dishwasher

Abstract

Dishwasher, in particular a fully integrated built-in dishwasher, with a wash chamber providing a wash chamber for receiving items to be cleaned, which has a loading opening that can be closed fluid-tight by means of a wash chamber door (3), wherein the wash chamber door (3) is rotatably mounted about a horizontally extending wash chamber door axis (5) by means of a door hinge (22) arranged on a hinge carrier (4) and carries a front door (6) that can be rotated with the wash chamber door (3), wherein the front door (6) is designed to be translationally displaceable relative to the wash chamber door (3), characterized by a linear bearing (7) coupled to the front door (6) and a cam contour (8) provided by the hinge carrier (4), wherein the linear bearing (7) has a cantilever (12) that is in operative connection with the cam contour (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a fully integrated built-in dishwasher, with a wash chamber providing a wash chamber for receiving items to be cleaned, which has a loading opening that can be closed fluid-tight by means of a wash chamber door, wherein the wash chamber door is rotatably mounted about a horizontally extending wash chamber door axis by means of a door hinge arranged on a hinge carrier and carries a front door that can be rotated with the wash chamber door, wherein the front door is designed to be translationally displaceable relative to the wash chamber door.

[0002] Dishwashers of this type are well known from the prior art. They have a wash tank that is enclosed within the dishwasher's housing. The wash tank, in turn, provides a wash chamber for receiving items to be cleaned, which are generally dishes, glasses, and / or cutlery. A spray system is located within the wash tank, serving to supply the items to be cleaned with cleaning solution. Typically, such a spray system has several spray arms arranged one above the other in the vertical direction of the dishwasher, which are mounted to rotate about a common axis.

[0003] The dishwasher's tub has a loading opening for loading and unloading clean dishes. This opening can be sealed fluid-tight by means of a rotatably mounted door. The front of the door features a rotating cover panel, for example, a decorative panel, as is commonly used in built-in dishwashers integrated into kitchen units.

[0004] On fully integrated dishwashers, the side panels typically extend beyond the bottom edge of the main door to completely conceal it and maintain a uniform appearance within the fitted kitchen. Therefore, the side panel requires more space than the main door itself to rotate smoothly when opening or closing the main door. To ensure proper operation of the main door, specific clearances must be maintained between the side panel and the floor (or the baseboard in the case of a freestanding appliance), and between the side panel and adjacent kitchen fixtures in the case of a cabinet-mounted appliance.

[0005] To achieve the smallest possible gap dimensions in fully integrated appliances for hygienic and aesthetic reasons, the front door is designed to be relatively movable relative to the wash chamber door. This allows the front door to be moved relative to the wash chamber door when it is opened or closed, thus minimizing the rotational space required for the front door and consequently the required gap dimension.

[0006] A dishwasher with a sliding front door is known in the prior art, in particular from EP 2 329 758 B1.

[0007] EP 2 329 758 B1 describes a mechanism for moving the front door between two positions, consisting of a first joint with which the wash chamber door is pivotally connected to the housing, a second joint designed as a sliding joint with which the front door is mounted to the wash chamber door so as to be relatively slidable, a third joint with which a gear link is connected to the housing, and a fourth joint which connects the gear link and the sliding joint. By pivoting the wash chamber door, this mechanism allows the front door to be moved relative to the wash chamber door.

[0008] Although the designs known in the prior art have proven their worth in everyday practical use, they are not without disadvantages. For example, the minimum gap achievable with these designs is still too large, typically exceeding 2 mm, and thus continues to represent a visual imperfection in a fitted kitchen. Furthermore, such a gap, especially in the case of a high-mounted appliance, allows the unimpeded ingress of dust and other contaminants regularly found in a kitchen. Therefore, from a hygienic perspective, there is also a need for improvement regarding a further minimization of the achievable gap.

[0009] Furthermore, in the current state of the art, a large number of mechanical components are necessary for moving the front door, which increases the probability of failure.

[0010] Therefore, starting from the above, the object of the invention is to propose a dishwasher of the type mentioned at the outset, which has a simplified mechanism for the translational displacement of the front door, improved with regard to the achievable gap dimensions.

[0011] To solve this problem, the invention proposes a dishwasher of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized by a linear bearing coupled to the front door and a cam contour provided by the hinge carrier, wherein the linear bearing has a cantilever which is in operative connection with the cam contour.

[0012] The mechanism proposed by the invention provides that, when the wash chamber door is opened or closed, the arm of the linear bearing slides along the cam contour of the hinge support due to the rotational movement of the wash chamber door about its axis. The movement of the arm, via the linear bearing coupled to the front door, causes a translational movement of the front door relative to the wash chamber door.

