WO2024208684A1

WO2024208684A1 - Domestic dishwasher having a pump device, and pump device for a water-conveying domestic appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2024208684A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/058220
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Pollithy; Stephan Lutz; Thomas Wecker; Thomas BURGGRAF; Alexander ALMUS
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2023-04-05
Filing date: 2024-03-27
Publication date: 2024-10-10
Also published as: DE102023203183A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic dishwasher (1) having a rinsing tank (2) for receiving items to be washed (G), a hydraulic circuit (33) for circulating wash liquor and/or fresh water (F) in the rinsing tank (2), and a pump device (19) for applying the wash liquor and/or the fresh water (F) to the hydraulic circuit (33), wherein the pump device (19) has a central axis (20) which is oriented along a direction of gravity (g), wherein the pump device (19) has a water diverter (23), integrated in a housing (35) of the pump device (19), for optionally distributing the wash liquor and/or the fresh water (F) to a plurality of fluid outlets (51, 52, 53, 54) of the pump device (19), wherein the fluid outlets (51, 52, 53, 54) each have a connection portion (91) for connecting the respective fluid outlet (51, 52, 53, 54) to the hydraulic circuit (33), wherein the connection portion (91) of at least one fluid outlet (51, 52, 53, 54) is joined to the housing (35) with the aid of a transition portion (93), and wherein the transition portion (93) has an asymmetric geometry.

Description

Household dishwasher with a pumping device and pumping device for a water-conducting household appliance

The present invention relates to a household dishwasher.

A dishwasher has a washing container in which items to be washed can be accommodated. Spray zones can be provided in the washing container to apply washing liquor and/or fresh water to the items to be washed. The spray zones can, for example, be designed as spray arms that are rotatably mounted in or on the washing container. The dishwasher has a circulating pump to apply washing liquor and/or fresh water to the spray zones. The washing liquor and/or fresh water is distributed to the spray zones with the aid of a so-called water switch. The aforementioned circulating pump sucks in the washing liquor and/or fresh water from a pump sump of the dishwasher, with a motor shaft with an impeller of the circulating pump usually being arranged horizontally and pumping the washing liquor and/or fresh water into the water switch or directly to the spray zones via a pump housing, into which a heater can also be integrated.

Against this background, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved household dishwasher.

Accordingly, a household dishwasher is proposed with a washing container for holding wash items, a hydraulic circuit for circulating washing liquor and/or fresh water in the washing container and a pumping device for supplying the hydraulic circuit with the washing liquor and/or the fresh water. The pumping device has a central axis that is oriented along a direction of gravity, wherein the pumping device has a water switch integrated into a housing of the pumping device for selectively distributing the washing liquor and/or the fresh water to several fluid outlets of the pumping device, wherein the fluid outlets each have a connection section for connecting the respective fluid outlet to the hydraulic circuit, wherein the connection section of at least one fluid outlet is connected to the housing by means of a transition section, and wherein the transition section has an asymmetrical geometry. Because the transition section has an asymmetrical geometry, an optimal diversion of the rinsing solution and/or the fresh water into the respective fluid outlet can be achieved in order to achieve the greatest possible hydraulic efficiency of the pumping device. An optimal use of a flow cross-section of the respective fluid outlet is possible because no or at least less turbulence occurs when the rinsing solution and/or the fresh water flows into the respective fluid outlet and thus its complete cross-section can be used for the inflow of the rinsing solution and/or the fresh water.

The washing container is preferably cuboid-shaped. The washing container can be closed using a door that is pivotally attached to the washing container. Several washware receptacles, for example a lower basket, an upper basket and a cutlery drawer, can be provided in the washing container. The washware can be accommodated in the washware receptacles, which are then subjected to washing liquor and/or fresh water using the hydraulic circuit. "Subjecting" in this case can include spraying or wetting the washware. In this case, "washing liquor" is understood to mean water that has been treated with a cleaning agent and/or dirt particles that have been detached from the washware.

The hydraulic circuit can have several spray devices, for example in the form of spray arms and/or intensive spray zones, which are arranged inside the rinsing tank. The spray devices can be rotatably mounted in the rinsing tank. The spray devices are connected to the fluid outlets of the pump device by means of supply lines. The pump device can be part of the hydraulic circuit. However, this is not absolutely necessary.

The fact that the pumping device "charges" the hydraulic circuit with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water means in particular that the pumping device pumps the rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water through the hydraulic circuit. The pumping device is in particular a circulation pump, preferably a heating pump. The pumping device can therefore also be referred to as a circulation pump or a heating pump. The pumping device is particularly preferably a compact heating pump and can therefore also be referred to as such. The pump device is designed to circulate washing liquid and/or fresh water in the washing container or in the hydraulic circuit. Furthermore, the pump device can also be designed to introduce heat into the washing liquid and/or the fresh water. The pump device can be attached to a pump sump of the household dishwasher. The pump device can be positioned completely or at least partially below the pump sump.

The pump device is preferably constructed essentially rotationally symmetrically to its central axis. "Essentially" means that parts of the pump device are constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis, although it cannot be ruled out that other parts of the pump device are not constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis. The central axis is oriented in particular parallel to the direction of gravity.

The fact that the central axis is "oriented" along the direction of gravity or parallel to the direction of gravity can in particular mean that the central axis is inclined or tilted by up to ± 20°, preferably by up to ± 10°, more preferably by up to ± 5°, more preferably by up to ± 3, more preferably by up to ± 1°, relative to the direction of gravity. However, the central axis can also run exactly along the direction of gravity, so that there is no tilting or inclination relative to the direction of gravity. Depending on the installation situation, a suitable slight tilting or inclination can be selected.

The housing of the pump device is preferably made up of several parts. For example, the housing can have a lower housing part, an upper housing part and an inner housing part. The lower housing part, the upper housing part and/or the inner housing part can be plastic components, in particular plastic injection-molded components. This allows the pump device to be manufactured cost-effectively. The lower housing part, the upper housing part and/or the inner housing part can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner. A form-fitting connection is created by two components engaging one another or behind one another. Latching hooks, snap hooks or the like can be provided to create the form-fitting connection. The fact that the water switch is "integrated" into the housing means in particular that the water switch is at least partially placed inside the housing. However, it is possible that the housing is at least partially part of the water switch. For example, the previously mentioned inner housing part and the upper housing part are at least partially part of the water switch. The water switch is therefore not spatially separated from the pumping device.

With the help of the water switch, it is possible to distribute the rinsing solution and/or the fresh water to the different fluid outlets. Selected fluid outlets can be blocked or released. A water switch disk that rotates in the housing is provided for this purpose. As previously mentioned, the fluid outlets are in fluid connection with the spray devices. With the help of the water switch, it is possible to supply individual spray devices with rinsing solution and/or fresh water. It is also possible to supply all spray devices with rinsing solution and/or fresh water at the same time.

In particular, each fluid outlet has a connection section. The connection section is tubular or hollow-cylindrical. The connection section can be designed to be rotationally symmetrical to a central axis. However, this is not absolutely necessary. A supply line is connected to the connection section, with the aid of which the respective fluid outlet is connected to one of the spray devices. The connection section, the transition section and the housing, in particular the inner part of the housing, form a one-piece component, in particular a one-piece component. "One-piece" or "one-piece" means in this case that the fluid outlet is not made up of different sub-components, but that the connection section and the transition section and at least part of the housing form a common component. "One-piece" means in this case in particular that the connection section and the transition section are made entirely from the same material.

The fluid outlets are formed on the housing, in particular on the inner housing part. The transition section forms a transition provided between the housing, in particular the inner housing part, and the connection section. The transition section has an asymmetrical geometry, which means that the transition section is not rotationally symmetrical to a central axis or the like. In particular, the transition section has a three-dimensional free-form surface or is designed as a three-dimensional free-form surface.

According to one embodiment, the connection section is circular in cross-section.

In this case, the connection section is rotationally symmetrical to a central axis.

According to a further embodiment, the connection section is elliptical in cross-section.

The connection section can also be oval in cross-section. In particular, the connection section forms a slot-shaped geometry. This enables an increase in the flow cross-section of the respective fluid outlet without increasing the diameter of the water diverter disk. This leads to a more compact design of the pump device.

According to a further embodiment, the transition section tapers from the housing towards the connection section.

This means in particular that a cross-sectional area of the transition section decreases starting from the housing in the direction of the connection section.

According to a further embodiment, the transition section has an asymmetrical funnel geometry.

