U.S. patent application number 17/542657 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-09 for dosing of a solid detergent in a domestic dishwashing machine.
The applicant listed for this patent is emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA. Invention is credited to Matthias Bauer, Albert Dirnberger, Johann Kleber, Georg Spie l.
Application Number | 20220175212 17/542657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220175212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dirnberger; Albert ; et
al. |
June 9, 2022 |
DOSING OF A SOLID DETERGENT IN A DOMESTIC DISHWASHING MACHINE
Abstract
A domestic dishwashing machine includes a dishwashing container,
a door, pivotably mounted on the dishwashing container, for closing
a dishwashing chamber formed in the dishwashing container, and a
dosing system, arranged at the door, for a solid detergent, for
example, in tablet form. The dosing system may include an annular
magazine having a rotatably arranged rotor which delimits a
plurality of radially outwardly open storage compartments,
distributed in the circumferential direction, which are each to
receive a detergent tablet. In some embodiments, a chute is
arranged beneath the rotor, and the chute allows a detergent tablet
which has fallen into the chute to fall freely to an outlet opening
at which the detergent tablet can pass into the dishwashing
chamber. By rotation of the rotor, a storage compartment filled
with a detergent tablet can move into a position radially opposite
a dosing opening, at which the chute begins.
Inventors: |
Dirnberger; Albert;
(Neunburg vorm Wald, DE) ; Kleber; Johann;
(Nabburg, DE) ; Bauer; Matthias; (Schmidgaden,
DE) ; Spie l; Georg; (Altendorf, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA |
Nabburg |
|
DE |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/542657 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/44 20060101
A47L015/44 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 7, 2020 |
DE |
102020132502.9 |
Apr 27, 2021 |
DE |
102021110759.8 |
Claims
1. A domestic dishwashing machine comprising: a dishwashing
container; a door, mounted on the dishwashing container so as to be
pivotable about a horizontal door pivot axis close to the floor,
for closing a dishwashing chamber formed in the dishwashing
container; and a dosing system, arranged at the door, for a solid
detergent, wherein the dosing system comprises: a rotor arranged in
a magazine chamber so as to be rotatable about a rotor axis, which
rotor delimits a plurality of radially outwardly open storage
compartments, distributed in the circumferential direction about
the rotor axis, which are each to receive a portion of a solid
detergent; a dosing opening in a boundary wall of the magazine
chamber, wherein, by rotation of the rotor, each of the storage
compartments can be brought individually in succession into a
position radially opposite the dosing opening in order to empty the
storage compartment in question through the dosing opening; and a
chute connected to the magazine chamber through the dosing opening,
wherein the rotor is arranged with its rotation plane substantially
parallel to a main plane of the door and the dosing opening is
arranged beneath the rotor, such that, when the door is closed and
when one of the storage compartments is moved into a position
radially opposite the dosing opening, a portion of the solid
detergent stored in the storage compartment in question is able to
fall, solely by the force of gravity, out of the storage
compartment in question through the dosing opening and into the
chute.
2. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the chute defines a fall section, which extends downwards from the
dosing opening to an outlet opening, for the free fall of a portion
of the solid detergent in the chute, wherein the chute opens at the
outlet opening from the door into the dishwashing chamber.
3. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the chute is arranged so as to be unmovable relative to the dosing
opening.
4. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a drive mechanism for driving the rotor in rotation such
that its direction of rotation can be changed, and a control unit
which is adapted to control the drive mechanism with a changing
direction of rotation of the rotor.
5. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the control unit is adapted to control the drive mechanism such
that, for emptying one of the storage compartments, the storage
compartment in question is moved to and fro at least once.
6. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the dosing system comprises a sensor system which allows the
presence of a portion of the solid detergent in a storage
compartment to be detected before the storage compartment in
question is moved into an emptying position relative to the dosing
opening, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the drive
mechanism such that, after one of the storage compartments has been
moved into the emptying position, the storage compartment in
question is moved back into the detection range of the sensor
system.
7. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a drive mechanism for driving the rotor in rotation, a
control unit for controlling the drive mechanism, and a sensor
system, coupled with the control unit, which allows the presence of
a portion of the solid detergent in a storage compartment to be
detected, wherein the control unit is adapted, if it is detected
that a portion of the solid detergent has remained in one of the
storage compartments after that storage compartment has been moved
at least once into an emptying position relative to the dosing
opening, to control the drive mechanism to move a further one of
the storage compartments into the emptying position.
8. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein
the control unit is adapted, if it is detected that a portion of
the solid detergent has remained in one of the storage
compartments, to emit at least one of an audible indication and a
visual indication for an operator.
9. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the dosing system further comprises: a blower for generating a
stream of blowing air into at least one of the magazine chamber and
the chute; a shut-off member which is arranged so as to be movable
to and fro between a shut-off position and a freeing position and
which, in the freeing position, frees the chute so that a portion
of the solid detergent is able to fall through to the outlet
opening and, in the shut-off position, shuts off the chute so that
a portion of the solid detergent is unable to fall through to the
outlet opening; and a control unit for the blower, wherein the
control unit is adapted to control the blower to generate blowing
air at least during a phase in which the shut-off member is in the
freeing position.
10. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the dosing system comprises a pusher for urging a portion of the
solid detergent stored in one of the storage compartments radially
outwards in the fall direction, wherein the pusher is in the form
of a spring-operated pusher or an electromagnetically operated
pusher.
11. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the dosing system further comprises an electrically controllable
drive mechanism for driving the rotor in rotation, and a magazine
cover for closing an access to the magazine chamber, wherein the
magazine cover is configured to be removed from the magazine
chamber without separating a mechanical drive connection between
the drive mechanism and the rotor and, when the magazine cover has
been removed, each of the storage compartments is accessible
through the access for filling with a portion of the solid
detergent.
12. The domestic dishwashing machine as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the rotor is secured against axial removal from the
magazine chamber by at least one fastening member, the release of
which requires an auxiliary tool.
13. A domestic dishwashing machine comprising: a dishwashing
container; a door, mounted on the dishwashing container so as to be
pivotable about a horizontal door pivot axis close to the floor,
for closing a dishwashing chamber formed in the dishwashing
container; and a dosing system, arranged at the door, for a solid
detergent, wherein the dosing system comprises: a magazine for
storing the solid detergent; a chute for conveying, by gravity, a
portion of the solid detergent removed from the magazine to an
outlet opening; a shut-off member which is arranged so as to be
movable to and fro between a shut-off position and a freeing
position and which, in the freeing position, frees the chute so
that a portion of the solid detergent is able to fall through to
the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position, shuts off the
chute at a shut-off point located downwards of the beginning of the
chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is unable to fall
through to the outlet opening; an electrically controllable
actuator for driving the shut-off member; and a control unit
adapted to control the actuator such that, while a dishwashing
program of the dishwashing machine is running, the shut-off member
is in the shut-off position for most of the duration of the program
but, on removal of a portion of the solid detergent from the
magazine, the removed portion is allowed to fall freely in the
chute from the beginning of the chute to the outlet opening.
14. A dosing system for a domestic dishwashing machine, comprising:
a rotor arranged or able to be arranged in a magazine chamber so as
to be rotatable about a rotor axis, wherein the rotor forms a
plurality of storage compartments arranged distributed in the
circumferential direction about the rotor axis, which storage
compartments are each to receive a portion of a solid detergent; a
chute for conveying, by gravity, a portion of the solid detergent
removed from one of the storage compartments to an outlet opening;
and a sensor system configured to detect the presence of a portion
of the solid detergent in one of the storage compartments and,
independently thereof, detect the presence of a portion of the
solid detergent in the chute.
15. The dosing system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a
shut-off member which is arranged so as to be movable to and fro
between a shut-off position and a freeing position and which, in
the freeing position, frees the chute so that a portion of the
solid detergent is able to fall through to the outlet opening and,
in the shut-off position, shuts off the chute at a shut-off point
located downwards of the beginning of the chute so that a portion
of the solid detergent is unable to fall through to the outlet
opening, wherein the sensor system is adapted to check at least one
of a chute region of the chute above the shut-off point and a chute
region of the chute below the shut-off point for the presence of a
portion of the solid detergent.
16. A method for charging a domestic dishwashing machine with
detergent tablets, wherein the dishwashing machine is equipped with
a tablet dosing system which has an annular magazine having a rotor
arranged so as to be rotatable about a rotor axis, wherein the
rotor defines a plurality of tablet compartments distributed in the
circumferential direction about the rotor axis, wherein the
detergent tablets are in the form of flat bodies with opposite
large faces and small faces connecting the large faces, wherein the
detergent tablets, looking at the large face, are longer and wider
than they are thick and at the same time are longer than they are
wide, wherein, in the method, a detergent tablet is placed into
each of the plurality of tablet compartments standing on one of its
longitudinal small faces, in particular such that the detergent
tablets, looking axially at the annular magazine, are each oriented
substantially radially.
17. A tablet dosing system for installation in a domestic
dishwashing machine, comprising: a magazine for the ordered storage
of detergent tablets; a chute for the gravity-driven delivery of a
detergent tablet extracted from the magazine to an outlet opening;
a shut-off member arranged to be movable between a shut-off
position and a freeing position and which, in the freeing position,
frees the chute so that extracted detergent tablets are able to
fall through to the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position,
shuts off the chute so that detergent tablets are unable to fall
through to the outlet opening; and a blower for generating a stream
of blowing air, wherein the blower comprises an impeller seated in
an impeller chamber and the impeller chamber is in blowing air
supply connection with at least one of the chute and an extractor
chamber accommodating a movably arranged extractor member for
extracting a detergent tablet from the magazine and delivering the
extracted detergent tablet into the chute.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to German Patent
Application 10 2020 132 502.9, filed on Dec. 7, 2020, and German
Patent Application 10 2021 110 759.8, filed on Apr. 27, 2021, the
contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the dosing of a
solid detergent in a domestic dishwashing machine.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In dishwashing machines for private households, technical
development is moving towards providing in the machine a magazine
in which a larger amount of a solid detergent can be stored. For
liquid rinsing aids there are already solutions for storing an
amount of liquid that is sufficient for a plurality of operating
cycles of the dishwashing machine. For the actual detergent, which
is often in the form of compacted detergent tablets or in the form
of a pourable detergent powder, storage solutions with automated
dosing are likewise increasingly being worked on.
