EP3200669B1

EP3200669B1 - Dishwasher comprising a cutlery tray

Info

Publication number: EP3200669B1
Application number: EP14776892.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hasret GURSOY; Didem POLAT; Mehmet DIKSAN; Tumay CITAK; Erdem AKYILDIZ
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2014-09-29
Filing date: 2014-09-29
Publication date: 2018-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-29
Also published as: WO2016050268A1; EP3200669A1

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher. The present invention more particularly relates to a domestic dishwasher which has a cutlery tray.
A prior art domestic dishwasher generally comprises a washing tub which has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, two articles racks which are extendably disposed within the washing tab for the reception of dishes, a hydraulic circuit which has two rotating spray arms for spraying wash fluid towards the dishes in the article racks respectively, a sump which is formed on the bottom of the washing tub for collecting the dripping wash fluid, a pump for conveying the wash fluid collected in the sump to the rotating spray arms by means of conduits, a heater for heating the wash fluid. During the washing process, the rotating spray arms sprinkle the articles on the upper rack and the lower rack with pressurized wash fluid. Then, the wash fluid resolves the dirt from the articles and drains down together with the resolved dirt into the sump. To avoid recirculation of the dirt by the hydraulic circuit, a filter is arranged on the bottom of the washing tub.
For improving the convenience for the user, a prior art domestic dishwasher is also usually provided with an extendable cutlery tray for horizontal reception of the cutleries. In the prior art domestic dishwasher, the extendable cutlery tray is typically disposed above the upper article rack and sprinkled with wash fluid by an additional rotating spray arm which is disposed above the extendable cutlery tray.
DE 199 28 040 A1 discloses a prior art domestic dishwasher which has an extendable cutlery tray.
EP 102 95 02 A2 discloses a prior art dishwasher which comprises a cutlery holding basket in the shape of a circular crown.
JP S61 61 956 U discloses a prior art dishwasher in which dishes and cutlery can be positioned horizontally.
A problem with the above-mentioned prior art domestic dishwasher is that the frame of the cutlery tray, in particular the corners of the frame remain from time to time dirty after completion of the washing process. The same also happens from time to time to the cutleries which are sorted close to the corners of the frame. The dirt causes an unpleasant appearance and bad odor. In such cases the user needs to wash the unclean articles again. In general, repeating the washing course increases the energy consumption and leads to a waste of valuable resources. Thus, the consumer satisfaction usually decreases.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher having a cutlery tray which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a cost effective way and which has an improved cleaning performance, an improved energy efficiency and an improved usability.
This objective has been achieved by the dishwasher as defined in claim 1. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.
In the dishwasher of the present invention, the rotating spray associated with the cutlery tray arm has a plurality of nozzles which are configured to extensively spray wash fluid onto an entire circular area within the washing tub at the level of the cutlery tray. In the dishwasher of the present invention, the size and shape of the cutlery tray is configured such that the outermost edge of the cutlery tray is completely covered by said circular area.
According to the invention, the cutlery tray has a regular octagonal shape conforming to the circular area which is sprinkled by the rotating spray arm. Thereby, the entire cutlery tray can be effectively sprinkled with the wash fluid and the cutleries thereon can be intensively washed. Therefore, the cutlery tray of the present invention is also very suitable for the reception of baby articles which must be generally hygienically cleaned.
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray is rotatable. Thereby, the user can manually rotate the cutlery tray for loading/unloading the cutleries. Thus, the rotatable cutlery tray has an improved usability.
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray is extendable. Thereby, the user can pull the cutlery tray out of the washing tub for loading/unloading the cutleries. Thus, the extendable cutlery tray has an improved usability.
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray has at least one releasable insert for horizontal reception of the cutlery. Thereby, the user can pick up the insert and carry the same to another place in the kitchen or elsewhere, for example for unloading the cleaned cutlery. Thus, the resalable inserts improve the usability of the cutlery tray.
In another embodiment, each insert is height adjustable. Thereby, the user can change a height of the insert for example relative to the lower article rack in order to secure more space for a large sized article. Thus, the height adjustable inserts improve the usability of the cutlery tray. In a version of this embodiment, the insert can be engaged with the frame selectively at different levels by manually bending a multiply recessed flexible protrusion whose recesses are resiliently biased against the wire of the frame. In another version of this embodiment, the insert has a grip for actuating the height adjustment by the protrusion.
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray is adapted for radial and horizontal reception of the cutleries. Thereby, the cutleries can be sorted around the center of the cutlery tray so as to point radially outwards in conformity with the circular area to be sprinkled by the rotating spray arm. The radial reception of the cutleries saves spaces, in particular when the cutlery tray has a round shape or a regular polygonal shape.
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray is also adapted for tangential and horizontal reception of the cutleries. Thereby, the cutleries can be sorted around the center of the article tray so as to point in the circumferential direction in conformity with the circular area to be sprinkled by the rotating spray arm. The tangential reception of the cutleries saves spaces, in particular when the article tray has a round shape or a regular polygonal shape.
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray has a plurality of pins which serve as receptacles for the cutleries. The pins are formed in arrays which converge at the center of the cutlery tray. Thereby, the cutleries can be radially or tangentially sorted onto the cutlery tray.
In another embodiment, the insert is mounted to a wire frame which conforms to the shape of the circular are sprinkled by the rotating spray arm.
In another embodiment, the inserts have retainers for holding the wire frame.
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray is disposed both extendably and rotatably on an underside of the upper wall of the washing tub. The rotating spray arm which is associated with the cutlery tray is centered above the cutlery tray. In a version of this embodiment, the dishwasher has one or more than one extendible article rack each disposed below the cutlery tray.
With the present invention, particularly by restricting the size and shape of the cutlery tray to the circular area which is extensively sprinkled by the associated rotating spray arm, the cleaning performance and the energy efficiency of the dishwasher has been improved. With the present invention, the deposits of dirt on the cutlery tray can be completely washed out and the occurrence of bad odors and unpleasant appearances can be prevented. Thereby, the customer satisfaction can be increased. With the present invention also the usability of the cutlery tray has been improved. With the present invention the consumer satisfaction can be increased.
Additional advantages of cutlery tray of the present invention 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:

Figure 1 - is a schematic perspective view of a dishwasher which has a cutlery tray according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 2 - is a schematic perspective view of the cutlery tray disposed on the underside of the upper wall of the washing tub according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cutlery tray is in the non-extended state,
Figure 3 - is a schematic perspective view of the cutlery tray disposed on the underside of the upper wall of the washing tub according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cutlery tray is in the extended state,
Figure 4 - is a schematic top view of the upper wall of the washing tub according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cutlery tray is in the non-extended state,
Figure 5 - is a schematic front view of the cutlery tray disposed on the underside of the upper wall of the washing tub according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cutlery tray is in the non-extended state,
Figure 6 - is a schematic bottom view of the cutlery tray disposed on the underside of the upper wall of the washing tub according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cutlery tray is in the non-extended state,
Figure 7 - is a schematic perspective view of the rotating spray arm and the cutlery tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper wall of the washing tub has been omitted and wherein the cutlery tray is in the non-extended state and the spraying arm is centered above the cutlery tray,
Figure 8 - is a schematic top view of the rotating spray arm and a circular area A onto which the wash fluid is sprinkled by the rotating spray arm and the cutlery tray which is completely covered by the circular area A according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cutlery tray is in the non-extended state,
Figure 9 - is a schematic perspective view of the insert of the cutlery tray according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 10 - is another schematic perspective view of the insert of the cutlery tray according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 11 - is a schematic bottom view of the insert shown in Fig. 9,
Figure 12 - is a schematic side view of the insert according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken from the direction B as shown in Fig. 9,
Figure 13 - is another schematic side view of the insert according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken from the direction C as shown in Fig. 9,
Figure 14 - is a schematic partial enlarged view of the cutlery tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein one of the inserts is height adjusted to the low level and the neighboring inserts are height adjusted to the high level,
Figure 15 - is a schematic enlarged view of the detail D of Fig. 10,
Figure 16 - is a schematic perspective view of the frame of the cutlery tray according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 17 - is a schematic top view of the frame shown in Fig. 16,
Figure 18 - is a schematic perspective view of the bearing of the cutlery tray according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 19 - is a schematic side view of the bearing shown in Fig. 18,
Figure 20 - is a schematic top view of the bearing shown in Fig. 18,
Figure 21 - is a schematic perspective view of the shaft of the cutlery tray according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 22 - is a schematic side view of the shaft shown in Fig. 21,
Figure 23 - is a schematic top view of the shaft shown in Fig. 21,
Figure 24 - is a schematic perspective view of the bracket of the cutlery tray according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 25 - is a schematic top view of the bracket shown in Fig. 24,
Figure 26 - is a schematic side view of the bracket shown in Fig. 24.

