EP1334687B2 - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Dishwashers der'eingangs mentioned type have at least one spraying device for spraying dishes. As a rule, two spray devices are arranged in different levels in a washing compartment of the dishwasher, which are designed as rotatably mounted spray arms and spray the dishes located in dish racks from below. For this purpose, (first) spray nozzles for the discharge of rinsing liquid are provided on the spraying devices. Since the number of spray nozzles is fixed, the spraying of the dishes takes place independently of the respective loading condition, i. regardless of the amount and / or the distribution of the dishes to be cleaned. However, what is desired is a spraying of the items to be washed, which is adapted in each case to the loading condition.

In a known dishwasher ( GB 2 199 734 A ) by means of a arranged on a spray arm shifter an alternately upwardly directed or downwardly directed spray direction allows.

Based on this prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a dishwashing machine, which allows an improved cleaning of the dishes, in particular with regard to the loading condition.

This object is achieved according to the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous developments are described in the subclaims.

An essence of the invention is that additionally one or more second spray nozzles are provided on the at least one spray device, which are adjustable by means of at least one actuating element. Based on the adjustable second spray nozzles, the amount of the exiting rinse liquid can be optimally adapted to the amount of dishes. Depending on the positioning of the second spray nozzles on the spray devices or on the spray arms, certain rinse zones are formed in the rinsing chamber of the dishwasher, in which the wash ware is sprayed more intensively with rinse liquid. For example, edge-side rinse zones can be formed, in which, if required, the items to be washed at the edge are sprayed more intensively with rinsing liquid, so that additionally the distribution of the items to be washed can be taken into account. With the aid of the adjustable second spray nozzles, the user is able to adjust to the loading condition, i. to create adapted to the amount and / or to the distribution of the dishes more intensive rinsing zones, whereby the cleaning of the dishes is substantially improved.

According to the invention, each actuating nozzle is assigned to each second spray nozzle, so that the second spray nozzles are individually adjustable. By individually and thus independently adjustable second spray nozzles, the corresponding rinsing zones can be activated individually, so that a high degree of flexibility is obtained.

Preferably, the actuating elements are arranged movably on or on the spray devices and can be brought into at least two positions, so that the exit of the rinsing liquid from the second spray nozzles is at least partially permitted or prevented. With the help of the movable actuators, the second spray nozzles can be opened or closed in a simple manner. Depending on the position of the actuating elements, the rinsing fluid pressure can additionally be varied, so that an optimally adapted cleaning of the ware is ensured.

Advantageously, the actuating elements each comprise an approximately platelet-shaped cover, which is arranged displaceably and / or rotatably on or on the spraying devices and is preferably latchable in at least one position. Based on this constructive measure, a simple and at the same time safe setting of the second spray nozzles can be made possible.

In another embodiment not belonging to the invention, only one actuating element is provided. This actuator is designed in a planar shape and contains several openings. If this actuating element is displaceable and / or rotatably arranged on the spraying device or on the second spraying nozzles, several or all second spraying nozzles change simultaneously during the movement of the one actuating element. By appropriate design measures, it is possible to design the actuator so that the adjustable spray nozzles are either fully open, partially open or fully closed, so that the transition between spray nozzles open and close can be done continuously.

Another spray device not belonging to the invention can be designed so that all the spray nozzles provided are adjustable by a movable actuating element, this one actuator has one or more openings, so that as a result of rotation or displacement of the actuating element via the spray nozzles, these are simultaneously adjustable together and thus the adjustment of the spray nozzles can also be made continuously between complete passage and closure.

The invention is explained below, also with regard to further features and advantages, based on the description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereby show:

FIG line schematic representation of a spray device of a dishwasher according to the invention with first spray nozzles and with second spray nozzles, each associated with an actuating element, in plan view, and

FIGS. 2 to 2b in each case an enlarged view of an actuating element of FIG. 1 in different positions relative to a second spray nozzle.

In FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a Sprüivorrichtung 1 a dishwasher shown in plan view, comprising a rotatably mounted about a rotational axis D, two-winged spray arm 2. At the top of the spray arm 2 first spray nozzles 3 are arranged distributed, which serve for spraying dishes. The items to be washed are arranged in a dish rack (not shown) located above the spray arm 2. In addition, second spray nozzles 4 are provided on the spray arm 2, which are each adjustable by means of an actuating element 5. The actuators 5 are made of a non-corrodible material, conveniently made of plastic. In the concrete embodiment according to FIG. 1 four second spray nozzles 4 are arranged distributed over the radial length L of the spray arm 2 such that over the length L a total of four radially spaced washing zones are formed, in which the items to be washed can be sprayed more intense if necessary. The actuating elements 5 serve to open or close the second spray nozzles 4, so that the outlet of the rinsing liquid from the second spray nozzles 4 is permitted or prevented and, correspondingly, the rinse zones formed by the second spray nozzles 4 are active or inactive. In addition, one or more second spray nozzles 4 can be provided on the underside of the spray arm 2, which are likewise adjustable by means of actuating elements 5. This measure is particularly advantageous for spray arms 2, which are arranged in an upper height level in the washing compartment of the dishwasher.

