WO2009083382A1

WO2009083382A1 - A dishwasher

Info

Publication number: WO2009083382A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/066948
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ufuk Askin; Songul Bayraktar
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2007-12-31
Filing date: 2008-12-06
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-30
Also published as: CN101917893B; EP2242414B1; PL2242414T3; EP2242414A1; CN101917893A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) that comprises a washing tub (2), at least one height adjustable basket (3) disposed in the washing tub (2), wherein the kitchen utensils are placed, a supply line (4) situated on the rear wall of the washing tub (2) for delivering the water received from the main supply to the intended region, a spray arm that delivers water on the items placed in the basket (3), a first and a second outlet (10 and 11) situated at the end of the supply line (4) and arranged vertically one over the other, and a distributor (5) mounted to the basket (3), connected to one of the outlets (10 or 11 ) depending on the position of the basket (3) for delivering the water received from the supply line (4) to the spray arm.

Description

A DISHWASHER

[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher that comprises at least one height adjustable basket.

[0002] As is known, dishwashers generally comprise upper and lower baskets, placed in the washing tub, wherein the kitchen utensils such as pots, pans are emplaced. Each basket is moved outwards from the washing tub for loading the utensils in the basket and for removing them out from the basket.

[0003] Under each basket, a spray arm pipe is provided, connected generally to the outlet on the rear wall of the body for delivering water from the water line and a spray arm fitted at the end of the spray arm pipe that rotates and sprays the water on the items placed in the basket.

[0004] The baskets can move upwards and downwards in the washing tub so that kitchen utensils of different sizes can be emplaced in the lower and upper baskets. Generally the upper basket can move up and down within a certain distance.

[0005] Since the upper basket is movable, the distributor connected to the upper basket should also be of changeable height; therefore the supply line whereto the distributor is connected should be designed in matching configuration. In conventional technique, the distributor that connects the supply line with the spray arm is mounted to coincide with the outlet of the supply line. Therefore, at least two outlets are provided along the distance the basket moves on the supply line. In order to prevent water leakage during the movement of the basket, a sealing system comprising elements such as valves, gaskets etc. should be used between the outlet of the supply line and the distributor.

[0006] In the state of the art European Patent No EP0401767, the explanation is given for two outlets on the supply pipe and a box collector connected selectively with any one of the outlets for delivering water received from the supply pipe to the spray arm. In this embodiment, ball valves are provided at the outlets of the supply pipe that cover the outlets when the box collector is not disposed at one of the outlets and pushed as the collector enters any one outlet, allowing the water from the supply pipe to pass into the collector.

[0007] In this embodiment, a ball valve has to be disposed into a pipe or channel shaped structure such as the collector or supply pipe. This both increases labor costs and also the malfunctions and service rates.

[0008] In the state of the art European Patent No EP0918482, the supply line has one outlet. The dishwasher comprises an adaptor element having two outlets and disposed between the supply line and the distributor, connected to the distributor so that water can pass from the supply line to the distributor when the dishrack height is adjusted. In this embodiment, one outlet is disposed on the same axis as the distributor however the other outlet is not on the same axis as the distributor and passage to the distributor from the latter outlet can only be made by a bend. This results in the decrease of water pressure coming from the supply line. The spray arm pressure changing in each of the two basket positions causes the washing effectiveness to vary in both positions.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher wherein the same washing effectiveness is maintained in all positions of the basket.

[0010] The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises an upper and lower lid, mounted on the basket and moving together with the basket, the distance from the distributor, such that the distributor remains therebetween, being virtually equal to the distance between the two outlets, covering the other outlet when the distributor is mounted on one of the outlets.

[0011] Accordingly, a dishwasher is realized wherein the basket height can be adjusted without using any valve system on the distributor or the supply line and without a significant change in the pressure of water delivered from the supply line regardless of the basket position.

[0012] The upper and lower lids are mounted on the side wall of the basket, which is symmetrical with respect to the distributor, facing the rear wall of the washing tub such that the distributor therebetween remains equidistant and at the same level.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a guide for mounting the lids on the basket by changing the distance therebetween the distributor and a rail for mounting the lids on the guide. By means of the guide, the lids can be slidingly moved on the guide and thus the distance between the distributor and the lids can be adjusted depending on the distance between the outlets.

[0014] The distance between the baskets can be different in dishwashers having particularly different washing volumes and thus the distance between the outlets can vary. By means of this embodiment of the present invention, the same distributor can be used in all the dishwashers. This results in reducing storage costs as well as labor costs and a decrease in malfunction and service rates.

[0015] By means of the present invention, there is no difference in pressure of the water received from the supply line during delivery to the spray arm in the upper and lower positions of the basket. This in turn causes the washing performance not to be altered in both positions of the basket.

