Rotating drum filter for a dishwashing machine

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to a dishwasher and more particularly to a dishwasher filter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A dishwasher is a household appliance into which dishes and other items for cooking and serving food (e.g. plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, pots, pans etc.) are put in for washing. The dishwasher contains various filters to separate dirt particles from the washing liquid. A typical filter dishwasher is known from DE-C44 33 842.

SUMMARY [0003] According to one aspect, the dishwasher comprises a spray arm, a sump disposed below the spray arm for collecting dirt and fluid particles, and a housing in fluid communication with the tank and spray arm. The housing has an internal chamber in which a porous rolled layer is located. The porous layer is able to rotate about the longitudinal axis and has an outer surface. There is also a water separator in the inner chamber, which has a tip distant from the outer surface of the porous layer to form a gap. During rotation of the porous layer, the angular velocity of the fluid flowing through the gap is increased relative to the angular velocity of the fluid before entering the gap.

[0004] In some embodiments, the dishwasher may further comprise a washing pump having a rotor connected to the porous layer. The rotor is able to rotate around an axis. A porous, rolled layer can surround an empty interior, and the rotation of the rotor can move fluid through the porous layer into an empty interior.

[0005] In some embodiments, the washing pump may have an inlet in the empty interior and a drain hole connected to the spray arm. In other embodiments, the dishwasher may further include a second water separator disposed in the empty interior. The second water distributor may have an outer surface at a distance from the inner surface of the porous layer.

[0006] In some embodiments, the pores of the porous layer are such that dirt particles accumulate on the outer surface of the porous layer as fluid flows through the porous layer into the hollow interior. In addition, in some examples

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In embodiments, dirt particles accumulating on the outer surface of the porous layer can be removed by fluid flowing through the gap during the rotation of the porous layer. In some embodiments, the porous layer is chemically etched metal. In other embodiments, the dishwasher may also include a drain pump connected to the housing. The drain pump can remove fluid from the inner chamber.

[0007] In some embodiments, the rotor and layer can rotate about an axis at a speed of 3200 rpm. In other embodiments, the gap may be such that the angular velocity of the fluid is at least sixteen percent higher than the angular velocity of the fluid bypassing the fracture.

[0008] In some embodiments, the housing may have an inlet connected to the sump and having a porous wall disposed such that fluid flowing from the sump flows through the porous wall.

[0009] In some embodiments, the housing may include an inner surface facing the inner chamber, and several ribs may extend from the inner surface into the inner chamber.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the dishwasher comprises a washing chamber having a bottom surface, a sump disposed on the lower surface of the washing chamber, a housing connected to the sump having an inner chamber and a cylindrical drum placed in the inner chamber. The drum is able to rotate around the conventional axis, and the filter extends from the first end to the second end of the drum. The filter defines an empty interior. The dishwasher also includes a first water distributor positioned in the inner chamber in a position between the housing and the cylindrical drum and a second water distributor positioned opposite the first water distributor in a position inside the empty interior of the drum. The second water distributor is located at a distance from the first water distributor to create a gap. The angular velocity of the fluid flowing through the gap is increased relative to the fluid bypassing the gap as the drum rotates.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first water separator may extend from the first end to the second end of the drum. In other embodiments, the dishwasher may also include a roller in the hollow interior. The second water distributor can be connected to a part of the shaft.

[0012] In other embodiments, the dishwasher may further comprise a pan attached to the housing and pivotally connected to the other end of the drum. In some embodiments, the dishwasher may also include a washing pump in "liquid."

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EP 2 335 547 communication "with the internal chamber. The washing pump can pump fluid through the filter into an empty interior. The filter may have a plurality of pores extending from the outer surface to the inner surface, which may be of such a size that fluid flowing through them into the empty interior and dirt particles accumulate on the outer surface of the filter.

