Spray arm for a dishwasher and dishwasher with such a spray arm

Abstract

Spray arm (5) for a dishwasher (1a), comprising: - at least one spray arm part (5a) carrying one or more spray nozzles (18), - a connecting coupling (19) having an inlet opening (20) for rinsing fluid and a coupling flange (21) arranged concentrically to the inlet opening (20), which is designed for rotatably coupling the spray arm (5) to an outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid, - a conveying channel (22) for the rinsing fluid running along the at least one spray arm part (5a) from the inlet opening (20) to the one or to the several spray nozzles (18), characterized in that - at least one spray nozzle (18) is rotatably or pivotably mounted on the spray arm part (5a) about an axis of rotation (D) and the spray arm (5) has a gearbox (24) which is designed, in the intended operation of the spray arm (5), in which the spray arm (5) is coupled to the outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid, to extract a torque from the relative rotation of the spray arm (5) with respect to the outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid and to transmit it to the rotatably or pivotably mounted spray nozzle (18), for the automatic rotational or pivotal driving of the spray nozzle (18) relative to the spray arm part (5a) when the spray arm (5) rotates relative to the outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spray arm for a dishwasher, comprising at least one spray arm part carrying one or more spray nozzles, a connecting coupling having an inlet opening for rinsing fluid and a coupling flange arranged concentrically to the inlet opening, which is designed for the pivotally mounted coupling of the spray arm to an outlet connection for rinsing fluid, and a conveying channel for the rinsing fluid running along the at least one spray arm part from the inlet opening to the one or more spray nozzles. The invention also relates to a dishwasher with such a spray arm.

[0002] WO 2020 / 034530 A1 describes a spray washing device and a household washing appliance, wherein the spray washing device comprises a spray arm having a water inlet hole, a plurality of water outlet holes arranged in the longitudinal direction of the spray arm, and a flow channel connecting the water inlet hole to the water outlet holes. The spray washing device comprises oscillating jet nozzles mounted in the water outlet openings. When the spray arm rotates, the oscillating jet nozzles form a changing spray washing area. The oscillating jet nozzles are designed as so-called fluidic oscillators. With such an arrangement, the dishes in a dishwasher basket can be washed omnidirectionally, thereby improving the washing efficiency of the household dishwasher.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a spray arm, in particular a spray arm for a dishwasher, whose spray nozzles can distribute a rinsing fluid better, so that an improved rinsing result can be achieved, wherein the risk of clogging of the spray nozzles is reduced and thus the operational reliability of the spray arm is increased.

[0004] The problem is solved by a spray arm for a dishwasher, comprising: - at least one spray arm part carrying one or more spray nozzles, - a connection coupling having an inlet opening for rinsing fluid and a coupling flange arranged concentrically to the inlet opening, which is designed for the rotatably mounted coupling of the spray arm to an outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid, - a conveying channel for the rinsing fluid running along the at least one spray arm part from the inlet opening to the one or more spray nozzles, characterized in that - the at least one spray nozzle is mounted on the spray arm part so as to be rotatable or pivotable about a rotation axis, and the spray arm has a gear which is designed, during normal operation of the spray arm in which the spray arm is coupled to the outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid, to pick up a torque from the relative rotation of the spray arm with respect to the outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid and to transmit it to the rotatably or pivotably mounted spray nozzle, for automatically driving the spray nozzle in rotation or pivot relative to the spray arm part when the spray arm rotates relative to the outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid.

[0005] The spray arm is designed to rotate about a rotational axis when the spray arm is connected to an outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid by means of its end coupling. The outlet nozzle is not yet part of the spray arm, but the outlet nozzle exerts its effect when the spray arm is connected to an outlet nozzle, for example, of a water-conducting household appliance such as a dishwasher. However, there is fundamentally a legitimate interest in protecting the spray arm according to the invention as such, since the spray arm can also be traded, for example, in the form of an individual component as a spare part and does not have to be exclusively part of an associated machine.

[0006] In general, the spray arm can be used to distribute any fluid. The rinsing fluid can be either a liquid or a gas. The spray arm could also be used to blow air, particularly hot air, for example, for drying purposes in drying devices or drying systems. However, the spray arm is preferably designed to distribute a liquid, particularly water, for example, in sprinkler systems or car washes, or a substantially water-based rinsing fluid, such as the rinse water in a dishwasher.

[0007] The spray arm is designed to rotate about the center axis of its connecting coupling. The center of the connecting coupling thus forms a center point of the spray arm or spray arm arrangement. The spray arm can therefore have either a single spray arm part or several spray arm parts. For example, in the case of application in a dishwasher, two spray arm parts can be provided, wherein the two spray arm parts, starting from the center point of the spray arm, both extend outwards in radial directions away from the center point. In the case of exactly two spray arm parts, these can extend radially outwards from the center point, starting from proximal arm part ends facing the connecting coupling, wherein the two distal arm part ends are arranged at diametrically opposite ends of the spray arm. The two spray arm parts thus extend in two radial directions that enclose an angle of 180 degrees, i.e.extend away from each other in opposite directions.

