ES2371670T3 - WASHER EQUIPPED WITH A BOX FOR WASHING PRODUCTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine for washing stains from the cloths, comprises a case (14) to wash the cloths having a front side (15) and a luminous unit (22) disposed on the front side, a control unit having a button to define a level of stains on the cloths, and a drum containing the cloths. A unit to indicate a quantity of cloths to be washed during filling of the case, a hardness of water, and a type of the cloth. The luminous indication is arranged along a vertical axis (24) of front side of the case, and is placed along a transparent window (29). The machine for washing stains from the cloths, comprises a case (14) to wash the cloths having a front side (15) and a luminous unit (22) disposed on the front side, a control unit having a button to define a level of stains on the cloths, and a drum containing the cloths. A unit to indicate a quantity of cloths to be washed during filling of the case, a hardness of water, and a type of the cloth. The luminous indication is arranged along a vertical axis (24) of front side of the case, and is placed along a transparent window (29) to visualize the level of cloths introduced into the case for washing. The luminous indication extends from a minimum level up to a level of indication of the quantity of cloths to be washed during the filling of the case, where the case is integrated in a lid. The front side of the case is placed on an internal side of the lid. The luminous indication is visible during an opening of the lid. Two compartments of the case are associated with the luminous unit, which has light sources and a light-guide.

Description

Washing machine equipped with a box for washing products

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a box for washing products.

[0002] This washing machine comprises a tank in which a drum is housed to hold clothes.

[0003] In general, the invention relates to washing machines and in particular to household washing machines.

[0004] On the one hand, washing machines are known that propose visual means to indicate the level of filling of a detergent in a product box such as transparent windows.

[0005] On the other hand, document FR2534605 is known which describes a washing machine comprising a device for adding washing products by means of water and which, in the operating position, is surrounded on all sides by a housing and has at least Two compartments for washing products. Inside the housing, at least one light source associated with the program is associated to each compartment. The light source is visible when the device for adding washing products is open. The light source turns on when you open the device and turns off when you close it. The light source is formed by at least one LED. The light source diodes are switched on based on the amount of detergent to be introduced and, in particular, on the number of vessels to be added to a compartment of the product box.

[0006] However, this device for adding water washing products does not allow to see directly the amount of detergent that must be introduced into the compartment. The light sources are arranged on an upper face of the device for adding water washing products. The light sources do not allow viewing with the control means of the machine.

[0007] The user fills the glass and pours it into the compartment. This operation is repeated as many times as light sources are on. In addition, the user must have a glass prepared with the detergent that he has to put in the compartment. The dosage of the washing product is variable according to the amount contained in the glass. The glass can be filled completely or halfway. The filling of the vessel is approximate and with a low precision with respect to the amount of washing product necessary for a washing program.

[0008] Consequently, the recommendation of washing products is not optimal depending on the parameters considered by the machine control means.

[0009] The present invention has the objective of solving said inconveniences and proposing a washing machine with a washing machine box that allows to recommend the quantity of washing products in an accurate, ergonomic and simple way to know the threshold determined by the control means. of the machine

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a box for washing products.

[0011] According to the invention, the washing product box comprises a front face, said box comprising at least one light medium disposed on said front face, said at least one light means allowing to recommend a quantity of washing product to be introduced into the wash box for washing products by at least one light indication, said light indication being arranged along a vertical axis of said front face of said washing products box.

[0012] In this way, the amount of washing product to be introduced into the wash box is simple to use. The user directly reads the level of washing product to be introduced. Said at least one light indication allows to directly see the threshold determined by means of machine control means. This display of the recommendation of the amount of washing products is possible thanks to the provision of said at least one light indication on the front face of the box.

[0013] In addition, the recommendation for the quantity of washing products is accurate. When said at least one light indication is arranged along a vertical axis of the front face of the box, it allows to recommend an exact quantity to be introduced without being linked to a dose defined by the manufacturer of washing products.

[0014] On the other hand, being said at least one light indication arranged along a vertical axis of the front face of the box is ergonomic for the user.

[0015] Said at least one light indication is visible to the user when filling the box with a washing product.

[0016] Said at least one light means allows to recommend a quantity of washing product by means of at least one light indication corresponding to at least one level of washing product to be reached during the filling of the box for washing products.

[0017] In this way, said at least one level is indicated by means of control of the machine with a luminous medium and the user fills the box for washing products up to that level.

[0018] Preferably, said at least one light indication is arranged along a transparent window to see the level of the washing product introduced in the wash box.

[0019] When a washing product is introduced into the box, a means for monitoring the filling of said box is activated.

[0020] In this way, the user can follow the evolution of the filling of the box for filling products and is notified as soon as the recommended level is reached.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced into the wash box depends on the washing program, the type of textile and the water hardness level.

