Detergent distributor for washing machine and washing machine

Abstract

A detergent dispenser for a washing machine in which laundry detergent and additives are mixed with water and delivered forward into a drum of the washing machine, the detergent dispenser having a receptacle with a plurality of receiving chambers as a pull-out drawer. The first receiving chamber has a chamber outlet at the bottom and is open at the top, wherein the other receiving chambers are closed at the bottom and open at the top. A planar distributor cover is disposed above the receptacle and has an interior volume having water channels therein separated from each other. A plurality of water channels are directed to a lateral outer side of the dispenser cover where they form a channel opening, where the plurality of water channels are gathered together in the dispenser cover. The drain channel has an outlet opening above the first receiving chamber. A metering pump is arranged at the passage opening on the lateral outer side. A water supply channel leads from a channel opening to a receiving chamber closed at the bottom, wherein a drainage channel in the distributor cover leads from a channel opening to the metering pump to the first receiving chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a washing machine detergent dispenser, by which detergent and / or additives are mixed with water, after which they are intended to be conveyed onwards into the washing machine drum where the laundry to be washed is located. The invention also relates to a washing machine having such a detergent dispenser. Background Art

[0002] In a conventional washing machine, detergent and optional rinse softener or other additives are placed in a type of drawer or drawer system. Water flowing in from above washes the detergent and additives down into a funnel-like collection device. From there, they enter the interior of the drum or drum receiving container and mix with the water to wash the clothes in the drum.

[0003] From DE 102014115957 A1 it is known to automatically dispense detergent and other additives depending on the washing program selected by the operator. The detergent and additives may be stored in tanks or cartridges or the like which may be replaced as required, in particular when they are empty. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a detergent dispenser and a washing machine as described above, which are able to solve the problems of the prior art and preferably make it possible to construct such a detergent dispenser or a washing machine provided with the detergent dispenser in a simple and practical manner and to achieve advantageous uses, in particular with regard to the use or dispensing of detergents or additives.

[0005] This object is achieved by a detergent dispenser having the features of claim 1 and a washing machine having the features of claim 23. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the further claims and are explained in more detail below, some features being described only for the detergent dispenser or only for a washing machine provided with the detergent dispenser. However, regardless of this, they are intended to apply individually and independently of one another to both the detergent dispenser and the washing machine. The wording of the claims is incorporated into the content of the description by explicit reference.

[0006] The detergent dispenser with the above-mentioned purpose has a housing, which has a plurality of receiving chambers, such as two to five receiving chambers. The housing can be advantageously configured as a pull-out drawer in a washing machine, particularly on the front of the washing machine. Therefore, it can be advantageously positioned in the conventional position of a known drawer for adding detergent, such as at the left top on the front of the washing machine. At least one first receiving chamber of the housing has a chamber outlet from which it leaves downward or backward. The chamber outlet is advantageously configured as a simple opening at the bottom, particularly the funnel-shaped bottom or the rear area or the rear wall of the first receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is open at the top, particularly as known from the prior art. Therefore, the operator can simply introduce detergent, such as in liquid or powder form, into the first receiving chamber from above.

[0007] At least one receiving chamber (particularly the receiving chamber except the first receiving chamber) is closed at the bottom. At the top, it can be fully open or have only one opening, it may also be the opening of entering the pipeline connector or hose. Advantageously, there are a plurality of these receiving chambers, and some or all of them are particularly advantageously configured to have similar or identical sizes. As will be explained in more detail below, detergent and / or additives to be automatically distributed can be placed in these receiving chambers. As known from the prior art, for this purpose, it is equally possible to use box. Although this may increase structural complexity, it has advantages in actual operation.

[0008] The detergent dispenser also has a plane dispenser cover arranged above the receiving portion. The cover can be arranged on the receiving portion at a distance between 0.5 cm and 5 cm (advantageously at most 2 cm), i.e., at a relatively small distance. The dispenser cover is substantially flat and has an internal volume or interior with water channels separated from each other therein, or has a plurality of water channels in its interior, which can extend separately from each other but are at least partially connected to each other. A plurality of such water channels lead to the lateral outside of the dispenser cover. When leaving from it, they form a channel opening, which can therefore be open to the side or point to the side. Instead of the lateral outside, they can also be guided to the lateral edge area. In addition, a plurality of water channels are gathered together in the dispenser cover so that they can be open to each other or merged into each other respectively. It can also be provided that more than two water channels meet at one point. It can also be provided that a plurality of water channels (preferably very short in length) are open to other water channels one by one, preferably with a functional unit such as a valve or a pump between the two. At least one drainage channel is provided, which has an outlet opening above the first receiving chamber provided with the above-mentioned chamber outlet. The drainage channel is used to introduce or flush water into the first receiving chamber from above, so as to flush the detergent present therein into the drum through the chamber outlet in a known manner. The drainage channel can end at the outlet opening, but can also alternatively and advantageously continue forward.

