EP2441373A1 - Device for dispensing liquid products - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has a hydraulic metering pump (18) i.e. peristaltic pump, comprising a piston mounted in a body of the pump. A liquid product pumping chamber is placed in a downstream of the piston along flow direction of liquid product into the device. The chamber is in fluid communication with liquid product reservoirs, where each reservoir is fluidly connected to the chamber through passage ducts (25). The passage ducts fluidly connecting the liquid product reservoirs to the pumping chamber are separated and respectively include an inlet directly emerging into the chamber.

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid product dispensing device for dispensing a plurality of liquid products.

In particular, this invention finds its application in domestic washing machines, type washing machine or dishwasher.

It applies more particularly to the distribution of a plurality of liquid or semi-liquid products (of the gel type) in the field of domestic washing machines.

It also applies to the distribution of different liquid products in the washing and / or rinsing phases used in domestic washing machines.

The liquid product distribution device can be adapted to dispense, for example, several types of detergents during a washing phase carried out in a washing machine or a dishwasher, or a detergent during a washing phase. washing and a softener during a rinsing phase carried out in a washing machine, or a detergent during a washing phase and a rinsing product during a rinsing phase implemented in a dishwasher.

The present invention relates to the automatic dispensing of doses of liquid products, which may be one or more detergents and / or one or more additives, in a washing tub of a washing machine or dishes.

In particular, the present invention relates to the automatic dispensing of one or more predetermined doses of different liquid products taken for each of the liquid products from a respective liquid product reservoir.

Washing machines are already known comprising a liquid product distribution device provided with several liquid product tanks. Each liquid product reservoir is associated with a dosing pump, in particular of the peristaltic type. These dosing pumps are only equipped with a single fluid supply hose. These metering pumps are respectively equipped with an electric motor provided with a geared motor system driving an arm equipped with rollers so as to crush the supply hose being flexible, and generally silicone. The crushing of the flexible pipe by the rollers makes it possible to suck up a liquid product upstream of the dosing pump from a liquid product reservoir and to discharge the liquid product downstream of the dosing pump to a washing tank.

However, these washing machines have the disadvantage of installing as many dosing pumps as liquid products to be dispensed inside the body of the washing machine.

Therefore, the cost of obtaining these laundry machines is expensive. In addition, the device for dispensing liquid products occupies a footprint bulky in these washing machines generating a dedicate a specific compartment to it, or even increase the height of these laundry machines to implement this device for dispensing liquid products.

Furthermore, such a device for dispensing liquid products does not dilute the liquid product through the metering pumps or to allow cleaning of the metering portion of the liquid dispensing device.

Therefore, risks of blocking the liquid product dispensing device due to drying of the liquid products in the metering portion of said device are important.

The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a device for dispensing liquid products for automatically dispensing several liquid products, which may be of a similar or different nature, at any time during a cycle of operation of a machine. washing while minimizing the cost of obtaining said device and ensuring the reliable operation of said device.

• une chambre de pompage de produit liquide,
• une pompe de dosage ayant un piston monté en translation dans un corps de ladite pompe de dosage, et
• ladite chambre de pompage de produit liquide étant disposée en aval dudit piston suivant le sens d'écoulement d'un produit liquide dans ledit dispositif.

For this purpose, the present invention aims, in a first aspect, a device for dispensing liquid products comprising:

• a liquid product pumping chamber,
• a metering pump having a piston mounted in translation in a body of said metering pump, and
• said liquid product pumping chamber being disposed downstream of said piston in the direction of flow of a liquid product in said device.

According to the invention, said liquid product pumping chamber is in fluid communication with at least two tanks of liquid product,
wherein each liquid product reservoir is fluidly connected to said liquid product pumping chamber through at least one passageway, and
wherein said passageways fluidly connecting said at least two liquid product tanks to said liquid product pumping chamber are separated and respectively have an inlet opening directly into said liquid product pumping chamber.

Thus, each liquid product is introduced directly into the liquid product pumping chamber located downstream of the piston disposed in the metering pump so as to limit a contact between the different detergents contained in the upstream detergent tanks. of the pumping chamber of liquid product.

Each dose of liquid product can thus be removed from the liquid product pumping chamber by limiting the prior contact with residues. another liquid product upstream of the piston so as to avoid a mixture of liquid products during the evacuation of a dose of liquid product outside the liquid dispensing device.

Such a device for dispensing liquid products thus makes it possible to dispense a multitude of liquid products at the lowest cost while avoiding the pollution of a liquid product by another liquid product during the distribution thereof.

This liquid product dispensing device makes it possible to dose several liquid products by means of a single dosing pump.

• d'une part par un premier conduit de passage à l'un des réservoirs de produit liquide, et
• d'autre part par un second conduit de passage à ladite chambre de pompage de produit liquide.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, each of said at least two liquid product tanks is fluidly connected to said liquid product pumping chamber by at least one distribution element, wherein said at least one distribution element is connected with fluidic way:

• on the one hand by a first passageway to one of the liquid product tanks, and
• on the other hand by a second passage passage to said liquid product pumping chamber.

Such a device for dispensing liquid products makes it possible to dispense a plurality of liquid products by means of at least two distribution elements and a single metering pump, in which the at least two distribution elements are respectively connected fluidically to the one of the liquid product tanks and the liquid product pumping chamber.

With such a liquid product dispensing device, different liquid products contained in respective liquid product tanks can be introduced into the liquid product pumping chamber by means of a respective dispensing element.

