CN101005787B - Detergent dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine, the device having a cartridge with a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a selecting means to selectively expose each chamber to wash liquor allowing the detergent, in use, to be washed out of the chamber; a manual operating means being movable from a first position to a second position for loading mechanical energy into the device which provides a restoring force for the operating means, and a thermal element to retain the operating means in the second position, the thermal element being arranged to move when subjected to an elevated temperature prevailing in an interior of the machine during a wash cycle, thereby moving the operating means or releasing the operating means, the operating means being arranged to advance the selecting means to an adjacent chamber as the cartridge remains stationary.

Description

Detergent dispensing apparatus

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of detergent dispensing apparatus, be specifically related to a kind of being used for described washing agent to be assigned to detergent dispensing apparatus in automatic dish-washing machine or the rinsing maching in a plurality of cycles of washing.

Background technology

In automatic dish-washing machine, before each washed the dishes operation, usually the washing agent that will be powder, tablet or gel form by the user manually was filled in the machine, specifically is to be filled in the washing agent retainer.

For powder and gel detergent, this filling process is inconvenient, and problem is washing agent is carried out accurate measurement and washing agent may overflow.Promptly use the washing agent (wherein having solved the problem of accurately deciding dosage) of tablet form, still must when washing the dishes the circulation beginning, handle the washing agent that washes the dishes at every turn.This is inappropriate, because the composition of detergent of dish-washing machine has corrosivity usually.

Known multiple device, they are used to keep the composition of detergent or the additive such as detergent tablet of UD, and are used for this UD is assigned to machine.

WO 01/07703 discloses a kind of being used for composition of detergent or the additive device that is discharged into dish-washing machine through metering, this device has a plurality of sealed chamber that are used to keep the separation of composition of detergent or additive, and the device that is used to pierce through described chamber that activates according to the situation in the machine.

WO 03/073906 discloses a kind of self-supporting (free standing) device that is used for the washing agent of multiple dose is assigned to dish-washing machine.This device has platy structure.To there be the round blister package (round blister pack) of a plurality of dosage to be loaded in the packing in its peripheral arranged around.Make up-coiler (winder) then thus rotation distributes the washing agent that surpasses a dosage to load enough mechanical energy to device.During the rising temperature in device stands dish-washing machine, hot operated latch moves and with ratchet mechanism described blister package is moved then, thereby prepares to distribute the washing agent of next dosage.For dispense detergent, perhaps pierce through blister package, perhaps dosage is sprayed from the compartment in the blister package.

WO 03/073907 discloses a kind of self-supporting distributor of analogous shape.For dispense detergent, manual operation one control lever comes mobile blister package, thereby or with the compartment ejection of washing agent in the blister package, perhaps pierce through blister package.Play junior one door or baffle plate (flap) and prevent that the washing lotion in the machine from entering the washing agent that exposes.One bimetal strip is arranged to: described door or baffle plate are moved, entering the washing agent that exposes to allow washing lotion, thereby washing agent is distributed to machine.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, a kind of tube that is used for the detergent dispensing apparatus of autowash is provided, this distributor distributes many doses, in each cycles of washing of continuous cycles of washing, distribute a doses, this device has the alternative pack that washing lotion optionally is directed to every doses, this tube is roughly cylindrical arrangement and has a plurality of chambers, each described chamber housing washing agent, and the washing lotion with the top that is positioned at tube in erected configuration enters the mouth, and at least one outlet towards the bottom of described tube that is used for washing agent and washing lotion, the axis of tubular roughly is vertical in described erected configuration.

This provides a kind of tube, and wherein washing lotion can be directed into inlet, and washes washing agent downwards and washing agent is gone out from outlet by this chamber.This and prior art form contrast, and be as broad as long between the entrance and exit in the prior art.Washing lotion only is to be arranged to flood the zone that holds washing agent.Therefore, the invention provides a kind of mode of more effectively from described chamber, removing washing agent.

Preferably, each washing lotion inlet all is provided with dam portion.Even this can guarantee that low amounts of water inadvertently is directed to unselected chamber, described dam portion can stop that also this water arrives washing agent.What only occur when selecting chamber very big mobilely just is enough to cross this dam portion.

