DOMESTIC DISHWASHER, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A DOMESTIC DISHWASHER

Abstract

A household dishwasher includes a washing container holding a dishwasher load, and a container holding an operating material and arranged outside the washing container and accessible via an opening in an interior of the washing container when a door of the household dishwasher is open. A spray arm applies washing liquor to the dishwasher load and is actively driven by a drive entity. A detection entity is operably connected to a drive element of the drive entity for detecting an angular position of the drive element. A control device determines an angular position of the spray arm as a function of the detected angular position of the drive element and, as a function of the determined angular position of the spray arm, activates the drive entity to stop the spray arm within a predefined angular range that is outside an angular range defined by an access region of the opening.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A household dishwasher, comprising: a washing container for holding a dishwasher load; a container for holding an operating material, said container arranged outside the washing container and accessible via an opening in an interior of the washing container when a door of the household dishwasher is open; a spray arm for applying washing liquor to the dishwasher load; a drive entity for actively driving the spray arm; a detection entity operably connected to a drive element of the drive entity for detecting an angular position of the drive element; and a control device for activating the drive entity, said control device being configured to determine an angular position of the spray arm as a function of the detected angular position of the drive element and, as a function of the determined angular position of the spray arm, to activate the drive entity to stop the spray arm within a predefined angular range that is outside an angular range defined by an access region of the opening.

14. The household dishwasher of claim 13, further comprising a lid configured to close the opening.

15. The household dishwasher of claim 13, further comprising a water softening device for adjusting a water hardness of supplied water, said container comprising a salt container arranged below a bottom of the washing container for holding a stock of regeneration salt.

16. The household dishwasher of claim 13, further comprising a dishwasher loading rack, wherein the predefined angular range is specified in such a way that a longitudinal direction of the spray arm in the predefined angular range is parallel to a push-in direction of the dishwasher loading rack.

17. The household dishwasher of claim 13, further comprising a gear set arranged between the drive entity and the spray arm for power transmission, said control device being configured to determine the angular position of the spray arm as a function of a transmission ratio of the gear set.

18. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the spray arm comprises a spray arm satellite which is rotatably mounted on the spray arm, said spray arm satellite, in the predefined angular range of the spray arm, being outside the access region of the opening in any possible rotational position of the spray arm satellite.

19. The household dishwasher of claim 18, wherein the spray arm is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation, said spray arm satellite being mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation which is arranged parallel to and at a distance from the axis of rotation of the spray arm.

20. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the detection entity for detecting the angular position of the drive element comprises an optical, magnetic, electrical and/or mechanical sensor entity.

21. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the detection entity for detecting the angular position of the drive element is configured with an accuracy of 10°.

22. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the detection entity for detecting the angular position of the drive element is configured with an accuracy of 8°.

23. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the detection entity for detecting the angular position of the drive element is configured with an accuracy of 5°.

24. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the drive entity comprises an electric motor which is arranged outside the washing container.

25. The household dishwasher of claim 24, wherein the detection entity for detecting the angular position of the drive element is configured as a function of a transducer signal from a motor control of the electric motor.

26. A method for operating a household dishwasher which includes a drive entity for actively driving a spray arm for applying washing liquor to a dishwasher load in a washing container, and a container arranged outside the washing container and accessible via an opening in an interior of the washing container when the door of the household dishwasher is open, said method comprising: detecting an angular position of a drive element of the drive entity by a detection entity; determining an angular position of the spray arm as a function of the detected angular position of the drive element; and stopping the spray arm in a predefined angular range, which is outside an angular range defined by an access region of the opening, as a function of the determined angular position of the spray arm.

27. A controlled spray arm for a household dishwasher having a washing container with an access opening inside an interior of the washing container, comprising: a spray arm for applying washing liquor to a dishwasher load; a drive entity for actively driving the spray arm; a detection entity operably connected to a drive element of the drive entity for detecting an angular position of the drive element; and a control device for activating the drive entity, said control device being configured to determine an angular position of the spray arm as a function of the detected angular position of the drive element and, as a function of the determined angular position of the spray arm, to activate the drive entity to stop the spray arm within a predefined angular range that is outside an angular range defined by an access region of the access opening.

28. The controlled spray arm of claim 27, further comprising a gear set arranged between the drive entity and the spray arm for power transmission, said control device being configured to determine the angular position of the spray arm as a function of a transmission ratio of the gear set.

29. The controlled spray arm of claim 27, wherein the spray arm comprises a spray arm satellite which is rotatably mounted on the spray arm, said spray arm satellite, in the predefined angular range of the spray arm, being outside the access region of the opening in any possible rotational position of the spray arm satellite.

