EP2374398A2 - Dishwasher with an optical display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The dishwasher (1) has a door (3) for closing a washing container (2) that receives items to be cleaned. The container has an upper washing rack (4) and a lower washing rack (5) for supporting the items. The racks are moved from a treatment position to an access position, where the compartment is closed in the treatment position, and the items are loaded and unloaded into/from the dishwasher in the access position. Optical display devices (10, 11) visually notify operation information and program information of the dishwasher, where the display devices are assigned to the racks.

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, with a particular of a door closable rinsing container for receiving Gut to be treated, wherein the rinsing container is provided with at least one movable washing basket, in which to be cleaned Good halterbar and from a treatment position, in the the rinsing container can be closed, is displaced into an access position facilitating the loading and unloading, and wherein the dishwasher comprises at least one display device for the visual communication of operating and / or program information of the dishwasher.

In dishwashers usually different operating and program parameters of the dishwasher are detected and at least partially output via a display device. In particular, in so-called. Fully integrated dishwashers, on the one closing the rinsing container door is provided on the outside a closed flat panel, the display device with the door open is difficult to see, since this is then in the upper, frontal edge region of the door, which is closed at the front swing door pointing upwards and with the door swung down, lies far down and points approximately horizontally to the front.

Often the at least one dish rack of the respective dishwasher for loading and emptying the washing container with an open front door on side rails on roles forward to an access position and displaced in the filled state to the rear into the vicinity of a rear wall of the washing in a treatment or machining position can be inserted, in which the door can be completely closed. For example, if in particular the lower dish rack of the dishwasher for loading or unloading of dishes or other items to be moved forward, it usually stands on the inner surface of the approximately horizontally open door, whereby said display device is covered. This is of course also the case when the upper dish rack is pulled forward from the rinse tank in its loading / unloading position.

If the door is swung down to a horizontal open position for loading the washing compartment, the display device is then far below and is even without the cover by the one or more baskets by an operator from above, poorly recognizable or not readable, so that usually only the loading or unloading is completed and then the door is at least partially closed to read the display. This is however unwieldy. If, after studying the display or repacking in the washing is to be made, then the door must then be fully opened again and at least one rinse basket pulled out to the front. Often, users find this cumbersome and unwilling to do so.

The invention is based on the problem of making it easier for the user to take note of dispensed display values of the dishwasher and to optimize the parameters of a rinse cycle.

The invention solves this problem by a dishwasher with the features of claim 1.

With the assignment of at least one display device according to the invention to a washing basket, the study of the display issued by the machine is facilitated and can be carried out easily, in particular when filling the machine without even a partial closing of the door. Thereby, even before the door is closed, irrespective of its concrete configuration, and during loading, it is possible to respond to the displayed information, for example by repacking or reloading items from one rack to another, e.g. the optical display device communicates data on at least one dish rack, for example, about a weight load of dishwashing baskets, and in particular outputs that the load between several dishwashing baskets is very unequal.

Determining the weight can be carried out in a structurally simple and reliable manner, in particular via pressure-sensitive piezo arrangements within the runways of the at least one dish rack.

If the optical display device conveys data about a planned program sequence, such as a rinsing time, the rinsing time can also be shortened by removing individual heavy or particularly large parts if this appears more comfortable to the user for the current rinse.

Also, for example, via the at least one optical display device data on the supply of filled resources, such as cleaning salt or other detergents, be mediated so that after loading with still open, for example heruntergeschwenkten door directly in the inner surface of the door detergent are refilled can.

In particular, several dish baskets can be provided one above the other, so that even a redistribution between them can optimize a program sequence. In this case, each dish rack individually be associated with a visual display device, in which, for example, the loading weight of each dish rack is considered individually.

Advantageously, the or each optical display device comprises a field for alphanumeric displays, whereby even more complex information such as "top-down" or "rinse-aid low" or similar can already be communicated to the user during loading.

For a particularly good readability, the or each optical display device is associated with a door facing front (in the case of a front door) area of a dish rack, in particular a more or less vertically rising front boundary plane of the respective dish rack, for example within one of the front boundary plane of the respective dish rack associated pull and push handle.

For low production costs, the at least one optical display device is preferably wirelessly controllable, for example via radio or optical signal transmission, so that it is possible to dispense with a cabling for the data stream.

On a wiring of the display device can in particular even be completely dispensed with, if it is provided with its own power supply. For a frugal Energieumgang the display of data on the or each optical display device is suitably coupled to the opening state of the door and the display device is switched off with the door closed.

In the immediate vicinity of the optical display device, for example, together with this on a pull and / or push handle for the respective dish rack, if necessary, a control can be arranged to directly - and before closing the door - to respond to the displayed information , for example through a customized program selection.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The invention and its developments and advantages thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematisch dargestellte Geschirrspülmaschine in "Seitenansicht" mit Blick in den Spülraum bei geschlossener vorderseitiger Tür und mit zwei übereinander angeordneten Geschirrkörben, denen nach einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsvariante der Erfindung in Griffbereichen optische Anzeigeeinrichtungen zugeordnet sind,

Fig. 2

eine zu Figur 1 ähnliche Geschirrspülmaschine in perspektivischer Ansicht von schräg vorne bei nach unten aufgeschwenkter Tür,

Fig. 3

einen Geschirrkorb mit optischer Anzeigeeinrichtung in perspektivischer Ansicht von schräg vorne,

Fig. 4

den Geschirrkorb nach Fig. 3 in Ansicht von schräg hinten, und

Fig. 5

den vorderen Bereich eines Geschirrkorbs in vergrößerter Darstellung mit einer optischen Anzeigeeinrichtung und einem daneben gelegenen Bedienelement an einem von einer Griffschale hinterlegten Zug- und Schubgriff.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a dishwashing machine shown schematically in "side view" with a view into the washing compartment with the front door closed and with two dish baskets arranged one above the other, which according to an advantageous embodiment variant of the invention are associated with optical display devices in gripping areas,

Fig. 2

one too FIG. 1 similar dishwasher in perspective view obliquely from the front with the door swung down,

Fig. 3

a dish rack with optical display device in perspective view obliquely from the front,

Fig. 4

the crockery basket after Fig. 3 in view of diagonally behind, and

Fig. 5

the front portion of a crockery basket in an enlarged view with an optical display device and an adjacent control on a set of a handle shell pull and push handle.

Elements with the same function and mode of operation are each provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

In the FIG. 1 Dishwasher 1 shown is a domestic dishwasher and has a particular of a front door 3 - also an upper lid is possible as a door 3 - closable rinse 2 for receiving ware to be processed dishes, pots, cutlery, glasses, cooking utensils u. on. This is in at least one movable crockery basket 4, 5 halterbar; here two dish racks 4, 5 are provided one above the other in the washing container 2, which is not mandatory. The baskets 4, 5 are here via two rotatably mounted spray arms or one or more other spraying with water or detergent, rinse aid and / or other additives added water, ie in general terms with so-called. Flushing S, each acted upon an upward component acted upon ,

The lower crockery basket 5 may be formed such that larger parts, such as pans, pots or plates, can be held in it, in particular so that its inner or upper side points downwards. Possibly burned areas can then be reached and processed from below with wash liquor S, in order to be able to remove burnt residues or other heavy soiling if necessary.

The dishwasher 1 further comprises a supply device for fresh water FW, can be introduced via the externally supplied fresh water FW in the washing compartment 2. The water from the rinse tank 2 collects due to its gravity as a rinse S in a collecting pot, which is located in the lower part of the rinse tank 2 as a recess in its bottom. Here, a sieve 17 may be located.

The collecting pot is followed by a circulating pump 18, by means of which the rinsing liquor S can be pumped out of the collecting pot via a heater to a distribution space for re-introduction into the spraying arms during a circulation phase of a rinsing cycle.

In contrast, in order to be able to dissipate rinse liquor S that is no longer needed from the rinsing container 2, a suds pump 19 is furthermore provided, which is connected on the suction side to the collection pot and on the output side to a waste water connection line. By means of the drain pump 19, it is possible to pump out wash liquor S during a pumping out phase of a wash cycle as wastewater AW to the outside.

In the final closed position of the door 3 is the or each dish rack 4, 5 in a treatment or processing position in the vicinity of one of the closed door 3 opposite rear wall 6 of the washing container 2. For easy loading and unloading is the at least one dish rack 4, 5 at opened door 3 in a loading and unloading facilitating access position with a component forward - away from the rear wall 6 - displaced. For example, this side rails 7 are provided on which the baskets 4, 5 are horizontally displaceable over rollers 8.

In the forward displaced access position of the at least one crockery basket 4, 5, the drawn door 3 is pivoted down to the front about a horizontal transverse axis 9 and is substantially horizontal, so that the baskets 4, 5 are then above the plane of extension of the open door 3.

Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 comprises at least one display device 10, 11 for the visual communication of operating and / or program information of the dishwasher. In this case, at least one of these display devices 10, 11 associated with a dish rack 4, 5 and thus well readable even when the door 3 is open. Here, each of the two baskets 4, 5 carries its own display device 10 or 11, so that, for example, the instantaneous loading weight of each dish rack 4, 5 can be displayed directly on this. Unaffected by this, at least one further display possibility can also be provided on the door 3 or another front-side housing area.

However, the respective display device 10, 11, which is provided directly on the respective dish rack 10, 11, but also during loading or unloading of the dishwasher 1 with the door still open - 3 - especially when looking from above at the bottom - well visible, so that immediately and can be reacted to the data displayed there before setting and starting a wash program.

According to the embodiment, a weight determination of each crockery basket 4, 5 takes place, for which purpose, for example, piezo arrangements 12 can be provided which can be arranged on the rails 7 and react in a pressure-sensitive manner on the crockery baskets 4, 5 supporting rollers. The visual display device 10, 11 can then convey the detected data about a weight load of at least one dish rack 4, 5 to the user. The volume and above the type of introduced dishes can be determined.

In this case, the detected weight data can be forwarded, for example via cable 13, to a central control unit 14 and at the same time, for example via a wireless transmission, fed to the display device or devices 10, 11. These display devices are thus connected directly to the central control unit 14. This can be arranged for example in the floor area or in the door 3, as well as next to or on a container 22 for receiving detergent or detergent, rinse aid and / or other additives in the door, so that from there then in direct free Line obliquely above display devices 10, 11 angefunged or other wireless way such as can be supplied on the optical path, in particular by means of infrared rays, with information about the loading state.

Furthermore, the optical display device 10, 11 can additionally or alternatively impart data via a designated program sequence, such as the duration of the wash program as a function of the weight load of the dishwashing baskets 4, 5. The user can react to this directly, for example by particularly heavy items to be washed from the washing compartment 2 takes, so as to accelerate the wash program, for example, if he still has an appointment and would like to finish by then with the wash program. Also via adjacent control units 20, a reaction carried out, for example, by setting a washing program that takes into account the high load.

Likewise, the at least one optical display device 10, 11 may also store data on the supply of filled resources, such as e.g. Detergent, rinse aid, and / or other additive, such as e.g. Provide cleaning salt, and / or other detergents. Also for this purpose, it is particularly practical to be able to react even with the door open 3 to a possible lack of resources, since this must be refilled anyway in a container 22 on the inside of the door 3 or another wall of the washing compartment 2. If the customer were to receive the information only when the door 3 is closed, he would first have to open it again for refilling, which is uncomfortable.

The possibilities of the optical display device 10, 11 can also spend quite direct information to optimize a program flow, for example, such that at an uneven weight load of the baskets 4, 5, the advice is spent to shift pieces of one in the other dish rack.

Particularly detailed displays are possible if the or each optical display device 10, 11 comprises a field for alphanumeric displays, in which text messages can optionally be output in different, presettable languages.

Also, data about the volume of the set items can be detected and displayed, which can be determined for example via photocells. Here again, if necessary, optimizing a program sequence can advantageously make a shift between the dishwashing baskets 4, 5 meaningful and be excited by corresponding messages from the display devices 10, 11.

For simple information, an LED display can suffice, in which, for example, a first row of LEDs depending on the number of light emitting diodes, a measure of the weight and a second row of LEDs a measure of remaining resources such as detergent, rinse aid, and / or water softener gives. In particular, the respective display device can be designed such that the loading amount or at least one other parameter can be displayed digitally.

In particular, as indicated here in the drawing, the or each optical display device 10, 11 associated with a closed position of the door 3, front portion of a respective dish rack 4, 5, so that the readability is particularly good. According to the drawing, the optical display devices 10, 11 have an approximately vertical mounting position and are each front mounted on upstanding, front boundary planes 15 of the respective crockery basket 4, 5. This attachment can also be releasable, for example via a clip connection, to allow easy replacement and the display device 10, 11 can also be applied to different locations of the dish rack 4, 5, for example, at its rear level.

A very elegant solution provides that the or each optical display device 10, 11 is arranged integrally within one of the front boundary plane 15 of the respective crockery basket 4, 5 associated pull and push handle 16, which are transverse to a handle shell 21 as in the drawing figure 5 can. Also on the upper dish rack 4 in FIG. 2 is such a grip 21 can be seen. In the simpler case, a handle 16 can also be a simple plate ( Fig. 3 ) or form a piece of pipe. On the handle 16 can also be one or more controls 20, for example, pressure or rotary switches, be provided, which are then in the immediate vicinity of the optical display device 10, 11 and allow a direct response to the displayed data.

In any case, the optical display device 10, 11 formed waterproof, for example, by their encapsulation in a sealed unit that can be used as a whole in the pull and push handle 16.

In particular, even if the data are transmitted wirelessly to the at least one optical display device 10, 11, it is particularly good to be able to dispense with cables for their energy supply and the or each optical display device 10, 11 with its own power supply, for example via a replaceable or permanently installed battery.

In order to achieve a low energy consumption and a long life even when using a battery, the display of data on the or each optical display device 10, 11 coupled with the opening state of the door 3 and the display device 10, 11 with the door closed 3 completely off , For detecting the door state, for example, a phototransistor placed on the display device 10, 11 can serve to switch off the display in the dark (door 3 closed). This phototransistor can also be used for data transfer to the respective optical display device 10, 11. Generally speaking, the data transmission between the dishwasher of the dishwasher and the respective display device on the respective dish rack via a wireless such. via a radio or optical interface. An optical interface visual connection can be particularly useful if the display devices, in particular the basket handles with the display devices, the upper and / or lower dish rack in the final closing position of the door approximately at the same level as their addition or Zudosiereinheit for dosing of treatment agent such eg Detergent, rinse aid, and / or additives are connected to the control unit of the dishwasher via at least one electrical line. As a result, an immediate overcoupling of optical signals along a free connection line between an optical transmitting element on or in the door and an optical receiving element on the respective dish rack is made possible. The same applies of course in the case of other wireless communication.

It is also possible to automatically switch off the display device 10, 11 after a planned, maximum period of time, so as to achieve an economical energy handling.

Instead of a wireless data connection, the respective display device on the respective dish rack can be coupled to the control device of the dishwasher via at least one electrical and / or optical data line or other electrical and / or optical contact.

Viewed in general terms, the respective dish rack of the dishwasher designed according to the invention is itself equipped with at least one display device provided with the one or more conditional parameters such as the loading weight of the dish with items to wash, the type of dishes, the degree of soiling of the items to be cleaned, etc .. a user with the door open, especially in the horizontal Öffnungsentstellung along a free viewing path are largely freely displayed. In this case, the display device may be attached to any position of the respective dish rack, which is freely visible to a user in an open position of the door, in particular its horizontal open position. This may in particular be the front-side boundary plane of the respective dish rack. In addition, or independently of this, however, a display device on the rear, the Spülbehälterrückwand facing boundary plane of the respective dish rack may be appropriate. Because this is in the loading / unloading end position of the crockery basket, in which this is pulled out of the rinse tank with respect to its depth extension largely completely frontally forward, particularly well in the field of view of a user who bends from above over the pulled-out dish rack. Of course, the display device according to a further advantageous variant of the invention may also be approximately centrally mounted on the depth extent of the respective dish rack in this, so that it is already unobserved from above in a semi-open pull-out position of the dish rack.

In particular, the respective display device can optionally also be designed as a loose component. In particular, it may be formed such that it can be clamped releasably to one or more wires of the dishwashing basket with the fingers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Home appliance,

2

rinse tank,

3

Door,

4

upper crockery basket,

5

lower crockery basket,

6

Rear wall,

7

Rails,

8th

Roll,

9

horizontal axis,

10

optical display device,

11

optical display device,

12

Piezo-assembly,

13

Electric wire,

14

Control unit

15

front boundary plane,

16

Pull and push handle,

17

screening,

18

circulation pump,

19

Drain pump,

20

Operating unit,

21

Grip,

22

Receiving space for dishwashing detergent,

FW

Fresh water,

S

rinsing,

AW

Sewage,

Claims (16)

Dishwasher (1), in particular domestic dishwasher, with a particular of a door (3) closable rinsing container (2) for receiving Gut to be treated, wherein the washing compartment (2) with at least one movable washing basket (4; 5) is provided in the The product to be cleaned can be held and can be displaced from a treatment position in which the rinsing container (2) can be closed into an access position facilitating loading and unloading, and wherein the dishwasher has at least one display device (10; 11) for the visual communication of Includes operating and / or program information of the dishwasher (1),
characterized,
in that at least one optical display device (10; 11) is associated with a dish rack (4; 5). Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the optical display device (10, 11) conveys data about a loading state and / or a loading type, in particular about a weight load, of at least one dish rack (4, 5). Dishwasher (1) according to claim 2,
characterized,
in that the weight determination takes place via pressure-sensitive piezo arrangements (12). Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the optical display device (10; 11) conveys data via a designated program sequence. Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the optical display device (10; 11) conveys data about the stock of filled-in resources, such as cleaning salt or other rinsing agents. Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that information about the optimization of a program sequence can be output via the optical display device (10; 11). Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that a plurality of baskets (4, 5) are provided one above the other. Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that each dish rack (4; 5) is associated with an optical display device (10; 11). Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the or each optical display means (10; 11) comprises an array of alphanumeric displays. Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the or each optical display device (10; 11) is assigned to a region of a dishwashing basket (4; 5) facing a door (3). Dishwasher (1) according to claim 10,
characterized,
in that the or each optical display device (10; 11) is associated with an uprising front boundary plane (15) of the respective dish rack (4; 5). Dishwasher (1) according to claim 11,
characterized,
in that the or each optical display device (10; 11) is arranged within a pull and push handle (16) associated with one of the front boundary plane (15) of the respective crockery basket (4; Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the or each optical display means (10; 11) is wirelessly controlled. Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the or each optical display device (10; 11) is provided with its own power supply. Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the display of data via the or each optical display device (10; 11) is coupled to the opening state of the door (3) and the display device (10; 11) is switched off when the door (3) is closed. Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that in the immediate vicinity of the optical display device on the crockery basket (4; 5) and a control unit (20) is arranged.

Images