DE102022126804A1 - Connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates, among other things, to a connection device (10) for achieving a detachable, mechanical, in particular fluid-tight connection of a metering device (16) to a head region (32) of a container (11) containing a medium (12) to be metered, which is in particular in the manner of a Overhead container (29) is formed, and which is provided in particular by a flexible bag (30), wherein the connecting device (10) comprises a receiving section (13) for receiving the medium (12), which is in the connected state of the container (11) and Connection device (10) is arranged immediately downstream of the head region (32) of the container (11) or immediately adjacent to the head region (32) of the container (11). A special feature of the invention is, among other things, that at least one heating element (21) and at least one temperature sensor (22) which can be connected or connected to a measuring device (23) are arranged on the connecting device (10), with the aid of the measuring device (23). a measured value output by the temperature sensor (22)i) information about the conveyance of the medium (12) through the connection device (10) can be determined and/orii) information about the presence of medium (12) in the receiving section (32) can be determined.

Description

The invention initially relates to a connection device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The applicants have been developing and selling connecting devices of the generic type for dosing devices for many decades through their affiliated companies Herbert Saier GmbH and Saier Dosiertechnik GmbH. With regard to metering devices of the prior art, reference is made, for example, to the publications DE 10 2016 102 829 A1 , DE 10 2017 114 767 A1 , DE 10 2017 103 168 A1 , DE10 2016 125 928 A1 , DE 10 2017 114 665 A1 , DE 10 2018 113 644 A1 , DE 10 2011 119 021 A1 , DE 10 2011 122 921 A1 , DE 10 2012 012 913 A1 , DE 10 2014 002 560 A1 , DE 10 2014 010 126 A1 , EP 2 966 299 A1 , DE 10 2015 110 862 A1 , EP 3 115 498 A1 , DE 10 2015 107 105 A1 , EP 3 091 114 A1 and DE 10 2015 107 976 A1 , all of which go back to the applicants.

Connection devices of the known type serve as a kind of docking point for special containers or containers. On the one hand, so-called overhead containers are known, which consist of a tube-like, flexible bag, which can be inserted with its head area upside down into a holder, for example in a funnel-shaped holder, of the dosing device. The connection device of the prior art is used to create a mechanical, in particular a fluid-tight, connection. When assembled, the container is arranged overhead. The head area of the container, which can have a screw thread, for example, is oriented downwards so that the container can be completely emptied in a simple manner.

Furthermore, connection devices of the generic type have become known in the prior art for tubular containers, or containers in the manner of a bag in which a suction pipe is permanently arranged.

Here too, the connection device of the prior art encompasses sections at the head area of the container and connects the metering device to a head section of the suction pipe which is permanently arranged in the container.

The dosing device can use a pump to suck a liquid medium out of the container if necessary and in the desired amount, and to a target container, e.g. B. a washing machine or a dishwasher.

A non-assignable connection device from the prior art has become known, with which an empty level in the container is to be determined. A pressure sensor is arranged here in the area of the connection device. When the container is completely emptied, the pressure sensor should respond and signal the dosing device that the container is empty. This pressure sensor does not work satisfactorily and often responds too late.

Starting from the connection device described at the beginning, which cannot be documented in print, with the features of the preamble of claim 1, the object of the invention is to provide a connection device which enables improved implementation of dosing processes.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 1.

• Eine Anschlussvorrichtung der erfindungsgemäßen Art dient zur Bewerkstelligung einer Verbindung einer Dosiereinrichtung mit einem Kopfbereich eines Behältnisses. Die Dosiereinrichtung kann insbesondere unter Zuhilfenahme eines Schlauches oder einer Schlauchleitung mit dem Behältnis verbunden werden. Das Behältnis kann insbesondere von einem Beutel, insbesondere einem flexiblen Beutel, der auch als Schlauchbeutel bezeichnet wird, bereitgestellt werden.

The principle of the invention is explained as follows:

• A connection device of the type according to the invention is used to establish a connection between a metering device and a head region of a container. The dosing device can be connected to the container in particular with the aid of a hose or a hose line. The container can in particular be provided by a bag, in particular a flexible bag, which is also referred to as a tubular bag.

The container has a head area which, in particular, comprises material areas which are stable or firm, or inflexible or less flexible.

For example, the head area of the container can provide a screw container that can cooperate with a thread of a connecting device.

The head area of the container can be closed with a membrane. The membrane can be opened before or in the course of accomplishing the connection of the head area to the connection device.

In a variant of the invention, the container can be opened with the head section oriented upwards and connected to the connection device.

Only subsequently can the container be oriented upside down, i.e. directed downwards, during operation of the dosing device, so that there is a residual emptying of the container can be ensured in a safe manner.

In another variant of the invention, the membrane of the container can be injured, for example punctured, when connecting to the connecting device. For this purpose, for example, a thorn or another body that opens the membrane can pierce or injure it and allow liquid to pass through the membrane. It can be provided that in the course of establishing a connection between the connection device and the head area of the container, a violation of the membrane is automatically achieved.

In a further variant of the invention, the connection device can comprise a valve arrangement which can allow or block fluid passage through a receiving section of the connection device. The valve change can be operated manually, for example, so that an operator can decide whether fluid passage should be permitted or prevented. The invention also includes when such a valve is opened automatically in the course of establishing a connection between the head area of the container and the connection device and is closed again when this connection is released. In this way, unintentional leakage of medium from the container can be prevented.

It should be noted that the media in the container can, for example, also contain substances that must not come into contact with the skin, eyes or other parts of the operator's body, otherwise there is a risk of health problems.

In a further variant of the invention, the container can be formed by a flexible hose or bag in which a suction tube is permanently arranged. Here, as a result of a connection between the connecting device and the head section of the container, a connection is made between the metering device and the head section of this suction pipe. During operation, the container can be oriented in such a way that the head section is at the top. When the dosing device is in operation, the foot area of the suction tube is placed at the bottom of the hose or bag in order to ensure residual emptying.

The connection device according to the invention serves in particular to provide a detachable connection. For this purpose, a coupling section can be arranged on the connection device. The coupling section can, for example, comprise a thread, in particular an internal thread, on the connecting device. This internal thread on the connecting device can, for example, cooperate with an external thread on the head area of the container.

The invention also includes if the coupling section comprises a snap connection, for example a ring snap connection, which enables the head region of the container to be releasably attached to the connection device.

The connection device according to the invention in particular comprises a coupling section which exclusively surrounds surfaces, walls or wall regions of the head section of the container on the outside. In particular, the connection device according to the invention, unlike a suction lance that is inserted into a container, does not comprise any elements - with the exception of a mandrel for piercing the membrane - which protrude into the interior of the container when connected. The connection of the connection device to the head region of the thread is also accomplished by docking or placing contact surfaces of the connection device on corresponding counter surfaces on the outer peripheral surface of the head region of the container.

The connection device can be arranged in a stationary manner. A holder can be part of the connection device or assigned to the connection device. The holder holds the container. The holder can, for example, be funnel-shaped.

The holder can be arranged stationary, in particular fixedly relative to a wall of a building space, or in particular fixedly arranged relative to the metering device.

The invention serves in particular to achieve a fluid-tight connection of the metering device to the head area of the container.

According to the invention, a receiving section is arranged immediately downstream of the head region of the container or immediately adjacent to the head region of the container. The term downstream or upstream refers to the direction of flow of the fluid when the connection device is used as intended. The recording section is used to record the medium. From there the medium is forwarded to the dosing device. The receiving section can in particular be connected directly to a connecting hose. In the event that the metering device is not being operated, the receiving section can contain present medium. When the medium is conveyed, the medium flows through the receiving section.

According to the special feature of the invention, at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor are arranged on the connection device. The heating element can be heated or heated. The temperature sensor can detect a temperature. In particular, the temperature sensor is connected or can be connected to a measuring device. The measuring device can be part of the connection device or part of the metering device. The heating element is connected, for example, to a heating control or to a power source or voltage source that provides the required operating voltage.

The temperature sensor has an impact surface which is in direct contact with the medium when medium is present in the connection device, in particular in the receiving section.

The heating element and the temperature sensor can form a structural unit. The structural unit can determine whether medium is moving through the connection device or the receiving section, i.e. whether it is being conveyed. Alternatively or additionally, the structural unit can determine whether medium is present in the connection device or in the receiving section.

This provides the possibility of sending information to the dosing device that the container is emptied as soon as possible when the medium level in the container is empty. This means, for example, that the dosing device can abort or interrupt a dosing process as early as possible, or issue a warning signal, or arrange for a reorder of medium or display an empty message.

According to a first variant of the invention, information about the conveyance of the medium through the connection device can be determined. In this variant, the heating element and the temperature sensor are designed as part of a flow measuring device, a so-called flowmeter. The measuring device can record a measured value from the temperature sensor and from this, indirectly or directly, determine information about a conveyance of medium through the connection device.

