Abstract
A domestic dishwashing machine includes a dishwashing container, a door, pivotably mounted on the dishwashing container, for closing a dishwashing chamber formed in the dishwashing container, and a dosing system, arranged at the door, for a solid detergent, for example, in tablet form. The dosing system may include an annular magazine having a rotatably arranged rotor which delimits a plurality of radially outwardly open storage compartments, distributed in the circumferential direction, which are each to receive a detergent tablet. In some embodiments, a chute is arranged beneath the rotor, and the chute allows a detergent tablet which has fallen into the chute to fall freely to an outlet opening at which the detergent tablet can pass into the dishwashing chamber. By rotation of the rotor, a storage compartment filled with a detergent tablet can move into a position radially opposite a dosing opening, at which the chute begins.
Claims
1. A domestic dishwashing machine comprising: a dishwashing container; a door, mounted on the dishwashing container so as to be pivotable about a horizontal door pivot axis close to the floor, for closing a dishwashing chamber formed in the dishwashing container; and a dosing system, arranged at the door, for a solid detergent, wherein the dosing system comprises: a rotor arranged in a magazine chamber so as to be rotatable about a rotor axis, which rotor delimits a plurality of radially outwardly open storage compartments, distributed in the circumferential direction about the rotor axis, which are each to receive a portion of a solid detergent; a dosing opening in a boundary wall of the magazine chamber, wherein, by rotation of the rotor, each of the storage compartments can be brought individually in succession into a position radially opposite the dosing opening in order to empty the storage compartment in question through the dosing opening; and a chute connected to the magazine chamber through the dosing opening, wherein the rotor is arranged with its rotation plane substantially parallel to a main plane of the door and the dosing opening is arranged beneath the rotor, such that, when the door is closed and when one of the storage compartments is moved into a position radially opposite the dosing opening, a portion of the solid detergent stored in the storage compartment in question is able to fall, solely by the force of gravity, out of the storage compartment in question through the dosing opening and into the chute.
2. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chute defines a fall section, which extends downwards from the dosing opening to an outlet opening, for the free fall of a portion of the solid detergent in the chute, wherein the chute opens at the outlet opening from the door into the dishwashing chamber.
3. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the chute is arranged so as to be unmovable relative to the dosing opening.
4. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism for driving the rotor in rotation such that its direction of rotation can be changed, and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive mechanism with a changing direction of rotation of the rotor.
5. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the drive mechanism such that, for emptying one of the storage compartments, the storage compartment in question is moved to and fro at least once.
6. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dosing system comprises a sensor system which allows the presence of a portion of the solid detergent in a storage compartment to be detected before the storage compartment in question is moved into an emptying position relative to the dosing opening, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the drive mechanism such that, after one of the storage compartments has been moved into the emptying position, the storage compartment in question is moved back into the detection range of the sensor system.
7. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism for driving the rotor in rotation, a control unit for controlling the drive mechanism, and a sensor system, coupled with the control unit, which allows the presence of a portion of the solid detergent in a storage compartment to be detected, wherein the control unit is adapted, if it is detected that a portion of the solid detergent has remained in one of the storage compartments after that storage compartment has been moved at least once into an emptying position relative to the dosing opening, to control the drive mechanism to move a further one of the storage compartments into the emptying position.
8. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control unit is adapted, if it is detected that a portion of the solid detergent has remained in one of the storage compartments, to emit at least one of an audible indication and a visual indication for an operator.
9. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dosing system further comprises: a blower for generating a stream of blowing air into at least one of the magazine chamber and the chute; a shut-off member which is arranged so as to be movable to and fro between a shut-off position and a freeing position and which, in the freeing position, frees the chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is able to fall through to the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position, shuts off the chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is unable to fall through to the outlet opening; and a control unit for the blower, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the blower to generate blowing air at least during a phase in which the shut-off member is in the freeing position.
10. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dosing system comprises a pusher for urging a portion of the solid detergent stored in one of the storage compartments radially outwards in the fall direction, wherein the pusher is in the form of a spring-operated pusher or an electromagnetically operated pusher.
11. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dosing system further comprises an electrically controllable drive mechanism for driving the rotor in rotation, and a magazine cover for closing an access to the magazine chamber, wherein the magazine cover is configured to be removed from the magazine chamber without separating a mechanical drive connection between the drive mechanism and the rotor and, when the magazine cover has been removed, each of the storage compartments is accessible through the access for filling with a portion of the solid detergent.
12. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotor is secured against axial removal from the magazine chamber by at least one fastening member, the release of which requires an auxiliary tool.
13. A domestic dishwashing machine comprising: a dishwashing container; a door, mounted on the dishwashing container so as to be pivotable about a horizontal door pivot axis close to the floor, for closing a dishwashing chamber formed in the dishwashing container; and a dosing system, arranged at the door, for a solid detergent, wherein the dosing system comprises: a magazine for storing the solid detergent; a chute for conveying, by gravity, a portion of the solid detergent removed from the magazine to an outlet opening; a shut-off member which is arranged so as to be movable to and fro between a shut-off position and a freeing position and which, in the freeing position, frees the chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is able to fall through to the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position, shuts off the chute at a shut-off point located downwards of the beginning of the chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is unable to fall through to the outlet opening; an electrically controllable actuator for driving the shut-off member; and a control unit adapted to control the actuator such that, while a dishwashing program of the dishwashing machine is running, the shut-off member is in the shut-off position for most of the duration of the program but, on removal of a portion of the solid detergent from the magazine, the removed portion is allowed to fall freely in the chute from the beginning of the chute to the outlet opening.
