Dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher

A dishwasher includes a wash container for items to be washed and configured to conduct at least water during operation, and a fluid line system having an inlet valve defined by a center line and configured for direct or indirect connection of a water inlet line from a water supply network. Disposed below the wash container is a base support having an outer wall provided with a cutout. The inlet valve is secured by a support part which is lockable in the cutout and has at least one externally open locking holder, into which the inlet valve is lockable and secured therein non-movably in an axial direction. The externally open locking holder is aligned in such a manner that the center line of an inlet of the inlet valve runs at an angle between >0° and <90° in relation to a lower face of the base support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher.

Common to conventional dishwashers, in particular domestic dishwashers, is the disadvantage that their respective inlet valves are connected to an inlet hose, which is either aligned horizontally in the region of the inlet valve so that it is low down if there is a possible kink or aligned upward in the region of the inlet valve so that it can continually discharge toward the inlet valve. Apart from possible transport and installation problems with a horizontal or approximately horizontal alignment of the inlet hose in the region of the inlet valve, it is also difficult to protect it sufficiently and in a temporally independent manner against leaked water.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to develop a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, to obviate prior art shortcomings, in particular transport and installation problems due to the achievable hose guides for the respective inlet hose, are largely, preferably completely avoided, and to open up the possibility of an improved system for unwanted but possibly occurring leaked water.

According to one aspect of the invention, a dishwasher includes a wash container for items to be washed and configured to conduct at least water during operation, a fluid line system having at least one inlet valve, with the inlet valve having a center line and configured for direct or indirect connection of a water inlet line from a water supply network, a base support disposed below the wash container and having a lower face, with the base support having an outer wall provided with a cutout, and a support part securing the at least one inlet valve and configured for locking in the cutout, with the support part having at least one externally open locking holder, into which the at least one inlet valve is lockable and secured therein non-movably in an axial direction, the at least one externally open locking holder being aligned in such a manner that the center line of an inlet of the inlet valve runs at an angle of >0° and <90° in relation to the lower face of the base support.

Associated with the invention is the creation of a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, which has a hose guide for the inlet hose that is advantageous in all relevant respects. The illustrated alignment of the center line of the inlet of the inlet valve means that the inlet hose runs obliquely downward in the region of the inlet valve. This hose guide prevents horizontal kinking and therefore in some instances possible progressive damage to the inlet hose; it also reduces the operating pressure present at the inlet valve and therefore the risk of a leak. The inlet hose is therefore not as low down, thereby avoiding the transport and installation problems encountered until now.

The at least one externally open locking holder is preferably configured in a locking surface of the support part that runs obliquely upward and provided below the locking surface of the support part that runs obliquely upward there is preferably a collection surface of the support part that runs obliquely downward, in which any leaked water from the inlet valve can be collected and flow away. The structural incorporation of the locking holder in a locking surface that runs obliquely upward gives the embodiment greater stability and strength for a reduced support part depth. The collection surface of the support part also generally serves to collect any leaked water in an efficient manner.

The locking surface of the support part that runs obliquely upward and the collection surface of the support part that runs obliquely downward preferably form an angle between 60° and 120°, preferably between 80° and 100°, in particular around 90°. These angle ranges are particularly advantageous when reducing the depth of the support part and any fittings.

To improve the stability and strength of the support part significantly, the locking surface of the support part that runs obliquely upward preferably forms a backward projection projecting beyond the rear face of the support part. The backward projection here is preferably closed on all sides by means of a number of backward projection surfaces.

Alternatively or additionally the collection surface of the support part that runs obliquely downward preferably has a forward projection projecting beyond the front face of the support part. This forward projection is also preferably closed on all sides by means of a number of forward projection surfaces.

For the fast and efficient collection of any leaked water the collection surface of the support part that runs obliquely downward preferably has a concave surface contour at least in parts in a horizontal direction. The at least partially concave surface contour of the collection surface of the support part brings about direct and therefore fast collection of any leaked water, regardless of the location of the leak.

Also, in particular from the point of view of managing a greater incidence of leaked water, the collection surface of the support part that runs obliquely downward is preferably enclosed at least in parts and preferably on the outside by a collection contour, it being possible for the collection contour to be configured as a raised frame that projects from the collection surface. The collection contour essentially prevents an overflow from the collection surface and ensures that it collects any leaked water reliably, even if there is a greater incidence thereof.

The collection surface of the support part that runs obliquely downward and/or the collection contour of the support part enclosing the collection surface of the support part that runs downward at least in parts and preferably on the outside preferably has a lowest collection region, in particular collection point, which can be configured as an aperture to an inner discharge surface of the support part. This preferred embodiment allows efficient, economical and reliable removal of any leaked water, as the inventive support part opens into the base support of the dishwasher on the inside. A dishwasher comprises a safety facility for leaked water in the known manner, this usually being provided in the base support of the dishwasher and also being able to be used for the described incidence of leakage. The possible difficulty until now of achieving sufficient and temporally independent protection against leaked water with a horizontal or approximately horizontal alignment of the inlet hose in the region of the inlet valve is completely avoided.

