EP2642908A1

EP2642908A1 - Dosing system for a dishwasher machine

Info

Publication number: EP2642908A1
Application number: EP11767721.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Konstantin Benda; Thorsten Bastigkeit; Arnd Kessler; Salvatore Fileccia; Christian Nitsch
Original assignee: Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Current assignee: Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Priority date: 2011-03-23
Filing date: 2011-10-12
Publication date: 2013-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-12
Also published as: US20140084024A1; WO2012126537A1; US9282876B2; ES2537903T3; DE102011005979A1; PL2642908T3; EP2642908B1; EP2642908B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing system (1) for releasing at least one detergent preparation (A,B,C) into a dishwasher machine, comprising a dosing appliance (2) with a light source (4) and a cartridge (3) that can be coupled to the dosing appliance (2) and in which at least one flowable preparation (A,B,C) is stored, wherein the cartridge (3) has a width (b)-depth (t) ratio of 3:1 to 20:1 and a height (h)-depth (t) ratio of 3:1 to 20:1, and the walls of the cartridge (3) have, at least in sections, a transmission rate in the wavelength range between 700nm and 1 mm, preferably between 700nm and 1000nm, of 75%-99%, the flowable preparation (A,B,C) has a transmission rate in the wavelength range between 700nm and 1 mm, preferably 700nm-1000nm, of 75%-99%, the outwardly-oriented surface of the cartridge (3) has, at least in sections, a surface roughness of between 0.5 and 5 microns, preferably between 0.75 and 2.5 microns, especially preferably between 1 and 1.5 microns, and the light source (4) that emits light at least in a wavelength range between 700nm and 1 mm, preferably 700nm and 1000nm, irradiates into the cartridge, the light source (4) having a radiation angle α larger than 5°, preferably between 5° and 60°; and the light source (4) and the cartridge (3) are configured such that the average path length of the light beam (L) through the cartridge (3) corresponds to between 0,1*10⁵and10*10⁵, preferably between 0,5*10⁵ and 7,5*10⁵, particularly preferably between 1,0*10⁵ and 6,5 *10⁵ times the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source (4).

Description

Dosing system for a dishwasher

The invention relates to a dosing system for a dishwasher with an optical communication between the dosing system and the dishwasher.

State of the art

Machine dishwashers and detergents are available to the consumer in a variety of ways

Offer forms available. These automatic rinsing and washing agents are typically offered to the consumer in solid form, for example as powders or as tablets, but increasingly also in liquid or gel form. For some time now, the main focus has been on the convenient dosing of rinsing and washing agents and the simplification of the steps necessary for carrying out a rinsing or washing process.

Further, one of the major goals of the machine rinse and detergent manufacturers is to improve the cleaning performance of these agents, with a recent focus on cleaning performance in low temperature or reduced water consumption cleaning cycles. For this purpose, the rinsing and washing agents were preferably added to new ingredients, such as more effective surfactants, polymers, enzymes or bleach. However, since new ingredients are available only to a limited extent and the amount of ingredients used per wash can not be increased to any degree for ecological and economic reasons, this approach is naturally limited.

In this context, in particular devices for the

Multiple dosing of detergents and dishwashing detergents is the focus of attention of product developers. These devices can be integrated between dishwashers

Dosing systems on the one hand and independent, of the dishwasher essentially independently functioning metering systems on the other hand be differentiated.

By means of these dosing systems, which multiply the for the implementation of a

Rinse and detergent portions are dosed in an automatic or semi-automatic manner in the course of several successive treatment programs in the interior of the water-bearing household system treatment cycle necessary rinse and detergent. For the consumer, the need for manual dosing with each treatment cycle is eliminated. Examples of such devices are described in the European patent application EP 1 759 624 A2 (Reckitt Benckiser) or in the German Patent Application DE 53 5005 062 479 A1 (BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH). In particular, it is advantageous to such dosing with a

Communication device to provide a data exchange between the

Dosing and the control device of the dishwasher allowed. In addition to radio transmission devices, devices for the optical transmission of signals and data from the prior art are known. Examples of such metering systems can be found in US2002 / 0088502A1 (Procter & Gamble) or EP2299892 (Henkel AG & Co KGaA).

A problem of all known from the prior art metering devices for

Dishwashers with wireless signal transmission provide signal shadows and signal shields. This problem has not yet been satisfactorily resolved.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the problems known from the prior art and the optical communication between a in the

Dishwasher positionable dosing and the dishwasher to improve.

