EP2902540A1 - Laundry washing machine - Google Patents
Laundry washing machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2902540A1 EP2902540A1 EP14193613.8A EP14193613A EP2902540A1 EP 2902540 A1 EP2902540 A1 EP 2902540A1 EP 14193613 A EP14193613 A EP 14193613A EP 2902540 A1 EP2902540 A1 EP 2902540A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- detergent
- laundry
- conduit
- washing machine
- basin
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000010412 laundry washing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 39
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 89
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 71
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000011049 filling Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000011068 loading method Methods 0.000 description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 electric power Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003134 recirculating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003252 repetitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
-
- 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
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
- D06F39/085—Arrangements or adaptations of pumps
-
- 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
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/088—Liquid supply arrangements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device and method for washing laundry, particularly a household laundry washing machine.
- the household laundry washing machines comprise a support and housing structure, inside which a washing tub is housed, which is provided with a front opening that can be closed by a porthole door frontally hinged to the housing.
- a drum to receive the laundry to be subjected to the washing operation is housed inside the washing tub, in a rotatable manner about a horizontal or inclined axis.
- the drum also defines a front opening arranged at the washing tub opening, in order to be able to carry out the laundry loading and unloading.
- the washing tub is suitable to hold the washing liquid during the laundry washing steps.
- a system for loading the washing water is provided for, which is connectable to the water supply system.
- a drain conduit is provided for on the washing tub bottom, with an associated drain pump that provides for the removal of the washing liquid from the tub and that controls, together with the loading system, the liquid level inside the tub.
- an electric resistor is provided for, which is arranged inside the tub in the interspace between the tub wall and the laundry drum.
- washing and washer-dryer machines of the prior art and the washing and drying methods implemented thereby, while being satisfactory from several aspects, are bulky and have a high consumption of water, electric power, and detergent.
- pumps are known, which are referred to as jet pumps or ejectors, which use the Venturi effect of a converging-diverging nozzle to convert the pressure energy of a motor fluid into velocity energy, which, in turn, creates a low pressure that draws and drags a driven fluid.
- the motor fluid and the dragged driven fluid may be liquids or gases.
- washing systems and methods a number of configurations of electric pumps and ejectors for recirculating the washing liquid from the tub bottom into the laundry drum of the laundry washing machine have been tested.
- the mains water and the detergent inserted in the washing tub instead of acting immediately and in an intense manner with the laundry, are inserted into the tub by gravity, thus initially building up on the washing tub bottom, and require energy to be pumped again (in the case of a washing system with recirculation) or dragged/lifted upwardly (by the rotation of the laundry drum) and let fall on the laundry drum bottom or inside it, where they finally contact the laundry.
- the detergent is not yet completely transferred from the detergent basin into the washing tub, and the portion of detergent brought into the tub is not evenly mixed with water, but tends to deposit on the tub bottom. Consequently, in the first washing steps the concentration of detergent in the laundry is undesirably low.
- the known automatic washing systems and methods are further generally lacking an initial step of direct "soaping" of the laundry, possibly associated to a rubbing operation, which is usual in the manual washing and of great help for a targeted and saving use of cleaning.
- the main object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a washing method, which have such characteristics as to obviate at least some of the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.
- Specific objects of embodiments of the invention are the increase of the washing efficiency, the reduction of the consumptions of detergent and water, the reduction of the overall energy usage for an automatic washing of the laundry, and the simplification of the washing system itself.
- a further object of the invention is to provide a laundry washing machine with an improved water and detergent supply system and, consequently, with improved washing performance.
- a laundry washing machine comprising:
- the detergent initially contained in the basin is rinsed away in a quicker and more complete manner, and it mixes in a more intense manner with the water.
- This mixture with a high detergent concentration instead of falling onto the washing tub bottom, is sprayed directly and with an accelerated jet (compared to the effect only of the gravity) onto the laundry within the laundry drum. Due to the drum rotation, the laundry is located from the start along a "satellized" ring along the drum circumferential wall, exposing a high amount of surface to the jet of the detergent mixture.
