EP2066217B1 - Water-conducting domestic appliance comprising a detergent dosing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, the water-conducting domestic appliance including a washing compartment for receiving items therein that are to be subjected to a handling process by the water-conducting domestic appliance; and a detergent dosing system, the detergent dosing system having a detergent dispenser, the detergent dispenser being configured to receive at least one cartridge that is configured to hold a dosing agent, the detergent dosing system being configured to communicate the washing compartment and an area surrounding the water-conducting domestic appliance with one another in the manner of an expansion opening via which a fluid under pressure in the washing compartment can be released to the area surrounding the water-conducting domestic appliance.

Description

The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a household appliance is from the DE-A-10 2005 061 801 known.

For example. Dishwashers usually have a pressure-regulating means, which ensures in the case of a, occurring in the rinse tank, overpressure for pressure equalization. The pressure regulating means may be formed, for example, as a valve. In case of overpressure, e.g. due to a so-called expansion shock, the pressure regulating means can open, whereby the resulting pressure inside the washing container is reduced. This pressure-regulating means, which is also referred to as device ventilation, is usually connected to a line system which is connected to the rinse tank. In particular, the introduction of a specially provided for the pressure regulating agent opening in the washing is, however, undesirable from a production point of view and for cost reasons.

It is an object of the present invention to further simplify the structural design of a water-conducting household appliance. It is a further object of the invention to provide a corresponding detergent dosing system.

This object is achieved by a water-conducting household appliance according to the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the dependent claims.

In a water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, having a washing compartment and a detergent dosing system, the detergent dosing system according to the invention is designed to produce an expansion opening between the washing compartment and the environment for forming one. In this case, the detergent dosing system can be designed to be arranged adjacent to the washing compartment of the dishwasher in the interior of the dishwasher. The detergent dosing system is for receiving at least a cleaning agent is formed, wherein the stored amount of cleaning agent is greater than the amount required for a rinsing cycle. The detergent dosing system provides substantially the exact amount of detergent needed for a rinse cycle. Detergents may be compositions of detergent components or individual detergent substances, such as an enzyme. The cleaning agents may be liquid or gel. The cleaning agents may be arranged in a plurality of chambers of the cartridge. However, it can also be provided that the detergent dosing system is designed to accommodate a corresponding number of cartridges with only one chamber

The integration of the expansion opening in a Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem has the advantage that the washing container of the dishwasher can be structurally simpler structure. In particular, it is no longer necessary to provide separate openings for providing an expansion opening and for integrating an adding device or a detergent dosing system. As a result, manufacturing steps can be omitted, as a result, a more cost-effective dishwasher can be provided. In particular, this simplifies the routing, which can be made shorter compared to conventional dishwashers. By reducing the openings to be introduced into the washing container, the number of openings to be sealed is also reduced.

Preferably, the detergent dosing system can be connected to a piping system that connects to an environment of the dishwasher. The conduit system runs, for example, in a known manner in the intermediate space extending between the washing container and an outer wall of the dishwasher.

To produce the operative connection between the washing compartment and the environment for forming the expansion opening, the detergent dosing system has, according to a further embodiment, at least one opening facing the washing compartment. This opening preferably opens into a chamber of the detergent dosing system, which is provided for receiving solid cleaning agents, wherein the at least a chamber establishes the operative connection between the washroom and the environment.

The provision of the chamber for a solid detergent has the advantage that the operation of the dishwasher can be ensured even if the usually filled in the detergent dosing system detergent, which can be kept in a cartridge, for example, tends and the owner no further filled Cartridge on hand has. Moreover, the construction is simplified because the opening forming the operative connection between the washing compartment and the environment does not interfere with a separate covering means, e.g. a lid needs to be provided. The penetration of water into the opening can be taken into account solely by constructive design or arrangement of the opening in the chamber.

In order to be able to provide the functionality of the expansion opening at any time, it is expedient if the at least one chamber is not closed by a closure element, such as e.g. a lid, is closed.

The detergent dosing system is arranged according to a variant in a side wall of the washing compartment, for example. Between an upper basket and a lower basket of the dishwasher. This facilitates the filling of the detergent dosing system with cleaning agents and possibly other operating materials for the user, for example when the door is open. However, other positions are also possible for the detergent dosing system, such as e.g. a back wall or a ceiling of the sink.