The inner discharge surface of the support part preferably has a sufficiently long discharge length, so that the collected leaked water can flow away into the interior of the known base support. This means that the presence of a safety facility for leaked water can prevent dishwasher leakage in an efficient and economical manner.

Also the locking surface of the support part that runs obliquely upward and the collection surface of the support part and any adjoining surfaces of the support part that runs obliquely downward are preferably enclosed at least in parts by a frame, which can be locked by means of at least one locking contour into the cutout introduced into the outer wall of the base support. The frame improves the stability and strength of the support part even more significantly and also ensures the secure positioning of the support part on the base support of the dishwasher even in the most difficult operating conditions.

The locking contour of the frame here is preferably positioned in a lower frame part and the further edge regions of the frame are preferably provided, at least in parts, with stop contours for outside contact with the cutout introduced into the outer wall of the base support. The combination of locking contour and multiple stop contours offers the advantage of fast, reliable and screwless assembly of the support part on the base support. This provides the best conditions for efficient line assembly of the components.

The at least one externally open locking holder of the support part for securing the inlet valve preferably has an opening to receive the inlet valve at the top, a preferably yielding fixing contour for the inlet valve high up in each instance and a preferably yielding stop contour for the inlet valve at the bottom. This allows the inlet valve to be introduced by means of a simple linear movement into the locking holder of the support part and also to be secured there in a reliable manner. There is therefore no need for complex assembly and fastening steps.

Depending on the use of the support part either a cover part can be locked in a second externally open locking holder of the support part, said cover part preferably having at least one U-shaped, preferably peripheral groove at the edge, which can be made to engage with the fixing contours disposed on both sides and the stop contour of the locking holder, or a panel can be introduced, in particular can be injected in with a material fit, during the production of the support part. These two options allow two different support parts to be produced for very different applications essentially with the same (basic) plastic injection molding tool.

The support part is also preferably configured to secure two inlet valves, each having a center line, of a fluid line system of the dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, to which at least one water inlet line from a water supply network can be connected. The use of two inlet valves, each with a water inlet, line allows a bi-thermal system to be achieved, in other words the dishwasher can be connected to both a cold water line and a hot water line.

Also a web that runs vertically and is preferably aligned centrally is preferably provided between the two externally open locking holders of the support part for securing the two inlet valves, said web projecting in particular into the main plane of the front face of the support part. Such a web has a positive impact on the stability and strength of the support part and ensures the true shape of the support part at all times by preventing any central widening of the support part during use.

Identical elements or components and those with the same function or action are shown with the same reference characters in the figures. Only those components of the inventive dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, that are of significance for an understanding of the invention are provided with reference characters and described. Of course an inventive dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, can also have other components or assemblies.

FIG. 1shows a schematic side view of a first preferred embodiment of a support part1of a dishwasher100with an inlet valve2of a fluid line system3(not shown in detail but known to the person skilled in the art) in position.

The dishwasher100comprises a wash container4(not shown in detail) for items to be washed that conducts at least water during its operation and the support part1for securing at least one inlet valve2of a fluid line system3, said inlet valve2having a center line2.M. A water inlet line5(not shown in detail) from a water supply network can be connected directly or indirectly in the known manner to the fluid line system3. The support part1can be locked into a cutout6, which is provided on an outer wall7of a base support8, which is disposed below the wash container4and has a lower face8.U. The support part1also has at least one externally open locking holder9, into which the at least one inlet valve2can be locked and secured therein in such a manner that it cannot be displaced axially.

The at least one externally open locking holder9for the at least one inlet valve2is now aligned in such a manner that the center line2.M of the inlet2.Z of the inlet valve2runs at an angle W.1of >0° and <90°, preferably of ≧20° and ≦70°, in particular of ≧30° and ≦60°, to the lower face8.U of the base support8. The angle W.1is shown by broken lines, which run in or parallel to the center line2.M of the inlet2.Z of the inlet valve2or the lower face8.U of the base support8.

FIG. 2shows a schematic detailed side view of the support part1of the dishwasher100illustrated inFIG. 1.

The at least one externally open locking holder9is configured in a locking surface1.R of the support part1that runs obliquely upward. The locking surface1.R of the support part1that runs obliquely upward here forms a backward projection10that projects beyond the rear face1.RS of the support part1. In contrast a collection surface1.S of the support part1that runs obliquely downward forms a forward projection11that projects beyond the front face1.VS of the support part1. The two functional surfaces1.R,1.S of the support part1form an angle W.2between 60° and 120°, preferably between 80° and 100°, in particular around 90°. The two functional surfaces1.R,1.S of the support part1on the rear face1.RS of the support part1are also preferably provided with a respective stiffening contour, in particular respective stiffening ribs. The two functional surfaces1.R,1.S of the support part1are also preferably provided with stiffening surfaces12at their ends.

FIG. 3shows a perspective detailed view of the support part1of the dishwasher100illustrated inFIG. 1.

