EP0452678B1 - Control assembly for a combined laundry washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Control assembly for a combined laundry washing and drying machine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0452678B1
EP0452678B1 EP91104069A EP91104069A EP0452678B1 EP 0452678 B1 EP0452678 B1 EP 0452678B1 EP 91104069 A EP91104069 A EP 91104069A EP 91104069 A EP91104069 A EP 91104069A EP 0452678 B1 EP0452678 B1 EP 0452678B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tub
liquid
heater element
level
washing
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP91104069A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0452678A2 (en
EP0452678A3 (en
Inventor
Daniele Bravin
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.)
Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA
Original Assignee
Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA
Zanussi Elettrodomestici 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 Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA, Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA filed Critical Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA
Publication of EP0452678A2 publication Critical patent/EP0452678A2/en
Publication of EP0452678A3 publication Critical patent/EP0452678A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0452678B1 publication Critical patent/EP0452678B1/en
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
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/08—Control circuits or arrangements thereof
    • 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
    • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a combined laundry washing and drying machine according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such a type of machine is known form EP-A-252 323.
  • a drum charged with the laundry is rotatably mounted in a tub, and the laundry is washed in successive phases by the repeated recircultaion of a laundering liquid from a collector receptacle connected to a bottom portion of the tub to the upper portion of the tub, whereat the laundering liquid is sprinkled onto the laundry, the laundry is subsequently subjected to a succession of drying cycles, after the laundering liquid has been discharged from the tub at the end of the washing phases, by the circulation of a drying air flow through the laundry at temperatures selected in accordance with the type of the laundry to be dried, this air flow being produced by an associated blower and heated by at least one conventional electric heater element, and circulating through a separate conduit communicating with the bottom and top portions of the tub to thereby progressively dry the moist laundry contained in the drum.
  • Combined machines of this type are provided with an electric heater element for heating the laundering liquid, associated to conventional thermostat switches operable to repeatedly energize and deenergize the heater element in the course of each operating cycle, and optionally controlled by a heater protection device comprising a conventional safety thermostat switch operable to deenergize the heater element when the tub or collector receptacle containing the heater element is empty.
  • Machines of this type are in addition provided with a drying air heater element adapted to be repeatedly energized and deenergized in the course of each drying cycle to thereby establish different drying air temperatures in accordance with the type of laundry to be dried, in particular, lower temperatures for drying delicate fabrics (synthetics and the like) and higher temperatures for drying more resistant fabrics (cotton, linnen and the like).
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a combined laundry washing and drying machine having a control assembly which is simple in construction and reliable in operation.
  • a combined laundry washing and drying machine 3 comprising a sheet metal housing 4 enclosing a laundering tub 5 with a rotatable drum 6 mounted therein for containing the laundry to be laundered and dried.
  • the machine further comprises a washing liquid collector receptacle 7 connected to a bottom portion of tub 5 and to a recirculation conduit 8 having a recirculation pump 9 inserted therein.
  • the free end of conduit 8 terminates at a top portion of tub 5, so that the laundry washing operation is carried out by the repeated recirculation of the washing liquid from the bottom portion of tub 5 to its top portion, whereat the washing liquid is sprinkled onto the laundry.
  • the present combined machine comprises at least one electric heater element 10 of a given capacity located in collector receptacle 7 or in the bottom portion of tub 5 for heating the washing liquid supplied to the tub and to the receptacle to the temperature required for the various laundering cycles.
  • Collector receptacle 7 is additionally in communication with a discharge pump 11 provided with a (not shown) fluff filter and connected to a flexible discharge hose 12 for the discharge of the washing and rinsing liquids at the end of each phase of the selected laundering cycle.
  • the present combined machine further comprises a hot-air circulation conduit 13 including a blower 14 and at least one electric heater element 15 of a given rated capacity preferably located in the top portion of tub 5 which is of a suitable shape for the accommodation of the heater element.
  • Circulation circuit 13 has its respective ends connected to discharge pump 11 upstream of the associated fluff filter in the direction of discharge of the liquids from tub 5, and to the top portion of tub 5 adjacent the location of the heater element.
  • the combined machine further includes at least one liquid level control pressure switch 16 or the like for controlling the admission of a washing liquid to tub 5 up to a predetermined level so as to maintain the laundry in a soaked state during the washing liquid recirculation phases in the course of a selected laundering cycle, and preferably an additional protection device for guarding against the lack of liquid in tub 5 and/or collector receptacle 7, comprising at least one conventional safety pressure switch 17 adapted to function in response to a liquid level lower than that defined above so as to keep heater element 10 always covered by the laundering liquid.
  • the combined machine finally includes safety thermostat switches 18 and 19 operable to control the energization and deenergization of the associated laundering and drying heater elements and to thereby control the temperature of the washing liquid and that of the hot air flow within predetermined limits during the execution of respective laundry washing and drying cycles.
  • safety pressure switch 17 includes two fixed contacts 20 and 21, and a movable contact 22 connected to a main conductor 23 of the electric circuit of the machine and adapted to be switched onto one or the other of fixed contacts 20 or 21, respectively, when tub 5 is empty or contains a washing liquid at a level below that to which the pressure switch is set to respond, i.e. when heater element 10 is not covered by the liquid, and when the tub is filled up to the predetermined response level and heater element 10 is covered with the washing liquid.
