EP2607540B1 - Washing machine with water storage tank - Google Patents

Washing machine with water storage tank Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2607540B1
EP2607540B1 EP12196053.8A EP12196053A EP2607540B1 EP 2607540 B1 EP2607540 B1 EP 2607540B1 EP 12196053 A EP12196053 A EP 12196053A EP 2607540 B1 EP2607540 B1 EP 2607540B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
washing compartment
hollow space
conduit
washing
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
EP12196053.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2607540A1 (en
Inventor
Mauro MANCINI
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Original Assignee
Indesit Co SpA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Indesit Co SpA filed Critical Indesit Co SpA
Priority to PL12196053T priority Critical patent/PL2607540T3/pl
Publication of EP2607540A1 publication Critical patent/EP2607540A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2607540B1 publication Critical patent/EP2607540B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
    • D06F37/265—Counterweights mounted to the tub; Mountings therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a washing machine (more commonly referred to as a washer) equipped with a water accumulation tank.
  • washers of a traditional type are household appliances comprising a washing compartment, inside of which there is a drum for containing the laundry to be washed, which is rotatable about a horizontal or vertical axis, a system for delivering water, which is connectable to the water system and flows into the washing compartment, a unit for heating the water by means of a resistor and an conduit for draining the water from the washing compartment after the wash is completed.
  • the washing compartment is connected to counterweights (usually made of concrete), the function of which is to stabilise the washing machine, reducing the vibrations transmitted from the oscillating unit to remaining parts of the frame of the washing machine.
  • some existing washing machines further comprise a water accumulation tank, which is connected to the drum to receive therefrom the laundry rinse water. Once it has been suitably filtered, this rinse water is then stored in the tank to be utilised later in the next wash cycle.
  • Document EP326502A1 discloses a washing machine provided with counterweight means comprising one or more reservoirs which can be filled with water to suppress excessive vibrations, said reservoirs being positioned along the perimeter of the drum.
  • washers of the traditional type are very heavy to transport owing to the increase in mass (several dozen kg) due to the presence of the counterweights.
  • the counterweights absorb the heat transmitted to the water in the heating unit, and this negatively affects the thermal efficiency of the washer and thus increases consumption.
  • the technical task of the present invention is therefore that of making available a washing machine with water accumulation tank that overcomes the above-described drawbacks of the prior art.
  • the aim of the present invention is to make available a washing machine with water accumulation tank having a reduced mass, but that in the meantime achieves an excellent action of damping the vibrations (particularly the vibrations transmitted from the oscillating unit to the frame) and permits maximum stability of the washing machine particularly during the spin draining cycles.
  • a further aim of the present invention is to make available a washing machine with water accumulation tank that has high thermal efficiency and therefore low consumption levels.
  • 100 denotes a washing machine according to the present invention in its entirety and in a schematic manner.
  • the machine 100 comprises, in accordance with a widely known structure, an external support frame 101 of a generally box-like shape.
  • the machine 100 may comprise a containment body 102, or tub.
  • This containment body 102 is usually supported by the suspension system 103 connected to the frame 101.
  • This suspension system 103 may comprise vibration-damping means, for example shock absorbers and/or helical springs.
  • the containment body 102 internally defines a washing compartment C1 adapted to be filled with a mixture of water and detergent during stages of operation of the machine 100.
  • the containment body 102 is of a substantially cylindrical shape, and in particular it has a side wall 106 of a cylindrical shape that has an access opening at the front that is closed with a porthole "O".
  • a rotary drum 104 is rotatably mounted, and set in rotation by means of a shaft 105 about a horizontal or substantially horizontal axis of rotation "X".
  • the axis of rotation can in any case have any spatial orientation, for example vertical or generically inclined with respect to the horizontal.
  • the drum 104 is accessible at the front from the opening provided with a porthole "O" for insertion of laundry or clothing to be washed and, as is known, it has a peripheral wall that is perforated so as to permit the mixture of water and detergent present in the washing compartment C1 to reach the laundry present in the drum 104.
  • the space inside the rotary drum 104 is in fluid communication with the space external to the drum 104 and inside the containment body 102.
  • at least one wall of the containment body 102, delimiting the washing compartment C1 forms an inner hollow space C2 defining an accumulation tank for water or for a mixture of water and detergent.
  • the hollow space C2 is realised inside the side wall 106 and extends about the axis of rotation "X" of the drum 104.
  • the hollow space C2 extends about the axis of rotation "X" of the drum 104 through an angle greater than 180°.
  • the hollow space C2 is ring-shaped and completely surrounds the axis of rotation "X" of the drum 104.
  • the hollow space C2 preferably extends along an extension of a complete angle about the axis "X".
  • the accumulation tank defined by the hollow space C2 is connectable to the washing compartment C1 for receiving and accumulating at least a portion of the water contained in the washing compartment C1 during an operating cycle of the washing machine 100.
  • the machine 1 further comprises water hook-up means, which are active at least between the washing compartment C1 and the hollow space C2 so as to carry out a transfer of fluid at least from the washing compartment C1 to the hollow space C2.
  • the water hook-up means are adapted to carry out a transfer of fluid in both directions between the washing compartment C1 and the hollow space C2. In this manner, it is possible to fill the hollow space C2 with the liquid present in the washing compartment C1, and also to drain the liquid stored in the hollow space C2 into the washing compartment C1, with recycling of the liquid.
  • the water hook-up means comprise, for each of the washing compartment C1 and hollow space C2 mentioned hereinabove, a respective inlet conduit I1, I2 (arranged at an upper portion of the washing compartment C1 or hollow space C2) and a respective outlet conduit U1, U2 (arranged at a lower portion of the washing compartment C1 or hollow space C2).
  • the inlet conduits I1, I2 serve for filling the washing compartment C1 and the hollow space C2, whereas the outlet conduits U1, U2 serve for emptying them.
  • the hook-up means further comprise a first distributor V1, which is active on the inlet conduits I1, I2 and connected thereto for controlling the opening or closing thereof, and a second distributor V2, which is active on the outlet conduits U1, U2 for controlling the opening or closing thereof.
  • the water hook-up means further comprise a connection conduit "T”, which is interposed between the two distributors V1, V2 so as to put the two distributors in fluid communication, and a third distributor V3 mounted on the connection conduit "T".
  • the third distributor V3 is connectable to a drain conduit "S" and designed to selectively connect the second distributor V2 with the first distributor V1 or with a drain conduit "S".
  • connection conduit "T” is thus divided into a first length T1 comprised between the second and the third distributor V2, V3, and a second length T2 comprised between the first and the third distributor V1, V3.
  • connection conduit "T” On the connection conduit “T”, and preferably on the cited first length T1, there is arranged a hydraulic pump “P" designed to bring about the circulation of the liquid in the inlet, outlet and connection conduits.
  • the delivery direction of the pump "P" is from the second distributor V2 towards the first distributor V1, therefore from the outlet conduits U1, U2 towards the inlet conduits I1, I2.
  • the machine 100 further comprises a feeding circuit that is connectable to a water system so as to deliver water to the washing compartment C1.
  • the feeding circuit comprises a main conduit CP that is connectable to the water system, for example by means of a tap "R" external to (not comprised in) the washing machine and, mounted on the main conduit CP, a solenoid valve EV for opening/closing the main conduit CP, a drawer “D” for mixing the water with a detergent, and a supply conduit "A" extending between the drawer and the washing compartment.
  • an auxiliary conduit "W” designed to intercept at least a portion of the fluid circulating between the second distributor V2 and the inlet conduit I1 of the washing compartment C1 and to convey it towards the mixing drawer "D".
  • the auxiliary conduit "W" defines a branch of the inlet conduit I1 of the washing compartment C1, as illustrated in the attached figures.
  • the fluid flow rates circulating in the inlet conduit I1 and in the auxiliary conduit W are regulated by suitably dimensioning the respective sections.
  • auxiliary conduit "W" directly connects the first distributor V1 with the mixing drawer "D".
  • the distributors V1, V2, V3 are of the three-way or four-way type. These valves operate so as to realise a plurality of operating configurations corresponding to different operating cycles of the machine 100.
  • the second distributor V2 can take on a first configuration in which it opens the outlet conduit U1 of the washing compartment C1, keeping the outlet conduit U2 of the hollow space C2 closed ( figure 2 ), a configuration in which it opens the outlet conduit U2 of the hollow space C2, keeping the outlet conduit U1 of the washing compartment C1 closed ( figure 3 ), and, preferably, also a third configuration in which it keeps both outlet conduits U1, U2 closed ( figure 1 ).
  • the other two distributors V1, V3 operate in an identical manner.
  • the distributors V1 and/or V2 and/or V3 can constitute distinct elements inside the water hook-up means or they can be incorporated in one or more valve assemblies.
  • the distributors and/or the valve assemblies can be substituted at least in part with pumps.
  • the hollow space C2 can involve any wall of the containment body 2. In particular it can involve at least a portion of the rear or front wall.
  • the incorporation of the hollow space C2 in the rear wall proves to be particularly advantageous when the latter is realised with a box-like structure (for the purpose of increasing the rigidity thereof).
  • inlet conduit I1 and the supply conduit A lead to the rear of the drum 104.
  • the conduit I1 and/or the conduit A could lead at the front part of the drum 104, directing the jet directly inside the drum 104 with the aim of aiding in the saturation of the laundry.
  • the containment body 2 is made of plastic material and comprises two reciprocally welded half-shells. Each half-shell is obtained by moulding. The moulding of the half-shell thus determines the formation of a portion of the hollow space C2.
  • the method comprises the following steps:
  • the method further comprises the following steps:
  • the method provides for transferring into the hollow space C2 at least a portion of the rinse water utilised in the washing compartment C1 in the penultimate rinse or in a preceding rinsing cycle.
  • the purpose is to avoid the transfer of the water present in the washing compartment C1 in the last rinsing cycle into the hollow space C2 (given that this water usually has fabric softener additives).
  • the operations for supplying water to the washing compartment C1 and for rinsing are carried out with each cycle.
  • the draining of the rinse water from the washing compartment C1 takes place with each cycle with the exception of one in which there is a transfer into the hollow space C2.
  • the method comprises the following steps:
  • auxiliary conduit "W” transfers to the mixing drawer “D” a portion of the wash/rinse water coming from the hollow space C2 and directed to the washing compartment C1. In any case, all of the water previously contained in the hollow space C2 can be utilised to carry out the washing of the laundry previously loaded in the drum 104.
  • the amount of wash water present in the washing compartment C1 is constantly measured, for example by means of a specific level transducer (not illustrated) applied in the washing compartment C1, and additional water can be drawn from the water supply by means of activation of the solenoid valve EV (run based on a filling signal supplied by the cited transducer) in the event that the wash cycle to be carried out requires more water than the water available from the hollow space C2, as shown in Figure 5 . If instead the hollow space C2 contains excess water with respect to the amount needed for the wash cycle, the excess water can be drained according to the logic illustrated in Figure 3 .
  • a level sensor (not illustrated) applied to the hollow space so as to monitor the water level therein and thus to monitor the filling thereof.
  • the present invention achieves the intended aims, overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.
  • the peculiar structure of the machine which implements the accumulation tank directly in the containment body of the rotary drum, makes it possible to bring about an optimal action consisting of the reduction of vibrations (and thus of noise) during the spin draining step, by providing for the filling of the tank prior to that step, rendering, in any case, the machine easily transportable owing to the reduction in weight made possible by the draining of the water from the accumulation tank.
  • this characteristic optimises the spaces inside the support frame of the washing machine, overcoming the necessity of having to provide special spaces for housing a separate accumulation tank and thus eliminating the critical structure-related issues existing in traditional machines. Moreover, the realisation of the latter inside the wall of the containment body of the rotary drum reduces assembly time for the machine.
  • the realisation of the accumulation tank by means of a hollow space around the drum makes it possible to improve the thermal efficiency of the machine: in fact, the result of leaving the hollow space empty when the water is being heated, is that the air contained therein brings about a stage of thermal insulation that obstructs heat loss, unlike the existing solutions in which the concrete counterweights, in addition to not providing thermal insulation, act as heat absorbers to the detriment of the overall thermal efficiency of the machine.
  • the present invention clearly reaches the goal of providing a laundry washing machine with an enhanced storage tank that can be manufactured with reduced assembly times.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
  • Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
EP12196053.8A 2011-12-22 2012-12-07 Washing machine with water storage tank Active EP2607540B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL12196053T PL2607540T3 (pl) 2011-12-22 2012-12-07 Pralka ze zbiornikiem do gromadzenia wody