The, in the present instance one, externally open locking holder9is, as mentioned above, configured in the locking surface1.R of the support part1that runs obliquely upward. Also provided below the locking surface1.R of the support part1that runs obliquely upward is the collection surface1.S of the support part1that runs obliquely downward, in which any leaked water from the inlet valve2(seeFIG. 1) can be collected and flow away.

The collection surface1.S of the support part1that runs obliquely downward has a concave surface contour1.SF in a horizontal direction H (double arrow) at least in part, in particular in its central region. The collection surface1.S of the support part1that runs obliquely downward is also enclosed at least in part, in particular in a lower region and preferably on the outside, by a collection contour1.SK, the collection contour1.SK preferably being configured as a raised frame13that projects from the collection surface1.S of the support part1.

The collection surface1.S of the support part1that runs obliquely downward and/or the collection contour1.SK of the support part1enclosing the collection surface1.S of the support part1that runs downward at least in part, in particular in a lower region and preferably on the outside, also comprises a lowest collection region1.SB, in particular collection point1.SP, which is configured as an aperture14to an inner discharge surface15of the support part1.

The inner discharge surface15of the support part1here has a sufficiently long discharge length15.L, so that the collected leaked water can flow away into the interior16(see alsoFIG. 1) of the base support8.

The locking surface1.R of the support part1that runs obliquely upward and the collection surface1.S of the support part1and any adjoining surfaces of the support part1that runs obliquely downward are also enclosed at least in part by a frame17, which can be locked by means of a locking contour18into the cutout6introduced into the outer wall7of the base support8. In one preferred embodiment the locking contour18is a locking hook18.1(see alsoFIG. 2) positioned in a lower frame part17.U.

The further edge regions17.B of the frame17are also provided with stop contours19at least in parts for external contact with the cutout6(seeFIG. 1) introduced into the outer wall7of the base support8.

In the embodiment of the support part1illustrated inFIG. 3a panel20is introduced into a second externally open locking holder9′ of the support part1. The panel20can be introduced during production of the support part1, in particular can be injected with a material fit, so that essentially no externally open locking holder9′ is configured.

Nevertheless a vertically running and preferably centrally aligned web21is provided between the two externally open locking holders9,9′ of the support part1for securing at least one inlet valve2, said web21in particular projecting into the main plane E of the front face1.VS of the support part1.

FIG. 4shows a schematic detailed front view of the support part1of the dishwasher100illustrated inFIG. 1.

The externally open locking holder9of the support part1for securing the inlet valve2(not shown) (seeFIG. 1) comprises an opening22at the top for receiving the inlet valve, a preferably yielding fixing contour23for the inlet valve high up in each instance and a preferably yielding stop contour24for the inlet valve at the bottom. The locking holder9of the support part1therefore has a structure with mirror symmetry in respect of its central vertical plane V (double arrow).

Also clearly shown is the collection surface1.S of the support part1that runs obliquely downward and/or the collection contour1.SK of the support part1enclosing the collection surface1.S of the support part1that runs obliquely downward at least in part, in particular in a lower region and preferably on the outside. Also provided is the lowest collection region1.SB, in particular collection point1.SP, which is configured as an aperture14to the inner discharge surface15of the support part1(see alsoFIG. 3).

FIG. 5shows a perspective detailed view of the support part1of the dishwasher100illustrated inFIG. 1with the inlet valve2of a fluid line system3in position.

The support part1, the functional surfaces1.R,1.S of which are enclosed at least in parts by a frame17, is locked by means of at least one locking contour18(seeFIG. 2) into the cutout6introduced into the outlined outer wall7of the base support8.

The further edge regions17.B of the frame17are also provided at least in part with stop contours19for external contact with the cutout6introduced into the outlined outer wall7of the base support8.

FIG. 6shows a schematic detailed front view of a second preferred embodiment of a support part1of a dishwasher100.

The illustrated support part1serves to secure two inlet valves2(not shown in detail) of a fluid line system3(seeFIG. 1) of the dishwasher100. The two inlet valves2can of course also be embodied as a double valve known to the person skilled in the art. Two externally open locking holders9,9′ are also provided for the two inlet valves2. Each of the two inlet valves2is aligned in such a manner that the respective center lines2.M of their inlets2.Z run at a respective angle W.1of >0° and <90°, preferably of ≧20° and ≦70°, in particular of ≧30° and ≦60°, to the lower face8.U of the base support8(seeFIG. 1).

If the illustrated support part1is only to be used for one inlet valve2, a cover part can be locked into the second externally open locking holder9′ of the support part1, preferably having at least one U-shaped, preferably peripheral, groove at the edge, which can be made to engage with the fixing contours23disposed on both sides and the stop contour24of the locking holder9′.

To summarize, it should be noted that the invention develops a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, as known according to the preamble of the independent claim such that the problems that were encountered until now, in particular transport and installation problems due to the achievable hose guides for the respective inlet hose, are largely, preferably completely avoided. The development of the known dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, also opens up the possibility of an improved system for unwanted but possibly occurring leaked water.