Described outlet can be positioned in the diapire of described tube.Described outlet also can be in the bottom be positioned at the sidewall of described tube.This outlet extends axially along described sidewall, and it can be the groove of elongation in the case, or a succession of discontinuous opening.Outlet can alternatively be the combination of any above-mentioned structure.

Preferably, Tong axial length is greater than its diameter.Compare with " dish type " structure of prior art, this tube will have " cup-shaped " structure.The volume ratio one type of prior art syringe of this tube is much smaller.Therefore, see from the angle of buying and more attract the consumer.This also has such benefit in use, and promptly it takies less space in dish-washing machine, occupies the position of single cup, rather than as occupying the position of one or more dishes in the prior art.

Each chamber preferably is roughly wedge shape, the space maximum that the washing agent in the device can be used.This wedge shape edge place is within it cut flat to hold described alternative pack.Washing agent can be arranged in and occupy whole described chamber when watching in the sagittal plane.But, preferably, having at least one downwards by the axially extended path of this chamber, this path does not have washing agent.The form in this path can be the gap between the radial outer wall of the radially outermost edges of washing agent and compartment.Alternatively or in addition, one or more holes can extend through washing agent itself downwards.

Each chamber can be divided into a plurality of compartments, and each compartment all leads to this entrance and exit.If washing agent is two parts product that comprises two kinds of compositions that react to each other, then this set is necessary.

The present invention also expands to tube that comprises according to a first aspect of the invention and the detergent dispensing apparatus that is used for washing lotion optionally is directed to the alternative pack of described chamber.

Preferably, this device has the public outlet of all chambers, and this outlet only roughly allows way flow.

Described outlet can be provided with the check valve that allows described one-way flow.Yet described outlet preferably is provided with the zigzag path that allows described one-way flow, like this can be for example by molded and easily in this device, constructing a path during the manufacturing of described device.Preferably, described outlet has a plurality of dividing plates that are used to make the liquid that enters described outlet to turn back to flow out described outlet.

Preferably, described tube separates with described outlet.Like this, if a spot of washing lotion enters described outlet, this washing lotion will be contained in the space, thereby prevent that it from entering unselected chamber.

This alternative pack can be any parts that can select the washing agent in the adjacent chamber by it.For example, it can be the mechanism that is used for piercing through or peel off the diaphragm seal of compartment.

This alternative pack can be anyly to be used for optionally making chamber to be exposed to mechanism under the cleaning solution washing lotion in the machine.But preferably, this alternative pack has opening, and this opening optionally aligns with each chamber.For example, this alternative pack can comprise the film that comprises this opening, and this film can be along moving to align with chamber point-blank or rotatably.But preferably, this alternative pack comprises the mouth of pipe (spout), and this mouth of pipe may rotate to the register with each chamber.This mouth of pipe is preferably designed so that and stops washing lotion to enter unselected chamber.

Preferably, this device is provided with the funnel that leads to this alternative pack.This can increase the amount of the washing lotion in the chamber that can be directed into selection.

Described alternative pack or tube can manually move.In other words, described moving can be controlled by the user fully.Perhaps described device can be automatic fully,, carries out in continuous cycles of washing that multiple dosage distributes and the intervention that do not need the user that is, as disclosed among for example WO 01/07703 and the WO03/073906.Perhaps described device can be " semi-automatic ".In this case, some that needs the user in the operating period of described machine gets involved to move described guiding parts or tube, subsequently it reset.Perhaps can reset described guiding parts or tube, move it subsequently the operating period of described machine user.

Under the situation of automatics or semiautomatic plant, described device preferably is arranged to the parameter (for example, pH, electrical conductivity of water, water quality, door operation) that the operating period at described machine exists is reacted.