- a direct soaping of the laundry in the initial washing step is thus obtained, along with a mechanical action given by the hydrodynamic pressure of the spray. Furthermore, a deposition of unused detergent onto the tub bottom is obviated, since the mixture of water and detergent sprayed in the laundry within the drum, before being able to reach the outside of the rotating drum, has to pass through, hence to interact with the entire thickness of the laundry ring arranged along the cylindrical wall of the drum.
- a laundry washing machine 1 or washer-dryer machine intended as a particular embodiment of the laundry washing machine, comprises a support and housing structure 2, inside which a washing tub 3 is housed, which is provided with a front opening that is closable by a porthole door 4 frontally hinged to the housing 5.
- a drum 5 to receive the laundry to be subjected to the washing operation is housed inside the washing tub 3, in a rotatable manner about a horizontal or inclined axis.
- the drum 5 also defines a front opening arranged at the washing tub 3 opening, in order to be able to carry out the laundry loading and unloading.
- the washing tub 3 is suitable to hold the washing liquid during the laundry washing steps.
- washing water loading system may comprise a plurality of washing flow paths, extending, for example, from two supply electrovalves 6, 7, through respective detergent compartments 11 of a detergent basin 12, up into the washing tub 3.
- a drain conduit 9 connects to the bottom 12 of the washing tub 3, with associated drain pump 10 which provides for the removal of the washing liquid from the tub 3 and which controls, together with the supply electrovalves 6, 7 the liquid level within the tub 3.
- an electric coil resistor 11 may be provided for, which is arranged inside the tub 3, particularly on the tub bottom 12, in the interspace between the wall of the tub 3 and the laundry 5.
- the laundry drum 5 may be actuated in rotation by an electric motor 13 and a transmission 14, for example a belt.
- the operation of the laundry washing machine 1 is controlled by an electronic, electric, or electromechanical control unit 15, operatively connected to a user control interface 16 which is located at an outer wall of the support structure 2 and which allows selecting the washing cycles and the characteristics thereof.
- the control unit 15 controls the various components of the laundry washing machine 1 to automatically carry out the washing of the laundry.
- the laundry washing machine 1 comprises:
- the detergent initially contained in the basin is rinsed away in a quicker and more complete manner, and it mixes in a more intense manner with the water.
- This mixture with a high detergent concentration instead of falling onto the washing tub 3 bottom, is sprayed directly (onto the laundry) in the laundry drum 5.
- a direct soaping of the laundry in the initial washing step is thus obtained, along with a mechanical action given by the hydrodynamic pressure of the spray. Furthermore, a deposition of unused detergent onto the tub bottom 3 is obviated, since the mixture of water and detergent sprayed in the drum 5, before being able to reach the outside of the rotating drum, has to pass through, hence to interact with the entire thickness of the laundry ring arranged along the cylindrical wall 20 of the drum 5.
- the pumping means comprise an ejector 19 with a motor fluid inlet opening 21 connectable to the water supply system by one of the electrovalves 6, 7, a suction opening 22, and an outlet opening 23 that are connected in the second conduit 18, as illustrated e.g., in Fig. 2 .
- the invention also contemplates the use of alternative pumping means, e.g., an electric pump.
- the motor fluid inlet opening 21 of the ejector 19 is connected to a third conduit 24 branching directly from the first conduit 17 in a branch point 25 upstream of the detergent basin 8.
- a partial flow 26 ( Fig. 2 ) of mains water is directed into the ejector 19, where it performs the function of motor fluid for the pumping operation.
- a concomitant filling with liquid of the detergent basin 8 and the conduits connected to the ejector 19 is obtained, without any needs for a further synchronization of the introduction of water in the detergent basin 8 and the pumping means.
