Laundry care device with an automatic dosing system

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a laundry care appliance with an automatic dosing system according to claim 1.

[0002] Dosing devices in laundry care appliances allow for precise dosing of a laundry care product, which can be automatically adjusted to the size and type of cleaning and / or drying load, and if necessary, to the degree of soiling and / or dryness, depending on a set cleaning and / or drying program. The user of a laundry care appliance equipped with such a dosing device simply needs to place one or more storage containers into a designated storage receptacle on the laundry care appliance and no longer needs to worry about dosing.

[0003] DE 10 2007 048 197 A1 discloses a dosing device for treatment agents for a washing machine. The dosing device comprises several containers, with the dosing device or containers being arranged outside the washing machine and connected to the washing machine via a line.

[0004] EP 2 479 335 A1 discloses a dosing device for liquid and viscous additives for a washing machine. The additives are contained in containers, which are accommodated in a movable receptacle that functions as a drawer. The containers or drawer are formed in the area of ​​a base plate of the washing machine.

[0005] EP 2 784 205 A1 discloses a storage container and a dosing device. The storage containers comprise a housing designed to be inserted along an insertion direction into a receiving device of a water-conducting household appliance.

[0006] US 2019 / 106829 A1 discloses a washing machine with a drawer for detergent storage in the base area. The drawer can be extended using an upwardly inclined rail.

[0007] WO 2020 / 050610 A1 shows a laundry treatment cabinet with a drawer in the lower area containing containers for laundry treatment agents. The drawer can be extended horizontally by a motor, while the containers themselves can be raised vertically by a drive.

[0008] With the above-mentioned, conventional solutions, a user has to bend down far to reach the storage containers when filling and / or cleaning them. The solution of installing the storage containers outside the washing machine requires not only space for the washing machine itself, but also additional space for the storage containers.

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a laundry care appliance with an automatic dosing device and a storage unit provided therefor for a quantity of laundry care products, which is provided for a predeterminable number of cleaning processes, in which filling and / or replenishing and / or exchanging and / or cleaning of the storage unit is designed in an ergonomically advantageous manner for a user and in which filling and / or exchanging and / or cleaning of the storage unit is made easier for a user and the state of the art is further developed in the process.

[0010] The object of the invention is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims as well as in the description and the drawings.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object of the invention is achieved by a laundry care appliance with an automatic dosing system, wherein the laundry care appliance comprises a storage unit for a quantity of laundry care agents provided for a predeterminable number of cleaning processes and / or drying processes, wherein the storage unit comprises at least two containers for receiving and storing laundry care agents. The laundry care appliance further comprises a housing, wherein the housing has a front wall and an opening, wherein a receiving container arranged in the housing for receiving laundry can be reached through the opening, and a door unit for substantially closing the opening.Furthermore, the laundry care appliance comprises a storage unit receiving device for receiving the storage unit, wherein the storage unit comprises at least two containers, wherein the storage unit receiving device is arranged in an installation position below the door unit in the region of a base plate of the laundry care appliance, wherein the laundry care appliance comprises at least one lifting device, wherein the at least two containers of the storage unit are connected to the at least one lifting device.The at least two containers of the storage unit are arranged in a first plane of the laundry care appliance in a retracted state of the at least one lifting device and are received in the storage unit receiving device, wherein the first plane extends substantially parallel to the base plate, and the at least one lifting device, in an extended state, arranges at least one container of the at least two containers of the storage unit substantially outside the housing in such a way that at least a section of the at least one container of the at least two containers of the storage unit projects into a second plane of the laundry care appliance, which plane extends parallel to the base plate and is spaced further from the base plate than the first plane.

[0012] The at least one lifting device comprises a guide rail arranged on each side wall, wherein a respective guide rail is displaceably arranged or mounted in each guide rail, and wherein pivot arms are arranged at a respective end of the guide rail, parallel to the side walls, rotatably fixed and arranged parallel to one another at a distance from one another, wherein a first end of the respective pivot arm is arranged essentially with a pivot joint on the respective guide rail, and wherein a further pivot joint is formed at a second end of the pivot arms and a holding device is arranged at each of the further pivot joints, wherein the holding devices are arranged essentially parallel to one another and the holding devices are connected to at least one of the at least two containers of the storage unit in such a way thatthat in the extended state of the at least one lifting device, the at least one container of the at least two containers of the storage unit projects at least partially into the second plane.,

[0013] This design of the at least one lifting device ensures that the at least one lifting device requires minimal installation space in the laundry care appliance. The at least one lifting device and the storage unit arranged thereon function, in principle, like an extendable drawer with at least one lifting device integrated therein, which moves the storage unit into the second position or moves the containers such that at least a portion of at least one of the at least two containers extends into the second level, at least partially and / or in sections.