Preferably, described device comprises that thermal reaction element and described parameter are temperature.Described thermal reaction element can be any in memory metal/memorial alloy, thermo bimetal, bimetallic snap element (snapelement), shape-memory polymer or the wax motor (wax motor).Described element is preferably designed at (more preferably between 38 ℃ to 40 ℃) between 25 ℃ and 55 ℃ and reacts.Described element can be designed to react as early as possible, if described device has manually reset and must automatically move, more than just may be essential.Yet if described device moves automatically and resets by described thermal element, described thermal element preferably has hysteresis effect (historisis effect).

This has postponed the operation of described thermal element, thereby guarantees that described device can not reset at the early part of the cycles of washing of described machine, but only just resets when in a single day described machine executes whole washing process.

This can realize with multitude of different ways.

At first, thermal element can be designed so that it has hysteresis effect (based on time and/or temperature).Described like this thermal element activates when cycles of washing begins.Yet, (for Temperature Hysteresis Effect), described thermal element is designed so that the not enough so that described element inactivation (de-activate) of the temperature that reduces between cycles of washing and rinse cycle, thereby can not take place to activate again when rinse cycle begins.In this case, described thermal element preferably has about 38 ℃ to 45 ℃ activationary temperature and about 25 ℃ to 33 ℃ deactivation temperature.

For effect time lag, described thermal element is designed so that it only can be activated once during dishwasher cycle.Normally from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Can realize the Temperature Hysteresis Effect simulated by an outer cover (jacket) is set around the described thermal element.Described outer cover is intended to charge into hot washing lotion from cycles of washing.Described outer cover preferably has little outlet opening.This little outlet opening means that between cycles of washing and rinse cycle in the relative colder stage, described outer cover keeps most of described hot washing lotions, this means that described thermal element can inactivation during this colder stage.

Can mechanically realize another hysteresis effect.In this case, for example by using two ratchet mechanisms that described thermal element can be reacted to both variations in temperature.Yet two ratchet mechanisms only mean that first activates circulation and make the described opening of chamber of described device change; Second ratchet makes second activation invalid.

For the wax motor, the fusing of wax itself and solidify character and can be used for lagging behind is solidified with fusing and is compared slowly because the wax of some type shows as it.

And, can prevent that the wax motor from carrying out second water collector that moves (having little/slow dewatering orifice) and realizing hysteresis effect by the weight of utilizing the water of collecting for the wax motor.This water collector preferably 20 minutes to one hour in the turned letter.

If described chamber comprises washing agent and rinse aids, the both is used for being discharged into their circulations separately, and it is favourable then activating described thermal element in two circulations.

Usually self-winding parts comprises the mechanism that resets that adapts to this possibility, and described possibility is that the consumer is interrupted the operation of autowash during cycles of washing.

Under the situation of hand-operating device or " semi-automatic " device, manual-operating mechanism can constitute the hand operated by the user, perhaps can constitute the door operation by described machine.

Described guiding parts or described tube can be arranged to removable to select detergent doses.Yet preferably, described guiding parts is arranged to removable, because required like this energy is littler than moving the described required energy that is filled with washing agent.

Described device is preferred for automatic dish-washing machine.Therefore described washing agent most preferably comprises the automatic dish-washing machine washing agent.The example of described automatic dish-washing machine washing agent comprises the conventional washing agent, and " 2 close 1 " and " 3 close 1 " modification.Most preferably, described washing agent comprises solid.In the context of the present invention, described term " solid " can be considered the gel that comprises curing and traditional solid material (for example fusion/cross-linked material of Ya Suo granular materials and curing).

The prescription of described washing agent (formulation) generally includes one or more in the following component: builder, common builder, surfactant, bleaching agent, bleach activator, bleaching catalyst, enzyme, polymer, stain, colorant, aromatic, water and organic solvent.

The optional detergent additives that comprises of described washing agent.Should be understood that in the different piece of dish-washing machine washing circulation comparing with washing agent to need detergent additives (for example rinse cycle needs the rinse aids detergent additives).

In fact, the continuous cavity of described tube can be filled different composition of detergent.For example, be used for to comprise " washing prescription ", and second chamber of contiguous described for simplicity first chamber location can comprise and is used for the rinse aids prescription that distributes in the rinse cycle of automatic dish-washing machine at first chamber that the cycles of washing of dish-washing machine is distributed.

