EP0278461A1 - Dispositif de commande de programme pour machine à laver - Google Patents

Dispositif de commande de programme pour machine à laver Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0278461A1
EP0278461A1 EP88101811A EP88101811A EP0278461A1 EP 0278461 A1 EP0278461 A1 EP 0278461A1 EP 88101811 A EP88101811 A EP 88101811A EP 88101811 A EP88101811 A EP 88101811A EP 0278461 A1 EP0278461 A1 EP 0278461A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tub
liquid
program control
control device
laundry
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP88101811A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0278461B1 (fr
Inventor
Emanuele Sacconato
Giuseppe Frucco
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.)
Industrie Zanussi SpA
Original Assignee
Industrie Zanussi SpA
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 Industrie Zanussi SpA filed Critical Industrie Zanussi SpA
Priority to AT88101811T priority Critical patent/ATE62030T1/de
Publication of EP0278461A1 publication Critical patent/EP0278461A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0278461B1 publication Critical patent/EP0278461B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • 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
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/08—Control circuits or arrangements thereof

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a program control device for a laundry washing machine of the type in which washing of the laundry is carried out by spraying a washing liquid onto the laundry.
  • a laundry washing machine of the type defined above comprising a laundering tub, a drum for containing the laundry and mounted for rotation within the tub, and a washing liquid collecting receptacle disposed at a level below tub and communic­ating therewith, this collecting receptacle being designed to contain at least one filtering element, and electric heater element and a temperature sensor acting respectively to filter the washing liquid, to heat it, and to monitor its temperature.
  • the collecting receptacle is connected to the discharge conduit of the machine via a conventional discharge pump, and to the laundering tub via an electric recirculation pump and a recirculation conduit.
  • the machine under discussion is further provided with pressure switches of different settings for controlling the operation of the machine accordinging to "intense” and “gentle” laundry washing programs at a normal washing liquid level in the tub and with the electric recirculation pump inoper­ative for the full duration of these programs, and accord­int to "intense” laundry washing programs with a reduced washing liquid level in the tub and operation of the elect­ric recirculation pump during determined periods in the course of these programs to thereby repeatedly recirculate the washing liquid from the collecting receptacle to the tub via the recirculation conduit, and to spray it directly onto the laundry.
  • the described laundry washing machine is capable of attaining noticeably reduced consump­tion of water, detergents and electric energy as compared to the respective consumption attainable with washing programs at normal liquid levels in the tub.
  • these "intense" washing programs include the execution of washing and rinsing operations during which the amount of liquid admitted to the tub should be adequate to the amount of laundry contained in the drum, and to the liquid absorption capacity of the laundry.
  • a program control device for a laundry washing machine comprising a tub, a drum mounted for rotation in the tub, and a liquid collecting receptacle communicating with lower and upper portions of the tub via a conduit and an electric recirculation pump, wherein said program control device comprises at least a first and a second pressure switch or similar level control element adjusted to respectively determine a minimum and a maximum liquid filling level in said tub irrespective of the amount and the liquid absorption capacity of the laundry contained in the drum.
  • the program control device under consideration is charact­erized in that the electric recirculation pump is adapted in a first operative phase during the washing operation to be actuated via one of said first and second pressure switches in the "full" position, and by the intermediary of selector means, and in a second operation phase during the rinsing operations via a current supply circuit adapted to be closed by the operation of change-over switch means.
  • This program control device finds application in a laundry washing machine (not shown) provided with a washing liquid recirculation system of the type described in Italian Patent Application No. 45725-A/84, filed on 20-11-1984 by the present applicant.
  • This washing machine comprises a tub, a drum mounted in the tub for rotation by means of a conventional electric motor, and a washing liquid collecting receptacle communicating with lower and upper portions via a conduit and an electric recirculation pump operable to repeatedly recirculate the washing liquid from the collect­ing receptacle to the tub during the various washing programs of the machine.
  • the collecting receptacle is also provided with at least one heater element (not shown) and temperature monitoring means in the form for instance of a (likewise not shown) conventional thermostat sensor operable respectively to heat the washing liquid contained in the collecting receptacle und to monitor its temperature.
