Universal and removable wash arms for dishwashers

Abstract

A universal, removable dishwasher spray arm characterized in that it comprises two half-arms (1), each consisting of a half-arm base (11) with a groove (12) for sliding a transparent slide (13) to easily access the inside of the half-arm (1), and a central hub (2) consisting of a hub base (21) and two threaded holes (23) for screwing, on one side, a fixing fitting (4) to the dishwasher's water inlet pipe and, on the other, a plug (3), depending on the spray arm's position in the dishwasher. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Universal and removable washing arms for dishwashers

[0001] The present invention relates to washing arms compatible with virtually all consumer dishwashers, and which can be disassembled by the user into several parts in order to be easily cleaned.

[0002] It relates to the field of generic spare parts for household appliances intended for domestic use.

[0003] The rotating wash arm system has existed on almost all dishwashers since their invention in 1886.

[0004] These are helical pieces of low thickness and of length proportional to the volume of the tank, there are generally two of them, and they pivot around an axis located in the middle of the tank, and are equipped with nozzles which allow water to be sprayed into the baskets in which the dishes to be washed are distributed.

[0005] The orientation of some of these nozzles allows the washing arms to rotate by the centrifugal force of the pressurized water.

[0006] The washing arms currently known are made in one piece, or sometimes a screwable or unclippable attachment on some models, but which have never allowed access to the nozzles, which can become clogged.

[0007] It is known that the wash arms are one of the main elements of dishwashers, and that a good washing result depends on the quality and cleanliness of these arms.

[0008] Experience has shown that despite proper maintenance of the dishwasher and regular cleaning of the various filters designed to be cleaned by the user, the spray arms can eventually become clogged, reducing washing efficiency by decreasing the water pressure coming out of the nozzles, or even completely blocking them. This can prevent the arms from rotating or cause the water to spray unevenly, consequently leaving some of the dishes in the baskets uncleaned. Indeed, it regularly happens that some of the water outlet nozzles along the arm become blocked by paper or vegetable fibers, fruit seeds, or fish bones, sometimes firmly embedded inside the cavity by limescale when the water is hard. During a wash cycle, the water circulates in a closed loop, propelled by an electric pump from the bottom of the tub to the spray arms via a series of filters.Despite these measures, the impurities mentioned earlier still manage to pass through and remain trapped in the narrowest part of their path: the nozzles of the washing arms.

[0009] Experience has also shown that it is very difficult to clean a wash arm when the nozzles are clogged with food residue, because there is no access to the inner part of a wash arm.

[0010] In order to make the inside of the washing arm easily accessible, it was realized that the best solution would be for it to be disassembled into several parts so that it could be cleaned easily and quickly.

[0011] It is known that there is, to date, no standardization concerning either the shape of the wash arms of consumer dishwashers, or their fixing system, and that a wash arm from different manufacturers or from different generations is generally not compatible with others.

[0012] The main object of the invention is to be able to clean the washing arm easily at any time by having access to the inside of the latter.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to be able to adapt to a maximum number of dishwashers marketed to the general public.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to be able to visualize at any time, without even removing the washing arms from the dishwasher, whether they are clogged with debris, and therefore need to be cleaned, thanks to transparent slides on the front face of the arms, making the inside of the arm visible.

[0015] Another object of the invention is that each element of the washing arm is assembled while maintaining a perfect seal and a perfect hold resistant to heat, humidity, water pressure, chemicals contained in washing tablets, and multiple manipulations by the user. Previous technique

[0016] CN109008871A describes a dishwasher wash arm that can be cleaned by the user, but in a completely different way from our invention, and presenting certain drawbacks. This arm includes several holes dedicated solely to cleaning the internal cavity, into which the user must screw fittings allowing water to be injected for cleaning the arm. When the arm is being cleaned, the holes not used for cleaning must first be plugged with sealing plugs. Once the arm is cleaned, the user must remove each plug, then replace them with others on the holes used for cleaning, before reinserting the arm into the dishwasher and starting a cycle. This method proves to be long and complex, requiring the use of numerous rubber parts with a limited lifespan, and without visual certainty that the internal cavity of the arm has been completely cleaned. Moreover, they are only useful on one type of dishwasher. [Fig.[l] clearly shows the upper and lower parts of the spray arm, which would suggest that the arm consists of two parts. that can be disassembled. Not at all, it is stipulated in the description that: “the lower part (1) of the spray arm and the upper part (2) of the spray arm are welded and assembled by hot plate welding or similar, to form a hollow chamber.”