[0004] For the prior art relating to solutions for the storage and
dosing of a detergent in powder or tablet form in a domestic
dishwashing machine, reference may be made, for example, to the
following documents: DE 10 2014 115 512 A1; WO 2009/022223 A1; CN
111743495 A; DE 10 2019 009 054 A1.
[0005] Detergent tablets are particularly easy for a user to
handle. If the user is required to introduce a detergent powder
into a magazine of a powder dosing unit, it can easily happen that
the user spills some of the detergent powder. Such inconveniences
are generally not to be feared with detergent tablets. However, in
particular in the case of detergent tablets which do not have a
spherical, oval or disk-like shape, it is generally necessary to
store the detergent tablets in an ordered manner in the magazine in
order to reliably be able to remove a defined number of detergent
tablets (generally one tablet per operating cycle) during operation
of the dishwashing machine. Magazines for the ordered storage of
detergent tablets can form, for example, one or more stacking
chutes in which the detergent tablets can be stored stacked one
above the other (see e.g. DE 10 2019 009 054 A1).
[0006] Another magazine construction which should be given closer
consideration within the scope of the present disclosure is that of
an annular magazine which allows detergent tablets or specifically
measured portions of a detergent powder to be stored in an annular
arrangement. The publications WO 2009/022223 A1 and CN 111743495 A
mentioned at the beginning disclose annular magazine solutions
having a plurality of storage compartments distributed along a
ring, in each of which a detergent tablet or powder portion can be
stored. According to WO 2009/022223 A1, the detergent contained in
a storage compartment is gradually washed out of the storage
compartment by a jet of water. Unless the various storage
compartments of the magazine are perfectly sealed from one another
(which will generally be difficult to achieve), spray can reach the
portions of the detergent stored in the other storage compartments,
where it can cause undesirable clumping and agglutinations. CN
111743495 A provides a slider for pushing the detergent tablet held
ready in a storage compartment laterally out of the storage
compartment. The slider causes a considerable additional outlay in
terms of construction and control.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a dosing system
suitable and intended for use in a dishwashing machine, which
dosing system is distinguished by a simple construction and a
simple operating principle.
[0008] In order to achieve this object, the invention provides a
domestic dishwashing machine, wherein the dishwashing machine
comprises a dishwashing container, a door, mounted on the
dishwashing container so as to be pivotable about a horizontal door
pivot axis close to the floor, for closing a dishwashing chamber
formed in the dishwashing container, and a dosing system, arranged
at the door, for a solid detergent. The dosing system comprises: a
rotor arranged in a magazine chamber so as to be rotatable about a
rotor axis, which rotor delimits a plurality of radially outwardly
open storage compartments, distributed in the circumferential
direction about the rotor axis, which are each to receive a portion
of a solid detergent; a dosing opening in a boundary wall of the
magazine chamber, wherein, by rotation of the rotor, each of the
storage compartments can be brought individually in succession into
a position radially opposite the dosing opening in order to empty
the storage compartment in question through the dosing opening; and
a chute connected to the magazine chamber through the dosing
opening. The rotor is arranged with its rotation plane
substantially parallel to a main plane of the door, wherein the
dosing opening is arranged beneath the rotor, such that, when the
door is closed and when one of the storage compartments is moved
into a position radially opposite the dosing opening, a portion of
the solid detergent stored in the storage compartment in question
is able to fall, solely by the force of gravity, out of the storage
compartment in question through the dosing opening and into the
chute.
[0009] According to this solution, it is sufficient to rotate the
rotor into a position in which one of the storage compartments is
in a position radially opposite the dosing opening. In this dosing
position of the storage compartment in question, the portion of the
solid detergent located therein is able to fall radially out of the
storage compartment and fall through the dosing opening into the
chute solely by the force of gravity. The storage compartment does
not have to be washed out by means of a jet of water, nor is it
necessary to push the portion of solid detergent laterally
(horizontally) out of the storage compartment by means of an
additional pusher. The dosing opening can be formed, for example,
in a chamber boundary wall of the magazine chamber which is formed
by the chamber housing and encloses the rotor in an annular
manner.
[0010] In some embodiments, the rotor is installed in the door with
its rotation plane substantially parallel to the main plane of the
door, wherein the chute adjoins the magazine chamber beneath the
magazine chamber. The positional term beneath thereby refers to the
state when the door is closed. Typically, the door is mounted on a
dishwashing container of the dishwashing machine so as to be
pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis close to the floor. The
closed door therefore has a vertical orientation; for opening, the
door is pivoted in the direction of the horizontal. In order to
permit gravity-driven delivery of detergent from the storage
compartments and into the chute, the chute is therefore to be
arranged beneath the rotor in the direction towards the pivot axis
close to the floor. By stepwise further rotation of the rotor, a
detergent portion can thus be delivered in succession from each of
the storage containers into the chute.
[0011] The solid detergent can be present as a pourable powder or
in tablet form. Such detergent tablets are conventionally brought
into a defined spatial form by compaction from one or more powdered
starting substances (with in some cases different active substance
compositions). An approximately quadrangular form of the detergent
tablets is frequently to be found, in which the detergent tablets,
looking at their large face, have an approximately rectangular
contour and a length and width, looking at their large face,
greater than the thickness, looking at their small face. However,
the invention is of course not limited to such quadrangular
detergent tablets; the use of detergent tablets of other shapes is
likewise conceivable within the scope of the present disclosure.
Where mention is made here of a portion of the solid detergent, the
portion consists in the case of detergent tablets of a defined
number of such detergent tablets, for example a single detergent
tablet. In the case of a powdered detergent, a portion consists of
the amount of powder introduced into the storage compartment in
question. This amount can be specifically measured, in particular
when the magazine has been filled with detergent by the
manufacturer, or it can be an amount determined by visual judgment,
for example when it has been introduced manually by a consumer by
way of a first filling or refilling.
[0012] In some embodiments, the chute defines a fall section, which
extends in particular substantially linearly downwards from the
dosing opening to an outlet opening, for the free fall of a portion
of the solid detergent in the chute, wherein the chute opens at the
outlet opening from the door into the dishwashing chamber. In these
embodiments, the portion of the solid detergent removed from the
magazine is able to fall through the dosing opening and through the
entire chute as far as the outlet opening and out of the outlet
opening without additional aids, solely under the effect of
gravity. After leaving the outlet opening, the portion of the solid
detergent can be taken up and dissolved by the dishwashing water
sprayed or collected in the dishwashing chamber.
[0013] In some embodiments, the chute is arranged so as to be
unmovable relative to the dosing opening. For example, the dosing
system comprises a common housing component which delimits at least
parts of the magazine chamber and at the same time at least parts
of the chute.
[0014] In some embodiments, the dosing system comprises a drive
mechanism for driving the rotor in rotation such that its direction
of rotation can be changed. In addition, a control unit is provided
which is adapted to control the drive mechanism with a changing
direction of rotation of the rotor. By means of these measures, the
dosing system provides the structural and control-related
requirements for driving the rotor with a changing direction of
rotation.
[0015] Changing the direction of rotation of the rotor can serve
various purposes. For example, a detergent tablet can easily become
caught or otherwise be retained in its storage compartment, so that
it does not immediately fall out of the storage compartment once
the storage compartment has been moved in a first approaching
stroke into a position opposite the dosing opening. Moving the
storage compartment to and fro above the dosing opening one or more
times can in such a case help the cleaning tablet nevertheless to
fall out of the storage compartment. Accordingly, some embodiments
provide that the control unit is adapted to control the drive
mechanism such that, for emptying one of the storage compartments,
the storage compartment in question is moved to and fro at least
once. In particular, the storage compartment in question can be
moved at least once at least partly beyond the dosing opening and
then back into a position radially opposite the dosing opening.
[0016] Alternatively or in addition, it can be useful to be able to
change the direction of rotation of the rotor in order to verify
that a storage compartment has actually been emptied. Accordingly,
it is provided in some embodiments that the dosing system comprises
a sensor system which allows the presence of a portion of the solid
detergent in a storage compartment to be detected before the
storage compartment in question is moved into an emptying position
(dosing position) relative to the dosing opening, wherein the
control unit is adapted to control the drive mechanism such that,
after one of the storage compartments has been moved into the
emptying position, the storage compartment in question is moved
back into the detection range of the sensor system. By moving the
storage compartment back, it is possible to check by means of the
sensor system whether there is still a portion of the solid
detergent in the storage compartment. If not, there is certainty
that the storage compartment has been emptied properly, provided
that the storage compartment was identified as full before it was
moved to the emptying position. If yes, the control unit can emit,
for example, a visual or/and acoustic warning message for the user
or/and make a further attempt at emptying the same storage
compartment or/and try to empty the next storage compartment.
[0017] Some embodiments comprise a drive mechanism for driving the
rotor in rotation, a control unit for controlling the drive
mechanism, and a sensor system, coupled with the control unit,
which allows the presence of a portion of the solid detergent in a
storage compartment to be detected. The control unit is adapted, if
it is detected that a portion of the solid detergent has remained
in one of the storage compartments after that storage compartment
has been moved at least once into an emptying position relative to
the dosing opening, to control the drive mechanism to move a
further one of the storage compartments into the emptying position.
Accordingly, even if it is not possible to successfully empty one
of the storage compartments (e.g. because a cleaning tablet has
become stuck in the storage compartment in question as a result of
the action of moisture and has not been able to fall out), the
functionality of the dosing system is nevertheless maintained. If a
storage compartment cannot be emptied with a predefined number of
attempts at emptying, the dosing system tries to empty the next
storage compartment. The running of a dishwashing program therefore
does not have to be interrupted.
[0018] If the control unit detects that it has not been possible to
empty a storage compartment despite one or more attempts, the
control unit can effect the emission of an audible or/and visual
indication for an operator. This indication constitutes a request
for the operator to clean the magazine and remove any agglutinated
amounts of the detergent.
