Water-carrying household appliance with detergent dosing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a water-carrying household appliance, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine. The household appliance comprises: a tub (1) in which items to be cleaned can be arranged for cleaning; a detergent unit having a detergent reservoir (11) and a detergent supply unit for supplying detergent (13) from the detergent reservoir (11) into the tub (1). The detergent reservoir (11) is configured to hold detergent (13) in solid form. The detergent supply unit comprises a separating device (14) for partially separating the detergent (13) from the solid detergent (13) held in the detergent reservoir (11). The detergent reservoir (11) is configured to hold detergent (13) for at least two cleaning processes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a water-carrying household appliance, in particular a dishwasher or a washing machine. The household appliance comprises a tub and a detergent unit, in which items to be cleaned can be arranged for cleaning. The detergent unit comprises a detergent reservoir configured to hold detergent in solid form. In addition, the detergent unit comprises a detergent supply unit for supplying detergent from the detergent reservoir to the tub. The detergent supply unit comprises a separation device for partially separating detergent from solid detergent held in the detergent reservoir. Background Art

[0002] In dishwashers commonly used in private households, the user positions a detergent tablet in a storage chamber before starting a dishwashing program. A few minutes after the dishwashing program begins, the storage chamber opens and the detergent tablet falls into the water collected in the tub. The detergent tablet is dissolved by the water and exerts its cleaning effect via the process water. Before each dishwashing program begins, the user must insert such a detergent tablet into the dispenser compartment.

[0003] In commercial dishwashers, the commercial dishwasher is usually connected to a detergent tank that stores liquid detergent. The liquid detergent is automatically added to the process water. Such a detergent tank requires a corresponding amount of space, but is also practical in commercial use because the detergent tank rarely needs to be replaced. Summary of the invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a water-carrying household appliance which is easy to operate in terms of detergent supply.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. This is a water-carrying household appliance, in particular a dishwasher or a washing machine. The household appliance comprises a tub in which items to be cleaned can be arranged for cleaning. In a dishwasher, there is a cutlery basket for storing cutlery. In a washing machine, a rotatable drum is arranged in the tub in which the laundry can be washed.

[0006] The water-carrying household appliance includes a detergent unit having a detergent reservoir and a detergent supply unit. The detergent reservoir is configured to hold detergent in solid form. In the case of a dishwasher, the detergent is generally referred to as a dishwashing detergent, while in the case of a washing machine, the detergent is generally referred to as a laundry detergent. Both dishwashing detergent and laundry detergent are included under the term "detergent".

[0007] In particular, "in solid form" means that the dishwashing detergent is a single solid or physically coherent individual solids having a volume of at least 0.1 cm 3 , in particular at least 0.2 cm 3 , in particular at least 0.5 cm3 , in particular at least 1 cm 3 , in particular at least 2 cm 3 In other words, pure powdered detergent is not included. However, powdered detergent can be compressed into a solid.

[0008] The detergent supply unit is used to supply detergent from the detergent reservoir into the barrel. The detergent supply unit includes a separation device, which is used to partially separate the detergent from the solid detergent held in the detergent reservoir. The separation device can be a mechanical separation process. In particular, the detergent supply unit can use process water to flush the separated detergent into the barrel.

[0009] In addition, the detergent reservoir can hold detergent for at least two cleaning processes. This means that the user does not have to add detergent to the household appliance before each cleaning process. This allows convenient operation of the household appliance, especially at home.

[0010] Advantageously, the separation device is configured to separate the detergent by means of a mechanical process, in particular by means of scraping, planing, shearing or cutting. In other words, the separation is carried out mechanically by means of the separation process. Such a separation device is inexpensive to manufacture and reliable in operation.

[0011] In particular, the separating device moves along the detergent in the detergent reservoir. For example, this means that the scraper moves back and forth along the detergent so that some detergent is rubbed off. Alternatively, the separating device may also not be moved, but the detergent.

[0012] The detergent or the separating device can be moved by a linear movement or a rotational movement.

[0013] Advantageously, the detergent supply unit is configured to convey the separated detergent into the tub by means of process water. This reliably flushes the separated detergent into the tub.

[0014] In particular, the detergent supply unit is configured to feed detergent from the detergent reservoir to the separation device, in particular by means of a spring force, a screw movement, a linear motor, by means of a rotating wheel or by means of a feed nut running on a spindle. This allows the separation process to be carried out continuously until the detergent in the detergent reservoir is completely used up.

[0015] The separation device is advantageously configured to seal the detergent reservoir steam-tightly against the tub. Since the detergent is contained in solid form, it must be protected from splashing water or steam. Otherwise, the detergent will dissolve and can no longer be used in the intended manner.

[0016] In particular, the detergent reservoir is configured to hold a single detergent bar, in particular in the form of a rod or plate, whereby the length of the detergent bar is at least three times the minimum width of the detergent bar. This allows the detergent to be separated out in relatively small units and dosed into the tub in a predetermined manner, while allowing a large amount of detergent to be stored in the detergent reservoir.

[0017] Advantageously, the detergent reservoir is configured to hold the detergent tablet stack, and the separation device is configured to transport the detergent tablets from the detergent tablet stack to the bucket, in particular by means of a sliding motion relative to the detergent tablet stack or by shearing off the adhered detergent tablets. This form of separation is technically simple and inexpensive to implement. In addition, since no separation process is used, the separation effect is reliable. The detergent tablets are pre-portioned and can be added to the bucket one by one according to the required amount of detergent. The smaller the single detergent tablet, the more accurate the dosage.

[0018] In particular, the detergent reservoir is configured to hold several detergent tablets that are packaged in a common packaging, particularly in a plastic package. Such packaging protects the user when the user inserts the detergent tablet into the detergent reservoir. However, the common packaging makes it easier to insert a large number of detergent tablets into the detergent reservoir.

[0019] In particular, the separation unit is configured to separate the detergent tablets individually from the packaging, in particular to press them out of the packaging or to cut the detergent tablets together with the packaging. This allows individual detergent tablets to be dosed into the bucket from the common packaging. If more detergent is needed, several detergent tablets can be added one by one.

[0020] In particular, the package comprises several steam-tightly sealed chambers, and a single detergent tablet of the plurality of detergent tablets is arranged in each individual chamber. This has the advantage that after a single detergent tablet is squeezed out of the universal package, the remaining detergent tablets continue to be arranged in the individual chambers of the package in a steam-tight manner.

[0021] Advantageously, the packaging is either water soluble or steam tight. If the packaging is water soluble, it can be delivered to the drum together with the detergent tablet and dissolved. There is no need to dispose of any packaging waste. On the other hand, if the packaging is steam tight, there is no risk of steam rising from the drum into the detergent reservoir, dissolving the packaging and causing dosing problems.

[0022] The separation unit is advantageously configured to distribute at least two detergent tablets into the bucket during a single cleaning process. Although the detergent tablets are individually packaged, several detergent tablets may be separated from the packaging during the cleaning process. In the case of taking out the detergent tablets from the stack, the same applies. In each cleaning process, several detergent tablets can be separated from the stack.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, the detergent supply unit (particularly the separation device) is configured to seal the detergent reservoir to the tub in a steam-tight manner. This is necessary because otherwise steam would flow from the tub into the detergent reservoir and dissolve or destroy the detergent.

[0024] In particular, the detergent supply unit can be configured in such a way that during the transport of the separated individual detergent tablets, these detergent tablets are conveyed upwards at least in sections to reduce or prevent the transfer of steam from the tub to the detergent reservoir. This is because the steam must flow downwards in order to move in the opposite direction from the tub to the detergent reservoir, but since the hot steam only flows upwards, this does not happen.

[0025] Advantageously, the detergent supply unit comprises a siphon arranged and configured to reduce or prevent transfer of steam from the tub to the detergent reservoir.

[0026] In particular, the detergent supply unit comprises a gate system having a gate chamber for preventing or reducing the transfer of steam from the tub to the detergent reservoir. In particular, the gate system comprises a drying device for drying the gate chamber.

