FR2959248A1 - Device for distributing water along three directions to washing product bag in washing machine, has canalizing unit provided with outlet opening for jet according to direction, and water supply circuits that are provided with nozzles - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a water supply circuit (23) provided with a nozzle (26). Another water supply circuit (24) is provided with a nozzle (27). A nozzle (30) is arranged at an outlet of the nozzles of the supply circuits. A passage opening of a first jet is delivered by the nozzle of the latter supply circuit according to direction. A canalizing unit (32) canalizes parabolic shaped second jet (j3) resulting from crossing of a third jet and of the first jet. The canalizing unit is provided with an outlet opening (34) for the second jet according to another direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a water dispensing device. It also relates to a laundry washing machine incorporating such a dispensing device for supplying detergent containers. In general, the present invention relates to the distribution of water in a detergent box of a washing machine, traditionally composed of several bins detergents. The water distribution system in such a box must make it possible to feed each of the tanks independently of each other to allow evacuation towards a washing tank, at each phase of the washing and / or rinsing, of a specific detergent product.

It is known in the state of the art to use a rotary nozzle to sequentially feed each of the detergent containers, the rotary nozzle itself being fed by a water supply circuit provided with a solenoid valve to a way. The rotary nozzle is movable, for example around a vertical axis, and can occupy different positions for respectively feeding each detergent container. Such a device is however complex and expensive because it has many moving parts, and requires the implementation of a motor and connecting members to control the rotation of the nozzle. It is also known, as described in particular in document FR 2 503 744, a water distribution system composed of several water supply circuits respectively provided with an outlet nozzle, for delivering jets of water. water in at least two different directions. On the other hand, when two water supply circuits operate simultaneously, a third water jet is created by the impact at the point of intersection of the first and second water jets.

This third water jet, resulting from the impact of two directional jets, has a scattered shape in space. The document FR 2 503 744 thus provides for the use of water coming from two jets converging and falling by gravity to feed one of the detergent containers by means of a communication channel arranged under the outlet nozzles of the two delivery circuits. 'water. However, such a water distribution device has significant water losses during the simultaneous operation of the jets, between the water supply circuits and the detergent tubs fed by the water distribution device. The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a dispensing device for supplying directionally a detergent box in at least three directions of water distribution.

For this purpose, the present invention relates in a first aspect to a water dispensing device in at least three directions for supplying at least one detergent container, comprising a first water supply circuit provided with a first nozzle and a second water supply circuit provided with a second nozzle.