[0009] The metering pump is arranged at least one channel opening in the channel opening on the lateral outside or in the lateral edge area, and detergent and / or additive are added by volume through the metering pump and are therefore also conveyed or pumped. A water supply channel is arranged in the dispenser cover, and the water supply channel leads from the channel opening to one of the above-mentioned receiving chambers of the closed structure adjacent to the first receiving chamber. In particular, the water supply channel has an opening above the receiving chamber, or can be guided to the receiving chamber or a box or tank therein, for example, through a pipe connector or an elastic hose, in which detergent and / or additive are provided. Therefore, the water supply channel is ultimately used by the metering pump to suck detergent or additive from the corresponding receiving chamber via the channel opening through it. Then, the metering pump can pump the sucked detergent or additive from the channel opening into the drain channel, and the detergent or additive is brought from the drain channel to the outlet opening, and can therefore enter the first receiving chamber or directly enter the drum or enter the drum receiving container. Therefore, the water supply channel is connected to the drain channel or is open to the drain channel, i.e., via or through the metering pump. A throttle or controllable valve may be provided here to allow the flow through the drain channel to be controlled or cut off and opened or regulated. This will be further explained below. Alternatively, the drain channel may also deliver detergent or additives to or into the drum via a separate line.

[0010] Therefore, the distributor cover makes it possible to guide detergent or additive from a tank or box to the first receiving chamber, and from there to the drum receiving container or directly to the drum. This may have the advantage that conventional pull-out drawers or generally housings or at least one collecting device arranged below the housing or drawer may continue to be constructed as previously. Therefore, the washing machine only needs to be slightly modified and does not need to be fundamentally redesigned to implement the present invention therein. Arranging at least one metering pump on the distributor cover (which can be permanently installed in the washing machine and is located above the housing) itself is particularly conducive to being electrically connected to the metering pump, because the latter does not need to be able to move with the pull-out housing. This simplifies construction and design and reduces potential errors. Because multiple water channels are arranged in the distributor cover, the distributor cover can be manufactured as a single component or a simply constructed module, and it is not necessary to assemble multiple separate pipelines or hoses for the water channels at all. The distributor cover itself can be manufactured, for example, by plastic injection molding with one or two components, or alternatively by 3D printing. Therefore, large-scale production is entirely possible.

[0011] A further embodiment of the invention may provide at least one first water inlet from the outside on the distributor cover, for example as an opening or a connection. This water inlet may be connected to the outlet opening via a water channel in the distributor cover via a first receiving chamber. Thus, fresh water may flow, for example, directly from the outside into this first receiving chamber as an inlet or feed into the drum or into a drum receiving container or bucket surrounding the drum. It is possible that this water channel is either not connected to any other water channel in the distributor cover, or alternatively it may be connected to at least one other water channel in the distributor cover leading to at least one of the above-mentioned metering pumps. Thus, fresh water may also either reach the metering pump itself or at least bypass the metering pump, in particular in order to rinse off any residues of detergent or additives there.

[0012] A further improved form of the present invention can be provided with a second water inlet on the detergent dispenser, and in some cases, the second water inlet can also be a unique water inlet. As explained above, it can lead to a water channel connected to at least one metering pump in the dispenser cover. The water channel is advantageously connected to all metering pumps on the dispenser cover, wherein the pump outlet of each metering pump leads to the water channel or is connected to the water channel. Therefore, the water channel can carry the detergent or additive provided by the metering pump by the water flowing therethrough, and deliver them to the drum. A circulating pump or other pump can be optionally provided here so that the water with detergent or additive circulates repeatedly in the detergent dispenser to ensure effective mixing. Such pumps can advantageously be directly arranged on the detergent dispenser.

[0013] In an advantageous further development of the above invention, the second water inlet with a valve can be connected to a valve or to a valve which conveys water from the second water inlet in the dispenser cap onwards. The valve can thus determine whether the water at the second water inlet flows into the dispenser cap, in particular into the above-mentioned water channel and through the metering pump.

[0014] The above-mentioned valve on the second water inlet can preferably be configured as a two-way valve. It is possible that the valve inlet is connected to the second water inlet or the second water inlet leads to the valve inlet. The valve outlet is connected to a water supply channel so that, for example, fresh water can be pumped through a metering pump to clean it.

[0015] In a possible further improvement form of the present invention, drain channel can lead to outlet opening from at least one metering pump, advantageously from all metering pumps with repeated circuitous route.This repeated circuitous route causes the water flowing along it to swirl more strongly, and therefore dissolves and disperses the detergent or additive entrained more effectively.In addition, the result can realize the drain channel of greater length for the dispenser cover of given size.An advantageous embodiment of this type of drain channel is a winding route, wherein, drain channel can have a plurality of parallel, directly adjacent channel parts, and these channel parts are connected to each other by 180 ° of bends.Alternative embodiment may be a circular or approximately polygonal spiral route, which has outlet opening at the center.However, the above-mentioned option that drain channel continues forward after outlet opening is therefore no longer available, or at least not in the same plane as other channel parts.This will make the design significantly more complicated.Due to the frequent changes of direction, the winding route also ensures a better mixing of water and additive.

