Washing Machine Comprising a Controllable Water Supply and Method for Operating a Washing Machine of this Type

• US 20090293202A1
• Filed: 06/11/2007
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerã¤Te GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Wiemer, Horst, Schulze, Ingo, Bolduan, Edwin, Czyzewski, Gundula
• Granted Patent: US 8,459,068 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/137
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/028 Arrangements for selectively supplying water to detergent compartments

Abstract

A washing machine with a controllable fresh water intake for at least two detergent chambers which are located inside a housing of a detergent flushing device and which have an outlet for water or the mixture of detergent and water which opens onto a bottom surface of the housing which is inclined towards an outlet connection for a detergent supply line to the tub of the washing machine in which a laundry drum is mounted at least approximately horizontally, the washing machine comprising partial surfaces into which the bottom surface of the housing is divided, the partial surfaces including inclinations differing from the horizontal, the inclinations being differently directed to at least one of the other partial surfaces and each partial surface is assigned to at least one detergent chamber and includes an outlet connection in a lowest region of the partial surface.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A washing machine with a controllable fresh water intake for at least two detergent chambers which are located inside a housing of a detergent flushing device and which have an outlet for water or the mixture of detergent and water which opens onto a bottom surface of the housing which is inclined towards an outlet connection for a detergent supply line to the tub of the washing machine in which a laundry drum is mounted at least approximately horizontally, the washing machine comprising partial surfaces into which the bottom surface of the housing is divided, the partial surfaces including inclinations differing from the horizontal, the inclinations being differently directed to at least one of the other partial surfaces and each partial surface is assigned to at least one detergent chamber and includes an outlet connection in a lowest region of the partial surface.

20. The washing machine according to claim 16 wherein washing machine includes a tub and the outlet connections are connected to the tub in different regions.

21. The washing machine according to claim 20 wherein a first portion of the outlet connections is guided at a rear region of the tub.

22. The washing machine according to claim 20 wherein a second portion of the outlet connections is guided in a front region of the tub.

23. The washing machine according to claim 20 wherein a first outlet connection is connected to an outer casing of the tub using a detergent supply line in an upper region of the tub.

24. The washing machine according to claim 20 and further comprising a collar for liquid-tight connection of front openings of the tub and the housing wherein the second outlet connection is connected to the collar using a detergent supply line in an upper region of the tub.

25. A method for operating a washing machine by supplying fresh water and detergent and providing a total quantity of washing liquid in the course of the washing process, comprising the steps of providing a first partial quantity of fresh water, guiding the first partial quantity of fresh water directly onto the laundry using the pre-wash chamber;

supplying, while flushing out the main detergent chamber, a second partial quantity of a mixture of fresh water and main detergent using a detergent supply line connected in the upper region of the tub on the outer casing of the laundry drum; and

providing a third partial quantity of fresh water directly onto the laundry to make up the total quantity of washing liquid.

26. The method according to claim 25 wherein step of providing fresh water includes guiding the fresh water directly onto the laundry using the pre-wash chamber for provision of a total quantity of washing liquid.

27. The method according to claim 25 wherein the step of providing a mixture of fresh water and additive includes supplying the mixture of fresh water and additive directly to the laundry using the additive chamber to provide a total quantity of special treatment solution.

28. The method according to claim 25 wherein the step of providing a first partial quantity includes providing between about 4 litres and about 7 litres.

29. The method according to claim 25 wherein the step of providing a second partial quantity includes providing between about 5 litres and about 7 litres.

30. The method according to claim 25 wherein step of providing the third partial quantity includes providing at least 30 litres.