[0019] It is possible that hot steam or/and spray from the
dishwashing chamber can enter the chute or/and the magazine
chamber. Hot steam or spray can be detrimental to the detergent
stored in the annular magazine. For example, the detergent may
partially dissolve and form clumps or stick to the walls of the
storage compartments. The ingress of hot moisture can be
counteracted by a stream of blowing air which is introduced into
the magazine chamber or/and into the chute. Accordingly, some
embodiments provide that the dosing system comprises a blower for
generating a stream of blowing air into the magazine chamber or/and
into the chute.
[0020] The blower can be in direct blowing air supply connection
with the chute. Direct here means that a blowing air supply
connection leads from an impeller chamber, in which an impeller of
the blower is arranged, directly to the chute without first passing
through other parts of the dosing system, in particular the
magazine chamber. In other embodiments, it is provided that the
blower is in direct blowing air supply connection with the magazine
chamber. From there, air that is blown in can then enter the chute.
In such embodiments, there is a blowing air supply connection
between the blower and the chute through the magazine chamber.
[0021] The chute can be able to be selectively shut off and freed.
To this end, the dosing system can comprise a shut-off member which
is arranged so as to be movable to and fro, in particular in a
translational manner, between a shut-off position and a freeing
position and which, in the freeing position, frees the chute so
that a portion of the solid detergent is able to fall through to
the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position, shuts off the
chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is unable to fall
through to the outlet opening. The shut-off member can in
particular be configured such that, in its shut-off position, it
closes substantially the entire chute cross section of the chute.
Accordingly, when the chute is closed (i.e. when the shut-off
member is in the shut-off position), an undesirable ingress of
steam or/and spray into the parts of the dosing system located
above the shut-off member can be prevented. For dosing purposes,
however, the chute must occasionally be opened in order that a
portion of the detergent removed from the magazine is able to reach
the end of the chute and, from there, the dishwashing chamber of
the dishwashing machine. In such open phases of the chute, it is
recommended to activate the blower in order that hot steam and/or
spray can be kept as far away as possible from the magazine.
Embodiments of the invention therefore provide a control unit for
the blower, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the
blower to generate blowing air at least during a phase in which the
shut-off member is in the freeing position.
[0022] Of course, it is possible to control the blower to generate
blowing air additionally during phases in which the shut-off member
is in the shut-off position and the chute is accordingly closed.
This is because the presence of defects in tightness through which
steam and/or spray can enter the magazine chamber cannot be ruled
out. Therefore, it can be expedient to operate the blower also when
the chute is shut off. For example, it is conceivable in some
embodiments to drive the blower substantially continuously during
the entire wet phase of an operating program of the dishwashing
machine and if desired additionally even to allow it to run during
a subsequent drying phase in which measures for actively drying the
dishes are carried out by the dishwashing machine.
[0023] According to some embodiments, the dosing system comprises a
pusher for urging a portion of the solid detergent stored in one of
the storage compartments radially outwards in the fall direction.
The pusher can be in the form of, for example, a spring-operated
pusher or an electromagnetically actuated pusher.
[0024] Some embodiments provide that the dosing system comprises an
electrically controllable drive mechanism for driving the rotor in
rotation and a magazine cover, in particular a pivotably mounted
magazine cover, for closing an access to the magazine chamber. The
magazine cover can be removed from the magazine chamber without
separating a mechanical drive connection between the drive
mechanism and the rotor and, when the magazine cover has been
removed, each of the storage compartments is accessible through the
access for filling with a portion of the solid detergent.
[0025] The rotor can be secured against axial removal from the
magazine chamber by at least one fastening member (e.g. a screw),
the release of which requires an auxiliary tool.
[0026] According to a further aspect, the invention provides a
dosing system for a domestic dishwashing machine, comprising: a
rotor which is arranged or is able to be arranged in a magazine
chamber so as to be rotatable about a rotor axis, wherein the rotor
forms a central cup portion delimited by a cup lateral surface and
a cup base, and a plurality of storage compartments which are
arranged distributed in the circumferential direction radially
outside the central cup portion and axially overlap the cup lateral
surface, which storage compartments are each to receive a portion
of a solid detergent; and an electrically controllable drive
mechanism for driving the rotor in rotation, wherein, in an
operation ready state of the dosing system, electromechanical
or/and mechanical components of the drive mechanism, in particular
an electric motor or/and a reduction gear, are accommodated in the
interior of the cup so that they are concealed at least partly
beneath the cup base. The accommodation of components of the drive
mechanism in the central cup portion is beneficial for a small
overall height of the dosing system. In particular, the inner
circumference of the cup lateral surface can be used for the
provision of a toothing with which a drive pinion, arranged in the
central cup portion, of the drive mechanism is in meshing
engagement.
[0027] Yet a further aspect of the invention provides a dosing
system for a domestic dishwashing machine, comprising: a rotor
which is arranged or is able to be arranged in a magazine chamber
so as to be rotatable about a rotor axis, wherein the rotor forms a
plurality of storage compartments arranged distributed in the
circumferential direction about the rotor axis, which storage
compartments are each to receive a portion of a solid detergent;
and a photoelectric sensor system which allows the presence of a
portion of the solid detergent in a storage compartment to be
detected, wherein the sensor system is adapted to shine into each
of the storage compartments a sensor light beam which is directed
from radially inwards to radially outwards or vice versa. Shining a
light beam directed radially or at a comparatively small (acute)
angle relative to the radial direction through the storage
compartments allows light-emitting or/and light-receiving
components to be arranged radially inside or/and radially outside
the storage compartments but within the axial height of the storage
compartments. The sensor system therefore does not require any
additional installation space in the vertical direction. This is
advantageous in view of the limitations in terms of installation
space which are generally imposed by the door of a domestic
dishwasher in the direction of the door thickness.
[0028] Each of the storage compartments can be delimited radially
on the inside by a wall portion of the rotor provided with a window
opening, wherein the sensor system is adapted to direct the sensor
light beam through the window opening in each of the storage
compartments.
[0029] A further aspect of the invention provides a domestic
dishwashing machine having a dishwashing container, a door, mounted
on the dishwashing container so as to be pivotable about a
horizontal door pivot axis close to the floor, for closing a
dishwashing chamber formed in the dishwashing container, and a
dosing system, arranged at the door, for a solid detergent. The
dosing system comprises: a magazine for storing the solid
detergent; a chute for conveying, by gravity, a portion of the
solid detergent removed from the magazine to an outlet opening; a
shut-off member which is arranged so as to be movable to and fro,
in particular in a translational manner, between a shut-off
position and a freeing position and which, in the freeing position,
frees the chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is able to
fall through to the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position,
shuts off the chute at a shut-off point located downwards of the
beginning of the chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is
unable to fall through to the outlet opening; an electrically
controllable actuator for driving the shut-off member; and a
control unit which is adapted to control the actuator such that,
while a dishwashing program of the dishwashing machine is running,
the shut-off member is in the shut-off position for most of the
duration of the program but, on removal of a portion of the solid
detergent from the magazine, the removed portion is allowed to fall
freely in the chute from the beginning of the chute to the outlet
opening.
[0030] In this aspect of the invention, it is ensured by means of
the control unit that the free fall of a detergent portion
delivered from the magazine into the chute is not temporarily
stopped by the shut-off member because the shut-off member is still
in its shut-off position. Instead, the control unit ensures that
the shut-off member is in its freeing position when a detergent
portion removed from the magazine falls into the chute. The
detergent portion is thus able to fall through the entire chute at
a stroke. To this end, the control unit is suitably programmed or
otherwise configured so that it effects the transfer of the
shut-off member from the shut-off position into the freeing
position in good time before a detergent portion delivered from the
magazine into the chute reaches the location of the shut-off
member. As soon as the detergent portion has passed the shut-off
member, the shut-off member can immediately be moved back into its
shut-off position.
[0031] Yet a further aspect of the invention provides a domestic
dishwashing machine which comprises a dishwashing container, a
door, mounted on the dishwashing container so as to be pivotable
about a horizontal door pivot axis close to the floor, for closing
a dishwashing chamber formed in the dishwashing container, and a
dosing system, arranged at the door, for a solid detergent. The
dosing system comprises: a magazine for storing the solid
detergent; a chute for conveying, by gravity, a portion of the
solid detergent removed from the magazine to an outlet opening; a
shut-off member which is arranged so as to be movable to and fro,
in particular in a translational manner, between a shut-off
position and a freeing position and which, in the freeing position,
frees the chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is able to
fall through to the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position,
shuts off the chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is
unable to fall through to the outlet opening; an electrically
controllable actuator for driving the shut-off member; and a
control unit which is adapted to control the actuator such that, in
response to a received predefined operating command of an operator,
without starting a dishwashing program of the dishwashing machine,
the shut-off member is moved out of the shut-off position into the
freeing position. This functionality of the control unit allows the
shut-off member to be transferred into its freeing position for
cleaning purposes, so that a user is able to reach all areas of the
chute with a cleaning object, for example a brush or a
toothbrush.
[0032] According to yet a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a dosing system for a domestic dishwashing machine,
comprising: a magazine for storing the solid detergent; a chute for
conveying, by gravity, a portion of the solid detergent removed
from the magazine to an outlet opening; a shut-off member which is
arranged so as to be movable to and fro, in particular in a
translational manner, between a shut-off position and a freeing
position and which, in the freeing position, frees the chute so
that a portion of the solid detergent is able to fall through to
the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position, shuts off the
chute at a shut-off point located downwards of the beginning of the
chute so that a portion of the solid detergent is unable to fall
through to the outlet opening; and a sensor system, in particular a
photoelectric sensor system, associated with the chute, which
sensor system is adapted to check a chute region of the chute above
the shut-off point for the presence of a portion of the solid
detergent.
[0033] The sensor system makes it possible for the chute to be
scanned by means of sensors for the falling of a detergent portion
removed from the magazine or/and for the presence of a detergent
portion which has stopped at the (shut) shut-off member. The
functional reliability of the dosing system can thus be increased.
The sensor system makes it possible to determine whether, during a
dosing operation, a detergent portion has actually entered the
chute or/and passed through the chute. For example, the sensor
system can work by the functional principle of a light barrier.
Mechanical sensors with a sensor arm protruding into the fall path
of the detergent in the chute are likewise conceivable as an
alternative to a test light beam which is shone into the chute.