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

1. Dishwasher
2. Tub
3. Cutlery tray
- 3a. Outermost edge
4. Spraying arm
- 4a. Nozzle
5. Insert
6. Frame
7. Receptacle
8. Pin
9. Wire loop
10. Wire loop
11. Wire
12. Retainer
13. Retainer
14. Protrusion
15. Recess
16. Grip
17. Guide
18. Wall
19. Rail
20. Track
21. Bracket
22. Bearing
23. Track
24. Bore
25. Shaft
26. Bearing
27. Flange

The dishwasher (1) comprises a washing tub (2) which has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a cutlery tray (3) for horizontal reception of the cutlery (not shown), wherein the cutlery tray (3) is disposed within the washing tub (2) and a rotating spray arm (4) for spraying wash fluid onto the cutlery tray (3) (Fig. 1 to 26).
In the dishwasher (1) of the present invention, the rotating spray arm (4) has a plurality of nozzles (4a) which are configured to extensively spray washing liquid onto an entire circular area (A) within the washing tub (2) at the level of the cutlery tray (3). In the dishwasher (1) of the present invention, the size and shape of the cutlery tray (3) is configured such that the outermost edge (3a) of the cutlery tray (3) is completely covered by said circular area (A).
The cutlery tray (3) has a regular octagonal shape.
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray (3) is rotatably disposed within the washing tub (2) around the vertical axis.
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray (3) is extendable out of the washing tub (2).
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray (3) comprises: one or more than one insert (5) for horizontal reception of the cutlery and a frame (6) for releasably holding each insert (5).
In another embodiment, one or more than one of the inserts (5) are height adjustably held by the frame (6).
In another embodiment, each insert (5) has a plurality of cutlery receptacles (7) for radial reception of the cutlery with respect to the center of the cutlery tray (3).
In another embodiment, the cutlery receptacles (7) are further suitable for tangential reception of the cutlery with respect to the center of the cutlery tray (3).
In another embodiment, the cutlery receptacles (7) have a plurality of pins (8) which are formed sequentially along a plurality of arrays converging at the center of the cutlery tray (3).
In another embodiment, the frame (6) comprises an outer closed wire loop (9) and an inner closed wire loop (10) which are connected with a plurality of radial extending wires (11).
In another embodiment, each insert (5) comprises an outer retainer (12) and an inner retainer (13). The outer retainer (12) is suitable for holding the outer closed wire loop (9) of the frame (6). The inner retainer (13) is suitable for holding the inner closed wire loop (10) of the frame (6).
In another embodiment, the outer retainer (12) comprises a flexible protrusion (14) which has two or more than two recesses (15) formed at different heights. The recesses (15) can be selectively engaged with the frame (6) as the protrusion (14) is manually flexed so as to ride across the frame (6) in the vertical direction.
In another embodiment, the flexible protrusion (14) is biased radially outwards against the outer closed wire loop (9). In this embodiment, the outer retainer (12) comprises a grip (16) for flexing the protrusion (14) inwardly. The grip (16) is accessible from above.
In another embodiment, the cutlery tray (3) is disposed both extendably and rotatably within the washing tub (3). In this embodiment, the dishwasher (1) comprises a pair of guides (17) which are fixed on the upper wall (18) of the washing tub (2), a pair of double tracked rails (19) which are slidably supported through one of their tracks (20) by the pair of guides (17) respectively, a bracket (21) which has two opposing bearings (22) which are slidably supported by the other tracks (23) of the pair of double tracked rails (19) respectively, wherein the bracket (21) has a centered bore (24), a shaft (25) which is fixed within the bore (24) of the bracket (21) and a further bearing (26) which is fixed to the center of the frame (6), wherein the shaft (25) is journalled in the bearing (26) on the frame (6) and wherein the shaft (25) has a flange (27) which supports the bearing (26) of the frame (6).
With the present invention, the washing performance and the energy efficiency of the dishwasher (1) has been improved. With the present invention, the occurrence of dirt deposits and bad odors has been prevented. Thereby, a consumer satisfaction can be increased. With the present invention, the usability of the dishwasher has also been improved.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising
- a washing tub (2) which has a rectangular parallelepiped shape,

