EP0231843B1 - Method for automatically adding washing agents - Google Patents

Method for automatically adding washing agents Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0231843B1
EP0231843B1 EP87100996A EP87100996A EP0231843B1 EP 0231843 B1 EP0231843 B1 EP 0231843B1 EP 87100996 A EP87100996 A EP 87100996A EP 87100996 A EP87100996 A EP 87100996A EP 0231843 B1 EP0231843 B1 EP 0231843B1
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Prior art keywords
water
solution
variables
measured value
amount
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EP87100996A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0231843A3 (en
EP0231843A2 (en
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Manfred Krüger
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    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/14Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
    • D06F34/22Condition of the washing liquid, e.g. turbidity
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F33/00Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/30Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
    • D06F33/32Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F33/37Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of metering of detergents or additives
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/16Washing liquid temperature
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/18Washing liquid level
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/20Washing liquid condition, e.g. turbidity
    • D06F2103/22Content of detergent or additives
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/02Water supply
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/42Detergent or additive supply

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for the automatic addition of meterable amounts of detergent active ingredients into the liquor of a tub of a program-controlled washing machine.
  • detergent active ingredients are measured in a ready-made combination or individually to the amount of water in the tub or the average amount provided and metered to the tub.
  • a certain dose of a detergent active ingredient is added to the wash liquor from a storage container at a suitable time.
  • the amount of water to be fed into the tub is known from the outset in the case of a selected washing program, or it is waited until the water supply is complete when a predetermined liquor level is reached.
  • the detergent dose to be added is adjusted to this amount of water, which is added during the water supply or subsequently added to a circulating stream of lye.
  • the amount of water to be supplied to the tub is being adapted more and more to certain laundry parameters (weight, type of fabric, type and degree of soiling), which cannot be defined in the wash program from the start, because they change from case to case each time the washing machine is loaded. Therefore, the volume of the amount of water to be filled in the tub and possibly also the process temperature and the respective detergent doses are still unknown at the start of the program. They must therefore be viewed as a variable.
  • DE-A-14 60 951 discloses a method for maintaining the action of the wash liquor, in which an assigned amount of detergent is also added to the expected total amount of liquor.
  • the maintenance of the effect of the wash liquor is measured by continuously measuring the degree of dissociation of the liquor during the dirt removal process (that is, during the washing process) and compared with a threshold value. As soon as this threshold value is undershot due to the binding of detergent ions to detached dirt ions, an undetermined quantity of detergent from the sufficiently large quantity of detergent powder previously poured into a detergent container is added to the alkali by means of a further fresh water supply and thus improved again the ion ratio in favor of the detergent ions.
  • the known method does not provide for adapting the required amount of detergent to a variable amount of lye or to different lye temperatures. If the amount of lye required is unexpectedly small, the amount of detergent pre-filled and pre-filled for the expected amount of lye will be too large. The detergent that was already wetted would then crust over the detergent dispenser and render it unusable. It would therefore have to be laboriously cleaned after each wash.
  • the invention has for its object to design a method for the automatic addition of metered amounts of detergent active ingredients so that the washing process can be started shortly after the first water supply and still the dosage of the detergent active ingredients precisely enough to the variable finally present state the liquor (for example volume, temperature) is adjusted without ultimately leaving insufficient amounts of detergent.
  • variable value refers to the water volume.
  • another variable value can be significant, which must be present before the active ingredient is added. For example, this is the temperature of the alkali for active ingredients that only develop their chemical effect at certain temperatures, the water hardness, the type and amount of laundry, the type of soiling and their degree, the staining, the alkali concentration and the pH value of the alkali. While the type of laundry and the types and degrees of soiling and staining are not yet automatically measurable and must therefore be entered manually, the other variables can already be taken into account automatically today.
  • the addition of active substance quantities based on measurement is preceded by the addition of a basic quantity of active substances during an early section of the feed phase of water into the tub.
  • This predefinition of a basic amount of active substances allows the active washing process to begin during the early section of the water inlet phase. A delay or extension of the washing process can be avoided.
  • the measured value of the variants can indicate the total amount of water that has flowed in or the amount of water that has flowed in since the last measurement.
  • the required dose of the relevant amounts of active substance is calculated from the measured variable value.
  • the basic amount of the active ingredients is dimensioned for an amount of water that corresponds to the required minimum amount of water for one of several planned washing programs, it can be ensured that a washing program with a previously unknown minimum amount of water also runs without incorrect dosage of detergent active ingredients.
  • temperature-dependent active ingredients can be dosed in portions depending on the condition, in the same way as detergent doses dependent on the water volume.
  • a basic dosage G is carried out with the active ingredients W1 to W5.
  • the time tg is set so that the so-called sump at the drain hole of the suds container is filled with water before detergent active ingredients are added, which would immediately disappear in the drain lines outside the suds container and could no longer participate in the washing process.
  • the individual doses of the active ingredients are dimensioned for a known minimum amount of water to be expected in each washing process.
  • a first measurement of the inflow of water is taken. It is determined that the level V1 in the tub, which corresponds to the minimum amount of water to be expected, has been exceeded. The amount of water that has previously flowed into the tub has already exceeded level V2, so that a program control device provided in the washing machine again initiates a metering, namely the first replenishing N1.
  • the amount of differential water between levels V1 and V2 corresponds approximately to the minimum amount of water to be expected at V1, so that the amounts of active ingredients W1 to W5 correspond to those of the basic dosage.
  • the water that has flowed into the tub is already heated up during the feed phase. This is illustrated by the temperature curve T shown in FIG. 1.
  • the temperature V3 which has meanwhile been calculated from program parameters, is determined and a further dosage of the active ingredients W4 and W5 is derived therefrom.
  • the water inflow curve III only indicates a minimal inflow of water. For this amount of water, the amounts of active substance added in the basic dosage are sufficient, so that the first and the second subsequent additions N1 and N2 are omitted.
  • the measurement at time t1 determines a level higher than V1, but lower than V2. Therefore, in addition to the basic dosage, a subsequent dosage must take place, but the amounts of active ingredient are reduced compared to the basic dosage.
  • the amounts can be of the order of magnitude of the N2 replenishment.
  • a change in level to 1 ⁇ 2 is again determined, so that again a dosing with significantly reduced amounts for the active ingredients W1 to W5 is required.
  • the dosage does not have to be carried out as precisely as desired. For example, a difference in the water quantities between the measurement times of less than 5% of the final quantity can be disregarded and can not trigger a replenishment.
  • the temperature-dependent dosage of the active ingredients W4 and W5 an earlier addition of these active ingredients may possibly be dispensed with. However, it may be possible that the predetermined temperature V3 has already been reached at least approximately at the measurement time t1 or t2. Then the appropriate active ingredients be included in the previous replenishments in small portions at this point.
  • the individual doses of active substance are added in parallel (FIG. 2).
  • a suitable metering device provides a separate metering pump for each active substance storage container.
  • the active ingredients can then be dispensed at the same time. This advantageously shortens the duration of the respective dosage. It is advisable to flush the entire dosing system with water at the end of each dosing cycle (basic dosing or subsequent dosing) so that the detergent active ingredients are completely rinsed out of the dosing pump and the connecting hoses. This is indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 by the areas Sp. However, the technical effort for this is high; because two shut-off valves are also required for each storage container.
  • the dosing process can be carried out individually for each detergent active ingredient (FIG. 3), so that a dosing sequence of the active ingredients results.
  • the dosing device should contain an individually controllable outlet valve in each active substance storage container, which is connected to a common dosing pump together with all other valves.
  • the dosing pump always delivers an active ingredient only from the reservoir whose outlet valve is just open.
  • pumps and connecting hoses can also be rinsed out with water after each dosing cycle. All that is required is a further valve on the water supply.
  • the method according to the invention can be designed differently from the example shown, e.g. in that the number of measurement times is increased. As a result, the amounts of active substance can be more precisely adapted to changing variables in the fleet. For this, however, a high level of accuracy in compliance with the individual doses is required.
  • the quantitative ratios shown between the active ingredients W1 to W5 apply only to a specific washing program with a specific sequence of variables. In other washing programs, the number of active ingredients and the ratio of the active ingredient amounts to one another have changed. A wash program may only require a single agent.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum automatischen Zugeben von dosierbaren Mengen von Waschmittel-Wirkstoffen in die Flotte eines Laugenbehälters einer programmgesteuerten Waschmaschine.The invention relates to a method for the automatic addition of meterable amounts of detergent active ingredients into the liquor of a tub of a program-controlled washing machine.

Bei bekannten Verfahren dieser Art werden Waschmittel-Wirkstoffe in konfektionierter Zusammenstellung oder einzeln auf die im Laugenbehälter befindliche oder durchschnittlich vorgesehene Wassermenge bemessen und dosiert dem Laugenbehälter zugeführt.In known methods of this type, detergent active ingredients are measured in a ready-made combination or individually to the amount of water in the tub or the average amount provided and metered to the tub.

Beispielsweise wird bei dem in der DE-PS 25 54 592 beschriebenen Waschverfahren aus je einem Vorratsbehälter eine bestimmte Dosis eines Waschmittel-Wirkstoffes zu geeigneter Zeit der Waschflotte zugegeben. Bei der Entwicklung dieses Waschverfahrens wurde davon ausgegangen, daß bei einem angewählten Waschprogramm die in den Laugenbehälter zu führende Wassermenge von vornherein bekannt ist, bzw. es wird abgewartet, bis die Wasserzufuhr beim Erreichen eines vorbestimmten Flottenniveaus abgeschlossen ist. An diese Wassermenge wird die jeweils hinzuzufügende Waschmitteldosis angepaßt, die während der Wasserzufuhr zugegeben oder nachträglich einem umlaufenden Laugenstrom beigemengt wird.For example, in the washing process described in DE-PS 25 54 592, a certain dose of a detergent active ingredient is added to the wash liquor from a storage container at a suitable time. In the development of this washing process, it was assumed that the amount of water to be fed into the tub is known from the outset in the case of a selected washing program, or it is waited until the water supply is complete when a predetermined liquor level is reached. The detergent dose to be added is adjusted to this amount of water, which is added during the water supply or subsequently added to a circulating stream of lye.

Mehr und mehr wird jedoch die dem Laugenbehälter zuzuführende Wassermenge von bestimmten wäscheeigenen Parametern (Gewicht, Gewebeart, Verschmutzungsart und -grad) angepaßt, die im Waschprogramm nicht von vornherein festgelegt sein können, weil sie sich bei jeder Beschickung der Waschmaschine von Fall zu Fall ändern. Daher sind das Volumen der in den Laugenbehälter einzufüllenden Wassermenge und möglicherweise auch die Prozeß-Temperatur sowie die jeweils angepaßten Waschmitteldosen beim Beginn des Programms noch unbekannt. Sie müssen daher als Variable angesehen werden.However, the amount of water to be supplied to the tub is being adapted more and more to certain laundry parameters (weight, type of fabric, type and degree of soiling), which cannot be defined in the wash program from the start, because they change from case to case each time the washing machine is loaded. Therefore, the volume of the amount of water to be filled in the tub and possibly also the process temperature and the respective detergent doses are still unknown at the start of the program. They must therefore be viewed as a variable.

Wollte man - wie bekannt - bis zum Ende des Wasserzulaufes bzw. der Flottenerhitzung mit der Zugabe der Waschmittel-Wirkstoffe warten, so würde entweder die aktive Waschzeit (um bis zu 10 Minuten in bezug auf den Wasserzulauf) verkürzt oder der gesamte Waschprozeß um diese Zeit verlängert werden müssen.If, as is known, you wanted to wait until the end of the water supply or the heating of the liquor with the addition of the detergent active ingredients, either the active washing time (by up to 10 minutes in relation to the water supply) would be shortened or the entire washing process by this time need to be extended.

Durch die DE-A-14 60 951 ist ein Verfahren zur Erhaltung der Wirkung der Waschlauge bekannt, bei dem der zu erwartenden Gesamtmenge von Lauge ebenfalls eine zugeordnete Waschmittelmenge zugemessen wird. Die Erhaltung der Wirkung der Waschlauge wird durch die forlaufende Messung des Dissoziationsgrades der Lauge während des Schmutzabtragevorganges (also während des Waschvorganges) gemessen und mit einem Schwellwert verglichen. Sobald dieser Schwellwert durch Bindung von Waschmittel-Ionen an abgelöste Schmutz-Ionen unterschritten wird, gibt man mittels einer weiteren Frischwasser-Zufuhr eine nicht näher bestimmbare Menge Waschmittel aus der genügend großen, vorher in einen Waschmittelbehälter eingefüllten Menge von Waschpulver der Lauge zu und verbessert damit wieder das Ionenverhältnis zugunsten der Waschmittel-Ionen. Eine Anpassung der erforderlichen Waschmittelmenge an eine variable Laugenmenge oder an unterschiedliche Laugentemperaturen ist durch das bekannte Verfahren nicht vorgesehen. Bei einer unerwartet geringen erforderlichen Laugenmenge wird die für die erwartete Laugenmenge bemessene und voreingefüllte Waschmittelmenge zu groß sein. Das bereits benetzte Waschmittel würde danach den Waschmittelbehälter verkrusten und unbrauchbar machen. Er müßte daher nach jedem Waschgang aufwendig gereinigt werden.DE-A-14 60 951 discloses a method for maintaining the action of the wash liquor, in which an assigned amount of detergent is also added to the expected total amount of liquor. The maintenance of the effect of the wash liquor is measured by continuously measuring the degree of dissociation of the liquor during the dirt removal process (that is, during the washing process) and compared with a threshold value. As soon as this threshold value is undershot due to the binding of detergent ions to detached dirt ions, an undetermined quantity of detergent from the sufficiently large quantity of detergent powder previously poured into a detergent container is added to the alkali by means of a further fresh water supply and thus improved again the ion ratio in favor of the detergent ions. The known method does not provide for adapting the required amount of detergent to a variable amount of lye or to different lye temperatures. If the amount of lye required is unexpectedly small, the amount of detergent pre-filled and pre-filled for the expected amount of lye will be too large. The detergent that was already wetted would then crust over the detergent dispenser and render it unusable. It would therefore have to be laboriously cleaned after each wash.

