Arrangement for a dishwasher for creating a wash zone with selectable position

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016296097-A1
Application number	US-201315037523-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 20, 2013
Priority date	Dec 20, 2013
Publication date	Oct 13, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Provided herein is an arrangement for a dishwasher for creating a wash zone with a selectable position within a washing chamber of the dishwasher. The arrangement may include a water spray arm rotatably arranged around an axis in the washing chamber, and a support element arranged to support the spray arm in the washing chamber. The support element may lock the spray arm in at least one position within the washing chamber. The arrangement may include a control unit arranged to control the operation of the dishwasher and a user interface for selecting the desired wash zone position within the washing chamber, and arranged to communicate the information to the control unit. The control unit may lock the support element in the selected position to create the wash zone. A dishwasher that includes the arrangement and a method for creating a wash zone with a selectable position are provided.

First claim

1 . An arrangement a dishwasher for creating a wash zone with selectable position within a washing chamber of the dishwasher, said arrangement comprising:
a water spray arm rotatably arranged around an axis (A) in the washing chamber; a support element arranged to support the spray arm the washing chamber, said support element is able to lock the spray arm in at least two different positions within the washing chamber; a control unit arranged to control the operation of the dishwasher; and a user interface for selecting the desired wash zone position within the washing chamber, which user interface is arranged to communicate the selected wash zone position information to the control unit; wherein the control unit is arranged to lock the support element in the selected position to create the wash zone.

2 . The arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising: a water pump arranged to feed water to the spray arm via the support element; position detection means arranged to detect the position of the spray arm around the axis (A), said position detection means are connected to the control unit; wherein the pressure in the water fed from the water pump is controlled by the control unit and the support element is arranged to lock the spray arm in the selected position when the pressure in the water fed from the water pump exceeds a predetermined level.

3 . The arrangememt according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit is arranged to control the water pump by increasing or reducing the speed of the pump to stop and start the rotation of the spray arm.

4 . The arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein the position detection means consist of an accelerometer, a microphone, a hall sensor or IR-sensor (image recognition sensor) that is arranged to detect the position of the spray arm around the axis (A) and communicate the information to the control unit.

5 . The arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface is arranged to make it possible to select one or more wash zones within the washing chamber.

6 . The arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the selectable wash zones are arranged in a plane transverse to the axis (A).

7 . The arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface is a touch screen arranged to display graphical symbols enabling the user to select the position of the wash zone.

8 . The arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the spray arm comprises a satellite spray device rotatably arranged on the spray arm.

9 . A dishwasher comprising an arrangement for creating a wash zone with selectable position within a washing chamber of the dishwasher, said arrangement comprising:
a water spray arm rotatably arranged around an axis (A) in the washing chamber. a support element arranged to support the spray arm in the washing chamber, said support element is able to lock the spray arm in a least two different positions within the washing chamber; a control unit arranged to control the operation of the dishwasher; and a user interface for selecting the desired wash zone position within the washing chamber. which user interface is arranged to communicate the selected wash zone position information to the control unit; wherein the control unit is arranged to lock the support element in the selected position to create the wash zone.

10 . A method for creating a wash zone with selectable position within a washing chamber of a dishwasher comprising a user interface for selecting operation program and wash zone position, a control unit and a spray arm, said method comprising the steps:
a) communicating a selected position of at least one wash zone from the user interface to the control unit; and b) lock the spray arm in the selected position for a predetermined time.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein step b) comprises the steps:
b1) determine the position of the spray arm around an axis (A) and communicate the position to the control unit; b2) increase the pressure in the flow of water fed to the spray arm above a predetermined level to stop the spray arm in the selected position; b3) maintain the pressure in the flow of water for a predetermined time.

12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein in step b2) the control unit, based on predetermined information regarding the required time to accelerate a pump arranged to feed water to the spray arm, calculates the time at which the pump is activated to stop the spray arm in the selected position.

Assignees

• Electrolux Appliances AB

Inventors

• Dreossi Giuseppe
• Pers Per-Erik

Classifications

• A47L2401/30

  Variation of electrical, magnetical or optical quantities · CPC title

• A47L2501/05

  Drain or recirculation pump, e.g. regulation of the pump rotational speed or flow direction · CPC title

• A47L15/0018 Primary

  Controlling processes, i.e. processes to control the operation of the machine characterised by the purpose or target of the control (for control of water softening or water softener regeneration A47L15/4229; for control of water level A47L15/4244; for control of bad smells or odours A47L15/4276; for control of water temperature A47L15/4287; for control of water pressure A47L15/4289; for control of condition of crockery or tableware A47L15/4295; for control of condition of washing water A47L15/4297) · CPC title

• A47L2301/06

  Crockery or tableware details, e.g. material, quantity, condition · CPC title

• A47L2501/20

  Spray nozzles or spray arms · CPC title