WO2008119812A1

WO2008119812A1 - A washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2008119812A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/053908
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yavuz Sahin; Mehmet Kaya; Murat Elgun; Isik Ozyaka; Levent Hasanreisoglu
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-04-02
Filing date: 2008-04-02
Publication date: 2008-10-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) that comprises a flow regulator (8) disposed between the air trap (4) and the pressure sensor (5) for measuring the level of water received into the tub (3) accurately.

Description

A WASHING MACHINE

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine wherein the water level measurement system is enhanced.

[0002] In washing machines as water is received into the tub, water also fills into the air trap that is connected to the tub. The water that fills into the air trap applies pressure on the air present therein and the air transfers this pressure to the pressure sensor connected to the other end of the air trap. The pressure value measured in this position is compared with a reference pressure value of the tub when empty to determine the amount of water received into the machine.

[0003] However, the turbulence created by the rotating drum while water is received easily effects the measured pressure value since the pressure transfer means used in measuring the pressure is air which is a fluid far less dense than water. This leads to the measured pressure value to be inconstant even though the water amount does not change and as a result the water amount received into the tub cannot be determined accurately. This in turn results in receiving water into the machine that is less or more than required, increase in detergent and energy consumption and decrease in efficiency.

[0004] Moreover, when the water amount cannot be measured correctly, problems arise in implementations wherein balanced and unbalanced load is intended to be determined by means of the water amount received into the tub and certain other data.

[0005] In state of the art Japanese patent application no JP2005160510, a method is explained wherein receiving water into the machine is employed at intervals, that is, stopping water intake at certain intervals and waiting for a certain period of time, then continuing water intake in order to increase the precision of pressure measurement results and respectively the accuracy of the water level measurement. Thus, it is intended to measure the pressure value while water is not received and to increase respectively the accuracy of the water level value that is determined based on this value. However, this implementation increases the total duration of the washing process and the energy consumption.

[0006] In the Japanese patent application no JP2005137886, the air trap is connected to the water pump inlet in order to remove the adverse effect of the drum motion on the detection of water amount. Thus, a precise measurement will be possible independent from the tub. However, in this embodiment, the integration of the water level sensing hose to the pump brings along various hardships in production and costs.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein the water level is measured with a great accuracy.

[0008] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the claims.

[0009] In the washing machine of the present invention, a flow regulator is disposed on the pipe that provides connection between the air trap and the pressure sensor which decreases the cross-section of the pipe. The flow regulator forms a surface that the air meets while flowing through the pipe and thus decreases the transmission of the pressure turbulences created to the pressure sensor.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, a plate with at least one hole bored thereon is used as the flow regulator. The pressure turbulences are attenuated by the meeting of the air with the plate and passing regularly through the hole that has a smaller diameter than the pipe to the portion of the pipe on the other side of the plate.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, a perforated plate with multiple holes bored thereon is used as the flow regulator.

[0012] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, at least one leaf valve that controls air flow inside the pipe is disposed opposite the hole. When a force is exerted on the leaf valve, the valve opens in proportion with the force and allows the air to flow. Thus, the flow can be regulated and the pressure turbulences can be attenuated more effectively.

[0013] In a version of this embodiment, the flow regulator is designed to function in bi-directionally. Two plates with one hole on each one are provided with two leaf valves between these plates that control the flow in the opposite directions. In order to provide for the motion of the leaf valves, a housing each is provided in the direction of each leaf valve on the plate on that side. Consequently, the turbulences that may be created during water intake into the tub and also during and after water discharge are prevented and an accurate measurement is maintained. [0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the hole is aligned to correspond to the narrowing neck portion of the leaf valve. Thus a more effective attenuation is provided. [0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hole is manufactured with a size that is less than 1 millimeter. In this embodiment, as the diameter of the hole decreases, the rate of attenuation increases. [0016] In a version of this embodiment, a U shaped barrier is formed which the air will meet before reaching the hole. The air reaches the hole after passing beyond this barrier and passes to the other side of the pipe from there.

Thus the water vapor that may be present in the air is prevented from blocking the hole, because water vapor will return by first meeting the barrier and condensing thereon, and will not reach the hole. [0017] The washing machine designed to fulfill the object of the present invention is illustrated in the in the attached figures, where: [0018] Figure 1 - is the front schematic view of a washing machine. [0019] Figure 2 - is the cross-section view of the flow regulator used in an embodiment of the present invention. [0020] Figure 3 - is the cross-section view of the flow regulator used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0021] Figure 4 - is the top schematic view of the flow regulator used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0022] Figure 5 - is the exploded perspective view of the flow regulator used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0023] Figure 6 - is the cross-section view of the flow regulator used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0024] Figure 7 - is the top schematic view of the flow regulator used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0025] Figure 8 - is the schematic view of the flow regulator used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0026] Figure 9 - is the schematic view of the flow regulator used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0027] Figure 10 - is the front schematic view of the flow regulator used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0028] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Drum

3. Tub

4. Air trap

5. Pressure sensor

6. Drain pipe

7. Pipe

8. Flow regulator

9. Plate

10. Hole

11. Leaf valve

12. Barrier

13. Housing

[0029] The washing machine (1) comprises a drum (2) wherein laundry is emplaced, a tub (3) wherein the drum (2) rotates, an air trap (4) for measuring the level of water when the compression of the air inside as the amount of water received into the tub (3) increases, a pressure sensor (5) connected to the air trap (4) that measures the pressure of the air compressed in the air trap (4).

[0030] The washing machine (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises a pipe (7) with one end connected to the air trap (4) and the other end to the pressure sensor (5), providing connection therebetween and at least one flow regulator (8) disposed on this pipe (7) that decreases the cross-section of the pipe (7) (Figure 1).

[0031] In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, as water is received into the tub (3), water fills in the air trap (4) and as the air inside the pipe (7) is compressed, it flows towards the flow regulator (8). The turbulence of the air is attenuated while passing through the flow regulator (8) that has a narrower cross-section than the pipe (7). The accuracy of the measured pressure values and respectively the detected level of water increases since this air with the attenuated turbulence is delivered to the pressure sensor (5).

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulator (8) comprises at least one plate (9) disposed inside the pipe (7) and at least one hole (10) formed on this plate (9) (Figure 2).

[0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, a plate (9) with a perforated configuration, having a multiple number of holes (10) bored thereon is used as the flow regulator (8) (Figure 10).

[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulator (8) furthermore comprises at least one leaf valve (11) disposed opposite the hole (10) for controlling the flow of air inside the pipe (7). The leaf valve (11) is in the closed position under normal conditions. However, when a force is applied thereon, it opens in proportion with the magnitude of the force, allows the air to flow and thus prevents the created pressure turbulences to reach the pressure sensor (5) (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

[0035] In a version of this embodiment, the flow regulator (8) comprises two plates (9). Two leaf valves (11) are disposed between the plates (9) that control the flow in the different directions. On each of the plates (9) one hole (10) is disposed for the air to reach the leaf valves (11) and a housing (13), having a configuration matching that of the leaf valve (11), is situated to provide for the motion of the leaf valves (11) in the direction of the air flow (Figure 5 and Figure 6).

[0036] In this embodiment, as water is received into the tub (3), water fills in the air trap (4), the air inside the pipe (7) is compressed and flows towards the flow regulator (8). The air that reaches the flow regulator (8) passes through the hole (10) and exerts pressure on the leaf valve (11). The leaf valve (11) opens at least partially due to the pushing of air by moving to enter into the housing (13) situated on the other plate (9). Thus, the air passes to the side of the pipe (7) that is closer to the pressure sensor (5) with the pressure turbulences attenuated.

[0037] Similarly, while the water received into the tub (3) is discharged, this time the air in the portion of the pipe (7) on the side of the pressure sensor (5) will tend to flow towards the other side since the air inside the pipe (7) will approach towards the air trap (4). The air that reaches the flow regulator (8) passes through the plates (9) from the hole (10) situated on the side near the pressure sensor (5) on its flow path and exerts pressure on the leaf valve (11). The leaf valve (11) opens at least partially due to the pushing of air by moving to enter into the housing (13) situated on the other plate (9). Consequently, the air passes to the side of the pipe (7) that is closer to the air trap (4).

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hole (10) is arranged to correspond to the neck portion of the leaf valve (11) (Figure 7). Thus a more effective attenuation is provided.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hole (10) has millimetric dimensions. In this embodiment, as the diameter of the hole (10) decreases, the rate of attenuation increases.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, a U shaped barrier (12) is disposed in the pipe (7) preceding the hole (10). Thus the moisture formed when washing is done in high wash temperatures, condenses on the barrier (12) and clogging of the hole (10) is prevented (Figure 8 and Figure 9).

[0041] With the washing machine (1) of the present invention, the water level received into the tub (3) is measured accurately and the activities such as determining the load amount, intake of detergent etc. that depend on this data can be performed correctly thus increasing the washing performance. Moreover, intake of extra water into the washing machine (1) and respectively the increase in energy consumption are prevented.

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) that comprises a drum (2) wherein laundry is emplaced, a tub (3) wherein the drum (2) rotates, an air trap (4) for measuring the level of water by the compression of the air inside as the amount of water received into the tub (3) increases, a pressure sensor (5) connected to the air trap (4) that measures the pressure of the air compressed in the air trap (4), a pipe (7) with one end connected to the air trap (4) and the other end to the pressure sensor (5), providing connection therebetween and characterized by at least one flow regulator (8) disposed on this pipe (7) that decreases the cross-section of the pipe (7).

2. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a flow regulator (8) that comprises at least one plate (9) and at least one hole (10) formed on this plate (9).

3. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a flow regulator (8) that comprises at least one leaf valve (11) disposed on the hole (10) which controls the flow of air in the pipe (7).

4. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by a flow regulator (8) comprising two plates (9) with two leaf valves (11) disposed therebetween that control the flow in the different directions, having one hole (10) each disposed thereon for the air to reach the leaf valves (11) and a housing (13) each, to provide for the motion of the leaf valves (11 ) in the direction of air flow.

5. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a hole (10) that is aligned to correspond with the neck of the leaf valve (11).

6. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a hole (10) with millimetric dimensions.

7. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a U shaped barrier (12) that is disposed in the pipe (7) preceding the hole (10).