Contact-free fluid dispenser

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a non-contact fluid dispenser for dispensing a fluid according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Fluid dispensers that allow for the touchless dispensing of a fluid, particularly liquid soap or disinfectant, are well known in the art. Activating a touchless sensor, usually located near a dispensing opening, starts a pump that pumps the fluid from a reservoir and delivers it to the dispensing opening for application to the hands. Dispensing from a fluid dispenser often occurs at the height of a user's normally held hand, as fluid dispensers are usually mounted on a wall above a washbasin, significantly below eye level. Various fluid dispensers are known in the art, some enclosed in a housing, such as a plastic box, and permanently installed on a wall or integrated into a surface of a washbasin or sanitary cubicle.

[0003] WO 2004 054 460 A2 describes a fluid dispenser consisting of a housing with a tunnel on the wall of which a sensor and a spray nozzle for dispensing liquids are arranged. The sensor triggers a pump connected to the nozzle, which in turn is connected to a reservoir. The tunnel has a bottom that slopes down towards the rear wall. Beneath the bottom is a tray for collecting liquid that runs off the tunnel wall.

[0004] WO 2010 118 443 A1 describes a foaming soap dispenser comprising a housing with a cover. A replaceable fluid reservoir is located in the upper section, and a working unit is provided in the lower section, comprising a fluid container, a pump, and a foaming device near a dispensing opening.

[0005] German patent application DE 20 2007 012 093 U1 describes a fluid dispenser designed for wall mounting, comprising a two-part housing. The housing includes a wall-mounted section connected by a hinge to a hinged lid. The fluid dispenser contains a fluid reservoir, which is pumped out by a pump activated by a non-contact sensor. The pump is located on the underside of the fluid reservoir in a recess of a motor unit, which is detachably mounted to the wall section of the housing.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2010 004 763 A1 describes a touchless fluid dispenser, particularly suitable for liquid soap or disinfectants. The dispenser has a replaceable fluid reservoir, a pumping unit with a pump for dispensing the fluid, and a touchless sensor for triggering a dispensing process. To facilitate the insertion of a new pump hose, the rotor, gearbox, and drive motor of the pumping unit are mounted on a U-shaped carriage that is movable on two horizontal rods.

[0007] DE 20 2020 003 131 U1 describes a fluid dispenser comprising a two-part housing. Each housing part contains a fluid reservoir, and the other housing part contains a dispensing device. The fluid dispenser has at least one non-contact sensor that activates the dispensing device to release fluid from the fluid reservoir. The fluid is dispensed through a dispensing opening located in the vicinity of the sensor.

[0008] EP 2 108 106 B1 discloses a fluid dispenser comprising a housing in which a fluid reservoir for storing a fluid and a working unit are arranged. The working unit has a conveying device with a motor and a pump. The pump is connected to an outlet of the fluid reservoir and, via a fluid line, to a through-opening for dispensing the fluid. A sensor is communicatively connected to an electronic control unit, which, upon receiving a signal from the sensor, actuates an electric motor of the conveying device.

[0009] WO 2021 018 511 A1 describes a fluid dispenser with generic features, comprising a housing that forms a first housing part in which a fluid to be dispensed is contained in an interchangeable container, and a second housing part in which a working unit is arranged, the latter having at least one conveying device and a control device. The control device can activate the conveying device to dispense a quantity of fluid at the dispensing opening by means of a non-contact sensor. The housing has a base on its underside that is detachably connected to the housing and serves as a retaining device for arranging the working unit.

[0010] Disadvantages of fluid dispensers include their often limited design to a specific shape or size, making them inflexible for installation in frequently predetermined, very limited spaces with small depths, widths, and / or heights above sinks or washbasins, particularly in sanitary cubicles, aircraft lavatories, or similar locations. To meet fire safety requirements for fluid dispensers installed in rail vehicles or aircraft, existing dispensers are typically encased in metal, increasing their installation space requirements and further restricting design options. Fluid dispensers often also have small reservoirs, necessitating frequent fluid replacements.

