EP4030981B1 - Domestic dishwasher having at least one air drying device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a household dishwasher with a washing container for holding dishes, glasses, cutlery or similar items to be washed, and with at least one loading unit for holding items to be washed according to the preamble of claim 1.

In a standard dishwashing program, a domestic dishwasher goes through one or more liquid-carrying partial wash cycles, for example a pre-wash cycle, a cleaning cycle, an intermediate wash cycle and a final rinse cycle. This is usually followed by a drying cycle. During the respective liquid-carrying partial wash cycles, washing liquid, i.e. so-called washing liquor, is introduced into the washing container via one or more liquid distribution device(s). Such liquid distribution devices can be formed, for example, by rotating spray arms, by a roof shower and/or by a movable spray nozzle, such as a roof gyroscope, in the washing container. With their help, washing liquid can preferably be introduced into the washing container in such a way that the items to be washed held there in loading units, for example pull-out dish baskets and/or cutlery drawers, are directly or indirectly exposed to it. Water can preferably be used as the washing liquid for the respective liquid-carrying partial wash cycle, which can optionally be mixed with cleaning and/or rinse aid. Preferably, fresh water from a domestic water pipe, which is softened in particular by means of a water softener in the dishwasher, or service water, which is stored in a storage tank in the dishwasher from the final rinse cycle of the previous dishwashing program, can be used for the pre-wash cycle. Fresh water that has been softened by means of the water softener and mixed with cleaning agent is preferably used for the cleaning cycle. Softened fresh water is preferably used in the intermediate wash cycle. Fresh water that has been softened by means of the water softener and mixed with rinse aid is preferably used for the final rinse cycle.

Various drying methods are known in order to dry the dishes as well as possible at the end of the respective dishwashing program. These are in particular the so-called self-heat drying, condensation drying (in particular by means of a heat exchanger on a side wall of the washing container to cool it down), drying through a door opening at the end of the drying cycle, sorption drying such as with zeolite, etc.... These methods in particular ensure that liquid droplets that adhere to the dishes after the last liquid-carrying partial wash cycle of a running dishwashing program are dried away. However, if during the liquid-carrying partial wash cycles of the respective dishwashing program, washing liquid collects in an upwardly projecting depression, e.g. a depression, groove or other cavity of a dishwashing item, and remains there on the top, the amount of liquid that has remained is often too large to be dried away by a conventional drying system. A typical example of such a depression is a curved bottom of a cup or glass that is standing upside down. This residual liquid can usually only be removed after the end of the drying cycle by the user tipping the respective item of washware away by hand and/or drying it with a tea towel, which is uncomfortable and time-consuming. In addition, such puddles in depressions of items of washware can lead to unsightly, stubborn deposits or water marks after the drying cycle, as the remaining liquid can contain dirt particles, cleaning agents, rinse aid, limescale and/or other additives that can remain in the respective depression after the puddles have completely dried out.

The GB 1 530 734 A concerns only a drying hood which is arranged downstream of the outlet of a commercial dishwasher. The drying hood is arranged so as to be movable in a vertical direction above a table on which a crockery basket with wet crockery is placed after it has been removed from the dishwasher's washing compartment. A fan wheel which can be driven by an electric motor is fixed in place on the inside of its ceiling wall, beneath which electric heating resistors are arranged. To dry the crockery, the hood as a whole can be lowered down over the crockery basket into a Lower the drying position, in which an apron on its lower part covers the circumference of the

crockery basket. The fan motor and the electric heating elements are then switched on. The rotating fan sucks outside air into the interior of the hood through an opening in the ceiling wall and blows it vertically downwards. The same stationary air flow is always generated.

The JP 2005 058552 A concerns a so-called drawer dishwasher. This has a drawer-shaped washing box in its outer casing.