14. A dosing system for a domestic dishwashing machine, comprising: a rotor arranged or able to be arranged in a magazine chamber so as to be rotatable about a rotor axis, wherein the rotor forms a plurality of storage compartments arranged distributed in the circumferential direction about the rotor axis, which storage compartments are each to receive a portion of a solid detergent; a chute for conveying, by gravity, a portion of the solid detergent removed from one of the storage compartments to an outlet opening; and a sensor system configured to detect the presence of a portion of the solid detergent in one of the storage compartments and, independently thereof, detect the presence of a portion of the solid detergent in the chute.
15. The dosing system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a shut-off member which is arranged so as to be movable to and fro between a shut-off position and a freeing position and which, in the freeing position, frees the chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is able to fall through to the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position, shuts off the chute at a shut-off point located downwards of the beginning of the chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is unable to fall through to the outlet opening, wherein the sensor system is adapted to check at least one of a chute region of the chute above the shut-off point and a chute region of the chute below the shut-off point for the presence of a portion of the solid detergent.
16. A method for charging a domestic dishwashing machine with detergent tablets, wherein the dishwashing machine is equipped with a tablet dosing system which has an annular magazine having a rotor arranged so as to be rotatable about a rotor axis, wherein the rotor defines a plurality of tablet compartments distributed in the circumferential direction about the rotor axis, wherein the detergent tablets are in the form of flat bodies with opposite large faces and small faces connecting the large faces, wherein the detergent tablets, looking at the large face, are longer and wider than they are thick and at the same time are longer than they are wide, wherein, in the method, a detergent tablet is placed into each of the plurality of tablet compartments standing on one of its longitudinal small faces, in particular such that the detergent tablets, looking axially at the annular magazine, are each oriented substantially radially.
17. A tablet dosing system for installation in a domestic dishwashing machine, comprising: a magazine for the ordered storage of detergent tablets; a chute for the gravity-driven delivery of a detergent tablet extracted from the magazine to an outlet opening; a shut-off member arranged to be movable between a shut-off position and a freeing position and which, in the freeing position, frees the chute so that extracted detergent tablets are able to fall through to the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position, shuts off the chute so that detergent tablets are unable to fall through to the outlet opening; and a blower for generating a stream of blowing air, wherein the blower comprises an impeller seated in an impeller chamber and the impeller chamber is in blowing air supply connection with at least one of the chute and an extractor chamber accommodating a movably arranged extractor member for extracting a detergent tablet from the magazine and delivering the extracted detergent tablet into the chute.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] The invention will be explained hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0049] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a domestic dishwashing machine according to an exemplary embodiment,
[0050] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner side of a door of a domestic dishwashing machine according to an exemplary embodiment,
[0051] FIG. 3a shows a tablet dosing system according to an exemplary embodiment for installation in a door of a domestic dishwashing machine in a situation in which a detergent tablet delivered from an annular magazine of the tablet dosing system is lying against a shut-off slider and is waiting for a chute to be freed,
[0052] FIG. 3b shows the tablet dosing system of FIG. 3a in a situation in which the shut-off slider has freed the chute and the detergent tablet has fallen through the chute,
[0053] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rotor having multiple tablet compartments which is suitable for use in an annular magazine, according to an exemplary embodiment,
[0054] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tablet dosing system having an annular magazine in a situation in which the magazine cover is open,
[0055] FIG. 5b is a sectional view of the tablet dosing system of FIG. 5a with the rotor of the annular magazine removed,
[0056] FIG. 5c is a plan view of the tablet dosing system of FIG. 5a,
[0057] FIG. 6a shows a further exemplary embodiment of a tablet dosing system having an annular magazine in a situation in which a protective cover of the tablet dosing system is open,
[0058] FIG. 6b shows the tablet dosing system of FIG. 6a in a situation in which the protective cover is closed,
[0059] FIGS. 7a to 7d are different views of a tablet dosing system having an annular magazine according to a further exemplary embodiment,
[0060] FIG. 8 shows a detail of an annular magazine having a spring-operated pusher according to an exemplary embodiment,
[0061] FIG. 9 shows an annular magazine having an electromagnetic pusher according to an exemplary embodiment,
[0062] FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a blower according to an exemplary embodiment mounted on a door of a dishwashing machine,
[0063] FIG. 11 shows a tablet dosing system having stack magazines according to an exemplary embodiment, and
[0064] FIG. 12 shows a tablet dosing system having stack magazines according to a further exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0065] Reference will first be made to FIG. 1. The dishwashing machine illustrated therein, which is intended for domestic use, is denoted generally 10. It comprises a machine body (dishwashing container) 12 in which a dishwashing chamber 14 is formed. On the machine body 12 there is mounted a door 16 which is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis 17 close to the floor. The door 16 can be pivoted between a fully open position shown in FIG. 1, in which it is situated with its door plane substantially horizontal, and a closed position, in which it closes the dishwashing chamber 14 to the outside and stands substantially vertically. One or more crockery baskets and optionally a cutlery tray for holding the items of crockery and cutlery to be cleaned can be inserted into the dishwashing chamber 14 in a manner known per se. A control unit 18, indicated by a broken line, is responsible for controlling the operation of the dishwashing machine 10. In the example shown, the control unit 18 is built into the door 16. It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, at least parts of the control unit 18 can be arranged on the machine body 12.
[0066] The control unit 18 is responsible not only for controlling the dishwashing operation and optionally a drying operation of the dishwashing machine 10, but also for controlling a dosing system 20 by means of which, in an automated manner, a portion can be removed from a supply of a solid detergent and delivered into the dishwashing chamber 14. In the further explanations, it is assumed that the solid detergent is in tablet form, that is to say is formed by detergent tablets which are produced with a defined, for example approximately quadrangular, shape. Accordingly, the dosing system 20 will also be referred to hereinbelow as a tablet dosing system.
[0067] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the tablet dosing system 20 is arranged at the door 16. The door 16 has an inner lining panel 22 which is arranged on the inner side of the door 16 facing the dishwashing chamber 14 when the door 16 is closed and is typically made of sheet-metal material. At least parts of the tablet dosing system 20 can be fitted externally to the inner lining panel 22. Alternatively or in addition, at least parts of the tablet dosing system 20 can be concealed behind the inner lining panel 22. Alternatively or in addition, the inner lining panel 22 can contain one or more apertures into which at least parts of the tablet dosing system 20 can be inserted.
[0068] In the further figures, elements which are the same or have the same effect are provided with the same reference numerals, wherein, in order to distinguish between different exemplary embodiments, a different lowercase letter is appended to the reference numerals. Unless indicated otherwise hereinbelow, reference may be made in relation to such elements having the same numbering to the observations made in relation to the figures in connection with which the elements in question were explained for the first time.
[0069] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the tablet dosing system 20a has a cover 24a, which in the example shown is in the form of a screw cover but may alternatively also be in the form of, for example, a hinged or pivotable cover or in the form of a sliding cover. Although not shown separately in FIG. 2, at least part of a magazine of the tablet dosing system 20a in which detergent tablets can be stored can be located beneath the cover 24a. By opening the cover 24a, a user can thus gain access to the tablet magazine. Access can in particular be such that the user is able to refill the tablet magazine or/and is able to remove a fillable magazine component through the access.
[0070] The cover 24a can be designed to be transparent at least in one or more cover regions in order to allow a user to check the filling level of the tablet magazine visually without having to remove the cover 24a.
[0071] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the tablet dosing system 20a additionally has a hood 26a which covers an outlet opening located at the bottom end of a chute (fall channel or fall section), not shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, through which a detergent tablet removed from the tablet magazine can fall into the dishwashing chamber of the dishwashing machine. It will be seen in FIG. 2 that the hood 26a is arranged offset eccentrically with respect to an imaginary center line M which runs in the middle of the door 16a from the door top edge to the door bottom edge. The door center here means the center as seen along the pivot axis 17a, that is to say in the transverse direction of the door 16a. In the example shown, the tablet dosing system 20a is arranged wholly on the other side of the transverse center of the door 16a. The eccentric offset of the hood 26a and of the outlet opening, concealed therebeneath, of the chute relative to the door transverse center can ensure that spray which strikes the door 16a in the region of the door transverse center cannot enter the chute through the outlet opening. Inasmuch as it is largely to be expected that spray will strike the door 16a in the region of the door transverse center, the probability of moisture entering the chute and the tablet magazine can be reduced by the transversely offset arrangement of the tablet dosing system 20a. The size of the transverse offset—denoted din FIG. 2—can be, for example, at least 10 cm or more, for example up to 15 cm or even up to 20 cm, according to the installation space that is present in the door 16a in the transverse direction thereof. The distance d extends in FIG. 2 from the center line M to an imaginary midpoint of the hood 26a, or of the outlet opening of the chute located therebeneath.
[0072] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, there is additionally shown in the inner side of the door 16a a cover cap 28a, beneath which there can be located one or more filling openings for various other additives which are necessary for cleaning operation of the dishwashing machine, in particular liquid additives, such as, for example, a rinse aid.
[0073] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3a, 3b. The tablet dosing system 20b shown therein comprises an annular magazine 30b which has a magazine housing 32b and a rotor 36b rotatable about a rotor axis 34b. The rotor 36b is inserted into a magazine chamber 37b having a circular contour which is formed by the magazine housing 32b. Associated with the annular magazine 30b is a rotor drive unit (generally: drive mechanism), not shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3a, 3b, for driving the rotor 36b in rotation about the rotor axis 34b. The rotor drive unit can comprise, for example, an electric motor as the source of the drive power. The rotor 36b can be removable for cleaning purposes and, looking at FIG. 2, can be arranged concealed behind the cover 24a so that, by opening the cover 24a, a user can gain direct access to the rotor 36b.
[0074] The rotor 36b defines a plurality of tablet compartments (generally: storage compartments) 38b, which are distributed in an annular arrangement about the rotor axis 34b. The tablet compartments 38b can also be referred to as storage cells, and for this reason the rotor 36b can also be referred to as a cell wheel or as a distributor wheel. Adjacent tablet compartments 38b are in each case separated from one another by a separating wall structure 40b. In situations as are shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, a detergent tablet 42b has been placed in some of the tablet compartments 38b. In the example shown, the detergent tablets 42b have an approximately quadrangular shape, wherein they are in the form of flat bodies with opposite large faces 44b and small faces 46b between the large faces 44b. The quadrangular shape of the detergent tablets 42b means that they have two longer small faces 46b, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the quadrangle, and two shorter small faces 46b, which extend in the direction of the width of the quadrangle. The length and width of the quadrangular detergent tablets 42b are greater than the thickness of the detergent tablets 42b measured between the large faces 44b.
[0075] In the example of FIGS. 3a, 3b, the tablet compartments 38b are so narrow that the detergent tablets 42b must each be placed in the annular magazine 30b standing on one of their small faces 46b. Standing on a small face means that the detergent tablets 42b face one another with their large faces 44b in the circumferential direction and lie with one of their small faces 46b on an axially oriented bearing surface 47b, which in the example shown is part of the rotor 36b. Owing to the small width of the tablet compartments 38b, the detergent tablets 42b cannot be placed therein lying on their large faces. In the example shown, the detergent tablets 42b are placed in the tablet compartments 38b lying on one of their longer small faces 46b (i.e. longitudinal small faces). In this manner, the overall height of the annular magazine 30b can be kept small. The depth of the tablet compartments 38b measured in the axial direction of the rotor 36b is greater than the width of the detergent tablets 42b; the separating wall structure 40b accordingly protrudes axially above the detergent tablets 42b when the detergent tablets 42b are inserted into the tablet compartments 38b standing on their longitudinal small faces. The detergent tablets 42b placed in the tablet compartments 38b are oriented substantially radially.
