A WASHING UNIT FOR DISHWASHERS
20250302271 ยท 2025-10-02
Inventors
- Thirugnannasambandham Venkatesan (Bangalore, IN)
- Satheesh Sivasankar (Bangalore, IN)
- Ashish Gupta (Bangalore, IN)
Cpc classification
A47L15/4248
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A47L15/4259
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A47L15/4293
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
The invention relates to a washing unit for dishwashers. The washing unit includes a chamber positioned within a cavity on an outer surface of a dishwasher in one or more ways. The chamber is configured to operate independently from the dishwasher. The chamber includes a plurality of spray nozzles affixed at pre-defined positions within the chamber. The plurality of spray nozzles is configured for spraying water of a pre-defined temperature based on a user requirement. The washing unit further includes a lid coupled to the chamber via an opening mechanism, configured for accessing the chamber. The opening mechanism include one of a push-pull latch mechanism, a sliding mechanism, a roller-based mechanism, and a link mechanism.
Claims
1. A washing unit for dishwashers, the washing unit comprising: a chamber positioned within a cavity on an outer surface of a dishwasher in one or more ways, wherein the chamber is configured to operate independently from the dishwasher, and wherein the chamber comprising: a plurality of spray nozzles affixed at pre-defined positions within the chamber, wherein each of the plurality of spray nozzles is configured for spraying water of a pre-defined temperature based on a user requirement; and a lid coupled to the chamber via an opening mechanism, configured for accessing the chamber, wherein the opening mechanism comprises one of a push-pull latch mechanism, a sliding mechanism, a roller-based mechanism, and a link mechanism.
2. The washing unit of claim 1, further comprising a communication system, wherein the communication system comprising: an interactive interface comprising a set of buttons for performing one or more actions; and a communication module for sending messages to a user device and receiving commands via the user device.
3. The washing unit of claim 2, wherein the set of buttons comprises a power button, a cycle selection button, an item type selection button, a control button, a timer button, a temperature selection button, and a sterilization button.
4. The washing unit of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprising a dispensing mechanism configured for dispensing a cleaning agent, and wherein the chamber is configured for washing items of a pre-defined size.
5. The washing unit of claim 4, wherein the chamber comprises a plurality of compartments configured for storing different types of the items during a cleaning cycle.
6. The washing unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more ways of positioning the chamber within the cavity comprises incorporating the chamber within a cavity created in a front wall of a door unit of the dishwasher, incorporating the chamber within a cavity created on one of a side wall of the door unit, incorporating the chamber within a cavity created on a bottom area of the dishwasher, and incorporating the chamber within a cavity created on a top area of the dishwasher.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008]
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
[0013] Referring now to
[0014] Further, the washing unit 102 may include a chamber (not shown). The chamber may be constructed using materials such as, stainless steel, plastic, composite of plastic and metal, etc. The chamber may be positioned within a cavity on the outer surface of the dishwasher 100 in one or more ways. This is further explained in detail in conjunction with
[0015] The chamber may further include a plurality of spray nozzles affixed at pre-defined positions. For example, the plurality of spray nozzles may correspond to a set of eight spray nozzles. Further, each side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall of the chamber may include two spray nozzles of the set of eight spray nozzles. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of spray nozzles may be configured for spraying water of a pre-defined temperature based on the user requirement. For example, based on a cleaning cycle selected by the user, each of the plurality of spray nozzles may spray water of the pre-defined temperature. The cleaning cycle, for example, may be a normal cycle, a heavy-duty cycle, a quick wash cycle, and the like. In another embodiment, the user may be able to set a temperature of the water. Further, a surface of the bottom wall of the chamber may include a filter. The filter may be configured to collect debris which comes out from the items.
[0016] The washing unit 102 may further include a lid 104. As depicted in present
[0017] The chamber may further include a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a cleaning agent (e.g., liquid detergent, washing tablet, rinse agent, sterilizing agent etc.). The dispensing mechanism may be a washing compartment. The washing compartment may further include a set of sections (for example: three sections). Further, a section of the set of sections may be configured to store one of the cleaning agent, the rinse agent, or the sterilizing agent. In one embodiment, the washing compartment may be coupled to the top wall within an inner periphery of the chamber near the two spray nozzles present on the top wall. In some embodiments, the washing compartment may be mounted on an inner surface of the lid 104.
