EP3468441B1 - Domestic dishwasher comprising a dosing system for a solid dispensing agent means and corresponding method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a household dishwasher with a washing chamber for washing items to be washed and with a dosing system.

In commercially available domestic dishwashers, it is necessary to manually add cleaning agents in powder form or in the form of tabs before starting a rinsing process. It is only common for rinse aids to be kept available in liquid form in a reservoir within the domestic dishwasher for several uses and to be added automatically via a metering device. Many users find the manual addition of detergent before each flushing process annoying and uncomfortable. As a result, attempts have been made for a long time to develop so-called automatic dosing systems for domestic dishwashers, which should make it possible to store detergents in storage containers for several applications and to add them automatically via appropriate dosing devices.

From the WO 93/18701 A1 For example, a device for the repeated, independent dosing of doses of a powdered cleaning agent in water-based cleaning machines, especially household dishwashers and household washing machines, is known. A cleaning agent container with an outlet opening is arranged above a dosing and adding device, which is equipped with at least one depression for receiving individual doses of a powdered cleaning agent, which is dispensed into a treatment container of the water-based cleaning machine. The interior of the cleaning agent container and a guide of the dosing and adding device are constantly acted upon by a compressed air flow generated in a compressed air generator, the compressed air flow also acting on the interior of the recess in the adding position. This loading ensures that the internal pressure of the device is always higher than the external pressure, ie also than the pressure in the treatment container of the cleaning machine. This effectively prevents moisture from penetrating into the interior of the device.

the EP 1 159 913 A1 describes a dosing device for dispensing detergent tablets from a storage container into the usable space of a dishwasher. the EP 0 611 843 A1 shows an automatic device for dispensing and dosing powder detergents in dishwashers.

The protection of additives, which are to be stored in solid form in household dishwashers, against moisture is always a particular challenge in the development of automatic dosing systems.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a household dishwasher with a dosing system which enables reliable automatic addition of solid additives from a reservoir into a washing compartment of a household dishwasher for several successive washing processes.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a domestic dishwasher having the features according to patent claim 1 .

Accordingly, the household dishwasher has a washing chamber for washing items to be washed and a dosing system. The dosing system in turn comprises a reservoir for storing a solid additive, a dosing device for dispensing the solid additive from the reservoir into the washing chamber and a closure device for hermetically sealing the reservoir. According to the invention, a pump is provided for evacuating air from the reservoir.

In the context of the invention, the term “solid additives” is to be understood as meaning all solid, ie not liquid or gaseous, additives which contain any ingredients that can be used in the context of dishwashing. This includes, for example, additives in powder form or as granules, as tablets, as pellets, as capsules or in block form. The term is also not limited to the actual cleaning agent. Rather, agents should also be included which include ingredients for use in rinsing cycles, for water softening or conditioning and the like.

The reservoir contains a supply of solids additive. It can be refillable, but is preferably designed to be exchangeable, for example in the form of a cartridge. The reservoir can be designed to accommodate a bed, in particular a loose bed, of additive shaped bodies or powder, so that the additive lies randomly oriented in the storage space. However, the reservoir can also be such be designed so that addition means moldings are stored in a predetermined geometric arrangement.

The pump according to the invention allows air to be evacuated from the reservoir and in this way to generate negative pressure in the reservoir. The moisture is also sucked out of the reservoir at the same time as the air, so that it is ensured in this way that the means for adding solids is not partially dissolved by moisture, sticks, clumps or the like.

All types of pumps that are able to pump gaseous media can be used. The pump can be, for example, a circulation, peristaltic, piston or vibration pump. When the pump is not active, air must be prevented from flowing back into the reservoir. The pump itself is advantageously designed in such a way that this is guaranteed. Depending on the functional principle of the pump used, a non-return valve may be necessary.

In order to reliably evaporate moisture that has already penetrated the solids addition means and thereby dry the solids addition means, it is advantageous to operate the pump in such a way that the air pressure in the reservoir after the air has been evacuated has a value of less than 500 mbar. preferably even less than 200 mbar. At a pressure of 200 mbar, the boiling point of water is around 60° C, a temperature that is usually reached in the rinse cycle. This ensures that the water in the reservoir is only in gaseous form and can therefore be pumped out by the pump. A low air pressure in the reservoir also helps to reduce unwanted heat transfer from the rinsing container to the additive.

