ES2529995T3 - Washing machine with water storage tank - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine with a storage tank, comprising: - a container container body (102) delimiting a laundry compartment (C1); - a water storage tank, which is connectable to the washing compartment (C1) to receive and accumulate at least a part of the water contained in the washing compartment (C1) during a cycle of operation of the washing machine (100) ; and - water coupling means (I1, I2, T, U1, U2, V1, V2, V3), operating at least between the washing compartment (C1) and a hollow space (C2) for transferring at least fluid from the washing compartment (C1) to the hollow space (C2); characterized in that at least one wall (106) of the container container body (102) delimiting said washing compartment (C1) forms an internal hollow space (C2) defining said storage tank.

Description

E12196053

06-02-2015

DESCRIPTION

Washing machine with water storage tank

The present invention relates to a washing machine (more commonly known as a washing machine) equipped with a water accumulation tank.

5 As is known, traditional type washing machines are household appliances that comprise a washing compartment, within which there is a drum to hold the laundry to be washed, which is rotatable around a horizontal or vertical axis, a system for distributing water, which is connectable to the water system and flows into the washing compartment, a unit for heating the water by means of a resistor and a conduit for draining the water from the washing compartment after the washing has been completed.

10 The washing compartment is connected to counterweights (usually made of concrete), the function of which is to stabilize the washing machine, reducing the vibrations transmitted from the oscillating unit to the remaining parts of the washing machine chassis.

For the purpose of recycling the water (and the heat associated with it) from one wash cycle to the next, some existing washing machines further comprise a water accumulation tank, which is connected to the drum for

15 receive from there the water to rinse the laundry. Once it has been adequately filtered, this rinse water is then stored in the tank for later use in the next wash cycle.

EP326502A1 describes a washing machine provided with counterweight means comprising one or more tanks that can be filled with water to suppress excessive vibrations, said tanks being positioned along the perimeter of the drum.

20 Disadvantageously, traditional type washing machines (equipped with counterweights made of concrete) are very heavy to transport due to the increase in mass (several dozen kg) due to the presence of the counterweights.

Moreover, such counterweights require specific elimination procedures that are complex and expensive.

With reference to stability during the spin cycle, an action of

Proper damping in relation to the vibrations transmitted by the oscillating unit to the remaining parts of the washing machine requires that the counterweights be properly distributed and in the case of counterweights made of concrete, this is never fully achieved. This inevitably presents design and production complications.

On the other hand, the counterweights absorb the heat transmitted to the water in the heating unit, and this negatively affects the thermal efficiency of the washing machine and therefore increases the consumption.

In addition, in washing machines with an accumulation tank, the need to predispose a specific accommodation space for the accumulation tank presents several critical design points, while the presence of this tank complicates the design of the washing machine structurally and increases the assembly time .

The technical task of the present invention is therefore to make a washing machine possible with a

A water accumulation tank that overcomes the previously described drawbacks of the prior art.

The purpose of the present invention is to make possible a washing machine with a water accumulation tank that has a reduced mass, but at the same time achieves an excellent vibration damping action (particularly the vibrations transmitted from the oscillating unit to the chassis) and allow maximum

40 stability of the washing machine particularly during the spin cycles.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to make possible a washing machine with a water accumulation tank that reduces the critical structural points of design and that requires a reduced assembly time.

A further purpose of the present invention is to make possible a washing machine with a water accumulation tank that has high thermal efficiency and therefore low consumption levels.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to make possible a washing machine with a water accumulation tank that is highly practical in terms of disposal at the end of its useful life.

The defined technical task and specific purposes are substantially achieved by a washing machine with a water accumulation tank that has the characteristics expressed in one or more of the

50 attached claims.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description.

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indicative, and therefore not limiting of the preferred but not exclusive embodiment, of a washing machine with a water accumulation tank as illustrated in the accompanying drawings where:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view, such as to show the plumbing connections, of a washing machine according to the present invention and in a first stage of operation;

5 - Figures 2-5 represent the schematic view of Figure 1 in different stages of operation.

With reference to the attached figures, 100 indicates a washing machine according to the present invention in its entirety and in a schematic way.

