WO2002077353A1

WO2002077353A1 - Dosing system for detergent substances

Info

Publication number: WO2002077353A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/002730
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tilo Weiss; Peter Schmiedel
Original assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien
Priority date: 2001-03-22
Filing date: 2002-03-13
Publication date: 2002-10-03
Also published as: EP1370723A1; DE10114256A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing system (1), especially for detergent substances, preferably for use in the washing compartment of a washing machine, and to a method for washing textiles in a washing machine.

Description

Dosing system for washing substances

The present invention relates to a metering system according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular for washing substances, preferably for incorporation into the washroom of a washing machine, and to a method according to the preamble of claim 28.

Detergents and cleaning agents for washing machines and dishwashers are currently offered to end customers in the majority as so-called universal detergents with all the necessary functionalities. The combination of water softeners, alkalizing agents, surfactants, enzymes and bleaching agents can be used to remove the usual stains on textiles. The ratio of the individual ingredients corresponds to a previously defined standard. In general use, individual substances are under or overdosed. For special applications, such as special washing machines in the commercial sector, individual components are already metered separately. B. the fresh water softened with ion exchangers, and fewer universal detergents must be used accordingly. The water softening can be easily determined and controlled, for example, by determining the electrical conductivity of the softened water.

Developments to equip washing machines in the end customer area with these devices have already been carried out by the relevant device manufacturers, but such devices have not been able to establish themselves on the market so far. There are various reasons for this: the more expensive technology increases the price of the device, the device manufacturer has to bind himself to a detergent producer through the selection of the components to be dosed, and market penetration is very slow because only a fraction of the newly purchased washing machines are equipped with such a system.

From the prior art, a metering system for receiving in the washing drum of a washing machine with a receiving space for the detergent and outlet openings is known. This dosing system releases the entire amount of previously loaded detergent in an uncontrolled manner, regardless of the degree of soiling and the amount of laundry. A particular disadvantage of this system is that the Release of the detergent is permanent, ie uncontrolled and thus not optimized, and that the detergent consumption is too high. Furthermore, such a metering system does not allow targeted metering of the detergent at different times, and certainly no metering of different substances at different phases of the washing process. Such metering systems are therefore only suitable for the provision of conventional detergents or fabric softeners.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved dosing system for detergent substances and an improved method for washing, which enable the detergent consumption to be minimized with an optimal washing result, in particular also an adjustment of the detergent or detergent composition, preferably by type and amount; to the respective requirements is possible.

According to the proposal, the above object is achieved by a metering system according to claim 1 or a method according to claim 28. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

A basic idea of the present invention is to provide a metering system for incorporation into the washroom of a washing machine, in which the dispensing of the washing substance or several washing substances during the washing process can be controlled.

The term “washing machine” is understood according to the invention not only as a washing machine for laundry, but this term is also intended according to the invention for washing devices of all types, eg. B. washing devices for cleaning dishes, especially dishwashers, or generally systems for cleaning objects, e.g. B. cleaning baths.

According to the invention, the term “washing substance” is understood to mean substances which are active in washing and / or cleaning and mixtures thereof. Examples of washing substances which are suitable according to the invention are, in particular, washing and / or cleaning-active enzymes and enzymatic systems (in particular amylases, cellulases, lipases and proteases), enzyme preparations, ie enzyme-rich formulations with the aid of which the enzymes can be made process-capable, soil repellant and soil -release Active substances, bleaching agents (e.g. based on hypochlorite or peroxide), washing and / or cleaning active inorganic and organic acids, antimicrobial substances, graying and discoloration inhibitors, active substances for color protection, substances and additives for laundry care, surfactants of all kinds (e.g. B. surfactants with fabric softener properties, ionic and non-ionic surfactants etc.), pH adjusting agents, in particular alkalis and pH buffer substances.

Different enzymes (e.g. proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases etc.) are used for the different types of soiling in a conventional universal detergent of the prior art. The problem here is that the enzymes are either inhibited or destroyed by other constituents in the detergent or have a negative influence on one another, in particular because they are used at the same time. In particular, the percarbonate contained as a bleaching agent has a negative effect on the washing performance of enzymatic soiling.

