EP3327193B1 - Container device for arrangement in a dosing system of a household appliance, dosing system, method for the operation of a dosing system and method for producing a container apparatus - Google Patents

Container device for arrangement in a dosing system of a household appliance, dosing system, method for the operation of a dosing system and method for producing a container apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3327193B1
EP3327193B1 EP17201646.1A EP17201646A EP3327193B1 EP 3327193 B1 EP3327193 B1 EP 3327193B1 EP 17201646 A EP17201646 A EP 17201646A EP 3327193 B1 EP3327193 B1 EP 3327193B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chamber
container
connection
pump
cleaning agent
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17201646.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3327193A1 (en
Inventor
Werner Strothoff
Dirk Schübel
Maria-Paz Linaje
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Miele und Cie KG
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Miele und Cie KG
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Publication of EP3327193A1 publication Critical patent/EP3327193A1/en
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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • D06F39/022—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents in a liquid state
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
    • A47L15/4472—Blister packaging or refill cartridges
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
    • D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F33/37—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of metering of detergents or additives
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
    • A47L15/4418—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants in the form of liquids
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/20—Washing liquid condition, e.g. turbidity
    • D06F2103/22—Content of detergent or additives
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/50—Control of washer-dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • D06F33/52—Control of the operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F33/57—Control of the operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of metering of detergents or additives
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/08—Control circuits or arrangements thereof

