ES3018135T3 - Dosing device - Google Patents

Abstract

There is shown and described, inter alia, a dosing device (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) for dosing and supplying media (13a, 13b, 13c) to a destination device (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f), in particular to a commercial textile washing machine, where the dosing device is connected to at least one container (12a, 12b, 12c) filled with a medium, and where the dosing device is assigned to a control unit (21) which, after receiving a request signal from the destination device, carries out a dosing process and, for this purpose, with the aid of a pump (23, 23a, 23b, 23c), withdraws a predetermined volume of medium from the container and transports it to the destination device, where the control unit has a communication interface (22) which, after completion of the dosing process, Transmits information about the successful execution of the dosing process to the target device. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Dosing equipment

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

Generic dosing equipment has long been developed and manufactured by the applicant group and the related company.

In particular, dosing equipment according to the present patent application is understood to mean equipment such as that described in German patent applications DE102011108396A1, DE102011119021A1, EP1181567A2, EP 12846800A2.

This type of dosing equipment has at least one inlet or inlet connection and at least one outlet or outlet connection. Preferably, the dosing equipment has several inlets for connection to several containers containing different media.

According to one embodiment, the dosing equipment also has several outputs, so that it is possible to connect the dosing equipment to several destination devices, connected in parallel.

During the operation of generic dosing equipment, situations may arise that deviate from normal operation. For example, failures may occur in the dosing equipment or the target device. A failure may include, for example, a malfunction of the dosing equipment or the target device itself, a defective water supply line to the target device, or, for example, an empty medium container in the dosing equipment. Many other failure scenarios are also possible.

Document EP2581486A2 describes a smart grid for a chemical dispensing system. In this case, a specific amount of chemical is dispensed to a household appliance, such as a washing machine, under the control of a pump controller. The document does not disclose that more than one destination appliance can be connected to the dosing equipment. It also does not disclose collision avoidance equipment.

Document EP0403296A1 describes a microprocessor-controlled liquid chemical delivery system. Here, quantities of chemicals are transported from separate containers via separate peristaltic pumps to a main distributor, where they are diluted with water. From there, the water-diluted chemical is delivered via a separate delivery pump to a selected washing machine. It is not clear from the document that the media are transported from the container to the destination device by a common pump. Furthermore, the document does not disclose that media are transported; according to the theory of this document, they are transported solutions of media.

The invention aims to improve a dosing device of the generic type in such a way that the occurrence of errors is reduced or can be better controlled.

The invention achieves this objective with the features of claim 1, in particular with those of the characterizing part, and is characterized therefore in that the control unit is assigned a device for preventing collisions which, when there are colliding, in particular simultaneous, requests for execution of dosing processes from both destination devices, carries out a prioritization of the dosing processes, in particular establishes a processing sequence.

The principle of the invention essentially consists in that a prioritization measure can be implemented in the event of a collision in a dosing device connected to two or more destination devices. According to the invention, an anti-collision device is provided for this purpose, which is arranged within or on the dosing device. If necessary, the anti-collision device can prioritize colliding dosing processes. For example, a processing sequence can be defined as part of the prioritization of the dosing processes.

The collision avoidance device is also designed and configured to detect the presence of colliding dosing requests. Advantageously, it is designed to initiate measures to prioritize the colliding dosing processes upon detecting the existence of colliding dosing requests.

The prioritization of dosing processes can be done, for example, based on importance, or alternatively based on the chronological order in which dosing requests are received. Other order or prioritization criteria are also taken into consideration.

If a dosing process has already been initiated and a second dosing process request subsequently enters the dosing system, according to the invention, prioritization of the dosing processes can comprise, in particular, that the already initiated dosing process is completed first, in all cases, and that the second dosing process is only started after the completion of the first dosing process. This allows for particularly reliable processing of conflicting dosing requests.

In one embodiment of the invention, the advantage lies in assigning a communication interface to the dosing device, in particular to the control unit in the dosing device. The communication interface is designed and configured to transmit information about the dosing process to the target device after its completion and, therefore, in particular, successful execution.

