EP2073682B2 - Water-conducting domestic appliance comprising a detergent dosing system and cartridge therefor - Google Patents

Description

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

The majority of domestic dishwashers currently in use, for example, has an addition device for receiving one or more cleaning agents, which are added to the washing liquor during a washing cycle for cleaning the items to be washed sorted in the dishwasher. Normally, the cleaning agent stored in the adding device is completely dispensed into the washing chamber during the washing cycle and mixed with the washing liquor circulated therein. The size of the adding device is dimensioned in such a way that just the amount of cleaning agent required for a washing cycle can be filled in. The user of the dishwasher is therefore forced to fill the dispensing device with the amount of cleaning agent required for the washing cycle at the beginning of each washing cycle. This handling is inconvenient for the user of the dishwasher. In addition, there is the problem with such dishwashers that the quantity of detergents filled into the dispensing device can vary from user to user, but also from wash cycle to wash cycle. On the one hand, an incorrectly dosed amount of detergent can lead to unsatisfactory dishwashing results if the detergent dose is too small, and on the other hand, it can result in wasted detergent and thus pollution if too much detergent has been dosed.

Adding devices which add the amount of cleaning agent stored therein to the washing liquor all at once still do not allow more complex washing programs to be carried out. In certain situations, for example, it can make sense to add the cleaning agent to the washing liquor at different times. Dispensing devices designed to take a single dose of detergent cannot support such complex rinsing cycles.

The WO 2005/058126 A1 shows individual or connected reservoirs 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, which can each be provided with an integrated micropump 9, which, however, means a high design effort and also involves the risk of malfunctions due to sticking or abrasion during operation. Even without a pump, gravity-driven emptying should be possible. In this case, however, it would then have to be worked against a negative pressure that becomes increasingly stronger during emptying, which makes emptying more difficult and, in particular, also hinders uniform dosing over many wash cycles.

The U.S. 2005/0126608 A1 only shows the possibility of using pumps to empty the "wash aids" 92 and 94, which are also not shown in any more detail. Here, too, the problems mentioned in relation to the above-mentioned document arise.

The U.S. 2006/0059958 A1 1 only shows a detergent container 40 with only one chamber and in this respect it does not enable the desired type of effective dosing over many wash cycles. An extra valve must also 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 U.S. 2004/122555 show devices which can be attached to the outside of a dishwasher and which, for reasons of space alone, do not contribute to solving the problem according to the invention.
It is the object of the invention to provide a water-bearing household appliance that can also carry out complex rinsing cycles. Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to provide aids for this.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a water-bearing household appliance with the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations result from the dependent patent claims.

A water-bearing household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, has a detergent dosing system which has at least one detergent dispenser for receiving at least one cartridge, the cartridge having separate chambers for storing at least two detergents. The invention is characterized in that the detergent stored in each chamber Amount of detergent is greater than the amount required for one rinse cycle. The cleaning agent dosing system for accommodating the cartridge essentially provides precisely the amount of cleaning agent required for a washing cycle during a washing cycle. Cleaning agents can be compositions of cleaning components or individual cleaning substances, such as an enzyme. The cleaning agents can be in liquid or gel form. The cleaning agents can 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. Storing different cleaning agents in different chambers has the advantage that in a specific section of a washing cycle only that cleaning agent needs to be metered in which is actually necessary for this washing section. Of course, it is possible that several of the cleaning agents can also be metered in at the same time during a certain section of a washing cycle. If two different cleaning agents are fundamentally added simultaneously to the washing liquor during a washing cycle, it is also possible to use them To arrange detergent in a common chamber of the cartridge. An aeration chamber is provided in the cartridge and is in operative communication with the chambers containing the detergents. The ventilation chamber is in this case via ventilation channels in a common, the individual chambers final. Lid with the chambers containing the detergent in connection. In this way, it is ensured that as the chambers are emptied, no negative pressure can build up in them, which would make it more difficult to add cleaning agents to the washing liquor or possibly in an incorrect amount. The ventilation chamber is part of the cartridge. It is preferably provided that the detergent dispenser is arranged in an interior space of the water-bearing household appliance.

