EP2712950A1 - Method for controlling a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine - Google Patents
Method for controlling a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2712950A1 EP2712950A1 EP12186121.5A EP12186121A EP2712950A1 EP 2712950 A1 EP2712950 A1 EP 2712950A1 EP 12186121 A EP12186121 A EP 12186121A EP 2712950 A1 EP2712950 A1 EP 2712950A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- tub
- prefixed
- siphon phenomenon
- level
- 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.)
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/081—Safety arrangements for preventing water damage
- D06F39/082—Safety arrangements for preventing water damage detecting faulty draining operations, e.g. filter blockage, faulty pump
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
- D06F33/42—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of draining
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/18—Washing liquid level
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/02—Water supply
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/08—Draining of washing liquids
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/087—Water level measuring or regulating devices
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/088—Liquid supply arrangements
Definitions
- the present invention concerns the field of laundry washing techniques.
- the present invention refers to a method for controlling a laundry washing machine which is configured to detect the so called “siphon phenomenon” or “natural water drainage” caused by a draining system of the laundry washing machine and, at the same time, is able to deactivate the "siphon phenomenon" when the latter is detected.
- laundry washing machines both "simple” laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can only wash and rinse laundry) and laundry washing and drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry), is widespread.
- laundry washing machine will refer to both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing and drying machines.
- water may denote water as such, washing water, washing liquid, washing liquor or the like.
- Laundry washing machines generally comprise an external casing provided with a washing tub which contains a rotatable perforated drum where the laundry is placed; a motor which rotates the drum in the washing tub; a water supply system which supplies wash water and/or detergent into the washing tub/drum; and a water draining system which discharges/drains wash water from the washing tub.
- Water draining system generally comprises a discharge hole arranged at the base of the washing tub for discharging the water; a draining pump for discharging the water from the washing tub; a hose with one end connected to the discharge hole and the other end connectable to the draining pump for delivering the water contained in the washing tub to the pump; a discharge hose having an end connected to the draining pump, and the other end to a house draining pipe system; and a floating ball arranged in the hose and structured to open or close the discharge hole with the pressure of the column of water contained in the discharge hose.
- washing machines control methods perform the steps of loading a prefixed amount of water into the washing tub; stop the water loading, turning on and off (in around a second) the draining pump impulsively to generate a water column in the discharge hose that, once the pump is stopped, pushes the ball against the discharge hole to close the latter.
- US 7,921,492 B2 discloses a method of controlling a laundry washing machine which is designed to detect the siphon phenomenon by performing an intermittent water supply operation and then detecting a variation of the water level in the washing tub if the water level in the washing tub has been uniform since an intermittent water supply operation.
- the method comprises the steps of: performing an intermittent water supply operation by repeatedly opening and closing water supply valves a predefined number of times; primarily detecting a variation in a water level in the tub during the intermittent water supply operation; if the result of the primary detection indicates that the water level in the tub has been uniform, performing a continuous water supply operation by maintaining the water supply valves to be open for a predefined amount of time; secondarily detecting a variation in the water level in the tub during the continuous water supply operation; and if the result of the secondary detection indicates that the water level in the tub has increased, discharging water from the tub by closing the water supply valves and by turning on a water discharge pump.
- a method for controlling a laundry washing machine comprising: performing a starting continuous water supply in the tub/drum so that a prefixed amount of water in the tub is loaded; after the water supply operation has been completed, sensing water levels in the tub two or more times, at prefixed intervals, one another; detecting a siphon phenomenon based on sensed water levels; performing an intermittent draining of the water from the tub to cause the siphon phenomenon to be deactivated, when the siphon phenomenon has been detected.
- the steps of: performing a starting continuous water supply, performing the sensing of water levels, performing the detection and deactivation of said siphon phenomenon are all executed before starting the washing, and/or rinsing, and/or spinning phases of a washing program.
- the method comprises the steps of sensing two or more times the level of water contained in the tub to determine respective water levels; performing prefixed waiting intervals between two consecutive water levels sensing; and detecting the absence of a siphon phenomenon, if the level variation between at least two consecutive sensed water levels is lower than a prefixed first level interval.
- the method comprises the steps of detecting a siphon phenomenon if the number of consecutive determined water level variations being greater than said first level interval, reaches a prefixed threshold.
- the method comprises the step of detecting a siphon phenomenon if a measured water level is lower than a prefixed water level threshold.
- the performing of an intermittent draining of the water from the tub to deactivate the siphon phenomenon comprises draining all the water from the tub; performing a prefixed interval wherein water drainage from the tub is interrupted; performing at least one or more draining of the water from the tub, lasting a prefixed drainage interval, wherein each draining is performed after a prefixed interval from a previous performed water draining.
- the starting continuous water supply is executed after an impulsive drainage of water from the tub has been performed.
- the starting continuous water supply comprises the step of continuously loading said prefixed amount of water in the tub so that a tangential drum water level of water in the tub is reached.
- the method comprises rotating the drum during the starting continuous water supplying to increase the drainage of water from the tub (3) due to siphon phenomenon.
- the method comprises rotating the drum during the prefixed waiting intervals to increase the drainage of water from the tub (3) due to siphon phenomenon.
- the method of the present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to laundry washing machines, as described below. It should in any case be underlined that the present invention is not limited to this type of application. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently applied to other equipments, like for example laundry washing and drying machines (called also washer/driers), wherein one or more steps of introducing water inside a washing tub is required.
- laundry washing and drying machines called also washer/driers
- the laundry washing machine 1 is a front loading laundry washing machine.
- the present invention has proved to be particularly successful when applied to front loading laundry washing machines. It should in any case be underlined that the present invention is not limited to this type of application. On the contrary, the present invention can be usefully applied to different types of washing devices, for example top loading laundry washing machines or top loading laundry washing and drying machines.
- the laundry washing machine 1 comprises an external casing, or simply casing, 2, in which a washing tub 3 is provided that contains a rotatable, preferably perforated, drum 4, where the laundry 10 to be washed can be loaded.
- the washing tub 3 and the drum 4 both have preferably a substantially cylindrical shape.
- the casing 2 is provided with a loading/unloading opening, not illustrated, which can be closed/opened by a door, also not illustrated, which allows access to the washing tub 3 and the drum 4.
- the washing tub 3 is preferably suspended in a floating manner inside the casing 2, advantageously by means of a number of coil springs and shock-absorbers (not illustrated).
- the drum 4 is advantageously rotated by an electric motor (not illustrated) which preferably transmits the rotating motion to the shaft of the drum 4, advantageously by means of a belt/pulley system.
- the motor can be directly associated with the shaft of the drum 4.
- a water supply system 5 and preferably a detergent supply system 6 are arranged preferably in the upper part of the laundry washing machine 1 and are structured to supply water and washing/rinsing products (i.e. detergent, softener, etc.) into the washing tub 3.
