Patent Application
20180119328
Laundry treating household appliances, such as washing machines, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, can have a configuration based on a rotating drum that at least partially defines a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treating. The laundry treating household appliance can have a controller that implements a number of user-selectable, pre-programmed cycles of operation having one or more operating parameters. Hot water, cold water, or a mixture thereof, along with various treating chemistries, can be supplied to the treating chamber in accordance with the cycle of operation. The laundry treating household appliance can have a dispenser for loading of treating chemistries into the appliance by the user and for supplying various treating chemistries to the treating chamber.
In one aspect, illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure relate to a treating chemistry dispenser for a household appliance including at least first and second treating chemistry reservoirs and a distributor selectively supplying liquid to the first and second reservoirs. The distributor includes a liquid supply circuit having a first branch fluidly coupled to the first treating chemistry reservoir and a second branch fluidly coupled to the second treating chemistry reservoir. A first float diverter is located within the supply circuit and operable between a first position, where the liquid is supplied to the first branch, and a second position where liquid is supplied to the second branch.
In another aspect, illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure relate to a method of supplying liquid between first and second branches of a supply circuit in a dispenser for a household appliance. The method includes floating a float diverter from a non-floating to a floating position to block flow to one of the first or second branches while permitting flow to the other of the first or second branches.
In the drawings:
Laundry treating household appliances can be provided with treating chemistry dispensers. Such treating chemistry dispensers can have a plurality of reservoirs for containing different types of treating chemistries, non-limiting examples of which include a detergent, a fabric softener, or a bleaching agent. Providing the structures and mechanisms for selectively providing liquid to each reservoir individually can require the use of additional space within the treating chemistry dispenser, as well as additional manufacturing costs. The use of a distributor with at least one float diverter in accordance with the present disclosure enables efficient use of space within the treating chemistry dispenser and eliminates the need for additional actuators to selectively provide liquid to a desired reservoir of the treating chemistry dispenser. In one aspect, this is achieved by providing first and second float diverters being shaped such that liquid is selectively directed to flow in a straight flow path or a diverted flow path.
The laundry treating household appliance of
The laundry holding system comprises a tub 14 dynamically suspended within the structural support system of the cabinet 12 by a suitable suspension system 28 and a drum 16 provided within the tub 14, the drum 16 defining at least a portion of a laundry treating chamber 18. The drum 16 can include a plurality of perforations 20 such that liquid can flow between the tub 14 and the drum 16 through the perforations 20. A plurality of baffles 22 can be disposed on an inner surface of the drum 16 to lift the laundry load received in the treating chamber 18 while the drum 16 rotates. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the laundry holding system to comprise only one receptacle with the receptacle defining the laundry treating chamber for receiving the load to be treated.
The laundry holding system can further include a door 24 which can be movably mounted to the cabinet 12 to selectively close both the tub 14 and the drum 16. A bellows 26 can couple an open face of the tub 14 with the cabinet 12, with the door 24 sealing against the bellows 26 when the door 24 closes the tub 14.
The washing machine 10 can further include a liquid supply system for supplying water to the washing machine 10 for use in treating laundry during a cycle of operation. The liquid supply system can include a source of water, such as a household water supply 40, which can include separate valves 42 and 44 for controlling the flow of hot and cold water, respectively. Water can be supplied through an inlet conduit 46 directly to the tub 14 by controlling first and second diverter mechanisms 48 and 50, respectively. The diverter mechanisms 48, 50 can be a diverter valve having two outlets such that the diverter mechanisms 48, 50 can selectively direct a flow of liquid to one or both of two flow paths. Water from the household water supply 40 can flow through the inlet conduit 46 to the first diverter mechanism 48 which can direct the flow of liquid to a supply conduit 52. The second diverter mechanism 50 on the supply conduit 52 can direct the flow of liquid to a tub outlet conduit 54 which can be provided with a spray nozzle 56 configured to spray the flow of liquid into the tub 14. In this manner, water from the household water supply 40 can be supplied directly to the tub 14. While the valves 42, 44 and the conduit 46 are illustrated exteriorly of the cabinet 12, it will be understood that these components can be internal to the cabinet 12.
