IMPROVED ROTATING SPRAY ARM AND DISHWASHER HAVING THE SAME

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotating spray arm for use in a dishwasher. The rotating spray arm comprises a main body, an inlet port for receiving wash liquor, a channel inside the main body for conducting the wash liquor, an outlet port for discharging the wash liquor, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port open both into the channel and a mounting means for rotatably and releasably mounting the main body into the tub of the dishwasher.

Claims

1. A rotating spray arm for use in a dishwasher comprising a tub, the rotating spray arm comprising a main body, an inlet port for receiving wash liquor, a channel inside the main body for conducting the wash liquor, an outlet port for discharging the wash liquor, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port open both into the channel and a mounting means for rotatably and releasably mounting the main body into the tub, characterized in that an openable/closable aperture for flushing out the channel and said ports with tap water, wherein the aperture opens into the channel and an opening/closing means for manually and leak-tightly opening/closing the aperture.

2. The rotating spray arm according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening/closing means comprising a releasable closure cap for leak-tightly opening/closing the aperture, wherein the closure cap has a bayonet connector, and the aperture has a counterpart bayonet connector which locks with or unlocks from the bayonet connector upon rotation.

3. The rotating spray arm according to claim 2, characterized in that the bayonet connector comprising two diametrically opposed projections which are disposed on the closure cap, and the counterpart bayonet connector has two diametrically opposed matching recesses which are disposed in the periphery of the aperture, wherein the projections respectively fit through the recesses in the unlocked state. and the catch from below the periphery of the aperture in the locked state.

4. The rotating spray arm according to claim 2, characterized in that the closure cap has a flange for seating around the periphery of the aperture and a plug for fitting into the aperture.

5. The rotating spray arm according to claim 2, characterized in that the closure cap has grip for holding with the fingers.

6. The rotating spray arm according to claim 5, characterized in that the grip has a semicircular shape.

7. The rotating spray arm according to any one of claim 2, characterized in that the closure cap is moulded as a single piece.

8. The rotating spray arm according to claim 2, characterized in that a gasket disposed between the closure cap and the periphery of the aperture.

9. The rotating spray arm according to claim 1, characterized in that the aperture is disposed in close proximity to the tip of the main body.

10. The rotating spray arm according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body has an upper side and a lower side, wherein the inlet port and the aperture are disposed onto the upper side.

11. The rotating spray arm according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body has a hub, wherein the mounting means and the inlet port are disposed onto the hub.

12. The rotating spray arm according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body extends in diametrically opposed radial directions.

13. The rotating spray arm according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet port has one or more than one nozzles.

14. A dishwasher comprising a tub, characterized in that one or more than one rotating spray arm as defined in claim 1, wherein each rotating spray arm is rotatably mounted into the tub.

Description

[0012] Additional advantages of the rotating spray arm and the dishwasher of the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1—is a schematic perspective view of a dishwasher which has rotating spray arms according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2—is a schematic perspective view of a rotating spray arm according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to closing the aperture with a closure cap;

[0015] FIG. 3—is another schematic perspective view of the rotating spray arm according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to closing the aperture with the closure cap;

[0016] FIG. 4—is a schematic enlarged partial perspective view of the rotating spray arm according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to closing the aperture with the closure cap;

[0017] FIG. 5—is a schematic enlarged partial perspective view of the rotating spray arm according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to rotating the closure cap from the unlocked state to the locked state;

[0018] FIG. 6—is a schematic enlarged partial perspective view of the rotating spray arm according to an embodiment of the present invention, after having rotated the closure cap to the locked state;

[0019] FIG. 7—is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the closure cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

[0021] 1. Rotating spray arm

[0022] 2. Dishwasher

[0023] 3. Main body

[0024] 4. Inlet port

[0025] 5. Channel

[0026] 6. Outlet port

[0027] 7. Mounting means

[0028] 8. Aperture

[0029] 9. Opening/closing means

[0030] 10. Closure cap

[0031] 11. Connector

[0032] 12. Connector

[0033] 13. Projection

[0034] 14. Recess

[0035] 15. Flange

[0036] 16. Plug

[0037] 17. Grip

[0038] 18. Hub

[0039] The rotating spray arm (1) is suitable for use in a dishwasher (2).

[0040] The rotating spray arm (1) comprises a main body (3), an inlet port (4) for receiving wash liquor, a channel (5) inside the main body (3) for conducting the wash liquor, an outlet port (6) for discharging the wash liquor, wherein the inlet port (4) and the outlet port (6) open both into the channel (5) and a mounting means (7) for rotatably and releasably mounting the main body (3) into the tub (not shown) of the dishwasher (2).

[0041] The rotating spray arm (1) of the present invention comprises an openable/closable aperture (8) for flushing out the channel (5) and said ports (4,6) with tap water or detergent containing water, wherein the aperture (8) opens into the channel (5) and an opening/closing means (9) for manually and leak-tightly opening/closing the aperture (8).

[0042] The dishwasher (2) of the present invention comprises a tub, and one or more than one rotating spray arm (1) which is rotatably mounted into the tub.

[0043] In an embodiment, the opening/closing means (9) comprises a releasable closure cap (10) for manually and leak-tightly opening/closing the aperture (8). In this embodiment, the closure cap (10) has a bayonet connector (11). And the aperture (8) has a counterpart bayonet connector (12) which locks with or unlocks from the bayonet connector (11) upon rotation.

[0044] In another embodiment, the bayonet connector (11) comprises two diametrically opposed projections (13) which are disposed on the closure cap (10). And the counterpart bayonet connector (12) has two diametrically opposed matching recesses (14) which are disposed in the periphery of the aperture (8). The projections (13) respectively fit through the recesses (14) in the unlocked state, and the catch from below the periphery of the aperture (8) in the locked state.

[0045] In alternative embodiments, the closure cap (10) and the aperture (8) are releasably connectable respectively via a threaded connection, a snap-fit connection or a press fit connection instead of the above-described bayonet connection.

[0046] In another embodiment, the closure cap (10) has a flange (15) for seating onto the periphery of the aperture (8). In this embodiment the closure cap (10) also has a plug (16) for fitting into the aperture (8). In this embodiment, the projections (13) are disposed onto the underside of the plug (16).

[0047] In another embodiment, the closure cap (10) has a grip (17) for holding with the fingers.

[0048] In another embodiment, the grip (17) has a semicircular shape.

[0049] In another embodiment, that the closure cap (10) is moulded as a single piece from plastic material (FIG. 1 to 7). Alternatively the closure cap (10) can be manufactured from metal.

[0050] In another embodiment, the rotating spray arm (1) has a gasket (not shown) which is disposed between the closure cap (10) and the periphery of the aperture (8).

[0051] In another embodiment, the aperture (8) is disposed in close proximity to the tip of the main body (3).

[0052] In another embodiment, the main body (3) has an upper side and a lower side. In this embodiment, the inlet port (4) and the aperture (8) are disposed onto the upper side.

[0053] In another embodiment, the main body (3) has a hub (18). In this embodiment, the mounting means (7) and the inlet port (4) are disposed onto the hub (18).

[0054] In another embodiment, the main body (3) extends in diametrically opposed radial directions with respect to the rotation axis of hub (18).

[0055] In another embodiment, the outlet port (6) has one or more than one nozzles (not shown).

[0056] With the present invention, the user has been enabled to flush out the dirt and soil inside the rotating spray arms (1) through the openable/closable aperture (8). Thereby, the user can easily increase the cleanliness and recover the cleaning performance of the dishwasher (2) in the event of clogging. With the present invention, the customer satisfaction can be increased.