold can be positioned on the top of the washing tank, without having to make suitable seats in the bottom wall to house it, thereby modifying the complex molding processes of the piece;

- the provision of a sliding guide allows an easy and precise coupling between the liquid supply duct and the tubular element connected to the sprinkler,

It is clear that numerous other variants are possible for those skilled in the art to the dishwashing machine described as an example, without thereby departing from the novelty principles inherent in the inventive idea, just as it is clear that in its practical implementation the forms of the illustrated details they can be different, and they can be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

A possible variant is illustrated for example in Fig. 10, according to which the tubular element 4 is connected to the sprinkler 3 reaching it from below, and the sprinkler itself is fixed below the bottom of the basket 2, in order to avoid clutter. inside the basket itself.

According to a further possible variant, the upper rack of the dishwasher can have a bottom wall made of molded plastic material; in this case, therefore, it is possible to integrate at least a part of the tubular element 7, and in particular the half element 7A, during the molding operation of this plastic wall of the basket.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1. Dishwashing machine, comprising a washing tank (1), at least one basket (2) suitable for sliding in said tank (1), a supply duct (15) which ends with a hydraulic supply socket on a wall said tank (1), a sprinkler member (3) carried by said basket (2), a tubular element (4,7) carried by said basket (2) and having a first end connected to said sprinkler (3), the second end being intended to be coupled in use with said hydraulic socket, characterized in that a guide (11) extending substantially between said hydraulic socket (14; 25) and the front part of the said tub (1) and that said tubular element comprises a telescopic portion (7), the upper part of which is constrained to slide in said guide (11), 2. Dishwashing machine, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said telescopic portion (7) comprises at least a lower half element (7 A) and an upper half element (7B), free to slide relative to each other. Dishwashing machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that said upper half-element (7B) has an end part (12) of a shape suitable for engaging and sliding in said guide (11). 4. Dishwashing machine, according to claim 3, characterized in that said terminal part (12) is of a shape suitable for engaging in a seat (14) obtained in correspondence with said hydraulic outlet. 5. Dishwashing machine, according to claim 4, characterized in that said guide (11) is shaped so as to define at least a part of said seat (14). 6. Dishwashing machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide (11) has a flared front end (11B). 7. Dishwashing machine, according to claim 3, characterized in that elastic means, such as an elastic washer (17), are interposed between said terminal part (12) of the upper half-element (11) and said guide (11). 8. Dishwashing machine, according to claim 3, characterized in that said end part (12) of said upper half element (7B) has a seat for housing a sealing ring (16). Dishwashing machine, according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end part (12), and therefore said upper half element (11), are supported by said guide (11). 10. Dishwashing machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that an elastic element (20) is housed between said two half-elements (7A, 7B), on said elastic element (20) resting in particular said upper half-element (7B). 11. Dishwashing machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one wheel (21) suitable for sliding in said guide (11) is associated with said upper half-element (7B). Dishwashing machine, according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic hood (26) suitable for coupling with the upper part of said upper semi-element (7B) is associated with said hydraulic supply socket. 13. Dishwashing machine, according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide (11) has at least one section of inclined plane (27). Dishwashing machine, according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of said telescopic element (7), in particular of said lower half-element (7B), is integrated into one of the plastic walls (30-32) of said basket (2). 15. Dishwashing machine, according to the teachings of the present description and of the annexed drawings.