Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
P6rF Gl';
CA 02614437 2007-12-21 06745199
11,C'I'/1 N2006/000096
WO 20061103700
TANDEM WA,SHING SYSTEM C'<.>NI-1C;U1tATiiON FOR iZ
DETERGENT & W.ATrR
Field of Invention;
This invention relates to a detergent and water saving device associated with
atttcimatic
washing machine configurations, llzc invc:nticrn particularly relates to a
tandcn+ washing
system configuration.
Broadly the invention makes use of rtotontatic washing machine tcchntrfu4y
Il>r
application in domestic, community, ct7mrnercial and industrial uses such as
in Ztncs,
hotels, laundry services, offices and iactorics ctc. l'hc invention bv its
application rclates
to environntent pollution technology.
Ilackground.õot' the invention:
In a typical automatic washing machinc, tltcrc are various cycles for cxamp(c
1'rc-wash,
Wash, Rinse and Spin, controlled through a programmable intcgrated circuit
ZtsS<rciatcd
with a variable speed electric +notrn-, solertctid vttlves and other electro-
n1Cchanicttl n1cans.
In such -nachines an electric water l,cate!- is also provided. 1"hese various
cyclcs may be
programmed as per the requirement of the washable load and availability
ofresuurces
like water, electricity, time etc. For example. a typical automatic washing
macttirltr may
be programmed to wash a predeterrninad ltttld ofclcrthes in 30 minutes to 2
i7orIr-;;. ancl
with only one rirtse cycle or more, with or witht7ut hot water wash etc. At
each wash or
rinse cycle the typical washing tnachinc: draws fresh tap water and Un
cGititpfeticrn cti- (he
cycle discharges the used water through a d!-tiinagc pipe. As a result, therc
is a hcavy use
of resources and subsequent dischargc of Lrse:d writer including vttrinus
cfu~tl~(Ilfcy 01'
detergents and ilnpurities.
The inventor of the present inventiort has observed that an effective method
for rrcN cling
the discharge water having varying levels ol'dctergents will save costs and
Icss4n
environment pollution.
The prior art devices disclose storage ctfccrtain cl'Ru4nts of washing machinc
t;enerttlly
known as grey water, which hctwevcr is f;enerul(y restricted to reusing rinse.
%vatcr only,
having traces of detergent. In U.S. patCnt number 5501792, Carroll, Jr. ltati
disclutiud an
Energy and Water Saving Laundry System. which includes a pltiralitv of'
atntmiatic
washing machines, a rinse water storage tank, rlumbing which connc:cts the
stor:lgc tank
to the each of the washing machinc:s, and elactrical Lontrols which are tied
into the
existing control circuitry of the washing rnaciiine-s fior selectively
direc(ing lhc 11ow of
rinse water between the storage tank dnd the washing rnachines, Ntme of tttc
prio!- art
devices is suitable for economic use of' resourc.es due to additional
requiremcnt of'
constructional and plumbing featurc.s. In most of the prior art devic4s. only
rinse \\,.ltcr is
contemplated for recycling. Moreovcr, longer storage of used water mav fccjd
to grcnwtlr
of pathogens. There is no savinb o1' dctergcnt or input energy. On the whole,
uclversc
cost-benefit ratio of the prior art devices prccludes them fi=om large-scale
applicatiotn.
1
ceived at the EPO on Jun 22, 2007 13:34:54. Pa AMENDED SHEET
~.--
CA 02614437 2007-12-21
WO 2006/103700 PCT/IN2006/000096
Obiect uf thc invention
It is tn bjcct of the invention to provide a tandcm washing system
conliguration
capahic: of'rccycling the discharge water containing diffcrent levels
ofdetergent.
A fwr(lrc+" object ol'the invention is to provide a tandem washing system
configtu-ation
comprising at least two automatic washing machines of identical construction
bcinrr
opcrably connected and controlled by a single system controller allowing
separatc
recycling of grcy water generated in each cycle.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a tandem washing system
confif;uration in which the constituent automatic washing macliines can be
operated at
tandem depending on wash-load, type of washable material, available resources,
thereby optimising the resource consumption.
Yet dnotlier objection of the invention is to provide a tandem washing washing
system
configuration in which storage of grey water is eliminated leading to stoppage
in
growth of pathogens, thereby acting as an environment friendly washing system.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a tandem washing system
configuration which can be instal(ed and operated without any specialised
infraStructural requirements such as additional water entry/exit source,
plumbing
means, energy input point, thereby allowing accommodation of the system in a
smaller space.
Summn-y of the Invention.
Accordingly there is provided a tandem washing system configuration comprising
at
least two automatic washing machines of identical construction disposed
parallely or
vertically adjacent to each other being flowably connected via a channel means
having a two-way solenoid valve, each of the two automatic washing machines
having individual tap water inlets separate effluent drainage outlets disposal
trays
contairting washing chemicals, individual,heating devices, separate
processors, and
identically designed rotatable means. The system configuration is provided
with a
micro-processor-based controller which causes the second automatic washing
machine to use as an input the discharged water of at least one cycle of the
first
machine transmitted via the interconnected channel by means of the two-way
solenoid valve. The controller being operable to cause the automatic washing
machines to function at tandem upon selection of any of a plurality of
available
attributes in respect of wash cycle, wash load, washable material, intended
consumption of resources, selected time and duration for operation, thereby
optimising the operational inputs and improvement in wash quality.
1'h' first machine is preferably used for less soiled load like garment etc.
and the
second machine for heavily soiled like linen, towels, mops, shoes rugs and
mats etc.
Discharge of various cycles of the first washing machine is selectable for
routing
through the channel means, into the second machine for recycling. Likewise,
discharge of any cycle in both the machines is selectable for routing through
the
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WO 2006/103700 PCT/IN2006/000096
drainage pi.pes as effluent. Various cycles in botli the machines are operable
in tandcm
to complement each other in an interlocking fashion. Additionally, both
machines arc
indcpcndcntly operable and /or combinedly.
73ricf llescription of Accoinpanyinf-7 Drttwinf_ys:
Figure I shows a simple configuration of a tandem washing systcm coniiguration
according to the invention by way of example, opei-ably interconnected having
a
channel mcans corriprising solenoid valve and filters,
Figure 2A shows a similar configuration of the washing system according to the
invention. In this exarnple, an additional Reservoir is added between the two
automatic washing machines.
Figure 2B shows a vertical stacking configuration of the tandem washing
system.
Figure 3 is a schematic presentation of an example of the channel means of the
invention including a two way solenoid valve arrangement of the invention for
expelling the used water if it is turbid, or directing it for recycling.
Figure 4A shows data displayed in the electronic panels and knobs according to
the
invention'
Figure 4B presents a chronological flow chart of tandem operation of two
automatic
maehines in the tandem washing system configuration of the invention by way of
exaniple
Figure 5 shows a configuration of the system in which two automatic washing
maehines are disposed on rooftops, for further recycling.
1)etailcd I)escription of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
In Figure 1 there is a twin assembly of Washing Machines assigned with
reference
numerals (100 and 200). The inachines (100, 200) -are connected through a
channel
means liaving a two- way solenoid valve means (300), for channel=ling water
from
one to another. The input to the channel (300) passes through a Sieve and/or
Filtration
device (310), to remove suspended implirities like Lint and other large
particles.
Additionally, the channel means passes through an' Ultraviolet or Gamma rays=
irradiation chamber (320) to remove pathogens. The channel is provided with a
back-flusli device taking input water from a tap and discharging back-flushed
.water
into a drainage.
Both the washing machines ( 100, 200) have independent tap water inlets (110,
210 )
and effluent drainage pipes (130, 230).
13oth the machines (100, 200) are controlled by a single controller (400) with
a pre-
programmed logic and a default setting that can be changed through electronic
push
buttons(410) and knobs (420), and is displayed through electronic panels (430,
440)
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WO 2006/103700 PCT/IN2006/000096
associated with the washing machines (100, 200).
'1'hc (irst washing machine (100) may be used foi- lesser soilcd, e.g. r-
'=arnicnts and thc
second washing machine (200) can be used for heavily soiled e.g. lincn,
towcls, mops.
shoes, doormats etc.
'fhe controller (400) is programmed to operate the two-way solenoid valve
means
(300), to direct effluent of each selected cycle of the first-machine (100) as
input for
the second tnaciiine (200). Additionally, effluent of each cycle of the
washing
machines (100, 200) is dischargeable as' waste water through the solenoid
valve
means (300) directing the flow to the drainage pipes (130 , 230).
The controller (400) is programmed with an interlocking logic, as explained
below
through a typical exemplary scenario.
The pre-wash option of the first machine (100) tnay include extracting fresh
water
from the first water inlet (110), drawing stored chemicals from disposal tray
(140),
soaking and tumbling the garments in the solution, and channelling the pre-
washed
water to the second machine (200) on spinning. The second machine (200) is
programmed to complete its pre-wash cycle, spin and release the re-used pre-
washed
water through the drainage (230), while the first machine (100) is completing
its
Wash cycle after drawing fresh water through the first water inlet (110). If a
hot wash
option has been selected for'*the first machine (100) e.g. by selecting
'cotton' at knob
(410), the controller (400) causes an inbuilt electrical heater equipped with
a
thermostat in the washing machines (100, 200) to control the water temperature
at a
desired level. When the first washing machine ( 100) completes its Washing
cycle, it
spins and channels hot/cold wash water (with remaining detergent) to the
second
washing machine( 200) through the channel (300). The first machine (100) now
starts
a Rinse cycle while the second machine (200) starts its Wash cycle. Again if a
hot
wash option has been selected for the second machine (200), the temperature of
recycled wash water is maintained at a desired level through the inbuilt
heating
device as explained hereinabove. The second machine (200) on completing its
Wash
cycle, spins while discharging the reused washed water through the drainage
(230),
and stands by for input Rinsed water from the first macliine (100). Likewise,
at any
stage the first machine (100) may also stand by till the second machine (200)
is
through with a cycle and.becomes ready to take intended grey water. Then the
first
machine(100) spins and phannels Rinsed water into the second machine 200. The
second machine(200) then performs the rinse operation by using the recycled
water.
Likewise, the first and the second machines (100, 200) repeat the process if a
second
rinse lias been opted. Finally, the first machine (100) on completing all the
selected
cycles, allows its door to open and is ready for the next load. The second
machine(200) may, in the last cycle, draw a specified quantity of fresh tap
water for a
final Rinse with or without specified disinfectants stored in a disposal
tray(240.). The
second machine (200) then completes the cycles by final spinning of its load,
at a
specified RPM. A typical program cycle is shown in Figures 4A and 4B.
Additionally, the second machine (200) may be operated to perfoi-m as many fi-
esh
water cycles as desired. For example, there may be a'double wash' option at
electronic panel (440), if selected will operate the second machine (200) to
start a
fresh water wash cycle before the final fresh \vater rinse in the above
example. In this
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WO 2006/103700 PCT/IN2006/000096
seenario, any of the fresh water cycle discharge ni~iy i/c stored and recycled
as
desirable.
The Rinse cycles may consist several shot-t bursts of rinsW, i which little
water is
used, which may be expelled through the drainage pipcs (130. 230), while the
rinsed
water of full rinse cycles only be channelled into the nexl tnachine.
A reservoir chamber may be also provided betwe.en the I wlj machines ( 100,
200)for
teniporary storagc of water of each cycle, operated thrcr+jt;h a second set of
solen.oid
valve means connecting it with the inachines (100, 200) oii both the sides, as
shown
in Figures 2A and 2B. In that case, the channel (300) rriay be placed between
the
intermediate reservoir and the second machine (200). lri another
configuration, the
ftlter/sieve (310) is disposed between the first machinc (100) and the
intermediate
reservoir while the irradiation device (320) may be desigried between the
intermediate
reservoir and the second machine (200). Both the rnachines (100, 200), the
intermediate reservoir including the channel are configurable in a vertically
stacked
system as shown in Figure 2B.
The filter/sieve (310) may be provided with a known bacl~-flush means. In case
of the
intermediate reservoir being provided, the program logit; is accordingly set,
e.g. the
first machine(100) will hold from releasing grey water ,Wlected for recycling
if the
intermediate storage is not ready to take it. Additionally, the system inay be
operable
to store grey water of any particular cycle of any of the rttachines, for
later use in the
starting cycle of any of the machines as desired. l f a machine is being used
singly; the
grey water so stored for later use may be of any cyclc atid in that case, if a
single
machine is used again, the stored "water is also recycled t-'-i a-iy cycle as
selected in the
controller. For example, if the machines(100, 200) are V,,lccted to operate
singly, the
wash water of wash cycle of the first machine(] 00) may be selected for use as
recycled wash water for the next load of the second, rr+aohine ( 200), or of
the first
machine (100) again, by causing the two-way solenoid qalves to operate as
shown in
Figure 2A.
The channel (300) may also be provided with an eleotronic sensor (330) to
check
turbidity of the channelled pre-washed and/or rinsed wat1=r of the first
machine (100j,
and beyond a specified threshold, causes the controller (4,00) to show a
warning signal
and/or halt operations. Alternatively, the controller (400) is programinable
to operate
a solenoid valve (340), to release the extra turbid water g;:cfnuent, as shown
in higure
3B.. In this scenario, the controller (400) may bc furthcsroperable to cause
the second
macliine (200) to extract fresh tap water at (210) for the next cycle. In any
of' the
cycles, the second machine (200) may also be operablt; ',-) draw additional
detergents
stored in the disposal tray (240).
Additional disinfection means may be provided such an; 6anima i-ay iri-
adiation at the
first niachine (100) before the start of first cycle and/or the second machine
(200)
aftcr the last cycle.
Separate motors are provided to run both the niac~i tiflc ( 100, 200) in
tandem,
controlled througii the comnion controller (400), invrporated with
interdependent
logics such as explained herein above by way of examl'jft's=
CA 02614437 2007-12-21
WO 2006/103700 PCT/IN2006/000096
Likcwise, there may be other options, with an essential interlock of wash
cycles in the
first and the second machine (100) and (200) in such a way that wllenever the
second
machine (200) is not ready to take intended input of grey water from the first
machine
(100), the next cycle of the first machine (1-00) will remain on hold, and
vice-versa i.e.
the second machine (200) will hold the next cycle till the first machine (100)
has
performed a corresponding task selected. There may also be an option of
switching
ofl' the interlock program. a'hen both the machines (100, 200) become
independent
machines operablc separately like conventional washing machines.
In that case the controller (400) may operate both the machines(100, 200)
independently, or two separate conventional controllers of the machines (100,
200)may operate each machine individually.
Figure 4A shows a typical example situation of text displayed at the panels
(430, 440)
The 1Cnob (410) preferably h,as wash type options for (100), e.g. Cotton,
Synthetic
etc. Likewise, the knob (420) has options for the second machine(200), like
Soiled
(for heavily soiled items like mops, doormats, shoes etc.), Linen etc.
Display panels (430,440) shows typical default setting and maneuverability of
individual cycles in each machine. In the example display panel, 5 cycles in
each
machine are selectable as yes/no (y/n) options. Against each of these 5 cycles
at the
display panel (430), there is an additional option selections viz. 'Recycle or
Not' at
the display panel (430). Similarly, against each of the 5 options at the
display panel
(440). Recycled or Fresh water usage is displayed, depending on selections in
the
first machine (100). Upon selecting a particular cycle option in one machine,
certain
options are automatically selected in the other. For example any selected
cycle at the
display panel (430) also selected as - Recycle will automatically lead to the
corresponding cycle of the other display panel (440) selected as 'y' and
'Recycled'.
Likewise, if any cycle at =the display panel (440) is selected as "Freshwater"
thc
corresponding previous cycle in the other display panel (430) displays as 'n'
against
'Recycle,' and operate the first maciiine (100) accordingly. As such, various
permutations and combinations are applicable by selecting options at the knobs
(410) ( 420) and at the display panels (430 , 440). A typical chronological
sequence
of tandem operation of the two machine cycles corresponding to the default
selections
of Figure 4A is -shown in Figure 4B.
To simplify the panel options at the display panels ( 430, 440), pre-set
combinations
may be selectable through text displays like "Max Cleaning + Low Water Saving"
for
example in case of the default setting shown here. Fiowever, if all cycles are
se(ectcd
for Recycle in the example situation, the text display may be "Max Cleaning -+-
Highest Water Saving". Likewise, if only Wash and one Rinse cycle is selected
and
both are also selected for Recycle, the text can be "Min Cleanino + Max Water
Savings. If however, additionaliy Pre-Wash is also selected, it could be
"Medium
cieaning + Max Vater Saving" and if yet another Fresh Rinse is selected at thc
display panel (440), it could be "Medium Cleaning + Low water Saving" etc. In
each
of these selections, further program logic, also known as Fuzzy logic in
automated
washing machines, may be applied, such as sliortening the length of wash
cyc:le
automatically if the selection is "Min Cleaning + Max Power Saving" etc.
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"I'hc tandem type configurations of the washing system may be prcierably
horizontal
as shown here, or a vertically stacked twin i.e. the first rnachine (100) on
top of' the
sccond macliine (200), to save space or any other desirable reason.
'I'ypical Wash Cycles for both the machines (100, 200) operating in tandem,'
controlled through the common controller (408) is shown below for example:
Various advantageous features of the washing machine are the following:
I. Any cycle of the first machine (100) dischargeable as effluent and rest
recyclable as input for the second machine (200).
2. Fresh water at any cycle option for the second machine (200) as well, e.g.
last
rinse as exemplified above.
3. Any selected cycle of the first machine(100), also being selectable as
'recycle' in the second machine (200).
4. Independent temperature controls of the machines (100 , 200)
5. Different Wash logic selectable in the first and second machine(100, 200);
e.g.
'delicate' in the first machine 100 and 'hard' in the second machine (200).
6. Controlling cycles in the machines (100 , 200), depending on selection of
washables types e.g. Cotton in the first machine (100) and heavily Soiled
kitchen mops in the second machine (200).
7. Interlocked delay operations like starting the machines (100, 200) at a
pai-ticular time, or stopping at a particular stage e.g. after pre-washing at
the
first machine (100). Additionally, keeping the first machine (100) on 'hold'
till tlie second machine (200) is not ready to take the intended input of grey
water from the first machine (100).
8. On finishing the cycl'es of a particular machine earlier, allowing the door
to
open for taking away the cleaned laundry and placing next load to be washed.
9. After removing the laundered inaterial , grey water is retui-ned from the
machine still in use to the emptied one, for further use in any'of the
machines
as selected. The 2"d Rinse water may be redirected to the first machine (100)
for tempor.ary storage and subsequent use for the first cycle of the next load
in
the second machine (200).
10. Likewise, wllen only the first machine (100) is used, using the second
machine
(200) for storing grey water of any cycle, e.g. either wash or rinse, for
later use
in any cycle of the first machine (100).
11. On switching off the interlock logic, both the machine (100, 200) are
operable
independently as two conventional machines.
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12. Interrupted disposal of Detcrgcnt, Bleacli and othcr Solvent through
disposal
trays (140, 240) in both machines (100, 200); i.e. any of the cycle may be
interrupted to operate the machine to extract spccified material stocked in
the
disposal tray ( 140, 240).
Thc multiple canbination may have one or more of any type of autoinatic
wasliing
machine such as front loading tumble or top loading agitator etc. For example
the first
machine may be front loading tumble wash suitable for delicate clothes and the
second may be top loading agitator wash more suitable for heavily soiled linen
etc.
The tandein type washing system may be placed on the roof-top for furtlier
recycling
of effluent waters of the first machine (100) and/or the second= machine (200)
discharged through their associated drainage pipes( 130, 230) . In this
configuration,
the said drainage pipes (130, 230) are connected to a storage device such as a
reservoir (500). The reservoir may pass the effluent water through a Channel
means
that may be similar to the channel means (3700), shown here at (505). The
channel
means (505) may lead to a storage tank (510) that may have filtration means
such as
divider plates with descending level of pores or no-porous plates placed in
such a way
that it allows overflow to the next chamber. Additionally, the storage tanks
may have
transparent panels that allow solar rays to pass through in the stored water,
foi-
prevention of and further breakdown of pathogens. A solar heatei- may also be
cmployed if the water is desired to be heated.
The biggest advantage of this novel construction is that the ef(luent grey
\vater
discharged and stored at the roof top does not require any pumping. As the
fresh water
used for wasliing is generally already stored at the rooftops, there is net
saving of
energy. 1'he grey water may be further processed using 'sun-rays and may be
supplied
through a separate pipelines for flushing (520), gardening (530), car-wash
(540) and
the like. Moreover, laundering at roof top will also facilitate drying clothes
under the
sun, further saving efforts to carry the washed clothes there. An additional
draina~~e
pipe running through the bottom of all compartments (550) may be connected to
a
hydra.nt (560) for any use.including for ground water recharging through a pit
(570),
additional water source in etnergencies like fire as shown (580).
In a different scenario, rnore than two machines may be interconnected
serially, e.g. a
third machine operable to extract selected effluents of the second and/or
first machine,
and so on. This type of modular configuration may be more useful in an
industrial
situation where lieavily soiled load maybe more.
Many known devices and processed may be used to clean the final effluents of
the
tandem washing machines placed at the rooftops. Through additional mechanical
means, alternative drainage and fool-proofing systems may be provided for
contingencies like power-failure, system crash and/or overflow etc.
Althougli the present invention has been described in detail here, various
changes,
substitutions, and alterations may be readily ascertainable by those skilled
in the art
and may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present
invention as defined in the following claims. Moreover, the present invention
is not
interided to be limited in any way by any statement in the specification that
is not
otherwise re(lected in the appended claims.
8