- a cutlery tray (3) for horizontal reception of the cutlery, wherein the cutlery tray (3) is disposed within the washing tub (2) and

- a rotating spray arm (4) for spraying wash fluid onto the cutlery tray (3), wherein

- the rotating spray arm (4) has plurality of nozzles (4a) configured to extensively spray wash fluid onto an entire circular area (A) within the washing tub (2) at the level of the cutlery tray (3), characterized in that

- the cutlery tray (3) has a regular octagonal shape and

- the size and shape of the cutlery tray (3) is configured such that the outermost edge (3a) of the cutlery tray (3) is completely covered by said circular area (A).
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 1, characterized in that the cutlery tray (3) is rotatably disposed within the washing tub (2) around the vertical axis.
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutlery tray (3) is extendable out of the washing tub (2).
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the cutlery tray (3) comprising one or more than one insert (5) for horizontal reception of the cutlery and a frame (6) for releasably holding each insert (5).
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that one or more than one of the inserts (5) are height adjustably held by the frame (6).
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that each insert (5) has a plurality of cutlery receptacles (7) for radial reception of the cutlery with respect to the center of the cutlery tray (3).
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the plurality of cutlery receptacles (7) are further suitable for tangential reception of the cutlery with respect to the center of the cutlery tray (3).
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the cutlery receptacles (7) have a plurality of pins (8) which are formed sequentially along a plurality of arrays converging at the center of the cutlery tray (3).
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the frame (6) comprising an outer closed wire loop (9) and an inner closed wire loop (10) which are connected with a plurality of radial extending wires (11).
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that each insert (5) comprising an outer retainer (12) for holding the outer closed wire loop (9) of the frame (6) and an inner retainer (13) for holding the inner closed wire loop (10) of the frame (6).
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the outer retainer (12) comprising a flexible protrusion (14) which has two or more than two recesses (15) formed at different heights, wherein the recesses (15) can be selectively engaged with the frame (6) as the protrusion (14) is manually flexed so as to ride across the frame (6) in the vertical direction.
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the flexible protrusion (14) is biased radially outwards against the outer closed wire loop (9) and the outer retainer (12) comprising a grip (16) for flexing the protrusion (14) inwardly, wherein the grip (16) is accessible from above.
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 12, where dependent on claim 4 and claim 5, characterized in that
- a pair of guides (17) which are fixed on the upper wall (18) of the washing tub (2),

- a pair of double tracked rails (19) which are slidably supported through one of their tracks (20) by the pair of guides (17) respectively,

- a bracket (21) which has two opposing bearings (22) which are slidably supported through the other tracks (23) of the pair of double tracked rails (19) respectively, wherein the bracket (21) has a centered bore (24),

- a shaft (25) which is fixed within the bore (24) of the bracket (21) and

- a further bearing (26) which is fixed to the center of the frame (6), wherein the shaft (25) is journalled in the bearing (26) on the frame (6) and wherein the shaft (25) has a flange (27) which supports the bearing (26) of the frame (6).