  • Pressure-switch 16 on its part comprises two fixed contacts 24 and 25 and a movable contact 26 adapted to be connected to the neutral conductor 27 of the electric circuit of the machine by an electric switch 28 operable by a corresponding cam of the program control unit (not shown) of the machine, movable contact 26 being adapted to be switched onto one or the other of fixed contacts 24 and 25, respectively, when tub 5 is empty or filled with washing liquid to a level below the predetermined maximum level, and when the tub is filled up to the predetermined maximum level.
  • fixed contacts 21 and 25 of pressure switches 17 and 16, respectively are connected to one another through safety thermostat switch 18 and washing liquid heater element 10, while recirculation pump 9 is connected between fixed contact 21 of pressure switch 17 and neutral conductor 27 through an electric switch 29 operable by another cam of the program control unit of the machine.
  • Fixed contacts 20 and 24, respectively, of pressure switches 17 and 16 are on their part connected to one another through safety thermostat switch 19 and drying air heater element 15, while blower 14 is connected between fixed contact 20 of pressure switch 17 and the connection point 30 between recirculation pump 9 and electric switch 29.
  • Discharge pump 11 on its part is directly connected between conductors 23 and 27 through a further electric switch 31 operable by a corresponding cam of the program control unit, While heater element 15 has another electric heater element 33 connected in parallel thereto and adapted to be energized by a manually operable electric switch 32.
  • the maximum temperature developed by heater element 33 for heating the drying air is lower than that developed by heater element 15.
  • tub 5 and collector receptacle 7 are initially empty, so that movable contacts 22 and 26, respectively, of pressure switches 17 and 16 are in engagement with the respective fixed contacts 20 and 24, while electric switches 28 and 29 are held in the closed and opened state, respectively, by the program control unit of the machine.
  • a washing liquid is progressively admitted to the tub 5 and collector receptacle 7, in the per se known manner, until the maximum level as determined by pressure switch 16 is attained, at which time movable contacts 22 and 26, respectively, of pressure switches 17 and 16 are switched onto the other fixed contacts 21 and 25 of the pressure switches, so that heater element 10 is energized to progressively heat the washing liquid.
  • the program control unit acts to close switch 29, so that recirculation pump 9 is energized to initiate the recirculation of the washing liquid via conduit 8, whereby the laundry is sprinkled with the washing liquid.
  • the program control unit acts to open electric switches 28 and 29 and to close electric switch 31, so as to deenergize heater element 10 and recirculation pump 9 while energizing discharge pump 11, as a result of which all of the washing liquid is discharged from tub 5 and collector receptacle 7.
  • the program control unit of the machine acts to close both electric switches 28 and 29.
  • drying-air heater element 15 and blower 14 are energized via movable contacts 22 and 26, respectively, of pressure switches 17 and 16, and on the other hand solely via movable contact 22 of pressure switch 17.
  • electric switch 32 is manually operated to energize heater element 33 instead of heater element 15, so that the drying operation is carried out at a lower temperature.
  • control assembly permits the selective execution of laundry washing and/or drying cycles by the combined machine to be automatically controlled by the use of the two pressure switches 16 and 17 which are adapted to automatically energize one or the other of the respective washing liquid and drying air heater elements, resulting in a simplified construction of the electric circuit of the machine, and eliminating the formerly existing need for using specific control elements for the energization of the heater elements, with the beneficial result of rendering the control assembly as a whole highly reliable in operation.
  • the control assembly additionally includes a suitable solenoid valve 34 for admitting mains water to the tub 5 of the machine, the water being directed through a detergent container 35 filled with a granular detergent and connected to the top portion of the tub.
  • Solenoid valve 34 is connected between conductors 23 and 27 of the electric circuit of the machine in series with an electric switch 36 operable by an associated cam of the program control unit of the machine.
  • the present control assembly selectively operates to control the supply to tub 5 of granular detergent contained in container 35 together with the admission of water to the tub, by closing electric switch 36 for the energization of solenoid valve 34, or of a liquid detergent from container 37 by the energization of pump 39 alone.
  • switch 36 is closed in the first place to energize solenoid valve 34 for the admission of water to the tub until the maximum level as determined by safety pressure switch 17 is attained, at which time movable contact 22 of this pressure switch is switched from fixed contact 20 onto fixed contact 21.
  • the program control unit of the machine acts to open electric switch 36 to thereby deenergize solenoid valve 34 for terminating the admission of water to tub 5, and to close electric switch 28 to thereby energize pump 39 through movable contact 26 of pressure switch 16 which under the prevailing operative condition is closed on fixed contact 24 of this pressure switch, in view of the fact that the water admitted to the tub has not yet attained its maximum charge level as determined by the setting of pressure switch 16.
  • movable contact 26 of pressure switch 16 is automatically switched over onto fixed contact 25, while the program control unit acts to open electric switch 36 to thereby terminate the supply of the liquid detergent as well as the admission of water to the tub and permit the selected laundry washing cycle to be effectively executed.
  • the control assembly finally includes a further solenoid valve 40 disposed in a conduit 41 connected to the water supply circuit of the machine and opening into the hot-air circulation conduit 13, solenoid valve 40 being connected between conductors 23 and 27 of the electric circuit of the machine in series with an electric switch 42 operable by an associated cam of the program control unit of the machine.
  • the program control unit acts to close electric switch 42 in the course of a drying operation of the present combined machine to thereby energize solenoid valve 40 for spraying cold water into air circulation conduit 13 to the purpose of condensing the water vapour released by the laundry being dried and entrained in the hot air flow.
  • the resulting condensate collects in receptacle 7 of the machine and is successively discharged therefrom by the operation of discharge pump 11, permitting in this manner to obtain a substantially dry hot-air flow through conduit 13 for rapidly and efficiently drying the laundry.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
EP91104069A 1990-04-18 1991-03-15 Control assembly for a combined laundry washing and drying machine Expired - Lifetime EP0452678B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT4572290 1990-04-18
IT45722A IT1239195B (it) 1990-04-18 1990-04-18 Dispositivo di controllo per macchine combinate per il lavassio e l'asciugatura della biancheria

