CN108720784B

CN108720784B - Dishwasher with a plurality of dispensers for dispensing cleaning agents

Info

Publication number: CN108720784B
Application number: CN201810366140.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 阿尔多·福马加利
Original assignee: Candy SpA
Current assignee: Candy SpA
Priority date: 2017-04-21
Filing date: 2018-04-23
Publication date: 2023-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-23
Also published as: RU2765141C2; RU2018114729A3; ES2913537T3; EP3391800B1; RU2018114729A; CN108720784A; IT201700044151A1; EP3391800A1

Abstract

Dishwasher (1) comprising a washing container (2), a spraying device (5, 6, 7) for spraying a washing liquid in the washing container (2), a detergent container (14) having a dispensing opening (17) for dispensing a detergent (16) into the washing container (2), and a shutter member (18) for opening and closing the dispensing opening (17), wherein the detergent container (14) is adapted to contain a total volume of detergent (16) sufficient for a plurality of washing cycles, and the dishwasher (1) further comprises dosing device (19) in communication with the dispensing opening (17), and the dosing device is actuatable by means of a dispensing actuator (20) to dose and dispense a partial volume of detergent provided for a single washing cycle during said single washing cycle.

Description

Dishwasher with a plurality of dispensers for dispensing cleaning agents

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dishwasher of the type comprising a washing container for receiving dishes to be washed, a spraying device for spraying a washing liquid onto the dishes arranged in the washing container, and a detergent container for dispensing detergent during a dish washing cycle.

Background

Known dishwashers have a detergent container formed in a dishwasher door, which can be opened and closed by a lid. Before each use of the dishwasher, the user fills a detergent container (the volume of which is the size that contains only a certain amount of detergent) with a quantity of detergent and manually closes a lid that is kept closed by means of a snap lock system. After opening the dishwasher and closing the door, a washing cycle is started during which the actuator disengages the restriction system of the lid. In this way, the entire content of the detergent container is poured into the washing container, where it is mixed with the water that is recirculated and sprayed onto the dishes.

With prior art dishwashers, the user has to add the detergent before each wash cycle and manually add as precisely as possible a very small amount of powder or liquid, which activity is considered to be intrinsically unpleasant and sometimes difficult, especially for elderly people. Furthermore, the fact that dishwasher cleaners must be stored in places that are not accessible to children and therefore are often placed in very tall cabinets, which can only be reached by climbing onto a chair or a ladder, must also be taken into account.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to facilitate the filling and dosing of detergent in a dishwasher.

These and other objects are achieved by means of a dishwasher according to the present application. Some advantageous embodiments achieve this object.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a dishwasher includes:

a washing container for containing dishes to be washed,

spraying means for spraying the washing liquid onto the dishes in the washing container,

-a detergent container formed with: an inner space for accommodating a cleaning agent; a dispensing opening for dispensing the cleaning agent from the interior space to the washing container; and a shutter member for opening and closing the dispensing opening,

electronic control means controlling the actuation of the dispensing actuator acting on the shutter member,

wherein:

the interior space of the detergent container is adapted to contain a total volume of detergent sufficient to perform a plurality of washing cycles,

the dishwasher further comprises dosing means in communication with the dispensing opening, and which dosing means can be activated by the dispensing actuator for dosing and dispensing a partial volume of detergent provided for a single washing cycle during said single washing cycle.

By means of the dimensions of the detergent container and the dosing means and because the dispensing actuator also actuates the dosing means, the detergent container can be filled with a large amount of detergent less frequently (e.g. once a week or once a month), without the burden that the user needs to accurately dose at all, and the dishwasher can be used for a given period of time and for a given number of washes without the need to replenish or dose the detergent.

