Dosing system having spherical housing for washing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing system (1) for dosing a preparation into a washing machine, the dosing system (1) being freely positionable in a rotatable washing drum of the washing machine, comprising a container for receiving a preparation, a dosing device for dosing the preparation from the container into a washing drum, and a substantially spherical housing (10) in which the dosing device and the container are accommodated. The invention is characterized in that the spherical surface of the housing (10) is covered with a ribbed structure having a plurality of spaced-apart ribs (15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a dosing system for dosing a preparation into a washing machine, wherein the dosing system is freely positionable and freely movable in a rotatable washing drum of the washing machine. Background Art

[0002] WO2011 / 134690A1 discloses a dosing system including a dosing device and a container. The dosing device is used to dose a specific amount of a preparation to a container during a washing cycle. The dosing device and the container are housed in a spherical housing. During the washing cycle, the freely movable dosing system and the clothes in the washing drum are moved. The spherical dosing system and the clothes may rub against each other and collide, which may cause damage to the clothes and the dosing system. If the speed is too low, the spherical dosing system in the washing drum may collide with the inner wall of the washing drum if the washing drum is not fully filled. The impact causes a mechanical shock load on the dosing system. This shock load can occur 1000 times or more during a single washing cycle, assuming that with each rotation of the washing drum, the spherical dosing system is first carried upward and then falls downward at a certain point. The impact of the dosing system in the washing drum also produces destructive noise.

[0003] WO2019 / 121295A1 also describes a freely movable dosing system with a spherical housing and a dosing device and a container arranged therein. In one embodiment, the housing is constructed in two layers, the outer layer being made of a thermoplastic elastomer and the inner layer being made of a harder thermosetting or thermoplastic plastic material. The thermoplastic elastomer dampens and cushions impacts on the dosing system during the washing cycle. The spherical housing thus makes a decisive contribution to the reliable and consistent functioning of the dosing system.

[0004] The damping and cushioning effect of the outer layer depends on the material properties of the selected material and the layer thickness. Although thicker layers generally result in better protection, this involves the use of more material. However, softer materials that are beneficial for damping and cushioning shocks can have a high coefficient of friction. A high coefficient of friction means higher friction between the dosing system and the garment, which can impose greater strain on and damage the dosing system and the garment. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a dosing system which can be freely positioned in a washing drum of a washing machine, which functions reliably and robustly and whose use does not damage the laundry in the washing machine.

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved by the combination of features according to claim 1. Embodiments of the invention can be found in the claims dependent on claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, a spherical surface of the housing is provided which is covered with a ribbed structure having a plurality of spaced ribs. The individual ribs absorb the impact forces acting on the dosing system with the spherical housing when the dosing system moves in the washing drum of the washing machine, and in particular when the washing drum is only partially filled, the individual ribbed structures absorb the impacts on the inner wall of the washing drum. The ribs act like individual shock absorbers that buffer and absorb impacts. Thus, the forces acting on the components of the dosing system contained in the interior of the housing are absorbed to a great extent, which mechanically protects the dosing device and the container. Thus, the ribbed structure allows effective protection against mechanical stresses with relatively little material consumption.

[0008] The distance between adjacent ribs must be chosen and the ribs must be placed evenly over the spherical surface of the housing so that one or more ribs can cushion impacts in any alignment or orientation of the dosing system. This provides protection in all directions. The ribbed structure covers the entire spherical surface of the dosing system housing, but this does not exclude the possibility of locations where the ribbed structure is further spaced apart or interrupted to allow certain functions of the dosing system.

[0009] Another advantage of the ribbed structure is that the effective friction surface of the dosing system is reduced. If the distance between adjacent ribs is not too large, the clothes in the washing drum only come into contact with the radially outward front surface of each rib. The smaller friction surface leads to lower friction, so that the clothes slide and rub against each other on the dosing system and exert relatively little stress.

[0010] It has also been shown that a ribbed structure makes it easier to grip the dosing system by hand. If the rib spacing is chosen such that a person's finger fits into the gap between two adjacent ribs and a certain amount of subsequent delivery is thus possible, this significantly increases the grip of the dosing system. This means that the dosing system can be easily handled even when it is wet, for example after a washing cycle.

[0011] Another advantage of a ribbed structure is that the opening in the spherical surface, which is arranged between two adjacent ribs and through which the formulation passes from the container into the washing drum, is less likely to be covered by laundry located directly above the opening.