Before the solid additive is dispensed, the evacuated storage tank must be vented again. Air from the interior of the washing compartment can be used for this purpose. However, this is usually damp, so that unwanted moisture can penetrate into the reservoir. Accordingly, according to one embodiment of the invention, a venting valve is provided for venting the reservoir, so that the reservoir can be vented with outside air (ambient air) in a targeted manner via the venting valve. Compared to the air in the interior of the rinsing tank is outside air significantly drier. In order to prevent dirt particles from penetrating as part of the ventilation, a filter can be arranged in the connection between the reservoir and the ambient air of the dishwasher.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the storage container includes the closure device, which has the advantage in the case of storage containers intended for replacement that the closure device only has to be designed for the maximum possible number of dosing processes with a filled storage container and not for the service life of the household Dishwasher. As a result, the closure device can be designed to be significantly more economical.

One embodiment of the invention provides that the closure device has a closure means and a sealing seat, which are arranged and designed in such a way that negative pressure in the reservoir presses or pulls the closure means into the sealing seat. In this way, a particularly good sealing effect of the closure device is achieved. The closure means must be movable in the direction of the sealing seat so that the force acting on the closure means due to the air pressure can press the closure means into the sealing seat.

The reservoir can also include the dosing device, so that in the case of reservoirs provided for replacement, the dosing device only has to be designed for the maximum possible number of dosing processes with a filled reservoir and not for the service life of the household dishwasher. The dosing device can therefore be made significantly cheaper.

However, the reservoir can also be detachably connected to the dosing device. In this case, at least one empty reservoir can be replaced by a full reservoir. In such an embodiment, the dosing device is integrated into the domestic dishwasher and only the reservoir is provided for the consumer to change. Sealing means are preferably provided at the interface between the reservoir and the dosing device, which ensure an airtight connection between the reservoir and the dosing device.

According to the invention, the reservoir has a dispensing opening for dispensing the solids additive from the Reservoir and a separate air vent for evacuating the reservoir. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the storage container has a dispensing opening for dispensing the solids additive from the storage container and a separate air opening for venting the storage container. This separation of the dispensing port and the air port facilitates preventing the ingress of additive into the connection between the air port and the pump. If, in addition to the connection, there is also a connection between the air opening and an aeration valve, separating the dispensing opening and the air opening can also make it easier to prevent additives from entering this connection.

Since the solid additive can also be stored longer in a brand-new storage container that has not yet been used, it is advantageous for the consumer to be able to easily recognize such unused storage containers. A further embodiment of the invention therefore provides that at least one of the openings of the reservoir is closed by a one-time closure before it is first connected to the dosing device. An undamaged disposable closure signals to the consumer very quickly and reliably that the storage container is in a brand-new condition. Such a one-time closure can be implemented, for example, with the aid of a film, a thin area in the material of the storage container, or a stopper. When delivered, the reservoir can also already be pressurized, which is then held securely by the one-time closure.

In order not to impair the convenience for the consumer, the one-time closure can be opened automatically by the dosing device when the storage container is first connected to the dosing device. It is therefore not necessary for the consumer to open it manually and the risk of incorrect operation is also minimized. Such an automatic opening can be implemented, for example, with the aid of a mandrel, a blade or the like.

Finally, the dosing device can also comprise a dispensing lock, by means of which the dosing device can be closed in relation to the rinsing space and through which the means for adding solids can be dispensed into the rinsing space. Such an embodiment has the advantage that penetration of splashing water into the Reservoir can be safely avoided during dosing. For this purpose, it makes sense to design the dosing system in such a way that the closure device and the output lock can be actuated independently of one another.

According to a further embodiment, the dispensing lock has a dosing chamber which has a conical dispensing area arranged in the bottom of the dosing chamber. Due to the conical design of the dispensing area, the means for adding solids are automatically conveyed in the direction of the washing chamber by their weight.

According to a further embodiment, the discharge sluice comprises a lifting piston for opening and closing the conical discharge area of the dosing chamber. The reciprocating piston is thus set up to dose a respective predetermined quantity of the solids additive into the washing chamber.

According to a further embodiment, a linear drive and a lever arm coupled between the linear drive and the reciprocating piston are provided, with the linear drive being set up to actuate the reciprocating piston to open and close the conical dispensing area.

