EP2241669B1 - Machine à laver avec un circuit d'entrée de liquide de nettoyage/rinçage amélioré - Google Patents

Machine à laver avec un circuit d'entrée de liquide de nettoyage/rinçage amélioré Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2241669B1
EP2241669B1 EP09005228.3A EP09005228A EP2241669B1 EP 2241669 B1 EP2241669 B1 EP 2241669B1 EP 09005228 A EP09005228 A EP 09005228A EP 2241669 B1 EP2241669 B1 EP 2241669B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
washing
water
washing machine
rinsing
tub
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP09005228.3A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2241669A1 (fr
Inventor
Danny Buso
Pietro Rizzetto
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Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
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Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
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Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Home Products Corp NV filed Critical Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Priority to EP09005228.3A priority Critical patent/EP2241669B1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2010/002193 priority patent/WO2010115622A1/fr
Priority to RU2011145336/12A priority patent/RU2541501C2/ru
Priority to CN2010800226563A priority patent/CN102449228A/zh
Priority to US13/263,271 priority patent/US20120060568A1/en
Publication of EP2241669A1 publication Critical patent/EP2241669A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2241669B1 publication Critical patent/EP2241669B1/fr
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    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • D06F39/028Arrangements for selectively supplying water to detergent compartments
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/08Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
    • D06F39/088Liquid supply arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a washing machine with an improved washing/ rinsing-liquid inlet circuit.
  • washing machines both “simple” washing machines (i.e. washing machines which can only wash and rinse the laundry), and washing-drying machines (i.e. washing machines which can also dry the laundry), usually comprise an external casing provided with a loading/unloading door which allows the access to a washing tub containing a rotary perforated drum in which the laundry to be washed can be loaded.
  • Water and washing or rinsing products i.e. detersives, softeners, bleaching, etc.
  • a water supply circuit connected to the water delivery mains present outside the machine; after the washing or rinsing phases, water is discharged from the tub by a discharge circuit.
  • the water supply circuit comprises a first conduit, fluidly connected, downstream, with the tub, and, upstream, with the bottom of an housing, associated to the casing, containing a removable drawer provided with various compartments adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products.
  • the water supply circuit also comprises a water dispenser placed above the drawer and fluidly connected, upstream, typically via apposite electromagnetic inlet valves, with one or more conduits fluidly connectable to the water delivery mains.
  • the water dispenser is arranged in such a way that, by acting on the electromagnetic valves, it is possible to convey clean (or fresh) water, coming from the water delivery mains, to one or more compartments of the drawer, so as to flush out the products contained therein, which are in this way adducted to the bottom of the housing, and from there, via the first conduit, to the tub.
  • the water dispenser comprises a so called “air-gap” or “air break”, that is a gap, or opening, obtained in the water path present inside the water dispenser, in such a way to ensure that only a stream of water, opportunely directed, can flow through this gap towards the tub, while water can't flow, through this gap, from the tub to the water delivery mains (as could instead happen, for example in case of fault of the draining circuit, if no air-gap is provided).
  • air-gap or “air break” that is a gap, or opening, obtained in the water path present inside the water dispenser, in such a way to ensure that only a stream of water, opportunely directed, can flow through this gap towards the tub, while water can't flow, through this gap, from the tub to the water delivery mains (as could instead happen, for example in case of fault of the draining circuit, if no air-gap is provided).
  • a washing machine of this kind is illustrated, for example, in the European Patent n. EP 0 597 274 , which disclosed a clothes washing machine, in particular of the household type, comprising a washing tub, a drum for holding the washload, a water inlet conduit from the water supply mains, an electromagnetic valve provided in the inlet conduit, a first offshoot conduit, placed downstream the electromagnetic valve, which conveys the water from the water supply mains into a laundering product dispenser through an air break; the dispenser is placed above a plurality of compartments adapted for holding washing and rinsing agents and communicating with a siphon, placed between the compartments and the washing tub, via a conduit that conveys towards the siphon the water mixed with the washing or rinsing agents which flows out of the compartments.
  • This washing machine also comprises a second water offshoot conduit, provided with a respective air break and situated between the electromagnetic valve and the air gap, which flows into the conduit connecting the compartments and the siphon.
  • the air break is constituted by an interruption obtained by means of an injector located in a vertical descending section of the second offshoot conduit; the water issuing from the injector flows into the conduit.
  • This washing machine has however the drawback that it doesn't guarantee the possibility to obtain the wetting of the laundry with clean water before the adduction of the water mixed with washing agents into the tub.
