INTEGRATED DEVICE FOR DISPENSING WASHING AGENTS FOR A WASHING MACHINE, PARTICULARLY A DISHWASHER
The dispensing device (1) comprises a first releasing device (2) for a detergent, including a receptacle (4) and an associated openable cover (5), and a second releasing device (3) for a rinsing agent. These releasing devices (2, 3) are intended to be activated at successive times in a washing cycle by successive energizations of a single electrically operable actuator (11) which is mechanically coupled thereto in such a way that a first energization of the actuator (11) is able to modify the state of the first releasing device (2) without changing the state of the second releasing device (3), and a successive energization of the actuator (11) is such as to cause the activation of the second releasing device (3). The actuator (11) is coupled to the cover (5) of the first releasing device (3) through a disengageable and re-engageable retaining mechanism (17-20), configured in such a way that a first energization and the successive de-energization of the actuator (11) cause the passage of the cover (5) to a pre-opening condition and an increased opening condition, respectively.
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The present invention relates to a device for dispensing washing agents for a washing machine, particularly for a dishwasher.
More specifically, the invention relates to a dispensing device comprising a first releasing device for a detergent, including a receptacle for the detergent and an associated openable cover, and a second releasing device for a rinsing agent, the releasing devices being intended to be activated at successive times in a washing cycle by successive energizations of a single electrically operable actuator which is mechanically coupled thereto in such a way that a first energization of the actuator is able to modify the state of the first releasing device without changing the state of the second releasing device, and a successive energization of the actuator is such as to cause the activation of the second releasing device.
There is a wide range of known integrated dispensing devices of the type defined above, for dispensing, typically, a powder detergent and subsequently a liquid rinsing agent, also known as “rinse aid”. An example of a dispensing device of the type defined above is described in patent application EP 0 602 572 A1. This prior art device comprises a single electrically operable actuator coupled to the closing cover of the detergent releasing device and to the rinsing agent releasing device by means of a rather complicated mechanism, including a plurality of levers, two of which are coupled together by means of a heart-shaped cam device.
One object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device of the type defined above which has a highly simplified structure and can be produced in a reasonably economical way.
A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device of this type which can enable the dispensing of the detergent to be divided into stages, for example for a pre-wash stage and subsequently for the actual washing stage.
These and other objects are achieved according to the invention by means of an integrated dispensing device for washing agents of the type defined initially, characterized in that the aforesaid actuator is coupled to the cover of the first releasing device by means of a releasable retaining mechanism configured in such a way that a first energization and the successive de-energization of the actuator can cause the passage of the cover to a pre-opening condition and an opening condition, respectively.
In one embodiment, when the cover of the first releasing device is in the aforesaid pre-opening condition, the associated detergent receptacle remains substantially closed, and therefore the detergent is not released into the wash chamber of the machine. In this case, the complete dispensing of the detergent takes place as a result of the de-energization of the actuator immediately after the aforesaid first energization.
In another embodiment, when the cover of the first releasing device is in the aforesaid pre-opening condition, the associated detergent receptacle is open, but to a lesser degree, such that only a limited quantity of the detergent contained therein can be dispensed into the wash chamber of the machine. In this case, the dispensing of the detergent by the first releasing device is completed on the de-energization of the actuator immediately after the first energization.
In this second embodiment, it is therefore possible to supply detergent in a limited quantity in a pre-wash stage, with subsequent dispensing for the actual washing stage.
In the second embodiment described above, the actuator remains energized between the first energization of the actuator and the immediately successive de-energization. It is also possible for the actuator to be made in such a way that a reduced amount of electrical energy is required to maintain its state of energization.
Further characteristics and advantages of the device according to the invention will be made clear by the following detailed description, which is provided purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
In
The integrated dispensing device 1 comprises a housing 1a of moulded plastic material, in which a releasing device 2 for dispensing a detergent, particularly a powder detergent, and an adjacent second releasing device 3 for dispensing a rinsing agent are formed in a known way.
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the releasing device 2 for the detergent comprises an essentially bowl-shaped receptacle 4 (
In a known way, the cover 5 is associated with a resilient member such as a torsion spring which tends to cause the cover to move from the closed position shown in
The releasing device 2 for the rinsing agent is also of a known type. It comprises a receptacle 6 (
The dispensing of the rinsing agent into the wash chamber of the dishwasher is controlled by means of a shut-off valve indicated as a whole by 7 in
Conveniently, the valve 7 is positioned near the lower part of the receptacle 6 for the rinsing agent.
With reference to
The actuator 11 is of the electrically operable type and, as described more fully below, also controls the activation of the release device 2 for the detergent.
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the actuator device 11 is of the solenoid type, and comprises a winding or solenoid 12, an associated frame 13 of material capable of conducting a magnetic flux, and a core 14 which is movable within the solenoid.
