Abstract
A metering device for dispensing shaped cleaning-agent bodies into a washing chamber of a domestic dishwasher, comprising a reservoir, which is designed to hold a filling of the shaped cleaning-agent bodies and has a transfer opening in a region of the bottom of the reservoir, and a transport device for actively transporting the shaped cleaning-agent bodies from the transfer opening of the reservoir into the washing chamber. In addition, the metering device comprises a lifting device for raising the bottom of the reservoir at least in parts, wherein a discharge slant toward the transfer opening is produced at least in parts or the downgrade of an existing discharge slant is increased at least in parts by the raising of the bottom.
Claims
1. A metering device for dispensing a cleaning-agent body into a washing chamber of a household dishwasher, said metering device comprising; a reservoir configured to hold a filling of cleaning-agent bodies and having a transfer opening in a region of a bottom of the reservoir, a transport device configured to actively transport the cleaning-agent bodies from the transfer opening of the reservoir into the washing chamber, and a lifting device configured to raise at least part of the bottom of the reservoir to thereby establish a discharge slant toward the transfer opening or to thereby increase at least part of a downgrade of an existing discharge slant, wherein the lifting device is configured to automatically raise the at least part of the bottom of the reservoir when a quantity of cleaning-agent bodies decreases in the reservoir.
2. The metering device of claim 1, wherein the lifting device comprises a spring to automatically raise the at least part of the bottom.
3. The metering device of claim 2, wherein the spring is configured as a spiral spring or helical spring.
4. The metering device of claim 2, wherein the spring is formed by an elastic strip.
5. The metering device of claim 4, wherein the bottom of the reservoir has a partial region which is formed by the elastic strip.
6. The metering device of claim 1, wherein the lifting device is configured to raise the at least part of the bottom at least partially in response to a reduction of weight of the cleaning-agent bodies.
7. The metering device of claim 1, wherein the lifting device is configured to raise the at least part of the bottom exclusively in response to a reduction of weight of the cleaning-agent bodies.
8. The metering device of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the reservoir is formed as a partially articulated wall.
9. The metering device of claim 1, further comprising a first guide provided for the bottom and arranged on a wall of the reservoir adjacent to the bottom.
10. The metering device of claim 9, further comprising a second guide arranged on the bottom and corresponding to the first guide, said first and second guides cooperating such that, when raised, the bottom is exclusively movable along a path predetermined by the first guide.
11. The metering device of claim 10, wherein the first guide has a rectangular external shape and the second guide has a rectangular internal shape corresponding to the first guide, said second guide configured to fully encompass the first guide or to encompass the first guide by three sides and at least partially by a fourth side.
12. The metering device of claim 10, further comprising: a latching connection including a plurality of latching members, said latching connection being arranged on a wall of the reservoir adjacent to the bottom and/or on the first guide, and a latch provided on the second guide and/or on the bottom, wherein the latch and the latching members of the latching connection cooperate such that a locking direction along the first guide and a release direction along the first guide limit a raising of the at least part of the bottom.
13. The metering device of claim 12, wherein the latch is configured as an elastic element, wherein an elastic deformation of the elastic element permits a movement of the bottom in the release direction.
14. The metering device of claim 12, wherein neighboring ones of the latching members are distanced from one another by a spacing of a length such as to enable upward and downward movements of the bottom up to an amplitude of the length of the spacing.
15. The metering device of 12, wherein at least one of the first and second guides is configured to at least partially cover the latching connection.
16. A metering device for dispensing a cleaning-agent body into a washing chamber of a household dishwasher, said metering device comprising; a reservoir configured to hold a filling of cleaning-agent bodies and having a transfer opening in a region of a bottom of the reservoir, a transport device configured to actively transport the cleaning-agent bodies from the transfer opening of the reservoir into the washing chamber, and a lifting device configured to raise at least part of the bottom of the reservoir to thereby establish a discharge slant toward the transfer opening or to thereby increase at least part of a downgrade of an existing discharge slant, wherein the bottom of the reservoir has at least one recess separate and distinct from the transfer opening, which connects the reservoir to a cavity below the bottom, said recess being configured such that the cleaning-agent bodies are prevented from falling through the recess.
17. The metering device of 16, wherein the recess is configured as a gap arranged between the bottom and an adjacent wall of the reservoir.
18. The metering device of claim 16, wherein the recess is configured as at least one member selected from the group consisting of a circular recess, a slotted recess, or a differently shaped recess.
