DE102015209146A1 - Coffee machine with cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (4) for feeding cleaning tablets (6) into a domestic appliance (1), in particular a hot beverage preparation device, comprises a housing (5) for stacking cleaning tablets (6) in a stacking direction (V). The housing (5) has a discharge opening (9) for dispensing a cleaning tablet (6) from the housing (5). The housing (5) comprises an outer housing portion (7) and an inner housing portion (8), wherein the inner housing portion (8) is adapted to receive the cleaning tablets (6). The inner housing section (8) is movable relative to the outer housing section (7) between an operating position in which the conveyance of cleaning tablets (6) into the household appliance (1) is possible, and a filling position in which the inner housing section (8) is movable. with cleaning tablets (6) can be filled. Furthermore, the device (4) comprises a conveying device (19) which is adapted to apply a force directed perpendicularly to the stacking direction onto a cleaning tablet (6) in order thereby to move the cleaning tablet (6) out of the dispensing opening (9) into the domestic appliance (1 ) to promote.

Description

The invention relates to a device for supplying cleaning tablets in a household appliance, in particular a hot beverage preparation device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a household appliance, which is equipped with such a device for supplying cleaning tablets.

The WO 2011/160817 A2 discloses a cleaning system for coffee machines with a cleaning device for periodically cleaning the coffee and / or milk-carrying components with a cleaning liquid containing therein dissolved detergent in the form of spheres or tablets, wherein the cleaning device with a time and / or product cycle-dependent control and with a provided with it cooperating metering device for the cleaning agent.

The object of the invention is to provide a low error rate in the supply of tablets when feeding cleaning tablets in a household appliance, in particular in a hot beverage preparation device.

This object is achieved in the aforementioned device for supplying cleaning tablets in a household appliance according to the invention that on the one hand has a housing for stacked receiving cleaning tablets in a stacking direction. The housing has a dispensing opening for dispensing a cleaning tablet from the housing, an outer housing section, and an inner housing section. The inner housing section is adapted to receive the cleaning tablets. It is movable relative to the outer housing portion between an operating position and a filling position. When the inner housing section is in its operating position, the promotion of cleaning tablets in the household appliance is possible, d. H. a cleaning tablet accommodated in the inner housing portion may be dispensed via the discharge opening of the housing. When the inner housing section is in its filling position, the inner housing section is conveniently accessible to a user and can be filled with cleaning tablets. It can be loaded like a magazine and checked for correct loading and offer the user an advantageous insertion aid for the tablets in the household appliance. This allows convenient operation of a household appliance equipped with the device according to the invention. On the other hand, the device has a conveyor which is adapted to apply a directed perpendicular to the stacking direction force on a cleaning tablet, thereby to promote the cleaning tablet from the discharge opening in the household appliance. As a result, damage to the cleaning tablets can be reliably avoided and they can be dispensed individually into the home appliance with a low error rate.

With such a device according to the invention for supplying cleaning tablets, household appliances such as washing machines, but in particular also hot beverage preparation devices such as fully automatic coffee machines, can be equipped.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the cleaning tablet reservoir - hereinafter referred to as reservoir - a locking mechanism which prevents movement of the inner housing portion relative to the outer housing portion in a locking position and allows in an unlocked position movement of the inner housing portion relative to the outer housing portion , The locking mechanism is used in particular to fix the inner housing portion in its operating position in its locking position and thereby prevent undesired movement of the inner housing portion relative to the outer housing portion, especially during operation of the household appliance. In its unlocked position, however, the locking mechanism allows movement of the inner housing portion relative to the outer housing portion in particular in its filling position, in which the inner housing portion is easily accessible to a user of the household appliance.

In principle, the tablets may be stacked according to the spatial conditions in the household appliance in a horizontal, a vertical or an intermediate inclined direction. In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, the cleaning tablets are stacked in the storage container in a vertical stacking direction. With the inner housing portion as a reservoir, the conveyor may then be adapted to apply a horizontally directed force to a cleaning tablet to thereby convey the cleaning tablet from the dispensing opening into the household appliance. Unlike upright tablets in a horizontal stacking direction, a vertically stacked tablet can not accidentally get into or through the discharge opening and thus prematurely in the household appliance by accidental tipping over. In the vertical stacking direction, however, so stacked in the direction of gravity, it can be transported by the conveyor in the horizontal direction targeted to the discharge opening. The cleaning tablet then falls reliably by utilizing gravity from the dispensing opening, without previously damaged by the force of the conveyor.

