EP3286369B1 - Laundry-care appliance comprising a metering system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry care device with a metering system.

To ensure effective care of laundry in a conventional laundry care appliance, an amount of a liquid substance is added to the laundry in the laundry drum. So that the user of the laundry care appliance does not have to manually add the liquid substance to the dispenser bowl of the laundry care appliance, laundry care appliances can have dispensing systems by means of which an automatic addition of liquid substance can be ensured.

In DE 1 528 964 an apparatus for adding washing machines or dishwashers is described, which comprises a peristaltic pump.

The publication US 2011/033318 A1 shows a pump assembly.

The publication DE 10 212 184 A1 shows a method for dosing a pasty detergent concentrate.

It is the object underlying the invention to provide a laundry care device with an effective dosing system.

This object is achieved by articles having the features according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the drawings, the description and the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a laundry care device having a dosing system for dosing a first liquid substance and a second liquid substance, wherein the dosing system comprises a first reservoir for providing the first liquid substance, a second reservoir for providing the second liquid substance and a pumping device having a first pump head and a second pump head, the dosing system having a common drive for driving the first pump head and the second pump head Pump head comprises, wherein the common drive is drivable in a first drive direction and in a second drive direction, wherein the first pump head is formed in the first drive direction of the common drive, to convey the first liquid substance in a first conveying direction from the first reservoir, and wherein the second pump head in the second drive direction of the common drive is designed to promote the second liquid substance in a second conveying direction from the second reservoir.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective metering of liquid substance from the first, or from the second reservoir is made possible by only one common drive by the metering system according to the invention. In conventional multichannel dosing systems, a pump with a pump head is usually used per channel, which is operated in each case with a separate drive motor, drive gear and a coupling element.

In the present invention, a cost-effective, compact dosing system for two channels is specified, the dosing system comprising the common drive installed in the laundry care device and the dosing device preferably to be taken from the laundry care device. The metering device in turn comprises the pumping device with the first pump head and the second pump head. The conveying direction of the pump device, which comprises a reversible first pump head and a reversible second pump head, can advantageously be changed by changing the drive direction of the common drive. The two pump heads are mechanically parallel, ie connected with a single common drive. However, the two pump heads may be hydraulically anti-parallel connected, i. when driving the pumping device in the first drive direction of the first pump head acts suction on the connected first reservoir, being metered from the first reservoir. The second pump head, however, acts in the first drive direction not sucking on the second reservoir, he runs, for example, empty.

By changing the drive direction in the second drive direction of the common drive of the second pump head acts suction on the connected second reservoir, being metered from the second reservoir. The first pump head, however, acts in the second drive direction not sucking on the first reservoir, he runs, for example, empty.