[0016] A dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0017] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a dishwasher.

[0018] Figure 2 - is the view of the distributor and lids on the basket.

[0019] Figure 3 - is the view of the supply line and the outlets.

[0020] Figure 4 - is the sideways view of the distributor mounted to the supply line and the lids on the basket.

[0021] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Dishwasher

2. Washing tub

3. Basket

4. Supply line

5. Distributor

6. Side wall

7. Support surface

8. Upper lid 9. Lower lid

10. First outlet

11. Second outlet

12. Barrier

13. Guide

14. Rail

[0022] The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises a washing tub (2), at least one height adjustable basket (3) disposed in the washing tub (2), wherein the kitchen utensils are placed, a supply line (4) situated on the rear wall of the washing tub (2) for delivering the water received from the main supply to the intended region in the washing tub (2), a spray arm (5) that delivers water on the items placed in the basket (3), a first and a second outlet (10 and 11) situated at the end of the supply line (4) and arranged vertically one over the other, and a distributor (5) mounted to the basket (3), connected to one of the outlets (10 or 11) depending on the height of the basket (3) for delivering the water received from the supply line (4) to the spray arm (Figure 1 and Figure 3).

[0023] The dishwasher (1) furthermore comprises an upper and a lower lid (8 or 9):

- moving together with the basket (3) by being disposed on the basket (3),

- one is below the distributor (5) and the other is above, the distance to the distributor (5) and the lids (8 and 9) being virtually equal to the distance between the two outlets (10 and 11) and

- one of them covering the one outlet (10 or 11) when the distributor (5) is mounted to other of the outlets (10 or 11) (Figure 2).

[0024] Accordingly, any valve system on the distributor (5) or the supply line (4) is not required for water to flow to the distributor (5) from the outlet (10 or 11) whereto the distributor (5) is connected and closing the other outlet (10 or 11) whereto the distributor (5) is not connected or wherefrom the distributor (5) is detached. The height of the basket (3) can be adjusted without any significant change in the pressure of water delivered to the spray arm on the basket (3).

[0025] The basket (3) comprises a support surface (7) that forms the base of the basket (3) for supporting the items placed thereon and a side wall (6) that peripherally surrounds the support surface (7). The support surface (7) and the side wall (6) are formed of wires arranged parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the distributor (5) with the spray arm thereon is secured under the support surface (7). The upper and lower lids (8 and 9) are mounted on that side of the side wall (6) facing the rear wall of the washing tub (2), symmetrically with respect to the distributor (5) therebetween. In this position, the distributor (5) connected to the outlet (10 or 11) of the supply line (4) and the upper and lower lids (8 and 9) are aligned vertically.

[0026] The basket (3) is in the normal position and the distance between the baskets (3) is minimum when the distributor (5) on the basket (3) is connected to the first outlet (10), the lower of the two outlets (10 or 11) disposed one over the other, at the end of the supply line (4) and extending along the rear wall of the washing tub (2). In this position, the distributor (5) and the first outlet (10) are at the same level and inserted into one another leak-proofingly. At the same time, the upper lid (8) over the distributor (5) mounted to the side wall (6) forms a leaning surface thereby closing the second outlet (11) leak-proofingly. In this position, the lower lid (9) is idle. During the washing process, the water coming from the supply line (4) cannot flow out from the second outlet (11) closed by the upper lid (8) and passes to the distributor (5) from the first outlet (10), reaches the spray arm to be sprayed into the washing tub (2) (Figure 4).

[0027] When the dishwasher (1) is to be used by lifting up the basket (3), the user pulls the basket (3) toward himself/herself. As a result of this movement, the distributor (6) initially inserted into the first outlet (10) and the upper lid (8) closing the second outlet (11) move together with the basket (3) and detach from the outlets (10 or 11). The basket (3) is lifted by a mechanism known in the technique. As the basket (3) is lifted, the distributor (5) is aligned with the second outlet (11) and the lower lid (9) is aligned with the first outlet (10). In this position, when the basket (3) is pushed inside the washing tub (2) again, the distributor (5) and the second outlet (11) are fitted into one another leak-proofingly. Simultaneously the lower lid (9) closes the first outlet (10) leak-proofingly. Consequently, the upper lid (8) is idle. The water conning from the supply line (4) during the washing process cannot flow out from the first outlet (10) closed by the lower lid (9) and passes to the distributor (5) from the second outlet (11), reaches the spray arm to be sprayed into the washing tub (2).

[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a guide (13) whereon the upper and lower lids (8 and 9) are mounted, whereby the lids (8 and 9) move vertically by sliding up and down for adjusting the distance between the distributor (5) and themselves and a rail (14) on the upper and lower lids (8 and 9) for fitting on the guide (13).

