GB2162868A

GB2162868A - A water distribution device for clothes washing machines

Info

Publication number: GB2162868A
Application number: GB08516372A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antonio D Marangoni
Original assignee: Domar SA
Current assignee: Domar SA
Priority date: 1984-07-31
Filing date: 1985-06-28
Publication date: 1986-02-12
Also published as: DE3525240A1; ES280794Y; IT1200684B; ES280794U; IT8522561V0; FR2568604A1; IT8521653A0; GB2162868B; FR2568604B3; GB8516372D0

Abstract

A water distribution device for incorporation in a clothes washing machine has a cylindrical casing (1) having at one end a laterally directed inlet (2) for water supply which extends coaxially (3) within the casing, at the other end a cover (8) closing the casing, a plurality of outlets (11) being provided around said other end, and centrally within the casing, a rotatable sleeve (5) integral with a spigot (7) projecting through a hole in said cover (8). The spigot is rotated so as to move the sleeve (5) to direct flow of water to one or other of the outlet (11); separate valves for the outlets are not needed. A drain outlet (12) is also connected beneath the casing. The outlets (1) may be four, to respectively supply pre-wash, wash, rinse and addition of additive for the operations of the machine. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A water distribution device for clothes washing machines This present Patent refers to a device having as its object the distribution of water in a clothes washing machine in a manner that directs the flow of fluid entering through an inlet, normally controlled by an electro-valve, towards one of a number of outlets which may be selected as required. The device may equally be applied in the form of a working sub-component in other hydraulic appliances.

In the example given, the use of the device in question permits the guidance of the water flow as necessary, for the operation of the pre-wash, the wash, the rinse or the introduction of additives at the appropriate phase of the machine operating cycle, in accordance with the pre-established programme.

Water distribution devices are used at present comprising a programme controlled electro-valve in each case and it is obvious that the use of a four unit electro-valve results in a cost which is high in relation to components of the machine assembly in its present form.

This cost is appreciably lessened by utilizing the device herein described.

To facilitate the explanation this specification is accompanied by drawings in which is shown one embodiment by way of a nonlimitative illustration of the water distribution device for clothes washing machines in accordance with the principles of the claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional view of the device in question showing the various directions of flow that the distributed water may take.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are dihedral projections on transverse and meridian planes respectively shown as l-l, Il-Il, Ill-Ill and IV-IV, of the device.

The numbers on the drawings correspond to those in the text below.

The body -1- is a casing in the shape of a cylinder having at one of its extremities an inlet mouth -2- connected to the water supply and extended internally in the form of the coaxial tube -3-, the mouth of which has fitted thereto the component -4-, also tubular and housed within it, this component taking the form externally of a sleeve -5-, such that the component may revolve within the above mentioned mouth of the tube -3-. The component -4- has a prolongation in the form of an elbowed outlet -6- for the distribution of the water and another extension -7- provided for the purpose of actuating the component. The dished shape cover -8- is fitted by its rim -9-, to the second extremity which is open, of the casing -1-, and has a central annular protuberance -10- which acts as a guide for the spigot -7-.

The casing body -1- extends laterally and radially defining the outlet ports -11-, preferably four in number and arranged symmetrically corresponding to the various directions of flow required for the pre-wash, wash, rinse and additive circuits.

The outlet -12- is for draining and is connected accordingly.

The use of this described device requires solely one electro-valve fitted at the water inlet mouth -2-, the positioning of the component -4-, dictating the direction of flow to one or other of the outlets -11-, at choice, in accordance with a machine programme and controlled by a mechanism acting on the spigot -7-. Thus there is no requirement for an electro-valve to be provided at each one of the four outlet circuits.

Anything not altering changing or modifying the essence of the device herein described is a variable for purposes of this Patent.

1. A water distribution device for clothes washing machines, characterized essentially in that it comprises a casing body, preferably cylindrical, provided at one of its extremities with an inlet port for the water and at the other extremity with a dished cover having a central annular protuberance to act as a guide for a movable element in the form of an elbowed tubular component, fitted inside the mouth of the coaxial prolongation of the water inlet, this same element extending to a lateral sleeve circumscribing the exterior of the said mouth and to a lateral outlet which is orientated selectively towards one or other of the various water outlets of the device, these being respectively distinct mouthpieces corresponding to the pre-wash, wash, rinse and additive circuits.

2. A water distribution device for clothes washing machines, as in the previous claim, characterized in that the actuation of the movable component which orientates the direction of flow of the liquid is provided by means of a spigot which is a coaxial derivation of the tubular member fitted to the water inlet mouthpiece.

3. A water distribution device for clothes washing machines as in the previous claims, characterized in that the draining is by means of a tube corresponding to the extremity of the casing body of the device serving for the water inlet and being separated therefrom by the prolongation of the said inlet and the movable orientating component.

4. A water distribution device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. The features as herein disclosed, or their equivalents, in any novel selection.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A water distribution device for clothes washing machines This present Patent refers to a device having as its object the distribution of water in a clothes washing machine in a manner that directs the flow of fluid entering through an inlet, normally controlled by an electro-valve, towards one of a number of outlets which may be selected as required. The device may equally be applied in the form of a working sub-component in other hydraulic appliances. In the example given, the use of the device in question permits the guidance of the water flow as necessary, for the operation of the pre-wash, the wash, the rinse or the introduction of additives at the appropriate phase of the machine operating cycle, in accordance with the pre-established programme. Water distribution devices are used at present comprising a programme controlled electro-valve in each case and it is obvious that the use of a four unit electro-valve results in a cost which is high in relation to components of the machine assembly in its present form. This cost is appreciably lessened by utilizing the device herein described. To facilitate the explanation this specification is accompanied by drawings in which is shown one embodiment by way of a nonlimitative illustration of the water distribution device for clothes washing machines in accordance with the principles of the claims. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional view of the device in question showing the various directions of flow that the distributed water may take. Figures 2, 3 and 4 are dihedral projections on transverse and meridian planes respectively shown as l-l, Il-Il, Ill-Ill and IV-IV, of the device. The numbers on the drawings correspond to those in the text below. The body -1- is a casing in the shape of a cylinder having at one of its extremities an inlet mouth -2- connected to the water supply and extended internally in the form of the coaxial tube -3-, the mouth of which has fitted thereto the component -4-, also tubular and housed within it, this component taking the form externally of a sleeve -5-, such that the component may revolve within the above mentioned mouth of the tube -3-. The component -4- has a prolongation in the form of an elbowed outlet -6- for the distribution of the water and another extension -7- provided for the purpose of actuating the component. The dished shape cover -8- is fitted by its rim -9-, to the second extremity which is open, of the casing -1-, and has a central annular protuberance -10- which acts as a guide for the spigot -7-. The casing body -1- extends laterally and radially defining the outlet ports -11-, preferably four in number and arranged symmetrically corresponding to the various directions of flow required for the pre-wash, wash, rinse and additive circuits. The outlet -12- is for draining and is connected accordingly. The use of this described device requires solely one electro-valve fitted at the water inlet mouth -2-, the positioning of the component -4-, dictating the direction of flow to one or other of the outlets -11-, at choice, in accordance with a machine programme and controlled by a mechanism acting on the spigot -7-. Thus there is no requirement for an electro-valve to be provided at each one of the four outlet circuits. Anything not altering changing or modifying the essence of the device herein described is a variable for purposes of this Patent. CLAIMS