[0014] The housing comprises two side walls arranged substantially parallel to each other, the base plate, and a top plate, with the base plate arranged substantially parallel to the top plate. Each side wall is connected to both the base plate and the top plate.

[0015] The storage unit receiving device can be designed as a type of chamber. The storage unit receiving device can be inserted into the laundry care appliance as an assembly. Furthermore, the storage unit receiving device can incorporate connecting elements, such as electrical connections and / or fluid connections, which, for example, connect the storage unit to the receiving container so that the laundry care products can be transported into the receiving container, and / or connect it to the automatic dosing system.

[0016] The storage unit is lifted toward the user by at least one lifting device, who typically stands in front of the laundry care appliance when loading it. This means the user does not have to kneel or bend down to reach the storage unit, which is located in a lower area of ​​the laundry care appliance. This makes filling and / or refilling and / or replacing and / or cleaning the storage unit and the containers surrounding the storage unit easier and more ergonomic.

[0017] Preferably, the laundry care appliance has a first region and a second region, wherein the storage unit receiving device is substantially arranged in the first region and the opening and the door unit of the laundry care appliance are substantially arranged in the second region, wherein the first plane is formed in the first region and the second plane is formed in the second region, wherein the first region and the second region are substantially spatially separated from one another.

[0018] The storage unit receiving device is essentially a separate space and / or chamber that is designed separately from the receiving container. For the user, the division of the laundry care appliance is such that the receiving container or the opening for loading the receiving container is arranged in the second area of ​​the laundry care appliance, as the user is used to. The first area is essentially designed in a lower area of ​​the laundry care appliance. This means that the first area is formed in the area of ​​the base plate. The second area is an upper area of ​​the laundry care appliance. The second area extends from the first area towards an upper side of the laundry care appliance. The spatial separation of the first area and the second area creates a clean division of the laundry care appliance.

[0019] A cover element is advantageously arranged on the laundry care appliance, wherein the cover element covers the storage unit receiving device, and the cover element is arranged pivotably and / or foldably and / or tiltably and / or detachably on the laundry care appliance.

[0020] This covers the storage unit receptacle, providing a beautiful design for the laundry care appliance while also creating a protective mechanism that prevents accidental access to the storage unit. Furthermore, fewer dirt particles accumulate in the storage unit or storage unit receptacle, which could impair smooth operation of the storage unit or storage unit receptacle.

[0021] Preferably, the at least two containers of the storage unit are refillable containers and / or replaceable containers. The replaceable containers can, for example, be designed as cartridges that can be easily and quickly removed from the storage unit or the storage unit receiving device and can be easily and quickly inserted. Refillable containers are intended to be refilled. This means that a container essentially remains arranged in the storage unit and is only filled when it has become empty or the user is displayed and / or notified that the container in question is about to become empty or has become empty. Both solutions, refillable containers and replaceable containers, offer various advantages. It is also conceivable, however, that the at least two containers are removable containers that are nevertheless refillable.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, each of the at least two containers is advantageously individually movable, with at least one of the at least two containers of the storage unit being assigned a lifting device. Preferably, each of the at least two containers of the storage unit is assigned a lifting device. This allows containers filled, for example, with different laundry care products or laundry care substances to be individually exchanged and / or filled and / or cleaned, so that the entire storage unit does not always have to be moved.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least two containers are movable as a single unit with the lifting device. This requires only one lifting device, resulting in lower production costs compared to the above solution, in which each container is mounted on its own lifting device.

[0024] Advantageously, the at least two containers each have a front element, wherein the front element can be arranged in at least a first position or in a second position, wherein the at least two containers of the storage unit in the first position are located substantially in the storage unit receiving device and are arranged in the first level of the laundry care appliance, and wherein at least one container of the at least two containers of the storage unit in the second position is located at least partially outside the housing of the laundry care appliance and is arranged at least partially in the second level of the laundry care appliance.

[0025] The at least two containers can assume different positions, but the first position and the second position are two preferred positions. In the first position, the at least two containers of the storage unit are arranged substantially inside the laundry care appliance. In the second position, the at least two containers of the storage unit are arranged substantially outside the laundry care appliance.

[0026] Preferably, the at least one lifting device is designed such that at least one container of the at least two containers of the storage unit can be lifted and / or at least tilted and / or at least pivoted.

