Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F7/00—Washing devices adapted to be used independently of any particular receptacle, e.g. for removable mounting on wash-tubs, bath-tubs, or the like
  • D06F7/04—Washing devices adapted to be used independently of any particular receptacle, e.g. for removable mounting on wash-tubs, bath-tubs, or the like of the vibrator type
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B08—CLEANING
  • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
  • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
  • B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
  • B08B3/10—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
  • B08B3/12—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F19/00—Washing machines using vibrations for washing purposes

Definitions

• the subject of the invention is a method of washing and cleaning, by emission of ultrasound in a liquid containing the objects to be washed or cleaned.
• a washing and cleaning device intended to be immersed in a liquid containing the objects to be washed or cleaned, comprising a housing containing means for emitting acoustic waves having an emitting membrane.
• An ultrasonic washing and cleaning aid device is described in the utility certificate DE-U- 90 02 289. It is suggested in this document to place in an airtight housing an emitter of acoustic waves, organs of power supply and controls. It is notably proposed to use a loudspeaker, excited by an ultrasonic frequency transmitter device, as the acoustic wave transmitter.
• This device has the following drawbacks.
• the mere emission into the ultrasonic cleaning liquid does not ensure optimal washing and cleaning.
• the device in question has a low efficiency, due to frequency and energy losses in the ultrasound path from the emitting device to the liquid containing the objects to be cleaned, through the sealed housing.
• To improve efficiency it is necessary to increase the power consumption of the device, which requires an external power supply from the network.
• Another known washing and cleaning device consists of a sealed ball, on the inner wall of which is fixed an electric motor. On the axis of the motor is placed an eccentric mass. Means for supplying the motor are also provided, by accumulators arranged in the ball, or by the network. The motor rotates with a rotation speed between 8000 and 15000 rpm, which leads to emission of waves having a frequency in the range of 133 to 250 Hz.
• This device also has drawbacks. It does not provide effective washing and cleaning, due to the choice of frequency range.
• the motor axis is subject to rapid wear due to the eccentricity of the driven mass.
• the electrical power required to drive the motor is significant: this easily leads to heating of the accumulators, and if necessary to a gas emission. In addition, the autonomy of the device is quite reduced.
• the temperature inside the ball in operation can reach values of the order of 110 ° C. This, in addition to the loss of energy, poses problems for the operation of the engine and of the accumulators.
• the invention solves these problems. It ensures effective washing and cleaning, using a device with great autonomy, a simple structure, with good acoustic performance. It is very reliable and not subject to wear.
• the invention also solves the new problems associated with starting and stopping the cleaning device.
• the invention provides a method of washing and cleaning, by emission of ultrasound in a liquid containing the objects to be washed or cleaned, characterized in that it further comprises the simultaneous emission of infrasound in the liquid containing the objects to be washed or cleaned.
• said ultrasound has a frequency between 15 and 25 kHz
• said infrasound has a frequency between 10 and 90 Hz.
• said infrasound and said ultrasound are emitted by means of a flexible membrane in contact with the liquid containing the objects to be washed or cleaned.
• the invention further provides a washing and cleaning device, intended to be immersed in a liquid containing the objects to be washed or cleaned, comprising a housing containing means for emitting acoustic waves having an emitting membrane, characterized in that said membrane is waterproof and comes into contact with said liquid when said device is immersed in said liquid.
• said means for emitting acoustic waves emit ultrasonic and infrasonic waves.
• the acoustic wave transmission means can emit ultrasonic waves having one or more frequencies between 15 and 25 kHz, and / or infrasonic waves having one or more frequencies between 10 and 90 Hz.
• said means for emitting acoustic waves consist of at least one loudspeaker having a flexible waterproof membrane.
• the washing and cleaning device comprises means of connection with electrodes capable of coming into contact with the liquid in which said device is immersed, said connection means controlling the emission of acoustic waves by said means for emitting acoustic waves as a function of the resistance between said electrodes.
• FIG. 1 a block diagram of a washing and cleaning device according to the invention
• FIG. 2 a block diagram of another embodiment of a device according to the invention
• FIG. 3 a more detailed diagram of the circuits of the device of Figure 2.
• the washing and cleaning device of Figure 1 comprises a sealed housing 1 which is intended to be immersed in the liquid containing the objects to be washed or cleaned.
• the case can be completely immersed in the liquid containing the objects; it may also be only partially submerged.
• the housing 1 contains means for emitting acoustic waves having a membrane 3.
• the means for emitting acoustic waves can be constituted by any type of membrane emitter capable of emitting acoustic waves. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more speakers are simply used.
• the means for emitting acoustic waves 2 have a waterproof membrane 3, which is capable of coming into contact with the liquid containing the objects to be cleaned when the housing 1 is immersed in this liquid.
• the tightness of the membrane preserves the tightness of the washing device and protects the means for emitting acoustic waves as well as the other members arranged in the housing.
• the acoustic waves are emitted by the means for emitting acoustic waves directly to the liquid.
