Cleaning agent removal device, method for identifying a cleaning agent, method for operating a cleaning device, control unit and cleaning device

Abstract

Cleaning agent dispensing device, method for identifying a cleaning agent, method for operating a cleaning device, a control unit and cleaning device. The invention relates to a cleaning agent dispensing device (110) for a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning agent dispensing device (110) comprises a metering lance (200) designed to pump cleaning agent from a cleaning agent container (220), and a receiving unit (210). The receiving unit (210) is designed to identify the type of cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent container (220) by means of a marking element (230) attached to and / or on the cleaning agent container (220), wherein the receiving unit (210) is permanently assigned to the metering lance (200).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning agent dispensing device for a cleaning device, a cleaning device, a method for identifying a cleaning agent, a method for operating a cleaning device and a control unit according to the main claims.

[0002] Currently, cleaning devices cannot detect when a user uses the wrong washing chemical or one unsuitable for a cleaning program, resulting in laundry not being cleaned properly and in some cases even being damaged.

[0003] The approach presented here aims to create an improved cleaning agent dispensing device for a cleaning device, an improved cleaning device, an improved method for identifying a cleaning agent, an improved method for operating a cleaning device, and an improved control unit.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a cleaning agent dispensing device for a cleaning device, a cleaning device, a method for identifying a cleaning agent, a method for operating a cleaning device, and a control unit with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0005] The advantages achievable with the invention include not only simple handling but also a reliable identification option for the automatic recognition of a cleaning agent that is currently intended for removal from a cleaning agent container.

[0006] A cleaning agent dispensing device for a cleaning device is presented, wherein the cleaning agent dispensing device comprises a metering lance designed to pump cleaning agent from a cleaning agent container and a receiving unit, wherein the receiving unit is designed to recognize a type of cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent container by means of a marking element attached to or on the cleaning agent container, wherein the receiving unit is permanently assigned to the metering lance.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the cleaning agent dispensing device is designed to detect a cleaning agent, pump it out, and store it in a cleaning device for use in a washing cycle. The cleaning device that performs the washing cycle can, for example, be a washing machine. The dosing lance can be designed to be inserted into the cleaning agent container to deliver the cleaning agent into the cleaning device. The dosing lance can, for example, be made of plastic. According to one embodiment, the receiving unit can be a scanner, such as an RFID reader. The marking element can, for example, be an RFID tag, a barcode, or a sequence of numbers.According to one embodiment, the marking element can encode a type of cleaning agent, particularly if the marking element is shaped as an RFID tag designed to wirelessly transmit or return a signal. The dosing lance can be shaped to be inserted through a through-opening in the cleaning agent container, especially wherein the dosing lance is designed as a tube and has a length that corresponds to at least one-third of the height of the cleaning agent container. According to one embodiment, the through-opening can be arranged on or in the cleaning agent container to allow the dosing lance to be inserted from above so that the entire contents of the cleaning agent container can be pumped out.

[0008] The receiving unit can be arranged and / or fixed to the dosing lance, in particular if the receiving unit is arranged and / or fixed to an upper or lower end of the dosing lance. This allows the cleaning agent container, and thus its contents coded by the marking element, to be reliably and easily identified as washing chemicals or cleaning agent type.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the receiving unit can be separate from the dosing lance or designed to be detachable. This allows a user to check, independently of the cleaning device or the dosing lance, which cleaning agent is currently being used or into which cleaning agent container the dosing lance is currently inserted.

[0010] The receiving unit can be positioned in a base for the cleaning agent container and / or be designed as a handheld device, particularly a mobile phone. This allows a user to easily check which cleaning chemicals are being used and which wash cycles can be performed with them.

[0011] The cleaning agent dispensing device can include a further marking element, readable by a handheld receiver, wherein the further marking element has a code for identifying the dispensing lance and is arranged on the dispensing lance. Reading the marking element and the further marking element ensures that the correct dispensing lance is inserted into the correct type of cleaning agent container. Thus, the dispensing lance can be assigned to the cleaning agent container into which it is currently inserted. According to one embodiment, the further marking element can be shaped like the marking element, for example, as an RFID tag or a barcode.

