WO2011120596A1

WO2011120596A1 - Metering system having metering control for a dishwasher

Info

Publication number: WO2011120596A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/062101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arnd Kessler; Thorsten Bastigkeit; Christian Nitsch; Erik BRÜCKNER
Original assignee: Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa
Priority date: 2010-03-31
Filing date: 2010-08-19
Publication date: 2011-10-06
Also published as: DE102010013772A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a metering system comprising a water-circulating household appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine, a metering device (1) for dispensing preparations (2) into the interior of a water-circulating household appliance, a cartridge that can be coupled to the metering device (1) for storing at least one free-flowing preparation, at least one light source (3), at least one light sensor (4) suitable for detecting light (L) emitted by the light source, wherein the light sensor (4) and the light source (3) are disposed relative to each other so that wash water (6) passes between the light source (3) and the light sensor (4) during operation of the water-circulating household appliance, such that the wash water (6) at least partially intersects the beam path of the light (L), and a control unit coupled at least to the light source (3), the light sensor (4), and the metering device, wherein at least one preparation comprises dye having an absorption of light in the visible and/or infrared and/or UV spectrum, wherein the concentration of dye in the preparation is >0.001 wt %, preferably >0.01 wt %, the light source emits light at least in the range of the absorption spectrum of the dye, and the light sensor detects light at least in the range of the absorption spectrum of the dye.

Description

Dosing system with dosing control for a dishwasher

The invention relates to a metering system for automatic dishwashing detergent with a

Dosing control, which makes it possible to determine whether a dishwashing detergent was dispensed from a dosing device in the rinsing liquor.

State of the art

Dishwashing detergents are available to the consumer in a variety of forms. In addition to the traditional liquid hand dishwashing detergents have with the spread of household dishwashers in particular the machine

Dishwashing a great importance. These automatic dishwashing agents are typically offered to the consumer in solid form, for example as powders or as tablets, but increasingly also in liquid form. For some time now, the main focus has been on the convenient dosing of detergents and cleaners

Simplification of the necessary steps to carry out a washing or cleaning process.

Furthermore, one of the main objectives of the manufacturer of mechanical cleaning agents is the

Improving the cleaning performance of these agents, with a recent focus on the cleaning performance of low-temperature cleaning operations or in cleaning cycles with reduced water consumption is placed. For this purpose, the cleaning agents were preferably added to new ingredients, for example, more effective surfactants, polymers, enzymes or bleach. However, since new ingredients are available only to a limited extent and the amount of ingredients used for each cleaning cycle can not be increased to any extent for ecological and economic reasons, this approach has natural limits.

In this context, in particular devices for the

Multiple dosing of detergents and cleaning agents into the field of vision of product developers. In these devices, it is possible to distinguish between dosing chambers integrated in the dishwasher or textile washing machine on the one hand and independent devices which are independent of the dishwasher or textile washing machine on the other hand. By means of these devices, which contain the multiple of the amount of detergent necessary for carrying out a cleaning process, detergent or cleaner portions are automatically or semi-automatically Sampled in the course of several successive cleaning process in the interior of the cleaning machine. For the consumer eliminates the need for manual dosing with each cleaning or washing cycle. Examples of such devices are described in European patent application EP 1 759 624 A2 (Reckitt Benckiser) or in German patent application DE 53 5005 062 479 A1 (BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH).

However, it would be desirable to be able to determine if a dosage from the

Dosing in the wash liquor is actually done or not. As a result, a malfunction of the dosing device can be detected immediately and displayed to a user or a dishwasher.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a metering system that allows such metering control of the type described.

This object is achieved by a metering system having the features of claim 1.

A significant advantage of the invention is that, for example, malfunctions of the dosing device can be detected if, for example, no or insufficient dosing of a preparation takes place and the dye is not or insufficiently detected in the rinsing solution. Upon detection of a corresponding malfunction, the dosing device can send an error message to the user, for example by means of an optical or acoustic display and / or the washing machine or dishwasher. Furthermore, it is possible to determine the dosing device to remedy a Dosierproblems

To run through diagnostic and troubleshooting routines. Thus, for example, it would be conceivable to open and close valves several times in quick succession in order to make them common again or to bring them into an open position during a wash program over an extended period of time, so that washing or rinsing water enters the opening area and this from possible soiling or to be able to clean deposits.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the use in a dishwasher. Of course, it is also possible to provide the invention for use in a washing machine.