Described chamber can be divided into sub-chamber, once has a sub-chamber to be exposed to described washing lotion, with the stability of the incompatible composition (that is, enzyme and bleaching agent) of guaranteeing described washing agent.

Should be understood that in the described situation of above paragraph, described first and second chambers can vary in size, to adapt to their different purposes.

Described washing agent can add described tube to by any suitable method.Described washing agent can by manually, cast (casting) or injection moulding adds described tube to.

Suitable injection moulding process has been described in UK Patent Application No 0323659.3 and UK Patent Application No 0415786.3.

Preferably, described device comprises the indicating mechanism of how many chamber residues (that is, still being full of washing agent) of the described tube of expression, thereby the user knows when need to change.The preferred form of indicating mechanism is included in the mark that can be seen by the consumer on the described tube.This mark can comprise the numeral of the relevant setting of one or more described chamber of a series of and described tube.Thereby this mark may need a window to be seen by the consumer.Described mark randomly can be relevant with fixing sign, thereby clearly indicate the relevant portion of described mark.

Described mark is optional can to adopt Color Scheme (for example, follow the mode of traffic signal lamp system, redness is represented the only less chamber of volume residual, quantity in the middle of the yellow expression and a large amount of chambers of green expression residue).

Common described device comprises that " end-of-life " indicator is to represent when described tube is used up.Usually described " end-of-life " indicator provides two functions: at first it emphasizes that to the consumer described tube needs to change, and secondly it prevents the further actuating of described tube.

Described " end-of-life " indicator can be the part (as mentioned above) of described indicating mechanism.Perhaps it can comprise independent indicator.

When adding the creeling of new tube/more to described device, described " end-of-life " indicator does not usually act on.This does not act on can be automatically, perhaps needs manual input.

Description of drawings

Hereinafter with reference to the example of attached explanation, in the accompanying drawings according to tube of the present invention and device:

Fig. 1 (a), Fig. 1 (b) and Fig. 1 (c) are stereogram, exploded perspective view and the sectional views according to first embodiment of detergent dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 2 (a) to Fig. 2 (c) be stereogram and sectional block diagram according to second embodiment of detergent dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 3 (a) to Fig. 3 (d) be stereogram and sectional block diagram according to the 3rd embodiment of detergent dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 4 (a) to Fig. 4 (e) be stereogram and sectional block diagram according to the 4th embodiment of detergent dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 5 (a) to Fig. 5 (e) be stereogram and sectional block diagram according to the 5th embodiment of detergent dispensing apparatus of the present invention.

The specific embodiment

Device of the present invention can be the self-supporting device that inserts dish-washing machine removably, perhaps can form for example part of door of dish-washing machine.

Fig. 1 (a) is to Fig. 1 (c) expression detergent dispensing apparatus 1.Device 1 comprises housing 2, and this housing 2 is to have and covers 3 and the drum forms of base portion 4.

In housing 2, be furnished with tube 5.Tube 5 is also based on a cylinder.Tube 5 has center hub 6 and periphery 7.Be furnished with a plurality of branches (limb) 8 that extend to periphery 7 from hub 6 with even interval.Branch 8 is used for the central authorities of tube 5 are divided into a plurality of wedge shape chambers 9.Branch 8 extends to always and covers 3, thereby described chamber is separated from each other.Shown in figure in clearly have 14 chambers 9, should be understood that chamber quantity can with illustrate different.

Described chamber is used to fill the composition of detergent (not shown).

The periphery 7 of each chamber 9 has a plurality of discharge orifices 10.

Lid 3 can be with respect to the remainder and tube 5 rotations of housing 2.Lid 3 has the axle 11 of cooperating (co-operate) with the hub 6 of tube 5.Described lid is combined with ingate 12, and this ingate 12 in use is used for washing lotion is imported the particular chamber of tube 5.

