U.S. patent application number 10/892929 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for washing machine water level controller.
Invention is credited to David L. Snow.
Application Number | 20060010611 10/892929 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35597842 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060010611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snow; David L. |
January 19, 2006 |
Washing machine water level controller
Abstract
The invention limits water level in a rinse cycle to a fraction
of the water in the wash cycle. A microprocessor based electronic
circuitry device that may be wired inside the front panel of the
normal (factory) "top loading" automatic clothes washer or a "front
loading" automatic clothes washer. Interfaces exist to the water
valves and timer motor from the micro-controller. The retrofitted
on original equipment micro-controller commands the hot and cold
valves to start filling the tub and measures the analog water level
input from the water level sensor. This number is stored in the
micro-controller memory as a "wash water level" during a first
cycle (wash cycle). If the Water Saver Disable switch is enabled by
an operator the "Wash Water Level" is divided by two providing a
"Rinse Water Level" (second cycle) that is one half the wash or
first cycle, or another fraction of that amount.
Inventors: |
Snow; David L.; (Wheatridge,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Barber Legal
PO Box 16220
Golden
CO
80402-6004
US
|
Family ID: |
35597842 |
Appl. No.: |
10/892929 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/158 ;
68/12.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 2105/04 20200201;
D06F 33/00 20130101; D06F 2202/085 20130101; D06F 2103/18 20200201;
D06F 33/34 20200201; D06F 2204/088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
008/158 ;
068/012.05 |
International
Class: |
D06F 33/00 20060101
D06F033/00 |
Claims
1. A washing machine water level controller comprising: an
over-ride circuit operatively connected to a cycle control circuit
of a washing machine, a timer of the circuitry operatively
connected to the operation of the cycle control circuit of the
washing machine, a monitoring circuit monitoring a first cycle of
the washing machine having a first water level, a reduction circuit
calculating a selected fraction of the water level of the first
water level, the over-ride circuit operatively connected to
over-ride a second water level of the washing machine, the
over-ride circuit permitting the washing machine to fill to only a
third water level, the third water level being the selected
fraction of the second water level.
2. The reduction circuit of claim 1 further comprising a reduction
circuit calculating fractions of less than one selected from the
group consisting of 1/10, 2/10, 3/10, 4/10, 5/10, 6/10, 7/10, 8/10,
9/10, 1/4, and 3/4.
3. The washing machine water level controller of claim 1 further
comprising switches on the front panel selected from the group
consisting of analog, digital, mechanical, slider, toggle,
multi-positioning, button, and touch panel.
4. The reduction circuit of claim 1, wherein the selected fraction
comprises one member selected from the group consisting of 1/8,
1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/3, 2/3, 3/8, 5/8 and 7/8.
5. The washing machine water level controller of claim 4 further
comprising the mechanical over-ride of a second rinse water level
of the washing machine.
6. The washing machine water level controller of claim 4 further
comprising the mechanical over-ride to a third rinse water level of
the washing machine.
7. The washing machine water level controller of claim 1, wherein
the calculation of the fractional water level is performed on the
basis of fill time during which the water valves are open.
8. The reduction circuit of claim 1, wherein the selected fraction
is determined by an analog input device operated by the user.
9. The reduction circuit of claim 8, wherein the analog input
device is a potentiometer.
10. A method of washing clothing in an automatic washing machine,
the method comprising the steps of: a) monitoring a first cycle of
the washing machine having a first water level, b) calculating a
selected fraction of the water level of the first water level, c)
permitting the washing machine to fill to only a third water level,
the third water level being the selected fraction of the second
water level.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the selected fraction comprises
one member selected from the group consisting of: 1/10, 2/10, 3/10,
4/10, 5/10, 6/10, 7/10, 8/10, 9/10, 1/4, 3/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32,
1/64, 1/3, 2/3, 3/8, 5/8 and 7/8.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to washing machines and
specifically to predetermined or preset rinse depth levels.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] N/A
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH
[0003] This invention was not made under contract with an agency of
the US Government, nor by any agency of the US Government.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Prior to the invention of a washing machine, clothes were
washed in streams and pounded with rocks in order to loosen dirt
and oils from the woven fibers. Cleaning laundry moved from the
stream to large tubs where laundry was left to soak. It was then
rubbed over corrugated washboards and the water was wrung out by
hand.
