GB2186598A

GB2186598A - Washing machine comprising an anti-flooding device

Info

Publication number: GB2186598A
Application number: GB08703063A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Horst Sperling
Original assignee: Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 1986-02-14
Filing date: 1987-02-11
Publication date: 1987-08-19
Also published as: GB8703063D0; DE8603895U1; GB2186598B

Abstract

To preclude flooding the washing machine is provided with a water- supply hose 3 surrounded by a jacket hose 15. The jacket hose 15 terminates at the detergent dispenser of the washing tub 9 whose overflow level is detected to control a valve 2 arranged upstream of the water-supply hose 3. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Washing machine comprising an anti-flooding device The invention relates to a washing machine comprising a device to prevent flooding as a result of leakage between the water-supply tap and the detergent dispenser, using a water-supply hose which is surrounded by and spaced from a jacket hose, and a controllable valve arranged upstream of the water-supply hose.

To preclude flooding in the case of leakage between the water-supply mains and the washing machine it is known to arrange a controllable valve, which is generally of the electromagnetic type and which is needed anyway for filling a washing machine, directly on the water-supply tap. As a result of this construction the water-supply hose between the water mains and the machine is under pressure only for the duration of a water supply cycle and this pressure is comparatively low because the water is fed into an inlet chamber or the like via a free air path, i.e. the water supply opens freely into the washing machine.

Further, it is known to surround the watersupply hose with a jacket hose which is spaced from the supply hose, which also enables minor leakages to be detected and rendered harmless. It is known to connect this jacket hose to the supply hose at both ends, so that in the event of a leak a pressure is built up in the jacket hose. This pressure may be utilised to close a pressure-dependent valve on the water tap. Finally, it is known to connect the jacket hose only to the valve or the supply hose at the side of the water-supply mains, the end at the machine side terminating freely in, for example, a water receptacle situated underneath the machine. The inlet valve can then be closed by means of a float associated with this receptacle.

It is the object of the present invention, to construct a washing machine and the associated anti-flooding means in such a way that a maximum safety is obtained with a minimal total expenditure.

In accordance with the invention this is achieved in a washing machine of the type defined in the opening paragraph in that the jacket hose is connected in a liquid-tight manner to an inlet opening of the detergent dispenser and the machine is associated with a detector which is responsive to an overflow level and which enables the controllable valve arranged upstream of the water-supply hose to be closed.

In known manner the controllable valve may be an electromagnetic valve whose energizing circuit for opening the valve includes switching contacts of an overflow-level detector in such a way that the energizing circuit is interrupted when a predetermined level is exceeded, thus causing the valve to be closed.

In addition to or instead of said electromagnetic valve a pressure-dependent controllable valve may be arranged on the water-supply tap, which valve is provided with a diaphragm and is closed automatically in the case of a specific rise in pressure. In order to determine the critical overflow level the controllable valve or the associated pressure detector may be connected to the washing tub via a sensor tube.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to a diagrammatic drawing.

Through the water tap 1, the magnetic valve 2 and the water-supply hose 3 water from a water-supply mains is supplied to a detergent dispenser 4 via a free air path 5.

The detergent dispenser 4 comprises detergent and conditioner containers 7 provided with a grip panel 6. The dispenser 4 is connected to the washing tub 9 by a corrugated tube 8. The washing tub 9 is drained via a draining pump 10 and a discharge hose 11. A level detector 13 is coupled to the washing tub 9 via a sensor tube 12, the coil 14 of the magnetic valve 2 being controlled via the contacts of said detector.

In the event of rupture of the supply hose 3 or a small leak at the valve 2 or at the supply hose 3, the water flows through the jacket hose 15 surrounding the water-supply hose 3 into the detergent dispenser 4 and thence into the washing tub 9. When a predetermined level is exceeded, the pressure in the pressure cell of the level detector 13 rises, thereby interrupting the power supply to the magnet coil 14. The valve 2 is closed. Obviously, the electric circuit for the magnet coil 14 is additionally controlled by the program-control means and the selected water levels.

In addition to or instead of the magnetic valve 2 a pressure-dependent controllable valve may be used, which valve is controlled by a correspondingly arranged sensor tube 12.

If the water-supply tap 1 is provided only with a pressure-dependent valve an additional controllable valve must be arranged at the side of the machine upstream of the free air path 5.

1. A washing machine comprising a device to prevent flooding as a result of leakage between the water-supply tap and the detergent dispenser, using a water-supply hose which is surrounded by and spaced from a jacket hose, and a controllable valve arranged upstream of the water-supply hose, characterized in that the jacket hose is connected in a liquid-tight manner to an inlet opening of the detergent dispenser and there is provided a detector which is responsive to an overflow level and which enables the controllable valve to be

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Washing machine comprising an anti-flooding device The invention relates to a washing machine comprising a device to prevent flooding as a result of leakage between the water-supply tap and the detergent dispenser, using a water-supply hose which is surrounded by and spaced from a jacket hose, and a controllable valve arranged upstream of the water-supply hose. To preclude flooding in the case of leakage between the water-supply mains and the washing machine it is known to arrange a controllable valve, which is generally of the electromagnetic type and which is needed anyway for filling a washing machine, directly on the water-supply tap. As a result of this construction the water-supply hose between the water mains and the machine is under pressure only for the duration of a water supply cycle and this pressure is comparatively low because the water is fed into an inlet chamber or the like via a free air path, i.e. the water supply opens freely into the washing machine. Further, it is known to surround the watersupply hose with a jacket hose which is spaced from the supply hose, which also enables minor leakages to be detected and rendered harmless. It is known to connect this jacket hose to the supply hose at both ends, so that in the event of a leak a pressure is built up in the jacket hose. This pressure may be utilised to close a pressure-dependent valve on the water tap. Finally, it is known to connect the jacket hose only to the valve or the supply hose at the side of the water-supply mains, the end at the machine side terminating freely in, for example, a water receptacle situated underneath the machine. The inlet valve can then be closed by means of a float associated with this receptacle. It is the object of the present invention, to construct a washing machine and the associated anti-flooding means in such a way that a maximum safety is obtained with a minimal total expenditure. In accordance with the invention this is achieved in a washing machine of the type defined in the opening paragraph in that the jacket hose is connected in a liquid-tight manner to an inlet opening of the detergent dispenser and the machine is associated with a detector which is responsive to an overflow level and which enables the controllable valve arranged upstream of the water-supply hose to be closed. In known manner the controllable valve may be an electromagnetic valve whose energizing circuit for opening the valve includes switching contacts of an overflow-level detector in such a way that the energizing circuit is interrupted when a predetermined level is exceeded, thus causing the valve to be closed. In addition to or instead of said electromagnetic valve a pressure-dependent controllable valve may be arranged on the water-supply tap, which valve is provided with a diaphragm and is closed automatically in the case of a specific rise in pressure. In order to determine the critical overflow level the controllable valve or the associated pressure detector may be connected to the washing tub via a sensor tube. An embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to a diagrammatic drawing. Through the water tap 1, the magnetic valve 2 and the water-supply hose 3 water from a water-supply mains is supplied to a detergent dispenser 4 via a free air path 5. The detergent dispenser 4 comprises detergent and conditioner containers 7 provided with a grip panel 6. The dispenser 4 is connected to the washing tub 9 by a corrugated tube 8. The washing tub 9 is drained via a draining pump 10 and a discharge hose 11. A level detector 13 is coupled to the washing tub 9 via a sensor tube 12, the coil 14 of the magnetic valve 2 being controlled via the contacts of said detector. In the event of rupture of the supply hose 3 or a small leak at the valve 2 or at the supply hose 3, the water flows through the jacket hose 15 surrounding the water-supply hose 3 into the detergent dispenser 4 and thence into the washing tub 9. When a predetermined level is exceeded, the pressure in the pressure cell of the level detector 13 rises, thereby interrupting the power supply to the magnet coil 14. The valve 2 is closed. Obviously, the electric circuit for the magnet coil 14 is additionally controlled by the program-control means and the selected water levels. In addition to or instead of the magnetic valve 2 a pressure-dependent controllable valve may be used, which valve is controlled by a correspondingly arranged sensor tube 12. If the water-supply tap 1 is provided only with a pressure-dependent valve an additional controllable valve must be arranged at the side of the machine upstream of the free air path 5. CLAIMS

1. A washing machine comprising a device to prevent flooding as a result of leakage between the water-supply tap and the detergent dispenser, using a water-supply hose which is surrounded by and spaced from a jacket hose, and a controllable valve arranged upstream of the water-supply hose, characterized in that the jacket hose is connected in a liquid-tight manner to an inlet opening of the detergent dispenser and there is provided a detector which is responsive to an overflow level and which enables the controllable valve to be closed.

2. A washing machine as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the controllable valve is an electromagnetic valve, known per se, whose energizing circuit includes switching contacts of an overflow-level detector.

3. A washing machine as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the controllable valve is provided with a diaphragm which by means of a sensor tube arranged parallel to the water-supply hose detects an increased liquid level in the machine and closes the valve.

4. A washing machine as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that in addition a magnetic valve which is controlled by the program-control means and level detectors is arranged upstream of the water-supply hose.

5. A washing machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.