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 
  • D06F39/40—Steam generating arrangements
• • 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
  • D06F39/022—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents in a liquid state
• • 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
  • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 

Definitions

• the invention relates to a laundry washing apparatus and a method for washing and refreshing laundry.
• CH 695 383 A5 discloses a washing apparatus with a steam generator. After a washing and spinning operation fresh water is supplied to a tub of the washing machine to a level where the laundry in the drum is not wetted by the water. The water in the tub is heated with a heater to generate steam which is supplied into the drum to de- wrinkle the laundry.
• a laundry washing apparatus is provided.
• the present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to laundry washing machines as well as laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines having drying function).
• laundry washing-drying machines i.e. laundry washing machines having drying function.
• 'laundry washing apparatus' refers to both, laundry washing machines and laundry washing machines having a drying function (washer-dryer).
• the washing apparatus comprises a tub, a rotatable drum arranged in the tub which is adapted to receive laundry to be treated therein.
• a liquid reservoir forms part of a lower portion of the tub and is adapted to receive liquids like water and laundry treatment agent(s), for example washing agent, softener and refreshing agent.
• a heating device is provided which is adapted to heat liquid in the liquid reservoir.
• a heating device may comprise a heating element like a heating coil which is located in the liquid reservoir, such that the heating element is immersed in the liquid which is to be heated.
• the apparatus further comprises a water supply device which is adapted to supply water into the liquid reservoir and a draining device which is adapted to drain liquids from the liquid reservoir to the outside of the washing apparatus.
• a washing agent supply device is adapted to supply washing agent into the liquid reservoir and/or to the laundry.
• a refreshing agent supply device comprises a refreshing agent storing compartment and is adapted to supply refreshing agent into the liquid reservoir.
• the refreshing agent supply device is arranged and designed such as to supply the refreshing agent into the tub without the refreshing agent passing through the drum. I.e. the supplied refreshing agent does not contact the laundry arranged inside the drum while it is supplied to the liquid reservoir or tub.
• a refreshing agent may be one or more of a fragrance or perfume, an odor removal additive, a wrinkle removal additive or a combination of these agents.
• the washing machine comprises a control unit for controlling the operation of the washing machine.
• a washing cycle select part is provided such that a user may select at least one washing cycle.
• a refreshing course select part is provided such that a user may select at least one refreshing cycle for refreshing the laundry.
• a refreshing cycle may depend on the amount of laundry and/or type of laundry, e.g. cotton, synthetic or wool.
• a refreshing cycle may be selected depending on the respective purpose (or refreshment agent), e.g. to perfume, to remove odor, to remove wrinkles.
• a refreshing cycle may be selected depending on its duration, e.g. a fast refreshing cycle or a (normal) refreshing cycle with a longer cycle time, such that a user may select a refreshing cycle depending on his or her available time. For example a user may select the duration of the refreshing cycle by means of the refreshing course select part.
• control unit When a refreshing cycle has been selected via the refreshing cycle select part, the control unit is adapted to:
• the activity of the draining device during the supply of water into the liquid reservoir may be restricted to a passive action by not draining liquid from liquid reservoir.
• the draining device can have an active role in achieving the targeted liquid level during the 5 supply of liquid(s) into the liquid reservoir such as to avoid that the liquid does not contact the drum (even or for example in case of liquid expansion during heating by a continued level monitoring and liquid draining, of required, after the initial filling of the liquid to the liquid reservoir). For example, if it is determined that during the supply of liquid(s) a targeted or predetermined liquid level is exceeded, liquid can be drained out of the liquid o reservoir by activating the draining device. Also after the liquid supply to the liquid
• liquid may be drained out of the liquid reservoir by activating the draining device at least until the predetermined level is achieved again or slightly undershot.
• steps (i) and (ii) may be carried out one after the other or alternatively may be carried out simultaneously or basically simultaneously.
• a refreshing agent may be supplied into the reservoir together with the water supplied in step (ii).
• the storing compartment containing the refreshing agent may be flushed with water supplied 0 by the water supply device into the liquid reservoir.
• the vapor generated in step (iii) is supplied from the tub or liquid reservoir via perforations of the drum to the laundry inside the drum, such that no additional steam pipe or guiding means is necessary to supply generated vapor into the drum.
