CN112442863A

CN112442863A - Washing container for washing machine and washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN112442863A
Application number: CN202010920632.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗兰·迈耶; 赫贝特·斯顿; 迈克尔·谢克尔
Original assignee: PAS Deutschland GmbH
Current assignee: PAS Deutschland GmbH
Priority date: 2019-09-05
Filing date: 2020-09-04
Publication date: 2021-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-04
Also published as: DE202019104898U1; EP3789528A1; PL3789528T3; CN112442863B; EP3789528B1

Abstract

A rinse container for a washing machine, having three chambers which extend substantially side by side along the longitudinal extension of the rinse container, wherein a first chamber of the chambers and a second chamber of the chambers are separated from one another by a first separating wall and the second chamber and a third chamber of the chambers are separated from one another by a second separating wall, wherein a first valve is provided at the end of the first chamber, a second valve is provided at the end of the second chamber and a third valve is provided at the end of the third chamber, wherein the valves are each designed for cooperation with a corresponding interface on the washing machine, wherein a removable cartridge is provided in the first chamber and the first valve is fixed on the cartridge. Furthermore, a washing machine with such a rinsing container is disclosed.

Description

Washing container for washing machine and washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing container for a washing machine and a washing machine having the same.

Background

The rinse container is an important component of the washing machine. In this respect, it is desirable that the rinsing container can be filled with both powdered and liquid detergent. On the other hand, it should be possible to operate the washing machine in an automatic mode, in which it is only necessary to refill the washing agent at relatively large intervals. It is also desirable to make it as simple as possible for a user to fill the washing machine with detergent for a single washing course and detergent for multiple washing courses.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide an improved rinsing container and a corresponding washing machine having such a rinsing container. In this case, it should be possible in particular to fill in powdered detergent, to fill in liquid detergent for the automatic mode and, in addition, optionally also to use special liquid detergent.

This object is achieved by a rinse container for a washing machine having three chambers which extend substantially side by side along the longitudinal extension of the rinse container, wherein a first chamber of the chambers and a second chamber of the chambers are separated from one another by a first separating wall and a second chamber of the chambers and a third chamber of the chambers are separated from one another by a second separating wall, wherein a first valve is provided at the end of the first chamber, a second valve is provided at the end of the second chamber and a third valve is provided at the end of the third chamber, wherein the valves are each designed for cooperation with a corresponding interface on the washing machine, wherein a removable cartridge (Kartushe) is provided in the first chamber and the first valve is fixed on the cartridge.

One feature of the rinse container is that the first chamber is capable of containing a special detergent when inserted into the cartridge and a powdered detergent when removed from the cartridge. This allows increased flexibility in the use of the washing agent without increasing the required installation space. The one chamber, preferably a plurality of chambers, and particularly preferably all chambers, can extend from a front region of the rinsing container into a rear region of the rinsing container, i.e. in particular from a front side of the rinsing container to a rear side of the rinsing container.

In a preferred embodiment, a sensor is arranged below at least one chamber and a transmitter is arranged inside the chamber, so that the liquid level in the chamber can be determined by the interaction of the sensor and the transmitter.

This embodiment allows a reliable determination of the liquid level in the chamber. Furthermore, a plurality of chambers or all chambers of the rinsing container can be equipped with such a combination of sensors and transmitters.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sensor is arranged in a recess on the underside of the rinsing container.

This embodiment allows a particularly space-saving arrangement of the sensor, wherein the sensor is also protected as far as possible against possible damage.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sensor is designed as a magnetic reed sensor and/or the transmitter is designed as a float, the float in particular having a magnet.

This embodiment makes technically simple determination of the liquid level possible, which can also be carried out very precisely. If the transmitter is designed as a float and has a magnet, the magnetic reed sensor can determine the liquid level from the detected magnetic field strength.

