EP1681976B1 - Device for controlling spray channels in dishwasher machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A dishwasher machine with a compact device for spraying items to be rinsed is provided whereby the rinsing liquid is regularly sprayed in the rinsing container and the spray jets created by the spray device can be varied. To this end, the rinsing device comprises at least one spray channel which guides a rinsing liquid and comprises, on a side thereof facing the inside of the rinsing container, openings for the rinsing liquid and two open ends via which rinsing liquid can be supplied in a pressurized manner. At least one distributor is provided for regulating the supply of rinsing liquid to the spray channel in lieu of conventional mobile components such as spray arms, and various spray patterns can be produced by means of the distributor, improving the cleaning action of the dishwasher machine.

Description

The subject matter of the invention is a dishwashing machine with spray channels for impinging washing items with dishwashing liquid, and in particular a device for controlling these spraying channels.

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 the rotation of the spray arm can be impeded, for example, by sinks that have fallen into the movement range 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 thus reduce the usable space for the arrangement of items in the washing compartment. Furthermore, the known spraying develop only constant spray, which is detrimental to the cleaning effect of the dishes.

From the FR-A-2 285 838 For example, a method for operating a dishwasher and a dishwashing machine is known. The dishwasher according to the FR-A-2 285 838 has a spray device arranged on an inner washing container, which has a multiplicity of openings for the discharge of rinsing liquid. Furthermore, the spraying device has two open ends, can be supplied by the flushing liquid by applying pressure. Furthermore, a distributor is provided, which makes it possible to regulate the supply of rinsing liquid to the spray device.

From the US-A-1 623 203 For example, a dishwashing machine is known which has a spraying device which allows a dishwashing basket to be sprayed with washing liquid. The spraying device comprises a short pipe section with an outlet opening. A plurality of these pipe sections form an inner wall of the washing container circulating spray device, which has two open ends, which are connected to a manifold, which regulates the supply of rinsing liquid.

Finally, out of the WO 2005/034712 A1 , which according to the prior art gem. Art. 54 (3) EPC, a dishwasher with integrated spray channels is known. The spray channels are arranged in the washing compartment of the dishwasher and have openings for the discharge of rinsing water, as well as two open ends, which are connected to a manifold, which allows to regulate the supply of rinsing liquid.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a dishwasher with a space-saving device for spraying ware, in which the rinse is on the one hand sprayed as evenly as possible in the washing to efficiently wash the wash ware, and on the other hand, the developed spray jets are variable to to improve the cleaning effect of the dishes.

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 8.

The dishwasher according to the invention has at least one rinsing container and a spraying device for spraying rinsing liquid into the interior of the rinsing container, wherein the spraying device comprises at least one rinsing liquid-carrying spray channel, which is directed towards the interior of the rinsing container

Has openings for the passage of the rinsing liquid and two open ends, can be supplied pressurized via the rinsing liquid, wherein at least one distributor is provided which regulates the supply of rinsing liquid to the spray channel. According to the invention, it is provided that the at least one distributor can be driven via a drive to a preferably periodic movement. In one embodiment, this allows the reciprocating movement of the distributor, for example, in alternating directions and thus the position of the passages or the supply of rinsing liquid to the spray channels are precisely controlled. The drive expediently has a rotary disk and a driver arranged thereon, which engages in a drive slot formed in the distributor.

An advantage of the dishwasher with a spraying device according to the present invention is that for distributing the rinsing liquid in the rinsing container no moving components, such as e.g. Sprayer arms, are required and thereby a movement-related susceptibility to interference of moving parts is eliminated in the washing. 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 in the washing, 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 dish rinse baskets located in the washing container is greater, since no more space for rotating spray arms or components for the distribution of the rinsing liquid projecting from the bottom, ceiling or wall portions of the washing container are taken into account.

The advantage of controlling the spraying device by means of a distributor in the dishwasher according to the invention is that the spraying device not only develops consistent spraying jets, but due to the regulation of the supply of washing liquid supplied to the spraying channel, different spraying patterns can be produced by the distributor the cleaning effect of Dishwasher improved. The spray patterns can also be made variable in time.

Yet another advantage of the spraying device of the dishwashing machine according to the invention is that the length and width of the washing container need not be formed approximately in a ratio of 1: 1 - as required, for example, in a spraying device with rotating spraying arms - but in almost any desired shape can be designed, since the spray can be adapted to each shape of the washing container accordingly.

The pressure build-up and the pressure reduction of the flushing liquid fed to the jet channel is regulated by the distributor. In this way, the intensity of the spray jets emerging from the spray channels can be varied. Since the spray channels each have two open ends, the spray channels can be supplied from both sides rinsing liquid with different pressurization in order to obtain a "moving jet" or a spray pattern. Thus, jet pressure maxima can migrate from one end of the spray channel to its other end.