In addition, the liquid dispensing device occupies a small footprint and can be implanted in the body of a washing machine, without having to change the body of a conventional washing machine that can be used with a dispensing device. a single liquid product or without dispensing device of one or more liquid products.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the liquid product distribution device comprises a hydraulic pressure chamber connected to water inlet means, wherein said piston of said metering pump is mounted in translation between said chamber hydraulic pressure and said liquid product pumping chamber.

Thus, the reliability of the liquid product dispensing device is increased by the use of a hydraulic dosing pump.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, said dosing pump comprises means for supplying water so as to allow a flow of water through said liquid product pumping chamber.

Thus, such a device for dispensing liquid products makes it possible to dilute the liquid product through the liquid product pumping chamber or to allow cleaning of this liquid product pumping chamber of the liquid product dispensing device.

Therefore, the reliability of the liquid product delivery device is increased by the possibility of introducing water through the liquid product pumping chamber so as to avoid the drying of liquid product in the product dispensing device. liquids.

In addition, each liquid product of one of the liquid product tanks is only slightly brought into contact with another liquid product of one of the liquid product tanks by virtue of the flow of water through the pump chamber. liquid product so as to avoid pollution of this liquid product pumping chamber with the liquid products to be dispensed.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, said at least two distribution elements comprise a non-return valve mounted between a first liquid product reservoir and said liquid product pumping chamber, and at least one solenoid valve mounted between at least one second liquid product tank and said liquid product pumping chamber.

Thus, the liquid product dispensing device makes it possible to dispense n + 1 liquid products by means of n solenoid valves, a non-return valve and a single metering pump, where the n solenoid valves and the non-return valve are respectively connected in a controlled manner. fluidic fluid to one of the liquid product tanks and to the liquid product pumping chamber.

In this way, the liquid product dispensing device saves a solenoid valve with respect to the number of liquid products to be dispensed by using a non-return valve fluidly connected to a liquid product reservoir.

Such a device for dispensing liquid products thus makes it possible to dispense a multitude of liquid products at the lowest cost.

This liquid product dispensing device makes it possible to dose several liquid products by means of a single dosing pump.

With such a device for dispensing liquid products, a first liquid product can be introduced into the liquid product pumping chamber by means of the non-return valve and at least a second liquid product can be introduced into the product pumping chamber. liquid by means of at least one solenoid valve.

The present invention aims, according to a second aspect, a domestic washing machine, of the washing machine or dishwasher type, comprising a device for dispensing liquid products according to the invention.

This domestic washing machine has characteristics and advantages similar to those described above in connection with the liquid product dispensing device according to the invention.

Other features and advantages will become apparent in the description below.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe illustrant une machine à laver le linge équipée d'un dispositif de distribution de produits liquides conforme à un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de distribution de produits liquides conforme à un mode de réalisation de l'invention ; et
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un dispositif de distribution de produits liquides conforme à un mode de réalisation de l'invention, dans une position de repos.

In the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples:

• the figure 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a laundry machine equipped with a liquid product dispensing device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of a liquid product dispensing device according to an embodiment of the invention; and
• the figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a liquid product dispensing device according to an embodiment of the invention, in a rest position.

We will describe first, with reference to the figure 1 , a washing machine.

This washing machine may be a household washing machine, or a domestic washing and drying machine, or a domestic dishwashing machine.

Of course, the present invention applies to all types of washing machines, including front loading and top loading laundry or dishes.

We will describe, with reference to figure 1 , a top-loading laundry washing machine according to one embodiment of the invention.

Conventionally, the washing machine 1 comprises a body 2 adapted to house a washing tub 3 in which is rotatably mounted a drum 4 for containing the laundry.

The body 2 comprises in this embodiment an access opening 5 in the upper part for introducing and removing the laundry in the drum 4.

This access opening 5 can be closed during operation of the washing machine 1 by a door 6 pivotally mounted on the body 2 of the washing machine 1.

The water of at least one washing and / or rinsing bath contained in the washing tub 3 may be heated by a heating means (not shown), such as for example an electric heating resistor.

The washing machine 1 comprises control means 7, and in particular at least one a microcontroller, allowing to run predetermined cleaning programs.

Of course, this washing machine 1 comprises all the necessary organs (not shown) for the operation and execution of washing cycles, rinsing and spinning laundry.

According to the invention, this washing machine 1 comprises a device for dispensing liquid products 10.

In this embodiment, the liquid product distribution device 10 is arranged in the lower part of the washing machine 1, close to the front wall 2a and the bottom wall 2b of the body 2 of the washing machine 1.

Here and in no way limiting, the liquid product dispensing device 10 is a device for dispensing one or more detergents and / or one or more additives, such as for example a softener.

The liquid product dispensing device 10 is adapted to dispense one or more doses of liquid products used during one or more phases of an operating cycle of the washing machine 1.

On the one hand, the liquid product distribution device 10 is fluidly connected to the washing tub 3 by means of a liquid product supply line 11 allowing the introduction of one or more doses of liquid product. in the washing water present in the washing tub 3.

On the other hand, the liquid product distribution device 10 is fluidly connected with different liquid product tanks 13 respectively by means of a passage duct 12 for supplying liquid products to the liquid product distribution device 10. .

Advantageously, the liquid product tanks 13 are housed inside the body 2 of the washing machine 1.

Here and in no way limiting, the liquid product tanks 13 are arranged along the front wall 2a of the body 2 of the washing machine 1.

In order to allow the liquid product to be filled with different liquid product reservoirs 13, these reservoirs 13 comprise an access opening 14 which can be closed by a trapdoor 15. The access opening 14 of each of the liquid product reservoirs 13 opens out at the top of the washing machine 1, inside or outside the body 2 of the washing machine 1.