[0012] Furthermore, a method for identifying a cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent container is presented, which is carried out using a cleaning agent dispensing device. The method includes the step of outputting a cleaning agent type signal representing a type of cleaning agent in the cleaning agent container into which the dosing lance is inserted, wherein the cleaning agent type corresponds to a marker element recognized by the receiving unit. This allows for the technically very simple identification of the type of cleaning agent that can currently be dispensed from the dosing lance into the cleaning device.

[0013] During the dispensing step, the cleaning agent type signal can be determined by linking the code identifying the dosing lance with information from the marking element. According to one embodiment, the information from the marking element can be retrieved from a mobile phone using an app. Through this appropriate mapping, a user's mobile phone, equipped with a suitable app, can also be used to read the marking element, thus enabling the reuse of existing technical devices and resulting in a cost-effective implementation option for the approach presented here.

[0014] The invention further presents a method for operating a cleaning device with a cleaning agent dispensing device, wherein the method comprises the step of identifying a cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent container according to a variant presented here, and a step of executing a cleaning program of the cleaning device using the cleaning agent type signal.

[0015] According to one embodiment, during the execution step of one of several selectable cleaning programs, a selected cleaning program can be executed, and a warning signal is issued if the cleaning agent type signal represents a cleaning agent that is unsuitable for executing the selected cleaning program. This allows a user, for example, to be quickly and easily notified that the dosing lance is inserted into a cleaning agent container containing a cleaning agent unsuitable for the selected cleaning program.

[0016] A further advantage of the approach presented here is that, during the execution step, the amount of cleaning agent used depends on the cleaning agent type signal. This allows, for example, efficient use of the available cleaning agent without having to use an excessively large quantity, which would be harmful to the environment.

[0017] The approach presented here further creates a control unit designed to execute, control, and implement the steps of a variant of one of the methods presented here in appropriate devices. This embodiment of the invention, in the form of a device, also allows the underlying problem to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0018] The control unit can be configured to read input signals and use these input signals to determine and provide output signals. An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the control unit. An output signal can be a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control unit. The control unit can be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control unit can include a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as a discrete component or comprised of a discrete component.

[0019] A computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or control unit, it can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of one of the methods according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0020] Furthermore, a cleaning device for cleaning laundry can include a cleaning agent dispensing device according to a variant presented here and a control unit according to a variant presented here.

[0021] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-capacity disinfector or a container washing system.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cleaning device; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cleaning agent dispensing device; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a cleaning agent dispensing device; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a cleaning agent dispensing device; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a cleaning agent dispensing device; Figure 6 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a cleaning agent dispensing device; Figure 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for identifying a cleaning agent; and Figure 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating a cleaning device.

[0023] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cleaning device 100. The cleaning device comprises a washing drum 105, a detergent dispensing device 110, and a control unit 120. According to this embodiment, the cleaning device 100 is configured as a washing machine. Alternatively, the cleaning device 100 could also be configured, for example, as a dryer or a metal cleaner. The washing drum 105 is designed, as is typical for cleaning devices, to hold, wash, and spin laundry or textiles. For cleaning, the cleaning device 100 requires detergent, which it supplies to the washing drum via the detergent dispensing device 110. For example, the cleaning device 100 has an automatic dosing device for this purpose, which is located in the Figure 1For the sake of clarity, the details are not shown in detail. To prevent incorrect cleaning agents from being fed into the cleaning device 100, the cleaning device includes the cleaning agent dispensing device 110, which comprises a dosing lance and a receiving unit. The dosing lance is designed to pump cleaning agents from a cleaning agent container. The receiving unit is designed to identify the type of cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent container by means of a marking element attached to or on the cleaning agent container. The receiving unit is permanently assigned to the dosing lance. This permanent assignment allows for the unambiguous determination of which cleaning agent container the dosing lance is inserted into and thus which cleaning agent is currently being drawn into the cleaning device by the dosing lance.According to this embodiment, the cleaning agent dispensing device is designed as an arrangement for identifying detergent containers for commercial laundry care using electromagnetic waves, for example RFID. The marking element encodes, for example, the type of cleaning agent.

