EP4638853A1

EP4638853A1 - Laundry detergent receptacle for a washing machine and a washing machine comprising such a receptacle

Info

Publication number: EP4638853A1
Application number: EP22851392.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Domen AGAR; Bla SKODLAR
Original assignee: Gorenje gospodinjski aparati dd
Current assignee: Gorenje gospodinjski aparati dd
Priority date: 2022-12-19
Filing date: 2022-12-19
Publication date: 2025-10-29
Also published as: WO2024134246A1; CN120380212A

Abstract

Laundry detergent receptacle for a washing machine and a washing machine comprising such a receptacle The invention refers to a laundry detergent receptacle for a washing machine and to a washing machine comprising such a receptacle. The technical problem is how to provide a laundry detergent receptacle that will reduce the possibility of inaccurate positioning of the hatch by the user depending on the selected laundry detergent form. The problem is solved by a receptacle (100) comprising a container (10) having at least one laundry detergent receiving compartment comprising a first compartment portion (11) having a top opening (12) for laundry detergent and water supply and a second compartment portion (13) having a downstream outlet opening (14) for guiding the laundry detergent and water into the washing machine tub, a hatch (20) which is arranged in the compartment between the first (11) and second (13) compartment portions in such a way to pivot about a vertical axis from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, a spring mechanism (30) connected to the hatch (20) and acting on the hatch to force it into the closed position when the hatch is in an intermediate position between the closed and the open positions, which is closer to the closed position and to force it into the open position when the hatch is in an intermediate position between the closed and the open position, which is closer to the open position, and a lever which is fixedly connected to the hatch and by means of which the user can move the hatch from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

Description

Laundry detergent receptacle for a washing machine and a washing machine comprising such a receptacle

Field of Invention

The invention refers to a laundry detergent receptacle for a washing machine and to a washing machine comprising such a receptacle.

Prior Art

The purpose of a laundry detergent receptacle for a washing machine is for the user to dispense detergent into it. When designing a laundry detergent receptacle the efficient use of the space available in a washing machine, the economy of manufacture and the ergonomics of use need to be taken into consideration. For this reason, receptacles are usually configured in the form of a drawer which is mounted on the front side of a washing machine. The receptacle usually comprises several compartments, at least one of which is dedicated to dispensing laundry detergent. Laundry detergents may be in the form of a powder, a liquid or a liquid enclosed in a soluble pouch, i.e. in the form of a pod. Due to the different physical properties and forms of the detergent, it is necessary to adapt the way in which the detergent is rinsed with the washing water into a washing machine tub in order to achieve the appropriate washing performance and to avoid a reduction in the lifetime of the washing machine components and in the number of servicing interventions. It is desirable for the washing water to rinse a powder laundry detergent from the washing compartment into the washing machine tub as smoothly as possible so that no deposits of adhered laundry detergent form on the walls of the compartment, while in the case of liquid laundry detergent, the desire is to prevent the laundry detergent from draining too quickly into the washing machine tub. In the case of pods, it is necessary to ensure that the pod is immersed in water so that the soluble pouch can be completely dissolved before entering the tub. This prevents particles of the incompletely dissolved pouch from sticking to the clothes and leaving stains. For this purpose, various barriers and hatches have been developed, with which the user can hinder the flow of the laundry detergent from said compartment into the washing machine tub in the case of liquid laundry detergent or pods. Before starting a washing process, the user moves the barrier or hatch from the open to the closed position or vice versa, depending on the form of the detergent.

Said barriers and hatches are configured to allow, even in the closed position, the liquid laundry detergent to permeate through the gap between the wall of the compartment and the hatch, or pores are formed in the barrier or hatch, as known, for example, from document WO 2017097318 Al. The liquid laundry detergent has a relatively high viscosity and therefore permeates slowly through the gap or pores. When the liquid laundry detergent is mixed with washing water during the washing process, the viscosity decreases and the permeation is accelerated.