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

The metering system according to the invention is a stable and secure optical

Communication between the freely positionable in the treatment room of the dishwasher dosing and a dishwasher achieved. In particular, a sufficiently diffuse optical signal radiation over a sufficiently large

Realized radiating surface, so that the risk of signal shadow or signal shielding, for example, arranged through the dispenser pots, is reduced.

In the dosing system according to the invention, a light source is used for optical communication which emits light at least in a wavelength range between 700 nm-1 mm, preferably 700 nm-1000 nm. This wavelength range has been found to be particularly suitable for optical transmission within a dishwasher, in particular during operation of the dishwasher, when the treatment room is permeated by rinse water spray jets.

Furthermore, the stored in the cartridge transparent preparations at

Using a wavelength range of 700nm-1 mm essentially still be designed in any color, what the degree of freedom regarding the appealing, aesthetic Forming the preparations or the preparations in the synopsis with the cartridge increases.

The preparations stored in the cartridge are formulated such that they have a transmittance in the wavelength range between 700 nm-1 mm, preferably 700 nm-1000 nm, of 75% -99%. The degree of transmission of the preparations was determined by means of plastic cuvettes in a Genesys spectrophotometer. The measurement was carried out according to DIN5036. As a result, a sufficiently large signal strength is achieved, since the signal emitted by the light source experiences only a small absorption by the preparation, so that the intensity of the emitted signal and thus the energy requirement for the optical communication can be kept low.

The same applies to the design of the walls of the cartridge. The walls of the cartridge therefore have, at least in sections, a transmittance in the wavelength range between 700 nm-1 mm, preferably 700 nm-1000 nm, of 75% -99%. Of the

Transmittance of the cartridge walls can be determined according to DIN5036 or DIN5036-3.

The radiating surface used is the transparent cartridge which can be coupled with the dosing device and holds at least one transparent, flowable preparation. According to the invention, a sufficiently large radiating surface is provided if the cartridge has a width (b) - depth (t) ratio of 3: 1 to 20: 1 and a height (h) depth (t) ratio of 3: 1 to 20: 1 and the average path length of the light beam (L) through the cartridge between 0.1 * 10 ⁵ - 10 * 10 ⁵ , preferably between 0.5 * 10 ⁵ - 7.5 * 10 ⁵ , most preferably between 1 , 0 * 10 ⁵ - 6.5 * 10 ⁵ times the wavelength of the light emitted by the light source.

In order to achieve a sufficient diffusion of the light emitted by the light source over the surface of the cartridge walls, the outwardly directed surfaces of the cartridge at least partially have a surface roughness between 0.5-5 microns, preferably between 0.75-2.5 microns, in particular preferably between 1 -1, 5 microns. As a result, a sufficient scattering of the light is effected by the cartridge, so that the risk of signal shading or signal shielding is reduced. The surface roughness can be determined according to DIN8791 -4.

So that the cartridge walls are sufficiently homogeneously illuminated by the light source, the light source has an emission angle α greater than 5 °, preferably between 5 ° and 60 °. In this way it is further achieved that in the operating position of the dosing below located portion of the cartridge is adequately illuminated, which in particular in case of coverage of the dosing by Spülgut such as a pot of

Meaning is.

It is advantageous that the light source is positioned in the coupled state of dosing device and cartridge below the cartridge and directed to the bottom of the cartridge, that they jet into the cartridge.

According to a particularly advantageous further development of the invention, the emission-side substantially circular opening diameter of the light source directed into the cartridge corresponds to between 0.25 and 0.95, preferably between 0.5 and 0.75, of the depth of the cartridge. This also improves the radiation from the lower section of the cartridge.

In order to provide an appropriate dosage and optimal use of cleaning preparation according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is advantageous in that the cartridge three chambers for storing three from each other

having various preparations, wherein the volume ratio of the three chambers in about 1: 1: 4.

In this context, it is preferred that the light source is arranged in the coupled state of metering device and cartridge approximately centrally below the largest chamber.