- control unit 15 of the laundry washing machine 1 is configured so as to rotate the laundry drum 5 and simultaneously spraying the mixture of water and detergent suctioned from the detergent basin 8 into the laundry drum 5.
- the rotational motion and the centrifugal force arrange and distribute the laundry in an annular zone along the (cylindrical or conical) side wall 20 of the drum 5 and make it pass continuously under the jet or spray of the water-detergent mixture, which thus reaches directly a large laundry surface.
- the second supply conduit has a plurality of outlet openings or nozzles 27 so as to produce a plurality of individual jets directed onto different areas within the laundry drum 5, preferably on areas of the inner surface of the side wall 20 along which the laundry subjected to the washing is arranged.
- the nozzle(s) 27 preferably face the front opening of the laundry drum 5 so as to directly spray through that opening to the inside thereof.
- the nozzle(s) 27 are located at an elastic gasket 28 formed between the front opening of the tub 3 and the housing 2, as shown, for example, in the Figs. 6 and 8 .
- the second conduit 18 branches downstream of the pumping means, forming two conduit lengths 29, 30 connected to nozzles 27 that are mutually spaced apart and arranged, for example, on two opposite sides of the front opening of the tub 3 ( Figs. 1 and 8 ).
- the ejector 19 can be arranged in an otherwise unused space between the detergent basin 8 and the washing tub 3, preferably in the upper third of the height of the tub 3 ( Fig. 6 ). In order to obviate the risk of damages due to the vibrations of the tub 3, the ejector 19 is advantageously located in the proximity of an outer side of the detergent basin 8 facing away from the tub 3.
- the detergent basin 8 forms a first tank cavity 31 with a first discharge opening 32 formed in a bottom wall of the first tank cavity 31 and connected to the second conduit 18. Adjacent to the first tank cavity 31 a second tank cavity 33 is formed, with a second discharge opening 34 formed in a bottom wall of the second tank cavity 33 and connected by a descending conduit 35 directly to the washing tank 3. Between the first 31 and the second tank cavity 33, a partition wall 36 is formed, with a predetermined height defining an isolated maximum filling level only of the first tank cavity 31.
- the mains water coming from the first conduit 17 is directed, for example, guided by the shape of the detergent compartments above, in the first tank cavity 31 and, only when the maximum filling level is exceeded, it overflows an upper edge 37 of the partition wall 36 from the first tank cavity 31 into the second tank cavity 33.
- a further supply conduit (fifth conduit 38) can be provided for, which connects a second supply valve 7 in flow communication with the detergent basin 8 so as to be able to direct a further flow of mains water in the detergent basin 8 and, by the selection and combination of the two independent flows (e.g., single flow from the first conduit, single flow from the fifth conduit or crossed flow from the first and fifth conduit) rinsing detergents and additives from different detergent compartments of the detergent basin 8.
- the laundry drum 5 has a loading opening, for example, a casement loading opening, formed in a side wall of the drum 5 and that can be overlapped by an upper opening of the washing tub and the support structure, which may be closed and opened by a hinged lid.
- the detergent basin can be preferably formed or connected directly to the hinged lid, and it is arranged in flow connection with the several conduits at least when the lid is closed (operative state of the machine).
- the laundry washing machine 1 may further comprise a system for the recirculation of the washing liquid from the tub bottom to the laundry drum, similarly to the recirculation systems described with reference to the prior art.
- the present invention also relates to the washing method described with exemplary reference to the washing machine 1, and the characteristic thereof are not repeated herein for the sake of brevity.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a device and method for washing laundry, particularly a household laundry washing machine.
- The household laundry washing machines comprise a support and housing structure, inside which a washing tub is housed, which is provided with a front opening that can be closed by a porthole door frontally hinged to the housing. A drum to receive the laundry to be subjected to the washing operation is housed inside the washing tub, in a rotatable manner about a horizontal or inclined axis. The drum also defines a front opening arranged at the washing tub opening, in order to be able to carry out the laundry loading and unloading.
