Dishwasher and method of operating dishwasher

Abstract

A dishwasher ( 2 ) is provided comprising a washing chamber ( 8 ) with a sump ( 14 ) and a circulation circuit ( 16 ). The circulation circuit ( 16 ) comprises the sump ( 14 ), a circulation pump ( 18 ) and a spraying device ( 20 ) for spraying washing liquid into the washing chamber ( 8 ). The dishwasher ( 2 ) further comprises a reservoir ( 24 ) adapted to be connected to water mains, wherein a liquid connection ( 30 ) is adapted to transfer liquid from the reservoir ( 24 ) to the washing chamber ( 8 ). A return system ( 32 ) is adapted to transfer liquid from the washing chamber ( 8 ) to the reservoir ( 24 ). The reservoir ( 24 ) is thermally insulated from the washing chamber ( 8 ).

1 . A dishwasher comprising a washing chamber with a sump and a circulation circuit, the circulation circuit comprising the sump, a circulation pump and a spraying device for spraying washing liquid into the washing chamber, the dishwasher further comprising a reservoir adapted to be connected to water mains, wherein a liquid connection is adapted to transfer liquid from the reservoir to the washing chamber, and wherein a return system is adapted to transfer liquid from the washing chamber to the reservoir, wherein the reservoir is thermally insulated from the washing chamber. 
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is arranged adjacent to a wall portion of the washing chamber and a thermal insulation material is arranged between the reservoir and the wall portion. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heating element arranged in thermal communication with the circulation circuit. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher according to  claim 3 , comprising a controller for controlling washing parameters of the dishwasher, wherein the controller is connected to the heating element and a temperature sensor for controlling a temperature of a washing liquid in the washing chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher according to  claims 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises two or more tanks arranged adjacent to one or more wall portions of the washing chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the return system comprises the circulation pump. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the return system comprises a first conduit extending between the sump and the reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the dishwasher is adapted to store washing liquid in the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher according to  claim 8 , wherein the dishwasher is:
 adapted to transfer washing liquid stored in the reservoir to the washing chamber,   adapted to utilize transferred washing liquid in a first washing cycle in the dishwasher,   adapted to tap freshwater from water mains into the reservoir,   adapted to transfer at least part of the freshwater from the reservoir to the washing chamber, and   adapted to utilize said at least part of the freshwater in a following washing cycle following the first washing cycle.   
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher according to  claim 9 , wherein the dishwasher is:
 adapted to repeat tapping freshwater from water mains into the reservoir and transferring the freshwater from the reservoir to the washing chamber, one or more times, and   adapted to utilize the freshwater in one or more further washing cycles.   
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a dishwasher, the dishwasher comprising a washing chamber with a sump, and a circulation circuit comprising the sump, a circulation pump, and a spraying device for spraying washing liquid into the washing chamber, a heating element being arranged in thermal communication with the circulation circuit, the dishwasher further comprising a reservoir adapted to be connected to water mains, the reservoir being thermally insulated from the washing chamber, wherein a liquid connection is adapted to transfer liquid from the reservoir to the washing chamber, and wherein a return system is adapted to transfer liquid from the washing chamber to the reservoir, the method comprising:
 circulating washing liquid in the circulation circuit,   tapping freshwater from water mains into the reservoir, and   heating the washing liquid circulating in the circulation circuit without a washing liquid temperature being affected by a water temperature of the freshwater in the reservoir.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , comprising:
 transferring washing liquid from the washing chamber to the reservoir, and   storing the washing liquid in the reservoir.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , comprising:
 transferring washing liquid stored in the reservoir to the washing chamber,   utilizing transferred washing liquid in a first washing cycle in the dishwasher,   tapping freshwater from water mains into the reservoir,   transferring at least part of the freshwater from the reservoir to the washing chamber, and   utilizing said at least part of the freshwater in a following washing cycle following the first washing cycle.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , comprising:
 repeating tapping freshwater from water mains into the reservoir and transferring the freshwater from the reservoir to the washing chamber, one or more times, and   utilizing at least part of the freshwater in one or more further washing cycles.