In use, described drop cloth is set to and makes ingate 12 contiguous suitable chambers 9 arrange.This can fully manually finish or finish by the automatic element that use will be described in following example.Device 1 can be inserted autowash (for example automatic dish-washing machine) then.In use, by ingate 12 washing lotion is imported adjacent cavity 9.The washing lotion that enters contacts with any washing agent of existence in the chamber 9, and by one of them discharge orifice 10 washing agent is washed out chamber 9.The washing lotion of Jia Zaiing flows through the space between tube 5 and the housing 2 like this, and leaves housing 2 by unidirectional dispensing orifice 13, and unidirectional dispensing orifice 13 in use is positioned at the bottom of housing.

As shown in the figure, unidirectional dispensing orifice 13 is realized this function by arranging dividing plate 14, and these dividing plates 14 distribute the liquid that is loaded with washing agent from installing 1 under the gravity effect.Yet any washing lotion by hole 13 accesss to plant 1 is totally all turned back by hole 13 under spacer function.Overall the flowing downward of passing this device also is used to wash out any unwanted like this flowing.Between the bottom of tube 5 and base portion 4, be provided with the gap, thus the washing agent in the non-selected chamber keep with housing bottom in liquid (unwanted backflow or by selected chamber mobile) separate.

Fig. 2 (a) is to second embodiment of Fig. 2 (c) expression detergent dispensing apparatus 1.Identical with first embodiment, housing 2 and tube 5 be circular/columnar.Housing 2 has on the basket that is used to be attached in the machine with the upright clip 2A of holding device.Described tube has and structure like first example class, and difference will be in following elaboration.The main difference of comparing with first example is, has replaced manual rotatable lid 3 by more complicated mechanism.

Tube 5 can not be with respect to lid 3 rotations.What the permission washing lotion that replaces entered chamber 9 is that described device comprises the collection funnel 21 with the rotatable guiding mouth of pipe 22 cooperations.

In operation, the washing lotion that enters is collected in the funnel 21 and can flows to the guiding mouth of pipe 22.The guiding mouth of pipe 22 has the lead mouth of pipe outlet 23 of single chamber 9 of washing lotion.For continuous cycles of washing/continuous operation, make the funnel 21 and the guiding mouth of pipe 22 all with respect to tube 5 rotations, thereby can insert continuous chamber 9.

In order to realize the rotation of funnel 21, the user overcomes biasing spring 25 and push button 24.When push button 24, the projection that is attached to button 24 26 on the arm 27 engages with groove 28 in the central opening that is arranged in funnel 21.Button 24 non-rotatably is installed in and covers in 3, and because the vertical axis of groove 28 and hub 6 tilts an angle, so pressing of button 24 makes the funnel 21 (with the relevant guiding mouth of pipe 22) that is bearing on the bogie wheel 21A rotate in housing 2.

The rotation of funnel 21 in housing 2 makes the washing lotion that enters can enter the continuous cavity 9 of tube 5 (that is, groove 28, projection 26 and arm 27 are arranged to: pressing fully of action button 24 causes funnel 21 rotations, thereby makes continuous cavity 9 reach operating position).

For how many chambers that helps the user to understand tube 5 also remains, lid 3 comprises window 29.By window 29, the considerable part of seeing funnel 21 of user.Viewed part preferably comprise with use in the quantity of chamber 9 or the relevant numeral of quantity of remaining chamber 9 (that is the chamber 9 that, still contains washing agent).

Biasing spring 25 preferably includes bimetallic material.In use, when pressing the button 24 before cycles of washing begins, button 24 does not return its initial position.Thisly do not return the unexpected multiple operation that function helps anti-locking apparatus 1.When finishing near cycles of washing, because the temperature in rinsing and/or the drying cycles increases, spring 25 activated and makes button 24 return its initial position.

When button 24 returns its initial position, prevent the contrary rotation of funnel 21 by two mechanisms.At first, the ratchet mechanism (not shown) prevents rotation.Secondly, arm 27 preferably has elasticity, thereby described arm curves inwardly and do not engage with groove 28 when moving upward.

When the last chamber 9 of tube 5 placed its operating position, the guiding mouth of pipe 22 engaged with " not-go-end portion (end-stop) ", thereby funnel 21 can not be further rotated.In this position, if action button 24, then projection 26 is only by the deflection of arm 27 and cross groove 28.

