EP3791768B1

EP3791768B1 - A dishwasher with improved washing effectiveness

Info

Publication number: EP3791768B1
Application number: EP20193634.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yusuf Koc; Furkan BAYAV; Omer Burak Coban; Murat KOSAR; Alper BALKAN; Nevin AYATA AKKAS
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2019-09-16
Filing date: 2020-08-31
Publication date: 2023-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-31
Also published as: PL3791768T3; EP3791768A1

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher with improved washing efficiency.
Dishwashers generally comprise upper and lower racks which are placed inside the washing tub and wherein the kitchenware items such as pots, plates, etc. are placed. Under each rack, a spray arm is provided, which is connected to the water line and which rotates around its own axis so as to spray water onto the items in the rack. By means of the holes on the upper spray arm connected to the rack and the lower spray arm connected to the lower region of the washing tub, the water is delivered into the washing tub. The position and the geometry of said holes are designed such that the sprayed water scans more area in the washing tub so as to reach all the surfaces of the dishes. In the dishwasher, the spray arm rotates as a result of the angular momentum generated by the water sprayed through the holes arranged thereon. The holes generating said momentum are generally positioned towards the ends of the spray arm. The water leaving the holes hits the dirt dishes and plays a critical role in removing the dirt from the surfaces. In the washing process of the dishwasher, one of the basic principles is the mechanical effect generated by the sprayed water. Increase in the mechanical effect positively affects the washing performance. Low water flow rate and pressure decreases the washing performance.
In the state of the art dishwashers, additional spray arms in the vicinity of the spray arm are used, which spray extra water to the region in the rack where dishes with relatively more intense dirts are placed, thus enabling said dishes to be effectively washed. Said additional spray arms are used to better clean heavy stains, for example loads such as burnt pot, etc.
In such state of the art embodiments, it is observed that additional spray arms cannot sweep the relevant region efficiently and cannot spray water effectively. Moreover, the complex structure of the additional spray arms increases the production costs.
In the state of the art European Patent Application Document No. EP1549196 , a dishwasher is disclosed, having a nozzle which extends from the side of the spray arm and which sprays water to a region of the rack situated thereabove.
Another document in the state of the art is the International Patent Application No. WO2004019747 . This document discloses a component used for spraying the water as a whole and a dishwasher having spraying nozzles. Said nozzles are connected to a delivery line connected to the circulation pump, and some of the nozzles are arranged on the upper spray arm. By means of the nozzle positioned at the region where very dirty dishes are washed in the washing tub, the water is directly guided towards the intense washing region. The washing region is positioned at a certain distance from the axis of the washing arm.
Another state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the European Patent Application No. EP3030131 . The additional spray arm disclosed in this document moves forward by means of the rotating nozzle provided thereon, and performs the washing process for a certain time depending on the washing algorithm. As the water sprayed from the nozzles on the lower spray arm hits the rib on the additional spray arm, the additional spray arm returns to the initial position. The operational frequency of the additional spray arm is controlled by an algorithm. Since the forward movement of the additional spray arm is provided by a rotating nozzle, some of the total fluid energy is used for pushing the additional spray arm forward. This decreases the energy of the water sprayed from the nozzles used for washing. Since the energy of the washing nozzles decreases, the mechanical effect applied for removing dirts also decreases, adversely affecting the washing performance.
Another state of the art document is the International Patent Application no. WO2018202430A1 . This document discloses a dishwasher comprising a spray nozzle wherein direction of nozzles can be changed.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher with improved washing efficiency.
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 additional spray arm having a body, a lid, at least one spraying member which is pivotably attached so as to rotate around the point of attachment to the body, a shaft which is positioned at the center of the body and which rotates around its own axis with the effect of the water coming from the water line, a first pin which extends perpendicularly to the shaft and a first plate which is contacted by the first pin and which moves the spraying member by linearly moving in the contact direction of the first pin.
By means of the present invention, the additional spray arm used for better washing very dirty dishes in addition to the lower and upper spray arms in the dishwasher is enabled to be operated only by moving the spraying members without using any rotating nozzle. Thus, since no rotating nozzle is used, the energy of the water sprayed by the spraying members used for washing and hence the washing efficiency is increased. Moreover, as if by using a cam mechanism, the spraying members on the additional spray arm are enabled to move to right and left or forwards and backwards. Thus, the additional spray arm is enabled to move in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the spraying members. Consequently, without using any rotating nozzle, the additional spray arm is moved and the washing performance is improved.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the body and the lid are circular, and the spraying members are disposed in the body close to the edge of the body at certain intervals in the radial direction.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the spraying member comprises an inlet which is connected to the water line, an outlet which sprays water, and an intermediate member which is arranged between the inlet and the outlet and which enables the outlet to rotate 360° around approximately the point where the spraying member is fixed.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the lid is attached onto the body while the body accommodates the spraying members, the shaft and the first plate, and comprises holes which are aligned with the outlets of the spraying members and through which the outlets extend outside the body when the lid is attached onto the body. In the embodiment of the present invention, the lid protecting the spraying members, the shaft and the first plate against external factors after the spraying members, the shaft and the first plate are placed into the body is placed onto the body so as to cover the body such that the holes towards which the outlets of the spraying members extend are aligned with the outlets.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the additional spray arm comprises a shaft which is disposed in the middle of the spraying members positioned in the radial direction at the center of the body and perpendicularly to the base of the body so as to rotate around its own axis with the effect of the water coming from the water line. The additional spray arm further comprises a first pin which extends on the shaft outwards from the shaft so as to be perpendicular to the axis of the shaft, and a second pin which extends outwards from the shaft in a parallel horizontal direction opposite to the first pin such that a certain distance in the vertical axis remains therebetween.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the additional spray arm further comprises a first plate and a second plate which are respectively aligned with the first pin and the second pin and which are positioned in the body so as to be in the middle of the spraying members such that a certain distance in the vertical axis remains therebetween and that the shaft and the pins are positioned at the center of the first plate and the second plate. In this embodiment, a housing surrounding the shaft and the first and second pins is arranged at the center of the first and second plates, and a recess is arranged at the point where the first and second plates are seated onto the intermediate member and where the first plate contacts the outlet and the second plate contacts the inlet.
One or more than one cut-out is provided on the first and second plates. Thus, the first and second plates are enabled to be light, providing savings in material.
By means of the shaft, the first and second pins and the first and second plates which are provided on the additional spray arm, all the spraying members are enabled to be directed to the same direction. The shaft, the first and second pins and the first and second plates work as a cam-shaft system, thus enabling the spraying arms in contact with the first and second plates to move. By means of the radial movement of the shaft, the plate linearly moves the spraying members which are in contact with the former. Thus, the circular movement is converted into linear movement.
By means of the present invention, since no rotating nozzle is used for moving the additional spray arm, the total fluid energy of the system is used only for washing purposes, thus improving the washing performance. By moving the additional spray arm, different areas can be swept. By moving the spraying arms in the same direction, a homogeneous washing process is performed, thus facilitating the removal of dirts from surfaces. Moreover, since no electromechanical component is used, cost advantage is provided.
The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where,

