Retrofit lifting device and dishwasher

Abstract

Retrofittable lifting device (15) for a dishwashing basket (12) of a dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, wherein the lifting device (15) is configured to raise the dishwashing basket (12) from a starting position (AP) to an end position (EP) or to lower it from the end position (EP) to the starting position (AP), wherein the lifting device (15) is a separate assembly from the dishwasher (1), wherein the lifting device (15) has rollers (20, 21) configured to roll on running surfaces (22) of a door (3) of the dishwasher (1) or on extendable guide rails (50) of the dishwasher (1), and wherein a fixing device (23) is configured to secure the lifting device (15) to the door (3) or to the guide rails (50) when the dishwashing basket (12) is raised from the starting position (AP) to the end position (EP). fix.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a retrofittable lifting device for a dishwashing basket of a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, and to a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with such a retrofittable lifting device.

[0002] A dishwasher has a wash tub and at least one item basket that can be moved in and out of the tub. The dishwasher can have several item baskets arranged one above the other, such as a lower basket, an upper basket, or a cutlery drawer. Because the lower basket is located near the bottom of the wash tub, loading and unloading it requires the user to kneel or bend down.

[0003] German patent application DE 10 2012 107 993 A1 discloses a lifting device for raising the lower basket of a dishwasher. The lifting device comprises a drive unit in the form of a spring to assist in raising the lower basket. The lifting device has two pivot arms which are pivotably mounted on a wash tub and a guide for the lower basket. Pivoting the pivot arms raises the lower basket.

[0004] German patent application DE 20 2009 004 771 U1 discloses a lifting device for the lower basket of a dishwasher. The lifting device allows the lower basket to be moved from a lower position to an upper position and vice versa. It comprises pivot levers that are pivotally attached to a wash tub of the dishwasher and are connected to the lower basket.

[0005] The publication EP 2 818 092 A1 discloses a lifting device for a lower basket of a dishwasher. With the aid of the lifting device, the lower basket can be moved from a lower position to an upper position and vice versa. An actuating element is provided on the lower basket, by means of which the lower basket can be unlocked in its upper position and is then moved independently into the lower position by its own weight and / or the weight of the items it contains.

[0006] German patent application DE 10 2014 207 995 A1 discloses a commercial dishwasher, in particular a dishwashing or glasswashing machine, designed as an undercounter machine and comprising at least one treatment chamber provided in a machine housing, in which at least one dishwashing basket can be inserted and removed. The dishwasher has a mechanism for extending or retracting the at least one dishwashing basket into or out of the treatment chamber as required. The dishwasher may have at least one basket support frame for receiving and holding the at least one dishwashing basket in the treatment chamber, wherein the at least one basket support frame can be connected to the machine housing via the mechanism for extending or retracting the at least one dishwashing basket as required, such that a dishwashing basket held by the basket support frame can be extended or retracted into or out of the treatment chamber.The mechanism for extending or retracting the at least one wash basket as needed can include a lifting unit or a pivoting unit, by means of which a wash basket held in the treatment chamber can be moved from the washing level of the treatment chamber to a level above the washing level. The lifting unit can have a linear drive and move the at least one wash basket in a linear motion from the washing level of the treatment chamber to the level above the washing level. The pivoting unit can move the wash basket from the washing level to the level above in a superimposed linear and pivoting motion.Furthermore, a drive, in particular an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic drive, may be provided, which is assigned to the mechanism for the required insertion or removal of the at least one washing basket for the automated insertion or removal of the at least one washing basket, in particular for the optional automated insertion or removal of the at least one washing basket.

[0007] The aforementioned lifting devices have in common that they are permanently attached to the dishwasher, in particular the household dishwasher.

[0008] US patent 5,971,513 A discloses a lifting device for the lower basket of a dishwasher with a door. The lifting device allows the lower basket, once pulled out of the dishwasher, to be moved from a lower position to an upper position and vice versa. The lifting device comprises two spaced-apart pairs of intersecting levers, which are pivotally connected. The levers are pivotally connected along a center line, such that the levers have upper ends for supporting the lower basket and lower ends that can be moved toward and away from each other in a controlled manner, either manually or by means of a drive mechanism. The movement of the lower ends of the levers causes the lower basket to be moved vertically. The lifting device is supported by wheels that slide in corresponding guides in the dishwasher door when the door is in its open position.

[0009] Against this background, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved lifting device for a dishwashing basket of a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher.

