Apparatus And Method For Supplying Hot, Cold Or Mixed Water To A Washing Machine Using A Single Water Supply Hose

• US 20110041561A1
• Filed: 08/19/2010
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Adam Apel
• Original Assignee: Adam Apel
• Inventors: Apel, Adam
• Application Number:
  US12/859,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20110041561A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/12.02
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/04 Heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/021 Devices for positioning or connecting of water supply lines connection to the tap body E03C1/0403
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0329 Mixing of plural fluids of diverse characteristics or conditions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3149 Back flow prevention by vacuum breaking [e.g., anti-siphon devices]

Abstract

A washing machine with a single input hose for both hot and cold water. The solenoid-operated water mixing valve assembly has a direct attachment to the hot and cold water supply valves. A flexible hose connects the washing machine to the solenoid-operated water mixing valve assembly. When the washing machine fill cycle begins, the solenoid-operated water mixing valve assembly is turned on and the water is output to the flexible hose. When the washing machine fill cycle ends, the water supply is turned off. The hot and cold water are mixed prior to input to the flexible hose, and as a result, only one flexible hose is required to supply water to the washing machine. The flexible hose is attached to the output of the solenoid-operated water mixing valve assembly and therefore is not under water pressure unless the washing machine is in a fill cycle. A vacuum breaker can be attached to the output of the solenoid-operated water mixing valve assembly to prevent backflow into the building water supply from the hose connection.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mixing hot and cold water to a washing machine using a single water supply hose, comprising:

a washing machine, the washing machine further comprising;

a water fill hose attached to the washing machine at its proximal end; and

an electrical signal cable connected at a first end to the output of the electronic controls;

an externally located solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly, further comprising;

means to attach to the electrical signal cable;

a cold water input;

a first solenoid operated valve for controlling the amount of cold water input from the cold water input, the operation of the first solenoid operated valve controlled by signals on the electrical signal cable;

a hot water input;

a second solenoid operated valve for controlling the amount of hot water input from the hot water input, the operation of the second solenoid operated valve controlled by signals on the electrical signal cable;

means to mix the hot and cold water output by the first and second solenoid operated valves; and

a water output having means to attach to the distal end of the water fill hose, the mixed hot and cold water output from the solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly to the water fill hose;

whereby hot and cold water is mixed prior to input to a washing machine by single water fill hose.

2. An apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the washing machine is a clothes washer.

3. An apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein:

the washing machine has means to determine when a fill cycle begins and ends; and

the washing machine signals the first and second solenoid operated valves to open when the fill cycle begins and the washing machine signals the first and second solenoid operated valves to close when the fill cycle.

4. An apparatus, as in claim 3, wherein the washing machine is a clothes washer.

5. An apparatus, as in claim 3, further comprising:

a vacuum breaker, the vacuum breaker attached to the output of the solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly, and the distal end of the water fill hose is attached to the vacuum breaker;

whereby the vacuum breaker prevents backflow of water.

6. An apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising a vacuum breaker, the vacuum breaker attached to the output of the solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly, and the distal end of the water fill hose attached to the vacuum breaker;

whereby the vacuum breaker prevents backflow of water.

7. An apparatus, as in claim 6, wherein the washing machine is a clothes washer.

8. A method of supplying hot and cold water to a washing machine with a single water supply hose, including the steps of:

attaching a water fill hose to a washing machine at its proximal end;

externally locating a solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly from the washing machine;

attaching the water fill hose to the solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly at its distal end;

inputting cold water to the solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly;

inputting hot water to the solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly; and

signaling the solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly, under control of the washing machine, to output water to the water fill hose;

whereby hot and cold water is mixed prior to input to a washing machine by single water fill hose.

9. A method, as in claim 8, including the additional step of using a clothes washer as the washing machine.

10. A method, as in claim 8, including the additional steps of:

determining when a fill cycle begins and ends; and

signaling the first and second solenoid operated valves to open when the fill cycle begins and signaling the first and second solenoid operated valves to close when the fill cycle ends.

11. A method, as in claim 10, including the additional step of using a clothes washer as the washing machine.

12. A method, as in claim 10, including the additional steps of:

attaching a vacuum breaker to the output of the solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly; and

attaching the distal end of the water fill hose to the vacuum breaker;

whereby the vacuum breaker prevents backflow of water.

13. A method, as in claim 8, including the additional steps of:

attaching a vacuum breaker to the output of the solenoid operated water mixing valve assembly; and

attaching the distal end of the water fill hose to the vacuum breaker;

whereby the vacuum breaker prevents backflow of water.

14. A method, as in claim 13, including the additional step of using a clothes washer as the washing machine.