Furthermore, by automatically activating the dosing means during a washing cycle, the user only needs to be filled with detergent, and no more dosing is performed for a single washing cycle.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to appreciate its advantages, some non-limiting embodiments will be described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the detergent container and the dosing device in a first use configuration (the dispensing opening is closed and the dosing chamber is empty), according to one embodiment;

figure 3 shows the detergent container and dosing device of figure 2 in a second use configuration (the dispensing opening is open and the dosing chamber is filled);

figure 4 shows the detergent container and dosing device of figure 2 in a third configuration of use (the dispensing opening is closed again and the dosing chamber is still filled, but in a dosing detergent dispensing step);

fig. 5 and 6 are two cross-sectional views of a detergent container for a dishwasher according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a dishwasher according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a rinse aid and detergent dispensing assembly of a dishwasher according to an embodiment;

fig. 9 schematically shows a part of a hydraulic circuit of a dishwasher according to an embodiment;

fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a dosing device of a detergent container and a dishwasher according to a further embodiment.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, a dishwasher 1 comprises a washing container 2 adapted to receive dishes 3 to be washed and closable by a door 4.

At least one spraying device is placed in the dishwasher 1, for example a spray arm 5 rotatably mounted in the washing container 2 and forming a plurality of spray nozzles 6 for spraying the washing liquid onto the dishes 3 accommodated in the washing container 2. The pump 7 is hydraulically connected to the spray arm 5, for example by means of a delivery pipe 8, for delivering the washing liquid to the nozzle 6.

The dishwasher 1 further comprises heating means 9 adapted to heat the washing liquid, for example an electric resistor arranged in a sump 10 of the washing liquid. A collecting tank 10, which is preferably formed in a lower region of the washing container 2 or below the washing container 2, is connected to the pump 7 to allow the extraction of cold or heated washing liquid required for washing the dishes 3. The collecting tank 10 and/or the pump 7 are also connected to an inlet valve 11 for the filling water network and to a discharge pipe 12 for the discharge of washing liquid. The inlet valve 11 is placed in a water conduit 36 (supply pipe), which water conduit 36 can be connected to the water network and forms an air break 37 to prevent liquid from being sucked back into the water network and through a water softener device 38 (decalcifier) before opening into the washing container, in particular into the collecting tank 10.

The dishwasher 1 further comprises: a detergent container 14 forming an inner space 15 for containing a detergent 16 (powder or liquid), a dispensing opening 17 for dispensing the detergent 16 from the inner space 15 toward the washing container 2, and a shutter member 18 for opening and closing the dispensing opening 17.

The control means (e.g. electronic control board 13) is configured to allow selection of a dish treatment program from a plurality of treatment programs and to control actuation of the pump 7, the heating means 9, the inlet valve 11 and the dispensing actuator 20 acting on the shutter member 18.

According to one aspect of the invention, the interior space 15 of the detergent container 14 is dimensioned to accommodate a total detergent volume sufficient for performing a plurality of wash cycles, and the dishwasher 1 further comprises dosing means 19 in communication with the dispensing opening 17, and the dosing means 19 can be activated by means of a dispensing actuator 20 for dosing and dispensing a partial volume of detergent 16 for a single wash cycle during said single wash cycle.

By means of the dimensions of the detergent container 14 and the dosing device 19 and the fact that the dispensing actuator 20 also actuates the dosing device 19, it is possible to achieve:

less frequently filling the detergent container, for example weekly or monthly,

filling a detergent container with a large quantity of detergent, accurately quantifying the detergent without the user being burdened at all, and

use of the dishwasher 1 for a period of time and for a number of washes without the need to refill or dose the detergent each time.

Furthermore, by virtue of the fact that the dosing means 19 are automatically activated during a washing cycle, the user only needs to be filled with detergent, but no longer with detergent for a single washing cycle.

According to an embodiment, the detergent container 14 may be taken out of or removed from the dishwasher 1 to facilitate filling of the detergent container. Advantageously, the dishwasher 1 is formed with a coupling seat 21 for removable mechanical connection (e.g. snap or bayonet connection) of the detergent container 14 and a dispensing conduit 22 for connecting the dispensing opening 17 to the interior of the washing container 2.

The coupling seat 21 may be formed in a side wall 23 of the washing container 2, for example, in an inner surface of the door 4 (fig. 7).

According to an embodiment, the detergent container 14 forms a filling opening 23 (except for the dispensing opening 17) for pouring the detergent 16 into the interior space 15 of the detergent container 14.

Preferably, the filling opening 23 is larger than the dispensing opening 17 to facilitate and accelerate filling of the detergent container 14 and to facilitate airtight sealing of the small dispensing opening 17 by the shutter member 18.