A successful or completed dosing process can be detected by the dosing equipment, for example, if the dosing equipment was able to meet the corresponding demands of the target device. For example, a successful completion of the dosing process can be confirmed by the dosing equipment if the required medium has been pumped by the pump assigned to the dosing equipment to the target device in sufficient quantities, i.e., in accordance with the required volume.

For example, a message from the dosing equipment pump can contribute to determining a successful dosing process.

In this regard, it should be mentioned that a pump in the context of this patent application is understood to mean any conveying device, in particular a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump, a piston pump, but also any other suitable conveying device, such as a screw conveyor or powder conveying device.

Other sensors or detectors that may be assigned to the dosing device may also be queried or taken into account when determining whether dosing was successful. For example, the dosing device, particularly its control unit, may detect conductivity or flow measurements and determine a positive dosing result if the measurement results are correct. Furthermore, if the dosing device has a motor-driven actuator that can, for example, address different media inlets and manage different communicative switching connections with the target device, the dosing device may rely on a suitable feedback function or feedback from the motor to indicate that a corresponding excitation has been successfully carried out.

As soon as the dosing device has determined that the dosing process has been carried out successfully, the control unit can address the communication interface on the dosing device side, from which information about the successful execution of the dosing process is transmitted to the target device.

A second communication interface may be arranged on the destination device side, which receives the corresponding information. In particular, a control device may be arranged on the destination device that can process this information.

The destination device can therefore receive information that the dosing process has been completed or has been carried out successfully.

The invention allows the destination apparatus to take measures, if necessary, if the corresponding information about a successful execution of the dosing process is not transmitted to the destination apparatus or is not transmitted to the destination apparatus within a predetermined time. For example, if the destination apparatus does not receive information from the dosing equipment that the dosing process has been carried out, it can take measures to prevent subsequent errors from occurring. For example, in the case of a destination apparatus configured as a commercial textile washing machine, the clothes to be treated could be damaged. For example, if appropriate confirmation of a completed dosing process is not received from the dosing equipment, the destination apparatus can cancel or interrupt the washing or cleaning program to be carried out on the destination apparatus, or issue a corresponding warning to the user, for example an acoustic or visual warning, about the presence of a fault.

Furthermore, the information transmitted to the destination device confirming that the dosing process has been completed correctly allows for additional steps to be performed on the destination device as part of the selected or established washing or cleaning program. This increases process reliability.

According to the invention, a dosing equipment for dosing and supplying media to a destination apparatus is capable of extracting a predetermined quantity, i.e. a predetermined volume, of media from at least one container connected to the dosing equipment.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the dosing device is connected on the inlet side to a plurality of different containers, which are preferably filled with different media. According to one embodiment of the invention, the dosing device can perform a corresponding switching of the communication paths between the different inlets and the at least one outlet of the dosing device by activating a motor, in particular an actuator, and thus, for example, successively supply different detergent components to a commercial textile washing machine, or supply different media, i.e., different chemicals, at different times according to the different washing stages of a washing process.

For the purposes of this patent application, the term "destination apparatus" means any suitable washing or cleaning apparatus, in particular a commercial textile washing machine or a commercial dishwasher, or other apparatus in which a washing, cleaning or disinfection process is carried out.

A dosing device according to the invention is generally arranged separately from the target appliance and is not integrated into a conventional domestic washing machine or a conventional dishwasher.

In particular, a dosing device of the type according to the invention is designed to enable connection to several destination devices, even to several destination devices of different types.

According to the invention, the dosing device has a control unit, which can be formed by a microprocessor, for example. The control unit receives a demand signal from the target device, in particular from a control device of the target device. The transmission of demand signals can also take place via the communication interface assigned to the control unit.

After receiving the demand signal, the dosing device can extract the predetermined volume of medium (predetermined in the case of different media present) from the corresponding container. Furthermore, this volume can be transported to the destination device. In one embodiment of the invention, this is achieved by the control unit activating a pump, i.e., a transport device within the meaning of the patent application, which extracts and transports the corresponding amount of medium from the container for a predetermined time or at a predetermined speed, or, depending on the type of pump, by directly setting a volume.

According to the invention, a communication interface is assigned to the control unit. The communication interface can be designed, for example, as a connection socket for the plug of a connection cable. However, the communication interface can also perform wireless transmission of information to the target device. For example, in the case of wireless communication, a conventional transmission and reception standard can be used, e.g., via WLAN or BLUETOOTH.