[0076] The manner of introducing the detergent tablets 42b into the tablet compartments 38b which is shown allows a comparatively large number of detergent tablets 42b to be accommodated in the annular magazine 30b. However, it is in principle not excluded within the scope of the present disclosure to dimension the tablet compartments 38b to be sufficiently wide in the circumferential direction of the rotor 36b that the detergent tablets 42b can be placed therein lying on their large faces, as is shown for the purpose of illustration in FIG. 4. In this figure, only the rotor 36c with its tablet compartments 38c is shown. A detergent tablet 42c which is approximately quadrangular in shape as in the example shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b has been inserted into one of the tablet compartments 38c lying on its large face.
[0077] It will be seen in FIG. 4 that the rotor 36c in the example shown is designed in the manner of a disk rotor and has a disk portion 48c from which separating wall structures 40c protrude axially on one side of the disk. The disk portion 48c forms an axial bearing surface for the detergent tablets 42c; alternatively, it is conceivable not to design the rotor 36c as a disk rotor but to design it to be axially completely open in the region of the tablet compartments 38c, so that the detergent tablets 42c lie axially on a chamber base of the magazine chamber 37c.
[0078] The separating wall structures 40c are arranged radially outside a central cup portion 50c of the rotor 36c. The central cup portion 50c is delimited by a cup lateral surface 52c extending in the circumferential direction and a cup base 54c, which delimit in the manner of a cup a space in which components of a drive mechanism for driving the rotor 36c in rotation can be accommodated in a space-saving manner. This cup interior is accessible from the other axial side of the rotor 36c (i.e. from the rear axial side remote from the viewer in FIG. 4).
[0079] It will further be seen in FIG. 4 that the cup lateral surface 52c in the example shown not only axially overlaps the separating wall structures 40c but even protrudes axially above them. The mentioned components of the drive mechanism can therefore be accommodated in the dosing system approximately in the axial region of the detergent tablets 42c inserted into the tablet compartments 38c. This ensures a small overall height of the dosing system.
[0080] Reference will now be made again to FIGS. 3a, 3b. The annular magazine 30b with the rotor 36b can be arranged beneath a magazine cover (for example the cover 24a of FIG. 2), so that the user, after removing the cover, obtains access to the rotor 36b and the tablet compartments 38b. The intended installation position of the annular magazine 30b is substantially parallel to the main plane of the door of the dishwashing machine (e.g. door 16a), that is to say the annular plane of the annular magazine 30b should lie substantially parallel to the door plane. When the door is closed, the rotor axis 34b is accordingly oriented substantially horizontally. Gravity therefore acts substantially along the annular plane of the annular magazine 30b when the door is closed.
[0081] The tablet compartments 38b are designed to be open radially outwards. If the rotor 36b is removed from the magazine chamber 37b, detergent tablets 42b, which are inserted into the tablet compartments 38b, are therefore readily able to slide radially outwards out of the rotor 36b. The rotor 36b itself does not contain any structures by which detergent tablets 42b inserted into the tablet compartments 38b are prevented from sliding radially outwards. When the rotor 36b is inserted into the magazine chamber 37b, it is surrounded by a chamber delimiting wall 56b which extends in the manner of an annular wall radially on the outside around the rotor 36b. The chamber delimiting wall 56b is part of the magazine housing 32b and delimits the magazine chamber 37b radially on the outside. In the example shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, two openings are formed in the chamber delimiting wall 56b. A first of these openings forms a dosing opening 58b, which can also be referred to as an extraction opening and which is located at the 6 o'clock position of the annular magazine 30b (when looking frontally at the vertically standing door). The other opening forms a blowing air supply opening 60b; it is located in the example shown at the 12 o'clock position but may alternatively be situated at a different angular position of the magazine housing 32b, for example somewhere between the 9 o'clock position and the 3 o'clock position.
[0082] Through the dosing opening 58b, the magazine chamber 37b is connected to a chute 62b, which extends substantially vertically downwards (when looking at the vertically standing door from the front) from the magazine chamber 37b and allows a detergent tablet 42b to fall freely, solely by gravity, from the magazine chamber 37b to an outlet opening 64b located at the end of the chute 62b. The chute 62b is formed by a chute housing 66b which is fixedly connected to the magazine housing 32b; for example, the magazine housing 32b and the chute housing 66b can be formed by a one-piece integral housing component. At the outlet opening 64b, the chute 62b opens on the inner side of the door to the region surrounding the door. When the door is closed, a detergent tablet 42b which falls out at the outlet opening 64b can accordingly pass into the dishwashing chamber of the dishwashing machine and be taken up and dissolved by the dishwashing water sprayed or collected there. Looking at the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the outlet opening 64b is located in the region of the hood 26a.
[0083] Associated with the chute 62b is a shut-off slider 68b which is linearly adjustable between a shut-off position shown in FIG. 3a and a freeing position shown in FIG. 3b. For driving the shut-off slider 68b, the tablet dosing system 20b can have an actuator (not shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3a, 3b), for example an electromotive actuator, which is controlled by a control unit, for example the control unit 18 of FIG. 1. In the shut-off position according to FIG. 3a, the shut-off slider 68b blocks the fall of detergent tablets 42b through the chute 32b; in the freeing position according to FIG. 3b, the shut-off slider 68b has moved sufficiently far out of the chute 62b that detergent tablets 42b are able to fall through the chute 62b. A purpose of the shut-off slider 68b is to prevent spray or/and hot steam from rising through the chute 62b towards the magazine chamber 37b. Therefore, the shut-off slider 68b closes the chute 62b substantially over its entire chute cross section in its shut-off position.