In the embodiment, as illustrated in figure 1 , the access opening 14 and the hatch 15 of each of the liquid product tanks 13 are arranged in the front wall 2a of the body 2 so as to be accessible from outside the body 2 of the washing machine 1 .

In another embodiment, not illustrated, the access opening 14 and a each of the liquid product tanks 13 may be located at the level of the access opening 5 of the body 2 so as to be accessible to the user as soon as the door 6 is opened.

Of course, access to the various tanks of liquid product 13, allowing their filling of liquid products by the user, could in particular be carried out at any other point in the bodywork 2, for example by means of an independent hatch of the door 6 closing the access opening 5 to the washing tub 3 and the drum 4, or be formed in a detergent box (not shown), for example by means of tanks different from those for filling a single dose for a next operating cycle.

Preferably, each liquid product reservoir 13 has a capacity sufficient to receive several doses of liquid or semi-liquid product, such as for example one or more liters.

Thus, the user can fill the liquid product tanks 13 for several cycles of operation of the washing machine 1.

Preferably, the volume of each of the liquid product tanks 13 corresponds to the conventional volume of a can of liquid or semi-liquid product available commercially, and of course the volume of each of these tanks 13 may be different or identical.

We will now describe, with reference to figures 2 and 3 , a device for dispensing liquid products according to an embodiment of the invention.

• une chambre de pompage de produit liquide 16,
• une pompe de dosage 18 ayant un piston 19 monté en translation dans un corps de la pompe de dosage 18, et
• la chambre de pompage de produit liquide 16 étant disposée en aval du piston 19 suivant le sens d'écoulement d'un produit liquide dans ledit dispositif 10.

The liquid product dispensing device 10 comprises:

• a liquid product pumping chamber 16,
• a metering pump 18 having a piston 19 mounted in translation in a body of the metering pump 18, and
• the liquid product pumping chamber 16 being disposed downstream of the piston 19 in the direction of flow of a liquid product in said device 10.

The liquid product dispensing device 10 comprises the dosing pump 18 in which is essentially performed the pumping of a dose of liquid product from one of the liquid product tanks 13.

Here and in no way limiting, this metering pump 18 has a substantially cylindrical longitudinal shape and comprises at one end the liquid product pumping chamber 16 and at another end a hydraulic pressure chamber 17.

The piston 19 is disposed inside the metering pump 18 between the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16. This piston 19 is mounted in translation inside the body of the metering pump 18 in the longitudinal direction thereof.

The liquid product pumping chamber 16 is disposed downstream of the piston 19 in the direction of flow of a liquid product in the liquid product dispensing device 10.

The liquid product pumping chamber 16 is in fluid communication with at least two liquid product reservoirs 13.

Each liquid product tank 13 is fluidly connected to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 by at least one passage duct 25.

And said passageways 25 fluidly connecting said at least two liquid product reservoirs 13 to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 are separated and respectively comprise an inlet opening directly into said liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Thus, each liquid product is introduced directly into the liquid product pumping chamber 16 located downstream of the piston 19 disposed in the metering pump 18 so as to limit contacting the different washing products contained in the product tanks. washing 13 upstream of the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Each dose of liquid product can thus be removed from the liquid product pumping chamber 16 by limiting the prior contact with residues of another liquid product upstream of the piston 19 so as to avoid a mixture of liquid products when discharging a dose of liquid product outside the liquid dispensing device 20.

Such a device for dispensing liquid products 10 thus makes it possible to dispense a multitude of liquid products at the lowest cost while avoiding the pollution of a liquid product by another liquid product during the distribution thereof.

This liquid product distribution device 10 makes it possible to assay several liquid products by means of a single metering pump 18.

• d'une part par un premier conduit de passage 12 à l'un des réservoirs de produit liquide 13, et
• d'autre part par un second conduit de passage 25 à ladite chambre de pompage de produit liquide 16.

Preferably, each of the at least two liquid product reservoirs 13 is fluidly connected to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 by at least one distribution element 20, 21, where the at least one distribution element 20, 21 is connected. in a fluidic way:

• on the one hand by a first passage conduit 12 to one of the liquid product tanks 13, and
• on the other hand by a second passage conduit 25 to said liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Such a device for dispensing liquid products 10 makes it possible to distribute a plurality of liquid products by means of at least two distribution elements 20, 21 and a single metering pump 18, wherein said at least two distribution elements 20, 21 are respectively fluidly connected to one of the product tanks liquid 13 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

With such a device for dispensing liquid products 10, different liquid products contained in respective liquid product tanks 13 can be introduced into the liquid product pumping chamber 16 by means of a respective dispensing element 20, 21.

In addition, the liquid product distribution device 10 occupies a small footprint and can be implanted in the bodywork 2 of a washing machine 1, without having to modify the bodywork of a conventional washing machine that can be used with a device dispensing a single liquid product or without dispensing device of one or more liquid products.

Advantageously, the liquid product distribution device 10 comprises a hydraulic pressure chamber 17 connected to water inlet means 32, 33, 31, where the piston 19 of the metering pump 18 is mounted in translation between the chamber hydraulic pressure 17 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Thus, the reliability of the liquid product dispensing device 10 is increased by the use of a hydraulic dosing pump 18.

Advantageously, the metering pump 18 comprises water inlet means 29, 28 so as to allow a flow of water through the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Thus, such a liquid product dispensing device 10 makes it possible to dilute the liquid product through the liquid product pumping chamber 16 or to allow cleaning of this liquid product pumping chamber 16 of the liquid product dispensing device. 10.

