Dispensing system with ball-shaped housing for a washing machine

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a dosing system for dispensing a preparation into a washing machine, wherein the dosing system can be freely positioned and moved freely in a rotatable washing drum of a washing machine.

[0002] A dosing system comprising a dosing device and a container is known from WO 2011 / 134690 A1. The dosing device serves to dispense a specific quantity of the preparation contained in the container during a wash cycle. The dosing device and the container are housed in a spherical casing. During a wash cycle, the freely moving dosing system and the laundry in the washing drum are moved along with it. The spherical dosing system and the laundry can rub and collide with each other, which can lead to damage to the laundry and the dosing system. Furthermore, at sufficiently low rotational speeds, the spherical dosing system can strike the inner wall of the washing drum if it is not completely full. This impact results in mechanical shock stress on the dosing system.This impact can occur 1000 times or more during a single wash cycle, assuming that with each rotation of the washing drum, the spherical dosing system is first carried upwards and then falls downwards at a specific point. The impact of the dosing system inside the washing drum is also accompanied by a disturbing noise.

[0003] WO 2019 / 121295 A1 also describes a freely movable dosing system with a spherical housing containing a dosing device and container. In one embodiment, the housing has a two-layer construction, with an outer layer made of a thermoplastic elastomer and an inner layer made of a harder thermoset or thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic elastomer dampens and cushions impacts acting on the dosing system during the washing process. The spherical housing thus contributes significantly to the reliable and consistent operation of the dosing system.

[0004] A dosing system with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 295 20 991 U1.

[0005] The damping and cushioning effect of the outer layer depends on the material properties of the chosen material and the layer thickness. While a greater layer thickness generally leads to better protection, this requires more material. A softer material that is advantageous for damping and cushioning impacts can, however, have a high coefficient of friction. A high coefficient of friction means higher frictional forces between the dosing system and the laundry, which can put more strain on and potentially damage both the dosing system and the laundry.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a dosing system that can be freely positioned in a washing drum of a washing machine, that functions reliably and robustly and whose use does not damage the laundry in the washing machine.

[0007] The problem underlying the invention is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1. Exemplary embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims to claim 1.

[0008] According to the invention, a spherical surface of the housing is covered with a ribbed structure comprising a plurality of spaced-apart ribs. The individual ribs absorb the impact forces acting on the dosing system with its spherical housing when the dosing system moves within the washing machine drum and—particularly when the drum is only partially filled—impacts itself against the inner wall of the drum. The ribs act like individual shock absorbers, dampening and cushioning the impact. The forces acting on the components of the dosing system located inside the housing are thus largely absorbed, thereby providing mechanical protection for the dosing unit and the container. The ribbed structure thus enables effective protection against mechanical stress with comparatively little material.

[0009] The spacing between adjacent ribs must be selected and the ribs positioned so evenly on the spherical surface of the housing that, regardless of the dispensing system's orientation, one or more ribs can absorb an impact. This provides protection in all directions. The rib structure covers the entire spherical surface of the dispensing system's housing; however, this does not preclude the possibility of individual areas where the ribs are spaced further apart or interrupted to enable certain functionalities of the dispensing system.

[0010] Another advantage of the ribbed structure is that it reduces the effective friction surface of the dosing system. The laundry in the washing drum only comes into contact with the radially outward-facing end face of the individual ribs, provided the distance between adjacent ribs is not too great. This smaller friction surface results in lower frictional forces, so that the sliding and rubbing against the dosing system puts comparatively little strain on the laundry.

[0011] It has also been shown that the ribbed structure makes gripping the dosing system easier by hand. If the rib spacing is chosen so that a human finger fits into the gap between two adjacent ribs, thus allowing for a degree of gripping behind the ribs, this noticeably increases the grip of the dosing system. Even when the dosing system is wet, for example after a washing cycle, it is therefore easy to handle.

[0012] Another advantage of the ribbed structure is that an opening in the sphere's surface, located between two adjacent ribs and through which the preparation passes from the container into the washing drum, is less likely to be covered by laundry lying directly above the opening.

[0013] A rib cross-section of a single rib, a majority of the ribs, or all ribs can have a first rib flank, a second rib flank, and a rib tip where the two rib flanks converge. The rib cross-section thus tapers radially outwards from a base circle on the spherical surface. In one embodiment, the rib tip is rounded or flattened. While rounding the rib tip increases the effective friction surface of the metering system, it also reduces material wear at the rib tip. For example, the rib cross-section can be essentially triangular. The first rib flank and / or the second rib flank can be straight or curved.

