FR2567391A1 - FLOOD SAFETY DEVICE FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES USING WATER - Google Patents

Abstract

SAFETY DEVICE AGAINST FLOODS, FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES USING WATER, ESPECIALLY FOR DISHWASHING MACHINES AND LAUNDRY WASHING MACHINES. A MACHINE-CONTROLLED INLET VALVE 3 IS CONNECTED TO A SHUT-OFF VALVE 4. A LEAK WATER PIPE 5 SURROUND THE SUPPLY PIPE 2 AND GOES FROM THE INLET VALVE 3 TO MACHINE 1. A DEVICE CONTROLS THE LEVEL OF LIQUID IN THE WASHING CONTAINER 10 AND CLOSES THE INLET OF LIQUID. MACHINE SIDE, A HEADDRESS 7 TERMINATES THE LEAK WATER PIPE 5 THAT IT CLOSES WITH THE SEALING OF THE SUPPLY PIPE 2 OPENING IN AN INTAKE VALVE 6. A LINK LINE 8 GOES FROM THIS COVER TO THE LEVEL CONTROL 9, AND THE INLET VALVE 3 CAN BE ACTIVATED BY THIS CONTROL DEVICE.

Description

FLOOD SAFETY DEVICE,

  FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES USING WATER

  The invention relates to a flood safety device for household appliances using water, in particular for dish washing machines and washing machines, comprising a supply pipe connected by a controlled inlet valve. by the machine, at a shut-off valve in the water distribution network, a leaking water pipe from the inlet valve, surrounding the supply pipe and going to the household appliance, and a device checking the level of liquid in the washing container of the appliance and triggering the closing of

the water supply.

  As household appliances that use water, dishwashers are always installed in a kitchen and create one. particular risk of more or less significant damage in the event of water leakage caused by a fault. Such accidents are certainly rare but can, when they occur, be a cause of costly home and building repairs. For this reason, dishwashing machines have been equipped with active overfill protection. Starting from the fact that in the event of a faulty closure of an inlet valve located on the machine side, the washing container is first filled, then overflows, it is known to connect, to a pressure chamber connected to the washing container , a safety level switch which, if the safety level is reached, activates a drain pump. The water is then pumped out faster than it can get into the wash container from the water line. This security system only works if the device is on. If the device is switched off and therefore disconnected from the network, the pump

  then cannot work.

  This drawback is avoided by an effective safety device independently of the current (patent DE 31 14 664). In this known device, a mechanically actuated safety valve is associated with the electrically actuated water inlet valve. If the water level in the household appliance washing container exceeds a certain maximum height, this safety valve is closed by a membrane of a pressure capsule, attached to it. In this case, the water also rises in a small pressure chamber which is connected to the washing container. Thus, the air in the chamber is discharged, by a pipe, into the pressure capsule. In it, the air lifts the membrane and thus closes the safety valve. In order to protect the household appliance not only against overflows but also against water damage liable to be caused by leaks in the appliance, and in order to avoid damage to the dwelling, it is known provide the household appliance with a leakage water collecting tank, located on the bottom side. This bottom tank is associated with an operating device, for example a floats cooperating with the mechanically actuated safety valve. If a leak occurs at any point on the device, the effluent water is collected in the bottom tank, lifts the float and thus automatically closes the safety valve. This ensures that water from the supply line will not continue to flow into the washing container. This additional security also operates mechanically and completely independently, i.e.

  even when the device is switched off.

  In a known safety device of the type mentioned at the start (patent DE 30 14 427), the leakage water due to a rupture of the supply pipe is brought, by the leakage water pipe, into a collecting tank o a control device immediately causes the water supply to shut off. The control device can then be constituted by a controlled switch, with which the inlet valve mounted on the tap of the water supply pipe is closed in the event of leakage water. If the inlet valve connected to the tap consists of a solenoid valve which can be actuated by the machine control device, the solenoid of the inlet valve is then connected to the control device, for example to the program control device. and / or to a switching device in the machine's water leakage collecting tank, by an electrical pipe. The inlet valve is screwed, through its intake manifold, to the outlet of the irremovable tap, and, to the outlet manifold of this inlet valve, the supply pipe leading is fixed, by a valve located on the machine side , to the washing container of this machine. In addition, the leak water hose in which the supply hose is received leaves the inlet valve to the body of which it is fixed by means of a collar, and opens freely

in the collecting tank.

  The object of the invention is to further simplify a

such safety device.

  According to the invention, this object is achieved by the fact that the leakage water pipe surrounding the supply pipe opening into a machine inlet valve ends and is closed in leaktight manner with respect to the supply pipe. supply, machine side, upstream of said inlet valve, by a cap or the like, by the fact that a connecting pipe goes from this cap of the leaking water pipe to the device for controlling the liquid level of the container washing, and by the fact that the inlet valve on the stop valve is

  actuable by the control device.

  Among the various possible embodiments, the invention provides in particular that: the device comprises, for controlling the level of liquid in the washing container, a control device constituted by a level regulation container connected to the washing container or to its drain pan and at least one air trapping chamber to which is connected a pressure capsule belonging to a mechanically controlled stop valve, belonging to the machine and kept at rest in the open position by a permanent magnet , said pipe of the leakage water pipe being connected to the air trapping chamber of the level control container or to the manometric capsule of the stop valve, or to the washing container, and the manometric capsule being associated to a switching device by which the capsule causes the closing of the inlet valve on the stop valve when this manometric capsule is pressurized due to the s demand of the air trapping chamber by the level of filling or safety of the washing container, or due to water coming from the leaking water pipe and its connection pipe; - the device comprises a device for controlling the level of liquid in the washing container, consisting of a device for controlling the operating level which reacts when the normal filling level is reached in the washing container and causes the closing of a valve d machine stop, manoeuvrable by program, and by another stop valve which, at rest, is held in the open position by a permanent magnet and which is mechanically actuable by a pressure capsule, this other stop valve being able to be closed under the effect of the water pressure acting on a membrane of this capsule when the safety level is reached in the washing container, and the connecting pipe of the leakage water pipe is connected to a trapping chamber air or to the manometric capsule of the mechanically actuable shut-off valve, and, in addition, to the o10 manometric capsule is associated a switching device which, when the valve is closed n stop, simultaneously causes the closing of the inlet valve on the stop valve; a microswitch arranged in the solenoid circuit of an inlet solenoid valve is associated with the manometric capsule of the stop valve; and - the safety device includes a device for controlling the level of liquid in the washing container, consisting of at least one operating and / or safety level controller responding when the normal filling level or a safety level in the washing container is reached and causing the closing of a machine shut-off valve and controlled by program, this level controller being connected to the washing container via an air trapping chamber, and the connecting pipe of the leakage water pipe is connected to the air trapping chamber or directly to the washing container, the level controller causing the shut-off valve to close.

  machine and the inlet valve mounted on the tap.

  When, when filling the washing container of the household appliance, the water level rises to the normal filling level, a device monitoring the level of liquid in the washing container, for example a pressure-sensitive switch associated with the operating level, a sensor-electrode arrangement or the like, causes the machine-specific inlet valve to close. If a fault causes the water level in the washing container to exceed the normal filling level because, due to a fault, the inlet valve does not close or only closes completely, a device for security belonging to the control device comes into action. A level sensitive switch, set for the safety level, can then act if the water level in the wash container reaches the safety level. This safety-sensitive switch puts the drain pump on, for example, and / or closes a mechanically operating safety valve, associated with

  the inlet solenoid valve on the machine side.

  So that the safety device also avoids damage due to a burst or a leak in the supply pipe, or due to a leaky connection of the supply pipe to the tap of the distribution pipe of water, an inlet valve is attached to the tap, and a leak water hose wrapping the supply hose goes from this inlet valve to the household appliance. At the inlet of the supply pipe into the intake valve on the machine side, the leakage water pipe is sealed against the supply pipe using, for example, a rubber cap or the like. A connecting pipe then connects the annular space for leakage water, comprised between supply pipe and leakage water pipe, with the device for

  check the liquid level in the washing container.

  According to a first embodiment, the water leaving the connection of the supply pipe, or leaving this supply pipe, flows through the leakage water pipe, to the household appliance and comes directly , via the connection line, in the pressure capsule of the machine-specific safety valve, mechanically actuated. The leakage water has the effect of moving the membrane of the capsule so that the safety valve closes. According to a second embodiment, the connecting pipe of the leakage water pipe can also open into a pressure or air trapping chamber to which the pressure capsule of the mechanical safety valve is connected. The leakage water has the effect that the air trapping chamber, and the capsule which is connected to it, are subjected to a stress such that the mechanical safety valve closes. According to a third embodiment, the connecting pipe of the leaking water pipe can also lead into the washing container of the household appliance, so that the device for controlling the level of liquid in the washing container responds when the normal level or the level of

security is achieved.

  In all the embodiments indicated, provision is made for the inlet valve mounted on the tap to be closed in the event of a response from the control device constituted for example by a pressure capsule belonging to the mechanical safety valve, or by a level switch operating, sensitive to

  pressure, or by a safety level switch.

  Although the safety device according to the invention establishes for the arrival of water to the household appliance, and for the household appliance itself, a protection such that water damage is largely excluded in the event failure or fault, this safety device is nevertheless simple and can also be used with household appliances using water and without a bottom tank to collect the leakage water. The control of the inlet valve mounted on the tap can be carried out hydraulically, pneumatically or mechanically. If it is a solenoid valve that is intended as an inlet valve, it can then be controlled, by means of an electrical pipe, by the program control device and can be closed by the control device, so that the manual operation of the tap can be omitted. According to an exemplary embodiment, a microswitch can be associated with the pressure capsule of the safety valve located on the machine side, the switching contacts of this switch being arranged in the solenoid circuit of the inlet valve, and the operating member of this microswitch being operable to interrupt the supply of current to the solenoid, therefore to close the inlet valve. When the household appliance is disconnected, and in the event of a power failure, the inlet valve which receives no electric current

is automatically closed.

  In another embodiment, the device for controlling the filling level of the washing container can be arranged so that the permanent magnet safety valve, mechanically actuated, is used for level regulation. This mechanical valve, operating as a shut-off valve, is then connected to the washing container, by means of its pressure capsule, to a pressure or air trapping chamber, and is designed and produced so as to close when the normal filling level is reached and then interrupt the supply of water to the washing container. The mechanical valve assumes, in this embodiment, the function of an operating level switch, so that there is no longer any need for such a switch with its contacts and terminals as well as with its air trapping. In addition to the mechanical valve, there is an intake solenoid valve controlled by the programmed control means of the household appliance. In the event of faultless operation, the mechanical valve is opened by its permanent magnet. The washing container is supplied with water by opening the inlet solenoid valve controlled by the program control. When the normal level in the washing container is reached, an air trapping chamber connected to the pressure capsule of the mechanical valve is then activated so that the mechanical valve is put in its closed position and prevents the arrival additional water. The intake solenoid valve controlled by a timed member of the device control is also closed at the end of its predetermined opening time and thus constitutes, in addition, in the event of

  mechanical valve failure, safety valve.

  As in this embodiment, when the program-controlled intake solenoid valve is opened, the inlet valve on the tap can be opened at the same time (the mechanical valve already being opened by its permanent magnet if the container is empty and its capsule not loaded by pressure), and as the inlet valve can also be closed when the mechanical valve is closed, for example by a switch associated with the pressure capsule of the mechanical valve, we obtain a safety device according to the invention, the construction of which is particularly simple, its connection pipe being able to go directly from the leaking water pipe to the manometric capsule or to the level regulation container constituting the air trapping chamber of the mechanical valve upstream of the capsule, or in the container

of washing.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will appear more fully in the description

  presented below by way of nonlimiting example concerning a dishwashing machine represented in the single figure of the appended drawing. The dishwashing machine 1 is connected, by a supply pipe 2, to an inlet valve 3 mounted on a tap 4 of a pipe of the water distribution network. The connection of the supply pipe to the inlet valve is surrounded by a leakage water pipe 5, which is fixed to the body of this inlet valve, envelops the supply pipe and goes, as well as the latter. , to the machine 1. In the region of the connection of the supply pipe 2 to a shut-off valve 6 constituting an inlet valve of the machine, the leakage water pipe is finished and closed with leaktightness with respect to the supply pipe, in other words in relation to the inlet valve, by a rubber cap 7. To connect the leakage water collector volume comprised between the leakage water pipe and the supply pipe to a device for controlling the level of liquid in the washing container, there is, in the present example, a connecting pipe 8 running from the cover 7 to a level regulation container 9. This level regulation container 9 (known in itself by the utility model DE 83 30 549) is connected to the washing container 10 of the washing machine saddle and forms at least one air trapping chamber to which a control line is connected

  11 going to a pressure capsule 12.

  In the present example, the inlet valve 6 consists of a safety valve known per se (patent DE 31 14 664) which, in the rest position, when the pressure capsule 12 receives no stress, is held in position d opening with a permanent magnet. When the normal level or the safety level in the washing container 10 is reached, the air trapping chamber of the level control container 9 is loaded, as well as the capsule 12, by the control line 11, a membrane of this capsule causes the safety valve 6 to close and closes

  the water supply going to the washing container.