The light source preferably has a radiation intensity in the wavelength range of 700 nm-1 mm, preferably 700 nm-1000 nm, between 2-100 mW / sr, preferably 10-60 mW / sr, particularly preferably between 15-50 mW / sr. It is particularly preferred that the radiation intensity in the wavelength range between 700nm-1000nm is 15-50 mW / sr. As a result, on the one hand a sufficient optical signal strength is achieved with the lowest possible energy consumption for the signal transmission. This is particularly important for a battery-operated metering system with a correspondingly finite amount of energy. The radiation intensity can be determined according to DIN5031.

The metering system according to the invention consists of the basic components of a cartridge filled with preparation and a metering device which can be coupled to the cartridge, which in turn is composed of further assemblies, such as an actuator, for example.

Closure element, sensor, power source and / or control unit, is formed. It is preferred that the metering system according to the invention is mobile. Movable in the sense of this application means that the dosing system is not unsolvable with a

Dishwasher is connected, but for example from a

Dishwasher can be removed by the user or positioned in a dishwasher, so is independently handled, is.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is also conceivable that the dosing device for the user is not detachably connected to a dishwasher and only the cartridge is movable.

In the following, the elements of the dosing system are explained in more detail.

cartridge

For the purposes of this application, a cartridge is understood to mean a packaging material which is suitable for enveloping or holding together at least one flowable preparation and which can be coupled to a metering device for dispensing at least one preparation.

The cartridge is in particular designed so that it is provided for storing a plurality of dosing portions of the preparations to be stored in it. Preferably, the cartridge for storing 10 to 50, more preferably 15 to 30, most preferably 20 to 25 Dosierportionen formed.

Preferably, the cartridge has at least three, preferably dimensionally stable chambers for storing mutually different preparations. In this case, it is preferred that each of the chambers is designed to store from 10 to 50, particularly preferably 15 to 30, very particularly preferably 20 to 25 metering portions.

It is advantageous that the cartridge has at least one outlet opening, which is arranged such that a gravity-induced release of preparation from the cartridge in the position of use of the dosing device can be effected.

Further, it is conceivable that the cartridge is formed in such a multi-piece, that at least one chamber, preferably all chambers, can be removed individually from the metering device or inserted into the metering device. This makes it possible, with a different consumption of a preparation from a chamber to exchange an already empty chamber, while the rest, which may still be filled with preparation, remain in the metering device. Thus, a targeted and needs-based refilling the individual chambers or their preparations can be achieved. It is also conceivable to form the individual chambers in the Gestallt that the chambers can be coupled in only one particular position or position with each other or with the dosing device, thereby avoiding that a user connects a chamber in a not foreseen position with the dosing device , For this purpose, the chamber walls can in particular be shaped such that they can be positively connected to one another. In the case of a cartridge formed from at least three chambers, the cartridges are shaped in such a way that the chambers can be positively connected to one another only in a specific defined position.

The chambers of a cartridge can be fixed to one another by suitable connection methods, so that a container unit is formed. The chambers can be fixed by a suitable form-fitting, non-positive or cohesive connection releasably or permanently against each other. In particular, the fixation can be achieved by one or more of the connection types from the group of snap-in connections,

Velcro connections, press connections, fusible links, adhesive bonds,

Welded joints, solder joints, screw joints, wedge joints,

Clamping or bouncing done. In particular, the fixation can also be formed by a shrink sleeve (so-called sleeve), which is pulled in a heated state over the entire or sections of the cartridge and firmly encloses the chambers or the cartridge in the cooled state.

In particular, the cartridge may also be asymmetrical. It is particularly preferred to form the asymmetry of the cartridge in such a way that the cartridge can only be coupled to the dosing device in a predefined position in which an otherwise possible incorrect operation by the user is prevented.

It is particularly preferred that all preparations stored in the cartridge are free-flowing, as this results in rapid dissolution of the preparations in the rinsing liquor of a

Dishwasher is ensured, whereby these preparations achieve a rapid to immediate cleaning or disinfecting and / or fragrancing effect, especially on the walls of the treatment room and in the Spülwasserleitungen.

The cartridge usually has a total filling volume of <5,000 ml, in particular

<1 .000 ml, preferably <500 ml, more preferably <250 ml, most preferably <50 ml.

The cartridge comprises a cartridge bottom, which in the position of use in

Direction of gravity is directed downward and at the preferred for each chamber at least one arranged in the direction of gravity bottom outlet opening is provided. The outlet openings arranged on the bottom are in particular designed such that in that at least one, preferably all, outlet openings are communicably connectable to the inlet openings of the dosing device, ie preparation via the outlet openings from the cartridge into the dosing device, preferably gravity-induced, can flow in.

