Independent dosing control system for washing machines

• US 6,349,440 B1
• Filed: 06/23/1999
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. Ohg (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. Ohg (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kamml, Hubert, Amberg, Guenther
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/331,646
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 68/17.R, 682/07, 815/9, 815/8, 134/100.1, 134/99.2, 222/57, 222/651
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling the dosing of detergent in multiple stage washing machines having at least one separate detergent tank per washing stage. The entry of water into a detergent tank of the washing machine releases, without intervention in the washing control system, the single dosing of a predetermined amount of detergent into the detergent tank, the release of further dosages being prevented until a renewed activation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a control device for dosing detergents in washing machines in accordance with one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a dosing of detergents in multistage washing machines comprising at least one dispensing compartment, said method having steps including the entry of water into a dispensing compartment of the washing machine initiating the introduction of a single predetermined dose of detergent into that dispensing compartment without any need for intervention in the washing machine control system, wherein the predetermined dose of detergent is introduced into the dispensing compartment and the introduction of further doses is blocked pending reactivation.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a two-stage washing process, said method further includes the steps of the dosing of detergent for the first stage being manually initiated with the beginning of the washing process, and the dosing of detergent for the second stage being initiated by the entry of a water into the dispensing compartment for the second stage, whereby a manual start initiates reactivation.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the amount of detergent to be introduced per washing stage is predetermined by at least a two-stage volume controller.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amount of detergent to be introduced per washing stage is predetermined by at least a two-stage volume controller.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the volume controller is manually adjusted.

6. A control system for dosing detergents in washing machines comprising:

a moisture sensor being provided in at least one dispensing compartment of the washing machine and, without connection to the washing machine controls, being connected by a signal line to a dosing system and, whenever water enters a dispensing compartment equipped with a moisture sensor, a signal being generated and internally processed in the dosing control system, initiating the introduction of a predetermined dose of detergent into that dispensing compartment wherein the dosing system is designed to introduce a predetermined dose of detergent into the dispensing compartment; and

a device which only allows one dosing operation per washing stage during a cycle of the washing machine consisting of an activator for interrupting the signal line after the first signal.

7. A control system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said device consists of an activator for interrupting the signal line after the first signal which can only be reactivated with the beginning of a new washing machine cycle.

8. A control system as claimed in claim 7, further including at least a two-stage volume controller which predetermines the size of the detergent dose for a washing stage, the volume controller preferably being manually adjustable.

9. A control system as claimed in claim 6, further including at least a two-stage volume controller which predetermines the size of the detergent dose for a washing stage, the volume controller preferably being manually adjustable.

10. A control system as claimed in claim 6, further including at least a two-stage volume controller with predetermines the size of the detergent dose for a washing stage, the volume controller preferably being manually adjustable.