Device for washing machines to control the introduction of detergent

• US 5,205,445 A
• Filed: 12/12/1991
• Issued: 04/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Zanussi SpA (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Zanussi Elettrodomestici SPA (Zanussi SpA)
• Inventors: Bravin, Daniele
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US07/806,050
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 222/651, 222/192, 68/17 R, 200/DIG. 21
• US Class Current: 222/651
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/028 Arrangements for selectively supplying water to detergent compartments

Abstract

A device for washing machines to control the introduction of detergent. It is intended especially for washing machines and combined machines for the washing and drying of laundry, which have a microprocessor and a distributor with several separate compartments for the detergents and additives to be introduced into the machine tub during the laundry-washing cycle, and which are equipped as well with a selector 13 that may be set to the several compartments by means of two jointed levers 15 and 16. One such lever 15 is associated with two PTC sensors 20 and 21 containing wax which is heated when such sensors are powered. According to the invention, the device includes the connection of the PTC sensors 20 and 21 to a triac 32 powered by the machine electric circuit through a diode 34 and 35 for the purpose, so as to allow one, the other, or both PTC sensors 20 and 21 to be turned ON for every positive or negative half-wave of the electric current. This, in turn, causes the displacement of the selector 13 by means of the levers 15 and 16 to the corresponding regulatory position. A device made in this way proves to be simple and operationally reliable.

Claims

1. A device for the control of the introduction of detergent into a tub of a washing machine, in particular a laundry-washing machine or a combined machine for the washing and drying of laundry, comprising at least one microprocessor controlling the action of selected operating cycles as well as a dispenser having a number of separate compartments to contain detergents or additives, the dispenser communicating with the tub and being provided with at least one rotary selector connected to a water supply of the machine and settable to each compartment of said dispense, said rotary selector being suitable to be set to different regulatory positions by means of a system of jointed levers associated with at least two box-like housings containing wax heatable by at least a relevant PTC sensor, wherein said PTC sensors (20, 21) are supplied with power by an electric circuit of the machine through a semiconductor switch such as a triac (32) or similar bidirectional conductor, and through at least a respective first and second unidirectional conductors, such as diodes (34, 35), which are biased in a mutually opposite direction.