EP1215989B1 - Device for monitoring the function of a rotating device which delivers liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for monitoring the functioning of a rotating liquid-discharging appliance includes at least one collecting chamber with at least one inlet orifice, at least one outlet orifice, and at least one sensor. The outlet orifice of the collecting chamber has a smaller cross section than the inlet orifice, and the sensor is a level sensor that transmits signals to an evaluation apparatus, by which an entire functioning of the rotating liquid-discharging appliance can be monitored. The monitoring device is disposed approximately in a region acted upon with liquid by the appliance to be monitored.

Description

The invention relates to a device for monitoring the function of a rotating, Liquid dispensing device.

Rotating, liquid dispensing devices can be, for example, lawn sprinklers or spray arms of a dishwasher, etc. Should such a Device in the function to be disturbed, e.g. stay with lawn sprinklers one limited area of the lawn to be wetted with an unnecessarily large amount of water and the rest of the enticing lawn does not rain, which is on one side due to over-watering and on the other hand due to non-irrigation leads to the death of the lawn and can with spray arms of dishwashers the items to be cleaned are not uniformly supplied with cleaning liquid, which leads to a poor cleaning result. Should the malfunction But such a device does not give off any liquid, this leads to lawn sprinklers of course also to the death of the lawn due to non-irrigation and at Sprüharmen of dishwashers, of course, no cleaning result, since with the items to be cleaned is not treated with cleaning liquid and the Cleaning is carried out essentially by the cleaning liquid.

From DE-OS 37 32 451, for example, a monitoring device for the rotational movement a spray arm of a dishwasher, in which exclusively the rotation of the spray arm is controlled, but not the release of liquid.

The invention is therefore based on the object, in a simple manner, a device to create, with which the entire function of a rotating, liquid releasing Device can be monitored.

This object is achieved in that approximately in the by to monitoring device with liquid acted upon area at least one Collection chamber with at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening and is arranged with at least one sensor, wherein the output opening has a smaller cross-section with respect to the inlet opening and wherein the sensor a level sensor is that passes signals to a device for evaluation.

In the error-free rotation of the liquid-emitting device and error-free Delivery of the liquid is the collecting chamber in the inventive device filled with the liquid via the inlet opening and through the outlet opening again deflated, so that the sensor has a constantly fluctuating filling level in the collecting chamber Determines what the evaluation device in a simple manner as impeccable Function of the liquid dispensing device can be interpreted. Should the Rotation and / or the delivery of the liquid does not take place, whether the collection chamber is applied or not, the sensor is a constantly fluctuating filling level in the collecting chamber was not detected, which then from the evaluation device simple fashion interpreted as dysfunction of the fluid-dispensing device can be. If the collection chamber is not fluid, e.g. when the device to be monitored is stationary or in the absence of fluid delivery, if the sensor detects a constantly empty collecting chamber, the collecting chamber should but constantly exposed to liquid when standing to be monitored device be detected by the sensor a constantly completely filled collection chamber. In both cases, no constantly fluctuating filling level is measured, so that the evaluation device in a simple manner a malfunction the fluid-emitting device detected. With the invention is on simple way of creating a device with which the whole function of a rotating, fluid-emitting device can be monitored.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the cross section of the inlet opening and the outlet opening and the volume of the collecting chamber are dimensioned so that Under normal operating conditions of the equipment to be monitored the liquid level in the collecting chamber periodically by a predetermined reference level commutes. With this measure, the device according to the invention is still functionally reliable, because a periodically oscillating liquid level is even easier to evaluate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the level sensor is an optical one Sensor, which simplifies the determination of the level in the collecting chamber is reached.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor part of the optical Sensors a V-angle shape of a substantially transparent vertical wall of the Collecting chamber, with the V-angle shape with the tip inside the collecting chamber protrudes. When using these commonly dip rods with refraction called optical Sensors for liquid level measurement become the device according to the invention even more reliable.

The device is preferably in a dishwasher for monitoring the function arranged at least one rotating, spraying liquid spraying spray arm, whereby the safe cleaning effect of the dishwasher on simple Way is guaranteed.

Advantageously, the device is arranged in a side wall of the dishwasher, thus achieving a simplification of the installation of the device according to the invention becomes.

Preferably, the device is arranged in a door of the dishwasher. In the Door of the dishwasher are usually installed a variety of aggregates, so that the installation of another unit means no great expense.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the device is arranged in a detergent adding unit. By installation in an already existing in a dishwasher aggregate is the installation of the device according to the invention in the dishwasher possible without further effort.

