The embodiments described herein relate generally to a cleaning device and, more particularly to a port assembly for use with bulk storage containers in a cleaning device.
At least one known cleaning device is a clothes washing machine that enables detergent, softener, and/or bleach dispensing from bulk storage containers. More specifically, the washing machine includes a-refillable bulk storage container for each type of fluid being dispensed into a tub of the washing machine. In such a washing machine, each bulk storage container includes three separate interface ports each associated with a separate opening in the container—an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a sensor opening. The inlet opening is sealed by a cap, the outlet opening is in flow communication with the tub, and a sensor within the sensor opening is communicatively coupled to a controller.
When a user desires to clean one of the bulk storage containers, for example, when changing types of detergent and/or types of fluid, the user may remove the bulk storage container from the washing machine. To do so, the outlet and the sensor are disconnected from the container. Once the container has been cleaned and/or maintained, the container is repositioned in the washing machine and the outlet and sensor are re-attached. Proper re-attachment of the outlet and/or sensor can be difficult, and improper re-attachment of the outlet and/or sensor can prevent the washing machine from being activated. When the washing machine will not activate, the user may place a service call, which is time-consuming and inconvenient. Even if the washing machine activates, the washing machine may not function properly because of the improper outlet and/or sensor attachment.
In one aspect, a port assembly for use with a refillable storage container of a cleaning device is provided. The port assembly includes a cap assembly having a sensor aperture and an outlet aperture. The cap assembly is configured to couple to a lip of the storage container. A sensor assembly extends through the sensor aperture and is coupled to the cap assembly, and an outlet assembly extends through the outlet aperture and is coupled to the cap assembly. The outlet assembly is coupled in fluid communication with a cleaning cavity of the cleaning device and the storage container.
In another aspect, a cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device includes a cleaning cavity configured to receive items to be cleaned, at least one storage container configured to receive a fluid, and a port assembly coupled to the at least one storage container. The port assembly includes a cap assembly having a sensor aperture and an outlet aperture. The cap assembly is configured to couple to a lip of the storage container. A sensor assembly extends through the sensor aperture and is coupled to the cap assembly, and an outlet assembly extends through the outlet aperture and is coupled to the cap assembly. The outlet assembly is coupled in fluid communication with the cleaning cavity and the at least one storage container.
In yet another aspect, a method for assembling a cleaning device including a storage container having a cap assembly configured to couple to a lip of the storage container is provided. A sensor aperture and an outlet aperture are defined through the cap assembly. The method includes coupling a sensor assembly to the cap assembly such that the sensor assembly extends through the sensor aperture, and coupling an outlet assembly to the cap assembly such that the outlet assembly extends through the outlet aperture. The outlet assembly is configured to channel the fluid from the storage container to a cleaning cavity of the cleaning device. The cap assembly, the sensor assembly, and the outlet assembly form an integrated port assembly.
The embodiments described herein provide an integrated port assembly for use with a bulk storage container within a cleaning device, such as a washing machine. The port assembly integrates a cap, a sensor, and an outlet into one piece. As such, the cap, the sensor, and the outlet form one component that can easily be removed and/or attached to the storage container. A user of a cleaning device that includes an embodiment of the port assembly described herein interfaces with the one port assembly rather than three different ports of the storage container, as are included with conventional storage containers. Embodiments of the port assembly described herein can be keyed to assure alignment and fixed position for ease of reinstallation of the port assembly.
In the exemplary embodiment, in which cleaning device 10 is a washing machine, cleaning device 10 includes a cabinet 18 having a front panel 20, a top panel 22, side panels 24, and a back panel 26. A door 28 is mounted to front panel 20 and is rotatable about a hinge (not shown) between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a basket (not shown) in an interior of cleaning device 10 that holds a laundry load and a closed position (as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, cleaning device 10 includes a tub 36 in which the basket is rotatably mounted. Tub 36 defines a cleaning cavity of cleaning device 10. It should be understood that cleaning device 10 can include any suitable cleaning cavity, and is not limited to tub 36. In the exemplary embodiment, at least one storage container 12, 14, and/or 16 is positioned in a chamber or drawer 38 beneath tub 36 and/or at any suitable location within cabinet 18. In the exemplary embodiment, storage containers 12, 14, and/or 16 are within a footprint of cabinet 18. At least one pump 40 is, located beneath tub 36 and/or within cabinet 18 to deliver fluid from storage containers 12, 14, and/or 16 to various components of cleaning device 10, including tub 36. Fluid lines 42, 44, and 46 extend from storage containers 12, 14, and 16 to pump 40 and/or from pump 40 to tub 36. In the exemplary embodiment, cleaning device 10 includes three storage containers 12, 14, and 16, one pump 40, and three fluid lines 42, 44, and 46. Each fluid line 42, 44, and 46 is coupled to a respective storage container 12, 14, and 16. Alternatively, more or less than one fluid line per storage container can be used. In a particular embodiment, a first storage container 12 contains detergent, a second storage container 14 contains fabric softener, and a third storage container 16 contains bleach.
