The present invention relates to a dishwasher including a housing which is open at the front side, and including a washing tub which is open at the top, the washing tub being able to be withdrawn from the housing.
A drawer-type dishwasher is described in WO 98/33426 A1. The advantages of such a drawer-type dishwasher are described in detail in that document.
Drawer-type dishwashers have a problem which is caused by the need to seal the upwardly open washing tub so as to prevent egress of wash water. To this end, a liquid-tight contact must be provided between the cover of the housing, or sealing strips extending parallel thereto on the housing side walls, and the edges defining the opening of the washing tub. It is common practice to use flexible seals on the edges and/or on the housing. In order to achieve the sealing effect, one of the companion sealing members must exert a force on the other. In the front and rear regions, this force is provided by the insertion movement which occurs perpendicular to the sealing surface. On the other hand, at the lateral edges, the insertion movement occurs parallel to the two sealing surfaces. Therefore, it is important to provide an movement arrangement to produce a force having a component perpendicular to the lateral sealing surfaces.
To this end, in one embodiment disclosed in WO 98/33426 A1, the housing cover is moved toward the washing tub toward the end of the insertion operation. In order to effect such lowering, it is necessary to provide a complex adjusting mechanism by which the force resulting from the insertion movement is redirected toward the cover.
Another embodiment described in WO 98/33426 A1 uses a washing tub which has a greater height at the front than at the rear, so that the edges of the side walls slope downwardly toward the rear. Given a correspondingly sloping cover, or a corresponding sealing strip, it is achieved that the insertion movement is no longer parallel to the sealing edge, and therefore produces a force on the companion sealing members. The slope of the edges results in several disadvantages. First of all, the height of the washing tub decreases, which reduces the capacity thereof. Secondly, remaining water standing on the edges runs to the rear and into the housing.
Also described in WO 98/33426 A1 are variants that use folding covers, or “endless covers” mounted on rollers, but which have disadvantages in terms of tightness. Also described in WO 98/33426 A1 is the lowering of seals by inflating the seal itself, or an activation device associated therewith.
It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a structurally simple and yet reliable means for sealing the washing tub within the housing.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a dishwasher that includes a housing and a washing tub. The housing may have a substantially block-shape and include a housing cover and a front side with an opening. The washing tub may have a front wall, a rear wall, a top having an opening, and side walls having upper edges extending parallel to the housing cover. The washing tub may be configured to be received and withdrawn from the housing in a drawer-like manner and to be fully inserted into the housing during a washing operation. At least one region of the washing tub may bear against a region of the housing during the washing operation. In at least a region of the upper edges and over approximately an entire length of the upper edges, at least one of an outer dimension of the washing tub may decrease in width from front to rear and an inner dimension of the washing tub may increase in width from front to rear. The housing may have at least one contact surface adapted to match a contour of at least one of the outer dimension and inner dimension of the washing tub.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a dishwasher that includes a housing and a washing tub and a seal. The housing has a substantially block-shape and includes a housing cover and a front side having an opening. The washing tub includes a front wall, a rear wall, a top having an opening and side walls having upper edges extending parallel to the housing cover. The washing tub may be configured to be received and withdrawn from the housing in a drawer-like manner and to be fully inserted into the housing during a washing operation. The seal may be disposed on the housing and may bear against the washing tub during the washing operation. In at least a region of the upper edges and over approximately an entire length of the upper edges, at least one of an outer dimension of the washing tub may decrease in width from front to rear and an inner dimension of the washing tub may increase in width from front to rear. The seal may have at least one contact surface adapted to match a contour of at least one of the outer dimension and the inner dimension of the washing tub.
Aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the following drawings, using like reference numerals to denote like parts in which,
a are side views of the dishwasher of
a are side views of the dishwasher of
An advantage offered by the present invention is that it provides a simple construction of the housing and washing tub, while at the same time allowing the block shape, or possibly the parallelepiped shape, of the washing tub to be maintained.