  • the second offshoot conduit flows into the conduit connecting the compartments and the siphon, even if the second offshoot conduit would be feed with clean water, there is the possibility that this clean water, before entering the tub, would mix with washing and/or rinsing products which remain in the conduit or in the siphon.
  • European patent n. EP 1 568 814 discloses a detergent dispenser for a washing machine comprising a box shaped recess and a washing agent drawer slidably mounted in the recess; the drawer is provided with a plurality of separate compartments for containing wash and/or rinse products to be flushed by an incoming water flow into the tub of the washing machine. Once the water has passed through the compartments, the mixture of water and washing agent passes through openings placed in the rear portion of the drawer, and is carried to the rear portion of the recess, and then to an opening for discharge into the tub of the machine.
  • the latter is provided, on its bottom surface, on a side thereof, with a channel presenting a feeding end portion, fed by the water distributor device, and a second end curved portion which directs the water flow towards the front and bottom portion of the recess; the fresh water fed to the end portion of the channel is therefore guided to the front and bottom portion of the recess, cleaning this portion from detergent residuals.
  • European patent n. EP 0 719 884 discloses a washing machine provided with a washing-agent flushing-in mechanism comprising at least one fresh water inlet, a downstream free air path, a water-conducting channel for feeding fresh water into a washing agent chamber and a fresh water branch duct connected to the channel downstream of the free air path with respect to the flow direction through the inlet air path and channel.
  • the branch duct is connected to the water-conducting channel for a preliminary washing agent chamber, which is in turn fluidly connected to the washing tub.
  • the machine has a frontal loading door with a window and the branch duct is connected to a nozzle directed from above onto an inward surface of the window.
  • this washing machine has however a drawback; in fact the branch duct is fluidly connected to the preliminary washing agent chamber, and the adduction of fresh water to the branch duct involves always the adduction of fresh water also to the preliminary washing agent chamber, in which there could be detergent residuals which could be flowed into the tub by the fresh water. It isn't therefore possible to supply only fresh water to the branch duct, and therefore also in this case there isn't the guarantee to be able to wet the laundry only with fresh water before the adduction of the water mixed with washing agents into the tub.
  • EP 0 719 884 A1 discloses a washing machine provided with a washing-agent flushing-in mechanism comprising at least one fresh water inlet, a downstream free air path, a water-conducting channel for feeding fresh water into a washing agent chamber and a fresh water branch duct connected to the channel downstream of the free air path with respect to the flow direction through the inlet air path and channel.
  • the branch duct is connected to the water-conducting channel for a preliminary washing agent chamber.
  • the machine has a frontal loading door with a window and the branch duct is connected with a nozzle directed from above onto an inward surface of the window.
  • EP 1 595 991 A1 discloses a clothes washing machine comprising: a common water-distribution manifold, a plurality of electromagnetic valves provided downstream of the water-distribution manifold and connected on respective outlet conduits, a plurality of chambers supplied via a respective one of the outlet conduits, a further chamber supplied with a water flow generated by the intersection of the outlet conduits, wherein a nozzle lodged in a bellows is supplied with a water flow in a fifth conduit having a respective air-gap and starting upstream of the intersection; the initial portions of the outlet conduits and of the fifth conduit, upstream the air-gaps, are a single enbloc body, which is connected to the assembly of the water flat conveyors and of said fifth conduit downstream the air-gaps.
  • the aim of the present invention is therefore to to obtain a washing machine which allows introducing selectively in the tub clean or fresh water, without the risk that the latter would come into contact with washing or rinsing agent before entering the tub.
  • another object of the invention is to allow the introduction of clean or fresh water in the tub without increasing the complexity or the dimensions of the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents to the tub.
  • Another object of the present invention is to reduce the costs for assembly the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents to the tub.
  • the Applicant has found that by the use of a by-pass line, fluidly connectable to a water source, extending substantially from the air-gap present in the water distributor of a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser of a washing machine, and fluidly separated from the channels adapted for conveying water to the compartments adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products, it is possible to selectively introduce in the tub clean or fresh water without the risk that the latter would come into contact with a washing or rinsing agent before entering the tub.
  • the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser comprises a by-pass line, fluidly connected, upstream, to at least one of the inlet connectors, and extending substantially from the air-gap, the by-pass line being fluidly separated from the ducts and from the compartments, and being adapted to allow the flow of clean water from the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser to the tub.
  • the by-pass line comprises a first conduit portion extending substantially from the air-gap and obtained in a region of the water distributor not interested by the ducts, the first conduit portion being fluidly connected, upstream, to one or more of the inlet connectors, and being fluidly separated from the one or more compartments.
  • the first conduit portion extends, from the air-gap, substantially longitudinally across the water distributor towards a frontal end of the water distributor.
  • first conduit portion extends towards the rear end of the water distributor.
  • the by-pass line comprises a second conduit portion fluidly connected, upstream, to the first conduit portion, and, downstream, to the tub, the second conduit portion being fluidly separated from the one or more compartments.
  • the second conduit portion is provided in/at a lateral wall of the housing.
  • the second conduit portion is arranged in proximity to the frontal end of the housing, opposite to the inlet connectors.
  • the second conduit portion extends substantially longitudinally along the lateral wall of the housing.
  • the second conduit portion is provided at least partially in/at the housing and at least partially in/at the drawer.
  • the second conduit portion is provided totally in/at the drawer.
  • the second conduit portion is obtained between the bottom of the drawer and an external tray fixed to such a bottom.
  • the second conduit portion is obtained in a single-piece construction with the drawer, in such a way that the second conduit portion is fluidly separated from the compartments.
  • the second conduit portion is fluidly connected, downstream, to the water line, via an aperture obtained in the housing.
  • the water line comprises one or more single-piece elements comprising a first conduit, fluidly connecting the one or more compartments and the tub, and a second conduit, fluidly separated from the first conduit, the second conduit being fluidly connected, upstream, to the by-pass line, and being fluidly connected, downstream, to the tub, the first and second conduits being obtained in single-piece construction.
  • a recirculation circuit is provided, adapted to drain the washing/rinsing-liquid from the bottom of the tub and to re-admit this re-circulated washing/ rinsing-liquid into an upper region of the tub, the recirculation circuit being fluidly connected to the second conduit of one of the one or more single-piece elements, in such a way that the re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid is admitted into the tub via the second conduit.
  • a washing machine 1 comprising an external casing 2 in which an access opening 3 is obtained, provided with a loading/unloading door 4, which allows the access to a washing tub 5, contained in the external casing 2, and containing, in turn, a rotary, perforated, drum 6 in which the laundry to be washed, not illustrated, can be loaded.
  • the washing machine 1 is a "simple" washing machine (i.e. a washing machine which can only wash and rinse the laundry), of the front loading type; in a further embodiment, not illustrated, of the invention, the washing machine can however be a "simple" washing machine of the top-loading type, or also a washing-drying machine (i.e. a washing machines which can also dry the laundry), both of the front-loading type and of the top-loading type.
  • the tub 5 of the washing machine 1 is connected to the external casing 2 via a flexible bellows 7, interposed between the frontal, opened, surface of the tub 5 facing the access opening 3, and the border of the latter.
  • the washing machine 1 comprises a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8 (i.e. a device adapted to dispense water and/or water mixed with washing or rinsing products) which comprises a box-shaped housing 9, connected to the external casing 2, internally to the latter, preferably by suitable fixing means, comprising, for example, screws or rivets, not illustrated, or also glue, or welding.
  • a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8 i.e. a device adapted to dispense water and/or water mixed with washing or rinsing products
  • suitable fixing means comprising, for example, screws or rivets, not illustrated, or also glue, or welding.
  • the housing 9 is advantageously substantially parallelepiped, and it is connected to the frontal surface 2a of the external casing 2, opportunely in an upper region of the latter, positioned above the tub 5.
  • the housing 9 contains a removable drawer 10 which can be extracted from the housing 9, such as to protrude from the external casing 2 in a loading position, illustrated for example in Figure 2 , or can be fully inserted into the housing 9 in an operative position, illustrated for example in Figures 1 and 3 .
  • the drawer 10 is provided with one or more compartments 11 a, 11b, adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products, not illustrated, such as detergent, or softener.
  • compartments 11a and 11b there are two compartments, 11a and 11b, one adapted for receiving a detergent for washing the laundry, and the other adapted to receive a softener; in another embodiment, not illustrated, there could be for example another compartment, adapted, for example, to be filled with a pre-wash detergent.
  • the compartments 11a, 11b are fluidly connected to the bottom 9a of the housing 9, particularly to the frontal portion of this bottom 9a, in which an outlet port 12 is obtained, adapted to allow the flowing of a liquid into a water line 13, which will be described in the following, fluidly connecting the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8 and the tub 5.
  • saying that a first component is "fluidly separated" from a second component means that a fluid can't flow from the first component to the second component or vice versa; on the contrary, saying that a first component is "fluidly connected" to a second component means that a fluid can flow from the first component to the second component and vice versa.
  • the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8 comprises a water distributor 14, associated to the housing 9 and placed above the drawer 10 in such a way to allow the flowing of water to the one or more compartments 11a, 11b.
  • the water distributor 14 comprises two or more inlet connectors 15a, 15b, connectable, upstream, to a water source which could comprise, for example, the plumbing of the building in which the washing machine 1 is installed.
  • upstream and downstream are referred to the flowing direction of a liquid during the standard functioning of the washing machine; for example saying that a first component is fluidly connected, upstream, to a second component, means that in the standard functioning of the washing machine a fluid enters firstly the second component, and then the first component; saying that a first component is fluidly connected, downstream, to a second component, means that in the standard functioning of the washing machine a fluid enters firstly the first component, and then the second component.
  • the inlet connectors 15a 15b can be connected to the water source via controllable valves 40, preferably of the electromagnetic type, opportunely controlled by an electronic control device, also not illustrated, adapted to control the operations of the washing machine 1.
  • controllable valves 40 preferably of the electromagnetic type, opportunely controlled by an electronic control device, also not illustrated, adapted to control the operations of the washing machine 1.
  • a further inlet connector 15c connectable, upstream, via a dedicated controllable valve, to a water source; the further inlet connector 15c can be fed with warm or hot water, for example obtained by a solar thermal collector; in a further embodiment, not illustrated, there could be more than one further inlet connectors, connected to one or more water sources.
  • the inlet connectors 15a, 15b are fluidly connected, downstream, to an "air-gap" or "air break" 16, from which at least two ducts 17a, 17b branch off, fluidly connected to the inlet connectors 15a, 15b, and each one fluidly communicating with a different region 18a, 18b of the water distributor 14 which is positioned in such a way to be placed above a different compartment 11a, 11b of the drawer 10 when the latter is placed in the above mentioned operative position; the regions 18a and 18b of the water distributor 14 are provided with one or more apertures 19, adapted to allow the passage of the water from the ducts 17a, 17b, to the underlying compartment 11 a, 11b.
  • the further connector 15c which can be fed with warm or hot water, for example obtained by a solar thermal collector, is fluidly connected to the region 18a of the water distributor 14, in such a way to adduct also warm or hot water in the underlying compartment 11a.
  • the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8 also comprises a by-pass line 20, fluidly connected, upstream, to at last one of the inlet connectors, opportunely extending (i.e. spreading, generating) substantially from the air-gap or air-break 16, and fluidly separated from the compartments 11 a, 11b; the by-pass line is also adapted to allow the flow of clean (or fresh) water from the water distributor 14 to the tub 5, through the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8.
  • a by-pass line 20 fluidly connected, upstream, to at last one of the inlet connectors, opportunely extending (i.e. spreading, generating) substantially from the air-gap or air-break 16, and fluidly separated from the compartments 11 a, 11b; the by-pass line is also adapted to allow the flow of clean (or fresh) water from the water distributor 14 to the tub 5, through the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8.
  • the fact that the by-pass line 20 is fluidly separated from the compartments 11a, 11b means that the by-pass line 20 is arranged in such a way that a flow of clean (or fresh) water, coming from one or more of the inlet connectors 15a, 15b and trespassing the air-gap or air-break 16, can enter the by-pass line 20 without entering one of the ducts 17a, 17b.
  • the by-pass line 20 provides therefore, through the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8, a passage for the clean or fresh water coming from the water delivery mains and directed to the tub 5, ensuring that this water doesn't enter into contact with the detergent or with the softener which could be present in the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8.
  • the by-pass line 20 comprises a first conduit portion 21, obtained in a region of the water distributor 14 not interested by the ducts 17a and 17b, and fluidly connected, upstream, to one or more of the inlet connectors 15a, 15b; the first conduit portion 21 is opportunely fluidly separated from the compartments 11 a, 11b.
  • the first conduit portion 21 comprises also a tubular portion 21a protruding towards the underlying drawer 9; clearly the tubular portion 21a could also be not provided.
  • the by-pass line 20 also comprises a second conduit portion 22 fluidly connected, upstream, to the overlaying first conduit portion 21; the second conduit portion 22 is fluidly connected, downstream, to the tub 5, and it is fluidly separated from the compartments 11a, 11b.
  • the first conduit portion 21 extends (i.e. spreads, generates) substantially from the air-gap or air-break 16 and it extends substantially longitudinally along the water distributor 14, almost up to the frontal end 14a of the water distributor 14.
  • the second conduit portion 22 is advantageously provided in/at a lateral wall 9b of the housing 9, opportunely near to the frontal end 9c of the housing 9 opposite to the inlet connectors 15a, 15b.
  • the second conduit portion 22 illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6 is obtained along an axis, not illustrated, substantially perpendicular to the bottom 9a of the housing 9.
  • the second conduit portion 22 is obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing 9, in such a way to be fluidly separated from the compartments 11a, 11b.
  • the second conduit portion 22 can be comprised in a suitable external element (for example a pipe or tube), not illustrated, fixed to the lateral wall 9b of the housing 9, for example by glueing or welding or joint.
  • a suitable external element for example a pipe or tube
  • the first conduit portion 21 is very short, and extends preferably towards the rear end 14b of the water distributor 14. Also in this case the first conduit portion 21 advantageously comprises also a tubular portion 21a protruding towards the underlying drawer 9; clearly the tubular portion 21a could also be not provided.
  • the first conduit portion 21 is, in a plan view, substantially semicircular.
  • the second conduit portion 22 is provided in/at a lateral wall 9b of the housing 9; in this case the second conduit portion 22 extends longitudinally along the lateral wall 9b of the housing 9.
  • the second conduit portion 22 is obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing 9, in such a way to be fluidly separated from the compartments 11a, 11b.
  • the second conduit portion 22 can be comprised in a suitable external element (for example a pipe or tube), not illustrated, fixed to the lateral wall 9b of the housing 9, for example by glueing or welding or joint.
  • a suitable external element for example a pipe or tube
  • the first conduit portion 21 is, in a plan view, substantially analogous to the one illustrated in Figures 7 to 9 , and comprises also a tubular portion 21a protruding towards the underlying drawer 9.
  • the tubular portion 21a can be obtained in a single-piece construction with the water distributor 14.
  • the second conduit portion 22 is provided in/at in the drawer 10 and is arranged in such a way to be fluidly connected, upstream, when the drawer 10 is in the operative position, illustrated for example in Figures 11 and 12 , to the tubular portion 21a of the first conduit portion 21, and downstream to the tub 5.
  • the second conduit portion 22 is obtained between the bottom 10a of the drawer 10 and an external tray 50, fixed to said bottom 10a; in a further embodiment, not illustrated, the second conduit portion 22 is obtained in a single-piece construction with the drawer 10, in such a way that this second conduit portion 22 is fluidly separated from the compartments 11a, 11b.
  • the second conduit portion 22 is fluidly connected, downstream, to the water line 13 via a suitable aperture 24 obtained in the housing 9 and fluidly separated from the outlet port 12.
  • the aperture 24 is arranged in such a way that it is dedicated for the flowing of clean or fresh water coming from the second conduit portion 22; in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 to 15 , the aperture 24 is advantageously obtained in the housing 9 in a position higher than the outlet port 12, in such a way that a liquid present in the bottom 9a of the housing 9 can enter in the outlet port 12, but not in the aperture 24.
  • first conduit portion 21 obtained in the water distributor 14 can have substantially any conformation (provided that it is obtained in a region of the water distributor 14 not interested by the ducts 17a and 17b, that it is fluidly connected, upstream, to one or more of the inlet connectors 15a, 15b, and that it is fluidly separated from the compartments 11 a, 11b).
  • the second conduit portion 22 can be obtained only in the housing 9, partially in the housing 9 and partially in the drawer 10, or totally in the drawer 10, and it can have any shape (provided that it is fluidly connected, upstream, to the overlaying first conduit portion 21, fluidly connected, downstream, to the tub 5, and fluidly separated from the compartments 11 a, 11b).
  • the by-pass line 20 obtained in the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser 8 is fluidly separated from the compartments 11a, 11b, and allows the flowing, towards it, of a flow of fresh or clean water coming from a controllable valve connectable to a water source.
  • the above mentioned water line 13, fluidly connecting the bottom 9a of the housing 9 to the tub 5, in order to allow the flowing of the water mixed with the washing or rinsing products contained in the compartments 11a, 11b into the tub 5, comprises one or more single-piece elements (for example the ones indicated with the reference numbers 13a and 13b in the enclosed Figures) comprising a first conduit 25, fluidly connecting the compartments 11a, 11b and the tub 5, and a second conduit 27, fluidly separated from the first conduit 25, fluidly connectable, upstream, to a water source, and fluidly connected, downstream, to the tub 5.
  • first and second conduits of each single-piece element are obtained in single-piece construction, preferably by injection moulding of a plastic material, in such a way that the first and the second ducts constitute a single-body.
  • first and second conduits of a single-piece element are substantially parallel one another.
  • At least one of the one or more single-piece elements can be obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing 9; alternatively, at least one of the one or more single-piece elements can be fixed to the housing, preferably by welding and/or glueing, and/or joint.
  • the water line 13 comprises two single-piece elements 13a, 13b, connected in series in such a way that their first conduits 25 are fluidly connected one another, and their second conduits 27 are fluidly connected one another.
  • the single-piece element 13a is opportunely obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing 9, and it is fluidly connected, downstream, with a single-piece element 13b which is in turn connected, downstream, to a suitable opening 26 obtained preferably in an upper region of the bellows 7.
  • the second conduit 27 of the single-piece element 13a is opportunely fluidly connected to the by-pass line 20, downstream of the latter, in such a way that clean or fresh water can flow from the by-pass line 20 to the second conduit 27.
  • the outlet 27a of the second conduit 27 of the single-piece element 13b is arranged in such a way that the flow of clean or fresh water exiting from it is oriented towards the upper central region of the rotary perforated drum 6; this can be obtained by a proper shaping of the outlet 27a, or by a suitable nozzle, not illustrated, fluidly connected to the outlet 27a, or by a suitable design of the bellows 7 or of the opening 26 obtained in the latter.
  • the outlet 27a of the second conduit 27 of the single-piece element 13b is positioned substantially in correspondence to the top portion of the bellows 7; this positioning of the outlet 27a is however only preferable, but not necessary.
  • two contiguous single-piece elements are watertight fixed one another preferably by welding, and/or by gluing, and/or by joint.
  • the water line 13 comprises only one single-piece element, coinciding in this case with the water line 13, obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing 9.
  • the water line 13 comprises only one single-piece element, coinciding also in this case with the water line 13, which can be obtained, for example, by injection moulding of a plastic material, and which can be fixed to the housing 9, for example, by welding and/or glueing, and/or by joint.
  • the second conduits 27 of the one or more single-piece elements 13 are fluidly connected, upstream, to the by-pass line 20, and, downstream, to the tub 5, in such a way that a flow of fresh or clean water can flow from the by-pass line 20 to the second conduit 27.
  • the second conduits 27 of the one or more single-piece elements 13 can also be fluidly connected, upstream, to the water source directly, that is without being connected to a by-pass line; in this case these second conduits 27 can be connected to a water source, for example, via a suitable tube or pipe.
  • the washing machine 1 comprises also a recirculation circuit adapted to drain the washing/rinsing-liquid (i.e. water or water mixed with washing or rinsing products) from the bottom of the tub 5 and to re-admit this re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid into an upper region of the tub 5, in order to improve the wetting of the laundry contained in the tub 5.
  • a recirculation circuit adapted to drain the washing/rinsing-liquid (i.e. water or water mixed with washing or rinsing products) from the bottom of the tub 5 and to re-admit this re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid into an upper region of the tub 5, in order to improve the wetting of the laundry contained in the tub 5.
  • the recirculation circuit comprises a draining circuit, not illustrated, connected to the bottom of the tub 5 and provided with a pump, again not illustrated, adapted to take the washing/rinsing-liquid from the bottom of the tub 5, and to re-admitting the re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid in the rotary perforated drum 6, typically from an upper region of the latter, via an inlet tube 28.
  • the inlet tube 28 advantageously flows into the second conduit 27 or the single-piece element 13b; in this way the second conduit 27 of the single-piece element 13b can also be used to flow into the rotating drum 6 the re-circulated washing/ rinsing liquid.
  • the inlet tube 28 can flow in the second conduit of any of such single-piece elements comprised in the water line 13.
  • the functioning of the washing machine according to the invention is the following; with reference to the enclosed Figures, by opening the controllable valve 40 connected to the inlet connector 15b, clean or fresh water, coming from the water source, enters the water distributor 14, crosses the air-gap or air-break 16, and enters the by-pass line 20, from which it flows into the second conduits 27 of the water line 13, and finally enters the tub 5, and therefore the drum 6, through the opening 26 obtained in the bellows 7.
  • This clean or fresh water enters in the drum 6 form a frontal-upper region of the latter, wetting the laundry contained therein.
  • water can be introduced also in the ducts 17a and/or 17b, from where it reaches one of or both the regions 18a, 18b, and then one of or both the compartments 11 a, 11b.
  • water mixes with the washing and/or rinsing products therein contained, and then flows in the tub 5 through the first conduits 25 of the water line 13.
  • the washing machine 1 is provided with a recirculation circuit, during washing and rinsing phases the washing/rinsing-liquid can be re-circulated in order to ensure a better wetting of the laundry by such water; as disclosed above, the washing/rinsing-liquid can be drained from the bottom of the tub 5, and re-admitted into the latter via the second conduit 27 of the single-piece element 13b.
  • washing machine which could be both a "simple” washing machine or also a washing-drying machine, which, thanks to the by-pass line, fluidly separated from the compartments adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products, allows introducing selectively in the tub clean or fresh water, without the risk that the latter would come into contact with washing or rinsing agent before entering the tub.
  • the presence of the by-pass line inside the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser, and the particular structure of the water line fluidly connecting the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser and the tub allows introducing clean or fresh water in the tub, without increasing the complexity or the dimensions of the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents to the tub, and reducing the costs for assembly the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents to the tub.
  • the washing machine is provided with a recirculation circuit
  • the connection of the inlet tube with the second duct of one of the one or more single-piece elements allows reducing the complexity and the encumbrance of the recirculation circuit.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Machine à laver (1) comprenant :
    - une cuve de lavage (5) contenant un tambour perforé rotatif (6);
    - un dispositif de distribution de liquide de lavage/rinçage (8) comprenant un logement (9) et un tiroir (10), associé de manière amovible audit logement (9), comportant un ou plusieurs compartiments (11a, 11b) aptes à être remplis de produits de lavage et/ou de rinçage, ledit dispositif de distribution de liquide de lavage/rinçage (8) comprenant un distributeur d'eau (14) comportant au moins deux raccords d'entrée (15a, 15b), aptes à être reliés, en amont, à une source d'eau, et reliés fluidiquement, en aval, à un intervalle d'air (16) à partir duquel au moins deux conduits (17a, 17b) se ramifient, lesdits au moins deux conduits (17a, 17b) étant reliées fluidiquement auxdits raccords d'entrée (15a, 15b) et aptes à transporter de l'eau jusqu'auxdits compartiments (11a, 11b) ;
    - une ligne d'eau (13), reliant fluidiquement ledit dispositif de distribution de liquide de lavage/rinçage (8) et ladite cuve (5),
    caractérisée par le fait que
    ledit dispositif de distribution de liquide de lavage/rinçage (8) comprend une ligne de contournement (20), reliée fluidiquement, en amont, à au moins l'un desdits raccords d'entrée (15a, 15b), et s'étendant sensiblement à partir dudit intervalle d'air (16), ladite ligne de contournement (20) étant séparée fluidiquement desdits conduits (17a, 17b) d'une manière telle qu'un écoulement d'eau claire provenant d'un ou plusieurs desdits raccords d'entrée (15a, 15b) entre dans ladite ligne de contournement (20) sans entrer dans lesdits conduits (17a, 17b), ladite ligne de contournement (20) étant séparée fluidiquement desdits compartiments (11a, 11b), et étant apte à autoriser l'écoulement d'eau claire dudit dispositif de distribution de liquide de lavage/rinçage (8) à ladite cuve (5).
  2. Machine à laver selon la revendication 1, caractérisée par le fait que ladite ligne de contournement (20) comprend une première partie de tuyau (21) s'étendant sensiblement à partir dudit intervalle d'air (16) et obtenue dans une région dudit distributeur d'eau (14) non intéressée par lesdits conduits (17a, 17b), ladite première partie de tuyau (21) étant reliée fluidiquement, en amont, à un ou plusieurs desdits raccords d'entrée (15a, 15b), et étant séparée fluidiquement dudit ou desdits compartiments (11a, 11b).
  3. Machine à laver selon la revendication 2, caractérisée par le fait que ladite première partie de tuyau (21) s'étend, à partir dudit intervalle d'air (16), sensiblement longitudinalement à travers ledit distributeur d'eau (14) vers une extrémité avant (14a) dudit distributeur d'eau (14).
  4. Machine à laver selon la revendication 2, caractérisée par le fait que ladite première partie de tuyau (21) s'étend vers l'extrémité arrière (14b) dudit distributeur d'eau (14).
  5. Machine à laver selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée par le fait que ladite ligne de contournement (20) comprend une seconde partie de tuyau (22) reliée fluidiquement, en amont, à ladite première partie de conduite (21), et en aval, à ladite cuve (5), ladite seconde partie de tuyau (22) étant séparée fluidiquement dudit ou desdits compartiments (11a, 11b).
  6. Machine à laver selon la revendication 5, caractérisée par le fait que ladite seconde partie de tuyau (22) est disposée dans/à une paroi latérale (9b) dudit logement (9).
  7. Machine à laver selon la revendication 6, caractérisée par le fait que ladite seconde partie de tuyau (22) est agencée à proximité de l'extrémité avant (9c) dudit logement (9), opposée auxdits raccords d'entrée (15a, 15b).
  8. Machine à laver selon la revendication 6, caractérisée par le fait que ladite seconde partie de tuyau (22) s'étend sensiblement longitudinalement le long de ladite paroi latérale (9b) dudit logement (9).
  9. Machine à laver selon la revendication 5, caractérisée par le fait que ladite seconde partie de tuyau (22) est disposée au moins partiellement dans ledit/audit logement (9) et au moins partiellement dans ledit/audit tiroir (10).
  10. Machine à laver selon la revendication 5, caractérisée par le fait que ladite seconde partie de tuyau (22) est disposée totalement dans ledit/audit tiroir (10).
  11. Machine à laver selon la revendication 10, caractérisée par le fait que ladite seconde partie de tuyau (22) est obtenue entre le fond (10a) dudit tiroir (10) et un plateau externe (50) fixé audit fond (10a).
  12. Machine à laver selon la revendication 10, caractérisée par le fait que ladite seconde partie de tuyau (22) est obtenue en une structure d'une seule pièce avec ledit tiroir (10), d'une manière telle que ladite seconde partie de tuyau (22) est séparée fluidiquement desdits compartiments (11a, 11b).
  13. Machine à laver selon l'une des revendications 9 ou 10 ou 11 ou 12, caractérisée par le fait que ladite seconde partie de tuyau (22) est reliée fluidiquement, en aval, à ladite ligne d'eau (13), par l'intermédiaire d'une ouverture (24) obtenue dans ledit logement (9).
  14. Machine à laver (1) selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite ligne d'eau (13) comprend un ou plusieurs éléments d'une seule pièce (13, 13a, 13b) comprenant un premier tuyau (25), reliant fluidiquement ledit ou lesdits compartiments (11a, 11b) et ladite cuve (5), et un second tuyau (27), séparé fluidiquement du premier tuyau (25), ledit second tuyau (27) étant relié fluidiquement, en amont, à ladite ligne de contournement (20), et étant reliée fluidiquement, en aval, à ladite cuve (5), lesdits premier et second tuyaux étant obtenues en une structure d'une seule pièce.
  15. Machine à laver (1) selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle un circuit de recirculation est prévu, apte à évacuer le liquide de lavage/rinçage à partir du fond de ladite cuve (5) et à réadmettre ce liquide de lavage/rinçage remis en circulation dans une région supérieure de ladite cuve (5), ledit circuit de recirculation étant relié fluidiquement au second tuyau (27) de l'un dudit ou desdits éléments d'une seule pièce (13, 13a, 13b), d'une manière telle que ledit liquide de lavage/rinçage remis en circulation est admis dans ladite cuve (5) par l'intermédiaire dudit second tuyau (27).
EP09005228.3A 2009-04-09 2009-04-09 Machine à laver avec un circuit d'entrée de liquide de nettoyage/rinçage amélioré Active EP2241669B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09005228.3A EP2241669B1 (fr) 2009-04-09 2009-04-09 Machine à laver avec un circuit d'entrée de liquide de nettoyage/rinçage amélioré
PCT/EP2010/002193 WO2010115622A1 (fr) 2009-04-09 2010-04-08 Machine à laver ayant un circuit d'admission amélioré du liquide de lavage/de rinçage
RU2011145336/12A RU2541501C2 (ru) 2009-04-09 2010-04-08 Стиральная машина с усовершенствованным контуром подачи моющей/ополаскивающей жидкости
CN2010800226563A CN102449228A (zh) 2009-04-09 2010-04-08 具有改进的洗涤/漂洗液体入口回路的洗衣机
US13/263,271 US20120060568A1 (en) 2009-04-09 2010-04-08 Washing Machine With An Improved Washing/Rinsing-Liquid Inlet Circuit

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09005228.3A EP2241669B1 (fr) 2009-04-09 2009-04-09 Machine à laver avec un circuit d'entrée de liquide de nettoyage/rinçage amélioré

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2241669A1 EP2241669A1 (fr) 2010-10-20
EP2241669B1 true EP2241669B1 (fr) 2014-06-18

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09005228.3A Active EP2241669B1 (fr) 2009-04-09 2009-04-09 Machine à laver avec un circuit d'entrée de liquide de nettoyage/rinçage amélioré

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20120060568A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2241669B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN102449228A (fr)
RU (1) RU2541501C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2010115622A1 (fr)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2011145336A (ru) 2013-05-20
CN102449228A (zh) 2012-05-09
RU2541501C2 (ru) 2015-02-20
EP2241669A1 (fr) 2010-10-20
WO2010115622A1 (fr) 2010-10-14
US20120060568A1 (en) 2012-03-15

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