EP1673000B1 - Dishwasher with integrated spray channels - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher with one or more washing containers and a device for spraying arranged in the washing container items.

There are dishwasher with sprayers are known to work with rotating spray arms. In the conventional dishwashers, since the washing container usually has a rectangular outline, while the rotating spray arms have a circular area of action, the respective corner areas can only be insufficiently sprayed with flushing liquid by the rotating spray arms. In addition, rotating spray arms have the disadvantage that they are moving parts, which are subject to both the movement-related wear and an increased susceptibility to interference when, for example, advised in the range of movement of the spray arm wash prevents the rotation of the spray arm.

Furthermore, in the prior art, dishwashers with spray devices are known in which rinsing liquid is applied to the items to be washed in the washing container via fixed spray nozzles or spray nozzles. Such spraying devices have the disadvantage that they protrude into the interior of the washing and the exiting spray has a predetermined direction, so that a uniform cleaning effect of the dishes can not be guaranteed.

From the US 3,777,989 A a dishwasher is known, which has a rinsing liquid leading spray channel, which is integrated in the bottom region of the washing container and on a side facing the interior of the washing container has openings for the passage of the rinsing liquid.

From the EP 0 858 768 A1 a dishwashing machine is known, which has a flushing liquid leading spray channel, which is integrated in the wall region of the washing container and has at least one spray nozzle for the passage of the washing liquid on a side directed towards the interior of the washing container.

From the US Pat. No. 2,630,813 Dishwasher is known, which has a flushing liquid leading spray channel, which is integrated in the ceiling region of the washing and has on a side facing the interior of the washing container openings for the passage of the washing liquid.

From the DE 14 03 670 A1 a device for the automatic cleaning of dishes is known, wherein the dishes used in the device is sprayed with water and wherein the intensity of the spray action is adjustable or switchable. In this case, for the purpose of, for example, temporarily increasing the intensity of the Flüssigkeitsbesprühung the number of nozzles used for the normal case is reduced adjustable.

Object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher with a space-saving device for spraying ware, in which the rinsing liquid is sprayed as evenly as possible in the washing to flush the wash ware efficiently, and eliminates the conditional by moving parts wear and susceptibility becomes.

This object is achieved by the device according to the invention with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the present invention are characterized in the subclaims 2 to 11.

The dishwasher according to the invention comprises at least one rinsing container and a spraying device for spraying rinsing liquid into the interior of the rinsing container, wherein the spraying device has at least one rinsing liquid-carrying spray channel, which is integrated in the floor, ceiling and / or wall region of the rinsing container and on the interior The flushing container side has openings for the passage of the rinsing liquid.

One advantage of the dishwasher with a spraying device according to the present invention is, on the one hand, that the uniform spray distribution of the rinsing liquid in the rinsing container is improved by the spray channel integrated in the base, ceiling or wall region of the rinsing container. On the other hand, in the dishwasher according to the invention for the administration and distribution of the rinsing liquid no moving components, such as e.g. Spray arms, required and thereby also a movement-related wear or the susceptibility of moving parts eliminated. This has the consequence that, for example, falling crockery parts no longer disturb the spray distribution of the rinsing liquid, since no more mechanically moving parts are present, which could be hindered in their range of motion.

By eliminating the need for rotating spray arms, there is also the advantage that the usable space for the arrangement of items to be washed in the washing is increased. The crockery parts can be placed extremely close to the bottom, ceiling or wall area of the washing container, since no more freedom of movement for a rotating spray arm has to be taken into account. In addition, the freedom in the design of the dish racks located in the rinsing container is greater because no rotating spray arms or from the bottom, ceiling or wall portions of the rinse tank protruding components for distributing the rinsing liquid are more to be considered.

Yet another advantage of the spraying device of the dishwasher according to the invention is that the length and width of the washing container need not necessarily be formed in a ratio of at least almost 1: 1 - as required for example in a spraying device with rotating spray arms - but in almost can be designed in any shape, since the integrated in the bottom, ceiling and / or wall area of the washing container spray channels each shape of the Rinse container can be adjusted accordingly.

In order to make the spray distribution of the rinsing liquid within the rinsing container as optimal as possible, the shape and / or the number of openings for the passage of the rinsing liquid are preferably determined such that the desired rinsing is achieved in the interior of the rinsing container. In this case, the most uniform possible spray distribution or even a non-uniform spray distribution can be sought, in which certain areas are rinsed in the washing more than others.

