Washbasin for a dishwasher

Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwashing basket (12) for a dishwasher (1) with a height adjustment device (18) which is configured to adjust the height position of the dishwashing basket (12) in relation to a basket guide rail of the dishwasher (1) supporting the dishwashing basket (12), characterized by a display device (20) which is configured to visually indicate to a user the height position assumed by the dishwashing basket (12) in relation to the basket guide rail.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rinsing basket for a dishwasher, comprising a height adjustment device which is designed to adjust the height of the rinsing basket in relation to a basket guide rail of the dishwasher which supports the rinsing basket.

[0002] Dishwashers in general, and dishwasher baskets in particular, are well known in the art, so a separate printed reference is not required here. Reference is therefore made, by way of example, to DE 195 12 128 A1, which discloses a generic dishwasher basket.

[0003] A dishwasher, particularly in the form of a household dishwasher, has a washing tub that provides a washing chamber. The washing tub has a loading opening for user access to the washing chamber. This opening can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a door, which is typically arranged on the washing tub so that it can rotate about a pivot axis.

[0004] Dishwasher racks, typically designed as wash baskets, are used to ensure the proper arrangement of the items to be cleaned within the dishwasher. Depending on the design of the dishwasher, a plurality of wash baskets may be provided, arranged one above the other vertically.

[0005] The dishwashing baskets housed in a dishwasher are arranged so that they can be moved out of the dishwasher's wash cabinet and can be moved by the user through the loading opening either out of the wash cabinet or in the opposite direction into the wash cabinet. For this purpose, each dishwashing basket is provided with basket guide rails, allowing the dishwashing basket to be moved relative to the wash tub.

[0006] From the aforementioned DE 195 12 128 A1, a device for adjusting the height of a dishwashing basket is known. This previously known device allows the height of the dishwashing basket to be adjusted relative to the corresponding basket guide rails. This advantageously allows the user to variably utilize the dishwashing space provided by the dishwashing tub.

[0007] According to a typical dishwasher design, at least two dish racks are provided, arranged vertically one above the other: a lower rack on the one hand and an upper rack arranged vertically above the lower rack on the other. According to DE 195 12 128 A1, it is preferable to design the upper rack so that it is height-adjustable, which allows the upper rack to be either raised or lowered in height relative to the lower rack. This allows a user to respond flexibly to the loading of the dish racks, in particular by placing larger items to be cleaned in the upper or lower rack, depending on the height of the upper rack.

[0008] Although the prior art design has proven itself in everyday practical use, there is still room for improvement, particularly with regard to simplified use by the user. TaskThe invention is to constructively improve a washing basket of the generic type in such a way that simplified handling by a user is permitted.

[0009] To Solution To achieve this object, the invention proposes a washing basket of the generic type which is characterized by a display device which is designed to visually display to a user the height position assumed by the washing basket in relation to the basket guide rail.

[0010] The dishwashing basket proposed by the invention has a display device. This is designed to indicate to a dishwasher user the height of the dishwashing basket, i.e., the height of the dishwashing basket relative to the basket guide rail. The user can thus readily determine the distance between the dishwashing basket and other dishwashing baskets in the dishwasher, which allows for a direct conclusion as to whether or not the dishwashing basket or an adjacent dishwashing basket can be properly loaded with items of a certain size. Furthermore, the display device provided according to the invention makes it possible to identify possible dishwashing basket positions. A user can therefore readily determine whether the dishwashing basket can be adjusted to a different height.

[0011] Thanks to the inventive design, a user can easily determine the current position of the dishwashing basket and the possible positions the dishwashing basket can assume, i.e., the possible positions the dishwashing basket can be adjusted to by the user. This simplifies handling, as the user can not only adjust the height of the dishwashing basket but is also informed of the specific height position the dishwashing basket actually assumes and the other positions the dishwashing basket can be moved to if necessary.This allows the user to operate the wash basket in a targeted manner. This means that the wash basket can be moved from a height position that can be visually determined by the user to another height position, allowing items of a certain size to be placed either in the height-adjustable wash basket itself or in another wash basket located below it. Compared to the state of the art, this simplifies the handling of both the wash basket and the dishwasher equipped with such a wash basket.

