Dish washer having a system for atomizing dishwashing liquid and method for the operation thereof

Abstract

A dishwasher including at least one washing compartment for receiving dishes to be washed, to which washing liquid is applied during a washing operation, and an atomization facility for atomizing one of the washing liquid and the washing liquid mixed with active detergent substances, wherein the atomization facility includes an ultrasound generator, and a blower that conveys the atomized washing liquid into the washing compartment.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A dishwasher comprising:
 at least one washing compartment for receiving dishes to be washed, to which washing liquid is applied during a washing operation; and   an atomization facility for atomizing one of the washing liquid and the washing liquid mixed with active detergent substances,   wherein the atomization facility includes:
 an ultrasound generator; and 
 a blower that conveys the atomized washing liquid into the washing compartment. 
   
   
   
       22 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the ultrasound generator is arranged in a floor area of the dishwasher. 
   
   
       23 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the ultrasound generator includes a piezoelectric atomizer. 
   
   
       24 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the piezoelectric atomizer includes a thin silicon membrane having a coating made from a piezo-electric material. 
   
   
       25 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the blower conveys one of the washing liquid and fresh water. 
   
   
       26 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein a suction opening of the blower is connected to the washing compartment, and
 wherein an outlet opening of the blower is connected to an inner chamber of the washing compartment.   
   
   
       27 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the atomization facility is arranged in one of a floor, a ceiling, and a wall area of the washing compartment, and
 wherein a side directed towards an inner chamber of the washing compartment has at least one opening that allows the atomized washing liquid to pass through.   
   
   
       28 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 21 , comprising:
 at least one fresh water line that supplies fresh water to the atomization facility.   
   
   
       29 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the atomization facility includes:
 a cleaning agent feeding chamber,   wherein the active detergent substances are introduced into the cleaning agent feeding chamber with one of the washing liquid and fresh water.   
   
   
       30 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the active detergent substances include one of a cleaning agents and rinsing agents. 
   
   
       31 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the active detergent substances are mixed with one of the washing liquid and the fresh water in the cleaning agent feeding chamber. 
   
   
       32 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 21 , comprising:
 a dosing facility having at least one reservoir for active detergent substances, the dosing facility configured to dispense one of cleaning agents and rinsing agents.   
   
   
       33 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the ultrasound generator operates at an excitation frequency of 1-3 MHz such that droplets having a diameter of substantially 1-3 μm are created. 
   
   
       34 . A method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 21 , the method comprising:
 feeding one of the washing liquid and fresh water into the atomization facility;   feeding and mixing the active detergent substances into the one of the washing liquid and the fresh water;   one of atomizing and vaporizing one of the washing liquid mixed with the active detergent substances and the fresh water mixed with the active detergent substances by the ultrasound generator; and   one of introducing and conveying the one of the vaporized washing liquid and the vaporized fresh water into the washing compartment of the dishwasher by the blower,   wherein the ultrasound generator is an electrically-operated ultrasound generator.   
   
   
       35 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the active detergent substances include one of cleaning agents and rinsing agents. 
   
   
       36 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the vaporized washing liquid mixed with the active detergent substances having cleaning agents is introduced in the washing compartment before a first washing process is carried out. 
   
   
       37 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the vaporized washing liquid mixed with active detergent substances having rinsing agents is introduced into the washing compartment before a rinsing process is carried out. 
   
   
       38 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the vaporized washing liquid mixed with active detergent substances having rinsing agents is introduced into the washing compartment before a drying process is carried out. 
   
   
       39 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein a specific period of time in which the active detergent substances act on dirt on dishes in the washing compartment of the dishwasher is between the introduction of the vaporized washing liquid mixed with active detergent substances into the washing compartment and an execution of one of a first washing process and a rinsing process. 
   
   
       40 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 34 , comprising:
 controlling an amount of active detergent substances which is supplied to the one of the washing liquid and the fresh water before atomization by the atomization facility in the washing compartment of the dishwasher.   
   
   
       41 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed  claim 34 , comprising:
 controlling an inflow and an amount of the fresh water being fed to the atomization facility.   
   
   
       42 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein an operation of the ultrasound generator facilitates one of the feeding and the mixing of the active detergent substances into the one of the washing liquid and the fresh water. 
   
   
       43 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein an operation of the ultrasound generator facilitates one of the feeding and the mixing of the active detergent substances having cleaning agents into the one of the washing liquid and the fresh water. 
   
   
       44 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the fresh water is mixed with the active detergent substances before being fed to the atomization facility. 
   
   
       45 . The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the fresh water is mixed with the active detergent substances having the one of the cleaning agents and rinsing agents before being fed to the atomization facility.