[0027] In particular, the detergent supply unit includes a sealing slide, an iris diaphragm or a silicone seal to prevent or reduce the transfer of steam from the tub to the detergent reservoir. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention are shown in the dependent claims and in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0029] Figure 1 It is a dishwasher with a bucket;

[0030] Figure 2 is a detergent storage and a detergent supply unit according to a first embodiment;

[0031] Figure 3 are a detergent storage and a detergent supply unit according to a second embodiment; and

[0032] Figure 4 A detergent storage and a detergent supply unit according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention is described with reference to a dishwasher as an example. However, those skilled in the art can easily implement the same invention in a washing machine.

[0034] Figure 1A domestic dishwasher with a tub 1 is shown. Three cutlery baskets are arranged in the tub 1: a lower basket 2a, an upper basket 2b and a cutlery drawer 2c. Cutlery corresponding to the items to be cleaned is placed in the cutlery baskets. In addition, various spray devices 3 are provided in the tub 1, such as an upper spray device 3c and a lower spray device 3a and a middle spray device 3b in the form of a spray arm, for spraying or pressurizing process water on the items to be cleaned. A circulation pump 4 is used to convey the process water from the bottom area 5 of the tub 1 to the spray device 3 via a circulation line. A heating device 6 is provided on the circulation line to heat the process water to a desired temperature.

[0035] The appliance also has a drain pump 7 , with which process water no longer required can be pumped out of the bottom region 5 of the tub 1 , and a process water source 8 for supplying process water to a domestic dishwasher.

[0036] The various actuators of the appliance, in particular the pumps 4 and 7 and the heating device 6, are controlled by a control unit 9a of the appliance. Input and output devices 10 are connected to the control unit 9a, via which the user can give commands to the dishwasher and obtain information from the dishwasher. The control unit 9a comprises different cleaning programs for operating the dishwasher. The control unit comprises at least a normal program, a pre-rinse program and an eco program, and can access data records in a data memory 9b.

[0037] Figure 2 A first embodiment of the invention is shown. The detergent is arranged in the form of a detergent bar 13 in the detergent reservoir 11. The detergent bar 13 has a first width B1 of 3 cm, a second width B2 of 3 cm and a length L of 25 cm. Figure 2 , the width B2 corresponds to the depth of the detergent bar 11, i.e., the width B2 extends to Figure 2 The minimum width is 3 cm. The detergent bar 13 is an elongated solid. Alternatively, the detergent bar can also be configured as a hexagonal rod or plate.

[0038] A scraper 14 is arranged at the lower end of the detergent reservoir 11 and serves as a separating device. The scraper 14 separates the detergent from the detergent bar 13. The motor moves the scraper 14 back and forth in the direction of the double arrow 15 by linear motion. Alternatively, the scraper 14 may also be disc-shaped or drum-shaped and rub the detergent off the detergent bar 13 by a rotational motion. In another alternative embodiment, the scraper 14 may be stationary and the motor may move the detergent bar 13 along the scraper 14.

[0039] Furthermore, a spring 16 is present in the detergent reservoir 11, which tracks the detergent bar 13 or presses it against the scraper 14. This ensures that, as long as the detergent bar 13 has not been completely used up, detergent is always rubbed during the movement 15 of the scraper 14. Once the detergent bar 13 is completely worn off, the user can insert a new detergent bar 13 into the detergent reservoir 11. Alternatively, the new detergent bar can be placed on a small portion of the remnants of the detergent bar.

[0040] Once the abrasion of the detergent is completed, the scraper 14 can be moved to a position in which the scraper 14 forms a physical barrier between the detergent reservoir 11 and the tub 1. This prevents steam from flowing from the tub 1 to the detergent bar 13 and inadvertently dissolving the detergent. In other words, the separation device configured as the scraper 14 is suitable for sealing the detergent reservoir 11 with the tub 1 in a steam-tight manner.

[0041] The fragments separated from the detergent bar 13 by the scraper 14 fall downward into the channel 17 and slide further into the tub 1. The scraper 14 and the channel 17 form the detergent supply unit 12.

[0042] Figure 1 The detergent storage 11 and the detergent supply unit 12 are not shown. Figure 2 The device is arranged in the door of the dishwasher.

[0043] The described embodiment has the following advantages: Depending on the requirements of the dishwashing program or cleaning process, any desired amount of detergent can be rubbed off the detergent bar 13 and dispensed into the tub 1. In addition, the detergent bar 13 contains more detergent than is required for a single detergent program. Thus, a single detergent bar 13 can be used to provide detergent for several subsequent dishwashing programs.

