A WASHER COMPRISING AN AUTOMATIC DOSING UNIT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a washer comprising an automatic dosing unit.

[0002] The use of liquid cleaning agent in washers like washing machines and laundry washer/dryers is becoming widespread. Accordingly, in order to provide ease of utilization, automatic dosing units are developed for the liquid cleaning agent to be stored in a receptacle and to be delivered into the wash water controllably depending on the requirement of the washing program. Determining the level and the type of the liquid cleaning agents filled into the receptacles is one of the desired features. One of the methods used to this end is to measure the conductivity of the liquids. The type can be determined by benefiting from the difference between the conductivity coefficients of liquids of different types, and the level can be determined according to the current conducted. In systems used for determining the level and type, liquid cleaning agents drying and creating layers of dried agents on the receptacle walls may create false conductivity signals and disrupt the system. Moreover, air entrapped in the receptacle while transferring the liquid cleaning agents from the detergent dispenser to the closed receptacles, prevents the cleaning agents from being filled in. Although the user fills in the liquid cleaning agent, dosing process cannot be performed since the cleaning agent cannot be delivered to the receptacles due to air entrapped.

[0003] In the Patent Applications No. EP2251481, CN102535112, a washing machine is disclosed, wherein the cleaning agent in the receptacle is detected.

[0004] In the Patent Application No. WO2012089712, a washing machine is disclosed, wherein the cleaning agent dispenser is open to the atmospheric pressure.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer wherein the level and the type of the liquid cleaning agent is effectively determined.

[0006] The washer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises at least one barrier that is situated in the dosage receptacle, that divides the dosage receptacle into at least two and that extends downwards from between the pins that measure the level and the type.

[0007] In the washer of the present invention, a barrier extending downwards from the ceiling of the receptacle is provided in the receptacle. The barrier is situated between the pins that measure the level and the type and increases the distance between the two pins. Thus, the magnitude of the false conductivity signal generated by the dried cleaning agent on the receptacle walls is decreased and the pins are prevented from detecting that the receptacle is full while it is empty. By means of the barrier, the dried layer between the pins is interrupted.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, an opening allowing the passage of the liquids is arranged between the base of the dosing unit receptacle and the barrier.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, a discharge hole opening into the housing is provided on the dosage receptacle. The air entrapped in the dosage receptacle during the flow of the cleaning agent from the dispenser to the dosage receptacle, is discharged by means of the discharge hole. Thus, the problem of the liquid cleaning agent not flowing from the dispenser to the dosage receptacle due to air entrapped is solved. Furthermore, with the discharge hole opening to the housing, the excess liquid agent flowed into the dosage receptacle is enabled to flow to the lower base of the housing and flushed with water from here and mixed with wash water. Thus, cleaning agents are not wasted.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the discharge hole opening to the housing is positioned so as to be at a higher level than the dispenser. Excess liquid cleaning agent flow into the dosage receptacle is prevented by means of the discharge hole arranged at a level higher than the liquid cleaning agents filled into the dispenser.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, a channel is provided, extending upwards from the upper side of the dosage receptacle. By positioning the discharge hole at the end of the channel, the discharge hole is enabled to be at a level higher than the maximum height of the liquid cleaning agents filled into the dispenser. Thus, excess cleaning agent flow into the receptacle is prevented and no overflowing is allowed.

[0012] The washer of the present invention is suitable for being used as a washing machine, a dishwasher or a laundry washer/dryer.

[0013] In the washer of the present invention, by means of the barrier situated in the dosage receptacle, the conductivity signal that may be generated by the dried and solidified liquid cleaning agent is prevented and the level measurement is enabled to be performed securely. By means of the discharge hole opening into the housing and situated at a level higher than the height of the dispenser, the liquids inside the dispenser flow into the dosage receptacle in a continuous manner and any overflowing from the discharge hole is prevented.

[0014] The washer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the front schematic view of a washer.

Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a dosing unit.

Figure 3 - is the front view of a dosing unit.

Figure 4 - is the exploded view of a dosing unit.

Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the inner portion of a housing.

Figure 6 - is the outer perspective view of a housing.

[0015] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washer

2. Body

3. Tub

4. Housing

5. Dispenser

6. Division

7. Dosage receptacle

8. Dosage pump

9. Dosing unit

10. Pin

11. Pin housing

12. Barrier

13. Opening

14. Discharge hole

15. Channel

[0016] The washer (1) comprises a body (2); a tub (3) disposed within the body (2) wherein the washing - drying processes are performed; a housing (4) that extends from the outer surface of the body (2) into the body (2); a dispenser (5) that is disposed inside the housing (4) and that has more than one division (6) wherein the cleaning agents are stored; a dosing unit (9) adjacent to the housing (4), with flow connection between the housing (4) and itself, having at least one dosage receptacle (7) wherein cleaning agents filled into the dispenser (5) are stored for dosing and at least one dosage pump (8) that is disposed on the dosage receptacle (7) and that sucks the cleaning agents in the dosage receptacle (7) and enables them to be transferred into the housing (4) in order to be delivered to the tub (3); and at least two pins (10) that are situated in the dosage receptacle (7) and used for determining the type and the level of the liquids.