Therefore, the reliability of the liquid product delivery device 10 is increased by the possibility of introducing water through the liquid product pumping chamber 16 so as to avoid the drying of liquid product in the dispensing device. liquid products 10.

In addition, each liquid product of one of the liquid product tanks 13 is only slightly brought into contact with another liquid product of one of the liquid product tanks 13 by virtue of the flow of water through the liquid chamber. pumping liquid product 16 so as to avoid pollution of the liquid product pumping chamber 16 with the liquid products to be dispensed.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least two distribution elements 20, 21 comprise a non-return valve 20 mounted between a first liquid product tank 13 and the fluid product pumping chamber 16, and at least one solenoid valve 21 mounted between at least a second liquid product reservoir 13 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Thus, the liquid product distribution device 10 makes it possible to distribute n + 1 liquid products by means of n solenoid valves 21, a non-return valve 20 and a single metering pump 18, where the n solenoid valves 21 and the non-return valve 20 are respectively fluidly connected to one of the liquid product tanks 13 and to the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

In this way, the liquid product distribution device 10 saves a solenoid valve with respect to the number of liquid products to be dispensed by using a non-return valve 20 fluidly connected to a liquid product reservoir 13.

Such a device for dispensing liquid products 10 thus makes it possible to dispense a multitude of liquid products at the lowest cost.

This liquid product distribution device 10 makes it possible to assay several liquid products by means of a single metering pump 18.

With such a device for dispensing liquid products 10, a first liquid product can be introduced into the liquid product pumping chamber 16 by means of the non-return valve 20 and at least a second liquid product can be introduced into the chamber. pumping liquid product 16 by means of at least one solenoid valve 21.

The non-return valve 20 and said at least one solenoid valve 21 are respectively fluidly connected by a passage conduit 25 to the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Preferably, the respective passageways 25 fluidly connecting the non-return valve 20 and said at least one solenoid valve 21 to said liquid product pumping chamber 16 are separated and respectively comprise an inlet opening directly into said product pumping chamber. liquid 16.

Thus, each liquid product is introduced directly into the liquid product pumping chamber 16 located downstream of the piston 19 disposed in the metering pump 18.

The non-return valve 20 and said at least one solenoid valve 21 are respectively connected fluidically via a passage duct 12 to one of the liquid product reservoirs 13.

The check valve 20 includes a seal 22 slidably mounted within the body of the check valve 20, where a spring 23 is mounted between the seal 22 and the body of said check valve. -return 20.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 3 , the seal 22 is mounted on a rod 24 of the non-return valve 20.

In the rest position, the spring 23 holds the seal 22 against an orifice 12a of the passage duct 12 supplying liquid product from the first liquid product reservoir 13 so as to close this passage duct 12.

The non-return valve 20 is connected by a passage conduit 25 to the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in figure 3 , the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 is connected to the water inlet means 32, 33, 31 for supplying water under pressure to this hydraulic pressure chamber 17.

Here, the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 is connected to the water inlet means via a water inlet chamber 30, where the water inlet chamber 30 fluidly communicates with the water chamber. hydraulic pressure 17 by means of a water passage 31.

The water inlet chamber 30 is fluidly connected to a water supply source, preferably to a water supply of the network 46 of the washing machine 1, by a water circulation pipe 32 and optionally a solenoid valve 47.

Thus, the operation of the liquid product dispensing device 10 is implemented from the pressure of the water supply network, generally between 1 and 10 bar.

Of course, this device for dispensing liquid products can also operate with a water supply at a pressure of less than 1 bar.

The water supply means supplying water to the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 may comprise at least one non-return valve 33 mounted in the water inlet chamber 30.

Returning to the metering pump 18 and the piston 19 mounted in translation between the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16, a seal 26 is disposed at the periphery of the piston 19 and comes into contact with an inner face of the piston body 19, in order to seal between the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Furthermore, a spring 27 is mounted inside the liquid product pumping chamber 16. This spring 27 thus cooperates with an end wall 16a of the liquid product pumping chamber 16 and a wall 19a of the piston 19 .

Preferably, the water inlet means of the metering pump 18 comprise a communication orifice 28 between the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

This communication orifice 28 is formed through the piston 19 which separates the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Such a liquid product dispensing device 10 makes it possible to dispense a plurality of liquid products by means of a single metering pump 18 connected at input to means for supplying water and to a plurality of liquid product reservoirs 13, and output to a hydraulic circuit of a washing machine 1 for dispensing different liquid products after dosing in a washing tub 3 during an operating cycle of the washing machine 1.

The liquid product distribution device 10 thus makes it possible to dose each liquid product contained in the different liquid product tanks 13 by means of the movement of the piston 19 of the metering pump 18 sucking up one of the liquid products in the liquid product pumping chamber. 16 depending on the activation or not of at least one solenoid valve 21 and the pressure exerted on the seal 22 of the non-return valve 20.

The movement of the piston 19 of the dosing pump 18 in the opposite direction, that is to say from the dosing position of liquid product in the liquid product pumping chamber 16 to the position of evacuation of the liquid product outside of the liquid product pumping chamber 16, discharges a dose of liquid product to the washing tub 3 of the washing machine 1.

Thus, the liquid product distribution device 10 can make it possible to distribute different liquid products sequentially so as to limit the contacting of the liquid products with each other since the liquid product pumping chamber 16 is emptied after each dose filled in the latter.

Then, the evacuation of a dose of liquid product outside the liquid product pumping chamber 16 is followed by the cleaning of this liquid product pumping chamber 16 by a flow of water through it. by means of water inlet.

