DOMESTIC DISHWASHER

Abstract

A household dishwasher includes a dishwasher cavity and a spray arm designed to supply wash liquor and/or freshwater to dishware received in the dishwasher cavity. The spray arm includes an extension arm which is actively driven by a drive element, and a spray arm satellite which is mounted on the extension arm for rotation about an axis of rotation and includes spray nozzles supplied with wash liquor and/or the freshwater and designed to exit spray jets which rotate the spray arm satellite. The spray nozzles are designed so that force vectors resulting from the exiting spray jets mutually cancel out one another on a plane oriented perpendicularly to the axis of rotation.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A household dishwasher, comprising: a dishwasher cavity; a spray arm designed to supply wash liquor and/or freshwater to dishware received in the dishwasher cavity, said spray arm comprising an extension arm and a spray arm satellite mounted on the extension arm for rotation about an axis of rotation and comprising spray nozzles supplied with wash liquor and/or the freshwater and designed to exit spray jets which rotate the spray arm satellite, said spray nozzles are designed so that force vectors resulting from the exiting spray jets mutually cancel out one another on a plane oriented perpendicularly to the axis of rotation; and a drive element designed to actively drive the extension arm of the spray arm.

12. The household dishwasher of claim 11, wherein the spray nozzles comprise outlet cross-sections which differ from one another for the wash liquor and/or the freshwater.

13. The household dishwasher of claim 11, wherein the spray nozzles are tilted differently when viewed in the plane.

14. The household dishwasher of claim 11, wherein the spray nozzles are arranged at different distances from the axis of rotation.

15. The household dishwasher of claim 11, wherein at least one part of the spray nozzles is oriented perpendicularly to the plane.

16. The household dishwasher of claim 11, wherein the spray arm satellite comprises a number of arms, to which the spray nozzles are attached.

17. The household dishwasher of claim 16, wherein each of the arms comprises at least one of the spray nozzles.

18. The household dishwasher of claim 16, wherein the arms comprise arrangements of the spray nozzles which differ from one another.

19. The household dishwasher of claim 16, wherein the spray nozzles are provided on top of the arms.

20. The household dishwasher of claim 11, wherein at least one part of the spray nozzles is tilted out from the plane.

Description

[0027] 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. The household dishwasher is also described in greater detail on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a spray apparatus for the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of the spray apparatus according to FIG. 2;

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a force polygon of forces acting on the spray apparatus according to FIG. 2;

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a further force polygon of forces acting on the spray apparatus according to FIG. 2;

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a spray apparatus for the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a force polygon of forces acting on the spray apparatus according to FIG. 6;

[0035] FIG. 8 shows a further force polygon of forces acting on the spray apparatus according to FIG. 6;

[0036] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a spray apparatus for the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1; and

[0037] FIG. 10 shows a further very simplified schematic view of the spray apparatus according to FIG. 9;

[0038] In the figures, elements that are identical or have the same function have been provided with the same reference characters unless otherwise stated.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher 1. The household dishwasher 1 comprises a dishwasher cavity 2, which can be closed by a door 3, in particular in a watertight manner. To this end, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the dishwasher cavity 2. The dishwasher cavity 2 is preferably cuboid in shape. The dishwasher cavity 2 may be arranged in a housing of the household dishwasher 1. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 may form a washing chamber 4 for washing dishware.

[0040] The door 3 is shown in its opened position in FIG. 1. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided on a lower end of the door 3. A loading opening 6 of the dishwasher cavity 2 can be closed or opened with the aid of the door 3. The dishwasher cavity 2 has a base 7, a ceiling 8 arranged opposite to the base 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite to the closed door 3, and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite to one another. The base 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be manufactured from a stainless-steel sheet, for example. Alternatively, the base 7 can be manufactured from a plastic material, for example.

