EP4015698A1 - Waschmaschine und verfahren zum entstopfen eines ablauffilters einer waschmaschine - Google Patents

Waschmaschine und verfahren zum entstopfen eines ablauffilters einer waschmaschine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4015698A1
EP4015698A1 EP20214105.7A EP20214105A EP4015698A1 EP 4015698 A1 EP4015698 A1 EP 4015698A1 EP 20214105 A EP20214105 A EP 20214105A EP 4015698 A1 EP4015698 A1 EP 4015698A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
waste water
unclogging
washing machine
compartment
drain
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20214105.7A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Aziz MAKHMUDOV
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Original Assignee
Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS filed Critical Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority to EP20214105.7A priority Critical patent/EP4015698A1/de
Publication of EP4015698A1 publication Critical patent/EP4015698A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
    • D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
    • 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
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
    • D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F33/42—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of draining
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/14—Supply, recirculation or draining of washing liquid
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/16—Washing liquid temperature
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/34—Filtering, e.g. control of lint removal devices
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/42—Detergent or additive supply
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/54—Changing between normal operation mode and special operation modes, e.g. service mode, component cleaning mode or stand-by mode

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a washing machine according to claim 1, a method of unclogging a drain filter of a washing machine according to claim 10 and a computer program product or a program code or system according to claim 15.
  • Washing machines which include both machines for laundering clothes and machines for cleaning crockery and/or cutlery (the latter generally being known as dishwashers), operate by introducing fresh water into a washing chamber, where items to be washed are held, and ejecting waste water from the washing chamber when the items are washed.
  • a washing machine usually comprises a drain pump to pump the waste water out of the washing chamber into a drain. Since the items to be washed are dirty, solid debris and/or sludge washed off the items risks clogging the drain pump, causing the drain pump to malfunction and/or be damaged. In the case of dishwashers, this debris may include, for example, particles of food and/or viscous liquids, such as grease.
  • the washing machine therefore usually also comprises a drain filter, located upstream of the drain pump in a path for waste water from the washing chamber to the drain, in order to protect the drain pump from clogging.
  • the drain filter should also be unclogged from time to time, to ensure continuing correct operation of the washing machine.
  • the drain filter may be unclogged chemically, by means of a chemical unclogging agent, and/or mechanically.
  • US 2014/158163 A describes a method and system of removing a clogging condition of a filter in a dishwasher.
  • the method includes detecting the clogging condition of the filter by detecting a deviation of a water level or rate of water level change during a wash cycle from a normal water level or normal rate of water level change.
  • CN 105316913 A describes a washing machine and a control method for cleaning a filtering assembly of the washing machine.
  • waste water from a washing chamber is circulated through a drain filter in a closed loop back to the washing chamber.
  • the drain filter comprises a pre-filter and an ultrafiltration membrane.
  • an air pump is controlled to pump air through the pre-filter and ultrafiltration membrane.
  • the object of the invention is solved by a washing machine according to claim 1.
  • the washing machine at least comprises a washing chamber having an outlet for waste water, a pre-filter, a three-way valve, a bypass channel, an unclogging compartment for containing an unclogging agent, a drain filter, a drain pump, a waste water measuring device, a temperature measuring device, processing means and switching means under control of the processing means.
  • the pre-filter has an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the washing chamber and has an outlet.
  • the three-way valve has an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the pre-filter and has first and second outlets.
  • the three-way valve has a first state, wherein the inlet of the three-way valve is in fluid communication with the first outlet thereof and is closed off from the second outlet thereof, and a second state, wherein the inlet of the three-way valve is in fluid communication with the second outlet thereof and is closed off from the first outlet thereof.
  • the bypass channel has an inlet in fluid communication with the first outlet of the three-way valve and has an outlet.
  • the unclogging compartment has an inlet in fluid communication with the second outlet of the three-way valve and has an outlet.
  • the drain filter has an inlet in fluid communication with both the outlet of the bypass channel and with the outlet of the unclogging compartment, and has an outlet.
  • the drain pump has an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the drain filter and has an outlet configured to be connected to a drain.
