FR2629483A1 - PROCESS FOR REDUCING THE QUANTITY OF RINSING WATER, PARTICULARLY IN WASHING MACHINES - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for reducing the amount of rinsing water, especially in washing machines, characterized in that the amount of used water removed from the laundry by spinning after the so-called "prewash" program phase is measured by the flow meter of water and addressed in the form of a measurement quantity Q to an adjustment and control unit, which gives, for the electromagnetic water supply valve, in the rinsing program stage of the subsequent supply of rinsing water, a variable activation time logically linked to the measured variable Q.

Description

The present invention relates to a method

  to reduce the amount of washing water, in particular

  in washing machines which include an electromagnetic valve for the water supply, a pump for the waste water which includes a flow meter

  of water installed at the pump outlet, a fuel motor

  drive, a control and adjustment unit comprising

  both time and speed measuring devices, a line comprising detectors for determining the type of laundry and the quantity of laundry and an input and program selection device for the type of laundry, the amount of laundry and

  determining the spin time.

  Washing machines that have

  tifs designed to save water are provided with buttons on which the user must act, when the quantity of laundry to be washed is small, to cause the implementation of a predetermined saving program according to which the quantity of water brought to the machine is reduced accordingly (AEG notice "Washing machines

  automatic, dryers, wringers, 1987/88).

  A system for optimally adjusting the water consumption according to the conditions of use, without user intervention, automatically and depending on the type and amount of laundry to be washed, is described. by DE-OS 32 06 563

  entitled "Device for controlling a washing machine".

  In this system, to economically adjust the amount of water to be supplied and to limit the number of washing and / or rinsing operations and / or the duration of the

  course of the program, the duration of the main operation

  washing blade, the speed of temperature rise of the detergent during the main washing operation, the duration of the heating until various predetermined temperature levels are obtained, a temperature determined in advance or the determination of the temperature at different predetermined time intervals as criteria for the quantities of water to be introduced next or the number of rinsing operations required.

  As the heating times depend on the yield

  ment, it is necessary, in this system, at least in

  in some cases, to make an adjustment for samples

  defined and constant heating power, so as to obtain exact measured quantities. Or the possibility of using heating rods

  without the nominal withdrawal tolerances that result

  usually try manufacturing conditions must

  be assured in the case of devices of this type.

  The object of the invention is to minimize the consumption of rinsing water and the number of rinsing operations by using other parameters.

  independent of the heating power.

  This object is achieved, according to the invention, in that the quantity of waste water removed from the laundry by spinning after the phase of the program called "prewash" is measured by the water flow meter and addressed in the form of a measurement quantity at an adjustment and control unit, which gives, for the electromagnetic water supply valve, in the rinsing program stage the subsequent supply of rinsing water, a set-up time variable action logically linked to the measured quantity. The advantage of the process according to the invention lies in the fact that, despite the use of minimal amounts of rinse water, washing takes place in

optimal conditions.

  The invention is described below in more detail by means of an exemplary embodiment in

referring to the drawing.

  The single figure shows schematically a device for controlling the water circuit as well as the mode of coordination and allocation of the measurement and control signals of the various components of the device. This control device essentially consists of an input and program selection device which controls the adjustment and control unit of the washing machine. This washing machine adjustment and control unit includes in particular a

  time and speed measuring device.

  It determines the speed of rotation of the drive motor

  m and controls a water supply valve and a wastewater pump. After the phase of the so-called "prewash" program, that is to say before the first rinse, the laundry is spun. The quantity of waste water extracted during this spin is determined directly by a water flow meter at the outlet of the pump and transmitted, in the form of a parameter Q, to

  the washing machine adjustment and control unit.

  This parameter Q determines the minimum quantity of rinsing water which is subsequently required or the minimum number of rinsing operations required. The greater the quantity of wastewater in question, the smaller the quantity of rinse water and the number of rinse operations. The amount of waste water can also be determined from the running time of the pump. In addition, the adjustment and control unit of the washing machine records the actual spin speed nrd of the spinning motor m. The input and program selection device determines the duration of the spin. The actual rotation speed nr reached during spinning or the difference between this speed and the set rotation speed nc of spinning measures the quantity of used water discharged and determines the time during which the valve must be

  open for the supply of water or the number of operations

rinse.

  Another criterion for determining the quantity evacuated can be constituted by the surface delimited, in a coordinate system, by the curve indicating the speed of rotation as a function of time. the

  diagram of the characteristic which corresponds to the ope-

  spin ration carried out before rinsing and which indicates the time (in minutes) as a function of the set speed of rotation nc for the spin, is adjusted at the level of the device for adjusting and selecting the

  programs and each time represents a variable

  aunt fixed in advance. The actual spin speed n r achieved during this time includes a smaller area of coordinates. The difference or the ratio between nc = f (t) and nr = f (t) (as a function of time) or, in other words, the result of the comparison between the two integrals of time and rotational speeds gives the measurement of the quantity of used water discharged and determines the measurement of the quantity of rinsing water or

  the number of rinsing operations.

  The spin time itself from the pro- stage

  gram of spinning that takes place before rinsing can also be used to measure the amount of used water extracted and, therefore, to limit the amount of rinsing water or the operating time of the valve

  electromagnetic which ensures the water supply.

  Likewise, the type of laundry or the quantity of laundry, adjusted at the input and program selection device or measured using a sensor, can

  be used as a correction factor for the limitation

  the amount of rinse water. For the determination

  tion of the two aforementioned parameters constituted by the type of linen or the quantity of linen, the device comprises, as indicated in the figure representing the washing machine, for the adjustment and control unit, a pipe associated with the sensors which helps to determine the amount of water absorbed by the laundry. In another method, it is possible to limit to a higher value and to a lower value the quantities of rinsing water determined in a fixed manner in advance and by the program implemented, depending on the nature and the quantity of laundry, i.e.

  moment of activation of the electromagnetic valve

  that of water arrival. The aforementioned valve includes a flow adjustment device which guarantees that, whatever the pressure prevailing in the water pipe, the same flow speed, expressed in liters / minute, is kept constant. Each duration corresponds to a

  exactly determined amount of rinse water

  born. All the above mentioned processes are

  applicable individually or in any combination

  its with each other. The quantity of used water extracted after the prewash determines both the quantity of rinsing water and the number of washing operations.

successive ringing.

Claims (10)

  1. Method for reducing the amount of rinse water, in particular in washing machines which include an electromagnetic valve for the supply of water, a pump for waste water which comprises a water flow meter installed at the pump outlet, a   drive motor, a control and adjustment unit   command comprising time and speed measuring devices, a pipe comprising detectors for determining the type of laundry and the quantity of laundry and an input and   selection of programs for the type of laundry, the quantity   tee of laundry and determination of the spin time, characterized in that the quantity of waste water removed from the laundry by spin after the phase of the so-called "prewash" program is measured by the water flow meter and, addressed under the form of a measurement variable (Q) 4 an adjustment and control unit, which gives, for the electromagnetic water supply valve, in the rinsing program stage of the subsequent supply of rinse water, variable activation time   logically linked to the measurement quantity (Q).   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the duration of actuation of the valve   the shorter the quantity   t of waste water extracted or pumped out is greater. 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the spin speed (nr) reached by the drive motor (m) for a period   predetermined spin through   input and program selection is sent to the adjustment and control unit, used as a measure of the quantity of water extracted and logically connected to the   duration of activation of the electromagnetic valve.   4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the effective integral of the time and speed of rotation of the phase of the spin program which precedes the rinsing is used as a measure of the quantity of used water extracted and logically connected the duration of   action of the electromagnetic valve.   5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the spin time of the program phase   preceding rinsing, which is predetermined by the inter-   the input and program selection device, is used as a measure of the quantity of used water extracted and logically linked to the duration of   activation of the electromagnetic valve.   6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the type and / or the quantity of linen adjusted to   level of input and product selection device   grams are used as a measure of the mini quantity   male rinsing water required and are connected logic-   the duration of activation of the electromechanical valve genetic.   7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the type and / or the quantity of linen transmitted by the pipe comprising sensors are used as a measure of the minimum necessary quantity of rinsing water and are logically related to the duration of setting   action to the electromagnetic valve.   8. Method according to claim 1 or one of   claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the duration of   actuation of the electromagnetic valve is limited to a fixed upper limit value depending   the type and / or quantity of laundry.   9. Method according to claim 1 or one of   claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the duration of   actuation of the electromagnetic valve is limited to a lower fixed limit value depending   the type and / or quantity of laundry.   10. Method according to claim 1 or one of   claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the quantity   waste water transmitted by the flow meter is used as   measurement for the number of rinsing operations.