Conveniently, the signals of the level sensor in case of failure on the device for the evaluation of the change in the control and / or the interruption of a Program sequence and / or to activate an optical and / or acoustic Warning signal, whereby deterioration of the cleaning result by the malfunction the spray arm can be avoided as much as possible.

Fig. 1

eine Geschirrspülmaschine ausgerüstet mit der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer Teilansicht,

Fig. 2

eine Vorderansicht einer Reinigerzugabeeinheit für eine Geschirrspülmaschine, in die die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung integriert ist,

Fig. 3

einen Teil der Reinigerzugabeeinheit nach Fig. 2 in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch die Reinigerzugabeeinheit entsprechend den Linien IV-IV in Fig. 2 in vergrößerter Darstellung und

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch die Reinigerzugabeeinheit entsprechend den Linien V-V in Fig. 4 in vergrößerter Darstellung.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it

Fig. 1

a dishwasher equipped with the device according to the invention in a partial view,

Fig. 2

a front view of a detergent adding unit for a dishwasher, in which the device according to the invention is integrated,

Fig. 3

3 shows a part of the detergent adding unit according to FIG. 2 in a perspective view,

Fig. 4

a section through the detergent adding unit according to the lines IV-IV in Fig. 2 in an enlarged view and

Fig. 5

a section through the cleaner addition unit corresponding to the lines VV in Fig. 4 in an enlarged view.

In the embodiment shown, the device according to the invention is for monitoring the function of a rotating, fluid-emitting device 4 in an in Fig. 1 partially, schematically illustrated, unspecified described dishwasher 1 with a closable by a door 3 rinse tank 2 installed, creating a ensures safe cleaning effect of the dishwasher 1 in a simple manner is ..

In the washing container 2 is at least one with a plurality of spray nozzles. 5 equipped spray arm 4 - the rotating liquid dispensing device - whose function is to be monitored with the device according to the invention. As known, the spray arm 4 is connected to a circulating pump, not shown, the rinsing liquid supplied, which is taken from a reservoir, which is located on the ground of the washing compartment 2 is located.

On the directed into the interior of the washing container 2 side carries the door 3 of the dishwasher 1, a detergent adding unit 6 for detergent, such as cleaner and rinse aid.

This cleaner adding unit 6 is in the one to be monitored by the device to be monitored. the spray arm 4 - liquid applied area and is periodically taken from the dispensed from the spray arm 4 rinsing liquid.

As better seen in Figures 2 and 3, the detergent adding unit 6 consists of a Upper part 7 at one end there is a cleaner receptacle 8 to the is determined to include a dose of detergent and in the embodiment by a sliding lid 9 is closed. In the illustrated embodiment is continue on the upper part 7 of the detergent adding unit 6 at its other end Hinged lid 10 for closing an opening 11 of a container 12 attached to the intended to receive a certain amount of rinse aid.

The inventive device is in the described embodiment in the Cleaner addition unit 6 is arranged. By installation in a dishwasher 1 already existing aggregate is the installation of the device according to the invention in the dishwasher 1 without further effort possible.

The hinged lid 10 is in a plurality of substantially vertical and parallel Provided openings 13. When the flip cover 10 is closed, the openings show 13 in the direction of a front wall 7a of the upper part of the detergent adding unit 6, in FIG the number of substantially horizontal inlet openings 14 of the invention Device are arranged.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, extends to the front wall 7a of the upper part 7 of the cleaner addition unit 6 and laterally and below the inlet openings 14 a Collecting point 16, which is formed by a pair of lateral and inclined ribs 17, which converge below the inlet openings 14 and connected to each other are. In the collecting point 16 thus formed by the ribs 17 extends a vertical Plate 18, which is raised relative to the plane of the front wall 7a.

Inside the upper part 7 of the cleaner addition unit 6 is behind the front wall 7 a, such as Best seen in Figures 4 and 5, a collecting chamber 19 of the invention Device arranged in the lower area with a reduced Output opening is indicated at 20. The in the front wall 7a of the Upper part 7 realized inlet openings 14 are on the upper part of the collecting chamber 19 directed (see Figures 4 and 5).

In the collecting chamber 19, a sensor 21, which is designed as a level sensor, arranged, the signals to a device, not shown, for evaluation passes. Im shown Embodiment, the sensor is designed as an optical sensor, wherein an electrical level sensor 21 is used which is complete in FIGS. 4 and 5 5 and includes a lead 22 (FIG. 5) having a pair of diodes, one diode as a transmitter for emitting an optical radiation and the other as a receiver acts. Both diodes are in the direction of a substantially transparent vertical wall 23 of the collecting chamber 19 directed. In this wall 23 is a sensor part of the optical Sensor 21 as a V-angle mold 24 realized that as a prism for ev refraction of the optical Radiation serves and with the tip into the interior of the collecting chamber 19 protrudes.

