DOMESTIC DISHWASHER

Abstract

A household dishwasher includes a washing container having a floor, and a spray arm supported for rotation about an axis of rotation and including spray nozzles for applying washing liquor and/or fresh water to a dishwasher load received in the washing container. The spray arm is designed so as to be capable of being disassembled and re-assembled along the axis of rotation, in order to transfer the spray arm from a first mode, in which the spray nozzles point away from the floor, into a second mode, in which the spray nozzles point toward the floor, and vice versa.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A household dishwasher, comprising: a washing container having a floor; and a spray arm supported for rotation about an axis of rotation and including spray nozzles for applying washing liquor and/or fresh water to a dishwasher load received in the washing container, said spray arm being designed so as to be capable of being disassembled and re-assembled along the axis of rotation, in order to transfer the spray arm from a first mode, in which the spray nozzles point away from the floor, into a second mode, in which the spray nozzles point toward the floor, and vice versa.

12. The household dishwasher of claim 11, wherein the spray arm comprises a beam and a spray arm satellite which is supported rotatably on the beam, said spray nozzles being provided on the spray arm satellite, said spray arm satellite being designed for support on the beam either in the first mode or in the second mode.

13. The household dishwasher of claim 12, wherein the beam is rotatable about an axis of rotation which is arranged parallel to and at a distance to an axis of rotation of the spray arm satellite.

14. The household dishwasher of claim 12, wherein the spray arm satellite is recoil driven with the aid of the washing liquor and/or the fresh water.

15. The household dishwasher of claim 11, further comprising a drive device operably connected to the spray arm to actively drive the spray arm.

16. The household dishwasher of claim 11, wherein the spray arm is recoil driven with the aid of the washing liquor and/or the fresh water.

17. The household dishwasher of claim 11, wherein the spray arm is transferable into the first mode or into the second mode via a bayonet lock, a threaded lock or a snap-fit connection.

18. The household dishwasher of claim 11, further comprising a valve for transfer of the spray arm into the first mode or into the second mode.

19. The household dishwasher of claim 11, further comprising a screening system acted upon by the washing liquor and/or fresh water to clean the screening system, when the spray arm is located in the second mode.

20. The household dishwasher of claim 11, further comprising a sump, said spray arm being supported rotatably on the sump.

21. The household dishwasher of claim 11, further comprising a receptacle, said spray arm being supported rotatably on the receptacle.

Description

[0028] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the household dishwasher form the subject matter of the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments of the household dishwasher described below. Furthermore, the household dishwasher is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the appended figures.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher;

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a spray apparatus for the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a further schematic side view of the spray apparatus according to FIG. 2;

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a spray apparatus for the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1; and

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a further schematic side view of the spray apparatus according to FIG. 4.

[0034] Identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference characters in the figures unless otherwise stated.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher 1. The household dishwasher 1 comprises a washing container 2, which can be closed by a door 3, in particular in a water-tight manner. To this end, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2. The washing container 2 is preferably cuboid. The washing container 2 can be arranged in a housing of the household dishwasher 1. The washing container 2 and the door 3 can form a washing compartment 4 for washing the dishwasher load.

[0036] In FIG. 1, the door 3 is shown in its opened position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a swivel axis 5 provided on a lower end of the door 3. A loading opening 6 of the washing container 2 can be closed or opened with the aid of the door 3. The washing container 2 has a floor 7, a ceiling 8 arranged facing the floor 7, a rear wall 9 arranged facing the closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged facing one another. The floor 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be manufactured from stainless steel sheet, for instance. Alternatively, the floor 7 can be manufactured from a plastic material, for instance.

[0037] The household dishwasher 1 further has at least one receptacle for the dishwasher load 12 to 14. A number of, for instance three, receptacles for the dishwasher load 12 to 14 can preferably be provided, wherein the receptacle for the dishwasher load 12 can be a lower receptacle for the dishwasher load or a lower basket, the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13 an upper receptacle for the dishwasher load or an upper basket and the receptacle for the dishwasher load 14 a cutlery drawer. As FIG. 1 also shows, the receptacles for the dishwasher load 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the washing container 2. Each receptacle for the dishwasher load 12 to 14 can alternatively be moved in or out of the washing container 2. In particular, each receptacle for the dishwasher load 12 to 14 can be moved in or out of the washing container 2 in an insertion direction E and contrary to the insertion direction E can be pulled or moved out of the washing container 2 in a pull-out direction A.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a spray apparatus 15A for the household dishwasher 1. The spray apparatus 15A is preferably provided on the floor 7 of the washing container 2. The spray apparatus 15A comprises a rotatably supported spray arm 16 with a beam 17 and a spray arm satellite 18 supported rotatably on the beam 17. The spray arm satellite 18 is supported rotatably about an axis of rotation 19 on the beam 17. The beam 17 is in turn supported rotatably about an axis of rotation 20 on a sump 21 of the household dishwasher 1.

