Washing agent dispensing device for a household washing machine, in particular a dishwasher

• US 7,047,987 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2001
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Original Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Inventors: Cerruti, Daniele, Perrucca, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): Perrin, Joseph L.
• Application Number:
  US10/239,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20040020517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,884 Days
• Field of Search: 134/99.2, 134/93, 134/94.1, 134/100.1, 222/651, 222/652, 222/425, 68/17.R
• US Class Current: 134/58.00D
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4409 by tipping containers or opening their lids, e.g. with the help of a programmer

Abstract

A device for dispensing washing agents is described, for a household washing machine, in particular a dishwasher, said dispenser having at least a tank for a liquid washing agent and an arrangement for dispensing a dose of said washing agent. The arrangement comprises:

• • a passage for putting the inside of said tank in communication with a discharge outlet;
  • plugging means for said passage,
  • at least an actuator for operating said plugging means.

According to the invention, said plugging means comprise an element being movable within said passage and bearing sealing means, whereby the movable element, in a first position, allows to realize the dosage of an amount of washing agent and, in a second position, allows to dispense the dosed amount of washing agent.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing washing agents for a household washing machine, said device for dispensing comprising

a housing with a tank, a discharge outlet, a dosing space, a first opening between said dosing space and said discharge outlet, a second opening between said tank and said dosing space, and a passage between said first opening and said second opening,

sealing means comprising an element axially reciprocally movable within said passage and having a stroke extending between a first position and a second position,

said movable element when in said first position, and during movement along a first terminal segment of its stroke adjacent thereto, sealing said first opening for preventing liquid flow from said dosing space to said discharge outlet and exposing said second opening for allowing liquid flow from said tank to said dosing space,

said movable element when in said second position and during movement along a second terminal segment of its stroke adjacent thereto sealing said second opening for preventing liquid flow from said tank to said dosing space and exposing said first opening for allowing liquid flow from said dosing space to said discharge outlet,

said movable element when in an intermediate segment of its stroke, between said first and second segments, simultaneously sealing said first opening and said second opening for preventing liquid flow from said dosing space to said discharge outlet and from said tank to said dosing space, and

an actuator for operating said sealing means,

said movable element during its movement between said first position and said second position and back, never allowing fluid communication between said tank and said discharge outlet.

2. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means comprise at least a sealing element operating outside said dosing space.

3. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said movable element has two lengthwise ends and said sealing means comprise at least a sealing element associated with said movable element in an intermediate position between said two ends.

4. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means comprise at least a sealing element capable of operating on an inner surface of said passage for realizing a radial sealing.

5. A device, according to claim 4, further comprising a radial sealing element, said radial sealing element exiting from said passage into said tank when said movable element is brought to said first position, and re-entering said passage when said movable element is brought to said second position.

6. A device, according to claim 4, comprising a first radial sealing element and second radial sealing element capable of operating on an inner surface of said passage.

7. A device, according to claim 6, wherein said first radial sealing element operates along a first length of said passage and said second radial sealing element operates on a second length of said passage.

8. A device, according to claim 7, wherein said first length and said first sealing element have a smaller diameter than said second length and said second sealing element.

9. A device, according to claim 7, wherein said passage has at least a third length and said movable element comprises a further sealing element operating on said third length.

10. A device, according to claim 9, wherein said further element operates a radial sealing in said third length.

11. A device, according to claim 10, wherein said third length and said further sealing element have a larger diameter than said first length and said first sealing element, and/or than said second length and said second sealing element.

12. A device, according to claim 9, wherein said discharge outlet is in direct communication with said third length.

13. A device, according to claim 9, further comprising an elastic element for facilitating a displacement of said movable element from said first to said second position.

14. A device, according to claim 13, wherein said elastic element is located in said third length.

15. A device, according to claim 7, wherein said second length has an interruption, which is able to put said passage in communication with said dosing space.

16. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means comprise at least a front sealing capable of realizing a front sealing with respect to said passage.

17. A device, according to claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said front sealing element is constantly within said tank.

18. A device, according to claim 17, wherein when said movable element is in said second position, said front sealing element prevents inlet of liquid washing agent from said tank into said passage.

19. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means comprise a first seal and a second seal, which alternatively operate on said passage depending upon the position taken by said movable element.

20. A device, according to claim 19, wherein said first seal is realized by said first radial sealing element and said second seal is realized by said second radial sealing element.

21. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said passage has at least two lengths of different sections.

22. A device, according to claim 12, wherein said sealing means are provided for operating on different lengths of said passage.

23. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said dosing space is outside of said passage.

24. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said passage has an intermediate interruption.

25. A device, according to claim 1, further comprising a vent duct through which the inside of said dosing pace is connected with the outside of the device.

26. A device, according to claim 25, wherein said vent duct extends from said dosing space to said discharge outlet, said vent duct having a reduced section.

27. A device, according to claim 25, wherein said tank, said passage, said dosing space, said discharge outlet and said vent duct are molded at least partially in one piece only.

28. A device, according to claim 25, wherein during the passage from said first position to said second position, said movable element forces liquid washing agent contained in said vent duct up to said discharge outlet.

29. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said movable element comprises a portion having a cross sectional area smaller than a cross sectional area of said passage.

30. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said actuator is a linear actuator.

31. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said actuator is a mono-stable actuator.

32. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said actuator is of the thermal or thermoelectric type.

33. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said actuator has a moving element or shaft coupled to said movable element.

34. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said actuator has an outer housing with wings or projections suitable for insertion in seats defined in the body of the device.

35. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said actuator is able to impart a thrust to said movable element.

36. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said actuator is able to exert a pull on said movable element.

37. A device, according to claim 1, further comprising a second arrangement for dispensing at least a dose of a second washing agent.

38. A device, according to claim 37, wherein said actuator is provided also for actuating said second arrangement through a kinematic mechanism.

39. A device, according to claim 38, wherein said kinematic mechanism comprises a straight toothed organ or rack element, capable of moving under the thrust produced by said actuator, and a pinion engaged on said rack element.

40. A device, according to claim 37, wherein said second arrangement has a space for containing said second washing agent, and comprises a cover for closing for said space and means for maintaining said cover of said space in its closed position.

41. A device, according to claim 37, wherein said second arrangement comprises a dispensing body, having a space for containing a dose of said second washing agent, which rotates around a first axis.

42. A device, according to claim 41, wherein said dispensing body is capable of angular movement with respect to a second axis.

43. A device, according to claim 41, comprising a seat for housing said dispensing body, said dispensing body using capable of taking a first position, wherein said dispensing body is inserted in said seat, and a second position, wherein said dispensing body is inclined outside said seat for loading a dose of said second washing agent into said containing space.

44. A device, according to claim 43, wherein an area of said seat is facing directly inside the washing tub of the machine on which the device is assembled.

45. A device, according to claim 44, wherein said dispensing body is capable of being rotated around said first axis by said actuator, to bring the opening of said containing space substantially in line with said area, in order to ensure the discharge of the dose of said second washing agent.

46. A device, according to claim 43, further comprising means for preventing an undesired passage of said dispensing body from said first to said second position.

47. A device, according to claim 41, wherein said dispensing body is supported by a support element rotated by said actuator.

48. A device, according to claim 47, wherein said support element is fork shaped, said dispensing body being mounted in a movable and/or tiltable way with respect to said support element.