Dish baskets are housed in this above spray nozzles that rotate during rinsing. The drawer-shaped wash box can be moved out of the front of the housing for loading and/or unloading dishes. During a dishwashing program with rinsing and drying at the end of the program, it is moved into the outer housing and housed there in a rinsing position. An electric motor-driven fan wheel is attached or fixed in place on the outside of the rear of the drawer-shaped wash box. This pumps outside air into the drawer-shaped wash box during the drying phase of the dishwashing program.

Furthermore, WO 2019/015967 A1 a household dishwasher with a washing container and associated fan wheels.

The invention is based on the problem of providing a household dishwasher with a drying facility with the aid of which, during the final drying cycle of a dishwashing program, liquid quantities can be collected in particularly upper-side recesses, such as troughs, depressions, grooves or other cavities in parts of the wash items held in loading units, can be largely removed.

The invention solves the problem by an object having the features of claim 1. With regard to advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention, reference is made to claims 2 to 16.

Due to the fact that, according to the invention, in a household dishwasher at least one loading unit and/or an upper wall delimiting the washing container is provided with a or several fan wheels rotatable in the washing container are assigned, with which air can be sucked in on the one hand and blown out on the other hand, wherein one or more of the fan wheels are suspended so as to be movable in position, in particular pivotable, at least with respect to a vertical axis during the drying cycle of the dishwashing program to be carried out, air can be blown out onto the dishes located underneath, wherein the angle of the air blowing out can vary.

For example, the movable suspension of a fan wheel allows it to be tilted - preferably by a few degrees - when the speed increases (in relation to a vertical axis) or to be tilted from the outside. This changes the direction of the air flow directed downwards for drying.

If, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, several fan wheels are held or supported together on a frame - for example in a plane next to one another - and the frame as a whole is suspended from a loading unit or a wall delimiting the top of the rinsing container so that it can move in position relative to a vertical axis, the frame can be raised in this corner area by, for example, switching on a first fan wheel provided in a corner area of the frame and thereby be tilted overall relative to a vertical axis. This changes the air flow direction of all fan wheels held on the frame simultaneously.

If, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fan wheels of this frame are moved at varying speeds and/or one after the other, the frame is aligned in a varying manner over time, so that the resulting air flow (or air flows) repeatedly changes direction and the drying behavior for the dishes exposed to the resulting air flow (or air flows) is thereby optimized. This ensures an improved drying result for the drying cycle of a wash cycle of a dishwashing program to be carried out.

If, however, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the or each fan wheel is individually attached to a holding frame or a wall delimiting the top of the rinsing container at least relative to a vertical axis is suspended in a positionally movable manner, each fan wheel can individually vary its air flow. Here, too, it is possible to work with speed variations on each fan wheel in order to achieve a - particularly slight - angle of the respective fan wheel by varying the air flow strength and thus change the direction of the air flow emitted or blown out by the respective fan wheel. The air flows of the several fans do not have to run parallel to one another.

The change in the direction of the emitted air streams can advantageously be made possible by providing an elastically deformable suspension of a frame on which the one or more fan wheels are mounted and/or of the fan wheel(s) for positional mobility at least relative to a vertical axis. For this purpose, for example, elastically deformable suspensions can be provided via support elements containing rubber, silicone and/or TPE/TPV. For example, bands or sealing sleeves are possible in the suspensions.

Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible to achieve an elastically deformable suspension via springs.

In a preferred embodiment, it is also possible for each fan wheel to be held by several suspensions, which have different degrees of elasticity. In this case, too, the angular position of the fan wheel and the air flow output changes, for example, due to the upward force caused by the air flow.

Instead of elastic elements and/or springs, a variation of the outlet angle can be achieved via one or more pivot levers in the respective suspension. For example, a fan wheel can preferably be held via an approximately horizontal pivot lever that can move around a horizontal axis with one degree of freedom and therefore allows the fan wheel to move a small distance around the pivot axis on a circular path.

