WO2019037990A1

WO2019037990A1 - A dishwasher with improved washing performance

Info

Publication number: WO2019037990A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/069868
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alper BALKAN; Omer Burak Coban; Yusuf Koc; Furkan BAYAV; Murat KOSAR; Umit Gencay BASCI
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2017-08-25
Filing date: 2018-07-23
Publication date: 2019-02-28
Also published as: TR201712825A2; EP3672467A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2), a washing tub (3) provided in the body (2), in which washing is performed, a water line (4) provided in the body (2), a main spray arm (5) provided on the base of the washing tub (3), rotatable about itself in connection with the water line (4), and a satellite spray arm (6) provided above the main spray arm (5), rotatable about itself upon rotation of the main spray arm (5) in connection with the water line (4).

Description

A DISHWASHER WITH IMPROVED WASHING PERFORMANCE

The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising two spray arms rotatable on different axes.

In dishwashers, the items placed on the corner regions of a washing tub may not be cleaned well due to the washing tubs generally having a rectangular cross-section and the pivoting spray arms forming an annular washing area. Using spray arms rotating on different axes on top of each other is known as a solution to this problem. The lower spray arm preferably rotates on the base of the washing tub and pivots about an axis on its center, and the upper spray arm rotates about an axis offset from center and dependently with the lower spray arm. By this, the end of the upper spray arm extends farther to the corner regions, enabling better cleaning of the items at the corner regions. However, in such applications, the gears enabling the upper spray arm to be rotated are disposed within the washing tub. Oil and similar dirt particles washed off the dishes during washing collect on said gears and may cause the gears to jam over time. In addition, the large-sized dirt particles washed off the dishes jam between the gears during washing, inhibiting their movement.

State of the art U.S. patent application no. US5464482 discloses a dishwasher comprising two spray arms connected in different axes so as to be on top of each other, and gears provided below the lower spray arm for rotating the upper spray arm.

State of the art international patent application no. WO2015149859 discloses a dishwasher comprising two spray arms provided in a washing tub, one of which rotates upon rotation of the other one, and gears provided in the washing tub, enabling the spray arms to rotate.

The aim of the present invention is to realize a dishwasher in which the items at the corner regions are enabled to be washed in a better manner and free of problems.

The dishwasher realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a satellite spray arm provided above a main spray arm connected to a water line on the base of a washing tub, enabling water to be sprayed to the corners by aligning with the main spray arm when the main spray arm extends to the corners of the washing tub, and a plurality of gears embedded in the main spray arm, enabling the satellite spray arm to rotate about itself upon rotation of the main spray arm. The gears enabling the satellite spray arm to rotate about itself upon rotation of the main spray arm, are provided within the main spray arm. By this, the main spray arm in which the gears are disposed and the satellite spray arm mounted above the main spray arm can be used without requiring any modification on currently used washing tubs. By disposing the gears enabling the satellite spray arm to rotate, within the main spray arm, their movement are prevented from being restricted due to dirt particles on the dishes.

In an embodiment of the invention, the gears consist of a central gear provided at the middle point of the main spray arm, mounted on the water line and thus resting stationary with respect to the main spray arm, a satellite gear provided on the end portion of the main spray arm, on which the satellite spray arm is mounted, and at least one auxiliary gear provided between the central gear and the satellite gear, enabling the satellite gear to rotate by rotating about the central gear. When the main spray arm rotates about itself, the auxiliary gear which is the closest to the central gear and in contact with the central gear, rotates about the central gear and enables the satellite gear to rotate. By enabling the satellite spray arm to rotate about itself, the satellite gear enables the end of the satellite spray arm to extend to the furthest corner of the washing tub by the satellite spray arm aligning with the main spray arm when the end of the main spray arm faces the corner of the washing tub.

In another embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher comprises a cavity and protrusion pair configured to engage each other, provided on the satellite gear and the satellite spray arm, securing the satellite spray arm to be mounted above the main spray arm such that the satellite spray arm extends to a corner upon the main spray arm extending to said corner of the washing tub. The protrusion and the cavity are configured to engage only in a specific orientation, and the satellite spray arm can be mounted above the main spray arm only in a specific arrangement. By this, when the satellite spray arm is dismantled from the main spray arm for cleaning and similar purposes, it is enabled to be mounted again in any case only in the correct position.

In another embodiment of the invention, the satellite gear rotates twice as fast as the central gear. For this purpose, the satellite gear can be produced half the size of the central gear, or can be produced such that said speed difference is generated by the number of gears.

In another embodiment of the invention, the number of auxiliary gears provided between the central gear and the satellite gear, is an odd number. By this, the total number of gears is also an odd number, enabling the satellite gear to rotate in the opposite direction with respect to the central gear. Thus, the end of the satellite spray arm also faces the corners of the washing tub when the end of the main spray arm faces the corners of the washing tub, and when the end of the main spray arm passes between corners, the satellite spray arm completes its spin by aligning with the sides of the washing tub, preventing it from colliding the sides.