In a further preferred embodiment, a first sensor is arranged below the first chamber, a second sensor is arranged below the second chamber, a third sensor is arranged below the third chamber, a first transmitter is arranged in the first chamber, a second transmitter is arranged in the second chamber, and a third transmitter is arranged in the third chamber.

This embodiment makes it possible to simply measure the liquid level in all three chambers.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transmitter and/or the first transmitter is/are arranged in the magazine.

This embodiment is inexpensive, since even in the case of a plurality of cartridges, the sensor has to be arranged only once on the rinsing container, and only the transmitter, which can be designed very simply and inexpensively in terms of construction, is arranged inside the cartridge.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transmitter and/or the first transmitter is/are arranged on a guide pin which runs essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension.

This embodiment is particularly cost-effective, since the guide pin on the one hand ensures reliable guidance of the transmitter or the first transmitter and on the other hand can be produced easily, in particular by injection molding.

In a further preferred embodiment, a narrowing element is provided within the cartridge, said narrowing element braking the fluid flow within the cartridge along the longitudinal extension.

This design prevents or reduces sloshing of the fluid in the cartridge, i.e. e.g. of the liquid detergent in the cartridge. Typically, such shaking occurs, for example, when a user pulls the rinse container out of the washing machine.

In a further preferred embodiment, the narrowing element has a wall element which is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension and narrows a cross section of the cartridge perpendicular to the longitudinal extension for the fluid.

This design of the narrowing element is technically easy to implement and effective.

In another preferred design, the narrowing element has two portions projecting from two opposing walls of the cartridge substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal extension, and overlapping each other in particular in a viewing direction along the longitudinal extension.

This design of the narrowing element is technically simple to implement and is particularly effective. Here, it is ensured that the user can fill the magazine as usual and no jamming is caused, although shaking is effectively reduced or prevented.

In a further preferred embodiment, the rinsing container has a sensor unit which checks the presence of the magazine and the correct placement of the magazine.

This embodiment ensures that the washing operation with the aid of the magazine can be carried out without problems.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sensor unit has a first sensor element which checks whether the magazine is present and a second sensor element which checks whether the magazine is correctly placed, wherein the first sensor element is spaced apart from the second sensor element along the longitudinal extension.

The design scheme is realized as follows: the user is qualitatively informed of the type of operation identified and/or possible errors. For this purpose, in particular the first sensor element is positioned further forward with respect to the longitudinal extension than the second sensor element. If the first sensor element determines that the magazine is not present, an operating mode without a magazine, in particular an operating mode with powdered detergent, is activated. If the first sensor element determines the presence of a cartridge and the second sensor element determines the correct placement of the cartridge, the type of operation with the cartridge, in particular with a particular detergent, is activated. If the first sensor element determines that the magazine is present, but the second sensor element determines that the magazine is not correctly positioned, the user is instructed to: it is clearly desirable to have a magazine of the type of operation, but the placement of the magazine makes it impractical. Alternatively, if the first sensor element determines that the magazine is not present, but the second sensor element determines that the magazine is correctly placed, a problem with the sensor element is indicated to the user.

In a further preferred embodiment, the bottom of the chamber, which is located on the rim of the rinsing container, rises perpendicular to the longitudinal extension and the height of the chamber decreases towards the rim.

This embodiment advantageously achieves that: the provided structural space is fully utilized. Therefore, in this design: the rinsing container can be higher on a first side oriented towards the outside of the washing machine than on a second side oriented towards the inside of the washing machine, since the washing drum is located there. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the structural height of the washing machine for an increased volume.

In a further preferred embodiment, a partition is provided in the chamber, into which the liquid located in the chamber does not flow, which partition is open upward and can accommodate a locking tongue provided in the upper side of the rinsing container if it is pressed toward the lower side of the rinsing container.