[0010] Accordingly, a retrofittable lifting device for the dishwashing basket of a dishwasher, particularly a household dishwasher, is proposed. The lifting device is designed to raise the dishwashing basket from a starting position to a final position or to lower it from the final position to the starting position, and the lifting device is a separate assembly from the dishwasher. The lifting device further comprises rollers designed to roll on the running surfaces of a dishwasher door or on extendable guide rails of the dishwasher. A locking device is also included, which, when the dishwashing basket is raised from the starting position to the final position, is designed to secure the lifting device to the door or the guide rails.

[0011] The term "retrofittable" means that the lifting device can be integrated into existing dishwashers without significant installation effort. This allows for the technical upgrade of dishwashers or similar lifting devices. Furthermore, customers who already own a dishwasher without such a lifting device do not need to purchase a new dishwasher. Because the lifting device is designed to raise the dishware from its starting position to its final position, ergonomic loading and unloading of dishes is possible. The dishwasher and the lifting device are two separate assemblies. An "assembly" is understood to be a functional unit consisting of multiple components. Specifically, the dishwasher is functional without the lifting device, and the lifting device is functional without the dishwasher.

[0012] Preferably, two spaced-apart and parallel running surfaces are arranged on the inside of the door. Alternatively, the dishwasher can include guide rails, in particular so-called smooth-running rails, that can be inserted into and removed from a wash tub. The rollers are designed to roll along the top of the guide rails. Furthermore, the guide rails can have additional rollers, in particular support rollers, designed to roll along the inside of the open door.

[0013] Because the lifting device is fixed to the door or the guide rails, it is prevented from tipping over in the final position of the dishware holder. The fixing device preferably comprises a pin provided on one of the pivot arms of the scissor lift table and a groove provided on the inside of the door. When the dishware holder is lifted from its starting position to its final position, the pin engages in the groove, thus fixing the lifting device and preventing it from being moved back into the dishware holder. This prevents the dishware holder from colliding with another dishware holder provided in the dishwasher's dish container.

[0014] According to a first preferred embodiment, the lifting device is not permanently connected to the dishwasher.

[0015] In particular, the lifting device is not permanently attached to the wash tub or the dishwasher door. With known lifting devices, these are often permanently attached to the wash tub or the dishwasher door.

[0016] According to a second preferred embodiment, the lifting device can be separated from the dishwasher without tools.

[0017] "Tool-free" means that the lifting device can be removed from the dishwasher without tools, such as a screwdriver.

[0018] According to a third preferred embodiment, the lifting device has a scissor lift table for raising and lowering the dishwashing tray.

[0019] The scissor lift table preferably has several pivotally connected swivel arms. This ensures controlled and uniform raising and lowering of the dishware holder. In particular, the scissor lift table comprises a first lever arm and a second lever arm, which intersect and are pivotally connected to each other at a pivot point. The swivel arms are pivotable relative to each other for raising and lowering the dishware holder, so that the dishware holder can be raised and lowered depending on a pivot angle provided between the swivel arms. Preferably, the pivot angle is greater in an extended state of the scissor lift table than in a retracted state.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment, the lifting device comprises a drive unit, in particular a gas spring, to assist in lifting the dishwashing tray from the starting position to the end position.

[0021] The drive unit can also be a spring element, for example a compression spring, or an electrical drive element, for example an electric motor. Preferably, the drive unit is not designed to automatically lift the dishware holder from the starting position to the end position. The drive unit only assists in lifting the dishware holder.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the lifting device comprises an actuating device for actuating the lifting device, wherein the actuating device has an actuating button for releasing the lifting device in order to raise the dishwashing container from the starting position to the end position or to lower it from the end position to the starting position.

[0023] Preferably, the actuating device also includes a handle on which the actuating button or several actuating buttons are provided. According to a further embodiment, the actuating button is coupled to a locking element. The locking element can, for example, be a bolt.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment, the actuating button is coupled to the locking element, preferably via a pivotable linkage.

[0025] Furthermore, a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, is proposed with a wash tub, a dishware holder that can be accommodated in the wash tub and such a retrofittable lifting device.

[0026] The washing container preferably has a base, a top opposite the base, two side walls, a lockable door, and a rear wall opposite the door. Preferably, the washing container is cuboid in shape. The washing container can be made of a steel material, in particular sheet steel. Optionally, the base can be made of a plastic material. The washing container can have several receptacles for items to be washed, in particular a lower receptacle or lower basket to which the lifting device is assigned, an upper receptacle or upper basket, and a further receptacle for items to be washed, in particular a cutlery drawer, arranged above the upper receptacle.