[0013] In some embodiments, dirt particles that accumulate on the outer surface of the filter can be removed as the outer surface of the filter passes through the gap between the first and second water separators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0014] The detailed description relates in particular to the following figures, where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher drum;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the dishwasher drum of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the pump and filter assembly of the dishwasher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pump and filter assembly of FIG. 3 along lines 4-4 shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pump and filter assembly of FIG. 3 along lines 5-5 shown in FIG. 4 showing a rotary filter with two water distributors; and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pump and filter assembly of FIG. 3 along lines 6-6 shown in FIG. 3 showing another embodiment of a rotary filter with a single water distributor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0015] Although the assumptions of the present invention may be subjected to various modifications and other embodiments, the figures depict specific embodiments thereof, which will be described in more detail below. It should be understood, however, that the assumptions of the invention are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but on the contrary - it may be subject to modifications and changes within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0016] With reference to FIG. 1, a dishwasher 10 is shown. The dishwasher 10 has a drum 12 which defines a washing chamber 14 in which the user can place dishes and other items for cooking and serving food (e.g. plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, pots, pans and others). .) to wash. The dishwasher 10 has several baskets 16 located in the drum 12. Only the upper basket 16 is shown in FIG. 1, although the lower dish basket is still in dishwasher 10. There are several roller assemblies 18 between the baskets 16 and the drum 12. The roller assemblies 18 allow the dish baskets

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EP 2 335 547 sliding out of and into the drum 12, which facilitates the loading and unloading of dishes from the baskets 16. The roller assemblies 18 comprise a series of rollers 20 that move along respective supporting rails 22.

[0017] The door 24 is hinged to the lower front edge of the drum 12. The door 24 allows the user access to the drum 12 to load and unload the dishwasher 10. The door 24 also seals the front of the dishwasher 10 during the washing cycle: the control panel 26 is in the upper door parts 24. The control panel 26 includes several switches 28, such as buttons and knobs, which are used by the user (not shown) to control the operation of the dishwasher 10. The control panel 26 also includes a handle 30. The user can use the handle 30 to unlock and open the door 24 to access the drum 12.

[0018] The chamber of the dishwasher 32 is located under the drum 12. The chamber of the dishwasher 32 is separated from the drum 12. In other words, in contrast to the drum 12 which is filled with spray liquid during the washing cycle, the dishwasher chamber 32 is not filled with liquid and is not exposed for spraying during operation of the dishwasher 10. Referring to FIG. 2, the dishwasher chamber 32 houses a circulation pump assembly 34 and a drain pump 36, as well as other dishwasher motors and valves, and associated wiring and plumbing.

[0019] In FIG. 2, the drum 12 of the dishwasher 10 is illustrated in more detail. Drum 12 includes several side walls 40 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 42 to define the washing chamber 14. The open front side 44 of the drum 12 defines the access opening 46 of the dishwasher 10. The access opening 46 provides the user with access to the baskets for dishes 16 located in the washing chamber 14 when door 24 is open. When closed, the door 24 seals the access opening, which prevents the user from accessing the dishes baskets

16. The door 24 also prevents fluid from flowing out through the access opening 46 from the dishwasher 10 during the washing cycle.

[0020] The bottom wall 42 of the drum 12 has a sump 50 located inside. At the beginning of the washing cycle, the liquid enters the drum 12 through the opening 48 defined in the side wall 40. The sloping configuration of the bottom wall 42 directs the liquid to the sump 50. The circulation pump assembly 34 removes water and / or cleaning chemicals from the sump 50 through the opening 52 determined on the bottom of tank 50 after partially filling the tank with liquid.

[0021] The circulation pump assembly 34 is connected to a rotatable spray arm 54, which splashes water and cleaning chemicals onto the baskets 16 (and thus on all items placed therein). Additional spray arms (not shown) are

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EP 2 335 547 located above the spray arm 54. It should also be noted that the dishwasher may include other spray arms disposed at different locations in the drum 12. As can be seen in FIG. 2, spray arm 54 has a plurality of nozzles 56. Fluid flows from circulation pump assembly 34 to spray arm 54 and then flows from spray arm 54 through nozzles 56. In the embodiment described here, the nozzles are shown as holes formed in spray arm 54. However, the scope of the disclosure for nozzle 56 includes the insertion, such as, for example, tips, or other similar structures that are inserted into the holes formed in the spray arm 54. Such inserts may be useful in adjusting the spray direction or spray jet of fluid discharged from the arm spray 54.