[0041] Furthermore, the household dishwasher 1 has at least one receptacle for dishware 12 to 14. A number of, for instance three, receptacles for dishware 12 to 14 can preferably be provided, wherein the receptacle for dishware 12 can be a lower receptacle for dishware or a bottom basket, the receptacle for dishware 13 can be an upper receptacle for dishware or an upper basket, and the receptacle for dishware 14 can be a cutlery drawer. As additionally shown in FIG. 1, the receptacles for dishware 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each receptacle for dishware 12 to 14 is optionally able to be shifted into or out of the dishwasher cavity 2. In particular, each receptacle for dishware 12 to 14 is able to be inserted or pushed into the dishwasher cavity 2 in an insertion direction E and extracted or pulled out from the dishwasher cavity 2 in an extraction direction A opposite to the insertion direction E.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a spray apparatus 15A for the household dishwasher 1. FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of the spray apparatus 15A. Reference is made below simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0043] The spray apparatus 15A is preferably provided on the base 7 of the dishwasher cavity 2. The spray apparatus 15A comprises a spray arm 16 rotatably mounted with an extension arm 17 and a spray arm satellite 18 mounted rotatably on the extension arm 17. The spray arm satellite 18 is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation 19 on the extension arm 17. The extension arm 17 in turn is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation 20 on a pump sump 21 of the household dishwasher 1. The extension arm 17 can however also be mounted on another region or component of the household dishwasher 1. The extension arm 17 is driven actively. To this end, a drive element 22 is provided. The drive element 22 is an electric motor. The spray apparatus 15A comprises the drive element 22 in addition to the spray arm 16.

[0044] The spray arm satellite 18 comprises a plurality of spray nozzles 23 to 28. The number of spray nozzles 23 to 28 is freely selectable. For instance, six spray nozzles 23 to 28 are provided, which can be oriented differently. The spray nozzles 23 to 28 are suitable for producing spray jets, with the aid of which wash liquor and/or freshwater F can be supplied to the dishware. The spray nozzles 23 to 28 are provided on the top side of the spray arm satellite 18. Here on the top side means facing away from the base 7. However, spray nozzles (not shown) on the bottom side can also be provided on the spray arm satellite 18. Here on the bottom side means facing the base 7. The spray nozzles 23 to 28 are preferably provided on one side of the spray arm satellite 18. Alternatively, the spray arm satellite 18 can also have top and bottom side spray nozzles 23 to 28.

[0045] The spray arm satellite 18 has a number of arms 29 to 31. The number of arms 29 to 31 is freely selectable. For example, three arms 29 to 31 of this kind are provided, which are arranged at a distance from one another about at an angle of rotation of 120. However, only two arms 29 to 31 or more than three arms 29 to 31 can also be provided.

[0046] A filter system 32 is provided on the pump sump 21. The filter system 32 is multi-part and can comprise a coarse filter and a fine filter, for instance. The extension arm 17 preferably comprises a number of arms 33, 34. Two arms 33, 34 are preferably provided, wherein the spray arm satellite 18 is rotatably mounted on the arm 33 about the axis of rotation 19. However, only one arm 33, 34 may also be provided.

[0047] The axes of rotation 19, 20 are positioned parallel to one another and at a distance from one another. The extension arm 17 can likewise have spray nozzles 23 to 28, as mentioned previously. However, this is not necessarily required. The extension arm 17 is actively driven, as mentioned previously. Contrary hereto, the spray arm satellite 18 is not driven actively. In particular, the spray arm satellite 18 is rotated by the wash liquor and/or freshwater F flowing out of the spray nozzles 23 to 28.

[0048] The wash liquor and/or freshwater F exiting the spray nozzles 23 to 28 generates a drive torque M on the basis of impulse forces. The drive torque M is oriented counter to the clockwise direction in the orientation in FIG. 3. The drive torque M can however also be oriented conversely. The drive torque M rotates the spray arm satellite 18 with respect to the extension arm 17. The pulse forces are transferred both to a bearing of the spray arm satellite 18 on the extension arm 17 and also to a bearing of the extension arm 17 itself. This can result in different forces and torques acting on the bearings at each angular position of the spray arm satellite 18. This results in a non-uniform running of the spray arm satellite 18 and consequently in an undesirable dynamic load. This has to be improved.

