EP2883993A1 - Domestic appliance with a pressurized water supply line and a regulating valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a domestic appliance having a pressurized water line (101) and a container (103) for introducing water from the pressurized water line (101) comprising a first chamber (105-1) and a second chamber (105-2) the pressure water line (101) is a regulating valve (107) for regulating a flow variable in the pressurized water line (101) and the domestic appliance (100) is a sensor (109-1, 109-2) for controlling the regulating valve (107) by means of a closed control loop ( 111-1, 111-2), so that at a first flow rate the water flows into the first chamber (105-1) of the container (103) and at a second flow rate the water flows into the second chamber (105-2) of the first Container (103) flows.

Description

The present invention relates to a domestic appliance with a pressurized water line and a container for introducing water from the pressurized water line, comprising a first chamber and a second chamber

The publication EP 237 79 87 A1 describes a laundry treatment device with a detergent container with several chambers. The introduction of water into the respective chamber requires a complex flow of water in the detergent container.

The publication US 4,830,509 A describes a device for dissolving a washing powder. A tank is divided into an upper and a lower chamber. The upper chamber includes level sensors. In general, several valves can be provided for supplying the water into the individual chambers.

It is the object underlying the invention to provide a domestic appliance in which the accuracy of a supply of water to different chambers of a container is improved on the basis of a flow variable.

This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the figures, the description and the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a household appliance having a pressurized water line and a container for introducing water from the pressurized water line, comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the pressurized water line is a control valve for regulating a flow variable in the pressurized water line and the household appliance comprises a sensor for controlling the control valve by means of a closed loop, so that at a first flow size the water flows into the first chamber of the container and at a second flow size the water flows into the second chamber of the container. This, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a precise supply of water to the individual chambers is made possible by using a scheme a loop is performed. The structure of the household appliance is simplified because a single control valve can be used instead of a plurality of control valves. In particular, a plurality of chambers can be selectively filled by means of a single control valve. Overall, a feedback mechanism is used which increases reliability and flexibility.

It can also be provided simultaneously several sensors.

A household appliance is a device that is used for household management. This may be a large household appliance, such as a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a washer-dryer, a dishwasher, a cooking appliance or a refrigerator, such as a refrigerator. a refrigerator, a freezer or a fridge-freezer. But this can also be a small household appliance, such as a water heater, a coffee machine or a food processor.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the sensor is a flow sensor, which is arranged in the pressurized water line. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the flow size can be regulated as a function of a flow rate in the pressurized water line.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the sensor is a moisture sensor which is arranged in the first and / or second chamber. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that the flow size can be controlled in dependence of a water presence in the respective chamber.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the sensor is an optical sensor for determining the presence of water, which is arranged in the first and / or second chamber. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is also achieved that the flow size can be regulated in dependence on a presence of water in the respective chamber.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the sensor is a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the first and / or second Chamber is arranged. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the flow size can be regulated in dependence on a temperature in the respective chamber.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the sensor is a conductivity sensor for detecting a thermal conductivity, which is arranged in the first and / or second chamber. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that the flow size can be regulated in dependence on a thermal conductivity in the respective chamber.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the household appliance comprises a noise sensor for determining a noise by the water in the pressurized water line. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that the flow size can be controlled so that a noise level is reduced.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the household appliance comprises a first pressurized water line with a first control valve for supplying cold water and a second pressurized water line with a second control valve for supplying warm water. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the temperature of the water can be adjusted.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the first pressurized water line and the second pressurized water line are connected to one another at a mixing point. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that before introducing the water into the container a certain temperature can be set.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the sensor is arranged downstream of the mixing point in the flow direction. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a single sensor for the control of two control valves can be used.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the household appliance comprises a control logic for the digital processing of signals of the sensor and for controlling the control valve. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that an accurate control of the flow size is achieved.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the control logic comprises a memory for storing a control program. Thereby, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that different and updated control programs can be used to control the flow size.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the control valve is a flow control valve for regulating a flow in the pressurized water line. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that depending on the detected flow size, a flow rate can be controlled.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the flow variable is a flow rate of the water in the pressurized water line. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a control based on a flow rate can be performed.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the control valve is a solenoid valve. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the control valve can be controlled in a simple manner.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines Haushaltsgerätes;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Ansicht einer Regelung einer Flussrate mittels eines geschlossenen Regelkreises; und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Ansicht einer Regelung einer Flussrate mittels eines geschlossenen Regelkreises und zwei Druckwasserleitungen.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a household appliance;

Fig. 2

a schematic view of a regulation of a flow rate by means of a closed loop control; and

Fig. 3

a schematic view of a regulation of a flow rate by means of a closed loop and two pressurized water lines.

Fig. 1 shows a washing machine representative of a household appliance 100 in which a container 103 can be used with multiple chambers. The container 103 is drawer-like pulled out of the washing machine and is used to fill different washing substances, which are flushed together with water from the container 103 and the washing process are supplied at different times. For this purpose, the container 103 comprises a plurality of chambers, into which the washing substances can be entered. The washing substances are, for example, washing or care products.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a regulation of a flow quantity in the pressurized water line 101 by means of a closed loop 111-1 or 111-2. The pressurized water line 101 includes a controllable control valve 107, such as a flow control valve, a pressure control valve or a proportional valve. In general, different control valves or actuators or combinations thereof may be used.

The control valve 107 is used to regulate a flow in the pressure water line 101 such that in the presence of a first flow size, the water flows into a chamber 105-1 of the container 103 and in the presence of a second flow size, the water in another chamber 105-2 of the container 103rd flows. The flow quantity is for example a flow rate or a volume flow.

The domestic appliance 100 comprises sensors 109-1,..., 109-5 for controlling the control valve 107 by means of a closed loop 111-1, 111-2 by means of a control logic 115.

Depending on the adjusted flow size, the water is fed to one of the chambers 105-1 to 105-4. As the sensor 109-1, different types can be used. For example, the sensor 109-1 is a flow sensor, so that a flow rate can be adjusted as a flow variable.

As sensor 109-1, however, a sensor may also be used which determines the amount of water that has flowed through the pressurized water line 101. To determine the flow rate of the water, the volume of water through the Shared time interval in which this volume has been supplied. For example, the sensor 109-1 may output a pulse signal each time a certain volume of water has passed through the pressurized water line 101. In this case, the frequency of the pulse signal indicates the flow rate. In addition, the number of pulse signals indicates the total volume of water that has flowed through the pressurized water line 101 during a time window. The sensor 109-1 may also be a pressure sensor if the water is supplied to the individual chambers 105-1 to 105-4 as a function of a certain pressure. The sensor 109-1 may be arranged before or after the control valve 107.

The sensors 109-2 to 109-5 are arranged in one or more chambers 105-1 to 105-4 of the container 103. The sensor 109-2 may be an optical sensor for detecting whether the water is being supplied to the proper chamber 105-1 to 105-4. In addition, the sensor 109-3 may be a humidity sensor to detect whether the water is being supplied to the proper chamber 105-1 to 105-4. As long as the water temperature is different than the ambient temperature, the sensor 109-4 may be a temperature sensor to detect if the water is being supplied to the proper chamber 105-1 to 105-4. However, the sensor 109-5 may also be a sensor for determining a thermal conductivity to detect if the water is being supplied to the proper chamber 105-1 to 105-4. The control valve 107 increases or decreases the flow rate or pressure until the sensor 109-2 in the chamber 105-1 through 105-4 provides a return signal.

In general, a plurality of different sensors may be provided in different combinations to control the flow size in the pressurized water line 101 by means of one or more control circuits 111-1 and 111-2. In addition, a sensor can be used which simultaneously detects multiple physical properties and provides a suitable feedback signal as to whether the water is being supplied to the intended chamber 105-1 to 105-4. The sensors 109-1 and 109-2 need not be available at the same time. If sensor 109-1 is available, the water may be supplied by regulating the flow rate or pressure of the respective chamber 105-1 to 105-4.

The sensor 109-1 is connected to the processor device 115 by means of the control loop 111-1 as control logic for the digital processing of signals and for controlling the control valve 107. The sensor 109-2 is connected to the processor device 115 by means of the control loop 111-2 as control logic for the digital processing of signals and for controlling the control valve 107. As the control logic, any circuit can be used, can be processed by the signals of the sensor, so that a control of the control valve can be performed based on the signals. The control logic may be implemented by hardware or software.