19. A household dishwasher, comprising: a washing chamber, and a metering device for dispensing a cleaning-agent body into the washing chamber, said metering device comprising a reservoir configured to hold a filling of cleaning-agent bodies and having a transfer opening in a region of a bottom of the reservoir, a transport device configured to actively transport the cleaning-agent bodies from the transfer opening of the reservoir into the washing chamber, and a lifting device configured to raise at least part of the bottom of the reservoir to thereby establish a discharge slant toward the transfer opening or to thereby increase at least part of a downgrade of an existing discharge slant, the household dishwasher further comprising a door, said metering device being arranged on the door, said lifting device of the metering device including a spring to automatically raise the at least part of the bottom only when the door is open.
20. A metering device for dispensing a cleaning-agent body into a washing chamber of a household dishwasher, said metering device comprising: a reservoir configured to hold a filling of cleaning-agent bodies and having a transfer opening in a region of a bottom of the reservoir, a transport device configured to actively transport the cleaning-agent bodies from the transfer opening of the reservoir into the washing chamber, and a lifting device configured to raise at least part of the bottom of the reservoir to thereby establish a discharge slant toward the transfer opening or to thereby increase at least part of a downgrade of an existing discharge slant, further comprising: a first guide provided for the bottom and arranged on a wall of the reservoir adjacent to the bottom, and a second guide arranged on the bottom and corresponding to the first guide, said first and second guides cooperating such that, when raised, the bottom is exclusively movable along a path predetermined by the first guide.
21. A metering device for dispensing a cleaning-agent body into a washing chamber of a household dishwasher, said metering device comprising: a reservoir configured to hold a filling of cleaning-agent bodies and having a transfer opening in a region of a bottom of the reservoir, a transport device configured to actively transport the cleaning-agent bodies from the transfer opening of the reservoir into the washing chamber, and a lifting device configured to raise at least part of the bottom of the reservoir to thereby establish a discharge slant toward the transfer opening or to thereby increase at least part of a downgrade of an existing discharge slant, wherein the lifting device is configured to raise the at least part of the bottom at least partially in response to a reduction of weight of the cleaning-agent bodies.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Further advantageous embodiments and features of the invention form the subject-matter of the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described hereinafter. The invention is described in more detail hereinafter by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(2) In the drawings:
(3) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher;
(4) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a metering device according to the invention with a full reservoir;
(5) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the first embodiment of the metering device according to the invention with a partially emptied reservoir;
(6) FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of a metering device according to the invention with a full reservoir;
(7) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the second embodiment of the metering device according to the invention with a partially emptied reservoir;
(8) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a third embodiment of a metering device according to the invention with a partially emptied reservoir; and
(9) FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the third embodiment of the metering device according to the invention with a full reservoir;
(10) FIGS. 8A-8B show in each case a schematic view of an embodiment of a guide means and a further guide means; and
(11) FIGS. 9A-9C show in each case a schematic view of the cooperation of a latching connection and a latch for producing a release direction and a locking direction;
(12) FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a bottom with a peripheral recess in a reservoir;
(13) FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a bottom with a plurality of circular recesses;
(14) FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a bottom with a plurality of slotted recesses;
(15) FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a bottom with a plurality of slotted recesses; and
(16) FIGS. 14A and B show a schematic view of a shaped cleaning-agent body and a rectangular recess.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
(17) Elements which are the same or functionally the same are provided in the figures with the same reference numerals provided nothing further is specified.
(18) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a household dishwasher 1. The dishwasher 1 has a receiving region in the form of a dishwasher cavity 2, which is able to be closed by a door 3, in particular in a watertight manner. To this end, a sealing device may be provided between the door 3 and the dishwasher cavity 2. The dishwasher cavity 2 is preferably cuboidal. In particular, the dishwasher cavity 2 may be produced from steel plate. Alternatively, the dishwasher cavity 2 may be produced at least partially from a plastics material. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 may form a washing chamber 4 so that washing items may be washed. The dishwasher cavity 2 may be arranged in the interior of a housing of the dishwasher 1.
(19) The door 3 is shown in FIG. 1 in its open position. The door 3 may be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided on a lower end of the door 3. The dishwasher cavity 2 has a wall 6 with a bottom 7, a top wall 8 arranged opposite the bottom 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The bottom 7, the top wall 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 may be produced, for example, from stainless steel plate. Alternatively, for example, the bottom 7 may be produced from a plastics material.