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a container device for arrangement in a metering system of a household appliance and a metering system.
  • a dosing system for a washing machine and a cartridge with at least one chamber with a preparation containing bleach can be coupled with the dosing system.
  • a dosing device for a washing machine with a carrier which if necessary holds one or more containers at a predetermined position / s, each container receiving at least one substance and having at least one outlet, and with a fluidic interface for connecting the outlets of the Container with a device for dispensing the respective substance as required.
  • the present invention has for its object to provide an improved container device for arrangement in a metering system of a household appliance and an improved metering system.
  • a container device for arrangement in a dosing system of a household appliance having a pump device with at least one pump connection, and the container device having the following feature: at least one multi-chamber container with a chamber for receiving a cleaning agent and at least one fluidly separated from the chamber Additional chamber for receiving an additional cleaning agent, the chamber having a chamber connection and the additional chamber having an additional chamber connection, the chamber connection and the additional chamber connection being designed to be arranged of the multi-chamber container in the metering system to be fluidly coupled to the pump connection.
  • the household appliance can be, for example, a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a washer dryer, a dishwasher or some other water-carrying household appliance.
  • a dosing system can be understood as a system for the automatic dosing of at least one cleaning agent.
  • a cleaning or additional cleaning agent can be understood to mean, for example, a washing or bleaching agent or a fabric softener or hygiene rinse. In particular, the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent can be different cleaning agents.
  • a pump device can be understood to mean, for example, a hose metering pump. The pump device can be designed, for example, to pump the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent in parallel from the multi-chamber container into a fluid circuit of the household appliance.
  • a multi-chamber container can be understood to mean, for example, a double cartridge.
  • the multi-chamber container can be removed from the container device for refilling with the cleaning or additional cleaning agent.
  • the chamber and the additional chamber can be of different sizes.
  • a chamber connection or additional chamber connection can be understood to mean a coupling point for the fluidic coupling of the multi-chamber container to the pump connection.
  • the pump connection can be assigned to a pump unit of the pump device.
  • the pump device can have several pump units, each with a pump connection.
  • a household appliance for metering several cleaning or detergent components can have a multi-component cartridge with several chambers for storing the components. This makes it possible to dispense the components from as few cartridges as possible and thus make the handling of the dispensing system as simple as possible.
  • a cartridge has the advantage that as many components as possible can be dosed, so that a very good washing or cleaning result can be ensured and customer needs or circumstances such as the water hardness can be individually addressed.
  • a detergent can be further divided into components and more concentrated products can be offered.
  • the chamber and the additional chamber can be of different sizes.
  • a size difference between the chamber and the additional chamber can be selected depending on a dosing ratio between the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent. This allows the detergent and Additional detergents can be dosed in a constant dosage ratio. This also ensures that the chamber and the additional chamber are each emptied at the same time.
  • the chamber and the additional chamber can be elements which are formed separately from one another and which, after their separate formation, have been immovably connected to one another via a material, positive or non-positive connection.
  • the chambers can be manufactured separately from one another in a separate injection molding process. The chambers can then have been connected to one another, for example by gluing, clipping or screwing together. In this way, for example, chambers with sizes suitable for an application can be selected and combined to form the container device.
  • the container device has at least one further multi-chamber container with a further chamber for receiving a further cleaning agent and at least one additional chamber fluidly separated from the further chamber for receiving a further additional cleaning agent.
  • the further chamber can have a further chamber connection and the further additional chamber can have a further additional chamber connection.
  • the further chamber connection and the further additional chamber connection can be designed to be fluidly coupled to a further pump connection of the pump device when the further multi-chamber container is arranged in the metering system.
  • the number of detergents which can be metered by means of the metering system can at least be doubled.
  • four different cleaning agents can be dosed automatically using two multi-chamber containers with two chambers each.
  • a pump device can be understood to mean, for example, a peristaltic pump or another suitable pump.
  • the chamber connection and the additional chamber connection can be releasably coupled to the pump connection.
  • the pump device can be designed to pump the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent from the multi-chamber container in such a way that the chamber and the additional chamber are emptied at the same time. This enables efficient emptying of the multi-chamber container.
  • the pump device is designed to pump the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent simultaneously from the multi-chamber container.
  • the detergent and the additional detergent can be dosed in parallel.
  • the pumping device can be designed to pump the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent in a dosing ratio not equal to one from the multi-chamber container.
  • the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent can be metered in amounts which differ from one another with simultaneous metering.
  • the pump device is designed as a peristaltic pump. Such a pump device offers the advantage of a high level of robustness and a long service life.
  • the approach described here creates a method for producing a container device for arrangement in a metering system of a household appliance, the metering system having a pump device with at least one pump connection, the method comprising the following step: Forming a multi-chamber container with a chamber for receiving a cleaning agent and at least one additional chamber fluidically separated from the chamber for receiving an additional cleaning agent, the chamber having a chamber connection and the additional chamber having an additional chamber connection, the chamber connection and the additional chamber connection being designed to assist in arranging the Multi-chamber container in the dosing system to be fluidly coupled to the pump connection.
  • the multi-chamber container can be produced in an injection molding process in the molding step.
  • the container device can be produced particularly inexpensively by this method.
  • the approach presented here also creates a device which is designed to carry out, control or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. Also through this variant of the Invention in the form of a device, the object underlying the invention can be solved quickly and efficiently.
  • a device can be understood to mean an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals as a function thereof.
  • the device can have an interface that can be designed in terms of hardware and / or software.
  • the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device.
  • the interfaces are separate, integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components.
  • the interfaces can be software modules which are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.
  • a computer program product or computer program with program code which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and for carrying out, implementing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above is used, in particular if the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a household appliance 100 with a dosing system 102 according to an embodiment.
  • the dosing system 102 of the household appliance 100 here a washing machine, comprises a container device 104 in which a multi-chamber container 106 is arranged.
  • the multi-chamber container 106 comprises a chamber 108 for receiving a cleaning agent and an additional chamber 110, which is fluidly separated from the chamber 108, for receiving an additional cleaning agent.
  • the multi-chamber container 106 is implemented, for example, as a removable double cartridge.
  • the chamber 108 has a chamber connection 114 for connecting the chamber 108 to one Pump connection 116 of a pump device 118 of household appliance 100.
  • the additional chamber 110 also has an additional chamber connection 120 for connecting the additional chamber 110 to the pump connection 116.
  • the pump device 118 for example a peristaltic pump, is designed in accordance with this exemplary embodiment in order to convey the cleaning agent or the additional cleaning agent from the multi-chamber container 106 into a tub 122 of the household appliance 100.
  • the chamber connection 114 and the additional chamber connection 120 are designed to be fluidly connected to the pump connection 116 when the multi-chamber container 106 is inserted into the container device 104.
  • the multi-chamber container 106 is made in one piece or in several pieces. According to one exemplary embodiment, the multi-chamber container 106 has been produced in which the two chambers 108, 110 have been joined to form the multi-chamber container 106 by a suitable joining method.
  • a device 124 for controlling the pump device 118 is connected to the pump device 118.
  • the device 124 receives, for example from a sensor 126 arranged in the tub 122, a metering signal 128 which, for example, represents a detergent concentration measured in the tub 122.
  • the device 124 uses the metering signal 128, the device 124 generates a corresponding control signal 130, the pump device 118 being designed to use the control signal 130 to remove the cleaning agent or the additional cleaning agent, taking into account the cleaning agent concentration represented by the metering signal 128, from the multi-chamber container 106 into the tub 122 to pump.
  • the two chambers 108, 110 are shaped differently, so that the two cleaning agents are conveyed out of the multi-chamber container 106 in a constant dosing ratio not equal to one in the case of parallel dosing.
  • the container device 104 is designed to hold at least one further multi-chamber container 132 in addition to the multi-chamber container 106, the further multi-chamber container 132 having, analogously to the multi-chamber container 106, a further chamber 134 for receiving a further cleaning agent and a further additional chamber 136 for receiving a further additional cleaning agent.
  • the two further chambers 134, 136 of the further multi-chamber container 132 are also fluidly separated from one another.
  • the further chamber 134 has a further chamber connection 138 which is fluidly connected to a further pump connection 140 of the pump device 118.
  • the additional chamber 136 is over a further additional chamber connection 142 is also connected to the further pump connection 140.
  • the multi-chamber container 106 and the further multi-chamber container 132 are, for example, each a double cartridge made up of two independent cartridges which are not connected to one another, each of which has an independent coupling point, but are immovably connected to one another by shaping, gluing or other fixing options.
  • the multi-chamber containers are simultaneously coupled to the pump system of the household appliance 100 when they are inserted into the metering device 104.
  • cartridges with two components are used as multi-chamber containers, the ease of use for a user of household appliance 100 can be significantly improved.
  • Components that are always metered in the same ratio are filled into the multi-chamber containers 106, 132.
  • Such components are, for example, bleaching agents and bleach activators, whereby functionality switchable bleaching or mild bleaching can be omitted.
  • a typical further use for the multi-chamber containers 106, 132 is the metering of a surfactant-enzyme component together with a builder system. By using the multi-chamber containers 106, 132, builders can be used that otherwise could not be combined with the surfactants.
  • Parallel dosing of the cleaning agents for example using a double-head peristaltic pump or another suitable pump as the pump device 118, can ensure that the multi-chamber containers are emptied uniformly.
  • the two individual chambers of a multi-chamber container can be of different sizes in order to be able to store the cleaning agents, such as detergent components, in an optimal mixing ratio to one another.
  • a metering hose of the pump device 118 must therefore be selected in a corresponding ratio, so that it is ensured that both chambers of a multi-chamber container are empty at the same time.
  • Such multi-chamber containers are suitable, for example, for automatic metering in washing machines or dishwashers.
  • the dosing system 102 can be used to achieve improved performance with almost the same dosing effort, since four components can be dosed instead of two. For example, this is by simply adapting an existing coupling point and by expanding a dosing head of a peristaltic pump to two dosing tubes per pump. It is also possible to continue working with only two vacancy sensors, since the parallel dosing ensures that both components per multi-chamber container are emptied at the same time. In this way, detergents can be formulated in a more concentrated manner and it is possible to adapt them to the water hardness by forming variants of the chemistry, for example by using products for soft, medium-hard and hard water.
  • the parallel dosing ensures that both components are used at the same time. This makes it unnecessary to replace individual components.
  • fragrance and fabric softener for example, could be dosed separately for washing.
  • rinse aid could also be dosed separately when rinsing.
  • Existing installation spaces can advantageously be used to implement the approach presented here.
  • the multi-chamber container 106 holds, for example, a volume of 3000 ml for the combination of surfactant-enzyme with builder, of 1250 ml for the combination of bleach with bleach activator, of 600 ml for fabric softener and of 250 ml for fragrance.
  • the coupling between the multi-chamber containers 106, 132 and the pump device 118 is carried out, for example, using a coupling technique that releases a ventilation function when docking, which is particularly advantageous when bleaching agents are used.
  • the pump device 118 is implemented, for example, as a hose metering pump with two hoses of different diameters and an adapted eccentric disc, so that metering can be carried out in a certain, even unequal, ratio.
  • the pump device 118 is implemented as a hose metering pump with clockwise / anti-clockwise rotation, with either one or the other component being meterable via freewheel mechanisms.
  • the respective volumes of the multi-chamber containers 106, 132 can be divided in a certain ratio in accordance with the required metering amounts.
  • This ratio can on the one hand the restrictions on the formulability of washing and Treatment agents and the dosage ratio set via the pump device 118 correspond. On the other hand, it can be adapted to regional requirements. For example, if the builder system is metered separately, it can also be adapted to different water hardness levels.
  • FIG 2 shows a schematic representation of a device 124 Figure 1
  • the device 124 for operating a metering system comprises a receiving unit 210 for receiving the metering signal 128 and a generating unit 220 which is designed to use the metering signal 128 to generate the control signal 130 for controlling the pumping device of the metering system.
  • FIG 3 shows a flow diagram of a method 300 for operating a dosing system according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • the method 300 can, for example, use a method based on FIG Figures 1 and 2 described device are carried out and comprises a step 310 in which the metering signal for metering the cleaning agent or the additional cleaning agent is received, and a step 320 in which the control signal for controlling the pump device is generated using the metering signal.
  • FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for producing a container device according to an exemplary embodiment, for example one previously based on FIG Figures 1 to 3 described container device.
  • a step 402 the multi-chamber container with the chamber for receiving the cleaning agent and the additional chamber fluidically separated from the chamber for receiving the additional cleaning agent is formed, the chamber being formed with the chamber connection and the additional chamber being formed with the additional chamber connection.
  • the chamber connection and the additional chamber connection are shaped in such a way that they are fluidly coupled to the pump connection of the pump device when the multi-chamber container is arranged in the metering system.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Behältervorrichtung zur Anordnung in einem Dosiersystem eines Haushaltgeräts und ein Dosiersystem.The invention relates to a container device for arrangement in a metering system of a household appliance and a metering system.

Es sind Waschmaschinen mit wiederbefüllbaren Kartuschen zur automatischen Waschmitteldosierung bekannt.Washing machines with refillable cartridges for automatic detergent dosing are known.