[0013] The inventive design allows for a further reduction in the required rotation space of the front door compared to the prior art, and consequently a reduction in the necessary gap between the front door and the floor or floor panel in the case of a freestanding appliance, as well as between the front door and adjacent kitchen fixtures in the case of a cabinet appliance. In this way, significantly smaller gaps can be achieved than in the prior art, which advantageously reduces the visual impact on the fitted kitchen and expands the design possibilities for the front door, particularly with regard to its arrangement relative to the floor or floor panel or adjacent kitchen fixtures. Furthermore, the smaller gap significantly reduces the ingress of dirt into the gap.

[0014] According to the invention, the reduction of the gap dimension is achieved by a largely simplified mechanism. Essentially, this requires only a cam profile provided by the hinge carrier and a linear bearing interacting with it. In particular, compared to the prior art mechanism, the number of moving components that interact in complex ways, such as joints and gears, is significantly reduced. The extensive elimination of mechanically vulnerable components in the inventive design therefore leads to reduced maintenance requirements and a lower risk of failure.

[0015] The linear bearing according to the invention preferably comprises a bearing block which is mounted for longitudinal displacement in a socket, in particular a slot, or on a rod element, in particular a mandrel. The movement of the cantilever over the cam contour as a result of the rotational movement of the wash chamber door causes a translational movement of the bearing block in the socket or on the rod element. The movement of the bearing block then, in turn, provides the drive for the translational displacement of the front door relative to the wash chamber door in the vertical direction of the wash chamber door, as required according to the invention. Preferably, the bearing block is coupled to the front door to transmit the translational movement. This coupling can be achieved in particular by a positive-locking, material-locking, or force-locking connection. It is preferred to connect the bearing block directly to the front door.Preferably, the bearing block is glued and / or screwed to the front door for this purpose. Alternatively, the bearing block can be connected to the front door via an intermediate element. In this case, the intermediate element is connected to the bearing block at one end and to the front door at the other. To connect the intermediate element to the bearing block, the intermediate element is preferably connected with its side facing the interior of the dishwasher to the side of the bearing block facing away from the interior of the dishwasher. Preferably, the bearing block is glued and / or screwed to the intermediate element for this purpose. To connect the intermediate element to the front door, the intermediate element is preferably connected with its side facing away from the interior of the dishwasher to the side of the front door facing the interior of the dishwasher.Preferably, the intermediate element is bonded and / or screwed to the front door for this purpose. Preferably, the intermediate element is formed by a material bridge, such as a plastic block. The inventive design of the linear bearing thus consists of simple, robust, and therefore maintenance-free components for the kinematic transmission of translational movement to the front door. Advantageously, the linear bearing designed in this way is suitable for transmitting large travel distances, which significantly reduces the required rotational space of the front door and, consequently, the necessary gap.

[0016] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the bearing block is pre-tensioned by a return spring. Advantageously, the return spring ensures constant contact between the cantilever and the cam contour. This ensures a defined return of the front door to its initial position when the dishwasher door closes. This, in particular, prevents collisions of the front door with fixtures located above the dishwasher, such as the kitchen worktop, in the event of insufficient return. This is especially advantageous because, at the beginning of the closing process, the weight of the bearing block, due to its relative position to the cam contour, is not directed in the direction of the cam contour, but essentially perpendicular to it.If no return spring is provided, the contact between the arm and the cam profile is not guaranteed by the weight of the bearing block and the attached front door alone up to a certain opening angle of the dishwasher door. Therefore, the front door does not return automatically up to this point. Consequently, the user must apply sufficient force in the direction of the cam profile to ensure the front door returns properly. Furthermore, the return spring serves a safety function. If the user fails to apply additional force in the direction of the cam profile when closing the dishwasher door up to a certain opening angle in dishwashers without a return spring, this can lead to a loss of contact between the arm and the cam profile, preventing the front door from repositioning correctly.If the opening angle of the wash chamber door falls below a certain threshold, the combined weight of the bearing block and the weight of the attached secondary door, directed towards the cam contour, exceeds a level that allows the bearing block to shift downwards in the housing or rod element in the vertical direction of the wash chamber door. This results in an uncontrolled falling movement of the bearing block and the attached secondary door until contact between the cantilever and the cam contour is re-established. The impact can damage both the components of the linear bearing and the secondary door. The preferred use of a return spring according to the invention completely eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0017] According to a further feature of the invention, the cantilever is provided with a contact element at one end. This contact element serves to form an operative connection between the cantilever and the cam contour by contacting said cam contour. Preferably, the contact element, particularly in the form of a cam, is formed integrally with the cantilever to ensure optimal stability and motion transmission of the component. According to an alternative embodiment, the contact element is formed in at least two parts. This is particularly advantageous for improving the movement of the contact element on the cam contour. A roller configuration of the contact element is especially preferred in this embodiment.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cam profile is fixedly arranged on the hinge support relative to the wash chamber door. The hinge support, which provides the cam profile, is an integral part of the wash chamber housing or is fixedly, and in particular immovably, connected to the wash chamber housing. The movement of the cantilever on the fixed cam profile, resulting from the rotation of the wash chamber door, pushes the bearing block away from the dishwasher and consequently also the kinematically coupled front door. The distance traveled in this process depends on the position of the pivot point of the front door, which is determined by the contact point between the cantilever and the cam profile. The further the pivot point of the front door is from the axis of rotation of the wash chamber door, the greater the resulting change in the path of the bearing block and the front door. Preferably, therefore, the topography, i.e.,The change in position of the secondary door, depending on the opening angle of the wash chamber door, is controlled by the height profile and cam contour. It is particularly preferred to control the change in position, preferably in the opening angle range of 1° - 25°, more preferably 1° - 10°, and most preferably 1° - 5°, by selecting a suitable gradient in the topography, such that the secondary door undergoes a large change in position within the aforementioned angle range. This significantly reduces the required rotation space of the secondary door and considerably reduces the gap required for collision-free rotation.