According to a preferred embodiment, the outlet openings of the cartridge are closed by closure means at least in the filled, unopened state of the cartridge. The closure means may be designed such that they allow a single opening of the outlet opening by destruction of the closure means. Such closure means are, for example, sealing foils or caps.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet openings are each provided with a closure which allows in the coupled state with a dispenser outflow of preparation from the respective chambers and in the uncoupled state of the cartridge substantially prevents leakage of preparation.

In particular, such a closure is designed as a slotted silicone valve.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the cartridge for coupling with a positionable within a domestic appliance dosing device for dispensing at least one detergent and / or detergent preparation, at least one chamber for storing at least one flowable detergent and / or detergent preparation, wherein the cartridge is in the coupled with the dosing device state before entering rinse water in the chamber (s) is protected and the cartridge at least one bottom in the direction of gravity discharge opening for - especially gravitational - release of preparation of at least one chamber and at least one bottom in the direction of gravity ventilation opening for ventilation at least one chamber, wherein the ventilation opening is separated from the discharge opening and the ventilation opening communicating with at least one chamber of the cartridge is connected.

It is particularly preferred that the cartridge comprises at least three chambers. It is advantageous that for each chamber each have a ventilation opening and a

Dispensing opening are provided.

It is further preferred that the bottom-side ventilation opening is communicatively connected to a ventilation duct whose end facing away from the ventilation opening in the dispensing position of the cartridge coupled to the dosing device opens above the maximum fill level of the cartridge.

In this context, it is advantageous that the ventilation duct is completely or partially formed in or on the walls and / or webs of the cartridge. In particular, can the ventilation duct may be formed integrally in or on the walls and / or webs of the cartridge.

The cartridge may be configured to be detachable or fixed in or on the

Dosing and / or a dishwasher can be arranged.

The cartridge preferably has a width (b) depth (t) ratio of 3: 1 to 20: 1 and a height (h) depth (t) ratio of 3: 1 to 20: 1.

The walls of the cartridge have in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least in sections, a transmittance in the wavelength range between 700nm -1 mm, preferably 700nm-1000nm of 75% -99%.

It is further preferable that the outward facing surface of the

Cartridge at least partially has a surface roughness between 0.5-5 microns, preferably between 0.75-2.5 micron, more preferably between 1 -1, 5 microns. It is most preferred that the entire surface of the cartridge has a surface roughness of between 0.5-5 microns, preferably between 0.75-2.5 microns, most preferably between 1-1.5 microns.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the cartridge has three chambers for storing three mutually different preparations, wherein the volume ratio of the three chambers is approximately 1: 1: 4 and at least the surface of the largest of the three chambers has a surface roughness between 0.5- 5 microns, preferably between 0.75-2.5 microns, more preferably between 1 -1, 5 microns and the light source in the coupled state of dosing and cartridge is located approximately centrally below the largest chamber.

dosing

The metering system according to the invention comprises a metering device and a multi-chamber cartridge which can be coupled to the metering device and contains flowable preparations. The dosing device is configured to dose a plurality of preparations from the chambers of the cartridge into the interior of a dishwasher. For this purpose, at least one actuator and / or at least one closure element and / or at least one control unit and / or at least one sensor and / or at least one energy source can be provided in the dosing device.

The dosing device can be permanently installed with a dishwasher. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dosing device is not permanently installed with the dishwasher, but freely movable in a dishwasher by a user positionable.

It is particularly preferred that the dosing device comprises at least a first interface which cooperates in or on a dishwasher formed corresponding interface in such a way that realizes a transfer of electrical energy and / or signals from the water-bearing domestic appliance to the dosing and / or from the dosing to the dishwasher is.

In a further embodiment, the interface cells can be designed in such a way that a wireless transmission of electrical energy and / or electromagnetic and / or optical signals is effected.

Of course, it is possible to provide only an interface for transmitting signals or an interface for transmitting electrical energy, or to provide an interface for transmitting signals and an interface for transmitting electrical energy or to provide an interface which is suitable both for transmission of electrical energy and signals.

In particular, such an interface can be designed such that a wireless transmission of electrical energy and / or electromagnetic and / or optical signals is effected.