Der Erfindung ist die Aufgabe gestellt, ein Verfahren zum automatischen Zugeben von dosierbaren Mengen von Waschmittel-Wirkstoffen so auszugestalten, daß der Waschprozeß bereits kurz nach dem ersten Wasserzulauf begonnen werden kann und trotzdem die Dosierung der Waschmittel-Wirkstoffe genau genug an den variablen endlich vorhandenen Zustand der Flotte (z.B. Volumen, Temperatur) angepaßt wird, ohne dass letztlich Waschmittelmengen ungenugt zurückbleiben.The invention has for its object to design a method for the automatic addition of metered amounts of detergent active ingredients so that the washing process can be started shortly after the first water supply and still the dosage of the detergent active ingredients precisely enough to the variable finally present state the liquor (for example volume, temperature) is adjusted without ultimately leaving insufficient amounts of detergent.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1 gelöst. Für die Zugabe von einigen Waschmittel-Wirkstoffen ist lediglich die vorhandene Wassermenge bedeutend. Hier bezieht sich der Variablenwert auf das Wasservolumen. Für andere Waschmittel-Wirkstoffe kann ein anderer Variablenwert bedeutend sein, der vor der Zugabe des Wirkstoff vorliegen muß. Beispielsweise ist dies die Temperatur der Lauge für Wirkstoffe, die erst bei gewissen Temperaturen ihre chemische Wirkung entfalten, die Wasserhärte, die Wäscheart und -menge, die Verschmutzungsart und deren Grad, die Verfleckung, die Laugenkonzentration und der pH-Wert der Lauge. Während die Wäscheart und die Verschmutzungs- und Verfleckungsarten und -grade heute noch nicht automatisch meßbar sind und daher von Hand eingegeben werden müssen, können die anderen Variablen auch heute bereits automatisch berücksichtigt werden.This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Only the amount of water present is important for the addition of some detergent active ingredients. Here the variable value refers to the water volume. For other detergent active ingredients, another variable value can be significant, which must be present before the active ingredient is added. For example, this is the temperature of the alkali for active ingredients that only develop their chemical effect at certain temperatures, the water hardness, the type and amount of laundry, the type of soiling and their degree, the staining, the alkali concentration and the pH value of the alkali. While the type of laundry and the types and degrees of soiling and staining are not yet automatically measurable and must therefore be entered manually, the other variables can already be taken into account automatically today.

In vorteilhafter Weiterbildung der Erfindung ist der Zugabe von auf Messung beruhenden Wirkstoffmengen eine Zugabe einer Grundmenge von Wirkstoffen während eines frühen Abschnitts der Zulaufphase von Wasser in den Laugenbehälter vorgeschaltet. Diese Vorabgabe einer Grundmenge von Wirkstoffen erlaubt den Beginn des aktiven Waschprozesses bereits während des frühen Abschnitts der Zulaufphase von Wasser. Eine Verzögerung bzw. Verlängerung des Waschprozesses kann dadurch vermieden werden.In an advantageous development of the invention, the addition of active substance quantities based on measurement is preceded by the addition of a basic quantity of active substances during an early section of the feed phase of water into the tub. This predefinition of a basic amount of active substances allows the active washing process to begin during the early section of the water inlet phase. A delay or extension of the washing process can be avoided.

Der gemessene Wert der Varianten kann die insgesamt zugelaufene Wassermenge oder die seit der letzten Messung zugelaufene Wassermenge angeben. In einer elektrischen Bemessungsschaltung wird aus dem gemessenen Variablenwert die jeweils erforderliche Dosis der betreffenden Wirkstoffmengen errechnet.The measured value of the variants can indicate the total amount of water that has flowed in or the amount of water that has flowed in since the last measurement. In an electrical measurement circuit, the required dose of the relevant amounts of active substance is calculated from the measured variable value.

Wenn die Grundmenge der Wirkstoffe auf eine Wassermenge bemessen ist, die der erforderlichen Mindestwassermenge bei einem von mehreren vorgesehenen Waschprogrammen entspricht, kann sichergestellt werden, daß auch ein Waschprogramm mit vorher nicht bekannter Mindestmenge an Wasser ohne Falschdosierung von Waschmittel-Wirkstoffen abläuft.If the basic amount of the active ingredients is dimensioned for an amount of water that corresponds to the required minimum amount of water for one of several planned washing programs, it can be ensured that a washing program with a previously unknown minimum amount of water also runs without incorrect dosage of detergent active ingredients.

Wenn der gemessene Wert der Variablen die Temperatur der Flotte angibt, können temperaturabhängige Wirkstoffe in gleicher Weise zustandsabhängig portionsweise dosiert werden wie vom Wasservolumen abhängige Waschmitteldosen.If the measured value of the variable indicates the temperature of the liquor, temperature-dependent active ingredients can be dosed in portions depending on the condition, in the same way as detergent doses dependent on the water volume.

Bei einer Messung der Laugenkonzentration als Variable kann diese durch fein dosierte Einzelzugaben von bestimmten Waschmittel-Wirkstoffen genügend genau eingestellt und in der erforderlichen Höhe gehalten werden.When measuring the alkali concentration as a variable, this can be set sufficiently precisely by means of finely dosed individual additions of certain detergent active ingredients and kept at the required level.

Das Gleiche gilt prinzipiell auch für den pH-Wert, der in bestimmten Abschnitten des Waschprozesses, z.B. beim Spülen, für eine fein dosierte Zugabe von Wirkstoffen berücksichtigt werden muß.The same also applies in principle to the pH value, which in certain sections of the washing process, e.g. when rinsing, for a finely dosed addition of active ingredients must be taken into account.

Anhand von drei Diagrammen in der Zeichnung ist das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren nachstehend erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
die Wasserzulaufkurven dreier charakteristischer Wäschebeladungen I - III und eine Temperaturkurve über der Zeit,
Fig. 2
ein zeitgleiches Diagramm der parallelen portionsweisen Zugabe von Waschmittel-Wirkstoffen zu vorbestimmten Zeitpunkten und
Fig. 3
ein zeitgleiches Diagramm einer seriellen portionsweisen Zugabe von Wirkstoffen.
The method according to the invention is explained below on the basis of three diagrams in the drawing. Show it:
Fig. 1
the water supply curves of three characteristic laundry loads I - III and a temperature curve over time,
Fig. 2
a simultaneous diagram of the parallel portionwise addition of detergent active ingredients at predetermined times and
Fig. 3
a simultaneous diagram of a serial addition of active ingredients in portions.

Kurz nach Beginn (to) des Wasserzulaufs, nämlich zum Zeitpunkt tg, wird eine Grunddosierung G mit den Wirkstoffen W1 bis W5 vorgenommen. Der Zeitpunkt tg ist so gesetzt, daß der sogenannte Sumpf beim Abflußloch des Laugenbehälters mit Wasser gefüllt ist, ehe Waschmittel-Wirkstoffe zugegeben werden, die bei sofortiger Zugabe in den Abflußleitungen außerhalb des Laugenbehälters verschwinden würden und am Waschprozeß nicht mehr teilnehmen könnten. Die einzelnen Dosen der Wirkstoffe (äquivalent zu den dargestellten Flächen) sind für eine bei jedem Waschprozeß bekanntermaßen minimal zu erwartende Wassermenge bemessen.Shortly after the start (to) of the water supply, namely at time tg, a basic dosage G is carried out with the active ingredients W1 to W5. The time tg is set so that the so-called sump at the drain hole of the suds container is filled with water before detergent active ingredients are added, which would immediately disappear in the drain lines outside the suds container and could no longer participate in the washing process. The individual doses of the active ingredients (equivalent to the areas shown) are dimensioned for a known minimum amount of water to be expected in each washing process.

Zu einem festgesetzten Zeitpunkt t1, z.B. am Ende ungefähr der Hälfte des längstmöglichen Wasserzulaufs wird eine erste Messung der zugelaufenen Wassermenge vorgenommen. Dabei wird festgestellt, daß das Niveau V1 im Laugenbehälter, das der minimal zu erwartenden Wassermenge entspricht, überschritten worden ist. Die bisher in den Laugenbehälter geflossene Wassermenge hat sogar schon das Niveau V2 überschritten, so daß ein in der Waschmaschine vorgesehenes Programmsteuergerät abermals eine Dosierung veranlaßt, nämlich die erste Nachdosierung N1. Die Differenzwassermenge zwischen den Niveaus V1 und V2 entspricht in etwa auch der minimal zu erwartenden Wassermenge bei V1, so daß die Mengen der Wirkstoffe W1 bis W5 denen der Grunddosierung entsprechen.At a fixed time t1, e.g. at the end of approximately half of the longest possible water inflow, a first measurement of the inflow of water is taken. It is determined that the level V1 in the tub, which corresponds to the minimum amount of water to be expected, has been exceeded. The amount of water that has previously flowed into the tub has already exceeded level V2, so that a program control device provided in the washing machine again initiates a metering, namely the first replenishing N1. The amount of differential water between levels V1 and V2 corresponds approximately to the minimum amount of water to be expected at V1, so that the amounts of active ingredients W1 to W5 correspond to those of the basic dosage.

Zu einem weiteren festgesetzten Zeitpunkt t2 am Ende der normalerweise längsten Dauer des Wasserzulaufs wird abermals eine Messung der Wassermenge durchgeführt und festgestellt, daß das Niveau V2 erheblich überschritten wurde und die Wassermenge nahezu das Niveau V4 erreicht hat. Daher wird abermals eine Nachdosierung N2 mit Wirkstoffmengen vorgenommen, die bereits kleiner sind als diejenigen der vorangehenden Dosierungen.At a further fixed point in time t2 at the end of the normally longest duration of the water supply, the amount of water is again measured and it is found that the level V2 has been exceeded considerably and the amount of water has almost reached the level V4. Therefore, an additional dosage of N2 is carried out with amounts of active ingredient that are already smaller than those of previous dosages.

Während der Zulaufphase wird das in den Laugenbehälter geflossene Wasser bereits aufgeheizt. Dies veranschaulicht die in Fig. 1 eingezeichnete Temperaturkurve T. Während eines dritten Meß-Zeitpunktes t3 wird die inzwischen aus Programmparametern errechnete Temperatur V3 festgestellt und daraus eine weitere Dosierung der Wirkstoffe W4 und W5 abgeleitet. Diese Wirkstoffe werden erst bei Erreichen einer bestimmten Temperatur in ausreichendem Maße wirksam und werden daher zweckmäßigerweise erst zu diesem Zeitpunkt der Flotte in nennenswerter Menge zugeführt.The water that has flowed into the tub is already heated up during the feed phase. This is illustrated by the temperature curve T shown in FIG. 1. During a third measurement time t3, the temperature V3, which has meanwhile been calculated from program parameters, is determined and a further dosage of the active ingredients W4 and W5 is derived therefrom. These active substances only become sufficiently effective when a certain temperature is reached and are therefore expediently not added to the liquor in any significant amount until this point in time.

In Abhängigkeit von dem festgestellten Flottenniveau kann eine der dargestellten Nachdosierungen möglicherweise entfallen. Die Wasser-Zulaufkurve III deutet nur eine minimal zugelaufene Wassermenge an. Für diese Wassermenge sind die bei der Grunddosierung zugegebenen Wirkstoffmengen ausreichend, so daß die erste und die zweite Nachdosierung N1 und N2 entfallen.Depending on the fleet level determined, one of the replenishments shown may not be necessary. The water inflow curve III only indicates a minimal inflow of water. For this amount of water, the amounts of active substance added in the basic dosage are sufficient, so that the first and the second subsequent additions N1 and N2 are omitted.

Im Falle der Zulaufkurve II stellt die Messung zum Zeitpunkt t1 ein Niveau höher als V1, aber niedriger als V2 fest. Daher muß über die Grunddosierung hinaus noch eine Nachdosierung stattfinden, deren Wirkstoffmengen jedoch gegenüber der Grunddosierung reduziert sind. Beispielsweise können die Mengen in der Größenordnung der Nachdosierung N2 liegen.In the case of the inlet curve II, the measurement at time t1 determines a level higher than V1, but lower than V2. Therefore, in addition to the basic dosage, a subsequent dosage must take place, but the amounts of active ingredient are reduced compared to the basic dosage. For example, the amounts can be of the order of magnitude of the N2 replenishment.

Zum Zeitpunkt t2 wird abermals eine Niveauveränderung auf ½ festgestellt, so daß wiederum eine Nachdosierung mit erheblich verminderten Mengen für die Wirkstoffe W1 bis W5 erforderlich wird. Die Dosierung muß natürlich nicht beliebig genau durchgeführt werden. Beispielsweise kann eine Differenz der Wassermengen zwischen den Meßzeitpunkten von weniger als 5% der Endmenge unberücksichtigt bleiben und keine Nachdosierung auslösen.At time t2, a change in level to ½ is again determined, so that again a dosing with significantly reduced amounts for the active ingredients W1 to W5 is required. Of course, the dosage does not have to be carried out as precisely as desired. For example, a difference in the water quantities between the measurement times of less than 5% of the final quantity can be disregarded and can not trigger a replenishment.

Bei der temperaturabhängigen Dosierung der Wirkstoffe W4 und W5 kann auf eine frühere Zugabe dieser Wirkstoffe möglicherweise verzichtet werden. Es kann jedoch möglich sein, daß die vorbestimmte Temperatur V3 bereits zum Meß-Zeitpunkt t1 oder t2 wenigstens angenähert erreicht ist. Dann können die entsprechenden Wirkstoffe bereits zu diesem Zeitpunkt in kleinen Portionen in die früheren Nachdosierungen eingeschlossen werden.With the temperature-dependent dosage of the active ingredients W4 and W5, an earlier addition of these active ingredients may possibly be dispensed with. However, it may be possible that the predetermined temperature V3 has already been reached at least approximately at the measurement time t1 or t2. Then the appropriate active ingredients be included in the previous replenishments in small portions at this point.

In einer möglichen Ausgestaltung des Verfahrens werden die einzelnen Wirkstoff-Dosen parallel zugegeben (Fig. 2). Eine hierfür geeignete Dosiereinrichtung sieht für jeden Wirkstoff-Vorratsbehälter eine eigene Dosierpumpe vor. Die Wirkstoffe können dann jeweils zur gleichen Zeit ausgegeben werden. Dies verkürzt vorteilhafterweise die Dauer der jeweiligen Dosierung. Zweckmäßigerweise wird am Ende eines jeden Dosierzyklus (Grunddosierung oder Nachdosierung) das gesamte Dosiersystem mit Wasser durchspült, damit die Waschmittel-Wirkstoffe restlos aus der Dosierpumpe und den Verbindungsschläuchen ausgespült werden. Dies ist in Fig. 2 und 3 durch die Flächen Sp angedeutet. Allerdings ist der technische Aufwand hierfür hoch; denn je Vorratsbehälter sind zusätzlich noch zwei Absperrventile erforderlich.In one possible embodiment of the method, the individual doses of active substance are added in parallel (FIG. 2). A suitable metering device provides a separate metering pump for each active substance storage container. The active ingredients can then be dispensed at the same time. This advantageously shortens the duration of the respective dosage. It is advisable to flush the entire dosing system with water at the end of each dosing cycle (basic dosing or subsequent dosing) so that the detergent active ingredients are completely rinsed out of the dosing pump and the connecting hoses. This is indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 by the areas Sp. However, the technical effort for this is high; because two shut-off valves are also required for each storage container.

Der Ablauf der Dosierung kann aber andererseits für jeden Waschmittel-Wirkstoff einzeln ablaufen (Fig. 3), so daß sich eine Dosierfolge der Wirkstoffe ergibt. Hierzu sollte die Dosiereinrichtung in jedem Wirkstoff-Vorratsbehälter ein einzeln ansteuerbares Auslaßventil enthalten, das zusammen mit allen anderen Ventilen an eine gemeinsame Dosierpumpe angeschlossen ist. Die Dosierpumpe fördert immer nur aus demjenigen Vorratsbehälter einen Wirkstoff, dessen Auslaßventil gerade geöffnet ist. Zum Schluß können Pumpen und Verbindungsschläuche ebenfalls nach jedem Dosiergang mit Wasser ausgespült werden. Dafür ist lediglich ein weiteres Ventil an der Wasserzufuhr vorzusehen.On the other hand, the dosing process can be carried out individually for each detergent active ingredient (FIG. 3), so that a dosing sequence of the active ingredients results. For this purpose, the dosing device should contain an individually controllable outlet valve in each active substance storage container, which is connected to a common dosing pump together with all other valves. The dosing pump always delivers an active ingredient only from the reservoir whose outlet valve is just open. Finally, pumps and connecting hoses can also be rinsed out with water after each dosing cycle. All that is required is a further valve on the water supply.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren kann abweichend vom dargestellten Beispiel ausgestaltet werden, z.B. dadurch , daß die Zahl der Meß-Zeitpunkte erhöht wird. Dadurch können die Wirkstoff-Mengen an veränderte Variable der Flotte feiner angepaßt werden. Hierfür ist jedoch eine hohe Genauigkeit bei der Einhaltung der einzelnen Dosen zu fordern. Die dargestellten Mengenverhältnisse zwischen den Wirkstoffen W1 bis W5 gelten jeweils nur für ein bestimmtes Waschprogramm mit einer bestimmten Sequenz von Variablen. Bei anderen Waschprogrammen sind die Zahl der Wirkstoffe und die Verhältnisse der Wirkstoffmengen untereinander verändert. Möglicherweise kann ein Waschprogramm lediglich einen einzelnen Wirkstoff erfordern.The method according to the invention can be designed differently from the example shown, e.g. in that the number of measurement times is increased. As a result, the amounts of active substance can be more precisely adapted to changing variables in the fleet. For this, however, a high level of accuracy in compliance with the individual doses is required. The quantitative ratios shown between the active ingredients W1 to W5 apply only to a specific washing program with a specific sequence of variables. In other washing programs, the number of active ingredients and the ratio of the active ingredient amounts to one another have changed. A wash program may only require a single agent.

