EP2784205B1 - Storage container and metering device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a storage container and a metering device for metering a detergent or a washing or rinsing additive in a water-conducting household appliance.

Dosing devices in washing machines allow precise dosing of the detergent, which can be automatically adapted to the size and type of wash load and possibly also to the degree of contamination depending on the set wash program. The user of a stocked with such a metering washing machine must place only one or more reservoirs in a receiving device of the washing machine, and does not need to worry about the dosage.

The DE 10 2007 022 098 and the EP 2 003 237 A1 describe each latching, which are intended to fix detergent receiving drawers in the washing machine housing and not to fix a detergent container in a detergent receiving drawer.

In the US 2010/0161143 A1 Although a detergent container is described, but which is not locked.

An embodiment of a metering device is in EP 2479335 A1 disclosed. The metering device described therein comprises a receiving device arranged in the washing machine, into which two storage containers with detergent can be inserted. The reservoirs are either drawer-like inserted into the receiving device or inserted into a drawer-like compartment, which is then inserted into the receiving device. Furthermore, a coupling device is provided which consists of a device-side hollow mandrel and a container-side piston. Upon insertion of the reservoir in the receiving device of the hollow mandrel is pushed into a tubular opening of the reservoir and pushes back the piston, so as to provide a flow for the detergent from the reservoir into the washing machine.

Disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the reservoir is either not kept safe enough in the receiving device or sitting too tight and can be pulled out with difficulty. The former may cause the reservoir unintentionally, for example, due to vibrations in a spin cycle from the Recording device is sometimes transported out. This can lead to detergent flows out of the reservoir and the coupling device dirty permanently.

The invention thus presents the problem of providing a reservoir and a metering device, which ensure a secure coupling between the reservoir in a water-conducting household appliance. At the same time a simple removal of the reservoir is to be made possible.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a storage container having the features of patent claim 1 and by a metering device having the features of patent claim 12. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

The storage container according to the invention has a housing in which a liquid such as detergent or washing or rinsing additive is filled or can be filled. So it forms a kind of cartridge for holding the liquid. The housing is designed such that it can be moved in an insertion direction in order to insert it into a receiving device of a water-conducting household appliance. The water-conducting household appliance may in particular be a dishwasher or a washing machine. On the housing, a latching element is further provided, which is designed to form a latching connection when inserting the housing into the receiving device with a arranged in the receiving device locking counter-element of the household appliance, which releasably fixes the housing in the receiving device. The latching element is preferably an elevation, which engages in a recess serving as a latching counter element in a wall of the receiving device in order to produce the latching connection. To release the latching connection may be provided in a preferred embodiment, a pressure actuator, which releases the survey when exerting a compressive force, for example by the wall or a wall portion is bent with the recess by the pressure force.

In addition, a container-side coupling element is provided on the housing of the reservoir, which is designed to be coupled with a recording device arranged in the receiving side coupling element to a coupling device with the household appliance, that the additive can flow through the coupling device in the household appliance. The coupling device thus forms from the container-side coupling element and the receiving-side coupling element after the housing of the reservoir has been inserted into the receiving device and the latching connection has been formed.

This is preferably done in such a way that the container-side coupling element has a piston and the receiving-side coupling element has a hollow mandrel. When forming the coupling device, the piston sets on the hollow mandrel and is pressed by this into the housing. Thus, the piston moves from a closed position to an open position. The piston is arranged in a pipe section of the housing. When it is in the open position, a flow of liquid from the housing through the pipe section to the household appliance is opened. The flow is preferably formed by slots or depressions formed on an inner wall of the pipe section. The liquid flows in each case preferably through the hollow mandrel. In the closed position, the piston closes the flow of liquid out of the housing. When the housing is removed again from the receiving device, then the piston moves, for example due to a prestressed spring, back into the closed position, so that the flow is closed again.