[0034] A further aspect of the invention provides a domestic
dishwashing machine comprising: a rotor which is arranged or is
able to be arranged in a magazine chamber so as to be rotatable
about a rotor axis, wherein the rotor forms a plurality of storage
compartments arranged distributed in the circumferential direction
about the rotor axis, which storage compartments are each to
receive a portion of a solid detergent; a chute for conveying, by
gravity, a portion of the solid detergent removed from one of the
storage compartments to an outlet opening; and a sensor system, in
particular a photoelectric sensor system, which permits the
detection of the presence of a portion of the solid detergent in
one of the storage compartments and, independently thereof, the
detection of the presence of a portion of the solid detergent in
the chute. In this aspect of the invention, the sensor system is
adapted both to scan at least one of the storage compartments for
the presence of a detergent portion and to monitor the chute for
the entry or falling through of a detergent portion.
[0035] Where the dosing system in the last-mentioned aspect of the
invention comprises a shut-off member which is arranged so as to be
movable to and fro, in particular in a translational manner,
between a shut-off position and a freeing position and which, in
the freeing position, frees the chute so that a portion of the
solid detergent is able to fall through to the outlet opening and,
in the shut-off position, shuts off the chute at a shut-off point
located downwards of the beginning of the chute so that a portion
of the solid detergent is unable to fall through to the outlet
opening, the sensor system is adapted in some embodiments to check
a chute region of the chute above the shut-off point or/and a chute
region of the chute below the shut-off point for the presence of a
portion of the solid detergent.
[0036] The invention additionally provides a domestic dishwashing
machine having a dishwashing container, a door, mounted on the
dishwashing container so as to be pivotable about a horizontal door
pivot axis close to the floor, for closing a dishwashing chamber
formed in the dishwashing container, and a dosing system, arranged
at the door, for a solid detergent, wherein the dosing system
comprises a storage chamber for receiving a supply of the solid
detergent and defines a fall section, leading to an outlet opening,
for a portion of the detergent extracted from the supply. The
outlet opening allows the extracted portion to emerge into the
dishwashing chamber. According to the invention, it is provided in
such a dishwashing machine that the dosing system comprises, in
spatial association with the outlet opening, a movably arranged
protective cover for selectively freeing and shutting off the
outlet opening, and an electrically controllable, in particular
electromotive, actuator with which the protective cover is
drivingly coupled for its movement.
[0037] DE 10 2014 115 512 A1 mentioned at the beginning already
discloses a protective cover for covering an outlet opening at the
end of a fall section. The protective cover according to that
publication is configured in the manner of a gravity pendulum and
closes the outlet opening when the door is open and oriented
horizontally. On closing of the door, however, the protective cover
pivots under the effect of gravity into an open position in which
the outlet opening is freed. The outlet opening is thus free for
the entire duration of an operating cycle of the dishwashing
machine and spray can pass through the outlet opening into the fall
section at any time during the operating cycle. By contrast,
changing from a purely passive protective cover that responds to
gravity to an actively controllable protective cover allows the
protective cover to be closed also during operating phases in which
water is sprayed in the dishwashing chamber. This provides a high
degree of protection of the detergent stored in the storage chamber
(magazine) against impairment by the ingress of moisture.
[0038] In some embodiments, in which the dosing system comprises a
shut-off member which is arranged so as to be movable to and fro,
in particular in a translational manner, between a shut-off
position and a freeing position and which, in the freeing position,
frees the fall section so that an extracted portion of the
detergent is able to fall through to the outlet opening and, in the
shut-off position, shuts off the fall section so that detergent is
unable to fall through to the outlet opening, the shut-off member
is also drivingly coupled with the actuator for its movement.
Accordingly, in these embodiments, the shut-off member and the
protective cover are drivingly coupled with the same actuator. This
permits synchronized actuation of the shut-off member and the
protective cover; moreover, the outlay in terms of construction is
simplified, since only a single actuator (and optionally only a
single reduction gear) must be provided for actuating both
components.
[0039] In some embodiments, the actuator is controlled such that,
while a dishwashing program of the dishwashing machine is running,
the protective cover is in a closed position shutting off the
outlet opening for most of the duration of the program, but is
opened on condition of the occurrence of a predefined event. A
predefined event in this sense can be, for example, a dosing
operation by which a detergent portion is to be removed from the
storage chamber and sent to the fall section. As soon as the dosed
detergent portion has been delivered into the dishwashing chamber,
the protective cover can be closed again. Overall, the time for
which the protective cover frees the outlet opening during an
operating program of the dishwashing machine can thus be reduced to
a very short period of time of, for example, only a few seconds.
Effective protection against the ingress of moisture into the fall
section and the storage chamber is thereby provided.
[0040] According to a further aspect, the invention provides a
domestic dishwashing machine having a dishwashing container, a
door, mounted on the dishwashing container so as to be pivotable
about a horizontal door pivot axis close to the floor, for closing
a dishwashing chamber formed in the dishwashing container, and a
dosing system, arranged at the door, for a solid detergent. The
dosing system comprises a storage chamber for receiving a supply of
the solid detergent and defines a fall section, leading to an
outlet opening, for a portion of the detergent extracted from the
supply. According to this aspect, the outlet opening, which allows
the extracted detergent portion to emerge into the dishwashing
chamber, is arranged, looking along the door pivot axis,
eccentrically relative to a door transverse center. This is based
on the assumption that, at least in some dishwashing machines, a
water jet strikes the door approximately centrally (centrally when
looking in the transverse direction of the door) during dishwashing
operation. By arranging the outlet opening offset with respect to
the center, the probability of spray undesirably entering the
dosing system via the outlet opening can be reduced.
[0041] For example, looking along the door pivot axis, an opening
center of the outlet opening can be arranged offset by not less
than 4 cm or not less than 8 cm or not less than 12 cm with respect
to the door transverse center.
[0042] Generally, it is an aim to be able to store as large an
amount of detergent as possible in the dosing system, so that the
user has to refill a magazine of the dosing system only
comparatively infrequently. This is also the case for a
configuration of the magazine as an annular magazine. If
quadrangular detergent tablets are inserted into the magazine in an
annular arrangement lying on their large faces (so that their small
faces are facing one another), the total number of detergent
tablets which can be stored is comparatively small. By contrast, a
larger number of detergent tablets can be stored in the annular
magazine if a rotor of the annular magazine defines a plurality of
tablet compartments distributed in the circumferential direction
about a rotor axis and the detergent tablets, which are in the form
of flat bodies with opposite large faces and small faces connecting
the large faces and, looking at their large face, are longer and
wider than they are thick and at the same time are longer than they
are wide (such as, for example, in the case of a quadrangular
form), are each placed into one of the tablet compartments standing
on one of their longitudinal small faces. In particular, the
detergent tablets can be placed into the tablet compartments in
such a manner that they are each oriented substantially radially,
looking axially at the annular magazine. With such a radial
orientation, the detergent tablets face one another with their
large faces in the circumferential direction. However, it is not
excluded to arrange the detergent tablets with an orientation at an
angle to the radial direction, looking axially at the annular
magazine. Storing the detergent tablets in the annular magazine
standing on their small edges (looking axially) in both cases
allows a comparatively large number of detergent tablets to be
stored.
[0043] The invention additionally provides a tablet dosing system
for installation in a domestic dishwashing machine, wherein the
tablet dosing system comprises a magazine for storing detergent
tablets in two stacks arranged side by side, and an extractor for
extracting detergent tablets from the stacks and delivering
extracted detergent tablets into a chute. The extractor has an
extractor member, which is arranged so as to be movable relative to
the magazine, for individually serving each of the stacks for the
purpose of extracting a detergent tablet from the stack in
question. According to the invention, the extractor member is
formed by a rotary body which is arranged so as to be rotatable
about an axis of rotation, wherein the two stacks are arranged side
by side substantially along an orthogonal plane relative to the
axis of rotation, and the rotary body has two extraction pockets
which are distributed in particular unevenly in the circumferential
direction and which are each dimensioned such that a detergent
tablet can fall out of the magazine into the extraction pocket in
question.
[0044] For example, the two extraction pockets can lie within a
circumferential segment of the rotary body which extends over not
more than 220 degrees or not more than 200 degrees or not more than
180 degrees. The arrangement of the rotary body such that the
direction of the side-by-side arrangement of the tablet stacks is
substantially parallel to the rotation plane of the rotary body
permits a comparatively small installation depth of the extractor
in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotary body.
Account can thus be taken of the generally limited available
installation space in the door of the dishwashing machine in the
direction of the door thickness.
[0045] Alternatively or in addition to the configuration of the
extractor member as a rotary body, such a tablet dosing system can
comprise a blower for introducing blowing air into the magazine,
wherein an impeller of the blower is arranged between the two
stacks.
[0046] The invention additionally provides a tablet dosing system
for installation in a domestic dishwashing machine, comprising a
magazine for the ordered storage of detergent tablets, a chute for
the gravity-driven delivery of a detergent tablet extracted from
the magazine to an outlet opening, and a shut-off member which is
arranged so as to be movable between a shut-off position and a
freeing position and which, in the freeing position, frees the
chute so that extracted detergent tablets are able to fall through
to the outlet opening and, in the shut-off position, shuts off the
chute so that detergent tablets are unable to fall through to the
outlet opening. The tablet dosing system is characterized by a
blower for generating a stream of blowing air, wherein the blower
comprises an impeller seated in an impeller chamber, and the
impeller chamber is in blowing air supply connection with the chute
or/and with an extractor chamber in which there is received a
movably arranged extractor member for extracting a detergent tablet
from the magazine and delivering the extracted detergent tablet
into the chute. Via the blowing air supply connection, blowing air
generated by the blower can enter the chute or/and the extractor
chamber and prevent the ingress of hot steam or/and spray into the
magazine.
