Patent ID: 6698254
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
An automatically controlled washing machine, comprising:a fresh-water line; a water supply valve connected to said fresh-water line; a laundry treatment space having a bottom region; a washing liquid circulation system including a circulating pump, a circulating line and a sensor device; a control device operatively connected to said sensor device; said circulating pump having a pressure side, said sensor device being provided on said pressure side; said circulating line being connected to said circulating pump and having a supply orifice formed therein, said supply orifice being configured such that said circulating pump provides a dynamic pressure in said circulating line when said circulating line is completely filled with the washing liquid during a pumping operation; said washing liquid circulation system draining, with said circulating pump, the washing liquid from said bottom region of said laundry treatment space and, via said circulating line and said supply orifice, supplying the washing liquid again to said laundry treatment space above said bottom region; said sensor device being sensitive to the dynamic pressure in said circulating line, and said sensor device transmitting to said control device a signal for controlling said water supply valve as a function of the dynamic pressure; and said sensor device further detecting a static pressure present in said laundry treatment space and in said circulating line when said circulating pump is switched off, and said sensor device transmitting to said control device a signal for executing a safety measure when the static pressure exceeds a given safety level.