According to a further embodiment, a transmission between the linear drive and the lever arm is provided. In particular, the lever arm has two arms of different lengths. The translation is arranged between the shorter arm of the lever arm and the linear drive. For the coupling between the transmission and the lever arm, the shorter arm has a slot, for example.

According to a method for operating a household dishwasher according to the invention, the evacuated reservoir is first vented, then the solids additive is dispensed from the reservoir, the reservoir is hermetically sealed again and finally the reservoir is evacuated again. In this way it is achieved that moisture can only penetrate into the reservoir during the short period of time when the solids additive is being released from the reservoir and even this moisture that has possibly penetrated is sucked off again immediately by the renewed evacuation after the release process . A negative effect of moisture on the solids additive can be reliably prevented in this way.

Depending on the embodiment of the dosing device, the additive can be dispensed either directly into the washing chamber of the domestic dishwasher or alternatively into a dispensing lock. In the latter case, the reservoir can already be evacuated again before the means for adding solids is finally discharged from the discharge lock into the washing area.

In order to ensure safe operation of the dosing system, it is advantageous to monitor the negative pressure in the reservoir. The desired negative pressure can then be exactly achieved and maintained; in particular, an undesired increase in pressure can be counteracted, for example by activating the pump again.

Further advantageous refinements and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims and of the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Haushalts-Geschirrspülmaschine;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Dosiersystems;

Fig. 3

ein Beispiel einer Abfolge von Verfahrensschritten zum Dosieren eines Feststoff-Zugabemittels in eine erfindungsgemäße Haushalts-Geschirrspülmaschine; und

Fig. 4 - 7

zeigen verschiedene schematische Darstellungen einer Ausführungsform einer Ausgabeschleuse des erfindungsgemäßen Dosiersystems.

Show it:

1

a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher according to the invention;

2

a schematic representation of an embodiment of a dosing system according to the invention;

3

an example of a sequence of process steps for dosing a solid additive into a domestic dishwasher according to the invention; and

Figures 4 - 7

show various schematic representations of an embodiment of an output lock of the dosing system according to the invention.

Elements that are the same or have the same function have been provided with the same reference symbols in the figures, unless otherwise stated.

the 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a household dishwasher 1. The dishwasher 1 has a receiving area in the form of a washing container 2, which can be closed by a door 3, which is in particular watertight. For this purpose, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2 . The washing compartment 2 is preferably cuboid. In particular, the washing container 2 can be made of sheet steel. Alternatively, the washing container 2 can be made of a plastic material, at least in sections. The washing compartment 2 and the door 3 can form a washing chamber 4 for washing items to be washed. The washing compartment 2 can be arranged inside a housing of the dishwasher 1 .

Door 3 is in the 1 shown in their open position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3 . The washing compartment 2 has a wall 6 with a base 7, a cover 8 arranged opposite the base 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The bottom 7, the top 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be made from a stainless steel sheet, for example. Alternatively, for example, the bottom 7 can be made of a plastic material.

The dishwasher 1 also has at least one washware receptacle 12 to 14 . In particular, a plurality of receptacles for items to be washed 12 to 14 can be provided, in which case these can comprise a lower rack 12 , an upper rack 13 and/or a cutlery drawer 14 . The multiple wash items receptacles 12 to 14 are preferably arranged one above the other in the wash tub 2 . Each wash item receptacle 12 to 14 can be moved either into or out of the washing compartment 2 . In particular, each washware holder 12 to 14 can be pushed into the receiving area 2 in a push-in direction E and pulled out of the washing compartment 2 in a pull-out direction A counter to the push-in direction E.

The dishwasher 1 also has a dosing system 100 . The dosing system 100 is in the example 1 arranged on the door 3 so that when the door 3 is closed it is oriented towards the washing compartment 4. This advantageously allows that the dosing system 100 can dose solids additives into the washing compartment 4 . The solids additive is then dissolved by the washing liquor in the washing compartment 4 .

