Patent Application
20070028653
The present invention relates generally to a fluid distribution system and, more particularly, to a distribution system for a clothes washing machine.
As is well known in the art, a washing machine has an operating cycle, including the following general steps: (1) filling the tub; (2) washing; (3) spinning and draining the tub; (4) re-filling; (5) rinsing; and (6) final draining. At appropriate times, cleaning products are added to the tub. For example, detergent is added during the initial filling; bleach is added prior to or during washing; and softener is added during re-filling or rinsing.
Various mechanisms have been developed to facilitate the automatic dispensing of these cleaning products. None, however, has offered the capability to distribute or dispense up to three cleaning products, in an automated fashion, and in an effective manner.
In a principal aspect, the present invention is a fluid distribution system, having a particular application in washing machines. The present invention is not, however, limited to such washing machines, except as otherwise noted.
The system includes a valve, a rotatable disc within the valve, and a motor mechanism for selectively rotating the disc to certain positions. The valve has at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The rotatable disc defines a channel and, depending upon the selected position of the disc, the channel provides communication between the inlet and outlet.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel and unique fluid distribution system. Another object is to provide a novel and unique dispensing system for washing machine. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an automated control capable of receiving fluid from one or more sources and for delivering fluid to one or more outlet ports.
It is a further object to provide fluid, from an inlet, to a selected outlet, so as to produce a liquid flow or pressure at the selected outlet. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an automated distribution system for selectively delivering at least three cleaning products to the tub of a washing machine.
These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention are described or apparent in the following detailed description.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the drawing wherein:
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in
Upon user initiation, the control logic 26 effectively connects the water supply 20 (hot and cold supplies) to the tub 16, such that filling thereof begins through a fresh water nozzle 27. This connection is via a valve and mixer combination 28, well known in the art. When the water level for the selected load size is reached, washing begins with activation of an agitation motor 29, coupled to the agitator 16C, by the control logic 26. Upon completion, rinsing is effected. The tub 16, or more particularly the outer casing 16A, is drained via a drain hose 30 and drain pump 31. Water in the tub 16 is also periodically re-circulated via a recirculation pump 32, in communication with the drain hose 30 and under control of the logic 26, to facilitate washing and rinsing. In this preferred embodiment, the drain hose 30 and pumps 31, 32 are coupled through a remote sump 33, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,447 (the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference).
As best shown in
The valve 36 includes a housing 44, having a substantially cylindrical side wall 44A, an upper end wall 44B, and a substantially circular spool 46, conventionally secured to and closing the housing 44 opposite the end wall 44B. The housing 44 includes a substantially cylindrical fluid inlet or intake 48, extending radially from the side wall 44A.
The housing 44 provides first, second and third substantially circular outlets 50, 52, 54 in the upper end wall 44B. While three outlets are shown in this particular preferred embodiment (i.e., in the washing machine 12 that utilizes three cleaning products), it is to be understood that any number of outlets may be fed from the single inlet 48. The spool 46 includes a central, upwardly extending, substantially annular flange 46A, defining a motor aperture 56.
As best shown in
The rotatable disc 38 resides within the housing 44, substantially adjacent and parallel to the end wall 44B, interposing the inlet 48 and the outlets 50, 52, 54. The disc 38 sealingly engages the sidewall 44A in a manner permitting rotation thereof with respect to the housing 44. The disc 38 further engages the O-rings 62 into compression with the end wall 44B.
The disc 38 includes a central, substantially annular sleeve 38A, extending downwardly away from the upper end wall 44B, which provides a central mounting aperture 66, substantially aligned with the motor aperture 56. The disc 38 further defines a channel or passageway 68, radially displaced from the mounting aperture 66.
In this preferred embodiment, the disc 38 has four operational positions. In the first or rest position, the channel 68 is within or aligns with the solid segment 60 of the end wall 44B. In the three other positions, the channel 68 substantially vertically aligns with the outlets 50, 52, 54, respectively. Appropriate positioning or rotation of the disc 38 provides communication, through the channel 68, between the inlet 48 and any one of the outlets 50, 52, 54.
A spring washer 70 interposes the sleeve 38A and flange 46A. The spring washer 70 biases the disc 38 against the O-rings 62 to substantially avoid leakage, while providing sufficient “play” to allow rotation of the disc 38.
The motor means 40, under control of the logic 26, selectively rotates the disc 38 to one of its four operational positions, as the washing machine 12 is advanced through its operational cycle. In this preferred embodiment, the motor means 40 is a conventional stepper motor 72, having a shaft 72A. The motor 72 is below the valve 36, and the shaft 72A extends substantially vertically through the motor aperture 56 of the spool 46 to engage the mounting aperture 66 of the disc 38. The shaft 72A is conventionally attached to the sleeve 38A, and both apertures 56, 66 are conventionally sealed to avoid leakage around the shaft 72A. Preferably, the mounting aperture 66 and shaft 72A define a keyed arrangement to facilitate attachment and rotation.
A less expensive gear motor 74 could be used as an alternative to the stepper motor 72. In this alternative embodiment shown in
Referring now to
The dispenser 42 or, more particularly, the base wall 42A provides first, second and third ports 86, 88, 90 within the receptacles 78, 80, 82, respectively. The outlets 50, 52, 54 substantially vertically align with the ports 86, 88, 90, respectively, such that the receptacles 78, 80, 82 selectively communicate with the inlet 48. The ports 86, 88, 90 are flared to accommodate the O-rings 64, substantially avoiding leakage between the valve 36 and dispenser 42.
The dispenser 42 further includes a spout 92, extending radially from the outer boundary wall 42G, substantially towards the agitator 16C. The spout 92 opens over the outer casing 16A or an extension thereof, such that water exiting the spout 92 is delivered to the tub 16. As best shown in
The distribution system 10 further includes a substantially cylindrical, generally concave cover 94, detachably secured to the dispenser 42. The cover 94 has three radially extending walls 96A, 96B, 96C, corresponding to and substantially vertically aligned with the divider walls 42B, 42C, 42D of the dispenser 42, to provide three dispensing chambers 98A, 98B, 98C. Each chamber 98A, 98B, 98C has an open bottom, such that the cleaning products pass into the receptacles 78, 80, 82, respectively. Each chamber 98A, 98B, 98C bears a label (not shown) indicating proper placement for each of the three cleaning products (i.e., detergent, bleach and rinsing agent, respectively). Alternatively, a single chamber 98A has an open bottom and the cover 94 is rotated to achieve proper loading of the cleaning agents.
As best shown in
Referring now to
In
In terms of operation, and again with reference primarily to
Prior to the end of this filling step, or alternatively at the beginning of the washing step, the disc 38 is again advanced from the rest position and water is pumped into the receptacle 80. This adds bleach to tub 16. A similar sequence is followed to provide softener, from the receptacle 82, during the rinsing step.
Preferably the disc 38 is in place prior to initiation of water flow. This allows rotation thereof in the absence of any water pressure. Introduction of water into the bottom of the receptacles 78, 80, 82 enhances mixing and delivery of the cleaning materials.
While a preferred embodiment has been described herein, it is to be understood that modifications and changes can be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention, as defined by the following claims, which are to be interpreted in view of the foregoing detailed description. For example, a feature from any one of the preferred embodiments may be incorporated to any of the other embodiments.
