WATER-USING DOMESTIC APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A WATER-USING DOMESTIC APPLIANCE

Abstract

A water-using household appliance includes a pump sump, a filter element arranged at least partially in the pump sump, and a nozzle unit arranged on the pump sump. The nozzle unit produces an annular flow between the pump sump and the filter element in order to remove dirt from the filter element, with the annular flow flowing around the filter element only in one direction of flow.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A water-using household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, said water-using household appliance comprising: a pump sump; a filter element arranged at least partially in the pump sump; and a nozzle unit arranged on the pump sump, said nozzle unit configured to produce an annular flow between the pump sump and the filter element in order to remove dirt from the filter element, with the annular flow flowing around the filter element only in one direction of flow.

17. The water-using household appliance of claim 16, wherein the filter element comprises a tubular microfilter having a microfilter inner side to enclose an inner compartment of the microfilter, and a microfilter outer side, said nozzle unit configured to produce the annular flow around the microfilter outer side, so that dirt is removed from the microfilter inner side to the inner compartment.

18. The water-using household appliance of claim 17, further comprising a drain pump configured to suck out washing liquor together with dirt directly from the inner compartment.

19. The water-using household appliance of claim 16, wherein the pump sump has a side wall which surrounds the filter element, so that an annular gap is formed between the filter element and the side wall.

20. The water-using household appliance of claim 19, wherein the nozzle unit comprises a first nozzle section which projects from above into the annular gap.

21. The water-using household appliance of claim 20, wherein the nozzle unit comprises a second nozzle section, onto which the first nozzle section is integrally molded and which extends away from the annular gap.

22. The water-using household appliance of claim 20, wherein the first nozzle section is curved around the filter element.

23. The water-using household appliance of claim 16, further comprising a water switch configured to interrupt a supply of fluid to the nozzle unit and thereby interrupt the annular flow.

24. The water-using household appliance of claim 23, further comprising a spray device for spraying fluid into an interior of the household appliance, said water switch interrupting and/or controlling a supply of fluid to the spray device.

25. The water-using household appliance of claim 24, wherein the spray device is a member selected from the group consisting of a spray arm, two spray arms, a ceiling spray device, and any combination thereof.

26. A method for operating a water-using household device, comprising producing with a nozzle unit an annular flow between a pump sump and a filter element of the water-using household device such that the annular flow flows around the filter element only in one direction of flow to thereby remove dirt from the filter element.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the annular flow is produced for a time period between 20 and 240 seconds.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the annular flow is produced for a time period between 40 and 220 seconds.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the annular flow is produced for a time period between 60 and 180 seconds.

30. The method of claim 26, further comprising: performing a first wash cycle for circulating washing liquor within the water-using household device, and performing after the first wash cycle a first suction removal of washing liquor together with dirt with a drain pump,

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the annular flow is produced during the first wash cycle, in particular at an end of the first wash cycle.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising: performing after the first suction removal a second wash cycle for circulating washing liquor within the water-using household appliance, and performing after the second wash cycle a second suction removal of washing liquor together with dirt with the drain pump, wherein the annular flow is produced during the second wash cycle.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the annular flow is produced at an end of the second wash cycle.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein the annular flow is produced during a suction removal of washing liquor together with dirt with a drain pump.

35. The method of claim 26, further comprising switching a water switch to actuate the annular flow.

Description

[0033] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention form the subject matter of the subclaims and of the exemplary embodiments of the invention that are described below. The invention is described below in greater detail on the basis of preferred forms of embodiment with reference to the attached figures.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a water-using household appliance;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows, seen in a schematic top view, a first embodiment of a base arrangement of the water-using household appliance according to FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows, seen in a schematic top view, a second embodiment of a base arrangement of the water-using household appliance according to FIG. 1; and

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a washing process for the water-using household appliance according to FIG. 1.

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

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a water-using household appliance 1, in particular a household dishwasher. The household appliance 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 facility 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 can be arranged in a housing of the household appliance 1. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 can form a dishwasher interior 4 for washing items to be washed.

[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 plate 7, a ceiling 8 arranged opposite the base plate 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The base plate 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be manufactured from a sheet steel, for instance. In particular, the base plate 7 can be manufactured from a different material to that of the ceiling 8 and the side walls 10, 11, for instance. For instance, the base plate 7 can be manufactured from the material 1.4301, the ceiling 8 and the side walls 10, 11 from the material 1.4016 and the rear wall 9 likewise from the material 1.4016. It is furthermore possible for the base plate 7 to be made from a plastic material.

