APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING DETERGENT

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing detergent in a dishwasher is suggested with a cover element (2) to seal and/or release at least one reservoir (1) to store detergent, wherein a housing (15) for installation of the apparatus is provided on an installation level (14), wherein the cover element (2) can be adjusted along an adjustment path between a closure position and a release position, wherein at least one guide unit (12, 13, 7-10, 16, 17, 22-25) is provided to guide the cover element (2) at least during a partial section of the adjustment path, wherein the guide unit (12, 13, 7-10, 16, 17, 22-25) to guide the cover element (2) comprises at least a first guide element (18, 19, 23) that can be adjusted in the direction of a first guide surface and a second guide element (18, 19, 22) that can be adjusted in the direction of the second guide surface, wherein at least the first guide element (18, 19, 23) is arranged on a first edge area of the cover element (2), wherein, in the closure position of the cover element (2) in the direction of the adjustment path, a first distance (26) is provided between the first guide element (18, 19, 23) and the second guide element (18, 19, 22), which is more compact and, in particular, which can be implemented with a low level of constructive effort. According to the invention, this is achieved by a second distance (27) being provided between the first guide element (18, 19, 23) and the second guide element (18, 19, 22) in the release position of the cover element (2) in the direction of the adjustment path, wherein the second distance (27) is smaller than the first distance (26).

Claims

1. In an apparatus for dispensing detergent in a dishwasher with a cover element (2) to seal and/or release at least one reservoir (1) to store detergent, wherein a housing (15) for installation of the apparatus is provided on an installation level (14), wherein the cover element (2) can be adjusted along an adjustment path between a closure position and a release position, wherein at least one guide unit (12, 13, 7-10, 16, 17, 22-25) is provided to guide the cover element (2) at least during a partial section of the adjustment path, wherein the guide unit (12, 13, 7-10, 16, 17, 22-25) to guide the cover element (2) has at least a first guide element (18, 19, 23) that can be adjusted in the direction of a first guide surface and a second guide element (18, 19, 22) that can be adjusted in the direction of the second guide surface, wherein at least the first guide element (18, 19, 23) is arranged on a first edge area of the cover element (2), wherein, in the closure position of the cover element (2) in the direction of the adjustment path, a first distance (26) is provided between the first guide element (18, 19, 23) and the second guide element (18, 19, 22), wherein the improvement comprises in the release position of the cover element (2) in the direction of the adjustment path, a second distance (27) is provided between the guide element (18, 19, 23) and the second guide element (18, 19, 22), wherein the second distance (27) is smaller than the first distance (26).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cover element (2) includes at least the first guide element (18, 19, 23).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing (15) includes the second guide element (18, 19, 22).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a first side (5) of the reservoir (1) and on a second side (5) of the reservoir (1) at least a first guide element (18, 19, 23) and at least a second guide element (18, 19, 22) are respectively provided.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein in the release position, the cover element (2), as a boom, at least partially projects over a contour of the apparatus's housing (15) oriented parallel to the installation level (14).

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cover element (2) at least comprises a support surface (21) to support the cover element (2) at least partially in parallel to the direction of the housing's (15) installation level (14).

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a support surface (21) arranged on an end and/or on a second edge area of the cover element (2).

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the support surface (21) is arranged on at least the second edge area of the cover element (2) lying opposite to at least the first guide element (18, 19, 23).

9. The apparatus of claim 1 disposed in a dishwasher with a cleaning space a wall and a door, wherein the wall has at least one apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the cover element (2) has at least one support surface (21) to support the cover element (2) in the release position at the wall and/or door.

Description

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0043] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in detail in the following based on the figure.

[0044] Individually, in the figures:

[0045] FIG. 1 shows schematic and in a partially transparent representation of a guided sliding cover of a first apparatus according to the invention in an open, closed position with a vertical adjustment up to over the contour of the housing as well as in the intermediated position and in a cross section,

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a second schematically illustrated apparatus according to the invention with a guided sliding cover in a closed and an open position with a horizontal adjustment within the contour of the housing,

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a third apparatus according to the invention schematically shown with a guided sliding cover and two guide rails,

[0048] FIG. 4 shows the third apparatus schematically shown in a cross section in accordance with FIG. 3 in an open and a closed position with a vertical adjustment up to over the contour of the housing,

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a fourth schematic perspectively shown apparatus according to the invention with a guided sliding cover in an opened and closed position,

[0050] FIG. 6 shows schematically, perspectively, the cover and the housing of the apparatus shown separately in accordance with FIG. 5 and

[0051] FIG. 7 shows the fourth, schematic apparatus showed as a cross section in accordance with FIG. 5 in the open and closed position of the cover.

[0052] In the figures, an apparatus according to the invention is shown respectively, wherein a reservoir 1 is provided to hold detergent and has a seal 11. This detergent is metered in a controlled manner into the cleaning area for the dishes during the cleaning phase of the dishwasher. Thereby, the cover 2 is opened so that the detergent can flow out of the reservoir 1 and be rinsed. For example, for this, a snap apparatus 4 or a switch 4 or a button or the like is pressed so that a tension spring or the like causes an opening movement of the cover 2. In addition, a rinsing area 3 is provided for a fluid rinsing agent, which is not shown in more detail.

[0053] The first variant in accordance with FIG. 1 has a cover 2 and a guide, wherein the cover 2 in the open position (c.f. FIG. 1c) protrudes or projects over a contour of a housing 15 or a base part 15. In contrast, in the case of the second variant in accordance with FIG. 2, the cover 2 stays inside the contour of the housing 15 (c.f. FIG. 2a, open position).

[0054] An installation level 14 in terms of the invention or an end-stop surface/sealing surface of the base part 15 or the housing 15 at/for a wall/door of an operating/interior space of the dishwasher is particularly evident in the cross-sectional illustration according to FIG. 1d) and in FIG. 4. This means that, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sheet level of the installation level corresponds to this or is parallel to this.

[0055] However, in the profile, the guide is illustrated, particularly in the enlarged view in FIG. 3, with a third variant according to the invention.

[0056] In FIG. 3, it is evident that the reservoir 1 is arranged between a first guide rail 12 and a second guide rail 13. In terms of the invention, here, the first guide rail 12 is arranged on a first side 5 and the second guide rail 13 is arranged on a second side 6 lying opposite to this. Thereby, the first guide rail 12 comprises two opposite sides facing each other, a first guide surface 7 and a second guide surface 8, wherein these two contact surfaces 7, 8 are oriented in the direction of a surface normal 20, meaning perpendicular to the installation level 14.

[0057] However, in FIG. 3 as well as in FIG. 4, which is briefly explained in the following, only the cone 18, 19 of the cover 2 can be recognized. The cones of the housing 15, which are not shown in further detail in the case of this exemplary embodiment, are arranged on one level, which has not been charted by the cross section or the figures. The change in distance according to the invention of the cones of the cover 2 with reference to the cones of the housing 15 are particularly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 or in the fourth exemplary embodiment in the following.

[0058] In FIG. 4, however, it is evident that the guide or the guide surfaces 7, 8 are slightly arched in shape and is/are primarily linear. By means of this, the cover 2 is primarily shifted parallel and/or at an acute angle to the installation level 14, wherein the cover 2 in the open position (c.f. FIG. 4c) lines up at least one support surface comprising an end-stop 21 on the installation level 14 according to the invention. In accordance with this, the cover 2 is seated on the inner wall or the door, for example, during the installation into the door of a dishwasher. In this way, if necessary, falling dishes or a pressure or improper handling by an operating person, whereby a force is transversely applied to the installation level 14, cannot lead to any impairment of the cover 2 and/or the apparatus.

[0059] Furthermore, the second guide rail 13 comprises two opposite guide surfaces facing each other, a third contact surface 9 and a fourth contact surface 10, wherein these two contact surfaces 9, 10 are oriented in the direction of the surface normal 20, meaning perpendicular to the installation level 14. However, these two guide surfaces 9, 10 have a second distance away from each other, which is greater than the guide rail 13. Thereby, there is a relatively high level of play between the cover 2 with the guide surfaces 9, 10 and the guide rail 13.

[0060] In contrast, the two contact surfaces 7, 8 have a first distance away from each other, which primarily corresponds to the width of the guide rail 13. Thereby, there is almost no play between the cover 2 with the guide surfaces 7, 8 and the guide rail 12. In accordance with this, the cover 2 is primarily led by the guide to the first side 5 or by means of the guide rail 12. The guide rail 13 has more of a resting function and a supporting function for the cover 2 on a constructional level.

[0061] The favorable ratio between the first relatively small distance of the two guide surfaces 7, 8 with reference to the relatively large lengths of the guide surfaces 7, 8 effectively prevents tilting.

[0062] Furthermore, in FIG. 3, it is evident that the guide rails 12, 13 and the cover 2 each have another guide surface 16, 17, which are primarily arranged parallel to the other guide surfaces 7, 8, 9, 10 respectively. These fifth and sixth guide surfaces 16, 17 are oriented toward/facing each other and are oriented toward/facing each other in a manner that is identical to the first guide surface 7 and the fourth guide surface 10. By means of this, they increase the effective guide surface of these respective guide surfaces 7, 10, which improves guiding on the one hand and, on the other hand, reduces friction, thereby increasing the service life, particularly when using plastic as a material for the cover 2 and the guide rails 12, 13.

[0063] In addition, in a favorable manner, the guide rails 12, 13, have a profile with a back taper and is L-shaped so that a guide can also be implemented in the direction of the surface normal 20 or in the transverse direction. This is advantageous particularly for the slightly arched guiding of the cover 2.

[0064] Also, particularly for guiding in the direction of the surface normal 20 and in the transverse direction, the cover 2 has cones 18, 19 on both sides 5, 6 respectively, which grip behind the back taper of the guide rails 12, 13, thereby making favorable guiding in the direction of the surface normal 20 and in the transverse direction possible. In addition, the cones 18, 19 hold the cover 2 on the housing 15, in particular in the locked position or the partially or fully open position.

[0065] In FIGS. 5 to 7, a fourth preferred variant of the invention is shown. Thereby, it becomes evident that the housing 15 only has two cones 22 respectively and, in addition, the cover 2 has only two cones 23 respectively and, on the one hand, are guided and arranged in the guide trajectories 25 of the cover 2 and, on the other hand, are guided and arranged in the in the guide trajectories 24 of the housing 15. The guide paths 24, 25 are favorably not exactly linear, but preferably bent in shape. As is, above all, evident in the cross section in accordance with FIG. 7, the guide trajectories 24, 25 each have an angled area or an arch with a relatively small radius so that the cover 2 is pressed against the housing 15 or a seal of the housing, which is not shown in more detail here and the reservoir 1 is sealed in a favorable manner.

[0066] The seal, on the one hand, can be an elastomer element or a rubber seal, or, on the other hand, a sealing lip, which is formed within the reservoir 1 or seals it,

[0067] Particularly also in FIG. 7, it is very evident in the two cross-sectional views that the cones 22 of the cover 2 have a comparably large distance 26 with relation to the cones 23 of the housing 15 in the closed or so-called first position of the cover 2. In contrast, the cones 22 of the cover 2 in the open so-called second position of the cover 2 have a comparably small distance 27 with relation to the cones 23 of the housing 15. That means that distance 26 is greater than distance 27.

[0068] As can be recognized in the cross section in the open release position of the cover 2, the cover 2 projects far beyond the housing 15 and its contour/cross section. In turn, the cover 2 additionally abuts the door or the wall of the interior space of the dishwasher in a favorable way with the end-stop 21 and its support surface. By means of this, the cover 2 and its guide is also protected or protected against damage in the open or protruding position for example against unintendedly falling dishes or the like, i.e. in particular against the effects of forces transverse/perpendicular to the level 14.

REFERENCE LIST

[0069] 1 reservoir [0070] 2 cover [0071] 3 rinsing area [0072] 4 raster [0073] 5 first side [0074] 6 second side [0075] 7 first guide surface [0076] 8 second guide surface [0077] 9 third guide surface [0078] 10 fourth guide surface [0079] 11 seal [0080] 12 guide rail [0081] 13 guide rail [0082] 14 installation level [0083] 15 housing [0084] 16 fifth guide surface [0085] 17 sixth guide surface [0086] 18 cone [0087] 19 cone [0088] 20 surface normal [0089] 21 end-stop [0090] 22 cone [0091] 23 cone [0092] 24 guide trajectory [0093] 25 guide trajectory [0094] 26 distance [0095] 27 distance