[0012] According to a further feature of the invention, the display device comprises a display means and a display surface provided by the washing basket, which interacts therewith, wherein the display means is designed to be movable relative to the washing basket. The display device has a display means on the one hand and a display surface on the other. The display means interacts with the display surface.

[0013] The display is designed to be movable relative to the washware. Since the display surface is provided by the wash basket, the movable arrangement of the display relative to the wash basket also results in the display being movable relative to the display surface. The display therefore assumes a specific position relative to the display surface depending on the height of the wash basket. The position of the display relative to the display surface allows conclusions to be drawn about the height of the wash basket.

[0014] The display surface is preferably equipped with a scale. The scale has markings corresponding to the possible height positions of the washing basket. The relative position of the display means to these markings allows the user to easily and quickly determine the height position of the washing basket. This further supports the simplified handling achieved with the inventive design.

[0015] According to a further feature of the invention, the indicator is motion-coupled to an actuator that is fixed in the vertical direction relative to the rack guide rail. The indicator interacts with an actuator. The indicator and actuator are motion-coupled, so that a movement of the actuator is converted into a corresponding movement of the indicator. The actuator can thus be used to position the indicator accordingly, which then allows the user to determine the current vertical position of the dishwashing rack in the manner already described.

[0016] The actuator is fixed in height relative to the basket guide rail. The actuator is therefore at a defined height relative to the basket guide rail. If the height of the washing basket is adjusted during intended use, the washing basket changes its height relative to the basket guide rail. Since the actuator is fixed in height relative to the basket guide rail, the movement of the display means is coupled to the actuator and causes the display means to move relative to the display surface, corresponding to the height adjustment of the washing basket. A movement of the washing basket in height is therefore converted into a proportional movement of the display means relative to the interacting display surface. The position of the display means relative to the display surface therefore allows a direct conclusion to be drawn about the height positioning of the washing basket.

[0017] According to a further feature of the invention, the movement coupling of the display means and the actuator is designed exclusively mechanically. The display device according to the invention therefore advantageously operates without power. In this way, a display device is created in a structurally very simple manner which enables a user to easily determine visually the height position of the washing basket and to which different height positions the washing basket can be moved if necessary. The height is displayed by the display means, specifically by its positioning in relation to the display surface. In order to adjust the display means in relation to the display surface, an actuator is provided which interacts with the display means and interacts with the latter exclusively mechanically.A movement of the washing basket is thus mechanically converted into a movement of the display means, whereby the interaction of the actuator and the display means provided for this purpose can also be referred to as a gear arrangement.

[0018] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the display means is designed to be movable transversely to the vertical direction and in the longitudinal direction of the washing basket.

[0019] The display means is designed to be translationally movable, specifically in the longitudinal direction of the washing basket, thus in the direction of the basket guide rail. The display means moves translationally further in the longitudinal direction of the washing basket the further the washing basket is moved vertically, either downwards or upwards. The inventive design thus translates a movement of the washing basket in the vertical direction from top to bottom into a movement of the display means in relation to the washing basket, forwards and backwards. A translational movement of the washing basket is thus converted into a translational movement of the display means, with these two movements running transversely to each other.

[0020] According to a further feature of the invention, the display means is provided by a slider whose motion is coupled to the actuator. A slider thus serves as the transmission means. This slider couples the display means to the actuator. With the slider interposed, movement is transferred from the washing basket to the display means. This type of design according to the invention proves to be particularly simple to implement, yet robust and reliable in use.