[0017] EP4023135A1 describes a wash arm having a specificity similar to that of our Invention: It is composed of several distinct parts, including a hub and two half-arms, as can be clearly seen in the 2D figure, representing an exploded view of the arm. However, this arm is manufactured in three separate parts, which are permanently assembled together. It is designed to allow the half-arms to rotate around the hub, via a gear system, so that they rotate around their axis during the wash cycle, spraying water at different angles and thus increasing the area of ​​the basket reached by the jets. The connection between each half-arm and the central hub is a pivoting mechanism, not an interlocking one. The different parts of this wash arm cannot be separated by the user without irreparably damaging the gear system.

[0018] The invention will be better understood upon reading the accompanying figures in which

[0019] [Fig-1] represents the assembled washing arm, top view

[0020] [Fig.2] represents the assembled washing arm, side view, in its environment

[0021] [Fig.3] represents an open half-arm and its slide, top view

[0022] [Fig.4] represents an open half-arm and its slide, front view

[0023] [Fig.5] represents the hub, side view

[0024] [Fig.6] represents the hub, front view

[0025] [Fig.7] represents the hub, seen from above or below

[0026] [Fig.8] represents a fixing tip, front view

[0027] [Fig.9] represents a fixing tip, top view

[0028] The spray arms consist of a mounting bracket (4) that allows them to be attached to the water pipe (9). The mounting bracket (4) is screwed onto a hub (2). The hub (2) has at least two lugs (22) at its lateral ends. These lugs (22) allow the spray arm halves (1) to be fitted together. The spray arm halves (1) consist of a base (11) with a groove (12) in its upper part, allowing a transparent slide (13) to be slid into place. This slide contains the spray nozzles (13). The transparent slide (13) allows the user to see the level of soiling of the spray arm half (1) and to easily access the inside of the spray arm half (1) for cleaning.

[0029] The two half-arms (1) have their lower face closed and their upper face open, and have a groove (12) along its entire opening, into which a slide (13) is inserted, the purpose of which is to close the half-arms (1) and make them perfectly waterproof.

[0030] These slides (13) are trapezoidal plates, two millimeters thick, made of transparent material, so that the user can see inside the wash arm and immediately know if the wash arm needs cleaning, without even removing it from the dishwasher. These plates include several identical nozzles (16) designed to spray pressurized water onto the dishes to be washed, in the same way as the original arms.

[0031] Two additional nozzles are arranged directly on each half-arm base (11), one of which, nozzle (15), is oriented at an angle to allow the arm to rotate around its axis by centrifugal force. The nozzle (14), located at the thin end of each half-arm, is oriented outwards and is intended to clean the internal walls of the dishwasher. When the washing arm is assembled, all the nozzles are aligned with each other on the horizontal plane.

[0032] Each half-arm (1) has a mortise (17) at its wider end, designed to insert a tenon (22) of the hub (2). These two half-arms (1), equipped with their slides (13), are identical to each other except for the arrangement of the nozzles and are fixed symmetrically around a central hub (2).

[0033] In one embodiment, neodymium magnets will be inserted symmetrically inside the bodies of the half-arms (1) and the hub (2), in order to reinforce the interlocking of these parts.

[0034] In another embodiment, additional tenons and mortises of smaller size are provided to reinforce the fitting of the half-arms (1) to the hub (2).

[0035] The hub (2) consists of a hub base (21) having two threaded holes (23) in its center, one on the underside of the hub (2), the other on its upper side. At the lateral ends of the hub base (21) are tenons (22) which fit into the mortises (17) of the half-arms (1). The tenons (22) have been designed to fit as close as possible to the mortise (17) so that there is sufficient rigidity to withstand the water pressure while still being able to be disengaged by an average user.

[0036] The threaded holes (23) allow either a fixing tip (4) or a plug (3) to be screwed on.

[0037] This plug (3) has a thread (32) identical to that of the fixing tip (4), and two notches (31) facilitating its screwing and unscrewing with the aid of a key (not shown).