[0005] The evolution of the washing machine includes hand-operated
machines that gave way to steam engines and gasoline motors to
drive the machinery. Electric-powered washing machines were
introduced in the early 1900's. In addition, electric washing
machines became more popular as in-door plumbing and electricity
was widely available in households.
[0006] The washing machine is one of the more complicated
appliances in the home. Various washing machines offer several
settings for washing many types and quantities of materials. Its
primary functions are to wash, rinse and partially dry laundry by
mechanical extraction of the trapped water.
[0007] The washing machine holds an outer tub and an inner
perforated basket that holds the laundry. After detergent is added
to the laundry, the operator selects the desired settings for the
overall water level, water temperature, and the duration and speed
of the wash and rinse cycles. Typically, washing machines offer
three settings of low, medium, and high water levels that are
maintained through out all cycles. Dark and light colored laundry
are divided and washed separately to eliminate the possibility of a
color fade from darker fabrics on to lighter fabrics. Whites and
cottons are best cleaned in hot water, while fragile materials
require cooler temperatures and slower speeds. A timer within the
control panel is used to regulate the wash, rinse and water
extraction cycles. Of interest to this application is that the
timer controls the length of time the pump is activated. A greater
length of time provides a deeper water level. The timer also
controls the duration of the cycles.
[0008] Currently, many parts of the United States of America are
facing varying degrees of drought that have raised the cost of
water and many local governments have restricted the days and hours
that water may be used on lawns and gardens. Households may need to
use cost effective and easily administered alternatives to control
the water use by appliances inside their homes in order to save
money.
[0009] Various items of prior art may be considered that address
the operation and cycles of the washing machine.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,567 issued Mar. 26, 2002 to Lu for
WASHING MACHINE ADAPTED TO BE SUPPLIED WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF
WATER DURING A WASHING OPERATION teaches what seems to be no less
than three wash/rinse cycles, and that during the first such
operations the water level may be reduced. The '567 patent is not
at all clear what the relationship between "wash" water and "rinse"
water may be in the '567 patent. It may not deal with any
difference in water level between a "wash" cycle and a following
"rinse" cycle but rather may deal with three washes and three
rinses, only varying the level compared between rinses, not rinses
in comparison to washes.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,298 issued Feb. 29, 2000 to Dausch et al
for SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A LIQUID LEVEL SETTING IN A
WASHING MACHINE teaches a complex fuzzy logic algorithm which
compensates for differing types of materials in the wash load.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,679 issued Nov. 23, 1999 to Won for
WATER LEVEL SENSING METHOD AND APPARATUS IN WASHING MACHINE
determines a variable water level by sensing the difference between
dry and wet laundry.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,729 issued Jun. 23, 1998 to Cracraft for
ADAPTIVE FILL CONTROL FOR AN AUTOMATIC WASHER is similar to the
'298 patent in using a complex fuzzy logic process to determine
laundry materials and compensate for the differing absorptions of
such materials.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,790 issued Apr. 14, 1998 to Badger et al
for RINSING PROCEDURE FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE teaches a
comparison of rinse cycle water use, by teaching that a rinse may
be replaced with a series of spray rinses. The amount of water used
is sensed in a first spray rinse cycle, then a proportion of that
amount is used in later spray rinses. Thus a proportion of wash
cycle water to rinse cycle water is never determined.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 3,030,789 issued Apr. 24, 1962 to Rothenberger
for AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE teaches a machine that
supplies water throughout the wash cycle according to a simple time
dependency.
[0016] It would be advantageous to have a device providing an easy
and inexpensive retrofit to an existing washer that reduces the
rinse cycle water level to wash cycle water ratio with a control
indicating a choice of reductions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] General Summary
[0018] The invention revolves around altering the rinse cycle water
level. The normal rinse cycle water level is changed to a different
rinse cycle water level: there are two different rinse cycle water
levels: a default level normally built into a washing machine and a
new level (based upon the invention) which is a fraction of the
normal level. Thus the machine will have at least three water
levels: a first water level (a wash level), a second water level
(rinse) and a third water level (rinse level based upon use of the
invention water level instead of the second water level).
[0019] The invention comprises a microprocessor based electronic
circuitry device that limits rinse water amounts to a fraction of
wash cycle amounts. The device may be wired inside the front panel
of the normal (factory) "top loading" automatic clothes washer or a
"front loading" automatic clothes washer. Power for a
micro-controller is supplied by a low voltage power supply.
Interfaces exist to the water valves and timer motor from the
micro-controller. The retrofitted on original equipment
micro-controller commands the hot and cold valves to start filling
the tub and measures the analog water level input from the water
level sensor. This number is stored in the micro-controller memory
as a "wash water level" during a first cycle (wash cycle).
Normally, a second water level would be used for the rinse level If
the Water Saver Control (including Disable) switch is enabled by an
operator the "Wash Water Level" is divided by an operator
selectable percentage of the wash or first rinse cycle, providing a
new third "Rinse Water Level" (in the rinse cycle) that is one half
the normal rinse level, or another selected fractional amount. Thus
a third water level may be an option for the user of the machine:
instead of the normal second cycle water level, a third, fractional
water level may be used.
[0020] Summary in Reference to Claims
[0021] It is one aspect, advantage, embodiment and objective of the
present invention to provide a washing machine water level
controller comprising an over-ride circuit operatively connected to
a cycle control circuit of a washing machine. The over-ride circuit
having a timer operatively connected to the operation of the cycle
control circuit of the washing machine, a monitoring circuit
monitoring a first cycle of the washing machine having a first wash
water level, a reduction circuit calculating the selected preset
percentage (i.e. one half) of the water level of the first (wash)
water level the over-ride circuit operatively connected to
over-ride, a second (rinse) water level of the washing machine (the
second water level being a "default" rinse water level, perhaps the
same water level as the first water level used during the rinse
cycle) but the over-ride circuit permitting the washing machine to
fill to only a third (rinse) water level for use during the rinse
cycle, the third rinse water level being a fraction of the "normal"
second rinse water level. The reduction circuit calculating
fractions of less than one selected from the group consisting of
1/10, 2/10, 3/10, 4/10, 5/10, 6/10, 7/10, 8/10, 9/10, 1/4, or 3/4,
or another fractional amount of water, and switches on the front
panel selected from the group consisting of analog, digital,
mechanical, slider, toggle, multi-positioning, button, and touch
panel.
[0022] It is another aspect, advantage, embodiment and objective of
the present invention to provide a washing machine water level
controller comprising a mechanical over-ride of a first wash water
level, the mechanical over-ride of a second (default rinse) water
level of the washing machine, the mechanical over-ride to a third
water level (a different rinse water level) of the washing machine,
the mechanical reduction calculating fractions of less than one
selected from the group consisting of 1/10, 2/10, 3/10, 4/10, 5/10,
6/10, 7/10, 8/10, 9/10, 1/4, or 3/4, or another fractional amount,
and switches on the front panel selected from the group consisting
of analog, digital, mechanical, slider, toggle, multi-positioning,
button, and touch panel.
[0023] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a washing machine
level controller comprising: an over-ride circuit operatively
connected to a cycle control circuit of a washing machine, a timer
of the circuitry operatively connected to the operation of the
cycle control circuit of the washing machine, a monitoring circuit
monitoring a first cycle of the washing machine having a first wash
water level, a reduction circuit calculating a fraction of the
water level of the first wash water level, the over-ride circuit
operatively connected to over-ride a second rinse water level of
the washing machine, the over-ride circuit permitting the washing
machine to fill to only a third (rinse) cycle water level, the
third rinse water level being the fraction of the second rinse
water level.
[0024] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a washing machine
level controller further comprising a reduction circuit calculating
fractions of less than one selected from the group consisting of
1/10, 2/10, 3/10, 4/10, 5/10, 6/10, 7/10, 8/10, 9/10, 1/4, or
3/4.
[0025] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a washing machine
level controller further comprising switches on the front panel
selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, mechanical,
slider, toggle, multi-positioning, button, and touch panel.
[0026] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a washing machine
level controller further comprising the mechanical over-ride of a
second rinse water level of the washing machine.
[0027] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a washing machine
level controller further comprising the mechanical over-ride to a
third rinse water level of the washing machine.
[0028] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a washing machine
level controller wherein the calculation of the fractional water
level is performed on the basis of fill time during which the water
valves are open.