[0027] Other possible implementations of the lifting device and / or the dishwasher also include combinations of features and embodiments described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In such cases, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the lifting device and / or the dishwasher.

[0028] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the lifting device and / or the dishwasher are the subject of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the lifting device and / or the dishwasher described below. The lifting device and / or the dishwasher are further explained below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures.

[0029] They show Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a dishwasher; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of the dishwasher according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 another schematic side view of the dishwasher according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a schematic detail view of a lifting device for the dishwasher according to Fig. 1; Fig. 5 another schematic detail view of the lifting device for the dishwasher according to Fig. 1; Fig. 6 A schematic view of an embodiment of an actuating device for the dishwasher according to the Fig. 1; Fig. 7 A schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of an actuating device for the dishwasher according to the Fig. 1; Fig. 8 a schematic sectional view of the actuating device according to Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 a schematic side view of another embodiment of a dishwasher.

[0030] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference symbols, unless otherwise indicated.

[0031] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a dishwasher 1. The dishwasher 1 is a household dishwasher. The dishwasher 1 comprises a wash chamber 2, which can be closed by a door 3, in particular in a watertight manner. For this purpose, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the wash chamber 2. The wash chamber 2 is preferably cuboid in shape. The wash chamber 2 can be arranged in a housing of the dishwasher 1. The wash chamber 2 and the door 3 can form a wash chamber 4 for washing items.

[0032] Door 3 is in the Fig. The door 3 is shown in its open position. It can be opened or closed by pivoting it about a pivot axis 5 located at its lower end. The door 3 can be used to open or close a loading opening 6 of the wash tank 2. The wash tank 2 has a base 7, a top 8 opposite the base 7, a rear wall 9 opposite the closed door 3, and two opposing side walls 10 and 11. The base 7, the top 8, the rear wall 9, and the side walls 10 and 11 can, for example, be made of stainless steel. Alternatively, the base 7 can, for example, be made of a plastic material.

[0033] The dishwasher 1 further comprises at least one dishware holder 12 to 14. Preferably, several, for example three, dishware holders 12 to 14 can be provided, wherein the dishware holder 12 can be a lower dishware holder or a lower basket, the dishware holder 13 an upper dishware holder or an upper basket, and the dishware holder 14 a cutlery drawer. As the Fig. As further shown in Figure 1, the dishware holders 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the washing container 2. Each dishware holder 12 to 14 can be selectively moved into or out of the washing container 2. In particular, each dishware holder 12 to 14 can be pushed into the washing container 2 in an insertion direction E (arrow) and pulled out of the washing container 2 in an extraction direction A (arrow) opposite to the insertion direction E (arrow). The dishware holder 12 can also be lifted from a starting position to a final position, in which it is preferably arranged in front of the dishware holder 13 and at the same level as it, by means of a lifting device to be explained later.

[0034] The Fig. 2 and the Fig. Figures 3 each show a schematic side view of dishwasher 1 according to the Fig. 1 with a retrofittable lifting device 15 for receiving the items to be washed 12, wherein in the Fig. 2 the dishwashing tray 12 in a final position EP and in the Fig. Figure 3 shows the dishwashing tray 12 in a starting position AP. "Retrofittable" means that the lifting device 15 can be used for a dishwasher 1 that does not have such a lifting device 15 as standard. That is, the lifting device 15 is a separate assembly from the dishwasher 1, which can be subsequently integrated into the dishwasher 1. For this purpose, the lifting device 15 is, for example, not permanently attached to the dishwasher 1 and, in particular, can be detached from it without tools.

[0035] The lifting device 15 comprises, for example, a scissor lift table 16 with several pivotably connected lever arms 17, 18. For example, two lever arms 17, 18 or more than two lever arms 17, 18 may be provided. The lever arms 17, 18 are pivotably connected to each other at a pivot point 19. At one end section facing the dishware holder 12, the lever arms 17, 18 are detachably connected to the dishware holder 12. For example, a frame-shaped receiving device may be provided for this purpose, into which the dishware holder 12 can be inserted or snapped. Preferably, one of the two lever arms 17, 18 is rotatably connected to the dishware holder 12 or to the receiving device, and the second of the two lever arms 17, 18 is rotatably and linearly displaceably connected to the dishware holder 12 or to the receiving device.

[0036] The lifting device 15 is designed to raise the dishware holder 12 from the initial position AP, in which the dishware holder 12 rests, for example, on the inside of the door 3, to the final position EP, in which the dishware holder 12 is, for example, positioned at the level of the dishware holder 13. Furthermore, the lifting device 15 is also designed to lower the dishware holder 12 from the final position EP to the initial position AP.

[0037] On each lever arm 17, 18, at least one roller 20, 21 is preferably provided, facing away from the dishware holder 12. The rollers 20, 21 are designed to roll on inner running surfaces 22 of the door 3. Preferably, the lifting device 15 also has a locking device, which is designed to release the lifting of the dishware holder 12 from the starting position AP to the end position EP only when the lifting device 15 with the dishware holder 12 has been completely pulled out of the wash container 2 in the extension direction A (arrow). This prevents a collision between the dishware holder 12 and the dishware holder 13 in the wash container 2. The lifting device 15 can further comprise a fixing device 23 provided on the door 3, which is designed to fix the lifting device 15 to the door 3 when the dishware holder 12 is lifted from the starting position AP to the end position EP.This stabilizes the lifting device 15 and prevents it from tipping over.

[0038] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of this fixing device 23. As the Fig. As further shown in Figure 3, a recess or depression 24 is provided on the running surface 22 in which the roller 20 is received when the dish holder 12 is in its fully extended position from the wash container 2. The fixing device 23 comprises a pin 25 provided at the end of the lever arm 17 and a groove 26 provided in the door 3. When the lever arm 17 pivots, the pin 25 is moved into the groove 26 and thereby fixes the lifting device 15 when the dish holder 12 moves into or is in the end position EP.

[0039] As the Fig. As shown in a further schematic side view in Figure 5, the lifting device 15 can have a drive unit 27. The drive unit 27 is preferably a gas spring. Alternatively, the drive unit 27 can also be, for example, a spring element, such as a compression spring, or an electric drive element, such as an electric motor. The lifting forces can be minimized with the aid of the drive unit 27. Gas springs have a progression value, which indicates by what percentage the initial force decreases towards the end. For example, the desired progression can be selected as 90%. Preferably, the drive unit 27 is temperature-resistant up to a temperature of, for example, 230 °C. Preferably, if the drive unit 27 is designed as a gas spring, it is filled with an oil that is suitable for use in the food industry.

[0040] As the Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the drive unit 27 is, for example, arranged horizontally on a frame-shaped receiving unit 28, on which the dishware holder 12 can be placed or into which it can be adjusted. The receiving unit 28 can, for example, be a rectangular frame into which the dishware holder 12 can be adjusted or suspended. In addition to the lever arms 17, 18, the scissor lift table 16 can have further lever arms 29, 30, which are pivotably connected to the lever arms 17, 18 by means of pivot points 31, 32. For example, the rollers 20, 21 are then provided on the lever arms 29, 30. The lever arm 18 is pivotally connected to the receiving unit 28 at a pivot point 33. The lever arm 17 is rotatably and linearly displaceably connected to a plunger 35 of the drive unit 27 at a pivot and displacement point 34. The plunger 35 can be pushed into and pulled out of a piston of the drive unit 27.The piston, in turn, is connected to the receiving device 28 by means of a fastening point 36.

[0041] The lifting device 15 can continue to be in the Fig. Figure 6 shows an actuating device 37 for actuating the lifting device 15. The actuating device 37 comprises one or more actuating buttons 38, 39 and a handle 40 on which the actuating buttons 38, 39 are provided. By actuating the actuating buttons 38, 39, the lifting device 15 can be released to raise from the starting position AP to the end position EP and to lower from the end position EP to the starting position AP. For this purpose, each actuating button 38, 39 is coupled to a locking element 41, 42. Preferably, each actuating button 38, 39 is assigned such a locking element 41, 42. The locking element 41, 42 can, for example, be a plunger which is coupled to the respective actuating button 38, 39 via a pivotable linkage 43, 44. The handle 40 is preferably height-adjustable.

[0042] The Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an actuating device 37. Fig. Figure 8 shows a schematic sectional view of the actuating device 37. The actuating device 37 according to the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 preferably has only one actuating button 38, which is arranged centrally on a handle 40. The actuating button 38 is connected via a linearly displaceable linkage 43 to a wedge slide 45, which has an inclined surface 46 designed to slide on a corresponding counter surface 47 of a locking element 41. The locking element 41 is spring-loaded into a locking position by means of a spring element 48. The locking element 41 is, for example, arranged within a tubular handle 49 of the handle 40.