This embodiment allows the integration of a locking tongue which forms a stop when the rinsing container is pulled out of the washing machine in a simple manner. The locking tongue is arranged in such a way that it initially releases only the flushing container when it is pulled out, so that the user can refill the detergent. If the user presses the tongue downwards, the rinsing container is unlocked and can be pulled completely out of the washing machine. Since the chamber is arranged below the locking tongue, the locking tongue can be designed in a structurally simple manner, since the sealing with respect to the chamber takes place by means of the partition. The partition is preferably designed as a wall element, which is in particular U-shaped in a plan view from above.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first separating wall has a first stretch, a first transverse stretch and a further first stretch, wherein the first stretch begins in the front region of the rinsing container, extends substantially along the longitudinal extension and merges into the first transverse stretch, the first transverse stretch extends at an angle to the longitudinal extension and merges into the further first stretch, and the further first stretch extends substantially along the longitudinal extension and terminates in the rear region of the rinsing container.

This design is implemented in a simple manner: the volume of the first chamber and/or the second chamber is set. Furthermore, the first lateral stretch also serves to prevent wobbling. The first stretch and/or the first transverse stretch and/or the further first stretch are/is designed in particular at least substantially straight. It is furthermore advantageous if the first transverse extent is formed at least approximately perpendicularly to the first extent and/or perpendicularly to the further first extent.

In a further preferred embodiment, the second partition wall has a second stretch, a second transverse stretch and a further second stretch, wherein the first stretch begins in the front region of the rinsing container, extends substantially along the longitudinal extension and transitions into the second transverse stretch, the second transverse stretch extends at an angle to the longitudinal extension and transitions into the further second stretch, and the further second stretch extends substantially along the longitudinal extension.

This design is implemented in a simple manner: if the second chamber is to be constructed smaller than the third chamber, access to the second chamber for filling with detergent is simplified. Thus, for example, it can be desirable for the volume of the second chamber to be less than 85%, preferably less than 75%, particularly preferably less than 65%, and in particular less than 55% of the volume of the third chamber. The second chamber may then be narrow. Due to the widening due to the second lateral stretch, the second chamber is filled well even when the volume is small. Furthermore, the second lateral stretch also serves to prevent wobbling. The second stretch and/or the second transverse stretch and/or the further second stretch are/is designed in particular at least substantially straight. It is also advantageous if the second transverse extent is formed at least approximately perpendicularly to the second extent and/or perpendicularly to the further second extent.

In a further preferred embodiment, the second partition wall has a further second stretch, a further second transverse stretch and a further second stretch, wherein the second stretch extends substantially along the longitudinal extension and merges into the further second transverse stretch, the further second transverse stretch extends at an angle to the longitudinal extension and merges into the further second stretch, and the further second stretch extends substantially along the longitudinal extension and terminates in the rear region of the rinsing container.

This design is implemented in a simple manner: a third valve provided for the third chamber is realized. This applies in particular when the bottom of the third chamber rises perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, so that the height of the third chamber decreases towards the edge. Despite this improvement, the third valve can nevertheless be arranged at least approximately at the level of the second valve of the second chamber and/or the first valve of the first chamber. Furthermore, the further second lateral stretch also serves to prevent wobbling. The further second stretch and/or the further second transverse stretch and/or the further second stretch are/is designed in particular at least substantially straight. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the further second transverse extent is formed at least approximately perpendicularly to the further second extent and/or to the further second extent.

In a further preferred embodiment, a water jet is arranged above the first chamber, which water jet is designed to flush water into the first chamber.

This design is implemented in a simple manner: the powdered detergent in the first chamber is mixed with water and flushed from the first chamber.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first chamber has an opening on the underside, from which opening the liquid located in the chamber can be discharged downwards.

This design is implemented in a simple manner: the powdered detergent, which is already mixed with water and is located in the first chamber, is flushed out of the first chamber and is discharged from the rinsing container, in particular toward the washing tub of the washing machine.

In another preferred design, the cartridge has a tap.

This design achieves a reliable closing of the cartridge, but wherein at the same time a simple refilling of the cartridge is possible. Due to the cock, no special detergent in liquid form is spilled when the user operates the cartridge.

