EP2073682B1 - Water-conducting domestic appliance comprising a detergent dosing system and cartridge therefor - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

The majority of, for example, currently in use household dishwashers has an adding device for receiving one or more cleaning agents which are added in the course of a rinsing cycle of the rinsing liquor for cleaning the sorted in the dishwasher items to be washed. Usually, the detergent stored in the adding device is completely discharged into the washing compartment during the rinsing cycle and mixed with the rinsing water circulated therein. The addition device is sized in size so that just the required amount of detergent for a rinse cycle can be filled. The user of the dishwasher is therefore forced to fill in the adding device the amount of detergent required for the rinse cycle at the beginning of each rinse cycle. This handling is inconvenient for the user of the dishwasher. Moreover, such dishwashers have the problem that the amount of cleaning agent introduced into the adding device may vary from user to user, but also from one rinse to another. On the one hand, an incorrectly metered amount of cleaning agent can lead to unsatisfactory scavenging results if the cleaning agents have been dispensed too low and, on the other hand, a waste of cleaning agents and thus environmental pollution if too large an amount of cleaning agent has been dispensed.

Addition devices which add the amount of cleaning agents stored therein at once to the rinsing liquor still do not permit the implementation of more complex rinsing programs. Thus, it may be useful, for example, in certain situations, to meter in the detergent at different times of the wash liquor. Addition devices configured to receive a single detergent dose can not support such complex rinse cycles.

The WO 2005/058126 A1 shows individual or contiguous reservoir 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, which may each be provided with an integrated micropump 9, which, however, means a high design effort and brings in operation the risk of malfunction by gluing or abrasion with it. Even without a pump a gravity-driven emptying should be possible. In this case, however, it would then have to be worked against a vacuum that becomes increasingly more intense during emptying, which makes emptying more difficult and, in particular, a hindrance to uniform metering over many rinses.

The US 2005/0126608 A1 shows only the possibility of pumping the detail also not shown in detail "wash aids" 92 and 94 to empty. Here, too, therefore, arise the problems mentioned above.

The US 2006/0059958 A1 shows only a detergent container 40 with only one chamber and already does not allow the extent of the desired type of effective dosing over many rinses. Also, an extra valve must be operated separately there and only manages to counteract a thermally induced expansion or shrinkage of the container 40.

The WO 2005/100675 A and US 2004/122555 show outside attachable to a dishwasher devices that make no contribution to solving the problem of the invention for reasons of space.
It is an object of the invention to provide a water-conducting household appliance that can perform complex rinsing cycles. It is another object of the invention to provide auxiliaries for this purpose.

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

A water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, has a detergent dosing system which has at least one detergent dispenser for receiving at least one cartridge, wherein the Cartridge has separate chambers for storing at least two cleaning agents The invention is characterized in that the amount of cleaning agent stored in each chamber is greater than the amount required for a rinsing cycle. The detergent dosing system for receiving the cartridge provides in a rinse cycle substantially exactly the amount of detergent necessary 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 in 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 storage of different cleaning agents in different chambers has the advantage that in a certain section of a rinsing cycle only that cleaning agent needs to be added, which is actually necessary for this rinsing section. Of course, it is possible that during a certain portion of a rinsing cycle, several of the cleaning agents can be added simultaneously. If two different cleaning agents are generally added simultaneously to the rinsing liquor during a rinsing cycle, it is also possible to arrange these cleaning agents in a common chamber of the cartridge. In the cartridge, a ventilation chamber is provided, which is in operative connection with the chambers containing the detergent. The ventilation chamber is in this case via ventilation channels in a common, the individual chambers final, lid with the detergent containing chambers in combination. In this way, it is ensured that with increasing emptying of the chambers, no negative pressure can build up in them, whereby the addition of detergents to the rinsing liquor would be difficult or possibly would take place in the wrong amount. In this case, the ventilation chamber is preferably part of the cartridge. It is preferably provided that the detergent dispenser is arranged in an interior of the water-bearing household appliance.

