Bulk dispensing system for washing machine

• US 20070261177A1
• Filed: 05/11/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Tobbe, Joseph, Risen, Carl, Kappler, Jerrod
• Granted Patent: US 8,931,310 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/02 Characteristics of laundry or load
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/18 Washing liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Abstract

A bulk dispensing system for a washing machine is provided. The bulk dispensing system includes at least one bulk storage tank mounted within the washing machine. A tube provides fluid communication between the at least one bulk storage tank and a tub mounted within a cabinet of the washing machine. A pump is operatively coupled to the tube and configured to move fluid from within the at least one bulk storage tank into the tub through the tube. A controller is operatively coupled to the pump and configured to control an amount of fluid moved into the tub.

Claims

1. A bulk dispensing system for a washing machine comprising:

at least one bulk storage tank mounted within the washing machine;

a tube providing fluid communication between said at least one bulk storage tank and a tub mounted within a cabinet of the washing machine;

a pump operatively coupled to said tube and configured to move fluid from within said at least one bulk storage tank to the tub through said tube; and

a controller operatively coupled to said pump and configured to control an amount of fluid moved into the tub.

2. A bulk dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tube further comprises an outlet nozzle positioned in a path of water introduced into the tub.

3. A bulk dispensing system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a first sensor positioned within said at least one bulk storage tank, said first sensor in electrical communication with said controller and configured to alert a user when fluid in said at least one bulk storage tank is below a predetermined level.

4. A bulk dispensing system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said pump comprises a peristaltic pump mounted to a bottom panel of the washing machine.

5. A bulk dispensing system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said at least one bulk storage tank comprises a first bulk storage tank configured to hold detergent, a second bulk storage tank configured to hold bleach, and a third bulk storage tank configured to hold fabric softener.

6. A bulk dispensing system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said controller is configured to automatically move a selected amount of fluid from the at least one bulk storage tank into the tub.

7. A bulk dispensing system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said controller determines the selected amount of fluid based on at least one of a water temperature, a water hardness, a load size and a soil level.

8. A bulk dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a sensor positioned within said at least one bulk storage tank, said sensor in electrical communication with said controller and configured to detect when said at least one bulk storage tank is empty, said sensor transmitting a signal to said controller when said storage tank is empty, and said controller preventing activation of said pump when said at least one bulk storage tank is empty.

9. A bulk dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pump is configured to maintain fluid within said tube.

10. A washing machine comprising:

a cabinet;

a tub mounted within said cabinet;

a first bulk fluid tank positioned within said cabinet;

a tube providing fluid communication between said first bulk storage tank and said tub;

a peristaltic pump operatively coupled to said tube, said peristaltic pump configured to move fluid from within said first bulk storage tank into said tub through said tube; and

a controller in control communication with said peristaltic pump and configured to control an amount of fluid introduced into said tub.

11. A washing machine in accordance with claim 10 further comprising a second bulk fluid tank and a third bulk fluid tank positioned within said cabinet, said first bulk fluid tank configured to contain detergent, said second bulk fluid tank configured to contain bleach, and said third bulk fluid tank configured to contain fabric softener.

12. A washing machine in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said first bulk fluid tank, said second bulk fluid tank and said third bulk fluid tank is sealed to prevent air from contacting the fluid.

13. A washing machine in accordance with claim 10 further comprising an outlet nozzle coupled to said tube, said nozzle positioned within a path of water introduced into said tub.

14. A washing machine in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a first sensor positioned with respect to said first bulk fluid tank and configured to detect a fluid level within said first bulk fluid tank, said first sensor in electrical communication with said controller and configured to transmit a signal to said controller when the fluid level within said first bulk storage tank is below a determined level.

15. A washing machine in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a second sensor mounted with respect to said tub, said second sensor in electrical communication with said controller and configured to detect at least one of a water temperature, a water hardness, a load size and a soil level within said tub.

16. A washing machine in accordance with claim 10 further comprising a sensor positioned with respect to said first bulk storage tank, said sensor in electrical communication with said controller and configured to detect when said at least one bulk storage tank is empty, said sensor configured to transmit a signal to said controller when said storage tank is empty, and said controller configured to prevent activation of said peristaltic pump when said first storage tank is empty.

17. A washing machine in accordance with claim 10 wherein said controller is configured to automatically move a selected amount of fluid from said first bulk storage tank into said tub based on at least one of a water temperature, a water hardness, a load size and a soil level within said tub.

18. A method for dispensing a fluid into a washing machine including a cabinet and a tub positioned within the cabinet, said method comprising:

providing the washing machine with a dispensing system including a bulk fluid storage tank, a tube providing fluid communication between the bulk fluid storage tank and the tub, a pump operatively coupled to the tube and configured to move fluid from the bulk fluid storage tank to the tub, and a controller in control communication with the pump;

introducing an amount of water into the tub during a water fill cycle;

determining an amount of fluid to dispense into the tub based on at least one of a water temperature, a water hardness, a load size and a soil level within the tub; and

pumping at least a portion of the determined amount of fluid through the tube and into the tub during the water fill cycle.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein pumping at least a portion of the determined amount of fluid further comprises introducing the determined amount of fluid through an exit nozzle coupled to the tube and positioned within a path of the water introduced into the tub.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein providing the washing machine with a dispensing system further comprises positioning at least one sensor with respect to the bulk fluid storage tank, the at least one sensor operatively coupled to the controller and configured to detect a fluid level within the bulk fluid storage tank.

21. A method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising maintaining the tube filled with fluid.

22. A method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising shutting off the pump if a sensor positioned within the bulk fluid storage tank detects that a fluid level within the bulk fluid storage tank is below a determined level.