According to the invention, the communication interface transmits information about the successful execution of the dosing process to the destination device after the dosing process has been completed. The information transmission can take place, for example, in the form of coded information, e.g., a bit sequence. This is particularly advantageous if the connection between the communication interface on the dosing device side and the communication interface on the destination device side is designed as a signal line, whether a wired or wireless signal line.

However, the invention also includes the transmission of information about the completed execution of the dosing process to the destination apparatus as a relay output signal, for example by applying a voltage or a voltage sequence.

It is essential that the target device recognizes the information transmitted in the form of the applied voltage or in the form of the transmitted signal as information that the execution of the dosing process has been carried out by the dosing equipment.

A dosing device of the type according to the invention can be provided, in particular in terms of its construction, by a device according to the patent applications of the applicants mentioned above. The disclosure content of these patent applications described above is included in the content of the present patent application to avoid repetition and to refer to individual features, including the incorporation of features into the features of the present patent application.

An embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the control unit is assigned a communication interface on the side of the dosing device and the control device is assigned a communication interface on the side of the target device, whereby between the control device and the control unit, via the two interconnected communication interfaces, an exchange of data takes place, which contains at least one of the following information about the target device and/or the dosing device:

a) Information about the destination device:

i) information on the manufacturer of the target device,

(ii) technical information on the intended device, in particular the indication of a power class,

iii) information on the status of the target appliance, in particular information on a set washing or cleaning programme and/or on the status of a washing or cleaning programme

(iv) indications on the presence or absence of a fault in the target device, v) Indications on a dosing request,

(vi) Information on the washing programme to be carried out, in particular information on the means to be used in the washing programme to be carried out, (vii) Information on a specific stage or several specific stages of a washing programme, in particular information on the means to be used,

viii) instructions on cancelling a washing programme.

b) Information on the dosing equipment:

ix) Information on the manufacturer of the dosing equipment,

x) technical information on the dosing equipment,

xi) indications on the media connected to the dosing equipment

xii) indications on the other destination appliances connected to the dosing equipment xiii) indications on the status of the dosing equipment, in particular information on the status of a dosing process or indications on an availability status of the dosing equipment or indications on an occupied status of the dosing equipment, xiv) indications on the expected time at which the dosing equipment is to return to the availability status,

xv) indications on the presence or absence of faults in the dosing equipment, xvi) indications on the cancellation of a dosing process,

xvii) information on a successfully completed and/or executed dosing process, xviii) information on the filling status of a medium container, in particular information on the empty status of a medium.

The principle of the embodiment essentially consists in exchanging data between a first communication interface on the dosing device side and a second communication interface on the target device side. A variety of different information or information about the target device and/or the dosing device can be transmitted. This makes it possible to efficiently and effectively control dosing processes and to prevent errors or handle the occurrence of errors in such a way that the resulting adverse effects can be kept to a minimum.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the dosing device transmits information to the target device whose dosing process request has been prioritized lower, taking into account the collision that has occurred. For example, the dosing device can transmit the relevant information to the target device that now has to wait or that has been prioritized lower. For example, in the simplest case, information can be transmitted that the respective target device must pause for a certain period. However, for example, it can also be communicated how long the target device must wait, i.e., a period of time that the dosing device will likely still take to complete the first, prioritized, dosing process that is currently taking place is transmitted.

After receiving the corresponding information, the target appliance can, for example, take measures, if necessary, to optimize the washing or cleaning process being carried out on the target appliance, for example by interrupting it despite the necessary pause.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, several containers with different media are connected to the dosing device. This makes it possible to carry out even very complex washing or cleaning processes.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, several destination devices are connected to the dosing device. This enables particularly efficient dosing and transfer of the media to different destination devices. This way, on the one hand, the construction effort can be kept low, because only one dosing device is required for several destination devices. On the other hand, only the containers with the corresponding media for several destination devices need to be centrally connected to the dosing device, while still ensuring the supply of the media to all destination devices. This can also considerably simplify stock and storage management, as well as the procurement of media.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, several dosing devices are connected in series, in particular forming a cascade. On the one hand, this makes it possible to provide a multitude of different media. On the other hand, according to this embodiment of the invention, a multitude of different destination devices can be connected together to a single dosing device.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first communication interface is assigned to the dosing device, and a second communication interface is assigned to the destination device. This enables bidirectional transmission of information via the destination device and/or via the dosing device between the dosing device and the destination device.

