The present invention relates to a dishwasher which provides disinfection.

In dishwashers, detergent dispensers which are generally mounted on the inner side of the door are used. Said dispensers have receptacles for placing chemical agents such as detergent, rinse aid, etc. The detergent in the receptacle ensures the dirt residues on the dishes to be dissolved while the rinse aid decreases the surface tension of the water so as to improve the drying efficiency. The chemical agents used in the cleaning process can be efficient only when used at the correct step. For example, the detergent must be added into the water at the main washing step while agents such as rinse aid, glass protector, etc. must be added at the hot rinsing (second rinsing) step. In addition to said agents, today, the users often use cleaning agents such as laundry bleach, vinegar, etc. in order to eliminate microorganisms. However, if concentrated chemical agents such as laundry bleach are not dosed in the correct amount and at the correct time, residues may remain on the kitchen items, which in turn adversely affects the health of the user. Therefore, dosing apparatuses are used for this purpose. In the washing machines with tanks, the water to be used for prewashing is stored after the previous cycle. Thus, microorganisms grow in the water stored in the tank. When the water tank from the tank is used in the washing step, the desired hygiene cannot be provided on the dishes.

In the state of the art United States of America Patent No. US9676011, a washing algorithm is disclosed, wherein it is aimed to use the chemical at the right time and in the sufficient amount.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher wherein hygiene is ensured in an efficient manner.

The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body; a washing tub which is disposed in the body; a sump which is provided on the base of the washing tub; at least one rack which is disposed in the washing tub; at least one spraying member which sprays water onto the rack; a dosing member which enables the additional cleaning agent loaded to be delivered into the washing tub; and a water tank which is disposed between the washing tub and the body. The kitchen items are placed onto the rack to be washed. The water is delivered by means of the spraying member so as to perform the cleaning process. By means of the dosing member, additional cleaning agents such as vinegar, bleach, etc. are delivered into the washing tub. The water discharged in the last washing cycle is collected in the water tank so as to be used in the prewashing step of the next washing cycle. Consequently, savings in water consumption are provided.

The dishwasher of the present invention comprises a control unit which enables the additional cleaning agent-water mixture to be collected in the water tank. The additional cleaning agent such as bleach, vinegar, etc. is mixed with the water taken into the washing tub and then delivered to the water tank. Thus, dirt and bad odor formation in the water tank is prevented, and the need for carrying out the dosing process for the next cycle is eliminated.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the control unit which enables the additional cleaning agent-water mixture collected in the water tank to be kept in the water tank for a predetermined period of time. Thus, the cleaning process is performed with the additional cleaning agent.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a dirt measurement member which is provided in the water tank, and the control unit which determines the period of time for keeping the additional cleaning agent-water mixture in the water tank depending on the dirt level detected by the dirt measurement member. Thus, the dirt particles in the water tank are softened and dissolved by means of the additional cleaning agent.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the dirt measurement member which is a turbidity sensor. The turbidity sensor determines the rate of dirt.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the dirt measurement member which is a light transmittance sensor. By means of the light transmittance measurement, the rate of dirt of the mixture is determined. In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a dirt threshold value predefined on the control unit, and the control unit which discharges the water- additional cleaning agent mixture if the rate of dirt measured is above the dirt threshold value. If the rate of dirt of the water tank is high, the water-additional cleaning agent mixture in the water tank is discharged. Thus, the dirty mixture is prevented from being kept and delivered into the washing tub.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the control unit which delivers the water-additional cleaning agent mixture into the washing tub if the rate of dirt measured in the water tank is below the threshold value. Thus, the prewashing step is performed with clean water and additional cleaning agent, providing hygiene.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the control unit which continues the water intake into and discharge from the water tank processes until the rate of dirt measured in the water tank is below the dirt threshold value. Thus, only clean water is delivered to the washing tub.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the control unit which delivers the water-additional cleaning agent mixture kept in the water tank to the sump. Thus, the sump is also cleaned with the additional cleaning agent.

By means of the present invention, a dishwasher is realized, comprising a water tank, wherein the additional cleaning agent can be used to provide hygiene in the water tank.

A dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the dishwasher.