[0016] A further improved form of the present invention can provide that the drain channel has different channel cross-sectional areas. Therefore, it can be provided that it has a larger channel cross-sectional area in the area of ​​the repeatedly circuitous route than along the channel portion passing through at least one or more or all metering pumps and their pump outlets. For example, different channel cross-sectional areas can affect the flow rate of water accordingly, and may also affect its vortex. The channel cross-sectional area in the area of ​​the repeatedly circuitous route is preferably larger than in the channel portion along at least one metering pump. The channel cross-sectional area can be, for example, twice to twenty times, and in particular five to fifteen times. This can ensure that water flows through the metering pump very quickly, and therefore very effectively carries away detergent or additives, and may also slightly clean the pump outlet. On the other hand, in the area of ​​the repeatedly circuitous route, due to multiple bends, water flows more slowly, but has a good vortex, so as to effectively mix and dissolve detergent and additives.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, as in the above-mentioned option, the drainage channel can extend forward or continue forward downstream of the outlet opening, possibly with the same or constant channel cross-sectional area. The drainage channel can extend to the connection part with the pump inlet of the circulation pump, wherein such circulation pump is used to pump water along the drainage channel, particularly in the loop, if the drainage channel forms such a loop. The pump outlet of the circulation pump is incorporated into the water channel leading to the pump outlet of at least one metering pump, so it is possible to form a supply channel. Downstream of the metering pump or its pump outlet, the channel then extends forward as a drainage channel. Therefore, the pump outlet of the metering pump, particularly all pump outlets of all metering pumps, is open to the drainage channel. This can be particularly in the above-mentioned channel part with a smaller channel cross-sectional area, particularly a much smaller channel cross-sectional area. The circulation pump can pump water that is not fresh water in the loop in the distributor cover, and therefore repeatedly introduce detergent or additives therein, or alternatively, the detergent or additives are mixed with the recirculation water as effectively as possible, and then the recirculation water enters the first receiving chamber through the outlet opening and enters the drum or enters the drum receiving container from there without leaving any residue.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides a plurality of metering pumps, in particular two to five metering pumps. These metering pumps can be particularly advantageously arranged adjacent to one another, in particular on a distributor cover, wherein they can also be fastened or assembled to the distributor cover. They are preferably fastened to the lateral outside, but in any case to the channel opening of the water supply channel, i.e. to its end. Therefore, the pump inlet of each metering pump is connected to the water supply channel at the above-mentioned channel opening. The pump outlet of each metering pump is open to the drain channel, advantageously to a specific channel portion, which particularly advantageously has the above-mentioned smaller channel cross section. A short circuit or short channel can be provided here between the two.

[0019] Similar to the way that metering pumps are preferably arranged adjacent to each other at a certain distance (e.g. 2 cm to 5 cm), the pump outlets of the metering pumps along the drainage channel should open into it one after another. They should also advantageously be spaced at the same distance. Thus, a uniform and advantageous distribution is possible.

[0020] Another advantage of the metering pump being fastened or assembled to the dispenser cap in the way that they protrude laterally is that the structural height of the dispenser cap can be kept low. In particular, the above-mentioned receiving portion can then be arranged below the dispenser cap with sufficient space.

[0021] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, other receiving chambers of the accommodating portion that are not the first receiving chamber can simply be opened at the top. In particular, they can be opened at the top on most of their base area or on their entire base area. Therefore, it is possible to directly introduce or insert a closed container such as a tank or a box with detergent or additives therein into the receiving chamber. Then, such a container should have a connection device to the water supply channel leading to the metering pump. Such a connection device can be, for example, the flexible hose or alternatively a telescopic line with a plurality of hard pipeline parts inserted into each other. One option is a plug-in insert with a hose on the lower part of the detergent dispenser.

[0022] Advantageously, it is provided that, in addition to the above-mentioned connection for a pump or a metering pump and a possible circulating pump, the water connection leading from the outside to the distributor cover, the outlet opening open to the first receiving chamber and optionally an opening for a detergent container or an additive container in one of the other receiving chambers, the distributor cover has a closed structure. It can be provided that the distributor cover has a lower part and an upper part, wherein the water channel is advantageously formed in the lower part. Finally, the receiving portion is arranged below the distributor cover so that the outlet opening and the connection extend downward into the other receiving chambers. It can be provided that the upper part has a relatively simple structure, in particular in the form of a flat plate, which is then placed on the lower part or fastened to the lower part by a snap-fit ​​connection and a suitable seal, or alternatively also permanently adhesively combined. In particular, the distributor cover can be a two-part structure, i.e., only composed of a lower part and an upper part. The lower part should be fastened to the upper part in a sealed manner, and in particular the water channel or at least the drainage channel can be configured as an open elongated recess in the lower part. Closing from above by the upper part means that such a water channel becomes a closed water channel. This has the advantage of preventing water, detergent or additives from splashing out.

[0023] Another advantageous possibility for producing the dispenser cover is 3D printing of plastic, which can then also be of one-piece construction in particular. Highly advantageous shapes, in particular highly advantageous shapes of water channels, in particular highly advantageous shapes of closed water channels, can then be produced. Leakage problems can thus be easily avoided. Furthermore, the assembly of the detergent dispenser is facilitated.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the interior or the inner volume of the dispenser cover can be constructed without moving parts. This means that moving parts or functional units such as valves, pumps, etc. must be additionally mounted on the dispenser cover, in particular on the outside, so that the channels corresponding to these functional units are then guided to these functional units. As a result, it may be possible to avoid relatively large efforts during the manufacture of the dispenser cover. In addition, in the event of a malfunction, externally mounted functional units such as valves or pumps can be repaired or replaced more easily because they are more accessible.

[0025] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the detergent dispenser may have a heating device for the dispenser cover, wherein the heating device is particularly provided or arranged on the dispenser cover. In this way, it is expected that the flowing water, detergent and / or the additive in the dispenser cover may be heated or preheated. Such a purpose is not to heat water to a relatively high temperature, such as 60°C to 90°C, for the corresponding washing cycle in the washing machine. On the contrary, the purpose is to advantageously preheat the detergent or, more importantly, the preheating additive itself, so as to increase or maximize their effectiveness. For example, some enzymes have particularly good effects at a temperature higher than room temperature or higher than the temperature of the fresh water entering. Alternatively, the viscosity can be changed by heating, or the detergent or additive can become more fluid at a higher temperature, which improves its use. Here, it may be sufficient to warm up to a temperature of 30°C to 40°C. For this purpose, the heating device may also be locally arranged near the additive or their water supply channel.

[0026] Such a heating device can be constructed in principle in many and different ways. A preferred option is an induction heating coil, which is particularly arranged on the top of the distributor cover and covers at least part of the area of ​​the top of the distributor cover, particularly between 50% and 90%. In particular, it should be arranged in the area of ​​the above-mentioned drainage channel, for example, also directly arranged at the place where the metering pump introduces detergent and / or additives into the drainage channel through the water supply channel. Then, the inductively heatable material can be arranged in the distributor cover, advantageously as close to the water channel as possible. This can be provided in the form of an inductively heatable metal rod or a small metal sheet, or alternatively provided in the form of a metal mesh or a metal powder. In particular, this inductively heatable material can be arranged in the above-mentioned lower part of the distributor cover, that is, as close to the water channel as possible. It can also be alternatively (possibly also additionally) arranged on an upper part, which is also in direct contact with the lower part and the water channel.

[0027] Therefore, the washing machine according to the present invention has the aforementioned detergent dispenser and a housing as an outer housing. In the housing there is a drum receiving container with a drum therein, which container can be approached via a door. In addition, the washing machine has a water guide system and a washing machine controller, wherein the water guide system has a water line and a pump, in particular also has a filter and a heating device, wherein the heating device can be integrated in the pump. The detergent dispenser can be advantageously arranged in the upper region of the washing machine so that it can be easily approached by the operator. The upper left region (usually common in washing machines) or the upper right region is suitable. This means that it is possible to utilize the available space at the left top and right top near the drum in the housing.

[0028] A further development of the invention can provide that below the detergent dispenser, in particular below the chamber outlet from the first receiving chamber of the receptacle, the washing machine has a collecting device. This can be formed in the manner of a funnel. From it a water line can lead into the drum receiving container in order to introduce either fresh water or water in combination with detergent and / or additives into the drum receiving container and thus into the drum and onto the laundry present therein.

[0029] It can advantageously be provided that the chamber outlet of the first receiving chamber of the receptacle is arranged at one end, in particular at the rear end, when viewed in the longitudinal direction. This means that detergent or the like can be introduced from above into the front region, which is easily accessible in the case of a pull-out embodiment of the receptacle in the manner of a drawer.

[0030] These and further features are disclosed in the description and in the drawings, as well as in the claims, wherein, in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields, each feature can be implemented individually or in subcombinations and can constitute advantageous embodiments entitled to protection per se for which protection is sought here. The subdivision of the application into subheadings and individual sections does not limit the general validity of the statements made below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic functional side view of a washing machine according to the invention with a detergent dispenser according to the invention, Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A front view of a washing machine depicting the arrangement of a detergent dispenser at the top left on the front of the washing machine, Figure 3 An oblique view from above of a detergent dispenser according to the invention with a channel therein and without the upper part of the dispenser cover, Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A front view of a detergent dispenser indicating the upper part of the dispenser cover and the laterally arranged metering pump, Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A plan view of the top of a detergent dispenser or dispenser cover, Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Bottom view of the distributor cover, Figure 7 The tilt of the dispenser cover from the back indicates that there is no drawer underneath it, and Figure 8 is a bottom view of the dispenser cover in an oblique representation without a drawer underneath. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 is a side view of a washing machine 11 with a housing 12 according to the invention, in particular in a substantially functional and simplified form. Figure 2 A front view of the washing machine 11 is shown. A drum receiving container 14 is arranged in the housing 12, in which a rotatable drum 15 is arranged, and an access door 16 on the front provides access to the drum. A water supply device 18 projects from above into the drum receiving container 14, for example in the form of a simple water outlet or a spray nozzle. The water comes from a collecting funnel 19 below a drawer 20, which is part of a detergent dispenser 30 according to the invention. This is explained in more detail below.

[0033] The water guide system in the washing machine 11 leads from the drum receiving container 14 via the valve V2 to the filter F. On the one hand, water can be introduced from the outside into the filter F via the valve V1 , wherein the water can also be conveyed directly from the valve V1 to the detergent dispenser 30 .

[0034] From the filter F, the water can be conveyed to the pump P and onwards to the three-way valve V3. On the one hand, the water can be pumped out of the washing machine 11 to the outflow. On the other hand, the water can be pumped upwards to the detergent dispenser 30 and / or the drawer 20, for example, via the drum 15 or the drum receiving container 14 in a loop.

[0035] from Figure 2 It is clear from the front view of FIG. 2 how the water from the drawer 20 can be conveyed in a conventional manner per se into a collecting funnel 19 arranged below it and from there via the water supply 18 into the drum receiving container 14 .

[0036] Furthermore, it can be seen that the washing machine 11 has a control unit 26. It is connected to the detergent dispenser 30 on the left and to the operating device 28 on the right. The operating device 28 can be designed as known per se from the prior art, advantageously with conventional displays and operating elements. It is important that the control unit 26 can also control the detergent dispenser 30 or its functional units described below, in particular the metering pump.

[0037] The tilted representation of a detailed embodiment of a detergent dispenser 30 (but without the upper part on the lower part 35) shows its internal construction with a water channel in the above-mentioned inner volume of the dispenser cover 33. The figure also shows the arrangement of the drawer 20 below it and the arrangement of the metering pumps 67 to 69 on the right outer side together with the circulation pump 70. Different types of metering pumps such as peristaltic pumps and gear pumps may also be present, for example depending on the nature of the additive.

[0038] The dispenser cover 33 consists essentially of a lower part 35 having a top 37 which is flat or extends in one plane away from the water passage formed therein. Figure 4 The front view of the dispenser cover 33 shows that the upper part 36 of the dispenser cover 33 can be placed and fastened (for example adhesively bonded) on the lower part 35 or on the top 37. This top 37 advantageously takes the form of a thin plate and has a closed and flat surface on its bottom facing the top 37 of the lower part 35. On the top of the upper part 36, a heating device H is shown in dotted lines, with which the dispenser cover 33 and in particular the liquid located therein or moving therein, such as water as well as detergents and additives, can be heated. For this purpose, an inductively heatable material, such as metal powder, metal chips or larger metal rods, can be arranged in the material of the lower part 35 of the dispenser cover 33. In this case, the heating device H can be an induction heating coil and has a heating action with a controllable temperature, preferably by using a temperature sensor.

[0039] On the top 37 of the lower part 35 or in this top 37 itself, it is important that a drainage channel 39 is provided, specifically as a narrow drainage channel 39a along the side pointing downwards to the right and along the side pointing downwards to the left. Thus, a first area 40 is formed here, in particular in the right lower corner area, where the drainage channel 39a is narrow after all or has a relatively small cross-sectional area. At the left-pointing corner of the lower part 35, the narrow drainage channel 39a merges into the wide drainage channel 39b. With this greater width and greater depth and a much larger total channel cross-sectional area, it then takes a winding route in the second area 41. Multiple straight sections are connected to each other by 180° bends so as to accommodate the maximum possible length in the second area 41 by multiple such 180° bends. As for example Figure 5As shown in the plan view of FIG. 4 , the channel cross-sectional area of ​​the drainage channel 39 a in the first region 40 may be approximately one twentieth of the channel cross-sectional area of ​​the drainage channel 39 b in the second region 41 .

[0040] As per Figure 5 As shown in the plan view of the distributor cover 33 or the lower part 35, the outlet opening 42a downward from the drainage channel 39b is arranged in the left rear corner area of ​​the second area 41. Figure 6 The bottom view of the distributor cover 33 shows this outlet opening 42a. However, the drainage channel 39b continues forward past this outlet opening 42a and then ends shortly before the right upper starting point of the narrow drainage channel 39a. There is no transition here, but the water can leave downwards through the further outlet opening 42b. Figure 6 As shown again in the bottom view of FIG. , the outlet opening 42b leads to the lateral outside through the short tube bend. This is also Figure 8 is shown in an oblique bottom view. Figure 7 In the oblique view from above, the outlet opening 42b leads to an opening on the transverse outside. The purpose of this is explained in more detail below.

[0041] Figure 5 and Figure 7 The plan view of the lower part 35 shows very clearly that a major part of the top 37 of the lower part 35 is utilized, importantly for arranging therein the drainage channels 39a and 39b with the maximum possible overall length. This maximum length means that, for example, water flowing therein can also be heated by the heating device H, such as Figure 4 However, it is important that the mixing with the above-mentioned additives can be carried out very efficiently.

[0042] according to Figures 3 to 6 The pull-out drawer 20 arranged in the detergent dispenser 30 and below the dispenser cover 33 can be constructed essentially as known from the prior art. On the far left, the drawer 20 has a first receiving chamber 21 which is the widest and has the largest capacity. It is open at the top and washing powder and other additives can be added manually for the washing cycle. The first receiving chamber 21 can also be open at the bottom or in particular to the rear and the bottom so that the incoming water can rinse out the detergent. The incoming water can be flushed out accordingly according to the Figure 4 is transferred to the collecting hopper 19 arranged below the first receiving chamber 21 and Figure 1 and Figure 2 From there it passes via a water supply 18 into the drum receiving container 14 .

[0043] The second receiving chamber 22, the third receiving chamber 23 and the fourth receiving chamber 24 are arranged next to each other to the right next to the first receiving chamber 21. They can be different in width from each other and are particularly narrower than the first receiving chamber. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, similar to the first receiving chamber 21, the receiving chambers 22 to 24 are open at the top. They can be filled with specific additives, which are only used occasionally or depend on the clothes to be washed and the washing program selected. In particular, they are not added manually as in the first receiving chamber 21, but the washing machine itself automatically adds, in particular by the controller 26. This has been explained very thoroughly in principle.

[0044] At the left rear, the first water inlet 48 is formed as an elongated protruding connector on the lower part 35. Figure 6 and Figure 8 , water flows into the first water inlet 48, for example from valve V1 or from pump P and fresh water from valve V3, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 . The water flows in the lower part 35 to a water distributor 49 which has fourteen small openings pointing downwards. These openings are arranged above the first receiving chamber 21 when the first receiving chamber 21 is fully pushed in together with the drawer 20. Thus, a large amount of fresh water can flow into the first receiving chamber 21 in a manner known per se and rinse the detergent out of the first receiving chamber 21.

[0045] according to Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 , three further water channels are arranged on the top 37 of the lower part 35, specifically, a first water supply channel 55, a second water supply channel 56 and a third water supply channel 57. They are connected on the one hand via downwardly directed openings to inlet devices 59, 60 and 61 extending downward into the drawer 20 and are therefore immersed in the liquid in one of the corresponding receiving chambers. The first inlet device 59 connected to the first water supply channel 55 extends into the second receiving chamber 22. The second inlet device 60 leading to the second water supply channel 56 extends into the third receiving chamber 23. The third inlet device 61, which is connected to the third water supply channel 57 in a water-conducting manner, extends into the fourth receiving chamber 24. The three water supply channels 55 to 57 extend in different inclined directions and have different lengths in the right lower corner area of ​​the lower part 35, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in .

[0046] The first water supply channel 55 has a first downward channel opening 63 at its right top end. Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 4 , similar to the outlet opening 42 b , the first downward passage opening 63 is merged into the short tube bend, which forms a short tube bend. Figure 7 Laterally outwardly of the first externally accessible passage opening 63 visible in FIG.

[0047] The second water supply channel 56 ends at its upper right end portion in a second channel opening 64. It also leads in a short pipe portion from the bottom of the lower part 35 to the lateral outside, where the second channel opening 64 is formed. The third water supply channel 57 has a third channel opening 65 at its right end portion. It also leads on the bottom of the lower part 35 to the short pipe bend and to the lateral outside. Figure 7 A single third metering pump 69 is shown. Figures 3 to 5 , there are further such metering pumps. A first metering pump 67 is fitted and connected to the first channel opening 63 or for the first channel opening 63. A second metering pump 68 is provided and arranged at the second channel opening 64 or for the second channel opening 64. These metering pumps 67 to 69 can suck additive from the receiving chambers 22 to 24 via the water supply channels 55 to 57, respectively. Figure 7 As shown in the oblique view of the transverse outside of the , the metering pump 67, not shown here, is connected to the first channel opening 63 by the pump inlet. The pump outlet is connected to the first orifice 72 shown here. The orifice 72 leads upwards via a short tube bend and as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The first orifice 72 shown in the figure ends in the narrow area of ​​the drainage channel 39a. Thus, the additive sucked in by the metering pump 67 from the second receiving chamber 22 and located there can be introduced into the narrow area of ​​the drainage channel 39a at the first orifice 72. A second orifice 73 is correspondingly provided for the second metering pump 68 at the second channel opening 64. The third orifice 74 is shown for Figure 7 The third metering pump 69 is mounted in the drum. Via the three openings 72 to 74, the additive from the receiving chambers 22 to 24 can thus be flushed with water into the drainage channel 39a and finally into the drum receiving container 14.

[0048] However, in order to allow additives to be transported or flushed along the drainage channel 39a, a second water inlet 51 in the form of a short pipe connector is provided at the right rear of the lower part 35. Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown in the bottom view of the second water inlet 51, the opening in the second water inlet 51 extends upward through the short tube bend and serves as the starting point of the outlet opening 52 leading to the narrow drain channel 39a. Therefore, the water flowing into the second water inlet 51 can flow along the entire drain channel 39a and 39b. The distributed additives are washed along and especially in the second area 41 with a large channel cross-sectional area and a correspondingly slow flow and 180° bend, they are fully mixed with each other or with the water and dissolved therein and are therefore dispersed therein as evenly as possible. In addition, very good cleaning and hygiene can be achieved, especially in the area of ​​the orifices 72 to 74 through which the water flows.

[0049] The exact manner in which the dispensing is carried out by the metering pumps 67 to 69 at the orifices 72 to 74 is not entirely clear here. However, the details are not critical, what is important is that the additive can be flushed away effectively, leaving as little residue as possible.

[0050] The above-mentioned outlet opening 42b on the lateral outer side of the lower part 35 can lead to a circulation pump 70. The circulation pump 70 can be constructed similarly to the metering pumps 67 to 69 in principle, but it is also possible to be designed for a higher pumping capacity. In this respect, it is not necessary to operate in exactly the same way as the metering pumps 67 to 69. The three metering pumps 67, 68 and 69 are advantageously all the same. This means that only one type of metering pump needs to be used. Similarly, the circulation pump 70 can also be of the same type or have the same design. The pumps 67 to 70 are advantageously controlled by the controller 26. It can also control the operation of the heating device H.

[0051] The pump outlet of the circulation pump 70 is connected to Figure 7 The orifice 76 shown in Figure 5 In the plan view, the orifice 76 is open to the drain channel 39a directly below the outlet opening 52. Therefore, it can be said that water can be pumped in the circuit along the drain channel 39a and 39b by the circulating pump 70. Given an appropriate flow rate, the volume of water flowing downwards through the first outlet opening 42a to the first receiving chamber 21 is not very large. The cross section of the outlet opening 42a and 42b can be constructed accordingly. If the circulating pump 70 is not in operation, the outlet opening 42b can be said to be closed, or water cannot flow out from the end of the drain channel 39b through the outlet opening. A throttle valve or even a better controllable valve that opens only under a specific limit pressure can be set to allow the downward flow through the outlet opening 42a and / or 42b to be controlled or cut off and open or even regulate. Therefore, there is no dependence on flow rate or optional pressure. The valve can be constructed as a simple stop valve, which is therefore simple and sturdy.

[0052] A comparison of the views of the dispenser cap 33 or the lower part 35 from above and below reveals that its manufacture, especially if it is to be in one piece, is highly complex. It is therefore possible to manufacture the lower part 35 by 3D printing. In this way, even the aforementioned tube bends on the bottom of the lower part 35 are easy to manufacture. Alternatively, they can also be assembled as separate parts or adhesively bonded to the lower part 35.

[0053] Instead of Figure 82, flexible and possibly also variable length hoses can be connected to the shorter inlet devices 59 to 61 shown again in FIG. These hoses can be connected to a cassette or the like arranged in one of the receiving chambers 22 to 24. They can thus be a practical alternative to the open receiving chambers with openly arranged additives.

[0054] One of the main advantages of the detergent dispenser 30 according to the present invention together with the particular dispenser cover 33 is that, although it may be slightly more complicated to manufacture as a single component, the subsequent assembly of the complete detergent dispenser 30 is much simpler. Importantly, watertightness problems can also be avoided. Figure 4 When the upper part 36 is fastened (advantageously adhesively bonded) to the top 37 of the lower part 35, it can be seen that the drainage channels 39a and 39b open at the top are sealed or sealed to the outside at the top.

Claims

1. A detergent dispenser for a washing machine for mixing detergent and / or additives into water in the detergent dispenser and conveying the detergent and / or additives forward into a drum of the washing machine with laundry therein, wherein The detergent dispenser has: - a receiving portion, wherein - the receiving portion has a plurality of receiving chambers, - at least one first receiving chamber has a chamber outlet at the bottom and is open at the top, and - at least one receiving chamber is closed at the bottom and has an opening at the top, a flat distributor cover which is arranged above the receptacle, wherein - the dispenser cap has an inner volume with separate water channels therein, - a plurality of water channels are guided to the lateral outside of the dispenser cover, where they form channel openings, - a plurality of water channels are brought together in the dispenser cap, and at least one drainage channel has an outlet opening above the first receiving chamber provided with the chamber outlet, wherein a metering pump is arranged at at least one of the channel openings on the lateral outside and a water supply channel leads from this channel opening to the receiving chamber closed at the bottom, Therein, the drainage channel in the dispenser cap leads from a channel opening to the metering pump to the outlet opening into the first receiving chamber.

2. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: At least one first water inlet from the outside is provided on the dispenser cover, wherein the water inlet is connected in the dispenser cover via a water channel via the first receiving chamber to the outlet opening.

3. The detergent dispenser according to claim 2, wherein: This water channel is either not connected to any other water channel in the dispenser cap or is connected to at least one other water channel in the dispenser cap leading to the at least one metering pump.

4. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: A second water inlet is provided on the detergent dispenser, the second water inlet opening into a water channel in the dispenser cover connected to the at least one metering pump, wherein the water channel is connected to all the metering pumps on the dispenser cover.

5. The detergent dispenser according to claim 4, wherein: The second water inlet is connected to a valve that directs the water forward from the second water inlet in the dispenser cap.

6. The detergent dispenser according to claim 5, wherein: The valve is a two-way valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet, wherein the valve inlet is connected to the second water inlet and the valve outlet is connected to the drainage channel.

7. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: The drainage channel leads from the at least one metering pump to the outlet opening in a circuitous route.

8. The detergent dispenser according to claim 7, wherein: The water discharge channel is designed in a meandering course and has a plurality of parallel, directly adjacent channel sections which are connected to one another via 180° bends.

9. The detergent dispenser according to claim 7, wherein: In the region of the repeatedly circuitous route, the drainage channel has a larger channel cross-sectional area than along the section passing through at least one metering pump or a plurality of metering pumps.

10. The detergent dispenser according to claim 9, wherein: In the region of the repeatedly circuitous route, the channel cross-sectional area is two to twenty times greater than in the section along the at least one metering pump.

11. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: The drainage channel extends forward downstream of the outlet opening to a connection with a pump inlet of a circulation pump for pumping water along the drainage channel in a circuit, wherein the pump outlet of the circulation pump enters the water channel of the pump outlet of the at least one metering pump, wherein the water channel extends forward downstream of the metering pump or the pump outlet of the metering pump to form a drainage channel, so that the pump outlet of the metering pump is open to the drainage channel.

12. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: Two to five metering pumps are provided adjacent to each other and arranged on the lateral outer side of the dispenser cover having the channel opening, wherein pump inlets of the metering pumps are connected to the water supply channel at the connection opening and pump outlets of the metering pumps are open to the drainage channel.

13. The detergent dispenser according to claim 12, wherein: The pump outlets of the metering pumps along the drainage channel open into the drainage channel one after the other, wherein the drainage channel has a smaller channel cross-sectional area at this point.

14. The detergent dispenser according to claim 12, wherein: The metering pump is mechanically fastened to the dispenser cap.

15. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving chambers other than the first receiving chamber are open at the top for the introduction or insertion of a closed container with detergent or additives therein, wherein the container has connection means to the water supply channel leading to the dosing pump.

16. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: The dispenser cap has a closed configuration except for a connection for a pump, a water connection entering the dispenser cap from the outside, an outlet opening into the first receiving chamber and optionally an opening for a detergent container or additive container in one of the other receiving chambers.

17. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: The dispenser cap is a two-part construction having a lower part and an upper part.

18. The detergent dispenser according to claim 17, wherein: The upper part is designed as a flat plate and the lower part has all of the water channels.

19. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: The dispenser cap is manufactured by 3D printing as a single integral part.

20. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: The inner volume of the dispenser cap or the entire dispenser cap is constructed without moving parts.

21. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: The dispenser cover has a heating device for heating water flowing in the dispenser cover, wherein the heating device has an induction heating coil and an induction-heatable material is arranged in the dispenser cover.

22. The detergent dispenser according to claim 21, wherein The inductively heatable material is disposed proximate to and / or along at least one of the water channels in the interior volume of the dispenser cap.

23. A washing machine having a detergent dispenser according to claim 1, having a housing, a drum receiving container in the housing, a drum in the drum receiving container, a door for the drum, a water guide system and a washing machine controller, wherein: The water guiding system has a water line and a pump.

24. The washing machine with a detergent dispenser according to claim 23, wherein: The detergent dispenser is arranged in a left upper region or a right upper region of the washing machine.

25. The washing machine according to claim 23, wherein: A collecting device in the form of a funnel is arranged below the detergent dispenser, from which a water line leads to the drum receiving container.

Images