EP2128326B1

EP2128326B1 - Washer drain with valved vent, relevant manufacturing method and washer comprising such drain

Info

Publication number: EP2128326B1
Application number: EP08425379A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lucio Gastaldelli; Mauro Tosi; Luca Bicego
Original assignee: Bonferraro SpA
Current assignee: Bonferraro SpA
Priority date: 2008-05-27
Filing date: 2008-05-27
Publication date: 2010-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-27
Also published as: EP2128326A1; PL2128326T3; ES2356105T3; ATE488632T1; DE602008003546D1

Abstract

A washer including a substantially T-shaped fitting (1) comprising a first pipe (2) coming from a drain pump, a second pipe (3) that goes to the wall-mounted drain mouth and a third pipe (4) that acts as a vent and at the opposite end is connected to the detergent drawer through a connector (5), a flap valve (6) being fitted in a scat formed in the arm of the fitting (1) to which the third pipe (4) is connected and the assembly being then overmolded with a rubber cover (7) that covers substantially the whole T-shaped fitting (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a washer drain with valved vent, the relevant manufacturing method and to a washer comprising said washer drain. Although specific reference will be made in the following to a washer, it is clear that what is being said is also applicable to a washer/dryer, a dishwasher or any other washing appliance having a similar structure.
It is known that most washing appliances such as washers, washer/dryers and the like are provided with a water drain that runs directly from the drain pump to the wall-mounted drain mouth (e.g. see document DE-U-8008183 ).
In some washers the water drainpipe rather than coming out of the machine at the bottom comes out at the top leaving inside the machine a vertically arranged length of drainpipe that acts as a reservoir and a water column which exerts a certain pressure. Such a pressure is used to operate a float or ball valve located on the tank spout, so that when the water with the detergent is loaded in the tank a portion of said water is not immediately wasted down the drain.
This operation is made possible by the fact that the drain pump is not watertight and therefore allows the passage of the pressure towards the valve located on the spout, but on the other hand this implies that the tank is in permanent hydraulic connection with the sewage disposal plant. As a consequence, in case a negative pressure occurs in the pipings of the sewage plant the washer may be emptied by siphon effect even during its normal wash cycle and this obviously prevents its correct operation.
To avoid said risk, the drain has a vent pipe that allows the entrance of air, so as to cancel the siphon effect, and is provided with a valve that is closed during the drain phase to prevent water leakages. This pipe is usually connected to the detergent drawer or directly to the tank so as to avoid that the water possibly leaking through the pipe in the first moments of the drain phase, when the valve may be not yet perfectly closed, can get out of the washer.
These functions are presently carried out with the aid of a container where the pipes meet: a first pipe coming from the drain pump, a second pipe going to the wall-mounted mouth and a third pipe serving as a vent pipe. Inside said container there is usually located a float valve that closes the vent during the drain phase. Prior art drain systems are therefore quite complicated, bulky, not very reliable and expensive since they are made up of several pieces that have to be assembled.
Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide a drain with valved vent which overcomes said drawbacks. This object is achieved by means of a drain in which the vent is provided with a flap valve integrated into a T-fitting where the three above-mentioned pipes meet.
The main advantages of this drain are that its structure is simple, compact, reliable and inexpensive thus resulting in a reduction both of space and cost.
These and other advantages and characteristics of the drain according to the present invention will be clear to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, with reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

Fig.1 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the drain;
Fis.2 is an enlarged perspective view of the T-fitting;
Fig.3 is an enlarged perspective view of the flap valve; and
Fig.4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled drain.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is seen that a drain according to the present invention includes a substantially T-shaped fitting 1 where the above-mentioned three pipes meet, namely: ,
- a pipe 2 that comes from the drain pump and is fitted on the vertical leg 1a of the T;
- a pipe 3 that goes to the wall-mounted mouth and is fitted on a first horizontal arm 1b of the T; and
- a pipe 4 that acts as a vent and is fitted on a second horizontal arm 1c of the T and at the opposite end is connected to the detergent drawer through a connector 5.

A flap valve 6, better illustrated further on, is fitted in a seat 8 formed in arm 1c of fitting 1 and engages two teeth 9 located above and below said seat 8. Preferably, to securely fix in a permanent way valve 6 in seat 8 and pipes 2, 3, 4 on fitting 1, the assembly is then overmolded with a rubber cover 7 that covers substantially the whole T-fitting.
Obviously it is possible to fix said members on fitting 1 also through other means (e.g. hose clips, glue, etc.) but the rubber overmolding is preferred since it provides a quick and secure fixing and it also allows to form a grooved flange 7a (see Fig.4) at the region where the second pipe 3 is fixed, to mount the drain in an opening formed in the rear wall of the washer for the passage of said second pipe 3.
The flap valve 6 is better illustrated in Fig.3 that shows how the valve is substantially C-shaped, with a central projection 6a shaped to mate with seat 8 formed in fitting 1 as well as a pair of windows 6b (only one visible in the figure) for coupling with teeth 9. A flap shutter 10 extends orthogonally at a central position from projection 6a and is connected thereto, on the side opposite to the closure abutment side, preferably also through a rib 11 acting as a biasing member for a faster closing of the valve.
Referring finally to the sectional view of Fig. 4, it is clear how valve 6 opens, when necessary, to allow the entrance of air into fitting 1 through pipe 4, arm 1c and the relevant entrance hole 12 on which the flap shutter 10 of valve 6 rests, which valve is made of a flexible material, preferably silicone rubber. During the water drain phase, on the contrary, shutter 10 abuts on hole 12 to prevent the leakage of water coming from pipe 2 so that all the water is drained through the drainpipe 3.
A manufacturing method for the above-described drain therefore essentially includes the steps of:

a) providing a flap valve 6, three pipes 2, 3, 4 and a substantially T-shaped fitting 1 provided with a seat 8 suitable to receive said flap valve 6 and three connections 1a, 1b, 1c suitable for connecting said three pipes 2, 3, 4;
b) connecting the three pipes 2, 3, 4 to the respective connections 1a, 1b, 1c;
c) placing the flap valve 6 in its relevant seat 8;
d) overmolding the thus assembled assembly with a rubber cover 7 that covers substantially the whole fitting 1 mutually restraining all the members.

It is clear that the above-described and illustrated embodiment of the drain according to the invention is just an example susceptible of various modifications. In particular, the exact shape and arrangement of the above-illustrated members can change according to specific manufacturing needs, for example by changing the coupling members 6a/8 and/or 6b/9, as well as the materials used, as long as the general structure of the T-fitting with integrated flap valve is retained.

Claims

Washer drain comprising a member suitable to mutually connect three pipes, a first pipe (2) for extending between a washer drain pump and said member, a second pipe (3) for extending between said member and a wall-mounted drain mouth, and a third pipe (4) for extending between said member and the detergent drawer or the tank of the washer, as well as valve means suitable to close said third pipe (4), characterized in that said member suitable to mutually connect said three pipes (2, 3, 4) consists of a substantially T-shaped fitting (1) and said valve means suitable to close the third pipe (4) consists of a flap valve (6) located in a seat (8) formed in the arm (1c) of said T-shaped fitting (1) to which said third pipe (4) is connected.
Washer drain according to claim 1, characterized in that the three pipes (2, 3, 4) and the flap valve (6) are fixed on the T-shaped fitting (1) by an overmolded rubber cover (7).
Washer drain according to claim 2, characterized in that the overmolded rubber cover (7) includes a grooved flange (7a) at the region where the second pipe (3) is fixed.
Washer drain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap valve (6) is substantially C-shaped, with a central projection (6a) shaped to mate with the seat (8) formed in the T-shaped fitting (1).
Washer drain according to claim 4, characterized in that the flap valve (6) includes a flap shutter (10) that extends orthogonally at a central position from the projection (6a) and is connected thereto, on the side opposite to the closure abutment side, also through a rib (11) acting as a biasing member.
Washer drain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the T-shaped fitting (1) is provided with two teeth (9) arranged above and below the seat (8) of the flap valve (6) and the latter is provided with two windows (6b) suitable for coupling with said teeth (9).
Washer drain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap valve (6) is made of silicone rubber.
Washer characterized in that it includes a drain according to one of the preceding claims.
A manufacturing method for a washer drain including the steps of
a) providing a flap valve (6), three pipes (2, 3, 4) and a substantially T-shaped fitting (1) provided with a seat (8) suitable to receive said flap valve (6) and three connections (1a, 1b, 1c) suitable for connecting said three pipes (2, 3, 4);

b) connecting the three pipes (2, 3, 4) to the respective connections (1a, 1b, 1c);

c) placing the flap valve (6) in its relevant seat (8);

d) overmolding the thus assembled assembly with a rubber cover (7) that covers substantially the whole T-shaped fitting (1) mutually restraining all the members.