[0012] The rib cross section of a single rib, most of the ribs or all of the ribs can have a rib end where a first rib side edge, a second rib side edge and two rib side edges converge. Therefore, the rib cross section gradually shrinks radially outwards from the base circle of the spherical surface. In one embodiment, the rib end is rounded or flat. Although rounding the rib end increases the effective friction surface of the dosing system, it also reduces the material wear at the rib end. For example, the rib cross section can be substantially triangular. The first rib side edge and / or the second rib side edge can be straight or curved.

[0013] The ribs have special damping and cushioning properties as the rib cross section tapers radially outwards. When the washing drum is subjected to an impact, the rib ends hit the drum first. The damping or cushioning effect in the first phase of the impact is initially small, since only a small amount of material is deformed in the area of ​​the rib ends. Since the rib cross section increases from the rib ends towards the base circle, more and more ribbed material is deformed or compressed as the deformation path increases in the second phase of the impact, so that the damping and cushioning effect increases along the deformation path.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first transition area between the spherical surface of the housing and the first rib side edge has a rounded shape. The rounded shape is designed so that no dirt or liquid residues are formed.

[0015] The second transition region between the spherical surface of the housing and the second rib side edge can also have a rounded shape. The second transition region can be different from the first transition region. This results in an asymmetric rib cross section. Due to the asymmetry of the rib cross section, when the metering system is impacted, the rib that is then compressed deviates to one side, which results in good damping and cushioning.

[0016] The asymmetry of the rib cross section can also be achieved by other measures. For example, the first rib side edge can be tilted and / or shaped differently from the second rib side edge. This may result in the rib end not being in the middle of the rib cross section.

[0017] The ribs are preferably integrally formed on the spherical surface. For example, the ribbed structure and the spherical surface of the housing can be seamlessly injection molded. This gives the spherical surface on which the ribbed structure is arranged mechanical stability and good damping and cushioning properties.

[0018] The rib cross section of at least some ribs can vary in the longitudinal direction. For example, the rib cross section at the beginning of the rib can be wider or higher than the rib cross section at the end of the rib or in the middle area of ​​the rib.

[0019] The outer diameter of the metering system can be 70mm to 130mm. The outer diameter should also include the structure of the ribs on the spherical shell. In one embodiment, the outer diameter is 90 to 110mm.

[0020] The height of the rib cross section (the distance between the base circle and the rib end) can be 3 to 10 mm, preferably 5 to 8 mm. The width of the rib cross section at the base circle level can be in the range of 1 to 7 mm, preferably in the range of 2 to 6 mm, and most preferably in the range of 3 to 5 mm.

[0021] The distance between two adjacent ribs (measured from rib end to rib end) can be 5 to 25 mm (preferably 8 to 15 mm). The distance between two adjacent ribs can be constant or vary in the longitudinal direction of the ribs. The height and the distance of the rib cross-section are preferably chosen so that when the dosing system impacts on the inner wall of the washing drum, the rib or ribs in question absorb the impact energy so that there is no contact between the washing drum and the spherical surface of the housing. The thickness of the layer forming the spherical surface can be chosen to be relatively small, thereby saving material.

[0022] The ribbed structure may include a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending from a first pole to a second pole diametrically opposite the first pole. The longitudinal ribs may meander from the first pole to the second pole in an S-shape. The S-shape has exactly one turning point.

[0023] Near the first pole, the first annular rib may be arranged in a circle, the center of which is arranged coaxially with the first pole, wherein the longitudinal ribs start at the annular rib and extend in the direction of the second pole. The longitudinal ribs may converge at a point at the second pole. Alternatively, a second annular rib of circular shape may be arranged on the second pole, so that the longitudinal ribs start from the first annular rib and end at the second annular rib. The second annular rib is preferably arranged coaxially with the second pole.

[0024] The housing of the dosing system accommodates a container for holding the formulation and a dosing device for dosing the formulation from the container into the laundry drum. The dosing device can be arranged near the first pole and has a control unit, which can be actuated by the pressure directed at the first pole. Therefore, the dosing device can be opened and closed, for example, from the outside. The first annular rib surrounds the first pole and serves as a protective barrier to prevent unintentional pressure on the control unit. For example, if the dosing system impacts the inner wall of the laundry drum with the first pole, the first annular rib absorbs the impact energy. The diameter of the first annular rib can be 20 to 40 mm.

[0025] In one embodiment, an additional annular rib with a closed periphery is provided, wherein the periphery surrounds the charging area of ​​the dosing device. The closed periphery can, for example, have a circular or oval shape. For example, the dosing device can be charged by induction.

[0026] In addition to the design measures already mentioned, the damping and cushioning of the ribbed structure is also influenced by a suitable choice of material. Preferred materials are those which have at least one hard elastic phase and at least one soft elastic phase. Particularly preferred are materials in which the soft elastic phase is located between two hard elastic phases in the molecular structure or at the structural level. In addition, the material is characterized by a low and a high glass transition temperature; the distance between the two glass transition temperatures is at least 10 K, preferably at least 15 K, particularly preferably 20 K. Preferred materials are thermoplastic elastomers containing styrene and butadiene.

[0027] The above-mentioned design measures and materials make it possible to achieve a significant reduction in noise emissions compared to a dosing system without a ribbed structure. In particular, the ribbed structure prevents or reduces low-frequency noise (3000 Hz). Tests have shown that the dosing system according to the invention reduces the noise level by several dB at frequencies between 130 Hz and 1000 Hz compared to a dosing system without a ribbed structure. The tests were carried out with 2 kg of household laundry and 4.5 kg of household laundry. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 A dosing system with a spherical housing according to the invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first shell half of a spherical shell;

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A plan view of a first shell half; and

[0032] Figure 4 Shown through Figure 2 Cross section of a shell half. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 A dosing system is shown, denoted as a whole by 1. The dosing system 1 can be placed in the washing drum of a standard domestic washing machine and can move freely therein. The dosing system 1 has a spherical housing 10 with a first housing half 11 and a second housing half 12, which are separated by a flat separating surface 16. A dosing device and a container for a flowable preparation are accommodated in the spherical housing 10. During the washing cycle, the dosing device discharges the flowable preparation or a portion of the preparation from the container and doses it into the washing drum. The preparation can be a detergent or a fragrance.

[0034] The spherical shell 10 has a first pole 13 and a second pole 14. The first pole 13 and the second pole 14 are diametrically opposite to each other. The first pole 13 and the second pole 14 are both flat. Therefore, the term "spherical" should also include shapes that slightly deviate from the spherical shape in a mathematical sense.

[0035] The spherical surface of the housing 10 is covered with a plurality of S-shaped ribs 15 extending from the first pole 13 to the second pole 14. These ribs extending from pole to pole may also be referred to as longitudinal ribs 15. The longitudinal ribs 15 have exactly one turning point between the first pole 13 and the second pole 14.

[0036] Figure 1It is also shown that the longitudinal ribs 15 on the second pole 14 intersect the second annular rib 21. As at the first pole 13, the longitudinal ribs 15 do not converge at one point, but end at the circumference of the annular rib.

[0037] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first housing half 11. The control element 17 of the dosing device is arranged on the first pole 13 so that the dosing device can be operated by pressing a finger through the housing from the outside. The first pole 13 is surrounded by a first annular rib 18, from which the longitudinal ribs 15 start and extend in the direction of the second pole.

[0038] Between the two longitudinal ribs 15a, 15b, two openings 19 are provided in the spherical surface, which allow the exchange of the preparation between the interior of the dosing system 1 and the washing drum. In addition to dispensing the preparation into the washing drum, the exchange may also include ventilating the container. The container may be ventilated via a separate opening.

[0039] Figure 2 A further annular rib 20 is shown, which has a closed perimeter in the shape of an ellipse. The annular rib 20 surrounds a charging area 28, via which the dosing device can be charged from the outside by induction. Thus, the dosing system 1 can operate automatically and, if necessary, receive signals from the washing machine and, if necessary, send signals to the washing machine. Alternatively or additionally, signals can be exchanged between the dosing system 1 and another entity. The dosing system 1 can also send and / or receive signals to / from a charging console or to / from any mobile or fixed device.

[0040] Figure 3 is a plan view of the first housing half 11, wherein Figure 1 The separation surface 16 can be seen in Figure 3 The plane of the drawing in the representation of FIG. coincides. Each longitudinal rib 15 intersects the separation surface 16 at different angles. The shown portion of the longitudinal rib 15c extends perpendicularly to the separation surface 16, so that Figure 3 The rib cross section thereof is shown. The rib cross section has a first rib side edge 22, a second rib side edge 23 and a rounded or flat rib end 24. A first transition region 26 is provided between a base circle 25, which is part of the spherical surface of the housing 10, and the first rib side edge 22. The first transition region 26 has a rounded shape so that no dirt or moisture can settle there. A transition region is also provided between the second rib side edge 23 and the base circle 25, i.e., a second transition region 27. Figure 2 It can be clearly seen that the transitions 26, 27 (here the second transition 27 of the longitudinal rib 15d can be seen) change in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rib 15. Thus, the transition 271 in the region of the first pole 13 is larger than the transition 27 in the region of the separating plane 16. T narrow.

[0041] Figure 4 A section through the first shell half 11 is shown. The first shell half 11 (and the second shell half 12) has an inner layer 28 and an outer layer 29, wherein the longitudinal ribs 15 and the outer layer 29 are formed in one piece. The outer layer 29 and the longitudinal ribs 15 are made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The inner layer 26 is made of a plastic material that is harder than the thermoplastic elastomer.

[0042] If during a washing cycle, in which the washing drum rotates and the dosing system 1 moves within the washing drum, the dosing system 1 impacts against the inner wall of the washing drum, the soft material of the longitudinal ribs 15 or the annular ribs 18, 20, 21 absorbs the corresponding impact energy, so that the components located inside the spherical housing 10 are protected from excessive mechanical stresses. The soft impact is achieved due to the special shape of the rib cross section, because the rib in question, which is compressed during the impact, is only compressed in the first phase of the impact in the region of the rib end 24, wherein only a small amount of material is deformed.

[0043] Furthermore, it is clear from the figure that the effective friction surface of the dosing system 1 (i.e. the surface of the dosing system 1 that comes into contact with the laundry) is very small. It corresponds to the sum of the areas of the rib ends 24 of all ribs, whereby it is assumed that the distances between adjacent ribs are small, so that the laundry comes into contact with the dosing system 1 only at the rib ends 24. Therefore, only low friction forces act on the laundry. The ribs make the dosing system 1 easy to grip with one hand and easy to hold even when still wet after a washing cycle. The soft impact of the dosing system caused by the ribs also leads to low noise emissions.

[0044] Reference numerals list

[0045] 1 Dosing system

[0046] 10 Housing

[0047] 11 First housing half

[0048] 12 Second housing half

[0049] 13 First Pole

[0050] 14 Second Pole

[0051] 15 ribs / longitudinal ribs

[0052] 16 Separation plane

[0053] 17 Control elements

[0054] 18 First annular rib

[0055] 19 Opening

[0056] 20 Additional annular ribs

[0057] 21 Second annular rib

[0058] 22 Lateral margin of first rib

[0059] 23 Second rib lateral margin

[0060] 24 Rib end

[0061] 25 base circle

[0062] 26 First Transition Area

[0063] 27 Second Transition Area

[0064] 28 Inner layer

[0065] 29 Outer layer

[0066] 30 Charging Area

Claims

1. A dosing system (1) for dosing a preparation into a washing machine, wherein: The dosing system (1) can be freely positioned in a rotatable washing drum of a washing machine, the dosing system (1) comprising: a container for receiving a preparation; a dosing device for dosing the preparation from the container into the washing drum; and a substantially spherical housing (10), wherein the dosing device and the container are accommodated in the housing, characterized in that the spherical surface of the housing (10) is covered with a ribbed structure having a plurality of spaced ribs (15).

2. The dosing system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The rib cross section has a first rib side edge (22), a second rib side edge (23) and a preferably rounded or flat rib end (24).

3. The dosing system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that A first transition area (26) between the spherical surface of the housing (10) and the first rib side edge (22) has a rounded shape.

4. The dosing system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that A second transition region (27) between the spherical surface of the housing (10) and the second rib side edge (23) has a rounded shape, wherein the second transition region (27) is different from the first transition region (26).

5. The dosing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The ribs (15) are integrally formed on the spherical surface.

6. The dosing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The rib cross section varies in the longitudinal direction.

7. The dosing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The height of the rib cross section is 5 to 15 mm.

8. The dosing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The distance between two adjacent ribs (15) is 5 to 25 mm.

9. The dosing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The ribbed structure has a plurality of longitudinal ribs (15) extending from a first pole (13) to a second pole (14) diametrically opposite the first pole (13).

10. The dosing system (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that Each of the longitudinal ribs (15) meanders in an S-shape from the first pole (13) to the second pole (14).

11. The dosing system (1) according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that Near the first pole (13), a first annular rib (18) is arranged in a circular shape, the center of which is coaxially arranged with the first pole (13), wherein the longitudinal rib (15) starts at the annular rib (18) and extends in the direction of the second pole (14).

12. The dosing system (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The metering device (1) is arranged in the vicinity of the first pole (13) and has a control unit (17) which can be activated by a pressure directed at the first pole (13).

13. The dosing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that An additional annular rib (20) having a closed periphery is provided, wherein the periphery surrounds a charging region (30) of the dosing device (1).

14. The dosing system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The ribs (15) are made of a thermoplastic elastomer comprising styrene and butadiene.

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