- water and washing/rinsing products i.e. detergent, softener, etc.
- the detergent supply system 6 advantageously comprises a removable drawer 13 provided with various compartments suited to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products.
- the water flowing through the water supply system 5 is advantageously supplied into the washing tub 3 by making it flow through the drawer 13 and through a supply pipe 9 which extends toward the tub 3.
- the supply pipe output 9a of the supply pipe 9 advantageously ends in correspondence of the tub 3.
- the supply pipe output 9a ends in correspondence of a lateral side of the tub 3, as shown in the example of Figure 1 ; alternatively the supply pipe output 9a of the supply pipe 9 may advantageously end in correspondence of a bellows (not illustrated), connecting the access opening of the tub 3 to the loading/unloading opening of the casing 2.
- the water supply system 5 further comprises a main pipe 15 which opportunely connects the drawer 13 to an external water supply line E, preferably by means of a controlled supply valve 11.
- the water which reaches the washing tub 3 can selectively contain one of the products contained in the compartments of the drawer 13, or such water can be clean (i.e. without products), depending on the phase of the washing program which is actually performed; in the initial phases of the washing program, for example, the detergent is conveyed into the tub 3 by the incoming water, while in other phases, for example during the rinsing phase, only water is conveyed into the tub 3.
- a further separate water supply pipe can be provided, which supplies exclusively clean water into the tub 3.
- the laundry washing machine 1 further comprises a water draining system 16 which is configured to drain the wash water, i.e. dirty water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products, from the washing tub 3 to the outside.
- a water draining system 16 which is configured to drain the wash water, i.e. dirty water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products, from the washing tub 3 to the outside.
- the water draining system 16 advantageously comprises a discharge hole 18 disposed at the base of the washing tub 3 for discharging the water, a draining pump 19 for discharging the wash water from the washing tub 3, a hose 20 with one end fluidly connected to the discharge hole 18 and the other end fluidly connected to the draining pump 19 for delivering the wash water contained in the washing tub 3 to the draining pump 19, and a draining suction pipe 21 having an end fluidly connected to the draining pump 19, and the other end designed to be fluidly connected to a house draining pipe system (not illustrated).
- the water draining system 16 further comprises preferably, thought not necessarily, a closing valve 22, which is arranged between the discharge hole 18 and the hose 20 and is configured to open or close the discharge hole 18 to maintain all wash water in the washing tub, during several prefixed washing phase.
- a closing valve 22 which is arranged between the discharge hole 18 and the hose 20 and is configured to open or close the discharge hole 18 to maintain all wash water in the washing tub, during several prefixed washing phase.
- the valve 22 comprises a valve body and a valve seat (not illustrated) in form of a diaphragm structured to surround the discharge hole 18.
- the valve 22 comprises a ball 23 which is freely moveable or floatable inside of the hose 20 from and towards the valve seat, and is designed to engage with the valve seat to shut the discharge hole 18.
- the ball 23 is made of floatable material e.g. plastic and floats on the water depending on the water level in the draining suction pipe 21. When the water level rises, the ball 23 is raised towards the valve seat until the ball surface closes the discharge hole 18.
- the laundry washing machine 1 may be advantageously provided with a one or more liquid level sensor device 25 (schematically illustrated in Figure 1 ) designed to sense or detect the water/liquid level inside the tub 3.
- the sensor device 25 may preferably comprise a level sensor, for example mechanical, electro-mechanical, optical, etc., configured to sense or detect the water level inside the tub 3.
- the sensor device 25 may preferably comprise in addition to or as a replacement of the mechanical, electro-mechanical, optical, sensor, a pressure sensor which senses the pressure in the tub 3. From the values sensed by the sensor device 25 it is possible to determine the water level LW of the wash water contained in the tub 3.
- a control unit 24 is connected to the various parts of the laundry washing machine 1 in order to ensure its operation.
- the control unit 24 is preferably connected to the controlled supply valve 11, the draining pump 19, the electric motor, and it receives information from the water level sensor device 25.
- the control unit 24 is preferably connected also to an interface unit 24a (only schematically illustrated in enclosed Figures) which is accessible to the user and by means of which the user selects and sets the washing parameters, for example the desired washing program.
- the washing parameters for example the desired washing program.
- other parameters can optionally be inserted by the user, for example the washing temperature, the spinning speed, the load in terms of weight of the laundry to be washed, the type of fabric of the load, etc.
- the interface unit 24a also preferably comprises a display where some pieces of information are opportunely displayed.
- control unit 24 sets and controls the various parts of the laundry washing machine 1 in order to carry out the desired washing program.
- the method for controlling the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a step 100 wherein the laundry 10 to be washed is first placed inside the drum 4; a step 110 wherein a desired washing program is selected by the user (clearly, in a further advantageous embodiment, step 110 can be performed before step 100); a step 120 wherein a siphon detection procedure is performed to detect the presence/absence of a siphon phenomenon; a step 130 wherein a siphon deactivation procedure is performed when a siphon phenomenon has been detected, and a step 150 wherein the control unit 24 sets the laundry washing machine 1 so that it starts the washing, and/or rinsing, and/or spinning phases of the selected washing program.
- step 150 comprises a step 140 wherein a certain amount of water is loaded in the tub 4.
- the siphon detection procedure performed by the method advantageously comprises a step 200 wherein the control unit 24 controls the water supply system 5 to cause the tub 3 to be loaded with a prefixed amount of water.
- This prefixed amount of water is preferably small with respect to the total amount of water which has to be loaded in order to completely soak the laundry (which depends on the type and quantity of laundry and on the shape of the laundry machine), in such a way that if there is a siphon phenomenon, the amount of water wasted due to the siphon and to the siphon detection procedure is small.
- this prefixed amount of water may be 3 litres, while the total amount of water which has to be loaded in order to completely soak the laundry is 24 litres. More in general, this prefixed amount of water may be preferably comprised between 1/9 and 1/7 of the total amount of water which has to be loaded in order to completely soak the laundry.
- the control unit 24 controls the water supply system 5 so that the water is supplied in the tub 3 continuously as far as the sensed water level reaches a prefixed water level PWL, for example a tangential drum water level TDWL.
- the tangential drum water level TDWL may be defined as the level of the water in the tub 3, wherein the water contained in the tub 3 laps against the external surface of the bottom part of the drum 4 so that the laundry is not soaked with the water.
- reaching the drum water level TDWL allows improving accuracy in detecting the siphon phenomenon because the sensed water levels are not affected by water absorption due to laundry.
- laboratory tests made by the applicant proved that water absorption due to laundry may cause significant water level variations which may determine a wrong detection of siphon phenomenon.
- the water may be supplied in the tub 3 continuously as far as the sensed water level reaches a prefixed water level PWL which is higher than the level TDWL at which the water contained in the tub 3 laps against the external surface of the bottom part of the drum 4.
