EP2520702A1

EP2520702A1 - Washing machine test method

Info

Publication number: EP2520702A1
Application number: EP12165996A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Serkan Balci; Nizami Barkin Elmas
Original assignee: Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2011-05-02
Filing date: 2012-04-27
Publication date: 2012-11-07
Also published as: TR201104256A2

Abstract

A valve test method for washing machines (M) is disclosed in the present invention. Said method comprises the steps of initiating the test process (10) once the use of the control element (1, 2) in a determined order and/or combination is detected by the control unit on a software basis; supplying water to the machine (13) for some time through a valve (4) to be tested; checking if the water in the machine (M) has come to a predetermined level (14); detecting a failure on the valve (4) tested if the water present in the machine (M) has not reached said level and terminating the test process (17) by sending a signal to the warning element (5) to indicate the presence of failure on the respective valve (4); or completing the test process (17) if the water in the machine (M) has reached said level.

Description

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a method for testing the operation of washing machines.

Prior Art

In electronic household appliances, one or more components thereof may become damaged, either because of user faults, or due to environmental factors. Damaged components cause a malfunctioning of the respective household appliance. According to the prior art, if a household appliance malfunctions, it is brought to technical service to find out the problematic component and to solve the problem.
In the patent document KR20040046060A2 according the prior art is disclosed a laundry machine in which the water level in the machine is measured by various control elements. The level of water supplied by valves is measured by comparing the values measured by different control elements. Thus, the water supplied by the valves is controlled.
In another patent document W02008154711A2 according the prior art is disclosed a laundry machine system. Said laundry machine comprises a timer button. The user sets the time to activate the machine using this button. This button also allows to switch the machine to a test mode comprising a series of steps. In this test mode, the water valves, motor, and pump of the machine are tested.

Brief Description of Invention

The present invention discloses a valve test method for washing machines comprising at least one control element; at least one warning element providing the user with information on the operative state of the machine; at least one valve providing water inlet; at least one detergent dispenser into which a washing agent is introduced; at least one door through which items to be washed are placed, and at least one control unit regulating the operation of the machine. Said method comprises the steps of initiating the test process once the use of the control element in a determined order and/or combination is detected by the control unit on a software basis; supplying water to the machine throughout a predetermined time interval through a valve to be tested; checking if the water in the machine has reached a predetermined level; detecting a failure on the valve tested if the water present in the machine has not come to the predetermined level and terminating the test process by sending a signal to the warning element to indicate the presence of failure on the respective valve; or completing the test process if the water in the machine has come to the predetermined level.

Objects of Invention

The object of the present invention is to develop a method for testing the valves of a washing machine.
Another object of the present invention is to develop a method for testing the valve of a washing machine in the place where the machine is already situated.
A further object of the present invention is to develop a method by which the operation of the valve is tested by an authorized person.

Description of Figures

Illustrative embodiments of a washing machine and the washing machine test method according to the present invention are shown in annexed figures briefly described hereunder.

Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of the washing machine.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of the washing machine.
Figure 3 is a flowchart of the test method.

The parts in said figures are individually referenced as following.

washing machine	(M)
control element	(1, 2)
door	(3)
valve	(4)
warning element	(5)
detergent dispenser	(6)
level sensor	(7)
washing compartment	(8)
initiation	(10)
door locking	(11)
lock check	(12)
water inlet	(13)
water-level check	(14)
failure sending	(15)
lock-failure sending	(16)
completion	(17)

Description of Invention

In electronic household appliances, one or more components thereof may become damaged, either because of user faults, or due to the environmental factors. Particularly when there is a high limescale content in the water used for washing machines, this limescale may lead to occlusions and damages in the valves used for water inlet. Problems may occur in these valves due to other reasons except the limescale. Therefore, a method is developed with the present invention for testing the valves used in washing machines for water inlet.
The washing machine (M), illustrated as a laundry washer in figures 1 and 2, comprises at least one control element (1, 2), which controls the operation of the machine (M) and may be in the form of at least one button or switch; at least one warning element (5) providing the user with information on the operative state of the machine (M); at least one valve (4) providing water inlet to the machine (M); at least one detergent dispenser (6) by which a washing agent is introduced to the machine (M); and at least one door (3), through which items to be washed are placed into the machine (M). Said valve (4) may be at least one valve (e.g. hot water inlet valve, cold water inlet valve, prewash valve) which supplies wash and/or rinse water to the machine (M). Said warning element (5) may comprise at least one speaker alerting the respective user in an audible manner, and/or at least one indicator (e.g. display, illuminant) warning the respective user visually.
According to the valve test method developed according to the present invention, first the door (3) of the machine (M) is closed in order to test the valves (4) of the machine and the test process, of which an exemplary flowchart is shown in Figure 3, is initiated (10), using the control elements (1, 2) in a predetermined order and/or combination. This order and/or combination is detected on a software basis by at least one electronic control unit (not illustrated in figures), which is provided in the machine (M) and regulates the operation of the same (M). In this test process, water is supplied (13) to the machine (M) by means of a valve (4) to be tested throughout a predetermined time interval (preferably 15-45 seconds and specifically 30 seconds). Then, it is checked if the water taken into the machine (M) via the valve (4) has come to a predetermined level. If the water present in the machine (M) has not reached a predetermined level, a failure is detected on the valve (4) which is tested, and accordingly, a signal is transmitted to the warning element (5) to indicate the failure in this valve (4). Then, the test process is terminated (17). And if the water level in the machine (M) has reached a predetermined level in the step of checking the water level (14), the test is completed (17). The step of checking the water level (14) in the machine (M) is performed preferably by means of at least one water-level sensor (7) disposed in the machine, or it may be conducted by the test person visually.
A point to be paid attention to during this test is to make sure that the machine (M) is connected to a water source during this test and that water is supplied to the machine (M) from the water source. A test performed in a setting without water may falsely indicate a valve (4) failure.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the door (3) of the machine (M) is automatically locked once the test process is initiated (10). It is then checked if the door (3) is correctly locked (12). If the door (3) is not locked, a lock-error is indicated (16) on the warning element (5) and the test is terminated (19). If no lock error is detected, the test is proceeded with the step of supplying water from the valve (4).
In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the test process can be conducted by at least one remote control method via a network. In this embodiment, the test results are transmitted to the person conducting the test via the network.
Since the control elements (1, 2) are to be used in a determined order and/or combination to have the machine (M) switched to the test mode, the test process according to the present invention can be performed at a place and time only, which are determined by authorized persons. Thus, it is both ensured to test the machine (M) in situ (e.g. at home), and to prevent the machine (M) from being switched to the test mode by unauthorized persons.

Claims

A valve test method for a washing machine (M) comprising at least one control element (1, 2); at least one warning element (5) providing a user with information on the operative state of the machine; at least one valve (4) providing water inlet into the machine; at least one detergent dispenser (6) into which a washing agent is introduced; at least one door (3) through which items to be washed are placed, and at least one electronic control unit regulating the operation of the machine, the method being characterized by comprising the steps of
- initiating the test process (10), once the closing of the door (3) and the use of the control element (1, 2) in a determined order and/or combination are detected by the electronic control unit;

- supplying water (13) to the machine (M) throughout a predetermined time interval through a valve (4) to be tested; and

- checking if the water in the machine (M) has come to a predetermined level (14).
The method according to Claim 1, characterized by further comprising the steps of detecting a failure on the valve (4) which is tested if the water present in the machine (M) has not reached a predetermined level, transmitting a signal to the warning element (5) to indicate the failure in this valve (4), and terminating the test process (17).
The method according to Claim 1, characterized by comprising the step of completing the test process (17) if the water present in the machine (M) has reached a predetermined level.
The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined time interval is between 15 to 45 seconds.
The method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the predetermined time interval is 30 seconds.
The method according to Claim 1, characterized by further comprising the step of checking the lock (12) of the machine (M) door (3) once it (12) is locked (11) following the step of initiating the test process (10).
The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the liquid level is detected by at least one liquid-level sensor disposed in the machine (M) in the step of checking if the water in the machine (M) has reached a predetermined level (14).
The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the test process is initiated via a remote control method.
The method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the test results are transmitted via a network.
The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the liquid level is detected visually in the step of checking if the water in the machine (M) has reached a predetermined level (14).