ES2379390T3 - Detergent dosing procedure in a clothes washer - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for dosing detergent (A) into a washing machine, with a tub (2) filled with liquid from a water supply, a rotating drum (3) for the washing and a washing program controller (4), involves (i) dosing and distributing (A), in amount determined for a predetermined partial charge of washing, while introducing water, (ii) recognizing the washing charge and (iii) dosing and distributing further (A) if the charge is more than the predetermined value.

Description

Detergent dosing procedure in a clothes washer

[0001] The present invention relates on the one hand to a washing machine.

[0002] It also refers to a detergent dosing procedure in a clothes washer for automatically dosing the amount of detergent needed to wash a load of clothes and, on the other hand, to an apparatus that allows the detergent dosing procedure to be applied according to the invention. This procedure also allows you to recognize the load of clothes without using a mass sensor.

[0003] In general, the invention relates to laundry machines and more particularly to household washing machines.

[0004] Clothes washing machines equipped with a detergent dispenser are known on the one hand that propose changing two parameters such as the dosage of a liquid detergent per unit dose and the level of dirt.

[0005] However, these clothes washers have the disadvantage of not allowing automatic dosing of the detergent depending on the load of laundry introduced into the drum.

[0006] On the other hand, laundry washers are known which comprise a device for measuring the mass of the laundry load introduced into the drum. The mass measuring device requires on the one hand at least one mass sensor and on the other hand means for measuring the load of clothes introduced into the drum taking into account the effect of the suspension elements of the washing tank.

[0007] However, these clothes washers have the disadvantage of measuring the mass of the laundry load before the washing cycle begins. Suitable means for mass measurement are expensive and complex. The function of measuring the mass of the laundry load adds an extra cost to the washing machines.

[0008] WO-A1-2004 / 106615 describes a detergent dosing process comprising all the technical characteristics cited in the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and propose a clothes washer with a detergent dosing procedure that allows the detergent to be automatically dosed during a washing cycle quickly and reliably depending on the load of clothes introduced in the drum

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a detergent dosing method in a clothes washer comprising a tank filled with liquid from a water feed, a rotating drum for loading clothes and means of control of a laundry program.

[0011] According to the invention, the detergent dosing procedure in a clothes washer comprises at least the following steps performed in the order cited:

-

a phase of recognition of load of the clothes;

-

a second phase of dosing and distribution of detergent if the load of the clothes is greater than the partial load of predefined clothes.

[0012] In this way, a first dose of detergent is dosed and distributed at the beginning of the wash cycle and at the same time the water is introduced into the washing tank of the washing machine. This first dose of detergent takes into account the different operating parameters of the clothes washer. In addition, the control means of said washing machine allow to define the partial load of clothes according to the selected washing program.

[0013] Upon recognition of the load of clothes, the clothes washer adjusts the amount of detergent if the load of clothes introduced into the drum is greater than the partial load of clothes predefined by the control means of the washing machine.

[0014] The main parameters for determining the amount of detergent to be dosed and distributed for the first and second phase of dosing and distribution of detergent are the hardness of the water, the level of dirt in the laundry load and the amount of clothing.

[0015] The water hardness parameter can be entered by the user when installing the clothes washer.

[0016] The dirt level parameter can be defined by the user by selecting an element of the washing machine control means or it can also be defined by at least one sensor, such as a turbidity or conductivity sensor.

[0017] Information regarding the amount of clothing is important and modifies the wash cycle depending on the mass of the laundry load introduced into the drum. The amount of detergent to be dosed and distributed varies according to the amount of clothing introduced into the drum.

[0018] The secondary parameters that can be taken into account to determine the amount of detergent to be dosed and distributed for the first and second phase of detergent dosing and distribution are the type of garment and the type of washing cycle.

[0019] The nature of garments essentially influences the embedding of dirt in the tissues.

[0020] The type of wash cycle is essentially characterized by its duration. A short-term cycle should allow the soap to dissolve in the wash water and adapt the rinse phases of the clothes.

[0021] The Claimant has been able to verify that the detergent must be introduced as soon as possible during a wash cycle to obtain optimum efficiency and as short a cycle time as possible.

[0022] Preferably, the introduction of water and detergent into the washing tank must be carried out at the same time. The detergent has a surfactant effect on the load of clothes and consequently the mixture of water and detergent is impregnated more quickly and efficiently in the load of clothes than if only the water is introduced into the washing tank.

[0023] The load recognition phase of clothing lasts between 5 minutes and 15 minutes. At the end of the recognition phase of the laundry load, the optimum amount of water is introduced into the washing tank.

[0024] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the detergent dosing process has an additional water introduction phase in the washing tank simultaneously with the second detergent dosing and distribution phase.

[0025] Thus, an additional amount of water is added at the same time as the second phase of detergent dosing and distribution. The amount of additional water does not substantially change the amount of water used during the washing cycle of the clothes washer. This amount of water is still close to the optimal amount of water to perform a wash cycle.

[0026] According to another preferred feature of the invention, the second detergent dispensing and dispensing phase is carried out before a heating phase of the washing water of the washing tank.

[0027] Thus, the additional amount of detergent introduced during the second phase of detergent dosing and distribution is carried out before the washing water heating phase of the washing tank.

[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, the second detergent dispensing and dispensing phase is carried out at the beginning of the heating phase of the washing bath of the washing tank.

[0029] According to another preferred feature of the invention, the clothing recognition phase is performed with a means of detecting the mass of clothing based on the level of water absorption by the laundry load.

[0030] This means of detecting the mass of clothes based on the level of water absorption by the load of the clothes allows the washing machine to directly measure the mass of the clothes during the washing cycle.

[0031] The user does not need to indicate a quantity of clothing with the control means.

[0032] The amount of clothing determined by the means of detecting the mass of clothing based on the level of water absorption by the load of clothes is reliable and accurate.

[0033] While the information indicated by the user is often erroneous and tends to overestimate the actual mass of the laundry load introduced into the drum.

The measurement of the mass of the load of clothes is carried out without weighing sensors that suppose an extra cost for the clothes washer.

[0035] In this way, the exact mass of the clothes is determined from the amount of water absorbed by the load of clothes. The control means of the clothes washer allow to deduce the nature of the load of clothes, for example 100% cotton fabric or 60% cotton fabric with 40% synthetic fabric. The method of programming the washing machine can thus be different since the washing cycle is selected without specifying the nature of the fabric of the laundry load. The clothes washer is therefore able to automatically determine the constitution of the laundry load.

[0036] According to another preferred feature of the invention, the first detergent dispensing and dispensing phase is carried out during the initial water filling phase of the washing tank.

[0037] Thus, it is essential to carry out the dosing and distribution of detergent as soon as possible during a wash cycle, in particular during the initial phase of filling the wash tank with water, to recognize as soon as possible the load of clothes introduced into the drum and minimize the amount of water needed in the wash cycle.

[0038] The dosing and distribution of the detergent during the initial phase of filling the wash tank with water makes it possible to carry out the load recognition phase of the laundry and add the detergent of a product box to the wash tank cleaning.

[0039] The first and second phases of detergent dosing and distribution are carried out at the beginning of a washing cycle for a predefined partial load of clothes depending on the selected washing program.

[0040] Preferably, the predefined partial load of clothes corresponds to half a load of clothes.

[0041] During the first phase of detergent dosing and distribution, the Claimant considers that the user has introduced into the drum at least the equivalent of the predefined partial load of clothes with respect to the selected washing program, which may be of the order of Half load of clothes.

[0042] The first dose of detergent is added during the first phase of detergent dosing and distribution taking into account different parameters and fixing the mass of the laundry load in a predefined partial laundry load according to values predetermined by the Claimant.

[0043] Then, the recognition phase of the load of clothes is carried out.

[0044] Next, if the laundry load introduced into the drum is greater than the predefined partial laundry load, a second amount of detergent is added during the second detergent dispensing and dispensing phase.

[0045] A small amount of additional water is introduced into the washing tank due to the principle of operation of the detergent additive. The detergent is poured into the washing tank by means of a flow of water that flows through the cleaning box of the clothes washer.

[0046] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description.

[0047] In the only drawing attached, by way of non-limiting example:

-

Figure 1 represents a schematic sectional view of a clothes washer.

[0048] First, referring to Figure 1, a clothes washer 1 that allows the application of the present invention will be described.

[0049] Said clothes washer may be a household clothes washer or a washer dryer.

[0050] In this embodiment, a top-loading washing machine has been shown. Of course, the present invention applies to all types of washing machines, in particular front loading.

[0051] Classically, this type of clothes washer 1 has a washing tank 2 and a drum 3 mounted in rotation, in this case following a horizontal rotation axis 5, inside said washing tank 2.

[0052] A door on the upper face of the washing machine 1 allows the user to have access to the interior of the tank 2 and the drum 3 to insert or remove the clothes.

[0053] It also has a control panel 4 on top of washing machine 1.

[0054] Only the specific means for the application of the detergent dosage method according to the invention will be described below.

[0055] The washing machine 1 comprises a water level regulating device (not shown). Said water level regulating device may be formed, in a known manner, by an air pressure switch whose compression chamber, in bell, is placed in the tank 2 of the household appliance 1. The pressure switch membrane that is displaced by the effect of The relative pressure variations in the atmosphere act with an electrical contact that gives the signal to the automatism that the level has been reached. This level reached is not necessarily chosen to correspond to a volume of water available at the bottom of the tank 2 sufficient to operate the apparatus 1 in a normal (or nominal) manner. A variant of the invention is to match the level reached with the volume of water at the bottom of the 2 just the necessary and sufficient for a correct operation of the apparatus 1. The water level regulating device thus allows Obtain a certain level necessary to protect clothing from mechanical action and optimize water consumption.

[0056] The washing machine 1 also includes a drain pump that allows the liquid to be renewed at the bottom of the tank 2. The lower part of the tank 2 comprises a recycling pump provided with a water guide duct expelled by the drum bearing 4 and a drain pump connected to an evacuation duct. Filters and microfilters allow the clean water to be recycled to feed the drum 3 in a closed circuit in order to save the volume of water introduced from the outside.

[0057] In general, the wash and rinse cycles are sequenced in baths by emptying operations during which only the emptying pump is operated.

[0058] Of course, the clothes washer according to the invention comprises all the equipment and means necessary to carry out a classic washing process in this type of washing machine with a rotating drum.

[0059] Next, the detergent dosing procedure applied in a washing machine as described above will be described.

[0060] The present invention relates to a detergent dosing method in a clothes washer 1 comprising a tank 2 filled with liquid from a water feed, a rotating drum 3 for loading clothes and media 4 control of a laundry program.

[0061] The detergent dosing procedure in a clothes washer 1 comprises at least the following steps, performed in the order cited:

-

a first phase of dosing and distribution of detergent simultaneously with a phase of introducing water into the washing tank 2, the quantity of detergent dosed and distributed for a predefined partial load of laundry being determined;

-

a phase of recognition of load of the clothes;

-

a second phase of dosing and distribution of detergent if the load of the clothes is greater than the partial load of predefined clothes.

[0062] In this way, a first dose of detergent is dosed and distributed at the beginning of the washing cycle at the same time as the water is introduced into the washing tank 2 of the washing machine 1. This first dose of detergent takes into account the different operating parameters of the washing machine 1. In addition, the control means 4 of said washing machine 1 allow to define the partial load of clothes according to the selected washing program.

[0063] Upon recognition of the laundry load, the laundry washer 1 adjusts the amount of detergent if the laundry load introduced into the drum is greater than the partial laundry load predefined by the control means 4 of the washing machine 1.

[0064] The main parameters for determining the amount of detergent to be dosed and distributed for the first and second phase of dosing and distribution of detergent are the hardness of the water, the level of dirt in the laundry load and the amount of clothing.

[0065] The water hardness parameter can be entered by the user when installing clothes washer 1.

[0066] The dirt level parameter can be defined by the user by selecting an element of the control means 4 of the washing machine 1 or it can also be defined by at least one sensor (not shown), such as a turbidity sensor or conductivity

[0067] Information regarding the amount of clothing is important and modifies the washing cycle according to the mass of the laundry load introduced in the drum 3. The amount of detergent to be dosed and distributed varies according to the amount of clothes inserted into the drum 3.

[0068] The secondary parameters that can be taken into account to determine the amount of detergent to be dosed and distributed for the first and second phase of detergent dosing and distribution are the type of garment and the type of washing cycle.

[0069] The nature of garments essentially influences the embedding of dirt in the tissues.

[0070] The type of wash cycle is essentially characterized by its duration. A short cycle should allow the soap to dissolve in the wash bath and adapt the rinse phases of the clothes.

[0071] The Claimant has been able to verify that the detergent must be introduced as soon as possible during a wash cycle to obtain optimum efficiency and as short a cycle time as possible.

[0072] The recognition phase of the laundry load may be formed by a succession of stages as described in the embodiment of the following invention:

-

a phase of filling the washing tank 2 with water without rotating the drum 3; said filling phase of the washing tank 2 with water can have a fixed duration, of the order of 60 seconds;

-

a stage of agitation of the laundry introduced in the drum 3 at a cold water temperature; the temperature of the washing water is that of the water in the network, the stirring phase can have a duration of the order of 90 seconds at a rotation speed of the drum 3 of the order of 35 revolutions per minute;

-

a phase of filling the washing tank 2 with water to a high level of a pressure switch; the amount of water introduced in the washing tank 2 depends on the nature of the clothes;

-

a stage of agitation of the clothes introduced in the drum 3 with a cold water temperature; the stirring phase may have a duration of the order of 4 minutes and 30 seconds at a rotation speed of the drum 3 of the order of 35 revolutions per minute; This agitation phase may include successive water filling phases to maintain the water level since the garments of fabrics absorb more or less water and vary the level of water in the washing tank 2.

[0073] The amount of water introduced into the wash tank 2 can be calculated with respect to an opening time of a solenoid valve (not shown).

[0074] The values of the total amount of water introduced into the wash tank 2 and the additional amounts of water filling during the filling phases to maintain the water level allow the load of clothes introduced into the drum to be recognized. The recognition of the clothes allows on the one hand to determine the mass of the load of clothes and on the other also the type of fabric.

[0075] The laundry load introduced in the drum 3 can be identified with respect to CV mass classes of laundry load predetermined by the Claimant. The clothes washer 1 may comprise at least two kinds of CV load-bearing dough, and preferably four classes.

[0076] The CV mass classes may correspond to the following parcellation of the load of clothes:

-

CV1: from 0 to 1.5 kg

-

CV2: 1.5 to 2.5 kg

-

CV3: 2.5 to 3.5 kg

-

CV4: more than 3.5 kg

[0077] Preferably, the introduction of water and detergent into the washing tank 2 should be carried out at the same time. The detergent has a surfactant effect on the load of clothes and consequently the mixture of water and detergent is impregnated more quickly and efficiently in the load of clothes than if only the water is introduced into the washing tank.

[0078] The load recognition phase of clothing lasts between 5 minutes and 15 minutes. At the end of the phase of recognition of the load of clothes, the optimum amount of water will have been introduced in the washing tank

2.

[0079] The detergent dosing process comprises an additional water introduction phase in the washing tank 2 that occurs at the same time as the second detergent dosing and distribution phase.

[0080] Thus, an additional amount of water is added at the same time as the second phase of detergent dosing and distribution. The amount of additional water does not substantially modify the amount of water necessary for the washing cycle of the clothes washer 1.

[0081] The second phase of detergent dosing and distribution is carried out before a heating phase of the washing water of the washing tank 2.

[0082] Thus, the additional amount of detergent introduced during the second detergent dispensing and dispensing phase is carried out before the washing water heating phase of the washing tank 2.

[0083] In another embodiment of the invention, the second detergent dispensing and dispensing phase is carried out at the beginning of the heating phase of the washing water of the washing tank 2.

[0084] The recognition phase is carried out with a means of detecting the mass of clothes based on the level of water absorption by the load of clothes. This means of detecting the mass of clothes based on the level of water absorption by the load of clothes allows the washing machine 1 to directly measure the mass of the clothes during the washing cycle.

[0085] The user does not need to indicate a quantity of clothing with the control means.

[0086] The amount of clothing determined by the means of detecting the mass of clothing based on the level of water absorption by the load of clothes is reliable and accurate.

[0087] While the information indicated by the user is frequently erroneous and tends to overestimate the actual mass of the laundry load introduced into the drum.

5 [0088] The mass measurement of the load of clothes is carried out without weighing sensors that suppose an extra cost for the clothes washer.

[0089] The first phase of detergent dosing and distribution is carried out during the initial water filling phase of the washing tank.

[0090] Thus, it is essential to carry out the dosing and distribution of detergent as soon as possible during a wash cycle, in particular during the initial phase of filling the wash tank with water, to recognize as soon as possible the load of clothes introduced into the drum and minimize the amount of water needed in the wash cycle.

[0091] The dosing and distribution of the detergent during the initial phase of filling the washing tank 2 with water allows the load recognition phase of the laundry to be carried out and adding the detergent to a washing tank 2 cleaning box 6.

[0092] The first and second phase of detergent dosing and distribution are carried out at the beginning of a washing cycle for a predefined partial load of clothes depending on the selected washing program.

[0093] Preferably, the predefined partial load of clothes corresponds to half a load of clothes.

[0094] During the first phase of detergent dosing and distribution, the Claimant considers that the user has introduced into drum 3 at least the equivalent of the predefined partial load of clothes with respect to the selected washing program, which may be of the order Half load of clothes.

[0095] Next, an example of an embodiment of the invention for four different washing programs is described:

Cycle

Maximum load Half load

Cotton

5 kg 2.5 kg

Synthetic

2.5 kg 1.3 kg

Wool

1.5 kg 0.8 kg

Short

3 kg 1.5 kg

[0096] The first dose of detergent is added during the first phase of detergent dosing and distribution taking into account different parameters and fixing the mass of the laundry load in a pre-defined partial laundry load 35 according to values predetermined by the Claimant.

[0097] Then, the recognition phase of the load of clothes is carried out.

[0098] Next, if the laundry load introduced into the drum 3 is greater than the predefined partial laundry load, a second amount of detergent is added during the second detergent dispensing and dispensing phase.

[0099] A small amount of additional water is introduced into the wash tank 2 due to the principle of operation of the detergent additive. The detergent is poured into the washing tank 2 by means of a water flow 45 that passes through the cleaning box 6 of the clothes washer 1.

[0100] The first and second phase of detergent dosing and distribution depend on the level of hardness of the water.

[0101] The first and second phase of detergent dosing and distribution depend on the level of dirt in the laundry load introduced into the drum.

[0102] Of course, numerous modifications can be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0103] In particular, other means of recognition of the load of clothes can be provided during a washing cycle, in the same way that the stages of the phase of recognition of the load of clothes can be carried out with a different chain and with additional stages

Claims (9)

1. Detergent dosing method in a clothes washer (1) comprising a tank (2) filled with liquid from a water feed, a rotating drum (3) for loading clothes and control means (4) of a laundry program, said process comprising a first phase of detergent dosing and distribution carried out at the same time as a phase of introducing water into the washing tank (2), determining the amount of detergent dosed and distributed for a predefined partial load of clothes, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps carried out in the order cited:

-

a phase of recognition of load of clothes;

-

a second phase of dosing and distribution of detergent if the load of the clothes is greater than the partial load of predefined clothes.

2.

Detergent dosing method in a clothes washer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an additional water introduction phase in the washing tank (2) that occurs at the same time as the second dosage and distribution phase of detergent

3.

Method of dosing detergent in a washing machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second phase of dosing and distribution of detergent is carried out before a heating phase of the washing water of the washing tank (2 ).

Four.

Method of dosing detergent in a clothes washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the phase of recognition of the load of clothes is carried out with a means of detecting the mass of clothes, based on the level of water absorption by the load of clothes.

5.

Detergent dosing method in a clothes washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first phase of detergent dosing and distribution is carried out during the initial filling phase of the washing tank (2) with Water.

6.

Detergent dosing procedure in a clothes washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first and second detergent dosing and distribution phase are carried out at the beginning of a wash cycle for a partial load of predefined clothes depending on the washing program selected.

7.

Detergent dosing method in a clothes washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the predefined partial load of clothes corresponds to half a load of clothes.

8.

Method of dosing detergent in a washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second phase of dosing and distribution of detergent depend on the level of water hardness.

9.

Method of dosing detergent in a clothes washer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second phase of dosing and distribution of detergent depend on the level of dirt in the laundry load introduced into the rotating drum ( 3).