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000088A ITRN20110088A1 (it) 2011-12-22 2011-12-22 Macchina lavabiancheria con serbatoio di accumulo dell'acqua.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2607540A1 EP2607540A1 (en) 2013-06-26
EP2607540B1 true EP2607540B1 (en) 2014-11-12

Family

ID=45814608

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12196053.8A Active EP2607540B1 (en) 2011-12-22 2012-12-07 Washing machine with water storage tank

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2607540B1 (pl)
ES (1) ES2529995T3 (pl)
IT (1) ITRN20110088A1 (pl)
PL (1) PL2607540T3 (pl)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106757989B (zh) * 2016-12-26 2020-04-21 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 一种洗衣机配重和洗衣机以及洗衣机的配重方法
IT201900005524A1 (it) * 2019-04-10 2020-10-10 J P Ind S P A Macchina lavatrice con sistema di contrappeso idraulico.
CN111979708B (zh) * 2019-05-24 2023-05-30 青岛海尔洗涤电器有限公司 一种洗衣机水盒及洗衣机
CN116536894A (zh) * 2022-01-25 2023-08-04 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 一种洗衣机水循环系统及洗衣机

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2626588B1 (fr) * 1988-01-28 1991-04-26 Martinez Georges Machine a laver le linge dont la cuve est equipee d'elements de lestage
IT1259200B (it) * 1992-01-09 1996-03-11 Zanussi Elettrodomestici Lavabiancheria con procedimento perfezionato di zavorra
ITTO20040489A1 (it) * 2004-07-14 2004-10-14 Itw Ind Components Srl Dispositivo per lo smorzamento di vibrazioni di un elemento di carico di un elettrodomestico, in particolare un gruppo vasca/cestello di una lavatrioce o un asciugatore.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITRN20110088A1 (it) 2013-06-23
EP2607540A1 (en) 2013-06-26
ES2529995T3 (es) 2015-02-25
PL2607540T3 (pl) 2015-05-29

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