[0022] Thus, the recommended amount of washing product to be introduced into the box is sufficiently accurate to avoid excessive dosing, frequently found in the uses made by consumers.

[0023] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the recommendation of the amount of laundry product to be introduced into the laundry box also depends on the level of dirt in the laundry.

[0024] Thus, the recommended amount of detergent to be introduced into the box is consistent with the level of dirt in the clothes and the use of the clothes by the users.

[0025] In practice, said machine comprises control means, said control means comprising a button for defining the level of dirt in the clothes.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced into the laundry box is increased by at least one level for soiled laundry.

[0027] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced into each compartment also depends on the amount of laundry introduced into a drum of said machine.

[0028] Thus, the recommended amount of washing product is consistent with the weight of clothes or the volume of clothes in an optimal manner.

[0029] According to a first embodiment of the invention, said at least one light medium is formed by at least two light sources.

[0030] According to a second embodiment of the invention, said at least one light medium is formed by at least one light source and a light guide.

[0031] Said at least one light indication extends from a minimum level to a recommendation level of a quantity of washing products to be introduced in the box.

[0032] In a particular mode of the invention, the box for washing products is incorporated in a housing cover of said machine, the front face of the box for washing products being on the inner face of said lid and said visible being visible to the less a light indication when opening the lid.

[0033] Preferably, said at least one light indication is arranged along a transparent window to see the level of the washing product introduced in the wash box.

[0034] The box for washing products has at least two compartments, each of said at least two compartments being associated with at least one light medium.

[0035] Other features and advantages of the invention are shown in the description that follows.

[0036] In the attached figures, given by way of non-limiting examples:

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Figure 1 represents a schematic plan view of a washing machine;

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Figure 2 is a schematic view of a box for washing products of a washing machine according to the invention.

[0037] First, with reference to FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 equipped with a box for washing products is described.

[0038] This washer can be a household washer or a washer dryer.

[0039] In this embodiment, a machine with loading from the top has been presented. Of course, the present invention applies to all types of washing machines and in particular to those of front loading.

[0040] This washing machine 1 comprises a housing 2 having an access opening 3 to the interior of the housing 2. In machines with loading from the top, this access opening 3 is made in an upper portion of the housing 2 and , in this example, in an upper plane of the housing 2.

[0041] An access door 4 makes it possible to cover this opening 3 of the casing 2 of the machine 1, in particular when it is operating.

[0042] In this exemplary embodiment and in no way restrictive, the access door 4 is pivotally mounted around a rotation axis attached to the housing 2 of the machine 1.

[0043] The casing 2 of the machine 1 allows a washing tank 5 to be housed, which can in particular contain the different wash and rinse cycles.

[0044] Inside the washing tank 5 a drum 6 is mounted in a known manner, with freedom of rotation around an axis 7 during the different washing, rinsing and spinning cycles of the machine.

[0045] Thus, the drum 6 is mounted in rotation about a horizontal axis 7.

[0046] It should be noted that the figures are schematic and that many elements necessary for the operation of the machine have been omitted (for example the engine, the pumps, the filters ...) which are not necessary to describe here in detail.

[0047] In order to be able to insert and remove clothes from the inside of the rotating drum 6, it comprises in a known way a door 8.

[0048] This access door 8, formed for example by two hinges 9 pivotally mounted on the barrel of the drum 6, allows closing an opening 10 arranged in said ferrule of said drum 6.

[0049] Similarly, the wash tank 5 may also have a tank door (not shown).

[0050] This tank door makes it possible to cover an opening 12 made in the tank 5 and arranged in front of the access opening 3 of the casing 2 of the machine 1. This tank door can therefore be mobile between a closed position in the which covers the opening 12, in a sealed manner and an open position in which the bowl door leaf is arranged between the tank wall 5 and the casing 2 of the machine.

[0051] A control panel 13 is also provided on the top of the machine 1.

[0052] Only the specific means for the realization of a box for washing products according to the invention are described below.

[0053] Of course, the washing machine according to the invention comprises all the equipment and means necessary to carry out a classic washing process in this type of machine with rotary plug.

[0054] The washing machine 1 has a box 14 for washing products.

[0055] The box 14 for washing products has a front face 15.

[0056] The box 14 for washing products is incorporated in a cover 4 of housing 2 of said machine 1. The front face 15 of the box 14 for washing products is on the inner face 16 of said cover 4. And at least a light indication 17 is visible when opening the cover 4.

[0057] The case 14 for washing products can be mounted with elastic hooking means with the cover 4 of the housing 2. Said case 14 and the cover 4 are generally made of plastic material.