[0047] Finally, the invention also provides a domestic dishwashing
machine which comprises a dishwashing container, a door, mounted on
the dishwashing container so as to be pivotable about a horizontal
door pivot axis close to the floor, for closing a dishwashing
chamber formed in the dishwashing container, and a dosing system,
arranged at the door, for a solid detergent, wherein the door has
an inner lining on the door inner side facing the dishwashing
chamber when the door is closed. The dosing system comprises a
storage chamber for receiving a supply of the solid detergent, and
a chute for the gravity-driven delivery of a portion of the solid
detergent removed from the supply to an outlet opening. The dosing
system further comprises a blower for introducing blowing air into
the storage chamber or/and into the chute, wherein the blower
comprises an impeller which is rotatably arranged in an impeller
chamber and the impeller chamber is in blowing air supply
connection with the storage chamber or/and the chute. The impeller
chamber is formed by a housing component fitted to the inner lining
on the rear side, which housing component has one or more intake
slots, which in particular are open towards the inner lining, for
drawing air into the impeller chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] The invention will be explained hereinbelow with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0049] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a domestic dishwashing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment,
[0050] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner side of a door of
a domestic dishwashing machine according to an exemplary
embodiment,
[0051] FIG. 3a shows a tablet dosing system according to an
exemplary embodiment for installation in a door of a domestic
dishwashing machine in a situation in which a detergent tablet
delivered from an annular magazine of the tablet dosing system is
lying against a shut-off slider and is waiting for a chute to be
freed,
[0052] FIG. 3b shows the tablet dosing system of FIG. 3a in a
situation in which the shut-off slider has freed the chute and the
detergent tablet has fallen through the chute,
[0053] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rotor having multiple
tablet compartments which is suitable for use in an annular
magazine, according to an exemplary embodiment,
[0054] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
a tablet dosing system having an annular magazine in a situation in
which the magazine cover is open,
[0055] FIG. 5b is a sectional view of the tablet dosing system of
FIG. 5a with the rotor of the annular magazine removed,
[0056] FIG. 5c is a plan view of the tablet dosing system of FIG.
5a,
[0057] FIG. 6a shows a further exemplary embodiment of a tablet
dosing system having an annular magazine in a situation in which a
protective cover of the tablet dosing system is open,
[0058] FIG. 6b shows the tablet dosing system of FIG. 6a in a
situation in which the protective cover is closed,
[0059] FIGS. 7a to 7d are different views of a tablet dosing system
having an annular magazine according to a further exemplary
embodiment,
[0060] FIG. 8 shows a detail of an annular magazine having a
spring-operated pusher according to an exemplary embodiment,
[0061] FIG. 9 shows an annular magazine having an electromagnetic
pusher according to an exemplary embodiment,
[0062] FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a blower
according to an exemplary embodiment mounted on a door of a
dishwashing machine,
[0063] FIG. 11 shows a tablet dosing system having stack magazines
according to an exemplary embodiment, and
[0064] FIG. 12 shows a tablet dosing system having stack magazines
according to a further exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0065] Reference will first be made to FIG. 1. The dishwashing
machine illustrated therein, which is intended for domestic use, is
denoted generally 10. It comprises a machine body (dishwashing
container) 12 in which a dishwashing chamber 14 is formed. On the
machine body 12 there is mounted a door 16 which is pivotable about
a horizontal pivot axis 17 close to the floor. The door 16 can be
pivoted between a fully open position shown in FIG. 1, in which it
is situated with its door plane substantially horizontal, and a
closed position, in which it closes the dishwashing chamber 14 to
the outside and stands substantially vertically. One or more
crockery baskets and optionally a cutlery tray for holding the
items of crockery and cutlery to be cleaned can be inserted into
the dishwashing chamber 14 in a manner known per se. A control unit
18, indicated by a broken line, is responsible for controlling the
operation of the dishwashing machine 10. In the example shown, the
control unit 18 is built into the door 16. It will be appreciated
that, in other embodiments, at least parts of the control unit 18
can be arranged on the machine body 12.
[0066] The control unit 18 is responsible not only for controlling
the dishwashing operation and optionally a drying operation of the
dishwashing machine 10, but also for controlling a dosing system 20
by means of which, in an automated manner, a portion can be removed
from a supply of a solid detergent and delivered into the
dishwashing chamber 14. In the further explanations, it is assumed
that the solid detergent is in tablet form, that is to say is
formed by detergent tablets which are produced with a defined, for
example approximately quadrangular, shape. Accordingly, the dosing
system 20 will also be referred to hereinbelow as a tablet dosing
system.
[0067] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the tablet dosing system 20
is arranged at the door 16. The door 16 has an inner lining panel
22 which is arranged on the inner side of the door 16 facing the
dishwashing chamber 14 when the door 16 is closed and is typically
made of sheet-metal material. At least parts of the tablet dosing
system 20 can be fitted externally to the inner lining panel 22.
Alternatively or in addition, at least parts of the tablet dosing
system 20 can be concealed behind the inner lining panel 22.
Alternatively or in addition, the inner lining panel 22 can contain
one or more apertures into which at least parts of the tablet
dosing system 20 can be inserted.
[0068] In the further figures, elements which are the same or have
the same effect are provided with the same reference numerals,
wherein, in order to distinguish between different exemplary
embodiments, a different lowercase letter is appended to the
reference numerals. Unless indicated otherwise hereinbelow,
reference may be made in relation to such elements having the same
numbering to the observations made in relation to the figures in
connection with which the elements in question were explained for
the first time.
[0069] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the tablet
dosing system 20a has a cover 24a, which in the example shown is in
the form of a screw cover but may alternatively also be in the form
of, for example, a hinged or pivotable cover or in the form of a
sliding cover. Although not shown separately in FIG. 2, at least
part of a magazine of the tablet dosing system 20a in which
detergent tablets can be stored can be located beneath the cover
24a. By opening the cover 24a, a user can thus gain access to the
tablet magazine. Access can in particular be such that the user is
able to refill the tablet magazine or/and is able to remove a
fillable magazine component through the access.
[0070] The cover 24a can be designed to be transparent at least in
one or more cover regions in order to allow a user to check the
filling level of the tablet magazine visually without having to
remove the cover 24a.
[0071] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the tablet dosing
system 20a additionally has a hood 26a which covers an outlet
opening located at the bottom end of a chute (fall channel or fall
section), not shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, through which a
detergent tablet removed from the tablet magazine can fall into the
dishwashing chamber of the dishwashing machine. It will be seen in
FIG. 2 that the hood 26a is arranged offset eccentrically with
respect to an imaginary center line M which runs in the middle of
the door 16a from the door top edge to the door bottom edge. The
door center here means the center as seen along the pivot axis 17a,
that is to say in the transverse direction of the door 16a. In the
example shown, the tablet dosing system 20a is arranged wholly on
the other side of the transverse center of the door 16a. The
eccentric offset of the hood 26a and of the outlet opening,
concealed therebeneath, of the chute relative to the door
transverse center can ensure that spray which strikes the door 16a
in the region of the door transverse center cannot enter the chute
through the outlet opening. Inasmuch as it is largely to be
expected that spray will strike the door 16a in the region of the
door transverse center, the probability of moisture entering the
chute and the tablet magazine can be reduced by the transversely
offset arrangement of the tablet dosing system 20a. The size of the
transverse offset--denoted din FIG. 2--can be, for example, at
least 10 cm or more, for example up to 15 cm or even up to 20 cm,
according to the installation space that is present in the door 16a
in the transverse direction thereof. The distance d extends in FIG.
2 from the center line M to an imaginary midpoint of the hood 26a,
or of the outlet opening of the chute located therebeneath.
[0072] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, there is additionally
shown in the inner side of the door 16a a cover cap 28a, beneath
which there can be located one or more filling openings for various
other additives which are necessary for cleaning operation of the
dishwashing machine, in particular liquid additives, such as, for
example, a rinse aid.
[0073] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiment of
FIGS. 3a, 3b. The tablet dosing system 20b shown therein comprises
an annular magazine 30b which has a magazine housing 32b and a
rotor 36b rotatable about a rotor axis 34b. The rotor 36b is
inserted into a magazine chamber 37b having a circular contour
which is formed by the magazine housing 32b. Associated with the
annular magazine 30b is a rotor drive unit (generally: drive
mechanism), not shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3a, 3b, for
driving the rotor 36b in rotation about the rotor axis 34b. The
rotor drive unit can comprise, for example, an electric motor as
the source of the drive power. The rotor 36b can be removable for
cleaning purposes and, looking at FIG. 2, can be arranged concealed
behind the cover 24a so that, by opening the cover 24a, a user can
gain direct access to the rotor 36b.
[0074] The rotor 36b defines a plurality of tablet compartments
(generally: storage compartments) 38b, which are distributed in an
annular arrangement about the rotor axis 34b. The tablet
compartments 38b can also be referred to as storage cells, and for
this reason the rotor 36b can also be referred to as a cell wheel
or as a distributor wheel. Adjacent tablet compartments 38b are in
each case separated from one another by a separating wall structure
40b. In situations as are shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, a detergent tablet
42b has been placed in some of the tablet compartments 38b. In the
example shown, the detergent tablets 42b have an approximately
quadrangular shape, wherein they are in the form of flat bodies
with opposite large faces 44b and small faces 46b between the large
faces 44b. The quadrangular shape of the detergent tablets 42b
means that they have two longer small faces 46b, which extend in
the longitudinal direction of the quadrangle, and two shorter small
faces 46b, which extend in the direction of the width of the
quadrangle. The length and width of the quadrangular detergent
tablets 42b are greater than the thickness of the detergent tablets
42b measured between the large faces 44b.
[0075] In the example of FIGS. 3a, 3b, the tablet compartments 38b
are so narrow that the detergent tablets 42b must each be placed in
the annular magazine 30b standing on one of their small faces 46b.
Standing on a small face means that the detergent tablets 42b face
one another with their large faces 44b in the circumferential
direction and lie with one of their small faces 46b on an axially
oriented bearing surface 47b, which in the example shown is part of
the rotor 36b. Owing to the small width of the tablet compartments
38b, the detergent tablets 42b cannot be placed therein lying on
their large faces. In the example shown, the detergent tablets 42b
are placed in the tablet compartments 38b lying on one of their
longer small faces 46b (i.e. longitudinal small faces). In this
manner, the overall height of the annular magazine 30b can be kept
small. The depth of the tablet compartments 38b measured in the
axial direction of the rotor 36b is greater than the width of the
detergent tablets 42b; the separating wall structure 40b
accordingly protrudes axially above the detergent tablets 42b when
the detergent tablets 42b are inserted into the tablet compartments
38b standing on their longitudinal small faces. The detergent
tablets 42b placed in the tablet compartments 38b are oriented
substantially radially.
[0076] The manner of introducing the detergent tablets 42b into the
tablet compartments 38b which is shown allows a comparatively large
number of detergent tablets 42b to be accommodated in the annular
magazine 30b. However, it is in principle not excluded within the
scope of the present disclosure to dimension the tablet
compartments 38b to be sufficiently wide in the circumferential
direction of the rotor 36b that the detergent tablets 42b can be
placed therein lying on their large faces, as is shown for the
purpose of illustration in FIG. 4. In this figure, only the rotor
36c with its tablet compartments 38c is shown. A detergent tablet
42c which is approximately quadrangular in shape as in the example
shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b has been inserted into one of the tablet
compartments 38c lying on its large face.
[0077] It will be seen in FIG. 4 that the rotor 36c in the example
shown is designed in the manner of a disk rotor and has a disk
portion 48c from which separating wall structures 40c protrude
axially on one side of the disk. The disk portion 48c forms an
axial bearing surface for the detergent tablets 42c; alternatively,
it is conceivable not to design the rotor 36c as a disk rotor but
to design it to be axially completely open in the region of the
tablet compartments 38c, so that the detergent tablets 42c lie
axially on a chamber base of the magazine chamber 37c.
[0078] The separating wall structures 40c are arranged radially
outside a central cup portion 50c of the rotor 36c. The central cup
portion 50c is delimited by a cup lateral surface 52c extending in
the circumferential direction and a cup base 54c, which delimit in
the manner of a cup a space in which components of a drive
mechanism for driving the rotor 36c in rotation can be accommodated
in a space-saving manner. This cup interior is accessible from the
other axial side of the rotor 36c (i.e. from the rear axial side
remote from the viewer in FIG. 4).
[0079] It will further be seen in FIG. 4 that the cup lateral
surface 52c in the example shown not only axially overlaps the
separating wall structures 40c but even protrudes axially above
them. The mentioned components of the drive mechanism can therefore
be accommodated in the dosing system approximately in the axial
region of the detergent tablets 42c inserted into the tablet
compartments 38c. This ensures a small overall height of the dosing
system.
[0080] Reference will now be made again to FIGS. 3a, 3b. The
annular magazine 30b with the rotor 36b can be arranged beneath a
magazine cover (for example the cover 24a of FIG. 2), so that the
user, after removing the cover, obtains access to the rotor 36b and
the tablet compartments 38b. The intended installation position of
the annular magazine 30b is substantially parallel to the main
plane of the door of the dishwashing machine (e.g. door 16a), that
is to say the annular plane of the annular magazine 30b should lie
substantially parallel to the door plane. When the door is closed,
the rotor axis 34b is accordingly oriented substantially
horizontally. Gravity therefore acts substantially along the
annular plane of the annular magazine 30b when the door is
closed.
[0081] The tablet compartments 38b are designed to be open radially
outwards. If the rotor 36b is removed from the magazine chamber
37b, detergent tablets 42b, which are inserted into the tablet
compartments 38b, are therefore readily able to slide radially
outwards out of the rotor 36b. The rotor 36b itself does not
contain any structures by which detergent tablets 42b inserted into
the tablet compartments 38b are prevented from sliding radially
outwards. When the rotor 36b is inserted into the magazine chamber
37b, it is surrounded by a chamber delimiting wall 56b which
extends in the manner of an annular wall radially on the outside
around the rotor 36b. The chamber delimiting wall 56b is part of
the magazine housing 32b and delimits the magazine chamber 37b
radially on the outside. In the example shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, two
openings are formed in the chamber delimiting wall 56b. A first of
these openings forms a dosing opening 58b, which can also be
referred to as an extraction opening and which is located at the 6
o'clock position of the annular magazine 30b (when looking
frontally at the vertically standing door). The other opening forms
a blowing air supply opening 60b; it is located in the example
shown at the 12 o'clock position but may alternatively be situated
at a different angular position of the magazine housing 32b, for
example somewhere between the 9 o'clock position and the 3 o'clock
position.
[0082] Through the dosing opening 58b, the magazine chamber 37b is
connected to a chute 62b, which extends substantially vertically
downwards (when looking at the vertically standing door from the
front) from the magazine chamber 37b and allows a detergent tablet
42b to fall freely, solely by gravity, from the magazine chamber
37b to an outlet opening 64b located at the end of the chute 62b.
The chute 62b is formed by a chute housing 66b which is fixedly
connected to the magazine housing 32b; for example, the magazine
housing 32b and the chute housing 66b can be formed by a one-piece
integral housing component. At the outlet opening 64b, the chute
62b opens on the inner side of the door to the region surrounding
the door. When the door is closed, a detergent tablet 42b which
falls out at the outlet opening 64b can accordingly pass into the
dishwashing chamber of the dishwashing machine and be taken up and
dissolved by the dishwashing water sprayed or collected there.
Looking at the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the outlet opening
64b is located in the region of the hood 26a.
[0083] Associated with the chute 62b is a shut-off slider 68b which
is linearly adjustable between a shut-off position shown in FIG. 3a
and a freeing position shown in FIG. 3b. For driving the shut-off
slider 68b, the tablet dosing system 20b can have an actuator (not
shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3a, 3b), for example an
electromotive actuator, which is controlled by a control unit, for
example the control unit 18 of FIG. 1. In the shut-off position
according to FIG. 3a, the shut-off slider 68b blocks the fall of
detergent tablets 42b through the chute 32b; in the freeing
position according to FIG. 3b, the shut-off slider 68b has moved
sufficiently far out of the chute 62b that detergent tablets 42b
are able to fall through the chute 62b. A purpose of the shut-off
slider 68b is to prevent spray or/and hot steam from rising through
the chute 62b towards the magazine chamber 37b. Therefore, the
shut-off slider 68b closes the chute 62b substantially over its
entire chute cross section in its shut-off position.
[0084] For the dosing (i.e. extraction) of a detergent tablet 42b,
the rotor 36b is moved into a position in which a tablet
compartment 38b filled with a detergent tablet 42b is in the 6
o'clock position, that is to say assumes a position radially
opposite the dosing opening 58b. The dosing opening 58b is
sufficiently large to allow the detergent tablet 42b stored in the
tablet compartment 38b in question to fall through the dosing
opening 58b into the chute 62b. However, it is possible that the
detergent tablet 42b, despite the tablet compartment 38b in
question being oriented precisely relative to the dosing opening
58b, does not immediately fall into the chute 62b. For example, it
can be possible that the detergent tablet 42b is not lying
completely loosely in its tablet compartment 38b. In order to
eliminate any obstacles which can prevent the detergent tablet 42b
from immediately falling out of the tablet compartment 38b, a
conceivable movement pattern for the rotor 36b can comprise moving
the tablet compartment 38b in question towards the dosing opening
58b in a first direction of rotation (e.g. clockwise) and partly
moving it past the dosing opening 58b in the same direction of
rotation. According to this movement pattern, the rotor 36b is then
moved back in the opposite direction of rotation (e.g.
counter-clockwise) until the tablet compartment 38b in question is
again in a position precisely radially opposite the dosing opening
58b. If required, this backwards movement of the rotor 36b can
continue slightly further, so that the tablet compartment 38b in
question also moves past the dosing opening 58b slightly in the
opposite direction. Overall, the movement pattern of the rotor 36b
for emptying a tablet compartment 38b can thus comprise moving the
rotor 36b to and fro in the region of the dosing opening 58b at
least once. By means of such a to and fro movement, any blockages
preventing the detergent tablet 42b located in the tablet
compartment 38b from immediately falling out can be removed.
[0085] On emptying of a tablet compartment 38b, the shut-off slider
68b can assume its shut-off position, as is shown in FIG. 3a. The
detergent tablet 42b which has fallen out of the tablet compartment
38b is then stopped from falling by the shut-off slider 68b and
remains in front of the shut-off slider 68b until the shut-off
slider 68b is moved into its freeing position according to FIG. 3b.
It is conceivable to discharge a detergent tablet 42b from the
annular magazine 30b into the chute 62b only after an operating
program of the dishwashing machine has started. Alternatively, it
is conceivable to discharge a detergent tablet 42b from the annular
magazine 30b into the chute 62b even before an operating program of
the dishwashing machine has started and to hold the detergent
tablet 42b ready there by means of the shut-off slider 68b until it
is actually required once the program has started. In order to
deliver the detergent tablet 42b extracted from the annular
magazine 30b into the dishwashing chamber of the dishwashing
machine, the shut-off slider 68b then simply has to be moved into
its freeing position. For example, it is conceivable to discharge a
detergent tablet 42b from the annular magazine 30b into the chute
62b at the end of an operating cycle of an operating program of the
dishwashing machine and to hold it ready by means of the shut-off
slider 68b until the next time an operating program of the
dishwashing machine is started.
[0086] An alternative dosing procedure provides that, at the
precise moment at which a detergent tablet 42b is discharged from
the annular magazine 30b into the chute 62b, the shut-off slider
68b is already in its freeing position according to FIG. 3b. The
detergent tablet 42b which has fallen into the chute 62b is then
not stopped by the shut-off slider 68b but is able to fall freely
and uninterruptedly through the entire chute 62b to the outlet
opening 64b. The shut-off slider 68b is not opened, for example,
until shortly before the detergent tablet 42b is extracted from the
annular magazine 30b, and the shut-off slider 68b is closed again
as soon as the detergent tablet 42b has passed through the chute
62b.
