ES2365185T3 - ELECTRICAL DEVICE FOR WASHING AND / OR DRYING ITEMS. - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric device for washing and/or drying articles, preferably for household use, comprises: an outer containment structure (2); a compartment (3) inside the outer containment structure (2); means (4) for supporting the articles to be washed and/or dried, in at least one configuration the supporting means (4) being housed in the inner compartment (3); functional means for washing and/or drying the articles placed in the supporting means (4); a door (6) which opens and closes, allowing the user access to the supporting means (4) located in the inner compartment (3) and, at least in a closed configuration, partly delimiting the inner compartment (3); an active particle emitter (70), the particles performing an anti-odour and/or sanitising action; means (71) for conveying the active particles into the inner compartment (3), the conveying means (71) comprising at least one active particle outlet (712) in fluid communication with the emitter (70), the outlet leading into the inner compartment (3) when the door (6) is in the closed configuration. The active particle emitter (70) and said at least one outlet (712) are integral with the door (6).

Description

The present invention relates to an electric device for washing and / or drying articles. For example, said device can be a washing machine, a washer-dryer, a dryer or a dishwasher. The device is equipped with an emitter of active particles, said particles performing an anti-odor and disinfectant function. For example, this allows you to cool freshly washed clothes, eliminating odors and bacteria associated with sweat, smoke, etc.

Such devices are used in particular at the domestic level.

There are dryers of the prior art comprising:

-a first internal compartment that houses a drum designed to receive freshly washed clothes to dry;

-a ozone generator, said gas being used to perform an anti-odor action.

The dryer comprises a second internal compartment that houses the ozone generator, the second internal compartment being positioned above the first internal compartment. The ozone generator is located along the path of an air flow used by the dryer. The ozone is transported inside the drum by means of a flow of air that passes through the perforated cylindrical side wall of the rotating drum.

The dryer described above has several disadvantages.

In particular, ozone is generated near means for heating the air flow (for example, an electric heating element) and at a predetermined distance from the drum. In addition, to reach the inside of the drum, the air flow with ozone particles passes through the perforated walls of the drum. However, ozone is a very aggressive substance and its generation near the metal means to heat the air flow could result in premature oxidation of said heating means. Similarly, the drum or metal walls along the air flow path could be subject to oxidation.

In addition, due to the interaction with the metal walls mentioned above, the amount of ozone that is finally available in the drum to perform the desired anti-odor action is very limited.

EPO315879, WO2004 / 046448, US3877152, US3872604, DE7107935 document devices for treating known textile articles are described.

The present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing an electrical device for washing and / or drying articles, which is equipped with an anti-odor and / or disinfectant device, the electrical device allowing a reduction in oxidation of the components of the device.

The present invention also aims to provide an electrical device for washing and / or drying articles, which is equipped with an anti-odor and disinfectant device, the electrical device allowing optimization of the efficiency with which the generated active particles are used.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical device for washing and / or drying articles, which is equipped with an anti-odor and disinfectant device, the electrical device facilitating maintenance work.

These and other objects, which are more evident in the following description, are achieved, according to this invention, by an electric device for washing and / or drying articles having the structural and functional characteristics described in the independent claims herein. Alternative embodiments of the device are described in the dependent claims.

The invention is described in more detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred non-limiting embodiment of the invention, and in which:

-Figure 1 is a schematic view of an electrical device for washing and / or drying articles according to the present

invention; -Figure 2a is a front view of a component of a device for washing and / or drying articles according to the present invention;

- Figures 2b -2d illustrate the component of Figure 2a with some parts cut to better illustrate others; - Figure 2e is a side view of the component of Figure 2a; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the elements of Figure 2c; Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an element of Figure 2c; Figure 5 illustrates several elements of Figure 4 with some parts cut to better illustrate others; -Figure 6 is a cross-section according to the plane A -A of Figure 5. Referring to the accompanying drawings, the number 1 indicates an electrical device for washing and / or drying items,

preferably for domestic use.

