EP0938864B1 - Hydraulic device comprising a siphon duct with constricted cross-section - Google Patents
Hydraulic device comprising a siphon duct with constricted cross-section Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0938864B1 EP0938864B1 EP19980110130 EP98110130A EP0938864B1 EP 0938864 B1 EP0938864 B1 EP 0938864B1 EP 19980110130 EP19980110130 EP 19980110130 EP 98110130 A EP98110130 A EP 98110130A EP 0938864 B1 EP0938864 B1 EP 0938864B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- branch
- duct
- siphon
- sensor means
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/42—Details
- A47L15/4244—Water-level measuring or regulating arrangements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a hydraulic device for use mainly, but not exclusively, in the field of household appliances, particularly in dishwashers and washing machines according to the preamble of claim 1.
- Such devices are known from, e.g., GB 1 468 870 A or EP 0 753 281 A.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type indicated above in which, even in the presence of the necessary hydraulic conditions, normal siphoning does not start, at least for a time.
- This object is achieved by means of a device of the type indicated above, characterized in that at least one cross-section of the intermediate portion is constricted in comparison with the cross-sections of the first and second branches.
- This cross-section of the intermediate portion is preferably constricted by at least 50% in comparison with the cross-sections of the first and second branches.
- constriction causes siphoning not to start normally in the duct, even in the presence of the hydraulic conditions necessary for starting, because air bubbles remain inside the duct and are not expelled, at least in the short term.
- a hydraulic device comprises ( Figure 1), a first chamber 10 and a second chamber 12.
- the first chamber 10 is a compartment of the filling system of a household appliance such as a dishwasher or a washing machine
- the second chamber 12 is a region with which sensor means 14 are associated for providing a signal indicative of the level of liquid in the first chamber 10.
- the sensor means are of a known type, for example, a pressure switch.
- a first duct 16 connects the first chamber 10 to the second chamber 12. It is shaped like a siphon and has a first branch 18 in communication with the first chamber 10, a second branch 20 in communication with the second chamber 12, and an intermediate portion 22 connecting the first branch 18 to the second branch 20 and having a cross-section 24 which is constricted in comparison with that of the branches 18, 20.
- the first chamber 10 also has a water-inlet duct 26 and an outlet duct 28 in which a solenoid valve 30 is disposed.
- the water in the first chamber 10 When the latter is opened, the water in the first chamber 10 is discharged without difficulty through the duct 16.
- the water in the second chamber 12, in which the sensor means 14 are present, on the other hand, is slowed by the constriction 24.
- the sensor means 14 thus continue, for a certain time, to send a signal corresponding to the pre-existing level condition, which may be advantageous, in particular, with regard to the period of time required to empty the first chamber 10.
- FIG. 2 shows a variant of the device of the invention.
- parts identical or equivalent to those shown in the previous drawing retain the same reference numerals.
- the first chamber 10 is a washing tank of a household appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine
- the second chamber 12 is a region with which sensor means 14, for example, a pressure switch, are associated for providing a signal indicative of the level of liquid in the first chamber.
- the second branch 20 of the first siphon-shaped duct 16 also constitutes the first branch of a second siphon-shaped duct 32, the second arm 34 of which opens into the second chamber 12 and which is inverted relative to the first duct 16.
- the liquid in the first chamber 10 can never come into direct contact with the sensor means 14 from which it is always isolated by an air bubble which cannot be eliminated because of the presence of the two siphon-shaped ducts 16, 32.
- FIG. 3 shows a further variant of the device of the invention.
- parts identical or equivalent to those shown in the previous drawings retain the same reference numerals.
- the first chamber 10 is a washing tank of a household appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine and the second chamber 12 is a compartment of the system for filling the washing tank.
- the first and second chambers 10 and 12 are also connected by a third siphon-shaped duct 36 without a constriction.
- the chambers also have respective liquid-supply ducts 38, 40.
