ES2834374T3 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine (1) comprising: - a casing (2), - a washing tub (3) arranged inside the casing (2) and having a front opening that can be closed by means of a porthole door (4) front-hinged to the casing (2), - a basket (5) arranged inside the washing tub (3) and rotatable around a horizontal or inclined axis, wherein the basket (5) defines a loading opening in the front opening of the wash tub (2), to load and unload the laundry, - a water loading system (20) that can be connected to the water network and in communication with the wash tub ( 3) to load water into the wash tub (3), - a dispensing system (17) for dispensing clothing treatment agents, said dispensing system (17) comprising a plurality of tanks (18) to contain said agents treatment, said plurality of tanks (18) being positioned inside the porthole door (4) and the tanks being indi vials (18) sized to contain a sufficient volume of treatment agent for a plurality of wash cycles, wherein - the dispensing system (17) comprises a dedicated metering pump (36 ') for each tank (18), - the tanks (18) are connected to the respective dedicated metering pumps (36 ') by means of respective dedicated transfer conduits (44'), characterized in that: - the dedicated metering pumps (36 ') are connected to a common outlet conduit (64) connected to an ejector (62) positioned in a supply duct (65), - the supply duct (65) is connected to the water charging system (20) by means of a supply solenoid valve (6 '') and in communication with the inside of the basket (5) or the tub (3).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Washing machine

The present invention relates to a device and method for washing clothes, in particular to a domestic washing machine.

Domestic washing machines comprise a support and housing structure, inside which is housed a washing tub provided with a front opening that can be closed by means of a porthole door that is frontally hinged to the housing. Inside the washing tub there is arranged a basket to house the clothes to be washed rotatably about a horizontal or inclined axis. The basket also defines a front opening placed in the opening of the wash tub, to be able to load and unload clothes.

The wash tub is adapted to hold the wash liquid during the laundry steps.

A water charging system connectable to the water network is provided to allow the charging of water from the network, detergents and additive agents inside the tank. At the bottom of the wash tank, there is a drain pipe with an associated drain pump that draws the wash liquid from the tank and controls, together with the charging system, the level of the liquid inside the tank.

To add a detergent or a treatment additive to the wash liquid it is known to arrange a detergent tray in flow communication with the water charging system.

The detergent tray may be configured as a drawer that can be removed and inserted into the housing structure and that can be manually filled for each wash with a sufficient amount of detergent and / or treatment additive for a single wash cycle.

Washers are also known with so-called "multi-dispensing" metering and dispensing systems for washing substances configured to contain an amount of treatment agent sufficient for a plurality of wash cycles and to automatically dispense a controlled dose of treatment agent to every wash cycle.

It is also known to place the multiple dispensing system on the front door and, more precisely, on the porthole of the front door of the washing machine.

To heat the washing liquid contained in the tank, an electrical resistance is provided, arranged inside the tank in the space between the wall of the laundry basket.

To reduce the consumption of water and detergent, it is known to equip washing machines with recirculation systems that recover the washing liquid from the washing machines with recirculation systems that recover the washing liquid from the bottom of the tub (where it accumulates even before touching the laundry into the basket) and reintroduce the recovered liquid into the laundry basket, so that a reduced volume of liquid is repeatedly poured onto the laundry.

Recirculation systems generally comprise a recirculation conduit that extends outside the wash tub from a lower opening of the wash tub (to remove the liquid to be recirculated) to an upper opening of the wash tub ( to reintroduce the recirculated liquid), as well as an electric recirculation pump or ejector.

The features described here in relation to the prior art washing machines known to the applicant can also be fully or partially implemented in at least some embodiments of an improved clothes washing machine according to the invention. Documents EP2602378A1 and EP2743393A1 describe both clothes washers with multiple detergent dosage capabilities and can be considered the state of the art closest to the subject invention.

Known washing machines, while satisfactory from many points of view, so far require intense and very complex user interaction, in particular with reference to the choice of the amount and type or types of treatment agents for each wash, as well as the operation of loading the treatment agents inside the washing machine and, last but not least, the operations of handling, cleaning and maintenance of the multiple dispensing system or detergent load.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a front loading laundry washing machine with an improved laundry treatment agent dispensing system.

The specific objects of the embodiments of the invention are to facilitate interaction between the user and the washing machine, to reduce the number of loading and / or cleaning and / or maintenance and / or handling operations of the detergent loading system, and to help users to choose the type and quantity of treatment agents for each cycle washing.

Other objects of the invention are to improve the washing and treatment performance of clothes, as well as to save resources, in particular washing and / or treatment agents, electricity, water, volumes, and dimensions.

Another object of the invention is to solve the problem of poor treatment efficiency of prepackaged multipurpose washing compositions.

Other objects of the invention relate to a simplification of use perceived by the user and a greater versatility and ability of the washing machine to adjust and influence a multiplicity of conditions and parameters of washing and treatment of clothes.

These and other objects are achieved by means of a washing machine according to the independent claim. The dependent claims refer to advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention.

