CN116033859A

CN116033859A - Cleaning agent dispenser for a dishwasher

Info

Publication number: CN116033859A
Application number: CN202180056698.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·休托; D·切瑞蒂; P·萨维尼; M·皮齐; P·贝尼亚米诺; S·阿雷拉; M·扎宁; C·加迪尼
Original assignee: Eltek SpA
Current assignee: Eltek SpA
Priority date: 2020-06-05
Filing date: 2021-06-04
Publication date: 2023-04-28
Also published as: US20230240506A1; EP4161340A1; WO2021245620A1; IT202000013459A1

Abstract

A cleaning agent dispenser for a cleaning machine has a dispenser body comprising a fixed dispenser portion (200) designed for mounting on a wall defining a cleaning machine cleaning chamber (3), and a removable dispenser portion (100) removably coupleable to the fixed dispenser portion (200). The removable dispenser portion comprises a hollow body defining at least one groove for a substance in liquid or semi-solid form, at least one first wall of the hollow body being intended to face at least partially at least one second wall of the fixed dispenser portion (200). The dispenser (10) further includes at least one sensor device (270) configured to provide at least one electrical signal indicative of at least one of a level and a qualitative characteristic of a substance contained within the at least one tank. The at least one sensor device (270) is at least partially arranged on the stationary dispenser part (200).

Description

Cleaning agent dispenser for a dishwasher

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a detergent dispenser for a washing machine, in particular a household dishwasher, and more particularly to a dispenser designed to be mounted on one of the walls defining the washing chamber of the dishwasher. The invention has been developed with particular reference to a multi-dose dispenser of at least one cleaning agent in liquid form or in semi-solid (gel) form, i.e. provided with a reloadable tank able to hold a quantity of the aforementioned cleaning agent sufficient to perform a plurality of cleaning procedures by the dishwasher.

Background

US2006157086 A1 discloses a dispenser device for a dishwasher, comprising a multi-dose tank for liquid cleaning agent and a pump accommodated in the dishwasher door. The channel for recharging the sump and the nozzle for delivering the liquid detergent extend through a wall of the dishwasher door facing the interior of the corresponding washing chamber, wherein the delivery nozzle is fluidly connected in fluid communication with the sump and the pump via a conduit. In one embodiment, the pump is of a reversible type so as to enable flushing of the catheter and prevent any possible blockage thereof.

The above solutions prove to be complex, far from efficient and inconvenient for the user to use.

US 7845361B 1 discloses a dispenser system for a dishwasher, comprising a multi-dose tank for a liquid detergent and a piston dispensing pump defining a dosing chamber designed to receive a preset amount of liquid additive from the tank for delivery during an operating program of the dishwasher. The tank and the dispensing pump are mounted in a front recess of a wall of the dishwasher door facing the interior of the corresponding washing chamber and are detachably coupled via respective fluid attachments to enable removal of the tank for recharging purposes. In one embodiment, two different slots of the mentioned type are accommodated in a front recess of a wall of a dishwasher door, each of the two slots being detachably associated with a respective piston pump of the mentioned type, wherein each piston pump can be driven by a corresponding solenoid actuator.

Moreover, this solution proves to be complex, far from efficient and inconvenient for the user to use, also taking into account the risk of undesired outflow of cleaning agent from the corresponding tank when handling it.

EP 2138088 A1 discloses a dispenser device for a dishwasher, having a dispenser body, in front of which a compartment is defined, which is capable of containing a tablet of cleaning agent. The compartment is provided with a sliding hatch via which the compartment itself can be closed after the tablets have been inserted. An electronically controlled release system is operatively associated with the hatch to cause the hatch to open during a cleaning procedure. The hatch has a lateral extension that is substantially grid-like, such that when the hatch slides into its open position, the lateral extension begins to lie in front of the compartment to retain tablets inside it during the continued washing procedure.

EP0691101 A1 discloses an integrated dispenser device for a dishwasher, having a dispenser body to be partially inserted into an opening of the inside of a tiltable door of the dishwasher (i.e. the side that will face the inside of the corresponding washing chamber). The dispenser body defines a housing at the front in which a multi-dose containing slot for the powder detergent is hinged, the multi-dose containing slot being mounted for being displaceable between an inclined position for partial extraction (partial extraction enabling filling of the containing slot) and an inserted position in which the front of the containing slot is substantially aligned with the front of the dispenser body. The holding tank is provided at the front with a transparent window that enables visual inspection of the amount of powdered detergent present.

For this solution, it is tricky to check the contents of the tank, both with regard to the possible vapor-coating of the transparent window and with regard to the fact that: because the dispenser is mounted on a tiltable door, visual inspection on a horizontal plane can only be practically performed with the door open and thus set substantially horizontal. However, for such a plane in which the dispenser is located, the information that can be collected through the window may not be important.

In addition, more generally, in solutions providing removable or displaceable tanks (for example as described in the above-mentioned US 7845361B 1 and EP 0691101), the horizontal inspection is completely entrusted to the user, who is therefore completely responsible for carrying out a visual inspection of the cleaning dose contained in the tank.

Furthermore, in solutions of the type described in the above-mentioned document US 7845361B 1, it is not uncommon for possible errors of the corresponding tank to be loaded or topped up with liquid cleaning agent; in particular, it may happen that the detergent is placed in a tank which should be filled with a rinse additive, or vice versa. Such errors, in particular the mentioned second type of errors, may have consequences such as jeopardizing the operation of the dispenser or the whole dishwasher.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, the present invention is directed to overcoming at least one or more of the disadvantages set forth above. This and still other objects, which will appear more clearly hereinafter, are achieved according to the present invention by a cleaning agent dispenser having the characteristics specified in the appended claims. The claims form an integral part of the technical teaching provided herein in relation to the invention.

According to a first inventive aspect, the present invention aims to provide a cleaning agent dispenser for a cleaning machine, in particular a dishwasher, which is convenient to use for use and in which the inspection of the delivery of several cleaning agents in liquid or semi-solid form is both efficient and inexpensive.

According to a second inventive aspect, the present invention aims to provide a detergent dispenser for a washing machine, in particular a dishwasher, wherein the risk of spreading of liquid or semi-solid detergent in the environment is reduced or prevented after the user performs an action on the dispenser itself.

According to a third inventive aspect, the present invention aims to provide a detergent dispenser for a washing machine, in particular a dishwasher, wherein the use of detergent in tablet form is convenient for the user and the production of the dispenser is economically advantageous.

According to a fourth inventive aspect, the present invention aims to provide a washing agent dispenser for washing machines, in particular dish washing machines, wherein a user is provided with clear and efficient indications about the contents of these movable parts (and more generally about the state related to the operation of the dispenser) in a simple and safe manner even in the presence of a displaceable part designed to hold washing agent.

According to a fifth inventive aspect, the present invention aims to provide a cleaning agent dispenser for a cleaning machine, in particular a dishwasher, wherein the risk of a user making mistakes in the use of the dispenser, in particular with respect to the filling operation of the cleaning agent, is limited in a simple and efficient manner.

According to a sixth inventive aspect, the present invention aims to provide a washing agent dispenser for washing machines, in particular dish washing machines, wherein it is possible to provide in a simple and safe way accurate information about the contents of the dispenser and/or of the aforesaid movable part, even in the presence of a displaceable part to be filled with washing agent.

According to a seventh inventive aspect, the present invention aims to provide a washing agent dispenser for washing machines, in particular dish washers, in which, in a simple and safe manner, it is possible to prevent or (if necessary) correct any malfunctions due to user errors in the use of the washing agent and/or to enable a more efficient inspection of the treatment program carried out by the dish washer on which the dispenser is mounted.

Drawings

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, and in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dishwasher, with a front door in an open position, provided with a dispenser according to a possible embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a tub wall of a dishwasher on which a dispenser according to a possible embodiment is mounted;

fig. 3 and 4 are schematic perspective views of two parts of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment, corresponding to the outside and inside of the tub wall shown in fig. 2, respectively;

fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a removable portion of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the inside of a portion of a hollow body belonging to a removable portion of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 7 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a hollow body belonging to a removable portion of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment, highlighting the possible levels of two different cleaning agents;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, highlighting the possible levels of two different cleaners;

Fig. 9 and 10 are partially exploded schematic views from different angles of the fixed part of the dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 11 and 12 are schematic perspective views of the front and rear of the fixed part of the dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

figures 13 and 14 are partially cut-away perspective views of a removable portion and a fixed portion of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment coupled together in two respective different states;

fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a removable portion and a fixed portion of a dispenser separated from each other according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 16 and 17 are schematic cross-sectional views of a hollow body belonging to a removable portion of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment, according to a complex cross-sectional plane passing through two corresponding retention valves;

fig. 18 is a schematic vertical section of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 19 is a schematic front view in partial section of a portion of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 20 is a schematic rear perspective view of a fixed part of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment, with some parts removed;

fig. 21 is a schematic rear view in elevation of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment in a first operating state, in which the corresponding components are only partially represented;

Fig. 22 is a partially schematic perspective view of a portion of the dispenser portion of fig. 21 in the aforementioned first operating state with corresponding components removed;

23-24, 25-26, 27-28 and 29-30 are views similar to the views of FIGS. 21-22, respectively, of the dispenser in the second, third, fourth and fifth operating states, respectively;

fig. 31 is a schematic perspective partial view in partial section of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment in a first operating state, with the corresponding blocking/unblocking arrangement in a respective first state;

fig. 32 is a schematic partial horizontal section of the dispenser of fig. 31, with the corresponding blocking/unblocking arrangement in the aforementioned first state;

33-34 and 35-36 are views similar to the views of FIGS. 31-32, respectively, of the dispenser in the second and third states of the corresponding blocking/unblocking arrangement;

fig. 37 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 38 is a partially schematic perspective view of a fixed part of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

39-40 are schematic perspective views of a dispenser according to possible embodiments;

FIG. 41 is a detail on an enlarged scale of FIG. 39;

FIG. 42 is a schematic perspective view showing in isolation some components of the warning system of the dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 43 and 44 are schematic partial cross-sectional views of a dispenser according to possible embodiments according to different cross-sectional planes;

fig. 45 and 46 are schematic partial views (front view and cut-away perspective view, respectively) of a bottom region of a portion of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 47 is a schematic partial view in partial section of a portion of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 48 and 49 are views similar to those of fig. 45-46 with respect to the dispenser according to a possible alternative embodiment;

fig. 50 and 51 are graphs illustrating the results of electrical quantity measurements made by a sensor device equipped with a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 52 is a simplified diagram of a possible control circuit of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 53 is a simplified diagram of a first possible driving circuit of the sensitive element of the sensor device of the dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 54 and 55 are graphs illustrating the results of further electrical quantity measurements made by a sensor device equipped with a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

Fig. 56 is a simplified diagram of a second possible driving circuit of the sensitive element of the sensor device of the dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 57 and 58 are schematic perspective views of a bottom area of a portion of a dispenser equipped with a sensor device according to a possible embodiment, fig. 58 being shown in partial section;

fig. 59 is a schematic perspective view of the body of a sensor device equipped with the dispenser of fig. 57-58;

fig. 60 and 61 are a schematic perspective view and an exploded view, respectively, of a bottom region of a portion of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment, equipped with a sensor body according to a possible variant;

fig. 62 is a schematic perspective view in partial section of a bottom area of a portion of a dispenser equipped with a sensor device according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 63 and 64 are schematic views (perspective and exploded views, respectively) of a portion of a sensor device according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 65 is a view similar to that of fig. 63 with respect to a possible variant;

66-67 are graphs illustrating the results of electrical quantity measurements made by a sensor device provided with a part of the type shown in fig. 63-64;

FIGS. 68-69 are graphs illustrating the results of electrical quantity measurements made by a sensor device provided with a portion of the type shown in FIGS. 63-64, but with the insulating coating removed;

Fig. 70 is a schematic perspective view of a sensor device of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment;

fig. 71 and 72 are a schematic cut-away perspective view and a schematic exploded view, respectively, of the sensor device of fig. 70;

fig. 73 and 74 are schematic representations intended to illustrate possible operating principles of a sensor device of the type shown in fig. 70-72;

fig. 75-77 are schematic cross-sectional views of a bottom region of a dispenser equipped with a sensor device according to further possible embodiments;

fig. 78 is a partially schematic perspective view in partial section of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment; and

fig. 79-82 are schematic top plan views of some components of a blocking/unblocking arrangement of the dispenser equipped with fig. 71 in many different states.

Detailed Description

References to "an embodiment" or "one embodiment" in the framework of this description are intended to indicate that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described with reference to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, phrases such as "in an embodiment," "in one embodiment," "in various embodiments," and the like that may be present in various points of the description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular conformations, structures, or characteristics defined in the framework of this description may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments (even though different from the represented embodiments). Reference numerals and spatial references (such as "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", etc.) are used herein for convenience only and thus do not limit the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments. In this description and without being otherwise specified in the following claims, the term "detergent" is intended to designate a detergent substance to be used during a washing step in the strict sense of a dishwasher operation procedure (i.e. a step intended primarily to remove soil from dishes), while the term "additive" is intended to designate an auxiliary liquid or semisolid substance, such as a rinse additive (or brightening agent), or a fragrancing substance, or a water softening substance, or a sanitary substance, to be used in a step different from the washing step or in a purposely provided procedure; the term "cleaning agent" is intended to indifferently denote a detergent substance or an auxiliary substance. Where not otherwise specified, the term "liquid" when associated with terms such as "detergent", "additive", "cleaning agent" (singular and plural) is in any case intended to mean semi-liquid/semi-solid substances, such as gels, in addition to liquid substances.

In the drawings, like reference numbers are used to identify elements that are similar or technically equivalent to one another. In the various figures, the representation of some of the components is omitted when they are not necessary for an understanding of the specific features described with reference to the previous figures; for this reason, for example, in the various figures, the connection leads belonging to the electrical parts of the dispenser (in particular to the sensors and actuators of the dispenser) are not represented.

In fig. 1, a household dishwasher (indicated as a whole by 1) is schematically shown, which is equipped with a dispenser of at least one cleaning agent, obtained according to a possible embodiment. In the illustrated case, the machine 1 is intended for washing dishes without compromising the fact that the invention is also applicable to other types of washing machines, such as washing machines and laundry drying machines, so that in the following for the sake of simplicity reference will be made to a dishwasher, in which case the dispenser can be positioned in different ways depending on the type of machine (top-loading machine or front-loading machine).

The dishwasher 1 has a cabinet or structure 2 defining a wash tub or chamber 3 therein. A front door of dishwasher 1, indicated as a whole by 4, is associated with cabinet 2 such that it can be moved between an open position and a closed position. In various embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, the door 4 is angularly movable between the aforementioned positions, preferably but not necessarily about a substantially horizontal axis. However, the dishwasher 1 may be of some other type, for example with at least one door that can translate or slide on purposely provided guides (as in FR-a-2.674.426A, for example), or with a rack for holding dishes (configured as a sliding tray), the front wall of which forms the door of the machine (as in W09833426a, for example).

The inner face of the door 4 comprises a movable tub wall 5 (also called "counter door") having an outer side 5a constituting the front surface of the tub 3. The tub 3 is also delimited by a plurality of fixed tub walls (one of which is indicated by 6), which generally comprise two side walls, a rear wall, an upper wall or roof, and a lower wall or bottom. In various embodiments, the wall delimiting the tub 1 is a plate-like wall, which is at least partially made of sheet metal, such as stainless steel. However, the scope of the invention does not exclude the case of walls made at least partly of plastic material, for example via injection moulding of thermoplastic material.

In various embodiments, a detergent dispenser (indicated as a whole by 10 and only schematically represented in fig. 1) is mounted on one of the walls delimiting the tub 3 (here wall 5), obtained according to a possible embodiment of the invention. Preferably, the dispenser 10 is mounted at least one through opening defined in the mounting wall 5. The dishwasher 1 comprises all the elements for its operation, generally known, which are irrelevant for the purpose of the present invention and will therefore not be described herein, among which is a hydraulic circuit comprising a spraying system, at least one dish rack in a tub, and a control system supervising the operation of the machine. In the case of fig. 1, the control system is represented only schematically and denoted CS and comprises, for example, a controller or a control card, preferably an electronic microcontroller, which may be located inside the door 1.

The mounting of the dispenser 10 on the wall 5 of the door 4 will be understood to be provided by way of example only, as long as in other embodiments the dispenser 10 may be mounted on any wall of the tub 3 (including fixed walls such as the side walls indicated by 6). The description hereinafter of the mounting of the dispenser 10 on the wall 5 will therefore be understood to also exemplify the mounting of the dispenser 10 on any other wall of the tub 3, in particular the fixed vertical wall thereof. The side 5a, defined herein as the "outer" side of the mounting wall 5 of the dispenser 10 (whether it is a movable wall or a fixed wall), indicates the surface of this wall facing the inside of the tub 3, while the side, defined herein as the "inner" side (hereinafter denoted 5 b), indicates the surface of the wall itself opposite to the outer side 5a, for example the inner side of the gap corresponding to the wall of the machine.

In various embodiments, the dispenser (i.e. its body as a whole) comprises at least two main functional parts, of which is at least one first removable part, configured such that it can be releasably coupled to at least one second part, which is fixed on the mounting wall 5, in particular at the aforementioned through opening. Each of the two main parts of the dispenser body in turn comprises several elements described below. In fig. 2, the dispenser 10 is illustrated in an assembled operational state relative to the wall 5, wherein the removable dispenser portion is coupled to the fixed dispenser portion. The dispenser body as a whole has a width dimension X, a height dimension Y and a depth dimension Z, identified by the front and rear of the body of the dispenser 10, the front of which is the portion designed to be exposed or facing the inside of the tub 3 of the dishwasher.

The removable dispenser portion and the fixed dispenser portion forming the dispenser body as a whole are designated by 100 and 200 in fig. 3 and 4, respectively, where they are illustrated in the following states: wherein they are separated with respect to the outer side 5a and the inner side 5b of the wall 5, respectively.

Portions

100 and 200 are seen in isolation in the front perspective views of fig. 5 and 11.

Referring particularly to fig. 3 and 5, the removable dispenser portion 100 comprises a hollow body 101 that performs primarily the function of a tank for at least one cleaning agent in liquid or semi-solid form (i.e., in gel form). In various preferred embodiments, the hollow body 101 defines at least two grooves (indicated as a whole by R1 and R2 in fig. 2) inside it, each groove being intended for a respective cleaning agent of the type mentioned. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the larger volume tank R1 is designed to hold a cleaning detergent, while the tank R2 is designed to hold a rinse additive, in particular a brightener. On the other hand, the tank R2 can be designed to hold different auxiliary substances, such as a fragrancing substance, or a water softening substance, or a hygienic substance. In any event, it should be noted that the removable dispenser portion 100 may include a single slot, or three or more slots for additional cleaning agents. The at least one tank R1 and/or R2 is preferably of the multi-dose type, i.e. a tank capable of containing a quantity of the corresponding detergent sufficient to perform a plurality of operating procedures of the dishwasher 1.

It should be noted that when referring to the component indicated as a whole by 100, the term "removable portion" or "slot" is understood to designate a rechargeable component which is stably equipped with a dispenser so as to constitute a basic portion thereof, and is provided with at least one loading channel provided with corresponding removable closure means to enable a user to refill it regularly. Thus, the body portion 100 does not represent a disposable component, such as a cartridge that was previously filled with cleaning agent at the production stage and sold in such a ready-to-use version, which is generally presupposed that its body be perforated or torn for use purposes and then discarded when it is spent.

The hollow body 101 is preferably made of a plastic material, such as a thermoplastic material. In various embodiments, the body 101 is composed of at least two pieces (pieces) or portions sealed together, such as the front piece 101 ₁ And rear panel 101 ₂ . Body sheet 101 ₁ And 101 ₂ May be molded, for example, using a thermoplastic material and sealed together at the corresponding interface surfaces, for example, welded using a hot blade system.

In various embodiments, identified in the hollow body 101 are: an upper portion 101a as a whole that is deeper (dimension Z) and shorter (dimension Y); and a lower portion 101b as a whole that is thinner (dimension Z) and higher (dimension Y). The two

portions

101a and 101b may have the same width (dimension X). The fact that the portion of the hollow body 101 having the larger surface (i.e. the lower portion 101 b) is thinner makes it possible to limit the front dimension of the dispenser 10, in particular when it is located on the door 4 of the dishwasher. In this way, for example, the dispenser 10 can advantageously be mounted in the position of the tub wall 5, so that with the door closed, only the lower portion 101b will be located in front of the dish rack housed in the tub 3, thus preventing the need to provide a shorter rack and thus a rack with a smaller loading capacity. The presence of the deeper upper portion 101a may prove convenient to facilitate defining a loading channel for filling the corresponding groove with cleaning agent, the loading channel having a corresponding closure element, such as a plug or hatch, operable by a user.

Both

portions

101a and 101b are hollow (at least for a majority thereof). Preferably, the maximum depth (dimension Z) of the hollow body 101 in each of its regions is smaller than its width (dimension X) and its height (dimension Y). Again preferably, the height (dimension Y) of the hollow body 101 is smaller than its width (dimension X). Obviously, these relative dimensions may be different, for example, depending on the loading requirements and/or the mounting location of the dispenser.

As already said, in various embodiments, the at least one slot R1 and/or R2 of the removable dispenser portion 100 has a respective loading channel (i.e. a respective channel for filling the respective slot) associated with which a suitable closing element (such as a plug or a hatch as in the example shown) can be opened and closed by a user. It is possible to provide a plug also in the area opposite the movable hatch.

With particular reference to fig. 5, in the non-limiting example shown, the two grooves R1, R2 have respective loading channels (indicated as a whole by 103) comprising through openings 103a in the front wall 102 of the hollow body 101. In an example, the opening 103a is defined at the bottom of the channel 103, preferably shaped as a substantially cylindrical recess.

Referring again to the example of fig. 5, associated with each loading channel 103 is a corresponding closing element, here a hatch 104 made for example of molded plastic material ₁ 、104 ₂ The composition is formed. In the example, each door 104 ₁ 、104 ₂ Hinged to the hollow body 101 so as to be angularly movable between an open position (fig. 5) which enables access to the corresponding loading channel 103 for filling the corresponding groove R1 or R2 with cleaning agent, and a closed position (fig. 3) in which the corresponding loading channel 103 is closed by the hatch. As already mentioned, in addition to the hatch, there may also be a plug associated with the channel 103.

In the example, each door 104 ₁ 、104 ₂ Hinged to the hollow body 101 in its lower region (reference dimension Y), but this does not constitute an essential feature: according to the known art in the field of dispensers for dish washersAt least one door may be hinged in its lateral area, or it may be a door of the type sliding in a direction transverse to the corresponding loading channel. Denoted by 104c in fig. 6 is a door 104 ₁ 、104 ₂ Is provided, the hinge means of which are part.

Preferably, when the hatch operates directly as a closing element, sealing means are provided between the hatch itself and the corresponding loading channel, these sealing means being able to cooperate when the hatch is in the closed position. In the example of fig. 5, each loading channel 103 has an edge 103b in relief (preferably with a circular profile) on which a corresponding gasket 104a made of elastomer can be supported at the front in order to obtain a seal. Preferably, the gasket 104a is mounted in a position defined in the corresponding door 104 ₁ 、104 ₂ Corresponding seats in the inner side of (a).

Again preferentially, defined in the front face of the hollow body 101 is a receptacle (indicated by 103c in fig. 5), in particular in the form of the aforesaid front recess, in which the loading channel 103 is located. The seat 103c is configured to be received by a corresponding door 104 ₁ 、104 ₂ At least partially occupied by the door when in the respective closed position.