- the sensor means 14 detect the level of water in the second chamber 12 and are calibrated in a manner such as to bring about a further admission of water when the level measured is below a threshold level 42 higher than that at which the constriction 24 is disposed.
- the water supplied through the duct 38 into the second chamber 12 is discharged through the third siphon duct 36 into the first chamber 10.
- Conditions such as to prevent siphoning from starting may therefore arise in the duct 36, for example, as a result of an incorrect movement of the household appliance.
- the first duct 16 enables water to flow out of the second chamber 12 into the first chamber 10 until the level of water in the second chamber 12 is reduced to that of the constriction 24.
- This level is in any case lower than that of the threshold 42 so that, in the next working cycle of the appliance, the sensor means 14 can bring about a new flow of water into the second chamber 12.
- the level in the first chamber 10 is such that the water therein tends to flow out into the second chamber 12, this is prevented by the constriction 24 which causes air bubbles to form in the second branch 20 of the duct 16 and siphoning consequently not to start.
- the device of the invention can be used, for example, in household appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines.
- one or more of its various components such as the chambers, the sensor means and the branches of the siphon duct, may be formed integrally with other elements of the household appliance, such as the sump or water softener.
- these components may be assembled with the other elements of the household appliance in a manner such as to facilitate dismantling when it is necessary, for example, to perform cleaning operations.
Landscapes
- Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
- Hydraulic Turbines (AREA)
- Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a hydraulic device for use mainly, but not exclusively, in the field of household appliances, particularly in dishwashers and washing machines according to the preamble of claim 1.
- Such devices are known from, e.g., GB 1 468 870 A or EP 0 753 281 A.
- The object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type indicated above in which, even in the presence of the necessary hydraulic conditions, normal siphoning does not start, at least for a time.
- This object is achieved by means of a device of the type indicated above, characterized in that at least one cross-section of the intermediate portion is constricted in comparison with the cross-sections of the first and second branches. This cross-section of the intermediate portion is preferably constricted by at least 50% in comparison with the cross-sections of the first and second branches.
- The presence of the constriction causes siphoning not to start normally in the duct, even in the presence of the hydraulic conditions necessary for starting, because air bubbles remain inside the duct and are not expelled, at least in the short term.
- This may be advantageous, for example, when the signal produced by the level-sensor means is required, at least temporarily, not to correspond to that which would be produced if the siphon-shaped duct were operating in normal running conditions.
- Further advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description, given with reference to the appended drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting embodiment of the invention, in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a hydraulic device according to the invention, and
- Figures 2 and 3 are schematic views of respective further embodiments of the device according to the invention.
-
- A hydraulic device comprises (Figure 1), a
first chamber 10 and asecond chamber 12. In particular, thefirst chamber 10 is a compartment of the filling system of a household appliance such as a dishwasher or a washing machine, and thesecond chamber 12 is a region with which sensor means 14 are associated for providing a signal indicative of the level of liquid in thefirst chamber 10. The sensor means are of a known type, for example, a pressure switch. - A
first duct 16 connects thefirst chamber 10 to thesecond chamber 12. It is shaped like a siphon and has afirst branch 18 in communication with thefirst chamber 10, asecond branch 20 in communication with thesecond chamber 12, and anintermediate portion 22 connecting thefirst branch 18 to thesecond branch 20 and having across-section 24 which is constricted in comparison with that of thebranches - The
first chamber 10 also has a water-inlet duct 26 and anoutlet duct 28 in which asolenoid valve 30 is disposed. - When the latter is opened, the water in the
first chamber 10 is discharged without difficulty through theduct 16. The water in thesecond chamber 12, in which the sensor means 14 are present, on the other hand, is slowed by theconstriction 24. The sensor means 14 thus continue, for a certain time, to send a signal corresponding to the pre-existing level condition, which may be advantageous, in particular, with regard to the period of time required to empty thefirst chamber 10. - Figure 2 shows a variant of the device of the invention. In this drawing, parts identical or equivalent to those shown in the previous drawing retain the same reference numerals.
