Appliance for storing damp washing-up utensils, and method for operating such an appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to an appliance (1) for storing damp washing-up utensils, with a container (2) which has a receiving chamber, into which at least one washing-up utensil can be introduced, and with a ventilating device (12). By means of the ventilating device (12), the receiving chamber of the container (2) can be loaded with air which comes from a surrounding area (16) of the container (2). An intermediate bottom (9) is arranged in the receiving chamber, by means of which intermediate bottom the receiving chamber is divided into a first part chamber (10) and into a second part chamber (11). By operation of the ventilating device (12), an air stream (18, 19) of the air can be set, which air stream has a first flow direction in the first part chamber (10) and has a second flow direction which is opposed to the first flow direction in the second part chamber (11). The invention further relates to a method for operating such an appliance (1).

Description

[0001] Household appliance for storing wet dishwashing utensils and method for operating such a household appliance

[0002] The invention relates to a household appliance for storing moist dishwashing utensils, comprising a container having a receiving space. At least one dishwashing utensil can be inserted into the receiving space. By means of a ventilation device of the household appliance, the receiving space of the container can be supplied with air from the surroundings of the container. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a household appliance.

[0003] It's advisable to store wet dishwashing utensils such as sponges, rags, brushes, dishcloths, and the like in a kitchen out of sight of the user. This prevents such items from detracting from the kitchen's appearance. This is especially true if the current trend toward integrating the kitchen into a living space continues.

[0004] However, if such wet dishwashing utensils are stored in a kitchen unit, such as a sink base cabinet, this can lead to undesirable moisture damage to the kitchen unit and / or unpleasant odors. This is disadvantageous. Therefore, it is desirable for wet dishwashing utensils to be stored in a container designed for this purpose, in which a ventilation device can provide ventilation.

[0005] US 4 644 136 A describes a towel warmer with a storage compartment for towels which can be closed by means of a front flap. When the towel is stored in the storage compartment, a fan can introduce air into the storage compartment through openings, wherein the openings are formed in the walls delimiting the storage compartment. After flowing through the storage compartment having the openings, the air conveyed by the fan can leave an outer casing of the towel warmer via outlet openings formed in a ceiling wall of the outer casing. On an underside, the outer casing has inlet openings through which air from the environment can enter the outer casing. A disadvantage of such a towel warmer is the fact that, depending on how the towel is inserted into the storage compartment, very undefined flow conditions can exist in the towel warmer.In particular, this can result in the air flowing largely unused past the towel stored in the compartment. This type of towel warmer is therefore unsuitable for storing damp dishwashing utensils.

[0006] Another towel warmer, in which air is circulated by a fan within an airtight outer casing, is described in US Pat. No. 6,525,298 B1. This towel warmer is also not suitable for storing wet dishwashing utensils.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which improved drying of moist dishwashing utensils can be achieved, and to provide a corresponding method for operating such a household appliance.

[0008] This object is achieved by a household appliance having the features of patent claim 1 and by a method having the features of patent claim 15. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims and in the following description.

[0009] The household appliance according to the invention for storing moist dishwashing utensils comprises a container having a receiving space. At least one dishwashing utensil can be inserted into the receiving space. By means of a ventilation device of the household appliance, the receiving space of the container can be supplied with air originating from the surroundings of the container. An intermediate floor is arranged in the receiving space, by means of which the receiving space is divided into a first sub-space and a second sub-space. By operating the ventilation device, an air flow can be adjusted, which has a first flow direction in the first sub-space, wherein the air flow has a second flow direction in the second sub-space. In this case, the second flow direction is opposite to the first flow direction.The air flow circulating through the sub-chambers during operation of the ventilation device can achieve particularly extensive and thus improved drying of moist dishwashing utensils, which can be arranged in the first sub-chamber and / or in the second sub-chamber.

[0010] The dishwashing utensils can be sponges and / or rags and / or brushes and / or dishcloths or the like, which, due to their placement in at least one of the compartments of the receiving space, are advantageously removed from the field of vision of a user of the household appliance. Nevertheless, the user of the household appliance need not worry about moisture damage in kitchen furniture or other hygiene and / or odor problems. This is because the airflow ensures that moisture removed from the damp dishwashing utensils does not remain in place but is removed with the airflow. This is advantageous with regard to the improved drying of the dishwashing utensils.

[0011] The provision of the intermediate floor also allows more dishwashing utensils to be placed separately in the storage compartment than would be the case with a single, continuous storage compartment whose size corresponds to the sum of the sizes of the two compartments. This also contributes to improved drying of the dishwashing utensils stored in the respective compartments.

[0012] By flowing through both the first and second subchambers, but in opposite directions, the air flow path within the receiving chamber is also relatively long and yet well-defined. This is also advantageous for efficient drying of dishwashing utensils located in at least one of the subchambers. In particular, such an air flow passing through both subchambers leads to better drying results than would be achievable with separate individual flows in the two subchambers.

[0013] Preferably, an air passage is formed between a wall of the container and a section of the intermediate floor, through which the air flow from the first sub-chamber can be introduced into the second sub-chamber. A fluidic connection is provided via the air passage between spatially separated storage compartments, which are designed in the form of the first sub-chamber and in the form of the second sub-chamber in the container. By the air flow passing from the first sub-chamber into the second sub-chamber, a substantially U-shaped flow path of the air flow can be achieved, in which a first leg of the U-shape is oriented in the first flow direction and a second leg of the U-shape in the second flow direction. The two legs of the U-shape are connected to one another by a bend in the U-shape, which is formed in the region of the air passage.By providing such a flow path for the air stream, the air can absorb a particularly large amount of moisture that may be contained in the dishwashing utensils.

