EP2143366B1 - Method of dosing from an initial treatment agent and a second treatment agent into the rinsing containing of a dishwasher. - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves providing a sensor at two reservoirs for monitoring a fill level of the reservoirs. Two sensor signals (S1, S2) corresponding to the sensor of the respective reservoirs are compared using the controller after a dispensing operation. One of a dispense amount (V1, V2) in a dispensing process is changed if a ratio of a fill level of one of the reservoir to a fill level of another reservoir deviates from a ratio of a capacity of the former reservoir to the capacity of the latter reservoir.

Description

The invention relates to a method for dosing a first treatment agent and a second treatment agent in the washing container of a dishwasher, wherein a first reservoir and a first metering device for the first treatment agent and a second reservoir and a second metering device for the second treatment agent are provided Each reservoir is provided at least one sensor for detecting a level.

From the generic DE 10 2005 059 343 A1 a method is known for dosing detergent and bleach into the rinse tank of a dishwashing machine wherein two separate reservoirs of different capacity are provided and in which the detergent and the bleach are dosed in a rinse cycle in quantities whose ratio is the ratio of the capacity of the Reservoir corresponds. Since two different treatment agents are consumed in a rinse operation, it is desirable that the refill for both agents can be done simultaneously in one operation. For this purpose, in each storage container, a sufficiently large void volume for receiving a predetermined refilling amount must be present, which usually corresponds to the capacity of a Vorratsgebindes for such an agent or exceeds this. The volume to be used for a cycle can be controlled by various methods, e.g. B. by the duration of a metering pump, the driving time of a drain valve or by the size of a metering chamber. In the DE 10 2005 059 343 A1 In this case, a metering device is used with a metering chamber which can be closed both to the reservoir and to an outlet opening. As a result, either the metering chamber can be filled or a fluid contained in the metering chamber can be drained off. All conceivable methods for controlling a metered quantity are subject to tolerances. These tolerances can lead to a different emptying of the metering chambers, which is not desirable. In addition, can be emptied faster than the other by an incomplete emptying of a storage container or by otherwise incomplete filling of a reservoir of the corresponding container.

The DE 10 2006 043 915 A1 describes a method for dosing detergent, in which a plurality of separately stored detergent from a cartridge are dosed. Again, it should be ensured by adjusting the metered amounts of the chambers of the cartridge, a simultaneous emptying of all chambers.

The EP 0 392 196 A1 discloses a filling level monitoring device for a device for storing several pumpable active substances. There, each container is associated with a sensor device which detects a filling state for a residual filling.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for dosing a first treatment agent and a second treatment agent in the washing container of a dishwasher, in which a substantially simultaneous emptying of at least two storage containers can be ensured, even if divergences tolerances occur during dosing ,

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1.

By detecting the level of each reservoir by at least one sensor, a control device can determine after a dosing due to the sensor signals, whether the ratio of the level of the first reservoir to the level of the second reservoir to the ratio of the capacity of the first reservoir to the capacity of the second reservoir deviates. As a result, the control device can act on the metered quantities, wherein the control device retains the quantities intended for metering in a subsequent metering operation, provided that the ratio of the fill level of the first reservoir to the fill level of the second reservoir does not vary from the ratio of the capacity of the first reservoir to the capacity of the second reservoir Reservoir deviates. However, if it is determined that the ratio of the level of the first reservoir to the level of the second reservoir from the ratio of the capacity of the first reservoir to the capacity of the second reservoir deviates, the dosage of the intended amounts can be changed via the control device for the subsequent dosing, optionally only one dosage or both Dosiermengen be changed. As a result, it can be ensured that by adjusting the metered quantities, emptying occurs essentially simultaneously at the first and second storage containers, even if uneven emptying has taken place due to tolerances in metering the treatment agent, because a different quantity is therefore metered differently from a predetermined desired quantity has been. The control device thus has a balancing effect in order to give the user the opportunity, at one simultaneous emptying, to refill both treatment agents in one operation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, only one sensor is arranged on each storage container, and each sensor detects a discrete level with a predetermined residual volume. In order to have sufficient opportunity to compensate for the dosing error, the residual volume is about 20% of the capacity of the respective storage container. In addition, it is only used in the dosage of the treatment agent, if in fact soon an emptying of the reservoir is to be expected. For more than half of the volume of the reservoir thus the target value for the respective treatment agent can be dosed.