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of providing a contactless fluid dispenser that can be accommodated in a small space, has a structurally simple design and allows easy access to its components.

[0012] This problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1 in conjunction with its preamble features. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0013] In a known manner, a fluid dispenser for the contactless dispensing of a fluid comprises a housing, which is particularly intended for wall mounting above a sink or the like. The housing is divided into a first housing part and a second housing part, e.g., by an intermediate shelf. A fluid reservoir for storing the dispensed fluid is interchangeably mounted in the first housing part. A working unit is arranged in the second housing part, comprising at least one pumping device and a control device.

[0014] The control unit is operationally connected to the dispensing system and features a non-contact sensor. When, for example, a user's hand approaches the sensor, the control unit activates the dispensing system to release a predetermined quantity of fluid from the fluid reservoir through the dispensing opening. The fluid dispenser, or rather all its electrical and electronic components, are powered by electricity, for example, via a power cable that can be connected to a mains supply. However, the fluid dispenser can also be optionally or additionally powered by a battery.

[0015] The second housing part has a detachable base on its underside, which serves as a mounting device for the working unit. The working unit and the mounting device are connected to each other. The working unit housed in the second housing part comprises the elements required for the mechanical and electronic function of the fluid dispenser.

[0016] According to the invention, the first housing part is arranged vertically above the second housing part, wherein the second housing part comprises a maximum of one third of the installation space of the first housing part, and wherein the underside bottom has an ascending chamfer extending from a rear side of the fluid dispenser towards the front of the housing, on which the dispensing opening and the sensor are arranged.

[0017] The first housing section encloses an inner chamber into which the fluid reservoir, used to store a dispensed fluid, is interchangeably inserted. To save space, the first housing section is slightly larger than the fluid reservoir.

[0018] Vertically below the first housing section is the second housing section, which encloses a compact working unit as well as lines and / or electrical cables or batteries / accumulators. The two vertically stacked housing sections are separated from each other, for example, by an intermediate floor formed by the first and / or the second housing section. In other words, the fluid reservoir is positioned vertically above the working unit, and they may be separated by the intermediate floor.

[0019] The second housing part occupies a maximum of one-third of the installation space of the first housing part. The working unit housed in the second housing part, which combines the elements required for the mechanical and electronic function of the fluid dispenser, forms a compact unit together with the mounting device formed by the base of the housing. The second housing part is smaller than the first housing part and completely encloses a second interior space in which the working unit is located. Compared to the first housing part, the second housing part is very compact. Consequently, the fluid dispenser advantageously has a very small size relative to the size of the fluid reservoir and can be installed in a confined space.

[0020] The base or mounting device is detachably connected to the housing, for example, via a screw connection. A particular advantage of the present invention is that the entire assembly, i.e., the mounting device together with the working unit, can be removed from the fluid dispenser very easily and quickly, thus providing access to the interior of the fluid dispenser as well as simplified access to individual components of the working unit outside the fluid dispenser. The conveying device and the control device can be removed together with the mounting device as a complete set. This simplifies the replacement of defective components and reduces waiting times, since, for example, an entire assembly can be replaced with a replacement set and repairs do not have to be carried out on site.

[0021] The underside of the second housing section features a rising bevel extending from the rear towards the front of the fluid dispenser, on which the dispensing opening and the sensor are located. The angle of the base can be between 115° and 120°, particularly 117°. The sensor is positioned near the dispensing opening on the base of the fluid dispenser. The beveled base provides the user with easier and improved access by hand. This means that only the underside of the fluid dispenser needs to be accessible for dispensing the fluid, making the fluid dispenser housing suitable for integration into a wall, sanitary cubicle, or similar structure. Despite limited installation space, the beveled design ensures increased accessibility along the entire length of the housing.