• a further advantage is that the refreshing agent is evaporated with water, whereby a synergetic effect of the vaporized 5 refreshing agent and the generated steam is achieved. The effect of the vaporized
• the refreshing agent is enhanced due to the simultaneously generated steam.
• the refreshing agent is homogeneously distributed in the liquid reservoir.
• a homogeneous delivery of the refreshing agent to the laundry is provided.
• the refreshing agent is vaporized a generation of droplets which may cause stains on the laundry is prevented - when comparing above vapor supply to a supply of a refreshing 5 agent as a spray.
• the refreshing agent storing compartment is arranged in a detergent drawer of the apparatus.
• the detergent drawer is a drawer which may have several separate compartments for receiving different treatment agent(s) for treating laundry, like pre-wash o agent, main-wash detergent and laundry softener.
• the detergent drawer may have a
• refreshing agent storing compartment which is provided additionally to the above mentioned 'standard' compartments.
• one of the above mentioned (standard) compartments of the detergent drawer may be used for receiving a refreshing agent.
• a compartment for a softening agent for example a compartment for a softening agent.
• the storing compartment is adapted to be manually filled by a user.
• the refreshing agent supply device may comprise an auto dosing system which is adapted to supply a dosed amount of refreshing agent to the liquid reservoir under the control of the control unit.
• This embodiment prevents an under-dosing or over-dosing of a refreshing agent.
• the control unit may control the auto dosing system to provide a particular amount of refreshing agent e.g. depending on the type of laundry or on the 5 amount of laundry in the drum.
• the type or weight of laundry may be determined by a user selection. Alternatively the weight of the laundry may be determined by means of respective weight sensors of the washing machine.
• the heating device is arranged inside the lower portion of the tub or is arranged o within the liquid reservoir, wherein the heating device may be additionally used to heat washing water during a washing operation of the washing machine.
• the water supply device is designed such that water supplied into the tub does not flow through the drum.
• a flow channel of the 5 water supply device is arranged such that fresh water flows in the gap between the inner surface of the tub and the outer surface of the drum, in particular along an inner surface of the tub, without wetting the laundry in drum.
• water is directly supplied into the liquid reservoir, i.e. a water outlet of the water supply device opens into the liquid reservoir. Thereby it is prevented that (dry) laundry to be refreshed, is (unnecessarily or unintentionally) wetted prior to the refreshing operation or vapor generation.
• a method of refreshing laundry in a washing apparatus comprises: a tub, a rotatable drum arranged in the tub and adapted to receive laundry to be treated therein, a liquid reservoir forming part of a lower portion of the tub for receiving liquids like water and washing agent, a heating device adapted to heat liquid in the liquid o reservoir, a water supply device to supply water into the liquid reservoir, a draining device adapted to drain liquids from the liquid reservoir to the outside of the washing apparatus, a washing agent supply device adapted to supply washing agent, and a refreshing agent supply device comprising a refreshing agent storing compartment and being adapted to supply refreshing agent into the liquid reservoir, wherein the refreshing agent supply 5 device is arranged and designed such as to supply the refreshing agent into the tub without passing through the drum.
• the refreshing method comprises:
• the treatment apparatus comprises a mixing device to mix liquid in the liquid reservoir, in particular after the supply of water and refreshing agent into the liquid reservoir prior to vapor generation.
• the refreshing agent is homogeneously distributed in the liquid reservoir, such that the generated vapor comprises a homogeneous composition for a uniform treatment of the laundry.
• the above mixing device provides that prior to vapor generation a refreshing agent which may be supplied in solid form, e.g. a powder, is completely dissolved in the water supplied to the 5 liquid reservoir.
• the mixing device comprises a recirculation pump which is adapted to recirculate liquid from/to the liquid reservoir or is adapted to swirl the liquid within the liquid reservoir (lower portion of the tub).
• the mixing device o additionally comprises a recirculation circuit or piping through which the liquid is sucked or extracted from the liquid reservoir to the pump and/or the liquid is conveyed back to the liquid reservoir.
• the liquid in the liquid reservoir is heated to a temperature between 60°C to5 70°C.
• the low temperature (below 100°C or below boiling point of the liquid/water) provides that refreshing agent does not degrade and additionally reduces the power consumption of the washing apparatus during a refreshing cycle.
• the liquid reservoir may be rinsed after a refreshing cycle to remove any residual o refreshing agent inside the liquid reservoir after a refreshing cycle or refreshing operation.
