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
  • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
  • D06F33/50—Control of washer-dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
  • D06F33/76—Preventing or reducing imbalance or noise
• • 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
  • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
  • D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
  • D06F37/22—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations in machines with a receptacle rotating or oscillating about a horizontal axis
  • D06F37/225—Damping vibrations by displacing, supplying or ejecting a material, e.g. liquid, into or from counterbalancing pockets
• • 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
  • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
  • D06F37/30—Driving arrangements 
• • 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
  • D06F2103/26—Imbalance; Noise level
• • 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
• • 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
  • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
  • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
  • D06F37/04—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
  • D06F37/06—Ribs, lifters, or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle
• • 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 
  • D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
  • D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a washing machine wherein the unbalanced load inside the drum is balanced by using water.
• the washing process is performed by rotating the drum at different speeds in different steps of the washing program. While the drum is being rotated, an uneven load distribution occurs as a result of the laundry piling up at some areas. Especially in the spin-drying step wherein the drum is rotated at high speed, the unbalanced load resulting from the laundry and structural factors increases vibration and noise and causes the washing machine to wear out. Furthermore, the spin-drying performance of the washing machine is adversely affected.
• the aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein the unbalanced load in the drum is balanced effectively by performing spin-drying in successive periods.
• the washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the dependent claims thereof, comprises a pulley that transmits the movement of the motor to the drum, which rotates together with the drum, at least one baffle that serves as balancing chamber by transferring water therein for balancing the unbalanced load formed during the spin-drying step and a position sensor composed of a transmitter disposed on the pulley and a receiver disposed in the tub, providing to angularly determine the positions thereof according to the highest position the baffle reaches during the rotational movement of the drum, and the control unit that detects the unbalanced load, determines the angular positions of the baffles, wherein water is filled by means of the position sensor during the balancing process, brings the drum baffles to the highest position successively at the end of the spin-drying process and provides the water in the baffles to be entirely discharged by keeping them at this position.
• control unit calculates the angular position of the baffles by processing the signals received from the position sensor and from the speed measuring unit that measures the rotation number of the motor.
• control unit provides the baffle, wherein water discharge process is performed, to be kept at the highest position and the discharge pump discharging water from the baffle to be operated as long as the calculated waiting time period in accordance with the durations regulated depending on the discharge times calculated with respect to the amounts of water transferred into the baffle during balancing and recorded in its memory.
• the pulley that rotates the drum has radial arms in numbers equal to the number of baffles on the drum, the arms are aligned with the drum baffles and the position sensor transmitter is connected on at least one of the arms.
• position sensor transmitters that generate signals at different voltage values are connected on the arms of the pulley.
• the position sensor the transmitter of which is a magnet and the receiver of which is a Hall sensor, is used for determining angular positions of the baffles.
• the position sensor the transmitter of which is a light source and the receiver of which is an optical sensor, is used for determining angular positions of the baffles.
• the water filled into the baffles during the spin-drying process is provided to be entirely discharged at the end of the spin-drying period, the baffles are made ready for a new balancing process in the next spin-drying period, and increase in vibration and noise are prevented by performing an effective balancing in each successive spin-drying period.
• Figure 1 - is the sideways schematic view of a washing machine.
• Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a washing machine tub.
• Figure 3 - is the rear schematic view of a washing machine.
• the washing machine (1) comprises a drum (2) rotated around the horizontal axis and wherein the laundry is placed, a tub (3) wherein the drum (2) moves, a motor (4) providing the drum (2) to be driven, a pulley (5) disposed outside the tub (3), transmitting the movement of the motor (4) to the drum (2) and rotating together with the drum (2), more than one baffle (6) disposed on the cylindrical inner surface of the drum (2), providing the laundry to be tumbled and serving to balance by water being transferred therein in unbalanced load condition formed in the spin-drying process, at least one discharge conduit (7) providing the water received in the baffles (6) during the balancing process into the tub (3) to be discharged at the end of the spin-drying process after performing the balancing function and a control unit (8) that detects the unbalanced load in the drum (2) during the spin-drying process wherein the drum (2) is rotated at high speed by means of the acceleration, vibration or load sensors (not shown in the figures).
• the washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises,
• a position sensor (11) having at least one receiver (10), disposed on the rear wall of the tub (3) and remaining immovable together with the tub (3), the position of which is determined by taking the highest position the baffle (6) reaches during the rotational movement of the drum (2) as the reference point (R) and at least one transmitter (9) disposed on the pulley (5) and rotating together with the pulley (5), providing the angular positions of the baffles (6) with respect to the reference point (R) to be determined and
• the control unit (8) that provides the motor (4) to bring the water filled baffles (6) to the reference point (R) successively by rotating the drum (2) intermittently according to the baffle (6) position angles detected by the position sensor (11) after the drum (2) stops rotating due to inertia effect at the end of the spin-drying process, and provides the drum (2) to be stopped by braking the motor (4) at the moment each baffle (6) reaches the reference point (R) which is the highest position thereof and the water in the baffle (6) to be discharged from the discharge conduit (7).
• the unbalanced load is detected by means of the sensors that detect amount and position of the unbalanced load and the balancing operation is performed by filling the baffles (6) opposite the unbalanced load with water.
• the drum (2) stops at the end of the spin-drying process at least one more spin-drying period is performed.
• the water filled into the baffles (6) has to be discharged at the end of each spin-drying process.
• the motor (4) is braked, the drum (2) is paused for a certain time and the water in the baffle (6) at the uppermost position is provided to be entirely discharged.
• the baffles (6) are made ready to perform balancing for the next spin-drying process.
• the position sensor (11) provides the angular position of the baffles (6) to be detected by means of the transmitter (9) fastened to the movable pulley (5) and the receiver (10) fastened to the immovable tub (3).
• the pulley (5) that transmits motion to the drum (2) and the transmitter (9) fastened to the pulley (5) also rotate.
• Signal is generated by the position sensor (11) when the transmitter (9) passes in front of the receiver (10) during rotation and the control unit (8) detects the angular position of the baffles (6) according to signals received from the position sensor (11).
• the angular distance of the baffles (6) with respect to the reference point (R) is determined by the position sensor (11) and the control unit (8), when the drum (2) stops rotating due to inertia effect.
• the control unit (8) operates the motor (4) for a short while, providing the drum (2) to be rotated as much as the angle that the first baffle (6), the water in which will be discharged, has moved away from the reference point (R) and the baffle (6) to be brought to the reference point (R).
• the control unit (8) operates the motor (4) intermittently, the other water filled baffles (6) are brought to the reference point (R) successively and the water therein is discharged.
• the washing machine (1) comprises a speed measuring unit (12) that measures the rpm of the motor (4) and transmits this information to the control unit (8), for example a tachogenerator, and the control unit (8) that determines the angular position of the baffles (6) with respect to the reference point (R) by processing the signals received from the position sensor (11) and the speed measuring unit (12). Signal is sent by the position sensor (11) at the moment the baffle (6) passes from the reference point (R), and the speed measuring unit (12) counts the rpm of the motor (4) after the baffle (6) passes the reference point (R) and provides the angular position of the baffle (6) to be determined by the control unit (8).
• the control unit (8) for example a tachogenerator
• the control unit (8) provides the baffle (6), that undergoes water discharge process, to be kept waiting at the reference point (R) which is the highest position, according to the water amount – discharge time table regulated as per the discharge times calculated with respect to the amounts of water transferred into the baffle (6) during balancing and recorded in its memory. For example, if 200 ml of water is filled into the baffle (6) during the balancing process, the baffle (6) is kept waiting for 10 seconds at the highest position, if filled with 600 ml of water, the baffle (6) is kept waiting for 30 seconds at the highest position.
• the baffles (6) are kept waiting at the highest position for the time duration determined with respect to the amount of water therein, the baffle (6) is not kept waiting if there isn’t any water therein, thereby preventing unnecessary pauses in between the spin-drying periods.
• the washing machine (1) comprises a discharge pump (14) disposed in the discharge conduit (7), that is operated by the control unit (8) in the balancing process for as long as the time period determined with respect to amount of water received into the baffle (6), thus providing the water in the baffle (6) to be discharged.
• the pulley (5) has more than one arm (13), extending in the radial direction between the hub and the outer rim connected to the center of the drum (2), in numbers equal to the number of baffles (6) in the drum (2) and showing the position of the baffles (6) by being positioned in alignment with the baffles (6), and to at least one of which the position sensor (11) transmitter (9) is fastened.
• control unit (8) is provided to easily determine the angular positions of the baffles (6) aligned with the arms (13) by fastening transmitters (9) that generate signals in a different voltage value to each arm (13) of the pulley (5).
• the transmitter (9) of the position sensor (11) is a magnet and the receiver (10) is a Hall sensor.
• the transmitter (9) of the position sensor (11) is a light source and the receiver (10) is an optical sensor.
• the water filled into the baffles (6) in proportion with the amount of unbalanced load occurred during the spin-drying process is provided to be completely discharged at the end of the spin-drying period, the baffles (6) are made ready to the next spin-drying period for a new balancing process, increases of vibration and noise are prevented by performing an effective balancing in every successive spin-drying period and the problems like accumulation of residue and growth of bacteria in the water remaining in the baffles (6) are avoided.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
• Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
• Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=45315770

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (9)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2011
  • 2011-12-06 EP EP11794110.4A patent/EP2659045A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-12-06 WO PCT/EP2011/071844 patent/WO2012089444A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2011-12-06 CN CN201180063029.9A patent/CN103270208B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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