Deviating from the representation in the 1 are further arrangements of the dosing system 100, such as. B. on the wall 6 of the washing container 2 or on one of the wash items receptacles 12 to 14 is possible.

the figure 2 shows an embodiment of a dosing system 100 according to the invention. In a storage container 101 there is a solids additive 102, which is present in the illustrated embodiment in the form of tablet-shaped additives shaped bodies 103. However, the solid addition means 102 can also be in another solid form, such as in powder form or as granules, as pellets, as capsules or in block form. The addition means shaped bodies 103 are stored in a magazine in a predetermined geometric arrangement. Of course, embodiments are also possible in which the solid cleaning agent is accommodated in the storage container 101 in the form of a bed. A dosing device 104 is provided for dispensing the solids additive 102 or, more precisely, a predetermined quantity or portion of solids additive 102 from the reservoir 101 into the washing compartment 4 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, this dosing device 104 comprises on the one hand a portioning unit 105, in the illustrated case in the form of a wedge, which can be pushed in or swiveled in above the lowest shaped body 103 of adding agent in the direction of gravity and, in the position shown, prevents other shaped bodies 103 of adding agent from slipping down due to the force of gravity. The direction of gravity is in figure 2 marked with an arrow G. In addition to the portioning unit 105, the dosing device 104 also includes a dispensing unit 106 in the form of a controllable closure flap 107. This closure flap 107 can be used to selectively close or open a dispensing opening 108 in the bottom 109 of the storage container 101. A closure device 110 is used for the airtight closure of the storage container 101 and has a closure means 111 and a sealing seat 112 for this purpose. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the closure means 111 is formed by the closure flap 107 . In the embodiment shown, the closure flap 107 therefore assumes a dual function as part of the dosing device 104 on the one hand and as part of the closure device 110 on the other.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the storage container 101 is not designed to be refillable, but in the form of a cartridge which is replaced as a whole after the solids addition means 102 has been completely used up. In the embodiment shown, the closure device 110 in the form of the closure flap 107 is part of the storage container 101, which has the advantage that the closure device 110 is replaced together with the storage container 101 and consequently only for the maximum possible number of dosing processes with a filled storage container 101 must be designed and not for the service life of the dishwasher.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the dosing device 104 is also an integral part of the storage container 101. Thus, when the storage container 101 is replaced, the dosing device 104 is also automatically replaced and consequently does not have to be designed for the entire service life of the domestic dishwasher 1.

Of course, however, embodiments are also conceivable in which the dosing device 104 is permanently integrated into the household dishwasher, but it is nevertheless possible to replace an empty storage container 101 with a full storage container 101 . For this purpose, the storage container 101 can be detachably connected to the dosing device 104 . Sealing means are then advantageously provided, which ensure an airtight connection between storage container 101 and dosing device 104 . Basically, it should be noted that the specific configurations of the storage container 101, the dosing device 104 and the closure device 110 can be varied in many ways.

Air can be evacuated from the storage container 101 with the aid of a pump 113, which is connected to the storage container 101 via a pump line 114, so that a vacuum is created in the storage container 101. However, since the moisture is also sucked out of the reservoir 101 together with the air, the evacuation contributes to the fact that the solids addition means 102 is not partially dissolved, sticks or clumps due to moisture and consequently remains permanently usable.

In principle, all types of pumps that are suitable for conveying gaseous media are suitable as the pump 113 . A valve 115 is provided to prevent air from flowing back into the reservoir 101 . However, a pump 113 could also be used in which the design prevents air from flowing back into the reservoir 101 or in which a non-return valve is integrated into the pump 113 for this purpose.

Particularly effective protection against moisture in storage container 101 is achieved when pump 113 evacuates storage container 101 to such an extent that the air pressure in storage container 101 is less than 500 mbar, preferably even less than 200 mbar. At such low air pressures, it is then also possible to evaporate moisture that has already penetrated into the solids addition means 102, and a low air pressure in the reservoir 101 also reduces the undesired heat transfer from the washing container 2 to the solids addition means 102.

In order to ventilate the reservoir 101 again before the solids addition means 102, in the embodiment shown a shaped body 103 of the addition means, is dispensed, a ventilation valve 116 is provided, which is connected on the one hand to the reservoir 101 and on the other hand to the outside air or ambient air via a filter 117 connected is. Compared to ventilation with air from the interior of the washing container 2, ventilation with outside air (ambient air) has the advantage that this air is significantly drier and consequently moisture is not introduced into the storage container 101 via the ventilation process.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the closure means 111 in the form of the closure flap 107 and the sealing seat 112 arranged in the area around the dispensing opening 108 are designed in such a way that the negative pressure in the reservoir 101 presses the closure means 111 into the sealing seat 112, which ensures a high sealing effect.