According to one embodiment, the capacity of the chambers for accommodating at least two cleaning agents is dimensioned in such a way that between 20 and 40, preferably 30, rinsing cycles can be carried out.

Provision is preferably made for the cartridge to have separate chambers for storing more than 2 and less than 10, preferably 7, cleaning agents. This makes it possible to dispense with the storage of compositions of cleaning components and instead to store individual cleaning substances such as alkalis, bleaching agents, complexing agents and enzymes and to meter them in if necessary. The targeted metering in of, for example, complexing agents allows the water hardness to be adjusted, so that a dishwasher according to the invention can be designed without a water softening device. The water hardness can be adjusted by sensors or manually by an operator. Furthermore, the substances added can be adjusted to the length of a selected cleaning program.

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

A further embodiment provides that the cartridge is provided with at least one openable closure which can be opened, in particular automatically, when it is inserted into the detergent dosing system and can be closed, in particular automatically, when the cartridge is removed from the detergent dosing system. The openable closure can be formed by a membrane, for example. The closure is used during storage and transport to ensure that the cleaning agent stored in the cartridge cannot accidentally leak out. The closure is opened at the moment when the cartridge is inserted into the detergent dispenser of the detergent dosing system, so that the detergent can be added to the washing liquor while the dishwasher is still in operation. Depending on the design of the cartridge, the number of closures can vary. A number of closures corresponding to the number of chambers in the cartridge is expediently provided. The number of closures can also correspond to the number of detergents in the cartridge. The openable closure can be arranged, for example, in the direction of gravity below, i.e. at the bottom of the cartridge, when the cartridge is in the installed position in the detergent dosing system. This facilitates the complete emptying of the cartridge by the conveying device, so that no cleaning agent remains unused in the cartridge.

A further embodiment provides that the cartridge has at least one delivery device with which the at least two cleaning agents can be delivered into the washing chamber of the dishwasher. This procedure has the advantage that the detergent dispenser of the detergent dosing system according to the invention can be designed in a particularly simple manner. According to this embodiment, the necessary devices for dosing the cleaning agent held in the cartridge into the washing chamber are held exclusively in the cartridge. It can be provided that a number of conveying devices corresponding to the number of cleaning devices or chambers is provided.

In one variant, the at least two cleaning agents are released by gravity and in a further variant by specifying an outflow time during which the at least two cleaning agents can be discharged from the cartridge via the openable closure for further processing. In this variant, the openable closure of the cartridge must be arranged at the bottom in the direction of gravity when the cartridge is in the installed position in the cleaning agent 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 in operative connection with at least one openable closure and which is used to determine 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 rinse cycle,
• x the flow time of the detergent of the first rinse, and
• y a constant

are. The control device of the dishwasher thus controls the dosing of the cleaning agent or the Cleaning supplies.

According to this variant, the outflow time is adjusted after each dosing or after each rinsing cycle. This procedure ensures that the same volume of washing liquor is always added to a specific washing program, regardless of the cleaning quantity in the cartridge. The above formula takes into account the influence of gravity and the volume of cleaning agent in the cartridge and thus the speed of leakage when the closure is open.

In another variant, the at least two cleaning agents can be metered by a pump or some other actuator.

To prevent the cartridge from being inserted incorrectly into a cleaning agent dispenser of the cleaning agent dosing system, the cartridge housing has a mechanical coding, e.g. a projection that corresponds to a corresponding recess in the cleaning agent dosing system. The coding is designed in such a way that the cartridge can only be inserted into the detergent dispenser in a single way--the predetermined way.

The cartridge can have any suitable shape. However, it is preferably provided that the housing of the cartridge has a longitudinal extension along a main axis. This can, for example, be a block-shaped base body with a longitudinal axis, e.g. along the width, which is significantly longer than all other axes (along the depth and the height). However, it can also be a conical, truncated cone, cylindrical, pyramidal or truncated pyramidal body with a main axis.

