Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
  • A47L15/42—Details
  • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
  • A47L15/4463—Multi-dose dispensing arrangements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
  • A47L15/42—Details
  • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
  • A47L15/4418—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants in the form of liquids

Definitions

• the invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with a washing container providing a washing chamber, which has a loading opening for loading with items to be washed, which can be closed by means of a pivotably mounted washing chamber door, in particular fluid-tight, and with a dosing device which contains a process chemical in a quantity sufficient for a plurality of cleaning processes, wherein the dosing device comprises a first dosing device for a bulk process chemical and a second dosing device for a liquid process chemical.
• Dishwashers of the type mentioned above are well known from the prior art, which is why a separate printed reference is not required here. Therefore, only an example is given: DE 10 2014 115 512 A1 referred.
• a dishwasher of this type has a wash chamber that provides a washing area.
• the wash chamber serves to hold items to be cleaned, which may be dishes and/or cutlery.
• the wash tank has a loading opening for loading items to be cleaned. This opening can be sealed fluid-tight by means of a pivoting wash chamber door.
• the dishwasher To spray the items to be cleaned with the cleaning fluid, also known as the wash liquor, the dishwasher has a spray system inside the wash tub.
• This spray system typically consists of rotating spray arms, usually two or three of which are provided. Under normal operating conditions, the items to be cleaned are sprayed with the cleaning fluid by means of rotating spray arms.
• Process chemicals are used in the washing chamber during a cleaning process. These process chemicals are primarily cleaning agents and/or rinse aids, which are added to the washing chamber according to a program control.
• the aforementioned DE 10 2014 115 512 A1 A dosing device that interchangeably holds a reservoir filled with cleaning agent.
• This previously known dosing device is integrated into the wash chamber door and, when dosing, dispenses the process chemical it contains in portions through an outlet opening provided by the wash chamber door.
• the dishwasher disclosed here also features a so-called combination dosing unit.
• This is likewise installed in the wash chamber door and serves, among other things, to store a liquid process chemical, in particular a rinse aid. When dosing, this is dispensed through a corresponding outlet provided by the combination unit.
• the invention proposes a dishwasher of the type mentioned above, which is characterized in that the first dosing device and the second dosing device for the portion-wise introduction of a respective process chemical into the washing chamber are fluidically connected to a common dosing opening that opens into the washing chamber.
• the embodiment according to the invention proposes a dosing device comprising a first dosing device for a bulk process chemical on the one hand and a second dosing device for a liquid process chemical on the other, wherein both The dosing units are connected to the wash chamber provided by the wash tank via a single dosing opening.
• the bulk process chemical from the first dosing unit or the liquid process chemical from the second dosing unit is dispensed in portions into the wash chamber via the shared dosing opening.
• there is no distinction between an outlet for the bulk process chemical and an outlet for the liquid process chemical This results in a simplified dishwasher design. This is also because the two dosing units are combined into a single dosing system and are no longer separate. This advantageously leads to a compact and space-saving overall design.
• the inventive design also enables simplified operation by the user. This is because the user only needs to operate one dosing unit to properly fill the dishwasher with process chemicals. Unlike the prior art, the dosing units are no longer separate from each other, but are housed in a common dosing unit, which improves both the user's overview and simplifies access to the dosing units.
• the washing chamber door houses the dosing device, with the dosing opening being provided by the washing chamber door.
• the dosing device is provided by the washing chamber door.
• the washing chamber door thus houses both the first and the second dosing device.
• the dosing opening which interacts with both of these dosing devices according to the invention, is also provided by the washing chamber door in this case.
• a further feature of the invention provides that the dosing opening is covered by a splash guard, preferably pivotably mounted on the dishwasher door.
• This splash guard prevents the washing solution dispensed by a spray device of the dishwasher from freely entering the dosing unit through the dosing opening during normal cleaning operation. Instead, the splash guard leaves only a dosing gap through which the solution can be introduced during dosing.
• the process chemicals are discharged into the rinsing chamber.
• the splash guard is preferably pivotable on the rinsing chamber door, so that even free-flowing process chemicals in the form of tablets or pouches can be discharged as intended, even if their geometric dimensions are larger than the dosing gap in the non-pivoting position of the splash guard.
• a drawer device is provided arranged in the machine height direction above the washing container, which has a movable drawer element that can be moved from a working position to a non-working position and vice versa, wherein the drawer element provides the dosing device.
• the dishwasher has a drawer system.
• This drawer system is located outside the wash tub, specifically above the tub in the vertical direction of the dishwasher. Therefore, if the dishwasher is integrated into a kitchen unit with a worktop, the drawer system on the dishwasher side is situated in a gap between the wash tub and the worktop.
• the drawer unit includes a drawer element.
• This drawer element is movable, allowing it to be switched between an operating position and a non-operating position. In the operating position, the drawer element is retracted into the drawer unit. In this position, the drawer element does not protrude beyond the front of the wash tub. In the non-operating position, however, the drawer element is extended from the drawer unit, thus protruding beyond the front of the wash tub. For aesthetic reasons, the drawer element may be covered by the wash chamber door or a front panel attached to the door when in the operating position. Therefore, switching the drawer element from the operating position to a non-operating position is only possible when the wash chamber door is at least partially open.
• the drawer element can be accessed through the dishwasher door or a front panel attached to the front of the dishwasher door, even when the door is closed.
• the front of the sink door is not covered, allowing the drawer element to be operated even when the sink door is closed.
• the dosing device for supplying a process chemical is not integrated into the wash chamber door in this embodiment of the invention. Instead, the dosing device is provided by the drawer element of the drawer assembly, which is arranged above the wash tank in the machine height direction, and in particular, outside the wash tank.
• the accommodation of the dosing device in a drawer element is made possible by the fact that, according to the invention, the two dosing units provided by the dosing device are assigned to one and the same dosing opening, thus providing, as already described above, an overall compact and therefore space-saving design.
• Positioning the dosing unit above the wash tub offers the user a significant advantage in simplifying dishwasher operation.