According to the first variant of the invention, as a result of the medium being conveyed through the connection device caused by operation of the pump, it can be determined that the media transport is accompanied by heat transport. This influences the temperature to be measured by the temperature sensor.

According to a second variant of the invention, information about the presence of medium in the receiving section can be determined from the measured value output by the temperature sensor. It is provided here that the heating element in combination with the temperature sensor can provide a measured value that allows a conclusion to be drawn as to whether there is a certain level of medium in the receiving section.

According to the second variant of the invention, the temperature sensor can determine whether liquid medium or air is present. This is due to the different heat capacities of a liquid on the one hand and air on the other. These different heat capacities of the surrounding area of the temperature sensor or an surrounding area of the heating element allow, for example, a conclusion to be drawn about media transport and/or the type of medium (liquid/air) and thus the determination of fill level information or empty level information.

For the purposes of the invention, information about the presence of medium in the receiving section is understood to mean, for example, information that the container is completely emptied. According to the invention, information about the presence of medium in the receiving section is also understood to mean information that provides information that the contents of the container will soon run out.

According to the second variant of the invention, at least one piece of information about the presence of medium in the receiving section can be determined with the measuring device. In variants of the invention, additional information, for example about the type of medium, can also be determined using the measuring device.

According to the invention, the connection device is intended in particular to convey a liquid from a container to a metering device. However, the connection device according to the invention can also serve to be connected directly to a pump or another conveying device which generates a suction pressure in the area of the connection device in order to suck liquid out of the container through the connection device.

According to the invention, the connection device is advantageously designed to be directly connected to a metering device, e.g. B. to be connected to an input of a metering device, in particular to a hose line of the metering device. In a variant of the invention, the connection device can also be connected directly to a pump or to an inlet of another conveying device.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the connection device comprises at least one electrical conductor, in particular for connection to the metering device. The electrical conductor runs at least partially within the connection device. The electrical conductor connects the heating element and/or the temperature sensor, for example, to an electrical connection arranged remotely from the connection device. The electrical conductor extends close to the connection device. The end of the electrical conductor, which can be arranged at a distance from the connection device, can in particular be designed as a plug connector and cooperate with a mating plug connector.

Advantageously, not only one electrical conductor is accommodated within the connection device, but rather several electrical conductors are accommodated within the connection device.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the heating element and the temperature sensor are supplied with supply voltage, so that one or more conductors are required or are advantageous. In addition, at least one electrical conductor or a pair of electrical conductors can provide a signal line, wherein information, in particular information about a media presence, can be transmitted via the signal line, in particular to the control of the metering device.

According to a further advantageous variant of the invention, a circuit board with electronic components is arranged on the connection device. In particular, components are arranged on the circuit board that enable an evaluation of a measurement that has been carried out. This makes it possible to arrange the evaluation electronics or its components completely or partially on the connection device.

According to a further advantageous variant of the invention, electrical plug connectors are assigned to the heating element and/or the temperature sensor. On the one hand, this provides the possibility of supplying the measuring device with the required supply voltage or operating voltage in a simple manner. On the other hand, data lines can be easily connected via the connectors on the connection device in order to send the information to a controller, e.g. B. to transmit to a control of a dosing device.

Finally, the connection device can also have a device with which the liquid is running low or the container is empty. Signaling can be provided, for example, as an optical or acoustic or data technology information signal.

The principle of the invention essentially consists in assigning at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor to the connection device. The heating element can apply heat energy to the medium present in the connection device, and the at least one temperature sensor can - be arranged at a distance from the heating element or adjacent to the heating element and - measure the temperature present there.

In the event that the pump is not driven and the medium, e.g. B. a cleaning agent, which is therefore in the connection device and no medium is conveyed, a specific temperature measurement value can be determined or measured depending on the control of the heating element on the temperature sensor.

The heating element can in particular be controlled continuously or in a clocked manner or on demand or when required or according to a predetermined principle or scheme.

If the pump of the metering device is activated and medium is conveyed through the connection device, and heat is transported as the medium is conveyed, the measurable temperature applied to the temperature sensor changes. A measuring device can process and evaluate this change in the temperature measurement value and from this determine information about whether the medium has been conveyed through the connection device. This information can be transmitted from the measuring device to the control unit of the dosing device. As a result of the information being transmitted to the control unit, the control unit can carry out different processing steps.

For example, the information transmitted by the measuring device can be used by the control unit to establish a reference to the type of material being funded Medium or a relationship to the delivery rate can be worked out.

This information can be provided by the control unit e.g. B. can be used to check whether the correct medium has been pumped, or to determine what quantity of medium has been pumped, or to check whether the correct quantity has been pumped by the pump.

In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that at least one heating element and at least two temperature sensors are provided. The temperature sensors are in particular arranged symmetrically to the heating element, with a first temperature sensor being arranged downstream and a second temperature sensor being arranged upstream of the heating element. When the medium is stationary in the connection device and is not moving, the heat energy introduced into the medium by the heating element is distributed evenly due to the symmetrical arrangement of the temperature sensors, assuming a symmetrical design of the fluid line in the connection device and the components involved, so that the same temperature is present on both temperature sensors or essentially the same temperature is measured. With this arrangement there is a particularly simple possibility of differential measurement, so that the temperature measurements obtained, or at least measurements that are related to the temperature, e.g. B. voltages or currents can be subtracted from each other.

Such a difference measurement is known in the prior art in other areas of application and offers particularly simple options for evaluation.

As long as the medium is stationary, i.e. the pump is not activated, and no medium is pumped through the connection device, a difference measurement determines a value of zero or almost zero, since the two values emitted by the temperature sensors correspond to one another or essentially correspond to one another.

However, as soon as the medium moves through the connection device, due to the response of the pump, and due to the medium delivery through the connection device, the temperature sensor arranged downstream of the heating element inevitably measures a different temperature than that upstream of the heating element due to the heat transport associated with the fluid flow Temperature sensor arranged on the heating element.

The difference measurement then provides meaningful values that are different from zero.

Using an analog measurement and evaluation method, information about fluid transport can also be obtained if only a single temperature sensor is provided. Here too, a changed measured value can be detected as a result of a fluid flow, based on a situation in which the medium is in the connection device.

A particular advantage of the connection device according to the invention is that the proposed measuring arrangement does not use any moving parts.

Flowmeters are known from the prior art - although not for connection devices - in which vane wheel meters or oval wheel meters are used to measure fluid flows. However, there are moving parts here that provide imprecise measured values, especially when using different media with different viscosities, and are also exposed to high mechanical stress, so that failures often occur. The connection device according to the invention is completely maintenance-free due to an arrangement of the heating element and temperature sensor.

The measuring principle according to the invention also offers the possibility of extremely short response times. The invention recognizes that, particularly when operating a dosing device that uses a hose pump and in which only small dosing quantities are conveyed, very precise and rapid measurements and, as a result, very precise determinations of delivery quantities can be achieved. The connection device according to the invention also enables a very precise and reliable determination of a type of media.

For this purpose, it can be provided in particular that the measuring device or a computer unit cooperating with it or a computer unit connected downstream thereof, or alternatively also the control unit, processes the measured values obtained, and from the signal form, e.g. B. from the signal length, or from the signal amplitude, or from the behavior of signal rising edges, or signal falling edges, or through frequency analyzes or spectral analyses, or through testing or determining periodicities, or through testing signal patterns, delay times, phase delays, etc., very precise determinations of delivery quantities, especially for different media and different viscosities, as well as very precise determinations of different types of media can be achieved.

For this purpose, the control unit of the metering device can advantageously be assigned a memory in which values for different media or values for different delivery rates or for different delivery rates of the pump are stored. The values can e.g. B. Values of different signal patterns, signal shapes, signal types, signal rising edges, or signal falling edges, periodicities, delay times, phase delays, signal amplitudes and other signal properties.

The control unit can make an assessment using the memory, e.g. B. make a comparison between the measured value and the value stored in memory, and e.g. B. based on this assessment, e.g. B. based on this comparison, e.g. B. carry out a determination or a check as to what type of medium has been conveyed and/or what quantity of a particular medium or a type of media or class of medium has been conveyed.

The connection device according to the invention is used in connection with a metering device, which serves to meter and supply media via a fluid line to at least one target device.

The target device can be provided, for example, by a commercial textile washing machine or by a commercial dishwasher. However, other target devices can also be considered, to which the same or different, possibly consecutive media must be supplied regularly or irregularly.

A target device within the meaning of the present patent application is also understood to be a device or a system for the provision and/or for the production and/or for the filling of cleaning solutions or disinfection solutions, for example of the type mentioned at the beginning DE 10 2016 102 829 A1 the applicant are described.

The invention includes connection devices for dosing devices, in which the dosing device is arranged separately from the target device, as well as connection devices in which the dosing device is designed integrally with the target device.

The dosing device is connected on the input side to at least one container that is filled with a medium. The container includes a head area that is connected to the connection device.

