EP0738797A2 - Machine à laver avec sélecteur de température - Google Patents

Machine à laver avec sélecteur de température Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0738797A2
EP0738797A2 EP96105845A EP96105845A EP0738797A2 EP 0738797 A2 EP0738797 A2 EP 0738797A2 EP 96105845 A EP96105845 A EP 96105845A EP 96105845 A EP96105845 A EP 96105845A EP 0738797 A2 EP0738797 A2 EP 0738797A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
temperature
water
washing machine
washing
control means
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
EP96105845A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0738797B1 (fr
EP0738797A3 (fr
Inventor
Costantino Mariotti
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.)
Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Original Assignee
Merloni 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 Merloni Elettrodomestici SpA filed Critical Merloni Elettrodomestici SpA
Publication of EP0738797A2 publication Critical patent/EP0738797A2/fr
Publication of EP0738797A3 publication Critical patent/EP0738797A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0738797B1 publication Critical patent/EP0738797B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • D06F34/28—Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
    • 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
    • D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2101/12—Washing temperature
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/16—Washing liquid temperature
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/02—Water supply
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/10—Temperature of washing liquids; Heating means therefor
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a washing machine, specifically a laundry washer, as described in the preamble of the annexed Claim 1.
  • Such a programmer consisting mainly of an electromechanical cycle sequencer, controls adequately a number of devices located inside the machine, through which washing is executed.
  • such an electromechanical programmer comprises an electric motor entraining a cam pack for a preset time from the start to the end of a selected wash cycle.
  • the cams profile is configurated in such a way to activate some electric contacts, which enable said internal devices at and for proper times.
  • a first cam enables a solenoid-valve to take water in from the mains till a pressure-switch contact will stop water supply to said solenoid valve.
  • a second cam activates a heater to heat the supplied water till a thermostat will detect achievement of a preset temperature.
  • a third cam activates the motor rotation to cause the motion of the drum containing the laundry.
  • a fourth cam activates a discharge pump to discharge the water used for the washing, and so on.
  • the characteristics of said cam programmers are in any case known as such, so that a detailed explanation of their operation will not be needed for the purpose of the present description.
  • a temperature over 60 °C it is known to have a complementary supply of cold water before discharging the water used for a washing phase at a high temperature (eg. 90 °C).
  • Such a complementary water supply usually occurring at the end of a hot washing step followed by a cold rinse has the purpose of preventing a thermal shock to the clothes, which would in fact happen in the passage from a high water temperature (water used for the washing step) to a very low one (water used for the rinse).
  • a cam of the cycle programmer enables a complementary supply of about 7 to 8 liters fresh water.
  • Such a complementary water supply attenuating the temperature of the washing water allows the water discharge according to the Standards and will prevent that cold water striking the hot laundry, so to avoid a thermal shock to the clothes.
  • Said complementary fresh water supply is obtained through actuation of the contacts of a pressure switch, which usually provided (in the washing machines) is with two different levels, namely a first level for the normal washing phases and a second higher level in respect to the previous one, to allow input of more water for some specific phases of a wash cycle, as for instance the above complementary supply to attenuate the temperature of the washing liquid.
  • a pressure switch which usually provided (in the washing machines) is with two different levels, namely a first level for the normal washing phases and a second higher level in respect to the previous one, to allow input of more water for some specific phases of a wash cycle, as for instance the above complementary supply to attenuate the temperature of the washing liquid.
  • washing machines equipped with an electromechanical cycle sequencer actually take in about 7/8 liters more water than strictly necessary. This obviously entrains a considerable waste.
  • said objects are obtained by providing a washing machine, specifically a laundry washer, incorporating the features listed in the annexed claims, which summarize the learnings for the achievement of the present invention.
  • reference number 1 indicates a washing machine as a whole according to the present invention.
  • Such a machine is for instance of the type mentioned at the beginning of the present description and is inclusive of all elements as known for its operation.
  • Number 2 indicates the machine loading door and 3 its control panel.
  • Such a control panel comprises a detergent dispenser indicated with number 4, an ON/OFF main switch indicated with 5 and the knob of an electromechanical cycle programmer indicated with 6, which enables selection of a wash cycle out of a plurality of selectable cycles having different characteristics.
  • Panel 3 also comprises a second knob indicated with number 7, pertaining to a temperature selector for the washing liquid that the user can select out of a plurality of selectable temperatures.
  • the selectable temperature may for instance range from 0 °C to 95 °C.
  • the panel 3 comprises additionally a double-function key indicated with number 8.
  • this key 8 When pressed down, this key 8 enables heating of the washing liquid at a washing temperature exceeding an imposed limit, which in the specific example is 60 °C.
  • the key 8 has a first significant function of sensibilizing the user when selecting a so-called 'dangerous' temperature, i.e. forcing the user to take a specific decision during said action (temperature selection).
  • the key 8 has a second significant function. Specifically, said key 8 is associated with adequate circuit means enabling said complementary water supply only when said key 8 is pressed down, i.e. when a temperature range over 60 °C has been selected. Thus, practically, key 8 has the function of enabling the second pressure-switch level just to attenuate the temperature of the washing liquid in the instances already mentioned at the beginning of the present description, i.e. when actually required.
  • key 8 has a double action of sensibilizing and making the user aware that he wants to choose high washing temperatures and allow him at the same time to achieve a considerable water saving.
  • FIG. 2 shows only by way of example a portion of the simplified wiring diagram of the washing machine illustrated in fig. 1, limitatively to the portion related to the circuit means associated with key 8.
