DOSING UNIT, WATER-BEARING HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE AND METHOD

Abstract

A dosing unit (100) for automatically dosing a dosing amount (122) of a solid detergent provided by a storage cartridge (110) for storing a bulk (112) of the solid detergent, for use in an automatic dosing system (20) of a water-bearing household appliance (1), wherein the storage cartridge (110) comprises a reversibly deformable container (114) with an outlet (116), wherein by deforming the container (114) according to a predefined pattern in time detergent of the bulk (112) is transported towards the outlet (116), and a dosing device (120) is attached to the storage cartridge (110) on the outlet (116) for separating the dosing amount (122) from the bulk (112) and releasing the separated dosing amount (122).

Claims

1. A dosing unit comprising a storage cartridge and a dosing device, wherein the dosing unit is configured for automatically dosing a dosing amount of a solid detergent provided by the storage cartridge configured for storing a bulk of the solid detergent, the dosing unit configured for use in an automatic dosing system of a water-bearing household appliance, wherein the storage cartridge comprises a reversibly deformable container with an outlet, wherein by deforming the container according to a predefined pattern in time detergent of the bulk is transported towards the outlet, and wherein the dosing device is attached to the storage cartridge on the outlet for separating the dosing amount from the bulk and releasing the separated dosing amount.

2. The dosing unit according to claim 1, wherein the container has an elongated shape, and the outlet is arranged at a face side of the container.

3. The dosing unit according to claim 1, wherein the container is arranged such that a bottom side of the container, when the dosing unit is oriented as intended for use, has a slope towards the outlet with respect to a horizontal direction that is in the range of −45° to 15°, preferably −25° to 0°.

4. The dosing unit according to claim 3, wherein the container includes at least three actuation sections distributed along the bottom side, wherein each actuation section is configured for being lifted by an external actuation member.

5. The dosing unit according to claim 1, wherein the container has a taper section which tapers towards the outlet.

6. The dosing unit according to claim 1, wherein the container is made from a flexible foil and/or laminate, particularly from a polymeric foil.

7. The dosing unit according to claim 1, wherein the container is made from an impermeable material or comprises an impermeable membrane.

8. The dosing unit according to claim 1, wherein the storage cartridge further comprises includes a support structure for supporting the container.

9. The dosing unit according to claim 1, wherein the dosing device comprises: a scoop; and a plug (140), wherein the scoop is configured to separate the dosing amount from the bulk and transport the separated dosing amount to a receiving chamber formed in the plug when the scoop is turned in a first rotational direction about an axis that is parallel to the bottom side of the container, and the plug is configured to release the dosing amount from the receiving chamber.

10. The dosing unit according to claim 9, wherein the plug is held in the dosing device movably between a closed position and a release position, wherein, when the plug is in the closed position, the dosing amount received from the scoop is stored in the receiving chamber, and, when the plug is in the release position, an outlet in a side-wall of the dosing device is cleared such that the dosing amount stored in the receiving chamber is released.

11. The dosing unit according to claim 9, wherein the dosing device comprises engagement means configured for engagement with a driving device of an external driving unit configured for turning the dosing device in the first turning direction and for holding the dosing device fixed.

12. The dosing unit according to claim 11, wherein the plug is shaped as a cylinder, wherein an engaging section configured for engagement with a driving element of the external driving unit is arranged on one face of the cylinder and the receiving chamber is arranged on the other face of the cylinder, and wherein the plug is arranged in the dosing device such that the receiving chamber is facing towards the scoop.

13. The dosing unit according to claim 9, wherein the plug has an external thread that engages with an internal thread of the dosing device such that when the plug is rotated relative to the dosing device in a first rotation direction about the axis, the plug is moved from the closed position to the release position by being displaced laterally away from the scoop, and when the plug is rotated relative to the dosing device in a second rotation direction oppositely the first rotation direction about the axis, the plug is moved from the release position to the closed position by being displaced laterally towards the scoop.

14. A method for dosing a dosing amount of a solid detergent from a dosing unit comprising a storage cartridge for storing a bulk of the solid detergent, the method comprising: deforming, according to a predefined pattern in time, a reversibly deformable container of the storage cartridge for transporting detergent from the bulk towards an outlet of the container; separating the dosing amount from the bulk; and releasing the separated dosing amount.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of deforming the container comprises temporarily generating a local gradient of a bottom side of the container directed towards the outlet.

16. A water-bearing household appliance, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine comprising: an automatic dosing system; and a dosing unit according to claim 1, wherein the automatic dosing system is configured for automatically dosing a dosing amount of a solid detergent from the dosing unit by deforming the container according to the predefined pattern in time, and separating the dosing amount from the bulk and releasing the separated dosing amount by the dosing device.