- the laundry washing machines 1 is provided that a valve 22 with a ball 23, or a similar floating closure element, in the step 200, preferably, though not necessarily the control unit 24 may turn on the draining pump 19 impulsively, for example the draining pump 19 may be activated for one second, so that a vertical water column level is loaded in the draining suction pipe 21 and after draining pump 19 is turned off, the water column level moves by gravitation towards the ball 23 (or similar floating closure element) causing the discharge hole 18 to be closed.
- control unit 24 controls the water supply system 5 and, at the same time, turns on impulsively the draining pump 19 so that, on one hand, the water column produced in the draining suction pipe 21 pushes the ball 23 (or similar floating closure element) towards the discharged hole 18 so that the discharged hole 18 is maintained closed and, on the other hand, water in the tub 4 reaches the prefixed water level PWL, preferably the prefixed tangential drum water level TDWL.
- control unit 24 further commands the electric motor to cause the drum 4 to rotate in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction with a prefixed rotational speed, so that water flow drained through the draining suction pipe 21 due to a possible current siphon phenomenon, is increased and, as a consequence, the sensed water level varies quickly and the siphon phenomenon may be detected rapidly.
- the control unit 24 closes supply valve 11 so that water loading is stopped, and the method performs the step 210 for detecting whether the siphon phenomenon is present or absent.
- the first waiting interval ⁇ t1 may be set to assure that water level in the tub 3 remains stable in absence of siphon phenomenon, even if laundry tends to absorb a certain amount of water.
- the first waiting interval ⁇ t1 may be comprised between about 2 and 5 seconds, preferably about 4 second.
- the method adds the second sensed water level WL2 to the first level interval ⁇ WL1, and it compares the first sensed value WL1 with the sum of second sensed water level WL2 and the first level interval ⁇ WL1 (WL2+ ⁇ WL1).
- the method performs: sensing two or more times the level of water contained in the tub 3 to determine respective water levels WL1, WL2; performing prefixed waiting intervals ⁇ t1 between two consecutive water levels sensing WL1, WL2; and detecting the absence of a siphon phenomenon if the level variation ⁇ W between at least two consecutive determined water levels WL1, WL2 is lower than the first level interval ⁇ WL1.
- the first level interval ⁇ WL1 may be comprised between about 2 and 5 mm, preferably about 3 mm.
- the method detects that siphon phenomenon is absent and performs the step 150, i.e. starts the washing, rinsing, spinning phases of the selected washing program.
- the method detects the absence of a siphon phenomenon if the level variation ⁇ W between at least two consecutive determined water levels WL1, WL2 is lower than the first level interval ⁇ WL1.
- the method performs the step 220 (shown in Figure 6 ), wherein the second water level WL2 is compared with a water level threshold WT.
- step 210 the machine detects if a siphon phenomenon could have took place (outputs YES of steps 210) or not (outputs NO of steps 210); if the detection states that the siphon phenomenon has not took place (outputs NO of steps 210), the washing cycle proceed as an usual washing cycle (step 150), otherwise (outputs YES of steps 210), the machine preferably performs further checks (step 220 and following) in order to verify if a siphon phenomenon has actually took place.
- the method detects that a siphon phenomenon is actually taking place, and performs the siphon deactivation procedure in the step 130 (afterwards disclosed in detail).
- the water level threshold WT may be set according to one or more technical features characterizing the laundry washing machine 1.
- the water level threshold WT may be comprised between about 10 and 20 mm, preferably about 15 mm.
- step 220 if the second sensed water level WL2 is not lower than the water level threshold WT, namely the water level in the tub 3 during the first waiting interval ⁇ t1 has not decreased of a quantity greater than a water level threshold WT (which means that a siphon phenomenon could have took place or not, since the water level reduction could have been due to a siphon, but also to the water absorption by the laundry), the methods performs step 230, wherein it checks whether the siphon detection step 210 has been performed a prefixed number of times ND (prefixed threshold).
- step 230 if the siphon detection (disclosed in the step 210) has not been performed a prefixed number of times ND, the methods repeats again operations performed in siphon detection step 210.
- number of times ND may be set according to on one or more technical features characterizing the laundry washing machine 1.
- number of times ND wherein method performs detection of siphon phenomenon procedure may be comprised between 2 and 6, preferably 5 times.
- the methods detects a siphon phenomenon and performs the siphon deactivation procedure in the step 130.
- the method detects a siphon phenomenon whether water level variation ⁇ W remains consecutively greater than said first level interval ⁇ WL1 for the prefixed number of times ND. In fact, if the water level inside the tub continues to decrease, it is very likely that a siphon phenomenon is occurring.
- the siphon deactivation procedure performed by the method provides the performing of an intermittent draining of the water from the tub 3 to deactivate the siphon phenomenon, this intermittent draining comprising: draining all the water from the tub 3; performing a prefixed waiting interval ⁇ ti wherein water drainage from the tub is interrupted; performing at least one or more draining of the water from the tub 3, lasting a prefixed drainage interval ⁇ Ai, wherein each draining is performed after a prefixed interval from a previous performed water draining.
- the siphon deactivation procedure performed by the method provides for activating the draining pump 19 two or more times consecutively, so that two or more drainages of the water contained in the tub 3 is executed, by alternating between two consecutive water drainages a prefixed pause or waiting interval ⁇ ti, wherein the draining pump 19 is maintained switched off.
- Applicant has found that, if after the first activation of the draining pump 19 for discharging all the water contained in the tub 3, the drain pump 19 is kept turned-off for a certain prefixed waiting interval ⁇ ti (so as to allow water absorbed by the laundry during the siphon detection procedure to go back in the tub 3), and then by turning-on again the drain pump 19 for a prefixed drainage interval ⁇ Ai, it is possible to guarantee the deactivation also of a possible new siphon phenomenon due to the water previously absorbed by the laundry that goes back in the tub 3. Applicant has also found that this advantageous effect is increased if this turning-off of the draining pump and reactivation of the latter is performed a plurality of times.
- the step 130 associated with the siphon deactivation procedure preferably comprises the step 400, in which the control unit 24 turns on the draining pump 19 so that all the water contained in the tub 3 is discharged through the draining suction pipe 21.
- draining pump 19 is preferably maintained turned-on until the sensed water level measured by the sensor device 25 is about zero.
- the method performs the step 410 wherein the control unit 24 maintains the draining pump 19 turned-off for a first prefixed waiting interval ⁇ ti_1.
