U.S. patent application number 13/397007 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-15 for system to detect priming of a bulk dispense system for an appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is Byron Lee Boylston, Paul Owen Davis, James Chase Hartney, Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Alexander Boris Leibman. Invention is credited to Byron Lee Boylston, Paul Owen Davis, James Chase Hartney, Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Alexander Boris Leibman.
Application Number | 20130205843 13/397007 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48944510 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130205843 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leibman; Alexander Boris ;
et al. |
August 15, 2013 |
SYSTEM TO DETECT PRIMING OF A BULK DISPENSE SYSTEM FOR AN
APPLIANCE
Abstract
A bulk fluid dispensing system that can detect when priming has
occurred is provided. The system can prime itself so as to remove
e.g., air gaps that might affect the metering of a proper amount of
a fluid such as laundry detergent or fabric softener into a wash
chamber or wash bin of the appliance. A pressure sensor can be used
to determine when such priming has occurred. Other features can be
provided as well.
Inventors: |
Leibman; Alexander Boris;
(Prospect, KY) ; Kappler; Jerrod Aaron;
(Louisville, KY) ; Davis; Paul Owen; (Louisville,
KY) ; Boylston; Byron Lee; (Louisville, KY) ;
Hartney; James Chase; (St. Petersburg, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Leibman; Alexander Boris
Kappler; Jerrod Aaron
Davis; Paul Owen
Boylston; Byron Lee
Hartney; James Chase |
Prospect
Louisville
Louisville
Louisville
St. Petersburg |
KY
KY
KY
KY
FL |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
48944510 |
Appl. No.: |
13/397007 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/17R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/022
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/17.R |
International
Class: |
D06F 35/00 20060101
D06F035/00 |
Claims
1. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance, comprising: a
tank for storing the fluid; a pumping device for drawing fluid from
the tank, the pumping device having an inlet and an outlet, wherein
the inlet is connected to receive fluid from said tank; a pressure
sensor configured for providing one or more pressure measurements
of fluid between said tank and said pumping device; at least one
processing device configured for activating said pumping device so
as to draw fluid from said tank; receiving pressure measurements of
the fluid from said pressure sensor; and determining when the
pressure measurements of the fluid become substantially constant
after said step of activating said pumping device.
2. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 1,
wherein said pumping device comprises an aspirator that is fluidly
connected with said tank and a water supply.
3. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 1,
wherein said pumping device comprises a positive displacement
pump.
4. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 1,
further comprising: a fluid conduit connecting said tank and said
pumping device; wherein said pressure sensor is connected to said
fluid conduit and is configured to measure the pressure of fluid
flowing between said tank and said pumping device.
5. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 1,
wherein said tank has a bottom, and wherein said pressure sensor is
positioned near or below the bottom of said tank.
6. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 1,
said appliance having a wash chamber or wash tub, and wherein the
outlet of the pumping device is configured to provide the fluid to
said wash chamber or wash bin of the appliance.
7. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 4,
wherein said at least one processing device is further configured
to meter the amount of fluid delivered into the wash chamber or
wash tub of the appliance once the pressure measurements from said
pressure sensor become constant.
8. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 1,
wherein said at least one processing device is further configured
for receiving one or more pressure measurements from said pressure
sensor when fluid is not flowing through said pumping device;
ascertaining the amount of fluid in said tank when fluid is not
flowing through said pumping device; and providing a notification
to a user of the appliance that is indicative of the amount of
fluid remaining in said tank.
9. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 1,
wherein the appliance is a washing machine.
10. A method for dispensing a fluid in an appliance, comprising the
steps of: providing a supply of the fluid for delivery in the
appliance; causing the fluid to flow along a path from the supply
to a wash chamber of the appliance; measuring the pressure of the
fluid along the path during said step of causing; and, determining
when the pressure of the fluid become constant along the path
during said step of causing.
11. A method for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 10,
further comprising the step of metering the fluid delivered to the
wash chamber once the pressure of the fluid becomes constant as
confirmed by said step of determining.