[0027] In the second position, at least one of the at least two containers is arranged at least partially outside the storage unit receiving device. This means that the storage unit or at least one of the at least two containers of the storage unit can be arranged in such a way that removing and / or filling and / or cleaning the container is as convenient as possible. Preferably, the at least two containers of the storage unit can be arranged in this way.

[0028] The at least two containers can be lifted and / or at least tilted and / or at least pivoted such that the respective front element of the respective container is at least partially arranged in the second level of the laundry care appliance and / or can be arranged in front of the door unit outside the housing of the laundry care appliance. This ensures that the at least two containers are easily accessible to a user, for example, to replace and / or refill and / or clean the containers.

[0029] Preferably, a locking device is provided that locks at least one of the at least two containers of the storage unit in the extended state of the at least one lifting device. This ensures that the at least one container is held in the extended state, so that a user can fill and / or replace and / or clean the container without having to hold it.

[0030] Many different ways in which the at least one lifting device can be operated or controlled are conceivable. The at least one lifting device can advantageously be moved manually and / or semi-automatically and / or automatically from the retracted state to the extended state, wherein at least one of the at least two containers of the storage unit can be moved from the first level to the second level, at least partially and / or partially.

[0031] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic front and side view of a laundry care appliance with an automatic dosing unit; Fig. 2 shows a front and side view of a laundry care appliance with a storage unit arranged in the laundry care appliance; Fig. 3 shows a front and side view of a laundry care appliance with a storage unit moved out; Fig. 4a shows a laundry care appliance with an embodiment of an extended lifting device; Fig. 4b shows a schematic side view of the embodiment of an extended lifting device; Fig. 5a shows a laundry care appliance with a further embodiment of an extended lifting device; Fig. 5b shows a schematic side view of the further embodiment of an extended lifting device; Fig. 6 schematically shows a process for filling and / or cleaning and / or changing containers of a storage unit of a laundry care appliance.

[0032] In Fig. 1 A schematic front and side view of an exemplary laundry care appliance 1 with an automatic dosing system 2 is shown. The laundry care appliance 1 can be a washing machine, a tumble dryer, and / or a washer-dryer. The automatic dosing system 2 is provided for dosing laundry care products.

[0033] The laundry care appliance 1 comprises a housing 3. The housing 3 essentially consists of side walls 5, a front wall 7, a top side 9, and a base plate 11. The front wall 7 or the housing 3 of the laundry care appliance 1 further comprises at least one opening 13. A receiving container 15, which is arranged in the housing 3 of the laundry care appliance 1, can be reached through the opening 13. A door unit 17 is arranged on the laundry care appliance 1 and is intended to close the opening 11. The side walls 5 are arranged essentially parallel to one another. Furthermore, the top side 9 is arranged essentially parallel to the base plate 11.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 An operating unit 19 is shown as an example. However, the operating unit 19 is not absolutely necessary. The operating unit 19 can be designed as a rotary selector and / or as a push button and / or key and / or a combination of rotary selector and push button and / or key. The operating unit 19 can, for example, function as an on / off button and / or be designed as a rotary selector in order to call up various operating programs and / or set operating parameters, for example. Furthermore, the operating unit 19 can also be designed as a type of confirmation button and / or confirmation push button. If no operating unit 19 is designed, at least one communication unit is designed in the laundry care appliance 1, which communication unit can receive commands, for example wirelessly.

[0035] The laundry care appliance 1 can be divided into a first area A and a second area B. The first area A can also be referred to as the lower area A. The second area B can also be referred to as the upper area B. The first area A and the second area B essentially border one another, wherein the first area A and the second area B are essentially spatially separated from one another. The first area A extends from the base plate 11 towards the door unit 17. The second area extends essentially from the first area A towards the top 9 of the laundry care appliance 1.

[0036] A storage unit receiving device 21 is formed essentially in the first area A of the laundry care appliance 1. The storage unit receiving device 21 is arranged in the installed position below the door unit 17 in the area of ​​the base plate 11 of the laundry care appliance 1. The storage unit receiving device 21 is provided for receiving a storage unit 22, wherein the storage unit 22 has at least one container 23 (shown in Fig. 2 ). The opening 13 is essentially formed in the second area B and the door unit 17 of the laundry care appliance 1 is arranged.