In various embodiments, the dispenser is mounted on a tiltable door of a dishwasher, and a system for receiving a respective cleaning agent is associated with the at least one tank, the system having its own operation based on the movement of the door. Such an injection system is preferably associated with a tank R2 of smaller capacity, which is in any case capable of containing a quantity of detergent sufficient to perform several treatment procedures performed by the dishwasher 1. From this perspective, in various embodiments, a subchamber or injection volume is defined in the tank R2, the subchamber or injection volume being capable of containing at least one quantity of cleaning agent sufficient to perform a single treatment procedure. The injection system comprises or has associated with it valve means, in particular these valve means comprising an opening/closing element operating at a corresponding outlet channel of the cleaning agent. The aforementioned valve means can be controlled such that at least one dose of cleaning agent from the injection volume can flow out through the previously mentioned outlet channel towards the interior of the washing tub 3 of the dishwasher 1. In various embodiments, the injection system is designed such that when the door 4 of the dishwasher 1 is brought into a substantially horizontal open position, the injection volume is filled with a corresponding portion of the content of the tub R2, and when the door 4 is subsequently brought into a substantially vertical closed position, the injection volume is able to retain the corresponding content at least until the aforementioned valve means are activated.

Fig. 6 shows in part a possible internal structure of the hollow body 101, in particular of its front body piece 101 ₁ Wherein some of the elements belonging to the aforesaid injection system are visible.

A first set of walls, indicated as a whole by 106 (see also figures 16-17), is defined inside the hollow body 101, arranged so as to delimit, inside the internal volume of the hollow body 101, a slot R2 in fluid communication with the opening 103a of the corresponding loading channel 103: in the example shown, the remainder of the internal volume of the hollow body 101 essentially forms a greater capacity of the channel R1. Visible in fig. 6 is only integrally defined in front body panel 101 ₁ But of course, the rear body panel 101 ₂ Corresponding portions of the set of walls may also be defined.

A second set of walls, indicated as a whole by 107 (see also figures 16-17), is also defined inside the hollow body 101, arranged so as to define an injection volume, indicated by R2a, inside the tank R2. The injection volume R2a is defined above the bottom of the tank R2 (reference height dimension Y) and is in fluid communication with the discharge outlet of the tank itself (in fig. 6, the aforesaid outlet is not visible, but it is in a position corresponding to the one described hereinafter by 230 ₂ In the position of the indicated valve member). The volume R2a is dimensioned (in particular via its upper edge 107 a) so as to be able to contain a portion of the cleaning agent contained in the tank R2, which is preferably greater than the single deliverable dose of the aforementioned cleaning agent. Fig. 6 shows only the front body piece 101 integrally defined therein ₁ But of course, the rear body panel 101 ₂ Corresponding portions of the aforementioned set of walls may also be defined.

The volume R2a is configured for filling with the aforesaid portion of the cleaning agent of the tank R2 when the plane of the dispenser 10 is substantially horizontal (i.e. when the door 4 of the dishwasher 1 is open), and for retaining this portion itself when the plane of the dispenser 10 is substantially vertical (i.e. when the door 4 of the dishwasher is closed), for subsequent delivery purposes as described hereinafter. As already mentioned, in the example represented, the filling level of the injection volume is defined by the upper edge 107a of the second set of walls, which upper edge acts as overflow.

In the subsequent fig. 7, the removable dispenser portion 100 (i.e., hollow body 101) is illustrated partially cut away with the presence of the maximum levels of cleaning agents WD and WA contained in the tanks R1 and R2 (as already said, WD agent may be a cleaning detergent and WA agent may be a rinse additive). As can be noted from the previous figures, after closing the door 4 of the dishwasher 1, i.e. when the hollow body 101 is moved from the horizontal position to the vertical position, the injection volume R2a is filled up to substantially the liquid level determined by the upper edges 107a of the second set of walls 107.

The next figure 8 shows only the front sheet 101 of the hollow body 101 in the presence of the minimum level of cleaning agents WD and WA contained in the tanks R1 and R2 (the representations of the cleaning agents WD and WA are only illustrative here, only intended to exemplify the conditions in question) ₁ . As can be appreciated, the displacement of the door 4 from the horizontal open position to the vertical closed position fills the injection volume R2a substantially up to the overflow level defined by the upper edge 107a of the second set of walls 107, although in the presence of the lowest level of cleaning agent WA, also in the represented case. In this way, it is ensured that the injection volume R2a is constantly filled up to essentially the overflow level (both in the case of the lowest level and in the case of the maximum or intermediate level of the cleaning agent WA in the respective tank R2).

Also visible in fig. 6-8 is a portion of a sensor that, in various embodiments, may be used to signal that the level of cleaning agent WA may drop below a preset minimum.

With particular reference to fig. 6, the sensor comprises a floating body 110 constrained within a tank R2 so as to carry out a displacement as a function of the level of liquid agent WA. In an example, floatThe body 110 is hinged to the pin 110a (e.g., by the front panel 101 of the hollow body 101 ₁ Integrally defined) so as to be able to oscillate between a raised position (represented in the figures) and a lowered position. Of course, the floating body 100 may be constrained in some other way, for example for being linearly slidable in the height direction (dimension Y) of the dispenser, for example via purposely provided lateral guides defined in the hollow body 101.

There may be an element 110b associated with the floating body 110 for energizing the electrical detector, which element is provided on the outside of the hollow body 101, in particular mounted in the following positions on the fixed dispenser part 200: the floating body 110 will correspond to this position when the removable dispenser portion 100 is mounted on the fixed dispenser portion 200. Such a detector is indicated only by RD in fig. 3 and is shown in a position behind a wall provided at the front of the stationary dispenser part 200. In an example, it may be assumed that the excitation element 110b is a magnetic element and the corresponding detector RD on the outside of the hollow body 101 is a magnetic field detector (in particular a hall effect detector) or a contactor or a magnetic switch (e.g. of the reed type). Of course, for this case, the walls of the hollow body 101 and the walls of the front part of the fixed dispenser part 200, which are provided between the floating body 110 and the detector RD, are made of a material permeable to the magnetic field generated by the excitation element 110 b.

When there is a certain amount of cleaning agent WA in the tank R2 above the preset minimum level, the floating body 101 remains in its raised position, thus activating (or not activating) the corresponding external electric detector RD. Conversely, when the quantity of cleaning agent WA drops below the aforesaid preset minimum level, the floating body 110 is caused to assume a corresponding lowered position, so that the corresponding external electric detector RD is no longer activated (or is started to be activated). The information about the liquid level generated by the liquid level sensor 110-RD can thus be used, for example, for activating a warning system intended to alert a user of the dishwasher 1 that the tank R2 needs to be filled with the washing agent WA. After such a top-up, of course, the floating body 110 will return to the corresponding raised position, thus causing the warning signal to cease.

Of course, the detection principle of the displacement of the floating body 110 may be different from the principle based on magnetic field detection; for example, it may be an inductive or optical type of detection (e.g. the wall of the hollow body 101 separating the floating body 110 from the corresponding external electrical detector may be transparent to optical radiation at least in the area corresponding to the floating body, and the wall of the front part of the stationary dispenser part 200 (behind which the optical type detector RD is located) is likewise transparent or has a transparent window at least in the area corresponding to the detector).

Obviously, a floating system of the above kind can also be used for the tank R1. The measurement of the liquid level in the tanks R1 and/or R2 may be made using other detection techniques, such as systems based on the use of photoelectric sensors (including optical transmitters and optical receivers). In the case of a dispenser according to a possible embodiment of the invention, such a photosensor may be provided on the fixed dispenser portion 200 (for example in a position corresponding to a transparent window provided in front of the portion 200) such that, when the removable dispenser portion 100 is in the respective operating position, the photosensor is in a position facing the optical prism defined by the transparent wall (for example the rear wall thereof) of the hollow body 101, which defines the sides of the corresponding grooves R1 and/or R2. For example, when the prism is immersed in a liquid cleaning agent, the light beam emitted by the emitter is partially reflected and partially refracted at the inclined wall of the prism immersed in the liquid so as not to reach the receiver, or to reach the receiver with limited intensity: in this way, the presence of liquid cleaning agent at the liquid level corresponding to the sensor location can be inferred. Conversely, in the event that the prism is not immersed in the liquid cleaning agent, the beam will be substantially totally reflected at the sloped walls of the prism to reach the receiver, or at high intensity; in this way, it can be inferred that liquid cleaning agent is not present at the liquid level corresponding to the sensor position.

In various embodiments, in which the removable dispenser portion is provided with at least one hatch, the dispenser comprises at least one corresponding latch/release device that can be manually switched between a latched position and a released position to enable the hatch itself to be displaced between a closed position and an open position. For this purpose, according to techniques known per se, there may also be a spring or similar elastic element associated with the hatch, which operates to push the hatch itself towards the respective open position.

In the example of fig. 3 and 5, with each door 104 ₁ 、104 ₂ Associated with each is a corresponding latch/release 105 ₁ 、105 ₂ . From 105 ₁ 、105 ₂ The two devices indicated preferably have a similar structure and are mounted in a substantially specular manner with respect to each other.

In various embodiments, as in the example of fig. 3 and 5, the at least one latch/release device 105 ₁ 、105 ₂ Mounted on the hollow body 101, in particular so as to have an accessible portion, indicated by 105a, which is manually operable, for example displaceable by angular movement. In the example, the operable portion protrudes beyond the upper edge (reference dimension Y) of the hollow body 101, and the device 105 ₁ 、105 ₂ Is mounted at the rear of the hollow body 101.

Preferably, the operable portion 105a defines or associates a latch element 105b that is able to cooperate with a corresponding hatch in order to keep it in the closed position. In the example shown, the door 104 is for this purpose ₁ And/or 104 ₂ In the region opposite the hinge side thereof, defines a seat 104b at which the engagement element 105b engages when the corresponding door is closed (see fig. 3).

In various embodiments, the at least one latch/release 105 ₁ And/or 105 ₂ Essentially consisting of a lever (1 ever) element hinged to rotate about a respective axis extending essentially in the depth direction (dimension Z) of the dispenser 10. As can be seen for example in fig. 4, the rotation axis can be defined by a pin 105c defined or associated with the rear of the hollow body 101, and the lever element 105 ₁ And/or 105 ₂ Comprising a lever arm 105d defining or associated with an operable portion 105a having a correspondingLatch element 105b (fig. 3, 5). There may also be a joystick element 105 according to techniques known per se ₁ And/or 105 ₂ An associated spring or similar elastic element operative for pushing the element itself towards the corresponding door 104 ₁ And/or 104 ₂ Is provided for the corresponding latching position of the latch.

In various embodiments, the joystick element 105 ₁ And/or 105 ₂ Substantially in the form of a primary lever and thus also has another lever arm 105e extending at a portion generally opposite lever arm 105 d. The function of this possible further lever arm 105e will be explained below in relation to a locking/unlocking arrangement that may be equipped with a dispenser according to various embodiments.

In various embodiments, a housing is defined in the front of the dispenser body, the housing being configured to receive tablets comprising one or more cleaning agents, and thus also to receive tablets of the type known as "two-in-one" or "three-in-one". The term "tablet" is intended to denote both tablets in solid form and tablets of the following type (also referred to as "pills" or "pods"): wherein one or more cleaning agents in liquid or semi-solid form are enclosed in a housing consisting of a water-soluble film (typically a polymer such as polyvinyl acetate-PVA).

The mentioned housing as a whole is directly exposed to the front of the dispenser, i.e. without a hatch or similar movable closing element. The housing has a front receiving portion directly exposed at the front of the dispenser body and has a bottom extending in a direction transverse to the height dimension Y and having at least one drain channel. Preferably, the at least one drain channel is defined between the front containing portion and the bottom of the housing. Again preferably, the front carrying portion has a perforated structure (i.e., defines one or more openings), such as a grid structure.

In various embodiments, the receiving portion defines a front portion of the housing, and preferably also at least a portion of at least one of two opposing lateral sides of the housing. Preferably, the housing has an upper opening (i.e., generally opposite the bottom) configured to enable insertion of the tablet into the housing itself. This greatly facilitates the loading and dissolution of the tablets.

Such a housing is indicated by 300 in fig. 2-5, while the corresponding front holding structure, the corresponding bottom and the corresponding drain channel (see also fig. 18) are indicated by 301, 302 and 303. A tablet of one or more cleaning agents is illustrated only in fig. 5, where it is denoted by T. In an example, the housing 300 is open at the top to enable convenient insertion of the tablet T.

As can be appreciated, the tablet T may be inserted into the housing 300 prior to performing the cleaning procedure. During this procedure, part of the water sprayed into the tub 3 of the dishwasher 1 can reach the housing 300, for example by means of a known rotary sprayer system, facilitating the dissolution of the tablets T and the outflow of the corresponding mixture of water and detergent towards the inside of the tub 3. The presence of said at least one drainage channel 303, defined between the front containing portion 301 and the bottom 302, makes this effect possible.

The presence of the front containing portion 301, which is provided with openings, preferably comprising an alternation of full and empty spaces, such as a substantially grid-like structure, as in the illustrated case, further facilitates the effect of dissolving the tablet T and pouring the cleaning agent into the tub. The presence of one or more openings in the front of the housing 300 facilitates the passage of water sprayed at the inlet and water-detergent mixture at the outlet. The one or more water jets may also reach the one or more openings of the portion 301 with a certain energy, which directly impinges on a portion of the tablet T with a certain energy, which facilitates dissolution of the tablet. In various embodiments, the rotary sprayer of the dishwasher 1 may be prearranged for directing at least one water jet to a height corresponding to the height of the housing 300 (for this purpose, a thrust nozzle of the sprayer may be used, for example). It is obviously also possible to equip the hydraulic system of the dishwasher with a purposely provided fixed nozzle in order to direct the water jet towards the housing 300.

Of course, the water jet may hit the tablet T directly via the upper opening or at the top of the containing portion 301, which then forms a kind of "railing" for the tablet itself. In other words, the front containing portion may have a height (dimension Y) even smaller than the total height of the housing 300 or the various shapes of tablets it may receive, and in particular a height sufficient to effectively retain the tablets T within the housing 300 (despite typical vibrations of the dishwasher 1 during operation and despite possible energy of the incident water jet). When the dispenser 10 is mounted on the wall 5, the portion 301 also performs a retaining function during the closing and engaging movement of the door 3 of the dishwasher 1.

The presence of one or more drainage channels 303 between the containing portion and the bottom 302 is also intended to enable water and/or a mixture of water and detergent to flow out of the casing 300, so as to prevent any stagnation inside the casing itself. To this end, in various preferred embodiments, the bottom 302 of the housing 300 extends generally obliquely downward from its rear toward its front (see also FIG. 18). The bottom 302 may be made inclined at the production stage or its inclination may be obtained by mounting the dispenser 10 on the corresponding mounting wall 5.

The bottom 302 is preferably defined by a non-perforated surface of the dispenser body. In the bottom 302, there may be: defined reliefs extending along the dimension Y for partial resting of the tablet T; and recesses extending along the dimension Z so as to obtain drainage channels. The base 302 itself may have a structure with one or more through openings or drainage channels: in such an embodiment, the bottom 302 may thus be in the form of a substantially cantilever wall, and possibly the front portion of the hollow body 101 may be shaped so as to define a sort of chute below such a bottom wall, so as to facilitate the outflow of the mixture of water and detergent into the tub 3.

In various embodiments, the receiving portion 301 defines at least one front of the housing 300. In various preferred embodiments, the receiving portion 301 defines at least a portion of one of two opposing lateral sides of the housing. In the example shown, portion 301 defines both the front of the housing and a portion of both lateral sides, which is indicated by 304 in fig. 5. Referring again to the example shown, both the front and these lateral portions 304 have a perforated structure, which makes it easier for the water sprayed into the tub 3 to reach the inside of the housing 300 and for the mixture of water and detergent to flow out into the tub 3. In possible variations, only the front portion or only the portion 304, or at least one of them, may be perforated.

At least a portion of two opposite sides of the housing 300 may be defined by respective non-perforated surfaces of the dispenser body (i.e., of the hollow body 101 in the example). In an example, these non-perforated lateral surfaces are indicated by 305 in fig. 3. Likewise, the rear of the housing 300 may also be defined by a non-perforated surface 306 of the dispenser body (here, the removable dispenser portion 100, i.e., the central body 101 thereof). Preferably, the non-perforated surface 306 defining the rear portion and the non-perforated surface 305 defining a portion of the side portion are rounded together and/or with respect to the surface defining the bottom portion 302 via rounded or inclined surface portions in order to facilitate further outflow of liquid (two of said rounded portions being visible in fig. 18, indicated by 307 and 308).

Preferably, the housing is integrally defined by a portion of the dispenser body 10 (here the removable dispenser portion 100, i.e. the hollow body 101 thereof). However, in possible variations, the housing may be defined at least in part by walls or structures associated with the dispenser body 10, such as perforations or a mesh-like structure that is molded separately and then secured to the dispenser body 10 (e.g., via grooving, hooking, or welding).

In various preferred embodiments, the perforated structure of the front containing portion 301 (and/or of the bottom 302) is formed by one or more lateral portions (i.e. portions extending according to dimension X) and/or by one or more upright portions (i.e. portions extending according to dimension Y). Where both the transverse and upstanding portions are provided, these portions may be joined together or cross each other. This type of embodiment makes it easier to produce the housing 300 via moulding the dispenser body, while making it possible to obtain a strong construction, preferably a substantially grid-like construction, which is distinguished by a sufficiently wide empty area.

The aforementioned transverse and upstanding portions (some of which are indicated by 301a and 301b, respectively, in fig. 18) are preferably in the form of small bars or rods. More generally, the structure described with respect to the housing 300 and/or the front containing portion 301 as a whole makes it possible to obtain these elements via moulding of plastic material (preferably moulding a single piece with the corresponding portion of the dispenser body) without the need to fix separate portions.

Obviously, the front containing portion may have a different structure than that illustrated, without damaging the function of the front containing portion to retain the tablets T inside the casing and promote the passage of water and the outflow of the water and detergent mixture. In a possible variant embodiment, the front containing portion (preferably comprising at least a portion of at least one of the lateral sides of the housing) is obtained in part via moulding of plastic material and then associating with or welding to a corresponding portion of the dispenser body in which the rest of the housing is defined.

Again preferentially, the housing 300 is defined in the upper region of the dispenser body (here the removable dispenser portion 100, i.e. the central body 101 thereof), in particular with a corresponding upper opening for loading the tablets T closer to the upper edge of the dispenser body (reference dimension Y); however, the housing 300 may be defined in a lower region of the dispenser body 10.

If two loading openings 103 are provided in the front of the dispenser body (these loading openings have corresponding closure elements, such as for example the hatch 104 in the case illustrated ₁ 、104 ₂ ) The housing 300 is preferentially defined in an intermediate position between them and in any case in a position so as not to constitute an obstacle to their displacement; however, the housing 300 may also be defined in a lateral region of the dispenser body 10.

Of course, the shape and position of the housing 300, and the shape of the tablet T, may be different from that shown by way of example. Generally, the housing will have dimensions so as to be able to receive and effectively retain tablets of various shapes and sizes as available on the market, without necessarily involving a preset direction of introduction. Illustratively, the housing 300 may have a useful width (dimension X) comprised between 50mm and 60mm, a useful depth (dimension Z) comprised between 20mm and 30mm, and a height (dimension Y) of the lattice structure 301 comprised between 30mm and 40 mm.

The presence of the housing 300 enables the use of the tablet T in connection with the dispenser 10, however, it is not necessary to equip the dispenser with a specific compartment closed by a hatch that associates a corresponding automatic opening system therewith, as occurs instead in conventional dispensers for dishwashers, in which a compartment for containing a dose of detergent in powder form must be used to contain the tablet, which compartment is provided with its own hatch that associates an electronically controlled opening system therewith.

As already mentioned, in various embodiments, the at least one groove R1 and/or R2 provided in the removable dispenser portion 100 has a respective outlet defined at the rear of the hollow body 101.

Visible in fig. 4 is the rear wall of the hollow body (indicated by 111) defining the rear of the hollow body, while the outlets of the grooves R1 and R2 are indicated by 112 and 113. Preferably, each

outlet

112, 113 is defined in a generally lower position (reference dimension Y) of the corresponding slot. Again preferably, each

outlet

112, 113 is at least partially defined by a

tubular duct

112a, 113a, preferably having a cylindrical section, which may be coupled with a corresponding inlet provided at the front of the fixed distributor portion 200, which inlet preferably also comprises a tubular duct of congruent section.

In various embodiments, the rear (i.e., of the hollow body 101) of the removable dispenser portion 100 is shaped so as to be able to couple with or receive at least a corresponding portion of the front of the fixed dispenser portion 200. Additionally and/or alternatively, the front portion of the fixed dispenser portion 200 may be shaped so as to be able to couple with or receive at least a corresponding portion of the rear portion of the removable dispenser portion 100.

For example, referring again to fig. 4, the rear wall 111 of the hollow body 101 is shaped so as to define a seat or recess 114 having a bottom surface 114a and a peripheral surface 114b; in an example, recess 114 has a generally circular shape, with bottom surface 114a being substantially circular and peripheral surface 114b being substantially cylindrical. As will be seen, recess 114 may be at least partially occupied by a front portion of fixed dispenser portion 200, particularly in order to reduce the overall dimension in direction Z and/or in order to improve coupling between the portions and/or in order to facilitate repositioning of the removable portion on the fixed portion by a user. Two

outlets

112 and 113 may be defined on and protrude from a bottom surface 114a of recess 114.

The rear wall 111 of the hollow body 101 can conveniently be shaped to at least partially house particularly heavy components of the fixed dispenser part along the depth dimension Z. For example, referring again to fig. 4, a seat or recess of the rear wall 111 (which seat or recess also has a bottom surface and a peripheral surface not indicated) is designated 115, which seat or recess is designed to partially receive a housing having a corresponding cross section which is defined in front of the fixed dispenser portion 200 and partially received in which section is an actuator device, such as an electric motor (see also fig. 18, in which the motor is designated 404 and the corresponding housing is designated 204-204 a). Recess 115 may be defined on bottom surface 114a of recess 114; thus, the recess 115 may also protrude beyond the recess 114 towards the interior of the volume defined by the hollow body 101.

In the rear wall 111 of the hollow body 101, one or more further seats or recesses may be defined, adapted to receive corresponding portions of the front of the fixed dispenser portion 200. For example, referring again to fig. 4, two shaped seats or recesses (preferably in the upper portion) are indicated at 116 that will receive at least some of the corresponding portions of the locking/unlocking arrangement that, in a possible embodiment, is mounted on the dispenser 10. In an example, each recess 116 extends from the outer peripheral surface 114b of the recess 114 as far as the upper edge of the hollow body 101 and accommodates a respective latch/release device 105 as previously described ₁ 、105 ₂ Is a part of the same.

In various embodiments, two shaped lateral seats 117a-117b are provided, in particular in substantially opposite diametrical positions of peripheral surface 114b of recess 114, each of these seats preferably comprising two suitably shaped

distinct areas

117a and 117b.

The seats 117a-117b are designed to receive and enable movement of respective angularly movable engagement elements (e.g. indicated by 220c in fig. 11 and described below), which in a possible embodiment form part of a coupling/uncoupling arrangement (e.g. of the bayonet type) operating between the removable dispenser portion 100 and the fixed dispenser portion 200. In the example, each seat 117-117b extends outwardly in a radial direction from the peripheral surface 114b of recess 114.

The lower shaped seat or recess is designated 118 and is designed to receive a manually operable element and to enable angular movement of the element (designated 220d in fig. 3 and described below), which in a possible embodiment forms part of the aforesaid coupling/uncoupling arrangement. In an example, recess 118 extends from peripheral surface 114b of recess 114 as far as the lower edge of hollow body 101.