It is particularly preferred that the interface is configured to transmit and / or receive optical signals. It is very particularly preferred that the interface is configured to emit or receive light in the visible range

It is particularly preferred that the interface is configured to transmit and / or receive optical signals. It is particularly preferred that the interface for emitting or receiving light in the wavelength range between 700nm - 1 mm, preferably 700nm-1000nm is configured.

In particular, the interface comprises at least one light source, in particular an LED. Particularly preferably, the interface comprises at least two LEDs. It is also possible according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention to provide at least two LEDs which emit light in a mutually different wavelength. This makes it possible, for example, to define different signal bands on which information can be sent or received. The light source preferably has an emission angle α greater than 5 °, preferably between 5 ° and 60 °.

Furthermore, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the radiation intensity in the wavelength range of 700 nm-1 mm, preferably 700 nm-1000 nm between 2-100 mW / sr, preferably 10-60 mW / sr, particularly preferably between 15-50 mW / sr on ,

It is particularly preferred that an optical signal is formed as a signal pulse having a pulse duration between 1 ms and 10 seconds, preferably between 5 ms and 100 ms.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the dosing device may comprise, in addition to the light source, at least one optical receiving unit. This makes it possible, for example, that the dosing device can receive signals from an optical transmission unit arranged in the dishwasher. This can be realized by any suitable optical receiving unit, such as photocells, photomultipliers, semiconductor detectors, photodiodes, photoresistors, solar cells, phototransistors, CCD and / or CMOS image sensors. It is particularly preferred that the optical receiving unit is suitable for receiving light in the wavelength range between 700 nm-1 mm, preferably 700 nm-1000 nm.

For communication between the dosing device and the dishwasher, a light source and an optical receiving unit can be provided in the dishwasher, which form a further optical interface. The dishwasher-side

Light source and optical receiving unit are configured with respect to the transmission or reception of optical signals in the wavelength range between 700nm - 1 mm, preferably 700nm - 1000nm.

The signal emitted and / or received by the interface is, in particular, a carrier of information, in particular a control signal or a signal that indicates an operating state of the dosing device and / or the

Dishwasher Represents.

actuator

For the purposes of this application, an actuator is a device that converts an input variable into a different output quantity and with which an object is moved or whose movement is generated. Preferably, the actuator is such with at least one Coupled closure element that indirectly or directly the release of preparation of at least one cartridge chamber can be effected.

The actuator can be selected by means of drives selected from the group of gravity drives, ion drives, electric drives, motor drives, hydraulic drives, pneumatic drives, gear drives, threaded spindle drives, ball screws, linear drives,

Roller screws, auger drives, piezoelectric actuators, chain drives, and / or recoil drives to be driven.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator is designed as a pump or compressor.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator is a bistable solenoid, which forms a pulse-controlled, bi-stable valve together with an engaging in the bistable solenoid, designed as a plunger core closure element. Bistable lifting magnets are electromechanical magnets with linear direction of movement, wherein the plunger locked in each end position without current.

Bistable lifting magnets or valves are known in the art. A bistable valve requires a pulse to change valve positions (open / closed) and then remains in that position until a counter pulse is sent to the valve. Therefore, one speaks of a pulse-controlled valve. A major advantage of such pulse-controlled valves is that they do not consume energy in the Ventilendlagen, the

Closing position and delivery position to stay, but only need an energy pulse to change the valve layers, thus the Ventilendlagen are considered to be stable. A bistable valve remains in that switching position, which last received a control signal.

closure element

When a closure element in the context of this application is a

Device that acts on the actuator and that as a result of this action causes the opening or the closure of an outlet opening.

By way of example, the closure element can be valves which can be brought into a product delivery position or closure position by the actuator.

Particularly preferred is the embodiment of the closure element and the actuator in the form of a solenoid valve, wherein the dispenser are configured by the valve and the actuator by the electromagnetic or piezoelectric drive of the solenoid valve. In particular, when using a plurality of containers and thus to be dosed preparations, the amount and timing of the dosage can be controlled very accurately by the use of solenoid valves.

sensor

For the purposes of this application, a sensor is a sensor or sensor that has certain physical or chemical properties and / or material properties

Quality of the environment or as a quantitative measure.

The dosing system preferably has at least one sensor which is suitable for detecting a temperature. The temperature sensor is designed in particular for detecting a water temperature.

