HUE032651T2 - Metering device for a dishwashing machine having an optical transmitter and/or receiver unit - Google Patents

Description

Posing device for dishwasher having optical transmitting and/or receiving unit: [2] The present invention relates to a dosing device and system having an optica! transmitting and/or receiving unit for positioning inside a dishwasher, in particular, by at user. The dosing device and system according to the present invention are specially designed so thai transmission of optica! signals.....which represent, in particular, operating state information, measurement information, and/or control Information on the dosing device and/or the dishwasher—is achieved between the dishwasher and the dosing device.

Prior art i'3| Dishwashing agents are made available to the cohsumer in a vanefy of forms in addition to traditional liquid hand dishwashing agents, automatic dishwashing agents have gained significance with the widespread use of house hoki automatic dishwashers. These automatic dishwashing agents are typically offered to the consumer in solid iorrn, for example as powders or tablets, but increasingly also in liquid form. Emphasis has for some time been pieced principally on convenient dosing of wasting and cleaning agents* and on simplification of the working steps necessary for carrying out a washing or cleaning method

Ilf Furthermore, one of fite main objectives of manufacturers of automatic cleaning agents is to improve ftp cleaning performance of these agents, increased emphasis recently having been placed on cleaning performance in low-temperature cleaning cycles or in cleaning cycles having reduced water consumption. To this end, new ingredients, for example more‘effective surfactants, polymers, enzymes, or bieaehing agents, have preferably been added to the cleaning agents. Because new ingredients are available only-to a limited extent, however, and because for .ecological and economic reasons the quantity of the ingredients used ter each washing cycle cannot be arbitrarily increased, te this approach to a solution, |§j in this context, apparatuses for multiple dosing of washing and cleaning agents have very recenfiy come to the attention of product developers. With these apparatuses, a distinction may be made between, on the one band, dosing chambers integrated into the dishwasher or textile washing machine, and, on the other hand, separate devices functioning independently of the dishwasher or textile washing machine·. By means of these dispensing systems, which contain several times tee quantity of cleaning agent required to carry out a treatment cycle, washing or cleaning agent portions are automatically or semi-automatically dispensed into tire interior of the cleaning machine over the course of muitipié successive treatment programs. For the consumer, the need for manuaf dispensing for each cleaning or washing cycle is eliminated. Examples of such apparatuses ate described irr European patent, application EP 1759 624 A2 (Reckitt Benckiser) sr in German patent application DE 10 2005 062 479 Ä1 (8SH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH).

[6] WO 2010/01538? A2 describes a household appliance having a program control for controlling program processes for at ieasi one operating parameter, such as temperature, pH value, or the like, and/or the operating sequence of a machine component, such as rinsing asms, pumps, or the like, wherein the program control is provided for the use of a dosing apparatus that is installed non-fixedly irr the household apparatus. One embodiment provides that a transmission system for transmitting information between a control unit of the household apparatus and a dosing apparatus that is installed non-fixedly in the household apparatus is present m WO 2010/007054 discloses a dosing system,; id paröcuiar, for positioning in the interior of a dishwasher by a user, comprising a cartridge for fiowebie washing or cleaning agents, as wail as a dosing device that can be coupied to the cartridge. The dosing system comprises a component carrier on which the dosing chamber and other elements are arranged. One embodiment provides that the component carrier comprises at least one light guide via which tight from the surroundings of the dosing device can be guided to an optical transmitting and/or receiving unit to and/or from the interior of the dosing device., [8} it would be beneficial in this context to provide the ability to transmit information between a dishwasher and a dosing device arranged within the dishwasher, whereby the release of cleaning agent from such dosing devices coukf be further optimized, for example, through an exact tuning to a program running in the dishwasher. Here, especially with dosing devices that can be freely positioned by the user, it is necessary to make sure that the most secure and disturbance-free possible transmission of the information is ensured at each position of the dosing device, for example, in a dish drawer,

Probiere to be seivad by the invention [9] The problem to be solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a dosing device and system for the most secure possible wireless transmission of information between a dosing apparatus arranged so as to be movable within the interior of a dishwasher and a dishwasher, [10] This problem is soived by a dosing device according to daim 1 and a dosing system according to claims 11 and 12.

[11 ] Bottom-side emission of signais from the dosing device provides an ©specieiiy secure signai transmission, because the optical signais are emitted into the nosing space through washware located in the dishwasher, without a possible coverage. This is of particular importance if the dosing device is designed to be positioned in a piate teceptacfe of a dish rack. Adjacently-positioned plates could significantly effect emission, a danger that is generally not present with bo ttom-side emission, [12] An optical signai within the meaning of the present application is an electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range oi visible light to the infrared range.

[13} The dosing system according to the present invention is composed of the basic elements of a cartridge filled with a preparation and a dosing device that can be coupled to the cartridge: and that is in turn composed of more assemblies, e.g., a component carrier, actuator, dosing element, sensor, energy source, and/or control unit, [14} Preferably, the dosing system according to the present invention is movable. “Movable'’ within the meaning of the present application means that the dosing system is not non-detachabiy connected to a dishwasher, but instead can be removed, for example, from a dishwasher by the user or positioned in a dishwasher, i.e. can be handled Independently.

[16} According to an alternative embodiment of the invention. It is also conceivable for the dosing device to be connected, in a manner not releasable by the user, to a dishwasher and for only the cartridge to be movable. Thus, it is conceivable, for example, for Sie dosing device to be fixed firmly in a dish drawer or on the Inside of a dishwasher door,

IloospMgnl.bofipni [16} According to one preferred embodiment, of the present invention, the bottom of the dosing device Is transparent at least in some sections, wherein the bottom- and dosing device-side optica! receiving and/or transmitting units are configured so that optical signals are received by the dosing device-side optical receiving unit from the vicinity of the dosing device through tire transparent bottom and/or optical signals are emitted by the dosing device-side optical transmitting unit, through the transparent bottom into the vicinity of the dosing device.

[17] The bottom of the dosing device is understood to mean the dosing device surface that delimits the dosing device downwards in the direction of gravity, when the dosing system is in the use position.

[18] Preferably, an optical transmitting and/or receiving unit is arranged inside the dosing device in order to protect the electrical and/or optical components ot tire transmitting and/or receiving unit from tire effects of spray water and arise water, [19] The bottom comprises at least one transparent coupling and/or decoupling point to which light from an optical transmitting and/or receiving unit and/or from the surroundings of the dosing device is coupied/decoupied. in orderte provide favorable transmitting and/or receiving characteristics for optical signals, it may be advantageous for the coupling and/or decoupling point of the bottom to be m the shape of a fens and/or prism.