A washing machine comprises:

- a housing,

- a washing tub arranged inside the casing and having a front opening which can be closed by means of a porthole door that is frontally hinged to the casing,

- a basket arranged inside the washing tub and rotating around a horizontal or inclined axis, wherein the basket defines a loading opening in the front opening of the washing tub, for loading and unloading the clothes to be washed,

- a water loading system that can be connected to the water network and in communication with the wash tank to load water into the wash tank,

- a drain pipe connected to the wash tub and to a drain pump to extract the wash liquid from the wash tank and to adjust a liquid level inside the wash tank together with the water charging system,

- a dispensing system for dispensing clothing treatment agents, said dispensing system comprising a plurality of tanks to contain said treatment agents, said plurality of tanks being positioned within the porthole door and the individual tanks being dimensioned to contain a sufficient volume of treatment agent for a plurality of wash cycles,

According to one aspect of the invention, the dispensing system (17) comprises a metering pump (36) fixed either inside the door (4) or outside the door (4), said metering pump (36) comprising:

- a cylinder (37) defining a dosing volume and forming an inlet opening (38) with an inlet check valve (39) and an outlet opening (40) with an outlet check valve (41) , - a piston (42) that can be moved by means of an actuator (43),

wherein said tanks (18) are connected to the inlet opening (38) of the metering pump (36) by means of one or more transfer conduits (44) and one or more selection valves (45) to open and interrupt selectively the fluid connection between each of the tanks (18) and the metering pump (36).

This allows the use of a single volumetric metering pump (36) for the metered dispensing of a plurality of different treatment agents contained in a plurality of different tanks (18). Furthermore, the positioning of the dosing pump (36) fixed inside the door (4) instead of in the washing machine casing avoids the need to provide the conduits with hydraulic coupling and uncoupling systems for the transport of the treatment agents. from the movable porthole door to the fixed part of the washing machine housing.

According to another aspect of the invention, the plurality of tanks (18) comprises a single tank (34) and a multi-tank unit (35) having a plurality of said tanks (18) connected to each other, wherein the unit multi-tank (35) can be reversibly coupled to the door (4) as a separate body independent of the individual tank (34), and wherein the single tank (34) can be reversibly coupled to the door (4) independently of the unit multi-tank (35).

This allows to simplify and reduce the handling, extraction, cleaning, filling and reinsertion operations of the refillable tanks (18). In fact, not all wash cycles require the dispensing of all types of treatment agents available and various wash cycles require different amounts of one agent or another. of treatment, with the result that the consumption of some treatment agents is different from the consumption of other treatment agents. For example, in some embodiments, the consumption of enzymes is less than the consumption of soap and fabric softener. The structural construction of the tanks as a separate and independent multi-tank unit and individual tank allows the removal and handling of only strictly indispensable tanks, i.e. those that have been emptied, leaving the tanks that are not yet empty in their place. According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing system (17) comprises, for each tank (18), a dedicated metering pump (36 '), and the tanks (18) are connected to the dedicated metering pumps (36' ) respective by means of respective dedicated transfer conduits (44 '), optionally each equipped with a check valve (63).

This allows for a simplification of the plumbing system and avoids the need to select solenoid valves to control the dispensing of different treating agents from a plurality of different tanks.

According to another aspect of the invention, the plurality of tanks (18) comprises:

- a first tank containing a first detergent for white and resistant fabrics,

- a second tank containing a second detergent for colored and delicate fabrics,

- a third tank containing a softening and / or fixing agent,

- a fourth tank containing enzymes and / or an additional tank containing stain removers other than enzymes.

This allows a blend or composition of treating agents to be formed with an adjustable amount ratio that can be optimized for a specific selected wash cycle, thus increasing wash efficiency and saving treating agents.

According to another aspect of the invention, each of the tanks (18) forms a dispensing opening (19) that leads directly to the basket (5).

This avoids the need to arrange pipes, valves and pumping systems externally with respect to the tanks (18) within the dimensions of the porthole door. In this way, the structure of the porthole door is simplified and the volume available for the tanks (18) is increased and, therefore, also the number of washing cycles that can be carried out without the need to fill the tanks. . Additionally, with reference to all embodiments, an introduction of detergent directly into the laundry basket is advantageous because it ensures that all of the dispensed detergent is actually in contact with the laundry.

Other advantageous aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of some embodiments provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a washing machine according to with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a tank for treatment agents of the washing machine according to another embodiment;

figure 3 shows a multiple dosage diagram of the washing machine according to one embodiment; figure 4 shows an embodiment of the implementation of the multiple dosage diagram in figure 3;

figure 5 shows a dosage and dispensing diagram of the washing machine according to an embodiment;

- figure 6 shows a multiple dosing system with sets of individual and multiple tanks of the washing machine according to one embodiment,

- Figures 7 and 8 show other multiple dosage diagrams with alternative dispensing of powder detergent, according to embodiments,

Figures 9 and 10 show multiple dosage schemes according to embodiments, in which the treatment agent tanks are placed inside the door of the washing machine and a dispensing assembly containing the metering pump is placed in the casing outside the washing machine door, - figure 11A shows a multiple dosing scheme with a duct washing system according to with an additional embodiment,

Figure 11B shows a multiple dosage scheme with a duct washing system according to another additional embodiment,

Figures 12, 13 and 14 are perspective views of a washing machine according to an embodiment, in which the treatment agent tanks are placed inside the washing machine door and a dispensing unit containing the metering pump it is placed in the casing outside the door of the washing machine, - figure 15 is a perspective view of a door for a washing machine according to one embodiment, said door containing a multiple dispensing assembly with tanks and an outer cover removed, - Figures 16, 17, 18 are views from the outside of the doors of a washing machine according to embodiments,

- figure 19 is a perspective view of a door of a washing machine according to an embodiment, - figures 20, 21, 22 show a door of a washing machine according to an embodiment, with a tank assembly of detergent removed and inserted,

- figure 23 shows a detergent tank assembly for the door in figure 22,

- figure 24 shows a single detergent tank with gripping portion and opening / cap,

figure 25 shows a door of a washing machine according to an embodiment, with a set of detergent tank or rigid disposable cartridges,

- Figures 26 and 27 are views of the disposable cartridge assembly in Figure 22,

figure 28 shows a door of a washing machine according to an embodiment, with a flexible wall container assembly for disposable detergent,

Figures 29 and 30 are views of flexible-walled disposable detergent containers.