[0043] The Fig. Figure 9 shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of a dishwasher 1. The dishwasher 1 according to the Fig. Dishwasher 9 differs from dishwasher 1 according to the Fig. 1 to 3, in that the lifting device 15 has extendable guide rails 50, in particular so-called smooth-running rails, on which the rollers 20, 21 of the lifting device 15 can roll. Preferably, two guide rails 50 are provided. The rollers 20, 21 preferably roll on the upper side of the guide rails 50. Additionally, the lifting device 15 can have a further roller 51, which rolls on the underside of the guide rails 50. This prevents the lifting device 15 from tipping. Additionally, a roller 52 can also be provided on each of the guide rails 50, which is designed to roll on the inside of the door 3. The additional roller 52 is in particular a support roller and ensures a distribution of force on the door 3. The fixing device 23 fixes the lifting device 15 analogously to the one described in the Fig.4 described fixing device 23, whereby the fixing device 23 can be provided not on the door 3 but on the guide rails 50.

[0044] Because the lifting device 15 can be retrofitted, a customer who, for example, owns a dishwasher without such a lifting device 15 is not forced to buy a new dishwasher. Older dishwashers, in particular, can be upgraded with the lifting device 15. With the help of the lifting device 15, convenient and ergonomic loading and unloading of the dishes is possible.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. Reference symbols used 1 dishwasher; household dishwasher 2 washing containers 3 Door 4 wash chambers 5 swivel axes 6 Feed opening 7 Floor 8 ceiling 9 Back panel 10 side wall 11 Side wall 12 Dishwashing tray 13 Dishwashing tray 14 Dishwashing tray 15 Lifting device 16 Scissor lift tables 17 Lever arm 18 Lever arm 19 Pivot point 20 roller 21 Roller 22 Running surface 23 Fixing device 24 In-depth study 25 pens 26 Nut 27 Drive unit 28 Reception facility 29 Lever arm 30 Lever arm 31 Pivot point 32 Pivot point 33 Pivot point 34 Pivot and displacement point 35 pestles 36 Mounting point 37 Actuating device 38 Actuating button 39 Actuating button 40 handle 41 Locking element 42 Locking element 43 rods 44 rods 45 wedge slides 46 area 47 Opposite surface 48 spring element 49 Handlebar 50 guide rail 51 roller 52 roller A Extraction direction (arrow) AP starting position E Insertion direction (arrow) EP End position

Claims

[1] Retrofittable lifting device (15) for a dishwashing basket (12) of a dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, wherein the lifting device (15) is configured to raise the dishwashing basket (12) from a starting position (AP) to an end position (EP) or to lower it from the end position (EP) to the starting position (AP), wherein the lifting device (15) is a separate assembly from the dishwasher (1), wherein the lifting device (15) has rollers (20, 21) configured to roll on running surfaces (22) of a door (3) of the dishwasher (1) or on extendable guide rails (50) of the dishwasher (1), and wherein a fixing device (23) is configured to secure the lifting device (15) to the door (3) or to the guide rails when the dishwashing basket (12) is raised from the starting position (AP) to the end position (EP). (50) to fix. [2] Retrofittable lifting device (15) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the lifting device (15) is not permanently connected to the dishwasher (1). [3] Retrofittable lifting device (15) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the lifting device (15) can be separated from the dishwasher (1) without tools. [4] Retrofittable lifting device (15) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by a scissor lift table (16) for raising and lowering the dishwashing tray (12). [5] Retrofittable lifting device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drive device (27), in particular a gas spring, for supporting the lifting of the dishwashing tray (12) from the starting position (AP) to the end position (EP). [6] Retrofittable lifting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byan actuating device (37) for actuating the lifting device (15), wherein the actuating device (37) has an actuating button (38, 39) for releasing the lifting device (15) in order to raise the dishwashing container (12) from the starting position (AP) to the end position (EP) or to lower it from the end position (EP) to the starting position (AP). [7] Retrofittable lifting device (15) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the actuating button (38, 39) is coupled with a locking element (41, 42). [8] Dishwasher (1), in particular household dishwasher, comprising a washing container (2), a dishware holder (12) which can be received in the washing container (2) and a retrofittable lifting device (15) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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