According to the invention, the water distribution device comprises a third nozzle disposed at the outlet of the first and second nozzles, said third nozzle comprising a first orifice for passing a first jet delivered by said first nozzle in a first direction, a second orifice for passing a second jet delivered by said second nozzle in a second direction and means for channeling a third jet resulting from the crossing of said first jet and said second jet, said channeling means having an exit orifice of said third jet; jet in a third direction. Through the use of a third nozzle in the extension of the first and second nozzles, it is possible to channel the third water jet resulting from the crossing of the first jet and the second jet, in order to obtain at the outlet of the device for distributing water a third water jet in a third direction of distribution. The third water jet is directional, it is possible to feed a detergent container disposed vis-à-vis the direction of the third water jet. Due to the specific shape of the third nozzle, and in particular to the first and second passage orifices, the arrangement of a third nozzle does not disturb the feed in the first and second direction of the water jets. According to a practical feature of the invention, the channeling means comprise a piece of frustoconical shape extended by the outlet orifice of the third jet. Indeed, while the first jet and the second jet issuing from the first and second nozzles have a substantially cylindrical shape at the outlet of these first and second nozzles, the third jet coming from the crossing of the first jet and the second jet has a parabolic shape. spreading in space and difficult to channel. Thanks to the frustoconical shaped element of the channeling means, it is possible to transform the parabolic form of the third jet into a shape converging in the outlet orifice extending this frustoconical element. The water losses associated with the collision of the first jet and the second jet are thus limited, most of the water from the first and second jets ending up thanks to the frustoconical element at the outlet of the third nozzle. Thus, the frustoconical shaped element facilitates the directional jet transformation of the third jet resulting from the first and second jets. In practice, the outlet orifice constitutes a cylindrical outlet orifice in the extension of the top of said frustoconical element. Furthermore, the inside diameter of the first and second nozzles 30 is between 2.5 mm and 4 mm, and preferably between 3 mm and 3.5 mm. These dimensions make it possible to obtain a compromise between an insufficient diameter, which would cause nozzle clogging problems and too large a diameter, delivering a weak jet of water, and in particular insufficient to clean a detergent dispenser. In a practical embodiment of the invention, the angle defined between said first direction and said second direction is between 20 ° 5 and 90 °, and preferably between 50 ° and 60 °. This opening angle between the first direction and the second direction of the water jets from the water distribution device can be adapted to the current position of the detergent tubs in a washing machine. It is thus possible to replace a rotary nozzle water dispensing system with a water dispensing device according to the present invention, without changing the arrangement of the detergent tubs of a washing machine. Furthermore, by limiting the angle formed by the directions of the first and second jets, it is possible to limit the parabolic shape taken by the third jet resulting from the crossing of the first jet and the second jet, and thus to channel more easily this third jet towards an outlet orifice in the third direction of the water dispensing device. The present invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a washing machine, in particular a washing machine, comprising a water dispensing device according to the invention, feeding detergent containers. This washing machine has features and advantages similar to those described above in connection with the water dispensing device according to the invention. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below. In the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example: FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a washing machine; top load laundry according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 1B is a perspective view of the water distribution device associated with a product box of the washing machine of Figure 1A; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3A is a partial perspective view of the water dispensing device of FIG. 2, illustrating the distribution of water in a first direction; FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view of the assembly of the nozzles of the water distribution device, illustrating the distribution of water in the first direction; FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view of the water distribution device of FIG. 2, illustrating the distribution of water in a second direction; FIG. 4B is a view similar to FIG. 3B, illustrating the distribution of water along the second direction; FIG. 5A is a partial perspective view of the water distribution device of FIG. 2, illustrating the distribution of water in a third direction; - Figure 5B is a view similar to Figure 3B, illustrating the distribution of water in the third direction; and FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the water dispensing device of FIG. 2, in a sectional plane in which a quarter of the nozzles is removed. We will first describe with reference to Figure 1A a washing machine 10 adapted to implement the present invention. In this embodiment, the washing machine 10 is a top loading laundry washing machine. For this purpose, such a washing machine 10 comprises a cover 12, disposed in the upper plane of the machine and allowing access to the inside of a washing tub (not shown) and a table of order 11.

As well illustrated in Figure 1A, the washing machine 10 comprises a product box 13 directly accessible under the cover 12, to allow the filling of detergents by the user. Throughout the remainder of the description, detergent products are understood to be any products, detergents, softeners, etc. conventionally used in a washing machine during the different phases of washing and / or rinsing. A water inlet connector 14 is also provided, generally at the rear of the washing machine 10. This water inlet connector 14 is conventionally intended to be connected to a supply pipe, allowing to supply water to the washing machine. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, this water inlet connection 14 is mounted in particular so as to supply water to a water distribution device 20 which will be described later in detail.

This water distribution device 20 is intended to dispense water into the product box 13 in order to entrain in the stream of water the detergent products stored in the product box 13, in the direction of the tank of water. washing. The other elements of the washing machine 10 illustrated in FIG. 1A are independent of the present invention and do not need to be described in detail here. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the water distribution device is adapted to dispense water in at least three directions. In this particular example, and in no way limiting, the water distribution device is adapted to distribute jets in three directions, schematized by the arrows j1, j2, j3. These jets j1, j2, j3 are intended to supply the product box which comprises at least one detergent container. In this embodiment, the product box 13 comprises three independent bins detergents, as schematically dotted in this Figure 1B and referenced 13 '.