[0022] The dispensing opening in the bevel can extend vertically. That is, the dispensing opening is formed vertically within the bevel. The dispensing opening can be designed such that an associated nozzle for dispensing the fluid projects vertically downwards from the base without exceeding the overall length of the housing. This allows the fluid dispenser to be advantageously installed in a confined space, i.e., in areas with limited installation space and shallow depth and / or height above a sink or washbasin.

[0023] The non-contact sensor near the dispensing opening can be, for example, an infrared sensor with near-point detection. The sensor is activated by bringing a body part, particularly a hand, into its detection range, which is adjustable to, for example, 5 to 6 cm. This prevents contamination of the fluid dispenser. The sensor has a detection angle of 20°. Because the sensor is positioned on the bevel, its detection range is angled forward towards the user, rather than vertically downwards, facilitating the rapid detection of an approaching hand. Once activated, the sensor sends a control command to the dispensing unit, which then draws a defined quantity of fluid, for example, between 1.5 g and 3.0 g, from the fluid reservoir and dispenses it onto the user's hands through the opening.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the holding device is designed in longitudinal section as a C-shaped bracket, wherein the base forms a first leg of the bracket and is connected via a connecting section extending in the vertical longitudinal direction of the housing to a second leg running substantially parallel to the base. The base, located on the underside of the housing, forms the first leg of the C-shaped holding device and extends substantially in a horizontal direction. The first leg is spaced apart from the second leg, which runs substantially horizontally, by a connecting section.

[0025] The connecting section that joins the first leg to the second leg extends vertically along the length of the housing. This connecting section can be designed, for example, as one or more connecting struts. It is also possible for the connecting section to be designed as a wall arranged perpendicular to the base, for example, on a wall of the second housing part, which in this case can be a double-walled second housing part.

[0026] Preferably, the control device is arranged on the first leg and the conveying device on the second leg, with the connecting section being connected to the second housing part via at least one connecting element. In particular, the connecting section and the second housing part can be connected to each other via a screw connection. A screw connection creates a positive-locking, yet easily detachable connection that can withstand even strong forces.

[0027] The conveying device and the control unit are spaced apart from each other by the connecting section and positioned opposite each other on the first and second legs of the support structure. This provides sufficient space between them, for example, for the kink-free arrangement of lines and / or electrical cables or batteries / accumulators. A power cable connection to the mains for the conveying device and the control unit can be provided, for example, through an opening in the base or the first leg.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device is arranged on the chamfer of the first leg, and the control device comprises a circuit board on which the non-contact sensor and the electronics connected to it are mounted. The non-contact sensor near the dispensing opening forms an active element of the control device and is integrated, in particular encapsulated, on the circuit board together with the connected electronics, thus advantageously making the control device very compact. The circuit board is supported inside the second housing part by the chamfer of the base. It is conceivable that the control device is arranged in an electronics box to protect it from moisture.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the conveying device comprises a pump connected via fluid lines to an outlet of the fluid reservoir and the discharge opening, with a sealing diaphragm arranged in the outlet. The fluid reservoir is, in particular, designed with an outlet or opening on its underside. The sealing diaphragm can be pre-installed in the outlet to prevent fluid from leaking out of the fluid reservoir. The outlet can, for example, be aligned with a through-opening in the intermediate floor of the housing.

[0030] The pumping device comprises an electrically driven pump and fluid lines and is arranged on the second leg of the mounting bracket in the second housing section, specifically directly below the fluid reservoir containing the fluid to be dispensed. The pump can be, for example, a diaphragm pump or a centrifugal pump. The pump is suitable for dispensing aqueous fluids, such as soap or disinfectant. It is connected to the fluid reservoir via the fluid lines on the inlet side and to the dispensing opening or a nozzle of the dispensing opening on the outlet side. The fluid line connected to an inlet of the pump can, for example, be connected to the outlet of the fluid reservoir via push-fit guide elements. These push-fit guide elements can, for example, penetrate the second leg on which the pumping device is mounted.When assembling the pump with the fluid reservoir, the sealing diaphragm in the outlet can be moved by the plug guide elements to open the outlet.

[0031] Preferably, the fluid reservoir is received in the first housing part via a vertically upward-facing opening, wherein the fluid reservoir is sealed against a cover of the housing opening by an upper rim. The first housing part has a vertically upward-facing opening located opposite the bottom of the housing. The housing opening serves for inserting the replaceable fluid reservoir and / or for refilling the fluid reservoir. Since the fluid reservoir can be removed from the top, the fluid dispenser can advantageously have a low profile when installed, relative to a sink or the like.

[0032] The housing opening can be closed with the cover. The cover can be securely attached to the housing. For example, it can be pivoted between an open and closed position via a hinge on the first part of the housing.

[0033] The fluid reservoir has a circumferential rim on one side, surrounding a reservoir opening and featuring a profile for ease of handling. Fluid can be filled from above through this opening. The circumferential rim is sealed against the cover to minimize fluid evaporation and prevent leakage. The rim has a seal, particularly on one side. The fluid reservoir and housing can be closed with the cover. In other words, a separate lid for the fluid reservoir is not required, saving space and allowing the first housing component to be only slightly larger than the fluid reservoir itself.

[0034] Preferably, the fluid reservoir has a volume between 1200 ml and 1400 ml. In particular, it can have a capacity of 1300 ml, preferably being filled with a maximum fluid quantity of 1250 ml. In contrast to conventional and comparable fluid dispensers, which often only hold up to 1000 ml, the fluid reservoir of the fluid dispenser according to the invention has a relatively large capacity, so that refilling is advantageously only necessary at longer intervals.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the first housing part and the second housing part each enclose a first interior space and a second interior space, the first interior space being at least three times larger than the second interior space. The housing parts, in particular, completely enclose the respective interior spaces. The fluid reservoir, which has a volume of, for example, between 1200 ml and 1400 ml, and in particular 1300 ml, is arranged in the first interior space. The fluid reservoir occupies most of the interior space. It can, for example, be supported solely on the first housing part without additional or separate fixings. This allows the first housing part to be slightly larger than the fluid reservoir, thus saving space and advantageously contributing to the small overall size of the fluid dispenser.

[0036] The first internal chamber is at least three times larger than the second. In other words, the second housing section, which contains the working unit, occupies a maximum of one-third of the installation space of the first housing section, which houses the fluid reservoir. Compared to the first housing section, the second housing section is very compact. This allows the entire fluid dispenser to have a significantly smaller footprint, advantageously considering the size of the fluid reservoir.

[0037] Preferably, the entire housing is made of metal. The housing extends vertically. The two housing parts, arranged vertically one above the other, are separated from each other, for example, by an intermediate floor formed by the first and / or the second housing part. In other words, the fluid reservoir is arranged vertically above the working unit, with the two separated by the intermediate floor. Advantageously, the control device is protected from moisture and arranged separately from the aqueous fluid in different housing parts.

[0038] The housing can be chimney-like with a substantially square, rectangular, or rectangular cross-section. In particular, the housing can have a front wall connected to a rear wall via two side walls. It is also conceivable that the housing could be, for example, column-like with a substantially round or oval cross-section.

[0039] The housing can completely enclose the fluid reservoir and the working unit. The housing can, for example, be formed in one piece from bent and / or folded sheet metal. In this case, the housing, or the first housing part, the second housing part, the cover, and the intermediate base, are made of a metal material, for example, to serve as a fire protection element for the fluid dispenser. In particular, the housing can be designed to meet the requirements of the fire protection standard DIN EN 45545-2.

[0040] Preferably, the housing is connected to a mounting device. The housing can be connected to at least one bracket, for example, a metal rail. The housing can be connected to the mounting device in one or more parts. The mounting device is designed as a suspension device and interacts with the housing in such a way that the fluid dispenser can be attached to a wall or the like. The term "wall" is to be understood, for example, as the back wall behind a sink or washbasin, or as an opening in a rear or side wall of a sanitary area, for example, in an aircraft, a rail vehicle, or the like.

[0041] Further advantages, features and application possibilities of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0042] The description, claims, and drawing use the terms and associated reference numerals listed below. In the drawing, this means: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention; Fig. 2 a side view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention. Fig. 1 Fig. 3 a side view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention with a closed cover; Fig. 4 a front view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention. Fig. 3 Fig. 5 a side view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention without a first housing part; Fig. 6 a side view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention without a first and a second housing part; and Fig. 7 a side view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention with the holding device detached.

[0043] In Figs. 1 to 7A fluid dispenser, designated with reference number 10, is shown.

[0044] In Fig 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective top view of a fluid dispenser 10 according to the invention. The fluid dispenser 10 comprises a housing 12 elongated in the vertical direction, which is connected to a frame 14 for hanging installation above a washbasin or the like, and which has several wall brackets 15.

[0045] A dispensing opening 16 is formed on the underside of the fluid dispenser 10 near a front edge of the housing 12, which is provided, for example, with a nozzle through which a portion of liquid soap, disinfectant or the like can be dispensed.

[0046] The housing 12 has a substantially square cross-section and is formed with two side walls 18, a front wall 20, and a rear wall 22. The housing 12 is divided into a first housing part 24 and a second housing part 26. The two housing parts 24 and 26, arranged vertically one above the other, are separated by a horizontal intermediate floor 28. The housing 12 is designed in two parts, with the intermediate floor 28 potentially being formed by the first housing part 24 and / or the second housing part 26. The first housing part 24 and the second housing part 26 are connected to each other, in particular, by rivets 30. It is also conceivable that the housing 12 is manufactured in one piece from a correspondingly bent or folded sheet metal. The housing 12 is made of a metallic material and complies with the fire protection standard DIN EN 45545-2.

[0047] The first housing part 24 encloses a first interior space 32 into which a fluid reservoir 34 for storing a dispensed fluid is interchangeably inserted. The fluid reservoir 34, which in this case is made of a robust plastic and has a capacity of 1300 ml, occupies most of the first interior space 32. The fluid reservoir 34 is held laterally, as well as at the front and rear, only by the walls 18, 20, 22 of the first housing part 24. To save space, a separate fastening of the fluid reservoir 34 within the first housing 24 has been omitted, so that the first housing part 24 is only slightly larger than the fluid reservoir 34.

[0048] The fluid reservoir 34 is inserted into the first interior space 32 via an upwardly projecting housing opening 36 in the first housing part 24. The fluid reservoir 34 can be filled and / or replaced via the upper housing opening 36, which can be closed with a cover 38 that can be moved between an open and a closed position. This allows the fluid dispenser 10 to be mounted very low, i.e., at a low height, for example, under a sink, a washbasin, a work surface, or the like, where removing the fluid reservoir 34 from below is not possible due to space constraints.

[0049] To facilitate the insertion and / or removal of the fluid reservoir 34 from the first housing part 24, the fluid reservoir 34 has a profile 42, particularly an L-shaped one, at its upper edge 40. A seal 44 is incorporated into the upper surface of the edge 40, extending around its entire circumference. The seal 44 provides a leak-proof seal between the fluid reservoir 34 and the cover 38 in the closed position. The cover 38 also minimizes fluid evaporation. The combination of fluid reservoir 34 and housing 12 can be closed with the cover 38 of the first housing part 24. This eliminates the need for a separate lid for the fluid reservoir 34, resulting in a very compact design for the first housing part 24 with respect to the fluid reservoir 34.

[0050] Vertically below the first housing part 24 is the second housing part 26, which encloses a similarly compact working unit 46 (not shown here) comprising a control device 48 and a conveying device 50.

[0051] In Fig. 2 is a side view of the fluid dispenser 10 according to the invention Fig. 1The rear panel 22 of the fluid dispenser 10 is connected to a frame 14 for wall mounting. The vertically stacked housing parts 24 and 26 are separated from each other by an intermediate shelf 28. The first housing part 24 can be closed by a cover 38, which is movable between an open and a closed position. The cover 38 is shown here in the open position, providing access to the interior 32 of the first housing part 24, in which the fluid reservoir 34 is interchangeably arranged. The L-shaped profile 42 at the upper edge 40 of the fluid reservoir 34 is clearly visible.

[0052] The cover 38 is securely connected to the front wall 20 of the first housing part 24 via a hinge 58. The cover 38 can be pivoted or folded open about a horizontal axis, in particular by 110° upwards, from the closed position to the open position. Towards the rear wall 22, the side walls 18 have a ball element 60 with which the cover 38 locks in the closed position.

[0053] The second housing part 26 has a base 52 which, extending from the rear wall 18, has a substantially horizontal area that, in this case, is designed with a through-opening 54 for power cables (not shown). Towards the front wall 20, the base 52 has a chamfer 56 that is angled relative to the front wall 20. The base 52 can be configured with an angle of 115° to 120°. In particular, it has an angle of 117°.

[0054] A non-contact sensor 62 is arranged on the chamfer 56 near the outlet opening 16, which is equipped with a nozzle for dispensing the fluid, in particular one that points vertically downwards, without increasing the overall length of the fluid dispenser 10. The chamfer 56 of the base 52 makes it easier for the user to access the underside of the fluid dispenser 10 with their hands, especially when the fluid dispenser 10 is mounted close to a sink. Furthermore, it allows the sensor 62's detection range, which is in particular 20°, to be directed obliquely forwards and / or downwards towards the front wall 20, i.e., not vertically downwards, thus enabling the sensor 62 to detect an approaching hand or the like very quickly.

[0055] Fig. 3 shows a side view of the fluid dispenser 10 with the cover 38 in the closed position and Fig. 4shows a front view of the fluid dispenser according to Fig. 3 Easily recognizable in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The subdivision of the housing 12 into a first housing part 24 and a second housing part 26 by the intermediate floor 28.

[0056] The fluid reservoir 34 (not shown) is housed in the first housing part 24. The cover 38 closes the combination of fluid reservoir 34 and the first housing 24 by snapping into place with a ball element 60 arranged on the side walls 18.

[0057] The housing 12 extends vertically, with the first housing part 24 arranged vertically above the second housing part 26. The first housing part 24 completely encloses a first interior space 32, which is slightly larger than the fluid reservoir 34 to save space, with the fluid reservoir occupying most of the first interior space 32. The second housing part 26 is smaller than the first housing part 26 and completely encloses a second interior space 64, in which the working unit 46 (not shown) is located. The first interior space 32, or the first housing 24, is at least three times larger than the second interior space 64, or the second housing part 26. In other words, the second housing part 26 occupies a maximum of one-third of the installation space of the first housing part 24. This gives the fluid dispenser 10 a very compact design with respect to the size of the fluid reservoir 34, which has a capacity of 1300 ml.In particular, the housing has maximum dimensions of less than 31.5 cm (height) x 12.2 cm (depth) x 13.6 cm (width) and is suitable for integration into confined spaces.

[0058] Furthermore, in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The chamfer 56 of the base 52 is clearly visible, where the non-contact sensor 62 is located near the dispensing opening 16. In the vertical longitudinal direction of the housing 12, the sensor and the dispensing opening 16 have a very small extent and do not project beyond the maximum dimensions of the fluid dispenser 12. Since the fluid is dispensed from a bottom surface of the housing 12, the two side walls 18, front wall 20 and / or rear wall 22, which have a substantially continuous surface, can be easily integrated into a wall or the like.

[0059] In Fig. 4 The fastening device 14, connected to the rear wall 22 of the housing 12, is clearly visible with the wall fixings 15.

[0060] Fig. 5 Figure 10 shows the fluid dispenser 10 with the fluid reservoir 34 arranged vertically above the second housing part 26, without the first housing part 24. The fluid reservoir 34 is made of a dimensionally stable plastic. On its upper side, opposite the second housing part 26, it has a circumferential rim 40 that surrounds a reservoir opening 66 through which the fluid reservoir 34 can be filled. The circumferential rim 40 is designed with a profile 42 for ease of handling and has a seal 44 on its upper side for sealing the fluid reservoir 34 against the cover 38.

[0061] As a comparison between Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 As can be seen, the fluid reservoir 12 occupies most of the interior space 32 of the first housing part 24. Fig. 5It is evident that the fluid reservoir 12 rests on the intermediate floor of the fluid dispenser 10. Furthermore, the fluid reservoir 12 rests, for example, on the walls 18, 20, 22 of the first housing part 24 without additional or separate fastenings, whereby the first housing part 24 is designed to be slightly larger than the fluid reservoir 12, thus saving space.

[0062] In Fig. 6 The fluid dispenser 10 is shown without the surrounding housing 12, only with a back panel 22, providing a view into the first interior space 32 and the second interior space 64. The first interior space 32 is almost completely occupied by the fluid reservoir 34, while the working unit 46, which includes the control device 48 and the conveying device 50, is arranged in the second interior space 64.

[0063] The fluid reservoir 34 has an outlet 68 on its underside, which includes a sealing membrane (not shown) for sealing the fluid reservoir 34. To discharge the fluid from the fluid reservoir 34, the outlet 68 is connected to a pump 72 of the conveying device 50 via push-fit guide elements 70. Fluid lines (not shown) connect the pump 72 to the push-fit guide elements 70 on the inlet side and to the discharge opening 16 on the outlet side, which is designed as a nozzle for dispensing the fluid.

[0064] The base 52 formed on the underside of the fluid dispenser 10 is detachably connected to the housing 12, the base 52 serving as a retaining device 74 for mounting the working unit 46. In longitudinal section, the retaining device 74 is designed as a C-shaped bracket, the base 52 forming a first leg 78 of the bracket and being connected via a connecting section 82, extending in the vertical longitudinal direction of the fluid dispenser 10, to a substantially horizontal second leg 84. In this case, the connecting section 78 is designed as a wall extending perpendicular to the base 52, which is screwed to the rear wall 22 of the second housing part 26, thus giving the second housing part 26 a double wall.

[0065] The control unit 48 is arranged on the first leg 78, and the pumping unit 50 is arranged on the second leg 84. They are spaced apart from each other by the connecting section 82, thus providing sufficient space between the pumping unit 48 and the control unit 50 for fluid lines, cables, and / or batteries or accumulators. The fluid dispenser 10 is preferably connected to a power supply via power cables, which allows the second housing part 26 to be even more compact, as it eliminates the need for a battery compartment or similar component.

[0066] On the first leg 78 of the holding device 74, which is formed with the chamfer 56, the non-contact sensor 62 is arranged in the area of ​​the dispensing opening 16. The sensor 62 is connected to electronics. To save space, the sensor 62 and the electronics are jointly encapsulated on a circuit board 86, which is located on a side of the base 52 facing the second interior space 64. When a body part approaches the dispensing opening 16, the sensor 62 sends a pulse to the electronics, which then activates the pump 72 by means of a control command to draw a defined quantity of fluid from the fluid reservoir 34 at the inlet and discharge it at the dispensing opening 16. The quantity of fluid to be dispensed is set by the pump's operating time. For example, the pump runs for a duration of between 20 ms and 30 ms to dispense a quantity of fluid between 1.5 g and 3.0 g.A new pulse must be triggered via sensor 62 to dispense the fluid again.

[0067] As in Fig. 7 As shown, the holding device 74 formed by the base 52 is detachably connected to the second housing part 26, in particular they are connected to each other via a screw connection 76. The working unit 46 is supported on or connected to the holding device 66 to form a compact assembly 80. This allows the entire assembly 80, i.e., the holding device 74 together with the working unit 46, to be very easily removed from the fluid dispenser 10. Fig. 7It is evident that the conveyor 50 and the control device 48, together with the holding device 74, can be removed from the housing 12 as a single assembly 80, i.e., as a complete set. This simplifies the replacement of defective components and reduces repair waiting times, since, for example, the entire assembly 80 can be replaced with a replacement set and repairs do not have to be carried out on site. Reference symbol list

[0068] 10 Fluid dispenser 12 Housing 14 Mounting device 15 Wall fixings 16 Dispensing opening 18 Side wall 20 Front wall 22 Rear wall 24 First housing part 26 Second housing part 28 Intermediate shelf 30 Rivets 32 First interior 34 Fluid container 36 Housing opening 38 Cover 40 Edge 42 Profile 44 Seal 46 Working unit 48 Control unit 50 Conveyor device 52 Base 54 Through opening 56 Chamfer 58 Hinge 60 Ball element 62 Non-contact sensor 64 Second interior 66 Container opening 68 Outlet 70 Plug-in guide elements 72 Pump 74 Holding device 76 Screw connection 78 First leg 80 Assembly unit 82 Connection section 84 Second leg 86 Circuit board

Claims

1. Fluid dispenser (10) for the contactless dispensing of a fluid, comprising a housing (12) that is divided into a first housing part (24) and a second housing part (26), wherein a fluid container (34) for storing the fluid is arranged in the first housing part (24), and a working unit (46) supplied with electrical energy is arranged in the second housing part (26) and has at least one conveying device (50) and one control device (48), wherein the fluid container (34) is connected to a discharge opening (16) via the conveying device (50), wherein the control device (48) activates the conveying device (50) via a contactless sensor (62) for dispensing the fluid via the discharge opening (16), and wherein the second housing part (26) has, on an underside thereof, a base (52) which can be detachably connected to the housing (12), which base (52) is designed as a retaining device (74) for arranging the working unit (46), characterized in that the first housing part (24) is arranged vertically above the second housing part (26), wherein the second housing part (26) occupies no more than one third of the installation space of the first housing part (24), wherein the base (52) provided on the underside features a rising slope (56) that starts from the rear of the housing (12) and extends toward the front of the housing (12) and on which the discharge opening (16) and the sensor (62) are located.

2. Fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in longitudinal section, the retaining device (74) is formed as a C-shaped bracket, with the base (52) forming a first leg (78) of the bracket and being connected to a second leg (84) - which extends substantially parallel to the base (52) - via a connecting portion (82) that extends in the vertical longitudinal direction of the housing.

3. Fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the control device (48) is arranged on the first leg (78) and the conveying device (50) is arranged on the second leg (84), with the connecting portion (82) being connected to the second housing part (26) via at least one connecting element.

4. Fluid dispenser (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control device (48) is arranged on the slope (56) of the first leg (78), with the control device (48) including a circuit board (86) on which the contactless sensor (62) and electronics connected to it are arranged.

5. Fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying device (48) comprises a pump (72) connected via fluid lines to an outlet (68) of the fluid container (34) as well as to the discharge opening (16), with a sealing diaphragm being arranged in the outlet (68).

6. Fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid container (34) is adapted to be received within the first housing part (24) via a vertically upward-facing opening (36) in the housing, with the fluid container (34) being sealed via a top rim (40) relative to a cover (38) of the housing opening (36).

7. Fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid container (34) has a volume of between 1,200 ml and 1,400 ml.

8. Fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first housing part (24) and the second housing part (26) each enclose a first interior space (32) and a second interior space (64), resp., which first interior space (32) is at least 3 times larger than the second interior space (64).

9. Fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (12) is formed from a metallic material.

10. Fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (12) is connected to a mounting device (14).

Images