EP0676787A2

EP0676787A2 - Method for the programming-timing of electrical household machines, advantageously dishwasher machines, and the relative programmer-timer

Info

Publication number: EP0676787A2
Application number: EP95104036A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario D'alpaos; Andrea Polesso; Alfonso Baio
Original assignee: Eaton Controls SpA
Current assignee: Eaton Controls SpA
Priority date: 1994-04-07
Filing date: 1995-03-20
Publication date: 1995-10-11
Also published as: IT1267917B1; ITUD940053A1; EP0676787A3; ITUD940053A0

Abstract

Method for the programming-timing of electrical household machines, advantageously dishwasher machines, the method being associated with a programmer-timer comprising at least mechanical main cam means (11), with relative tracks, together with rotary positioner motor means (13) for the definition of the cycles and specific functions of the dishwasher machine, at least printed circuit means (15) being included and having specialized multiple circumferential tracks, these printed circuit means cooperating and being advantageously coaxial with the mechanical main cam means, these specialized tracks of the printed circuit means being suitable to cooperate by sliding with brushes (16) that transfer and receive current, the brushes being capable of a relative circumferential movement in relation to the printed circuit means, the printed circuit means being connected electrically to at least one electronic card, the motor means that drive the main cam displacing that cam with a step-by-step movement to the desired function and displace the relative brushes on the specific contact/contacts of the printed circuit and then halt, the main cam thus displaced step-by-step activating the specific power contact, the contacts on the printed circuit connecting together two or more outputs of first electronic counter means with a plurality of outputs, each with determined times, the summation of the connected outputs defining the overall time of halting of the motor means driving the main cam and therefore the duration of the specific function. Programmer/timer for electrical household machines, advantageously dishwasher type machines, which comprises at least mechanical main cam means, with relative tracks, together with rotary positioner motor means for the definition of the cycles and specific functions of the dishwasher machine, at least printed circuit means being included and having specialized multiple circumferential tracks, these printed circuit means cooperating and being advantageously coaxial with the mechanical main cam means, these specialized tracks of the printed circuit means being suitable to cooperate by sliding with brushes that transfer and receive current, the brushes being capable of a relative circumferential movement in relation to the printed circuit means, the printed circuit means being connected electrically to at least one electronic card (18), the electronic card including at least first electronic counter means with a plurality of specialized outputs with determined times, the specialized tracks of the printed circuit including specific segments (28) associated univocally with the circumferential position of the main cam, the main cam advancing with a step-by-step movement, the circumferential position of the main cam defining the specific function activated, the specific segments of the specialized tracks connecting together two or more specialized outputs of the first electronic counter means so as to determine the period of duration of the halting between one step-by-step movement and another and therefore of the specific function.

Description

This invention concerns a method for the programming-timing of electrical household machines, advantageously dishwasher machines, and the relative programmer-timer, as set forth in the respective main claims.
To be more exact, the programmer-timer according to the invention belongs to the family of hybrid timers because it incorporates an electronic card that interacts directly with the mechanical portion for the purpose of conditioning the activation of the main functions of the dishwasher.
The state of the art covers programmers-timers used in electrical household machines, and in particular in washing machines or dishwashers, to condition the functioning cycles proper to these electrical household machines.
The timers are divided substantially into electromechanical timers and hybrid timers, depending on whether the mechanical component is preponderant over the electronic component, or viceversa.
The timers of the state of the art generally include a plurality of means which perform the functions of cams and which cooperate with a mating plurality of contacts suitable to be actuated by those cams and able to close or open an electric circuit so as to obtain the desired switching of power.
One or more printed circuits are generally employed to obtain the switchings of the cam, or in certain cases the switchings of low power too, and are normally installed on a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the main-cam/shaft-bearing-sleeve assembly.
The printed circuits include a plurality of circumferential tracks for connection by contact, and on these tracks there slide suitable brushes to transfer or receive current.
The traditional electromechanical timers in the electrical household machines of the state of the art generally included a double drive to activate the main cam.
To be more exact, a first motor was included for the timing of the working cycle of the electrical household machine and set the main cam in rotation within a specific function for the time required for completion of that function.
The timing or counting of the times within a specific function was governed by a gear-lever system driven by the first motor.
Instead, a second motor drove the main cam on the basis of the programming performed by the user so as to carry out quick skipping from one specific function to the other.
In other arrangements of electromechanical programmers for dishwashers clutch means or electromagnet means or analogous means are employed to carry out such quick skipping from one function to another so as to bring the main cam to the desired function while skipping all the intermediate functions without this skipping causing activation of those intermediate functions.
The electromechanical programmers, besides the complication of having to use mechanical means for the quick skipping function, are not flexible as compared to the requirements of users.
For instance, a change of a cycle time of one specific function entails the replacement or re-programming of the tracks of the cam and therefore a long period for corrective action.
Moreover, these electromechanical timers entail great noisiness, high consumption and frequent breakdowns at the drive motor, particularly so because this motor is always moving even during the timing of a specific function.
Sophisticated programmers with a high electronic content have also been developed in the state of the art and in these programmers the movement of the mechanical part of the timer is governed by a programmable microprocessor card.
This programmable card bears the instructions for conditioning as required the working cycles of the electrical household machine.
This type of timer possesses great versatility, a high degree of reliability, little noisiness, a substantially limitless capability of options and additional services and a whole series of other advantages, but it entails very high costs of design, embodiment and maintenance since the programming and possible later modification of the working parameters of a microprocessor card are sophisticated and expensive operations and entail a long time.
The programmers incorporating a microprocessor card also have a rather delicate functioning.
The present applicants have therefore tackled the problem of achieving for dishwashers a programmer-timer of a hybrid type which is suitable to overcome the problems of structural complexity of the traditional electromechanical timers and also the problems of noise and consumption without thereby entailing the complexity of design and corrective work required by a programmable electronic card incorporating a microprocessor.
For this purpose the present applicants have designed, tested and embodied this invention.
This invention is set forth and characterized in the respective main claims, while the dependent claims describe variants of the idea of the main embodiment.
The hybrid programmer/timer according to the invention is suitable for application mainly, but not only, to dishwasher machines since it does not include a reversing cam and therefore cannot perform programs which include to-and-fro movements such as those required in washing machines.
According to the invention the programmer/timer includes a mechanical part comprising at least one main cam, which defines with reference to its circumferential position a plurality of separate functions of the dishwasher which are able to be activated individually in sequence.
The tracks provided on this cam cooperate with a plurality of electrical contacts for performance of the required switchings of power for activation of the main functions of the dishwasher, as is known in the state of the art.
According to the invention this mechanical part interacts directly with an electronic card pre-arranged to replace the mechanical system of timing, or counting of time, within the scope of each specific function of the dishwasher.
This interaction is achieved through at least one printed circuit included at least at one end of the cam/shaft-bearing-sleeve assembly and installed on a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of that assembly.
Suitable contact means, which are solidly fixed to, and circumferentially movable with, the cam/shaft-bearing-sleeve assembly, act by sliding on the tracks of the printed circuit.
Electrical connections depart from the tracks of the printed circuit and activate the specific components of the electronic card on the basis of the layout of the electronic card.
In this way the electronic card is able to perform the timing of the specific function of the dishwasher in relation to the main cam position entailing that determined assembly of connections between the brushes and the tracks of the printed circuit; this has the effect that the timing takes place with the main cam halted and therefore with the disactivation of the motor driving the main cam, with resulting advantages as regards noise and consumption.
Moreover, this situation makes possible great ease and speed of action in re-programming, for instance, so as to alter the period of a specific function by means of mere alteration of a connection or by replacement of a component of the electronic card.
The drive motor has a step-by-step movement for displacement of the cam from one position to the adjacent position.
A displacement of the cam from one position to the other may correspond to the passing from one specific function to the other, or else, in the case of especially long functions, the same one function may include a plurality of separate positions of the main cam.
This is realized both for reasons linked to the counting of times performed by the electronic counting assemblies and also so as to make possible the division of a specific function according to differing programmings.
The specific function having been completed on the basis of the timing performed by the electronic card, the drive motor is fed with current for displacement by one step to the following specific function.
According to the invention the electronic card makes also possible the achievement of the function of quick skipping of one or more functions on the basis of the programming set by the user.
According to the invention this option is achieved by feeding current for more or less time to the drive motor of the main cam through Triac-type electronic switch means controlled by the electronic card.
These Triac-type means are fed by means of tracks of the printed circuit which are connected up, on the basis of the program set by the user, with the feeding of the electronic card at the functions which it is desired to skip.
According to the invention, during the quick skipping option a function is automatically carried out which prevents, by means of a relay for instance, the activation of user means such as solenoids, coils, etc. which otherwise would be activated by the passage of the main cam at the intermediate functions which are skipped.
The activation of these loads could cause, for instance, undesired impulses of load of the water or the instantaneous switching-on and switching-off of the washing pump.
According to the invention, by adding to the electronic card, on the basis of a user's request for instance, a second electronic counter employed in cascade with the first electronic counter it is possible to obtain a delay start function.
This function can be obtained very simply and with great design and constructional economy by providing, for instance, on the electronic card the space for this second electronic counter, which can be added and connected to tracks of the printed circuit in a very short time and at a very low cost.
The combination of the outputs of this second electronic counter, this combination being achieved by programming performed by the user and by the resulting connecting up of suitable tracks of the printed circuit, makes possible the achievement of required delay times, amounting even to some hours, before the dishwasher is automatically started up.
The end of the counting of this second electronic counter activates the Triac-type electronic switch means operating the motor of the dishwasher and starts the normal timing of the first counter for performance of the cycles and functions proper to the dishwasher.
A further function which the programmer/timer according to the invention makes it possible to carry out is the function relating to the delay start of a specific function; this function enables the timer to carry out the delays established on the basis of the programming and to enable the counting of the times upon reaching the desired parameters.
Another possible function is to obtain programs which include very short cycle times as compared to the normal times, for instance to perform a quick wash.
This function too can be implemented in very short times and at very low costs by merely inserting suitable electronic switches which can be activated by programming and are connected to tracks of the printed circuit.
These switches are suitable to disactivate specific outputs of the counter, for instance by preventing the additions between two or more outputs and by keeping activated only the outputs corresponding to the desired reduced times.
With the programmer/timer according to the invention it is possible, on the basis of the complexity of the programs, not only to implement a given number of quick skips but also to obtain some normal service functions such as the switching on of signalling lamps, buzzers, solenoids, etc.
The attached figures are given as a non-restrictive example and show a preferred embodiment of the invention as follows:-

Fig.1: shows a possible constructional diagram of the programmer/ timer according to the invention;
Fig.2a: is a plan view of a possible printed circuit which is used in cooperation with the programmer/timer according to the invention and in which are shown the connections to the electronic card;
Fig.2b: shows a cross-section of the printed circuit of Fig.2a in association with electrical connection brushes;
Fig.3: shows a possible simplified electrical diagram of the programmer/timer according to the invention.

A hybrid programmer/timer 10 according to the invention, as shown in Fig.1, includes a mechanical part generically referenced with 11 and comprising at least main cam means associated with a shaft-bearing sleeve (not shown here) having an axis of rotation referenced with 12.
The main cam is connected to a drive motor, which in this case is offset from the main cam and is referenced with 13, so as to perform the desired switchings of power to activate the main functions of the dishwasher 30 according to the state of the art.
According to the invention the drive motor 13 is a step motor and displaces the main cam circumferentially from one position to another, each position of the main cam defining a specific function of the dishwasher 30 or a part of that specific function.
Two disks 14 are solidly fitted to the shaft-bearing-sleeve above the main cam and cooperate respectively from above 14a and from below 14b with a printed circuit 15.
The printed circuit 15 is positioned on a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 12 of the main cam and includes a plurality of circumferential tracks 27 comprising specific electrical-connection segments 28 separated by distancer spaces.
These disks 14 bear a plurality of brushes 16, which slide circumferentially on the tracks of the printed circuit 15 so as to perform the required switchings of the working of the main cam or for the operation of small 220 V. loads.
These brushes 16 are specialized and transfer the signals of current between the circumferential tracks 27 of the printed circuit 15 and the usage connectors 20 (Fig.2b).
The printed circuit 15 includes two types of contact provided on opposite surfaces, namely the upper surface 15a and the lower surface 15b of a support 17.
According to a variant the printed circuit 15 may have a single surface and may include specific tracks used for the operation of time codes and tracks for control of small usage means.
In this case the tracks on the lower surface 15b of the printed circuit 15 are employed, in cooperation with the brushes 16 on the lower disk 14b, for the operation of small usage means, such as solenoids, dosers, coils, etc.
The tracks on the upper surface 15a of the printed surface 15 are instead used, in cooperation with the brushes 16 of the upper disk 14a, for performing the electronic timing of the functions of the dishwasher 30 and also for the function of the quick skipping of one or more functions on the basis of the program selected by the user.
According to a variant, by the addition of specific tracks on the printed circuit 15 it is possible to carry out also the functions relating to a delay start and/or relating to the fast program function of the dishwasher 30.
The contacts for management of the electronic timing are low voltage contacts (maximum 24 vdc.) and therefore do not require the 3 mm. distance of isolation between the circumferential tracks 27.
The tracks of the printed circuit 15 are interfaced electrically with an electronic card 18 by means of a plurality of connections 19 (see Fig.2a).
These connections 19 between the printed circuit 15 and the electronic card 18 enable, when required, an electronic counter 21 to be activated which is pre-arranged for the timing of the functions on the basis of the specific activated outputs of the binary counter 21.
According to the invention the electronic counter 21 may be binary, ternary, decadal or of another desired programmable-module type, depending on the specific requirements.
The selection of the outputs of the electronic counter 21 is obtained by connecting up the tracks of the printed circuit 15 by means of the brushes 16, thus achieving a sort of mechanical programming of the electronic card 18.
In particular, the electronic counter 21 provides a plurality of outputs, referenced in this case with 26a-26f, which, when activated electrically, remain in the logic state "1" for times which have a determined length, for instance 10 ms., multiplied by different powers of two, each output therefore providing different times.
By means of a suitable connection by diodes in diode transistor logic it is possible to connect a plurality of outputs so as to add together their counting times and obtain a plurality of desired timing values.
When the counting has ended, the Triac-type electronic switch means 22 is operated and activates the drive motor 13 of the timer to position the cam at the position corresponding to the next function.
Upon activation of the Triac-type electronic switch means 22 a specific contact 29 or step contact takes action directly on the Triac-type electronic switch means 22 and has the function of re-setting the electronic counter 21, putting all its outputs 26 in logic state "O" and pre-arranging those outputs 26 for the successive timing.
When the main cam has been positioned, or rather its step has been carried out, the step contact 29 is disconnected and disactivates the Triac-type electronic switch means 22, thus halting the main cam in the position corresponding to the next function.
The quick advance function is achieved by operating the Triac-type electronic switch means 22 directly by connecting up specific tracks on the printed circuit 15 with feeding of the electronic card 18, those tracks being selected by the user by means of pushbuttons or a selector.
In this case the timing for activation of the drive motor 13 for longer or shorter times through the Triac-type electronic switch means 22, that is to say, the achieving of more or less long skipping, is mechanical and depends on the configuration of the tracks selected on the printed circuit 15.
These tracks on the printed circuit 15 also feed automatically a relay 23 for disactivation of the loads affected by the skipped functions.
According to the invention it is possible to obtain the delay start function by merely adding to the electronic card 18 a second electronic counter (not shown here) positioned in cascade with the electronic counter 21 from which it receives the synchronization clock.
This second electronic counter is substantially analogous to the electronic counter 21 and a suitable combination of its outputs makes possible delay times of the order of some hours for the start-up of the working of the dishwasher 30.
When the counting of the desired delay time has ended, the second binary counter provides the start-up signal for the motor of the dishwasher 30 and also starts-up the normal timing of the electronic counter 21.
Another function which can be carried out in the programmer/timer 10 according to the invention is the function of awaiting the reaching of desired parameters, which may be parameters of temperature, filling, emptying, etc.; this function is achieved by employing a suitable input 24 to support the phase voltage.
This input 24 is connected to the mass of the electronic card 18 by means of a normally closed thermostat 25, for instance in the event of awaiting a temperature.
This input 24 puts the electronic counter 21 in a stand-by state, or counting block state, until, when the desired parameter has been reached, the contact is disconnected and leads to the counting and therefore the activation of the specific function.
A further function which can be readily carried out in the programmer/timer 10 according to the invention is the function relating to the obtaining of quick-washing programs.
This function can be achieved by inserting switches (not shown here) at some outputs 26 of the electronic counter 21; these switches are connected to specific tracks pre-arranged on the printed circuit 15 and can be activated in a desired manner by means of programming performed by the user.
These switches, by suitably inhibiting specific outputs 26 or by inhibiting some additions of times as between the outputs 26, enable reduced cycle times to be achieved as compared to the normal times without taking action to change the structure of the electronic counter 21.

Claims

Method for the programming-timing of electrical household machines, advantageously dishwasher machines, the method being associated with a programmer-timer comprising at least mechanical main cam means (11), with relative tracks, together with rotary positioner motor means (13) for the definition of the cycles and specific functions of the dishwasher machine, at least printed circuit means (15) being included and having specialized multiple circumferential tracks (27), these printed circuit means (15) cooperating and being advantageously coaxial with the mechanical main cam means (11), these specialized tracks (27) of the printed circuit means (15) being suitable to cooperate by sliding with brushes (16) that transfer and receive current, the brushes (16) being capable of a relative circumferential movement in relation to the printed circuit means (15), the printed circuit means (15) being connected electrically to at least one electronic card (18), the method being characterized in that the motor means (13) that drive the main cam (11) displace that cam (11) with a step-by-step movement to the desired function and displace the relative brushes (16) on the specific contact/contacts of the printed circuit (15) and then halt, the main cam (11) thus displaced step-by-step activating the specific power contact, the contacts on the printed circuit (15) connecting together two or more outputs (26a-26f) of first electronic counter means (21) with a plurality of outputs (26), each with determined times, the summation of the connected outputs (26) defining the overall time of halting of the motor means (13) driving the main cam (11) and therefore the duration of the specific function.
Programmer/timer for electrical household machines, advantageously dishwasher type machines, which comprises at least mechanical main cam means (11), with relative tracks, together with rotary positioner motor means (13) for the definition of the cycles and specific functions of the dishwasher machine, at least printed circuit means (15) being included and having specialized multiple circumferential tracks (27), these printed circuit means (15) cooperating and being advantageously coaxial with the mechanical main cam means (11), these specialized tracks (27) of the printed circuit means (15) being suitable to cooperate by sliding with brushes (16) that transfer and receive current, the brushes (16) being capable of a relative circumferential movement in relation to the printed circuit means (15), the printed circuit means (15) being connected electrically to at least one electronic card (18), the programmer/timer being characterized in that the electronic card (18) includes at least first electronic counter means (21) with a plurality of specialized outputs (26) with determined times, the specialized tracks (27) of the printed circuit (15) including specific segments (28) associated univocally with the circumferential position of the main cam (11), the main cam (11) advancing with a step-by-step movement, the circumferential position of the main cam (11) defining the specific function activated, the specific segments (28) of the specialized tracks (27) connecting together two or more specialized outputs (26) of the first electronic counter means (21) so as to determine the period of duration of the halting between one step-by-step movement and another and therefore of the specific function.
Programmer/timer as in Claim 2, in which the electronic card (18) includes second counter means arranged in cascade with the first electronic counter means (21) and predisposed for the delay start function of the washing program.
Programmer/timer as in Claim 2 or 3, in which the motor means (13) that drive the main cam means (11) are governed by the electronic card (18) by means of Triac-type electronic switch means (22).
Programmer/timer as in any of Claims 2, 3 or 4, in which the electronic card (18) is associated with means which select the number of steps of quick advance of the motor means (13) that move the main cam means (11).
Programmer/timer as in any of Claims 2 to 5 inclusive, in which the electronic card (18) is associated with means (23) that disactivate the usage means associated with the functions connected to the steps of quick advance.
Programmer/timer as in any of Claims 2 to 6 inclusive, in which the specialized outputs (26) of the electronic counter (21) are associated with switches that can be activated by programming for selection of fast programs.
Programmer/timer as in any of Claims 2 to 7 inclusive, in which the electronic card (18) includes temporary disactivation means associated with means (25) that monitor positions (for instance, temperature, level), these temporary disactivation means determining the moment of the start of activation of the electronic counter (21).