The metered amount can be reduced when reaching the sensed level, for example, by 10% to 50% compared to the previously metered amount. As a result, an adjustment of the actual amount is performed. Alternatively or additionally, the metered amount can be increased by 10% to 50% compared to the previously metered amount upon reaching the sensed level at the other reservoir. This can be a particularly effective Adjustment of the actual amounts are performed, just when a deviation between the emptying volume of the two reservoir is detected.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the control device counts the metering operations, in which a change in the amounts provided for metering were made until both storage containers have reached the fill levels detected by the sensors. Because of this information, the control device can determine at least approximately exactly how large the error in the dosage and then cause after reaching both detected by the sensors levels depending on the detected by the control number of dosing with a changed amount another number of dosing with also changed quantity is made. By appropriate statistical methods can then be ensured that both reservoirs are emptied approximately simultaneously.

Preferably, at or shortly before reaching a vacancy of the reservoir, a display is issued to prompt the user to refill both reservoirs. This simplifies handling, since the user only has to make the filling of the storage container once and separate filling can be avoided.

Figur 1

die Schemaskizze der Frontseite einer erfindungsgemäß aufgebauten Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine;

Figur 2

einen Querschnitt durch den oberen Bereich der Gerätetür der Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine nach Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine schematische Ansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Dosieren von zwei Behandlungsmitteln; und

Figur 4

ein Zeitdiagramm verschiedener Sensorsignale und Zustandsgrößen während der Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

the schematic sketch of the front of a household dishwasher according to the invention constructed;

FIG. 2

a cross section through the upper portion of the door of the household dishwasher after FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3

a schematic view of an apparatus for dosing two treatment agents; and

FIG. 4

a timing diagram of various sensor signals and state variables during the implementation of the method according to the invention.

In FIG. 1 is the front of a household dishwasher 1 shown. This has in a known manner a washing container 2, which is opened to the front and therefore by a hinged door 3 is closed. The figure shows the machine with the door closed 3, which is why the behind, in FIG. 2 indicated rinsing 2 in FIG. 1 is not visible. The upper region of the door 3 can carry a control panel 4, in which then rotary switch 5 and / or push buttons 6 for selecting a program and also display devices 7 for displaying user information are located. Inside the control panel, the control device 8 and other electrical and electronic components are arranged, which is symbolized by the dashed box. The door 3 is as in FIG. 2 recognizable, formed from a door outer panel 9 and a door inner panel 10. The inner door panel 10 is provided with a folded edge 11 so that a closed hollow body 12 is formed by the assembly of outer panel 9 and inner panel 10. In this hollow body 12, the metering devices or reservoir described below are arranged and therefore indicated by dashed lines; the likewise necessary valves, hose connections, electrical lines o. Ä. are not the subject of the invention and therefore not shown here. In the middle door area is in a known manner (see, eg. EP 1 329 187 A2 ) a so-called combi-dosing device 13, which is suitable for receiving a powder or tablet-shaped cleaner for a rinse and for receiving rinse aid for several rinses. In addition, a salt vessel may be provided which receives the regeneration salt necessary for the regeneration of a softening device. In the upper left half of the appliance door 3, a further metering device 15 is arranged according to the invention.

The further metering device 15 is suitable for program-controlled dispensing of liquid or pasty detergent and liquid or pasty bleach. she is in FIG. 3 shown purely schematically. The active ingredient components in two different containers, storage containers 20 and 30, stored separately from each other. Thus, the incompatible in liquid and / or pasty formulations incompatible components enzyme / alkalinity and bleaching agent are first mixed in the washing and can there unfold their full effect.

To the first reservoir 20, a metering device is connected to a metering chamber 24, wherein a valve 25 between the reservoir 20 and the metering chamber 24 is arranged and the metering chamber 24 is closed on the side facing an outlet opening by a valve 26. The valves 25 and 26 are controllable via an actuating element 27. Similarly, the reservoir 30 is connected at an outlet side via a valve 35 to a metering chamber 34. The metering chamber 34 may deliver the second treatment agent at an outlet opening when a valve 36 is opened. The valves 35 and 36 are controlled by a second actuator 37.

It is also possible to provide metering devices in which a metering pump is used, a bleed valve is driven at a predetermined time or other means for delivering a fluid are provided.

For dosing a first and a second treatment agent, first the valves 25 and 35 are opened so that the corresponding treatment agent can flow into the respective dosing chamber 24 or 34. The metered amount corresponds to the size of the metering chamber 24 and 34. When the two metering chambers 24 and 34 are filled, the valves 25 and 35 are closed and for the beginning of the metering, the valves 26 and 36 at the Outlet opening opened. As a result, the two treatment agents are added to the washing container of a dishwasher. Subsequently, the valves 26 and 36 are closed. This dosing cycle is repeated as many times as necessary to add a predetermined dosing amount. The capacity of the reservoir 20 and 30 is adjusted to the amounts to be dosed so that, for example, an amount of a first treatment agent can be added twenty times, and a correspondingly larger or smaller amount of the second treatment agent in the reservoir 30 also added twenty times as a target amount can be. This is ensured by the fact that the amounts are proportional to the capacity of the respective storage container, so that takes place at the exact dosage of the amounts and a simultaneous emptying of the reservoir 20 and 30.

In order to check whether in fact the desired amount of the first and second treatment agent has been metered or whether there are detectable deviations, the reservoir 20 is equipped with a first sensor 22 which can signal a predetermined level 21, which is then signaled if only a predetermined residual volume 23 is present in the reservoir 20. Similarly, a sensor 32 is provided on the reservoir 30, which is suitable for detecting a level height 31. By the sensor 32, a residual volume 33 can be detected. The residual volumes 23 and 33 are formed in proportion to the volume of the reservoirs 20 and 30, i. the ratio of the two residual volumes 23 and 33 corresponds to the ratio of the capacity of the two reservoirs 20 and 30.

The sensors 22 and 32 can be configured as a threshold value switch, which output 8 output signals to the control device when the respective level height 21 and 31 is reached.

Should the storage containers 20 and 30 not empty uniformly, for example due to tolerances or due to a different filling, the control device 8 can make an adjustment of the dosage. Because for the user, it is advantageous if the two reservoirs 20 and 30 simultaneously reach a reserve volume or emptying, since then the two reservoirs 20 and 30 can be filled at the same time. It should be possible to empty a whole refill pack in the storage container. It is therefore advantageous if a request for refilling to the user is issued only when both reservoirs are sufficiently emptied.

In FIG. 4 is a timing diagram of various sensor signals and state variables during the implementation of the method according to the invention shown schematically. It is assumed that the reservoirs 20 and 30 have the same capacity and consequently also the doses V ₁ (dosing chamber 24) and V ₂ (dosing chamber 34) are initially the same. At different doses V ₁ and V ₂ , the reservoir should be interpreted accordingly. The diagram shows a total of six metering operations, here referred to as metering cycles D1 to D6. These can be done in six consecutive rinsing programs, but there are also several dosing cycles within a program sequence possible. In a first dosing cycle D1, initially a dosing of the same amounts takes place. Both reservoirs 20 and 30 are still sufficiently filled. During the second dosing cycle, it is detected at the sensor 32 that the filling level 31 has been reached and only the residual volume 33 in the storage container 30 has been contained. The sensor 32 transmits a corresponding signal S ₂ to the control device 8. The dosing cycle D2 is carried out to the end, with the dosage corresponding to the desired quantities V ₁ and V ₂ . After the sensor 22 has not found that the level of the reservoir 21 is reached 20 (sensor signal S ₁ remains "0"), it must be assumed that the reservoir 20 and 30 have a different filling ratio of their capacity. This is processed in the control device in that at the end of the dosing cycle 'a counter Z is increased. This always takes place when, at the end of a dosing cycle 'D, it is found that the signals of the two sensors 22 and 32 are unequal. This is the case at the end of the first dosing cycle, so that the counter Z is set from "0" to "1".

In addition, at the beginning of the third dosing cycle 'D3, the dosing amount V _{1 of} the first treatment agent and / or the dosing amount V _{2 of} the second treatment agent are adjusted. In the illustrated embodiment, the first treatment agent in a larger amount V ₁ , namely dosed twice. At the end of the metering cycle D3, the first sensor 22 has still not detected that the filling level 21 has been reached. Accordingly, the counter Z is increased to the value 2.