[0008] However, in special designs, the spray arm can also have three, four, or more spray arm sections. The multiple spray arm sections can then preferably extend radially outward from the center of the spray arm at equal angular intervals from one another.

[0009] The inlet opening for the rinsing fluid is arranged coaxially with the connection coupling of the spray arm. The spray arm or each spray arm section can be hollow, so that a conveying channel for the transport of rinsing fluid in a radially outward direction is formed through the hollow spray arm section. The hollow conveying channel can be formed or delimited by the component wall of the respective hollow spray arm section. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the spray arm section to be hollow but not directly designed as a conveying channel for rinsing fluid, but rather, for example, for a separate fluid hose to be provided, which is laid within the hollow spray arm section.

[0010] Rinsing fluid is introduced into the spray arm via the inlet opening when the spray arm is connected to a rinsing fluid outlet of an appliance or machine, such as a dishwasher. To cause the spray arm, which is connected to the rinsing fluid outlet via its coupling flange, to rotate around its central axis, the rinsing fluid introduced into the hollow spray arm sections via the inlet opening is guided to the distal ends of the spray arm sections and there directed to specially designed drive nozzles, from which rinsing fluid exits in a tangential direction, so that the spray arm is set in a rotary motion due to the momentum and recoil effect.

[0011] Spray nozzles can be arranged along the longitudinal extension of each spray arm section, through which the rinsing fluid can also exit the spray arm section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the respective spray arm section, preferably upwards. The plurality of spray nozzles are accordingly arranged at intervals from one another and each emit a spray jet that, due to the rotation of the spray arm at a constant diameter, directs the spray jet upwards.

[0012] Each spray nozzle can be designed as a fan nozzle. This allows the spray nozzle to generate a flat, fan-shaped jet. The rinsing fluid discharged via such a spray nozzle does not exit the spray nozzle as a straight line, but rather is distributed in a spray plane. The orientation of the spray nozzle relative to the spray arm section on which the spray nozzle is located therefore influences the directional characteristics of the discharged rinsing fluid.

[0013] According to the invention, the at least one spray nozzle is mounted on the spray arm part so as to be rotatable or pivotable about a rotation axis, and the spray arm has a gear which is designed, during normal operation of the spray arm in which the spray arm is coupled to the outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid, to pick up a torque from the relative rotation of the spray arm with respect to the outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid and to transmit it to the rotatably or pivotably mounted spray nozzle for automatically driving the spray nozzle in rotation or pivot relative to the spray arm part when the spray arm rotates relative to the outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid, the directional characteristic of the dispensed rinsing fluid can be made more flexible to an expanded extent in addition to the rotation of the entire spray arm.

[0014] This allows the spray nozzles to distribute the rinsing fluid even more effectively, resulting in improved rinsing results. The risk of clogging the spray nozzles is reduced, thus increasing the operational reliability of the spray arm. The spray nozzles can continue to be designed in the conventional manner with a relatively large opening cross-section, eliminating the risk of foreign matter transported along with the fluid clogging or blocking the opening cross-sections of the spray nozzles, as is the case, for example, with very narrow nozzles that operate according to the principle of fluidic oscillators.

[0015] The spray nozzles mounted rotatably or pivotably according to the invention can have an axis of symmetry along which the rinsing fluid is directed through the respective spray nozzle. The spray nozzle can be mounted rotatably or pivotably about this axis of symmetry on the spray arm part. Accordingly, the spray nozzle can either perform a continuous rotational movement and thus complete multiple revolutions of 360 degrees, or the spray nozzle can alternately perform a rotational movement of less than 360 degrees in one direction of rotation and then a rotational movement of less than 360 degrees in the opposite direction of rotation.

[0016] If the outlet opening of the spray nozzle is not located on the axis of symmetry, but ejects the rinsing fluid in a radial direction, the spray jet can either be discharged several times in a complete circle, or can be discharged back and forth at a swivel angle of less than 360 degrees.

[0017] According to the invention, the torque which causes the entire spray arm to rotate around the rotation axis due to the rinsing fluid conveyed through the spray arm is partially used to move the rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles.

[0018] For this purpose, the gear can have an output gear which is rotatably mounted on the spray arm and which is designed to mesh with a fixed gear ring which is firmly connected to the outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid, such that when the spray arm is coupled to the outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid, the output gear engages with the gear ring in such a way that when the spray arm rotates about the outlet nozzle, the output gear is driven in rotation due to the relative rotational movement of the spray arm with respect to the outlet nozzle.

[0019] The fixed ring gear and the driven gear meshing with the ring gear can be designed, for example, as a spur gear stage. The center axis of the fixed ring gear and the rotational axis of the driven gear are aligned parallel to each other and are therefore also aligned parallel to the rotational axis of the spray arm. Instead of a ring gear and a driven gear meshing with each other by means of teeth, in a modified embodiment, interacting friction gears can also be used instead of meshing teeth.