[0029] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a washing machine
level controller wherein the selected fraction comprises one member
selected from the group consisting of 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/3,
2/3, 3/8, 5/8 and 7/8.
[0030] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a washing machine
level controller wherein the selected fraction is determined by an
analog input device operated by the user.
[0031] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a washing machine
level controller wherein the analog input device is a
potentiometer.
[0032] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of washing
clothing in an automatic washing machine, the method comprising the
steps of: a) monitoring a first cycle of the washing machine having
a first water level, b) calculating a selected fraction of the
water level of the first water level, c) permitting the washing
machine to fill to only a third water level, the third water level
being the selected fraction of the second water level.
[0033] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the present invention to provide a method wherein the
selected fraction comprises one member selected from the group
consisting of: 1/10, 2/10, 3/10, 4/10, 5/10, 6/10, 7/10, 8/10,
9/10, 3/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/3, 2/3, 3/8, 5/8 and 7/8.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a block diagram washing machine water saver.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a washing machine
tub.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a washing machine tub
with dry laundry.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a washing machine tub
with wet laundry.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a washing machine tub
with optional water levels.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control flow of the present
invention and the user control of the present invention.
INDEX TO REFERENCES NUMBERS
[0040] 10 Low Voltage Power Supply, for example
DIGIKEY.COPYRGT./T309-P6P-ND [0041] 11 Water Level Sensor
(Amplified Pressure Sensor)-FUJIKURA.COPYRGT. XFPMC-025KPG [0042]
12 Isolation and Logic Level Conversion [0043] 13
Micro-controller--PIC18C67X or equivalent [0044] 14 Isolation and
Timer Motor Drive [0045] 15 Hot and Cold Water Valve Isolator and
Driver [0046] 16 Hot and Cold Water Valves [0047] 17 Cycle Position
Switch From Timer [0048] 18 Timer Enable Switch [0049] 19 Existing
Mechanical Water Level Switch [0050] 20 Analog Water Level [0051]
21 Water Saver Control Switch on Front Panel [0052] 200 Outer
basket [0053] 201 Inner perforated basket [0054] 202 Center area
volume [0055] 203 Low level water setting [0056] 204 Medium level
water setting [0057] 205 High level water setting [0058] 300 Dry
non-compact laundry [0059] 400 Wet compact laundry after
centrifugal water extraction [0060] 500 Normal rinse level (second
level) [0061] 501 Fractional rinse level of invention (third level)
[0062] 602 Cycle controller [0063] 604 Timer [0064] 606 Washing
machine [0065] 608 User input device [0066] 610 Monitor [0067] 612
Reduction circuit [0068] 614 Over-ride circuit
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0069] In the presently preferred embodiment and best mode
presently contemplated for carrying out the invention a washing
machine water level controller may utilize a microprocessor based
electronic system that automatically reduces the amount of water
used for the rinse cycle of either a "top loading" automatic
clothes washer or a "front loading" automatic clothes washer.
Switches on the front panel may be selected from the group
consisting of analog, digital, mechanical, slider, toggle,
multi-positioning, button, and touch panel.
[0070] The device embodiment of the invention is wired inside the
front panel of the standard "top loading" automatic clothes washer
or a "front loading" automatic clothes washer. The device
embodiment of the invention may be a retrofit or original equipment
provided by the manufacturer.
[0071] The electrical design of the controller follows in FIG.
1.
[0072] All electrical interfaces with a Micro-controller 13 are
Logic Level 12 and will be optically isolated from a 115 VAC line.
An alternative micro-controller device of a similar nature may be
used. A 5 VDC current to the Micro-controller 13 is supplied by a
Low Voltage Power Supply 10, as described in FIG. 1, supplied by
DIGIKEY or other manufacturer. The interfaces to water valves 15
and timer motor 14 are isolated from the 115 VAC line, and may look
like one TTL load to the Micro-controller 13.
[0073] At the initial operation of the washing machine, a Cycle
Position Sensor 17 senses that a Timer 14 is in a first cycle wash
and the Timer Enable Switch 18 (machine start) is engaged. With the
machine in a normal (factory) wash cycle, the Micro-controller 13
commands a Hot and Cold Water Valves 16 to start filling a washtub.
The Micro-controller 13 monitors an Existing Mechanical Water Level
Switch 19. When the Existing Mechanical Water Level Switch 19
indicates full it commands the Hot and Cold Water Valves 16 to stop
filling the washtub, and confirms a Tub Full internal electronic
indication. At the Tub Full indication a Timer Motor Drive 14 is
engaged. Additionally at the Tub Full, measurements of an Analog
Water Lever 20 from a Water Level Sensor 11 are read and converted
by the microprocessor and the microprocessor stores this number in
its memory as "Wash Water Level" of the first cycle. The Water
Level Sensor 11 may be provided by FUJIKURA or other
manufacturer.
[0074] At the start of the second cycle (rinse cycle), as
determined by the Cycle Position Switch 17 for the timer, the
Micro-controller 13 checks the position of a Water Saver
Control/Disable Switch 21. If it is in a Disable Mode, it commands
the Hot and Cold Water Valves 16 to start filling the washtub. In
addition, the Micro-controller 13 checks the position of a Water
Saver Control Switch 21. If it is in a Disable Mode, it commands
the Hot and Cold Water Valves 16 to stop filling the washtub when
the Existing Mechanical Water Level 19 switch indicates "full", Tub
Full. At the Tub Full indication the Micro-controller 13 engages
the Timer Motor Drive 14. The Micro-controller 13 checks the
position of the Water Saver Disable Switch 21 and if it is in an
enable mode, it commands the Hot and Cold Water Valves 15 to start
filling the washtub. Thus the user may have a selection as simple
as "Rinse Water Saver YES" or "Rinse Water Saver NO." Or the user
as discussed in regard to other embodiments, may have a choice of
the fractional reduction and savings.
[0075] As the Micro-controller 13 is performing the above
functions, it checks the position of the Water Saver Control Switch
21. A reduction circuit, within the Micro-controller 13, sensing an
enable mode multiplies the "Wash Water Lever" (first cycle) by the
fraction selected by the Control Switch and provides an appropriate
"Rinse Water Level". Upon checking the position of the Water Saver
Control Switch 13 for an enable mode, it compares the Analog Water
Level 20 to the "Rinse Water Level". If the Analog Water Level 20
is greater than or equal to the "Rinse Water Level", the
Micro-controller 13 commands the Hot and Cold Water Valves 16 to
stop filling the washtub, with the internal electronic indication
of "Tub Full". At "Tub Full", the Timer Motor Drive 14 is
engaged.
[0076] An alternative embodiment may configure the reduction
circuit to calculate fractions less than a whole number selected
from the group consisting of 1/10, 2/10, 3/10, 4/10, 5/10, 6/10,
7/10, 8/10, 9/10, 1/4, or 3/4 thereby offering the operator more
options for water levels and savings in dollars and water used.
Thus the third water level (water saving rinse), as a fraction of
the second (normal rinse) water level, may be adjusted.
[0077] Alternative embodiments may include a mechanical means to
adjust all water levels used in the washing machine. This may
increase the inventions use to consumers in areas where there may
be an extreme scarcity of water and circuitry is not employed in a
locally produced washing machine.
[0078] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a washing machine tub.
The standard washing machine utilizes an outer tub 200 with an
inner perforated basket 201. Generally, three water levels are used
in a wash (first cycle) and rinse (second cycle) that fills into a
center area 202 of the inner perforated basket 201. A low 203,
medium 204, and high 205 water levels are possible options an
operator may choose on a front panel of the washing machine. An
operator choosing the low 203, medium 204, or high 205 water level
setting for a first cycle (wash) is obligated to accept the same
water level for all subsequent rinse cycles, in the prior art, with
the only option being manually resetting the setting during the
cycle. The present invention, however, obviates that necessity.
[0079] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a washing machine tub
with dry laundry. The dry condition of laundry 300 fills the inner
perforated basket 201 of the washing machine. An operator may or
may not perceive the amount or density of the laundry 300 prior to
its water saturation during a first cycle (wash).
[0080] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a washing machine tub
with wet laundry. A centrifuge (in the form of an inner basket) is
the common means of draining water from the washtub. As the inner
perforated basket 201 spins the centrifugal action forces the water
and laundry to the outside edge of the inner perforated basket 201.
During this spin cycle, water may be sprayed from an area around
the upper edge of the inner perforated basket 201 that may help to
pull any remaining detergent out of laundry 400 as the inner
perforated basket 201 spins, providing an extra rinse. The
remaining water may be pulled out of the laundry through the
perforated sides of the inner basket leaving damp laundry 400. In
this damp condition, the laundry has lost a fluffy density that it
may have held prior to the first cycle (wash) and before water
saturation. The compressed nature of the water-saturated laundry
that occurs during the first cycle (a wash) may allow less water to
be used during the second cycle (a rinse) towards completing the
task of washing, draining soapy water, rinsing and culminating with
damp laundry.
[0081] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a washing machine tub
with optional water levels. Ref. 500 shows a normal rinse water
level of a washing machine tub and 501 represents a fractional
water level a washing machine tub.
[0082] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control flow of the present
invention and the user control of the present invention. Cycle
controller 602 comprises a washing machine water level controller
having a timer 604 operatively connected to the operation of the
cycle control circuit of the washing machine. By means of timer
604, cycle controller 602 controls operations of the washing
machine, for example, the length of time a valve is open to admit
water, length of a spin cycle and the like. Controller 602 may also
measure water levels inside the washing machine 606 to determine
when proper water levels are achieved.
[0083] Over-ride circuit 614 operatively connected to the cycle
control circuit 602 of the washing machine 606 may implement the
invention. Monitoring circuit 610 monitors a first cycle of the
washing machine having a first water level, the first cycle
presumably being a wash cycle, and thus the first water level being
a "wash" water level.
[0084] Reduction circuit 612 receives data from monitor 610 and
then calculates a selected fraction of the water level of the first
water level. The selected fraction of the water level may be
selected by an analog or digital user input device 608 located upon
the front of the machine. Over-ride 614 is operatively connected to
over-ride a second water level of the washing machine, the second
water level may correspond to a rinse cycle water level, commonly
100% of the first water level used in the wash cycle.
[0085] The over-ride 614 permits the washing machine 606 to fill to
only a third water level, which is the selected fraction of the
second water level, thus saving water, energy and money.
[0086] If a family of four people were to complete five loads of
laundry on a weekly basis using a washing machine with a forty-four
gallon capacity wash/rinse tub, and using the calculations offered
by the inventor for saving water during the rinse (second) cycle we
may see the following savings:
[0087] At forty-four gallons of water used per rinse cycle, divided
by two (savings of 50%), 22 gallons is saved per cycle. The
resulting energy savings per load may be 11 kWh, in regions in
which clean water requires 0.5 kWh to produce.
[0088] At fifty-five gallons water used per rinse cycle divided by
2 (assuming one half is saved) equals 27.5 gallons saved with an
energy savings per load of 13.75 kWh, in regions of high elevation
in which each gallon of clean water requires 0.5 kWh to produce.
Under present testing, it seems likely that 27.5 gallons may not be
the maximum savings: amounts up to 44 gallons per cycle may be
savable, with a consequent increase in the energy savings.
[0089] Assuming one million families, at only 11 kWh, the energy
savings for a single use of each machine (for a family of four, a
mere day or two of ordinary clothing usage) means an energy savings
of 11 gigawatthours of energy, 22 million gallons of water, and a
cost savings of millions of dollars. (In terms of costs, the
financial cost per gallon reprocessed is known to each water board
for its own operations.)
[0090] Some modern washing machines allow two rinse cycles in one
overall use cycle of the machine. Differential amounts in
additional rinse cycles may be provided. For example, in
alternative embodiments, the invention may allow the washing
machine to use the normal default water level for one rinse cycle
but use the fractional amount for another cycle, or may use the
fractional water level more than once (multiplying overall savings)
or may even allow more than one fractional water level to be
selected. As an example, a user of a machine offering multiple
rinses, having an embodiment installed which allows selection of
multiple fractions of the wash cycle water level, might well select
a rinse water level of 75% of normal (or 75% of the wash cycle
water level) and a second rinse water level of only 50% of the
normal (or 50% of the wash cycle water level).
[0091] The disclosure is provided to allow practice of the
invention by those skilled in the art without undue
experimentation, including the best mode presently contemplated and
the presently preferred embodiment. Nothing in this disclosure is
to be taken to limit the scope of the invention, which is
susceptible to numerous alterations, equivalents and substitutions
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The
scope of the invention is to be understood from the claims
accompanying this application.
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