When the piston 19 of the metering pump 18 reaches the end of evacuation end position of a dose of liquid product outside the liquid product pumping chamber 16, the flow of water through the pump metering device 18 generated by the water inlet means is produced from the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 towards the liquid product pumping chamber 16 through the communication orifice 28 formed in the piston 19.

Thus, the liquid product distribution device 10 can make it possible to distribute different liquid products sequentially so as to limit the contacting of the liquid products with each other since the liquid product pumping chamber 16 is emptied after each dose of liquid product filled in the latter, and furthermore this liquid product pumping chamber 16 is cleaned with water after each dose of liquid product discharged from the latter.

Furthermore, the liquid product pumping chamber 16 may be in fluid communication with a discharge chamber 34 adapted to be fluidly connected to the washing tub 3 of the washing machine 1.

For this purpose, the evacuation chamber 34 comprises an outlet orifice 35 fluidly communicating with the liquid product supply line 11 thus connecting the liquid product dispensing device 10 to the washing tub 3 of the machine. wash 1.

We will now describe the operation of the liquid product dispensing device according to the embodiment of the invention described above.

When a dose of liquid product is to be dispensed, the water supply of the liquid dispensing device 10 is opened and the pressurized water is introduced at the water inlet 32 in the admission chamber. in water 30.

Under the effect of the water pressure, opening at the arrival port 43, the non-return valve 33 is pushed against the force of the spring 44 so that the seal 45 is discarded of the inlet orifice 43 thus allowing the introduction of water into the water inlet chamber 30.

The water introduced into the water inlet chamber 30 then passes at the level of the water passage orifice 31 inside the hydraulic pressure chamber 17.

The pressurized water introduced into the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 acts against a wall 19b of the piston 19 in order to move the latter in translation inside the body of the metering pump 18 against the elastic return force of the maintained spring 27 on the one hand bearing against the wall 16a of the liquid product pumping chamber 16 and on the other hand against the wall 19a of the piston 19.

At the beginning of the stroke of the piston 19, a secondary piston 29 is held in the rest position inside the body 39 of the secondary piston 29 so that the seal 37 mounted around the finger 38 closes the communication orifice 28 between the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Thus, the passage of water between the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16 is avoided at the beginning of the stroke of the piston 19. The seal is further ensured thanks to the seal 26 mounted around the piston body 19.

Under the effect of the displacement of the piston 19, the dose of liquid product contained in the liquid product pumping chamber 16 is pushed, in particular under the effect of the wall 19c of the piston 19, and discharged through the orifice of passage of liquid product 36 in the evacuation chamber 34.

Under the effect of the pressure exerted by the piston 19 on the liquid product, the non-return valve 40, and in particular the seal 41, are pushed inside the evacuation chamber 34 against the force of elastic return exerted by the spring 42.

The liquid product can then be discharged through the outlet port 35 and the liquid product supply line 11 to the washing tub 3 of the washing machine 1.

At the end of the stroke of the piston 19 in the metering pump 18, the finger 38 of the secondary piston 29 comes into contact with the end wall 16a of the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

This finger contact 38 of the secondary piston 29 has the effect of pushing the secondary piston 29 inside the body 39 of the secondary piston 29 against the effect of the elastic restoring force exerted by the spring 48.

The displacement of the secondary piston 29 has the effect of spreading the seal 37 mounted around the finger 38 of the communication orifice 28.

The water under pressure in the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 then passes through the wall 19b of the piston 19 at the orifice 19d and passes through the body 39 of the secondary piston 29 to flow through the communication orifice 28.

This introduction of water into the liquid product pumping chamber 16 at the end of stroke of the piston 19 makes it possible to facilitate the evacuation of the liquid product towards the evacuation chamber 34 and to rinsing the product pumping chamber as well as possible. liquid 16 before the introduction of a new dose of liquid product taken from one of the liquid product tanks 13.

When the dose of liquid product is thus discharged, the water supply at the water inlet 32 is cut off.

The cancellation of the water pressure at the water inlet chamber 30 has the effect of allowing the return to the rest position of the non-return valve 33 mounted in the water inlet chamber 30. this position, the valve seal 45 thus closes the water inlet 32 to prevent backflow of water towards the water inlet 32.

In this embodiment, under the effect of return to position of the piston 19 of the metering pump 18, that is to say the position of discharge of a liquid product outside the pumping chamber of liquid product 16 to the metering position of a liquid product in the liquid product pumping chamber 16, a vacuum is created in the liquid product pumping chamber 16 systematically causing the suction of a liquid product from the one of the liquid product tanks 13 according to the activation or not of at least one solenoid valve 21 and the pressure exerted on the seal 22 of the non-return valve 20.

Therefore, the return to the initial position of the piston 19 of the metering pump 18 must be achieved by controlling the activation or not of said at least one solenoid valve 21 depending on the liquid product to be dispensed at the next dosage implemented by the device. distribution of liquid products 10.

The liquid product or products to be dispensed by means of the liquid product distribution device 10 must be selected before starting an operating cycle of the washing machine 1 through the control means of this washing machine 1 so as to determine which liquid product must be introduced into the liquid product pumping chamber 16 during each return to the initial position of the piston 19 of the metering pump 18.

Such a liquid product distribution device 10 generates two distinct modes of operation depending on the liquid product to be dispensed either from a first liquid product reservoir 13 fluidly connected to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 by the anti-condensation valve. return 20 or a second liquid product reservoir 13 fluidly connected to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 by the solenoid valve 21.

Of course, the number of liquid product reservoir fluidly connected to the liquid product pumping chamber is not limiting.

