DETACHABLE HYDRAULIC COUPLING OR FLOW DISTRIBUTION VALVE FOR USE IN THE HOUSEHOLD DISHWASHER

Abstract: This invention is related to a special coupling for the pipe system, in which one can adjust the height of the upper dish rack. This special coupling provides better working conditions for the motor pump, as well as for the dishwasher blades. It also provides stabilization to the water flow, by connecting and disconnecting the pipes.

Description: DETACHABLE HYDRAULIC COUPLING or FLOW DISTRIBUTION VALVE For use in the Household Dishwasher BACKGROUND INFORMATION RELATED TO THE INVENTION In general, this invention is related to the automatic household dishwasher, and in particular, to an improved mechanism for distributing water to the dish racks. The conventional dishwasher contains a body in which the dish racks are placed. Dish racks glide in and out of the body of the dishwasher on slides attached to the inside walls of the dishwasher. Water is sprayed throughout the body of the dishwasher by way of a motor pump forcing water through pipes, which are connected to dishwasher blades. This invention is related to a special coupling for the pipe system, in which one can adjust the height of the upper dish rack. This special coupling provides better working conditions for the motor pump, as well as for the dishwasher blades. It also provides stabilization to the water flow, by connecting and disconnecting the pipes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In figure 1. a cross-sectional view of the domestic dishwasher is shown. It is as follows: (1) Body; (2) door; (3) water drip tray; (4) filter; (5) motor pump unit; (6) lower dish rack; (7) upper dish rack; (8) dishwasher blades with spray nozzles; (9) pipe that provides water to the lower dishwasher blade; (10) pipe that provides water to the upper dishwasher blade; (11) the connection piece of the pipe; (12) hydraulic coupling fixed to the pipe. In figure 2. a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic coupling is shown. The pipe (10) extending from the motor pump is fixed to the back wall of the dishwasher body, its only outlet being at point (15). The coupling (12) has two water inlets; one is placed at the top, and it appears to be housed in the outlet (15); the other water intlet is placed at the bottom, and has a free support at point (14) (see section A-A), which is closed with a plate. Water flowing from the motor pump passes through the outlet (15) and reaches the upper dishwasher blade (8). Water flow applies pressure onto the plate, which in turn creates an airtight seal on the lower inlet of the coupling (12). In figure 3. a close-up view of the coupling is shown: In order to provide a secure connection to the inlets of the coupling, a safety ring (16), made of a thermoplastic material, was added. It is attached into a suitable slit on the outside of the outlet (15), and provides an airtight seal. In figure 4. a sectional view of the second position of the coupling is shown. In the second position, the upper dish rack is raised upwards to accommodate the space requirements of the kitchenware. Water flow comes from the outlet (15) and goes directly to the coupling of the pipe (11), pushing the plate (13) upward to create an airtight seal. However, in order to create a better seal, the plate (13) may have a second connection surface with the water inlets. These surfaces are made of a soft plastic material or a thermoplastic material having the hardness to endure the impact that occurs when the coupling is working. A hollow sphere or a solid sphere can also be used, instead of the plate. The explicit weight of this sphere maintains the constant movement within the coupling (12), which is caused by the water flowing under pressure. Details of this are shown in figures 5 and 6. In this case, with the assumed water flow from the upper inlet to the coupling, the addition of a guide is necessary to facilitate the closing of the water inlet below. The component, which is inserted with a trigger device, or welded within the coupling (15) functions in two ways. Firstly, (see figure 6) it pulls the sphere (17) upwards to secure the water inlet in the coupling (12). Secondly, it provides for the correct positioning of the movable parts of the dish rack with the stable parts of the body. This second function can also be used with the version using plates (see figures 2, 3 and 4).

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A detachable hydraulic coupling or the flow distribution valve characterized in that a movable plate (13) (see figure 2) is housed within the body of the coupling (12), and that the plate can glide upwards by means of water pressure to create an airtight seal to the water inlet, and the pins of the plates and a trigger device are placed within the body, at the free support point. 2. Hydraulic Coupling, according to claim 1, characterized in that the body is formed in two parts (11) and (12), and molded from thermoplastic material in such a way as to create an airtight seal, and this process is accomplished by means of ultrasound welding, hot air or vibration welding. 3. Hydraulic Coupling, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate is mounted, to one of the two body parts, before the hot welding process, and connected with the body part on which the water inlets are mounted, thereby securing an airtight seal. 4. Hydraulic Coupling, according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling and outlet are provided with almost no loss of efficiency, and therefore, can be used with the full capacity of the motor pump. 5. Hydraulic Coupling, according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides a silent work environment, with no turbulence, which is due to the suitable cross-section and radius of the pipe's connection system. 6. Hydraulic Coupling, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate may be replaced with a sphere. 7. Detachable hydraulic coupling or the flow distribution valve as described above and shown in the attached drawings.

Inventors: ASKIN UFUK, EKSERT SEMSETTIH, ONGANIA PAOLO, ASKIN, UFUK, EKSERT, SEMSETTIH, ONGANIA, PAOLO
Applicants: ARCELIK AS, ASKIN UFUK, EKSERT SEMSETTIH, ONGANIA PAOLO, ARCELIK, A.S., ASKIN, UFUK, EKSERT, SEMSETTIH, ONGANIA, PAOLO
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A47L15
IPC codes: A47L15