WO2008080789A1

WO2008080789A1 - A washing machine with a water supply tank

Info

Publication number: WO2008080789A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/063809
Authority: WO
Inventors: Onur Yaman; Asaf M. Sofu
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2006-12-28
Filing date: 2007-12-12
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-28
Also published as: TR200904142T1

Abstract

The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a washing tub (2) wherein the laundry to be washed is emplaced and a cleaning agent dispenser (3) for putting in the cleaning agents (powder detergent, softener, bleacher etc). A water supply tank (4) receives water from the water supply whereupon it can be pumped at the desired flow rate to the cleaning agent dispenser (3).

Description

A WASHING MACHINE WITH A WATER SUPPLY TANK

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine wherein water is controllably received into the washing tub.

[0002] The washing machines comprise a water conduit, with one end extending to the water supply and the other end to the washing tub and the water received from the water supply is delivered to the washing tub after passing from the cleaning agent dispenser. Directing the water to the different compartments of the cleaning agent dispenser containing cleaning agents of different properties is maintained by controlling the valves disposed prior to these compartments. For example, in the pre-wash step, the valve prior to this compartment of the cleaning agent dispenser opens and water received from water supply passes from this compartment to reach the washing tub.

[0003] In washing machines, the pressure of the water received into the washing tub depends on the pressure of the water supply. The water supply pressure depends on external factors, such as geographic location etc., that can change momentarily and out of the user's control. For example, in cases when the water supply pressure is very low, the washing machine can give an indication of "no water" erroneously. Parameters such as the amount of water intake, duration of the washing cannot be specified accurately due to variations in the pressure of the water supply and accordingly an effective washing performance cannot be performed and also the washing program runs longer.

[0004] Moreover, when the water supply pressure is high, foaming and overflowing problems may occur. In addition to this, when the water in the desired flow rate is not received, the absorption and dissolving of the cleaning agent in the water cannot be kept under control.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein water is received into the washing tub controllably without being affected by the pressure variations of the water supply.

[0006] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a tank wherein water received from the water supply is stored and a pump that delivers the water received from this tank to the cleaning agent dispenser after adjusting the flow rate. The pump adjusts the flow rate of water to be received into the cleaning agent dispenser.

[0007] By means of the water tank, in washing machines used where the water supply pressure is low, the faulty indication of no water is avoided and the water with the desired flow rate can be pumped into the cleaning agent dispenser by means of the pump. [0008] Adjusting the flow rate of water prior to the cleaning agent dispenser by using the pump provides to control the transfer rate of detergent or softener to the washing tub. Thus, cleaning agents having different dissolving rates can be effectively dissolved in the water.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, water with a high flow rate is delivered into the cleaning agent dispenser at the end of the washing program by means of the pump for cleaning the dispenser. Consequently, the cleaning agent dispenser can be automatically cleaned without detaching.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pump is operated such that the water flow rate is normal in the pre-wash and main washing steps by decreasing the pressure of water received with a high pressure from the water supply, providing water to pass from the related compartments with normal speed and reach the washing tub. Thus, adversities such as foaming and overflowing in the washing tub are prevented.

[0011] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the pump is operated such that water flow rate is low while receiving from the compartment containing the softener. Consequently, water flows slowly while passing through the compartment containing the softener and the softener is ensured to be delivered to the washing tub after dissolving in water. Thus, the effectiveness of the softener on the laundry increases.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, a variable speed pump is used in the washing machine for pumping water with the desired flow rate.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, a constant speed pump is used in the washing machine together with a pressure regulator for pumping water with the desired flow rate.

[0014] By means of the present invention, the washing process can be performed without being affected by pressure variations in the water supply and cleaning agents can be delivered to the washing tub controllably.

[0015] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0016] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washing machine.

[0017] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Washing tub

3. Cleaning agent dispenser

4. Tank

5. Pump

6. Primary valve

7. Secondary valve

8. Sensor

[0018] The washing machine (1) comprises a washing tub (2) wherein the laundry to be washed is emplaced, a cleaning agent dispenser (3) for putting in cleaning agents (powder detergent, softener, bleach etc.) and a primary valve (6) for receiving water controllably from the water supply (A) and

• a tank (4) wherein water received from the water supply (A) is stored before delivering to the cleaning agent dispenser (3) and

• a pump (5) disposed between the tank (4) and the cleaning agent dispenser (3), for delivering the water received from the tank (4) to the cleaning agent dispenser (3) by adjusting the flow rate thereof (Figure 1).

[0019] The tank (4) provides the washing machine (1) to be minimally affected by the variations in the pressure of water received from the water supply (A).

[0020] The pump (5) delivers the water received from the tank (4) by adjusting the flow rate to the cleaning agent dispenser (3) containing the different types of cleaning agents that mix in the different washing steps of the washing process.

[0021] The washing machine (1) furthermore comprises a level sensor (8) that measures the amount of water in the tank (4). Thus the amount of water in the tank (4) is measured momentarily to receive water into the tank (4) by adjusting controllably the position of the primary valve (6). Consequently, the amount of water in the tank (4) is always kept at the level determined by the producer.

[0022] The washing machine (1) furthermore comprises one or more secondary valves (7) for directing water to the cleaning agent dispenser (3). The water is pumped at a certain flow rate by means of the pump (5) for delivering to the cleaning agent dispenser (3) by opening the secondary valves (7).

[0023] The level of water in the tank (4) is controlled by means of the level sensor (8). If the level of water is below a level predetermined by the producer, the primary valve (6) opens and water is received into the tank (4) from the water supply (A) until reaching the level determined by the producer. The secondary valve (7) opens for directing the water to the related compartment of the cleaning agent dispenser (3) according to the washing program selected by the user and the pump (5) is operated for adjusting the flow rate of water and water is received from the tank (4) to be delivered to the cleaning agent dispenser (3). The water, flowing with a flow rate depending on the type of cleaning agent placed in the cleaning agent dispenser (3) by the user, flushes away the cleaning agent and reaches the washing tub (2) after leaving the cleaning agent dispenser (3). Simultaneously, the amount of the water in the washing tub (2) is measured also. The secondary valves (7) and the pump (5) keep their open position until the water in the washing tub (2) reaches the desired level. When the water in the washing tub (2) reaches the desired level, the pump (5) and the secondary valves (7) are closed and the washing program continues operation.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the secondary valves (7) open when the washing program is completed and the pump (5) is operated to pump water with a high flow rate to be delivered into the cleaning agent dispenser (3) for cleaning the cleaning agent dispenser (3) with high pressure water. [0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pressure of water received from the water supply (A) with a high pressure is lowered by the pump (5) in the pre-wash and main washing steps and delivered to the cleaning agent dispenser (3) and hence the washing tub (2). Consequently foaming and overflowing of the detergent is prevented.

[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pump (5) operates such that water is pumped into the cleaning agent dispenser (3) with a low flow rate in the step wherein the softener is received. Thus the softener is delivered to the washing tub (2) after almost completely dissolving in water in the cleaning agent dispenser (3). This results in the softener to interact with the laundry more effectively for cleaning the clothes.

[0027] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, when the washing program is completed the water level in the tank (4) is controlled by the level sensor (8). If the level of water is below the level predetermined by the producer, the primary valve (6) opens and water is received into the tank (4) from the water supply (A) until reaching the level determined by the producer. Consequently, when the washing program is completed, a desired level of water is left in the tank (4) thus providing the washing machine (1) to be ready for the next washing program.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, a variable speed pump (5) is used in the washing machine (1) as the pump (5). Thus the flow rate of water to be delivered to the cleaning agent dispenser (3) can be easily adjusted.

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, a constant speed pump (5) is used in the washing machine (1) and a pressure regulator that operates together with this pump (5). Thus the flow rate of water pumped by the pump (5) can be regulated with the pressure regulator.

[0030] By means of the present invention, the washing process is performed without being affected by the pressure variations in the water supply (A) and the cleaning agents can be delivered to the washing tub (2) controllably.

Claims

[0001] A washing machine (1) comprising a washing tub (2) wherein the laundry to be washed is emplaced, a cleaning agent dispenser (3) for putting in cleaning agents (powder detergent, softener, bleach etc.) and a primary valve (6) for receiving water controllably from the water supply (A) and characterized by - a tank (4) wherein water received from the water supply (A) is stored before delivering to the cleaning agent dispenser (3) and - a pump (5) disposed between the tank (4) and the cleaning agent dispenser (3), for delivering the water received from the tank (4) to the cleaning agent dispenser (3) by adjusting the flow rate thereof.

[0002] A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the pump (5) that provides cleaning of the cleaning agent dispenser (3) by delivering water with a high pressure when the washing program is completed.

[0003] A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the pump (5) that directs the water delivered at a high pressure to the cleaning agent dispenser (3) after lowering the pressure thereof in the pre-wash and main washing steps.

[0004] A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the pump (5) that operates such that water is delivered to the cleaning agent dispenser (3) with at a low pressure at the step wherein the softener is received.

[0005] A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the variable speed pump (5).

[0006] A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized by the constant speed pump (5) and a pressure regulator that operates together with this pump (5).