[0022] After the liquid has been sprayed over the dish basket 16 and over each dish placed in the washing chamber 14, the fluid and dirt mixture flows into the bottom wall 42 and collects in the sump 50. The circulation pump assembly 34 "pulls" the mixture out of sump 50 through the opening 52. As will be described in more detail below, the fluid is filtered in the circulation pump assembly 34, returns and is sprayed again over the basket 16. At the end of the wash cycle, the drain pump 36 removes fluid and dirt particles from the sump 50 and drum 12.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 3, the circulating pump assembly 34 is removed from the dishwasher 10. The circulating pump assembly includes a washing pump 60 that is attached to the housing 62. The housing 62 includes a cylindrical filter sleeve 64 sandwiched between the branched pipe 68 and the washing pump 60. The manifold 68 has an inlet 70 that is in fluid communication with the opening 52 defined in the sump 50 and an outlet 72 that is in fluid communication with the drain pump 36. The other outlet 74 extends upward from the pump 60 and is in fluid communication with rotary spray arm 54. Although the circulating pump assembly 34 is part of the dishwasher 10, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the circulating pump assembly 34 may be a separate device not part of the dishwasher 10. For example, the circulating pump assembly 34 may be located in a cabinet adjacent to the dishwasher 10 In this embodiment, several lines may be used to connect the circulation pump assembly 34 to the dishwasher 10.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the circulating pump assembly 34 is shown. The filter sleeve 64 is a hollow cylinder having a side wall 76 that extends from end 78 attached to the manifold 68 to the opposite end 80 attached to the washing pump 60. Side wall 76 defines the filter chamber 82, which extends over the entire length of the filter sleeve 64.

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[0025] Side wall 76 has an inner surface 84 extending into the filter chamber 82. Several rectangular ribs 85 extend from the inner surface 84 to the filter chamber 82. The ribs 85 are configured to resist fluid movement. filter chamber 82. It should be noted that in other embodiments, each of the ribs 85 may take the form of a wedge, cylinder, pyramid or other shape so as to create resistance to counteract fluid movement in the filter chamber 82.

[0026] The manifold 68 has a main body 86 attached to the end 78 of the filter sleeve 64. The inlet 70 extends upward from the main body 86 and is configured to connect to a hose (not shown) extending from the opening 52 defined in the sump 50. Inlet opening 70 opens through sidewall 87 of main body 86 into filter chamber 82 of filter sleeve 64. During the washing cycle, the mixture of fluid and dirt particles flows from the sump 50 to the filter chamber 82 and fills it. As shown in FIG. 4, the inlet opening 70 has a filter mesh 88 located at the upper end 90. The filter mesh 88 has a plurality of holes 91 extending along the entire length. Each of the holes 91 is sized to prevent large dirt particles from entering the filter chamber 82.

[0027] The channel (not shown) enables "smooth communication" between the outlet opening 72 of the manifold 68 and the filter chamber 82. When the drain pump 36 is energized, the fluid and dirt particles from the sump 50 flow down through the inlet opening 70 to the filter chamber 82. Then fluid flows from the filter chamber 82 through the channel and out through the outlet opening 72.

[0028] The washing pump 60 is mounted at the opposite end 80 of the filter sleeve 64. The washing pump 60 comprises a motor 92 (see FIG. 3) attached to the cylindrical pump housing 94. The pump housing 94 includes a side wall 96 extending from bottom wall 98 to end wall 100. Bottom wall 98 is attached to motor 92 and end wall 100 is attached to filter sleeve 64. Walls 96, 98, 100 define a rotor chamber 102 that fills with fluid during the wash cycle. As shown in FIG. 4, the outlet opening 74 is connected to the side wall 96 of the pump housing 94 and opens into the chamber 102. The outlet opening 74 is configured to receive a hose (not shown) so that the outlet opening 74 can be fluidly connected to the spray arm 54.

[0029] The washing pump 60 also includes a rotor 104. The rotor 104 has a shell 106 that extends from the rear end 108 to the front end 110. The rear end 108 of the shell 106 is located in the chamber 102 and has an opening 112 formed therein. A drive shaft 114 that is pivotally connected to the motor 92 is received in the opening 112. The motor 92 acts on the drive shaft 114 to rotate the rotor 104 about the conventional axis 116 in the direction

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EP 2 335 547 indicated by arrow 118 (see FIG. 5). The motor 92 is connected to a power source (not shown) that provides electric current for the motor 92 to rotate the drive shaft 114 and rotor 104. In the embodiment shown, the motor 92 is configured to rotate the rotor 104 around axis 116 at 3200 rpm. / min.

[0030] The front end 110 of the rotor shell 106 is located in the filter chamber 82 of the filter sleeve 64 and has an inlet 120 formed in its center. The shell 106 has several blades 122 that extend from the inlet 120 to the outer edge 124 of the shell 106. Rotation of the rotor 104 about the axis 116 pushes fluid from the filter chamber 82 of the filter sleeve 64 to the inlet 120. Then the fluid is pushed out by rotating the rotor 104 on outside along the shoulder blades 122. Fluid flowing from the rotor 104 is removed from the chamber 102 through the outlet opening 74 to the spray arm 54.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the front end 110 of the rotor shell 106 is connected to a rotary filter 130 located in the filter chamber 82 of the filter sleeve 64. The filter 130 has a cylindrical drum 132 extending from the end 134 attached to the rotor shell 106 to the end 136 pivotally connected to the bushing 138, which is attached to main body 86 of manifold 68. Filter 130 is capable of pivoting about axis 116 together with impeller 104.

[0032] The filter layer 140 extends from one end 134 to the other end 136 of the filter drum 132 and closes the hollow interior 142. The layer 140 comprises a number of openings 144, each extending from the outer surface 146 of the layer 140 to the inner surface 148. W the embodiment shown, the layer 140 is a piece of chemically etched metal. Each orifice 144 has a size that allows fluid to flow into the hollow interior 142 while preventing dirt particles from flowing.

[0033] As such, the filter layer 140 divides the filter chamber 82 into two parts. When fluid and removed dirt particles enter the filter chamber 82 through the inlet 70, a mixture of fluid and dirt particles 150 collects in the filter chamber 82 around 152 outside the filter layer 140. Because the holes 144 allow fluid to flow into the empty inside 142, it forms a large amount of filtered fluid 156.

[0034] With reference to FIG. 4 and 5, a water separator 160 is disposed in the empty interior 142 of the filter 130. The distributor 160 has a body 166 located near the inner surface 148 of the layer 140. The body 166 has an outer surface 168 that defines a circular arc 170 with a radius smaller than the radius of the layer 140. Several arms 172 extend from the body 166 and attach the manifold 160 to a shaft 174 located in the center of the filter 130. As best seen in FIG. 4, the shaft 174 is connected to the end 176 with

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EP 2 335 547 sidewall 87 of manifold 68. In this way, shaft 174 attaches body 166 to housing 62.

[0035] Another water distributor 180 is disposed between the outer surface 146 of the layer 140 and the inner surface 84 of the housing 62. The distributor 180 has a fin-shaped body 182 that extends from the main edge 184 to the falling end 186. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the body 182 extends along the length of the filter drum 132 from one end 134 to the other end 136. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the splitter 180 may take other forms, e.g. it may have an inner surface that defines a circular arc with a radius greater than the radius of the layer 140. As can be seen in FIG. 5, body 182 is attached to shaft 187. Shaft 187 extends from side wall 87 of manifold 68. In this way, shaft 187 secures body 182 to housing 62.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the manifold 180 is located opposite the manifold 160 on the same side of the filter chamber 82. The manifold 160 is spaced from the manifold 180 so that a gap 188 is formed between them. Layer 140 is located in the gap 188.