Aus der WO 2011/138218 A1 ist ein Dosiersystem für eine Waschmaschine sowie eine mit dem Dosiersystem koppelbare Kartusche mit mindestens einer Kammer mit einer bleichmittelhaltigen Zubereitung bekannt.From the WO 2011/138218 A1 A dosing system for a washing machine and a cartridge with at least one chamber with a preparation containing bleach can be coupled with the dosing system.

Aus der WO 2015/082297 A1 ist eine Dosiereinrichtung für eine Waschmaschine mit einem Träger bekannt, der bedarfsweise einen oder mehrere Behälter an vorgegebener/n Position/en aufnimmt, wobei jeder Behälter jeweils mindestens eine Substanz aufnimmt und wenigstens einen Auslass aufweist, und mit einer fluidischen Schnittstelle zur Verbindung der Auslässe der Behälter mit einer Vorrichtung zum bedarfsweisen Ausbringen der jeweiligen Substanz.From the WO 2015/082297 A1 A dosing device for a washing machine with a carrier is known, which if necessary holds one or more containers at a predetermined position / s, each container receiving at least one substance and having at least one outlet, and with a fluidic interface for connecting the outlets of the Container with a device for dispensing the respective substance as required.

Vor diesem Hintergrund stellt sich die vorliegende Erfindung die Aufgabe, eine verbesserte Behältervorrichtung zur Anordnung in einem Dosiersystem eines Haushaltgeräts sowie ein verbessertes Dosiersystem zu schaffen.Against this background, the present invention has for its object to provide an improved container device for arrangement in a metering system of a household appliance and an improved metering system.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe durch eine Behältervorrichtung und ein Dosiersystem mit den Merkmalen der Hauptansprüche gelöst. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen und Weiterbildungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den nachfolgenden Unteransprüchen.According to the invention, this object is achieved by a container device and a metering system with the features of the main claims. Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the following subclaims.

Es wird eine Behältervorrichtung zur Anordnung in einem Dosiersystem eines Haushaltgeräts vorgestellt, wobei das Dosiersystem eine Pumpeinrichtung mit zumindest einem Pumpanschluss aufweist, und wobei die Behältervorrichtung folgendes Merkmal aufweist: zumindest einen Mehrkammerbehälter mit einer Kammer zum Aufnehmen eines Reinigungsmittels und zumindest einer von der Kammer fluidisch getrennten Zusatzkammer zum Aufnehmen eines Zusatzreinigungsmittels, wobei die Kammer einen Kammeranschluss aufweist und die Zusatzkammer einen Zusatzkammeranschluss aufweist, wobei der Kammeranschluss und der Zusatzkammeranschluss ausgebildet sind, um beim Anordnen des Mehrkammerbehälters in dem Dosiersystem mit dem Pumpanschluss fluidisch gekoppelt zu werden.A container device for arrangement in a dosing system of a household appliance is presented, the dosing system having a pump device with at least one pump connection, and the container device having the following feature: at least one multi-chamber container with a chamber for receiving a cleaning agent and at least one fluidly separated from the chamber Additional chamber for receiving an additional cleaning agent, the chamber having a chamber connection and the additional chamber having an additional chamber connection, the chamber connection and the additional chamber connection being designed to be arranged of the multi-chamber container in the metering system to be fluidly coupled to the pump connection.

Bei dem Haushaltgerät kann es sich etwa um eine Waschmaschine, einen Wäschetrockner, einen Waschtrockner, einen Geschirrspüler oder ein sonstiges wasserführendes Haushaltgerät handeln. Unter einem Dosiersystem kann ein System zur automatischen Dosierung zumindest eines Reinigungsmittels verstanden werden. Unter einem Reinigungs- oder Zusatzreinigungsmittel kann beispielsweise ein Wasch- oder Bleichmittel oder ein Weich- oder Hygienespüler verstanden werden. Insbesondere kann es sich bei dem Reinigungsmittel und dem Zusatzreinigungsmittel um unterschiedliche Reinigungsmittel handeln. Unter einer Pumpeinrichtung kann beispielsweise eine Schlauchdosierpumpe verstanden werden. Die Pumpeinrichtung kann etwa ausgebildet sein, um das Reinigungsmittel und das Zusatzreinigungsmittel parallel aus dem Mehrkammerbehälter in einen Fluidkreislauf des Haushaltgeräts zu pumpen. Unter einem Mehrkammerbehälter kann beispielsweise eine Doppelkartusche verstanden werden. Der Mehrkammerbehälter kann beispielsweise zur Wiederbefüllung mit dem Reinigungs- oder Zusatzreinigungsmittel aus der Behältervorrichtung entnehmbar sein. Je nach Ausführungsform können die Kammer und die Zusatzkammer unterschiedlich groß sein. Unter einem Kammeranschluss oder Zusatzkammeranschluss kann eine Koppelstelle zum fluidischen Koppeln des Mehrkammerbehälters mit dem Pumpanschluss verstanden werden. Der Pumpanschluss kann einer Pumpeinheit der Pumpeinrichtung zugeordnet sein. Beispielsweise kann die Pumpeinrichtung mehrere Pumpeinheiten mit je einem Pumpanschluss aufweisen.The household appliance can be, for example, a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a washer dryer, a dishwasher or some other water-carrying household appliance. A dosing system can be understood as a system for the automatic dosing of at least one cleaning agent. A cleaning or additional cleaning agent can be understood to mean, for example, a washing or bleaching agent or a fabric softener or hygiene rinse. In particular, the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent can be different cleaning agents. A pump device can be understood to mean, for example, a hose metering pump. The pump device can be designed, for example, to pump the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent in parallel from the multi-chamber container into a fluid circuit of the household appliance. A multi-chamber container can be understood to mean, for example, a double cartridge. For example, the multi-chamber container can be removed from the container device for refilling with the cleaning or additional cleaning agent. Depending on the embodiment, the chamber and the additional chamber can be of different sizes. A chamber connection or additional chamber connection can be understood to mean a coupling point for the fluidic coupling of the multi-chamber container to the pump connection. The pump connection can be assigned to a pump unit of the pump device. For example, the pump device can have several pump units, each with a pump connection.

Der hier beschriebene Ansatz beruht auf der Erkenntnis, dass ein Haushaltgerät zur Dosierung mehrerer Reinigungs- oder Waschmittelkomponenten eine Mehrkomponentenkartusche mit mehreren Kammern zur Bevorratung der Komponenten aufweisen kann. Dadurch ist es möglich, die Komponenten aus möglichst wenig Kartuschen zu dosieren und somit die Handhabung des Dosiersystems möglichst einfach zu gestalten. Gleichzeitig bietet eine derartige Kartusche den Vorteil, dass möglichst viele Komponenten dosiert werden können, damit ein sehr gutes Wasch- oder Reinigungsergebnis sichergestellt werden kann und individuell auf Kundenbedürfnisse oder Gegebenheiten wie beispielsweise die Wasserhärte eingegangen werden kann. Somit kann beispielsweise ein Waschmittel weiter in Komponenten unterteilt werden und es können konzentriertere Produkte angeboten werden.The approach described here is based on the knowledge that a household appliance for metering several cleaning or detergent components can have a multi-component cartridge with several chambers for storing the components. This makes it possible to dispense the components from as few cartridges as possible and thus make the handling of the dispensing system as simple as possible. At the same time, such a cartridge has the advantage that as many components as possible can be dosed, so that a very good washing or cleaning result can be ensured and customer needs or circumstances such as the water hardness can be individually addressed. Thus, for example, a detergent can be further divided into components and more concentrated products can be offered.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform können die Kammer und die Zusatzkammer unterschiedlich groß sein. Dabei kann ein Größenunterschied zwischen der Kammer und der Zusatzkammer abhängig von einem Dosierverhältnis zwischen dem Reinigungsmittel und dem Zusatzreinigungsmittel gewählt sein. Dadurch können das Reinigungsmittel und das Zusatzreinigungsmittel in einem konstanten Dosierverhältnis dosiert werden. Ferner kann dadurch sichergestellt werden, dass die Kammer und die Zusatzkammer jeweils zum gleichen Zeitpunkt entleert sind.According to one embodiment, the chamber and the additional chamber can be of different sizes. A size difference between the chamber and the additional chamber can be selected depending on a dosing ratio between the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent. This allows the detergent and Additional detergents can be dosed in a constant dosage ratio. This also ensures that the chamber and the additional chamber are each emptied at the same time.