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0452678A2 EP0452678A2 (en) 1991-10-23
EP0452678A3 EP0452678A3 (en) 1992-07-22
EP0452678B1 true EP0452678B1 (en) 1995-11-08

Family

ID=11257710

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91104069A Expired - Lifetime EP0452678B1 (en) 1990-04-18 1991-03-15 Control assembly for a combined laundry washing and drying machine

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0452678B1 (it)
DE (1) DE69114341T2 (it)
IT (1) IT1239195B (it)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9139951B2 (en) 2012-08-06 2015-09-22 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance and method of controlling the heater thereof

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0740008B1 (en) * 1995-04-29 2002-08-28 Whirlpool Europe B.V. Safety switching apparatus against dry operation of electrical heating resistances, particularly for washing machines and dishwashers
EP2570544A1 (en) * 2011-09-15 2013-03-20 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Washing machine

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2166535A1 (de) * 1970-04-08 1974-08-15 Beges Ag Maschine zum reinigen von insbesondere buegelfreier waesche
IT1201780B (it) * 1986-07-11 1989-02-02 Zanussi Elettrodomestici Macchina combinata per il lavaggio e l'asciugatura della biancheria

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9139951B2 (en) 2012-08-06 2015-09-22 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance and method of controlling the heater thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69114341D1 (de) 1995-12-14
EP0452678A2 (en) 1991-10-23
IT9045722A0 (it) 1990-04-18
IT1239195B (it) 1993-09-28
EP0452678A3 (en) 1992-07-22
IT9045722A1 (it) 1991-10-18
DE69114341T2 (de) 1996-04-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4794661A (en) Process for the treatment of laundry in a washing machine
EP0146719B1 (en) Laundry washing machine
EP0182364B1 (en) Laundry washing machine
US4711103A (en) Controlling device for clothes washing machine
US3595036A (en) Dispenser for treating chemical
EP1657342A1 (en) Washing machine
US2807889A (en) Control system for clothes dryers
US2819540A (en) Control system for clothes dryers and combination washer-dryers
WO2013001082A1 (en) Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine
US2892334A (en) Combination washer and dryer
WO2013050312A1 (en) Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine
US2983129A (en) Combination washer dryer
EP0452678B1 (en) Control assembly for a combined laundry washing and drying machine
US3510957A (en) Dryer control system
US2904982A (en) Combination washer-dryer construction
US3129361A (en) Control mechanism for laundering equipment
JP3569604B2 (ja) ドラム式乾燥洗濯機
US2869247A (en) Control system for clothes dryers
US3088221A (en) Time comparator or drier control
US2887862A (en) Material dispensing system for combination clothes washing and drying machines
US3349579A (en) Automatic washing machines
US2880521A (en) Laundry machine including improved heater and condenser arrangement
EP0300295B1 (en) A procedure for washing clothes, fabrics and similar materials and a machine to practice said procedure
US3100144A (en) Dryer and method of operation
EP0278461B1 (en) Program control device for a laundry washing machine

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: A2

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19921013

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19940513

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: ZANUSSI ELETTRODOMESTICI S.P.A.

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

ET Fr: translation filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69114341

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19951214

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: ELECTROLUX ZANUSSI ELETTRODOMESTICI S.P.A.

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
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CD

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20030211

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: 20030213

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: 20030214

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: 20030225

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: 20040315

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: 20040316

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: 20041001

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20040315

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: 20041130

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: 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: 20050315