EP3063328B1

EP3063328B1 - A washing machine comprising a cleaning agent dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP3063328B1
Application number: EP14819101.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Celal Vatansever; Emre AYAROGLU; Serkan ORHAN; Ersin Donmez; Mehmet MUTLUDOGAN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2013-11-01
Filing date: 2014-10-27
Publication date: 2019-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-27
Also published as: WO2015065300A1; EP3063328A1

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a dispenser wherein cleaning agents are placed.
In washing machines, cleaning agents like detergent, softener etc needed for the cleaning process are placed into a cleaning agent box. The washing water received from the mains is directed into the dispenser. The cleaning agent dissolved-melted by mixing with water is delivered into the washing tub together with the water. Cleaning agent boxes mostly comprise a dispenser having compartments wherein powder and/or liquid washing agents are placed and a flushing device that covers the dispenser and enables the water received from the mains to pass into the dispenser.
The said compartments and the flushing device remaining wet after the washing causes dirt to accumulate on the compartment and the flushing device in the course of time. The forming dirt causes mold formation if not cleaned and this situation is unfavorable in terms of hygiene. Therefore, the flushing device is required to be detachable. However, this situation creates difficulties in maintaining leak-proofing and creating a durable structure. Complex structures are required especially in order to supply the flushing device with different channels therein from different water channels. However, this increases production costs.
In the state of the art embodiments, the dispenser is washed and cleaned by being removed from the housing wherein it is placed.
In the state of the art Chinese Patent Application No. CN101864655 , a detergent dispenser that can be taken out of the washing machine for cleaning and an upper cover that is mounted thereon are described.
European Patent Application EP 1 607 509 A1 discloses a washing machine having a detergent supply device with a housing that consists of a lower case and an upper case. The upper case has a plurality of inlets connected with respective water supply pipes. A detergent container is detachably inserted into the housing and includes a plurality of detergent receiving chambers.
European Patent Application EP0927784A1 discloses a device for housing washing agents comprising one or more vessels for housing washing agents and one or more conduits for conveying respective flows of water to each of said vessels to remove the agent contained therein and the subsequent feeding of the same to the washing tub of the machine.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine comprising a cleaning agent dispenser which provides ease of utilization and ease of production.
The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a first water inlet and a second water inlet both positioned on the rear wall of the housing so as to extend in directions not parallel to one another and a flushing device that covers the upper side and the lateral sides of the first water inlet and the second water inlet when placed into the housing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device is placed over the dispenser by sliding and removed from the dispenser by sliding.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises a retainer that is disposed on the housing and that almost entirely surrounds the first water inlet and the second water inlet and a mounting extension that is disposed on the flushing device and that remains between the retainer and the water inlets when the flushing device is placed into the housing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device comprises a sealing element that is disposed on the mounting extension, extending outwards from the mounting extension, that bears against the periphery of the retainer when the flushing device is placed into the housing and that provides leak-proofing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device comprises a protrusion that is disposed on the mounting extension, extending outwards from the mounting extension and that bears against the periphery of the retainer when the flushing device is placed into the housing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device comprises a rib that extends backwards from the flushing device and that enables the flushing device to stay rigidly on the housing as the housing rear wall is seated thereon.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device comprises an orifice that remains almost under the mounting extension and that enables the water transferred from the first water inlet and the second water inlet into the flushing device to partially flow therethrough and be delivered into the housing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first water inlet and the second water inlet are manufactured integrated with the housing.
By means of the present invention, a cleaning agent dispenser is realized having a flushing device that can be easily mounted/dismounted by the user, with decreased production costs and improved leak-proofing.
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 exploded view of a washing machine cleaning agent box.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the flushing device and the housing while the flushing device is being placed into the housing in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 - is the top view of the flushing device when the flushing device is in the housing in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 - is the sideways cross-sectional view of the flushing device when the flushing device is in the housing in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 - is the top cross-sectional view of the flushing device when the flushing device is in the housing in an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine
2. Dispenser
3. Housing
4. Water conduit
5. Hole
6. Flushing device
7. First inlet
8. Second inlet
9. Retainer
10. Mounting extension
11. Sealing element
12. Protrusion
13. Rib
14. Orifice
15. Base
16. Lid
17. First channel
117. Second channel
217. Third channel