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a washing arm, a spray arm and an additional spray arm.
Figure 2 - is the top view of the additional spray arm.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the additional spray arm.
Figure 4 - is the view of the spraying arms in the initial position.
Figure 5 - is the view of the spraying arms in a position.
Figure 6 - is the view of the spraying arms in another position.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing tub
2. Spray arm
3. Additional spray arm
4. Body
5. Lid
6. Spraying member
7. Inlet
8. Outlet
9. Intermediate member
10. Shaft
11. First pin
12. Second pin
13. First plate
14. Second plate
15. Housing
16. Recess
17. Cut-out
18. Hole

The dishwasher comprises a washing tub (1); at least one rack which is disposed in the washing tub (1) and wherein the items to be washed are placed; at least one spray arm (2) which is connected to the water line so as to spray water into the rack and the washing tub (1); and one or more than one additional spray arm (3) which is positioned in the vicinity of the spray arm (2) and which enables a region of the washing tub (1) to be swept with water by means of the water coming from the water line (Figure 1). In the embodiment of the present invention, the additional spray arm (3) comprises a body (4), a lid (5), at least one spraying member (6) which is pivotably attached so as to rotate around the point of attachment to the body (4), a shaft (10) which is positioned at the center of the body (4) and which rotates around its own axis with the effect of the water coming from the water line, a first pin (11) which extends perpendicularly to the shaft (10) and a first plate (13) which is contacted by the first pin (11) and which moves the spraying member (6) by linearly moving in the contact direction of the first pin (11).
By means of the present invention, the additional spray arm (3) used for better washing very dirty dishes in addition to the lower and upper spray arms (2) in the dishwasher is enabled to be operated only by moving the spraying members (6) without using any rotating nozzle. Thus, since no rotating nozzle is used, the energy of the water sprayed by the spraying members (6) used for washing and hence the washing efficiency is increased.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the water pumped with the operation of the circulation pump reaches the spray arm (2). The water flows towards the two ends of the spray arm (3) and reaches the flow guiding valve at the outlet of the circulation pump. Afterwards, the water is pumped to the lower or upper spray arm (2) depending on the position of the valve. Three outlets are arranged on the flow guiding valve. The first delivers the water pumped by the circulation pump to the lower spray arm (2), the second to the upper spray arm (2) and the third to the additional spray arm (3) which is used for intensively washing a certain region. The water reaching the additional spray arm (3) rotates the shaft (10), and the first pin (11) radially moving together with the shaft (10) hits the first plate (13) and moves the first plate (13) and hence one or more than one spray arm (6) in the same direction which is contact with the wall of the first plate (13) while the additional spray arm (3) move in a direction opposite to the spraying members (6). In this embodiment, the shaft (10), the first pin (11) and the first plate (13) converts the circular movement to linear movement just like a cam-shaft mechanism.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the body (4) and the lid (5) are circular, and the spraying members (6) are disposed in the body (4) close to the edge of the body (4) at certain intervals in the radial direction.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the spraying member (6) comprises an inlet (7) which is connected to the water line, an outlet (8) which sprays water, and an intermediate member (9) which is arranged between the inlet (7) and the outlet (8) and which enables the outlet (8) to rotate 360° around approximately the point where the spraying member (6) is fixed. In this embodiment of the present invention, the spraying member (6) is fixed to the body (4) by means of a pivot.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the lid (5) is attached onto the body (4) while the body (4) accommodates the spraying members (6), the shaft (10) and the first plate (13), and comprises holes (18) which are aligned with the outlets (() of the spraying members (6) and through which the outlets (8) extend outside the body (4) when the lid (5) is attached onto the body (4). In the embodiment of the present invention, the lid (5) protecting the spraying members (6), the shaft (10) and the first plate (13) against external factors after the spraying members (6), the shaft (10) and the first plate (13) are placed into the body (4) is placed onto the body (4) so as to cover the body (4) such that the holes (18) towards which the outlets (8) of the spraying members (6) extend are aligned with the outlets (8).