• the liquid reservoir is drained after a refreshing cycle and subsequently filled with fresh water.
• the mixing device mixes or circulates the fresh water in the liquid reservoir to thoroughly rinse or flush the reservoir. Afterwards the water is drained from the liquid reservoir.
• the liquid reservoir may be rinsed and/or spun before a refreshing cycle to remove possible residual treatment or washing agent like washing detergent and laundry softener inside the liquid reservoir.
• (fresh/clean) water is supplied to the liquid o reservoir which is subsequently drained from the liquid reservoir.
• the mixing device may be activated after supplying fresh water into the reservoir to assist cleaning of the reservoir and of the mixing circuit.
• the refreshing agent storing compartment is arranged in a detergent drawer of 5 the treatment apparatus, whereby a refreshing agent may be manually supplied to the detergent drawer.
• a refreshing agent may be (manually) dosed by a user, e.g. in form of a powder or a liquid.
• the refreshing agent may be provided as a pre-packed unit with a solvable capsule or as a tablet. E.g. the pre-packed unit or tablet is supplied into the liquid reservoir and is dissolved in the water supplied to the reservoir.
• the refreshing agent supply device may comprise a refreshing 5 agent dosing means, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the refreshing agent supply device to supply a dosed amount of the refreshing agent to the liquid reservoir.
• water and/or treatment agent is supplied to the o reservoir when a liquid level in the reservoir reaches the minimum liquid level. Thereby a running dry of the liquid reservoir is prevented which could damage the heating device, laundry, drum and/or tub.
• the drum is rotated during vapor supply, i.e. the laundry is tumbled, to provide a 5 uniform or homogeneous distribution of the generated vapor to the laundry.
• the washing apparatus may comprise a water softening device for reducing hardness degree of water supplied to the liquid reservoir, wherein water is supplied to the liquid reservoir via the water softening device.
• the water softening device may o comprise an ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium ions from the water.
• the features of the washing apparatus and the method for refreshing laundry as described 5 above may be arbitrarily combined and/or exchanged.
• Fig. la a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with manual5 refreshment agent dosing in a washing machine as shown in Fig. 1 a, a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine according to a second embodiment comprising (additionally) an auto-dosing device, a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with automatic refreshment agent dosing in a washing machine as shown in Fig. 3 a, a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with manual refreshment agent dosing in a washing machine as shown in Fig.
• FIG. 1 a with additional cleaning steps as indicated in dashed lines
• a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine according to a third embodiment comprising an auto-dosing device and a mixing pump
• FIG. 4a a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment, the washing machine having a drying function and comprising an air-fan, a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with automatic refreshment agent dosing in a washing machine as shown in Fig. 5 a, a perspective view of a laundry washing machine comprising a mixing pump, a partial view of the laundry washing machine as shown in Fig. 6 with the external casing partially removed, a sectional plan view of the laundry washing machine of Fig. 6 with some components isolated from the rest, a vertical sectional view of the laundry washing machine of Fig. 6, Fig. 10 an enlarged detail of Fig. 9, and
• Fig. 11 a further sectional plan view of the laundry washing machine of Fig. 6 with some components isolated from the rest.
• Fig. la shows a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine la according to a first embodiment.
• the laundry washing machine la comprises an external casing or housing 2 (Fig. 6), in which a washing tub 3 is provided that contains a rotatable perforated drum 4, where the laundry to be treated can be loaded.
• a washing tub 3 is provided that contains a rotatable perforated drum 4, where the laundry to be treated can be loaded.
• both the tub 3 and the drum 4 have a substantially cylindrical shape.
• the housing 2 is provided with a loading/unloading door 8 (Fig. 6) which allows access to the washing drum 4.
• the tub 3 is preferably suspended in a floating manner inside the housing 2, advantageously by means of a number of coil springs and shock-absorbers.
• the drum 4 is preferably rotated by an electric motor which transmits the rotating motion to the shaft of the drum 4, preferably by means of a belt/pulley system. Alternatively, the motor can be directly associated with the shaft of the drum 4.
• a lower portion 3a (Fig. 9) of the tub 3 comprises a liquid reservoir 15 suitable for receiving a heating device 10.
• the liquid reservoir 15 is made in a single piece with the tub 3, for example by injection molding.
• the heating device 10 may comprise an electrical resistor of serpentine type (e.g. heating coil).
