Automatic machine for washing articles in a bath containing surfactant substances

• US 4,703,633 A
• Filed: 02/12/1986
• Issued: 11/03/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zeltron Istituto Zanussi Per L'Elettronica SPA
• Original Assignee: Zeltron Istituto Zanussi Per L'Elettronica SPA
• Inventors: Stibelli, Sergio, Boscolo, Antonio
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US06/829,094
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 68/12 R, 68/13 R, 134/113, 324/61 P, 73/61 R
• US Class Current: 68/12.02
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/04 Quantity, e.g. weight
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/06 Type or material
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/20 Washing liquid condition, e.g. turbidity
• 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 2105/62 Stopping or disabling machine operation
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/22 Condition of the washing liquid, e.g. turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0656 using electric, e.g. electrostatic methods or magnetic methods by investigating individual particles G01N15/1031, G01N15/12

Abstract

An automatic washing machine for washing articles in a washing bath containing surfactant substances in the form of micelles and/or emulsion includes operative components for controlling the washing operation and a programmable device for controlling the operation of the operative components. At least one device is provided for detecting the microscopic characteristics of the micelles and of the emulsion in the washing bath and for generating signals representative thereof. Such signals are supplied to the control device, such that the control device controls the operation of the operative components in response to such signals.

Claims

1. In an automatic machine for washing dirty articles in a washing bath containing surfactant substances in the form of micelles and/or emulsion, said machine being of the type including operative components, programmable means for controlling the operation of said operative components, sensing means for monitoring the conditions of the washing bath and for generating signals representative thereof, and means for supplying said signals to said control means, such that said control means controls the operation of said operative components in response to said signals, the improvement wherein said sensing means comprises:

at least one means for detecting the microscopic characteristics of the micelles and of the emulsion in the washing bath, whereby said control means controls the operation of said operative components as a function the actual degree of removal of dirt from the articles being washed.

2. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises electrodes supported on a dielectric substrate and covered by a hydrophobic layer in contact with a washing bath, and thereby forming at least one capacitive element.

3. The improvement claimed in claim 2, wherein said detecting means further includes ultrasonic generator means for periodically transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to said hydrophobic layer.

4. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said washing bath is contained in a tub provided with at least one recirculation branch conduit, and said detecting means is accommodated in said recirculation conduit.