In a further preferred embodiment, a second cartridge is provided in the second chamber and a second valve is provided in the second cartridge.

In a further preferred embodiment, a third cartridge is arranged in the third chamber and a third valve is arranged in the third cartridge.

The object is also achieved by a washing machine with a rinsing receptacle as described previously.

Such a washing machine can be operated particularly easily for the user and achieves a reliable function of the washing machine.

It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively given combination, but also in other combinations or alone without leaving the scope of the present invention.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail in the accompanying drawings and are set forth in detail in the description that follows. The figures show:

FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of one embodiment of a flush container;

FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view of the irrigation container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a third perspective view of the irrigation container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a fourth perspective view of the irrigation container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a fifth perspective view of the irrigation container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a sixth perspective view of the irrigation container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a seventh perspective view of the irrigation container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows an eighth perspective view of the irrigation container of FIG. 1; and

fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a washing machine with a rinse container.

Specific design scheme

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a rinse container 10. The rinse container 10 has a lid 12 and a lower portion 14. The cover 12 has a plurality of elastic hooks 16 by means of which the cover 12 is locked on the lower part 14. For the purpose of orientation, the front side 17 of the rinsing container 10 and the longitudinal extension L of the rinsing container 10 are marked.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the rinsing container 10 from fig. 1 in a perspective view from below. An opening 20 can be seen on the underside 18 of the rinse container 10. Further, a first sensor 22-1, a second sensor 22-2, and a third sensor 22-3 are disposed in the first recess 24-1, the second recess 24-2, and the third recess 24-3, respectively. In addition, the first valve 26-1, the second valve 26-2, and the third valve 26-3 can be seen through openings on the back side 28 of the rinse container 10. The first sensor 22-1, the second sensor 22-2 and the third sensor 22-3 are preferably designed as reed sensors.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the rinsing container 10 from fig. 1 in a perspective view, with the cover 12 removed. Now can be seen the sprinkler 30, the cartridge 32 with the tap 34, the sensor unit 38 with the first sensor element 36-1 and the second sensor element 36-2, and the chamber cover 40 with the flip cap 42 and the locking tongue 46 with the locking hook 46. The first sensor member 36-1 checks for the presence of the magazine 32 and the second sensor member 36-2 checks for proper placement of the magazine 32, with the first sensor member 36-1 being spaced apart from the second sensor member 36-2 along the longitudinal extension L.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the rinsing container 10 from fig. 1 in a perspective view, with the additional water spray 30 removed.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the rinsing container 10 from fig. 1 in a perspective view, wherein additionally the tap 34 and the flap 42 have been removed. First chamber 50-1, second chamber 50-2, and third chamber 50-3 can now be seen. First and second chambers 50-1 and 50-2 are separated from each other by a first dividing wall 52-1, and second and third chambers 50-2 and 50-3 are separated from each other by a second dividing wall 52-2. The cartridge 32 is removable from the first chamber 50-1. The first valve 26-1, not shown here, is fixed at the cartridge 32, more precisely, within the cartridge 32. Fluid extraction from the cartridge 32 and chambers 50-2, 50-3 can be controlled by valves.