Preferably, in all cases, a change in the blow-out direction can be effected in particular solely by the operation of the respective fan wheel, which, through its downward thrust, preferably sets the fan wheel relative to the vertical. In addition or alternatively, an external force input for angle variation can also be possible. This can be done via an electric motor, for example. This can act via cams on several pivoting levers that hold the fan wheels.

As already indicated above, if several fan wheels are present, these can be controlled individually and thus the respectively controlled fan wheel can generate a thrust force which leads to a positional movement of this fan wheel in its suspension or of the several fan wheels around a common suspension.

In particular, one or more fan wheels can be held in its or their rest position in a horizontal loading plane of a loading unit (for example a crockery basket or a cutlery drawer) or the upper wall.

Without varying their position angle, the one or more fan wheels are preferably rotatable about a vertical axis or vertical axes.

In other words and/or in general terms, the respective fan wheel is movable in position, in particular pivotable, in addition to its rotational movement about a predetermined axis of rotation. This makes it possible for its axis of rotation to assume different positions during the drying phase of a dishwashing program to be carried out and thus for it to blow air streams in different spatial directions in the washing container of the household dishwasher.

The drive motor assigned to the respective fan wheel can preferably be arranged above the respective fan wheel, so that the drive motor and fan wheel each form a compact unit with only a very small installation height.

If one or more fan wheels suck in and blow out air from the closed rinsing tank, no outlets in the rinsing tank wall and no valves or other additional components are required, so the design remains simple. Alternatively, it is also possible for air to be sucked in from outside, for example by automatically opening the door a crack.

Further advantages and features emerge from embodiments of the subject matter of the invention shown in the drawing and described below.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht von schräg vorne einer Ausführungsform einer Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine mit einer hier vorderseitigen Tür und einem Spülbehälter im Innern,

Fig. 2

eine beispielhafte Detailansicht eines mit Spülgut beladenen Spülbehälters und unterhalb dessen oberen Wandung angesetzten Lüfterrädern in Seitenansicht, wobei gemäß diesem Bild eine starre und nicht gegenüber einer vertikalen Achse verkippbare Anbindung der Lüfterräder vorgesehen ist

Fig. 3

den Spülbehälter nach Figur 2 in Ansicht von vorne,

Fig. 4

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine mit einem oben über vier Elemente beweglich gehaltenen Rahmen, an dem seinerseits Lüfterräder - hier nicht gezeichnet - halterbar oder gehalten sind,

Fig. 5

eine teilweise geschnittene Einzelteilansicht eines über eine flexible, dichtende Manschette aufgehängten Lüfterrads,

Fig. 6

eine ähnliche Ansicht wie Figur 5, jedoch mit zwei Lüfterrädern nebeneinander,

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf einen Rahmen wie in Figur 4, wobei jedoch hier vier Lüfterräder an dem Rahmen gehalten und dabei einzeln über unterschiedlich elastische Halterungen gegenüber dem Rahmen beweglich sind,

Fig. 8

eine ähnliche Ansicht wie Figur 7, wobei jedoch die Lüfterräder über Schwenkhebel einzeln beweglich an dem Rahmen gehalten sind,

Fig. 9

eine Ansicht von vorne auf zwei über Schwenkhebel gehaltene Lüfterräder.

In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view obliquely from the front of an embodiment of a household dishwasher with a door at the front and a washing container inside,

Fig. 2

an exemplary detailed view of a washing container loaded with wash ware and fan wheels attached below its upper wall in side view, whereby according to this picture a rigid connection of the fan wheels is provided that cannot be tilted relative to a vertical axis

Fig. 3

the rinsing container Figure 2 in front view,

Fig. 4

a schematic perspective view of a household dishwasher with a frame which is movable at the top via four elements, on which fan wheels - not shown here - can be held or are held,

Fig. 5

a partially sectioned detail view of a fan wheel suspended via a flexible, sealing sleeve,

Fig. 6

a similar view as Figure 5 , but with two fan wheels next to each other,

Fig. 7

a top view of a frame as in Figure 4 , but here four fan wheels are held on the frame and are individually movable relative to the frame via differently elastic mounts,