With reference to the figures, a washing machine 1 or washer-dryer comprises a support structure and housing 2, inside which a washing tub 3 is housed, provided with a front opening that can be closed by means of a porthole door 4 frontally hinged to the casing 2. A basket 5 for housing the laundry 3 is arranged inside the wash tub rotatably about a horizontal or inclined axis. The basket 5 also defines a front opening placed in the opening of the washing tub, to be able to load and unload clothes.

The wash tub 3 is adapted to contain the wash liquid during the laundry steps. A water charging system connectable to the water network is provided to allow the charging of tank 3 with water from the network. The charging system 20 may comprise a plurality of conduits extending, for example, from one or more, for example, two supply solenoid valves 6, 7, either directly or through detergent compartments of a detergent stack 8 (optional), up to wash tank 3.

A drainage conduit 10 is connected to the bottom of the washing tub 3 with the associated drain pump 11 which draws the washing liquid from the tank 3 and which controls, together with the supply solenoid valves 6, 7, the liquid level inside tank 3.

To heat the washing liquid contained in the tank 3, an electrical resistance 12 can be provided arranged inside the tank 3, in particular at the bottom of the tank 9, in the space between the wall of the laundry basket 5.

To agitate and remix the laundry with the washing liquid, the laundry basket 5 can be driven in rotation by an electric motor 13 and a transmission 14, for example a belt.

The operation of the washing machine 1 is controlled by an electronic control unit 15, operatively connected to a user control interface 16 placed on an exterior wall or on the door 4 of the casing 2 and which allows the selection of washing cycles and / or drying (more generally, treatment cycles) and its characteristics. In response to selections made by the user via user interface 16, control unit 15 controls the various components of washing machine 1 to automatically wash clothes.

The washing machine 1 further comprises a dispensing system 17 of the "multiple dosage" type for dispensing laundry treatment agents.

Either additionally or alternatively to the detergent tray 8, the dispensing system 17 comprises a plurality of tanks 18 for containing the treatment agents, for example, strong white fabric laundry detergent, colored fabric laundry detergent delicate, wool detergent, perfume substances, enzymes and / or stain removers other than enzymes, fixing agents and / or fabric softener. The plurality of tanks 18 are preferably positioned in the porthole door 4 and the individual tanks 18 are sized to each contain a volume of the treatment agent sufficient for a plurality of wash cycles.

Multiple dosing tanks with integrated dispensing openings and pumps

According to one embodiment, each of the tanks 18 forms a dispensing opening 19 that leads directly to the basket 5, to directly dispense the treatment agent and not require modifications to the water loading system 20. In particular Advantageously, the porthole door 4 is free of water pipes.

According to one embodiment, each of the tanks 18 includes an internal dosing and dispensing mechanism 21 directly on the tank 18, but configured to interact with an external dispensing actuator 22, positioned on the door 4 external to the tank 18 .

With a particular advantage, the internal dosing and dispensing mechanism 21 and the external dispensing actuator 22 are configured for magnetic interaction.

According to one embodiment, the dosing and dispensing mechanism 21 comprises:

- a dispensing chamber 23 that delimits a dosage volume in communication with the dispensing opening 19, through the interposition of a check valve 24, and with the interior of the tank 18,

- at least one dosing member 25 that can be moved from a retracted position outside the dosing chamber 23, in which it allows the filling of the dosing chamber 23 with the treatment agent, to a prolonged position in the dosing chamber dosing 23, in which it pushes a dosed volume of treatment agent from dosing chamber 23 through check valve 24 and dispensing opening 19.

According to one embodiment, the dosing chamber 23 has the shape of a cup or cylinder open on one side, with a lower wall 26 that houses the check valve 24 and with a peripheral wall 27 that delimits together with the lower wall. 26 said dosage volume (predetermined).

Upon moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the dosing member 25, for example, a dosing piston, is tightly coupled to the peripheral wall 27 to prevent return of the treatment agent from the dosing chamber 23 to into the interior space 29 of the tank 18 and force the treatment agent through the check valve 24 and the dispensing opening 19 into the basket 5. During the return of the dosing piston 25 from the extended position to the position retracted, another check valve 28 positioned between the dosing chamber 23 and the interior space 29 (for example, in a channel formed in the dosing piston 25) allows the passage of liquid from the interior space 29 into the chamber. dosage 23.

The dosing member 25 comprises a magnetically sensitive (in particular attractable) element 30, for example a ferromagnetic or magnetic block, for a displacement of the dosing element 25 by magnetic actuation from outside the tank 18.

The flow actuator 22 may comprise an electromagnet 31 positioned outside the tank 18 but close to the dosing and dispensing mechanism 21 and may be activated by the control unit 15 to actuate the movements of the dosing member 25.