(20) The dishwasher 1 further comprises at least one washing item receptacle 12 to 14. In particular, a plurality of washing item receptacles 12 to 14 may be provided, wherein said washing item receptacles may comprise a lower basket 12, an upper basket 13 and/or a cutlery drawer 14. The plurality of washing item receptacles 12 to 14 are preferably arranged one above the other in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each washing item receptacle 12 to 14 is optionally displaceable into the dishwasher cavity 2 or out of said dishwasher cavity. In particular, each washing item receptacle 12 to 14 is able to be pushed into the receiving region 2 in an insertion direction E and is able to be pulled out of the dishwasher cavity 2 counter to the insertion direction E in an extension direction A.
(21) The dishwasher 1 further comprises a metering device 100. The metering device 100 in the example of FIG. 1 is arranged on the door 3, so that when the door is closed 3 it is oriented toward the washing chamber 4. This advantageously enables the metering device 100 to meter the shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 into the washing chamber 4. The shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 are then dissolved by the washing liquor located in the washing chamber 4.
(22) Departing from the view in FIG. 1, further arrangements of the metering device 100 are possible, such as for example on the wall 6 of the dishwasher cavity 2 or on one of the washing item receptacles 12 to 14.
(23) FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a metering device 100 according to the invention. Shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 are located in a reservoir 101. The reservoir 101 has a bottom 103, side walls 104, 105 and a top wall 106. The reservoir 101, as shown, may be configured as part of a cartridge which is completely replaced after the store of shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 has been used up. Alternatively, however, the top wall 106 may also be designed to be removable or pivotable so that it is possible to refill the reservoir 101. The reservoir 101 in FIG. 2 is shown in a state in which as many shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 are stored in the reservoir 101 that the bottom 103 is in the initial position, which it also adopts when completely filled. In the exemplary embodiment shown, in which the reservoir 101 is designed as a cuboidal container and the metering device 100 is shown in the operating position, accordingly the bottom 103 is initially located horizontally. The direction of gravity in the operating position of the metering device 100 is identified in FIG. 2 by an arrow G. Below the bottom 103 is located a cavity 127 in which in this exemplary embodiment the lifting device 114 is arranged, in the present case said lifting device being configured as a helical spring 116.
(24) In the region of the bottom 103 of the reservoir 101 a transfer opening 107 is provided and in the direction of gravity G a cavity 108 adjoins the transfer opening 107, a transport device 109 in the form of a rotatably mounted cell wheel 109 being arranged in said cavity. The cell wheel 109 has a drive cylinder 110 which is actively driven by a drive unit, not shown, for example in the form of an electric motor. The cell wheel 109 also comprises a plurality of transport chambers 111 which in each case are configured for receiving a predetermined quantity of shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102. Here, the transport chambers 111 are separated from one another in each case by partitions 112 protruding radially from the drive cylinder 110. The partitions 112 are fastened to the drive cylinder 110, preferably integrally configured therewith.
(25) On the one hand, the reservoir 101 with its transfer opening 107 and, on the other hand, an ejection channel 113 discharge into the periphery of the cell wheel 109.
(26) During the operation of the metering device 100, shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 located in the reservoir 101 are initially moved by gravity in the direction of the transfer opening 107 and in this manner are supplied to the cell wheel 109. During the rotational movement of the cell wheel 109, in each case a quantity of shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 defined by the receiving volume of the transport chambers 111 falls out of the reservoir 101 through the transfer opening 107 into an empty transport chamber 111.
(27) The shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 are ejected through the ejection channel 113 which is located diametrically on the opposite side of the periphery of the cavity 108, and fall from there into the washing chamber 4 of the household dishwasher 1.
(28) FIG. 3 now shows the metering device 100 in a state in which the reservoir 101 is still only partially filled with shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102. By the repeated metering of shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 into the washing chamber 4, the quantity of shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 reduces in the reservoir 101 and thus the weight thereof. The result of this weight reduction is that a lifting device 114, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is designed as spring means 115 in the form of a helical spring 116, automatically raises the bottom 103 of the reservoir 101 in a partial region, wherein a discharge slant toward the transfer opening 107 is produced by the bottom 103 being raised. This discharge slant ensures that the supply of shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 to the transfer opening 107 by gravity also functions in a reliable manner when the filling level of the reservoir 101 reduces. In practice, in this exemplary embodiment the discharge slant is produced by the bottom 103 being rotatably mounted in the vicinity of the transfer opening 107 and the helical spring 116 spaced apart therefrom acting on the bottom 103. As an alternative or in addition to the helical spring 116, for example, a spiral spring could also be provided in the region of the rotary bearing of the bottom 103 adjacent to the transfer opening 107.