In practice, it appears that users do not have a good understanding of the mechanism of the barrier/hatch operation and, as a result, do not place the barrier/hatch in the correct position depending on the laundry detergent selected, in particular, do not move the hatch to its final position, i.e. fully open or fully closed. This results in too rapid dispensing of the liquid laundry detergent when there is not enough water in the tub, or poor rinsing of the laundry detergent from the receptacle when solid or powder laundry detergent is used. All this has a negative impact on the washing performance, the lifetime of the washing machine components and the number of servicing operations.

Technical Problem

The technical problem is how to provide a laundry detergent receptacle for a laundry washing machine that will significantly reduce the possibility of incorrect or inaccurate positioning of the hatch by the user depending on the selected laundry detergent form.

Solution to the Technical Problem

Relative terms such as lower, upper, etc. are defined according to the orientation of the receptacle when installed in the washing machine in the operating position. In the context of this patent application, the closed position of the hatch is to be interpreted as the position in which the hatch is arranged perpendicularly to the flow direction and the open position of the hatch as the position in which the hatch is arranged in the flow direction. However, the closed position of the hatch does not mean that the liquid laundry detergent is prevented from entering the washing machine tub. On the contrary, a gap may be formed between the hatch and the walls and/or the bottom of the laundry detergent receptacle, the hatch may be perforated and/or provided with cut-outs to allow the liquid laundry detergent to enter the laundry detergent tub even in the closed position of the hatch.

The technical problem is solved by a laundry detergent receptacle for a laundry washing machine, comprising: a container having at least one laundry detergent receiving compartment comprising a first compartment portion having a top opening for laundry detergent and washing water supply and a second compartment portion having a downstream outlet opening for guiding the laundry detergent and washing water into the washing machine tub, a hatch which is arranged in said compartment between the first and second compartment portions in such a way to pivot about a vertical axis from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, a spring mechanism connected to the hatch and acting on the hatch to force it into the closed position when the hatch is in an intermediate position between the closed and the open positions, which is closer to the closed position and to force it into the open position when the hatch is in an intermediate position between the closed and the open position, which is closer to the open position; and a lever which is fixedly connected to the hatch and by means of which the user can move the hatch from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

The advantage of the laundry detergent receptacle for a washing machine according to the invention is that it makes it practically impossible for the user to place the hatch in a position which is not fully open or fully closed.

Figure 1 : Laundry detergent receptacle for a laundry washing machine

Figure 2: Cross-section of the laundry detergent receptacle with a hatch in the open position

Figure 3: Spring mechanism with the hatch and a second barrier

Figure 4: Container with markings for the laundry detergent form

Figure 5: Hatch in open position

Figure 6: Hatch in closed position

Figure 7: Bending spring with an isosceles triangle ramp

Figure 8: Bending spring with a sinusoid ramp

Figure 9: Compartment with a first barrier in a disassembled position

Figure 10: First barrier with a spring

Figure 11 : First barrier with a spring and a hatch

Figure 12: Embodiment of a second hinge

Figure 13: Embodiment of a second hinge

Figure 14: Embodiment of a torsional bending spring

Figure 15: Embodiment of a torsional bending spring

Figure 16: Embodiment of a torsional bending spring

Figure 17: Laundry detergent receptacle for a laundry washing machine with a second barrier The sinusoid ramp shown in Figure 3 and 8 has a continuous course but is shown as a broken surface for a better three-dimensional representation.

The invention is described in more detail hereinbelow.

The technical problem is solved by a laundry detergent receptacle 100 for a laundry washing machine, comprising: a container 10 having at least one laundry detergent receiving compartment 16 comprising a first compartment portion 11 having a top opening 12 for laundry detergent and washing water supply and a second compartment portion 13 having a downstream outlet opening 14 for guiding the laundry detergent and washing water into the washing machine tub, a hatch 20 which is arranged in said compartment between the first 11 and second 13 compartment portions in such a way to pivot about a vertical axis from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, a spring mechanism 30 connected to the hatch 20 and acting on the hatch to force it into the closed position when the hatch is in an intermediate position between the closed and the open positions, which is closer to the closed position and to force it into the open position when the hatch is in an intermediate position between the closed and the open position, which is closer to the open position; and a lever 40 which is fixedly connected to the hatch 20 and by means of which the user can move the hatch from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

According to a preferred embodiment, the spring mechanism 30 comprises: a torsional and/or bending spring 31 fixedly connected with its first end to the container 10 and connected with its second end to an upper end of the hatch 20 via a first hinge 32, 32a, a ramp 33 arranged on the bottom or upper side of the torsional and/or bending spring 31 such that the two bases of the ramp define the open and closed positions of the hatch, respectively, and a cam 50 fixedly connected to the hatch 20 and arranged so as to contact the ramp 33.