- the method performs the step 420, wherein the control unit 24 turns-on draining pump 19 for a prefixed first drainage interval ⁇ Ai_1; the step 430 wherein the draining pump 19 is turned-off for a prefixed second waiting interval ( ⁇ ti_2) (which may be equal or different to the first prefixed waiting interval); preferably the step 440 wherein the control unit 24 turns-on draining pump 19 for a prefixed second drainage interval ⁇ Ai_2 (which may be equal or different to the first prefixed drainage interval); and preferably the step 450, wherein the control unit 24 turns off draining pump 19 for the prefixed third waiting interval ( ⁇ ti_3) (which may be equal or different to the first and second prefixed waiting intervals).
- ⁇ ti_3 prefixed third waiting interval
- the method may comprise one or more additional alternate drainage intervals ⁇ Ai (having respectively the same or different length) and/or one or more waiting intervals ⁇ ti (having respectively the same or different length).
- waiting intervals ⁇ ti and drainage intervals ⁇ Ai may be set according to on one or more technical features characterizing the laundry washing machine 1.
- all the waiting intervals ⁇ ti may be about 6 seconds, whereas the drainage intervals ⁇ Ai may be about 10 second.
- control unit 24 sets the laundry washing machine 1 so that it starts the washing, rinsing, spinning phases of the selected washing program.
- control unit 24 commands the water supply system 5 to cause the tub 3 to be loaded with a prefixed amount of water. It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved.
- the control method of the invention makes it possible to assure high reliability in detecting the siphon phenomenon and, on the other hand, is able to deactivate the siphon phenomenon with certainty.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a laundry washing machine (1) comprising a washing tub (3) external to a washing drum (4) designed to contain the laundry (10). The method comprising the steps of performing a starting continuous water supply in the tub (3)/drum (4), so that a prefixed amount of water in the tub (3) is loaded after the water supply operation has been completed, sensing water levels (WL1,W12) in the tub (3) two or more times, at prefixed intervals (t1), one another, detecting a siphon phenomenon based on sensed water levels (WL1,W12); and performing an intermittent draining of the water from the tub (3) to cause the siphon phenomenon to be deactivated, when the siphon phenomenon has been detected.
Description
- The present invention concerns the field of laundry washing techniques.
- In particular, the present invention refers to a method for controlling a laundry washing machine which is configured to detect the so called "siphon phenomenon" or "natural water drainage" caused by a draining system of the laundry washing machine and, at the same time, is able to deactivate the "siphon phenomenon" when the latter is detected.
- Nowadays the use of laundry washing machines, both "simple" laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can only wash and rinse laundry) and laundry washing and drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry), is widespread.
- In the present description the term "laundry washing machine" will refer to both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing and drying machines.
- In addition, in the present description when reference is made to "water", the term "water" may denote water as such, washing water, washing liquid, washing liquor or the like.
- Laundry washing machines generally comprise an external casing provided with a washing tub which contains a rotatable perforated drum where the laundry is placed; a motor which rotates the drum in the washing tub; a water supply system which supplies wash water and/or detergent into the washing tub/drum; and a water draining system which discharges/drains wash water from the washing tub.
- Water draining system generally comprises a discharge hole arranged at the base of the washing tub for discharging the water; a draining pump for discharging the water from the washing tub; a hose with one end connected to the discharge hole and the other end connectable to the draining pump for delivering the water contained in the washing tub to the pump; a discharge hose having an end connected to the draining pump, and the other end to a house draining pipe system; and a floating ball arranged in the hose and structured to open or close the discharge hole with the pressure of the column of water contained in the discharge hose.
- When laundry is put into the drum and a detergent and wash water are supplied into the washing tub by the water supply unit, the ball closes the discharge hose; then the motor begins to rotate the drum, and thus, a washing operation begins. To assure that the ball be arranged in the closed position before the prefixed amount of washing water is loaded into the washing tub, known washing machines control methods perform the steps of loading a prefixed amount of water into the washing tub; stop the water loading, turning on and off (in around a second) the draining pump impulsively to generate a water column in the discharge hose that, once the pump is stopped, pushes the ball against the discharge hole to close the latter.
- When draining pump is impulsively activated to cause, as explained above, the discharge hole to be closed by the ball, an unintended drainage of water from the tub towards the discharge hose called "siphonic phenomenon" or "natural drainage" may occur, thereby resulting in a floor flooding when the discharge hose is incorrectly connected to the house draining pipe system.
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US 7,921,492 B2 discloses a method of controlling a laundry washing machine which is designed to detect the siphon phenomenon by performing an intermittent water supply operation and then detecting a variation of the water level in the washing tub if the water level in the washing tub has been uniform since an intermittent water supply operation. More in detail, the method comprises the steps of: performing an intermittent water supply operation by repeatedly opening and closing water supply valves a predefined number of times; primarily detecting a variation in a water level in the tub during the intermittent water supply operation; if the result of the primary detection indicates that the water level in the tub has been uniform, performing a continuous water supply operation by maintaining the water supply valves to be open for a predefined amount of time; secondarily detecting a variation in the water level in the tub during the continuous water supply operation; and if the result of the secondary detection indicates that the water level in the tub has increased, discharging water from the tub by closing the water supply valves and by turning on a water discharge pump. - It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method for controlling a washing machine which, on one hand, is able to assure high reliability in detecting the siphon phenomenon and, on the other hand, is able to deactivate the siphon phenomenon with certainty.
- Advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description and drawings which follow and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a laundry washing machine comprising: performing a starting continuous water supply in the tub/drum so that a prefixed amount of water in the tub is loaded; after the water supply operation has been completed, sensing water levels in the tub two or more times, at prefixed intervals, one another; detecting a siphon phenomenon based on sensed water levels; performing an intermittent draining of the water from the tub to cause the siphon phenomenon to be deactivated, when the siphon phenomenon has been detected. Preferably the steps of: performing a starting continuous water supply, performing the sensing of water levels, performing the detection and deactivation of said siphon phenomenon, are all executed before starting the washing, and/or rinsing, and/or spinning phases of a washing program.
- Preferably the method comprises the steps of sensing two or more times the level of water contained in the tub to determine respective water levels; performing prefixed waiting intervals between two consecutive water levels sensing; and detecting the absence of a siphon phenomenon, if the level variation between at least two consecutive sensed water levels is lower than a prefixed first level interval.
- Preferably the method comprises the steps of detecting a siphon phenomenon if the number of consecutive determined water level variations being greater than said first level interval, reaches a prefixed threshold.
- Preferably the method comprises the step of detecting a siphon phenomenon if a measured water level is lower than a prefixed water level threshold.
- Preferably the performing of an intermittent draining of the water from the tub to deactivate the siphon phenomenon comprises draining all the water from the tub; performing a prefixed interval wherein water drainage from the tub is interrupted; performing at least one or more draining of the water from the tub, lasting a prefixed drainage interval, wherein each draining is performed after a prefixed interval from a previous performed water draining.
- Preferably the starting continuous water supply is executed after an impulsive drainage of water from the tub has been performed.