Die Kammer und die Zusatzkammer können separat voneinander ausgeformte Elemente darstellen, die nach ihrer separaten Ausformung über eine stoffschlüssige, formschlüssige oder kraftschlüssige Verbindung unverrückbar miteinander verbunden wurden. Beispielsweise können die Kammern getrennt voneinander jeweils in einem eigenen Spritzgussvorgang hergestellt worden sein. Anschließend können die Kammern miteinander verbunden worden sein, beispielsweise durch Zusammenkleben, Zusammenklipsen oder Zusammenschrauben. Auf diese Weise können beispielsweise Kammern mit für eine Anwendung geeigneten Größen ausgewählt und zu der Behältervorrichtung zusammengefügt werden.The chamber and the additional chamber can be elements which are formed separately from one another and which, after their separate formation, have been immovably connected to one another via a material, positive or non-positive connection. For example, the chambers can be manufactured separately from one another in a separate injection molding process. The chambers can then have been connected to one another, for example by gluing, clipping or screwing together. In this way, for example, chambers with sizes suitable for an application can be selected and combined to form the container device.

Des Weiteren weist die Behältervorrichtung zumindest einen weiteren Mehrkammerbehälter mit einer weiteren Kammer zum Aufnehmen eines weiteren Reinigungsmittels und zumindest einer von der weiteren Kammer fluidisch getrennten weiteren Zusatzkammer zum Aufnehmen eines weiteren Zusatzreinigungsmittels auf. Hierbei kann die weitere Kammer einen weiteren Kammeranschluss und die weitere Zusatzkammer einen weiteren Zusatzkammeranschluss aufweisen. Der weitere Kammeranschluss und der weitere Zusatzkammeranschluss können ausgebildet sein, um beim Anordnen des weiteren Mehrkammerbehälters in dem Dosiersystem mit einem weiteren Pumpanschluss der Pumpeinrichtung fluidisch gekoppelt zu werden. Dadurch kann die Anzahl der mittels des Dosiersystems dosierbaren Reinigungsmittel zumindest verdoppelt werden. So können beispielsweise unter Verwendung zweier Mehrkammerbehälter mit je zwei Kammern vier unterschiedliche Reinigungsmittel automatisch dosiert werden.Furthermore, the container device has at least one further multi-chamber container with a further chamber for receiving a further cleaning agent and at least one additional chamber fluidly separated from the further chamber for receiving a further additional cleaning agent. Here, the further chamber can have a further chamber connection and the further additional chamber can have a further additional chamber connection. The further chamber connection and the further additional chamber connection can be designed to be fluidly coupled to a further pump connection of the pump device when the further multi-chamber container is arranged in the metering system. As a result, the number of detergents which can be metered by means of the metering system can at least be doubled. For example, four different cleaning agents can be dosed automatically using two multi-chamber containers with two chambers each.

Der hier vorgestellte Ansatz schafft zudem ein Dosiersystem für ein Haushaltgerät, wobei das Dosiersystem folgende Merkmale aufweist:

  • eine Pumpeinrichtung mit zumindest einem Pumpanschluss; und
  • eine Behältervorrichtung gemäß einer der vorstehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei der Kammeranschluss und der Zusatzkammeranschluss des Mehrkammerbehälters mit dem Pumpanschluss fluidisch gekoppelt sind.
The approach presented here also creates a dosing system for a household appliance, the dosing system having the following features:
  • a pump device with at least one pump connection; and
  • a container device according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the chamber connection and the additional chamber connection of the multi-chamber container are fluidly coupled to the pump connection.

Unter einer Pumpeinrichtung kann beispielsweise eine Schlauchquetschpumpe oder eine sonstige geeignete Pumpe verstanden werden. Der Kammeranschluss und der Zusatzkammeranschluss können wiederlösbar mit dem Pumpanschluss gekoppelt sein.A pump device can be understood to mean, for example, a peristaltic pump or another suitable pump. The chamber connection and the additional chamber connection can be releasably coupled to the pump connection.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform kann die Pumpeinrichtung ausgebildet sein, um das Reinigungsmittel und das Zusatzreinigungsmittel derart aus dem Mehrkammerbehälter zu pumpen, dass die Kammer und die Zusatzkammer zum gleichen Zeitpunkt entleert sind. Dadurch wird eine effiziente Entleerung des Mehrkammerbehälters ermöglicht.According to one embodiment, the pump device can be designed to pump the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent from the multi-chamber container in such a way that the chamber and the additional chamber are emptied at the same time. This enables efficient emptying of the multi-chamber container.

Von Vorteil ist auch, wenn die Pumpeinrichtung ausgebildet ist, um das Reinigungsmittel und das Zusatzreinigungsmittel gleichzeitig aus dem Mehrkammerbehälter zu pumpen. Dadurch können das Reinigungsmittel und das Zusatzreinigungsmittel parallel dosiert werden.It is also advantageous if the pump device is designed to pump the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent simultaneously from the multi-chamber container. As a result, the detergent and the additional detergent can be dosed in parallel.

Die Pumpeinrichtung kann gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform ausgebildet sein, um das Reinigungsmittel und das Zusatzreinigungsmittel in einem Dosierverhältnis ungleich eins aus dem Mehrkammerbehälter zu pumpen. Dadurch können das Reinigungsmittel und das Zusatzreinigungsmittel bei gleichzeitiger Dosierung in voneinander abweichenden Mengen dosiert werden.According to a further embodiment, the pumping device can be designed to pump the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent in a dosing ratio not equal to one from the multi-chamber container. As a result, the cleaning agent and the additional cleaning agent can be metered in amounts which differ from one another with simultaneous metering.

Es ist vorteilhaft, wenn die Pumpeinrichtung als Schlauchquetschpumpe ausgeführt ist. Eine derartige Pumpeinrichtung bietet den Vorteil einer hohen Robustheit und langen Lebensdauer.It is advantageous if the pump device is designed as a peristaltic pump. Such a pump device offers the advantage of a high level of robustness and a long service life.

Der hier beschriebene Ansatz schafft zudem ein Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Dosiersystems gemäß einer der vorstehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei das Verfahren folgende Schritte umfasst:

  • Empfangen eines Dosiersignals zum Dosieren des Reinigungsmittels und/oder des Zusatzreinigungsmittels; und
  • Erzeugen eines Ansteuersignals zum Ansteuern der Pumpeinrichtung unter Verwendung des Dosiersignals, um das Reinigungsmittel und/oder das Zusatzreinigungsmittel aus dem Mehrkammerbehälter zu pumpen.
The approach described here also creates a method for operating a metering system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the method comprising the following steps:
  • Receiving a dosing signal for dosing the cleaning agent and / or the additional cleaning agent; and
  • Generating a control signal for controlling the pump device using the metering signal in order to pump the cleaning agent and / or the additional cleaning agent from the multi-chamber container.