The dosing device can also be connected on the input side to several containers which are filled with the same medium or with different media and which are each connected via a connection device according to the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the connection device according to the invention serves to successively supply different media to a target device. For example, reference is made to the EP 2 783 142 A2 the applicant, the contents of which are hereby incorporated into the contents of the present patent application.

In one embodiment of the invention, several containers can also be connected to the connection device. According to a first variant, it can be provided that the connection device comprises a receiving section which serves to receive the media of the plurality of containers. In a further variant of the invention, the connection device can also include several receiving sections for receiving different media from different containers.

The metering device can be equipped with a so-called mixing distribution device, which is described and disclosed in the aforementioned patent application. Such a mixing distribution device can have an actuator that can be addressed by the control unit and that switches different communication paths, so that a specific one of the several containers can be connected to the target device and in this way different media can be successively fed to the target device.

At least one of the media can be designed as a rinsing agent, so that each time a medium has been conveyed, a rinsing medium can be conveyed in order to rinse the line paths.

A medium within the meaning of the present patent application is a liquid, e.g. B. highly concentrated agent, e.g. B. can be used when washing or cleaning or disinfecting objects or textiles, e.g. B. a component of a detergent, or a chemical that e.g. B. is required as part of a washing or cleaning process or disinfection process. Any materials can be considered as a medium, such as: B. in the EP2 783 142 A2 or as described in any of the other referenced publications.

The metering device has a control unit. This can be a device that has a computer unit, e.g. B. has a microprocessor. The control unit can have one or have several electronic components. It can be organized centrally or decentrally.

The control unit can e.g. B. by request from a target device, e.g. B. after pressing a program selector switch on a target device and selecting a washing or cleaning program, cause a pump to be activated. The pump can in particular be a hose pump.

When the pump responds, a predetermined amount of medium can be removed from the container and conveyed to the target device.

The invention also includes dosing devices which are connected on the output side to several target devices. In particular, a second mixing distribution device can be provided, which includes an actuator that switches the communication paths accordingly.

In particular, while carrying out a cleaning process on a target device, for example a washing process in a washing machine, it can be provided that the target device, for example the washing machine, requests different media in different quantities from the dosing device at different times as part of the washing program.

In the event that different containers are connected on the input side, the dosing device can address the actuator so that the correct communication path to the correct container is established, and then cause the pump to operate for a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of revolutions Amount of media to deliver to the target device.

With the heating element provided according to the invention and the temperature sensor, the control unit can obtain information from the measuring device about the conveyance of the medium through the connection device. The control unit can use this information, for example, to check whether the correct medium or the correct media type or class has been promoted.

The control unit can also or alternatively use the information to check whether the correct delivery rate has been delivered.

The invention also makes it possible to check whether a specific volume of medium delivered has arrived at a target device. Such a process, which is also referred to as POD (proof of delivery), can provide that a corresponding heating element and at least one temperature sensor are arranged on the input side or at least upstream of a target device, in particular of each target device, and a measuring device that provides corresponding information the control unit transmits.

Alternatively and/or additionally, this information can also be transmitted to a control device of the target device.

• DE 10 2016 102 829 A1 , DE 10 2017 114 767 A1 , DE 10 2017 103 168 A1 , DE 10 2016 125 928 A1 , DE 10 2017 114 665 A1 , DE 10 2018 113 644 A1 , DE 10 2011 119 021 A1 , DE 10 2011 122 921 A1 , DE 10 2012 012 913 A1 , DE 10 2014 002 560 A1 , DE 10 2014 010 126 A1 , EP 2 966 299 A1 , DE 10 2015 110 862 A1 , EP 3 115 498 A1 , DE 10 2015 107 105 A1 , EP 3 091 114 A1 und DE 10 2015 107 976 A1

With regard to the understanding of the invention and the interpretation of the terms used, reference is made to the applicant's other publications, the content of which is hereby included in the disclosure content of the present patent application. The technical teaching according to the present patent application can be combined with all technical teachings of the publications referred to below. These are the following publications from the applicants:

• DE 10 2016 102 829 A1 , DE 10 2017 114 767 A1 , DE 10 2017 103 168 A1 , DE 10 2016 125 928 A1 , DE 10 2017 114 665 A1 , DE 10 2018 113 644 A1 , DE 10 2011 119 021 A1 , DE 10 2011 122 921 A1 , DE 10 2012 012 913 A1 , DE 10 2014 002 560 A1 , DE 10 2014 010 126 A1 , EP 2 966 299 A1 , DE 10 2015 110 862 A1 , EP 3 115 498 A1 , DE 10 2015 107 105 A1 , EP 3 091 114 A1 and DE 10 2015 107 976 A1

According to the invention, information about the conveyance of the medium through the connection device is determined by the measuring device with the aid of a measured value output by the temperature sensor. The measured value output by the temperature sensor can, for example, directly include a measured temperature, or a measured variable that is related to a temperature, e.g. B. a measured voltage, a measured current or a measured resistance. What is crucial is that the measured value correlates in some way with the temperature value present at the temperature sensor.

The formulation according to which the measured value is output by a temperature sensor includes that the measured value is queried directly or indirectly by a temperature sensor or is received directly or indirectly by the measuring device in another way from the temperature sensor.

According to the invention, at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor are provided. This formulation includes embodiments in which the temperature sensor is formed integrally with the heating element, or the heating element also represents or includes the temperature sensor.

For example, a heating element can be provided which cooperates with a control for the heating element, which ensures a constant temperature or a target temperature of the heating element, with the type of control of the heating element, e.g. B. in order to keep the temperature constant, it can be determined whether medium is moving within the connection device and what quantities of fluid are currently being conveyed. For example, a heating control for the heating element can be designed in such a way that it regulates in the sense of a constant temperature so that the heating element always has a constant temperature of z. B. 35 ° C. As long as the medium is in the connection device and is not being pumped, this temperature, which is higher than room temperature, can be maintained by supplying only very little heating energy.

If the pump is activated and the medium is conveyed through the connection device, significantly more heating energy must be used to keep the heating element at this target temperature. The type and degree of control of the heating element can also indirectly be a measure of the fluid delivery and the amount of fluid delivery, so that the measurement of the type of control of the heating element also indirectly provides a formation of a temperature sensor in the sense of the invention.

Equally, the type and degree of control of the heating element can also indirectly be a measure of whether there is liquid medium or air on the heating element and on the temperature sensor.

According to a further variant of the invention, the heating element can also be provided together with the temperature sensor, for example by an integrated component. This can, for example, include a temperature-dependent resistor.

In particular, such a component can be provided by an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) component or by a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) component or can include such a component.

Such an electronic component can also advantageously cooperate with a constant current source. The voltage dropping across the component can be measured and represents a measure of the temperature-dependent resistance. This measured value is therefore also a measure of its current temperature. The current temperature of the electronic component depends on whether the medium surrounding the component is stationary or flowing, and also depends, for example, on the heat capacity of the respective medium.

From a value of the voltage dropped across the electronic component when supplied via a constant current source, information about the delivery of medium or the presence of a medium can therefore be determined.

Any suitable type of pump, e.g. B. a peristaltic pump, diaphragm pump or centrifugal pump. A pump in the sense of the invention is in particular a device with which a fluid, in particular a liquid, can be conveyed.

The invention also includes connection devices for metering devices with pumps that use suction principles, e.g. B. work according to the Venturi principle. Here, for example, B. by opening a valve on a water pipe and z. B. by opening another valve on a media line that communicates with the water line, a negative pressure is generated in the media line for the purpose of entraining media. Such a pump is also known as a vacuum pump, suction pump, Venturi pump or Venturi nozzle, jet pump or water jet pump.

Regarding the possible arrangement and designs and functions of the heating element and the temperature sensor of the connection device according to the present invention, reference is made to the parallel German patent application DE 10 2022 116 396.2 and DE 10 2022 117 015.2 of the applicant, the contents of which are hereby included in the content of the present patent application, this explicitly for the purpose of incorporating individual or several features from the patent applications referred to in the content of the present patent application, also in the claims of the present patent application, included if necessary. Insofar as various variants and embodiments and measuring principles of a structural unit are described in these applications, which include at least one heating element and a temperature sensor, the features disclosed in the referenced patent applications can also be provided in connection with the connection device claimed here.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the measured value is based on a measured temperature or takes a temperature, in particular a measured temperature or a temperature change, into account. This embodiment enables particularly simple signal processing and a fast response time.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the connection device comprises a pair of temperature sensors. This embodiment enables particularly good signal processing and simple and precise measurement to determine that media funding has occurred or to determine what amount of medium and what type of medium has been promoted.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the two temperature sensors are arranged symmetrically or substantially symmetrically relative to the heating element. This enables a particularly simple design of a measuring device and a particularly elegant and precise signaling processing of the measured values obtained.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a first temperature sensor is arranged upstream of the heating element and a second temperature sensor is arranged downstream of the heating element. This enables particularly precise signal processing.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the measuring device can be used to compare the values output by the two temperature sensors, in particular in the manner of a difference measurement, with the measuring device being used to obtain information about the conveyance of the medium through the connection device from the comparison can be determined and transmitted to the control unit. This embodiment enables particularly simple signal processing and signal evaluation. This can z. B. conventional methods for processing differential measured values that have become known in other areas of technology can be used.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the heating element and the temperature sensor or the pair of temperature sensors are combined to form a structural unit. This makes it possible to use commercially available components. In addition, particularly easy handling is made possible.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the structural unit has an analog output or a digital interface for a signal output. The embodiment can provide that the structural unit is assigned analog signal outputs, so that the control unit or electronics upstream of the control unit - or the measuring device - carries out processing of these analog measured values. Alternatively, it can be provided that the structural unit has a digital interface, e.g. B. has a 1 ² C interface.

