EP1444394A1

EP1444394A1 - A liquid washing agent dosing unit

Info

Publication number: EP1444394A1
Application number: EP01972902A
Authority: EP
Inventors: A. Levent Hasanreisoglu; Yusuf GÜçLÜ
Original assignee: Arcel K A; Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2001-09-11
Filing date: 2001-09-11
Publication date: 2004-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-11
Also published as: ATE368144T1; EP1444394B1; WO2003023121A1; DE60129609D1; DE60129609T2

Abstract

This invention relates to a liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) used in household appliance (23) includes a washing tub (24), at least one control unit (35) and a liquid washing agent dosing unit (1). The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) includes a pump (2), a pressure regulator (16), an input valve (22), a washing agent container (27) and hoses (21) providing connection between the valve (22), the pressure regulator (16), the washing agent container (27) and the pump (2). The pump (2) works with the mains network water pressure and directs the flows of the washing agents from the washing agent container (27) to the washing tub (24).

Description

A LIQUID WASHING AGENT DOSING UNIT

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to a unit that doses required amount of liquid washing agents like detergent in household appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All the washing household washing appliances need cleaning and/or softening material for cleaning. Before each washing cycle user has to add the washing agent. By using an automatic liquid washing agent dosing device in washing machines, instead of filling up the washing agent container each time, the user fills up the washing agent such as cleaning or softening liquids once and forgets about it for a time period.

In known techniques, measuring the amount of the washing agent for each washing cycle could be done by different ways such as measuring the weight, the volume, and the time. In these techniques, the designated amount of the washing agent is mixed with water and the rest of the washing agent is stored and insulated. However problems may arise while using the perfect amount of washing agent at each dosing, and/or insulating the dosing volume from the water pressure, and/or keeping the washing agent for a suitable time period in the washing agent container.

In EP 0077463, Liquid detergent distributor for a washing machine, disposed in a lower portion of the machine below the washing tub thereof and comprising a container for storing the liquid detergents, communicating with a metering chamber disposed therebelow via an automatic valve. Said metering chamber is divided into two hermetically separated chambers by means of a flexible diaphragm. One of said compartments is connected to the washing tub, while the other compartment is connected to the washing tub and to a water supply. The latter compartment is adapted to be intermittently supplied with water so as to transfer metered amounts of the liquid detergents to the tub.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The object of the invention is to develop a device for dosing the liquid washing agent to the household appliances using only water pressure without any power supply.

DRAWINGS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the liquid dosing unit, which is realised in order to attain said object of the invention, is illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein; Figure 1, is the schematic view of the washing machine with liquid dosing unit Figure 2, is the schematic view of the liquid dosing unit Figure 3 a, is the three dimensional view of the pump Figure 3b, is the sectional view of the pump

Figure 3 c, is the exploded view of the pump Figure 3d, is the sectional exploded view of the pump Figure 4a, is the three dimensional view of the pressure regulator Figure 4b, is the sectional view of the pressure regulator

Figure 5, is a sectional view of the pump with a drive spring,

Figure 6, is a sectional view of the pump that is used without a pressure regulator with drive exits

The components shown in the drawings have the following reference numbers;

1 - Liquid washing agent dosing unit

2- Pump

3- First Drive opening 4- First Drive opening

5- Dosing inlet

6- Dosing exit

7- Drive cover

8- Drive piston 9- Drive body

10- Shaft 11- Dosing piston 12- Dosing body 13- Valve 14- Groove spring

15- Dosing cover

16- Pressure regulator

17- Regulator inlet

18- Regulator exit 19- Regulator discharge exit

20- Discharge room 21- Hose

22- Input valve

23- Household appliance 24- Washing tub

25- Drive room

26- Dosing room

27- Washing agent container 28- Shaft hole 29- Inlet groove 30- Exit groove 31- Dosing hole 32- Projection 33- Drive part

34- Dosing part 35- Control unit 36- Regulator room 37- Drive spring 38- First drive exit

39- Second drive exit

40- Transfer hole 41 - By-pass hole

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A household appliance (23) includes a washing tub (24), at least one control unit (35), one or more input valves (22), preferably a solenoid one, one or more washing agent containers (27), one or more hoses (21) for connection and a liquid dosing unit (1). The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) includes one or more pumps (2) for dosing the washing agent, one or more pressure regulators (16) for regulating the undesired water pressure changes and discharging the undesired water.

The pump (2) comprises two parts, a drive part (33) that provides hydraulic force for dosing and dosing part (34) for dosing the washing agent to the to the washing tub (24). The drive part (33) has a main body (9) for holding components, a drive cover (7) for closing the main body (9), a first drive opening (3) for providing an inlet and an exit for the water, a second drive opening (4) for providing an inlet and an exit for the water, one or more drive pistons (8) for transferring water hydraulic force and one or more drive rooms (25) which are connected to the first drive opening (3) and/or the second drive opening (4). The dosing part (34) has a dosing body (12) for holding components, a dosing cover (15) for closing the dosing body (12), at least one dosing inlet (5) connected to the washing agent container (27) for sucking the washing agent, at least one dosing exit (6) for transferring the washing agent to the washing tub (24), one or more dosing pistons (11) for transferring the water hydraulic force and one or more dosing rooms (26) connected to the drive inlet (5) and/or the drive exit (6). There is a shaft hole (28) between the drive part (33) and dosing part (34). A shaft (10) passes from the shaft hole (28) and connects the drive part (33) and dosing part (34). The shaft (10) is mounted to the drive piston (8) on one end and connected to the dosing piston (11) on the other end. The dosing piston (11) has one or more projections (32) on one of its faces which touches to the surface of the dosing body (12). There is at least one bypass hole (41) on the main body (9). The by-pass hole (41) is placed between the shaft hole (28) and the dosing piston (11) for providing necessary by-pass air from the surrounding air in order to be able to move the dosing piston (11) and shaft (10) easily.

The dosing body (12) has one or more inlet grooves (29) and one or more exit grooves (30) for holding the components. There is a valve (13) and a groove spring (14) in each of the grooves (29,30). The inlet and exit grooves (29,30) have at least one transfer hole (40) that connects the inlet and exit grooves (29,30) to the dosing room (26). The dosing cover (15) has transfer holes (40) for connecting the inlet and exit grooves (29,30) to the dosing inlet (5) and dosing exit (6). The transfer hole (40) is closed and/or opened by the projection (32). The valve (13) has a special form for closing the dosing hole (31) and transfer hole (40) in order to let the liquid pass over its body. The groove springs (14) always push the valves (13) to close the dosing hole (31) and transfer hole (40). When a force, which is in reverse direction and bigger than the groove spring (14) force, acts on the valve (13), the valve (13) begins to move towards the groove spring (14) and the dosing hole (31) and transfer hole (40) are opened. The movement of the dosing piston (11) against the air and/or liquid in the dosing room (26) supplies this reversal force.

The pressure regulator (16) has one or more regulator inlets (17) for water entrance, one or more regulator exits (18) for water exit and regulating the water flow by its cross sectional area, one or more regulator rooms (36) connected to the regulator inlet (17) for directing water to the regulator exit (18), and one or more regulator discharge exits (19) for discharging the excess water to the washing tub (24) over the regulator room (36), and a discharge room (20) for collecting overflow and discharged water. The pressure regulator (16) regulates the undesired pressure changes by its conical inkpot form.

Water enters into the pressure regulator (16) from the regulator inlet (17) and passes to the regulator room (36) for resting and directing to the regulator exit (18). Since the cross sectional areas cannot be changed, only the required amount of water can pass to the regulator exit (18) with respect to the cross sectional area of the regulator exit (18). In order to discharge the undesired amount of water entering from the regulator inlet

(17) the discharge room (20) and the regulator discharge exit (19) are used.

The pressure regulator (16) has another important duty of discharging the water filled to the propelling room (25) and squeezed by the propelling piston (8). This squeezed water try to turn back to the pressure regulator (16) through the hose (21). Since there is still water in the regulator room (36) and cannot be pushed back, the squeezed water is discharged by the regulator discharge exit (19).

At the beginning of the washing process, the input valve (22) is opened by the control unit (35) for providing network water to the liquid dosing unit (1). The water reaches to the first drive opening (3) after passing through the pressure regulator (16). Water enters to the drive room (25) by using the first drive opening (3) and tries to push the drive piston (8). While the drive piston (8) is moving, the connected shaft (10) and the dosing piston (11) move with the drive piston (8) simultaneously. When the dosing piston (11) is moved in the propeller piston (8) a pressure occurs in the dosing room (26). This pressure produces a force and this force starts to push the dosing valves (13) in the inlet and exit grooves (29,30). The dosing valve (13) in the inlet groove (29) tries to close the dosing inlet (5) and the dosing valve (13) in the exit groove (29) tries to open the dosing exit (6). At this time no entrance can occur from the dosing inlet (5), but all the liquid inside the dosing room tries to leave from the dosing exit (6). This movement continues until the drive piston (8) touches the surface of the drive room (25) on which shaft hole (28) is placed. Since the dosing inlet (5) is connected to the washing agent container (27) that includes washing agent and dosing exit (6) connected to the washing tub (24), only the washing agent filled to the dosing room (26) is pushed to the washing tub (24).

Then the control unit (35) directs the water to the second drive opening (4) instead of the first drive opening (3). The water begins to enter through the second drive opening (4) after passing the pressure regulator (16). The propeller piston (8) has to move to the first drive opening (3) with the shaft (10) and the dosing piston (11). While dosing piston (11) moves together with the propeller piston (8) a vacuum is created in the dosing room (26). This vacuum produces a force and this force begins to pull the dosing valves (13) in the inlet and exit grooves (29,30). The dosing valve (13) in the inlet groove (29) tries to open the dosing inlet (5) and the dosing valve (13) in the exit groove (29) tries to close the dosing exit (6). At this time washing agent enters from the washing agent container (27) at the dosing inlet (5), but none of the washing agent inside the dosing room tries to leave from the dosing exit (6) to the washing tub (24). This movement continues until the drive piston (8) touches the surface of the drive cover (7). This working cycle continues until the control unit (35) closes the input valve (22). The dosing room (26) has a minimum volume for providing a unit dose. If more than one unit dose is required, this procedure is repeated several times until the required dosing amount is attained.

In any step of this working cycle no driving units are used except the water pressure. Also the liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) can be used at any part of the household appliance (23) and/or can be used with other dosing units especially the granular detergent dosing units.

Since the pressure regulator (16) regulates all the possible pressure changes in the system and discharges the unnecessary amount of the water, the pump can work at all possible lowest pressure values.

In another embodiment of the invention, the pump (2) comprises a pressure spring (37) for the movement of the shaft (10) (Fig 5). In this embodiment, water is directed to the first drive opening (3) by the input valve (22). Water pushes the drive piston (8) and compresses the drive spring (37) placed under the drive piston (8). When the drive piston (8) moves, the shaft (10) connected to the drive piston (8) and dosing piston (11) connected to the shaft (10) move simultaneously. The movement of the dosing piston (11) applies a force onto the valves (13) and springs (14) in the inlet (29) and exit (30) grooves. Dosing inlet (5) is closed, dosing exit (6) is opened, and washing agent inside the dosing room (26) is forced to flow to the washing tub (24). When the dosing piston (11) touches to the dosing body (12), the projection (32) closes the transfer hole (40). When the input valve (22) that provides water to the liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) is closed, water force in the drive room (25) loses its effectiveness and drive spring (37) begin to push the drive piston (8) to the first drive opening (3). While moving to the first drive opening (3), the shaft (10) and the dosing piston (8) move with the drive piston (8). By the movement of the dosing piston (11), the projection (32) moves away from the transfer holes (40) and open the transfer holes (40). This creates a vacuum in the dosing room (26), and valves (13) begin to move against to the groove springs (14). Dosing inlet (5) is opened, dosing exit (6) is closed, and washing agent inside the dosing room (26) is forced to be sucked from the washing agent container (27). This working procedure continues until the desired amount of dosing flows to the washing tub (24) under the control of the control unit (36).

In another embodiment of the invention, there are two additional drive exits in the drive room (25) for regulating the water pressure without using a pressure regulator (16). First drive exit (38) is placed between the drive piston (8) and the first drive opening (3) (Fig 6). The second drive exit is placed between the drive piston (8) and the second drive opening (4). By using the first drive exit (38) and the second drive exit (38) mains network water pressure is regulated and undesired water is discharged from the drive room (25). In this embodiment water is directed to the first drive opening (3) by the input valve (22) controlled by the control unit (36). Water pushes the drive piston (8) and the water behind the drive piston (8) is discharged from the second drive exit (38). While the drive piston (8) is moving, the shaft (10) connected to the drive piston (8) and dosing piston (11) connected to the shaft (10) move simultaneously. The movement of the dosing piston (11) applies a force onto the valves (13) and springs (14) in the inlet (29) and exit (30) grooves. Dosing inlet (5) is closed, dosing exit (6) is opened, and washing agent inside the dosing room (26) is forced to flow to the washing tub (24). When the dosing piston (11) touches the dosing body (12), the projection (32) closes the transfer hole (40). When the first drive opening (3) is closed and second drive opening (4) is opened by the input valve (22) controlled by the control unit (36), water begins to fill into the drive room (25) and begins to push the drive piston (8) to the first drive opening (3). While moving to the first drive opening (3), the shaft (10) and the dosing piston (8) move with the drive piston (8). By the movement of the dosing piston (11), projection (32) moves away from the transfer holes (40) and opens the transfer holes (40). This creates a vacuum in the dosing room (26), and valves (13) begin to move against to the groove springs (14). Dosing inlet (5) is opened, dosing exit (6) is closed, and washing agent inside the dosing room (26) is forced to be sucked from the washing agent container (27). This procedure continues until the requested dosing amount flows into the washing tub (24) under the control of the control unit (36).

Claims

- A liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) for a household appliance (23), such as a washing machine, including a washing tub (24), at least one control unit (35), one or more input valve (22), preferably a solenoid one, one or more washing agent containers (27) and one or more hoses (21), characterised in that; the liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) includes one or more pumps (2) working only with water pressure for dosing the washing agent from the washing agent container (27) to the washing tub (24) and one or more pressure regulators (16) for regulating the undesired water pressure changes and discharging the undesired water by means of its conical inkpot form.

- The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 1, characterised by the pump (2) comprising a drive part (33) that provides hydraulic force for dosing, dosing part (34) for dosing the washing agent to the washing tub (24), and a shaft hole (28) between the drive part (33) and dosing part (34).

- The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 1 and 2, characterised by, the drive part (33) comprising a main body (9) for holding components, a drive cover (7) for closing the main body (9), a first drive opening (3) for providing an inlet and an exit for the water, a second drive opening (4) for providing an inlet and an exit for the water, one or more drive pistons (8) for transferring the water hydraulic force and one or more drive rooms (25) which are connected to the first drive opening (3) and/or the second drive opening (4).

- The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 1 to 3, characterised by, the dosing part (34) which has a dosing body (12) for holding components, a dosing cover (15) for closing the dosing body (12), at least one dosing inlet (5) connected to the washing agent container (27) for sucking the washing agent, at least one dosing exit (6) for transferring the washing agent to the washing tub

(24), one or more dosing pistons (11) for transferring the water hydraulic force and one or more dosing rooms (26).

- The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 1 to 4, characterised by, a shaft (10) mounted to the drive piston (8) on one end and connected to the dosing piston (11) on the other end, passing from the shaft hole (28) and connecting the drive part (33) and the dosing part (34). The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 1 to 5, characterised by, the main body (9) comprising at least one by-pass hole (41) on the main body (9) and between the shaft hole (28) and the dosing piston (11) for providing necessary by-pass air from the surrounding in order to be able to move the dosing piston (11) and shaft (10) easily.

The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 1 to 6, characterised by, one or more projection (32) on the dosing piston (11) which touches the surface of the dosing body (12).

- The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 1 to 7, characterised by, the dosing body (12) comprising one or more inlet grooves (29) for holding components, one or more exit grooves (30) for holding components, at least one dosing hole (31) for com ecting the inlet and exit grooves (29,30) to the dosing inlet (5) and dosing exit (6), at least one transfer hole (40) that is closed and/or opened by the projection (32) and that connects the inlet and exit grooves (29,30) to the dosing room (26), one or more valves (13) with a special form for closing the dosing hole (31) and/or transfer hole (40) and let the liquid pass over its body and one or more groove springs (14) which always push the valves (13) to close the dosing holes (31) or transfer holes (40) in each of the grooves

(29,30).

- The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 1 to 8, characterised by, the pressure regulator (16) comprising one or more regulator inlets (17) for water entrance, one or more regulator exits (18) for water exit and regulating the water flow by its cross sectional area, one or more regulator rooms (36) connected to the regulator inlet (17) for directing the water to the regulator exit (18), one or more regulator discharge exits (19) for discharging the excess water to the washing tub (24)and a discharge room (20) for collecting overflow or discharged water.

0- The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 1 to 9, characterised by, the drive part (33) comprising a drive spring (37) for applying a mechanical force to the shaft (10) in order to return it back to its initial place without using a water pressure force.

1- A liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) for a household appliance (23), such as a washing machine, including a washing tub (24), at least one control unit (35), one or more input valves (22), preferably a solenoid one, one or more washing agent containers (27) and one or more hoses (21), characterised in that; the liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) includes one or more pumps (2) working only with water pressure for dosing the washing agent from the washing agent container (27) to the washing tub (24) while regulating the water pressure inside the pump (2). - The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 12, characterised by the pump (2) comprising a drive part (33) that provides hydraulic force for dosing, a dosing part (34) for dosing the washing agent to the washing tub (24), and a shaft hole (28) between the drive part (33) and the dosing part (34).

- The liquid washing agent dosing unit (1) as in claim 11 and 13, characterised by, the drive part (33) comprising a main body (9) for holding components, a drive cover (7) for closing the main body (9), a first drive opening (3) for providing an inlet and an exit for the water, a second drive opening (4) for providing an inlet and an exit for the water, one or more drive pistons (8) for transferring the water hydraulic force, one or more drive rooms (25) that are connected to the first drive opening (3) and/or the second drive opening (4), a first drive exit (38) between the drive piston (8) and the first drive opening (3) for regulating and discharging the undesired water coming into the drive room (25) and a second drive exit between the drive piston (8) and the second drive opening (4) for regulating and discharging the undesired water coming into the drive room (25).