[0018] Further, the washing unit 102 may include a communication system. The communication system may include an interactive interface 110. The interactive interface 110 may be used by the user to operate the washing unit 102. It should be noted that the washing unit 102 may be operable without the dishwasher 100. In other words, the user may be able to operate the washing unit without the need for operating the dishwasher 100. In some embodiments, the user may operate the washing unit 102 parallelly along with the dishwasher 100.
[0019] As depicted via the present
[0020] In some embodiments, the communication system may further include a communication module. The communication module may be configured for sending messages to a user device or receiving commands via the user device. The user device may include, for example, but are not limited to, smartphone, tablet, netbook, and the like. In other words, the user may be able to operate the washing unit 102 via the user device. For example, once the user may have loaded the washing unit 102 with the items for the cleaning cycle, then the user may be able to start the cleaning cycle based on their requirement via an application installed on the user device. In other words, the user may be able to perform one or more actions via the application installed on the user device.
[0021] As will be appreciated, the washing unit 102 may be configured to use hydraulic components of the dishwasher 100. In some embodiments, the washing unit 102 may have its own hydraulic components and will not use the hydraulic components of the dishwater 100. The hydraulic components may include a water pump, a water inlet port, a drain pump, water level sensors, etc. The water pump may be configured to draw water from a water source (e.g., a water tap) via a water inlet hose that is controlled via a water inlet valve to wash the items within the washing unit 102. The drain pump may be configured to discharge dirty water after completion of the cleaning cycle from the washing unit 102 through a drain hose. Further, the washing unit 102 may include a drying mechanism to dry the items after each cleaning cycle. The drying mechanisms may include, for example, but are not limited to, heated air drying, condensation drying, fan-assisted drying, zeolite drying, electric heating elements, evaporation, etc.
[0022] Referring now to
[0023] In present
[0024] Further, the chamber 202 may be positioned within on the outer surface of the dishwasher 100 in one or more ways. The one or more ways may include, but are not limited to, incorporating the chamber 202 within a cavity created in the front wall 106-2 of the door unit 106 of the dishwasher 100, incorporating the chamber 202 within a cavity created on one of a side wall of the door unit 106-2, incorporating the chamber 202 on a bottom area of the dishwasher 100, and incorporating the chamber 202 on a top area of the dishwasher 100. In present
[0025] It should be noted that washing unit 102 including the chamber 202 and the lid 104 may be incorporated into the cavity 204 such that the lid 104 of the washing unit 102 may be in-line with the front wall 106-2 of the door unit 106. Further, as depicted via present
[0026] As will be appreciated, the pre-defined temperature may be set as per the cleaning cycle. In other words, the plurality of spray nozzles may be configured for spraying cold water, hot water, normal water, etc. as per the user requirements. Further, the chamber 202 may include the dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism may be configured for dispensing the cleaning agent (e.g., liquid detergent, washing tablet, rinse agent, sterilizing agent, etc.). The dispensing mechanism may be the washing compartment configured for storing the cleaning agent. The washing compartment may further include the set of sections, e.g., three sections. Further, the section of the set of sections may store one of the cleaning agent, the rinse agent, or the sterilizing agent. In some embodiments, the washing compartment may be coupled to the top wall within the inner periphery of the chamber 202. In another embodiment, the washing compartment may be mounted on the inner surface of the lid 104. Further, as depicted via the present
[0027] By way of an example, consider a scenario where the user wants to wash small size snacking plates (e.g., five snacking plates each of size of 6 inches in diameter) quickly without waiting for a full load capacity of the dishwasher 100. For this, initially, the user may place the five snacking plates within a corresponding shelf (e.g., a plate shelf) present within the chamber 202. In order to place the five snacking plates, the user may unlock the lid 104 by pulling the lid 104 via the handle and place the five snacking plates into the plate shelf for washing. Then, the user may push the lid 104 to lock the lid 104 for washing. Further, the user may turn on the power and select the cleaning cycle (e.g., the normal cycle), adjust the timing for the cleaning cycle (e.g., 10 minutes), the temperature of the water (e.g., 45 degrees Celsius) etc. through the set of buttons present on the interactive interface 110. In some embodiments, the timing and the temperature may be automatically adjusted as per the cleaning cycle selected by the user. Further, the user may adjust the timing and the temperature to personalize the cleaning cycle. Once the cleaning cycle is complete, the user may remove the five snacking plates from the chamber 202 for usage. In an embodiment, once the cleaning cycle is complete, an indication (e.g., a musical tone) may be generated to notify the user about completion of the cleaning cycle.