Fig. 8

a similar view as Figure 7 , whereby the fan wheels are individually movable on the frame via pivoting levers,

Fig. 9

a front view of two fan wheels held by pivoting levers.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a household dishwasher 1. As part of a device body 5 that is partially open or closed to the outside, which is also often referred to as a corpus, this has at least one washing container 2 for holding items to be washed, such as dishes, pots, cutlery, glasses, cooking utensils, etc. The items to be washed can be held in loading units 10, 11, namely according to the drawing in dish baskets 11 and/or a flat cutlery drawer 10, and can be exposed to so-called washing liquor or washing liquid. Here, for example, two dish baskets 11 are arranged one above the other and an additional cutlery drawer 10 is arranged in the upper area of the washing container 2 as loading units. This arrangement is not mandatory. In the case of bulky items to be washed, the customer can also remove an upper dish basket 11 or the cutlery drawer 10 for a specific wash cycle, for example. In the examples in the other figures, however, no cutlery drawer 10 is provided.

The term "washing liquor" is understood to mean fresh water or, in particular, water that is circulated during operation, preferably softened water, with or without cleaning agent and/or rinse aid and/or drying agent. The washing container 2 can have an at least essentially rectangular - in particular approximately square - floor plan with a front V facing a user in the operating position. This front V can form part of a kitchen front made up of kitchen units standing next to one another or, in the case of a stand-alone appliance, can also be without reference to other units.

The washing container 2 can be closed in particular at this front side V by a door or flap 3. This door 3 is in Figure 1 shown in a partially open position and then at an angle to the vertical. In its closed position, however, it stands upright and, according to the drawing, can be swung forwards and downwards in the direction of arrow 4 about a lower horizontal axis to open it, so that in the fully open position it is at least almost horizontal.

On its outer and front side V, which is vertical in the closed position and faces the user, the door 3 can be provided with a decorative panel 6 in order to provide an optical and/or haptic enhancement and/or adaptation to surrounding kitchen furniture.

The domestic dishwasher 1 is designed here as a stand-alone or as a so-called partially integrated or fully integrated device. In the latter case, the device body 5 can also essentially be flush with the outer walls of the washing container 2. A housing surrounding this on the outside can then be partially or completely dispensable. In the lower area of the dishwasher there can be a base 12 for accommodating functional elements in particular, such as a circulation pump and/or waste water pump for the washing liquid.

In the embodiment according to the drawing, the movable door 3 is assigned a control panel 8 in its upper area, which extends in the transverse direction Q of the dishwasher and can include an access opening 7 accessible from the front V for manually opening and/or closing the door 3. In the transverse direction Q, the dishwasher often has an extension of 45, 50 or 60 centimeters. In the depth direction from the front V to the rear, the extension is often also around 60 centimeters. The values are not mandatory.

When the door or flap 3 is closed, the washing container 2 is delimited all around by a total of three fixed vertical walls 13 and two horizontal walls 15, one of which forms a ceiling as the upper wall and another a floor as the lower boundary of the washing container 2. The wall 14 arranged towards the front V, towards a user standing in front of the dishwasher 1 and movable here, forms an inner component of the movable door or flap 3.

The wall 15 forming the bottom of the washing container 2 and essentially delimiting it at the bottom, as well as the upper wall 15, lies approximately horizontally, i.e. parallel to an outer base B on which the dishwasher 1 stands.

At least one of the loading units 10, 11 is or are assigned one or more fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 that can rotate in the rinsing tank 2, with which air is can be sucked in and blown out on the other hand, in particular with a flow component pointing into the rinsing container 2.