[0020] On the spray arm part on which the at least one rotatable or pivotable spray nozzle is mounted, a slider which is linearly adjustable in the longitudinal extent of the spray arm part can be mounted, which is coupled to the output gear in such a way that the rotary movement of the output gear is converted into a reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slider.

[0021] In a first embodiment for coupling the rotating output gear to the linearly adjustable slide, the output gear can have a crank pin whose crank axis extends at a parallel distance to the axis of rotation of the output gear. When the output gear rotates, the crank pin rotates in a circular path around the axis of rotation of the output gear. A first eye of a coupling rod can be connected to the crank pin of the output gear. The coupling rod can also be referred to as a connecting rod. A second eye of the coupling rod is arranged at an end of the coupling rod opposite the first eye. A pin connected to the slide engages in the second eye of the coupling rod. The coupling rod converts the circular movement of the crank pin into a reciprocating linear movement of the pin.The pin can either be formed in one piece with the slider, or the pin can be formed by a separate axle pin that is inserted through the second eye of the coupling rod and locks or clamps into a receiving hole in the slider in order to connect the coupling rod to the slider in a rotatable or pivotable manner.

[0022] In a second embodiment for coupling the rotating output gear to the linearly adjustable slide, the output gear can also have a crank pin, with its crank axis extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the output gear. When the output gear rotates, the crank pin also rotates in a circular path around the axis of rotation of the output gear. Instead of a coupling rod, the slide can then be directly coupled to the crank pin of the output gear. The slide can have an elongated hole extending transversely to the linear adjustment direction of the slide, into which the crank pin of the output gear directly engages.

[0023] A separately formed support part can be attached or locked to the spray arm part, on which the output gear is rotatably mounted and on which the slide is linearly adjustable.

[0024] The use of a separately designed support part can, for example, have the advantage that the output gear, the respective coupling means, and the linearly adjustable slide can be pre-assembled on the support part. Accordingly, the spray arm's gear can already be assembled and ready for operation on the support part before it is mounted on the spray arm part.

[0025] To mount the support part to the spray arm part, the support part can have locking means which, when mounted, engage positively with counter-locking means on the spray arm part. For example, the support part can have several spring-loaded locking lugs which, when mounted, engage positively in recesses, recesses, or window cutouts on the spray arm part. For example, the support part can have three spaced-apart locking lugs on a left side wall which engage in three corresponding recesses, recesses, or window cutouts on the spray arm part. The support part can have three further spaced-apart locking lugs on a right side wall which engage in three opposite recesses, recesses, or window cutouts on the spray arm part.

[0026] The support part can have a left-hand strip section on which the left-hand locking lugs are formed, and can have a right-hand strip section on which the right-hand locking lugs are formed. The left-hand strip section has a left-hand groove which is designed for the reciprocating, linearly adjustable mounting of the slide. For this purpose, a left-hand spring strip of the slide engages in the left groove of the left-hand strip section of the support part. Accordingly, the right-hand strip section can have a right-hand groove which is designed for the reciprocating, linearly adjustable mounting of the slide. For this purpose, a right-hand spring strip of the slide engages in the right groove of the right-hand strip section of the support part.

[0027] The left bar section of the support part and the right bar section of the support part can be connected to one another via a first bridge section of the support part, which determines and fixes the exact position and orientation of the left bar section of the support part and the right bar section of the support part. To improve stability, a second bridge section spaced from the first bridge section of the support part can be formed on the support part. The second bridge section can, for example, be formed by a simple web that connects the left bar section to the right bar section. The first bridge section of the support part, on the other hand, can comprise a bearing on which the output gear is rotatably mounted. For this purpose, the first bridge section can, for example, have a bushing or a bore into which a plug-in axle can be inserted, which forms the axis of rotation on which the output gear is rotatably mounted.Alternatively, an axle stub can be formed in one piece on the first bridge section, for example, onto which the output gear is then simply placed in order to rotatably mount the output gear on the axle stub.

[0028] Instead of using a separately formed support part that is attached or locked to the spray arm part, the output gear can alternatively be separately rotatably mounted on the housing of the spray arm part and, separately from this bearing, the slide can be mounted in a reciprocating, linearly adjustable manner on its own linear bearing that is independently formed on the housing of the spray arm part.

[0029] In a first embodiment of a coupling type, the at least one spray nozzle can be rotatably or pivotably mounted on the slide, and the spray nozzle can have a contact profile running around its spray nozzle housing, which interacts with a counter-contact profile fixed on the spray arm part, such that due to the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide, the at least one spray nozzle is adjusted relative to the counter-contact profile, whereby due to the interacting engagement of the rotating contact profile with the fixed counter-contact profile, the at least one spray nozzle is rotated or pivoted.

[0030] The interacting engagement can be positive-locking, for example via a tooth profile pairing, or friction-locking, for example via a friction surface pairing.