In the fourth metering cycle D4, in turn, a larger amount of V ₁ first treatment agent is added, while the second treatment agent is added only in a smaller amount of V ₂ . In this cycle, the first sensor 22 detects the level 21, sensor signal S ₁ rises to "1". As a result, the sensors 22 and 32 have the same signal state, that is, in both reservoirs 20 and 30, the level is only in the range of a residual volume 23 or 33. If the sensors 22 and 32 have the same signal state, the counter Z is counted down by one become. Accordingly, the counter is reset to the value 1 at the end of the third dosing cycle.

In the fifth metering cycle, the first treatment agent is added again in a double amount V ₁ on the basis of the meter reading "1". Since both sensors have the same signal state, the counter Z is reset to 0 after the fifth dosing cycle. In the sixth dosing cycle D6 equal amounts of V ₁ and V _{2 are} dosed again.

The user is given an indication that both storage containers 20 and 30 are due to be filled when the residual volume 23 in both storage containers 20 and 30 is reached. It is also possible to output the display for a filling only when in fact a complete emptying of a reservoir 20 or 30 has taken place.

The adaptation of the quantities V ₁ and V _{2 of} the first or second treatment agent is preferably carried out so that only an increase in a dosing is made and the required minimum amount of a treatment agent is always present in a rinsing process.

This in FIG. 4 illustrated control method can also be modified within the scope of the invention. For example, instead of a switchable sensor 22 or 32, another sensor may be provided for detecting a fill level. In addition, two or more sensors can be arranged on a storage container 20, 30 in order to be able to make a finer adjustment of the dosing quantities.

Claims (8)

1. Method for dispensing a first treatment agent and a second treatment agent into the washing container of a dishwasher, a first storage container (20) and a first dispensing device (24) being provided for the first treatment agent and a second storage container (30) and a second dispensing device (34) being provided for the second treatment agent,

   a) at least one sensor (22, 32) for determining a filling level (21, 31) being provided on each storage container (20, 30);
   characterised in that

   b) after a first dispensing operation, a control device (8) compares the sensor signals (S₁, S₂) and determines from them whether the ratio of the filling level (21) of the first storage container (20) to the filling level (31) of the second storage container (30) is different from the ratio of the capacity of the first storage container (20) to the capacity of the second storage container (30);
   and in that either

   c1) in a subsequent dispensing operation the control device (8) controls the dispensing devices (24, 34) in such a way that the ratio of a first amount (V₁) from the first dispensing device (24) to the second amount (V₂) from the second dispensing device (34) corresponds to the ratio of the capacity of the first storage container (20) to the capacity of the second storage container (30), if the ratio of the filling level (21) of the first storage container (20) to the filling level (31) of the second storage container (30) is not different from the ratio of the capacity of the first storage container (20) to the capacity of the second storage container (30);
   or

   c2) in a subsequent dispensing operation the control device (8) changes at least one of the dispensed amounts (V₁ V₂), if the ratio of the filling level (21) of the first storage container (20) to the filling level (31) of the second storage container (30) is different from the ratio of the capacity of the first storage container (20) to the capacity of the second storage container (30), the change being such that, by adapting the dispensing amounts, the first and second storage containers are drained substantially simultaneously.
2. Method according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   only one sensor (22, 32) is arranged on each storage container (20, 30) and each sensor determines a discrete filling level with a predetermined residual volume (23, 33).
3. Method according to claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the residual volume is about 20 % of the capacity of the respective storage container (20, 30).
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that,
   the dispensed amount of the treatment agent for which it is first determined that the filling level (21, 31) has been reached is reduced by 20 % to 50 % compared with the amount dispensed in the previous dispensing operation.
5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that,
   the dispensed amount of the treatment agent for which it is not first determined that the filling level (21, 31) has been reached is increased by 20 % to 50 % compared with the amount dispensed in the previous dispensing operation.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the control device (8) counts the dispensing operations in which the dispensed amount was changed until both storage containers have reached the filling levels (21, 31) determined by the sensors (22, 32).
7. Method according to claim 6,
   characterised in that
   once both of the filling levels (21, 31) determined by the sensors (22, 32) have been reached, a further number of dispensing operations, also with a changed amount, is carried out as a function of the number of dispensing operations with a changed amount determined by the control device (8).
8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   when the storage containers (20, 30) become empty, or shortly before this, a message is displayed to invite the user to refill the two storage containers.

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