The filling opening 23 can be opened and closed by a cover 24 (possibly providing a seal), the cover 24 being directly and fixedly connected (e.g. hinged or inserted in the form of a gate valve) to the detergent container 14 (so that it is not lost but can be easily washed and repaired). Alternatively, the cover 24 may be provided as a completely detachable component and thus be easier to replace.

According to an embodiment, the cover 24 may be formed or connected to the coupling housing 21 to close the filling opening 23 when the detergent container 14 is coupled to the coupling seat 21, so as to release the filling opening 23 when the detergent container 14 is separated from the coupling housing 21. This reduces the number of parts and the number of operations required to load the cleaner.

In the embodiment (fig. 2), the dispensing opening 17 is formed on the underside of the detergent container 14 with the detergent container 14 in the use position, so as to facilitate the dispensing of the detergent 16 by means of gravity. A loading opening 23 may be formed at an upper side of the detergent container 14 opposite to the dispensing opening 17 to facilitate connection and movement of the cover 24 and the shielding member 18 without invading each other.

According to a further embodiment, the dispensing opening 17 may be formed in the cover 24, which has the advantage that it enables the base of the detergent container 14 to have a single opening.

According to an embodiment (fig. 2, 3, 4), the shutter member 18 may comprise:

a movable shutter, e.g. a gate valve or piston, or

Rotating shutters, e.g. balls, columns, plates, or

An elastically deformable shutter, for example a membrane.

A shutter member 18 may be connected to the dispensing opening 17 and may be displaced relative to the dispensing opening by a dispensing actuator 20 to allow and prevent the release of the cleaning agent 16 from the dispensing opening 17 in a controlled manner.

When the detergent container 14 is detached from the dishwasher and/or when the dispensing actuator 20 is deactivated, the shutter member 18 may be fixedly and resiliently urged to the closed position (e.g. by a spring 35 in fig. 5) to ensure an airtight seal of the dispensing opening 17.

Alternatively, the shutter member 18 may be shaped and displaceable so as to always block the passage of the cleaning agent when the shutter member 18 is stationary in any one position and to allow the passage of the cleaning agent or even to deliver the cleaning agent when the shutter member 18 is moved relative to the dispensing opening 17.

Examples of the latter embodiment are ball or piston or box type shutters having one or more cavities adapted to receive a limited amount of cleaning agent when they face the dispensing opening 17 and communicate with the dispensing opening 17 and to release the limited amount of cleaning agent when they are moved out of communication with the dispensing opening 17.

According to an embodiment, the dosing means 19 defines a dosing space 25 which is much smaller than the interior space of the detergent container 14 and which can be switched (shifted or connected) by the dispensing actuator 20:

communicates with the dispensing opening 17 to fill a quantity of detergent 16, an

In turn, with the dispensing conduit 22 and/or with the water conduit 36 (water intake conduit) of the water network, or directly with the interior of the washing container 2, to release a metered quantity of detergent 16 into the washing container 2.

According to an embodiment, the dosing space 25 may be formed in a dosing container 26, which is different or separate from the shielding member 18 and which is fixedly mountable in the dishwasher 1. This makes it possible to make the dosing container 25 independent of the detergent container 14 and to couple it easily and fixedly with the dispensing actuator 20 (without the need to make a detachable coupling) and without exposing the dosing container (dosage compartment, dosing compartment) 26 to handling and the risk of displacement or damage caused by the user.

According to an alternative embodiment, the dosing space 25 may be formed directly in the shutter member 18, thereby reducing the number of individual parts to be manufactured and moved, but at the cost of a more complex shape 18 of the shutter member.

According to an embodiment, the dosing space 25 can be switched (shifted or connected) by means of the dispensing actuator 20 into communication with the water conduit 36 (water supply line) or the pump 7 to completely empty the dosing detergent 16, wash the dosing space 25 and achieve an intensive mixing of the detergent 16 with the washing liquid (fig. 9).

According to an embodiment, the volume of the dosing space 25 may be adjustable to adapt the amount of the detergent 16 to the washing cycle conditions, to the user's preference or to the type of detergent used.

According to an embodiment (fig. 10), the volume of the dosing space 25 may be adjusted, for example, by displacing or deforming at least one wall 27 defining the dosing space 25 by means of the same dispensing actuator 20.

