Detergent box

Abstract

The invention relates to a detergent dispenser drawer of a water-conducting household appliance, comprising a detergent compartment (1) with a base (13) and a first inflow path (E1). The first inflow path (E1) leads from a water distribution device (15) arranged vertically above the base (13) and configured to allow water to flow into the detergent compartment (1), into the detergent compartment (1) and further along the base (13) into an inlet (19). A second inflow path (E2) is designed such that a section thereof runs opposite to a section of the first inflow path (E1), impinging on the latter or intersecting the section of the first inflow path (E1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a detergent dispenser and in particular to a detergent dispenser for a water-conducting household appliance.

[0002] A common detergent dispenser is essentially a container closed on three sides. The bottom slopes toward the fourth, open side. Water is supplied from above the bottom via one or more nozzles.

[0003] Typically, the nozzles are set so that all surfaces of the detergent dispenser are filled with water. The water then flows out of the open side, aided by the slope of the floor. The detergent is carried along with it. To fill the detergent dispenser, the dispenser can be pulled out of the appliance like a drawer and pushed back in after filling.

[0004] At low water pressures or flow rates, as well as when the detergent is clumped or caked on, residues of the detergent may remain in the dispenser drawer. This particularly applies to powdered detergents.

[0005] There is therefore a need to create a detergent dispenser that reliably removes detergent residues in the dispenser.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a detergent dispenser having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] A detergent dispenser drawer according to the invention for a water-conducting household appliance has a detergent compartment with a base and a first inflow path leading from a water distribution device arranged vertically above the base into the detergent compartment and further along the base into an inlet. The water distribution device is configured to allow water to flow into the detergent compartment. A second inflow path is designed such that a portion thereof runs opposite a portion of the first inflow path, impinging upon it or intersecting the portion of the first inflow path.

[0008] Due to the second inflow path, a section of which impinges on a section of the first inflow path or intersects the section of the first inflow path, the water flow is swirled, which allows detergent residues to be reliably removed.

[0009] The floor can advantageously be designed as a sloping floor.

[0010] By sloping the floor, the point of impact or intersection of the two inflow paths can be influenced in such a way that the cleaning effect is improved.

[0011] Advantageously, the detergent compartment can be designed in the manner of a drawer and can be inserted into the detergent dispenser drawer.

[0012] According to this design, the detergent compartment can be easily filled with a powdered detergent, while other components such as the water distribution device do not interfere with the filling of the detergent.

[0013] Advantageously, the second inflow path can be defined by a secondary inflow space which is separated from the detergent compartment by a partition wall spaced from the floor.

[0014] According to this design, the two inflow paths collide in the area between the partition wall and the floor of the detergent compartment, causing turbulence in the inflowing water in the area of ​​the edge of the floor where the most detergent usually accumulates.

[0015] Advantageously, a deflection can be provided at a bottom of the inlet in the area between the bottom and the partition wall in order to divert the second inflow path in the direction of the detergent compartment.

[0016] With such a deflection, for example in the form of a threshold or a triangular cross-section elevation at the bottom of the inlet, the water flow of the second inflow path can be directed directly to the edge of the bottom, thus ensuring an effective meeting of the two water flows.

[0017] Advantageously, a control means may be provided which serves to adjust a flow velocity and / or flow quantity and / or supply time of water flowing into the first flow path or second flow path.

[0018] With such a control means, the water supply in the two flow paths can be targeted. This makes it possible to supply the second flow path with water only towards the end of the inflow process, in order to only then remove the detergent residues. Furthermore, unnecessary water consumption is avoided. The water distribution device can advantageously be provided on the detergent dispenser drawer. In this case, the water distribution device is configured to be connected to a water supply of the water-conducting household appliance. This is particularly the case when the detergent compartment is fully inserted after being filled with washing powder. Furthermore, a water supply means can be provided that is configured to allow water to flow into a secondary inflow chamber that forms the second inflow path.

[0019] Existing water-based household appliances can be retrofitted with such a detergent dispenser, so that even older machines can be reliably cleaned of adhering detergent residues.

[0020] Advantageously, the water supply means is also configured to be connected to the water distribution device or the water supply of the water-conducting household appliance.

[0021] Depending on the design, it may be advantageous to connect the water supply that supplies the second inlet path to the water distribution system of the detergent dispenser drawer. Alternatively, a separate connection can be made directly to the water supply of the water-using household appliance.