According to one embodiment, the receiving volume of the chambers for receiving at least two cleaning agents is dimensioned such that between 20 and 40, preferably 30, rinsing cycles are feasible.

Preferably, it is provided that the cartridge separate chambers for storing more than 2 and less than 10, preferably 7 cleaning means are provided. This makes it possible to dispense with the storage of compositions of cleaner components and instead to stockpile and, if necessary, to meter in individual cleaner substances such as alkalis, bleaches, complexing agents and enzymes. In this case, the targeted addition of, for example, complexing agents allows an adjustment of the water hardness, so that a dishwasher according to the invention can be designed without water softening device. The adjustment of the water hardness can be sensor-controlled or manually by an operator. Furthermore, an adaptation of the added substances to the length of a selected cleaning program can take place.

According to another embodiment, the respective chambers are located in a common housing of the cartridge, i. Cartridge housing arranged, resulting in a particularly easy handling for the user.

A further embodiment provides that the cartridge is provided with at least one openable closure which, when inserted into the detergent dosing system, in particular automatically, can be opened and, in particular, automatically closes when the cartridge is removed from the detergent dosing system. The openable closure may be formed, for example, by a membrane. During storage and transport, the closure ensures that the detergent stored in the cartridge can not leak unintentionally. The closure is opened at the moment in which the cartridge is inserted into the detergent dispenser of the detergent dosing system, so that a metered addition of the detergent to the rinsing liquor is possible during the further operation of the dishwasher. Depending on the constructive structure of the cartridge, the number of closures may vary. Conveniently, a number of closures is provided corresponding to the number of chambers of the cartridge. The number of closures may also correspond to the number of cleaning agents in the cartridge. The openable closure can eg be arranged in the direction of gravity at the bottom, ie at the bottom of the cartridge, when the cartridge is in the installed position in the cartridge Detergent dosing system is located. As a result, the complete emptying of the cartridge is facilitated by the conveyor, whereby no detergent remains unused in the cartridge.

A further embodiment provides that the cartridge has at least one conveying device with which the at least two cleaning agents can be conveyed into the washing compartment of the dishwasher. This procedure has the advantage that the detergent dispenser of the detergent dosing system according to the invention can be made structurally particularly simple. The necessary devices for metering the detergent held in the cartridge into the washing compartment are held exclusively in the cartridge according to this embodiment. It can be provided that a number of the detergent or chambers corresponding number of conveyors is provided.

In a variant, the dispensing of the at least two cleaning agents takes place by way of gravity and in a further variant by establishing an outflow time in which the at least two cleaning agents can be diverted from the cartridge for further processing via the openable closure. In this variant, the openable closure of the cartridge in the direction of gravity is compulsorily arranged at the bottom when the cartridge is in the installed position in the detergent dosing system.

ausgebildet ist, wobei

• t die Auslaufzeit des Reinigungsmittels,
• n die Nummer des Spülgangs,
• x die Auslaufzeit des Reinigungsmittels des ersten Spülgangs, und
• y eine Konstante

sind. So steuert die Steuereinrichtung der Geschirrspülmaschine die Dosierung des Reinigungsmittels bzw. der Reinigungsmittel.The dishwasher has a control device which is operatively connected to at least one openable closure and which determines the flow time of the at least two cleaning agents according to the following formula $$t_n=x+\left(n-1\right)\cdot y.$$

is formed, wherein

• t the flow time of the cleaning agent,
• n the number of the wash cycle,
• x the flow time of the detergent of the first wash cycle, and
• y is a constant

are. Thus, the control device of the dishwasher controls the dosage of the cleaning agent or the cleaning agent.

The flow time is adjusted according to this variant after each dosage or after each rinse cycle. This procedure ensures that, regardless of the amount of cleaning in the cartridge, the same volume of rinsing fluid is always added to a particular rinse program. The above formula takes into account the influence of gravity and the volume of detergent contained in the cartridge, and thus the speed of leakage when the cap is open.

In another variant, the dosage of the at least two cleaning agents by a pump or other actuator vornehmbar.

In order to prevent incorrect insertion of the cartridge into a detergent dispenser of the detergent dosing system, the housing of the cartridge has a mechanical coding, e.g. a projection corresponding to a corresponding recess of the detergent dosing system. The coding is designed such that the cartridge can be inserted into the detergent dispenser in only one way - the predetermined manner.

The cartridge may have any suitable shape. Preferably, however, it is provided that the housing of the cartridge has a longitudinal extent along a main axis. This may be e.g. a quarter-shaped body with a longitudinal axis, for example, along the width, act, which is much longer than all other axes (along the depth and the height). But it may also be a cone, truncated cone, cylinder, pyramid or truncated pyramidal basic body with a major axis.

It is preferred that the major axis is longer than minor axes of the housing with one of the above basic shape of the cartridge, for example by a factor of at least 1.5. Furthermore, the base body may preferably have an extension along a first minor axis, eg along the height, and an extension along a second minor axis, eg along the depth, the extension extending along the first minor axis is substantially longer than the extension along the second minor axis, for example by a factor of 3 to 10, preferably 5. A particularly good handling of the cartridge and a suitable volume of respective cleaning agent arise when the housing of the cartridge has a quarry-shaped basic shape has a depth of about 25 mm, a width of about 200 mm and a height of about 125 mm. In particular, the preferred total number z of rinsing cycles between 20 and 40, preferably 30, rinsing cycles can be realized with such dimensions.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the chambers of the cartridge along the main axis are arranged side by side. That is, in a cartridge having a square basic shape and extending in the direction of the main axis, the division into chambers leads to chamber dimensions in which the dimension of a chamber is the number of chambers corresponding proportion of the width, while for all chamber an equal depth and Height is given.

According to a further embodiment, at least one section of the cartridge directed towards the washing compartment of the water-conducting domestic appliance, when it is arranged in the detergent dosing system, has a thermal insulation which limits a heat flow from the washing compartment in the direction of the detergent dosing system. Advantageously, this procedure ensures the long-term stability of the detergent stored in the cartridge. Thus, such cleaning agents can be used, which have temperature-sensitive substances. The thermal insulation prevents or limits excessively high temperature fluctuations of the detergent stored in the cartridge. This procedure is particularly advantageous if the stored amount of cleaning agent is designed for a very large total number of flushing cycles.

The heat insulation in the section of the cartridge directed towards the dishwasher washing compartment can be formed by a gas volume arranged in the section. Manufacturing of the housing body from a plastic material is possible by the gas internal pressure method (GID) known from the prior art, in which a gas cavity is enclosed in the section made of a sprayable material, eg plastic. The insulation may also be formed by a solid or liquid insulator material disposed in the section. This Insulator material may be present in addition to the material of the housing portion of the cartridge. The housing portion may also be formed by the insulator material. There are also combinations of said materials conceivable.

The cartridge may further comprise a means for level measurement of the volume of detergent contained in the cartridge. The means for level measurement may be configured in a variant for emitting a signal when the detergent contained in the cartridge is completely used up. As a result, the user of the dishwasher is signaled that an exchange of the cartridge for proper operation of the dishwasher is already necessary for the next rinse cycle. In another variant, the means for level measurement for the delivery of a signal is formed when the cleaning agent contained in the cartridge is sufficient to carry out a predetermined number m of rinsing cycles. The number m of rinsing cycles can in principle be chosen arbitrarily, m being preferably chosen between 2 and 5. As a result, the user of the dishwasher will be shown a future necessary replacement of the cartridge. However, the user is still able to operate the dishwasher for a certain number of rinse cycles, so there is still time to procure a new cartridge.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the means for level measurement in only one of the chambers of the cartridge is arranged to determine the level of the detergent of this chamber. The statement about the level of a single of the chambers is sufficient to close the level of the entire cartridge, since the volume of detergent in the respective chambers is such that each of the detergents in the chambers is used up with the zth rinse cycle and in each rinse a percentage equal to the proportion of at least two detergents is metered by the dosing. This procedure allows for a low cost of the monitoring means an accurate prediction of the level of respective detergent in the cartridge.