In a first variant, an advantage is achieved by the fact that the washing tub either decreases in width in terms of its outer dimensions from the front to the rear or increases in width in terms of its inner dimensions from the front to the rear, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length, and that either the housing or a seal provided on the housing has at least one contact surface which is adapted to match the contour of the washing tub.
In a first exemplary embodiment of this variant, in which the washing tub decreases in width in terms of its outer dimensions from the front to the rear, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length, the upper edges of the washing tub have seals provided thereon which, during the washing operation, bear against a region of the housing which also decreases in width from the front to the rear. Thus, the washing tub, including the seals, can be manufactured very easily, for example, by dual injection molding.
In one advantageous embodiment, in which the washing tub decreases in width in terms of its outer dimensions, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length, seals are disposed in the inner corners formed by the housing side walls and the housing cover, and the width of the region between the contact surfaces of the seals also decreases from the front to the rear. Because the seals are disposed within the housing, they remain protected, and there is little risk of damage by the user of the dishwasher.
It is also advantageous if the region that decreases in width is inclined inwardly with respect to the remainder of the side walls. In this manner, this region can simply take the form of a bevel provided on the outside of the side wall edges, said bevel having a constant angle but increasing in depth from the front to the rear.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, in which the washing tub increases in width in terms of its inner dimensions from the front to the rear, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length, the housing cover has seals provided thereon which extend into the interior of the washing tub and which, in terms of their contact surfaces providing the sealing effect, are adapted to match the contours of the washing tub. Because the seals are disposed on the inside of the washing tub, any liquid getting between the seal and the sealing surface is prevented from leaking out of the washing tub, and thus from entering the housing.
In this embodiment, too, it is advantageous if the region which increases in width is inclined outwardly with respect to the remainder of the side walls, because then it can take the form of a bevel provided on the inside of the side wall edges, said bevel having a constant angle but increasing in depth from the front to the rear.
In another variant, which has a washing tub whose side walls have upper edges provided with seals, a simple construction is achieved by an movement arrangement which, during the insertion operation, move the upper edge of the seal relative to the upper edge of the washing tub in a direction toward the housing cover.
The movement arrangement can take the form of guide ribs which are disposed on the housing side walls and slope downwardly from the rear wall of the housing to the housing opening. Alternatively, the movement arrangement can take the form of rollers which are disposed, one behind the other, on the housing side walls and whose axes are located on lines which slope downwardly from the rear wall of the housing to the housing opening. In a third variant, the diameter of the rollers may increase toward the rear wall of the housing.
It is advantageous for the guide ribs, or the line, to have an inclination of about 1°.
It is also advantageous if the seals have a portion which is C-shaped in cross-section and embraces the ribs or rollers. This increases the elasticity of the seals, thereby reducing the actuating forces.
In yet another variant, in which lateral seals provided on the housing bear against the washing tub during the washing operation, a simple construction is achieved by the fact that the seals haves L-shaped portions whose legs which, in the position of use, are horizontal, extend under lateral projections of the washing tub which are horizontal in the position of use, and that the lateral projections slope downwardly from the rear wall to the front wall of the washing tub.
A particular advantage of this variant is obtained by disposing the seal within the interior of the housing, whereby it is projected from damage resulting from falling items to be washed, or the like.
A simple construction of such a dishwasher is also achieved by the fact that the lateral projections are formed by wedge-shaped side wall portions of the washing tub which are directed outwardly toward the housing side walls with respect to the remainder of the washing tub. This allows the washing tub to be manufactured as an injection-molded part, without the need to separately attach the lateral projections.
It is advantageous for the guide ribs, or the line, to have an inclination of about 1°.
It is also advantageous if the seals have an integrally formed sealing lip which overlaps the upper edge of the washing tub. This prevents liquid from leaking over the edge of the washing tub during the washing operation, and thus from dripping into the housing when the washing tub is in an extended position. Adding such a labyrinth at a position in front of the main sealing plane increases reliability.
