Abstract:
A dispensing system is disclosed herein and includes a valve, a rotatable disc within the valve, and a motor for selectively rotating the disc to certain positions. Positioning of the disc, via the motor, establishes communication between the inlet of the valve and one of at least two outlets.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to a fluid distribution system and, more particularly, to a distribution system for a clothes washing machine.  
         [0002]     As is well known in the art, a washing machine has an operating cycle, including the following general steps: (1) filling the tub; (2) washing; (3) spinning and draining the tub; (4) re-filling; (5) rinsing; and (6) final draining. At appropriate times, cleaning products are added to the tub. For example, detergent is added during the initial filling; bleach is added prior to or during washing; and softener is added during re-filling or rinsing.  
         [0003]     Various mechanisms have been developed to facilitate the automatic dispensing of these cleaning products. None, however, has offered the capability to distribute or dispense up to three cleaning products, in an automated fashion, and in an effective manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In a principal aspect, the present invention is a fluid distribution system, having a particular application in washing machines. The present invention is not, however, limited to such washing machines, except as otherwise noted.  
         [0005]     The system includes a valve, a rotatable disc within the valve, and a motor mechanism for selectively rotating the disc to certain positions. The valve has at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The rotatable disc defines a channel and, depending upon the selected position of the disc, the channel provides communication between the inlet and outlet.  
         [0006]     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel and unique fluid distribution system. Another object is to provide a novel and unique dispensing system for washing machine. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an automated control capable of receiving fluid from one or more sources and for delivering fluid to one or more outlet ports.  
         [0007]     It is a further object to provide fluid, from an inlet, to a selected outlet, so as to produce a liquid flow or pressure at the selected outlet. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an automated distribution system for selectively delivering at least three cleaning products to the tub of a washing machine.  
         [0008]     These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention are described or apparent in the following detailed description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0009]     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the drawing wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective, partial exploded, partial cut-away view of a washing machine, incorporating an integrated preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial schematic diagram of the washing machine shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment to that shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a partial schematic diagram illustrating an alternative water supply for the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 7 and 8 , a partial schematic diagram and an exploded partial perspective view, respectively, illustrate yet another preferred embodiment; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of a non-integrated embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 1-8  as an integrated distribution system, generally designated  10 , for use in a conventional washing machine, generally designated  12 . As is well known in the art, the washing machine  12  includes a cabinet  14 , a tub  16  (having an outer plastic casing  16 A in communication with an inner metal basket  16 B and a rotatable agitator  16 C), a water supply  20 , a water drain, generally designated  22 , a control panel  24  for selection of the various operational modes, and control logic  26  for overall operational control. ( As used herein, the terms “communicate” and “communication” refer to fluid communication.) Preferably the control logic  26  is a microprocessor. In a conventional manner, the control logic  26  receives the operational parameters selected by the user (not shown) via the control panel  24 . Such parameters include, without limitation, load size and water temperature.  
         [0019]     Upon user initiation, the control logic  26  effectively connects the water supply  20  (hot and cold supplies) to the tub  16 , such that filling thereof begins through a fresh water nozzle  27 . This connection is via a valve and mixer combination  28 , well known in the art. When the water level for the selected load size is reached, washing begins with activation of an agitation motor  29 , coupled to the agitator  16 C, by the control logic  26 . Upon completion, rinsing is effected. The tub  16 , or more particularly the outer casing  16 A, is drained via a drain hose  30  and drain pump  31 . Water in the tub  16  is also periodically re-circulated via a recirculation pump  32 , in communication with the drain hose  30  and under control of the logic  26 , to facilitate washing and rinsing. In this preferred embodiment, the drain hose  30  and pumps  31 ,  32  are coupled through a remote sump  33 , as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,447 (the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference).  
         [0020]     As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  10  is secured in a front left corner  34  of the cabinet  14 , adjacent the tub  16 . Referring now primarily to  FIG. 3 , the system  10  is generally cylindrical and includes four major components: a valve, generally designated  36 , a rotatable disc  38 , motor means  40 , and a dispenser  42 . The valve  36  vertically interposes the motor means  40  and the dispenser  42 . In this preferred embodiment, the dispenser  42  communicates directly with the tub  16 , i.e., water exiting the dispenser  42  flows directly into the tub  16 .  
         [0021]     The valve  36  includes a housing  44 , having a substantially cylindrical side wall  44 A, an upper end wall  44 B, and a substantially circular spool  46 , conventionally secured to and closing the housing  44  opposite the end wall  44 B. The housing  44  includes a substantially cylindrical fluid inlet or intake  48 , extending radially from the side wall  44 A.  
         [0022]     The housing  44  provides first, second and third substantially circular outlets  50 ,  52 ,  54  in the upper end wall  44 B. While three outlets are shown in this particular preferred embodiment (i.e., in the washing machine  12  that utilizes three cleaning products), it is to be understood that any number of outlets may be fed from the single inlet  48 . The spool  46  includes a central, upwardly extending, substantially annular flange  46 A, defining a motor aperture  56 .  
         [0023]     As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the outlets  50 ,  52 ,  54  reside within a first segment  58  of the end wall  44 B. The remaining segment  60  is solid. Each of the outlets  50 ,  52   54  is flared, on both sides of the end wall  44 B, to accommodate interior and exterior sealing O-rings  62 ,  64 .  
         [0024]     The rotatable disc  38  resides within the housing  44 , substantially adjacent and parallel to the end wall  44 B, interposing the inlet  48  and the outlets  50 ,  52 ,  54 . The disc  38  sealingly engages the sidewall  44 A in a manner permitting rotation thereof with respect to the housing  44 . The disc  38  further engages the O-rings  62  into compression with the end wall  44 B.  
         [0025]     The disc  38  includes a central, substantially annular sleeve  38 A, extending downwardly away from the upper end wall  44 B, which provides a central mounting aperture  66 , substantially aligned with the motor aperture  56 . The disc  38  further defines a channel or passageway  68 , radially displaced from the mounting aperture  66 .  
         [0026]     In this preferred embodiment, the disc  38  has four operational positions. In the first or rest position, the channel  68  is within or aligns with the solid segment  60  of the end wall  44 B. In the three other positions, the channel  68  substantially vertically aligns with the outlets  50 ,  52 ,  54 , respectively. Appropriate positioning or rotation of the disc  38  provides communication, through the channel  68 , between the inlet  48  and any one of the outlets  50 ,  52 ,  54 .  
         [0027]     A spring washer  70  interposes the sleeve  38 A and flange  46 A. The spring washer  70  biases the disc  38  against the O-rings  62  to substantially avoid leakage, while providing sufficient “play” to allow rotation of the disc  38 .  
         [0028]     The motor means  40 , under control of the logic  26 , selectively rotates the disc  38  to one of its four operational positions, as the washing machine  12  is advanced through its operational cycle. In this preferred embodiment, the motor means  40  is a conventional stepper motor  72 , having a shaft  72 A. The motor  72  is below the valve  36 , and the shaft  72 A extends substantially vertically through the motor aperture  56  of the spool  46  to engage the mounting aperture  66  of the disc  38 . The shaft  72 A is conventionally attached to the sleeve  38 A, and both apertures  56 ,  66  are conventionally sealed to avoid leakage around the shaft  72 A. Preferably, the mounting aperture  66  and shaft  72 A define a keyed arrangement to facilitate attachment and rotation.  
         [0029]     A less expensive gear motor  74  could be used as an alternative to the stepper motor  72 . In this alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , accurate positioning of the channel  68  with respect to the outlets  50 ,  52 ,  54  is achieved by a conventional feedback loop  76 .  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the substantially cylindrical dispenser  42  sits above and is secured to the valve  36  in a conventional manner. The dispenser  42  provides first, second and third upwardly opening, sector-shaped receptacles  78 ,  80 ,  82 , for receipt of a detergent, bleach and clothes softener, respectively. The dispenser  42  includes a substantially circular base wall  42 A, radially extending divider walls  42 B,  42 C,  42 D, and substantially concentric, substantially cylindrical boundary walls  42 E,  42 F,  42 G. In this preferred embodiment, the housing  44  further includes a centrally located, substantially cylindrical mount  84 , extending from the end wall  44 B opposite the spool  46 . The mount  84  is received by the innermost boundary wall  42 E to facilitate assembly.  
         [0031]     The dispenser  42  or, more particularly, the base wall  42 A provides first, second and third ports  86 ,  88 ,  90  within the receptacles  78 ,  80 ,  82 , respectively. The outlets  50 ,  52 ,  54  substantially vertically align with the ports  86 ,  88 ,  90 , respectively, such that the receptacles  78 ,  80 ,  82  selectively communicate with the inlet  48 . The ports  86 ,  88 ,  90  are flared to accommodate the O-rings  64 , substantially avoiding leakage between the valve  36  and dispenser  42 .  
         [0032]     The dispenser  42  further includes a spout  92 , extending radially from the outer boundary wall  42 G, substantially towards the agitator  16 C. The spout  92  opens over the outer casing  16 A or an extension thereof, such that water exiting the spout  92  is delivered to the tub  16 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the height of the intermediate boundary wall  42 F is less than that of the divider walls  42 B,  42 C,  42 D and the innermost and outermost boundary walls  42 E,  42 G, such that liquid flowing into any one of the receptacles  78 ,  80 ,  82  eventually overflows the intermediate boundary wall  42 F, discharging into the tub  16  via the spout  92 .  
         [0033]     The distribution system  10  further includes a substantially cylindrical, generally concave cover  94 , detachably secured to the dispenser  42 . The cover  94  has three radially extending walls  96 A,  96 B,  96 C, corresponding to and substantially vertically aligned with the divider walls  42 B,  42 C,  42 D of the dispenser  42 , to provide three dispensing chambers  98 A,  98 B,  98 C. Each chamber  98 A,  98 B,  98 C has an open bottom, such that the cleaning products pass into the receptacles  78 ,  80 ,  82 , respectively. Each chamber  98 A,  98 B,  98 C bears a label (not shown) indicating proper placement for each of the three cleaning products (i.e., detergent, bleach and rinsing agent, respectively). Alternatively, a single chamber  98 A has an open bottom and the cover  94  is rotated to achieve proper loading of the cleaning agents.  
         [0034]     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the system  10  further includes supply means, generally designated  100 , for supplying fluid to the inlet  48  of the valve  36 . In this preferred embodiment, the supply means  100  includes the recirculation pump  32 , interconnecting the tub  16  and inlet  48  via the drain hose  30 , the remote sump  33  and a first supply hose  103 . A first inlet T-connector  104 , coupled into the supply hose  103 , and a first inlet hose  105 , connected to the nozzle  27 , splits water flow from the recirculation pump  32  between the nozzle  27  and the inlet  48 . The pump  32  is activated by the control logic  26 .  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , another preferred embodiment of the system  10  is shown, wherein the supply means  102  includes a second inlet T-connector  106 , coupled to a cold line  20 A of the water supply  20 , downstream of the valve but prior to mixing in the valve/mixer  28 , and a second supply hose  107 , connected between the inlet  48  and the T-connector  106 . The T-connector  106  allows water flow to both the nozzle  27  and inlet  48 . In this preferred embodiment, the recirculation pump  32 , sump  33 , first inlet T-connector  104  and first inlet hose  105  may be eliminated.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The inlet  48  is coupled to the water supply  20 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The spout  92  of the dispenser  42  is replaced by a substantially cylindrical outlet port  110 , extending downwardly from the base wall  42 A. A third supply hose  112  connects the port  110  and the remote sump  33 , and water, containing the various cleaning products, is directed via the recirculation pump  32  to the nozzle  27 .  
         [0037]     In  FIG. 9 , a non-integrated version of the present invention is shown. The dispenser  42  (regardless of configuration) is remote from the valve  36 , connected thereto via three interconnection hoses  114 A,  114 B,  114 C.  
         [0038]     In terms of operation, and again with reference primarily to  FIGS. 1-5 , the control logic  26  rotates the disc  38  from the rest position as the tub  16  fills with water, such that the channel  68  aligns with the outlet  50  and port  86 . The logic  26  then activates the pump  32 , such that water flows into the receptacle  78 . Continued filling overflows the intermediate boundary wall  42 F of the dispenser  42 , such that the mixture of water and detergent enters the tub  16 . After a predetermined period of time, the logic  26  halts operation of the pump  33  and rotates the disc  38  back to the rest position, effectively closing the valve  36 .  
         [0039]     Prior to the end of this filling step, or alternatively at the beginning of the washing step, the disc  38  is again advanced from the rest position and water is pumped into the receptacle  80 . This adds bleach to tub  16 . A similar sequence is followed to provide softener, from the receptacle  82 , during the rinsing step.  
         [0040]     Preferably the disc  38  is in place prior to initiation of water flow. This allows rotation thereof in the absence of any water pressure. Introduction of water into the bottom of the receptacles  78 ,  80 ,  82  enhances mixing and delivery of the cleaning materials.  
         [0041]     While a preferred embodiment has been described herein, it is to be understood that modifications and changes can be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention, as defined by the following claims, which are to be interpreted in view of the foregoing detailed description. For example, a feature from any one of the preferred embodiments may be incorporated to any of the other embodiments.