In the embodiment of the present invention, the additional spray arm (3) comprises a shaft (10) which is disposed in the middle of the spraying members (6) positioned in the radial direction at the center of the body (4) and perpendicularly to the base of the body (4) so as to rotate around its own axis with the effect of the water coming from the water line. The additional spray arm (3) further comprises a first pin (11) which extends on the shaft (10) outwards from the shaft (10) so as to be perpendicular to the axis of the shaft (10), and a second pin (12) which extends outwards from the shaft (10) in a parallel horizontal direction opposite to the first pin (11) such that a certain distance in the vertical axis remains therebetween.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the additional spray arm (3) further comprises a first plate (13) and a second plate (14) which are respectively aligned with the first and second pins (11 and 12) and which are positioned in the body (4) so as to be in the middle of the spraying members (6) such that a certain distance in the vertical axis remains therebetween and that the shaft (10) and the first second pins (11 and 12) are positioned at the center of the first plate (13) and the second plate (14) (Figure 4). In this embodiment, a housing (15) surrounding the shaft (10) and the first and second pins (11 and 12) is arranged at the center of the first and second plates (13 and 14), and a recess (16) is arranged at the point where the first and second plates (13 and 14) are seated onto the intermediate member (9) and where the first plate (13) contacts the outlet (8) and the second plate (14) contacts the inlet (7). In this embodiment of the present invention, the water reaching the additional spray arm (3) rotates the shaft (10), and the first pin (11) radially moving together with the shaft (10) hits the housing (15) on the first plate (13) and the second pin (12) hits the housing (15) on the second plate (14) so as to move the first plate (13) and the second plate (14), hence one or more than one spray arm (6) which is contact with the recesses (16) at the wall of the first plate (13) and the second plate (14) while the additional spray arm (3) move in a direction opposite to the spraying members (6). In this embodiment, the first plate (13) contacts the outlets (8) on the spraying members (6) and the second plate (14) contacts the inlets (7) on the second plate (14), thus enabling the spraying members (6) to be directed to the same direction.
By means of the shaft (10), the first and second pins (11 and 12) and the first and second plates (13 and 14) which are provided on the additional spray arm (3), all the spraying members (6) are enabled to be directed to the same direction. The shaft (10), the first and second pins (11 and 12) and the first and second plates (13 and 14) work as a cam-shaft system, thus enabling the spraying arms (6) in contact with the first and second plates (13 and 14) to move. By means of the radial movement of the shaft (10), the first and second plates (13 and 14) linearly move the spraying members (6) which are in contact with the same. Thus, the circular movement is converted into linear movement (Figure 5 and Figure 6).
One or more than one cut-out (17) is provided on the first and second plates (13 and 14). Thus, the first and second plates (13 and 14) are enabled to be light, providing savings in material.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first and second plates (13 and 14) are elliptical.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing (15) is quadrilateral. In this embodiment of the present invention, the first and second pins (11 and 12) contact the long side of the housing (15) arranged on the first and second plates (13 and 14).
By means of the present invention, since no rotating nozzle is used for moving the additional spray arm (3), the total fluid energy of the system is used only for washing purposes, thus improving the washing performance. By moving the additional spray arm (3), different areas can be swept. By moving the spraying arms (6) in the same direction, a homogeneous washing process is performed, thus facilitating the removal of dirts from surfaces. Moreover, since no electromechanical component is used, cost advantage is provided.