A laundry care device is understood to mean a device which is used for laundry care, such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer. In particular Under such a laundry care device is understood a household laundry care device. So a laundry care device, which is used in the context of household management, and is treated with the laundry in normal household quantities.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the first pump head and the second pump head are hydraulically connected in anti-parallel, wherein the first conveying direction corresponds to the first drive direction, and wherein the second conveying direction corresponds to the second drive direction.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the anti-parallel hydraulic circuit of the first pump head and the second pump head, an effective dosing of only one liquid substance from one of the reservoir is made possible. The common drive can operate the first pump head and the second pump head mechanically parallel, so that the first drive direction corresponds to the first feed direction and the second drive direction corresponds to the second feed direction. Due to the hydraulic anti-parallel circuit of the first pump head and the second pump head can be metered in a drive direction only from one of the reservoir.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the first pump head and the second pump head are hydraulically connected in parallel, wherein the metering comprises a reversing gear for a drive direction change, which is connected between the common drive and the second pump head, wherein the first pump head in the first drive direction of the common Drive is operable in the first conveying direction, and wherein the second pump head in the second drive direction of the common drive in the second conveying direction is operable.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the same pump heads can be used for both channels by using a reverse gear. The first pump head and the second pump head can be hydraulically connected in parallel. The first pump head is opposite to the first reservoir and the second pump head is connected to the second reservoir in the same hydraulic direction. The switched between the common drive and the second pump head reversing gear can drive direction change carry out. As a result, the first pump head can be operated in the first drive direction in the first drive direction of the common drive and can be metered out of the first supply reservoir. The second pump head can be operated in the second drive direction in the second drive direction of the common drive and can be metered out of the second supply reservoir. By using the reverse gear can be metered in a drive direction of the common drive only from one of the reservoir in a hydraulically parallel circuit of the first pump head and the second pump head.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the common drive comprises a drive motor, wherein the drive motor is designed to drive the first pump head and the second pump head, and wherein the drive motor in particular comprises an electric motor.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective drive of the first pump head and the second pump head is ensured by the drive motor. The drive motor may in particular comprise an electric motor, e.g. a BLDC motor, and be electrically switchable in the drive direction. The drive motor is part of the common drive of the metering system and is brought into contact with the pumping device of the metering system so that the drive motor can effectively drive the pumping device. By a suitable downstream of the drive motor coupling can be realized a coupling between the drive direction of the drive motor and the conveying direction of the first, and the second pump head. This makes it possible to realize an effective metering of liquid substance from the first or from the second storage container with only one drive motor.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the common drive comprises a drive gear, wherein the drive gear is designed to translate a torque of the drive motor, and the dosing system comprises a coupling element, wherein the coupling element is formed, the drive gear mechanically with the first pump head and with the second Couple pump head.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective translation of the torque of the drive motor is achieved by the drive gear. The The drive motor and the drive gear are part of the common drive of the dosing system. By coupling element, it is possible to couple the drive gear with the pumping device of the dosing. Thus, an effective coupling between the drive gear and the pumping device can be realized.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the drive gear comprises a worm shaft.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that a particularly effective transmission of torque from the drive motor to the pumping device can be realized by the formation of the drive gear as a worm shaft. In a worm shaft with only one right- or left-handed thread run on the same side of the worm shaft juxtaposed drive wheels under the condition that the pump heads point in the same direction, the same direction. In order to obtain a direction of rotation selective pumping direction, the two pump heads must be symmetrical to each other, i. There are two different pump heads. In this configuration, with drive wheels mounted on the same side of the worm shaft and a pumping head having the same direction of rotation, two variants can be used. In the first variant, a simple screw shaft with only one right- or left-handed thread is used, wherein the mating of the pump heads is made possible by lying on different sides of the screw drive wheels. In the second variant, a zoned worm shaft is used, wherein the worm shaft has a left-hand thread in the first zone and a right-hand thread in the second zone, or has a right-hand thread in the first zone and a left-hand thread in the second zone. In the second variant, the first pump head and the second pump head are arranged side by side on the same side of the worm shaft, and thus the first pump head and the second pump head can be made the same, which is an advantage in terms of the simple design and manufacturing cost of the pump device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the first pump head is designed to pump the first liquid substance with a first volume flow, and the second pump head is formed, the second liquid substance with a second Volume flow to pump, wherein the first and second volume flow is viscosity-dependent, and wherein the first volume flow and the second volume flow is greater than the volume flow when pumping air.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the supply of air into the reservoir is prevented by the viscosity-selective volume flow of the pumping device.

If pumpheads include non-elastic components, leaks may occur. When conveying fluids, e.g. liquid substances, the fluid is continuously pushed back during the pumping by the back pressure generated during pumping at the output of the pump heads by the leaks in the pump heads, the pump power is reduced accordingly. Since viscous liquid substances having a high viscosity are used in laundry care appliances, the pressure which can be generated when conveying the viscous liquid substances is sufficient to allow efficient pumping of the liquid substance from the storage containers.

However, the viscosity of the sucked air is smaller by several orders of magnitude than the viscosity of the viscous liquid substances. When pumping air through the pumpheads, the pressure that can be generated when conveying air is not sufficient to supply air to the reservoirs, with the pump running idle without any delivery. This is particularly advantageous in oxygen-sensitive liquid substances or to counteract the drying out of the liquid substances in the storage containers.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the pumping device comprises a check valve or a float valve in order to reduce a backflow of liquid from the first storage container or second storage container.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that a hydraulic rectification of the pumping device can be ensured by the check valve. Depending on the direction of rotation, the pump delivers fluid or air. A float valve can distinguish between these two media by the difference in density, which is also referred to as buoyancy. In the case of fluid, the valve closing body floats and releases the pipe; in the case of air it sinks and locks the pipe. Thus, at one Float valve the effective direction and the switching direction identical to the check valve. A float valve would allow the level in the pumphead to sink back to tank level with respect to the check valve after dosing. When equipped with valves pumping devices targeted leakage of the pump heads is necessary. Further, by the check valve or the float valve when switching off the pumping device and a pressure drop in the first or second substance line, the return flow from the first or second reservoir can be reduced. In particular, the check valve or the float valve is attached to the first, or to the second substance line, and is designed such that, when the pump heads are reversed, the first and second substance lines are closed in order to reduce the return of liquid substance in the substance line ,