The dishwashers 1 illustrated in
The washing tub is preferably manufactured as a single injection-molded plastic part and is open at the top. As a consequence of the latter, upper edges 8.1, 9.1 and 10.1 are formed on side walls 8, rear wall 9, and front wall 10, respectively. Rear wall 9 preferably has the same height as side walls 8, but may also have a slightly different height. Front wall 10 is preferably higher than side walls 8 and overlaps housing cover 7, it being possible for said front wall to be covered with a decorative panel 11. An important feature for an embodiment of the dishwasher is that edges 8.1 of side walls 8 extend parallel to the plane of housing cover 7.
In order to prevent wash water from leaking from washing tub 2 into housing 3 during the washing operation, during which tub 2 is fully inserted into housing 3 as shown in
In the first variant, which is illustrated in
Located in the inner corners formed by housing side walls 6 and housing cover 7 are seals 13 (see
In both variants, it is advantageous if seals 13 and 16, and the front and rear seals not shown, are injection-molded onto cover 7. In that case, it may be advantageous to manufacture cover 7 from plastic, or to insert an additional inner cover into metal housing 3, to be able to use a dual injection molding technique.
Dishwasher 101 has a washing tub 102 which, as illustrated in
Washing tub 102 is also block-shaped or parallelepiped-shaped and is open at the top. As a consequence, an upper edge 108 is formed on each wall. Rear wall 109 preferably has the same height as side walls 110, but may also have a slightly different height. Front wall 111 is preferably higher than side walls 110 and overlaps housing cover 112, it being possible for said front wall to be covered with a decorative panel 113 in a known manner. The only basic requirement for the embodiment of the dishwasher is that edges 108 of side walls 110 extend parallel to housing cover 112. Tub 102 is made of plastic, and may be manufactured, for example, as a single injection-molded plastic part. Side walls 110 have recesses formed therein to receive the inner guide members of telescopic rails 107. The attachment of the inner guide members to side walls 110 may be accomplished in a known manner by screws, integrally formed pins or latching hooks.
In order to prevent wash water from leaking from washing tub 102 into housing 103 during the washing operation, during which the tub is fully inserted into housing 103 as shown in
Dishwasher 201 has a washing tub 202 which, as illustrated in
Washing tub 202 is also block-shaped or parallelepiped-shaped and is open at the top. As a consequence, an upper edge 208 is formed on each wall. Rear wall 209 preferably has the same height as side walls 210, but may also have a slightly different height. Front wall 211 is preferably higher than side walls 210 and overlaps housing cover 212, it being possible for said front wall to be covered with a decorative panel 213. The only basic requirement for the inventive embodiment of the dishwasher is that edges 208 of side walls 210 extend parallel to housing cover 212. Tub 202 is made of plastic, and may be manufactured, for example, as a single injection-molded plastic part. Side walls 210 have recesses formed therein to receive the inner guide members of telescopic rails 207. The attachment of the inner guide members to side walls 210 may be accomplished by screws, integrally formed pins or latching hooks.
In order to prevent wash water from leaking from washing tub 202 into housing 203 during the washing operation, during which tub 202 is fully inserted into housing 203 as shown in
In the upper region, washing tub 202 is enlarged outwardly at its side walls 210, i.e., toward housing side walls 206. As shown in the side views in
Angle of inclination a is about 1° (see
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2005 008 247.5 | Feb 2005 | DE | national |
10 2005 008 248.3 | Feb 2005 | DE | national |
10 2005 008 249.1 | Feb 2005 | DE | national |
This is a U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2006/000860, filed Feb. 1, 2006, and claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2005 008 249.1, filed Feb. 22, 2005, German Patent Application No. 10 2005 008 247.5, filed Feb. 22, 2005, and German Patent Application No. 10 2005 008 248.3, filed Feb. 22, 2005. The International Application was published in German on Aug. 31, 2006 as WO/2006/089622 under PCT Article 21(2).
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP06/00860 | 2/1/2006 | WO | 00 | 8/22/2007 |