Dosing unit, water-bearing household appliance and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing unit (18, 118, 218) for an automatic dosing system of a water-bearing household appliance, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine, configured for dosing at least one of a plurality of detergent tablets stored in a storage cartridge (30, 130, 230), comprising a dosing device (20, 120, 220) configured for picking the at least one detergent tablet from the plurality and releasing the at least one detergent tablet by temporarily switching by a predefined switching mechanism from a closed state to a release state, wherein the dosing device (20, 120, 220) comprises a safety portion (24, 124, 224) for preventing an unwanted switching. Moreover also a water-bearing household appliance comprising the dosing unit and a method of dosing is disclosed.

1 . A dosing unit for an automatic dosing system of a water-bearing household appliance configured for dosing at least one of a plurality of detergent tablets stored in a storage cartridge, the dosing unit comprising:
 a dosing device configured for picking the at least one detergent tablet from the plurality and releasing the at least one detergent tablet by temporarily switching by a predefined switching mechanism from a closed state to a release state,   wherein the dosing device comprises a safety portion for preventing an unwanted switching.   
     
     
         2 . The dosing unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the safety portion is configured such that a force for switching the dosing device from the closed state to the release state by using the predefined switching mechanism is applicable by a specific tool. 
     
     
         3 . The dosing unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the dosing device comprises a plug which is configured to be moved from a first position, in which the dosing device is in the closed state, to a second position, in which the dosing device is in the release state, by turning the plug about a turning axis, wherein the safety portion comprises an engagement section on a surface of the plug for engagement with the specific tool for exerting a torque for turning the plug. 
     
     
         4 . The dosing unit according to  claim 3 , wherein the engagement section comprises a spiral indent and the specific tool comprises a corresponding spiral projection. 
     
     
         5 . The dosing unit according to  claim 1 , to wherein the dosing device comprises a buckler which is configured to be moved from a first position, in which the dosing device is in the closed state, to a second position, in which the dosing device is in the release state, by laterally dislocating the buckler in a pulling direction, wherein the safety portion is embodied as a surface of the buckler that is facing away from the storage cartridge having a surface normal including an angle to the pulling direction of maximally 60°. 
     
     
         6 . The dosing unit according to  claim 5 , wherein the buckler comprises a conical formed surface. 
     
     
         7 . The dosing unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the safety portion includes a surface having a low coefficient of friction with respect to metal, wood, organic substances and plastics. 
     
     
         8 . The dosing unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the safety portion is configured to lock the dosing device in the closed state. 
     
     
         9 . The dosing unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the safety portion comprises a mechanical restraint device. 
     
     
         10 . A method for using a dosing unit for dosing at least one of a plurality of detergent tablets provided by the dosing unit, comprising:
 engaging a driving portion of a driving unit with a dosing device of the dosing unit; and   switching the dosing device from a closed state to a release state by using a predefined switching mechanism by the driving unit.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein a specific tool is employed in the switching step. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising unlocking a safety portion of the dosing device for preventing an unwanted switching. 
     
     
         13 . A water-bearing household appliance comprising an automatic dosing system for automatically dosing at least one detergent tablet provided by a dosing unit according to  claim 1 , the automatic dosing system comprising a receiving portion configured to removably receive the dosing unit and a driving unit configured for switching the dosing device from the closed state to the release state by using the predefined switching mechanism for dosing the detergent tablet. 
     
     
         14 . A method for operating a water-bearing household appliance comprising an automatic dosing system for automatically dosing at least one detergent tablet provided by a dosing unit into washing liquor for washing articles, comprising:
 installing the dosing unit in the automatic dosing system;   engaging a driving portion of a driving unit with a dosing device of the dosing unit; and   switching the dosing device from a closed state to a release state by using a predefined switching mechanism by the driving unit.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein a specific tool is employed in the switching step, in particular for unlocking a safety portion of the dosing device for preventing an unwanted switching.