17. A method for operating a water-bearing household appliance, the appliance comprising: an automatic dosing system configured for dosing a dosing amount of a solid detergent from a dosing unit; and a dosing unit comprising a storage cartridge configured for storing a bulk of the solid detergent, the method comprising: receiving a trigger for dosing the dosing amount by the automatic dosing system; deforming, according to a predefined pattern in time, a reversibly deformable container of the storage cartridge for transporting detergent from the bulk towards an outlet of the container; separating the dosing amount from the bulk; and releasing the separated dosing amount.

Description

[0068] Further embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and dependent claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first example of a dosing unit;

[0070] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a second example of a dosing unit;

[0071] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an example of dosing unit employed in a water-bearing household appliance;

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a method for dosing a dosing amount of a solid detergent;

[0073] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of a water-bearing household appliance; and

[0074] FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a method for operating a water-bearing household appliance.

[0075] In the Figures, like reference numerals designate like or functionally equivalent elements, unless otherwise indicated.

[0076] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first example of a dosing unit 100. The dosing unit 100 includes a storage cartridge 110, which comprises a container 114 made from a polymeric foil, such as polyethylene, and is therefore flexible, that is, it is reversibly deformable. The storage cartridge 110 stores a bulk 112 of a solid detergent. The detergent may be provided in form of powder, pellets or tablets. As an example, the detergent is a powder in FIG. 2, which does not have a fixed form. The container 114 has an elongated shape, similar to a cylinder, a tube or a bag with one open end. The open end is defined by the outlet 116, which is arranged at a face of the container 114. The outlet 116 is formed in a solid structure, which is not deformable, to which the foil is attached.

[0077] A dosing device 120 is attached to the storage cartridge 110 on the outlet 116. The dosing device 120 is configured for separating a dosing amount 122 of detergent from the bulk 112. As is indicated in FIG. 1, the dosing device 120 has an outlet 124 through which the separated dosing amount 122 can be released.

[0078] The dosing unit 100 is shown in FIG. 1 in its orientation as intended for use with respect to gravity G. In this orientation, The bulk 112 rests inside the container 114 on the bottom side of the container 114. Thus, by locally lifting the bottom side, which is possible because the container 114 is flexible, a bump is formed on the inside of the container 114. The part of the bulk 112 residing at the position of the bump will slide off the bump, when the slope is sufficiently high and there is free space. By choosing a suitable pattern of such local lifting, both in space and in time, an effective net transport of detergent towards the outlet 116 occurs. The lifting of the bottom side is preferably performed by an external actuation member 24 (see FIG. 2 or 3) of an automatic dosing system 20 (see FIG. 3).

[0079] The dosing unit 100 is preferably used in conjunction with a water-bearing household appliance 1 (see FIG. 3 or 5) with an automatic dosing system 20 (see FIG. 3 or 5).

[0080] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a second example of a dosing unit 100. In this example, the storage cartridge 110 includes a support structure 111, which is implemented as an essentially not deformable case for containing the container 114, which is made from a flexible foil. On its bottom side, the support structure 111 includes holes or slits which allow an external actuation member 24 to reach into the support structure 111 for deforming the container 114. In this example, the dosing unit 100 is configured for dosing a detergent tablet 102 as the dosing amount 122. The bulk 112 includes a plurality of detergent tablets 102.

[0081] The container 114 has three actuation sections 118 on its bottom side. The actuation sections 118 are, for example, reinforced sections of the foil, which do not break easily. The actuation sections 118 are arranged on the container 114 such that the position of one actuation section 118 corresponds to one of the holes in the support structure 111. This ensures, that the actuation sections 118 make the contact with the external actuation member 24. The external actuation member 24 is implemented as a camshaft in this example, such that an actuation pattern appears when the camshaft 24 is rotated. The external actuation member 24 may include further elements, such as push rods, which are not indicated separately in FIG. 2. By reaching into the support structure 111, the external actuation member 24 temporarily lifts the container 114 at the actuation sections 118. Therefore, bumps are formed in the container 114, and detergent tablets 102 arranged in the actuation section 118 are lifted upward. The detergent tablets 102 arranged on the slope that is induced in the container 114 by the bump will slide in the direction of the gradient along the slope, if there is free space, driven by gravity G, as indicated by arrow P for one detergent tablet 102.

[0082] On the side of the outlet 116, the storage cartridge 110 includes a taper section 115, which is implemented as a geometric feature having a negative slope towards the outlet 116. Thus, detergent tablets 102 resting on the taper section 115 will slide towards the outlet 116 and the dosing device 120 arranged there, if there is some space. Note that the three actuation sections 118 shown in FIG. 2 are merely an example, and there may be more than three actuation sections 118 and/or they may be distributed different than shown here along the bottom side.

[0083] On the outlet 116, a dosing device 120 is attached to the storage cartridge 110. The dosing device 120 includes a scoop 130 and a plug 140. The scoop 130 reaches into the storage cartridge 110 or the container 114, such that it can pick up at least one detergent tablet 102 resting in front of it. The scoop 130 is implemented for separating at least one, preferably exactly one, detergent tablet 102 as the dosing amount 122. In this example, the scoop 130 is configured for being turned about the axis X in order to separate the detergent tablet 102.

[0084] The separated detergent tablet 102 is transported by the scoop 130 to a receiving chamber 142 formed in the plug 140. The detergent tablet 102 is stored in the receiving chamber 142 and forms the dosing amount 122 of detergent in this case. The detergent tablet 102 cannot escape the receiving chamber 142 back into the storage cartridge 110. The plug 140 has, on its front face facing away from the storage cartridge 110, an engaging section 144 for engagement with a driving element of an external driving unit 22 (see FIG. 3). Further, the plug 140 has an external thread 146 that is engaged with an internal thread 126 formed in the dosing device 120, such that the plug 140 can displaced laterally by screwing. Particularly, the plug 140 is shown in FIG. 3 in a closed position, in which the dosing device 120 is sealed impermeably. By screwing the plug 140, the outlet 124 formed in the dosing device 120 is cleared and the dosing amount 122 stored in the receiving chamber 142 is released from the dosing device 120. Thus, the dosing of the dosing amount 122 from the dosing unit 100 is performed. In the example of FIG. 2, only rotational actions are needed for this.

[0085] In further embodiments, the external actuation member 24 may be implemented such that is does not only act parallel to gravity G, as is shown in FIG. 2, but with an inclination angle with respect to gravity G. In particular, actuation with a tilt towards the outlet 116 can increase the efficiency of the peristaltic transport. Also, rollers may be employed that are slid along the bottom side of the container 114, thus inducing a moving bump inside the container 114.

[0086] FIG. 3 shows an example of dosing unit 100 employed in a water-bearing household appliance 1. For example, the water-bearing household appliance 1 is implemented as a dishwasher. The dishwasher 1 has an automatic dosing system 20, configured to be operated with the dosing device 100, which may be the dosing device 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2. In this example, the automatic dosing system 20 is arranged on a door of the dishwasher 1, such that a user of the dishwasher 1 may easily reach the automatic dosing system 20. Then, the user may exchange that whole dosing unit 100 when the storage cartridge 110 runs empty of detergent.

[0087] The automatic dosing system 20 has a driving unit 22 and an actuation member 24. The driving unit 22 is configured for engaging with the dosing device 120 attached to the storage cartridge 110 an operate it, such that the dosing amount 122 (see FIG. 1 or 2) is released from the dosing unit 100. The actuation member 24 is configured for actuating the container 114 (see FIG. 1 or 2) such that peristaltic transport of the detergent stored in the container 114 towards the dosing device 120 occurs. Preferably, the automatic dosing system 20 is triggered or operated by a control unit of the dishwasher 1.

[0088] FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a method for dosing a dosing amount 122 (see FIG. 1 or 2) of a solid detergent from a dosing unit 100, for example the dosing unit 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2. The dosing unit 100 includes a storage cartridge 110 for storing a bulk 112 of the solid detergent. In a first step S1, a reversibly deformable container 114 of the storage cartridge 110 is deformed according to a predefined pattern in time for transporting detergent from the bulk 112 towards an outlet 116 of the container 114. In a second step S2, the dosing amount 122 is separated from the bulk 112 by a dosing device 120. In a third step S3, the separated dosing amount 122 is released.

[0089] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of a water-bearing household appliance 1, which is implemented as a domestic dishwasher. The domestic dishwasher 1 comprises a tub 2, which can be closed by a door 3. Preferably, the door 3 seals the tub 2 so that it is waterproof, for example by using a door seal between door 3 and the tub 2. Preferably, the tub 2 has a cuboid shape. Tub 2 and door 3 can form a washing chamber 4 for washing dishes.