The geometry of the transition section can also be described as shoe-shaped. In this case, an "asymmetrical funnel geometry" is understood to mean a funnel-shaped geometry that is not rotationally symmetrical to a central axis. For example, the asymmetrical funnel geometry is oval or elliptical when viewed from above. According to a further embodiment, the transition section is more rounded when viewed along a flow direction of the rinsing liquor and/or the fresh water facing away from the flow than when facing the flow.

The rinsing solution and/or the fresh water flows around the central axis within a diffuser chamber of the pump device and into the respective fluid outlet. The flow direction can be oriented counterclockwise or clockwise. "Away from the flow" means an area that, viewed along the flow direction, faces away from the flow direction. "Facing the flow" accordingly means an area that faces the flow direction.

According to a further embodiment, the transition section facing away from the flow has a slope which merges into the housing and into the connection section with the aid of radii, wherein the transition section facing the flow merges into the housing and into the connection section with a radius.

The bevel runs with the help of a radius into the housing, in particular into the inner housing part, and with the help of another radius into the connection section. Accordingly, the transition section runs with its radius facing the flow into the housing, in particular into the inner housing part, and into the connection section. Viewed over a circumference of the transition section, the two radii and the bevel, which are facing away from the flow, merge into the radius facing the flow. This results in a three-dimensional free-form surface of the transition section.

According to a further embodiment, the water diverter has a water diverter disk mounted so as to be rotatable about the central axis, wherein the water diverter disk has a circular ring disk and a drive ring for driving the circular ring disk.

The drive ring can be driven in particular by means of a water switch drive. Preferably, the drive ring and the circular disk are positively connected to one another. The water switch disk is therefore in two parts. In particular, the circular disk and the drive ring are two separate components that are positively connected to one another. For example, the circular disk has recesses, with the drive ring having drivers corresponding to the recesses. and wherein the drivers engage in the recesses in a form-fitting manner. The number of recesses and drivers is arbitrary. Particularly preferably, three recesses and three drivers are provided. The number of recesses preferably corresponds to the number of drivers. The recesses are provided in particular on an outer circumference of the annular disk. The recesses can be rectangular. With the aid of the drivers and the recesses, a torque can be transmitted from the drive ring to the annular disk. The drive ring is driven in particular with the aid of a water switch drive of the water switch. For this purpose, the drive ring can have a toothing on the outside, in particular a helical toothing, into which a worm of the water switch drive engages.

According to a further embodiment, the annular disc has openings for selectively releasing individual or all fluid outlets, wherein the asymmetrical geometry of the transition section is continued into at least one of the openings.

The openings can be circular. However, the openings can also have a slot-shaped geometry. The number of openings is arbitrary. In particular, the number of openings corresponds to the number of fluid outlets. In particular, the opening that has a fluid outlet with a transition section as mentioned above has a circumferential rounding, which also guides the asymmetrical geometry of the transition section into the respective opening. The opening is thus geometrically adapted to the asymmetrically constructed transition section. This optimizes the diversion of rinsing liquid and/or fresh water in order to increase the hydraulic efficiency of the pumping device.

According to a further embodiment, all fluid outlets are oriented along the central axis.

The fluid outlets are, as previously mentioned, preferably tubular. The fluid outlets can be part of the water switch. The fluid outlets can have a circular or an oval or elliptical cross-section. The fact that the fluid outlets are "oriented" along the central axis means in particular that the fluid outlets extend out of the housing along the central axis or along an axial direction of the pumping device. The axial direction is oriented parallel to the central axis or coincides with it. A radial direction of the pumping device, on the other hand, is arranged in particular perpendicular to the central axis or perpendicular to the axial direction. Preferably, the pumping device does not have any fluid outlets that are oriented perpendicular to the central axis and thus along the radial direction. All or all of the fluid outlets run along the central axis or along the axial direction.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the housing of the pump device according to the invention has a liquid conveying channel in its interior. Viewed from bottom to top along the central axis, a pump inlet, a pump chamber or impeller chamber with an impeller or impeller that can be driven in rotation there for conveying the rinsing liquid, a pressure and/or diffuser chamber downstream of the pump chamber, a water diverter element that can be rotated about the central axis in the upper end section of the pressure and/or diffuser chamber, and the several fluid outlets of the pump device are provided at successive heights as functional sections of the liquid conveying channel of the pump device according to the invention. The term liquid conveying channel is understood to mean the cavity provided in the housing of the pump device according to the invention, which is filled and flowed through by the rinsing liquid when the pump device is in conveying operation. Due to this vertical sequence of the various functional sections of the liquid conveying channel of the pump device according to the invention, the flushing liquid is guided from the pump inlet to the outlet opening of the respective fluid outlet in the housing from bottom to top, rising against the direction of gravity. Deflections and/or reflections of the flushing liquid with a directional component in the direction of gravity, i.e. in the opposite direction to its conveying direction pointing from bottom to top, are largely avoided. A retrograde flow of the flushing liquid conveyed by the impeller is thus largely avoided on its way through the liquid conveying channel from bottom to top. In addition, the sequential arrangement of the various functional sections of the liquid conveying channel is favorable for a simple structure and the associated simple manufacture of the pump device according to the invention. Conversely, this can be easily disassembled, for example in the event of repair, and every essential component of the pump device according to the invention can be made accessible. Further- This sequence of the various functional sections of the liquid conveying channel ensures that the rinsing liquid can flow completely downwards via the pump inlet under the influence of gravity alone when the drive motor for the impeller is switched off and the impeller is stationary. To ensure that the liquid conveying channel runs completely dry, it is particularly advantageous if the pump inlet is expediently provided at the lowest point of the pump device according to the invention. This prevents residual water from remaining in the liquid conveying channel of the housing of the pump device according to the invention when the drive motor of its impeller is not operating. This means that there is little or no risk of so-called dirty water and/or lye carryover when changing the rinsing bath from one partial rinsing cycle, such as the cleaning cycle, to the subsequent partial rinsing cycle, such as the intermediate rinsing cycle or final rinsing cycle of a dishwashing program to be carried out. This is because when changing the rinsing bath, the rinsing liquid used for the respective partial rinsing cycle can now at least almost completely flow out of the pump device according to the invention and be removed from the hydraulic circuit, in particular by pumping out the pump sump using a drain pump, and new rinsing liquid, in particular fresh water, can be fed to the hydraulic circuit for the next partial rinsing cycle without this being able to mix with dead or residual water from the previous partial rinsing cycle. As a result, there are fewer or no stains from dirt particles, lime particles, etc. on the rinsed and then dried items, i.e. the rinsing result is improved. In particular, the intermediate rinsing cycle previously provided between the cleaning cycle and the final rinsing cycle can now be carried out with a smaller amount of fresh water if necessary, or even omitted entirely, since it is no longer absolutely necessary to rinse out residual or dead water containing dirt particles and/or cleaning agent from the pump device.

According to an alternative development of the invention, a liquid conveying channel, in particular a diffuser chamber, can be formed in the housing of the pump device, which, viewed along a radial direction of the pump device, is delimited by the second receiving section and an outer housing part running around the second receiving section, wherein at least one tubular heating element is accommodated in this liquid conveying channel. According to an alternative development of the invention, the housing can have an outer housing part, in particular a one-piece or one-piece, which delimits the liquid conveying channel, which is at least almost rotationally symmetrical to the central axis, to the outside, in particular up to the fluid outlets, with at least one tubular heater being accommodated in the liquid conveying channel. This can further simplify the structure or design of the pumping device according to the invention. It can already be sufficient if the housing of the pumping device consists of just two parts - the outer housing part and the inner housing part. At most, a cover part can also be provided with which the upper opening of the inner housing part can be closed. This allows the stator accommodated in the inner housing part between its first receiving section and second receiving section to be reliably protected against moisture and/or rinsing liquid. The outer housing part and the inner housing part inserted or immersed in it can be mechanically connected to one another, for example, by a snap, latching and/or bayonet connection and/or other coupling. The fact that at least one tubular heating element is accommodated in the liquid conveying channel formed between the inner housing part and the outer housing part also results in improved heat transfer between the tubular heating element and the rinsing liquid conveyed from bottom to top through the liquid conveying channel by means of the impeller or pump wheel of the pumping device.

In particular, the second receiving section forms at least a partial section of the inner boundary wall of the liquid conveying channel.

