EP0028067A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Washing machine having drain blockage indicator
Assignee: Electrical and Musical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1980-09-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2000-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A washing machine is provided with means to detect when a drain filter (7) connected to the outlet of the washing chamber (2) is blocked. A low-level water sensor (12) used during normal operation of the machine for normal control of the machine is monitored during a drainage operation and the controller (10) is arranged to establish whether the water sensor (12) has operated a predetermined time after the drain pump (6) is started. If the switch (12) does not change state, then it is assumed that the filter is blocked and, either immediately or at the end of the wash programme, a warning light (20) is illuminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony Charles Totterdell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:14
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F33/00; D06F33/30; D06F33/47; D06F39/00; D06F39/08; D06F39/081; D06F39/082; D06F39/087; D06F39/10; D06F2103/00; D06F2103/18; D06F2105/00; D06F2105/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A washing machine comprising a washing chamber having an outlet and a water level sensor associated with the washing chamber characterised by a device, operative during a draining step, to monitor the water level sensor and to provide a signal indicating that the outlet is blocked.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A washing machine comprising a washing chamber having an outlet and a water level sensor associated with the washing chamber characterised by a device, operative during a draining step, to monitor the water level sensor and to provide a signal indicating that the outlet is blocked.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A machine according to Claim 1 characterised in that the device is operative to determine whether the outlet is blocked on the basis of the time taken for the chamber to drain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the device comprises a timer activated at the start of the draining operation and arranged to produce the signal indicating that the outlet is blocked if draining is not completed within a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A washing machine according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised by a drain filter located in relation to the washing chamber such that the device will indicate whether the filter is blocked and a drain pump located downstream of the drain filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A washing machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 characterised by a warning light connected to the device to indicate that the outlet is blocked.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A washing machine according to any one of the preceding Claims characterised by a controller defining a number of programme steps of operation of the washing machine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A washing machine according to Claims 5 and 6 characterised in that the warning light is arranged to be lit at the termination of a wash programme.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine according to Claim 6 or 7 characterised in that the programme is caused to abort in the event of the device indicating that the outlet is blocked.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A washing machine according to any one of Claims 6 to 8 characterised in that there are a number of draining operations during a wash programme, the device only being operative during the final draining operation of the programme.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
A washing machine according to any one of Claims 6 to 9 characterised in that the controller is arranged so as in normal operation to interrupt the draining operation when the water level falls below a predetermined level as sensed by the sensor and so that when the device indicates that the outlet is blocked the draining operation will continue to operate for a predetermined time after the water level falls below a predetermined level as sensed by the sensor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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