• it eliminates the need for the user to bend down to access the dosing unit, which is necessary when the dosing unit is accessed through the wash chamber door, as access is only possible when the door is open.
• the dosing unit is easily accessible by removing the drawer unit housing it and placing it in a non-use position. Since the drawer unit is positioned above the wash tub, the user can easily access the dosing unit from above without having to bend down.
• the dosing unit can be loaded with a process chemical in a simplified manner, as any necessary preparation of the process chemical by the user, such as unpacking it from its packaging, can take place on the worktop directly above the drawer element when it is not in use. Transferring the process chemical, prepared by the user for its intended loading into the dosing unit, can thus be carried out easily and while the user is standing upright, without having to reach for the drawer. having to bend down to the dosing device.
• the rinsing tank has a dosing opening that interacts with the dosing device.
• the process chemicals supplied by the dosing device are dispensed into the rinsing chamber provided by the rinsing tank during intended use.
• the process chemicals dispensed by the dosing device can thus be transferred directly through the dosing opening into the rinsing chamber provided by the rinsing tank. This transfer occurs by utilizing gravity, which is advantageously permitted because the drawer element housing the dosing device is arranged above the rinsing tank in the machine height direction.
• the first dosing device for a free-flowing process chemical has an annular storage magazine that is rotatable.
• This storage magazine serves to hold the free-flowing process chemical.
• the process chemical is dispensed from the storage magazine, preferably in portions.
• the storage magazine is rotatable so that it can be moved from a non-dosing position to a dosing position and vice versa. This allows for simple automatic operation.
• the storage magazine comprises a plurality of compartments for dispensing a free-flowing process chemical in individual portions.
• a compartment can contain either pre-portioned cleaning agent from the manufacturer in the form of, for example, tablets or pouches, or powdered or granular cleaning agent that is portioned by the user and distributed among the individual compartments of the storage magazine. It is also possible, of course, for the storage magazine or its compartments to be pre-filled by the manufacturer, so that an empty storage magazine can be easily replaced with a filled one.
• a further feature of the invention provides that the compartments are open radially outwards.
• a process chemical dispensed in portions from a compartment exits the compartment through this radially formed opening. This is because, during dosing, the wash chamber door housing the dosing device is in its closed position and thus aligned in the direction of machine height. In this position, gravity acts radially on the annular storage magazine, which is why the individual compartments are open radially outwards, thus enabling or simplifying the intended discharge of the process chemical contained therein.
• the compartments are designed without a bottom.
• This bottomless design of a compartment allows for the simple dispensing of a process chemical contained within it into the wash chamber provided by the wash tub.
• the reservoir simply needs to be moved into its corresponding dosing position, in which the compartment is positioned above the dosing opening. Since the compartment itself is bottomless, the process chemical contained within it can, by gravity, flow downwards through the bottomless design and then through the open dosing opening into the wash chamber. This provides a remarkably simple design that allows for the intended dosing of a process chemical into the wash tub, resulting in a robust and therefore advantageously durable construction.
• compartments adjacent in the circumferential direction are separated from one another by means of a radially extending partition.
• the individual compartments provided by the storage magazine are thus separated from one another by corresponding partitions, these partitions extending in a radial direction.
• the first dosing device designed for a free-flowing process chemical, features a motor-gear assembly that interacts with the feed magazine.
• This motor-gear assembly enables automatic rotation of the feed magazine from a dosing position to a non-dosing position and vice versa.
• the storage magazine is equipped with a positioning aid.
• This positioning aid ensures that the storage magazine is correctly aligned in its intended use, both when dosing and when not dosing. This advantageously ensures, particularly during dosing, that the compartment of the storage magazine providing the process chemical to be dosed is correctly aligned. This reliably guarantees the intended dosing of the process chemical into the rinsing tank.
• the positioning aid comprises a positioning cam that interacts with a button that is stationary relative to the dispensing opening of the rinsing container.
• a stationary button and a positioning cam interacting with it are provided.
• the button is designed to be stationary relative to the dispensing opening.
• the positioning cam interacting with the button is provided by the reservoir. If the reservoir rotates, the button interacts with the positioning cam provided by the reservoir, thereby enabling correct alignment of the reservoir, particularly during dispensing. This ensures reliable alignment of a compartment provided by the reservoir with the dispensing opening or a discharge channel opening into the dispensing opening.
• the dishwasher according to the invention preferably has several dishware carriers, in particular dishware baskets, e.g., lower basket, upper basket and cutlery drawer, arranged in a manner known per se, which serve to hold the items to be cleaned in the intended use. These are arranged one above the other in the dishware in the machine's vertical direction and can each be moved in and out of the dishware.
• the uppermost dishware carrier in the machine's vertical direction can in particular be a cutlery drawer, which is especially suitable for horizontally oriented dishes.
• the dishware carrier serves to hold and store cutlery.
• the uppermost dishware carrier preferably designed as a cutlery drawer and located in the vertical direction of the dishwashing container, is equipped with a collection tray according to a further embodiment of the invention.
• This tray is positioned within the dishware carrier plane so that, in the direction of gravity, it is located directly below the dosing opening arranged on the ceiling of the dishwashing container, and in particular, aligned with the dosing opening above it.
• the process chemical such as a tablet
• dispensed in portions through the dosing opening into the dishwashing container thus flows by gravity into the collection tray of the dishware carrier and is held securely in position there.
• the collection tray has side walls and a preferably funnel-shaped base tray, which are closed except for an opening in the base. With its side walls and base tray, the collection tray thus provides a dissolving container. Since the opening in the base tray is small compared to the surface area of the base tray, the dishwashing solution dispensed by the spray devices can collect in the collection tray, and a tablet can dissolve therein. The cleaning solution can drain out of the opening in the base tray.
• the storage magazine does not provide compartments as previously described, but rather comprises a container providing a volumetric space.
• This container is also annular in shape, thus providing a compartment-free, annular volumetric space.
• This volumetric space is particularly suitable for holding a powdered or granular process chemical.
• a protective film or, preferably, a hinged lid is provided for closing the container.