Additionally or alternatively, the partial volume of the cleaning agent 16 for a single washing cycle is preferably adjusted in an automatic manner, for example by adjusting the number of actuations of the dosing means 19 and/or by adjusting the volume of the dosing space 25 and/or by adjusting the number of switches by which the dosing space 25 communicates with the dispensing opening 17 and the dispensing conduit 22.

The dispensing actuator 20 may comprise a single actuator controlled by the control unit 13, which moves the shutter member 18, switches the dosing space 25 and (if provided) adjusts the volume of the dosing space 25, for example a linear actuator (linear motor, solenoid), a rotary actuator (motor) or a rotary translational actuator (linear motor and rotary switch assembly).

Fig. 10 shows an example of a linear and rotary flow actuator (dispensing actuator 20) which moves the shutter member 18 and the dosing container 26 by means of a linear movement and moves the wall 27 of the dosing container 26 by means of a rotary movement and screw mechanism 28 to adjust the volume of the dosing space 25.

Alternatively, the dispensing actuator 20 may comprise a plurality of single actuators controlled by the control unit 13, for example one or more linear, rotary or rotary translational actuators, which move the shutter member 18, switch the dosing space 25 and (if provided) adjust the volume of the dosing space 25.

According to an embodiment, the dosing device 19 may be fixedly secured to the detergent container 14 and separated from the dishwasher 1 together with the detergent container. Alternatively, the dosing device 19 may be fixedly secured in the dishwasher 1.

In order to avoid the risk of deterioration of the cleaning agent 16 in the cleaning agent container 14, a layer of insulating material 29, such as a single or a plurality of air gaps or foam materials (fig. 7), is advantageously provided between the interior space 15 of the cleaning agent container 14 and the interior space of the washing container 2 and/or the cooling system 30, such as a cold water conducting system in heat exchange relationship with the interior space 15 of the cleaning agent container 14, due to prolonged and repeated exposure to the high operating temperatures of the dishwasher 1.

According to an embodiment, the dishwasher 1 comprises a system 31 for detecting the number of dishes 3 and/or the intensity of dirt of the dishes 3 arranged in the washing container 2, and the control circuit 13 adjusts the partial volume of the detergent 16 for a single washing cycle in dependence of the detected number of dishes 3 and/or the intensity of dirt.

The detection system 31 may comprise a temperature sensor 32 of the washing liquid connected to the control circuit 13, the control circuit 13 calculating a temperature gradient during heating of the washing liquid, said temperature gradient being indicative of the mass and heat capacity of the dishes 3.

Additionally or alternatively, the detection system 31 may comprise a washing liquid turbidity sensor 33 (e.g. optical) connected to the control circuit 13, said detected turbidity being indicative of dirt of the dishes 3. Turbidity sensor 33 and/or temperature sensor 32 may be placed in collection tank 10.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the dishwasher is provided with a rinse aid container and a dosing device 34 in addition to the detergent container 14 and the dosing device 19, and that preferably the detergent container 14 and the dosing device 19 are separate from the rinse aid container and the dosing device 34.

Fig. 2 to 6 show the function of the dispensing and dosing of the cleaning agent 16. With the detergent container 14 engaged with the coupling seat 21, the shutter member 18 is engaged with the coupling portion 40 of the dosing container 26 so as to be displaced together between:

a first position (fig. 2, 4), in which the dispensing opening 17 is closed by means of the shutter member 18, and the dosing space 25 communicates with the dispensing conduit 22 or directly with the washing tank 2,

a second position (fig. 3) in which the dispensing opening 17 is open and the dosing space 25 is in communication with the dispensing conduit 17.

By displacing the shutter 18 and the dosing container 26 from the first position to the second position (fig. 3), the dosing space 25 is filled with the cleaning agent 16. Subsequently, by displacing the shutter 18 and the dosing container 26 from the second position back to the first position (fig. 4), the dispensing opening 22 is closed again and the dosing space 25 releases a precisely dosed volume of the cleaning agent 16.

Advantageously, the cleaning agent used is a liquid cleaning agent, a powder cleaning agent or a granular cleaning agent.