[20] It shall be readily understood that it is also possible to have the entire bottom be transparent. Furthermore, sections of the outer surface of the dosing device may also be transparent, in order to improve the irradiation and/or emission performance of the transmitting and/or receiving unit.

[21] The transparent bottom preferably has at leest one light transmittance of 75% for the transmitted and/or received optical signais. The bottom is preferably composed of a transparent piasttc having a transmittance of at least 75% for the transmitted and/or received optical signals. The transmittance of the bottom is defined as the transmittance between the surface of the bottom at which an optical signai from the surroundings of the dosing device is coupled into the bottom and the surface at which the optical signai is decoupled from the bottom to the optica! transmitting and/or receiving unit. The transmittance can be determined according to DIN5Ö38, [22] : The bottom may also be composed of multiple layers and/or multiple pieces made of the same or different materials. It is aiso possible to provide an air gap between a bottom shaped in muitipie layers and/or muitipie pieces. The transmittance of the light guide is understood in the case of muitt· layer and/or muiti-part structure as being between the surface of the Sight guide at which tight is coupled from the surroundings of the dosing device into the light guide, and the surface at which light is decoupled from the light guide to the optical transmitting and/or receiving unit.

Cartridge [23] For purposes of the present application, a cartridge is understood as a packaging means that is suitable for encasing or holding together fiowable, pourable, or streakabie preparations, and is eoupiafele to a dosing device for dispensing at ieast one preparation.

[241 In the simplest conceivable embodiment, the cartridge has a preferably dimensionally stable chamber for storing a preparation, in particular, a cartridge may also comprise a plurality of chambers that can be tilled with mutually different compositions.

[2.5] it is advantageous for the cartridge to comprise at least one outlet orifice which is arranged such that gravity-effected release of preparation out of the cartridge can be brought about in the utilization position of the dosing device. As a result no further conveying means are required tor the release of preparation from the cartridge, thereby keeping that the construction of the dosing device simple and keeping manufacturing costs iovv. Moreover, the use of conveying means, e.g., pumps, cars be forgone, making it possible to increase the lifespan of a batfery or accumulator of the dosing device [28| tn a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at ieast one second chamber for receiving at ieast one second flowabie or spreadable preparation is provided, wherein the second chamber comprises at ieast one outiét orifice that is arranged so that product release brought about by the force of gravity can be brought about from the second chamber in the usage position of the dosing device. The arrangement of a second chamber is particularly advantageous when preparations that are not usually shaft-stable· with one another, for example bleaching agents and enzymes, are stocked in the mutually sepa rate containers of the cartridge . 127] ft is furthermore conceivable- for more than two, in particular three to four chambers to be provided in or on a cartridge, in particular, one of the chambers may be configured to dispense volatile preparations, for instance a fragrance, info the environment.

[28] The cartridge is specially configured to -accommodate flowabie washing: or cleaning agents. Especially preferably, such a cartridge comprises a large number of chambers for spatially separated accommodation of mutually different preparations of a washing or cleaning agent. The following list provides non-limiting examples of some possible combinations for filling the chambers with different preparations.

PS| it iS especially preferred tor aii of the preparations to bo flowahle, because this ensures rapid dissolution of the preparations in the wash liquor of the dishwasher, whereby these preparations achieve a rapid to Immediate cleaning or clear Hosing action, in particule?, even on the wails of the dosing spade and/or a light guide ofthe ca rtridge and/or o f the dodng device , [30] The cartridge typically has a'total volume of < 5,000 ml, in padiouiar, < t ,000 ml, preferably < §00 mi,, especially preferably < 250 ml, very especially preferably « 50 ml.

[311 The chambers of a cartridge may have the same or mutually different fitting volumes. The ratio of the chamber volumes is preferably 5:1 with a configuratitsn having two chambers, 4:1:1 with à configuration having three chambers, these configurations being especially suitable for use in dishwashers.

[32] As stated above, the cartridge preferably has three chambers. For use of a cartridge of this kind irr a dishwasher. It Is particularly preferred that one chamber contain an alkaline cleaning preparation, a further chamber an enzymatic preparation, and a third chamber a dear rinser, the volume ratio of the chambers being equal to approximately 4:1:1, [33] The chamber containing the alkaline cleaning preparation preferably has the largest filling volume of the present chambers. Preferably, the chambers that store an enzymatic preparation or a clear rinser have approximately identical filling volumes, [34] With a two- and/or three-chamber embodiment of the cartridge, if is in particular possible to store, in particular, a fragrance, disinfectant, and/or pretreatment preparation in another chamber that is arranged so as to bo releasable on the cartridge or on the dosing device.

Dosing device Π^] The control unit required for operation, the dosing device-side interlace, and at least one actuator are integrated into the dosing device. Preferably, a sensor unit and/or an energy source is aiso arranged en er in the dosing device.

[36] The dosing device according tö ltse present invention is defined: in eiaims 1 to 8, and comprises at least the features of independent claim 1, [37] Preferahly: the dosing device is composed of a housing protected against spray wafer, which prevents tire ingress of spray water, such as can occur when, for example, a dishwasher is being used, ihf§ the interior of the dosing device in which at least the control unit, dosing device-side interface, sensor unit, and/or actuator are arranged. pi Especially preferably, the dosing device comprises at least one first dosing device-side interface, which interacts in or at a corresponding interface configured for a dishwasher in such a minner that transmission ofefecfricsi energy and/or signais from lire dishwasher to the dosing device and/or from the dosing device to the dishwasher Is achieved. pi] in one embodiment of the present invention, the interfaces take the term of piug-in connectors, in another embodiment, peinterfaces may be configured so as to bring about wireiess transmission of eiectrfca! energy and/or electncai and/or optical signais.

[40] Here, it is especially preferable for the interfaces provided for transmitting electrical energy to be an inductive transmitting unit or receiving unit of electromagnetic waves. Thus, in particular, the interface of a dishwasher may be configured as an AC-driven transmitting unit eosi having an iron core, and the interface of the dosing device as a receiving unit coli having an iron core.

[41] An alternative embodiment may provide transmission of electrical energy aiso by means of an interface that comprises, on the dishwasher side, an electric-powered light source and. on the dosing device side, a light sensor, e.g., a photodiode or a solar eeii. The iight that Is emitted by the light source is convened by the tight sensor into electrical eneigy that then in turn feeds, for example, a dosing device-side accumulator.

[42] in one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, an interface is configured on the dosing device and a dishwasher for transmitting (i.e., transmitting and receiving) electromagnetic and/or optical signais, which represent, in particular, operating state information, measurement information, and/or control information of the dosing device and/or of a dishwasher.

[43] It shall he readily understood Ihat it is also possible to provide ortiy one Interlace for transmitting signals or one interface fór transmitting electrical energy, or to respectively provide one interface for transmitting signals and one interface for transmitting electrical energy* or to provide one interface that is suitable for providing transmission of both electrical energy and signais, {44] Ifi particular, such ah interface may be configured so as to bring about wireless transmission of electrical energy and/or electromagnetic and/or optical signals. {45] Especially preferably, the interfaces are configured to emit and/or receive optical sfonajs, For this purpose, the interfaces are constituted of corresponding optical dosing device- and/or dishwasher·· skie transmitting and/or receiving units.

[46] Very especially preferably, the interfaces are configured for transmrtfing/i'eceivlng fight In the visible range. Since darkness usually prevails in the interior of the rinsing space during operation of a dishwasher, sigfrais can be emitted and/or detected by the dosing device irr the visible optical range, for example in the form of signai puises and/or light flashes. It has proven partictrlariy advantageous in Ibis context to use wavelengths between 6ÖÖ and 3.000 nm, preferably 600 to 1,400 am, especially preferably 000 to S00 nm in the visible spectrum.

[47] Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous to configure the interface to transmit/receive infrared signais. It is advantageous in particular for the interface to be configured for the emission and/or reception of infrared signals irr foe near infrared range (700 to 3,000 nm), [48] Irr particular, the .interface, as a transmitting unit, comprises at least one LËD and/or )Üir Preferably, the LED and/or ÍRED has an emission angie 0 between 8° and 40”. Especially preferably, the interface comprises at least two LEDs and/or IREDs, it is also possihie, according to » farther preferred embodiment of the present invention, to provide at ieast two LEDs and/or IREDs that emit fight in mutuafiy different wavelengths. This makes it possible, for example, to define different signal bands on which information can be sent or received.

[49] Furthermore, in one development of the present invention, it is advantageous for at least one LED and/or ÍRED to be an RGB-LED and/or -IRED with which the wavelength can be adjusted, ft is thus possible, for example, with one LED and/or IRED, to define different signai bends that emit signals on different wavelengths, if is thus for example also conceivable for tight to be emitted on a different wavelength during the drying process, during which high atmospheric humidity (fog) prevails in the rinsing sjfeée, fián for example during a rinsing step.

[50] The interface ôf the dosing device may be configured so that the LED and/or IRED is provided both for emitting signais inside the dishwasher, in particular when the dishwasher door is closed, and for optica! display of an operating state of the dosing device, in particular when the dishwasher door is open. (51] it is particularly preferable for an opticaÍ signai to be configured as a signai puise with a puisé duration of between 1 ms and 10 seconds, preferably between 5 ms and 100 ms, [52] in addition, it is advantageous for the interface of the dosing device to be configured so as to emit an opîieai signai with the dishwasher closed and unloaded which brings about an average illuminance E of between 0.01 and 100 iux, preferably between 0.1 and 50 lux, as measured at the walls bounding the rinsing space. This illuminance is then sufficient to bring about multipie reflections with or at the other rinsing space wails and thus to reduce or reduce or prevent possible signai shadows in the rinsing space, in particuiar when the dishwasher is loaded. (53] it is furthermore advantageous for reducing or avoiding signai shadows when the dosing device-side optica! transmitting unit emits tight irr the direction of the dishwasher bottom with an angle a of, in particular, between T and 85". preferably between 5° and 45*—deviating from the vertical This Obiiguepositioning of the transmitting unit is also bénéficiai for multiple reflections at the dishwasher wails. (54| The signals emitted and/or received by the interface entails, in particular, a canter of ihibrmation, in particular , a control signal or a signa! that represents an operating state of the dosing device and/or of the dishwasher.

[55] in particular, the optical transmitting unit may be an LEO and/or an IRED that preferably emits Sight irr the visible and/or IR range, it is also conceivable to use another suitable optical transmitting unit, e.g„ a laser diode, it is especially preferable to use optical transmitting units that emit fight in the wavelength range between 600 and 3,000 nm, preferably between BOO and 1,400 nm, especiaiiy preferably between 600 end 800 nm. The signals emitted py the transmitting unit into the surroundings of the dosing device may preferably represent information about operational states, sensor readings, or control commands.

[56] in one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the dosing device may comprise at least one optical receiving unit. This makes ft possible, for example, for the dosing device to receive : signals from an optica! transmitting unit arranged in the dishwasher. This may he realized by any suitable optical receiving unit, e.y,, photo ceils, photomultipliers, semiconductor detectors, photodiodes, photoresistors, soiaf cells, phototransistors, or CGD and/or CMOS image sensors. It is especially preferable for foe optical receiving unit to be suitable for receiving light in the wavelength range of 6ÖÖ to 3,000 nm, preferably 8QÖ to 1,400 nm, especially preferably 600 to 800 nm.

Sensor [57] A sensor withm the meaning of the present application is a measured-variable transducer or sensing element that can sense specific physical or chemical properties and/or the material condition of foe environment thereof, qualitatively or, as a measured variable, quantitatively.

[58] The dosing device preferably comprises at least one sensor foal Is suitable for detecting a temperature. The temperature sensor is configured, in particular, to detect a water temperature.

[59] It is further preferred that the dosing device encompass a sensor for sensing conductivity, with: which, in particular, the presence or spraying of water, in particular, in a dishwasher is sensed.

[SO] in one embodiment of the present invention, the dosing device comprises a sensor that can determine physical, chemical, and/or mechanical parameters from foe surroundings of the dosing device. The sensor unit may comprise one or' more active and/or passive sensors for qualitatively and/or quantitatively sensing mechanical, electrical, physical, and/or chemical variables that are passed to the control unit as control signais, [81] In particular, sensors of the sensor unit can may be selected from the group consisting of timers, temperature sensors, infrared sensors, brightness sensors, movement sensors, expansion sensors, speed sensors, proximity sensors, flow sensors, color sensors, gas sensors, vibration sensors, pressure sensors, conductivity sensors, turbidity sensors, sound pressure sensors, lab-one· chip sensors, force sensors, acceleration sensors, gradient sensors, pH sensors, moisture sensors, magnetic field sensors, RFID sensors, resonance sensors, biochips, odor sensors, hydrogen sulfide sensors and/or MEMS sensors.

[82] it Is especially preferable that at least two sensor units for measuring mutually different parameters be provided, wherein very especially preferably one sensor unit is a conductivity sensor and another sensor unit is a temperature sensor. Furthermore, preferably, at least one sensor unit is a brightness sensor.

[83] The sensors ere specially designed to detect the beginning: course, and end of a rinsing program. For ibis purpose, the sensor combinations set forth in the following table may be used, by way of non-íímiísng example,

[84] Sy means of the conductivity sensor, it is possible, tot example, to detect whether foe conductivity sensor is wetted by water, so that It can thus be determined, for exempÎOi whether there is water in the dishwasher.

[65] Rinsing programs as a rule have a characteristic temperature curve that can be determined. inter alia, from the heating of the rinse water and the drying of the washware, which can be detected via a temperature sensor.

[66] By means of a brightness sensor, it is possible, for example, to detect the incidence ot light info the interior of a dishwasher when the dishwasher door is opened, from which it may for example be concluded that the rinsing program has come to an end. The dosing device-side optical receiving unit may also be-used for this purpose, by, for example, a photodiode monitoring the brighfoess within the rinsing space of a dishwasher, [87] A turbidity sensor may also be provided in order to determine the degree of soiling of the washware to be cleaned that is in the dishwasher. Therefrom, it is possible to aiso select, for example, a program in the dosing device that is correct for the established selling situation. The dosing device-side interlace, composed of a dosing device-side transmitting end feceivfog unit, may also be configured so as to function as an optica! turbidity sensor and/or optical moisture sensor. This shall be discussed in greater detail below, [86] it is also feasible to detect the progress of a rinsing program with the assistance of at least one acoustic sensor, by detecting specific sound and/or vibration amissions, for example when water is pumped in or out, [69] It shall be modify understood that it is possible for a person skilled in the art to use any desired, suitable combinations of a plurality of sensors to achieve washing program monitoring.

[70] The data line between sensor and controi unit may be realized via an eiectricaiiy conductive cable or wirelessly. In principle, it is also conceivable for at least one sensor to be positioned or positionabie outside the dosing device in the interior of a dishwasher and for a data line, in particular a wireless data line, to be provided for transmitting measured data from the sensor to the dosing device.

[71] A wireless data line is configured, In particular, by transmitting electromagnetic waves or Sight, it is preferable for a wireless data line to be configured to standards such as for example Bluetooth, IrDA, IEEE 802. GSM, UMTS etc

ContrpLunjf [72] A control unit for the purposes of the present application is a device which is suitabta fef; influencing the transporter materia!, energy, and/or information.

[73] in particular, the control unit may be a programmable microprocessor, in an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of programs are stored on tire microprocessor, [74] Îhe ppprations may be dispensed sequentially or simultaneously from the dosing device.

[75] ft is especially preferable to dose a large number of preparations sequenttaiiy in a rinsing program, in particular the fbiiowing dosing sequences are preferred

[76] Also advantageously, the dishwasher and the dosing device Interact in such a manner that in the pre-washing and/or main washing program of the dishwasher, at ieast one enzyme-containing preparation and/or alkaline preparation is released, wherein the enzyme-containing preparation is preferably released earlier in time than the release of the alkaiine preparation.

Ener^y.sourc.a [77] For the purposes of the present application, an energy source is taken to mean a component of the dosing system which is capable of providing energy which is suitable for operation of the dosing system or of the dosing device. Preferably, the energy source is configured so that the dosing system is seif-sufficient.

[78] Preferably, the energy source provides electric energy. The energy source may entaii, for example, a battery, an accumulator, a mains energy supply, solar ceils, or the like.

[79] it is especially advantageous to configure the energy source so as to he replaceable, for example, in the form of a replaceable battery.

[80] A battery may be selected from, for example, the group consisting of alkaii metal manganese batteries, zinc graphite batteries, nickel oxyhydroxide batteries, lithium batteries, lithium iron sulfide batteries, zinc air batteries, zinc chloride batteries, mercury oxide zinc batteries, and/or sliver oxide zsnc batteries, [81] Exemplary suitabie accumulators are lead accumulators (lead dsoxide/lead), nickel cadmium accumulators, nickel metal hydride accumulators, lithium ion accumulators, lithium polymer accumulators, alkali matai manganese accumulators, silver zinc accumulators, nickel hydrogen accumulators, zinc bromine accumulators, sodium nickel chloride accumulators, and/or nickel iron accumulators.

[82] The accumulator may, in particular, be configured so as to be rechargeable by induction.

[83] It is however aiso conceivable to provide mechanical energy sources composed of one or more coii springs, torsion springs, or torsion bars, bending springs, air/gas springs, and/or elastomer springs, [84] The energy source is dimensioned in such a manner that the dosing device may run through approximately 3ÜÖ dispensing cycles before the energy source is exhausted, it is particularly preferable for foe energy source to run through between 1 and 300 dispensing cycles, very especially preferably between 10 end 300, further preferably between 100 and 300, before the energy source Is exhausted.

[85] in addition, means may be provided on the dosing device for energy conversion, which generate a voltage by means of which the accumulator is charged. These means may for example take the form of a dynamo, which is driven by the water currents during a rinse cycle in a dishwasher and outputs the voltage thus generated to the accumulator.

Dispensing apparatus of the dishwasher [88] The dosing device. In a preferred embodiment of foe present invention, may receive signais from a dispensing apparatus that is fixed irr a dishwasher, and/or transmit signais to the dispensing apparatus [87] The dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least one preparation into the interior of a dishwasher may be, in particular, a cleaning agent dispenser, a dispensing device for clear rinsers or salt, or a combination dosing device.

[88] The dispensing apparatus advantageously comprises at least one transmitting unit and/or at ieast one receiving unit for wirelessly transmitting signals into foe interior of the djshwasher&amp;vireiessiy receiving signals from the interior of the dishwasher, [89] it is especially preferable that the transmitting unit and/or receiving unit be configured to emit or receive optical signais, it is very especially preferable that foe transmitting unit and/or receiving unit he configured to emit or recurve tight in the visible range. Since darkness usually prevails in foe interior of foe rinsing space during operation of a dishwasher, signals can be emitted and detected in the visible optical range, for example in the fenn of signal pulses and/or fight flashes.

[30] Aiternafiveiy or additionally, it is advantageous that the transmitting unt and/or receiving unit foe configured to emit or receive infrared signals, in particular, it is advantageous for the transmitting unit and/or receiving unit to be configured to emit or receive infrared signais in the near infrared range (780 to 3,000 nm).

[91] in particular., the transmitting unit comprises at toast one LED and/or ÍRED, Especially preferably, the transmitting unit comprises at ieast two LEDs and/or IREOs. Here, it is very especially advantageous for at toast two LEDs and/or IREDs to be arranged at an emission angfe offset by 90‘ fróni öné another. This enables the resulting multiple reflections within the dishwasher to reduce to risk of signal shadows in which a freely-positionabto receiving unit of toe signals, in particular, a dosing device, may fee located, [S3] It rs also possible, according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, to provide at ieast two LEDs and/or iREDs that emit iight in mutually different wavelengths. This makes it possible, for example, to define different signal bands on which information can be seni or received.

[93j Furthermore, in one development of toe present invention, it is advantageous for at ieast one LED and/or ÍRED to be an RGB-LED and/or -IRED with which the waveiength can be adjusted. It is thus possible, for example, with one LED and/or IRED, to define different signai bartos that emit signals on different wavelengths, it Is thus for example also conceivable for iight to be emitted on a different waveiength during the drying process, during which high atmospheric humidity (fog) prevails in the rinsing space, than for example during a rinsing step.

[94] The transmitting unit of the dispensing apparatus may be configured so that the LED and/or ÍRED is provided both for emitting signais inside the dishwasher, In partfouiar when the dishwasher door is closed, and for optica! display of a dear rinser storage container of a dishwasher, in particular, when the dishwasher door is open, [95] it is particularly preferable for an optical signai to be configured as a signa! puise or series of signai puises with a pulse duration of between 1 ms and 10 seconds, preferably between 5 ms and 100 ms.

[96] in addition, it is advantageous for the transmitting unit to be configured so as to emit an optica! signal with the dishwasher dosed which brings about an average illuminance E of between 0,01 and 100 iux, preferably between 0.1 and 50 iux, as measured at the wails bounding toe rinsing space. This illuminance is then sufficient to bring about multiple reflections with or at the other rinsing space walls and thus to reduce or reduce or pievent possible signal shadows in the rinsing space, in particular when the dishwasher is .loaded* [97] The receiving unit of the dispensing apparatus may comprise, in particular, a photodiode.

[98} in one embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing apparatus may additionally or alternatively aiso be configured to east or receive radio signais, [99] The signais emitted from the transmitting unit and/or received by the receiving unit entail, in particular, a carrier of information, in particular, a control signal.

[100] Especially preferably, the dispensing apparatus is arranged in the door of a dishwasher.

[101] Furthermore, a receptacle for refeasabie fixation of a dosing device onto the dispensing apparatus may be provided on the dispensing apparatus, This makes it possible, for example, to position the dosing device not oniy in the dish drawer of a dishwasher, but also to fix the dosing deyice directly onto a dispensing apparatus of the dishwasher, in particular, of a combination dosing device, in this way, on öté one hand no loading space in the dish drawer is occupied by the dosing device, whiie on the other hand defined positioning of the dosing device relative to the dispensing apparatus is achieved. {102} Frequently, dispensing apparatuses such as a combination dosing device comprise a swiveiabie flap, which is opened during a washing program in order to dispense a cleaning preparations located in the dosing chamber of the combination device into the interior of the dishwasher. The receptacle for the dosing device may then be configured on the dispensing apparatus in such a way that opening of the flap is prevented when the dosing device is fixed: in the receptacle. This prevents the risk of double dosing from the dosing device and the dispensing apparatus, [103} It is furthermore advantageous to configure foe fixation of the dispensing apparatus and the transmitting and/or receiving unit such that at ieast foe transmitting unit, directly irradiates foe receiving unit of th e dosing device ar ranged in the fixation . {104} Advantageously, the dosing device, which is not fixedly connected to the dishwasher, for use In a dosing system comprising foe dispensing apparatus composes at ieast one receiving unit and/or at least one transmitting unit for wirelessly transmitting signals from inside the dishwasher to the dispensing device or for wirelessly receiving signals from the dispensing apparatus.

Dishwasher [105] A dishwasher suitable for the dosing system according to the present invention comprises, in particular, an enciosable dosing space. Usuaiiy, the rinsing space of a dishwasher is closed off/opened by a door or drawer. Typically, the rinsing space is thus protected from the entrance of ambient light, [100] The wails' of the rinsing space have in particular a degree of shine of at feast 10 shine units, preferably at least 20 shine units, especially preferably at ieast 45 shine units, as measured according to DIN 67530 with 60:: geometry: This enables multiple reflections·, of the emitted optical signals at the walls of the rinsing space, thus reducing the risk of possible signai shadows, in particular for optical signals in the visible and/or iR range in the interior of the rinsing space of the dishwasher. IT 07] An average degree of shine means the degree of shine averaged over the entire surface of a wall in an especially preferred embodiment ot the present invention, the average degree of shine of the rinsing space walls amounts to at least 10 shine units, preferably at least 20 shine units, especially preferably at least 45 share units, as measured according to DíN S753Ö with 60° geometry.

[108] An average degree of rinsing space shine means the degree of shine averaged over· the entire surface of ai! the rinsing space waiis. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the average degree of rinsing space shine amounts to at least 10 shine units, preferably at least 20 shine units, especially preferably at ieast 45 shine units, as measured according to DIN 87530 with 80° geometry.

[1ÔÔ] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher-~which is configured to receive optical signals from tire dosing device and/or transmit signais to the dosing device—forms a dosing system together with the corresponding dosing device.

[110] The present invention shall be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, which only illustrated embodiment examples.

Fig. 1 illustrates a self-sufficient dosing device having a two-chamber cartridge In the separated and assembled state;

Fig. 2 illustrates a seif-sufficient dosing device having a two-chamber cartridge arranged in a drawer of a dishwasher;

Fig. 3 illustrates a dosing device having an optical transmitting unit emitting on the bottom side;

Fig, 4 Illustrates a dosing device having an inclined optical transmitting unit emitting on the bottom side:

Fig. 5 illustrates a dosing system comprising a dosing device comprising an inclined optical transmitting unit emitting on the bottom side, and a dishwasher-side receiving unit;

Fig, 6 illustrates a combination dosing device comprising a transmitting and receiving unit Fig, 7 illustrates a combination dosing device comprising a transmitting and receiving unit having an opened dosing chamber cover;

Fig. 8 illustrates a dosing device in a piate receptacle of a dish drawer;

Fig, 9 illustrates a dosing device with a cartridge in a perspective view;

Fig, 10 illustrates a dosing device comprising an optical sensor comprising an optical transmitting and receiving unit emitting on the bottom side; and

Fig. 11 illustrates a dosing device comprising an optica! sensor comprising an optical transmitting and receiving unit emitting on the bottom side, with a dishwasher bottom that has been wet with water. 1111] Fig. 1 illustrates a self-sufficient dosing device 2 having a two-chamber cartridge 1: in the separated and assembled state, [112] The dosing device 2 comprises two dosing chamber inlets 21a, 21 b for repeatedly releasable accommodation of the corresponding outiét orifices 5a, Sb of the chambers 3a and 3b of the cartridge 1, indicator and/or operating elements 37, which indicate the operating state of the dosing 2, or that have an effect thereon, are located on the front side of the dosing device 2.

[113] The dosing chamber Inlets 21a, 21b furthermore comprise means that bring about opening of the outlet orifices 5a, 5b of the chambers 3a. 3b when the cartridge 1 is plugged onto the dosing device 2, so that in the coupled state of the dosing device.2 and the cartridge 1, the interior of the chambers 3a, 3b is connected so as to communicate with the dosing chamber iniets 21a, 21b. |114] The cartridge 1 may be composed of one or more chambers 3a, 3b, The cartridge 1 may be configured as a single part with a plurality of chambers 3a. 3b. or have a multi-part construction, wherein the individual chambers 3a, 3b are then assembled to form a cartridge 1, such as through bended, interlocking, or frictional connection methods.

[115] in particular, fixing may be achieved by one or more of the connection types selected from the group consisting of snap-in connections, press connections, melt connections, adhesive connections, welded connections, braced connections, screw connections, keyed connections, damped connections, and/or rebound connections, in particular, fixing may also be provided by a heat-shrinkabie sleeve, drawn in the heated state over at ieast portions of the cartridge to firmly envelope the cartridge when cooled.

[116] The bottom of cartridge 1 may include a lower tapered design, tunneling toward the dispensing orifices 5a, Sb, in order to provide the cartridge 1 with the advantageous ability to empty completely without residual product remaining therein, [117] The chambers 3a 3b of the cartridge 1 may have the same or mutually different Riling volumes. The ratio of the chamber volumes is preferably 5:1 with a configuration having two chambers 3a, 3b, 4:1:1 with a configuration having three chambers, these configurations being especially suitable for use in dishwasher».

[118] One possible connection method may also consist in plugging the chambers 3a. 3b into one of the corresponding dosing chamber inlets 21a. 21 b of the dosing device 2, thereby fixing them relative to one another.

[119] The connection between the chambers 3a and 3b may be, in particular, reieasabie, so as to attow eepsate replacement of each chamber independently;·, [120] The chambers 3a, 3b each contain a preparation 40a, 40b, The preparations 40a, 40b may have the same composition or different compositions.

[121] Advantageously, the chambers 3a, 3b are made from a transparent material such that the fi!f levels of the preparations 40a, 40b are visible to a user looking only at the outside of the chambers . However, it may be advantageous to make at teást one of the chambers from an opaque material, in particular, when the preparation located within a chamber includes a light-sensitive ingredient [122] The outlet orifices 6a, 5b are designed so as to form an interlocking and/or friotionai, in particular, isquid-tight, .connection with tire corresponding dosing chamber inlets 21a. 21b.

[123] it is particularly advantageous for each of the outlet orifices 5a, 5b to be configured so as to fit onto oniy one of the dosing chamber inlets 21a. 21b, thus preventing a chamber from being inadvertently plugged into the wrong dosing chamber inlet. This may be realized, for example, through outlet orifices Sa, 5b and/or dosing chamber inlets 21a, 21b of different sixes or of different basic-shapes.

[124] The cartridge 1 typically has a titling volume of < 5.ÖÖÖ mL, in particular, < 1,000 ml, preferably < 5DÖ ml, especially preferably < 250 mL, very especially preferably < 5Q ml... {125) The dosing device 2 and the cartridge 1 together in their assembled state may be specially adapted to the geometries of the devices on or in which they are used, so as to ensure the smallest possible loss in useful volume of tee device. To use the dosing device 2 and the cartridge 1 in a dishwasher, it is particularly advantageous to design tee overall shape of the dosing device 2 arid cartridge 1 to resembie a piate to he cleaned in a dishwasher. Thus, the dosing device 2 and the cartridge 1 may be, for example, plate-shaped, in approximately the dimensions of a piate. This makes it possible to position the dosing device in the lower rack in a space-saving manner (see also fig. 8), (1283 The dosing device 2, in the depicted embodiment of tee present invention , comprises a dosing device-side transmitting unit Sd and a dosing device-side receiving unit Ed, which are each arranged in the outer surface of the dosing device 2. Because such a dosing device 2, when positioned in tee piate receptacle of a dishwasher, is usually arranged direciiy between washware, e.g., between piates, the outer covering-side arrangement of the dosing device-side transmitting unit/recesving unit leads to a nearly perfect shadowing of the optical signals to be ernitfed/te be received. Therefore, such an arrangement of the optical transmitting unii/receivsng unit on the dosing device such as is iiiustrated in fig 1 is not preferred.

[127] Rather, it is advantageous for the dosing device-side transmitting unit, in the operating position of the dosing device, to emit optical signals substantially in the direction of the bottom of the dishwasher. This shall be explained in further detail beiow, infer olio, with reference to fg. 3-5.

[128] Fig 2 illustrates a self-sufficient dosing device, such as shall be described in further detail beiow in tig. 3-5, with a two-chamber cartridge 1 in the dish drawer 11 when the dishwasher door 39 of a dishwasher 38 is open, it can be seen that the dosing device 2 comprising the cartridge 1 can, in principle, be arranged at any place within the dish drawer 11, wherein it is advantageous to provide a plate- or cup-shaped dosing system 1,2 in a corresponding piate or cup receptacle of the dish drawer 11. Located in the dishwasher door 39 is a dosing chamber 53 into which a dishwasher cleaning preparation can be dispensed, e g., in fire form of a tablet if the dosing system 1,2 in the operation-ready state is located in the inferior of the dishwasher 38, then it is not necessary to add cleaning preparation via the dosing chamber S3 for every rinse cycle, because cleaning agent is dispensed via fire dosing system 1,2 for a large number of rinses. With this embodiment of the present invention, it is advantageous tor the preparations 40a, 40b to be dispensed from fire cartridge 1 directly via the outlet orifices arranged on the bottom side of the dosing device into the rinsing water liguer when the self-sufficient dosing system 1,2 Is arranged in the lower dish drawer 11, so as to ensure rapid dissolution and even distribution of the rinsing preparations in the rinsing program. |Ί 29] The dishwasher 38 furthermore comprises a household appiiance-side transmitting unit Sh and a household appliance-aide receiving unit Eh that are each arranged in the door 39 of the dishwasher 38. The household appliance-side transmitting unit Sh is preferably a light source, e.g., an LED and/or (RED, or a laser diode, which emits light preferably in the visible and/or infrared range. The household appliance-side receiving unit Eh is preferably a light sensor, e.g., a photodiode, which can receive light preferably in the visible and/or infrared range.

[130] The household appliance-sidetransmitting unit Sh and household appiiance-side receiving unit Eh are connected in the dishwasher 38 to the control unit and an electrica! connection or energy storage (not shown), it is aiso possible to intégrais the household appiiance-side transmitting unit and receiving unit into a combination dosing device 53, as shaii be described in further detail with reference to fig. 6 and 7. (131] Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the dosing device 2 known from fig. 2, wherein the dosing device 2 of fig. 3—unlike in fig. 2—-is configured for dispensing product horn three cartridge chambers 3a. 3 b; 3c, |132] it is possible to see the circuit board 13, on which are arranged the temperature sensor 14, the battery 15. the control unrt 16, the conductance sensors 17, and the dosing device-side optical transmitting unit Sd and receiving unit Ed. it is. however, aiso possible to arrange the battery 15 on the outside of the circuit board 13, so that the battery 15 can be disposed of separately from the circuit board 13. in order to enable easier disposal and recycling of the dosing device.

[133J As can be seen in fig. 3, the dosing device -side optical transmitting unit Sd protrudes out írom the bottom of the dosing device 2. in an alternative embodiment, which is not depicted in fig. 3, the transmitting unit Sd is positioned within the dosing device 2 so as to be protected from spray water, wherein at ieast the bottom region below the transmitting unit Sd is transparent, so that light signals from the transmitting unit Sd can be transmitted through the transparent bottom section of the dosing device 2 into die vicinity. t'134] The dosing device-side transmitting unit Sd is configured ae an LED and/or iRED in the illustrated embodiment. The LED and/or iRED has an emission angle S. which describes the expansion of the radiation cone W of the LED and/or iRED. The radiating means axis R of the radiation cone W is perpendicular to the bottom axis of the dosing device 2 in the ifiustrated example.

[135} it may be advantageous to arrange the LED and/or ÍRED so lirai the light exit angle o formád by the radiating means angle R and the perpendicular to the bottom axis of the dosing device 2 is > 0\ preferably > ST especially preferabiy > 1QT This is iliustrated by way of exam pie m fig. 4, in which tire circuit board 13 of a dosing device has been positioned in a dish drawer 11 of the dishwasher 38. For simplicity, the other components of the dosing device 2 were not also depicted. Such an inclined positioning: of the LED and/or ÍRED ensures that the emitted tight will be directed in the direction of the vertical wails of the dishwasher 38. This is also readily apparent in fig. 6.

[136} Due to the selected oblique position of the LED and/or iRED by the angle a relative to the vertical S, the emitted fight signals are first reflected by the bottom and/or sump of the dishwasher 38 to a vertical side wail, from which they are emitted to the dosing chamber 53 composing the dishwasher-side receiving unit Eh.

[137} Fig, § illustrates the known dosing chamber 53 from fig. 5, into which a transmitting unit Eh and a receiving unit Sh have been integrated. Such a dosing chamber 63 is also called a combination dosing device. The dosing chamber S3 has a recepteele—which can be closed by a hinged closure cover^for a dishwashing agent, e.g., a cleaner tablet, Fig. 6 iiiustrates the closure cover in the opening position thereof, in addition, the dosing chamber 53 may have another receptacie for a clear rinser, this being indicated by the circular closure on the right next to the closure cover in fig. 8 and 7. {138} The opficai transmitting unit Eli comprises a lighting means arranged in the transmitting unit Eh so that the fighting means irradiates the interior of the dishwasher. The lighting means may entail, in particular, an LED and/or ÍRED and/or a laser diode. The LED and/or iREP is arranged so as to protrude out from the plane of the transmitting unit, so that the LED and/or IRED generates the greatest possible emission angle. This measure can, it shaii be readily understood, aiso be taken on the dosing device side, so that the dosing device-side transmitting unit—e.g., an LED and/or iRED— protrudes out from the boltom plane of the dosing device.

[139] The transmitting unit Eh may be configured so that the LED and/or iRED is provided both for emitting signais inside the dishwasher 38, in particular when the dishwasher door 39 is rJosed, and tor-optical display of an operating state of the dosing device, for example, the fill ievei of the salt or clear rinser storage container of a dishwasher, In particular, when the dishwasher door 39 is open, [140} The receiving unit Sh is preferabiy composed of e photodiode that is suitable for detecting iight signals from the interior of the dishwasher. Like the transmitting unit Eh, the photodiode of the receiving unit Sh may also protrude out from the plane of file receiving unit in order to achieve the most optimal irradiation characteristic on the photodiode. It shaii be readily understood that this measure, too, can be taken on the dosing device side, so that the dosing device-side receiving unit—e.g.: a photodiode—protrudes out from the bottom plane of the dosing device. (14lj Fig, 8 illustrates the dosing device 2; having been coupled to the cartridge 1, in the plate receptacle 110 of a dish drawer 41. The dish drawer 41, which typicaiiy has the shape of a grid, has struts IDS with which the fixing means 10S of the dosing device 2 engage. This prevents lateral slipping of the dosing device 2, e.g.; when the dish drawer 41 is pulled out or pushed into the dishwasher 38, As already stated above, the dosing device-side optica! transmitting unit, in this operating position of the dosing device 2, emits through the dish drawer 41 in the direction of the bottom or sump of the dishwasher 38. {142] Fig 9 illustrates the dosing device 2 in a perspective view, such that the bottom of the dosing device 2 is dearly visible. The bottom is transparent in this embodiment of the present invention, wherein the dosing device-side optical transmitting unit Sd and receiving unit Ed are arranged within the dosing device 2 and are protected from spray water, [143] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is depicted in fig. 10, Fig. 10 illustrates the dosing device 2, known perse, in particular, horn fig. 3-5, and positionable in the interior of a dishwasher 38, for dispensing preparations into the interior of a dishwasher 38, The optical transmitting unit Sd and the optical receiving unit Ed are configured so as to detect the light (L) emitted from the optical transmitting unit Sd. The optica! transmitting unit Sd emits a light beam (LI) in to the surroundings; of the dosing device 2, the iight beam being reflected by a surface 12 of the dishwasher 38 that can be wetted by water in the rinse process, and the reflected fight beam {12): is received by the optical receiving unit Ed.

[144] The optical transmitting unit Sd and the optical receiving unit Ed are arranged: on the bottom side in the operating position of tire dosing device 2. The optical transmitting unit Sd irradiates the sump of the dishwasher at a suitable angie that is about 45' in the example illustrated, wherein tire optical receiving unit Ed is arranged so as to receive at least some of the iight (L2) reflected by the sump.

[145] If the sump of the dishwasher 38 has been wetted by water, such as is indicated in fig. 11, then the reflection or absorption of the sump surface changes, which can be determined by means of tire optical receiving unit Ed. This is indicated in flg. 11 by the thinner stroke thickness of the iight beam L2.

[146} This optica! turbidity sensor may interact, for example, as follows with the dosing device; First, as a iirst preparation, an enzyme-containing preparation is dispensed from the dosing device into the wash liquor. Thereafter, it is measured at the optical: transmitting; unit Ed whether adding the enzyme-containing preparation will lead to a change in the sorting ioad and: thus the measurement signal at the optical receiving unit Ed. Optionally, the measured signai may be compared with one or more reference values stored In the control unit. Depending on the timing of the signal at the optical receiving unit Ed after the enzyme-containing preparation has been added, there may be another addition of enzyme-containing preparation, or an alkaline cleaning phase is subsequently dosed. Here, m well, the signal is monitored at the optica! receiving unit Ed, and alkaline cleaning preparation is possibly added anew, [147] it is especially advantageous for the optica! transmitting unit Sd and the optical receiving unit Ed to be configured both for transmitting information between the dosing device 2 and the dishwasher 38: and: as a sensor, e.g., as a brightness sensor or as a turbidity sensor, [148} A variation of the configuration known from fig:. 5 can he seen in fig. 12. It is possible to see an optica! turbidity sensor TS that is arranged on the bottom side in a dishwasher 38 and is configured to receive optical signals from the dosing device 2 and/or transmit signals to the dosing device 2. The dishwasher-side transmitting unit Sh and receiving unit Eh are here integrated into the turbidity sensor TS, winch is arranged in the bottom region of the dishwasher 38. This achieves—es can be seen in tig. 12.....on the one hand, a direct emission of or irradiation with optical signais between the dishwasher - side transmitting unit Sh and receiving unit Eh, and the dosing device-side transmitting unit Sd and r eceiving unit Ed, A turbidity sensor TS of a dishwasher 38 typically has an optica! transmitting unit and receiving unit for determining tire turbidity of the rinsing liquor, such that It is aiso preferable, on the one hand, to configure this transmitting unit and/or receiving unit so as to be suitable also for transmitting and/or receiving optic-ai signais, In addition to determining the tufbidity, so that an additional dishwasher-side optica! transmitting and/or receiving unit can be forgone, it is very especially preferable for the dosing device 2 and the turbidity sensor TS to be positioned relative to one another in the operating position of the dosing device 2—and configured—sc as to constitute a direct radiation path between the dosing device 2 arid the turbidity sensor TS,

Claims (7)

Dispenser with Optical Transmitter and / or Receiver for Vessel Sink Machine Claims L Dispenser (2), which is preferred within a dishwashing machine (38) for user positioning, and includes * at least one optical receiver (Ej) and transmitter (Sa) having at least one dispenser interface (Sd, Ed) for dispensing a dispensing apparatus (Sd, Ed) suitable for cooperating with at least one suitable optical receiver (Eh) and / or transmitter (Sh) in a dishwashing machine or machine (38) in such a manner that that the dishwashing machine (38) and. transmitting the optical signals between the metering device (2), which primarily represent the operating status, metering and / or control information * of the metering device (2) and / or the dishwasher (38). * a bottom, characterized in that »the metering device-side transmitter unit (SiS) and the metering device-side optical receiver (Ε <0 in the operating position of the metering device (2) are placed on the bottom side, * the metering device-transmitter unit (Sj) is suitable to transmit optical signals through the bottom of the dispenser (2) to the bottom of the dishwashing machine (38), and at least one optical transmitter unit (Sjj LED spy and / or IRED, and LED and / or or IRED is positioned such that the radial center axis (R) and the perpendicular angle of the incident step () to the bottom axis of the dispensing device (2) are greater than?, and * the metering device-side optical transmitter unit (S <i) and the metering device-side optical receiver (Ej) is configured in such a way that the latter can detect the optical transmitter unit on the dispenser side. g (Sj) emitted by light (L), namely the metering device-side optical transmitter (Sj) emits light beam (L1) into the coil of the metering device (2), and the metering device receiving unit (F «j) emits the appropriate reflection light beam. (L2) takes it. A dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom is bounded by the metering devices (2) in the direction of gravity, from the bottom, and at least partially transparent, and the bottom and the dispensing device are optical receivers (Eu) and / or or the transmitter unit (Sd) is configured such that the metering knife blade optical receiver receives optical signals from the environment of the metering device (2) through the transparent bottom and / or the metering device-side optical transmitter unit (Su) through the transparent bottom to the metering device (2) emits optical signals into its environment. 3; Dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opIM receiver is 0i). and the transmitter unit (S <j) is configured to be optical in the wavelength range between ioEyour and / or visible taffy, preferably between 600 and 400 nm, more preferably between 600 and 400 amps, particularly preferably between 600 and 800; 4l Dispensing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom comprises a main entrance / at least one transparent entry / ejection location where an optical receiver (E <j) and / or transmitter unit is provided. $ 4} and / or ohm from the dispenser environment. A dispensing formulation according to claim 4, characterized in that the positioning and / or positioning of the pellets is formed by lens serine and / or prism. A dispensing device according to one of the preceding Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the insertion and / or unloading site has at least a 75% light transmission rate for the given and / or received optical signals; A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire bottom is provided with a banner, 8. Previous 1-7. Dispensing device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one IEß and / or IRED is applied, which is disposed in the dispenser (2) in a manner which is preferably dispensed from the dispensing device (2) of the dispenser (10). A dosing system comprising the method of claim 1-8. A dispensing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which may be located on a bottom washing machine (38) on a bottom side, configured to receive optical yen from the dispenser (2) and / or send signals to the metering device (2). 10. A delivery system comprising a "according to any one of claims 1-8." A dispensing device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, * a dishwashing machine (3f), which is configured to receive from the dispensing device (2 | receive optical signals and / or signals to dispensing devices (2),