• This design of the protective film is particularly preferred when the reservoir is intended for single use. Such single use is especially relevant for a reservoir pre-filled with a process chemical by the manufacturer.
• the reservoir can be refilled by the user, in which case the reservoir can be closed not with a protective film, but with a lid, for example, a hinged lid.
• the storage facility is designed in a ring shape.
• the second dosing device for the second, in particular liquid, process chemical has a storage tank.
• the second dosing device also has a dosing chamber that is fluidically connected to the storage tank.
• the dosing unit for the liquid process chemical has a storage tank.
• This storage tank contains the liquid process chemical, preferably in a quantity sufficient for several consecutive cleaning programs.
• the process chemical could, for example, be a rinse aid.
• the dosing unit for the liquid process chemical also features a dosing chamber.
• This dosing chamber is fluidically connected to the storage tank. Under normal dosing conditions, the liquid process chemical is dispensed from the storage tank towards the dosing chamber. The dosing chamber then serves to dispense the desired quantity of process chemical. In normal operation, the dosing chamber is filled from the storage tank. The process chemical, dispensed by the dosing chamber, can then be transferred to the rinsing chamber. Depending on the required quantity of process chemical, the dosing chamber can be filled multiple times from the storage tank. For example, the dosing chamber may have a capacity of 1 ml. If, for instance, the program requires 3 ml of liquid process chemical, the dosing chamber will be filled three times from the storage tank. As a result, the desired 3 ml of liquid process chemical are introduced into the rinsing container.
• the dosing chamber provides an outlet opening that is operatively connected to the dosing opening.
• the liquid process chemical is dispensed from the dosing chamber via this outlet opening and introduced into the rinsing chamber via the dosing opening of the rinsing container.
• the process chemical passes through both the outlet opening of the dosing chamber and the dosing opening of the rinsing container.
• a metering valve which can be moved from a first metering position to a second metering position and vice versa, wherein in the first metering position the flow connection between the storage tank and the metering chamber is open and the outlet opening is closed, and wherein in the second metering position the flow connection between the storage tank and the metering chamber is closed and the outlet opening is open.
• the second dosing device for the liquid process chemical has a dosing valve.
• this dosing valve introduces the liquid process chemical into the rinsing chamber in measured portions.
• the dosing valve can be moved from a first dosing position to a second dosing position and vice versa.
• the flow connection between the storage tank and the metering chamber is open. This allows the liquid process chemical to be transferred from the storage tank into the metering chamber. In this position, the outlet is closed. Therefore, in this first position of the metering valve, the liquid process chemical cannot be transferred into the rinsing chamber. In this position, the liquid process chemical is only dispensed by drawing it from the storage tank until the metering chamber is completely full.
• the flow connection between the storage tank and the metering chamber is closed. This prevents the liquid process chemical from flowing from the storage tank into the metering chamber.
• the outlet of the metering chamber is open. Consequently, the liquid process chemical temporarily stored in the metering chamber can flow out through the outlet and be transferred to the storage tank.
• the dosing chamber provides a predefined volume of, for example, 1 ml.
• a predefined volume for example, 1 ml.
• the second dosing device is arranged within the annular reservoir of the first dosing device, i.e., inside the ring formed by the annular reservoir.
• a particularly space-saving arrangement of the dosing device is achieved – for example, as described below, within the dishwasher door or in a drawer unit located above the wash tub.
• the annular reservoir of the first dosing device surrounds the second dosing device or at least the reservoir of the second dosing device.
• the annular reservoir is rotatably arranged around the stationary second dosing device or the stationary reservoir of the second dosing device.
• both dosing devices of the dosing system can be accommodated in a very small space and, for example, housed within the dishwasher door or in the drawer unit.
• both the bulk process chemical and the liquid process chemical can each be accommodated by the dosing device in a quantity sufficient for a plurality of successive washing or cleaning programs of the dishwasher.
• a correspondingly shaped annular space is provided to house the ring-shaped storage magazine.
• this space rotatably receives the storage magazine, with the annular space enclosing the second dosing device or at least the storage tank of the second dosing device.
• the ring-shaped storage magazine rotates around the internal, stationary second dosing device or the storage tank of the second dosing device, which is positioned in the region of the axis of rotation of the storage magazine of the first dosing device.
• the second dosing device advantageously also serves to secure the storage magazine of the first dosing device in position.
• a closing device is provided according to a further feature of the invention, which is designed to close the dosing opening of the rinsing container in a fluid-tight manner when not dosing.
• a sealing device is therefore provided.
• This sealing device enables a fluid-tight closure of the dosing opening of the rinsing tank. When not dispensing, the dosing opening is closed by the sealing device. When dispensing, however, the dosing opening of the rinsing tank is open, so that, as previously described, a process chemical dispensed by the dosing device can pass through the dosing opening into the rinsing tank.
• Sealing the dosing opening of the rinsing tank in a fluid-tight manner when not in use offers the particular advantage of preventing unwanted moisture from escaping the rinsing tank through the dosing opening. This effectively prevents unwanted moisture from entering the process chemical contained in the dosing unit.
• the closure device has a disc rotatably arranged on the rinsing container, which can be moved from a position closing the dosing opening of the rinsing container to a position releasing the dosing opening of the rinsing container and vice versa, wherein the disc carries on its underside facing the rinsing container a closure element which is subjected to force in the direction of the rinsing container.
• the closure device has a rotatably designed disc.
• This disc is rotatable about an axis of rotation extending in the machine height direction. It can be moved from a position that closes the dosing opening of the rinsing container to a position that opens the dosing opening of the rinsing container and vice versa. When not in use, the disc is in its position closing the dosing opening of the rinsing container. If a process chemical is to be dosed into the rinsing container, the disc first rotates from its position closing the dosing opening to a position opening the dosing opening.
• the dosing opening of the rinsing container is open, so that a process chemical can be dosed by the dosing device as intended, through the open dosing opening into the rinsing chamber provided by the rinsing container.
• the disc of the sealing device rotates back into its position, closing the dosing opening of the rinsing container. Position. In this position, the dosing opening is sealed fluid-tight, thus reliably preventing unwanted moisture from escaping the rinsing container.
• the closure device has a sealing element.
• This sealing element is located on the disc of the closure device.
• the sealing element rotates together with the disc.
• the sealing element which is supported by the disc, aligns with the dispensing opening and interacts with it to ensure a fluid-tight seal.
• the sealing element is located on the underside of the disc facing the washing container.
• the sealing element is subjected to force in the direction of the washing container.
• compression springs for example, can be provided between the disc and the sealing element.
• the disc has a through-hole that, in its release position, interacts with the metering opening of the rinsing container.
• a process chemical is introduced through this through-hole into the rinsing chamber provided by the rinsing container.
• the process chemical dispensed by the metering device during metering can therefore pass through both the through-hole of the disc and the metering opening of the rinsing container, thus allowing the process chemical to be introduced into the rinsing container.
• the locking device is provided to be a motor-gear assembly that interacts with the disc.
• This feature enables automatic operation of the sealing device, dependent on the dishwasher's wash program. Program-controlled operation of the sealing device is therefore possible, so that the dosing opening is automatically opened by the sealing device when the desired dosage is applied.
• the motor-gear assembly automatically returns the sealing device to the position that closes the dosing opening of the wash tank.
• the dosing device is accessible to the user for filling with a process chemical in the non-use position of the drawer element.
• the dosing device can dispense a process chemical into the rinsing chamber of the rinsing tank as intended when the drawer element housing the dosing device is in its operating position, i.e., in a position where the drawer element has moved into the drawer unit. In this position of the drawer element, user access to the dosing device is not possible.
• the drawer element To fill the dosing unit with a process chemical, which can then be dosed into the wash tank as previously described, the drawer element must be moved from its operating position to a non-operating position. In this non-operating position, the drawer element extends out of the drawer unit and projects beyond the front of the wash tank. In this non-operating position, the user can access the dosing unit from above. Therefore, in this position, the user can easily fill the dosing unit with a process chemical, preferably in a quantity sufficient for several consecutive cleaning cycles.
• the dosing device comprises a housing containing both dosing units.
• the housing is preferably located on the inside of the wash chamber door and is accessible to the user when the door is open.
• the housing provides an opening that can be closed with a lid, in particular a fluid-tight lid.
• the housing lid For user access to the two dosing units of the dosing device, the housing lid must be moved from a closed to an open position, for example, by pivoting the lid. In the open lid position, the housing opening is accessible, thus allowing user access to the dosing device and therefore also to the two dosing units. With the lid open, it is particularly possible to fill the two dosing units with process chemicals.
• the lid is provided to be made at least partially of a transparent or semi-transparent material. This allows the user to visually inspect the dosing devices without having to open the lid. This advantageously simplifies handling, as the user can check the fill level of the cleaning agents in the dosing devices from the outside without opening the lid.
• the housing contain the dosing device and a camera that is directed towards the wash chamber when the wash chamber door is closed.
• This allows for camera monitoring of the wash chamber, particularly for load detection, such as by type, quantity, and/or soiling or drying status, and/or for monitoring the rotation of the spray device and/or detecting any misalignment of the spray device.
• Integrating the camera into the housing of the dosing device has the advantage that a separate housing design for the camera is not required.
• the camera views the wash chamber through the transparent or semi-transparent section of the lid.
• the camera is arranged inside the annular hopper of the first dosing device, i.e., in the interior of the ring formed by the annular hopper.
• the ring-shaped reservoir of the first dosing unit surrounds the camera. This reservoir is rotatable around the camera.
• the first dosing unit and the camera can be accommodated in a very small space, for example, within the dishwasher door.
• the second dosing unit and the camera can be integrated into a single unit, which is enclosed by the ring-shaped reservoir of the first dosing unit. This results in a further simplified dishwasher design, leading to an overall compact and space-saving construction.
• FIG. 1 A purely schematic side view shows a dishwasher 1 according to the invention.
• the dishwasher 1 has a housing 2 that accommodates a wash tank 3.
• the wash tank 3 in turn, provides a wash chamber 4 for receiving the items to be cleaned.
• a spray device 68 which in the illustrated embodiment has three spray arms 69 rotatably arranged in the wash chamber 4, serves to spray the items to be cleaned with the wash solution.
• a loading opening 5 provided by the wash container 3 is provided.
• This loading opening 5 can be closed fluid-tight by means of a wash chamber door 6, the wash chamber door 6 being extended by a The horizontally extending pivot axis is rotatably mounted.
• the wash chamber door 6 has an inner side 76 facing the loading opening 5, as shown from Fig. 1 evident.
• load carriers 7 are provided within the washing container 3 and are designed to extend out of the washing chamber 4 provided by the washing container 3.
• three load carriers 7 are provided, arranged one above the other in the machine height direction 8.
• the dishwasher 1 is equipped with a dosing unit 11 that contains a process chemical in a quantity sufficient for a majority of cleaning cycles.
• This dosing unit 11 has a first dosing device 15 for a bulk process chemical and a second dosing device 16 for a liquid process chemical, as will be explained in more detail below.
• the first dosing device 15 and the second dosing device 16 are connected in a fluid-technical manner to a common dosing opening 37 which opens into the washing chamber 4 for the portion-wise introduction of a respective process chemical into the washing chamber 4.
• the Figures 2 to 16 a first implementation alternative and the Figures 17 to 39 They show a second implementation alternative.
• the first implementation alternative, according to the Figures 2 to 16 One embodiment in which the dosing device 11 designed according to the invention is housed by the wash chamber door 6.
• Figures 17 to 39 Figure 1 shows an embodiment in which the dosing device 11 according to the invention is arranged in a drawer element 10 above the washing container 3.
• FIG. 2 A schematic perspective view of the first embodiment shows the housing of the dosing device 11 according to the invention from the dishwasher door 6. The view is from the inside, i.e., looking at the inside 67 of the dishwasher door 6.