In contrast, in an independent metering system of the type according to the invention, the individual components can be separated from one another and the action described above is eliminated. Because e.g. B. proteases can degrade the remaining enzymes, the enzymes are z. B. distributed in low concentration in granular carrier materials and in this way the enzymes are protected by dilution. The separation of the individual enzymes in a dosing system according to the invention, in particular in different dosing chambers, has the great advantage that the negative influence of the enzymes on one another is excluded and there is also the possibility, for example, of using the enzymes with a time lag (e.g. protease delayed after the action of the other enzymes , so that they are not damaged by the protease) and thus further increase their washing performance.

According to DE 43 12 010 A1, enzymes offer the great advantage that the total volume of the detergent used can be significantly reduced. While up to 150 g of washing-active substances (surfactants, builders, alkalis, bleach, enzymes and perfume) are used in a universal detergent, in the case of the metering system according to the invention an amount of less than 2 g of enzymes can already be used - depending on their activity and concentration the wording in which they are present - sufficient. As an extension to the previous spectrum of enzymes in general-purpose detergents, enzymes such as, for. B. peroxidases, which release peracids from suitable substrates, which have a bleaching effect that is comparable to that of conventional percarbonates.

Small amounts of surfactants can be used as wetting agents so that the enzymes can attach to the soiling that they are supposed to break down. Since this process is in the foreground and dirt removal is not necessary due to the higher enzyme concentration, a small amount of nonionic surfactants is generally sufficient. In this way, e.g. B. the otherwise required water softening is eliminated.

As explained above, the dispensing of the washing substance during the washing process is controlled in the metering system according to the invention. It is also possible to dispense several washing substances, in particular independently of one another and / or in a time-controlled manner.

In general, the washing substance 3 is dispensed as a function of at least one condition parameter or the change in such a condition parameter. According to the invention, the term “state parameters” is understood in particular to mean physical or chemical parameters which in particular describe the status or state of the washing process, for example B. the amount of water, the water filling, the water wetting, the water inlet and / or outlet into the dosing system, its receiving space or into the wash room surrounding the dosing system during use, the length of time (e.g. release of the washing substance over a certain period), the point in time, in particular in relation to the washing process (e.g. release of the washing substance after a certain washing time), the temperature, the pH, the water hardness, the ion concentration or the substance concentration and the like.

Specific physical, chemical and / or biochemical sensors make it possible, for example, to track the concentrations of individual substances or the running of processes. A simple example is the control of water softening via electrical conductivity. More specific applications are e.g. B. the determination (of concentrations) of surfactants, enzymes and peracids as detergent substances or the direct determination of Water hardness via chemical sensors. With these sensors, it is now possible to control the dosage of the desired ingredients so that a desired activity in the wash liquor can be determined or achieved. The consumption of washing-active substances can be determined, in particular, by their decrease in the wash liquor, and replenishment can take place as required. In this way, for example, the amount of laundry and the type and extent of soiling can be determined indirectly and the dosage of the individual components can be controlled without further user intervention.

The present invention enables an autonomously operating system to dose the required substances in a washing process as required.

Further advantages, properties, aspects and features of the present invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. However, the present invention is by no means limited to this.

The single figure shows a schematic representation of a metering system according to the invention.

The dosing system 1 is particularly suitable for inclusion in the washing room of a washing machine, for example in the washing drum of a washing machine for laundry or in the washing room of a dishwasher or generally in the container of an apparatus intended for cleaning purposes.

The dosing system 1 has at least one receiving space 2 for at least one washing substance 3 and at least one assigned outlet 4 for dispensing the at least one washing substance 3 during the washing process.

In the embodiment shown, the dosing system 1 according to the invention has a plurality of receiving spaces 2 for the washing substances 3 and a plurality of assigned outlets 4, the receiving spaces 2 being able to have different sizes.

In addition, the metering system 1 has at least one control element 5, so that the dispensing of the washing substance 3 can be controlled during the washing process. The control element 5 can be an osmotically operating pump Act valve, an adjustable throttle, another conveyor or the like.

If there are several receiving spaces 2 for several washing substances 3, the dispensing of all washing substances 3 can be controlled, in particular independently of one another.