The last variant requires e.g. B. that a computer unit is already arranged in the structural unit, which carries out signal processing or signal pre-processing of the measured values obtained. For example, it can be provided that a difference measurement or a comparison measurement is already carried out in the structural unit. In particular, the measuring device can also be arranged on the structural unit.

Alternatively, the unit can also be connected to a measuring device.

It can also be provided that signal processing is carried out in the structural unit.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the structural unit has a computer unit. This embodiment enables a particularly advantageous system architecture, so that the control unit can be relieved of calculation steps and a pre-calculation takes place in the structural unit.

It is irrelevant to the invention whether all calculation and processing steps are carried out exclusively by the control unit of the dosing device, or all calculation steps are carried out by a computer unit of the structural unit, or whether these two electronic components, possibly with additional electronic components, carry out the calculation work, and/or the signal processing work.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the computer unit is connected to the control unit. This embodiment enables very efficient signal processing to be carried out.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a first structural unit, in particular for measuring a delivery rate, is assigned to the connection device, and that at least a second structural unit is assigned to a target device. This embodiment enables a simple system architecture to achieve particularly safe dosing processes.

This embodiment enables a proof-of-delivery = POD principle to be provided and guaranteed in a simple manner.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first structural unit and the second structural unit are connected to the control unit of the metering device. With this embodiment of the invention, a dosing device is provided with which dosing processes are designed to be particularly safe.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that several target devices are connected to the metering device, and each target device is assigned a structural unit. This embodiment contributes to increasing safety in dosing processes.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one structural unit is designed to provide a POD (=proof of delivery) signal. This makes the dosing process particularly safe. According to the invention, the POD signal can be processed by the control unit of the dosing device and/or by a control device of a target device. In particular, the POD signal can be further processed for documentation purposes.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the heating element and the temperature sensor are an integral part of the connection device and/or are firmly connected to the connection device. This configuration enables a particularly compact design of the connection device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the information relates to a delivery rate. This configuration enables the delivery quantity to be determined, in particular taking into account further data that is available to the control unit. For example, the control unit can use the response times of the pump, e.g. B. from the known number of revolutions of the pump to deliver the medium or from the known duty cycle of the pump, check by comparative consideration whether the pump is functioning properly and has delivered the intended delivery rate, or whether a recalibration or recalibration of the Pump is required.

In particular, the control unit can relate the information received to a type of medium that is already known to the control unit. For example, a dosing device that allows several containers to be connected on the input side can have previously manually or automatically obtained information about which medium is in which container or which medium has just been conveyed. If the dosing device receives information from the measuring device that relates to a delivery rate, the control unit can, taking into account the already existing information about the type of medium, e.g. B. precisely determine or control the delivery rate of this medium.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the information relates to a type of medium being conveyed. In this way, the dosing device can check or check whether the correct medium has been delivered.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the control unit receives media information, referred to as second information, about the type of medium being conveyed or to be conveyed, independently of the measuring device. The control unit can, for example, receive media information about the medium being conveyed or to be conveyed from an operator, for example. B. when connecting different containers to the dosing device, information is entered into an interface as to which medium has been connected to which input of the dosing device. Such information input can of course also be automated, e.g. B. with the help of the connection devices.

The control unit therefore has information about the medium conveyed or to be conveyed that has reached it in different ways: The control unit has received initial information about the medium from the measuring device. The control unit received second information from a user or automatically when connecting the containers or the connecting devices. These two pieces of information can be compared and processed by the control unit.

If the control unit determines during such a comparison that a check shows that the dosing process was carried out correctly, this can be documented.

However, when making a comparison, the control unit determines that the two pieces of information contradict each other because, according to the first information available, a first type of media should have been promoted, but according to the second information available to the control unit, it is actually due to a specific connection of a container If a different medium should have been conveyed to the control unit for a certain medium, the control unit can issue an error or warning message, initiate it, or take this into account in a documentation step.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the information can be related to the second information using the control unit. With this embodiment, a check can be carried out as to whether the correct medium has been conveyed.

1. a) ob eine Präsenz von Medium in die Anschlussvorrichtung besteht, und/ oder ob das Medium durch die Anschlussvorrichtung gefördert wurde, und/oder
2. b) welches Volumen an Medium durch die Anschlussvorrichtung gefördert wurde, und/oder
3. c) welches Medium durch die Anschlussvorrichtung gefördert wurde, und/oder
4. d) ob das korrekte Medium durch die Anschlussvorrichtung gefördert wurde,

oder
zur Dokumentation von mit der Dosiereinrichtung durchgeführten Dosierprozessen, verwendbar ist.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the information from the control unit for carrying out a determination or a control:

1. a) whether there is a presence of medium in the connection device, and/or whether the medium was conveyed through the connection device, and/or
2. b) what volume of medium was conveyed through the connection device, and/or
3. c) which medium was conveyed through the connection device, and/or
4. d) whether the correct medium was conveyed through the connection device,

or
can be used to document dosing processes carried out with the dosing device.

This configuration enables a variety of processing of the dosing device, which serves in particular to make the dosing process particularly safe.

Documentation of dosing processes can be carried out or initiated, for example, by the control unit of the dosing device, with the documentation data being saved or buffered if necessary and, if necessary, via an external interface, e.g. B. via the Internet, WLAN or the like, to a system control or to an external device. Dosing processes can also be documented in such a way that the control unit transfers information to a control device of a target device that a dosing process has been successfully completed and further documentation is then initiated by the control device of the target device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the information from the control unit can be used to determine or check the functionality of the pump or to calibrate the pump. In this way, e.g. B. check regularly or irregularly whether the pump is working properly or whether aging processes in the dosing device, e.g. B. aging-related behavior of the hoses providing the fluid line require an adjustment.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that when carrying out the determination or when carrying out the control or when carrying out the documentation, the control unit provides information about a type or a delivery quantity of the medium and / or information about a density of the medium and / or information about a viscosity of the medium and / or about a temperature of the medium can be used. This configuration enables particularly safe process control.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the pump is provided by a hose pump. This makes it possible to use conventional pumps that are known per se.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a signal detected by the measuring device is subject to a pulsation, which can be detected by the measuring electronics and processed and/or evaluated in terms of data technology. This embodiment recognizes that pulsations occur in the flow behavior of the fluid conveyed, particularly in hose pumps, and the pulsations can be made visible in the measurement signal by means of the metering device according to the invention due to the short response times. In addition, this embodiment recognizes that the pulsations contained in the signal allow a statement to be made about the delivery quantities and/or also a statement about the type of medium being pumped.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the type of medium conveyed can be determined with the control unit, taking into account differences in the pulsations of the signal when using different media. This enables a particularly secure and elegant determination of a media type or its control.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the control unit is assigned a memory in which values, e.g. B. calibration values, comparison values or signal patterns, for different media and/or for different delivery rates or delivery rates and/or for rinsing media, such as water, are stored. This enables particularly secure signal processing processing and high quality and precision in the control and determination of flow rates.

The control unit can also use the values stored in the memory for the calculations to be made. Alternatively and/or additionally, it can also be provided that the measuring device can access the values stored in the memory.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the control unit or a computer unit assigned to it carries out an evaluation of the information using the memory and with the aid of methods for signal processing, such as spectral analysis. This enables a particularly precise determination of the volumes conveyed and the exact determination of a type of media.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one medium is provided by a rinsing medium, in particular water. This embodiment of the metering device according to the invention takes into account that flushing with a flushing medium is advantageously carried out every time after metering a medium. According to the invention, the measuring device can also determine information for the flushing medium. For example, volumes of flushing medium can be determined and controlled. This information can be used to control and verify the functionality of the pump.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the heating element and/or the temperature sensor has a coating. This includes, for example, parylene or polyurethane. This coating enables trouble-free function of the dosing device and a long service life, especially when using different media.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a plurality of containers with the same or with different media are each connected to a connection device on the input side of the dosing device, the dosing device having a mixing distribution device with an actuating element that can be addressed by the control unit, and that in Different communication paths are switched in different positioning positions in order to successively supply different media to the target device. This exemplary embodiment enables different media to be fed successively to one or more target devices.

