ES2684406T3 - Washing machine with lower cover - Google Patents

Abstract

Washing machine (1) comprising a casing with a lower cover (21) and a hydraulic discharge system, comprising a first pump motor (40) and a second pump motor (41) and at least one washing liquid conduit , characterized in that at least a part of at least one hydraulic element selected from at least one washing liquid conduit (42) and the first (40) and the second (41) pump motor is integrated in the lower cover (21 ).

Description

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WASHER WITH LOWER COVER DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the technical field of washing machines and, in particular, to a washing machine comprising a housing with a lower cover, and a hydraulic discharge system, comprising a first pump motor and a second pump motor and the less a conduit of washing liquid.

A generic washing machine of this type is disclosed in US 2012/0090362 A1.

A modern washing machine comprises a hydraulic system with washing water lines and at least one pump to evacuate the water from the bathtub through flexible hoses once the clothes have been cleaned or rinsed. Many washing machines also incorporate an "Aquastop" tray or wastewater collection tray that has the shape of a lower cover that is fixed to the frame, thus defining a lower limit of a space within the frame in which the tank can be contained , possibly in an oscillating mode, as in a clothes washer. To the "Aquastop" tray a residual water detector device is connected with a floating element that, when the wastewater exceeds a certain level, sends a signal to a shut-off valve disposed in the water supply hose that is connected to the External tap to stop the water supply to the washing machine.

Washing machines with this type of hydraulic system are prone to a series of inconveniences when using the interior space, access to elements such as the pump used to drain the water from the washing tank, the installation of the hydraulic system hoses in the factory, and access to the pump and several of these when repairs are made.

EP 2 447 405 A1 discloses a washing machine comprising a recovery tank separated from the washing tank and suitable for containing a portion of recovered liquid, recycling means that introduce, during one of the stages of the washing program, the portion of liquid recovered from the recovery tank to the wash tank, and recovery means that, after at least one stage of the wash cycle, transmit a potion of liquid used during the wash cycle from the wash tank to the recovery tank.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art detailed above.

With this object and other objects in sight, according to the invention, a washing machine is provided as defined in the attached independent claim. Developments and embodiments of the invention are defined in the attached dependent claims, as well as in the subsequent description and figures of the accompanying drawings.

Accordingly, there is provided, according to the invention, a washing machine comprising a housing with a lower cover and a hydraulic discharge system, comprising a first pump motor and a second pump motor and at least one liquid conduit of washed. In addition, at least a part of at least one hydraulic element selected between at least one washing liquid line and the first and second pump motor are integrated in the lower cover.

The integration of the hydraulic elements in the lower cover allows a reduction in the assembly time for the hydraulic elements of the hydraulic washing system, such as pumps and hoses, since their positioning and interconnection are predetermined by the location of these hydraulic elements in the lower cover. It is also possible to achieve a better utilization of the space available inside the washing machine with which you can opt for greater compactness and / or better arrangement of the hydraulic elements, compared to conventional washing machines. In addition, the invention also provides design flexibility to be able to arrange the pump or pumps or connection or connections of water circulation conduits conveniently, for example, reducing the risk of improper assembly or allowing easy and quick access for assembly / disassembly

At least part of the lower cover can be manufactured by separate injection molding of an upper part and a lower part, then subsequently joined, preferably by welding, more preferably by ultrasonic welding. Alternatively, the bottom cover can be manufactured by blow molding.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the conduit of at least one washing liquid is integrated in the lower cover.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the pumps arranged in the lower cover comprises a part of the pump motor housing that is at least partially integrated in the lower cover, which reduces the transmission of noise and vibrations generated by the pump or pumps.

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According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lower cover c also comprises a wastewater collection tray, which is preferably integrated in the lower cover, and which can be formed in the lower cover during the molding process thereof.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine comprises a frame and the lower cover closes a lower part of the frame and, preferably, is at least partially removable.

This embodiment of the system allows access to the interior of the apparatus, in particular, to the pump or pumps, without the need to disassemble the oscillating group (tank, drum and drive motor), which is especially useful in frames formed in a U ( closed at the back), even if the appliance must be lying down. To fix the cover to the frame, any releasable fixing method can be used, such as a pressure coupling ("snap fit") or screwed. Preferably, a tight fitting is provided when the bottom cover incorporates an Aquastop tray.

According to a further development this embodiment, at least a portion of the lower cover may be articulated, and the lower cover may be a one-piece cover or a two-piece cover comprising an outer frame that is fixed to the part bottom of the frame and a closing plate that is connected in an articulated way to the outer frame.

When the lower cover is a one-piece cover, it can comprise an articulated hinge to the lower part of the frame of the washing machine or to an element disposed in the lower part of the frame.

In turn, when the bottom cover is a two-piece cover, the outer frame is firmly attached to the bottom of the frame, while the closing plate is articulated to the outer frame or to another element arranged in the bottom of the washing machine by means of a hinge, so that the closing plate can swing with respect to the outer frame.

In any case, the hinge is preferably designed to provide freedom of movement down once a lock is released to move the cover in the top-down direction. The blocking can be achieved, for example, by means of a series of grooves and fins in the hinge joint that cooperate in a tongue and groove shape.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic system of the washing machine comprises at least one additional hydraulic element selected from a washing water tank arranged in the lower cover and a single washing tank arranged in the housing.

According to a development of this embodiment, the hydraulic system comprises at least one wash water tank having a minimum capacity of 50%, and preferably 75%, of the total volume of water used in a wash cycle.

In this regard, it is noted that the capacity of a reservoir of said washing water depends on the interior space available within the washing machine. For example, there are washing machines that have wash tanks with a capacity of approximately 50 liters of water that use approximately 15 liters of water in a wash cycle. In this case, the capacity of the wash water tank is at least 7.5 liters, preferably 11.25 liters.

In accordance with still a further embodiment of the invention, the washing liquid line is connected

hydraulically to the wash water tank and / or wash tank. Likewise, the pump can be hydraulically connected to the washing water tank and / or the washing tank.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the tank, one or more water wash tanks, one or more pumps, and one or more washing liquid ducts can be part of a washing liquid reuse circuit.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the figures of the attached drawings. In particular,

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a washing machine;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the housing of the washing machine illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along line A-A shown in Figure 1, and shows a first embodiment;

Figure 4 is another sectional view along line A-A shown in Figure 1, and shows a second embodiment;

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Figure 5 is a detailed rear perspective view of a bottom cover provided with a wastewater collection tray that is installed in the wash water tank;

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the bottom cover shown in Figure 5, with the wastewater collection tray, but without the wash water tank;

Figure 7 is a rear perspective view corresponding to Figure 5, but with the wastewater collection tray in the open position;

Figures 8A to 8C are side elevation views showing the stages of the opening of the wastewater collection tray of the lower cover shown in Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the bottom cover shown in Figure 5;

Figure 10 is a top view of the bottom cover shown on the floor of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is a sectional view along the line AA shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a sectional view along the line BB shown in Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the washer hydraulic system; Y

Figure 14 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the washer's hydraulic system.

The washing machine 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a housing formed by a U-shaped frame 20 with a rear wall 25 connected to two side walls 27, a lower cover 21 installed in the lower part of the frame 20, an upper cover 22 installed in the upper part of the frame 20, as well as a front panel 23 with a mouth 23a and a control panel 24 in which the controls are installed and allowing access to the detergent compartment 1 installed in the front part of the frame twenty.

The rear wall 25 of the frame 20 has an access cutout 25a that is closed by a removable rear closure cover 26, and through which the interior of the washing machine 1 is accessible.

The lower cover 21 comprises a central portion in the form of a wastewater collection tray 44. The upper surface of the wastewater collection tray 44 is inclined towards the drain 44a, on which a water detection device is mounted residuals 45 essentially conventional.

The washing machine is provided with a washing water tank 30 comprising two opposite side parts and joined by a rear part.

In the embodiment of the washing machine 1 shown in Figure 2, two supports 31 for the washing water tank are provided on the lower side parts of the side walls 27 of the housing 20, which serve to support opposite side parts of the wash water tank 30, which is installed above the lower cover 21 (see figure 3), while in the embodiment of the washing machine 1 of figure 4, the wash water tank 30 is installed on the upper surface of the bottom cover 21, which in turn is screwed to the bottom of the housing 20.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, inside the washing machine 1 there is an essentially conventional oscillating unit comprising a washing tank 2 in which a washing drum 3 is rotated comprising a driven pulley 6 connected to a drive motor 4 by means of a fan belt 5. The drive motor 4 is disposed between the sides and the back of the housing 20.

The washing tank 2 is connected to the housing 20 at the top by means of two retaining springs 9 anchored in internal flanges provided above on opposite sides of the side walls of the housing 20, and then through dampers 7 articulated with respect to the supports 32 of the shock absorber. The supports 32 are installed in the reinforcements 32a attached to the respective side parts of the wash water tank 30.

The lower cover 21 comprises an outer frame 21a screwed to the bottom of the frame 20 and a closing plate 21b that closes the inner hollow of the outer frame 21a and is detachably fixed with the outer frame 21a by means of fixing means removable.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the lower cover 21 is articulated in its front part to the wash water tank 30 by means of a hinge 33, while in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, it is screwed to a strip of the inner periphery of the outer frame 21a.

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Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a practical embodiment of the invention in which the lower cover 21 comprises an outer frame 21a, for example, made of sheet metal, above which a wash water tank 30 is installed, and an articulated closure plate 21b, for example, made of a plastic material, incorporating a wastewater collection tray 44 with a drain 44a of the type described above with reference to Figure 2, and in which the device is arranged of wastewater detection (not shown in figures 13, 14), also as previously described with reference to figure 2.

The wash water tank 30 is installed in a support arranged at the bottom, as shown schematically in Figure 3.

In the closure plate 21b, a first pump 40 is provided for pumping the washing liquid from the washing water tank 30 into the detergent compartment 10 (see Figure 1), as well as a second pump 41 intended to evacuate the water in the wash tank 2.

The closing plate 21b is articulated in its front part to the washing water tank 30 by means of a hinge 33 comprising each of two pins 33a that emerge horizontally from the respective internal sides of the two lateral parts of the washing water tank 30 , and each rotation bush 33b at the free ends of the respective vertical projections 33c emerging from the upper surface of the closure plate 21b. The hinge 33 provides freedom of movement down once a lock is released when the articulated plate 21b moves in the downward direction. The blocking is carried out by means of a series of complementary grooves and fins on the hinge pins 33a and the rotation bushing 33b that form the hinge joint 33, and which work together in a tongue and groove shape. The downward movement of the articulated closing plate 21b allows access to the interior of the washing machine, in particular, to the pumps 40, 41, without the need to disassemble the tank 2 and the drum 3.

From the rear, the lower cover 21 is attached to the lower part of the frame by means of a fixing screw 34 comprising a first leg 21c emerging horizontally from the rear edge of the closing plate 21b and a second leg 21d emerging horizontally from the rear edge of the outer frame 21a in a position complementary to that of the first leg 21c. The first leg 21c has a vertical hole and the second leg has an internal thread 21d aligned with the vertical perforation, so that a fixing screw 34a that passes through the vertical perforation of the first leg 21c can be screwed into the threads interiors of the second leg 21d. In order to fix the closing plate 21b to the outer frame 21a, essentially conventional pressure fixing means 37 are also provided, comprising, for example, vertically emerging projections on the sides of the surface of the closing plate 21b which elastically fit into the complementary retaining bushing of the outer frame 21a.

For fixing to the frame, the outer frame 21a comprises, on the one hand, pressure fixing means 35 in the form of projections which, for example, elastically fit into complementary openings (not shown in the figures) in the lower part of the frame. On the other hand, the outer frame 21a has through holes 36 in the opposite side strips, through which fastening screws (not shown in the figures) that screw in complementary holes provided in the lower part of the frame (not shown) in the figures).

Figures 8A to 8C show the opening stages of the closing plate 21b with respect to the outer frame 21a. Thus, when the closing plate 21b is fixed to the outer frame 21a as shown in Figure 8A, the fixing screw 34a is unscrewed and then the closing plate 21b moves downwards in a horizontal position against the resistance offered by the pressure fixing means 37 described above with reference to Figures 5-7, to reach the position shown in Figure 8B. Then, the closing plate 21b rotates on the hinge 33 and swings in relation to the outer frame 21a, as shown in Figure 8C.

Figures 9 to 12 show in more detail some of the characteristics of the closure plate 21b described above with reference to Figures 5 to 7 and 8A to 8C.

As can be seen, the connection from the fluid inlet 46 of the first pump 40 is connected to a connector 30a provided on the inner side of one of the sides of the wash water tank 30 through a water outlet hose wash 48 that extends above the upper surface of the closure plate 21b, while the outlet from the first pump 40 is connected to a first outlet connection 47 by means of a first washing liquid conduit 42 integrated in the closing plate 21b. The first connection from the outlet connection 47 is connected to the detergent compartment by means of a refill hose 50 (see Figures 12 and 13).

The inlet connection 46 of the second pump 41 is connected to the washing tank 2 by means of a drain hose 49, while the outlet of the second pump 41 is connected to a second washing liquid conduit 42 having a second outlet connection 47 connected to an evacuation hose 51 (see figures 12 and 13) that communicates with the drain of the washing machine 1.

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Figure 12 shows that the first washing liquid conduit 42 is formed in the same body of the closing plate 21b which can be achieved, for example, in the molding of the closing plate 21b. Each of the pumps 40, 41 comprises a housing 43 partially integrated in the closure plate 21a. The washing liquid enters the interior of the housing 43 through the inlet connection 46 and is discharged under pressure through the outlet of the pump 40, 41 to the washing liquid conduit 42. This structure is equally applicable to the second conduit of washing liquid.

Figure 13 shows a first embodiment of the hydraulic system of the washing machine. According to this embodiment, clean water is supplied to the system by introducing it into the detergent compartment and carrying it through a water supply hose 52 in the washing tank 2, and from there through the transfer conduit 53 to the water tank of wash 30, there is enough water in the wash tank 2 there and the wash water tank 30 is full, after which the supply of clean water to the detergent compartment 10 is closed and the three-way valve 55 arranged in the outlet of the wash tank 2 closes. When, after a wash cycle, it is necessary to partially or completely evacuate the dirty washing liquid from the tank 2, the three-way valve 55 is opened so that the dirty washing liquid can pass through the second washing water line 42 towards the drain hose 49, and the second pump 41 is operated to pump the dirty washing liquid through the discharge hose 51 to evacuate through the drain (not shown in the figures) of the washing machine 1, and the three way valve 55 closes.

When, after the evacuation of the washing liquid, continuing with a new washing cycle that requires the addition of washing water, the first pump 40 is actuated to pump the washing water from the washing water tank 30 through the washing water outlet hose 48, the first washing liquid conduit 42 and the first hose 50 to the detergent compartment 10, from where it passes through the water supply hose 52 to the washing tank 2. Then If the wash tank 2 has been evacuated after a wash cycle, this can be done when all the wash water has been used, or only a part of it.

Similarly, instead of draining the wash water from the wash tank 2 through the drain hose 49, it is possible to choose, when it is desired to reuse part or all of the used wash water that is evacuated from the washing tank 2, for example, such as soaking water, this used washing water can be transferred to the washing water tank 30 by closing the access to the drain hose 49 by means of the valve 55 and opening the access to the transfer hose 53, so that the washing water used in the washing water tank 30 is transferred and, from there, by operating the first pump 40, can be carried through the washing water outlet hose 48, the first washing liquid line 42 and the refueling hose 50 to the detergent compartment 10, from where it recirculates, optionally mixed with more clean water and / or more detergent, to wash the tank 2 through the water supply hose 52. In this way , the tank 2, the washing water tank 30, the first pump 40 and the washing liquid line 42 are part of a recirculation circuit of washing liquid.

The second embodiment of the washer hydraulic system shown in Figure 14 differs from the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 13 in that the washing tank 2 is not in hydraulic communication with the washing water tank 30, so that the valve 55 arranged at the exit of the washing tank 2 is only bidirectional.

As in the first embodiment of the hydraulic system, after a washing cycle, when it is necessary to partially or completely evacuate the dirty washing liquid from the tank 2, the two-way valve 55 is opened so that the dirty washing liquid can pass through the second wash water line 42 towards the drain hose 49, and the second pump 41 is operated to pump the dirty wash liquid through the discharge hose 51 to evacuate through the drain (not shown in the figures) of the washing machine 1, and the two-way valve 55 closes.

On the other hand, clean water can be supplied to the system by introducing it into the detergent compartment and which conducts it through the water supply hose 52 in the washing tank 2, and / or to the washing water tank 30. When, after the evacuation of the washing liquid, continuing with a new washing cycle that requires the addition of washing water, the first pump 40 is operated to pump the washing water from the washing water tank 30 to through the washing water outlet hose 48, the first washing liquid conduit 42 and the first hose 50 to the detergent compartment 10, from where it passes through the water supply hose 52 to the washing tank 2 .

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 washing machine

2 Washing Cuba

3 Rotating drum

4

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6

7

9

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twenty

twenty-one

21st

21b

21c

21d

22

2. 3

24

25

25th

26

27

30

30th

31

32

32nd

33

33rd

33b

3. 4

34th

35

36

37

40

Drive motor Fan belt Belt pulley Shock absorber Spring

Detergent compartment

Frame

Bottom cover

External frame

Closing plate

First leg

Second leg

Top deck

Front panel

Control Panel

Back wall

Access cut

Rear closure cover

Side wall

Wash water tank Wash water tank connector Wash tank holder Shock absorber bracket Reinforcement

Hinge for articulated tank cover Hinge pin Rotation bushing

Fixing screw of the lower cover to the outer frame Fixing screw

Pressure clamping from the outer frame to the frame Through hole for the screw from the outer frame to the frame Pressure clamping from the bottom cover to the outer frame First pump motor

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42

43

44

44th

Four. Five

46

47

48

49

fifty

51

52

53

54

55

Second pump motor Washing liquid line Pump motor housing Waste water collection tray Drainage

Wastewater detector device Pump motor inlet connection Pump motor outlet connection Washing water outlet hose Tank drain hose Refill hose Discharge hose Discharge hose Water drain hose Transfer hose additional water drain Valve

Claims (13)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five 1. Washing machine (1) comprising a housing with a lower cover (21) and a hydraulic discharge system, comprising a first pump motor (40) and a second pump motor (41) and at least one liquid conduit for washing, characterized in that at least a part of at least one hydraulic element selected between at least one washing liquid conduit (42) and the first (40) and the second (41) pump motor is integrated in the lower cover (twenty-one). 2. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the washing liquid duct (42) is integrated in the lower cover (21). 3. Washing machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the first (40) and second (41) pump motor is arranged in the lower cover (21) and comprises a part of the housing (43 ) of the pump motor that is at least partially integrated in the lower cover (21). 4. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower cover (21) comprises a wastewater collection tray (44). 5. Washing machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the wastewater collection tray (44) is integrated with the lower cover (21). 6. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing further comprises a frame (20) and the lower cover (21) closes the lower part of the frame (20). 7. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower cover (21) is at least partially removable. 8. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the lower cover (21) is articulated. 9. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hydraulic system comprises at least one additional hydraulic element selected from a washing water tank (30) disposed in the lower cover (21) and a single tank of washing (2) arranged in the housing. 10. Washing machine (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one washing water tank (30) having a minimum capacity of 50%, preferably 75%, of the total volume of water used in a cycle of washed. 11. Washing machine (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the washing liquid line (42) is hydraulically connected to at least one hydraulic element selected between the washing water tank (30) and the washing tank (2). 12. Washing machine (1) according to claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one of the first (40) and second (41) pump motor is hydraulically connected to at least one hydraulic element selected from the water tank of wash (30) and wash tank (2). 13. Washing machine (1) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that at least one hydraulic element selected from the tank (2), at least one wash water tank (30), at least one pump motor ( 40) and at least one washing liquid conduit (42) is part of a circuit for the reuse of the washing liquid.