[0037] Furthermore, a first plane E1 extends in the first region A or in the lower region A of the laundry care appliance 1. The first plane E1 runs essentially parallel to the base plate 11 and in the region of the storage unit receiving device 21 of the laundry care appliance 1. A second plane E2, which extends parallel to the base plate 11 and is spaced further from the base plate 11 than the first plane E1, runs in the second region of the laundry care appliance 1. The second plane E2 runs essentially in the region of the door unit 17 of the laundry care appliance 1. The first plane E1 and the second plane E2 run essentially horizontally and run essentially parallel to one another.

[0038] A cover element 25 is arranged in the lower area A of the laundry care appliance 1. The cover element 25 covers the storage unit receiving device 21. The cover element 25 can be arranged on the laundry care appliance 1 in a pivotable and / or foldable and / or detachable manner. A push-push opening mechanism is also conceivable, which opens the cover element 25 to access the storage unit receiving device 21. Other mechanisms for opening or removing the cover element 25 from the laundry care appliance 1 are also conceivable.

[0039] In Fig. 2 2 shows a front and side view of a laundry care appliance 1 with the storage unit 22 arranged therein. The storage unit 22 is designed for a quantity of laundry care products which is intended for a predeterminable number of cleaning processes. The laundry care product is stored or kept in the storage unit 22 and, as needed, is requested by the automatic dosing system 2 and, after mixing, is fed into the receptacle 15. The storage unit 22 is arranged in the storage unit receiving device 21. The storage unit 22 comprises at least two containers 23. In the present exemplary embodiment, there are three containers 23. However, it is also conceivable for the storage unit 22 to comprise exactly two containers 23 or more than three containers 23. As already mentioned above, the storage unit 22 is arranged in the lower region A of the laundry care appliance 1.This means that the storage unit 22 is arranged in the installation position below the door unit 17 in the laundry care appliance 1.

[0040] In Fig. 2 The storage unit 22 is essentially accommodated in the storage unit receiving device 21. This means that the storage unit 22 is essentially arranged in the region of the first plane E1. The cover element 25 is in the present embodiment in Fig. 2 already opened, so that the containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are visible. The containers 23 of the storage unit 22 shown in the embodiment have front elements 31. The front elements 31 can be designed, for example, as handle elements 33 and / or as lid elements 33. The front elements 31 of the at least two containers 23 are in Fig. 2 arranged in a first position. This means that the at least two containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are received in the storage unit receiving device 21. This, in turn, means that the at least two containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are arranged substantially in the housing 3 of the laundry care appliance 1.

[0041] The at least two containers 23 of the storage unit 22 can be designed, for example, as refillable containers 23 or as exchange containers 23.

[0042] If the containers 23 are designed as refillable containers 23, a container opening 34 is preferably formed behind the front element 31 or behind the lid element 33, through which the refillable containers 23 of the storage unit 22 can be filled and / or cleaned. In this case, the respective front element 31 is preferably designed as a lid element 33 and as a handle element 33.

[0043] If the containers 23 are designed as exchangeable containers 23, the exchangeable containers 23 can be removed from the storage unit 22 or from the storage unit receiving device 21 using the front element 31. In this case, the respective front element 31 is preferably designed as a handle element 33. In this case, the containers 23 can also be designed as a cartridge or as a reusable container.

[0044] The at least two containers 23 and the front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33 of the storage unit 22 are in Fig. 2 each arranged in a first position. In the first position, the at least two containers 23 are located substantially in the storage unit receiving device 21. The front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33 of the storage unit 22 are arranged substantially in the first plane E1, so that the plane E1 extends substantially through the front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33. In the first position, the front elements 31 are substantially received in the housing 3 of the laundry care appliance 1.

[0045] In Fig. 3 is a front and side view of a laundry care appliance 1 with a storage unit 22 moved out of the storage unit receiving device 21. The storage unit 22 in Fig. 3 comprises, for example, two containers 23. The containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are moved out of the storage unit receiving device 21 by at least one lifting device 35. The at least one lifting device 35 is substantially arranged in the storage unit receiving device 21. The storage unit receiving device 21 can be designed as a type of chamber in which the storage unit 22 can be received or is received. The lifting device 35 can be moved out of the storage unit receiving device 21, at least in sections.