• the invention thus makes it possible to remedy the performance defects of known devices: in fact, the waves acoustics are not transmitted to the liquid via the housing 1, but directly through the membrane 3. This ensures good transmission without loss of energy or loss of frequencies.
• One of the advantages of the solution of the invention is to allow a wider choice of the characteristics of the housing 1, and in particular as regards its material and its shape: it is not necessary that the material making up the housing 1 be good transmitter of acoustic waves, nor that it has a particular shape. In fact, the only function of the housing 1 is to isolate the various organs that it contains from the liquid containing the objects to be washed or cleaned.
• the housing 1 contains energy storage means 4, such as for example accumulators or batteries. It further comprises means 5 for controlling and piloting the means for emitting acoustic waves 2.
• the command and piloting means 5 are connected to the energy storage means 4 and are liable to excite the means of 'emission of acoustic waves to cause the emission of ultrasound and / or infrasound, as explained below.
• the structure of the control and piloting means is described in more detail below.
• the device of Figure 1 operates as follows.
• the objects to be washed or cleaned are placed in a liquid, with if necessary a cleaning additive, for example washing powder or the like.
• the washing and cleaning device is immersed in the liquid.
• the membrane 3 of the means for emitting acoustic waves come into contact with the liquid.
• the washing device emits in the liquid containing the objects to be cleaned ultrasound and / or infrasound which cause washing of the objects. After a variable period depending on the initial state of the objects to be washed or cleaned, the device is removed from the liquid and the objects are ready to be rinsed or dried.
• the invention also relates to a method of washing and cleaning by emitting ultrasound in a liquid containing objects to be washed.
• the invention proposes to simultaneously transmit ultrasound and infrasound.
• the simultaneous emission of infrasound and ultrasound ensures effective washing and cleaning, by the combined action of ultrasound and infrasound.
• Ultrasound has an action to remove dirt or soiling, while infrasound has an action to remove loose soil.
• the use of ultrasound at the same time as infrasound improves water resonance and promotes washing.
• the method of the invention improves the efficiency of washing and cleaning, thanks to the combination of ultrasound and infrasound.
• the ultrasound can advantageously be emitted with a frequency or frequencies included in a range from 15 to 25 kHz.
• the infrasound can advantageously be emitted with a frequency or frequencies included in a range going from 10 to 90 Hz.
• Washing is carried out for a period of thirty minutes, using washing and cleaning devices supplied with a current of 1 A, at a voltage of 7.2 V.
• infrasound is emitted at a frequency of 50 Hz and ultrasound is emitted at a frequency of 15 kHz.
• the method of the invention can advantageously be implemented using a device of the type described with reference to FIG. 1. If the means for emitting acoustic waves consist of a loudspeaker, they can be cause ultrasound and infrasound to be emitted simultaneously in the above-mentioned frequency ranges.
• FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of a washing or cleaning device according to the invention.
• the device of Figure 2 comprises a housing 10.
• the housing 10 may have any shape; in the embodiment of Figure 2, it has a general shape of truncated ellipsoid of revolution or capsule. It consists of a material which can be freely chosen, to insulate the organs it contains from the liquid which contains the objects to be cleaned.
• the material of the housing resists the detergents and other additives usually used for washing and cleaning.
• the device of FIG. 2 comprises two means for emitting acoustic waves 11 and 12. They each have a flexible and waterproof membrane 13, 14.
• the assembly constituted by the housing 10 and the membranes 13, 14 of the means for emitting acoustic waves 11, 12 forms an enclosure 15 impermeable to the liquid in which the washing and cleaning device can be immersed.
• the acoustic wave emission means 11, 12 ensure the emission to the liquid in which the ultrasonic and / or infrasonic wave device is immersed, preferably within the above-mentioned frequency ranges from 15 to 25 kHz and from 10 to 90 Hz.
• They can, for example, consist of waterproof membrane speakers, which are commercially available.
• loudspeakers with a diameter of 85 mm can be used with a bandwidth of 50 Hz to 20 kHz, with a flexible membrane made of Goretex® Teflon® or glass fibers.
• the housing 10 comprises grids 17, 18 through which a liquid can circulate freely, which are arranged in front of the membranes 13, 14 of the means emitting acoustic waves. These grids 17, 18 provide mechanical protection of the membranes when the washing and cleaning device is immersed in the liquid containing the objects to be washed, without adversely affecting the effectiveness of the washing.
• the grids 17, 18 are dimensioned so as to prevent the passage of hard bodies present in the objects to be cleaned, such as buttons, clothing loops, etc., which could damage the membranes 13, 14.
• connection means 20 Found in the sealed enclosure 15 formed by the housing 10 and the membranes 13, 14 the electromagnets of the loudspeakers 12 and 13, as well as means for storing electrical energy 19, connection means 20 and a command and control circuit 21.
• the electrical energy storage means 19 are constituted by accumulators or batteries capable of supplying the electrical energy necessary for the emission of the acoustic waves.