[0039] The spray arm satellite 18 comprises a plurality of spray nozzles 22, of which only one is provided with a reference character in FIG. 2, however. The spray nozzles 22 are suited to generating spray jets 23, with the aid of which the dishwasher load can be applied with washing liquor and/or fresh water F. The spray arm satellite 18 has a number of arms 24, 25. The number of arms 24, 25 is arbitrary. For instance, three arms 24, 25 of this type are provided, which are arranged at a distance from one another about a peripheral angle of 120°. The spray nozzles 22 are preferably provided on one side of the spray arm satellite 18.

[0040] In particular, the spray nozzles 22 are provided on the top of the spray arm satellite 18. Alternatively, the spray nozzles 22 can also be arranged so that these point in the direction of the floor 7. Alternatively, the spray arm satellite 18 can also have spray nozzles 22 on the top side and bottom side. The beam 17 preferably comprises a number of arms 26, 27. Two arms 26, 27 are preferably provided, wherein the spray arm satellite 18 is supported rotatably about the axis of rotation 19 on the arm 27. FIG. 2 shows the spray arm 16 in a first mode Z1, in which the spray nozzles 22 of the spray arm satellite 18 are pointing away from the floor 7.

[0041] A connection between the spray arm satellite 18 and the beam 17 is designed to be detachable. In particular, the connection can be released without a tool. For instance, a bayonet lock, a threaded lock or a snap-fit connection can be provided between the spray arm satellite 18 and the beam 17. For instance, a detachable fastening element 28 can be provided, with the aid of which the spray arm satellite 18 can be connected to the beam 17 and separated again herefrom. The spray arm satellite 18 can therefore be easily assembled and disassembled. In particular, the spray arm satellite 18 can be transferred from the first mode Z1, shown in FIG. 2, in which the spray nozzles 22 point away from the floor 7, into a second mode Z2 shown in FIG. 3, in which the spray nozzles 22 point toward the floor 7. The spray arm satellite 18 can therefore be supported rotated about 180°.

[0042] A screening system 29 is provided on the sump 21. The screening system 29 is made of several parts and can comprise a wide-mesh screen and a fine-mesh screen, for instance. In the second mode Z2, the spray nozzles 22 are suited to applying the screening system 29 with washing liquor and/or fresh water F, in order to clean the same. In the first mode Z1, by contrast, the spray nozzles 22 are directed toward the receptacle for the dishwasher load 12 of the household dishwasher 1, in order to clean the dishwasher load received herein.

[0043] The axes of rotation 19, 20 are positioned parallel to one another and at a distance from one another. In particular, the axes of rotation 19, 20 are positioned at a distance a from one another. The beam 17 can likewise have the previously mentioned spray nozzles 22. This is not mandatory, however. The beam 17 is driven actively. Here “driven actively” is understood to mean that a drive device, for instance in the form of an electric motor, is assigned to the spray arm 16, in particular the beam 17, which is suited to rotating the beam 17 about the axis of rotation 20.

[0044] Contrary hereto, the spray arm satellite 18 is not driven actively. In particular, the spray arm satellite 18 is rotated by the spray jets 23 pouring out of the spray nozzles 22. Special drive spray nozzles can also be provided.

[0045] The spray arm satellite 18 can be easily disassembled by a user for, for instance, a machine cleaning cycle or a special screen cleaning function and in the second mode Z2 can conversely be supported on the beam 17. While, during the cleaning operation, the spray nozzles 22 are preferably directed upward in the direction of the receptacles for the dishwasher load 12 to 14, in order thus to clean the dishwasher load, in the second mode Z2 the spray nozzles 22 are directed downward in the direction of the screening system 29, in order to be able to intensively clean the screening system 29.

[0046] The alignment of the spray nozzles 22 can be adjusted so that in particular weak points, such as for instance countersunk or concealed geometries of the screening system 29, are struck by the spray jets 23 and as a result can be better cleaned. As previously mentioned, the beam 17 is driven actively. The beam 17 can therefore be controlled in its position. In this case, the position controller can move the spray arm satellite 18 in a targeted manner into one or more desired positions, in particular intensive cleaning zones, above the screening system 29, in order to better strike this and in particular weak points, such as concealed or countersunk geometries of the screening system 29, with the spray jets 23, and thus to better clean the screening system 29.

[0047] An additional function of the improved cleaning of the screening system 29 is therefore possible without additional components and costs. An intelligible and comprehensible principle is produced for a user. As a result of a suitable alignment of the spray nozzles 22 and in the expansion of the targeted positioning of the spray arm satellite 18, weak points in particular in the screening system 29 can be cleaned in a significantly improved manner. Furthermore, by means of the targeted positioning of the beam 17, intensive washing zones can also be realized in or on the receptacles for the dishwasher load 12 to 14.