[0019] All the described features, taken individually and especially in combination, have a synergistic effect of improving a dishwasher of this type, particularly a fully integrated one, with regard to the required rotation space of the front door and the resulting gap dimensions, and furthermore simplifying the mechanism required for this.

[0020] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. These show: Fig. 1 in schematic view a dishwasher according to the invention with a completely closed wash chamber door; Fig. 2 in schematic representation a dishwasher according to the invention with the dishwasher door fully open; Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a dishwasher according to the invention with sketched rotation paths.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a dishwasher 1 according to the invention with a closed wash chamber door 3.

[0022] The dishwasher 1 has a housing 2, in a manner known per se, which accommodates a wash chamber (not shown in detail in the figures). The wash chamber is equipped with a loading opening at the front, which can be closed fluid-tight by means of the wash chamber door 3. The wash chamber door 3 is rotatably mounted about the wash chamber door axis 5 by means of the door hinge 22, which is arranged on the hinge support 4. The hinge support is an integral part of the wash chamber housing 2 or is fixedly, and in particular immovably, connected to the wash chamber housing 2. The dishwasher 1 is designed as a so-called fully integrated built-in appliance and has a secondary door 6 arranged on the front of the wash chamber door 3. In the present embodiment, the secondary door 6 is designed to be translationally displaceable relative to the wash chamber door 3. The underlying mechanism consists of a linear bearing 7 and a cam profile 8.

[0023] The linear bearing 7 comprises a bearing block 9, a spindle 10, and a cantilever 12. The bearing block 9 is arranged to be longitudinally displaceable on the spindle 10. The spindle 10 is provided by the door-side part of the door hinge 22, causing the linear bearing 7 to rotate along with the door when the wash chamber door is turned. The bearing block 9 is connected to the front door 6 by a bridge 11, which is screwed together. The bridge 11 extends between the side wall of the bearing block 9 facing the front door 6 and the side wall of the front door 6 facing the bearing block 9. The bearing block 9 carries the cantilever 12 at one end, which, in this case, is equipped at its end opposite the bearing block with a roller 13 for contacting the cam contour 8.

[0024] The bearing block 9 is furthermore spring-loaded by means of the return spring 14. In this context, the return spring 14 ensures a defined return of the front door 6 when the wash chamber door 3 is closed. Advantageously, this makes the closing process of the wash chamber door 3 user-friendly and prevents damage or destruction of the cam contour, the linear bearing and / or the front door.

[0025] To reduce the gap 15 between the front door 6 and the panel 16 shown in the example, the cantilever 12 contacts the cam contour 8 via the roller 13. As the dishwasher door 3 opens, the roller 13 moves along the cam contour 8 towards the side of the cam contour 8 facing away from the dishwasher. The initially rising topography of the cam contour 8 pushes the bearing block 9 away from the dishwasher. The bearing block 9 moves the front door 6 along with it via the bridge 11. In this embodiment, the slope of the topography is chosen such that the change in position of the front door 6 is large within the opening angle range of the dishwasher door 3, between 1° and 10°; that is, the front door 6 is displaced significantly relative to the dishwasher door 3 at the beginning of the opening process. This simple mechanism greatly reduces the rotation space required by the front door 6, which advantageously reduces the gap dimension 15.

[0026] Fig. Figure 2 shows the dishwasher 1 according to the invention with the dishwasher door 3 open.