Zudem schafft der hier beschriebene Ansatz ein Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Behältervorrichtung zur Anordnung in einem Dosiersystem eines Haushaltgeräts, wobei das Dosiersystem eine Pumpeinrichtung mit zumindest einem Pumpanschluss aufweist, wobei das Verfahren folgenden Schritt umfasst:
Ausformen eines Mehrkammerbehälters mit einer Kammer zum Aufnehmen eines Reinigungsmittels und zumindest einer von der Kammer fluidisch getrennten Zusatzkammer zum Aufnehmen eines Zusatzreinigungsmittels, wobei die Kammer einen Kammeranschluss aufweist und die Zusatzkammer einen Zusatzkammeranschluss aufweist, wobei der Kammeranschluss und der Zusatzkammeranschluss ausgebildet sind, um beim Anordnen des Mehrkammerbehälters in dem Dosiersystem mit dem Pumpanschluss fluidisch gekoppelt zu werden.In addition, the approach described here creates a method for producing a container device for arrangement in a metering system of a household appliance, the metering system having a pump device with at least one pump connection, the method comprising the following step:
Forming a multi-chamber container with a chamber for receiving a cleaning agent and at least one additional chamber fluidically separated from the chamber for receiving an additional cleaning agent, the chamber having a chamber connection and the additional chamber having an additional chamber connection, the chamber connection and the additional chamber connection being designed to assist in arranging the Multi-chamber container in the dosing system to be fluidly coupled to the pump connection.

Beispielsweise kann der Mehrkammerbehälter im Schritt des Ausformens in einem Spritzgießverfahren hergestellt werden. Durch dieses Verfahren kann die Behältervorrichtung besonders kostengünstig hergestellt werden.For example, the multi-chamber container can be produced in an injection molding process in the molding step. The container device can be produced particularly inexpensively by this method.

Der hier vorgestellte Ansatz schafft ferner eine Vorrichtung, die ausgebildet ist, um die Schritte einer Variante eines hier vorgestellten Verfahrens in entsprechenden Einrichtungen durchzuführen, anzusteuern bzw. umzusetzen. Auch durch diese Ausführungsvariante der Erfindung in Form einer Vorrichtung kann die der Erfindung zugrunde liegende Aufgabe schnell und effizient gelöst werden.The approach presented here also creates a device which is designed to carry out, control or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. Also through this variant of the Invention in the form of a device, the object underlying the invention can be solved quickly and efficiently.

Unter einer Vorrichtung kann vorliegend ein elektrisches Gerät verstanden werden, das Sensorsignale verarbeitet und in Abhängigkeit davon Steuer- und/oder Datensignale ausgibt. Die Vorrichtung kann eine Schnittstelle aufweisen, die hard- und/oder softwaremäßig ausgebildet sein kann. Bei einer hardwaremäßigen Ausbildung können die Schnittstellen beispielsweise Teil eines sogenannten System-ASICs sein, der verschiedenste Funktionen der Vorrichtung beinhaltet. Es ist jedoch auch möglich, dass die Schnittstellen eigene, integrierte Schaltkreise sind oder zumindest teilweise aus diskreten Bauelementen bestehen. Bei einer softwaremäßigen Ausbildung können die Schnittstellen Softwaremodule sein, die beispielsweise auf einem Mikrocontroller neben anderen Softwaremodulen vorhanden sind.In the present case, a device can be understood to mean an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals as a function thereof. The device can have an interface that can be designed in terms of hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware configuration, the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are separate, integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In the case of software-based training, the interfaces can be software modules which are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

Von Vorteil ist auch ein Computerprogrammprodukt oder Computerprogramm mit Programmcode, der auf einem maschinenlesbaren Träger oder Speichermedium wie einem Halbleiterspeicher, einem Festplattenspeicher oder einem optischen Speicher gespeichert sein kann und zur Durchführung, Umsetzung und/oder Ansteuerung der Schritte des Verfahrens nach einer der vorstehend beschriebenen Ausführungsformen verwendet wird, insbesondere wenn das Programmprodukt oder Programm auf einem Computer oder einer Vorrichtung ausgeführt wird.Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code, which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and for carrying out, implementing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above is used, in particular if the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist in den Zeichnungen rein schematisch dargestellt und wird nachfolgend näher beschrieben. Es zeigt

Figur 1
eine schematische Darstellung eines Haushaltgeräts mit einem Dosiersystem gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
Figur 2
eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung aus Figur 1;
Figur 3
ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben eines Dosiersystems gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und
Figur 4
ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Herstellen einer Behältervorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows
Figure 1
a schematic representation of a household appliance with a dosing system according to an embodiment;
Figure 2
a schematic representation of a device Figure 1 ;
Figure 3
a flow diagram of a method for operating a metering system according to an embodiment; and
Figure 4
a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a container device according to an embodiment.

Figur 1 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung eines Haushaltgeräts 100 mit einem Dosiersystem 102 gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel. Das Dosiersystem 102 des Haushaltgeräts 100, hier einer Waschmaschine, umfasst eine Behältervorrichtung 104, in dem ein Mehrkammerbehälter 106 angeordnet ist. Der Mehrkammerbehälter 106 umfasst eine Kammer 108 zum Aufnehmen eines Reinigungsmittels und eine von der Kammer 108 fluidisch getrennte Zusatzkammer 110 zum Aufnehmen eines Zusatzreinigungsmittels. Der Mehrkammerbehälter 106 ist beispielsweise als entnehmbare Doppelkartusche realisiert. Die Kammer 108 weist einen Kammeranschluss 114 zum Anschließen der Kammer 108 an einen Pumpanschluss 116 einer Pumpeinrichtung 118 des Haushaltgeräts 100 auf. Ebenso weist die Zusatzkammer 110 einen Zusatzkammeranschluss 120 zum Anschließen der Zusatzkammer 110 an den Pumpanschluss 116 auf. Die Pumpeinrichtung 118, beispielsweise eine Schlauchquetschpumpe, ist gemäß diesem Ausführungsbeispiel ausgebildet, um das Reinigungsmittel oder das Zusatzreinigungsmittel aus dem Mehrkammerbehälter 106 in einen Laugenbehälter 122 des Haushaltgeräts 100 zu fördern. Der Kammeranschluss 114 und der Zusatzkammeranschluss 120 sind ausgebildet, um beim Einlegen des Mehrkammerbehälters 106 in die Behältervorrichtung 104 mit dem Pumpanschluss 116 fluidisch verbunden zu werden. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a household appliance 100 with a dosing system 102 according to an embodiment. The dosing system 102 of the household appliance 100, here a washing machine, comprises a container device 104 in which a multi-chamber container 106 is arranged. The multi-chamber container 106 comprises a chamber 108 for receiving a cleaning agent and an additional chamber 110, which is fluidly separated from the chamber 108, for receiving an additional cleaning agent. The multi-chamber container 106 is implemented, for example, as a removable double cartridge. The chamber 108 has a chamber connection 114 for connecting the chamber 108 to one Pump connection 116 of a pump device 118 of household appliance 100. The additional chamber 110 also has an additional chamber connection 120 for connecting the additional chamber 110 to the pump connection 116. The pump device 118, for example a peristaltic pump, is designed in accordance with this exemplary embodiment in order to convey the cleaning agent or the additional cleaning agent from the multi-chamber container 106 into a tub 122 of the household appliance 100. The chamber connection 114 and the additional chamber connection 120 are designed to be fluidly connected to the pump connection 116 when the multi-chamber container 106 is inserted into the container device 104.