Furthermore, there is the possibility of standardizing the two communication interfaces so that even different devices from different manufacturers can communicate with each other using the same standards.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two communication interfaces are connected to one another via an electrical line, in particular a signal line. This cable connection between the two communication interfaces enables a particularly secure and optically visible connection. In the simplest case, this can be achieved via a cable having plugs at both ends. The plugs can be inserted into the corresponding sockets provided on the dosing device and the target device. In this embodiment, each communication interface is assigned a plug socket.

According to another advantageous alternative embodiment of the invention, the two communication interfaces on the dosing device and on the destination device are connected to each other wirelessly. Specifically, said wireless connection between two communication interfaces can be implemented using conventional standards. Standards such as WLAN or BLUETOOTH are particularly suitable. In this embodiment, each communication interface is assigned a transmitter and/or receiver module for wireless transmission and/or reception of signals.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the dosing device is arranged and designed externally, i.e., separately from the intended device. It is therefore a dosing device that is not an integral part of the intended device.

Further advantages of the invention are evident from the uncited dependent claims and from the following description of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. They show:

1 shows a schematic representation in the form of a block diagram, a first exemplary embodiment of a metering device, to which two containers filled with media are connected, and a destination device, a cable connection being provided between a communication interface on the side of the metering device and a communication interface on the side of the destination device, FIG. 2 shows a representation according to FIG. 1, a further exemplary embodiment of a metering device according to the invention, in which the metering device has two mixing distributor devices arranged geometrically inverted relative to one another, and in which two destination devices and three containers are connected to the metering device, and

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a dosing device according to the invention in a representation according to Figure 2, in which the dosing device shown comprises a total of three mixing distributor arrangements which are arranged in cascade and in which two destination devices and, by way of example, only one container are connected to the dosing device.

Embodiments of the invention are described by way of example in the following description of the figures, also with reference to the drawings. For clarity, identical or comparable parts, elements, or regions are designated by the same reference symbols, sometimes with the addition of lowercase letters, even when different embodiments are involved.

Features that are described only in connection with one exemplary embodiment may also be provided within the scope of the invention in any other exemplary embodiment of the invention. Such modified exemplary embodiments, although not shown in the drawings, are included in the invention.

All of the disclosed features are essential to the invention. The disclosure of the application also includes the content of the disclosure of the cited documents and the described devices of the prior art in their entirety, also for the purpose of including individual or several features of these documents in one or more claims of the present application.

In the figures, the dosing equipment has been designated, for the different embodiments, by the reference sign 10, in particular by adding lower case letters.

According to Figure 1, a first embodiment of a dosing device 10a comprises a mixing distribution device 34, which, similarly to the patent applications of the applicants described at the beginning, can be constituted by two discs, in particular an inlet disc 17 and an outlet disc 18, or comprises such discs 17, 18.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a pair of inlet-side connections 15a, 15b are assigned to the inlet disk 17 of the metering device 10a. These are connected via medium lines 14a, 14b to two containers 12a, 12b, each of which contains a medium 13a, 13b. The medium is in particular a liquid, in particular a detergent, a cleaning agent, a disinfectant, or a component of one of the agents listed above, or an auxiliary agent for a washing, cleaning, or disinfecting process.

In other non-represented embodiments of the invention, the media are provided in the form of a powder or a fluid.

The number of media is arbitrary in the various embodiments. The same applies to the number of connected containers, the number of connections 15 on the inlet side of the dosing device 10a, and the number of outlets 16 on the outlet side of the respective dosing device 10, 10a.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the dosing device 10a has only a single outlet connection 16, which connects the dosing device 10a to a destination device 11 via a conveying line 26. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the destination device is designed, as in the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3, as a commercial textile washing machine.

