Automatic dishwashing machine

Abstract

An automatic dishwashing machine comprises a washing chamber (3) housing a basket (4) for supporting one or more dishes to be washed, the basket (4) being rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis (R), motor means (5) associated with the basket (4) to drive it into rotation around the rotation axis (R), supply means (6) of one or more steam jets in said washing chamber (3). The motor means (5) are adapted to transmit to said basket (4) an oscillating motion with predetermined oscillation amplitude (β), said steam jet supply means (6) comprising one or more nozzles (9) mutually aligned along a substantially axial direction and adapted to direct respective steam jets along a direction inclined with respect to the vertical.

1 . An automatic dishwashing machine, comprising:
 a washing chamber ( 3 ) housing a basket ( 4 ) for supporting one or more dishes to be washed, said basket ( 4 ) being rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis (R);   motor means ( 5 ) associated with said basket ( 4 ) to drive it into rotation around said rotation axis (R);   supply means ( 6 ) of one or more steam jets in said washing chamber ( 3 ); characterized in that said motor means ( 5 ) are adapted to transmit to said basket ( 4 ) an oscillating motion with predetermined oscillation amplitude (β), said steam jet supply means ( 6 ) comprising one or more nozzles ( 9 ) mutually aligned along a substantially axial direction and adapted to direct respective steam jets along a direction inclined with respect to the vertical.   
     
     
         2 . Machine as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the maximum oscillation amplitude (β) of said basket is not greater than 60° with respect to a vertical median plane (p) passing through said rotation axis (R). 
     
     
         3 . Machine as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said steam jet supply means ( 6 ) comprise an axial bar provided with a plurality of radial nozzles ( 9 ) for the emission of respective steam jets. 
     
     
         4 . Machine as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that said bar is arranged on the periphery of said basket ( 4 ) and is angularly offset from said vertical median plane (p) with angular distance not greater than said maximum oscillation amplitude (β). 
     
     
         5 . Machine as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that said nozzles ( 9 ) are designed to emit respective inclined jets with an angle (γ) between 40° and 80°, preferably 60°, with respect to said vertical median plane (p). 
     
     
         6 . Machine as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that said nozzles ( 9 ) comprise respective hole extending in a radial direction. 
     
     
         7 . Machine as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said basket ( 4 ) is sized to house at least two coffee cups (C) in axially side by side position. 
     
     
         8 . Machine as claimed in any  claim 1 , characterized in that said rotation axis (R) of said basket ( 4 ) is inclined with respect to the horizontal and comprises a first carrying crosspiece ( 12 ) connected to said motor means ( 5 ) and from which a plurality of axial support rods ( 13 ) extends. 
     
     
         9 . Machine as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said motor means ( 5 ) comprise an electric stepper motor provided with a mechanical cam. 
     
     
         10 . Machine as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said jet steam supply means ( 6 ) comprise a clean water reservoir ( 7 ) connected to heating means ( 8 ) adapted to transform it into steam and to supply said one or more nozzles ( 9 ), a tank ( 10 ) being also provided for collecting the dirty water in fluid communication with said washing chamber ( 3 ).