Thanks to the particular structure of the water distribution device 20, as described later, each jet j1, j2, j3 is adapted to respectively feed one of the three bins 13 'detergents. Of course, two jets could be intended to feed the same detergent tank or a larger number of directional jets or bins could be considered. An exemplary embodiment of a water distribution device 20 according to one embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the water dispensing device comprises a base 21 and a cover 22, having corresponding shapes and adapted to be fixed by conventional fixing means to one another. Thus, the base 21 and the cover 22 can be made integral by welding or by gluing or latching.

It may be necessary to add gaskets to complete the junction of the two parts. The base 21 of the water distribution device 20 firstly comprises a first water supply circuit 23 and a second water supply circuit 24 defined respectively by projecting water circulation grooves. on a wall of the base 21. As is well illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first water supply circuit 23 and the second water supply circuit 24 are fed by a double-way solenoid valve 25 enabling, from of the main water inlet at the supply connection 14, to control the supply of one and / or the other water supply circuits 23, 24. Of course, the use a dual-channel solenoid valve for alternately or simultaneously supplying water to the two water supply circuits 23, 24 is an exemplary embodiment and other types of supply means, and in particular several supply valves can be mounted for the same purpose. Each water supply circuit 23, 24 is provided at its end with a nozzle. As is well illustrated in FIG. 2, the first water supply circuit 23 is provided with a first nozzle 26 and the second water supply circuit 24 is provided with a second nozzle 27. Apart from their orientation, which will be described later, these two nozzles 26, 27 may be identical, and in particular be in the form of a cylindrical duct for directing a jet of water at the outlet of the water supply circuits 23, 24 in a precise direction. In this embodiment, the first nozzle 26 and the second nozzle 27 are attached to the lid 22 of the water dispensing device 20 so as to be positioned at the end of the water circulation grooves of the water distribution circuits. supply of water 23, 24 when the cover 22 is secured to the base 21. Although the cover 22 has been removed in FIG 3A, is schematically illustrated the position of the first nozzle 26 at the output of the first circuit supplying water 23 and the second nozzle 27 at the outlet of the second water supply circuit 24. The shape of the water supply circuits 23, 24, on the base 21 of the water distribution device 20 may be arbitrary provided that it allows a circulation of water from the water supply connection 14 and the solenoid valve 25 to the outlet of the water distribution device 20, opposite the product box 13. In this example, the water supply circuits 23, 24 have a form substantially curved and parallel to each other on a part of their trajectory on the base 21 of the water distribution device 20. On the other hand, the end 23a of the first water supply circuit 23 provided with of the first nozzle 26, and the end 24a of the second water supply circuit 24, provided with the second nozzle 27, converge towards one another. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, at the outlet of the water supply circuits 23, 24, the first nozzle 26 extends in a first direction D1 and the second nozzle 27 extends in a second direction D2.

As well illustrated in Figures 3B and 4B, the first nozzle 26 is adapted to deliver a first jet j1 in the first direction Dl and the second nozzle 27 is adapted to deliver a second jet j2 in the second direction D2. The angle defined between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is for example between 20 ° and 90 °.

This angle depends in particular on the geometry of the washing machine and the arrangement of detergent bins 13 '. This angle may be preferably between 50 ° and 60 °. By way of non-limiting example, this angle may be equal to 57 ° ± 2 °. This angle makes it possible to define two jets of water j1, j2 in predefined directions making it possible to adapt to the position of the detergent containers 13 'of the product box 13. Furthermore, the inside diameter of the first nozzle 26 and the second nozzle 27 can be between 2.5 mm and 4 mm, and preferably between 3 and 3.5 mm.