[0024] In commercial laundry care, automatic dosing systems are often used for washing chemicals. The chemicals are stored in canisters positioned near the washing machines and pumped into the machine using suction lances and dosing pumps. The machines control the pumps for the appropriate chemicals. Settings are configured within the programs to assign the correct chemicals to each program step. The machine then only receives information about empty containers. With conventional cleaning equipment, it's impossible to detect whether the canister has been changed or if the suction lance is being used with the wrong chemicals. This existing system therefore requires user input. Furthermore, it doesn't capture useful information. Systems exist that allow for the tracking of canisters, for example, using RFID tags.These systems use different arrangements between an RFID reader and an RFID tag, which vary in practicality or can even be prone to errors.

[0025] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cleaning agent dispensing device 110. The cleaning agent dispensing device 110 is, for example, like the one in Figure 1. Figure 1The cleaning agent dispensing device described is designed as follows. The cleaning agent dispensing device 110 has a dosing lance 200 and a receiving unit 210, which is permanently assigned to the dosing lance. Furthermore, a cleaning agent container 220 is shown, which has a marking element 230 and another marking element 240, which, for example, is arranged at a different location on the cleaning agent container 220 than the marking element 230 and also encodes the type of cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent container 220. In this way, the receiving unit 210 can read a marking element 230 at different locations, thus allowing flexibility in inserting the dosing lance 200 into the cleaning agent container 220. According to the embodiment shown here, the cleaning agent container 220 is designed as a canister containing a specific type of cleaning agent.The dosing lance 200 is inserted into the cleaning agent container 220 through a through-opening 250 on an upper side of the cleaning agent container 220. The receiving unit 210 is arranged at a lower end of the dosing lance 200. There, the receiving unit 210 detects, for example, the marking element 210, which is arranged on a side wall of the cleaning agent container 220 opposite the dosing lance 200. The receiving unit 210 is also designed to detect, for example, the other marking element 240, which is arranged on a bottom of the cleaning agent container 220.According to one embodiment, the marking element 230 and the other marking element 240 are designed as barcodes, which the receiving unit 210, for example, optically evaluates and uses to determine the type of cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent container 220. According to another embodiment, the receiving unit in this embodiment is designed as an RFID reader, which can detect or read the marking element 230 and the other marking element 240. In this case, the marking element 230 and / or the other marking element 240 are designed as RFID tags.

[0026] To implement the invention, various arrangements are conceivable between the receiving unit 210, the marking element 230, the further marking element 240, and the chemical container, also referred to as the cleaning agent container 220, with the dosing lance 200. The dosing lance 200 can also be referred to synonymously as a suction lance. One embodiment could be such that the suction lance has an RFID reader attached to its lower end, side, or bottom as the receiving unit 210. The reader is sealed and insulated from the chemical. Accordingly, an RFID tag could be placed laterally or at the bottom outside the container. When the lance is placed in the container, the tag is scanned as soon as the reader and tag are close enough together. The washing machine or the cleaning agent dispensing device 110 recognizes the connected chemical or its type via the lance.The chemicals are assigned to the corresponding program step and can be pumped into the machine via the suction lances during the washing or cleaning program. Another possible configuration is to attach the RFID reader to the upper end of the suction lance.

[0027] Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a cleaning agent dispensing device 110. The cleaning agent dispensing device 110 is shaped as shown in Figure 110. Figure 1 or 2 described cleaning agent dispensing device 110 .The receiver unit 210 is now positioned at the upper end of the dosing lance 200 to detect the marking element 230 on the outside of the cleaning agent container 220. The marking element 230 is located, for example, at the upper end of the cleaning agent container 220 next to the through-opening 250. The RFID tag is placed, for example, on the top of the canister near the through-opening 250. The suction lance is placed in the canister and secured, for example, by a retaining ring at the through-opening 250, thus preventing it from slipping out. By fixing the lance in place, the tag can be read when the lance is inserted. When the suction lance is inserted into the chemical container, it scans the chemical canister or the type of cleaning agent it contains, and the detected chemical can be automatically assigned to the corresponding program step.The operator therefore does not need to pay attention to which chemical is assigned to which lance, nor does he need to make any settings in the machine program. This results in a time saving for the operator. The possibility of operator error is also reduced.