It is further preferred that the dosing system comprises a sensor for detecting the conductivity, whereby in particular the presence, the rinsing and / or the spraying of water in a dishwasher is / are detected.

In order to avoid a, the sense accuracy impairing polarization at the contacts of a conductivity sensor when using a DC power source, it is advantageous to perform two consecutive Wderstandsmessungen the conductivity sensor, each with different polarity, ie with a permutation of plus and minus pole, so that no charge surpluses can form at the contacts.

In particular, a sensor from the group of timers, temperature sensors, infrared sensors, brightness sensors, motion sensors, strain sensors,

Speed sensors, Proximity sensors, Flow sensors, Color sensors, Gas sensors, Vibration sensors, Pressure sensors, Conductivity sensors, Turbidity sensors,

Sonic pressure sensors, "lab-on-a-chip" sensors, force sensors,

Accelerometers, inclinometers, pH sensors, humidity sensors, magnetic field sensors, RFID sensors, Hall sensors, biochips, odor sensors,

Hydrogen sulfide sensors, position sensors, gyroscopes, optical, electrical and / or mechanical displacement sensors, and / or MEMS sensors to be selected.

It is particularly preferred that at least two sensors for measuring mutually different parameters are provided in or on the dosing system, wherein very particularly preferably one sensor is a conductivity sensor and another sensor is a temperature sensor. The sensors are in particular adapted to detect the beginning, course and end of a washing program in a dishwasher. For this purpose, by way of example and not limitation, the sensor combinations listed in the following table can be used

By means of the conductivity sensor can be detected, for example, whether the

Conductivity sensor is wetted by water, so that, for. determine whether there is water in the dishwasher or sprayed.

Dishwashing programs, such as dishwashing programs, typically have a characteristic temperature profile, which may include: is determined by the heating of the rinse water, which can be detected by a temperature sensor.

By means of a vibration sensor, it is possible, for example, to detect natural oscillations or the resonance of a dishwashing machine with a rotating spray arm. So it is conceivable, by means of a vibration sensor, the beginning or the end of a

Detect washing program.

In order to determine the degree of soiling of the items to be cleaned in the dishwasher, a turbidity sensor can also be provided. From this it is also possible, for example, to select a dosing program in the dosing system which is appropriate for the identified contamination situation.

It is also conceivable to detect the course of a treatment program of a dishwasher with the aid of at least one sound sensor by detecting specific sound and / or vibration emissions, for example when pumping or pumping out water. Of course, those skilled in the art will be able to use any suitable combinations of multiple sensors to achieve monitoring of a dishwasher's treatment program.

The data line between the sensor and the control unit can be realized via an electrically conductive cable or wirelessly. In principle, it is also conceivable that at least one sensor outside the metering system in the interior of a dishwasher, such as in the treatment room, in or on the washing drum and / or in or on the Einspülschublade, positioned or positioned and a data line - especially wireless - for transmission the measurement data from the sensor to the dosing system is formed. A wirelessly formed data line is formed in particular by the transmission of electromagnetic waves or light. It is preferable to form a wireless data line according to standardized standards such as Bluetooth, IrDA, IEEE 802, GSM, UMTS, etc.

control unit

A control unit in the sense of this application is a device which is suitable for influencing the transport of material, energy and / or information. For this purpose, the control unit influences at least one actuator with the aid of information, in particular of measuring signals of the sensor unit, which processes it in the sense of the control target.

In particular, at least one sensor is connected to the control unit, wherein it is particularly preferred that the sensor sends a signal to the control unit that represents the presence of water in the dishwasher and / or the operation of the dishwasher.

In particular, the control unit may be a programmable microprocessor. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is on the

Microprocessor stored a plurality of dosing programs.

The control unit has, in a preferred embodiment, no connection to the possibly existing control of the household appliance. Accordingly, no information, in particular electrical, optical or electromagnetic signals, is exchanged directly between the control unit and the control of the household appliance.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the control unit is coupled to the existing control of the household appliance. Preferably, this coupling is wireless. For example, it is possible to have a transmitter on or in a dishwasher, preferably on or at the door in the dishwasher

Positioning a dosing chamber that wirelessly transmits a signal to the dosing unit, when the control of the household appliance causes the dosage of, for example, a detergent from the dosing chamber or rinse aid. The delivery of preparations from the dosing device can be controlled by the control unit, sequentially or simultaneously.