The tubular heating element is expediently provided in the liquid conveying channel along its flow path after the impeller of the pump device, in particular arranged at least almost rotationally symmetrically to the central axis, preferably arranged at least almost concentrically to the second receiving section. It is expediently arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the preferably circular-cylindrical liquid conveying channel in such a way that, viewed in the respective passage cross-sectional plane of the liquid conveying channel, there is a gap between the tubular heating element and the inner boundary wall of the liquid conveying channel formed by the inner housing part and between the tubular heating element and the outer boundary wall formed by the outer housing part. wall of the liquid conveying channel results in at least approximately the same gap width for the flushing liquid flowing through it. The tubular heater can thus be largely evenly supplied with the conveyed flushing liquid, which is beneficial for the transfer of heat from the tubular heater to the flushing liquid flowing past it.

In particular, it can be sufficient and/or advantageous if the tubular heater is accommodated in the liquid conveying channel with only approximately one turn or partial turn section and runs around the central axis, preferably around the second receiving section of the housing inner part. This allows impairment of the flow conditions by the tubular heater in the liquid conveying channel to be minimized or largely avoided. In this regard and/or also from a constructional point of view, it can be particularly advantageous if the turn or partial turn section of the tubular heater is arranged at least approximately horizontally or in a plane orthogonal to the central axis. However, it is also possible for the tubular heater to run around the central axis with more than one turn in the liquid conveying channel, e.g. if a higher heat transfer to the flushing liquid is required.

Furthermore, the invention can also relate to a water-conveying pumping device per se for a water-conducting household appliance, in particular for a household dishwasher as described above and/or designed according to claims 1 to 10, according to claim 11. Such a pumping device according to the invention can be implemented in particular in washing machines, tumble dryers or other water-conducting household appliances. It can in particular be designed as described above and/or according to claims 1 to 10.

Other possible implementations of the household dishwasher also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. The person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the household dishwasher.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the household dishwasher are the subject of the subclaims and the embodiments described below. Examples of the household dishwasher. The household dishwasher is explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the household dishwasher according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a pump device for the household dishwasher according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of the pumping device according to Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a water diverter disc for the pumping device according to Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the water diverter disc according to Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective exploded view of the water diverter disc according to Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a drive ring for the water diverter disc according to Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a water switch for the pumping device according to Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a fluid outlet for the pumping device according to Fig. 3; Fig. 11 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a sealing device for the pumping device according to Fig. 3;

Fig. 12 shows a schematic sectional view of the sealing device according to Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a blank for producing a stator of a drive motor and a stator of a water switch drive for the pump device according to Fig. 3;

Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of an arrangement from the blank according to Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 shows a schematic sectional view of a variant of a pump device in the hydraulic circuit of the domestic dishwasher according to Figures 1 and 2, which is modified compared to the advantageous embodiment of Figure 3.

In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference symbols unless otherwise stated.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a domestic dishwasher 1. The domestic dishwasher 1 comprises a washing container 2 which can be closed by a door 3, in particular in a watertight manner. For this purpose, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2. The washing container 2 is preferably cuboid-shaped. The washing container 2 can be arranged in a housing of the domestic dishwasher 1. The washing container 2 and the door 3 can form a washing chamber 4 for washing dishes.

The door 3 is shown in its open position in Fig. 1. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3. A loading opening 6 of the washing container 2 can be closed or opened with the help of the door 3. The washing container 2 has a base 7, a cover 8 arranged opposite the base 7, one of the closed The door 3 has a rear wall 9 arranged opposite one another and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The floor 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be made from a stainless steel sheet, for example. Alternatively, the floor 7 can be made from a plastic material, for example.

The household dishwasher 1 further comprises at least one dishware receptacle 12 to 14. Preferably, several, for example three, dishware receptacles 12 to 14 can be provided, wherein the dishware receptacle 12 can be a lower dishware receptacle or a lower basket, the dishware receptacle 13 can be an upper dishware receptacle or an upper basket and the dishware receptacle 14 can be a cutlery drawer. As Fig. 1 further shows, the dishware receptacles 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the washing container 2. Each dishware receptacle 12 to 14 can be optionally moved into or out of the washing container 2. In particular, each dishware receptacle 12 to 14 can be pushed or moved into the washing container 2 in an insertion direction E and can be pulled or moved out of the washing container 2 in an extension direction A opposite to the insertion direction E.

Fig. 2 shows a highly schematic sectional view of the domestic dishwasher 1. In addition to the washing container 2, the domestic dishwasher 1 comprises a base support 15 which supports the washing container 2. The base support 15 is, for example, a plastic component, in particular a plastic injection-molded component.

A pump sump 16 is provided on the base 7. The pump sump 16 is pot-shaped and extends downwards out of the base 7 in the orientation of Fig. 2. The pump sump 16 can be a plastic component, in particular a plastic injection-molded component. A tubular drain 17 opens out of the pump sump 16. The pump sump 16 is covered by means of a sieve system 18. The sieve system 18 can comprise a coarse filter and a fine filter.

A pumping device 19 is connected to the outlet 17. The pumping device 19 is a circulation pump, in particular a heating pump, and can therefore also be referred to as such. The pumping device 19 is particularly preferably a compact heating pump and can therefore also be referred to as such. The pump device 19 is designed to circulate washing liquid and/or fresh water F. Furthermore, the pump device 19 is also designed to introduce heat into the washing liquid and/or the fresh water F. The pump device 19 can be attached to the pump sump 16. The pump device 19 is preferably arranged completely or at least partially below the pump sump 16.

The pumping device 19 is essentially constructed rotationally symmetrically to a symmetry or central axis 20. The central axis 20 is oriented parallel to a direction of gravity g. The pumping device 19 has a pump 21 which is in fluid connection with the outlet 17 by means of an intake port 22, so that the pumping device 19 can suck in rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F from the pump sump 16 via the intake port 22 and the outlet 17.

In addition to the pump 21, the pump device 19 has a water switch 23 integrated into the pump device 19. With the help of the water switch 23, it is possible to distribute the rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F delivered by the pump device 19 optionally to different spray devices 24, 25, 26 provided in the rinsing container 2. With the help of the water switch 23, the spray devices 24, 25, 26 can optionally be supplied with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F or not.

The spray devices 24, 25 can be spray arms, whereas the spray device 26 can be a roof gyroscope. In addition, switchable intensive spray zones or a screen cleaning nozzle (not shown) can be provided. For example, the spray device 24 is mounted below the washware holder 12 so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 27 on the floor 7, on the pump sump 16 or on the pump device 19. The spray device 24 has spray nozzles which spray the wash liquor and/or the fresh water F upwards into the washware holder 12 in the orientation of Fig. 2.

The spray device 25 can be mounted on the washware holder 13 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 28. The spray device 25 also has spray nozzles which are designed to spray the wash liquor and/or the fresh water F downwards and/or upwards in the orientation of Fig. 2. The spray device 26 can be mounted on the ceiling 8 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 29. The spray device 26 applies pressure to the Dishwasher holder 14 in the orientation of Fig. 2 from above with rinsing solution and/or fresh water F.

The spray device 24 is in fluid connection with the pump device 19, in particular with the water switch 23, by means of a supply line 30. The pump device 19 can supply the spray device 24 with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F via the supply line 30.

The spray device 25 is assigned a supply line 31 which fluidically connects the spray device 25 to the pump device 19. The pump device 19 can supply the spray device 25 with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F via the supply line 31.

The spray device 26 is assigned a supply line 32 which fluidically connects the spray device 26 to the pump device 19. The pump device 19 can supply the spray device 26 with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F via the supply line 32.

Each spray device 24, 25, 26 can be assigned its own supply line 30, 31, 32. Alternatively, all spray devices 24, 25, 26 can have a common supply line that branches off. In particular, the supply lines 30, 31, 32 are formed by a common component, in particular by a common plastic injection-molded component. The supply lines 30, 31, 32 are guided along the rear wall 9 from the floor 7 in the direction of the ceiling 8. The supply lines 30, 31, 32 or at least some of the supply lines 30, 31, 32 can be guided through the sieve system 18.

The pump device 19 preferably has a separate connection or fluid outlet for each supply line 30, 31, 32. The pump device 19, the spray devices 24, 25, 26 and the supply lines 30, 31, 32 together form a hydraulic circuit 33 of the household dishwasher 1. The pump device 19 circulates the washing liquid and/or the fresh water F in this hydraulic circuit 33. The pump device 19 can be part of the hydraulic circuit 33. However, this is not absolutely necessary.

The household dishwasher 1 further comprises a control and regulating device 34. With the aid of the control and regulating device 34, for example, Different washing programs of the household dishwasher 1 can be carried out. For this purpose, washing programs can be stored or saved in the regulating and control device 34. The regulating and control device 34 is preferably arranged outside the washing container 2.

