GB2134141A

GB2134141A - Control signal transmission between control devices in washing or rinsing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2134141A
Application number: GB08334230A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Koch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-01-24
Filing date: 1983-12-22
Publication date: 1984-08-08
Also published as: IT8419208A0; FR2539770B3; IT1173059B; FR2539770A1; GB8334230D0

Abstract

A combination of an automatically controlled washing or rinsing machine (1) and a metering device (2), which is positionable alongside the machine, are coupled together through a multiple control signal connection, the machine and metering device together being suitable for the performance of washing or rinsing operations with the use of liquid washing or rinsing agents held ready in supply containers for several washing operations. The control signal connection is produced by an optical conductor cable (18), which is coupled at its ends (19, 20) through coding circuits (9, 10) with control devices (7, 8) of the machine (1) and the metering device (2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Control signal transmission between control devices in washing or rinsing apparatus The present invention relates to washing or rinsing apparatus and has particular reference to control signal transmission between control devices thereof.

Apparatus comprising a washing or rinsing machine and a metering device is disclosed in DE-GM 80 33 429. A multiple cable is used in this apparatus for the signal transmission between the machine and the metering device. Control signals are transmitted in each direction between a control device of the washing or rinsing machine and a control device of the metering device. These signals concern, for example, the composition of the washing or rinsing program selected by the operator and the signalling back of metered quantities and end instants of metering operations.

It would be desirable, however, to simplify the multiple cable connection utilised in the abovementioned apparatus. As many lines as possible should be saved and the security of the signals on the lines against interferences should be improved. Moreover, a capability for separation of the machine from the metering device would be desirable by provision of a disconnectible cable connection, and manipulation of the cable for production of the connection should be sufficiently simple for the connection to be able to be produced by the final consumer.

According to the present invention there is provided washing or rinsing apparatus comprising an automatic washing or rinsing machine provided with a respective control device for controlling the machine to perform washing or rinsing operations, a metering device provided with a respective control device for controlling the metering device to meter washing or rinsing agents for supply to the machine, and an optical signal transmission cable connected at each end thereof through coding circuit means to a respective one of the control devices for the transmission of optical control signals therebetween.

In the coding circuit means of the control devices, the respective signals can be so coded that they can be transmitted from a single optical transmitter in one control device through an optical conductor to an optical receiver contained in the other contol device. A coding circuit in the receiver can translate the optical signals back into signals able to be processed by the respective control device.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particuairly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a schematic rear view of apparatus embodying the invention, the apparatus comprising a washing machine and a metering device disposed at the left of the machine.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown washing apparatus which is described in more detail in DE-GM 80 33 429; thus reference numerals not mentioned in the following are explained in the aforesaid DE-GM.

The apparatus comprises a washing machine 1 with a control device 7, and a metering device 2 with a control device 8. This control device can be connected independently with a 220 volt mains by means of its own mains device (not shown).

Each control device contains a coding circuit 9 and 10, which encode the signals of the respective control device, which are to be transmitted, for example according to the teleprinter code. The coded signals are then transmitted by way of coupling points 19 and 20 from a respective optical transmitter by way of an optical conductor cable 18 to the optical receiver of the coding circuit of the respective receiving control device.

The cable 18 can consist of, for example, a single optical conductor which can transmit the optical signals in both directions simultaneously as well as one after the other. This would require the coupling points 19 and 20 to be so constructed that the optical signals can be coupled into and out of the conductor as free from loss and interference as possible. However, a coupling point which merely has a single task, namely coupling-in or coupling-out, is simpler and more secure. This would then require the cable 18 to have an individual optical conductor for each direction of transmission. This would appear to be more favourable in cost.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cable 18 is connected by way of the coupling points 19 and 20 directly with the associated coding circuits of the control devices 7 and 8. The coupling points 19 and 20 can be arranged at respective places in the washing machine and in the metering device which are easily accessible so that the control signal connection can be produced by the final consumer. The simplest solution in this respect consists of arranging the coupling points 19 and 20 for the cable 18 at the outside walls of the machine 1 and the metering device 2.

Advantageously, these coupling points comprise plug and socket couplings. By means of detent elements at the parts of the couplings, these parts can have a defined position relative to each other and can be securely connected together.

Claims

1. Washing or rinsing apparatus comprising an automatic washing or rinsing machine provided with a respective control device for controlling the machine to perform washing or rinsing operations, a metering device provided with a respective control device for controlling the metering device to meter washing or rinsing agents for supply to the machine, and an optical signal transmission cable connected at each end thereof through coding circuit means to a respective one of the control devices for the transmission of optical control signals therebetween.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Control signal transmission between control devices in washing or rinsing apparatus The present invention relates to washing or rinsing apparatus and has particular reference to control signal transmission between control devices thereof. Apparatus comprising a washing or rinsing machine and a metering device is disclosed in DE-GM 80 33 429. A multiple cable is used in this apparatus for the signal transmission between the machine and the metering device. Control signals are transmitted in each direction between a control device of the washing or rinsing machine and a control device of the metering device. These signals concern, for example, the composition of the washing or rinsing program selected by the operator and the signalling back of metered quantities and end instants of metering operations. It would be desirable, however, to simplify the multiple cable connection utilised in the abovementioned apparatus. As many lines as possible should be saved and the security of the signals on the lines against interferences should be improved. Moreover, a capability for separation of the machine from the metering device would be desirable by provision of a disconnectible cable connection, and manipulation of the cable for production of the connection should be sufficiently simple for the connection to be able to be produced by the final consumer. According to the present invention there is provided washing or rinsing apparatus comprising an automatic washing or rinsing machine provided with a respective control device for controlling the machine to perform washing or rinsing operations, a metering device provided with a respective control device for controlling the metering device to meter washing or rinsing agents for supply to the machine, and an optical signal transmission cable connected at each end thereof through coding circuit means to a respective one of the control devices for the transmission of optical control signals therebetween. In the coding circuit means of the control devices, the respective signals can be so coded that they can be transmitted from a single optical transmitter in one control device through an optical conductor to an optical receiver contained in the other contol device. A coding circuit in the receiver can translate the optical signals back into signals able to be processed by the respective control device. An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particuairly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a schematic rear view of apparatus embodying the invention, the apparatus comprising a washing machine and a metering device disposed at the left of the machine. Referring now to the drawing, there is shown washing apparatus which is described in more detail in DE-GM 80 33 429; thus reference numerals not mentioned in the following are explained in the aforesaid DE-GM. The apparatus comprises a washing machine 1 with a control device 7, and a metering device 2 with a control device 8. This control device can be connected independently with a 220 volt mains by means of its own mains device (not shown). Each control device contains a coding circuit 9 and 10, which encode the signals of the respective control device, which are to be transmitted, for example according to the teleprinter code. The coded signals are then transmitted by way of coupling points 19 and 20 from a respective optical transmitter by way of an optical conductor cable 18 to the optical receiver of the coding circuit of the respective receiving control device. The cable 18 can consist of, for example, a single optical conductor which can transmit the optical signals in both directions simultaneously as well as one after the other. This would require the coupling points 19 and 20 to be so constructed that the optical signals can be coupled into and out of the conductor as free from loss and interference as possible. However, a coupling point which merely has a single task, namely coupling-in or coupling-out, is simpler and more secure. This would then require the cable 18 to have an individual optical conductor for each direction of transmission. This would appear to be more favourable in cost. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable 18 is connected by way of the coupling points 19 and 20 directly with the associated coding circuits of the control devices 7 and 8. The coupling points 19 and 20 can be arranged at respective places in the washing machine and in the metering device which are easily accessible so that the control signal connection can be produced by the final consumer. The simplest solution in this respect consists of arranging the coupling points 19 and 20 for the cable 18 at the outside walls of the machine 1 and the metering device 2. Advantageously, these coupling points comprise plug and socket couplings. By means of detent elements at the parts of the couplings, these parts can have a defined position relative to each other and can be securely connected together. Claims

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a respective optical conductor for transmission of signals in each direction between the control devices.

3. Apparatus as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, the coding circuit means of at lesat one of the control devices comprising a teleprinter code translator.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable is connected to the two control devices at connecting locations arranged at outside wall surfaces of the apparatus.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cable is connected to the two control devices by plug and socket couplings.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the couplings comprises an interengaged plug and socket held together by detent means.

7. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.