The spring mechanism 30 may further comprise a first 60 and a second 61 limiter arranged at a respective base of the ramp in a way to limit the travel of the cam 50 between the open and closed positions of the hatch.

The fixed connection of the first end of the torsional and/or bending spring to the container may be formed as a detachable connection, e.g. via a seat and pins. Alternatively, the first end of the torsional and/or bending spring and the container are integrally formed.

The hatch may further comprise a second hinge 24 through which the hatch is connected with its bottom end to the bottom of the laundry detergent compartment, the first and second hinges being aligned in the axis of rotation of the hatch.

When the hatch 20 is in the closed position, the cam 50 is located at the base of the ramp 33 and rests with one side against the first limiter 60. When the user wants to move the hatch in the open position, force needs to be exerted on the lever 40. The cam 50 moves along the ramp 33, which increasingly tensions the torsional and/or bending spring 31. Therefore, the user has to exert an increasing force onto the lever. As the cam 50 moves over the top of the ramp, the tension force of the torsional and/or bending spring accelerates the cam until the cam reaches the opposite base of the ramp and rests with the opposite side against the second limiter 61 and the hatch is exactly in the open position. The hatch 20 and the associated lever 40 are therefore rotated 90° about the vertical axis of rotation. The procedure is analogous when the hatch is moved from the open to the closed position.

When the cam reaches the first 60 or second 61 limiter, it produces a slight clap, which further contributes to clear communication with the user. The container 10 may further be provided with markings 41 indicating the closed and open hatch positions in the form of words, signs and/or symbols, the markings being printed or embossed on the container, the closed hatch position marking indicating a liquid laundry detergent, including a liquid laundry detergent in a pod, while the open hatch position marking indicates a powder laundry detergent, the position of the lever 40 indicating the currently selected form of laundry detergent.

A further advantage of the receptacle according to the invention lies in that it gives, in a simple manner, a clear indication of the position of the hatch depending on the selected laundry detergent form.

The axis of rotation of the hatch may be arranged at either of the two extremes of the vertical edge of the hatch, or at any intermediate position between these extremes. According to a preferred embodiment, the axis of rotation is arranged in the middle of the hatch 20.

According to a preferred embodiment, the angle between the hatch 20 and the lever 40, when viewed in plan view, is 45°.

The shape of the ramp 33 may follow the shape of the sides of an isosceles triangle. According to a preferred embodiment, the shape of the ramp follows the shape of the sides of an isosceles triangle with a rounded apex, which reduces wear on the cam and results in smoother movement of the lever. In a further embodiment, the shape of the ramp may follow the shape of a sinusoid.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cam 50 is formed in the shape of a cylinder.

The receptacle may further comprise a first barrier 22 disposed in the compartment 16 between the first 11 and the second 13 compartment portions in a way to extend from the upper edge of the hatch 20 upwards when the hatch is in the closed position. The first barrier is fixed in the compartment by means of a groove 15 formed in the compartment. The first hinge 32a may be formed in a way that a hinge pin 25 with a flange 26 is formed on the hatch, while a first semi-circular cut-out 34 is formed on the torsional and/or bending spring 31 connected to the container via the first barrier 22 and a second semi-circular cut-out 35 with a locking device 36 is formed in the first barrier 22, the second semi-circular cut-out 35 being oriented in a direction opposite to that of the first semi-circular cut-out 34. The first and second semi-circular cut-outs define the axis of rotation of the hatch and the top edge of the hatch and the hinge pin flange prevent axial movement of the hatch. The fixed connection of the first end of the torsional and/or bending spring to the container is formed via the first barrier.

Alternatively, the receptacle may comprise a second barrier 23 arranged on the hatch along the axis of rotation of the hatch at a distance from the bottom of the compartment, the barrier 23 being rotated in plan view relative to the hatch 20, preferably by an angle of 90°.

The first and second barriers are configured to prevent the laundry detergent in powder form from falling uncontrollably through the outlet opening into the machine tub when the powder is poured into the first compartment portion. In this way, the user has better control over the amount of powder laundry detergent that has been put in the first compartment portion.

The second hinge may be formed in a way that a hinge pin is formed on the hatch and a hinge hole is formed in the bottom of the container. According to a preferred embodiment, a hinge pin 27 is formed at the bottom of the container and a hinge hole 28 is formed in the hatch. The hinge pin is formed in the form of a cylinder and, according to a preferred embodiment, in the form of a cylinder 27' with a chamfered edge. The hinge hole may be conical or may be formed in a way to form a loose fit with the hinge pin so that the hatch can be mounted on the hinge pin even when the hatch is slightly deflected from the vertical axis.

The spring may be in the form of an elastic band acting as a bending spring, hinged with one of its ends to the hatch and fixed with the other of its ends to the container. The fixed connection of the bending spring to the container may be formed in a material-locking manner or as a detachable connection, e.g. via a seat and pins.

The spring may further be formed as a torsional bending spring 31a formed in the form of an elastic band 31a' acting as a bending spring, hinged with one of its ends to the hatch and connected with the other of its ends to the container 10 via two lateral webs 31a" acting as torsional springs.

The spring may further be formed as a torsional bending spring 31b formed in the form of an annular element 31b' acting as a bending spring, hinged with one of its ends to the hatch and connected with the other of its ends to the container 10 via two lateral webs 31b" acting as torsional springs.

When mounted for the first time, the hatch is slightly tilted so that it is deflected from the vertical position, the hinge pin is inserted into the hinge hole of the second hinge, then the torsional and/or bending spring is pulled upwards, the hatch is pushed into the vertical position, and the torsional and/or bending spring is released, thereby establishing the hinge connection of the first hinge.

The spring may be formed as a torsional bending spring 31c formed in the form of an elastic band acting as a bending spring and having a first section 31c' and a second section 31c", the first section being hinged with one of its ends to the hatch and connected with the other of its ends that contacts the end of the second section to the container 10 via two lateral webs 31c'" acting as torsional springs. In this embodiment of the spring, the first mounting of the hatch is also carried out in the same manner as mentioned above, with the difference that the torsional and/or bending spring is not pulled upwards, but is pressed against the second section of the bending spring, which causes the first section of the bending spring to be lifted upwards.

The first hinge may be formed in a way that a hinge pin is formed on the hatch and a hinge hole is formed in the torsional and/or bending spring. Alternatively, the first hinge may be formed in a way that a hinge pin is formed on the torsional and/or bending spring and a hinge hole is formed in the hatch.

The hatch may be formed in a way that a gap 29 is formed between the hatch when in the closed position and the walls and/or the bottom of the laundry detergent receiving compartment.

The hatch 20 may be provided with at least one pore and/or at least one cut-out 21 instead of or in addition to the gap.

The invention also relates to a laundry washing machine comprising a laundry detergent receptacle according to one of the above embodiments.

Claims

1. A laundry detergent receptacle (100) for a laundry washing machine, comprising:

- a container (10) having at least one laundry detergent receiving compartment (16) comprising a first compartment portion (11) having a top opening (12) for laundry detergent and washing water supply and a second compartment portion (13) having a downstream outlet opening (14) for guiding the laundry detergent and washing water into the washing machine tub,

- a hatch (20) which is arranged in said compartment between the first (11) and second (13) compartment portions in such a way to pivot about a vertical axis from the closed position to the open position and vice versa,

- a lever (40) which is fixedly connected to the hatch (20) and by means of which the user can move the hatch from the open position to the closed position and vice versa, characterized by further comprising

- a spring mechanism (30) connected to the hatch (20) and acting on the hatch to force it into the closed position when the hatch is in an intermediate position between the closed and the open positions, which is closer to the closed position and to force it into the open position when the hatch is in an intermediate position between the closed and the open position, which is closer to the open position.

2. The receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring mechanism (30) comprises:

- a torsional and/or bending spring (31) fixedly connected with its first end to the container (10) and connected with its second end to an upper end of the hatch (20) via a first hinge (32, 32a),

- a ramp (33) arranged on the bottom or upper side of the torsional and/or bending spring (31) such that the two bases of the ramp define the open and closed positions of the hatch, respectively, and - a cam (50) fixedly connected to the hatch (20) and arranged so as to contact the ramp (33).

3. The receptacle according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring mechanism (30) further comprises a first (60) and a second (61) limiter arranged at a respective base of the ramp in a way to limit the travel of the cam (50) between the open and closed positions of the hatch.

4. The receptacle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hatch further comprises a second hinge (24) through which the hatch is connected with its bottom end to the bottom of the laundry detergent compartment, the first and second hinges being aligned in the axis of rotation of the hatch.

5. The receptacle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (10) is provided with markings (41) indicating the closed and open hatch positions in the form of words, signs and/or symbols, the markings being printed or embossed on the container, the closed hatch position marking indicating a liquid laundry detergent, including a liquid laundry detergent in a pod, while the open hatch position marking indicates a powder laundry detergent, the position of the lever (40) indicating the currently selected form of laundry detergent.

6. The receptacle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ramp (33) is formed in the form of an isosceles triangle sides, preferably in the form of the sides of an isosceles triangle with a rounded apex.

7. The receptacle according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ramp (33) is formed in the form of a sinusoid.

8. The receptacle according to any of claims 2 to 7, characterized by further comprising a first barrier (22) disposed in the compartment between the first (11) and the second (13) compartment portions in a way to extend from the upper edge of the hatch (20) upwards when the hatch is in the closed position, the first barrier being fixed in the compartment by means of a groove (15) formed in the compartment and the first hinge (32a) being formed in a way that a hinge pin (25) with a flange (26) is formed on the hatch, while a first semi-circular cut-out (34) is formed on the torsional and/or bending spring (31) connected to the container via the first barrier (22) and a second semi-circular cut-out (35) with a locking device (36) is formed in the first barrier (22), the second semi-circular cut-out (35) being oriented in a direction opposite to that of the first semi-circular cut-out (34), the fixed connection of the first end of the torsional and/or bending spring to the container being formed via the first barrier.

9. The receptacle according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized by further comprising a second barrier (23) arranged on the hatch along the axis of rotation of the hatch at a distance from the bottom of the compartment, the barrier (23) being rotated in plan view relative to the hatch (20), preferably by an angle of 90°.

10. The receptacle according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the spring is formed in the form of an elastic band acting as a bending spring, hinged with one of its ends to the hatch and fixed with the other of its ends to the container.

11. The receptacle according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the spring is formed as a torsional bending spring (31a) formed in the form of an elastic band (31a¹) acting as a bending spring, hinged with one of its ends to the hatch and connected with the other of its ends to the container (10) via two lateral webs (31a") acting as torsional springs.

12. The receptacle according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the spring is formed as a torsional bending spring (31b) formed in the form of an annular element (31b') acting as a bending spring, hinged with one of its ends to the hatch and connected with the other of its ends to the container (10) via two lateral webs (31b") acting as torsional springs.

13. The receptacle according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the spring is formed as a torsional bending spring (31c) formed in the form of an elastic band acting as a bending spring and having a first section (31c') and a second section (31c"), the first section being hinged with one of its ends to the hatch and connected with the other of its ends that contacts the end of the second section to the container (10) via two lateral webs (31c'") acting as torsional springs.

14. The receptacle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hatch is formed in a way that a gap (29) is formed between the hatch when in the closed position and the walls and/or the bottom of the laundry detergent receiving compartment and/or that the hatch is provided with at least one pore and/or at least one cut-out (21).

15. A laundry washing machine comprising a laundry detergent receptacle according to any of the preceding claims.