[0031] If the at least one spray nozzle is mounted on the slider in a rotatable or pivotable manner, the spray nozzle can not only be rotated or pivoted relative to the spray arm part, but the at least one spray nozzle also performs a reciprocating movement relative to the spray arm part. This reciprocating movement relative to the spray arm part corresponds to the linear movement of the slider.

[0032] The slide and / or the spray arm part can have a distribution channel designed to convey rinsing fluid supplied via the spray arm part into the distribution channel to the at least one spray nozzle or to distribute it to the spray nozzles across several spray nozzles. The distribution channel can, for example, be fully integrated into the spray arm part, so that the supplied rinsing fluid is transported within the spray arm part and only passes directly to the spray nozzles formed on the slide at discrete outlet points provided for this purpose. Alternatively, a spray arm channel formed on the upper side of the spray arm part, together with a slide channel formed on the underside of the slide, can form the distribution channel. The spray arm channel and the slide channel complement one another to form a particularly closed channel in which the rinsing fluid is transported.To form the distribution channel, the spray arm section can also have a recessed spray arm groove on its upper side, which is then covered by a flat surface on the underside of the slide. Alternatively, the slide can have a recessed spray arm groove on its underside, which is then supplemented by a flat surface on the upper side of the spray arm section to form the channel. In another alternative embodiment, the distribution channel can be fully integrated into the slide.

[0033] The spray arm section, which carries the at least one rotatable or pivotable spray nozzle, directs the rinsing fluid from the inlet opening of the spray arm to one or more outlet openings in the spray arm section to supply the one or more spray nozzles with rinsing fluid. The one or more outlet openings in the spray arm section direct the rinsing fluid into the distribution channel of the slide, where the rinsing fluid is transported to the at least one spray nozzle, from where the rinsing fluid can exit the at least one spray nozzle.

[0034] The distribution channel can be formed by a trough-shaped recess in the underside of the slide. The underside of the slide rests on a surface of the spray arm part. A gap seal can thus be created between the underside of the slide and the surface of the spray arm part, which at least largely prevents excessive leakage of rinsing fluid. Such a gap does not necessarily have to be completely fluid-tight, since in many applications, such as in dishwashers, a slight leak from such a gap does not adversely affect the functionality of the dishwasher. The spray arm of a dishwasher is arranged entirely within a washing chamber of the dishwasher, in which the rinsing fluid is omnipresent.

[0035] In a second embodiment of a coupling type, the at least one spray nozzle can be rotatably or pivotably mounted on the spray arm part, and the spray nozzle can have a contact profile which runs around its spray nozzle housing and which interacts with a counter-contact profile which is fixed on the slide, such that due to the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide, the counter-contact profile is adjusted relative to the at least one spray nozzle, whereby due to the interacting engagement of the rotating contact profile with the fixed counter-contact profile, the at least one spray nozzle is rotated or pivoted.

[0036] In this second embodiment, the at least one spray nozzle can be rotatably or pivotably mounted on a vertically upwardly projecting bearing pin of the spray arm part. The projecting bearing pin can be hollow, so that an open end of the hollow bearing pin forms a respective outlet opening through which rinsing fluid can be transported from the hollow spray arm part via the hollow bearing pin into the spray nozzle.

[0037] If the at least one spray nozzle is rotatably or pivotably mounted on the spray arm part, the spray nozzle can only be rotated or pivoted relative to the spray arm part, without the at least one spray nozzle being able to perform a reciprocating movement relative to the spray arm part. The reciprocating linear movement of the slide relative to the spray arm part is therefore not transferred to the at least one spray nozzle in this second embodiment. During a rotating movement of the entire spray arm, a respective spray nozzle therefore only moves on orbits with a constant radius. In the case of the second embodiment, the reciprocating linear movement of the slide serves exclusively for the rotating or pivoting movement of the at least one spray nozzle.

[0038] The contact profile surrounding the spray nozzle housing can be a toothing in both the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the counter-contact profile can be a toothed rack corresponding to the toothing.

[0039] As an alternative to a toothing, both in the first embodiment and in the second embodiment, the contact profile surrounding the spray nozzle housing can be a circumferential friction surface and the counter-contact profile can be a friction lining rod corresponding to the friction surface.

[0040] The slider can be coupled to the at least one spray nozzle in such a way that the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slider is converted into a reciprocating movement of the at least one spray nozzle.

[0041] In such an embodiment, the slider can be coupled to the at least one spray nozzle without interruption, so that the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slider is always converted into the reciprocating movement of the at least one spray nozzle.

[0042] In another embodiment, the slide can be coupled to the at least one spray nozzle in such a way that the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide is only transmitted intermittently in such a way that only the reciprocating adjustment movement of the slide is always transmitted to the at least one spray nozzle or only the reciprocating adjustment movement of the slide is always transmitted to the at least one spray nozzle, so that the at least one spray nozzle is converted into an intermittent rotational movement of the at least one spray nozzle continuing in the same direction of rotation.