- The washing tub is suitable to hold the washing liquid during the laundry washing steps.
- In order to allow the loading of the tub with mains water and detergent substances and additives, a system for loading the washing water is provided for, which is connectable to the water supply system. A drain conduit is provided for on the washing tub bottom, with an associated drain pump that provides for the removal of the washing liquid from the tub and that controls, together with the loading system, the liquid level inside the tub. In order to heat the washing liquid contained in the tub, an electric resistor is provided for, which is arranged inside the tub in the interspace between the tub wall and the laundry drum.
- The washing and washer-dryer machines of the prior art, and the washing and drying methods implemented thereby, while being satisfactory from several aspects, are bulky and have a high consumption of water, electric power, and detergent.
- In order to decrease the consumption of water and detergent, it is known to provide the laundry washing machines with recirculation systems that remove the washing liquid from the tub bottom (where it builds up still before wetting the laundry inside the drum) and put it back into the laundry drum, so that a reduced liquid volume is repeatedly poured onto the laundry to be washed. Such recirculation systems typically use an electric recirculation pump that, however, consumes electric power, in addition to increase the manufacturing cost and the overall dimensions of the laundry washing machine.
- Furthermore, pumps are known, which are referred to as jet pumps or ejectors, which use the Venturi effect of a converging-diverging nozzle to convert the pressure energy of a motor fluid into velocity energy, which, in turn, creates a low pressure that draws and drags a driven fluid. The motor fluid and the dragged driven fluid may be liquids or gases.
- During the testing of washing systems and methods, a number of configurations of electric pumps and ejectors for recirculating the washing liquid from the tub bottom into the laundry drum of the laundry washing machine have been tested. Some washing systems and methods that have been tested and are the object of a not yet published patent applications, provide for the use of an ejector as a recirculation pump in order to save electric power and reduce the overall dimensions of the laundry washing machine.
- However, the washing methods and systems with or without recirculation of the washing liquid known to date have some drawbacks, which have not solved to date.
- The mains water and the detergent inserted in the washing tub, instead of acting immediately and in an intense manner with the laundry, are inserted into the tub by gravity, thus initially building up on the washing tub bottom, and require energy to be pumped again (in the case of a washing system with recirculation) or dragged/lifted upwardly (by the rotation of the laundry drum) and let fall on the laundry drum bottom or inside it, where they finally contact the laundry.
- Furthermore, in the first washing steps, the detergent is not yet completely transferred from the detergent basin into the washing tub, and the portion of detergent brought into the tub is not evenly mixed with water, but tends to deposit on the tub bottom. Consequently, in the first washing steps the concentration of detergent in the laundry is undesirably low.
- Finally, the repetitive recirculation, necessary to bring the detergent deposited on the tub bottom in contact with the laundry inside the laundry drum, although it could be done with electric pumps with high efficiency or by an ejector, involves operating costs and consumption of electric power and water.
- The known automatic washing systems and methods are further generally lacking an initial step of direct "soaping" of the laundry, possibly associated to a rubbing operation, which is usual in the manual washing and of great help for a targeted and saving use of cleaning.
- Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a washing method, which have such characteristics as to obviate at least some of the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.
- Specific objects of embodiments of the invention are the increase of the washing efficiency, the reduction of the consumptions of detergent and water, the reduction of the overall energy usage for an automatic washing of the laundry, and the simplification of the washing system itself.
- A further object of the invention is to provide a laundry washing machine with an improved water and detergent supply system and, consequently, with improved washing performance.
- These and other objects are achieved by a laundry washing machine comprising:
- a laundry drum supported within a washing tub suitable to hold a washing liquid,
- a detergent basin suitable to hold a detergent,
- a first supply valve connectable to the water supply system and a first supply conduit connecting the first supply valve in flow communication with the detergent basin so as to supply mains water in the detergent basin,
- a second supply conduit connecting the detergent basin in flow communication with the interior of the laundry drum,
- pumping means connected to the second supply conduit and actuatable for suctioning mains water along with the detergent from the detergent basin and spraying the suctioned mixture of water and detergent directly onto the laundry within the laundry drum.