- In this embodiment, the
first chamber 10 is a washing tank of a household appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine, and thesecond chamber 12 is a region with which sensor means 14, for example, a pressure switch, are associated for providing a signal indicative of the level of liquid in the first chamber. - Moreover, the
second branch 20 of the first siphon-shaped duct 16 also constitutes the first branch of a second siphon-shaped duct 32, thesecond arm 34 of which opens into thesecond chamber 12 and which is inverted relative to thefirst duct 16. - By virtue of this arrangement, the liquid in the
first chamber 10 can never come into direct contact with the sensor means 14 from which it is always isolated by an air bubble which cannot be eliminated because of the presence of the two siphon-shaped ducts - This prevents the liquid from wetting the electrical components and thus damaging them in the event of breakage of the diaphragm of the pressure switch of the sensor means 14.
- Figure 3 shows a further variant of the device of the invention. In this drawing, parts identical or equivalent to those shown in the previous drawings retain the same reference numerals.
- In this case, the
first chamber 10 is a washing tank of a household appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine and thesecond chamber 12 is a compartment of the system for filling the washing tank. As well as being connected by the first siphon-shaped duct 16 having aconstricted cross-section 24, the first andsecond chambers - The chambers also have respective liquid-
supply ducts - The sensor means 14 detect the level of water in the
second chamber 12 and are calibrated in a manner such as to bring about a further admission of water when the level measured is below athreshold level 42 higher than that at which theconstriction 24 is disposed. - During normal operation of the device, the water supplied through the
duct 38 into thesecond chamber 12 is discharged through the third siphon duct 36 into thefirst chamber 10. Conditions such as to prevent siphoning from starting may therefore arise in the duct 36, for example, as a result of an incorrect movement of the household appliance. - In this case and when the
second chamber 12 is full of water, thefirst duct 16 enables water to flow out of thesecond chamber 12 into thefirst chamber 10 until the level of water in thesecond chamber 12 is reduced to that of theconstriction 24. This level is in any case lower than that of thethreshold 42 so that, in the next working cycle of the appliance, the sensor means 14 can bring about a new flow of water into thesecond chamber 12. - If, on the other hand, the level in the
first chamber 10 is such that the water therein tends to flow out into thesecond chamber 12, this is prevented by theconstriction 24 which causes air bubbles to form in thesecond branch 20 of theduct 16 and siphoning consequently not to start. - Naturally, it is intended that, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction and forms of embodiment may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated in the drawings, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
- As already mentioned, the device of the invention can be used, for example, in household appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines. In particular, one or more of its various components such as the chambers, the sensor means and the branches of the siphon duct, may be formed integrally with other elements of the household appliance, such as the sump or water softener. Alternatively, these components may be assembled with the other elements of the household appliance in a manner such as to facilitate dismantling when it is necessary, for example, to perform cleaning operations.
Claims (7)
- A hydraulic device comprising a first chamber (10), a second chamber (12) with associated liquid-level sensor means (14), and a first siphon-shaped duct (16) connecting the first chamber (10) to the second chamber (12), said first siphon-shaped duct (16) having a first branch (18) in communication with the first chamber (10), a second branch (20) in communication with the second chamber (12), and an intermediate portion (22) connecting the first branch (18) to the second branch (20),
the device being characterized in that at least one cross-section (24) of the intermediate portion (22) is constricted in comparison with the cross-sections of the first and second branches (18, 20). - A device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cross-section (24) of the intermediate portion (22) is constricted by at least 50% in comparison with the cross-sections of the first and second branches (18, 20).
- A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the first chamber (10) is a compartment of the filling system of a household appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine and the second chamber (12) is a region with which sensor means (14) are associated for providing a signal indicative of the liquid level in the first chamber (10).