When last chamber 9 has used, the replaceable tube 5 of user.

As obviously seeing among Fig. 2 (c), different among tube 5 structure and Fig. 1.Specifically, the inlet 5A that leads to each chamber 9 no longer is positioned at the end wall place of tube, but is positioned at towards the place, top of the wall of the radial inward of hub 6, thereby aims at the mouth of pipe 22.Between inlet 5A and washing agent 5C, be provided with the 5B of dam portion (weir), contact with washing agent with the low amounts of water of the non-selected chamber 9 that prevents to lead.Replace axially spaced discharge orifice 10 by the single hole 5D in the chamber bottom surface.For the overall flow that helps washing lotion by chamber 9, between the radially outermost edge of washing agent 5C and tins 5 inwall, have space 5E.In addition, being provided with one or more axially extended through hole 5F in washing agent flows helping.

And for the one-way flow of bleeder bottom is provided, outlet 13 is at this moment towards the periphery of device and with respect to the sizable amount of outlet 5D radial deflection.And dividing plate 14 passes outlet 13 with any unwanted backflow guiding.

Fig. 3 (a) is to the 3rd embodiment of Fig. 3 (d) expression detergent dispensing apparatus 1.Identical with first and second embodiment, housing 2 and tube 5 be circular/columnar.This device has and the similar mouth of pipe of second embodiment and tube.Yet, the mode difference of action button.

Device 1 has the guiding mouth of pipe 22 that is the ratchet form (the guiding mouth of pipe 22 is preferred to be cooperated with collection funnel 21 (not shown, but as Fig. 2 (a) to as shown in 2 (c))).The guiding mouth of pipe has mouth of pipe outlet.The washing lotion that enters in operation is collected in the funnel, and can flow to single chamber 9 via the guiding mouth of pipe.For continuous cycles of washing/continuous operation, make the guiding mouth of pipe 22 with respect to tube 5 rotations, thereby can enter continuous chamber 9.

With reference to a series of situations this operation is described from Fig. 3 (b) to Fig. 3 (d).Button 24 is designed to by engaging with dish washing machine door rather than operating to the hand of the operator shown in 2 (c) by Fig. 2 (a).This device need be positioned in the machine like this, so that door presses the button when closing.

In Fig. 3 (b), dish washing machine door is opened and dish-washing machine is cold.At this state, user's household utensil of can packing in dish-washing machine needs ground often to open and close dish washing machine door to load dish-washing machine fully to the greatest extent.

When dish washing machine door was closed for the first time, action button 24 was pressed (button 24 is spring biased away from device) and remains on down state (seeing Fig. 3 (c)) under the effect of the first arm 30A.

The first arm 30A and bimetal strip 31 are operated in combination.Bimetal strip 31 is the form that is installed in the blade (blade) that covers on 3.Bimetal strip 31 has from its bar 32 of extending of mounting end not.

The first arm 30A ends at flange 33.

When door was closed (thereby button 24 is moved towards device 1), arm 30A inwardly moved towards bimetal strip 31.Flange 33 process bar 32 rears also engage.This joint is locked in the appropriate location with action button 24: further opening of dish washing machine door can not make button 24 move.

Shown in Fig. 3 (d), the operation of dish-washing machine begins.As the result of operation (temperature rising), bimetal strip 31 becomes its condition of high temperature.Such effect is: bar 32 moves up to it away from the first arm 30A and no longer engages with flange 33.

Because flange 33 no longer engages with bar 32, so arm 30A is displaced sideways.In case this moment, dish washing machine door was opened, action button 24 just can move freely.Thereby when dish washing machine door was opened, button 24 moved away from device under the effect of back-moving spring (not shown).

The second arm 30B (being attached on the button 24) that is bar pawl (lever pawl) form engages with the guiding mouth of pipe 22.Button 24 and appended outwards moving of arm 30B are moved further the guiding mouth of pipe 22.The orientation of the guiding mouth of pipe 22 changes like this, thereby places operating position in order to next dishwasher cycle the new chamber 9 of tube 5.