12. A method for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 11,
wherein said metering step comprises calculating the amount of time
to operate one or more pumping devices after the pressure of the
fluid becomes constant as confirmed by said step of
determining.
13. A method for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 12,
further comprising the step of operating the one or more pumping
devices for at least the amount of time provided by said step of
calculating.
14. A method for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 10,
further comprising the steps of: determining the level of amount of
fluid remaining in the supply by measuring the fluid pressure when
fluid is not flowing from the tank.
15. A method for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 10,
wherein said causing step comprises drawing fluid from a position
near the bottom of the tank using a pumping device.
16. A method for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 10,
wherein said fluid is a laundry detergent or fabric softener.
17. A method for dispensing a fluid in an appliance as in claim 10,
wherein the appliance is a washing machine.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates
generally to a dispensing system for an appliance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A washing machine appliance can use a variety of fluids (in
addition to water) to wash and rinse laundry and other articles.
For example, laundry detergents and/or stain removers may be added
during wash and prewash cycles. Fabric softeners may be added
during the rinse cycles.
[0003] These fluid additives must be introduced at an appropriate
time during the cleaning process and in a proper amount. By way of
example, adding laundry detergent and fabric softener at the same
time into the water used for a laundry load is undesirable because
the resulting mixture is unlikely to clean or soften as the two
will negate each other. Not adding enough of either the detergent
or softener to the laundry load will diminish the efficacy of the
cleaning process. Conversely, adding too much detergent or softener
is also undesirable.
[0004] For instance, when too much detergent is added during a wash
cycle, this can leave some detergent that remains on the clothes
because the rinse cycle of a washing machine may not be able to
remove all of the detergent used during the wash cycle. In turn,
this can lead to a graying effect on the clothes as the detergent
builds up over time, can contribute to a roughness feeling, and
potentially may even affect skin allergies. The excess detergent
can also negatively affect the efficacy of the fabric softener
during the rinse cycle. Excess detergent can also cause excess suds
which may be undesirably left on the clothes after a wash cycle,
cause damage to the washing machine, and/or cause the spin speed to
decrease therefore causing the clothes to retain too much
water.
[0005] As a convenience to the consumer, systems for automatically
dispensing detergent and/or fabric softener can be provided. Such
automatic systems can store one or more fluid additives in bulk and
dispense at the appropriate times during a wash cycle. Challenges
are still encountered, however, in metering the appropriate amount
of the fluid into a wash or rinse cycle with such automatic
systems. For example, hoses or other conduits are typically used to
route the fluid from the bulk dispense containers to the wash bin.
For a variety of reasons, air can be introduced into these hoses
and create gaps in the fluid delivery. As a result, simply
activating e.g., a pump or other fluid delivery device for a
predetermined amount of time may not provide for an accurate
dispense since the air will displace some of the volume intended
for fluid. Thus, in order to ensure that the proper amount of fluid
is delivered, these gaps must either by eliminated or otherwise
accounted for during use of the appliance.
[0006] Accordingly, a system for metering a fluid in an appliance
would be useful. More particularly, a system that can enhance the
delivery of accurate amounts of an fluid additive during a wash or
rinse cycle would be beneficial. Such a system that can properly
treat e.g., air in the delivery system would be very useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0008] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance is provided. The
system includes a tank for storing the fluid and a pumping device
for drawing fluid from the tank. The pumping device has an inlet
and an outlet. The inlet is connected to receive fluid from the
tank. A pressure sensor is configured between the tank and the
pumping device to provide one or more pressure measurements. The
system also includes at least one processing device that is
configured to manipulate the pumping device so as to draw fluid
from the tank, receiving pressure measurements of the fluid from
the pressure sensor, and determining when the pressure measurements
of the fluid become substantially constant after the step of
activating the pumping device.
[0009] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a
method for dispensing a fluid in an appliance is provided. The
method includes the steps of providing a supply of the fluid for
delivery in the appliance; causing the fluid to flow along a path
from the supply to a wash chamber of the appliance; measuring the
pressure of the fluid along the path during said step of causing;
and, determining when the pressure of the fluid becomes constant
along the path during the step of causing the fluid to flow.