[0014] Due to its radially tapered cross-section, the rib exhibits special damping and cushioning properties. Upon impact with the washing drum, the rib tip makes contact first. The damping or cushioning effect in the initial phase of the impact is minimal, as little material is deformed at the rib tip. Since the rib cross-section increases from the tip towards the base, more and more rib material is deformed or compressed as the deformation path increases in the second phase of the impact, thus increasing the damping and cushioning effect.

[0015] According to the invention, a first transition area between the spherical surface of the housing and the first rib flank has a rounded shape. The rounded shape is designed in such a way that no dirt or liquid pockets can form.

[0016] A second transition area between the spherical surface of the housing and the second rib flank also has a rounded shape. This second transition area differs from the first.

[0017] This results in an asymmetrical rib cross-section. Due to the asymmetry of the rib cross-section, in the event of an impact by the metering system, the rib, which is then subjected to compression, deflects to one side, resulting in good damping and cushioning.

[0018] The asymmetry of the rib cross-section can also be achieved through other means. For example, the first rib flank can be inclined and / or shaped differently than the second rib flank. This can result in the rib tip not being located in the center of the rib cross-section.

[0019] The ribs are preferably integrally molded onto the spherical surface. For example, the rib structure and the spherical surface of the housing can be seamlessly injection-molded. This gives the spherical surface with the rib structure placed upon it mechanical stability along with good damping and cushioning properties.

[0020] The cross-sectional area of ​​at least some of the ribs can change in the longitudinal direction. For example, the cross-sectional area at the beginning of the rib can be wider or higher than the cross-sectional area at the end of the rib or in a middle section of the rib.

[0021] The outer diameter of the dosing system can range from 70 mm to 130 mm. This outer diameter should also encompass the ribbed structure on the spherical housing. In one embodiment, the outer diameter is 90 to 110 mm.

[0022] The height of the rib cross-section (distance between the base circle and the rib tip) can be 3 to 10 mm, preferably 5 to 8 mm. The width of the rib cross-section at the level of the base circle can be in a range of 1 to 7 mm, preferably 2 to 6 mm, and most preferably 3 to 5 mm.

[0023] The distance between two adjacent ribs (measured from rib tip to rib tip) can be 5 to 25 mm (preferably 8 to 15 mm). This distance can be constant or vary along the length of the ribs. The height of the rib cross-section and the spacing are preferably selected such that, when the dosing system impacts the inner wall of the washing drum, the rib(s) in question absorb the impact energy in such a way that contact between the washing drum and the spherical surface of the housing is prevented. The thickness of the layer forming the spherical surface can therefore be relatively small, thus saving material.

[0024] The rib structure can have a multitude of longitudinal ribs extending from a first pole to a second pole diametrically opposite the first. These longitudinal ribs can wind from the first pole to the second pole in an S-shape, with precisely one inflection point.

[0025] Near the first pole, a first annular rib in the form of a circle can be arranged, the center of which is coaxial with the first pole, with the longitudinal ribs starting at the annular rib and extending towards the second pole. The longitudinal ribs can converge at a single point at the second pole. Alternatively, a second annular rib in the form of a circle can be arranged at the second pole, such that the longitudinal ribs start at the first annular rib and terminate at the second annular rib. The second annular rib is preferably arranged coaxially with the second pole.

[0026] The housing of the dosing system contains a container for receiving a preparation and a dosing device that dispenses the preparation from the container into the washing drum.

[0027] The dosing unit can be positioned near the first pole and include a control unit that is activated by applying pressure to the first pole. This allows the dosing unit to be switched on and off externally. The first annular rib surrounds the first pole and acts as a protective barrier against unintentional pressure on the control unit. For example, if the dosing system impacts the inner wall of the washing drum with its first pole, the first annular rib absorbs the impact energy. The diameter of the first annular rib can range from 20 to 40 mm.

[0028] In one embodiment, a further annular rib with a closed circumference is provided, the circumference of which surrounds a charging area of ​​the dosing device. The closed circumference can, for example, have the shape of a circle or an oval. The dosing device can, for example, be charged by induction.

[0029] The damping and cushioning of the rib structure are influenced not only by the aforementioned design measures but also by the appropriate selection of the material. Materials possessing at least one rigid and at least one soft elastic phase are preferred. Particularly preferred are materials in which, at the molecular or structural level, the soft elastic phase is sandwiched between two rigid elastic phases. Furthermore, the materials are characterized by a low and a high glass transition temperature; the difference between the two glass transition temperatures is at least 10 K, preferably at least 15 K, and particularly preferably 20 K. A preferred material is a thermoplastic elastomer comprising styrene and butadiene.

[0030] The design features and materials described above result in a significant reduction in noise emissions compared to a dosing system without a ribbed structure. In particular, the ribbed structure prevents or reduces low-frequency noise (< 3000 Hz). Tests have shown that, compared to a dosing system without a ribbed structure, the dosing system according to the invention reduces the sound level at frequencies between 130 Hz and 1000 Hz by several dB. The tests were conducted with 2 kg and 4.5 kg of household laundry.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

[0032] They show: Figure 1 shows a dosing system according to the invention with a spherical housing; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a first housing half of the spherical housing; Figure 3 shows a top view of the first housing half of theFigure 2 ; and Figure 4 shows a section through the housing half of the Figure 2 .

[0033] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a dosing system, designated as a whole by 1. The dosing system 1 can be placed in the drum of a standard household washing machine and is freely movable within it. The dosing system 1 has a spherical housing 10 with a first housing half 11 and a second housing half 12, separated by a flat dividing surface 16. Inside the spherical housing 10 are a dosing device and a container for a liquid preparation. The dosing device dispenses the liquid preparation, or a portion thereof, from the container into the washing drum during a wash cycle. The preparation can be a detergent or a fragrance.

[0034] The spherical housing 10 has a first pole 13 and a second pole 14. The first pole 13 and the second pole 14 are diametrically opposed to each other. Both the first pole 13 and the second pole 14 are flattened. The term "spherical" is thus intended to also include shapes that deviate slightly from the shape of a sphere in the mathematical sense.

[0035] The spherical surface of the housing 10 is covered with a multitude of S-shaped ribs 15 extending from the first pole 13 to the second pole 14. These pole-to-pole ribs can also be referred to as longitudinal ribs 15. The longitudinal ribs 15 have exactly one inflection point between the first pole 13 and the second pole 14.

[0036] The Figure 1It can further be seen that the longitudinal ribs 15 meet a second circular annular rib 21 at the second pole 14. As at the first pole 13, the longitudinal ribs 15 do not converge at a single point, but terminate at the circumference of a circular annular rib.

[0037] Figure 2 Figure 11 is a perspective view of the first housing half. A control element 17 of the dosing device is arranged at the first pole 13, allowing the dosing device to be operated by pressing a finger from outside through the housing. The first pole 13 is surrounded by a first annular rib 18, from which the longitudinal ribs 15 extend towards the second pole.

[0038] Between two longitudinal ribs 15a, 15b, two openings 19 are provided in the spherical surface, enabling the exchange of the preparation between the interior of the dosing system 1 and the washing drum. This exchange can include not only the dispensing of the preparation into the washing drum but also the venting of the container. The venting of the container can be carried out via separate openings.

[0039] Figure 2Figure 1 shows another annular rib 20 with a closed circumference in the form of an oval. The annular rib 20 surrounds a charging area 30, through which the dosing unit can be electrically charged externally by induction. The dosing system 1 can thus operate autonomously and, if necessary, receive signals from the washing machine and, if necessary, send signals to the washing machine. Alternatively or additionally, signals can be exchanged between the dosing system 1 and another device. The dosing system 1 can therefore also send and / or receive signals to a charging console or to any mobile or stationary device.

[0040] Figure 3 shows a top view of the first housing half 11, with the parting surface 16, which is in Figure 1 This can be seen in the depiction of the Figure 3with the drawing plane there. The individual longitudinal ribs 15 intersect the separating surface 16 at different angles. The depicted section of the longitudinal rib 15c runs perpendicular to the separating surface 16, such that Figure 3 whose rib cross-section is represented. The rib cross-section has a first rib flank 22, a second rib flank 23, and a rounded or flattened rib tip 24. A first transition area 26 is provided between a base circle 25, which is part of the spherical surface of the housing 10, and the first rib flank 22. The first transition area 26 has a rounded shape so that dirt or moisture cannot accumulate there. A transition area, namely a second transition area 27, is also provided between the second rib flank 23 and the base circle 25. From the Figure 2It becomes clear that the transitions 26, 27 (the second transition 27 of the longitudinal rib 15d can be seen here) change along the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rib 15. Thus, the transition 27 1 in the area of ​​the first pole 13 is narrower than the transition 27 T in the area of ​​the parting plane 16.