Alternatively, flow actuator 22 may comprise a magnetically or magnetically responsive structure 32 positioned outside tank 18 but close to dosing and dispensing mechanism 21 and movable (for example, by means of a motor or controlled solenoid). by the control unit 15) to actuate the movements of the dosing member 25.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the tank 18 or each tank 18 comprises a loading opening that can be closed by means of a cap 33 and the dosing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism 21 are integrated, at least in part, in said plug 21.

Multiple dosing system with a single dosing pump

According to another embodiment, the dispensing system 17 comprises a metering pump 36 that is fixed to the door 4 (figure 15).

Alternatively, and with reference to single-pump or multiple-pump multiple dosing systems (Figures 9-14), one or more dosing pumps 36, 36 'are arranged in casing 2 outside door 4, while that the tanks 18 are either formed or positioned in the door 4 and connected to the single metering pump or multiple metering pumps 36, 36 'by connecting conduits 59 which extend on a hinge 61', 61 '' connecting the door 4 with a front wall of the housing 2.

Advantageously, the hinge 61 ', 61' 'comprises a lower hinge 61' and an upper hinge 61 '' and the connection ducts 59 extend in a (protected) space between the lower hinge 61 'and the upper hinge 61' ' (figure 13).

According to one embodiment, the dosing pump 36 comprises a cylinder 37 defining a predetermined dosing volume and forming an inlet opening 38 with an inlet check valve 39 and an outlet outlet 40 with a check valve outlet 41, as well as a piston 42 that can be moved by means of an actuator 43, for example a solenoid or drive motor, which in turn is controlled by the control unit 15.

Tanks 18 are or may be connected to inlet opening 38 of metering pump 36 by means of respective transfer conduits 44, each provided with a selector valve 45 to selectively open and interrupt the fluid connection between each of tanks 18 and metering pump 36.

Advantageously, to avoid the formation of scale and tanks in the dosing cylinder 37, a rinse conduit 46 can be provided positioned in the door 4 and in communication with the transfer conduit 44. The rinse conduit 46 is connected to the system of water charge 20, by means of a supply valve 6 'and an air gap 58, and is connected to a portion of the transfer conduit or conduits 44 upstream of the inlet check valve 39 of the metering pump 36.

Also in this embodiment, the tanks 18 can either be fixed to the door 4 or they can be removed from the door 4 for the purpose of filling them.

According to one embodiment, the single outlet openings of the tanks 18 are placed in communication with a single transfer conduit 44 respectively by means of a plurality of selector valves 45 arranged in series (one behind the other) to along the transfer conduit 44. Each selection valve 45 has a first inlet opening 47 and an outlet opening 48 that connect the selection valve 45 in the transfer conduit 44 (ensuring continuity), as well as a second opening inlet 49 connecting the selection valve 45 with the outlet opening of the respective tank 18. The first 47 and second 49 inlet openings and the outlet opening 48 of the selector valve 45 are in communication with each other to allow:

- a flow path (of rinse water and / or treatment agent introduced into the transfer conduit 44 at a position upstream of the selection valve 45) from the first inlet 47 to the outlet opening 48, and

- an inflow (of the treatment agent) from the second inlet opening 49 to the outlet opening 48.

The selector valve 45 also comprises a plug 50 that can be moved towards:

- a passage position, in which it closes the second inlet opening 49, thus leaving the second inlet opening 47 and the outlet opening 48 open, to allow only the through flow and prevent the inflow of treatment agent ,

- an inlet position, in which it closes the first inlet opening 47, thus leaving the second inlet opening 49 and the outlet opening 48 open, to allow only the inflow of treatment agent and prevent the through flow .

The rinse conduit 46 is connected to the transfer conduit 44 upstream of the selector valves 45 and the transfer conduit 44 is connected to the metering pump 36 downstream of the selector valve 45, as shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Thus, by bringing the selection valve 45 associated with a selected tank 18 to the inlet position and by leaving the selection valves 45 of the remaining tanks 18 in the by-pass position, the metering pump 36 can suck and dose as selectively the treatment agent from the selected tank, while the flow of the rinse water is intercepted (blocked) at the selection valve 45 of the selected tank and all the remaining inflows of the treatment agents are intercepted (blocked) in selector valves 45 of the 18 tanks not selected.

Similarly, by bringing the selection valves 45 of all the tanks 18 to the by-pass position, the entire transfer line 44, including all the selection valves 45, and the metering pump 36 can be passed through and flushed by the flow of the rinse water, while all treatment agent inlet streams are intercepted (blocked) at selector valve 45 (Figures 3, 4, 5).

According to one embodiment (figure 9), a pumping unit 60 containing:

- the dosing pump 36,

- the rinsing duct 46, 46 ', 66, 67, 68,

- the selector valves 45, and

- a portion of the transfer conduit 44 in which the selection valves 45 are arranged, is arranged in the casing 2 outside the door 4 and connected to the tanks 18 in the door 4 by means of the aforementioned connection conduits 59 . This avoids the need to extend electrical cables from housing 2 into door 4.

In this embodiment, the outlet opening 40 of the metering pump 36 may be connected to (an ejector 62 positioned in) a supply conduit 65 connected to the water charging system 20 by means of a supply solenoid valve 6 ' 'and in communication with the interior of the basket 5 or of the tank 3, to transport (by means of aspiration by the ejector 62) the treatment agents, dispensed by means of the metering pump 36, to the basket 5 or the interior of wash tub 3.