  • the waste water measuring device is for measuring a rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine via the bypass channel when the three-way valve is in its first state, and has an output.
  • the temperature measuring device is for measuring a temperature of the waste water and also has an output.
  • the processing means has a first input connected to the output of the waste water measuring device and a second input connected to the output of the temperature measuring device. The processing means is for determining whether the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is less than or equal to a predetermined value and for determining whether the temperature of the waste water is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature.
  • the switching means is for switching the three-way valve between the first state thereof and the second state thereof.
  • the processing means is configured to instruct the switching means to switch the three-way valve from the first state thereof to the second state thereof if the processing means determines that the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is less than or equal to the predetermined value.
  • the pre-filter is for catching larger and relatively more heavy items of debris borne by the waste water, in order to protect the three-way valve and other components of the washing machine downstream of the three-way valve from becoming blocked or damaged.
  • larger items may, for example, comprise rings, buttons, coins, and so on.
  • larger items may, for example, comprise fruit stones, larger chunks of food, and so on.
  • the pre-filter is coarse enough to permit the passage of waste water containing smaller items of debris therethrough.
  • the drain pump is for pumping waste water from the washing chamber to a drain.
  • the temperature measuring device may, for example, comprise a thermocouple.
  • the processing means may, for example, comprise a central microprocessor and/or microcontroller, a memory and associated logic circuitry, a bus, and so forth.
  • the switching means may, for example, comprise a servo mechanism and/or servo motor.
  • This solution is beneficial because if the processing means determines that the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is less than or equal to the predetermined value, this may indicate that the drain filter has become clogged.
  • the processing means can then instruct the switching means to switch the three-way valve from the first state thereof to the second state thereof. This diverts the waste water from the bypass channel to pass through the unclogging compartment, where the waste water picks up the unclogging agent. The unclogging agent then passes through the drain filter, thereby unclogging it. This has the advantage of obviating the need for a user of the washing machine to access the drain filter and unclog it manually, which would inevitably be messy and dirty.
  • the processing means may be configured to instruct the switching means to switch the three-way valve from the first state thereof to the second state thereof if the processing means also determines that the temperature of the waste water is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature.
  • the predetermined value for the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine may then be set at a level which is higher than the aforementioned critical value and the predetermined temperature may be set at a level which ensures that the waste water is hot enough for the temperature of the waste water to positively affect the action of the unclogging agent on the drain filter, according to the Arrhenius equation.
  • the use of hot waste water with the unclogging agent is more effective at unclogging the drain filter than just the unclogging agent would be on its own or in combination with only tepid or cold waste water.
  • Using hot waste water in this way also has the advantage of avoiding the need for the washing machine to heat up water especially for use with the unclogging agent, which would be more costly and less energy efficient than re-using waste water which is already hot for this purpose.
  • the washing machine may further comprise a sensor for sensing the presence of unclogging agent in the unclogging compartment, a first indicator for indicating to a user to insert unclogging agent into the unclogging compartment, and a detector for detecting whether the unclogging compartment has been opened and/or closed.
  • the sensor has an output connected to a third input of the processing means
  • the first indicator indicates to the user to insert unclogging agent into the unclogging compartment when instructed to do so by the processing means
  • the detector has an output connected to a fourth input of the processing means.
  • the unclogging compartment further comprises a door lock for locking the unclogging compartment during operation of the washing machine, and the door lock is under control of the processing means.
  • a door lock for locking the unclogging compartment during operation of the washing machine, and the door lock is under control of the processing means.
  • the washing machine may further comprise a third indicator for indicating to a user that manual intervention is required to unclog the drain filter when the third indicator is instructed to do so by the processing means.
  • a third indicator for indicating to a user that manual intervention is required to unclog the drain filter when the third indicator is instructed to do so by the processing means.
  • the processing means may then instruct the third indicator to do so in case the unclogging agent is not completely effective in unclogging the drain filter, in order that the user may be notified to unclog the drain filter manually and/or to call out an engineer to investigate why the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine remains equal to or less than the predetermined value and to carry out a repair, if necessary.
  • the third indicator may, for example, comprise an LED indicator light or LCD screen.