The washing machine (1) comprises a dispenser (2) wherein cleaning agents like detergent, softener etc. are placed and where the cleaning agents are mixed with water, a housing (3) wherein the dispenser (2) is placed, at least one water conduit (4) that carries water from the mains to the dispenser (2), a flushing device (6) mounted detachably over the housing (3) so as to cover the dispenser (2), enabling water to be directed into the dispenser (2) and having more than one hole (5) enabling water to pass into the dispenser (2), a first water inlet (7) that transfers the water received from the water conduit (4) to the flushing device (6) angularly and a second water inlet (8) that transfers the water received from the water conduit (4) to the flushing device (6) so as to block the water transferred from the first water inlet (7) (Figure 1, Figure 2).
The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) that are disposed on the rear wall of the housing (3) and extend diagonally, and the flushing device (6) that almost entirely covers the upper side and the lateral sides of the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) when placed into the housing (3) (Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6).
When the flushing device (6) is placed into the washing machine (1), the flushing device (6) surrounds the first inlet (7) and the second inlet (8) from above and the sides. Thus, the water sprayed from the first inlet (7) and the second inlet (8) can be directed into the flushing device (6) or the housing (3). The flushing device (6) comprises a first channel (17) that faces the first water inlet (7) and supplied by the first water inlet (7), a second channel (117) that is disposed on the flushing device (6), facing the second water inlet (8) and supplied by the second water inlet (8), and a third channel (217) that remains between the first channel (17) and the second channel (117), wherein the jets of water simultaneously sprayed from the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) flow after colliding with each other; and some of the water flows into the housing (3) while the third channel (217) is supplied.
The flushing device (6) is mounted on the dispenser (2) by being pushed over the housing (3) and dismounted from the dispenser (2) by being pulled from the housing (3). The user places the flushing device (6) into the washing machine (1) by pushing through the opening that is arranged on the washing machine (1) so as to be above the dispenser (2) which is placed into the housing (3) to remain over the housing (3). The user takes out the flushing device (6) by pulling outwards again from the said opening.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a retainer (9) that is disposed on the housing (3) and that almost entirely surrounds the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8), and a mounting extension (10) that is disposed on the flushing device (6) and that remains between the retainer (9) and the water inlets (7, 8) when the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3). When the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3), the mounting extension (10) contacts the upper and lateral peripheries of the retainer (9). Thus, water leakage from the said sides of the periphery is prevented.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device (6) comprises a sealing element (11) that is disposed on the mounting extension (10), that remains between the retainer (9) and the mounting extension (10) when the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3) and that prevents water from leaking out from between the retainer (9) and the mounting extension (10).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device (6) comprises a protrusion (12) that is disposed on the mounting extension (10), extending outwards from the mounting extension (10) and that bears against the periphery of the retainer (9) when the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device (6) comprises at least one rib (13) that contacts the upper part of the housing (3) rear wall when the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3). When the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3), one of the ribs (13) remain at the right side of the retainer (9) and the other at the left side thereof. The ribs (13) enable the flushing device (6) to be placed to the housing (3) at the rear side by being seated on the housing (3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device (6) comprises an orifice (14) that remains almost under the mounting extension (10) and that enables the water transferred from the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) into the flushing device (6) to partially flow therethrough and to be delivered into the housing (3). When the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3), the orifice (14) remains below the first inlet (7) and the second inlet (8) at a position close to the first inlet (7) and the second inlet (8). The water transferred from the water inlets (7, 8) to the channels (17, 117, 217) partially accumulates on the surface of the flushing device (6) before reaching the channels (17, 117, 217). By means of the orifice (14) the said accumulation does not occur and the water that would accumulate is transferred to the housing (3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) are produced integrated with the housing (3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing device (6) comprises a base (15) having holes (5) arranged thereon and a lid (16) that covers the base (15). When the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3), the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) both disposed at the upper part of the housing (3) rear wall are partially surrounded by the mounting extension (10) situated on the lid (16).
In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, bacteria formation at the dispenser (2) region is minimized by providing the removal and cleaning of the flushing device (6), thereby providing more hygienic utilization conditions. Furthermore, the need for producing a flushing device (6) with a complex structure is eliminated by means of the water inlets (7, 8) disposed on the housing (3) and production costs are decreased. Moreover, the leak-proofing desired by the manufacturer is provided between the flushing device (6) and the water inlets (7, 8) thereby increasing the efficiency of the flushing device (6).