[0049] To this end, the spray nozzles 23 to 28 are designed both in respect of their orientation in the space and also with regard to a volume flow of wash liquor and/or freshwater F exiting from the respective spray nozzle 23 to 28 such that forces resulting from the exiting of the wash liquor and/or the freshwater F are approximately zero in each angular position of the spray arm satellite 18 and as a result mutually cancel out one another. The drive torque M of the spray arm satellite 18 which always remains constant and does not change as a function of the angular position is as a result once more transferred to the extension arm 17.

[0050] As FIG. 3 shows, the spray arm satellite 18 comprises two spray nozzles 23, 24 on its arm 29, said spray nozzles generating spray jets 35, 36 which are oriented counter to a direction of rotation of the spray arm satellite 18. The spray nozzles 23, 24 are oriented here tilted with respect to the arm 29. Force vectors F35, F36 which rotate the spray arm satellite 18 result from the spray jets 35, 36. The force vectors F35, F36 lie in a plane E1 which spans from an x-direction x and a y-direction y.

[0051] Furthermore, the spray arm satellite 18 comprises spray nozzles 25, 26 provided on the arm 30, which are oriented perpendicularly to the arm 30 and thus along a z-direction z. The spray nozzles 25, 26 do not contribute to the drive torque M, since these do not generate force vectors arranged in the plane E1. A spray nozzle 28 is provided on the arm 31, said spray nozzle being oriented perpendicularly like the spray nozzles 25, 26 and thus along the z-direction.

[0052] A spray nozzle 27 is further provided on the arm 31, which is arranged so that its spray jet 37 is arranged parallel and opposite to the spray jets 35, 36 of the spray nozzles 23, 24. The spray nozzle 27 therefore has a tilt for generating the drive torque M and a tilt radially outward. A force vector F37 results from the spray jet 37.

[0053] The force vectors F35, F36, F37 all lie in the plane E1 and mutually cancel out one another so that a force resulting from the force vectors F35, F36, F37 equates to zero or is approximately zero. This applies to each angular position of the spray arm satellite 18. A dynamic load of components of the spray arm 16 is therefore reliably prevented.

[0054] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 each show by way of example how the force vectors F35, F36, F37 mutually cancel out one another. In the example according to FIG. 4, the force vectors F35, F36 are of the same size. In the example according to FIG. 5, the force vectors F35, F36 are of a different size. This difference can result from the spray nozzles 23, 24 having different outlet cross-sections for the wash liquor and/or the freshwater F.

[0055] With this previously explained design of the spray nozzles 23 to 28, a longer service life with a reduced material usage is possible on account of the more uniform running of the extension arm 17. Bearing wear is reduced. A pulsating or dynamic load on an overall drivetrain, which may comprise the drive element 22, a gearbox and a seal, is avoided. This further produces a visually attractive running of the extension arm 17.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of a further embodiment of a spray apparatus 15B. in terms of its design, the spray apparatus 15B substantially corresponds to the design of the spray apparatus 15A. Reference is only made below to differences in the spray apparatuses 15A, 15B.

[0057] The spray apparatus 15B comprises spray nozzles 24, 26, 28 on its spray arm satellite 18, which are oriented perpendicularly upward, in other words along the z-direction z. These spray nozzles 24, 26, 28 therefore have no part in the drive torque M for driving the spray arm satellite 18. However, the spray nozzles 24, 26, 28 are designed so that the wash liquor and/or the freshwater F exiting herefrom does not apply a pull-out torque to the spray arm satellite 18.

[0058] Furthermore, each arm 29, 30, 31 comprises a spray nozzle 23, 25, 27, which is aligned in each case so that a spray jet 38, 39, 40 oriented perpendicularly to the respective arm 29, 30, 31 is generated. The spray jets 38, 39, 40 lie in the plane E1 and generate force vectors F38, F39, F40, which generate the drive torque M. The force vectors F38, F39, F40 lie in the plane E1 which spans from the x-direction and the y-direction. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the total of all force vectors F38, F39, F40 in the plane E1 is zero. The spray nozzles 23, 27 have a shared radius of action. In other words, the spray nozzles 23, 25, 27 all have the same distance from the axis of rotation 19. For instance, the force vectors F38, F39, F40 each amount to 0.3 N. FIGS. 7 and 8 each show by way of example how the force vectors F38, F39, F40 cancel out one another.