30. The controlled spray arm of claim 29, wherein the spray arm is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation, said spray arm satellite being mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation which is arranged parallel to and at a distance from the axis of rotation of the spray arm.

31. The controlled spray arm of claim 27, wherein the detection entity for detecting the angular position of the drive element comprises an optical, magnetic, electrical and/or mechanical sensor entity.

33. The controlled spray arm of claim 27, wherein the detection entity for detecting the angular position of the drive element is configured with an accuracy of 10°.

34. The controlled spray arm of claim 27, wherein the detection entity for detecting the angular position of the drive element is configured with an accuracy of 8°.

35. The controlled spray arm of claim 27, wherein the detection entity for detecting the angular position of the drive element is configured with an accuracy of 5°.

36. The controlled spray arm of claim 27, wherein the drive entity comprises an electric motor which is arranged outside the washing container.

37. The controlled spray arm of claim 36, wherein the detection entity for detecting the angular position of the drive element is configured as a function of a transducer signal from a motor control of the electric motor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Further advantageous developments and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims and of the exemplary embodiments described below in respect of the invention. The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to preferred embodiment variants and to the appended figures, in which:

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment variant of a household dishwasher;

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a bottom of the household dishwasher;

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the household dishwasher from the side;

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a schematic plan view of a bottom of the household dishwasher with a predefined angular range;

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a schematic plan view of a bottom of a further embodiment variant of a household dishwasher with a predefined angular range;

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a schematic plan view of a bottom of a further embodiment variant of a household dishwasher with a predefined angular range; and

[0053] FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment variant of a method for operating a household dishwasher.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0054] Identical or functionally identical elements are denoted by the same reference signs in the figures unless otherwise specified.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment variant of a household dishwasher 1. The household dishwasher 1 comprises a washing container 2 which can be closed by a door 3, in particular in a watertight manner. A sealing entity can be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2 for this purpose. The washing container 2 is preferably cuboid. The washing container 2 can be arranged in a housing of the household dishwasher 1. The washing container 2 and the door 3 can form a dishwasher interior 4 for washing a dishwasher load.

[0056] The door 3 is illustrated in its open position in FIG. 1. Closing or opening the door 3 can be achieved by swinging about a hinge axis 5 at a lower end of the door 3. A loading access 6 of the washing container 2 can be closed or opened by means of the door 3. The washing container 2 has a bottom 7, a top 8 which is arranged opposite the bottom 7, a back panel 9 which is arranged opposite the closed door 3, and two side panels 10, 11 arranged opposite each other. The bottom 7, the top 8, the back panel 9 and the side panels 10, 11 can be manufactured from a stainless steel sheet, for example. Alternatively, the bottom 7 can be manufactured from a plastic material, for example.

[0057] The household dishwasher 1 further comprises at least one dishwasher loading rack 12 to 14. A plurality of dishwasher loading racks 12 to 14 can preferably be provided, e.g. three, wherein the dishwasher loading rack 12 can be a lower dishwasher loading rack or lower basket, the dishwasher loading rack 13 can be an upper dishwasher loading rack or upper basket, and the dishwasher loading rack 14 can be a cutlery drawer. It is also evident in FIG. 1 that the dishwasher loading racks 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the washing container 2. Each dishwasher loading rack 12 to 14 can be moved into or out from the washing container 2. In particular, each dishwasher loading rack 12 to 14 can be pushed into or slid into the washing container 2 in a push-in direction E and pulled out or slid out from the washing container 2 in a pull-out direction A which is opposite to the push-in direction E.

[0058] The household dishwasher 1 further comprises a controlled spray arm which includes a spray arm 17 which is actively driven by a drive entity 19 (see FIG. 2 or 3) and is rotatably mounted on the bottom 7, in particular on a sump (not shown). Also indicated is an opening 22 which leads to e.g. a container 21 (see FIG. 2 or 3) and can be accessed from the interior of the washing container 2. Arranged on the door 3 of the household dishwasher 1 is a control device 23.

[0059] The control device 23 is configured to activate the drive entity 19 for the purpose of actively driving the spray arm 17, and therefore to control the movement of the spray arm 17. The control device 23 is preferably configured to control the household dishwasher 1, in particular in accordance with one of a number of wash programs.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the bottom 7 of the household dishwasher 1 as per FIG. 1. In addition to the elements already illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 illustrates a drive entity 19, a detection entity 20 and a container 21. The drive entity 19 and the container 21 are indicated by broken lines here because they are arranged below the bottom 7 (and therefore outside the washing container 2), this being more evident in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 also shows a drive element 19′, which takes the form of a drive shaft here. The detection entity 20 is designed as an optical transducer, for example, and is configured to detect the angular position of the drive shaft 19′. In this example, the drive shaft 19′ is directly coupled to the spray arm 17 without any further gearing, such that a change in an angular position of the spray arm 17 corresponds to a change in the angular position of the drive shaft 19′.