In the figure 2 The illustrated embodiment of the storage container 101 has an air opening 118 which is separate from the dispensing opening 108 and which in the exemplary embodiment shown is used both for evacuating and for ventilating the storage container 101 . In this way, a penetration of additives in the Pump line between air opening 118 and pump 113 and in the connecting line between air opening 118 and ventilation valve 116 safely avoided.

In addition to the portioning unit 105 and the dispensing unit 106 in the form of the closure flap 107 , the dosing device 104 shown also has a dispensing lock 119 . This output lock 119 comprises a dosing chamber 120, which adjoins the closing flap 107 in the direction of gravity G, and a controllable output flap 121. With the aid of this output flap 121, a connection between the dosing chamber 120 and the washing chamber 4 can be closed or opened. The dispensing flap 121 consequently offers the possibility of closing the metering device 104 in relation to the washing chamber 4 or of dispensing a portion of solids additive 102 located in the metering chamber 120 into the washing chamber 4 . Since the dispensing flap 121 can be actuated independently of the closing flap 107, penetration of sprayed water into the storage container 101 during the dispensing can be reliably avoided by a suitable sequence control of the dispensing process. Of course, embodiments without an output lock 119 are also conceivable.

• Schritt S1: Einsetzen des fabrikneuen, noch nicht benutzten und damit voll gefüllten Vorratsbehälters 101 in einen dafür vorgesehenen Aufnahmebereich 122, z.B. im Bereich der Tür 3, der Haushalts-Geschirrspülmaschine 1. Vorteilhaft wird ein Einmalverschluss, z.B. eine Folie, welcher die Luftöffnung 118 verschließt, beim Einsetzen des Vorratsbehälters 101 in die Haushalts-Geschirrspülmaschine 1 automatisch, z.B. mit Hilfe eines Dorns, der am Ende der Pumpleitung 114 vorgesehen ist, geöffnet und zwar in der Art, dass der Einmalverschluss die Pumpleitung 114 danach fluiddicht umgibt.
• Schritt S2: Evakuieren des Vorratsbehälters 101 mit Hilfe der Pumpe 113. Dazu muss bei der in Figur 2 gezeigten Ausführungsform das Ventil 115 vorher geöffnet werden.
• Schritt S3: Abschalten der Pumpe 113 nach Erreichen des gewünschten Unterdrucks im Vorratsbehälter 101. Bei der in Figur 2 gezeigten Ausführungsform wird dann auch das Ventil 115 wieder geschlossen. In diesem Zustand verbleibt das Dosiersystem 100 bis zum Beginn des ersten Dosiervorgangs im Rahmen eines Spülprogrammes.
• Schritt S4: Eine Ablaufsteuerung der Haushalts-Geschirrspülmaschine 1, gibt für ein gewähltes Spülprogramm einen Dosierzeitpunkt für das im Vorratsbehälter 101 gespeicherte Feststoff-Zugabemittel 102 vor. Einige Sekunden vor dem Erreichen dieses Zeitpunktes wird das Belüftungsventil 116 geöffnet und dadurch der Vorratsbehälter 101 belüftet. Der Filter 117 verhindert dabei das Eindringen von Schmutzpartikeln aus der Umgebungsluft in den Vorratsbehälter 101.
• Schritt S5: Öffnen der Verschlussklappe 107 führt zur Abgabe einer Portion des Feststoff-Zugabemittels 102, im gezeigten Beispiel eines Zugabemittel-Formkörpers 103, vom Vorratsbehälter 101 in die Dosierkammer 120 der Ausgabeschleuse 119. Konkret kann derjenige Zugabemittel-Formkörper 103, welcher sich in Schwerkraftrichtung unterhalb der Portioniereinheit 105 befindet nach dem Öffnen der Verschlussklappe 107 schwerkraftbedingt in die Dosierkammer 120 fallen. Die Ausgabeklappe 121 der Dosierkammer 121 ist zu diesem Zeitpunkt vorteilhaft noch geschlossen.
• Schritt S6: Evakuieren des Vorratsbehälters 101 mit Hilfe der Pumpe 113. Dazu muss bei der in Figur 2 gezeigten Ausführungsform das Ventil 115 vorher erneut geöffnet werden.
• Schritt S7: Abschalten der Pumpe 113 nach Erreichen des gewünschten Unterdrucks im Vorratsbehälter 101. Bei der in Figur 2 gezeigten Ausführungsform wird dann auch das Ventil 115 geschlossen.
• Schritt S8: Öffnen der Ausgabeklappe 121 der Dosierkammer 120 führt zur Abgabe der in der Dosierkammer 120 befindlichen Portion des Feststoff-Zugabemittels 102, im gezeigten Beispiel eines Zugabemittel-Formkörpers 103, in den Spülraum 4. Konkret kann der in der Dosierkammer 120 befindliche Zugabemittel-Formkörper 103 nach dem Öffnen der Ausgabeklappe 121 schwerkraftbedingt in den Spülraum fallen.
• Schritt S9: Schließen der Ausgabeklappe 121 führt zu einem Zustand, wie am Ende des Schrittes S3. In diesem Zustand verbleibt das Dosiersystem 100 bis zum Beginn des nächsten Dosiervorgangs im Rahmen eines Spülprogrammes.

