WO2015154906A1

WO2015154906A1 - A dishwasher comprising an elevating means

Info

Publication number: WO2015154906A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/053573
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mehmet MUTLUDOGAN; Osman Cengiz; Kutay Edis
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2014-04-08
Filing date: 2015-02-20
Publication date: 2015-10-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2) having two side walls (3); a door (4) providing access into the body (2); a sealing means (5) situated on the side wall (3) and/or the sides of the door (4); a washing zone (6) inside the body (2) enclosed by the door (4), the side walls (3) and the sealing means (5); at least one rack (7) wherein the items to be washed are placed, having a washing position wherein the rack (7) is entirely inside the body (2) and a loading/unloading position wherein the rack (7) is partially taken out of the body (2) by pulling forward; and an elevating means (8) that enables the rack (7) in the loading/unloading position to be moved in the vertical direction and that has more than one channel (9), each disposed oppositely on the side walls (3) in the vertical direction and at least one slider (10) that can move vertically inside the channel (7), holding the rack (7) and enabling the rack (7) to move along the channel (9).

Description

A DISHWASHER COMPRISING AN ELEVATING MEANS

The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising an elevating means.

In dishwashers, racks are used wherein the items to be washed are placed. The user can perform the loading/unloading operation by pulling forward the rack inside the body. In dishwashers comprising more than one rack, the lower rack, when changed to the loading/unloading position, is balanced on the door that opens forward by rotating around a horizontal axis. The user has to bend in order to perform loading/unloading into/from the lower rack that is relatively at the lower position. This situation causes the users to be strained and to have backaches. In order to solve this problem, the state of the art elevating means are used. The elevating means are embodiments like switch mechanisms wherein the rack is lifted from below, suspension mechanisms wherein the rack is lifted by arms in the body, and rail mechanisms wherein the rack is lifted from the rear by the rails disposed on the side walls. Although the said solutions have advantages with respect to one another, all occupy space in the washing zone of the dishwasher and during the washing process, particles, for example food residues, oil films can accumulate on the components of the elevating means, for example the roller, rail or arm. This situation, besides visual pollution, affects the operation of the elevating means adversely. Another disadvantage of the state of the art solutions is that they are not adaptable enough to be applicable in different systems.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP1744656, a dishwasher is disclosed wherein the retainer supports that support the basket are opened and closed by being actuated with a lifting means.

In the state of the art United States of America Patent Application No. US2007035220, a dishwasher is disclosed comprising a basket that is lifted by the arms engaged with the side walls by making a swinging motion.

In the state of the art United States of America Patent Application No. US2003042825, a dishwasher is disclosed wherein the height adjustment of the rack is made by moving upwards – downwards the telescopic rail bearings whereon the rack is mounted.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher comprising an elevating means that occupies less space inside the body.