The spray patterns are created by the different pressure distribution of the rinsing liquid in the spray channel, which results from the time variation of the pressure with which the supply of rinsing liquid via the two ends of the spray channel, wherein the liquid pressure generated at one end of the spray channel via the manifold to the liquid 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. The supply of rinse liquid to the variable pressure spray channel, i. By controlled via the manifold pressure flow and pressure control, thus allowing the production of different spray patterns, which can be adapted for example to certain items to be washed or pollution levels.

By controlling the spray channels via the manifold directly in front of the entrance to the jet pipe, the flow loss is minimized. For this purpose, the spray channels are preferably coupled at their two ends via detachable connecting elements to the manifold and thereby with the rinsing fluid circuit, in particular with the Circulation pump connected. A corresponding number of spray patterns can be provided via a corresponding wash program selection, wherein it is also possible to take into account the type and different contamination states of the wash items when selecting the spray patterns.

The spray channels each have two open ends, with the open ends of the spray channels coupled on one side to a first manifold and the open ends of the spray channels on the opposite side to a second manifold. Both the spray intensity and the spray pattern are preferably regulated via a controlled pressure drain and pressure control by means of the manifolds. 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 dishwasher with a spraying device according to the present invention, the distributor is movably arranged and preferably displaceable in a reciprocating motion in alternating directions. The reciprocating movement of the distributor varies or regulates the pressure with which the rinsing liquid is supplied to the spray channels. For this purpose, the distributor expediently has at least one passage through which, in the case of a specific position of the distributor, rinsing fluid can be supplied pressurized via an open end of the spray channel. When the passage is in front of the open end of the spray channel, the pressurized rinse fluid may freely enter the spray channel through the manifold. If the passage is due to a lateral displacement of the manifold adjacent the open end of the spray channel, then no flushing liquid can enter the spray channel through the manifold.

Thus, the reciprocation of the distributor causes the passage to be either fully or partially in front of the open end of the spray channel, and thus more or less irrigation fluid to enter the spray channel through the manifold. In this case, the movement of the distributor can also be set up so that the passage is located completely next to the open end of the spray channel and thus no rinsing liquid enters the spray channel through the distributor.

In a further preferred embodiment of the dishwasher with a spraying device according to the present invention, a distributor is provided both at the first open end of the at least one spray channel and at the second open end of the at least one spray channel, which regulate the supply of flushing liquid to the spray channel. In this way, irrigation fluid can be supplied under pressure to the two 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.

Expediently, 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. Optionally, either the pressure for the supply of rinsing liquid can only be varied via one end of the spray channel or the pressure for the supply of rinsing liquid over both ends of the spray channel. For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if a number of spray channels is provided, whose first open end is in each case coupled to a first distributor and whose second open end is in each case coupled to a second distributor. It is also advantageous if the pressure with which the rinsing liquid is supplied to the distributor or the distributors and then to the spray channel can also be varied. As a result, a wider range of spray patterns can be generated.

In the design of the spray channel, it has proved to be particularly advantageous if the spray channel is like a tube and the openings for the passage of the rinsing liquid over a certain arc segment are formed on the directed to the interior of the rinsing container side of the spray channel. This allows the spray jets to emerge from the openings in different directions.

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 and the spray patterns produced are preferably determined so that the desired rinsing is achieved in the interior of the rinsing container. In this case, the most uniform possible spray distribution or an uneven spray distribution be sought in which certain areas are rinsed in the washing more than others.

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 arranged. 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 "shading" 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.

The spray channel can preferably be arranged fixed in the floor, ceiling and / or wall region of the washing container via a clamping connection. Thereby, the spray can be removed if necessary from the washing, for example, to rid it of deposits or to replace it with another spray channel with different openings for the escape of rinsing liquid to obtain a different spray pattern.

The directed to the interior of the Spülbehälters side of the spray channel 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 has the openings for the passage of the washing liquid , 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 container can be integrally formed and provided with the preparation of the washing container.

In the following, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawing shows a perspective view of a spraying device, as it can be used for example in a dishwasher according to the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing, a plurality of tube-shaped spray channels 3 are arranged substantially parallel to each other in the bottom 2 of the washing compartment 1. For a better overview, the dimensions of the washing container 1 are indicated by dashed lines. In the spray channels 3 openings 9 are provided for the passage of the rinsing liquid from the spray channel 3 into the interior of the washing compartment 1. In this case, the openings 4 are formed over a specific arc segment on the side directed toward the interior of the washing container of the spray channel, so that the spray jets (not shown) emerge from the openings 4 in different directions. Since the openings 4 are distributed over the entire length of the spray channels 3, the possibility of "shading" of spray jets is reduced by items to be washed. Even with direct circulation of items to be washed on the spray channel 3, sprays can still escape from the spray channel 3 into the washing container 1 at other locations.

The spray channels 3 each have two open ends, wherein the open ends of the spray channels 3 open on one side into a first distributor 5 and the open ends of the spray channels 3 on the opposite side into a second distributor. For clarity, only one distributor 5 is shown in the drawing, but has the same function and the same structure as the opposite - distributor - not shown.

