WO2018036630A1

WO2018036630A1 - Dishwasher comprising a dietergent container for dispensing detergent

Info

Publication number: WO2018036630A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/070104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd Krische; Stefan Jonsson; Magnus Wahlberg
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2016-08-25
Filing date: 2016-08-25
Publication date: 2018-03-01

Abstract

A dishwasher (1) comprises a container (101) attached to a rack (7) of the dishwasher (1) for accommodating detergent (110), the container (101) comprises openings (103) in its bottom section. The dishwasher (1) further comprises a rotating spray arm (102) arranged beneath the container (101) for applying washing liquid onto the detergent (110) via said openings (103), the rotating spray arm (102) comprises at least three nozzles (104, 105, 106) for applying fluid jets of washing liquid onto the detergent (110) during a rotation of the rotating spray arm (102).

Description

DISHWASHER COMPRISING A DETERGENT CONTAINER FOR DISPENSING DETERGENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a dishwasher.

BACKGROUND

In the art, dishwashers are arranged, on an inside of a door closing the dishwasher tub, with a small detergent dispenser having a lid being

controllably opened to dispense detergent from the dispenser into the tub.

The detergent dissolves slowly with this arrangement. There are three major types of detergent; powder, liquid and tablets, and the dissolution of the detergent is particularly slow in the case of detergent compacted into tablet form.

US 2010/0012148 discloses a dishwasher including a dissolving chamber into which detergent dispensed from a door-mounted detergent dispenser falls when a lid of the detergent dispenser is opened during a washing programme. The base of the dissolving chamber is arranged with a fine-mesh grid which allows passage of fluid jets applied by spray nozzles twice with every rotation of a spray arm arranged beneath the dissolving chamber, in order to dissolve the detergent in the dissolving chamber.

SUMMARY

An object of the present is to solve, or at least mitigate, this problem in the art and to provide a dishwasher in which dissolving of detergent is improved.

This object is attained in a first aspect of the invention by a dishwasher. The dishwasher comprises a container attached to a rack of the dishwasher for accommodating detergent, the container being arranged with openings in its bottom section where fluid can enter for dissolving the detergent. The dishwasher further comprises a rotating spray arm arranged beneath the container for applying fluid onto the detergent via said openings, the rotating spray arm being arranged with at least three nozzles for applying fluid jets onto the detergent during a rotation of the rotating spray arm.

Advantageously, by providing the container accommodating the detergent with a plurality of openings in its bottom section, via which fluid is applied onto the detergent by the nozzles of the rotating spray arm, the detergent is exposed to at least three direct sprays of fluid for each full rotation of the spray arm, and a rate with which the detergent is dissolved greatly increases. This is particularly important when performing a quick wash, where it is desirable that the detergent dissolves more or less instantly due to the short washing programme operating time.

In an embodiment, the container comprises at least one fastener for releasable snap-in attachment to the rack. Advantageously, the container is then easily de-attached from the rack for instance for cleaning purposes.

The container may be attached to an upper rack or lower rack of the dishwasher. For ergonomic reasons it may be preferable for a user to attach the container to the upper rack of the dishwasher.

In an embodiment, the container is arranged to be releasably attached to a front section of the upper or lower rack of the dishwasher. Again, this is advantageous for ergonomic reasons, since the container is easily accessible by the user.

In another embodiment, the container is arranged to be releasably attached to a section of the upper or lower rack of the dishwasher close to a centre of the rotating spray arm. Advantageously, by arranging the container close to the centre of the rotating spray arm, the detergent will be exposed to the fluid jets of the nozzles for a longer time period during each rotation of the spray arm. Hence, the rate with which the detergent is dissolved increases even further. In yet another embodiment, the openings of the container are arranged such that a width of the respective opening is equal to or less than a cross-sectional diameter of the fluid jet applied by the respective one of the at least three nozzles. Advantageously, this causes scattering of the fluid jet in the container upon the fluid jet impinging against the bottom side of the container. In practice, the cross-sectional diameter of a fluid jet would be approximately 3 mm, in which case the width of the openings is selected to be about 2-3 mm. This will further increase the rate with which the detergent is dissolved. In still another embodiment, the container is arranged such that it protrudes from an under side of the rack when being attached to the rack.

Advantageously, since the container will be located closer to the nozzles of the spray arm and thus experience a higher fluid jet pressure, a more rapid dissolution of the detergent is achieved. In a further embodiment, the container is arranged with at least one outlet in a side wall facing an interior of the dishwasher. Advantageously, dissolved detergent exits this outlet and is dispensed into the compartment of the dishwasher. Further advantageous is that debris that falls into the container, such as e.g. pieces of food, can exit through this outlet. In still a further embodiment, the container is arranged to be attached to the rack such that its bottom section tilts in a direction towards the interior of the dishwasher. Advantageously, this facilitates for any debris that falls into the container to exit through the outlet.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l shows a prior art dishwasher in which the present invention can be implemented;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the dishwasher of Figure l taken along section II; Figure 3 illustrates an arrangement for dispensing detergent in a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a top view of the container being attached to an upper rack of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 5a and 5b show a side view of an arrangement for dispensing detergent in a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 6a and 6b show a side view of an arrangement for dispensing detergent in a dishwasher according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a front perspective view of the container attached to an upper rack of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 shows a side view of an arrangement for dispensing detergent in a dishwasher according to yet another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 9 shows a side view of a container for accommodating detergent according to still another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

Figure l shows a prior art dishwasher l in which the present invention can be implemented. It should be noted that dishwashers can take on many forms and include many different functionalities. The dishwasher l illustrated in Figure 1 is thus used to explain different embodiments of the present invention and should only be seen as an example of a dishwasher in which the present application can be applied.

The exemplifying dishwasher l comprises a washing compartment or tub 2, a door 11 configured to close and seal the washing compartment 2, a spraying system having a lower spray arm 4 and an upper spray arm 5, a lower rack 6 and an upper rack 7. Additionally, it may comprise a specific top rack for cutlery (not shown). A controller 3 such as a microprocessor is arranged in the interior of the dishwasher for controlling washing programmes when executing appropriate software, and is communicatively connected to an interface 8 via which a user can select washing programmes.

The door 11 of the prior art dishwasher 1 illustrated in Figure 1 is further on its inside arranged with a small detergent dispenser 9 having a lid 10 being controllably opened and closed by the controller 3, typically in cooperation with a solenoid (not shown), for dispensing detergent in the form of liquid, powder or tablets from the dispenser 9 into the tub 2. Figure 2 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dishwasher 1 of Figure 1 taken along section II, to further illustrate components included in a dishwasher 1. Hence, as previously mentioned, the dishwasher 1 comprises a washing compartment or tub 2 housing an upper rack 7 and a lower rack 6 for accommodating goods to be washed such as cutlery, plates, drinking- glasses, trays, etc.

Fresh water is supplied to the washing compartment 2 via water inlet 15 and water supply valve 16. This fresh water is eventually collected in a so called sump 17, where the fresh water is mixed with the discharged detergent resulting in process water 18.

By the expression "process water" as used herein, is meant a liquid containing mainly water that is used in and circulates in a dishwasher. The process water is water that may contain detergent and/or rinse aid in a varying amount. The process water may also contain soil, such as food debris or other types of solid particles, as well as dissolved liquids or compounds. Process water used in a main wash cycle is sometimes referred to as the wash liquid. Process water used in a rinse cycle is sometimes referred to as cold rinse or hot rinse depending on the temperature in the rinse cycle. The pressurized fluid supplied to the detergent dispensing device according to embodiments of the invention thus at least partly contains process water.

At the bottom section of the washing compartment is a filter 19 for filtering soil from the process water before the process water leaves the compartment via process water outlet 20 for subsequent re-entry into the washing compartment 2 through circulation pump 21. Thus, the process water 18 passes the filter 19 and is pumped through the circulation pump 21, which typically is driven by a motor 22, via a duct 23 and process water valve 24 and sprayed into the washing compartment 2 via nozzles 25, 26 and 27, 28 of a respective wash arm 4, 5 associated with each rack 6, 7. Thus, the process water 18 exits the washing compartment 2 via the filter 19 and is recirculated via the circulation pump 21 and sprayed onto the goods to be washed accommodated in the respective basket via the nozzles 25, 26, 27, 28 of the wash arms 4, 5. Further, a controllable heater 14 is typically arranged in the sump 17 for heating the process water 18.

The washing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 is drained on process water 18 with a drain pump 29 driven by a motor 30. It should be noted that it can be envisaged that the drain pump 29 and the circulation pump 21 may be driven by one and the same motor.

Figure 3 exemplifies an implementation of an arrangement for dispensing detergent in a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the invention. A container 101 is attached to a front section of the upper rack 7 of the dishwasher 1 for accommodating detergent, and a rotating spray arm 102 is arranged beneath the container 101 for applying fluid onto the detergent via openings (not shown in Figure 3) in a bottom section of the container 101. The rotating spray arm 102 is conventionally fastened at an under side of the upper rack 7 on a distance of about 2-4 cm from the under side.

Figure 3 illustrates the upper rack 7 having been pulled out from the washing compartment by means of a sliding rail 12 movably fastened to a holder 13 in the interior of the washing compartment. It can be envisaged that the container 101 is releasably attached to the upper rack 7 such that it can be detached for cleaning.

It is noted that the container 101 in this particular embodiment is attached to the upper rack 7, but it is alternatively envisaged that the container 101 could be attached to a lower rack. However, it is ergonomically advantageous to attach the container 101 to the upper rack 7, since a user manually places the detergent in the container 101 before a washing programme commences.

Figure 4 shows a top view of the container 101 being attached to the upper rack 7 via fasteners 107 for snap-in engagement with the upper rack 7, which advantageously provides for easy and straightforward attachment and de- attachment with the upper rack 7. As can be seen, the container comprises a plurality of slot-shaped openings 103 where fluid applied by the rotating spray arm 102 (not shown in Figure 4) enters the container 101 and dissolves any detergent placed in the container 101. Many appropriate shapes may be envisaged for the openings 103, such as e.g. a grid-like shape.

Figures 5a and 5b each shows a side view of an arrangement for dispensing detergent in a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the invention. Again, the container 101 is releasably attached, by means of the fastener 107, to the front section of the upper rack 7 to which the rotating spray arm 102 is mounted. Illustrated in Figures 5a and b is further detergent in the form of a tablet 110 having been placed in the container 101 by a user before a washing programme is started.

In this particular embodiment, the rotating spray arm 102 arranged beneath the container 101 for applying fluid onto the detergent 110 via the bottom openings of the container 101, is arranged with at least three nozzles 104, 105, 106 for applying the fluid onto the detergent 110 during a rotation of the rotating spray arm 102. It is noted that the spray arm 102 typically comprises a plurality of nozzles (not shown) towards the centre of the spray arm 102 where it is rotatably attached to the upper rack 7 via holder 120. Now, as can be seen in Figure 5a, when the spray arm 102 is located beneath the container 101, first and second nozzles 104, 105 will spray fluid onto the detergent 110 via the openings in the bottom of the container 101.

As shown in Figure 5b, when the spray arm 102 has rotated half a revolution about the holder 120, third nozzle 106 is located beneath the container 101 and sprays fluid onto the detergent 110 via the openings in the bottom of the container 102.

Advantageously, by providing the container 101 accommodating the detergent 110 with a plurality of openings 103 in its bottom, via which fluid is applied onto the detergent 110 by the nozzles 104, 105, 106 of the rotating spray arm, the detergent no is exposed to at least three direct sprays of fluid for each full rotation of the spray arm 102, and a rate with which the detergent is dissolved greatly increases. This is particularly important when performing a quick wash, where it is desirable that the detergent dissolves more or less instantly due to the short washing programme operating time.

With reference again to Figure 4, in an embodiment, a width of the slot- shaped openings 103 is equal to or less than the diameter of the fluid jet applied by the respective nozzle 104, 105, 106 to advantageously cause scattering of the fluid jet in the container 101 upon the fluid jet impinging against the bottom side of the container 101. In practice, the cross-sectional diameter of a fluid jet would be approximately 3 mm, in which case the width of the openings is selected to be about 2-3 mm. This will further increase the rate with which the detergent 110 is dissolved.

Figures 6a and 6b each shows a side view of an arrangement for dispensing detergent in a dishwasher according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the container 101 is releasably attached, by means of the fastener 107, to a section of the upper rack 7 of the dishwasher 1 close to a centre of the rotating spray arm 102, i.e. close to the holder 120 for mounting the spray arm 102 to the rack 7. Again, the rotating spray arm 102 arranged beneath the container 101 for applying fluid onto the detergent 110 via the bottom openings of the container 101, is arranged with at least three nozzles 104, 105, 106 for applying the fluid onto the detergent 110 during a rotation of the rotating spray arm 102. It is noted that the spray arm 102 typically comprises a plurality of nozzles (not shown) located from the centre of the spray arm 102 towards the respective end of the spray arm.

Now, as can be seen in Figure 6a, when the spray arm 102 is located beneath the container 101, first and second nozzles 104, 105 will spray fluid onto the detergent 110 via the openings in the bottom of the container 101. As shown in Figure 6b, when the spray arm 102 has rotated half a revolution about the holder 120, third nozzle 106 is located beneath the container 101 and sprays fluid onto the detergent 110 via the openings in the bottom of the container 102. Advantageously, by arranging the container 101 close to the centre of the rotating spray arm 102, the detergent 110 will be exposed to the fluid jets of the nozzles 104, 105, 106 for a longer time period during each rotation of the spray arm 102. Hence, the rate with which the detergent is dissolved increases even further. As further is illustrated, the container 101 is optionally attached to the upper rack 7 such that it protrudes from an under side of the rack. This is

advantageous, since the container 101 will be located closer to the nozzles 104, 105, 106 of the spray arm 102 and thus experiences a higher fluid jet pressure, thereby providing for a more rapid dissolution of the detergent 110. Figure 7 shows a front perspective view of the container 101 attached to the upper rack 7 by means of the fasteners 107. In this embodiment, a container side wall 108 facing an interior of the dishwasher is arranged with at least one outlet - in this particular illustration two outlets 109, 111. Advantageously, dissolved detergent exits these outlets and is dispensed into the compartment of the dishwasher. Further advantageous is that debris that falls into the container 101, such as e.g. pieces of food, can exit through these outlets 109, 111.

Figure 8 shows a side view of an arrangement for dispensing detergentin a dishwasher according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Again, the container 101 is releasably attached at the front section of the upper rack 7 by means of the fastener 107. Further shown is the rotating spray 102 mounted to the rack 7 via the holder 120.

In this embodiment, the container 101 is arranged such that its bottom section slightly tilts in a direction towards the interior o the dishwasher. Advantageously, this facilitates for any debris that falls into the container to exit through the outlet 109, as indicated by means of the dashed arrow in Figure 8.

Figure 9 shows a side view of the container 101 according to still another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the container 101 comprises a cover 112 arranged to close the container to prevent the detergent 110 from accidentally falling out of the container 101. The cover 112 may be pivotally attached to the container 101, for instance by means of a hinge mechanism around which the cover may pivot.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. Dishwasher (l) comprising:

a container (101) attached to a rack (7) of the dishwasher (1) for accommodating detergent, the container being arranged with openings (103) in its bottom section where fluid can enter for dissolving the detergent;

a rotating spray arm (102) arranged beneath the container (101) for applying fluid onto the detergent via said openings (103), the rotating spray arm (102) being arranged with at least three nozzles (104, 105, 106) for applying fluid jets onto the detergent during a rotation of the rotating spray arm (102)

2. The dishwasher (1) of claim 1, wherein;

the container (101) is arranged to be releasably attached to a front section of the rack (7) of the dishwasher (1).

3. The dishwasher (1) of claim 1, wherein;

the container (101) is arranged to be releasably attached to a section of the rack (7) of the dishwasher (1) close to a centre of the rotating spray arm (102).

4. The dishwasher (1) of claims 2 or 3, wherein;

the container (101) comprises at least one fastener (107) for releasable snap-in attachment to the rack (7).

5. The dishwasher (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the openings (103) of the container (101) are arranged such that a width of the respective opening (103) is equal to or less than a cross-sectional diameter of the fluid jet applied by the respective one of the at least three nozzles (104, 105, 106).

6. The dishwasher (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (101) is arranged such that it protrudes from an under side of the rack (7) when being attached to the rack (7).

7. The dishwasher (1) of any one of the preceding claims, the container (101) being arranged with at least one outlet in a side wall facing an interior of the dishwasher (1).

8. The dishwasher (1) of claim 7, wherein the container (101) is arranged to be attached to the rack (7) such that its bottom section tilts in a direction towards the interior of the dishwasher.

9. The dishwasher (1) of claim 3, further comprising:

a cover (112) arranged to close the container (101).