[0084] For the dosing (i.e. extraction) of a detergent tablet 42b, the rotor 36b is moved into a position in which a tablet compartment 38b filled with a detergent tablet 42b is in the 6 o'clock position, that is to say assumes a position radially opposite the dosing opening 58b. The dosing opening 58b is sufficiently large to allow the detergent tablet 42b stored in the tablet compartment 38b in question to fall through the dosing opening 58b into the chute 62b. However, it is possible that the detergent tablet 42b, despite the tablet compartment 38b in question being oriented precisely relative to the dosing opening 58b, does not immediately fall into the chute 62b. For example, it can be possible that the detergent tablet 42b is not lying completely loosely in its tablet compartment 38b. In order to eliminate any obstacles which can prevent the detergent tablet 42b from immediately falling out of the tablet compartment 38b, a conceivable movement pattern for the rotor 36b can comprise moving the tablet compartment 38b in question towards the dosing opening 58b in a first direction of rotation (e.g. clockwise) and partly moving it past the dosing opening 58b in the same direction of rotation. According to this movement pattern, the rotor 36b is then moved back in the opposite direction of rotation (e.g. counter-clockwise) until the tablet compartment 38b in question is again in a position precisely radially opposite the dosing opening 58b. If required, this backwards movement of the rotor 36b can continue slightly further, so that the tablet compartment 38b in question also moves past the dosing opening 58b slightly in the opposite direction. Overall, the movement pattern of the rotor 36b for emptying a tablet compartment 38b can thus comprise moving the rotor 36b to and fro in the region of the dosing opening 58b at least once. By means of such a to and fro movement, any blockages preventing the detergent tablet 42b located in the tablet compartment 38b from immediately falling out can be removed.
[0085] On emptying of a tablet compartment 38b, the shut-off slider 68b can assume its shut-off position, as is shown in FIG. 3a. The detergent tablet 42b which has fallen out of the tablet compartment 38b is then stopped from falling by the shut-off slider 68b and remains in front of the shut-off slider 68b until the shut-off slider 68b is moved into its freeing position according to FIG. 3b. It is conceivable to discharge a detergent tablet 42b from the annular magazine 30b into the chute 62b only after an operating program of the dishwashing machine has started. Alternatively, it is conceivable to discharge a detergent tablet 42b from the annular magazine 30b into the chute 62b even before an operating program of the dishwashing machine has started and to hold the detergent tablet 42b ready there by means of the shut-off slider 68b until it is actually required once the program has started. In order to deliver the detergent tablet 42b extracted from the annular magazine 30b into the dishwashing chamber of the dishwashing machine, the shut-off slider 68b then simply has to be moved into its freeing position. For example, it is conceivable to discharge a detergent tablet 42b from the annular magazine 30b into the chute 62b at the end of an operating cycle of an operating program of the dishwashing machine and to hold it ready by means of the shut-off slider 68b until the next time an operating program of the dishwashing machine is started.
[0086] An alternative dosing procedure provides that, at the precise moment at which a detergent tablet 42b is discharged from the annular magazine 30b into the chute 62b, the shut-off slider 68b is already in its freeing position according to FIG. 3b. The detergent tablet 42b which has fallen into the chute 62b is then not stopped by the shut-off slider 68b but is able to fall freely and uninterruptedly through the entire chute 62b to the outlet opening 64b. The shut-off slider 68b is not opened, for example, until shortly before the detergent tablet 42b is extracted from the annular magazine 30b, and the shut-off slider 68b is closed again as soon as the detergent tablet 42b has passed through the chute 62b.
[0087] FIGS. 3a, 3b show, schematically, sensors 70b, 72b which can monitor the chute 62b by means of sensors in respect of the falling through of a detergent tablet 42b. For example, these sensors 70b, 72b each operate in the manner of a light barrier, which is broken for a short time when a detergent tablet 42b falls through the test light beam of the light barrier in question. In the example shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, the sensor 70b is arranged above the shut-off point at which the shut-off slider 68b can shut off the chute 62b; the sensor 72b is arranged below this shut-off point. It will be appreciated that it can be sufficient to provide only one of the sensors 70b, 72b (either the sensor 70b or the sensor 72b). This is the case in particular when a detergent tablet 42b extracted from the annular magazine is not to be stopped in its free fall by the shut-off slider 68b. Accordingly, when the dosing system 20b is operated such that a detergent tablet 42b extracted from the annular magazine 30b falls through the entire chute 62b in an uninterrupted slide, it can be sufficient to provide a single light barrier (or generally a single sensor) in the region of the chute 62b. If, however, the operation of the dosing system 20b is so configured that a detergent tablet 42b which has fallen into the chute 62b is first stopped by the shut-off slider 68b (corresponding to the illustration in FIG. 3a), it can be expedient to provide a sensor both above and below the shut-off slider 68b. The sensor located above the shut-off point, in the example shown the sensor 70b, is then expediently so positioned that it is able to detect the presence of a detergent tablet 42b when the detergent tablet 42b is lying against the closed shut-off slider 68b.
[0088] The blowing air supply opening 60b connects the magazine chamber 37b to an impeller chamber 74b in which an impeller 76b of a blower generally denoted 78b is seated. The impeller chamber 74b is formed by a blower housing 80b, which is fixedly connected to the magazine housing 32b; for example, the blower housing 80b and the magazine housing 32b are formed integrally in one piece. The blower 78b serves to generate a stream of blowing air into the magazine chamber 37b. From the magazine chamber 37b, the blowing air which has been introduced passes through the dosing opening 58b into the chute 62b. The blowing air acts against the ingress of hot steam through the outlet opening 64b into the chute 62b and can generate a drying action if moisture has entered the dosing system 20b.
