EP2376699B1 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of washing machines comprising a washing tub to be filled with washing water and a drain port, a drain pump, a drain line which watertably connects the tub to the drain pump and has a valve member which is sealed to the tub , and a pipe part, which is watertermally connected to the drain pump; wherein the washing machine further comprises a drain valve floatable in the washing water, which is movably disposed inside the valve member to close the drain hole when wash water is inside the tub and the drain pump is at rest or to open the drain hole when there is no wash water inside the tub or the drain pump is in operation.

State of the art

The Patent DE 4442089 A1 describes a washing machine having a washing tub, in which a drum is arranged, which can rotate inside and in which the clothes to be washed are placed.

The washing tub has in its upper part a washing water inlet port to partially fill the washing tub for washing and rinsing the materials to be washed. In the lower part of the tank, a drain opening is arranged, to the outer part of the washing tub, a drain line is connected, which connects the washing tub with the drain pump to empty the washing water from the washing tub, if it requires the washing process.

At the completion of the washing process, the drain pump discharges all the water from the inside of the tub and the drain line, and therefore at the beginning of the following cycle, the water poured into the washing tub fills the drain line and does not participate in the washing process. In order to avoid that the introduced into the tub for washing detergent enters the drain line, this has a valve member in which there is a buoyant valve in the form of a hollow ball, which fits into the drain opening, if enough water for the beginning of the cycle has flowed. In this way, the detergent does not escape through the drain line, thereby avoiding environmental damage. The valve member of the drain line is a flexible part of rather complex shape, which must be tightly fastened to the wash tub by any system, such as a flange.

The Patent DE 3624065 A1 describes a washing machine similar to the preceding, which has a drain line similar to that of the previous machine with a valve member which is connected in a sealed manner with the washing tub by means of a flange. The valve is located inside the valve part and is designed as a flap or tongue, which is connected in one piece with the wall of the drain line, more precisely with the wall of the valve part. The valve part and the valve are made of a complex part of flexible material. If there is no water inside the drain line or the pump is operating, the valve lowers and allows communication between the interior of the tub and the drain line. Similar to the process of the previous machine, when the washing cycle starts, the drain line fills with water, and the water itself makes the valve float and pushes it against the drain opening of the washing tub.

Both configurations of a washing machine have a complex drain line, which can cause leakage problems.

Object of the invention

It is the object of the invention to provide a washing machine with a simplified, dense and easy to be mounted on the washing tub of the washing machine drain line.

This object is achieved by means of a washing machine comprising a washing tub which is to be filled with washing water and a drain opening, a drain pump, a drain line which connects the washing tub to the drainage pump in water and has a valve part tightly connected to the washing tub. and a pipe part which is watertermally connected to the drain pump; and a drain valve floatable in the wash water and movably disposed inside the valve member to close the drain hole when wash water is inside the wash tub and the drain pump is at rest, or to open the drain hole when there is no wash water is located inside the washing tub or the drain pump is in operation, the valve part in a piece with the washing tub is formed and the pipe part is connected to an outlet port of the valve member.

In this way, the washing tub in addition to the drain opening, the valve member in one piece, which is why the tightness is always better, since connections between the two parts are avoided. The drain line simplifies, since only one part of the pipe has to be connected to the outlet connection of the valve part when it is integrated into the washing tub in one piece. In particular, the pipe part may be a cylindrical standard pipe which is inserted by means of conventional flanges into the outlet connection and into the drainage pump.

The washing machine may be a front loader or a top loader; it may have a drum with horizontal rotation or a drum with vertical rotation inside the washing tub.

The valve member is designed as part of the tub and has an inner space which is connected to the interior of the washing tub via the drain opening. Component means that it is not a part that can be dismantled and reassembled. The drain opening can be closed by means of the valve floatable in the wash water. The interior of the valve member has an outlet port to which the pipe part is connected. The buoyant valve may be embodied as a lower density member than the washing water having a shape to fit in the drainage hole. It is particularly advantageous that the discharge opening is circular, since the valve may have a spherical shape or a partial spherical shape, which fits therein and blocks the flow of washing water. It is necessary that the interior of the valve member has such a shape as to allow the movement of the valve in its interior inadvertently while remaining closed. The operation of the valve during the washing process is similar to that of the prior art, by keeping the drainage opening closed while there is water in the valve member to urge the valve against the opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the tub is made of two tub sections made of plastic. Each of the tub sections has a portion of the valve member that has been molded in one piece with the corresponding section. Preferably, they are joined by means of plastic welding technology, although not necessarily, since they can be glued or clamped. The Drain port is embodied in a first tub section, and thus, in the embodiment of an injection molded part, prevents its edge has burrs that could interfere with a proper closing of the valve.

In a particular embodiment of the valve is provided that it has the shape of a flap. With such a geometry, less space is needed inside the valve member. The draining valve in the form of a flap has a plug portion that fits into the drain opening, a float portion, and a hinge member connected to the valve portion to permit rotation of the drain valve between the open and closed positions. In this configuration, the movement of the valve inside the valve member is limited and the closure system is better controlled.

And to further limit it, the drain valve has a stop that limits the rotation of the drain valve in the open position and prevents it from sticking to the wall of the valve member.

In order to prevent the float part from being flooded, which would make it impossible to float the drain valve and thus its function, the stop limits the rotation of the drain valve in the open position to an opening between 15 ° and 35 °, preferably between 20 ° and 30 ° °, advantageously 25 °.

The hinge member is designed as a rib which is inserted into a recess of the first tub section. This is an easy-to-install assembly that also secures the correct position by means of a slide that fits into the recess and limits its displacement in the recess. And to prevent it from shifting in the recess, the second tub section presses on the hinge element in the recess of the first section of the tub when the two sections are united.

To make better contact with the drain opening, the drain valve is made of elastic material. In this way, this is particularly advantageous in the valve-type drain valve type, which has a hinge part, to assist in bending this part, as it is preferably made in one piece and below the weight of the plug part and the float part in the region of the hinge must bend. In the case that it is a valve in the form of a hollow sphere, it is not necessary that it is flexible, but that it is a smooth Has surface to adapt to the drain opening. It is also advantageous that the drain valve has an anti-stick surface, at least in the plug part, to reduce the possibility of sticking detergent residues, filaments or other elements that could worsen closure.

It is advantageous that the drain opening has a circular shape and the plug part partially has a spherical shape, which fits into the drain opening. The shape of the plug part is not necessarily partly spherical, since a cone shape can also perform the same function.

It is envisaged that the float part has a cylindrical hollow shape with one end connected to the plug part, and that its other end is open, where the air can enter, when the water level in the valve part rises, and supports the floating of the valve. It can also be hermetically sealed so that the air inside makes the valve swim.

Short description of the drawing

Other advantages will be apparent from the following description of the drawings. In the figures, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous properties in combination. The person skilled in the art will advantageously also consider the properties individually and combine them in other meaningful combinations.

Figur 1

eine schematische Schnittansicht des unteren Teils einer Waschmaschine mit einem Waschbottich und einer Ablaufleitung gemäß der Erfindung;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht der einander im Verbindungsbereich des Ventilteils der Ablaufleitung gegenüberstehenden Bottich-Teilstücke;

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Ventilteils der Ablaufleitung des ersten Bottich-Teilstücks mit dem Ventil in vormontierter Position;

Figur 4

eine Vorderansicht des Ventilteils des ersten Bottich-Teilstücks mit dem montierten Ventil in geschlossener Position und

Figur 5

eine Vorderansicht des Ventilteils des ersten Bottich-Teilstücks mit dem montierten Ventil in geöffneter Position.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic sectional view of the lower part of a washing machine with a washing tub and a drain line according to the invention;

FIG. 2

a perspective view of each other in the connecting region of the valve member of the drain line facing tub sections;

FIG. 3

a perspective view of the valve member of the drain pipe of the first tub section with the valve in the preassembled position;

FIG. 4

a front view of the valve member of the first tub section with the assembled valve in the closed position and

FIG. 5

a front view of the valve member of the first tub section with the assembled valve in the open position.

Description of the preferred embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of the lower portion of a washing machine having a washing tub 30, in which a drum 10 is arranged, which can rotate in its interior and in which the clothes to be washed are placed. The wash tub is made of two tub sections 32 and 34 which are connected by a connecting portion 35 which extends linearly through the connecting plane of the two sections. The wash tub is disposed in a washing machine frame 20 suspended from a system of springs and dampers.

The washing tub has a washing water inlet port in its upper part to partially fill the washing tub for washing and rinsing the materials to be washed. In the lower wall 33 of the first tub section 32, a drain opening 38 is executed. The bottom wall of the first tub section 32, where the drain opening 38 is formed, extends to the joint plane of the two tub sections and hermetically joins a wall of the second tub section 34 at the seal line 39 when both tubs Pieces are connected. On the outer part of the wall of both washing tub sections 30, the drain line 50 is connected, which connects the washing tub 30 with the drain pump 40 to empty the washing water from the washing tub when it requires the washing process.

The drain line 50 is formed of a valve member 52, which is made in an entire plastic part with the tub sections 32 and 34, and a tube member 54 which is connected to the valve member at the outlet port 56 and the drain pump 40. Inside the valve member 53 is a valve 60 in the form of a hollow ball, which is buoyant and fits into the discharge opening 38 to close it when sufficient water has flowed into the valve member.

FIG. 2 shows in perspective the valve member 52 of the two tub sections 32 and 34 open wash tub 30. It shows the part of the first tub section 32, where the valve member 52 of the drain line is located. In the lower wall of the first tub section is the drain opening 38 of the tub and the edge of the wall which forms the connecting line 39 with the wall of the second tub section 34 when both tub sections are connected. On one side of the valve member 52 is a groove 36 into which the hinge portion 66 of the drain valve 60 is inserted until it is fitted by the slider 67. The drain valve is in the closed position B, and you can see through the drain opening 38, the plug part 62 of the drain valve. It is also possible to see the float part 64 partly below the lower wall in the interior of the valve part 53 of the drainage pipe of the first tub section 32.

Opposite the first tub section 32 is the second tub section 34, and the connecting section 35 is defined as the periphery of both tub sections, which is preferably in a plane to facilitate closing of the tub. The method of closing for this plastic wash tub is a plastic welding process. At the second tub section, the outlet port 56 of the valve portion of the drain line is made, although it could be easily implemented on the first tub section.

FIG. 3 shows in perspective the part of the first tub section 32, where the portion of the valve member 52 of the drain line corresponding portion is located. In the bottom wall 33 of the first tub section 32, the drain opening 38 of the tub and the edge of the wall forming the connection line 39 with the wall of the second tub section are located when both tub sections are connected. On one side of the valve member 52 is a groove 36 into which the hinge part 66 of the drain valve 60 is inserted, following in the direction of the broken line, until it is fitted inside the valve member 53 of the drain pipe. The hinge part 66 has at the end of the slide 67, which remains outside the groove 36. The drain valve 60 is in a pre-assembly position where the plug portion 62 and the float portion 64 are seen.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the first tub section 32 in the corresponding region of the valve member 52 of the drain line with the connecting portion 35 with the other tub section extending along its outer periphery. The lower wall 33 of the first tub section 32 and the connection portion 35 define the interior of the valve member 53, where the valve 60 is in the closed position B, connected to the wall of the valve member with the slider 67 at its outermost part. The bottom wall 33 is shown in section to show the drainage opening 38 where the plug portion 62 of the valve is seated, and below the plugging portion is the float portion 64. In the area of the valve 60 closest to the hinge portion is located the stop 68 without contact with the wall of the valve member of the drain line.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the first tub section 32 in the corresponding region of the valve member 52 of the drain line with the connecting portion 35 with the other tub section extending along its outer periphery. The bottom wall 33 of the first tub section 32 and the connection portion 35 define the interior of the valve member 53 where the valve 60 is in the open position A connected to the wall of the valve member with the spool 67 at its outermost part. The bottom wall 33 is shown in section to show the opened drain opening 38. In the area of the valve 60 closest to the hinge part, the stop 68 is in contact with the wall of the valve part of the drain line and holds the valve 60 in its maximum opening position. The plug portion 62 of the valve is removed from the drain opening, and below the plug portion is the float portion 64.

List of reference numbers

10

drum

20

frame

30

washtub

32

first tub section

33

bottom wall

34

second tub section

35

connecting area

36

recess

38

drain hole

39

sealing line

40

drain pump

50

drain line

52

valve part

53

Inside of the valve part

54

pipe part

56

outlet connection

60

drain valve

62

plug member

64

float part

66

hinge element

67

pusher

68

attack

A

open position

B

closed position

Claims (13)

1. Washing machine comprising

   - a wash tub (30) that is filled with wash water and comprises the following elements: a drain opening (38),

   - a drain pump (40),

   - a drain line (50), that connects the water in the wash tub (30) to the drain pump (40) and a valve part (52) that is connected to the wash tub in a sealed fashion and a pipe part (54), that is connected to the drain pump for water transfer, and

   - a drain valve (60), that can float in the wash water, said valve being disposed moveably inside the valve part,
   in order to seal the drain opening (38) in a closed position (B) when wash water is located inside the wash tub and when the drain pump (40) is idle, or
   in order to open the drain opening to an opened position (A) when no wash water is located inside the wash tub or when the drain pump is operating,

   characterised in that
   the valve part (52) is designed in one piece together with the wash tub (30) and the pipe part (54) is connected to an outlet connection (56) of the valve part (52).
2. Washing machine according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the tub is designed from at least two tub sections (32, 34) made of plastic by means of injection moulding and the valve part (52) is designed to be split between the two tub sections.
3. Washing machine according to claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the drain opening (38) is designed in a first tub section (32).
4. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the drain valve (60) takes the form of a flap
5. Washing machine according to claim 4,
   characterised in that
   the drain valve (60) has a plug part (62), which fits into the drain opening (38), a floating part (64) and a hinge element (66), which is connected to the valve part (52), in order to enable the rotation of the drain valve (60) between the opened position (A) and the closed position (B).
6. Washing machine according to one of claims 4 or 5,
   characterised in that
   the drain valve (60) has a stop (68), which restricts the rotation of the drain valve in the open position (A).
7. Washing machine according to claim 6,
   characterised in that
   the stop (68) limits the rotation of the drain valve in the open position (A) to an angle between 15° and 35°, preferably between 20° and 30°, advantageously 25°.
8. Washing machine according to one of claims 5 to 7,
   characterised in that
   the hinge element (66) is designed as a rib, which is inserted into a recess (36), which is disposed in one of the two tub sections (32, 34).
9. Washing machine according to claim 8,
   characterised in that
   the hinge element (66) comprises a slider (67), which fits into the recess (36) and restricts its movement in the recess.
10. Washing machine according to one of claims 8 or 9,
    characterised in that
    the second tub section (34) presses against the hinge element (66) arranged in the recess (36) of the first tub section (32, 34) if the two sections (32, 34) are joined.
11. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the drain valve (60) is made from elastic material.
12. Washing machine according to one of claims 4 to 11,
    characterised in that
    the drain opening (38) is circular and the plug part (62) has the shape of a spherical part.
13. Washing machine according to one of claims 4 to 12,
    characterised in that
    the floating part (64) comprises a cylindrical hollow shape with an end which is connected to the plug part (62) and that its other end is open.

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