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the dosing system comprises a first dispensing element for dispensing the first liquid substance from the first storage container to the laundry care device, and the dispensing system comprises a second dispensing element for dispensing the second liquid substance from the second storage container to the laundry care device, wherein the first Delivery element is disposed above the first reservoir, and wherein the second discharge element is disposed above the second reservoir.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the first, or the second dispensing element is always arranged higher than the liquid level of the liquid substance in the storage containers. As a result, an uncontrolled reflux of liquid substance from the first or from the second reservoir is prevented when the first and second pump heads are switched off. In particular, in the presence of leaks in the first pump head and in the second pump head, such an arrangement is advantageous to prevent unwanted leakage of the reservoir.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the first pump head and the second pump head comprise a rotary piston pump, such as a gear pump, an eccentric screw pump, a scroll compressor or a Rotary vane pump, or a screw pump or a peristaltic pump, and in particular an eccentric screw pump.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an efficient pumping of liquid substance from the first and second reservoir is made possible by said pump heads. Preference is given to pump heads with less moving components, compact and space-saving design, which can be advantageously integrated in the metering system.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the first pump head or the second pump head is designed in each case as an eccentric screw pump, wherein the respective eccentric screw pump comprises a rotor element and a stator, and wherein the rotor element is rotatably mounted in the stator.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the use of an eccentric screw pump is particularly advantageous since eccentric screw pumps are simple and inexpensive to manufacture. An eccentric screw pump comprises a rotating part, the rotor element, and a fixed part, the stator, in which the rotor element rotates.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the first pump head or the second pump head is designed in each case as a submersible pump.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that an efficient pumping of liquid substance from the first and second reservoir is made possible by the submersible pump.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care apparatus, the first pump head is connected to the first reservoir by a first substance line, the second pump head is connected to the second reservoir by a second substance line, wherein the first and the second pump head form a peristaltic pump, wherein the peristaltic pump having a rotor comprises at least two pressure rollers, wherein at least one pressure roller with the first substance line and at least one pressure roller is in contact with the second substance line.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective pumping of liquid substance or air through the substance lines is ensured by the hose pump. A peristaltic pump comprises a rotor with pressure rollers, which are in contact with the substance lines. The pressure rollers press here against the substance lines, thereby deforming the substance lines and cause a Abklemmstelle, which moves along the substance lines, thereby driving the liquid substance, or the air in the substance lines. The first and second pump heads form the peristaltic pump. This is achieved by passing the first substance line on one side of the rotor and the second substance line on the other side of the rotor. At least one pressure roller of the rotor is in each case in contact with one of the substance lines, so that there is always a pinch point in the first and in the second substance line, which prevents liquid substance from flowing back into the substance lines. In the case of a circular movement of the rotor, the clamping point in the first and the pinch point in the second substance line is moved in a different direction by the respective pressure rollers so that liquid substance or air is conveyed through the first and second fluid lines in opposite directions of conveyance becomes. By switching the rotational direction of the rotor, the conveying direction in the first and second substance line can be changed. The rotor preferably comprises three, four or five contact rollers.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance comprises at least one fill level sensor for detecting a fill level of the first liquid substance in the first storage container and for detecting a fill level of the second liquid substance in the second storage container.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective detection of the levels of the liquid substances in the storage containers is ensured by the level sensor. In particular, the fill level sensor is arranged on the laundry care device and is designed to detect liquid substance emerging from the metering system, for example by a light barrier. The first and the second pump head pump in a known riser cross section in each case in a known relationship between the total rotation angle to the volume delivered, in particular proportional, ie volume per height, an amount proportional to the total rotation angle. The pump head pumps a quantity proportional to the total angle of rotation. When starting the pumping device first fill the riser. From the known riser cross-section, ie its cross-section as a function of the rise height, and the angle of rotation until the appearance of the fluid at the output can be closed to the start level in the riser. If the rotation angle of the pump head is proportional to the time, with a constant speed of the pump is preferred, or the course of the rotation angle over time is known, can be concluded by a time measurement to the start level in the riser. Since the level in the riser, or in the pump heads some time after the last dosing match by the leaks in the pump heads, thus, after the Angleichzeit the level a conclusion on the level in the reservoir is possible. Thus, by detecting the time interval between the beginning of the pumping operation and the beginning of the leakage of the liquid substance from the metering system on the level of the liquid substance in the first, and in the second reservoir, close.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the laundry care device comprises a shaft with an induction bowl, and the metering system comprises a metering device, wherein the Einspülschale is adapted to receive the metering device.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective recording of the metering device is ensured by the laundry care device through the dispenser.