It is particularly preferred to dose a plurality of preparations sequentially in a rinsing program.

energy

For the purposes of this application is understood as an energy source, a component of the dosing, which is expedient, one for the operation of the dosing or the

Metering device to provide appropriate energy. Preferably, the energy source is designed such that the dosing system is self-sufficient.

Preferably, the energy source provides electrical energy. In the

Power source may be, for example, a battery, an accumulator

Power supply, solar cells or the like act.

It is particularly advantageous to make the energy source replaceable, for example in the form of a replaceable battery.

For example, a battery may be selected from the group of alkaline manganese batteries, zinc carbon batteries, nickel oxyhydroxide batteries, lithium batteries, lithium iron sulfide batteries, zinc air batteries, zinc chloride batteries, Mercury oxide zinc batteries and / or silver oxide zinc batteries.

Lead accumulators (lead dioxide / lead), nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, alkaline-manganese batteries, silver-zinc batteries, nickel batteries, etc. Hydrogen batteries, zinc bromine batteries, sodium nickel chloride batteries and / or nickel-iron batteries.

The accumulator can in particular be designed in such a way that it can be recharged by induction.

The energy source is dimensioned in such a way that the metering device in about 1000

Can pass through dosing cycles before the energy source is exhausted. It is particularly preferred that the energy source can run between 1 and 1000 dosing cycles, most preferably between 10 and 500, more preferably between 100 and 300, before the energy source is exhausted. preparations

A flowable preparation according to the invention has a transmittance in the

Wavelength range between 700nm-1mm, preferably 700nm-1000nm from 75% -99%.

Preferably, a plurality of preparations are used, which are stored in separate chambers of the cartridge. According to the invention, the preparations in the cartridge chambers are preferably different from one another.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reserved in the cartridge chambers preparations are flowable, preferably have a viscosity from 10 to 10,000 mPas at a shear rate of 30 s ^"and a temperature of 25 ° C. The viscosity of the preparations can (using standard methods, for example, Brookfield Viscosimeter RVD-VII at 20 rev / min and 20 ° C, spindle 3) are measured.

embodiment

An exemplary embodiment of the dosing system 1 according to the invention, which can be positioned inside a dishwasher, is shown in FIG. 1 in a front and a side view. The dosing system 1 consists of the dosing device 2 and one with the

Dosing device 1 detachable cartridge 3. In the dosing device 2 are the control unit, a battery, a conductivity and a temperature sensor, an actuator and a

Closing element arranged (not visible), which cooperate in such a way that, when a predefined temperature at the temperature sensor and presence of a predefined conductivity value on the conductivity sensor, which represents the presence of water, the battery-operated control unit energized a battery-operated actuator, so that the actuator, the closure element in placed a dispensing position and a preparation is dispensed from the cartridge in the treatment room of the dishwasher.

The metering device 2 has a width b and a depth t, wherein the width (b) depth (t) ratio is from 3: 1 to 20: 1.

The cartridge 3 has a width b and a depth t, wherein the width (b) depth (t) ratio is from 3: 1 to 20: 1. It can be seen from Fig. 1, the width (b) - depth (t) ratio of dosing and cartridge in the illustrated embodiment is approximately equal.

By easily recognizable in Fig. 1 asymmetric shape of the cartridge, the cartridge has a first height h1 and a second height h2. It follows for the Cartridge a height (h) depth (t) ratio of 3: 1 to 20: 1, wherein the smaller height h2 is used to form the ratio.

The outwardly facing surface of the cartridge 3 has at least partially a surface roughness between 0.5-5 microns, preferably between 0.75-2.5 microns, more preferably between 1 -1, 5 microns, wherein, as in the present

Embodiment, it is preferred that the entire outwardly facing surface of the cartridge 3 has a surface roughness between 0.5-5 microns, preferably between 0.75-2.5 microns, more preferably between 1 -1, 5 microns.

The cartridge has three chambers 5a, 5b, 5c which are filled with the flowable preparations A, B and C. The volume ratio of the three chambers is approximately 1: 1: 4. The flowable formulations A, B, C have a transmittance in the wavelength range between 700 nm-1 mm, preferably 700 nm-1000 nm of 75% -99%. The walls of the cartridge 3 have a transmittance in the wavelength range between 700nm -1 mm, preferably 700nm-1000nm of 75% -99%.