The feeder 22 is connected to the device, not shown, for evaluation, z-B. in one Not described program control device of the dishwasher 1, connected.

During operation of the dishwasher 1, a portion of the of the rotating meets Spray arm 4 dispensed rinse liquid periodically to the cleaner addition unit 6 and passes through the openings 13 of the hinged lid 10 in the collection point 16th and from there passes through the collecting point 16 removed amount of washing liquid in the device according to the invention and through the inlet openings 14 in the collecting chamber 19.

The outlet opening 20 of the device according to the invention has a relation to the Inlet opening 14 smaller cross section on and that is the cross section of the inlet opening 14 and the outlet opening 20 and the volume of the collecting chamber 19 are dimensioned are that under normal operating conditions of the spray arm 4 the Liquid level in the collecting chamber 19 periodically by a predetermined reference level commutes.

The sensor 21 provides an electrical signal regarding the temporal evolution of the Liquid levels in the collecting chamber 19.

Under normal operating conditions, the signal provided by the sensor 21 periodically shifts, just as the liquid level in the collecting chamber 19 oscillates.

If, during operation of the dishwasher 1, the spray arm 4 is blocked, e.g. as a result of the movement and or displacement of crockery, that hears from the level sensor delivered signal 21 to commute. Especially when the arm in one position remains standing in the sprayed this constant rinsing agent in the direction of the collecting chamber 19, this collecting chamber 19 is constantly filled to the level L, which with the overflow level determined by the upper edge of the plate 18 in the collection point 16 matches.

However, if the spray arm 4 stops in a position in which the emitted Liquid jets no longer hit the hinged lid 10 of the detergent adding unit 6, and / or if the dispensing of the rinsing liquid does not take place, the collecting chamber is emptied 19 through the drain opening 20th

In the two cases considered above, the blocking conditions of the spray arm are detected by the base signal supplied by the level sensor 21. These Signals of the level sensor 21 lead in the illustrated embodiment in case of failure in the program controller associated with the means for evaluation for modification in the control and / or interruption of a program flow and / or for Activation of an optical and / or acoustic warning signal.

Of course, the inventive device for monitoring the function of a rotating, liquid-dispensing device - the spray arm 4 of the dishwasher 1 - also on another side wall of the dishwasher 1 or elsewhere in the washing container 2 of the dishwasher 1 in the liquid be arranged area acted upon. Of course, others can as well Level sensors are used instead of the one described here.

With the invention, a device is provided in a simple manner with which the monitored the entire function of a rotating, liquid-emitting device can be.

Claims (9)

1. Device for monitoring the function of a rotating, liquid-dispensing device (4), characterised in that a collecting chamber (19) with at least one inlet opening (14), at least one outlet opening (20) and at least one sensor (21) is arranged approximately in the region acted on by liquid from the device (4) to be monitored, wherein the outlet opening (20) thereof has a smaller cross-section relative to the inlet opening (14) and wherein the sensor (21) is a level detector which passes on signals to a device for evaluating.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cross-section of the inlet opening (14) and of the outlet opening (20) as well as the volume of the collecting chamber (19) are so dimensioned that under normal functional conditions of the device (4) to be monitored the liquid level in the collecting chamber (19) periodically fluctuates about a previously determined reference level.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the level sensor (21) is an optical sensor.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the detector part of the optical sensor (21) is a V-angled shape (24) of a substantially transparent vertical wall (23) of the collecting chamber (19), wherein the V-angled shape (24) projects by the apex into the interior of the collecting chamber (19).
5. Dishwashing machine (1), characterised in that the dishwashing machine comprises a device corresponding to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device is arranged for monitoring the function of at least one rotating spray arm (4), which sprays rinsing liquid, in the dishwashing machine.
6. Dishwashing machine according to claim 5, characterised in that the device is arranged in a side wall of the dishwashing machine (1).
7. Dishwashing machine according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the device is arranged in a door (3) of the dishwashing machine (1).
8. Dishwashing machine according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the device is arranged in a cleaning agent admetering unit (6).
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4 or dishwashing machine according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the signals of the level sensor (21) in the case of fault lead, by way of the device for evaluating, to change in the control and/or to interruption of a program sequence and/or to activation of an optical and/or acoustic alarm signal.

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