According to one embodiment (Figure 11B), transfer conduit 44 connects selection valves 45 in series with each other and with dispensing pump 36 and a plurality of dedicated transfer conduits 44 'connect selection valves 45 ( which may be outside gate 4, for example) with respective tanks 18 (inside gate 18).

A flush conduit 46 'may be provided located entirely outside of door 4 to prevent scale and tank formation in the selector valves 45 and in the transfer conduits 44, 44'. The rinse conduit 46 'comprises a distribution conduit 66 connected to the water charging system 20 via a supply valve 6', and a plurality of dedicated conduits 67 branching from the distribution conduit 66. Each of the conduits Dedicated ports 67 comprises a check flush valve 68 and is connected, respectively, with one of the dedicated transfer conduits 44 'at a point upstream of the selector valve 45 and downstream of a check valve 63 of the tank 18 ( Figure 11B).

When the supply solenoid valve 6 'is open, the mains water fills the entire rinse line 46' and washes the transfer lines 44, 44 'downstream of the check valves 63 and the selector valves 45. During In this washing, the pressure of the network water in the dedicated transfer conduits 44 'keeps the check valves 63 closed, thus preventing the network water from entering into the tanks 18.

At the end of the cleaning step, the supply valve 6 is closed and the dosing pump 36 is activated to fill the dedicated transfer lines 44 'again with liquid treatment agent aspirated from the tanks 18. For selective dispensing of a dosing agent. selected treatment from a selected tank 18, the supply valve 6 'is kept closed and the dosing pump 36 and a selected selection valve 45 are activated, thus generating a vacuum in the corresponding dedicated transfer conduit 44' which opens the valve retainer 63 associated with the selected tank 18 and aspirates the selected treatment agent from the selected tank 18. By virtue of the closure of the supply valve 6 'and the rinse check valves 68, the vacuum in the dedicated transfer conduit 44' cannot draw water from the rinse conduit network 46 'or treatment agents from the rinses. other tanks 18.

Alternatively, pump assembly 60 may be completely within door 4, thus allowing direct dispensing into basket 5 and avoiding the need for an additional ejector conduit to transport dosed treatment agents within tank 3 or inside basket 5.

Multiple dose dispensing system with a plurality of dedicated pumps

According to another embodiment, the dispensing system 17 comprises a dedicated metering pump 36 '(Figures 10, 11, 14), preferably volumetric pumps, such as a cylinder-piston pump, for each tank 18 of treatment agent.

Tanks 18 are connected or can be connected to respective dedicated metering pumps 36 'via respective dedicated transfer conduits 44', each optionally equipped with a check valve 63.

If the dedicated dosing pumps 36 'are attached to the door 4, their outlet openings may be in direct communication with the interior of the basket 5 or connected to a common outlet conduit 64 that opens within the drum 5.

In the embodiment in which the dedicated metering pumps 36 'are located in the s casing 2 outside of the door 4, the dedicated metering pumps 36' are connected to a common outlet conduit 64 connected to (an ejector 62 placed in ) a supply conduit 65 connected to the water charging system 20 by means of a supply solenoid valve 6 '' and in communication with the interior of the basket 5 or, optionally, of the tank 3, to transport (by suction from the ejector 62) the treatment agents dispensed by the dedicated metering pumps 36 'to the basket 5 or the wash tank 3.

Advantageously, to avoid the formation of scale and tanks in the dedicated metering pumps 36 'and in the conduits 44', 64 of the dispensing system 17, a placed rinsing conduit 46 'can be provided, according to embodiments, or either at least partially in door 4 or completely outside of door 4. The rinse conduit 46 'comprises a distribution conduit 66 connected to the water charging system 20 via a supply valve 6', and a plurality of dedicated conduits 67 branched from distribution conduit 66. Each of the dedicated conduits 67 comprises a check flush valve 68 and is respectively connected to one of the dedicated transfer conduits 44 'at a point upstream of the metering valve dedicated 36 'and downstream of check valve 63 (FIG. 11A).

When the supply solenoid valve 6 'is open, the mains water fills the entire rinse conduit 46' and washes the dedicated transfer conduits 44 'downstream of the check valves 63 and the dedicated metering valves 36'. During this flushing, the pressure of the network water in the dedicated transfer conduits 44 'keeps the check valves 63 closed, thus preventing the network water from entering the tanks 18.

At the end of the cleaning step, the supply valve 6 'is closed and the dedicated metering pumps 36' are activated to fill the dedicated transfer lines 44 'again with liquid treatment agent aspirated from the tanks 18.

For selective dispensing of a selected treating agent from a selected tank 18, the supply valve 6 'is held closed and the selected dedicated metering pump 36 is activated, thereby generating a vacuum in the corresponding dedicated transfer conduit 44' which opens the check valve 63 associated with the selected tank 18 and draws in the selected treating agent from the selected tank 18. By virtue of the closure of the supply valve 6 'and the rinse check valves 68, the vacuum in the dedicated transfer conduit 44' cannot draw water from the rinse conduit network 46 'or treatment agents from the rinses. other tanks 18.

Also in the embodiments with dedicated metering pumps 36 '(Figures 10, 11), the tanks 18 can be attached either to the door 4 or they can be removed from the door 4 for filling.