Claims

A dishwasher comprising a washing tub (1); at least one rack which is disposed in the washing tub (1) and wherein the items to be washed are placed; at least one spray arm (2) which is connected to a water line so as to spray water into the rack and the washing tub (1); one or more than one additional spray arm (3) which is positioned in the vicinity of the spray arm (2) and which enables a region of the washing tub (1) to be swept with water by means of the water coming from the water line, the additional spray arm (3) having a body (4), a lid (5), at least one spraying member (6); characterized by the spraying member (6) being pivotably attached so as to rotate around the point of attachment to the body (4), and the additional spray arm (3) further comprising a shaft (10) which is positioned at the center of the body (4) and which rotates around its own axis with the effect of the water coming from the water line, a first pin (11) which extends perpendicularly from the shaft (10) and a first plate (13) in contact with the first pin (11) and the spraying member (6), arranged to work as a cam-shaft mechanism with the shaft (10) and the first pin (11) for converting the circular movement of the shaft (10) to linear movement, wherein the first plate (13) is arranged to, while the shaft (10) is rotating, move the spraying member (6) by linearly moving in the contact direction of the first pin (11).
A dishwasher as in Claim 1, characterized by the additional spray arm (3) comprising the body (4) and the lid (5) which are circular.
A dishwasher as in Claim 1, characterized by the spraying members (6) which are disposed in the body (4) close to the edge of the body (4) at certain intervals in the radial direction.
A dishwasher as in Claim 1 and 3, characterized by the spraying member (6) comprising an inlet (7) which is connected to the water line, an outlet (8) which sprays water, and an intermediate member (9) which is arranged between the inlet (7) and the outlet (8) and which enables the outlet (8) to rotate 360° around approximately the point where the spraying member (6) is fixed.
A dishwasher as in Claim 4, characterized by the lid (5) which is attached onto the body (4) while the body (4) accommodates the spraying members (6), the shaft (10) and the first plate (13), and which comprises holes (18) which are aligned with the outlets (8) of the spraying members (6) and through which the outlets (8) extend outside the body (4) when the lid (5) is attached onto the body (4).
A dishwasher as in Claim 1, characterized by the shaft (10) which is disposed perpendicularly to the base of the body (4) and in the middle of the spraying members (6) positioned in the radial direction, and a second pin (12) which extends outwards from the shaft (10) in a parallel horizontal direction opposite to the first pin (11) such that a certain distance in the vertical axis remains therebetween.
A dishwasher as in Claim 6, characterized by the additional spray arm (3) comprising the first plate (13) and a second plate (14) which are respectively aligned with the first and second pins (11 and 12) and which are positioned in the body (4) so as to be in the middle of the spraying members (6) such that a certain distance in the vertical axis remains therebetween and that the shaft (10) and the first second pins (11 and 12) are positioned at the center of the first plate (13) and the second plate (14).
A dishwasher as in Claim 7, characterized by the first and second plates (13 and 14) comprising a housing (15) at the center thereof surrounding the shaft (10) and the first and second pins (11 and 12), and a recess (16) which is arranged at the point where the first and second plates (13 and 14) are seated onto the intermediate member (9) and where the first plate (13) contacts the outlet (8) and the second plate (14) contacts the inlet (7).
A dishwasher as in Claim 7 and 8, characterized by the first and second plates (13 and 14) which are elliptical.
A dishwasher as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the spraying members (6) which are arranged to be directed to the same direction.