Mechanical excitation device to assist drying in a dishwasher

Abstract

Dishwasher with a washing chamber and a device for receiving items to be washed, in particular a dish rack (20), characterized in that a mechanical excitation device is provided which is configured to mechanically move at least a part of the device for receiving items to be washed, so that liquid adhering to the items to be washed (21) is at least partially dissolved and made to drain off.

Description

1. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of household and commercial dishwashers. In particular, the invention relates to a dishwasher with a dish rack arranged in the wash chamber and a device for assisting the drying of dishes after a wash or rinse cycle. The invention further relates to measures for reducing the residual liquid remaining on the dishes and to technical solutions for improving energy efficiency and shortening drying times in dishwashers. 2. State of the art

[0002] Dishwashers are known in the art in which the drying of the dishes after a wash or rinse cycle is supported by thermal processes. These include, in particular, heating the wash chamber, condensation drying, forced-air drying, zeolite-based drying systems, and combinations of these processes. All known solutions have in common that the residual moisture remaining on the dishes is removed primarily by evaporation or condensation. This requires a corresponding energy input, and the drying time depends significantly on the amount of water to be evaporated. A device in which a dish rack arranged in the wash chamber is actively moved mechanically after completion of a wash or rinse cycle in order to at least partially reduce adhering liquid before thermal drying is not known in the art. 3. Object of the invention

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a dishwasher in which • the amount of liquid adhering to the dishes is reduced, • the energy requirement for a drying process can be reduced, • the drying time can be shortened and • a structurally simple and reliable solution for the mechanical excitation of dish carriers is provided. 4. Summary of the invention

[0004] The problem is solved by a dishwasher according to claim 1. A mechanical excitation device is provided which mechanically moves at least a part of the dishwashing unit, in particular the dish rack. The mechanical movement serves to mechanically loosen any liquid adhering to the dishwashing unit and cause it to drain off. This reduces the remaining residual liquid, thereby facilitating a subsequent drying process. The mechanical movement can be designed, in particular, as an oscillating or vibratory movement, as an impulse movement, and / or as a periodic movement. The mechanical excitation device can be designed according to various technical principles, in particular electromagnetically, by means of a linear drive, or by means of a rotary drive with at least one unbalanced element.In another embodiment, the energy supply of a component of the excitation device arranged in the washing chamber is provided via a contactless energy transfer device, in particular by means of inductive coupling through a wall delimiting the washing chamber.

[0005] By mechanically reducing the residual liquid remaining on the items being washed, the amount of water to be removed can be reduced. This can reduce the energy required for drying and / or shorten the drying time. At the same time, the solution can be simple in design, robust, and easily integrated into existing appliance concepts. 5. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows an arrangement with an electromagnetic drive and an anchor arranged on the dish carrier. Fig. Figure 2 shows an arrangement with a linear drive and a membrane as a transmission element. Fig. Figure 3 shows an arrangement with a rotating drive and an unbalanced arrangement. Fig. Figure 4 shows an arrangement with inductive energy transfer. 6. Detailed description of the exemplary implementations Fig. 1

[0006] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a dishwasher with an excitation device based on an electromagnetic drive. A vibrating magnet (1) is located outside the wash chamber. The vibrating magnet (1) acts on an armature (2) attached to the dish rack (20). By activating the vibrating magnet (1), the armature (2) is set in motion, thereby transmitting a mechanical movement to the dish rack (20). A wall (30) is provided between the wash chamber and a cavity located outside the wash chamber. The vibrating magnet (1) is located on the side of the wall (30) facing the cavity, while the armature (2) is located on the side facing the wash chamber, so that force is transmitted through the wall (30) without contact. Fig. 2

[0007] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment with a linear drive (3). The linear drive (3) is arranged outside the washing chamber and is coupled to a diaphragm (5) via a connecting element (4). The diaphragm (5) is in contact with the dish rack (20) and transmits the mechanical movement generated by the drive to the dish rack (20). Fig. 3

[0008] Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment with a rotating drive. An induction motor (6) is arranged outside the washing chamber and acts contactlessly on a rotor (7). The rotor (7) is connected to a rotatably mounted transmission shaft (8) to which at least one unbalanced element (9) is attached. The rotor (7), the transmission shaft (8), and the unbalanced element (9) are arranged within a protective housing (40). The protective housing (40) is mechanically connected to the dish rack (20) so that the mechanical movement generated by the unbalanced element (9) is transmitted to the dish rack (20). A wall (30) is arranged between the washing chamber and the induction motor (6), which enables the contactless rotary power transmission. Fig. 4

[0009] Fig.Figure 4 shows an embodiment with inductive energy transfer. A transmitting coil (10) is arranged on a wall (30) bordering the wash chamber outside the wash chamber. A receiving coil (11) is associated with the transmitting coil (10) inside the wash chamber, the receiving coil (11) being integrated into or permanently connected to the dish rack (20). Contactless, and in particular inductive, energy transfer takes place between the transmitting coil (10) and the receiving coil (11) through the wall (30). The received electrical energy is supplied via an electrical connection (12) to a drive (13) of the excitation device, which is also arranged on or in the dish rack (20) and mechanically moves the dish rack (20). 7. List of reference symbols 1 oscillating magnet 2 anchors 3 Linear drive 4 Connecting element 5 Membran 6 induction motor 7 Rotor 8 transmission wave 9 unbalanced bodies 10 transmitting coil 11 Receiver coil 12 Electrical connection 13 Drive of the excitation device 20 dish racks 21 Dishes / Items to be washed 30 Wall between rinsing chamber and cavity 40 protective housings

Claims

[1] Dishwasher with a washing chamber and a device for receiving items to be washed, in particular a dish rack (20), characterized by , that a mechanical excitation device is provided which is designed to mechanically move at least part of the device for receiving items to be washed, so that liquid adhering to the items to be washed (21) is at least partially dissolved and made to drip off. [2] Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized by that the mechanical movement is designed as an oscillating or vibratory movement. [3] Dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mechanical motion is designed as momentum motion and / or as periodic motion. [4] Dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the mechanical excitation device comprises an electromagnetic drive (1) and an armature (2), wherein the drive (1) is arranged outside the washing chamber and the armature (2) is arranged on the dish carrier (20) so that contactless force transmission through a wall (30) takes place. [5] Dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the mechanical excitation device comprises a linear drive (3) which is arranged outside the washing chamber and is coupled to a membrane (5) via a connecting element (4), wherein the membrane (5) transmits the movement to the dish carrier (20). [6] Dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the mechanical excitation device comprises a rotating drive which drives an unbalance arrangement with at least one unbalance body (9) so that a mechanical movement is transferred to the dish carrier (20). [7] Dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a component of the mechanical excitation device located in the washing chamber is supplied with electrical energy via a contactless energy transfer device. [8] Dishwasher according to claim 7, characterized by , that the contactless energy transfer device comprises a transmitting coil (10) outside the washing chamber and a receiving coil (11) inside the washing chamber, wherein the energy transfer takes place inductively through a wall (30) delimiting the washing chamber. [9] Mechanical excitation device for retrofitting or integration into a dishwasher with a wash chamber and a device for receiving items to be washed, in particular a dish rack (20), characterized by, that the mechanical excitation device is designed to mechanically move at least part of the device for receiving items to be washed, so that adhering liquid is at least partially loosened from the items to be washed (21) and made to drip off. [10] Mechanical excitation device according to claim 9, characterized by , that the excitation device is electromagnetic, linear or rotary with an unbalanced body (9).

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