[0014] In particular, it can be provided that the air flow leaves the container after flowing through the second subspace in the second flow direction and thus returns to the container's surroundings. This is advantageous with regard to the very efficient removal of moisture from the dishwashing utensils.

[0015] Preferably, the section is formed as the narrow side of the intermediate floor, with the narrow side of the intermediate floor facing the wall of the container. This allows the intermediate floor to be used up to the narrow side, and thus over a particularly long length, for storing dishwashing utensils on one of the wide sides of the intermediate floor. Nevertheless, the air or air flow can pass very unhindered from the first sub-space into the second sub-space via the air passage.

[0016] Furthermore, by designing the section as the narrow side of the intermediate floor, the air flow flows through the first sub-chamber in the first flow direction up to this narrow side of the intermediate floor before entering the second sub-chamber via the air passage. This is advantageous in terms of the longest possible flow path, thus ensuring the most thorough drying of damp dishwashing utensils.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the wall can be designed as a container door, by means of which an access opening of the container can be closed. In this case, the door delimits the receiving space in a closed position. Such a container door, which closes the access opening, ensures, on the one hand, that the dishwashing utensils stored behind the preferably opaque door in at least one of the compartments are concealed. Furthermore, the door can provide a type of baffle wall, which can redirect the airflow and thus reverse the flow direction from the first to the second direction with minimal effort.

[0018] Preferably, the intermediate shelf is permanently mounted in the container. Accordingly, the intermediate shelf cannot be removed from the receiving space without disassembling or dismantling the container. This results in a very robust design for the household appliance that includes the intermediate shelf.

[0019] Preferably, the intermediate floor rests against side walls of the container, which are opposite each other in the transverse direction of the container. This effectively prevents unwanted partial air flows from forming along the side walls during operation of the ventilation device, through which or due to which air could flow from the first compartment into the second compartment without overflowing washing utensils. Rather, this ensures a very extensive fluidic separation of the two compartments from each other, which is only interrupted in the area of ​​the air passage.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the ventilation device is integrated into a rear wall of the container, which is opposite a front access opening of the container. In this case, the at least one washing utensil can be introduced into at least one of the sub-chambers via the access opening. The arrangement of the ventilation device in the region of the rear wall of the container is advantageous for providing a very long flow path, first through the first sub-chamber and then through the second sub-chamber. Furthermore, the ventilation device integrated into the rear wall of the container disturbs the user particularly little when they wish to bring the at least one washing utensil into the first sub-chamber or into the second sub-chamber for storage.

[0021] The ventilation device preferably comprises a first fan, by means of which the air flow in the first flow direction can be effected in the first sub-chamber, and a second fan, by means of which the air flow in the second flow direction can be effected in the second sub-chamber. By providing the two fans, a comparatively strong air flow can be set in both sub-chambers, which is advantageous for removing moisture from the sub-chambers via the air flow into the surroundings of the container. Furthermore, by providing the first fan, which causes the air flow in the first flow direction, and the second fan, which causes the air flow in the second flow direction, a well-defined, guided air flow can be generated in the two sub-chambers.

[0022] Preferably, a suction side of the first fan faces the environment of the container, and a suction side of the second fan faces the second sub-chamber. This facilitates efficient introduction of the air originating from the environment into the first sub-chamber by means of the first fan and discharge of the air into the environment by means of the second fan.

[0023] It has also proven advantageous if the fans are designed as axial fans. This allows the respective fan to provide the airflow directed in the desired direction. It is beneficial for the simplicity of the household appliance design if the fans are of identical construction.

[0024] Standard fans can be used, preferably with a brushless, DC-powered electric motor, and designed for a supply voltage of 24 volts. For such inexpensive fans, it has proven advantageous to reduce the voltage applied to the respective fan to 16 volts, for example, using an electronic control device in the household appliance. This allows for a reduction in the speed of the fan impellers. This is advantageous for particularly quiet fan operation.

[0025] The ventilation device preferably has a protective device on a side facing the receiving space and / or on a side facing the environment, by means of which access to at least one fan wheel of the ventilation device is at least largely prevented. Such a protective device, in particular designed as a grille, ensures on the one hand that a user of the household appliance cannot reach the at least one fan wheel with their finger. Furthermore, this also largely prevents dishwashing utensils arranged in one of the sub-spaces from hindering the rotation of the at least one fan wheel or even blocking the fan wheel. Both are advantageous, on the one hand with regard to the operational reliability of the household appliance and on the other hand with regard to the largely uninterrupted functionality of the household appliance.

[0026] The at least one fan wheel of the ventilation device can be arranged, in particular, outside the receiving space or adjacent to an outer side of the rear wall. In this case, the fan wheel does not take up any space within the container that could be used for the washing utensils.

[0027] The household appliance preferably has a heating device for heating the air stream. This allows for very extensive and rapid drying of dishwashing utensils stored in the compartments. The heating device can be switched on, so that the dishwashing utensils can be dried either by the unheated air stream or by the air stream heated by the heating device. This allows for a highly customized response to the drying requirements of the dishwashing utensils as well as to ambient conditions. For example, if the ambient air is already comparatively warm, heating the air stream by means of the heating device can advantageously be omitted or at least reduced.