The piston is thus preferably connected in the housing with a spring or other suitable return element which presses the piston from the open position to the closed position. Preferably, the container-side coupling element additionally has an annular seal, which additionally seals the flow of the liquid out of the housing in the closed position of the piston.

It is further provided that the housing in a cross-sectional plane parallel to the insertion direction has a cross-sectional outline, wherein the container-side coupling element and the latching element are arranged on the cross-sectional outline in the same cross-sectional plane on the housing. Preferably, this cross-sectional plane also extends parallel to a vertical or horizontal outer housing wall of the housing. So if you look at the housing in the insertion direction, then the container-side coupling element and the locking element are arranged on a common horizontal or vertical, with the said orientations oriented to the installation of the household appliance in a room. The insertion direction is preferably aligned parallel to a longitudinal extension direction of the housing.

According to the invention, it is provided that the coupling element and the latching element are arranged substantially on a diagonal or on opposite ends of a diagonal of the cross-sectional contour on the housing. In other words, these two elements are as far apart as possible along the cross-sectional contour. The diagonal preferably extends at an angle or transversely to the insertion direction. If the receiving-side coupling element exerts a force against the direction of insertion on the housing, then this force, in cooperation with the locking element, causes a torque to act on the housing. This Torque causes the locking element is pressed further in the direction of latching with the locking counter-element, so that the latching connection is improved. This results in particular in vibration, for example during a spin cycle in a washing machine, to a secure fixation of the housing in the receiving device.

According to an expedient embodiment, it is provided that the cross-sectional contour of the housing in the cross-sectional plane parallel to the insertion direction is substantially rectangular or square. Preferably, an extending in the insertion direction side surface of the housing is substantially rectangular or square. In an expedient development it is further provided that the housing has a substantially rectangular or square cross-section perpendicular to the insertion direction. Preferably, the housing is generally cuboid or cube-shaped. A rectangular or square cross section along a plane has the advantage that the housing can be safely stacked along this plane. In addition, such a housing saves space when two or more storage containers of this type are to be arranged in a receiving device.

In an expedient embodiment, provision is made for a guide elevation to be arranged on a guide surface of the housing, which is designed to engage in a guide groove of the receiving device upon insertion of the housing into the receiving device for secure guidance of the housing. The guide increase serves to ensure a safe insertion of the housing into the receiving device. When inserting the housing, the user may first orientate himself to the guide surface of the housing and ensure that this guide surface is placed on an edge or an inner surface of the receptacle. Next, he must place the guide increase in the guide groove and then push the housing into the receiving device until it stops. The guide increase thus serves to ensure an optimal position and possibly also orientation of the housing when inserted into the receiving device.

The guide elevation is therefore preferably a survey of an otherwise (ie, where appropriate, apart from further guidance or adjustment elements) plane or planar guide surface of the housing. At least in the immediate vicinity of the guide increase, the guide surface is preferably flat or flat. In preferred embodiments, the guide increase stick-shaped or nozzle-shaped substantially vertically protrude from the guide surface. Alternatively, the guide increase can also be stretched along the guide surface in order to predetermine the orientation of the housing when the housing is inserted into the receiving device.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the guide elevation is arranged on the housing adjacent to the container-side coupling element or together with the container-side coupling element in a same cross-sectional plane parallel to the insertion direction. This cross-sectional plane may preferably run parallel to a side wall of the housing. If the guide increase is arranged on the housing adjacent to the container-side coupling element, then the guide groove of the receiving device must be arranged adjacent to the receiving-side coupling element or run towards the receiving-side coupling element. This has the advantage that the container-side coupling element is supplied to the receiving side coupling element by means of guided in the guide groove guide elevation to connect the two coupling elements to the coupling device.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the latching element is arranged on a side opposite the guide surface of the housing. In this way, the guide surface and in particular the guide elevation can support the housing against an inner wall or against the guide groove in order to secure the latching connection.