The first liquid product reservoir 13 is fluidly connected to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 via the non-return valve 20, and then the second liquid product reservoir 13 and optionally the following one or more are connected respectively fluidically to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 by a solenoid valve 21.

• maintien de ladite au moins une électrovanne 21 en communication fluidique avec ledit au moins un deuxième réservoir de produit liquide 13 en position fermée ;
• retour en position initiale du piston 19 provoquant l'ouverture de la valve anti-retour 20 par une dépression à l'intérieur de la chambre de pompage de produit liquide 16 ; et
• aspiration du produit liquide du premier réservoir de produit liquide 13 vers la chambre de pompage de produit liquide 16 au travers de la valve anti-retour 20.

According to a first mode of operation of the liquid product dispensing device 10, a method of operating the liquid product dispensing device 10 comprises at least the following steps for dispensing a liquid product from the first liquid product tank 13:

• maintaining said at least one solenoid valve 21 in fluid communication with said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13 in the closed position;
• return to the initial position of the piston 19 causing the opening of the non-return valve 20 by a depression inside the liquid product pumping chamber 16; and
• suction of the liquid product from the first liquid product reservoir 13 to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 through the non-return valve 20.

Thus, the liquid product contained in the first liquid product reservoir 13 is distributed through the single metering pump 18 and the non-return valve 20, using the depression achieved by means of the piston 19 of the metering pump 18 when it returns to its initial position in the product pumping chamber liquid 16 so as to open the non-return valve 20, and while keeping said at least one solenoid valve 21 connected to said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13.

The opening of the non-return valve 20 for dispensing the liquid product contained in the first liquid product tank 13 is implemented by the depression in the liquid product pumping chamber 16 causing the displacement of the seal 22 against the elastic return force exerted by the spring 23 along the rod 24 so as to move the seal 22 away from the orifice 12a of the passage duct 12 fluidly communicating with the first reservoir of liquid product 13 during said at least one solenoid valve 21 connected to said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13 is kept closed.

Thus, a dose of liquid product from the first liquid product reservoir 13 can thus be drawn through the non-return valve 20 into the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

At the end of the stroke of the piston 19, when the liquid product pumping chamber 16 is filled with a dose of liquid product, the non-return valve 20 resumes its closed position of the orifice 12a of the passage duct 12 by the action of the spring 23, while said at least one solenoid valve 21 is kept closed.

The liquid product delivery device 10 is thus available to be supplied with water again and to dispense a new dose of liquid product from the first liquid product tank 13 into the washing tub 3 of the washing machine 1.

By way of non-limiting example, the operating control method of the liquid product dispensing device 10 can be implemented in the case where a washing machine 1 the laundry is preselected with distribution of liquid laundry and with or without dispensing softener by the liquid product dispensing device 10, the first liquid product tank 13 being filled with liquid laundry and the second liquid product tank 13 by softening.

At the end of an operating cycle of the washing machine 1, the liquid product pumping chamber 16 must be loaded with liquid laundry so as to distribute it during the implementation of a washing phase of the washing machine. a subsequent operating cycle according to the control method described above.

• activation de ladite au moins une électrovanne 21 en communication fluidique avec ledit au moins un deuxième réservoir de produit liquide 13 en position ouverte ;
• maintien de la valve anti-retour 20 en communication fluidique avec le premier réservoir de produit liquide 13 en position fermée au moyen du ressort 23 ;
• retour en position initiale du piston 19 ; et
• aspiration du produit liquide dudit au moins un deuxième réservoir de produit liquide 13 vers la chambre de pompage de produit liquide 16 au travers de ladite au moins une électrovanne 21.

According to a second mode of operation of the liquid product dispensing device 10, a method of operating the liquid product dispensing device 10 comprises at least the following steps for dispensing a liquid product from said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13:

• activating said at least one solenoid valve 21 in fluid communication with said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13 in the open position;
• maintaining the non-return valve 20 in fluid communication with the first liquid product reservoir 13 in the closed position by means of the spring 23;
• return to the initial position of the piston 19; and
• suction of the liquid product from said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13 to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 through said at least one solenoid valve 21.

Thus, the liquid product contained in said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13 is distributed through the single metering pump 18 and said at least one associated solenoid valve 21, using the difference in pressure losses generated as a result of activating said at least one solenoid valve 21 for suctioning the liquid product contained in said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13 while maintaining the non-return valve 20 in the closed position by means of the spring 23.

The opening of the solenoid valve 21 for dispensing the liquid product contained in the second liquid product tank 13 is implemented by an electrical control of the control means of the washing machine 1.

The opening of the solenoid valve 21 prevents the depression in the liquid product pumping chamber 16 from causing the non-return valve 20 to open so as to unclog the passage duct 12 communicating fluidly with the second storage tank. liquid product 13, the non-return valve 20 being kept closed by the spring 23.

Thus, a dose of liquid product from the second liquid product tank 13 can thus be drawn through the solenoid valve 21 into the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

At the end of the stroke of the piston 19, when the liquid product pumping chamber 16 is filled with a dose of liquid product, the solenoid valve 21 resumes its closed position of the orifice 12a of the passage duct 12 following a electrical control from the control means of the washing machine 1, while the non-return valve 20 is kept closed by the spring 23.

The liquid product dispensing device 10 is thus available to be re-supplied with water and to dispense a new dose of liquid product from the second liquid product reservoir 13 into the washing tub 3 of the dispensing machine. wash 1.

By way of non-limiting example, the operating control method of the liquid product dispensing device 10 can be implemented in the case where a washing machine 1 the laundry is preselected with distribution of liquid laundry and with or without dispensing softener by the liquid product dispensing device 10, the first liquid product tank 13 being filled with liquid laundry and the second liquid product tank 13 by softening.

