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(11) | EP 1 728 461 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Household dishwasher with a water distribution chamber |
| (57) Household dishwasher comprising a washing container (2) having in its interior at
least two spray devices (3,4) to direct water to the interior of said washing container
(2), also comprising a water distribution chamber (5) integrated into the bottom part
of the base (2a) of the washing container (2), said water distribution chamber (5)
comprising at least two outlet conduits (6,7) connected to their respective spray
devices (3,4), an inlet conduit (8) from where the water accesses to the interior
of the water distribution chamber (5), and an opening (9). The dishwasher (1) also
comprises an interchangeable coupling (10) that seals the opening (9) of the water
distribution chamber (5) hermetically.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention refers to household dishwashers, and more particularly to household dishwashers comprising a washing container with at least two spray devices inside to direct water to the interior of said washing container.
PRIOR ART
[0002] In household dishwashers comprising two spray devices, water is directed into the interior of the washing container by means of said spray devices fed with water delivered by a circulation pump. Dishwasher models exist where the two spray devices are simultaneously fed at any time. There are also dishwasher models comprising distribution means through which water access to one of the spray devices can be opened or closed. Finally, dishwasher models exist that allow the two spray devices to be alternately fed.
[0003] EP 1137362 B1 discloses a household dishwasher where the two spray devices can be alternately fed. Said dishwasher comprises a chamber that includes at least two outlet conduits connected with their respective spray devices, and an inlet conduit from where water accesses to the interior of said chamber. The dishwasher comprises in the interior of the distribution chamber a water distributor comprising a motorized rotary shutter able to close the two outlet conduits alternately. The chamber also comprises in its interior a tubular resistor in direct contact with the water. During assembly, said chamber is assembled to the base of the washing container.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The main object of the invention is to provide a household dishwasher that is easily adaptable to the different types of water distribution to the spray devices.
[0005] The household dishwasher of the invention comprises a washing container with at least two spray devices inside that direct water to the interior of said washing container, and a water distribution chamber. The water distribution chamber comprises at least two outlet conduits connected with the respective spray devices, and an inlet conduit from where water accesses to the interior of said chamber.
[0006] The water distribution chamber is integrated into the bottom part of the base of the washing container forming one piece with said base and comprises an opening. The dishwasher also comprises an interchangeable coupling that seals the distribution chamber hermetically. This coupling can be selected from at least two different types of couplings so that, depending on the type of coupling selected, a different type of water distribution is established, the distribution chamber being the same regardless of the type of water distribution.
[0007] Therefore, depending on the type of coupling used, the spray devices are fed simultaneously at all times, or the access to one of the spray devices can be opened or closed, or the spray devices can be alternately fed.
[0008] In this way the manufacturing process for dishwashers can be standardized, as only the coupling has to be changed depending on the type of dishwasher that is being assembled, thus facilitating the assembly process and reducing costs. On the other hand, optimization of the use of space is also achieved.
[0009] These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be made evident in the light of the drawings and the detailed description of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of the washing container of the embodiment of FIG.1, where the coupling has been removed.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of the washing container of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with a first embodiment of the coupling.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view in cross section of the water distribution chamber and the coupling of the embodiment of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the coupling of the embodiment of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base of the washing container of FIG. 1 with a second embodiment of the coupling.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view in cross section of the water distribution chamber and the coupling of the embodiment of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a cross section of the water distribution chamber and the coupling of the embodiment of FIG. 3 with heating means in the water distribution chamber.
FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the water distribution chamber and the coupling of the embodiment of FIG. 3 with heating means in the coupling.
FIG. 10 is a cross section of the water distribution chamber with a third embodiment of the coupling with heating means in the coupling.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 1, the dishwasher 1 comprises a washing container 2 having in its interior two spray devices 3 and 4 to direct water to the interior of said washing container 2, and a water distribution chamber 5. Said chamber comprises two outlet conduits 6 and 7 connected with the respective spray devices 3 and 4, and an inlet conduit 8 from where the water accesses to the interior of the chamber 5 from the recirculation pump 60, therefore distributing the water that arrives from the inlet conduit 8 through the outlet conduits 6 and 7.
[0012] As can be observed in figure 2, compartment 5 is integrated into the lower part of the base 2a of the washing container 2 forming one piece with said base 2a. Said chamber 5 comprises an opening 9. In this embodiment, the chamber 5 comprises a substantially cylindrical profile 11 joined to the base of the washing container 2. The outlet conduits 6 and 7 leave from the area enclosed by the end of said profile 11 joined to the base 2a of the washing container 2, the inlet conduit 8 passes through said profile 11 and the free end of said profile 11 delimits opening 9.
[0013] The dishwasher 1 also comprises an interchangeable coupling 10 that makes opening 9 of chamber 5 watertight. For assembling a dishwasher 1 that comprises passive water distribution, i.e. where the two spray devices 3 and 4 are simultaneously fed at all times, a coupling 10 that simply comprises a cover 36 will be used, as is the case in the embodiment shown in figure 10. However if the intention is to assemble a dishwasher 1 where there is active distribution of water, the coupling 10 will also comprise distribution means to open and close at least one of the outlet conduits 6 and 7.
