EP1965688B1 - Domestic appliance with push-in metering system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance, in particular household dishwasher, with a metering device for controlling the addition of addition substances, for. As cleaning and / or clear rinsing substances into which a storage use with addition substances, for. As cleaning and / or Klarspülsubstanzen, can be used and dosed with the metering substances from the storage use metered into the treatment room, in particular washing containers, can be issued.

Conventional dosing systems for washing machines or dishwashers are usually to be charged by hand with cleaning substances in liquid, powdered or solid form per rinse cycle. The required amount of cleaning substances is to be dimensioned depending on a selected cleaning program. On the one hand, measuring the required amount of cleaning agent, for example by means of a table applied to the cleaner pack, is uncomfortable and carries the risk of contamination for the operator. On the other hand, the measurement is error-prone, so that at a wrong sized detergent amount, a poor washing result at underdosing or an unnecessary environmental impact in case of overdose can be achieved.

From the prior art therefore devices for storing cleaner substances for several washes within the household appliance are known. For example, the DE 39 03 636 C2 a dishwashing machine with a rinsing container and with an automatic dosing device for liquid detergent, in which a separate refillable storage container provided with a refill indicator and a dosing device connected downstream of the container via a cleaner outlet is provided for receiving the detergent. The metering device is accessible on the dishwasher side and can be actuated by machine program. The storage container is designed as a large-volume installation container and arranged removably in a receiving unit. It can be swung out of the receiving unit about a horizontal or vertical bearing axis for filling. Although this device is capable of receiving cleaners for multiple rinses, it does not spare the operator to replenish the reservoir. This can lead to contamination, for example, as a result of spillage of detergent liquid. In addition, the user of this machine is committed to the use of a liquid cleaner.

Another device for repeated self-dosing a cleaning agent is from the EP 0 586 633 B1 known. It comprises a cleaning agent container for powder detergent with an outlet opening above a dosing and adding device, which is equipped with at least one recess for receiving individual doses of a powdered detergent. This device also allows the storage of a larger amount of detergent for several washes, but does not eliminate the refilling of the reservoir with the aforementioned disadvantages. Even when using this metering device, the user is on a certain type of cleaning agent used, here a powdery set.

From the WO 02/058528 Finally, a replaceable cartridge for cleaning agents is known. The cartridge is intended for insertion into a corresponding addition system. It comprises, in addition to a storage space for a cleaning agent in pellet form, a transfer device with which a respective pellet from the storage space can be dispensed individually to the feed device. The transfer device is operated by a drive device in the addition system. The cartridge is not refillable, but must be replaced altogether. Although it saves the user from refilling a storage container containing cleaning substance with a high level of contamination. However, it requires an addition system adapted to the cartridge with a drive device in the household appliance. This in turn restricts the user in his choice of the manufacturer to that of the cartridge. In addition, the user of this system is again committed to the use of a solid-state cleaner and can not operate the household appliance with a liquid cleaner.

In the washing machine of WO 02/20893 A1 Outside of the front wall whose housing a detergent dispenser with cartridge receptacles is provided, which have a plurality of guides for receiving matching profiles and mounting recesses for receiving projections of similarly trained cartridges. The cartridge receptacles include similarly formed feed ports for supplying wash fluid into the cartridges and similarly formed outflow ports for discharging the detergent-added wash fluid from the cartridges. For this purpose, each inlet connection has an extension, with which the cover of a filling hole on the top of the associated cartridge can be torn open and which can engage in this. In corresponding manner, each outflow port on an extension with which the cover of a drain hole on the bottom of the associated cartridge can be opened and can engage in this.

The WO 02/29150 A1 provides for a dishwasher a metering device whose housing has at least one openable chamber for receiving a cartridge and at least one closed chamber for receiving electromechanical components. To remove detergent cans from the cartridge, a fan wheel may be provided.

Into the metering device of WO 2004/072353 A1 for a washing machine fit only inserts that have the same exterior design.

In the washing machine of US 4,932,227 A Externally arranged detergent reservoir are provided, which are connected via pumps and leads by means of an external control head with the washing chamber of the dishwasher.

The WO 2005/073453 A2 relates to a reservoir for a tumble dryer for dispensing additives to the clothes to be dried.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a household appliance, which can take on the one hand addition substances for several washes, on the other hand but the user the greatest possible freedom of choice both in terms of the type of detergent and with respect to the manufacturer. In addition, the household appliance should offer maximum comfort in operation.

This previously considered incompatible objectives united a household appliance with the features of claim 1. According to the invention the metering device is an interface device for interaction with different storage inserts for different types of addition substances, eg. In terms of the dosage form, in particular Tabs, in powder or liquid, or in terms of concentration. Preferably, the interface device is arranged on the metering device. In a simple embodiment, it can identify its own, adapted to the particular application port for each storage use. The metering device is thus not set to a cleaner system, but allows the use of different Types of addition substances, for example storage inserts for cleaners in pellet form, so-called minitabs, combinations of tabs and powdered cleaners, combinations of tabs and rinse aids and finally the use of a cleaner system in which individual components of a cleaner only in the household appliance according to the program and / / or the degree of contamination of the treatment room, z. B. washing containers are supplied or the individual components to a cleaning liquid, preferably in a microreactor, are composed.

In a variety of different storage applications, the dosing unit may have an equally wide variety of individual ports. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the interface device may have at least one connection which can be connected to a dispensing opening of respectively different storage inserts. The prerequisite for this is that the connections of the different storage inserts are standardized at least with respect to their arrangement on the storage insert and / or with respect to their diameter. This reduces the design effort for the metering device and its space requirement in the household appliance

The connections can be formed separately for liquid and solid addition substances or combined for an alternative operation for liquid addition substances on the one hand and solid on the other hand. According to the invention, the interface device comprises different connections for liquid and solid addition substances. The metering device is thus adapted to process cleaning agents both in liquid and in solid form, for example as tabs or as a powder. In an arrangement of several terminals, the different addition substances can be processed individually or at the same time.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connection for liquid addition substances may comprise a valve. The formation of the connection for liquid addition substances as a valve or pump allows a more accurate metering of the liquid, as if this would have to be done for example in a combined connection for solid and liquid addition substances.

In particular, if the addition substances are already portioned in the storage insert for one washing operation, for example in tablet form, there is no adaptation of the dosage of the detergent to the washing program. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention may therefore have a metering device, which can be controlled via a control device is. Depending on the selected cleaning program, the control device can then determine the required amount of cleaning agent. It can react both as a function of the selected washing program and as a function of the storage use used in the metering device. In particular, it can be designed to co-control existing transfer devices on the storage insert or to arrange the composition of a cleaner substance from individual components and, if appropriate, their mixtures in a premixing chamber.

In order for the metering device to be able to respond to the respective requirements of the selected cleaning program as a function of the used storage device, data must be communicated to the metering device, in particular as regards the added substances. This can for example be done directly by means of a corresponding input by the operator. Or it can by data transmission by means of a supplied with the storage insert data storage, for. Example, as chips, mechanical or optical device happen that the operator uses in a corresponding reading device in the household appliance. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the household appliance may have a reading device for data of the storage use, which can be activated when inserting the storage insert into the metering device and forwards the data to the controller of the household appliance. The automatic reading of data, which may relate, for example, the type of stocking operation, the type of addition substances, for example with regard to the dosage form or the concentration, or the (residual) amount per storage area in the stocking operation, eliminates the need for operator input. This turns off another possible source of error.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reading device can read data from a code, a mechanical coding or from a transponder on the storage use. Such reading devices require only a small technical effort and are therefore inexpensive to produce. In particular, mechanical codes can interact directly with a likewise mechanical control, the operation of which can take place without the supply of external energy.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the metering device can be arranged on or in a wall, for example a door, a side wall or a ceiling of the cleaning room of the household appliance. Such an arrangement ensures good accessibility and Operation, which is preferably accomplished by a slot for the storage unit.

A storage insert preferably has at least a first storage area for at least one liquid cleaning substance and a second storage area for solid cleaning agents. As a solid detergent, in addition to or as an alternative to the cleaners pressed in tablet form, pulverulent addition substances can also be taken up in the storage insert. Such a storage insert ensures that the metering device can also be operated with conventional cleaning agents, if completely filled storage inserts should not be available.

A storage insert preferably comprises a plurality of storage areas for liquid individual components of addition substances and optionally a reactor for mixing various individual components.

The principle of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a figure by way of example. It shows a metering device 1, in which optionally different storage devices can be used, namely either a cartridge 20 or a container 30 or a cartridge 40. The metering device 1 has an interface device 5, the four terminals 6 for liquid addition substances and a connection 7 for Includes cleaner in tablet form. Each connection 6 for liquid cleaning agents comprises a valve 8. On the side of the valve 8 facing the storage insert 20, 30, 40, an obliquely cut hollow mandrel 9 is arranged. On the opposite side of the hollow mandrel 9, the valve 8 has a drain opening 10, which is in communication with a washing compartment, not shown, of the household appliance. Via a control line 11, each valve 8 can be controlled separately from a control device, not shown.

The terminal 7 for solid detergent has a storage space 13, in the via a coupling 18, a portion of a cleaning agent, eg. B. a tablet is stored for the next cleaning process. In the storage space 13 projects a slide 14 which can push the cleaning portion against the resistance of a spring-actuated flap 15 in an outlet passage 16. The outlet passage 16 is in turn connected to the washing compartment, not shown, of the household appliance. The slide 14 is operated by an actuator 17, which is also connected via a control line 11 to the control device. The actuator 17 is also equipped with a coupling device, not shown, so that it can drive a transfer device of the storage container 40 in addition to the slide 14 and in coordination with this if necessary.

The cartridge 40 comprises such a transfer device 41. It has a rotatable fan wheel 42, in which a plurality of compartments 43 for receiving cleaning agents in the form of tablets 44 are arranged. The tablets 44 are arranged in a container 45 so that they are guided by gravity on the fan wheel 42 back. On the container 45 below the fan wheel 42, an outlet opening 46 is arranged, which is sealed against ingress of moisture with a seal 47.

The metering device 1 is preferably arranged in a compartment within a door of the household appliance. The compartment constitutes a guide, within which the storage insert 20, 30, 40 fits accurately onto the connections 6, 7. By inserting the cartridge 40, therefore, the outlet opening 46 is pushed onto the coupling 18 of the terminal 7, wherein the coupling 18 pierces the seal 47. At the same time an operative connection between the actuator 17 and the transfer device 41 of the cartridge 40 is produced. During operation of the household appliance, the control device now activates the actuator 17, so that a tablet 44 is dispensed via the transfer device 41 into the storage space 13, where it is prepared for the required dosage time within a subsequent cleaning process. At the required time, the control device outputs a signal to the actuator 17 via the control line 11, whereupon the actuator 17 shifts the tablet 44 into the outlet passage 16 by means of the slide 14. For this purpose, he pushes the tablet 44 against the flap 15, which prevents moisture from penetrating into the storage space 13, into the transfer device 41 and thus into the cartridge 40.

In the case of use of a cartridge 40, the connections 6 for liquid detergents remain inactive.

Alternatively to the cartridge 40, a storage container 30 can also be inserted into the metering device 1. The container 30 has a tablet chamber 31 and a pot 32. The tablet chamber 31 is filled with tabs 33 and also sealed moisture-tight at an outlet opening 34 by a seal 35. The pot 32 serves to receive a liquid cleaner, z. B. a rinse aid. It has a connecting piece 36, which is also sealed liquid-tight by a seal 37.

If the container 30 is now inserted into the metering device 1 via a compartment, then the hollow mandrel 9 of the right-hand outer connection 6 pierces the seal 37 on the connecting piece 36. The diameter of the hollow mandrel 9 and the connecting piece 36 are dimensioned so that a liquid-tight connection between the right outer valve 8 and the pot 32 is made. The pot 32 is shaped so that the remaining hollow mandrels 9, which are located to the left of the now acted upon connection 6, the pot 32 does not touch and thus can not damage.

Simultaneously with the opening of the seal 37, the coupling 18 pierces the seal 35 and establishes a connection between the storage space 13 and the tablet chamber 31. As a result, the first tab 33 already falls into the storage space 13 in front of the slide 14.

The container 30 is thus activated for the next and all subsequent cleaning operations. For this purpose, the control device optionally outputs, as required, a signal to the actuator 17, which accomplishes in the manner already described the supply of tabs 33 to a washing container, not shown. Additionally or alternatively, the control device controls the extreme right valve 8 via the control line 11. The valve 8 then opens at a given time within the cleaning process for a predetermined time, so that a corresponding amount of liquid detergent from the pot 32 can get into the washing.

The container 30 is supplied to the home appliance manufacturer. With the container 30, it is possible to use the already available detergent in liquid or tablet form for use in the metering device 1. For this purpose, the container 30 on a the connecting piece 36 and the outlet opening 34 opposite top of the container 30 not shown openings, with which both the tablet chamber 31 and the pot 32 can be refilled. This ensures the full backwards compatibility of the household appliance that is equipped with the metering device 1, since its operation is no longer dependent on the use of a storage device in the manner of a cartridge 40 or a cartridge 20 explained in more detail below.

The cartridge 20 represents a storage insert for four separate liquids. It thus comprises four chambers 21, each containing different base components 22, 23, 24, 25. Each chamber 21 has a connecting piece 26 which is sealed liquid-tight with a seal 27.

Now, if the cartridge 20 is attached to the metering device 1, so pierce the respective hollow mandrels 9 of the terminals 6 their associated seals 27 and close liquid-tight to the connecting pieces 26 and the corresponding chambers 21. Depending on the selected washing program, the control device controls the respective valves 8 via the control lines 11 in such a way that they are opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined amount of active substance is released from the chambers 21 via the drainage openings 10 into the washing compartment of the domestic appliance.

Finally, it is pointed out again that the dosing device described above in detail and the storage containers are exemplary embodiments which can be modified by the person skilled in the art in various ways, without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the concrete embodiments of the connecting pieces and cooperating with them hollow mandrels can take place in a similar manner as in the form described here. Likewise, the actuator can be configured elsewhere or in another form, if this is necessary for example for reasons of space.

It is also pointed out for the sake of completeness that the use of indefinite articles does not preclude "one" or "one", that the characteristics in question may also be present multiple times.

Claims (8)

1. Domestic appliance, especially a domestic dishwasher, with a metering device (1) for controlling the dispensing of additive substances, e.g. cleaning and/or rinsing substances, wherein arranged on the metering device (1) is an interface device (5) for interaction with different storage inserts (20; 30; 40) which can be introduced into the metering device (1) for the metered discharging of different types of additive substances, e.g. tabs, powdered or liquid, by means of the metering device (1) into a treatment compartment, especially washing compartment, of the domestic appliance, characterised in that the interface device (5) comprises different connections (6; 7) for liquid and solid additive substances in tablet form and the metering device (1) is configured such that a storage insert in the form of a container (30) can be inserted into said metering device (1) and has a tablet chamber (31) with an outlet opening (34) and a bowl (32) for accommodating a liquid detergent with a connecting flange (36), so that the outlet opening (34) of the tablet chamber (31) can interact with a connection for solid additive substances in tablet form (7) of the interface device (5) and the connecting flange (36) of the bowl (32) can interact with a connection for liquid additive substances of the interface device (5).
2. Domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the interface device (5) has at least one connection (6; 7) to which at least one dispensing opening (26; 36; 46) of different storage inserts (20; 30; 40) can be connected.
3. Domestic appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the connection (6) for liquid additive substances includes a valve or a pump.
4. Domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the dispensing device (1) can be controlled via a control device.
5. Domestic appliance according to claim 4, characterised in that the domestic appliance has a reader device for data of the storage insert (20; 30; 40), which is preferably activated on insertion of the storage insert (20; 30; 40) into the metering device (1) and can forward the data to the control of the household appliance.
6. Domestic appliance according to claim 5, characterised in that a data from a code, a mechanical encoding or a transponder on the storage insert (20, 30, 40) can be read by the reader.
7. Domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the metering device (1) is arranged on or in walling of the treatment compartment of the domestic appliance.
8. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the interface device (5) includes mechanical, electrical and/or electronic means.

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