[0029] Some portion of the guide (13) is on the side wall (6). The other portion extends downwards from the support surface (7). The upper lid (8) is mounted to the portion of the guide (13) extending on the side wall (6) and the upper lid (8) can move slidingly on the guide (13) between the distributor (5) and the upper edge of the side wall (6). The lower lid (9) is mounted on the portion of the guide (13) extending below the support surface (7) and the lower lid (9) can move on the guide (13) between the distributor (5) and the lower edge of the guide by sliding. In this embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower lids (8 and 9) are mounted on two wire shaped guides (13) parallel to each other, so that the lids (8 and 9) can move in a balanced fashion.

[0030] By means of the present invention, the same distributor (5) can be used conveniently in dishwashers (1) wherein the distance between the outlets (10 and 11) vary due to different models or production tolerances whereby the user can adjust the distance between the upper lid (8) and the lower lid (9). Even if the distance between the outlets (10 and 11) is different, the distances between the outlets (10 and 11) and the distributor (5) can be adjusted according to the distance between the outlets (10 and 11) by means of the upper and lower lids (8 and 9) slidingly moving on the basket (3). This provides ease of use for the user thus eliminating the need for making a structural modification in the distributor (5) or the supply line (4) hence change of parts and servicing. [0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises barriers (12) formed on the distributor (5), the lids (8 and 9) and the outlets (10 and 11 ) such that they surround each other from the inside and outside. When the barriers (12) on the upper, lower lids (8 and 9) and the outlets (10 and 11) overlap with the lids (8 and 9) and the outlets (10 and 11), they contribute in maintaining leak-proofing by surrounding each other peripherally. The barrier (12) on the distributor (5) surrounds the barrier (12) on the outlet (10 and 11) when the distributor (5) is mounted on any one of the outlets (10 or 11) and allows the water coming from the supply line (4) to pass to the distributor (5) from between the protrusion and the distributor (5) without leaking. Moreover, these barriers (12) serve as guides on the distributor (5), the lids (8 and 9) and the outlets (10 and 11) for fitting to one another properly when the basket (3) is pushed inside the washing tub (2) after adjusting the height.

[0032] By means of the present invention, after adjusting the height of the basket (3), water is delivered to the distributor (5) and the spray arm and sprayed into the washing tub (2), without a change in pressure and without requiring the use of any valve system. Moreover, by means of the present invention, in dishwashers (1) with height adjustable baskets (3) wherein the distance between the outlets (10 and 11) is not standard, a single distributor (5) can be used. This provides storage, usage and design flexibility.

Claims

1. A dishwasher (1 ) that comprises a washing tub (2), at least one height adjustable basket (3) disposed in the washing tub (2), wherein the kitchen utensils are placed, a supply line (4) situated on the rear wall of the washing tub (2) for delivering the water received from the main supply to the intended region in the washing tub (2), a spray arm that delivers water on the items placed in the basket (3), a first and a second outlet (10 and 11) situated at the end of the supply line (4) and arranged vertically one over the other, and a distributor (5) mounted to the basket (3), connected to one of the outlets (10 or 11) depending on the height of the basket (3) for delivering the water received from the supply line (4) to the spray arm, and characterized by an upper and a lower lid (8 or 9),

- moving together with the basket (3) by being disposed on the basket (3),

- one is below the distributor (5) and the other above, the distance between the distributor (5) and the lids (8 and 9) being equal to the distance between the two outlets (10 and 11) and

- one of them covering the one outlet (10 or 11 ) when the distributor (5) is mounted to other of the outlets (10 or 11).

2. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a basket (3) comprising a support surface (7) that forms the base thereof for supporting the items placed thereon and a side wall (6) that peripherally surrounds the support surface (7) and upper and lower lids (8 and 9) mounted on that side of the side wall (6) facing the rear wall of the washing tub (2), symmetrically with respect to the distributor (5) therebetween.

3. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the upper and lower lids (8 and 9) being vertically aligned with the distributor (5) connected to the outlet (10 or 11) of the supply line (4).

4. A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a guide (13) whereon the upper and lower lids (8 and 9) are mounted, whereby the lids (8 and 9) move vertically by sliding up and down for adjusting the distance between the distributor (5) and themselves and a rail (14) on the upper and lower lids (8 and 9) for fitting on the guide (13).

5. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by a guide (13) wherein some portion thereof is on the side wall (6) and the other portion extends downwards from the support surface (7).

6. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by two wire shaped guides (13) that are parallel to each other.

7. A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by barriers (12) formed on the distributor (5), the lids (8 and 9) and the outlets (10 and 11) such that they surround each other from the inside and outside.