EP2465996B1 - Water-transporting household device with a treatment agent compartment - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a laundry treatment appliance for washing laundry. Specifically, the invention relates to the field of washing machines and washer-dryers.

State of the art

From the EP 1 884 584 A2 a washing machine is known in which a plurality of containers filled with laundry treatment agents are provided. The amount of laundry treatment agent is sufficient for several washing cycles. In addition, metering units are provided which introduce certain amounts of laundry treatment agents in the washing drum. The containers are arranged on a movable support, wherein the containers are accessible in an extended position and in a retracted position are not accessible.

The from the EP 1 884 584 A2 known washing machine has the disadvantage that the refilling of the container for the user is cumbersome. For example, the user has to bend down to open the individual containers and refill the containers in this low position. In addition, the known washing machine has the disadvantage that the cleaning of the container is complex, for example, when filling a part of the laundry treatment agent next to the opening runs.

EP 2 251 481 A discloses a water-conducting household appliance with a treatment agent shell according to the preamble of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a water-conducting household appliance, in which the operability is improved. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a water-conducting household appliance, in which the refilling of a treatment agent to be stored is easy and comfortable.

The object is achieved by a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a laundry treatment appliance for washing laundry, in which a treatment agent shell, for receiving at least one flowable Treatment means serves, and a shell housing are provided, wherein the treatment agent shell is inserted into a receptacle of the shell housing and extendable from this, wherein at least one pivotable suction arm is provided, wherein an end of the suction arm, on which a suction opening is provided, with the treatment agent shell in a The upper region of the receptacle is arranged, and wherein the treatment agent shell actuates the suction arm during insertion at least indirectly, so that the end piece of the suction arm pivots down into the treatment agent cup.

The measures listed in the dependent claims advantageous refinements of the inventive water-conducting household appliance are possible.

The water-conducting household appliance can be designed as a laundry treatment appliance, in particular as a washing machine or washer-dryer. The treatment agent shell may have one or more chambers into which, if appropriate, different treatment agents can be filled. Furthermore, the treatment agent shell can also have a dispensing area, through which a treatment agent added for the respective wash cycle or the like can be flushed into a treatment area. Accordingly, a plurality of suction arms can be provided, which are assigned to different chambers of the treatment agent shell. As a treatment agent in the case of a washing machine laundry treatment agents, such as a heavy duty detergent, a mild detergent, a laundry detergent, a fabric softener or individual components of a detergent, in particular a bleach and a decalcifier in question.

It is advantageous that the suction arm is pivotable about an axis of rotation which is connected to the shell housing. For example, the axis of rotation can be configured in the form of a cylindrical web. In addition, it is advantageous that the suction arm has an operating portion that a rear end of the treatment agent shell for actuating the suction arm when inserting the treatment agent shell in the shell housing acts on the actuating portion, that the end of the suction arm is arranged with the suction opening on one side of the axis of rotation and in that the actuating portion of the suction arm is arranged on another side of the axis of rotation. The suction arm can be actuated according to a lever. As a result, for example, over a short Einschiebstrecke a far Swiveling down the end piece with the suction opening can be achieved in the treatment agent shell.

It is advantageous that the suction arm has a rib and that a rear end of the treatment agent shell acts on the rib of the suction arm for actuating the suction arm during insertion of the treatment agent shell into the shell housing. For example, the rib may be provided at least on the actuating portion of the suction arm. Thereby, a media-leading, serving as a suction pipe part of the suction with a greater design freedom can be performed, since the treatment agent shell acts on the suction arm via the rib. Due to the configuration of the rib, the desired actuation profile for swiveling down the end piece of the suction arm to the suction opening can then be specified.

Further, it is advantageous that in a maximum pivot position, a contact between the end of the suction and a bottom of the treatment agent dish is made possible and that the end of the suction is designed so that the suction port of the tail is at least partially open in the maximum pivot position. Specifically, it is advantageous in this case that the suction arm and the treatment agent shell are configured so that the end piece touches the bottom of the treatment agent shell at a lowest point with the maximum pivot position. As a result, the stored treatment agent can be conveyed at least substantially from the treatment agent shell into the treatment area.

It is also advantageous that a pump-side connector of the suction is connected to a corrugated hose. As a result, the movement of the suction arm can be compensated on the pump side.