  • the first, second and third indicators may comprise different states of illumination of a single indicator light or display screen, such as different colours or displayed messages.
  • the waste water measuring device may comprise means for measuring an amount of waste water remaining in the washing machine a predetermined period of time after waste water is directed to drain from the washing machine.
  • the waste water measuring device may comprise scales for weighing the amount of waste water remaining in the washing chamber.
  • the waste water measuring device may comprise a flow meter for measuring a rate of flow of waste water downstream of the outlet from the washing chamber.
  • the washing machine comprises a non-return valve located downstream of the three-way valve and upstream of the drain filter.
  • the non-return valve allows waste water to pass from the three-way valve towards the drain filter, but not vice versa.
  • This solution is beneficial because both the three-way valve and the contents of the washing chamber, if any, are then protected against the contents of the drain filter, the drain pump, and ultimately, the drain, in case the pressure downstream of the drain filter exceeds the pressure upstream of the drain filter, which may be the case, for example, if the drain becomes blocked.
  • the washing machine may comprise one or more such non-return valves in different locations, such as in the bypass channel, upstream and/or downstream of the unclogging chamber, and so on.
  • the present invention also relates to a method of unclogging a drain filter of a washing machine, wherein the method at least comprises the following.
  • determining whether a rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is less than or equal to a predetermined value If not, repeating said determination a next time that waste water is directed to drain from the washing machine, whereas if so, determining whether a temperature of the waste water is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature. If the temperature of the waste water is not determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature, determining whether the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is less than or equal to a critical value which is less than the predetermined value.
  • this solution is beneficial because the drain filter may then be unclogged either when the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is less than or equal to the predetermined value and the temperature of the waste water is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature, or when the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is determined to be less than or equal to the critical value, regardless of the temperature of the waste water.
  • this method has the advantage that the success of the unclogging operation is also checked, and the user is notified to replenish the unclogging agent in the unclogging compartment after each successful unclogging operation or to take remedial action if the unclogging operation has not been successful.
  • determining whether the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is less than or equal to the predetermined value and/or the critical value may comprise measuring an amount of waste water remaining in the washing machine a predetermined period of time after waste water is directed to drain from the washing machine.
  • the method may further comprise, before diverting the waste water through the unclogging compartment, sensing whether unclogging agent is present in the unclogging compartment. If not, alerting a userto insert unclogging agent into the unclogging compartment, waiting until detecting that the unclogging compartment has been opened and closed, and then again sensing whether unclogging agent is present in the unclogging compartment, whereas if so, diverting the waste water through the unclogging compartment.
  • This has the advantage that an attempt is then not made to unclog the drain filter unless unclogging agent is present in the unclogging compartment.
  • the method may comprise locking the unclogging compartment during operation of the washing machine. This has the advantage of avoiding the unclogging compartment being accidentally or deliberately opened by a user during operation of the washing machine.
  • the unclogging compartment is locked during the unclogging operation when waste water is passing through the unclogging compartment.
  • the method may comprise establishing the predetermined value of the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine by comparing the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine over a plurality of cycles of operation of the washing machine with each other.
  • This solution is beneficial because the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine during normal operation (i.e. not during an unclogging operation) may then be established according to the particular conditions in which the washing machine is installed, such as a cross-sectional area of a drainage pipe to which the outlet from the drain pump is connected, the back pressure from the drain, if any, and so on.
  • this solution also has the advantage that the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine during normal operation can then also be compared with the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine during an unclogging operation to help establish the predetermined value of the rate of waste water drainage.
  • the predetermined temperature may, for example, instead be established by storing the predetermined temperature in a memory of the processing means, the value of the predetermined temperature being determined according to the reaction kinetics of the unclogging agent, for example.
  • the present invention further relates to a computer program product or a program code or system for executing one or more than one of the herein described methods.
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a washing machine 10.
  • the washing machine 10 comprises a washing chamber 12 having an outlet 14 for waste water, a pre-filter 16, a three-way valve 18, a non-return valve 19, a bypass channel 20, an unclogging compartment 22 for containing an unclogging agent, a drain filter 24 and a drain pump 26.