[0028] The heating device preferably comprises at least one heating element arranged in the intermediate floor. This allows drying of the dishwashing utensils housed in the compartments to be at least assisted by heat radiation emanating from the intermediate floor. This is particularly advantageous when the intermediate floor is made of a material with good thermal conductivity, for example, an aluminum alloy.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, the heating device can comprise at least one heating element arranged on the intermediate floor. For example, the heating element can be designed as a surface heating element mounted on the intermediate floor. This makes equipping the household appliance with the heating element particularly easy.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, the heating device can comprise at least one heating element arranged on the ventilation device. For example, a heating wire can be used as such a heating element, which heats the air introduced into the receiving space by means of the ventilation device and originating from the environment when the heating wire or similar heating element is supplied with electrical energy during operation of the heating device.

[0031] Preferably, the intermediate floor has a recess into which the heating element arranged in the intermediate floor is inserted. This allows for very efficient heating of the intermediate floor and the sub-spaces adjacent to the intermediate floor.

[0032] Preferably, the recess extends substantially in the direction of flow. This allows for very extensive heating of the intermediate floor over at least part of its length extending in the direction of flow. This is advantageous for effective drying of the dishwashing utensils.

[0033] It has also been shown to be advantageous if the recess is arranged substantially centrally in the transverse direction of the intermediate floor. This is also advantageous with regard to uniform heating of the intermediate floor by means of the heating element arranged in the intermediate floor.

[0034] Preferably, a length of the heating element arranged in the intermediate floor, measured along the flow direction, is greater than a size of the heating element perpendicular to the flow direction. This is advantageous for easy accommodation of the heating element in the recess. For example, such a heating element can be designed in the manner of a heating cartridge or heating cartridge, which is received in a recess designed as a deep bore, which can be formed in the intermediate floor. If the heating element arranged in the intermediate floor has a circular-cylindrical cross-section, the length can be greater than a diameter of the heating element. In particular, the length can be several times greater than the diameter of the heating element. For example, the heating element can have a diameter of approximately 6 millimeters and a length of approximately 40 millimeters.This is advantageous in terms of the easy placement of the heating element in the intermediate floor and at the same time a good heat distribution along the intermediate floor.

[0035] The heating power of the heating device, particularly in the form of a heating cartridge or heating element arranged in the intermediate floor, can range from approximately 20 watts to approximately 120 watts. A heating power of approximately 80 watts, in particular, provides a good compromise between high drying efficiency for dishwashing utensils and low energy consumption during operation of the heating device.

[0036] If the intermediate floor is made of a material with good thermal conductivity, for example aluminum alloy and / or copper alloy, the heat energy provided by the heating element can be used very efficiently for drying the dishwashing utensils.

[0037] The household appliance preferably comprises a safety device by means of which the heating device can be switched off. In particular, the safety device can switch off the heating device if a temperature of the heating device and / or a temperature of the intermediate floor exceeds a predetermined threshold. This is particularly advantageous in that it can prevent unpleasant contact with the heating device for a user of the household appliance due to the heat, for example, by touching the excessively hot intermediate floor.

[0038] The safety device can be incorporated, in particular, into the intermediate floor in order to be able to react very directly to a temperature increase above the predetermined threshold. Additionally or alternatively, the household appliance can comprise an actuator by means of which the heating output of the heating device can be varied. This is advantageous for demand-based operation of the heating device.

[0039] In particular, the actuator can be designed as a resistance element whose electrical resistance changes depending on the temperature. Such a temperature-sensitive resistor can achieve very simple control of the heating device's heating output. In particular, the safety device can function as a safeguard in the event of a control malfunction, which can be caused by the electrical resistance element.

[0040] Preferably, a front access opening of the container can be closed by means of a door of the household appliance, wherein the door can be moved into an open position by sliding it in a depth direction of the container. Such a direction of movement when moving the door into the open position allows for very unhindered access to the compartments via the front access opening of the container.

[0041] It can be provided that moving the door to the open position automatically shuts off the ventilation system. This prevents airflow from escaping from the housing space through the access opening, which could otherwise cause unwanted turbulence of objects in the vicinity of the household appliance. This is advantageous.

[0042] Preferably, the door is designed as part of a drawer of the household appliance that can be slid along the depth of the container. This allows the extended drawer to be loaded with dishwashing utensils to be dried and then retracted into the storage compartment by closing the door or moving the door to a closed position. This is advantageous for convenient insertion of the dishwashing utensils into the storage compartment.

[0043] The drawer can in particular be movable along rails which are arranged on opposite side walls of the container. This allows the door to be opened and closed very smoothly and reliably. Preferably, together with the drawer, a collecting device can be moved at least partially out of the container, wherein the collecting device is designed to collect water. The provision of such a collecting device makes it possible to accommodate even dripping wet dishwashing utensils in the compartment equipped with the collecting device. The water collected in the collecting device can be removed from the container particularly easily by moving the drawer together with the collecting device at least partially out of the container.

[0044] Preferably, the collecting device is designed as an insert that can be removed from the drawer. This makes it particularly easy to empty the water collected in the collecting device.

[0045] Together with the drip tray-like insert, dishwashing utensils arranged on the insert can also be removed from the container's receiving space, particularly from the lower part of the container. This facilitates easy removal of the dried dishwashing utensils from the receiving space, particularly from the lower part.

[0046] Preferably, the insert is arranged in the lower compartment in the vertical direction of the container when the door is in the closed position. This way, the insert does not hinder the insertion of dishwashing utensils into the upper compartment in the vertical direction of the container.

[0047] Preferably, the insert comprises a frame that defines the perimeter of a basin area of ​​the collection device. The water can be collected effectively in this basin area.