[0028] In some embodiments, once the user may have loaded the chamber 202 with the five snacking plates, the user may initiate the cleaning process via the application installed within the user device. Further, the user may be indicated via a message (e.g., a text message or an audio message) on the user device. As will be appreciated, in addition to operating the washing unit 102 via the user device, the user may be able to operate the dishwasher 100 independently or along with the washing unit 102 based on their requirement via the application installed within the user device 102. It should be noted that washing unit 102 and the dishwasher 100 may interact with the user device via a communication network.
[0029] Referring now to
[0030] As depicted via an isometric view 300A of
[0031] Further, as depicted via an isometric view 300B of
[0032] Further, as depicted via an isometric view 300C of
[0033] As depicted via an isometric view 300D of
[0034] As depicted via an isometric view 300E of
[0035] Referring now to
[0036] A pictorial depiction 400A of
[0037] A pictorial depiction 400B of
[0038] A pictorial depiction 400C and 400D of
[0039] A pictorial depiction 400E and 400F of
[0040] Various embodiments provide a washing unit for dishwashers. The disclosed washing unit may include a chamber positioned within a cavity on an outer surface of a dishwasher in one or more ways. The chamber may be configured to operate independently from the dishwasher. The chamber may further include a plurality of spray nozzles affixed at pre-defined positions within the chamber. Each of the plurality of spray nozzles may be configured for spraying water of a pre-defined temperature based on a user requirement. The disclosed washing unit may include a lid coupled to the chamber via an opening mechanism, configured for accessing the chamber. The opening mechanism may be one of a push-pull latch mechanism, a sliding mechanism, a roller-based mechanism, and a link mechanism.
[0041] Thus, the present disclosure may overcome drawbacks of traditional dishwashers that are designed to function at maximum capacity for a lengthy cleaning cycle duration. The present disclosure discloses a washing unit for the dishwashers that may cater to problems associated with the existing dishwashers. The disclosed washing unit may be integrated within a dishwasher. The washing unit may be configured to operate independently without the need to operate the dishwasher by taking advantage of existing hydraulic components of the dishwasher. The disclosed washing unit may be used to wash or sterilize frequently used kitchenware items, e.g., mugs, drinking glasses, bowls, and other similar items, independently without the need to operate the dishwasher. In addition to washing these types of the items, the washing unit may be used for washing and sterilizing baby products (e.g., feeding bottles, small toy items, pacifiers, breast pumps, etc.), pet items (e.g., pet feeding utensils, pet toys, etc.), and the like. Furthermore, the disclosed washing unit may be used to rinse raw vegetables and fruits to remove pesticides, residues, micro-organisms from a surface of these raw vegetables and fruits. The disclosed washing unit may enable users to quickly wash these small items, such as the frequently used kitchenware items, baby products, pet items, and the like, in less time, hence providing flexibility to the users to wash these small items with minimal load as per their convenience at any time. Further, the disclosed washing unit may be efficient in terms of energy and water consumption. Additionally, the disclosed washing unit includes an inbuilt AI assistance that may provide provision to the users to operate the washing unit based on their requirement at any time via their user devices (e.g., a smartphone).
[0042] Although the present invention has been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in accordance with the invention.
[0043] Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or process steps may be implemented by, for example, a single unit. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. Also, the inclusion of a feature in one category of claims does not imply a limitation to this category, but rather the feature may be equally applicable to other claim categories, as appropriate.