In the second chamber 50-2, a second transmitter 54-2 is disposed on a second guide pin 56-2. In the third chamber 50-3, a third transmitter 54-3 is disposed on the third guide pin 56-3. The transmitters 54-2, 54-3 are each configured as a float having a magnet. It can be seen that the bottom 58 of the third chamber 50-3 rises perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension L and that the height of the third chamber 50-3 decreases towards the edge 60. In addition, a partition 62 is shown into which liquid located in chamber 50-3 does not flow. The partition 62 is open upward and can accommodate the locking tongue 44.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the rinsing container 10 from fig. 1 in a perspective view, with the lid of the cartridge 32 and the sensor unit 38 additionally removed. The first valve 26-1 within the cartridge 32 can now be seen. Further, two narrowing elements 64 are shown within the magazine 32, the narrowing elements having a first portion 66-1 and a second portion 66-2, respectively. Each portion 66-1, 66-2 is here constituted as a wall element which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension L and which narrows a cross section of the cartridge 32 perpendicular to the longitudinal extension L for fluid located in the cartridge 32. The two portions 66-1, 66-2 are here spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction L and overlap one another in the viewing direction along the longitudinal extent L. Finally, the first transmitter 54-1 and the first guide pin 56-1 are also visible within the magazine 32.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the rinsing container 10 of fig. 1 in a perspective view, wherein the cartridge 32, the second transmitter 54-2 and the third transmitter 54-3 have additionally been removed. For better orientation, the first valve 26-1 is also shown as being continued, although in this embodiment it is part of the cartridge 32. The extension of the partition walls 52-1, 52-2 will now be discussed below.

The first separating wall 52-1 has a first stretch 70-1, a first transverse stretch 70-2 and a further first stretch 70-3, wherein the first stretch 70-1 starts in a front region 74 of the rinse container 10, extends substantially along the longitudinal extension L and transitions into the first transverse stretch 70-2, the first transverse stretch 70-2 extends at an angle to the longitudinal extension L and transitions into the further first stretch 70-3, and the further first stretch 70-3 extends substantially along the longitudinal extension L and terminates in a rear region 74 of the rinse container 10.

The second partition wall 52-2 has a second stretch 72-1, a second transverse stretch 72-2 and a further second stretch 72-3, wherein the second stretch 72-1 starts in a front region 74 of the rinse container 10, extends substantially along the longitudinal extension L and transitions into the second transverse stretch 72-2, the second transverse stretch 72-2 extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal extension L and transitions into the further second stretch 72-3, and the further second stretch 72-3 extends substantially along the longitudinal extension L.

In addition to the further second stretch 72-3, the second partition wall has a further second transverse stretch 72-4 and a further second stretch 72-5, wherein the further second stretch 72-3 transitions into the further second transverse stretch 72-4, the further second transverse stretch 72-4 extends at an angle to the longitudinal extension L and transitions into the further second stretch 72-5, and the further second stretch 72-5 extends substantially along the longitudinal extension L and terminates in a rear region 76 of the rinsing container 10.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the rinsing container from fig. 1 in a perspective view, wherein additionally all chambers 50-1, 50-2, 50-3 have been removed.

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a washing machine 100 with a rinsing container 10, which here has a handle groove on its front side. The washing machine 100 has an upper side 102, a first side 104, which is covered here, a second side 106 and a front side 108.

Claims

1. A rinse container (10) for a washing machine (100) having three chambers (50-1, 50-2, 50-3) extending substantially side by side along a longitudinal extension (L) of the rinse container (10), wherein a first chamber (50-1) of the chambers (50-1, 50-2, 50-3) and a second chamber (50-2) of the chambers (50-1, 50-2, 50-3) are separated from each other by a first partition wall and the second chamber (50-2) and a third chamber (50-3) of the chambers (50-1, 50-2, 50-3) are separated from each other by a second partition wall (54), wherein a first valve (26-1) is provided on an end of the first chamber (50-1), a second valve (26-2) is arranged at the end of the second chamber (50-2) and a third valve (26-3) is arranged at the end of the third chamber (50-3), wherein the valves (26-1, 26-2, 26-3) are each designed for interacting with a corresponding interface on the washing machine (100), wherein a removable cartridge (32) is arranged in the first chamber (50-1) and the first valve (26-1) is fixed to the cartridge (32).

2. Rinsing container (10) according to claim 1, wherein a sensor (22-1, 22-2, 22-3) is arranged below at least one chamber (50-1, 50-2, 50-3) and a transmitter (54-1, 54-2, 54-3) is arranged within the chamber (50-1, 50-2, 50-3) such that the liquid level within the chamber can be determined by the co-action of the sensor (22-1, 22-2, 22-3) and the transmitter (54-1, 54-2, 54-3).

