DE2251145A1 - DEVICE FOR INJECTING LIQUID ADDITIVES INTO A CARRIER LIQUID - Google Patents

Description

G 48 613

ECONOMICS LABOMTORY, Inc., Osborn Building, St. Paul , Minnesota (USA)

Device for injecting liquid aggregates into a carrier liquid

The invention relates to a device for injecting liquid aggregates into a Carrier liquid and in particular a device for. automatic delivery of pre-determined Quantities of a variety of liquid products in a carrier liquid.

It is often necessary to optionally combine a large number of liquid products into a carrier liquid

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which is used for various purposes. For example be various cleaning agents, laundry soaps, agents for controlling the iron content, Neutralizing agents, etc. are often injected into water that is used in washing machines, dishwashers etc. is used. This is especially true for washing machines in large companies such as hotels, restaurants and hospitals or the like to. Since the addition of the various detergents by hand, at least in business life is uneconomical and unreliable, numerous attempts have been made to the liquid products semi-automatically or fully automatically to the one serving as the carrier liquid Add water.

The currently known semi-automatic dispensing devices work on the basis of the one-time loading of the washing machine in question The one for the desired cleaning effect, neutralization, etc. for each washing machine filling The required quantities of liquid or powdery products are measured for each washing process and placed in separate containers provided on the washing machine. When the washing machine emits a certain electrical signal, some of the wash water is passed through one or more of these containers passed through at the correct time of the washing process, so that

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the product in question ends up in the washing machine. The containers in question can then be refilled for the next washing process. Although these semi-automatic devices are generally more reliable than hand-only addition, they are subject to human error in measuring the correct amounts of additive products for each washing machine load and also in correctly placing the products, that is, incorrect amounts can both be measured as well as the products in ^; wrong containers.

The fully automatic feeding devices make manual work to measure the Addition products required for the washing process and for adding them to the washing machine superfluous. However, the known fully automatic devices of this type are excessive expensive and still do not guarantee the delivery of the aggregates with the desired accuracy. For example, a commercially available device of this type has a known card control, after the plurality of pressurized containers containing the liquid aggregates and a variety of supply valves for these aggregates are operated to selectively to dispense the liquid aggregates. To achieve this, there is or in the control card a plastic tape to make a hole in a certain

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Location so that if this hole has a pressure sensitive Switch or vacuum switch goes away, the pressurized container concerned has one or more liquid additives can submit. However, in order to deliver the desired amount of each liquid aggregate, is a very high level of accuracy when cutting the holes in the control board and when regulating and maintaining the required pressures in the individual containers. Sine exact However, controlling these variables has proven extremely difficult, so these are known Devices actually fail to deliver the liquid aggregates with the desired accuracy hand over.

Another disadvantage of these known devices is that you have the powdery and / or liquid aggregates must first be poured out of their packaging into high-pressure containers in order to to mix them with water and then inject them into the washing machine. Hence the machines currently available on the market that are automatic. the washing process and the addition of the Performing aggregates, extremely expensive and generally speaking, nonetheless, unreliable. Devices that alternately inject aggregates, such as cam-controlled ones Injectors are neither reliable nor easily adjustable.

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The object of the invention is to avoid these disadvantages and to create a simply constructed device for injecting aggregates into a carrier liquid such as the washing water of a washing machine.

To solve this problem, a device is proposed according to the invention, which a device for generating electrical signals, which are used as trigger signals with a predetermined duration to serve. These trigger signals are fed into an electrical circuit that operates upon receipt a trigger signal optionally one of several injection devices for the aggregates actuated to the aggregate in question in the desired amount in a carrier liquid inject. The electrical control circuit includes a timing element which is set before termination of the timing signal switches off the injection device again.

