EP1128759B1

EP1128759B1 - Dishwashing machine with independently controlled washing racks

Info

Publication number: EP1128759B1
Application number: EP99958621A
Authority: EP
Inventors: &Scedil;emsettin; Mesa Koru Sitesi EKSERT; Kani Tibet; Korkut Avci; Gökhan ÖZGÜREL
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 1998-10-16
Filing date: 1999-10-15
Publication date: 2004-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-15
Also published as: WO2000022973A1; ATE271346T1; DE69918853T2; EP1128759A1; DE69918853D1; EP1128759B8; TR200100447T2; AU1594900A

Abstract

A dishwashing machine that can control the flows in the washing lines independently, by means of different flap valve combinations, in order to regulate the fluctuations occurring in the pump pressure consequently in the flowrates as the result of variations in the washing water parameters due to such factors as the decomposition of dirt on the dishes to be washed, increase in temperature and use of chemicals; and that can also control and reduce the water and energy consumption by means of mechanical commands, pneumatic and electrical components and the operation programs selected by the user.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to a dishwashing machine with enhanced washing performance by the contribution of a mechanism of valves controlling the flows in the washing lines independently from each other, and with reduced consumption values.

PRIOR ART

In the dishwashing machines, the crockery placed in the washing racks is washed by means of the washing water sprayed from the washing mechanisms arranged above and below these racks. Water passing through the pipes connected to these washing means is circulated throughout the system by means of a pump. In some machines, there may be a washing mechanism or a water-spraying component connected to the water system, at the upper part of the washing tub.

In the dishwashing machines; the normal programs consist of six successive steps, namely; "pre-washing, main washing, regeneration, rinsing, warm rinsing, drying".

The drying and regeneration steps are auxiliary steps and during the other successive washing steps in normal programs, a total amount of washing water required for each step is taken-in according to the current loading of the machine. Then by heating the water and adding the chemicals as required by these washing steps, the washing cycle is completed. During these successive steps, washing operation is realised at both washing racks.

In a dishwashing machine disclosed in the German Patent Application No. DE 4243869, wherein only the upper washing rack is loaded with the crockery and the upper washing mechanism is operated, taking a half washing capacity as the basis, in order to reduce water, detergent, time and energy consumption, the lower washing mechanism is closed by a valve. Both washing racks are manufactured similarly and each rack is arranged according to a half dishwashing capacity. The user has to place the crockery on the upper rack. In this patent application it has been proposed to use another valve to control the upper washing means. This valve may be closed instead of the other one that is used to control the lower washing means as an alternative. In this way, the lower washing means will be operated and the crockery shall be placed only on the lower washing rack.

A machine wherein both washing racks or only one rack are loaded and only the lower washing mechanism and the third washing mechanism at the upper half of the tub are operated separately, has been disclosed in the German Patent Application No.DE 4434235. In this application the upper washing mechanism is closed by means of a valve whereas the uppermost third washing mechanism is continuously in-line. In this solution the user places the crockery in the dishwashing machine as he or she desires. For the sake of water and energy saving, the machine puts the system into operation with the current washing sequence by taking-in less washing water during certain washing steps. However, as the working pressure is increased, the lower washing rack may cause damages on light crockery pieces.

In another machine disclosed in the European Patent Application No. EP 0483466, wherein both washing racks are filled the two washing mechanisms are operated continuously in alternating cycles. In this solution, the user again places the crockery in the machine as he or she desires. By the nature of the system, a decrease in the washing performance occurs when both washing mechanisms operate at the same time.

A machine wherein both racks are loaded with the crockery, but only the upper washing mechanism is operated during certain steps of the program, is disclosed in the European Patent Application No.EP 0697188. The lower mechanism is shut-off by means of a valve. In this solution that controls only the lower washing mechanism, the user places the crockery in the machine as he or she desires. However as the working pressure increases at the upper washing mechanism when the valve is closed, it can be harmful for the light crockery pieces. Programming device controls the working modes of the lower washing mechanism.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:

The object of the present invention is to control the washing mechanisms of the dishwashing machine, at a desired program step independently from each other using separate valves for each one. Another object of the invention is to control each washing mechanism continuously and independently from each other according to the program sequences and washing steps.

Yet another object of the invention is to control the operations of the washing racks according to the program selections of the main program unit, by the evaluation of the information obtained by the sensors during the washing steps.

Another object of the present invention is to control the operation of the washing mechanisms directly in connection with the washing program.

Another object of the present invention is to allow the user to control the washing rack directly by using the option and program selection buttons.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the user with such possibilities as being able to load all washing racks as he/she desires and as required, to wash the dirtiest and massive crockery at the lower, and less dirty and smaller crockery at the upper rack.

Finally, another object of the invention is to provide a better cleaning of the detergent present in the detergent dispenser system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The dishwashing machine and the equipment used in the said machine, realised in order to attain the above mentioned objects of the present invention, have been illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 -: is the schematic view of the prior art dishwashing machine.
Figure 2 -: is the schematic view of the implementation in the dishwashing machine of the present invention.
Figure 3-: is the cross section view of the integral (incorporated) container in the dishwashing machine of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The water system of the dishwashing machines consists of a sump (1)-a pump reservoir-wherein the washing water is collected, a pump (2) which circulates it throughout the system sucking the water from the sump (1), conduits (4,10,11) through which the water is transmitted and the washing mechanisms, (7 and 9) which spray the liquid onto the loaded racks. Water sprayed from the washing mechanisms (5,7 and 9) comes back to the sump (1) by hitting the crockery in the racks (6 and 8) and the walls of the washing tub.