[0087] FIGS. 3a, 3b show, schematically, sensors 70b, 72b which can
monitor the chute 62b by means of sensors in respect of the falling
through of a detergent tablet 42b. For example, these sensors 70b,
72b each operate in the manner of a light barrier, which is broken
for a short time when a detergent tablet 42b falls through the test
light beam of the light barrier in question. In the example shown
in FIGS. 3a, 3b, the sensor 70b is arranged above the shut-off
point at which the shut-off slider 68b can shut off the chute 62b;
the sensor 72b is arranged below this shut-off point. It will be
appreciated that it can be sufficient to provide only one of the
sensors 70b, 72b (either the sensor 70b or the sensor 72b). This is
the case in particular when a detergent tablet 42b extracted from
the annular magazine is not to be stopped in its free fall by the
shut-off slider 68b. Accordingly, when the dosing system 20b is
operated such that a detergent tablet 42b extracted from the
annular magazine 30b falls through the entire chute 62b in an
uninterrupted slide, it can be sufficient to provide a single light
barrier (or generally a single sensor) in the region of the chute
62b. If, however, the operation of the dosing system 20b is so
configured that a detergent tablet 42b which has fallen into the
chute 62b is first stopped by the shut-off slider 68b
(corresponding to the illustration in FIG. 3a), it can be expedient
to provide a sensor both above and below the shut-off slider 68b.
The sensor located above the shut-off point, in the example shown
the sensor 70b, is then expediently so positioned that it is able
to detect the presence of a detergent tablet 42b when the detergent
tablet 42b is lying against the closed shut-off slider 68b.
[0088] The blowing air supply opening 60b connects the magazine
chamber 37b to an impeller chamber 74b in which an impeller 76b of
a blower generally denoted 78b is seated. The impeller chamber 74b
is formed by a blower housing 80b, which is fixedly connected to
the magazine housing 32b; for example, the blower housing 80b and
the magazine housing 32b are formed integrally in one piece. The
blower 78b serves to generate a stream of blowing air into the
magazine chamber 37b. From the magazine chamber 37b, the blowing
air which has been introduced passes through the dosing opening 58b
into the chute 62b. The blowing air acts against the ingress of hot
steam through the outlet opening 64b into the chute 62b and can
generate a drying action if moisture has entered the dosing system
20b.
[0089] The blower 78b comprises a drive unit, not shown in greater
detail in FIGS. 3a, 3b, for driving the impeller wheel 76b in
rotation. A control unit, likewise not shown, for example the
control unit 18 of FIG. 1, serves to control the drive of the
blower 78b. This control unit controls the blower 78b in such a
manner that blowing air is generated at least when the shut-off
slider 68b is in its freeing position according to FIG. 3b during a
dishwashing phase of the dishwashing machine. It may be
advantageous to drive the blower 78b to generate blowing air
additionally at least during part of the operating phases of the
dishwashing machine in which the shut-off slider 68b is in its
shut-off position according to FIG. 3a. This is because, even when
the shut-off slider 68b is closed, the undesirable ingress of hot
steam through the chute 62b into the magazine chamber 37b or/and
past a cover (for example the cover 24a of FIG. 2) arranged above
the annular magazine 30b cannot always be ruled out completely. It
may be that the shut-off slider 68b does not seal the chute 62b
perfectly in its shut-off position. Likewise, it may be that the
seal between the magazine housing 32b and a magazine cover seated
thereon, such as, for example, the cover 24a of FIG. 2, is not
perfect. The presence of defects in tightness through which hot
steam or/and spray can penetrate the inner regions of the dosing
system 20b and impair the quality of the stored detergent tablets
42b must therefore usually be expected. Therefore, it can be
expedient to drive the blower 78b also during phases in which the
shut-off slider 68b is closed. For example, it is conceivable to
allow the blower 78b to run substantially uninterruptedly during
the entire phase in which, while an operating program of the
dishwashing machine is being carried out, dishwashing water is
sprayed in the dishwashing chamber of the dishwashing machine.
[0090] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiment of
FIGS. 5a to 5c. This does not differ substantially from the
exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3a, 3b. There can be seen in FIGS. 5a
to 5c a slider housing 82d, which forms a slide channel for a
linearly movably arranged shut-off slider (e.g. the shut-off slider
68b of FIGS. 3a, 3b), by means of which the chute 62d can
selectively be shut off and freed at a distance beneath the dosing
opening 58d. The slider housing 82d can be integrally connected to
the chute housing 66d.
[0091] There can additionally be seen in FIG. 5a a cover 24d which
is pivotably attached to the chute housing 66d and by means of
which the annular magazine 30d is closable. By opening the cover
24d, the user is able to access the magazine chamber 37d and the
rotor 36d inserted therein. In particular, the access can be such
that, when the cover 24d is open, the rotor 36d can be removed from
the magazine chamber 37d and from the annular magazine 30d, for
example after a fastening screw, not shown, which is accessible by
opening the cover 24d, has been removed. The rotor 36d can
accordingly be installed fixedly but releasably in the annular
magazine 30d, in particular in such a manner that it cannot be
removed solely by hand without an auxiliary tool (e.g.
screwdriver).
[0092] There are additionally shown in FIG. 5b components of a
drive mechanism 84d which is serves to drive the rotor 36d in
rotation. The drive mechanism 84d uses, for example, an electric
motor (not shown in detail) as the source of the drive power and
comprises a gear train 86d with a reduction function for
transmitting the drive power of the source to the rotor 36d. In the
example shown, the gear train 86d comprises a drive pinion 88d,
which is arranged in the central cup portion 50d concealed beneath
the cup base 54d and is in meshing engagement with a toothing (not
shown in greater detail in FIG. 5b) formed on the inner
circumferential side of the cup lateral surface 52d. With
appropriate dimensioning of the cup portion 50d, the entire gear
train 86d, together with the mentioned electric motor, can be
accommodated in the cup interior delimited by the central cup
portion 50d. The force-transmitting engagement of the drive pinion
88d with the cup lateral surface 52d at the inner circumference
thereof permits a small overall height of the annular magazine
30d.
[0093] When the cover 24d is open, the user has access to all the
tablet compartments 38d of the annular magazine 30d. Without having
to rotate the rotor 36d, the user is accordingly able to fill each
of the tablet compartments 38d with a detergent tablet 42d when the
cover 24d is open. To this end, the rotor 36d can remain in the
magazine chamber 37d; the rotor 36d does not have to be removed
from the magazine chamber 37d. Filling of the rotor 36d with
detergent tablets 42d can accordingly be carried out in a state in
which the rotor 36d is in force-transmitting engagement with the
drive mechanism 84d.
[0094] The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6a, 6b differs from the
exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5a to 5c substantially by the
additional provision of a protective cover 90e, which in the
example shown is in the form of a pivotable cover and is held on
the chute housing 66e so as to be pivotable between an open
position shown in FIG. 6a and a closed position shown in FIG. 6b.
In the open position according to FIG. 6a, the protective cover 90e
frees the outlet opening 64e, so that the outlet opening 64e is
freed for the discharge of detergent tablets 42e. In the closed
position according to FIG. 6b, the protective cover 90e is pivoted
over the outlet opening 64e, so that the outlet opening 64e is shut
off against the falling out of detergent tablets 42e. The
protective cover 90e, when it is in the closed position according
to FIG. 6b, prevents hot steam or spray from entering the chute
(not shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6a, 6b) formed in the
interior of the chute housing 66e at the outlet opening 64e.
[0095] The dosing system 20e of FIGS. 6a, 6b is in this respect
equipped with a double barrier for preventing the rise of steam
or/and spray through the chute into the region of the annular
magazine 30e. A first barrier is formed by the protective cover
90e; a second barrier is formed by the shut-off slider 68e,
indicated only by a broken line in FIGS. 6a, 6b, which is movably
guided in the slider housing 82e and is able to shut off the chute
at a shut-off point between the top and the bottom chute end.
[0096] Also depicted in FIG. 6a is an actuator 92e, indicated
schematically, which is coupled via a mechanical drive connection
94e with the shut-off slider 68e and is coupled via a mechanical
drive connection 96e with the protective cover 90e. The drive
connections 94e, 96e comprise, for example, one or more gears, the
actuator 92e is in the form of, for example, an electromotive
actuator. Via the drive connections 94e, 96e, the protective cover
90e and the shut-off slider 68e can be supplied with drive power
from a single, that is to say common, source. In particular, the
actuator 92e is so controlled and the drive connections 94e, 96e
are so configured that the shut-off slider 68e and the protective
cover 90e open and close in a synchronized manner when the actuator
92e is actuated. Thus, when the shut-off slider 68e is moved from
the freeing position according to FIG. 6a into the shut-off
position according to FIG. 6b, the protective cover 90e is at the
same time pivoted from the open position according to FIG. 6a into
the closed position according to FIG. 6b, and vice versa. The
actuator 92e is controlled by a suitable control unit, for example
the control unit 18 of FIG. 1.
[0097] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiment of
FIGS. 7a to 7d. FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the annular
magazine 30f, as a user sees it when he has opened a magazine cover
(for example the cover 24a of FIG. 2 or the cover 24d of FIG. 5a).
FIG. 7b is a view similar to FIG. 7a, but wherein the cup base 54f
of the central cup portion 50f of the rotor 36f has been removed so
that it is possible to see into the interior of the central cup
portion 50f. FIG. 7c shows a section through the annular magazine
30f, and FIG. 7d is a partially cutaway overall view of the tablet
dosing system 20f equipped with the annular magazine 30f of FIGS.
7a to 7c, wherein a tablet compartment 38f that is to be emptied
next is located in a test position.
[0098] It will be seen that, in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS.
7a to 7d, a window opening 98f is formed in the cup lateral surface
52f of the rotor 36f in the region of each of the tablet
compartments 38f. Arranged stationarily relative to the magazine
housing 32f, the annular magazine 30f additionally comprises a
photoelectric sensor component 100f (FIG. 7d) which is accommodated
in the cup interior of the central cup portion 50f and implements,
for example, a light barrier or part thereof and serves to detect
the presence or absence of a detergent tablet in one of the tablet
compartments 38f. The sensor component 100f is so arranged that it
is able to check, in a test position angularly offset with respect
to the dosing position, a tablet compartment 38f that is to be
emptied next for the presence or absence of a detergent tablet. The
test position is consequently angularly offset with respect to the
6 o'clock position; in the example shown in FIG. 7d, the test
position corresponds approximately to the quarter past five
position. The test position corresponds to an angular position in
which the tablet compartment 38f in question is not yet situated
wholly opposite the dosing opening 58f, so that, in the test
position, a detergent tablet present in the tablet compartment 38f
in question is not yet able to fall out of the tablet compartment
38f into the chute 62f In the example shown, the test position
corresponds to an angular position in which the tablet compartment
38f in question is located substantially outside the extent of the
dosing opening 58f. At the same time, the test position is
sufficiently close to the dosing position to ensure that, on
rotation of the rotor 36f, the tablet compartment 38f in question
is the next tablet compartment to move into the dosing position
(i.e. no other tablet compartment 38f should reach the dosing
position beforehand).