  • this figure practically only shows the portion of a wiring diagram modified in respect to the known state of the art in a machine according to the present invention.
  • EV indicates a solenoid valve for water supply into the machine
  • P1 indicates the electric contact of a first level pressure switch (i.e. a lower level)
  • P2 the electric contact of a second level pressure switch (i.e. a higher level).
  • Contacts P1 and P2 are preferably enclosed in one pressure switch of the type suited to detect both different levels. The characteristics and operation of such a pressure switch will not be described in detail as they pertain to the same concept already known and applied in the practice to nearly all washing machines available in trade.
  • RR indicates a heater to heat the washing water
  • 8 indicates the above mentioned key enabling temperature selection over 60 °C.
  • this key 8 is associated with a double deviator.
  • Said cam C1 indicates a cam of the programmer or electromechanical timer 6 of the washing machine to enable the second level of the pressure switch in the relevant steps of the wash cycle, whenever required.
  • Said cam C1 is a standard cam as normally used in the known programmers.
  • C2 indicates a second cam, also normally used in the known programmers, which is provided to enable the washing liquid heater at the right time.
  • C3 indicates a third cam whose function is to enable the second level of pressure switch P2 for the above mentioned complementary water supply.
  • cam C1 In the machines of known type, viceversa, the complementary water input is controlled through cam C1 with the consequent problems of water consumption as mentioned at the beginning of the present invention. Therefore, cam C3 according to the present invention is an additional cam in respect to the known state of art.
  • TM1 and TM2 indicate two thermostats, respectively, to control heater RR.
  • Thermostat TM1 enables/disables power to the heater RR within the temperature range from 0 °C to 60 °C
  • thermostat TM2 enables/disables power to the heater RR within a temperature range from 61 °C to 95 °C.
  • Double deviator contacts are positioned as shown in the figure.
  • the solenoid valve EV is fed by conductor L through contact P1, which is in the position shown in Fig. 2.
  • pressure swicht P1 commutates, i.e. its contact is moved to the position on the right shown in Fig. 2.
  • cam C1 is positioned on the right and as a result the socalled 'full signal' of pressure switch P1 can proceed along conductor P to enable a subsequent wash cycle step through the timer 6 of Fig. 1 (eg. machine drum rotation).
  • cam C2 When the cycle provides liquid heating within the range up to 90 °C, cam C2 is moved to the left position, so the heater RR will be activated till the thermostat TM1 detects that the preset temperature for the washing liquid has been reached. As it can already be noticed from the figure, the thermostat TM2 to heat the liquid to temperatures over 60 °C will not start operating if the key 8 has not been pressed, since under this condition the washing liquid will never reach a temperature range over 60 °C.
  • cam C1 In case of a washing requiring the second liquid level even if the temperature reaches only 60 °C (eg. in the event of a washing program for special clothes requiring a higher volume of water, such as synthetics), cam C1 is moved to the left position in Fig. 2.
  • the contact of P1 will move to the position on the right and the contact of P2 be enabled right through cam C1, so that the solenoid valve EV can be fed till the second level is reached.
  • P2 commutates, moving its contact to the position on the right in Fig. 2 and stop feeding to the solenoid valve.
  • the "full signal" i.e. reaching the preset liquid level, can go further towards P as described above.
  • key 8 has to be pressed to execute washing at a temperature over 60 °C.
  • cam C1 When said complementary liquid supply at room temperature is necessary during execution of a selected wash cycle to attenuate the temperature of the washing liquid in the tub, cam C1 is in its central rest position as shown in Fig. 2, cam C3 is on the left and cam C2 in the central position.
  • the solenoid valve EV can be fed by P2 through the left contact of the double deviator 8; upon reaching the second level, i.e. when the complementary liquid supply is completed, the contact of P2 commutates to the right position and the 'full' signal can proceed towards P.
  • cam C2 will be in the position shown in the figure, since during the complementary water supply to attenuate liquid temperature inside the tub, activation of heater RR will not be required.
  • the cam C2 when requesting liquid heating within a temperature range over 60 °C, the cam C2 will be on the left position and the right contact of the double deviator 8 can practically allow to by-pass the thermostat PM1. Thus, only the thermostat TM2 will be enabled, so as to supply the heater RR and reach the preset temperature over 60 °C.
  • the right contact of the double deviator 8 enables the achievement of temperatures over 60 °C, whereas the left contact of the double deviator 8 and the cam C3 enable the complementary water supply at room temperature only when such higher temperatures have been selected and provided that the cam C1 is on its central position.
  • a washing machine comprising a manual control element (key 8) that has to be pressed by the user to obtain the actual selection of a temperature over a preset limit.
  • This key will then inequivocably forces the user to perform a conscious action of temperature selection for the water to be used.
  • This key is also associated with the significant function of enabling a higher water supply to attenuate the temperature of the liquid inside the tub only in those instances where it is required, namely when high washing temperatures are selected, to obtain a considerable saving with respect to the known state of art.
  • a temperature selector with a knob of the kind suited for two different operational axial positions.
  • a selector type is shown in Fig. 3 where the knob is indicated with 7A.
  • knob 7A in its normal axial position (part A, in Fig. 3) only the temperature selection up to 60 °C is allowed whereas with knob 7A extracted (part B, in fig. 3), temperatures over 60 °C can be selected.
  • a kinematics motion 22 allows knob 7A to take both operational positions as previously mentioned.
  • a kinematics motion 22 comprising for instance a movable element with inclined planes and a spiral spring, is known as such (generally called push-push) and is largely used on existing washing machines.
  • the basic concept of the present invention can also be applied if necessary to dishwasher machines provided with possibility of manual temperature selection.
  • the invention can find application in a frame opposed to the one described herein by way of example, i.e. whenever a sure user's action for the selection of a temperature below an imposed limit is desired, in which case the key 8 or the knob 7A may have the function of disabling a higher water supply.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
EP96105845A 1995-04-14 1996-04-13 Machine à laver avec sélecteur de température Expired - Lifetime EP0738797B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT95TO000300A IT1280875B1 (it) 1995-04-14 1995-04-14 Macchina di lavaggio con selettore di temperatura perfezionato.
ITTO950300 1995-04-14