In another embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one retarder of elastic structure, provided preferably in the vicinity of the diagonals of the washing tub, extending upwards so as to contact the main spray arm, by means of which the main spray arm decelerates by colliding thereon. While rotating, the main spray arm collides the retarder when its ends approach the corners, decelerating its rotational speed. By this, both the main spray arm and the satellite spray arm rotating about itself dependently with the main spray arm, are enabled to stay a longer duration at the corner regions. The dishes corresponding to the corner regions of the washing tub are thus washed in a better manner.

By means of the dishwasher of the invention, washing efficiency is enhanced by providing a better washing of the items placed on the corner regions of a washing tub, and by concealing within the main spray arm, the gears enabling the satellite spray arm to rotate, the gears are prevented from jamming due to dirt particles from the dishes, while improving the users' aesthetic perception of the dishwasher.

A dishwasher realized to achieve the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the dishwasher.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the dishwasher in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a view of the cavity and the protrusion in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4a is a view of the moment when the main spray arm and the satellite spray arm extend to a corner in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4b is a view of the moment when the main spray arm is on the side and the satellite spray arm is parallel to the side in an embodiment of the invention.

The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Dishwasher
Body
Washing tub
Water line
Main spray arm
Satellite spray arm
Gear

71- Central gear

72- Satellite gear

73- Auxiliary gear
8. Protrusion
9. Cavity
10. Retarder
11. Basket

The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2), a washing tub (3) provided in the body (2), in which washing is performed, a water line (4) provided in the body (2), a main spray arm (5) provided on the base of the washing tub (3), rotatable about itself in connection with the water line (4), and a satellite spray arm (6) provided above the main spray arm (5), rotatable about itself upon rotation of the main spray arm (5) in connection with the water line (4). For better washing of the corners of the washing tub (3) with a rectangular cross-section, a satellite spray arm (6), mounted above the main spray arm (5) is used, one of whose ends extends to the corner of the washing tub (3) by the satellite spray arm (6) aligning with the main spray arm (5) upon an end of the main spray arm (5) extending to the corner of the washing tub (3). Water transmitted from the water line (4) is sprayed on the dishes through both the main spray arm (5) and the satellite spray arm (6). Water from the water line (4) fills into the main spray arm (5), and is transmitted to the satellite spray arm (6) through the portion where the satellite spray arm (6) is coupled to the main spray arm (5). Upon the main spray arm (5) rotating about itself due to impact of water supplied from the water line (4) or by means of an engine (not shown in figures), the satellite spray arm (6) also rotates about itself, and when an end of the main spray arm (5) extends to a corner of the washing tub (3), the satellite spray arm (6) also extends to said corner. At least one basket (11) is used to load the dishes into the washing tub (3).

The dishwasher (1) of the invention comprises a plurality of gears (7) provided in the main spray arm (5), enabling the satellite spray arm (6) to rotate about itself upon rotation of the main spray arm (5) about itself. Gears (7) provided in the main spray arm (5) are used to provide the rotational motion of the satellite spray arm (6) which is dependent of the main spray arm (5). By placing the gears (7) within the main spray arm (5), aesthetic appearance is improved while preventing the gears (7) from occupying space in the washing tub (3). In addition, the dirt from the dishes are prevented from inhibiting movement of the gears (7) by placing the gears (7) farther from the region where washing is performed, and the gears (7) are consistently kept clean by passing the filtered washing water transmitted to the main spray arm (5) via the gears (7).

In an embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a central gear (71) provided on the center of the main spray arm (5), mounted on the water line (4) and thus resting stationary with respect to the main spray arm (5), a satellite gear (72) provided on the end portion of the main spray arm (5), enabling the satellite spray arm (6) to rotate by being fixed thereon, and at least one auxiliary gear (73) provided between the central gear (71) and the satellite gear (72), enabling the satellite gear (72) to rotate by rotating about the central gear (71) upon rotation of the main spray arm (5). The central gear (71) is provided in the main spray arm (5) and its shaft extends downwards from the lower portion of the main spray arm (5) through which water is supplied. The shaft of the central gear (71) is fixed on the water line (4) when the main spray arm (5) is being mounted on the water line (4), thereby fixing the central gear (71) with respect to the main spray arm (5) and keeping it stationary when the main spray arm (5) rotates. The auxiliary gear (73) in contact with the central gear (71) within the main spray arm (5) and movable independently of the main spray arm (5), rotates about the central gear (71) upon rotation of the main spray arm (5). In turn, the satellite gear (72) on which the satellite spray arm (6) is fixed, is rotated by the auxiliary gear (73).