[0027] It is clearly visible that, as a result of the opening of the wash chamber door 3, the roller 13 on the cam contour 8 corresponds to the one in the Fig. The contact point shown in Figure 2 has moved. The cam contour 8 is designed to be independent of the rotational movement of the wash chamber door 3 with respect to its orientation and position. In this context, the cam contour 8 is fixed in position relative to the linear bearing 7. This ensures that the path of the roller via the cam contour is determined solely by the opening angle of the wash chamber door. The contact point defining the pivot point of the front door 6 is located further away from the wash chamber door's axis of rotation 5 when the wash chamber door is open than the contact point shown in Figure 2. Fig. Figure 1 shows the initial contact point. The bearing block 9 has thereby slid up the spindle 10 and has translationally displaced the front door 6 relative to the wash chamber door 3. The bearing block 9 and the extension arm 12 are now located next to the cam contour 8 in relation to the cam contour 8. The return spring 14 continues to apply spring tension to the bearing block 9. The spring force is directed in the direction of the cam contour 8. This presses the bearing block 9 on the spindle 10 in the direction of the cam contour 8, causing the extension arm 12 to contact the cam contour 8 even when the wash chamber door 3 is fully open.

[0028] In the present open position, the front door 6 is in an orientation orthogonal to the panel 16, with the end facing the dishwasher located within the gap. Area 17 marks the theoretical end position of the front door 6 without the use of the sliding mechanism according to the invention.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 shows the rotation of the front door 6 once with the mechanism according to the invention and once a rotation known from the prior art without the mechanism according to the invention.

[0030] Reference numeral 18 here denotes the curve of the deflection of the secondary door 6 over the entire angular range required to open the wash chamber door 3 without the secondary door lifting mechanism. Particularly at the beginning of the opening process, i.e., at small opening angles of the wash chamber door 3, especially in the opening angle range between 1° and 5°, the curve is very steep. Consequently, the rotational space required by the secondary door 6 in this angular range is so large that the cover plate 16 may extend to a maximum height of 19 to prevent a collision between the secondary door 6 and the cover plate 16.

[0031] Reference numeral 20, on the other hand, denotes the curve of the deflection of the secondary door 6 according to the invention over the entire angular range required to open the wash chamber door 3 with the secondary door lifting mechanism according to the invention. It is evident that the curve is very flat, especially at the beginning of the opening process, i.e., at small opening angles of the wash chamber door 3, particularly in the opening angle range between 1° and 5°. The rotational space required by the secondary door 6 is thus significantly reduced, especially compared to the rotational space required by the secondary door 6 without a secondary door lifting mechanism. Consequently, the cover 16 can be considerably taller and positioned closer to the secondary door 6. The flat curve makes it possible, in particular, to extend the cover to a maximum height of 21. The resulting gap dimension according to the invention is less than 2 mm. Reference sign 1 dishwasher 2 cases 3. Dishwashing area door 4 hinge brackets 5. Dishwasher door axis 6. Front door 7 linear bearings 8 Cam contour 9 bearing stone 10 Dorn 11 Bridge 12 outriggers 13 Roller / Cam 14 Return spring 15 Gap dimension 16 aperture 17 End position of the front door (state of the art) 18 Curve of the deflection of a secondary door 6 without the mechanism according to the invention 19 Maximum aperture height for a curve profile 18 20 Curve of the deflection of a secondary door 6 with mechanism according to the invention 21 Maximum aperture height for a curve profile 20 22 Door hinge

Claims

[1] Dishwasher, in particular a fully integrated built-in dishwasher, with a wash chamber providing a wash chamber for receiving items to be cleaned, which has a loading opening that can be closed fluid-tight by means of a wash chamber door (3), wherein the wash chamber door (3) is rotatably mounted about a horizontally extending wash chamber door axis (5) by means of a door hinge (22) arranged on a hinge carrier (4) and carries a front door (6) that can be rotated with the wash chamber door (3), wherein the front door (6) is designed to be translationally displaceable relative to the wash chamber door (3), characterized by a linear bearing (7) coupled to the front door (6) and a cam contour (8) provided by the hinge carrier (4), wherein the linear bearing (7) has a cantilever (12) which is in operative connection with the cam contour (8). [2] Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized by, that the linear bearing (7) is formed by a bearing block (9) and a mandrel (10), wherein the bearing block (9) is mounted longitudinally displaceable on the mandrel (10). [3] Dishwasher according to claim 2, characterized by , that the bearing stone (9) is under preload of a return spring (14). [4] Dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cam contour (8) is arranged immovably on the hinge support (4) relative to the wash chamber door (3). [5] Dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the boom (12) provides a cam (13) on one side which contacts the cam contour (8). [6] Dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the contact point between the cantilever (12) and the cam contour (8) determines the pivot point of the front door (6). [7] Dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the position of the contact point and an associated translational displacement of the front door (6) depends on the opening angle of the wash chamber door (3). [8] Dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cam contour (8) is designed such that the translational displacement of the front door (6) is greater at small opening angles of the wash chamber door (3) than at large opening angles.

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