EP2439326A2 - Water-transporting domestic appliance with an automatic metering system and method for automatic metering - Google Patents

Abstract

The water-prominent household device (1), particularly washing machine, has a housing (2), an operating chamber, and a dosing system (20) that is arranged within the housing, and is automatically controlled by a controlling unit (40). A storage vessel (24) is provided for a liquid operating unit. A feeding pump is arranged within the storage vessel. An independent claim is included for a method for automatic dosing of operating unit in a water-prominent household device.

Description

The present invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance with an automatic dosing system.

In modern water-conducting household appliances, especially washing machines, more liquid treatment agents are increasingly used because they can not agglomerate unlike detergent powder and their amount can be better adapted to the different washing tasks. However, liquid treatment agents have the disadvantage that they can be retained less well in their designated containers. Conventional washing machines have so-called Einspülschalen, which are intended for manual filling with powdered treatment agent. These have a bottom and side walls, but no back wall so that incoming water can flush the dispenser trays. In general, the fresh water inlet for the washing machine is guided over the dispensing trays, so that filled detergent powder is rinsed only at water inlet into the tub. On the other hand, liquid treatment would start immediately, even before it is planned and useful. For this reason, dispensing trays for the usually liquid softener are provided with a siphoning device which allows the softener to be flushed into the softener tray only with the water inlet.

Dosing options have also been proposed which avoid filling into the conventional dispenser tray, e.g. Dosing containers, which are placed directly in the drum to the laundry.

In addition to solutions for manual dosing, it has also been attempted in the prior art to provide automatic dosing for liquid treatment agents in order to avoid incorrect dosing by the user. So reveal DE 80 33 429 U1 and DE 33 02 891 A1 in each case a Beistellgerät for a washing machine, in which there are storage containers for various treatment agent components. However, this solution is disadvantageous in that it takes up additional space, since the Beistellgerät can only be located next to the washing machine.

More recently, a washing machine has been put on the market, which can be automatically supplied with treatment agent via a separate, to be placed on the washing machine storage container and an outside of the container metering device with treatment (see DE 100 62 111 C1 ). However, such a separate container takes up additional space, and the necessary long hoses are susceptible to interference, since they can stick together by viscous detergent.

Out EP 1 884 584 A2 are washing machines with a drawer in the lower part of the device is known, is provided in the space for Behandlungsmittelvorratsbehälter. However, since the space in a washing machine is very limited, this is feasible only with an extra socket or a change in the external dimensions of the device, which in turn brings about the same disadvantages as the solution with the set-top box.

The object of the present invention was thus to provide a domestic appliance which at least partially eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.

The object is achieved by a water-conducting domestic appliance having a housing and a treatment chamber and an automatic metering system arranged within the housing and controllable via a control unit, wherein the metering system comprises at least one storage container and at least one delivery pump arranged within the storage container.

The invention is based on the external dimensions of a currently common water-conducting household appliance, but is not limited to such. The water-bearing domestic appliance is preferably a washing machine or a washer-dryer, however, the invention is also suitable e.g. for dishwashers or other cleaning equipment for which automatic dosing of liquid treatment agent is suitable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the water-conducting household appliance is a front-loading washing machine. Such Frontladerwaschmaschine has in their conventional, non-inventive form a so-called Einspülschublade with usually two to four manual Einspülschalen on. The drawer is located at the top of the washing machine behind a panel. Since the manual dispensing trays do not utilize the entire available space, in a preferred embodiment the dispensing system according to the invention can be arranged in this area and utilize this space.

The metering system according to the invention comprises at least one, preferably at least two storage containers. However, there may also be more than two reservoirs if several types of treatment agents are to be provided, e.g. three or four or more. It is advantageous if a plurality of storage containers are present, since then several types of treatment agents can be stored and metered. For example, detergent components, such as enzymes, bleach, detergents, etc., may be dosed separately, or various ready-made detergents may be available, e.g. Heavy-duty detergent, softener, wool detergent, black laundry detergent and the like.