Gemäß unterschiedlicher Ausführungsbeispiele ist der Mehrkammerbehälter 106 einstückig oder mehrstückig ausgeführt. Gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel ist der Mehrkammerbehälter 106 hergestellt worden, in dem die zwei Kammern 108, 110 durch ein geeignetes Fügeverfahren zu dem Mehrkammerbehälter 106 zusammengefügt worden sind.According to different exemplary embodiments, the multi-chamber container 106 is made in one piece or in several pieces. According to one exemplary embodiment, the multi-chamber container 106 has been produced in which the two chambers 108, 110 have been joined to form the multi-chamber container 106 by a suitable joining method.

An die Pumpeinrichtung 118 ist eine Vorrichtung 124 zum Ansteuern der Pumpeinrichtung 118 angeschlossen. Hierzu empfängt die Vorrichtung 124 beispielsweise von einem in dem Laugenbehälter 122 angeordneten Sensor 126 ein Dosiersignal 128, das etwa eine im Laugenbehälter 122 gemessene Reinigungsmittelkonzentration repräsentiert. Unter Verwendung des Dosiersignals 128 erzeugt die Vorrichtung 124 ein entsprechendes Ansteuersignal 130, wobei die Pumpeinrichtung 118 ausgebildet ist, um unter Verwendung des Ansteuersignals 130 das Reinigungsmittel bzw. das Zusatzreinigungsmittel unter Berücksichtigung der durch das Dosiersignal 128 repräsentierten Reinigungsmittelkonzentration von dem Mehrkammerbehälter 106 in den Laugenbehälter 122 zu pumpen.A device 124 for controlling the pump device 118 is connected to the pump device 118. For this purpose, the device 124 receives, for example from a sensor 126 arranged in the tub 122, a metering signal 128 which, for example, represents a detergent concentration measured in the tub 122. Using the metering signal 128, the device 124 generates a corresponding control signal 130, the pump device 118 being designed to use the control signal 130 to remove the cleaning agent or the additional cleaning agent, taking into account the cleaning agent concentration represented by the metering signal 128, from the multi-chamber container 106 into the tub 122 to pump.

Gemäß diesem Ausführungsbeispiel sind die beiden Kammern 108, 110 unterschiedlich groß ausgeformt, sodass die beiden Reinigungsmittel bei einer Paralleldosierung in einem konstanten Dosierverhältnis ungleich eins aus dem Mehrkammerbehälter 106 gefördert werden.According to this exemplary embodiment, the two chambers 108, 110 are shaped differently, so that the two cleaning agents are conveyed out of the multi-chamber container 106 in a constant dosing ratio not equal to one in the case of parallel dosing.

Optional ist die Behältervorrichtung 104 ausgebildet, um zusätzlich zum Mehrkammerbehälter 106 zumindest einen weiteren Mehrkammerbehälter 132 aufzunehmen, wobei der weitere Mehrkammerbehälter 132 analog zum Mehrkammerbehälter 106 eine weitere Kammer 134 zum Aufnehmen eines weiteren Reinigungsmittels und eine weitere Zusatzkammer 136 zum Aufnehmen eines weiteren Zusatzreinigungsmittels aufweist. Wie die beiden Kammern 108, 110 des Mehrkammerbehälters 106 sind auch die beiden weiteren Kammern 134, 136 des weiteren Mehrkammerbehälters 132 fluidisch voneinander getrennt. Die weitere Kammer 134 weist einen weiteren Kammeranschluss 138 auf, der mit einem weiteren Pumpanschluss 140 der Pumpeinrichtung 118 fluidisch verbunden ist. Die weitere Zusatzkammer 136 ist über einen weiteren Zusatzkammeranschluss 142 ebenfalls mit dem weiteren Pumpanschluss 140 verbunden. Durch eine derartige Anordnung ist es möglich, unter Verwendung von lediglich zwei Mehrkammerbehältern insgesamt vier unterschiedliche Reinigungsmittel zu dosieren.Optionally, the container device 104 is designed to hold at least one further multi-chamber container 132 in addition to the multi-chamber container 106, the further multi-chamber container 132 having, analogously to the multi-chamber container 106, a further chamber 134 for receiving a further cleaning agent and a further additional chamber 136 for receiving a further additional cleaning agent. Like the two chambers 108, 110 of the multi-chamber container 106, the two further chambers 134, 136 of the further multi-chamber container 132 are also fluidly separated from one another. The further chamber 134 has a further chamber connection 138 which is fluidly connected to a further pump connection 140 of the pump device 118. The additional chamber 136 is over a further additional chamber connection 142 is also connected to the further pump connection 140. Such an arrangement makes it possible to dose a total of four different cleaning agents using only two multi-chamber containers.

Bei dem Mehrkammerbehälter 106 und dem weiteren Mehrkammerbehälter 132 handelt es sich beispielsweise je um eine Doppelkartusche aus zwei eigenständigen, nicht miteinander verbundenen Kartuschen, die jeweils eine eingeständige Koppelstelle aufweisen, aber als Einheit durch Formgebung, Verkleben oder andere Fixierungsmöglichkeiten unverrückbar miteinander verbunden sind. Die Mehrkammerbehälter werden beim Einsetzen in die Dosiervorrichtung 104 gleichzeitig mit dem Pumpsystem des Haushaltgeräts 100 gekoppelt.The multi-chamber container 106 and the further multi-chamber container 132 are, for example, each a double cartridge made up of two independent cartridges which are not connected to one another, each of which has an independent coupling point, but are immovably connected to one another by shaping, gluing or other fixing options. The multi-chamber containers are simultaneously coupled to the pump system of the household appliance 100 when they are inserted into the metering device 104.

Werden Kartuschen mit zwei Komponenten als Mehrkammerbehälter eingesetzt, so kann der Bedienkomfort für einen Nutzer des Haushaltgeräts 100 deutlich verbessert werden. In die Mehrkammerbehälter 106, 132 sind beispielsweise Komponenten gefüllt, die immer im gleichen Verhältnis dosiert werden. Solche Komponenten sind beispielsweise Bleichmittel und Bleichaktivator, wobei eine Funktionalität schaltbare Bleiche oder milde Bleiche entfallen kann. Ein typischer weiterer Einsatz für die Mehrkammerbehälter 106, 132 ist die Dosierung einer Tensid-Enzym-Komponente zusammen mit einem Builder-System. Durch Einsatz der Mehrkammerbehälter 106, 132 können Builder eingesetzt werden, die sonst nicht mit den Tensiden kombiniert werden könnten.If cartridges with two components are used as multi-chamber containers, the ease of use for a user of household appliance 100 can be significantly improved. Components that are always metered in the same ratio are filled into the multi-chamber containers 106, 132. Such components are, for example, bleaching agents and bleach activators, whereby functionality switchable bleaching or mild bleaching can be omitted. A typical further use for the multi-chamber containers 106, 132 is the metering of a surfactant-enzyme component together with a builder system. By using the multi-chamber containers 106, 132, builders can be used that otherwise could not be combined with the surfactants.