It is preferred that the main axis is longer than the secondary axes of the housing with one of the above-mentioned basic cartridge shapes, e.g. by a factor of at least 1.5. Furthermore, the base body can preferably have an extension along a first minor axis, e.g. along the height, and an extension along a second minor axis, e.g. along the depth, wherein the extension along the first minor axis is significantly longer than the extension along the second minor axis , e.g. by a factor of 3 to 10, preferably 5. A particularly good handling of the cartridge and an appropriate volume of respective cleaning agent result when the housing of the cartridge has a cuboid basic shape with a depth of about 25 mm, a width of about 200 mm and has a height of about 125 mm. In particular, with such dimensions, the preferred total number z of rinsing cycles of between 20 and 40, preferably 30, rinsing cycles can be implemented.

In a preferred further development it is provided that the chambers of the cartridge are arranged next to one another along the main axis. This means that in a cartridge with a cuboid basic shape and a main axis extending in the width direction, the division into chambers leads to chamber dimensions in which the dimension of a chamber is a proportion of the width corresponding to the number of chambers, while for all chambers the same depth and height is given.

According to a further embodiment, at least one section of the cartridge facing the washing compartment of the water-bearing household appliance, when it is arranged in the detergent dosing system, has thermal insulation which limits heat flow from the washing compartment in the direction of the detergent dosing system. This procedure advantageously ensures the long-term stability of the cleaning agent stored in the cartridge. It is thus possible to use cleaning agents which contain temperature-sensitive substances. The thermal insulation prevents or limits excessive temperature fluctuations in the cleaning agent stored in the cartridge. This procedure is particularly advantageous when the amount of cleaning agent stored is designed for a very large total number of washing cycles.

The heat insulation in the section of the cartridge facing the washing compartment of the dishwasher can be formed by a gas volume arranged in the section. It is possible to manufacture the housing body from a plastic using the gas injection method (GID) known from the prior art, in which a gas cavity is enclosed in the section made from an injectable material, e.g. plastic. The insulation can also be formed by an insulator material made of solid or liquid arranged in the section. This insulator material may be in addition to the material of the body portion of the cartridge. The housing section can also be formed by the insulator material. Combinations of the materials mentioned are also conceivable.

The cartridge can also have a means for measuring the filling level of the cleaning agent volume contained in the cartridge. In one variant, the means for measuring the filling level can be designed to emit a signal when the cleaning agent contained in the cartridge has been completely used up. This signals to the user of the dishwasher that the cartridge needs to be replaced for the next washing cycle in order for the dishwasher to operate correctly. In another variant, the means for measuring the fill level is designed to emit a signal when the cleaning agent contained in the cartridge is sufficient to carry out a specified number m of washing cycles. In principle, the number m of rinsing cycles can be selected as desired, with m preferably being selected between 2 and 5. This indicates to the user of the dishwasher that the cartridge will need to be replaced in the future. However, the user is still able to use the dishwasher for a certain number of times to operate flushing cycles, so that there is still time to procure a new cartridge.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the means for measuring the fill level is arranged in only one of the chambers of the cartridge to determine the fill level of the cleaning agent in this chamber. The statement about the filling level of a single chamber is sufficient to infer the filling level of the entire cartridge, since the volume of the cleaning agent in the respective chambers is dimensioned such that each of the cleaning agents in the chambers is used up with the z-th rinsing cycle and an equal percentage of the at least two cleaning agents is dosed by the dosing system in each wash cycle. This procedure allows a precise prediction of the filling level of the respective cleaning agent in the cartridge with little effort on the part of the monitoring means.

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

A cleaning agent dosing system also belongs to the invention.

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 is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It shows:

1

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

2

another dishwasher with a cleaning agent dosing system for receiving a cartridge, which is arranged in the door of the dishwasher,

3

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

4

a section through a cleaning agent dosing system, wherein a arranged in a dosing chamber conveyor is shown, with which detergent from the cartridge according to the invention the washing compartment of the dishwasher can be supplied.