• the first dosing unit 15 and the second dosing unit 16 of the dosing device 11 are housed in a common casing 72.
• User access to the two dosing units 15, 16 is possible via an opening in the casing, which can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a cover 73 pivotably arranged on the casing 72.
• Fig. 2 shows the lid 73 in the closed position
• Fig. 3 shows the lid 73 in the open position.
• Fig. 3 This results in the user having access to the dosing unit 11 and thus also to the two dosing devices 15 and 16 when the lid 73 is open.
• the further Figures 4 and 5 The figures show the dosing device 11 in a state not yet installed in the wash chamber door 6. As can be seen particularly from these illustrations, the two dosing devices 15 and 16 are fluidically connected to a common discharge channel 76, which opens into the common dosing opening 37. In the final assembled state, as can be seen particularly from the Figure 1 and 2 The dosing opening 37 is covered by a splash guard 70 which is pivotably arranged on the wash chamber door 6. The splash guard 70 is designed in the form of a hood.
• the splash guard 70 leaves a dosing gap 71 on the inside 67 of the wash chamber door 6.
• a process chemical dispensed by the dosing device 11 during dosing is discharged through the discharge channel 76 and then passes through the dosing opening 37. From there, it enters the wash chamber 3, provided by the wash tank 4, via the dosing gap 71.
• the splash guard 70 is pivotably mounted on the inside 67 of the wash chamber door 6, process chemicals larger than the geometric dimensions of the dosing gap 71 when the splash guard is not pivoted can also be introduced into the wash chamber 3. In such a case, the splash guard 70 pivots sufficiently to create a dosing gap 71 that even larger process chemicals can pass through.
• the swiveling capability of the splash guard 70 serves to enable the intended introduction of pourable process chemicals in the form of tabs or pouches into the rinsing chamber 4.
• the lid 73 being at least partially made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.
• the lid 73 has a ring section 74 and a surface section 75 enclosed therein, the surface section 75 being made of a transparent or semi-transparent plastic material.
• This design offers the advantage that even with the lid 73 closed, a user can visually inspect the dosing devices 15 and 16, as can be seen in particular from the illustrations in the Figures 2 and 4 This results in the following. In particular, it enables a user to check the filling of dosing devices 15 and 16 with process chemicals.
• the housing 72 can accommodate a dosing device 11 and a camera 89, which is directed towards the wash chamber 4 when the wash chamber door 6 is closed.
• This allows for camera monitoring of the wash chamber 4, particularly for load detection, such as by type, quantity, and/or soiling or drying status, and/or for monitoring the rotation of the spray device 69 and/or detecting any misalignment of the spray device 69 or spray arm 7.
• the advantage of housing the camera 89 within the housing 72 of the dosing device 11 is that a separate housing design for the camera is not required.
• the camera views the wash chamber 4 through the transparent or semi-transparent section 75 of the cover 73.
• the camera 89 is arranged within the annular storage magazine 22 of the first dosing device 15, i.e., inside the ring formed by the annular storage magazine 22. This achieves a particularly space-saving arrangement of the dosing device 11 and the camera 89, especially within the dishwasher door 6.
• the annular storage magazine 22 of the first dosing device 15 encloses the camera 89.
• the annular storage magazine 22 is rotatably arranged around the camera 89. The first dosing device 15 and the camera 89 can thus be accommodated in a very small space and, for example, housed within the dishwasher door 6.
• both the first dosing device 15 and the second dosing device 16 are connected to a common opening, namely the dosing opening 37, for the portion-wise introduction of a respective process chemical into the rinsing chamber 4.
• a process chemical is therefore dosed through the dosing opening 37, regardless of whether a liquid process chemical from the dosing device 16 or a pourable process chemical from the dosing device 15 is used.
• the dosing device 15 for storing a free-flowing process chemical has an annular storage magazine 22. This is designed to be removable from the housing 72, the housing 72 providing an annular space 17 for receiving the storage magazine 22, as can be seen in particular from the illustration according to Fig. 5 results.
• the storage magazine 22 can be configured differently depending on the process chemical used, as will be described in more detail below.
• the storage magazine 22 is ring-shaped and, in its fully assembled state, surrounds the dosing unit 16, as can be seen in particular from a review of the Figures 2 and 3 This results in a very compact and space-saving design of the dosing device 11 according to the invention.
• the storage magazine 22 For dosing a free-flowing process chemical into the rinsing chamber 4, the storage magazine 22 must be rotated, for example with reference to the drawing plane according to Fig. 3 either to the left or to the right, depending on the design.
• the storage magazine 22 rotates around the second dosing device 16. Therefore, the storage magazine 22 is designed to rotate relative to the dosing device 16, whereas the dosing device 16 itself is fixed in position relative to the housing 72.
• the storage magazine 22 can be configured differently depending on the process chemical being dosed.
• Figure 1 shows a first embodiment.
• the storage magazine 22 has compartments 26 separated from one another by radially extending partitions 24. These compartments 26 serve to hold, in particular, tablets 27 or pouches, with each compartment 26 serving to accommodate one tablet 27 or one pouch.
• the compartments 26 are each open radially outwards, and in the case of dispensing, a tablet 27 or pouch is dispensed through this open side. a pouch may take place.
• the storage magazine 22 has a container 77 which provides a volume space 79.
• This volume space 79 serves to hold a free-flowing cleaning agent in powder and/or granular form.
• a protective film 78 is provided for the top closure of the storage magazine 22, which seals the container 77 from above.
• the storage magazine 22 has an outlet 80 for the portioned dispensing of the free-flowing process chemical.
• the depicted embodiment is one that is intended for single use only.
• the storage chamber 22 is pre-filled by the manufacturer with the appropriate process chemical and provided to a user as such.
• the user can exchange a new, properly filled storage chamber 22 for a used, i.e., empty, one.
• An alternative embodiment is shown.
• Fig. 8 According to this variant, the storage magazine 22 is user-refillable.
• the storage magazine 22 has a container 77 and a hinged lid 81 attached to it. When the lid 81 is open, as shown in Fig.
• the volume space 79 provided by the container 77 of the storage magazine 22 is accessible, which allows a user to remove the storage magazine 22 from the housing 72, refill it with a free-flowing process chemical and then insert the refilled storage magazine 22 into the housing 72.
• a motor-gearbox assembly 31 is provided, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 9 This results in the following:
• This motor-gearbox arrangement 31 interacts via a gear 32 with a toothed ring 83 of a support unit 82.
• This support unit 82 holds the feed magazine 22 in a rotationally fixed manner.
• the support unit 82 rotates, driven by the gear 32, whereby the support unit 82 also rotates the feed magazine 22 which it holds in a rotationally fixed manner.
• the storage magazine 22 itself has a toothed ring 25, as can be seen in more detail in the second embodiment. will be explained.
• the motor-gear assembly 31 rotates the storage magazine 22.
• the process chemical contained in the respective compartment 26 leaves the compartment 26 by gravity and is transferred into the discharge channel 76, then passes through the dosing opening 37 into the rinsing chamber 3.
• the storage magazine 22 rotates until the outlet 80 provided by the storage magazine 22 is opposite the discharge channel 76.
• the process chemical contained in the storage magazine 22 is then transferred in portions into the discharge channel 76, so that it can subsequently be introduced into the rinsing chamber 4 via the dosing opening 37.
• the discharge channel 76 has an opening 84 on the housing side. In the case of dosing, process chemical is discharged through this opening 84 towards the discharge channel 76.
• Fig. 10 This shows a design as it would appear when using a device in accordance with the Figures 6 to 8
• the storage magazine 22 is used when a storage magazine 22 is inserted into the housing 72, which contains a process chemical in powder or granular form. However, if a storage magazine 22 is used that is divided into compartments 26, the opening 84 is at least partially closed by a closing element 85. The remaining opening thus formed is sufficiently large to allow the tabs 27 or pouches contained in the compartments 26 of the storage magazine 22 to be transferred as intended into the discharge channel 76.
• the particular advantage of this design lies in the fact that a user can choose to use the differently configured storage magazines 22. This also enables the user to employ differently configured free-flowing process chemicals. If the storage magazines 22 need to be changed, the following applies as required: merely to adapt the opening 84 which leads into the discharge channel 76, for which purpose the closure part 85 serves in the manner described above.
• FIG. 12 an embodiment in which a storage magazine 22 divided into compartments 26 is inserted into the housing 72.
• Fig. 13 shows a storage magazine 22, which is filled by the manufacturer with a process chemical in powder or granular form.
• Fig. 14 The inventive dosing device 11 can be seen in a rear view. As can be seen in particular from this illustration, the discharge channel 76 connects directly to the housing 72 and then opens into the dosing opening 37 in the manner already described above.
• the second dosing unit 16 has a storage tank 51 for the liquid process chemical.
• a dosing valve 56 which can be switched to two dosing positions, is used for portioning this process chemical into the rinsing chamber 4, as can be seen from a summary of the Figures 15 and 16 results.
• a dosing chamber 57 is provided for dispensing the liquid process chemical stored in the storage tank 51 into the rinsing chamber 4.
• This dosing chamber 57 serves to portion the liquid process chemical, transferring a portion of liquid process chemical corresponding to the volume of the dosing chamber 57 into the rinsing chamber 4 during dosing.
• the dosing chamber 57 provides an outlet opening 58 located at the end of a drain channel 63.
• This drain channel 63 interacts fluidically with the dosing opening 37, so that during dosing, the process chemical discharged via the drain channel 63 reaches the dosing opening 37 and then flows into the rinsing chamber 4.
• the metering chamber 57 is designed as part of the metering valve 56.
• the metering valve 56 further comprises a valve plunger 59, which opens a first, in Fig. 16 shown dosage position and a second one, in Fig. 15 can assume the dosage position shown.
• valve tappet 59 In the first dosing position of the dosing valve 56 according to Fig. 16
• the valve tappet 59 With its head 62, seals the outlet channel 63 which opens into the outlet opening 58.
• a flow connection between the storage tank 51 and the metering chamber 57 is open due to the open overflow channel 86.
• the liquid process chemical can therefore be transferred from the storage tank 51 into the metering chamber 57. This results in the metering chamber 57 being completely filled with the liquid process chemical.
• the metering chamber 57 can, for example, provide a volume of 1 ml.
• valve plunger 59 proceeds with reference to the drawing plane, for example, according to Fig. 15 to the left, until he reaches his second in Fig. 16
• the metering position shown has been reached.
• the valve tappet 59 with its sealing ring 60 rests against the valve seat 61.
• the overflow channel 86 is closed, as a sealing element 87, carried by the valve tappet 59, engages in the overflow channel 86 on the metering chamber side with a sealing extension 88.
• the outlet channel 63 is open, so that the process chemical temporarily stored in the metering chamber 57 can be transferred via the outlet channel 63 and the outlet opening 58 into the rinsing chamber 4.
• a second embodiment of the invention results from the further Figures 17 to 39 .
• the Figure 17 , 18 and 19 In a combined view, the dishwasher 1 according to the second embodiment can be seen in different views.
• the dishwasher 1 has, in a manner known per se, a housing 2 which accommodates a wash container 3.
• the wash container 3 in turn provides a wash chamber 4 which, in its intended use, serves to hold the items to be cleaned.
• the washing chamber 4 is accessible from the user via a loading opening 5.
• the wash chamber door 6 can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a wash chamber door 6, wherein the wash chamber door 6 is pivotably mounted about a rotational axis extending transversely to the machine height direction 8.
• the wash chamber door 6 can be moved from a closed position that fluid-tightly seals the loading opening to an open position that releases the loading opening and vice versa.
• Figure 17 and 18 Figure 6 shows the wash chamber door in a position releasing the loading opening.
• the washing container 3 accommodates movable washing carriers 7, which, in the intended use, serve to hold items to be cleaned.
• Dishwashing baskets are used as carriers for the dishwashing items, with a lower basket, followed by an upper basket and a cutlery drawer, located at the bottom in the machine height direction 8.
• the dishwasher 1 is equipped with a drawer assembly 9.
• This drawer assembly 9 is arranged in the machine height direction 8 above the wash tub 3, as shown in particular in the illustrations according to the Figures 18 and 19 reveal themselves.
• the drawer unit 9 has a movable drawer element 10. This can be moved from a working position to a non-working position and vice versa.
• the drawer element 10 In the non-use position of the drawer element 10, the drawer element 10 is at least partially extended out of the drawer assembly 9, so that it projects beyond the front of the wash tank 3. Such a position of the drawer element 10 is shown, for example, in the illustration according to Fig. 18 .
• the drawer element 10 has a Dosing unit 11 provides.
• This dosing unit 11 serves to hold a process chemical.
• Fig. 20 An exploded view shows the drawer assembly 9 in detail.
• the drawer assembly 9 has a housing 12.
• This housing 12 accommodates the drawer element 10 for translational movement, for which purpose a corresponding extension 13 is provided.
• the extension 13 has two telescopic rails 14, which, with reference to the plane of the drawing, Fig. 20 are arranged on the left and right sides of the housing 12 and accommodate the drawer element 10 between them.
• the drawer element 10 provides two storage compartments 18 and 19. These storage compartments 18 and 19 each serve to house items and/or objects that the user can usefully utilize for operating the dishwasher 1.
• one storage compartment 18 is provided for storing documentation 20, such as operating instructions.
• the other storage compartment 19 serves, for example, to hold accessories 21, such as a funnel, as used in the Figures 38 and 39 is shown in more detail.
• the filling funnel can be removed from a non-use position, as described in Fig 38 shown, in a position of use according to Fig. 39 to be transferred and vice versa. In its non-use position, the funnel points according to Fig. 38 a size that allows it to be accommodated in storage compartment 19.
• the drawer element 10 further serves to provide a dosing device 11 for a process chemical.
• the dosing device 11 comprises two dosing units 15 and 16, namely a dosing unit 15 for a bulk process chemical on the one hand and a dosing unit 16 for a liquid process chemical on the other.
• the dosing device 11 can thus introduce both a bulk process chemical and a liquid process chemical into the rinsing chamber 4 provided by the rinsing container 3 as required.
• the dosing unit 15 has a storage magazine 22, as shown in Fig. 21 is depicted.
• the storage magazine 22 is ring-shaped and has a ring body 23.
• a ring-shaped toothed ring 25 is also provided, which concentrically surrounds the ring body 23.
• Dividing walls 24 extend radially between the ring body 23 and the toothed ring 25, creating compartments 26 separated from each other by the dividers 24.
• Each compartment 26 serves to hold a portioned, free-flowing process chemical.
• the portioned process chemical can, for example, be in the form of so-called tabs 27, with each compartment 26 serving to hold one tab 27.
• the compartments 26 are each designed without a bottom, so that in the case of dosing, as will be described in more detail below, a tab 27 provided by a compartment 26 can fall downwards from the storage magazine 22 following gravity and be transferred through a dosing opening 37 into the rinsing container 3.
• FIG. 22 A schematic perspective view shows a section of a kitchen unit 28 into which a dishwasher 1 according to the invention is integrated.
• the kitchen unit 28 terminates at the top with a worktop 29.
• the design according to the invention enables easy handling of the dishwasher 1 by a user.
• the drawer element 10 of the drawer assembly 9 is in a Fig. 22
• the non-use position shown can be converted. This allows user access from above to the dosing unit 11 and thus to both dosing devices 15 and 16.
• Fig. 22 This indicates that the storage magazine 22 is to be removed from the annular space 17 of the dosing device 15 and placed on the work surface 29 for cleaning. Furthermore, the annular space 17 can be cleaned if necessary, for example, by vacuuming out residual process chemicals. Once both the storage magazine 22 and the annular space 17 have been cleaned, the storage magazine 22 is inserted into the annular space 17 by the user, and the individual compartments 26 provided by the storage magazine 22 can then be filled with one tab 27 each. This can also be done in the following ways: The tabs 27 are placed on the work surface 29 before the storage magazine 22 is loaded, as is also shown in the illustration. Fig. 22 This can be seen.
• a discharge opening 30 is formed on the bottom side of the annular space 17.
• a tablet 27 provided by the storage magazine 22 falls through this opening.
• the storage magazine 22 must be rotated accordingly until the corresponding compartment 26 is positioned flush above the discharge opening 30. This fact is particularly evident from a review of the Figures 23 and 24 .
• the resulting action involves the storage magazine 22 interacting with a motor-gearbox assembly 31.
• This assembly has a gear 32 which, under normal operating conditions, interacts with the gear ring 25 of the storage magazine 22. Therefore, under normal operating conditions, the motor-gearbox assembly 31 can cause the storage magazine 22 to rotate.
• a section 66 provided by the storage magazine 22 is located directly above the discharge opening 30 provided by the annular space 17.
• the storage magazine 22 is rotated, for example, clockwise.
• the storage magazine 22 rotates until a compartment 26, still containing a tablet 27, comes into a position directly above the discharge opening 30.
• the tablet 27 provided by the compartment 26 leaves the bottomless compartment 26 under the influence of gravity and falls through the discharge opening 30.
• the storage magazine 22 rotates back, for example, counterclockwise, until the section 66 is again located directly above the discharge opening 30.
• the dosing device 15 has a positioning aid 33, as can be seen in particular from the illustration according to Fig. 24 results.
• the positioning aid 33 has a button 34 that is fixed in position relative to the through-hole 30.
• This button 34 can, for example, be a spring-loaded pin. This acts with a force exerted by The storage magazine 22 is connected to the positioning cam 35, which provides each compartment 26 with a circumferential recess 36 centered on the respective compartment 26. As soon as the button 34 comes to rest in such a recess 36, the exact positioning of the associated compartment 26 above the through-opening 30 is achieved. This can be signaled to the motor-gear assembly 31, as a result of which the motor-gear assembly 31 refrains from further rotation of the storage magazine 22.