According to this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the media in the containers have, in particular, different viscosities and/or different thermal conductivities. In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the measuring device, in particular in cooperation with the control unit, is designed to take into account information about different media or information about different viscosities of the conveyed media during signal processing.

The invention thus provides a very wide range of applications, which allows a reliable determination of the type of medium and a reliable determination of the delivery quantities, or their control, across a wide range of different media.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the information determined can be transmitted to a control unit of the dosing device. This allows advantageous processing of the information received.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a connection device according to claim 3.

The object of the invention is to develop a connection device in such a way that it allows easier handling.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 3.

The principle of the invention essentially consists in a flowmeter being arranged on the connection device. With the help of the flowmeter, information about the conveyance of the medium through the connection device can be determined. This information can be transmitted to a control unit of the dosing device.

Such a flowmeter can include, for example, a heating element and a temperature sensor. According to this invention, the flowmeter can also be designed in any other way and, for example, include a vane wheel meter or another flow measuring device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flowmeter comprises at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor that can be connected to a measuring device. This means that the presence of medium can be easily detected with a simple design of the measuring device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating element and/or the temperature sensor can be acted upon directly by the medium. This allows a particularly simple construction of a connection device according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the measuring device is arranged on the connection device and/or arranged on the metering device. This allows a particularly simple construction of a connection device according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating element and/or the temperature sensor is arranged within the receiving section of the connection device. This allows a particularly simple construction of a connection device according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the receiving section can be flooded by the medium. This allows a particularly simple construction of a connection device according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating element and/or the temperature sensor is arranged in or on a wall of the connection device. This allows a particularly simple construction of a connection device according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating element and/or the temperature sensor can be connected to a control of the metering device. This allows a particularly simple construction of a connection device according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating element and the temperature sensor or several temperature sensors are combined into one structural unit. This allows a particularly simple construction of a connection device according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the structural unit has an analog output or a digital interface for a signal output. This version enables particularly easy assembly and data acquisition.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating element and the temperature sensor are an integral part of the connection device and/or firmly connected to the connection device. This allows a particularly simple construction of a connection device according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating element and/or the temperature sensor or the measuring electronics can be connected or are connected to a control of the dosing device or to a control of a target device. According to this variant of the invention, the control can carry out an evaluation of a measurement result of the measuring electronics, or process, in particular interpret, a measured value provided by the measuring electronics.

For example, when it is determined that the media supply in the container is running low, the connection device and/or the metering device can initiate a reorder of medium or issue a corresponding order signal.

The inventive design of the connection device enables a particularly precise determination of an empty level in the container. The fact can be used that the size of the component, which includes a heating element and/or a temperature sensor, can be chosen to be very small and, due to the small dimensions, the temperature sensor can be positioned very close to the head area of the container mounted on the connection device can be.

In particular, the temperature sensor and/or the heating element can be positioned immediately downstream of the head region of the container or immediately adjacent to the head region of the container. In particular, the positioning of the temperature sensor and heating element can be provided in the receiving section of the connection device.

Detecting an empty container level with such a high level of precision enables particularly early detection of the container being emptied.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connection device or a holder for the container assigned to the connection device are designed to be stationary. This embodiment enables a particularly simple construction and a simple, relative attachment of the container to the connection device. The connection device can be part of the metering device, in particular can be arranged firmly relative to the metering device or fixedly on the metering device. The connection device can also be separate from the metering device but be fixedly arranged relative to a floor surface or wall surface of a building space.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a system according to claim 21.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a system that enables dosing processes to be carried out more easily.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 21.

The system according to the invention is used to meter media, in particular liquids. For example, detergents or cleaning agents or their components are considered to be a medium within the meaning of the present patent application. The system according to the invention comprises at least one container for holding the medium. The invention also includes exemplary embodiments in which several containers with the same or different media are provided.

The system also includes a dosing device. This can include, for example, a hose pump or another suitable pump and, in particular, a controller. The dosing device is used to provide a target device or a target vessel, e.g. B. a washing machine or a cleaning system or a dishwasher or a system for providing a cleaning solution or for providing a disinfectant solution to supply the medium - in particular at a predetermined time and in a predetermined amount. The control of the metering device can respond to the pump for a predetermined period of time or, for example, for a predetermined number of revolutions in order to remove the desired amount or the desired volume of medium from the container and supply it to the target vessel.

The supply takes place with the help of a connection device. The connection device is attached to a head section of the container. The container - which is also referred to as a container - can e.g. B. be a bag.

The connection device according to the invention can be located completely outside the container in the assembled state. In particular, it can reach over or encompass a head section of the container.

A hose connection is provided in the area of the connection device in order to provide a connection of the fluid line or the delivery line to the metering device.

The invention also includes systems - as well as connection devices - in which the connection device is connected to several dosing devices. According to the invention, such connection devices serve to enable a connection to several dosing devices, so that at the same time - or at different times - several dosing devices have access to the same container and can convey the medium from it, for example to different target vessels.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a connection device according to claim 22.

The object of this invention is to further develop a connection device of the generic type described above in such a way that it allows improved implementation of dosing processes.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 22.

The principle according to the invention is that the connection device has a temperature measuring device. According to the invention, the temperature measuring device can be used to measure the temperature of a medium or a temperature of an environment of the connection device, i.e. an environment in which the connection device is located or in which the medium is located.

The information about the temperature to be measured is referred to as temperature information. This temperature information can be transmitted to the control unit of the dosing device. For this purpose, the control unit of the metering device can be connected, for example, directly or indirectly to the temperature measuring device.

The control unit of the dosing device can subsequently take the temperature information received into account when activating the pump.

This can be taken into account when carrying out a dosing process or when calibrating the pump. The invention recognizes that the viscosity of media, including the viscosity of water, is temperature dependent. In connection with the implementation of dosing processes, for example in the area of commercial dishwashing or commercial washing, media are regularly used whose viscosity increases as the temperature increases. However, there are also known media whose viscosity decreases as the temperature increases. The differences in viscosity can be significant in certain temperature ranges and significant for dosing processes and, if not taken into account, can lead to incorrect dosing processes.

Different viscosities lead to different flow behavior of the media. For example, pumping a medium with a peristaltic pump is not a problem if the medium has a low viscosity, but can cause problems if it has a higher viscosity. In order to be able to meter the exact amount of medium required for the washing or cleaning process even at different temperatures of the medium or at different ambient temperatures, the control unit can take into account the temperature-dependent differences in viscosity and, for example, operate the pump over a longer running time at higher temperatures Allow the medium to be pumped, thus compensating for the higher viscosity and, as a result, pumping the required and desired amount of medium to a target vessel.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, viscosity information is stored in a memory of the metering device. These include information about different viscosities of different media at different temperatures. For example, continuous or discrete values for viscosity can be stored here. This viscosity information can be stored in the form of algorithms, curves, tables, etc.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit can relate the temperature information to the viscosity information. After referencing this information, the control unit can take the viscosity information and the temperature information into account when carrying out a dosing process or during a process for calibrating the pump.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the temperature measuring device is provided by the temperature sensor. Here the invention kills two birds with one stone: The temperature sensor, with the help of which information about the conveyance of the medium through the conveyor line can be determined, can at the same time be used to obtain information about the temperature of the medium or the environment in order to determine temperature-dependent To be able to take viscosities of the medium into account in a dosing process.

Further advantages of the invention result from the unquoted subclaims and from the following description of the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

• 1 Ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussvorrichtung und eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems in einer schematischen, blockschaltbildartigen Darstellung, wobei an die Anschlussvorrichtung ein Überkopfgebinde angeschlossen ist, wobei an der Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß einer ersten Variante der Erfindung ein Flowmeter angeordnet ist, wobei an der Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Variante der Erfindung eine Temperaturmesseinrichtung und wobei an der Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß einer dritten Variante ein Präsenzsensor angeordnet ist, 2 das Ausführungsbeispiel der 1 in einer vergrößerten, teilgeschnittenen schematischen Darstellung, etwa entlang Teilkreis II in 1,
• 3 das Ausführungsbeispiel der 2 in teilgeschnittener, vergrößerter, schematischer Darstellung, etwa entlang Teilkreis III in 2, unter Veranschaulichung eines Heizelementes, das mit einem Temperatursensor integriert ausgebildet ist, sowie unter schematischer Darstellung einer Messschaltung,
• 4 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Darstellung ähnlich 3 mit zwei Temperatursensoren, und
• 5 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussvorrichtung und eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems in einer Darstellung ähnlich 1, wobei an die Anschlussvorrichtung ein Gebinde ähnlich des Gebindes der 1 angeschlossen ist, in das ein Saugrohr integriert ist.