It is also advantageous that at least one end stop is configured on the shell housing, which limits the insertion of the treatment agent shell into the shell housing and that the treatment agent shell pivots the suction arm on insertion of the treatment agent shell to the end stop of the shell housing in the maximum pivoting position. As a result, a defined position of the suction arm can be achieved during complete insertion of the treatment agent shell.

It is advantageous that the treatment agent shell has on its upper side a slot-shaped recess through which the end piece of the suction arm pivots when inserting the treatment agent shell in the shell housing in the treatment agent shell. Here, it is also advantageous that the slot-shaped recess is configured with an all-round distance to side walls of the treatment agent shell in the top of the treatment agent shell. In this way it can be prevented that, for example, the jerky insertion of the filled treatment agent shell spills treatment agent through the recess to the outside. Here, the recess is preferably placed in the middle of the top of the treatment agent shell so that it is always in the trough of the running waves of the treatment agent in the acceleration or deceleration. Additionally or alternatively, the slot-shaped recess may be extended with a partially circumferential rib upwards, which preferably rests against an inner bottom of the shell housing and also can ensure that the treatment agent can not thicken due to the limited air exchange over a longer period.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

ein wasserführendes Haushaltsgerät in einer auszugsweisen, schematischen Schnittdarstellung entsprechend einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung und

Fig. 2

das in Fig. 1 auszugsweise dargestellte wasserführende Haushaltsgerät in einem betriebsbereiten Zustand.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding elements are provided with corresponding reference numerals. It shows:

Fig. 1

a water-conducting household appliance in a partial, schematic sectional view according to an embodiment of the invention and

Fig. 2

this in Fig. 1 partially illustrated water-conducting household appliance in an operational state.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

Fig. 1 shows a water-conducting household appliance 1 in a partial, schematic sectional view according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, a treatment agent shell 2 and a shell housing 3 of water-conducting household appliance 1 shown. The shell housing 3 is in this case installed in an unillustrated housing of the water-conducting household appliance 1. The water-conducting household appliance 1 can be configured in particular as a laundry treatment appliance. Specifically, the water-conducting household appliance 1 can be configured as a washing machine or washer-dryer. However, the water-conducting household appliance 1 of the invention is also suitable for other applications, in particular, it may be configured as a dishwasher.

The treatment agent shell 2 has a chamber 4 in this embodiment. Furthermore, a grip element 5 is provided, on which a user can pull the treatment agent shell 2 with the chamber 4 out of the shell housing 3. In addition, by pressing on the grip element 5, the user can push the treatment agent shell 2 back into the shell housing 3. As a result, the user can fill the chamber 4 with a treatment agent, in particular a laundry treatment agent. For filling, the treatment agent shell 2 in this embodiment, an addition opening 6, which is already accessible from the top with partially withdrawn Behandlungsmittelschale 2, so that the user can fill a flowable, especially liquid, treatment agent. The flowable treatment agent may also have solid constituents. Specifically, the treating agent may be a liquid colored laundry detergent, a fabric softener or other laundry detergent or laundry treatment agent. Depending on the configuration of the water-conducting domestic appliance 1, the addition opening 6 can optionally be closed by a flap or an attachable cap.

Here, there is the advantage that the treatment agent shell 2 can be completely pulled out of the shell housing 3. This facilitates cleaning of the shell housing 3. In addition, the cleaning of a receptacle 7 of the shell housing 3, which serves to receive the treatment agent shell 2, facilitated, since it is easily accessible when the treatment agent shell 2 is removed. In addition, the user can remove the treatment agent shell 2 for filling, if he so wishes. Thus, the operability is further improved. In addition, the treatment agent shell 2 can be made as a blown part of a plastic, whereby a production is simplified. The treatment agent shell 2 can in this case be configured without floor drain or the like, so that an uninterrupted bottom 8 is formed, which therefore does not require sealing points, which may be in the course the time can be leaky.

