U.S. patent application number 13/478337 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-29 for dish rack, in particular upper rack.
This patent application is currently assigned to MIELE & CIE. KG. Invention is credited to Guenther Ennen, Seyfettin Kara, Kira Schaefer, Thorsten Schuette, Monika Seifert, Stefan Tiekoetter, Erik Woldt.
Application Number | 20120298598 13/478337 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46384272 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120298598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ennen; Guenther ; et
al. |
November 29, 2012 |
DISH RACK, IN PARTICULAR UPPER RACK
Abstract
A dish rack for an automatic dishwashing machine includes a main
body and a dishware support movably mounted on the main body. The
dishware support has an adjustable orientation relative to the main
body and is configured so as to adjust orientation based on a
dishwashing cycle.
Inventors: |
Ennen; Guenther; (Enger,
DE) ; Kara; Seyfettin; (Spenge, DE) ;
Schaefer; Kira; (Bielefeld, DE) ; Seifert;
Monika; (Detmold, DE) ; Tiekoetter; Stefan;
(Bielefeld, DE) ; Woldt; Erik; (Lippstadt, DE)
; Schuette; Thorsten; (Paderborn, DE) |
Assignee: |
MIELE & CIE. KG
Guetersloh
DE
|
Family ID: |
46384272 |
Appl. No.: |
13/478337 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/41.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 2501/36 20130101;
A47L 15/503 20130101; A47L 15/0034 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/41.8 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/50 20060101
A47L015/50 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2011 |
DE |
10 2011 103 004.6 |
Claims
1. A dish rack for an automatic dishwashing machine, the dish rack
comprising: a main body; and a dishware support movably mounted on
the main body, the dishware support being adjustable in orientation
relative to the main body based on a dishwashing cycle.
2. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein the dish rack is an
upper rack.
3. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein the dishware support
is adjustable in the orientation based on a parameter of a
dishwashing process of the dishwasher.
4. The dish rack recited in claim 3, wherein the dishware support
is adjustable in the orientation based on rinse temperature.
5. The dish rack recited in claim 1, further comprising an
adjustment device configured to adjust the dishware support.
6. The dish rack recited in claim 5, wherein the adjustment device
includes a mechanical adjusting device that is at least partially
attached to the main body.
7. The dish rack recited in claim 5, wherein the adjustment device
includes a mechanical adjusting device that is attachable to a wall
of a washing chamber of the dishwashing machine.
8. The dish rack recited in claim 5, wherein the adjustment device
is wirelessly controllable by an appliance controller of the
dishwashing machine.
9. The dish rack recited in claim 5, wherein the adjustment device
includes an actuator that is operable as a function of
temperature.
10. The dish rack recited in claim 9, wherein the actuator is a
shape memory actuator having a shape memory element including a
shape memory alloy.
11. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein the dishware support
includes a wire having a supporting portion extending in a
longitudinal direction of the main body.
12. The dish rack recited in claim 11, wherein the wire includes
first and second ends, each of the first and second ends of the
wire being mounted to the main body by an adjustment device
configured to adjust the dishware support, each adjustment device
being interposed between a respective end of the wire and the main
body.
13. (canceled)
14. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein the dishware support
is movably mounted on the main body so as to be movable in a
vertical direction of the main body.
15. (canceled)
16. The dish rack recited in claim 1, wherein the dishware support
is pivotally mounted to the main body.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to German Patent
Application No. DE 10 2011 103 004.6, filed May 24, 2011, which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a dish rack, in particular
an upper rack, for an automatic dishwashing machine, including a
main body and a dishware support movably mounted to the main
body.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Dishwashing machines and dish racks for dishwashing machines
are generally known and, therefore, need not be specifically
described herein.
[0004] Dishwashing machines are used for cleaning dishware such as,
for example, plates, glasses, cups, pots and/or the like. A
dishwashing machine has dish racks which are used for placement of
items to be washed and which, once they are loaded, may be moved by
the user into the washing chamber provided by the dishwashina
machine. After the dishware has been cleaned by the dishwashing
machine, the dish racks may be removed by the user from the washing
chamber provided by the dishwashing machine, which facilitates the
unloading of the dish racks.
[0005] Dish racks of the aforementioned type are preferably formed
of a mesh of plastic-coated wires. Typically, a dish rack provides
different receiving areas to hold dishware items of different
geometric dimensions.