- A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the first chamber (10) is a washing tank of a household appliance such as a dishwasher or a washing machine, the second chamber (12) is a region with which sensor means (14) are associated for providing a signal indicative of the liquid level in the first chamber (10), and the second branch (20) of the first siphon-shaped duct (16) also constitutes the first branch of a second siphon-shaped duct (32) the second branch of which opens into the second chamber (12) and which is inverted relative to the first duct (16).
- A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the first chamber (10) is a washing tank of a household appliance such as a dishwasher or a washing machine and the second chamber (12) is a compartment of the system for filling the washing tank, with which sensor means (14) are associated for providing a signal indicative of the liquid level in the second chamber (12), the first and second chambers (10, 12) also being connected by a third siphon-shaped duct (36).
- A device according to either of preceding Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it is fitted in a household appliance, and in that at least one of the second chamber (12), the level sensor means (14), and the first branch (18) and the second branch (20) of the first duct (16) is formed integrally with another component of the household appliance such as the water softener or the sump.
- A device according to either of preceding Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it is fitted in a household appliance, and in that at least one of the second chamber (12), the level sensor means (14), and the first branch (18) and the second branch (20) of the first duct (16) is assembled with another component of the household appliance, such as the water softener or the sump, in a manner such as to permit dismantling.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITTO980147 IT1302064B1 (en) | 1998-02-25 | 1998-02-25 | HYDRAULIC DEVICE INCLUDING A SIPHON DUCT WITH A CHOKED SECTION. |
ITTO980147 | 1998-02-25 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0938864A1 EP0938864A1 (en) | 1999-09-01 |
EP0938864B1 true EP0938864B1 (en) | 2004-01-21 |
Family
ID=11416472
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19980110130 Expired - Lifetime EP0938864B1 (en) | 1998-02-25 | 1998-06-04 | Hydraulic device comprising a siphon duct with constricted cross-section |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0938864B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69821214T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2210616T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1302064B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITTO20070474A1 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2008-12-30 | Premark Feg Llc | INTEGRATED DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE LIQUID LEVEL IN A BATHTUB OF A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE, IN PARTICULAR A DISHWASHER MACHINE, AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES INCLUDING SUCH DEVICE |
ITTO20080435A1 (en) | 2008-06-05 | 2009-12-06 | Itw Metalflex Druzba Za Proizv | QUICK-MOUNT FLUID CONNECTING DEVICE FOR A PRESSURE SENSOR FOR A APPLIANCE AND PRESSURE SENSOR FOR ITS ASSOCIATED |
ES2882833B2 (en) * | 2020-06-02 | 2022-04-18 | Sedal S L | LIQUID CONDUCTION ASSEMBLY AND APPARATUS THAT CONTAINS IT |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2241062B1 (en) * | 1973-08-17 | 1978-12-08 | Europe Mfg Trust | |
IT1273159B (en) * | 1994-04-27 | 1997-07-07 | Bitron B Spa | REGULATING DEVICE FOR THE QUANTITATIVE OF WATER SUPPLIED TO A WASHING TANK OF A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE |
IT1269843B (en) * | 1994-05-27 | 1997-04-15 | Candy Spa | CONTROL DEVICE FOR LOADING DIFFERENTIATED VOLUMES OF WASHING LIQUID IN A DISHWASHER |
IT1275551B (en) * | 1995-07-14 | 1997-08-07 | Prealpina Tecnoplastica | A DEVICE FOR THE WATER LEVEL CONTROL OF DISHWASHER AND SIMILAR MACHINES |
-
1998
- 1998-02-25 IT ITTO980147 patent/IT1302064B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1998-06-04 DE DE69821214T patent/DE69821214T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-06-04 ES ES98110130T patent/ES2210616T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-06-04 EP EP19980110130 patent/EP0938864B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69821214D1 (en) | 2004-02-26 |
DE69821214T2 (en) | 2004-07-08 |
IT1302064B1 (en) | 2000-07-20 |
ITTO980147A1 (en) | 1999-08-25 |
EP0938864A1 (en) | 1999-09-01 |
ES2210616T3 (en) | 2004-07-01 |
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