- Preferably the starting continuous water supply comprises the step of continuously loading said prefixed amount of water in the tub so that a tangential drum water level of water in the tub is reached.
- Preferably the method comprises rotating the drum during the starting continuous water supplying to increase the drainage of water from the tub (3) due to siphon phenomenon. Preferably the method comprises rotating the drum during the prefixed waiting intervals to increase the drainage of water from the tub (3) due to siphon phenomenon.
- Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in greater detail in the following detailed description of some of its preferred embodiments, provided with reference to the enclosed drawings. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and/or components are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular:
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Figure 1 shows schematically a front view of a laundry washing machine implementing the method according to the invention; -
Figure 2 shows schematically a front view of a laundry washing machine after a first water loading; -
Figure 3 shows schematically a front view of a laundry washing machine during the deactivation of siphon; -
Figure 4 shows schematically a front view of a laundry washing machine after first draining; -
Figure 5 is a simplified flow chart of the basic operations of a method for controlling the washing machine ofFigure 1 according to a the present invention; -
Figure 6 shows in detail operation of the flow chart ofFigure 5 ; -
Figures 7 and 8 show in detail some steps of the flow chart ofFigure 6 ; - The method of the present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to laundry washing machines, as described below. It should in any case be underlined that the present invention is not limited to this type of application. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently applied to other equipments, like for example laundry washing and drying machines (called also washer/driers), wherein one or more steps of introducing water inside a washing tub is required.
- With reference to
Figure 1 , alaundry washing machine 1 according to the invention is described, in which a method of the invention is implemented. - The
laundry washing machine 1 is a front loading laundry washing machine. The present invention has proved to be particularly successful when applied to front loading laundry washing machines. It should in any case be underlined that the present invention is not limited to this type of application. On the contrary, the present invention can be usefully applied to different types of washing devices, for example top loading laundry washing machines or top loading laundry washing and drying machines. - The
laundry washing machine 1 comprises an external casing, or simply casing, 2, in which awashing tub 3 is provided that contains a rotatable, preferably perforated,drum 4, where thelaundry 10 to be washed can be loaded. Thewashing tub 3 and thedrum 4 both have preferably a substantially cylindrical shape. Thecasing 2 is provided with a loading/unloading opening, not illustrated, which can be closed/opened by a door, also not illustrated, which allows access to thewashing tub 3 and thedrum 4. Thewashing tub 3 is preferably suspended in a floating manner inside thecasing 2, advantageously by means of a number of coil springs and shock-absorbers (not illustrated). Thedrum 4 is advantageously rotated by an electric motor (not illustrated) which preferably transmits the rotating motion to the shaft of thedrum 4, advantageously by means of a belt/pulley system. In a different embodiment of the invention, the motor can be directly associated with the shaft of thedrum 4. - A
water supply system 5 and preferably adetergent supply system 6 are arranged preferably in the upper part of thelaundry washing machine 1 and are structured to supply water and washing/rinsing products (i.e. detergent, softener, etc.) into thewashing tub 3. - The
detergent supply system 6 advantageously comprises aremovable drawer 13 provided with various compartments suited to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products. - In the embodiment herein described, the water flowing through the
water supply system 5 is advantageously supplied into thewashing tub 3 by making it flow through thedrawer 13 and through asupply pipe 9 which extends toward thetub 3. Thesupply pipe output 9a of thesupply pipe 9 advantageously ends in correspondence of thetub 3. Preferably thesupply pipe output 9a ends in correspondence of a lateral side of thetub 3, as shown in the example ofFigure 1 ; alternatively thesupply pipe output 9a of thesupply pipe 9 may advantageously end in correspondence of a bellows (not illustrated), connecting the access opening of thetub 3 to the loading/unloading opening of thecasing 2. Thewater supply system 5 further comprises amain pipe 15 which opportunely connects thedrawer 13 to an external water supply line E, preferably by means of a controlledsupply valve 11. - In a preferred embodiment, the water which reaches the
washing tub 3 can selectively contain one of the products contained in the compartments of thedrawer 13, or such water can be clean (i.e. without products), depending on the phase of the washing program which is actually performed; in the initial phases of the washing program, for example, the detergent is conveyed into thetub 3 by the incoming water, while in other phases, for example during the rinsing phase, only water is conveyed into thetub 3. - In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a further separate water supply pipe can be provided, which supplies exclusively clean water into the
tub 3. - The
laundry washing machine 1 further comprises a water drainingsystem 16 which is configured to drain the wash water, i.e. dirty water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products, from thewashing tub 3 to the outside. - The water draining
system 16 advantageously comprises adischarge hole 18 disposed at the base of thewashing tub 3 for discharging the water, a drainingpump 19 for discharging the wash water from thewashing tub 3, ahose 20 with one end fluidly connected to thedischarge hole 18 and the other end fluidly connected to the drainingpump 19 for delivering the wash water contained in thewashing tub 3 to the drainingpump 19, and adraining suction pipe 21 having an end fluidly connected to the drainingpump 19, and the other end designed to be fluidly connected to a house draining pipe system (not illustrated). - According to a preferred embodiment, the water draining
system 16 further comprises preferably, thought not necessarily, aclosing valve 22, which is arranged between thedischarge hole 18 and thehose 20 and is configured to open or close thedischarge hole 18 to maintain all wash water in the washing tub, during several prefixed washing phase. - Preferably, though not necessarily, the
valve 22 comprises a valve body and a valve seat (not illustrated) in form of a diaphragm structured to surround thedischarge hole 18. - Preferably, though not necessarily the
valve 22 comprises aball 23 which is freely moveable or floatable inside of thehose 20 from and towards the valve seat, and is designed to engage with the valve seat to shut thedischarge hole 18. Preferably, though not necessarily, theball 23 is made of floatable material e.g. plastic and floats on the water depending on the water level in the drainingsuction pipe 21. When the water level rises, theball 23 is raised towards the valve seat until the ball surface closes thedischarge hole 18. - The
laundry washing machine 1 may be advantageously provided with a one or more liquid level sensor device 25 (schematically illustrated inFigure 1 ) designed to sense or detect the water/liquid level inside thetub 3. Thesensor device 25 may preferably comprise a level sensor, for example mechanical, electro-mechanical, optical, etc., configured to sense or detect the water level inside thetub 3. Thesensor device 25 may preferably comprise in addition to or as a replacement of the mechanical, electro-mechanical, optical, sensor, a pressure sensor which senses the pressure in thetub 3. From the values sensed by thesensor device 25 it is possible to determine the water level LW of the wash water contained in thetub 3. - A
control unit 24 is connected to the various parts of thelaundry washing machine 1 in order to ensure its operation. Thecontrol unit 24 is preferably connected to the controlledsupply valve 11, the drainingpump 19, the electric motor, and it receives information from the waterlevel sensor device 25. - The
control unit 24 is preferably connected also to aninterface unit 24a (only schematically illustrated in enclosed Figures) which is accessible to the user and by means of which the user selects and sets the washing parameters, for example the desired washing program. Advantageously, other parameters can optionally be inserted by the user, for example the washing temperature, the spinning speed, the load in terms of weight of the laundry to be washed, the type of fabric of the load, etc. - The
interface unit 24a also preferably comprises a display where some pieces of information are opportunely displayed. - Based on the parameters acquired by said
interface unit 24a, thecontrol unit 24 sets and controls the various parts of thelaundry washing machine 1 in order to carry out the desired washing program. - A preferred embodiment of the method for controlling the
laundry washing machine 1 according to the invention is described here below with reference to thelaundry washing machine 1 shown in Figures from 2 to 4 and with reference to the flow charts of Figures from 5 to 8. - Referring to
Figure 5 , the method for controlling thelaundry washing machine 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises astep 100 wherein thelaundry 10 to be washed is first placed inside thedrum 4; astep 110 wherein a desired washing program is selected by the user (clearly, in a further advantageous embodiment, step 110 can be performed before step 100); astep 120 wherein a siphon detection procedure is performed to detect the presence/absence of a siphon phenomenon; astep 130 wherein a siphon deactivation procedure is performed when a siphon phenomenon has been detected, and astep 150 wherein thecontrol unit 24 sets thelaundry washing machine 1 so that it starts the washing, and/or rinsing, and/or spinning phases of the selected washing program. - Preferably, but not necessarily,
step 150 comprises astep 140 wherein a certain amount of water is loaded in thetub 4. - Referring to
Figure 6 , the siphon detection procedure performed by the method advantageously comprises astep 200 wherein thecontrol unit 24 controls thewater supply system 5 to cause thetub 3 to be loaded with a prefixed amount of water. - This prefixed amount of water is preferably small with respect to the total amount of water which has to be loaded in order to completely soak the laundry (which depends on the type and quantity of laundry and on the shape of the laundry machine), in such a way that if there is a siphon phenomenon, the amount of water wasted due to the siphon and to the siphon detection procedure is small. For example this prefixed amount of water may be 3 litres, while the total amount of water which has to be loaded in order to completely soak the laundry is 24 litres. More in general, this prefixed amount of water may be preferably comprised between 1/9 and 1/7 of the total amount of water which has to be loaded in order to completely soak the laundry.
- According to a preferred embodiment, the
control unit 24 controls thewater supply system 5 so that the water is supplied in thetub 3 continuously as far as the sensed water level reaches a prefixed water level PWL, for example a tangential drum water level TDWL. The tangential drum water level TDWL may be defined as the level of the water in thetub 3, wherein the water contained in thetub 3 laps against the external surface of the bottom part of thedrum 4 so that the laundry is not soaked with the water. The applicant has found that reaching the drum water level TDWL allows improving accuracy in detecting the siphon phenomenon because the sensed water levels are not affected by water absorption due to laundry. As a matter of the fact, laboratory tests made by the applicant proved that water absorption due to laundry may cause significant water level variations which may determine a wrong detection of siphon phenomenon. - Anyway, in a different advantageous embodiment, the water may be supplied in the
tub 3 continuously as far as the sensed water level reaches a prefixed water level PWL which is higher than the level TDWL at which the water contained in thetub 3 laps against the external surface of the bottom part of thedrum 4. - According to a further embodiment, provided that the
laundry washing machines 1 is provided that avalve 22 with aball 23, or a similar floating closure element, in thestep 200, preferably, though not necessarily thecontrol unit 24 may turn on the drainingpump 19 impulsively, for example the drainingpump 19 may be activated for one second, so that a vertical water column level is loaded in the drainingsuction pipe 21 and after drainingpump 19 is turned off, the water column level moves by gravitation towards the ball 23 (or similar floating closure element) causing thedischarge hole 18 to be closed. - Preferably, though not necessarily, according to a further embodiment, provided that the
laundry washing machines 1 is provided that avalve 22 with aball 23, or a similar floating closure element, in thestep 200,control unit 24 controls thewater supply system 5 and, at the same time, turns on impulsively the drainingpump 19 so that, on one hand, the water column produced in the drainingsuction pipe 21 pushes the ball 23 (or similar floating closure element) towards the dischargedhole 18 so that the dischargedhole 18 is maintained closed and, on the other hand, water in thetub 4 reaches the prefixed water level PWL, preferably the prefixed tangential drum water level TDWL. - Preferably, though not necessarily according to a further embodiment, during the
step 200,control unit 24 further commands the electric motor to cause thedrum 4 to rotate in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction with a prefixed rotational speed, so that water flow drained through the drainingsuction pipe 21 due to a possible current siphon phenomenon, is increased and, as a consequence, the sensed water level varies quickly and the siphon phenomenon may be detected rapidly. - When the water in the
tub 3 has reached the prefixed amount, i.e. the prefixed water level PWL, and preferably TDWL, thecontrol unit 24 closessupply valve 11 so that water loading is stopped, and the method performs thestep 210 for detecting whether the siphon phenomenon is present or absent. - Referring to
Figure 7 , in thestep 210 the method comprises thestep 300 of detecting/measuring the water level in thetub 3 at a prefixed first time t1, preferably by means of thesensor device 25, so that a first sensed water level WL1=WL(t1) is determined; thestep 310 of waiting a prefixed first waiting interval Δt1; thestep 320 of detecting/measuring the water level in thetub 3 at a second time t2=t1+Δt1, preferably by means of thesensor device 25, so that a second sensed water level WL2=WL(t2) is determined; and thestep 330 of verifying whether the second sensed water level WL2 is lower than the first sensed water level WL1 of a prefixed first level interval ΔWL1. - Preferably, though necessarily, the first waiting interval Δt1 may be set to assure that water level in the
tub 3 remains stable in absence of siphon phenomenon, even if laundry tends to absorb a certain amount of water. Preferably, though necessarily, the first waiting interval Δt1 may be comprised between about 2 and 5 seconds, preferably about 4 second. - Preferably in the
step 330 the method adds the second sensed water level WL2 to the first level interval ΔWL1, and it compares the first sensed value WL1 with the sum of second sensed water level WL2 and the first level interval ΔWL1 (WL2+ΔWL1). - In other words in the
step 210 the method performs: sensing two or more times the level of water contained in thetub 3 to determine respective water levels WL1, WL2; performing prefixed waiting intervals Δt1 between two consecutive water levels sensing WL1, WL2; and detecting the absence of a siphon phenomenon if the level variation ΔW between at least two consecutive determined water levels WL1, WL2 is lower than the first level interval ΔWL1. - According to a preferred embodiment, the first level interval ΔWL1 may be comprised between about 2 and 5 mm, preferably about 3 mm.