Indeed, this diameter must allow the optimal evacuation of detergents, especially when it comes powder laundry, contained in the various tanks 13 'of the product box 13. A diameter less than 2.5 mm, and for example of the order of 2 mm would be likely to cause problems clogging the nozzles 26, 27 and provide an insufficient flow of water. On the other hand, a diameter greater than 4 mm, and for example equal to 5 mm, would lead to feed the detergent bins 13 'with a weak jet, insufficient to evacuate the detergents and clean the product box 13 satisfactorily. .

As well illustrated in FIG. 2, the water distribution device further comprises a third nozzle 30 disposed at the outlet of the first and second nozzles 26, 27. In this embodiment, the third nozzle 30 is made in two parts. , 31 'respectively disposed on the base 21 and the cover 22.

Once the cover 22 secured to the base 21, these two parts 31, 31 'of the nozzle 30 are intended to form a single piece as illustrated in the following figures, and in particular in Figure 6. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3A and in FIG. 6, the third nozzle 30 firstly comprises ducting means 32 adapted to channel a third jet j3 resulting from the crossing of the first jet j1 and the second jet j2. In this embodiment, the channeling means 32 comprise a frustoconical piece 33 and an outlet orifice 34 adapted to deliver a third jet j3 in a third direction D3. As well illustrated in Figure 6, the outlet orifice 34 is disposed in the extension of the frustoconical piece 33. More particularly, the outlet orifice 34 constitutes a cylindrical outlet orifice in the extension of the top 33a of the Thus, the frustoconical shaped member 33 is flared from its top 33a towards its base 33b disposed substantially opposite the first nozzle 26 and the second nozzle 27. In this mode embodiment, and in a nonlimiting manner, the frustoconical-shaped element 33 is connected on the side of its base 33b to a substantially cylindrical introduction conduit 35 and into which the first and second nozzles 26, 27 open. non-limiting example, the inner diameter of the channeling means 32, and in particular the frustoconical element 33 at its base 33b extended by the introduction conduit 35, is between 10 and 20 mm , and preferably between 12 and 17 mm. This large diameter of the introduction duct 35 and the frustoconical element 33 at its base 33b makes it possible to best recover the water coming from the first and second nozzles 26, 27 when the supply circuits 30 water 23, 24 are fed simultaneously.

This inside diameter of the frustoconical element 33 depends in particular on the nominal flow rate of the double-channel solenoid valve 25, here also by way of non-limiting example at 8 l / min. By way of example, the internal diameter of the channeling means 32 at the frustoconical element 33 may be substantially equal to 15 mm. Furthermore, the internal diameter of the outlet orifice 34 is for example between 3 and 6 mm, and preferably between 4 and 5 mm. It is equal for example to 4.5 mm. Of course, the diameter values of the nozzles are given as an indication and determined for normal operation of the water distribution device 20 for a pressure of the conventional water network, for example between 1 and 10 bars and for nominal solenoid valve flow rate regulated at 8 I / min. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, at the point of intersection of the water jets delivered by the first nozzle 26 and the second nozzle 27, the jet j3 'has a parabolic shape. The particular shape of the third nozzle 30, and in particular of the frustoconical-shaped element 33, makes it possible to better channel this parabolic jet j3 'towards the outlet orifice 34 of the third nozzle 30 in order to deliver a third jet j3 in a third predefined direction D3. As is well illustrated in FIG. 5B, the third direction D3 corresponds to a direction extending in the angular sector of angle a, defined between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. This third nozzle 30 thus makes it possible to define a third water jet direction D3 in the water distribution device 20, in order to supply water to a third detergent dispenser 13 ', disposed between a first product container. detergents 13 'fed by the first jet j1 of first direction Dl and a second detergent tank 13' fed by the second jet j2 second direction D2.

Thus, as described above, the first and second nozzles 26, 27 open into the third nozzle 30, upstream of the channel means 32. Therefore, in order not to disturb the direction of the first and second jets j1, j2, when the first and second nozzles 26, 27 are supplied with water separately, the third nozzle 30 comprises a first passage opening 36 of the first jet j1 delivered by the first nozzle 26 in the first direction D1 and a second passage orifice 37 of the second jet j2 delivered by the second nozzle 27 in the second direction D2.

These passage orifices 36, 37 are defined in walls of the channeling means 32, and here in the walls of the frustoconical element 33, as well as in the introduction duct 35. As illustrated in FIG. these passage orifices 36, 37 are formed by indentations in the walls of the channeling means 32.

In this embodiment, the frustoconical shaped element 33 has two through-holes 36, 37 in its walls, arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal plane of the frustoconical element 33. These through-holes 36, 37 open out at the level of the base 33b of the frustoconical-shaped element 33 to extend into the walls of the introduction duct 35. The introduction duct 35 thus has two wall portions 35a, 35b extending facing each other. one of the other, on either side of the first and second nozzles 26, 27. The passage orifices 36, 37 are thus arranged facing the outlet respectively of the first and second nozzles 26, 27, it is that is to say in the extension of these first and second nozzles 26, 27 according to the first and second directions D1, D2. Thus, the third nozzle 30 makes it possible, while not disturbing the delivery of the first jet j1 and the second jet j2, to channel in a third direction D3 a third jet j3 obtained by the juxtaposition of the first and second jets j1, j2 to a crossing point.

The water distribution device according to the invention makes it possible to guarantee a stable and predefined direction of the first and second jets j1, j2 while enabling a third jet j3 to be obtained in a third direction D3, resulting from the crossing of the first and second jets j1, j2.

Of course, the water distribution device 20 can be integrated in all types of washing machine.

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device for dispensing water in at least three directions (D1, D2, D3) for supplying at least one detergent container (13 '), comprising a first water supply circuit (23) provided with a first nozzle (26) and a second water supply circuit (24) provided with a second nozzle (27), characterized in that it comprises a third nozzle (30) disposed at the outlet of the first and second nozzles (26). , 27), said third nozzle (30) comprising a first orifice (36) for a first jet (j1) delivered by said first nozzle (26) in a first direction (D1), a second orifice (37) ) a second jet (j2) delivered by said second nozzle (27) in a second direction (D2) and channeling means (32) of a third jet (j3) resulting from the crossing of said first jet (j1) and said second jet (j2), said channeling means (32) having an outlet (34) of said third jet (j3) in a third direction (D3). 2. A water dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said channeling means (32) comprises a frustoconical shaped piece (33) extended by said outlet orifice (34) of said third jet (j3). 3. A water dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that said outlet orifice (34) constitutes a cylindrical outlet orifice (34) in the extension of the apex (33a) of said frustoconical element (33). . 4. A water dispensing device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the channeling means (32) have walls provided with said first and second through holes (36, 37). 5. Water dispensing device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the inner diameter of said first and second nozzles (26, 27) is between 2.5 and 4 mm, and preferably between 3 and 3.5 mm. 6. A water dispensing device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the inner diameter of the channeling means (32) is between 10 and 20 mm, and preferably between 12 and 17 mm. Water dispensing device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the internal diameter of the outlet orifice (34) is between 3 and 6 mm, and preferably between 4 and 5 mm. 8. A water dispensing device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the angle (a) defined between said first direction (D1) and said second direction (D2) is between 20 ° and 90 °, and preferably between 50 ° and 60 °. 9. Water dispensing device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said third direction (D3) extends in the angular sector defined between said first direction (D1) and said second direction (D2). ). Water distribution device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first water supply circuit (23) and the second water supply circuit (24) are supplied with by a double-way solenoid valve (25). 11. A water dispensing device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said first jet (j1), second jet (j2) and third jet (j3) are adapted to feed respectively three bins products. detergents. 12. Washing machine, especially a washing machine (10), characterized in that it comprises a water dispensing device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, feeding detergent containers (13). ') a product box (13).