Said electric device 1 can be a washing machine or a washer-dryer or a dryer and in this case it can perform its action on freshly washed clothes such as household bedding, sheets, clothes, shoes, etc. Said electric device 1 can be a dishwasher, in which case it can perform its action on dishes, casseroles,

cutlery, etc. The electrical device 1 comprises: -a external containment structure 2; -a compartment 3 within the external containment structure 2; -mediates 4 to support the items to be washed and / or dried, the support means 4 being in at least one

configuration, housed in internal compartment 3; -functional means for washing and / or drying the articles placed in the support means 4; -a door 6 that opens and closes, allowing the user to access the support means 4 located in the

internal compartment 3 and that, at least when the door 6 is in a closed configuration, delimits partially to internal compartment 3; - an emitter of active particles 70, the particles performing an anti-odor and / or disinfectant action;

- means 71 for transporting the active particles into the internal compartment 3. The transport means 71 comprise at least one outlet of active particles 712. Said outlet 712 is in fluid communication with the transmitter 70.

The functional means may comprise, for example, the means for heating the washing or drying operating fluid (typically comprising an electric heating element), as well as the conduits and the guidance and control devices for the fluid (which typically comprise a pump or a fan).

The device 1 can implement a disinfectant and / or odor treatment cycle for the articles placed in the support means 4, said treatment cycle involving at least the emitter of active particles 70 and the means 71 for transporting said active particles. The device 1 comprises a user interface 100 that allows the user to select and start the treatment cycle and, if necessary, also monitor the progress of the treatment cycle, provide information and / or messages by means of a screen or a set of LED.

The emitter 70 may be deactivated when the functional washing and / or drying means are active. Advantageously, the cycle of disinfectant and / or odor treatment is carried out on freshly washed clothing when it is already dry.

The active particles comprise, or coincide with, positive and / or negative ions.

The active particles comprise, or coincide with, ozone molecules.

Advantageously, the active particle emitter 70 comprises an active particle generator 700. Alternatively, the active particle emitter 70 could comprise an active particle deposit, for example an ozone deposit, although this embodiment is not preferable. Ozone is quite unstable, which makes its conservation in complex pressurized cylinders. The active particle generator 700 may be connected to a perfume and / or fragrance emitter.

The active particle generator 700 normally generates both ozone and ions simultaneously.

For example, the active particle generator 700 can perform its action using the corona effect. In a particular embodiment, the particle generator 700 performs its action using a non-concentrated corona effect that uses load delocalisation by exploiting the technology known in the scientific literature as "non-thermal plasma technology." A similar 700 particle generator is described in patent document DE10254135.

As an alternative, the particle generator performs its action using a concentrated corona effect that exploits the location of the charge. Said type of active particle generator 700 is also known and, therefore, not described in more detail.

In another embodiment, an active particle generator 700 could be used that performs its action using UV rays (for example a UV lamp). Said type of active particle generator 700 is also known and, therefore, not described in more detail.

As already indicated, the active particle generator 700 generates both ozone and ions. Ozone primarily performs an anti-odor action, while ions primarily perform an action against germs and, therefore, allow good disinfection. The ions (usually H + and OH-) deactivate the germ reproduction points.

On the contrary, ozone decomposes the ketone or aldehyde compounds responsible for odors that are in the laundry or that are in volatile state in the internal compartment 3. By interacting with the aforementioned odorous compounds, ozone releases pure oxygen and a Free radical that attacks odorous molecules formed mainly from oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, creating mainly CO2 and H2O.

The emitter of active particles 70 and said at least one outlet 712 are characterized in that they are connected to the door 6 at least during the opening and closing of the door. When the door 6 is in the closed configuration, said at least one outlet 712 leads into the internal compartment 3.

The door 6 that opens and closes houses the emitter of active particles 70 and said at least one outlet 712.

