ES2340103T3 - WASHING MACHINE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing machine (A) according to the present invention comprises a washing tub (4); a filling reservoir (1) used to fill-in detergent into the machine; a storage reservoir (3) wherein the detergent supplied from the filling reservoir (1) is accumulated; and a dosing unit (5) used to deliver the detergent in the storage reservoir (3) to the tub (4). The machine (A) further includes a control unit (10) by which all controls are conducted and the operation functions of machine (A) are regulated. Additionally a display unit (13) in connection with said control unit (10) is employed to indicate the current status of the machine (A) to the user.

Description

Washing machine.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a system which automatically adjusts the amount of detergent to use during operation, storing the detergent to be used in Multiple occasions in the washing machine.

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Prior art

In washing machines according to the technique As a detergent tank, a drawer was used in the washing machine or a washing ball placed between the clothes. The amount of detergent used in both circumstances is usually an amount that is sufficient only for a single washing program. However, what is intended by the present invention is provide the washing machine with a quantity of detergent (powder or liquid) in a detergent storage tank that is sufficient for more than one washing program, allowing the use of a certain amount of detergent for each wash program individual.

With respect to the prior art, the request EP 0379950 describes a system by which they use liquid detergents and in which they are stored detergents However, this system does not provide any configuration in which different types are stored separately of detergents without mixing. Other patent application, to know, EP 1215329 describes a storage tank of liquid detergents placed on the outside of the washer, which It doesn't seem too practical to use. FR-A- 2606430 describes another configuration in which they are stored by separate different types of detergents without mixing.

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Brief Description of the Invention

However, in the case of this invention, the required detergent (powder and / or liquid) is enter in the washing machine in an amount that would suffice for periods longer periods of time, so that the user is released of the load that represents putting detergent during each program of washed. Thanks to the configuration obtained according to the present invention, the detergent storage tank arranged inside the washing machine, so that it saves extra space Since this system is also applicable to widely used washing machines, which have a drawer for detergent, it is possible to use both the storage tank just mentioned as the detergent drawer that is already It is present in these machines. Additionally, the system according to the present invention provides different detergent compartments and storage tanks for different types of detergents (laundry detergent, colored clothes, softeners). Thanks to this system, the user already You do not need to adjust different types and quantities of detergents depending on each washing program. Further, the filling operation is carried out from the top of the washing machine, which guarantees comfort and ergonomics for the Username.

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Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide storage for different types of detergents, in an amount that is sufficient for more than one wash program in one washing machine, and exempting the user of the washing machine from the load that It means supplying detergent for each washing program.

Another object of the present invention is to allow the washing machine to automatically adjust the use of the detergent according to the needs or the program of washed.

A further objective of the present invention it consists of arranging the detergent storage tank in the inside of the washing machine, in order to save space.

Another additional objective of the present invention It relies on its applicability to a wide range of washing machines with detergent drawer, so that the storage tank is used storage or such existing detergent drawers.

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Description of the figures

An example of realization of the washing machine object of the invention is shown in the attached figure, described briefly below:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a Washing machine example.

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The components shown in that figure They are listed individually as follows:

Washing Machine (A)

Filling tank (1)

Hose (2)

Storage tank (3)

Bucket (4)

Dosing unit (5)

Hose (6)

Detergent drawer (7)

Level Sensor (8)

Front panel (9)

Control unit (10)

Pilot (11)

Filling tank cover (12)

Screen (13)

Top panel (14)

Selection Switch (15)

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Description of the invention

Figure 1 shows an example of a washing machine (A) (This example illustrates the present invention by a washing machine, but nevertheless, it can be applied to other washing machines). The washing-machine (A) constituting the object of the invention includes a bucket of washing (4); a filling tank (1) that is used to load the  detergent in the machine; a storage tank (3), in the that the detergent supplied from the storage tank accumulates filling (1); and a dosage unit (5) used to introduce the detergent from the tank into the tank (4) storage (3). The machine (A) additionally includes a control unit (10) by which controls are carried out and the functions of the washing machine (A) are regulated. Additionally, it use a screen (13) related to said control unit (10) to indicate to the user the current status of the washing machine (A) (program phases, operating conditions, alarms, etc.).

Preferably, said filling tank (1) It is arranged on the top panel (or in an easily accessible place) of the washing machine (A) depending on the ergonomic comfort of the Username. At the top of the filling tank (1) you an opening / closing cover (12) is installed. That cover (12) protects the inside of the filling tank at the same time (1) against foreign materials and provides integrity aesthetics to the upper panel. Said filling tank (1) comprises a plurality of compartments, which allows storage individual detergents (for example, detergents for white clothes, colored clothes, wool, fabric softeners, etc.). Too It can be emptied for cleaning purposes. Storage tank (3) also comprises a plurality of compartments, and any detergent that is introduced into the respective compartment of the filling tank (1) accumulates inside a compartment of said storage tank (3) found in communication with said respective compartment. The communication between said filling tank (1) and the storage tank (3) can be done directly or through elements such as tubes, hoses (2), etc.

In each compartment of the deposit of storage (3) a level sensor (8) is available. Measure wherein the compartments of said storage tank are they find full is measured by said level sensors (8). The level sensors (8) are in communication with the control unit (10) of the machine (A). The control unit (10) indicates to the user the data related to the amount of detergent supplied by said level sensors (8) in the unit of presentation (13) located on the front panel (9) of the machine (A), visually and / or audibly. Additionally, the maximum levels and minimum of the detergent that is inside the storage tank compartments (3) can also be seen by the light pilots arranged in the filling tank compartments (1) found communicated with the respective compartments of the deposit of storage (3). Thanks to the alarm signal of each pilot light (11) installed in each of the compartments of the filling tank (1), the upper and lower levels are indicated of detergent in the corresponding tank compartment storage (3).

The control unit (10) of the machine (A) Determine the amount of detergent and the time to be used said detergent in line with the washing program selected by the user. In this way, the dosage unit (5) is controlled used when supplying detergent to the bucket (4). Be use a pump and / or valve as said dosing unit (5). If, for example, the storage tank (3) is found located at the bottom of the cuvette (4), a pump is used which exerts said function of dosing unit, but if said storage tank (3) is located in the part top of the cuvette (4), a type valve is used open / closed as said dosing unit (if necessary, in this case you can also use a pump). Each unit dispenser (5) is connected to the respective compartment of the storage tank (3). Thus, detergents of different characteristics located in the warehouse of Storage (3) is transferred to the cuvette (4) by units independent (5). The communication of said units (5) with the tray (4) and storage tank (3) can be made directly or through elements such as tubes, hoses (6), etc. The amount of detergent that is transferred by the unit Dosage (5) to the cuvette (4) varies depending on factors such as the amount of detergent, the washing program, the amount of water present in the bucket (4) and the material to be washed (that is, the type of washing). The control unit (10) determines the type, quantity, and supply timing of detergent, depending on these factors, and active accordingly the pumps and / or the valves.

Standard drawers can also be used for the detergent (7) with the washing machine (A) according to the present invention Through a selection switch (15) arranged in the machine (A), this switch (15) communicates with the control unit (10) and is shown on the front panel (9) of the figure, making the system that the supply of detergent from the storage tank (3) is deactivated  and the detergent supply is activated from the drawer (7). Likewise, this same selection switch (15) works reactivating the detergent supply from the tank storage (3) and deactivate the detergent drawer (7).

In another embodiment of the present invention, by means of an optical sensor that communicates with the unit control (10) and which is located in the cuvette (4), it determine the color of the laundry and select accordingly type of detergent

In another embodiment of the present invention, thanks to a weight sensor, which is connected to the control unit (10) and which measures the weight of the cuvette (4) or of the washing drum (the rotating washing unit of the bucket), determining the weight of the laundry and the water admitted so that the amount of detergent to be supplied to the cuvette (4) increases or decrease Likewise, the weight of the laundry and the water absorbed will cause the bucket (4) or drum to move down in certain measure so that a position sensor can be used connected to the control unit (10) to measure the amount of displacement and calculate the weight of the laundry. In this way, the amount of detergent supplied to the bucket (4) increases or decreases One way to measure the weight of the laundry that is washing in water consists in measuring the revolutions of the drum with a torque meter [in communication with the control unit (10)]. The drum load can be calculated based on the measured torque of so that the weight of the laundry can be determined. These dates they can also be used to increase or decrease the amount of detergent to be supplied to the cuvette (4). If the weight is to be measured net of laundry, can also be done using the sensor load weight of the cuvette, position sensor and meter couple, without collecting water. Additionally, the amount of water supplied to the cuvette can be measured thanks to a flow located in the inlet conduit of the cuvette, being able to in this way determine the load of the cuvette.

In another embodiment of the present invention, thanks to an optical sensor (for example, a cell photoelectric, a photo coupler, etc.) located in the drawer of standard detergent (7) and that communicates with the control unit (10), the presence of detergent can be detected in said drawer (7), and removed accordingly from the drawer (7). In this case, it eliminates the need to use the selection switch (15) previously mentioned.

In another additional embodiment of the present invention, thanks to a dirt sensor in communication with the control unit (10) and located in the cuvette (4) or on the cover of the machine, it is possible to determine the dirt of the laundry and adjust accordingly the amount of detergent to use.

In another embodiment of the present invention the degree to which the laundry is washed in the water determine the level of water in the bucket (4). Measuring the change of level, as a function of time, through elements such as a pressure sensor, a pressure switch, a level sensor, and a meter of flow installed in the cuvette (4) and in communication with the control unit (10), it is possible to determine the type and weight of the laundry, and the supply of detergent to the bucket (4) is regulated in consecuense.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when the detergent must be changed, a special cleaning program to clean the detergent residue located between the cuvette (4) and the dosing unit (5) of such such detergent residues are consumed and disposed of of the machine (A).

In another additional embodiment of the present invention, a pump unit (5) is used as a pump peristaltic As you know, avoiding contact with moving elements of peristaltic pumps with the fluid that passes through the pump means that these elements are not affected by said fluid.

This eliminates the possible problem of that the detergent can clog the pump over the course of weather.

References cited in the description

The list of references cited by the applicant is only for the utility of the reader, not forming part of the European patent documents. Even when the references have been carefully collected, cannot errors or omissions excluded and the EPO rejects all responsibility In this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

EP 0379950 A [0003]

FR 2606 A [0003]

EP 1215329 A [0003]

FR 430 A [0003]

Claims (23)

1. Washing machine (A) comprising a bucket of washing (4), a control unit (19) by which they are carried out all machine control operations (A) and the operational functions of the machine, a presentation unit (13) used to inform the user about the current status of the machine (A), a filling tank (1) containing a plurality of compartments to be filled separately with different detergents to be introduced into the machine and a tank of storage (3) in which the supplied detergent accumulates from the filling tank (1), and containing different compartments, each of which in communication with the respective compartment of said filling tank (1), additionally including: - at least one dosing unit (5) used to supply to the cuvette (4) the detergents stored in the storage tank (3) and that is controlled by a unit control (10); Y - at least one level sensor (8) installed at less in a storage tank compartment (3) in order of measuring its load and indicating said data to the unit of control (10). 2. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that said filling tank (1) is a removable tank. 3. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that said filling tank (1) is equipped with a lid capable of opening and closing (12). 4. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a detergent drawer (7). 5. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data relating to the amount of detergent supplied by the level sensor (8) is indicated to the user through the control unit (10) by the control unit presentation (13), visually and / or audibly. 6. Washing machine (A) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one warning light (11) is arranged in the corresponding compartment of the filling tank (1) to indicate the detergent level of each storage tank compartment (3) corresponding to the respective filling tank compartment (1). 7. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that an individual dosing unit (5) is connected to each compartment of the storage tank (3). 8. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that said dosing unit (5) is a pump. 9. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that said dosing unit (5) is a valve. 10. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a selection switch (15) in order to select the detergent to be used, either from the storage tank (3) or from the detergent drawer (7) . 11. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one optical sensor in communication with the control unit (10) and installed in the tray (4) or in the machine cover, in order to Determine the color of the laundry and, therefore, the type of detergent to be used. 12. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one weight sensor in communication with the control unit (10) in order to determine the weight of the laundry and the admitted water, and therefore, the amount of detergent to be supplied to the cuvette (4). 13. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one position sensor in communication with the control unit (10) to determine the weight of the laundry and the admitted water, and therefore, the amount of detergent to be supplied to the cuvette (4). 14. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one torque measurement in communication with the control unit (10) in order to determine the weight of the laundry and the water absorbed, and therefore, the amount of detergent to be supplied to the cuvette (4). 15. Washing machine (A) according to any of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that it includes at least one flowmeter in communication with the control unit (10) and located in the inlet conduit of the cuvette in order to determine the weight of the water admitted. 16. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one optical sensor in communication with the control unit (10) and installed in the drawer (7) in order to detect the presence of detergent inside (7). 17. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one dirt sensor in communication with the control unit (10) and installed in the bucket (4) in order to determine the degree of dirt of the wash and therefore adjust the amount of detergent to use. 18. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one pressure sensor in communication with the control unit (10) and installed in the bucket (4) in order to detect to what extent the water is absorbed by the laundry. 19. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one level sensor in communication with the control unit (10) and installed in the bucket (4) in order to detect to what extent the water is absorbed by the laundry. 20. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one pressure switch in communication with the control unit (10) and installed in the bucket (4) in order to detect to what extent the water is absorbed by the laundry 21. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that in case the detergent must be changed, an independent cleaning program is activated to clean the detergent residues between the cuvette (4) and the dosing unit (5) so that the detergent residue is consumed and removed from the machine (A). 22. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that as the quantity of water supplied to the bucket (4) increases, a greater amount of detergent is dosed inside (4). 23. Washing machine (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one flowmeter in communication with the control unit (10) and installed in the inlet conduit of the cuvette (4) in order to detect in How much water is absorbed by the laundry.