EP0611159A1 - Améliorations dans les dispositifs de dosage - Google Patents

Améliorations dans les dispositifs de dosage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0611159A1
EP0611159A1 EP94300979A EP94300979A EP0611159A1 EP 0611159 A1 EP0611159 A1 EP 0611159A1 EP 94300979 A EP94300979 A EP 94300979A EP 94300979 A EP94300979 A EP 94300979A EP 0611159 A1 EP0611159 A1 EP 0611159A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
machine
sensor
working area
washing
water
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP94300979A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Ronald Skinner
David M. Aveyard
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.)
Brightwell Dispensers Ltd
Original Assignee
Brightwell Dispensers Ltd
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 Brightwell Dispensers Ltd filed Critical Brightwell Dispensers Ltd
Publication of EP0611159A1 publication Critical patent/EP0611159A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
    • A47L15/4418—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants in the form of liquids
    • 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
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
    • D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F33/37—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of metering of detergents or additives
    • 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 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • D06F39/022—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents in a liquid state

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to dosing systems, and is particularly concerned with the controlled dosing of detergents, rinse agents, fabric conditioners and the like in industrial and domestic laundry and dishwashing equipment.
  • a powdered detergent is dispensed at the appropriate stage of the wash cycle by placing the detergent in a compartment separate from the washing compartment, and at the appropriate time flushing the detergent into the washing compartment with water.
  • a similar approach is adopted to dispense liquid fabric conditioners, generally utilising a syphon type device to ensure complete delivery of the fabric conditioner.
  • An objective of the present invention is to provide a dosing system which can be simply and rapidly fitted to an existing laundry or dishwashing machine, requiring no connections to the machine's control circuitry, but including means to provide control signals at appropriate times for the dispensing of detergents, rinse agents, fabric conditioners and the like.
  • the dosing system is supplied with detergent, rinse agents, fabric conditioners or the like from bulk containers, with the various materials to be dosed in liquid form.
  • the materials to be delivered to the machine are pumped by means of a peristaltic pump, controlled by circuitry responsive to input signals from sensors placed at predetermined locations in the washing machine.
  • a dosing system which can be simply and rapidly fitted to an existing laundry or dishwashing machine, the dosing system including means to supply detergent, rinse agents, fabric conditioners or the like to a working area of the machine from respective bulk containers, and means to provide control signals to the supply means at appropriate times for the dispensing of detergents, rinse agents, fabric conditioners and the like.
  • a laundry or dishwashing machine having a working area in which a predetermined cycle of operations including filling, washing, draining, refilling and rinsing operations takes place under the control of a sequence controller, and wherein a dosing system includes at least one sensor associated with the working area of the machine to provide output signals to a control device dependant on the presence or absence of water at the sensor location, the control device including circuitry to determine the requirement for a washing agent from said output signals of said sensor, and to provide output signals to control the operation of at least one pump whose inlet is connected to a bulk supply of the liquid washing agent and whose outlet is lead to the working area of the machine.
  • a washing cycle is controlled by a sequence controller which initiates pre-wash, wash and rinse operations, to fully automatic operation, comprising the steps of:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the principal parts of a washing machine fitted with the device of the present invention.
  • a laundry apparatus comprising a rotating drum 1 driven by a motor 2 via a belt drive 3.
  • the operation of the motor 2 is controlled by a control device 4, which is also linked to a pump 5 connected to an exit duct 6 for the washing and rise water.
  • a water inlet (not shown) to admit water to the tank 7 containing the washing drum 1 is also provided, the water inlet to the tank 7 being controlled by the control device 4, which is responsive to a float switch (not shown) or other level detecting arrangement to stop the ingress of water when the tank 7 is filled to the desired level.
  • the control device 4 opens an electromagnetic valve 9 which admits water to the hopper 8 and flushes and powdered detergent therein into the tank 7.
  • the control device 4 opens and closes the valve 9 for a sufficient interval to flush all the detergent into the tank 7.
  • the tank 7 is drained by the operation of the pump 5 and the clean clothes can be removed from the drum 1.