  • the washing machine 10 also comprises a control system 50 not shown in Fig. 1 but shown in Fig. 3 and described in relation thereto in greater detail below.
  • the pre-filter 16 has an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet 14 of the washing chamber 12 and an outlet.
  • the three-way valve 18 has an inlet 182 in fluid communication with the outlet of the pre-filter 16 and first and second outlets 184, 186, respectively.
  • the first outlet 184 is in fluid communication with an inlet 202 of the bypass channel 20.
  • the second outlet 186 is in fluid communication with an inlet 222 of the unclogging chamber 22.
  • the three-way valve 18 has a first state, wherein the inlet 182 is in fluid communication with the first outlet 184 and is closed off from the second outlet 186, and a second state, wherein the inlet 182 is in fluid communication with the second outlet 186 and is closed off from the first outlet 184.
  • the three-way valve 18 is in its first state, so that waste water from the washing chamber 12 which has passed through the pre-filter 16 is directed by the three-way valve 18 towards the bypass channel 20.
  • the three-way valve 18 is in its second state, so that waste water from the washing chamber 12 which has passed through the pre-filter 16 is instead directed by the three-way valve 18 towards the unclogging chamber 22.
  • Fig. 2 schematically shows a second embodiment of a washing machine 10.
  • the washing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2 comprises a washing chamber 12 having an outlet 14 for waste water, a pre-filter 16, a three-way valve 18, a non-return valve 19, a bypass channel 20, an unclogging compartment 22 for containing an unclogging agent, a drain filter 24 and a drain pump 26.
  • the washing machine 10 of Fig. 2 further comprises a control system 50 not shown in Fig. 2 but shown in Fig. 3 and described in relation thereto in greater detail below.
  • the components of the washing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2 are connected to each other and function in a similar manner to the components of the washing machine 10 shown in Fig. 1 , except for the location of the non-return valve 19.
  • the non-return valve 19 is instead located in the bypass channel 20.
  • the drain filter 24 is clogged, waste water is prevented by the non-return valve 19 from backing up into the three-way valve 18, where, if the three-way valve 18 were in its first state during normal operation of the washing machine 10, if the non-return valve 19 were not present, the waste water could pass back up through the three-way valve 18 via the pre-filter 16 and into the washing chamber 12, where the contents of the washing chamber 12 would risk being dirtied by the waste water.
  • the presence of the non-return valve 19 prevents such an incident.
  • Switching of the three-way valve 18 between its first state and its second state, in order to select between normal operation and an unclogging operation of the drain filter 24, is controlled by the control system 50, which is described below in relation to Fig. 3 .
  • FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a washing machine 10 having a non-return valve 19 located between the outlet 224 of the unclogging chamber 22 and the inlet 242 of the drain filter 24
  • Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a washing machine 10 having a non-return valve 19 located in the bypass channel 20, preferably, in other embodiments, a non-return valve 19 is located in both such locations, in order to prevent waste water from backing up into the three-way valve 18 via either the bypass channel 20 or the unclogging chamber 22, regardless of whether the three-way valve 18 is in its first or second state.
  • Fig. 3 schematically represents an embodiment of a control system 50 for controlling unclogging of a drain filter 24 of a washing machine 10, such as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 .
  • the control system 50 comprises a waste water measuring device 28, a temperature measuring device 30, a microcontroller 32, switching means 34 for switching the three-way valve 18 between its first and second states, an unclogging agent sensor 36, a door open/close detector 38, a door lock 40, a pre-filter monitor 46, a first indicator 42, a second indicator 48 and a third indicator 44.
  • the waste water measuring device 28 and the temperature measuring device 30 may typically be located in a path of the waste water from the washing chamber 12 to the drain pump 26.
  • the unclogging agent sensor 36, door open/close detector 38 and door lock 40 may typically be located in the unclogging chamber 22.
  • the microcontroller 32 may typically be located on a main circuit board of the washing machine 10, along with a memory and associated logic circuitry.
  • the switching means 34 may typically be located alongside the three-way valve 18.
  • the pre-filter monitor 46 may typically be located alongside the pre-filter 16.