[0090] In FIG. 5, door 3 is shown in the open position. By swiveling about an axis 5 at a lower edge of door 3, the door 3 can be opened or closed. With the door 3, an opening 6 of the tub 2 for inserting dishes into the washing chamber 4 can be opened or closed. Tub 2 comprises a lower cover 7, an upper cover 8 facing the lower cover 7, a rear cover 9 facing the closed door 3 and two side covers 10, 11 which face each other. For example, the lower cover 7, the upper cover 8, the rear cover 9 and the two side covers 10, 11 can be made from stainless steel sheets. Alternatively, at least one of the covers, for example the lower cover 7, can be made from a polymeric material, such as plastic.

[0091] The domestic dishwasher 1 further has at least one rack 12, 13, 14 on which dishes to be washed can be placed. Preferably, more than one rack 12, 13, 14 is used, wherein rack 12 can be lower rack, rack 13 can be an upper rack and rack 14 can be a rack specific for cutlery. As is shown in FIG. 5, the racks 12 to 14 are arranged vertically above each other in the tub 2. Each rack 12, 13, 14 can be pulled out from the tub 2 in a first, outward direction θ or pushed into the tub 2 in a second, inward direction I.

[0092] FIG. 5 further shows an automatic dosing system 20 that is arranged in the door 3 of the domestic dishwasher 1. The automatic dosing system 20 comprises a dosing unit 100 that is removably fixed in the automatic dosing system 20. Preferably, the dosing unit 100 is implemented according to one of FIG. 1 or 2. The automatic dosing system 20 has a driving unit 22 (see FIG. 4) configured to actuate the dosing unit 100 for automatically dosing a dosing amount 122 (see FIG. 2 or 3) of a solid detergent stored in a storage cartridge 110 (see FIG. 2, 3 or 4) of the dosing unit 100. Preferably, the automatic dosing system 20 is controlled by a control unit (not shown), which is implemented for operating the domestic dishwasher 1 according to a washing program selected from a plurality of washing programs. Further, in preferred embodiments, the automatic dosing system 20 includes an actuation member 24 (see FIG. 3 or 4) which is configured for lifting or actuating a container 114 (see FIG. 2 or 3) of the dosing unit 100 such that peristaltic transport of the detergent towards a dosing device 120 (see FIG. 2, 3 or 4) attached to the storage cartridge 110 occurs.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a method for operating water-bearing household appliance 1 (see FIG. 3 or 5) with an automatic dosing system 20 (see FIG. 3 or 5) and a dosing unit 100 (see FIG. 1— 3 or 5) arranged in the automatic dosing system 20. The automatic dosing system 20 is configured for dosing a dosing amount 122 (see FIG. 1 or 2) of a solid detergent from the dosing unit 100. The dosing unit 100 includes a storage cartridge 110 (see FIG. 1, 2 or 3) for storing a bulk 112 (see FIG. 1 or 2) of the solid detergent. In a first step S0, a trigger for dosing the dosing amount 122 of detergent is received by the automatic dosing system 20, for example from a control unit of the water-bearing household appliance 1. In second step S1, a reversibly deformable container 114 (see FIG. 1 or 2) of the storage cartridge 110 is deformed according to a predefined pattern in time for transporting detergent from the bulk 112 towards an outlet 116 (see FIG. 1 or 2) of the container 114. In a third step S2, the dosing amount 122 is separated from the bulk 112 by a dosing device 120 (see FIG. 1, 2 or 3). In a fourth step S3, the separated dosing amount 122 is released into the water-bearing household appliance 1.

[0094] Although the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred embodiments, it is obvious for the person skilled in the art that modifications are possible in all embodiments.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0095] 1 water-bearing household appliance [0096] 2 tub [0097] 3 door [0098] 4 washing chamber [0099] 5 axis [0100] 6 opening [0101] 7 lower cover [0102] 8 top cover [0103] 9 rear cover [0104] 10 side cover [0105] 11 side cover [0106] 12 rack [0107] 13 rack [0108] 14 rack [0109] 20 automatic dosing system [0110] 22 driving unit [0111] 24 actuation member [0112] 100 dosing unit [0113] 102 detergent tablet [0114] 110 storage cartridge [0115] 111 support structure [0116] 112 bulk [0117] 114 container [0118] 115 taper section [0119] 116 outlet [0120] 118 actuation section [0121] 120 dosing device [0122] 122 dosing amount [0123] 124 outlet [0124] 126 internal thread [0125] 130 scoop [0126] 140 plug [0127] 142 receiving chamber [0128] 144 engaging means [0129] 146 external thread [0130] G gravity [0131] I direction [0132] direction [0133] P arrow [0134] S0 method step [0135] S1 method step [0136] S2 method step [0137] S3 method step [0138] X axis