The washing machine 10 can also be provided with a dispensing system for dispensing treating chemistry to the treating chamber 18 for use in treating the laundry according to a cycle of operation. The dispensing system can include a treating chemistry dispenser 62 which can be a single dose dispenser, a bulk dispenser, or an integrated single dose and bulk dispenser and is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber 18. The treating chemistry dispenser 62 can be configured to dispense a treating chemistry directly to the tub 14 or mixed with water from the liquid supply system through a dispensing outlet conduit 64. The dispensing outlet conduit 64 can include a dispensing nozzle 66 configured to dispense the treating chemistry into the tub 14 in a desired pattern and under a desired amount of pressure. For example, the dispensing nozzle 66 can be configured to dispense a flow or stream of treating chemistry into the tub 14 by gravity, i.e. a non-pressurized stream. Water can be supplied to the treating chemistry dispenser 62 from the supply conduit 52 by directing the diverter mechanism 50 to direct the flow of water to a dispensing supply conduit 68.
The treating chemistry dispenser 62 can include multiple chambers or reservoirs for receiving doses of different treating chemistries. The treating chemistry dispenser 62 can be implemented as a dispensing drawer that is slidably received within the cabinet 12, or within a separate dispenser housing 106 (
Non-limiting examples of treating chemistries that can be dispensed by the dispensing system during a cycle of operation include one or more of the following: water, enzymes, fragrances, stiffness/sizing agents, wrinkle releasers/reducers, softeners, antistatic or electrostatic agents, stain repellants, water repellants, energy reduction/extraction aids, antibacterial agents, medicinal agents, vitamins, moisturizers, shrinkage inhibitors, and color fidelity agents, and combinations thereof.
The washing machine 10 can also include a recirculation and drain system for recirculating liquid within the laundry holding system and draining liquid from the washing machine 10. Liquid supplied to the tub 14 through tub outlet conduit 54 and/or the dispensing supply conduit 68 typically enters a space between the tub 14 and the drum 16 and can flow by gravity to a sump 70 formed in part by a lower portion of the tub 14. The sump 70 can also be formed by a sump conduit 72 that can fluidly couple the lower portion of the tub 14 to a pump 74. The pump 74 can direct liquid to a drain conduit 76, which can drain the liquid from the washing machine 10, or to a recirculation conduit 78, which can terminate at a recirculation inlet 80. The recirculation inlet 80 can direct the liquid from the recirculation conduit 78 into the drum 16. The recirculation inlet 80 can introduce the liquid into the drum 16 in any suitable manner, such as by spraying, dripping, or providing a steady flow of liquid. In this manner, liquid provided to the tub 14, with or without treating chemistry can be recirculated into the treating chamber 18 for treating the laundry within.
The liquid supply and/or recirculation and drain system can be provided with a heating system which can include one or more devices for heating laundry and/or liquid supplied to the tub 14, such as a steam generator 82 and/or a sump heater 84. Liquid from the household water supply 40 can be provided to the steam generator 82 through the inlet conduit 46 by controlling the first diverter mechanism 48 to direct the flow of liquid to a steam supply conduit 86. Steam generated by the steam generator 82 can be supplied to the tub 14 through a steam outlet conduit 87. The steam generator 82 can be any suitable type of steam generator such as a flow through steam generator or a tank-type steam generator. Alternatively, the sump heater 84 can be used to generate steam in place of or in addition to the steam generator 82. In addition or alternatively to generating steam, the steam generator 82 and/or sump heater 84 can be used to heat the laundry and/or liquid within the tub 14 as part of a cycle of operation.
It is noted that the illustrated suspension system, liquid supply system, recirculation and drain system, and dispensing system are shown for exemplary purposes only and are not limited to the systems shown in the drawings and described above. For example, the liquid supply, dispensing, and recirculation and pump systems can differ from the configuration shown in
The washing machine 10 also includes a drive system for rotating the drum 16 within the tub 14. The drive system can include a motor 88, which can be directly coupled with the drum 16 through a drive shaft 90 to rotate the drum 16 about a rotational axis during a cycle of operation. The motor 88 can be a brushless permanent magnet (BPM) motor having a stator 92 and a rotor 94. Alternately, the motor 88 can be coupled to the drum 16 through a belt and a drive shaft to rotate the drum 16, as is known in the art. Other motors, such as an induction motor or a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor, can also be used. The motor 88 can rotate the drum 16 at various speeds in either rotational direction.
The washing machine 10 also includes a control system for controlling the operation of the washing machine 10 to implement one or more cycles of operation. The control system can include a controller 96 located within the cabinet 12 and a user interface 98 that is operably coupled with the controller 96. The user interface 98 can include one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens and the like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input and provide output. The user can enter different types of information including, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters, such as cycle options.