The distributor 5 is movably arranged and can be offset by means of a drive 7, 8, 9 in a periodic reciprocating movement in alternating directions, which are indicated in the drawing by the double arrow A. The distributor 5 has a plurality of passages 6 through which rinsing liquid can enter the spray channels 3 at certain positions of the distributor 5. By the reciprocating movement of the manifold 5, the pressure and the amount of the spray channels 3 supplied rinsing liquid is varied or regulated. If a passage 6 is located in front of the open end of a spray channel 3, the pressurized rinsing liquid can pass unhindered through the distributor 5 enter the spray channel 3. If the passage 6 is due to a lateral displacement of the manifold 5 completely adjacent to the open end of the spray channel 3, so no rinsing liquid can enter through the manifold 5 in the spray channel 3.

Accordingly, causes the reciprocation of the distributor 5 that the passage 6 is either completely or partially in front of the open end of the spray channel 3 and thus correspondingly more or less flushing liquid enters through the manifold 5 in the spray channel 3. In this case, the movement of the distributor 5 can also be set up such that the passage 6 is located completely next to the open end of the spray channel 3 and thus no rinsing liquid enters the spray channel 3 through the distributor 5. In this way, individual spray channels 3 or groups of spray channels 3 can be controlled separately, i. individual spray channels 3 or groups of spray channels 3 can be regulated via the distributor or distributors 5 in such a way that together they generate certain spray patterns. Furthermore, individual spray channels 3 or groups of spray channels 3 can also be activated or deactivated, i. Rinsing fluid supplied or cut off from the rinsing liquid.

The drive of the distributor 5 comprises a rotary disk 7 and a driver 9 arranged thereon, which engages in a drive slot 9 formed in the distributor 5. While the rotary disk 7 rotates in one direction, the driver 8 makes a vertical up and down movement in the drive slot 9, thereby causing a horizontal reciprocating movement of the distributor 5 in the alternating directions of the double arrow A. The drive 7, 8, 9 can be operated, for example, by a separate electric motor or by an impeller powered by flow of the rinsing liquid. Due to the reciprocating motion of the distributor 5 operated by the drive 7, 8, 9, the position of the passages or the supply of rinsing liquid to the spray channels 3 can be precisely controlled.

The spray channels 3 can be arranged both on the bottom 2 of the washing container 1 or integrated in the bottom 2 of the washing container 1. In this case, the attachment of the spray channels 3 on the washing container 1, for example via a clamping connection can be made detachable. As a result, it is possible to supply the spray channels 3 from the washing container 1 as needed To remove them, for example, to remove deposits or replace them with other spray channels 3.

However, it is also possible for the side of the spray channels 3 directed towards the interior of the washing compartment 1 to be formed by the base 2 of the washing compartment 1 itself, wherein the base 2 has openings 4 for the passage of the washing liquid in the area of the spray channels 3. In addition, the remaining walls of the spray channel 4 and thus the spray channels 3 may be integrally formed with the bottom 2 of the washing container 1, wherein the openings 4 are introduced for the passage of the washing liquid either subsequently or already provided during the preparation of the washing compartment 1.

Claims (8)

1. Dishwasher with at least one rinsing container (1) and a spray device for spraying rinsing liquid into the interior space of the rinsing container (1), wherein the spray device comprises at least one spray channel (3), which conducts rinsing liquid and which has on a side, which is directed towards the interior space of the rinsing container (1), openings (4) for the passage of the rinsing liquid and two open ends by way of which rinsing liquid can be fed loaded with pressure, and that at least one distributor (5) is provided which regulates the feed of rinsing liquid to the spray channel (3), characterised in that the at least one distributor (5) is drivable by way of a drive (7, 8, 9) at a preferably periodic movement (A), wherein the drive (7, 8, 9) comprises a rotary disc (7) and an entrainer (8) which is arranged thereon and engages in a drive slot (9) formed in the distributor (5).
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the at least one distributor (5) is arranged to be movable and preferably is slidable in reciprocating movement in alternating directions (A).
3. Dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the at least one distributor (5) has at least one passage (6) through which in the case of a defined setting of the distributor (5) rinsing liquid can be fed, via an open end of the spray channel (3), with pressure loading.
4. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a distributor (5) is provided at the first open end of the at least one spray channel (3) and a distributor (5) is also provided at the second open end of the at least one spray channel (3), which distributors regulate the speed of rinsing liquid to the spray channel (30.
5. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a number of spray channels (3) is provided, the first open end of each of which is coupled to a first distributor (5) and the second open end of each of which is coupled to a second distributor (5).
6. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure at which the rinsing liquid is fed to the spray channel (4, 5) is variable.
7. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray channel (3) is tubular and the openings (4) for the passage of the rinsing liquid are formed over a defined curved segment on the side of the spray channel (3) directed towards the interior space of the rinsing container (1).
8. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rinsing container (1) of trough-like construction and a number of spray channels (3), which are preferably oriented parallel to one another, is arranged at least at the base (2) of the rinsing container (1).

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