The frame 13 and the winding 12 are mounted in a fixed position in the housing 1a of the integrated dispensing device 1, these elements being conveniently inclined, in a substantially vertical plane, with respect to the horizontal direction, at an angle which is advantageously in the range from 30° to 60°, and preferably approximately 45°. The core 14 is axially movable with respect to the above elements within the solenoid 12, in a corresponding inclined direction.
In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 13 has an upper branch 13a in which an aperture 13b is formed. A portion 13c of the frame 13, surrounding the aperture 13b, has an essentially trunco-conical outwardly projecting shape (
A point 15a of a lever 15 extends through the aperture 13b of the magnetic frame 13, the lever extending radially from the periphery of a shaft 16 mounted rotatably in the housing 1a of the integrated dispensing device 1 about a fixed axis indicated by C-C (see also
In
With reference to
In the proximity of the arm 17, two retaining members 19 and 20, substantially parallel to and facing each other, of which the first is shorter than the second, extend from the cover 5 of the releasing device of the detergent 3. These retaining elements 19 and 20 have respective bevelled retaining catches 19a, 20a at their distal ends, these catches essentially facing each other.
As shown, for example, in
This core 14 is also coupled to the shut-off valve 7, in the way which will now be described with reference to
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the lower end of the core 14 has a radially projecting disc-shaped formation 14b, which extends between two opposing retaining arms 21a extending from a plate-like element 21 which is integral with the operating rod 10. The retaining arms 21a are essentially parallel to each other and to the axis of the core 14, and their distal ends are provided with respective retaining catches 21b which face each other. A helical spring 22 tends to move the plate-like element 21 away from the actuator 11 by pushing it towards bearing surfaces formed by a casing 23 (
At the start of a washing cycle of a dishwasher, the integrated dispensing device is in the conditions shown in
During the washing cycle, at a time indicated by t1 in
The extent of the movement of the cover 5 depends on the length of the retaining element 20 relative to that of the retaining element 19.
The condition of retention of the cover 5 shown in
At a successive time, indicated by t2 in
This rotation of the shaft 17 causes the end 18b of the hammer head formation 18 to be disengaged from the retaining catch 20 and causes the final release of the cover 5 which is free to reach its fully open position, under the action of the resilient means associated with it.
The de-energization of the solenoid 12 of the actuator 11 does not change the condition of the control valve 7 for the dispensing of the rinsing agent, which remains closed.
At a successive time, indicated by t3 in
The dispensing of the rinsing agent continues until a successive time, indicated by t4 in
As shown in
At the end of the washing cycle, the cover 5 of the detergent releasing device can be returned manually to the closed position, after a new quantity of detergent has been placed in the associated receptacle 4 (
Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of embodiment and the details of construction may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated, which have been given purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims.
Claims
1. Integrated dispensing device (1) for dispensing washing agents in a washing machine, in particular a dishwashing machine, comprising a first releasing device (2) for a detergent, including a receptacle (4) for the detergent and an associated openable cover (5), and a second releasing device (3) for a rinsing agent; the releasing devices (2, 3) being intended to be activated at successive times in a washing cycle by successive energizations of a single electrically operable actuator (11) which is mechanically coupled thereto in such a way that a first energization of the actuator (11) is able to modify the state of the first releasing device (2) without changing the state of the second releasing device (3), and a successive energization of the actuator (11) is such as to cause the activation of the second releasing device (3),
- the integrated dispensing device (1) being characterized in that the actuator (11) is coupled to the cover (5) of the first releasing device (3) through a disengageable and re-engageable retaining mechanism (17-20), configured in such a way that a first energization and the successive de-energization of the actuator (11) cause the passage of said cover (5) to a pre-opening condition and an increased opening condition, respectively.
2. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (11) is coupled to the cover (5) of the first releasing device (2) through a rocker lever (15-17), one arm (17) of which has an engaging formation (18) adapted to successively engage with first and second retaining members (19, 20), respectively, of the cover (5), when the cover (5) is in the closed condition and, respectively, in the pre-opening condition.
3. Dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the engaging formation (18) is essentially shaped like a hammer head, and has two ends (18a, 18b) protruding transversely with respect to the arm (17).
4. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (11) comprises an electrically operable movable member (14), the movable member (14) being coupled to a valve device (7) of the second releasing device (3) through a drive device (21, 10) adapted to allow the opening of said valve device (7) only when the movable member (14) travels through a distance exceeding a predetermined value.
5. Dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the actuator (11) and its movable member (14) are positioned to be inclined at a predetermined angle to the horizontal direction, the upper part of the actuator (11) being coupled to the cover (5), the lower part of the actuator (11) being coupled to the releasing device (3).
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 8, 2012
Publication Date: Nov 21, 2013
Applicant: BITRON S.P.A. (Torino)
Inventor: Giuseppe Marone (Nichelino (Torino))
Application Number: 13/980,752
International Classification: B08B 3/00 (20060101);