In possible embodiments, other seats or recesses may be provided extending from the peripheral surface 114b of the recess 114 as far as the lower edge of the hollow body 101, for example for partially housing a conduit for delivering a cleaning agent or enabling the cleaning agent to flow out (as described below) (such as illustrated by 403c in fig. 11, described below) ₁ Indicated tube segment): this is the case for the recesses denoted 118a and 118b, respectively, which are defined in the direction of the depth Z starting from the bottom of the recess 118 in the example.

In any event, it will be appreciated that the operation of the dispenser 10 during the treatment procedure does not imply any movement of the removable portion 100, regardless of the conformation selected for the interface wall between the removable portion 100 and the fixed portion 200, and therefore the removable portion is coupled in a fixed position on the fixed portion 200.

The fixed dispenser part 200 is visible in fig. 3 and 4 (with respect to the outer side 5a and the inner side 5b of the corresponding mounting wall 5), in partially exploded views in fig. 9-10, and in isolation in fig. 11 and 12.

Referring initially to fig. 3, the fixed dispenser part 200 comprises a body 201 designed to fit in a through opening (preferably an opening having a substantially circular profile) of the wall 5. The body 201 may also be made of plastic material, for example, via molding; if necessary, the body 201 may also be formed of several parts which are joined together, for example welded together or detachably coupled, possibly with the interposition of sealing elements.

Referring particularly to fig. 9-11, in various embodiments, the body 201 has a bottom wall 201a and a peripheral wall 201b ₁ -201b ₂ At which a radially outwardly projecting flange 201c is defined. Preferably, the body is mounted starting from the outer side 5a of the mounting wall 5, wherein the flange 201c is designed to bear on the aforementioned outer side 5a, wherein possibly a sealing element (indicated by 202 in fig. 9-10 (see also fig. 18)) is inserted, for example an annular gasket made of elastomer.

In various embodiments, in the installed state, a front portion of the body 201 (indicated as a whole by 203 in fig. 3) protrudes in front with respect to the outer side 5a of the wall 5, in particular to be received in the above-described recess 114 (fig. 4) of the rear portion of the removable dispenser portion 100. The protruding portion 203 of the main body 201 is formed by a bottom wall 201a and a peripheral wall 201b ₁ Is formed at a portion extending in front of the flange 201c. In the example, the bottom wall 201a is substantially circular for this purpose, and the peripheral wall 201b ₁ -201b ₂ Or at least part 201b thereof ₁ Is substantially cylindrical.

In various embodiments, an additional hollow protrusion (indicated at 204) extends forward from bottom wall 201 a. In the non-limiting example shown, the further protrusion 204 is designed for coupling with the recess 115 (see also fig. 18) of the rear part of the removable dispenser part 100, and for this purpose the protrusion 204 preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape, or some other shape substantially complementary to the recess 115.

In various embodiments, at least one of a signaling arrangement and a lock/unlock arrangement is associated with the dispenser, possible embodiments of which will be described below: in various embodiments, at least one first functional element of such an arrangement is mounted on the fixed dispenser part and is designed to cooperate with at least one second functional element mounted on the removable dispenser part. In these embodiments, the at least one first functional element is accessible in a front region of the fixed dispenser part such that it may be operatively coupled to or separate from the at least one second functional element. The front portion of the fixed dispenser part may be shaped for supporting and/or guiding and/or positioning the aforementioned first functional element.

To this end, in various embodiments, at least one positioning and/or guiding formation 205, preferably integrally formed with the body 201, is defined in the front portion 203. In the example of fig. 11, two formations 205 are provided in the mirror position, from the peripheral wall 201b of the body 201 ₁ Extends upward (reference dimension Y). In an example, each formation 205 performs the function of positioning and/or guiding for at least one locking element belonging to the aforementioned locking/unlocking arrangement and for at least one light transmission element belonging to the aforementioned signalling arrangement, these elements preferably extending substantially parallel to each other and axially along the height dimension Y of the dispenser; in fig. 11, two of the aforementioned locking elements are represented by 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ And two of the aforementioned light transmitting elements are denoted by 207.

Referring again to fig. 11, according to a possible embodiment, at the front of the fixed dispenser part 200 (i.e. of the bottom wall 201a of its body 201), at least one inlet for the cleaning agent is open, designed for connection with a corresponding outlet of a tank defined in the removable dispenser part 100. In the example represented, a first inlet 210 and a second inlet 211 are provided, preferably defined by positioned tubular conduits, to which the outlets 112 and 113 (fig. 4) of the tanks R1 and R2, respectively, can be coupled in a separable manner.

Referring again particularly to fig. 11, in a possible embodiment, at least one channel 212 for dispensing cleaning agent is opened at the front of the stationary dispenser part 200 (i.e. of the wall 201a of its body 201). Preferably, the channel 212 opens at a recess or recess 213 in the front surface of the bottom wall 201a, which recess, for purposes described hereinafterOr recess at least in the channel 212 itself and the peripheral wall 201b of the body 201 ₁ Extends downward (reference dimension Y). In the example shown, the channel 212 is associated with an arrangement for dispensing cleaning agent from the tank R2.

In various embodiments, the dispenser has a dispensing arrangement for the cleaning agent contained in the trough of the removable dispenser section, the dispensing arrangement comprising a pump preferably mounted on the fixed dispenser section. In various such embodiments, at least a portion of the pump is disposed within a corresponding housing defined in a front portion of the stationary dispenser portion. In various preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the housing extends toward the interior of the wash tub 3; i.e. it extends beyond the plane identified by the mounting wall 5 of the dispenser 10. In this way, the housing and thus at least a part of the pump may be located on the outside of the door 3 of the dishwasher 1 or in any case in an easily accessible position, which proves to be useful, for example, for maintenance/repair/cleaning purposes.

In the example represented in fig. 11, such a housing is indicated by 214 and is defined in a wall 201a of the body portion 201. As can be noted, at least a portion of the housing extends forward beyond the flange 201c for mounting the stationary dispenser part 200.

The housing 214 is preferably closed by a corresponding removable cover (indicated by 215 in fig. 3 and 9-10, for example), possibly with the insertion of sealing means, not shown. In various embodiments, the cover 215 is removably mounted to facilitate cleaning of the housing 214 and/or pump; in particular, the cover 215 may then be moved away from the tub side. In an example, the cover 215 is shaped so as to define a channel 215 for the inlet 210. Advantageously, a seat 216 for the lid 215 is defined on the outer surface of the bottom wall 201a of the body 201.

More generally, in various embodiments, at least a portion of the pump is mounted at or accessible at a front portion of the fixed dispenser portion, which in the example is represented by a front protruding portion 203 (as seen, the portion 203 may be received in a corresponding seat 114 defined in the rear of the removable dispenser portion 100).

In various embodiments, the peripheral wall 201b of the body 201 ₂ Extending behind the flange 201c and prearranging the portion inserted through the corresponding through opening of the mounting wall 5 for coupling with at least one retaining element for fixing the fixed dispenser portion 200 to the wall itself. With particular reference to the examples of figures 9-10, for this purpose, peripheral wall 201b ₂ On its outer surface, a male thread (not shown) on which a retaining ring nut (indicated as a whole by 217) provided with a corresponding female thread 217a is to be screwed down (see also fig. 4, for the assembled condition of the two parts in question). As an alternative to threaded coupling, the peripheral wall 201b of the body 201 ₂ The holding element (here represented by the ring nut 217) may have some other shape and/or be provided with other means of mutual coupling, for example in the form of a bayonet-type attachment and/or an at least partly elastic means for mutual engagement and/or provided with holes and corresponding set screws. The holding element 217 may also be made of a plastic material.

Bottom wall 201a and peripheral wall 201b of main body 201 ₁ -201b ₂ Defining a cavity (e.g., indicated generally at C in fig. 4, 9 and 12) in which one or more of the functional elements of dispenser 10 described below are mounted or defined.

In various embodiments, the dispenser includes an arrangement that is operable by a user to cause the removable dispenser portion to be coupled to/uncoupled from the fixed dispenser portion. In various embodiments, the coupling/uncoupling arrangement comprises at least one element that, although mounted on the fixed dispenser portion, is operable in the front region of the dispenser (i.e. the portion of the dispenser designed to protrude towards the inside of the washing tub of the machine 1).

In various embodiments, the foregoing arrangement includes a movable coupling/uncoupling member. Referring particularly to fig. 9-11, the member (indicated generally at 220 as a whole) is of the angularly movable type herein and is mounted on the front portion 203 of the body 201. The member 220 may be made of a plastic material.

As can be seen in fig. 9-10, the member 220 has an annular body that includes a generally cylindrical peripheral wall 220a from which a flange 220b preferably, but not necessarily, projects radially outwardly. The annular bodies 220a-220b have an inner diameter slightly larger than the peripheral wall 201b ₁ So that it can be constrained thereto in a rotatable manner. For this purpose, in a possible embodiment, in the peripheral wall 201b ₁ A specially designed seat (not shown) may be provided in which the rotating member 220 may engage via a snap action and possibly rotation.

In various embodiments, the rotating member 220 has at least two coupling elements 220c, in particular in the form of wings, preferably in opposite diametrical positions, which protrude in a radial direction, preferably starting from the peripheral wall 220 a. In various embodiments, a manually operable element, such as a lever (indicated by 220 d), protrudes radially from the rotating member 220, in particular from its flange 220b, if envisaged. Preferably, the operable element 220d extends downward (reference dimension Y) at substantially its bottom dead center with respect to each coupling element 220c by an angular distance of about 90 °. Again preferably, the element 220d has a length and a conformation such that it can be manipulated from the front of the dispenser 10 (see, e.g., fig. 2 and 18) even when the removable dispenser portion 100 is coupled to the fixed dispenser portion 200.

In various embodiments, the member 220 has one or more undercuts or recesses to prevent one or more corresponding securing elements of the body portion 201 that may interfere during angular displacement thereof. These recesses may extend over the peripheral wall 220a and/or the flange 220 b.

For example, referring to fig. 9 and 10, two recesses are indicated by 220e, which are designed to be located from the peripheral wall 201b of the body 201 ₁ Is provided at the partially extended formation 205. As can also be noted in fig. 11, the angular extension of the recess 220e is greater than that of the formation 205 and is arranged relative thereto so as to be screwedThe rotation member 220 is capable of angular movement. Recesses (denoted by 220 f) with similar function are provided in the lower region of the rotating member 220, in particular to prevent movement from interfering with the delivery outlets (described below in fig. 11 by 219 and 403c ₁ Indicated element) extending beyond the peripheral wall 201b of the body 201 of the fixed dispenser part 200 ₁ Is provided, the outer surface of the portion of (a) is provided.

Referring again to fig. 9-11, a recess is finally designated 220g, which is aligned with the outlet end of the previously described discharge recess 213 in order to enable a delivered dose of cleaning agent to flow out by gravity in the operational state of the dispenser 10 (i.e., wherein the removable dispenser portion 100 is coupled to the fixed dispenser portion 200).

Illustrated in fig. 13 and 14 is an operational mode of the coupling/uncoupling arrangement including the rotary member 220. As previously mentioned, in the operating condition of the dispenser 10, the front protruding portion 203 (see also fig. 3) of the main body 201 of the fixed dispenser portion 200 is housed within the recess 114 (see also fig. 4) of the rear of the hollow body 101 of the removable dispenser portion 100; also, the positioning and/or guiding formation 205 is located in a recess 116 (fig. 4) in the rear of the hollow body 101.

In this coupled state, as represented in fig. 13, the coupling elements 220c of the rotating member 220 are engaged in respective shaped seats defined in the peripheral surface 114b of the recess 114, in particular in the engagement areas 117a of these seats (see also fig. 4): in this way, a secure coupling between the removable dispenser portion 100 and the fixed dispenser portion 200 is ensured. As already said, in the examples of fig. 4 and 13-14, the seats mentioned are shaped so as to obtain a coupling of substantially bayonet type, and therefore each have an engagement zone 117a and a release zone 117b (not visible in fig. 13-14, but represented in fig. 4) for the coupling element 220 c.

As shown in fig. 14, when it is necessary to remove the removable dispenser portion 100 from the fixed dispenser portion 200, the user must rotate the rotating member 220 (here in a counter-clockwise direction) with respect to the body 201 on which the element 220 itself is mounted, as indicated by arrow UF. For this purpose, it is possible to use an operable portion 220d of the rotating member 220, which protrudes downwards beyond the hollow body 101. In this way, after imparting rotation to the rotating member 220, the coupling element 220c is released from the respective engagement zone 117a of the corresponding seat, thus starting to occupy the corresponding release zone (117 b-see fig. 4): in this manually separated state, the removable dispenser portion 100 may thus be removed from the fixed dispenser portion 200 (except for the possible presence of additional blocking elements, as exemplified below).

It will be appreciated that starting from the state of fig. 14, after repositioning the portion 100 on the portion 200, a manual recoupling can be obtained simply by rotating the rotating member 200 in opposite direction (i.e. in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow UF of fig. 14).

In various preferred embodiments, the movement for coupling and uncoupling the removable dispenser portion and the fixed dispenser portion occurs in a substantially linear direction (in particular along the depth dimension Z of the dispenser). In these embodiments, the illustrated type of coupling/uncoupling arrangement is particularly advantageous in view of its simplicity.

In any event, it should be noted that the coupling/uncoupling arrangement operating between the

portions

100 and 200 of the dispenser 10 may be different from the coupling/uncoupling arrangement illustrated, according to modalities that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the mechanism with bayonet coupling may have the opposite configuration with respect to the illustrated mechanism, i.e. wherein a rotating member similar in function to the rotating member indicated by 220 is mounted on the rear of the movable dispenser body part 100, and wherein the corresponding coupling seat is defined at the front of the fixed dispenser part. In other embodiments, the coupling/uncoupling arrangement operating between

portions

100 and 200 may be based on the use of at least one linearly movable coupling/uncoupling member, rather than an angularly movable coupling/uncoupling member (e.g., comprising a slider).

As has been seen, in various embodiments, the removable dispenser portion comprises at least one slot having in its lower portion a respective outlet at the rear of the hollow body that will face the front of the fixed dispenser portion, and wherein the outlet may be detachably coupled to a corresponding inlet at the front of the fixed dispenser portion. In such embodiments, the inlet is connected in fluid communication with a corresponding dispensing arrangement configured to deliver a dosed amount of cleaning agent from the corresponding tank. In this particularly advantageous embodiment, at least one retention valve at the outlet of the tank is mounted on the hollow body, said at least one retention valve being configured to assume a respective open position after coupling between the outlet and the inlet and a respective closed position after separation between the outlet and the inlet. Thus, the holding valve is a valve that automatically switches from an open position to a closed position when the movable dispenser part is removed from the fixed dispenser part and from the closed position to the open position when the movable dispenser part is coupled to the fixed dispenser part. In this way, it is possible to prevent undesired leakage of cleaning agent when the removable dispenser part is removed.

In various embodiments (such as the one illustrated in the figures), the hollow body defines two slots, each slot having its own outlet, and wherein two corresponding inlets are on the fixed dispenser portion: in these cases, one of the holding valves may be installed at each outlet.

Referring to the examples described so far, the concept is schematically illustrated in fig. 15, in which it can be noted how the

outlets

112 and 113 of the hollow body 101 are designed to be inserted in the

inlets

210 and 211 of the main body 201, respectively. As already said, the outlets 112 and 123 on one side and the

inlets

210 and 211 on the other side preferably have at least partially a tubular configuration in order to facilitate the mutual coupling in the direction in which the removable dispenser portion 100 is coupled to the fixed dispenser portion 200. The annular gasket may also be associated with a corresponding outlet or inlet, so as to improve the fluid tightness if necessary.

The tubular arrangement of the outlets 112 and 123 and the

inlets

210 and 211 is preferably such as to promote respective sealing, for example via respective sealing elements (in particular in annular form), wherein the aforementioned seals may be of the axial type or of the radial type. For example, for an axial type seal, an annular sealing element may be provided that operates between the head of each outlet and a contrast wall (contrast wall) in the corresponding inlet, whereas in the case of a radial type seal, an annular sealing element may be provided that operates between the tubular wall of the outlet and the tubular wall of the corresponding inlet. Preferably, the outlets 112 and 123 and the

inlets

210 and 211 have a circular cross-section (i.e. a substantially cylindrical shape) with which a respective circular annular sealing element (e.g. in the form of an O-ring) may be associated; however, the tubular shape of the outlet and inlet may have different cross-sections (e.g. polygonal), but preferably have rounded corners.

The first and second holding valves (230 ₁ And 230 and ₂ indicated) are only partially visible in fig. 15, associated with outlet 112 and outlet 113, respectively. It can be further appreciated from the figures that in various embodiments, how the front of the fixed dispenser portion 200 includes one or more guiding elements (such as the protruding portion 203, the

tubular inlets

211, 212, the protrusions 204, the formations 205) and the rear of the removable dispenser portion 100 includes one or more guided elements (the recesses 114, the

tubular outlets

112, 113, the seats 115, the recesses 116) to define a unique direction and/or position of coupling between the aforementioned movable and fixed portions of the dispenser. As already seen, the coupling preferably occurs substantially along the depth dimension Z of the dispenser (i.e. in a direction substantially orthogonal to the front of the fixed dispenser portion or mounting wall of the dispenser).

Holding valve 230 ₁ And 230 and ₂ each configured to assume a respective open position upon coupling between the

outlets

112 and 113 on one side and the

inlets

210 and 211 on the other side, and a respective closed position upon separation between the

outlets

112 and 113 on one side and the

inlets

210 and 211 on the other side. In an example, check valve 230 ₁ And 230 and ₂ causing automatic closing and/or opening of the

outlets

112 and 113 of the tanks R1 and R2: in the case of further grooves, it is possible to provide for, in a corresponding mannerAn additional holding valve is provided on the outlet.

Holding valve 230 ₁ And 230 and ₂ the possible configurations of (a) are seen in fig. 16 and 17, which are only schematic cross-sectional illustrations of the hollow body 101.

In an example, each valve 230 ₁ And 230 and ₂ comprising a valve member 231 which is at least partially inserted inside the corresponding

tubular outlet portion

112a or 113a and which is urged towards the closed position of the outlet itself by a resilient element 232, in particular a spring. Preferably, the spring 232 extends in the corresponding groove R1 or R2 and has a first end supported on the inner surface of the groove itself, opposite to the corresponding

tubular outlet portion

112a or 113 a; possibly, in the groove, a rest formation may be defined for the first end of the spring 232, as for the valve 230 ₂ For example.

The valve member 231 has a first portion 233 generally opposite the spring 232 that extends axially through the corresponding

tubular outlet portion

112a or 113a and defines an actuation end 233a of the valve member 230. Preferably, the first portion 233 of the member 231 has a series of radial wings (not indicated by any reference numerals, but clearly visible, for example, in fig. 6) so as to facilitate the centering and/or guiding of the member itself within the corresponding tubular outlet, so as to enable the axial sliding thereof and the passage of the cleaning agent whatsoever. Again preferably, the actuating end 233a of the valve member 231 protrudes beyond the proximal edge of the corresponding

tubular outlet portion

112a or 113 a.

The valve member 231 is provided with sealing means capable of interacting with the corresponding

tubular outlet portion

112a or 113a to open or close it. In the example, for this purpose, the valve member 231 defines, in its portion inside the respective groove R1 or R2, a flange 234 protruding radially outwards. In the example, a sealing gasket (indicated by 235), preferably a sealing ring, is mounted on the side of the flange 234 facing the

corresponding outlet

112 or 113, which has a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the corresponding outlet, and which is able to provide a front or axial seal with respect to the internal surface area of the groove R1 or R2 surrounding the mouth of the outlet itself.

In an example, check valve 230 ₂ And has a second portion 236 extending axially from flange 234 in a direction opposite to first portion 233, on which a portion of a corresponding spring 232 can be conveniently fitted and thus guided, the second end of the spring preferably bearing on the opposite side of the flange from the corresponding washer 235. Referring again to the example, the flange 234 of the member 231 defines, on its side opposite to the washer 235, a seat (not indicated) that is received and therefore guided, in which a portion of the corresponding spring 232 is located, the second end of which is supported on the bottom of the seat.

Of course, check valve 230 ₁ And 230 and ₂ and may be constructed in a similar manner. In an example, the reason for the different embodiments is the valve 230 ₂ Is mounted in the deeper region (dimension Z) of the hollow body (i.e. of the groove R2), wherein the valve member 231 is axially longer, and due to this it is advisable to envisage an axial extension 236 for the guide spring 232.

Fig. 16 illustrates the check valve 203 ₁ And 230 and ₂ which is equivalent to the operating state obtained when the removable dispenser portion 100 is coupled to the fixed dispenser portion. In this state, the actuation end 233a of the valve member 231 is supported on a corresponding contrast surface defined in the fixed dispenser part 200, in particular at the corresponding inlet 210 or 211: in this way, the valve member 231 is maintained in the retracted position against the action of the spring 232, the check valve 230 ₁ Or 230. Or ₂ Corresponds to the retracted position. In this state, the sealing means comprising the gasket 235 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the groove R1 or R2 surrounding the mouth of the

tubular outlet portion

112a or 113a, thus enabling the cleaning agent to enter the

corresponding inlet

210 or 211 of the stationary dispenser portion 200.

The contrast surface (on which the actuating end 233a of the valve member 231 is supported) is preferably defined within the

corresponding inlet

210 or 211 of the stationary dispenser portion 200. For example, the surface may be represented by the inner surface of the bottom of the inlet 210 or 211 (the bottoms of the

inlets

210 and 211 are visible in FIG. 12, where the bottoms are indicated by 210b and 211b, respectively), or by a surface defined at the inlet 210 or an purposely provided element within the inlet 211: this second case is for check valve 230 in FIG. 18 ₁ An example is illustrated in which a contrast element 210c extends within the inlet 210, the actuating end of the respective valve member bearing on the front surface of the contrast element, thus holding it in the retracted open position of the

outlet

112 or 113 in the compressed state of the respective spring.

Instead, as can be seen in fig. 17, when the removable dispenser portion 100 is instead separated from the fixed dispenser portion 200, the valve member 231 is pushed and held in the advanced position by the corresponding spring 232, holding the valve 230 ₁ Or 230. Or ₂ Corresponds to the advanced position. In this state, the sealing means comprising the gasket 235 is pressed against the inner surface of the groove R1 or R2 surrounding the mouth of the

tubular outlet portion

112a or 113a due to the spring 232, thus preventing the outflow of cleaning agent through the

respective outlet

112, 113.

In various preferred embodiments (such as the one illustrated in the figures), at least two grooves R1 and R2 are defined in a single body 101, but in possible variant embodiments, two or more grooves may be different from each other, i.e. each belonging to a respective removable hollow body: in such an embodiment, the stationary dispenser part will have a correspondingly adapted structure in order to achieve a detachable mechanical and fluid coupling of the hollow body using, for example, a device of the type already described above. Also in this solution, each hollow body may be provided with a holding valve of the type described at the corresponding outlet.

In various embodiments, the removable dispenser portion includes first and second slots for first and second cleaners, respectively, and the dispenser includes first and second delivery arrangements, each configured for dispensing a dosed amount of the respective first or second cleaner, respectively. In such a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first dispensing arrangement comprises a peristaltic pump associating a command arrangement of the second dispensing arrangement therewith, the peristaltic pump being configured to be driven in a first direction to cause a first dosed amount of the first cleaning agent to be dispensed, and to be driven in a second direction to drive the command arrangement so as to cause a second dosed amount of the second cleaning agent to be dispensed (in particular via the second dispensing arrangement).

In the above embodiments, each dispensing arrangement preferably comprises a dispensing conduit extending between the outlet of the corresponding tank and the dispensing outlets for the dosed amounts of the first and second cleaning agents, respectively, wherein at least a portion of the dispensing conduit of the first arrangement of peristaltic pumps is deformable.