1 shows a dishwasher 1 according to the invention, which has a door 3 pivotably mounted on a housing 2 . The door 3 is shown in the figure in its open position. In a closable by the door 3 washing area 4 crockery baskets 5, 6 are arranged in a known manner. A cleaning agent dosing system 10, comprising a cleaning agent dispenser 11 and a cartridge 50, which contains at least two cleaning agents stored separately from one another, is arranged in a container wall 7 of the housing 2. 1 shows the preferred arrangement of the cleaning agent dosing system 10 between the upper rack 5 and the lower rack 6. The cleaning agent dispenser 11 accommodating the cartridge 50 is arranged in a section of the container wall 7 close to the door opening in order to facilitate the insertion and removal of the cartridge 50 in and out to facilitate the detergent dispenser 11 for the user.

The cleaning agent dispenser 11 comprises a housing 12 and a cover which is pivotably mounted relative to the housing 12 . If the cover is in its open position (see illustration in 1 ), the cartridge 50 can be inserted into the cover from the washing compartment 4. For holding and fixing, the cover has, for example, two symmetrically arranged holding lugs, which have an L-shape and are adapted to the size of the cartridge 50, so that the holding lugs encompass and hold the cartridge 50 after it has been inserted. A support surface is also formed on the cover, so that the cartridge 50 comes to rest in a defined position (not shown). By closing the lid, the cartridge is inserted into a receiving space of the cleaning agent dispenser 11 and is pressed into its final position by any lugs and/or projections that may be present on the housing of the cleaning agent dispenser.

An exemplary embodiment of the cartridge 50 according to the invention is shown in 3 shown. By way of example only, the cartridge 50 has five chambers 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and 51e, each for receiving a cleaning agent or a cleaning agent mixture. The size of the individual chambers 51a to 51e is dimensioned according to 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 washing cycles, preferably between 20 and 40, more preferably about 30, all of the chambers 51a to 51e are completely emptied.

The total number of flush cycles when the cartridge is depleted depends on the type of flush cycle being performed. In order to meet the different requirements, a specific dosing quantity is specified for each program that can be selected in the dishwasher or is determined by sensors. In the case of lightly soiled items to be washed, a lower metered quantity is selected, while in the case of heavily soiled items to be washed, a higher metered quantity of cleaning agent 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 enables the available resources to be used sparingly, since the cartridge is only replaced when it is completely empty. In addition, this procedure also makes it easier to sense the filling level, since it is sufficient to sense the filling level in just one of the chambers of the cartridge in order 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, for example in the form of a membrane. The membranes, which are made of rubber, for example, seal off the individual chambers 51a to 51e so that no cleaning agent can escape from the cartridge 50 during storage and transport. When the cartridge 50 is inserted into the detergent dispenser 11, the membranes of cannulas 21 (cf. 4 ) pierced, so that according to a corresponding dosing detergent can be added to the wash cabinet.

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 in such a way that the desired 20 to 40 rinsing cycles can be carried out using one cartridge.

In addition to the chambers 51a to 51e, the cartridge 50 has a further chamber 52 which is connected to 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 as the chambers 51a to 51e are increasingly emptied, no negative pressure can build up in them, which would make it difficult or falsify the addition of cleaning agents. The ventilation channels 53 are preferably located in a cover 54, which is applied to the housing of the cartridge after the individual chambers 51a to 51e have been filled with the respective cleaning agents. The cover 54 can have a pressure relief valve 55, which may be necessary for certain detergent components.