3. The rinse container (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor (22-1, 22-2, 22-3) is arranged in a recess on the underside of the rinse container (10).

4. Rinsing container (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sensor (22-1, 22-2, 22-3) is designed as a magnetic reed sensor and/or the transmitter (54-1, 54-2, 54-3) is designed as a float, wherein the float in particular has a magnet.

5. Rinsing container (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a first sensor (22-1) is arranged below the first chamber (50-1), a second sensor (22-2) is arranged below the second chamber (50-2), a third sensor (22-3) is arranged below the third chamber (50-3), a first transmitter (54-1) is arranged within the first chamber (50-1), a second transmitter (54-2) is arranged within the second chamber (50-2), and a third transmitter (54-3) is arranged within the third chamber (50-3).

6. Rinsing container (10) according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the sender (54-1, 54-2, 54-3) and/or the first sender (54-1) is/are provided either in the cartridge (32) or on a guide pin (56-1; 56-2; 56-3) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (L).

7. Rinsing container (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a narrowing element (64) is provided within the cartridge (32), which narrows the fluid flow within the cartridge (32) along the longitudinal extension (L), and the narrowing element (64) optionally has a wall element (64) which is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension (L) and narrows a cross section of the cartridge (32) perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (L) for the fluid.

8. Rinsing container (10) according to claim 7, wherein the narrowing element (64) has two portions (66-1, 66-2) which project from two opposite walls of the cartridge (32) substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension (L), are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal extension (L), and in particular overlap one another in a viewing direction along the longitudinal extension (L).

9. Rinsing container (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rinsing container (10) has a sensor unit (38) which checks the presence of the magazine (32) and the correct placement of the magazine (32), and wherein the sensor unit (38) optionally has a first sensor element (36-1) which checks the presence of the magazine (32), and optionally has a second sensor element (36-2) which checks the correct placement of the magazine (32), wherein the first sensor element (36-1) is spaced apart from the second sensor element (36-2) along the longitudinal extension (L).

10. Rinsing container (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a bottom (58) of a chamber (50-3) located on an edge of the rinsing container (10) rises perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (L) and the height of the chamber (50-3) decreases towards the edge.

11. Rinse container (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first separating wall (52) has a first stretch (70-1), a first transverse stretch (70-2) and a further first stretch (70-3), wherein the first stretch (70-1) starts in a front region of the rinsing container (10), extends substantially along the longitudinal extension (L) and transitions into the first transverse stretch (70-2), the first transverse stretch (70-2) extends at an angle to the longitudinal extension (L) and transitions into the further first stretch (70-3), and the further first stretch (70-3) extends substantially along the longitudinal extension (L) and terminates in a rear region (76) of the rinsing container (10).

12. Rinsing container (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second separating wall (54) has a second stretch (72-1), a second transverse stretch (72-2) and a further second stretch (72-3), wherein the second stretch (72-1) starts in a front region (74) of the rinsing container (10), extends substantially along the longitudinal extension (L) and transitions into the second transverse stretch (72-2), the second transverse stretch (72-2) extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal extension (L) and transitions into the further second stretch (72-3), and the further second stretch (72-3) extends substantially along the longitudinal extension (L).

13. Rinsing container (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a water jet (30) is arranged above the first chamber (50-1), which water jet is configured for flushing water into the first chamber (50-1), and/or the first chamber (50-1) has an opening (20) on the underside, from which opening the liquid located in the chamber (50-1) can be discharged downwards.

14. The rinse container (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a second cartridge (32) is provided in the second chamber (50-2) and the second valve (26-2) is provided in the second cartridge (32), and wherein optionally a third cartridge (32) is provided in the third chamber (50-3) and the third valve (26-3) is provided in the third cartridge (32).

15. A washing machine (100) with a rinsing container (10) according to any of the preceding claims.