The means for level measurement can be based on an optical, acoustic or capacitive measuring principle.

Furthermore, the invention includes a detergent dosing system.

Fig. 1

eine Geschirrspülmaschine mit einem Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem zur Aufnahme einer erfindungsgemäßen Kartusche, welches in einer Behälterwand angeordnet ist,

Fig. 2

eine weitere Geschirrspülmaschine mit einem Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem zur Aufnahme einer Kartusche, welches in der Tür der Geschirrspülmaschine angeordnet ist,

Fig. 3

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Kartusche zur Verwendung in dem Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem, und

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch ein Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem, wobei eine in einer Dosierkammer angeordnete Fördereinrichtung dargestellt ist, mit welcher Reinigungsmittel aus der erfindungsgemäßen Kartusche dem Spülraum der Geschirrspülmaschine zuführbar ist.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. It shows:

Fig. 1

a dishwasher with a detergent dosing system for receiving a cartridge according to the invention, which is arranged in a container wall,

Fig. 2

a further dishwasher with a detergent dosing system for receiving a cartridge, which is arranged in the door of the dishwasher,

Fig. 3

an embodiment of a cartridge for use in the detergent dosing system, and

Fig. 4

a section through a Reinigungsmitteldosiersystem, wherein a arranged in a metering conveyor is shown, with which cleaning agent from the cartridge according to the invention the washing compartment of the dishwasher can be fed.

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.

The detergent dispenser 11 comprises a housing 12 and a lid pivotably mounted relative to the housing 12. Is the lid in his Opening position (see illustration in Fig. 1 ), the cartridge 50 can be inserted from the washing chamber 4 ago in the lid. The lid has for holding and fixing, for example via two symmetrically arranged retaining tabs, which have an L-shaped configuration and are adapted to the size of the cartridge 50, so that the retaining tabs grip the cartridge 50 after insertion. On the lid, a support surface is further formed, so that the cartridge 50 comes to rest in a defined position (not shown). By closing the lid, the cartridge is introduced into a receiving space 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.

An exemplary embodiment of the cartridge 50 according to the invention is shown in FIG Fig. 3 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 dimensioned in accordance with the volume required during a predetermined number of rinsing cycles. The volume of the various cleaning agents in the chambers 51a to 51e is dimensioned such that after a certain number of rinsing cycles, preferably between 20 and 40, more preferably about 30, all of the chambers 51a to 51e are completely emptied.

The total number of rinsing cycles when the cartridge is consumed depends on the type of rinsing cycles performed in each case. In order to meet the different requirements, for each selectable in the dishwasher program a certain dosage is specified or determined by sensors. For weakly soiled dishes, a lower dosage is selected, while for heavily soiled items a higher dosage of cleaning agents is provided. To ensure that each of the detergents is used up with the same rinse cycle, the percentage of each detergent component added to the rinse liquor during a rinse cycle is the same. This allows an economical use of the available resources, since an exchange of the cartridge takes place only when it is completely emptied. In addition, this procedure makes it easier to sense the level, since it is sufficient To sense the level in only one of the chambers of the cartridge to obtain information about the filling state of the entire cartridge.