Here, for example, Figure 7 or Figure 8 four fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 can be seen. However, the number is not mandatory. These are arranged here in the upper area 16 of the washing container 2 and each comprise a propeller-like part 17 and a drive part 18. The motors 18 are each arranged axially close above the fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 and can be controlled by a control device outside the washing container 2, and are therefore also electrically connected to it. The drives 18 are arranged in particular axially directly above the respective fan wheel L1, L2, L3, L4 and are preferably designed as a flat package, in particular as a contactless synchronous motor. This advantageously results in a very low installation height with an axial extension of less than four centimeters. The total installation height of the motor 18 and fan wheel 17 is therefore advantageously less than five centimeters, so that it is also possible to assign them to a flat cutlery drawer 10 or a similar loading unit.

The fan wheels L1, L2, L3 and L4 can be active in the drying phase and serve to improve the drying result of the wash items 19, which are, for example, in the Figures 2 and 3 is shown. During their rotation around a vertical axis 23 they convey air and blow it onto the items to be washed 19 with a component pointing downwards. Since, according to the invention, the position of the respective fan wheel and thus its blowing direction relative to the vertical axis 23 is mobile, the rotation does not necessarily take place exactly around this vertical axis 23, but around an axis that is slightly angled to it, which can also vary its position, as explained in more detail below. This position mobility is in Figure 5 below by the pivoting arrow around the vertical axis 23.

In particular, the drying result is significantly improved with cup or glass bottoms 20 pointing upwards or with similar concave grooves, indentations or the like.

The one or more fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 is or are assigned to and held on at least one loading unit 10, 11 and/or the upper wall 15 delimiting the rinsing container 2 or a separate frame 21.

This means that the fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 are suspended individually or jointly relative to the respective vertical axis 23. This positional mobility does not mean rotational mobility, which is present anyway, but rather the ability to tilt the actual axis of rotation relative to the vertical axis 23. This variation in the emitted air flow results in an overall improvement in drying and the entire drying phase in terms of energy consumption, running time, drying effect and environmental influences.

It is also possible, for example, for a cutlery drawer to be divided lengthways or crossways, so that the symmetry in this regard is eliminated. Only the part to the right of the user forms a cutlery drawer 10 and can be pulled out towards the front V to facilitate loading and unloading as usual. In the part to the left of the front, however, there can then be two fan wheels L1 and L3 of the same size (not shown). Here, the fan wheels L1, L3 can also lie in the same horizontal plane as the cutlery drawer 10 and do not have to protrude downwards. This means that the full loading height is maintained in the loading unit(s) 11 below, which is particularly advantageous for tall items such as glasses with long stems.

In a first embodiment shown in Figure 4 one or more fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 are suspended from a frame 21 that holds them together. This frame is itself suspended from a loading unit 10, 11 or - as indicated here - from the wall 15 that delimits the top of the rinsing container 2 in a movable manner relative to a vertical axis 23. For example, four suspensions 22 in the outer corner areas are used for this purpose. These suspensions 22 can be elastically deformable, with the elasticity being achieved via support elements containing rubber, silicone and/or TPE/TPV. Alternatively, the mobility of the suspensions 22 can be achieved via springs.

This creates an elastic/flexible suspension 22 of the complete frame 21 on the rinsing tank 2 to ensure a pivoting fan system. The Fan L1, L2, L3, L4 - in Figure 4 not shown - can, however, be suspended firmly or even elastically in the frame 21. With a rigid suspension in the frame 21, the force acting on the fan wheel as a result of the downward air-emitting operation of the fan wheel, for example L1, can be fully transmitted to the frame 21. If, for example, a fan is rigidly arranged in the front left corner 24 of the frame 21 and blows out downwards, this fan is pushed upwards. This thrust is transferred to the frame 21 by the rigid suspension, which then lifts this corner 24 due to its movable suspensions 22, thereby positioning the fan slightly at an angle to the vertical. It is possible to run the speed of the fan in several phases so that the resulting thrust varies. The fan is only lifted when the thrust is on the order of magnitude of the weight of the fan. If several fans are held in the frame 21, which is particularly advantageous, the fans can be controlled one after the other so that different corners of the frame 21 are lifted alternately. In conjunction with the soft bearing 22, the frame 21 is pushed upwards in the area of the motor being driven in each case and thus receives the desired change in direction. The change in direction from the vertical is only a few degrees up to about 5°, since otherwise the frame 21 could hit the top with the corner that is moved upwards (for example 24).