Further embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Wäschepflegegeräts;
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Dosiersystems;
• Fig. 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Dosiersystems;
• Fig. 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Dosiersystems mit Umkehrgetriebe;
• Fig. 5 eine schematische Darstellung einer Schlauchpumpe; und
• Fig. 6 eine schematische Darstellung einer Schneckenwelle in Kontakt mit einem ersten und mit einem zweiten Pumpenkopf.

Show it:

• Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a laundry care device;
• Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a dosing system;
• Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a dosing system;
• Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a metering system with reverse gear;
• Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a peristaltic pump; and
• Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a worm shaft in contact with a first and a second pump head.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a washing machine representative of a general laundry care device 100. The laundry care device 100 comprises a shaft 101 with a dispenser tray, in the detergent or other liquid substances can be filled. The laundry care appliance 100 comprises a door 103 for loading the laundry care appliance 100 with laundry.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a dosing system. The metering system 105 comprises a metering device 111 with a first storage container 107 for providing a first liquid substance and a second storage container 109 for providing a second liquid substance. The first and second liquid substances may be selected from the group consisting of detergent, detergent, disinfectant, fabric softener and bleach. The metering device 111 is inserted into the induction bowl in the shaft 101 of the laundry care device 100.

The metering device 111 further comprises a pump device 112 having a first pump head 113 and a second pump head 115. The first pump head 113 is connected to the first reservoir 107 by a first substance line 117. The second pump head 115 is connected to the second reservoir 109 through a second substance line 119. The first pump head 113 is connected to a first discharge element 121 through a first discharge line 123. The second pump head 115 is connected to a second delivery member 125 through a second delivery conduit 127.

The dosing system 105 further comprises a common drive 129, which comprises a drive motor 131 and a drive gear 133. The dosing system 105 comprises Furthermore, a coupling element 135, which is arranged between the common drive 129 and the metering device 111, and which is designed to mechanically connect the common drive 129 with the metering device 111.

In the present case, the drive motor 131 of the common drive 129 moves in a first drive direction 137, wherein the torque is passed through the drive gear 133 and the coupling member 135 to the pumping means 112 of the metering device 111, whereby the first pump head 113 and the second pump head 115 in a first conveying direction to be moved.

In the first conveying direction, the first pump head 113 pumps the first liquid substance from the first storage container 107 through the first substance line 117 and through the first discharge line 123 to the first delivery element 121. If the metering device 111 is located in the dispensing bowl of the laundry care device 100, this can the first liquid substance is delivered to the laundry care device 100.

In the first conveying direction, the second pump head 115 sucks in air through the second discharge member 125 and the second discharge pipe 127, and guides the air, e.g. through the second substance line 119 to the second reservoir 109 to or the second pump head 115 runs empty. The air may be introduced into the second liquid substance in the second reservoir 109.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a dosing according to Fig. 2 , The metering system 105 comprises a metering device 111 with a first storage container 107, a second storage container 109 and lines, and a pumping device 112 with a first pump head 113 and a second pump head 115 according to FIG Fig. 2 , The dosing system 105 comprises a common drive 129 according to the Fig. 2 ,

In the present case, the drive motor 131 of the common drive 129 moves in a second drive direction 139, wherein the torque is passed through the drive gear 133 and the coupling element 135 to the pumping device 112, whereby the first pump head 113 and the second pump head 115 in a second conveying direction to be moved.

