GB2339578A

GB2339578A - Water re-circulation system

Info

Publication number: GB2339578A
Application number: GB9815251A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Allan Bishop
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-15
Filing date: 1998-07-15
Publication date: 2000-02-02
Also published as: GB9815251D0

Description

2339578 Water Re-Circulation System

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a system for re-circulating water used in washing ma chines.

Background to the Invention

In addition to domestic washing machines used in the home, larger washing ma chines are used in launderettes, residential and homes for the elderly, hostels, hotels, hospitals, student accommodation blocks, flats, etc. Where washing machines are lo cated on commercial premises, the cost of water is higher because the supplies for such establishments must be metered. As such the benefit of reducing the volume of water consumed during washing is significant for those using washing machines on a commer cial basis. In addition to the cost of water, there is usually a cost associated with dis posing of the used water into the sewerage system. If it were possible to reduce the volume of water used during the washing program, it would be possible to reduce the cost of washing.

The benefit of such reductions would be most significant in residential and nurs ing homes for the elderly, hospitals, hotels, and launderettes because in these premises washing is carried out more often than in the home for example, because in these es tablishments a greater volume of soiled items is generated.

Attempts have been made to save water generated during washing, but these attempts have concentrated on catching all the water expelled from the washing ma chine, passing the water through settlement tanks and a filtration system, and introduc ing chemicals into the water to ensure that it is clean. The provision of settlement tanks, a filtration system, and chemicals is necessary because clothes and other items can be heavily soiled. The known water re-cycling systems are both complex and ex pensive.

It would be desirable to provide a system for re-circulating water produced by a washing machine which does not suffer from the above-mentioned disadvantages.

In the specification the term water shall be understood to encompass water used in a washing machine, which may be contaminated, for example, by soiled items during the course of washing, detergents, or softeners.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a water re-cycling system comprising at least one auto matic washing machine having an outlet connected to a drain, a water storage means, means to selectively divert water flowing through the outlet to the said drain or water storage means, and a water delivery means to deliver water to one or more of the said at least one washing machines from the water storage means, wherein water is diverted to the water storage means during a rinsing cycle of the or each washing machine pro gram, and water is delivered from the water storage means to one of the said at least one washing machine during a sluice, and/or pre-wash, and/or main wash cycle of the said one washing machine.

Preferably, water is diverted to the water storage means during the final, and/or penultimate rinsing cycle.

The water storage means may comprise at least one reservoir, which may com- prise a tank. The water storage means may comprise a plurality of reservoirs, and the reservoirs may be interconnected. The or each reservoir maybe provided with a cover.

The water storage means may be provided with a clean water supply, and the clean water supply may be arranged to top up the water storage means when the water level in the water storage means falls below a pre-determined level. The clean water supply may comprise a ball-cock valve.

The water storage means may comprise a sediment trap, and/or a filter.

Preferably, the said means to selectively divert water flowing through the outlet to the said drain or water storage means comprises a valve, which may be electrically operated, and may be biased into a closed position. The valve may be a motorised valve, or a solenoid operated valve.

Preferably, a fitting comprising one inlet and two outlets is attached to the washing machine outlet. The fitting may be a T-piece. The said valve may be located downstream of one of the said outlets. The said valve is suitably located below the washing machine outlet. Advantageously, a pipe comprising a bend is connected to the other outlet of the said fitting. A portion of the said pipe may be higher than the outlet of the washing machine, but lower than the drum thereof.

In one embodiment of the Invention, the system comprises means to send an electric current to the said valve when the washing machine program reaches a rinsing cycle from which water of a suitable quality for re-use is produced, which means may comprise a relay.

The water delivery means may comprise at least one pump, which may be driven by an electric motor. A plurality of pumps may be provided, one for each washing machine.

The system preferably comprises means to send an electric current to the elec tric motor when the washing machine program reaches a sluice, and/or pre- wash, and/or main wash cycle, which means may comprise a relay. Advantageously, the relay is connected to electrical outputs in the washing machine control system which are ar ranged to energise and cle-energise the valves which permit or prevent the flow of wa ter into the sluice, pre-wash, and main wash water inlets. The said valves may or may not be present.

Preferably, the or each washing machine is mounted so that its base is raised above ground level. The or each washing machine may be mounted on a mounting block. The mounting block may be made from steel or concrete. The mounting block may comprise one or more girders. Individual mounting blocks may be provided for each washing machine.

The water re-cycling system of the invention avoids unnecessary wastage of wa ter, since the water saved by the system is sufficiently clean to be used in washing. By re-cycling water vast savings are made both in the cost of obtaining water, and the cost of disposing of water. Furthermore, the softener that is often present in the water col lected from the rinsing cycle aids in the washing process when it is subsequently used.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a water re circulation system according to the invention:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a water re-cycling system according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic representation of water drainage assembly of the water re-cycling system shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

In the drawings, the same numerals are used with the suffix "a" to indicate like 5 parts.

In Figure 1, there is shown a pair of washing machines 1, 1 a arranged side by side, and mounted on mounting blocks 19, 19a. The mounting blocks raise the washing machines above ground level. The mounting blocks may be made from any suitable material, for example steel, or concrete.

The washing machines 1, 1 a are of commercial type, rather than being domestic washing machines, although it is foreseen that the washing machines may be of the type used domestically. Each washing machine comprises a soap tray 2, 2a having a com partment 3, 3a in which detergent is placed, and through which cold water is passed during the "pre-wash" part of the program, a compartment 4, 4a in which detergent is placed, and through which hot water is passed during the "hot main wash" part of the program, and a compartment 5, 5a in which a softener may be placed, and through which cold water is passed during the final rinsing stages of the washing program.

Each of the compartments 3 to 5, and 3a to 5a are provided with inlets 6, 6a, 7, 7a, and 8, 8a respectively. Pipes 9, 9a, 10, 1 Oa, and 11, 11 a are provided to so that water can be fed into each of the compartments. The inlet 6, 6a would usually be pro vided with a valve, and would be fed with cold water from a cold water supply, for ex ample a mains water supply, or an independent water storage and pumping system.

However, in the invention the valve that would usually be provided in the inlet 6, 6a is removed, and the feed pipe 9, 9a is connected to a pump 12, 12a. The pump 12, 12 pumps water 15, 1 Sa from a storage tank 13, 13a. The washing machine's switch gear that would have been used to open and close a valve in the inlet 6, 6a is instead con nected to the relay 17, 17a which operates pump 12, 12a. The result of this is that when the washing machine program requires cold water to be passed through the compartment 3, 3a cold water 15, 15a is pumped therethrough by the pump 12, 12a, from the storage tank 13, 13 a.

The inlets 7, 7a, and 8, 8a are not changed and are connected to hot and cold water supplies respectively. The valves in these inlets are controlled according to the washing machine program.

The water 15, 1 5a in the storage tank 13, 1 3a is the water used during the final and/or penultimate rinse stage of the washing program. The arrangement of pipes and valves which delivers water from the drum 16, 16a to the storage tank 13, 13a will be described in greater detail with reference to Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure 2, the drum 16 is provided with an outlet 26 to which one end of a pipe 27 is attached, the other end being attached to the inlet 29 of a drain valve 28, which forms part of the washing machine. The drain valve 28 is electrically operated and is biased into an open position. When an electric current is supplied to the valve 28 it is closed. The purpose of this is to make the washing machine fail-safe. If there is a power cut, electric current is not supplied to the valve 28 and hence it opens, thereby allowing water in the drum to drain out. Similarly, if the washing machine door is opened during the washing cycle, a switch which allows current to pass when the door is closed opens, thereby preventing supply of current to the valve 28 and allowing the valve to open. As a result, water drains from the drum instead of spilling out of the door.

The drain valve 28 is provided with an additional inlet 31 to which the drum overflow pipe 32 is connected. The inlet 31 is on the down stream side of the valve so that water can pass through the outlet 30 even when the valve 28 is held shut.

A T-piece 33 is connected to the outlet 30. It can be observed that the Tpiece 33 is inclined to the horizontal. The reason for this vOll be expanded on further.

The assembly 25 comprises a second valve 34, the inlet thereof being connected to the T-piece 3 3, and the outlet thereof being connected to a flexible pipe 37 which, as is shown in Figure 1, debauches into the storage tank 13. A pipe 38 is attached to the other end of the T-piece 33, a pipe 39 having a 90 degree bend therein being connected to the pipe 38, and a further pipe 40 being connected to the pipe 39. Figure 1 shows that the pipes 40, 40a are connected to main drain 41. The purpose of inclining the T-piece 3 3 is to ensure that water draining from the drum 16 will flow first towards the drain valve 34. However, due to the pipe 39 being lower than the bottom of the drum 16, water will flow out of the drum 16 to the drain 41 when the valve 34 is closed.

The degree to which water used in the washing process is contaminated changes through the wash. However, even when exceptionally dirty items are washed the wa- ter produced during the final rinsing stages is relatively clean. The only contaminant tends to be the softener introduced at that stage. It is therefore feasible to re-use this water during a subsequent wash.

The drain valve 34 is electrically actuated, and is biased into a closed position. Only upon application of an electric current to the valve is it opened. The valve 34 is connected by wires 18 to a relay 17. When the program reaches a rinsing stage which produces water of an acceptable quality (this will usually be the final rinse stage), the relay 17 is activated so that an electric current passes through the drain valve 34, opening the same and thereby allowing the water to flow from the drum to the storage tank 13.

is The term, "water of a suitable quality", shall be understood to mean water pro- duced during a rinsing cycle of a washing machine, or such water diluted with water originating from a mains supply.

When the washing program is complete the relay 17 is de-activated and the supply of electrical current via wires 18, 18a to the drain valve is cut off, closing the valve.

The relay 17, 17a also controls the supply of electric current to the pump 12, 12a.

The two tanks 13 and 13a are connected by the pipe 21. When sluicing, large volumes of water are used, and the volume may well exceed the volume of water in one of the tanks 13, 13a. By connecting the two tanks a greater volume of water is available. Another benefit of joining the tanks 13, 13a is that only one top up mechanism need be provided. In illustrated embodiment a valve 22 operated by ball cock 24 is mounted in the tank 13 a.

Claims

1 An automatic washing machine operable to perform programmed cycles including a rinsing cycle, the washing machine being provided with a fresh water inlet and a drain outlet, a flow diverter operable during the rinsing cycle to divert used water from the drain outlet into a water storage means, and a used water re- cycling means operable to return used water from the water storage means into the machine.

2. An automatic washing machine, according to Claim 1, in which the re cycling means is operable during a main wash cycle.

3. An automatic washing machine, according to Claim 1, in which the re cycling means is operable during a pre-wash cycle. 0

4. An automatic washing machine, according to Claim 1, in which the re- 0 cycling means is operable during a final rinsing cycle.

5. An automatic washing machine, according to any preceding claim, in 0 C 0 C' which the flow diverter is operable during a final rinsing cycle.

6. An automatic washing machine, according to any preceding claim, in 0 00 0 0 which the flow diverter is operable during a penultimate rinsing cycle. 0000

7. An automatic washing machine, according to any preceding claim, in which the water storage means is also provided with a fresh water inlet.

8. An automatic washing machine, according to any preceding claim, in which a sediment trap or filter is arranged to remove solid contaminants in the used wa ter passing into the water storage means.

9. An automatic washing machine, according to any preceding claim, in which the flow diverter is a valve which is electrically operable to connect the drain outlet to the water storage means.

10. An automatic washing machine, according to Claim 9, in which the valve is connected to the drain outlet by a fitting having an inlet communicating with the drain outlet, a first outlet for connection to a drain, and a second outlet communicating with the water storage means whenever the valve is open.

11. An automatic washing machine, according to Claim 10, in which the first outlet is provided with a drain connection pipe having a portion that is higher than the drain outlet but lower than the washing machine drum.

12. An automatic washing machine, according to any of Claims 9 to 11, including means to operate the valve when the rinsing cycle has been reached.

13. An automatic washing machine, according to Claim 12, in which the means to operate the valve is an electrical output of the washing machine indicating the 5 commencement of the rinsing cycle.

14. An automatic washing machine, according to any preceding claim, in which the used water re-cycling means includes a pump operable whenever used water is to be returned from the water storage means into the machine.

15. An automatic washing machine, according to Claim 14, in which the pump is operated by an electrical output of the washing machine indicating the commencement of a cycle in which is to utilise used water.

16. An automatic washing machine substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A plurality of automatic washing machines, in accordance with any preceding claim, in which the machines share a common water storage means.