[0006] German Patent Application DE 34 17 744 A1 describes a dish
rack having a specially designed cup rack. In accordance with
German Patent Application DE 34 17 744 A1, it is proposed to
pivotally connect the cup rack to the main body of the dish rack,
which allows the cup rack to be pivoted from an operative position
to an inoperative position, and vice versa. In its operative
position, the cup rack is inclined to allow optimized cleaning of
the cups held by it during its intended use.
[0007] Although the dishware support in the form of a cup rack,
such as is described in DE 34 17 744 A1, has proven practical in
everyday use, it still has disadvantages.
[0008] For example, dishware items such as cups or plates have
depressions, grooves or inward curvatures on their underside or
foot, which are due to the manufacturing process and in which
liquid accumulations or puddles may still be present even after
completion of a properly performed drying cycle. With a view to
maintaining optimized cleaning performance, it is also not possible
to avoid the formation of such liquid accumulations or puddles
because, in particular, cups must be positioned in the dish rack in
such a way that the spray jets from the spray arms can get into the
openings of the cups. This is also why dishware supports, such as
the one known from DE 34 17 744 A1, are oriented in an inclined
position. However, the inclination is not sufficient to prevent the
aforedescribed formation of liquid accumulations or puddles. This
is perceived as disadvantageous because remaining rinse water may
require subsequent manual drying with a dish towel or the like.
Moreover, there is a risk that during unloading of the dish racks,
remaining rinse liquid may drop onto dishware items that have not
yet been removed.
[0009] FIG. 4 shows a conventional dish rack in a schematic
perspective view. Dish rack 1 is formed by a plurality of wire
members 2 which are joined together to form main body 11 of dish
rack 1.
[0010] Dish rack 1 provides different receiving areas 3, 4, and 5,
which each serve to hold dishware items 8. Specifically, receiving
area 3 is used, in particular, to hold small dishware. Receiving
area 4 is designed to hold in particular plates, for which purpose
tines 6 are provided. Receiving areas 5 are provided on the left
and right sides with respect to the transverse extension of dish
rack 1 and are used, in particular, to hold glasses or cups, the
latter being shown by way of example. Receiving areas 5 have
inclined receiving portions 7, which allow dishware items 8 to be
placed in an inclined orientation, as can be readily seen in the
view of FIG. 4. Dishware items 8 are supported, on the one hand, on
rack side 9 and, on the other hand, on inclined receiving portion
7. The inclination of each of receiving portions 7 is selected such
that dishware items 8 are oriented at such an inclination with
respect to the spray arms (not specifically shown in the figures)
of the dishwashing machine (also not specifically shown in the
figures) that the wash or rinse water or liquid delivered by the
spray arms reaches dishware items 8 in an optimized manner and, for
example, in the case of the cups shown in FIG. 4, is able to spray
into the hollows of the cups.
[0011] Although design such as the one shown in FIG. 4 has proven
practical in everyday use, it still has disadvantages. For example,
the inclination of dishware items 8 defined by the inclination of
receiving portions 7 is not sufficient to reliably prevent the
formation of liquid accumulations or puddles in the dimples,
grooves, depressions and/or the like of dishware items 8.
Therefore, when unloading the dishwashing machine, unwanted
accumulations of residual liquid may drop onto other dishware
items, especially ones which are located in a bottom rack. Dishware
items 8 in whose dimples liquid accumulations or puddles have
formed must be dried off by hand using, for example, a kitchen or
dish towel after they are unloaded from the dishwashing machine.
Last but not least, the drying performance of the dishwashing
machine may be subjectively perceived as unsatisfactory by the
user.
SUMMARY
[0012] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a dish rack
for an automatic dishwashing machine including a main body and a
dishware support movably mounted on the main body. The dishware
support is adjustable in orientation relative to the main body
based on a dishwashing cycle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Embodiments of the present invention are described in more
detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dish rack
according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an adjustment device
according to the present invention, shown in the initial
position;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an adjustment device
according to the present invention, shown in the extended
position;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional dish
rack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a dish rack
which, due to its design, makes it possible to substantially
prevent unwanted accumulation of liquid or formation of puddles of
the type described above.