In the second conveying direction, the first pump head 113 sucks air through the first discharge member 121 and through the first discharge pipe 123, and guides the air, e.g. through the first substance line 117 to the first reservoir 107, and the first pump head 113 runs empty. In the second conveying direction, the second pump head 115 pumps the second liquid substance from the second storage container 109 through the second substance line 119 and through the second discharge line 127 to the second delivery element 125. When the metering device 111 is in the dispensing bowl of the laundry care device 100, it can the second liquid substance is delivered to the laundry care device 100.

The drive motor 131, e.g. Electric motor, such as BLDC motor can be easily electrically switch in the drive direction 137, 139, which also changes the conveying direction of the pumping device 112 ,. The first pump head 113 and the second pump head 115 are mechanically connected in parallel, i. they are driven by a single common drive 129. The first and second pump heads 113, 115 are hydraulically connected in anti-parallel. In a conveying direction acts a pump head 113, 115, sucking on the connected storage container 107, 109, from this reservoir 107, 109 is metered. The other pump head 113, 115 simultaneously runs in the opposite direction, i. it is e.g. Air sucked from the outside of the laundry care device 100, or the other pump head 113, 115 runs empty. Using a suitable mechanical or hydraulic rectification connected downstream of the common drive 129, the pumping device 112 can be selectively used for dosing with only one motor.

In order to prevent the introduction of air into the storage containers 107, 109, alternatively, leaks in the first pump head 113 and the second pump head 115 can advantageously be utilized. Through the use of non-elastic components in conventional pumping devices 112 minimal leaks occur, wherein the fluid is continuously pushed back during pumping by the pumping back pressure generated at the pump outlet by the leaks in the pump and the pump power is reduced accordingly. Since 100 high viscous liquid substances are used with a high viscosity in laundry care equipment, the pressure that can be generated when conveying the viscous liquid Substances sufficient to allow effective pumping of the liquid substance from the storage containers 107, 109.

However, the viscosity of the sucked air is smaller by several orders of magnitude than the viscosity of the viscous liquid substances. When pumping air through the pumping device 112, the pressure that can be generated when conveying air is not sufficient to supply air to the reservoirs 107, 109, with the pump running idle without conveying anything. This is particularly advantageous in the case of oxygen-sensitive liquid substances or to counteract the drying out of the liquid substances in the storage containers 107, 109.

When using minimally leaking pumping means 112, the first and second delivery members 121, 125 may be disposed above the first and second storage containers 107, 109, respectively, to prevent undesirable leakage of the storage containers 107, 109 upon a pressure drop.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a dosing according to Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 with a reverse gear. The metering system 105 comprises a metering device 111 with a first storage container 107, a second storage container 109, a first substance line 117, a second substance line 119, a first delivery element 121, a first delivery line 123, a second delivery element 125, a second delivery line 127 and a pumping device 112 with a first pump head 113 and a second pump head 115. In the pumping device 112, the first pump head 113 and the second pump head 115 are hydraulically connected in parallel. The dosing system 105 comprises a common drive 129 accordingly Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 ,

The metering device 111 further includes a reverse gear 140, which is connected between the common drive 129 and the second pump head 115, wherein the reverse gear 140 is formed to perform a drive direction change.

The common drive 129 may drive the pumping device 112 in a first drive direction 137 or in a second drive direction 139, wherein the Reverse gear 140 performs a drive direction change for the second pump head 115.

The first conveying direction corresponds to the first drive direction 137 of the common drive 129. In the first conveying direction, the first pump head 113 pumps the first liquid substance from the first storage container 107 through the first substance line 117 and through the first discharge line 123 to the first delivery element 121 Reversing the drive direction by the reverse gear 140 sucks the second pump head 115 in the first drive direction 137 of the common drive 129 air through the second delivery element 125 or runs the second pump head 115 empty.

