Multi-dispensing device

Abstract

A multi-dose metering device (1) comprising a metering block (2) with at least one inlet for a main conveying medium, with at least two component inlets and at least two dispensing lines (4), wherein each dispensing line (4) is assigned a component inlet and a metering pump (8) is connected upstream of each component inlet, wherein each metering pump (8) is connected directly to the metering block (2) as a detachable module, characterized in that the dispensing lines (4) each have a metering agent connection (28) which is designed as part of a quick coupling which interacts with a coupling part (29) of a pressure line (16) of a metering pump (8) designed to complement this, and that the metering agent connection (28) comprises at least one shut-off valve (28a) which automatically closes the metering agent connection (28) when no metering pump (8) is connected.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a multi-dosing device for commercial cleaning facilities, such as car washes or other cleaning systems. In such cleaning systems, water and chemical agents, and optionally compressed air, are typically processed, sometimes with foaming. Various detergents are added to a main conveying medium, such as water. In a car wash, for example, shampoo, hot wax, shine enhancer, or the like would be dispensed from such a multi-dosing device via different lines. Typically, such a dosing device comprises a mixing and dosing block with feeds for the individual cleaning components or chemical components and dispensing lines for the chemical components in their individual or mixed state.In a mixing and dosing unit, the chemical components to be supplied are mixed, separated, or released in measured doses. Typically, the various dispensing lines for the cleaning components are controlled by solenoid valves, which open and close them. The individual chemical components are dosed by dosing pumps connected to their respective storage tanks.

[0002] In a multi-dosing unit of the type described above, the dosing pump associated with a reservoir for the respective chemical component is controlled by the position of a valve that opens or closes the corresponding dispensing line. This requires a connection between the valve and the dosing pump. Finally, appropriate lines for supplying the dosing agent are also provided. Depending on the complexity of the cleaning system, a certain degree of flexibility in the dosing unit with regard to the components to be supplied is desirable.

[0003] With known dosing systems of the type described above, the wiring, cabling, and connection of the individual components is relatively complex and difficult to understand. Expanding the dosing unit with additional component inputs and dispensing lines is also inherently relatively complex.

[0004] DE 601 03 746 T2 discloses a modular beverage dispenser comprising a water bath with a mounting block permanently attached to it. The mounting block includes a number of pump chambers and a number of dispensing valve chambers. A water pump is arranged in a first of the pump chambers, a syrup pump is arranged in a second of the pump chambers, and a dispensing valve is arranged in one of the dispensing valve chambers.

[0005] DE 91 09 288 U1 relates to a multi-dose dosing station for the aseptic filling of products, wherein an inlet valve, a dosing unit and an outlet valve are provided in multiple arrangements, each operating via valve channels onto a dosing chamber, wherein the dosing material is fed into an inlet and metered via an outlet, wherein the dosing unit consists of a combination of a large-stroke piston pump in conjunction with an aseptic diaphragm pump, and the inlet or outlet valve, as a combination of piston and diaphragm actuation, has a diaphragm which is actuated by a valve actuator via a valve tappet.

[0006] DE 30 46 893 A1 discloses a device for applying separate volumes of liquid paint to a substrate, with at least one dispensing pump connected between an associated container for the paint to be applied and an associated dispensing opening, wherein the pump or each pump comprises a pump assembly with a cylinder, a piston movable therein, and an inlet and outlet for liquid paint, connected to the container or the dispensing opening, and further, an actuator assembly with a cylinder and a piston movable therein, wherein the pump assembly is detachably and interchangeably connected to the actuator assembly, with the pump cylinder and the pump piston being interposed between the actuator cylinder and the actuator piston, while the actuator cylinder or each actuator cylinder is connected to a pneumatic pressure source.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a multiple dosing device that is greatly simplified in this respect.

[0008] According to the invention, a multiple dosing device is therefore proposed, comprising a dosing block with at least one inlet for a main conveying medium, at least two component inlets and at least two dispensing lines, wherein each dispensing line is assigned a component inlet and a dosing pump is connected upstream of each component inlet, wherein each dosing pump is connected directly to the dosing block as a detachable module, and wherein the dispensing lines each have a dosing agent connection which is designed as part of a quick coupling which interacts with a coupling part of a pressure line of a dosing pump designed to complement this, and the dosing agent connection comprises at least one shut-off valve which automatically closes the dosing agent connection when no dosing pump is connected.

[0009] The multi-dosing device according to the invention is therefore characterized in particular by its modular design and by the dosing pumps that can be removed or replaced as needed. The dosing block of the multi-dosing device can be easily designed for a generous number of component inlets and outlet lines, so that additional dosing pumps can be connected to the dosing block without the need for additional complex electrical wiring.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the metering pumps are designed as pneumatic diaphragm pumps, each connected to a common main control line through which the compressed air supply to the pump drive is provided. This arrangement has the advantage that additional control lines for a large number of metering pumps are not required. This is particularly beneficial for the modular design of the arrangement.

[0011] According to the invention, each dispensing line has a dosing medium connection designed as part of a quick-release coupling that interacts with a complementary coupling part of a pressure line of a dosing pump. In this way, the individual dosing pumps can be quickly and easily replaced during operation of the multi-dosing unit.

[0012] According to the invention, the metering agent connection comprises at least one shut-off valve which automatically closes the metering agent connection when no metering pump is connected.

[0013] In one variant of the invention, the shut-off valve is designed as a ball check valve, which is held in the open position when a metering pump is connected.

[0014] The metering device according to the invention can include means for positive locking of the metering pumps to the metering block.

[0015] It is advantageous if the metering pumps can be locked to appropriately designed holding means of the metering block by means of retaining claws, whereby at least some retaining claws of the metering pumps can be moved from a locking position to an unlocking position or vice versa by means of a locking lever.

[0016] The invention is explained below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

[0017] They show: Fig. 1 A perspective view of a multiple dosing device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a view in the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1, partly on average, Fig. 3 a sectional view along arrows III-III in Fig. 1, where the dosing pump is not activated, Fig. 3a one of the Fig. 3. Corresponding section through the dosing device, with the dosing pump being controlled, Fig. 3b one the Fig. 3 and Fig. 3a corresponding sectional view, wherein the metering pump in question is separated from the metering block and Fig. 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the attachment of the metering pump to the metering block.

[0018] Reference is made to the schematic and perspective views in Fig. Figure 1 shows a multi-dose metering device 1 according to the invention. Reference numeral 2 denotes the metering block, which is designed as a distributor for the main conveying medium supplied via line 3.

[0019] In the described embodiment, the multi-dosing unit serves as a detergent or cleaning agent dosing system for a car wash. Water is supplied to the dosing block 2 via line 3 for the main conveying medium. A cleaning agent, consisting of the main conveying medium and an added chemical component, is supplied to the consumer (not shown) via the dispensing lines 4. The dispensing lines 4 can each be selectively opened or closed via solenoid valves 5 designed as 2 / 3-way valves, thus either depressurizing or pressurizing the respective dispensing line 4. The solenoid valves 5 are each connected to a control unit (not shown) via electrical cables 6. The control unit, for example, queries a specific cleaning agent for a particular consumer.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the line 3 for the main conveyed medium opens into a distribution line 7 of the metering block 2. All draw-off lines 4 are connected to the distribution line 7 via a solenoid valve 5. For example, water, as the main conveyed medium, is present on the distribution line at a pressure of 6 bar. As long as the solenoid valves 5 are closed, the draw-off lines 4 are each depressurized.

[0021] Below the dosing block 2, 4 dosing pumps 8 are arranged, corresponding to the number of extraction lines, which are connected via riser lines 9 to storage containers for chemical components (not shown).

[0022] As can be seen particularly from the sectional views Fig. As can be seen from 3 to 3b, the metering pumps 8 are each designed as pneumatically operated diaphragm pumps.

[0023] The metering pumps 8 are connected to a central main control line 10 in or on the metering block 2. The main control line 10 is supplied with a pulsed compressed air flow, which serves as the working medium for the respective metering pump 8 and whose pulsation frequency (for example, 120 pressure pulses per minute) determines the stroke frequency of the metering pumps 8. For this purpose, a working piston 11 is arranged to move back and forth within the pump housing 12 of the metering pumps 8, and this piston interacts with a pump diaphragm 13. The pump diaphragm 13 forms a boundary on one side of a pump chamber 14 for the fluid to be pumped. The pump chamber 14 is connected via a suction line 15 to a riser line 9 and on the other side via a pressure line or delivery line 16 to the respective discharge line 4. The volume of the pump chamber 14 is variable in a known manner via the stroke movement of the working piston 11. The working piston 11 is, as described in Fig. 3a shows that when compressed air is applied from the main control line 10, the pump chamber is shifted to the right against the force of a compression spring 17 in the figure, so that the pump chamber shrinks (pressure stroke), whereby during this working cycle the medium located in the pump chamber is transported under pressure through the delivery line 16 into the extraction line 4, overcoming the spring-loaded check valves 16a and 16b.

[0024] Due to the pressure pulsation in the main control line 10, the working piston 11 is moved back to its initial position by the compression spring 17, thereby increasing the volume of the pump chamber 14 (suction stroke). In this process, for example, a cleaning agent is drawn into the pump chamber 14 via the riser line 9, overcoming the spring-loaded check valve 9a.

[0025] In addition to the main control line 10, a secondary control line 18 is provided, which is connected in parallel to the delivery line 16 in terms of flow direction, but bypassing the check valves 16a, 16b. As will be explained in detail later, the system pressure of the extraction line 4 is applied to the secondary control line 18.

[0026] The system pressure of the extraction line 4 acts via the auxiliary control line 18 on a switching diaphragm 19, which in turn is operatively connected to an actuating plunger 20. Depending on the switching position, the actuating plunger 20 opens a flow channel 21 between the main control line 10 and a working chamber 22 of the metering pump 8.

[0027] When the flow channel 21 is released via the actuating plunger 20, the effective piston area of ​​the working piston 11 is pressurized with the pulsation frequency in the main control line 10.

[0028] The switching diaphragm 19 and the actuating plunger 20 form a hydraulic control input for the metering pump 8.

[0029] When the extraction line is depressurized, the actuating plunger 20 is held in a position that closes the flow channel 21 by the compression spring 23.

[0030] When the solenoid valve 5 is actuated, the flow path from the distribution line 7 to the extraction line 4 is opened. The pressure building up in the extraction line 4 is transmitted via the connecting line 4a to the auxiliary control line 18 and thus to the switching diaphragm 19, which, by means of the flow pressure, causes the actuating plunger 20 to move in the direction of the Fig. The action indicated by the arrow in Figure 3a, pointing to the left, opens the flow channel 21 from the main control line 10 to the working chamber 22 of the metering pump. The pulsating medium, in this case compressed air, acts against the compression spring 17 on the working piston 11, which in turn performs a suction stroke and a delivery stroke alternately in time with the compressed air pulsation. Via the riser line 9, the suction line 15, the pump chamber 14, and the delivery line 16, the chemical component to be metered is conveyed through the connecting line 4a into the discharge line 4.

[0031] As will be explained below, each metering pump 8 is detachably arranged in the metering block 2.

[0032] When the chemical component to be added via the metering pump 8 runs low, the container located below it (not shown) must be replaced. To ensure that the metering pump can draw in enough of the chemical component so that the pump chamber 14 and the delivery line 16 are filled with the component to be metered, the actuating plunger 22 can be manually inserted into the pump housing 12 by means of the head 23 protruding from the pump housing 12. Fig. The position shown in 3a is pulled to the left so that the metering pump immediately starts working and draws in the chemical component to be pumped.

[0033] The delivery volume of each metering pump 8 can be adjusted via the adjusting wheel 24. The adjusting wheel 24 acts on an adjustable stop 25 for the working piston 11; depending on the position of the stop 25, the stroke of the working piston 11 is limited to a greater or lesser extent, thereby adjusting the delivery volume of the metering pump 8.