The equipment disclosed in this invention, to provide the aimed properties and controls, consist of an inlet (12) connected to the delivery side of the washing pump, two outlets (13 and 14) opening to the upper and lower washing mechanisms (7 and 9), control mechanisms (15 and 16) of the said washing mechanisms (13 and 14), components (17 and 18) that in turn control the said control mechanisms (15 and 16), a third outlet (20) wherein a water directing device (19) and a controller component (25) are mounted in front of the container where both valve mechanisms are present, and the washing water is directed towards another mechanism for a different purpose, a fourth outlet (21) for the uppermost spraying component (5), which is not controlled or which can be controlled by an additional valve mechanism, and a container (3) wherein all these inlets and outlets are integrated with their control mechanisms.

The present invention provides a facility and flexibility of production by designing dishwashing machines of various types and technical characteristics on a single device with regard to the water system.

The most suitable point for the control of the water lines would be the pump outlet. The flow rate that is required for each washing mechanism is controlled by means of a valve mechanism (15 and 16) situated at the pump outlet, by opening and shutting-off using an electrical or pneumatic component (17 and 18) that drives the said mechanism. The said control may be in the form of controlling the section area of the water line and therefore of the required flow rate, at determined ratios.

These outlets can also be controlled by means of various flap combinations of valve mechanisms and mechanical connections by using a smaller number of components. Or else, all outlets can be commanded by a control cap, the position of which is specified by a code and by a single electrical component that drives the said control cap.

The decreases in the pressure due to the parameters of the water system components and the nozzle output flow rates required for the washing process, are provided by the pump. The system flow rates under normal operating conditions are made in such a manner that they will not allow pump air suction.

However during the washing cycles the washing liquid parameters change due to such factors as the decomposition of dirt on the crockery, increase in temperature and use of chemicals and this change causes fluctuations in the pump pressure and thus in the flow rates. As the result of these fluctuations the system deviates from the desired target and cannot wash the dishes properly.

The washing mechanisms disclosed in this invention are controlled in order to detect and eliminate the above described pressure fluctuations. For this reason, one or more of the physical parameters having influence on the washing system are continuously controlled by means of sensors. When these measured values exceed the limit values, the appropriate washing mechanism is shut-off by the main control unit to bring the system close to the optimum working point and thus the washing performance is kept at the desired level. This control is made to provide the decrease of the fluctuations to be held below the defined limits, in case the fluctuation occurring at the pump outlet pressure exceeds the peak values, by reducing the flow rate to the upper or lower washing rack to a certain extent and by measuring the pressure values again.

The washing mechanisms can also be controlled directly by the main control unit, according to the washing cycle steps without requiring the control of the washing system physical parameters. When an economy program is selected to consume less water and energy, to wash less dirty crockery, a predetermined, smaller amount of water is taken in instead of a maximum amount of water. For the optimum washing performance, each washing mechanism starts to operate in a predetermined order required for certain steps in the program.

The user may have the opportunity to control directly the operation of the washing mechanisms (7 and 9). The user presses the intense program option button if the crockery with heavy dirt such as pots and pans will be washed. By means of this button, the control system increases the flow rate and pressure of the lower mechanism and provides an optimum washing efficiency, by shutting off the upper mechanism continuously or at certain steps of the washing cycle.

By means of this disclosure, being the subject of the present invention; the decomposition and a complete cleaning of the detergent contained in the detergent dispenser component is provided by operating only the lower washing mechanism (9), at the beginning of the program step.

Claims

Dishwashing machine with independently controlled washing racks, characterized with an inlet (12) connected to the delivery side of the washing pump, two outlets (13 and 14) opening to the upper and lower washing mechanisms (7 and 9), control mechanisms (15 and 16) for the said washing mechanisms (13 and 14), components (17 and 18) that in turn control the said control mechanisms (15 and 16), a third outlet (20) wherein a water directing device (19) is mounted in front of the container where both valve mechanisms are present, and the washing water is directed towards another mechanism for a different purpose, a fourth outlet (21) for the uppermost spraying component, which is not controlled or which can be controlled by an additional valve mechanism, and a container (3) wherein all these inlets and outlets are integrated with their control mechanisms.
A dishwashing machine with independently controlled washing racks, according to claim 1, characterized in that the said integrated container (3) consists of different valve components.
A dishwashing machine with independently controlled washing racks, according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized with a distributing container, wherein separate outlets are controlled by a single component.
A dishwashing machine with independently controlled washing racks, according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the positioning and control of the valves in the said integrated container are made by the programming unit according to the data obtained from the sensors.
A dishwashing machine with independently controlled washing racks, according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control of the valves in the said dishwashing machine is put into operation during the washing program steps.
A dishwashing machine with independently controlled washing racks, according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the positioning and control of the valves in the said dishwashing machine, are made by means of a command directly activated by the user.