(29) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bottom 103 of the reservoir 101 was horizontally aligned in its initial position (when completely filled), so that the discharge slant was only produced by raising the bottom 103 by means of the lifting device 114. Naturally from the start, i.e. when the reservoir 101 is fully loaded, the bottom 103 may form a discharge slant. In this case, only the downgrade (negative incline) of the discharge slant in the direction of the transfer opening 107 is increased by the raising procedure. At this point a graphical representation of such an embodiment is dispensed with, since it would differ from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 only in that in the initial position (see FIG. 2) the bottom might already be slightly raised, which might also be easily implemented by a corresponding design of the helical spring 116.
(30) FIGS. 4 and 5 show a further embodiment of a metering device 100 according to the invention which substantially differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in that the bottom 103 in this case is designed as a partially articulated wall 117. According to the invention this is to be understood as any type of wall which comprises at least two partial portions which are movable relative to one another. In the example shown, the bottom 103 comprises a first partial portion 118 which, as in the case of the bottom 103 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is horizontally aligned (FIG. 4) in the initial state. A second partial portion 120, which is connected via a joint 119 to the first partial portion 118, in this initial state bears flat against the side wall 104 of the reservoir 101. This second partial portion 120 is guided via a guide means 121, for example in the form of a slide, on the side wall 104 and accordingly may also provide a seal relative to the side wall 104 of the reservoir 101. Depending on the shape, size and consistency of the shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 used, this may be helpful or even necessary. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second partial portion 120 of the articulated wall 117 is also connected in an articulated manner via a further joint 122 to the guide means 121, but other embodiments of the articulated wall 117 are also conceivable.
(31) A further embodiment of a metering device according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein FIG. 7 in turn shows the initial position when the reservoir 101 is completely filled, whereas a state with the partially emptied reservoir is shown in FIG. 6. In contrast to the embodiments described above, in this case the bottom 103 of the reservoir 101 is formed by an elastic strip 130. The elastic strip 130, however, not only serves as a bottom 103 but at the same time also undertakes the function of the lifting device 114. In the embodiment shown, the entire bottom 103 of the reservoir 101 is replaced by the elastic strip. However, it is also conceivable to design only a partial region as an elastic strip, in particular in the region of the fastening points of the bottom 103. Moreover, it is naturally possible to use an elastic strip only as an alternative spring means 115 and thus as an alternative lifting device 114 without using the elastic strip as a bottom 103.
(32) FIG. 8A shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a guide means 121 which is arranged on the rear side wall 104 of the reservoir 101 and a further guide means 131 which is arranged on the bottom 103 of the reservoir 101 (see FIGS. 2-5), wherein for reasons of clarity a view of the bottom 103 and further details of the metering device 100 in FIG. 8A have been dispensed with. FIG. 8B shows a plan view from above of the guide means 121 shown in FIG. 8A and the further guide means 131 in order to make clear the interlocking of the two parts to form the guide. As may be identified in FIG. 8B, the guide means 121 has a substantially rectangular external shape. The rectangular external shape is only interrupted by the connection of the guide means 121 to the side wall 104. The further guide means 131 has a corresponding substantially rectangular internal shape. Also in this case the rectangular internal shape is only interrupted due to the attachment of the guide means 121 to the side wall 104. The further guide means 131 encloses the guide means 121 on three sides and on the fourth side, at least as long as it permits the connection of the guide means 121 to the side wall 104.
(33) As an alternative to this embodiment, for example, the guide means 121 may also be attached to the top wall 106 of the reservoir 101 (see FIGS. 2-5), so that the connection of the guide means 121 to the side wall 104 is dispensed with. Then the further guide means 131 may also completely enclose the guide means 121.
(34) FIGS. 9A to 9C show in each case a schematic view of the cooperation of a latching connection 123 with a number of latching means 124 and a latch 125 arranged on the further guide means 131. The latch 125 is configured here, for example, as a flexible element and is movable by a corresponding action of force along the arrow F. The latching means 124 here, for example, are arranged on the guide means 121 and together form the latching connection 123. The latching means 124 in each case have a spacing H which in FIG. 9A is illustrated for the uppermost pair of latching means. This spacing H between the individual latching means 124 predetermines a freedom of movement within which the further guide means 131 is able to be moved up and down in the guide device, without a locking action being effected by the latch 125 and the latching connection 123. The cooperation of the latch 125 with the latching means 124 of the latching connection 123 for producing the locking action is described hereinafter.