A possible sequence of method steps as they occur as part of a dosing process when operating a domestic dishwasher (1) according to the invention is figure 3 shown. The process sequence described starts with the insertion of a new storage container 101, which of course is only necessary if a previously used storage container 101 no longer contains any solids addition means 102. The presented procedure consists of the following steps:

• Step S1: Insertion of the brand-new, unused and therefore fully filled storage container 101 in a receiving area 122 provided for this purpose, e.g. in the area of the door 3 of the domestic dishwasher 1. A one-time closure, e.g. a foil, which closes the air opening 118 is advantageous , When inserting the reservoir 101 into the household dishwasher 1 automatically, for example with the aid of a spike provided at the end of the pump line 114, opened in such a way that the one-time closure then surrounds the pump line 114 in a fluid-tight manner.
• Step S2: Evacuation of the reservoir 101 using the pump 113. For this purpose, at the in figure 2 shown embodiment, the valve 115 are previously opened.
• Step S3: switching off the pump 113 after reaching the desired negative pressure in the reservoir 101. In the in figure 2 shown embodiment, the valve 115 is then closed again. The dosing system 100 remains in this state until the start of the first dosing process as part of a rinsing program.
• Step S4: A sequence control of the domestic dishwasher 1 specifies a dosing time for the solids additive 102 stored in the storage container 101 for a selected washing program. A few seconds before this point in time is reached, the ventilation valve 116 is opened and the reservoir 101 is thereby ventilated. The filter 117 prevents the ingress of dirt particles from the ambient air into the reservoir 101.
• Step S5: Opening the closing flap 107 leads to the release of a portion of the solid additive 102, in the example shown an additive shaped body 103, from the reservoir 101 into the dosing chamber 120 of the output lock 119. Specifically, the additive shaped body 103 which moves in the direction of gravity located below the portioning unit 105 fall into the dosing chamber 120 due to the force of gravity after the closing flap 107 has been opened. The dispensing flap 121 of the dosing chamber 121 is advantageously still closed at this time.
• Step S6: Evacuation of the reservoir 101 using the pump 113. For this purpose, at the in figure 2 embodiment shown, the valve 115 must be opened again beforehand.
• Step S7: switching off the pump 113 after reaching the desired negative pressure in the reservoir 101. In the in figure 2 shown embodiment, the valve 115 is then closed.
• Step S8: Opening the dispensing flap 121 of the dosing chamber 120 leads to the dispensing of the portion of the solids additive 102 located in the dosing chamber 120, in the example shown an additive shaped body 103, into the washing chamber 4. Specifically, the additive located in the dosing chamber 120 can Shaped body 103 after opening the dispensing flap 121 due to gravity fall into the washing compartment.
• Step S9: Closing the discharge flap 121 leads to a state as at the end of Step S3. The dosing system 100 remains in this state until the start of the next dosing process as part of a rinsing program.

Steps S4 to S9 can then be repeated until the supply of solids addition means 102 in the storage container 101 is used up (interrogation step S10). A new reservoir 101 must then be used again.

If a dosing system 100 does not have a discharge sluice 119 and therefore no dosing chamber 120 either, in step S5 a portion of the solids additive 102, in the example shown a shaped body 103 of the additive, can also be dispensed directly from the reservoir 101 into the washing compartment 4. Steps S8 and S9 are then omitted.