The machine 100 comprises, according to a widely known structure, an external support chassis 101 generally with a box-like shape. Conveniently, the machine 100 can comprise a body

10 container 102, or bucket. This container body 102 is generally supported by the suspension system 103 connected to the chassis 101. This suspension system 103 may comprise vibration damping means, for example shock absorbers or helical springs.

The container body 102 internally defines a washing compartment C1 adapted to be filled with a mixture of water and detergent during the operating stages of the machine 100.

Also, the container body 102 is of a substantially cylindrical shape, and in particular it has a side wall 106 of cylindrical shape that has an access opening in the front that is closed with a porthole "O".

Within the container body 102, a rotating drum 104 is rotatably mounted, and rotated by means of a shaft 105 about a horizontally or substantially horizontal "X" axis of rotation. The axis of rotation can in any case have any spatial orientation, for example vertical or generally inclined with

20 with respect to the horizontal.

The drum 104 is accessible from the front from the opening provided with a porthole "O" to introduce the laundry or laundry to be washed and, as is known, has a peripheral wall that is perforated to allow water mixing. and detergent present in the washing compartment C1 reaches the clothes present in the drum 104. More generally, the space inside the rotating drum 104 is in fluid communication with the outer space to the

25 drum 104 and inside the container body 102.

Advantageously, at least one wall of the container body 102, which delimits the washing compartment C1, forms an internal hollow space C2 that defines an accumulation tank for water or for a mixture of water and detergent.

Preferably, the hollow space C2 is made within the side wall 106 and extends around the axis of rotation "X" of the drum 104.

Preferably, the hollow space C2 extends around the axis of rotation "X" of the drum 104 through an angle greater than 180 °.

Even more preferably, the hollow space C2 is ring-shaped and completely surrounds the axis of rotation "X" of the drum 104. In other words, the hollow space C2 preferably extends along an extension

35 of a full angle around the "X" axis.

The accumulation tank defined by the hollow space C2 is connectable to the washing compartment C1 to receive and accumulate at least a part of the water contained in the washing compartment C1 during an operating cycle of the washing machine 100.

In order to allow this connection, the machine 1 further comprises water hooking means, which operate at

40 less between the wash compartment C1 and the hollow space C2 in order to carry out a fluid transfer at least from the wash compartment C1 to the hollow space C2.

Preferably, the water engagement means are adapted to carry out a fluid transfer in both directions between the washing compartment C1 and the hollow space C2. In this way, it is possible to fill the hollow space C2 with the liquid present in the washing compartment C1, and also drain the stored liquid

45 in the hollow space C2 inside the washing compartment C1, with the recycling of the liquid.

In more detail and in accordance with Figures 1-5, the water coupling means comprise, for each of the washing compartments C1 and the hollow space C2 mentioned above in this document, a respective inlet conduit I1, I2 ( arranged in an upper part of the washing compartment C1 or hollow space C2) and a respective outlet duct U1, U2 (arranged in a lower part of the washing compartment

50 C1 or hollow space C2).

The inlet ducts I1, I2 serve to fill the washing compartment C1 and the hollow space C2, while the outlet ducts U1, U2 serve to empty them.

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The coupling means further comprise a first distributor V1, which operates in the inlet ducts I1, I2 and is connected thereto to control their opening or closing, and a second distributor V2, which operates in the outlet ducts U1, U2 to control their opening or closing.

The water coupling means further comprise a "T" connection conduit, which is interposed between the two distributors V1, V2 in order to put the two distributors in fluid communication, and a third distributor V3 mounted in the connection conduit "T"

The third distributor V3 is connectable to a drain pipe "S" and is intended to selectively connect the second distributor V2 with the first distributor V1 or with the drain pipe "S".

The connecting conduit "T" is therefore divided into a first section T1 between the second and the third distributor V2, V3 and a second section T2 between the first and the third distributor V1, V3.

In the connection duct "T" and preferably in said first section T1, there is a hydraulic pump "P" intended to cause the circulation of the liquid in the inlet, outlet and connection ducts.

The supply direction of the pump "P" is from the second distributor V2 to the first distributor V1, therefore from the outlet ducts U1, U2 to the inlet ducts I1, I2.

The machine 100 further comprises a feed circuit that is connectable to the water system in order to distribute water to the wash compartment C1.