  • the first, second and third indicators 42, 48 and 44 may typically be located on a front panel of the washing machine 10, as shown, for example, in Fig. 2 .
  • the waste water measuring device 28 may comprise means for measuring an amount of waste water remaining in the washing machine a predetermined period of time after waste water is directed to drain from the washing machine. For example, the waste water measuring device 28 may measure how much waste water remains in the washing machine one minute after the drain pump 26 is switched on. The waste water measuring device 28 may measure the amount of waste water remaining in the washing machine, for example, by detecting a level of water remaining in the washing chamber 12. Alternatively or additionally, the waste water measuring device 28 may comprise a flow meter for measuring a rate of flow of the waste water downstream of the outlet 14 from the washing chamber 12 and using the flow rate, measured in units of volume per unit of time, multiplied by the predetermined period of time, to derive the volume of waste water which has left the washing chamber 12. If the flow rate of fresh water into the washing chamber 12 is also measured in a similar fashion, the amount of waste water remaining in the washing machine may then be obtained by subtracting the volume of waste water which has left the washing chamber 12 from the volume of fresh water which has entered the washing chamber 12.
  • the waste water measuring device 28, temperature measuring device 30, unclogging agent sensor 36, a door open/close detector 38 and pre-filter monitor 46 have respective outputs 282, 302, 362, 382 and 462, which are respectively connected to respective inputs 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d and 322e of the microcontroller 32.
  • the switching means 34, door lock 40 and first, second and third indicators 42, 48 and 44 are under control of the microcontroller 32.
  • Fig. 4 is a flow diagram schematically representing an embodiment of a method 100 of unclogging a drain filter 24 of a washing machine 10, such as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 , by means of a control system 50, such as that shown in Fig. 3 .
  • the method 100 comprises firstly, when waste water is directed to drain from the washing machine 10 during its normal operation, the microcontroller 32 determines 101 whether a rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine 10 is less than or equal to a predetermined value. The microcontroller 32 can do this by comparing the current rate of waste water drainage as measured by the waste water measuring device 28 with the predetermined value thereof stored in memory.
  • the predetermined value of the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine may be established by comparing the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine over a plurality of cycles of normal operation of the washing machine 10 with each other to determine a normal range of values for the rate of waste water drainage, and then setting the predetermined value equal to a percentage of the average rate of waste water drainage, which is below the normal range of values for the rate of waste water drainage.
  • the predetermined value may be set equal to 80% of the average rate of waste water drainage if the normal range of values is from 90% to 110% of the average rate.
  • the microcontroller 32 next determines 103 whether the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is less than or equal to a critical value which is less than the predetermined value.
  • the microcontroller 32 can do this by comparing the current rate of waste water drainage as measured by the waste water measuring device 28 with the critical value thereof stored in memory. For example, if the predetermined value has been set equal to 80% of the average rate of waste water drainage, the critical value may be set equal to 50% of the average rate of waste water drainage.
  • the microcontroller 32 waits until the temperature of the waste water is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature, which may, for example, be during a later cycle of normal operation of the washing machine 10. If the temperature of the waste water is determined 102 to be greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature or if the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is determined 103 to be less than or equal to the critical value, the microcontroller 32 checks 104 whether the unclogging agent sensor 36 can sense that unclogging agent is present in the unclogging compartment 22.
  • the microcontroller 32 instructs the first indicator 42 to alert 105 a user to insert unclogging agent into the unclogging compartment 22, waits until the door open/close detector 38 detects that the unclogging compartment 22 has been opened and closed, and then again checks 104 whether the unclogging agent sensor 36 can sense that unclogging agent is present in the unclogging compartment 22. If so, the microcontroller 32 instructs 106 the door lock 40 to lock the door of the unclogging compartment 22 and then instructs 107 the switching means 34 to switch the three-way valve 18 into the second state thereof, so that the waste water is diverted through the unclogging compartment 22, where it mixes with the unclogging agent, before passing to the drain filter 24.
  • the microcontroller 32 then waits a predetermined period of time to allow the unclogging agent to take effect on the drain filter 24.