In the 2, 2a and 2b in each case an enlarged view of an actuating element 5 in different positions relative to an associated second spray nozzle 4 is shown. The actuating element 5 comprises an approximately platelet-shaped cover, which is guided displaceably on the spray arm 2, for example in a recess 7 of the spray arm 2. The actuating element 5 has a projection 6 to facilitate manual operation. Alternatively, the actuating element 5 may be designed such that it can be activated via corresponding selection keys or via specific flushing programs.

As in FIG. 2 is shown, the actuating element 5 is positioned in a first position 8 relative to the second spray nozzle 4 so that the rinsing liquid can completely pass through the second spray nozzle 4. By moving the actuating element 5 in the direction of the arrow A to the second spray nozzle 4, the actuating element 5 reaches a second position 9 (FIG. FIG. 2a ), in which it partially covers the second spray nozzle 4, so that only a partial outlet of rinsing liquid is made possible. By reducing the cross section of the second spray nozzle 4, an increase in pressure of the rinsing liquid is achieved. In order to prevent the escape of the rinsing liquid from the second spray nozzle 4, the actuating element 5 is further pushed in the direction of the arrow A in a third position 10, as in FIG. 2b is shown. In this third position 10, the second spray nozzle 4 is completely covered or closed by the actuating element 5. Depending on the positions 8,9 or 10 of the actuating elements 5, the rinsing fluid pressure can additionally be varied. If, for example, all the second spray nozzles 4 are completely closed (third position 10), the pressure of the rinsing liquid emerging from the first spray nozzles 3 increases to a maximum.

With partially opened second spray nozzles 4 (second position 9), both an increased pressure and an increased amount of the exiting rinsing liquid can be achieved. If the second spray nozzles, for example, fully open (first position 8), so the maximum amount of flushing liquid exits at a relatively lower pressure, so that both a gentle and an intensive cleaning of the dishes is guaranteed.

The actuating elements 5 may additionally comprise locking means (not shown), which engage with corresponding locking means on the spray arm 2, so that the actuating elements 5 in the above-described three positions 8, 9 and 10 can be latched.

Alternatively, instead of the displaceably arranged actuating elements 5, rotatable or pivotable actuating elements may be provided which at least partially open or close the second spray nozzles 4 by turning or pivoting.

Since each second spray nozzle 4 is associated with a respective movable actuating element 5, the second spray nozzles 4 are individually or independently adjustable. The user thus has a variety of variations available to make the spraying of the dishes flexible depending on the amount, distribution and / or degree of contamination of the dishes. On the basis of the adjustable second spray nozzles 4, the amount, the direction or the rinsing zones and / or the pressure of the exiting rinsing liquid can be optimally adapted to the loading state.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1.

sprayer

Second

spray arm

Third

First spray nozzles

4th

Second spray nozzles

5th

actuators

6th

head Start

7th

recess

8th.

First position

9th

Second position

10th

Third position

A

direction

D

axis of rotation

L

length

Claims (4)

1. Dishwasher having at least one spray device (1) for spraying items to be washed, which device has spray nozzles (3, 4) for discharging washing liquid, characterised in that first spray nozzles (3) are provided which are disposed unchangeably on the at least one spray device (1), and in that in addition one or more second spray nozzles (4) are provided on the at least one spray device (1), which are adjustable by means of at least one rotatably an/or slidably mounted platelet-like actuating element (5), via which the opening cross-section of a nozzle is variable during opening and closing the nozzle, wherein a respective actuating element (5) is allocated to every second spray nozzle (4) so that the spray nozzles (4) are individually adjustable.
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the actuating elements (5) are disposed movably on the spray device(s) (1) and can be moved into at least two positions (8, 9, 10) so that the discharge of washing liquid is at least partially permitted or prevented from the second spray nozzles (4).
3. Dishwasher according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the actuating elements (5) respectively comprise a roughly platelet-like cover, which is disposed slidably and/or rotatably on the spray device(s) (1) and is preferably lockable in at least one position (8, 9, 10).
4. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the actuating elements (5) are manufactured from a non-corrisible material, preferably plastics material.

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