The regulating and control device 34 can be arranged in or on the door 3. The regulating and control device 34 is preferably provided on an upper edge of the door 3 (not shown). However, the regulating and control device 34 can also be accommodated in the base support 15. The regulating and control device 34 can be operated or actuated using operating elements (not shown). The operating elements can include, for example, keys, buttons and/or touchscreens. These can be attached to the door 3.

The pump device 19 can be controlled with the aid of the regulating and control device 34. For example, the pump 21 can be switched on and off and/or its speed can be changed with the aid of the regulating and control device 34. The regulating and control device 34 can receive and evaluate information from the pump device 19, such as the speed of the pump 21 and/or a motor current of the pump 21. Furthermore, the regulating and control device 34 can also control the water switch 23 in order to selectively switch the spray devices 24, 25, 26 on or off.

The items to be cleaned G are arranged in the washing container 2. The items to be cleaned G can include, for example, glasses, plates, pots, bowls, cutlery or the like. In particular, the items to be cleaned G are accommodated in the items to be cleaned holders 12, 13, 14 not shown in Fig. 2. The items to be cleaned G can be exposed to washing liquor and/or fresh water F using the spray devices 24, 25, 26.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a pump device 19 as mentioned above. The pump device 19 is assigned an axial direction AX which extends from bottom to top in the orientation of Fig. 3. The axial direction AX coincides with the central axis 20 or is oriented parallel to it. Furthermore, the pump device 19 is assigned a radial direction R. The radial direction R is perpendicular to the central axis 20 and oriented away from it. The axial direction AX and the radial direction R are thus oriented perpendicular to each other.

As previously mentioned, the pumping device 19 comprises the pump 21 and the water switch 23. The pumping device 19 differs from the pump 21 in that the pumping device 19 also comprises the water switch 23 in addition to the pump 21.

The pump device 19 has a housing 35 with a housing lower part 36, a housing upper part 37 and a housing inner part 38. The housing lower part 36 has a pump inlet 39 to which the intake nozzle 22 is connected. For example, the intake nozzle 22 is plugged onto the pump inlet 39 and sealed off from it with the aid of a sealing element, for example in the form of an O-ring. The housing 35 is constructed essentially rotationally symmetrical to the central axis 20.

A tubular heating element 40 is placed between the lower housing part 36 and the upper housing part 37. The tubular heating element 40 is preferably a thick-film heating element. The tubular heating element 40 is sealed with respect to the lower housing part 36 and the upper housing part 37 using sealing elements, for example in the form of O-rings. The tubular heating element 40 is tubular or hollow-cylindrical. The tubular heating element 40 is constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 20. The tubular heating element 40 is thus held between the lower housing part 36 and the upper housing part 37. When the pump device 19 is in operation, the rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F flows along the inside of the tubular heating element 40.

The housing lower part 36 and the housing upper part 37 are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner (not shown). For this purpose, locking hooks, snap hooks or the like can be provided, which enable a form-fitting connection of the housing lower part 36 to the housing upper part 37. A form-fitting connection is created by two connection partners engaging one another or behind one another, in this case the housing lower part 36 and the housing upper part 37. The housing inner part 38 is connected to the housing upper part 37 in a form-fitting manner. Corresponding locking hooks, snap hooks or the like are also provided for this purpose. The housing lower part 36, the housing The upper part 37 and the inner housing part 38 are plastic components, in particular plastic injection-molded components.

The housing lower part 36 accommodates an impeller 41, which is arranged downstream of the pump inlet 39. The impeller 41 is driven by a drive motor 42. The drive motor 42 is an electric motor. The impeller 41 can also be referred to as an impeller. The drive motor 42 comprises a drive shaft 43 which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the impeller 41 and which rotates about the central axis 20 when the pump device 19 is in operation. In addition to the impeller 41, a rotor 44 of the drive motor 42 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive shaft 43.

The rotor 44 is mounted in a pot-shaped first receiving section 45 of the housing inner part 38 so that it can rotate about the central axis 20. The first receiving section 45 encloses a receiving space 46 in which the rotor 44 is accommodated. The receiving space 46 can be filled with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F. The first receiving section 45 is closed with a closure 47 in the orientation of Fig. 3 downwards, i.e. in the direction of the impeller 41. The drive shaft 43 is guided through the closure 47 and can be mounted on it.

In addition to the first receiving section 45, the housing inner part 38 comprises a second receiving section 48. The second receiving section 48 is also pot-shaped. In contrast to the first receiving section 45, however, the second receiving section 48 in the orientation of Fig. 3 is not open on the bottom but on the top. The first receiving section 45 is arranged within the second receiving section 48. The second receiving section 48 therefore has a larger diameter than the first receiving section 45.

An annular receiving space 49 is provided between the first receiving section 45 and the second receiving section 48. A stator 50 of the drive motor 42 is arranged in the receiving space 49. The stator 50 can be glued to the first receiving section 45 and/or the second receiving section 48.

The pump 21 is formed in particular by the drive motor 42, the impeller 41 and at least parts of the housing 35. The tubular heating element 40 can also be part the pump 21. In particular, the two receiving sections 45, 48 of the housing inner part 38 are part of the pump 21. In contrast to this, the pump device 19 also has the water switch 23 in addition to the pump 21.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic top view of the pump device 19. The housing inner part 38 has several fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 to which the supply lines 30, 31, 32 are connected. If three spray devices 24, 25, 26 are provided, exactly three fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 are also provided. If, for example, four spray devices 24, 25, 26 are provided, four fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 are also provided.

In the present case, the fluid outlet 51 is assigned to the spray device 24. The fluid outlet 51 can simultaneously function as a bearing for the spray device 24. The fluid outlet 52 is an additional outlet that can be assigned, for example, to an intensive spray zone (not shown). The fluid outlet 53 is assigned to the spray device 26 and the fluid outlet 54 is assigned to the spray device 25. However, the assignment can also be selected differently.

The fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 are tubular and extend along the central axis 20 or along the axial direction AX. The fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 can each have a circular or an elliptical or oval cross-section. The rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F can be discharged via the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 during operation of the pump device 19.

The fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 extend out of a cover plate 55 of the housing inner part 38, which closes off the housing upper part 37 at the front. A tubular or hollow cylindrical connecting section 56 runs around the cover plate 55, with the aid of which the housing inner part 38 is connected to the housing upper part 37.

Now returning to Fig. 2, a water diverter disk 57 which can be rotated about the central axis 20 is arranged between the housing inner part 38, in particular the end plate 55, and the housing upper part 37, which is also shown in a plan view in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the water diverter disk 57. The Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective exploded view of the water diverter disc 57. The water diverter disc 57 is in two parts and has a circular ring disc 58 and a drive ring 59, which is shown in Fig. 8 in a separate schematic perspective view.

The water diverter disk 57 is part of the water diverter 23. The water diverter disk 57 is constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 20. The water diverter disk 57 has a central opening 60. The opening 60 is provided in particular on the annular circular disk 58. The opening 60 is preferably circular. Furthermore, the water diverter disk 57 has several openings 61, 62, 63 breaking through the circular disk 58, with which the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 can be optionally blocked or released by rotating the water diverter disk 57.

The openings 61, 62, 63 can be circular. The openings 61, 62, 63 can be in the shape of an elongated hole. With the help of the elongated hole geometry, it is possible to release several of the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 at the same time. The number of openings 61, 62, 63 can correspond to the number of fluid outlets 51, 52, 53. However, this is not absolutely necessary. With the help of the water diverter disk 57, in particular with the help of the annular disk 58, the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 can be combined with one another as desired. For example, it is possible to release the fluid outlets 51, 52 and block the fluid outlets 53, 54.

The water diverter disk 57, in particular the circular ring disk 58, is guided on the inside of its opening 60 with the aid of guide sections 64, 65, 66 in such a way that the water diverter disk 57 is mounted so as to be rotatable about the central axis 20. The number of guide sections 64, 65, 66 is arbitrary. However, three guide sections 64, 65, 66 are particularly preferably provided, which are arranged evenly distributed around the central axis 20. The guide sections 64, 65, 66 are in particular part of the housing inner part 38. Between the guide sections 64, 65, 66, rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F can flow radially inwards from the water diverter disk 57 in the direction of the central axis 20. Instead of the spaced-apart guide sections 64, 65, 66, however, a continuous ring-shaped guide section can also be used. (not shown). In this case, it has a drain opening oriented in the direction of the central axis 20.

The circular ring disk 58 has recesses 67, 68, 69 on the outside facing away from the opening 60. Preferably, exactly three recesses 67, 68, 69 are provided. The recesses 67, 68, 69 are preferably arranged unevenly distributed around the central axis 20.