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 body having two side walls; a door enabling access into the body; a sealing means disposed on the door and/or the side walls; a washing zone that is arranged inside the body and enclosed by the door, the side walls and the sealing means; a rack having a washing position wherein the items to be washed are placed and wherein the rack is entirely inside the body and a loading/unloading position wherein the rack is partially taken out of the body; at least one by one channel, each disposed on the opposite side walls, enabling the rack to ascend/descend while in the loading/unloading position, and an elevating means having at least one slider that can move inside the channel in the vertical direction, enabling the rack to be supported from the sides. In the dishwasher of the present invention, the channel is situated outside the washing zone formed inside the body by the door, the side wall and the sealing means. The channel is positioned on the side wall, opposite the portion of the door that remains inside the body in the closed position of the door. The elevating means does not get wet during washing since it remains outside the washing zone while the door is closed, thus preventing meal residues from adhering and accumulating on the components of the elevating means.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the elevating means has a driving means that enables the rack to be moved automatically. The driving means comprises a motor, a spool disposed on the motor shaft and a cabling means, one end of which is wound on the spool and the other end connected to the slider. The elevating means occupies less space inside the body since transfer of the rotational motion of the motor to the slider is performed by the cabling means in the driving means and furthermore the elevating means is easily adaptable to different systems.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the slider is connected to the cabling means both from the upper side and the lower side. The cabling means comprises a first cable, one end of which is wound to the spool and the other end to the upper side of the slider, and a second cable, one end of which is wound on the spool in the reverse direction of the first cable winding direction, and the other end is connected to the lower side of the slider. By winding the first cable and the second cable on the spool reversely, the rotation of the motor in one direction is converted into movement in two directions – pulling and pushing. Thus, a tension is continuously applied on the slider by applying continuous force from the two sides and the elevating motion is performed controllably.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliders in the guide channels on the two side walls are driven simultaneously by a single motor. This embodiment can be realized by separating the first cable and the second cable into two and connecting to opposite sliders after leaving the spool or by using two first cables and two second cables. Thus, the problem of synchronization between the sliders is not encountered during upwards – downwards movement of the rack in the loading/unloading position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, inclined threads are arranged on the portion of the spool whereon the cabling means is wound thus preventing compression, entangling of the cabling means while the cabling means is wound. Thus, the efficiency of the elevating means is increased and the rack is moved vertically without problems.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a cladding is disposed on the cabling means that protects the cabling means while moving inside the body. The cabling means moves inside the cladding and thus breakage due to friction is prevented. In other words, the cable can pass easily through any point inside the body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the cladding is coated by a material having low coefficient of friction so that the cable can move more freely inside the cladding. Especially, the cladding is prevented from inhibiting the movement of the cable at the bending points of the cable.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a control unit is provided that commands the elevating means. In this embodiment, the control unit controls the driving means depending on the command received from the user. For example, when the user gives the command for the rack to rise to the highest point possible along the channel, the control unit rotates the motor for the required number of rotations so that the slider can go from one end of the channel to the other. When the user stops the rack while it is moving, depending on the next command, the control unit furthermore rotates the motor with the required number of motor rotations to reach the end of the slider in the opposite direction of the start direction if it will continue in the same direction and operates the motor in the same number of rotations as in the previous movement if it will continue in the reverse direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, telescopic rails are provided, that are disposed oppositely on the side walls, enabling the rack to be changed from the washing position to the loading/unloading position and rollers are disposed on the sides of the rack so as to be seated into the rails.

In an embodiment of the present invention, openings are arranged on the telescopic rail that enable the rollers to be dislodged from the telescopic rail when the rack is moved in the vertical direction by the elevating means while in the loading/unloading position. By means of this embodiment, in dishwashers wherein the rack is supported by the rails in the horizontal direction and the elevating means is provided, the rails are prevented from inhibiting the movement of the rack in the vertical direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a stopper is used, that is disposed on the telescopic rail, preventing the telescopic rail from collapsing when the rack is lifted by the elevating means. Thus, when the user desires to lower the rack after completing the operation, the rollers are entirely aligned with the openings and the rack is placed into the rail without problems.

In an embodiment of the present invention, more than one shielding is used that is placed over the side wall or the channel, that covers the channel by contacting each other oppositely. By means of the shielding, the interior of the channel cannot be seen when viewed from outside and particularly the children are prevented from getting their fingers stuck into the channel while the elevating means is operating.

In the dishwasher of the present invention, the components of the elevating means, namely the channel and the slider, are positioned on the side wall so as to remain outside the washing zone, thus preventing the elevating means from getting wet and food residues from accumulating on the elevating means during the washing process. Furthermore, the motor is positioned in a more flexible manner either inside the body or outside the body by transferring the rotational motion of the motor to the slider only by the cabling means. The first cable and the second cable are wound on the spool in reverse directions, thus enabling the sliders to be driven simultaneously by a single motor.