  • the apparatus shown schematically in Figure 1 is fitted with the dosing device of the present invention, which comprises four main components. These are a peristaltic pump 10 which can deliver a liquid detergent from a detergent bulk storage tank 11 to the washing tank 7 via a duct 12, a control device 13, and sensors 14 and 15 linked to the control device 13.
  • a peristaltic pump 10 which can deliver a liquid detergent from a detergent bulk storage tank 11 to the washing tank 7 via a duct 12, a control device 13, and sensors 14 and 15 linked to the control device 13.
  • the sensors 14 and 15 detect the presence of water respectively in the tank 7 and in the hopper 8, and advantageously are temperature sensors.
  • the presence of water may be detected by other means, such as capacitive detectors, conduction between contacts immersed in the water when present, or any other suitable means.
  • a further sensor 15 will be provided so that there is a respective sensor 15 for each of the hoppers 8, and also a further sensor 15 for any fabric conditioning dispenser compartments.
  • the desired wash programme is selected using the machine's own program controller and the clothes are loaded into the drum 1.
  • the control device 13 will then monitor the progress of the wash cycle, by sensing, via sensor 14, the repeated filling and emptying of the tank 7. At the appropriate times, as detected by the sensors 15 associated with detergent feed hoppers 8, the control device 13 will cause the pump 10 to operate, thus dosing detergent from the detergent bulk storage tank 11 into the washing tank 7. It is envisaged that the control device 13 will include means by which an operator can select the amount of detergent to be dispensed at each stage of the cycle, dependent on the type and concentration of detergent held in tank 11.
  • a fabric conditioner is also to be dispensed to the washing tank 7, then a further bulk storage tank (not shown) for fabric conditioner must be provided, and a further duct and pump.
  • This fabric conditioner pump will also be controlled by the control device 13, as the presence of inflowing water into the fabric conditioner dispensing hopper is detected by its respective sensor.
  • the device of the present invention is therefore ideal for the conversion of laundry equipment to complete the automatic operation, i.e. operation wherein it is unnecessary for an operative to charge detergent hoppers of the laundry device prior to each wash cycle. It is further envisaged that, in installations where a multiplicity of laundry devices are installed, a single detergent bulk storage tank 11 may be connected to respective individual dosing pumps 10 for each laundry device, so that the routine replenishment of detergent can be done at a single station for all machines at the site. Likewise, a single bulk storage tank for fabric conditioner may be provided, to be drawn on by a plurality of laundry machines via individual dosing pumps.
  • the temperature sensor 14 may provide differing output signals to the control device 13 dependent on the temperature of the water.
  • the control device 13 may be programmed to dose a pre-wash amount of detergent when the temperature sensor 14 detects the presence of cold water in the tank 7.
  • the control device 13 may be arranged to trigger the dosing of a 'main wash' amount of detergent, and possibly also the addition of alkali reagents to the wash.
  • the control device 13 may be programmed to deliver either bleach, or a combination of the detergent and bleach. It is therefore advantageous for the sensors 14 and 15 to be sensitive to the presence of water at differing temperatures, rather than simply to detect the presence or absence of water. However, if the sensors 14 and 15 are simple devices such as float switches, then the detection of temperature is not possible.
  • the sensors 14 and 15 merely comprise pairs of electrical contacts between which and electrical connection is made by the presence of water, the sensing of the temperature of the water is not possible and the dosing of the detergent, bleach, alkali, etc is controlled by the control device 13 on the basis simply of the number of times the tank 7 has been filled and emptied, and the presence or absence of water in the hopper 8.
  • the control device 13 is preferably a programmed microprocessor circuit, including a memory device and comparison means to enable the outputs of sensors 14, 15, etc to be compared with predefined programmes so that the control device 13 may identify the particular wash cycle being used by the machine, and make the appropriate dosage of detergent, fabric conditioner or other reagents at the correct times.
  • the present invention thus provides a laundry or dishwashing machine wherein the dosing of detergent is controlled by means of a control device responsive to sensors detecting the presence of water in various parts of the machine. It is foreseen that the sensors, control device and dosing pump may form a dosing system capable of being fitted to an existing laundry machine with the minimum of labour, in that the existing wiring loom of the laundry machine does not need to be modified to accept the dosing system.
EP94300979A 1993-02-11 1994-02-10 Améliorations dans les dispositifs de dosage Withdrawn EP0611159A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB939302722A GB9302722D0 (en) 1993-02-11 1993-02-11 Improvements in dosing systems
GB9302722 1993-02-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0611159A1 true EP0611159A1 (fr) 1994-08-17