Each of the chambers 51a to 51e is provided with an openable closure 25a to 25e, eg in the form of a membrane. The diaphragms, for example made of rubber, sealingly close the individual chambers 51a to 51e so that no detergent can escape from them during storage and transport of the cartridge 50. When inserting the cartridge 50 in the detergent dispenser 11, the membranes of correspondingly arranged in the detergent dispenser 11 needles 21 (see. Fig. 4 ), 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 51a to 51e, the cartridge 50 has a further chamber 52 which communicates with one or more ventilation channels 53. The ventilation channel or channels 53 in turn have a connection to the various chambers 51a to 51e. 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 51a to 51e 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. To prevent the properties of the cleaning agents from changing over time, At least one housing wall of the cartridge 50 directed toward the washing compartment and / or the lid of the detergent dosing system 10 directed towards the washing compartment is made of an insulating material or else surrounded by an insulation. 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 may be formed by a gas volume arranged in the cover or the respective housing section of the cartridge. 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 addition to the receptacle for the cartridge, the detergent dispenser 11 may have a further chamber for receiving a solid detergent. The solid cleaning agent may be, for example, a 3-in-1 tab, which is inserted into the further chamber if no or an empty cartridge 50 is contained in the receiving space. The provision of the further chamber 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 further chamber may have an opening which communicates with the environment of the dishwasher. The opening can be connected for this purpose via channels which run on the back of the container wall, with 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 in this moment can then be diverted via the further chamber and the opening to the environment.

The detergent dosing system may include means for sensing the level of detergent in the cartridge to detect an empty or near empty cartridge. If the cleaning agent reaches a predetermined fill level in one or more of the chambers of the cartridge, for example if a predetermined number of flushing cycles is still possible, then this can be done to the user via an optical signal being represented. The display device may be in a known manner, for example, on the outside of the door, such as the aperture, are.

The query of the level can be done in an optical, capacitive or acoustic manner.

In the case of an optical interrogation, an optical waveguide can be introduced into the cartridge into which an optical waveguide can be introduced, via e.g. in the detergent dispenser existing light source is coupled into the light guide light. A light receiver coupled to the light guide, e.g. is also disposed in the detergent dispenser, takes the decoupled from the light guide light. An evaluation device coupled to the light source and the light receiver can determine the fill level or the reaching of a predetermined fill level in the cartridge on the basis of the quantity of light coupled in and out.

In a capacitive query, the existing in the cartridge detergent can be used as an electrode. Another electrode made of an electrically conductive material may be disposed on the detergent dispenser or on the outer wall of the cartridge. The housing material of the cartridge and optionally further housing material of the detergent dispenser and / or an air gap formed therebetween form a dielectric between the two electrodes. By evaluating the voltage applied between these two electrodes, it is possible to draw a conclusion as to the level of detergent in the cartridge.

The determination of the level is also possible using an acoustic principle. In this case, e.g. generator provided on the detergent dispenser vibrates the detergent in the cartridge. The resulting sounds may be, e.g. be recorded and evaluated by a microphone. Based on the noise spectrum, the conclusion can be drawn on the level of detergent in the cartridge.

Alternatively, a counter can be used to count the rinsing cycles of a full cartridge already in progress. To recognize a new cartridge, they can be provided with a transponder which can be read by the dishwasher or the detergent dispenser. Alternatively, another code, eg a bar code, be attached to the cartridge. The reading of the code can be done for example when inserting the cartridge in the detergent dispenser.

It is sufficient if the means for level measurement is provided in only one of the chambers of the cartridge. Regardless of this possibility, of course, each of the chambers can be equipped with a separate means for level measurement.

In the housing 12 of the detergent dispenser 11 outlets 19a to 19e are provided (see. Fig. 4 ). The outlets 19a to 19e each open into a metering chamber 20a to 20e, wherein in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 4 only the metering chamber 20a can be seen. The metering chamber 20a communicates with the chamber 51a of the cartridge via the channels 21a.

In each of the metering chambers 20a to 20e, a conveyor is arranged, which consists in the present embodiment of a movable in the metering chamber 20a seal 26a and a drive mechanism for the seal 26a. The seal 26a is shaped such that it is movable between a position closing the associated outlet (in FIG. 19a) and releasing the outlet. For this purpose, the seal 26a is connected to a valve lifter 22a. A movement of the valve lifter 22a is effected by a valve operating lever 23a on which a wedge-shaped projection 36a is formed. By a rotational movement of the valve operating lever 23a, the projection engages the plate of the valve stem 22a and causes a stroke. Upon actuation of the valve actuating lever 23a, the gasket 26a is removed away from the outlet 19a. When the valve actuating lever 23a is moved back to its original position (by a rotational movement in the opposite direction), a restoring force is built up by a spring 24a clamped between a housing cover 37 and an abutment 35a provided on the valve stem 22a Outlet 19a applies.

