WO2002020893A1

WO2002020893A1 - A washing machine with a removable detergent cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2002020893A1
Application number: PCT/TR2001/000041
Authority: WO
Inventors: Engin Kutlay
Original assignee: Arçelik A.S.; BÜKÜLMEZ, Bora
Priority date: 2000-09-04
Filing date: 2001-08-07
Publication date: 2002-03-14
Also published as: AU2001292533A1; TR200300699T1

Abstract

In the washing machine according to the present invention preferably the buttons by which the detergent dispenser and program steps are selected, are not used; instead of them one or more than one cartridge(s) (2) that are removably mounted on the washing machine, containing the washing material such as wash powders or liquids and carrying such operational conditions and/or program information as washing stages, orders, initiation/termination/operation times, temperature and amount of water, and the like is used. The washing machine of the invention comprises a washing material dispenser (3) which comprises one or more cartridge(s) (2) containing detergent, a body (1) in which said cartridges (2) are placed, a preferably movable plate (22) providing the fixation of the cartridges (2) by pressing and a lid (31) that covers the plate (22) from outside.

Description

A WASCHING MACHINE WITH A REMOVABLE DETERGENT CARTRIDGE

The present invention relates to a washing machine that operates with a removably attached detergent cartridge containing washing material such as washing powder or washing liquid and which supports such information as operational conditions, for instance, washing steps, order of the steps, initiation/termination and operation times and/or program information.

The washing machines, in general, are provided with a control panel and a detergent dispenser into which washing material is loaded. Said washing machines generally comprise a detergent dispenser with one or more than one compartment(s) and a control panel provided with program selection and/or command buttons on its surface. The user, after loading the clothes to be washed into the washing machine, is required to dispose the washing material, namely the water softener, bleaching agent, anti-calk agent, washing powder or liquid, separately into the appropriate compartments of the detergent dispenser, to determine the washing step and/or program and according to the nature of the laundry, by employing the program selection buttons.

The object of the present invention is to allow the washing machines to perform the washing by transferring such information as the washing material, washing conditions, washing steps and/or programs, to the washing machine, without requiring the user to determine said information.

The washing machine realized to attain said object of the present invention, has been illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein;

Figure 1 , is the three-dimensional general view of the washing machine; Figure 2, is the three-dimensional front view of a washing material - dispenser with its lid opened, and with four single-compartment cartridges;

Figure 3, is the three-dimensional front view of a washing material dispenser with its lid opened, and with a four-compartment cartridge; Figure 4, is the three-dimensional front view of a washing material dispenser with four compartments, the lid and box of which have not yet been attached;

Figure 5 a, is the three-dimensional front view of a single-compartment cartridge; Figure 5b, is the three-dimensional back view of a single-compartment cartridge;

Figure 5c, is the cross-section view of a single-compartment cartridge; Figure 6, is the schematical view of the plate locking mechanism; Figure 7, is the three-dimensional front view of the plate.

The components shown in the drawings have been given separate reference numerals as listed below:

1. Body

2. Cartridge 3. Washing material dispenser

4. Inlet port

5. Outlet port

6. Hose

7. Valve 8. Compartment

9. Filling hole

10. Discharging hole

11. Fastening projection

12. Displacement channel 13. Transmission plate

14. Profile 15. Fastening recess

16. Data plate

17. Light indicator

18. Button 19. Panel

20. Extension

21. Catch

22. Plate

23. Lock sleeve 24. Locking pin

25. Arresting lever

26. Gear

27. Pulling handle

28. Screen 29. Shield

30. Shield lever

31. Lid

32. Plate projection

33. Plate recess 34. Handle

35. Spring

36. Shield recess

37. Support piece

38. Shield lever recess

In the washing machines, a detergent dispenser wherein the washing material to be used during washing, is disposed and a control panel with light indicators and/or buttons on its surface, by means of which the washing steps and/or programs are selected and /or monitored according to the type of the laundry to be washed, are provided to perform the washing process. In the washing machine according to the present invention preferably the buttons, by which the detergent dispenser and program steps are selected, are not used; instead of them one or more than one cartridge (s) (2) that are removably mounted on the washing machine, containing the washing material such as washing powders or liquids and carrying such operational conditions and/or program information as, washing stages, orders, initiation/termination/operation times, temperature and amount of water, and the like.

The washing machine of the invention, comprises a washing material dispenser (3) which includes one or more cartridge (s) (2) containing detergent, a body (1) in which said cartridges (2) are placed, a preferably movable plate (22) providing the fixation of the cartridges (2) by pressing and a lid (31) that covers the plate (22) from outside.

Due to reasons arising from production and mounting, the body (1) is made of one or more than one pieces. In a preferred embodiment, the body (1) comprises two parts. For the production of the body (1) preferably plastic .material is used considering its lightness in weight and facility in insulation and mounting. The components of the body (1) may also be manufactured in various colours, even as transparent, depending on the properties of the production material to be used. The components may be fastened or fixed by tight-fitting or screwing, as well as by welding such as vibrational or ultrasonic welding, or by means of various adhesive materials . Said parts may be painted and/or printed by screen printing or buffering, when required and/or desired.

One or more than one fastening recess(es) (15), one or more than one displacement channel (s) (12), one or more than one plate recess(es) (33), one or more than one lock(s), preferably one or more than one transmission plate(s) (13), a shield (29) on the transmission plate (13), a shield lever (30) connected to said shield (29), a support piece (37) connected to said shield level (30), and preferably one or more than one outlet port(s) (5) preferably at the lower part, are provided in the body (1). The outlet port (5) has one or more than one upwards . extension(s) (20) with one or more than one catch(es) (21) on the upper portion of the extension (20). The lock comprises a locking pin (24), a sprig (35) placed behind said locking pin (24), an arresting lever (25) connected to said locking pin 5 (24), a gear (26) connected to the arresting lever (25) by gears, and a potentiometer connected to the gear (26).

The plate (22) is so placed that it rests above the cartridge (2) placed into the washing material dispenser (3). There are plate projections (32) and one or

10 more than one lock sleeve(s) (23) on the lateral side of said plate (22) and preferably one or more than one inlet port (s) (4) at its lower part. Similarly to the outlet port (5), the inlet port (4) has one or more than one downwards extension(s) (20) with one or more than one catch(es) (21). The plate can move up and down by the movement of one or more than one projection (s) (33) provided

15 on its lateral side, inside the plate recess (33). A handle (34) is provided on the front side of the plate (22) in order to enable the user to perform said movements of the plate (22).

Connections with the washing machine are provided by one or more than 20 one hose (s) (6) connected to the inlet-and outlet-ports (4,5). There may be one or more than one valves (7) on the hose (6) depending on the location of use. The fluid flowing in the hose (6) can be directed by means of the valves (7).

The cartridge (2) comprises one or more than one compartment(s) (8) to receive 25 washing powder or liquid. Preferably one or more than one filling holes (9) with dimensions and positions suitable to the inlet port (4) at the upper portion of the cartridge (2) and one or more than one discharging holes (10) with dimensions , • and positions suitable to the outlet port (5) at the lower portion are provided. The cartridge (2) is provided with profiles (14) in a number, form and position, 30 suitable to the displacement channel (12); fastening projections (11) in a number, form and position, suitable to the fastening recess (15); data plates (16) in a number, form and position and features, suitable to the transmission plate (13); ^• and a protective plate (shield) recess (36) that can be placed at a position above the data plate (16), where the (shield) protective plate (29) is opened. At the front side of the cartridges (2), in addition to the printings displaying user information, there is (are) one or more than one pulling handle (s) (27). The filling hole (9) and the discharging hole (10) are so closed with a material that it can be torn to be opened when the cartridge (2) is filled up with washing material.

