Washing machine or washing drying machine with devices to avoid

Details Washing machine or washing drying machine with devices to avoid Washing machine or washing drying machine with devices to avoid

1987-06-03

1989-04-18

Coe, Philip R.

Textiles: fluid treating apparatus

Machines

Drains and overflows

D06F 3908

Patent

active

048215376

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a washing machine or a combination wash dryer with an automatic detergent dispensing apparatus and a washwater pump which evacuates the washwater via a drain hose, and with equipment to prevent detergent losses. An advantageous method to control this washing machine is also described.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A longstanding goal of the washing machine industry has been to keep the amount of detergent not used in the washing process as low as possible. A number of different proposals have been made to solve this probem. DE-OS No. 31 06 604 and DE-GM No. 78 13 695 describe arrangements in which there is a so-called float in the washtub drain, which floats upward as a result of the backpressure of the remaining water in the drain hose, and is thereby intended to close the drain opening.
Such closing devices have not been realized in practice, however, since it has proven to be very difficult to achieve a really tight seal at the drain opening. Even a small leak sooner or later leads to an equalization of the remaining water column in the drain hose, i.e. the water gets into the tub and the bouyancy of the hollow body is no longer sufficient to achieve a secure closing of the drain opening. In the subsequent wash cycle, nevertheless, detergent can still get through the drain opening into the sump of the machine, and therefore becomes useless for the washing process.
Another valve configuration for the same purpose is described in DE-PS No. 27 12 093. The flap valve described therein is expensive, and is complicated to install in the washtub drain. Furthermore, lint or similar substances can easily prevent a complete closing.
The prior art also includes an additional reservoir in the drain system of a washing machine, so that there will always be enough water remaining in the drain system to prevent the dispensed detergent from sinking down into the drain.
But even this measure has proven ineffective. The detergent, generally in granular form, still gets into the area of the drain before it is dissolved, and is removed unused during drainage.
Thus all previous efforts to prevent detergent losses in the manner described above have been unsuccessful.


OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The general object of the invention is to design a washing machine or a comination washer-dryer of the type described above with a closing apparatus which creates a tight seal which operates securely and closes the washtub drain tightly. The object of the invention also includes a suitable process to control this washing machine.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been shown that only by means of the characteristics combined in accordance with the invention can an apparatus be created which can be used in practice, and operates securely to prevent the loss of unused detergent. By means of the additional water reservoir in the drain tube, and by means of the special configuration of the washtub drain, the float advantageously has sufficient bouyancy to work together with the seal arrangement for a secure closing of the washtub drain opening.
The integration of the water reservoir in the anti-return portion of the machine has the advantage that no longer must be an additional part be interposed in the drain hose of the machine. In addition, the water reservoir is advantageously installed inside the machine housing, since such a location prevents manipulations which might otherwise be made on a part located outside the housing, and which might adversely affect the proper operation of the valve apparatus.
On account of the special structure of the float, the penetration of water into its inside is prevented, and more economical materials and fabrication processes can be used for the manufacture of such a float.
Before the beginning of a wash cycle during which detergent will be added, it is appropriate to turn on the washwater pump for a short period of time, to remove any water in the washtub into the drain system. Since under some circumstances, this measu

REFERENCES:
patent: 2972877 (1961-02-01), Platt
patent: 3246494 (1966-04-01), Schwing
patent: 3691797 (1972-09-01), Smith

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