The control element 5 can be assigned to the receiving space 2, the outlet 4 and / or a line 6 connecting the receiving space 2 to the outlet 4. In particular, the outlet 4 and / or the line 6 can be shut off by means of the control element 5 if necessary.

According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing of the washing substance 3 can be interrupted in a controlled manner.

Furthermore, the metering system 1 according to the invention has a control device 7. In particular, the control device 7 has a microprocessor or is formed by a microprocessor. The control device 7 controls the control element 5.

The control element 5 can in particular be controlled electrically by the control device 7 and can be connected to the control device 7 via at least one electrical connecting line 8.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the control device 7 a time base, for. B. has a clock or a timer.

Control functions of the control device 7 are preferably programmable and in particular can be executed by a control program. For example, a closing or opening can take place when certain limit values of the state parameters are exceeded or undershot or a certain quantity is released.

Furthermore, the metering system 1 according to the invention has at least one sensor 9 for detecting at least one state parameter. The sensor 9 can, for example, the amount of water, the water filling and / or wetting, the water inlet and / or outlet, the time duration and / or the time, in particular in relation to the washing process, the temperature pH value, the water hardness and / or the ion and / or substance concentration and / or their changes.

In particular, at least one switching function can be triggered by means of the sensor 9 - possibly in connection with the control device 7, in particular the switching on and / or off of the metering system and / or the selection of a control program, for example depending on the wetting by water Presence of water, its temperature and / or a (longer) movement of the dosing system (in the washing drum).

Furthermore, the metering system 1 has an energy supply device 10, in particular a voltage source (for example a battery or an accumulator).

In this way, the system 1 according to the invention makes it possible, in particular, to determine the activity of the ingredients with sensors and to store the necessary detergent substances and to dose them.

The following can be said about the volume of the system 1 according to the invention: The need-based metering of the substances 3 requires, in particular after an activation of the system 1, for example a determination of the concentration of the substances 1 with suitable sensors and the metering resulting from this data. System 1 should work independently, ie it should e.g. B. be added as a dispenser together with the laundry in the detergent drum. For such use, it should not significantly exceed the size of a conventional detergent dosing ball (e.g. 8 to 15 cm in diameter). Since this means that only a limited volume is available and such a dosing dispenser contains the required detergent substances for a number of washing cycles, e.g. B. should contain at least 25 washes, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the conventional detergent substances, such as those used in universal detergents, should not be used in such a dispenser. This problem can e.g. B. be circumvented by the fact that in particular enzymes are used as washing-active substances. Universal detergents with an increased concentration of enzymes and thus a reduced volume have already been described in the prior art. The Possibilities for such enzymatic detergents can be found in the corresponding prior art literature.

The sensors 9 can be used in the system 1 according to the invention for various purposes. The system 1 should preferably be able to be put into operation using a simple switch, but in particular it should also be prevented that the system 1 reacts incorrectly and the substances contained are released if it is started up unintentionally. A simple solution to this task is, for example, a moisture sensor which ensures that the metering is only active when the metering system 1 is sufficiently wetted with water. Another option for hedging is e.g. B. a temperature sensor. The start of the washing process can be determined in particular by the fact that the fresh water supplied has a lower temperature and the start of a washing process can be detected via the rapid temperature drop during the washing-in process. Another possibility, for example, also offers a motion sensor which, for. B. detects a movement of the metering system 1 in the washing drum. In this way, the metering system 1 can distinguish, for example, between a simple unwanted flood and a washing process.

More important than the sensors described above for securing and / or controlling the functionality of the system are the sensors for determining the activity of the detergent substances. For example, if enzymes are used as wash-active substances, sensors can be used which can determine the activity of enzymes. As soon as the sensors detect a predetermined concentration of enzymes in the wash liquor, the dosing process is stopped. In the event of a malfunction of the chemical sensors, the independent metering system 1 can still be operated in a restricted function, for example by B. a "standard amount" of detergent substances is added. The bleaching effect which is achieved with the peroxidases can, for example, be determined directly with biochemical sensors, so that for this process either the activity of the corresponding enzyme or indirectly the concentration of the peracid can be determined.

The dosing technology must meet some basic requirements. A sufficient mechanical stability should be ensured as the most important criterion, so that the dosing system 1 is both a shock or a fall also survives a spin cycle in the washing machine without damage. Since the dosing of liquid substances can be carried out more easily and with greater accuracy, these are preferably used. For example, enzymes can be stored and used very well as suspensions.

In order to make the dosing system as simple and fail-safe as possible, control elements, for example pump devices, are used in the dosing technology. However, it can also be carried out, for example, without such pump devices: a possible alternative for the individual components is, for example, cartridges which are designed or pretensioned in such a way that they empty themselves completely. Corresponding elastic materials, which also ensure greater mechanical safety in the event of impacts or the spin cycle, are one possibility.

The overall system 1 can be controlled, for example, by a microcontroller, which in particular records and evaluates the data from the sensors 9, determines the dosage of the individual components required at the moment and controls the corresponding dosage. The device 1 can be put into operation in particular via a simple switch. An algorithm in the control system, for example, determines the start of the washing process. For communication with the user, z. B. one or two preferably simple status LEDs, such as light emitting diodes or the like, which indicate the proper condition of the system and the necessary refilling of one or more components.

The dosing system 1 thus generally consists of components with fundamentally different lifetimes and different consumption. While the central control 7 and the dosing system 1 have a long service life, the sensors 9 are possibly subject to a certain aging and must be replaced after a certain number of washes. Finally, the wash-active substances 3 are an exclusive consumable, and the maximum number of washes results directly from their consumption and the volume of the metering system 1.

Against this background, the metering system 1 offers z. B. a deposit and / or circulation method, wherein, for example, the wash-active substances 3 can be refilled at the manufacturer or at a service company and the state of the sensors 9 can be checked. Interchangeable tanks with a receiving space 2 or more receiving spaces 2, if necessary also with an integrated control element 5, can be provided for filling or refilling washing substances 3.

However, other constructive solutions are also possible. For example, washing substances 3 can be simply poured into and / or sucked into the system 1 by gravity - possibly with the opening of corresponding ventilation openings, for example by an internal or external pump or by correspondingly compressing the system 1, which can then be compressed as required.

The following is a concrete example of a system designed as a dosing ball with a 12 cm diameter. The dosing ball is activated, for example, by a simple switch and placed in the washing drum together with the delicates, and then a delicates or wool washing program is started. Because of, for example, the

Low temperature z. B. by the incoming fresh water, the water itself and / or the movement of the washing drum, the metering process is started. System 1 recognizes this start of the washing process in this way and ignores the flushing processes that recur cyclically in the further course, since the required activation via the switch has failed to materialize. As soon as a sufficient amount of water has been flushed into the washing drum - it can be determined, for example, using the moisture sensor or the elapsed time - the dosage of the active washing substances is started. Since the substances may influence each other negatively, they are metered in, especially after a time delay, ie after z. B. amylases, cellulases and lipases have removed the corresponding stains, can then z. B. Proteases can be added. When using enzymes as washing-active substances, it is advisable to meter in surfactants - especially non-ionic surfactants - as wetting agents. Subsequent to the cleaning process, for example, peroxidases can optionally be added to bleach the textiles, and after a first spin cycle - for example detected by the mechanical sensor - fabric softener and finally perfumes can also be dosed as required. According to this example, the metering system 1 can also be used in other applications. The most obvious option is certainly the dishwasher, but the washing-active substances and the operating parameters of the device must be adapted accordingly.

Further application examples are aimed at all areas in which a defined amount of a special active ingredient has to be dosed in a liquid environment. This can range from a simple dosage of an active ingredient against algae growth in an aquarium to disinfection and cleaning baths in medicine to process baths in industry. Depending on the respective application, the sensors and the sensor system have to be adapted accordingly, but the underlying principle of an independent, needs-based dosage remains in all cases.

Claims

claims:

1. dosing system (1) for receiving in the washroom, in particular the washing drum, a washing machine, with at least one receiving space (2) for at least one washing substance (3) and at least one assigned outlet (4) for dispensing the at least one washing substance (3) during the washing process,

characterized,

that the metering system (1) has at least one control element (5) so that the dispensing of the washing substance (3) can be controlled during the washing process and / or

that the dosing system (1) has washing substances (3) ready for several washes and releases a certain amount of them per wash.

2. Dosing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the delivery of several washing substances (3), in particular independently of one another, is controllable.

3. Dosing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control element (5) associated with the receiving space (2), the outlet (4) and / or a line (6) connecting the receiving space (2) with the outlet (4) is, in particular wherein the outlet (4) and / or the line (6) can be shut off if necessary by means of the control element (5).

4. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing of the washing substance (3) is controllable as a function of at least one condition parameter, in particular as a function of the amount of water, water filling and / or wetting, water entry and / or exit, duration and / or time, in particular in relation to the washing process, temperature, pH, water hardness and / or ion and / or substance concentration.

5. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing of the washing substance (3) can be interrupted in a controlled manner.

6. Dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing system (1) has a control device (7), in particular wherein the control device (7) operates electrically, has a microprocessor, is formed by a microprocessor and / or the control element ( 5) controls.

7. Dosing system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the control element (5) can be electrically controlled by the control device (7) and is preferably connected to and / or into the control device (7) via at least one electrical connecting line (8) is integrated.

8. dosing system (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the control device (7) has a time base and / and that the control device (7) has a basis for detecting a temperature gradient, in particular a temperature rise.

9. Dosing system (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that control functions of the control device (7) are programmable, in particular can be executed by a control program.

10. Dosing system (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the control element (5) comprises a pump, a valve, an adjustable throttle or another conveying device.

11. Dosing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing system (1) has at least one sensor (9) for detecting at least one state parameter.

12. Dosing system (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the sensor (9) the amount of water, the water filling and / or wetting, the water inlet and / or outlet, the duration and / or the time, in particular in relation to the Washing process, the temperature, the pH, the water hardness and / or the ion and / or substance concentration and / or changes thereof.

13. dosing system (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that by means of the sensor (9) at least one switching function can be triggered, in particular the switching on and / or off of the dosing system (1) and / or the selection of a control program.

14. Dosing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing system (1) has an energy supply device (10), in particular a voltage source.

15. Dosing system (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the energy supply device (10) for the electrical supply of a control device (7), a sensor (9) and / or the control element (5) is used.

16. Dosing system (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the energy supply device (10) has a battery or an accumulator.

17. Dosing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing system (1) has a display device (11).

18. Dosing system (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the display device (11) has a digital display and / or a light-emitting diode.

19. Dosing system (1) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the display device (11) has a function and / or status display and / or a charge display.

20. Dosing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing system (1) has an input or control element.

21. Dosing system (1) according to claim 20, characterized in that the input or control element a switching on and / or off of Dosing system (1) and / or the selection of a control program allows.

22. Dosing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing system (1) enables data exchange with the washing machine, so that in particular the dosing system (1) can be controlled via input or control elements of the washing machine control.

23. Dosing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing system (1) has a particularly waterproof housing (12), which is preferably spherical or ellipsoidal and / or at least partially transparent.

24. Dosing system (1) according to claim 23, characterized in that the housing (12) is elastic and / or compressible.

25. Dosing system (1) according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the housing (12) is apparently, in particular screwable or unlockable, formed.

26. Dosing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing system (1) has at least one filling and / or ventilation opening.

27. Dosing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving space (2) or more receiving spaces (2) is or are formed by a tank, which is particularly removable and / or replaceable and / or refillable.

28. Method for washing laundry in a washing machine, wherein at least one washing substance (3) is released into the washing room, in particular the washing drum, to the washing machine during the washing process from a metering system (1) located in the washing room,

characterized,

that the release of the washing substance (3) into the washroom is controlled.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the delivery of the washing substance (3) is controlled in dependence on at least one state parameter of the washing process.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the delivery of the washing substance (3) depending on the amount of water, the water filling and / or wetting, the water inlet and / or outlet, the time period and / or the time in particular in relation to the washing process, the temperature, the pH, the water hardness and / or the ion and / or substance concentration is controlled.

31. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that a state parameter is detected by means of a sensor (9).

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that by means of the sensor (9) the release of the washing substance (3) in the washroom is triggered indirectly or directly.