As mentioned at the beginning, this target appliance also represents by way of example other suitable target appliances, such as commercial type dishwashers, or other washing or cleaning or disinfecting or processing or treatment equipment or installations or machines.

According to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the input disk 17 and the output disk 18 can rotate relative to each other about a rotational axis 19. One disk 18 can be set in relative motion relative to the other disk 17 by means of a motor 20, which is only indicated schematically. The construction details are not shown in Figure 1 and are left to the discretion of the skilled person, who can take appropriate suggestions, for example, from the applicants' patent applications described at the beginning.

The dosing device 10a has a control device 21, which is indicated only as a black box in block diagram form. The control unit 21 is connected to a communication interface 22 on the dosing device side via a signal or control line 27a. The communication interface 22 is in turn connected to the target device 11 via a communication line 25 shown in Figure 1.

The control unit 21 is furthermore connected to a pump 23 via a control or signal line 27b. The control unit 21 can control the pump 23 via the signal line 27b and cause it to draw a certain amount of medium from the respective container 12a or 12b via the mixing distributor device 34 and then transport it via the fluid line 26 to the destination device 11.

The control unit 21 is further connected to the motor 20 via the signal line 27d, and can activate the motor to cause one of the input-side connections 15a, 15b to communicate with the output 26.

By activating the pump 23 in this way, a certain amount of medium 13a, 13b can be withdrawn from the corresponding container 12a, 12b, i.e. pumped out and, at the same time, pumped through the transport line 26 to the destination device 11.

The control unit 21 is further connected to a sensor 24, or detector, shown schematically, via a signal line 27c. The detector may be a flow meter, for example, or alternatively a conductivity sensor. Several detectors or sensors 24, not shown in Figure 1, could also be used, all of which can communicate their measurement results to the control unit 21.

In this regard, the control unit 21 is capable of carrying out or initiating dosing processes and determining whether the dosing processes have been carried out successfully. For example, the determination of whether a dosing process operation has been carried out correctly may depend on whether the control unit 21 receives corresponding, expected, or, where appropriate, confirmations within an expected range after the motor 20 and/or the pump 23 and/or a corresponding sensor 24 have responded. For example, if the sensor 24 is designed as a conductivity measuring sensor, the conductivity measuring sensor can be expected to detect a certain conductivity at a certain time when the pump 23 responds and a certain medium 13a, 13b is conveyed. If the expected conductivity is measured, the control unit 21 can classify the dosing process as completed or successful.

On the other hand, the control unit 21 can expect that when the pump 23 responds, a certain amount, i.e. a certain volume, of fluid will be pumped through a certain measuring range, for example a measuring range of a flow meter 24. If the control unit 21 detects a corresponding response signal from the flow meter, or at least does not receive a corresponding interference signal from the connected unit 23, 24 or 20, the control unit 21 can assume that the dosing process to be carried out has been carried out successfully or correctly.

On the other hand, if the control unit 21 receives corresponding error signals or does not receive the expected confirmations, it may be assumed that the dosing process has not taken place or has not been carried out successfully.

According to the invention, the first communication interface 22 is designed and configured to transmit to the destination apparatus 11 via the communication line 25 a corresponding signal or corresponding information about a performed dosing operation.

According to Figure 1, the destination device 11 has a program selector switch 28, which allows a washing or cleaning program to be set. This program selector is connected to a control unit 29 of the destination device 11 via a signal line 32b. The control device 29 corresponds, at least in terms of its block-like function, to the control unit 21 of the dosing device 10a in Figure 1.

The control device 29 is connected to a communication interface 30 on the destination device side via a signal line 32a. This, in turn, is connected to the signal or connection line or communication line 25.

According to Figure 1, the control device 29 is also connected via a signal line 32d to a sensor or detector 31b and via a signal line 32c to a sensor or detector 31a. The two sensors 31a, 31b can, for example, detect or monitor the presence of a liquid or medium, in particular the presence of water, or the presence of a certain conductivity, or temperature or pH value or a certain quantity, for example a maximum or minimum present quantity of a liquid, for example a fill level, and transmit the corresponding measured values or measurement results to the control device 29.

