GB2119409A

GB2119409A - Detergent dispenser for washing machine

Info

Publication number: GB2119409A
Application number: GB08310420A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johann Meier; Georg Wagner
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 1982-04-28
Filing date: 1983-04-18
Publication date: 1983-11-16
Also published as: IT8320735A0; IT1161159B; ES521884A0; FR2526056A1; GB8310420D0; ES8402376A1; IT8320735A1; FR2526056B1; DE3215854C2; DE3215854A1; GB2119409B

Abstract

There is disclosed a programme- controlled clothes or dish washing machine having a container (5) for washing liquid in which washing is carried out, a receptacle (8, 17, 18, 19) for a washing agent to be introduced into a container (5), an electromagnetic inlet valve (1) operable by a programme control device of the machine to control the admission of a supply of flushing water to the container (5), and a first connection line (6) extending from the inlet valve (1) to the container (5). The receptacle for the washing agent communicates with said first connection line (6) via a second connection line (7) in such a way that, in use, upon passage of flushing water through the first connection line (6), a charge of washing agent is drawn from the receptacle into the container (5) via the second connection line (7) and the first connection line (6) respectively. An adjustable air supply device (10) is connected to the second connection line (7) in order to control the suction effect applied in use to the second connection line (7) by the first connection line (6) and thereby to control the size of the charge of washing agent introduced into the container (5). A container for solid washing agent and two dispensers for liquid washing agent may be provided (fig. 2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Washing machine with washing agent flushing device This invention relates to a washing machine with washing agent flushing device, comprising a prngramrge-contrnlled clothes or dish washing machine having a container for washing liquid in which washing is carried out, a receptacle for a washing agent to be introduced into the container, an electromagnetic inlet valve operable by a programme-control device of the machine to control the admission of a supply of flushing water to the container, and a first connection line extending from the inlet valve to the container.

The conventional flushing devices have a vessel into which the washing or dishwashing machine user introduces dry washing agent as prescribed or even proportionately more, which then remains partly unused, causing the familiar fouling of the waste water. This problem is amplified since a more of less increased amount of washing agent is required, and in particular additives such as water softening agents, according to the water used for washing is more or less hard.

The present invention has been developed primarily, though not exclusively, with a view to provide a washing agent flushing device, with which it is possible for the user to adjust the basic measure for example in dependence on the hardness of the water supply, whereby an amount of washing agent is then administered to the individual washing processes which is practically unalterable but which still achieves an optimal washing result, without any expensive measuring and dosing means being required therefor.

According to the invention there is provided a programme-controlled clothes or dish-washing machine having a container for washing liquid in which washing is carried out, a receptacle for a washing agent to be introduced into the container, an electromagnetic inlet valve operable by a programme-control device of the machine to control the admission of a supply of flushing water to the container, and a first connection line extending from the inlet valve to the container, in which:: the receptacle for the washing agent communicates with said first connection line via a second connection line in such a way that, in use, upon passage of flushing water through the first connection line, a charge of washing agent is drawn from the receptacle into the container via said second and said first connection lines respectively; and an adjustable air supply device is connected to said second connection line in order to control the suction effect applied in use to the second connection line by the first connection line and thereby to control the size of the charge of washing agent introduced into the container.

The prescribed charge of washing agent may be determined on the one hand by time-controlling the magnetic valve, or, more expensively, by a level switch in the washing agent receptacle. The number of required valve branches corresponds here to the number of different washing agents and there is an additional branch for the level control in the washing machine. A more simple method of pre-dosing operating only with mechanical means may be obtained for any great variations in viscosity if the receptacle includes a pre-dosing chamber, whose inlet feed is small relative to the open outlet and whose outflow can be closed off by suction, when the inlet valve is switched on, by means of a floating seal, and whose feed can be closed off by another floating seal in dependence on floating and therefore on level.The number of required valve branches is the same here as the number of different washing agents. In order that the user may continue also to use the previously customary dry washing agent in the transition phase, the machine may be fitted with a conventional flushing dish for dry washing agents, through whose compartments either the mixture of water and fluid washing agent flows into the washing tub (container) or from which the dry washing agent filled by the user is flushed by the water. It is advantageous for this purpose if the device is convertible by changing the air supply cross-section from fluid-flushing with a supply of air to vessel flushing with dry washing agent. The suction effect for fluid washing agent can be avoided completely with a sufficiently large supply of air.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the programme-controlled clothes or dish washing machine having a washing agent flushing device according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a dosing arrangement for liquid and solid washing agents.

The washing agent flushing device shown schematically in Figure 1 consists of an electromagnetic inlet valve 1 with electrical terminals 2, which is connected via a device 3 known per se to a water supply 4, which prevents soapy water from passing back into the water supply, wherefore an additional means for preventing back-suction in the flushing dish are not necessary. A container 5 receiving the soapy washing water is connected to the valve 1 via a first connecting line 6, which is connected in turn via a second (washing agent) connecting line 7 to a receptacle 8 receiving a fluid washing agent, in front of which a pre-dosage chamber or container 9 is connected. An adjustable air supply device 10 terminates in the connecting line 7, which determines the amount of fluid washing agent in the manner of a water jet pump during the flow of water into the container 5.If one dispenses with the pre-dosing vessel 9, then, as long as water is introduced into the container 5 through the connecting line 6, washing agent is drawn in as well, so that the length of time for which the magnetic valve 1 is switched on is a measure for the amount of washing agent introduced, since the amount of water passing through the valve determining the supplied amount of washing agent is practically independent of the pressure of the water supply by virtue of a volume control built into the valve. A float 11 is provided in the pre-dosing chamber 9, which is displaceably guided with an extension 12 as a weighting agent for stable positioning and is provided with a seal 13 for sealing-off the outflow into the connecting line 7, and a further seal 14 for sealing-off a feed inlet 15.The feed 15 is provided with a relatively small aperture, so that the washing agent in the receptacle 8 can move only slowly into the predosing chamber 9. As long as the valve 1 is switched off, the float 11 is pushed with the seal 14, for a corresponding level of the washing agent in the pre-dosing chamber 9, against the feed 15, so that a fixed amount of washing agent fluid is available when the valve 1 is switched on. The relatively rapid drawing-off of the contents of the pre-dosing chamber 9 will set the float 1 1 with the seal 1 3 against the outlet 1 6 of the chamber 9 when the fluid level drops from the effect of suction, so that during this flushing process no more washing agent can pass into the container 5.

A dosing device of this type is not necessary to close-off the outlet with the floating valve. Only with this action has the exact dosing become possible.

The washing machine shown schematically in Figure 2 permits the use of both dry (solid) washing agents and of fluid washing agents. For this purpose, the connecting line 6 is guided via a further receptacle comprising a flushing compartment 17 for dry washing agents. The valve 1 can be a three-way electromagnetic valve, in which case one system serves via the device 3 to prevent back-suction with the pre-dosing chamber 1 8 for the washing agent, the second system being used with the pre-dosing chamber 19 for soft-rinsing agent, and the third system serving to regulate the level of water in the washing machine. The controllable air supply 10 is provided here with a hand control 20, which, by changing the suction head, which can be effected also by an electromagnetic valve regulator, opens up the following possibilities: the supply of fluid washing agent can be completely switched-off so that no fluid washing agent is sucked in. Dosage can be effected in accordance with the required consumption in dependence on viscosity or water hardness. The advantage of pre-dosing in the predosing avessels 9, 18, respectively 19 has the advantage that an additional time control can be dispensed with. A two-way electromagnetic valve can then be sufficient, since the water intake can be effected via the lines of the magnetic valves 1 and 2.

Claims

1. A programme-controlled clothes or dishwashing machine having a container for washing liquid in which washing is carried out, a receptacle for a washing agent to be introduced into the container, an electro-magnetic inlet valve operable by a programme-control device of the machine to# control the admission of a supply of flushing water to the container, and a first connection line extending from the inlet valve to the container, in which:: the receptacle for the washing agent communicates with said first connection line via a second connection line in such a way that, in use, upon passage of flushing water through the first connection line, a charge of washing agent is drawn from the receptacle into the container via said second and said first connection lines respectively; and an adjustable air supply device is connected to said second connection line in order to control the suction effect applied in use to the second connection line by the first connection line and th#ereby to control the size of the charge of washing agent introduced into the container.

2. A washing machine according to claim 1, in which the receptacle for washing agent includes a pre-dosing chamber having an inlet for admitting washing agent which is smaller than an outlet which communicates with said second connection line, and in which a floatable seal is provided in said pre-dosing chamber which is movable to close said outlet as the level of washing agent in the chamber falls when flushing water passes along said first connection line and which is movable to close said inlet when the chamber is fully charged with washing agent.

3. A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, including a further receptacle for washing agent in solid form, in which the machine is convertible, by changing the air supply device, to operate with a charge of washing agent from said further receptacle.

4. A washing machine according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in either of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.