The supply circuit comprises a main conduit CP which is connectable to the water system, for example by means of an external "R" tap to (not included in) the washing machine and, mounted in the main conduit CP, a water valve EV solenoid to open / close the CP main duct, a “D” drawer to mix the water with the

20 detergent, and a supply line "A" extending between the drawer and the washing compartment.

Preferably, an auxiliary conduit "W" is also provided for intercepting at least a part of the fluid flowing between the second distributor V2 and the inlet conduit I1 of the washing compartment C1 and transporting it to the mixing drawer "D".

Preferably, the auxiliary conduit "W" defines a branch of the inlet conduit I1 of the storage compartment.

Wash C1, as illustrated in the attached figures. The flow of fluid circulating in the inlet conduit I1 and in the auxiliary conduit W is regulated by the appropriate sizing of the respective sections.

Alternatively, according to an embodiment not illustrated, the auxiliary conduit "W" directly connects the first distributor V1 with the mixing drawer "D".

Preferably, the distributors V1, V2, V3 are of the three-way or four-way type. These valves work with the

30 in order to make a plurality of operating configurations corresponding to different operating cycles of the machine 100. As an example, the second distributor V2 can adopt a first configuration in which it opens the outlet conduit U1 of the washing compartment C1, keeping the outlet duct U2 of the hollow space C2 closed (figure 2), a configuration in which the outlet duct U2 of the hollow space C2 opens, keeping the outlet duct U1 of the wash compartment C1 closed (figure 3), and ,

35 preferably, also a third configuration in which both outlet ducts U1, U2 are kept closed (Figure 1). The other two distributors V1, V3 work in an identical way.

The distributors V1 and / or V2 and / or V3 may constitute different elements within the water coupling means or may be incorporated in one or more valve assemblies. Likewise, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that distributors and / or valve assemblies can be replaced at least in part by pumps.

40 The hollow space C2 may involve any wall of the container body 2. In particular it may involve at least a part of the rear or front wall. The incorporation of the hollow space C2 in the rear wall proves to be particularly advantageous when the latter is made with a box-shaped structure (for the purpose of increasing the stiffness thereof).

In the attached figures the inlet conduit I1 and the supply conduit A lead to the rear of the drum

45 104. Advantageously, the conduit I1 and / or the conduit A could lead to the front of the drum 104, directing the jet directly into the inside of the drum 104 for the purpose of assisting the saturation of the laundry.

Conveniently the container body 2 is made of plastic material and comprises two semi-welded reciprocally welded. Each half-shell is obtained by molding. The molding of the half-shell therefore determines the formation of a part of the hollow space C2.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of operation of the machine 100 described above herein.

In a first operating cycle, for example in order to carry out a first wash after the

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acquisition of the machine, the procedure includes the following stages:

- supply to the washing compartment C1 a mixture of water and detergent (figure 1; this stage is achieved by means of opening the EV solenoid valve and the water stage from the water system into the drawer "D" in the that you have put some detergent);

5 - run a cycle to wash the laundry contained in the drum 104;

- transfer at least part of the wash water previously contained in the wash compartment C1 into the hollow space C2 (figure 2; in this configuration the solenoid valve EV is closed, the first distributor V1 is open in the inlet conduit I2 of the hollow space C2 and closed in the other inlet duct I1, the second distributor V2 is open in the outlet duct U1 of the wash compartment C1 and closed in the

10 another outlet conduit U2 and the third distributor V3 is open in the second section T2 of the connection conduit "T" and closed in the drain conduit "S", and the pump "P" is activated);

- executing a spin stage while the hollow space C2 is filled, at least partially and preferably completely, with said washing water coming from the washing compartment C1.

In the subsequent rinse cycle, the procedure further comprises the following steps:

15 - supply water to the wash compartment C1 (figure 3, with the EV solenoid valve open and the outlet line U1 closed);

-

run a rinse cycle of the clothes contained in the drum 104;

-

drain the wash water previously contained in the hollow space C2, preferably at the same time when the water is being supplied to the wash compartment C1 or when the rinse cycle is being brought to

20 out (figure 3; the drainage takes place through the opening of the second distributor V2 in the outlet duct U2 of the hollow space, and the opening of the third distributor V3 in the drain duct "S" with the closure of the duct connection "T" in the second section T2 and the activation of the pump P);

- transfer at least a part of the rinse water previously contained in the wash compartment C1

within the hollow space C2 (figure 4; the configuration of the distributors is the same as that shown in figure 2).

