Dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher

Abstract

A dishwasher includes a dishwashing compartment having a front side with a charging opening for allowing the dishwashing compartment to be charged with washware. The dishwashing compartment includes a U-shaped metal shroud to define a right-hand side wall, a ceiling and a left-hand side wall, a hollowed metal floor produced from a deep-drawn part, and a metal rear wall fitted to a rear side of the metal shroud and of the hollowed metal floor. The right-hand and left-hand side walls of the metal shroud are connected along their respectively lower wall edges to the hollowed metal floor via external interfaces, with each of the external interfaces having a form-fitting connection. A compartment door is provided to close the charging opening, at least temporarily.

Claims

1. A dishwasher having a dishwashing compartment which comprises a plurality of wall parts including a right-hand side wall, a ceiling, a left-hand side wall, and a metal rear wall and, in order to be loaded with items to be washed, is provided on a front side with a loading opening which is closed, at least temporarily, by a compartment door, wherein the right-hand side wall, the ceiling, and the left-hand side wall form a metal shroud which in the straightened-out state forms a flat press part which is then bent in a U-shaped manner to form a vertical, downward facing, U-shaped metal shroud, wherein a hollowed metal floor is a deep-drawn part produced from an austenitic steel, wherein the metal rear wall, which is fitted to a rear side of the U-shaped metal shroud and to a rear side of the hollowed metal floor, is configured in the form of a flat press part, wherein the right-hand side wall and the left-hand side wall of the U-shaped metal shroud are connected along their respectively lower wall edge to the hollowed metal floor, wherein the right-hand side wall and the left-hand side wall of the U-shaped metal shroud are each connected along their respectively lower wall edge, in a form-fitting manner, to the hollowed metal floor by a corresponding external interface, wherein each of the external interfaces comprises a form-fitting connection comprising a dynamic or static fold, and wherein on the rear side of the U-shaped metal shroud and on the rear side of the hollowed metal floor, each of the external interfaces is outwardly bent at 90°, so that a peripheral, rear-facing, frame-shaped edge region is produced, to which the metal rear wall is fitted.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1, constructed in the form of a domestic dishwasher.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the external interfaces in their regions on the front side at least in sections have a radius of at least 80 mm outwardly.

4. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the external interfaces in their regions on the rear side have a linear or an approximately linear path.

5. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a seal configured to attach the metal rear wall to the U-shaped metal shroud and to the hollowed metal floor in a substantially fluid-tight manner in a region of edge regions in contact with one another.

6. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 5, wherein the seal comprises a silicone material or a contact adhesive.

7. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the metal rear wall is adhesively bonded and/or spot-welded to the U-shaped metal shroud and to the hollowed metal floor.

8. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped metal shroud includes a U-shaped frame part having a groove-shaped contour for receiving a door seal.

9. The dishwasher of claim 8, wherein a portion of the U-shaped frame part extends into the inside of the U-shaped metal shroud and is connected to the U-shaped metal shroud by at least one of riveting or thermal riveting.

10. The dishwasher of claim 8, wherein the U-shaped frame part is formed of at least one plastic and is configured to form a front surface of an interior of the dishwashing compartment.

11. The dishwasher of claim 8, wherein the right-hand and left-hand side walls, the metal rear wall and the U-shaped frame part have heights selected such that the dishwasher has an appliance height of approximately 86.5 cm, approximately 81.5 cm, approximately 77.5 cm, approximately 60 cm, or approximately 45 cm.

12. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped metal shroud comprises an austenitic steel according to WNr. 1.4301 or a ferritic steel according to WNr. 1.4016.

13. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the hollowed metal floor comprises an austenitic steel according to WNr. 1.4301.

14. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the hollowed metal floor includes a lower side formed with an annular collar for carrying, indirectly, a pump well in a substantially fluid tight manner, said annular collar having a ring angle of 1 to 10°, and further comprising a filter covering an upper side of the pump well and positionable in a filter collar which is configured in the hollowed metal floor, and which has a filter angle of 2 to 10°.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention obliquely from the front;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1 obliquely from the rear;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4A shows a perspective sectional view in the width direction of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 4B shows a detailed view of the perspective sectional view in the width direction of the dishwashing compartment of the preferred embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 4A;

(7) FIG. 5A shows a perspective sectional view in the depth direction of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 5B shows a detailed view of the perspective sectional view in the depth direction of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 5A;

(9) FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 2;

(10) FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1;

(11) FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 2;

(12) FIG. 9 shows a detail of a horizontal sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1;

(13) FIG. 10 shows a detail of a sectional view in the depth direction of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1;

(14) FIG. 11 shows a detail of a horizontal sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1;