- By virtue of the forced suctioning of the detergent basin, the detergent initially contained in the basin is rinsed away in a quicker and more complete manner, and it mixes in a more intense manner with the water. This mixture with a high detergent concentration, instead of falling onto the washing tub bottom, is sprayed directly and with an accelerated jet (compared to the effect only of the gravity) onto the laundry within the laundry drum. Due to the drum rotation, the laundry is located from the start along a "satellized" ring along the drum circumferential wall, exposing a high amount of surface to the jet of the detergent mixture.
- A direct soaping of the laundry in the initial washing step is thus obtained, along with a mechanical action given by the hydrodynamic pressure of the spray. Furthermore, a deposition of unused detergent onto the tub bottom is obviated, since the mixture of water and detergent sprayed in the laundry within the drum, before being able to reach the outside of the rotating drum, has to pass through, hence to interact with the entire thickness of the laundry ring arranged along the cylindrical wall of the drum.
- By spraying the water-detergent mixture from the detergent basin directly into the laundry drum, the need to (and the energy consumption necessary to) lift the detergent from the tub bottom and recirculate it in the laundry drum is further obviated.
- Further advantageous aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of some embodiments thereof by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended Figures, in which
-
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a laundry washing machine according to an embodiment of the invention; -
Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of a laundry washing machine according to a further embodiment of the invention; -
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a detergent basin (with lid removed) of a laundry washing machine according to an embodiment of the invention; -
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the detergent basin inFig. 3 ; -
Fig. 5 is a top view of the detergent basin inFig. 3 ; -
Fig. 6 shows the conduction system of the washing liquid into a laundry washing machine according to an embodiment, in which the outer housing and some other components of the laundry washing machine are omitted; -
Fig. 7 is a side view of the system inFig. 6 ; -
Fig. 8 shows a front view of the system inFig. 6 , as well as an embodiment variation indicated by hatched lines; - With reference to the figures, a
laundry washing machine 1 or washer-dryer machine, intended as a particular embodiment of the laundry washing machine, comprises a support andhousing structure 2, inside which awashing tub 3 is housed, which is provided with a front opening that is closable by aporthole door 4 frontally hinged to thehousing 5. Adrum 5 to receive the laundry to be subjected to the washing operation is housed inside thewashing tub 3, in a rotatable manner about a horizontal or inclined axis. Thedrum 5 also defines a front opening arranged at thewashing tub 3 opening, in order to be able to carry out the laundry loading and unloading. - The
washing tub 3 is suitable to hold the washing liquid during the laundry washing steps. - In order to allow the loading of the
tub 3 with mains water and detergent substances and additives, a system for loading the washing water is provided for, which is connectable to the water supply system. Such washing water loading system may comprise a plurality of washing flow paths, extending, for example, from twosupply electrovalves respective detergent compartments 11 of adetergent basin 12, up into thewashing tub 3. - A
drain conduit 9 connects to thebottom 12 of thewashing tub 3, with associateddrain pump 10 which provides for the removal of the washing liquid from thetub 3 and which controls, together with thesupply electrovalves tub 3. - In order to heat the washing liquid contained in the
tub 3, anelectric coil resistor 11 may be provided for, which is arranged inside thetub 3, particularly on thetub bottom 12, in the interspace between the wall of thetub 3 and thelaundry 5. - For the stirring and mixing of the laundry with the washing liquid, the
laundry drum 5 may be actuated in rotation by anelectric motor 13 and atransmission 14, for example a belt. - The operation of the
laundry washing machine 1 is controlled by an electronic, electric, orelectromechanical control unit 15, operatively connected to auser control interface 16 which is located at an outer wall of thesupport structure 2 and which allows selecting the washing cycles and the characteristics thereof. In response to the selections carried out by the user by theuser interface 16, thecontrol unit 15 controls the various components of thelaundry washing machine 1 to automatically carry out the washing of the laundry. - According to an embodiment, the