The drive ring 59 has an annular base section 70. On the outside of the base section 70, a circumferential toothing 71, in particular a helical toothing, is attached. Drivers 73, 74, 75 extend from an end face 72 of the base section 70 that points upwards in the orientation of Fig. 8. The drivers 73, 74, 75 are designed to engage in a form-fitting manner in the recesses 67, 68, 69 of the circular ring disk 58, so that the drive ring 59 is connected in a form-fitting manner to the circular ring disk 58. The drivers 73, 74, 75 are preferably arranged unevenly distributed around the central axis 20, so that when the circular ring disk 58 and the drive ring 59 are assembled, a coding is implemented that prevents incorrect assembly (Poka Yoke).

Viewed along the central axis 20 or the axial direction AX, the circular ring disk 58 can be lifted off the drive ring 59 so that the circular ring disk 58 can float on the rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F during operation of the pump device 19. However, the positive connection between the circular ring disk 58 and the drive ring 59 is retained.

The water diverter disk 57 or the circular ring disk 58, which opens and closes the different fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 as desired, is shaped as a circular ring, so that it can be guided on an inner starting diameter or bearing diameter and can be driven on an outer side thereof, as will be explained below. Preferably, an inner diameter of the circular ring disk 58 is larger than an outer diameter of the stator 50 of the drive motor 42. Due to this arrangement, at least three of the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 can be opened and closed on the same pitch circle in a corresponding combination. However, four or five fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 are also possible. In addition, it is possible to arrange the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 geometrically further apart from one another than was possible with previous solutions, which results in shorter paths to the different spray devices 24, 25, 26.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a water diverter 23 as mentioned above. In addition to the circular ring disk 58 (not shown) and the drive ring 59, the water diverter 23 comprises at least a part of the housing inner part 38, namely the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 and the end plate 55, at least a part of the housing upper part 37 and a water diverter drive 76 for rotating the water diverter disk 57 about the central axis 20, so that the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 can be selectively blocked and released.

The water switch drive 76 has a first housing part 77 which is formed onto the upper housing part 37. A second housing part 78 is positively connected to the first housing part 77, in particular latched or snapped, wherein the second housing part 78 closes the first housing part 77. A sealing element, for example in the form of an O-ring, can be provided between the first housing part 77 and the second housing part 78. The housing parts 77, 78 enclose an interior space 79 which is filled with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F when the pump device 19 is in operation.

The water switch drive 76 further comprises a stator 80 attached to the outside of the second housing part 78 and a rotatable rotor 81 which is arranged within the interior 79. The rotor 81 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a drive shaft 82, which in turn is rotatably mounted on the two housing parts 77, 78. A worm 83 is attached to the drive shaft 82 and engages in the toothing 71 of the drive ring 59. A lower edge of the worm 83 is arranged no lower than a lower edge of the drive ring 59 so that the interior 79 can be drained. The water switch drive 76 is a wet rotor. The water switch drive 76 is an electric motor.

The drive ring 59 is accommodated in an annular groove 84 filled with rinsing solution and/or fresh water F, which is formed on the upper housing part 37. Several guide webs 85, 86, 87, 88 protrude radially into the annular groove 84, on which the drive ring 59 is guided on the inside. The number of guide webs 85, 86, 87, 88 is arbitrary. at least three guide webs 85, 86, 87, 88 are provided. The annular groove 84 can be drained via a drainage opening 89 in the direction of the central axis 20. The interior 79 is in fluid communication with the annular groove 84. Thus, the interior 79 can also be drained via the annular groove 84 and the drainage opening 89 in the direction of the central axis 20.

The interior space 79 and the annular groove 84 form a fluid space 90 which is filled with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F. The rotor 81, the drive shaft 82, the worm 83 and the drive ring 59 are located within the fluid space 90. Thus, no moving seal is required.

In order to be able to vary the required electrical input power and the direction of rotation of the water switch drive 76, the water switch drive 76 is designed as a brushless motor. In particular, the water switch drive 76 is a permanent synchronous motor (PMSM). Preferably, the water switch drive 76 is a brushless direct current motor (BLDC). The water switch drive 76 is electronically commutated. A brushless alternating current motor (BLAC) can also be used as the water switch drive 76.

The water switch drive 76 is designed as a wet rotor, so that no losses are generated by moving seals during operation of the pump device 19. In addition, the worm 83 on the output shaft 82 offers the possibility of transmitting a maximum gear ratio and thus the maximum torque with the lowest possible electrical input power to the water switch disk 57 with just one gear stage. The gear ratio between the worm 83 and the drive ring 59 is preferably in the range of 1:50 to 1:250. A hard ferrite ring is preferably used as the material for the rotor 81. This means that corrosion protection is not necessary.

The advantages of this previously explained arrangement are a minimization of losses due to moving seals, no wear on seals over the service life of the pump device 19 and a dirt-tolerant gear, since the worm 83 removes dirt from the teeth 71 of the drive ring 59 when it rotates. This offers a particular advantage over spur gear teeth. The worm 83 preferably has globoid teeth.

Furthermore, a change in the direction of rotation and a change in speed are possible. It is possible to generate the largest possible gear ratio with just one gear stage. The worm 83 can be designed with one thread. The drive ring 59 has the largest possible diameter in order to generate the largest possible gear ratio in order to generate the greatest possible torque with the smallest possible water switch drive 76. This saves resources.

Depending on the type of motor selected for the water switch drive 76, suitable sensor functions can be incorporated. The water switch drive 76 can be positioned at an angle of 90° or at a specific angle to the drive ring 59 so that no blind holes are created in which rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F or dirt can remain. The water switch 23 is therefore insensitive to dirt.

By using the worm 83 and the gearing 71 of the drive ring 59, a self-locking mechanism can be achieved so that the water diverter disk 57 cannot rotate unintentionally. The high transmission ratio ensures that the water diverter disk 57 can always be rotated reliably, even when there is high friction between the drive ring 59 and the upper housing part 37.

The previously explained arrangement has a number of advantages. Advantageously, there is no need for a pressurized sealing point between the pump 21 and the water switch 23. This results in a reduced construction height and thus a smaller installation space requirement. It is possible to reduce the water requirement and the so-called round-run quantity. With the pump device 19, a circulation pump system with a higher degree of efficiency can be implemented. There are more possible positions and/or a combination of open and closed fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54. There is a uniform flow to the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54. There is also the possibility of spatially separating the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54.

The water diverter disc 57 is therefore made in two parts within the pump device

19. The function of the circular disk 58 as a perforated disk is decoupled from the drive ring 59, which is used as a drive for the circular disk 58. This arrangement makes it possible to drive the drive ring 59 tangentially via the gearing 71 and thus to optimally design a bearing clearance between the drive ring 59 and the driving screw 83. In addition, the circular disk 58 can be mounted floating on the drive ring 59 so that it can float up from the drive ring 59 in the axial direction AX when water pressure is applied and can thus better seal closed fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54.

The floating of the annular disk 58 can be in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm in order to generate as little flow loss as possible in the area of a support between the annular disk 58 and the drive ring 59. The drivers 73, 74, 75 on the drive ring 59 are positioned so that the annular disk 58 can only be mounted in a defined position (Poka Yoke). Plastic, for example polyoxymethylene (POM), is preferably used as the material for the drive ring 59 and the annular disk 58. An inner diameter of the drive ring 59 and the annular disk 58 can be in the range of 50 mm to 120 mm. An outer diameter can vary between 90 mm and 200 mm. A thickness of the annular disk 58 is, for example, 1.4 mm in order to ensure a certain flexibility. The thickness is preferably in a range between 0.8 mm and 3 mm.

This advantageously allows a floating bearing of the circular disk 58. This results in as many starting combinations as possible with the openings 61, 62, 63 in the circular disk 58 on the same pitch circle. The floating bearing enables good sealing of unopened fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54. The two-part structure of the water diverter disk 57 makes it easier for the circular disk 58 to float. This reduces the risk of the circular disk 58 tilting and/or jamming.

The floating bearing of the circular disk 58 decouples it from the bearing play of the water switch drive 76. The complexity of different water switch disks 57 is shifted to a structurally simple part, namely the circular disk 58. This results in an exact bearing of the water switch drive 76 in order to achieve a more precise axle distance tolerance in the gear stage, since the drive ring 59 does not float or floats less and maintains its position relative to the driving element in the form of the worm 83.