Durch Paralleldosierung der Reinigungsmittel, etwa unter Verwendung einer Doppelkopf-Schlauchquetschpumpe oder einer anderen geeigneten Pumpe als Pumpeinrichtung 118, kann sichergestellt werden, dass sich die Mehrkammerbehälter gleichmäßig entleeren.Parallel dosing of the cleaning agents, for example using a double-head peristaltic pump or another suitable pump as the pump device 118, can ensure that the multi-chamber containers are emptied uniformly.

Dies hat den Vorteil, dass mit zwei Pumpen, in Figur 1 durch zwei unterschiedliche Pumpanschlüsse 116, 140 repräsentiert, vier Komponenten dosiert werden können. Die Leersensierung erfolgt beispielsweise in einem Hauptstrom, sodass hier mit zwei Sensoren gearbeitet werden kann.This has the advantage that with two pumps, in Figure 1 represented by two different pump connections 116, 140, four components can be metered. The empty sensing takes place, for example, in a main stream, so that two sensors can be used here.

Die beiden einzelnen Kammern eines Mehrkammerbehälters können unterschiedlich groß sein, um die Reinigungsmittel, etwa Waschmittelkomponenten, im optimalen Mischverhältnis zueinander bevorraten zu können. Daher ist ein Dosierschlauch der Pumpeinrichtung 118 in einem entsprechenden Verhältnis zu wählen, sodass sichergestellt ist, dass beide Kammern eines Mehrkammerbehälters gleichzeitig leer werden. Derartige Mehrkammerbehälter eignen sich beispielsweise zur automatischen Dosierung in Waschmaschinen oder Geschirrspülern.The two individual chambers of a multi-chamber container can be of different sizes in order to be able to store the cleaning agents, such as detergent components, in an optimal mixing ratio to one another. A metering hose of the pump device 118 must therefore be selected in a corresponding ratio, so that it is ensured that both chambers of a multi-chamber container are empty at the same time. Such multi-chamber containers are suitable, for example, for automatic metering in washing machines or dishwashers.

Im Unterschied zu herkömmlichen Dosiersystemen kann mithilfe des Dosiersystems 102 eine verbesserte Leistung bei nahezu gleichem Dosieraufwand erreicht werden, indem anstelle von zwei Komponenten vier Komponenten dosiert werden können. Dies ist beispielsweise durch einfaches Anpassen einer vorhandenen Koppelstelle und durch Erweiterung eines Dosierkopfes einer Schlauchquetschpumpe auf zwei Dosierschläuche pro Pumpe möglich. Auch kann weiter mit nur zwei Leerstandsensoren gearbeitet werden, da durch die Paralleldosage sichergestellt wird, dass beide Komponenten pro Mehrkammerbehälter gleichzeitig leer werden. So können Waschmittel konzentrierter formuliert werden und es ist eine Anpassung auf die Wasserhärte durch Variantenbildung der Chemie möglich, etwa durch Produkte für weiches, mittelhartes und hartes Wasser.In contrast to conventional dosing systems, the dosing system 102 can be used to achieve improved performance with almost the same dosing effort, since four components can be dosed instead of two. For example, this is by simply adapting an existing coupling point and by expanding a dosing head of a peristaltic pump to two dosing tubes per pump. It is also possible to continue working with only two vacancy sensors, since the parallel dosing ensures that both components per multi-chamber container are emptied at the same time. In this way, detergents can be formulated in a more concentrated manner and it is possible to adapt them to the water hardness by forming variants of the chemistry, for example by using products for soft, medium-hard and hard water.

Durch die Paralleldosage wird sichergestellt, dass beide Komponenten gleichzeitig verbraucht werden. Dadurch kann das Auswechseln einzelner Komponenten entfallen. Um den Kundennutzen hoch zu halten, könnten beispielsweise Duft und Weichspüler für das Waschen getrennt dosiert werden. Ferner könnte auch Klarspüler beim Spülen getrennt dosiert werden. Vorteilhafterweise können zur Umsetzung des hier vorgestellten Ansatzes bereits vorhandene Bauräume genutzt werden. Der Mehrkammerbehälter 106 fasst beispielsweise ein Volumen von 3000 ml für die Kombination Tensid-Enzym mit Builder, von 1250 ml für die Kombination Bleiche mit Bleichaktivator, von 600 ml für Weichspüler und von 250 ml für Duftstoff.The parallel dosing ensures that both components are used at the same time. This makes it unnecessary to replace individual components. To keep customer benefits high, fragrance and fabric softener, for example, could be dosed separately for washing. Furthermore, rinse aid could also be dosed separately when rinsing. Existing installation spaces can advantageously be used to implement the approach presented here. The multi-chamber container 106 holds, for example, a volume of 3000 ml for the combination of surfactant-enzyme with builder, of 1250 ml for the combination of bleach with bleach activator, of 600 ml for fabric softener and of 250 ml for fragrance.

Die Koppelung zwischen den Mehrkammerbehältern 106, 132 und der Pumpeinrichtung 118 erfolgt beispielsweise unter Verwendung einer Koppelungstechnik, die beim Andocken eine Belüftungsfunktion freigibt, was insbesondere bei Verwendung von Bleichmitteln von Vorteil ist.The coupling between the multi-chamber containers 106, 132 and the pump device 118 is carried out, for example, using a coupling technique that releases a ventilation function when docking, which is particularly advantageous when bleaching agents are used.

Der hier vorgestellte Ansatz zur automatischen Dosierung mit Mehrkomponentenkartuschen verspricht eine bauraumsparende Lösung bei gleichzeitiger Leistungssteigerung und Vergrößerung des Anwendungsbereichs auf weitere Programme, Textilien oder auf Weichspülen.The approach presented here for automatic dosing with multi-component cartridges promises a space-saving solution while increasing performance and expanding the range of applications to other programs, textiles or fabric softeners.

Abhängig von den Formulierungsmöglichkeiten bei den Behandlungsmitteln und abhängig von erreichbaren Wirkstoffkonzentrationen können unterschiedliche Dosiermengen von gleichzeitig zu dosierenden Komponenten erforderlich sein. Hierzu ist die Pumpeinrichtung 118 beispielsweise als Schlauchdosierpumpe mit zwei Schläuchen unterschiedlichen Durchmessers und angepasster Exzenterscheibe realisiert, wodurch in einem bestimmten, auch ungleichen Verhältnis dosiert werden kann. Alternativ oder zusätzlich ist die Pumpeinrichtung 118 als Schlauchdosierpumpe mit Rechts-/Linkslauf realisiert, wobei über Freilaufmechanismen entweder die eine oder die andere Komponente dosierbar ist.Depending on the formulation options for the treatment agents and depending on the achievable active ingredient concentrations, different dosing quantities of components to be dosed at the same time may be required. For this purpose, the pump device 118 is implemented, for example, as a hose metering pump with two hoses of different diameters and an adapted eccentric disc, so that metering can be carried out in a certain, even unequal, ratio. As an alternative or in addition, the pump device 118 is implemented as a hose metering pump with clockwise / anti-clockwise rotation, with either one or the other component being meterable via freewheel mechanisms.