laundry washing machine 1 comprises: - a
first conduit 17 connecting afirst supply valve 6 in flow communication with thedetergent basin 8 so as to supply mains water in thedetergent basin 8, - a
second conduit 18 connecting thedetergent basin 8 in flow communication with the interior of thelaundry drum 5, and - pumping means connected to the
second supply conduit 18 and actuatable for suctioning mains water along with the detergent from thedetergent basin 8 and for spraying the suctioned mixture of water and detergent directly onto the laundry within thelaundry drum 5. - By virtue of the forced suctioning of the
detergent basin 8, the detergent initially contained in the basin is rinsed away in a quicker and more complete manner, and it mixes in a more intense manner with the water. This mixture with a high detergent concentration, instead of falling onto thewashing tub 3 bottom, is sprayed directly (onto the laundry) in thelaundry drum 5. - A direct soaping of the laundry in the initial washing step is thus obtained, along with a mechanical action given by the hydrodynamic pressure of the spray. Furthermore, a deposition of unused detergent onto the
tub bottom 3 is obviated, since the mixture of water and detergent sprayed in thedrum 5, before being able to reach the outside of the rotating drum, has to pass through, hence to interact with the entire thickness of the laundry ring arranged along thecylindrical wall 20 of thedrum 5. - By spraying the water-detergent mixture from the
detergent basin 8 directly into thelaundry drum 5, the need to (and the energy consumption necessary to) lift the detergent and the water from the tub bottom and recirculate it in thelaundry drum 5 is further obviated. - In accordance with an embodiment, the pumping means comprise an
ejector 19 with a motor fluid inlet opening 21 connectable to the water supply system by one of theelectrovalves suction opening 22, and anoutlet opening 23 that are connected in thesecond conduit 18, as illustrated e.g., inFig. 2 . - By virtue of the use of the
ejector 19 to pump the liquid from thedetergent basin 8 into thelaundry drum 5, a further electric power saving is obtained, as well as a reduction of the overall dimensions and the manufacturing cost compared to the use of an electric pump. - However, the invention also contemplates the use of alternative pumping means, e.g., an electric pump.
- According to an embodiment, the motor fluid inlet opening 21 of the
ejector 19 is connected to athird conduit 24 branching directly from thefirst conduit 17 in abranch point 25 upstream of thedetergent basin 8. - In this manner, during the supply of mains water into the
detergent basin 8, a partial flow 26 (Fig. 2 ) of mains water is directed into theejector 19, where it performs the function of motor fluid for the pumping operation. - In addition to the suction effect, also the geometry of the Venturi with narrowing and the abrupt speed and flow direction changes within the
ejector 19 concur to an intense mixing between the detergent and the mains water before the application thereof onto the laundry. - Branching the flow of the ejector motor fluid directly from the
first conduit 17, a functional and control simplification is further obtained. In fact, by actuating thefirst supply valve 6, a concomitant filling with liquid of thedetergent basin 8 and the conduits connected to theejector 19 is obtained, without any needs for a further synchronization of the introduction of water in thedetergent basin 8 and the pumping means. - In an embodiment, the
control unit 15 of thelaundry washing machine 1 is configured so as to rotate thelaundry drum 5 and simultaneously spraying the mixture of water and detergent suctioned from thedetergent basin 8 into thelaundry drum 5. - In this manner, the rotational motion and the centrifugal force arrange and distribute the laundry in an annular zone along the (cylindrical or conical)
side wall 20 of thedrum 5 and make it pass continuously under the jet or spray of the water-detergent mixture, which thus reaches directly a large laundry surface. - In a further embodiment, the second supply conduit has a plurality of outlet openings or
nozzles 27 so as to produce a plurality of individual jets directed onto different areas within thelaundry drum 5, preferably on areas of the inner surface of theside wall 20 along which the laundry subjected to the washing is arranged. - The nozzle(s) 27 preferably face the front opening of the