[0043] In such a configuration, the slide can be alternately coupled to the at least one spray nozzle or decoupled from the at least one spray nozzle, so that the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide is either converted exclusively into the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide to the at least one spray nozzle or converted exclusively into the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide to the at least one spray nozzle. Consequently, the at least one spray nozzle can be continuously rotated in one direction of rotation or continuously rotated in the opposite direction of rotation.

[0044] The spray arm may have a first spray arm part which is equipped with one or more rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles and the spray arm may have a second spray arm part which is different from the first spray arm part and is equipped exclusively with fixedly installed spray nozzles.

[0045] In this embodiment, the spray nozzles can distribute the rinsing fluid to a much greater extent than with spray arms with exclusively rigid spray nozzles, whereby the construction effort remains within cost-effective limits, since only a single gear unit and slide unit is required.

[0046] The spray arm may alternatively have a first spray arm part which is equipped with one or more rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles and the spray arm may have a second spray arm part which is different from the first spray arm part and which is also equipped with one or more rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles.

[0047] In this embodiment, the spray nozzles can distribute the rinsing fluid to a particularly high degree and the effectiveness is higher than in an embodiment in which only a single spray arm part is equipped with one or more rotatable or pivoting spray nozzles.

[0048] In a modification, it is conceivable that the spray arm has only a single gear and only a single slide, wherein the individual slide can optionally extend over both spray arm parts, so that the common slide moves both the one or more rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles of the first spray arm part and the one or more rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles of the second spray arm part.

[0049] The number of rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles of the first spray arm part can be the same as or different from the number of rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles of the second spray arm part.

[0050] The positions of the rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles in the longitudinal extension on the first spray arm part can be the same as or different from the positions of the rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles on the second spray arm part.

[0051] The transmission can be designed as a spur gear transmission or as a planetary transmission.

[0052] By selecting the type of gear and the selection of the respective gear ratios, the relative speed of the rotatable or pivotable movement of at least one spray nozzle with respect to the rotational speed of the complete spray arm around the rotation axis can be predetermined structurally.

[0053] The object is also achieved by a dishwasher having a rinsing liquid circuit with a pump for circulating rinsing liquid as rinsing fluid, wherein the rinsing liquid circuit has an outlet nozzle for rinsing fluid to which a spray arm according to one of the described embodiments is rotatably coupled.

[0054] Such a dishwasher can comprise a wash chamber in which, for example, an upper dish basket and a lower dish basket are arranged. At least one spray arm according to the invention rotates within the wash chamber. A cutlery basket can be placed in the lower dish basket, as shown. A screw cap leading to an access opening in a salt reservoir can be arranged below the lower dish basket. Furthermore, a strainer is placed below the lower dish basket.

[0055] The dishwasher may include an appliance control device with a memory in which at least one cleaning program is stored. The dishwasher may also include program buttons connected to the appliance control device.

[0056] Specific embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. Regardless of the specific context in which they are mentioned, specific features of these exemplary embodiments, even when considered individually or in further combinations, may represent advantageous features of alternative embodiments of the invention.

[0057] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a household appliance in the exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher with the door open, Fig. 2 a perspective view of an upper dish basket of the dishwasher according to Fig. 1, wherein an exemplary embodiment of a spray arm according to the invention is rotatably coupled to the underside of the dish basket, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the exemplary spray arm according to the invention according to Fig. 2 in a unique position together with an outlet nozzle to which the spray arm is rotatably coupled, Fig. 4 an exploded view of the spray arm according to Fig. 3 with the outlet nozzle, and Fig. 5 an enlarged partial view of the spray arm according to Fig. 4 in the area of ​​the spray arm part, which is provided with rotatable or pivoting spray nozzles, with the outlet nozzle to which the spray arm is rotatably coupled.

[0058] In the Fig. 1 shows a dishwasher 1a as a representative example of a household appliance 1.

[0059] The dishwasher 1a comprises a washing chamber 2, in which, for example, an upper dish basket 3 and a lower dish basket 4 are arranged. At least one spray arm 5 rotates within the washing chamber 2. A cutlery basket 6 can be placed in the lower dish basket 4, as shown. A screw cap 7 to an access opening into a salt storage chamber can be arranged below the lower dish basket 4. Furthermore, a sieve 8 is placed below the lower dish basket 4. A pump 14 is installed below the sieve 8, which enables the circulation of a washing liquid, i.e., a washing liquor, within the washing sump. The washing liquid can be guided via a vertical washing liquid channel 15 to the height of the upper dish basket 3, where the washing liquid flows into a horizontal washing liquid channel 16 ( Fig. 3) which is attached to the underside of the upper dish basket 3.

[0060] The dishwasher 1a accordingly has a rinsing liquid circuit which comprises the pump 14 for circulating rinsing liquid as rinsing fluid, wherein the rinsing liquid circuit is arranged at the end of the horizontal rinsing liquid channel 16 ( Fig. 3) merges into an outlet nozzle 17 for rinsing fluid, to which the spray arm 5 according to the invention is rotatably coupled.

[0061] The dishwasher 1a also has an appliance control device 9 with a memory 10 in which at least one cleaning program is stored. The dishwasher 1a further comprises program buttons 11 connected to the appliance control device 9.

[0062] The washing chamber 2 is accessible via an opening which can be closed by a door 13 pivotally mounted on a base body 12 of the household appliance 1 or the dishwasher 1a.

[0063] In Fig. 2, the upper dish basket 3 of the dishwasher 1a is according to Fig. 1 in a standalone position. An exemplary embodiment of a spray arm 5 according to the invention is rotatably coupled to the underside of the dish basket 3. Also shown is the horizontal dishwashing liquid channel 16, at the end of which the outlet nozzle 17 for the dishwashing liquid is formed, as is particularly shown in Fig. 3 is shown.

[0064] The spray arm 5 according to the invention is described below, particularly in view of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, explained in more detail.

[0065] The spray arm 5 has a spray arm part 5a, which in the case of the present embodiment carries a plurality of spray nozzles 18, ie three spray nozzles 18, which are rotatably or pivotably mounted on the spray arm part 5a according to the invention.

[0066] The spray arm 5 has a connection coupling 19 which has an inlet opening 20 for rinsing fluid and a coupling flange 21 arranged concentrically to the inlet opening 20, which is designed for the rotatably mounted coupling of the spray arm 5 to the outlet nozzle 17 for rinsing fluid.

[0067] The spray arm 5 has a conveying channel 22 for the rinsing fluid running along at least one spray arm part 5a from the inlet opening 20 to the spray nozzles 18.

[0068] Accordingly, rinsing fluid is introduced into the spray arm 5 via the inlet opening 20 when the spray arm 5 is connected to the outlet nozzle 17 for rinsing fluid. In order to set the spray arm 5, which is connected to the outlet nozzle 17 for rinsing fluid by means of its coupling flange 21, into rotation about the axis of rotation R or the central axis M, the rinsing fluid introduced into the hollow spray arm parts 5a via the inlet opening 20 is guided to the distal ends of the spray arm parts 5a and there directed to specially designed drive nozzles 23, from which rinsing fluid emerges in a tangential direction, so that due to the momentum set and the recoil effect, the spray arm 5 is set into a rotary movement about the axis of rotation R or the central axis M.

[0069] The spray nozzles 18 are each mounted on the spray arm part 5a so as to be rotatable or pivotable about a rotation axis D, and the spray arm 5 has a gear 24 which is designed, during normal operation of the spray arm 5, in which the spray arm 5 is coupled to the outlet nozzle 17 for rinsing fluid, to tap into a torque from the relative rotation of the spray arm 5 with respect to the outlet nozzle 17 for rinsing fluid and to transmit it to the rotatably or pivotably mounted spray nozzles 18, for the automatic rotational or pivotal driving of the spray nozzles 18 relative to the spray arm part 5a when the spray arm 5 rotates relative to the outlet nozzle 17 for rinsing fluid.

[0070] In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the gear 24 has an output gear 25 which is rotatably mounted on the spray arm 5 and which is designed to mesh with a fixed gear ring 26 which is fixedly connected to the outlet nozzle 17 for rinsing fluid, such that when the spray arm 5 is coupled to the outlet nozzle 17 for rinsing fluid, the output gear 25 engages with the gear ring 26 such that when the spray arm 5 rotates about the outlet nozzle 17, the output gear 25 is driven in rotation due to the relative rotational movement of the spray arm 5 with respect to the outlet nozzle 17.

[0071] The transmission 24 is accordingly designed as a spur gear transmission.

[0072] On the spray arm part 5a, on which the rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles 18 are mounted, a slide 27 is mounted which is linearly adjustable in the longitudinal extent of the spray arm part 5a and is coupled to the output gear 25 in such a way that the rotary movement of the output gear 25 is converted into a reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide 27.

[0073] In the illustrated embodiment for coupling the rotating output gear 25 to the linearly adjustable slide 27, the output gear 25 has a crank pin 28 whose crank axis extends at a parallel distance to the rotational axis A of the output gear 25. When the output gear 25 rotates, the crank pin 28 rotates in a circular path around the rotational axis A of the output gear 25. A first eye 29a of a coupling rod 29 is connected to the crank pin 28 of the output gear 25. The coupling rod 29 can also be referred to as a connecting rod. A second eye 29b of the coupling rod 29 is arranged at an end of the coupling rod 29 opposite the first eye 29a. A pin 30, which is connected to the slide 27, engages the second eye 29b of the coupling rod 29. The coupling rod 29 converts the circular movement of the crank pin 28 into a reciprocating linear movement of the pin 30.The pin 30 can either be formed integrally with the slide 27, or the pin 30 can, as in . Fig. 4, are formed by a separate axle pin 30a which is inserted through the second eye 29b of the coupling rod 29 and latches or clamps onto a receiving hole of the slider 27 in order to pivotally couple the coupling rod 29 to the slider 27.

