Improved overflow siphon for use in a dishwasher and dishwasher having the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an overflow siphon ( 1 ) for use in a dishwasher ( 2 ) for draining excess water. The dishwasher ( 2 ) comprises a washing tub ( 3 ) for receiving dishes to be cleaned, wherein the washing tub ( 3 ) has an opening for loading or unloading the dishes, a plurality of feet ( 5 ) for supporting the washing tub ( 3 ) and a reservoir which is arranged under the washing tub ( 3 ) for collecting the excess water filled into the washing tub ( 3 ). The overflow siphon ( 1 ) comprises a duct ( 6 ) which includes an inlet ( 7 ) for drawing the excess water from the washing tub ( 3 ) and an outlet ( 8 ) for draining the excess water into the reservoir, wherein the outlet ( 8 ) is fluidly connected to the inlet ( 7 ).

1 . An overflow siphon ( 1 ) for use in a dishwasher ( 2 ) for draining excess water, the dishwasher ( 2 ) comprising a washing tub ( 3 ) for receiving dishes to be cleaned, wherein the washing tub ( 3 ) has an opening for loading or unloading the dishes, a plurality of feet ( 5 ) for supporting the washing tub ( 3 ) and a reservoir which is arranged under the washing tub ( 3 ) for collecting the excess water filled into the washing tub ( 3 ), the overflow siphon ( 1 ) comprising a duct ( 6 ) which includes an inlet ( 7 ) for drawing the excess water from the washing tub ( 3 ) and an outlet ( 8 ) for draining the excess water into the reservoir, wherein the outlet ( 8 ) is fluidly connected to the inlet ( 7 ); the overflow siphon ( 1 ) characterized by further comprising a first engagement means for aligning and detachably attaching the duct ( 6 ) directly to one of a front feet ( 5 ) at a designated attachment position wherein the inlet ( 7 ) adjoins a lower edge ( 9 ) of the opening of the washing tub ( 3 ) to define an overflow path that fluidly connects the washing tub ( 3 ) with the duct ( 6 ) and wherein the outlet ( 8 ) opens into the reservoir. 
     
     
         2 . The overflow siphon ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the duct ( 6 ) including a lateral wall portion ( 10   a ) which opposes an inner side of the front foot ( 5 ) and an upper wall portion ( 10   b ) which opposes a lower side of the washing tub ( 3 ), wherein the first engagement means is provided on a lateral wall portion ( 10   a ) of the duct ( 6 ). 
     
     
         3 . The overflow siphon ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first engagement means including a first section for rotatably engaging the duct ( 6 ) with the front foot ( 5 ) and a second section for arresting the duct ( 6 ) to the front foot ( 5 ) when the duct ( 6 ) is rotatably aligned to its designated attachment position. 
     
     
         4 . The overflow siphon ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the first section including a first projecting portion ( 11 ) which has flange ( 12 ) for inserting through a first aperture ( 13 ) on the front foot ( 5 ) and the second section including a second projecting portion ( 14 ) for resiliently snapping into a second aperture ( 15 ) on the front foot ( 5 ). 
     
     
         5 . The overflow siphon ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , characterized in that both the flange ( 12 ) and the first aperture ( 13 ) have non-circular shapes, wherein the flange ( 12 ) partially overlaps, in an axial direction a surrounding portion of the first aperture ( 13 ) when the duct ( 6 ) is rotated to its designated attachment position. 
     
     
         6 . The overflow siphon ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first engagement means including one or more than one snap-fit element ( 16 ) for engaging the duct ( 6 ) with the front foot ( 5 ). 
     
     
         7 . The overflow siphon ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized by further comprising a second engagement means for positioning and arresting a frontal reinforcement bracket ( 17 ) which is arranged across the two front feet ( 5 ) and underneath the washing tub ( 3 ). 
     
     
         8 . The overflow siphon ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the duct ( 6 ) further including a lower wall portion ( 10   c ) which is averted from a lower surface of the washing tub ( 3 ), wherein the second engagement means is provided on the lower wall portion ( 10   c ) of the duct ( 6 ) so as to oppose an upper surface of the frontal reinforcement bracket ( 17 ). 
     
     
         9 . The overflow siphon ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the duct ( 6 ) has a rectangular cross section which widens towards an opening of the inlet ( 7 ). 
     
     
         10 . A dishwasher ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that one or more than one overflow siphon ( 1 ) according to any one of  claims 1  to  9 . 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher ( 2 ) according to  claim 10 , characterized in that two overflow siphons ( 1 ) are respectively attached to each of the two front feet ( 5 ). 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher ( 2 ) according to  claim 10 , characterized in that a lower edge ( 9 ) of the opening of the washing tub ( 3 ) has one or more than one downwardly bending cove-shaped lip ( 18 ) which defines an overflow path that fluidly connects the washing tub ( 3 ) with the inlet ( 7 ) of the duct ( 6 ), wherein the inlet ( 7 ) of the duct ( 6 ) adjoins a respective lip ( 18 ). 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher ( 2 ) according to  claim 10 , characterized in that each of the front feet ( 5 ) is configured by a height adjustable base ( 19 ) and a lateral reinforcement plate ( 20 ), wherein the lateral reinforcement plate ( 20 ) is arranged on a respective lateral side of the washing tub ( 3 ) and connects the base ( 19 ) with the washing tub ( 3 ), and wherein the first engagement means of the overflow siphon ( 1 ) aligns and detachably attaches the duct ( 6 ) directly to a respective lateral reinforcement plate ( 20 ) of the front foot ( 5 ). 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher ( 2 ) according to  claim 10 , characterized by further comprising a frontal reinforcement bracket ( 17 ) which is mounted to the front feet ( 5 ), wherein the frontal reinforcement bracket ( 17 ) extends horizontally underneath both the overflow siphon ( 1 ) and the washing tub ( 3 ) without interfering with the door. 
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher ( 2 ) according to  claim 10 , characterized by further comprising a discharging unit for discharging the excess water collected in the reservoir to an outside, wherein the discharging unit includes a discharge motor and a buoy which is arranged within the reservoir for activating/deactivating operation of the discharge motor.