Dishwasher

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher ( 1 ) comprising a washing chamber ( 3 ) arranged for holding soiled items to be washed, a filter ( 11 ), a circulation pump ( 37 ), which is operable to create a circulation flow ( 43 ) of washing liquid through the washing chamber ( 3 ), through the filter ( 11 ) and back to the washing chamber ( 3 ). The washing chamber ( 3 ) is such arranged that, when the flow ( 43 ) of washing liquid passes through the washing chamber ( 3 ), soil ( 31 ) is released from the items to be washed and caught in the flow ( 43 ). The filter ( 11 ) is such arranged that, when the flow ( 43 ) of washing liquid with soil ( 31 ) passes through the filter, soil ( 31 ) is separated from the flow ( 43 ) of washing liquid and caught at the filter ( 11 ). The dishwasher ( 1 ) further comprises a soil trap ( 15 ), which is located separate from the circulation flow ( 43 ), and a soil removing unit ( 25, 26 ) comprising a transport unit ( 25 ) for transport of the soil ( 31 ) caught at the filter ( 11 ) into the soil trap ( 15 ).

1 . A dishwasher, comprising a washing chamber arranged for holding soiled items to be washed, a filter, a circulation pump, which is operable to create a circulation flow of washing liquid through the washing chamber, through the filter and back to the washing chamber, wherein the washing chamber is such arranged that, when the flow of washing liquid passes through the washing chamber, soil is released from the items to be washed and caught in the flow, and wherein the filter is such arranged that, when the flow of washing liquid with soil passes through the filter, soil is separated from the flow of washing liquid and caught at the filter, wherein the dishwasher further comprises a soil trap, which is located separate from the circulation flow, and a soil removing unit comprising a transport unit for transport of the soil caught at the filter into the soil trap. 
     
     
         2 . A dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the soil trap is a liquid-tight container for collecting soil. 
     
     
         3 . A dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein an inlet of the soil trap is located at a position above a washing liquid level of the dishwasher. 
     
     
         4 . A dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a filter surface having a filter edge and an inlet of the soil trap arranged adjacent to that filter edge. 
     
     
         5 . A dishwasher according to  claim 4 , wherein the filter surface is inclined sloping downwards away from the inlet of the soil trap. 
     
     
         6 . A dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the transport unit is arranged to push soil caught at the filter surface over the filter surface and into the soil trap. 
     
     
         7 . A dishwasher according to  claim 6 , wherein the transport unit is arranged to flush a fluid substantially parallel to the filter surface for transport of the soil in the fluid into the soil trap. 
     
     
         8 . A dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the soil removing unit comprises a filter cleaning unit, which is arranged to release soil from the filter such that it is more easily caught by the transport unit. 
     
     
         9 . A dishwasher according to  claim 8 , wherein the filter cleaning unit is arranged to force fluid through the filter in a direction opposite to the circulation flow direction for releasing soil. 
     
     
         10 . A dishwasher according to  claim 8 , wherein the main part of the filter is located below the washing liquid level of the dishwasher during the major part of a circulation operation and wherein the filter cleaning unit comprises air or gas outlets arranged for providing bubbles through the filter in a direction opposite the direction of the circulation flow. 
     
     
         11 . A dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter is a fine-mesh filter. 
     
     
         12 . A dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the soil trap comprises a return flow inhibitor to prevent reflow of soil out of the soil trap and back into the circulation flow. 
     
     
         13 . A dishwasher according to  claim 12 , wherein the return flow inhibitor is a hopper shaped trap device. 
     
     
         14 . A dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the soil trap is connected to a drain pump. 
     
     
         15 . A dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter has the shape of a truncated cone and the inlet of the soil trap is a liquid-tight open cylinder located at the centre of the filter.