This dispensing device according to the invention is particularly useful in connection with washing machines by laundries, hotels, etc., which are also used a lot when large.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there are numerous containers for liquids

Aggregates independently of one another to one

each venturi suction nozzle connected, the / in separate

Lines for supplying washing water to the washing 3098 2 7 / 029Q g

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machine are housed. The electrical control device actuates a solenoid valve, which is arranged in the direction of flow in front of each Venturi suction nozzle, whereby the injection of the liquid aggregates through the corresponding suction nozzle into the relevant water pipe is controlled.

The present invention has numerous significant advantages over currently known detergent dispensers. First of all, the device according to the invention works fully automatically and nevertheless extremely precisely and is nevertheless inexpensive to manufacture. The unreliability and inaccuracy of the known dispensing devices are essentially overcome by the electrical time element or the electrical time control device, which determines the injection time of the liquid additives into the machine. Because of this time control device, it is superfluous to control the injection of the aggregate according to the duration of a control signal generated by the washing machine, which is generated, for example, by an electronic control card. Rather, by correctly setting the adjustable time control device, a highly accurate and reliable dispensing of a large number of liquid cleaning agents is achieved regardless of the duration of the triggering signal causing the addition. For example, when applying the present invention

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Finding the time control interval for injecting aggregates over a period of 1 sec. to be regulated and within 1 sec. repeatable during the control intervals known injection devices of about ί 3 sec. until about - 8 sec. vary. aside from that the reliability of the injectors according to the invention is not affected by contamination impaired, while the reliability of known injectors by itself, for example Impurities that settle in the spray nozzles can be severely impaired. This is a very essential feature when the Total injection time of each liquid Aggregates is relatively short, for example 3 sec. amounts to. After all, it's because of the preferred use of Venturi injection nozzles is not necessary, relatively expensive Provide high pressure spraying equipment to spray the various liquid aggregates in enter the washing machine. It has also been found that by correctly choosing the diameter of the Venturi nozzle as well as the correct setting of the electrical time control device a very precise one Regulation of the quantities of additives injected into the carrier liquid is possible.

In the drawing is an embodiment of an injection device according to the invention shown, namely shows

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Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the entire Injection device,

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of the mechanical part of the injection device from Fig. 1 and

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of the electronic control for the injection valves indicated in FIG. 1.

In Fig. 1, the injection device 10 according to the invention is shown schematically, with the one A variety of liquid aggregates can be injected into a washing machine 12. the In Fig. 1 indicated washing machine 12 is a conventional laundry washing machine for large businesses, However, it should be noted that the invention also applies to dishwashers, washing machines for household use and similar machines, such as cleaning machines, etc. is applicable. Even the injection device according to the invention can be used wherever it is desired successively precisely controlled quantities of a large number of liquid aggregates in a bath or a Inject container.

As FIG. 1 shows, the injection device 10 has a control device 14 with a mechanical control part 14a and an electrical control part 14b. 309827/0209

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As will be explained in detail below, the sealing device 14 controls the injection numerous liquid additives such as cleaning agents, Soap, stain removers, conditioning agents, neutralizing agents, agents for controlling the iron content etc. in the washing machine 12. These liquid additives are in containers 15a Ms 15e housed and are the control device 14 via individual lines I6a to I6e. Preferably, the lines 16a to 16e are designed such that they are directly in a hole in the relevant container 15a to 15e can be inserted. This is how it becomes superfluous the individual liquid aggregates from the containers in which they are delivered be poured into other containers connected to the injection device before use. .

Within the mechanical control part 14a of the

are
Control device 14 / lines 16a to 16e connected to lines 18 through which carrier liquid such as water flows. A multiplicity of lines 19a to 19e lead from the control device 14 to the washing machine 12, through which the individual mixtures formed from carrier liquid and injected aggregate reach the washing machine. Finally, the washing machine 12 is provided with a device 20 for generating a trigger signal, which is connected to the washing machine in such a way that it can be operated at predetermined times in the work sequence 3 09827/029 9 -10--

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the washing machine generates electrical trigger signals. This device 20 is electrical with the electrical control part 14b of the control device 14 connected via an electrical line 22.

Details of the mechanical control part 14a of the control device 14 emerge from FIG Fig. 2. It can be seen that the line 18 has a plurality of electrically operated valves 25a, 25b and 25c contains. Each of these valves is provided with two electrical connections 26 and 27, to connect these valves to the electrical control part 14b and the same independently of one another to be able to open and close. As a result, the flow of water through lines 18a to 18c, which are arranged in the flow direction behind the valves 25a to 25c. In each of the lines 18a to 18c there is a siphon switch 28a, 28b or 26c (pressure can switch) arranged which connect the liquid through lines 18 to 18c flows when there is a vacuum or negative pressure in the relevant line.

In the direction of flow behind the siphon switch 28a, the line 18a branches into two Lines 19a and 19b. In a similar way, the line 18c branches after the siphon switch 28c in two lines 19d. and 19e. on In this way it is possible to use a larger number of different aggregates or even one

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To inject a larger amount of the same aggregate. The lines 18a to 18c can however, it can also be connected to any number of lines, for example like the line 18b, which is only connected to a single line 19c, which is entirely different from the Number of independently and simultaneously additives to be injected into the washing machine 12 depends. '

Finally, a Venturi suction nozzle 30a to 30c is arranged in each line 19a to 19e. As FIG. 2 shows, the lines 16a to 16e are each connected to one of the Venturi suction nozzles 30a to 30e connected that through these lines 16a to 16e liquid additives sucked out of the containers 15a to 15e and injected into the carrier liquid when the carrier liquid passes through the individual lines 19a to 19e flows. The working principle of the Venturi suction nozzles is known and needs therefore not to be described in detail here.

The size and the suction capacity of each of the Venturi sleeves 30a to 30e used is for the The present invention is not critical, so the selection of suitable venturi suction nozzles and the choice of the dosing tips for the desired injection quantities is left to the person skilled in the art can. As from the description below

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As can be seen, the valves 25a to 25c and the venturi suction nozzles 30a to 30e act as electrical actuated spray devices or pumps that use liquid aggregates when actuated the same can be injected into a carrier liquid. It should be noted, however, that other types of injectors such as known electromechanical pumps instead the solenoid valves 25a to 25c and the venturi suction nozzles 30a to 30e can be used.

The electrical control part 14b is provided to operate the valves 25a to 25c provided for the control independently of one another to be able to. The electrical control part 14b therefore comprises separate circuits for the control of each individual valve 25a to 25c. In Fig. is one of these circuits, namely the circuit intended for controlling valve 25a 35 shown. Similar circuits are also provided for the other valves, but in FIG not shown in the drawing. These other circuits are those shown in FIG The circuit is essentially the same, with the possible exception that the valve to be controlled is different Owns components.

The electrical formwork 35 has two lines 40 and 41, which are connected to the terminals 42a and 42b Means 20 are connected for generating trigger signals. In line 40 are in series switched a two-way thyristor or triac 43,

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a diode 44 land a wideband 45. In parallel with the Diode 44 and an indicator lamp 46 is connected to resistor 45. Line 40 ends in a connection 47. The line 41 is connected directly to a connection 48. These connections

47 and 48 are with the connections 26 and 27 of the valve 25 a with the help of not shown suitable lines in connection.

A pnp transistor 50 is on its collector 51 through a potentiometer 52 and a resistor

53 connected to line 40. The emitter

54 of transistor 50 is connected to the base of a pnp transistor 56 and through a capacitor connected to a line 58. The line 58 is connected to the line 41 via a diode 55. The potentiometer 52, resistor 53, transistor 50 and capacitor 57 serve as Resistance-capacitance (RC) charging network for a capacitor 59 connected between lines 40 and

48 is parallel to the RC charging network. The potential across the capacitor 59 supplies the ignition point for transistor 56. Transistor 56 is a substantially constant current source which provides a substantially constant rate of charge for capacitor 59. This will a better linear timing for the ignition ■ of transistor 56 is achieved. ■

The emitter 60 of the transistor 56 is connected to the line 58 via two resistors 61 and 62.

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The collector 63 of transistor 56 is connected to the base 64 of transistor 50 and through a Resistor 65 connected to line 40. In addition, the collector 63 is with the line connected via a resistor 66. The two resistors 61 and 62 generate an emitter bias for transistor 56. A silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) 70 has a Gate 71 »which is connected between resistors 61 and 62. The anode 72 of the SCR rectifier 70 is connected to line 40 via a resistor 73 and to the line via two resistors 74 and 75 58 connected. The cathode 76 of the SCR rectifier 70 is connected directly to the line 58. Shunted to the emitter anode and collector ifefchode 76 of the SCR rectifier A capacitor 78 is connected 70.

The resistors 73 »74 and 75 serve as a voltage divider circuit, which supplies the voltage at the base 79 of an npn transistor 80. Like Fig. 3 shows, the base 79 of the transistor 80 is connected via a diode 82 to a junction 84 between the resistors 74 and 75 connected. The emitter 88 of transistor 80 is directly connected to the Line 58 connected. Finally, the collector 89 of the tranaestor 80 is across a resistor 90 connected to gate 91 of triac 43.

The values of resistors 73, 74 and 75, i.e.

the voltage control circuit are chosen so that when a trip signal occurs at the

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Connections 42a and 42t »transistor 80 is conductive is, whereby the triac 43 in the conductive State is biased. Thus, the trigger voltage appears at the terminals 26 and of the valve 25a, so that this valve 25a is actuated immediately when the trigger signal is sent to the Ports 42a and 42b will appear.

The remaining part of the circuit shown in Fig. 3 acts as a timing circuit, which a Provides a control signal that switches off the valve 25a again before the trigger signal is applied to the connections 42a and 42b has disappeared again.

For a trigger signal of 24 volts, components with the following values are used:

Resistances . value

45. 3,900 ohms

52 100,000

53 2,700

61 10,000

62 560

65 IjOOO

66 22,000

73 : \ 2,200

74 820

75 560

90 470

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Capacitors value

59 100 micro-farads

57 100

78 0.01

Semiconductor type

43 AO1002

50 2N4402

56 2N3417

70 2N5061

80 2N3417

The injection device according to the invention works as follows:

By placing various liquid aggregates in a washing machine 12 at predetermined times inject during the operation of this machine would like, the device 20 for generating trigger signals with the workflow the washing machine synchronized so that at the right time trigger signals in the electrical Control part 14b are inputted, which sends a control signal to the individual valves 25a to 25c Submit desired times. These trigger signals can, for example, by cam-controlled Switches or by perforated control cards attached to microswitches or pressure-sensitive

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Passing switches are generated. However, the injection device according to the invention differs from the known injection devices in that the length of the trigger signal is no longer critical for the controller or is important. Rather, the length of the injection time is independent of the duration of the trigger signal .

When a trigger signal occurs at terminals 42a and 42b, transistor 80 becomes switched so that it becomes conductive. As a result, the triac 43 is also in the conductive state biased, creating an actuation or control signal appears at the electrical connections 26 and 27 of the valve 25a. This signal is activated the valve 25a such that water is passed through it can flow into line 18a. Then, when water flows through the venturi suction nozzles 30a and 30b, liquid aggregates from the associated containers 15a and 15b through the lines 16a and 16b and sucked into the lines 19a and 19b injected carrier liquid flowing through. That made of liquid aggregate and The mixture consisting of carrier liquid is then fed into the washing machine from lines 19a and 19b 12 headed.

The appearance of a trip signal on the terminals 42a and 42b causes the charging of the capacitor 59 by the RC charging network, which the

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Potentiometer 52, resistor 53 'comprises transistor 50 and capacitor 57, is started. When the voltage applied to the capacitor reaches the first ignition point of transistor 56, ie a value of approximately 12 volts, transistor 56 is switched to the conductive state. This also makes SCR rectifier 70 conductive and thus bridges resistors 74 and 75t so that the transistor 80 is switched to the non-conductive state. The charge held by capacitor 78 contributes to the output pulse of SCR rectifier 70, thereby ensuring proper switching of transistor 80. When the transistor is switched to the non-conductive state, the triac 43 is also switched off and remains in the non-conductive state as long as the trigger signal is present at the connections 42a and 42b. as a result, the valve 25a is switched off or closed. When the trigger signal emitted by the device 20 has ended, the electrical circuit automatically returns to its initial state.

By changing the resistance of the potentiometer 52, the time required to charge the capacitor 59 intended to ignite the transistor 56 is also changed. This allows the duration of the energy supply to the valve 25a

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change and, accordingly, the length of time during which the liquid aggregates enter the Lines 19a and 19b sucked in and with the water flowing through these lines into the Washing machine 12 are injected. By correct choice of the individual valves and by Proper setting of the potentiometer can get the length of time during which the liquid aggregate is injected into the washing machine 12 over the entire length or duration of the Change the trigger signal. While in the described embodiment, the maximum duration of Injection time is limited by the duration of the trigger signal, one can use known electrical components such as holding coils allow the injection of aggregates also via the Extend the duration of the trigger signal. It may also be desirable to have several Values for the timing circuits for actuation, valves 25b and 25c opposite the circuit to be selected for valve 25a.

For other reasons, the invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiment described. For example, as already mentioned above, numerous signal generating devices can be used to generate trigger signals that are correct in terms of time, synchronized with the working sequence of the washing machine. Numerous structural modifications can also be made in order to be able to inject a larger or smaller number of aggregates and also different amounts of each aggregate. _{G / N} , 3 0 9 8 2 7/0299

Claims (6)

2251 U 5 G 48 613 Company ECONOMICS LABORATORY, Inc., Osborn Building, St. Paul, Minnesota (USA) Patent claims: 1.2 Device for injecting liquid additives into a carrier liquid in accordance with an electrical trigger signal, characterized in that it has at least one line (19a-19e) for the carrier liquid, for each additive one line (I6a-I6e) connected to one of these lines ₍ one electrically to be actuated injection device (25a-25c, 30a-30e) for aggregates, for each of the lines carrying the carrier liquid and an electrical control (14) which responds to the electrical trigger signal to generate a first electrical Control signal for selectively actuating the injection device and after a predetermined one Duration, regardless of the duration of the trigger signal, a second electrical control signal to switch off the injection device. 2.) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet end of the line 30 9827/02 99 - ² ~ (19a to 19e) for the carrier liquid to a washing machine (12) with a predetermined workflow is connected and that the trigger signal at predetermined times during the operation of the washing machine from a Signal generating device (20) attached to the washing machine and with its Workflow is synchronized, is generated. 3.) Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the line for the liquid Aggregates comprises a plurality of sub-lines (16a to 16c), each of which is connected to eire another source (15a to 15e) for aggregate is connected that the device (20) for generating trigger signals comprises devices which are individually or independent of one another or different trigger signals at different times in the workflow the washing machine (12) generate, and that the electrical control device (14b) a plurality of electrical timing control circuits (35) each one of the different Receives trigger signals to selectively select each liquid aggregate for a predetermined period To be able to inject time or in a predetermined amount. 4.) Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the line for the carrier liquid a variety of branch 3 09827/02 9 9. , -3- lines (18a to 18c and 19a to 19e) includes that the electrically operated injection device in each of these sub-lines one Venturi suction nozzle (30a to 30e) and a magnet-controlled one in front of these suction nozzles in the direction of flow Valve (25a to 25c), and that each of the supply lines (16a to I6e) for aggregates is connected to another Venturi suction nozzle. 5.) Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the washing machine (12) a washing machine intended for laundry is that the carrier liquid is water and that at least one of the liquid additives is a liquid detergent. 6.) Device according to one of claims 1 to 5 »characterized in that each of the timing control circuits (35) the associated valve (25a to 25c) opens or keeps open regardless of the duration of the trigger signal. 309827/0299