In the event that more rinse cycles are provided, the procedure provides the transfer within the hollow space C2 at least of a portion of the rinse water used in compartment C1 in the penultimate rinse or in a rinse cycle. In fact, the purpose is to prevent the transfer of the water present in the wash compartment C1 in the last rinse cycle within the hollow space C2 (since this water

30 usually has fabric softening additives).

If the rinse cycle is carried out more than once, the operations to supply water to the wash compartment C1 and to rinse are carried out in each cycle. The drainage of the rinse water from the wash compartment C1 takes place with each cycle with the exception of one that there is a transfer within the hollow space C2.

In an additional operating cycle, for example in order to carry out an additional wash with the machine already running, the procedure comprises the following steps:

- transfer a first part of wash or rinse water (depending on the stage previously carried out) contained in the hollow space C2 inside the wash compartment C1 and, at the same time of this stage, transfer a second part of wash water or rinse contained in the hollow space C2 to the drawer "D" for mixing with the detergent and subsequently to the washing compartment C1 (figure 5; in this configuration, the solenoid valve EV is closed, the first distributor V1 is open in the inlet duct I1 of the wash compartment C1 and closed in the other inlet duct I2, the second distributor V2 is open in the outlet duct U2 of the hollow space C2 and closed in the other outlet duct U1, and the third distributor V3 it is open in the second section T2 of the connection duct "T" and closed in the drain duct "S", and the

45 "P" pump is activated).

In the configuration of Figure 5, it can be noted that the auxiliary conduit "W" transfers a part of the wash / rinse water that comes from the hollow space C2 to the mixing drawer "D" and directs it to the wash compartment C1. In any case, all the water previously contained in the hollow space C2 can be used to carry out the washing of the laundry previously loaded in the drum 104.

In addition, at this stage, the amount of washing water present in the washing compartment C1 is constantly measured, for example by means of a specific level transducer (not shown) applied in the washing compartment C1, and the additional water it can come from the water supply by means of the activation of the EV solenoid valve (executed based on the filling signal supplied by said converter) in the

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if the wash cycle to be carried out requires more water than the water available from the hollow space C2, as shown in figure 5. If instead the hollow space C2 contains an excess of water with With respect to the amount needed for the wash cycle, excess water can be drained according to the logic illustrated in Figure 3.

In addition, preferably a level sensor (not shown) applied in the hollow space is provided in order to monitor the level of water therein and thus monitor the filling thereof.

It is evident that the process described above can be repeated in order to obtain a sequence of wash and rinse cycles with temporary storage of the rinse water (or wash) within the accumulation tank defined by the hollow space C2.

The present invention achieves the intended purposes, overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

The peculiar structure of the machine, which implements the accumulation tank directly in the container body of the rotating drum, makes it possible to cause an optimal action consisting in the reduction of vibrations (and also noise) during the centrifugation stage, by providing the tank filling prior to this stage,

15 obtaining, in any case, the easily transportable machine due to the weight reduction made possible by the drainage of water from the accumulation tank.

Moreover, this feature optimizes the space inside the support chassis of the washing machine, overcoming the need to provide a special space to accommodate a separate accumulation tank and thus eliminate the existing critical problems related to the structure in the traditional machines On the other hand,

20 the realization of the latter within the wall of the rotating drum container body reduces the assembly time of the machine.

It should also be noted that the recycling of the washing water, through storage in the accumulation tank, manages to recycle both thermal energy (water can be reused while it is still hot) and water resources (less water expenditure).

25 Furthermore, the realization of the accumulation tank by means of a hollow space around the drum makes it possible to improve the thermal efficiency of the machine: in fact, the result of leaving the hollow space empty when the water is being heated, is that the Air contained therein causes a state of thermal insulation that obstructs heat loss, unlikely in existing solutions in which concrete counterweights, in addition to not providing thermal insulation, act as heat absorbers to the detriment of efficiency

30 total thermal of the machine.

The elimination of concrete weights also allows the simplification of the machine removal process at the end of its useful life.

With particular consideration to the prior art state represented by EP326502A1, the present invention clearly achieves the goal of providing a laundry machine with a tank of

35 improved storage that can be manufactured with reduced assembly time.

Claims (12)

1. A washing machine with a storage tank, comprising: -a container container body (102) delimiting a laundry compartment (C1); -a water storage tank, which is connectable to the washing compartment (C1) to receive and accumulate at least a part of the water contained in the washing compartment (C1) during a cycle of operation of the washing machine (100 ); Y - water coupling means (I1, I2, T, U1, U2, V1, V2, V3), which operate at least between the washing compartment (C1) and a hollow space (C2) to transfer at least fluid from the washing compartment (C1) to the hollow space (C2); 10 characterized in that at least one wall (106) of the container container body (102) delimiting said washing compartment (C1) forms an internal hollow space (C2) defining said storage tank. 2. A machine according to claim 1, comprising a rotating drum (104) suitable for receiving the laundry to be washed; The hollow space (C2) extends around the axis of rotation (X) of the drum (104) at an angle greater than 180 °.

3.

A machine according to claim 2, wherein the hollow space (C2) is ring-shaped and completely surrounds the axis of rotation (X) of the drum (104).

Four.

A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said engagement means

of the water (I1, I2, T, U1, U2, V1, V2, V3) are adapted to transfer the fluid in both directions between the wash compartment (C1) and the hollow space (C2). 5. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said water hooking means (I1, I2, T, U1, U2, V1, V2, V3) comprise, for each of said washing compartment (C1) and hollow space (C2), a respective inlet duct (I1, I2) and a respective outlet duct (U1, U2), and also comprises a first distributor (V1), which operates in said inlet ducts (I1, I2 ) to control the Opening and closing of said inlet ducts (I1, I2), and a second distributor (V2), which operates in said outgoing ducts (U1, U2), to control the opening and closing of said outgoing ducts ( U1, U2). A machine according to claim 5, wherein said water hooking means (I1, I2, T, U1, U2, V1, V2, V3) also comprise a connecting conduit (T) interposed between said first and second distributor (V1, V2), and a third distributor (V3) mounted on said connecting conduit (T) and intended to connect 30 selectively said second distributor (V2) with said first distributor (V1) or with a drain conduit (S).

7.

A machine according to claim 6, which also comprises a hydraulic pump (P) mounted on said connecting duct (T) and preferably interposed between said second and third distributor (V2, V3).

8.

A machine according to any of the preceding claims, which also comprises a power circuit (EV, D, CP, A) that is connectable to a water system for distributing water to said compartment

35 (C1), said power circuit (EV, D, CP, A) comprising a main line (CP), which is connectable to the water system and, mounted on said main line (CP), a solenoid valve (EV) to open / close the main duct (CP), a drawer (D) to mix the water with a detergent and a supply duct (A) that runs between the drawer (D) and the wash compartment (C1 ). 9. A machine according to claim 8, when dependent on claim 5, which also comprises 40 an auxiliary conduit (W) intended to intercept at least a part of the fluid circulating between the first distributor (V1) and the inlet conduit (I1) of the washing compartment (C1) and transporting it to the mixing drawer (D) , said auxiliary duct (W) preferably defining a branch of said inlet duct (I1) of the wash compartment (C1). 10. An operating procedure for a washing machine according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: - supply to the washing compartment (C1) a mixture of water and detergent; - run a cycle for washing the laundry contained in the washing compartment (C1); - transferring at least a part of the wash water previously contained in the washing compartment (C1), to said hollow space (C2); - Execute a spin stage while said hollow space (C2) is filled, at least partially and preferably completely, with said wash water. 7 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein a rinse cycle is executed after the centrifugation step, said rinse cycle comprising the following steps: - supplying water to the washing compartment (C1); - execute a rinse cycle of the laundry contained in the washing compartment (C1); 5-drain the wash water previously contained in the hollow space (C2), preferably at the same time that water is supplied to the wash compartment (C1); - transfer at least a part of the rinse water previously contained in the wash compartment (C1), to said hollow space (C2); 12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, comprising an additional wash cycle comprising the following steps: -transfering a first part of the wash or rinse water contained in the hollow space (C2) to said wash compartment (C1): -transfer a second part of the wash or rinse water contained in the hollow space (C2) to the drawer (D) for mixing with detergent; 15 -transfer said second part of the wash or rinse water from the drawer (D) to the wash compartment (C1). 8