The elastic suspension 22 also results in a decoupling from the walls 13, 14, 15 of the rinsing container 2, so that the noise and vibration behavior are also significantly improved.

The frame 21 can protrude downwards like an apron and thus also provide a certain protection for the fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 as well as protection against interference with them.

Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible for the or each fan wheel L1, L2, L3, L4 to be suspended individually on the holding frame 21 or the wall 15 delimiting the washing container 2 at the top, at least relative to a vertical axis 23. For example, an elastic suspension of each fan wheel L1, L2, L3, L4 on the frame 21 is possible, which is then firmly connected to the dishwasher 1.

A movable suspension of one or each individual fan wheel L1, L2, L3, L4 is in Figure 5 and Figure 6 for mounting on the upper wall or ceiling wall 15 of the washing tank: In Figure 5 The installation of a single fan wheel L1 is shown, in Figure 6 the attachment of two fan wheels L1 and L2, which lie next to each other as seen from the front V. There, a sleeve running around the vertical axis 23 and sealing here is provided as an elastically deformable suspension 22, which in turn contains rubber, silicone and/or TPE/TPV. The suspension 22 is here positively hooked into a hole 25 in the upper wall 15. This hole 25 penetrating the outer wall 15 also makes it necessary for the suspension 22 to be sealing all the way around. However, other connections and mounts are also possible, for example on an auxiliary frame or without drilling through the wall 15. As an alternative to the elastic suspension 22 by the sleeve, a movable suspension 22 of the or each fan wheel L1, L2, L3, I4 via one or more springs is also possible here.

A movable suspension of one or each individual fan wheel L1, L2, L3, L4 is in Figure 7 for an elastic attachment to the frame 21: Four fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 are provided here as an example, which are assigned to the respective corner areas of the frame 21, which is at least almost square in plan view. The suspension 22 of each fan wheel (for example L1) relative to the frame 21 is realized here via three bands, supports or similar holders 22a, 22b, 22c. These holders 22a, 22b, 22c act like approximately horizontal connecting webs. They can have different elasticities to one another, so that the thrust of a respective fan wheel L1, L2, L3, L4 occurring during operation automatically sets its defined inclination to the vertical axis 23. For example, the bracket 22a can be significantly more elastic than the brackets 22b and 22c, whereby the fan wheel L1 is raised more transversely on the outside and the air flow escaping downwards is directed a little transversely outwards into the corner area 24. Here too, the brackets 22a, 22b, 22c, which protrude radially from the motor 18 as connecting webs, are advantageously made of rubber, TPE ... and/or as a spring. With a similar elasticity of the three (number not mandatory) brackets 22a, 22b, 22c, a very desirable limited wobbling movement of each fan wheel L1, L2, L3, L4 around the vertical axis 23 is also possible during operation.

In a third version according to the Figures 8 and 9 The fan wheel(s) L1, L2, L3, L4 is/are attached to the respective suspension 22 via, for example, a pivot lever 27 with a movable joint/spherical bearing 28. The pivot levers 27 run, for example, in plan view according to Figure 8 diagonally to a central joint 28 in the frame 21, so that a wobbling movement about the vertical axes 23 can occur during operation. The central arrangement of the joint 28 is not mandatory. It is also possible that a separate joint 28 is provided for each of the fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4.

The longitudinal distance of the pivot lever 27 to the joint 28 can vary, so that the movement pattern can also be varied.