[0041] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows a section through the first housing half 11. The first housing half 11 (and also the second housing half 12) has an inner layer 28 and an outer layer 29, with the longitudinal ribs 15 and the outer layer 29 being formed in one piece. The outer layer 29 and the longitudinal ribs 15 are made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The inner layer 26 is made of a plastic that is harder than the thermoplastic elastomer.

[0042] If, during a wash cycle in which the washing drum rotates and the dosing system 1 moves within the washing drum, the dosing system 1 impacts the inner wall of the washing drum, the soft material of the longitudinal ribs 15 and the annular ribs 18, 20, 21 absorbs the corresponding impact energy, thus protecting the parts located inside the spherical housing 10 from excessive mechanical stress. Due to the special shape of the rib cross-section, the impact is soft, as the rib in question, which is compressed upon impact, is only compressed in the area of ​​the rib tip 24 during the first phase of the impact, where only a small amount of material is deformed.

[0043] Furthermore, the figures clearly show that the effective frictional surface of the dosing system 1, i.e., the surface of the dosing system 1 that comes into contact with the laundry, is quite small. It corresponds to the sum of the areas of the rib tips 24 of all ribs, assuming that the distance between adjacent ribs is so small that the laundry only comes into contact with the dosing system 1 at the rib tips 24. Accordingly, only low frictional forces act on the laundry. The ribs make the dosing system 1 easy to grip with one hand and provide a secure grip even when it is still damp after a wash cycle. The soft impact of the dosing system caused by the ribs also results in low noise emissions. Reference symbol list

[0044] 1 Dosing system 10 Housing 11 First housing half 12 Second housing half 13 First pole 14 Second pole 15 Ribs / longitudinal ribs 16 Separating plane 17 Operating element 18 First annular rib 19 Opening 20 Further annular rib 21 Second annular rib 22 First rib flank 23 Second rib flank 24 Rib tip 25 Base circle 26 First transition area 27 Second transition area 28 Inner layer 29 Outer layer 30 Loading area

Claims

1. A dosing system (1) for dispensing a preparation into a washing machine, the dosing system (1) being freely positionable in a rotatable washing drum of a washing machine, comprising a container for receiving the preparation, a dosing device which dispenses the preparation from the container into the washing drum, and a substantially spherical housing (10) in which the dosing device and the container are housed, a sphere surface of the housing (10) being covered with a rib structure having a plurality of spaced-apart ribs (15), characterized in that a rib cross section has a first rib flank (22), a second rib flank (23) and a preferably rounded or flattened rib tip (24), a first transition region (26) between the sphere surface of the housing (10) and the first rib flank (22) having a rounding and a second transition region (27) between the sphere surface of the housing (10) and the second rib flank (23) having a rounding, the second transition region (27) being distinct from the first transition region (26).

2. The dosing system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ribs (15) are formed integrally on the sphere surface.

3. The dosing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, in that the rib cross section varies in the longitudinal direction.

4. The dosing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a height of the rib cross section is 5 to 15 mm.

5. The dosing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a distance between two adjacent ribs (15) is 5 to 25 mm.

6. The dosing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rib structure has a plurality of longitudinal ribs (15) which extend from a first pole (13) to a second pole (14) diametrically opposite the first pole (13).

7. The dosing system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the longitudinal ribs (15) each wind in an S-shape from the first pole (13) to the second pole (14).

8. The dosing system (1) according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that, in the vicinity of the first pole (13), a first annular rib (18) is arranged in the shape of a circle, the center of which is arranged coaxially to the first pole (13), the longitudinal ribs (15) starting at the annular rib (18) and extending in the direction of the second pole (14).

9. The dosing system (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the dosing device (1) is arranged in the vicinity of the first pole (13) and has a control unit (17) which can be actuated by a pressure force directed at the first pole (13).

10. The dosing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an additional annular rib (20) having a closed circumference is provided, the circumference surrounding a loading region (30) of the dosing device (1).

11. The dosing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the ribs (15) are made of a thermoplastic elastomer which comprises styrene and butadiene.