EP0787849A1 - Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Steuern der Abgabe von pumpbaren Chemikalien - Google Patents

Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Steuern der Abgabe von pumpbaren Chemikalien Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0787849A1
EP0787849A1 EP96200106A EP96200106A EP0787849A1 EP 0787849 A1 EP0787849 A1 EP 0787849A1 EP 96200106 A EP96200106 A EP 96200106A EP 96200106 A EP96200106 A EP 96200106A EP 0787849 A1 EP0787849 A1 EP 0787849A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
devices
washing
dispensing
intelligence
chemicals
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Withdrawn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
EP96200106A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Marc Loman
Theodorus Leonardus Van Den Akker
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.)
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever NV
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 Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever NV
Priority to EP96200106A priority Critical patent/EP0787849A1/de
Publication of EP0787849A1 publication Critical patent/EP0787849A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • Fabric washing machines and dish washing machines are used in a wide variety of environments, starting for instance from a caterer environment which may be somewhat similar to a household environment, to almost industrial environments, such as large laundries or hospitals. In practice for each application and environment, special control systems have to be designed and implemented, either by the manufacturer of the washing device or by the provider of washing chemicals.
  • the user of the device After a washing device has been sold by the manufacturer, and the warranty period has lapsed, the user of the device will usually hold the detergents' provider responsible if a washing device does not operate satisfactory, irrespective of the state of the machine. Therefor the provider of such chemicals will usually have to service the machine and/or dispensing units for dispensing the washing chemicals. For each design of a control system, service engineers have to be trained.
  • washing chemicals are delivered to the user in more and more condensed form, which makes it even more important not to dose too much of such condensed products which may have undesired effects to the persons using the washed objects or to the cleaned fabrics.
  • US patent 5,014,211 discloses a liquid chemical delivery system for a number of industrial cloth washers, said system comprising a centralized pump controller unit.
  • the pump controller unit will have to be programmed, so that for each application programming labour has to be invested.
  • the present invention provides a system for controlling the delivery of pumpable chemicals, comprising:
  • the control system according to the present invention is very versatile, and can be used by almost every conceivable setup of a number of washing devices, starting from a separate dish washing device for a caterer, to an industrial laundry.
  • the present invention make use of distributed intelligence, which form a plural network.
  • a washing device may comprise dish washers, wash extractors, tunnel washers, bottle, crate and/or a keg washing devices or other.
  • the devices can be single tank machines or multitank machines.
  • the chemicals to be dosed can be delivered to the costumer in any desired form, viz. in solid form, in powder form, or in fluid or gel form.
  • the dispensing devices comprise pumps for pumping fluid detergents to the washing devices.
  • the intelligence cells and transceiver unit are part of a so called Local Operational Network (LON) as introduced by Echelon Corporation of Palo Alto, California, for which network integrated circuits are provided by Toshiba and Motorola. Further details of LON are disclosed in international patent application WO 92/17952, international patent application WO 92/21180, US patent 4,918,690 as well as other documents provided by the above company.
  • LON Local Operational Network
  • an intelligence cell comprises a timing and control section, an input/output section, a communication port, internal memory and a three processor central processing unit, said three processors sharing a common memory, arithmetic unit and control circuitry.
  • the system according to the present invention comprises standardized plugs and sockets, which makes servicing even simpler, so that it can be executed by a wide variety of individuals having a limited technical background or training.
  • a flow meter is provided in the fluid line between and pump washing device, whereby the control of a number of pumps and the dispensed quantity of chemicals can be executed very accurately. More and more users of washing devices prefer to make payments to the provider of detergents per unit of cleaned product. In such accounting systems accurate information regarding the behavior of the costumer has to be available to the detergent provider.
  • an intelligence cell comprises a master unit and one or more slave units connected thereto, preferably under the I 2 C protocol. Details of the I 2 C protocol are to be found in manuals of the Dutch Philips Electronics N.V. In the LON system, using master and slave units, all master units and slave units will obtain automatically an address when connected in the system. Programming labor is therefor further reduced. In the system according to the present invention no redundant hardware and/or software need to be installed, while further functions can easily be added to the system.
  • the system according to the present invention is preferably provided with a datalog unit and a modem for storing information parameters from the operation of the control system, and for trouble shooting on a remote basis.
  • a datalog unit and a modem for storing information parameters from the operation of the control system, and for trouble shooting on a remote basis.
  • the intelligence cells communicate with one another on the network by exchanging packets of data while the connections in the network can be established by a variety of media, such as power line, twisted pair, radio frequency, infra-red, ultrasonic, optical, coaxial etc.
  • a washing device 1 (fig. 1) provides e.g. two condition signals, viz. a wash signal and a bleach signal over lines 2 and 3, resp. to a first LON master unit 4 of the 3150 type which is connected to a first pump 5 for dosing or delivering washing chemicals to the washing device 1.
  • a number of signal lines are provided between the pump 5 and the master unit 4.
  • a first signal line 6 provide a signal to the master unit 4 when leakage occurs in the hose or peristaltic pump 5 because of shortcircuiting of contacts in the housing of the pump.
  • a second line 7 provides a signal to master unit 4 when the level of the chemicals in the pumps, is below a predetermined level.
  • Signal line 8 provides an alarm signal to the master unit 4, whereafter an audible or visible alarm will be indicated by the master unit 4.
  • Signal line 9 provides the possibility of signalling a visible alarm on the pump housing of the pump.
  • Signal line 10 delivers the on/off pump signal to the pump 5 for driving/not-driving of the motor of pump 5.
  • the master unit 4 is connected to a power supply 14 and a transceiver unit 15 according to the LON protocol which in this embodiment is connected by a twisted pair 16 to a second LON transceiver unit 17, so that the first master unit 4 is in communication with a second master unit 18 also provided with a power supply 19.
  • the second master unit 18 is connected to a second pump 25 through lines 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and to a second flow meter 42 through line 43 resp., which have the same function as lines 6 - 10 and 13 resp. for delivering bleaching chemicals by pump 25 through line 41 to washing device 1.
  • pumps 5 and 25 are connected to a storage tank for the respective chemicals.
  • a modem or personal computer for controlling and/or remote diagnosing purposes.
  • Each master unit can be connected to a simple keyboard, for instance with a LCD-display and a small number of keys or to more comprehensive keyboards such as for personal computers.
  • Such keyboards and displays can easily be connected e.g. for service purposes to any of the master units in the system, where all information regarding the complete system is available.
  • a remote central dosing system 54 is provided e.g. in a separate room for keeping the chemicals away from the people using the laundry devices 51, 52 and 53, where in a master unit 64 is associated with each laundry device and is connected to each laundry device through three conditioning signals over lines 61, 62 and 63 for obtaining a water meter signal, a bleach signal and a wash signal resp. therefrom.
  • Each master unit 64, 64', 64'' is provided with a transceiver 65, 65', 65', which are each connected via a field bus 66 to each other and to a transceiver 75 which is connected to a master unit 74 of the central dozing system.
  • the central dosing system 54 comprises five pumps 55, 56 57, 58 and 59 resp. which are connected to a central manifold 60 via fluid lines.
  • Pump 55 is connected to master unit 74 through electrical signal lines 76 - 80 which correspond with signal lines 4 - 10 of fig. 1.
  • Pumps 56 - 59 are each connected to corresponding signal lines 76 - 80 to slave units 81, 82, 83 and 84 which are connected under the I 2 C protocol to master unit 74.
  • a further slave unit 85 also connected through the I 2 C protocol to master unit 74 controls a water flush valve 96 for flushing the manifold 60 after each dosing of chemicals by one of the pumps 55 - 59 to manifold 60.