Show in it:

• 1 A first exemplary embodiment of a connection device according to the invention and a system according to the invention in a schematic, block diagram-like representation, an overhead container being connected to the connection device, a flowmeter being arranged on the connection device according to a first variant of the invention, wherein on the connection device according to a further variant Invention a temperature measuring device and wherein a presence sensor is arranged on the connection device according to a third variant, 2 the exemplary embodiment of the 1 in an enlarged, partially sectioned schematic representation, approximately along part circle II in 1 ,
• 3 the exemplary embodiment of the 2 in a partially sectioned, enlarged, schematic representation, approximately along part circle III in 2 , illustrating a heating element that is integrated with a temperature sensor, as well as a schematic representation of a measuring circuit,
• 4 another exemplary embodiment in a similar representation 3 with two temperature sensors, and
• 5 a further exemplary embodiment of a connection device according to the invention and a system according to the invention in a similar representation 1 , whereby a container similar to the container is connected to the connecting device 1 is connected, in which a suction pipe is integrated.

Embodiments of the invention are described by way of example in the following description of the figures, also with reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity - even as far as different exemplary embodiments are concerned - the same or comparable parts or elements or areas are designated with the same reference numbers, sometimes with the addition of small letters.

Features that are described only in relation to one exemplary embodiment can also be provided in any other exemplary embodiment of the invention within the scope of the invention. Such modified exemplary embodiments are included in the invention - even if they are not shown in the drawings.

All features disclosed are essential to the invention. The disclosure content of the associated priority documents (copy of the prior application) as well as the cited publications and the described prior art devices are hereby fully included in the disclosure of the application, also for the purpose of merging individual or several features of these documents into one or more Claims of the present application to be included.

• 1 zeigt ein erfindungsgemäßes System 36, welches eine Dosiereinrichtung 16 umfasst. Wesentlicher Bestandteil der Dosiereinrichtung 16 sind eine Steuereinheit 17 und eine Pumpe 18. Die Steuereinheit 17 kann einen Motor 38 der zum Beispiel als Schlauchpumpe ausgebildeten Pumpe 18 über eine Signalleitung 39a ansprechen. Die Schlauchpumpe 18 umfasst zum Beispiel einen Rotor 37, der unter Zuhilfenahme von Walzen 47a, 47b einen Schlauchabschnitt 44 einer Förderleitung oder Fluidleitung 20a, 20b in herkömmlicher Weise propagierend quetschen kann.

An exemplary embodiment of a connection device according to the invention, designated in its entirety by reference number 10, is explained below:

• 1 shows a system 36 according to the invention, which includes a metering device 16. An essential component of the metering device 16 is a control unit 17 and a pump 18. The control unit 17 can address a motor 38 of the pump 18, which is designed, for example, as a hose pump, via a signal line 39a. The hose pump 18 comprises, for example, a rotor 37, which can propagately squeeze a hose section 44 of a delivery line or fluid line 20a, 20b in a conventional manner with the aid of rollers 47a, 47b.

The metering device 16 is designed to convey a predetermined amount of medium 12 from a container 11 to a target device 19 with the aid of the connection device 10 and a fluid line 20a. The target device 19 can be, for example, a commercial washing machine or a commercial dishwasher or another cleaning system. The target device 19 can have a program selector switch 40, which is connected to a controller 41 of the target device 19. Via a signal line 39c, the control unit 17 of the metering device 16 can receive request signals from the target device 19 for conveying media at a specific time.

• Die Anschlussvorrichtung 10 ist bei den Ausführungsbeispielen der 1 und 2 kompakt, nach Art einer Dose ausgebildet. Diese Darstellung ist natürlich lediglich schematisch zu verstehen. Die Anschlussvorrichtung kann jede beliebige geeignete Geometrie aufweisen.

The connection device 10 should first be based on the 1 and 2 are explained:

• The connection device 10 is in the exemplary embodiments 1 and 2 compact, designed like a can. This representation is of course only to be understood schematically. The connection device can have any suitable geometry.

It includes according to 2 a receiving section 13 and a coupling section 14. The coupling section 14 is designed to cooperate with a head section 32 of the container 11.

The container 11 is in the exemplary embodiment 1 and 2 - and in the exemplary embodiment to be explained later 5 - provided by a flexible bag 30. The bag 30 is also referred to as a tubular bag and can in particular consist of a thin, flexible film. The bag is initially completely or almost completely filled with medium 12 at the factory. The bag has a head area 32 or head section 32 according to 2 may have non-flexible, in particular rigid wall regions 52. An external thread 34 can be formed on these rigid wall regions 52 of the head region 32. The container 11 therefore has a type of screw cap. The container 11 is in the exemplary embodiment 1 and 2 by a flexible membrane 51, in particular closed in a fluid-tight manner.

The coupling section 14 of the connecting device 10 also includes a thread 24 which is complementary to the thread 34 of the head section 32 of the container 11. The bag 30 can therefore be screwed with its head area 32 into the coupling section 14 of the connecting device 10.

In the exemplary embodiments of 1 and 2 a mandrel 27 is indicated schematically, which pierces the membrane 51 in the course of screwing the head region 32 of the bag 30 into the coupling section 14 of the connecting device 10, so that liquid, namely the fluid medium 12, can emerge from the container 11.

The connection device 10 is in the exemplary embodiments 1 and 2 and also 5 designed in such a way that it encloses and surrounds the head region 32 of the container 11 exclusively on the outside. With the exception of the mandrel 27, it does not penetrate into the interior of the container 11.

1 clarifies that a holder 35 is provided, which serves to accommodate and/or hold and/or position the flexible bag 30 and is, for example, funnel-shaped. The holder 35 in the form of the funnel is in particular arranged in a stationary manner. The holder 35 can be arranged fixedly relative to the metering device 16 and/or fixedly relative to a floor or wall surface of the building in which the metering device is located.

In particular, which is not shown in the exemplary embodiments of the figures, the holder 35 can also be fixedly arranged relative to the connection device 10.

In the exemplary embodiment of 2 It can be seen that the connection device 10 has a receiving section 13 with an interior 45. This is followed by, regarding 2 downwards, the fluid line, which can be formed by a hose, for example. This can be done via in 2 Connection supports or the like, not shown, can be connected to the connection device.

The connection device 10 can, as in 3 shown, include a profile 48 which carries a stop surface 43. The stop surface 43 can, for example, axially limit a screwing movement of the head section 32 of the container 11 in the coupling section 14.

The mandrel 27 can advantageously be dimensioned and made so long that the screwing movement of the container 11 onto the connecting device 10 is completed when the membrane 51 is pierced and a fluid connection is established between the interior 45 of the receiving section 13 and the connecting device 10 and the interior of the container 11 is manufactured and guaranteed.

The connection device 10 according to the invention can be connectable to the control unit 17 of the metering device 16 via an electronic line, in particular a signal line 39d and/or a power supply line. For this purpose, plug connectors or suitable connections can also be provided if necessary.

The negative pressure generated by the pump 18 of the metering device 16 can be used to suck in and deliver the medium 12. The connection device 10 can have a single interior space 45, like this 2 indicates.

The structural unit 31 to be described later, which includes a heating element 21 and a temperature sensor 22, can be arranged on a wall 58 of the connection device 10.

According to a first special feature according to the invention, the connection device 10 is according to 1 a flow measuring device, a so-called flowmeter 25, is arranged.

1 illustrates a flowmeter 25, which is arranged in the area of the receiving section 13 and protrudes into the interior 45 of the receiving section 13.

Such a flowmeter 25 can, for example, include mechanical elements and, for example, be designed as a vane wheel meter. Alternatively, flowmeters that work with floats can be considered and, for example, with the aid of optical or other devices and measuring methods, cause a float to be displaced as a result of fluid delivery, such a movement being able to be detected.

According to the exemplary embodiment of 3 It becomes clear that the flowmeter 25 can also include a heating element 21 and a temperature sensor 22. For example, these elements 21, 22 can be designed to be integrated and provided by a PTC component or by an NTC component or can include such a component. These are components that have a temperature-dependent resistance, and this resistance can be heated.

According to 3 the heating element 21 is supplied with current or voltage and heated up by a power source or a voltage supply source 42, for example from a constant current source. The voltage value falling across the resistor 21 can be measured by a measuring device 23. The measured voltage U is a measure of the temperature-dependent resistance, whereby the measured resistance in turn is a measure of the temperature of the resistance. The resistance or the heating element 21 is directly exposed to a medium 12 that may be located in the receiving section 13 via an exposure surface 28.

If, prompted by the pump 18, media is conveyed through the connection device 10, the medium flowing along the contact surface 28 of the temperature sensor 22 takes the heat generated by the heating element 21 with it, so that the temperature in the immediate vicinity of the temperature sensor 22 decreases. This leads to a change in the temperature of the temperature sensor 22 and also to a change in the measured value measured by the measuring device 23. With a temperature-dependent resistance, such as a PTC element or an NTC element, this is also accompanied by a change in the temperature-dependent resistance. From the resistance or from a measured value derived from the change in the resistance, for example a voltage dropping across the resistance, information about a conveyance of medium 12 through the connection device 10 or through the receiving section 13 can be determined. Such information can be determined in particular from the measured value of the temperature sensor 22.