The model embodiments relating to the dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a dishwasher related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 – is the perspective view of the cross-section of a dishwasher related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the exploded view of a driving means related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 – is the perspective view of a spool related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 – is another perspective view of a dishwasher related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 – is the perspective view of a telescopic rail related to an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Dishwasher

2. Body

3. Side wall

4. Door

5. Sealing means

6. Washing zone

7. Rack

8. Elevating means

9. Channel

10. Slider

11. Driving means

12. Motor

13. Spool

14. Cabling means

114. First cable

214. Second cable

15. Inclined thread

16. Cladding

17. Control unit

18. Telescopic rail

19. Roller

20. Opening

21. Stopper

22. Shielding

The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2) having two side walls (3); a door (4) providing access into the body (2); a sealing means (5) situated on the side wall (3) and/or the sides of the door (4); a washing zone (6) inside the body (2) enclosed by the door (4), the side walls (3) and the sealing means (5); at least one rack (7) wherein the items to be washed are placed, having a washing position wherein the rack (7) is entirely inside the body (2) and a loading/unloading position wherein the rack (7) is partially taken out of the body (2) by pulling forward; and an elevating means (8) that enables the rack (7) in the loading/unloading position to be moved in the vertical direction and that has more than one channel (9) , each disposed oppositely on the side walls (3) in the vertical direction and at least one slider (10) that can move vertically inside the channel (9), holding the rack (7) and enabling the rack (7) to move along the channel (9).

In the dishwasher (1), the washing zone (6) is the volume that is enclosed by the side walls (3), the sealing means (5) and the door (4) and that is formed by the surfaces contacted by the washing water inside the body (2). When the door (4) is closed, the sealing means (5) enables the washing zone (6) to be a closed volume by closing the gaps remaining between the door (4) and the side walls (3). When changed from the washing position to the loading/unloading position by being moved horizontally, the rack (7) is caught by the slider (10) and the slider (10) holds the rack (7) from its sides. The position of the rack (7) in the vertical direction is enabled to be changed by moving the slider (10) inside the channel (9).

The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises the channel (9) disposed on the side wall (3) so as to remain outside the washing zone (6).

In the dishwasher (1) of the present invention, the washing zone (6) is not surrounded by all the surfaces of the side wall (3) and when the door (4) is closed some parts of the side walls (3) remain outside the washing zone (6) by means of the sealing means (5). The channel (9) that enables the rack (7) in the loading/unloading position to be moved in the vertical direction by being held by the slider (10) is placed at the portion of the side wall (3) whereto the wash water does not contact during the washing process. Food residues are prevented from accumulating on the slider (10) and the channel (9) remaining outside the washing zone (6), thus preventing the performance of the elevating means (8) from decreasing. Furthermore, liquid seepage into the channel (9) is prevented.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the elevating means (8) comprises a driving means (11) having a motor (12) that enables the rack (7) to be moved vertically and to be stopped in the desired position, at least one spool (13) disposed on the motor (12) shaft and at least one cabling means (14), one end thereof being wound to the spool (13) and the other end connected to the slider (10). The cabling means (14) is connected to the slider (10) and as the motor (12) winds the cabling means (14) to the spool (13) by rotating the spool (13), the slider (10) moves upwards vertically inside the channel (9), and as the motor (12) rotates in the reverse/opposite direction, unwinding the cabling means (14), the slider (10) moves in the downward direction. By stopping the motor (12) in the position the rack (7) is desired to be stopped, the weight of the rack (7) is balanced by the cabling means (14). By means of transferring the motion provided by the motor (12) with the cabling means (14), the space occupied by the elevating means (8) inside the body (2) is minimized. Furthermore, the motor (12) is enabled to be positioned at the desired location inside or outside the body (2) and thus flexibility in application is provided by facilitating the assembly of the elevating means (8) in different systems.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the driving means (11) comprises the cabling means (14) having a first cable (114), one end thereof wound to the spool (13), the other end connected to the upper side of the slider (10) and a second cable (214), one end thereof wound on the spool (13) in the reverse direction of the first cable (114) and the other end connected to the lower side of the slider (10). By winding the first cable (114) and the second cable (214) on the spool (13) in reverse directions, while the first cable (114) is winding during rotation of the spool (13), the second cable (214) unwinds and two directional movement is provided simultaneously by a single motor (12). Thus, a continuous tension is provided on the slider (10) and the slider (10) does not move except by the driving of the driving means (11). Thus, since the slider (10) is not free, the cabling means (14) is prevented from being damaged as a result of, for example, the children moving the slider (10).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the elevating means (8) comprises a driving means (11) that drives the opposite sliders (10) simultaneously / synchronously. When the elevating means (8) is operated, the cabling means (14) connected to the opposite sliders (10) enables both sliders (10) to move at the same time and at the same speed. By means of this embodiment, the sides of the rack (7) are not at different levels and the sides thereof are not warped or bent.