[0048] Preferably, at least one holding element with a support surface for the at least one dishwashing utensil is arranged within the basin area. The support surface is arranged above an upper edge of the frame in the vertical direction of the container. In this way, contact of the dishwashing utensil with the water collected in the basin area is largely prevented. Furthermore, the dishwashing utensil resting on the support surface can also be surrounded on the underside by the air flow, which is set or generated by operating the ventilation device. Such drying of the dishwashing utensils from the underside is particularly advantageous for the extensive removal of moisture from the dishwashing utensil.

[0049] The airflow around the utensil, not only on top but also underneath, also allows the airflow to flow over a particularly large area of ​​the utensil for drying purposes. This results in very high drying performance, which can be achieved by operating the ventilation system. Particularly good airflow around the bottom of the utensil can be achieved if the support surface is positioned at least 5 millimeters above the top edge of the frame in the vertical direction of the container.

[0050] The at least one retaining element can be designed, in particular, as a rib extending from the support surface arranged above the upper edge of the frame to a floor of the pelvic area. Such ribs can be very easily provided in the pelvic area, especially if the ribs are formed integrally with a base body of the insert.

[0051] If the at least one retaining element is designed as a rib, the height of the rib can be at least 5 millimeters greater than the height of the frame peripherally defining the basin area of ​​the collecting device. Such an insert, featuring a plurality of ribs projecting beyond the frame, can be provided very easily and with minimal effort.

[0052] Preferably, at least one holder is arranged on an outer side of a side wall of the container, by means of which the household appliance can be secured to a wall of a piece of furniture designed to accommodate the household appliance. This allows for simple, secure, and practical accommodation of the household appliance in the furniture, wherein the furniture can, in particular, be designed as a built-in unit. For example, the built-in unit can be designed as a base cabinet for a sink.

[0053] With this arrangement of the household appliance in the built-in unit, the exhaust air from the receiving space can be blown into the base cabinet. Especially if the exhaust air is heated by the appliance's heating system, the warm exhaust air can absorb moisture. This prevents or reduces condensation on cold water pipes that may be present in the sink's base cabinet. Furthermore, the warm air can advantageously remove moisture from waste, which can then be disposed of in an open trash can, if present in the base cabinet. This is also advantageous.

[0054] In particular, if the ventilation system is automatically activated after a predetermined period of time for a specific duration, the development of undesirable odors within the container's receiving space and in the container's surroundings can be largely prevented. This is also advantageous.

[0055] To operate the household appliance, an operating device can be provided which does not need to be attached to the household appliance. Rather, such an operating device can be arranged in an easily accessible location, for example in the area of ​​a worktop next to a sink, below which the household appliance can be arranged. Such an operating device can in particular be designed as a touchscreen or the like. If the operating device is designed as a touchscreen, the operating device can in particular be used to implement a status display which indicates an operating status of the household appliance. For example, it can be displayed whether the ventilation device and / or the heating device is in operation, provided the household appliance has the heating device.

[0056] Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to operate the household appliance using a mobile device, such as a smartphone, for example, via an application program installed on the mobile device. This allows, in particular, remote control of the household appliance.

[0057] In the method according to the invention for operating a household appliance designed for storing moist dishwashing utensils, a container of the household appliance has a receiving space into which at least one dishwashing utensil can be placed. By means of a ventilation device of the household appliance, the receiving space of the container is supplied with air originating from the surroundings of the container. An intermediate floor is arranged in the receiving space, by means of which the receiving space is divided into a first sub-space and a second sub-space. By operating the ventilation device, an air flow is set which has a first flow direction in the first sub-space and a second flow direction in the second sub-space. The second flow direction is opposite to the first flow direction.By setting such an air flow in the receiving space in opposite flow directions, particularly good drying of moist dishwashing utensils stored in the receiving space can be achieved.

[0058] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the household appliance according to the invention also apply to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

[0059] Terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “depth direction”, “transverse direction”, “vertical direction” and the like indicate the positions and orientations given when the household appliance is used and arranged as intended and when an observer is then standing in front of the household appliance and looking in the direction of the household appliance.

[0060] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced by separate feature combinations from the explained embodiments. Thus, embodiments and feature combinations that do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim are also to be considered to be disclosed.Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features, particularly those presented above, are to be considered disclosed that go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features presented in the claims. Further advantages, features, and details of the invention emerge from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and the drawings. In the drawings:

[0061] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a household appliance designed in the manner of a drying compartment for storing moist dishwashing utensils, wherein a front door of the household appliance is closed, the door being opposite fans arranged on a rear side of a container of the household appliance;

[0062] Fig. 2 shows the household appliance according to Fig. 1 in a side view;

[0063] Fig. 3 is a further side view of the household appliance, wherein the side wall of the container shown in Fig. 2 is removed, and wherein flow arrows illustrate a flow path of an air flow which can be adjusted in a receiving space of the container by means of the two fans of the household appliance;

[0064] Fig. 4 shows the view according to Fig. 3, but without an intermediate floor arranged in the receiving space of the container;

[0065] Fig. 5 is a view of a circuit board of the household appliance, which is mounted laterally next to the intermediate floor shown in Fig. 3;

[0066] Fig. 6 a recess provided in the intermediate floor for a

[0067] thermal fuse;

[0068] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the interior of the container, showing the position of the

[0069] thermal fuse and a heating element arranged in the intermediate floor;

[0070] Fig. 8 shows a further perspective exterior view of the household appliance; Fig. 9 shows the household appliance according to Fig. 1 with the door open, which is part of a drawer that can be pulled out of the container;

[0071] Fig. 10 schematically shows the view according to Fig. 9, showing an insert which can be removed from the drawer;

[0072] Fig. 11 the insert part according to Fig. 10 in a first perspective view;

[0073] Fig. 12 shows the insert according to Fig. 10 in a further perspective view; and

[0074] Fig. 13 is a rear view of the appliance and the fans arranged one above the other at the rear of the appliance.

[0075] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a household appliance 1 for storing moist dishwashing utensils such as sponges, rags, brushes, dishcloths or the like, which is designed as a drying compartment for such dishwashing utensils. The household appliance 1 comprises a container 2, which defines a receiving space into which the dishwashing utensils can be placed. The container 2 comprises a right-hand side wall 3 in Fig. 1, a side wall 4 opposite this side wall 3 in the transverse direction y of the container 2 (see Fig. 8), a top wall 5 and a base 6 opposite the top wall 5 in the vertical direction z of the container 2 (see Fig. 3).

[0076] At the front, or at a front access opening 7 of the container 2 (see Fig. 9), the receiving space for the washing utensils formed in the container 2 is delimited by a door 8. In Fig. 1, the door 8, which thus forms a further wall of the container 2 delimiting the receiving space, is shown in its closed position. In Fig. 9, in contrast, the door 8 is shown in its open position.

[0077] In Fig. 3, the container 2 is shown without the right-hand side wall 3 shown in Fig. 1. From this view, it can be seen that the receiving space formed in the container 2 is divided by an intermediate floor 9 into a first sub-space 10 and a second sub-space 11 (see Figs. 9 and 10). According to Fig. 3, the first sub-space 10 is arranged above the second sub-space 11 in the vertical direction z of the container 2.

[0078] The household appliance 1 has a ventilation device 12, which in this case comprises a first fan 13 and a second fan 14. The two fans 13, 14 are integrated into a rear wall 15 of the container 2 (see Fig. 7), wherein the rear wall 15 is opposite the door 8 and the front access opening 7 in the depth direction x of the container 2 (see Fig. 9). The vertical direction z, the transverse direction y, and the depth direction x of the container 2 and the household appliance 1 are illustrated approximately in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 by respective coordinate systems.

[0079] When the door 8 is open (see Fig. 9), the moist dishwashing utensils can be introduced either into the first compartment 10 or into the second compartment 11 via the front access opening 7 (see Fig. 9).

[0080] Because the household appliance 1, designed as a drying compartment, has the ventilation device 12, which in this case includes the two fans 13, 14, very effective drying of the damp dishwashing utensils can be achieved. This prevents moisture damage to a piece of furniture, particularly built-in furniture, in which the household appliance 1 may be housed. For example, such a built-in piece of furniture can be designed as a base cabinet for a sink. Furthermore, drying the damp dishwashing utensils prevents unpleasant odors that can arise from damp dishwashing utensils.

[0081] By stowing or storing the wet dishwashing utensils in the household appliance 1 designed as a drying compartment, a tidy kitchen appearance is not negatively affected or impaired by dishwashing utensils lying around or hanging up to dry. Rather, the dishwashing utensils are concealed in the container 2 and thus do not detract from the appearance of the kitchen. Nevertheless, a user of the household appliance 1 does not need to worry about moisture damage occurring in the built-in furniture or kitchen furniture, or that hygiene and / or odor problems arising in the built-in furniture in which the household appliance 1 is preferably housed due to the stowing of dishwashing utensils. With reference to Fig.3, an air flow 18, 19 will be described below, which can be adjusted by operating the ventilation device 12, in the present case in the form of the two fans 13, 14 within the container 2, and which serves to dry the dishwashing utensils accommodated in at least one of the sub-chambers 10, 11. In the present case, the two fans 13, 14 are installed in the rear area of ​​the container 2, in particular, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 7, integrated into the rear wall 15.

[0082] During operation, the fans 13, 14 provide the drying airflow. Air originating from an environment 16, in this case from the rear environment 16, of the container 2 is drawn in by the ventilation device 12, in this case by the first fan 13. This drawing in of air from the environment 16 is illustrated in Fig. 3 by flow arrows 17.

[0083] According to Fig. 3, the upper fan 13 or first fan 13 in Fig. 3 conveys the sucked-in air into the first sub-chamber 10. A corresponding air flow 18 along the first sub-chamber 10 is illustrated in Fig. 3 by a first arrow. Accordingly, the air flow 18 in the first sub-chamber 10 has a first flow direction. In the second sub-chamber 11, an air flow 19 having a second flow direction is set by operating the ventilation device 12. This air flow 19 in the second sub-chamber 11 is also illustrated in Fig. 3 by an arrow. According to Fig. 3, the first flow direction is opposite to the second flow direction.

[0084] For this purpose, a suction side 20 of the first fan 13 faces the environment 16, while a suction side 21 of the second fan 14 faces the second sub-chamber 11 (see Fig. 4). The air originating from the environment 16 is thus sucked into the first sub-chamber 10 by the first fan 13 and blown out again into the environment 16 by the second fan 14 from the lower region of the container 2, in this case from the second sub-chamber 11.

[0085] However, the two subchambers 10, 11 are not fluidically separated from one another, but rather fluidically or fluidically connected to one another. For this purpose, an air passage 23 is formed between a section of the intermediate floor 9, which in this case is designed as the front narrow side 22 of the intermediate floor 9 (see Fig. 9), and the door 8 of the container 2 (see Fig. 3), through which the air flow 18 from the first subchamber 10 can be introduced into, or can pass over, the second subchamber 11. The flow of air through this air passage 23 with the door 8 closed is illustrated in Fig. 3 by another flow arrow 24.