The controller 96 can include the machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the washing machine 10. For example, the controller 96 can include the machine controller and a motor controller. Many known types of controllers can be used for the controller 96. It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to effect the control software. As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID control), can be used to control the various components.
As illustrated in
The controller 96 can be operably coupled with one or more components of the washing machine 10 for communicating with and controlling the operation of the component to complete a cycle of operation. For example, the controller 96 can be operably coupled with the motor 88, the pump 74, the treating chemistry dispenser 62, the steam generator 82 and the sump heater 84 to control the operation of these and other components to implement one or more of the cycles of operation.
The controller 96 can also be coupled with one or more sensors 104 provided in one or more of the systems of the washing machine 10 to receive input from the sensors, which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity. Non-limiting examples of sensors 104 that can be communicably coupled with the controller 96 include: a treating chamber temperature sensor, a moisture sensor, a weight sensor, a chemical sensor, a position sensor and a motor torque sensor, which can be used to determine a variety of system and laundry characteristics, such as laundry load inertia or mass.
Referring now to
A distributor 128 is positioned above the nested dispenser drawer body 110, reservoir body 114, and softener plate 120. The distributor 128 includes a first float chamber 130 and a second float chamber 132 that protrude from the lower surface 134 of the distributor 128. The first float chamber 130 and second float chamber 132 protrude downwardly from the lower surface 134 of the distributor 128 into the second treating chemistry reservoir 116. The upper surface 136 of the distributor 128 defines a liquid supply circuit for selectively supplying liquid to the first, second, or third treating chemistry reservoirs 112, 116, 118. The distributor 128 defines a first branch 138 that is fluidly coupled to the first treating chemistry reservoir 112. The distributor 128 further defines a second branch 140 that is fluidly coupled to the second treating chemistry reservoir 116. The distributor 128 yet further defines a third branch 142 that is fluidly coupled to the third treating chemistry reservoir 118. A first float diverter 144 is received within the first float chamber 130 to selectively supply liquid to either the first branch 138 or the second branch 140. A second float diverter 146 is received within the second float chamber 132, upstream of the first float diverter 144, to selectively supply liquid to either the first float diverter 144, and thus to at least one of the first branch 138 or the second branch 140, or the third branch 142. The upper surface 136 of the distributor 128 is designed with patterns or mazes to prevent leaking between the first branch 138, the second branch 140, and the third branch 142.
The first float diverter 144 has a generally cylindrical shape, but can also be provided with a flat surface 170 on at least one side of the first float diverter 144. The first float chamber 130 can be provided with a corresponding flat surface (not shown), wherein, together with the flat surface 170 of the first float diverter 144, the structural features can cooperatively act as an index to fix the position of the first float diverter 144 within the first float chamber 130 and prevent rotation of the first float diverter 144 within the first float chamber 130. In an exemplary embodiment, the flat surface 170 of the first float diverter 144 ensures that the first float diverter 144 does not rotate more than, by way of non-limiting example, 3 degrees within the first float chamber 130. It will be understood, however, that any suitable degree of rotation of the float diverter 144 can be permitted. While the first float diverter 144 is illustrated herein as having a generally cylindrical shape, it will be understood that the first float diverter 144 can have any suitable shape, such as, by way of non-limiting example, rectangular, trapezoidal, or oval. The shape of the first float diverter 144, including the flat surface 170, can be designed to create an optimal amount of surface tension between the first float diverter 144 and the first float chamber 130 by reducing the contact surface between the two as necessary. This ensures that the buoyance of the first float diverter 144 is not undesirably counteracted by friction and/or surface tension.
The top flow control channel 156 of the first float diverter 144 defines a flow path such that liquid flows straight through the top flow control channel 156. The side flow control channel 158 is provided vertically downward from the top flow control channel 156 such that liquid flows through only one or the other of the top flow control channel 156 or the side flow control channel 158 depending on the vertical position of the first float diverter 144.