At the end of a washing phase of an operating cycle of the washing machine 1, the liquid product pumping chamber 16 must be loaded with softener so as to distribute it during the implementation of a rinsing phase of the current operating cycle according to the control method described above.

Advantageously, a step of cutting off the water supply of the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 is carried out simultaneously or before the step of activating said at least one solenoid valve 21 for introducing into the product pumping chamber. liquid 16 of the liquid product contained in said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13 so as to prevent a rise of water inside said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13.

In one embodiment, the water supply of the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 is carried out by means of a solenoid valve 47.

Following the interruption of the supply of water to the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 by closing said solenoid valve 47, the circulation of water in the water circulation line 32 is interrupted. Then, the piston 19 of the metering pump 18 returns to its initial position under the effect of the spring 27.

The water supply of the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 is carried out by said solenoid valve 47 allowing the distribution of the network 46 in water.

Generally, the solenoid valves for supplying water to the network, traditionally called high-pressure solenoid valves, have a reaction time at opening and closing, between the instant of the electrical control and the instant of distribution or not of water. The reaction time of these solenoid valves may be of the order of a few milliseconds.

Therefore, a duration t is preferably added between the instant of closure of the solenoid valve 47 to cut off the water supply to the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 and the electrical control instant of said at least one solenoid valve 21 allowing the introduction of liquid product into the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

• alimentation en énergie électrique de l'électrovanne 47 d'arrivée d'eau dans la chambre de pression hydraulique 17 de sorte à évacuer le produit liquide présent dans la chambre de pompage de produit liquide 16 sous l'effet de la pression d'eau sur le piston 19 vers la cuve de lavage 3 de la machine à laver 1, et éventuellement nettoyer cette chambre 16 par un écoulement d'eau au travers de celle-ci ;
• coupure de l'alimentation en énergie électrique de l'électrovanne 47 d'arrivée d'eau dans la chambre de pression hydraulique 17 ;
• maintien en position fermée de ladite au moins une électrovanne 21 d'alimentation d'un produit liquide dans la chambre de pompage de produit liquide 16 pendant une durée t suite à la coupure de l'alimentation en énergie électrique de l'électrovanne 47 d'arrivée d'eau dans la chambre de pression hydraulique 17 de sorte à éviter une remontée d'eau à l'intérieur dudit au moins un deuxième réservoir de produit liquide 13. De cette manière, le piston 19 retourne en position initiale dès que la pression de l'eau n'est plus suffisante pour comprimer le ressort 27 ;
• ouverture de ladite au moins une électrovanne 21 par une commande électrique provenant de l'unité de commande 12 dès l'écoulement de la durée t de sorte à éviter l'ouverture de la valve anti-retour 20 obstruant le passage d'un produit liquide contenu dans un premier réservoir de produit liquide 13 par la dépression créée lors du retour en position initiale du piston 19, puis l'introduction non souhaitée de produit liquide depuis ce premier réservoir de produit liquide 13. Ladite au moins une électrovanne 21 est préférentiellement une électrovanne appelée électrovanne basse pression ayant un temps de réaction quasi instantané ;
• coupure de l'alimentation en énergie électrique de ladite au moins une électrovanne 21. L'instant de coupure de l'alimentation de ladite au moins une électrovanne 21 est dépendant de la quantité de produit liquide à introduire dans la chambre de pompage de produit liquide 16. Cet instant de coupure de l'alimentation de ladite au moins une électrovanne 21 peut être également défini en fonction de la viscosité du produit liquide à aspirer depuis un réservoir de produit liquide 13 puisque la vitesse de déplacement du piston 19 vers sa position initiale dépend de la viscosité de ce produit liquide ; puis
• alimentation en énergie électrique de l'électrovanne 47 d'arrivée d'eau dans la chambre de pression hydraulique 17 de sorte à évacuer le produit liquide présent dans la chambre de pompage de produit liquide 16 sous l'effet de la pression d'eau sur le piston 19 vers la cuve de lavage 3 de la machine à laver 1, et éventuellement nettoyer cette chambre 16 par un écoulement d'eau au travers de celle-ci.

In this embodiment, the mode of operation of the liquid product dispensing device 10 may include the following steps to overcome the problem of reaction time of a solenoid valve 47 for supplying water to the hydraulic pressure chamber 17:

• supply of electrical energy to the water inlet solenoid valve 47 in the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 so as to evacuate the liquid product present in the pumping chamber of liquid product 16 under the effect of the water pressure on the piston 19 to the washing tub 3 of the washing machine 1, and optionally cleaning the chamber 16 by a flow of water therethrough;
• cutting off the electrical power supply of the water inlet solenoid valve 47 in the hydraulic pressure chamber 17;
• maintaining said at least one solenoid valve 21 for supplying a liquid product in the closed position in the liquid product pumping chamber 16 for a time t following the interruption of the electric power supply of the solenoid valve 47 of water inlet in the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 so as to prevent upwelling within said at least one second reservoir of liquid product 13. In this way, the piston 19 returns to the initial position as soon as the pressure water is no longer sufficient to compress the spring 27;
• opening said at least one solenoid valve 21 by an electrical command from the control unit 12 as soon as the duration t expires so as to prevent the opening of the non-return valve 20 obstructing the passage of a liquid product contained in a first reservoir of liquid product 13 by the depression created during the return to the initial position of the piston 19, then the unwanted introduction of liquid product from the first liquid product reservoir 13. Said at least one solenoid valve 21 is preferably a solenoid valve called low pressure solenoid valve having a reaction time almost instantaneous;
• cutting off the supply of electrical energy to the at least one solenoid valve 21. The instant of interruption of the supply of the at least one solenoid valve 21 is dependent on the quantity of liquid product to be introduced into the liquid product pumping chamber. 16. This instant of cutting off the supply of said at least one solenoid valve 21 may also be defined as a function of the viscosity of the liquid product to be sucked from a liquid product reservoir 13 since the speed of movement of the piston 19 towards its initial position depends on the viscosity of this liquid product; then
• electric power supply of the water supply solenoid valve 47 in the hydraulic pressure chamber 17 so as to evacuate the liquid product present in the liquid product pumping chamber 16 under the effect of the water pressure on the piston 19 to the washing tub 3 of the washing machine 1 and possibly cleaning this chamber 16 by a flow of water therethrough.