[0089] The blower 78b comprises a drive unit, not shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3a, 3b, for driving the impeller wheel 76b in rotation. A control unit, likewise not shown, for example the control unit 18 of FIG. 1, serves to control the drive of the blower 78b. This control unit controls the blower 78b in such a manner that blowing air is generated at least when the shut-off slider 68b is in its freeing position according to FIG. 3b during a dishwashing phase of the dishwashing machine. It may be advantageous to drive the blower 78b to generate blowing air additionally at least during part of the operating phases of the dishwashing machine in which the shut-off slider 68b is in its shut-off position according to FIG. 3a. This is because, even when the shut-off slider 68b is closed, the undesirable ingress of hot steam through the chute 62b into the magazine chamber 37b or/and past a cover (for example the cover 24a of FIG. 2) arranged above the annular magazine 30b cannot always be ruled out completely. It may be that the shut-off slider 68b does not seal the chute 62b perfectly in its shut-off position. Likewise, it may be that the seal between the magazine housing 32b and a magazine cover seated thereon, such as, for example, the cover 24a of FIG. 2, is not perfect. The presence of defects in tightness through which hot steam or/and spray can penetrate the inner regions of the dosing system 20b and impair the quality of the stored detergent tablets 42b must therefore usually be expected. Therefore, it can be expedient to drive the blower 78b also during phases in which the shut-off slider 68b is closed. For example, it is conceivable to allow the blower 78b to run substantially uninterruptedly during the entire phase in which, while an operating program of the dishwashing machine is being carried out, dishwashing water is sprayed in the dishwashing chamber of the dishwashing machine.
[0090] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5a to 5c. This does not differ substantially from the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3a, 3b. There can be seen in FIGS. 5a to 5c a slider housing 82d, which forms a slide channel for a linearly movably arranged shut-off slider (e.g. the shut-off slider 68b of FIGS. 3a, 3b), by means of which the chute 62d can selectively be shut off and freed at a distance beneath the dosing opening 58d. The slider housing 82d can be integrally connected to the chute housing 66d.
[0091] There can additionally be seen in FIG. 5a a cover 24d which is pivotably attached to the chute housing 66d and by means of which the annular magazine 30d is closable. By opening the cover 24d, the user is able to access the magazine chamber 37d and the rotor 36d inserted therein. In particular, the access can be such that, when the cover 24d is open, the rotor 36d can be removed from the magazine chamber 37d and from the annular magazine 30d, for example after a fastening screw, not shown, which is accessible by opening the cover 24d, has been removed. The rotor 36d can accordingly be installed fixedly but releasably in the annular magazine 30d, in particular in such a manner that it cannot be removed solely by hand without an auxiliary tool (e.g. screwdriver).
[0092] There are additionally shown in FIG. 5b components of a drive mechanism 84d which is serves to drive the rotor 36d in rotation. The drive mechanism 84d uses, for example, an electric motor (not shown in detail) as the source of the drive power and comprises a gear train 86d with a reduction function for transmitting the drive power of the source to the rotor 36d. In the example shown, the gear train 86d comprises a drive pinion 88d, which is arranged in the central cup portion 50d concealed beneath the cup base 54d and is in meshing engagement with a toothing (not shown in greater detail in FIG. 5b) formed on the inner circumferential side of the cup lateral surface 52d. With appropriate dimensioning of the cup portion 50d, the entire gear train 86d, together with the mentioned electric motor, can be accommodated in the cup interior delimited by the central cup portion 50d. The force-transmitting engagement of the drive pinion 88d with the cup lateral surface 52d at the inner circumference thereof permits a small overall height of the annular magazine 30d.
[0093] When the cover 24d is open, the user has access to all the tablet compartments 38d of the annular magazine 30d. Without having to rotate the rotor 36d, the user is accordingly able to fill each of the tablet compartments 38d with a detergent tablet 42d when the cover 24d is open. To this end, the rotor 36d can remain in the magazine chamber 37d; the rotor 36d does not have to be removed from the magazine chamber 37d. Filling of the rotor 36d with detergent tablets 42d can accordingly be carried out in a state in which the rotor 36d is in force-transmitting engagement with the drive mechanism 84d.
[0094] The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6a, 6b differs from the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5a to 5c substantially by the additional provision of a protective cover 90e, which in the example shown is in the form of a pivotable cover and is held on the chute housing 66e so as to be pivotable between an open position shown in FIG. 6a and a closed position shown in FIG. 6b. In the open position according to FIG. 6a, the protective cover 90e frees the outlet opening 64e, so that the outlet opening 64e is freed for the discharge of detergent tablets 42e. In the closed position according to FIG. 6b, the protective cover 90e is pivoted over the outlet opening 64e, so that the outlet opening 64e is shut off against the falling out of detergent tablets 42e. The protective cover 90e, when it is in the closed position according to FIG. 6b, prevents hot steam or spray from entering the chute (not shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6a, 6b) formed in the interior of the chute housing 66e at the outlet opening 64e.
[0095] The dosing system 20e of FIGS. 6a, 6b is in this respect equipped with a double barrier for preventing the rise of steam or/and spray through the chute into the region of the annular magazine 30e. A first barrier is formed by the protective cover 90e; a second barrier is formed by the shut-off slider 68e, indicated only by a broken line in FIGS. 6a, 6b, which is movably guided in the slider housing 82e and is able to shut off the chute at a shut-off point between the top and the bottom chute end.
[0096] Also depicted in FIG. 6a is an actuator 92e, indicated schematically, which is coupled via a mechanical drive connection 94e with the shut-off slider 68e and is coupled via a mechanical drive connection 96e with the protective cover 90e. The drive connections 94e, 96e comprise, for example, one or more gears, the actuator 92e is in the form of, for example, an electromotive actuator. Via the drive connections 94e, 96e, the protective cover 90e and the shut-off slider 68e can be supplied with drive power from a single, that is to say common, source. In particular, the actuator 92e is so controlled and the drive connections 94e, 96e are so configured that the shut-off slider 68e and the protective cover 90e open and close in a synchronized manner when the actuator 92e is actuated. Thus, when the shut-off slider 68e is moved from the freeing position according to FIG. 6a into the shut-off position according to FIG. 6b, the protective cover 90e is at the same time pivoted from the open position according to FIG. 6a into the closed position according to FIG. 6b, and vice versa. The actuator 92e is controlled by a suitable control unit, for example the control unit 18 of FIG. 1.