Figure 2 - is the sideways view of the water tank.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1- Dishwasher

2- Body

3- Washing tub 5- Rack

6- Spraying member

7- Dosing member

8- Water tank

9- Control unit

10- Dirt measurement member

101- Turbidity sensor

102- Light transmittance sensor

The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is arranged in the body

(2) and wherein the washing process is realized; a sump (4) which is provided on the base of the washing tub (3) and wherein the water flowing down from the washing tub (3) is collected; at least one rack (5) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed to be washed; at least one spraying member (6) which enables the water to be sprayed onto the rack (5); a dosing member (6) which enables the additional cleaning agent loaded to be delivered into the washing tub (3) and which is disposed on the rack (5); and a water tank (8) which is disposed between the washing tub

(3) and the body (2) and wherein water is stored. The kitchen items are placed onto the rack (5) to be washed. The water is sprayed onto the kitchen items by means of the spraying member (6), thus performing the cleaning process. By means of the dosing member (7), additional cleaning agents such as vinegar, bleach, etc. are delivered into the washing tub (3). The water discharged in the last washing cycle is collected in the water tank (8) so as to be used in the prewashing step of the next washing cycle. Consequently, savings in water consumption are provided.

The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises a control unit (9) which ensures that the additional cleaning agent delivered by the dosing member (7) into the washing tub (3) and water taken into the washing tub (3) are stored in the water tank (8). The additional cleaning agent such as bleach, vinegar, etc. is mixed with the water taken into

4 the washing tub (3) and then delivered to the water tank (8). Thus, dirt and bad odor formation in the water tank (8) is prevented, and the need for carrying out the dosing process for the next cycle is eliminated.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the control unit (9) which enables the additional cleaning agent-water mixture collected in the water tank

(8) to be kept in the water tank for a period of time predefined in the control unit (9) by the manufacturer. By keeping the water-additional cleaning agent mixture in the water tank (8) for a period of time, the dirt particles in the water tank (8) are enabled to be dissolved in the course of time. Thus, the interior of the water tank (8) is cleaned.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a dirt measurement member (10) which is provided in the water tank (8), and the control unit

(9) which ensures that the water-additional cleaning agent mixture is kept in the water tank (8) for a period of time corresponding to the dirt level detected by the dirt measurement member (10). The waiting times depending on the dirt level are predefined on the control unit (9) by the manufacturer. The period of time for keeping the additional cleaning agent-water mixture in the water tank (8) varies depending on the dirt level measured by the dirt measurement member (10).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the dirt measurement member (10) which is a turbidity sensor (101). Dirt measurement can be performed depending on the turbidity level. The dirt level increases as the turbidity o the additional cleaning agent- water mixture increases.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the dirt measurement member (10) which is a light transmittance sensor (102). It is determined that the dirt value increases as the light transmittance value decreases.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a dirt threshold value predefined on the control unit (9) by the manufacturer, and the control unit (9) which discharges the water-additional cleaning agent mixture in the water tank (8) if the amount of dirt measured in the water tank (8) is above the dirt threshold value. When the dirt value measured in the water tank (8) is above the dirt threshold value, the water- additional cleaning agent mixture is discharged from the water tank (8). Thus, the dirt water is prevented from being kept in the water tank (8) and from being delivered into the washing tub (3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the control unit (9) which delivers the water-additional cleaning agent mixture in the water tank (8) into the washing tub (3) to be used in the washing step if the rate of dirt measured in the water tank (8) is below the dirt threshold value. If the dirt value measured is below the dirt threshold value, the water-additional cleaning agent mixture kept in the water tank (8) is delivered into the washing tub (3) to be used in the prewashing step. In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the control unit (9) which delivers the water-additional cleaning agent mixture kept in the water tank (8) to the sump (4). The sump (4) is cleaned by delivering the water-additional cleaning agent mixture kept in the water tank (8) to the sump (4). The additional cleaning agent such as vinegar, bleach, etc. enables the dirt particles in the sump (4) to be dissolved. By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized, wherein the additional cleaning agent such as vinegar, bleach, etc. is safely dosed and collected in the water tank (8) to be used. By collecting the water and the additional cleaning agent in the water tank (8), a more efficient and safer cleaning process is performed.