This results in a defined engagement of the screw 83 in the drive ring 59. The water switch 23 is easy to repair because if the drive ring 59 becomes worn, it can be replaced independently of the annular disk 58. Reduced friction of the drive ring 59 on the housing 35 is achieved when the pump device 19 is switched off. This leads to a reduction in wear. This results in an even flow of fluid onto the annular disk 58 from below and thus a lower risk of the annular disk 58 tipping over. Not several closure elements, but only a single closure element in the form of the annular disk 58 within the pump device 19 is required.

Fig. 10 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a fluid outlet 51 as mentioned above. All of the following statements regarding the fluid outlet 51 are correspondingly applicable to the fluid outlets 52, 53, 54. The fluid outlet 51 extends out of the top of the end plate 55 in the orientation of Fig. 10. The fluid outlet 51 has the geometry of an asymmetrical funnel.

The fluid outlet 51 comprises a tubular connection section 91. The connection section 91 can have a circular or oval or elliptical cross-section. An oval cross-section has the advantage that installation space can be saved along the radial direction R, whereby a larger flow cross-section can be achieved with the same installation space along the radial direction R compared to a circular cross-section. One of the supply lines 30, 31, 32 is connected to the connection section 91.

Now returning to Fig. 3, a diffuser chamber 92 is formed between the lower housing part 36, the tubular heating element 40, the upper housing part 37 and the second receiving section 48 of the inner housing part 38, which runs in a ring around the central axis 20. The diffuser chamber 92 extends from the pump inlet 39 in the direction of the water diverter disk 57. The diffuser chamber 92 is constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 20. In front of the water diverter disk 57, the diffuser chamber 92 widens and distributes the rinsing solution and/or the fresh water F to the water water diverter disk 57. The water diverter 23 or the water diverter disk 57 is integrated into the diffuser chamber 92. The fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 open out of the diffuser chamber 92.

In the annular diffuser chamber 92, during operation of the pump device 19, the rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F flows in a flow direction S (Fig. 4) in a circle around the central axis 20 and through those fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 which are released with the aid of the water switch 23, along the axial direction AX upwards to the corresponding supply lines 30, 31, 32 in order to supply the spray devices 24, 25, 26 with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F.

As shown in Fig. 10, the connecting section 91 is followed by a transition section

93, with the aid of which the tubular connecting section 91 is connected to the end plate 55. The transition section 93 has an asymmetric funnel geometry as mentioned above. This geometry can also be referred to as shoe-shaped.

The transition section 93 has a rounding or a radius 94. The radius

Opposite 94, a bevel 95 is provided, which merges with the aid of a radius 96 into the end plate 55 and with the aid of a radius 97 into the connecting section 91. The transition section 93 runs completely around the connecting section 91, with the radius 94, the bevel 95 and the radii 96, 97 merging into one another.

The geometry of the fluid outlet 51 is adapted in the preferred flow direction S within the pump device 19 by the radii 94, 96, 97 and the slope 95 and by the resulting asymmetrical geometry towards the connection section 91, so that an optimal inflow of the rinsing liquor and/or the fresh water F into the fluid outlet 51 is possible.

This asymmetrical geometry, which can also be referred to as a shoe geometry, simulates a small spiral housing for the fluid outlet 51. In addition, the radii 94, 96 of the fluid outlet 51 are continued with the help of radii 98, 99 at the openings 61, 62, 63 of the circular ring disk 58 of the water switch 23. Furthermore, the radius 94 is also attached to a side of the fluid outlet 51 facing away from the flow, so that rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F can also flow in the opposite direction to the flow direction S. can flow into the fluid outlet 51. The preferably elliptical cross-sectional geometry of the fluid outlet 51 or the connection section 91 also enables an increase in the flow cross-section without increasing a diameter of the water diverter disk 57 and/or a diameter of the pump device 19.

An advantage of this arrangement shown in Fig. 10 is an optimal deflection of the rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F at the fluid outlet 51 in order to achieve the greatest possible hydraulic efficiency of the pump device 19. This results in optimal utilization of the flow cross-section of the fluid outlet 51, since no or at least less turbulence occurs when the rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F flows into the fluid outlet 51 and thus its entire flow cross-section can be utilized. The preferably elliptical cross-section of the fluid outlet 51 or the connection section 91 enables an increase in the flow cross-section without increasing the diameter of the water diverter disk 57 of the water diverter 23 and thus leads to a more compact pump device 19.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a sealing device 100. Fig. 12 shows a schematic sectional view of the sealing device 100. The sealing device 100 is designed to seal the tubular heating element 40 in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the housing lower part 36.

The sealing device 100 is constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 20. The sealing device 100 is a sealing ring. The sealing device 100 comprises a V-shaped receiving section 101, which is received in a suitably shaped annular groove of the housing lower part 36. The receiving section 101 has an annular groove 102 that runs completely around the central axis 20 and in which the tubular heating element 40 is received. The annular groove 102 is provided between a first leg 103 and a second leg 104 of the receiving section 101.

A deflection section 105 extends from the top of the second leg 104 and is designed to deflect the rinsing solution and/or the fresh water F in the direction of the axial direction AX, as indicated by an arrow 106. The deflection The deflection section 105 has an annular contact surface 107 on the underside, with which the deflection section 105 rests on the inside of the housing lower part 36.

The deflection section 105 has a radius 108 facing away from the contact surface 107. The rinsing solution and/or the fresh water F is deflected with the aid of the radius 108, as indicated by the arrow 106. The radius 108 forms a fluid-facing side of the sealing device 100. A cylindrical outer surface 109 is provided on the deflection section 105, which is constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 20. The outer surface 109 of the deflection section 105 rests on the inside of the tubular heating element 40.

The sealing device 100 seals the tubular heating element 40 and fixes it in place and at the same time directs the rinsing solution and/or fresh water F emerging from the impeller 41 upwards in the direction of the tubular heating element 40 using the radius 108 or a bevel. No residues of rinsing solution and/or fresh water F form within the pump device 19. This can optimize the hydraulic efficiency of the pump device 19, avoid residues of the rinsing solution and/or fresh water F within the pump device 19 and reduce the amount of run-through, in particular reduce the dead volume, of the pump device 19.

The sealing device 100 fixes the tubular heating element 40 within the pump device 19 and simultaneously seals it. Furthermore, the sealing device 100 with the radius 108 comprises a hydraulically optimized geometry in order to optimize the hydraulic efficiency of the pump device 19 and to minimize residues of rinsing solution and/or fresh water F within the pump device 19 after pumping out.

The V-shaped receiving section 101 fixes and seals the tubular heating element 40 and at the same time gently guides the rinsing solution and/or the fresh water F emerging from the impeller 41 upwards to the tubular heating element 40 with the aid of the previously mentioned bevel or radius 108 on the fluid-facing side of the sealing device 100. In addition, the previously mentioned annular groove of the housing base 36 is thereby filled and no residues of the rinsing solution and/or the fresh water F form within the pump device 19. The advantages of this previously explained arrangement are an optimization of the hydraulic efficiency of the pump device 19, the avoidance of a residual amount of rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F within the pump device 19, which leads to a more hygienic design, and a reduction in the round-trip amount of rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F and thus a reduction in dead volume.

Now returning again to Fig. 3, when the pump device 19 is in operation, the impeller 41 sucks in rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F via the intake port 22 connected to the pump inlet 39. The rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F are conveyed upwards via the diffuser chamber 92 in the direction of the water switch 23, in particular in the direction of the water switch disk 57. The rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F flows through the pump inlet 39 into the diffuser chamber 92, flows outwards within the diffuser chamber 92 along the radial direction R to the radius 108 of the sealing device 100 and is deflected by this in the orientation of Fig. 3 upwards and along the axial direction AX, i.e. against the direction of gravity g, towards the water switch disk 57.

Within the diffuser chamber 92, the rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F flows along the flow direction S around the central axis 20. In the present case, the flow direction S is oriented counterclockwise. However, the flow direction S can also be oriented clockwise. The circular ring disk 58 of the water diverter disk 57 floats on the rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F, whereby the circular ring disk 58 is lifted off the front side 72 of the drive ring 59 and pressed against the inside of the end plate 55.

As a result, the circular disk 58 is sealed against the end plate 55, so that the rinsing solution and/or the fresh water F can only flow out of the pump device 19 through those fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 that are exposed by the circular disk 58. Even when the circular disk 58 is lifted off the drive ring 59, the positive connection between the circular disk 58 and the drive ring 59 remains, so that the water switch drive 76 can still rotate the water switch disk 57. When the pump device 19 is in operation, the regulating and control device 34 can control the water switch drive 76 to rotate the water switch disk 57 and thus optionally open and/or close individual or all fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54. This allows the spray devices 24, 25, 26 to be switched on or off separately. It is thus possible, for example, to specifically supply only the two spray devices 24, 25 with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F and not the spray device 26.