(15) FIG. 12A shows a further schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1;

(16) FIG. 12B shows a detailed view of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 12A;

(17) FIG. 13 to FIG. 16 show schematic perspective views of the successive production steps of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1;

(18) FIG. 17A to FIG. 17D show schematic perspective views of the successive production steps of the connection of the shroud-floor-rear wall of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1;

(19) FIG. 18 shows a schematic perspective view of the hollowed metal floor of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 1;

(20) FIG. 19 shows a detail of a sectional view of the hollowed metal floor of the preferred embodiment of the dishwashing compartment of the dishwasher according to the invention of FIG. 18; and

(21) FIG. 20A to FIG. 20C show schematic views of different embodiments of dishwashers according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(22) In the figures, elements which are the same or functionally the same have been provided with the same reference numerals, provided nothing further is specified.

(23) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a dishwashing compartment 2 of a dishwasher 1, in particular a domestic dishwasher obliquely from the front.

(24) The dishwashing compartment 2 comprises a plurality of wall parts 3 to 7 and, in order to be charged with washware, is provided on the front side with a charging opening B which can be at least temporarily closed by a compartment door, not shown, but known to the person skilled in the art. In this case, the right-hand metal side wall 3, the metal ceiling 4 and the left-hand metal side wall 5 as wall parts form a metal shroud 8 which in the straightened-out state formed a flat press part and was then bent in a U-shaped manner. A hollowed metal floor 6 as a further wall part is a deep-drawn part produced from an austenitic steel according to WNr. 1.4301. A metal rear wall 7 which is fitted to the rear side of the metal shroud 8 and of the metal hollowed floor 6 is designed in the form of a preferably flat press part.

(25) The hollowed metal floor 6, however, may also be produced from a ferritic steel. In this case, however, the sealing bed between the shroud and the hollowed floor has to be optimized with regard to corrosion, for example by the use of a plastic frame between the hollowed floor made of a ferritic steel, on the one hand, and the metal shroud and the metal rear wall, on the other hand.

(26) The metal shroud 8 which is formed from the right-hand metal side wall 3, the metal ceiling 4 and the left-hand metal side wall 5, thus forms the shape of a so-called “vertical U-shape”.

(27) Moreover, the metal shroud 8 on the front side is provided with a U-shaped frame part 9 which is downwardly open and forms a front surface F of the dishwashing compartment 2. The frame part 9 is positively connected by means of riveting, in particular thermal riveting, to the metal shroud 8 (see also FIG. 6 and FIG. 9) and engages in the hollowed metal floor 6 (see also FIG. 8). Moreover, the frame part 9 on the front side is provided with a peripheral groove-shaped contour 10 (see FIG. 9) which receives a door seal, known to the person skilled in the art, and the frame part preferably comprises a plastic, in particular a glass-reinforced polypropylene.

(28) FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1 obliquely from the rear.

(29) In this case, the substantially metal wall parts of the dishwashing compartment 2, i.e. the two metal side walls 3, 5, the metal ceiling 4, the hollowed metal floor 6 and the metal rear wall 7 are clearly visible. Also clearly identifiable are the shape of the metal shroud 8, a “vertical U-shape” and the frame part 9.

(30) FIG. 3 shows a schematic exploded view of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1.

(31) The substantially metal wall parts of the dishwashing compartment 2 are the metal shroud 8, the hollowed metal floor 6, the metal rear wall 7 and the frame part 9, wherein the metal shroud 8 is formed from the two metal side walls 3, 5 and the metal ceiling 4 and forms the shape of a “vertical U-shape”. The metal shroud 8 and the hollowed metal floor 6 have in their rear regions an outward 90° bend 11.

(32) FIG. 4A shows a perspective sectional view in the width direction BR (double arrow) of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 2.

(33) The metal shroud 8 of the dishwashing compartment 2 is formed from the two metal side walls 3, 5 and the metal ceiling 4 and forms the shape of a “vertical U-shape”. The hollowed metal floor 6 is arranged on the lower side of the metal shroud 8, and the frame part 9 is arranged on the front side of the metal shroud 8.

(34) FIG. 4B shows a detailed view of the perspective sectional view in the width direction BR (double arrow) of the dishwashing compartment 21 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 4A.

(35) The two side walls 3, 5 of the metal shroud 8 on their respective lower wall edge 3.U, 5.0 are connected together in a form-fitting manner to the hollowed metal floor 6 by means of external interfaces 12.R, 12.L. The respective external interface 12.R, 12.L comprises a form-fitting connection 13, in particular a dynamic or static fold, or a roller seam weld. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the form-fitting connection 13 comprises a fold. Folding is a technique in sheet metal processing in which a sheet metal edge is bent back in order to produce a stiffening of the edge. However, roller seam welding is a method of resistance welding and directly derived from spot welding. Both production methods are suitable for the fluid-tight connection of the metal shroud 8 of the dishwashing compartment 2 to the hollowed metal floor 6 of the dishwashing compartment.