  • the laundry washing machine under consideration is further provided with a program control device designed to permit the execution of "intense” and “gentle” washing programs with normal or reduced washing liquid filling levels in the tub, similar to the programs conventionally executed by a laundry washing machine of the type defined above.
  • the "intense" washing programs include the execution of a number of rinsing operations with operative sequences different from those of conventional programs, as will become evident from the following description.
  • the program control device as diagrammatically shown in the accompanying drawing com­prises two pressure switches 1 and 2 or similar level control elements set respectively to determine a minimum and a maximum liquid filling level in the tub of the machine irrespective of the amount and liquid absorption capacity of the laundry charged into the drum.
  • the device further includes a solenoid valve 3 for the admission of the liquid to the tub, a conventional discharge pump 4, an electric recirculation pump 5, a heater element 6, thermostatic control means 7 associated to a conventional "thermostop” device (not shown), and an electric motor 8 for rotating the drum.
  • pressure switches 1 and 2 are provided with respective movable contacts 9 and 10 adapted to be selectively connected to a main current supply conductor 11 of the program control device via a movable contact 12 oper­able by a cam of the control devcie.
  • Movable contact 12 is connected to main supply conductor 11 and operable to selectively engage one of two fixed contacts 13 and 14 connected respectively to movable contacts 9 and 10 of pressure switches 1 and 2, respectively.
  • Movable contact 9 of pressure switch 1 is operable to engage a fixed contact 15 in the "empty" state of the tub, in which the latter is empty or filled to a level below the one to which pressure switch 1 is set, or a fixed contact 16 in the "full” state of the tub, in which the latter is filled at least to the level to which pressure switch 1 is set.
  • Fixed contacts 15 and 16 of pressure switch 1 are on their part connected via respective conductors 17 and 18 to further movable contacts 19 and 20 associated to specific cams of the program control device and displaceable between two operative positions.
  • movable contact 19 is operable to select­ively close on solenoid valve 3 itself connected to the other main current supply conductor 21 of the program control device, or on an electric conductor 22 connected to a conventional electronic control unit 23 itself connected via further electric conductors 24 to electric motor 8 for controlling its operation at variable speeds of rotation and in opposite directions of rotation during execution of the various washing programs of the machine.
  • Movable contact 20 on its part is adapted to close on a series circuit including heater element 6 and temperature control means 7 and connected to the other main conductor 21 mentioned above.
  • movable contact 10 is operable to close on fixed contact 26 in the "empty” state of the tub, in which the latter is empty or filled to a liquid level below that to which pressure switch 2 is set, or on fixed contact 27 in the "full” state of the tub, in which the latter is filled to the set maximum level.
  • the present program control device additionally includes further movable contacts 28, 29, 30 and 31 each of which is associated to a respective cam of the program control device.
  • movable contact 28 is connected to main supply conductor 11 and selectively operable to close a circuit including discharge pump 4 and connected to main conductor 21, or to close on a conductor 32 connected to solenoid valve 3.
  • Movable contact 29 is likewise connected to main supply conductor 11 and operable to close on a conductor 33 for the energization of a motor 34 of the program control device, motor 34 being connected to the other main con­ductor 21 and operable to rotate the cams associated to the various movable contacts.
  • Movable contact 30 is operable to close on a conductor 35 interconnected between conductors 18 and 33, while movable contact 31 is operable to selectively close on one of fixed contacts 36 or 37 themselves adapted to be connected to conductor 22 and electronic control unit 23 by means of a change-over switch 38 associated to a fast actuation cam of the program control device.
  • Movable contact 31 and change-over switch 38 serve the purpose of determining the operation of motor 8 via electronic control unit 23 at two different frequencies, namely, in a rapid sequence by closing movable contact 31 and change-over switch 38 on conductor 37, and a slow sequence by closing movable contact 31 and change-over switch 38 on conductor 36.
  • the present program control device permits the execution of "intense” and "gentle” washing programs to be described as follows:
  • the tub is filled with liquid to a minimum level as determined by the setting of pressure switch 1 irrespective of the amount of laundry charged into the drum and its liquid absoption capacity.
  • the present program control device initially operates to close movable contact 12 on fixed contact 13 and movable contact 19 on solenoid valve 3, while all of the other movable contacts 20, 28, 29, 30, 31 remain in their open state.
  • the liquid is recirculated to the tub and sprayed onto the laundry to be progressively absorbed thereby, causing the level of the liquid to be gradually lowered to a level below that to which pressure switch 1 has been set, as a result of which movable contact 9 closes again on fixed contact 15, so that a further amount of the liquid is admitted to the tub.
  • pressure switch 1 is thus capable of accurately metering the amount of liquid admitted to the tub, irrespective of the amount and liquid absorption capacity of the laundry charged into the drum, to thereby permit such "intense” washing programs to be executed with limited liquid consumption.
  • the program control device After attaining the operative condition in which the laundry is completely saturated with the liquid, and movable contact 9 therefore remains closed on fixed contact 16 in the "full" position of pressure switch 1, so that recirculation pump 5 is maintained in its energized state, the program control device operates to close movable con­tact 20 for energizing heater element 6 and the associated temperatore sensor means 7, and to energize motor 8 through electronic control unit 23 by closing movable contact 29 on conductor 33 and movable contact 31 of change-over switch 38 on one of conductors 36 or 37.
  • the laundry is efficiently laundered by heating the washing liquid to the temperature determined by the setting of thermostatic control means 7, recircul­ating the liquid to the tub and spraying it onto the laundry, and rotating the drum at predetermined intervals in opposite directions in a slow or fast sequence.
  • motor 34 of the program control device remains continually energized for rotating the various cams of the device to thereby successively operate the movable contacts of the device in a sequence to be described in the following.
  • the program control device On termination of the washing operation, the program control device operates to open movable contacts 20 and 31 as well as change-over switch 38, and to close movable contact 28 on solenoid valve 3 by way of conductor 32.
  • This cooling effect is accelerated by the recirculation of the hot and cold liquid to the tub by the opertion of recirculation pump 5, resulting in thorough mixing of the two liquid bodies and in the at least partial dilution of the lye contained in the laundry.
  • This operation is carried out with a reduced energy consumption of the machine due to the fact that the motor for rotating the drum remains inoperative.
  • the program control device subsequently operates to close movable contact 19 on electronic control unit 23 by way of conductor 22, and to close movable contact 28 on discharge pump 4.
  • This spin-drying operation is maintained for a sufficient duration to efficiently wring the laundry during the dis­charge phase, so that practically all of the liquid con­tained in the laundry is discharged from the machine prior to the subsequent rinsing operations.
  • the program control device then operates to open movable contact 28 and to close movable contacts 19 and 30 on solenoid valve 3 and conductor 35, respectively, while retaining the remaining movable contacts in their previous operative positions.
  • recirculation pump 5 remains always energized, initially via the main current supply circuit, and subsequently via pressure switch 1 in its "full" pos­ition.
  • the liquid recirculated to the tub continues to be absorbed by the laundry, causing the liquid level in the tub to be lowered to below the minimum level determined by the setting of pressure switch 1, whereupon movable contact 9 of pressure switch 1 again closes on fixed contact 15.
  • the "gentle” washing programs for washing delicate synthetic fabrics and/or woolens are on their part executed with the same operative sequence as the "intense” washing programs described above by using in this case pressure switch 2 instead of pressure switch 1, to which purpose movable contact 12 is closed on fixed contact 14, while all of the other movable contacts of the program control device remain in the previously specified positions.
  • the required number of rinsing operations is executed with the maximum liquid level in the tub as determined by the setting of pressure switch 2 and required by the nature of the laundry contained in the drum.
  • This device does in fact permit the efficient execution of "intense” and "gentle" laundry washing programs with the lowest possible water consumption due to the provision, in the case of "intense” washing programs, of washing and rinsing operations in which the amount of water admitted to the tub is accurately metered with regard to the amount and liquid absorption capacity of the laundry charged into the drum. Thanks to the reduction of the amounts of water admitted to the tub during the rinsing operations, the duration of these rinsing operations is reduced, as is the power required for rotating the drum, resulting in a corresponding reduction of the electric power consumption of the machine.
  • the described program control device is finally composed of a smaller number of electric components as compared to known program control devices for washing machines.
  • the device additionally permits rapid cooling of the washing liquid on termination of the washing operation and before the initiation of the rinsing operations as required for safety reasons.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
EP88101811A 1987-02-10 1988-02-08 Dispositif de commande de programme pour machine à laver Expired - Lifetime EP0278461B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88101811T ATE62030T1 (de) 1987-02-10 1988-02-08 Programmsteuervorrichtung fuer waschmaschine.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT4570387 1987-02-10
IT8745703A IT1210377B (it) 1987-02-10 1987-02-10 Dispositivo programmatore per macchina lavabiancheria.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0278461A1 true EP0278461A1 (fr) 1988-08-17
EP0278461B1 EP0278461B1 (fr) 1991-03-27