• accumulators capable of supplying the electrical energy necessary for the emission of the acoustic waves.
• V connected in series so as to supply a voltage of 7.2 V, and capable of delivering a current of the order of 1 or 2 A.
• the electrical energy storage means are connected to the connection means.
• connection means 20 perform two functions: on the one hand, they make it possible to determine when the washing or cleaning device is immersed in a liquid. On the other hand, they are likely to receive an external electrical supply.
• connection means are connected on the one hand to the storage means 19 and on the other hand to the piloting and control means 2.
• connection means have two electrodes 22 capable of coming into contact with the liquid in which the washing device is immersed.
• connection means also have two pins 23 on which it is possible to connect an external power supply, for example a 12 V adapter connected to the mains, or a socket supplying automotive 12 V.
• an external power supply for example a 12 V adapter connected to the mains, or a socket supplying automotive 12 V.
• connection means have means for measuring the resistance between the electrodes 22, so as to determine whether or not the washing device is immersed in a liquid.
• the connection means 20 allow electrical energy to pass from the storage means 19 or the pins 23 to the piloting and control means 21, so as to allow the wave emission acoustic.
• the connection means isolate the control means 21 from the supply of electric power. This allows automatic starting and stopping of the washing device when it is submerged or emerged.
• the piloting and control means 21 convert the electrical energy received from the connection means 20 into a signal capable of exciting the means for emitting acoustic waves 11 and 12.
• the structure of the piloting and command is explained in more detail with reference to Figure 3.
• the device of Figure 2 therefore allows washing and cleaning of objects contained in a liquid in which it is immersed.
• the energy storage means can be omitted to be satisfied with an external supply; in such a case, the electrodes 22 can be removed from the connection means 20, so that the device starts and stops depending on whether or not there is a power supply on the terminals 23.
• the power of emission of infrasound and ultrasound during the first step is less than the power of emission of infrasound and ultrasound during the second step, for example in a 2/3 ratio.
• the washing and cleaning device can include means for adjusting the power of said wave emission means as a function of time.
• acoustic such as for example a timer or a clock, which controls the emission at reduced power of the acoustic waves for a determined time after switching on the device. This time is for example of the order of 10 to 12 minutes.
• FIG. 3 shows a more detailed diagram of the electrical circuits of the device of FIG. 2.
• connection means 20 the electrodes 22, the pins 23 and the piloting and control means 21.
• link 24 connecting the connection means 20 to the energy storage means 19
• link 25 connecting the connection means 20 to the control means 21, as well as the links 26 and 27 connecting the control means 21 to the means acoustic wave transmitters 11 and 12 in FIG. 2.
• These various connections are represented symbolically and are in fact constituted by suitable electrical conductors.
• connection means receive an external power supply on the pins 23, and on the link 24 the current coming from the energy storage means 19.
• the connection means deliver or not on link 25 a continuous electrical signal, at a voltage of 6 to 12 V with an intensity of 500 mA to 2 A.
• a simple 12 V relay can be used in the connection means for controlling the stopping and switching on of the device.
• the control means 21 include an ultrasonic oscillator 30, an infrasonic oscillator 31, a mixer 32, and a power amplifier 33. All of these elements are supplied by the electrical signal coming from the connection means 19 via the link 25, as appears in figure 3.
• the ultrasonic 30 and infrasonic oscillators 31 each transmit an electrical signal to the mixer 32 in the respective frequency ranges mentioned above.
• the oscillators 30 and 31 can be produced using circuits of the NE 555 type sold by the Harris company.
• the mixer 32 receives the signals from the oscillators 30 and 31 and transmits to the amplifier 33 a mixed signal corresponding to a combination of the two signals.
• Mixer 32 can be produced conventionally from commercial components.
• the power amplifier 33 receives the signal from the mixer 32 and transmits the drive signals to the speakers 11 and 12 on the links 26 and 27.
• the amplifier 33 does not only supply an amplified signal between 0 V and a maximum voltage Vmax, between 6 and 12 V depending on the power supply, but provides an amplified signal between -Vmax and + Vmax.
• This is for example possible using a Darlington diode bridge, or even using a 4-channel push-pull interface (symmetrical amplifier) L293E from the company Thomson, forming an H-bridge, and transistors 2907 from Texas Instruments.
• the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, and it is capable of numerous variants accessible to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. 'invention.
• the emission of ultrasound and infrasound can be simultaneous and occur on the same means of emission of acoustic waves, as described with reference to the figures; "simultaneous” should also be understood to mean the emission of ultrasound and infrasound on different transmission means, or else the time multiplexing of infrasound and ultrasound on one or more transmission means.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9479380

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 1995
  • 1995-05-26 FR FR9506252A patent/FR2734502B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1996
  • 1996-05-24 EP EP96917547A patent/EP0983128A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1996-05-24 AU AU60080/96A patent/AU6008096A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1996-05-24 WO PCT/FR1996/000783 patent/WO1996037314A1/fr not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events