Possible embodiments of such peristaltic pumps are seen, for example, in fig. 11, 12 and 18, in fig. 18 the dispenser 10 being illustrated in an operative state.

The peristaltic pump is indicated as a whole by 400 in fig. 11, although in the preceding figures only a portion of the pump is visible as being disposed within a housing 214 defined in the front portion of the fixed dispenser portion 200 (i.e. of the body 201 thereof). In the previous figures, the rotary assembly of the pump 400 is indicated by 401, carrying one or more compression elements 402, for example constituted by rollers rotatably mounted according to a circumference on the structure (401 a, fig. 18) of the assembly 401. The pump 400 further comprises an at least partially deformable conduit or tube 403 (hereinafter also referred to simply as "tube"). Preferably, tube 403 has at least a middle portion 403a that is in contact with and/or wrapped around and in deforming contact with compression elements 402 of rotating assembly 401. To this end, in various embodiments, the housing 214 defines a curved contact surface 214a against which a portion of the tube intermediate portion 403a opposite the compression element 402 rests.

In the example, the intermediate portion 403a of the tube is defined between a first portion 403b of the tube (defined herein as "ascending") and a second portion 403c of the tube (defined herein as "descending"), the two

portions

403b, 403c of the tube preferably extending at least partially substantially parallel, in particular along the height dimension Y of the dispenser 10. The delivery capacity or flow rate of the pump 400, or the amount of cleaning agent delivered, may be determined according to per se known techniques from parameters such as the number of compression elements 402, the size of the circumference according to which these elements are arranged, the channel profile of the deformable tube 403, the r.p.m. of the motor 404, and/or the number of revolutions of the motor 404.

In the non-limiting example depicted, the lower end of the rising portion 403b of the tube is coupled to a corresponding attachment 218 defined by the body 201 of the fixed dispenser portion 200, particularly within the housing 214, wherein the attachment 218 is in fluid communication with the tubular inlet 210 via an opening, indicated by 218a, defined on the tubular wall of the aforementioned inlet (see also e.g. fig. 46 and 49).

Instead, the lower end of the lowered portion 403c of the tube defines a dispensing opening 219 for the first cleaning agent. In the example, the portion 403c of the tube passes through the peripheral wall 201b of the body 201 ₁ For this purpose, the peripheral wall is provided with a corresponding recess (not indicated), in which tube section 403c ₁ Protruding beyond the peripheral wall, the tube section is designed to be at least partially received in a recess 118a (see fig. 4) in the rear of the hollow body 101. It should be noted that the outlet 219 may also be defined by a tubular element (such as the attachment 218) associated with or integrally defined by the body 201, to which the lower end of the portion 403c of the tube is connected.

In various preferred embodiments in which peristaltic pumps of the type illustrated with reference to fig. 11 are used, with reference to the height dimension Y of the dispenser 10, the outlet of the tank R1, or the corresponding inlet 210 on the fixed dispenser portion 200, is at a lower level than the rotating assembly 411 of the pump, i.e. at a lower level than the portion 403a of the tube and/or the curved contact surface 214a, when the dispenser is in the operating condition (i.e. vertically disposed as in fig. 11). This arrangement prevents any leakage of the corresponding cleaning agent into the tub 3. This arrangement, which is associated with the fact that the corresponding delivery outlet 219 is preferentially at a lower height than the rotating assembly 411 of the pump, also makes it possible to prevent any stagnation of the corresponding cleaning agent in the portion of the delivery conduit downstream of the assembly 401 of the pump 400 (here the portion 403c of the flexible tube 403).

In operation of pump 400, rotation of assembly 401 causes the first cleaning agent to be pumped through tube 403, wherein compression element 402 compresses and releases successive segments of tube portion 403a against curved contact surface 214 a.

The rotation of the assembly 401 is caused by an electric actuator (such as a motor indicated generally at 404 in fig. 12) having an angularly rotatable shaft, which is mounted on the fixed dispenser portion 200. In an example, a rear portion of the motor 404 is housed within a hollow protrusion 204 (see fig. 11) of the front of the body 201. The front portion of the motor 404 is preferably housed in a corresponding tubular seat 204a defined in the cavity C of the body 201 and aligned with the aforesaid hollow recess 204 of the front portion (see fig. 18).

Preferably, the motor 404 has a drive shaft rotatable according to an axis substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating assembly 401, one or more transmission members being provided between the drive shaft and the rotating assembly. Referring to the example shown, the drive shaft (denoted 404 a) of the motor 404 is partially visible in fig. 18, with the corresponding axis of rotation denoted 404b, and in the same figure the shaft of the rotating assembly 401, denoted 401b, which identifies its corresponding axis of rotation (denoted 401 c). In an example, the shaft 401b of the rotating assembly 401 is mounted through a corresponding opening defined on the bottom of the housing 214; at this opening, a corresponding cylindrical seat 214b protrudes from the bottom of the housing 214 toward the inside of the cavity C of the main body 201 for supporting and guiding the shaft 401b. Preferably, a sealing ring (not indicated) is mounted in the intermediate section of the shaft 401b housed in the corresponding cylindrical seat 214 b.

Keyed to the shaft 404a of the motor 404 is a first gear 405 and keyed to the shaft 401b of the rotating assembly 401 is a second gear 406, the two

gears

405 and 406 being meshed with each other such that rotation of the shaft 404a rotates the shaft 401b and thus the assembly 401. In an example, the diameter of gear 405, and thus the number of teeth, is less than the diameter of gear 406, and thus the number of teeth.

As already said, the pump 400 belongs to an arrangement for dispensing the first cleaning agent, which likewise comprises a dispensing conduit extending between the outlet of the corresponding tank R1 and the delivery outlet 219. In an example, a dispensing conduit is defined on the fixed dispenser portion 200 and includes an inlet 210, an attachment 218, and a deformable tube 403. As already said, alternatively, the dispensing outlet of the duct may be defined by a tubular portion of the body 201, to which the outlet of the tube 403 is connected.

In various embodiments, the dispensing arrangement for the second cleaning agent contained in the second tank (i.e., tank R2) includes a dosing valve that operates along a corresponding dispensing conduit. With particular reference to fig. 12, such a dosing valve is indicated as a whole by 410. In general, the dosing valve 410 may be obtained according to techniques known in the art of dispensers for dishwashers and for example comprises a dosing chamber partly housing a valve member, wherein the member is movable between: a first position in which the member closes the inlet of the dosing chamber itself and at the same time enables the second cleaning agent to flow out of the dosing chamber through the respective outlet; and a second position in which the valve member opens the inlet of the dosing chamber and at the same time prevents the second cleaning agent from flowing out of the dosing chamber through the respective outlet.

A possible embodiment of a dosing valve 410 is illustrated in fig. 19. In the previous figures, the dosing chamber defined by the body 201 of the fixed dispenser part 200 is denoted 411, in which the valve member (denoted 412 as a whole) is partly housed in a linearly slidable manner. The portion of the valve member indicated by 412a always extends on the outside of the chamber 411 through a through hole of the front cover 411a of the chamber itself. The lid 411a is preferably fixed at the front opening of the chamber 411 via screws (one of which is indicated by 411 b), possibly with the interposition of a sealing gasket, but in a possible variant (as can be seen for example in fig. 12), the screws may not be present and the lid is welded directly at the front opening described above. The outer portion 412a of the member 412 is preferably provided with a widened head 412b via which a pulling force can be imparted on the member itself.

A sealing element 413 made of an elastic material (e.g. elastomer) is fitted on at least a part of the portion of the member 412 extending in the dosing chamber 411. The sealing element 413 comprises a flange portion 413a designed to provide a seal with respect to a valve seat 411 defined within the chamber 411. Instead, the end portion 413b of the sealing element 413 is covered with an end of the (coat) member 412 opposite to the lid 411a, so as to close the inlet 411e of the dosing chamber 411 in a sealed manner. The inlet is formed by a through opening of a wall belonging to a lower hollow extension 411c of the rear portion of the inlet 211 defined in the fixed distributor portion 200. Sealing element 413 is also shaped to define a bellows portion 413c at an end opposite portion 413 b. The purpose of the bellows portion 413c is to provide a seal against the inside of the lid 411a (and thus prevent liquid from coming out of the opening of the lid 411 through which is the valve member) and at the same time enable the valve member 412 to be displaced linearly. Housed within the bellows portion 413c is a spring (not visible) which tends to urge the member 422 into the closed position of the valve seat 411e.

As previously mentioned, the inlet 211 also preferably comprises at least one cylindrical tubular portion to enable coupling of the corresponding tubular outlet 113 of the tank R2. Fig. 12, for example, shows the aforementioned cylindrical tubular portion, indicated by 211a, and a corresponding bottom wall 211b, which is common to the aforementioned lower extension 211c located in the rear portion of portion 211 a. The lower extension 211c preferably has an approximately prismatic shape or in any case a shape comprising a rectilinear wall defining the bottom of the dosing chamber 411 and provided with a through opening forming the inlet 411e of the chamber itself.

The dosing chamber 411 likewise has an outlet 411f defined in its peripheral wall and in fluid communication with a corresponding conduit 240 present on the body 201 of the fixed dispenser part 200. The outside of this duct 240 is partially visible in fig. 12 and 20 (see also fig. 71, in which duct 240 is partially cut away), and preferably comprises a portion 240a integrally defined with body 201 and a corresponding cover 240b fixed in a fluid-tight manner (for example welded). The conduit 240 extends at least between the outlet 411f of the dosing chamber of fig. 19 and the delivery channel 212 opening on the front of the body 201 (fig. 11). Preferably, a portion of the conduit 240 also extends at the top as far as the outlet 411e of the dosing chamber 411 to perform a ventilation function.

Fig. 19 illustrates the aforementioned first position of the dosing valve 410, wherein the valve member 412 with the corresponding sealing element 413 is pushed by the corresponding spring (present in the bellows portion 413 c) to close the inlet 411e. It is assumed that in this state, the chamber 411 is empty and a second cleaning liquid is present in the inlet 211 and the corresponding lower extension 211c (which are in direct fluid communication with the second tank R2 and, more specifically, with the injection volume R2a of fig. 6-8). The flange portion 413a of the sealing member 413 is disposed at a distance from the corresponding valve seat 411 d.

For the purpose of dispensing a dose of the second cleaning agent, the valve member 412 is retracted against the action of the corresponding bellows portion in such a way that the inlet 411e of the chamber 411 is opened and at the same time the flange portion 413a of the sealing element is displaced towards the corresponding valve seat 411 d. In this way, a certain amount of the second cleaning agent can penetrate into the dosing chamber 411. Preferentially, even after the flange portion 413a has reached the valve seat 411d, the back-off of the member 412 takes place in any case by a certain segment, possibly folding the sealing element 413 "accordion" over the valve member 412 (see for example fig. 28), and thus also creating the effect of sucking the second cleaning agent into the dosing chamber 411. Because the valve seat is closed, fluid cannot reach the outlet 411f of the chamber 411 in any case.

Next, the valve member 412 is allowed to return to the initial state shown in fig. 19 under the action of the corresponding spring, wherein the flange portion 413a of the sealing element 413 is disengaged from the valve seat 411d and enables the dose of cleaning agent from the chamber 411 to flow out through the outlet 411f, and wherein the end of the member 412 (i.e. of the corresponding portion 413b of the sealing element 413) re-closes the inlet 411e, thereby preventing any further inflow of the second cleaning agent. Thus, this dose of the second washing agent flows down the duct 240 until it reaches the drain channel 212 (fig. 11), and thus the

recesses

213 and 220g, which allow the second washing agent to pass towards the inside of the washing tub 3 of the dishwasher 1.

In an example, then, a delivery conduit of the second delivery arrangement is also defined on the fixed dispenser part 200 and comprises an inlet 211, an extension 211c, a dosing chamber 411 of the valve 410, a conduit 240, and preferably a recess 213 and a recess 220g.

As previously explained, in an advantageous embodiment, a peristaltic pump, or at least one of its parts, is used to obtain the delivery of the two cleaning agents, and for this purpose the pump is of the reversible type; that is, its actuator may be driven in a first direction to enable delivery of a first cleaning agent and may be driven in a second, opposite direction to enable delivery of a second cleaning agent due to a command arrangement provided between the pump and the second dispensing arrangement, which in the example comprises a dosing valve 410. The command arrangement may be driven by a corresponding rotary member associated with the pump, as in the examples described below, or the command arrangement may be shaped so as to be driven by or comprise one of the parts of the pump 400, for example one of its rotary assemblies 401 and/or its compression elements 402 and/or one of its transmission members arranged between the rotary assemblies 401 and the motor 404.

In various embodiments, the command arrangement includes a drive lever rotatable about a respective axis through an angle and operatively associated with a valve member of a dosing valve forming part of the aforementioned second dispensing arrangement (such as member 412 of valve 410). The transmission lever is configured in such a way that:

-angular movement of the transmission lever in the first direction caused by actuation of the peristaltic pump in the first rotational direction does not displace the valve member so as to cause dispensing of the second dose of the second cleaning agent; and

-angular movement of the transmission lever in a second direction caused by actuation of the peristaltic pump in a second rotational direction displaces the valve member so as to cause dispensing of at least one second dose of a second cleaning agent.

In accordance with what has been described above, the transmission joystick may be driven by one of the parts of the peristaltic pump (such as one of its rotating components or its compression elements). However, in other embodiments, the actuation of the aforementioned dosing valve may be obtained by means associated with a peristaltic pump, such as a cam member defining a cam profile and rotatably arranged by means of an actuator of the pump.

In the example of fig. 20, the command arrangement includes such a cam member, indicated by 420, while the corresponding cam profile is indicated by 420 a; preferably, but not necessarily, the cam profile 420a is a multi-lobe profile, such as a tri-lobe profile as in the example.

Preferably, cam member 420 is coaxially and rotationally fixed with respect to rotary assembly 411 of peristaltic pump 400, although this does not constitute an essential feature. Cam member 420 (seen in isolation in fig. 20 and in fig. 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30) may be integrally defined by or associated with gear 406 at its rear (see fig. 18).

In various embodiments, the above-described transmission joystick belonging to the command arrangement has: a first portion defining a cam follower configured to interact with a cam profile of a cam member; and a second portion constrained to or associated with a valve member of the dosing valve. Such a drive lever is indicated as a whole by 430 in fig. 19 and 20. In the same figure, a corresponding rotation pin is indicated by 431, which may be integrally defined by the body 201 of the fixed dispenser part 200 at the corresponding rear cavity C. In the example, the axis of rotation identified by pin 431 is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of cam member 420.

In the example, the transmission lever 430 includes a first lever arm 430a and a second lever arm 430b that extend in a direction generally opposite the axis of rotation identified by the pin 431. The first end portion defining the aforesaid cam follower (indicated by 430c in fig. 19) designed to cooperate with the profile 420a of the cam member 420 belongs to the arm 430a, while the second end portion, constrained (preferably in a loose manner) to the portion 412a of the valve member 412 of the valve 410, which extends on the outside of the dosing chamber 411, belongs to the arm 430b. Referring again to the non-limiting example shown, the two

lever arms

430a and 430b form an angle therebetween that is greater than 90 °.

In various embodiments of this type, the cam profile 420a of the cam member 420 and the drive lever 430 are configured in such a way that:

angular movement of the drive lever 430 in the first direction caused by rotation of the cam member 420 in the first direction does not displace the valve member 412 to cause dispensing of the dosed amount of the second cleaning agent; and

angular movement of the drive lever 430 in the second direction caused by rotation of the cam member 420 in the second direction causes displacement of the valve member 412 to cause dispensing of a dosed amount of the second cleaning agent.

The concepts are illustrated in fig. 21-30. 21-22 illustrate possible states before the motor 400 (i.e., the corresponding shaft and its associated gear 405) begins to rotate in a clockwise direction, corresponding to which rotation of the gear 406 and thus its associated cam member 420 in a counterclockwise direction.

In this state, the transmission lever 230 is in a certain angular position such that the cam follower end of the lever arm 430a is located on a straight line segment of the cam profile 410a, while the opposite end of the lever arm 430b abuts against the widened head 412b of the valve member 412 of the dosing valve 410, but without any pulling action being exerted thereon. The valve member 412 is thus held by the corresponding spring in the closed position of the inlet 411e of the corresponding dosing chamber (see fig. 19-20).

After motor 400 begins to rotate in a clockwise direction, with consequent counterclockwise rotation of cam member 410, the cam follower end of lever arm 430a will come into contact with the curved segment of cam profile 420a to cause angular movement of drive lever 430 in a clockwise direction: the end of lever arm 430b will thus move away from widened head 412b of valve member 412, possibly to the vicinity of the front surface of cover 411a of valve 410, and thus will not exert any pulling action on valve member 412. This state is illustrated in fig. 23-24.

The transmission lever 430 is preferably made of a substantially rigid polymeric or plastic material. However, for certain shapes and types of materials, the joystick itself may be able to flex slightly in an elastic manner and then return to its original shape. In other words, the substantially rigid structure of the transmission lever 430 may be such as to perform the corresponding driving function, but may allow (if necessary) a slight elastic bending, for example to compensate for dimensional tolerances that may cause mechanical disturbances. During sliding of the cam profile 410a over the cam follower end of the arm 430a, the arm 430a (and/or lever arm 430 b) may temporarily flex in a resilient manner in the event that the opposite end of the lever arm 430b is to be pressed against the lid 411a of the valve 410.

Thus, angular displacement of lever 430 does not cause displacement of valve member 412 or any action thereon, and thus does not cause any dispensing of the second cleaning agent by dosing valve 410. As already said, the end of the arm 230b may be constrained in a loose manner on the portion of the valve member 412 protruding on the outside of the valve dosing chamber. This effect may be obtained by providing the lever arm 230b with, for example, a fork-like shape, as can be seen, for example, in fig. 24. The conditions shown in fig. 21-24 occur during a continuous driving of the motor 404 of the pump 400 in a clockwise direction, during which the dosing of the first detergent from the first tank R1 is obtained via the pump itself according to what has been described previously with reference to fig. 11, 12 and 18 with respect to the operation of the peristaltic pump 400.

When a dose of the second cleaning agent from the second tank R2 needs to be delivered, the motor 404 of the pump is driven in a direction opposite to the previous direction (i.e., in a counterclockwise direction). After the motor 404 begins to rotate, with a consequent clockwise rotation of the cam member 420, the cam follower end of lever arm 430a contacts the straight segment of cam profile 420a to cause angular movement of the drive lever 430 in a counterclockwise direction: the end of lever arm 430b then comes back to rest on widened head 412b of valve member 412 without causing movement of the valve member. This state is illustrated in fig. 25-26.

As the rotation of the member 420 proceeds, the cam follower end of lever arm 430a contacts the curved section of cam profile 420a to cause further angular movement of the drive lever 430 in the counterclockwise direction. In this way, the end of lever arm 430b exerts a pulling action on widened head 412b of valve member 412, thereby retracting valve member 412 against the action of the corresponding spring. This state is illustrated in fig. 27-28. In this way, as previously explained, the valve member 412 releases the inlet 411e of the dosing chamber 411 (fig. 19), enabling a quantity of the second detergent to flow into the chamber itself, while the contact of the sealing flange 413a carried by the formation 412 with the corresponding valve seat 411d prevents this quantity of detergent from flowing out through the outlet 411f of the dosing chamber 411 (see again fig. 19).

Further rotation of the member 420 causes the cam follower end of lever arm 430a to come into re-contact with the straight segment of cam profile 420a, now causing angular movement of the drive lever 430 in a clockwise direction and thus enabling the valve member 412 to advance under the action of the corresponding spring. This state is illustrated in fig. 29-30. In this way, as previously explained, the valve member 412 closes the inlet 411e of the dosing chamber 411 again, preventing further inflow of the second cleaning agent, and the sealing flange 413a is separated from the valve seat 411f, enabling the content of the dosing chamber to flow away through the corresponding outlet 411 f.

It will be appreciated that with reference to the example shown, for rotation of the cam member 420 in a clockwise direction 360-, there is a corresponding dispensing of a number of doses of the second cleaning agent (in the specific example, three doses).

It will also be appreciated that during rotation of the motor 404 in a counter-clockwise direction, a corresponding rotation of the rotating assembly 401 of the peristaltic pump 400 will occur, however, this will not cause any delivery of the first cleaning agent from the tank R1.

However, such rotation of the motor in a secondary direction (as opposed to the primary direction of pumping into the wash tub) is also useful with respect to tank R1, so long as pumping in the secondary direction can enable re-balancing of the volume of "air cleaner" in the tank (i.e., compensating for the volume of the first cleaner that was previously delivered by rotation of motor 404 in the primary direction). Due to this feature, the slot R1 may not have any ventilation openings.

Advantageously, pumping in the secondary direction enables at least a great deal of the cleaning agent left in the tube 403 (in particular in the

segments

403a and 403 b) to be pumped into the aforesaid tank, in such a way as to prevent any stagnation that could cause malfunctions (such as tube clogging) for example in the event of prolonged periods of non-use.

It will thus be appreciated that in various embodiments, the function of re-balancing the pressure inside the tank and/or of emptying the dispensing tube of a dispensing arrangement is obtained simultaneously with driving another dispensing arrangement, in particular thereby achieving an overall reduction of the number of pump activations, with the further advantage of reducing energy consumption.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the rotating assembly 401 of the pump 400 (and in particular the at least one element 402 of the rotating assembly) is configured so as to keep a portion of the deformable tube 403 constantly compressed even when the pump 400 is not active, in order in this way to prevent the risk of malfunction, such as the undesired passage of the detergent WD. This feature prevents any accidental emptying of the tank R1 and/or consequent cleaning anomalies, for example due to accidental pouring of excess WD agent into the cleaning tank. The continuous compression of the tube 403 also prevents air from undesirably entering the tank, which may prove useful for reducing the risk of degradation of the cleaning agent.

The actuator 404 of the pump 400 is thus preferably a reversible electric motor, the operation of which can be managed by means of a suitable circuit arrangement (for example a control circuit or a controller) known per se, implemented on an electronic card mounted on the fixed dispenser portion 200, in particular within the cavity C of its body 201. Such a card is indicated, for example, at 250 in fig. 12, and may include a microcontroller 251. The motor 404 may be a stepper motor, or a different motor, preferably provided with a position sensor (such as an encoder or resolver type sensor); to this end, the control circuit or card 250 may include circuitry for controlling the motor 404 and/or circuitry for controlling a corresponding position sensor. A detector RD (fig. 3) associated with the floating body 110 of the level sensor described with reference to fig. 6-8 may be connected in signal communication with the card 250. The controller or card 250 may include a memory device that may contain data and parameters for controlling the motor 404 for the purpose of dosing a first cleaning agent if rotated in a primary direction and dosing a second cleaning agent if rotated in a secondary direction.

On the other hand, it should be noted that the control circuit arrangement of the dispenser may be implemented wholly or partly in the control system CS of the dishwasher 1. In various embodiments, the circuit arrangement on the dispenser 10 is configured for connection to a control system CS of a dishwasher on which the dispenser itself may be mounted, and the circuit arrangement of the dispenser is configured to enable control of the actuator of the pump in accordance with an electrical signal supplied by the aforementioned control system CS. For example, the card 250 of the dispenser 10 may be provided with communication means for receiving and/or transmitting electrical signals from/to a controller of the control system CS of the dishwasher 1, e.g. receiving data and parameters for controlling the motor 404 for the purpose of dosing the cleaning agent, and/or sending electrical signals supplied by sensor means on the dispenser, and/or receiving commands for other actuation means on the dispenser. The circuit arrangement on the dispenser may in any case even comprise only wiring and/or electrical connectors electrically connected to at least one actuation means and/or sensor means on the dispenser for direct control of the dishwasher 1 by the control system CS.