If dish-washing machine is not opened (thereby cooling) in a period of time, then mobile anti-stopping bar 32 and the flange 33 by arm 30A process bar 32 engages (this engages possibility again because bimetal strip 31 is got back to mobile the causing that its low temperature is constructed) again.

When the second arm 30B and the disengaging of the described mouth of pipe, the 3rd arm 30C provides the biasing force of the opposing mouth of pipe 22 to prevent the contrary rotation of the mouth of pipe.

When all chambers 9 of tube 5 have used, be moved further by the projection (not shown) of guiding on the mouth of pipe 22 and engaging of the pawl (not shown) mouth of pipe 22 (thereby prevent tin 5) that prevents to lead.

Fig. 4 (a) is to the 4th embodiment of Fig. 4 (e) expression detergent dispensing apparatus 1.

The 4th embodiment and the 3rd embodiment are closely similar.To only describe essential distinction in detail.Equally, the washing agent tube as mentioned above.

The main distinction is the operation of arm 30A and 30B and the operation of bimetal strip 31.

With reference to a series of situations this operation is described from Fig. 4 (a) to Fig. 4 (e).

In Fig. 4 (a), dish-washing machine is cold and dish washing machine door is opened.

In Fig. 4 (b), dish washing machine door is closed.Arm 30B engages and makes 22 rotations of the guiding mouth of pipe with the guiding mouth of pipe 22, thereby makes the new chamber 9 of tube 5 reach operating position.

Shown in Fig. 4 (b), the flange 33 on the arm 30A engages with the bar 32 that covers in 3.This of flange 33 and bar 32 engages and prevent that button 24 when dish washing machine door is opened, for example is moved further during cycles of washing.

Device 1 comprises the bimetal strip 31 that is the bent stick form, and this bar centers on first installation portion 34A bending (loop) and is installed in around it, and against the second installation portion 34B.

During cycles of washing, when the temperature in the machine raise, bimetal strip 31 became its high temperature configuration, and process arm 30A also falls to its rear, thereby engages (Fig. 4 (c) and Fig. 4 (d)) with flange 33.

When machine cooled off after cycles of washing, bimetal strip 31 returned its low temperature structure.This moment, it made flange 33 and bar 32 break away from (Fig. 4 (e)).By this disengaging, button 24 moves freely away from device 1.Thereby arm 30B moves with respect to the guiding mouth of pipe 22, makes device 1 be next ready for operation.

The modification of the thermal control structure that Fig. 5 (a) can use with device of the present invention to Fig. 5 (e) expression.

This structure comprises the action button 24 that is connected to arm 30 (but manual operation or by door operation).But the element of arm 30 operating means 1 or restriction to the operation of button 24 can only be provided.This arm has heel (heel) 36.

Bimetallic element 31 (form that is snap disk (snap disc) herein) has relative framework 37.

Framework 37 comprises arm 38 and pawl 39.

Frame arm 38 is connected to the central authorities of snap disk 31.Part along frame arm 38 is furnished with pivot 40.Pawl 39 is positioned at the other end of frame arm 38.

Pawl 39 is arranged around the heel 36 of arm 30.Pawl 39 has and is intended to and heel 36 synergistic lower tooth 41A and last tooth 41B.Last tooth 41B is arranged to more farther apart from pivot 40 than lower tooth 41A.

In use, overcome biasing spring 25 and press the button 24.This makes arm 30 move with respect to pawl 39, thereby heel 36 engages (overcoming biasing spring 42) at lower tooth 41A place.Whether as the result of this joint, button 24 remains on its actuated position, and open and/or whether the user attempts further to activate irrelevant with dish washing machine door.

When dish-washing machine was operated, the temperature of dish-washing machine increased, thereby the temperature of whole device 1 increases.Because this temperature increases, snap disk 31 becomes its high temperature configuration.This change raises the part that is connected to snap disk 31 of frame arm 38.The other end of frame arm 38 reduces (pivoting around pivot 40), thereby pawl 39 reduces.Such effect is: make the cut-out that engages of heel 36 and lower tooth 41A.Heel 36 biased springs 42 tooth 41B promotion up then, thus heel 36 engages with last tooth 41B.