The determined measured value can also be used to obtain information as to whether an impingement surface 28 of the temperature sensor 22 or the heating element 21 is exposed to medium 12 or air is because these two media have completely different heat absorption capacities and are therefore able to dissipate heat generated on the heating element 21 to different degrees.

A computer unit 49 can be part of a structural unit 31, which includes the heating element 21 with the temperature sensor 22. The computer unit 49 can be able to determine and interpret a measured value or a change in the measured value.

The invention also includes if the quantity of fluid conveyed and, if necessary, the type of medium conveyed can be recognized from the measured values obtained.

The computer unit 49 can do whatever 3 not shown, be connected to the control unit 17 of the metering device 16.

The measuring device 23 and/or the computer 49 can also be integrated into the metering device 16 and/or partially arranged on the connecting device 10 and/or arranged on a separate element, not shown.

The heating element 21 and the temperature sensor 22, or other electronic components, in particular parts of the measuring device 23 or the entire measuring device 23, can be combined to form a structural unit 31.

The temperature sensor 22 and/or the heating element 21 can be designed with an impingement surface 28, which can have a coating 33. The coating can e.g. B. include polyurethane or ceramic material.

The exemplary embodiment of the 3 shows an embodiment in which the temperature sensor 22 and the heating element 21 are designed to be integrated with one another and, for example, are provided by or include a PTC element or NTC element. In contrast, the exemplary embodiment shows 4 an embodiment in which the temperature sensor 22 and the heating element 21 are provided by separate components. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment 4 a pair of temperature sensors 22a and 22b are provided, which can be arranged, for example, equidistant from the heating element 21. This embodiment can, for example, determine delivery of a fluid in a particularly simple manner by means of a difference measurement of the measured values determined by the two temperature sensors 22a and 22b.

Based on the exemplary embodiments of 1 until 4 An aspect of the invention was described, according to which a flowmeter 25 is provided on the connection device 10. This flowmeter 25 can be provided anywhere on the connection device 10, in particular in the area of the receiving section 13, in particular on its wall 58.

A flowmeter 25 or a corresponding structural unit 31 can be connected to the control unit 17 of the metering device 16 via a signal line 39d and, for example, transmit a signal to the metering device 16. From the transmitted signal, for example, the control unit 17 of the metering device 16 can determine information that fluid delivery has taken place. If necessary, further signal processing can also take place on the control unit 17 of the metering device 16.

The invention also includes if several flowmeters 25 are provided on the connection device 10.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least one heating element 21 and at least one temperature sensor 22 can also be arranged on the connection device 10 according to the invention, which do not serve or do not necessarily serve to transmit information about a conveyance of medium 12 through the connection device 10, but rather the provide fill level information or empty level information or information about a presence of medium 12 in the connection device 10 or a presence of medium 12 in the receiving section 13.

• Unter der Annahme, dass ein Heizelement 21 mit elektrischer Heizleistung beaufschlagt wird und über einen Temperatursensor 22, z. B. über einen intrigierten Temperatursensor 22, eine Temperatur in unmittelbarer Nähe oder Nachbarschaft des Heizelementes 21 gemessen wird, wird sich die gemessene Temperatur bei gleichbleibender Heizleistung unterscheiden, in Abhängigkeit davon, ob das Heizelement 21 von einem flüssigen Medium 12 umgeben ist, oder von Luft. Entlang eines flüssigen Mediums 12 kann Wärme erleichtert abgeführt werden, so dass sich zum Beispiel bei konstant zugeführter Heizleistung ein anderes Temperaturgleichgewicht einstellt, als wenn das Heizelement 21 von Luft umgeben wäre.

Again, for explanation, see 3 to get expelled:

• Assuming that a heating element 21 is supplied with electrical heating power and via a temperature sensor 22, e.g. B. via an integrated temperature sensor 22, a temperature is measured in the immediate vicinity or neighborhood of the heating element 21, the measured temperature will differ with constant heating power, depending on whether the heating element 21 is surrounded by a liquid medium 12 or by air . Heat can be dissipated more easily along a liquid medium 12, so that, for example, with constant heating power supplied, a different temperature equilibrium is established than if the heating element 21 were surrounded by air.

This can be done by measuring a temperature in the vicinity of the heating element 21, in particular with the aid of a temperature sensor 22, information can be obtained as to whether there is liquid medium 12 or air adjacent to the heating element 21. This information can be processed by a computer unit 49 of a component 31 and/or by a control unit 17 of the metering device 16. From this, for example, the information can be determined that there is medium 12 in the receiving section 13, or air.

This information can be transmitted from the structural unit 31 immediately to the control unit 17 of the metering device 16. The control unit can interrupt or stop a dosing process - as soon as it determines that there is no longer any medium 12 on the structural unit 31, but rather air - or generate a warning signal.

This prevents air from being dosed instead of medium 12 as early as possible.

The structural unit 31 can be used to determine whether medium or air is present at the structural unit. The invention also includes if several structural units of this type and or several temperature sensors 22 are arranged on the connection device 10, so that different filling levels can be determined within the connection device, in particular within the receiving section 13.

Only when the medium 12 in the receiving section 13 is no longer in contact with the structural unit 31 or with the temperature sensor 22 or with the impact surface 28 is an empty message generated. This means that complete emptying of the container 11 can be detected at an early stage.

In the figures, for example, to illustrate the fluid or medium 12 flowing during operation of the pump 18, flow arrows are designated by the reference symbol P.

• Hier ist eine Temperaturmesseinrichtung 46 über eine Signalleitung 39d mit der Steuereinheit 17 der Dosiereinrichtung 16 verbunden. Die Temperaturmesseinrichtung 46 kann die Temperatur des Mediums 12 messen und diesen Temperaturmesswert an die Steuereinheit 17 übermitteln. Die Steuereinheit 17 kann mit einem Speicher 60 zusammenwirken. In dem Speicher 60 können für ein oder mehrere Medien 12 Werte für die Viskosität in Abhängigkeit unterschiedlicher Temperaturen abgelegt sein. Auf diese Viskositätinformationen kann die Steuereinheit 17 der Dosiereinrichtung 16 im Rahmen eines Dosierprozesses - oder bei einer Kalibrierung der Pumpe 18 - zurückgreifen.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a connection device 10, on which a temperature measuring device 46 is provided. This exemplary embodiment is in 1 shown:

• Here, a temperature measuring device 46 is connected to the control unit 17 of the metering device 16 via a signal line 39d. The temperature measuring device 46 can measure the temperature of the medium 12 and transmit this temperature measurement value to the control unit 17. The control unit 17 can interact with a memory 60. The memory 60 can store 12 values for the viscosity depending on different temperatures for one or more media. The control unit 17 of the metering device 16 can access this viscosity information as part of a metering process - or when calibrating the pump 18.

The invention also includes if the temperature measuring device 46 is provided by the temperature sensor 22 of the flowmeter 25 or the device for detecting the presence of medium 12 in the receiving section 13.

In this variant, the temperature value determined by a temperature sensor 22 of a structural unit 31 can also be used to optimize a dosing process in the sense of precise control of the pump 18, taking viscosity information into account, without a separate temperature measuring device 46 having to be provided.

The invention further encompasses if a previously described flowmeter 25 is used alternatively or additionally as a presence sensor. In this variant, for example, a flowmeter 25 can be arranged in the area of the connection device 10 and generate information about the conveyance of the medium 12 and at the same time - when the container is completely empty - generate an empty status report.

In the exemplary embodiment of 3 a heating control 53 is provided. The heating control 53 can be the heating element 21 of the exemplary embodiment 3 For example, control with constant or variable heating output.

• Wiederum ist an der Anschlussvorrichtung 10 bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel der 5 ein Flowmeter 25 angeordnet, das über eine Signal- oder Steuerleitung 39d mit einer Steuereinheit 17 der Dosiereinrichtung 16 verbindbar ist. Der Flowmeter 25 ist so, wie bei den Ausführungsbeispielen der 1 bis 4 beschrieben, ausgebildet und ermöglicht eine Ermittlung einer Information über eine Förderung von Medium 12 durch die Anschlussvorrichtung 10 oder eine Ermittlung einer Information über eine Präsenz von Medium 12 in der Anschlussvorrichtung 10 hindurch. Das Ausführungsbeispiel der 5 entspricht dem Ausführungsbeispiel der 1 mit dem Unterschied, das anstelle eines als Überkopfgebinde ausgebildeten Behältnisses 11 gemäß 1, ein Behältnis gemäß 5 eingesetzt wird, das sich wie folgt beschrieben lässt:
  • Das Behältnis 11 ist von einem flexiblen Beutel 30 bereitgestellt, der einen Kopfabschnitt 32 aufweist. In dem Beutel 30 ist ein Saugrohr 54 fest angeordnet und reicht bis zum Boden 59 des Behältnisses 11. Das Saugrohr 54 endet im Kopfbereich 32 des Behältnisses 11. Wiederum ist eine Anschlussvorrichtung 10 vorgesehen, die über einen Kupplungsabschnitt 14 verfügt, mit dem sie mit dem Kopfbereich 32 des Behältnisses 11 mechanisch, insbesondere auch fluiddicht verbindbar ist. Die Anschlussvorrichtung 10 umfasst wiederum einen Aufnahmeabschnitt 13. Dieser geht eine fluiddichte Verbindung mit dem Saugrohr 54 ein, wenn die Anschlussvorrichtung 10 und der Kopfabschnitt 32 des Behältnisses 11 miteinander verbunden sind.