Note that, in this embodiment, said at least one solenoid valve 21 is disposed near the liquid product pumping chamber 16.

Of course and in no way limiting, the positioning of said at least one solenoid valve 21 may be different.

In particular, said at least one solenoid valve 21 can be arranged at a distance from the liquid product pumping chamber 16, for example near an outlet opening of said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13.

Consequently, the length of the passage duct 25 connecting a solenoid valve 21 to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 may be of variable size depending on the distance of the solenoid valve 21 from this chamber 16.

In addition, the remote positioning of said at least one solenoid valve 21 fluidly connected to said at least one second liquid product tank 13 with respect to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 makes it possible to minimize the size of the metering pump 18 .

Furthermore, this remote positioning of said at least one solenoid valve 21 fluidly connected to said at least one second liquid product reservoir 13 with respect to the liquid product pumping chamber 16 can make it possible to group said at least one solenoid valve 21 with the or the solenoid valves 47 for supplying water to the network 46 of the washing machine 1.

Note also that the liquid products are introduced into the liquid product pumping chamber 16 by suction under the effect of the depression created by the displacement of the piston 19.

Therefore, the liquid product delivery device 10 can be disposed below, above or at any height relative to the liquid product tanks 13.

In another embodiment, the liquid product distribution device 10 makes it possible to distribute different liquid products simultaneously so as to constitute a complex liquid product by activating at least one solenoid valve 21 to complete the filling of the liquid product pumping chamber. 16 with at least a second liquid product following the partial filling of said liquid product pumping chamber 16 with a first liquid product either through the opening of the non-return valve 20 or by the activation of a first solenoid valve 21. The product mix liquid is thus produced inside the liquid product pumping chamber 16 while limiting a contact between the latter upstream of the piston 19 of the metering pump 18.

In another less economical embodiment, the non-return valve 20 mounted between a first liquid product tank 13 and the liquid product pumping chamber 16 may be replaced by a solenoid valve 21 while retaining a principle of operation of the device. distribution of liquid products 10 similar to that described above, where this distribution element 20 is controlled by an electrical command from the control means of the washing machine 1 and no longer by the depression created by the displacement of the piston 19 to the inside the body of the dosing pump 18.

Of course, there is described a device for dispensing fully hydraulic liquid products and requiring no power supply.

However, this device for dispensing liquid products could also be operated by a motor, a solenoid or by means of an electrical or pneumatic supply.

Claims (8)

Liquid product dispensing device (10) comprising: a liquid product pumping chamber (16), - a metering pump (18) having a piston (19) mounted in translation in a body of said metering pump (18), and said liquid product pumping chamber (16) being disposed downstream of said piston (19) in the direction of flow of a liquid product in said device (10), characterized in that said liquid product pumping chamber (16) is in fluid communication with at least two liquid product reservoirs (13),
wherein each liquid product reservoir (13) is fluidly connected to said liquid product pumping chamber (16) through at least one passage conduit (25), and
wherein said passageways (25) fluidly connecting said at least two liquid product tanks (13) to said liquid product pumping chamber (16) are separated and respectively have an inlet opening directly into said product pumping chamber liquid (16). Liquid product dispensing device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that : each of said at least two liquid product reservoirs (13) is fluidly connected to said liquid product pumping chamber (16) by at least one dispensing element (20, 21), wherein said at least one distribution element (20, 21) is fluidly connected to: on the one hand by a first passage duct (12) to one of the liquid product reservoirs (13), and - On the other hand by a second passage conduit (25) to said liquid product pumping chamber (16). Liquid product dispensing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a hydraulic pressure chamber (17) connected to water inlet means (32, 33, 31), where said piston (19) of said metering pump (18) is mounted in translation between said hydraulic pressure chamber (17) and said liquid product pumping chamber (16). Device for dispensing liquid products (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said metering pump (18) comprises water inlet means (29, 28) so as to allow a flow of water through said liquid product pumping chamber (16). Device for dispensing liquid products (10) according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said water inlet means (29, 28) of said metering pump (18) comprise a communication port (28) between said hydraulic pressure chamber (17) and said liquid product pumping chamber (16). Device for dispensing liquid products (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said at least two distribution elements (20, 21) comprise a non-return valve (20) mounted between a first reservoir liquid product (13) and said liquid product pumping chamber (16), and at least one solenoid valve (21) mounted between at least a second liquid product reservoir (13) and said liquid product pumping chamber (16) . Liquid product dispensing device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that said non-return valve (20) comprises a seal (22) slidably mounted within the body of said non-return valve (20), wherein a spring (23) is mounted between said seal (22) and said body of said non-return valve (20). Domestic washing machine (1), of the washing machine or dishwasher type, characterized in that it comprises a liquid product dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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