In another embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a protrusion (8) and a cavity (9) provided on the satellite spray arm (6) and the satellite gear (72), allowing the satellite spray arm (6) to be mounted on the satellite gear (72) in only a specific orientation by engaging each other. The satellite spray arm (6) has to be mounted above the main spray arm (5) and thus on the satellite gear (72) in a specific orientation. When the main spray arm (5) extends to the corners of the washing tub (3), the satellite spray arm (6) should extend to said corners by aligning with the main spray arm (5). When the satellite spray arm (6) is detached from the main spray arm for cleaning and similar purposes, the user needs to mount the satellite spray arm (6) in its default position, otherwise the satellite spray arm (6) may collide the sides of the washing tub (3) damaging the gears (7) when the main spray arm (5) rotates about itself. The protrusion (8) and the cavity (9) are used to avoid such problems, enabling the satellite spray arm (6) and the satellite gear (72) to engage each other only in a specific orientation.

In another embodiment of the invention, the rotational speed of the satellite gear (72) is twice as much as that of the central gear (71). By this embodiment, the satellite spray arm (6) is enabled to rotate twice as fast as the main spray arm (5), enabling the satellite spray arm (6) to rotate half a spin about itself when an end of the main spray arm (5) rotates from one corner of the washing tub (3) to the next. By this, during its rotation about itself, the satellite spray arm (6) is enabled to assume a parallel position with the sides of the washing tub (3) without colliding them when it corresponds to said sides, and its ends are enabled to spray water to the corners by the satellite spray arm (6) aligning with the main spray arm (5) at the corners.

In another embodiment of the invention, an odd numbered amount of auxiliary gears (73) are provided in the dishwasher (1) between the central gear (71) and the satellite gear (72). By using an odd numbered amount of auxiliary gears (73), the total number of gears (7) including the central gear (71) and the satellite gear (72) becomes odd, enabling rotating the satellite spray arm (6) in the opposite direction of the main spray arm (5). By this, while the end of the main spray arm (5) passes adjacent to a side of the washing tub (3), the satellite spray arm (6) rotates in the opposite direction, assuming a position parallel to said side of the washing tub (3).

In another embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher 81) comprises at least one retarder (10) of elastic structure, provided on the base of the washing tub (3) so as to extend upwards, enabling the rotational movement of the main spray arm (5) to be decelerated by contacting the main spray arm (5) when the main spray arm (5) approaches the corners. The retarder (10) is provided in the vicinity of the diagonals of the washing tub (3) so as to be close to the corners, and extends upwards from the base of the washing tub (3) at least up to the level of the main spray arm (5), preferably so as to exceed the level of the main spray arm (5). The main spray arm (5) rotates in a constant speed in a normal washing operation. While the main spray arm (5) rotates during washing, right before the end of the main spray arm (5) corresponds to the corners, the retarder (10) contacts the main spray arm (5) decelerating its rotation, thereby enabling both the main spray arm (5) and the satellite spray arm (6) to stay for a longer time at the corners of the washing tub (3), enhancing washing efficiency.

The volume of the washing tub (3) is prevented from decreasing because of the gears (7) and the users' quality perception is improved by means of the gears (7) being positioned within the main spray arm (5) of the invention. In addition, the satellite spray ram (6) is enabled to operate in a problem-free manner by preventing food waste and the like likely to come from the dishes from inhibiting the movement of the gears (7).

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2), a washing tub (3) provided in the body (2), in which washing is performed, a water line (4) provided in the body (2), a main spray arm (5) provided on the base of the washing tub (3), rotatable about itself in connection with the water line (4), and a satellite spray arm (6) provided above the main spray arm (5), rotatable about itself upon rotation of the main spray arm (5) in connection with the water line (4), characterized by a plurality of gears (7) provided in the main spray arm (5), enabling the satellite spray arm (6) to rotate about itself upon rotation of the main spray arm (5) about itself.
A dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a central gear (71) provided on the center of the main spray arm (5), mounted on the water line (4) and thus resting stationary with respect to the main spray arm (5), by a satellite gear (72) provided on the end portion of the main spray arm (5), enabling the satellite spray arm (6) to rotate by being fixed thereon, and by at least one auxiliary gear (73) provided between the central gear (71) and the satellite gear (72), enabling the satellite gear (72) to rotate by rotating about the central gear (71) upon rotation of the main spray arm (5).
A dishwasher (1) according to claim 2, characterized by a protrusion (8) and a cavity (9) provided on the satellite spray arm (6) and the satellite gear (72), allowing the satellite spray arm (6) to be mounted on the satellite gear (72) in only a specific orientation by engaging each other.
A dishwasher (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the rotational speed of the satellite gear (72) being twice as much as that of the central gear (71).
A dishwasher (1) according to any one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized by the odd numbered amount of auxiliary gears (73) provided between the central gear (71) and the satellite gear (72).
A dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one retarder (10) of elastic structure, provided on the base of the washing tub (3) so as to extend upwards, enabling the rotational movement of the main spray arm (5) to be decelerated by contacting the main spray arm (5) when the main spray arm (5) approaches the corners.