Entsprechend den erforderlichen Dosiermengen können die jeweiligen Volumina der Mehrkammerbehälter 106, 132 in einem bestimmten Verhältnis aufgeteilt sein. Dieses Verhältnis kann einerseits den Restriktionen der Formulierbarkeit von Wasch- und Behandlungsmitteln sowie dem über die Pumpeinrichtung 118 eingestellten Dosierverhältnis entsprechen. Es kann andererseits regionalen Anforderungen angepasst sein. Beispielsweise kann es im Falle einer getrennten Dosierung des Builder-Systems auch auf unterschiedliche Wasserhärten angepasst sein.The respective volumes of the multi-chamber containers 106, 132 can be divided in a certain ratio in accordance with the required metering amounts. This ratio can on the one hand the restrictions on the formulability of washing and Treatment agents and the dosage ratio set via the pump device 118 correspond. On the other hand, it can be adapted to regional requirements. For example, if the builder system is metered separately, it can also be adapted to different water hardness levels.

Figur 2 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung 124 aus Figur 1. Die Vorrichtung 124 zum Betreiben eines Dosiersystems umfasst eine Empfangseinheit 210 zum Empfangen des Dosiersignals 128 sowie eine Erzeugungseinheit 220, die ausgebildet ist, um unter Verwendung des Dosiersignals 128 das Ansteuersignal 130 zum Ansteuern der Pumpeinrichtung des Dosiersystems zu erzeugen. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a device 124 Figure 1 , The device 124 for operating a metering system comprises a receiving unit 210 for receiving the metering signal 128 and a generating unit 220 which is designed to use the metering signal 128 to generate the control signal 130 for controlling the pumping device of the metering system.

Figur 3 zeigt ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens 300 zum Betreiben eines Dosiersystems gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel. Das Verfahren 300 kann beispielsweise unter Verwendung einer vorangehend anhand der Figuren 1 und 2 beschriebenen Vorrichtung durchgeführt werden und umfasst einen Schritt 310, in dem das Dosiersignal zum Dosieren des Reinigungsmittels bzw. des Zusatzreinigungsmittels empfangen wird, sowie einen Schritt 320, in dem unter Verwendung des Dosiersignals das Ansteuersignal zum Ansteuern der Pumpeinrichtung erzeugt wird. Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method 300 for operating a dosing system according to an exemplary embodiment. The method 300 can, for example, use a method based on FIG Figures 1 and 2 described device are carried out and comprises a step 310 in which the metering signal for metering the cleaning agent or the additional cleaning agent is received, and a step 320 in which the control signal for controlling the pump device is generated using the metering signal.

Figur 4 zeigt ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens 400 zum Herstellen einer Behältervorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel, etwa einer vorangehend anhand der Figuren 1 bis 3 beschriebenen Behältervorrichtung. Dabei wird in einem Schritt 402 der Mehrkammerbehälter mit der Kammer zum Aufnehmen des Reinigungsmittels und der von der Kammer fluidisch getrennten Zusatzkammer zum Aufnehmen des Zusatzreinigungsmittels ausgeformt, wobei die Kammer mit dem Kammeranschluss ausgeformt wird und die Zusatzkammer mit dem Zusatzkammeranschluss ausgeformt wird. Der Kammeranschluss und der Zusatzkammeranschluss werden derart ausgeformt, dass sie beim Anordnen des Mehrkammerbehälters in dem Dosiersystem fluidisch mit dem Pumpanschluss der Pumpeinrichtung gekoppelt werden. Figure 4 FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for producing a container device according to an exemplary embodiment, for example one previously based on FIG Figures 1 to 3 described container device. In a step 402, the multi-chamber container with the chamber for receiving the cleaning agent and the additional chamber fluidically separated from the chamber for receiving the additional cleaning agent is formed, the chamber being formed with the chamber connection and the additional chamber being formed with the additional chamber connection. The chamber connection and the additional chamber connection are shaped in such a way that they are fluidly coupled to the pump connection of the pump device when the multi-chamber container is arranged in the metering system.

Claims (8)

  1. Container apparatus (104) for arrangement in a dispensing system (102) of a domestic appliance (100), the dispensing system (102) comprising a pump device (118) having at least one pump connection (116), the container apparatus (104) having the following feature:
    at least one multi-chamber container (106) having a chamber (108) for accommodating a cleaning agent and at least one auxiliary chamber (110), which is fluidically separated from the chamber (108), for accommodating an auxiliary cleaning agent, the chamber (108) having a chamber connection (114) and the auxiliary chamber (110) having an auxiliary chamber connection (120), the chamber connection (114) and the auxiliary chamber connection (120) being designed to be fluidically coupled to the pump connection (116) when the multi-chamber container (106) is arranged in the dispensing system (102);
    characterised by at least one further multi-chamber container (132) having a further chamber (134) for receiving a further cleaning agent and at least one further auxiliary chamber (136), which is fluidically separated from the further chamber (134), for receiving a further auxiliary cleaning agent, the further chamber (134) having a further chamber connection (138) and the further auxiliary chamber (136) having a further auxiliary chamber connection (142), the further chamber connection (138) and the further auxiliary chamber connection (142) being designed to be fluidically coupled to a further pump connection (140) of the pump device (118) when the further multi-chamber container (132) is arranged in the dispensing system (102).
  2. Container apparatus (104) according to claim 1, in which the chamber (108) and the auxiliary chamber (110) are of different sizes, wherein a difference in size between the chamber (108) and the auxiliary chamber (110) is selected depending on a dispensing ratio between the cleaning agent and the auxiliary cleaning agent.
  3. Container apparatus (104) according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber (108) and the auxiliary chamber (110) are elements which are formed separately and which were immovably connected to one another via a integral, form-fitting or force-fitting connection after their separate formation.
  4. Dispensing system (102) for a domestic appliance (100), wherein the dispensing system (102) has the following features:
    a pump device (118) having at least one pump connection (116); and
    a container apparatus (104) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chamber connection (114) and the auxiliary chamber connection (120) of the multi-chamber container (106) are fluidically coupled to the pump connection (116).
  5. Dispensing system (102) according to claim 4, wherein the pump device (118) is designed to pump the cleaning agent and the auxiliary cleaning agent out of the multi-chamber container (106) such that the chamber (108) and the auxiliary chamber (110) are emptied at the same time.
  6. Dispensing system (102) according to either claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the pump device (118) is designed to pump the cleaning agent and the auxiliary cleaning agent simultaneously out of the multi-chamber container (106).
  7. Dispensing system (102) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the pump device (118) is designed to pump the cleaning agent and the auxiliary cleaning agent out of the multi-chamber container (106) at a dispensing ratio that is different from one.
  8. Dispensing system (102) according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the pump device (118) is designed as a peristaltic pump.
EP17201646.1A 2016-11-28 2017-11-14 Container device for arrangement in a dosing system of a household appliance, dosing system, method for the operation of a dosing system and method for producing a container apparatus Active EP3327193B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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DE102016122902.4A DE102016122902B3 (en) 2016-11-28 2016-11-28 Container device for arrangement in a dosing system of a domestic appliance, dosing system, method for operating a dosing system and method for producing a container device

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EP3327193A1 EP3327193A1 (en) 2018-05-30
EP3327193B1 true EP3327193B1 (en) 2020-01-08

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DE102020126277A1 (en) 2020-10-07 2022-04-07 Miele & Cie. Kg Washing machine and method of operating a washing machine

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DE102010028483A1 (en) * 2010-05-03 2011-11-03 Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa Dosing system for the release of bleach-containing preparations during a washing program of a washing machine
DE102013225111B3 (en) * 2013-12-06 2015-01-08 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Dosing device for a washing machine

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