DETERGENT FLUSHING SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser system for a water-conducting household appliance, comprising a receiving chamber for receiving a detergent, a mixing chamber, and a water inlet. The receiving chamber is configured to dispense a detergent into the mixing chamber. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a household appliance with such a dispenser system.

[0002] To treat laundry or clean dishes, a detergent or detergent tablet is mixed with water. Circulation pumps are typically used to repeatedly bring a quantity of water into contact with the detergent, for example, in powder form, and thus dissolve it. Such components increase the required number of components and thus the assembly effort of the household appliance. Nozzles are also known that transport the detergent directly into the working area of ​​the household appliance, such as a laundry drum.

[0003] US 2017 327 991 A1 discloses a washing machine with a dispenser system that includes a receiving chamber for a detergent and a mixing chamber. A mixing nozzle connectable to a water inlet is arranged in the mixing chamber.

[0004] US 2012 246 836 A1 also discloses a washing machine with a dispenser system that includes a compartment for a detergent. The detergent is flushed out by a partial flow of flushed water and mixes with the remaining flushed water flow in a dispenser channel.

[0005] Finally, EP 2 199 451 A2 discloses a washing machine that serves, in particular, as a laundry treatment appliance for washing and / or drying laundry. It comprises a treatment tank and a water supply line, with water being fed into the treatment tank via the water supply line. The water supply line comprises a Venturi pump, with a suction side of the Venturi pump connected to a condensate tank. When fresh water is supplied via the water supply line, condensate temporarily stored in the condensate tank can be sucked in and fed into the treatment tank together with the fresh water.

[0006] Such systems have insufficient washing performance and therefore require a longer period of time to completely dissolve the detergent and its components, such as enzymes and surfactants.

[0007] It is the object of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to create a dispensing system which enables a more efficient and faster mixing of tap water with a detergent.

[0008] This problem is solved by a dispensing system having the features of claim 1 and by a household appliance having the features of claim 14.

[0009] The invention also relates to a dispenser system, in particular for a water-conducting household appliance, comprising a receiving chamber for receiving a detergent. The detergent can be in powder form, liquid form, or compressed form, such as a tablet, or can be positioned in the receiving chamber.

[0010] The household appliance can be designed, for example, as a laundry care appliance or a dishwasher. The laundry care appliance can be implemented as a washing machine or a washer-dryer. In this context, a household appliance can be a stationary or a mobile or transportable electrical appliance. However, the dispensing system is not limited to household appliances and can generally be configured for dissolving or mixing liquids with detergents.

[0011] Furthermore, a mixing chamber and a water inlet are provided. The receiving chamber is configured to discharge a detergent into the mixing chamber. At least one mixing nozzle connectable to the water inlet and a suction nozzle downstream of the mixing nozzle are arranged in the mixing chamber. The mixing nozzle is configured to mix the detergent with a quantity of water taken from the water inlet. The suction nozzle is configured to convey the detergent mixed with the water out of the mixing chamber.

[0012] The inventive dispensing system eliminates the need for a circulation pump and associated piping, while simultaneously improving washing performance because the detergent is optimally mixed with the water or dissolved in the water by the mixing nozzle in the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber can be part of the household appliance's dispensing tray or be located separately from the dispensing tray.

[0013] This allows the detergent to be dissolved or prepared into a lye solution in advance and then pumped into the working chamber, such as a laundry drum. The suction nozzle can function as a passive radiation pump driven by water pressure. The suction nozzle transports the prepared lye solution from the mixing chamber. This measure can reduce the assembly effort for the household appliance. In particular, the number of required electrical components with corresponding control components can be eliminated.

[0014] The amount of water fed into the mixing chamber can, for example, be a portion of the total amount of water used for cleaning. The water volume can be controlled, for example, via the cross-sections of a Y-piece and can range from 500 ml to 2000 ml. The mixing nozzle can divert part of the water volume to mix the detergent. Another portion of the water volume can be directed into the suction nozzle to serve as its driving force. This allows mechanical work to be performed by mixing the water with the detergent.

[0015] The term "downstream" can mean that the intake nozzle is positioned downstream of the mixing nozzle in a water flow direction. This refers to a position of the induction system in an operating position. Furthermore, the water can flow from an upstream side of the induction system to a downstream side of the induction system in a main flow direction.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the water inlet is divided by a flow divider into a first partial flow and a second partial flow, wherein the first partial flow has a larger volume flow than the second partial flow. The second partial flow flows into the at least one mixing nozzle and then into the intake nozzle. This measure makes it possible to provide a self-regulating system with a minimal number of electronic components. The flow divider can, for example, be a T-piece, a Y-piece, or the like. A predefined volume flow is set based on the ratio of the cross-sections of the flow divider and / or the lines to the mixing chamber. Alternatively, a control valve can be used to control the volume flow.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, a volume flow directed into the at least one mixing nozzle can be controlled by a valve. This measure enables targeted control of the detergent mixing. The time of preparation of the lye can also be precisely adjusted. Furthermore, a pulsed operation of the dispensing system can be implemented. Particularly in combination with sensors, the dispensing system can form a control loop for optimal concentration of the prepared lye. Excess lye can, for example, enter the lye container via an opening or overflow.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the intake nozzle is designed as a Venturi nozzle. The Venturi nozzle has an internal drive nozzle and a suction section circumferentially surrounding the drive nozzle, with an axially arranged intake opening. The suction section has an outlet opening at an end opposite the intake opening. By reducing the cross-section at the internal drive nozzle, a higher flow velocity can be generated locally. The increased flow velocity causes a negative pressure, which is created circumferentially in the region of the suction section. The Venturi nozzle can thus function as a type of jet pump. In its simplest design, such an intake nozzle has no moving components and can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively. In particular, the provision of electrically driven circulation pumps can be eliminated.

[0019] In one embodiment of the suction nozzle, the suction section surrounding the drive nozzle on the circumference has flow surfaces that extend in the direction of the drive nozzle and / or in the direction of the mixing chamber. The flow surfaces can interact with the sucked-in water volume or the mixed water volume and thus be set in rotation. For this purpose, the suction section or the entire suction nozzle is mounted so that it can rotate along the flow direction. The additional rotation of the suction section and the flow surfaces can create additional turbulence in the lye in the mixing chamber, thus optimizing the mixing of the detergent with the water volume. This measure requires no electronic aids and can operate completely passively.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, at least one recirculation opening is arranged in the suction section between the intake opening and the outlet opening. The recirculation opening allows a portion of the lye to flow out of the suction section into the mixing chamber. This generates additional mechanical work for mixing the detergent with the water.

[0021] The swirling of the detergent with the water quantity can be particularly efficient if the mixing chamber is designed to be essentially rotationally symmetrical.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the mixing nozzle is designed as a pipe section extending partially through the mixing chamber and having a plurality of nozzle openings. Particularly in a substantially rotationally symmetrical mixing chamber, such a mixing nozzle can induce targeted turbulence patterns that cause the detergent to mix with the water. In particular, the detergent can be thoroughly mixed with the water on the periphery of the mixing nozzle.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the mixing nozzle is designed as at least one channel that runs along at least one wall of the mixing chamber. The at least one channel has a plurality of nozzle openings directed into the mixing chamber. This measure allows the mixing nozzle to act on the mixture of the detergent and the water quantity from one or more sides. In particular, advantageous mixing of the detergent with the water quantity can be achieved in rectangular or square-shaped mixing chambers.

[0024] The mixing nozzle can achieve particularly efficient mixing of the detergent and the water quantity if the at least one channel runs along a transverse direction and / or longitudinal direction along at least one wall of the mixing chamber. The channel can have an L-shape, a U-shape, an I-shape, and the like. In particular, the channel can extend along rectangular or round or rounded walls and can thus be integrated into the mixing chamber with particular flexibility.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, two mixing nozzles are arranged on two opposite walls of the mixing chamber. The nozzle openings of the mixing nozzles are essentially directed toward each other. This measure allows the water quantity to be mixed with the water quantity from two opposite sides. This creates a highly turbulent flow in the mixing chamber, which enables particularly rapid mixing of the detergent with the water quantity.

[0026] The mixing of the water with the detergent can be improved if the nozzle openings of the mixing nozzle have an exit angle. Preferably, the exit angle of the nozzle openings is designed to create local turbulence and / or a rotational swirl of the liquid in the mixing chamber. The additional induced flow or swirl enables the detergent to dissolve in the water even at low water temperatures.

[0027] The escape of water vapor from the working chamber into the receiving chamber or from the household appliance can be prevented if the mixing chamber is designed as a siphon for the receiving chamber.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, a heating device and / or at least one sensor are arranged in the mixing chamber. Preferably, the at least one sensor and / or the heating device are electrically coupled to a control unit. The use of a heating element can reduce the time required to mix the detergent with the water. Furthermore, the control unit can set a specific water or lye temperature in the mixing chamber, thereby activating specific active ingredients of the detergent.

[0029] The sensor can measure the temperature and / or detergent concentration of the water. This can be done, for example, by measuring electrical conductivity. This measure can provide a control loop with the control unit, which dynamically adjusts the detergent concentration and the lye temperature.

[0030] The heater or heating element, in conjunction with the dispensing system, can more efficiently dissolve and activate enzyme surfactants and other additives in the detergent without damaging them. For example, enzymes can be dissolved from the detergent at low temperatures below 20°C and transported to the work chamber. Surfactants in the detergent can be dissolved at temperatures in the range of 20°C - 40°C, and bleaching agents at temperatures above 40°C. Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, a method can be provided in which a gradual pre-dissolution of the detergent takes place in the mixing chamber.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, a household appliance is provided. The household appliance can preferably be a water-conducting household appliance for treating laundry or dishes. The household appliance has a dispenser system according to the invention. By using the dispenser system, detergent loss can be minimized and the costs for manufacturing the household appliance can be reduced. This is achieved in particular by the possible elimination of a circulation pump, the elimination of a sump seal, and the reduced control effort for electrical components, since the dispenser system can be designed to act essentially passively.

[0032] In one embodiment, a receiving chamber of the dispenser system is arranged in an upper section of the household appliance. The mixing chamber is preferably arranged below the receiving chamber. The mixing chamber is directly adjacent to the receiving chamber or indirectly connected to the receiving chamber via at least one hose. This measure allows for the realization of a modified dispenser bowl with a receiving chamber and a directly adjacent mixing chamber.

[0033] Alternatively, the mixing chamber can be spaced apart from the receiving chamber, with a technically simple connecting hose providing a fluid-carrying connection to ensure the transport of the detergent into the mixing chamber. This allows the mixing chamber to also act as a siphon for the receiving chamber, preventing the formation of condensate in the receiving chamber.

[0034] According to a further embodiment, the household appliance has a working chamber. An outlet opening of a suction nozzle of the dispensing system preferably opens directly or indirectly into the working chamber. This allows the suction nozzle to convey the amount of water mixed with the detergent directly into the working chamber. This eliminates the need for a circulation pump in the household appliance.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the water supply of the dispensing system is divided by a flow divider into a first partial flow and a second partial flow. The first partial flow flows into the working chamber of the household appliance. This measure allows the second partial flow to provide a quantity of water that is mixed with the detergent to form a lye solution. The lye solution is then added to the first partial flow in the working chamber continuously, in pulses, or in predefined steps.

[0036] The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, the invention encompasses, to the extent technically feasible, any combination of the technical features listed in the claims or described in the description as relevant to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a dispensing system according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a cross section of the dispensing system from Fig. 1 in a household appliance according to a first embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of a household appliance with a dispensing system according to a second embodiment. Fig. 4 shows plan views of a mixing chamber with differently designed mixing nozzles.

[0037] In the figures, identical or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals. Factors such as numerical values, shapes, components, positions of components, and the manner in which components are connected are merely illustrative and not limiting. Different scales have been used in some of the drawings for clarity and ease of understanding.

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a front view of a rotary selector device 1 according to the invention, which is arranged on the outer surface of a household appliance according to the invention, in the form of a washing machine 2. The rotary selector device 1 comprises a rotating body

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of a dispenser system 1 according to a first embodiment. The dispenser system 1 has a receiving chamber 2 for receiving a detergent. Furthermore, a mixing chamber 4 is provided.

[0040] The receiving chamber 2 is arranged at a distance from the mixing chamber 4. A connecting hose 6 enables the transport of a detergent from the receiving chamber 2 to the mixing chamber 4.

[0041] A water inlet 8 opens into the mixing chamber 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the water inlet 8 is controlled by a valve 10. In the mixing chamber 4, a mixing nozzle 12 connected to the water inlet 8 and a suction nozzle 14 downstream of the mixing nozzle 12 are arranged. Fig. 4E illustrates the detailed structure of the mixing chamber 4 with the mixing nozzle 12 and the suction nozzle 14.

[0042] The mixing nozzle 12 is designed as a pipe section 15 extending partially through the mixing chamber 4 and having a plurality of nozzle openings 16. The nozzle openings 16 are directed radially away from the pipe section 15 and generate local turbulence or

[0043] Turbulence (see Fig. 4E The suction nozzle 14, located downstream of the mixing nozzle 12, has a suction section 18 arranged on the circumference with recirculation openings 20. The recirculation openings 20 allow for additional turbulence and mixing of the water quantity admitted into the mixing chamber 4. The arrows illustrate the turbulence, the suction direction, and the flow direction of the water quantity.

[0044] The mixing nozzle 12 is designed to mix the detergent with a quantity of water taken from the water inlet 8 and the suction nozzle 14 is designed to convey the detergent mixed with the quantity of water out of the mixing chamber 4.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the escape of water vapor from a working chamber 110 downstream of the mixing chamber 4 into the receiving chamber 2 or from a household appliance 100 (see Fig. 2 ) can be prevented, since the mixing chamber 4 acts as a siphon for the receiving chamber 2.

[0046] Furthermore, a heating device 22 and a sensor 24 are arranged in the mixing chamber 4. The sensor 24 and the heating device 22 are electrically coupled to a control unit 26. The use of the heating element 22 accelerates the mixing process of the detergent with the water and also enables a selective dissolution of components of the detergent with the water in the mixing chamber 4.

[0047] Sensor 24 can measure the temperature and / or detergent concentration of the water. This can be done, for example, by measuring electrical conductivity. This measure can provide a control loop with control unit 26, which implements a dynamic adjustment of the detergent concentration and the liquor temperature.

[0048] In the Fig. 2 is a cross section of the induction system 1 from Fig. 1 in a household appliance 100 according to a first embodiment. The household appliance 100 is configured, for example, as a washing machine or a washer-dryer. The receiving chamber 2 of the dispenser system 1 is arranged in an upper section of the household appliance 100. The mixing chamber 4 is connected to the receiving chamber 2 via the connecting hose 6.

[0049] The water inlet 8 is divided by a flow divider (not shown) into a first partial flow W1 and a second partial flow W2. The first partial flow W1 has a larger volume flow than the second partial flow W2. The second partial flow W2 flows into the at least one mixing nozzle 12 of the mixing chamber 4. The first partial flow W1 flows directly into the working chamber 110 of the household appliance 100, which is configured as a laundry drum.

[0050] The Fig. 3 shows a cross section of a household appliance 100 with a dispenser system 1 according to a second embodiment. In contrast to the Fig. 1 In the dispensing system 1 shown, the mixing chamber 4 is arranged directly adjacent to the receiving chamber 2. In particular, the mixing chamber 4 can be designed integrally with the receiving chamber 2. For this purpose, a dispensing bowl in the lower part can be designed to be enlarged, for example, to accommodate 500-1000 ml of water, which is fed into the mixing chamber 4 as a quantity of water.

[0051] The intake nozzle 14 is designed as a Venturi nozzle. The Venturi nozzle has an internal drive nozzle 17 and a suction section 18 circumferentially surrounding the drive nozzle 17 with an axially arranged intake opening 19 (see Fig. 4E ). The suction section 18 has an outlet opening 21 at an end opposite the intake opening 19. By reducing the cross-section of the internal drive nozzle 17, a higher flow velocity can be generated locally. The increased flow velocity causes a negative pressure, which develops circumferentially in the area of ​​the suction section 18. Thus, the Venturi nozzle can function as a type of jet pump.

[0052] The mixing of the water quantity with the detergent can be improved if the nozzle openings 16 of the mixing nozzle 12 have an exit angle. Preferably, the exit angle of the nozzle openings 16 is designed to generate local turbulence and / or a rotational swirl of the liquid in the mixing chamber 4. The additional induced flow or the additionally induced swirl enables the detergent to be dissolved in the water quantity even at low water temperatures. In the illustrated embodiment, the mixing nozzle 12 is rotatably mounted, so that the induced rotational swirl leads to a rotation of the mixing nozzle 12. As a result, the flow from the nozzle openings 16 is converted into a mechanical rotary movement of the mixing nozzle 12.

[0053] The Fig. 4 shows top views of a mixing chamber 4 with differently designed mixing nozzles 12. In the Fig. 4A The nozzle openings 16 are arranged along two opposite walls 28 of the mixing chamber 4. Analogously, in the Fig. 4C In the embodiment shown, the nozzle openings 16 of the mixing nozzle 12 or the mixing nozzles 12 are positioned on two opposite walls 18 of the mixing chamber 4 and point into the mixing chamber 4.