[0019] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a dish rack
where the dishware support is designed such that its orientation
relative to the main body can be adjusted or varied according to
the dishwashing cycle.
[0020] In an embodiment, the dish rack of the present invention has
at least one dishware support which, unlike the prior art, is not
only movably mounted to the main body of the dish rack, but rather
can also be adjusted in orientation relative to the main body, such
adjustment being made according to the dishwashing cycle. This
inventive design allows the orientation of the dishware support
relative to the main body to be adjusted depending on the
particular step of the dishwashing process. This makes it possible,
for the first time, to vary the inclination of the dishware items
held by the dishware support while a dishwashing process is
performed and, in particular, to adjust the inclination of the
dishware items according to the progress of the dishwashing
process.
[0021] Thus, the dish rack advantageously allows dishware items
such as, in particular, cups, glasses, or the like to be oriented
during the performance of a cleaning cycle in a standard inclined
position which is optimized for this cycle. After completion of the
cleaning operation, the orientation of the dishware support is then
adjusted according to the dishwashing cycle, thereby increasing the
inclination of the dishware items. As a result, liquids or puddles
which may have accumulated or formed in depressions or hollows of
dishware items can run off before or at the beginning of the actual
drying process.
[0022] The adjustment of the dishware support is preferably
performed according to a parameter of the dishwashing process, such
as the rinse temperature.
[0023] The last rinsing or cleaning step prior to the actual drying
step is generally the "final rinse", which is preferably carried
out at a temperature of above 60.degree. C. As a consequence, the
dishware items heat up to such a degree that after the remaining
rinse water (also called "rinse liquor") is pumped off, the
residual heat remaining in the dishware items sufficient to allow
any remaining adhering moisture to dry off through evaporation.
Therefore, especially the rinse temperature is suitable as a
parameter for adjusting the dishware support. Thus, in particular,
provision may be made to adjust the dishware support in its
orientation relative to the main body of the dish rack after
completion of the final rinse step in order to incline the dishware
items. In this manner, any liquid accumulations or puddles will be
removed as the actual drying of the dishware begins.
[0024] The adjustment of the dishware support is preferably
accomplished using an adjustment device. The adjustment device may
include a mechanical adjusting device which is at least partially
attached to main body or to one of the walls of the washing chamber
provided by the dishwashing machine.
[0025] The adjustment device may be designed to be wirelessly
controllable, for example, by the appliance controller of the
dishwashing machine. However, a preferred embodiment of the
adjustment device is one which includes an actuator that operates
as a function of temperature. The advantage of this embodiment is
that it allows control to take place independently of the appliance
controller of the dishwashing machine. This is advantageous,
especially with regard to retrofitting of existing dishwashing
machines.
[0026] The actuator is preferably a shape memory actuator having a
shape memory element made of a shape memory alloy. The shape memory
element may, for example, take the form of a compression spring.
This element responds in a temperature-dependent manner. When the
temperature is below a certain level, the shape memory element is
in its initial shape. Once this temperature, also called threshold
temperature, is exceeded, the shape changes. In the case of a
compression spring, for example, a pressure force may be produced
by a change in length. Once the temperature is again below the
threshold temperature, the shape memory element returns to its
original shape. If the shape memory element is in the form of a
compression spring, the compression spring is thereby caused to
contract.
[0027] The advantage of this embodiment is that it allows for
cycle-dependent adjustment of the dishware support without the need
for an additional connection to an appliance controller or an
additional electrical power supply and/or the like. The shape
memory alloy of the shape memory element is designed to have a
response or threshold temperature matched to the temperatures
prevailing at the end of preferably the final rinse operation.
Thus, the shape memory element is preferably designed to respond at
a temperature below the final rinse temperature, for example, at
50.degree. C. Once this temperature is reached during the final
rinse operation, the actuator in the form of a shape memory
actuator causes an adjustment of the dishware support, allowing any
accumulations of residual liquids to run off. The final rinse
operation is followed by the drying step, during which the dishware
items are dried. During this process, the temperature decreases
with increasing drying time. When the temperature then falls below
the threshold temperature of about 50.degree. C., the shape memory
actuator is restored to its original position, which corresponds to
initial position.