[0028] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a cleaning agent dispensing device 110 . The cleaning agent dispensing device 110 is also the same as those in the Figures 1 to 3The cleaning agent dispensing device described above is designed accordingly. Here, the receiver unit 210 is not located on the dosing lance 200, but rather below the cleaning agent container 220. This serves as an alternative to attaching the receiver unit 210 to the dosing lance 200, whereby the receiver unit 210 can also be placed in a mounting platform 400 below the canister. The RFID tag is attached to the base outside the canister. Thus, the type of cleaning agent is directly identified when the cleaning agent container 220 is placed on the mounting platform 400. This prevents the dosing lance 200 from being inserted into the wrong cleaning agent in the first place, or it allows for the detection that a cleaning agent container 220 has been provided with a different cleaning agent than is usually the case.

[0029] Figure 5shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a cleaning agent dispensing device 110 . The cleaning agent dispensing device 110 is the same here as in the Figure 1The cleaning agent dispensing device described is designed as follows. Here, the receiving unit 210 is designed as a separate scanner unit. According to this embodiment, each dispensing lance 200 is specifically assigned to an RFID reader. This provides designated dispensing positions for the canisters, where they must be placed. The scanning process takes place when the canister is placed in these positions. Instead of a fixed RFID reader, the receiving unit 210 is designed as a mobile scanning unit. This can be used like a handheld scanner. The marking element 230 is located on an outer surface of the device. This allows a user to read the marking element independently, even if the cleaning agent container 220 is not in the cleaning device.

[0030] Figure 6Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a cleaning agent dispensing device 110. According to this embodiment, the cleaning agent dispensing device 110 is designed like the cleaning agent dispensing device already described. The marking element 230 is arranged on the cleaning agent container 220, and another marking element 600 is arranged on the dosing lance 200. The RFID tag is then attached to any desired location on the canister. The reader is permanently assigned to a suction lance. When the container's RFID tag is read, the suction lance is assigned to the canister. Similar to the mobile reader, tags can also be read with a smartphone. To avoid having to use one smartphone per suction lance, two tags would be used. One tag is attached to the canister and one to the suction lance. The tags are scanned sequentially with the smartphone.A smartphone app enables pairing between the suction lance and the container. According to this embodiment, the receiving unit 210 is a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone) which, for example, can recognize the marker element 230 and the other marker element 600 with the help of an app. The approach presented here simplifies the assignment of the suction lance to the container. The automatic or manual scan of the container allows for quick assignment of the suction lance and its chemical to the correct program step. The washing machine thus receives the information from which suction lance the chemical for the corresponding program steps can be pumped. The operator therefore does not need to make any settings in the washing program. Additionally, it prevents, for example, the suction lance from being placed in the wrong washing chemical (or from being used in the wrong way).(This could occur if, in this case, the appropriate cleaning agent is unintentionally removed from the canister and used uncontrollably in the cleaning program), leading to errors in the washing process. The operation of the dosing system and the changing of the chemicals are further automated, saving time during washing operations.

[0031] Figure 7Figure 700 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of Method 700 for identifying a cleaning agent. Method 700 for identifying a cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent container, using a cleaning agent dispensing device, comprises a step 701 of outputting a cleaning agent type signal, which represents a type of cleaning agent in the cleaning agent container in which the dispensing lance is inserted, wherein the type of cleaning agent corresponds to a marker element recognized by the receiving unit. Furthermore, in step 701 of outputting, the cleaning agent type signal is determined using a link between the code for identifying the dispensing lance and information from the marker element. For example, the information from the marker element is obtained via a mobile phone.The app is designed, for example, to recognize a signal, such as the marker element, and to decode it accordingly.

[0032] Figure 8Figure 800 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of Method 800 for operating a cleaning device. Method 800 for operating a cleaning device with a cleaning agent dispensing device comprises step 701 of issuing the method for identifying a cleaning agent. In response to step 701, step 801 of executing a cleaning program of the cleaning device using the cleaning agent type signal is executed. In step 801, a selected cleaning program from several selectable cleaning programs is executed, and a warning signal is issued if the cleaning agent type signal represents a cleaning agent that is unsuitable for executing the selected cleaning program. According to one embodiment, the cleaning program is selected automatically.Alternatively, a user can select a cleaning program compatible with the cleaning agent after the cleaning agent has been detected. Furthermore, in step 801 of the execution process, a quantity of cleaning agent dependent on the cleaning agent type signal is used to execute the cleaning program.