In the latter case, therefore, the guide increase and the guide groove form a defined fit for the housing with little tolerance, so that the latching connection is not accidentally solved. Alternatively or additionally, Justiernoppen may be provided for engaging in Justiernuten in the receiving device for this purpose. Advantageously, it is provided that the Justiernoppen are arranged on the guide surface on the housing substantially in a common arranged perpendicular to the insertion direction cross-sectional plane. This Justiernoppen thus ensure that the locking element is optimally positioned for the locking connection and remains.

According to the invention, it is provided that the latching element, the container-side coupling element and / or the guide elevation is arranged perpendicular to a front side or end face of the housing substantially horizontally centered / are. This means that these elements are arranged along a vertical line when looking at the front. Alternatively, said elements may also be arranged substantially vertically in the center. Again, the above orientations refer horizontally and vertically to the location of the household appliance in a room. Preferably, the end face or end face is formed substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction. A cuboid housing is preferably the narrow side, which is expediently square. A horizontally or vertically central arrangement has the advantage that the distribution of forces when holding the housing in the receiving device is symmetrical. Furthermore, the housing is easier in the Thread receiving device, since, for example, the user when inserting the housing in the receiving device can hold the housing so that the locking counter-element appears centrally above the front side of the housing.

Preferably, it is provided that the housing has a length between about 100mm and 500mm, a width between about 50mm to 150mm and / or a height between about 50mm to 150mm. Such dimensions allow easy and safe handling of the housing and guarantee a secure locking connection with low demands on the materials from which locking element and locking counter-element are formed.

The storage container described herein may already be filled at the factory and / or be provided with a filling opening on the housing to fill it for the first time or to refill after use.

The storage container is part of a metering device for a water-conducting household appliance, in particular for a washing machine or for a dishwasher, which in addition to the reservoir has a receiving device which is designed to receive the housing and hold.

Fig. 1

ein wasserführendes Haushaltsgerät, nämlich eine Waschmaschine, mit einer Dosiereinrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine Dosiereinrichtung mit zwei Vorratsbehältern,

Fig. 3

die Dosiereinrichtung aus Fig. 2 mit einem ausgezogenen Vorratsbehälter,

Fig. 4

die Dosiereinrichtung aus Fig. 2 mit einem eingesteckten und einem ausgezogenen Vorratsbehälter, und

Fig. 5

eine Querschnittsansicht der Dosiereinrichtung aus Fig. 2 mit Vorratsbehälter.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows

Fig. 1

a water-conducting household appliance, namely a washing machine, with a metering device,

Fig. 2

a metering device with two storage containers,

Fig. 3

the metering device Fig. 2 with a withdrawn storage container,

Fig. 4

the metering device Fig. 2 with an inserted and a withdrawn reservoir, and

Fig. 5

a cross-sectional view of the metering device Fig. 2 with storage tank.

In the Fig. 1 is a water-conducting household appliance 1, namely a washing machine 1, shown, in the lower region of a receiving device 3 is provided. In the receiving device 3, a storage container 2 and a further storage container 2 are arranged, wherein the left reservoir 2 is slightly pulled out. Together with the storage containers 2, the receiving device 3 forms a metering device for metering a liquid, in particular a detergent or a washing additive. For example, in the reservoir 2, a detergent or a washing additive may be included, while in the other reservoir 2, another detergent or a Another washing additive is present, or the other reservoir 2 serves as a reserve container for the same detergent or for the same washing additive.

A detailed view of the metering device is in the Fig. 2 shown. In the receiving device 3, the two substantially identical reservoir 2 are inserted and locked next to each other. The locking elements on the storage containers 2 are in the Fig. 2 not visible because they are covered by the locking counter-elements 32. Each locking counter-element 32 is flexible and has a pressure actuator 322, which is formed as a recess. Upon application of a pressure on the pressure actuator 322, the locking counter-element 32 is pushed upward, so that the latching connection holding the reservoir 2 is released. Each storage container 2 also has on its front side visible here a handle element 24 with a finger opening 241. By inserting a finger or thumb into the finger opening 241, the grip element 24 can be gripped to pull the reservoir 2 out of the receiving device 3. Thus, the reservoir 2 can be solved with one hand and pulled out by the user presses for example with his thumb against the pressure actuator 322 and releases the locking connection and simultaneously engages with his index finger in the finger opening 241 of the handle member 24 and pulls the reservoir 2.