In a derivative of this embodiment, after being unwound from the spool (13), the first cable (114) and the second cable (214) are separated into two and the two separated ends are connected to the sliders (10) that are positioned oppositely at the channels (9). By means of this embodiment, the two sides of the rack (7) are enabled to move simultaneously while the elevating means (8) operates.

In another derivative of this embodiment, two first cables (114) and two second cables (214) are wound on the spool (13). One of the first cables (114) is connected to the slider (10) in one channel (9), the other is connected to the slider (10) in the other channel (10) from the top and similarly one of the second cables (214) is connected to one slider (10) and the other to the other slider (10) from the bottom.

In another derivative of this embodiment, two spools (13) are provided on the motor (12) shaft. The first cables (114) attached to the upper sides of the sliders (10) are connected to one spool (13) and the second cables (214) attached to the lower sides are connected to the other spool (13).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the driving means (11) comprises the spool (13) having inclined threads (15) at the section where the cabling means (14) is wound thereon. In this embodiment of the present invention, as the spool (13) rotates, the cabling means (14) is wound on the spool (13) in the inclination direction of the inclined threads (15). For example, the inclined threads (15) on one spool (13) are inclined in the winding direction of the first cables (114) and the inclined threads (15) on the other spool (13) are inclined in the winding direction of the second cables (214). When the motor (12) is operated and the spool (13) rotates, winding of the cabling means (14) on the spool (13) becomes easy and the cabling means (14) is enabled to wind/unwind on the spools (13) without getting stuck.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the driving means (11) comprises a cladding (16) that is disposed on the cabling means (14) and that surrounds the cabling means (14) all around. The cladding (16) enables the cabling means (14) to be moved/wound inside the body (2) easily by covering the cabling means (14).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the cladding (16) is covered by a material with a low coefficient of friction. By means of this embodiment, the cabling means (14) is enabled to move freely in the cladding (16) especially at points where the cladding (16) is bent inside the body (2).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a control unit (17) that provides the control of the elevating means (8). In different embodiments of the present invention, the control unit (17) can be a simple switch or a complex unit comprising components such as memory and processor.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the number of rotations (N) the motor (12) has to perform in order to drive the slider (10) from one end of the channel (9) to the other end is recorded in the memory of the control unit (17). When the elevating means (8) is actuated, the control unit (17) enables the motor (12) to rotate as per the recorded number of rotations (N). Thus, using a stopper element at the endpoints of the channel (9) is not required for stopping the slider (10).

