EP2331739B1

EP2331739B1 - Detergent box flushing arrangement for a washing machine

Info

Publication number: EP2331739B1
Application number: EP09780276A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Korhan Ozkalay
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2008-07-07
Filing date: 2009-07-07
Publication date: 2011-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-07
Also published as: EP2331739A1; WO2010003961A1; ATE536436T1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a tub (10), a detergent box (2) wherein cleaning agents such as detergent, softener etc. are put and mixed with the water received from the mains and a flushing device (3) disposed over the detergent box (2) that guides the water received from the mains into the detergent box (2).

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a detergent box wherein cleaning agents are put.
The washing machines comprise detergent boxes wherein cleaning agents are put. The cleaning agent placed in the detergent box is transferred to the tub after mixing with the wash water. The cleaning agent put into the detergent box cannot be entirely swept by water particularly at low pressures and hence cleaning agent residues remain at the deep ends of the detergent box. This situation not only affects adversely the washing/rinsing performance of the washing machine but also affects the customer satisfaction negatively. The said problem is tried to be solved by changes in the design of the flushing device, disposed over the detergent box and that maintains passage of water into the detergent box.
In the state of the art European Patent Documents No EP0330880 , EP0331920 and EP0758031 , a washer is explained comprising a detergent chamber wherein water and detergent are mixed with the aid of a detergent flushing device and this mixture is delivered to the tub.
In the state of the art European Patent Document No EP0752492 , configuration of the holes on the detergent flushing device above the detergent chamber are explained. A further prior art washing machine is known from US-A-2005/0029645 .
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine comprising a flushing device, which is disposed over the detergent box and enables the cleaning agents to effectively participate in the washing process.
The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is defined in the claims.
The washing machine of the present invention comprises a flushing device placed on the detergent box containing the cleaning agents put therein, for guiding the water toward the detergent box, having one or more channels thereon, wherein water flows and whereby water is directed, disposed in a parallel and side-by-side array to the water flow direction, more than one wall bordering the channels and more than one hole on the base of the channels for passage of water into the detergent box. The washing machine furthermore comprises at least one separator that narrows the cross-section of the channel wherein water flows and at least one opening between the wall and the separator allowing water to pass to the channels neighboring to one another.
In an embodiment of the present invention, three channels are provided on the flushing device, a first channel where through water enters the flushing device and the second and third channels, neighboring and extending parallel to the first channel. A separator with a circular, elliptical or closed circular cross-section is provided in front of the wall between the first channel and the neighboring second channel. An opening is provided between this said wall in the direction of water flow and the separator, allowing water to pass from the first channel, where through water enters the flushing device, to the neighboring second channel. Water partially turns around the separator in front of the opening and some portion is directed to the second channel and some portion to the front side of the flushing device.
Particularly at low pressures, water has to be conveyed to the front end of the flushing device and has to be discharged from the holes there into the detergent box, in order to effectively sweep the cleaning agent in the detergent box. A guide is provided at the end of the inner wall of the third channel for this purpose. The guide with a cross-section shaped like a closed curve, preferably with a droplet profile cross-section, is positioned at a place near the front side of the flushing device. The guide forms a barrier in front of the water leaving the separator and proceeding in the direction of the flow and causes it to accumulate thereunder. The guide thus enables water to pass from the holes at the front of the flushing device into the detergent box and also water to be directed toward the channels at the sides. Thus, the detergent box is swept effectively without leaving any cleaning agent residues by discharging the water flowing in the channel into the detergent box through the holes at the end portions, particularly at the corners.
In another embodiment of the present invention, five channels are provided on the flushing device, parallel to each other, in the water flow direction. Two channels are disposed symmetrically on both sides of the first channel, which is in the middle of all the channels and wherefrom water enters the flushing device. The second channel and the fourth channel are neighbors to the first channel, the third channel is next to the second channel and the fifth channel is next to the fourth channel. In this embodiment of the present invention, a separator each with a closed curve cross-section is disposed in front of the walls forming the boundaries of the first channel and an opening each between the said walls and the separators. Furthermore, a guide each is situated at the end of the wall between the second channel and the third channel and at the ends of the fourth channel and the fifth channel. The directing of water flow in five channels parallel to each other and a more homogeneous distribution of the water is provided while passing into the detergent box by way of the opening, separator and the guide. Consequently, sweeping of the cleaning agents in the detergent box becomes more effective.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separator is shaped cylindrically. The separator in front of the wall is aligned with the wall. The separator partially closes the front portions of the channels on both sides of the wall.
The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washing machine.
Figure 2 - is the cross-sectional view of a detergent box and the flushing device.
Figure 3 - is the exploded view of the detergent box and the flushing device.
Figure 4 - is the perspective view of a flushing device.
Figure 5 - is the schematic view of the high pressure water flow on the flushing device.
Figure 6 - is the schematic view of the low pressure water flow on the flushing device.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1.: Washing machine
2.: Detergent box
3.: Flushing device
4.: Wall
5.: ,105, 205, 305, 405. Channel
6.: Hole
7.: Separator
8.: Guide
9.: Opening
10.: Tub