Family

ID=11257371

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88101811A Expired - Lifetime EP0278461B1 (fr) 1987-02-10 1988-02-08 Dispositif de commande de programme pour machine à laver

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0278461B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE62030T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE3862122D1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2021103B3 (fr)
IT (1) IT1210377B (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1505190A2 (fr) * 2003-08-07 2005-02-09 Lg Electronics Inc. Procédé de control d'une machine à laver à tambour
US8615833B2 (en) 2009-12-14 2013-12-31 Electrolux Do Brazil S.A. Method and washing machine provided with recirculation with controlled flow

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29618572U1 (de) * 1996-10-24 1998-02-26 Schwarzbich Joerg Haushaltsgerät

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1115600A (en) * 1966-02-09 1968-05-29 Philco Ford Corp Laundry apparatus
EP0146719A2 (fr) * 1983-12-06 1985-07-03 INDUSTRIE ZANUSSI S.p.A. Machine à laver le linge
EP0182364A2 (fr) * 1984-11-20 1986-05-28 INDUSTRIE ZANUSSI S.p.A. Machine à laver le linge

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1115600A (en) * 1966-02-09 1968-05-29 Philco Ford Corp Laundry apparatus
EP0146719A2 (fr) * 1983-12-06 1985-07-03 INDUSTRIE ZANUSSI S.p.A. Machine à laver le linge
EP0182364A2 (fr) * 1984-11-20 1986-05-28 INDUSTRIE ZANUSSI S.p.A. Machine à laver le linge

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1505190A2 (fr) * 2003-08-07 2005-02-09 Lg Electronics Inc. Procédé de control d'une machine à laver à tambour
EP1505190A3 (fr) * 2003-08-07 2005-03-02 Lg Electronics Inc. Procédé de control d'une machine à laver à tambour
US8615833B2 (en) 2009-12-14 2013-12-31 Electrolux Do Brazil S.A. Method and washing machine provided with recirculation with controlled flow

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3862122D1 (de) 1991-05-02
EP0278461B1 (fr) 1991-03-27
ES2021103B3 (es) 1991-10-16
IT8745703A0 (it) 1987-02-10
ATE62030T1 (de) 1991-04-15
IT1210377B (it) 1989-09-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4794661A (en) Process for the treatment of laundry in a washing machine
EP0182364B1 (fr) Machine à laver le linge
US4411664A (en) Washing machine with out-of-balance detection and correction capability
CA1282557C (fr) Methode de lessivage haute performance pour lessiveuse automatique a axe vertical
EP0202509B1 (fr) Dispositif de commande pour machine à laver le linge
US2892334A (en) Combination washer and dryer
US2819540A (en) Control system for clothes dryers and combination washer-dryers
US2875526A (en) Combined washer and drier
US3550170A (en) Method and apparatus for fabric cool down
NZ312376A (en) Washing machine fluid fill level control and clothes-positioning spray pattern
US3477258A (en) Total sensing automatic washer
US2983129A (en) Combination washer dryer
US2881633A (en) Combination washer-dryer drive mechanism
EP2602373A1 (fr) Procédé de rinçage du linge dans une machine à laver et machine à laver permettant d'activer le procédé
US3008059A (en) Control for clothes washer or dryer or the like
US2919493A (en) Control means for washer-dryer
EP0278461B1 (fr) Dispositif de commande de programme pour machine à laver
US2934925A (en) Control arrangement for clothes washing machine
US3129361A (en) Control mechanism for laundering equipment
EP3825452B1 (fr) Appareil pour sécher le linge
US3128615A (en) Automatic washing machine having a two-speed electric motor
US2887862A (en) Material dispensing system for combination clothes washing and drying machines
EP0452678B1 (fr) Dispositif de commande pour machine à laver et à sécher le linge
US3467489A (en) Method of washing
US3269154A (en) Washing machines

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE DE ES FR GB IT NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19881019

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: PROPRIA PROTEZIONE PROPR. IND.

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19900417

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE DE ES FR GB IT NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 62030

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19910415

Kind code of ref document: T

ET Fr: translation filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3862122

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19910502

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19930126

Year of fee payment: 6

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19930228

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19940228

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: INDUSTRIE ZANUSSI S.P.A.

Effective date: 19940228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19940901

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee
EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 88101811.3

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20000112

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20000113

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20000119

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20000120

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20000127

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20000208

Year of fee payment: 13

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010208

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010208

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010209

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010209

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20010208

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 88101811.3

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20011031

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20011201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20021016

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050208