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ID=10730259

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94300979A Withdrawn EP0611159A1 (fr) 1993-02-11 1994-02-10 Améliorations dans les dispositifs de dosage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0611159A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB9302722D0 (fr)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0839495A1 (fr) * 1996-10-25 1998-05-06 Unilever N.V. Dispositif de distribution
WO1998027858A2 (fr) * 1996-12-23 1998-07-02 Henkel-Ecolab Gmbh & Co. Ohg Systeme de commande de dosage independant pour machines a laver
EP0932030A1 (fr) * 1998-01-21 1999-07-28 Unilever N.V. Procédé et dispositif pour le dosage de matériaux pulvérulents
US6058946A (en) * 1996-10-25 2000-05-09 Bellati; Riccardo Paolo Federico Delivery device
EP1318225A1 (fr) * 2001-12-07 2003-06-11 Unilever N.V. Dispositif automatique de distribution
EP1854392A1 (fr) * 2006-05-11 2007-11-14 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Procédé pour laver des articles en verre dans une lave-vaisselle domestique
US7398787B2 (en) 2004-10-18 2008-07-15 Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa Division Of Conopco, Inc. Automatic dispensing device for laundry care composition
US7481081B2 (en) 2004-11-23 2009-01-27 Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa Division Of Conopco, Inc. Automatic stand-alone dispensing device for laundry care composition
US20090095027A1 (en) * 2007-10-16 2009-04-16 Miele & Cie. Kg Method for operating a dispensing system for a washing machine, dispensing system, and washing machine
WO2011110246A1 (fr) * 2010-03-11 2011-09-15 Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa Procédé de commande d'un système de dosage pouvant être positionné à l'intérieur d'un appareil ménager à circulation d'eau
US8196441B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2012-06-12 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a dispensing system operable between a single use dispensing system and a bulk dispensing system
US8397544B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2013-03-19 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a single water flow path for both non-bulk and bulk dispensing
ITPD20110382A1 (it) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-06 Evo Technology Snc Apparecchiatura di dosaggio di detersivo e/o ammorbidente liquido per lavabiancherie
US8813526B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2014-08-26 Whirlpool Corporation Water flow paths in a household cleaning appliance with single use and bulk dispensing
US8931310B2 (en) * 2006-05-11 2015-01-13 General Electric Company Bulk dispensing system for washing machine
EP2883993A1 (fr) * 2013-12-10 2015-06-17 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Appareil ménager avec une ligne d'alimentation d'eau sous pression et une soupape de régulation
EP2521810B1 (fr) 2010-04-20 2017-05-31 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA Système de dosage pour libérer au moins trois préparations différentes pendant un programme de lavage d'un lave-linge
US9920468B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2018-03-20 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a non-bulk dispensing system convertible to a household cleaning appliance with a bulk dispensing system
US10100455B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2018-10-16 Whirlpool Corporation Method of indicating operational information for a bulk dispensing system
US10138587B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2018-11-27 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a dispensing system operable between a single use dispensing system and a bulk dispensing system

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113818199A (zh) * 2020-06-18 2021-12-21 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 一种洗衣机衣物处理剂的投放方法

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3881328A (en) * 1971-12-22 1975-05-06 Economics Lab Electronic detergent dispensing system
DE2615469A1 (de) * 1976-04-09 1977-10-20 Miele & Cie Wasch- oder spuelmaschineneinheit fuer krankenhaus und labor
US4932227A (en) * 1988-09-21 1990-06-12 Lever Brothers Company Apparatus and method for automatically injecting laundry treating chemicals into a commercial washing machine

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3881328A (en) * 1971-12-22 1975-05-06 Economics Lab Electronic detergent dispensing system
DE2615469A1 (de) * 1976-04-09 1977-10-20 Miele & Cie Wasch- oder spuelmaschineneinheit fuer krankenhaus und labor
US4932227A (en) * 1988-09-21 1990-06-12 Lever Brothers Company Apparatus and method for automatically injecting laundry treating chemicals into a commercial washing machine

