EP0051491A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improvements in or relating to washing machines
Assignee: TI Domestic Appliances Ltd
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Filing: 1981-11-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A washing machine has its drum/drive mechanism and tub assembly mounted upon transducers which provide an indication of the weight of the mechanism and assembly and of the weight of articles loaded into the drum for washing. The transducers input (26) to a microprocessor (27) which determines the weight of the clothes and also the weight of water required to wash that weight of clothes under program conditions some at least of which are selected by the user. The microprocessor may also control a display (29) which indicates the amount of detergent required.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Brian Roderick Dow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:45
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/08; D06F39/087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A washing machine having a water flow control device operable to control the admission of water to the machine, a weight responsive device respcnsive to the weight of articles to be washed when loaded into the machine and to the weight of water admitted to the machine for a program cycle or a part thereof, and a control system adapted tc respond to an output from the weight responsive device and being adapted to assess the weight of water to be admitted to the machine as determined by factors including the loaded weight of the articles and to actuate the water flow control device to terminate the admission of water to the machine when the required weight of water has been admitted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A washing machine having a water flow control device operable to control the admission of water to the machine, a weight responsive device respcnsive to the weight of articles to be washed when loaded into the machine and to the weight of water admitted to the machine for a program cycle or a part thereof, and a control system adapted tc respond to an output from the weight responsive device and being adapted to assess the weight of water to be admitted to the machine as determined by factors including the loaded weight of the articles and to actuate the water flow control device to terminate the admission of water to the machine when the required weight of water has been admitted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the control system is also adapted to indicate to a user when the weight of articles loaded into the machine exceeds the maximum weight appropriate to a selected program.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 in which the indication comprises an audible or visible warning or both.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 in which the weight responsive device is associated with resilient means supporting the washing machine drum/drive mechanism and tub assembly and is adapted to respond to an increase of the assembly above a datum weight (as herein defined) and to transmit to the control system an indication of the sensed increase in weight to determine whether the tub assembly contains excessive water and to initiate the removal of any excess water present.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A machine as claimed in claim 4 in which the control system is adapted to store temporarily a first assessed weight (as herein defined) and to use that weight to assess the weight of articles loaded into the drum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine as claimed in claim 5 in which the first assessed weight is determined by the weight responsive device at the commencement of every washing cycle prior to articles being loaded into the drum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6 in which the weight responsive device comprises a plurality of liquid filled containers each with a flexible wall which supports the resilient means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A machine as claimed in claim 7 in which the resilient means comprises at least two upstanding resilient struts, each strut being mounted upon an elongate horizontal member lying parallel to the axis of the drum and supported at each end by the flexible wall of a liquid filled container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A machine as claimed in claim 8 in which the means are provided for limiting upward movement of the elongate members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A machine as claimed in any one of claims 7-9 in which each container has associated with it a transducer responsive to pressure changes in the liquid in the container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine as claimed in any one of claims 7, 8 or 9 in which the containers are interconnected one with another and to a further container with which is associated the transducer responsive to pressure changes in the liquid in the further container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
12, A machine as claimed in any one of claims 4-11 in which the machine is adapted to take in both hot and cold water, in which rotation of the drum occurs periodically during admission of water, and in which the weight responsive device is controlled to sense the admitted water rate only when the drum is at a standstill,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
A machine as claimed in accordance with any one of the preceding claims and further comprising a detergent supply means and in which the control system is adapted to control the detergent supply means to allow the admission to the machine of a quantity of detergent determined in accordance with the required weight of water and the degree of soiling of articles tc be washed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1-12 in which there is an indicator for indicating to a user the amount of detergent to be added, the indicator being actuated by the control system to display an amount as determined by the required weight of water and the degree of soiling of the articles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE2034871A1
Cited
DE2624514A1
Cited
DE2822077A1
Cited
DE2854148A1
Cited
DE2920492A1
Cited
US4222250A
Cited
GB2043954A
Cited
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