[0046] The at least one lifting device 35 comprises two guide rails 37a, 37b. The two guide rails 37a, 37b are arranged parallel to one another and each in the region of the side walls 5 of the laundry care appliance 1. The two guide rails 37a, 37b are arranged in particular in the storage unit receiving device 21. A guide rail 39a, 39b is displaceably arranged in each of the two guide rails 37a, 37b. The storage unit 22 is arranged essentially on the lifting device 35 and is movably connected to the elements of the lifting device 35, such as the guide rails 37a, 37b and / or the guide rails 39a, 39b. The at least two containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are arranged essentially on the guide rails 39a, 39b of the lifting device 35 and can be moved along the guide rails 37a, 37b and / or the guide rails 39a, 39b of the lifting device 35.

[0047] The front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33 of the containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are located essentially in the first plane E1, so that the first plane E1 essentially runs through the front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33. The storage unit 22 is in Fig. 3 arranged substantially outside and / or the storage unit receiving device 21 or in sections outside the housing 3 of the laundry care appliance 1.

[0048] In Fig. 4a An embodiment of a laundry care appliance 1 with an extended lifting device 35 is shown. In Fig. 4b A schematic side view of a laundry care appliance 1 with the extended lifting device 35 is shown. The lifting device 35 further comprises at least two pivot arms 41a, 41b. The pivot arms 41a, 41b each have a first end 43a, 43b and a second end 45a, 45b. A pivot joint 47 is arranged at the first end 43a, 43b of the respective pivot arm 41a, 41b, wherein the respective pivot joint 47 is arranged on the respective guide rail 39a, 39b.

[0049] At the respective second end 45a, 45b of the respective pivot arm 41a, 41b, a further pivot joint 49 is arranged, wherein the respective further pivot joint 49 is connected to a holding device 51a, 51b. In the embodiment of the Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b The further swivel joint 49 is rigid and essentially used as a fastening element that connects the respective pivot arm 41a, 41b to the at least one container 23. The two holding devices 51a, 51b are arranged essentially parallel to one another. The two holding devices 51a, 51b are connected to at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23. The two holding devices 51a, 51b are connected to at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 in such a way that the at least one container 23 can be moved from the retracted state of the lifting device 35 into an extended state of the lifting device 35.

[0050] In Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b the extended state of the lifting device 35 is shown. The lifting device 35 can be tilted or pivoted such that the at least two containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are essentially moved out of the first level E1. This means that the storage unit 22 is arranged essentially outside the storage unit receiving device 21 or outside the housing 3 of the laundry care appliance 1, so that the front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33 of the containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are located essentially in the region of the second level E2, so that the second level E2 essentially runs through the front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33. The second level E2 runs, for example, in the region of the door unit 17. This makes filling and / or cleaning and / or replacing the containers 23 easier for a user.The second level E2 can extend into a lower area or into an upper area of ​​the door unit 17 or between the lower area and the upper area of ​​the door unit 17.

[0051] The front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33 of the containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are in Fig. 4a and in Fig. 4b each arranged in a second position. This means that the front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33 of the containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are located at least partially outside the housing 3 of the laundry care appliance 1 and are at least partially arranged in the second level E2. The storage unit 22 or the at least two containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are, in the extended state, essentially outside the housing 3 of the laundry care appliance 1 and at least partially in the upper region B and in the second level E2 of the laundry care appliance 1. At least a section of the at least two containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are preferably arranged in the region of the door unit 17.

[0052] Furthermore, a locking device 53 is provided. The locking device 53 is intended to lock at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 in the extended state of the lifting device 35, so that the at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 is fixed and held in position. Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b As shown, the locking device 53 can also lock the at least two containers 23 of the storage unit 22 in the second position.

[0053] It goes without saying that the storage unit 22 can be arranged as close as possible to the laundry care appliance 1. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the guide rails 37a, 37b and the running rails 39a, 39b, when extended, do not protrude too far from the laundry care appliance 1, so that a user could trip over the guide rails 37a, 37b and / or the running rails 39a, 39b when filling and / or cleaning and / or replacing the containers 23.

[0054] In the Fig. 5a and 5b another embodiment of a lifting device 135 is shown. In Fig. 5a a laundry care appliance 1 with a further embodiment of an extended lifting device 135 is shown. In Fig. 5b a schematic side view of a laundry care appliance 1 with the extended lifting device 135 is shown.

[0055] The laundry care appliance 1 comprises the storage unit receiving device 21. The lifting device 135 is essentially arranged in the storage unit receiving device 21. The lifting device 135 can be moved out of the storage unit receiving device 21, at least in sections or at least partially. The lifting device 135 comprises at least two guide rails 137a, 137b. The two guide rails 137a, 137b are arranged parallel to one another and each in the region of the side walls 5 of the laundry care appliance 1. The two guide rails 137a, 137b are arranged, in particular, in the storage unit receiving device 21. A guide rail 139a, 139b is displaceably arranged or mounted in each of the two guide rails 137a, 137b.

[0056] The lifting device 135 further comprises at least two pivot arms 141a, 141b. The pivot arms 141a, 141b each have a first end 143a, 143b and a second end 145a, 145b. A pivot joint 147 is arranged at the first end 143a, 143b of the respective pivot arm 141a, 141b, wherein the respective pivot joint 147 is arranged on the respective guide rail 139a, 139b.

[0057] At the respective second end 145a, 145b of the respective pivot arm 141a, 141b, a further pivot joint 149 is arranged, wherein the respective further pivot joint 149 is each connected to a holding device 151a, 151b. The two holding devices 151a, 151b are arranged substantially parallel to one another. The two holding devices 151a, 151b are connected to at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23. The two holding devices 151a, 151b are connected to at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 such that the at least one container 23 can be moved from the retracted state of the lifting device 135 into an extended state of the lifting device 135.

[0058] The two holding devices 151a, 151b can each comprise a further guide rail 155a, 155b. The further pivot joints 149 can be displaceably mounted in the respective further guide rails 155a, 155b. This allows the at least one of the at least two containers 23 to be further displaced in the extended state of the lifting device 135, so that an optimal arrangement or adjustment of the storage unit 22 for a user can be set.

[0059] Furthermore, a locking device 153 is provided. The locking device 153 is intended to lock at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 in the extended state of the lifting device 135, so that the at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 is fixed and held in the second position.

[0060] In the extended state of the lifting device 135 or in the raised state of the lifting device 135, at least one of the two containers 23 is arranged at least partially or in sections in the second plane E2. If the storage unit 22 is only movable as a whole unit, the at least two containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are arranged by the lifting device 135 at least partially or in sections in the second plane E2.

[0061] This means that the front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33 of the containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are in Fig. 5a and in Fig. 5b each arranged in the second position. This in turn means that the front elements 31 or the handle elements 33 and / or the lid elements 33 of the containers 23 of the storage unit 22 are located at least partially outside the housing 3 of the laundry care appliance 1 and are arranged at least partially in the second plane E2.

[0062] It is conceivable that a lifting device 35, 135 can also assume both embodiments—a tilted or pivoted position, as well as a raised position. For this purpose, the lifting device 35, 135 is first raised and then tilted or pivoted. This could, for example, allow the at least two containers 23 to be arranged even higher, for example in the area above level E2 toward the top side 9 of the laundry care appliance 1. Other embodiments are conceivable.

[0063] In Fig. 6 a process for filling and / or cleaning and / or changing containers 23 of the storage unit 22 of a laundry care appliance 1 is shown schematically.

[0064] The storage unit 22 is initially accommodated in the storage unit receiving device 21 of a laundry care appliance 1 with automatic dosing system 2. By removing the cover element 25, the storage unit 22 becomes visible and can be moved out of the storage unit receiving device 21. For example, by pulling on the storage unit 22 and / or on one of the containers 23 of the storage unit 22, the storage unit 22 or at least one of the at least two containers 23 is pulled out of the storage unit receiving device 21. This is done with a lifting device 35, 135, which is in Fig. 4a , 4b or Fig. 5a , 5bThe pulling out or moving out of the storage unit 22 or of at least one of the at least two containers 23 can be done manually, semi-automatically, or fully automatically.

[0065] If the storage unit 22 or at least one of the at least two containers 23 is pulled out of the storage unit receiving device 21, so that the storage unit 22 or the at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 is arranged substantially outside the housing 3 of the laundry care appliance 1 and substantially in the first plane E1, the storage unit 22 or the at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 can be moved into the extended state of the lifting device 35, 135.

[0066] This is done by tilting and / or pivoting and / or lifting the storage unit 22 or the at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23, so that the storage unit 22 or the at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 is arranged at least partially or in sections in the second plane E2.

[0067] If the storage unit 22 or the at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 is arranged at least partially or in sections in the second plane E2, the storage unit 22 or the at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 can be locked in order to be held in the second position. The at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 can then be cleaned and / or filled and / or removed. The storage unit 22 or the at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 can then be moved back into the laundry care appliance 1 so that the lifting device 35, 135 is again in the retracted state. In the retracted state of the lifting device 35, the storage unit 22 or the at least one container 23 of the at least two containers 23 is arranged in the first position.