(36) FIG. 5A shows a perspective sectional view in the depth direction TR (double arrow) of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1.

(37) The metal shroud 8 of the dishwashing compartment 2 is formed from the two metal side walls 3, 5 and the metal ceiling 4 and forms the shape of a “vertical U-shape”. The metal hollowed floor 6 is arranged on the lower side of the metal shroud 8 and the frame part 9 is arranged on the front side of the metal shroud 8. The metal rear wall 7, which is fitted on the rear side to the metal shroud 8 and to the metal hollowed floor 6, is attached by means of at least one sealing means in a substantially fluid-tight manner in the region of the edge regions 14 in contact with one another, in particular adhesively bonded thereon and/or preferably spot-welded.

(38) FIG. 5B shows a detailed view of the perspective sectional view in the depth direction TR (double arrow) of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 5A.

(39) The metal hollowed floor 6 has in its region on the rear side an outward 90° bend 11. The metal rear wall 7 fitted on the rear side to the shroud, not shown, and to the metal hollowed floor 6 is attached in the region of the edge regions 14 in contact with one another, by means of at least one sealing means, in particular adhesively bonded thereon and/or preferably spot-welded. The sealing means comprises, for example, a silicone material or a contact adhesive.

(40) FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 2.

(41) The U-shaped downwardly open frame part 9 forming a front surface F of the dishwashing compartment 2 is attached on the front side to the metal shroud 8 and, by means of riveting, in particular thermal riveting, connected in a form-fitting and fluid-tight manner to the metal shroud 8. The fluid-tight connection may be produced and ensured, for example, by means of the use of TPE or similar sealing means.

(42) FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1.

(43) The metal shroud 8 and the metal hollowed floor 6 have in their regions on the rear side an outward 90° bend 11. The metal rear wall 7 is attached to this respective 90° bend 11 by means of at least one sealing means in a substantially fluid-tight manner in the region of the edge regions 14 in contact with one another, wherein the metal rear wall 7 has a preferably peripheral projection 15.

(44) FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 2.

(45) The metal shroud 8 is provided on the front side with the U-shaped downwardly open frame part 9 which forms the front surface F of the dishwashing compartment 2 and which engages in the metal hollowed floor 6.

(46) FIG. 9 shows a detail of a horizontal sectional view of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1.

(47) The U-shaped downwardly open frame part 9, forming the front surface F of the dishwashing compartment 2, is connected in a form-fitting and fluid-tight manner to the metal shroud 8 on the front side thereof. Moreover, the frame part 9, preferably comprising a plastic, in particular a glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene, is provided on the front side with a peripheral groove-shaped contour 10 which receives a door seal, not shown but known to the person skilled in the art.

(48) FIG. 10 shows a detail of a sectional view in the depth direction TR (double arrow) of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1.

(49) The metal shroud 8, i.e. the metal ceiling 4 shown, has an outward 90° bend 11 in its region on the rear side.

(50) FIG. 11 shows a detail of a horizontal sectional view of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1.

(51) The metal shroud 8, i.e. the right-hand metal side wall 3 shown and the right-hand interface 12.R on the right-hand metal side wall 3, have an outward 90° bend 11 in their regions on the rear side. In their regions on the front side they have at least in sections a radius R of at least 80 mm outwardly, preferably of at least 100 mm outwardly, in particular of at least 80 mm outwardly. This radius R is also denoted in specialized circles as a fold angle.

(52) FIG. 12A shows a further schematic perspective view of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1.

(53) The metal wall parts which ultimately form the periphery of the dishwashing compartment 2, i.e. the two metal side walls 3, 5, the metal ceiling 4 and the hollowed metal floor 6, i.e. also the interfaces 12.R, 12.L, before their respective 90° bend 11 in the connected-together state, have a linear or approximately linear path 16 in their regions on the rear side.

(54) FIG. 12B shows a detailed view of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 12A.

(55) The linear or approximately linear path 16 extends in the interfaces 12.R, 12.L on the rear side before the rear 90° bend 11 of the metal shroud 8 and the metal hollowed floor 6 connected thereto.

(56) FIG. 13 to FIG. 16 show schematic perspective views of the successive production steps of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1.

(57) In a first production step (FIG. 13) the frame part 9 is connected in a form-fitting and fluid-tight manner to the metal shroud 8 forming the shape of a “vertical U-shape”. The metal shroud 8 is formed from the two metal side walls 3, 5 and the metal ceiling 4, and which in the straightened-out state formed a preferably flat press part and was then bent in a U-shaped manner.

(58) In a second production step (FIG. 14) the metal hollowed floor 6 is connected in a form-fitting manner to the metal shroud 8 together with the frame part 9. The hollowed metal floor is a deep-drawn part produced from a preferably austenitic steel. The form-fitting connection takes place on the respective lower wall edge 3.U, 5.0 of the metal side walls 3, 5 of the metal shroud 8 to the hollowed metal floor 6 by means of external interfaces 12.R, 12.L. The connection itself comprises a form-fitting connection, in particular a dynamic or static fold or roller seam weld.

(59) In a further production step (FIG. 15), on the one hand, the sub-assembly formed from the metal shroud 8, the frame part 9 and the hollowed metal floor 6 in their region on the rear side are provided with a 90° bend 11. On the other hand, there is provision on the metal rear wall 7 in required regions 14 by means of a sealing means, for example a silicone material or a contact adhesive.

(60) Additionally, in a fourth production step (FIG. 16) on the rear side the metal rear wall 7 is attached to the metal shroud 8 and to the hollowed metal floor 6, by means of at least one sealing means in a substantially fluid-tight manner in the region of the edge regions 14 in contact with one another, in particular adhesively bonded thereon and/or preferably spot-welded.

(61) Naturally, the production of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 may also comprise further production steps, not specifically shown but known to the person skilled in the art.

(62) FIG. 17A to FIG. 17D show schematic perspective views of the successive production steps of the connections of the metal shroud-floor-rear wall of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1.

(63) In a first production step (FIG. 17A) of the connection of the metal shroud-floor-rear wall of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1, the components comprising the metal shroud 8 and the metal floor 6 are produced in at least one respective tool. Finally, the respective geometry of the connection to one another is produced.

(64) In a second production step (FIG. 17B) of the connection of the metal shroud-floor-rear wall of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 the components comprising the metal shroud 8 and the metal floor 6 are connected together in a form-fitting and fluid-tight manner at interfaces 12.R, 12.L, preferably by means of folding.

(65) In a further production step (FIG. 17C) of the connection of the metal shroud-floor-rear wall of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 the components comprising the metal shroud 8 and the metal floor 6, which are connected by means of interfaces 12.R, 12.L in their regions on the rear side, are subjected to a 90° bend 11 so that a peripheral edge region 14 is produced.

(66) In a fourth production step (FIG. 17D) of the connection of the metal shroud-floor-rear wall of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1, the metal rear wall 7 is fitted on the rear side to the metal shroud 8 and to the hollowed metal floor 6 and connected in a water-tight manner. The metal rear wall 7 is designed as a preferably flat press part.

(67) Naturally, the production of the connection of the shroud-floor-rear wall of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 may also comprise further production steps, not specifically shown but known to the person skilled in the art.

(68) FIG. 18 shows a schematic perspective view of the hollowed metal floor 6 of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1.

(69) The hollowed metal floor 6 has the described contour and any attachment regions for components of a dishwasher 1 which are known but not shown, such as for example the pump well, the salt container or the zeolite drying system.

(70) FIG. 19 shows a detail of a sectional view of the hollowed metal floor 6 of the dishwashing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1 of FIG. 18.

(71) The hollowed metal floor 6 preferably carries indirectly and on the lower side a pump well 17, not specifically shown, by means of at least one sealing means, such as for example a known pump well seal, in a substantially fluid-tight manner on an annular collar 18 formed in the hollowed metal floor 6. The annular collar 18 has a ring angle 18.W of 1 to 10° preferably of 2 to 5°, in particular of approximately 3°.

(72) Moreover, the pump well 17 on the upper side is covered by a filter 19, not specifically shown. This filter 18 is at least positionable in a filter collar 20 formed in the hollowed metal floor 6 and having a filter angle 20.W of 2 to 10°, preferably of 4 to 8°, in particular of approximately 5°.

(73) FIG. 20A to FIG. 20C show schematic views of different embodiments of dishwashers 1.

(74) The dishwashers 1 shown represent different appliance types. The dishwasher 1 shown in FIG. 20A is a large appliance (freestanding, or able to be undermounted or fully integrated) with an appliance height H in the region of approximately 86.5 cm, approximately 81.5 cm, or approximately 77.5 cm. However, the dishwasher 1 shown in FIG. 20B is a high-level dishwasher with an appliance height H of 45.4 cm or 59.5 cm. In addition, the dishwasher shown in FIG. 20C with an appliance height H of 45 cm may be used as table-top dishwasher.

(75) While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is able to be modified in many different ways.