The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a cleaning agent dispenser.

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. When powdered and/or liquid chemical agents are used, each chemical agent is placed into its own proper receptacle, and said receptacle are opened at the correct step such that the correct chemical agent is used at the correct time. 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. However, excessive cleaning agent or water remaining on the dosing apparatuses may cause an efficient dosing at the next washing cycle.

In the state of the art Patent Document No. US2969072, a detergent dispenser is disclosed, which is used in dishwashers and which is pivotally mounted to the rack wherein the items to be washed are placed.

In the state of the art Patent Document No. GB2321590, a detergent dispenser is disclosed, which is used in dishwashers and which is attached to the connecting tube delivering water to the spray arms.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher wherein hygiene is ensured in an efficient and safe 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; at least one rack which is disposed in the washing tub; at least one spraying member which sprays water onto the rack; at least one valve which controls the water delivered to the spraying member; and a dosing member which doses an additional cleaning agent into the washing tub. The kitchen items are placed onto the rack. The water is sprayed onto the kitchen items by means of the spraying member. Thus, the dishes are enabled to be cleaned. In addition to the cleaning process, additional cleaning agents such as vinegar, laundry bleach, etc. can be used for hygiene purposes. The additional cleaning agent is delivered into the washing tub by means of the dosing member.

The dishwasher of the present invention comprises a control unit which provides the dosing by controlling the spraying members depending on the position of the dosing member. The dosing process is performed by delivering water onto the dosing member by means of the spraying member. The dosing process is controlled by controlling the water delivered through the spraying member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises an upper spraying member which is disposed on the ceiling of the washing tub, and the control unit which controls the water delivery to the dosing member by means of the upper spraying member. The water delivery is performed by the upper spraying member when the dosing member is positioned on the rack. The water delivered by the upper spraying member is controlled by the control unit by means of the valve. Thus, the time of the dosing process can be controlled.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a lower spraying member which is disposed on the base of the washing tub, and the control unit which controls the operation of only the lower spraying member if no dosing is to be performed. If the dosing of the additional cleaning agent is to be delayed or not to be performed, the control unit operates only the lower spraying member. Thus, the dosing process cannot be realized since no water fills into the dosing member. In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a level sensor which is provided on the dosing member, and the control unit which controls the water filling into the dosing member. By means of the level sensor, the amount of water filling into the dosing member is determined. Thus, before the dosing process, the amount of the dose and the amount of the additional cleaning agent and water to be mixed can be controlled.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one sensor which is provided on the washing tub, and the control unit which determines the amount of chemicals in the washing tub by means of the sensor so as to control the dosing process. If the presence of chemicals is detected in the washing tub, the upper spraying member is not operated, and the additional cleaning agent is not dosed. Thus, chemical residues on the dishes are prevented. The dosing process is performed according to the value measured from the washing tub.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the sensor which is a conductivity sensor. By means of the conductivity sensor, the presence of chemicals in the water can be determined.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the sensor which is a TDS measurement component. By means of the TDS measurement component, the amount of dissolved solids in the water can be determined. Thus, in case of the presence of chemicals, the dosing process is delayed or not performed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one optical sensor which is disposed on the washing tub. By means of the optical sensor, the amount of foam in the washing tub is determined, and the operation of the upper spraying member is controlled depending on the amount of foam. Thus, the dosing process is not performed so as to prevent the amount of foam from increasing.

By means of the present invention, a dishwasher is realized, comprising a dosing member wherein the dosing process is controlled depending on the water delivered.

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 perspective view of the rack.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1- Dishwasher

2- Body

3- Washing tub

4- Rack

5- Spraying member

51 - upper spraying member

52 - lower spraying member

6- Valve

7- Cover

8- Receptacle

9- Dosing member

10- Opening

11- Control unit

12- Level sensor

13 - Sensor

13a - conductivity sensor

13B - TDS measurement component

14- Optic 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; at least one rack (4) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed; at least one spraying member (5) which enables the water to be sprayed onto the rack (4); at least one valve (6) which controls the water delivered to the spraying members (5); and a dosing member (9) which has a cover (7) and a receptacle (8), which is disposed on the rack (4) and which delivers the additional cleaning agent added to the washing tub (3) when filled with water. The kitchen items are placed onto the rack (4). There are two racks (4) in the washing tub (3), that is the lower rack and the upper rack. The water is sprayed onto the kitchen items by means of the spraying members (5), thus performing the cleaning process. The water delivered to the spraying members (5) is controlled by means of the valve (6). By means of the dosing member (9) which can be attached onto the rack (4), additional cleaning agents such as vinegar, laundry bleach, etc. can be dosed. The dosing member (9) has the receptacle (8) and the cover (7). The additional cleaning agent is filled into the receptacle (8).

The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises an opening (10) which is arranged on the cover (7), and a control unit (11) which controls the spraying members (5) depending on the position of the dosing member (9). The dosing member (9) is placed onto the rack (4). By spraying water onto the dosing member (9) by means of the spraying member (5), the receptacle (8) is filled with water through the opening (10). The water is delivered onto the opening (10) by the spraying member (5) under the upper rack (4) when the dosing member (9) is placed onto the lower rack (4) and by the spraying member (5) on the ceiling when the dosing member (9) is placed onto the upper rack (4). The additional cleaning agent is dosed with the filling of the water. The control unit (11) controls the water delivered by the spraying members (5) by means of the valve (6), and thus also controls the water delivered to the dosing member (9). Thus, a controlled dosing process is performed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises an upper spraying member (51) which is disposed on the ceiling of the washing tub (3), and the control unit (11) which controls the water delivery to the dosing member (9) through the opening (10) by means of the upper spraying member (51). As a result of the operation of the upper spraying member (51), the water is filled into the receptacle (8) through the opening (10). The additional cleaning agent in the receptacle (8) mixes with the water to be delivered into the washing tub (3). By controlling the operation of the upper spraying member (51), a controlled dosing process can be performed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a lower spraying member (52) which is disposed on the base of the washing tub (3), and the control unit ()11) which operates only the lower spraying member (52) so as to prevent the dosing of the additional cleaning agent. When the lower spraying member (52) is operated, the water hits the base of the receptacle (8) and cannot reach the opening (10). Thus, the water is prevented from filling into the receptacle (8), and the dosing process is not performed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a level sensor (12) which is provided on the receptacle (8), and the control unit (11) which controls the amount of water filling into the receptacle (8). By means of the level sensor (12) provided on the receptacle (8), the amount of the additional cleaning agent and the amount of the water can be determined. After the amount of water corresponding to the amount of additional cleaning agent predefined on the control unit (11) by the manufacturer, which is enough for the dosing process, fills into the receptacle (8), the upper spraying member (51) is prevented from delivering water. Thus, when the desired additional cleaning agentwater rate is reached, the dosing process is performed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the control unit (11) which detects the presence of chemicals by means of at least one sensor (13) provided in the washing tub (3), and which does not operate the upper spraying member (51) in case the presence of chemicals is detected. The ratio of chemicals can be controlled by measuring the ratio of chemicals in the washing tub (3) by means of the sensor (13). If chemicals remaining from the previous washing processes or added by the user are detected in the washing tub (3), the dosing of the additional cleaning agent is prevented. Thus, the accumulation of excessive chemical residues on the dishes is prevented.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the sensor (13) which is a conductivity sensor (13a). The conductivity sensor (13a) can be used for measuring the amount of chemicals in the washing tub (3). In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the sensor (13) which is a TDS measurement component (13b). By means of the TDS measurement component (13b), the amount of total dissolved solids in the water can be determined. Thus, the dosing process is performed in a controlled manner. In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the control unit (11) which detects the amount of foam by means of at least optical sensor (14) provided in the washing tub (3), and which controls the operation of the upper spraying member (51) depending on the amount of foam. By means of the optical sensor (14), the amount of foam in the washing tub (3) can be determined. Depending on the amount of foam, the dosing process is not performed or is performed very slowly in order to prevent the amount of foam from increasing. When the amount of water delivered to the opening (10) by the upper spraying member (51) decreases, the dosing process is enabled to be performed slowly in small amounts. Thus, the amount of foam is kept under control.

By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized, comprising a dosing member (9) which doses the additional cleaning agent by controlling the spraying members (5). By controlling the dosing process by means of the spraying members (5), the need for using an additional mechanism on the dosing member (9) is eliminated.