[0038] When the wash arm is used to replace the original lower arm of the dishwasher, it is attached above the water pipe (9), which is fixed to the middle of the lower part of the tub, on which the lower basket slides, the fixing end (4) screw into the lower threaded hole (23) of the hub (2), and the cap screws into the upper threaded hole of the hub (2).

[0039] Conversely, when the wash arm is used to replace the original upper arm of the dishwasher, it is fixed below the water pipe (9), which is fixed below the upper basket, and attached to the latter, the fixing tip (4) is screwed into the upper threaded hole (23) of the hub (2), and the cap is screwed into the lower threaded hole of the hub (2).

[0040] In the particular case where the fixing system between the original washing arm of the dishwasher is done using a fitting that passes through the washing arm in its thickness to fix to the water pipe (9) of the dishwasher, one of the 2 threaded holes (23) of the hub (2) will receive a fixing fitting (4), and the second will not receive a plug, it will remain empty.

[0041] In the main embodiment, the retaining end (4) consists of a threaded disc (41), at least one upper flange (42), at least one lower flange (43), a spigot (44), and in some embodiments, at least two lugs (46). The lower flange (43) has a diameter larger than the spigot (44). The upper flange (42) limits play when the retaining end (4) rotates within the dishwasher's water inlet (9). The upper part of the lower flange (43) is beveled to facilitate insertion and removal and to secure the retaining end (4) to the dishwasher's water inlet (9).

[0042] In another embodiment, at least two lugs (46), fixed around the outer part of the threaded disc (41), hold the fixing tip (4) fitted into the water conduit (9). They fit into a concentric groove located on the outer part of the water conduit (9).

[0043] The inner body of the mounting end (4) is hollowed out by a tunnel (47) which allows water to pass from the wash pump to the wash arm. During a wash cycle, most of the insertion cone (44) and the upper (42) and lower (43) flanges penetrate the water channel (9). The threaded disc (41), equipped, according to this embodiment, with lugs (46), remains outside the water channel (9), at a height defined so that the wash arm assembled around the mounting end (4) is not obstructed in its rotation by either the walls of the dishwasher or the dish baskets.

[0044] The fixing tip (4), the cap (3), the hub (2), the two half-arms (1) and their two slides (13) are the seven parts that make up the washing arm of our invention; they can each be independently cleaned under running water, and the washing arm can be disassembled, fully cleaned and reassembled by the user in less than one minute.

[0045] If a saddle washer of brand A, equipped with removable washing arms of our invention, becomes unusable, and is replaced by a saddle washer of brand B, these washing arms can be reused in the latter, only the fixing end (4) will have to be replaced by that corresponding to brand B.

[0046] The tenon interlocking system (22) between the hub (2) and the two half-arms (1) can be reused to attach other types of half-arms, of future manufacture, having other objectives, for example to clean the dishwasher itself.

[0047] The nozzles will be placed in strategic locations so that the water is expelled towards the various elements to be cleaned: filters, detergent dispenser, basket runners

[0048] The user may, at his discretion, attach to the hub (2) these latter half-arms, or the half-arms (1) initially intended for washing dishes.

[0049] The fixing tip (4) can come in many different forms, depending on where it is placed in the toilet seat washer, and especially depending on the brand and model of toilet seat washer. In order for the user to know which fixing tip (4) to use on their own toilet seat washer, each tip (4) will be identified by a code corresponding to an equivalence table between each model of toilet seat washer referenced, and the fixing tips (4) suitable for the upper and lower arms.

[0050] For example, for a brand A saddle washer, referenced "1" on the equivalence table, the fixing tips (4) needed to adapt the washing arm of our invention will bear the code "IB" for the fixing tip adapting to the lower arm, and "1H" for the upper arm.

[0051] This code will be engraved or printed on a visible part of the part.

[0052] The present invention therefore relates to a universal and detachable washing arm for saddle washer characterized in that it comprises two half-arms (1) each consisting of a base (11) of half-arm comprising a groove (12) allowing a transparent slide (13) to be slid into place for easy access to the inside of the half-arm (1), a central hub (2), consisting of a hub base (21) and two threaded holes (23) for screwing on one side a fixing tip (4) to the water inlet conduit of the saddle washer and on the other a plug (3), depending on the position of the washing arm in the saddle washer.

[0053] The present invention therefore relates to a wash arm characterized in that the slide (13) of each half-arm (1) is trapezoidal in shape and slides in the groove (12) of the half-arm (1) in order to close the half-arm (1) and make it watertight, the slide (13) and the base of the half-arm (11) are studded with nozzles (14, 15, 16) of the same diameter, the nozzles (14, 15, 16) are aligned but arranged asymmetrically on each of the slides and each of the bases of the half-arm (11) so that the pressurized wash water is distributed uniformly in the dishwasher tub to optimize the washing surface, the nozzle (14) at the thin end of each base of the half-arm arm (11) is oriented outwards to clean the internal walls of the dishwasher, the nozzle (15) of each base of half-arm (11) is oriented at an angle relative to the other nozzles (14, 16) to allow the washing arm to rotate around its axis.

[0054] The present invention therefore relates to a washing arm characterized in that the two half-arms (1) fit into the hub (2) by means of two tenons (22) on the hub and mortises (17) on each half-arm (1), with a play such that the two half-arms (1) are easily fitted and unfitted, but that they remain fitted during a washing cycle despite the water pressure and heat, and that the fitting ensures a perfect seal.

[0055] The present invention therefore relates to a washing arm characterized in that the fixing end (4) consists of at least one upper collar (42), a lower collar (43), a threaded disc (41), a swaging cone (44), a beveled lower part, at least two lugs (46) and a hollow tunnel (47) over the entire length of the fixing means (4) to facilitate the passage of water.

[0056] The present invention therefore relates to a washing arm characterized in that the plug (3) consists of a disc having a thread (32) and at least two notches which make it easier to handle.

[0057] The present invention therefore relates to a washing arm characterized in that the fixing tip (4) is equipped with an alphanumeric code, engraved or printed on the flat and visible part of the part, and corresponding to an equivalence table, referencing each fixing tip (4) to the dishwasher models with which it is compatible, as well as its position at the top or bottom of the central hub (2) which will then allow to determine where the washing arm should be placed in the dishwasher.

Claims

Demands

1. Universal and removable washing arm for dishwasher characterized in that it comprises two half-arms (1) each consisting of a half-arm base (11) comprising a groove (12) allowing a transparent slide (13) to be slid into place for easy access to the inside of the half-arm (1), a central hub (2) consisting of a hub base (21) and two threaded holes (23) for screwing on one side a fixing nozzle (4) to the water inlet pipe of the dishwasher and on the other a plug (3), depending on the position of the washing arm in the dishwasher.

2. A wash arm according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide (13) of each half-arm (1) is trapezoidal in shape and slides in the groove (12) of the half-arm (1) in order to close the half-arm (1) and make it watertight, the slide (13) and the base of the half-arm (11) are studded with nozzles (14, 15, 16) of the same diameter, the nozzles (14, 15, 16) are aligned but arranged asymmetrically on each of the slides and each of the bases of the half-arm (11) so that the pressurized wash water is distributed uniformly in the dishwasher tub to optimize the washing surface, the nozzle (14) at the thin end of each base of the half-arm (11) is oriented outwards to clean the internal walls of the dishwasher, the nozzle (15) of each base of the half-arm (11) is oriented at an angle relative to the other nozzles (14, 16) to allow the washing arm to rotate around its axis.

3. Washing arm according to claim 1, characterized in that the two half-arms (1) fit into the hub (2) by means of two tenons (22) on the hub and mortises (17) on each half-arm (1), with a clearance such that the two half-arms (1) are easily fitted and unfitted, but that they remain fitted during a washing cycle despite the water pressure and heat, and that the fitting ensures a perfect seal.

4. Washing arm according to claim 1 characterized in that the fixing end (4) consists of at least one upper collar (42), a lower collar (43), a threaded disc (41), a spigot cone (44), a beveled lower part, at least two lugs (46) and a hollow tunnel (47) over the entire length of the fixing means (4) to facilitate the passage of water.

5. Washing arm according to claim 1 characterized in that the plug (3) consists of a disc having a thread (32) and at least

6. two notches which make it easier to handle. Wash arm according to claims! and 4, characterized in that the fixing end (4) is equipped with an alphanumeric code, engraved or printed on the flat and visible part of the part, and corresponding to an equivalence table, referencing each fixing end (4) to the models of dishwashers with which it is compatible, as well as its position at the top or bottom of the central hub (2) which will then allow to determine where the wash arm should be placed in the dishwasher.

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