METHOD FOR OPERATING A DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR A WASHING MACHINE, DISPENSING SYSTEM, AND WASHING MACHINE

• US 20090095027A1
• Filed: 10/16/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Miele & CIE KG (The Miele Group)
• Original Assignee: Miele & CIE KG (The Miele Group)
• Inventors: Finke, Michael, Deppermann, Thomas, Witte, Olaf
• Granted Patent: US 9,976,245 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/12.02
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/00 User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/42 Detergent or additive supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• 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 method of operating a dispensing system for a washing machine including a suds container for receiving wash liquid and at least one supply container for receiving a treating agent. The method includes selecting and activating a wash or treatment cycle from a plurality of wash or treatment cycles using an input device. The treating agent for delivery to the suds container is selected based on suitability information corresponding to the selected wash or treatment cycle. The treating agent is delivered to the suds container at the start of the activated wash or treatment cycle. The activated wash or treatment cycle is performed using a controller.

Claims

1. A method of operating a dispensing system for a washing machine including a suds container for receiving wash liquid and at least one supply container for receiving a treating agent, the method comprising:

selecting and activating a wash or treatment cycle from a plurality of wash or treatment cycles using an input device;

selecting the treating agent for delivery to the suds container based on suitability information corresponding to the selected wash or treatment cycle;

delivering the treating agent to the suds container at a start of the activated wash or treatment cycle; and

performing the activated wash or treatment cycle using a controller.

2. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the treating agent includes at least one of a detergent, a washing additive and a rinse additive.

3. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the treating agent in the at least one supply container; and

storing the suitability information;

wherein the suitability information includes respective suitability information for the treating agent corresponding to each of the plurality of wash or treatment cycles.

4. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the delivering the treating agent is carried out automatically in response to the suitability information corresponding to the selected wash or treatment cycle at least reaching a threshold value.

5. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the delivering the treating agent is not carried out automatically in response to the suitability information corresponding to the selected wash or treatment cycle being below a threshold value.

6. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 5 further comprising informing a user in response to the suitability information corresponding to the selected wash or treatment cycle being below the threshold value.

7. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a first treating agent in a first container the at least one supply container;

receiving a second treating agent in a second container of the at least one supply container; and

storing the suitability information;

wherein the suitability information includes respective suitability information for the first treating agent corresponding to each of the plurality of wash or treatment cycles and respective suitability information for the second treating agent corresponding to each of the plurality of wash or treatment cycles.

8. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 7 further comprising:

comparing the respective suitability information for the first treating agent corresponding to the selected wash or treatment cycle with the respective suitability information for the second treating agent corresponding to the selected wash or treatment cycle; and

wherein the selecting the treating agent includes selecting one of the first and second supply containers based on the comparison.

9. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the selecting the treating agent includes selecting a first supply container of the at least one supply container and further comprising:

presenting the suitability information to a user; and

activating the selected first supply container or an unselected second supply container of the at least one supply container in response to a confirmation by the user.

10. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 6 wherein the delivering the treating agent is not carried out automatically in response to the suitability information corresponding to the selected wash or treatment cycle being below a threshold value.

11. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the suitability information includes respective suitability information for the treating agent corresponding to each of the plurality of wash or treatment cycles, and further comprising storing the respective suitability information as a set.

12. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 11 wherein the treating agent is one of a plurality of types of treating agents and further comprising storing a set of suitability information for each of the plurality of types of treating agents.

13. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 12 further comprising selecting and presetting a first set of suitability information for a first supply container of the at least one supply container based on the treating agent received therein.

14. The method as recited in claim 12 the plurality of types of treating agents includes at least one of heavy-duty powdered detergent, powdered detergent for colored fabrics, powdered detergent for delicate fabrics, powdered detergent for wool, heavy-duty liquid detergent, liquid detergent for colored fabrics, liquid detergent for delicate fabrics, and liquid detergent for wool.

15. The method for operating a dispensing system as recited in claim 11 wherein the suitability information is modifiable.

16. A dispensing system for a washing machine comprising:

at least one supply container configured to receive a treating agent;

an input device operable to select and activate a treating agent received in the at least one supply container;

at least one connecting conduit configured to deliver the treating agent to a suds container of a washing machine; and

a controller in operative connection with a second controller of the washing machine, the controller being configured to;

select the treating agent for delivery to the suds container based on suitability information corresponding to a selected wash or treatment cycle; and

deliver the treating agent to the suds container at a start of an activated wash or treatment cycle.

17. The dispensing system for a washing machine as recited in claim 16, wherein the treating agent is at least one of a detergent, a wash additive and a rinse additive.

18. A washing machine comprising:

a suds container configured to receive wash liquid;

a dispensing system including at least one supply container configured to receive a treating agent;

at least one connecting conduit configured to deliver the treating agent to the suds container;

an input device operable to select and activate a wash or treatment cycle of a plurality of wash or treatment cycles; and

a controller in operative connection with the dispensing system and configured to;

select the treating agent for delivery to the suds container based on suitability information corresponding to the selected wash or treatment cycle;

deliver the treating agent to the suds container at a start of the activated wash or treatment cycle; and

perform the activated wash or treatment cycle.

19. The washing machine as recited in claim 18 further comprising:

a first connector connected to the dispensing system, the connector being controllable by at least one of an inlet valve and a water distributor, the connector being configured to deliver water to the dispensing system; and

a second connector configured to deliver detergent solution from the dispensing system.

20. The washing machine as recited in claim 18 further comprising a pump configured to deliver the treating agent from the at least one supply container to the suds container through the at least one connecting conduit.