laundry drum 5 so as to directly spray through that opening to the inside thereof. Advantageously, the nozzle(s) 27 are located at anelastic gasket 28 formed between the front opening of thetub 3 and thehousing 2, as shown, for example, in theFigs. 6 and8 . - In an embodiment, the
second conduit 18 branches downstream of the pumping means, forming twoconduit lengths nozzles 27 that are mutually spaced apart and arranged, for example, on two opposite sides of the front opening of the tub 3 (Figs. 1 and8 ). - The
ejector 19 can be arranged in an otherwise unused space between thedetergent basin 8 and thewashing tub 3, preferably in the upper third of the height of the tub 3 (Fig. 6 ). In order to obviate the risk of damages due to the vibrations of thetub 3, theejector 19 is advantageously located in the proximity of an outer side of thedetergent basin 8 facing away from thetub 3. - In an embodiment, the
detergent basin 8 forms afirst tank cavity 31 with a first discharge opening 32 formed in a bottom wall of thefirst tank cavity 31 and connected to thesecond conduit 18. Adjacent to the first tank cavity 31 asecond tank cavity 33 is formed, with a second discharge opening 34 formed in a bottom wall of thesecond tank cavity 33 and connected by a descendingconduit 35 directly to thewashing tank 3. Between the first 31 and thesecond tank cavity 33, apartition wall 36 is formed, with a predetermined height defining an isolated maximum filling level only of thefirst tank cavity 31. The mains water coming from thefirst conduit 17 is directed, for example, guided by the shape of the detergent compartments above, in thefirst tank cavity 31 and, only when the maximum filling level is exceeded, it overflows anupper edge 37 of thepartition wall 36 from thefirst tank cavity 31 into thesecond tank cavity 33. - In this manner, it is possible to produce in the second conduit 18 a liquid column that increase the hydrostatic pressure and provide a liquid build-up that ensures the continuity of the flow in the pumping means. In the case of an excessive build-up, the excess liquid may freely overflow in the
second tank cavity 33 and fall by gravity through the descendingconduit 35 into thewashing tub 3. - In addition to the
first conduit 17, a further supply conduit (fifth conduit 38) can be provided for, which connects asecond supply valve 7 in flow communication with thedetergent basin 8 so as to be able to direct a further flow of mains water in thedetergent basin 8 and, by the selection and combination of the two independent flows (e.g., single flow from the first conduit, single flow from the fifth conduit or crossed flow from the first and fifth conduit) rinsing detergents and additives from different detergent compartments of thedetergent basin 8. - The description hereto provided relates to a front loading laundry washing machine. However, the concepts of the invention can be similarly applied also to top loading laundry washing machines. In such machines, the
laundry drum 5 has a loading opening, for example, a casement loading opening, formed in a side wall of thedrum 5 and that can be overlapped by an upper opening of the washing tub and the support structure, which may be closed and opened by a hinged lid. In the top loading laundry washing machines, the detergent basin can be preferably formed or connected directly to the hinged lid, and it is arranged in flow connection with the several conduits at least when the lid is closed (operative state of the machine). - The
laundry washing machine 1 may further comprise a system for the recirculation of the washing liquid from the tub bottom to the laundry drum, similarly to the recirculation systems described with reference to the prior art. - Finally, the present invention also relates to the washing method described with exemplary reference to the
washing machine 1, and the characteristic thereof are not repeated herein for the sake of brevity. - It shall be apparent that, to the laundry washing machine and the washing method according to the present invention, those skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent, specific needs, will be able to make further modifications and variations, all of which anyhow fall within the protection scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
Claims (10)