In the embodiment shown, an enzyme-containing is in the first chamber 5a

Preparation, in the second chamber 5b a rinse aid preparation and stored in the third, largest chamber 5c an alkaline cleaning preparation. The preparations A, B, C stored in the three chambers 5a, 5b, c are different from each other

Light absorption spectra in the wavelength range between 350-699nm.

In the head of the dosing device 2, a light source 4 is arranged in the form of an LED. The light source 4 is positioned in the coupled state of metering device 2 and cartridge 3 so below the cartridge 3 and directed to the bottom of the cartridge 3, that it is in the cartridge 3 in beam, which is symbolized in Fig. 1 by the indicated light beam L. , In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 4 in the coupled state of

Dosing device 2 and cartridge 3 is arranged approximately centrally below the largest chamber 5c.

The light source 4 has an emission or opening angle α greater than 5 °, preferably between 5 ° and 60 °.

The light source 4 and the cartridge 3 are configured such that the average path length of the light beam L through the cartridge 3 is between 0.1 * 10 ⁵ - 10 * 10 ⁵ , preferably between 0.5 * 10 ⁵ - 7.5 * 10 ⁵ , most preferably between 1, 0 * 10 ⁵ - 6.5 * 10 ⁵ times the

Wavelength of the emitted light from the light source 4 corresponds.

Claims

claims

1 . Dosing system (1) for dispensing at least one detergent preparation (A, B, C) inside a dishwasher, comprising a dosing device (2) with a

Light source (4) and one with the metering device (2) can be coupled cartridge (3) in which at least one flowable preparation (A, B, C) is stored, characterized in that

^■ the cartridge (3) a width (b) depths (t) ratio of 3: 1 to 20: 1, and

1, and: ^■ the cartridge (3) has a height (h) depths (t) ratio of 3: 1 to 20

^■ the walls of the cartridge (3) at least in sections a transmittance in the wavelength range between 700nm -1 mm, preferably 700nm-1000nm of 75% - 99% have,

^■ the flowable preparation (A, B, C) has a transmittance in the wavelength range from 700 nm-1 mm, preferably 700nm-1000nm of 75% -99%,

^■ the surface of the cartridge (3) directed to the outside has, at least in sections, a surface roughness of between 0.5-5 microns, preferably between 0.75-2.5 microns, more preferably between 1-1.5 microns

^■ the light source (4), the light at least in a wavelength range between

700nm - 1mm, preferably 700nm-1000nm emitted, into the cartridge radiates,

The light source (4) ^■ a radiation angle α greater than 5 °, preferably between 5 ° and 60 °, and

^■ are the light source (4) and the cartridge (3) in the type configured such that the mean path length of the light beam (L) through the cartridge (3) is between 0.1 * 10 ⁵ - 10 * 10 ^5, preferably between 0, 5 * 10 ⁵ - 7.5 * 10 ⁵ , very particularly preferably between 1, 0 * 10 ⁵ - 6.5 * 10 ⁵ times the wavelength of the light emitted by the light source (4) corresponds.

2. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (4) in the coupled state of dosing device (2) and cartridge (3) is positioned below the cartridge (3) and directed to the bottom of the cartridge (3) in that it blasts into the cartridge (3).

3. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the cartridge (3) directed, radiation side substantially circular

Opening diameter of the light source (4) between 0.25 and 0.95, preferably between 0.5 and 0.75 of the depth (t) of the cartridge (3) corresponds.

4. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge (3) has three chambers (5a, 5b, 5c) for storing three mutually different preparations (A, B, C), wherein the volume ratio of the three chambers in is about 1: 1: 4.

5. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (4) in the coupled state of metering device (2) and cartridge (3) is arranged approximately centrally below the largest chamber (5 c).

6. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the first chamber (5a) an enzyme-containing preparation, in the second chamber (5b) is a rinse aid preparation and in the third, largest chamber (5c) is an alkaline cleaning preparation.

7. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the three chambers (5a, 5b, c) stockpiled preparations (A, B, C) have different light absorption spectra in the wavelength range between 350-699nm.

8. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiation intensity in the wavelength range of 700nm-1 mm, preferably 700nm- 1000nm between 2-100 mW / sr, preferably 10-60 mW / sr, more preferably between 15-50 mW / sr.