[0068] Briefly summarized, the process for filling and / or cleaning and / or changing containers 23 of the storage unit 22 of a laundry care appliance 1 comprises the following steps: opening the cover element 25 (V1), moving out at least one container 23 of the storage unit 22 (V2), pivoting or lifting at least one container 23 of the storage unit 22 (V3), filling / cleaning / changing at least one container 23 of the storage unit 22 (V4), retracting at least one container 23 of the storage unit 22 (V5), and closing the cover element 25 (V6). The laundry care appliance 1 can be reinserted and perform further cleaning and / or drying processes.

[0069] The filling and / or cleaning and / or changing of containers 23 of the storage unit 22 of a laundry care appliance 1 can preferably only be carried out when the laundry care appliance 1 is not running. This means that a laundry care process, such as the addition of water during a washing cycle, has not yet begun or has not yet been started. It is conceivable that the user receives a notification before starting the cleaning and / or drying process that the storage unit 22 does not contain sufficient laundry care product to perform a cleaning and / or drying process. Further notifications, such as light signals and / or illuminated symbols and / or notifications on a smartphone, are conceivable.It is also conceivable that the notification to the user is displayed or output after the end of a cleaning and / or drying process, for example that there is not enough laundry care product in the storage unit 22 for the next cleaning and / or drying process, and / or before the start of a cleaning and / or drying process, and / or the notification is sent to a user that the storage unit 22 must be refilled soon. In the latter example, it is conceivable that, for example, at least two more cleaning and / or drying processes can be carried out, so that a user can organize new laundry care product without being under time pressure. Preferably, a cleaning and / or drying process cannot be started if there is not enough laundry care product in the storage unit 22.

[0070] Furthermore, it is conceivable that each individual container 23 of the at least two containers 23 of the storage unit 22 is arranged on a lifting device 35, 135, so that each of the at least two containers 23 can be moved individually. This means that each container 23 is assigned a lifting device 35, 135, so that each container 23 can be individually extended and tilted and / or pivoted and / or lifted. This has the advantage that not all of the at least two containers 23 always have to be moved.

[0071] However, it is also conceivable for the at least two containers 23 to be movable as a single unit with only one lifting device 35, 135. This means that the at least two containers 23 are connected to one another, so that the containers 23 of the storage unit 22 of the laundry care appliance 1 can be moved with only one lifting device 35, 135. This has the advantage that production costs can be kept as low as possible. BEZUGSZEICHENLISTE

[0072] 1.Laundry care appliance 2.Automatic dosing system 3.Housing 5.Side wall 7.Front wall 9.Top 11.Base plate 13.Opening 15.Receptacle 17.Door unit 19.Control unit 21.Storage unit receiving device 22.Storage unit 23.Container 25.Cover element 31.Front element 33.Handle / lid element 34.Container opening 35.Lifting device 37a.Guide rail 37b.Guide rail 39a.Running rail 39b.Running rail 41a.Pivoting arm 41b.Pivoting arm 43a.1st end 43b.1st end 45a.2nd end 45b.2nd End 47.Swivel joint 49.Further swivel joint 51a.Holding device 51b.Holding device 53.Locking device 135.Lifting device 137a.Guide rail 137b.Guide rail 139a.Running rail 139b.Running rail 141a.Pivoting arm 141b.Pivoting arm 143a.First end 143b.First end 145a.Second end 145b.Second end 147.Swivel joint 149.Additional swivel joint 151a.Holding device 151b.Holding device 153.Locking device 155a.Additional guide rail 155b.Additional guide rail A.First / Lower Area B.Second / Upper Area E1.First Level E2.Second Level V1.First Operation V2.Second Operation V3.Third Operation V4.Fourth Operation V5.Fifth Operation V6.Sixth Operation