In principle, a device according to the invention is also possible in which the movement of the inner housing section with respect to the outer housing section is unguided and even unlimited. However, a guide with a restriction has the advantage that the inner housing portion can be moved by the guide only in a predetermined manner, and the limitation further opens up the possibility of preventing unwanted complete removal of the inner housing portion from the outer housing portion. In a preferred development of the device according to the invention, the housing may comprise a limiting mechanism for limiting a movement of the inner housing section relative to the outer housing section when the inner housing section has reached its filling position. It can prevent the inner housing section from being unintentionally pulled out of the outer housing section. The limiting mechanism may comprise a projection provided in the region of an outer surface of the inner housing section, which projection may be guided in a groove provided in the outer housing section. When the inner housing section has reached its filling position, the projection comes into abutment against an end face of the groove, whereby further movement of the inner housing section is reliably prevented. In the opposite direction, that is, when the inner housing portion is fully inserted into the outer housing portion, thus prevents and limits another end face at the lower end of the groove further insertion of the inner housing portion in the outer housing portion. Alternatively, the delimiting mechanism may also include a groove provided in the region of an outer surface of the inner housing portion, in which a projection provided on the outer housing portion may be guided. Such a configuration of the restriction mechanism not only allows limiting the movement of the inner housing portion relative to the outer housing portion, but also a secure guidance of the inner housing portion when it is moved relative to the outer housing portion.

In a preferred development of the device according to the invention, the inner housing section has a filling opening extending along its longitudinal axis over at least 50% of its length for filling with cleaning tablets. The filling opening is preferably only accessible to a user when the inner housing section is in its filling position. By contrast, when the inner housing section is in its operating position, the filling opening may be closed by the outer housing section, so that the cleaning tablets can not be manipulated or fall out of the inner housing section. For example, the filling opening can be made accessible by unlocking the locking mechanism and moving the inner housing portion relative to the outer housing portion from its operating position to its filling position. The filling opening and the dispensing opening can be arranged in the region of two mutually adjacent sides of the housing, whereby a particularly effective filling is made possible because during the filling no cleaning tablets can be accidentally lost through the dispensing opening.

In an advantageous further development, the device according to the invention can also have a position detection device for detecting the operating position of the inner housing section. For example, the position detection device may comprise a position sensor, which is activated by the inner housing portion when it has assumed the operating position in the outer housing portion. The position detection device can reliably detect that the inner housing section, for example, after being filled with cleaning tablets, is again received ready for operation in its operating position in the outer housing section. For example, without its activation, the home appliance may be disabled so that the user is caused to correct the position of the inner housing section.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention may comprise a fill level sensor for detecting and displaying the fill level of the cleaning tablets in the housing. For example, the level sensor may in any case be activated if the last cleaning tablet present in the housing is positioned in front of the dispensing opening. Alternatively, he could continuously display the level. The level sensor thus ensures that a user can inform himself in good time that the device must be refilled with cleaning tablets. In addition to electronic level sensors, a mechanical level indicator, so z. As a pointer, are used. The term "level sensor" thus includes both mechanical and electronic as well as the combination of both sensor types.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention may comprise a control device for activating the conveyor as a function of a predetermined period of time, ie time-dependent, or a predetermined number of operating procedures of the domestic appliance, ie depending on use. Thus, a reliable cleaning of the household appliance can be ensured because they are independent of the attention and care of the user. Alternatively, the controller may activate the conveyor as soon as either the predetermined amount of time has elapsed or the predetermined number of operations have been reached. This ensures that both a very little and a heavily used household appliance is cleaned regularly enough and often independent of the intensity of use and less susceptible to wear.

In a hot beverage preparation apparatus, the tablet addition may be used to prepare the cleaning solution for cleaning the hot beverage preparation apparatus itself. The amount of water required to produce the cleaning solution by adding a cleaning tablet must be made available regularly by the user once a cleaning requirement has been determined. The cleaning requirement is usually determined as a function of the water hardness according to the number of prepared cups. With a low water hardness, for example, it can be 1050 cups, but with a higher water hardness only 300 cups, after which a cleaning process is started. For this purpose, the amount of water present in the water tank is adjusted by filling or partial emptying to the required amount of water, for example 500 ml or 200 cups. According to the invention, the control device can be configured to subtract the regularly constant water quantity of, for example, 500 ml required for a cleaning process from the degree of hardness-dependent total water quantity between two cleaning operations. Thus, when the need for cleaning the required amount of water of 500 ml or 200 cups in the water tank can already be measured measured. An uncomfortable filling or wasteful partial emptying of the water tank can be dispensed with.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, the device according to the invention may comprise a relative to the ambient atmosphere sealed chamber which surrounds the housing of the device and in which a hygroscopic material is accommodated. The interfaces between the sealed chamber and the device are realized by flaps and doors, each made liquid-tight. Additionally, a moisture wicking hose may additionally be attached to the chamber such that accumulated moisture is drained from the chamber. This prevents the tablets from absorbing moisture from the environment and degrading quality.

The principle of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing by way of example. In the drawing show:

1 FIG. 3: a three-dimensional representation of a hot beverage preparation device with a device for feeding cleaning tablets, FIG.

2a and 2 B 3: Overall views of the device for feeding cleaning tablets in an assembled representation and an exploded view,

3a and 3b 5: detailed views of the device for feeding cleaning tablets, wherein an inner housing section of the device is in a filling position,

4 FIG. 4 is a detail view of an inner housing portion of the apparatus for supplying cleaning tablets, and FIG

5a and 5b : Detail views of an outer housing section of the device for supplying cleaning tablets.

1 shows a built-in coffee machine as a hot beverage preparation device 1 Making a hot beverage dispensing section 2 , a water tank 3 and a device disposed adjacent thereto 4 for feeding detergent tablets into the water tank 3 includes. The device 4 is similar to the water tank 3 from an upper side of the hot beverage preparation device 1 to operate and allows, without further action of a user cleaning tablets automatically and as needed in the water tank 3 leave. If a cleaning tablet in the water of the water tank 3 enters, is a cleaning liquid for cleaning the hot beverage preparation device 1 , especially of the water tank 3 as well as with the water tank 3 connected lines generated.

2a shows the assembled device 4 and 2 B an exploded view in an opposite direction of view. Accordingly, the device comprises 4 a housing 5 , It has an outer housing section 7 and an inner housing portion 8th , Both housing sections 7 . 8th have a cylindrical shape with a U-shaped bordered base surface 12 the outer housing section 7 and a likewise U-shaped bordered cover 13 the inner housing section 8th , They can be telescoped into each other and move along their longitudinal axis parallel to the stacking direction V against each other. The spanned between the two U-legs rectangular side of the inner housing portion 8th serves as a filling opening 14 about which the cleaning tablets 6 stacked in the stacking direction V. The corresponding side of the outer housing section 7 is with a rectangular cover plate 15 locked. The inner housing section 8th is consequently as a magazine or storage container for cleaning tablets 6 ,

Just before their upper ends, the outer housing section 7 and the inner housing section 8th in a first of the housing side formed by a U-leg each having a rectangular opening 9a . 9b on. The dimensions of the openings 9a . 9b correspond to the cross-sectional dimensions of the cleaning tablets 6 , Come the openings 9a . 9b to cover, they together form a rectangular discharge opening 9 of the housing 5 whose longitudinal extension is oriented transversely to the stacking direction V. The openings 9a . 9b In alignment with each other lie in a second of the housing side formed by a U-leg, a further similar opening 18a . 18b that have an entrance opening 18 form when the openings 18a . 18b aligned with each other.

A compression device of a compression element 10 and a coil spring 11 penetrates the housing 5 in the stacking direction V. The compression element 10 is with an upper end of the coil spring 11 connected, whose lower end is at the base surface 12 the outer housing section 7 supported. The compression element 10 serves the purpose of the coil spring 11 generated spring force on the in the inner housing portion 8th recorded cleaning tablets 6 to transfer and against the cover 13 to press.

The device 4 further comprises a conveyor 19 at the entrance 18 perpendicular to the vertical stacking direction V from the housing 5 projects. It consists of a conveyor housing 20 , a horizontal and thus perpendicular to the vertical stacking direction V movable piston 21 and a linear servomotor 22 as its drive. Not shown is a power supply of the servomotor 22 and its connection to a controller of the hot beverage preparation device 1 ( 1 ). The piston 21 can be motorized from an outside of the housing 5 through the entrance opening 18 in the inner housing section 8th on the discharge opening 9 insert.

The inner housing section 8th can be manually and relative to the outer housing section 7 between an in 1 and 2a shown retracted operating position and an extended, at 3 Telescoping described filling position.

The actuation of the inner housing section 8th facilitates a grip 29 standing on the cover 13 is arranged as a separate component. The handle 29 allows the user to the inner housing section 8th convenient to take when moving between its operating position and its Befüllposition. It also includes a releasable locking mechanism that secures the inner housing section 8th on the outer housing section 7 locked in the operating position. At the lower end of the outer housing section 7 is also a micro switch as a position detection device 16 attached, the achievement of the operating position of the inner housing portion 8th to a control device, not shown. Another microswitch in an upper area of the outer housing section 7 serves as a level sensor 17 for detecting and reporting the level of cleaning tablets 6 in the inner housing section 8th , He is going through the compression element 10 activated when the last cleaning tablet 6 in the inner housing section 8th located.

When the inner housing section 8th is in its operating position and according to level sensor 17 at least one cleaning tablet 6 contains, signals the position detection device 16 its operational readiness to the control device. The openings 9a . 9b respectively. 18a . 18b are then positioned in alignment one behind the other and form the dispensing opening 9 or the inlet opening 18 , The coil spring 11 ensures with filled inner housing section 8th for having a cleaning tablet 6 in the case 5 upwards against the cover 13 is pressed and thus between the inlet opening 18 and the dispensing opening 9 is positioned. When the water tank (s. 1 ) contains a required amount of water, pushes the servomotor 22 upon request of the control device towards the piston 21 through the entrance opening 18 and against the previously positioned cleaning tablet 6 until those through the dispensing opening 9 in the water tank 3 the hot beverage preparation device 1 ( 1 ) falls. There, a cleaning solution is formed, which is subsequently used for a cleaning process of the hot beverage preparation device 1 is being used.

In the 3a and 3b is the inner housing section 8th shown in its filling position. In its filling position, it protrudes from the housing 5 the hot beverage preparation device 1 so far out that its filling opening 14 convenient for a user and, as in 3a shown as a magazine with cleaning tablets 6 is fillable. As in 3b illustrates, the inner housing portion 8th after completion of the filling process in the vertical direction in the housing 5 the hot beverage preparation device 1 with the help of the handle 29 pushed back into its operating position and locked there. The position detection device 16 ( 2 B ) records the receipt of the Operating position and signals the operational readiness of the device 4 to the control device.

4 shows a more detailed perspective view of the U-shaped inner housing portion 8th , which is integrally formed as a molded plastic part. He is with his filling opening 14 shown facing the viewer. In its lower quarter is also a U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped stop element 26 attached, parallel to the cover 13 on an inner surface of the inner housing portion 8th revolves horizontally. It supports the compression element 10 when in the inner housing section 8th a maximum number of cleaning tablets 6 is received, and holds a minimum compression space for the coil spring 11 ( 2 B ) between its underside and the lower end of the inner housing section 8th free.

Near the mouth of the filling opening 14 run on both sides parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner housing portion 8th two opposing, vertical narrow slots 23 between the opening 9b respectively. 18b and the U-shaped stop member 26 , In the slots 23 engage two pins, not shown, the outside on both sides of the compression element 10 ( 2 B ) are mounted. They thus serve to guide the compression element 10 that is under load of the coil spring 11 ( 2 B ) the cleaning tablets 6 in the inner housing section 8th in the direction of the cover 13 urges.

On its back is in the inner housing section 8th another, wider slot 24 formed parallel to the narrow slots 23 runs. In the wide slot 24 engages a also not shown wider pin on the compression element 10 ( 2 B ) one. The wider pin thus also serves to guide the compression element 10 , but also activates the on the outer housing section 7 attached level sensor 17 when the compression element 10 located in a position where it is the last cleaning tablet 6 before the delivery opening 9 positioned.

In the lower quarter of an outer surface of the inner housing portion 8th is on the U-legs on both sides in each case a cubic projection 27 educated. They serve to guide the inner housing section 8th in the outer housing section 7 , The latter is in the two perspective views of 5a and 5b shown in more detail. The projections 27 engage in the assembled state of the housing sections 7 . 8th in two opposing, vertically extending slots 28 on the outer housing section 7 one. Together with them, they form a guiding and limiting mechanism which controls the movement of the inner housing section 8th with respect to the outer housing section 7 defined and limited. If the inner housing section 8th has reached its filling position or its operating position, gets the lead 27 in contact with an upper or lower end face of the slot 28 , whereby further movement of the inner housing portion 8th is ended. This also prevents the inner housing section 8th unintentionally from the outer housing section 7 is pulled out.

On its base 12 carries the outer housing section 7 a circular cylindrical hollow stump in plan view 30 as the lower holder of the coil spring 11 ( 2 B ). To the left is a rectangular, open top and bottom shaft 31 formed, in which the microswitch of the position detection device 16 can be used. On the back at a height slightly below the openings 9a and 18a extends vertically a rectangular slot 32 for receiving the as a level sensor 17 acting microswitch. In addition, the outer housing section carries 7 horizontally protruding ribs on its rear side, rounded off from the observer 33 to its structural reinforcement and perforated rectangular tabs 34 , which serve as Klipsbefestigung for its assembly in the coffee machine. All to 5 described components of the outer housing portion 7 are integrally formed with him, which offers itself in its training as a plastic injection molded part.

Since the foregoing device, described in detail, is an embodiment, it may be modified in a conventional manner by one skilled in the art to a large extent without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the specific embodiments of the housing sections can be made in a different form than described here. Likewise, for example, the inlet opening, the discharge opening and the conveyor may be configured in a different orientation or shape, if this is necessary for space reasons or designerischen reasons. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude that the features in question may also be present several times or more than once.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Hot beverage facility

2

 Hot beverage dispensing section

3

 water tank

4

 Device for feeding cleaning tablets

5

 casing

6

 cleaning tablet

7

 outer housing section

8th

 inner housing section

9

 discharge opening

9a, 9b

 opening

10

 compression member

11

 coil spring

12

 footprint

13

 cover

14

 filling

15

 cover

16

 Position detection device

17

 level sensor

18

 inlet opening

18a, 18b

 opening

19

 Conveyor

20

 Conveyor housing

21

 piston

22

 linear servomotor

23

 narrow slot

24

 wide slot

25

 end face

26

 stop element

27

 head Start

28

 slot

29

 Handle

30

 truncated cylinder

31

 shaft

32

 slot

33

 rib

34

 flap

V

 vertical stacking direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2011/160817 A2 [0002]

Claims (9)

Contraption ( 4 ) for supplying cleaning tablets ( 6 ) into a household appliance ( 1 ), in particular a hot beverage preparation device, comprising: - a housing ( 5 ) for stacking cleaning tablets ( 6 ) in a stacking direction (V) having a discharge opening ( 9 ) for dispensing a cleaning tablet ( 6 ) out of the housing ( 5 ), an outer housing section ( 7 ) and an inner housing section ( 8th ), wherein the inner housing section ( 8th ) is adapted to the cleaning tablets ( 6 ) and relative to the outer housing section (FIG. 7 ) between an operating position in which the promotion of cleaning tablets ( 6 ) in the household appliance ( 1 ) is possible, and a filling position is movable, in which the inner housing portion ( 8th ) with cleaning tablets ( 6 ), - a conveyor ( 19 ) arranged to apply a force perpendicular to the stacking direction to a cleaning tablet ( 6 ) to thereby apply the cleaning tablet ( 6 ) from the discharge opening ( 9 ) in the household appliance ( 1 ) to promote. Contraption ( 4 ) according to claim 1, characterized by a vertical stacking direction (V) of the cleaning tablets ( 6 ). Contraption ( 4 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing ( 5 ) a limiting mechanism ( 27 . 28 ) for limiting a movement of the inner housing portion ( 7 ) relative to the outer housing portion ( 8th ), when the inner housing section ( 7 ) has reached its filling position. Contraption ( 4 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner housing section ( 8th ) extending along its longitudinal axis over at least 50% of its length filling opening ( 14 ) for filling the inner housing section ( 8th ), which is accessible only in the filling position for a user Contraption ( 4 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a position detection device ( 16 ) for detecting the operating position of the inner housing portion ( 8th ). Contraption ( 4 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a level sensor ( 17 ) for detecting the level of the cleaning tablets ( 6 ) in the housing ( 5 ). Contraption ( 4 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a control device for activating the conveyor ( 19 ) in dependence on a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of operations of the household appliance ( 1 ). Household appliance ( 1 ), in particular hot beverage preparation device ( 1 ), with a device ( 4 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7. Household appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 8, characterized by a sealed against the ambient atmosphere chamber, the housing ( 5 ) of the device ( 4 ) and in which a hygroscopic material is received, and / or to which a moisture drain hose is attached such that accumulated moisture is drained from the chamber.

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