Cited By (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0839495A1 (fr) * 1996-10-25 1998-05-06 Unilever N.V. Dispositif de distribution
US6058946A (en) * 1996-10-25 2000-05-09 Bellati; Riccardo Paolo Federico Delivery device
AU733560B2 (en) * 1996-10-25 2001-05-17 Unilever Plc Delivery device
WO1998027858A2 (fr) * 1996-12-23 1998-07-02 Henkel-Ecolab Gmbh & Co. Ohg Systeme de commande de dosage independant pour machines a laver
WO1998027858A3 (fr) * 1996-12-23 1998-09-03 Henkel Ecolab Gmbh & Co Ohg Systeme de commande de dosage independant pour machines a laver
US6349440B1 (en) 1996-12-23 2002-02-26 Henkel Ecolab Gmbh & Co., Ohg Independent dosing control system for washing machines
EP0932030A1 (fr) * 1998-01-21 1999-07-28 Unilever N.V. Procédé et dispositif pour le dosage de matériaux pulvérulents
US6253968B1 (en) 1998-01-21 2001-07-03 Diversey Lever Inc. Method and device for dosing powdered materials
EP1318225A1 (fr) * 2001-12-07 2003-06-11 Unilever N.V. Dispositif automatique de distribution
US7398787B2 (en) 2004-10-18 2008-07-15 Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa Division Of Conopco, Inc. Automatic dispensing device for laundry care composition
US7481081B2 (en) 2004-11-23 2009-01-27 Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa Division Of Conopco, Inc. Automatic stand-alone dispensing device for laundry care composition
EP1854392A1 (fr) * 2006-05-11 2007-11-14 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Procédé pour laver des articles en verre dans une lave-vaisselle domestique
EP2329756A1 (fr) * 2006-05-11 2011-06-08 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Procédé pour laver des articles en verre dans une lave-vaisselle domestique
US8931310B2 (en) * 2006-05-11 2015-01-13 General Electric Company Bulk dispensing system for washing machine
US20090095027A1 (en) * 2007-10-16 2009-04-16 Miele & Cie. Kg Method for operating a dispensing system for a washing machine, dispensing system, and washing machine
US9976245B2 (en) * 2007-10-16 2018-05-22 Miele & Cie. Kg Method for operating a dispensing system for a washing machine, dispensing system, and washing machine
US10100455B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2018-10-16 Whirlpool Corporation Method of indicating operational information for a bulk dispensing system
US10774459B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2020-09-15 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a non-bulk dispensing system convertible to a household cleaning appliance with a bulk dispensing system
US11692297B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2023-07-04 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a dispensing system operable between a single use dispensing system and a bulk dispensing system
US8813526B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2014-08-26 Whirlpool Corporation Water flow paths in a household cleaning appliance with single use and bulk dispensing
US11603621B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2023-03-14 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a non-bulk dispensing system convertible to a household cleaning appliance with a bulk dispensing system
US11564550B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2023-01-31 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating apparatus and method of indicating operational information for a bulk dispensing system
US9382655B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2016-07-05 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a single water flow path for both non-bulk and bulk dispensing
US9481959B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2016-11-01 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a dispensing system operable between a single use dispensing system and a bulk dispensing system
US11035070B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2021-06-15 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a dispensing system operable between a single use dispensing system and a bulk dispensing system
US9920468B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2018-03-20 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a non-bulk dispensing system convertible to a household cleaning appliance with a bulk dispensing system
US8196441B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2012-06-12 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a dispensing system operable between a single use dispensing system and a bulk dispensing system
US10907294B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance and indicating operational information for a bulk dispensing system
US10132023B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2018-11-20 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a dispensing system operable between a single use dispensing system and a bulk dispensing system
US10138587B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2018-11-27 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a dispensing system operable between a single use dispensing system and a bulk dispensing system
US10231597B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2019-03-19 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a single water flow path for both non-bulk and bulk dispensing
US10519588B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2019-12-31 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a dispensing system operable between a single use dispensing system and a bulk dispensing system
US8397544B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2013-03-19 Whirlpool Corporation Household cleaning appliance with a single water flow path for both non-bulk and bulk dispensing
WO2011110246A1 (fr) * 2010-03-11 2011-09-15 Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa Procédé de commande d'un système de dosage pouvant être positionné à l'intérieur d'un appareil ménager à circulation d'eau
US20130061889A1 (en) * 2010-03-11 2013-03-14 Thorsten Bastigkeit Method for controlling a dosing system which can be positioned inside a water-conducting domestic appliance
EP2521810B1 (fr) 2010-04-20 2017-05-31 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA Système de dosage pour libérer au moins trois préparations différentes pendant un programme de lavage d'un lave-linge
ITPD20110382A1 (it) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-06 Evo Technology Snc Apparecchiatura di dosaggio di detersivo e/o ammorbidente liquido per lavabiancherie
EP2883993A1 (fr) * 2013-12-10 2015-06-17 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Appareil ménager avec une ligne d'alimentation d'eau sous pression et une soupape de régulation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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