[0097] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7a to 7d. FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the annular magazine 30f, as a user sees it when he has opened a magazine cover (for example the cover 24a of FIG. 2 or the cover 24d of FIG. 5a). FIG. 7b is a view similar to FIG. 7a, but wherein the cup base 54f of the central cup portion 50f of the rotor 36f has been removed so that it is possible to see into the interior of the central cup portion 50f. FIG. 7c shows a section through the annular magazine 30f, and FIG. 7d is a partially cutaway overall view of the tablet dosing system 20f equipped with the annular magazine 30f of FIGS. 7a to 7c, wherein a tablet compartment 38f that is to be emptied next is located in a test position.
[0098] It will be seen that, in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7a to 7d, a window opening 98f is formed in the cup lateral surface 52f of the rotor 36f in the region of each of the tablet compartments 38f. Arranged stationarily relative to the magazine housing 32f, the annular magazine 30f additionally comprises a photoelectric sensor component 100f (FIG. 7d) which is accommodated in the cup interior of the central cup portion 50f and implements, for example, a light barrier or part thereof and serves to detect the presence or absence of a detergent tablet in one of the tablet compartments 38f. The sensor component 100f is so arranged that it is able to check, in a test position angularly offset with respect to the dosing position, a tablet compartment 38f that is to be emptied next for the presence or absence of a detergent tablet. The test position is consequently angularly offset with respect to the 6 o'clock position; in the example shown in FIG. 7d, the test position corresponds approximately to the quarter past five position. The test position corresponds to an angular position in which the tablet compartment 38f in question is not yet situated wholly opposite the dosing opening 58f, so that, in the test position, a detergent tablet present in the tablet compartment 38f in question is not yet able to fall out of the tablet compartment 38f into the chute 62f In the example shown, the test position corresponds to an angular position in which the tablet compartment 38f in question is located substantially outside the extent of the dosing opening 58f. At the same time, the test position is sufficiently close to the dosing position to ensure that, on rotation of the rotor 36f, the tablet compartment 38f in question is the next tablet compartment to move into the dosing position (i.e. no other tablet compartment 38f should reach the dosing position beforehand).
[0099] In this manner, before a tablet compartment 38f is moved into a position radially opposite the dosing opening 58f, it is possible to check, by means of the sensor component 100f, whether there is a detergent tablet in the tablet compartment 38f in question. If the magazine controller (formed, for example, by the control unit 18 of FIG. 1) determines that the tablet compartment 38f in question is empty, it can emit, for example, a visual or/and acoustic indication by means of which the user is requested to fill the annular magazine 30f with new detergent tablets. Other predefined control actions are of course likewise conceivable. Moreover, the magazine controller, once one of the tablet compartments 38f has been moved into a position radially opposite the dosing opening 58f, can check whether the tablet compartment 38f in question has actually been emptied. To this end, the magazine controller can instigate a backward movement of the rotor 36f into a rotational position in which the tablet compartment 38f in question is again in the test position, so that the sensor component 100f can check the tablet compartment 38f in question again. If the magazine controller then determines that the tablet compartment 38f in question is empty, it knows that the detergent tablet previously located therein has actually been emptied properly into the chute 62f.
[0100] The window openings 98f in the cup lateral surface 52f of the rotor 36f allow the sensor component 100f to “see”, figuratively speaking, into the tablet compartments 38f To this end, the sensor component 100f can comprise, for example, a light-emitting diode which transmits a sensor light beam 101f (FIG. 7d) oriented radially or at a comparatively small angle relative to the radial direction. The sensor light beam 101f passes through the window opening 98f of the tablet compartment 38f in question (when it is in the test position) and either strikes a detergent tablet, if one is present in the tablet compartment 38f, or passes through the entire tablet compartment 38f radially outwards to the chamber delimiting wall 56f. According to some embodiments, a photodetector (e.g. photodiode or phototransistor), not shown in greater detail, can there be seated in the chamber delimiting wall 56f in a position substantially radially opposite the sensor component 100f. According to other embodiments, such a photodetector can be contained in the sensor component 100f, wherein the light barrier then works by the reflection principle and utilizes different degrees of reflection according to whether the sensor light beam 101f strikes a detergent tablet or the chamber delimiting wall 56f.
[0101] The two exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 differ from the preceding exemplary embodiments by the presence of a pusher, which is able to impart a pulse-like thrust in the direction of fall (i.e. in the direction of gravity) to a detergent tablet that is in the dosing position (i.e. in a position radially opposite the dosing opening) in a tablet compartment. Such a push can help the detergent tablet to fall out of the tablet compartment in question and into the chute, for example if agglutinations prevent the detergent tablet from falling downwards out of the tablet compartment independently.
[0102] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the mentioned pusher is in the form of a spring-operated pusher 102g, which generates the desired push from its inherent spring tension. In the example shown, the spring-operated pusher 102g is formed by a spring bow 104g, which forms a resiliently deflectable pusher nose 106g. The spring bow 104g can be formed by a metal strip which has been bent into the desired shape by bending. When one of the tablet compartments 38g is in the dosing position (i.e. in a position radially opposite the dosing opening at the entry to the chute), the pusher nose 106g then protrudes to a certain extent into the tablet compartment 38g in question through a window opening 107g formed in the cup lateral surface 52g of the rotor 26g. Each of the tablet compartments 38g of the rotor 36g is designed with such a window opening 107g. Looking at the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7a to 7d, the window openings 98f therein can serve as the window openings 107g of FIG. 8. On rotation of the rotor 36g, the opening edge of the window opening 107g in question pushes the pusher nose 106g radially inwards, so that the cup lateral surface 52g is able to slide past the pusher nose 106g until the next window opening 107g moves into the region of the pusher nose 106g. The pusher nose 106g, owing to its inherent spring tension, then snaps into that next window opening 107g and pushes against a detergent tablet located in the associated tablet compartment 38g. The detergent tablet is thus actively pushed into the chute.
[0103] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, an electromagnetic pusher 108h is provided instead of a spring-operated pusher, which electromagnetic pusher has an electromagnetic actuator 110h and a pusher head 112h which can be advanced in a pulse-like manner by excitation of the electromagnetic actuator 110h. The pusher head 112h has the same function as the pusher nose 106g of the spring-operated pusher 102g of FIG. 8; on excitation of the electromagnetic actuator 110h, the pusher head 112h moves to a certain extent through the window opening 98h of the tablet compartment 38h that is currently in the dosing position, that is to say in a position radially opposite the chute, into the tablet compartment 38h in question. Provided that there is a detergent tablet therein and the detergent tablet has not yet fallen into the chute by itself, the pusher head 112h pushes against the detergent tablet and thereby initiates its fall into the chute.
[0104] FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway view of an exemplary embodiment of the blower 78i with the impeller 76i housed in the blower housing 80i. It will be seen that the blower housing 80i is fitted to the rear side of the door lining panel 22i of the door 16i (rear side means the side of the door lining panel 22i that faces towards the inside of the door, that is to say away from the dishwashing chamber). The intake of air by means of the impeller 76i takes place through intake slots 114i which are formed in the blower housing 80i and are open towards the inner lining panel 22i. By fitting the blower housing 80i to the inner lining panel 22i, the intake slots 114i are accordingly closed at the end. Such intake slots 114i can be provided along all four sides of the blower housing 80i, which in the example shown has a quadrangular contour. Owing to the position of the intake slots 114i close to the panel, the intake of air takes place close to the inner lining panel 22i. Air flows substantially along the inner lining panel 22i through the intake slots 114i into the impeller chamber 74i and is pushed by the impeller 76i into the magazine chamber of the annular magazine and adjoining parts of the dosing system.
[0105] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11, the tablet dosing system 20k comprises not an annular magazine but a stack magazine 116k having two magazine chutes 118k, each of which allows a plurality of detergent tablets 42k, which in the example shown are of quadrangular shape, to be stored in a tablet stack. The two magazine chutes 118k extend at least over a portion of their chute length at a distance from one another, wherein the gap between the two magazine chutes 118k is used to accommodate the blower 78k, more precisely to accommodate the blower housing 80k of the blower 78k housing the impeller 76k. Both magazine chutes 118k can thus be supplied uniformly with blowing air by the blower 78k. The blowing air is blown directly by the blower 78k into the chute chambers of the magazine chutes 118k.
[0106] For individually serving the two tablet stacks, that is to say for individually removing a detergent tablet 42k from a chosen tablet stack, the tablet dosing system 20k comprises an extractor slider 120k, which is linearly adjustable by means of a slider drive unit, not shown in greater detail, for example an electromotive slider drive unit, between different positions in which it is ready to receive a detergent tablet 42k from one of the tablet stacks (corresponding to the illustration of FIG. 11) and to deliver the received detergent tablet 42k into the chute, only the chute housing 66k of which is visible in FIG. 11. Further details of the construction and function of the extractor slider 120k can be found in DE 10 2019 009 054 A1 and in particular in the explanations given therein relating to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 10. The content of the mentioned DE specification is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0107] There are shown in FIG. 11 further blowers 78′k and 78″k, which are arranged at a different location of the dosing system 20k to the blower 78k and illustrate alternative or additional arrangement positions for such blowers. The blower 78′k is in direct blowing air supply connection with the chute inside the chute housing 66k, the blower 78″k is in direct blowing air supply connection with the slider chamber in which the extractor slider 120k is slidably received. It will be appreciated that not all three blowers 78k, 78′k, 78″k have to be provided. Provided that one of the mentioned three blowers is sufficient to ensure a flow of blowing air through the magazine chutes 118k, the chute and the slider chamber, the remaining blowers can be omitted.
[0108] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12, the tablet dosing system 20l again comprises a stack magazine 116l having two magazine chutes 118l which, as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11, are served by a common extractor member. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12, this extractor member is in the form of a rotary extractor 122l which is received in an extractor housing 126l so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 124l. In the installed situation of the tablet dosing system 20l, the axis of rotation 124l is substantially orthogonal to the main plane of the door of the dishwashing machine; the two magazine chutes 118l are thus fitted into the door such that the tablet stacks formed in the magazine chutes 118l by the detergent tablets 42l are arranged side by side along an orthogonal plane to the axis of rotation 124l.
[0109] The rotary extractor 122l has two extraction pockets 128l, which are each dimensioned to receive a detergent tablet 42l. As can readily be seen in FIG. 12, the two extraction pockets 128l are unevenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the rotary extractor 122l, that is to say they are not diametrically opposite one another. Instead, the two extraction pockets 128l are formed in the example shown within a 180° segment of the rotary extractor 122l. During operation, the rotary extractor 122l can be controlled such that, for example, it serves one of the tablet stacks with one of the extraction pockets 128l (i.e. extracts a detergent tablet 42l from the tablet stack in question) and is then rotated into a position in which the received detergent tablet 42l is able to fall out of the extraction pocket 128l in question into the chute 62l and then, by comparatively slight further rotation or backward rotation of the rotary extractor 122l, the other of the two extraction pockets 128l is brought beneath the other of the tablet stacks, so that a detergent tablet is then able to fall from the other tablet stack into the rotary extractor 122l. By repeatedly changing the direction of rotation of the rotary extractor 122l, each of the tablet stacks can thus be served alternately, wherein the extraction pockets 128l are each always used for the same tablet stack.