According to one embodiment, a pump unit 60 'containing:

- the dedicated dosing pumps 36 ',

- the rinsing duct 46 ', 66, 67, 68,

- the portions of the dedicated transfer conduits 44 with which the rinse conduit 46 ', 66, 67, 68 is connected,

it is arranged in the casing 2 outside the door 4 and connected to the tanks 18 in the door 4 by means of the aforementioned connecting conduits 59. This avoids the need to extend electrical cables from housing 2 into door 4.

Alternatively, the pump assembly 60 'may be completely within the door 4, thus allowing direct dispensing into the basket 5 and avoiding the need for another ejector conduit to transport the dosed treatment agents within the tank 3 or inside the basket 5.

Multi-dose dispensing system with additional dosage of powder detergent

According to another embodiment (Figures 7, 8), the dispensing system 17 further comprises: - an auxiliary compartment 51 positioned inside door 4 and adapted to contain powder detergent and a channel 54 (e.g. overflow channel), also formed inside door 4 to drain (by rinsing) the powder detergent from the compartment auxiliary 51 inside basket 5 or inside tank 3, as well as

- an auxiliary conduit 52 connected to the water charging system 20, for example by means of a supply valve 6 ', 7' and an air gap 58, 58 ', and in communication with the auxiliary compartment 51 to conduct a flow of auxiliary water into the auxiliary compartment 51 and dispense the powder detergent from the auxiliary compartment 51 into the basket 5 or into the tub 3.

This further increases the versatility of the dispensing system 17.

According to one embodiment (Figure 7), the auxiliary duct 52 is branched from (or connected to) the rinse duct 46 at a branching point 53 downstream of the air gap 58 (within the rinse duct 46 ) and above the transfer conduit 44, and forms a raised segment 55 (for example, in the form of an inverted siphon) positioned higher than the transfer conduit 44 but lower than the air gap 58, so that the dispensing of liquid treatment agent from tanks 18 can occur while maintaining the water level within the auxiliary conduit below the height of segment 55, and thus without dispensing powdered detergent from auxiliary compartment 51.

This enables the auxiliary line 52 without on / off valves.

The dispensing of powder detergent from the auxiliary compartment 51 without the simultaneous dispensing of liquid treatment agent from the tanks 18 can be accomplished by filling the rinse conduit 46 beyond the level of the raised segment 55 to achieve the aforementioned auxiliary flow within the compartment. auxiliary 51, for example, by blocking the flow of water into the transfer conduit 44 by means of the check valves 39, 41 or one of the selector valves 45.

Either alternatively or selectively, the dispensing of powder detergent from the auxiliary compartment 51 can be performed simultaneously with a dispensing of the liquid treatment agent from one of the tanks 18.

Alternatively, the auxiliary conduit 52 may comprise an on / off valve 56 that can be operated to control the dispensing of powdered detergent from the auxiliary compartment 51. In this embodiment, it is possible to avoid the raised segment 55.

According to one embodiment (figure 8), the auxiliary conduit 52 is connected to the water charging system 20 by means of its own supply valve 7 'and its own air space 58', thus providing a second path of water, independent of the rinse duct 46, to dispense powdered detergent from the auxiliary compartment 51 and to introduce water into the basket 5 or into the tub 3.

According to one embodiment, the auxiliary compartment 51 and possibly the channel 54 may be formed in an auxiliary insert 57 which may be inserted into the door 4 to operate the washing machine 1 with dispensing of powder detergent, and which can be removed from door 4 to operate washer 1 without dispensing powder detergent from door 4.

In this embodiment, the insert 57 or an accessory cover 57 'free of the auxiliary compartment can be applied, as desired, from the inner side (facing basket 5) to the door 4 and form an inner surface facing to basket 5 and in direct contact with the clothes to be washed (figure 19).

System to detect the presence / level of detergent inside tanks 18

According to another embodiment, the dispensing system 17 comprises a detergent detection device configured to detect the presence and absence of treatment agents within the tanks 18 and generate a corresponding warning for the user.

In one embodiment (Figures 3, 4, 7, 8, 9), the detergent detection device may comprise an optical sensor 69, for example a turbidity sensor, connected to the control unit 15 and associated with a Transparent sensing conduit section formed in a transfer conduit 44 downstream of the selection valves 45 and upstream of the metering pump 36 and configured to generate an empty tank signal in the event of air suction in the conduit section of detection.

In one embodiment (Figures 10, 11), the detergent detection device may comprise a plurality of optical sensors 69 ', for example turbidity sensors, connected to the control unit 15 and each associated with a section of transparent sensing conduit formed in dedicated transfer conduit 44 'of each tank 18, upstream of dedicated metering pump 36' and, if provided, downstream of check valve 63 (Figures 7, 8). Optical sensors 69 'are configured to generate an empty tank signal upon aspiration of air into the sensing conduit segment with which they are associated.

The detection of the filling state of the tank 18 occurs during the aspiration of a selected treatment agent from a tank 18 and the control unit 15 attributes the signal of presence or absence of detergent generated by the optical sensor 69, 69 'to the tank 18 selected and generates an “empty tank” alert for the user.

Multiple Tank Unit 35

According to another embodiment, the plurality of tanks 18 comprises a single tank 34 and a multi-tank unit 35 having a plurality of said tanks 18 connected to each other. Multiple tank unit 35 can be attached / detached from / to door 4 as a separate unit from individual tank 34, and single tank 34 can also be attached / detached from and from door 4 independently of the unit multi-tank 35. This is particularly advantageous if different treatment agents are used with different amounts of use and drain times.

For example, individual tank 34 may contain enzymes and / or stain removers other than enzymes, and require very low-frequency filling, while multi-tank unit 35 tanks 18 may separately contain a first detergent for resistant and white garments, a second detergent for delicate and colored garments and a softening and / or fixing agent and require more frequent filling.

Advantageously, the tank 18 containing the enzymes and / or stain removers other than enzymes is arranged so that it is separated from the other tanks 18 and from the interior of the basket 5 by an air space that constitutes a thermal insulation adapted to protect enzymes and / or stain removers other than heat spoilage enzymes.

To allow selective manipulation of each tank 18 according to one embodiment, each tank 18 can be coupled / uncoupled with respect to and from the door 4 independently of the other tanks 18.

System to access tanks 18, replacement of tanks 18

According to another embodiment, the tanks 18 and, possibly, the pumping unit 60, 60 ', are placed in a lower portion 70 of the door 4, which may have a vertical extension of at least or more than half , preferably between 1/2 and 2/3, of the total height of the door 4 and which is covered by an outer cover 71, preferably opaque to hide the dispensing system 17 from the user.

In one embodiment (Figures 12, 18) the tanks 18 are either received or formed in an oscillating drawer 72 'partially removable and insertable inside the door 4 by means of a rotary movement around a horizontal axis to allow access to tanks 18 from outside of door 4 (opposite side to basket 5) and from above (figure 18), to fill and to remove and insert or to replace tanks 18, for example, for maintenance or tank cleaning 18.

In another embodiment (figure 17), the tanks 18 are either received or formed in a translatable drawer 72 partially removable and inserted inside the door 4 by means of a translational movement along a horizontal axis to allow access. to the tanks 18 from outside the door 4 (opposite side to the basket 5) and from the top, both for filling and for the extraction and insertion or for the replacement of the tanks 18, for example for maintenance operations or to clean tanks 18.

To allow the movement of the drawer 72, 72 ', as well as the extraction and reinsertion of the tanks 18, the tanks 18 and the transfer conduits 44, 44' of the pumping units 60, 60 'are connected by means of hydraulic connectors male-female 73 (Figures 15, 20, 21), which in the disconnection configuration close both the tank and the transfer conduit 44, 44 'and in the connection configuration open a fluid passage between the tank 18 and the conduit transfer 44, 44 '.

An upper portion 74 of the door 4 formed above the lower portion 70 containing the tanks 18 is preferably transparent and forms a porthole area to allow the inside of the basket 5 to be seen from the outside of the door 4.

The auxiliary insert 57 that forms the auxiliary compartment 51 for powder detergent and the auxiliary accessory 57 '(if provided), are preferably housed in the upper portion 74 of the door 4 (Figures 15, 19).

18 rigid refillable tanks

According to one embodiment (Figures 20-24), the tanks 18 comprise semi-rigid or rigid refillable containers having a stable shape that can be inserted into and removed from the door 4 through a front opening on the outer side of the door 4, which can be closed by the outer cover 71, preferably a tilting cover which can be opened by tilting downwards.

The refillable containers are provided with a capped filling opening 75 and a hand grip portion 76 to facilitate removal of the door 4 (FIG. 24).

The fluid connection of the tanks 18 with the pumping unit 60, 60 'is achieved by means of the male-female hydraulic connectors 73.

18 semi-rigid or rigid disposable tanks

According to another embodiment (Figures 25-27), the tanks 18 comprise disposable semi-rigid or rigid containers having a stable shape that can be inserted into and removed from the door 4 through a front opening on the outer side of the the door 4, which can be closed by the outer cover 71, preferably a tilting cover which can be opened by tilting downwards.

To maximize the volume of the tanks 18 within the circular door 4, the disposable or refillable containers may comprise one or more first arc-shaped containers with a circular arc-shaped peripheral surface and one or more second containers with a complementary shape. to the shape of the first containers, to form together a semi-disc-shaped volume compatible with the circular shape of the door 4 (Figures 22, 23, 25-27). Advantageously, the volume of the first containers is greater than the volume of the second containers to adapt their capacity to different consumption of treatment agents.

18 Disposable Flexible Bag Shaped Tanks

According to another embodiment (Figures 28, 29, 30), the tanks 18 comprise disposable flexible wall containers (air chamber bags) that can be inserted into and removed from the door 4 through a front opening through the outer side of the door 4, which can be closed by the outer cover 71, preferably a tilting cover which can be opened by tilting downwards.

Advantageously, the tanks 18 comprise disposable containers, in particular flexible plastic bags, for soaps and fabric softeners (whose consumption is notoriously high), as well as an individual refillable tank with a stable shape and smaller in volume than the volumes of the disposable containers, to contain enzymes (the consumption of which is very low) and / or stain removers other than enzymes.

Disposable flexible bag-shaped containers may have a generally elongated prism shape and possibly together form a volume with a trapezoidal shape tapering downward, which well fills the semi-circular section of the lower portion of door 4 (Figure 28 ).

The disposable tanks 18 can be fluidly connected to the pumping unit 60, 60 'by means of the male-female hydraulic connectors 73, or by means of hydraulic connectors adapted to pierce the disposable containers and be inserted into them in a sealed manner. .

The washing machine 1 may further comprise a system for recirculating the washing liquid from the bottom of the tank to the laundry basket, in a similar way to the recirculation systems described with reference to the prior art. Finally, the present invention also refers to the washing procedure described with reference to the washing machine 1, the characteristics of which are not repeated here for brevity.

Obviously, those skilled in the art can make other changes and variations to the washing procedure according to the present invention without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims (13)

1. A washing machine (1) comprising: - a housing (2), - a washing tub (3) arranged inside the casing (2) and having a front opening that can be closed by means of a porthole door (4) that is frontally hinged to the casing (2), - a basket (5) arranged inside the washing tub (3) and rotating around a horizontal or inclined axis, wherein the basket (5) defines a loading opening in the front opening of the washing tub (2), to load and unload the clothes to wash, - a water loading system (20) that can be connected to the water network and in communication with the washing tub (3) to load water into the washing tub (3), - a dispensing system (17) for dispensing clothing treatment agents, said dispensing system (17) comprising a plurality of tanks (18) for containing said treatment agents, said plurality of tanks (18) being positioned within the porthole door (4) and the individual tanks (18) being sized to contain a sufficient volume of treatment agent for a plurality of wash cycles, where - the dispensing system (17) comprises a dedicated metering pump (36 ') for each tank (18), - the tanks (18) are connected to the respective dedicated metering pumps (36 ') by means of respective dedicated transfer conduits (44'), characterized by: - the dedicated metering pumps (36 ') are connected to a common outlet conduit (64) connected to an ejector (62) placed in a supply conduit (65), - the supply conduit (65) is connected to the water charging system (20) by means of a supply solenoid valve (6 '') and in communication with the interior of the basket (5) or the tub (3). A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dedicated transfer conduits (44 ') are each provided with a check valve (63) and the dispensing system (17) comprises a rinse conduit (46 ') which way: - a distribution conduit (66) connected to the water charging system (20) by means of a supply valve (6 '), and - a plurality of dedicated conduits (67) branched from the distribution conduit (66), where each of the dedicated conduits (67) comprises a check rinse valve (68) and connects respectively to one of the transfer conduits Dedicated (44 ') at a point upstream of the dedicated metering pump (36') and downstream of the check valve (63). 3. A washing machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein: - during a cleaning step, the supply solenoid valve (6 ') is open and the water from the mains fills the entire rinse conduit (46') and washes the dedicated transfer conduits (44 ') downstream of the valves dedicated check valves (63) and metering pumps (36 '), where the pressure of the network water in the dedicated transfer lines (44') keeps the check valves (63) closed, thus preventing the water from the net enter the tanks (18), - in a dispensing step of a treatment agent from a tank (18), the supply valve (6 ') is closed and an operation of one of the dedicated metering pumps (36') generates a depression in the transfer conduit corresponding (44 ') that opens the check valve (63) associated with the tank (18) and sucks the treatment agent from the tank (18), where the closing of the supply valve (6') and the valves of Retention rinse (68) prevent the depression in the dedicated transfer conduit (44 ') from sucking water from the rinse conduit network (46') or treatment agents from the other tanks (18). A washing machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein a pump assembly (60 ') containing: - the dedicated dosing pumps (36 '), - the rinsing duct (46 ', 66, 67, 68), - portions of the dedicated transfer conduits (44) with which the rinse conduit (46 ', 66, 67, 68) is connected, It is arranged in the casing (2) outside the door (4) and connected to the tanks (18) inside the door (4) by connecting conduits (59). 5. A washing machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metering pump (36) is fixed to the door (4). A washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tanks (18) are placed in a tilting drawer (72 ') partially removable and insertable inside the door (4) by means of a tilting movement around an axis horizontal to allow access to the tanks (18) from outside the door (4) and from above. A washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tanks (18) are placed in a translatable drawer (72) partially removable and insertable inside the door (4) by means of a translational movement along a horizontal axis to allow access to the tanks (18) from outside the door (4) and from above. A washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tanks (18) comprise stably rigid refillable containers, insertable into and removable from the door (4) through a front opening on the outer side of the door (4), which can be closed by means of an outer lid (71), said refillable containers having a filling opening (75) with a cap and a manual grip portion (76) to facilitate their removal outside the door (4). A washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tanks (18) comprise stably rigid disposable containers, insertable into and removable from the door (4) through a front opening of the door (4 ) which can be closed by means of an outer cover (71). A washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tanks (18) comprise: - one or more first arc-shaped containers with a circular arc-shaped peripheral surface, and - one or more second containers with a shape complementary to the shape of the first containers, to form together a volume in the form of a semi-disk adapted to the circular shape of the door (4), wherein the first containers have a greater volume than the second containers. A washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the containers (18) comprise disposable containers configured as flexible wall bags insertable into and removable from the door (4) through a front opening of the door ( 4) that can be closed by means of an outer cover (71). A washing machine (1) according to claim 11, wherein the tanks (18) comprise: - flexible disposable bag-shaped containers made of plastic for soap and softeners, and - an individual refillable tank that is stable and has a volume smaller than the volumes of disposable containers, to contain enzymes and / or an additional tank containing stain removers other than enzymes. A washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of tanks (18) comprises: - a first tank containing a first detergent for resistant and white fabrics, - a second tank containing a second detergent for delicate and colored fabrics, - a third tank containing a softening and / or fixing agent, - a fourth tank containing enzymes and / or stain removers other than enzymes.