If the seal 26a is in its open position, then the cleaning agent in the chamber 51a may be due to gravity or an active conveyor, such. As a pump, pass through the cannula 21a in the metering chamber 20 and the outlet 19a in the washroom.

wobei

• t die Auslaufzeit des bzw. der Reinigungsmittel,
• n die Nummer des Spülzyklus,
• x die Auslaufzeit des bzw. der Reinigungsmittel des ersten Spülgangs, und
• y eine Konstante

darstellen.To ensure that regardless of the level of each detergent in the cartridge, the same volume is added to the wash liquor, the flow time in which the detergent by opening the openable closure for further processing from the cartridge are diverting, depending on the number of straight rinsing cycle since inserting a new, full cartridge varies. The flow time of the cleaning agents is determined by the formula $$t_n=x+\left(n-1\right)\cdot y.$$

in which

• t the flow time of the detergent (s),
• n the number of the rinse cycle,
• x the flow time of the detergent (s) of the first rinse, and
• y is a constant

represent.

As the number of the wash cycle increases, therefore, the flow time of the cleaning agent (s) is prolonged, so that the reduced pressure with decreasing volume of cleaning agent in the cartridge is taken into account.

The conveying of the detergent can be done exclusively by utilizing gravity. However, the conveying device, in particular the design of the seal can also be constructed according to the principle of a pump, so that cleaning agents are conveyed from the cleaning chamber 21a into the dosing chamber 20a and out of the dosing chamber 20a into the washing compartment.

Fig. 2 shows a further dishwasher 1 with a detergent dosing system 10. In contrast to the previously described embodiment, the detergent dosing system 10, more precisely the detergent dispenser 11 is disposed in the door 3 of the dishwasher. The loading of the detergent dispenser 11 with the cartridge 50, which otherwise the same as in connection with Fig. 3 may be formed described, takes place from the front side 8 of the door. The opening to the Equipping the detergent dispenser 11 can be arranged in the region of an aperture of the dishwasher or the inner door of the door. The advantage of the arrangement according to Fig. 2 consists in a more convenient insertion and removal of the cartridge for the user.

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)

16

holder

18

swivel mechanism

19a-19e

outlet

20a-20e

metering

21a-21e

cannula

22a-22e

tappet

23a-23e

Valve operating lever (turntable)

24a-24e

feather

25a-25e

membrane

26a-26e

poetry

34

cover

35a-35e

abutment

36a-36e

head Start

37

cover

50

cartridge

51a-51e

Chamber for cleaning agents

52

Chamber for ventilation

53

ventilation duct

54

cover

55

Pressure relief valve

H

height

B

width

Claims (31)