Advantageously, the door 6 that opens and closes can move with a rotating movement with respect to the containment structure 2.

Especially in the case of washing machines, the door 6 comprises an opaque frame and a transparent central part (normally constituted by a glass inspection window). In such a case, the emitter of active particles 70 and the transport means 71 are advantageously made in the frame.

The means 71 for transporting the active particles into the internal compartment 3 comprise a pipe 710, at least part of which is connected to the door 6 and extends between the emitter 70 and the outlet 712. Advantageously, the pipe 710 is extends between a fluid inlet 713 and the outlet 712. The inlet 713 can aspirate air from the external environment into the interior or (not illustrated) from the internal compartment 3. The emitter of active particles 70 is preferably located along the 710 pipe.

The transport means 71 comprise means 711 for moving a fluid, which are in fluid communication with the pipe 710 and which, if activated, generate a flow of fluid suitable for dragging the active particles along the pipe 710 from the emitter 70 at the outlet 712. With respect to the flow of fluid flow in the pipe 710, the movement means 711 may be downstream (as illustrated in the accompanying drawings) or upstream of the emitter of active particles 70. The means of movement 711 usually comprise a fan, preferably made of plastic material.

Advantageously, the fluid flow, generated along the pipeline 710 by the fluid movement means 711, is an air flow, and in particular said air is preferably drawn from the external environment to the external containment structure 2.

The transport means 71 also comprise an outlet 712 of the pipe 710 which, at least when the door 6 is closed, leads into the internal compartment 3. Experimentation has shown that ozone and ions tend to interact primarily with materials They conduct electricity, such as metals, while their interaction with plastic materials is much more limited.

For this reason, the pipe 710, at least between the emitter of active particles 70 and the outlet 712, is made entirely of an electrical insulating material, to minimize interaction with the active particles transported in the internal compartment 3. This means that the oxidation of the pipe 710 can be avoided and the efficiency of the system can be increased, since the active particles, which do not react with the transport means 71, will be more concentrated when they reach inside the internal compartment 3 where they will perform their action.

The transport means 71 comprise a gate 8 that opens / closes the pipe 710. The gate 8 is located between the emitter of active particles 70 and the outlet 712 or at the outlet 712.

The gate 8 is made of an electrical insulating material to minimize interaction with the active particles that are transported on the articles placed in the support means 4 housed in the internal compartment 3.

The gate 8 is closed when the fluid movement means 711 are inactivated, to limit the risk that foreign bodies, entering through the outlet 712, reach the emitter of active particles 70 (for example, in the case of a dryer or washer-dryer, such foreign bodies could be lint generated by freshly washed clothes during the drying treatment). Obviously, when the fluid movement means 711 are active, it is the fluid flow in the internal compartment 3 which prevents the flying foreign bodies from reaching the emitter of active particles 70. The gate 8 allows a tight seal. The gate 8 can be moved by an electric motor that opens it when the emitter 70 or the fluid movement means 711 is activated and closes it when the emitter 70 or the fluid movement means 711 are deactivated. Alternatively, the gate 8 is actuated in an elastic manner for example by an elastic spring 80. Therefore, when the fluid movement means 711 are active, the pressure they generate causes the gate 8 to open, but when the pressure drops , gate 8 closes. Alternatively, gate 8 is activated by a "wax actuator," a component well known in the technical literature.

Especially in the case of washing machines, washers-dryers and dryers, the support means 4 for the articles comprise a rotating drum 40 to accommodate the items to be washed and / or dried. In this case, said articles are usually textile articles. The drum 40 has an opening 41 for inserting or removing textile articles. At least when the door 6 is closed, the outlet 712 of the pipe 710 is opposite the opening 41 in the drum 40. In this way, the fluid and the active particles entrained by it are introduced into the internal compartment 3 directly over the articles to be treated and do not have to pass through the metal walls of the rotating drum 40. The rotating drum 40 normally cannot be removed from the internal compartment 3. In this description, the space delimited by the rotating drum 40 should be considered as a part member of the internal compartment 3 housing the support means 4. In addition to the space delimited by the drum 40, the internal compartment 3 comprises an additional space interposed between the rotating drum 40 and the walls that delimit the compartment 3 (allowing the drum 40 rotate inside the internal compartment 3).

In the case of a dishwasher, the support means 4 comprise one or more removable grids (of the known type) on which the plates are placed. Said grids can usually be removed by moving them from the internal compartment 3 through the opening that can be closed by the door 6.

Whatever the type of household electrical appliance, the door 6 that opens and closes may comprise a first and a second cover element 61, 62 located side by side and separated. Between the first and second cover elements 61, 62 there is a housing 63 in which the fluid movement means 711, the pipe 710 and the emitter of active particles 70 can be located. When the door 6 is closed, the first cover element 61 partially delimits the internal compartment 3. With respect to the first cover element 61, the second cover element 62 is on the opposite side of the door 6 and oriented towards the external environment. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the outlet 712 of the pipe 710 is made in the first cover element 61. In the second cover element 62 could be the socket 713 for a fluid to be transported in the pipe 710. In In particular, said fluid is air drawn from the external environment (or as an alternative, the intake 713 could be made in the first cover element 61: in which case the air is extracted from the internal compartment 3 and is made to recirculate along of means of transport 71). In the socket 713 there are also means (comprising for example a grid or a membrane) to filter dust or foreign bodies that could damage the emitter of active particles 70.

The electrical device 1 comprises means for measuring the concentration of at least one type of said active particles in a fluid. For example, there may be means to measure ozone concentration or ion concentration or both. Said measuring means comprise a sensor. The sensor is usually located in the internal compartment 3.

The measuring means also comprise an electronic control panel that activates / deactivates the emission of active particles in the pipe 710 by the emitter 70, said activation / deactivation depending on the information supplied by the measuring means.

If the concentration of active particles in contact with the articles to be treated were too low, their action could have limited efficacy. On the contrary, if the concentration of active particles in contact with the articles were too high (especially in the case of ozone) there could be a risk of damaging the articles to be treated (for example, the colors of any clothes). For example, in the case of ozone, an optimal concentration is between 0.3 and 0.5 ppm.

In an alternative embodiment, the emitter 70 and the fluid movement means 711 operate continuously for the entire duration of the disinfectant and / or odor treatment cycle. Appropriately, the duration of the treatment is a parameter that is preset at the factory. Alternatively, there may be a plurality of preset parameters representing the duration of the treatment, each guaranteeing a different treatment intensity and / or being specific to the type of charge or the type of electrical device.

In general, during use, the articles to be subjected to a cycle of disinfectant and / or odor treatment are introduced into the internal compartment 3 and placed in the support means 4. Next, the door 6 is closed and The treatment cycle begins.

The active particles generated by the emitter 70 are transported through the transport means 71 into the internal compartment 3 where they come into contact with the items to be treated. Said particles will then perform their action.

This invention has important advantages.

First, the position of the emitter 70 and the transport means 71 in / on the door 6 allows the containment of the path that the active particles must follow in order to reach the items to be treated. The relatively short trip reduces the interactions between the active particles and the walls and anything else along the path. Obviously, such interactions should be avoided, since they reduce the number of active particles that will reach the internal compartment 3, in particular inside the drum, and that will therefore interact with the items to be treated and / or with the atmosphere in which These items are located. The reduction of the trajectory significantly reduces the parts of the electrical device 1 that come into contact with the flow of fluid rich in active particles. There is also a consequent reduction of the parts of the electrical device 1 that must be made of materials that minimize oxidation in contact with the active particles. The shorter the trajectory, the more limited the area will be with a restricted choice of materials.

Another important advantage is that the emitter 70, being applied to the door 6, is located at a point that is easily accessible for any maintenance or repair work that may be necessary.

It should be understood that the described invention can be modified and adapted in various ways without departing from the scope of the concept of the invention.