[0021] According to a further feature of the invention, the slider has a slotted guide that interacts with the actuator. This slotted guide is designed to correspond to the adjustment capability of the washing basket. As a result, the indicator can move in accordance with the possible positions of the washing basket. For example, three possible height positions of the washing basket can be provided: a lower position, a middle position, and an upper position. The slotted guide is designed accordingly, so that when used as intended, the indicator can also assume a first, a second, and a third position, wherein the first position of the indicator corresponds to the lower position of the washing basket, the middle position of the indicator corresponds to the middle position of the washing basket, and the third position of the indicator corresponds to the upper position of the washing basket.

[0022] According to a further feature of the invention, the slotted guide is provided by an elongated hole in the slide. This provides a mechanically simple and robust design, also in terms of durability.

[0023] According to a further feature of the invention, the actuator is a pin. In the final assembled state, this pin engages the elongated hole provided by the slide. A movement of the slide relative to the actuator is thus easily converted into a corresponding movement of the slide and thus also of the indicator means interacting with the slide.

[0024] According to a further feature of the invention, the slide is movably mounted in a housing. The housing thus serves as a motion bearing for the slide, which can move relative to the housing during operation. The housing provides guide grooves with which the slide interacts.

[0025] According to a further feature of the invention, the housing has a positive guide for the actuator. When used as intended, the housing and the actuator execute a predetermined relative movement to each other due to the positive guide, which in turn causes the slide to move relative to the housing in accordance with its guide slot, thereby adjusting the display means relative to the display surface in the manner already described.

[0026] According to a further feature of the invention, the positive guide is formed by an elongated hole through which the actuator extends. In the final assembled state, the actuator extends through the elongated hole serving as the positive guide and can thus be moved within the elongated hole in accordance with the design of the elongated hole. The elongated hole is preferably linear, allowing the actuator to follow a linear movement path relative to the housing.

[0027] According to a further feature of the invention, the housing has a dish rack connection. This dish rack connection enables the housing to be fixedly positioned on the dish rack. When used as intended, the housing is vertically adjusted together with the dish rack, resulting in a relative movement of the housing to the actuator, which in turn leads to a displacement of the slider accommodated by the housing, as described above.

[0028] As can be seen from the above description, the design of the display device according to the invention is extremely simple, making it advantageously robust and durable. Furthermore, proper operation is possible even when considering the circulating wash water in a dishwasher. The inventive design is therefore unaffected in its functionality by moisture and / or wash water, which is particularly advantageous for use with a suitably equipped wash basket within a dishwasher.

[0029] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a dishwasher; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a washing basket according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a section of the washing basket according to Fig. 2; Fig. 4 in schematic perspective view, section of the washing basket according to Fig. 2 ; Fig. 5 in schematic perspective view a further detailed representation of the washing basket according to Fig. 2 ; Fig. 6 in schematic perspective view a further illustration of the washing basket according to Fig. 2 ; Fig. 7 in an enlarged detailed view the representation according to Fig. 6 ; Fig. 8 in a further detailed view of the section according to Fig. 7 ; Fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a display device according to the invention from a first viewing angle; Fig. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the display device according to the invention according to Fig. 9from a second perspective; Fig. 11 shows a schematic exploded view of a display device according to the invention; Fig. 12 shows a schematic perspective view of the display device according to the invention with a housing only partially shown; Fig. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of the display device according to the invention with a completely shown housing and Fig. 14 shows a further schematic exploded view of the display device according to the invention.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a dishwasher 1 according to the invention in a purely schematic representation in side view.

[0031] The dishwasher 1 comprises, in a conventional manner, a housing 2 that accommodates a wash tub 3. The wash tub 3, in turn, provides a wash chamber 4 for receiving the items to be cleaned. For loading the wash tub 4 with items to be cleaned, the wash tub 3 has a loading opening 5. This loading opening 5 can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a wash tub door 6, which is mounted for rotation about a horizontal pivot axis.

[0032] In the intended use, the items to be cleaned are exposed to washing liquor, for which purpose the dishwasher 1 has a spray device 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the spray device 7 includes two spray arms 8 and 9. However, additional spray arms may also be provided.