(35) FIG. 9A shows the guide means 131 in a resting position with a latch 125 engaged on the lowermost latching means 124. The latch 125 is shown in FIG. 9A in its relaxed position which it adopts when no forces act thereupon. The latch 125 effectively prevents, therefore, a movement of the further guide means 131 in the locking direction S. A movement of the further guide means 131 upwardly, however, is possible as is described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 9B and 9C.
(36) FIG. 9B shows how the further guide means 131 is moved upwardly in a direction of movement V. The second latching means 124 presses onto the latch 125 which, therefore, is elastically deformed and forced in the direction of the further guide means 131. Thus the further guide means 131 may move upwardly without difficulty.
(37) FIG. 9C shows how the latch 125 automatically snaps back into the initial position, as soon as the further guide means 131 has been raised sufficiently far that the second latching means 124 has been overcome by the latch 125. In this position, the locking action shown in FIG. 9A is produced between the latch 125 and the latching means 124. Should an attempt be made to move the further guide means 131 downwardly, i.e. counter to the direction of movement shown, this is not possible due to the locking action.
(38) The latching connection 123 and the latch 125 shown in FIGS. 9A-9C may be combined, for example, with a guide device as described with reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B (not shown). Advantageously, in this case for example the further guide means 131 covers the latching connection 123 provided on the guide means 121 at least in the region above the bottom 103, so that shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 do not come into contact with the latching connection 123 and thus are not able to become caught therein.
(39) FIGS. 10 to 13 show different embodiments of the bottom 103 which may be used, for example, in a metering device 100 of FIGS. 1 to 4.
(40) FIG. 10 shows a bottom 103 which is configured such that a recess 126 is formed in the form of a gap, at the transition from the bottom 103 to the side walls 104, 105 of the reservoir 101 and at the transition from the bottom 103 to the transport device 109. In this case, the width of the gap 126 is selected such that the shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 do not pass through. Moreover, the bottom 103 comprises separators 128 which ensure that the predetermined gap width is maintained. Advantageously, the gap 126 also circulates around the transport device 109. Thus it is ensured that cleaning-agent particles, such as abraded matter from the shaped cleaning-agent bodies 102 (not shown), do not pass into the transport device 109 which could lead to problems. The cleaning-agent particles fall through the gap 126 into the cavity 127 formed below the bottom 103 (see FIGS. 2 to 6) and are collected there.
(41) FIGS. 11 to 13 also show three exemplary embodiments of bottoms 103 advantageously configured in this manner. The exemplary embodiments shown differ from one another only in the shape of the recesses 126. The further details correspond to those in FIG. 10. In contrast to FIG. 10, the recesses 126 in FIGS. 11 to 13, however, are arranged inside the surface of the bottom 103 instead of on the edge thereof. The mode of operation, however, remains the same: cleaning-agent particles (not shown) may pass through the recesses 126 into the cavity 127 below the bottom 103 (see FIGS. 1 to 4), whereby it is avoided that the cleaning-agent particles are supplied to the transport apparatus 109. It is also possible to combine different exemplary embodiments. For example, it could be provided to configure a bottom 103 with circular and slotted recesses 126 according to FIGS. 11 and 12 and also with gaps 126 on the edge side according to FIG. 10 (not shown).
(42) FIG. 14A shows a schematic projection of an irregular-shaped cleaning-agent body 102 and with the illustrated inner circle I. The diameter D of the inner circle I is also indicated.
(43) FIG. 14B shows a schematic view of a rectangular recess 126 with the illustrated inner circle I and the diameter D indicated.
(44) A condition which is sufficient for the shaped cleaning-agent body 102 not to fit through the recess 126 is that the diameter D of the inner circle I of the shaped cleaning-agent body 102 (FIG. 14A) is larger than the diameter D of the inner circle I of the recess 126 (FIG. 14B). In particular cases, however, this condition may be broken, wherein this depends on the respective shape of the shaped cleaning-agent body 102 and the recess 126.
(45) Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, the invention is able to be modified in many different ways. Reference characters used:
