FR2474547A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE PROGRAM OF A WASHING MACHINE, WHOSE WATER SUPPLY IS FUNCTION OF ITS LEVEL - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the program of a washing machine. IN THIS DEVICE, THE PULSES FOR STARTING THE SUBSEQUENT FILLING PROCESSES OF THE TANK ARE LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE 6 OR THE PRESSURE SWITCH 3 ADJUSTING THE WATER LEVEL, THEN TRANSMITTED TO THE CENTRAL CONTROL UNIT 4 OF THE CONTROL DEVICE PROGRAM ORDER. ON THE WASHING MACHINE'S POWER SUPPLY PATH, A WATER METER 8 IS MOUNTED WHICH DELIVERS A COUNTING PULSE FOR EACH UNIT OF QUANTITY. APPLICATION TO PROGRAMMABLE WASHING MACHINES, IN PARTICULAR TO DRUM.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and

  to a device for controlling the program of a washing machine

  laundry whose water supply is adjusted according to the

his level.

  We try today, also in the field

  washing machines, to take into account the economic recommendations

  energy and reduce the energy consumption of appliances as well as the use of water and detergents. For example, it is common today to equip washing machines with a key corresponding to a half filling, the selection triggers the running of a program involving a reduced water level, which allows

  save water, as well as electrical energy.

  However, it has been found in practice that the laundry is not weighed before loading the machine; the

  The housekeeper fills the latter according to her own estimates.

  The machine is only 100% loaded in very rare cases. On average, a "full charge"

  weighs between 3 kg and 4 kg (compared to a 4.5 kg machine).

  This again implies that the half-fill pad

  is pressed only when the quantity of linen is manifest-

  less than 50%, for example when

1.5 kg.

  To tell the truth, this is asking too much of the housewife, when one thinks in addition to the fact that it is not the weight of the linen, but its capacity of absorption which is decisive, which highlights the following example:

  when a machine is loaded with an extremely

  absorbently, weighing for example 2 kg, and that the water level is reduced by pressing the fill button halfway, it is safe to expect

  a bad rinse result, because this cloth absorbed exactly

  as much water as, for example, 4.5 kg of normal laundry.

  In spite of these difficulties, it is desired to be able to wash also at partial expense partial loads, since it is simply impossible, in a normal home, to always collect a complete machine load.

  composed of the most diverse types of linen.

  Of course, it has already been proposed to determine the weight of the laundry, by means of weighing devices incorporated in the washing machine or mounted on the latter, and then proceed to the corresponding setting of the program. However, these considerations have the disadvantage that appropriate weighing devices are complicated and expensive, and that the influence of the capacity is not taken into account.

tissue absorption.

  The subject of the present invention is therefore a method and a device making it possible to control the program of a

  washing machine, in which it is possible to ensure automatic-

  ment of a program that saves energy, water

  and detergents, depending on the absorption capacity

washing package.

  According to the essential characteristics of the invention

  the quantity of water admitted at the beginning of the washing program is determined by direct or indirect measuring devices, then, depending on this quantity of water, the triggers determining the continuation of the course of the said program and which may exercise an influence on the water level and / or the number of subsequent washing and rinsing operations, as well as on the dosage of the detergents

can be incorporated.

  According to other features of the invention as a parameter influencing the quantity

  admixed water at the beginning of the program, the name of the

  the subsequent filling process of the tank;

  the duration of engagement of an electromagnetic valve

  tick, allowing a roughly constant flow per unit time, is monitored, which gives information as to

the amount of water allowed.

  the device for measuring the quantity of water admitted consists of a water meter, which delivers a counting pulse for each unit of quantity; in the device for carrying out the method according to the invention, the triggering pulses of the subsequent filling processes of the reservoir are identified in the region of the electromagnetic valve or the regulation pressure switch.

  the water level and then transmitted to the central

  control of the program control device;

  the duration of engagement of an electromagnetic valve

  tick, allowing a roughly constant flow, is determined by the central control unit; in the feed path of the washing machine is mounted a water meter, which provides a counting pulse for each unit of quantity; and the pressure switch regulating the level of the present water

  a small difference between the control thresholds.

  The invention is based on experience according to

  which, in a washing machine whose course of the program is a function of the adjustment of the level of the water, the quantity of water delivered initially constitutes a parameter for the determination of the capacity of absorption of the linen and, for the same type of linen, a parameter for determining the weight of this laundry. The quantity of water delivered can be spotted

  by direct or indirect measuring devices, which de-

  end, through the central locking mechanism

  of the program, the subsequent progress of the program concerning the admission of water and

washing.

  The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing by way of non-limiting example and in which the single figure schematically illustrates the mechanism for controlling the feeding of a drum washing machine, the essential elements for the understanding of

  the present invention having been shown.

  A drum 1, intended to receive the laundry to be washed, is rotatably mounted in a conventional manner in a tank 2

  laundry. A usual pressure switch 3 constituting a disc

  positive level of water level, is connected to a

  CPU 4 program control.

  The arrival of fresh water is ensured by a

  5, in which there is an electromagnetic valve 6 which receives its control instructions from the central control unit 4 of the program. In the illustrated example, the water supply paths of the system are shown in a simplified manner, so that only the feed can be distinguished through a container.

  7 distributor of washing products.

  The illustrated arrangement operates as follows: the laundry to be washed is loaded by the operator into the drum 1 of the washing machine, then the desired program is triggered.

  Normal programs begin with a pre-

  washing. The electromagnetic valve 6 is open and the food

  water is until a point is reached

  N1 switch corresponding to the pre-set level

  determined. Actuating the pressure switch will close

  of the valve 6 and the drum 1 enters simultaneously into motion.

  to ensure washing. As a result of this alter-

  native drum, the linen is more and more impregnated

  and it absorbs water according to the absorptive capacity

  the type of fabric considered. This results in a lowering of the water level in the laundry reservoir, until the valve 6 opens again when a reset point NR

  is reached, so as to restore the set point N1.

  This subsequent filling operation can be repeated several times, depending on the absorption capacity of the package of

washing clothes.

  Under these conditions, the quantity of water delivered at the beginning of the washing program is a parameter that characterizes the absorption capacity of the package of laundry and the weight of the latter in the presence of the same type.

tissue.

  The quantity of water delivered can be established differently, by direct or indirect measurement. The latching pulses characterizing the quantity of water admitted are transmitted to the central control unit 4,

  so that, depending on the information received, the

  The steps determining the continuation of the wash program are programmed. In this case, in particular, the level of the next clear water bath, as well as the level of the water or the

  many of the rinsing operations can be automatically adapted

  the characteristics of the laundry package. In addition, it is also possible to influence in the same way

the dosing of washing products.

  A simple possibility to obtain information regarding the quantity of water delivered is to determine the number of subsequent filling operations of the tank. This can be done by pulse counting

  engaging in the area of the electromagnetic valve 6.

  These subsequent filling pulses can also

  be picked up in the pressure switch area 3.

  In addition, the engagement time of the electromagnetic valve 6 can make it possible to measure when such a valve 6 can be provided which delivers a constant flow per unit time, in a relatively

  independent of the pressure prevailing in the pipes.

  Moreover, as the dotted line of the

  figure, it would be possible to go up the food route

  a water meter 8 delivering an impulse for each

that unit of quantity.

  The use of the control device described above is particularly advantageous when the control of the program takes place electronically, since the signal emitted by the pressure switch 3 is in any case processed in the central control unit 4 (CPU). , and that the excitation of the electromagnetic valve 6 is ensured anyway by

  through this unit. In this case, by a program

  For example, it is possible to monitor and memorize the number of subsequent filling operations and to influence water consumption accordingly.

  and the dosage of detergents during the ulti-

the program.

  Such a control device can also be

  incorporated without difficulty in programming mechanisms.

  electromechanically actuated. For example, he is born

  Need an electronic counting device

  additional information, which detects the number of

  subsequent pleating and allows operations to take place

  rinsing by setting different periods.

  In certain circumstances, when detecting

  filling operations, it may be rational to use in the device described above, for the control of the washing machine, a pressure switch 3 having a gap

  extremely low between the control thresholds.

  It goes without saying that many modifications can

  can be made to the process and device described and

  represented, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

  1. A method of controlling the program of a washing machine whose water supply is adjusted according to its level, characterized in that the quantity of water admitted at the beginning of the washing program is determined by means of direct or indirect measurement and in that, depending on this amount of water, triggering determines the continuation of the course of said program and may have an influence on the water level and possibly or alternatively on the number subsequent washing and rinsing operations, as well as the dosing of the detergents can be incorporated.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, as a parameter establishing the amount of water admitted at the beginning of the program, the   number of subsequent tank filling processes.   3. Method according to claim 1, characterized   in that the engagement time of an electromagnetic valve   tick allowing a nearly constant flow per unit time, is monitored, which gives information to the amount of water allowed.   4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for measuring the amount of water   allowed consists of a water meter, which delivers a pulse   counting for each unit of quantity.   5. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the triggering pulses of the subsequent filling processes of the   tank are located in the area of the electromagnetic valve   gnetic (6) or pressure switch (3) regulating the water level, then transmitted to the central control unit (4) of the   control device of the program.   6. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the engagement time of an electromagnetic valve (6), allowing   a roughly constant flow rate is determined by the central unit control gate (4).   7. Device for implementing the method   according to claim 1, characterized in that, on the   washing machine feed jet, is mounted a water meter (8), which delivers a counting pulse for each unit of quantity. 8. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure switch (3) regulating the water level has a small gap. between the command thresholds. 1/1 2474547   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * M * a * a to M * a * a M a a RECORDING NOT CREATED   Publication number, 47454B Date of receipt of information21 / 07/86 Operator ROGER Ext. 2 Batch name 2-011-21 / 07/86 Type of document to Ex istLence of a summary .... NO Number total of pages___   Num.ro 1st page of claims 12   Last page, page number ... _, _ 13 Number of boards.2 Def aut's; Bil. lB lB lB lB lB M. lB lB Mn lB Mr. M. a l. a a a a a a a a a a aM -r A FRENCH REPUBLIC NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY   PARIS (N of publication: (To be used only for reproduction orders). 2,474,548 A1 REQUEST PATENT OF INVENTION N 81 01619   % (, 4 Control device for dryer.   {) International Classification (Int CI.3). D 06 F 58/28, 58/02; G 05 B 11/01.   Date of deposit ........................ 28 January 1981.   Priority claimed: Great Britain, 28 January 1980, No. 80 02 783.   Date of the making available   public demand ............ B.O.P.I. - "Lists" No. 31 of 31-7-1981.   7) Applicant: NV PHILIPS 'GLOEILAMPENFABRIEKEN, a limited company under Dutch law, residing in the Netherlands. @ Invention of: Victor John Wesley.   Q Holder: Same as Agent: François Charpail, SPID civil society,   209, rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris.   Sale of fascicles at NATIONAL PRINTING. 27. rue de la Convention 75732 PARIS CEDEX 15 "Control device for a clothes drying machine" The invention relates to a control device for a machine for drying laundry of the kind in which a mechanical movement of the load of laundry allows the parts of the load to form, at least intermittently, a bridge   electrical resistances between contact electrodes.   The control device is sensitive to the degree of drying the load of laundry.   A device of the kind mentioned above is   described in United Kingdom Patent No. 1,241,879.   positive according to this patent measured the drying of the load of   by a method according to which a difference in   intermittent contact between the contact electrodes is   to an accumulator element for the accumulation of the potential difference. In the embodiments described, the accumulator element is a capacitor, which is rapidly   brought to a given potential (and is subsequently slowly   charged) by intermittent contact occurring when the parts of the load of laundry connect the   contact electrodes. The variable potential in the conden-   sator is integrated by a device with a large constant   time (several seconds) to provide average potential.   When the load of clothes becomes dry, the electrical resistance   of the coins reaches a maximum value and the said   medium also reaches a predetermined voltage level   born. This voltage level is detected by a cold cathode tube and the priming of this tube is used to excite an electromagnetic relay. The relay controls a heater or timer mechanism of the dryer. The characteristic of the laundry load detected by the device according to this patent is the degree of drying   the fact that the electrical resistance of the load cor-   corresponds to the total amount of water distributed in all the rooms constituting the load. However, because a medium load of laundry contains thick pieces, such as