[0033] Dishwashing baskets are used to hold the items to be cleaned, whereby the illustration according to Fig. 1 three dishwashing baskets 11, 12, and 13 can be seen. These dishwashing baskets are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction 10, with a lower basket 11, an upper basket 12 arranged above it in the vertical direction 10, and a cutlery drawer 13 arranged above the upper basket 12 in the vertical direction 10.

[0034] The dishwashing baskets 11, 12, and 13 are each designed to be movable into and out of the dishwashing chamber 4. For this purpose, each dishwashing basket 11, 12, and 13 is supported by two basket guide rails. Viewed toward the loading opening 5, each dishwashing basket 11, 12, and 13 has a left-side basket guide rail and a right-side basket guide rail. For clarity, the basket guide rails are not shown in detail in the figures.

[0035] As can be seen from the further Figures 2 to 13As can be seen by way of example from the upper basket 12, the upper basket 12 is designed to be movable in the height direction 10. For this purpose, the upper basket 12 is equipped with a height adjustment device 18, which is designed to adjust the height of the upper basket 12 in relation to a basket guide rail of the dishwasher 1 supporting the upper basket 12. As can be seen in this context from Fig. 2 A basket guide rail and thus also a height adjustment device 18 are provided for each basket side, which can be operated independently of one another. For arranging the upper basket 12 on the associated basket guide rails, a basket support plate 15 is provided for each basket side. This plate has corresponding rollers 16 that interact with the associated basket guide rail in a conventional manner.

[0036] The upper basket 12 is also formed in a conventional manner from a wire mesh having wire struts or wire brackets 17. The wire struts or wire brackets 17 are each formed from a plastic-coated wire.

[0037] A corresponding adjustment lever 19 is provided for user-side operation of a height adjustment device 18. These levers are to be operated accordingly by the user to adjust the height of the washing basket 12.

[0038] The basket support plate 15 provided on each basket side is fixed in the vertical direction 10 to the associated basket guide rail. The upper basket 12 itself is arranged on the basket support plates 15 so that it can be moved in the vertical direction 10. The upper basket 12 can preferably assume three possible positions in relation to the basket support plates 15, in which positions a locking connection between the basket support plates 15 and the upper basket 12 takes place. As a result of the user actuating the adjusting lever 19, a locked arrangement between the upper basket 12 and the associated basket support plates 15 can be canceled, which then allows the user to move the upper basket 12 in the vertical direction 10 relative to the basket support plates 15, which ultimately enables a height adjustment of the upper basket 12 in the vertical direction 10 relative to the lower basket 11 or the cutlery drawer 13.

[0039] The one in the Figures 2 to 13The upper basket 12 shown has, according to the invention, a display device 20. In this case, one display device 20 is provided for each adjustment device 18, thus one display device 20 for each longitudinal side of the basket, as can also be seen from the illustration according to Fig. 2 results.

[0040] A display device 20 is configured according to the invention to visually display the height position assumed by the upper basket 12 in relation to the basket guide rail, specifically with reference to the height adjustment device 18 assigned to the display device 20. A display device 20 thus allows the user to readily determine the height position assumed by the upper basket 12 in relation to the lower basket 11 or the cutlery drawer 13. Furthermore, thanks to the display device 20 according to the invention, the user is readily able to determine the other possible height positions to which the upper basket 12 can be adjusted. As a result, an overall simplified handling of the upper basket 12 is permitted, in particular a simplified, targeted adjustment of the upper basket 12 in the height direction 10.

[0041] From a summary of the Figures 3 and 4In particular, the arrangement of a basket support plate 15 on the upper basket 12, which can be moved in the vertical direction 10, can be seen. As can be seen from these illustrations, a basket support plate 15 provides holders 22 that at least partially encompass a strut 21 of the upper basket 12 provided for this purpose. This arrangement enables a relative adjustment of the upper basket 12 to the basket support plate 15 in the vertical direction 10, wherein the movement is positively guided due to the interaction of the strut 21 and the holders 22, specifically in the vertical direction 10.

[0042] Opposite the holders 22, a coupling element 23 is provided, by means of which the upper basket 12 is arranged to be movable on the basket support plate 15. In the manner already described, each height adjustment device 18 provides an adjusting lever 19 to be operated by the user, which interacts with a locking plate 48 on the basket support plate side, which results in particular from a synopsis of the Figures 9 to 11In the illustrated embodiment, the locking plate 48 allows three possible positions of the upper basket 12 in relation to the associated basket support plates 15, namely a lower position, a middle position, and an upper position.

[0043] Each height adjustment device 18 is equipped according to the invention with a display device 20 in the manner already described, as can be seen in particular from a summary of the further Figures 5 to 8 results.

[0044] A display device 20 comprises a display means 24 and, on the other hand, a display surface 25 that interacts with the display means 24. The display means 24 is designed to be movable relative to the upper basket 12 and thus also relative to the display surface 25.

[0045] A display surface 25 provides a scale 26, which in the illustrated embodiment has three markings 27. These three markings 27 correspond to the three possible height positions of the upper basket 12, i.e. a first marking 27 is assigned to the possible lower position of the upper basket 12, a second marking 27 is assigned to the possible middle position of the upper basket 12, and a third marking 27 is assigned to the possible upper position of the upper basket 12. This factual connection is particularly evident from the detailed illustrations according to the Figures 7 and 8 .

[0046] A display means 24 is coupled in motion to an actuator 37 which is fixed in relation to a basket guide rail in the vertical direction 10, which in particular enables a synopsis of the further Figures 9 to 14This is achieved by a bearing plate 47 arranged on the respective basket support plate 15, which carries an actuator 37 designed as a pin, which is particularly evident in the exploded view according to Fig. 11 can be recognized.

[0047] An actuator 37 interacts with a slide 38, which slide 38 carries the associated display means 24, as can also be seen in particular from the illustration according to Fig. 11 results.

[0048] For the purpose of operatively connecting the actuator 37 and the slide 38, an elongated hole 40 is provided by the slide 38, which forms a slotted guide 39. In the final assembled state, the actuator 37 engages in this elongated hole 40 provided by the slide 38, as shown, for example, in the illustration according to Fig. 12 can be recognized.

[0049] The slide 38 is arranged displaceably within a housing 30. This factual connection results in particular from a summary of the Figures 9 to 13 .

[0050] In the embodiment shown, the housing 30 is designed in two parts and has a first housing half 30 and a second housing half 31. In the final assembled state, corresponding closure parts 35 and 36 of the two housing halves 30 and 31 engage with each other.

[0051] The housing 30 has a basket connection 32 in the form of two basket connectors 33 and 34, by means of which the housing 30, in the final assembled state, is fixed in place to corresponding wire struts and / or wire brackets 17 of the upper basket 12.

[0052] For the purpose of displaceable arrangement of the slide 38 in the housing 30, corresponding guide grooves 41 and 42 are provided on the housing side, into which correspondingly designed guide elements 43 and 44 of the slide 38 engage. Due to this construction, a displaceable movement of the slide 38 in relation to the housing 30 is possible, specifically with reference to the drawing plane, for example, according to Fig. 12 to the left and right.

[0053] The two housing halves 30 and 31 each provide an elongated hole 46, which in the final assembled state is penetrated by the actuator 37, as is particularly shown in the illustrations according to the Figures 9, 10 and 13 can be seen. The elongated holes 46 for the actuator 37 act as a positive guide 45, since the actuator 37 can only move in the direction of the elongated holes 46 relative to the housing, i.e., in the final assembled state, only in the vertical direction 10.

[0054] The functioning of the display device 20 according to the invention results from the construction described above as follows: In the event of a height adjustment of the upper basket 12, a relative movement of the upper basket 12 to the basket support plates 15 takes place, specifically in the height direction 10. Since the actuators 37 are arranged stationary on the associated basket support plate 15, while the associated housings 30 are arranged on the upper basket 12, an adjustment of the upper basket 12 also results in an adjustment of a housing 20 in relation to the respective actuator 37. As a result, a slide 38 through which the associated actuator 37 passes is moved translationally in the longitudinal direction 14 of the upper basket 12, as a result of which the display means 24 provided by the respective slide 38 is moved in relation to the display surface 25.The translational movement of the upper basket 12 in the vertical direction 10 is thus converted into a translational movement of the display means 24 in the longitudinal direction 14. The result is a movement of the display means 24 that is proportionally dependent on the height adjustment of the upper basket 12.

[0055] A user is thus advantageously able to readily determine, based on the position of the display means 24 in relation to the associated display surface 25, the current height of the upper basket 12 and which other possible heights the upper basket 12 can assume if necessary through adjustment by the user. The display device 20 according to the invention thus enables visual communication of the current position of the upper basket 12 as well as its adjustment capability in the vertical direction 10. Reference symbol

[0056] 1 Dishwasher 2 Housing 3 Washing container 4 Washing chamber 5 Loading opening 6 Washing chamber door 7 Spray device 8 Spray arm 9 Spray arm 10 Height direction 11 Lower basket 12 Upper basket 13 Cutlery drawer 14 Length direction 15 Basket support plate 16 Roller 17 Wire strut / wire bracket 18Height adjustment device 19Adjustment lever 20Indicating device 21Strut 22Holder 23Coupling element 24Indicating means 25Indicating surface 26Scale 27Marking 28Groove 29Housing 30First housing half 31Second housing half 32Basket connection 33Basket connector 34Basket connector 35Locking part 36Locking part 37Actuator 38Slide 39Link guide 40Elongated hole 41Guide groove 42Guide groove 43Guide element 44Guide element 45Forced guide 46Elongated hole 47Bearing plate 48Locking plate

Claims

1. A washing basket for a dishwasher, comprising a height adjustment device (18) which is designed to adjust the height of the washing basket (12) in relation to a basket guide rail of the dishwasher (1) supporting the washing basket (12), characterized by a display device (20) which is designed to visually display to a user the height position assumed by the washing basket (12) in relation to the basket guide rail.

2. Washing basket according to claim 1, characterized in that the display device (20) has a display means (24) and a display surface (25) cooperating therewith and provided by the washing basket (12), wherein the display means (24) is designed to be movable in relation to the washing basket (12).

3. Washing basket according to claim 2, characterized in that the display means (24) is motion-coupled to an actuator (37) which is fixed in the vertical direction (10) relative to the basket guide rail.

4. Washing basket according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe movement coupling of the display means (24) and the actuator (37) is designed exclusively mechanically.

5. Washing basket according to one of the preceding claims 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the display means (24) is designed to be movable transversely to the height direction (10) in the longitudinal direction (14) of the washing basket (12).

6. Washing basket according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the display means (24) is provided by a slide (38) which is motion-coupled to the actuator (37).

7. Washing basket according to claim 6, characterized in that the slide (38) has a slotted guide (39) cooperating with the actuator (37).

8. Washing basket according to claim 7, characterized in that the slotted guide (39) is provided by an elongated hole (40) of the slide (38).

9. Washing basket according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the actuator (37) is a pin.

10. Washing basket according to claim 9, characterized in thatthe pin engages in the elongated hole (40) provided by the slide (37).

11. Washing basket according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the slide (38) is movably mounted in a housing (29).

12. Washing basket according to claim 11, characterized in that the housing (29) provides guide grooves (41, 42) cooperating with the slide (38).

13. Washing basket according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the housing (29) has a positive guide (45) for the actuator (37).

14. Washing basket according to claim 13, characterized in that the forced guide (45) is formed by an elongated hole (46) through which the actuator (37) passes.

15. Washing basket according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the housing (29) has a basket connection (32).

16. Dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with a washing basket according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 15.

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