- If the sum of second sensed water level WL2 and the first level interval ΔWL1 WL2+ΔWL1 is bigger than the first sensed water level WL1 (output NO of step 330), the method detects that siphon phenomenon is absent and performs the
step 150, i.e. starts the washing, rinsing, spinning phases of the selected washing program. - In other words, the method detects the absence of a siphon phenomenon if the level variation ΔW between at least two consecutive determined water levels WL1, WL2 is lower than the first level interval ΔWL1.
- On the contrary, if the sum of second sensed water level WL2 and the first level interval ΔWL1 (WL2+ΔWL1) is lower than the first sensed water level WL1 (outputs YES of
steps 210, 330), the method performs the step 220 (shown inFigure 6 ), wherein the second water level WL2 is compared with a water level threshold WT. - In other words, in
step 210 the machine detects if a siphon phenomenon could have took place (outputs YES of steps 210) or not (outputs NO of steps 210); if the detection states that the siphon phenomenon has not took place (outputs NO of steps 210), the washing cycle proceed as an usual washing cycle (step 150), otherwise (outputs YES of steps 210), the machine preferably performs further checks (step 220 and following) in order to verify if a siphon phenomenon has actually took place. - In detail, in the
step 220, if the second sensed water level WL2 is lower than the water level threshold WT, the method detects that a siphon phenomenon is actually taking place, and performs the siphon deactivation procedure in the step 130 (afterwards disclosed in detail). - Preferably, though not necessarily, the water level threshold WT may be set according to one or more technical features characterizing the
laundry washing machine 1. According to a preferred embodiment, the water level threshold WT may be comprised between about 10 and 20 mm, preferably about 15 mm. - In the
step 220, if the second sensed water level WL2 is not lower than the water level threshold WT, namely the water level in thetub 3 during the first waiting interval Δt1 has not decreased of a quantity greater than a water level threshold WT (which means that a siphon phenomenon could have took place or not, since the water level reduction could have been due to a siphon, but also to the water absorption by the laundry), the methods performsstep 230, wherein it checks whether the siphondetection step 210 has been performed a prefixed number of times ND (prefixed threshold). - In the
step 230, if the siphon detection (disclosed in the step 210) has not been performed a prefixed number of times ND, the methods repeats again operations performed in siphondetection step 210. - Preferably, number of times ND may be set according to on one or more technical features characterizing the
laundry washing machine 1. - According to a preferred embodiment, number of times ND wherein method performs detection of siphon phenomenon procedure, may be comprised between 2 and 6, preferably 5 times.
- On the contrary, if the siphon detection procedure (disclosed in the step 210) has been performed for the prefixed number of times ND, the methods detects a siphon phenomenon and performs the siphon deactivation procedure in the
step 130. In other words, the method detects a siphon phenomenon whether water level variation ΔW remains consecutively greater than said first level interval ΔWL1 for the prefixed number of times ND. In fact, if the water level inside the tub continues to decrease, it is very likely that a siphon phenomenon is occurring. - Referring to
Figure 8 , the siphon deactivation procedure performed by the method, provides the performing of an intermittent draining of the water from thetub 3 to deactivate the siphon phenomenon, this intermittent draining comprising: draining all the water from thetub 3; performing a prefixed waiting interval Δti wherein water drainage from the tub is interrupted; performing at least one or more draining of the water from thetub 3, lasting a prefixed drainage interval ΔAi, wherein each draining is performed after a prefixed interval from a previous performed water draining. - Preferably, the siphon deactivation procedure performed by the method, provides for activating the draining
pump 19 two or more times consecutively, so that two or more drainages of the water contained in thetub 3 is executed, by alternating between two consecutive water drainages a prefixed pause or waiting interval Δti, wherein the drainingpump 19 is maintained switched off. - Laboratory tests performed by the Applicant proved that after a single activation of the draining
pump 19 to drain all the water contained in thetub 3 the siphon phenomenon may occur again. In fact, water absorbed by the laundry during the siphon detection procedure may go back in the tub 3 (due to gravity) even after the single activation of the drainingpump 19 has taken place, so that a siphon phenomenon could be reactivated by this water even after the first activation of the drainingpump 19. Applicant has found that, if after the first activation of the drainingpump 19 for discharging all the water contained in thetub 3, thedrain pump 19 is kept turned-off for a certain prefixed waiting interval Δti (so as to allow water absorbed by the laundry during the siphon detection procedure to go back in the tub 3), and then by turning-on again thedrain pump 19 for a prefixed drainage interval ΔAi, it is possible to guarantee the deactivation also of a possible new siphon phenomenon due to the water previously absorbed by the laundry that goes back in thetub 3. Applicant has also found that this advantageous effect is increased if this turning-off of the draining pump and reactivation of the latter is performed a plurality of times. Referring toFigure 8 and according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thestep 130 associated with the siphon deactivation procedure preferably comprises thestep 400, in which thecontrol unit 24 turns on the drainingpump 19 so that all the water contained in thetub 3 is discharged through the drainingsuction pipe 21. In detail, drainingpump 19 is preferably maintained turned-on until the sensed water level measured by thesensor device 25 is about zero. - Afterwards the method performs the
step 410 wherein thecontrol unit 24 maintains the drainingpump 19 turned-off for a first prefixed waiting interval Δti_1. - Afterwards the method performs the
step 420, wherein thecontrol unit 24 turns-on drainingpump 19 for a prefixed first drainage interval ΔAi_1; thestep 430 wherein the drainingpump 19 is turned-off for a prefixed second waiting interval (Δti_2) (which may be equal or different to the first prefixed waiting interval); preferably thestep 440 wherein thecontrol unit 24 turns-on drainingpump 19 for a prefixed second drainage interval ΔAi_2 (which may be equal or different to the first prefixed drainage interval); and preferably thestep 450, wherein thecontrol unit 24 turns off drainingpump 19 for the prefixed third waiting interval (Δti_3) (which may be equal or different to the first and second prefixed waiting intervals). - It should be pointed out that the method may comprise one or more additional alternate drainage intervals ΔAi (having respectively the same or different length) and/or one or more waiting intervals Δti (having respectively the same or different length). Moreover, it should be pointed out that waiting intervals Δti and drainage intervals ΔAi may be set according to on one or more technical features characterizing the
laundry washing machine 1. - Preferably, all the waiting intervals Δti may be about 6 seconds, whereas the drainage intervals ΔAi may be about 10 second.
- Afterwards the method performs the step 150 (
Figure 5 ) thecontrol unit 24 sets thelaundry washing machine 1 so that it starts the washing, rinsing, spinning phases of the selected washing program. Preferably, duringstep 150control unit 24 commands thewater supply system 5 to cause thetub 3 to be loaded with a prefixed amount of water. It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved. In particular, the control method of the invention makes it possible to assure high reliability in detecting the siphon phenomenon and, on the other hand, is able to deactivate the siphon phenomenon with certainty. - While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments shown in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiments described herein fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the claims.