In a preferred embodiment of the dishwasher with a spraying device according to the present invention, the at least one spray channel is tube-like and preferably has two open ends, can be supplied pressurized via the rinsing liquid. In this way, irrigation fluid can be fed under pressure to both ends of the tubular spray channel independently of one another. In this case, the supply of the rinsing liquid to the spray channel by a pumping device, such. the circulating pump of the dishwasher, accomplished. In accordance with the invention, the pressure with which the rinsing liquid is supplied to the spray channel via its one end or via its two ends can be varied. That is, either the pressure for the supply of rinsing liquid can be varied only via one end of the spray channel or the pressure for the supply of rinsing liquid over both ends of the spray channel.

The supply of rinsing liquid to the spray channel with temporally variable pressure allows the generation of spray patterns, which can be adapted for example to specific items to be washed. The spray patterns are caused by the different pressure distribution of the rinsing liquid in the spray channel, which results from the temporal variation of the pressure with which the supply of rinsing liquid is made via the two ends of the spray channel, wherein the liquid pressure generated at one end of the spray channel to the the fluid pressure generated at the other end of the spray channel is different. As a result, differently strong jets of rinsing liquid with different pressure emerge from the openings of the spray channel into the interior of the rinsing container. Due to the different Druckbeanschlagung at the ends of Sprühkanales the maximum pressure in Sprühkananl, ie the place along the channel, in which the exiting beam its max. Momentum possesses to be varied.

The variation of the pressure with which the rinsing liquid is supplied to the spray channel can be controlled by a pressure distribution with electronic, hydraulic or mechanical means. The use of an electronically controlled pressure distribution has the advantage that in turn no rotating or moving components are required, since both the spray intensity and the spray pattern is carried out via a controlled pressure and pressure control. In this case, a plurality of different spray patterns can be generated in accordance with a wash program selection. When selecting the spray patterns, it is possible to take into account the different soiling conditions and the type of items to be washed.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the directed to the interior of the washing container side of the spray is substantially in a plane with the directed to the interior of the Spülbehälters bottom, ceiling or wall surface of the washing, in which the spray channel is integrated. This results in the floor, ceiling or wall area of the Spülbehälters flat surfaces, on the one hand offer a pleasing visual appearance and on the other hand allow the arrangement of items in close proximity to the floor, ceiling or wall area of the washing.

The spray channel preferably has a round, preferably circular cross-section. Thus, the hydraulic losses can be kept small.

To supplement constructive advantages of the spray channel but also have a rectangular, preferably substantially square cross-section, wherein one side of the spray channel is directed to the interior of the washing compartment. According to the invention, the spray channel is designed to be manually detachable from the floor, ceiling or wall region of the washing container and can preferably be fixed via a clamping connection in the floor, ceiling and / or wall region of the washing container. As a result, the spray channel can be removed if necessary from the washing, for example, to rid it of deposits. But it can also be replaced by another spray channel with different openings for the escape of rinsing liquid to a to obtain different spray pattern.

Alternatively or additionally, a wall of the spray channel directed toward the interior of the washing container may be designed to be detachable by hand, the side being preferably fixable on the spray channel via a clamping connection in the base, ceiling and / or wall region of the washing container. The removable side of the spray channel allows it to be removed like a lid from the spray channel to gain access to the interior of the spray channel. It is particularly useful if the removable side of the spray channel is also the side which has the openings for the passage of the rinsing liquid from the spray channel into the interior of the washing compartment. Thereby, if necessary, only the cover of the spray channel can be removed, for example, to clear the openings of deposits, to inspect the interior of the spray channel or to replace it with another cover.

However, the side of the spray channel directed towards the interior of the washing container may also be formed by the ceiling, the wall and / or the bottom of the washing container, wherein the ceiling, the wall and / or the bottom in the region of the spray channel, the openings for the passage of the washing liquid exhibit. In this embodiment, at least the directed to the interior of the washing container side of the spray channel and the ceiling, the wall and / or the bottom of the washing container is integrally formed. Since the rinsing containers are usually made of plastic, the openings for the passage of the rinsing liquid can either be introduced subsequently or already provided during the production of the rinsing container. In addition, the entire spray channel with the ceiling, the wall and / or the bottom of the washing can be formed in one piece and already provided during the preparation of the washing.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, the washing container is formed like a tub, and at least in the bottom of the washing container a number of preferably parallel aligned spray channels is integrated. In principle, the number of spray channels depends on the volume of the washing container or on the surface of the dishwasher base. The establishment of several spray channels promotes a uniform spray distribution of the rinsing liquid in the washing and prevents the "Shutdown" of spray through the dishes. In this case, the bottom of the washing container can be shaped such that the spray channels are at different levels and thus a plurality of spray levels are formed.