Claims (8)

  1. Method for the automatic feeding of meterable quantities of washing agent active substances into the solution of a liquor container of a program-controlled washing machine, characterised thereby that the washing agent active substances are fed in portions into the solution and indeed in the manner that at predetermined points in time (t1 to t3) the value (V1 to V4) of one of several variables of the solution is detected and, after each of these points in time, active substance portions (W1 to W5) are calculated with respect to the value of this or other variables and in a given case added to the solution.
  2. Method according to claim 1, characterised thereby that during an early section (tg) of the supply phase of water into the liquor container an addition of a basic quantity (G) of active substances is superimposed on the addition of active substance quantities referred to the measuring.
  3. Method according to claim 1, characterised thereby that the measured value (V1, V2, V4) of a variable represents the supplied water quantity.
  4. Method according to claim 3, characterised thereby that the measured value of the variables represents the water quantity supplied since the last measuring.
  5. Method according to claims 2 to 4, characterised thereby that the basic quantity (G) of active substances is measured for a water quantity which corresponds to the minimum water quantity for one of several provided washing programs.
  6. Method according to claim 1, characterised thereby that the measured value (V3) of the variables represents the temperature (T) of the solution.
  7. Method according to claim 1, characterised thereby that the measured value of the variables represents the liquor concentration of the solution.
  8. Method according to claim 1, characterised thereby that the measured value of the variables represents the pH value of the liquor.
EP87100996A 1986-02-05 1987-01-24 Method for automatically adding washing agents Expired - Lifetime EP0231843B1 (en)

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DE3603554 1986-02-05
DE3603554 1986-02-05

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EP0231843A2 EP0231843A2 (en) 1987-08-12
EP0231843A3 EP0231843A3 (en) 1988-05-18
EP0231843B1 true EP0231843B1 (en) 1992-03-25

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Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1220742B (en) * 1988-03-02 1990-06-21 Ind Zanzssi Spa DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE INPUT OF LIQUID DETERGENTS OF WASHING MACHINES, IN PARTICULAR WASHING MACHINES
FI80729C (en) * 1988-04-07 1990-07-10 Vesa Hakulinen FOERFARANDE OCH ANORDNING FOER DOSERING AV TVAETTMEDEL.
DE3916910A1 (en) * 1989-05-24 1990-11-29 Henkel Kgaa DEVICE FOR DISPOSING DISINFECTANTS
IT1256377B (en) * 1992-11-09 1995-12-04 Silvano Fumagalli DYNAMIC FLOW WASHING MACHINE
IT1268006B1 (en) * 1994-02-03 1997-02-20 Merloni Elettrodomestici Spa WASHING MACHINE WITH DETERGENT USE CONTROL, AND RELATIVE CONTROL METHOD.
DE10138283A1 (en) * 2001-08-10 2003-03-06 Henkel Kgaa washing method
DE102006043914A1 (en) 2006-09-19 2008-03-27 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Method for operating a water-conducting household appliance

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB885835A (en) * 1957-12-29 1961-12-28 Jakob Rothenberger Washing machines with temperature controlled feed of bleaching agents
DE1460951A1 (en) * 1962-11-30 1969-04-24 Home Appliance Establishment Working procedure and arrangement for the lye test in washing machines
DE1610170B2 (en) * 1967-08-28 1979-07-19 Bosch-Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Process for washing laundry, in particular for main washing
DE2541550A1 (en) * 1975-09-18 1977-03-31 Miele & Cie Washing machine with automatic dispensation of softener - preventing uneven distribution or incrustation on clothing
FI773869A (en) * 1977-12-20 1979-06-21 Asko Upo Oy FOERFARANDE OCH ANORDNING FOER STYRNING AV SKOELJNINGEN I EN TVAETTMASKIN
DE2917859A1 (en) * 1979-05-03 1980-11-13 Licentia Gmbh METHOD FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING THE PROGRAM, ESPECIALLY THE WATER INLET AND / OR THE CLEANING OR. ADDITION OF DETERGENT IN AUTOMATIC WASHING AND DISHWASHER

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DE3777666D1 (en) 1992-04-30
ES2030672T3 (en) 1992-11-16
EP0231843A3 (en) 1988-05-18
EP0231843A2 (en) 1987-08-12

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