The dosing system according to the invention comprises

• a water-conducting household appliance such as a dishwasher or

Washing machine, A dosing device for dispensing preparations into the interior of a water-conducting domestic appliance,

A cartridge which can be coupled to the dosing device for storing at least one flowable preparation,

· At least one light source,

• at least one light sensor suitable for the light source

to detect emitted light (L),

^■ wherein the light sensor and the light source are arranged to each other so that during operation of the water-conducting household appliance flushing water between the light source and the light sensor passes in the manner that the

Rinse water at least partially intersects the beam path of the light (L), as well

A control unit coupled to at least the light source, the light sensor and the dosing device, wherein

At least one preparation contains a dye which has an absorption of light in the visible and / or infrared and / or UV spectrum, the concentration of dye in the preparation being> 0.001% by weight, preferably> 0.01% by weight .

• the light source light at least in the range of Absorbtionsspektrums of

Dye emits and

The light sensor receives light at least in the range of the absorption spectrum of the light source

Dye detected.

It is further preferable that at least one preparation contains dye which has an absorption of light in the visible and / or infrared spectrum and / or UV spectrum, the concentration of dye in the preparation being> 0.001% by weight, preferably> 0 , 01 wt .-% is.

The dye-containing preparation, the light source and the light sensor and the corresponding coupled to the light sensor and the light source control unit are configured in such a way that the light source and the light sensor and the corresponding coupled to the light sensor and the light source control unit, the absorption of the in Rinse liquor introduced dye can detect.

This makes it possible to detect whether a preparation in the rinsing liquor or whether the preparation was dosed in a sufficient amount. Thus, for example, it is also conceivable to dose a preparation containing dye until a signal caused by the dye of a defined signal strength is applied to the light sensor. So can For example, a needs-based dosage of a preparation depending on the contaminant load of a rinse liquor.

Another advantage of the above-described embodiment of the invention is that, for example, malfunction of the dosing can be seen if, for example, no or insufficient dosing of a preparation takes place. The dosing device can when detecting a corresponding malfunction an error message to the

Send user, for example by means of an optical or acoustic display and / or the dishwasher.

Furthermore, it is possible to run the dosing device to remedy a dosing problem certain diagnostic and troubleshooting routines. Thus, for example, it would be conceivable to open and close valves several times in quick succession in order to restore them to normal or bring them into an open position during a wash program over a relatively long period of time so that wash water enters the opening area and cleans it of any soiling or deposits to be able to.

In particular, it is preferable that the preparation which is released in the final-rinse program has a concentration of dye in the final-rinse preparation preparation> 0.001% by weight, preferably> 0. 01% by weight. Usually, the rinsing liquor in the

Rinse program no major soiling or turbidity more, so that detection of a dye in the corresponding rinsing liquor is relatively easy. So it is possible on the one hand comparatively small amounts of the dye-containing

Release and / or to keep the concentration of dye in the preparation comparatively low.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the preparation which is released in the final-rinse program has a color which can usually be introduced into the rinsing liquor by the dirt load dissolved by the items to be washed, for example red, yellow, green. A red coloring of the rinsing liquor in the main rinsing program is caused, for example, by tomato sauce, red wine or the like, a yellow coloring by egg yolk, orange juice or the like and a green coloring by spinach, green pesto or the like. Particularly preferred for all rinse program sections except the rinse program are therefore dyes which have an absorption spectrum that does not usually occur in a rinse. For example, blue is a color that is usually only rarely entered into the rinse liquor by soiled items. It is therefore advantageous that a corresponding dye is added, in particular during the main rinse, in which the rinse water is loaded with a high dirt load. Most notably Thus, it is preferred that the dye released during the main wash be blue. It is particularly preferred that the preparation containing dye absorbs light in a wavelength range of 500 nm-700 nm, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5.

It is particularly preferred that the amount of preparation / dye in the

Main wash is released, at least twice, preferably at least three times, more preferably at least four times as large as the amount of preparation / dye that is released in the final-rinse program.

When using several preparations released in the course of a wash cycle, it is advantageous if the preparation released in the main rinse program is blue, the preparation released in the rinse program has a color that is usually in the main rinse program in the Rinse liquor can be introduced by dissolved from the dishes dirt load, such as red, yellow, green. An absorption spectrum for a yellow and red dye-containing preparation is shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the preparation absorbs light in the non-visible range, such as in the infrared and / or UV range. This can be effected, for example, by the addition of a corresponding dye or a substance of the preparation which has a characteristic absorption in these non-visible wavelength ranges. This makes it possible, for example, to form a preparation colorless and yet detect by means of the optical system of the type described above of the type described whether a dosage of preparation from the dosing has taken place in the rinsing liquor.