The execution of a washing process and the transmission of dosing information can proceed in an exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, for example, as follows:

After a washing program has been set on the target device 11 by the user using the program selection switch 28, the control device 29 may cause a dosing request to be sent to the dosing equipment 10a via the second communication interface 30. For example, in order to carry out a given washing program in a first step, it may be necessary to supply the medium 13a in a predetermined quantity and at a predetermined time.

The control device 29 transmits this information via the second communication interface 30 and the connecting line 25 to the first communication interface 22 and to the control unit 21 of the dosing device 10a. The dosing device 10a can now start the corresponding dosing process and, by activating the motor 20 and subsequently activating the pump 23, cause the required quantity of medium to be delivered to the destination device 11.

As soon as the control unit 21 detects that the dosing process is being carried out correctly or has been completed, a corresponding success signal can be transmitted via the communication interface 22 by means of an acknowledgment via the connection line 25 to the communication interface 30 on the side of the target device.

The control device 29 can take note of the success of the dosing and then, in a second step, for example, make a request for further dosing, or carry out a suitable measure in the target device itself, for example, introduce fresh water, or increase the temperature, or carry out a rotation of the washing drum, etc.

However, if one of the sensors 31b, 31a in the destination appliance 11 or the control apparatus 29 detects the occurrence of a malfunction, for example if the water supply to the destination appliance 11 is interrupted, or if incorrect confirmation values are received from the units connected to the control apparatus 29, in particular the sensors 31a, 31b, a corresponding transmission of information that a malfunction exists can be made to the dosing equipment 10a. This can, for example, then interrupt the dosing process for this destination appliance 11.

On the other hand, if the control unit 21 detects, after the execution of a dosing process, that it has not been completed correctly, a corresponding signal may be transmitted to the destination device 11, or in any case, the transmission of a signal indicating that it was successfully dosed may be omitted. From this, the control device 29 of the destination device 11 may recognize or conclude that the dosing has not been carried out correctly. Once this signal has been received and recognized, the control device 29 may initiate appropriate measures to ensure that no further consecutive problems occur. In particular, the control device 29 may, for example, interrupt the subsequent washing process and/or initiate a corresponding acoustic or visual indication for the user of the destination device, drawing attention to the fact that an error has occurred during the dosing process.

In this regard, it should be noted that instead of the connection line 25 shown in Figure 1 (and in the other figures), the communication between the first communication interface 22 on the dosing device 10 and the second communication interface 30 on the destination device 11 can also be carried out wirelessly.

With the help of the embodiment example in Figure 1, it will now be explained that additional information can also be exchanged via the communication interfaces 22 and 30.

For example, information can be exchanged regarding the manufacturer of the target device and/or the manufacturer of the dosing equipment. Depending on the manufacturer's specific specifications, the other device can be adapted to the device. For example, different manufacturers may expect or take into account different special features when carrying out the washing or cleaning process, thus achieving an optimized operating mode.

Alternatively and/or additionally, technical information about the target device and/or dosing equipment may be provided. This also includes, for example, information about the target device's performance class or information about the possible number of different media or containers that can be or are connected to a dosing device and/or the number of target devices that can or are connected to a dosing device.

Finally, the status of the target device and/or the status of the dosing equipment can be transmitted. For example, it can be ensured that dosing only actually takes place when the target device is in a corresponding washing or cleaning process state.

In addition, information about the presence or absence of a fault in the target device and/or information about the presence or absence of a fault in the dosing equipment may be transmitted. In this regard, the other device may take into account the device's status and initiate appropriate and suitable measures to avoid a fault or prevent the occurrence of subsequent faults.

Finally, the target device can transmit information about the rinsing program to the dosing system, for example. This may include information about the media to be used in the set rinsing or cleaning program and the times at which they should be used. It is also possible, especially if several target devices are connected to the dosing system, for the dosing system itself to decide when to carry out certain dosing processes to achieve optimized dosing overall.

It is designed to master the prioritization of conflicting dosing requests. In particular, it can also be designed to prevent such potential collisions of conflicting dosing requests in advance. This can be done, for example, by the dosing device transmitting information to the corresponding target device, or if necessary, to several target devices, that dosing will be available at certain times. In this way, the target device can adapt or optimize its own washing and/or cleaning process by knowing the operating status of the dosing device or by knowing a short-term and, if necessary, changing operating status of the dosing device.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, the dosing device designated 10b has two mixing distribution devices 34a and 34b. These are arranged geometrically opposite each other and connected to each other via an intermediate line 35.

The first mixing distributor 34b has an inlet disk 17a with three connections 15a, 15b, 15c, and an outlet disk 18a that can rotate relative thereto and can be actuated by a motor 20b. The single outlet 16d is connected to the single inlet 15d of the second mixing distributor 34a via an intermediate line 35. Its inlet disk 17b can be rotated about the axis of rotation 19, i.e. relative to the second outlet disk 18b, by a second motor 20a. Three outlet connections 16a, 16b, 16c are connected to the outlet disk 18b. The fluid supply lines 26a, 26b are shown only for the two outlet connections 16a, 16c that lead to the corresponding destination devices 11a, 11b.

In this respect, it is possible to successively feed several destination devices 11a, 11b with different media 13a, 13b, 13c by means of the dosing equipment 10b of Figure 2.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, it is provided that a first pump 23a is connected to the first fluid conduit 26a, and a second pump 23b is connected to the second fluid conduit 26b.

The destination appliance that can be connected to the third connection conduit 26c is not shown in Figure 2 for clarity.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the control unit 21 is designed to carry out control via the multiple signal lines 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, 27e, 27f, which functions approximately as follows: When a dosing request is received from a corresponding destination device 11a or 11b via the corresponding signal line 25a or 25b, a corresponding fluid connection is first established between the corresponding container 12a, 12b, 12c and the corresponding supply line 26a and 26b by activating the two motors 20a, 20b. Then, by activating the respective pump 23a or 23b, the predetermined supply volume is transported to the corresponding destination device 11a or 11b.

As an alternative to using two pumps 23a and 23b, in another embodiment a single pump 23c can also be provided in the area of the intermediate conduit 35, as shown in dashed lines.

Likewise, it is also possible to provide a single fluid measuring sensor 24c, indicated in dashed lines (instead of the two fluid measuring sensors 24a, 24b shown).

According to the invention, in the case of colliding, i.e., simultaneous or occurring at the same time, dosing requests from different destination devices 11a, 11b, it is possible to prioritize the dosing requests. For this purpose, the control unit 21 may contain an integrated or separate collision avoidance device 36, which ensures, for example, that if a dosing process has been started, it is first completed before a second, concurrently requested dosing process is started and processed during the execution of the first dosing process.

However, it is also possible to plan a different processing sequence during prioritization and to prioritize according to other order characteristics. For example, an importance scale can also be introduced and used in the execution of dosing processes, taking into account, for example, that certain target devices do not have to pause or are not required to pause for a certain amount of time, at least at certain times during certain washing or cleaning processes. In this regard, dosing processes could be preempted under certain circumstances, including the possibility of already started dosing processes being canceled and paused, only to be resumed later after a second dosing process has been performed.

If both destination devices 11a, 11b simultaneously send a request signal to the dosing device 10b to carry out a dosing process, the dosing device 10b or the collision avoidance device 36 integrated in the control unit 21 can ensure that the destination device with a lower priority, for example one that has to wait a while, is informed that the dosing process can only be started or will be started later, for example a few minutes later. For this purpose, the control unit 21 or the communication interface 22 can transmit a corresponding collision signal via the respective connection line 25a, 25b to the respective control unit 29a, 29b or to the respective communication interface 30a, 30b on the destination device side, of the destination device 11a, 11b.

After receiving the corresponding collision information, the corresponding target apparatus 11a, 11b may adjust to it and the control apparatus 29a, 29b connected to the corresponding target apparatus 11a, 11b may initiate a corresponding measure on the corresponding target apparatus 11a, 11b if necessary.

With regard to all embodiments of the present patent application, it should be noted at this point that the number of connected containers or the number of different available media 13, as well as the number of destination devices 11, 11a, 11b, 11c connected to a dosing equipment 10, 10a, 10b, 10c is discretionary.

