EP3732322B1

EP3732322B1 - Washing machine with detergent dissolving system

Info

Publication number: EP3732322B1
Application number: EP18833041.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fatih KASAP; Mehmet Kaya; Murat Elgun; Samet ILICA; Turan SENDINC; Eda KARAOSMANOGLU
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2017-12-26
Filing date: 2018-12-21
Publication date: 2022-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-21
Also published as: WO2019129673A1; TR201721860A2; EP3732322A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a washing machine with a detergent dissolving system enhancing detergent efficacy by means of a jet pump.

PRIOR ART

In the state of the art, washing machines are used to clean the laundry items by washing. Washing machines are provided with a drum in which the laundry items are washed, a washing water circuit, and a detergent drawer in which detergent is placed. In the state of the art, the washing process in a washing machine is performed as such: first, water is received into the detergent drawer from hot and cold-water inlets. The water filling into the detergent drawer flushes the detergent and advances into the tub. After receiving detergent and water into the tub, rotational motion, i.e. main washing begins upon activation of an engine, and the mechanical motion in this stage enables detergent containing water to contact all surfaces of the laundry items and to remove stains from said surfaces. A heater is activated depending on a selected program, enabling water to reach a given temperature. This process is of utmost importance to remove stains from surfaces. Washing machines are provided with two pumps connected to a single suction duct, namely a discharge pump and a jet pump. The jet pump is activated in the main washing step and enables circulating water and enhancing the washing process. The discharge pump enables discharging the dirty water from the tub upon completion of main washing step. In the subsequent rinsing step, first clean water is transmitted via the detergent drawer to the tub. By rotation of the drum, clean water is enabled to penetrate into the textile laundry items and reduce the detergent concentration therein. The discharge pump is activated again after completion of this step, discharging process water. The final operation is the spinning step in which the water remaining on the textile laundry items is removed by means of high-speed drum rotation. After completion of this step, the discharge pump is activated again and water in the tub is discharged, thereby ending the washing process.
In the state of the art, the factors enabling optimal washing, also known as the Sinner Circle are temperature, mechanical motion, detergent and time. Accordingly, some of the most preferred methods to enhance washing performance is increasing the temperature or the ratio of mechanical motion. However, these methods are not suitable in particular for delicate programs as they may damage textiles.
State of the art patent document no. WO2017039549 mentions mixing detergent containing water by intermittently activating a circulation pump and pumping to the tub again by means of a pump in a top load washing machine.
State of the art patent document no. WO2016185005 discloses a control system developed for the main washing step of a washing machine. Water level is kept at a given level by adjusting the inlet height of a jet pump at the height of a drum inlet and its outlet height at the height of a drum outlet, thereby enabling the jet pump to circulate in a desired number. It is herein claimed that detergent mixes with water more effectively by circulations of a number higher than normal.
A washing machine with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP 2578739 A1 .

PROBLEMS SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to realize a washing machine with a detergent dissolving system enhancing washing efficacy by enabling the chemical content of a detergent's composition to be activated by dissolving thereof.
The aim of the present invention is to realize a washing machine with a detergent dissolving system enabling enhancing washing performance particularly in delicate programs such as hand wash, wool, or silk.
The aim of the present invention is to realize a washing machine with a detergent dissolving system enabling inhibiting powder detergent residue from remaining on textile products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A detergent dissolving system realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1: is a frontal schematic view of the detergent dissolving system of the invention.
Figure 2: is a frontal schematic view of the detergent dissolving system of the invention with a heating cycle.
Figure 3: is a frontal view of the heating cycle heater provided in the detergent dissolving system of the invention.

The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

1. Washing machine
2. Detergent compartment
3. Jet pump
4. Valve
5. Control unit
6. Heating cycle
61. Heater
7. Discharge pump
8. Tub

The washing machine (1) with enhanced detergent efficacy used in washing of the laundry items, comprises

at least one detergent compartment (2) in which detergent is placed and through which washing water is passed,
at least one jet pump (3) used to pressurize the washing water coming from the detergent compartment (2),
at least one valve (4) used by being placed at the jet pump (3) outlet, and
at least one control unit (5) transmitting commands to turn the valve (4) on and off and to operate the jet pump (3).

The washing machine (1) of the invention comprises a detergent compartment (2) in which detergent is placed, a jet pump in which the detergent containing water exiting the detergent compartment (2) enters, and at least one valve (4) turned on to transmit to the washing environment the detergent containing water exiting the jet pump or turned off to mix thereof. When the valve (4) is turned off and the jet pump is activated, the detergent containing water remains in the pump body, and detergent and water is enabled to mix in the pump body without being transmitted to the washing environment by the pump acting as a mixer. The water maximally mixed with detergent is transmitted to the washing environment upon the valve (4) being turned on while the pump continues its operation. In this manner, detergent residue does not remain on the washed textile products, enhancing washing efficiency.
In the washing machine (1) of the invention, the detergent containing washing water coming from the detergent compartment (2) collects in the pump and is mixed within this volume by means of the engine and the flaps of the pump. Upon the valve (4) being turned on, the detergent containing water pressurized in the pump body is transmitted to the washing environment.
The control unit (5) provided in the washing machine (1) of the invention, transmits commands preferably by a signal to the valve (4) or the valve (4) engine to turn the valve (4) on or off. When there is sufficient mixing in the pump, the control unit (5) sends a signal to turn the valve (4) on, and the mixture is transmitted to the washing environment upon the valve (4) being turned on.
In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit (5) enables the valve (4) to be kept on or off in predetermined periods. In the control unit (5), a t1 duration is randomly determined in which the valve (4) is kept off and the pump (3) is operated. The valve (4) is preferably kept off throughout water intake and water heating duration of the washing machine (1).
In an embodiment of the invention, the valve (4) is bidirectional, and controls liquid passage between the pump (3) and the washing environment.
In an embodiment of the invention, upon a user selecting a delicate washing program such as wool, silk, hand wash or gentle, the control unit (5) opts for a duration (t2) in which the valve (4) is kept off and the pump operates for mixing, which is longer than the normal washing duration (t1) (t2>t1). In this manner, the duration in which water and detergent is mixed in the pump is prolonged upon a user selecting a delicate washing program such as wool, silk, hand wash or gentle.
In an embodiment of the invention, if a user randomly selects a temperature lower than that displayed on the screen, the control unit (5) opts for a duration (t3) in which the valve (4) is kept off and the pump operates for mixing, which is longer than the normal washing duration (t1) (t3>t1). In this manner, the duration in which water and detergent is mixed in the pump is prolonged upon a user randomly selecting a temperature lower than that displayed on the screen.
In an embodiment of the invention, at least one heating cycle (6) is provided, connected on one side to the valve (4) and on the other side to the jet pump (3) and having at least one heater (61). Upon activation of the heater (61) and the valve (4) being turned on towards the heater (61), detergent containing water is transmitted to the heater (61), and in turn, the heated detergent containing water is transmitted back into the pump (3).
In an embodiment of the invention, a mesh structure is provided on the heater (61), thereby enlarging the heat transfer surface.
In an embodiment of the invention, the valve (4) is a three-way valve, and is capable of connecting the jet pump (3) outlet to the heater (61) or the washing environment.
In an embodiment of the invention, the valve (4) is a diverter valve.
In an embodiment of the invention, a control unit (5) is provided to send commands to operate the three-way valve (4) and the heater (61).
In an embodiment of the invention, upon a user selecting hot washing, the control unit (5) sends commands to activate the heater (61) and to turn the three-way valve (4) on towards the heating cycle (6).
In an embodiment of the invention, the jet pump (3) is activated in cold washing step, and the control unit (5) sends commands to turn the three-way valve (4) on towards the heating cycle (6) without activating the heater (61). In this manner, the detergent containing water is passed through the heater (61) and the dissolving rate of detergent is increased by this form even when the heater (61) is not active.
In an embodiment of the invention, the valve (4) has actuators and the control unit (5) sends commands to said actuators.
In an embodiment of the invention, an additional volume is provided in the jet pump (3) body, and the mixing process is performed within said additional volume.
In an embodiment of the invention, at least one discharge pump (7) is provided to discharge dirty water from a tub (8) after the washing process.

Claims

A washing machine (1) with enhanced detergent efficacy used in washing of the laundry items, comprising
- at least one detergent compartment (2) in which detergent is placed and through which washing water is passed,

- at least one jet pump (3) to pressurize the washing water with detergent coming to the detergent compartment (2),

- at least one valve (4) used by being placed at the jet pump (3) outlet,

- at least one control unit (5) configured to transmit commands to turn the valve (4) on and off
characterized by

- the at least one valve (4) used in its closed position for mixing detergent containing water in the jet pump (3) and

- the jet pump (3) mixing detergent containing water in its internal volume by means of the engine and the flaps provided thereon
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the valve (4) allows in its open position detergent containing water to pass through to the washing environment.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (5) is configured to send commands to the valve (4) or a valve (4) engine to turn the valve (4) on or off.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (5) is configured to be used to send commands to operate the jet pump (3) and to keep the valve (4) turned off throughout a predetermined duration.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (5) is configured to prolong the duration in which the jet pump (3) operates and the valve (4) is kept turned off upon a user selecting a delicate washing program.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (5) is configured to prolong the duration in which the jet pump (3) operates and the valve (4) is kept turned off upon a user selecting a washing temperature lower than a normal washing temperature.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the valve (4) is a bidirectional valve.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least one heating cycle (6) connected on one side to the valve (4) and on the other side to the jet pump (3) and having at least one heater (61) therein.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one heater (61) is a heater (61) with mesh structure.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the valve (4) is a three-way valve used in connecting the jet pump (3) outlet to the heating cycle or the washing environment.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 10, wherein the valve (4) is a diverter valve.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 3 or 8, wherein the control unit (5) is configured to send commands to operate the three-way valve (4) and the heater (61).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1 or 10, wherein the valve (4) has actuators.