If the storage containers are located in the dispensing drawer of a washing machine, then they are preferably adapted to the dimensions of these. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the drawer is extended to the rear and extends to the back of the device.

Conveniently, the dosing system - optionally in addition to the storage containers - still contains at least one manual dosing or Einspülschublade. If the dosing system is arranged in the dispensing drawer of a washing machine, it is advantageous if the storage container or containers are arranged in the rear region and the at least one manual dispenser tray in the front region.

Preferably, the metering system is detachably mounted within the device and removable from the device. It is advantageous, but not essential, for the metering system to be removable as a whole, but it is particularly advantageous if the storage containers can be removed. This allows easy cleaning of the reservoir. The removability can be realized in various ways become. In the case of a washing machine or a washer-dryer, which are equipped with a Einspülschublade, the reservoir are preferably in the drawer. This then preferably has approximately the dimensions of a condensate tank of a tumble dryer and can be partially extended or removed completely. To fill the reservoir, it is sufficient if the drawer is only partially pulled out. It is also possible that the reservoir itself can be removed separately from the drawer.

The storage containers are thus preferably designed so that they can be filled manually. For example, they can have a filling opening on their upper side or can also be closed with a lid. Also, the lid is preferably detachable and removable. The lid may be provided with locking elements, which allows attachment to the storage containers. Preferably, the reservoirs additionally comprise a drain opening for removing liquid treatment agent in case of erroneous filling.

Within the reservoir, at least one conveying pump for liquid treatment agent is arranged in each case. This is particularly designed so that it dips into the existing medium in the reservoir to promote it. The use of submersible pumps, which are arranged directly in the reservoir and can dive into the treatment agent, is advantageous because it can be completely dispensed with hose connections. This facilitates maintenance and simplifies assembly.

The suction side of such a feed pump, in particular submersible pump, is expediently arranged so far at the bottom of the respective storage container, as it is structurally possible. The delivery side of the feed pump is preferably outside of the reservoir. In a washing machine, it is particularly preferred if the feed pump promotes directly into a flushable downcomer, since then the subsidized treatment agent can be rinsed in with water and so diluted meets the laundry.

The type of pump is not critical, it is preferably a gear pump. The control and power supply of the feed pump via an electrical contact.

Preferably, a removable lid for the reservoir is provided in which run in particular the lines. Preferably, such a lid is designed such that the at least one feed pump is connected to it.

The at least one feed pump is preferably releasably and removably mounted in the reservoir. It can be mounted in the reservoir on a reservoir wall. It is particularly preferred that it is fastened under the lid so that the contacting of the lines is as high as possible above the liquid level. The feed pump may be mounted via catches or other releasable fasteners, or may be permanently attached, e.g. by gluing, welding or the like.

The supply of the at least one feed pump with power via contacts preferably at the top of a feed pump, and via lines which are suitably guided at the top of the reservoir. Preferably, the lines are arranged in the lid. This has the advantage that they can be protected from moisture.

The at least one feed pump is preferably linked to a control unit which activates all feed pumps, and which in an advantageous embodiment can also calculate the amount to be dispensed and drives the feed pumps accordingly.

1. i) Ermitteln der Art und einer Soll-Menge des zu dosierenden Behandlungsmittels,
2. ii) Antreiben einer dem zu dosierenden Behandlungsmittel zugeordneten Förderpumpe,
3. iii) Bestimmen einer zugeführten Ist-Menge des zu dosierenden Behandlungsmittels während Schritt ii),
4. iv) Vergleichen der zugeführten Ist-Menge an Behandlungsmittel mit der in Schritt i) bestimmten Soll-Menge,
5. v) Abschalten der Förderpumpe bei Erreichen der in Schritt i) bestimmten Sollmenge.

The present invention further relates to a method for automatically dosing treating agent in a water-conducting household appliance of the type described above, the method comprising the following steps:

1. i) determining the type and a target amount of the treatment agent to be metered,
2. ii) driving a delivery pump associated with the treatment agent to be metered,
3. iii) determining a supplied actual amount of the treatment agent to be metered during step ii),
4. iv) comparing the supplied actual amount of treatment agent with the target quantity determined in step i),
5. v) switching off the pump when reaching the target amount determined in step i).

As already mentioned, the feed pumps have a rotating delivery unit, more preferably gear pumps. These have the advantage that the volumes delivered are easily controllable.

The determination of the desired amount of a treatment agent is known per se and depends on various parameters, e.g. the load, the type of laundry, the type of wash program selected, the water hardness, the degree of soiling and the like. After the target amount of treatment agent has been determined, the feed pump is driven. In this case, the pump is preferably operated at a fixed voltage and controlled the amount delivered over time. However, the delivery rate can also be varied differently, e.g. by the speed of the drive.

The detection of the actual amount of the treatment agent is preferably carried out via the measurement of the revolutions of the delivery unit of the feed pump. Alternatively or additionally, the detection of the actual amount can also be derived from the number of revolutions of the pump drive. Particularly preferably, the feed pump has a DC drive, and therefore, the number of revolutions of a DC drive can be measured to detect the actual amount of the treatment agent. The DC drive preferably operates with an electrical voltage from the low voltage range, in particular with an electrical voltage between 3 volts and 15 volts. Yet another possibility is to determine the number of revolutions of the pump drive from the waveform of the drive. This has the great advantage that then no additional sensors are necessary.

The supplied actual amount of treatment agent is, for example, detected several times, and this value is compared with the setpoint value until the actual value has reached the setpoint value. Then the feed pump is switched off. The comparisons are made by a control unit arranged in the device.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine Waschmaschine in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.
• Fig. 2 zeigt dieselbe Waschmaschine aus Fig.1, jedoch schematisch und in einer seitlichen Schnittansicht.
• Fig. 3 zeigt einen Teil des Dosiersystems umfassend eine Einspülschaublade mit einer manuellen Dosierkammer und zwei Vorratsbehälter mit Tauchpumpen in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von oben. Ebenfalls dargestellt ist ein Deckel für das Dosiersystem in einer perspektivischen Ansicht auf die Innenseite.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing, which shows the following views:

• Fig. 1 shows a washing machine in a perspective view.
• Fig. 2 shows the same washing machine Fig.1 but schematically and in a side sectional view.
• Fig. 3 shows a portion of the dosing system comprising a Einspülschaublade with a manual dosing and two reservoirs with submersible pumps in a perspective view from above. Also shown is a lid for the dosing in a perspective view of the inside.

Fig. 1 shows a washing machine 1 with a housing 2, a door 13 and a detergent drawer 10 in the upper left portion of the panel 11. The drawer 10 is shown in a partially extended state and gives the view of a left-hand and reaching up to the panel part manual dosing chamber 22nd , as well as two reservoir 24 with filling openings 25 in the lid 26 free. In this embodiment, both reservoirs 24 are covered by a common releasably arranged cover 26. Through the filling openings 25, the user can fill a larger amount of treatment agent in the reservoir 24.

Also shown in dashed lines is a control unit 40 which controls the submersible pumps 30 serving as feed pumps 30 and monitors the flow rate. The control unit 40 is supplied by the usual sensors with information about pollution, load, type of laundry and the like and calculates from this the optimal dosage for the respective treatment agent, which is then funded by submersible pumps 30 and metered accurately.

Fig. 2 shows the washing machine 1 off Fig. 1 , but in a lateral sectional view. As a result, the expansion and embedding of the reservoir 24 up to the back of the device becomes clear. Dotted the submersible pumps 30 are shown in the interior of the reservoir 24. Above the drawer 10 is the Einspülzuleitung 14, which includes both the manual metering chamber 22, and a Run-down shaft 34 for the reservoir 24 supplied by the fresh water supply line 12 with fresh water. The two submersible pumps 30 both convey into the downcomer 34, which opens into an inlet hose 38 which communicates directly with the tub 8.