[0059] FIG. 9 shows a schematic top view of a further embodiment of a spray apparatus 15C. In terms of its design the spray apparatus 15C substantially corresponds to the design of the spray apparatus 15B. Reference is only made below to differences in the spray apparatuses 15B.

[0060] The spray arm satellite 18 comprises spray nozzles 24, 26, 28, which are oriented perpendicularly to the spray arm satellite 18 and thus along a z-direction z. The spray nozzles 24, 26, 28 are designed with respect to their radius of action, in other words their distance from the axis of rotation 19 and their diameter, so that each arm 29, 30, 31 has the same torque in the z-direction.

[0061] Furthermore, spray nozzles 23, 25, 27 are provided, which are used to drive the spray arm satellite 18. Contrary to the spray apparatus 15B, the spray nozzles 23, 25, 27 are outwardly tilted about a tilt angle of 15 to 30. In this way, it is possible to dispense with a fan nozzle which is tilted by 45 for corner cleaning purposes. The spray nozzles 23, 25, 27 generate spray jets 38, 39, 40 and resulting force vectors F38, F39, F40. The force vectors F38, F39, F40 have a sum of 0.3 N in each case for instance.

[0062] FIG. 10 shows by way of example on the basis of the spray nozzle 23 how the spray nozzles 23 to 28 can be modified in order to achieve the aim of the total of all force vectors F38, F39, F40 in the plane E equating to zero. A distance a between the axis of rotation 19 and the spray nozzle 23 can be changed in order to increase or decrease the size of the radius of action of the spray nozzle 23. The greater the distance a, the larger the lever arm, with which the force vector F35 assigned to the spray nozzle 23 acts on the respective arm 29, 30, 31 of the spray arm satellite 18.

[0063] Furthermore, a tilt angle of the force vector F35 arranged in the plane E1 can be changed by a corresponding alignment of the spray nozzle 23. The tilt angle is defined as an angle which spans between a connecting straight line 41 and the respective force vector F35. An outlet section Q, shown dashed in FIG. 10, of the spray nozzle 23 can also be changed. The larger the outlet section Q, the more wash liquor and/or freshwater F can exit from the spray nozzle 23 per time unit.

[0064] Although the present invention was described on the basis of exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in a variety of ways.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED

[0065] 1 household dishwasher [0066] 2 dishwasher cavity [0067] 3 door [0068] 4 washing chamber [0069] 5 pivot axis [0070] 6 loading opening [0071] 7 base [0072] 8 ceiling [0073] 9 rear wall [0074] 10 side wall [0075] 11 side wall [0076] 12 receptacle for items to be washed [0077] 13 receptacle for items to be washed [0078] 14 receptacle for items to be washed [0079] 15A spray apparatus [0080] 15B spray apparatus [0081] 15C spray apparatus [0082] 16 spray arm [0083] 17 extension arm [0084] 18 spray arm satellite [0085] 19 axis of rotation [0086] 20 axis of rotation [0087] 21 pump sump [0088] 22 drive element [0089] 23 spray nozzle [0090] 24 spray nozzle [0091] 25 spray nozzle [0092] 26 spray nozzle [0093] 27 spray nozzle [0094] 28 spray nozzle [0095] 29 arm [0096] 30 arm [0097] 31 arm [0098] 32 filter system [0099] 33 arm [0100] 34 arm [0101] 35 spray jet [0102] 36 spray jet [0103] 37 spray jet [0104] 38 spray jet [0105] 39 spray jet [0106] 40 spray jet [0107] 41 connecting straight line [0108] a distance [0109] A pull-out direction [0110] E insertion direction [0111] E1 plane [0112] F washing liquor and/or fresh water [0113] F35 force vector [0114] F36 force vector [0115] F37 force vector [0116] F38 force vector [0117] F39 force vector [0118] F40 force vector [0119] M drive torque [0120] Q exit cross-section [0121] x x-direction [0122] y y-direction [0123] z z-direction [0124] tilt angle [0125] tilt angle