A further embodiment provides that the detergent dosing system has a detergent dispenser with at least one receiving space for at least one cartridge which can be inserted into the receiving space in an operating state, for example when the door is open. The detergent dosing system thus comprises as main components a detergent dispenser stationarily arranged in the dishwasher and at least one cartridge containing at least one cleaning agent, ie a cartridge can contain only one detergent stored in a chamber or a plurality of chambers for one corresponding number of cleaning agents. The cleaning agents may be individual cleaning substances or combination products of cleaning substances. The cartridge preferably has at least two chambers, one for a cleaning agent and one for a rinse aid. The storage by means of the cartridge facilitates handling for the user.

It is further preferably provided a device which detects the occupancy of the at least one chamber with a solid detergent and emits a signal characterizing this state to a controller of the dishwasher. As a result, a correct functional sequence of the dishwasher is ensured when the user has given detergent into the chamber. As a result, users of the dishwasher need not worry that a corresponding wash program for controlling the cartridge or the chamber is selected.

Alternatively it can be provided that can be selected by a user, whether the detergent is added via the cartridge or a fixed addition means located in the at least one chamber. This variant requires a selector switch, which can be integrated, for example, in an operating element of the dishwasher. On the other hand, it is possible to dispense with a corresponding sensor element for detecting whether or not the chamber is occupied by a solid additive.

The detergent dosing system has at least one outlet, which is in operative connection with the rinsing chamber, via which a defined quantity of rinsing agent detergent can be supplied during a rinsing cycle. The at least one outlet may be provided on the detergent dispenser. It is also conceivable that the at least one outlet is arranged on the cartridge. It is expedient if the at least one outlet is provided on the housing section of the detergent dispenser, which is arranged in the direction of gravity below the receiving space. The number of outlets is basically arbitrary. There may be provided a number of outlets corresponding to the number of detergent stored in the cartridge or the number of detergent receiving chambers of the cartridge. By the latter variant prevents detergent components in a single outlet to a in Mix detergent mixture with unfavorable or unforeseen effect.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one outlet of the detergent dosing system opens into a dosing chamber which is in operative connection with the cleaning agent. This comprises, according to one embodiment, a conveying device with which the cleaning agent from the cartridge can be supplied to the washing container.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Geschirrspülmaschine mit einem Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem, welches in einer Behälterwand angeordnet ist,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem zur Anordnung in der Behälterwand der Geschirrspülmaschine,

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt durch das in Fig. 3 gezeigte Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem, und

Fig. 4

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Kartusche zur Verwendung in einem erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. Show it:

Fig. 1

a dishwashing machine according to the invention with a detergent dosing system which is arranged in a container wall,

Fig. 2

a plan view of an inventive detergent dosing system for arrangement in the container wall of the dishwasher,

Fig. 3

a cross section through the in Fig. 3 shown detergent dosing system, and

Fig. 4

an embodiment of a cartridge for use in a Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem invention.

Fig. 1 shows a dishwasher 1 according to the invention, which has a pivotally mounted on a housing 2 door 3. The door 3 is shown in the figure in its open position. In a closable by the door 3 Spülraum 4 dish racks 5, 6 are arranged in a known manner. A detergent dosing system 10, comprising a detergent dispenser 11 and a cartridge 50, which contains at least two separately stored detergent, is arranged in a container wall 7 of the housing 2. Fig. 1 shows the case preferred arrangement of the Reinigungsmitteldosiersystems 10 between the upper basket 5 and the lower basket 6. The cartridge 50 receiving detergent dispenser 11 is arranged in a door opening of the nearby portion of the container wall 7 to the insertion and removal of the cartridge 50 in and out to facilitate the detergent dispenser 11 for the user.

In the FIGS. 2 and 3 is a plan view and a cross section through the detergent dosing system 10, as in the dishwasher after Fig. 1 is used, shown. Fig. 2 shows the arranged in the container wall detergent dispenser 11. This includes a housing 12 and a relative to the housing 12 pivotally mounted cover 14. Is the lid 14, as in Fig. 3 shown, in its open position, the cartridge 50 can be inserted from the washing chamber 4 ago in the lid 14. The lid 14 has for holding and fixing via two symmetrically arranged retaining tabs 17, which have an L-shaped configuration and are adapted to the size of the cartridge 50, so that the retaining tabs 17 engage around the cartridge 50 after insertion. On the lid 14, a support surface 30 is further formed, so that the cartridge 50 comes to rest in a defined position. By closing the lid 14, the cartridge is placed in a receiving space 15 of the detergent dispenser 11 and pressed by possibly existing lugs and / or projections on the housing of the detergent dispenser in its final position.

As seen from the cross section of the FIG. 3 is good to see, the outer periphery of the housing 12 of the detergent dispenser 11 has a Umbug. The Umbug serves to receive a seal 32 which is inserted between the fold and the container wall 7. In this way, the penetration of water or moisture in the direction of the back of the container wall 7 is prevented.

In addition to the receptacle for the cartridge, the detergent dispenser 11 has a chamber 27 for receiving a solid cleaning agent. The solid cleaning agent may be, for example, a 3-in-1 tab, which is inserted into the chamber 27 when in the receiving opening 15 no or an empty cartridge 50 is included. The provision of the chamber 27 for receiving a solid detergent makes it possible to use the dishwasher even when the cartridge 50 is empty and no filled cartridge is available.

The chamber 27 has, as of Fig. 3 it can be seen, an opening 31 which communicates with the environment of the dishwasher. The opening 31 can for this purpose on not shown in the figures channels, which on the back of the Container wall 7 run, be connected to the environment. The detergent dosing integrated so that the functionality of a so-called "expansion opening", which serves for the derivation of the resulting pressure in the washing compartment when the dishwasher z. B. is opened during a rinse cycle with already heated rinse liquor by the user and closed again. The overpressure arising at this moment can then be discharged via the chamber 27 and the opening 31 to the environment.

The integration of the expansion opening into the detergent dosing system and the possibility of being able to provide all cleaning agents and operating means for the operation of the dishwasher with the detergent dosing system result in a considerably simpler constructional design compared to conventional dishwashers. In particular, only one opening for the detergent dosing system 10 has to be provided in the washing container of the dishwasher. Other openings, as previously necessary to provide the expansion opening and / or the adding device, can be dispensed with. As a result, the manufacturing process of the dishwasher can be accomplished with fewer steps. Furthermore, eliminates the need to provide each of the openings for one of the above functional parts with a complex seal. Overall, this makes it possible to produce a cheaper dishwasher.

An exemplary embodiment of the cartridge 50 is shown in FIG Fig. 4 shown. By way of example only, the cartridge 50 has five chambers 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and 51e for receiving a respective cleaning agent or a detergent mixture. The size of the individual chambers 51a to 51e is preferably dimensioned in accordance with the volume required during a predetermined number of rinsing cycles. Preferably, the volume of the various cleaning agents in the chambers 51 a to 51 e is dimensioned such that after a certain number of rinsing cycles, preferably between 20 and 40, more preferably about 30, all of the chambers 51 a to 51 e are completely emptied. Each of the chambers 51a to 51e is provided with an openable closure 25a to 25e, eg in the form of a membrane. The example of a rubber membrane closes the individual chambers 51 a to 51 e sealingly, so that during storage and transport of the cartridge 50 no Detergent can escape from these. When inserting the cartridge 50 in the detergent dispenser 11, the membranes of correspondingly arranged in the detergent dispenser 11 needles 21 (see. Fig. 3 ), so that in accordance with a corresponding metering detergent may be added to the washing compartment.

The cartridge is preferably made of a plastic and has a width B of about 200 mm, a height H of about 125 mm and a depth of about 25 mm. With these dimensions, the volume of the various chambers can be dimensioned such that the desired 20 to 40 rinsing cycles can be carried out by means of a cartridge.

In addition to the chambers 51 a to 51 e, the cartridge 50 has a further chamber 52 which communicates with one or more ventilation channels 53. The one or more ventilation channels 53 in turn have a connection to the various chambers 51 a to 51 e. In this way it is ensured that with increasing emptying of the chambers 51a to 51e, no negative pressure can build up in them, whereby the addition of cleaning agents would be difficult or falsified. The ventilation channels 53 are preferably located in a cover 54, which is applied after filling the individual chambers 51 a to 51 e with the respective cleaning agents on the housing of the cartridge. The cover 54 may have a pressure relief valve 55, which may be necessary for certain detergent components.