  • the manifold 60 is connected to a fluid flow line 90 to valve 91, 92 and 93 which are associated with washing devices 51, 52 and 53 resp..
  • the valve 91 - 93 are each connected by a control line 94, 94', 94'' to master unit 64, 64' and 64''.
  • the master unit 74 is provided with a standardized power supply PSU. If necessary for driving the various pump motors, additional power supplies can easily be plugged to one or more off the slave units 81-85. This is of course also possible in other embodiments.
  • the system 50 makes use of the same modular electronic components of the LON type as the system according to system 1.
  • Each washing device in both systems is provided with an intelligence cell which are connected to each other by means of a transceiver and a field bus.
  • the communication protocols are as much as possible standardized, whereby servicing and remote diagnosis are facilitated to a high degree.
  • An individual having a limited technical background and/or training should be able to replace a standardized module, containing one or more integrated circuit boards, when visiting the premises of a costumer.
  • each master unit 64, 64', 64'' is provided with a digital input unit 95, 95' and 95'' which are connected to line 96 - 110 resp., for functions such as sensing the position of the door switch of the washing device, sensing a start/stop function for the washing device, sensing selection signals for five classes of laundry, sensing of the position of a valve for admitting steam into a laundry device, for sensing the presence of cold and hot water of a number of different temperatures in the washing device through a number of signals, sensing the position of the drain valve, sensing the presence of soft water in a washing device and sensing if cooling down takes place. Operation of the pumps 75 - 79 is controlled through master unit 74 and slave units 81 - 85 together with the intelligence cells 64, 64', and 64''.
  • a system for control of a dish washing device 120 (fig. 4) comprises a LON master unit 121 provided with a power supply 122, and for controlling a pump 123 through line 130 for on/off control of the pump motor.
  • pump 123 is connected to master unit 121 through lines 126 - 130 for leakage monitoring, a conditioning signal for the low level of the chemicals in the pump 123 and alarm functions.
  • the master unit 121 obtains three digital signals from the dish washer 120 through lines 119, 124 and 125 for the water meter signal, rinse signal and wash signal resp.
  • a more comprehensive dish washing system comprises a dish washer 140 (fig. 5) wherein the dishes, glasses, cups to be cleaned are fed through different sections 141, 142 for washing in a continuous operation, as is mandatory e.g. in hospitals, and hotels, because of the amount of dishes etc. to be cleaned.
  • the system according to fig. 5 comprises a LON master unit 151 provided with a transceiver 152 for connection and communication with a transceiver 153 of a second master unit 154 which is also provided with a power supply 155.
  • the master unit 151 is connected through lines 161 - 167 to the washing device 140 for obtaining digital wash signals, rinse signals, fill signal, machine-on signals, fill water meter signals, rinse water meter signals and alarm signals resp.
  • an analog unit 168 is connected for obtaining analog signals of the washing process in the device 140.
  • the analog unit 168 is connected through lines 169, 170, 171 and 172 for measuring the conductivity of the washing fluid, for measuring the pre-wash temperature, for measuring the main wash temperature and for measuring the rinse temperature resp.
  • signals of the washing process pumps 180, 181, 182 are controlled by LON master unit 154, wherein pumps 181 and 182 are controlled through slave unit 156 and 157 resp., which use the I 2 C protocol for communication with the master unit 154.
  • Each pump is connected to the respective control unit via lines 186 - 190 which are equivalent to lines 6 - 10 of fig. 1 and corresponding lines of fig. 1 - 5.
  • Fig. 6 shows a number of modules or standardized components, which can easily be connected to intelligence cells, which connection, as in the previous figures, is schematically indicated by giving the module to form of a piece of a jigsaw puzzle.
  • a display unit 204 Apart from a slave unit 201, a digital input unit 202 and an analog unit 203 which have been discussed in connection with the figures 1-5, fig. 6 shows a display unit 204, provided with four keys 205, 206, 207, and 208, and a display 209 preferably a liquid cristal display.