[0048] FIGS. 4 and 5 show in each case a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a spray apparatus 15B for the household dishwasher 1. The household dishwasher 1 can have both spray apparatuses 15A, 15B. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13 embodied as an upper basket is shown. A spray arm 30 is supported rotatably below the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13. The spray arm 30 can have two arms 31, 32, for instance, wherein the spray arm 30 is supported rotatably about an axis of rotation 33 on the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13. Contrary to the spray arm 16 of the spray apparatus 15A, the spray arm 30 is not driven actively, but instead passively, in other words with the aid of the washing liquor and/or the fresh water F.

[0049] A support 34 is provided on the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13, with the aid of which the spray arm 30 is supported in a rotatable manner on the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13. Furthermore, an infeed tube 35 can be provided, with the aid of which washing liquor and/or fresh water F is fed to the spray arm 30. The spray arm 30 comprises a fastening element 36, for instance a bayonet lock or a snap-fit connection. The spray arm 30 can be assembled and disassembled with the aid of the fastening element 36.

[0050] As FIG. 4 shows, the spray arm 30 is in a first mode Z1, in which spray nozzles 37 of the spray arm 30 are aligned in the direction of the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13 and thus away from the floor 7. The spray arm 30 can be rotated with the aid of spray jets 38. To this end, special drive spray nozzles can also be provided. As a result, the spray arm 30 can be easily disassembled, rotated about 180° and reassembled, but depending on user wishes, either the lower basket in the form of the receptacle for the dishwasher load 12 or the upper basket in the form of the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13 can be cleaned. The configuration desired by the user in the form of the two modes Z1, Z2 is achieved accordingly by a manual rotation of the spray arm 30. If the spray arm 30 is set to clean the receptacle for the dishwasher load 12, an intensive washing zone is as a result realized in the receptacle for the dishwasher load 12, since the entire hydraulic removal rate of the household dishwasher 1 is therefore concentrated on the receptacle for the dishwasher load 12.

[0051] In terms of washing, it makes sense to identify the mode Z1, Z2 in which the spray arm 30 is currently located, in order then also to deactivate the washing liquor, and/or fresh water/time distribution between the spray arm 30 and a lower spray arm, for instance in the form of the spray arm 16, and possibly also a roof sprinkler or to adjust a temperature profile of a washing program. The installation position of the spray arm 30 or the spray arm satellite 18 can be achieved for instance by way of acoustic sensors, camera detection, concentricity detection of a circulation pump of the household dishwasher 1 or a measurement of the volume current.

[0052] Alternatively, it is also possible to realize the transfer of the spray arm 30 from the first mode Z1 into the second mode Z2 by means of a manually adjustable valve. In this case, the spray arm 30 has spray nozzles 37 on the top and bottom side, wherein only one cleaning direction, in particular in the direction of the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13 or the direction of the receptacle for the dishwasher load 12, is ever activated. In the initial mode of the household dishwasher 1, the spray nozzles 37 would in this case preferably be set to a cleaning of the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13 and can be switched over to a cleaning of the receptacle for the dishwasher load 12 by means of manually actuating the valve. In design terms, a valve of this type can be realized for instance by means of a punched tape, which is moved in and out, in order thus to change the spray direction.

[0053] If the user is to select a cleaning program without an intensive zone during a subsequent washing cycle, he is requested before the start to actively confirm the deactivation of the intensive zone and thus the reset of the spray arm 30 to upper basket cleaning. This is used to ensure that it is kept in mind to reset the spray arm 30 back into the original setting in the form of the first mode Z1. In the case of the activated intensive zone, it can be communicated to the user that the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13 is not permitted to be loaded because the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13 is not cleaned. This can take place visually for instance by means of prominent lettering, by means of an automatic fold-out lever, which blocks the loading of the receptacle for the dishwasher load 13, or by means of an additional options button.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described on the basis of exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in various ways.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED

[0055] 1 household dishwasher [0056] 2 washing container [0057] 3 door [0058] 4 washing compartment [0059] 5 swivel axis [0060] 6 loading opening [0061] 7 floor [0062] 8 ceiling [0063] 9 rear wall [0064] 10 side wall [0065] 11 side wall [0066] 12 receptacle for the dishwasher load [0067] 13 receptacle for the dishwasher load [0068] 14 receptacle for the dishwasher load [0069] 15A spray apparatus [0070] 15B spray apparatus [0071] 16 spray arm [0072] 17 beam [0073] 18 spray arm satellite [0074] 19 axis of rotation [0075] 20 axis of rotation [0076] 21 sump [0077] 22 spray nozzle [0078] 23 spray jet [0079] 24 arm [0080] 25 arm [0081] 26 arm [0082] 27 arm [0083] 28 fastening element [0084] 29 screening system [0085] 30 spray arm [0086] 31 arm [0087] 32 arm [0088] 33 axis of rotation [0089] 34 support [0090] 35 infeed tube [0091] 36 fastening element [0092] 37 spray nozzle [0093] 38 spray jet [0094] a distance [0095] A pull-out direction [0096] E insertion direction [0097] F washing liquor and/or fresh water [0098] Z1 mode [0099] Z2 mode