[0041] The household appliance 1 further has a base arrangement 12 provided on the base plate 7. The household appliance 1 furthermore has at least one receptacle for items to be washed 13 to 15. A number of, for instance three, receptacles for items to be washed 13 to 15 can preferably be provided, wherein the receptacle for items to be washed 13 can be a lower receptacle for items to be washed or a bottom basket, the receptacle for items to be washed 14 can be an upper receptacle for items to be washed or an upper basket and the receptacle for items to be washed 15 can be a cutlery drawer. As also shown in FIG. 1, the receptacles for items to be washed 13 to 15 are arranged one above the other in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each receptacle for items to be washed 13 to 15 can optionally be moved in or out of the dishwasher cavity 2. Each receptacle for items to be washed 13 to 15 can be inserted into the dishwasher cavity 2 in an insertion direction E and extracted from the dishwasher cavity 2 in an extraction direction A opposite to the insertion direction E.

[0042] Furthermore, a ceiling spray device 16 is provided on the ceiling 6, and is designed to spray washing liquor in the dishwasher interior 4. A spray arm 38 (in this case also referred to as the first spray arm) is further provided between the base plate 7 and the receptacle for items to be washed 13. The spray arm 38 is rotatably connected to the base plate 7 and/or the base arrangement 12 and is designed to spray washing liquor in the dishwasher interior 4. In addition, a spray arm 39 (in this case also referred to as the second spray arm) is provided, and is rotatably connected to an underside of the receptacle for items to be washed 14 and is designed to spray washing liquor in the dishwasher interior 4.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the base arrangement 12 of the household appliance 1 seen from a schematic top view. The base arrangement 12 comprises a pump sump 17, a filter element 18 at least partially arranged in the pump sump 17, and a nozzle unit 19 which is arranged at least partially between the pump sump 17 and the filter element 18, wherein the nozzle unit 19 is designed to produce an annular flow 20 between a side wall 21 of the pump sump 17 and the filter element 18 in order to remove dirt from the filter element 18, said flow flowing only in one direction of flow R around the filter element 18.

[0044] The pump sump 17 can be embodied as integral, in particular made from a single piece of material, with the dishwasher cavity 2, in particular with the base plate 7. In this case the side wall 21 extends in a depth direction z, which points from the ceiling 8 (see FIG. 1) perpendicularly downward to the base plate 7 (see FIG. 1). The direction of flow R furthermore runs perpendicular to the depth direction z and for example anti-clockwise in the top view. Alternatively the direction of flow R can run clockwise seen in the top view. Integrally molded onto the side wall 21 is a base wall 22 which preferably runs substantially perpendicular to the side wall 21 and on which the filter element 18 stands. The side wall 21 and the base wall 22 form a filter receptacle for the pump sump 17.

[0045] The filter element 18 comprises a microfilter 23 which is embodied as tubular, a microfilter inner side 25 enclosing an inner compartment 24 of the microfilter 23, and has a microfilter outer side 26, wherein the nozzle unit 19 is designed to produce the annular flow 20 around the microfilter outer side 26, so that the dirt is removed from the microfilter inner side 25 to the inner compartment 24. The base arrangement 12 further comprises a drain pump 27, which is designed to suck washing liquor together with dirt directly out of the inner compartment 24. An opening 28 of the pump sump 17 arranged underneath the inner compartment 24 is provided for this, and faces the inner compartment 24 and is fluidically connected to the drain pump 27 with the help of a fluid channel (not shown) arranged underneath the opening 28.

[0046] The side wall 21 surrounds the filter element 18 such that an annular gap 29 is formed between the filter element 18 and the side wall 21. The side wall 21 in this case has, seen from the top view, an angular shape, wherein the side wall 21 has rounded and flattened wall sections. Alternatively, the side wall 21 could, seen in the top view, have no corners and for example have a circular or oval contour.

[0047] The nozzle unit 19 comprises a first nozzle section 30 which projects from above into the annular gap 29 and has a fluid outlet opening 32, from which a jet of fluid leaves the nozzle unit 19 to form the annular flow 20. The nozzle unit 19 additionally has a second nozzle section 31, on which the first nozzle section 30 is integrally molded, wherein the second nozzle section 31 extends away from the annular gap 29. Preferably only fluid outlet openings 32 are provided on the nozzle unit 19, each of which is designed to form or to ensure a fluid outlet running substantially tangentially to the annular shape of the microfilter 23. In other words, for example, no fluid outlet opening is provided on the nozzle unit 19, which forms a fluid outlet direct to the inner compartment 24.

[0048] The base arrangement 12 further comprises a water switch 33, which is designed to interrupt a supply of fluid to the nozzle unit 19, so that the annular flow 20 is interrupted. The water switch 33 is further designed to interrupt and/or control a supply of fluid to the spray arm 38 (see FIG. 1) and/or the spray arm 39 (see FIG. 1) and/or the ceiling spray device 16 (see FIG. 1). The pump sump 17 further comprises a first opening 34, with the help of which the ceiling spray device 16 is supplied with washing liquor, and/or a second opening 35, with the help of which the spray arm 39 is supplied with washing liquor, and/or a third opening 36, with the help of which the spray arm 38 is supplied with washing liquor.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the base arrangement 12 of the household device 1 seen from a schematic top view. In contrast to FIG. 2, the first nozzle section 30 is curved around the filter element 18. In this case a wall 37 of the first nozzle section 30 faces the filter element 18 and is adapted to the tubular shape of the microfilter 23. The advantage of this is that the first nozzle section 30 fits perfectly into the annular gap 29, since the first nozzle section 30 follows at least partially the course of the annular gap 29.

[0050] For example, the first nozzle section 30 extends out of the annular gap 29 counter to the depth direction z and merges into the second nozzle section 31, which extends to the water switch 33. In this case the second nozzle section 31 extends substantially perpendicular to the depth direction z.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary spray process 40 for the water-using household appliance 1 according to FIG. 1. In this case an amount of washing liquor M, which is circulated in a washing circuit of the household appliance 1 by means of a circulation pump (not shown) of the pump sump 17, is plotted over a time t, during which the washing process 40 runs.

[0052] The washing process 40 starts at a time point t0. The amount of washing liquor M is increased by means of a supply of fresh water between the time point t0 and a time point t1. A pre-wash cycle 41 is started between the time points t1 and t2. The drain pump 27 is activated between the time point t2 and a time point t3 and as a result the amount of washing liquor M decreases. The amount of washing liquor M is then increased until a time point t4 and a wash cycle 42 (also referred to here as the first wash cycle) is started, which is performed until the time point t6. Washing liquor circulates within the water-using household appliance 1 during the wash cycle 42. The circulating (or circulation) is carried out with the help of the circulation pump. The drain pump 27 is activated between the time point t6 and t7 and washing liquor is for example substantially completely or partially pumped out. This can be referred to as suction removal 45 (also referred to here as the first suction removal).

[0053] Fresh water is supplied to the household appliance 1 between the time point t7 and a time point t8 and as a result the amount of washing liquor M is increased, wherein a further wash cycle 43 (also referred to here as the second wash cycle) is started at the time point t8 and is performed until a time point t10. The drain pump 27 is activated between the time point t10 and a time point t11 and washing liquor is for example substantially completely or partially pumped out. This can be referred to as suction removal 46 (also referred to here as the second suction removal), wherein washing liquor together with dirt is sucked out with the help of the drain pump 27. Fresh water is supplied to the household appliance 1 between the time point t11 and a time point t12 and as a result the amount of washing liquor M is again increased, wherein a rinse cycle 44 is started at the time point t12 and is performed until a time point t14. The drain pump 27 is activated between the time point t14 and a time point t15 and washing liquor is substantially completely pumped out. This can be referred to as suction removal 47 (for example the third suction removal). The washing process 40 is terminated at the time point t15, for example. Drying cycles can of course follow on from the washing process 40.