Since the detergents contained in the cartridge 50 are metered into the washing compartment, more precisely the washing liquor circulated in the washing compartment, only gradually over the course of 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 agent from changing over time as a result, at least one housing wall of the cartridge 50 facing the washing compartment and/or the cover of the cleaning agent dosing system 10 facing the washing compartment is made of an insulating material or with insulation surround. This limits the flow of heat from the washing compartment in the direction of the cleaning agent dosing system or the cleaning agent stored in the cartridge, so that the long-term stability of the cleaning agent used is guaranteed. The insulation can be formed by a gas volume arranged in the cover or in the relevant housing section of the cartridge. This gas volume, which produces the insulation, can be introduced during the production of the cover or the cartridge. The process used here is known as the internal gas pressure process (GID).

In addition to the holder for the cartridge, the cleaning agent dispenser 11 can have another chamber for holding a solid cleaning agent. The solid cleaning agent can be, for example, a 3-in-1 tab, which is inserted into the further chamber if no cartridge 50 or an empty cartridge 50 is contained in the receiving space. The provision of the additional chamber for accommodating a solid cleaning agent makes it possible to use the dishwasher even when the cartridge 50 is empty and no full cartridge is available.

The further chamber can have an opening which is connected to the environment of the dishwasher. For this purpose, the opening can be connected to the environment via channels which run on the rear side of the container wall. The cleaning agent dosing system thus integrates the functionality of a so-called "expansion opening", which is used to dissipate the overpressure that occurs in the washing compartment when the dishwasher z. B. is opened and closed again by the user during a rinsing cycle with already heated washing liquor. The overpressure occurring at this moment can then be discharged to the environment via the further chamber and the opening.

In order to detect an empty or almost empty cartridge, the detergent dosing system can have means for querying the fill level of the detergent in the cartridge. If the detergent in one or more of the chambers of the cartridge reaches a specified level, e.g. if a specified number of rinsing cycles is still possible, this can be indicated to the user via an optical signal. The display device can be located in a known manner, for example on the outside of the door, for example the fascia.

The filling level can be queried optically, capacitively or acoustically.

In the case of an optical query, a light guide can be introduced into the cartridge, in which light is coupled into the light guide via a light source that is present, for example, in the detergent dispenser. A light receiver coupled to the light guide, which is also arranged in the detergent dispenser, for example, receives the light coupled out of the light guide. An evaluation device coupled to the light source and the light receiver can use the amount of light coupled in and out to determine the fill level or the attainment of a predetermined fill level in the cartridge.

In the case of a capacitive query, the cleaning agent in the cartridge can be used as an electrode. A further electrode made of an electrically conductive material can be arranged on the detergent dispenser or on the outer wall of the cartridge. The housing material of the cartridge and possibly other housing material of the detergent dispenser and/or an air gap formed between them form a dielectric between the two electrodes. By evaluating the voltage applied between these two electrodes, conclusions can be drawn about the level of cleaning agent in the cartridge.

The filling level can also be determined using an acoustic principle. In this case, a generator, e.g. provided on the cleaning agent dispenser, causes the cleaning agent in the cartridge to oscillate. The resulting noises can be recorded and evaluated, e.g. by a microphone. Based on the noise spectrum, conclusions can be drawn about the fill level of the cleaning agent in the cartridge.

Alternatively, a counter can be used to count the number of flushing cycles that have already been completed for a full cartridge. To identify a new cartridge, it can be provided with a transponder that can be read by the dishwasher or detergent dispenser. Alternatively, another code, such as a bar code, may be attached to the cartridge. The code can be read in, for example, when the cartridge is inserted into 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, each of the chambers can, of course, be equipped with a separate means for measuring the fill level.

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

In each of the dosing chambers 20a to 20e there is a conveying device which, in the present exemplary embodiment, consists of a seal 26a which is movably mounted in the dosing chamber 20a and a drive mechanism for the seal 26a. The seal 26a is shaped in such a way that it can be moved between a position closing the associated outlet (in FIG. 19a) and a position releasing the outlet. For this purpose, the seal 26a is connected to a valve tappet 22a. A movement of the valve tappet 22a is brought about by a valve actuating lever 23a on which a wedge-shaped projection 36a is formed. A rotary movement of the valve operating lever 23a engages the projection on the plate of the valve tappet 22a and causes a stroke. Upon actuation of the valve operating lever 23a, the seal 26a is removed away from the outlet 19a. If the valve actuating lever 23a is moved back into its initial position (by rotating it 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 tappet 22a, which restoring force presses the seal 26a closely to the Outlet 19a applies.