The higher the flow rate or the pressure of the water, the higher the turbulence and noise caused by the flow. Therefore, the home appliance 100 may additionally include a noise sensor for determining a sound through the water in the pressurized water line 101 that returns a feedback signal to the control logic. In this case, the control of the flow quantity, such as the flow rate or pressure, may be such as to prevent acoustic noise from the flow or turbulence. As a result, a noise reduction by regulating the flow rate or the pressure within the household appliance 100 takes place.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a regulation of a flow rate by closed-loop control 111-1 and 111-2 and two pressurized water lines 101-1 and 101-2. In this case, two control valves 107-1 and 107-2 may be used to independently control the flow rate in each pressurized water pipe 101-1 and 101-2. For example, the pressurized water line 101-1 serves to supply cold water, and the pressurized water line 101-2 serves to supply warm water. Each of the control valves 107-1 and 107-2 is controlled by the control logic 115 based on the signals of the sensors 109-1 to 109-5. The pressurized water line 101-1 and the pressurized water line 101-2 are, for example, fluidically connected to one another at a mixing point 113. As a result, water having a predetermined mixing temperature can be supplied to the respective chamber 105-1 to 105-4. In this case, the same type of control valves can be used in both of the pressurized water lines 101-1 and 101-2.

All of the features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention may be provided in different combinations in the article according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features illustrated in the specification or shown in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

household appliance

101

Water mains

101-1

first pressurized water pipe

101-2

second pressure water line

103

container

105-1

first chamber

105-2

second chamber

105-3

third chamber

105-4

fourth chamber

107

control valve

107-1

first control valve

107-2

second control valve

109-1

sensor

109-2

sensor

109-3

sensor

109-4

sensor

109-5

sensor

111-1

loop

111-2

loop

113

mixing point

115

Control logic / processor means

Claims (15)

Household appliance (100) having a pressurized water line (101) and a container (103) for introducing water from the pressurized water line (101) comprising a first chamber (105-1) and a second chamber (105-2), characterized in that the pressurized water line (101) has a control valve (107) for regulating a flow variable in the pressurized water line (101) and the household appliance (100) has one or more sensors (109-1, 109-2, 109-3, 109-4, 109- 5) for controlling the control valve (107) by means of a closed loop (111-1, 111-2), so that at a first flow size, the water flows into the first chamber (105-1) of the container (103) and at a second flow size, the water flows into the second chamber (105-2) of the container (103). Domestic appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the one or more sensors (109-1, 109-2, 109-3, 109-4, 109-5) comprise a flow sensor (109-1), which in the pressurized water line (101) is arranged. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more sensors (109-1, 109-2, 109-3, 109-4, 109-5) comprise a humidity sensor (109-3), which is arranged in the first and / or second chamber (105-1, 105-2). Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more sensors (109-1, 109-2, 109-3, 109-4, 109-5) comprise an optical sensor (109-2) for Determining a presence of water disposed in the first and / or second chambers (105-1, 105-2). Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more sensors (109-1, 109-2, 109-3, 109-4, 109-5) a temperature sensor (109-4) for detecting a temperature, which is arranged in the first and / or second chamber (105-1, 105-2). Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more sensors (109-1, 109-2, 109-3, 109-4, 109-5) comprise a conductivity sensor (109-5) for detecting thermal conductivity disposed in the first and / or second chambers (105-1, 105-2). Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the domestic appliance (100) comprises a noise sensor for determining a noise by the water in the pressurized water line (101). Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the domestic appliance (100) has a first pressurized water line (101-1) with a first control valve (107-1) for supplying cold water and a second pressurized water line (101-2). comprising a second control valve (107-1) for supplying warm water. Domestic appliance (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first pressurized water line (101-1) and the second pressurized water line (101-2) are connected to one another at a mixing point (113). Domestic appliance (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the one or more sensors (109-1, 109-2, 109-3, 109-4, 109-5) are arranged in the flow direction after the mixing point (113). Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household appliance (100) has control logic (115) for digitally processing signals of the one or more sensors (109-1, 109-2, 109-3, 109- 4, 109-5) and for controlling the control valve (107). Domestic appliance (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the control logic (115) comprises a memory for storing a control program. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control valve (107) is a flow control valve for regulating a flow in the pressurized water line (101). Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow quantity is a flow rate of the water in the pressurized water line (101). Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control valve (107) is a solenoid valve.

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