• the heating device 10 or its heating coil is advantageously horizontally placed in the liquid reservoir 15 and it extends preferably substantially from a rear part 15a (Fig. 9) up to a front part 15b (Fig. 9) of the liquid reservoir 15.
• a water supply circuit 5 (Fig. 9) is arranged in the upper part of the laundry washing machine la and is suited to supply water into the tub 3.
• the laundry washing machine la comprises a removable drawer 6 (Fig. 6) provided with various compartments a, b, c suited to be filled for example with washing detergent, softener and/or refreshing agent.
• compartment a may receive a treatment agent for pre- washing
• compartment b may receive a washing detergent for main washing
• compartment c may receive a fabric softener.
• compartment c is also used to receive a refreshment agent for refreshing laundry, e.g. a fragrance, an odor removal agent or a wrinkle removal agent.
• the drawer 6 may comprise an additional
• the water may be supplied into the tub 3 from the water supply circuit 5 by making it flow through the drawer 6.
• electro-valves 40, 41, 42 are provided o which are controlled by the control unit to selectively supply water to the compartments a, b, c. Consequently, the water which reaches the tub 3 may selectively contain one of the products contained or dosed in the compartments a, b, c of the drawer 6.
• Water (without any additive or agent) may be supplied into the tub 3 via an empty5 compartment, i.e. via one of the compartments a, b, c which does not contain a treatment agent.
• the laundry washing machine la comprises a water outlet circuit suitable for withdrawing liquid from the lower portion of the tub 3.
• the water outlet circuit comprises a filtering o device 12 adapted to retain all undesirable bodies (for example buttons that have come off the laundry or coins erroneously introduced into the laundry washing machine).
• the filtering device 12 may be removable to be cleaned through a gate 9 (Fig. 6) placed on the front wall of the housing 2 of the laundry washing machine la. 5
• a first pipe 17 connects the lower portion 3a of the tub 3 to the filtering device 12.
• the filtering device 12 is connected via an outlet pipe 51 to a drain pump 43.
• a drain pipe 49 is connected to the drain pump 43 and ends outside the housing 2. Activation of the drain pump 43 drains the liquid, i.e. dirty water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products, from the tub 3 to the outside.
• the laundry washing machine la comprises a first recirculation circuit 20 (Fig. 6) adapted to drain liquid from the the lower portion 3a of the tub 3 and to re-admit such a liquid into an upper region of the tub 3.
• the first recirculation circuit 20 comprises a first recirculation pump 21, a first pipe 22 connecting the filtering device 12 to the first recirculation pump 5 21 and a recirculation pipe 23, preferably provided with a terminal nozzle 23a (Fig. 7).
• the liquid from the lower portion 3a of the tub 3 is conveyed towards the upper region of the tub 3 by activation of the first recirculation pump 21.
• the water level within the tub 3 is detected using a level sensor, which in the embodiment is a pressure sensor 50 that is connected via a pressure line 52 to the bottom or lower portion 3a of the tub.
• the level sensor is adapted to detect the liquid level within the tub, for example: a level of washing liquid filled into the tub during a washing cycle, a draining level during draining (e.g. spinning cycle), and/or the high and low level HL/LL as described below.
• Fig. lb shows a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with a washing machine la as shown in Fig. la.
• the selected refresh cycle starts. First any residual water or liquid in the tub 3 or liquid reservoir 15 is drained by means of the drain pump 43. Subsequently, electro- valve 42 is opened, such that fresh water and the refreshment agent from compartment c is loaded into the tub 3 via coupling pipe 44. As indicated by arrows in Fig. la, the coupling pipe 44 is designed such that liquid supplied into the tub 3 or liquid reservoir 15 flows along the space or gap between the tub 3 and the drum 4, such that the supplied liquid does not enter the drum 4. I.e. the laundry in the drum 4 is not wetted during the liquid supply step.
• Liquid is supplied until the liquid level in the reservoir 15 reaches an upper (high) level HL which is below a lower surface of the drum 4, such that the laundry inside the drum 4 does not become wet.
• an upper (high) level HL which is below a lower surface of the drum 4, such that the laundry inside the drum 4 does not become wet.
• liquid water and refreshment agent
• the drum 4 is rotated at low rotation speed to loosen up or tumble the laundry and to provide an even distribution of the vapor generated in the following step.