The washing machine (1) comprises a tub (10), a detergent box (2) wherein cleaning agents such as detergent, softener etc. are put and mixed with the water received from the mains and a flushing device (3) disposed over the detergent box (2) that guides the water into the detergent box (2) (Figure 1, Figure 2).
The flushing device (3) comprises one or more channels (5, 105, 205, 305, 405) through which water flows and guides the water flow, more than one wall (4) defining the channels (5, 105, 205, 305, 405), and more than one hole (6) disposed on the base of the channels (5, 105, 205, 305, 405), allowing water to pass into the detergent box (2), at least one separator (7) disposed at the same direction as the wall (4), having a closed curve cross-section, that narrows the cross-section of the channel (5) wherein water flows and at least one opening (9) situated between the separator (7) and the wall (4) for the flowing water to pass from the channel (5) to the neighboring channel (105, 305) (Figure 3, Figure 4).
I n an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device (3) comprises three channels (5, 105, 205) that are parallel to each other in the direction of water flow. Water enters from the mains into the flushing device (5) through the first channel (5). On the flushing device (3), a second channel (105) and a neighboring third channel (205) are provided, in parallel rows to the first channel (5). The ends of all the channels (5, 105, 205) on the flushing device (3) open to the front end of the flushing device (3). The separator (7) on the flushing device (3) is aligned with the wall between the first channel (5) and the adjoining second channel (105) and the opening (9) remains between the said wall (4) and the separator (7).
The flushing device (3) furthermore comprises one or more guides (8) situated at the end of the wall (4) between the second channel (105) and the third channel (205), having a closed curve cross-section, that forms a barrier in front of the water, causing water to accumulate on its side facing the separator (7). The guide (8) allows some portion of the water accumulated on its side facing the separator (7) to be discharged to the detergent box (2) from the holes (6) at the front and the rest to pass into the third channel (205). The mains water that enters into the flushing device (3) from the first channel (5) effectively passes into the neighboring channels (105, 205) by way of the opening (9), the separator (7) and the guide (8).
Some portion of the water while entering the flushing device (3) and flowing in the first channel (5) passes to the neighboring channel (105) from the opening (9) prior to the separator (7), the other portion of the water flows toward the front side of the flushing device (3). The separator (7) at the same alignment as the opening (9) makes the cross-section of the first channel (5) narrow by means of its shape having a closed curve cross-section which is wider than the wall (4) at its rear. The separator (7) at the same time allows the water to partially turn around itself, for proceeding to the front of the flushing device (3). Some portion of the water that moves to the front of the flushing device (3) turns around the separator (7) and heads toward the second channel (105), wherein water enters to flow by crossing the opening (9), flows in the opposite direction of the water flow in the first channel (5). The water entering from the mains and flowing in the first channel (5) joins with the water, outside the water that partially turns around the separator (7) in the vicinity of the separator and leaves to pass into the second channel (105), and accumulates near the guide (8). The guide (8), on one hand decelerates the water impacting on its side facing the separator (7) and directing into the detergent box (2) through the holes (6) on its front, on the other hand allows the extra water to turn around thereof and head toward the third channel (205). The water heading toward the third channel (205) flows in the opposite direction of the flow in the first channel (5).
In this embodiment, the flow in the second channel (105) and the neighboring third channel (205) is in the reverse direction of the flow in the first channel (5) wherein the water entering from the mains into the flushing device (3) flows. In high pressure flow, the transfer of water on the flushing device to the detergent box (2) is maintained faster through the holes (6) near the front side of the flushing device (3). In low pressure flows, the amount of water overcomes the speed, transferring water more homogeneously to the detergent box (2) from all the holes (6), including the holes (6) at the rear side of the flushing device (3). By the water flowing back from more than one channel (105, 205) parallel to the first channel, a greater amount of water can be sent to the holes (6) on the rear side of the flushing device.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device (3) comprises five channels (5, 105, 205, 305, 405) parallel to the direction of water flow. A second channel (105) and a fourth channel (305), extending parallel to the first channel (5), are disposed on both sides of the first channel (5), which is positioned in the middle of all the channels (5, 105, 205, 305, 405) and wherefrom water first enters into the flushing device (3) from the mains. The outer walls of the third channel (205) neighboring the second channel (105) and the fifth channel (405) neighboring the fourth channel (305) form the exterior boundaries of the flushing device (3).
A separator (7) each, with a closed curve cross-section, aligned with the walls (4) is disposed in front of both side walls (4) of the first channel (5), wherefrom water first enters into the flushing device (3), and openings (9) are situated between the separators (7) and the walls (4) bordering the first channel (5), allowing the water flowing in the first channel (5) to pass to the neighboring second channel (105) and to the fourth channel (305). Furthermore on the flushing device (3), a guide (8) each is situated at the end of the wall (4) between the second channel (105) and the third channel (205) and at the end of the wall (4) between the fourth channel (305) and the fifth channel (405).
In this embodiment, the water entering the flushing device (3) from the mains through the first channel (5) almost at the middle of the flushing device (3), passes to the channels (5) neighboring one another by means of the openings (9), the separators (7) and the guides (8). While some portion of the water flowing in the first channel (5) passes to the second channel (105) and the fourth channel (305) neighboring the first channel (5) from the opening (9) prior the separators (7), the other portion of the water continues flowing toward the front side of the flushing device (3). Some portion of the water moving toward the front side of the flushing device (3) turns around the separators (7) and heads toward the second channel (105) and the fourth channel (305) wherein water flows by passing from the openings (9), and flows in the opposite direction of the water flowing in the first channel (5). Water entering from the mains and flowing in the first channel (5) accumulates near the guides (8) by joining with the water outside of the water that leaves by partially turning around the separators (7) in the vicinity of the separators (7). The water accumulating here, turns around the guide (8) due to the shape of the guides (8) having a closed curve cross-section, and heads toward the third channel (205) and the fifth channel (405) and flows in these channels (205, 405) in the opposite direction of the water flowing in the first channel (5). Consequently, water flows in the direction opposite to the water flow of the first channel (5), in the second channel (105), third channel (205), fourth channel (305) and the fifth channel (405) extending parallel to the first channel (5) on both sides of the first channel (5).
Both at low pressure flow and high pressure flow, the amount of water moving toward the channel (105, 305) by turning from the separators (7) is greater than the amount of the water passing from the opening (9). At high pressure flow, when the water heading toward the second channel (105) and the fourth channel (305) by partially turning around the separator (7) impacts with the water crossing the opening (9) at high speed, it loses its speed and is discharged from the holes (6) in this vicinity into the detergent box (2) without being able to move to the deepest points of the channel (105, 305) wherein it flows. In the meantime, the water bubbles due to the impact moving to the deeper portions of the channel (105, 305) is also a factor. Since at low pressure, a greater amount of water passes to the second channel (105) and the fourth channel (305) by partially turning around the separators (7), the amount of the water overcomes the speed of the water passing from the opening (9) into the channel (105, 305). In this case, even though the water passing from the opening (9) cuts down the speed of the water partially turning around the separator (7) and heading toward the channel (105, 305), it does not have the effect of high pressure flow. The water flowing in the second channel (105) and the fourth channel (305) succeed in reaching the deepest points albeit by slowing down. Moreover, the intensity of the impact is low since the pressure is low and accordingly a lesser amount of water bubbles form (Figure 5 and Figure 6).
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guides (8) have asymmetrical droplet profile cross-sections. Accordingly, a barrier is formed in front of the water that leaves by brushing past the face of the separator (7) facing the second channel (105) and water proceeding in the flow direction in the first channel (5) and accumulating of water under the guide (8) becomes easier. Moreover, passage of water to the detergent box (2) from the holes (6) at the front end of the flushing device (3) and directing of water toward the third channel (205) is made more effective. In this embodiment, the cross-section between the separator (7), the guide (8) and the wall (4) of the second channel (105) facing the separator (7) gets narrower and consequently water gains speed thereby advancing as long a distance as possible in the second channel (105).
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separator (7) is configured cylindrically. Thus, the amount of water leaving by turning from around the separator (7) and moving toward the front side of the flushing device (3) is kept at an optimum level.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separator (7) is almost at the same alignment with the wall (4) it is in front of and partially closes the front of the channels (5, 105) on both sides of the wall (4).
By means of the flushing device (3) in the washing machine (1) of the present invention, the cleaning agents effectively participate in the washing process and the washing/rinsing efficiency of the washing machine (1) is increased.

Claims

A washing machine (1) that comprises a detergent box (2) wherein cleaning agents such as detergent, softener etc. are put and mixed with the water received from the mains and a flushing device (3) disposed over the detergent box (2) that guides the water into the detergent box (2) the flushing device (3) having one or more channels (5, 105, 205, 305, 405) through which water flows and guides the water flow, more than one wall (4) defining the channels (5, 105, 205, 305, 405), and more than one hole (6) disposed on the base of the channels (5, 105, 205, 305, 405), allowing water to pass into the detergent box (2), and characterized by the flushing device (3) having at least one separator (7) disposed at the same direction as the wall (4), having a closed curve cross-section, that narrows the cross-section of the channels (5, 105, 205, 305, 405) wherein water flows and at least one opening (9) situated between the separator (7) and the wall (4) so that the water flowing in the channel (5) can pass to the neighboring channels (5, 105, 205, 305, 405).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the separator (7) having a cylindrical shape.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the separator (7) that is almost at the same alignment with the wall (4) it is in front of, partially closing the front of the channels (5, 105) on both sides of the wall (4).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the flushing device (3), comprising a first channel (5) wherefrom water enters the flushing device (3), a second channel (105) neighboring and extending parallel to the first channel (5), a third channel (205) neighboring and extending parallel to the second channel (105), a separator (7) aligned with the wall (4) between the first channel (5) and the second channel (105), an opening (9) situated between the wall (4) and the separator (7) and one or more guides (8) situated at the end of the wall (4) between the second channel (105) and the third channel (205), having a droplet profile cross-section, that forms a barrier in front of the water, causing water to accumulate on its side facing the separator (7).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the first channel (5) wherefrom water enters the flushing device (3), the second channel (105) and a fourth channel (305) neighboring and extending parallel to the first channel (5), the third channel (205) neighboring and extending parallel to the second channel (105), a fifth channel (405) neighboring and extending parallel to the fourth channel (305), the separator (7) each in front of the wall (4) between the first channel (5) and the second channel (105) and the wall (4) between the first channel (5) and the fourth channel (305) and openings (9) between these walls (4) and the separators (7).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by two guides (8), with a droplet profile cross-section, one disposed at the end of the wall (4) between the second channel (105) and the third channel (205) and the other at the end of the wall (4) between the fourth channel (305) and the fifth channel (405), forming a barrier in front of the water flowing in the first channel (5) causing it to accumulate on its side facing the separator (7).