Referring to
Operation of cleaning device 10 is controlled by controller 34 operatively coupled to control panel 30. A user of cleaning device 10 uses control panel 30 to select cycles and/or features of cleaning device 10. In response to user manipulation of control panel 30, controller 34 operates the various components of cleaning device 10 to execute selected machine cycles and features. In the exemplary embodiment, controller 34 receives data from at least one sensor 142 (shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, coupling portion 116 includes a coupling mechanism that interlocks with the coupling mechanism of lip 48 (shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, cap assembly 102 includes a key 128 extending from a surface of cap 112, shoulder 114, and/or coupling portion 116. Key 128 is configured to interlock with a locking mechanism (not shown), such as a groove, slot, and/or channel, defined within lip 48. Key 128 enables a user to properly align port assembly 100 with lip 48 such that sensor assembly 104 and outlet assembly 106 function properly. Further, key 128 inhibits rotation of cap assembly 102 with respect to lip 48 such that communication link 52 (
Alternatively, cap assembly 102 does not include key 128. In the exemplary embodiment, a vent opening (not shown) can be defined through cap 112, and/or coupling portion 116 is configured to allow venting of storage container 12. Alternatively, or additionally, the vent opening is defined through container 12. In addition, once port assembly 100 is assembled, as described below, sensor aperture 108 and/or outlet aperture 110 is sealed to prevent debris, fluid, and/or other objects from entering chamber 122. Alternatively, sensor aperture 108 and/or outlet aperture 110 is not sealed.
Referring again to
Outlet tube 130 and outlet connector 132 are coupled to cap assembly 102 at tube support 134. More specifically, outlet tube 130 is inserted into a bottom end of tube support 134 and is surrounded by inner surface 136, and outlet connector 132 is inserted into outlet aperture 110 and tube support 134 and coupled about an outer surface of outlet tube 130. Alternatively, outlet tube 130 and/or outlet connector 132 is positioned about outer surface 138 of tube support 134, and/or outlet connector 132 is positioned within an inner surface of outlet tube 130. In the exemplary embodiment, outlet assembly 106 is positioned adjacent sensor assembly 104 to provide support to at least a portion of sensor assembly 104.
In a particular embodiment, outlet tube 130 and/or outlet connector 132 is removable from cap assembly 102 at tube support 134 for cleaning and/or maintenance. Alternatively, outlet tube 130 and/or outlet connector 132 is formed integrally with tube support 134. In an alternative embodiment, outlet tube 130 is coupled directly to, or is formed integrally with, outlet connector 132 and coupled to cap assembly 102. In the exemplary embodiment, outlet connector 132 and/or outlet tube 130 extends from an interior of storage container 12, through cap assembly 102 at tube support 134, and from top wall 118 of cap 112. Outlet tube 130 is configured to draw a fluid from storage container 12 for dispensing into tub 36 (shown in
As shown in
Thus, in an one embodiment, sensor 142 is communicatively coupled to circuit board 144, which is communicatively coupled to controller 34 (shown in
Referring to
The user inputs a wash setting into control panel 30, and controller 34 controls cleaning device 10 based on the wash setting. More specifically, when the user begins a wash cycle of cleaning device 10 with the wash setting, controller 34 activates pump 40 to channel the fluid from storage container 12 into tub 36 via outlet assembly 106 and fluid line 42. In the exemplary embodiment, controller 34 is configured to automatically channel and/or supply a predetermined amount of fluid from container 12 based on the wash settings and/or user inputs. Controller 34 receives information from sensor assembly 104 to determine a property, such as a characteristic and/or measurement, of the fluid within container 12.
For example, sensor 142 detects and/or measures a level of the fluid within container 12, and controller 34 outputs a signal to control panel 30 when the fluid level is below a predetermined threshold such that a visual and/or audible indication is generated to indicate the need to re-fill container 12. Controller 34 can additionally, or alternatively, use information from sensor assembly 104 to determine a type of fluid within container 12 and/or properties or the fluid within container 12. In a particular embodiment, controller 34 determines a type of fluid within container 12 and automatically prevents an improper fluid from being discharged into tub 36. For example, controller 34 determines that bleach, rather than detergent, is within container 12 and does not channel bleach into tub 36 when detergent should be used in the wash cycle. In another example, controller 34 determines an amount of fluid to be dispensed into tub 36 from container 12 based on feedback from sensor assembly 104. For example, sensor assembly 104 detects a concentration of a fluid, such as a detergent, and controller 34 dispenses an amount of the fluid using the detected concentration.
When controller 34 and/or the user determines that fluid should be added to container 12, the user removes port assembly 100 from container 12 and pours the fluid into container 12. As such, the user removes cap assembly 102, sensor assembly 104, and outlet assembly 106 from container 12 by removing the single port assembly 100. The single port assembly 100 is re-coupled to container 12 after re-filling. Further, to clean and/or maintain container 12, the user removes single port assembly 100 from container 12 and removes container 12 from cleaning device 10. To re-install container 12, the user positions container 12 within cleaning device 10, and couples the single port assembly 100 to container 12. Accordingly, port assembly 100 enables the user to remove a single assembly from container 12 rather than removing three separate components from a single storage container, as is done with conventional storage containers.
The above-described embodiments provide a port assembly that integrates a sensor assembly and an outlet assembly with a cap assembly. The port assembly enables the user to couple the sensor assembly and the outlet assembly to a storage container within a cleaning device by coupling the cap assembly to an opening of the storage container. As such, the port assembly is easier for the user to install, as compared to the three separate components used with conventional storage containers. Further, the key enables the user to properly position the port assembly during installation to reduce improper functioning of the cleaning device. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein facilitate reducing a number of improper installations and associated service calls regarding storage containers, sensor assemblies, and/or outlet assemblies.
Exemplary embodiments of a port assembly for use with a cleaning device and method for manufacturing the same are described above in detail. The systems and method are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of systems and/or steps of the method may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein.
Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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