The spray devices 24, 25, 26 can therefore be activated or deactivated as desired. The activation or deactivation of the spray devices 24, 25, 26 preferably takes place during a rinsing cycle that is carried out using a rinsing program. The rinsing program can be stored in the regulating and control device 34. Any number of different rinsing programs can be stored in the regulating and control device 34.

The pump inlet 39 forms in particular a lowest point of the pump device 19. This leads to the rinsing liquor and/or the fresh water F completely draining out of the pump device 19 due to gravity, as indicated in Fig. 3 by means of an arrow 110.

The previously explained design of the pump device 19 means that during a washing process of the domestic dishwasher 1, the carryover of washing solution from one washing bath to the next is kept as low as possible. This goal is achieved by ensuring that the residual amount of washing solution and/or fresh water F after pumping out is as low as possible, especially in the pump sump 16. A significant effect of reducing the residual amount of washing solution and/or fresh water F is an improvement in the so-called stain value after drying. This results from the fact that fewer detergent and dirt residues can dry on the dishes and thus become visible when less washing solution is carried over into the final rinse bath.

In order to ensure that the pump device 19 runs completely idle, the drive motor 42 is aligned vertically with the impeller 41. This means that the central axis 20 runs parallel to the direction of gravity g. The fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 are also arranged vertically. In order to ensure the lowest possible construction height, the Water switch 23 is integrated into the pump device 19. The diffuser space 92 of the pump device 19 is preferably an annular gap which surrounds the drive motor 42 on one side and is delimited by the tubular heating element 40 on the other side.

An exemplary distance between the drive motor 42 and the tubular heating element 40 or a gap width of the diffuser space 92 is between 3 mm and 12 mm. This arrangement also allows the waste heat of the drive motor 42 to be transported away by the rinsing liquid and/or the fresh water F. In addition, this arrangement ensures optimal ventilation of the pump device 19, since there are no air chambers in an upper area of the pump device 19, in particular in the area of the water switch 23.

This means that when the pump sump 16 is filled with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F, the pump device 19 is filled with rinsing liquid and/or fresh water F in parallel, as with two communicating pipes, and no air chambers are formed, which is advantageous for the uninterrupted operation of the pump device 19. The fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 of the water switch 23 to the spray devices 24, 25, 26 are located on a circular ring and can be optimally arranged there. At least some of the fluid outlets 51, 52, 53, 54 can have an oval rather than a circular flow cross-section.

During a pumping process using the pump device 19, the entire washing liquor and/or the fresh water F flows back into the pump sump 16. One effect is the improvement of the washing result. In particular, this leads to fewer stains on the items to be washed G. Complete venting is possible without any additional measures. The drive motor 42 can be cooled or cooled via the contact of the stator 50 with the diffuser chamber 92. Only the second receiving section 48, which delimits the diffuser chamber 92, is arranged between the stator 50 and the diffuser chamber 92. This results in a very compact design for the pump device 19 and thus corresponding space advantages.

In summary, viewed from bottom to top along the central axis 20, at successive heights, the functional sections of the liquid conveying system a pump inlet 39, a pump chamber or impeller chamber 119 with an impeller or impeller 41 that can be driven in rotation there for conveying the rinsing liquid F, a pressure and/or diffuser chamber 92 arranged downstream of the pump chamber 119, a water switch element 57 that can be rotated about the central axis 20 in the upper end section of the pressure and/or diffuser chamber 92, and the several fluid outlets such as 51, 52, 53, 54 of the pump device 19. The term liquid conveying channel is understood to mean the cavity provided in the housing 35 of the pump device 19, which is filled and flowed through by the rinsing liquid F during conveying operation of the pump device 19. Due to this vertical sequence of the various functional sections of the liquid conveying channel 121 of the pump device, the flushing liquid F is guided from the pump inlet 39 to the outlet opening such as A51, A52, A53, A54 of the respective fluid outlet such as 51, 52, 53, 54 in the housing 35 from bottom to top, rising upwards against the direction of gravity g. Deflections and/or reflections of the conveyed flushing liquid F with a directional component in the direction of gravity g, ie in the opposite direction to its conveying direction pointing from bottom to top, are largely avoided. A retrograde flow of the flushing liquid F conveyed by the impeller 41 on its way through the liquid conveying channel 121 from bottom to top is therefore largely avoided. In addition, the sequential arrangement of the various functional sections of the liquid conveying channel 121 is favorable for a simple structure and the associated simple manufacture of the pump device 19. Conversely, this can be easily disassembled, for example in the event of repairs, and every essential component of the pump device can be made accessible. Furthermore, this sequence of the various functional sections of the liquid conveying channel 121 ensures that the flushing liquid F can flow completely downwards from it via the pump inlet 39 solely by the effect of gravity when the drive motor 42 for the impeller 41 is switched off and the impeller 41 is stationary. In order to ensure that the liquid conveying channel 121 runs as completely empty as possible, it is particularly favorable if the pump inlet 39 is expediently provided at the lowest point of the pump device 19. This prevents residual water from remaining in the liquid conveying channel 121 of the housing 35 of the pump device 19 when the drive motor 42 of its impeller 41 is out of operation. This means that there is little or no risk of dirty water and/or lye carryover when changing the rinsing bath from one partial rinsing cycle, such as the cleaning cycle, to the subsequent partial rinsing cycle, such as the intermediate rinsing cycle or the clearing cycle. rinse cycle of the rinse cycle of a dishwashing program to be carried out. This is because now, when the rinse bath is changed, the rinsing liquid used for the respective partial rinse cycle can at least almost completely flow out of the pump device 19 and be removed from the hydraulic circuit, in particular by pumping out the pump sump 16 by a drain pump (not shown in Figures 2, 3), and new rinsing liquid, in particular fresh water, can be fed to the hydraulic circuit 33 for the next partial rinse cycle without this being able to mix with dead or residual water from the previous partial rinse cycle. As a result, there are fewer or no stains from dirt particles, lime particles, etc. ... on the rinsed and then dried items G, ie an improved washing result is achieved. In particular, the intermediate rinsing cycle previously provided between the cleaning cycle and the final rinse cycle can now be carried out with a smaller amount of fresh water or even eliminated entirely, since rinsing out residual or dead water containing dirt particles and/or cleaning agents from the pump device 19 is no longer absolutely necessary.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a blank 111 for producing the stator 50 of the drive motor 42 and the stator 80 of the water switch drive 76. Fig. 14 shows an arrangement 112 comprising a first stator sheet 113, which is assigned to the stator 50, and a second stator sheet 114, which is assigned to the stator 80.

The arrangement 112 is made from the blank 111. The blank 111 can be circular. However, the blank 111 can basically have any geometry. The arrangement 112 can be made from the blank 111 using a stamping process. When the arrangement 112 is manufactured, the first stator sheet 113 and the second stator sheet 114 are manufactured simultaneously. The stator 50 is made from a package of first stator sheets 113. Accordingly, the stator 80 is made from a package of second stator sheets 114.

The first stator sheet 113 has a circumferential ring section 115 from which a plurality of foot sections 116 extend inwards. At the foot sections 116, the first stator sheet 113 has an inner diameter di. The second stator sheet 114 also has a circumferential ring section 117 from which a plurality of from foot sections 118 extend inward. The ring section 117 has an outer diameter da that is smaller than the inner diameter di, so that the second stator sheet 114 can be arranged within the first stator sheet 113.

It is thus possible to manufacture both the stator 50 of the drive motor 42 and the stator 80 of the water switch drive 76 from one and the same blank 111. The stator 80 of the water switch drive 76 is thus dimensioned such that it is smaller or the same size as a stator cutout in the middle of the stator 50 of the drive motor 42 and this then forms the stator 80 for the water switch drive 76. The stator 50 of the drive motor 42 and the stator 80 of the water switch drive 76 can thus be manufactured in one process step.

Since the pump device 19 and the water switch drive 76 are always required in pairs to manufacture the domestic dishwasher 1, this leads to simplified manufacture and also to a reduction in costs. This could be applied analogously to the combination of stator 50 of the drive motor 42 and a stator of a drain pump.

It is therefore possible to use punching waste that accrues during the manufacture of the stator 50 of the drive motor 42 to manufacture a stator of another motor, in this case the water switch drive 76, which leads to material savings. Two stator punch packages can be manufactured simultaneously in one process step, which leads to manufacturing cost savings. Only one punch package tool is required, which also reduces investment costs. This advantageously results in resource conservation in terms of material consumption.