[0054] The annular flow 20 is preferably produced during, in particular at the end of, the wash cycle 42 between a time point t5 and the time point t6 and/or the time point t7. After the suction removal 45 the wash cycle 43, in which washing liquor is circulated within the water-using household appliance 1, is performed, wherein after the wash cycle 43 the suction removal 46 of washing liquor together with dirt is performed with the help of the drain pump 27, and wherein the annular flow 20 is produced during, in particular at the end of, the second wash cycle 43 between a time point t9 and the time point t10 and/or t11. Furthermore, the annular flow 20 is for example produced during, in particular at the end of, the rinse cycle 44 between a time point t13 and the time point t14 and/or t15. Washing liquor pumped off during the suction removal 47 preferably has a higher temperature than washing liquor pumped off during the suction removal 45 or the suction removal 46. The temperature of washing liquor can be 55 C. to 65 C., in particular 58 C. or 63 C., before or during the suction removal 47. Because of the higher temperature an increased cleaning effect can be achieved on the filter element 18. Furthermore, the annular flow 20 between the time point t13 and the time point t14 or the time point t15 can be activated for longer than the annular flow 20 between the time point t5 and the time point t6 or the time point t7 and/or than the annular flow 20 between the time point t9 and the time point t10 or the time point t11.

[0055] The annular flow 20 can for example be produced for between 20 and 240 seconds, preferably for between 40 and 220 seconds and further preferably for between 60 and 180 seconds. For example the annular flow 20 is produced for 90 seconds between the time points t5 and t6 or t7. For example the annular flow 20 is produced for 90 seconds between the time points t9 and t10 or t11. For example the annular flow 20 is produced for 180 seconds between the time points t3 and t14 or t15. For example the annular flow 20 is produced during a suction removal 45, 46, 47 of washing liquor together with dirt with the help of the drain pump 27. The annular flow 20 can for example also be activated exactly once, twice, three times, four times or five times during the washing process 40, e.g. during the pre-wash cycle 41 and/or during the wash cycle 42 and/or during the wash cycle 43 and/or during the rinse cycle 44 and/or during the suction removal 45 and/or during the suction removal 46 and/or during the suction removal 47.

[0056] For example the annular flow 20 is in each case actuated with the help of a switching of the water switch 33. The amount of washing liquor M remains substantially constant during the pre-wash cycle 41, the first wash cycle 42, the second wash cycle 43 and the rinse cycle 44. The time points t0 to t15 are of course numbered in chronological order. The wash cycle 42 can be referred to as the cleaning phase and the wash cycle 43 as the intermediate washing phase. For example, the drain pump 27 and the nozzle unit 19 can be activated simultaneously in order to bring about an increased removal effect on the dirt.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in numerous different ways.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED

[0058] 1 Household appliance [0059] 2 Dishwasher cavity [0060] 3 Door [0061] 4 Dishwasher interior [0062] 5 Pivot axis [0063] 6 Loading opening [0064] 7 Base plate [0065] 8 Ceiling [0066] 9 Rear wall [0067] 10 Side wall [0068] 11 Side wall [0069] 12 Arrangement [0070] 13 Receptacle for items to be washed [0071] 14 Receptacle for items to be washed [0072] 15 Receptacle for items to be washed [0073] 16 Ceiling spray device [0074] 17 Pump sump [0075] 18 Filter element [0076] 19 Nozzle unit [0077] 20 Annular flow [0078] 21 Side wall [0079] 22 Base wall [0080] 23 Microfilter [0081] 24 Inner compartment [0082] 25 Microfilter inner side [0083] 26 Microfilter outer side [0084] 27 Drain pump [0085] 28 Opening [0086] 29 Annular gap [0087] 30 Nozzle section [0088] 31 Nozzle section [0089] 32 Fluid outlet opening [0090] 33 Water switch [0091] 34 Opening [0092] 35 Opening [0093] 36 Opening [0094] 37 Wall [0095] 38 Spray arm [0096] 39 Spray arm [0097] 40 Washing process [0098] 41 Pre-wash process [0099] 42 Wash cycle [0100] 43 Wash cycle [0101] 44 Rinse cycle [0102] 45 Suction removal [0103] 46 Suction removal [0104] 47 Suction removal [0105] A Extraction direction [0106] E Insertion direction [0107] R Direction of flow [0108] M Amount of washing liquor [0109] t Time [0110] t0 Time point [0111] t1 Time point [0112] t2 Time point [0113] t3 Time point [0114] t4 Time point [0115] t5 Time point [0116] t6 Time point [0117] t7 Time point [0118] t8 Time point [0119] t9 Time point [0120] t10 Time point [0121] t11 Time point [0122] t13 Time point [0123] t14 Time point [0124] t15 Time point [0125] z Depth direction