Turning now to the operation of the treating chemistry dispenser 62 and referring initially to
When the liquid supply rate is reduced or stopped, such that liquid is no longer being supplied, liquid that remains in the distributor 128 downstream of the first float diverter 144 backflows down the backflow portion 174 and into the first float chamber 130. The liquid filling the first float chamber 130 causes the first float diverter 144 to be floated upward into the second, floating position. As the first float diverter 144 is floated to the second, floating position, liquid is free to flow out of the first float chamber 130 through the drain opening 152. The drain opening 152 is sized such that the rate of draining the liquid through the drain opening 152 is less than the liquid supply rate at which liquid is entering the first float chamber 130. By way of non-limiting example, the rate of draining the liquid through the drain opening 152 can be not greater than half of the liquid supply rate at which liquid is entering the first float chamber 130. In this way, the position of the first float diverter 144 is selectively controlled by both the status of liquid being supplied to the treating chemistry dispenser 62, as well as the liquid supply rate. It will also be understood that the position of the first float diverter 144 can be selectively controlled by the sequence of the liquid supply being provided or not provided, by the duration of time the liquid supply is provided or not provided, and/or by the spacing between bursts of liquid that are supplied to the treating chemistry dispenser 62. By way of example, when the liquid supply has been stopped and the first float diverter 144 is in the floating position, the liquid supply must be resumed before the liquid is able to drain out of the first float chamber 130 in order for the first float diverter 144 to remain in the floating position and direct the liquid supply accordingly.
Concurrently, liquid that remains in the distributor 128 between the second float diverter 146 and the first float diverter 144 flows into the backflow reservoir 176 (best seen in
When the first float diverter 144 is in the second, floating position and the liquid supply to the treating chemistry dispenser 62 resumes, liquid will flow straight through the top flow control channel 154 of the second float diverter 146 as before, as the second float diverter 146 remains in the first, non-floating position. When the liquid that has flowed through the top flow control channel 154 of the second float diverter 146 reaches the first float diverter 144, the liquid will confront the side flow control channel 158 and will be diverted at an angle to the second branch 140, and then into the second treating chemistry reservoir 116. As long as the liquid supply rate remains constant in this configuration, liquid will continue to flow to the second branch 140.
When the liquid supply rate is again reduced or stopped, such that liquid is no longer being supplied, liquid that remains in the distributor 128 between the second float diverter 146 and the first float diverter 144 will flow back towards the backflow reservoir 176. As the backflow reservoir 176 will already be filled with liquid from the backflow at the previous cease in liquid supply, the liquid will flow over the backflow reservoir 176, along the second backflow portion 178, and into the second float chamber 132. The amount of liquid filling the second float chamber 132 at this point is sufficient for the second float chamber 132 to fill enough to cause the second float diverter 146 to be floated upward into the second, floating position. As the second float diverter 146 is floated to the second, floating position, liquid is free to flow out of the second float chamber 132 through the drain opening 168. The drain opening 168 is sized such that the liquid drain rate through the drain opening 168 is less than the liquid supply rate at which liquid is entering the second float chamber 132. By way of non-limiting example, the liquid drain rate through the drain opening 168 can be not greater than half of the liquid supply rate at which liquid is entering the second float chamber 132. In this way, the liquid supply being provided or not provided, as well as the duration of the liquid supply being provided or not provided and/or the liquid supply rate, serve to selectively control the position of the second float diverter 146 in the same way as was discussed previously relating to the first float diverter 144.
When the second float diverter 146 is in the second, floating position and the liquid supply to the treating chemistry dispenser 62 resumes, liquid that reaches the second float diverter 146 will confront the side flow control channel 162 and will be diverted at an angle to the third branch 142, and then into the third treating chemistry reservoir 118. As long as the liquid supply rate remains constant in this configuration, liquid will continue to flow to the third branch 142. When the liquid supply rate is reduced to zero and no further liquid is supplied to the treating chemistry dispenser 62, the liquid present in both the first float chamber 130 and the second float chamber 132 will eventually flow out through the drain openings 152, 168, allowing both the first float diverter 144 and the second float diverter 146 to return to the first, non-floating position.
The embodiments disclosed herein provide a treating chemistry dispenser for a laundry treating household appliance that can selectively provide liquid to each of a plurality of reservoirs individually using no additional machinery or parts beyond floating diverters that are actuated to change position when the supply flow of liquid is reduced or stopped. One advantage that can be realized in the above embodiments is that the above described embodiments are configured to provide a treating chemistry dispenser that eliminates the need for multiple water supply points, and the valves and conduits that would be required therewith. This results in decreased manufacturing requirements and decreased cost. In addition, the float mechanism provides a simple and robust solution. By employing the embodiments disclosed herein, ease of operation is improved, as well as simplification of the manufacturing of only a single water supply point for the plurality of reservoirs within the treating chemistry dispenser.
To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.
While the present disclosure has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure which is defined in the appended claims.