Figur 1

eine teilweise Schnittdarstellung vom Boden des Spülbehälters einer Geschirrspülmaschine mit einer Sprühvorrichtung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung,

Figur 2

eine zweite teilweise Schnittdarstellung vom Boden des Spülbehälters einer Geschirrspülmaschine mit einer Sprühvorrichtung gemäß der in Figur 1 dargestellten Ausführungsform,

Figur 3

eine teilweise Schnittdarstellung vom Boden des Spülbehälters einer Geschirrspülmaschine mit einer Sprühvorrichtung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung,

Figur 4

eine teilweise Schnittdarstellung vom Boden des Spülbehälters einer Geschirrspülmaschine mit einer Sprühvorrichtung gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung und

Figur 5

eine teilweise Schnittdarstellung vom Boden des Spülbehälters einer Geschirrspülmaschine mit einer Sprühvorrichtung gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung.

In the following, the present invention will be explained in more detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it

FIG. 1

a partial sectional view from the bottom of the washing container of a dishwasher with a spraying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2

a second partial sectional view from the bottom of the washing container of a dishwasher with a spraying device according to the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment,

FIG. 3

a partial sectional view from the bottom of the washing container of a dishwasher with a spraying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4

a partial sectional view from the bottom of the washing container of a dishwasher with a spraying device according to a third embodiment of the present invention and

FIG. 5

a partial sectional view from the bottom of the washing container of a dishwasher with a spraying device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a part of the washing container 1 of a dishwasher with a spraying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In a sectional view, a part of the bottom 2 of the washing container 1 is shown, in which a recess 3 is provided in the form of a groove. On the recess 3 in the bottom 2 of the washing container 1, a removable cover 7 is arranged, which covers the recess 3 over its entire length. The recess 3 thus provides in cooperation with the cover 7 is a spray channel 4, which is supplied during operation, for example via the circulation pump rinsing liquid. In the cover 7 openings 9 are provided for the passage of the rinsing liquid from the spray channel 4 in the interior of the washing compartment 1.

In this first embodiment, the cover 7 has a symmetrical and substantially U-shaped cross section, wherein the two free ends of the U-shaped cross section are formed by legs 8. The cover 7 is made of an elastic material, so that the legs 8 can be flexibly bent against each other against a bias. In this way, a clamping connection is formed between the legs 8 and the side wall 6 of the spray channel 4, whereby the cover 7 is fixed in the bottom 2 of the washing container 1 on the spray channel 4. The removable cover 7 of the spray channel 4 makes it possible to remove it as needed from the spray channel 4 as a cover, for example, to inspect the interior of the spray channel 4 and free of deposits or attach another cover 7.

FIG. 2 shows a second partial sectional view of the bottom 2 of the washing container 1 of a dishwasher with a spraying device according to the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment. It is in FIG. 1 to recognize that the recess 3 in the bottom 2 of the washing compartment 1 is a spray channel 4, which is completed by the cover 7 to the interior of the washing compartment 1. The cover is fixed via the clamping connection between the two legs 8 and the side walls 6 of the spray channel 4. In the cover 7 are openings 9 for the passage of the rinsing liquid from the spray channel 4 in the interior of the washing container. 1

In FIG. 2 It can clearly be seen that the cover 7 and thus the interior of the washing container 1 directed side of the spray channel is substantially in a plane with the bottom 2 of the washing compartment 1. This results in a flat surface over the entire bottom 2 of the washing container 1, which allows a largely arbitrary arrangement of items to be washed 10 in the immediate vicinity of the bottom 2 of the washing compartment 1. Since the openings 7 are distributed over the entire length of the spray channel 4, the possibility of "shadowing" of spray jets 10 is reduced. Even with direct support of the dishes 10 on the spray 4 can be due to the elongated Shape of the opening 9 still rinsing liquid from the spray channel 4 are sprayed into the washing 1.

FIG. 3 shows a partial sectional view of the bottom 2 of the washing container 1 of a dishwasher with a spraying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, the spray channel 5 is formed closed, wherein the interior of the washing container 1 facing side of the spray channel 5 has openings 9 for the passage of the rinsing liquid. The spray channel 5 is further designed so that it is manually detachable from the bottom 2 of the washing container 1 and can be fixed again via a clamping connection. This makes it possible to remove the spray channel 5, if necessary, from the washing container 1, for example, to free it of deposits or to replace it with another spray channel 5. In the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrated first embodiment, the spray channel 4 has a substantially rectangular, nearly square cross-section. At the in FIG. 3 2, the spray channel 5 has a trapezoidal cross section, with the distance between the side walls 6 of the spray channel 5 tapering from the side of the spray channel 5 facing the interior of the washing container 1 to the side of the spray channel 5 facing away from the interior of the washing container 1.

Unlike chosen here for practical considerations, such a spray channel can also be provided with a round or at least partially round, preferably circular cross-section. This, although more complicated to manufacture, would improve the hydronic parameters.

FIG. 4 shows a partial sectional view of the bottom 2 of the washing compartment 1 of a dishwasher with a spraying device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this third embodiment, the direction of the interior of the washing container 1 side of the spray channel 4 is formed by the bottom 2 of the washing container 1, wherein the bottom 2 in the region of the spray channel 4 has openings 9 for the passage of the washing liquid. In addition, the remaining walls of the spray channel 4 and thus the spray channel 4 may be formed integrally with the bottom 2 of the washing container 1, wherein the openings 9 for the passage of the Rinsing fluid either introduced later or already provided during the preparation of the washing compartment 1.

FIG. 5 shows a partial sectional view of the bottom 2 of the washing container 1 of a dishwasher with a spraying device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The design of the spray channels 4 substantially corresponds to that in the FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment. In this fourth embodiment, the washing container 1 is formed like a trough, wherein in the bottom 2 of the washing container 1, a number of preferably parallel aligned recesses is provided, which are provided with covers 7. The depressions 3 together with the covers 7 spray channels 4, which are integrated in this way in the bottom 2 of the washing compartment 1. In principle, the number of spray channels 4 should be adapted to the volume of the washing container 1 or to the surface of the dishwasher base 2. The bottom 2 of the washing container 1 is shaped in such a way that the spray channels 4 lie on different levels and thus a plurality of spray levels are formed. The provision of several spray channels 4, 5 favors a uniform spray distribution of the rinsing liquid in the rinsing tank 1, which is further improved by the arrangement of the spray channels 4 at different heights.

List of reference numbers

1

rinse tank

2

Bottom of the washing container

3

Deepening in the bottom of the washing container

4

Spray channel with rectangular cross section

5

Spray channel with conical cross section

6

Side wall of the spray channel

7

Cover the spray channel

8th

Legs of the cover of the spray channel

9

Openings for the passage of rinsing liquid

10

ware

Claims (11)

1. Dishwasher comprising at least one dishwasher cavity (1) and a spraying device for spraying washing liquid into the interior of the dishwasher cavity (1), the spraying device having at least one spray channel (4, 5) guiding therealong at least one washing liquid, the spray channel being integrated into the bottom, top and/or wall area of the dishwasher cavity (1) and having openings (9) in a side (7) of the spray channel (1) oriented in a direction towards the interior of the dishwasher cavity (1) for the passage therethrough of washing liquid, characterised in that the spray channel (4, 5) is formed to enable it to be manually released from the bottom area, top area or a wall area of the dishwasher cavity (1).
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the spray channel (4, 5) is embodied as tubular and preferably has two open ends via which washing liquid can be supplied under the action of pressure.
3. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure with which the washing liquid is being supplied to the spray channel (4, 5) can be varied.
4. Dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the variation in pressure with which the washing liquid is supplied to the spray channel (4, 5) can be controlled by a pressure distribution using electronic, hydraulic and/or mechanical means.
5. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side of the spray channel (4, 5) directed towards the interior of the dishwasher cavity (1) lies substantially in one plane with the surface of the bottom, top or wall areas of the dishwasher cavity (1) directed towards the interior of the dishwasher cavity (1) in which the spray channel (4, 5) is integrated.
6. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spray channel (4, 5) has a round, preferably circular cross-section.
7. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray channel (4, 5) has a rectangular cross-section that is preferably essentially square.
8. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray channel (4, 5) can be fixed by a clamp connection in the bottom, top and/or wall area of the dishwasher cavity (1).
9. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a wall (7) of the spray channel (4, 5) directed towards the interior of the dishwasher cavity (1) can be embodied in such a way that it can be manually released and can preferably be fixed to the spray channel (4, 5) via a clamp connection (6) in the bottom, top and/or wall area of the dishwasher cavity.
10. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side of the spray channel (4, 5) directed towards the interior of the dishwasher cavity (1) is formed by the top, wall and/or bottom area (2) of the dishwasher cavity (1), wherein the top, wall and/or bottom area (2) of the dishwasher cavity has openings (7) for the passage of the washing liquid in the area of the spray channel (4, 5).
11. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dishwasher cavity (1) has a trough configuration and further comprises a number of spray channels (4, 5) aligned parallel to one another integrated at least into the bottom area (2) ofthe dishwasher cavity (1).

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