• the liquid in the reservoir 15 is heated with the heating device 10, preferably up to a temperature below the boiling point of water. For example below 90°C, preferable to a temperature in the range between 40 to 70°C or 60 to 70°C.
• the drum 4 is continuously rotated at low rotation speed, i.e. the laundry is tumbled.
• the liquid level in the reservoir 15 is continuously reduced.
• a low level LL the part of the heating device 10 (heating coil) located in the reservoir 15 may not be sufficiently covered with liquid, such that the heating device 10, drum 4, tub 3 or laundry may be damaged due to overheating.
• the liquid level in the reservoir 15 is continuously controlled during vapor generation or during the heating of the liquid for example by using the level sensor 50.
• a small amount of water e.g. 100-200 ml
• At least one water level sensor may be provided to detect the low water level LL in the reservoir 15.
• the control unit may control the electro- valve 42 such that during the initial filling of the reservoir 15 only a specific amount of liquid is supplied into the tub 3, which guarantees that the upper level HL is not exceeded.
• an additional water level sensor may be provided to detect the (reaching of the) upper water level HL and to stop the liquid supply when the upper level HL is reached.
• the selected refresh cycle is terminated, e.g. after 20 to 30 min.
• the duration of a refresh cycle may be selected by a user, depending on his or her available time. Alternatively the duration of a refresh cycle depends on the type and/or amount of laundry to be refreshed.
• the refreshed laundry may be unloaded from the drum 4.
• the refreshed laundry is dry or substantially dry, e.g. ready to be worn or to be ironed.
• the above described method provides an easy-to-use and low-cost way of refreshing laundry in a washing machine.
• Fig. 2a shows a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine lb according to a second embodiment and Fig. 2b a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with the washing machine lb of Fig. 3a.
• the components of the washing machine la and the method described for Figs, la-b correspond to the machine lb and method of Figs. 2a-b.
• the washing machine lb of Fig. 2a additionally comprises an auto-dosing system 45 for a refreshment agent.
• the auto-dosing system 45 comprises refreshment agent tank 46 and a dosing pump 47 to supply a predetermined amount of refreshment agent into the coupling pipe 44 or alternatively 5 directly into the tub 3 or liquid reservoir 15.
• the refreshment agent tank 46 may be filled by a user, wherein in contrast to the method of Fig. lb the user does not have to dose a particular amount of refreshment agent into the tank, as the dosing system 45 itself doses a required amount of the agent, e.g. depending on laundry type or amount.
• a cartridge containing a refreshment agent may form tank 46, wherein the o cartridge may be inserted and removed (when empty) by a user.
• the method for refreshing comprises loading laundry into the drum 4, a user selecting a refresh cycle and the user pressing a start button. After any residual liquid (e.g. from a previous washing/rinsing operation) has been drained from the tub 3, the5 auto-dosing system 45 doses a predetermined amount of refreshment agent into the tub 3.
• the method for refreshing laundry with an auto-dosing system is more convenient for a user, as the user does not have dose the refreshment agent, in particular the user does not have to determine 5 how much refreshment agent is required for a particular refresh cycle.
• Fig. 3 a shows a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with manual refreshment agent dosing as described with respect to machine la and method of Figs, la-b with additional steps for cleaning the liquid reservoir 15. Unless otherwise mentioned the o method steps of Fig. 3a correspond to the method steps of Fig. lb.
• the method shown in Fig. 3a comprises additional cleaning steps which are indicated in dashed lines.
• a first cleaning of the liquid reservoir 15 is provided before vapor generation and a respective refreshing treatment of the 5 laundry. Additionally or alternatively a second cleaning of the liquid reservoir 15 is
• the first cleaning of the reservoir 15 comprises after (an initial) draining of any residual liquid from the liquid reservoir 15, loading the liquid reservoir 15 with clean water from any of the compartments a, b, c which is not loaded with a refreshment agent, e.g. in this example from compartment a or b. Water is only supplied up to upper level HL, such that the drum 4 and laundry is not wetted. Subsequently the tub 3 is drained. With this step the tub 3 or reservoir 15 is flushed and cleaned from any residual washing or rising products which may have settled inside the reservoir 15 during a previous washing operation. For example washing powder which has not been completely dissolved during a washing operation.
• the laundry is treated only with the refreshment agent (and clean water) and no undesired residual treatment agents like detergent or softener are unintentionally supplied to the laundry in the drum during vapor generation.