The water-conducting household appliance 1 further comprises a pivotable suction arm 9 which is pivotally mounted on an axis 10 connected to the shell housing 3. In a position in which the treatment agent shell 2 is pulled out to some extent or completely from the receptacle 7 of the shell housing 3, there is an end piece 11 of the suction arm 9 in an upper region of the receptacle 7. In this embodiment, the end piece 11 is at least hereby Aligned approximately horizontally. In this embodiment, in a situation in which the end piece 11 is arranged in the upper region of the receptacle 7, the feed opening 6 is already accessible from the outside, to allow refilling of the treatment agent, as shown in the Fig. 1 is illustrated.

The pivotable suction arm 9 has an actuating portion 12. A rear end 13 of the treatment agent shell 2 acts on further insertion into the receptacle 7 on the actuating portion 12 a. In this embodiment, a rib 14 of the suction arm 9 is configured on the actuating section 12, via which a force is transmitted to the actuating section 12. The actuating portion 12 of the suction arm 9 is in this case on one side of the axis 10, while the end piece 11 is located on the other side of the axis 10. The axis 10 serves as a rotary or pivot axis 10. In addition, the suction arm 9 has a connecting piece 15 which is connected to a corrugated hose 16. The corrugated hose 16 leads directly or via a piece of pipe or the like to a pump.

In the following, the water-conducting household appliance 1 of the embodiment with reference to the Fig. 2 described.

Fig. 2 shows that in Fig. 1 shown water-conducting household appliance 1 of the embodiment in an operational state. Within the shell housing 3, a free space 20 is provided, in which the actuating portion 12 of the suction arm 9 can pivot. The connector 15 and the corrugated hose 16 are hereby for simplicity of illustration in the Fig. 2 not shown.

When inserting the treatment agent shell 2 in the receptacle 7, the rear end 13 actuates the actuating portion 12 via the rib 14, so that the Operating portion 12 upwards and the end piece 11 of the suction arm 9 pivots downward. In this embodiment, an end stop 21 for the treatment agent shell 2 is formed on a rearward stop rib 21 'of the shell housing 3. Further, by the handle member 5 facing struts 22, 23 more end stops 24, 25 configured for the handle member 5 of the treatment agent shell 2. The position of the end stops 21, 24, 25 is matched to one another here. In this position, the treatment agent shell 2 is in a required position for operation. Here, the pivoting suction arm 9 is pivoted to a maximum, so that he in the in the Fig. 2 shown maximum pivoting position passes.

The end piece 11 of the suction arm 9 has a suction opening 26. The end piece 11 of the suction arm 9 touches in the maximum pivotal position the bottom 8 of the treatment agent shell 2. Here, the end piece 11 is configured at the suction opening 26 so that the contact of the bottom 8, the suction opening 26 at least not completely closes and a sufficient cross section for sucking Treatment agent from the chamber 4 remains. The end piece 11 preferably touches the bottom 8 at a lowest point 27. This makes possible an at least substantially complete removal of the treatment agent from the chamber 4.

In this embodiment, the treatment agent shell 2 has an upper side 28. The upper side 28 may in this case be configured in one piece with side walls 29, 30 and the bottom 8. This is possible by the design of the treatment agent shell 2 as a blown part. It is also conceivable that the top 28 is formed by a lid. By the top 28 a sloshing of the treatment agent is prevented during insertion. In order to enable the pivoting of the end piece 11 of the suction arm 9 in the chamber 4, the top 28 is interrupted by a slot-shaped recess 31. Specifically, the recess 31 may be configured as a slot-shaped recess 31. Here, the recess 31 is spaced from the side walls 29, 30 on all sides, so that spilling out of the treatment agent by the recess 31 is prevented or at least largely avoided. Specifically, an edge 32 is provided at the rear end 13.

When pulling out of the treatment agent shell 2 from the receptacle 7, the pivoted into the chamber 4 end piece 11 comes in contact with the edge 32 at the rear end 13 of the treatment agent shell 2. As a result, the end piece 11 when pulling out the treatment agent shell 2 swung out of the chamber 4 again. The swinging out can also be caused or supported by a spring element.

An opening cross section of the suction opening 26 and a cross section of the pipe sections 33, 34 of the suction arm 9 as well as the cross section of further components is adapted to the viscosity of the treatment device suitable for the water-conducting domestic appliance 1. Specifically, the cross section of the pipe section 33 of the end piece 11 may be chosen so large that the adhesion forces between the treatment agent and the wall are sufficient that the treatment agent does not emptied out of down-swinging end piece 11. For conveying the treatment agent from the treatment agent shell 2, a vacuum generating pump may be provided.