  • a further module 210 is provided with a alfanumeric display 211 of four lines.
  • Module 212 can be used for indicating the time and date, preferably to be used together with module 213 which is a data log EEPROM for storing information.
  • all modules can permanently or only for a short period, e.g. by the service engineer, be connected to every intelligence unit in the system, as all information about the system can be shown and/or retrieved by every conceivable intelligence cell thereof.
  • modules 212 and 213 data of the resp. washing process can be obtained and further analyzed after storage.
  • Commands to the system can be executed by using modules 204 and/or 211, while information from the system can be read on site from the displays.
  • the present invention is not limited to dosing of detergent by pumps. More concentrated detergent will be dispensed or dosed by means of solution in water, or in any other conceivable way.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above illustrative embodiment. The requested rights are defined by the annexed claims.
EP96200106A 1996-01-17 1996-01-17 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Steuern der Abgabe von pumpbaren Chemikalien Withdrawn EP0787849A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96200106A EP0787849A1 (de) 1996-01-17 1996-01-17 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Steuern der Abgabe von pumpbaren Chemikalien

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96200106A EP0787849A1 (de) 1996-01-17 1996-01-17 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Steuern der Abgabe von pumpbaren Chemikalien

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999024653A1 (en) * 1997-11-07 1999-05-20 Unilever N.V. System and method for washing machine cycle identification and chemical dosing identification
EP0933464A1 (de) * 1998-01-30 1999-08-04 Unilever N.V. Isolationssysystem für chemisches Zuführrohr
US6129104A (en) * 1998-12-23 2000-10-10 Tetra Process Technologies A Severn Trent Services Company Method for automotive dose control of liquid treatment chemicals
WO2001031532A2 (en) * 1999-10-28 2001-05-03 Ecolab Inc. Data processing system for managing chemical product usage
US7001153B2 (en) 2003-06-30 2006-02-21 Blue-White Industries Peristaltic injector pump leak monitor
EP2194493A1 (de) * 2008-12-03 2010-06-09 Whirlpool Corporation Benachrichtigungsarchitektur und System zur elektronischen Verwaltung von Ressourcen
WO2015165733A3 (de) * 2014-04-30 2016-01-21 Hans Georg Hagleitner Dosiersystem zur dosierten abgabe von in gebinden gelagerten chemischen substanzen an eine geschirrspülmaschine oder waschmaschine
US10273625B2 (en) 2016-11-29 2019-04-30 Whirlpool Corporation Retrofittable bulk dispensing system for household appliances
US10456008B2 (en) 2016-11-29 2019-10-29 Whirlpool Corporation Learning dispensing system for water inlet hose
WO2020263771A1 (en) * 2019-06-24 2020-12-30 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Modular chemical dispenser and pump for same

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2069010A (en) * 1980-01-31 1981-08-19 Hawkins R D Laundry bleach system
US4763494A (en) * 1983-10-13 1988-08-16 Lever Brothers Company Liquid dispensing system
US4918690A (en) * 1987-11-10 1990-04-17 Echelon Systems Corp. Network and intelligent cell for providing sensing, bidirectional communications and control
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
US5014211A (en) * 1989-06-16 1991-05-07 Diversey Corporation Microprocessor controlled liquid chemical delivery system and method
WO1991015623A1 (fr) * 1990-04-03 1991-10-17 Chabard Paul Leon Procede et dispositif d'alimentation d'un compartiment en produits de traitement notamment d'une machine a laver le linge
WO1992017952A1 (en) * 1991-03-28 1992-10-15 Echelon Corp Transceiver interface