[0099] In this manner, before a tablet compartment 38f is moved
into a position radially opposite the dosing opening 58f, it is
possible to check, by means of the sensor component 100f, whether
there is a detergent tablet in the tablet compartment 38f in
question. If the magazine controller (formed, for example, by the
control unit 18 of FIG. 1) determines that the tablet compartment
38f in question is empty, it can emit, for example, a visual or/and
acoustic indication by means of which the user is requested to fill
the annular magazine 30f with new detergent tablets. Other
predefined control actions are of course likewise conceivable.
Moreover, the magazine controller, once one of the tablet
compartments 38f has been moved into a position radially opposite
the dosing opening 58f, can check whether the tablet compartment
38f in question has actually been emptied. To this end, the
magazine controller can instigate a backward movement of the rotor
36f into a rotational position in which the tablet compartment 38f
in question is again in the test position, so that the sensor
component 100f can check the tablet compartment 38f in question
again. If the magazine controller then determines that the tablet
compartment 38f in question is empty, it knows that the detergent
tablet previously located therein has actually been emptied
properly into the chute 62f.
[0100] The window openings 98f in the cup lateral surface 52f of
the rotor 36f allow the sensor component 100f to "see",
figuratively speaking, into the tablet compartments 38f To this
end, the sensor component 100f can comprise, for example, a
light-emitting diode which transmits a sensor light beam 101f (FIG.
7d) oriented radially or at a comparatively small angle relative to
the radial direction. The sensor light beam 101f passes through the
window opening 98f of the tablet compartment 38f in question (when
it is in the test position) and either strikes a detergent tablet,
if one is present in the tablet compartment 38f, or passes through
the entire tablet compartment 38f radially outwards to the chamber
delimiting wall 56f. According to some embodiments, a photodetector
(e.g. photodiode or phototransistor), not shown in greater detail,
can there be seated in the chamber delimiting wall 56f in a
position substantially radially opposite the sensor component 100f.
According to other embodiments, such a photodetector can be
contained in the sensor component 100f, wherein the light barrier
then works by the reflection principle and utilizes different
degrees of reflection according to whether the sensor light beam
101f strikes a detergent tablet or the chamber delimiting wall
56f.
[0101] The two exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 differ from
the preceding exemplary embodiments by the presence of a pusher,
which is able to impart a pulse-like thrust in the direction of
fall (i.e. in the direction of gravity) to a detergent tablet that
is in the dosing position (i.e. in a position radially opposite the
dosing opening) in a tablet compartment. Such a push can help the
detergent tablet to fall out of the tablet compartment in question
and into the chute, for example if agglutinations prevent the
detergent tablet from falling downwards out of the tablet
compartment independently.
[0102] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the mentioned pusher
is in the form of a spring-operated pusher 102g, which generates
the desired push from its inherent spring tension. In the example
shown, the spring-operated pusher 102g is formed by a spring bow
104g, which forms a resiliently deflectable pusher nose 106g. The
spring bow 104g can be formed by a metal strip which has been bent
into the desired shape by bending. When one of the tablet
compartments 38g is in the dosing position (i.e. in a position
radially opposite the dosing opening at the entry to the chute),
the pusher nose 106g then protrudes to a certain extent into the
tablet compartment 38g in question through a window opening 107g
formed in the cup lateral surface 52g of the rotor 26g. Each of the
tablet compartments 38g of the rotor 36g is designed with such a
window opening 107g. Looking at the exemplary embodiment of FIGS.
7a to 7d, the window openings 98f therein can serve as the window
openings 107g of FIG. 8. On rotation of the rotor 36g, the opening
edge of the window opening 107g in question pushes the pusher nose
106g radially inwards, so that the cup lateral surface 52g is able
to slide past the pusher nose 106g until the next window opening
107g moves into the region of the pusher nose 106g. The pusher nose
106g, owing to its inherent spring tension, then snaps into that
next window opening 107g and pushes against a detergent tablet
located in the associated tablet compartment 38g. The detergent
tablet is thus actively pushed into the chute.
[0103] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, an electromagnetic
pusher 108h is provided instead of a spring-operated pusher, which
electromagnetic pusher has an electromagnetic actuator 110h and a
pusher head 112h which can be advanced in a pulse-like manner by
excitation of the electromagnetic actuator 110h. The pusher head
112h has the same function as the pusher nose 106g of the
spring-operated pusher 102g of FIG. 8; on excitation of the
electromagnetic actuator 110h, the pusher head 112h moves to a
certain extent through the window opening 98h of the tablet
compartment 38h that is currently in the dosing position, that is
to say in a position radially opposite the chute, into the tablet
compartment 38h in question. Provided that there is a detergent
tablet therein and the detergent tablet has not yet fallen into the
chute by itself, the pusher head 112h pushes against the detergent
tablet and thereby initiates its fall into the chute.
[0104] FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway view of an exemplary
embodiment of the blower 78i with the impeller 76i housed in the
blower housing 80i. It will be seen that the blower housing 80i is
fitted to the rear side of the door lining panel 22i of the door
16i (rear side means the side of the door lining panel 22i that
faces towards the inside of the door, that is to say away from the
dishwashing chamber). The intake of air by means of the impeller
76i takes place through intake slots 114i which are formed in the
blower housing 80i and are open towards the inner lining panel 22i.
By fitting the blower housing 80i to the inner lining panel 22i,
the intake slots 114i are accordingly closed at the end. Such
intake slots 114i can be provided along all four sides of the
blower housing 80i, which in the example shown has a quadrangular
contour. Owing to the position of the intake slots 114i close to
the panel, the intake of air takes place close to the inner lining
panel 22i. Air flows substantially along the inner lining panel 22i
through the intake slots 114i into the impeller chamber 74i and is
pushed by the impeller 76i into the magazine chamber of the annular
magazine and adjoining parts of the dosing system.
[0105] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11, the tablet dosing
system 20k comprises not an annular magazine but a stack magazine
116k having two magazine chutes 118k, each of which allows a
plurality of detergent tablets 42k, which in the example shown are
of quadrangular shape, to be stored in a tablet stack. The two
magazine chutes 118k extend at least over a portion of their chute
length at a distance from one another, wherein the gap between the
two magazine chutes 118k is used to accommodate the blower 78k,
more precisely to accommodate the blower housing 80k of the blower
78k housing the impeller 76k. Both magazine chutes 118k can thus be
supplied uniformly with blowing air by the blower 78k. The blowing
air is blown directly by the blower 78k into the chute chambers of
the magazine chutes 118k.
[0106] For individually serving the two tablet stacks, that is to
say for individually removing a detergent tablet 42k from a chosen
tablet stack, the tablet dosing system 20k comprises an extractor
slider 120k, which is linearly adjustable by means of a slider
drive unit, not shown in greater detail, for example an
electromotive slider drive unit, between different positions in
which it is ready to receive a detergent tablet 42k from one of the
tablet stacks (corresponding to the illustration of FIG. 11) and to
deliver the received detergent tablet 42k into the chute, only the
chute housing 66k of which is visible in FIG. 11. Further details
of the construction and function of the extractor slider 120k can
be found in DE 10 2019 009 054 A1 and in particular in the
explanations given therein relating to the exemplary embodiment of
FIGS. 7 to 10. The content of the mentioned DE specification is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0107] There are shown in FIG. 11 further blowers 78'k and 78''k,
which are arranged at a different location of the dosing system 20k
to the blower 78k and illustrate alternative or additional
arrangement positions for such blowers. The blower 78'k is in
direct blowing air supply connection with the chute inside the
chute housing 66k, the blower 78''k is in direct blowing air supply
connection with the slider chamber in which the extractor slider
120k is slidably received. It will be appreciated that not all
three blowers 78k, 78'k, 78''k have to be provided. Provided that
one of the mentioned three blowers is sufficient to ensure a flow
of blowing air through the magazine chutes 118k, the chute and the
slider chamber, the remaining blowers can be omitted.
[0108] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12, the tablet dosing
system 20l again comprises a stack magazine 116l having two
magazine chutes 118l which, as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG.
11, are served by a common extractor member. In the case of the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12, this extractor member is in the
form of a rotary extractor 122l which is received in an extractor
housing 126l so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 124l.
In the installed situation of the tablet dosing system 20l, the
axis of rotation 124l is substantially orthogonal to the main plane
of the door of the dishwashing machine; the two magazine chutes
118l are thus fitted into the door such that the tablet stacks
formed in the magazine chutes 118l by the detergent tablets 42l are
arranged side by side along an orthogonal plane to the axis of
rotation 124l.
[0109] The rotary extractor 122l has two extraction pockets 128l,
which are each dimensioned to receive a detergent tablet 42l. As
can readily be seen in FIG. 12, the two extraction pockets 128l are
unevenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the rotary
extractor 122l, that is to say they are not diametrically opposite
one another. Instead, the two extraction pockets 128l are formed in
the example shown within a 180.degree. segment of the rotary
extractor 122l. During operation, the rotary extractor 122l can be
controlled such that, for example, it serves one of the tablet
stacks with one of the extraction pockets 128l (i.e. extracts a
detergent tablet 42l from the tablet stack in question) and is then
rotated into a position in which the received detergent tablet 42l
is able to fall out of the extraction pocket 128l in question into
the chute 62l and then, by comparatively slight further rotation or
backward rotation of the rotary extractor 122l, the other of the
two extraction pockets 128l is brought beneath the other of the
tablet stacks, so that a detergent tablet is then able to fall from
the other tablet stack into the rotary extractor 122l. By
repeatedly changing the direction of rotation of the rotary
extractor 122l, each of the tablet stacks can thus be served
alternately, wherein the extraction pockets 128l are each always
used for the same tablet stack.
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