When the common drive 129 is operated in a second drive direction 139, the first pump head 113 in the second drive direction 139 of the common drive 129 sucks air through the first delivery element 121 or the first pump head 113 runs empty. By reversing the drive direction through the reverse gear 140, the second pump head 115 pumps the second liquid substance from the second reservoir 109 through the second substance line 119 and through the second discharge line 127 to the second discharge element 125 in the second conveying direction.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a peristaltic pump. In the peristaltic pump 141, the first and second pump heads 113, 115 are combined in one component. The peristaltic pump 141 comprises a rotor 143 with three pressure rollers 145, wherein at least one pressure roller 145 is in contact with the first substance line 117 and at least one pressure roller 145 is in contact with the second substance line 119.

By a rotation of the rotor 143 in a first direction of rotation 147 liquid substance or fluid from the first reservoir 107 is pumped in a first conveying direction 149 through the first substance line 117. At the same time, in the first conveying direction 149, air is sucked in from the environment of the laundry care appliance 100 through the second substance line 119 and supplied to the second storage container 109.

By a rotation of the rotor 143 in a second direction of rotation 151 in the second conveying direction 153 air from the environment of the laundry care device 100 through the first Suction line 117 and fed to the first reservoir 107. At the same time, in the second conveying direction 153, liquid substance or fluid is pumped out of the second reservoir 109 in the second conveying direction 153 through the second substance line 119.

Alternatively, a peristaltic pump 141 may also include a first peristaltic pump unit in exclusive contact with the first substance line 117, and another peristaltic pump unit in exclusive contact with the second substance line 119, wherein the first and second peristaltic pump units are stacked. By using a peristaltic pump 141 with a peristaltic pump unit with respect to a peristaltic pump 141 with two peristaltic pump units, the advantage of higher compactness can be achieved.

It can be used as an alternative to a peristaltic pump 141 pumps that make do with as few moving components are compact and can be advantageously integrated into the dosing system 105, such. a rotary pump, such as a gear pump, an eccentric screw pump, a scroll compressor or a rotary vane pump, or a screw pump or a hose pump 141, and in particular an eccentric screw pump.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a worm shaft with a first and a second pump head. The drive motor 131 drives a drive gear 133, which is formed as a worm shaft and is in contact with the drive wheel of the first pump head 113 and with the drive wheel of the second pump head 115. The first reservoir 107 and the second reservoir 109 of the dosing system 105 are in Fig. 5 shown. The drive motor 131 and the drive gear 133, in particular the worm shaft, are designed to drive the first pump head 113 and the second pump head 115 in a first direction of rotation 147. By changing the drive direction 137, 139 of the drive gear 133, in particular the worm shaft, the first pump head 113 and the second pump head 115 can be driven in a second direction of rotation 151.

When using the same pump heads 113, 115, the first and second pump heads 113, 115 run against each other, while when using different pump heads 113, 115, such as e.g. mirror-image shaped pump heads 113, 115, concurrent pumping devices 112 are made possible with different flow directions. Thus, driving the first and second pump heads 113, 115 through a worm shaft is advantageous.

It is a simple cost-effective and space-saving solution of a dosing system 105 for two liquid substances with possibility of selecting one of the reservoir 107, 109 by selecting the direction of rotation of the drive motor 131 allows. By using two independent pump heads 113, 115, there is no cross-contamination of the liquid substances in the reservoirs 107, 109. Only a drive motor 131 with a drive gear 133 is required.

All of the features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention may be provided in different combinations in the article according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features illustrated in the specification or shown in the drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

Laundry care device

101

shaft

103

door

105

dosing

107

First storage tank

109

Second reservoir

111

metering

112

pumping device

113

First pump head

115

Second pump head

117

First substance line

119

Second substance line

121

First delivery element

123

First delivery line

125

Second delivery element

127

Second delivery line

129

Joint drive

131

drive motor

133

drive gear

135

coupling member

137

First drive direction

139

Second drive direction

140

reverse gear

141

peristaltic pump

143

rotor

145

pressure roller

147

First direction of rotation of the pump

149

First funding direction

151

Second direction of rotation of the pump

153

Second conveying direction

Claims (15)