In the Figures 4 - 7 various schematic representations of an embodiment of an output lock 123 of the dosing system 100 according to the invention are shown. The output lock 123 of Figures 4 - 7 has a metering chamber 124. The metering chamber 124 has a conical dispensing portion 125 located in its bottom. The conical dispensing area 125 of the dosing chamber 124 can be opened and closed by means of a lifting piston 126 . The lifting piston 126 is actuated via a lever arm 127 by means of a linear drive 130 . The lever arm 127 has two arms 128, 129, in particular of different lengths. A translation 131 is arranged between the shorter arm 128 of the lever arm 127 and the linear drive 130 . The shorter arm 128 has a slot 132 for coupling between the transmission 131 and the lever arm 127 .

Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways.

Reference signs used:

1

domestic dishwasher

2

flush tank

3

door

4

dishwashing room

5

pivot axis

6

wall

7

floor

8th

ceiling

9

back panel

10, 11

side walls

12, 13, 14

dishes

100

dosing system

101

reservoir

102

solid additives

103

Additive moldings

104

dosing device

105

portioning unit

106

output unit

107

closure flap

108

dispensing opening

109

floor

110

locking device

111

means of closure

112

tight fit

113

pump

114

pump line

115

Valve

116

ventilation valve

117

filter

118

air vent

119

output lock

120

dosing chamber

121

output flap

122

Pickup area (for the reservoir)

123

output lock

124

dosing chamber

125

output area

126

reciprocating

127

lever arm

128

shorter arm of the lever arm

129

longer arm of the lever arm

130

linear actuator

131

translation

132

Long hole

G

direction of gravity

Claims (18)

1. Household dishwasher (1) with a dishwasher interior (4) for washing items to be washed and with a dosing system (100), which has

   • a reservoir (101) for storing a solid additive (102),

   • a dosing apparatus (104) for releasing the solid additive (102) from the reservoir (101) into the dishwasher interior (4),

   • a closure apparatus (110) for closing off the reservoir (101) in an air-tight manner and a pump (113) for evacuating air from the reservoir (101) in such a manner that a vacuum is generated in the reservoir (101),

   characterised in that the reservoir (101) has a dispensing opening (108) for dispensing the solid additive (102) and an air opening (118) separate therefrom for the evacuation.
2. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the air pressure in the reservoir (101) after the evacuation of the air amounts to a value of less than 500 mbar, preferably less than 200 mbar.
3. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that a vent valve (116) is provided for venting the reservoir (101).
4. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reservoir (101) comprises the closure apparatus (110).
5. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure apparatus (110) has a closure means (111) and a sealing seat (112), which are arranged and embodied in such a manner that vacuum in the reservoir (101) presses the closure means (111) into the sealing seat (112).
6. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reservoir (101) comprises the dosing apparatus (104).
7. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reservoir (101) is detachably connected to the dosing apparatus (104).
8. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reservoir (101) also has the air opening (118) for venting.
9. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the openings (108, 118) of the reservoir (101) is closed off by a single-use closure before connecting to the dosing apparatus (104) for the first time.
10. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that, when connecting the reservoir (101) to the dosing apparatus (104) for the first time, the single-use closure is automatically opened by the dosing apparatus (104).
11. Household dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dosing apparatus (104) has a dispensing lock (119, 123), by means of which the dosing apparatus (104) can be closed off from the dishwasher interior (4) and by way of which the solid additive (102) can be dispensed into the dishwasher interior (1).
12. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the dispensing lock (123) has a dosing chamber (124), which has a conical dispensing region (125) arranged in the base.
13. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 12, characterised by a piston (126) for opening and closing the conical dispensing region (125) of the dosing chamber (124).
14. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 13, characterised by a linear drive (130) and a lever arm (128, 129) coupled between the linear drive (130) and the piston (126), wherein the linear drive (130) is configured to actuate the piston (126) to open and close the conical dispensing region (125).
15. Household dishwasher (1) according to claim 14, characterised by a transmission (131) arranged between the linear drive (130) and the lever arm (128, 129).
16. Method for operating a household dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, in which

    a) the evacuated reservoir (101) is vented,

    b) solid additive (102) is released from the reservoir (101) and the dispensing opening (108) is opened for this purpose,

    c) the reservoir (101) is closed off again in an air-tight manner and

    d) the reservoir (101) is evacuated again in such a manner that vacuum is generated in the reservoir (101).
17. Method according to claim 16, wherein the solid additive (102) is either released directly into the dishwasher interior (4) of the household dishwasher (1) or is dispensed into a dispensing lock (119).
18. Method according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterised in that the vacuum in the reservoir (101) is monitored.

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