  • the predetermined period of time may, for example, be stored in memory, and may be determined by trial and error before manufacture of the washing machine 10, for example.
  • the microcontroller 32 then instructs 108 the switching means 34 to switch the three-way valve 18 back into the first state thereof, so that the waste water is rediverted to the drain filter 24 via the bypass channel 20 again, thereby bypassing the unclogging compartment 22.
  • the microcontroller 32 also instructs 109 the door lock 40 to unlock the door of the unclogging compartment 22.
  • the microcontroller 32 again determines 110 whether the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine 10 is less than or equal to the predetermined value.
  • the microcontroller 32 can do this, for example, by using the same procedure as described above in relation to the determination 101.
  • the microcontroller 32 instructs the first indicator 42 to alert 111 the user to insert unclogging agent into the unclogging compartment 22, so that the unclogging compartment 22 is ready for the next unclogging operation. The next time that waste water is directed to drain from the washing machine 10, the microcontroller 32 again determines 101 whether the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine 10 is less than or equal to the predetermined value.
  • the determination 110 finds that the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is still less than or equal to the predetermined value, in spite of the unclogging operation which has just been carried out, this may indicate either that the unclogging operation has been ineffective or that there is some other problem with the washing machine, such as a malfunction of the drain pump 26, a blocked drain, and so on.
  • the microcontroller 32 therefore instructs the third indicator 44 to alert 112 the user that manual intervention is required to unclog the drain filter.
  • the waste water is diverted to pass through the unclogging chamber by a three-way valve, which has a first state, wherein waste water is directed along the first route, and a second state, wherein waste water is directed along the second route.
  • the three-way valve is protected from being blocked or damaged by a pre-filter, which is coarser than the drain filter.
  • the three-way valve is switched between the first and second states thereof according to whether the rate of waste water drainage from the washing machine is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and possibly also whether the temperature of the waste water is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature.
  • the present invention also provides a corresponding method of unclogging a drain filter of a washing machine and a computer program product or a program code or system for executing such a method.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
EP20214105.7A 2020-12-15 2020-12-15 Waschmaschine und verfahren zum entstopfen eines ablauffilters einer waschmaschine Withdrawn EP4015698A1 (de)

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EP20214105.7A EP4015698A1 (de) 2020-12-15 2020-12-15 Waschmaschine und verfahren zum entstopfen eines ablauffilters einer waschmaschine

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EP20214105.7A EP4015698A1 (de) 2020-12-15 2020-12-15 Waschmaschine und verfahren zum entstopfen eines ablauffilters einer waschmaschine

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003083201A1 (fr) * 2002-03-28 2003-10-09 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Machine a laver
US20140158163A1 (en) 2012-12-07 2014-06-12 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Method and system for detecting and removing a clogging condition of a filter in a dishwasher
US20140298590A1 (en) * 2013-04-09 2014-10-09 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance with pre-filter backwashing
CN105316913A (zh) 2014-07-08 2016-02-10 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 洗衣机以及对洗衣机的过滤组件进行清洗的控制方法
EP3561170A1 (de) * 2018-04-25 2019-10-30 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Haushaltsgerät zur pflege von wäschestücken und verfahren zum betreiben eines haushaltsgeräts
WO2020089727A1 (en) * 2018-10-31 2020-05-07 Ufi Innovation Center S.R.L. Washing machine with filter group

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003083201A1 (fr) * 2002-03-28 2003-10-09 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Machine a laver
US20140158163A1 (en) 2012-12-07 2014-06-12 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Method and system for detecting and removing a clogging condition of a filter in a dishwasher
US20140298590A1 (en) * 2013-04-09 2014-10-09 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance with pre-filter backwashing
CN105316913A (zh) 2014-07-08 2016-02-10 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 洗衣机以及对洗衣机的过滤组件进行清洗的控制方法
EP3561170A1 (de) * 2018-04-25 2019-10-30 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Haushaltsgerät zur pflege von wäschestücken und verfahren zum betreiben eines haushaltsgeräts
WO2020089727A1 (en) * 2018-10-31 2020-05-07 Ufi Innovation Center S.R.L. Washing machine with filter group

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