EP3721782A1 - Metering device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a metering device for the metered introduction of pourable cleaning agent into a treatment room (4) of a program-controlled cleaning device, in particular a dishwasher (1), with a storage container (14) serving to accommodate the cleaning agent (23) and a motorized rotatable carrying unit ( 11), which exchangeably accommodates the storage container (14), the storage container (14) being made of a plastic-free material.

Description

The invention relates to a metering device for the metered introduction of pourable, in particular powdery or granular, cleaning agent into a treatment room of a program-controlled cleaning device, in particular a dishwasher, with a storage container serving to accommodate the cleaning agent and a carrying unit, in particular a motor-driven rotatable, carrying unit that supports the storage container exchangeable.

A metering device of the generic type is from DE 10 2017 122 265 A1 known.

Cleaning devices, in particular dishwashers, typically have a washing compartment that provides a treatment area, also called a washing area. This treatment space is accessible to the user via a loading opening which can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a pivotably mounted washing-up chamber door. When used as intended, the washing container serves to hold items to be cleaned, which in the case of a dishwasher can be dishes, cutlery and / or the like, for example.

To achieve an optimized cleaning result, use is made of process chemicals that are supplied to the washing area during a cleaning process, typically as an addition to the washing liquid used, also called washing liquid. Process chemicals of this type are, for example, cleaning agents that are added to the washing area of the cleaning device under program control at a specific point in time during the program sequence.

In order to be able to store detergent for a plurality of cleaning processes so that manual detergent dosing does not have to take place before the start of each cleaning process, dosing devices have been proposed, for example with the one already mentioned at the beginning DE 10 2017 122 265 A1 .

The known metering device has a storage container which can be exchanged in the metering device and is used to store pourable cleaning agent in an amount that is sufficient for a plurality of cleaning processes. The storage container is mounted such that it can rotate about an axis of rotation, a rotational movement of the storage container being effected in a program-controlled manner in the case of the intended dosing. For this purpose, a motor-driven drive device is provided, by means of which a rotational movement of the storage container is carried out during operation. The motor-driven drive device interacts with a support unit which exchangeably accommodates the storage container.

Disposable containers or reusable containers that can be refilled with cleaning agent can be used as storage containers.

The advantage of disposable containers is that it ensures the use of proper detergents. In addition, the amount of cleaning agent housed in the storage container is clearly defined so that a predictable number of cleaning processes can be carried out. A disadvantage of a disposable container, however, is the lack of waste avoidance, especially since the container is made of plastic for the purpose of moisture protection of the cleaning agent it houses, in particular powdery or granular.

The use of a storage container designed as a reusable container offers the advantage of avoiding waste. However, it is disadvantageous that unwanted entry of moisture into the storage container can lead to clumping of the powdery or granular cleaning agent stored therefrom, with the result that cleaning processes are carried out with only inadequate cleaning results. In addition, the refilling of a reusable container harbors the risk that improper cleaning agents are used by the user. Furthermore, when a reusable container is refilled, overfilling can occur, which can result in incorrect closure of the container with the result that cleaning agent escapes unintentionally and deposits or even blockages occur in the metering device.

On the basis of what has been described above, the object of the invention is to further develop a metering device of the type mentioned at the outset so that at the same time Safe operation is guaranteed after the waste problem is defused.

As a solution , the invention according to a first aspect of the invention proposes that the storage container be formed from a plastic-free material.

Alternatively and / or in combination with this, a dosing device is also proposed to solve this problem, which is characterized by a reusable receiving module, which has a receiving space for exchangeably receiving the storage container and a device for discharging cleaning agent from the storage container, the storage container below Intermediate arrangement of the receiving module can be used in the support unit.

According to the first aspect of the invention that can be protected for itself, the storage container is formed from a plastic-free material. This makes it possible to recycle the storage container after its intended use. The storage container can either be designed as a disposable container or as a reusable container.

According to the second aspect of the invention, which can be protected for itself, a reusable receiving module is provided. This is used to accommodate the storage container, for which purpose the receiving module has a corresponding receiving space. When used as intended, the storage container is inserted into the support unit with the receiving module interposed.

According to this proposal of the invention, there is a separation of functions, because the storage container is used exclusively for storing, in particular powdery or granular, cleaning agent, but otherwise (apart from an outlet) has no means for discharging cleaning agent in the case of dosing. Such a device for discharge is provided by the reusable receiving module, so that, when used as intended, cleaning agent is discharged from the storage container via the module-side device for discharge into the washing area of the cleaning device. This configuration according to the invention also contributes to minimizing the garbage problem inherent in the prior art, specifically by avoiding garbage insofar as the device for The discharge of cleaning agent is not part of the storage container, so that this device is reused even when the storage container is replaced. The storage container can be designed as a disposable container or as a reusable container.

A combination of the two embodiments according to the invention explained above is particularly advantageous, according to which the metering device has a receiving module for receiving the storage container, the storage container being made of a plastic-free material.

This combination makes it possible, in a synergetic manner, to design the storage container as a disposable container from a compostable material, for example from a material containing lignocellus. In this case, the receiving module protects the storage container against unwanted entry of moisture when used as intended. The result of this embodiment is a reusable receiving module as a quasi reusable container and a storage container, which is received therefrom in the intended use, and which is formed from a plastic-free, in particular compostable material. In this way, both the generation of garbage is reduced to a minimum and it is ensured that the garbage generated after the storage container has been used as intended is completely recyclable. In this way, the conflicting advantages of single-use containers on the one hand and reusable containers on the other hand are combined in a synergetic manner. And this while at the same time maintaining process reliability, as it is always ensured that the user is using appropriate cleaning agents in a predefined quantity. The problems of overdosing and unwanted entry of cleaning agent into the metering device also do not exist, since the storage container, as a disposable container, ensures safe handling.

As a result of the embodiment according to the invention, a construction is given that ensures simple and safe handling by the user, avoids unnecessary waste generation and also makes it possible to pack the, in particular granular or powdery, cleaning agent from a plastic-free, in particular compostable, which cannot be avoided To be able to produce material.

For a fluid-tight reception of the storage container by the reception module, it is provided according to a further feature of the invention that the reception space can be closed in a fluid-tight manner. For this purpose, the receiving module has a base body which provides the receiving space for the storage container and on which a lid is hingedly arranged. In the intended use, the receiving space is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of the cover. For the purpose of exchanging a storage container, the cover must be pivoted on the user side towards the opening of the receiving space, so that the user can access the storage container accommodated by the receiving space. After the storage container has been exchanged, the cover must be closed again so that the new storage container is accommodated in a fluid-tight manner by the receiving module.

According to a further feature of the invention, a sensor device is provided. This sensor device has a sensor and a component that can be sensed by the sensor, the component being arranged in the receiving space and interacting with a storage container received by the receiving space.

By means of this further development according to the invention, it is achieved in an advantageous manner that the intended insertion of a storage container into the receiving module can be detected by sensors. If the storage container is not detected by sensors, this is synonymous with the fact that either no receiving module with or without a storage container is inserted into the carrying unit or no storage container is inserted into the receiving module. In any case, proper detergent dosing is not ensured, so that a cleaning program is preferably not started or continued due to the lack of sensing of the sensible component. Alternatively, it is possible that the cleaning program is started or continued, but without the dosing device according to the invention being used.

By means of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular, incorrect operation of the metering device is excluded to the extent that cleaning agent is added directly to the receiving module by the user, that is, without using a storage container provided for this purpose. This is because the component that can be sensed by the sensor interacts with the storage container, so that no component sensing can take place when the receiving module is filled directly with cleaning agent. The sensor is preferably designed to be tamper-proof on the device side.

According to a further feature of the invention, the storage container provides an outlet which is closed by means of a seal before the storage container is used for the first time. The seal is detachable from the storage container when the storage container is inserted into the receiving space. This configuration further increases the reliability of use. Because the storage container can be inserted into the receiving module together with the seal that closes the outlet. This ensures that if the storage container penetrates the receiving module as intended, undesired cleaning agents cannot flow out through the outlet of the storage container and, for example, get into the opened receiving module. Rather, the seal ensures that the outlet of the storage container remains closed until the storage container is inserted into the receiving space of the receiving module as intended. As soon as the storage container has been introduced into the receiving module in a secure manner, the user can release the seal for opening the storage container outlet.

The seal can be, for example, a tear tab that is glued to the storage container and that is to be gripped by the user on one end for proper removal. When the user pulls on the tab, the adhesive layer between the seal and the storage container is destroyed and the seal is released from the storage container.

The invention also proposes a storage device for use in a metering device of the type according to the invention, the storage device having a storage container and a receiving module, the receiving module being designed to be reusable and a receiving space for exchangeably receiving the storage container and a device for discharging cleaning agent the storage container, wherein the storage container can be inserted into the support unit of the metering device with the interposition of the receiving module.

Such a storage device provides the advantages already explained above with reference to the metering device according to the invention.

Dosing can take place, for example, in the following manner. For transferring cleaning agent from the storage container to the one provided by the cleaning device Treatment room serves as a device for discharging cleaning agents, for example a dosing channel. This can preferably not least also be designed in a labyrinthine shape to protect against unwanted entry of moisture. “Labyrinth-shaped” within the meaning of the invention means in particular such a configuration of the metering channel which, according to the metering channel, provides two partial volumes that are fluidically interconnected. For this purpose, the dosing channel is equipped with a barrier that delimits the partial volumes from one another in such a way that when the carrying unit and the storage container contained therein are rotated, the first partial volume is initially filled with an amount of cleaning agent predetermined by the size of the partial volume and that with a further twisting movement of the support unit and the storage container, the amount of cleaning agent metered into the first partial volume can flow past the barrier into the further part of the metering channel defining the second partial volume without further cleaning agent flowing into the metering channel. Other forms of the metering channel are also possible. In any case, the dosing channel is designed in such a way that it is ensured that, due to the geometric design of the dosing channel, the same amount of cleaning agent is always removed from the storage container per 360 ° rotation of the storage container and is available for delivery to the treatment room of the cleaning machine. The geometric configuration of the dosing channel ensures that after the detergent has been metered, the detergent is no longer supplied during the dosing process initiated by the twisting movement of the support unit and the storage container received therein. Only at the beginning of a subsequent dosing process, that is to say only when the storage container rotates again, can further cleaning agent stored in the storage container be dispensed into the dosing channel. According to a first embodiment, the device for discharging cleaning agent or the metering channel can be designed as part of the storage container. According to the alternative embodiment described above, in which there is a reusable receiving module which has a receiving space for exchangeably receiving the storage container, the device for discharging cleaning agent or the dosing channel can be provided by the receiving module.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Ansicht ein erfindungsgemäßes Reinigungsgerät;

Fig. 2

in schematischer Perspektivansicht von oben eine Spülraumtür und zwar in Blickrichtung II gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

in schematisch perspektivischer Darstellung ein Vorratsbehälter nach der Erfindung ohne Reinigungsmittel;

Fig. 4

in schematischer Perspektivansicht den Vorratsbehälter nach Fig. 3 mit aufgenommenem Reinigungsmittel;

Fig. 5

in schematisch perspektivischer Darstellung ein Aufnahmemodul mit noch nicht eingesetztem Vorratsbehälter;

Fig. 6

in schematisch perspektivischer Darstellung ein Aufnahmemodul mit davon aufgenommenem Vorratsbehälter;

Fig. 7

in schematisch perspektivischer Darstellung das Aufnahmemodul nach Fig. 6 mit einem vom Vorratsbehälter entfernten Siegel;

Fig. 8

in schematisch perspektivischer Darstellung das Aufnahmemodul nach Fig. 7 in geschlossener Stellung;

Fig. 9

in schematischer Draufsicht von oben ein Aufnahmemodul in geöffneter Stellung;

Fig. 10

in geschnittener Seitenansicht ein Aufnahmemodul gemäß Schnittlinie X-X nach Fig. 9 mit noch nicht eingesetztem Vorratsbehälter und

Fig. 11

das Aufnahmemodul nach Fig. 10 mit eingesetztem Vorratsbehälter.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description with reference to the figures. Show it

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a cleaning device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

in a schematic perspective view from above a wash cabinet door, specifically in the viewing direction II according to FIG Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

in a schematic perspective illustration of a storage container according to the invention without cleaning agent;

Fig. 4

in a schematic perspective view of the storage container Fig. 3 with absorbed cleaning agent;

Fig. 5

in a schematic perspective illustration, a receiving module with a storage container not yet inserted;

Fig. 6

in a schematic perspective illustration, a receiving module with a storage container received therein;

Fig. 7

in a schematic perspective view of the receiving module Fig. 6 with a seal removed from the reservoir;

Fig. 8

in a schematic perspective view of the receiving module Fig. 7 in closed position;

Fig. 9

in a schematic plan view from above, a receiving module in the open position;

Fig. 10

in a sectional side view a receiving module according to section line XX Fig. 9 with storage container not yet inserted and

Fig. 11

the recording module Fig. 10 with inserted storage container.

Fig. 1 shows a cleaning device according to the invention in the form of a dishwasher 1 in a purely schematic representation.

The dishwasher 1 has, in a manner known per se, a housing 2 which a rinsing container 3 receives. The washing container 3 in turn provides a washing area 4 for receiving items to be cleaned. To load the washing area 4 with items to be cleaned, the washing compartment 3 has a loading opening 5. This can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a washing area door 6, the washing area door 6 being rotatably pivoted about a horizontally extending pivot axis.

Fig. 2 shows the wash cabinet door 6 in a schematic perspective view from above onto the inner door panel, that is to say in the direction of view II Fig. 1 .

The dishwasher 1 has a metering device 7 which is installed in the wash cabinet door 6 of the dishwasher 1. The metering device 7 has, inter alia, an exchangeable storage container 14 which is used to store, preferably powdery or granular, cleaning agent for a plurality of cleaning programs. In the course of the intended use of the dosing device 7, the corresponding amount of cleaning agent is removed from the storage container 14 for each cleaning program cycle and fed to the washing chamber 4. The storage container 14 provided by the metering device 7 is preferably dimensioned in such a way that it can hold cleaning agent in an amount which is sufficient to complete 20 to 30 cleaning programs.

For receiving the storage container 14, the metering device 7 has a receptacle 12 which accommodates a support unit 11 which receives the storage container 14 in an exchangeable manner. When the storage container 14 is properly inserted into the carrying unit 11, the receptacle 12 of the metering device 7 can be closed in a fluid-tight manner on the user side by means of a pivotable cover 13.

A cleaning agent outlet 8 is used for discharging cleaning agent originating from the storage container 14. This provides an outlet opening 9 which is covered by a cover 10. In this case, the cover 10 does not serve to seal the outlet opening 9 in a fluid-tight manner, but rather only as a splash guard in order to minimize the penetration of washing solution into the outlet opening 9.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a reusable receiving module 15 is provided, the storage container 14 being insertable into the carrying unit 11 with this receiving module 15 interposed, as is the case especially from the representation according to Fig. 2 results.

For receiving the storage container 14, the receiving module 15 has a base body 24 providing a receiving space 16. In this receiving space 16, the storage container 14 is inserted in a position-safe manner when used as intended.

The receiving module 15 also has a cover 25 which is pivotably arranged on the base body 24. The receiving module 15 and thus also the receiving space 16 provided by it can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of this cover. It is thus ensured that a storage container 14 housed as intended by the receiving module is protected from an undesired entry of liquid and / or moisture.

This liquid- or moisture-proof reception of the storage container 14 by the reception module 15 makes it possible to form the storage container 14 from a material that is not moisture- and / or liquid-resistant. It is therefore provided according to a further aspect of the invention that the storage container is formed from a plastic-free material, preferably from a recyclable material. Recycled cardboard or a comparable material containing lignocellulose is particularly preferred for forming the storage container 14.

The storage container 14 is shown in a schematic perspective illustration in particular in FIG Figures 3 and 4 shown. According to the embodiment shown, the storage container 14 has a base body 18 which provides a storage space 20. This storage space 20 is filled with cleaning agent 23 before the storage container 14 is used as intended for the first time, as shown in FIG Fig. 4 reveals. A cover 19 which is pivotably arranged on the base body 18 is used to close the storage space 20 provided by the base body 18 by the manufacturer.

The storage container 14 has an outlet 21, like this, for dispensing detergent in the case of dosing Fig. 3 reveals. Before the storage container 14 is used for the first time, the outlet 21 is closed by means of a seal 22 in the form of an adhesive strip, so that the storage container 14 can be safely inserted into the receiving module 15 without the risk of a there is unwanted leakage of cleaning agent into the receiving module.

The Figures 5 and 6 show an intended insertion of a storage container 14 into a receiving module 15. As these figures show, the storage container 14 is introduced into the receiving space 16 of the receiving module 15 with an intact seal 22. Only after the storage container 14 has been properly inserted is the seal 22 removed, like this Fig. 7 reveals. The outlet 21 provided by the storage container is therefore only opened by the user when the storage container 14 has been received in a secure manner by the receiving module 15.

According to the preferred embodiment according to the figures, the seal 22 serves not only to close the outlet 21. The seal 22 rather also serves to hold the cover 19 of the storage container 14 in position. Unintentional opening of the cover 19 before the storage container 14 is inserted into the receiving module 15 is thus avoided. As soon as the seal 22 according to Fig. 7 is removed, the receiving module 15 is to be closed by pivoting the module-side cover 25. This closed position shows Fig. 8 . On the inside, the cover 19 of the storage container 14, which has been freed from the seal 22, rests on the cover 25 and is therefore held in position by the cover 25 of the receiving module 15. Despite the removed seal 22 it is thus ensured that the lid 19 of the storage container 14 does not open. Alternatively or in combination with a seal, the cover 19 can also be arranged on the base body in a non-pivotable manner in some other way, for example by means of a form-fitting and / or force-fitting connection.

Like the representations after the Figures 3 to 7 Furthermore, as can be seen, the receiving module 15 provides, in addition to the receiving space 16, a device 17 for discharging cleaning agent. This device 17 is designed in a manner known per se and is used for the detergent portioning when the dosage is intended. When the cover 25 is closed, the device 17 for discharging cleaning agent is also covered by the cover 25. This shows in particular Fig. 8 . In this case, it is preferred to design the cover 25 in two parts, so that the user can access the device 17 even when the receiving space 16 is closed.

For the intended use of the metering device 7, it is imperative that the storage container 14 is properly inserted into the receiving module 15 and the receiving module 15 are properly inserted into the support unit 11. In order to ensure that a cleaning program is only started or carried out on the device side when the storage container 14 and receiving module 15 are properly arranged, a sensor device is used according to the invention. This has a device-side sensor and a component that interacts with the sensor. According to the preferred embodiment according to the figures, this component to be sensed by the sensor is arranged in the receiving space 16 of the receiving module 15 and interacts with a storage container 14 properly received by the receiving space 16, as can be seen from a synopsis of the Figures 9 to 11 results.

The component 27 interacting with the device-side sensor is attached to the end of a rocker arm pivotably arranged in the receiving space 16. The rocker arm 26 is held in a deflected position under spring tension, as is the case here Fig. 10 shows. In this deflected position of the rocker arm 26, the sensible component arranged on the rocker arm is positioned at such a distance from the device-side sensor, even with a receiving module 15 inserted in the support unit 11, that it is arranged outside the detection area covered by the sensor. In the test case, the component is not detected by the device-side sensor. This means that there is no storage container 14 properly inserted into the receiving module 15, be it that the receiving module 15 is inserted into the carrying unit 11 but no storage container 14 is inserted into the receiving module 15 or that it is on the receiving module 15 with or without a storage container 14 is missing. In any case, due to the lack of a storage container 14, a proper washing program cannot be carried out, so that such a program is not even started or is carried out if there is no sensing of the storage container 14.

Fig. 11 reveals a storage container 14 that has been properly received by the receiving module 15. Against the spring preload acting on the rocker arm 26, the rocker arm 26 is pivoted when the storage container 14 is inserted, so that when the receiving module 15 is inserted into the support unit 11, the component 27 can be sensed by the device-side sensor.

Reference number

1

dishwasher

2

casing

3

Rinsing container

4th

Wash cabinet

5

Loading opening

6th

Wash cabinet door

7th

Dosing device

8th

Detergent outlet

9

Outlet opening

10

cover

11

Carrying unit

12

admission

13

cover

14th

Storage container

15th

Recording module

16

Recording room

17th

Facility

18th

Base body

19th

cover

20th

Storage room

21st

Outlet

22nd

seal

23

cleaning supplies

24

Base body

25th

cover

26th

rocker arm

27

Component

Claims (11)

Dosing device for the dosed introduction of pourable cleaning agent into a treatment room (4) of a program-controlled cleaning device, in particular a dishwasher (1), with a storage container (14) serving to accommodate the cleaning agent (23) and a carrying unit (11), in particular a motorized rotatable support unit (11 ), which takes the storage container (14) exchangeably,
characterized,
that the storage container (14) is formed from a plastic-free material. Dosing device according to claim 1, characterized by a reusable receiving module (15) which has a receiving space (16) for exchangeably receiving the storage container (14) and a device (17) for discharging cleaning agent (23) from the storage container (14), wherein the storage container (14) can be inserted into the support unit (11) with the interposition of the receiving module (15). Dosing device for the dosed introduction of pourable cleaning agent into a treatment room (4) of a program-controlled cleaning device, in particular a dishwasher (1), with a storage container (14) serving to accommodate the cleaning agent (23) and a carrying unit (11), in particular a motorized rotatable support unit (11 ), which exchangeably accommodates the storage container (14), characterized by a reusable receiving module (15) which has a receiving space (16) for exchangeably receiving the storage container (14) and a device (17) for discharging cleaning agent from the storage container (14 ), wherein the storage container (14) can be inserted into the support unit (11) with the interposition of the receiving module (15). Dosing device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the storage container (14) is formed from a plastic-free material. Dosing device according to claim 1 to 2 or 3 to 4, characterized in that the storage container (14) is formed from a compostable material. Dosing device according to Claims 1 to 2 or 3 to 5, characterized in that the storage container (14) is formed from a material containing lignocellulose. Dosing device according to Claim 2 or 3 to 6, characterized in that the receiving space (16) can be closed in a fluid-tight manner. Dosing device according to claim 2 or 3 to 7, characterized by a sensor device with a sensor and a component (27) that can be sensed by the sensor, the component (27) being arranged in the receiving space (16) and having a storage container (16) received by the receiving space (16). 14) interacts. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage container (14) provides an outlet (21) closed by means of a seal (22), the seal (22) being removed from the storage container when the storage container (14) is inserted into the receiving space (16) (14) is detachable. Storage device for use in a metering device (7) according to one of the preceding claims with a storage container (14) and a receiving module (15), the receiving module (15) having a receiving space (16) for exchangeably receiving the storage container (14) and a device ( 17) for discharging cleaning agent (23) from the storage container (14), wherein the storage container (14) can be inserted into the carrying unit (11) with the interposition of the receiving module (15). Storage container (14) made of a plastic-free material for use in a metering device (7) according to one of Claims 1 to 9.

Images