• the additional or alternative second cleaning of the liquid reservoir 15 comprises after the end of the refresh cycle or the end of vapor supply (heating device switched-ofl) draining any residual liquid from the liquid reservoir 15. Then clean or fresh water is supplied into the reservoir 15 up to the upper level HL as described above.
• the reservoir 15 is drained, such that any residual refreshment agent is removed from the liquid reservoir 15.
• Fig. 3b shows a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with automatic refreshment agent dosing in the washing machine lb as shown in Fig. 3a with additional steps for cleaning the liquid reservoir 15. Unless otherwise mentioned the method steps of Fig. 3b correspond to the method steps of Fig. 3a.
• a first cleaning of the liquid reservoir 15 before vapor supply and additionally or alternatively a second cleaning of the liquid reservoir 15 after vapor supply is provided as indicated in dashed lines.
• the cleaning steps correspond to the above described steps, wherein the first cleaning is provided after (the initial) draining of residual liquid from the tub 3, and the additional or alternative second cleaning is provided after the end of vapor supply or generation (heating device 10 de- activated).
• Fig. 4a shows a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine lc according to a third embodiment comprising an auto-dosing device 45 and a mixing pump 31
• Fig. 4b shows a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with automatic refreshment agent dosing in the washing machine lc of Fig. 4a.
• the components of the washing machine lb and the method described for Figs. 2a-b and Fig. 3b correspond to the machine lc and method of Figs. 4a-b.
• the washing machine lc of Fig. 4a additionally comprises a mixing pump 31 or recirculation pump adapted to mix or circulate liquid in the liquid reservoir 15.
• a mixing pump 31 or recirculation pump adapted to mix or circulate liquid in the liquid reservoir 15.
• the mixing pump 31 is activated prior to vapor generation, such that by mixing or agitating the liquid in the liquid reservoir 15 a refreshment agent which may be provided as a powder is reliably dissolved within the reservoir 15. Thereby a uniform supply of the refreshment agent at constant concentration is provided during vapor generation.
• the mixing pump 31 may be activated during any of the above mentioned cleaning steps (Figs. 3a-b) of the liquid reservoir 15, such that the generated flow assists a flushing or cleaning of the reservoir 15 and - if available - the mixing circuit that connects inlet and/or outlet of the mixing pump 31 to the reservoir 15.
• Fig. 5a shows a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine Id according to a fourth embodiment.
• the washing machine lc has a drying function (washer-dryer) and comprises an auto-dosing system 45 and an air-fan 48.
• Fig. 5b shows a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with the washing machine Id of Fig. 5a.
• the components of the above described washing machines lb-c and the corresponding methods correspond to the machine Id and method of Figs. 5a-b.
• the washing machine Id and method shown in Figs. 5a-b use an auto-dosing system for supplying a refreshment agent into the tub 3.
• the fan 48 is activated such that air is circulated from a lower portion of the drum 4 to an upper portion of the drum 4 or tub 3.
• Most of the generated vapor is introduced into the drum from below, as the reservoir 15 is arranged below the drum 4.
• moist air i.e. vapor
• the refreshment agent is more evenly distributed in the drum 4 and (tumbled) laundry.
• the above described air-circulation or air-fan 48 may be included in any of the above described embodiments.
• Figs. 6 to 11 depict an embodiment of a washing machine le according to a fifth embodiment comprising a re-circulation or mixing pump 31. Unless otherwise mentioned, the above described components of the washing machines la-d and methods described in Figs. 1 to 5 may be included in and executed with the machine le of Figs. 6 to 11.
• the tub 3 is preferably connected to the casing 2 by means of an elastic bellows 7, or gasket, as illustrated in Figure 9.
• the tub 3 comprises two complementary hemi-shells 13 and 14 having their peripheral edges 13a and 14a structured for being reciprocally coupled to form the tub 3.
• the heating device 10 is placed horizontally in the liquid reservoir 15 and extends from the rear part 15a up to the front part 15b of the liquid reservoir 15.
• a gap 16 is defined, as illustrated in Fig. 10.
• the water supply circuit 5 is arranged in the upper part of the laundry washing machine le to supply water into the tub 3.
• the laundry washing machine le comprises a removable drawer 6 provided with various compartments a, b, c as described above which may be filled with washing detergent, softener and/or refreshing agent.
• Water may be supplied into the tub 3 from the water supply circuit 5 by making it flow through the drawer 6.