[0086] The front narrow side 22 of the intermediate floor 9 is therefore not flush with a rear side 25 of the door 8. Rather, the front narrow side 22 is offset slightly, for example, by at least approximately 10 millimeters, in the depth direction x from the rear side 25 of the door 8. This allows for a very effective transfer of air from the first sub-chamber 10 into the second sub-chamber 11.

[0087] The guided air flow, in which the two spatially separated storage compartments in the form of the first sub-chamber 10 and the second sub-chamber 11 are fluidly connected to one another, leads to better drying performance than could be achieved by two individual flows in the two sub-chambers 10, 11. The overall U-shaped flow path is illustrated by the air flow 18, designated by the first arrow in Fig. 3, the flow arrow 24, and the air flow 19, designated by the further arrow in Fig. 3.

[0088] The upper fan 13 in Fig. 3 thus sucks in the air from the surroundings 16 and blows it through the upper area or upper sub-chamber 10. The lower fan 14 in Fig. 3, on the other hand, sucks in the air from the second sub-chamber 11 and blows it back into the surroundings 16. The fans 13, 14 are therefore installed in the rear wall 15 in opposite directions with regard to their air flow direction. In particular, the fans 13, 14 can be designed as identical axial fans to ensure a very uniform air movement within the sub-chambers 10, 11.

[0089] Due to the recess of the intermediate floor 9 and the associated formation of the air passage 23 between the closed door 8 and the narrow side 22 of the intermediate floor 9, the air can flow from the first sub-chamber 10 or upper sub-chamber 10 into the second sub-chamber 11 or lower sub-chamber 11, as shown in Fig. 3. From there, the air is blown out into the environment 16 by means of the second fan 14 or lower fan 14. Some of the air blown out into the environment 16 by the second fan 14 is sucked back by the first fan 13. This is illustrated in Fig. 3 by a further, curved flow arrow 26.

[0090] In Fig. 4, the interior of the container 2 is shown without the intermediate floor 9. However, Fig. 4 shows a heating element 27, which may be part of a heating device for heating the air stream 18, 19 or by which a heating device for heating the air stream 18, 19 may be provided. The heating element 27 is inserted into the intermediate floor 9 according to Fig. 4. Consequently, the intermediate floor 9 can be heated by means of the heating element 27.

[0091] In addition or as an alternative to the installation of such a heating element 27 in the intermediate floor 9, it can be provided that a surface heating system (not shown) is applied to the intermediate floor 9. Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, there is the possibility of directly heating the air conveyed by the ventilation device 12 by means of heating elements (not shown), for example in the form of heating wires or heated fins.

[0092] In the present case, the intermediate floor 9 is designed as a plate, which is preferably made of an aluminum alloy and can, for example, have a thickness of approximately 8 millimeters. In this aluminum plate, a deep bore or similar recess is formed, into which the heating element 27 is inserted. In the transverse direction y of the container 2 or the intermediate floor 9, this recess and thus also the heating element 27 are arranged essentially centrally, so that a very central heating of the intermediate floor 9 can be achieved.

[0093] From Fig. 4 and also from Fig. 7, it is further evident that the heating element 27 is circularly cylindrical in shape and extends essentially in the flow direction, which is illustrated in Fig. 3 by the arrows indicating the air flow 18, 19. A diameter of the heating element 27 can be in the range of approximately 6 millimeters, wherein a length 28 of the heating element 27 measured along the flow direction (see Fig. 7) can be approximately 40 millimeters. By providing the heating device, for example in the form of the heating element 27, the drying of the moist dishwashing utensils achieved by the circulating air flow 18, 19 is improved.

[0094] Fig. 5 shows a printed circuit board or circuit board 29 of the household appliance 1, which in this case is attached laterally to the intermediate floor 9. A protective cover 30 can be provided on the side wall 4 of the container 2 in the area of ​​this circuit board 29 (see Fig. 8). Connected to the circuit board 29 is a safety device, in this case in the form of a thermal fuse 31, whose arrangement within the intermediate floor 9 can be seen, for example, in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7.

[0095] According to Fig. 6, the intermediate floor 9 can have a further recess 32 into which the thermal fuse 31 can be inserted. The thermal fuse 31 can be used to deactivate the heating element 27, for example, if an undesirable excessive heating of the intermediate floor 9 occurs.

[0096] Furthermore, an actuator, for example in the form of an electrical resistance element 33, can be arranged on the circuit board 29. This actuator serves to regulate the heating power of the heating element 27 or the heating device. The heating device can accordingly be controlled by means of a temperature-sensitive resistor in the form of the resistance element 33.

[0097] The arrangement of the resistance element 33 shown in Fig. 5 in the area of ​​the circuit board 29 adjacent to the intermediate floor 9 is to be understood merely schematically and as an example. For example, the resistance element 33 can be thermally coupled to the intermediate floor 9 by means of a thermal pad or the like. By arranging or accommodating the thermal fuse 31 and / or the resistance element 33 in the intermediate floor 9 or on the intermediate floor 9, a corresponding control function and a safety shutdown function can be very well ensured.

[0098] In particular, it is clearly evident from Fig. 7 that the fans 13, 14 can have a protective device on their side facing the respective sub-chamber 10, 11, for example in the form of a respective grille 34, 35. The grille 34 of the first fan 13 and the grille 35 of the second fan 14 ensure that a user has no access to a respective fan impeller 36, 37 of the respective fan 13, 14 from the respective sub-chamber 10, 11. The fan impeller 36 of the first fan 13 and the fan impeller 37 of the second fan 14 can also be seen in the rear view of the household appliance 1 in Fig. 13.

[0099] Furthermore, it is evident from Fig. 13 that the respective fans 13, 14 can preferably also have a protective device on their side facing the surroundings 16, for example in the form of a respective grille 38, 39. This also largely prevents access from the surroundings 16 to the fan wheel 36 of the first fan 13 and to the fan wheel 37 of the second fan 14. The grilles 34, 35, which face the first sub-chamber 10 and the second sub-chamber 11, respectively, also prevent dishwashing utensils stored in the sub-chambers 10, 11 from reaching the area of ​​the fan wheels 36, 37 or from blocking the fan wheels 36, 37.

[0100] In particular, from a combination of Fig. 4 and Fig. 9, it is apparent that the second sub-chamber 11 can be delimited laterally or in the transverse direction y of the container 2 by side walls 40, 41 of a drawer 42, wherein the door 8 can be part of this drawer 42. In Fig. 9, the drawer 42 is shown in a position extended from the container 2. Accordingly, the access opening 7 of the container 2 can be easily reached by sliding or moving the drawer 42 and, together with the drawer 42, also the door 8 in the depth direction x of the container 2 into the open position shown in Fig. 9.

[0101] To open the drawer 42, a recessed grip 43 can be formed on a front side of the drawer 42 (see Fig. 4), which is delimited at the front by a transverse wall 44. When the door 8 is closed, this transverse wall 44 can be flush with a front frame 45 of the container 2 (see, for example, Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 4). Relative to this front frame 45, the door 8 can thus be offset slightly in the depth direction x of the container 2 (see Fig. 8).

[0102] In Fig. 10, the side walls 40, 41 of the drawer 42 are not shown. Therefore, a collecting device can be seen in Fig. 10, which can be arranged on a base 46 of the drawer 42. The collecting device is designed here as an insert 47 or insert tray, which is shown in perspective in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. The insert 47, designed to collect water, can be removed from the drawer 42 when the door 8 is at least partially open. When the door 8 is moved into its closed position, as shown approximately in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, the insert 47 is located in the second sub-chamber 11, i.e., the lower sub-chamber 11 in the vertical direction z of the container 2.

[0103] Water released by moist dishwashing utensils can be collected by means of the insert 47 when the dishwashing utensils rest on the insert 47. After removing the insert 47 from the drawer 42, the insert 47 can be easily emptied, or the water can be emptied from this collecting tray.

[0104] A preferred embodiment of the insert part 47 designed to hold water or residual water, or of such an insert tray, will be explained with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Accordingly, the insert part 47 comprises a frame 48 which circumferentially surrounds a basin region 49 of the collecting device or circumferentially delimits the basin region 49.

[0105] Within the basin area 49, retaining elements, in the form of ribs 50, are arranged, of which only a few are provided with a reference numeral for reasons of clarity. A support surface 51 for the dishwashing utensil is formed by an upper narrow side of each rib 50. This support surface 51 is arranged in the vertical direction z of the container 2 and thus also of the insert part 47 above an upper edge 52 of the frame 48. A height difference 53, i.e., a difference between a height of the respective rib 50 and a height of the frame 48, can be, for example, at least 5 millimeters.

[0106] Due to this height offset, the air conveyed by the fans 13, 14 is able to flow around the underside of the dishwashing utensils, which rest on the support surfaces 51 of the ribs 50. The ribs 50 preferably extend in the depth direction x of the container 2 and thus substantially parallel to the flow direction of the air stream 19 in the second sub-chamber 11, in which the insert 47 can be arranged in the present case. Both the insert 47 and the other materials of the container 2 are selected in this case such that, due to the material properties and / or a corresponding coating, they will not corrode over the service life of the household appliance 1.

[0107] From Fig. 1 it can be seen that on an outer side of one of the side walls 3, 4 of the container, holders can be arranged, for example in the form of mounting rails 54, by means of which the household appliance 1 can be fixed to a (not shown) wall of a piece of furniture designed to accommodate the household appliance 1, for example in the form of a built-in piece of furniture. For example, these mounting rails

[0108] 54 the household appliance 1 can be fixed to a side wall of a base cabinet which is arranged below a sink or a sink.

[0109] To fix the household appliance 1 in a mounting position in which the mounting rails 54 are engaged with corresponding rails (not shown) attached to the side wall of the built-in furniture, a locking element

[0110] 55 may be provided. For example, the locking element 55 can be arranged in the region of the rear wall 15 of the container 2 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 13). For example, by actuating a tab 56, which in this case protrudes laterally or in the transverse direction y from the locking element 55, the locking element 55 can be released to enable disassembly of the household appliance 1 from the built-in furniture.

[0111] List of reference symbols

[0112] 1 household appliance

[0113] 2 containers

[0114] side wall

[0115] side wall

[0116] 5 Ceiling wall

[0117] 6 Floor

[0118] 7 Access opening

[0119] 8 Door

[0120] 9 intermediate floor

[0121] 10 subspace

[0122] 11 subspace

[0123] 12 Ventilation system

[0124] 13 fans

[0125] 14 fans

[0126] 15 Rear wall

[0127] 16 Surroundings

[0128] Flow arrow

[0129] 18 Airflow

[0130] 19 Airflow

[0131] 20 Suction side

[0132] 21 Suction side

[0133] 22 narrow side

[0134] 23 Air passage

[0135] 24 Flow arrow

[0136] 25 Back

[0137] 26 Flow arrow

[0138] 27 Heating element

[0139] 28 length

[0140] 29 circuit board

[0141] 30 Cover 31 Thermal fuse

[0142] 32 recess

[0143] 33 resistance element

[0144] 34 grids

[0145] 35 grids

[0146] 36 Fan wheel

[0147] 37 Fan wheel

[0148] 38 grids

[0149] 39 grids

[0150] 40 side wall

[0151] 41 Side wall

[0152] 42 drawers

[0153] 43 recessed grip

[0154] 44 Cross wall

[0155] 45 frames

[0156] 46 Floor

[0157] 47 Insert

[0158] 48 frames

[0159] 49 Pelvic area

[0160] 50 ribs

[0161] 51 contact surface

[0162] 52 Rand

[0163] 53 elevation difference

[0164] 54 mounting rail

[0165] 55 Locking element

[0166] 56 tab

Claims

Patent claims 1. Household appliance (1) for storing damp dishwashing utensils, comprising a container (2) which has a receiving space into which at least one dishwashing utensil can be placed, and a ventilation device (12) by means of which the receiving space of the container (2) can be supplied with air from an environment (16) of the container (2), characterized in that an intermediate floor (9) is arranged in the receiving space by means of which the receiving space is divided into a first sub-space (10) and into a second sub-space (11), wherein by operating the ventilation device (12) an airflow (18, 19) of air can be adjusted which has a first flow direction in the first sub-space (10), and which has a second flow direction in the second sub-space (11) which is opposite to the first flow direction.

2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that an air passage (23) is formed between a wall of the container (2) and a section of the intermediate floor (9), through which the airflow (18) from the first sub-space (10) can be introduced into the second sub-space (11).

3. Household appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the section is designed as a narrow side (22) of the intermediate floor (9) which faces the wall of the container (2), and / or the wall is designed as a door (8) of the container (2) by means of which an access opening (7) of the container (2) can be closed, wherein the door (8) limits the receiving space in a closed position.

4. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate shelf (9), which in particular abuts the side walls (3, 4) of the container (2) opposite each other in the transverse direction (y) of the container (2), is fixedly mounted in the container (2), and / or the ventilation device (12) is integrated into a rear wall (15) of the container (2), which is opposite a front access opening (7) of the container (2), wherein the Access opening (7) that allows at least one rinsing utensil to be placed in at least one of the sub-rooms (10, 11).

5. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ventilation device (12) comprises a first fan (13) by means of which an airflow (18) in the first flow direction can be effected in the first sub-space (10), and a second fan (14) by means of which an airflow (19) in the second flow direction can be effected in the second sub-space (11).

6. Household appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that a suction side (20) of the first fan (13) faces the environment (16) of the container (2) and a suction side (21) of the second fan (14) faces the second sub-space (11), and / or the fans (13, 14), in particular designed as axial fans, are of identical construction.

7. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ventilation device (12) has a protective device, in particular designed as a grille (34, 35, 38, 39), on a side facing the receiving space and / or on a side facing the environment (16), by which access to at least one fan wheel (36, 37) of the ventilation device (12) is at least largely prevented.

8. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household appliance (1) has a heating device for heating the airflow (18, 19), wherein the heating device comprises at least one heating element (27) arranged in the intermediate floor (9) and / or on the intermediate floor (9) and / or at least one heating element arranged on the ventilation device (12).

9. Household appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the intermediate shelf (9), in particular made of an aluminium alloy, has a recess into which the heating element (27) arranged in the intermediate shelf (9) is inserted, wherein the recess extends substantially into the flow direction extends and / or is arranged substantially centrally in the transverse direction (y) of the intermediate floor (9), and / or wherein a length (28) of the heating element (27) arranged in the intermediate floor (9) measured along the flow direction is, in particular, several times greater than a size of the heating element (27) perpendicular to the flow direction.

10. Household appliance (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the household appliance (1) comprises a safety device (31), in particular one incorporated into the intermediate floor (9), by means of which the heating device can be switched off, and / or the household appliance (1) comprises an actuator, in particular designed as a resistance element (33), by means of which the heating power of the heating device can be changed.

11. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a door (9) of the household appliance (1), by means of which a front access opening (7) of the container (2) can be closed, can be moved into an open position by sliding it in a depth direction (x) of the container (2), wherein the door (8) is designed as part of a drawer (42) of the household appliance (1) that can be moved in the depth direction (x) of the container (2), and wherein a collection device, designed to collect water, can be moved out of the container (2) at least partially together with the drawer (42).

12. Household appliance (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the collection device is designed as an insert (47) which can be removed from the drawer (42), wherein the insert (47) is arranged in the lower part (11) of the container (2) when the door (8) is in a closed position.

13. Household appliance (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the insert (47) comprises a frame (48) which circumferentially delimits a basin area (49) of the collection device, wherein at least one retaining element, in particular designed as a rib (50), with a support surface (51) for the at least one washing utensil is arranged within the basin area (49), wherein the The support surface (51) is arranged in the vertical direction (z) of the container (2) above an upper edge (52) of the frame (48).

14. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one holder (54) is arranged on an outside of a side wall (3) of the container (2), by means of which the household appliance (1) can be fixed to a furniture wall of a piece of furniture designed to receive the household appliance (1), in particular built-in furniture.

15. Method for operating a household appliance (1) designed for storing moist dishwashing utensils, wherein a container (2) of the household appliance (1) has a receiving space into which at least one dishwashing utensil can be placed, and wherein, by means of a ventilation device (12) of the household appliance (1), the receiving space of the container (2) is supplied with air from an environment (16) of the container (2), characterized in that an intermediate floor (9) is arranged in the receiving space, by means of which the receiving space is divided into a first sub-space (10) and a second sub-space (11), wherein, by operating the ventilation device (12), an airflow (18, 19) of air is set, which has a first flow direction in the first sub-space (10), and which has a second flow direction in the second sub-space (11), which is opposite to the first flow direction.

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