With regard to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2, it should be noted that the mixing distributor equipment designated there by 34a is designed in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2 in such a way that when a communication path is provided between the inlet connection 15d of the inlet disk 17b and one of the outlet connections 16a, 16b, 16c of the outlet disk 18b, for example the outlet connection 16a, the respective remaining outlet connections 16b, 16c are blocked.

In another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the second mixing distributor device 34a is designed such that the outlet connections (e.g., 16b, 16c) that are not connected to the inlet connection 15d are not blocked, but remain open after the associated fluid supply line 26b, 26c has been flushed accordingly. In this embodiment, it is therefore possible to use a different variable hose connection device, e.g., using hose clamping elements, instead of the mixing distributor disclosed in the applicants' patent applications described at the beginning.

According to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3, a cascade arrangement of several mixing distributor devices 34a, 34b, 34c of a dosing device 10c is also described. Here, a first mixing distributor 34a has an inlet disk 17a and an outlet disk 18a. For convenience, the inlet disk 17a has only one inlet connection 15a, and the outlet disk 18a has only two outlet connections 16a, 16b, also for convenience.

The outlet connection 16a is connected to a second mixing distributor equipment 34b through a first intermediate conduit 35a and the second connection 16b is connected to a third mixing distributor equipment 34c through a second intermediate conduit 35b.

The second mixing distribution device 34b also has an inlet disk 17b and an outlet disk 18b, which can rotate relative to each other around a rotation axis 19b.

The third mixing distribution device 34c has a first inlet disk 17c and a second outlet disk 18c, which are rotatable relative to each other around a rotation axis 19c.

Each of the two output discs 18b, 18c has respectively three output connections 16c, 16d, 16e and 16f, 16g, 16h.

In this respect, it is possible to connect a multiplicity of destination devices to the dosing equipment 10c, a total of six in the present embodiment of Figure 3. However, for greater ease, only two destination devices 11a and 11f are shown in Figure 3.

According to the theory according to the invention, the dosing device 10c can also master or avoid a collision of simultaneous dosing requests from different destination devices 11a, 11f, through the communication interface 22 by means of the collision avoidance device 36 integrated in the control unit 21.

Figure 3 shows a cascade of mixing distribution equipment 34a, 34b, 34c with the consequence that a multiplicity of destination devices 11a, 11b can be supplied with one medium or with different media by means of a single distribution equipment 10c.

It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3 also includes variants in which a plurality of containers, in particular a plurality of different media, are connected to the dosing device 10.

For the record, it should be noted that the collision avoidance device 36 may be an integral part of the corresponding control unit 21 in the dosing equipment 10, or it may be formed separately from it. In particular, the collision avoidance device 36 may be formed by a microprocessor or be an integral part of the control unit 21 of the dosing equipment 10, 10a, 10b, 10c.

Claims (9)

1. Dosing device (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) for metering and supplying media to at least one first destination device (11a), in particular to a commercial textile washing machine, and to at least one second destination device (11b, 11f), the dosing device being connected to at least one container (12a, 12b, 12c) which is filled with a medium (13a, 13b, 13c), and the dosing device being assigned a control unit (21) which, upon receiving a demand signal from a destination device, carries out a dosing process and for this purpose activates a pump (23, 23a, 23b, 23c) which withdraws a predetermined volume of medium from the container and transports said volume to the destination device, characterized in that the control unit is assigned a collision avoidance device (36), which, when colliding demands occur, in particular simultaneous, carrying out dosing processes of both destination devices, establishes a prioritization of the dosing processes, in particular a processing sequence. 2. Dosing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the dosing equipment transmits to the destination device, whose dosing process demand has been prioritized lower, information that takes into account the collision that has occurred. 3. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several containers (12a, 12b, 12c) with different media are connected to the dosing device. 4. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several destination devices (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f) are connected to the dosing device. 5. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several dosing devices are connected in series, in particular forming a cascade. 6. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first communication interface (22) is assigned to the dosing device and a second communication interface (30) is assigned to the target device. 7. Dosing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that the two communication interfaces are connected to each other via an electrical line (25), in particular via a signal line. 8. Dosing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the two communication interfaces are connected to each other wirelessly, in particular using conventional standards such as WLAN or BLUETOOTH. 9. Dosing equipment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing equipment is arranged externally, separately, from the target device.