The slot-shaped recess 31 may also be surrounded by a circumferential rib, which faces a top surface 35 of the shell housing 3 and optionally rests against the top surface 35 and also can ensure that the treatment agent does not thicken over a longer storage period.

The pivotable suction arm 9 is preferably arranged at least partially in a recess 36 of the shell housing 3. Specifically, the end piece 11 in the in Fig. 1 shown position wholly or partially disposed in the recess 36 so that there is a protection against damage. In this way, a violation of a user is prevented, if this engages, for example, for cleaning in the receptacle 7. This also applies to other elements, for example the rib 14, which serves as a driving rib 14, when the rear end 13 of the treatment agent shell 2 has a corresponding projecting contour, in particular rib contour.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Water-conducting household appliance

2

Treatment middle shell

3

shell case

4

chamber

5

handle element

6

feed opening

7

admission

8th

ground

9

swiveling suction arm

10

axis

11

tail

12

actuating section

13

rear end

14

rib

15

joint

16

corrugated hose

20

free space

21

end stop

21 '

stop rib

22.23

strut

24, 25

end stop

26

suction opening

27

lowest point

28

top

29, 30

Side wall

31

Slot-shaped recess

32

edge

33, 34

pipe pieces

35

cover surface

36

recess

Claims (10)

1. Water-conducting domestic appliance (1), particularly laundry treatment appliance for the washing of laundry, with a treatment agent tray (2), which serves for receiving at least one flowable treatment agent, and a tray housing (3), wherein the treatment agent tray (2) can be pushed into a receptacle (7) of the tray housing (3) and pulled out of this, characterised in that at least one pivotable suction arm (9) is provided, that an end piece (11) of the suction arm (9), at which a suction opening (26) is provided, is arranged in an upper region of the receptacle (7) when the treatment agent tray (2) is pulled out and that the treatment agent tray (2) actuates the suction arm (9) at least indirectly during pushing in so that the end piece (11) of the suction arm (9) pivots down into the treatment agent tray (2).
2. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the suction arm (9) is pivotable about an axle (10), which is connected at least indirectly with the tray housing (3).
3. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 2, characterised in that the suction arm (9) has an actuating section (12), that a rear end (13) of the treatment agent tray (2) acts on the actuating section (12) for actuation of the suction arm (9) during pushing of the treatment agent tray (2) into the tray housing (3), that the end piece (11) of the suction arm (9) with the suction opening (26) is arranged on one side of the axle (10) and that the actuating section (12) of the suction arm (9) is arranged on another side of the axle (10).
4. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the suction arm (9) has a rib (14) and that a rear end (13) of the treatment agent tray (2) acts on the rib (14) of the suction arm (9) for actuation of the suction arm (9) during pushing of the treatment agent tray (2) into the tray housing (3).
5. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that in a maximum pivot setting a contact between the end piece (11) of the suction arm (9) and a base (8) of the treatment agent tray (2) is made possible and that the end piece (11) of the suction arm (9) is so designed that the suction opening (26) of the end piece (11) in the maximum pivot setting is at least partly open.
6. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 5, characterised in that the suction arm (9) and the treatment agent tray (2) are so designed that the end piece (11) in the maximum pivot setting contacts the base (8) of the treatment agent tray (2) at a deepest point (27).
7. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a connecting member (15), which is at a pump side, of the suction arm (9) is connected with a bellows hose (15).
8. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that formed at the tray housing (3) is at least one end abutment (21, 24, 25) which limits the pushing of the treatment agent tray (2) into the tray housing (3) and that the treatment agent tray (2) during pushing-in of the treatment agent tray (2) up to the end abutment (21, 24, 25) of the tray housing (3) pivots the suction arm (9) into a maximum pivot setting.
9. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the treatment agent tray (2) has at the upper side (28) thereat a slot-shaped cut-out (31) through which the end piece (11) of the suction arm (9) pivots into the treatment agent tray (2) during pushing of the treatment agent tray (2) into the tray housing (3).
10. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 9, characterised in that the slot-shaped cut-out (31) is formed in the upper side (28) of the treatment agent tray (2) with an all-round spacing from side walls (29, 30) of the treatment agent tray (2).

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