[0037] During operation, a washing fluid, e.g. water and / or a cleaning chemical (e.g. water and / or detergents, enzymes, surface-active substances and other chemical cleaning or care agents) flows into the drum 12 through the opening 48 defined in the side wall 40 and flows into the sump 50 and down to the opening 52 defined in the tank. When the filter chamber 82 is filled, the washing fluid flows through the holes 144 extending through the filter layer 140 into the empty interior 142. When the filter chamber 82 is completely filled and the sump 50 is partially filled with washing liquid, the dishwasher 10 starts the engine 92.

[0038] Starting the engine 92 causes the rotor 104 and filter 130 to start to rotate. The rotation of the rotor 104 "pushes" the washing liquid from the filter chamber 82 through the filter layer 140 into the inlet opening 120 of the rotor shell 106. The fluid then moves outward along the blades 122 of the rotor shell 106 and from the chamber 102 through the outlet opening 74 to the spray arm 54. When the washing liquid is supplied to the spray arm 54, it is expelled from the spray arm and sprayed onto the dishes placed in the washing chamber 14. The washing liquid removes dirt particles from the dishes, and the mixture of washing liquid and dirt particles flows down onto the bottom wall 42 of the drum 12. Slanted configuration bottom wall 42 directs the mixture to the sump 50 and down to the opening 52 defined in the sump 50.

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[0039] When fluid is passed through layer 140, the size of the holes 144 prevents dirt particles from the mixture 152 from entering the hollow interior 142. As a result, dirt particles accumulate on the outer surface 146 of the layer 140 and cover the holes 144, which prevents liquid entering the empty interior 142.

[0040] Rotation of the filter 130 around axis 116 causes the mixture of fluid and dirt particles in the filter chamber 82 to rotate around axis 116 in the direction of arrow 118. The centrifugal force "pushes" the dirt particles towards side wall 76 when the mixture rotates around axis 116. The divider 160, 180 divides the mixture 150 into a first portion 190 that slides through the slot 188 and a second portion 192 that bypasses the slot 188. When portion 190 passes through slot 188, its angular velocity increases relative to its previous angular velocity and relative to the angular velocity of the second portion 192. An increase in angular velocity creates a low pressure area between the distributors 160, 180. In this low pressure area, accumulated particles dirt is lifted from the layer 140, which cleans it and allows fluid to flow through the holes 144 into the empty interior 142. In addition, the acceleration accompanying the increase in angular velocity as the portion 190 passes through the gap 188 provides additional force to lift the accumulated dirt particles from the layer 140.

[0041] With reference to FIG. 6, a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a rotary filter 130 with a single water distributor 200 is shown. The distributor 200, like the distributor 180 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-5, is located in the filter chamber 82 outside the empty interior 142. The manifold 200 is attached to the side wall 87 of the manifold 68 by means of a shaft 202. The splitter 200 has a fin-shaped body 204 that extends from the tip 206 to the falling end 208. The tip 206 has a main edge 210 located near the outer surface 146 of the layer 140, and the tip 206 together with the outer surface 146 of the layer 140 define a gap 212 between them .

[0042] During operation, rotation of the filter 130 around axis 16 causes the mixture of fluid and dirt particles to rotate around axis 116 in the direction of arrow 118. The divider 200 divides the mixture 150 into the first portion 290 that passes through the gap 212 defined between the separator 200 and the layer 140 and the second portion 292 which bypasses the gap 212. As the first portion 290 passes through the gap 212, the angular velocity of the first portion 290 of the mixture 150 increases relative to the second portion 292. The increase in angular velocity causes low pressure in the gap 212 between the splitter 200 and the outer surface 146 of layer 140. In the low pressure area, accumulated dirt particles are lifted from layer 140 by the first

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A portion of fluid 290 that cleanses the layer 140 and allows fluid to flow through the holes 144 into the hollow interior 142. In some embodiments, the slot 212 is sized such that the angular velocity of the first portion 290 is at least sixteen percent higher than the speed of the second fluid portion 292.

[0043] There are many advantages of the present invention resulting from the various features of the device and system described herein. It should be noted that other embodiments of the device and system disclosed herein may not include all of the features described herein, but benefit from at least some of these features. One skilled in the art will be able to easily develop his own implementation of the device and system comprising one or more features of the present invention falling within its scope, as defined in the appended claims.

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EP 2 335 547