Claims

1. Laundry care appliance (1) with an automatic dosing system (2), wherein the laundry care appliance (1) comprises a reserve unit (22) for a quantity of laundry care products, which is provided for a predeterminable number of cleaning and / or drying processes, wherein the reserve unit (22) comprises at least two containers (23) for receiving and storing laundry care products, with a housing (3), wherein the housing (3) has a front wall (7) and an opening (13), wherein a receiving container (15) for receiving laundry is accessible via the opening (13), a door unit (17) for substantially closing the opening (13), a reserve unit receiving facility (21) for receiving the reserve unit (22), wherein the reserve unit receiving facility is arranged in an installation position below the door unit (17) in the region of a base plate (11) of the laundry care appliance (1), wherein the laundry care appliance (1) comprises at least one lifting apparatus (35, 135), wherein the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) are connected to the at least one lifting apparatus (35, 135), wherein in a retracted state of the at least one lifting apparatus (35, 135) the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) are arranged in a first plane (E1) of the laundry care appliance (1) and are received in the reserve unit receiving facility (21), wherein the first plane (E1) extends substantially parallel to the base plate (11), and in an extended state the at least one lifting apparatus (35, 135) arranges at least one container (23) of the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) substantially outside the housing (3) such that at least one section of the at least one container (23) of the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) projects into a second plane (E2), which extends parallel to the base plate (11) and is spaced further apart from the base plate (11) than the first plane (E1) of the laundry care appliance (1), wherein the at least one lifting apparatus (35, 135) comprises a guide rail (37a, 37b, 137a, 137b) arranged on each side wall (5), wherein in each case a running rail (39a, 39b, 139a, 139b) is arranged in a displaceable manner in each guide rail (37a, 37b, 137a, 137b), characterised in that swivel arms (41a, 41b, 141a, 141b), which are set parallel to the side walls (5) in a pivotable manner and arranged parallel to one another such that they are spaced apart, are arranged at a respective end of the running rail (39a, 39b, 139a, 139b), wherein a first end (43a, 43b, 143a, 143b) of the respective swivel arm (41a, 41b, 141a, 141b) is arranged substantially with a swivel joint (47, 147) on the respective running rail (39a, 39b, 139a, 139b), and wherein in each case a further swivel joint (49, 149) is embodied at a second end (45a, 45b, 145a, 145b) of the swivel arms (41a, 41b, 141a, 141b), and in each case a holding apparatus (51a, 51b, 151a, 151b) is arranged on the further swivel joints (49, 149), wherein the holding apparatuses (51a, 51b, 151a, 151b) are arranged substantially parallel to one another and the holding apparatuses (51a, 51b, 151a, 151b) are connected to at least one container (23) of the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) such that in the extended state of the at least one lifting apparatus (35, 135) the at least one container (23) of the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) projects at least in sections into the second plane (E2).

2. Laundry care appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (1) has a first region (A) and a second region (B), wherein the reserve unit receiving facility (21) is substantially arranged in the first region (A) and the opening (13) and the door unit (11) of the laundry care appliance (1) are substantially arranged in the second region (B), wherein the first plane (E1) is embodied in the first region (A) and the second plane (E2) is embodied in the second region (B), wherein the first region (A) and the second region (B) are substantially spatially separate from one another.

3. Laundry care appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a cover element (25) is arranged on the laundry care appliance (1) and the cover element (25) covers the reserve unit receiving facility (21), wherein the cover element (25) is arranged on the laundry care appliance (1) in a pivotable and / or foldable and / or tiltable and / or releasable manner.

4. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least two containers (23) are refillable containers (23) and / or replaceable containers (23).

5. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the at least two containers (23) can be moved individually, wherein at least one container (23) of the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) is assigned one of the at least one lifting apparatus (35, 135), preferably each container (23) of the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) is assigned one of the lifting apparatuses (35, 135).

6. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the at least two containers (23) can be moved as a common unit with the at least one lifting apparatus (35, 135).

7. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least two containers (23) have in each case a front element (31), wherein the respective front element (31) can be arranged in each case at least in a first position or in a second position, wherein in the first position the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) are disposed substantially in the reserve unit receiving facility (21) and are arranged in the first plane (E1) of the laundry care appliance (1), and wherein in the second position at least one container (23) of the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) is disposed at least partially outside the housing (3) of the laundry care appliance (1) and is arranged at least partially in the second plane (E2) of the laundry care appliance (1).

8. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one lifting facility (35, 135) is embodied such that at least one container (23) of the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) can be lifted and / or at least tilted and / or at least pivoted.

9. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the at least one container (23) of the at least two containers (23) can be lifted and / or at least tilted and / or at least pivoted such that the respective front element (31) of the respective container (23) is arranged at least partially in the second plane (E2) of the laundry care appliance (1) and / or can be arranged in front of the door unit (17) outside the housing (3) of the laundry care appliance (1).

10. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a locking apparatus (53, 153) is embodied to lock the at least one container (23) of the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) in the extended state of the at least one lifting apparatus (35, 135).

11. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one lifting apparatus (35, 135) can be displaced manually and / or semiautomatically and / or automatically from the retracted state into the extended state, wherein at least one container (23) of the at least two containers (23) of the reserve unit (22) can be brought at least in sections and / or partially out of the first plane (E1) and into the second plane (E2).