[0058] The box 14 for washing products is comprised between the cover 4 of the housing 2 and four peripheral walls 18 of an opening 12 of the washing tank 5.

[0059] The box 14 for washing products allows the flow of liquid into the washing cycle of the washing tank 5 through at least one opening 19 made in the front face 15 of the box 14. The liquid flowing from the box 14 is formed by water and one or several washing products in the phases of a washing cycle.

[0060] The box 14 for washing products comprises at least one opening 20 made in the upper face 21 of the box 14 for introducing at least one washing product inside said box 14.

[0061] Said at least one inlet opening 20 of at least one detergent and said at least one outlet opening 19 of a liquid may be a single opening according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0062] The box 14 for washing products may be formed by one or more compartments 23 to contain different washing products. Preferably, the box 14 has at least two compartments 23. Said at least two compartments 23 make it possible to contain in particular the prewash products, the main washing products, also called "soap". and rinse products or softeners.

[0063] We will now describe the means for recommending the amount of washing products to be introduced into the wash box according to the invention, referring to Figure 2.

[0064] The box 14 comprises at least one light means 22 placed on said front face 15. Said at least one light means 22 allows to recommend an amount of washing product that must be introduced into the box 14 for washing products by means of at least a light indication 17. Said at least one light indication 17 is arranged along a vertical axis 24 of the front face 15 of the case 14 for washing products.

[0065] Said at least one light indication 17 represents two levels 27 of recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced in the box 14 for washing products. The number of recommendation levels is chosen by the washing machine manufacturer.

[0066] Said at least one light means 22 allows to recommend an amount of washing product by at least one light indication 17 corresponding to at least one level of washing product to be reached when filling the box 14 for washing products.

[0067] Said at least one light means 22 allows to recommend a threshold of level of washing product or a number of doses to be introduced into a compartment 23 of the box 14.

[0068] The box 14 for washing products may have windows 29 to see the level of washing product introduced in a compartment 23.

[0069] Said at least one light indication 22 is near a display window 29 whereby it can indicate the threshold of the level of washing product to be introduced into a compartment 23 of the box 14 or be separated from the threshold of the product level of washing to introduce.

[0070] A means of monitoring the filling of the box 14 for washing products is activated by introducing a washing product into the box 14.

[0071] Said means for monitoring the filling of the box 14 can be carried out by changing the color of said at least one light medium 22. A sound medium can warn the user that the recommended level of washing product has been reached.

[0072] According to another embodiment of the invention, said at least one light indication 17 is arranged along a transparent window 29 to see the level of washing product introduced in the case 14 for washing products.

[0073] Preferably, the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced in the box 14 for washing products depends on the washing program, the type of textile and the level of water hardness.

[0074] The water hardness level can be defined by the user before operating the washing machine 1.

[0075] Advantageously, the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced in the box 14 for washing products also depends on the level of dirt in the laundry.

[0076] Said machine 1 comprises control means 25, said control means 25 comprising a button 26 to define the level of dirt in the clothes.

[0077] In practice, the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced in the box 14 for washing products is increased by at least a level 27 in the case of dirty clothes.

[0078] The button 26 for determining the level of soiling makes it possible to recommend a quantity of washing product greater or less than a level of soiling called standard. The button 26 for determining the level of dirt can also comprise a pilot light to indicate its operating status and the level of dirt defined by the user.

[0079] Advantageously, the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced in the box 14 for washing products also depends on the amount of laundry introduced in a drum 6 of the machine 1.

[0080] In a first embodiment of the invention, said at least one light medium 22 is formed by at least two light sources.

[0081] Said at least two light sources allow indicating at least two levels of recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced in box 14 for washing products.

[0082] Said at least one light medium 22 may comprise several light sources to obtain a number of important levels in order to recommend a precise amount of washing products.

[0083] Said at least one light means 22 may extend along the entire filling height of the box 14 for washing products.

[0084] The light sources of said at least one light medium 22 may be of different colors to perform a color gradient according to the recommended level of amount of washing product. The light sources of the box 14 for washing products can be electroluminescent diodes.

[0085] In a second embodiment of the invention, said at least one light medium 22 is formed by at least one light source and a light guide (not shown). The light guide allows the light to be diffused through said at least one light indication 17 and thus recommend a quantity of washing products to be introduced in the box 14 for washing products.

[0086] The variation of the intensity applied to said at least one light source makes it possible to reach the recommended level for filling the washing product.

[0087] In a third embodiment of the invention, said at least one light medium 22 comprises two light sources of different color arranged at the two ends of a light guide (not shown).

[0088] Thus, the recommended level of amount of washing product is achieved by a color variation of the light indication.