Further, it is preferable that the dye-containing preparations are transparent. It is particularly preferred for a formulation containing a dye to have a light transmission in the visible range of less than 90%, preferably less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 35%. This ensures that even a sufficient amount of dye is released into the wash liquor, so that a

Detection of the dyes is made possible in the rinse liquor by means of a light sensor and a light source.

Furthermore, it is preferred that 25 ml of a dye-containing preparation be dosed during a treatment program of the water-conducting household appliance. In particular, it is preferred to have at least 21.6 ml in the main rinse program, preferably at least 6x3.6 ml, and at least 3.6 ml in the final rinse program of one

Dishwasher be dosed.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to illustrations showing only exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Abbildunqsverzeichnis

Fig. 1 Schematic representation of the transmission measurement for determining the

Pollution of rinse water with clean rinse water

Fig. 2 Schematic representation of the transmission measurement for determining the

Pollution of rinse water with dirty rinse water

Fig. 3 Schematic representation of the dosing with a transmission measurement for

Determination of the contamination of rinsing water with dirty rinsing water

Fig. 4 Schematic representation of the dosing with a reflection measurement for

Determination of the contamination of rinse water

Fig. 5 Absorption spectrum of a transparent, blue preparation in the visible

Wavelength range

Fig. 6 Absorption spectrum of a transparent, yellow preparation in the visible

Wavelength range

Fig. 7 Absorption spectrum of a transparent, red preparation in the visible

Wavelength range

The following exemplary embodiments describe the metering system according to the invention for use in a dishwasher. Of course, it is readily possible for the skilled person to adapt the invention for use in a washing machine, so that the dosing system according to the invention is not limited to use for a dishwasher.

In Figs. 1 -3 a first embodiment of the invention is shown. Reference is first made to Fig. 1, which shows a light source 3, the light sensor 4 directly is arranged opposite. Substantially perpendicular to the connection axis of the light source 3 and the light sensor 4, a means 5 for the conduction of rinse water 6, whose flow direction is indicated by the rinse water line 4 by the direction of the arrow. The means 4 for conducting rinsing water is a device which during operation of the dishwasher rinse water 6 from the environment of the dosing device 1 between the light source 3 and the light sensor 4 passes in the way that the rinse water 6 at least partially the beam path of the Light (L) intersects. In the simplest case, the means 4 for conducting rinse water as an open or closed Spülwasserkanal, a tube or the like is formed.

As shown in Figure 1, it is advantageous if the light source 3 with its main emission direction of the light sensor 4 is directly opposite. The means 4 for conducting rinse water is transparent at least in the region of the light beam inlet and outlet.

The light emitted by the light source 3 (L1) occurs, as can be seen in Fig., In the means 4 for Spülwasserleitung, radiates the at least partially filled with rinse water 6 means 4 for Spülwasserleitung and exits as a light beam (L2) again the means 4 before it hits the light sensor 4. In the case of unpolluted and undyed rinse water, as shown in Fig. 1, the light beam (L) undergoes only a relatively small attenuation, which is indicated by the constant line width of the light beam (L).

If, however, dirty and / or colored rinse water 6, as shown in FIG. 2 and indicated by the filling of the arrow, are guided through the means 4 to the rinse water line during operation of the dishwasher, the incoming light beam (L1) becomes contaminated by the dirt particles and / or the turbidity of the dirty rinse water 6 and / or the supplied dyes attenuated. This is indicated by the reduced line width of the outgoing light beam (L2) in comparison to the incoming light beam (L1).

The degree of attenuation of the light beam (L2) arriving at the light sensor 4 with respect to the light beam (L1) originally emitted by the light source 3 is a measure of the pollution of the flushing water 6 and / or the amount of the dye-loaded preparation and is therefore suitable as a parameter for appropriate dosage of one or more preparations from the dosing device 1 or for dosage control.

Of course it is possible, the light sensor and the light source in one

water-conducting household appliance or, as shown below, to be arranged in a dosing device. The dosing device 1 is shown schematically in FIG. In the dosing device 1 of Fig.1- 2 known construction of a light source 3, a means 4 for guiding rinse water 6 and one of the light source 3 opposite light sensor 4 is arranged. In the dosing device 1, a control unit 7 is arranged, which is coupled to the light sensor 4 and at least one discharge means 9. The control unit 7 converts the signals of the light sensor 4 into control signals for the dispensing means 9. The preparation 2 contains a dye in a concentration of> 0.001% by weight, preferably> 0.01% by weight. Will the

Preparation 2 added to the rinsing liquor, so recognizes the light sensor using the

corresponding absorption spectrum of the dye whether and how much preparation was released. In the case of insufficient or insufficient dosing, the control unit 7 can send a corresponding acoustic or visual warning signal to the user or the user

Dishwasher emit, An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4. It shows the known from FIGS. 1-3 known within a dishwasher positionable dosing device 1 for dispensing preparations 2 inside a dishwasher.

However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the light source 3 and the light sensor 4 capable of detecting light (L) emitted from the light source are arranged and configured such that the light source 3 receives a light beam (L1). emits into the environment of the metering device 1, which is reflected by a water-wettable in the flushing surface 1 1 of the dishwasher and the reflected light beam (L2) is received by the light sensor 4. The light source 3 and the light sensor 4 are arranged in the operating position of the dosing device 1 on the bottom side. The light source 3 radiates at an angle of about 45 ° in the bottom of the dishwasher wherein the light sensor 4 is arranged in such a way that it at least partially from the bottom reflected light (L2) receives the evaluation of the received signal and the derived therefrom Operating procedure for the metering device is analogous to the methods that have already been explained with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

Figures 5-7 show absorption spectra of transparent, colored preparations for use in a metering system according to the invention.

Claims

claims

1. comprising metering system

• A water-conducting household appliance such as a dishwasher or

Washing machine,

• a dosing device (1) for dispensing preparations (2) inside a

water-conducting household appliance,

• A cartridge that can be coupled with the dosing unit (1) to store

at least one flowable preparation,

At least one light source (3),

At least one light sensor (4) suitable for detecting the light (L) emitted by the light source,

^■ wherein the light sensor (4) and the light source (3) are arranged relative to one another that passes during operation of the water-carrying household appliance rinse water (6) between the light source (3) and the light sensor (4) in such a way that the rinsing water (6 ) at least partially intersects the beam path of the light (L), as well

A control unit which is coupled at least to the light source (3), the light sensor (4) and the dosing device,

Characterized in that

That at least one preparation contains dye which has an absorption of light in the visible and / or infrared and / or UV spectrum, the concentration of dye in the preparation being> 0.001% by weight, preferably> 0.01% by weight is,

• The light source light at least in the range of absorption spectrum of the

Dye emits and

• The light sensor light at least in the range of Absorbtionsspektrums of

Dye detected.

2. Dosing system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one dye-containing preparation in the main wash program of the dishwasher is added by the metering device.

3. dosing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the dye absorbs light in a wavelength range of 500nm-700nm

Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one dye-containing preparation in the final-rinse program of

Dishwasher is added through the metering device.

5. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dye absorbs light in a wavelength range of 300nm-500nm and / or 700-800nm.

6. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one dye-containing preparation in the prewash program of

Dishwasher is released. 7. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the amount of dye-containing preparation which is released in the main rinse is at least twice, preferably at least three times, more preferably at least four times as large as the amount of dye-containing preparation in the

Rinse program is released.

8. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the amount of dye-containing preparation which is released in the main rinse is at least twice, preferably at least three times, more preferably at least four times as large as the amount of dye-containing preparation in the

Pre-wash program is released.

9. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dye-containing preparation has a transmittance in the visible wavelength range less than 90%, preferably less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 35%.

10. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the cartridge at least two, preferably at least three mutually different preparations in separate chambers are stored.

1 1. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge has at least three chambers wherein a first chamber, a dye-containing preparation for dosing in the pre-rinse, a second chamber, a dye-containing preparation for dosing in Hauptpülprogramm and a third chamber, a dye-containing preparation for Dosing in the final rinse program

Dishwasher included.

12. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge has at least three chambers wherein a first chamber is a dye-containing preparation for dosing in the pre-rinse program, a second chamber a dye-containing preparation for dosing in Hauptwülprogramm and a third chamber contains a dye-containing preparation for dosing in the final rinse program of the dishwasher, wherein the filling volume of the second chamber is at least twice, preferably at least three times, more preferably at least four times as large as the substantially equal filling volume from first and third chamber.

13. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preparations contain mutually different dyes.

14. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source and / or the light sensor in the water-conducting household appliance or the dosing device (1) are provided.

15. Cartridge for use in a dosing system according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cartridge has at least three chambers wherein a first chamber, a dye-containing preparation for dosing in the pre-rinsing program, a second chamber, a dye-containing preparation for dosing in

Hauptpülprogramm and a third chamber contains a dye-containing preparation for dosing in the final rinse program of the dishwasher and contain the stored in the chambers preparations of different dyes.