Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system – Temperature measuring system
Utility Patent
1997-11-25
2001-01-02
Hoff, Mark S. (Department: 2857)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system
Temperature measuring system
36, 36
Utility Patent
active
06169964
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to apparatus for controlling the consumption of energy and resources by a household appliance, such as a washing machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that through improper use of a household appliance a waste of energy will ensue in the majority of cases.
In the specific case of a washing machine, for instance, it happens quite frequently that following an improper use of the appliance, waste does not only involve electric energy, but also water and detergent. Quite often, in fact, the user adds more detergent than is warranted for washing and cleaning laundry. This not only increases the quantity of polluting residues released to the environment, but will also require an increased quantity of water to rinse the clothes adequately. Similar problems may also occur for dishwashers, and an incorrect control setting in the use of refrigerators and baking ovens will also lead to energy waste.
In the specific case of a washing machine it also happens that for the washing of resistant clothes (e.g. white cottons) some users tend to use wash cycles at high temperature (typically 90° C.), having acquired such a habit in the past when detergent powders still contained bleaches (phosphate based oxidants, no longer permitted by law due to their highly polluting effect) that were activated only under high temperature conditions. However, since detergents are now phosphate free as they contain other bleach types effective at lower temperatures (typically 60° C.) and are also rich in enzymes (biologic elements that become active at 30-60° C.), washing can take place at 60° C. to obtain satisfactory cleanliness. Heating water up to 90° C. instead of 60° C. will obviously require a higher energy consumption.
Moreover, washing machines are now featured with a preset number of wash programs and options (temperature setting, spin speed setting, reduced laundry load, etc.) differing from one model to another and tending to increase the machine cost proportionally. Various programs are associated with different types of fabrics, and options allow the user to customize the selected wash-cycle.
The situation can be summarized as follows:
energy consumption mainly depends on the type of laundry, its quantity, the temperature of the washing water, the type of program selected by the user and the availability of hot water;
water consumption depends upon the type of laundry, its quantity and the number of rinses associated with the program selected by the user;
detergent consumption is essentially dictated by the user (habits, culture, experience, etc.).
Household appliances usually known do not give direct indications to the user about consumption of external resources (electric energy, water, detergent aid, gas, etc.) associated with a specific selected program and available options. The only information related to energy and/or resource consumption associated with different situations (e.g., type of program and/or type of clothes for washing machines) are included in the instructions for use delivered with the appliance; however, these do not always contain exhaustive data.
Only with reference to detergent consumption, some types of washing-machines, by giving the user information concerning water hardness, allow for a more correct metering of detergents according to the instructions on the package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above problems and provide a household appliance fitted with a proper control system capable of solving any waste problem of ‘primary’ or external resources, (energy, water, gas, etc.), and making the user ‘aware’ of the resource consumption associated with his or her selections, through adequate ‘feedback’ instruments or ‘dialog’ devices during the interaction of the user with the appliance (i.e. type of program, options, etc.).
REFERENCES:
patent: 4035795 (1977-07-01), Fosnough et al.
patent: 4275464 (1981-06-01), Schmidt
patent: 4583182 (1986-04-01), Breddan
patent: 4686630 (1987-08-01), Marsland et al.
patent: 4916328 (1990-04-01), Culp, III
patent: 5414640 (1995-05-01), Seem
patent: 39 32 170 (1991-04-01), None
Aisa Valerio
Bongini Dino
Bui Bryan
Hoff Mark S.
Levine & Mandelbaum
Merloni Elettrodomestici S.p.A.
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