EP3562984A1

EP3562984A1 - A washing machine comprising a fan provided on the door

Info

Publication number: EP3562984A1
Application number: EP17823034.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hulya KIRAZ; Mursel TELLICI; Kutay Edis; Taha CALISKAN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2016-12-29
Filing date: 2017-11-24
Publication date: 2019-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-24
Also published as: WO2018121942A1; EP3562984B1; TR201619977A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a body (2), a drum (3) provided in the body (2), in which the laundry are placed, a loading opening (4) provided on the body (2), enabling access into the drum (3), and a door (5) covering the loading opening (4), having an inner frame (12), an outer frame (13), and a window (6) fixed between the inner frame (12) and the outer frame (13). The first opening (7) is provided on the window (6) and a fan (8) is placed into the first opening (7), enabling the drum (3) to be ventilated by blowing the outer environment air into the drum (3) through the first opening (7).

Description

[Title established by the ISA under Rule 37.2] A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A FAN PROVIDED ON THE DOOR

The present invention relates to a washing machine in which formation of bad odors is prevented.
In washing machines, a certain amount of water stays on the elements contacting water such as the drum, the bellows or the tubes after washing, and such humid and airless environment in the washing machine leads to formation of bad odors by causing rapid reproduction of bacteria and fungus. Therefore, when not in use, producers recommend to leave the washing machine door ajar, and to keep the detergent drawer at open position so as to allow air entry. However, due to the fact that air flow provided from the door and the drawer is insufficient, bad odor formation cannot be completely prevented, leading to customer discontent. Furthermore, in case the laundry is kept in the washing machine for a long time, humidity odor permeates on the damp laundry kept airless, and this may require washing anew. Thus, the producers need additional measures in terms of preventing odor formation.
State of the art European patent application no. EP1602766 defines a washing machine in which odor removal is performed independently from washing by detecting odors by means of an odor sensor.
Another state of the art European patent application no. EP1660711 describes a washing machine having a ventilation system enabling transmitting a sufficient amount of fresh air into the drum in which washing is performed.
The aim of the present invention is to realize a washing machine in which bad odor formation is effectively and conveniently prevented.
The washing machine realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a loading opening enabling placing the laundry to be washed into the drum, a door sealingly closing the loading opening, having an inner frame, an outer frame, and a window made of transparent material so as to allow viewing the laundry inside the drum, provided between the inner frame and the outer frame, and a fan placed on the door so as to ensure air circulation between the outer environment and the drum by means of a bore shaped first opening provided on the window. The first opening enables the air sucked by the fan from outside the body, to be blown directly into the drum. By this, fresh air can be transmitted onto the laundry inside the drum in high speed without losing its flow rate. Ventilation can thus be performed effectively and rapidly.
In an embodiment of the invention, the fan is fixed in the first opening. Thus, the fan is mounted on the window in a simple and robust manner by being embedded in the first opening. By this, the coupling of the fan with the door can be executed without requiring additional coupling elements, decreasing labor and assembly costs by reducing the number of parts.
In another embodiment of the invention, a protective cover is provided on the door, covering the side of the window facing outside so as to obtain an enclosed volume between the window and the door, and the fan is placed in a channel shaped fan seat extending between a second opening provided on the protective cover and the first opening provided on the window, with one end leading to the outer environment and the other end leading to the drum. By this, the air outside the body can be transmitted directly into the drum by being passed through the cover by means of the fan seat.
In another embodiment of the invention, the first opening is provided on the upper half of the window so as be higher than the maximum level of the washing water received into the drum. The washing water is thus prevented from reaching the fan.
In another embodiment of the invention, the door is joined to the body by means of a hinge enabling the door to be closed and opened by being pivoted about a rotary axis, and the fan is energized by means of at least one cable enabling transmission of electric energy from the body to the fan on the door so that its portion extending between the door and the body is passed via the hinge. The cable is prevented from being deformed in time due to the door being opened and closed, thanks to being fixed on the hinge.
In another embodiment of the invention, the portion of the cable provided on the door, is wired between the inner frame and the outer frame. The portion of the cable extending between the hinge and the fan is thus concealed in the door.
In another embodiment of the invention, the door has an inner cover covering the side of the first opening facing into the drum, and an outer cover covering the side of the first opening or the second opening facing out of the body. By this, external objects are prevented from accessing the fan and blocking the air flow path.
In another embodiment of the invention, an odor source is placed between the inner cover and the outer cover so as to be located on the flow path of fresh air. By this, the odor particles being released from the odor source are conveyed onto the laundry by means of fresh air flow, providing a pleasant odor to the laundry.
In another embodiment of the invention, a control unit controls at least one operational parameter of the fan such as the activation time, operation duration, and revolution speed. By this, the fan is intermittently operated for a predetermined duration and with suitable revolution speed when the door is closed. Ventilation effectiveness is thus enhanced.
By means of the present invention, fresh air is transferred directly into the drum, and thus the interior of the body can be rapidly and effectively ventilated.
The washing machine realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine of an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the door of an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the door of an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 is a partial view of the door of another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 is an exploded view of the door of another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the door of another embodiment of the invention.
The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Washing machine
Body
Drum
Loading opening
Door
Window
First Opening
Fan
Gasket
Hinge
Cable
Inner frame
Outer frame
Protective cover
Outer cover
Inner cover
Second opening
Fan seat
Odor source
Control unit

The washing machine (1) comprises a body (2), a drum (3) provided in the body (2), in which the laundry are placed, a loading opening (4) provided on the body (2), enabling access into the drum (3), and a door (5) covering the loading opening (4) and having an inner frame (12), an outer frame (13), and a window (6) fixed between the inner frame (12) and the outer frame (13). The window (6) is made of a transparent material so as to enable to view inside the drum (3) when the door (5) is closed. The inner frame (12) and the outer frame (13) bear the window (6) by surrounding the window (6) all around.
The washing machine (1) of the invention comprises a first opening (7) provided on the window (6), and at least one fan (8) provided on the door (5), enabling the drum (3) to be ventilated by blowing the outer environment air into the drum (3) through the first opening (7). The first opening (7) has a bore shape, formed on the window (6) by means of a cut-out process, and the fan (8) is mounted on the window (6) so as to suck the outer environment air and blow it into the drum (3) through the first opening (7). The fan (8) can be an axial fan or a radial fan. The fresh air sucked from the outer environment is blown directly into the drum (3) by means of the fan (8). This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the drum (3) is loaded with laundry, enabling the fresh air to be transferred onto the laundry kept in the drum (3) directly and in a high speed.
In an embodiment of the invention, the fan (8) is placed in the first opening (7). An elastic gasket (9) is placed in the first opening (7), and the fan (8) is seated directly in the first opening (7) so as be located between the drum (3) and outer environment, and to be surrounded by the gasket (9) all around. By this, the fan (8) can be mounted on the window (6) in an easy and robust manner without requiring an additional coupling element.
In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a protective cover (14) provided between the window (6) and the outer frame (13) so as to be in front of the window (6), a second opening (17) provided on the protective cover (14), leading to the outer environment, and a fan seat (18) in which the fan (8) is placed, extending between the first opening (7) and the second opening (17). The fan seat (18) has a tube shape connected to the first opening (7) at one of its ends and to the second opening (17) at its other end, and the fan (8) is fixed into the fan seat (18). The fan (8) enables the outer environment air to be sucked through the second opening (17), and to be blown into the drum (3) through the first opening (7) facing into the drum (3) by advancing through the fan seat (18). In the washing machine (1) comprising a door (5) having a protective cover (14), the outer environment air can be conveyed into the drum (3) without losing its flow rate by means of the fan seat (18).
In an embodiment of the invention, the first opening (7) is provided on the upper portion of the window (6) so as be higher than the maximum level of the water received into the drum (3). By this, the water is prevented from leaking out of the body (3) by reaching the level of the first opening (7).
In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a hinge (10) enabling the door (5) to be rotatably fixed on the body (2), and at least one cable (11) passed via the hinge (10), enabling transmitting the electric current supplied from the body (2) to the fan (8) on the door (5). The cable (11) extends from the body (2) towards the door (5) so as to enable the grid current to be transmitted to the fan (8). The portion of the cable (11) located between the door (5) and body (2), is fixed on the hinge (10). The electricity connection of the fan (8) is thus provided in a convenient and safe manner.
In another embodiment of the invention, the cable (11) extends between the hinge (10) and the fan (8) so as to be positioned at least partially between the inner frame (12) and the outer frame (13). The cable (11) is passed between the inner frame (12) and the outer frame (13) so that at least a portion thereof stays in the door (5). By this, the portion of the cable (11) extending between the hinge (10) and the fan (8) is protected from external hazards by being secured in the cover (5), and is also prevented from giving bad aesthetic impressions to the user by being seen from outside.
In another embodiment of the invention, an outer cover (15) is provided on the door (5), covering the side of the fan (8) facing outside the body (2) so as to prevent the user from contacting the fan (8). The outer cover (15) has a perforated structure so as to enable the outer environment air to reach the fan (8), and is mounted on the window (6) or the protective cover (14) so as to cover the side facing outside of the first opening (7) or the second opening (17). The fan (8) is protected from external hazards such as impacts or foreign objects by means of the outer cover (15).
In another embodiment of the invention, an inner cover (16) is provided on the door (5), covering the side of the first opening (7) facing inside the drum (3) so as to prevent the laundry in the drum (3) from contacting the fan (8). The inner cover (16) is mounted on the window (6) so as to cover the side of the fan (8) facing the drum (3). The laundry in the drum (3) is prevented from damaging and hampering the operation of the fan (8) by reaching the fan (8), thanks to the inner cover (16).
In another embodiment of the invention, an odor source (19) releasing odor particles into the air passed through, is placed proximate to the fan (8) so that the air current generated by means of the fan (8) passes through. The odor source (19) is positioned in front of the fan (8) so as to be on the flow path of fresh air. Thus, odor particles are carried together with the air blown into the drum (3) by the fan (8), emitting a pleasant odor in the body (2).
In another embodiment of the invention, the odor source (19) is provided between the inner cover (16) and the fan (8), and the inner cover (16) is detachably mounted on the window (6) so as to enable the user to access the odor source (19). The odor source (19) is placed on the fan seat (18) so as to be positioned right behind the inner cover (16). By this, the user can easily access and replace the odor source (19) when required by removing the inner cover (16) from the window (6).
In an embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a control unit (20) enabling controlling of the operational status of the fan (8). The control unit (20) determines the operational parameters of the fan (8) such as activation time, operation duration and revolution speed, by means of the data presaved to its memory by the producer. Efficiency of ventilation is thus enhanced.
In another embodiment of the invention, the control unit (20) enables activation of the fan (8) upon detecting the door (5) being closed for a duration predetermined by the producer. Effective ventilation is provided by intermittently operating the fan (8) during the period in which the door (5) is kept closed, preventing formation of odors in the body (2).
Thanks to the fan (8) placed on the window (6), ventilation is performed in a simple and efficient manner without requiring an additional air duct enabling conveying and diverting fresh air. By this, in cases when the door (5) is closed and the laundry is kept for a long time in the washing machine (1) particularly after washing, odor formation is prevented by enabling effective ventilation of the drum (3).

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising a body (2), a drum (3) provided in the body (2), in which the laundry are placed, a loading opening (4) provided on the body (2), enabling access into the drum (3), and a door (5) covering the loading opening (4) and having an inner frame (12), an outer frame (13), and a window (6) fixed between the inner frame (12) and the outer frame (13), characterized by a first opening (7) provided on the window (6), and by at least one fan (8) provided on the door (5), enabling the drum (3) to be ventilated by blowing the outer environment air into the drum (3) through the first opening (7).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fan (8) placed into the first opening (7).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a protective cover (14) fixed between the window (6) and the outer frame (13) so as to be in front of the window (6), by a second opening (17) provided on the protective cover (14), leading to the outer environment, and by a fan seat (18) in which the fan (8) is placed, extending between the first opening (7) and the second opening (17).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the first opening (7) provided on the upper portion of the window (6) so as to be positioned higher than the maximum level of the water received into the drum (3).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a hinge (10) enabling the door (5) to be rotatably fixed on the body (2), and by at least one cable (11) passed via the hinge (10), enabling transmitting the electric current supplied from the body (2) to the fan (8) on the door (5).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the cable (11) extending between the hinge (10) and the fan (8) so as to be at least partially between the inner frame (12) and the outer frame (13).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an outer cover (15) provided on the door (5), covering the side of the fan (8) facing out of the body (2) so as to prevent the user from contacting the fan (8).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an inner cover (16) provided on the door (5), covering the side of the first opening (7) facing inside the drum (3) so as to prevent the laundry in the drum (3) from contacting the fan (8).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an odor source (19) placed proximate to the fan (8) so that the air current generated by means of the fan (8) passes through, releasing odor particles into the air passing through.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the odor source (19) provided between the inner cover (16) and the fan (8), and by the inner cover (16) detachably mounted on the window (6) so as to enable the user to access the odor source (19).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control unit (20) enabling controlling the operational status of the fan (8).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized by the control unit (20) enabling activation of the fan (8) upon detecting the door (5) being closed for a duration predetermined by the producer.