[0061] It can also be seen that the opening 22 in the bottom 7 is closed by a lid here. The lid extends into the interior of the washing container 2 in this case. The spray arm 17 is arranged at a distance from the bottom 7 and rotates above the lid without being obstructed. When the lid of the opening 22 has to be removed or opened, e.g. in order to load salt into the container 21, the spray arm 17 should not be stopped in a region above the opening 22, since the lid and the opening 22 would otherwise be impossible or difficult to access. Therefore the control device 23 here controls the drive entity 19 in such a way that the spray arm 17 is only stopped in a predefined angular range W1 (see FIGS. 4-6). This is achieved by means of the control device 23 determining the angular position of the spray arm 17 on the basis of the angular position of the drive element 19′ as detected by the detection device 20. For example, the angular position of the spray arm is calculated by means of a function which has the angular position of the drive element 19′ as an input variable. On the basis of the thus known angular position of the spray arm 17, the latter can be braked or stopped in such a way as to come to rest in the predefined angular range W1.

[0062] In a schematic plan view of the bottom 7 of the household dishwasher 1, FIG. 4 schematically shows a predefined angular range W1 in which the spray arm 17 is allowed to come to rest, and an angular range W2 which lies in an access region of the opening 22. The angular range W2 here is excluded from the predefined angular range W1. It can also be said that the angular ranges W1 and W2 are disjunct. For example, the predefined angular range W1 is a complete circle minus the angular range W2. Since the spray arm 17 here has an elongated shape which is point-symmetrical in relation to its center of rotation, there exists a further excluded region which lies opposite the angular range W2 shown here, for example, but is not marked because it is theoretically allowed.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows a similar view to that in FIG. 4, but with a further embodiment variant of the household dishwasher 1 having all the features of the household dishwasher 1 described in FIGS. 1-4. In addition to this, the spray arm 17 has a satellite spray arm 18 which is so mounted on the spray arm 17 as to be freely rotatable. Since the satellite spray arm 18 extends laterally beyond the spray arm 17, the predefined angular range W1 is further reduced or restricted. This ensures that the satellite spray arm 18 likewise does not project into the angular range W2 of the opening 22 and thereby obstruct access to the opening 22.

[0064] It should be noted that a plurality of prohibited angular ranges W2 may be present, e.g. if there is a plurality of openings 22 whose respective access regions are to be kept clear. In particular, an opening 22 whose access region is to be kept clear can also be arranged on one of the side panels 10, 11 (see FIG. 1) or back panel 9 (see FIG. 1) of the washing container 2.

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a schematic plan view of a bottom 7 of a further embodiment variant of a household dishwasher 1 with an open door 3 and a further predefined angular range W1. This is e.g. the household dishwasher 1 that was already described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. In FIG. 6, the predefined angular range W1 is comparatively narrow, said predefined angular range W1 comprising an angle of 20°, for example. The predefined angular range W1 in FIG. 6 is selected such that the spray arm 17 is always stopped parallel to the push-in direction E and the pull-out direction A of the dishwasher loading rack 12. This prevents a dishwasher load which protrudes downwards from the dishwasher loading rack 12 from colliding with the spray arm 17 when the dishwasher loading rack 12 is pushed into the washing container 2.

[0066] FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment variant of a method for operating a household dishwasher 1, e.g. one of the household dishwashers as per FIGS. 1-6. In a first step S1, an angular position of a drive element 19′ of the drive entity 19 is detected by means of a detection entity 20 assigned to the drive element 19′. In a second step S2, an angular position of the spray arm 17 is determined as a function of the detected angular position of the drive element 19′. In a third step S3, the spray arm 17 is stopped in a predefined angular range W1, which is outside an angular range W2 defined by an access region of the opening 22, as a function of the determined angular position of the spray arm 17.

[0067] This method is preferably performed by one of the household dishwashers 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. The stopping of the spray arm 17 as per the step S3 described above occurs e.g. if a current wash program is interrupted, e.g. if a user opens the door 3 of the household dishwasher 1 in order to add to the dishwasher load. In addition to this, the spray arm 17 is always stopped in the predefined angular range W1 when not in use.

[0068] Although the present invention is described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many different ways.