U.S. patent application number 12/308738 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-03 for method for introducing detergents and associated washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH. Invention is credited to Edwin Bolduan, Wyneken Fimmen, Horst Wiemer.
Application Number | 20090293555 12/308738 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38474318 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090293555 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bolduan; Edwin ; et
al. |
December 3, 2009 |
Method for Introducing Detergents and Associated Washing
Machine
Abstract
A method and washing machine that drives a cylindrical drum
body, having openings and rotatably supported about an
approximately horizontal axis in a tub, in a preferred direction of
rotation, and that flows a detergent-liquid mixture in a stream
onto an area of an upper quandrant of the cylindrical drum at an
oblique angle against the preferred direction of rotation.
Inventors: |
Bolduan; Edwin; (Berlin,
DE) ; Fimmen; Wyneken; (Gaufelden, DE) ;
Wiemer; Horst; (Kleinmachnow, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
100 BOSCH BOULEVARD
NEW BERN
NC
28562
US
|
Assignee: |
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate
GmbH
Munich
DE
|
Family ID: |
38474318 |
Appl. No.: |
12/308738 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
June 6, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2007/055545 |
371 Date: |
December 19, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/17R ;
222/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/024 20130101;
D06F 33/00 20130101; D06F 2204/065 20130101; D06F 39/022
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/17.R ;
222/1 |
International
Class: |
D06F 35/00 20060101
D06F035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 27, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 029 478.5 |
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A method for introducing detergents in program-controlled
washing machines, the method comprising: driving a cylindrical drum
body, having openings and rotatably supported about an
approximately horizontal axis in a tub, in a preferred direction of
rotation; and flowing a detergent-liquid mixture in a stream onto
an area of an upper quandrant of the cylindrical drum at an oblique
angle against the preferred direction of rotation.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the preferred direction of
rotation results in the detergent-liquid mixture falling downwards
in a flow pointing away from a drain opening in the tub.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the preferred direction of
rotation results in the detergent-liquid mixture entering more
quickly through the openings in the drum body or is expelled
through the openings more effectively than in an opposite direction
of rotation to the preferred direction.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the flowing comprises
distributing the flowing over the width of the drum body into the
tub according to the depth of the washing drum.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein driving the cylindrical drum
body comprises controlling a speed of rotation of the drum
body.
14. A washing machine comprising: a detergent dispenser
controllable for temporarily storing an output of detergent; a
detergent feed line extending from an area of a tub and for
directing a stream of detergent-liquid mixture falling from a mouth
of the detergent feed line onto a surface of a washing drum from
above at an oblique angle; and a drive motor for controlling a
direction of rotation of the washing drum and for rotating the
washing drum in a preferred direction of rotation against the
stream.
15. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein the washing drum
comprises openings in a drum surface which in each case have an
admittance or an expulsion effect which are greater on rotation of
the washing drum in the preferred direction of rotation than they
are during rotation in the direction opposite to the preferred
direction of rotation.
16. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein the drum surface
comprises structures which delay an unhindered draining of the
detergent-liquid mixture.
Description
[0001] The starting point of the present invention is a method for
the introduction of detergents into program-controlled washing
machines by a detergent-liquid mixture flowing through a preferably
cylindrical drum body in which openings are provided of a washing
drum supported rotatably around an at least approximately
horizontal axis in a tub.
[0002] Such a method follows on from DE 43 42 627 C2 or DE 43 42
626 C2. It is able to be executed with a washing machine which
features a detergent dispensing facility controllable in respect of
detergent temporarily stored within it and a detergent feed line as
well as a drive motor for the washing drum controllable in respect
of its direction of rotation. The term detergent is used here and
below as a simple generic term for all types of washing, fabric
care and rinsing agents which are normally used in washing
machines.
[0003] With washing machines of the type discussed here the
detergent required for a washing program is deposited in a drawer
of the detergent dispensing facility. To accept different types and
quantities of detergents there are generally a number of
compartments present in the drawer, which are flushed through
during the individual washing program phases by means of a
controllable water jet. The water-detergent mixture flows via a
dispensing line into the tub. After the washing process the washing
liquor is pumped away. To this end an outlet opening is provided at
a fixed point in the tub with a flange for connecting the drain
pump line.
[0004] Manufacturers of washing machines are making efforts to use
the detergents employed in the washing process as effectively as
possible and to avoid wastage. Wastage can arise for example by
undissolved detergent getting into the drain pump line at the tub,
no longer being dissolved and thus remaining ineffective for the
washing process.
[0005] To counter such detergent wastage, recirculating pump
systems are used in known washing machines for recirculating
detergents back into the tub (e.g. DE 37 04 079 A1 and DE 35 40 741
A1). Using a recirculating pump the washing liquor is pumped away
via the drain pipe from the lowest point of the tub and transported
to the upper area of the tub. The washing liquor is thus
circulated; the detergent is dissolved by constantly being moved in
the liquor.
[0006] Another approach to countering detergent wastage consists of
radically reducing the volume of liquor ineffective for the washing
process. In various embodiments solutions are proposed for closing
off the drain pipe to the liquor or circulation pump during the
washing process. The closure mechanism prevents undissolved
detergent being able to be deposited in the outlet flange and thus
being lost to the washing process.
[0007] DE 100 65 404 A1 is given as an example of such a solution.
In this patent it is proposed that the opening to the drain pipe be
closed off by a float which is pressed against an annular
projection in the drain opening of the tub. To improve the sealing
effect the float is coated with rubber or with an elastic plastic.
The pressure on the float is created by the column of water
standing in the feed line to the return container. Arranged in the
upper area of washing machine is a return container in which a
column of water stands above the level of the freshly supplied
detergent-water mixture and thus has the height necessary for
creating the pressure acting on the float. The used liquor is
pumped out of the tub via the return container.
[0008] The disadvantage shared by the two solutions described above
is that the washing machines have to be equipped with expensive
additional devices in order avoid or reduce detergent wastage.
These additional devices add not inconsiderable costs to such
washing machines. A further disadvantage of the circulation pump
system described in the first instance is that additional energy
has to be used during operation of the washing machine.
[0009] The object of the invention, to minimize detergent wastage,
is to specify a method that can be implemented with a very small
material outlay and which requires no additional energy to be
expended in operating the washing machine.
[0010] Inventively the object is achieved by the features given in
the characterizing part of claim 1. In addition a washing machine
achieving this object for executing the method is specified in
claim 6. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are
contained in the subclaims of which the features can be applied
individually or in any given combination with each other or with
the features of claim 1 or 6.
[0011] According to the invention, while the washing drum is being
driven in a preferred direction of rotation, the detergent-liquid
mixture flows in a stream against the moving drum body so that the
stream hits an area of the drum body at an oblique angle, said area
lying in the upper quadrant of the cylinder form of the drum. The
drum is moved against the direction of flow of the introduced
detergent-liquid mixture in a preferred direction of rotation. In
addition there is a preferred variant in which the detergent-liquid
mixture flowing downwards is kept away from the drain opening for
as long as possible.
[0012] It is now evident that by this simple measure the dissolving
of the detergent can be significantly improved without additional
effort. An especially good effect can be achieved with the method
if the surface of the washing drum is a surface which amplifies an
eddy movement, especially a structured body surface. This enables
the detergent-liquid mixture to be retained for a long time in the
upper area as the drum rotates, i.e. away from the drain
opening.
[0013] The method can be implemented with the minimum effort since
it is essentially characterized by a pure software solution. No
additional modules or parts to be fitted are necessary for
practical implementation of the method. The method can be used for
washing machines in which the detergent-liquid mixture is not
directed centrally from above onto the drum body and can be
retrofitted by reprogramming or replacing the program chip.
[0014] In an embodiment of the invention the detergent-liquid
mixture flows over almost the entire depth of the drum distributed
onto the drum body. The inflowing liquid flows more evenly over the
drum body, promoting the dissolving of the detergent. The even
distribution also has the effect of enabling more mixture to reach
the inside of the drum through the openings in the drum body even
during initial feeding. The washing is thus wetted more quickly.
The wetting of the washing can be further improved by the openings
in the drum body having a greater admittance capability in the
preferred direction of rotation.
[0015] The amount of liquid hitting the washing via the openings in
the drum body during the feeding phase is--within limits--able to
be controlled by regulating the speed of rotation of the drum. The
method in accordance with the invention thus offers an additional
option for designing the washing programs.
[0016] The inventive method and its associated exemplary
embodiments are described with reference to drawings listed below.
The figures show
[0017] FIG. 1 a washing machine in a perspective view and
[0018] FIG. 2 a detailed view of the upper area of the drum
body.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a washing machine 1 from
the front. To simplify the diagram it contains only the components
of significance for the function of the inventive method.
[0020] The tub 3 and the washing drum 4 able to be rotated therein
around a horizontal axis 14 have a loading opening which can be
closed by means of a door which has been removed in this diagram.
Arranged in the upper housing area are the control panel 1 and also
the detergent dispensing facility. The detergent required is
deposited in its drawer 2 which can be pulled out horizontally in a
forwards direction. To accept different detergents the drawer 2 is
subdivided into a number of compartments which can be flushed out
under program control using fresh water fed from an external water
supply system.
[0021] The floor of the dispensing facility merges with an outlet
flange for the detergent feed line 7. In the drawing the direction
of flow of the detergent-liquid mixture is indicated by arrows 6.
To pump out the washing water a drain opening 10 is provided at the
lowest point of the tub 3, which is linked to the drain pump 11 via
a connected line.
[0022] The detergent-liquid mixture is introduced distributed over
the width of the drum body 13 (FIG. 2) via a liquid distributor 5
which is attached in parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum
14 centrally to the outside of the tub 3 and has a series of
through openings. At its two edges towards the rear panel and
towards the front panel the drum surface 13 features raised edge
bars resulting from manufacturing (not shown) which prevent the
incoming detergent-liquid mixture from flowing away over the sides.
The stream of liquid 12 hits the drum body 13 of the washing drum 4
from above at an oblique angle. The movement of the drum body 13,
as a result of the preferred direction of rotation 8 of the washing
drum 4 is directed against the direction of flow 12 of the incoming
detergent-liquid mixture. The detergent-liquid mixture is
introduced into an area of the tub within the upper quadrant of the
drum cylinder.
[0023] This constructive measure and the flow caused by the
rotation of the drum against the direction of movement of the drum
body and the fact that the mixture is kept away from the drain
opening helps the detergent to dissolve.
[0024] In the exemplary embodiment the throughflow openings 9 in
the drum body 13 are embodied by gill-like raised sections in the
form of a half cone (see FIG. 2). This form on the one hand causes
a delay in the draining of the detergent-liquid mixture from the
drum body 13. On the other hand the openings 9 made in the
direction of rotation 8 of the drum 4 cause liquid to be directed
into the inside of the drum to an increased extent. The
wetting-through of the washing is speeded up. Other, if necessary
additional raised structures in the drum surface 13, preferably
those which cause a greatly eddied flow of the detergent-liquid
mixture, can support the length of time for which the mixture
remains on the drum surface 13 and its entry into the washing drum
4 and contribute to the detergent being well dissolved at the
correct time, before the mixture reaches the floor of the tub and
the drain opening.
* * * * *