In addition, all the details of the invention can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be changed to meet specific needs.

Claims (14)

1. An electrical device for washing and / or drying items, preferably for domestic use, comprising: -a external containment structure (2); -a compartment (3) within the external containment structure (2); - means (4) for supporting the items to be washed and / or dried, the support means (4) being, in at least one configuration, housed in the internal compartment (3); -functional means for washing and / or drying the articles placed in the support means (4); -a door (6) that opens and closes, allowing the user to access the support means (4) located in the internal compartment (3) and, at least in a closed configuration, partially delimiting the internal compartment (3) ; - an emitter of active particles (70), the particles performing an anti-odor and / or disinfectant action; - means (71) for transporting the active particles into the internal compartment (3), the transport means (71) comprising at least one output of active particles (712) in fluid communication with the emitter (70); the emitter of active particles (70) and said at least one outlet (712) being connected to the door (6), and when the door (6) is in the closed configuration, directing the outlet (712) into the internal compartment ( 3); the device being characterized in that the means (71) for transporting the active particles into the internal compartment (3) comprise: - a pipe (710), of which at least part is connected to the door (6) and extends between the emitter (70) and the outlet (712); - means of fluid movement (711) in fluid communication with the pipe (710) and that, if they are active, generate an adequate air flow to drag the active particles along the pipe (710) from the emitter ( 70) at the exit (712); the fluid movement means (711) being located upstream or downstream of the emitter of active particles (70) with respect to the air flow in the pipe (710).

2.

The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the door (6) that opens and closes houses the emitter of active particles (70) and said at least one outlet (712).

3.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active particles comprise, or coincide with, positive and / or negative ions or the active particles comprise, or coincide with, ozone molecules.

Four.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a domestic electrical appliance and characterized in that the door (6) that opens and closes can comprise a first and a second cover element (61, 62) located one side by side and separated; Between the first and second cover elements (61, 62) there is a housing (63) in which the fluid movement means (711), the pipe (710) and the emitter of active particles (70) can be located.

5.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe (710), at least between the emitter of active particles (70) and the outlet (712), is made entirely of an electrical insulating material, for minimize interaction with active particles transported inside the internal compartment (3).

6.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport means (71) comprise a gate (8) that opens / closes the pipe (710), the gate (8) being:

-situated between the emitter of active particles (70) and the outlet (712) or at the outlet (712); - made of an electrical insulating material to minimize interaction with the active particles that are transported on the articles placed in the support means (4) housed in the internal compartment (3); -close when the fluid movement means (711) are deactivated, to limit the risk that foreign bodies, entering through the outlet (712), reach the emitter of active particles (70).

7.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support means (4) for the articles comprise a rotating drum (40) for supporting the articles, the rotating drum (40) having an opening (41) for insert or remove the items to be washed and / or dried, the outlet (712) being opposite the opening (41) of the rotating drum (40) when the door (6) is closed.

8.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises:

- means for measuring the concentration of at least one type of said active particles, the measuring means comprising a sensor located in the internal compartment (3); - an electronic control panel that activates / deactivates the emission of active particles in the pipe (710) by the emitter (70), said activation / deactivation taking place depending on the information supplied by the measuring means.

9.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door (6) comprises an opaque frame and a transparent central part, the emitter (70) and the transport means (71) being made in the frame.

10.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active particle emitter (70) comprises an active particle generator (700).

eleven.

The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the active particle generator (700) simultaneously generates both ozone and ions using the corona effect.

The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the active particle generator (700) performs its action using UV rays.

13.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emitter (70) is deactivated when the functional means for washing and / or drying are active.

14.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it implements an anti-odor and disinfectant treatment cycle for the articles placed in the support means (4), said treatment cycle involving at least the emitter of active particles ( 70) and the means (71) for transporting said active particles.

fifteen.

The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a washing machine or a washer-dryer or a dryer or a dishwasher.