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0738797A2 true EP0738797A2 (fr) 1996-10-23
EP0738797A3 EP0738797A3 (fr) 1997-11-12
EP0738797B1 EP0738797B1 (fr) 2002-08-07

Family

ID=11413500

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96105845A Expired - Lifetime EP0738797B1 (fr) 1995-04-14 1996-04-13 Machine à laver avec sélecteur de température

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0738797B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69622779T2 (fr)
IT (1) IT1280875B1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3986372A (en) * 1976-01-16 1976-10-19 Whirlpool Corporation Appliance programmer including a safety circuit
FR2439255A1 (fr) * 1978-10-19 1980-05-16 Zanussi A Spa Industrie Dispositif de reglage de la quantite d'eau introduite dans une machine a laver, en particulier du type menager
EP0225550A2 (fr) * 1985-12-02 1987-06-16 Miele & Cie. GmbH & Co. Sélecteur rotatif de programme pour une machine à laver automatique
US5074003A (en) * 1989-09-11 1991-12-24 Whirlpool Corporation Automatic washer with controlled stroke parameter
EP0579947A1 (fr) * 1992-07-23 1994-01-26 Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.p.A. Machine à laver avec dispositif pour contrôler la température des éléments électriques de chauffage de l'eau

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3986372A (en) * 1976-01-16 1976-10-19 Whirlpool Corporation Appliance programmer including a safety circuit
FR2439255A1 (fr) * 1978-10-19 1980-05-16 Zanussi A Spa Industrie Dispositif de reglage de la quantite d'eau introduite dans une machine a laver, en particulier du type menager
EP0225550A2 (fr) * 1985-12-02 1987-06-16 Miele & Cie. GmbH & Co. Sélecteur rotatif de programme pour une machine à laver automatique
US5074003A (en) * 1989-09-11 1991-12-24 Whirlpool Corporation Automatic washer with controlled stroke parameter
EP0579947A1 (fr) * 1992-07-23 1994-01-26 Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.p.A. Machine à laver avec dispositif pour contrôler la température des éléments électriques de chauffage de l'eau

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1280875B1 (it) 1998-02-11
EP0738797B1 (fr) 2002-08-07
EP0738797A3 (fr) 1997-11-12
DE69622779D1 (de) 2002-09-12
ITTO950300A0 (it) 1995-04-14
DE69622779T2 (de) 2003-06-12
ITTO950300A1 (it) 1996-10-14

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