In the Fig. 2 is also a furnishing flap 34 visible, which closes the receiving device 3, so that the storage container 2 are protected behind the device flap 34 and concealed simultaneously. This device flap 34 is better visible in the perspective view of the metering device in FIG Fig. 3 , Here both reservoir 2 are removed from the receiving device 3. A storage container 2 is shown as it is being pushed into the receiving device 3.

The storage container 2 is pushed into the receiving device 3 in an insertion direction 4 illustrated by means of an arrow 4. The reservoir 2 is in this case formed in the shape of a cuboid. Perpendicular to the insertion direction 4, it has a substantially square cross-section with rounded corners, while it is stretched along the insertion direction 4 or along the insertion direction 4 has its largest dimension. The reservoir 2 is in the Fig. 3 positioned so that it only has to be moved in the insertion direction to be inserted into the receiving device 3. The same situation as in Fig. 3 with respect to the position of the reservoir 2 is in the Fig. 4 presented from a different perspective, where in the Fig. 4 In addition, a further storage container 2 is already arranged in the receiving device 3.

To insert the reservoir 2 in the receiving device 3, the reservoir 2 is arranged so that a guide elevation 231, the on a Guide surface 23 of the housing 20 is formed, engages in a guide groove 331. The guide groove 331 formed on a lower receiving surface 33 of the receiving device 3 along the insertion direction 4 leads to a receiving-side coupling element 31. Since the guide elevation 231 is arranged on the container side immediately adjacent to a container-side coupling element, this guide aid allows guide elevation 231 and guide groove 331 to form a simple and secure coupling.

As soon as the housing 20 is completely inserted into the receiving device 3, a latching element 22 formed on a surface of the housing 20 opposite the guide surface engages in a latching counter-element 32 in the receiving device 3 and thus forms a latching connection. In order to exert a pressure on the locking element 22 and to press the locking element 22 further into the locking counter-element 32, two Justiernoppen 232 are also provided on the guide surface 23, which engage in Justiernuten 332 on the receiving surface 33. By Justiernoppen 232 is also ensured that the housing 20 is not tilted sideways. The Justiernoppen 232 and the locking element 22 are in the present embodiment in a common cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the insertion direction 4 and to an extension direction of the housing 20th

A cross-sectional view through the receiving device 3 with an inserted and latched reservoir 2 is in the Fig. 5 shown. Here is clearly visible how the locking element 22 is inserted into the locking counter-element 32. In addition, the receiving-side coupling element 31 is inserted into a tubular opening of the housing 20, which contains a piston 211 with a ring seal 212. By means of the receiving-side coupling element 31, which here has the shape of a hollow mandrel, the piston 211 is pushed from a closed position, in which it closes a flow of liquid from the housing by means of the ring seal 212, against the insertion direction 4 in an open position. As a result, the flow for the liquid is opened, which can then be sucked through the hollow mandrel into the washing machine 1.

The piston 211 is biased against the housing 20 with a return element 213, namely a spring. Therefore, in this latched state on the container-side coupling element 21, a biasing force in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 4 is exerted on the housing 20. Because the locking element 22 is arranged in the cross-sectional plane visible here diagonally opposite to the coupling element 21, this biasing force results in a torque which presses the locking element 22 against the locking counter-element 32. As a result, a loosening of the latching connection is difficult, so that the housing 20 even with a shaking of the washing machine 1, for example due to a spin process in the washing machine 1, safely in the Recording device 3 is held and the coupling connection between the container-side coupling element 21 and the receiving-side coupling element 31 does not dissolve in this case.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

water-conducting household appliance (washing machine)

2

reservoir

20

casing

21

Container-side coupling element

211

piston

212

ring seal

213

Return element

22

locking element

23

guide surface

231

leadership survey

232

Justiernoppen

24

handle element

241

finger opening

3

recording device

31

receiving side coupling element

32

Detent counter element

322

pressure actuator

33

receiving surface

331

guide

332

Justiernuten

34

establishment flap

4

insertion direction

Claims (12)

1. Storage container (2) for receiving a liquid such as a detergent or a washing or rinsing additive, comprising:

   - a housing (20) which is designed to be inserted, in an insertion direction (4), into a receiving means (3) of a water-conducting domestic appliance (1), in particular a washing machine, and

   - a container-side coupling element (21) which is designed to be coupled to the domestic appliance (1) by means of a receiving-side coupling element (31) arranged on the receiving means (3), forming a coupling device, such that the liquid can flow via the coupling device into the domestic appliance (1),

   - a catch element (22) which is designed to form a catch connection together with a catch counter element (32) of the domestic appliance (1) arranged in the receiving means (3) when the housing (20) is inserted into the receiving means (3), which catch connection releasably fixes the housing (20) in the receiving means (3),

   characterised in that

   - the housing (20) has a cross-sectional contour in a cross-sectional plane parallel to the insertion direction (4), the container-side coupling element (21) and the catch element (22) being arranged on the housing (20) on the cross-sectional contour in the same cross-sectional plane, and

   - the container-side coupling element (21) and the catch element (22) being arranged on the housing (20) on opposing ends of a diagonal of the cross-sectional contour, and

   - the catch element (22) and the container-side coupling element (21) being arranged in a horizontal, central manner when viewed perpendicularly to an end face of the housing (20).
2. Storage container (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the cross-sectional contour of the housing (20) is rectangular in the cross-sectional plane parallel to the insertion direction (4).
3. Storage container (2) according to either of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (20) has a rectangular or square cross section perpendicularly to the insertion direction (4).
4. Storage container (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a raised guide portion (231) is arranged on a guide surface (23) of the housing (20), which raised guide portion is designed to engage in a guide groove (331) of the receiving means (3) when the housing (20) is inserted into the receiving means (3), in order to securely guide the housing (20).
5. Storage container (2) according to claim 4, characterised in that the raised guide portion (231) is arranged on the housing (20) adjacently to the container-side coupling element (21) and/or together with the container-side coupling element (21) in the same cross-sectional plane parallel to the insertion direction (4).
6. Storage container (2) according to either claim 4 or claim 5, characterised in that the catch element (22) is arranged on a side of the housing (20) that is opposite the guide surface (23).
7. Storage container (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that adjustment nubs (232) for engaging in adjustment grooves (332) in the receiving means (3) are arranged on the guide surface (23) of the housing (20) in the same cross-sectional plane as the locking element (21), perpendicular to the insertion direction (4).
8. Storage container (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container-side coupling element (21) comprises a piston (211) that is arranged in a tube portion formed in the housing (20) so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position, the piston (211) leaving open a flow of the liquid from the housing (20) through the tube portion to the domestic appliance in the open position, and shutting off the flow of the liquid from the housing (20) in the closed position.
9. Storage container (2) according to claim 8, characterised in that the container-side coupling element (21) comprises a ring seal (212) that seals off the flow of the liquid from the housing (20) in the closed position of the piston (211).
10. Storage container (2) according to claim 4, characterised in that the raised guide portion (231) is arranged in a horizontal, central manner when viewed perpendicularly to an end face of the housing (20).
11. Storage container (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (20) has a length of between 100 mm and 500 mm, a width of between 50 mm and 150 mm and/or a height of between 50 mm and 150 mm.
12. Dispensing means for a water-conducting domestic appliance (1), in particular a washing machine, comprising a receiving means (3) and a storage container (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (20) of the storage container (2) is designed to be inserted into the receiving means (3) in the insertion direction (4).

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