[0074] In the case of the illustrated embodiment, a separately formed support part 31 is attached to the spray arm part 5a, on which support part the output gear 25 is rotatably mounted and on which the slide 27 is also mounted in a linearly adjustable manner.

[0075] As shown, the support part 31 can have a left bar section 32a on which left locking lugs 33a are formed, and can have a right bar section 32b on which right locking lugs 33b are formed. The left bar section 32a has a left groove 34a which is designed for the reciprocating, linearly adjustable mounting of the slide 27. For this purpose, a left spring bar 27a of the slide 27 engages in the left groove 34a of the left bar section 32a of the support part 31. Accordingly, the right bar section 32b can have a right groove 34b which is designed for the reciprocating, linearly adjustable mounting of the slide 27. For this purpose, a right spring bar 27b of the slide 27 engages in the right groove 34b of the right bar section 32b of the support part.

[0076] The left bar section 32a of the support part 31 and the right bar section 32b of the support part 31 can be connected to one another via a first bridge section 35.1 of the support part 31, as shown, which determines and fixes the exact position and orientation of the left bar section 32a of the support part 31 and the right bar section 32b of the support part 31. To improve stability, a second bridge section 35.2 spaced from the first bridge section 35.1 of the support part 31 can be formed on the support part 31. The second bridge section 35.2 can, for example, be formed by a simple web that connects the left bar section 32a to the right bar section 32b. The first bridge section 35.1 of the support part 31, on the other hand, can comprise a bearing 36 on which the output gear 25 is rotatably mounted. For this purpose, the first bridge section 35.1, for example, have a bushing or a bore into which a plug-in axle 37 can be inserted, which forms the axis of rotation A on which the output gear 25 is rotatably mounted. Alternatively, an axle stub can be formed, for example, in one piece on the first bridge section 35.1, onto which the output gear 25 is then simply slipped in order to rotatably mount the output gear 25 on the axle stub. For axially fixing the output gear 25 on the axle stub, a retaining ring, for example, can be attached to a distal end section of the axle stub, which retains the output gear 25 in the axial direction on the axle stub and thus prevents the output gear 25 from accidentally slipping off the axle stub.As an alternative to a separate retaining ring, the distal end portion of the axle stub can optionally have at least one resilient locking lug, which, when the output gear 25 is mounted on the axle stub, positively engages the output gear 25 at an edge portion of its hub on the outside to fix the output gear 25 in the axial direction and hold it firmly on the axle stub. The resilient locking lug can be formed integrally with the axle stub.

[0077] As in Fig. 4, the spray arm 5 may have a first spray arm part 5a which is equipped with the rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles 18 and the spray arm 5 may have a second spray arm part 5b which is different from the first spray arm part 5a and is equipped exclusively with fixedly installed spray nozzles 18a.

[0078] The rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles 18 can have a contact profile running around their spray nozzle housing, which interacts with a counter-contact profile fixed on the spray arm part 5a, such that due to the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide 27, the spray nozzles 18 are adjusted relative to the counter-contact profile, whereby due to the cooperative engagement of the rotating contact profile with the fixed counter-contact profile, the spray nozzles 18 are rotated or pivoted.

[0079] The slide 27 has a distribution channel 38 which is designed to distribute the rinsing fluid supplied into the distribution channel 38 via the spray arm part 5a to the spray nozzles 18.

[0080] However, the spray nozzle 18 can also have a contact profile running around its spray nozzle housing, which interacts with a counter-contact profile fixed on the slide 27, such that due to the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide 27, the counter-contact profile is adjusted relative to the spray nozzles 18, whereby due to the interacting engagement of the rotating contact profile with the fixed counter-contact profile, the spray nozzles 18 are rotated or pivoted.

[0081] The slide 27 can be coupled to the spray nozzles 18 in such a way that the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide 27 is converted into reciprocating movements of the spray nozzles 18.