[0017] In the washer (1), the pins (10) disposed in the dosage receptacle (7) are used for determining the level of the stored liquid cleaning agents and the type of the liquid cleaning agents in different divisions (6). The circuit is completed with the pins (10) contacting the liquids and current passes through the pins (10) depending on the conductivity of the liquids. When the level of the liquids falls below a certain value, the contact between the liquids and the pins (10) is interrupted and the user is warned. Different types of liquid cleaning agents, for example liquid detergent and softener, have different conductivity coefficients and thus the type of liquid present in the dosage receptacle (7) can be determined. The washer (1), furthermore, comprises pin housings (11) that are arranged on the dosage receptacle (7) and wherein the pins (10) are mounted.

[0018] The washer (1) of the present invention comprises at least one barrier (12) that is situated in the dosage receptacle (7), that divides the dosage receptacle (7) into at least two and that extends from the ceiling of the dosage receptacle (7) towards the base of the dosage receptacle (7) by separating the pins (10) from each other.

[0019] The barrier (12) of the present invention extends downwards from the ceiling of the dosage receptacle (7) so as to separate the pins (10). When the dosage receptacle (7) is empty, the barrier (12) prevents the conduction of current between the pins (10) by the layer created as a result of the dried liquid cleaning agents on the dosage receptacle (7) walls, especially between the pins (10) on the ceiling of the dosage receptacle (7), thus prevents the detection of the dosage receptacle (7) as full. The barrier (12) prevents the continuity of the dried liquid cleaning agent layer between the pins (10).

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dosage receptacle (7) comprises an opening (13) allowing the passage of the liquids between the lower end of the barrier (12) and the base of the dosage receptacle (7).

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) comprises a discharge hole (14) arranged on the dosage receptacle (7). The air entrapped while the cleaning agent in the dispenser (5) flows into the dosage receptacle (7) is discharged by means of the discharge hole (14), thus providing the continuity of the cleaning agent flow. The discharge hole (14) opens into the housing (4) and the cleaning agent overflowing in case of excess cleaning agent flow is guided to the housing (4) by means of the discharge hole (14). Thus, the overfilled detergent is not wasted.

[0022] In a derivative of this embodiment, the discharge hole (14) is positioned at a level higher than the upper surface of the dispenser (5). Thus, the liquid cleaning agents filling into the dosage receptacle (7) are prevented from flowing into the housing (4).

[0023] In another derivative of this embodiment, the washer (1) comprises at least one channel (15) that extends upwards from over the dosage receptacle (7). The channel (15) extends upwards from the ceiling of the dosage receptacle (7). In this embodiment, the discharge hole (14) is situated at the end of the channel (15) and positioned at a level higher than the height of the dispenser (5) by means of the channel (15). In this situation, the cleaning agent is enabled to flow continuously towards the dosage receptacle (7) and overflowing from the discharge hole (14) is prevented in case of excess cleaning agent flow.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) is a washing machine.

[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) is a laundry washing and drying machine.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) is a dishwasher.

[0027] In the washer (1) of the present invention, problems encountered are solved with low-cost solutions. By means of the barrier (12) used in the dosage receptacle (7), a more precise and reliable conductivity measurement is realized by the pins (10). By means of the discharge hole (14) bored on the dosage receptacle (7), the problem of the cleaning agent not filling into the dosage receptacle (7) when the user fills in the cleaning agent is solved and overflowing is prevented by means of the discharge hole (14) situated at a level higher than the liquid level thanks to the channel (15).

Claims

1. A washer (1) comprising a body (2); a tub (3) disposed within the body (2) wherein the washing - drying processes are performed; a housing (4) that extends from the outer surface of the body (2) into the body (2); a dispenser (5) that is disposed inside the housing (4) and that has more than one division (6) wherein the cleaning agents are stored; a dosing unit (9) adjacent to the housing (4), with flow connection between the housing (4) and itself, having at least one dosage receptacle (7) wherein cleaning agents filled into the dispenser (5) are stored for dosing and at least one dosage pump (8) that is disposed on the dosage receptacle (7) and that sucks the cleaning agents in the dosage receptacle (7) and enables them to be transferred into the housing (4) in order to be delivered to the tub (3); and at least two conductivity measuring pins (10) that are situated in the dosage receptacle (7) and used for determining the type and the level of the liquid cleaning agent, characterized in that at least one barrier (12) that is situated in the dosage receptacle (7), that divides the dosage receptacle (7) into at least two and that extends from the ceiling of the dosage receptacle (7) towards the base of the dosage receptacle (7) by separating the pins (10) from each other.

2. A washer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that there is an opening (13) that allows the passage of the liquids between the dosage receptacle (7) and the barrier (12).

3. A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that there is a discharge hole (14) that is arranged on the dosage receptacle (7) and that prevents air from being entrapped in the dosage receptacle (7) during the filling of the detergent.

4. A washer (1) as in Claim 3, characterized in that the discharge hole (14) is positioned at a level higher than the dispenser (5).

5. A washer (1) as in Claim 4, characterized in that there is at least one channel (15) that extends upwards from over the dosage receptacle (7) and in that the discharge hole (14) is arranged at the end of the channel (15).

6. A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, which is a washing machine.

7. A washer (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 5, which is a laundry washing and drying machine.

8. A washer (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 5, which is a dishwasher.

Ansprüche

1. Wäscher (1) umfassend einen Körper (2); eine Wanne (3), die innerhalb des Körpers (2) angeordnet ist, wobei Wasch- und Trocknungsprozesse durchgeführt sind; ein Gehäuse (4), das sich von der Außenfläche des Körpers (2) in den Körper (2) erstreckt; einen Spender (5), de im Gehäuse (4) angeordnet ist und der mehr als einen Abschnitt (6) aufweist, eine an das Gehäuse (4) angrenzende Dosiereinheit (9) mit einer Strömungsverbindung zwischen dem Gehäuse (4) und sich selbst, mit mindestens einem Dosierungsbehälter (7), wobei in den Spender (5) eingefüllte Reinigungsmittel zum Dosieren aufbewahrt werden, und mindestens einer Dosierungspumpe (8), die auf der Dosierungsbehälter (7) angeordnet ist und die Reinigungsmittel in den Dosierungsbehälter (7) saugt und sie es ermöglicht, in das Gehäuse (4) übertragen zu werden, um in die Wanne (3) geliefert zu werden; und mindestens zwei Leitfähigkeitmessbolzen (10), die sich im Dosierungsbehälter (7) befinden und zur Bestimmung der Art und der Höhe des flüssigen Reinigungsmittels verwendet sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens eine Barriere (12), die sich im Dosierungsbehälter (7) befindet und den Dosierungsbehälter (7) in mindestens zwei teilt und sich von der Decke des Dosierungsbehälters (7) zum Boden des Dosierungsbehälters (7) erstreckt, in dem sie die Bolzen (10) voneinander trennt.

2. Wäscher (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Öffnung (13) vorhanden ist, die den Durchlass der Flüssigkeiten zwischen dem Dosierungsbehälter (7) und der Barriere (12) ermöglicht.

3. Wäscher (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass, ein Abflussloch (14) vorhanden ist, das auf dem Dosierungsbehälter (7) angeordnet ist und das verhindert, dass während des Einfüllens des Reinigungsmittels Luft in den Dosierungsbehälter (7) eingeschlossen wird.

4. Wäscher (1) nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Abflussloch (14) in einer Höhe positioniert ist, das höher als der Spender (5) ist.

5. Wäscher (1) nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Kanal (15) vorhanden ist, der sich über dem Dosierungsbehälter (7) nach oben erstreckt und dass das Abflussloch (14) am Ende des Kanals (15) angeordnet ist.

6. Wäscher (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, der eine Waschmaschine ist.

7. Wäscher (1) nach einem der nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, der eine Wasch- und Trockenmaschine ist.

8. Wäscher (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, der eine Spülmaschine ist.

Revendications

1. Rondelle (1) comprenant un corps (2); une cuve (3) disposée à l'intérieur du corps (2) dans laquelle les processus de lavage - séchage sont effectués; un boîtier (4) qui s'étend de la surface extérieure du corps (2) dans le corps (2); un distributeur (5) qui est disposé à l'intérieur du boîtier (4) et qui comporte plus d'une division (6) dans laquelle les agents de nettoyage sont stockés; une unité de dosage (9) adjacente au boîtier (4), avec une liaison d'écoulement entre le boîtier (4) et lui-même, ayant au moins un réceptacle de dosage (7) dans lequel des agents nettoyants remplis dans le distributeur (5) sont stockés pour le dosage et au moins une pompe de dosage (8) qui est disposée sur le réceptacle de dosage (7) et qui aspire les agents nettoyants dans le un réceptacle de dosage (7) et permet de les transférer dans le boîtier (4) pour être délivré à la cuve (3); et au moins deux broches de mesure de conductivité (10) situées dans le réceptacle de dosage (7) et utilisées pour déterminer le type et le niveau de l'agent de nettoyage liquide, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une barrière (12) située dans le réceptacle de dosage (7) divise le réceptacle de dosage (7) en au moins deux et qui s'étend du plafond du réceptacle de dosage (7) vers la base de le réceptacle de dosage (7) en séparant les broches (10) l'une de l'autre.

2. Rondelle (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'une ouverture (13) permet le passage des liquides entre le réceptacle de dosage (7) et la barrière (12).

3. Rondelle (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'un orifice d'évacuation (14) est disposé sur le réceptacle de dosage (7) et empêche l'air d'être emprisonné dans le réceptacle de dosage (7) pendant le remplissage du détergent.

4. Rondelle (1) selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que l'orifice d'évacuation (14) est positionné à un niveau supérieur au distributeur (5).

5. Rondelle (1) selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins un canal (15) s'étend vers le haut à partir du réceptacle de dosage (7) et en ce que l'orifice de décharge (14) est disposé à l'extrémité du canal (15).

6. Rondelle (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, qui est une machine à laver.

7. Rondelle (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, qui est une machine à laver et à sécher le linge.

8. Rondelle (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, qui est un lave-vaisselle.

Drawing