As has been previously seen, in various embodiments, the dispenser has: a dispenser body defining at least one holding volume therein, the at least one holding volume being capable of holding a cleaning agent in liquid or semi-solid form; and a dispensing arrangement configured to dispense one or more doses of a cleaning agent; and a circuit arrangement configured for connection to a control system of a dishwasher on which the dispenser itself may be mounted. In various such embodiments, the dispenser further comprises at least one operable portion configured to be manually displaced by a user from at least the first position to the second position. Referring to examples such as previously described, such operable portions may be represented by plugs or hatches for opening or closing the inlet passages of the slots R1, R2, or by a drive element 220 (fig. 9-11) belonging to the coupling/uncoupling arrangement described above that operates between the removable dispenser portion 100 and the fixed dispenser portion 200.

In this particularly advantageous embodiment, the dispenser further comprises a locking/unlocking arrangement comprising a locking mechanism drivable by a corresponding electric actuator to assume at least one operative state and at least one non-operative state in which the locking mechanism prevents or effects, respectively, the displacement of the aforesaid operable portion from its first position to its second position. The above-mentioned electric actuator is configured to be controllable in accordance with an electric signal supplied by at least one of a sensor device belonging to the circuit arrangement of the dispenser and a control system of a dishwasher on which the dispenser is mounted, so as to cause the locking mechanism to pass from said at least one operating state to said at least one non-operating state.

The electrical signal for managing the locking/unlocking arrangement may be, for example, a signal representative of the level of detergent in the corresponding containing volume, provided by a purposely provided sensor of the dispenser 10, or a purposely provided command generated by the control system CS of the machine 1 (e.g. a purposely provided key on the control panel of the dishwasher for effecting or preventing removal of the dispenser portion 100 from the dispenser portion 200 via the coupling/uncoupling arrangement described above).

As already seen, the at least one volume for containing the cleaning agent (such as one of the tanks R1, R2) has a loading channel, and the aforesaid operable portion may comprise a closure element associated with the loading channel. The closure element may be a plug or, as in the example shown, a hatch with which the latching/release means are associated. Thus, possible embodiments of the locking/unlocking arrangement will now be described with reference to the dispenser 10 according to the various examples described so far, wherein the removable portion 100 of the dispenser 10 comprises two slots R1 and R2, each with its own respective door 104 provided with a corresponding hatch door ₁ And 104 ₂ Corresponding latch/release means 105 ₁ And 105 ₂ Associated with the door. As already seen, for example, a level sensor of the type described with reference to fig. 6-8 or of some other type (such as the type described below) may be associated with the tanks R1 and R2.

With particular reference to fig. 31 and 32, locking/unlocking clothThe arrangement comprises a locking mechanism which can be driven by an electric actuator (in particular a motor or an electromagnetic actuator) indicated with 450 in fig. 31, having an angularly movable drive shaft 450a (here arranged substantially according to the height dimension Y of the dispenser 10). A cam member, indicated by 451, designed to be set in rotation by the shaft 450a of the motor 450; for this purpose, the member 451 may be keyed to the aforementioned shaft 450a. The cam member 451 defines peripheral cam profiles 452a-452b. The first and second mechanism members are represented by 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ Each of these mechanism members defines a corresponding cam follower 453a at its end. For simplicity, hereinafter, member 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ Will also be defined as a "slider". In the example, two sliders 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ Arranged in relative positions with respect to the respective cam followers, corresponding to the cam profiles 452a-452b.

In the example, the cam profile is defined by two opposite segments, each extending according to a respective circumferential arc, the two circumferences being one larger than the other; for example, segments of profile 452a may extend greater than 180 ° of the corresponding smaller circumference, while segments of profile 452b may extend less than 180 ° of the larger circumference. In general, the cam member 451 has at least a portion of its peripheral cam profile adapted to adapt at least one slider 453 ₁ Or 453 ₂ Displace and adapt at least another portion of the peripheral cam profile not to adapt slider 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ And (3) shifting. The cam member 451 may thus also be of the lobe type, for example, having three similar lobes, with two lobes opposite each other and a third lobe at 90 ° with respect to each of the other lobes.

Each slider 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ Is urged toward the member 450 by a corresponding resilient element, such as a coil spring 454 (see fig. 33 and 35), such that each cam follower 453a is in constant contact with the cam profile 452a-452b during rotation of the member 450. Preferably, then, each slider 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ Constrained to perform a linear displacement (here according to the width dimension X of the dispenser 10); for this purposeA suitable guide support (not indicated) is provided in the body 201 of the stationary dispenser part 200.

Each slider may be made up of several parts. In the non-limiting example shown, slider 453 ₁ Consists of two parts coupled together (only indicated by 453 in fig. 31 _1a And 453 _1b Marked) composition, part 453 _1a With slide 453 ₂ Is similar in structure to and part 453 _1b Conveniently (which defines a corresponding cam follower 453 a) is shaped so as to be slidable without any obstruction in other components of the removable dispenser portion, such as the motor of the peristaltic pump described previously.

The locking mechanism further includes a locking member configured to engage a corresponding door 104 ₁ Or 104 ₂ Is provided with a latch/release means 105 ₁ Or 105 ₂ Is provided, the corresponding movable members of which interact. With reference to the case shown, there is thus provided two locking members (referenced 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Labeled) mounted through the aforementioned positioning and/or guiding formations 205 in the portion thereof facing the interior of the washing tub, rising from the peripheral wall of the body 201 of the fixed dispenser part 200 (note that in fig. 32, 34 and 36, the formations 205 are not represented for greater clarity reasons). As previously mentioned, the formation 205 has a locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ May be received in the recess or seat 116 mentioned with respect to fig. 4. Locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ And thus preferably along a height dimension Y of the dispenser 10 (i.e., along a direction substantially perpendicular to the slider 45) _x1 And 453 ₂ A direction of the shift direction) of the shift direction.

Each blocking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Can be moved relative to a corresponding movable member (here by a manually operable latch/release 105 ₁ And 105 ₂ Indicated) is displaced between a blocking position and an unblocking position. As previously mentioned, in various embodiments, each latch/release 105 ₁ And 105 ₂ Essentially consists of a lever member that is rotatable through an angle about a respective fulcrum or axis 105c and defines a first lever arm 105e and a second lever arm 105d that defines or has associated with it a respective element operable by a user. In such an embodiment, each locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Having an end (indicated by 206a in the figures) configured to interact with an end portion of a corresponding first lever arm 105e to prevent or effect formation of the latch/release device 105, respectively ₁ And 105 ₂ Is provided for the angular movement of the lever member. In a preferred embodiment, the locking member 206 ₁ Or 206 (V) ₂ Is the upper end of the aforementioned end 206 a.

Preferably, each locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Mounted such that it can rotate about a respective longitudinal axis. For this purpose, with reference to the example shown, each member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Is rotatably constrained in a through seat defined in the respective positioning and/or guiding formation 205, with its upper end portion 206a and its lower end portion projecting at both ends of the formation 205.

In various embodiments, to obtain rotation of the locking member, the locking mechanism comprises a transmission comprising toothed portions meshing with each other, preferably for a rack and pinion type transmission. For this purpose, preferably, each member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Comprising corresponding tooth-engaging members (lugs) which extend according to a circumference or a part thereof and which are associated with corresponding sliders 453 ₁ Or 453 ₂ Is engaged with the corresponding tooth connector of the gear. In the example shown, each locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Has a corresponding gear 206b at the lower end thereof, which is substantially coupled to a corresponding slider 453 by a rack-and-pinion type transmission ₁ Or 453 ₂ Is engaged with the lateral tooth connector 453 b. In this manner, as can be appreciated, each slider 453 ₁ Or 453 ₂ Causes a corresponding locking member 206 to be displaced linearly ₁ And 206 ₂ Rotated about the respective longitudinal axis.

In various preferred embodiments, each locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Is designed to interact with a corresponding latch/release device 105 ₁ Or 105 ₂ The corresponding first lever arm 105e interaction) has a substantially semi-cylindrical profile with a locking member exhibiting an angular travel of approximately 90 ° between the blocking position and the unblocking position. It should be noted that each locking member 206 does not compromise the functionality described below ₁ And 206 ₂ The semi-cylindrical shaped profile of the end portion 206a of (c) will be understood to be provided by way of preferred example only, as long as the end portion may also have a profile shaped as a circular sector having an extension of less than 180 deg. (e.g. an extension of only 90 deg.).

In fig. 31-32, the locking/unlocking arrangement is illustrated in such a way that the door 104 is ₁ And 104 ₂ A state in which both are prevented from opening; i.e. the latch/release device 105 ₁ And 105 ₂ Switching of both is prevented.

In the example shown, in this state, the cam member 451 is in an angular position such that the slider 453 is ₁ And 453 ₂ Both are held by the member itself in respective retracted states with the corresponding spring 454 having maximum compression. The retracted position is determined by the fact that: two sliders 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ The cam follower 453a of (a) interacts with the same segment of the cam profile (i.e., the segment 452a of the cam profile that has a smaller radius and a larger extent).

Locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Corresponds to the angular position of the slider 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ Such that the corresponding upper end 206a is arranged with its semicircular portion at the latch/release device 105 ₁ And 105 ₂ Extends below an end region of the first lever arm 105 e. As can be appreciated, in this state, the device 105 ₁ And 105 ₂ Cannot be operated manually; i.e. not being imparted thereon enough to enable release of the corresponding door 104 ₁ Or 104 ₂ Is provided. The states shown are via appropriatePositioning the shaft 450a of the electric motor 450 is obtained, which may be, for example, a stepper motor, or a different motor, possibly provided with a position sensor (such as an encoder or a resolver type sensor). To this end, the circuit or card 250 may include circuitry for controlling the motor 405 and/or circuitry for controlling a corresponding position sensor.

The control of the motor 405 (i.e. the cam member 451) in the position shown in fig. 31-32 is preferably determined by an electrical signal supplied by a sensor (in particular a level sensor) provided with two grooves R1 and R2. More particularly, in the particular case shown, these signals will indicate the presence of a quantity of cleaning agent exceeding a preset minimum level in the two tanks R1 and R2 or the need to fill the tank.

In fig. 33-34, the locking/unlocking arrangement is illustrated in a state such that the door 104 ₂ Is prevented from opening and instead implements the hatch 104 ₁ Is opened; i.e. the latch/release device 105 ₂ Is prevented and the latch/release means 105 is realized ₁ Is to be switched between the first and second modes). This condition occurs when the quantity of cleaning agent contained in the tank R1 drops below a preset minimum level, wherein the signal supplied by the corresponding level sensor indicates this condition. It is assumed that the quantity of cleaning agent simultaneously contained in the tank R2 instead exceeds the corresponding minimum fill level, and that the corresponding level sensor supplies a corresponding signal.

In the example shown, in this state, the cam member 451 is in an angular position such that the slider 453 is ₂ Is held by the member itself in the respective retracted state, with the corresponding spring 454 being maximally compressed. Instead, slider 453 ₁ Is urged into the respective advanced state by the action of the corresponding spring 454. These different positions are determined by the fact that: the cam followers of the two slides interact with different segments of the cam profile: in particular, slider 453 ₂ The cam follower 453a of (a) interacts with a section of the profile 452a of greater extension and smaller radius, while the slider 453 ₁ The cam follower 453a and the profile 452b extend over a smaller and larger radius segmentInteraction. Locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Corresponds to the angular position of the slider 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ Such that member 206 ₂ Is disposed with its semicircular portion at the engagement/release means 105 ₂ Extends below the end region of lever arm 105e of (b), while member 206 ₁ Is disposed with its semicircular portion opposite to the engagement/release means 105 ₁ The end regions of lever arms 105e are staggered. As can be appreciated, in this state, only device 105 ₂ Cannot be operated manually, as already described above, while the device 105 ₁ Can be operated manually, i.e. can be given sufficient force thereon to enable release of the corresponding door 104 ₁ Is provided.

Also in this case, the illustrated state is obtained via the appropriate positioning of the shaft 405a of the electric motor 450 according to a signal supplied by a level sensor equipped with two tanks R1 and R2. As already said, in the particular case shown, the signal of the sensor equipped with the tank R2 will indicate the presence of a quantity of cleaning agent inside the tank itself that exceeds the corresponding preset minimum level, while the signal of the sensor equipped with the tank R1 will indicate the presence of a quantity of cleaning agent inside the tank itself that is lower than the corresponding preset minimum level. Thus, by acting on the latch/release 105 ₁ Door 104 that opens slot R1 upward ₁ And may be implemented to be topped up with a corresponding cleaning agent.

Finally, in fig. 35-36, the locking/unlocking arrangement is illustrated in a state opposite to that shown in fig. 33-34, i.e. such that the door 104 is ₁ Is prevented from opening and instead implements the hatch 104 ₂ I.e. the following state: the amount of cleaning agent contained in tanks R1 and R2 is respectively above and below the corresponding preset minimum level, as indicated by the signals supplied by the corresponding level sensors.

Thus, in the example shown, cam member 451 is in an angular position opposite the angular position of FIGS. 33-34, with slider 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ Respectively remain in the retracted state and the advanced state. Locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Corresponds to the angular position of the slider 453 ₁ And 453 ₂ Such that member 206 ₁ Is disposed with its semicircular portion at the engagement/release means 105 ₁ Extends below the end region of lever arm 105e of (b), while member 206 ₂ Is disposed with its semicircular portion opposite to the engagement/release means 105 ₂ The end regions of lever arms 105e are staggered.

In this way, the device 105 ₁ Cannot be operated manually, but the device 105 ₂ Can be manually operated to enable opening of the corresponding door 104 ₂ . Of course, such a state as shown may also be obtained via a suitable positioning of the shaft 450a of the electric motor 450 in accordance with the electrical signal supplied by the level sensor. In the particular case shown, the signal of the sensor equipped with the tank R1 will indicate the presence of an amount of liquid in the tank itself that exceeds the corresponding preset minimum level, while the signal of the sensor equipped with the tank R2 will indicate the presence of an amount of liquid in the tank itself that is lower than the corresponding preset minimum level. Thus, by acting on the latch/release 105 ₂ Door 104 that opens slot R2 upward ₂ And may be implemented to be topped up with a corresponding cleaning agent.

As mentioned previously, the closing element of the loading channel equipped with the slot (i.e. the operable part with which the locking/unlocking arrangement interacts) may be a plug instead of a hatch (possible combinations of these two elements are not excluded). For this case, the locking/unlocking arrangement may be a concept similar to the one described above: for example, a data link 105 may be provided ₁ And 105 ₂ One of the noted latch/release systems is a similar latch/release system, wherein a latch element of the type indicated by 105b in fig. 3 is configured to interact with (e.g., slide partially over or penetrate into its peripheral seat or tooth joint) the plug so as to prevent its rotation or removal.

As previously explained, in various embodiments, the dispenser includes a fixed dispenser portion and a removable dispenser portion that is removably coupleable to the fixed dispenser portion and defines at least one slot for the cleaning agent. In such an embodiment, the allocator may further comprise a signaling arrangement comprising: at least one emitter device mounted on the fixed dispenser part, capable of emitting visible radiation and comprising a light source; and at least one light guiding element configured to transmit visible radiation emitted by the emitter device towards an area of the dispenser designed to face the interior of the washing chamber, said at least one light guiding element being located on the removable dispenser portion and being optically coupled in a detachable manner to the emitter device mounted on the fixed dispenser portion. Preferably, the light guiding element extends between the front and rear of the removable dispenser portion, very preferably within a corresponding channel or mount defined in the hollow body.

The dispenser may comprise at least one sensor device configured to supply an electrical signal indicative of at least one state of the content of the at least one tank, such as its level, or, as described further below, a characteristic different from its level, in particular a qualitative characteristic thereof (such as a chemical-physical characteristic or a characteristic linked to its composition and/or type).

In the foregoing embodiment, the signaling arrangement may be controllable in accordance with an electrical signal supplied by the at least one sensor device. However, the signalling arrangement may belong to a circuit arrangement of the dispenser, which is configured to be connected to a control system of a dishwasher on which the dispenser itself may be mounted: in these cases, the circuit arrangement on the dispenser may be configured such that the signalling arrangement can be controlled in accordance with an electrical signal supplied by the aforementioned control system of the dishwasher.

Possible embodiments of the foregoing signaling arrangement will be described with reference to dispenser 10 according to the various examples described so far, wherein removable portion 100 of dispenser 10 includes two slots R1 and R2 with which respective level sensors, such as of the type described with reference to fig. 6-8 or of some other type (e.g., of the type described hereinafter), are associated.

With particular reference to fig. 37-38, in various embodiments, at least one emitter device is mounted on the fixed dispenser part, the at least one emitter device being capable of emitting visible radiation: in the example shown, each emitter device comprises a respective light source (indicated by 260), for example of the LED type. The light source 260 may be mounted, for example, on a control card of the dispenser, such as an electronic card previously indicated at 205.

In various embodiments, each emitter device may also include a corresponding light transmitting element on the fixed dispenser part 200, such as the element already indicated previously, for example, by 207 in fig. 11. As already seen, each light transmission element 207 may be mounted in a respective housing defined in the positioning and/or guiding formation 205. Each element 207 may be made of any material suitable for light transmission, such as polycarbonate.

As can be seen in fig. 37, such light transmitting element 207 may extend axially above the light source 260 according to the height dimension (Y) of the dispenser 10. In this way, the light-transmitting element has an exit end 207b through which the emitter means (here constituted by the light source 260 and the element 207) emits visible radiation and an entrance end 207a facing the light source 260.

The signalling arrangement comprises a first light guiding element (indicated as a whole by 261 in fig. 37 (see also fig. 3 and 5)) configured to transmit the visible radiation emitted by the emitter means 260, 207 towards a front area of the dispenser 10 designed to face the interior of the washing tub 3 of the dishwasher 1. Each element 261 may also be made of any material suitable for light transmission, such as polycarbonate. The light guiding element 261 is preferentially mounted in the upper portion 101a (fig. 3 and 5) of the hollow body 101.

Each first light guiding element 261 is mounted on the removable dispenser portion 100 and in particular on its hollow body 101. To this end, in various embodiments, corresponding through-mounts (preferably substantially cylindrical) are provided on the hollow body 101, which extend between the front and rear of the hollow body 101. Such seats are indicated by 262a-262b in fig. 37. As explained, in various embodiments, the hollow body 101 is formed of at least one ofThe combination of a front panel and a rear panel (see, for example, figure 3, wherein the panels are formed of 101 ₁ And 101 ₂ Mark): it should therefore be assumed that seat portion 262a is defined in the aforementioned front panel and seat portion 262b is defined in the aforementioned rear panel. The seat portion 262a is also visible in fig. 6-8.

Advantageously, each first light guiding element 261 is designed to be optically coupled in a separable manner with respect to the emitter means 260, 207. For this purpose, referring to fig. 37, the exit end 207b of each light transmission element 207 faces the entrance end 261a of the corresponding light guiding element 261, preferably at a distance therefrom. On the other side, the exit end 261b of the light guiding element 261 faces the outside of the corresponding mount 262a-262b, preferably but not necessarily substantially flush with the front surface of the removable dispenser portion 100 (i.e., of the central body 101).

In case the emission axis of the emitter device extends in a direction transverse to the axis of the light guiding element, the entrance end 261a of the first light guiding element 261 is preferably an inclined surface. In the illustrated case, the

emitters

260, 207 have an emission axis extending substantially vertically as a whole, while the light-guiding element 261 extends substantially horizontally between its entrance and exit ends: for this case, the exit end 207b of element 207 may be substantially planar and the entrance end 261a of element 261 may have an inclination of approximately 45 °. Obviously, in case the transmission element 207 would extend further upwards than represented in the figures and the light guiding element 261 would be simultaneously shorter than represented in length, a reverse configuration would be possible, i.e. wherein the exit end 207b of the element 207 is inclined and the entrance end 261a of the element 261 is substantially planar. Of course, both the exit end 207b and the entrance end 261a may also be slanted. In general, at least one of the entrance end 261a and exit end 207b is shaped to enable optical coupling between the element 261 and the element 207.

As can be appreciated, the fact that each light guiding element 261 is optically coupled in a separable manner with respect to the

emitter device

260, 207 enables the removable dispenser portion 100 to be freely removed from the fixed dispenser portion 200, thereby instead ensuring efficient and accurate transmission of the light indication when the two portions in question are coupled together instead.

As already mentioned, the management of the light sources 260 of the emitter means may be implemented by a controller equipped with the dispenser 10, such as the card 250 mentioned previously, according to the signals supplied by the level sensor and/or the quality sensor equipped with each tank R1 and/or R2, or by the control system CS of the dishwasher 1.

In an advantageous embodiment, the light source 260 of the emitter means may be controllable for emitting radiation at different frequencies and/or different intensities and thus with different colors and/or different light intensities, in order to supply the indication of the diversified types depending on the information to be provided to the dishwasher user. For example, emitting green light may be understood to mean that there is an amount of cleaning agent greater than a preset minimum level and/or that there is an appropriate cleaning agent in the tank (in the case where a sensor equipped with the tank is able to detect the quality and/or type of cleaning agent), emitting yellow light may be understood to mean that it is necessary to top up with cleaning agent, and emitting red light may be understood to mean that there is an erroneous cleaning agent and/or contaminated cleaning agent in the tank (considering the case where the user fills or tops up the tank R1 dedicated to cleaning detergent with a rinse additive). Alternatively or additionally, for these or other indications it may also be possible to use the same color of light with different intensities, e.g. light with a greater or lesser intensity or a flash, or alternatively increase and decrease the light intensity.

It will thus be appreciated that in various embodiments, the same signaling arrangement may be used to carry different types of information via at least two different signaling modes (colors/blinks).

In various embodiments, the dispenser-equipped signaling arrangement includes at least one second light guiding element (preferably located at the front of the removable dispenser portion), wherein the second light guiding element is optically coupled to the at least one first light guiding element and is configured to diffuse visible radiation received by the at least one first light guiding element.

Such an embodiment is illustrated in fig. 39-44 for a dispenser 10 having a removable portion 100 is provided with at least one door, in particular two doors 104 ₁ And 104 ₂ . As previously explained, in this solution there may be defined receptacles 103c (fig. 40) on the front of the dispenser part 10, which are at least partially occupied by the corresponding hatch when it is in the closed position of the corresponding loading channel 103.

In the example shown in fig. 39-41, the aforesaid second light-guiding element (indicated as a whole by 263) designed to diffuse visible radiation is at least partially disposed inside the aforesaid seat 103c and extends preferentially along at least a portion of the peripheral area of the seat itself not occupied by the hatch door. According to alternative embodiments, the second light guiding element may be at least partially arranged at the corresponding door 104 ₁ 、104 ₂ In the following, the hatch is at least partly made of transparent material and/or provided with a design such that the optical signal can be seen. The light-guiding element can also be arranged in a different position than the illustrated position, such as in any case close to the filling opening of the tank, for example near or beside a seat of the type indicated by 103c and/or by 104 ₁ Or 104 ₂ The hatch of the indicated type is located near or beside the hatch or again beside the plug closing the charging opening.

Returning to the example shown, the second light-guiding element 263 is thus at least partially present in the seat 103c and in the hatch 104 ₁ Or 104 ₂ Extends in the gap between the laterally facing surfaces of the door so as to directly expose at least one respective surface even when the door is in the closed position within the corresponding seat. It will thus be appreciated that in such an embodiment, the exit end of each first guide element 260 need not be directly visible at the front of the removable dispenser portion 100, but rather as is the case in fig. 3 and 5.

In a preferred embodiment, the second light guiding element 263 is for example in the form of a frame along the seat 103c and the door 104 ₁ Or 104 ₂ Is extended from the adjacent side portions. Obviously, the selected shape may vary widely with respect to the illustrated shape also depending on the selected position for the second light guiding element 263 (e.g. U-shaped, L-shaped, circular, semi-circular, polygonal, etc.).

Fig. 42 illustrates the case of an element 263 shaped like a frame with four sides, comprising two upright portions 263a and two transversal portions 263b, which are relatively thin to define a substantially quadrangular shape. As can be noted, for example, in fig. 40 and 41, such a frame element 263 is mounted in a fixed position within the seat 103c (e.g., glued, or joined, or welded, or interference inserted, or fixed via riveting of the parts), with the upstanding portion 263a established against the corresponding lateral surface of the seat 103 c; preferably, the upstanding portion 263a is provided in the upper portion 101a of the hollow body 101 and the corresponding door 104 ₁ Or 104 ₂ With an exposed surface therebetween.

The upper transverse portion 263b is located at the upper end of the seat 103c, set up against its bottom, in any case with an exposed surface at the upper edge of the hollow body 101. Instead, a lower transverse portion 263b is located at the lower end of the seat 103c, set up against its bottom, which also rests with its lower surface on the step D (fig. 41) on the seat 103c and on the hatch 104 ₁ Or 104 ₂ May be exposed between the upper portion 101a and the lower portion 101b of the hollow body 101. In the example, considering the presence of the transversal portion 263b, its connection area with the upright portion 263a has a suitable shaping 263c to prevent interference with the hatch 104 ₁ Or 104 ₂ Is provided.

Also seen in isolation in fig. 42 are some other elements belonging to the signalling arrangement, namely a light source 260 (here also mounted on the card 250), a light transmitting element 207 and a first light guiding element 261.

In such an embodiment, and as can be seen in fig. 43-44, the first light guiding element 261 may be shorter than in the case shown in fig. 37, and its exit end 261b is preferably inclined so as to guide the visible radiation at the output into the second light guiding element 263. In addition, it can be noted from fig. 43-44, how in such an embodiment the mounts 262a-262b of the first light guiding element 261 can be closed at the front by corresponding portions of the front wall of the hollow body 101. As can be noted from FIG. 44, inIn the hollow body 101, in particular in the front body piece (101 ₁ In fig. 3-4), how the internal channel 120 is defined, this enables at least a portion of the exit end 261b of the first light guiding element 261 to face a corresponding portion of the second light guiding element (here belonging to the upstanding portion 263 a).

In various embodiments, the first light guiding element 261 and the second light guiding element 263 extend substantially in a direction transverse to each other, as is illustrated in fig. 44. For this reason, the exit end 261b of the first element 261 is preferably inclined, for example having an inclination of about 45 °. In general, the first light guiding element 261 will have an exit end 261b facing at least partially towards a corresponding portion of the second light guiding element 263, the exit end 261a being in any case shaped to enable optical coupling between the

elements

261 and 263. However, the two

light guiding elements

261 and 263 may also appear to be fixed relative to each other (e.g. joined via a snap action) or made of a single piece.

Referring to fig. 42 and 43, for example, and as in the case of the embodiment of fig. 37-38, light emitted by light source 206 impinges on an entrance end 207a of transmission element 207 and then emerges from a corresponding exit end 207b to impinge on an entrance end 261a of first light guiding element 261. In this case, due to the presence of the internal channel 120 (fig. 44), the visible radiation is then guided from the exit end 261b of the first light-guiding element 261 towards the second light-guiding element 263. Radiation (preferably of variable colour or intensity) then propagates within the second element 263 and along the seat 103c (fig. 40) (i.e. the door 104 ₁ Or 104 ₂ At least a portion of the perimeter of the removable dispenser portion so as to be perceivable at the front of the removable dispenser portion.

It should be noted that although preferred, the emitter means provided on the fixed dispenser part 200 do not necessarily have to comprise a light transmitting element of the type indicated with 207, in particular if the light source 260 is mounted on the aforementioned fixed part directly facing the entrance end 261a of the first light guiding element 261.

The configuration illustrated in fig. 39-44 makes it possible, for example, to highlight to the user in a clear manner (preferably by means of different colours and/or intensity of radiation or lamps) when the charging opening of the tank can be opened freely (e.g. for topping up or filling) and/or when the charging opening cannot be opened freely. In this way, it is for example possible to prevent the risk of excessive manual pressure on the hatch or stopper to prevent the dispenser or part thereof from failing, the hatch or stopper being prevented from opening or being removed by the blocking/unblocking arrangement described above. Also, the illustrated light guide configuration can be used in such a way to highlight possible fault conditions (such as wrong or contaminated cleaning agent has been introduced into the groove) in a clear way so that the user can intervene in time, for example by removing the problematic groove and cleaning it.

As also previously mentioned, in various embodiments, the dispenser includes at least one slot with which the level sensor is preferentially operatively associated; additionally or alternatively, in various preferred embodiments, there may be a sensor operatively associated with the at least one tank for detecting at least one characteristic of the substance contained in the tank other than the liquid level, and in particular a qualitative characteristic thereof. In this description and in the following claims, "qualitative characteristics" means characteristics or properties linked to the type or composition of matter, such as chemical or physical or electrical characteristics. The detection of the qualitative property may prove useful for the purpose of identifying the type of substance, or its possible contamination or its mixing with another substance, or its possible deterioration. Such detection may for example enable limiting the possible risks that may result from incorrect operations performed by the user when filling the tank, which may lead to damage to the dispenser or to the dishwasher, or to poor cleaning results.

For example, a mass sensor proves useful for identifying whether the substance contained in the tank is the correct substance (i.e. whether it corresponds to the one for which the tank in question is effectively dedicated). Consider, for example, the case where a user introduces, due to error and without awareness, a liquid rinse additive (brightener) into a tank that is instead dedicated to liquid cleaning detergent: in this situation it is possible to start the dishwashing process afterwards, which would have an extremely adverse effect (both in terms of low washing efficiency and in terms of a large generation of foam in the tub 3 which is difficult to eliminate), which may even jeopardize the operation of the dishwasher 1 (foam may penetrate into the ventilation duct until it penetrates into the door of the dishwasher, where foam formed by an electrically conductive liquid, such as a brightening agent, may create a short circuit between the electrical components of the dishwasher, or such foam may enter the home environment).

The signal supplied by a quality sensor of the mentioned type may be conveniently used by the circuit arrangement of the dispenser or dishwasher, providing the user with a suitable indication (obviously by the machine being supplied with electric power), such as an audible type of warning (for example via a buzzer) and/or a visual type of warning (for example using a light warning system of the type illustrated previously).

In various embodiments, a mass sensor device includes: a sensing element having at least two electrodes, the at least two electrodes being pre-arranged for contact with respective cleaning agents; and a circuit arrangement configured to measure a value of at least one electrical quantity between the at least two electrodes. The circuit arrangement implemented on the dispenser or in the control system of the machine is configured to compare the measured value of the at least one electrical quantity with at least one corresponding reference value and thus to generate information representing the qualitative character of the cleaning agent. Such a sensor may possibly be pre-arranged to also obtain a measurement of the liquid level, as will be exemplified below.

Possible embodiments of a mass sensor of the type mentioned are schematically illustrated in fig. 45-46, which are partial views (front view and cut-away perspective view, respectively) of the lower region of the stationary dispenser part 200 (and in particular of the body 201 thereof). In the preceding figures, some elements that have been described with reference to fig. 11 are therefore visible. It should be noted that in these figures, the representation of the peristaltic pump previously described has been omitted for clarity; however, the attachment 218 of the deformable tube to which such a pump may be connected is clearly visible.

As previously mentioned, the inlet 210 preferably comprises at least one cylindrical tubular portion to enable coupling of the corresponding tubular outlet 112 of the tank R1 (see, for example, fig. 4). In this way, in the operating state of the dispenser 10, the inlet 210 is filled with cleaning agent from the tank R1. Visible in fig. 46 is the aforementioned cylindrical tubular portion, indicated by 210a, and a corresponding bottom wall 210b (see also fig. 12). In various embodiments (such as the embodiments represented in fig. 45-46), a sensing element 270 of a sensor device is positioned at the inlet 210, the sensor device configured to detect at least one qualitative characteristic of the cleaning agent from the tank R1.

In an example, the sensing element 270 includes at least two electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ The at least two electrodes protrude into the volume of the inlet 210. The electrodes are preferably made of metal and are designed to be in direct contact with the cleaning agent, for example when the electrical quantity to be detected is impedance or conductivity or capacitance.

Preferably, the at least two electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ Each having a respective axis extending substantially along a depth dimension Z of the dispenser 10; in these embodiments, the electrodes extend substantially parallel to each other. The axes of the at least two electrodes are preferably at a distance from each other comprised between 2mm and 20mm, preferably comprised between 3mm and 7 mm. In various embodiments (such as the illustrated embodiment), the sensing element 270 includes two electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ The height dimension Y of the two electrode reference dispensers 10 is substantially at the same height. Of course, electrode 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ Such that they occupy only a portion of the inlet 210 along the depth (dimension Z),so as not to constitute an obstacle to the insertion of a tubular portion (112 a, fig. 4) in the inlet itself, which forms a corresponding outlet of the slot R1, provided on the rear of the removable dispenser portion 100.

In an example, electrode 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ Is driven in a fluid-tight manner into a corresponding through-hole provided in the bottom 210b of the inlet and for this purpose has an abutment flange 271 which may possibly also perform a sealing function. In addition to or as an alternative to the flange, electrode 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ Corresponding sealing rings may be provided. Instead of actuation, the fixation between the dispenser body and the electrode can be obtained by over-moulding the former on the latter. Electrode 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ Conductive polymers may be included, such as polymers with conductive fillers (e.g., powders or metal fibers and/or including carbon fibers). Electrode 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ But may also have a different shape than illustrated. Possibly, if the electrodes are designed for measuring electrical quantities that do not imply direct contact with the substance (e.g. capacitance measurement), these electrodes may be isolated from the liquid substance, e.g. coated with a layer of electrically insulating material: in this case, it is sufficient to arrange the coated electrodes such that they can be at least partially immersed in the substance.

In still other embodiments, the sensing element may be configured like a separate module, coupled in a sealed manner to the rear portion of the inlet, provided with suitable mounting openings for this purpose (such variants will be described below).

Referring again to the example shown in fig. 46 (see also fig. 12),

electrodes

2701 and 270 ₂ The portion of the inlet 210 protruding from the rear may be at least partially surrounded by a shaped formation 210c (preferably cylindrical), for example to define an electrical connector for connecting the sensing element 270 to a circuit arrangement on the dispenser 10 or to a control system CS of the dishwasher.

In various embodiments, the circuit arrangement of the dispenser 10 or the control system CS of the dishwasher 1 uses the electrode 270 at the sensing element 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ Inter-measuringThe value of the resulting electrical quantity evaluates the correctness or quality of the substance present at the inlet 210 or of the cleaning agent contained in the corresponding tank. For this purpose, the aforementioned circuit arrangement of the dispenser or of the control system CS of the machine 1 preferably comprises a memory device in which the values or reference value ranges of the quantity of electricity in question are stored (for example in tabular form), these values or reference value ranges representing those cleaning agents which are considered to be correct for the particular tank (here tank R1).

The circuit arrangement thus compares the value of the quantity detected via the sensing element 270 with the stored reference value and thus controls the generation of a suitable audible and/or visual warning, as previously mentioned. For example, in the event that the detected cleaning agent corresponds to one of the cleaning agents encoded in the memory device, the warning system is not activated, or is activated in a first mode (e.g., a short intermittent sound or green light); in the opposite case, the warning system is activated, or activated in a second mode (e.g., a continuous sound or red light). As already mentioned, the aforementioned circuit arrangement may be implemented, for example, in a card (including a microcontroller 251) previously indicated by 250, or in the control system CS of the dishwasher 1.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the at least two electrodes 270 of the sensing element 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ The amount of power detected in between is the impedance. Some possible detection modes based on impedance measurements will also be described below with reference to alternative sensor versions.

Of course, a mass sensor of the type described with reference to fig. 45-46 may be provided at the inlet 211 to which the groove R2 is to be connected, for example at the rear of its

tubular portions

211a, 211b (see e.g. fig. 12).

As has been seen, in various embodiments, the dispenser comprises a fixed dispenser part and a removable dispenser part comprising a hollow body defining at least one trough, wherein at least one first wall of the hollow body is designed to at least partially face at least one second wall of the fixed dispenser part, and the dispenser comprises at least one sensor device configured to supply an electrical signal representative of at least one of the level and qualitative characteristics of the content of the at least one trough. In such an embodiment, the at least one sensor device is at least partially arranged on the stationary dispenser part. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor means is arranged entirely on the stationary dispenser part.

In various embodiments, the at least one slot preferably has in its lower portion an outlet in the wall of the hollow body, which outlet can be detachably coupled to a corresponding inlet present in the wall of the fixed dispenser portion: in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the sensor device is arranged substantially at the inlet, or in a corresponding housing in fluid communication with the inlet.

This solution can also be explained with reference to fig. 45-46, which have been considered, wherein the sensing element 270 is arranged at a tubular inlet 210 of the fixed dispenser part 200, which tubular inlet is designed to removably receive a corresponding tubular outlet 112 (fig. 4) of the removable dispenser part 100. In this way, as can be appreciated, the sensor device can be mounted entirely on the fixed portion 200 of the dispenser 10, thus enabling the removable portion 100 to be removed without problems and without having to provide other components of the sensor on the removable portion (such as the floating body of fig. 6-8). Of course, for this purpose, the sensing element 270 does not necessarily have to be mounted at the inlet 210, it being possible in fact to be provided at least partially in a corresponding housing separate from the inlet 210, for example a purposely provided chamber defined by the body 201 and connected in fluid communication with the inlet 210 (such a solution will be described hereinafter with respect to a sensor of piezoelectric type).

Although detection of the contents of the removable dispenser portion (i.e. the contents of the at least one slot R1 or R2) is achieved, having a preferential pattern of at least one sensor means provided on the fixed dispenser portion makes it possible to promote and/or ensure the reliability of the corresponding electrical connection, as long as a fixed electrical connection (e.g. wiring) is provided between the dishwasher and the fixed dispenser portion. It is also evident that the concept of mounting the entire sensor on a fixed dispenser part also applies with respect to the already mentioned possibility of mounting the sensing element 270 at the inlet 211, e.g. at the rear of its

tubular parts

211c, 211c (see e.g. fig. 47).

For the purpose of creating a level sensor, it may also be advantageous to use a solution providing a sensing element with at least two electrodes designed to be at least partially immersed in the cleaning agent.

Such an embodiment is illustrated in fig. 47 with respect to the mounting of a sensing element 270 at the inlet 211 for the contents of the tank previously indicated by R2. Of course, in addition or as an alternative, a similar sensing element may be mounted at the inlet 210 for the contents of the tank previously indicated by R1.

In the example of FIG. 47, the sensing element 270 includes two electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ The two electrodes are arranged at the bottom 211b of the inlet 210 and of the corresponding lower extension 211c (already described previously), these electrodes being at different heights with reference to the height dimension (Y) of the dispenser 10. Electrode 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ May be constructed in a similar manner to the electrodes already described above and thus be made of, for example, a metallic material or other electrically conductive material (possibly coated with an insulator, for example in the case of capacitive measurements), and each have a respective axis extending substantially along the depth dimension (Z) of the dispenser 10, preferably parallel to each other and at a distance that is illustratively comprised between 3mm and 7 mm. Also in this case, each electrode 270 ₁ And/or 270 ₃ The portion of (a) extending into the inlet 211 will have a length and a position so as not to constitute an obstacle to the insertion of the tubular outlet 113 of the corresponding slot R2 (see fig. 4).

In the case of the liquid level sensor illustrated in fig. 47 as well, the circuit arrangement of the dispenser 10 or of the dishwasher 1 uses an electrode 270 in the sensing element 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ The value of the electrical quantity measured in between, to evaluate the level of cleaning agent present in the inlet 211, which indicates the level of cleaning agent also contained in the corresponding tank R2, in particular the threshold level.

The aforementioned circuit arrangement may thus comprise a memory device, at least one reference value for the quantity of electricity in question, for example representing two electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ The value that is in simultaneous contact with the cleaning agent in question (or more generally with a liquid or semi-solid substance) is stored in the memory device. Representing two electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ The value of the simultaneous contact with the cleaning agent may thus indicate, for example, a cleaning agent level exceeding a minimum value.

Thus, the circuit arrangement will be via the electrode 270 of the sensing element 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ The value of the detected quantity is compared with the stored at least one reference value. It will be appreciated that when two electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ The measured electrical quantity will have a first value when both are in contact with the cleaning agent; alternatively, when the level of cleaning agent in the inlet 211 and corresponding bottom extension 211c is below the electrode 270 ₃ Is included at the height of two electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ Between (i.e., wherein the upper electrode 270 ₃ In air), or two electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ The measured electrical quantity will have a second value, which is clearly distinguishable from the first value, when in air.

This intermediate level state between the two electrodes (and thus below the upper electrode) may be considered to represent a low level of cleaning agent in the tank R2 (considering that the outlet 113 is located in the lower region of the tank R2) and thus needs to be topped up. From this point of view, electrode 270 ₃ The lowest point of the reference height dimension (Y) of (c) identifies the lowest level of cleaning agent below which it would be necessary to carry out the filling with cleaning agent.

Based on the comparison between the measured value and the at least one reference value, the control arrangement will accordingly control the generation of suitable audible and/or visual warnings, such as those already mentioned. Also in the case of liquid level detection, the at least two electrodes 270 of the sensor 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ The amount of electrical energy detected in between may be impedance or conductivity or capacitance.

It will be appreciated that the liquid level sensor described with reference to fig. 47 may be used as an alternative to the floating liquid level sensor described previously with reference to fig. 6-8. In other aspects, such a floating level sensor may be used in combination with the mass sensor described with reference to FIGS. 45-46.

As has been seen, in various embodiments, the dispenser comprises: a body in which at least one tank is defined, said at least one tank being able to contain a corresponding cleaning agent in liquid or semi-solid form; and at least one sensor device configured to provide information indicative of at least one of a level and a qualitative characteristic of the cleaning agent. In such an advantageous embodiment, the sensor device comprises: a sensing element comprising at least two electrodes, said at least two electrodes being pre-arranged for contact with a cleaning agent; and a circuit arrangement configured to measure a value of at least one electrical quantity between the at least two electrodes and to compare the measured value of the at least one electrical quantity with at least one corresponding reference value in order to generate information representative of at least one of a liquid level and a qualitative property of the cleaning agent.

In various preferred embodiments, the sensing element of the sensor device comprises at least three electrodes, and in particular a first electrode and a second electrode, preferably at the same height, and a third electrode at a higher height than the height of the first electrode and the second electrode. In such an embodiment, the circuit arrangement associated with the sensing element may be configured to:

-measuring a value of said at least one electrical quantity between the first electrode and the second electrode and comparing the measured value with said at least one corresponding reference value in order to generate information representative of a qualitative character of the cleaning agent; and

-measuring a value of said at least one electrical quantity between the third electrode and one of the first electrode and the second electrode, and comparing the measured value with said at least one corresponding reference value, so as to generate information representative of the level of the cleaning agent.

As can be appreciated, a sensor device of the above kind can be expressed by referring to fig. 45-46 in combination with the previous one on the one hand and fig. 47 on the other handObtained by the concept of (2). In fact, such an embodiment is illustrated in fig. 48-49, wherein the sensing element 270 of the sensor device comprises an electrode 270 ₁ 、270 ₂ And 270 ₃ Electrodes 270 at the same height ₁ And 270 ₂ Can be used for quality detection according to the principles explained earlier with reference to fig. 45-46, and the upper electrode 270 ₃ Can be connected with the lower electrode 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ Any of which are used in combination for liquid level detection according to the principles explained previously with reference to fig. 47.

Thus, sensor devices of the above kind are capable of detecting both incorrect filling or filling of the tank (e.g. introduction of additives instead of cleaning agents) and exhaustion of the cleaning agent.

As can be seen in fig. 48-49, in such an embodiment, the electrodes may be positioned substantially like a triangle, with one side (corresponding to electrode 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ ) Is arranged horizontally, and the upper vertex (corresponding to the electrode 270 ₃ ) The setting is at a higher level. Two electrodes 270 at the base vertex (base vertical) ₁ And 270 ₂ A first one of (e.g., electrode 270) ₁ ) A second electrode (e.g., electrode 270) serving as a common or reference electrode disposed at the other base vertex ₂ ) For quality detection with the common or reference electrode; a third electrode (here electrode 270 at the upper apex) ₃ ) Together with the common or reference electrode for liquid level detection. It should be noted that instead of a common electrode for implementing the liquid level sensing and mass sensing functions, the sensor may envisage at least two different electrodes for each of the aforementioned functions.

The electrodes of the sensing element 270 may be obtained in various ways, for example by means of elements as illustrated in the figures. However, in other embodiments, the at least two electrodes of the sensing element may be obtained by means of screen printing with metallic ink on a corresponding electrically insulating substrate (e.g. alumina, plastic or vetronite), or by means of typical techniques used in circuit production (e.g. consisting of multi-layer photolithographic copper and vetronite). Alternatively, it is possible to use thin film deposition techniques, such as vacuum evaporation, sputtering, etc., on a suitable electrically insulating substrate. Of course, this also applies to the sensor 270 of FIGS. 44-46 and 47. As already mentioned, the electrodes may also be coated with an electrically insulating layer.

As already explained, between two pairs of electrodes (270 ₁ -270 ₂ And 270 ₁ -270 ₃ ) The amount of electrical power (e.g., impedance) measured therebetween will vary depending on the fluid disposed therebetween, such that different characteristics of the fluid will cause different responses between each pair of electrodes. The fluids considered are fluids of general interest for dispensers of dishwashers, such as cleaning agents and liquid or semi-solid (gel) additives, water, vinegar and air.

Fig. 50 and 51 graphically illustrate the results of impedance measurements performed using a structure of a sensing element 270 of the type shown in fig. 48-49, wherein the electrodes are made of steel, have a diameter of approximately 2mm, and are disposed at a distance of approximately 5mm (measured between the central axes of the electrodes). On the abscissa, frequency (expressed in hertz) is indicated, while on the ordinate, impedance (expressed in ohms) is indicated. The given values cover a wide frequency range from 200Hz to 10 MHz.

The graph of fig. 50 presents the flow rate for three different substances (i.e., water (curve H ₂ O), a commercially available liquid detergent (WD) and a commercially available liquid brightener (WA)) at two base electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ Results of the detection performed therebetween (i.e., quality detection). As can be noted, the impedance values measured in the three cases make it possible to clearly distinguish between detergent, brightener and water. It should be noted that the curves which are practically identical to those indicated by WD are obtained by measuring the commercial cleaning agents in gel form.

Instead, the graph of fig. 51 provides a common or reference electrode at the base for the same three substances mentioned above (electrode 270 in the example considered ₁ ) And an upper electrode 270 ₃ Results of the detection performed therebetween (i.e., liquid level detection). These measurements are at the intermediate liquid level between the base and upper electrodes for each of the three species (i.e., where electrode 270 ₁ And 270 ₂ In contact with the substance and upper electrode 270 ₃ In air). As can be noted, the reference electrode 270 at the base ₁ And an upper electrode 270 ₃ The impedance values measured therebetween are clearly higher than the results presented in the graph of fig. 50, where the three curves tend to overlap with increasing frequency. It should be noted that also in this case, the curve which is practically identical to the curve indicated by WD is obtained by measuring a commercial cleaning agent in gel form.

It will thus be appreciated that the use of possible liquid level detection logic based on sensing elements of the type shown in fig. 48-49 can first envisage measuring electrodes (270 ₁ -270 ₂ ) The step of measuring the impedance between two electrodes (270) ₁ -270 ₃ ) The impedance in between, and in case the two measured values differ in a clear way (exceeding a certain tolerance), it can be inferred that the level of the substance is in an intermediate position between two electrodes at different heights. Will drop to electrode 270 at the liquid level ₁ And 270 ₂ In the following case the measured values will be comparable, but much higher than in the presence of the liquid of interest, and thus this situation will be identified as empty slots based on e.g. a stored table.

The circuit arrangement associated with the sensor 270 may include a microcontroller and at least one drive circuit for the sensor.

As shown in fig. 52, the above circuit arrangement may also be implemented in a controller or electronic card (such as the one previously indicated by 250) possibly equipped with a dispenser, the controller or electronic card being provided with a corresponding microcontroller 251. In an example, controller or card 250 is configured to be connected in signal communication with a control system CS of machine 1.

According to the illustrative example of fig. 52, two

drive circuits

252a and 252b, one for each pair of electrodes 270, may also be implemented in the controller or card 250 ₁ And 270 ₂ And another driving circuit is used for the pair of electrodes 270 ₁ And 270 ₃ . In case the sensing element 270 comprises only two electrodesNext, a single driving circuit may be sufficient.

Each driving circuit may be obtained in various ways.

For example, fig. 53 schematically illustrates a situation in which the microcontroller used may generate a frequency signal, wherein the driving elements of each pair of electrodes of the sensing element 270 may comprise an operational amplifier OA.

The amplifier OA has an input (here an inverting input-) with which the sensing element 270 is connected in series, and a known reference resistance R _r Connected in parallel between the input (-) and the output of the operational amplifier OA. For this scheme, zx is the unknown impedance to be measured between the pair of electrodes of sensing element 270. The effective driving voltage (V _s Labeled) is constant and the voltage value output from the operational amplifier OA will thus depend on the value of Zx. For example, V may be read using an analog input of a microcontroller _u The analog input will calculate V _s And V _u Proportional to Zx.

Alternatively, if the microcontroller 250 is not pre-arranged for generating a frequency output, it is possible to use an oscillating circuit whose resonance frequency is a function of the impedance value measured between the at least two electrodes of the sensing element 270, wherein the microcontroller is pre-arranged to detect the impedance value based on the aforementioned resonance frequency.

Such an oscillating circuit may be obtained in any known way, such as an RC network, an LC resonant circuit, or a crystal or dielectric resonator for defining its oscillation frequency. RC oscillators are typically used at low frequencies (up to hundreds of kilohertz). Forming part of this class are the following oscillators: venturi bridge oscillators, bridge T-oscillators, dual T-oscillator networks, and phase-shifted oscillators (PSOs). In LC oscillators, the LC network determines its oscillation frequency. For example, colpitts, hartley, clapp, armstrong and Meissner oscillators may belong to this category.

The electrical characteristics between the two electrodes of the sensing element will change the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit, which can be read by an analog input or a digital input of the microcontroller: in this case, the unknown impedance will be read based on the frequency measurements.

To check if it is possible to use the change of the capacitive part of the sensing element 270, a measurement test is performed by means of an impedance meter in parallel capacitive mode, with a 10-nF capacitance inserted in series with the sensing element 270. The graphs of fig. 54 and 55 illustrate capacitance measurement plots in parallel mode for the same type of liquid brightener WA and liquid detergent WD as mentioned with respect to fig. 50-51. Curve WA ₁ And WD ₁ Representing measurements made with the level of the corresponding cleaning agent covering two electrodes at different heights, whereas curve WA ₀ And WD ₀ Representing measurements made for the same cleaning agent but with the liquid level in the middle between the two electrodes. As can be noted from the graph, curve WA _o And WD ₀ In fact, superimposed together, the measured values reveal clearly detectable differences between the various situations (full/empty and detergent type) over a rather wide frequency range at relatively low frequencies. For this purpose, fig. 55 provides details of the graph of fig. 54 in the frequency range between 10kHz and 500 kHz.

Using the electrodes described previously, it is therefore possible to distinguish excellently between frequencies around 100 kHz. At these frequencies, many circuit solutions are feasible, both LC and RC circuits, or even more so solutions already integrated in the microcontroller, which are also suitable for higher frequencies. It is also possible to use a quartz oscillator for this purpose. Piezoelectric crystals are used in quartz-crystal oscillators, which are distinguished by natural resonance frequencies. The resonant frequency is determined by the type of cut and the shape of the material in the feedback network. For controlling the frequency stability, a crystal commonly used is quartz (SiO ₂ ) It has the shape of a hexagonal prism and may be natural or artificial. The pieces are cut from the crystal according to different arrangements relative to the crystal axis, wherein different cut types give the crystal different electrical and mechanical properties. A pair of electrodes of the sensor 270, placed in series with a fixed and known capacitance, may be connected in parallel to the quartz. The change of the type and the liquid level of the cleaning agent causes the oscillation frequency of the circuit to changeAnd (5) melting.

For example, fig. 56 shows a pierce oscillator using a CMOS inverter as an amplifier. The pierce oscillator is a modified version of the Colpitts oscillator in which instead of an inductor a quartz crystal (denoted Oq in the figure) is provided. In order for the circuit to function properly, it is necessary for the quartz Oq to behave inductively, and for this reason the operating frequency must be comprised between the series resonance frequency and the parallel resonance frequency. The resistors Rf and R1 are used to fix the operating point of the CMOS inverter. C3 denotes the previously known capacitance connected in series to sensor 270, capacitance C3 and element 270 being connected in parallel with quartz Oq.

The circuit will resonate at the parallel resonant ripple between L and C of quartz and c0+c1·c2/(c1+c2). Since the capacitance C is smaller than the other three capacitances, it dominates and thus the resonant ripple is f=1/(LC) ^1/2 。

Any type of sensing element previously indicated at 270 may belong to a sensor module designed for mounting on the dispenser body. From this perspective, the at least two electrodes of such a sensor element may be associated with the same sensor body, the electrodes being configured for fluid-tight mounting on the dispenser body.

Such an example is illustrated in fig. 57-59, wherein a sensor body 280 as a whole is indicated by 280, preferably made of an electrically insulating material, comprising three electrodes 270 ₁ 、270 ₂ And 270 ₃ Is associated with the sensor body. It is clear that this structure can also be used in case the sensing element 270 has only two electrodes (as in fig. 45-46 and/or in fig. 47), as can the subsequent structures of fig. 60-61.

In the example, the sensor body 280 has a tubular peripheral wall 280a (here substantially cylindrical) and a bottom wall 280b to which the electrodes are mounted. The end of the peripheral wall 280a opposite the bottom wall 280b may conveniently define a radially outwardly projecting flange 280c, possibly provided with one or more polarizing and/or coupling elements 280d (i.e. elements configured to enable mounting of the sensor body 280 in a preset orientation within the rear portion of the inlet 210 of the dispenser body portion 201).

In this case, the rear portion of the inlet 210 has no bottom wall of its own and is preferably shaped for receiving a corresponding portion of the sensor body 280, possibly also to define one or more engagement elements. One or more polarization and/or coupling elements (such as those designated by 221 in fig. 57) may also be provided on the body portion 201 defining the inlet 210. The peripheral wall 280a of the sensor body 280 may conveniently define a seat 280e (fig. 58) for a corresponding annular sealing element 281 (fig. 59). The sensor body 280 may be interference fit to a rear portion of the inlet 210, or welded or bonded to the rear of the inlet 210 at the flange 280c, or secured via a corresponding securing means (such as a bayonet attachment).

A substantially similar embodiment is illustrated in fig. 60-61, wherein the flange 280c of the sensor body 280 is provided with an extension 280d having, in addition to functioning as a polarizing element, a through hole through a fixing element 210e (e.g. a screw) to be received in a corresponding extension 210d of the inlet 210 provided at the rear of the inlet itself.

Of course, the sensor body obtained according to the concept expressed with reference to fig. 57 to 59 or fig. 60 to 61 may be installed at the inlet 211 of the fixed dispenser part 200 even if it has only two electrodes.

A possible embodiment of a sensor device is schematically illustrated in fig. 62, the sensing element 270' of which comprises at least one piezoelectric element (indicated by 270 a) arranged between two corresponding connection electrodes 270 b. The piezoelectric element 270a and the electrode 270b may be disposed on corresponding electrically insulating substrates disposed within the sensor body 280 (here having a substantially cylindrical shape). In various embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, the sensor body 280 is provided at the front with a dielectric or electrically insulating layer (indicated by 270 c) that will be in contact with the liquid and is designed to isolate the electrical portion from the substance undergoing measurement, the layer 270c preferably covering at least the piezoelectric element 270a and the corresponding terminal.

Fig. 62 also highlights how the sensor device equipped with the dispenser in various embodiments does not necessarily have to be arranged at the inlet of the stationary dispenser part, but may instead be provided in a housing in fluid communication with the inlet. In the example shown, a housing (denoted by 222), here having a substantially cylindrical shape, is defined in the rear of the body 201 of the stationary dispenser part, which housing comprises a bottom wall 222a, here formed by a section of the bottom wall of the housing 214 for the pump, and a peripheral wall 222b in which the sensor body 280 is mounted.

As may be noted, the housing 222 is connected in fluid communication with the inlet 210, in particular via an opening in the bottom wall 222 a. Suitable sealing means may be provided between the sensor body 280 and the housing 222: in the example, the body 280 is provided at the front with an annular sealing element 290a to obtain an axial or front seal with respect to a corresponding seat 222c defined in the casing 222; in the example, the housing 222 is further shaped to define an annular portion 222d on which the front portion of the sensor device (here layer 270 c) is supported or rests. The sensor body 280 may be secured in the housing 222 according to any known modality.

Fig. 63 and 64 illustrate possible embodiments of the active part of a sensor of the type shown in fig. 62. In these figures, an electrically insulating substrate, for example of the ceramic type, preferably having a thickness of less than one millimeter, is indicated by 270 d. The substrate may for example be made of alumina and have a thickness comprised between 0.5mm and 1mm, in particular between 0.6mm and 0.7 mm. In an example, the substrate is provided with holes 270e, wherein respective electrical terminals 270f, preferably made of metal, are mounted or deposited on the rear side of the substrate 270 d. On the front side of the substrate 270d (i.e., the side that will face the cleaning agent), a piezoelectric element 270a is provided that is disposed between two electrodes 270 b. In an example, the element 270a is disc-shaped and the electrode 270b has a corresponding disc-shaped portion, a corresponding connection portion 270b ₁ Extending radially from the disk-shaped portion, the connection portion is designed to contact the terminal 270f via the hole 270 e. The piezoelectric material used to obtain element 270a may be, for example, lead zirconate titanate (PZT) solid mixtures; its thickness may be comprised between 50 μm and 150 μmIn particular about 100 μm; the electrode 270b is preferably made of a noble metal (e.g., platinum) having a thickness comprised between 5 μm and 30 μm, preferably approximately 10 μm.

In various embodiments, the set of piezoelectric elements and corresponding electrodes is isolated from the cleaning agent. Isolation does not necessarily have to involve the entire front side of the substrate: in the case illustrated in fig. 63-64, a partial layer 270c of dielectric material is provided for this purpose, i.e. the following layers: this layer covers a limited area of the front side of the substrate 270d and the element 270a and electrode 270b are located below this layer. Layer 270c may have a thickness comprised between 10 μm and 30 μm, in particular approximately 15 μm, and may be made of any dielectric material (even of the vitreous type) suitable for this purpose. For example, in the case of an alumina substrate, layer 270c may be made of a material identified commercially by the code "G-485-2", with the base components (base) being bismuth, silicon, and boron.

The layers forming the piezoelectric element 270a, the electrode 270b, and the insulating coating 270c may be obtained by any known technique, such as deposition techniques commonly used in the electronics arts.

In any case, it should be emphasized that the provision of the dielectric layer 270c is to be understood as optional, as long as the whole formed by the piezoelectric element 270a is conceivable as being in direct contact with the cleaning agent: an example in this sense is schematically illustrated in fig. 65, where two groups of directly exposed electrodes are associated with the front side 270c of the substrate, each group comprising one piezoelectric element 270a and two electrodes 270b. Providing insulation must be considered preferable from the standpoint of improving the service life of the sensor.

Piezoelectric sensors of the type mentioned can be used both for liquid level detection purposes and for mass detection purposes.

In the case of a sensor with a sensitive element 270' of the mentioned type, the electrical value characteristic of the piezoelectric element 270a (such as its impedance) will be influenced not only by the electrical characteristics of the medium in which it can be immersed, but also by the mechanical characteristics of the substance to be detected (in particular by its viscosity and its density), taking into account the fact that: the frequency of vibration of element 270a will vary depending on whether layer 270c (which is established against element 270a itself) is in contact with the liquid substance (in air) and depending on the type of substance (i.e., more or less viscous or more or less dense). Thus, based on the inverse piezoelectric effect, the circuit considerations previously set forth may also be applied to such sensitive elements. For example, in the case of using a piezoelectric element of the type indicated by 270a, it would be possible to use the same piezoelectric element instead of quartz (thus, basically omitting quartz Oq) in any circuit configuration of a quartz oscillator (e.g., the circuit configuration shown in fig. 56).

Very schematically, then, the frequency of vibration of the piezoelectric element 270a will vary depending on whether the front layer 270c of the sensor 270' is in contact with (or more or less in contact with) the liquid substance, thereby making it possible to distinguish whether the liquid level is above or below a given threshold. On the other hand, based on the frequency of vibration, it will also be possible to distinguish whether the aforementioned layer 270c is in contact with a denser/more viscous substance or with a less dense/less viscous substance.

Fig. 66 and 67 graphically illustrate the results of impedance measurements made using a structure of the type of sensing element 270' shown in fig. 63-64, which has the preferential characteristics mentioned above. The abscissa represents frequency (in hertz) and the ordinate represents impedance (in ohms). The given values cover a wide low frequency range from 200Hz to 300 Hz.

The graph of fig. 66 provides results of quality detection for the same three liquid substances as those present in fig. 50, namely water (curve H2O), commercially available liquid detergent (WD), and commercially available liquid brightener (WA). As can be noted, the impedance values measured in the three cases make it possible to clearly distinguish the detergent from the brightening agent and the water. On the other hand, the graph of fig. 67 shows the result of detection with the electrode 270b formed of the piezoelectric element 270a as a whole and not immersed in the liquid (i.e., in air): from the comparison between fig. 66 and 67, it is therefore easy to note how the sensor 270' makes it possible to clearly distinguish the presence or absence of liquid, i.e. whether the liquid substance is above or below a threshold level that is substantially determined by the position of the piezoelectric element.

As previously mentioned, the provision of the dielectric material layer 270c, while preferred, does not constitute an essential feature. The graphs of fig. 68-69 are similar to the graphs of fig. 66-67, but for impedance detection with a sensor 270' similar to the sensor of fig. 63-64, except that the corresponding layer 270c is absent: as can be appreciated, also in these cases, it is possible to distinguish between the type of liquid substance and its presence or absence in front of the piezoelectric element.

In a possible variant embodiment, a sensor may be provided whose sensing element 270' exploits both the forward (direct) piezoelectric effect and the inverse piezoelectric effect. This is schematically illustrated in fig. 65, where two piezoelectric elements 270a' with corresponding connection electrodes 270b are associated with a substrate 270 d: a first 270a of the two elements will be supplied with a predefined voltage to cause its vibration by the inverse piezoelectric effect, while the second element 270a will be used to generate a potential difference with the positive piezoelectric effect, the value of which will depend on the frequency of the vibration of the first element 270 a. Such a sensor, which can be obtained according to a circuit modality known per se, can thus also be used to obtain both liquid level information and information about the qualitative properties of the cleaning agent. In the case of fig. 65, the two groups each formed by the piezoelectric element 270a and the counter electrode 270b do not have the layer 270c, but in other versions, the layer may be provided.

The use of piezoelectric sensors may prove advantageous, for example, for the purpose of distinguishing the type of cleaning agent based on its physical characteristics (such as viscosity or density), which, as already said, affect the response of the sensor. In this way, for example, it is possible to distinguish whether the detergent WD or the additive WA is of the liquid type or of the semi-solid (gel) type. Such information may be used, for example, by the control system CS of the dishwasher 1 to adapt a washing program previously initiated by the user (this of course applies to any characteristic of a qualitative type that may be detected via other types of sensors described herein).

Of course, a sensor of piezoelectric type may be provided with each of the two grooves R1 and R2.

In various embodiments, the at least one sensor device equipped with the dispenser is an optical type sensor, i.e. having a sensitive element comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter and at least one electromagnetic radiation receiver.

Such a possible embodiment is schematically illustrated in fig. 70-72. Referring to the illustrated case, the optical sensor (indicated as a whole by 500) is preferably constructed in the form of a module designed to be mounted on the fixed dispenser part 200, for example at one of the

inlet

210 or 211 or the corresponding housing 222, as previously described, preferably with at least one annular sealing element inserted therein. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the sensor body may be integrated or defined by the body of the stationary dispenser portion 200.

In a non-limiting example, the sensor body comprises two main parts (denoted by 501 and 502) which are coupled together, preferably in a sealed manner, and which are made of a plastic material, for example. In an example, the body portion 501 has a generally cylindrical conformation, possibly provided with a flange 501b at the distal end. Mounted on the proximal end of the body portion 501 is a sensing element comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation (such as visible radiation) emitter 270a 'and at least one radiation receiver 270b'; the emitter may for example be an emitter diode, and the at least one receiver may comprise at least two different receivers, for example a photo detector or a photo diode adapted to detect the light emission generated by the emitter. In alternative embodiments, the receiver 270b' may be a single receiver of the CMOS array type comprising a linear series or array of individual pixels, each pixel being comprised of a photodetector.

In the example, the body portion 502 mainly performs the function of a casing and for this purpose has the shape of a hollow cylinder so as to be able to receive inside it a cylindrical portion of the body portion 501. The portion 502 then has a peripheral wall 502a and a bottom wall 502b provided with a through opening 502c. The two

body portions

501 and 502 are coupled together, preferably with a sealing means inserted therein. In the example, the coupling between the two parts is a threaded coupling, and for this purpose the cylindrical part of the part 501 is provided on the outside with a male thread designed for engagement with a corresponding female thread (not visible) provided on the inside of the peripheral wall 502a of the body part 502.

An optical element 503 is provided at the top of the body portion 501, which has, in particular, the function of an optical prism. For this purpose, the body portion 501 may be shaped so as to define a positioning or spacer element 501c for the optical element 503. The optical element 503 may be made of, for example, polycarbonate or other material transparent to the optical radiation emitted by the emitter 270 a'. In an example, the element 503 has a front wall 503a, a peripheral wall 503b and a rear wall 503c, which is designed to face the emitter 207a 'and the receiver 207b'. In an example, the optical element has an at least approximately frustoconical shape, but this does not constitute an essential feature.

A shaped annular sealing element, indicated by 504, designed to be disposed between the optical element 503 and the body portion 502; the through-hole of the sealing element 504 preferably has a contour congruent with the contour of the peripheral wall 503b of the optical element 503, and thus in the example has a substantially frustoconical contour. As can be appreciated from the figures, in the assembled state of the sensor 500, the sealing element 504 is arranged in such a way as to provide a seal between the

body parts

501 and 502 and the optical element 503, such that the front surface 503a of the element 503 may face the liquid through the opening 502c in the body part 502 without any risk of penetration towards the inside of the sensor 500.

In various embodiments, the operation of the sensor 500 is based on optical laws associated with refraction/reflection of optical radiation, and in particular on the critical angle principle of total reflection. More particularly, this principle of operation is based on the dependence of the refractive index of the liquid substance on its composition or concentration: thus, the measurement is based on the index jump (jump of index) between the liquid to be analyzed (i.e. the cleaning agent) and the solid material of the optical element 503, using the principle of total internal reflection at the interface between these two media.

In fig. 70-72, the transmitter 270a 'and receiver 270b' are disposed in the same plane, again for purposes of illustration; in this configuration, the optical element 503 may be suitably shaped to define a suitable angle of reflection/refraction between the emitter 270a ', the receiver 270b', and the interface wall represented by the front surface of the optical element 503.

In various embodiments, the transmitter 270a 'and the receiver 270b' instead have respective active portions of transmission and reception, respectively, which portions generally face each other, but are disposed at an angle relative to each other, preferably in such a way that the respective axes intersect. The concept is schematically illustrated in fig. 73-74, wherein the transmitter 270a 'and the receiver 270b' are arranged according to respective lying planes forming an angle α between them, which is preferably smaller than 90 °; instead, two planes passing through the axes β of the receiver and transmitter, respectively (thus meaning that the two planes are orthogonal to the plane of the sheet of fig. 73-74) form an angle therebetween that is preferably greater than 90 °. The aforementioned angle may be predefined based at least on the type of emitter and the plastic material used to obtain the optical element 503, according to techniques known per se.

It can also be noted from fig. 73-74 how the rear surface of the body of the optical element 503 preferentially defines two faces 503c ', 503c″ that are inclined in opposite orientations such that the emitter 207a ' on one side and the receiver 207b ' on the other side face and are substantially parallel to the respective inclined faces. The inclination of the faces 503c', 503c "is preferably calculated in such a way that the optical signal traverses it in a direction as orthogonal as possible with respect to the light entrance and exit surfaces, in order to minimize reflection at the air-solid interface and the solid-air interface, respectively.

In operation, emitter 207a' illuminates the interface surface (represented by front surface 503a of element 503) at an angle of interest of about the critical angle, and thus at an incidence rate greater than or less than the critical angle. In this way, it is possible to identify two areas: a region affected by totally reflected light (associated with reflected light having an incident rate greater than the critical angle), and a region affected by lower intensity, which is illuminated by partially reflected light (associated with reflected light having an incident rate less than the critical angle). It is thus possible to obtain an intensity field at the exit opening, wherein the separation between the region significantly illuminated by total internal reflection and the region less illuminated (partial reflection) varies depending on the concentration of the liquid.

The light rays appearing in fig. 73-74 for illustrative and schematic representation form part of an illumination field that changes its configuration in accordance with a change in the critical angle (i.e., the refractive index of the liquid substance (i.e., its composition or concentration)).

In the presence of a cleaning agent or other substance having a first composition or concentration, it is possible to have the situation schematically represented in fig. 73: assuming that the rays of the light beam R impinge on the surface of the interface 503a at an angle equal to the critical angle, some of these rays will be obtained with total reflection of the incident rays, while the other rays will be partially refracted (at R ₁ Medium) and partially reflected, wherein the "lower" receiver 207b' will be more composed of the resulting beam R ₂ And (5) illumination. Fig. 74 schematically shows the case of a substance or cleaning agent having a second composition or concentration (e.g., a concentration lower than in the previous case): the rays of the illumination beam R generated by the emitter 720a' always radiate at the same angle, while the critical angle varies (decreases) depending on the composition of the substance. Also in this case, the resulting beam R ₂ Will thus include both totally reflected light rays and partially reflected light rays, but with greater illumination intensity at the "upper" receiver 270 b'.

As can be seen, in practice, the optical element 503 is configured to facilitate propagation of optical radiation by refraction and/or reflection from the at least one emitter 270a ' to the at least one receiver 270b ' in such a way that the radiation propagates at least partially through the element 503 towards the at least one receiver 270b ' at an angle and/or with an intensity that varies depending on the qualitative properties of the liquid substance.

Of course, the optical sensor 500 may also be used as a liquid level sensor based on the principles set forth above. In fact, in the absence of liquid at the interface wall 503a, the light beam emitted by the emitter 270a ' will be virtually totally reflected towards the receiver 270b ', whereas in the presence of liquid at the interface, part of the light beam will be refracted in the liquid, impinging the receiver 270b ' with reduced intensity. In this way it is possible to distinguish whether the liquid substance is above or below a preset threshold level. Of course, the liquid level detection function can be obtained even without utilizing the principle linked to the critical angle of total reflection; i.e. it may be based on simple reflection/refraction of optical radiation.

In the various embodiments described previously, the means for detecting the level and/or at least one qualitative feature of the cleaning agent are provided at least partially at the inlet of the dispenser portion or in a corresponding housing connected in fluid communication with the aforementioned inlet. In other embodiments, such sensor means may instead be provided at least partially in the corresponding detection chamber, even in a remote position with respect to such inlet, and not directly connected to the corresponding arrangement for delivering the cleaning agent. In such an embodiment, the slot has a detection opening that is detachably and fluidically couplable with respect to an inlet opening present in the stationary dispenser portion, which inlet opening is in fluid communication with the detection chamber. The detection opening and the inlet opening of the detection chamber are defined in respective walls of the removable portion and the fixed portion of the dispenser, respectively, which walls are designed to face each other in the operating state of the dispenser.

This kind of embodiment is illustrated in fig. 75 and 76, in which the aforesaid detection opening is denoted by 112', which is preferably defined by tubular portions of the hollow body 101, having a structure similar to that previously described with reference to the

outlets

112 and 113. Instead, the aforementioned detection chambers are indicated by 210', where these detection chambers are not in fluid communication with the inlet of the stationary part 200. The chamber 210' is preferably also defined by tubular portions of the body 201, having a similar structure to that previously described with reference to the

inlets

210 and 201, having a peripheral wall portion 210a ' and a bottom wall portion 210b ' at which the sensing element 270 is mounted: in this case, however, the chamber 210' does not belong to and is not directly connected to the arrangement for dispensing the cleaning agent in question.

In the case of fig. 75, the sensing component 270 of the sensor device comprises an electrode 270 of the type already described previously provided for direct contact with a liquid substance (e.g. for measuring conductivity or impedance) ₁ 、270 ₃ (and possibly 270) ₂ ) Whereas in the case of fig. 76, the sensitive component 270 comprises a layer 270 that is electrically insulating ₄ Electrodes 270 isolated from liquid substances (e.g. for capacitance-type measurements) ₁ 、270 ₃ (and possibly 270) ₂ ). The opening 210 may also be provided with an automatically actuated check valve of the type previously described.

Of course, the idea of positioning at least a part of the sensor device in the detection chamber may also be used in the case of some other type of sensor, such as the piezoelectric sensor or the optical sensor described previously.

In various embodiments, the level sensor device and/or the mass sensor device has a first part mounted on the removable dispenser part and a second part mounted on the fixed dispenser part, the first part and the second part preferably interacting by means of electromagnetic or inductive signals or fields.

Such an embodiment is schematically illustrated in fig. 77, wherein the sensor device represented has a sensing element 270 "mounted at the housing 112" defined in the hollow body 101, in particular at the closed bottom 112b ". Element 270 "includes, for example, a connection to electrode 270 ₁ 、270 ₃ (and possibly 270) ₂ ) These electrodes extend towards the interior of the slot (here slot R1). Instead, a second communication portion of the sensor (indicated by 270b ") is mounted on the outside of the closed bottom 210b" of the housing 210", defined in the body 201. The communication portion 270b "also includes corresponding circuitry and connection terminals 270 for electrical connection to the circuit arrangement on the dispenser or dishwasher ₅ 。

The housings 112 "and 210" may have tubular structures similar to those previously described with reference to the

outlets

112, 113 and

inlets

210, 211, and may thus be releasably coupled such that the bottom walls 112b "and 210b" substantially face each other in a state in which the removable dispenser portion 101 and the fixed dispenser portion 200 are coupled together. As can be appreciated, in this case, the housings 112 "and 210" are then closed at the rear, and these housings themselves are not connected in fluid communication and do not belong to an arrangement for dispensing the cleaning agent contained in the tank R1, taking into account the presence of the bottom walls 112b "and 210 b".

The data transmission/reception principle between the sensing element 270 "(i.e. its circuit 270 a") and the communication part 270b "(i.e. its circuit) may be of a type similar to that of passive radio frequency devices without autonomous power supply, e.g. RFID devices, which for this purpose comprise respective antennas. Such radio frequency devices are known per se and need not be described in depth herein.

It will be sufficient here to note that the supply voltage of the circuit 270a "is supplied by the circuit of the portion 270b", the circuit of the portion 270b "being operative for generating an electromagnetic field in a known manner, for example via a 125-kHz signal; in practice, the electromagnetic field induces a supply voltage which in turn may transmit data to the circuitry of portion 270b ". Based thereon, liquid level and/or quality detection similar to the liquid level and/or quality detection described previously can then be performed via the sensing element 270 "and communicated in a wireless mode to the reading portion 270b", which in turn makes them available for use in a circuit arrangement on the dispenser or dishwasher 1.

As previously mentioned, in various embodiments, the dispenser includes at least a portion that can be manually operated by a user, and a locking/unlocking arrangement that is controllable to prevent or effect displacement of the operable portion between its two positions. Has been previously directed to the door 104 ₁ 、104 ₂ Such an embodiment is illustrated, the hatches being equipped with a dispenser according to the various embodiments described.

Such locking/unlocking systems may also be advantageously used in order to prevent or effect, as the case may be, removal of the removable portion of the dispenser with respect to its fixed portion, the removable portion providing a portion that can be operated by the user. In this case, the locking mechanism of the arrangement comprises at least one retaining element mounted on the fixed dispenser part in a displaceable manner between a retaining position and a release position with respect to a retaining counter element present on the removable dispenser part.

Possible embodiments in this sense are schematically illustrated in fig. 78-82.

Referring initially to fig. 78, the illustrated arrangement includes a locking mechanism that is fundamentally similar to the locking mechanism that has been previously described with reference to fig. 31-36. In this case, each element 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ The corresponding retaining elements 206c are associated or define corresponding retaining elements 206c (illustrated here in the form of hooks) which protrude in front (along dimension Z) beyond the front side of the positioning and/or guiding formation 205. On the other hand, corresponding housings or seats 121 are defined in the rear of the hollow body 101, which act as retention counter-elements, with respect to which the element 206c can assume at least a retention position and a release position.

The seats 121 are configured and positioned in such a way that when the movable dispenser part 100 is coupled to the fixed dispenser part 200, at least a portion of each holding element 206c may protrude into the corresponding seat 121, wherein an angular movement between the holding position and the release position is possible. The angular movement is by the locking element 206 ₁ 、206 ₂ Is obtained, the retaining elements are rotationally fixed to these locking elements. In the example, considering that the angular positions of the holding and releasing two elements 206c are different, the element 206c and the corresponding seat 121 on one side and the other element 206c and the corresponding seat 121 on the other side are shaped in different ways. However, in a possible variant embodiment, the holding element on one side and the corresponding holding counter element on the other side may be identical to each other.

As can also be appreciated from fig. 79-82, in this case, the cam member 451 defines a more complex cam profile than in the case of fig. 31-36. In the illustrative example, such profiles include: two opposing

segments

452a and 452b, each extending according to a respective circumferential arc, the two circumferences preferably being one larger than the other; and two intermediate connecting

sections

452c and 452d that are longer, one (452 c) featuring a recess and the other (452 d) featuring a protrusion.

Fig. 79 illustrates a state corresponding to the state of fig. 31-32, in which the cam member 451 is in a state such that the locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Failure to implement the latch/release device 105 ₁ And 105 ₂ In the angular position of operation of (a). In this state, both retaining elements 206c are in an angular position of engagement with respect to the retaining counter-element represented by seat 121. In this state, the removable dispenser portion 100 is therefore not removable from the fixed dispenser portion 200.

Fig. 80 illustrates a state corresponding to the state of fig. 33-34, in which the cam member 451 is in a state such that the locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Respectively preventing the latch/release means 105 ₂ And instead implements the latch/release 105 ₁ In the angular position of operation of (a). In this state, the left-hand holding element 206c is in an angular position of engagement with respect to the corresponding seat 121, while the right-hand holding element 206c is in an angular position of release with respect to the corresponding seat 121: thus, also in this state, the removable dispenser part 100 cannot be removed from the fixed dispenser part 200.

Fig. 81 illustrates a state corresponding to the state of fig. 35-36, in which the cam member 451 is in a state such that the locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Respectively preventing the latch/release means 105 ₁ And instead implements the latch/release 105 ₂ In the angular position of operation of (a). In this state, the right-hand holding element 206c is in the angular position released with respect to the corresponding seat 121, while the left-hand holding element 206c is in the angular position engaged with respect to the corresponding seat 121: thus, also in this state, the removable dispenser part 100 cannot be removed from the fixed dispenser part 200.

Finally, fig. 82 illustrates the following states: wherein the cam member 451 is positioned such that the locking member 206 ₁ And 206 ₂ Implementing two latch/release devices 105 ₁ And 105 ₂ In the angular position of operation of (a). In this condition, both retaining elements 206c are in the angular position released with respect to the corresponding counter-element represented by seat 121. Thus, in this state, the removable dispenser portion 100 may be removed from the fixed dispenser portion 200.

The control of the actuator 450 for the purpose of obtaining the positions of fig. 79, 80 and 81 may be implemented according to a modality substantially similar to the one described previously with reference to fig. 31-36, and thus, for example, according to the level information obtained by the sensor means equipped with the dispenser and/or according to the signal supplied by the control system CS of the dishwasher 1. For example, the location of arrival at map 82 may be determined when the following conditions occur (which on the other hand are statistically rare): inside both tanks R1 and R2, there is an amount of cleaning agent below the corresponding preset minimum level, which indicates that a top-up is required. Another state that can be determined to arrive at the location of fig. 82 is: for example, an abnormal state regarding the contents of either one of the two tanks is detected by a quality sensor of the dispenser, for example, in the case where the presence of the rinse additive WA is detected in the tank R1 for the cleaning detergent WD. In this case, regardless of the filling level of the grooves R1, R2, it is expedient to enable removal of the removable dispenser part 100 in order to enable cleaning of the grooves which have been unintentionally contaminated. Of course, the position of fig. 82 may also be obtained following a command given by the user, for example using a key purposely provided in the control panel of the machine 1.

The operational status of the locking/unlocking arrangements of fig. 78-82 (as well as the operational status of fig. 31-36) may also be notified to the user via any of the indication arrangements (e.g., one of the previously described indication arrangements).

In the example of fig. 78-82, the locking/unlocking arrangement is designed to be implemented corresponding to opening the hatch 104 ₁ 、104 ₂ Is possible, and the removable dispenser is removedThe dual function of the possibility of the part 100 is preferably such that a single electric actuator 450 is used to obtain both functions. However, it is clear that the two functions may be separated from each other, for example using a corresponding electric actuator, or the dispenser may comprise only the function of blocking/unblocking the removable dispenser part.

It should also be noted that in a possible variant embodiment, the locking/unlocking arrangement may be designed to interact with a coupling/uncoupling arrangement (see for example what is described with reference to fig. 13-14) operating between the removable dispenser part and the fixed dispenser part, which coupling/uncoupling arrangement may be manually switched at least from the engaged position to the released position, as already mentioned, to prevent or effect removal of the removable dispenser part. For this case, the locking/unlocking arrangement may be configured, for example, in such a way that in its operational and non-operational state the locking mechanism will prevent and effect switching of the coupling/uncoupling arrangement from its engaged position to its released position, respectively.

For example, referring to fig. 78, a retaining element similar to that indicated by 206c may be further downwardly disposed and movably mounted relative to the situation illustrated in the figure to present: a first blocking angular position, in which these retaining elements mechanically interfere with the rotation of the coupling/uncoupling member 220 (see fig. 9-11), for example at the corresponding recess 220 e; and a second unblocking angular position, wherein the angular positions of the retaining elements do not constitute an obstacle to rotation of the member 220.

The characteristics and advantages of the cleaning agent dispenser according to the proposed embodiment emerge clearly from the foregoing description, with the following emphasis being placed on:

i) Providing a solution of a reversible peristaltic pump, with which a command arrangement is associated, makes it possible to use the pump itself for the purpose of delivering two different cleaning agents via two different dispensing arrangements;

ii) providing a solution of a removable dispenser part defining at least one slot, the outlet of which is provided with an automatically driven check valve, makes it possible to prevent the risk of the corresponding cleaning agent diffusing in the environment when the removable dispenser part is removed from the fixed dispenser part;

iii) The solution of providing a purposely designed housing on the front of the dispenser for directly exposed detergent tablets simplifies the production of the dispenser compared to the prior art and at the same time simplifies the activities of the user for loading tablets;

iv) providing a solution of a signaling system with a light generating element on a fixed dispenser part and one or more light transmitting elements on a removable dispenser part makes it possible to efficiently transfer information of the optical type in front of the dispenser, which is beneficial for the user and at the same time enables positioning of the components subjected to the voltage in the protected area of the dispenser;

v) solutions providing a locking/unlocking arrangement for a portion of the dispenser that can be operated by the user (wherein the arrangement is managed by corresponding logic implemented in the control circuit) make it possible to reduce the risk of a user making mistakes in using the dispenser, in particular with regard to filling with a detergent, or to removing a portion of the dispenser so as to effect an intervention thereof only when actually needed;

vi) the solution of providing at least a part of the sensor means on the fixed dispenser part, in particular at the inlet of the fixed dispenser part for the cleaning agent, makes it possible to perform a detection of a quantitative type and/or a qualitative type with respect to the contents of the slot defined in the removable dispenser part, and at the same time makes it possible to simplify the electrical connection, as well as to position the connection in the protected area of the dispenser;

vii) solutions in which the dispenser is equipped with sensor means prearranged for detecting one or more qualitative characteristics of the detergent make it possible to provide information about the type or quality of the detergent contained in the corresponding tank, which information is useful, for example, in order to prevent or correct any possible malfunctions due to errors or degradation of the detergent by the user with respect to the type of detergent, or in order to enable a more efficient control of the treatment program implemented by the dishwasher on which the dispenser is mounted.

It should again be pointed out that the technical solutions of points i), ii) and vii) can also be implemented in dispensers that do not comprise removable parts (i.e. dispensers having a dispenser body designed to be mounted in a fixed position as a whole).

It will be apparent that many modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art to which the dispenser described by way of example belongs without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

Previously, reference has been made to a system for dispensing a cleaning agent, in particular a cleaning agent contained in a tank R2, the operation of which is based in part on the displacement of the mounting wall of the dispenser 10 between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position (see in particular what is described with reference to fig. 6-8). It is clear, however, that this does not constitute an essential feature, as long as the dispenser 10 can be designed for mounting on a fixed wall of a tub, such as the wall indicated by 6 in fig. 1. For these cases, the aforementioned delivery system will be modified accordingly, for example, using any of the techniques described in WO02069779A1, US2002153029A1 and WO0173 182A2 filed in the name of the applicant.

Several of the sensing elements previously described with reference to different types of sensors may be combined in a single sensor device. From this point of view, for example, the same sensor device may comprise both electrodes for detecting electrical quantities and piezoelectric elements for detecting physical properties (viscosity or density), or at least one light emitter and at least one light receiver for detecting optical types.

Claims

1. A cleaning agent dispenser for a cleaning machine for dispensing cleaning agent in a cleaning machine cleaning chamber, the dispenser (10) having a dispenser body (100, 200) with a width dimension (X), a height dimension (Y) and a depth dimension (Z), wherein front and rear portions of the dispenser body (100, 200) identify the depth dimension (Z), wherein the dispenser body (100, 200) comprises: a fixed dispenser portion (200) designed for mounting on a wall (5) defining a washing chamber (3) of a washing machine; and a removable dispenser portion (100) removably coupleable to the fixed dispenser portion (200),

wherein the removable dispenser portion (100) comprises a hollow body (101) defining at least one groove (R1, R2) for a substance (WD, WA) in liquid or semi-solid form, at least one first wall (114 a, 114 b) of the hollow body (101) being intended to face at least partially at least one second wall (201 a, 201b1, 220 a) of the fixed dispenser portion (200),

Wherein the dispenser (10) further comprises at least one sensor device (RD, 110;270'; 500) configured to provide at least one electrical signal indicative of at least one of a level and a qualitative property of a substance (WD, WA) contained within the at least one tank (R1, R2),

and wherein the at least one sensor device (RD, 110;270'; 500) is at least partially arranged on the stationary dispenser part (200).

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one slot (R1, R2) has an outlet (112, 113) in the at least one first wall (114 a), the outlet (112, 113) being detachably coupleable to a respective inlet (210, 211) in the at least one second wall (201 a), the inlet (210, 211) being connected in fluid communication with a corresponding dispensing arrangement configured to dispense a dosed amount of substance (WD, WA), and wherein the at least one sensor (270; 270'; 500) is arranged substantially at the inlet (210, 211) or substantially at a corresponding housing (222) in fluid communication with the inlet (210, 211).

3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slot (R1, R2) has a detection opening (112 ') in the at least one first wall (114 a), the detection opening (112 ') being detachably couplable to a corresponding inlet opening present in the at least one second wall (201 a), the inlet opening being in fluid communication with a detection chamber (210 '), the at least one sensor device (270 ';270 '; 500) being at least partially arranged at the detection chamber.

4. A dispenser according to claim 2 or 3, wherein:

-the outlet (112, 113) or detection opening (112') is defined in a lower portion of the hollow body (101) with reference to the height dimension (Y), and/or

-the at least one first wall (114 a) is a rear wall of the hollow body (101) and at least one second wall (201 a) is a front wall of the fixed dispenser part (200).

5. Dispenser according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one sensor device (270; 270'; 500) is fully mounted on the stationary dispenser part (200).

6. Dispenser according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said at least one sensor device (RD, 110, 270;270'; 270'; 500) has a first portion (110; 270a ') mounted on the removable dispenser portion (100) and a second portion (RD; 270 b') mounted on the fixed dispenser portion (200), the first portion (110; 270a ') and the second portion (RD; 270 b') preferably interacting via magnetic or electromagnetic or inductive fields or signals.

7. The dispenser of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one sensor device (500) is an optical sensor having a sensing element comprising at least one emitter (270 a) and at least one receiver (270 b) of electromagnetic radiation.

8. The dispenser of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one sensor device (270; 270';270 ") is a sensor for detecting at least one electrical quantity, the sensor having at least one sensing element comprising a piezoelectric element (270 a) and a plurality of sensing elementsElectrode (270) ₁ ，270 ₂ ，270 ₃ ) At least one of them.

9. Dispenser according to any one of claims 1-8, comprising a circuit arrangement configured to compare the value of the at least one electrical signal with at least one corresponding reference value and thereby generate information representative of at least one of a liquid level and a qualitative property of the substance (WD, WA).

10. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein at least two electrodes (270 ₁ 、270 ₂ 、270 ₃ ) Each having a respective axis designed to extend in a direction substantially parallel to the coupling direction between the removable dispenser portion (100) and the fixed dispenser portion (200), at least two electrodes (270 ₁ 、270 ₂ 、270 ₃ ) Preferably between 2 and 20mm apart, very preferably between 3 and 7mm apart.

11. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein at least two electrodes (270 ₁ 、270 ₂ 、270 ₃ ) Including at least one of:

-at least two electrodes (270) at different heights with reference to a height dimension (Y) ₁ 、270 ₃ )，

-at least two electrodes (270) with a reference height dimension (Y) substantially at the same height ₁ 、270 ₂ )。

12. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the at least two electrodes comprise at least three electrodes (270 ₁ 、270 ₂ 、270 ₃ ) Wherein:

-a first electrode (270) ₁ ) And a second electrode (270) ₂ ) For measuring between them a first value of said at least one electrical quantity representative of a qualitative characteristic of the substance (WD, WA), and

-a third electrode (270) ₃ ) For providing a voltage between the third electrode (270 ₃ ) And the first electrode (270) ₁ ) And the second electrode (270) ₂ ) A second value of said at least one electrical quantity representing the level of the substance (WD, WA) is measured between one of them,

wherein preferably the first electrode (270 ₁ ) And the second electrode (270) ₂ ) Is at substantially the same height, and the at least one third electrode (270 ₃ ) Is in contact with the first electrode (270 ₁ ) And the second electrode (270) ₂ ) At different heights.

13. The dispenser of any one of claims 1-12, further comprising at least one of:

a signaling arrangement (207, 260, 261;207, 260, 261, 263) comprising at least one transmitting means (207, 260) selected from between a light transmitting means and an acoustic transmitting means,

-a locking/unlocking arrangement comprising a mechanism (206) drivable by an electric actuator (450) to assume at least one operative state and at least one non-operative state ₁ 、206 ₂ 、451、453 ₁ 、453 ₂ 、454；121、206 ₁ 、206 ₂ 、206c、453 ₁ 、453 ₂ 451, 454), wherein the mechanism respectively prevents or implements an operable portion (104) of the dispenser (10) configured to be manually displaced by a user ₁ ，104 ₂ The method comprises the steps of carrying out a first treatment on the surface of the 100 At least from a first position to a second position,

wherein at least one of the signaling arrangement and the locking/unlocking arrangement is configured to be controlled based on an electrical signal provided by the at least one sensor device (RD, 110;270'; 500).

14. A cleaning agent dispenser for a cleaning machine for dispensing cleaning agent into a cleaning machine cleaning chamber, the dispenser (10) having a dispenser body (100, 200) comprising at least one stationary dispenser part (200) designed for mounting on a wall (5) defining the cleaning machine cleaning chamber (3),

Wherein the dispenser body (100, 200) defines at least one holding volume (R1, R2) for at least one purging agent (WD, WA), in particular in liquid or semi-solid form,

the dispenser (10) furthermore comprises at least one dispensing arrangement configured for dispensing a dosed amount of at least one cleaning agent (WD, WA), and the at least one dispensing arrangement comprises a conduit (210, 403, 218;211, 240, 411) between an outlet (112; 113) of the at least one tank (R1, R2) and a dispensing outlet (219, 212-213) of the dosed amount of the at least one cleaning agent (WD, WA),

the dispenser also includes at least one of:

peristaltic pump (400) forming part of said at least one dispensing arrangement,

-at least one removable dispenser portion (200) removably associated with said fixed dispenser portion (200) and defining at least one groove (R1, R2), holding a valve (2301, 230 ₂ ) In association with the at least one outlet port,

at least one exposed housing (300) at the front of the dispenser body (100, 200), said housing being configured to receive a tablet (T) comprising at least one cleaning agent (T),

At least one signalling arrangement (207, 260, 261;207, 260, 261, 263) comprising an emitting device (207, 260) and means to transmit the visible radiation emitted by the emitting device (207, 206) towards a region of the dispenser body (100, 200) designed to face the inside of the washing machine washing chamber (3),

-at least one locking/unlocking arrangement (206 ₁ 、206 ₂ 、451、453 ₁ 、453 ₂ 、454；121、206 ₁ 、206 ₂ 、206c、453 ₁ 、453 ₂ 451, 454) that can be driven by an electric actuator to blockStop or implement a portion (104) of the dispenser (10) that can be manually operated by a user ₁ 、104 ₂ The method comprises the steps of carrying out a first treatment on the surface of the 100 Is provided) the displacement of the first element,

at least one sensor device (RD, 110;270'; 500) of at least one of the level and qualitative characteristics of the at least one detergent (WD, WA),

means for coupling and/or fixing and/or guiding and/or positioning with respect to each other between said fixed dispenser part (200) and at least one removable dispenser part (200) removably associated with said fixed dispenser part (200),

-hydraulic coupling means (112, 113, 210, 211) between a fixed dispenser portion (200) and at least one removable dispenser portion (100) removably associated with said fixed dispenser portion (200) and defining at least one slot (R1, R2).

15. A household washing machine, in particular a dishwasher, comprising a washing agent dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 14.