[0082] However, the slide 27 can also be coupled to the spray nozzles 18 in such a way that the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide 27 is only transmitted intermittently in such a way that only the forward adjustment movement of the slide 17 is always transmitted to the spray nozzles 18 or only the forward adjustment movement of the slide 27 is always transmitted to the spray nozzles 18, so that the spray nozzles 18 are converted into an intermittent rotational movement continuing in the same direction of rotation. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2020 / 034530 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Spray arm (5) for a dishwasher (1a), comprising: - at least one spray arm part (5a) carrying one or more spray nozzles (18), - a connecting coupling (19) having an inlet opening (20) for rinsing fluid and a coupling flange (21) arranged concentrically to the inlet opening (20), which is designed for the rotatably mounted coupling of the spray arm (5) to an outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid, - a conveying channel (22) for the rinsing fluid running along the at least one spray arm part (5a) from the inlet opening (20) to the one or more spray nozzles (18), characterized by , that - the at least one spray nozzle (18) is mounted on the spray arm part (5a) so as to be rotatable or pivotable about a rotation axis (D), and the spray arm (5) has a gear (24) which is designed, during normal operation of the spray arm (5), in which the spray arm (5) is coupled to the outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid, to tap into a torque from the relative rotation of the spray arm (5) with respect to the outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid and to transmit it to the rotatably or pivotably mounted spray nozzle (18), for automatically driving the spray nozzle (18) to rotate or pivot relative to the spray arm part (5a) when the spray arm (5) rotates relative to the outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid. [2] Spray arm (5) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the gear (24) has an output gear (25) which is rotatably mounted on the spray arm (5) and which is designed to mesh with a fixed gear ring (26) which is firmly connected to the outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid, in such a way that, when the spray arm (5) is coupled to the outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid, the output gear (25) engages with the gear ring (26) in such a way that, when the spray arm (5) rotates about the outlet nozzle (17), the output gear (25) is driven in rotation due to the relative rotational movement of the spray arm (5) with respect to the outlet nozzle (17). [3] Spray arm (5) according to claim 2, characterized bythat on the spray arm part (5a), on which the at least one rotatable or pivotable spray nozzle (18) is mounted, a slide (27) which is linearly adjustable in the longitudinal extent of the spray arm part (5a) is mounted, which is coupled to the output gear (25) in such a way that the rotary movement of the output gear (25) is converted into a reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide (27). [4] Spray arm (5) according to claim 3, characterized by that a separately formed support part (31) is fastened or locked to the spray arm part (5a), on which support part the output gear (25) is rotatably mounted and on which the slide (27) is linearly adjustable. [5] Spray arm (5) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized byin that the at least one spray nozzle (18) is rotatably or pivotably mounted on the slide (27), and the spray nozzle (18) has a contact profile which runs around its spray nozzle housing and interacts with a counter-contact profile which is fixed on the spray arm part (5a) in such a way that, due to the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide (27), the at least one spray nozzle (18) is adjusted relative to the counter-contact profile, whereby, due to the interacting engagement of the rotating contact profile with the fixed counter-contact profile, the at least one spray nozzle (18) is rotated or pivoted. [6] Spray arm (5) according to claim 5, characterized byin that the slide (27) and / or the spray arm part (5a) has a distribution channel (38) which is designed to pass on rinsing fluid fed into the distribution channel (38) via the spray arm part (5a) to the at least one spray nozzle (18) or to pass it on to the spray nozzles (18) in a manner distributing it to a plurality of spray nozzles (18). [7] Spray arm (5) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized byin that the at least one spray nozzle (18) is rotatably or pivotably mounted on the spray arm part (5a), and the spray nozzle (18) has a contact profile which runs around its spray nozzle housing and interacts with a counter-contact profile which is fixed on the slide (27) in such a way that, due to the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide (27), the counter-contact profile is adjusted relative to the at least one spray nozzle (18), whereby, due to the interacting engagement of the rotating contact profile with the fixed counter-contact profile, the at least one spray nozzle (18) is rotated or pivoted. [8] Spray arm (5) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the contact profile running around the spray nozzle housing is a toothing and the counter contact profile is a toothed rack corresponding to the toothing. [9] Spray arm (5) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized bythat the contact profile surrounding the spray nozzle housing is a circumferential friction surface and the counter contact profile is a friction lining rod corresponding to the friction surface. [10] Spray arm (5) according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized by that the slide (27) is coupled to the at least one spray nozzle (18) in such a way that the reciprocating linear adjustment movement of the slide (27) is converted into a reciprocating movement of the at least one spray nozzle (18). [11] Spray arm (5) according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized bythat the slide (27) is coupled to the at least one spray nozzle (18) in such a way that the back-and-forth linear adjustment movement of the slide (27) is only transmitted intermittently in such a way that only the back-and-forth adjustment movement of the slide (27) is always transmitted to the at least one spray nozzle (18) or only the back-and-forth adjustment movement of the slide (27) is always transmitted to the at least one spray nozzle (18), so that the at least one spray nozzle (18) is converted into an intermittent rotational movement of the at least one spray nozzle (18) continuing in the same direction of rotation. [12] Spray arm (5) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized bythat the spray arm (5) has a first spray arm part (5a) which is equipped with one or more rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles (18) and the spray arm (5) has a second spray arm part (5b) which is different from the first spray arm part (5a) and is equipped exclusively with fixedly installed spray nozzles. [13] Spray arm (5) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the spray arm (5) has a first spray arm part (5a) which is equipped with one or more rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles (18) and the spray arm (5) has a second spray arm part (5b) which is different from the first spray arm part (5a) and is also equipped with one or more rotatable or pivotable spray nozzles (18). [14] Spray arm (5) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the gear (24) is designed as a spur gear step gear or as a planetary gear. [15] Dishwasher (1a), comprising a rinsing liquid circuit with a pump (14) for circulating rinsing liquid as rinsing fluid, wherein the rinsing liquid circuit has an outlet nozzle (17) for rinsing fluid, to which a spray arm (5) according to one of claims 1 to 14 is rotatably coupled.

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