Since the detergent contained in the cartridge 50 are added only gradually to the washing compartment, more specifically the washing liquor circulated in the washing compartment, during a plurality of washing cycles, they are exposed to considerable absolute temperatures and temperature fluctuations with each washing cycle. In order to prevent the properties of the cleaning agents from changing over time, at least one housing wall 13 of the cartridge 50 directed towards the washing compartment and / or the lid 14 of the detergent dosing system 10 directed towards the washing compartment is made of an insulating material or else with surrounded by an insulation 33. As a result, a heat flow from the washing compartment in the direction of the detergent dosing system or the detergent stored in the cartridge is limited so that the long-term stability of the cleaning agent used is ensured. The insulation 33 can by a in the lid or the relevant Be formed housing portion of the cartridge arranged gas volume. This gas volume producing the insulation can be introduced during the production of the lid or the cartridge. The process used here is known as the gas internal pressure process (GID).

In the housing 12 of the detergent dispenser 11 further outlets 19 a to 19 e are provided. The outlets 19a to 19e each open into a metering chamber 20a to 20e. The metering chambers are in each case via the cannulas with an associated chamber of the cartridge in combination.

In each of the metering chambers, a conveying device, not shown, is arranged, which causes the conveying of a predetermined amount of cleaning agents in the washing compartment.

The conveying of the cleaning agent can be done either exclusively by utilizing gravity. However, the conveyor may also be constructed according to the principle of a pump, so that are conveyed by a corresponding negative pressure detergent from the cleaning chamber into the metering chamber and by a corresponding pressure from the metering chamber 20a in the washroom.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

dishwasher

2

casing

3

door

4

Wash cabinet

5

dish rack

6

dish rack

7

container wall

8th

Front side of the door

10

detergent dosing

11

Detergent dispenser

12

casing

13

Housing wall (= cover)

14

cover

15

accommodation space

16

holder

17

retaining tab

19a-19e

outlet

20a-20e

metering

21a-21e

cannula

25a-25e

membrane

27

Chamber for solid detergent (Tab)

30

Stop / stand

31

Opening (towards the surroundings)

32

poetry

33

isolation

50

cartridge

51 a-51 e

Chamber for cleaning agents

52

Chamber for ventilation

53

ventilation duct

54

cover

55

Pressure relief valve

H

height

B

width

Claims (15)

1. Water-conducting domestic appliance, particularly a domestic dishwasher, with a rinsing chamber (4) and a cleaning agent dosing system (10), which comprises at least one cleaning agent dispenser (11) for receiving at least one cartridge (50), characterised in that the cleaning agent dosing system (10) is constructed for producing an expansion opening between the rinsing chamber (4) and an environment of the water-conducting domestic appliance.
2. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the cleaning agent dosing system (10) can be connected with a duct system producing a connection with an environment of the water-conducting domestic appliance.
3. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the cleaning agent dosing system (10) has at least one opening (31) facing the rinsing chamber (4).
4. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 3, characterised in that the cleaning agent dosing system (10) has at least one chamber (27) for a solid cleaning agent, into which opens the at least one opening (31) facing the rinsing chamber (4).
5. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 4, characterised in that the at least one chamber (27) is open.
6. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cleaning agent dosing system (10) is arranged in a side wall (7) of the rinsing chamber (4), particularly between an upper basket (5) and a lower basket (6).
7. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cleaning agent dosing system (10) comprises a cleaning agent dispenser (11) with at least one receiving space (15) for at least one cartridge (50).
8. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 7, characterised in that the cartridge (50) contains at least one cleaning agent, particularly a liquid or gel-like cleaning agent.
9. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that a device is provided which recognises occupation of the at least one chamber (27) by a solid cleaning agent and delivers a signal characterising this state to a control of the dishwasher.
10. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterised in that the dishwasher is constructed so that it is selectable by a user whether a cleaning agent delivery takes place by way of a cartridge (50) or a solid cleaning agent disposed in the at least one chamber (27).
11. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cleaning agent dosing system (10) has at least one outlet (19a, ..., 19e) which is disposed in operative connection with the rinsing chamber (4) and by way of which a fixed quantity of cleaning agent can be fed to the rinsing solution during a rinsing cycle.
12. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one outlet (19a, ..., 19e) is provided at a housing section, which in gravitational force direction is arranged below the receiving space (15), of the cleaning agent dispenser (11).
13. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one outlet (19a, ..., 19e) of the cleaning agent dosing system (10) opens into a dosing chamber (20a, ..., 20e).
14. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by at least one conveying device by which cleaning agent can be conveyed out of at least one cartridge.
15. Cleaning agent dosing system according to any one of the preceding claims.

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