DE102020100965A1 - Dosing lance for dosing a cleaning agent in a canister for a cleaning device, canister system with a dosing lance, cleaning device with a dosing lance and method for operating a dosing lance introduced into a canister - Google Patents

Abstract

The approach presented here relates to a metering lance (100) for metering a cleaning agent (105) in a canister (110) for a cleaning device (115). The metering lance (100) has a suction channel (120), at least one float (125), a canister lid (130) and a position detection device (135). The suction channel (120) is shaped to suck in the cleaning agent (105) from the canister (110). The float (125) is coupled to the suction channel (120) and has a float magnet (S) which is movable over a channel length of the suction channel (120), the float (125) being designed to move on a surface of the cleaning agent (105) to swim in the canister (110). The canister lid (130) can be coupled or is coupled to the suction channel (120) and has a canister lid magnet (D) for detecting a canister opening height of a canister opening (145) of the canister (110). The position detection device (135) has a plurality of position sensors (150) which are arranged so as to be clearly identifiable and extend over the duct length of the intake duct (120), the position sensors (150) being designed to determine a canister lid position using one of the canister lid magnets ( D) to detect the canister lid magnetic field caused and / or a float position using a float magnetic field caused by the float magnet (S).

Description

The approach presented here relates to a dosing lance for dosing a cleaning agent in a canister for a cleaning device, a canister system with a dosing lance, a cleaning device with a dosing lance and a method for operating a dosing lance introduced into a canister.

In the professional sector, dishwashers, disinfectors and washing machines are often operated with external chemical canisters / drums. In order to convey the chemicals from the canister into the device, a dosing lance is inserted into the canister opening so that it touches the canister base. The chemical is sucked in through the lance and fed to the device via a hose.

the EP 1903519 B1 describes a dosing lance with a float in which a magnet is inserted. Depending on the level of the liquid, this float moves parallel to a number of magnetically operated switches, e.g. B. Reed switches. A controller can use the interconnection to identify which switch was closed by the float magnet. The level is calculated from this.

The approach presented here is based on the object of creating an improved metering lance for metering a cleaning agent in a canister for a cleaning device.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a dosing lance for dosing a cleaning agent in a canister for a cleaning device, furthermore a canister system with a dosing lance, a cleaning device with a dosing lance and a method for operating a dosing lance inserted into a canister with the features or steps of the main claims . The subject of the present approach is also a computer program. Advantageous refinements and developments of the approach result from the following subclaims.

The advantages that can be achieved with the approach presented here are that a metering lance is created which can correctly detect a filling level of cleaning material in a canister, regardless of the size of the canister. The dosing lance can therefore be used with different canisters of different sizes.

A dosing lance for dosing a cleaning agent in a canister for a cleaning device has a suction channel, at least one float, a canister lid and a position detection device. The suction channel is shaped to suck in the cleaning agent from the canister. The float is coupled to the suction channel and has a float magnet. The float is movable over a channel length of the suction channel and is designed to float on a surface of the cleaning agent in the canister. The canister lid can be coupled or is coupled to the suction channel and has a canister lid magnet for detecting a canister opening height of a canister opening of the canister. The position detection device has a plurality of position sensors which are arranged so as to be clearly identifiable and extend over the duct length of the intake duct, the position sensors being designed to determine a canister lid position using a canister lid magnetic field caused by the canister lid magnet and additionally or alternatively a float position using one of the Float magnets to detect the swimmer's magnetic field.

The canister lid can be shaped to be attached to or onto the canister opening in the manner of a lid. In such an arrangement at or on the canister opening, the canister lid position can indicate the canister opening height and thus the canister height of the canister. The float position of the float can indicate the filling level of the cleaning material in the canister. The intake duct can be designed to run straight.

The position sensors can be connected in series. For example, when the metering lance is ready for operation, the position sensors can be arranged in the canister at a uniform distance from one another. Here, the position sensors can be arranged, for example, from a canister bottom of the canister up to the canister opening or extending beyond it. The position detection device can for example have more than three or more than five, for example seven or eight such position sensors.

For example, the position sensors can be arranged on a printed circuit board or designed as sensors wired to one another. In this way, the position sensors can be connected to one another quickly and easily.

It is also advantageous if the position sensors each have resistors that differ from one another and each have a magnetically actuatable switch connected in parallel to the resistors. Each of the switches can be designed to be closed by the float magnet and additionally or alternatively the canister lid magnet. So depending on the position by the float magnet and additionally or alternatively, one or more of the switches are closed by canister lid magnets and the resistor (s) assigned to the switch are bridged. On the basis of the individual resistance value of the bridged resistor or a sum of the bridged resistances, the canister opening height of the canister and additionally or alternatively the filling level of the cleaning material in the canister can be inferred.

The resistors can advantageously be chosen in such a way that a resistance sum of at least two arbitrary resistances of all resistances of the position sensors always differs from a resistance sum of at least two arbitrary further resistances of the position sensors. This creates a possibility to make a clear assignment.

According to one embodiment, the canister lid can be arranged movably over the channel length of the intake channel. The canister lid can thus be adjusted to the individual height of the canister. For example, the dosing lance can also be used with a small canister.

At least one of the position sensors can comprise at least one reed contact and additionally or alternatively a Hall sensor. This creates an easy-to-implement and reliable method for position detection.

It is also advantageous if the metering lance has an evaluation device which is designed to determine the canister opening height of the canister and additionally or alternatively the filling level of the cleaning agent in the canister using the canister lid position and the float position.

The evaluation device can be designed to recognize the canister opening height and additionally or alternatively the filling level using an assignment table with a combination of all possible canister lid positions and float positions. The assignment table can each have a resistance value that is assigned to a combination for a canister lid position and a float position.

The metering lance described can be used in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-scale disinfector or a container washing system. The dosing lance can also be used for a household appliance.

A canister system has one of the metering lances described above and the canister with the canister opening for receiving the canister lid.

A cleaning device has a dosing lance in one of the variants described above. The cleaning device can be, for example, a dishwasher, disinfector or an automatic washing machine.

A method for operating a metering lance introduced into a canister in one of the variants described above comprises at least one step of determining. In the determination step, a canister opening height of the canister and, additionally or alternatively, a filling level of the cleaning agent in the canister are determined using the canister lid position detected by the position detection device and, additionally or alternatively, the float position. This method can be carried out using the evaluation device presented above. The advantages of the device already described can also be implemented in a technically simple and cost-effective manner by means of such a method.

The approach presented here also creates a device which is designed to carry out, control or implement the step of the method presented here in corresponding devices. This embodiment variant of the approach in the form of a device can also solve the problem on which the approach is based quickly and efficiently.

The device can be designed to read in input signals and to determine and provide output signals using the input signals. An input signal can represent, for example, a sensor signal that can be read in via an input interface of the device. An output signal can represent a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the device. The device can be designed to determine the output signals using a processing rule implemented in hardware or software. For example, for this purpose the device can comprise a logic circuit, an integrated circuit or a software module and, for example, be implemented as a discrete component or be comprised of a discrete component. The device can be included in the cleaning device.

A computer program product or computer program with program code, which is stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk or an optical memory, is also advantageous Memory can be stored. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device, the program product or program can be used to carry out, implement and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above.

• 1 eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung einer Dosierlanze zum Dosieren eines Reinigungsmittels in einem Kanister für ein Reinigungsgerät gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 eine schematische Querschnittdarstellung einer Dosierlanze gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben einer in einen Kanister eingeführten Dosierlanze gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

Embodiments of the approach are shown purely schematically in the drawings and are described in more detail below. It shows

• 1 a schematic cross-sectional view of a metering lance for metering a cleaning agent in a canister for a cleaning device according to an embodiment;
• 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of a metering lance according to an embodiment; and
• 3 a flowchart of a method for operating a metering lance introduced into a canister according to an exemplary embodiment.

In the following description of advantageous exemplary embodiments of the present approach, identical or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, a repeated description of these elements being dispensed with.

1 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a metering lance 100 for dosing a cleaning agent 105 in a canister 110 for a cleaning device 115 according to an embodiment.

The dosing lance 100 is according to this embodiment in an operational state in the canister 110 introduced in which the detergent 105 is recorded. The cleaning device 115 is designed according to this exemplary embodiment as a so-called “professional device”, for example a commercial dishwasher, disinfector or washing machine. The dosing lance 100 is designed to use the cleaning agent 105 from the canister 110 for use with the cleaning device 115 to dose. The canister 110 can for example, as indicated here, within a housing of the cleaning device 115 or approximately adjacent to the cleaning device 115 arranged and only in terms of communication technology, for example by cable, and fluid technology, for example by hose connection, with the cleaning device 115 be connected.

For dosing the cleaning agent 105 shows the dosing lance 100 an intake duct 120 , at least a swimmer 125 , a canister lid 130 and a position detecting device 135 on. The intake duct 120 is for sucking in the cleaning agent 105 from the canister 110 shaped. The swimmer 125 is on the intake port 120 coupled and has a float magnet S. on, over a duct length of the intake duct 120 is movable, with the float 125 is designed to be on a surface of the cleaning agent 105 in the canister 110 to swim. The canister lid 130 is on the intake port 120 can be coupled or coupled and has a canister lid magnet D. for detecting a canister opening height of a canister opening 145 of the canister 110 on. The position detection device 135 has a plurality of position sensors 150 on, which can be clearly identified via the duct length of the intake duct 120 are arranged extending, wherein the position sensors 150 are configured to establish a canister lid position using one of the canister lid magnets D. caused canister lid magnetic field and / or a float position using one of the float magnets S. to detect the swimmer's magnetic field.

The position sensors 150 are connected in series according to this embodiment. The position sensors 150 are in the ready state of the dosing lance shown here 100 in the canister 110 evenly spaced from each other. The position detection device 135 has, according to this exemplary embodiment, only eight of the position sensors by way of example 150 on, which according to this embodiment is parallel to the straight intake duct 120 extend. According to an alternative embodiment, the position detection device 135 more or less position sensors 150 on. The position sensors 150 are also according to this embodiment on a circuit board 155 arranged or formed according to an alternative embodiment as sensors wired to one another.

The position sensors 150 each have resistors that differ from one another and each have a magnetically actuatable switch connected in parallel to the resistors, see also in this regard 2 . Each of the switches is activated by the float magnet as it approaches S. and / or the canister lid magnet D. closed. According to this exemplary embodiment, the resistors are selected in such a way that a resistance sum of at least two arbitrary resistances of all the resistances of the position sensors 150 always from a resistance sum of at least two arbitrary further resistances of the position sensors 150 differs. At least one of the position sensors 150 comprises according to this exemplary embodiment at least one reed contact and / or a Hall sensor.

According to this embodiment, the canister lid 130 over the duct length of the intake duct 120 movably arranged. According to this embodiment, the canister lid is located 130 on the canister opening 145 on and / or on an opening collar of the canister opening 145 on. Furthermore, the metering lance 100 according to this embodiment, an evaluation device 160 which is designed to use the canister lid position and the float position to determine the canister opening height of the canister 110 and / or a fill level 165 of the detergent 105 in the canister 110 to determine. The evaluation device 160 is designed according to this embodiment to the canister opening height and / or the fill level 165 using an allocation table with a combination of all possible canister lid positions and float positions. According to this exemplary embodiment, this assignment table has a resistance value that is assigned to a combination for a canister lid position and a float position.

The dosing lance presented here 100 , which can also be called “lance” for short, advantageously enables the canister to be empty 110 also an exact fill level of the canister 110 to detect, being a size of the canister 110 is taken into account. The length of the metering lance can advantageously be used for precise level detection 100 via the movable canister lid 130 can be adapted to the respective canister size in order to correctly record the status "full". So is the dosing lance 100 for canisters 110 different sizes can be used.

If another lance, which is only designed for a 20-liter canister, for example, is used in a 10-liter canister, this other lance only recognizes the filling level of the full 10-liter canister as half-full. The dosing lance presented here 100 however, recognizes the correct level as full.

It's by the dosing lance 100 advantageously, it is also not necessary for the canister size to be entered manually by a person, e.g. B. in the device control, or that the canister size is read in via RFID or QR code, etc. Such a manual entry would be associated with increased effort and harbors the potential for errors. With other possible variants via RFID or with a QR code on the canister, this step could be done automatically, but this would involve higher component costs such as an RFID antenna or camera, or a QR code scanner on the lance.

The dosing lance 100 thus records in addition to the current level 165 a liquid such as detergent 105 also the canister opening height and thus the canister height automatically, without additional components such as RFID antennas or QR code scanners. This ensures that there is always the correct fill level 165 appears even if the person has a lance 100 for larger canisters 110 in a smaller canister 110 to use.

The dosing lance presented here 100 consists of the intake duct 120 for the liquid to be sucked in, for example a chemical liquid, for example the cleaning agent 105 such as a laundry detergent, dish soap or disinfectant. Furthermore, the metering lance 100 the swimmer 125 on who the float magnet S. includes, and along the length of the lance 100 is arranged displaceably. Depending on the level 165 the float swims in the liquid 125 and remains in the position that corresponds to the fill level 165 corresponds to the liquid. In addition, the canister lid is 130 also movable on the lance 100 attached, according to this embodiment with the canister opening 145 of the canister 110 is screwed. In the canister lid 130 a magnet is also attached, the canister lid magnet D. . Inside contains the lance 100 the intake duct 120 through which the liquid from the canister 110 to the device 115 is promoted. Also in the lance 100 According to this exemplary embodiment, the printed circuit board is included 155 , in which resistors and magnetically operated switches are installed according to this embodiment, reed switches according to one embodiment, which are shown in FIG 2 be described in more detail. The position detection device 135 is according to this embodiment in a to the intake duct 120 adjacent housing section 170 recorded. On the intake duct 120 surrounding duct housing and the adjacent housing section 170 are formed in one piece according to this embodiment.

2 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a metering lance 100 according to an embodiment. This can be the in 1 described dosing lance 100 act. According to this exemplary embodiment, the position detection device is shown in more detail 135 . In addition, to explain a functional principle of the dosing lance 100 five exemplary positions of the canister lid magnet D. , which depends on the canister opening height, to the float magnet S. , which depends on the fill level.

The position detection device 135 according to this exemplary embodiment has, for example, seven of the position sensors, each with a resistor 200 and an associated switch 205 on. The resistances 200 are connected in series. Every switch 205 is parallel to a corresponding resistor 200 switched, so that when it is activated this corresponding resistance 200 is bridged. The switches 205 are switched by the magnetic force as soon as one of the magnets is D. , S. located near them. The resistance values of the exemplary seven resistors 200 according to this exemplary embodiment are in sequence from top to bottom, for example: 1 ohm, 2 ohm, 5 ohm, 10 ohm, 50 ohm, 100 ohm and 500 ohm. The sum Σ of all resistances 200 thus results in this exemplary embodiment a resistance value of 668 ohms. The total resistance of the circuit board is therefore the sum Σ of all resistances 200 minus the resistance values of those resistors 200 , which by an activated switch 205 were bridged. The resistance values of the resistors 200 are selected according to this embodiment so that every possible combination of switched and unswitched switches 205 results in a unique resistance value of the circuit board (= sum Σ of all resistances 200 minus the bridged resistances). This can be the resistance values shown in the picture or, according to an alternative embodiment, a different selection, the combination of which leads to a unique resistance value, e.g. B. logarithmic. In addition, according to one exemplary embodiment, the resistance values are selected in such a way that, in total, they have a unique combination, even if through each magnet D. , S. two of the switches 205 activated, which can happen when changing from one switching point to the next.

In the evaluation device of the dosing lance 100 or a device controller, according to this exemplary embodiment, are the resistance values of all possible combinations of bridged and non-bridged resistances 200 stored and linked with fill levels and canister heights. From the value of the measured total resistance it can be clearly identified at what level the canister lid is and the height of the canister can be derived from this. At the same time, the position of the float can be determined from the value of the measured total resistance and the level of the liquid can be derived from this.

According to alternative exemplary embodiments, the position detection device 135 other switches 205 / sensors on, e.g. B. Hall sensors, or wired switches instead of the circuit board 205 . According to an alternative embodiment, the metering lance 100 more than one float switch on. The number and / or resistance values of the resistors 200 are also variable.

In summary, with this approach it is possible with a lance 100 to record the filling level of different canister heights with one lance length. No additional components such as B. RFID antennas and transponders, QR codes and QR scanners, etc. are necessary. There is also no need for people to manually enter the canister height, e.g. B. in the control or via the app. The lance presented here 100 is inexpensive, as existing circuit boards can be used and only an additional magnet D. is required in the canister lid, which can also be referred to as the "lance lid".

The dosing lance presented here 100 can be used in all professional devices with external chemical dosing via a dosing lance, for example for commercial dishwashers, disinfectors and / or washing machines.

3 shows a flow chart of a method 300 for operating a metering lance introduced into a canister according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be a method that can be controlled or executed by the evaluation device described in one of the preceding figures.

The method has at least one step 305 of determining, in which a canister opening height of the canister and / or a filling level of the cleaning agent in the canister is determined using the canister lid position and / or float position detected by the position detection device.

The method step presented here can be carried out repeatedly.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises an “and / or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read in such a way that the exemplary embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and, according to a further embodiment, either only the has the first feature or only the second feature.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• EP 1903519 B1 [0003]

Claims (14)

Dosing lance (100) for dosing a cleaning agent (105) in a canister (110) for a cleaning device (115), the dosing lance (100) having at least the following features: - A suction channel (120) for sucking in the cleaning agent (105) from the canister (110), - At least one float (125) coupled to the suction channel (120) with a float magnet (S) which is movable over a channel length of the suction channel (120), the float (125) being designed to move on a surface of the cleaning agent ( 105) to swim in the canister (110), - A canister cover (130) which can be coupled or coupled to the suction channel (120) and has a canister cover magnet (D) for detecting a canister opening height of a canister opening (145) of the canister (110), and - A position detection device (135) with a plurality of position sensors (150) which are uniquely identifiable and are arranged extending over the duct length of the intake duct (120), the position sensors (150) being designed to determine a canister lid position using one of the canister lid magnets ( D) to detect the canister lid magnetic field caused and / or a float position using a float magnetic field caused by the float magnet (S). Dosing lance (100) according to Claim 1 , in which the position sensors (150) are connected in series. Dosing lance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the position sensors (150) are arranged on a printed circuit board (155) or are designed as sensors wired to one another. Dosing lance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the position sensors (150) each have resistors (200) which differ from one another and which each have a magnetically actuatable switch (205) connected in parallel to the resistors (200). Dosing lance (100) according to Claim 4 , in which the resistors (200) are selected such that a resistance sum of at least two arbitrary resistances (200) of all resistors (200) of the position sensors (150) is always a resistance sum of at least two arbitrary further resistances (200) of the position sensors (150) differs. Dosing lance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the canister lid (130) is arranged to be movable over the length of the duct of the suction duct (120). Dosing lance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the position sensors (150) comprises at least one reed contact and / or a Hall sensor. Dosing lance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with an evaluation device (160) which is designed to use the canister lid position and the float position to determine the canister opening height of the canister (110) and / or a fill level (165) of the cleaning agent (105) to be determined in the canister (110). Dosing lance (100) according to Claim 8 , in which the evaluation device (160) is designed to recognize the canister opening height and / or the filling level (165) using an allocation table with a combination of all possible canister lid positions and float positions. Dosing lance (100) according to Claim 9 , in which the assignment table has a resistance value that is assigned to a combination for a canister lid position and a float position. Canister system with a metering lance (100) according to one of the preceding claims and the canister (110) with the canister opening (145) for receiving the canister lid (130). Cleaning device (115) with a metering lance (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 . Method (300) for operating a metering lance (100) introduced into a canister (110) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , wherein the method (300) comprises the following step: determining (305) a canister opening height of the canister (110) and / or a filling level (165) of the cleaning agent (105) in the canister (110) using the position detection device (135 ) detected canister lid position and / or float position. Device (160) which is designed to carry out the steps (305) of the method (300) according to Claim 13 to control and / or execute in appropriate units.

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