The washing machine further comprises conventional equipment features, such as a laundry drum 6, which is rotatably mounted in a tub 8 and closed with the door 13. Within the tub is thus the treatment room 4. The drum 6 is driven by the drive motor 16.

Fig. 3 shows details of the dosing 20. This includes in this embodiment, a manual metering chamber 22 and connected as a one-piece injection molded part two storage chambers 24. These are shown without upper wall, since a separate, removable cover 26 is provided. The submersible pumps 30 are shown in dashed lines in de representation of the dosing system 20 to show at what position they are in the interior of the reservoir 24. In the illustration of the lid 26, the submersible pumps 30 are attached directly to the cover 26. The two submersible pumps 30 both convey into a downcomer 34. In this embodiment, only a single downcomer 34 is provided for both submersible pumps 30. This has the advantage that the Einspülzuleitung 14 can be designed simply. In the illustrated embodiment, the submersible pumps 30 each have two contacts 36 on the upper side. With these, the pump drive (not visible) via lines running in the cover 26 (also not visible) driven. The submersible pumps 30 each have a spout 33 on the delivery side 32, which opens into the downcomer.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

water-conducting household appliance, washing machine

2

casing

4

treatment room

6

washing drum

8th

tub

10

Treatment agent drawer

11

cover

12

Fresh water supply

14

Einspülzuleitung

13

door

16

Drive motor for the laundry drum

20

dosing

22

manual dosing chamber

24

reservoir

25

fill opening

26

Cover of the storage container

30

Feed pump, submersible pump

31

suction

32

conveying side

33

spout

34

Downcomer for storage tank

36

Contacting the pump

38

inlet hose

40

control unit

Claims (18)

Water-conducting domestic appliance (1) having a housing (2) and a treatment chamber (4) and an automatic dosing system (20) arranged within the housing (2) and controllable via a control unit (40) comprising: - At least one reservoir (24) for a liquid treatment agent, wherein the reservoir (24) has a removable lid (26), - At least one within the reservoir (24) arranged feed pump (30). Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one feed pump (30) is connected to the lid. Water-conducting domestic appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each feed pump (30) is individually removable. Water-conducting domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing system (20) additionally has at least one manual dosing chamber (22). Water-conducting domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering system (20) comprises at least two storage containers (24). Water-conducting domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing system (20) within the housing (2) is detachably arranged and removable. Water-conducting domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed pump (30) within the reservoir (24) is detachably arranged and removable. Water-conducting domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one feed pump (30) is at least one submersible pump (30). Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household appliance (1) is a washing machine with a treatment agent drawer (10) and the dosing system (20) in the treatment agent drawer (10) is arranged. Water-conducting domestic appliance (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the metering system (20) comprises at least one manual metering chamber and at least two storage containers (24). Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each delivery pump (30) has a suction side (31) which is positioned inside the respective storage container (24) and a delivery side (32) which is inserted into a downflow channel (32). 34) opens, has. Water-conducting domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each feed pump (30) is a gear pump (30). Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each delivery pump (30) has a DC drive. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the DC drive is operable in a low voltage range. A method of automatically dosing treating agent in a domestic water-conducting appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: i) determining the type and a target amount of the treatment agent to be metered, ii) driving a delivery pump (30) associated with the treatment agent to be metered, iii) determining a supplied actual amount of the treatment agent to be metered during step ii), iv) comparing the supplied actual amount of treatment agent with the target quantity determined in step i), v) switching off the delivery pump (30) upon reaching the target quantity determined in step i). A method according to claim 16, characterized in that each delivery pump (30) has a rotationally driven delivery unit and in step iii) the detection of the actual amount of the treatment agent via the measurement of the revolutions of the delivery unit of the feed pump (30). A method according to claim 16, characterized in that in step iii) the number of revolutions of a DC drive is measured. Method according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the number of revolutions of the pump drive is determined from the signal curve of the drive.

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