Methods for controlling a water reuse system in a wash machine

Abstract

A water reuse system and controller for controlling water levels, temperature, and quality in the rinse water reuse system and methods of using the same, in order to optimize water usage. More particularly, the application pertains to a controller and methods of using the controller to regulate water levels and water quality in a water reuse system. As part of detailing the controller and methods of using the same, an apparatus for a water reuse system is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling a water reuse system in a wash machine comprising:
 providing a wash machine comprising a wash tank, a dispenser, a hot water fill valve, a cold water fill valve, and an outlet valve;   providing a water reuse system in fluid communication with a wash tank of the wash machine; wherein a reservoir tank fresh-water filling system comprises a hot and/or cold fresh water valve to add fresh water from a water tap into a reservoir tank or the wash tank;   dispensing a cleaning composition from the dispenser;   running the wash machine for at least one wash cycle comprising, a wash phase, a bleach phase, a rinse phase, and/or an extraction phase;   pumping water from the wash cycle into the reservoir tank;   monitoring the quality of the water in the reservoir tank; and   transferring water into the wash tank from the hot water fill valve, the cold water fill valve, and/or the reservoir tank.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising emptying the reservoir tank. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of monitoring the quality of the water; wherein the water quality is monitored by a monitoring device in communication with the controller. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the monitoring device is a soil sensor and/or a color level sensor; and wherein the controller activates the reservoir dump valve when the water is not acceptable, and wherein the controller activates the reservoir water transfer pump when the water is acceptable. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser comprises a dispenser outlet, a product container containing the cleaning composition, and an unprimed product line connecting the product container and the dispenser. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser further comprises a diluter line operatively connected to the product line. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising combining the cleaning composition and the diluent proximate the dispenser outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water reuse system comprises a controller for controlling for automatically determining a time a time the wash machine is operated in the at least one wash cycle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pumping, with a reservoir water transfer pump, reuse water from the reservoir tank back into the wash tank. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising filtering, with a filter located after the outlet or a drain valve of the wash machine and before the drain water pump, debris from the reuse water, preventing the entry of these debris and materials into a drain water pump. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, any time a level sensor communicates the water levels are sufficient in the reservoir tank, sending a fill signal with a controller and activating a relay which allows the reservoir water transfer pump to pump water from the reservoir tank to the wash tank. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, any time a float switch communicates the water levels are low in the reservoir tank, sending a fill signal with a controller and activating a relay which allows the hot water fill valve and/or the cold water fill valve to flow tap water to the wash tank. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein operating the wash machine in the wash phase means that the wash tank is filled with from about 70% to about 85% captured reuse water from the reservoir tank and from about 15% to about 30% water from the hot water valves. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein operating the wash machine in the bleach and rinse phases means that the wash tank is filled with from about 15% to about 30% captured reuse water from the reservoir tank, and from about 70% to about 85% from the hot water valves and/or the cold water valves. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of monitoring the quality of the water in the reservoir tank. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising communicating the temperature of the water in the reservoir tank to the controller with a temperature sensor located in the reservoir tank. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser comprises a dispenser outlet, a product container containing the cleaning composition, and an unprimed product line connecting the product container and the dispenser. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the dispenser further comprises a diluter line operatively connected to the product line. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising combining the cleaning composition and the diluent proximate the dispenser outlet. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using a water softening device to remove calcium and magnesium ions from hard water.