[0044] Figure 3 A second embodiment of the present invention is shown. A stack 20 of detergent tablets is arranged in the detergent reservoir 11. Exemplary dimensions of a single detergent tablet 20 are 1.5 cm in diameter and 0.6 cm in height. Depending on the requirements of the dishwashing program, the amount of a single detergent tablet 20 is sufficient, but in some cases, two or more detergent tablets 20 must be dosed into the bucket for a single dishwashing program. The detergent tablets 20 can be unpackaged, individually packaged, or stacked together in the detergent reservoir.

[0045] Arranged at the upper end of the detergent reservoir is a pusher 21 which is driven by a motor 22 and pushes the detergent tablets 20 individually in the direction of arrow 23 into an upwardly directed channel 24. If the detergent tablets 20 are packed in a stack in a common package, the pusher 21 pushes the individual detergent tablets 20 out of the common package. The pusher 21 represents a sophisticated separation device.

[0046] In an alternative embodiment, the individual sheets are glued together to form a stack. In this way, the push device shears out individual washing liquid sheets from the stack, i.e. the glued joint represents a predetermined breaking point, whereby the shear strength at the glue point must be overcome. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a detergent bar that has a plurality of notches and each notch represents a predetermined breaking point for shearing out individual sections of the detergent bar.

[0047] A conveying device 25 is arranged in the upwardly oriented channel 24, which conveys the detergent tablet 20 upwardly in the direction of the arrow 26 into the vertically oriented channel 27. In the vertically oriented channel 27, the detergent tablet 20 falls downwardly into the tub 1.

[0048] The upwardly directed channel 24 has the advantage that steam escaping from the tub 1 through the vertically directed channel 27 flows upwardly through the ventilation opening 28 instead of reaching the detergent reservoir 11. This prevents moisture from dissolving the detergent in the detergent reservoir 11.

[0049] A spring 16 is arranged in the detergent reservoir 11, which pushes the detergent tablets 20 in the stack upwards. Once all the detergent tablets 20 are used up, the user can refill the detergent reservoir 11 with a new stack of detergent tablets 20.

[0050] The pushing device 21 , the upwardly oriented channel 24 and the vertically oriented channel 27 together form a detergent supply unit.

[0051] Figure 4 A third embodiment of the invention is shown. A plurality of detergent tablets 30 are arranged in a common plastic package 31 in a detergent reservoir 11. All detergent tablets 30 have the same size. For example, the detergent tablets 30 have the size as already described in the second embodiment.

[0052] In addition, a separating device is provided, which is suitable for separating the detergent tablets 30 from the detergent reservoir 11 or from the plastic packaging 31. The motor 32 moves the plunger 33 in the vertical direction according to the double arrow 34. By moving downward, the plunger 33 presses the detergent tablets 30 arranged centrally above the vertically extending channel 35 out of the plastic packaging 31 respectively.

[0053] In the plastic package 31, the detergent tablets 30 are each arranged in a separate chamber of the plastic package 31. The chamber system of the plastic package 31 ensures that the individual detergent tablets 30 are sealed from each other in a steam-tight manner. If the plunger 33 presses the detergent tablet 30 out of the plastic package 31, the remaining detergent tablets 30 are still steam-tightly sealed in the chamber of the plastic package. This prevents steam from rising from the barrel 1 to the detergent reservoir 11 and dissolving the detergent tablets 30.

[0054] During the cleaning process, ie during a single dishwashing program, only a single detergent tablet 31 or even several detergent tablets 31 may be dispensed from the plastic packaging 31 into the tub 1 .

[0055] Alternatively, the plastic packaging 31 may be configured to be water soluble rather than steam-tight. In this case, the tub 1 must be sealed from the detergent reservoir 11 in a steam-tight manner by means of a physical barrier (e.g., by a closure 36 in the vertical run channel 35 or by a siphon 37). Figure 4 , a closure 36 and a siphon 37 are shown as alternative seals. To operate the siphon 37, process water must be flushed into the siphon 37 via a process water source 38. The process water 38 flushes the detergent tablet 31 into the tub 1 through the siphon 37. The siphon 37 is configured so that there is always a water level 39 in the siphon 37. The water in the siphon 37 prevents moisture from reaching the detergent reservoir 11 from the tub 1 and dissolving the detergent.

[0056] However, a water-soluble plastic package 31 has the advantage that any plastic pieces or the entire package squeezed out of the plastic package 31 are likely to enter the tub 1 and be dissolved by the water therein. The plunger 33 and the vertically extending channel 35 together form a detergent supply unit.

[0057] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in this application, it should be clearly noted that the invention is not limited to these embodiments but can also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A water-carrying household appliance, in particular a dishwasher or a washing machine, comprising: a barrel (1) in which items to be cleaned can be arranged for cleaning, a detergent unit having a detergent reservoir (11) and a detergent supply unit for supplying detergent (13, 20, 30) from the detergent reservoir (11) into the tub (1), The detergent storage (11) is configured to receive detergent (13, 20, 30) in solid form. The detergent supply unit comprises a separation device (14, 21, 22, 32, 33) for partially separating the detergent (13, 20, 30) from the solid detergent (13, 20, 30) arranged in the detergent storage (11). Characterized in that the detergent reservoir (11) is configured to hold detergent (13, 20, 30) for at least two cleaning operations.

2. The water-carrying household appliance according to claim 1, wherein: The separating device is configured to separate the detergent (13) by means of a mechanical process, in particular by means of scraping, planing, shearing or cutting, In particular, - the detergent (13) is movable in the detergent reservoir (11) along the separating device (14), or The separating device (14) can be moved along the detergent (13) by means of a linear movement or by means of a rotational movement.

3. A water-carrying household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The detergent supply unit is configured to convey the separated detergent (13) into the tub (1) by means of process water.

4. A water-carrying household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The detergent supply unit is configured to supply detergent in the detergent reservoir (11) to the separating device (14, 21, 22, 32, 33), in particular by means of spring force, screw movement, a linear motor or by means of a rotating wheel.

5. A water-carrying household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The separation device is configured to seal the detergent reservoir (11) relative to the tub (1) in a steam-tight manner.

6. A water-carrying household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The detergent reservoir (11) is configured to accommodate a single detergent bar (13), in particular rod-shaped or plate-shaped, in particular wherein the length (L) of the detergent bar (13) is at least three times the minimum width (B2) of the detergent bar.

7. A water-carrying household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The detergent reservoir (11) is configured to hold a stack of detergent tablets (20), and the separating device is configured to convey the detergent tablets (20) individually from the stack of detergent tablets into the tub (1), in particular to separate the detergent tablets from the stack of detergent tablets by means of a pushing movement (23).

8. The water-carrying household appliance according to claim 1, wherein: The detergent reservoir (11) is configured to hold a plurality of detergent tablets (30) which are packaged in a common package (31), in particular a plastic package.

9. The water-carrying household appliance according to claim 8, wherein: The separating device is configured to separate the detergent tablets (30) individually from the common package (31), In particular, the detergent tablet (30) is pressed out of the universal package, or the detergent tablet (30) is cut or severed together with the universal package (31).

10. The water-carrying household appliance according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The universal package (31) has a plurality of chambers sealed to each other in a steam-tight manner, wherein one detergent tablet of the plurality of detergent tablets (30) is arranged in each chamber.

11. The water-carrying household appliance according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The universal packaging (31) is water soluble or steam-tight.

12. The water-carrying household appliance according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein: The separation device is configured to dose at least two detergent tablets (30) into the tub (1) during a single cleaning operation.

13. A water-carrying household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The detergent supply unit is configured to seal the detergent reservoir (11) relative to the tub (1) in a steam-tight manner.

14. A water-carrying household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The detergent supply unit conveys the separated detergent tablets (20) upward at least in sections during conveyance of the detergent tablets to reduce or prevent steam from being transferred from the tub (1) to the detergent reservoir (11).

15. A water-carrying household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The detergent supply unit comprises a siphon (18), a gate system, a sealing slide, an iris diaphragm or a silicone seal for preventing or reducing the transfer of steam from the tub (1) to the detergent reservoir (11).

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