5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a connection device 10 according to the invention:

• Again, on the connection device 10 in the exemplary embodiment 5 a flowmeter 25 is arranged, which can be connected to a control unit 17 of the metering device 16 via a signal or control line 39d. The flowmeter 25 is as in the exemplary embodiments 1 until 4 described, designed and enables a determination of information about a conveyance of medium 12 through the connection device 10 or a determination of information about a presence of medium 12 in the connection device 10. The exemplary embodiment of the 5 corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of 1 with the difference that instead of a container 11 designed as an overhead container 1 , a container according to 5 is used, which can be described as follows:
  • The container 11 is provided by a flexible bag 30 which has a head section 32 having. A suction pipe 54 is fixedly arranged in the bag 30 and extends to the bottom 59 of the container 11. The suction pipe 54 ends in the head region 32 of the container 11. Again, a connection device 10 is provided which has a coupling section 14 with which it is connected to the Head region 32 of the container 11 can be connected mechanically, in particular in a fluid-tight manner. The connection device 10 in turn comprises a receiving section 13. This forms a fluid-tight connection with the suction pipe 54 when the connection device 10 and the head section 32 of the container 11 are connected to one another.

The container 11 can have a membrane 51. A mandrel 27, as in the exemplary embodiment 1 , but is not necessary here since the membrane 51 can also be opened in another way.

Finally, the invention also includes further embodiments in which an overhead container with a container 11 according to 1 is used, but a mandrel 27 is not required. For example, it can be provided that the connection between the connecting device 10 and the head region 32 of the container 11 to one another in a position of the container 11 according to 5 takes place, and only then is the container 11 turned upside down.

In the exemplary embodiment of 5 A holder 35 is also provided, which can be arranged in a stationary manner at a fastening point 57.

Again, the holder 35 can take the shape of a funnel, for example to ensure that medium 12 can be removed from the container 11 until it is completely emptied via the suction pipe 54.

In other embodiments, not shown, the flexible bag 30 can also be secured without using a funnel, for example via a hanging device, not shown.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

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Claims (25)

Connection device (10) for achieving a detachable, mechanical, in particular fluid-tight connection of a metering device (16) to a head region (32) of a container (11) containing a medium (12) to be metered, which is designed in particular in the manner of an overhead container (29). , and which is provided in particular by a flexible bag (30), wherein the connection device (10) comprises a receiving section (13) for receiving the medium (12), which is immediately downstream in the connected state of the container (11) and the connection device (10). of the head region (32) of the container (11) or immediately adjacent to the head region (32) of the container (11), characterized in that on the connecting device (10) there is at least one heating element (21) and at least one with a measuring device (23 ) connectable or connected temperature sensor (22) is arranged, information about a conveyance of the medium (12) through the connection device (10) being able to be determined by means of the measuring device (23) with the aid of a measured value i) output by the temperature sensor (22). and/or ii) information about the presence of medium (12) in the receiving section (32) can be determined. Connection device (10). Claim 1 , characterized in that the information determined can be transmitted to a control unit (17) of the dosing device (16). Connection device (10) for effecting a detachable, mechanical, in particular fluid-tight connection of a metering device (16) to a head region (32) of a container (11) containing a medium (12) to be metered, which is designed in particular in the manner of an overhead container (29). , and which is provided in particular by a flexible bag (30), wherein the connection device (10) comprises a receiving section (13) for receiving the medium (12), which is immediately downstream in the connected state of the container (11) and the connection device (10). of the head region (32) of the container (11) or immediately adjacent to the head region (32) of the container (11), characterized in that at least one flowmeter (25) is arranged on the connecting device (10), with which information about a conveyance of the medium (12) through the connection device (10) can be determined and in particular can be transmitted to a control unit (17) of the metering device (16). Connection device according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the flowmeter (25) comprises at least one heating element (21) and at least one temperature sensor (22) which can be connected or is connected to a measuring device (23). Connection device (10). Claim 1 or after Claim 4 , characterized in that the connection device (10) and / or a holder (35) assigned to the connection device (10) for the container (11) are designed to be stationary. Connection device according to Claim 1 or after Claim 4 , characterized in that the heating element (21) and/or the temperature sensor (22) can be acted upon directly by the medium (12). Connection device according to Claim 1 or after Claim 4 , characterized in that the measuring device (23) is arranged on the connection device (10) or on the metering device (16). Connection device according to Claim 1 or after Claim 4 , characterized in that the heating element (21) and/or the temperature sensor (22) is arranged on a wall (45) of the receiving section (13). Connection device (10). Claim 8 , characterized in that the connection device (10) comprises a coupling section (50) for releasable mechanical connection to the head region (32) of the container (11). Connection device (10). Claim 9 , characterized in that the coupling section (50) comprises a thread (24) which can be brought into engagement in particular with a mating thread (34) on the head section (32) of the container (11). Connection device (10). Claim 1 or after Claim 4 , characterized in that the heating element (21) and/or the temperature sensor (22) can be connected to a control (17) of the metering device (16). Connection device (10). Claim 1 or after Claim 4 , characterized in that the heating element (21) and the temperature sensor (22) or several temperature sensors (22a, 22b) are combined to form a structural unit (31, 31a, 31b). Connection device (10). Claim 12 , characterized in that the structural unit (31, 31a, 31b) has an analog output or an has a digital interface for a signal output. Connection device (10). Claim 1 or after Claim 4 , characterized in that the heating element (21) and the temperature sensor (22) are an integral part of the connection device (10) and / or are firmly connected to the connection device (10). Connection device (10). Claim 1 , characterized in that the information about a funding carried out has a reference to a delivery quantity of the medium (12). Connection device (10). Claim 1 , characterized in that the information about funding provided has a reference to a type of funded medium (12). Connection device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the information about a conveyance carried out by the control unit (17) to carry out a determination or a check: a) whether medium (12) is present in the connection device (10) or whether there is an empty status, and / or b) whether medium (12) is or was conveyed through the connection device (10), and/or c) which volume of medium (12) was conveyed through the connection device (10), and/or d) which medium (12) through the connection device (10) was conveyed, and/or e) whether the correct medium (12) was conveyed through the connection device (10), or can be used to document dosing processes carried out with the dosing device (16). Connection device (10). Claim 1 , characterized in that the information about a delivery carried out by the control unit (17) can be used to determine the functionality of the pump (18) or to check the functionality of the pump (18) or to calibrate the pump (18). Connection device (10). Claim 1 or after Claim 4 , characterized in that the heating element (21) and/or the temperature sensor (22) has a coating (33) which in particular comprises polyurethane or parylene. Connection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a mandrel (27) for piercing a membrane (51) arranged on the head section (32) of the container (11). System (36), comprising a metering device (16) for metering media (12), comprising at least one container (11) for holding a medium (12), a pump (18) which can be addressed by a control unit (17) of the metering device (16). ), and a target device (19), wherein the medium (12) with the aid of a connection device (10), in particular a connection device according to one of Claims 1 until 20 which can be attached to the container (11) or to which the container can be attached, can be removed from the container (11) by actuating the pump (18) and fed to the target device (19), characterized in that on the connecting device (10 ), at least one heating element (21) and at least one temperature sensor (22) which can be connected or connected to a measuring device (23) are arranged, wherein information about is provided by means of the measuring device (23) with the aid of a measured value i) output by the temperature sensor (21). a conveyance of the medium (12) through the connection device (10) can be determined and transmitted to a control unit (22) of the metering device (16), and/or ii) information about the presence of medium (12) in the container ( 11) can be determined and transmitted to a control unit (17) of the metering device (16). Connection device (10) according to the preamble of Claim 1 , characterized in that the connection device (10) has a temperature measuring device (46) with which a temperature of at least one medium (12) or a temperature of an environment of the connection device (10) can be measured, with temperature information about the measured temperature being sent to the control unit (17) can be transmitted to the dosing device (16), and wherein the control unit (17) is designed in particular to take the temperature information obtained into account when controlling the pump (18) to carry out a dosing process or when calibrating the pump (18). Connection device (10). Claim 22 , characterized in that the control unit (17) accesses a memory (60) in which viscosity information about different viscosities of the medium (12) or different media at different temperatures is stored. Connection device (10). Claim 23 , characterized in that the tempera ture information from the control unit (17) can be related to the viscosity information. Connection device (10) according to one of the Claims 22 until 24 , characterized in that the connection device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 20 is formed, wherein the temperature measuring device (46) is provided by the temperature sensor (22).

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