[0089] Advantageously, said at least one light indication extends from a minimum level to a recommendation level of a quantity of washing products to be introduced in the box 14.

[0090] The box 14 for washing products is incorporated in a housing cover 4 of the machine 1, the front face 15 of the box 14 for washing products on the inner face 16 of the cover 4 and said at least being said a light indication 17 visible when opening said lid 4.

[0091] Said at least one light indication 17 is arranged along a transparent window 29 to see the level of washing product introduced in the case 14 for washing products.

[0092] The box 14 for washing products comprises at least two compartments 23, each of said at least two compartments 23 being associated with at least one light medium 22.

[0093] In an improved embodiment of the invention, said at least one luminous medium 22 may be arranged on a moving element following the shape of the box 14 for washing products so as to indicate the recommended level of product quantity of wash to introduce.

[0094] Thus, a single light source is useful to indicate the recommended level. In addition, the recommended level is indicated precisely as the light source is arranged in the exact place where the filling of the washing product must be stopped.

[0095] The embodiments of the device for recommending a quantity of washing product according to the invention described above can also be applied in a front-loading washing machine.

[0096] A front loading washing machine generally has a drawer-shaped washing machine box, whose front face is located in the plane of the front face of the machine.

[0097] Said front face of the box for washing products is visible to the user. Therefore, a device for recommending a quantity of washing product similar to the one described above can be carried out on the front face of the washing product box.

[0098] The at least one light medium 22 can adopt three operating states.

[0099] The first operating state of said at least one light means 22 is an inactive state when closing the housing cover 4 of a washing machine 1. Said at least one light means 22 is without power.

[0100] The second operating state of the at least one light means 22 is an active state when opening the housing cover 4 of a washing machine 1. Said at least one light means 22 is electrically powered.

[0101] The third operating state of the at least one luminous medium 22 is an active state when opening the housing cover 4 of a washing machine 1 and resting after a period without using the machine 1. Said at least one means Luminaire 22 leaves this third operating state either when the cover 4 of the housing 2 is moved, either when the button 26 for determining the level of dirt of the clothes is pressed or when the introduction of clothes in the drum 6 of the machine is detected one.

[0102] The displacement of the cover 4 of the housing 2 can be detected by an electromagnet attached to the housing 2 of the machine 1 and a magnet placed in the cover 4. This electromagnetic device allows to determine the inclination of the cover 4 of the housing 2 with respect to housing 2 and deducing the operating state of said at least one luminous medium 22.

[0103] The detection of the introduction of clothes into the drum 6 can be carried out with a clothing weight measuring device inserted into the drum 6.

Claims (14)

1. Washing machine comprising a box (14) for washing products, said box (14) comprising a front face (15) and at least one light medium (22), said at least one light medium (22) allowing to recommend a quantity of washing product to be introduced into the box (14) for washing products by means of at least one light indication (17 ), characterized in that said at least one light means (22) is arranged on the front face (15) and said at least one light indication (17) is arranged along a vertical axis (24) of said front face (15 ) of the box (14) for washing products.

2.

Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one light means (22) allows to recommend an amount of washing product by at least one light indication (17) corresponding to at least one level of washing product to be reached during filling of the box (14) for washing products.

3.

Washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when a washing product is introduced into the box (14) for washing products, a means is activated to monitor the filling level of the box (14) for washing products.

Four.

Washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one light medium (22) is formed by at least two light sources.

5.

Washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one light medium (22) is formed by at least one light source and a light guide.

6.

Washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one light indication

(17) extends from a minimum level to a recommendation level of a quantity of washing products to be introduced in the box (14). 7. Washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said at least one light indication (17) is arranged along a transparent window (29) to see the level of washing product introduced in the box (14) for washing products.

8.

Washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced in the box (14) for washing products depends on the washing program, the type of textile and the level of water hardness .

9.

Washing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced into the box (14) for washing products also depends on the level of dirt in the laundry.

10.

Washing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that said machine comprises control means (25), said control means (25) comprising a button (26) for defining the level of dirt in the clothes.

eleven.

Washing machine according to claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced into the box (14) for washing products is increased by at least one level (27) for dirty clothes.

12.

Washing machine according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the recommendation of the amount of washing product to be introduced in the box (14) for washing products also depends on the amount of clothes introduced into a drum (6) of said machine (one).

13.

Washing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box (14) for washing products is incorporated in a cover (4) of the machine (2) of the machine (1), the front face (15) of the box (14) being ) for washing products on the inner face (11) of the lid (4) and said at least one light indication (17) being visible when opening the lid (4).

14.

Washing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box (14) for washing products comprises at least two compartments (23), each of said at least two compartments (23) being associated with at least one light medium (22) .