WO1992021180A1 (en) * 1991-05-10 1992-11-26 Echelon Corporation Power line coupling network
US5392618A (en) * 1993-09-14 1995-02-28 Diversey Corporation Low cost liquid chemical dispenser for laundry machines

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2069010A (en) * 1980-01-31 1981-08-19 Hawkins R D Laundry bleach system
US4763494A (en) * 1983-10-13 1988-08-16 Lever Brothers Company Liquid dispensing system
US4918690A (en) * 1987-11-10 1990-04-17 Echelon Systems Corp. Network and intelligent cell for providing sensing, bidirectional communications and control
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
US5014211A (en) * 1989-06-16 1991-05-07 Diversey Corporation Microprocessor controlled liquid chemical delivery system and method
WO1991015623A1 (fr) * 1990-04-03 1991-10-17 Chabard Paul Leon Procede et dispositif d'alimentation d'un compartiment en produits de traitement notamment d'une machine a laver le linge
WO1992017952A1 (en) * 1991-03-28 1992-10-15 Echelon Corp Transceiver interface
WO1992021180A1 (en) * 1991-05-10 1992-11-26 Echelon Corporation Power line coupling network
US5392618A (en) * 1993-09-14 1995-02-28 Diversey Corporation Low cost liquid chemical dispenser for laundry machines

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU725305B2 (en) * 1997-11-07 2000-10-12 Diversey, Inc. System and method for washing machine cycle identification and chemical dosing identification
WO1999024653A1 (en) * 1997-11-07 1999-05-20 Unilever N.V. System and method for washing machine cycle identification and chemical dosing identification
EP0933464A1 (de) * 1998-01-30 1999-08-04 Unilever N.V. Isolationssysystem für chemisches Zuführrohr
US6336468B1 (en) 1998-01-30 2002-01-08 Diverseylever, Inc. Chemical supply tube isolation system
US6129104A (en) * 1998-12-23 2000-10-10 Tetra Process Technologies A Severn Trent Services Company Method for automotive dose control of liquid treatment chemicals
WO2001031532A2 (en) * 1999-10-28 2001-05-03 Ecolab Inc. Data processing system for managing chemical product usage
WO2001031532A3 (en) * 1999-10-28 2003-01-30 Ecolab Inc Data processing system for managing chemical product usage
US7001153B2 (en) 2003-06-30 2006-02-21 Blue-White Industries Peristaltic injector pump leak monitor
US7284964B2 (en) 2003-06-30 2007-10-23 Blue-White Industries Peristaltic injector pump leak monitor
US9665838B2 (en) 2008-12-03 2017-05-30 Whirlpool Corporation Messaging architecture and system for electronic management of resources
EP2194493A1 (de) * 2008-12-03 2010-06-09 Whirlpool Corporation Benachrichtigungsarchitektur und System zur elektronischen Verwaltung von Ressourcen
WO2015165733A3 (de) * 2014-04-30 2016-01-21 Hans Georg Hagleitner Dosiersystem zur dosierten abgabe von in gebinden gelagerten chemischen substanzen an eine geschirrspülmaschine oder waschmaschine
US10273625B2 (en) 2016-11-29 2019-04-30 Whirlpool Corporation Retrofittable bulk dispensing system for household appliances
US10422071B2 (en) 2016-11-29 2019-09-24 Whirlpool Corporation Retrofittable bulk dispensing system for household appliances
US10456008B2 (en) 2016-11-29 2019-10-29 Whirlpool Corporation Learning dispensing system for water inlet hose
US10988888B2 (en) 2016-11-29 2021-04-27 Whirlpool Corporation Retrofittable bulk dispensing system for household appliances
US11357385B2 (en) 2016-11-29 2022-06-14 Whirlpool Corporation Learning dispensing system for water inlet hose
US11624140B2 (en) 2016-11-29 2023-04-11 Whirlpool Corporation Retrofittable bulk dispensing system for household appliances
US11946188B2 (en) 2016-11-29 2024-04-02 Whirlpool Corporation Retrofit auxiliary device for supporting operations of a cleaning appliance
WO2020263771A1 (en) * 2019-06-24 2020-12-30 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Modular chemical dispenser and pump for same

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