If the seal 26a is in its open position, the cleaning agent in the chamber 51a can flow out due to gravity or an active conveying device, such as e.g. B. a pump, through the cannula 21a into the dosing chamber 20 and through the outlet 19a into the rinsing chamber.

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.In order to ensure that the same volume is added to the washing liquor regardless of the filling level of the respective cleaning agent in the cartridge, the flow time in which the cleaning agent can be discharged from the cartridge for further processing by opening the openable closure depends on the number of the straight rinsing cycle performed since inserting a new, full cartridge. The flow time of the cleaning agent is determined according to the formula $$t_n=x+\left(n-1\right)\cdot y,$$

whereby

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

represent.

As the number of wash cycles increases, the outflow time of the cleaning agent(s) is extended, so that account is taken of the reduced pressure in the cartridge as the volume of cleaning agent decreases.

The cleaning agent can be conveyed 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 detergents are conveyed from the cleaning chamber 21a into the dosing chamber 20a and from the dosing chamber 20a into the washing chamber.

2 shows another 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 arranged in the door 3 of the dishwasher. The equipping of Detergent dispenser 11 with the cartridge 50, which is otherwise identical to that in connection with 3 can be configured as described, takes place from the end face 8 of the door. The opening for loading the detergent dispenser 11 can be arranged in the area of a panel of the dishwasher or the inner door of the door. The advantage of the arrangement according to 2 consists in a more convenient insertion and removal of the cartridge for the user.

Reference List

1

dishwasher

2

Housing

3

door

4

dishwashing room

5

dish rack

6

dish rack

7

container wall

8th

front side of the door

10

Detergent dosing system

11

detergent dispenser

12

Housing

13

housing wall (= cover)

16

holding device

18

swivel mechanism

19a-19e

outlet

20a-20e

dosing chamber

21a-21e

cannula

22a-22e

valve lifter

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

Detergent chamber

52

chamber for ventilation

53

ventilation channel

54

Lid

55

pressure relief valve

H

Height

B

Broad

Claims (29)

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 (51a, ..., 51e) for receiving the detergents a ventilation chamber (52) is provided which is connected with the chambers (51a, ..., 51e) containing the detergents, wherein

   the ventilation chamber (52) is part of the cartridge (50).
2. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 1, 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.
3. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that
   the detergent dispenser (11) is arranged in an internal space in the water-conducting domestic appliance.
4. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, 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.
5. 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.
6. 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).
7. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 6, characterised in that the cartridge (50) has an openable closure (25a, ..., 25e) for each of its chambers (51a, ..., 51e).
8. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 6 or 7, 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.
9. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that
   the openable closure (25a, ..., 25e) is formed by a membrane.
10. 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).
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 12, 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 + n - 1 • y $$t_n=x+\left(n-1\right)·y$$

    

    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).
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 16, characterised in that the main axis is longer than secondary axes of the housing (2) of the cartridge (50).
18. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that
    the chambers (51a, ..., 51e) of the cartridge (50) are arranged beside one another along the main axis.
19. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 16 to 18, 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.
20. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 19, 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.
21. 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).
22. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 21, characterised in that the thermal insulation is formed by a gas volume arranged in the section.
23. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 21, characterised in that the thermal insulation is formed by an insulating material comprising a solid or a liquid.
24. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 22 and 23, characterised by a thermal insulation comprising a combination of different materials which are arranged behind one another in the direction of heat propagation.
25. 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).
26. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 25, 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.
27. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 26, 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.
28. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 27, characterised in that the number m of washing cycles is between 2 and 5.
29. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterised in that
    the means for level measurement is based on an optical, acoustic or capacitive principle of measurement.

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