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the motor (12) is paused after rotating less than the number N, the control unit (17) saves the number of rotations N_i performed in its memory and if the movement is desired to be continued in the same direction, rotates the motor (12) for N-N_i rotations in the previous rotational direction and if desired to be continued in the reverse direction, rotates the motor (12) for N_i rotations in the opposite direction of the previous rotation direction. If the user gives the command for the slider (10) to move in the same direction, the control unit (17) enables the motor (12) to rotate N-N_i times more in the same direction. If the user desires the slider (10) to move in the opposite direction, the control unit (17) rotates the motor (12) N-N_i times in the reverse direction and enables the slider (10) to come to its initial position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises more than one telescopic rail (18), each disposed oppositely on the side walls (3), guiding the movement of the rack (7) from the washing position to the loading/unloading position, and more than one roller (19) disposed on the sides of the rack (7). By means of this embodiment, the rack (7) is held easily by the sliders (10) at both sides by guiding the movement of the rack (7) in the horizontal direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, on the telescopic rail (18) openings (20) are arranged, that are aligned with the position of the rollers (19) on the rail (18) while the rack (7) is in the loading/unloading position and that enable the rollers (19) to be dislodged from the telescopic rail (18). By means of this embodiment, when the rack (7) is desired to be lifted up in the loading/unloading position, the rollers (19) are aimed to be dislodged from the rails (18).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a stopper (21) that is disposed on the telescopic rail (18) and that locks the telescopic rails (18) when the rack (7) is changed to the loading/unloading position. The stopper (21) prevents the telescopic rails (18) from moving backwards when the rack (7) is lifted up. By means of this embodiment, when the rack (7) is moved downward by the elevating means (8), the rollers (19) pass through the openings (20) and are seated on the telescopic rails (18) and the movement of the rack (7) in the horizontal direction can be guided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a shielding (22) that is disposed on the side wall (3) or the channel (9) and that covers the channel (9) by oppositely osculating one another along the channel (9). By means of this embodiment, the channel (9) is protected against external factors such as dust and dirt.

In the dishwasher (1) of the present invention, food residues are prevented from accumulating on the elevating means (8) by means of the channel (9) and the slider (10) that are positioned outside the washing zone (6), increasing perception of hygiene on the user. Furthermore, operation performance is prevented from decreasing since dirt does not accumulate on the elevating means (8).

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2) having two side walls (3); a door (4) providing access into the body (2); a sealing means (5) situated on the side wall (3) and/or the sides of the door (4); a washing zone (6) inside the body (2) enclosed by the door (4), the side walls (3) and the sealing means (5); at least one rack (7) wherein the items to be washed are placed, having a washing position wherein the rack (7) is entirely inside the body (2) and a loading/unloading position wherein the rack (7) is partially taken out of the body (2) by pulling forward; and an elevating means (8) that enables the rack (7) in the loading/unloading position to be moved in the vertical direction and that has more than one channel (9) , each disposed oppositely on the side walls (3) in the vertical direction and at least one slider (10) that can move vertically inside the channel (9), holding the rack (7) and enabling the rack (7) to move along the channel (9), characterized in that the channel (9) disposed on the side wall (3) so as to remain outside the washing zone (6).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the elevating means (8) comprising a driving means (11) having a motor (12) that enables the rack (7) to be moved vertically and to be stopped in the desired position, at least one spool (13) disposed on the motor (12) shaft and at least one cabling means (14), one end thereof being wound to the spool (13) and the other end connected to the slider (10).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 2, characterized in that the cabling means (14) having a first cable (114), one end thereof wound to the spool (13), the other end connected to the upper side of the slider (10) and a second cable (214), one end thereof wound on the spool (13) in the reverse direction of the first cable (114) and the other end connected to the lower side of the slider (10).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the driving means (11) that drives the opposite sliders (10) simultaneously/synchronously.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the driving means (11) comprising the spool (13) having inclined threads (15) on its portion whereon the cabling means (14) is wound.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a cladding (16) that is disposed on the cabling means (14) and that surrounds the cabling means (14) all around.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 6, characterized in that the cladding (16), the inner surface of which is covered by a material with a low coefficient of friction.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims characterized in that a control unit (17) that provides the control of the elevating means (8).
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that more than one telescopic rail (18), each disposed oppositely on the side walls (3), guiding the movement of the rack (7) from the washing position to the loading/unloading position, and in that more than one roller (19) disposed on the sides of the rack (7).
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 9 characterized in that the openings (20) that are arranged on the telescopic rail (18) and that enable the rollers (19) to be dislodged from the telescopic rail (18) while the rack (7) is in the loading/unloading position.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the Claims 9 to 11 characterized in that a stopper (21) that is disposed on the telescopic rail (18) and that locks the telescopic rails (18) when the rack (7) is changed to the loading/unloading position.
A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims characterized in that a shielding (22) that is disposed on the side wall (3) or the channel (9) and that covers the channel (9).