1. Laundry care appliance (100) with a metering system (105) for metering a first liquid substance and a second liquid substance, wherein the metering system (105) comprises a first storage container (107) for supplying the first liquid substance, a second storage container (109) for supplying the second liquid substance, and a pump facility (112) with a first pump head (113) and a second pump head (115), characterised in that
   the metering system (105) comprises a common drive (129) for driving the first pump head (113) and the second pump head (115), wherein the common drive (129) is able to be driven in a first drive direction (137) and a second drive direction (139),
   the first pump head (113) is configured in the first drive direction (137) of the common drive (129) to convey the first liquid substance from the first storage container (107) in a first conveying direction (149) and
   the second pump head (115) is configured in the second drive direction (139) of the common drive (129) to convey the second liquid substance from the second storage container (109) in a second conveying direction (153),
   wherein the first pump head (113) is reversible and wherein the second pump head (115) is reversible.
2. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first pump head (113) and the second pump head (115) are connected hydraulically in an antiparallel manner, the first conveying direction (149) corresponds to the first drive direction (137) and the second conveying direction (153) corresponds to the second drive direction (139).
3. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first pump head (113) and the second pump head (115) are connected hydraulically in a parallel manner and the metering system (105) comprises a reversing transmission (140) for a drive direction change, which is connected between the common drive (129) and the second pump head (115), so that the first pump head (113) can be operated in the first conveying direction (149) in the first drive direction (137) of the common drive (129) and the second pump head (115) can be operated in the second conveying direction (153) in the second drive direction (139) of the common drive (129).
4. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the common drive (129) comprises a drive motor (131), wherein the drive motor (131) is configured to drive the first pump head (113) and the second pump head (115) and the drive motor (131) in particular comprises an electric motor.
5. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the common drive (129) comprises a drive transmission (133), wherein the drive transmission (133) is configured to transmit a torque of the drive motor (131), and the metering system (105) comprises a coupling element (135), wherein the coupling element (135) is configured to couple the drive transmission (133) mechanically to the first pump head (113) and the second pump head (115).
6. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 5, characterised in that the drive transmission (133) comprises a worm shaft.
7. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first pump head (113) is configured to pump the first liquid substance with a first volumetric flow rate, the second pump head (115) is configured to pump the second liquid substance with a second volumetric flow rate, wherein the first or second volumetric flow rate is a function of viscosity and the first volumetric flow rate and the second volumetric flow rate is greater than the volumetric flow rate when pumping air.
8. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 7, characterised in that the pump facility (112) comprises a non-return valve or float valve to reduce a return flow of liquid from the first storage container (107) or second storage container (109).
9. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metering system (105) comprises a first dispenser element (121) for dispensing the first liquid substance to the laundry care appliance (100) from the first storage container (107) and the metering system (105) comprises a second dispenser element (125) for dispensing the second liquid substance to the laundry care appliance (100) from the second storage container (109), wherein the first dispenser element (121) is arranged above the first storage container (107) and the second dispenser element (125) is arranged above the second storage container (109).
10. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first pump head (113) and the second pump head (115) comprise a rotary piston pump, for example a gear wheel pump, an eccentric screw pump, a scroll compressor or rotary vane pump, or a diagonal flow pump or a hose pump (141), and in particular an eccentric screw pump.
11. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 10, characterised in that the first pump head (113) or the second pump head (115) is configured respectively as an eccentric screw pump and the respective eccentric screw pump comprises a rotor element and a stator, wherein the rotor element is supported so that it can rotate in the stator.
12. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first pump head (113) or the second pump head (115) is configured respectively as a submersible pump.
13. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the first pump head (113) is connected to the first storage container (107) by a first substance line (117), the second pump head (115) is connected to the second storage container (109) by a second substance line (119), the first and second pump heads (113, 115) form a hose pump (141), wherein the hose pump (141) comprises a rotor (143) with at least two pressure rollers (145), wherein at least one pressure roller (145) is in contact with the first substance line (117) and at least one pressure roller (145) is in contact with the second substance line (119).
14. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) comprises at least one fill level sensor for detecting a fill level of the first liquid substance in the first storage container (107) and for detecting a fill level of the second liquid substance in the second storage container (109).
15. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) comprises a shaft (101) with a detergent tray and the metering system (105) comprises a metering facility (111), wherein the detergent tray is configured to hold the metering facility (111).

Images