• the water which reaches the tub 3 may selectively contain one of the products contained in the compartments of the drawer 6.
• water is not supplied via the drawer 6 but via a further separate water supply pipe (not shown), which supplies exclusively clean water into the tub 3 and which may comprise a valve connecting to the main water supply (tap connection).
• the laundry washing machine le comprises a water outlet circuit 25 for withdrawing liquid from the lower portion 3a of the tub 3.
• the water outlet circuit 25 comprises a filtering device 12.
• a first pipe 17 connects the lower portion 3a of the tub 3 to the filtering device 12.
• a first input end 17a of the first pipe 17 is positioned at a lower point of the tub 3, in particular at a lower point of the liquid reservoir 15.
• a main output 18 of the filtering device 12 connects the filtering device 12 to the drain pump 43.
• An outlet pipe 49 is connected to the drain pump 43 and ends outside the housing 2. Activation of the drain pump 43 drains the liquid, i.e. dirty water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products, from the tub 3 to the outside.
• the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a first recirculation circuit 20 adapted to drain liquid from the the lower portion 3a of the tub 3 and to re-admit the liquid into the upper region of the tub 3.
• the laundry washing machine le further comprises a second recirculation circuit 30 adapted to extract liquid from the the liquid reservoir 15 and to re- admit the liquid
• the second recirculation circuit 30 comprises the second recirculation pump or mixing pump 31, a second pipe 32 connecting the filtering device 12 to the mixing pump 31 and a recirculation pipe 33 provided with a terminal portion 34 having a liquid output 37 (Fig. 7).
• the second recirculation circuit has an inlet from the reservoir 15 (lower portion 3a of the tub) and an outlet to the reservoir.
• the second recirculation circuit 30 is activated when mixing and/or dissolution of the refreshing agent within the liquid reservoir 15 is required.
• the second recirculation circuit 30 may be activated during cleaning of the liquid reservoir (prior or after vapor generation) as described with respect to Figs. 3a-b to assist removal of washing products, rinsing products or refreshment agent.
• washing or rinsing products which are introduced into the washing tub 3, move towards the lower part 3 a of the tub 3 due to their density higher than the density of water. These products tend to accumulate in the gap 16 below the heating device 10.
• the terminal portion 34 of the recirculation pipe 33 is advantageously arranged in such a way to emit a jet of liquid having a main flowing direction L substantially parallel or pointed to the bottom 3a of the washing tub 3, so as to remove washing/rinsing products collected therein. Therefore the jet of liquid moves in a main flowing direction L below the heating device 10, and is advantageously adjacent to the upper surface 15c of the liquid reservoir 15.
• the liquid forced in the main flowing direction L from the liquid output 37 collides with (residual) products accumulated in the gap 16 and enhances its mixing and/or dissolution in the liquid in which it is immersed.
• the terminal portion 34 of the recirculation pipe 33 comprises a first tubular portion 35, preferably a cylindrical portion.
• the tubular portion 35 extends along an axis X which is 5 preferably parallel to or substantially parallel to the main flowing direction L.
• Such a shape for the tubular portion 35 guarantees that the jet of liquid is forced along the main flowing direction L, i.e. a direction which is substantially parallel or pointed to the bottom 3a of the washing tub 3.
• the terminal portion 34 then comprises an end portion 36 which terminates with the liquid output 37.
• the internal cross section of the end portion 36 has an area which decreases in a direction towards the liquid output 37. Therefore, the speed of the liquid inside the end portion 36, at a given pressure, increases and reaches a maximum speed at the liquid output 37, where the section has the minimum value. Therefore the jet of liquid
• the end portion 36 preferably comprises a conical-shaped or pyramidal- shaped duct 38, as shown in Fig. 10. Therefore the liquid output 37 has a substantially circular shape
• the recirculation pipe 33 and its terminal portion 34 are preferably airtight. In this way, external air is prevented to be introduced inside the recirculation pipe 33 thus maintaining the speed and pressure expected for the recirculated liquid inside the recirculation pipe 33.
• heating device 42 electro-valve fabric softener

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)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=51790701

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (7)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2014
  • 2014-10-24 CN CN201480082363.2A patent/CN107075776B/zh active Active
  • 2014-10-24 WO PCT/EP2014/072841 patent/WO2016062349A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-10-24 EP EP14787202.2A patent/EP3209826B1/de active Active

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events