  With the pressure capsule 12 is associated, for example, a microswitch 13 arranged on an electrical pipe 14 between the solenoid of the inlet valve 3 on the tap 4 and the machine control device (not shown). In the rest position with safety valve 6 open, the electrical circuit between the machine control device and the solenoid of the inlet valve is closed by microswitch 13, so that the power supply 2 can s '' through the inlet valve. When the level of filling of the washing container is reached, level for which the manometric capsule 12 of the safety valve 6 responds, this safety valve closes and actuates, by its capsule 12, the microswitch 13 which cuts the circuit going to the inlet valve, so that the armature thereof comes to the closed position. In this embodiment, it is not necessary for there to be another controllable solenoid valve, on the machine side, in addition to the safety valve 6 which can be actuated mechanically and operates as a shut-off valve and of the valve.

  inlet 3 integrated in the programmed control.

  If a water leak occurs at the connection of the supply pipe, or through a crack in the latter, this leak water is then brought, by the leak water pipe 5 and by its connection pipe 8, in the level regulation container, reaches the air trapping chamber and causes, by means of the pressure capsule 12, the closing of the safety valve 6 and, via the microswitch 13, the closing the inlet valve 3. This embodiment makes it unnecessary to have a collecting tank arranged on the bottom side in the household appliance. However, if the other parts of the device through which water passes must be controlled, it is nevertheless possible to provide a collecting tank with control device which, in the event of leakage of water, activates the manometric capsule of the safety valve and thus closes the latter as well as the inlet valve.

Claims (5)

  1. Flood safety device for household appliances using water, in particular for dishwashing machines and washing machines, comprising a connected supply pipe, by an inlet valve controlled by the machine , to a shut-off valve in the water distribution network, a leaking water pipe from the inlet valve, surrounding the supply pipe and going to the household appliance, and a device controlling the level of liquid in the washing container of the appliance and triggering the closing of the water supply, characterized in that the leakage water pipe (5) surrounding the supply pipe (2) opens into a valve inlet (6) of the machine ends and is sealed in relation to the supply pipe (2), machine side, upstream of said inlet valve (6), by a cap (7) or similar, in that a pipe (8) connects this cap (7) of the leakage water pipe to the level control device of liquid from the washing container, and in that the inlet valve (3) on the stop valve (4) can be actuated by the control device. 2. Device according to claim 1, comprising, for controlling the level of liquid in the washing container, a control device constituted by a level regulation container connected to the washing container or to its drain pan and at least an air trapping chamber to which is connected a pressure capsule belonging to a mechanically controlled shut-off valve belonging to the machine and kept at rest in the open position by a permanent magnet, characterized in that said pipe (8 ) the leaking water pipe (5) is connected to the air trapping chamber of the level control container (9) or to the pressure capsule (12) of the stop valve (6), or to the washing container (10), and in that the pressure capsule is associated with a switching device (13) by which the capsule causes the closing of the inlet valve (3) on the stop valve (4) when this capsule is pressurized due to the stress ation of the air trapping chamber by the filling or safety level of the washing container, or due to leakage water from the leakage water pipe and its connecting line.   3. Device according to claim 1, comprising a device for controlling the level of liquid in the washing container, consisting of a device for controlling the operating level which reacts when the normal filling level is reached in the washing container and causes the closing of a machine stop valve, operable by program, and by another stop valve which, at rest, is held in the open position by a permanent magnet and which is mechanically actuable by a pressure capsule, this other shut-off valve which can be closed under the effect of the water pressure acting on a membrane of this capsule when the safety level is reached in the washing container, characterized in that the connecting pipe of the water hose is connected to an air trapping chamber or to the pressure capsule of the mechanically actuated shut-off valve, and in that to the pressure capsule is associated a commu tation which, when the shut-off valve closes, simultaneously causes the   closing the inlet valve on the tap.   4. Safety device according to any one   claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a   microswitch (13) arranged in the solenoid circuit of an inlet solenoid valve (3) is associated with   the pressure capsule (12) of the stop valve (6).   5. Safety device according to claim 1, comprising a device for controlling the level of liquid in the washing container, consisting of at least one operating level and / or safety level controller responding when the normal filling level or a level safety in the washing container is reached and causing the closure of a shutdown valve of the machine, controlled by program, this level controller being connected to the washing container via a trapping chamber. air, characterized in that the connecting pipe of the leakage water pipe is connected to the air trapping chamber or directly to the washing container, and in that the level controller causes the valve to close machine and valve-specific shutdown inlet valve mounted.