Detergent dosing box of a washing machine

Abstract

 A dosing box of liquid and powder detergents for a washing machine, preferably of a household washing machine, consisting of a housing (1) adapted to suit any washing machine and of a box (2) within it, whereas at the rear wall (7) of the housing (1) there is an adequate hose (8) running parallel to the guides (4) of the box (2) through the interior of the housing (1) and towards its front edge (9) and that for the opening and closing of the box (2) there is an electric motor drive (3) positioned on the rear wall (7) of the housing (1) and a rack (11) positioned within the hose (8), one end of said rack being linked to the box (2) preferably with its front wall (12) whereas simultaneously engaging with the electric motor drive (3) actuated by an optional key (17) positioned on the front panel of the washing machine.

Description

Subject of Invention

[0001] The subject of the invention is a dosing box for liquid and powder detergents of a washing machine, preferably of a household washing machine.

Technical Problem

[0002] The technical problem solved by the invention is how to conceive such dosing box, which could be opened and closed directly by a mechanism activated by a knob, whereby the speed of opening and closing will not be impulsive in order to prevent especially a liquid detergent from spilling over and safe closing of the box will be ascertained in case of resistance in closing, e.g. due to fingers of a hand, which may be in the box during closing. Such solution should also make a buyer consider the machine to be technically perfect.

Prior Art

[0003] We know a mechanism for "non-manual" opening of the detergent box, conceived with a spring that is tensioned in manual closing. When we want to open the box, we push a special knob to release the pretensioned spring, which opens the box. A disadvantage of this embodiment is impulsive opening, which is not welcome by users. Moreover, the box does not automatically close and such solution does not seem perfect.

Solution to the Technical Problem

[0004] The described technical problem is solved by the box of the invention, the essential characteristic of which lies in that the box is connected to an electric motor drive via a rack, whereby the electric motor drive is controlled manually by pushing a special knob for the opening and closing of the box and moreover, the closing of the box is electronically controlled so that closing of the box stops and opening begins if any obstacle is sensed, for instance fingers of a user or anybody else, a child for instance. The detergent cannot come in contact with the driving assembly for the opening and closing of the box without damaging the function of conveying the detergent into the drum in compliance with the washing programme.

[0005] The essence of the invention will now be described in more detail by a description of an embodiment and the enclosed drawing, in which

[0006] Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the box of the invention.

[0007] A dosing box of liquid and powder detergents for a washing machine, preferably of a household washing machine, consists of a housing 1 adapted to suit any washing machine not shown on the figure, of a box 2 and of an electric motor drive 3 for opening and closing of the box 2.

[0008] The housing 1 has optional known guides 4 for the box 2 and an opening 6 at the bottom 5 for the discharge of water with the detergent. At the rear wall 7 of the housing 1 there is an adequate hose 8 running parallel with the guides 4 of the box 2 through the interior of the housing 1 and towards its front edge 9.

[0009] On the guides in the housing 1 there is an optional box 2 for detergents, whereby said box is intended for detergents in at least one compartment, preferably two or three, for the controlled intake of said detergents through the opening 6 into the drum.

[0010] The box 2 is preferably positioned above the hose 8 within the housing 1.

[0011] At the rear wall 7 of the housing 1 there is an optional electric drive 3 governing a rack 11 axially, said rack 11 being positioned within the hose 8 and connected with one end with the box 2, preferably with its front side 12. The connection of the box 2 and the rack 11 is implemented by an optional linking element 13 allowing a manual assembly and disassembly of the box 2 and the rack 11, e.g. when the box 2 is to be cleaned.

[0012] The opposite end of the rack 11 freely protrudes backwards outside the housing 1 and is equipped with an element 14 preventing the rack 11 from being taken out from the engagement with the electric motor drive 3. The length of the rack 11 is such that its axial movement via the electric motor drive 3 determines the stroke of opening and closing of the box 2.

[0013] On the front wall 12 of the box 2 a faceplate 15 may be optionally positioned, which also aesthetically covers the opening for the box 2 in the housing 1, so that the visible appearance of the front part of the box 2 is congruent with the appearance of the front panel of the washing machine.

[0014] The electric motor drive 3 is conceived in an optional way, its control is also optional. The opening and closing of the box 2 is preferably conceived in a way that it is actuated by a key 16 on the front panel 17 of the washing machine.

[0015] It is understood that a man skilled in the art can conceive other embodiments not described in the above description by knowing the present description, especially in the sense of industrial design, without circumventing the characteristics of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dosing box of liquid and powder detergents for a washing machine, preferably of a household washing machine, consisting of a housing (1) adapted to suit any washing machine, and of a box (2) within it, whereby the housing (1) has optional known guides (4) for the box (2) and an opening (6) at the bottom (5) for the discharge of water with the detergent, characterised in that at the rear wall (7) of the housing (1) there is an adequate hose (8) running parallel to the guides (4) of the box (2) through the interior of the housing (1) and towards its front edge (9) and that for the opening and closing of the box (2) there is an electric motor drive (3) positioned on the rear wall (7) of the housing (1) and a rack (11) positioned within the hose (8), one end of said rack being linked to the box (2) preferably with its front wall (12) whereas simultaneously engaging with the electric motor drive (3) actuated by a key (16) positioned on the front panel (17) of the washing machine.

2. A dosing box as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the connection of the box (2) and the rack (11) is implemented by a linking element (13) allowing a manual assembly and disassembly of the box (2) and the rack (11).

3. A dosing box as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the rear end of the rack (11) freely protrudes backwards outside the housing (1) or the electric motor drive (3) and is equipped with an element (14) preventing the rack (11) from being taken out from the engagement with the electric motor drive (3).

4. A dosing box as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the length of the rack (11) is such that its axial movement via the electric motor drive (3) determines the stroke of opening and closing of the box (2).

5. A dosing box as claimed in claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a faceplate (15) may be optionally positioned on the front wall (12) of the box (2), said faceplate also aesthetically covering the opening for the box (2) in the housing (1).

6. A dosing box as claimed in claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the box (2) runs preferably above the hose (8) within the housing (1).

Drawing