EP3231929A1 - Device for a washing machine and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for a washing machine (100), wherein the device has a tub (102) and an overflow edge (110) defining a maximum liquid level (112) in the tub (102), wherein the tub (102) and the Overflow edge (110) are made in one piece from a plastic material.

Description

The invention relates to a device for a washing machine and a washing machine.

In a washing machine detergent, especially powder detergent is flushed via a dispenser box in a tub of the washing machine.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved device for a washing machine and an improved washing machine.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a device for a washing machine and a washing machine with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

In the approach presented here, a washing machine without Einspülkasten is presented. The detergent is dosed in liquid form by an automatic dosing directly into the tub. The tub is made of plastic and has a defined overflow to limit a level in the tub.

The achievable with the present invention consist in addition to low production costs for the plastic tub in a great design freedom of a geometry of the tub. In this case, functional components can be integrally connected to the tub.

A device for a washing machine is presented. The apparatus has a tub and an overflow edge defining a maximum liquid level in the tub, wherein the tub and the overflow edge are integrally made of a plastic material.

Under a washing machine, a washing machine for washing textiles and the like can be understood. A tub is a liquid-tight container within the washing machine, within which a washing drum of the washing machine is rotatably mounted. An overflow edge is at a proper orientation of the tub a highest point to which a liquid level or liquid level can rise in the tub before the liquid flows out of the tub via the overflow edge.

The device may have a free flow path, which is arranged in a water inlet of the tub, wherein the flow path is arranged at a safety distance above the maximum liquid level. In order to prevent a back suction of liquid from the washing machine at a pressure drop in the water connection, the water flows freely in the free flow path, ie in an open to the atmosphere channel with a slope. In this case, no water can flow into the drinking water line in a direction opposite to the intended direction of flow suction because air is sucked.

The flow path can be connected to a cold water connection. A closable hot water connection can be connected to the flow path via a Y-channel. The flow path can be used as a mixing section to set a desired water temperature. Through the Y-channel, a single flow path can ensure water safety for the cold and hot water.

The flow path can be connected via a dispensing hose to a dispensing device arranged in the region of a door glass of the washing machine. The Einspülschlauch can be flexible and compensate for movements between a housing of the washing machine and the tub.

The device may have an overflow housing which is molded onto the tub. The overflow edge can be arranged in the overflow housing. An overflow housing may be a trough in which the overflow edge is located at a lowest point of a circumferential wall. The overflow housing allows small amounts of liquid to escape from the tub without overflowing over the overflow edge.

In the overflow housing, a connection piece for a vent hose of a return valve can be arranged. This allows any liquid flowing in the breather hose to flow back into the tub.

In the overflow housing, a connection piece for a dispensing hose can be arranged. The connecting piece for the flushing hose can then be arranged on the flow path. The connection piece can ensure a secure connection between the flow path and the subsequent flushing hose.

The overflow housing can be made in several parts. The flow path can be arranged in a housing upper part of the overflow housing. The upper housing part may be formed as a cover for the lower housing part and locked with this, for example become. By arranging the flow path in the upper housing part, the safety distance to the liquid level can be safely maintained.

The overflow edge can protrude into a lower housing part of the overflow housing. This protects the overflow edge.

Furthermore, a washing machine without Einspülkasten is presented. The washing machine has a device according to the approach presented here. An automatic dosing device for detergent is connected to the tub of the device. Due to the lack of Einspülkastens the washing machine has no multiple trays for receiving detergent having drawer, which could be moved by an operator and filled with detergent.

Figur 1

eine Frontansicht eines Waschautomaten mit einer Vorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht eines Waschautomaten mit einer Vorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Figur 3

eine Darstellung eines Überlaufgehäuses gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows

FIG. 1

a front view of a washing machine with a device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2

a side view of a washing machine with a device according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 3

an illustration of an overflow housing according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a washing machine 100 with a device according to an embodiment. The apparatus comprises a lye container 102. The lye container 102 is arranged in a housing of the washing machine 100. Within the tub 102, a washing drum 104 of the washing machine 100 is mounted. The tub 102 is substantially cylindrical. The tub 102 is made of a plastic material. For example, the tub is made of a natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic (NMT).

The washing machine 100 has no Einspülkasten via which a user of the washing machine 100 could fill the washing machine 100 with detergent. Instead, an automatic metering device is disposed below the device in the housing. In the metering here two different liquid detergents are stored.