It is obvious that further changes and modifications may be made to the dishwasher 1 and the detergent container 14 described herein by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A dishwasher (1), comprising:

a washing container (2) for receiving dishes (3) to be washed,

spraying means (5, 6, 7) for spraying a washing liquid onto the dishes (3) in the washing container (2),

-a detergent container (14) formed with: an inner space (15) for accommodating a cleaning agent (16); a dispensing opening (17) for dispensing the cleaning agent (16) from the interior space (15) to the washing container (2); and a shutter member (18) for opening and closing the dispensing opening (17),

control means (13) controlling the actuation of said spraying means (5, 6, 7) and of a dispensing actuator (20) acting on said shutter member (18),

wherein:

-said inner space (15) of said detergent container (14) being adapted to contain a total volume of said detergent (16) sufficient to perform a plurality of washing cycles,

the dishwasher (1) further comprises dosing means (19) in communication with the dispensing opening (17) and which are actuatable by means of the dispensing actuator (20) to dose and dispense a partial volume of the detergent provided for a single washing cycle during said single washing cycle,

wherein the dosing device (19) defines a dosing space (25) which is smaller than the interior space (15) of the detergent container (14),

-switching the dosing space (25) by means of the dispensing actuator (20) into:

-communicating with the dispensing opening (17) to fill the dosing space (25) with a dose of the cleaning agent (16), and

communicating with a dispensing conduit (22) to release said quantity of said detergent (16) into said washing container (2),

wherein the dosing space (25) is switched into communication with a water conduit (36) by means of the dispensing actuator (20) in order to completely empty the dosing of the cleaning agent (16) and wash the dosing space (25).

2. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the detergent container (14) is removable from the dishwasher (1).

3. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detergent container (14) is formed with a filling opening (23) for pouring the detergent (16) into the interior space (15) of the detergent container (14), wherein the filling opening (23) is larger than the dispensing opening (17) and can be opened and closed by a lid (24).

4. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shutter member (18) is selected from the group consisting of:

a shutter that can be moved so that the shutter,

a gate valve which is arranged in the housing,

the piston is arranged to be in fluid communication with the piston,

the shutter is rotated so that the shutter is rotated,

the presence of a ball,

the cylindrical element is provided with a recess for receiving the cylindrical element,

the plate member is provided with a plate,

a shutter that is capable of being elastically deformed,

-a membrane.

5. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shutter member (18) is fixedly and elastically urged into a closed position to ensure an airtight seal of the dispensing opening (17) when the detergent container (14) is detached from the dishwasher and when the dispensing actuator (20) is deactivated.

6. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shutter member (18) is shaped and movable so as to:

-always blocking the passage of the cleaning agent when the shutter member (18) is resting in any position, and

-allowing the passage of the cleaning agent when the shutter member (18) is moved relative to the dispensing opening (17).

7. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dosing space (25) is formed in a dosing container (26) which is separate from the shielding member (18) and fixedly mounted in the dishwasher (1).

8. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dosing space (25) is formed directly in the shielding member (18).

9. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the partial volume of the cleaning agent (16) for the single washing cycle is adjustable in an automatic manner.

10. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, comprising a system for detecting the number of dishes (3) arranged in the washing container (2), and the control device (13) adjusts the partial volume of the cleaning agent (16) for the single washing cycle depending on the detected number of dishes (3).

11. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 10, wherein the system for detecting the number of dishes (3) comprises a temperature sensor (32) of the washing liquid connected to the control device (13), wherein the control device (13) calculates a temperature gradient during heating of the washing liquid, which temperature gradient is indicative of the number of dishes (3).

12. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, comprising a system for detecting a soil intensity of the dishes (3) arranged in the washing container (2), and the control device (13) adjusts the partial volume of the detergent (16) for the single washing cycle depending on the detected soil intensity.

13. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 12, wherein the system for detecting the soil strength comprises a turbidity sensor (33) of the washing liquid connected to the control device (13), the turbidity detected by the turbidity sensor of the washing liquid being indicative of the soil of the dishes (3).

14. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, comprising a temperature barrier (29) between the interior space (15) of the detergent container (14) and the interior space of the washing container (2).

15. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, comprising a cooling system (30) in heat exchange relationship with the interior space (15) of the detergent container (14).

16. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dishwasher is provided with a container and a dosing device (34) for auxiliary rinsing in addition to the detergent container (14) and the dosing device (19).