[0010] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 provides an exemplary embodiment of a washing machine
according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 provides a schematic, cross-sectional view of the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a
fluid dispensing system of the present invention as can be employed
with the exemplary appliance of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention provides for a bulk fluid dispensing
system that can prime itself so as to remove e.g., air gaps that
might affect the metering of a proper amount of the fluid into a
wash chamber or wash bin of the appliance. A pressure sensor can be
used to determine when the air gaps have been eliminated. Other
features can be provided as well. Reference now will be made in
detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of
which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by
way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the
invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that various modifications and variations can be made in the
present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part
of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a
still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present
invention covers such modifications and variations as come within
the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vertical axis
washing machine 50 including a cabinet 52 and a top cover 54. FIG.
2 is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of
FIG. 1. While a vertical axis washing machine is used to describe
an example embodiment of the present invention, it will be
understood by one of skill in the art using the teachings disclosed
herein that the present invention is not limited to this particular
appliance configuration. Instead, vertical and horizontal axis
washing machines in a variety of configurations as well as other
appliances incorporating a bulk dispense system may also be
employed with embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] A backsplash 56 extends from cover 54, and a control panel
58 including a plurality of input selectors 60 is coupled to
backsplash 56. Control panel 58 and input selectors 60 collectively
form a user interface input for operator selection of machine
cycles and features. For example, in one embodiment, a display 61
indicates selected features, a countdown timer, and/or other items
of interest to machine users. A door or lid 62 is mounted to cover
54 and is rotatable about a hinge (not shown) between an open
position (not shown) facilitating access to wash tub 64 located
within cabinet 52, and a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) forming
an enclosure over wash tub 64. Wash tub 64 includes a bottom wall
66 and a sidewall 68, and a basket 70 that is rotatably mounted
within wash tub 64. A pump assembly (not shown) is located beneath
tub 64 and basket 70 for gravity assisted flow when draining tub
64.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, wash basket 70 is movably disposed
and rotatably mounted in wash tub 64 in a spaced apart relationship
from tub sidewall 68 and the tub bottom 66. Basket 70 includes an
opening 72 for receiving wash fluid and a wash load therein. Basket
70 includes a plurality of perforations 74 therein to facilitate
fluid communication between an interior of basket 70 and wash tub
64.
[0019] An agitation element 76, such as a vane agitator, impeller,
auger, or oscillatory basket mechanism, or some combination thereof
is disposed in basket 70 to impart an oscillatory motion to
articles and liquid in basket 70. In different embodiments,
agitation element 76 includes a single action element (i.e.,
oscillatory only), double action (oscillatory movement at one end,
single direction rotation at the other end) or triple action
(oscillatory movement plus single direction rotation at one end,
singe direction rotation at the other end). As illustrated in FIG.
2, agitation element 76 is oriented to rotate about a vertical axis
A. Basket 70 and agitator 76 are driven by pancake motor 78, which
operates to turn or rotate agitator 76 and/or basket 70 with tub 64
as will be more fully described below.
[0020] Operation of machine 50 is controlled by a controller or
processing device (not shown) that is operatively coupled to a
control panel or user interface input 58 located on washing machine
backsplash 56 (shown in FIG. 1) for user manipulation to select
washing machine cycles and features. In response to user
manipulation of the user interface input 58, the controller
operates the various components of machine 50 to execute selected
machine cycles and features. As used herein, "processing device" or
"controller" may refer to one or more microprocessors or
semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single
element. The processing device can be programmed to operate
appliance 50 according to methods well known in the art. The
processing device may include, or be associated with, one or memory
elements such as e.g., electrically erasable, programmable read
only memory (EEPROM).
[0021] In an illustrative embodiment, laundry items are loaded into
basket 70, and washing operation is initiated through operator
manipulation of control input selectors 60 (shown in FIG. 1). Wash
tub 64 is filled with water and mixed with detergent to form a wash
fluid. The contents of the basket 70 are agitated with agitation
element 76 for cleansing of laundry items in basket 70. More
specifically, agitation element 76 is moved back and forth in an
oscillatory back and forth motion. In the illustrated embodiment,
agitation element 76 is rotated clockwise a specified amount about
the vertical axis of the machine, and then rotated counterclockwise
by a specified amount. The clockwise/counterclockwise reciprocating
motion is sometimes referred to as a stroke, and the agitation
phase of the wash cycle constitutes a number of strokes in
sequence. Acceleration and deceleration of agitation element 76
during the strokes imparts mechanical energy to articles in basket
70 for cleansing action. The strokes may be obtained in different
embodiments with a reversing motor, a reversible clutch, or other
known reciprocating mechanism.
[0022] After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed,
tub 64 is drained with the pump assembly. Laundry items are then
rinsed and portions of the cycle repeated, including the agitation
phase, depending on the particulars of the wash cycle selected by a
user. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a
spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the
rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being
washed. During a spin cycle, basket 70 is rotated at relatively
high speeds. Preferably, basket 70 is held in a fixed position
during portions of the wash and rinse cycle while agitator 76 is
oscillated as described. During portions of the spin cycle, basket
70 is also rotated to help wring fluid from the laundry articles
through holes 74.
[0023] As previously indicated, one or more fluid additives such as
detergent, fabric softener, etc. may be added to the wash tub 64
(or other chamber or bin of an appliance) during the
above-described cycles. For convenience to the user, an automatic
dispensing system can be provided by which such fluid additives are
automatically dispensed. Such system can be equipped with e.g., at
least one processing device for controlling the system according to
one or more methods as described herein.
[0024] FIG. 3 provides a schematic illustration of an exemplary
embodiment of such a dispensing system 100. A bulk dispensing tank
105 is provided that contains an fluid additive 120 such as e.g.,
detergent or fabric softener. While only one such tank is shown for
this exemplary embodiment, multiple tanks may be used with an
appliance depending upon how many different fluid additives are
being provided for automatic dispensing. Tank 105 preferably is
contained within cabinet 52. However, other placements may also be
used.
[0025] Tank 105 is connected to a pumping device 110 by a fluid
conduit 115. Pumping device 110 could be e.g., a positive
displacement pump such as a peristaltic pump. Pumping device 110
could be an aspirator connected with e.g., a water supply to draw
the fluid additive from tank 105. Other pumping devices may be used
as well.
[0026] Fluid conduit 115 could be e.g., one or more fluid channels
constructed from hoses, tubes, and/or pipes extending between tank
105 and pumping device 110. For example, tank 105 may located near
the bottom of the appliance such that tube 115 extends from a
connection at or near the bottom of tank 105 to pumping device 110.
Similarly, fluid conduit 125 delivers fluid from the outlet of pump
110 to wash chamber or tub 64.
[0027] A processing device or controller 135 is used to operate
pumping device 110 so as draw fluid 120 from tank 105 and deliver
the same to wash bin 64. As such, pumping device 110 can be used to
meter fluid 120 into wash bin 64. For example, knowing the rate of
flow available from pumping device 110, controller 135 can operate
pumping device 110 for a predetermined time interval so as deliver
the desired amount of fluid additive from tank 105. Shorter time
intervals can be used to deliver less fluid and longer time
intervals can be used to deliver more fluid. Where pumping device
110 is e.g., an aspirator, a valve (such as e.g., the control valve
for a water supply) or pump (such as e.g., a pump connected with a
water supply) positioned upstream of pumping device 110 can be
similarly controlled so as to draw fluid 105 from tank 120. Other
configurations may be used as well.
[0028] As indicated above, one challenge that can occur in the
operation of automatic dispensing systems is the introduction of
air or other gaps into the lines providing the fluid additive.
Referring to system 100, air can enter fluid conduit 115 and become
positioned between tank 105 and pumping device 110. For example, if
tank 105 is disconnected from conduit 115 for replacement or
refill, fluid may drain from conduit 115 and be replaced by air
that will be trapped in conduit 115 once tank 105 is reconnected or
replaced. Similarly, depending upon the particular orientation of
conduit 115 within the appliance, gravity can cause fluid in
conduit 115 to empty from conduit 115 and return into tank 105. For
example, referring to FIG. 3, gravity may cause fluid in conduit
115 to seek level L1--the same level as that of fluid 120 in tank
105. As a result, the portion of conduit 115 that is between level
L1 and pumping device 110 (represented by arrows A), will become
filled with air.
[0029] Depending upon the size of conduit 115, the introduction of
air into conduit 115 can cause significant error in the metering of
fluid 120 based on the time of operation of pumping device 110.
More specifically, until pumping device 110 is properly primed with
fluid 120, only air will be delivered into conduit 125 so as to
reduce the quantity of fluid 120 delivered for a given time
interval. For example, suppose that a properly primed pumping
device 110 can deliver the required quantity of fluid additive 120
by being activated for 30 seconds. If processing device 135
activates pump device 110 for 30 seconds, but 15 seconds are spent
removing air before fluid reached pumping device 110, then only
half the desired quantity of fluid will be delivered. Thus, it is
important to determine when pumping device 110 is properly primed
with fluid 105. More particularly, in order to meter the desired
quantity of fluid 120 into tub 64, the time at which air gaps have
been removed so that fluid 120 has reached pumping device 110 must
be determined
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, dispensing system 100 is equipped with a
pressure sensor 140 that measures the pressure of fluid flowing
along conduit 115 between tank 105 and pumping device 110. More
specifically, when fluid 120 flows from tank 105 into wash bin 64,
pressure sensor 140 is positioned at a point downstream of tank 105
and upstream of pumping device 110. During operation of dispensing
system 100, pressure sensor 140 can be used to determine when
pumping device 110 is primed--i.e. when fluid 120 travelling along
conduit 115 has reached pumping device 110 such that gaps from air
in conduit 115 are removed as will now be described.
[0031] When pumping device 110 has been inactive for some period of
time, fluid 120 in conduit 115 will assume the same level, L1, as
in tank 105. In this position, pressure sensor 140 will provide a
measurement of the static head from fluid 120, which can be used to
determine the amount of fluid remaining in tank 105. For example,
knowing the pumping device 110 is not activated, processing device
135 can receive pressure measurements from sensor 140 and notify
the user of the amount of fluid remaining in tank 105 and/or
provide a notification whenever the fluid falls below some
predetermined level that is indicative of an upcoming refill
requirement.
[0032] Once the user activates appliance 50, however, eventually
processor 135 will call for fluid to be dispensed into wash bin 64,
and pump 110 will be activated. At this point, only air is present
between pumping device 110 and fluid level L1 (as shown by arrows
A) As pumping device 110 operates, fluid 120 will be drawn along
conduit 115 in the direction of arrow U. During such time, the
pressure as measured by sensor 140 will fluctuate--change
constantly as the fluid moves toward pumping device 110. While such
pressure measurements fluctuate, processing device 135 will "know"
that air is being purged from conduit 115 and fluid has not yet
reached pumping device 110. As a result, where the metering of
pumping device 110 is controlled e.g., by a time interval,
processing device 135 will not initiate a timer or other
determination of such interval.
[0033] Upon fluid 120 reaching pumping device 110, the pressure as
measured by pressure sensor 140 will stabilize or become
substantially constant. Once processing device 135 receives
pressure measurements indicating the pressure has stabilized,
pumping device 110 is primed. Processing device 135 can then begin
to meter fluid using pumping device 110. For example, processing
device 135 can then begin a timer to operate pumping device 110 for
a given time interval so as to deliver the desired amount of fluid
120 into wash bin 64. The length of such time interval might be
calculated or determined by processing device 135 based upon e.g.,
the size of the laundry load in wash bin 64.
[0034] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *