EP4653599A1

EP4653599A1 - A washing machine

Info

Publication number: EP4653599A1
Application number: EP25168281.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehmet Ozbek; Ehsan Tuzcuoglu; Songul Bayraktar; Ahmet Burak TOP; Samet ILICA
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2024-05-22
Filing date: 2025-04-03
Publication date: 2025-11-26

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a body (2); a tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2); a drum (5) which is disposed into the tub (3) so as to be rotated by a motor, which has an inner surface (7) receiving the laundry and an outer surface (8) facing the tub (3); a drum inlet (6) which is provided on the body (2) and which allows access into the drum (5); and a lid (4) which covers the drum inlet (6). The washing machine (1) comprises as least one plate (10) attached to the outer surface (8) and at least one pocket (11) provided on the plate (10), which defines a volume (H) receiving at least some of the water in the tub (3) with the rotation of the drum (5).

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a drum which ensures better dissolution of detergent during the washing process.
In washing machines, generally, powder detergent or liquid detergent is used. After water is taken into the drum, the powder detergent loaded into the detergent compartment is mixed with the water in the tub and the detergent is enabled to be dissolved in the water with the rotational movement of the drum. However, there are some problems with this application. For example, some of the powder detergent settle to the bottom of the tub while some remain completely dissolved in the water and appear as dust particles on the laundry after the washing process. As a result, many adverse situations occur. Firstly, since the amount of detergent dissolved in the water is low, the laundry cannot be cleaned to the desired level, leading to user dissatisfaction. Secondly, since the undissolved detergent particles stick to the laundry in the form of residue, they may cause various dermatological conditions when the laundry comes into contact with the skin during use. Although various methods have been developed to prevent such problems and ensure the better dissolution of the detergent, the desired performance has not yet been achieved.
In the state of the art European Patent No. EP0557572B1 , a structure is disclosed, which ensures that the water in the tub is taken into the baffle by means of a large number of scoops formed on the drum and then discharged from the baffle onto the laundry.
In the state of the art German Patent No. DE4039507A1 , a structure is disclosed, which ensures that the water in the tub is taken into the baffle and then discharged from the baffle onto the laundry.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein the detergent is dissolved more efficiently with the rotation of the drum.
The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body; a tub which is disposed in the body; a front-loading drum which is disposed into the tub so as to be rotated by a motor, which has an inner surface receiving the laundry and an outer surface facing the tub; a drum inlet which is provided on the body and which allows access into the drum; a lid which covers the drum inlet; at least one plate which is attached to the outer surface of the drum; and at least one pocket which is provided on the plate, which defines a volume receiving at least some of the water in the tub with the rotation of the drum and which has at least one inlet port enabling the water intake into the volume and at least one outlet port enabling the delivery of the water taken through the inlet port back to the tub. Thus, the detergent is efficiently dissolved by enabling the detergent-water mixture in the tub to be taken into the pocket with the rotation of the drum and then discharged out of the pocket.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface area of the outlet port is smaller than that of the inlet port. Thus, the water taken through the inlet port is discharged through the outlet port at a higher speed so as to create hydrodynamic cavitation such that the detergent is more efficiently dissolved in the water.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the pocket has a plurality of outlet ports. Thus, the water taken into the pocket is discharged with the effect of nozzles such that the detergent is more homogeneously mixed and dissolved in the water.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the plate has at least two pockets which are positioned such that the inlet ports thereof face opposite directions. Thus, the detergent-water mixture is enabled to be taken into the pocket both in the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the drum, and the detergent is dissolved more quickly.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the pocket has a curved form. Thus, the water in the tub is more easily taken into the pocket.
In an embodiment of the present invention, on the plate, there is at least one rib which extends almost perpendicularly to the plane of the plate. With the rotation of the drum, the rib provided on the plate creates a mixing effect while passing by the drum base and ensures that the detergent powder particles settled on the drum base are more efficiently mixed with the water. Thus, the detergent is enabled to be mixed with the water without settling in the tub.
In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one baffle is provided on the inner surface of the drum and the plate is positioned so as to be aligned with the baffle. Thus, the plate and the baffle can be mounted with the same fixing members without the need for opening additional mounting holes on the drum. Consequently, the opening of additional holes which would affect the mechanical properties of the drum is prevented, eliminating cost and labor losses by using common parts.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the drum has a plurality of plates. Thus, the water in the tub is more efficiently mixed and the detergent is more efficiently dissolved in the water.
By means of the present invention, the detergent sent into the tub is enabled to be better dissolved in the water and the washing performance of the washing machine is improved.
The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the sideways cross-sectional view of the washing machine related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 - is the partial perspective view of the plate mounted to the drum related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 - is the cross-sectional view of the plate and the baffle mounted to the drum related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 - is the top view of the plate related to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1.: Washing machine
2.: Body
3.: Tub
4.: Lid
5.: Drum
6.: Drum inlet
7.: Inner surface
8.: Outer surface
9.: Baffle
10.: Plate
11.: Pocket
12.: Inlet port
13.: Outlet port
14.: Rib

H: Volume

The washing machine (1) comprises a body (2); a tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2); a drum (5) which is disposed into the tub (3) so as to be rotated by a motor, which has an inner surface (7) receiving the laundry and an outer surface (8) facing the tub (3); a drum inlet (6) which is provided on the body (2) and which allows access into the drum (5); and a lid (4) which covers the drum inlet (6). The washing machine (1) is a front-loading machine. Therefore, the drum inlet (6) is located at the front of the body (2). The drum (5) is attached to the tub (3) so as to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.
The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises at least one plate (10) which is attached to the outer surface (8) of the drum (5); and at least one pocket (11) which is provided on the plate (10), which defines a volume (H) receiving at least some of the water in the tub (3) with the rotation of the drum (5) and which has at least one inlet port (12) enabling the water intake into the volume (H) and at least one outlet port (13) enabling the delivery of the water taken through the inlet port (12) back to the tub (3). As a result of the rotation of the drum (5), the water is taken into the volume (H) through the inlet port (12) and discharged through the outlet port (13). Thus, the detergent-water mixture in the tub (3) is taken into the pocket (11) and discharged so as to create hydrodynamic cavitation, ensuring better dissolution of the detergent. The pocket (11), which is filled with the water with the rotational movement of the drum (5), also ensures that the detergent-water mixture at the bottom of the tub (3) is mixed. Thus, the detergent is enabled to be efficiently dissolved without settling on the bottom of the tub (3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the outlet port (13) of which the width is smaller than that of the inlet port (12). Thus, the water entering through the inlet port (12) exits the outlet port (13), which is narrower in width, at a higher speed. This enables the detergent to dissolve better in the water and mix better with the water.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the pocket (11) having a plurality of outlet ports (13) which extend in different directions. Micro bubbles are formed around the outlet port (13) and while exiting through the outlet port (13), the micro bubbles burst and create micro shock waves. Thus, the detergent powder particles are enabled to be efficiently dissolved in the water.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the plate (10) having least two pockets (11) which are positioned such that the inlet ports (12) thereof face opposite directions. Thus, the water is enabled to be taken into the pockets (11) when the drum (5) rotates in both directions such that the detergent is dissolved in the water in a shorter time.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the pocket (11) having a curved form. Thus, the water is enabled to be more easily taken into the pocket (11) and to affect the rotation of the drum (5) at the minimum level.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises at least one rib (14) which is provided on the plate (10) and which extends between the pockets (11) as a protrusion. Preferably, the rib (14) is formed on the plate (10) by bending a section of the plate (10). However, it is possible to design the rib (14) as a separate component to be attached onto the plate (10) by various connection methods (screw, welding, etc.). The rib (14) hits the water in the tub (3) during the rotation of the drum (5) and enables the water to be more efficiently mixed. Thus, the detergent powder particles settled at the bottom of the tub (3) are enabled to be dissolved more efficiently in water.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machines (1) comprises at least one baffle (9) which is provided on the inner surface (7) of the drum (5), and the plate (10) which is positioned so as to be aligned with the baffle (9). The baffle (9) enables the laundry to be tumbled in the drum (5). Connection holes are opened on the drum (5) to attach the baffle (9) onto the drum (5). The plate (10) is attached to the connection holes used for attaching the baffle (9) such that the plate (10) and the baffle (9) are fixed to the drum (5) by using the same connection members. Thus, the opening of additional holes onto the drum (5) is prevented, the mechanical strength of the drum (5) is preserved, and losses in process, material and labor are eliminated.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the drum (5) having a plurality of plates (10). During one revolution of the drum (5), the detergent-water mixture in the tub (3) is mixed more such that the detergent is more efficiently dissolved in the water.
By means of the present invention, the detergent sent into the tub (3) is prevented from settling on the bottom of the tub (3), and by creating hydrodynamic cavitation with the rotational movement of the drum (5), the detergent is completely dissolved in the water. Thus, the washing performance of the washing machine (1) is improved.

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising a body (2); a tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2); a drum (5) which is disposed into the tub (3) so as to be rotated by a motor, which has an inner surface (7) receiving the laundry and an outer surface (8) facing the tub (3); a drum inlet (6) which is provided on the body (2) and which allows access into the drum (5); and a lid (4) which covers the drum inlet (6), characterized by at least one plate (10) which is attached to the outer surface (8) of the drum (5); and at least one pocket (11) which is provided on the plate (10), which defines a volume (H) receiving at least some of the water in the tub (3) with the rotation of the drum (5) and which has at least one inlet port (12) enabling the water intake into the volume (H) and at least one outlet port (13) enabling the delivery of the water taken through the inlet port (12) back to the tub (3).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the outlet port (13) of which the width is smaller than that of the inlet port (12).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the pocket (11) having a plurality of outlet ports (13) which extend in different directions.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the plate (10) having least two pockets (11) which are positioned such that the inlet ports (12) thereof face opposite directions.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the pocket (11) having a curved form.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one rib (14) which is provided on the plate (10) and which extends between the pockets (11) as a protrusion.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one baffle (9) which is provided on the inner surface (7) of the drum (5), and the plate (10) which is positioned so as to be aligned with the baffle (9).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the drum (5) having a plurality of plates (10).