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising
- a dispenser (2) wherein cleaning agents, like detergent or softener, can be placed and where the cleaning agents can be mixed with water from the mains,

- a housing (3) wherein the dispenser (2) is placed,

- at least one water conduit (4) that is adapted to carry said water from the mains to the dispenser (2),

- a flushing device (6) mounted over the housing (3) so as to cover the dispenser (2), enabling said water to be directed into the dispenser (2) and having more than one hole (5) enabling said water to pass into the dispenser (2),

- a first water inlet (7) that is adapted to transfer the water received from the water conduit (4) to the flushing device (6),

- a second water inlet (8) that is adapted to transfer the water received from the water conduit (4) to the flushing device (6), wherein the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) are both disposed so as to extend diagonally to one another, so that jets of said water simultaneously sprayable from the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) collide with each other,

- a first channel (17) that is disposed on the flushing device (6), that faces the first water inlet (7), and that can be supplied by the first water inlet (7),

- a second channel (117) that is disposed on the flushing device (6), that faces the second water inlet (8), and that can be supplied by the second water inlet (8),

- a third channel (217) that is disposed between the first channel (17) and the second channel (117), wherein jets of water simultaneously sprayable from the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) can flow after colliding with each other,
characterized in that
- the flushing device (6) is mounted detachably such that it can be mounted/dismounted by the user,

- the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) are both disposed on the rear wall of the housing (3),

- the flushing device (6) covers the upper side and the lateral sides of the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) when placed into the housing (3),

- the flushing device (6) is mounted on the dispenser (2) by being pushed over the housing (3) and dismounted from the dispenser (2) by being pulled from the housing (3).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a retainer (9) that is disposed on the housing (3) and that partially surrounds the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8), and by a mounting extension (10) that is disposed on the flushing device (6) and that remains between the retainer (9) and the water inlets (7, 8) when the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by a sealing element (11) that is disposed on the mounting extension (10), that remains between the retainer (9) and the mounting extension (10) when the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3) and that prevents water from leaking out from between the retainer (9) and the mounting extension (10).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 or 3, characterized by a protrusion (12) that is disposed on the mounting extension (10), extending outwards from the mounting extension (10) and that bears against the periphery of the retainer (9) when the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3) and that ends the movement of the flushing device (6) in the direction it is placed into the housing (3).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one rib (13) that is disposed on the flushing device (6) and that contacts the upper part of the housing (3) rear wall when the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by an orifice (14) that is arranged on the flushing device (6), that remains almost under the mounting extension (10) and that enables the water transferred from the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) into the flushing device (6) to partially flow therethrough and to be delivered into the housing (3).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) are produced integrated with the housing (3).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the flushing device (6) has a base (15) whereon holes (5) are arranged and a lid (16) that covers the base (15) and in that the first water inlet (7) and the second water inlet (8) are disposed at the upper part of the housing (3) rear wall and are partially surrounded by the mounting extension (10) situated on the lid (16) when the flushing device (6) is placed into the housing (3).