Automatic detergent dosing is very beneficial. The approach presented here allows many devices to be equipped with this feature. At the same time these devices can be offered inexpensively, whereby larger quantities can be achieved. When dispensing is done with automatic detergent dispensing, the dispenser can be dispensed with to save costs.

After having been dispensed with in the washing machine 100 Einspülkasten and has been replaced by an automatic dosing, according to an embodiment optionally further washing and care agents are added directly into the drum 104.

The Einspülkasten can be omitted by the approach presented here, without requiring an additional container with various hose connections to the unit 102. Nevertheless, all the necessary functions for water safety, venting of the tub 102, filling the tub 102 with water and sight glass flushing guaranteed.

The dosage is ensured by the dosing unit. Detergents and softeners can be added via the containers or by means of cartridges. Powder detergent can be added directly to the drum 104 via a washing ball.

The reduction of the components is realized by an extensive integration of the functions in the plastic tub 102.

A lower housing part of an overflow housing 106 is integrally connected to the tub 102. The overflow housing 106 is formed on an upper side of the tub 102 laterally offset from the center of the tub 102. In the lower housing part, a vent opening 108 is disposed through a wall of the tub 102 at the lowest point. An interior of the overflow housing 106 is vented to the environment. Through the vent opening 108 and the overflow housing 106, air can escape unhindered from the tub 102 and flow into the tub 102. At an opening of the overflow housing 106 to the environment an overflow edge 110 is arranged, which defines a maximum achievable liquid level 112 within the tub 102. The opening is thus an emergency overflow. In this case, liquid can rise from the tub 102 through the vent opening 108 in the overflow housing 106 until the surface of the liquid reaches the overflow edge 110. Further liquid flows over the overflow edge 110 and an outside of the tub 102 and collects in a bottom trough of the washing machine 100. From there, the liquid is pumped out using a pump. The maximum liquid level 112 or the critical water level is defined by an overflow cross section at the overflow edge 110 and an expected overflowing volume flow. In other words, the overflow edge protrudes into the overflow housing. The overflow edge 110 is lower than the maximum liquid level 112.

In a housing upper part of the overflow housing 106, a free flow path 116 is arranged in a water inlet 114 to the tub 102. The free flow path 116 serves as a return flow protection to protect the drinking water installation, to which the washing machine 100 connected. Due to the free flow path 116, no liquid can be sucked out of the washing machine 100 into a supply hose of the washing machine 100 if a negative pressure should occur in the drinking water installation. In this case, air is sucked in through the overflow housing 106 at the free flow path 116. To ensure that no liquid can be sucked out of the tub 102 via the flow path 116, the flow path is arranged at a safety distance 118 above the maximum liquid level 112.

The free flow path 116 is connected via a dispensing hose with a flushing device or nozzle in the region of a drum opening of the drum 104.

When flushing water into the tub 102, the water flows through the free flow path 116 and the subsequent Einspülschlauch on a sight glass in the drum opening. In this case, peeling water arising at the free flow path 116 flows through the overflow housing 106 and the vent opening 108 into the tub 102. The vent opening 108 thus serves as a return opening for the peeling water.

In other words shows FIG. 1 a NMT-tub 102 with integrated free flow path 116, emergency overflow 110 and flushing through the door sight glass. The front view shows a washing machine 100 and a plastic container 102 with sprayed container bottom for venting the tub 102 and the return of the peeling water from the free flow path 116 in the tub 102 and the emergency overflow 110, which dissipates the water outside of the tub 102 in the bottom tray. In this case, the lower container part is arranged at a position at which in a conventional washing machine the Zulauffaltenschlauch is arranged.

The filling of the tub 102 is combined with the sight glass purging and is done via an additional component, which can be referred to as water supply. The additional component is mounted or sliced onto the molded-on container lower part of the plastic liquor container 102.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a washing machine 100 with a device according to an embodiment. The washing machine 100 essentially corresponds to the washing machine in FIG. 1 , The upper housing part has a parting plane to the lower housing part. The overflow housing 106 has here in the lower housing part on an oblique lower edge, whereby the peeling water is directed to the vent point located at the lowest point of the overflow housing 108. The water inlet 114 to the free flow path 116 via a flexible inlet hose 200 at a back of the washing machine 100. By the flexible inlet hose 200 vibrations of the tub 102 are compensated. The flushing hose 120 leads from the flow path 116 to a door sealing ring of the washing machine 100. In the area of the door sealing ring, the nozzle 122 is arranged for flushing via the door sight glass and for filling the tub 102.

Furthermore, a vent hose 202 for a return valve 204 is connected to the overflow housing via a connecting piece.

In one embodiment, the free flow path 116 is connected via the inlet hose 200 with cold water and hot water.

The venting of the tub 102, an emergency overflow, a return of the peeling water from the free flow path 116 into the tub 102 and a connection piece for the vent hose 202 of the return valve 204 are integrated directly into the plastic tub 102. The free flow path 116, the connecting piece for flushing the door glass and the filling of the tub 102 are realized via an additional part which is mounted on the plastic tub 102. The additional part can be referred to as a water supply.

The side view shows the washing machine 100 with the water inlet 114 via cold water and optionally hot water, which is mounted on the back of the water supply by mitschwingende hoses 200. The water supply contains a free flow path 116, which ensures water safety. It is at least 20 mm above the emergency overflow. In addition, a sloping underside is shown, so that the peeling water is passed to the return opening 108.

In other words, they show FIGS. 1 and 2 a plastic tub 102 made of a natural fiber mat reinforced thermoplastic NMT with integrated free flow path 116, emergency overflow 110 and flushing the door sight glass. The dispenser is replaced by an automatic dosing system (TwinDos) with detergent and softener. For example, a drawer, a handle plate, a valve, a relay, a wiring harness, a connecting hose including clamps, a supply pleated hose including clamps and an adapter piece for the vent hose of the return flow safety device are saved compared to a device with a flushing box.

FIG. 3 shows a representation of an overflow housing 106 according to an embodiment. The overflow housing 106 substantially corresponds to the overflow housing in the FIGS. 1 and 2 , The free flow path 116 is connected here via a Y-shaped channel 300 with hot water 302 and cold water 304.

In one embodiment, not shown, the opening for the hot water 302 is closed or not provided with a plug. If the optional opening for the Hot water 302 is not provided, the overflow housing 106 instead of a Y-shaped channel 300 has a rectilinear channel.

The flow path extends within a rectilinear pipe 306. The pipe 306 has an opening 308 shortly after the confluence 300 of hot water 302 and cold water 304. Through the opening 308, the tube 306 is in communication with the environment. The water in the tube 306 is thus depressurized. If a negative pressure occurs in the inlet hose 200 or in the water line, air is sucked in via the opening 308 and thus prevents liquid from being sucked back out of the lye drum.

The top view shows the water supply from above. The cold water string 304 is combined with an optional hot water strand 302 via a y-channel 300 and passed over the free flow path 116 to the door glass. If the washing machine is only designed for cold water, the hot water connection to the water supply is closed by tools.

According to one embodiment, the overflow housing 106, apart from the two input-side water connections shown, the outlet-side water connections shown and the opening 308 of the overflow channel no further openings for the supply or discharge of water.

Claims (10)

Apparatus for a washing machine (100), the apparatus comprising a tub (102) and an overflow edge (110) defining a maximum liquid level (112) in the tub (102), the tub (102) and the overflow edge (110). are made in one piece from a plastic material. Apparatus according to claim 1, including a free flow path (116) disposed in a water inlet (114) of the tub (102), the flow path (116) being located at a safety distance (118) above the maximum liquid level (112). Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the flow path (116) is connected to a cold water connection (304), wherein a closable hot water connection (302) via a Y-channel (300) to the flow path (116) is connected. Device according to one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the flow path (116) is connected via a Einspülschlauch with a arranged in the region of a door glass of the washing machine (100) Einspüleinrichtung. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an overflow housing (106) which is injection-molded onto the tub (102), wherein the overflow edge (110) in the overflow housing (106) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in the overflow housing (106), a connecting piece for a vent hose 202 of a return safety device (204) is arranged. Device according to one of claims 5 to 6, in which in the overflow housing (106) a connection piece for a dispensing tube is arranged, wherein the connection piece for the dispensing tube is subsequently arranged on the flow path (116). Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the overflow housing (106) is designed in several parts, wherein the flow path (116) in an upper housing part of the overflow housing (106) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the overflow edge (110) projects into a housing lower part of the overflow housing (106). Automatic washing machine (100) without a dispenser box, with a device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an automatic detergent dispensing device is connected to the tub (102) of the device.

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