[0033] The approach presented here should therefore offer solutions that minimize the effort required from the user. For example, intelligent systems supported by sensors such as RFID eliminate the need for human intervention, which is made possible, for instance, by image processing of the code contained in the marking element. Recognition should be automatic, preventing false detection of the cleaning agent in the detergent container. Such systems could be linked to an automated inventory management system that monitors consumption and stock levels and automatically reorders cleaning chemicals. Conventional cleaning devices, on the other hand, require more user input. With automatic dosing, the user has to configure settings in the wash program, such as assigning a dosing lance to a specific chemical beforehand.In addition, conventional solutions require the user to ensure the dosing lance is inserted into the correct chemical container. Both steps are prone to errors and time-consuming. In contrast, the solution presented here offers a very simple and error-free method for dispensing and identifying cleaning agents from a container.

Claims

1. Cleaning agent dispensing device (110) for a cleaning device (100), wherein the cleaning agent dispensing device (110) has the following features: a metering lance (200) which is shaped to pump cleaning agent from a cleaning agent container (220); and a receiving unit (210) for recognizing a type of cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent container (220) by means of a marking element (230) attached to and / or on the cleaning agent container (220), wherein the receiving unit (210) is permanently assigned to the metering lance (200).

2. Cleaning agent dispensing device (110) according to claim 1, wherein the metering lance (200) is shaped to be inserted through a through-opening (250) of the cleaning agent container (220), in particular wherein the metering lance (200) is designed as a tube and / or has a length that corresponds to at least one third of the height of the cleaning agent container (220).

3. Cleaning agent dispensing device (110) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the receiving unit (210) is arranged and / or fixed on the dosing lance (200), in particular wherein the receiving unit (210) is arranged and / or fixed on an upper end and / or a lower end of the dosing lance (200).

4. Cleaning agent dispensing device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving unit (210) is designed to be separate and / or separable from the dosing lance (200).

5. Cleaning agent dispensing device (110) according to claim 5, wherein the receiving unit (210) is designed in a mounting surface (400) for the cleaning agent container (220) and / or as a handheld device, in particular as a mobile phone.

6. Cleaning agent dispensing device (110) according to claim 5, with a further marking element (600) readable by a receiving device designed as a handheld device, wherein the further marking element (600) has a code for identifying the dosing lance (200) and / or is arranged and / or fixed on the dosing lance (200).

7. Method (700) for identifying a cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent container (220) using a cleaning agent dispensing device (110) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the method (700) comprises the following step: outputting (701) a cleaning agent type signal representing a type of cleaning agent in the cleaning agent container (220) in which the dosing lance (200) is inserted, wherein the type of cleaning agent corresponds to a marker element (230) recognized by the receiving unit (210).

8. Method (700) according to claim 7, wherein in step (701) of dispensing the cleaning agent type signal is determined using a link between the code for identifying the dosing lance (200) and information from the marking element (230).

9. Method (800) for operating a cleaning device (100) with a cleaning agent dispensing device (110) according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the method comprises the following steps: step (701) of the method according to claim 7 or 8; and execution (801) of a cleaning program of the cleaning device (100) using the cleaning agent type signal.

10. Method (800) according to claim 9, wherein in step (801) of executing one of several selectable cleaning programs selected, a cleaning program is executed, and wherein a warning signal is issued if the cleaning agent type signal represents a cleaning agent that is unsuitable and / or incorrectly dosed and / or concentrated for the execution of the selected cleaning program.

11. Method (800) according to claims 9 or 10, wherein in step (801) of execution a quantity of cleaning agent dependent on the cleaning agent type signal is used for the execution of the cleaning program.

12. Control unit (120) configured to perform and / or control the steps (701; 801) of at least one of the methods (700; 800) according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 8 or 9 to 11 in corresponding units.

13. Computer program product comprising program code for performing at least one of the methods (700; 800) according to one of claims 7 to 8 or 9 to 11, when the computer program product is executed on a control unit (120) according to claim 12.

14. Cleaning device (100) for cleaning laundry, wherein the cleaning device (100) comprises a cleaning agent dispensing device (110) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a control unit (120) according to claim 12.

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