[0028] In accordance with an embodiment, the dishware support takes
the form of a wire having a portion which preferably extends in the
longitudinal direction of the main body. During normal use, the
dishware items are supported on this wire portion, which is why it
may also be referred to as supporting portion. The wire is mounted
at both ends to the main body with an adjustment device interposed
between each end and the main body, so that when an adjustment is
made as intended by the adjustment devices, the wire changes its
position relative to the main body, thereby hanging the inclination
of the dishware items supported by the dishware support formed by
the wire.
[0029] The dishware support is mounted to the main body such that
it is movable in the vertical direction of the main body.
Alternatively, or in addition, the dishware support may also be
pivotally mounted to the main body. What is decisive is that the
dishware support can be adjusted in orientation relative to main
body of the dish rack, so that the inclination of the dishware
items held by it can be variably controlled.
[0030] An embodiment of the present invention, which is shown in
different views in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, remedies problems associated
with conventional dish racks.
[0031] The dish rack 1 has a dishware support 10 which, in the
exemplary embodiment shown, is formed of a wire 15. This wire is
mounted to main body 11 of dish rack 1 such that it is movable in
vertical direction 22.
[0032] As may be seen particularly in the view of FIG. 1, dishware
items 8 are supported on dishware support 10 during normal use. By
viewing FIGS. 2 and 3 in conjunction, it can be seen that dishware
support 10 can be moved in vertical direction 22, FIG. 2 showing
the initial retracted state and FIG. 3 showing the extended final
state. Due to the fact that dishware items 8 are supported on
dishware support 10, dishware items 8 are inclined relative to dish
rack 1 when dishware support 10 is moved from the initial position
shown in FIG. 2 to the final position shown in FIG. 3, thereby
allowing any liquid residues or puddles which may have accumulated
or formed in dimples, hollows or the like of dishware items 8 to
run off.
[0033] Dish support 10 is provided at each end portion with an
adjustment device 12 for the purpose of adjusting its relative
orientation with respect to main body 11. In the exemplary
embodiment shown, the adjustment device is an actuator in the form
of a shape memory actuator. Particularly viewing FIGS. 2 and 3 in
conjunction, the mode of operation can be seen to be as
follows:
[0034] Adjustment device 12 has a housing 13, which is attached to
wire members 2 of dish rack 1. Housing 13 provides a hole 14 into
which extends the end of wire 15, which constitutes dishware
support 10. Dishware support 10 formed by wire 15 includes a
supporting portion 16 and a supported portion 17. Supporting
portion 16 extends in longitudinal direction 24 of dish rack 1, as
can be seen particularly in the view of FIG. 1, whereas supported
portion 17 is oriented orthogonally thereto and is longitudinally
movably received in hole 14 of housing 13. Supported portion 17 of
wire 15 carries a sleeve 18. A shape memory element 23 in the form
of a compression spring is disposed in bore 14 of housing 13, said
shape memory element 23 resting, on the one hand, against bottom 19
of hole 14 and, on the other hand, against sleeve 18, which is
longitudinally movably received it hole 14.
[0035] Supporting portion 16 is provided at the end with an
abutment 20 in the form of a plate. Supported against this plate is
a compression spring which, at the other end, rests against bottom
19 of housing 13.
[0036] Shape memory element 23 is made of a shape memory alloy
whose response sets in at a temperature of, for example, 50.degree.
C., 55.degree. C. or 60.degree. C. The resulting operation is as
follows:
[0037] The initial position is shown in FIG. 2. If the heating
occurring, for example, during a final rinse cycle is such that the
threshold temperature of shape memory element 23 is exceeded, then
shape memory element 23, which is in the form of a compression
spring, expands as shown in FIG. 3. In this process, shape memory
element 23 bears against bottom 19 of hole 14, as a result of which
sleeve 18 and the wire 15 (i.e., dishware support 10) connected
thereto are moved upward in vertical direction 22, thereby changing
the inclination of the dishware items 8 supported on supporting
portion 16 of wire 15. The vertical displacement at the same time
biases the return member, which is in the form of a compression
spring 21 that bears, on the one hand, against abutment 20 and, on
the other hand, against bottom 19 of housing 13. If in the further
course of the dishwashing process, the temperature falls below the
threshold temperature of shape memory element 23, the shape memory
element contracts with the aid of the return member in the form of
compression spring 21 and returns to the initial position shown in
FIG. 2.
[0038] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *