EP2053154B1 - Metering device for liquid or semi-liquid treatment agent for a washing machine and washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a metering device for liquid or viscous treatment agents, such as detergent or admixture, a washing machine with a tub for receiving washing liquid, with a Einspülkasten for treatment agent, which is connected via a water supply line for flushing the treatment agent from the Einspülkasten with the tub, wherein the Einspülkasten comprises at least one receptacle for a cartridge for storing a liquid or viscous treating agent such as detergent or detergent or rinsing additives, and a dosing agent with which the treatment agent from the cartridge can be introduced into the tub.

In home washing machines, the detergent is usually added by hand to a chamber, which is rinsed with water into the tub after the start of the wash program. The user must comply with the dosing instructions for the particular detergent used and make sure that he fills the right amount of treatment agents in a chamber in the dispenser.

To simplify the loading of liquid or viscous treatment agents such as detergent or softener, is in the EP 1 731 654 A1 proposed a metering device in which cartridges are used with stored detergent or treatment agent. The cartridges are each inserted into a chamber, which are arranged in the Waschmitteleinflülschublade. Into the cartridge, a piston is inserted, over which the bottom part of the cartridge is displaced inwards and thereby a pressure is generated, whereby the detergent is pressed out of the opposite opening. On the piston, a plunger is fixed, which protrudes through the control panel to the outside of the washing machine housing and ends as a control knob. The amount of detergent to be dispensed is determined by the path, which is a portion of the entire ram to be pressed, the piston is pressed into the cartridge, the user must pay attention to the dosing amount at each dosing.

To facilitate the addition of detergent, automatic metering devices are used in which a larger amount of detergent is stored in a reservoir. When starting a wash program, the preset amount of detergent is then supplied to the washing liquid so that the user does not have to be filled with each wash cycle Be careful of detergent quantity. Especially with commercially used washing machines such dosing devices are often used.

From the DE 33 02 893 C2 is a washing machine with a metering device for liquid detergents known, which is placed separately from the washing machine. The metering device comprises a separate housing in which two storage containers for the adding means are permanently installed and in which a control device and the metering pump are accommodated. By means of hose connections, water passes from the tub into the metering device, in which water the adding agent is added. The added water with the admixing agent is pumped into the washing machine via a second line in the area of the flushing channel for the fresh water inlet. The metering device disclosed here is designed as a separate Beistellgerät for which an additional fixed predetermined place must be provided laterally next to the washing machine. A connection of the metering device to the washing machine via two hoses or pipes and a cable for powering the pump and for signal, - or data transmission. The accessibility to the containers for filling or cleaning is hampered by the cramped arrangement.

Another metering device for liquid additives is from the DE 10 2005 050 083 A1 known. Here, a storage container for liquid detergent outside the washing machine is arranged and connected by means of a hose to the washing machine. Within the washing machine, the metering pump is arranged, which promotes the liquid or viscous detergent via a hose into the lower region of the tub. The metering pump is controlled by the control device of the washing machine, which determines the respective quantity of detergent to be metered on the basis of the switch-on time.

From the post-published DE 10 2006 043 973 A1 or DE 10 2006 43 919 A1 a metering device for liquid additives for a dishwasher is known. Here, a cartridge with the treatment agent is inserted into a receiving compartment of the metering device, wherein cannulas pierce the bottom of the cartridge, so that the treatment agent can get out of the cartridge into the treatment room. By means of a controllable valve, the predetermined amount is metered, wherein the opening time of the valve determines the expiring amount.

From the US 2002/088502 A1 or the US 2005/126608 A1 For example, a metering device for a dishwasher is known, which comprises a storage container for storing treatment agent for a plurality of rinses. The container is received in a receiving device, which includes a pump for conveying the amount to be dosed.

The invention is therefore based on the object to improve a metering device or a washing machine to the effect that a use of different detergents or treatment agents is possible, the dosage is designed simply for the user.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a metering device having the features of patent claim 1 and by a washing machine having the features of the patent claim. 15 solved. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims 2 to 15.

The advantages attainable with the invention are that the comfort is increased and the reliability for the washing results is improved. The user no longer needs to estimate the amount of detergent at each wash and to fill by hand into a compartment of the Einspülkastens. Another advantage is that the user can use different types of detergent at any time, since in the metering reservoirs are used, which can be easily and at any time replaced. This means that also not completely empty storage container can be removed from the compartment of the detergent drawer and replaced by another storage container containing, for example, another detergent or treatment agent. This ensures that the most suitable washing detergent is used for the majority of the laundry to be washed. If there is no agent in the reservoir for a particular treatment, the compartment in which the cartridge is normally inserted can be used as a conventional dispenser compartment for receiving washing powder for a single wash cycle.

For this purpose, as a dosing a mounted on the cartridge, stroke-actuated pump is used, which can promote a predetermined, substantially constant amount of liquid or viscous treatment agent per stroke as a subset of the amount to be dispensed from the cartridge. The amount to be dispensed is determined based on the strokes to be actuated. The flushing into the tub is done via nozzles that are located above the receiving compartment or the outlet opening of the pump and flush out the liquid or viscous detergent from this area, so that it passes together with the water in the tub. The liftable pump is designed as a unit with the cartridge. The cartridge is completely replaced with pump when it is empty. The user does not come into contact with the treatment agent and there can be no contamination during transfer. Also, the replacement of the complete cartridge with pump is particularly easy to perform.

In an advantageous embodiment, the dosing means further comprises an electrically driven actuator which can provide the stroke for the hubetätigbare pump. With the actuator, the automatic dosing is provided, so that the user has only to make sure that the cartridge is used with the appropriate treatment agent for the laundry items to be washed.

In an expedient development, an electric motor with a spindle drive is used as the actuator. Such a drive is small in size and sufficient power is provided to operate the pump.

In another embodiment, an electrically operated solenoid is used as the actuator. With a solenoid, the plunger can be moved very quickly, so that not too much time is needed especially for many strokes to be executed for a dosing.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cartridge is fixed with a holding means on a holding plate in the receiving compartment. As a result, it can not be moved or moved in the receiving compartment when the pump is actuated by one or more strokes.

For this purpose, the holding means comprises in an expedient development attached to the cartridge or pump nozzle, with a slot which is inserted in an open-sided opening in the holding plate, whereby the cartridge is fixed to the pump in the receiving compartment. The cartridge can thus be easily inserted into the receptacle, being simultaneously secured against slipping in the direction of actuation when inserting. Additional attachment measures are not necessary, so that the removal of the cartridge is very simple.

In an expedient embodiment, the dosing device comprises a dispenser box, in which a pull-out drawer containing the receiving compartment for the cartridge is arranged. With this design, the metering device can be used within the machine housing instead of the standard Einspülkastens, wherein when replacing cartridges, the drawer is pulled out, so that the convenient engagement can be made from above into the receiving compartments.

In an expedient embodiment, the actuator is located on the side facing the machine interior of the Einspülkastens and exerts a force in the opening direction of the drawer. In order to prevent the drawer from being displaced when the pump is actuated, the metering device comprises a movable counter-holder, which is operatively connected to the actuator, such that the drawer can be fixed in the dispenser box when activating the actuator, wherein the drawer Drawer can be released for pulling out, if the actuator is not activated.

In an expedient development of the counter-holder is pivotally mounted on the rear wall of the Einspülkastens. The counter-holder has on its underside a projection with a run-on slope, which is in operative connection with a pressure plate which is movable by the actuator, such that the counter-holder is lowered when activating the actuator and the drawer in fixed in the inserted position. In this way it is ensured that the drawer is always secured against being pushed out and fixed in the inserted position when the actuator executes a stroke on the pump.

In the other case, when the actuator is not activated, the pressure plate acts on the projection and raises the anvil, whereby the drawer is released. Thus, the drawer can be pulled out, if not dosed. For example, if no wash cycle is activated, the drawer can be pulled out, whereby the receiving compartment for inserting or removing the cartridge is accessible.

In an expedient embodiment, the amount of treatment agent to be metered for a wash cycle is such that it corresponds to the amount of one stroke or several strokes of the stroke-actuated pump. Thus, the dosage of the filled type of laundry, amount of laundry and / or contamination can be adjusted very accurately in a simple manner.

In an expedient development, a substantially constant amount can be conveyed per stroke, which is in the range from 3 ml to 10 ml. This can be done a fine gradation for the amount of treatment agent to be dosed without the number of strokes is too large. For example, with an amount of 40 ml of treatment agent to be metered, only 10 strokes are necessary if 4 ml are delivered per stroke.

In a further expedient embodiment, the cartridge has a volume of 250 to 1500 ml. With this volume, depending on the dosing rule, a plurality of dosing operations, in this example about 10 to 20, can be carried out with a cartridge. The amount is further dimensioned so that the cartridge is not too long use in non-frequent use, so that unfavorable changes, such as dehydration or flocculation in the treatment or not rarely occur.

It is advantageous that the cartridge is adapted to the outer shape of the inner shape of the receiving compartment. Thus, the available space in the receiving compartment is optimally utilized.

The invention also relates to a washing machine with a machine housing and a tub located therein for receiving washing liquid, a control device and arranged in the upper region of the machine housing metering device for liquid or viscous treatment agents or detergents, as described above, wherein the control device for controlling the Dosing device is provided. Here, the metering device can be used instead of the Einspülkastens in the housing of a conventional washing machine, with little or no structural changes made Need to become. The control device can in this case control the electrically driven actuator, so that the dosing with the amount of the treatment agent to be dosed is automatic, the type of laundry, amount of laundry and pollution is taken into account.

Fig. 1:

eine Waschmaschine mit einer Dosiervorrichtung in schematischer Darstellung;

Fig. 2, 3:

die Dosiervorrichtung im Detail;

Fig. 4, 5:

die Dosiervorrichtung in einer Schnittdarstellung und

Fig. 6:

die Dosiervorrichtung für den Betrieb ohne Kartusche.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1:

a washing machine with a dosing device in a schematic representation;

2, 3:

the metering device in detail;

4, 5:

the metering device in a sectional view and

Fig. 6:

the metering device for operation without cartridge.

According to Fig. 1 includes the outlined washing machine 1 a tub 2 with a rotatably mounted therein drum 3, which is driven by an electric motor, not shown, and can move the laundry located in the drum 3 in the liquor container 2 located in the liquor. In the housing 4 of the washing machine 1, a metering device 7 is further arranged, which has a drawer 5, in which a drawer 6 with at least one compartment 8 for receiving a cartridge 17 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) is arranged for storing detergent or treatment agent for a plurality of washing cycles comprises. The metering device 7 has above the Einspülkastens 5 a plurality of inlet nozzles 13, which are in communication with a water supply 12 with the interposition of a solenoid valve 10 and / or a water gate 11, and provide the flushing of detergent or treatment agent in the tub 2. The tub 2 is in this case connected via the flexible pipe 15 to the dispenser 5. For example, liquid or viscous detergents, washing additives or flushing additives, such as fabric softeners, are used as adding agents.

The solenoid valve 10, the water gate 11 and the metering device 7, in particular the electrically operated actuator 22 are controlled by the controller 9 of the washing machine 1, which also provides the flow of the washing programs, so that the amount to be metered depending on the selected wash cycle or from Program sequence for the provision of the wash cycle, is determined. The washing cycle is selected via the operating handle 14, wherein, moreover, the reference quantities to be dispensed can also be set. As a reference quantity, the controller can be given the number of strokes that results in maximum loading at normal contamination of the amount of treatment agent to be metered, as is usually specified by the manufacturer of the treatment agent.

In Fig. 2 is the Einspülkasten 5 shown with the associated components in detail. The Einspülkasten 5 includes a sliding drawer 6, the at least one receiving compartment 8 for the cartridge 17 contains. The cartridge 17 is removed from the receptacle 8 in this view. On the user side facing the drawer 6 has a handle plate 31 so that the user can pull out the drawer 6 comfortably from the Einspülkasten 5. On the side of the machine interior, the drawer 6 has a holding plate 20 with an open-sided opening 21, into which the holding means 19, which comprises a nozzle 19 and pump 18 arranged on the nozzle 19a with a slot 19b, is used. Through the slot 19b, in which the edge of the opening 21 projects, the cartridge 17 and the pump 18 is held and fixed in the direction of actuation. On the rear wall 16 of the Einspülkastens 5, the actuator 22 is mounted, which exerts on a plunger 24 and a pressure plate 23, the lifting movement to the pump 18 when it is actuated. In this case, the pump 18 acts as a dosing agent, since it always delivers the same, at least almost constant, amount of treatment agent out of the cartridge 17 for each stroke. A counter-holder 25 is pivotally mounted on the rear wall 16 of the Einspülkastens 5 with a hinge 26, which prevents the sliding movement of the drawer 6, in particular the pushing out of the dispenser 5, during the dosing. The cartridge 17 is formed with the pump 18 as a unit and is also referred to as Dispender.

In Fig. 3 the Einspülkasten 5 is shown with inserted drawer 6, wherein the cartridge 17 is in the receptacle 8 and is ready to deliver the present in the cartridge 17 treatment agent on the hubbetätigbare pump 18. The counter-holder 25 engages behind the holding plate 20, whereby the drawer 6 is secured against displacement. The cartridge 17 is designed in terms of its outer shape so that it substantially corresponds to the shape of the receiving compartment 8 or can be completely inserted into this. In order to improve the handling when removing, the cartridge 17 has on the side surfaces two opposite indentations 30 which provide convenient access for users.

In the sectional view according to Fig. 4 the metering device 7 is shown with dissolved drawer 6. The attached to the rear wall 16 of the Einspülkastens 5 actuator 22 has retracted the plunger 24 with the pressure plate 23 and exerts no pressure on the actuating part 18 a of the pump 18. Above the pressure plate 23, the counter-holder 25 with a hinge 26 on the rear wall 16 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) of the Einspülkastens 5 ( Fig. 3 ) pivotally mounted. A directed on the pressure plate 23 projection 28 on the underside of the counter-holder 25 and the run-on slope 29 on the projection 28 in this case rests on the pressure plate 23, whereby the counter-holder 25 is raised. In this position, directed to the support plate 20 bend 27 of the backstop 25 can no longer engage behind the support plate 20, whereby the drawer 9 from the actuator 22 or the rear wall 16 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) can be pushed away. The cartridge 17 in this case almost completely fills the receiving compartment 8, wherein it is positioned and fixed on the holding plate 20 by means of holding means 19.

In the sectional view according to Fig. 5 the metering device 7 is shown with a fixed drawer 6. The attached to the rear wall 16 of the Einspülkastens 5 actuator 22 has extended the plunger 24 with the pressure plate 23 and exerts a pressure on the actuating part 18 a of the pump 18. Above the pressure plate 23, the counter-holder 25 with a hinge 26 on the rear wall 16 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) of the Einspülkastens 5 ( Fig. 3 ) pivotally mounted. The projection 28 directed towards the pressure plate 23 or plunger 24 on the underside of the counter-holder 25 or the starting bevel 29 on the projection 28 no longer lies on the pressure plate 23, as a result of which the counter-holder 25 is lowered. In this position, directed to the holding plate 20 angled 27 of the counter-holder 25 can engage behind the holding plate 20, whereby the drawer 9 is no longer from the actuator 22 or the rear wall 16 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) can be moved pathbreakingly.

In Fig. 6 the Einspülkasten 5 is shown with drawer 6 when no dosage on the cartridge 17 ( Fig. 2 ). In this case, the holding tray 8 for storing treating agent, for example, powdery detergent, may be used for a washing cycle. In order to enable the flushing of treatment agent in different phases of the wash cycle, for example, a part in the prewash and another part during the main wash, in the receiving compartment 8, an additional shell 32 is used, wherein the inlet nozzles 13 (FIG. Fig. 1 ) for the receiving compartment 8 and the inlet nozzles 13 (FIG. Fig. 1 ) can be controlled separately, whereby the subjects can be rinsed out individually.

Claims (15)

1. Dosing device (7) for liquid or viscous treatment agents of a washing machine (1) comprising a suds container (2) for receiving washing liquid, a dispenser (5) for treatment agents that is connected to the suds container (2) by a water supply line (12) for flushing out the treatment agent, such as a detergent or additive, from the dispenser (5), the dispenser (5) comprising at least one receiving compartment (8) for a cartridge (17) for storing a liquid or viscous treatment agent, such as a detergent or washing or rinsing additives, and a dosing means by means of which the treatment agent can be introduced into the suds container (2) from the cartridge (17),
   characterised in that
   a stroke-actuated pump (18) that is attached to the cartridge (17) can be used as the dosing means, which pump can convey a predetermined, substantially consistent quantity of liquid or viscous treatment agent per stroke out of the cartridge (17) as a partial quantity of the quantity to be dosed, the stroke-actuated pump (18) being designed as a unit together with the cartridge (17) such that it (17) can be completely replaced together with the pump (18).
2. Dosing device (7) according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the dosing means can further comprise an electrically driven actuator (22) that can provide the stroke for the stroke-actuated pump (18).
3. Dosing device (7) according to claim 2,
   characterised in that
   an electric motor having a spindle drive is used as the actuator (22).
4. Dosing device (7) according to claim 2,
   characterised in that
   an electrically actuated stroke magnet is used as the actuator (22).
5. Dosing device (7) according to either claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the cartridge (17) is fastened to a retaining plate (20) in the receiving compartment (8) by means of a retaining means (19).
6. Dosing device (7) according to claim 5,
   characterised in that
   the retaining means (19) comprises a connecting piece (19a) that has a slot (19b), is attached to the cartridge (17) or pump (18), and is inserted in an opening (21) in the retaining plate (20) that is open on one side, as a result of which the cartridge (17) is fixed in the receiving compartment (8) together with the pump (18).
7. Dosing device (7) according to claim 1,
   characterised by
   a drawer (6) that can be pulled out of the dispenser (5) and contains the receiving compartment (8) for the cartridge (17).
8. Dosing device (7) according to any of claims 2 to 7,
   characterised by
   a movable counter stay (25) that is operatively connected to the actuator (22) such that the drawer (6) can be fixed in the dispenser (5) when the actuator (22) is activated, the drawer (6) being able to be released in order to be pulled out when the actuator (22) is not activated.
9. Dosing device (7) according to claim 8,
   characterised in that
   the counter stay (25) is pivotally mounted on the rear wall (16) of the dispenser (5), and the underside of said stay has a projection (28) that has a sloping incline (29) and is operatively connected to a pressure plate (23), which can be moved by the actuator (22), such that, when the actuator (22) is activated, the counter stay (25) can be lowered and the drawer (6) fixed in the inserted position.
10. Dosing device (7) according to claim 8,
    characterised in that
    the counter stay (25) is pivotally mounted on the rear wall (16) of the dispenser (5), and the underside of said stay has a projection (28) that has a sloping incline (29) and is operatively connected to a pressure plate (23), which can be moved by the actuator (22), such that the counter stay (25) is lifted by the pressure plate (23) via the projection (28), as a result of which the drawer (6) is released when the actuator (22) is not activated.
11. Dosing device (7) according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the quantity of treatment agent to be dosed for a washing cycle corresponds to the quantity from one or more strokes of the stroke-actuated pump (18).
12. Dosing device (7) according to claim 11,
    characterised in that
    a substantially consistent quantity per stroke can be conveyed and is in the range of from 3 ml to 10 ml.
13. Dosing device (7) according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the cartridge (17) has a volume of from 250 to 1500 ml.
14. Dosing device (7) according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the cartridge (17), with respect to the external shape thereof, is adapted to the internal shape of the receiving compartment (8).
15. Washing machine (1) comprising a machine housing (4), a suds container (2) positioned therein for receiving washing liquid, a control apparatus (9) and a dosing device (7) for liquid or viscous treatment agents or detergents according to any of claims 1 to 14, arranged in the upper region of the machine housing (4), wherein the control apparatus (9) is provided to control the dosing device (7).

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