Claims (12)
- Method for controlling a laundry washing machine (1), said laundry washing machine (1) comprising a washing tub (3) external to a washing drum (4) designed to contain laundry (10);
said method being characterized by comprising:- performing a starting continuous water supply in the tub (3)/drum (4), so that a prefixed amount of water in the tub (3) is loaded;- after said starting continuous water supply operation has been completed, sensing water levels (WL,WL1, WL2) in the tub (3) two or more times at prefixed intervals (Δt1), one another;- detecting a siphon phenomenon based on sensed water levels (WL, WL1, WL2);- performing an intermittent draining of the water from the tub (3) to cause the siphon phenomenon to be deactivated, when the siphon phenomenon has been detected. - Method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of performing a starting continuous water supply, performing the sensing of water levels (WL), performing the detection and deactivation of said siphon phenomenon, are all executed before starting the washing, and/or rinsing, and/or spinning phases of a washing program.
- Method according to claims 1 or 2, comprising the steps of:- sensing two or more times the level of water contained in the tub (3) to determine respective water levels (WL,WL1,WL2);- performing prefixed waiting intervals (Δt1) between two consecutive water levels sensing; and- detecting the absence of a siphon phenomenon, if the level variation (ΔW) between at least two consecutive determined water levels (WL1, WL2) is lower than a prefixed first level interval (ΔWL1).
- Method according to claim 3, comprising the steps of detecting a siphon phenomenon, if the number of consecutive determined water level variations (ΔW) being greater than said first level interval (ΔWL1), reaches a prefixed threshold (ND).
- Method according to any of previous claims, comprising the step of detecting a siphon phenomenon, if a measured water level (WL2) is lower than a prefixed water level threshold (WT).
- Method according to any of the previous claims wherein the performing of an intermittent draining of the water from the tub (3) to deactivate the siphon phenomenon comprises the steps of:- draining all the water from the tub (3);- performing a prefixed waiting interval (Δti) wherein water drainage from the tub is interrupted;- performing at least one or more draining of the water from the tub (3), lasting a prefixed drainage interval (ΔAi), wherein each draining is performed after a prefixed waiting interval (Δti) from a previous performed water draining.
- Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein said starting continuous water supply is executed after an impulsive drainage of water from the tub (3) has been performed.
- Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein said starting continuous water supply comprises the step of continuously loading said prefixed amount of water in the tub so that a prefixed water level (PWL) of water in the tub (3) is reached.
- Method according to claim 8, wherein said prefixed water level (PWL) is a tangential drum water level (TDWL) at which the water contained in the tub (3) laps against the external surface of the bottom part of the drum (4) so that the laundry is not soaked with the water.
- Method according to any of the previous claims, comprising rotating the drum (4), during said starting continuous water supplying to increase the drainage of water from the tub (3) due to siphon phenomenon.
- Method according to any of the previous claims, comprising rotating the drum (4), during said prefixed waiting intervals to increase the drainage of water from the tub (3) due to siphon phenomenon.
- A laundry washing machine (1) comprising a control unit (24) designed to implement a method according to any of the preceding claims.
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP12186121.5A EP2712950A1 (en) | 2012-09-26 | 2012-09-26 | Method for controlling a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine |
PL13760054T PL2904140T3 (en) | 2012-09-26 | 2013-09-13 | Method for controlling a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine |
PCT/EP2013/069001 WO2014048771A1 (en) | 2012-09-26 | 2013-09-13 | Method for controlling a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine |
EP13760054.0A EP2904140B1 (en) | 2012-09-26 | 2013-09-13 | Method for controlling a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine |
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EP12186121.5A EP2712950A1 (en) | 2012-09-26 | 2012-09-26 | Method for controlling a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine |
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EP13760054.0A Active EP2904140B1 (en) | 2012-09-26 | 2013-09-13 | Method for controlling a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine |
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EP2993262A1 (en) * | 2014-09-02 | 2016-03-09 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine |
CN112095284A (en) * | 2020-08-20 | 2020-12-18 | 无锡飞翎电子有限公司 | Washing equipment, water inlet control method thereof and roller washing machine |
CN113897764A (en) * | 2020-06-22 | 2022-01-07 | 重庆海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Upper drain washing machine and drain control method thereof |
US20230292979A1 (en) * | 2022-03-17 | 2023-09-21 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Dishwashing appliance and siphoning prevention |
Families Citing this family (1)
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CN112411117B (en) * | 2020-11-12 | 2023-06-27 | 广州视源电子科技股份有限公司 | Water inflow control method and device, washing machine and storage medium |
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2012
- 2012-09-26 EP EP12186121.5A patent/EP2712950A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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2013
- 2013-09-13 PL PL13760054T patent/PL2904140T3/en unknown
- 2013-09-13 EP EP13760054.0A patent/EP2904140B1/en active Active
- 2013-09-13 WO PCT/EP2013/069001 patent/WO2014048771A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
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US20080104770A1 (en) * | 2006-11-03 | 2008-05-08 | Hwang Sang I | Method of controlling laundry treatment machine |
US7921492B2 (en) | 2006-11-03 | 2011-04-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Method of controlling laundry treatment machine |
EP2228482A1 (en) * | 2009-03-09 | 2010-09-15 | Panasonic Corporation | Drum-type washer |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2993262A1 (en) * | 2014-09-02 | 2016-03-09 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine |
WO2016034307A1 (en) * | 2014-09-02 | 2016-03-10 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine |
CN113897764A (en) * | 2020-06-22 | 2022-01-07 | 重庆海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Upper drain washing machine and drain control method thereof |
CN113897764B (en) * | 2020-06-22 | 2023-10-31 | 重庆海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Upper drain washing machine and drain control method thereof |
CN112095284A (en) * | 2020-08-20 | 2020-12-18 | 无锡飞翎电子有限公司 | Washing equipment, water inlet control method thereof and roller washing machine |
CN112095284B (en) * | 2020-08-20 | 2021-12-21 | 无锡飞翎电子有限公司 | Washing equipment, water inlet control method thereof and roller washing machine |
WO2022036812A1 (en) * | 2020-08-20 | 2022-02-24 | 无锡飞翎电子有限公司 | Washing device and water intake control method therefor, and drum washing machine |
US20230292979A1 (en) * | 2022-03-17 | 2023-09-21 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Dishwashing appliance and siphoning prevention |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2014048771A1 (en) | 2014-04-03 |
EP2904140B1 (en) | 2017-03-22 |
EP2904140A1 (en) | 2015-08-12 |
PL2904140T3 (en) | 2017-09-29 |
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