[0022] Water-conducting household appliances according to the invention are understood to mean, in particular, washing machines, washer-dryers or dishwashers.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a detergent dispenser according to the invention; Fig. 2 a sectional view according to Fig. 1 with a representation of flow conditions in the detergent compartment and an inlet; Fig. 3 a representation according to Fig. 2 , which illustrates the functioning of the invention; Fig. 4 a representation according to Fig. 3 with a variation.

[0024] From the Fig. 1 A schematic diagram of a detergent dispenser drawer according to the embodiment is shown. The detergent dispenser drawer has a detergent compartment 1 with a bottom 13 that slopes downwards in the insertion direction of the detergent compartment 1. A powdered detergent 12 can be stored in the detergent compartment 1.

[0025] A water distribution device 15 is provided above the floor 13. Below the floor there is an inlet 19 to the interior of the water-bearing

[0026] Household appliance, e.g. a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dishwasher, through which the detergent rinsed from the detergent compartment is fed together with water as lye into the interior of the water-conducting household appliance.

[0027] The detergent compartment is delimited by a partition 18, which is arranged between the detergent compartment 1 and a second inflow chamber 17 defined by the partition. Between an edge of the sloping floor 13 and the partition 18 there is an opening through which the rinsed detergent is conveyed into the inlet 19.

[0028] From the Fig. 2 The flow conditions when the water supply is activated in the detergent compartment 1 are shown. Represented by the small arrows, water flows from the water distribution device 15 to the floor 13 and the side walls of the detergent compartment 1. This essentially creates a water flow E1, which is Fig. 2 is represented by a dashed arrow.

[0029] In order to reliably rinse out detergent residues 12a remaining on the floor, according to the embodiment, a second water flow E2 can be introduced through the second inflow chamber 17. This second water flow is in the Fig. 3 indicated by a dashed arrow E2.

[0030] The two water streams E1 and E2 meet in the space between the partition wall 18 and the edge of the base 13, resulting in a swirling of the water streams. This swirling reliably removes the detergent residues 12a located at the edge of the base 13.

[0031] For improved guidance of the second flow E2, according to a modification, a threshold 21 is provided at the bottom of the inlet 19, through which the water flow E2 is guided upwards towards the edge of the bottom 13. This is evident from the Fig. 4 visible.

[0032] This ensures reliable cleaning of detergent residues in the detergent compartment 1.

[0033] According to a preferred modification, a control device is provided by which at least the second flow can be selectively switched on and off. This can improve the cleaning effect as well as the drainage of the lye.

[0034] According to a further modification, one or more sensors are provided which detect an accumulation of detergent residues 12a and activate a cleaning process via the control unit.

Claims

1. Detergent dispenser drawer of a water-conducting household appliance, comprising a detergent compartment (1) with a base (13) and a first inflow path (E1) which leads from a water distribution device (15) arranged vertically above the base (13) and configured to allow water to flow into the detergent compartment (1), into the detergent compartment (1) and further along the base (13) into an inlet (19), wherein a second inflow path (E2) is designed such that a section thereof runs opposite to a section of the first inflow path (E1), impinging on the latter or intersecting the section of the first inflow path (E1).

2. Detergent dispenser drawer according to claim 1, wherein the bottom (13) is designed as a sloping bottom (13).

3. Detergent dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detergent compartment (1) is designed in the manner of a drawer and can be inserted into the detergent dispenser.

4. Detergent dispenser drawer according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second inflow path (E2) is defined by a secondary inflow space (17) which is separated from the detergent compartment by a partition wall (18) spaced from the base (13).

5. Detergent dispenser drawer according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second inflow path (E2) meets the first inflow path (E1) in the area between the base (13) and the partition wall (18) or intersects the first inflow path (E1) in the area between the base (13) and the partition wall (18).

6. Detergent dispenser drawer according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a deflection (21) is provided on a bottom of the inlet (19) in the area between the bottom (13) and the partition wall (18) in order to deflect the second inflow path (E2) in the direction of the detergent compartment (1).

7. Detergent dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a control means for adjusting a flow rate and / or flow quantity and / or supply time of water flowing into the first flow path (E1) or second flow path (E2).

8. Detergent dispenser drawer according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising the water distribution device (15) which is configured to be connected to a water supply of the water-conducting household appliance, and / or a water supply means which is configured to allow water to flow into a secondary inflow space (17) which forms the second inflow path (E2).

9. Detergent dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the water supply means is configured to be connected to the water distribution device (15) or the water supply of the water-conducting household appliance.

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