Figure 15 shows a schematic sectional view of a variant of the pump device 19 modified from the embodiment of Figure 3. In contrast to Figure 3, here in Figure 15 the housing 35 of the pump device 19 has a one-piece housing outer part 367 which delimits the liquid conveying channel 121, which is at least almost rotationally symmetrical to the central axis 20, to the outside, in particular up to the fluid outlets such as 51 - 54. Instead of the tubular heating element 40, at least one tubular heating element RH is now accommodated in the liquid conveying channel 121. This allows the structure or design of the pump device according to the invention to be further simplified. It can be sufficient if the housing 35 of the pump device 19 is composed of just two parts - the housing outer part 367 and the housing inner part 38. At most, a cover part DE can also be provided, with which the upper opening of the housing inner part 38 can be closed. Such a cover part DE is only indicated in dash-dotted lines in Figure 15 for the sake of simplicity of the drawing. In this way, the stator 50 accommodated in the housing inner part 38 between its first receiving section 45 and second receiving section 48 can be reliably protected against moisture and/or rinsing liquid. The housing outer part 367 and the housing inner part 38 inserted or immersed in it can be mechanically connected to one another, for example, by a snap, latching and/or bayonet connection and/or other coupling. The fact that at least one tubular heating element RH is accommodated in the liquid conveying channel 121 formed between the housing inner part 38 and the housing outer part 367 also results in improved heat transfer between the tubular heating element RH and the rinsing liquid F conveyed from bottom to top through the liquid conveying channel 121 by means of the impeller or pump wheel 41 of the pump device 19.

In particular, the second receiving section 48 forms at least a partial section of the inner boundary wall of the liquid conveying channel 121.

The tubular heating element RH is expediently provided in the liquid conveying channel 121 along its flow path after the impeller 41 of the pump device 19, in particular arranged at least almost rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 20, preferably arranged at least almost concentrically to the second receiving section 48. It is expediently arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the preferably circular-cylindrical liquid conveying channel 121 in such a way that, viewed in the respective passage cross-sectional plane of the liquid conveying channel 121, there is at least approximately the same gap width for the rinsing liquid F flowing through between the tubular heating element RH and the inner boundary wall of the liquid conveying channel 121 formed by the housing inner part 38 and between the tubular heating element RH and the outer boundary wall of the liquid conveying channel 121 formed by the housing outer part 367. The tubular heating element RH can thus be widely separated from the conveyed rinsing liquid F. are flowed through evenly, which is beneficial for the transfer of heat from the tubular heater to the flushing liquid flowing past it.

In particular, it may be sufficient and/or advantageous if the tubular heating element RH is accommodated in the liquid conveying channel 121 with only approximately one turn or partial turn section and runs around the central axis 20, preferably around the second receiving section 48 of the housing inner part 38. In this way, impairments of the flow conditions by the tubular heating element RH in the liquid conveying channel 121 can be minimized or largely avoided. In this regard and/or also from a constructional point of view, it may be particularly advantageous if the turn or partial turn section of the tubular heating element RH is arranged at least approximately horizontally or in a plane orthogonal to the central axis 20. However, it is also possible for the tubular heating element RH to run around the central axis 20 with more than one turn in the liquid conveying channel 121, e.g. if a higher heat transfer to the rinsing liquid is required.

Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways.

Reference symbols used:

1 household dishwasher

2 rinsing containers

3 doors

4 rinsing compartment

5 swivel axis

6 loading opening

7th floor

8 blanket

9 back wall

10 side wall

11 side wall

12 dish racks

13 Dishwasher holder

14 Dishwasher holder

15 base supports

16 pump sump

17 Procedure

18 sieve system

19 pumping device

20 central axis

21 pump

22 intake manifolds

23 water diverter

24 spray device

25 spray device

26 spray device

27 axis of rotation

28 axis of rotation

29 axis of rotation

30 supply lines

31 supply line

32 supply lines 33 hydraulic circuit

34 Control and regulation equipment

35 housings

36 housing base

37 upper housing part

38 housing interior

39 pump inlet

40 tubular heating elements

41 impeller

42 drive motor

43 drive shaft

44 Rotor

45 recording section

46 recording room

47 closure

48 recording section

49 recording room

50 stator

51 fluid outlet

52 fluid outlet

53 fluid outlet

54 fluid outlet

55 end plate

56 connecting section

57 water diverter disc

58 circular disk

59 drive ring

60 breakthrough

61 breakthrough

62 breakthrough

63 breakthrough

64th leadership section

65th leadership section

66th leadership section 67 recess

68 recess

69 recess

70 base section

71 gearing

72 front side

73 drivers

74 drivers

75 drivers

76 water switch drive

77 housing part

78 housing part

79 interior

80 stator

81 Rotor

82 drive shaft

83 snail

84 ring groove

85 guide bar

86 guide bar

87 guide bridge

88 guide bridge

89 drainage opening

90 fluid space

91 connecting section

92 diffuser chamber

93 transition section

94 radius

95 slopes

96 radius

97 radius

98 radius

99 radius

100 sealing device 101 recording section

102 ring groove

103 legs

104 legs

105 diversion section

106 arrow

107 contact surface

108 radius

109 outer surface

110 arrows

111 blank

112 Order

113 stator sheet

114 stator sheet

115 ring section

116 foot section

117 ring section

118 foot section

367 one-piece housing outer part

A extension direction

AX axial direction da outer diameter

DE cover part di inner diameter

E insertion direction

F Rinse water and/or fresh water g Direction of gravity

G Dishes

R radial direction

RH tubular radiators

S flow direction

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Household dishwasher (1) with a washing container (2) for receiving wash items (G), a hydraulic circuit (33) for circulating washing liquor and/or fresh water (F) in the washing container (2), and a pumping device (19) for supplying the hydraulic circuit (33) with the washing liquor and/or the fresh water (F), wherein the pumping device (19) has a central axis (20) which is oriented along a direction of gravity (g), wherein the pumping device (19) has a water switch (23) integrated into a housing (35) of the pumping device (19) for selectively distributing the washing liquor and/or the fresh water (F) to a plurality of fluid outlets (51, 52, 53, 54) of the pumping device (19), wherein the fluid outlets (51, 52, 53, 54) each have a connection section (91) for connecting the respective fluid outlet (51, 52, 53, 54) to the hydraulic circuit (33), wherein the connection section (91) of at least one fluid outlet (51, 52, 53, 54) is connected to the housing (35) by means of a transition section (93), and wherein the transition section (93) has an asymmetrical geometry.

2. Household dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting section (91) is circular in cross-section.

3. Household dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting section (91) is elliptical in cross section.

4. Household dishwasher according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the transition section (93) tapers from the housing (35) in the direction of the connection section (91).

5. Household dishwasher according to one of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the transition section (93) has an asymmetrical funnel geometry.

6. Domestic dishwasher according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the transition section (93) is more rounded when viewed along a flow direction (S) of the washing liquor and/or the fresh water (F) facing away from the flow than when facing the flow.

7. Domestic dishwasher according to claim 6, characterized in that the transition section (93) facing away from the flow has a slope (95) which merges into the housing (35) and into the connection section (91) with the aid of radii (97, 98), wherein the transition section (93) facing the flow merges with a radius (94) into the housing (35) and into the connection section (91).

8. Household dishwasher according to one of claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the water diverter (23) has a water diverter disc (57) rotatably mounted about the central axis (20), wherein the water diverter disc has an annular disc (58) and a drive ring (59) for driving the annular disc (58).

9. Domestic dishwasher according to claim 8, characterized in that the annular disc (58) has openings (61, 62, 63) for selectively releasing individual or all fluid outlets (51, 52, 53), and wherein the asymmetrical geometry of the transition section (93) is continued into at least one of the openings (61, 62, 63).

10. Household dishwasher according to one of claims 1 - 9, characterized in that that all fluid outlets (51, 52, 53, 54) are oriented along the central axis (20).

11. Pump device (19) for a water-conducting household appliance, in particular for a household dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump device (19) has a central axis (20) which is oriented along a direction of gravity (g), wherein the pump device (19) has a water switch (23) integrated into a housing (35) of the pump device (19) for selectively distributing water (F) to several fluid outlets (51, 52, 53, 54) of the pump device (19), wherein the fluid outlets (51, 52, 53, 54) each have a connection section (91) for connecting the respective fluid outlet (51, 52, 53, 54) to a hydraulic circuit (33), wherein the connection section (91) of at least one fluid outlet (51, 52, 53, 54) is connected to the housing (35) is connected, and wherein the transition section (93) has an asymmetrical geometry.