In all versions it is particularly possible for the blow-out direction to be changed solely by operating the respective fan wheel L1, L2, L3, L4 and the thrust achieved as a result. If there are several fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4, these can be controlled individually. For example, each fan wheel L1, L2, L3, L4 is then run in turn for a few seconds with a vertical blow-out direction and then for a few seconds at full speed in order to enable a short angled blow-out by the respectively controlled fan wheel L1, L2, L3, L4 generating a thrust force that leads to a movement of this fan wheel in its suspension or of the several fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 around a common suspension. Controlling the several fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 one after the other then leads to a multitude of blow-out directions and to particularly good drying, especially in the corner areas.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible that one or more fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 can be changed in their position relative to a vertical axis 23 from the outside by means of a motor, for example also jointly via a camshaft.

In particular, one to four fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 are provided for each suspension 22.

It is advantageous if one or more fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 are in their rest position in a horizontal loading plane of the loading unit 10, 11 or the Wall 15 is or are held. Due to the positional mobility, a permanent or, in particular, increasing and decreasing angle to this plane by a few degrees can arise during operation.

As is clear from the plan views, the fan wheel(s) L1, L2, L3, L4 can be arranged axially symmetrically to a vertical longitudinal center plane and/or axially symmetrically to a vertical transverse center plane of the household dishwasher 1.

Unlike in the drawing, a single fan wheel L1 can be provided, arranged centrally in the transverse and depth direction, which with its diameter can almost fully utilize the available area in the rinsing tank 2, i.e. can have a diameter of up to 48 centimeters.

In the embodiments described and drawn up to this point, the fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 are arranged axially symmetrically to a vertical longitudinal center plane and possibly also axially symmetrically to a vertical transverse center plane of the dishwasher 1. Here, there is symmetry to the vertical transverse center plane, i.e., a user standing in front of the dishwasher 1 finds the same conditions to the left and right.

In all cases, an external air supply or air discharge is not mandatory, but the one or more fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 can suck in and blow out air from the closed washing container 2. An automated gap-by-gap opening of the door 3 is also possible during the drying phase.

In all embodiments, the hydraulic effective range for cup bottom drying and the like is advantageously significantly increased by the positionally movable, in particular pivotable, suspension of one or more fan wheels.

• Vergrößerung des hydraulischen Wirkbereichs der Trocknungssystems und dadurch verbessertes Trocknungsergebnis speziell auch in den Eckbereichen des Spülbehälters,
• Verbesserung des Geräuschverhaltens aufgrund der Entkopplung der Motoren 18 von der Wandung 15 bzw. dem Rahmen 21, und/oder
• Schwingungsentkopplung des Trocknungssystems und/oder dessen Antriebs vom Spülbehälter und/oder sonstigen Bauteilen der Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine 1.

The invention achieves the following advantages in particular:

• Enlargement of the hydraulic effective range of the drying system and thus improved drying results, especially in the corner areas of the rinsing tank,
• Improvement of the noise behaviour due to the decoupling of the motors 18 from the wall 15 or the frame 21, and/or
• Vibration decoupling of the drying system and/or its drive from the washing container and/or other components of the household dishwasher 1.

Depending on the design and spatial conditions, the one fan wheel or the several fan wheels L1, L2, L3, L4 can be assigned to a cutlery drawer 10 and/or a crockery basket 11 and/or the mentioned separate frame 21 and/or the upper wall 15.

Complete drying is possible, particularly of cup bottoms and similar recesses in the lower and upper baskets. This type of drying can also be particularly advantageously combined with another drying unit, for example with a heat exchanger and/or zeolite.

list of reference symbols

1

household appliance,

2

rinsing container,

3

Door,

4

opening direction,

5

device body,

6

decorative panel,

7

recessed grip,

8

control panel,

10

cutlery drawer,

11

dish rack,

12

Base,

13

vertical wall,

14

movable wall,

15

horizontal wall,

16

upper area,

17

propeller-like part,

18

drive part,

19

dishes,

20

cup or glass bottoms,

21

Frame,

22

suspensions,

22a, 22b, 22c

brackets,

23

vertical axis,

24

corner of the frame,

25

drilling,

27

swivel lever,

28

joint/spherical bearing,

29

swivel direction,

V

Front,

Q

transverse direction,

B

Floor,

L1, L2, L3, L4

fan wheels,

Claims (16)

1. Household dishwasher (1) having a dishwasher cavity (2) for accommodating items to be washed held on or in loading units (10, 11), for example dishes, glasses or cutlery, wherein, in a dishwashing program to be performed, wash fluid is able to strike the items to be washed in the dishwasher cavity (2) and subsequently it is possible to perform a drying cycle for drying the items to be washed, wherein one or multiple rotatable fan wheels (L1, L2, L3, L4) are arranged in the dishwasher cavity (2) allowing air to be both taken in and blown out, characterised in that individual or multiple fan wheels (L1, L2, L3, L4) are suspended movably, in particular pivotably, at least relative to a vertical axis (23) during the drying cycle of the dishwashing program to be performed, so that it is possible for the angle at which the air is blown out onto the items to be washed to vary.
2. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   one or multiple fan wheels (L1, L2, L3, L4) are supported on a frame and the frame is suspended movably, relative to a vertical axis, from a loading unit (10, 11) or a wall (15) delimiting the top of the dishwasher cavity (2).
3. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the or each fan wheel (L1, L2, L3, L4) is suspended individually from a frame or a wall (15) delimiting the top of the dishwasher cavity (2) in such a manner that it can move, at least relative to a vertical axis.
4. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   to ensure that the one or multiple fan wheels (L1, L2, L3, L4) can move, at least relative to a vertical axis, an elastically deformable suspension unit is provided for a frame, on which the one or more fan wheel(s) (L1, L2, L3, L4) are suspended, and/or the fan wheel(s) (L1, L2, L3, L4).
5. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 4,
   characterised in that
   an elastically deformable suspension unit is achieved by way of one or multiple support elements containing rubber, silicone and/or TPE/TPV.
6. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5,
   characterised in that
   an elastically deformable suspension unit is achieved by way of one or multiple springs.
7. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6,
   characterised in that
   the ability to move, at least relative to the vertical axis, is achieved by way of one or multiple pivot levers in the respective suspension unit.
8. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in that
   a change in the blow-out direction can be achieved by operating the respective fan wheel (L1, L2, L3, L4).
9. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 2 to 8,
   characterised in that
   if multiple fan wheels (L1, L2, L3, L4) are present, these can be activated individually, with the respectively activated fan wheel (L1, L2, L3, L4) generating a thrust force, which moves said fan wheel in its suspension unit or the multiple fan wheels (L1, L2, L3, L4) in their common suspension unit.
10. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterised in that
    one to four fan wheels (L1, L2, L3, L4) are provided for each suspension unit.
11. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10,
    characterised in that
    the one or multiple fan wheel(s) (L1, L2, L3, L4) is/are held in its/their rest position in a horizontal loading plane of the loading unit (10, 11) or a wall (15).
12. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11,
    characterised in that
    the at least one fan wheel (L1, L2, L3, L4) can be rotated about a vertical axis.
13. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12,
    characterised in that
    the fan wheel(s) (L1, L2, L3, L4) is/are arranged with axial symmetry to a vertical longitudinal central plane and/or with axial symmetry to a vertical transverse central plane of the dishwasher (1).
14. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13,
    characterised in that
    the fan wheels (L1, L2, L3, L4) each have a diameter of 17 to 48 centimetres.
15. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14,
    characterised in that
    the one or multiple fan wheel(s) (L1, L2, L3, L4) are assigned to a cutlery drawer (10) provided as a loading unit and/or the one or multiple fan wheel(s) (L1, L2, L3, L4) are assigned to a dish rack (11) provided as a loading unit and/or a frame (21).
16. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15,
    characterised in that
    the position(s) of one or multiple fan wheel(s) (L1, L2, L3, L4), relative to a vertical axis, can be changed from the outside by motor.

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