[0054] In the Fig. 4C and the Fig. 4D the mixing nozzles 12 are designed as channels that run along at least one wall 28 of the mixing chamber 4. In the Fig. 4D The corresponding channel runs along several walls 28 and is U-shaped. Fig. 4B is a top view of the Fig. 4E illustrated arrangement of the mixing nozzle 12 and suction nozzle 14. List of reference symbols

[0055] 1 - Induction system 100 - Household appliance 110 - Working chamber 2 - Receptacle 4 - Mixing chamber 6 - Connecting hose 8 - Water inlet 10 - Valve 12 - Mixing nozzle 14 - Suction nozzle 16 - Nozzle openings 17 - Drive nozzle 18 - Suction section 19 - Suction opening 20 - Recirculation openings 21 - Outlet opening 22 - Heating device 24 - Sensor 26 - Control unit 28 - Wall of the mixing chamber W1 - first partial flow W2 - second partial flow

Claims

1. Dispensing system (1) for a water-guiding household appliance (100), having a receiving compartment (2) for receiving a detergent, having a mixer compartment (4) and having a water inlet (8), wherein the receiving compartment (2) is configured to dispense the detergent in the mixer compartment (4), and wherein at least one mixer nozzle (12) which can be connected to the water inlet (8) is arranged in the mixer compartment (4), characterised in that in the mixer compartment (4), at least one suction nozzle (14) is arranged downstream of the mixer nozzle (12), wherein the mixer nozzle (12) is configured to mix the detergent with a volume of water taken from the water inlet (8) and the suction nozzle (14) is configured to convey the detergent mixed with the volume of water out from the mixer compartment (4).

2. Dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet (8) is split by way of a flow separator into a first partial flow (W1) and a second partial flow (W2), wherein the first partial flow (W1) has a greater volumetric flow relative to the second partial flow (W2), wherein the second partial flow (W2) flows into the at least one mixer nozzle (12) and then into the suction nozzle (14).

3. Dispensing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a volumetric flow which is directed into the at least one mixing nozzle (12) can be controlled by way of a valve (10).

4. Dispensing system according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction nozzle (14) is embodied as a Venturi nozzle, wherein the Venturi nozzle has an internal drive nozzle (17) and, surrounding the drive nozzle (17) circumferentially, a suction section (18) with a suction opening (19) arranged axially, wherein the suction section (18) has an outlet opening (21) on an end which is arranged opposite the suction opening (19).

5. Dispensing system according to claim 4, wherein at least one recirculation opening (20) is arranged in the suction section (18) between the suction opening (19) and the outlet opening (21).

6. Dispensing system according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mixer compartment is embodied as essentially rotationally symmetrical.

7. Dispensing system according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the mixer nozzle (12) is embodied as a pipe section running through the mixer compartment (4) in regions with a plurality of nozzle openings (16).

8. Dispensing system according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mixer nozzle (12) is embodied as at least one channel, which runs along at least one wall (28) of the mixer compartment (4), wherein the at least one channel has a plurality of nozzle openings (16) which are directed into the mixer compartment (4).

9. Dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one channel runs along a transverse direction and / or longitudinal direction along at least one wall (28) of the mixer compartment (4).

10. Dispensing system according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein two mixer nozzles (12) are arranged on two opposing walls (28) of the mixer compartment (4), wherein the nozzle openings (16) of the mixer nozzles (12) are directed essentially towards one another.

11. Dispensing system according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the nozzle openings (16) of the mixer nozzle (12) have an exit angle, wherein the exit angle of the nozzle openings (16) is configured so as to generate a local swirling and / or a rotational spin of the liquid in the mixer compartment (4).

12. Dispensing system according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the mixer compartment (4) is embodied as a siphon for the receiving compartment (2).

13. Dispensing system according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a heating apparatus (22) and / or at least one sensor (24) are arranged in the mixer compartment (4), wherein the at least one sensor (24) and / or the heating apparatus (22) are electrically coupled to a control device (26).

14. Water-guiding household appliance (100), in particular a water-guiding household appliance for the treatment of laundry or dishware, having a dispensing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Water-guiding household appliance according to claim 14, wherein a receiving compartment (2) of the dispensing system (1) is arranged in an upper section of the water-guiding household appliance (100), wherein the mixer compartment (4) is arranged beneath the receiving compartment (2), wherein the mixer compartment (4) is connected to the receiving compartment (2) directly in that it adjoins the receiving compartment (2) or indirectly by way of at least one hose (6).