• this tank has a dosing opening 37, as can be seen in particular from a review of the Figures 25 to 28.
• a tablet 27 is discharged from the storage magazine 22 through the discharge opening 30 on the one hand and the dosing opening 37 on the other hand into the rinsing chamber 4 provided by the rinsing container 3.
• the dispensing opening 37 interacts with a closing device 38, which is designed to seal the dispensing opening 37 fluid-tight when not dispensing.
• the dispensing opening 37 is only released by the closing device 38 when dispensing is taking place.
• the locking device 38 has a disk 39. This disk is rotatably mounted in a disk receptacle 40.
• a geared motor assembly 42 is provided for rotating the disk 39.
• This assembly includes a gear 43 which, in normal use, engages with a toothed ring 41 provided by the disk 39. Driven by the geared motor assembly 42, the disk 39 can thus be rotated, preferably both clockwise and counterclockwise.
• the disc 39 provides a through-opening 44.
• the disc 39 receives the Fig. 25
• the position shown is entered in which the through-opening 44 of the disc 39 and the metering opening 37 of the rinsing container 3 are aligned. In this position, a process chemical dispensed by the metering device 11 can be transferred into the rinsing chamber 4.
• Fig. 26 This indicates the non-dosing position of the locking device 38.
• the disc 39 In this position of the locking device 38, the disc 39 is, compared to the position after Fig. 25 rotated by 180°. In this position of the disc 39, the metering opening 37 is fluid-tight.
• a sealing element 47 in the form of a sealing plate is provided for a fluid-tight closure of the metering opening 37.
• This is arranged on the underside of the disc 39 facing the rinsing container 3, as can be seen from the illustration.
• Fig. 27 The disk 39 provides a support plate 54 against which the locking element 47 is supported by compression springs 48.
• the closing element 47 presses against the metering opening 37 or the rim surrounding the metering opening 37, thus sealing the metering opening 37.
• a seal preferably formed on the side of the closing element, is provided to ensure an effective fluid-tight seal of the metering opening 37.
• a bearing pin 45 is provided for the rotatable arrangement of the disc 39, which engages in a corresponding pin receptacle 46 in the fully assembled state of the locking device 38, as can be seen in particular from the illustration according to Fig. 28 results.
• Fig. 29 The closing device 38 can be seen in its metering position, and in particular the arrangement of the closing device 38 including the gear-motor arrangement 42 can be seen from this illustration.
• a tablet 27 originating from the storage magazine 22 can pass through the discharge opening 30, the passage opening 44, and the dosing opening 37 into the washing chamber 4 provided by the washing container 3. There, following the force of gravity, it encounters the washing carrier 7 located at the top in the machine's vertical direction 8, which in the illustrated embodiment is a cutlery drawer.
• the washing carrier 7 located at the top in the vertical direction is equipped with a receptacle 49 in the illustrated embodiment, as shown in the overall view of the Figures 30 and 31 This can be seen from these figures. As can be seen from the catch 49.
• the tablet 27 introduced into the wash chamber is collected by the reservoir 49 of the wash carrier 7 and held securely in position. Wash water circulated by a spray device dissolves the tablet 27, with the dissolving wash water exiting the reservoir 49 through the opening 50. This ensures that the items being washed in the wash chamber 4 are equally treated with the previously dosed process chemical.
• the dosing device 11 has a further dosing device 16, namely a dosing device 16 for providing a liquid process chemical, for example a rinse aid.
• the dosing device 16 has a storage tank 51 for this purpose. When filled, this tank contains a quantity of a liquid process chemical sufficient to carry out several successive rinsing cycles as intended.
• a filling opening 52 is provided for user filling of the storage tank 51, which can be sealed fluid-tight by means of a lid 53.
• Fig. 22 This means that the storage tank 51 can be filled from above by the user when the drawer element 10 is in its non-use position. The user does not have to bend down to fill either the storage tank 51 or the storage magazine 22, since, unlike in the prior art, the dosing device 11 is not located behind the wash chamber door 6, but rather behind the drawer element 10 of the drawer assembly 9 provided according to the invention.
• a dosing chamber 57 is provided for dispensing the liquid process chemical stored in the storage tank 51 into the rinsing chamber 4.
• This dosing chamber 57 serves to portion the liquid process chemical, thereby transferring a portion of liquid process chemical corresponding to the volume of the dosing chamber 57 into the rinsing chamber 4 when dosing occurs.
• the dosing chamber 57 provides an outlet opening 58 that leads into a hose 55. In the dosing position of the closure device 38, this hose 55 interacts with the dosing opening 37, as shown in particular in the illustration according to Fig. 35 This can be seen.
• the dosing device 16 has a dosing valve 56 which provides the previously described dosing chamber 57, as can be seen in particular from a review of the Figures 36 and 37 results.
• the metering valve 56 has a valve plunger 59, which first, in Fig. 36 shown dosage position and a second one, in Fig. 37 can assume the dosage position shown.
• valve tappet 59 In the first dosing position of the dosing valve 56 according to Fig. 36
• the valve tappet 59 With its head 62, seals an outlet channel 63 leading into the outlet opening 58.
• a flow connection between the storage tank 51 and the metering chamber 57 is open, so that, in accordance with arrow 64, the liquid process chemical can be transferred from the storage tank 51 into the metering chamber 57.
• the metering chamber 57 can, for example, provide a volume of 1 ml.
• valve plunger 59 moves with reference to the drawing plane according to Fig. 36 upwards, until he reaches his second, in Fig. 37
• the dosing position shown has been reached.
• the valve plunger 59 with a sealing ring 60 rests against the sealing seat 61.
• the outlet channel 63 is open, so that the process chemical temporarily stored in the dosing chamber 57 can be transferred into the rinsing chamber 4 via the outlet channel 63 and the outlet opening 58, in accordance with arrow 65.

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• 2024
  • 2024-05-17 DE DE102024113877.7A patent/DE102024113877A1/de active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-05-05 EP EP25174244.1A patent/EP4656120A1/fr active Pending

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