[0034] As in particular the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, each metering pump 8 is equipped with a U-shaped locking lever 26, which acts on retaining claws 27. The locking lever allows the retaining claws 27 to be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position or vice versa, so that the respective metering pump 8 can be removed from the metering block 2. The retaining claws 27 are each attached to a connecting slide 31, which, on its side facing the locking lever 26, has a U-shaped receptacle 32 that in turn receives a drive pin 33 of the locking lever 26. Reference numeral 34 designates a bearing journal of the locking lever 26, about which the pivoting movement of the locking lever 26 is performed. Fig. 4).

[0035] As in particular the Fig.As can be seen from Figure 1, the locking lever 26 is approximately hoof-shaped, with each leg of the locking lever 26 supported by a bearing pin 34 in the pump housing 12. Advantageously, each metering pump 8 is provided with four retaining claws 27, which can be moved in pairs via a drive pin 33.

[0036] For this purpose, the dosing agent connection 28 at the end of the connecting line 4a is designed as part of a quick coupling, which interacts with a complementary coupling part 29 of the conveying line 16.

[0037] The metering medium connection 28 comprises a spring-loaded check valve 28a with a ball 28b as the valve body. Within the coupling part 29, a mandrel 30 is arranged centrally in the opening of the delivery line. When the coupling is connected, the mandrel 30 lifts the ball 28b from the associated valve seat 28c, thus establishing a fluid connection between the connecting line 4a and the delivery line 16. This occurs when the mandrel 30 enters the metering medium connection 28 and lifts the ball 28b from the valve seat 28c.

[0038] When the extraction line 4 and the connecting line 4a are under media pressure, this pressure is immediately transmitted to the control input of the metering pump 8. As long as the metering pump 8 is connected to the metering block 2, the pin 30 ensures that the check valve 28a remains in the open position. Reference symbol list 1 Multi-dispensing unit 2 dosing blocks 3. Line for main pumping medium 4 Extraction line 4a Connecting cable 5 solenoid valves 6 electrical cables 7 Distribution line 8 dosing pumps 9 risers 9a Check valve 10 Main control line 11 working pistons 12 pump housings 13 pump diaphragms 14 Pump chamber 15 Suction line 16 Conveyor line 16a Check valve 16b Check valve 17 Compression spring 18 Auxiliary control line 19 switching membranes 20 actuating plungers 21 Flow channel 22 Chamber of Labour 23 Head of the actuating plunger 24-position wheel 25 strikes 26 locking levers 27 retaining claws 28 Dosing agent connection 28a Check valve 28b sphere 28c valve seat 29 Clutch part 30 Dorn 31 sliders 32 recording 33 Drive pin 34 bearing journals

Claims

[1] Multi-dose metering device (1) comprising a metering block (2) with at least one inlet for a main pumping medium, with at least two component inlets and at least two dispensing lines (4), wherein each dispensing line (4) is assigned a component inlet and each component inlet is connected to a metering pump (8), wherein each metering pump (8) is connected as a detachable module directly to the metering block (2), characterized by , that the extraction lines (4) each have a metering agent connection (28) which is designed as part of a quick coupling which interacts with a complementary coupling part (29) of a pressure line (16) of a metering pump (8), and that the metering agent connection (28) includes at least one shut-off valve (28a) which automatically closes the metering agent connection (28) when no metering pump (8) is connected. [2] Multiple dosing device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the metering pumps (8) are designed as pneumatic diaphragm pumps, each of which is connected to a common main control line (10) via which compressed air is supplied to the pump drive. [3] Multiple dosing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the shut-off valve (28a) is designed as a ball check valve which is held in the open position when the pressure line (16) is connected. [4] Multiple dosing device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that means for positive locking of the metering pumps (8) to the metering block (2) are provided. [5] Multiple dosing device according to claim 4, characterized by, that the metering pumps (8) can be locked by means of retaining claws on appropriately designed retaining means of the metering block (2), wherein at least some retaining claws of the metering pumps (8) can be moved from a locking position to an unlocking position or vice versa by means of a locking lever (26).

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