Method and apparatus for using gravity to precisely dose detergent in a washing machine

• US 10,240,274 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2018
• Issued: 03/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Miller, Christoph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ko, Jason Y
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tate-Sims, Cristi J
• Application Number:
  US15/896,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20180171531A1
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/04 Quantity, e.g. weight
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/10 Spin speed
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/12 Washing temperature
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/20 Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/00 Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/18 Washing liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/22 Content of detergent or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/02 Water supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/32 Air flow control means
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/42 Detergent or additive supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/46 Drum speed; Actuation of motors, e.g. starting or interrupting
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/28 Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2633 Washing, laundry

Abstract

A method of dosing detergent into a cleaning chamber of a washing machine using gravity. The method comprises providing an amount of detergent to be used in a washing machine, providing a detergent storage tank, providing a diverter valve comprising a detergent inlet, a detergent outlet, and an air vent, presenting a user interface at a location accessible to a user for a user to input load characteristics, relaying information via electrical signals from the user interface to a controller in electrical communication with the user interface, determining a dosage requirement and dispensing a fluid into the cleaning chamber.

Claims

1. A method of dosing detergent into a cleaning chamber of a washing machine using gravity, comprising:

providing an amount of detergent to be used in a washing machine;

providing a detergent storage tank;

providing a diverter valve comprising a detergent inlet, a detergent outlet, and an air vent;

presenting a user interface at a location accessible to a user for a user to input load characteristics;

relaying information via electrical signals from the user interface to a controller in electrical communication with the user interface;

determining a dosage requirement;

dispensing a fluid into the cleaning chamber by;

opening the detergent inlet of the diverter valve;

determining how much fluid has been dispensed;

comparing how much fluid has been dispensed to the dosage requirement; and

closing the detergent inlet of the diverter valve when the amount of fluid dispensed is substantially equal to the dosage requirement; and

venting the remaining fluid by opening of the air vent.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining a dosage step further comprises the step of inputting a desired cycle by a user into the user interface.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a flow meter fluidly coupled to the diverter valve detergent outlet.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening step is performed by energizing a solenoid in operative connection with the diverter valve.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening step is performed by energizing a synchronous motor in operative connection with the diverter valve.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the closing step and the venting step are performed substantially simultaneously.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising a dispensing system for dispensing detergent and in fluid communication with the detergent storage tank.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a water supply line in fluid communication with the dispensing system for supplying water.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of dispensing water into the dispensing system prior to dispensing a fluid into the cleaning chamber.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising a step of diluting the detergent with water to form the fluid prior to dispensing the fluid into the cleaning chamber.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising a step of dispensing water into the dispensing system to flush detergent out of the dispensing system.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the detergent comprises a liquid.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining a dosage step further comprises the step of inputting a desired cycle by a user into the user interface.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the closing step is performed by de-energizing a solenoid in operative connection with the diverter valve.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening step is performed by energizing a solenoid in operative connection with the diverter valve.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises detergent.