- A laundry washing machine (1) comprising:- a laundry drum (5) supported within a washing tub (3) suitable to hold a washing liquid,- a detergent basin (8) suitable to hold a detergent,- a first supply valve (6) connectable to the water supply system, and a first supply conduit (17) connecting the first supply valve (6) in flow communication with the detergent basin (8) so as to supply mains water in the detergent basin (8),- a second conduit (18) connecting the detergent basin (8) in flow communication with the interior of the laundry drum (5), and- pumping means (19) connected to the second supply conduit (18) and actuatable for suctioning mains water along with the detergent from the detergent basin (8) and for spraying the suctioned mixture of water and detergent directly into the laundry drum (5).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pumping means comprise an ejector (19) with a motor fluid inlet opening (21) connectable to the water supply, a suction opening (22) and an outlet opening (23) that are connected in the second conduit (18).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein the motor fluid inlet opening (21) of the ejector (19) is connected to a third conduit (24) branching directly from the first conduit (17) in a branch point (25) upstream of the detergent basin (8).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the laundry washing machine (1) is configured so as to rotate the laundry drum (5) and to concomitantly actuate the pumping means (19) so as to spray a mixture of water and detergent suctioned from the detergent basin (8) in the inside of the rotating laundry drum (5).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second supply conduit has a plurality of nozzles (27) directing a plurality of individual jets onto different areas within the laundry drum (5).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second supply conduit has one or more nozzles (27) facing a front opening of the laundry drum (5) and spray directly through said front opening into the laundry drum (5).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 6, wherein said one or more nozzles (27) are located at a gasket (28) that is formed between a front opening of the tub (3) and a housing (2) of the laundry washing machine (1).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 7, wherein the second conduit (18) branches downstream of the pumping means (19), forming two conduit lengths (29, 30) connected to nozzles (27) that are mutually spaced apart and arranged on two opposite sides of the front opening of the tub (3).
- Washing machine (1) according to one of the claims 2 to 8, wherein the ejector (19) is arranged on a side of the detergent basin (8) facing away from the tub (3) in the upper third of the tub (3) height.
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detergent basin (8) forms:- a first tank cavity (31) with a first discharge opening (32) formed in a bottom wall of the first tank cavity (31) and connected to the second conduit (18),- a second tank cavity (33) with a second discharge opening (34) formed in a bottom wall of the second tank cavity (33) and connected by a descending conduit (35) to the washing tank (3),- a partition wall (36) between the first tank cavity (31) and the second tank cavity (33), said wall having a predetermined height defining a maximum filling level of the first tank cavity (31),wherein the detergent basin (8) has such an internal shape as to guide the liquid in the first tank cavity (31) from which it overflows, only when the maximum filling level is exceeded, passing over an upper free edge (37) of the partition wall (36) in the second tank cavity (33).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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ITMI20140123 | 2014-01-30 |
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EP2902540A1 true EP2902540A1 (en) | 2015-08-05 |
EP2902540B1 EP2902540B1 (en) | 2020-11-04 |
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EP14193613.8A Active EP2902540B1 (en) | 2014-01-30 | 2014-11-18 | Laundry washing machine |
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EP (1) | EP2902540B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN104818595B (en) |
RU (1) | RU2685100C2 (en) |
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US20150238066A1 (en) * | 2013-08-16 | 2015-08-27 | Hangzhou Kambayashi Electronic Co., Ltd. | Detergent Release Controller |
US10294604B2 (en) | 2017-06-22 | 2019-05-21 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Dryer appliance and additive dispensing assembly |
US10344419B2 (en) | 2016-11-08 | 2019-07-09 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Washing machine appliance and additive dispensing assembly |
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EP3633095A1 (en) * | 2018-10-04 | 2020-04-08 | Miele & Cie. KG | Washing machine with a water supply arrangement |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2902540B1 (en) | 2020-11-04 |
RU2015102947A (en) | 2016-08-20 |
CN104818595B (en) | 2020-09-29 |
CN104818595A (en) | 2015-08-05 |
RU2685100C2 (en) | 2019-04-16 |
RU2015102947A3 (en) | 2018-07-13 |
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