[0014] The coupling 10 of the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 comprises a cover 12 that covers opening 9, and its distribution means comprise, as can be observed in figures 4 and 5, a rotary shaft 13 that passes through said cover 12, a rotary shutter 14 joined to said rotary shaft 13 and turns together with the rotary shaft 13, and driving means 15 to make said rotary shaft 13 turn, said driving means 15 being fixed to the cover 12. By turning the rotary shaft 14 the outlet conduits 6 and 7 can be closed alternately.
[0015] The driving means 15 comprise a motor 16 connected to the rotary shaft 13 by gearing means 17. Said gearing means 17 are housed in a casing 18 fixed to the cover 12, and the motor 16 is fixed to said casing 18.
[0016] The coupling 10 of the embodiment shown in figures 6 and 7 comprises a cover 19 that covers opening 9, and its distribution means comprise an axially movable shaft 20 that passes through said cover 19, a shutter 21 joined to said shaft 20, and driving means 22 for axially moving shaft 20. Said driving means 22 are joined to the cover 19. Moving the shutter 21 axially the outlet conduit 6 can be opened or closed. The driving means 22 comprise a solenoid coil 23 fixed to the cover 19.
[0017] With reference to the heating of the water that reaches the spray devices 3 and 4, the dishwasher 1 may comprise heating means for heating said water before it reaches chamber 5. Another solution is to incorporate heating means into the set formed by chamber 5 and the coupling 10. This contributes to space saving, as it is not necessary to include heating means separated from said set.
[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, it is chamber 5 itself that contains the heating means 30 in its internal wall. Said heating means 30 comprise a heating chamber 31 that houses a resistor 32, said heating chamber 31 being in thermal contact with the interior of the water distribution chamber 5, and the walls of said heating chamber 31 being made for example from stainless steel.
[0019] Figure 8 shows an example where the heating chamber 31 is in chamber 5. Said heating chamber 31 surrounds the cylindrical profile 11 of compartment 5 from the inside in all its perimeter except the part where inlet conduit 8 is. In said example, the resistor 32 is a tubular resistor, but it may also be a thick-film resistor, or the exterior surface of the heating chamber 31 could be enamelled with a thick-film resistor film. The heating chamber 31 also comprises in its interior an insulating material 40 to protect the compartment 5 from the heating of resistor 32.
[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, it is the coupling 10 that comprises heating means 33. Said heating means 33 comprise a heating chamber 34 that houses the resistor 35 and is in thermal contact with the interior of the water distribution chamber 5.
[0021] In the example of figure 9, the heating chamber 34 is placed in the cover 12 and surrounds the interior profile of said cover 12 all around its perimeter. In this example the resistor 35 is a thick-film resistor, but it may also be a tubular resistor as is shown in the example of figure 8. The heating chamber 34 comprises an insulation material 41 in its interior.
[0022] Finally, figure 10 shows an example of the invention where there are no distribution means and therefore the coupling 10 only comprises a cover 36. Said cover 36 comprises in said example a heating chamber 37 with a resistor 38, in this case tubular but of course could be a thick-film resistor. The heating chamber 37 also comprises an insulating material 32.
a washing container (2) with at least two spray devices (3,4) in its interior to direct water to the interior of said washing container (2), and
a water distribution chamber (5), said distribution chamber (5) comprising at least two outlet conduits (6,7) connected with the respective spray devices (3,4) and an inlet conduit (8) from where the water accesses to the inside of the water distribution chamber (5), characterised in that the water distribution chamber (5) is integrated in the bottom part of the base (2a) of the washing container (2) forming one piece with said base (2a) and comprises an opening (9), the dishwasher (1) also comprising an interchangeable coupling (10) that seals the opening (9) of the water distribution chamber (5) hermetically, said coupling (10) being selectable from among at least two different types of couplings (10), so that depending on the type of coupling (10) chosen a different type of water distribution is established, the distribution chamber (5) being the same regardless of the type of water distribution.
a cover (12) that covers the opening (9), and the distribution means comprise
a rotary shaft (13) that passes through said cover (12),
a rotary shutter (14) joined to said rotary shaft (13) that turns together with the rotary shaft (13), so that the outlet conduits (6,7) can be alternately closed by turning said rotary shutter (14), and
driving means (15) for turning said, rotary shaft (13), said driving means (15) being fixed to the cover (12).
a cover (19) that covers the opening (9), and the distribution means comprise
an axially movable shaft (20) that passes through said cover (19),
a shutter (21) joined to said shaft (20), so that one of the outlet conduits (6,7) can be closed moving said shutter (21), and
driving means (22) for axially moving the shaft (20), said driving means (22) being fixed to the cover (19).
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description