Patent Publication Number: US-8978227-B2

Title: Dishwasher

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Divisional, under 35 U.S.C. §121, of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/641,510, filed Dec. 18, 2009, which also claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of German patent application No. 10 2008 055 017.5 filed Dec. 19, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A plurality of appliance components in the dishwasher, for instance a drain pump or a circulating pump, are usually provided in an assembly space provided below the wash compartment of a dishwasher, the appliance components being controlled during a wash cycle by means of an electronic control module. 
     A generic dishwasher includes a wash compartment and such an electronic control module. During installation of the dishwasher, the electronic control module is usually inserted into a receiving pocket available in the assembly base of the dishwasher. The wash compartment is then placed on the assembling base. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the case of an installed dishwasher, the electronic control module is thus accessible from the outside only with difficulty. This is particularly disadvantageous in the case of a subsequent disassembly of the electronic control module. Programing an electronic control module on the assembly line at the factory is also complicated. During this type of programming, the electronic control module incorporated into the dishwasher is connected to a programming device on the assembly line. To ensure connection of the electronic control module, a retaining contour comprises positioning stops, for instance at least one depth stop and/or a side stop, which determine(s) the location of the electronic control module in each of a depth and/or lateral direction. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a dishwasher as well as a method for assembling such a dishwasher, in which a positionally-correct and easily externally accessible electronic control module may be positioned for easy assembly. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the invention is based on a dishwasher with a wash compartment and an electronic control module, which controls the appliance components arranged in the dishwasher. A base wall of the wash compartment has a retaining contour, on which the electronic control module is supported. Contrary to the prior art, the retaining contour is thus not provided on the assembly base of the dishwasher, but is instead arranged at a distance therefrom on a wash compartment wall. The electronic control module can thus be assembled and/or disassembled favorably in terms of assembly space and independently of the assembly base of the dishwasher. 
     It is simple from a manufacturing point of view, if the retaining contour is integrated in the same material and/or as a single piece on the wash compartment, in particular in its base wall. The base wall with the integrated retaining contour can be produced simply from a manufacturing point of view using plastic injection molding. The base wall is thus an economical plastic part, on which the remaining wash compartment walls made of stainless steel sheet can be positioned. With such an assembly, the still separate wash compartment base wall can be connected to the electronic control module in a first assembly step. The remaining wash compartment walls can then be placed on the base wall. 
     The electronic control module preferably protrudes into the assembly space located below the wash compartment, in which a large number of other appliance components, for instance circulating pump or drain pump, is usually provided. As a result, the installation length of the electrical lines passing therebetween can be reduced. The retaining contour can therefore preferably protrude downwards into the assembly space. 
     The assembly position of the electronic control module can advantageously be distanced from the base of the dishwasher by a free height. The retaining contour with the electronic control module mounted thereupon is thus arranged at an easily accessible height above the dishwasher base. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the wash compartment base wall can be supported on the base at its corner regions by way of front and rear support profiles. Lateral front and rear support profiles are preferably integrated in a supporting frame respectively, said supporting frame bounding a frame opening, in which the electronic control module can be arranged at least partially in an easily accessible position. 
     Here the retaining contour can be provided at least partially on the support profiles or the supporting frame. The retaining contour can preferably comprise at least one supporting section, which supports the electronic control module in its assembly position. With respect to a simple accessibility of the retaining contour, the supporting section can preferably be a boundary wall on the base-side periphery of the afore-cited frame opening. The supporting section is preferably designed so as to be elastic in order to absorb impact loads, during transportation or during the assembly of the dishwasher, onto the electronic control module. 
     The retaining contour can also comprise positioning stops, which simplify a positionally-correct locating of the electronic control module. The positionally-correct locating of the electronic module is important particularly when programming the electronic control module at the factory. With such a programming, the electronic control module of the dishwasher located on the assembly line is connected to a programming device. To ensure automatic contacting, the positionally-correct locating of the electronic control module is advantageous in terms of process. 
     Against this background, the retaining contour can include positioning stops, i.e. at least one depth stop and/or a side stop, which determines the electronic control module in depth direction and/or lateral direction. With a view to a positionally-correct locating, the depth and side stops, contrary to the supporting section, are rigid and inherently stable. The positioning stops are thus preferably provided at a distance from the elastic supporting section. The positioning stops on the base wall and/or a rear wall protruding down therefrom are preferably provided as positioning ribs. 
     The retaining contour can also comprise at least one preferably elastically adjustable locking element. In its locking position, the locking element can hold the electronic control module in its post assembly position. In the event of a subsequent disassembly of the electronic control module, the locking element can be switched into a locking position, as a result of which the electronic control module can preferably be disassembled through the frame opening of the supporting frame. 
     For a simple actuation of the locking element, this can protrude into the frame opening of the supporting frame. To be able to easily perform a switching movement between the locking and unlocking position, the locking element can be embodied on the elastically configured supporting section, on which the electronic control module is supported. 
     In a method for assembling the dishwasher, the wash compartment base wall can be turned upside down in a first assembly step. As a result, the lower face thereof is easily accessible for assembly of the electronic control module. In a preassembly step, the electronic control module with a peripheral face is then inserted between the positioning stops of the retaining contour. The positioning stops are preferably molded on the base wall lower face as ribs. 
     The electronic control module prepositioned in this way can then be tilted with its opposite peripheral face into a final assembly position. In the final assembly position, the afore-cited locking element can be locked to the electronic control module. The locking element can, by way of example, be locking strips engaging in the frame opening, said locking strips being elastically flexible out of their position of rest. When tilting the electronic control module into its final assembly position, the at least one locking element can be manually brought into its unlocking position. As a result, the tilting movement of the electronic control module is released into the final assembly position. The locking element can then spring back into an undercut or a counter locking element of the electronic control module. 
     As a result of the elasticity of in particular the supporting section and/or the locking element, a simple, tool-free and also operationally-reliable centering and locking of the electronic control module is enabled with minimal assembly effort. The existing elasticity of the retaining contour and the positioning in the side region of the washing tub very easily allows for the possible subsequent disassembly of the module housing from the fully assembled dishwasher. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the appended Figures, in which; 
         FIG. 1  shows a rough schematic representation of an installed dishwasher; 
         FIG. 2  shows an enlarged detailed view of the detail Z from  FIG. 1 , in which the electronic control module incorporated in a supporting frame of the wash compartment base wall is shown; 
         FIG. 3  shows a view of the interior of a lateral supporting frame of the base wall in the case of a disassembled electronic control module; 
         FIG. 4  shows a view according to  FIG. 3  of the retaining contour with the electronic control module preassembled between the positioning stops; 
         FIG. 5  shows a view according to  FIGS. 3 and 4  of the electronic control module in its final assembly position; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a partial view of the rear of the electronic control module in its assembly position as well as with a connection for contact with a programming facility. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a rough schematic perspective representation of a dishwasher installed on a side wall  1 . The housing walls and the appliance door of the dishwasher are only indicated with a dash-dotted line for reasons of clarity. Also for easier understanding of the invention, a base wall  3  of the wash compartment of the dishwasher only is shown, while a representation of the overall wash compartment and/or the known appliance components, like for instance the sump, circulating pump, drain pump or electronic control components is omitted. 
     The wash compartment base wall  3  shown in  FIG. 1  is manufactured here by way of example as a plastic injected molded part. The base wall  3  is provided with laterally elevated peripheral faces  5 , on which rest the side walls (not shown) of the wash compartment, the remainder of which is made of stainless steel sheet. The base wall  3  bounds a wash chamber at the base. 
     Molded on each of the outer faces of the base wall  3 , which are opposite one another in the appliance lateral direction x, is a supporting frame  7 , which can support appliance feet (not shown) at its front and/or rear corner regions  8 ,  9  respectively. The two lateral supporting frames  7  have guide shafts  11  at each of their front support profiles  8 , in which the appliance feet are guided with vertical movement. Retaining elements  14  for a power network connection element  15  and for a water inlet valve (not shown in more detail) of the hydraulic circuit of the dishwasher, are configured respectively on the facing side walls  13  of the guide shafts  11 . Each of the two retaining elements  14  has an assembly wall  16 , which is molded on the assigned guide shaft side wall  13  and to the lower face of the base wall  3 . An elbow  19  of a supply hose  21  leading to the water supply network is connected to the left assembly wall  16  shown in  FIG. 1  at the water inlet valve  17 . 
     The two assembly walls  16  on the front face bound a central tool access opening  23  to an assembly space  25  below the wash compartment base wall  3 . The assembly space  25  is not bounded at its base by a closed assembly base of the dishwasher but is configured as open. 
     A network cable  37  leading from the power supply network is connected by way of the power network connection housing  15  to electric lines, which are led to a laterally-arranged electronic control module  38 . 
     The electronic control module  38  controls the appliance components in the dishwasher during a wash cycle. Here the electronic control module  38  is incorporated in a side region of the base wall  3  by way of a retaining contour  42  directly on the lateral supporting frame  7 , as shown enlarged in  FIG. 2 . The retaining contour  42  consisting of a number of individual components is shown by itself in  FIG. 3 . All individual components of the retaining contour  42  are integrated into the base wall using injection molding. 
     As apparent from  FIG. 2 , the electronic control module  38  is held almost completely in the frame opening  39  enclosed by the supporting frame  7 . To this end the inventive retaining contour  42  comprises a support plate  43  on a plinth  41  of the supporting frame  7 , said support plate being molded to the periphery of the frame opening  39  at the base. The electronic control module  38  is thus favorably distanced, in terms of assembly and disassembly, from the standing surface  27  of the dishwasher at a height h. The support plate  43  extends approximately horizontally into the appliance interior and is provided with cutouts  45 , as a result of which the support plate  43  is overall elastically resilient. The afore-cited plinth  41  connects the two supporting profiles  8 ,  9  of the base wall  3 . 
     The assembly of the electronic control module  38  into the retaining contour  42  of the base wall  3  is explained with the aid of  FIGS. 3 to 5 .  FIGS. 3 to 5  show an enlarged cutaway of the interior of retaining contour  42  provided on the supporting frame  7  when the electronic control module is disassembled. The base wall  3  is shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5  in its assembly position, in which the base wall  3  points upwards with its lower face  47 , rotated through 180°. The positioning stops of the retaining contour  42  are molded to the lower face  47  of the base wall  3  and to a rear wall  49  of the base wall  3 . Opposite depth stops  50 ,  51  are thus provided in the depth direction y, of which one depth stop is molded to the base lower face  47  as a wedge-shaped rib  50  and the opposite depth stop  51  is embodied on the interior of the rear wall  49  as a vertical double rib. 
     To fix the electronic control module  38  in the appliance lateral direction x, opposite side stops  53 ,  54  are molded to the base lower face  47 . The two lateral external side stops  53  are embodied here as elevated stop webs, which protrude far into the frame opening  39 . The two stop webs  53  bound a tilting movement (indicated with arrow I in  FIG. 4 ) of the preassembled electronic control module  38  in its final assembly position. The side stops  54  facing the stop webs  53  are configured as planar ribs on the base wall lower face  57 , said ribs marginally encompassing a peripheral face of the electronic control module  38 . The distance a between the depth stops  50 ,  51  and the distance b between the side stops  53 ,  54  is dimensioned marginally larger than the length and width of the electronic control module  38  to be inserted therein. The electronic control module  38  is thus centered with its upper peripheral edge  55  on the base wall  3  with little play and voltage-free. 
     The support plate  43  molded on the plinth  41  of the supporting frame  7  covers the positioning stops  50  to  54  on the side of the base wall at least partially and determines the height h of the electronic control module  38  in the height axis direction z. 
     Elevated locking webs  56 , which are distanced from one another and engage in the frame opening  39 , are molded on the side of the support plate  43  facing the positioning stops  50  to  54 . The two locking webs  56  are configured to be angular in terms of profile and have two locking limbs  57  which face one another. In the final assembly position according to  FIG. 2 , the two locking limbs  57  engage behind a corresponding undercut  58  of the electronic control module  38 . Housing recesses which already exist on the exterior faces of the electronic control module  38  can be used as undercuts  58 . 
     As apparent from  FIG. 4 , in a preassembly step, the electronic control module  38  is inserted at an angle and head first with its upper peripheral face between the positioning stops  50  to  54  on the base wall side. In a final assembly step, the electronic control module  38  is then brought into its final assembly position using a tilting movement I, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     When tilting the electronic control module  38  into its final installation position, the locking webs  56  are locked to the undercuts  58  on the module side. To this end, the locking webs  56  are manually bent apart in an actuation direction II in accordance with  FIG. 4 , until the electronic control module  38  with its housing projection  59  can be guided past both locking webs  56 . 
     The two locking webs  56  are elastically bent apart from one another in the actuation direction II counter to a reset force. The elasticity required herefor results on the one hand from the installation height of the locking web  56  and on the other hand from the rigidity of the support plate  43  which is reduced by means of the cutouts  45 . 
     After the final assembly of the electronic control module  38  and the other appliance components (not shown here) on the lower face  47  of the washing compartment base wall  3 , electrical lines are routed between the individual appliance components and the assembled base wall  3  is then moved back into its post assembly position. 
       FIG. 6  shows an enlarged partial view of the wash compartment base wall  3  from the rear in its post assembly position as well as with an assembled electronic control module  38 . The electronic control module  38  is supported on the support plate  43  with its lower peripheral face  61 . 
     According to  FIG. 6 , the electronic control module  38  comprises a connection bush  63  on its rear side, said connection bush being exposed via an access opening  65  in the rear wall  49 . The electronic control module  38  automatically connects with a programming device (not shown here) on the assembly line by way of the connection bush  63 , so as to transfer control programs for the wash cycle of the dishwasher to the electronic control module  38 .