DK2881510T3

DK2881510T3 - Washing machine with detergent storage containers

Info

Publication number: DK2881510T3
Application number: DK15000633.6T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Markus Zwimpfer
Original assignee: V Zug Ag
Priority date: 2015-03-05
Filing date: 2015-03-05
Publication date: 2017-07-10
Also published as: SI2881510T1; PL2881510T3; EP2881510B1; EP2881510A1

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a washing machine with at least a storage compartment arranged inside a drawer for receiving at least a detergent in an amount that is sufficient for multiple washing cycles.

Background A washing machine of this type is disclosed in EP 2 733 249. The device has a drawer inside which two storage compartments for liquid detergent are accommodated. An extraction device is provided for extracting the detergent, which has an adapter opening at which two suction tubes are arranged. The adapter unit is placed from above onto the storage container.

Description of the invention

It is the objective of the present invention to provide a washing machine of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is easy to manipulate.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this objective is reached by the washing machine according to claim 1. According to this, the washing machine has a storage compartment arranged inside a drawer for storing at least a detergent, wherein the storage compartment has such a size that it can receive a detergent quantity that is sufficient for multiple washing cycles.

At least a suction tube protruding from above into the storage compartment and serving for extracting the detergent from the storage compartment is arranged at the drawer.

Furthermore, an adapter unit is provided, which is placed on the storage compartment from above in a usage position, as well as at least a hose connected to the adapter unit for carrying away the detergent. The adapter unit can be coupled to the suction tube by placing it on the drawer (i.e. by bringing the adapter unit into its usage position).

In other words, the suction tube is arranged fixedly at the drawer, i.e. it stays at the drawer when the adapter unit is removed from its usage position.

The adapter unit looks relatively compact because the suction tube is arranged at the drawer and not at the adapter unit. Therefore, it can be decoupled from or attached to the suction tube and the storage compartment, respectively, with little movement. The at least one hose leading to the adapter unit can therefore be kept relatively short.

This construction is based on the recognition that in case of the embodiment according to EP 2 733 249 the extraction unit is very bulky and has to be moved relatively far in order to remove the suction tube arranged at it from the storage compartment or to insert it into the storage compartment. This makes manipulation harder and causes the hoses leading to the adapter unit to be relatively long.

Advantageously, the drawer has a cover which covers the at least one storage compartment from above. In this case the at least one suction tube can be arranged at the cover, i.e. attached to the cover.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the adapter unit has at least a valve, via which the suction tube can be connected to hose. If the adapter unit is placed on the drawer and is thereby brought in its usage position, the valve is automatically opened. However, if the adapter unit is removed from its usage position, the valve is closed again. In this way, it is possible to avoid that detergent leaks from the hose when the adapter unit is not located in usage position.

Advantageously, additionally to the at least one suction tube, at least one filling level sensor is also arranged at the drawer, which protrudes from the top into the at least one storage compartment. A cable for the filling level sensor is attached to the adapter unit. In order to couple the adapter unit and therefore the cable to the filling level sensor, it can be placed on the drawer (in the usage position) . Hence, not only the fluidic but also the electrical connection to the drawer can be created with one move. By arranging the filling level sensor at the drawer and not at the adapter unit, which therefore remains at the drawer when the adapter unit is removed, the adapter unit is also more compact and easier to manipulate.

In a second aspect of the invention, the objective is reached by a washing machine according to the second independent claim. According to this, the washing machine has again a storage container arranged in a drawer for storing at least a detergent, wherein the storage container has such a size that it can receive a detergent amount, which is sufficient for multiple washing cycles. Furthermore, the drawer has a cover covering the at least one storage compartment from above.

In order to fill detergent into the storage compartment, at least a filling opening is provided in the cover. Walls protruding downwards from the cover are arranged at the filling opening. They define a filling space below the filling opening, which communicates with the storage compartment.

Slosh movements of the detergent during pulling out or pushing in the drawer are reduced by the walls. In this way, the manipulation of the device is easier because there is less danger that the detergent slops over when the drawer is moved.

Advantageously, the walls are formed by an insert, which can be inserted from above into the filling opening. In this way, the walls can be removed from the drawer in a simple way, e.g. for cleaning the storage compartment. In this case, a flap is advantageously provided at the insert, by means of which the filling opening can be closed, such that the flap can be removed from the drawer together with the walls.

Short description of the drawings

Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention result from the dependent claims and from the now following description by means of the drawings. It is shown in:

Fig. 1 a schematic illustration of the most relevant components of a washing machine for the present context,

Fig. 2 an embodiment of the storage drawer in a partial pulled out position,

Fig. 3 the storage drawer in a further pulled out state as seen from above,

Fig. 4 the storage drawer in removed state, Fig. 5 the storage drawer with removed cover, Fig. 6 an insert for a filling opening,

Fig. 7 a section through the drawer, perpendicular to the pull out direction, in the area of a filling opening with attached insert,

Fig. 8 a section through the drawer and the adapter unit, perpendicular to the pull out direction, in the area of a suction tube and

Fig. 9 a section through the drawer, perpendicular to the pull out direction, in the area of the cleaning opening when the cap is inserted.

Ways of carrying out the invention Definitions : "Detergent" means washing agents of any type, by means of which laundry is treated, e.g. colour detergents, boil detergents, fabric softeners or textile finishers. The detergents used in the storage drawer are liquid detergents or at least detergents which can flow.

The terms "up", "down", "on", "below", "above", "higher", "lower" etc. are understood with respect to the intentional orientation of the components of the washing machine in relation to the gravitational force . "Front side" of the washing machine is understood as the vertical side of the washing machine, which normally faces the user, and "rear side" is the side opposed to the front side.

Basic structure:

Fig. 1 shows the most important components of a washing machine in the present context. The device comprises, in a stationary housing 1, a vat 2 of known construction for receiving a drum (not shown), inside which the laundry is washed. A fresh water valve 4 controls supply of fresh water to a mixing chamber 5. The mixing chamber 5 can be formed, as known, by a mixing drawer which is adapted to mix detergent with water. Such a mixing drawer may also be adapted to receive single portions of detergent.

Furthermore, a storage drawer 6 is provided, which is called in the following normally simply "drawer 6". At least two storage compartments 7, 8 are arranged in this drawer 6 and are provided for receiving detergents. It is possible to store different or same detergents inside the storage compartments. The detergents can flow and are particularly liquid.

An adapter unit 9 is arranged on the storage compartments 7, 8, which has primarily two tasks. On the one hand, it serves to extract detergent from the storage compartments 7, 8 via suction tubes, and on the other hand, it is connected to filling level sensors which measure the filling level in the storage compartments 7, 8. The construction of the adapter unit 9, the suction tubes and the filling level sensor is described in more detail further on.

Furthermore, two transport lines 11a, lib are provided in order to transport detergent from the storage compartments 7, 8 to the mixing chamber 5. At least the end of each transport line 11a, lib attributed to the adapter unit 9 is formed by a flexible hose 12a, 12b which is capable of following the normal pull out motion of the drawer 6.

Transport pumps 13a, 13b are provided in the transport lines 11a, lib in order to suck the detergents out of the storage compartments 7, 8 and to transport them to the mixing chamber 5. The transport pumps 13a, 13b are preferably arranged in a stationary way, i.e. they are stationary with respect to the housing 1 and don't follow the pull out motion of the drawer 6.

The openings of the transport lines 11a, lib into the mixing chamber are each provided with a valve 14a, 14b which avoids in closed state an air entry coming from the mixing chamber into the transport lines 11a, lib. Advantageously, these valves 14a, 14b are formed as non-return valves which open when the respective transport pump 13a, 13b is taken into operation, and they close automatically after switching off the transport pump. The valves 14a, 14b avoid drying or thickening of the detergent inside the transport lines 11a, lib.

Fig. 1 furthermore shows a controller 15 which controls operation of the device. Particularly, it also controls the transport pumps 13a, 13b and it evaluates the signals of the filling level sensors.

Storage drawer:

The structure of the storage drawer or storage chest 6, respectively, results from Fig. 2-5.

The storage drawer or drawer 6, respectively, is preferably arranged in an upper area of the housing 1 in the section of an operating panel 10 and opens towards the front side. In Fig. 2 it is shown in a middle pull out position. In Fig. 3 it is shown from above in a position where it is yet further pulled out.

The drawer 6 forms the two storage compartments 7, 8. As can be seen in Fig. 5, these storage compartments are formed as trough, i.e. they have closed side walls 21 - 23 and a bottom 24 but are opened toward the top. During "normal operation", the storage compartments 7, 8 are closed towards the top by a cover 25 which avoids that the detergent dries out inside the storage compartments.

The cover 25 is fixedly connected to the storage compartments 7, 8, preferably screwed, glued or welded, such that detergent escape along the edges of the cover is avoided.

Two filling openings 27a, 27b are provided in the cover 25, which can be closed with the flaps 26a, 26b. The flaps 26a, 26b can be opened when the drawer is entirely pulled out, e.g. for filling the storage compartments 7, 8.

The cover 25 has a front section 25a and a rear section 25b (see Fig. 4 and 5), wherein the front section of the entirely inserted drawer 6 is arranged towards the front side of the device and the rear section is arranged towards the rear side of the device.

The front section 25a is located higher than the rear section 25b, which is amongst others because in this way there is more space left for the hoses 12a, 12b which are connected to the adapter unit 9 (see Fig. 2, 3). The transition between the front section and the rear section 25a, 25b is formed by a step 25c in the present example.

Furthermore, Fig. 2 and 3 show the adapter unit 9 (shown dashed in Fig. 2) in its usage position, i.e. in the position where it is placed on the drawer 6, where it is connected to the suction tubes and the filling level sensor in the way described further down. A recess 28 is provided in the cover 25 (Fig. 4, 5), which receives the adapter unit 9 at least partially in the usage position, such that the construction height of the drawer is reduced and the seat of the adapter unit 9 is improved.

The recess 28, and therefore the adapter unit 9 in its usage position, is arranged in the transition between the front section 25a and the rear section 25b of the cover 25, such that space for the hoses 12a, 12b as well as for a connection cable (not shown) for the filling level sensor is left as seen from the adapter unit 9 towards the rear side, as mentioned.

Adapter unit and suction tubes:

The adapter unit 9 as well as its connection with the drawer result from the Fig. 3, 4 and 8. The adapter unit 9 has a housing 30 made of plastic, which is advantageously manufactured as two-piece injection moulding part (Fig. 8) . In the usage position of the adapter unit 9, this housing 30 is located in the recess 28 of the cover 25, as mentioned.

Two hose connectors 31a, 31b are arranged on the rear side (i.e. on the side facing the rear wall of the device) at the adapter unit 9, to which the hoses 12a, 12bv are attached (Fig. 3).

The adapter unit 9 has on its underside two sockets 32 which extend perpendicularly downwards and engage in openings 33 of the suction tubes 34. These openings 33 are arranged in the cover 25, in the present embodiment in the recess 28 of the cover 25.

The suction tubes 34 (of which only one is visible in Fig. 8) extend from the openings 33 perpendicularly downwards into their corresponding storage compartment 7 or 8, respectively, and end just above the bottom 24, such that the detergent can be sucked out substantially until it is consumed entirely.

When the adapter unit 9 is brought into its usage position, the sockets 32 with the O-rings 36 are inserted into the respective openings 33 and give the adapter unit 9 its support.

The adapter unit 9 has a valve 38 for each suction tube 34. It is opened, as mentioned above, by placing the adapter unit 9 on the drawer 6 in its usage position, it is however closed when the adapter unit 9 is removed.

The valve 38 according to the shown embodiment has a valve body 39 which is arranged in a valve space 40 in a vertically movable way. Furthermore, a spring 41 is provided inside the valve space 40, which presses the valve body 39 elastically against a valve seat 42, as long as the adapter unit 9 is not located in its usage position. A mandrel 43 is arranged in such a way at the opening 33 of the suction tube 34 that it pushes the valve body 39 out of the valve seat 42 and in this way opens the valve 38 (in the usage position of the adapter unit 9).

Furthermore, four electrical connectors 35 for the filling level sensors are arranged (Fig. 4) in the recess 28. The filling level sensors, which are not visible in the figures, extend downwards from these connectors 35 in a rod-shaped way and their function corresponds substantially to the one of the filling level sensors according to EP 2 733 249.

Electrical contacts are provided on the underside of the adapter unit 9 (also not visible in the figures), which contact the connectors 35 when the adapter unit is arranged in its usage position. Thus, the adapter unit can be coupled to the filling level sensors by placing it on the drawer.

At least a cable 12c is arranged on the rear side of the housing 30 of the adapter unit 9 (Fig. 1), via which the filling level sensors are in contact with the controller 15.

Filling openings:

As mentioned, the cover 25 has two filling openings 27a, 27b, of which each one is in contact with an attributed storage compartment. Each filling opening 27a, 27b can be closed by its corresponding flap 26a, 26b.

As can be best seen in Fig. 4, 6 and 7, each one of the flaps 26a, 26b is arranged at an insert 50 which is inserted into the filling opening 27a, 27b in operation of the device. For this, the insert 50 has a shoulder 51 in its upper end area, by means of which it lies on a corresponding step 52 along the edge of the filling opening 27a, 27b (Fig. 7).

Furthermore, each insert 50 forms walls 54 which protrude downwards from the shoulder 51 and consequently from the lateral edges of the filling opening 27a, 27b into the respective storage compartment 7 or 8. A filling space 55 is defined between the walls 54. Because the walls 54 do not protrude down to the bottom 24 and additionally form a lateral cavity 56, the filling space 55 communicates with the storage compartment 7 or 8, respectively, such that detergent can be filled into the storage compartment via the filling opening.

As mentioned at the beginning, the walls 54 reduce the danger of detergent sloshing through the opening 27a, 27b in case of heavy movement of the drawer.

Cleaning opening:

One or two cleaning openings 60a, 60b are provided at the drawer 25, see Fig. 4, 5 and 9. Because the cover 25 is preferably permanently connected to the storage compartments 7, 8, the cleaning openings 60a, 60b allow a better cleaning of the storage compartment.

In the shown embodiment, the cleaning openings 60a, 60b are in the rear section 25b of the cover 25, such that this section of the storage compartments 7, 8 is easily accessible. An access to the front section of the storage compartments 7, 8 is possible via the filling openings 27a, 27b.

The cleaning openings 60a, 60b are closed by a cap 61 which is elastically snapped into the cover, particularly in the edge area of the cleaning openings 60a, 60b. The cap 61 closes the cleaning openings 60a, 60b in a tight manner, such that sloshing out of detergent is avoided when the cap 61 is closed.

In the present embodiment, a common cap 61 is provided for both cleaning openings 60a, 60b, thus further simplifying manipulation.

Emptying valves:

Each storage compartment 7, 8 is equipped with a emptying valve 70 (see Fig. 7) for cleaning or removing the drawer 6, by means of which an opening 71 in the bottom 24 of the storage compartment 7, 8 can be opened or closed. This allows removing the detergent from the storage compartments as needed in a simple way.

As can be seen in Fig. 7, each emptying valve 70 has a closing body 72, which protrudes upward from the bottom 24 through the respective storage compartment 7 or 8, respectively, and which allows the user to operate the valve. In the present embodiment, the closing body 72 can be pushed down against the force of a spring 73, thereby exposing an annular edge section of the opening 71. The opening 71 is closed by a foot 72a of the closing body 72 in an idle state of the closing body 72 in such a way that the foot 72a lies at the opening 71 in a tightening way from below.

In order for the valves 70 to be well visible and accessible, they are arranged vertically below the flaps 26a, 26b.

As can be seen in Fig. 7, the opening 71 is surrounded at the underside of the bottom 24 of the storage compartment 7, 8 by an annular drip-off lip 73 protruding downwards, which avoids that detergent escaping due to adhesion forces is distributed over the entire bottom 24.

Notes :

In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, an own transport line 11a, lib is shown for each storage compartment 7, 8. It is however basically also conceivable to use a common transport line for all storage compartments 7, 8, if e.g. a switch is inserted in the area of the adapter unit 9.

It is also possible to provide more than two storage compartments in the drawer 6. In this case, the adapter unit 9 is equipped with a corresponding number of suction tubes and filling level sensors.

The invention may also be applied in case of drawers 6 which only have a single storage compartment.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it is clearly noted that the invention is not restricted thereto and may also be executed in another way within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

A washing machine with at least one storage container (7, 8) arranged in a drawer (6) for storing at least one detergent in an amount sufficient for several washes, at least one suction pipe (34) for removing the detergent of the storage container (7, 8), the suction tube (34) projecting into the storage container (7, 8) from above, an adapter unit (9) which can be mounted from above on the storage container (7, 8) in a use position, and at least one hose ( 12a, 12b) connected to the adapter unit (9) for draining the detergent, characterized in that the suction pipe (34) is arranged on the drawer (6) and the adapter unit (9) in a position of use by attachment to the drawer (6). can be connected to the suction pipe (34).

A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drawer (6) comprises a lid (25) covering from above the at least one storage container (7, 8), wherein the at least one suction pipe (34) is arranged on the lid (25).

A washing machine according to claim 2, wherein a recess (28) is provided in the lid (25), which at least partially accommodates an adapter unit (9) in the operating position.

A washing machine according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the lid (25) comprises a front (25a) and a rear (25b) section, the front section (25a) being higher than the rear section (25b).

A washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the adapter unit (9) in the use position is arranged in a transition between the front and rear sections.

A washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the lid (25) is screwed, glued or welded together with the at least one storage container (7, 8), and wherein at least one cleaning opening (60a) is arranged in the lid (25). 60b), which is closed by a sheath (61), the sheath (61) being clicked into the lid.

Washing machine according to claims 3 and 6, wherein the cleaning opening (60a, 60b) is arranged in the rear section.

A washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the at least one suction pipe (34) opens into an opening (33) in the lid (25) and wherein the adapter unit (9) comprises a stud (32) inserted in the use position in the mouth (33).

Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter unit comprises at least one valve (38) which can be opened in the operating position by attaching the adapter unit (9) to the drawer and is otherwise closed and via which the suction pipe (34) can be connected to the hose. (12a, 12b).

Washing machine according to one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the valve (38) comprises a valve body (39) which is resiliently held against a valve seat (42) with a spring (41) and wherein a mandrel (43) is arranged at the outlet (33) such that the mandrel (43) in the operating position pushes the valve body (39) out of the valve seat (42).

Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one filling level sensor is arranged at the drawer (6) which projects from above into the at least one storage container (7, 8), where a cable (12c) for the filling level sensor is attached to the adapter unit ( 9) and where the adapter unit (9) can be coupled to the filling level sensor when mounted on the drawer (6).

A washing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer (6) comprises a lid (25) which covers the at least one storage container (7, 8) from above, and wherein at least one filling opening (27a, 27b) is provided in the lid for filling the at least one storage container (7, 8) and wherein walls (54) projecting downward from the lid (25) are arranged at the filling opening (27a, 27b), which walls define a filling space (55) below the filling opening (27a, 27b), where the filling space is in communication with the storage container.

A washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the walls (54) extend downwards from the side edges of the filling opening (27a, 27b).

A washing machine according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the walls (54) are formed by an insert (50) which can be inserted into the filling opening (27a, 27b) from above.

Washing machine according to claim 14, wherein a flap (26a, 26b) is provided on the insert for closing the filling opening (27a, 27b).

Washing machine according to one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the lid (25) is screwed, glued or welded together with the at least one storage container (7, 8), and in particular where at least one cleaning opening (60a) is arranged in the lid (25). , 60b), which is closed by a sheath (61), wherein the sheath (61) is clicked into the lid.

Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer (6) comprises a discharge valve (70), by which an opening (71) in a bottom (24) of the storage container (7, 8) can be opened and closed, and the opening ( 71) at an underside of the bottom (24) of the storage container (7, 8) is surrounded by a drain lip (73) extending annularly and projecting downwardly, and in particular where the discharge valve (70) comprises a closure body (72) which for the purpose of upon release of the opening (71) can be pressed downwardly against a spring force.