1. Water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, having a detergent dosing system (10) which has at least one detergent dispenser (11) for receiving at least one cartridge (50), wherein the cartridge (50) has separate chambers (51a, ..., 51e) for storing at least two detergents,
   characterised in that
   each chamber (51a, ..., 51e) has a storage capacity for storing detergent which is greater than the quantities required for one washing cycle, wherein in addition to the chambers (5 1a, ..., 51e) for receiving the detergents a ventilation chamber (52) is provided which is connected with the chambers (51a, ..., 51e) containing the detergents.
2. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the ventilation chamber (52) is part of the cartridge (50).
3. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the ventilation chamber (52) is connected with the chambers (51a, ..., 51e) containing the detergents by way of ventilation channels (53) in a cover (54) covering the individual chambers.
4. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that
   the detergent dispenser (11) is arranged in an internal space in the water-conducting domestic appliance.
5. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that
   the storage capacities of the chambers (51a, ..., 51e) for receiving at least two detergents are dimensioned such that between 20 and 40, preferably 30, washing cycles can be performed.
6. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that
   the cartridge (50) has chambers (51a, ..., 51e) separated from one another for storing more than 2 and less than 10, preferably 7, detergents.
7. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
   the respective chambers (51a, ..., 51e) are arranged in a common cartridge housing.
8. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
   the cartridge (50) is provided with at least one openable closure (25a, ..., 25e) for detergent delivery, which can be opened, in particular automatically, on insertion into the detergent dosing system (10) and can be closed, in particular automatically, on removal of the cartridge (50) from the detergent dosing system (10).
9. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 8,
   characterised in that
   the cartridge (50) has an openable closure (25a, ..., 25e) for each of its chambers (51a, ..., 51e).
10. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 8 or 9,
    characterised in that
    the openable closure (25a,..., 25e) of a cartridge (50) situated in the installation position in the detergent dosing system (10) is arranged below in the direction of gravity.
11. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that
    the openable closure (25a, ..., 25e) is formed by a membrane.
12. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
    the at least one cartridge (50) has at least one delivery device, by means of which the at least two detergents can be delivered into the washing compartment (4) of the dishwasher (1).
13. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
    the delivery of the at least two detergents takes place by way of the force of gravity.
14. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
    the dosing of the at least two detergents takes place by means of defining an outflow time.
15. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 15,
    characterised in that
    the water-conducting domestic appliance has a control unit which is operatively connected to at least one of the openable closures (25a, ..., 25e) and is designed in accordance with the following formula in order to determine the outflow time of the at least two detergents: $$t_n=x+\left(n-1\right)·y$$

    

    where

    t is the outflow time of the detergent,

    n is the number of the washing operation,

    x is the outflow time of the detergent of the first washing operation,

    y is a constant

    and the control unit is designed to deliver control signals for the openable closures (25a, ..., 25e).
16. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
    at least one pump is provided for dosing at least one detergent.
17. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
    the cartridge housing has a mechanical coding which can interact with a matching coding on the receiving side in order to define the installation position in the dishwasher.
18. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
    the cartridge housing has a longitudinal extension along a main axis.
19. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 18,
    characterised in that
    the main axis is longer than secondary axes of the housing (2) of the cartridge (50).
20. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 18 or 19, characterised in that
    the chambers (51a, ..., 51e) of the cartridge (50) are arranged beside one another along the main axis.
21. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterised in that
    the extension along the main axis is greater by the factor of at least 1.5 than an extension along a secondary axis.
22. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 21,
    characterised in that
    an extension along a first secondary axis is greater by the factor of at least 3 than the extension along a second secondary axis.
23. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
    at least one section of the cartridge housing facing the washing compartment (4) of the dishwasher (1), when the cartridge is arranged in the detergent dosing system (10), has thermal insulation which at least limits a heat flow from the washing compartment (4) in the direction of the detergent dosing system (10).
24. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 23,
    characterised in that
    the thermal insulation is formed by a gas volume arranged in the section.
25. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 23,
    characterised in that
    the thermal insulation is formed by an insulating material comprising a solid or a liquid.
26. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 24 and 25,
    characterised by
    a thermal insulation comprising a combination of different materials which are arranged behind one another in the direction of heat propagation.
27. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    at least one means is provided for level measurement of at least one detergent volume contained in the chambers (51a, ..., 51e).
28. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 27,
    characterised in that
    the means for level measurement is designed to emit a signal when the detergent contained in the cartridge (50) drops below a predefined remaining quantity.
29. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 28,
    characterised in that
    the means for level measurement is designed to emit a signal when the detergent contained in the cartridge (50) is sufficient for performing a predefined number m of washing cycles.
30. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 29,
    characterised in that
    the number m of washing cycles is between 2 and 5.
31. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 27 to 30,
    characterised in that
    the means for level measurement is based on an optical, acoustic or capacitive principle of measurement.

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