Finish and during dishwasher cools down (may opening by means of dish washing machine door), snap disk 31 returns back to its low temperature structure in dishwasher cycle.Such effect is: go up tooth 41B and raise away from heel 36, up to the engage disconnection of heel 36 with last tooth 41B.

Because heel 36 no longer is subjected to confining force, so the biasing spring that acts on the button 24 can push back to its unactuated position with button 24.

Claims (28)

1. the removable tube of a detergent dispensing apparatus that is used for autowash, this distributor distributes many doses, each cycles of washing is distributed a doses in continuous cycles of washing, and this device has the alternative pack that washing lotion optionally is directed to every doses:

This tube is roughly cylindrical arrangement and has a plurality of chambers, each chamber housing washing agent, and the washing lotion with the top that is positioned at tube in erected configuration enters the mouth, and towards this at least one outlet that is used for washing agent and washing lotion of bottom, the axis of this tubular roughly is vertical in described erected configuration

Wherein, there is at least one axially extended downward path that does not have washing agent by each chamber.

2. removable tube according to claim 1, wherein, each washing lotion inlet all is provided with dam portion.

3. removable tube according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, at least one outlet is positioned in this diapire.

4. removable tube according to claim 1, wherein, at least one exports in the bottom is positioned at this sidewall.

5. removable tube according to claim 1, wherein, at least one exports along the sidewall axial location.

6. removable tube according to claim 1, wherein, this axial length is greater than its diameter.

7. removable tube according to claim 1, wherein, each chamber is roughly wedge shape.

8. removable tube according to claim 1, wherein, this path is formed by the gap between the radial outer wall of the radially outermost edges of washing agent and this compartment.

9. according to claim 1 or the described removable tube of claim 8, wherein, one or more holes extend through washing agent downwards to form described path.

10. removable tube according to claim 1, wherein, each chamber is separated into a plurality of compartments, and each compartment all leads to described entrance and exit.

11. a detergent dispensing apparatus, this detergent dispensing apparatus comprise according to described removable tube of aforementioned each claim and the alternative pack that washing lotion optionally is directed to described chamber.

12. device according to claim 11, this device also comprise the public outlet of leaving this device that is communicated with all described outlets of described tube, this outlet only allows way flow.

13. device according to claim 12, wherein, described public outlet is provided with crooked route to allow way flow.

14. according to claim 12 or the described device of claim 13, wherein, described public outlet has a plurality of dividing plates that are used to make the liquid that enters described outlet to turn back to flow out described outlet.

15. device according to claim 11, wherein, described tube is spaced apart with described public outlet.

16. device according to claim 11, wherein, described alternative pack has the opening that optionally aligns with each chamber.

17. device according to claim 16, wherein, described alternative pack comprises the mouth of pipe that may rotate to the register of corresponding chamber.

18. device according to claim 17, wherein, the described mouth of pipe is arranged to stop washing lotion to enter unselected chamber.

19. device according to claim 11, wherein, described device is provided with the funnel that leads to described alternative pack.

20. device according to claim 11, wherein, described alternative pack or tube can manually move to select chamber subsequently.

21. device according to claim 11, wherein, described alternative pack or tube can move automatically to select chamber subsequently.

22. device according to claim 11, wherein, user intervention is necessary for mobile described alternative pack or tube, and this alternative pack or tube are reset during machine operation then.

23. device according to claim 11, wherein, user intervention is necessary for reset described alternative pack or tube, and this alternative pack or tube are moved during machine operation then.

24. device according to claim 21, wherein, this device is arranged to the parameter that the operating period at described rinsing maching produces is reacted.

25. device according to claim 24, wherein, this device comprises thermal reaction element, and described parameter is a temperature.

26. device according to claim 20, wherein, this device construction becomes to be operated by user's hand.

27. device according to claim 20, wherein, this device construction becomes by the door of machine to operate.

28. device according to claim 11, wherein, described guide member is arranged to removable, and this is static.

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