AN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE AND STORAGE CONTAINER FOR
WASHING MACHINE
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of providing auxiliary supply of water in the absence of regular water supply to washing devices & also offers storage compartment for water, clothes or any such articles.
The present invention particularly relates to a washing machine with an integrated water storage and supply of water at a desired pressure levels even in the absence of regular supply of water. BACKGROUND
A fully automatic washing machine and any such, or similar appliance or equipment used for cleaning or washing the clothes, utensils or any such similar device requires continuous supply of water so that it takes water as and when required for optimum efficiency of wash cycle and to give the customer best wash quality and rinsing efficiency.
The water requirement for each wash cycle generally depends on pre-determined parameters like washing program, quantity of clothes/utensils/articles, types of clothes/utensils/articles, temperature, water pressure etc.
Further, irregular and insufficient supply of water in turn nullifies the advantage of fully automatic washing machine and also restricts the user to use the washing machine only when there is a sufficient supply of water. In order to provide a continuous supply of water, users can alternatively use a loft tank for storage and supply of water. However, the supply of water from such a loft tank can result in supply of water a low-pressure thereby affecting detergent/cleaning agent dispensing.
A front-loading washing machine when connected to the conventional water-storing device which is normally placed at a height of 3.5 meters (loft height) does not develop the required water pressure to open the magnetic valve port (min 0.2 bar). The water flow in the detergent tray of the machine is very low & does not take the detergent inside the machine. The washing duration is longer than the normal due to less water pressure & was seen through series of experiments.
Therefore, a very low water pressure (less than 0.2 bar) limits the usage of front-loading washing machines.

A conventional automatic washing machine/appliance has an inlet hose, which is connected to water supply tap. Water will enter through the inlet hose into the washing machine/appliance whenever demanded by the automatic operation of the appliance. The washing machine is also provided with the top lid at the top of the appliance. The inlet hose acts as a conduit for the water from the tap to the magnetic valve to enter the washing machine. An assembly of two way or three way magnetic valves, particularly solenoid valves when powered as per the requirements, they allow the water to enter the washing machine. A set of inlet tubes acting as conduit magnetic valves to the detergent dispenser tray. A detergent dispenser tray is disposed in the washing machine to receive a jet of water into its specific chambers and takes the detergent along with it into the drum/tub assembly for the washing of clothes. A pressure switch (18) works on the pressure developed by the air column in the rubber component of the hydraulic assembly as the water enters into the drum/tub assembly. This component controls the quantity of water to be taken during washing, rinsing etc. Further, a washing machine /appliance has an electromechanical timer, pressure switch and magnetic valves for controlling the water input. The magnetic valve can be of 2 way or 3-way i.e. it may have 2 outlets or 3 outlets depending on the requirement. Whenever there is a requirement for water, electromechanical timer will send a signal to a particular inlet/outlet port of the magnetic valve through pressure switch. Pressure switch will ensure that adequate water is taken in and after reaching the required level of water will give signal to that particular port of magnetic valve to stop the flow of water into the washing machine or appliance. OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide integrated auxiliary water storage and supply source for washing appliances in the absence of regular supply of water.
An object of the present invention is to provide integrated auxiliary water storage and supply source, which is conveniently attached to the appliance.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated auxiliary water storage source that can provide water supply at the desired pressure levels in the absence of regular water supply.
Yet another object of the present invention is to offer a storage compartment for water, clothes or any such articles.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a raised platform for the ease of loading the laundry.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the use of the rinse waters drained during the wash cycle for the wash cycle of the next programme by storing them in additional compartments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 Rear view of the machine with the compartment for an integrated auxiliary water
storage member. Figure 2 Side view of the machine with the compartment for an integrated auxiliary water
storage member. Figure 3 Side view of the machine with the compartment for an integrated auxiliary water
storage member on the top of the machine. Figure 4 Perspective view of storage container. Figure 5 Flow chart for two-router configuration. Figure 6 Flow chart for logic of the Inlet pump and the Drain pump. Figure 7 shows signals for single pump assembly to achieve the functionality of invention Figure 8a shows signals for the single tank pump in separate pump assembly for tank and
machine to achieve the functionality of invention. Figure 8b shows signals for the single machine pump (when having the single tank pump)
in separate pump assembly for tank and machine to achieve the functionality of
invention. Figure 9a shows signals for the two tank pumps in separate pump assembly for tank and
machine to achieve the functionality of invention. Figure 9b shows signals for the single machine pump (when having the two tank pumps)
in separate pump assembly for tank and machine to achieve the functionality of
invention. Figure 10a shows signals for the single tank pump for compartment 1 (carrying fresh
water) in separate pump assembly for tank and machine to achieve the functionality
of invention. Figure 10b shows signals for the single machine pump (when having the single tank
pump for compartment 1) in separate pump assembly for tank and machine to
achieve the functionality of invention. DRAWINGS- Reference Numerals 1 - Water tank 2- Frame for water tank 3- Pump

4-Hose
5-Exhaust hose
6-Washing machine
7-Inlet hose
8-Float valve
9-Resting plate
10-Handle
11-Sliders for storage container
12-Vaccum cylinder
13-Locators
14-Strengthingribs
15-Adjustable foot assembly
16-Rinse water compartment
17-Clean water compartment
18-Pressure switch
19-Bucket with laundry
20-Router
21-Final rinse water
22-Compartment wall
23-Magnetic valve
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained by referring to the accompanied diagrams. Now referring to Fig 1 is a fragmentary rear view of a washing machine with integrated auxiliary water storage and supply means. The said water storage and supply means of the present invention is a storage tank member (1) that is integrally attached to the washing machine (6)
The material for the tank member (1) is selected from glass, plastic or a stainless steel. However, in the present embodiment plastic water tank comprising a specialized set of ribs is fitted inside the steel frame (2) used. The storage container can be pulled-out or pushed- in on the four sliders (11) provided on the steel frame by the handle (10).
An inlet hose (7) to carry the supply of water from the mains is disposed in the upper region of said storage tank (1). A float valve (8) in flow communication with the inlet is disposed to control supply of water supply from the inlet into the storage tank member (1). A vacuum cylinder (12), arranged in flow communication with the float valve

(8), as means to replenish water whenever the water levels recede in the tank member (1), said vacuum cylinder descends down the storage tank (1), and activates the float valve (8) whenever the water level recedes and opens the port for inlet to let the flow of water into the storage tank (1). Rinse water compartment (16) is the compartment where the water from the final rinse is collected and stored, to be used for the next wash (note: only for the prewash and main wash, and not for rinse program).So serves as an advantage to reuse the detergent and also the water, which helps in saving the same. If this chamber is full then the supply will be given to the drain hose to drain out the water during the final rinse cycle. The final rinse water is marked as (21)
A delivery pump (3) having a flow rate of 20-25 liters/minute is disposed at the bottom of the water tank member (1) to provide an adequate pressure to the flow of water into the washing machine. The delivery pump (3) is controlled by a magnetic valve assembly, which primarily consisting of solenoid valves, which on activation provide a signal to the delivery pump (3) for the release of water from the tank member (1) into the machine (6).
Hose (4) is the one through which the water is given back to the inlet magnetic valve (23) from either the freshwater compartment or the rinse water compartment.
Washing machine (6): the washing machine is kept on the water tank and the machine has a pump for draining out the water from the machine either to the final rinse water compartment or to drain out. The router is also connected to this pump, which will divert the water either to the final rinse water compartment or out of the machine through the exhaust, which will be controlled by the software to open the respective valve for operation. The water from the washing machine will be drained out for all the drain steps except after the final rinse step where the water will be diverted to the final rinse water chamber (16), which can be used during the next wash cycle. If the rinse water compartment is full, then the machine will drain out the water.
Inlet hose (7) is the channel through which the water is taken into the washing machine either from the freshwater compartment (1) or final rinse water compartment
(16).
Yet another function of the solenoid valve assembly is to provide a signal to the delivery pump (3) through the pressure switch (18) as soon as the water in the machine (6) is replenished to the desired quantity.
The minimum pressure that is required to operate the magnetic valve is about 0.2 bar. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the water tank (1) is fitted with

a pump (3), which delivers the water with sufficient pressure (more than 0.2 bar) to operate the magnetic valve. The pressure for the machine is maintained uniform due to the pump provided with the tank. Delivery pump (3) is provided to pump the water from the fresh water compartment and also from the final rinse water compartment in the washing machine. Final rinse water will only be used during the prewash and the main wash, which will be controlled by the software, and the router (20) is connected to the pump for pumping water from the rinse water compartment into the machine. Fresh water can be used only for rinse program as clean water is required for rinsing the clothes. During prewash and main wash the machine will check for the water from the final rinse water chamber and if water is not available then the machine will take the water from the fresh water compartment.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing duration for the wash cycle is also maintained due to the uniform water pressure provided by the pump (3) fitted for the tank at the magnetic valve inlet. In the event of the normal water supply (i.e. machine without water tank) the duration of the wash programme varies with the pressure of the water at the inlet and the pressure switch. The Pressure switch of the machine is water level based and the wash programme time depends on the time taken to reach the level of the pressure switch.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine of the present invention can be used for washing with or without the tank by using a diverter valve and also with the provision while plumbing.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the water tank is mounted onto the cabinet with locators (13) at the top of the machine, which holds the tank Firmly to the machine. The strengthening ribs (14) are provided on all the sides of the water tank (10) to reinforce the tank from bulging due to pressure of water in the tank when it filled condition. The adjustable feet assembly (15) is used for leveling of the machine. The leveling of the machine will make the machine stable & reduce the vibrations during washing cycle.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a raised platform for the ease of loading the laundry by mounting the container of clothes on the resting plate (9), which slides in/out whenever required. The channel guide supports the sliding plate when it is pulled out for loading the laundry. The channel guide is designed in such a way that it holds the resting plate & restricts resting plate from coming out totally.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the use of the rinse water drained through the exhaust hose (5) during the wash cycle for the next programme by storing them in additional compartment (16) of the tank member (1). The clean water can be stored in compartment (17). The storage container can be slided in/out for storing the articles, water etc., & also for cleaning of water tank whenever required.
Yet another object of the present invention is the use of a single pump (3) for the above invention.
The router (20) as shown in the figure is the mechanism, which will divert the water through the required path. The router is connected to the drain pump and its function is to either drain out the water or to collect it in the rinse water compartment. The router mechanism is actuated by the electronic control.
The function of the router, which is connected to the water supply pump, is to either pump the water from the rinse water compartment or the fresh water compartment and to supply to the washing machine. The router will have a valve which will divert the water through the required path.
Compartment wall (22) is the separating wall between the fresh water compartment and the rinse water compartment.
(a) Single pump assembly to achieve the functionality of invention
The configuration using a single pump assembly to achieve the functionality of the invention is as shown in fig7. The above configuration functions in the following manner.
1. During Pre wash-Fill: The router mechanism will supply to the input of the pump
the water from the compartment 2 and if that is empty then from compartment 1.
The diverter mechanism will then direct the water from the pump to the M/C inlet
valves. The Prewash valve will be used to fill the M/C with water to the required
level.
2. During Pre wash-drain: The router mechanism will supply to the input of the pump
the water from the drum to be drained. The diverter mechanism will then direct
the water to the drain hose of the M/C
3. During main wash-fill: The router mechanism will supply to the input of the pump
the water from the compartment 2 and if that is empty then from compartment 1.
The diverter mechanism will then direct the water from the pump to the M/C inlet
valves. The Main wash valve will be used to fill the M/C with water to the required
level.

4. During main wash-drain: The router mechanism will supply to the input of the
pump the water from the drum to be drained. The diverter mechanism will then
direct the water to the drain hose of the M/C
5. During 1/2/3 rinse-fill: The router mechanism will supply to the input of the pump
the water from the Compartment 1. The diverter mechanism will then direct the
water from the pump to the M/C inlet valves. The Main wash / Pre wash valve will
be used to fill the M/C with water to the required level.
6. During 1/2/3 rinse - drain: The router mechanism will supply to the input of the
pump the water from the drum to be drained. The diverter mechanism will then
direct the water to the drain hose of the M/C
7. During the final rinse-fill: The router mechanism will supply to the input of the
pump the water from the compartment 1. The diverter mechanism will then direct
the water from the pump to the M/C inlet valves. The Additives/ Main wash/ Pre
wash valve will be used to fill the M/C with water to the required level.
8. During the final rinse-drain: The router mechanism will supply to the input of the
pump the water from the drum to be drained. The diverter mechanism will then
direct the water to the inlet hose of the compartment2 of the tank and if that is full
then to the drain hose of the M/C.
The router and the diverter mechanism are controlled in the above manner by the signals shown in the Fig. 7.
(b) Separate pump assembly using single tank pump and single machine pump to achieve the functionality of invention
The configuration using Separate pump assembly using single tank pump and single machine pump to achieve the functionality of invention is shown in figure 8a and figure 8b.
The above configuration functions in the following manner.
1. During pre wash- fill: The router mechanisms will supply to the input of the Tank
pump the water from the compartment 2 and if that is empty then from
compartment 1. The tank pump will then direct the water to the M/C inlet valves.
The Prewash valve will be used to fill the M/C with water to the required level.
2. During Pre wash- Drain: The M/C pump output will be diverted by the diverter
mechanism to the to the drain hose of the M/C.
3. During main wash- fill: The router mechanisms will supply to the input of the
Tank pump the water from the compartment 2 and if that is empty then from

compartment 1. The tank pump will then direct the water to the M/C inlet valves. The Main wash valve will be used to fill the M/C with water to the required level.
4. During main wash- Drain: The M/C pump output will be diverted by the diverter
mechanism to the to the drain hose of the M/C.
5. During 1/2/3 rinse-fill: The router mechanism will supply to the input of the Tank
pump the water from compartment 1. The tank pump will then direct the water to
the M/C inlet valves. The Main wash /pre wash valve will be used to fill the M/C
with water to the required level
6. During 1/2/3 rinse -drain :The M/C pump output will be diverted by the diverter
mechanism to the to the drain hose of the M/C
7. During the final rinse-fill: The router mechanism will supply to the input of the
Tank pump the water from compartment 1. The tank pump will then direct the
water to the M/C inlet valves. The Main wash /pre wash /additives valve will be
used to fill the M/C with water to the required level
8. During the final rinse-drain: The M/C pump output will be diverted by the diverter
mechanism to the compartment 2 and if that is full to the drain hose of the M/C.
The router and the diverter mechanism are controlled in the above manner by the
signals shown in the figure 8a and 8b.
(c) Separate pump assembly using two tank pumps and single machine pump to
achieve the functionality of invention
The configuration using Separate pump assembly using two tank pumps and single machine pump to achieve the functionality of invention is shown in figure 9a and figure 9b.
The above configuration uses three separate pumps to achieve the functionality of the invention.
The above configuration functions in the following manner.
1. During Pre wash-fill: The tank compartment 2 pump will then direct the water to
the M/C inlet valves. If the tank compartment 2 is empty then the tank
compartment 1 pump is used to direct water to the M/C inlet valves. The Prewash
valve will be used to fill the M/C with water to the required level.
2. During pre wash-drain: The M/C pump output will be diverted by the diverter
mechanism to the drain hose of the M/C
3. During Main wash-fill: The tank compartment 2 pump will then direct the water to
the M/C inlet valves. If the tank compartment 2 is empty then the tank

compartment lpump is used to direct water to the M/C inlet valves. The Mainwash valve will be used to fill the M/C with water to the required level.
4. During main wash-Drain: The M/C pump output will be diverted by the diverter
mechanism to the to the drain hose of the M/C
5. During 1/2/3 Rinse-fill: The tank compartment1 pump will then direct the water to
the M/C inlet valves. The Main wash /Prewash valve will be used to fill the M/C
with water to the required level.
6. During 1/2/3 rinse- drain: The M/C pump output will be diverted by the diverter
mechanism to the to the drain hose of the M/C.
7. During the final rinse-fill: The tank compartment 1 pump will then direct the
water to the M/C inlet valves. The Main wash /Pre wash/Additives valve will be
used to fill the M/C with water to the required level.
8. During the final rinse-drain: The M/C pump output will be diverted by the diverter
mechanism to the compartment 2 and if that is full to the drain hose of the M/C.
The router and the diverter mechanism are controlled in the above manner by the
signals shown in the corresponding figure 9a and figure 9b.
(d) Separate pump assembly using single tank pump for compartment 1 (carrying fresh water) and single machine pump to achieve the functionality of invention
The configuration using separate pump assembly using single tank pump for compartment 1 (carrying fresh water) and single machine pump to achieve the functionality of invention is shown in figure 10a and figure lOb.The final rinse water is not stored in this configuration.
The above configuration functions in the following manner.
1. During pre wash-fill: The tank compartment 1 pump will then direct the water to
the M/C inlet valves. The Prewash valve will be used to fill the M/C with water to
the required level.
2. During pre wash- drain: The M/C pump output will be connected to the to the drain
hose of the M/C.
3. During main wash-fill: The tank compartment 1 pump will then direct the water to
the M/C inlet valves. The Mainwash valve will be used to fill the M/C with water
to the required level.
4. During main wash-drain: The M/C pump output will be connected to the to the
drain hose of the M/C.

5. During 1/2/3 & final rinse-fill: The tank compartment 1 pump will then direct the
water to the M/C inlet valves. The Main wash /Prewash/Additives valve will be
used to fill the M/C with water to the required level.
6. During 1/2/3 rinse-drain: The M/C pump output will be connected to the drain hose
of the M/C.
The router and the diverter mechanism are controlled in the above manner by the signals shown in the corresponding figure 10a and figure 10b. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
(1) A user of the appliance gets the flexibility of using the washing machine as when
required according to his/her preference of time.
(2) The water tank can also be used as water resource for other use.
(3) It is easier to refill, clean and maintain the tank manually as it can be slide in/out from
the front side of the machine.
(4) This offers as a storage compartment for water, clothes or any such articles.
(5) The present invention also provides a raised platform for the ease of loading the
laundry.
Dated 3rd day of October, 2006
To,
The Controller of Patents,
Patent office,
At Chennai.