By virtue of the said displacement channel (12) and the profiles (14), said cartridge (2) can easily be secured to the body in such a manner that the outlet port (5) matches with the discharging hole (10) and after being attached to the body (1), its undesired movements are avoided by means of the fastening projection (11), the fastening recess (15) and the support piece (37). Whereas the cartridge (2) is easily and removably placed into the body (1) by the help of the pulling handle (27) and the support piece (37). Said pulling handle (27), being positioned preferably at the front side of the cartridge (2), enables the user to remove the cartridge (2) out of the body (1) by applying a minimal force. One or more than one recess(es) that the user can grasp may be provided on the cartridge (2), but in a preferred embodiment, the pulling handle (27) is advantageously made in the form of one or more than one projections.

In case when the cartridge (2) is not disposed in its place, the transmission plate (13) is preferably covered with a shield (29) pushed by one or more than one mechanical spring (s), against potential water spilling and/or mains voltage leakage risks, that may arise during usage. While the cartridge (2) is being pushed within the displacement channel (12), it pushes the support piece (37) which in turn raises the shield lever (30) provided with gear teeth grooves corresponding to the gear teeth forms provided on the support piece; and the raised shield lever (30) pulls up the connected cover together with itself and thus opens the top of the transmission plate (13). The opened shield (29) fits into the shield recess (36) located behind the cartridge (2) and following the opening of the shield (29), the transmission plate (13) contacts with the data plate (16). When the cartridge (2) is pulled out of its place, the shield lever (30), being continuously pushed downwards preferably by a spring, pushes also the shield (29) and the support piece (37) together. In this manner the shield (29) starts to be closed and the support piece (37) pushes the cartridge (2) from behind, thus enabling the user to remove the cartridge easily. The shield lever (30), moves downwards within the limits of the shield lever recess (38) in which it moves and thus holds the support piece (37) and the shield (29) at certain (determined) positions when the cartridge (2) is not in place.

The data plate (16) is also protected by a protecting layer which can be adhered onto the data plate and be removed by the user.

The data plate (16) and the transmission plate (13) maybe a bar code and an optical reader or they may be respectively, a magnetic encoder and a magnetic reader, as well. In a preferred embodiment, the data plate (16) and the transmission plate (13) are preferably made of conductive plates. ^■ •

The panel (19) may be located on the washing material dispenser (3) or on the front panel of the washing machine; and it is provided with preferably one or more than one button(s) (18) and/or one or more than one light indicator(s) (17) or preferably one or more than one screen(s) (28). Said screen (28) displays the information obtained from the data plate (16) of one or more than one cartridge(s) (2), by means of the transmission plate (13) and controls related with the washing machine, washing conditions, washing and/or program steps, to the user.

The user lifts the plate (22) before the cartridge (2) is placed into the body (1). Then, the cartridge (2) is moved by being pushed at its front side, in the displacement channel (12) by means of its profiles (14) and when the discharging hole (10) reaches the extension (20) of the outlet port (5), the material closing the discharging hole (10) is torn by pushing from the top, and pushing continues until the fastening recess (15) provided in the body is reached. When said projection (11) is fitted into said recess (15), the catches (21) on the extension (20) engage into their recesses at the outlet port, thus fixing the cartridge (2) at its bottom. After the fixation of the cartridge (2) the plate (22) is lowered downwards. While lowering said plate (22) downwards, the extensions (20) provided on the inlet port (4) located at the lower portion of the plate (22) punches into the filling hole (9) by tearing the protective material provided on it. When the extension catches (21) completely fit into the recess provided in the filling hole (9), the locking pin (24) on the body (1) runs into the lock sleeve (23) provided on the lateral side of said plate (22). While lowering the plate (22) downwards, said locking pin (24) moving inwards in the lock sleeve (23) compresses the spring (35). Meanwhile, it pushes the arresting lever (25) connected to the locking pin (24) and the gear (26) engaging with the gear teeth grooves provided on the arresting lever (25) moves the potentiometer. When the plate (22) sits on its place, the locking pin (24) moves in the reverse direction and fits into the lock sleeve (23) on the plate (22)by means of the spring (35) located behind it. At this moment, the locking pin (24) stops after moving forwards but before the point where the, plate (22) is not closed. Thus, the plate (22) closed command reaches to the control card. The washing machine does not run before the plate (22) sits into its place. At this position where the cartridge (2) is fixed, the data plate (16) comes into contact with the transmission plate (13). When the on/off button (18) is pressed, the light indicator (17) showing that said plates (16 and 13) are in contact is also switched on and at the same time, the information and commands provided on the cartridge (2), reach the control card of the washing machine.

When the washing operation is terminated, the potentiometer moves in the reverse direction upon a command from the control card, and it pushes the arresting lever (25) that is connected to the locking pin (24) which in turn presses the spring (35) behind it, to be released from the lock sleeve (23) and thus the plate (22) is left free. Then, it is pulled upwards by the user to remove the cartridge (2) or cartridges (2). The on/off button (18) is preferably used in 3 steps, namely an opening, a - closing and a reset step, due to the possibility of any problems that may arise during the operation of the washing machine. When the button is used at the reset position the control card stops the washing machine, upon the commands it sends, the potentiometer moves and causes the arresting lever (25) and the locking pin (24) connected to it, to move together with itself. When the locking pin (24) is released from the lock sleeve (23) the plate (22) is left free and opens when pulled upwards.

Information concerning washing steps, manufacturer and washing material, written or printed on the cartridge (2) are also loaded onto the data plate (16). Information concerning washing steps include the washing steps such as pre- washing, washing with bleacher, main washing, water discharge, rinsing, washing with water softener, spinning, door-opening and the like; the durations, order and number of said washing steps; washing temperatures required for said steps, and the like. Information related to the manufacturer and to the washing material include such issues as the production date of the product, the serial number of the product and/or firm and the quantity of the product. Preferably the serial number is concealed in the control card, in order to avoid the use of the used and empty cartridge (2) again. Another advantage of concealing said information in the control card is to be able to determine the faults of the manufacturer firm, in addition to the problems that may arise during the use of the cartridge (2) and/or of its content.

The user selects the cartridge (2) according to the quantity, type of the object to be washed and to the washing steps chosen. For instance when the user does not have a large quantity of laundry to be washed, she may prefer the cartridges (2) containing a smaller amount of washing material and/or that with shorter washing steps, by using the information displayed on the cartridge. Or, contrarily if the user has a large quantity of laundry to be washed, she may prefer the cartridge (2) with intensive washing steps and/or washing material. Washing may be realized by using one or more than one one-compartment (8) cartridge (s) (2) or by using a single cartridge with more than one compartments (8). The body (1) is made in conformity with the form and number of the cartridge (2) to be placed in it.

When the cartridges (2) are with a single compartment (8), only one type of washing material, such as the wash powder or liquid can be put in it and the cartridge (2) as well as the data plate (16) is provided with information reland to this washing material on it. When another type of washing material, for instance, a water softener is intended to be used. The user places another cartridge (2) containing said material, in the body (1). In this case, the use of the two cartridges (2) is provided, according to the standard washing steps, already loaded in the control card of the washing machine. The washing machine determines the washing steps according to the information it has obtained from the transmission plate or plates (13).

In this case, washing water can be transferred to the related cartridge (2) by means of one or more than one hose(s) (6) connected to one or more than one inlet (4) and outlet port(s) (5) and preferably of a single valve (7) located on the hose (6) or preferably one multi-way valve (7) that can control all hoses.

In another embodiment, the cartridge (2) comprises more than one compartments (8), and is provided with a number of filling (9) and discharging holes, at least in the same number as that of compartments (8). The cartridge (2) is also provided with a number of data plates (16) at least in the same number as that of compartments (8). These data plates (16) contain such detailed information as the washing, rinsing , spiiining, water intake and discharge operations to be performed by using the washing material, in addition to information related to the washing material, contained in said compartments (8). The control card operates the washing machine according to all these information obtained from the data plate (16). In this practice washing water can be transferred to the related cartridge (2) by means of one or more than one hose(s) (6) connected to one or more than one inlet (4) and outlet port(s) (5) corresponding to each compartment (8) and preferably of a single valve (7) located on the hose (6) or preferably one multi- way valve (7) that can control all the hoses.

In a multi-compartment (8) cartridge (2), the dimensions, number and the form of the compartments (8) and/or the quantity of the washing material contained in said compartments, are arranged without changing the external dimensions of the cartridge (2). In such cartridges (2) all compartments may be filled or one or more than one compartment(s) (8) may be empty. Required washing material suitable for the type of the laundry to be washed is placed in the compartments (8) of the cartridge (2) and the washing steps depending on the type of said laundry are defined to the data plate (16). Therefore the washing machine runs according to the washing step and washing material contained in the cartridge (2) and only the compartment (8) containing the necessary washing material is used.

The external dimensions of the cartridge (2) are so that the cartridge (2) can be received in the body (1) no matter what the number of the compartments (8) is. Thus, a standard cartridge (2) size is provided and it is used for all types of laundry.

While using more than one cartridges with single compartments (8), no order or obligations are considered to place them in the body (2). The washing machine is informed about which washing material is available in which cartridge

(2) according to the information contained in the data plate (16) or about missing cartridges that cannot provide information from the transmission plate (13).

The type and quantity of the washing material contained in the cartridge (2) are determined according to the type and quantity of the laundry to be washed. When the cartridge (2) is completely filled, it contains a quantity of washing material that corresponds to the quantity of the laundry, whereby the washing machine can operate at full capacity. This information is also provided on the cartridge (2) and on the data plate (16). While washing laundry in smaller quantities, the amount of the washing material can also be decreased in line with the quantity of the laundry, in order to avoid the consumption of excessive amounts of washing material. In the cartridges (2) with more than one compartments (8), the quantity of the contained washing material may be adjusted according to the type and quantity of the laundry. For instance, while washing white clothes in a wasliing machine, detergent and/or bleacher and/or water softener is used whereas while washing coloured clothes, larger quantity of water softener and no bleacher is used. These varying ratios of washing material are adjusted by modifying the number and/or form and/or volumes of the compartments in multi-compartment (8) cartridges (2).

The washing material dispenser (3) is preferably located on the front- and/or top-panel in washing machines. In such washing machines there exists, no other detergent box than the washing material dispenser.

Claims

1. A washing machine characterized with a washing material dispenser (3) comprising one or more than one removably attached cartridge(s) (2) containing washing material such as washing powder or washing liquid and which supports such information as operational conditions, for instance, washing steps, order of the steps, initiation/termination and operation times and/or program information, and a body (1) in which said cartridges are placed.

2. A washing machine according to Claim 1, characterized with the washing material dispenser (3) comprising a preferably movable plate (22) providing the fixation of the cartridges (2) that are placed into the body (1) by pressing and a lid (31) .

3. A washing machine according to Claim 1, characterized with the body (1) comprising a cartridge (2) containing a data plate (16) wherein such information as washing steps, order of the steps, initiation/termination and operation times and/or program information are recorded, and one or more than one transmission plate(s) (13) that transfer(s) the information contained in said data plate (16).

4. A washing machine according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized with the plate (22) provided with one or more than one inlet port(s) (4) that enables the entry of the washing liquid; a body (1) provided with one or more than one outlet port(s) (5) for the outlet of the washing liquid; and a cartridge (2) provided with one or more than one filling hole(s) (9) with dimensions and a position corresponding to the inlet port (4) and discharging hole(s) (10) with a position and dimensions corresponding to the outlet port (5).

5. A washing machine according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized with the cartridge (2) with its filling hole (9) and discharging hole (10) made of a material that can be torn to be opened; and an inlet port (4) and an outlet port (5) that comprise one or more than one extension(s) (20) that may enter said filling (9) and discharging holes (10) by tearing them; and one or more than one catches (21) that provide the fixation of the cartridge.

6. A washing machine according to Claims 1 to 5, characterized with the body (1) with one or more than one fastening recess (es) (15) and one or more than one displacement channel (s) (12); and a cartridge (2) comprising profiles (14) in a number, form and position, suitable to the displacement channel (12); fastening projections (11) in a number, form and position, suitable to the fastening recess (15).