GB2353540A

GB2353540A - Inflow device for water carrying appliances

Info

Publication number: GB2353540A
Application number: GB0017907A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guenter Biechele; Gerold Dillmann
Original assignee: Aweco Appliance Systems GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Aweco Appliance Systems GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1999-07-26
Filing date: 2000-07-20
Publication date: 2001-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 2020-07-20
Also published as: GB0017907D0; GB2353540B

Abstract

An inflow device for water-carrying appliances, which are to be connected to a water system, in particular domestic machines, such as washing machines, dishwashers, toilets or the like, is composed of a block-like lower shell (8) which is closed off by a top cover. The shell (8) defines channels which form inflow lines (2, 3) connectible with external connection pieces (4, 5) to hoses. The inflow lines (2, 3) narrow in cross-section towards outlet orifices (21,22) which direct liquid into an air section (9). Outflow lines (12, 13) communicate with the air section (9) and terminate with further connection pieces (16, 17). An inclined wall surface (18) is disposed adjacent the air section (9) between the outflow lines (12, 13) and opposite the outlet orifices (21, 22) of the inflow lines (2, 3) and leads to connection piece (20). The air section (9) is enclosed with an insert part. The device ensures a higher operating pressure in the outflow lines (12, 13) downstream of the air section (9), by creating accurately reproducible flow conditions in the region of the air section.

Description

2353540 Inflow Device for Water-Carrying Appliances The invention relates

to an inflow device for use with water-carrying appliances which are to be connected to a water system, in particular, domestic machines, such as washing machines or dishwashers, toilets or the like.

Inflow devices, in which two flow lines intersect via an air section, have already become know in commercially available washing machines. The two inflow lines are connected, in each case via an inflow valve, to the fresh-water supply of the plumbing system. The outflow lines downstream of the intersection, which are assigned to these inflow lines, are assigned to different chambers into which washing or rinsing agent can be introduced. When the two inflow lines are opened, the meeting of the two liquid streams gives rise to an outflow which is arranged centrally in relation to the two outflow lines mentioned above and which is likewise intercepted and fed to a third washing-agent or rinsing-agent chamber.

As a result, three different washing-agent or rinsing-agent chambers can be activated by means of two control valves and, at the same time, the air section, which is prescribed when such a domestic machine is in operation, can be integrated into the inflow device.

The previous devices have curved inflow lines, and because of this corresponding complicated multi-part tools have to be provided during manufacture. This results, at the transition into the air section, in burr formation which can be avoided only with difficulty in mass manufacture, but appreciably disturbs the flow behaviour in the inflow lines. In so far as a plurality of the components are assembled together during manufacture, there are often likewise disturbances atjoints where the individual plastic parts are welded together.

These disturbances in the flow pattern in the inflow lines make it difficult to intercept the liquid flow downstream of the air section. Relatively large-area trough-shaped line 2 portions have to be provided for this purpose. As a result, however, the operating pressure of the domestic machine is L.Yered, and this often become noticeable, in particular, in that pulverulent washing agent in the washing-agent or rinsing-agent chambers is not fully rinsed out, but, instead, a moistened residue lumped together remains there.

An object of the invention is, therefore, to provide an inflow device, in which defined flow conditions prevail and nevertheless mass manufacture is possible.

According to the invention there is provided an inflow device for use with water-carrying appliances which are to be connected to a water system, in particular in domestic machines, such as washing machines, dishwashers, toilets or the like, said device comprising at least two inflow lines which intersect with outlet regions in an air section, and an insert part in the region of the air section to control liquid flow issuing from the inflow lines.

An inflow device constricted in accordance with the invention is accordingly distinguished by the insert part is provided in the region of the intersection of the inflow lines or of the air section.

In water inflow devices of this type, the flow conditions upstream and downstream of the air section are critical for the water pressure which still has to be achieved downstream of the air section. The flow conditions are influenced by burr formation in the region of the outlet of the inflow line into the air section or else by welds when plastic parts are welded to one another. The insert part according to the invention, which is produced with high accuracy and precision, along with low manufacturing tolerances, serves for preventing these disturbances. The other components of the inflow device do not have to meet such stringent requirements, so that, overall, cost-effective manufacture is possible and yet defined preconditions for an accurately reproducible flow are present in the relevant region in the surroundings of the air section.

3 The inflow lines upstream of the intersection in the air section have a straight portion. It is thereby possible to form the transition between the inflow line and the air section by means of a tool, since the latter can be drawn out of the ready-cast part along this straight orientation. Burr formation in the transition between the inflow line and the air section can thereby be avoided, so that a defined shape and, correspondingly, also defined flow behaviour can be achieved.

In an advantageous development, outflow lines are provided, downstream of the air section, with a closed cross section. This is possible, in particular, because ofthe accurately defined flow conditions in the inflow region of the inflow device, since the liquid stream can be introduced with sufficient accuracy into a corresponding inlet orifice of the outflow line. By means of a closed outflow line, some of the water pressure on the fresh-water side can be maintained in the region of the outflow lines of the inflow device, so that a higher water pressure is obtained for rising out the washing-agent or rinsing-agent chambers. These are consequently rinsed out more efficiently, so that the abovernentioned lump formation and residues of rinsing agent or washing agent can generally be prevented.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inflow device has a doubleshell design, with the exception of the insert part as a result of which manufacture is simplified and, in particular, the forming tool is simplified in the region of the air section and of the inflow lines.

A design of the inflow device in which the upper shell takes the form of a plane cover is of particular advantage. The mounting of the device thereby becomes particularly simple. After the insert part has been inserted, the lower shell can be closed simply by pressing on the cover, whilst weld escape into the interior of the inflow lines is avoided by the insert part, with the result that, as mentioned above, the flow behaviour of the liquid within the inflow lines can be made accurate and uniformly reproducible.

4 Advantageously, a cross-sectional narrowing in the inflow lines is provided upstream of the air section. A cross-sectional narrowing of this type increases the pressure and flow velocity of the liquid in this line portion, so that the air section can be bridged more effectively and, in particular, the inlet of the outflow lines can be made more accurately.

Moreover, in a development of the invention, an inclined surface is provided, upstream of the air section, in the inflow lines. The liquid flow thereby acquires a slight upward orientation before it enters the air section, as a result of which the flow above the air section requires a slight curved shape and the inlet of the outflow line can be arranged approximately at the same height as the outlet of the inflow lines upstream of the air section.

Moreover, in a development of the invention, a cross-sectional narrowing is provided, downstream of the air section, in at least one outflow line. It is thereby possible to have a larger inlet orifice, into which the liquid flow bridging the air section is aimed, whilst, due to the following cross-sectional narrowing, the flow cross section of the outflow line is filled completely with liquid. Consequently, as mentioned above, a pressure loss in the outflow line is avoided and a high operating pressure for rinsing out the washing-agent or rinsing-agent chambers is achieved.

Advantageously, in a particular embodiment, a third inflow line is provided, which intersects at least one of the other two inflow lines or is at a defined angle to this. It is thereby possible for two inflow lines to meet in an outflow line and for conr'sponding mixing conditions to be established between the liquids from these two inflow lines.

Thus, for example, liquid rinsing agent could be added to a liquid stream. Preferably, however, such a third inflow line is used in order to connect an additional hot-water connection and to mix hot water with cold fresh water in the air section and the following outflow line.

In addition to the advantages already described, there is therefore the possibility of setting a final temperature of the liquid supplied in the outflow line of the inflow device by the setting of the corresponding mixture ratio, for example by the timing of the hot-water supply or by influence being exerted on the volumetric flow in the hot-water supply with the aid of cross-sectional throttles or the like.

For the regulated setting of such a temperature, it is recommended, furthermore, to mount a temperature sensor in the corresponding outflow line of the inflow device.

To make it easier for the device, according to the invention to be handled, it is recommended to arrange connection pieces of the inflow lines and/or of the outflow lines parallel to one another.

The result of this, on the one hand, is that the hose lines within the machine, which are normally laid next to one another, can be connected to the inflow device more easily, but, on the other hand, also in the region of the pipe lines or hose lines connected to the inflow lines, there is a parallel orientation with comparatively long line routing and therefore more accurately reproducible flow conditions, thus further improving the functioning of the inflow device. The flow conditions inside a line also depend fundamentally, in the case of short lines, on the hose geometry upstream of the connection. The reproducibility of the flow conditions is therefore improved when there are straight connections on the connection side.

Furthermore, the block design of the abovementioned double-shell construction with a flat cover gives rise to an extremely stable and rigid construction of the inflow device. In particular, the inner lines are consequently non-deformable and are therefore permanently predetermined, and this, in turn, has an effect on the accurate reproducibility of the desired flow conditions.

6 An inflow device constructed in accordance with the invention may also be used advantageously, for example, in a flushing mechanism for toilets.

The invention may be understood more readily, and various other features of the invention may become apparent, from consideration of the following description.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings therein.

Figure I is a planar cross section taken through an inflow device constructed in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a planar cross section taken through another inflow device constructed in accordance with the invention, and Figure 3 is a block diagram of a flushing mechanism for toilets incorporating an inflow device constructed in accordance with the invention.

As depicted in Figure 1, an inflow device I constructed in accordance with the invention has, as seen in a top view, two inflow channels forming lines 2, 3 which intersect at an angle a and are to be connected from outside to hose lines at parallel connection pieces 4, 5. The two inflow lines 2, 3 correspondingly include bends 6, 7 for producing the angle a.

Figure I shows, as it were, a top view of a block-shaped lower shell 8 which is to be closed by means of a cover, not illustrated in detail, as an upper shell. The block-like construction with a cover as an upper shell, also facilitates manufacture, since a corresponding tool can easily be drawn upwards out of the block-shaped finished lower shell 8.

7 An air section 9 communicates with the outlet regions 21, 22 of the inflow lines 2, 3. A cross-sectional narrowing 10, 11 can be seen in each inflow line 2, 3 between t'e bend 6, 7 of each inflow line 2, 3, 6 and the outlet region 21, 22 thereof The liquid flowing through the inflow lines 2, 3 is thereby accelerated.

On the opposite side of the air section 9, two outflow channels forming lines 12, 13 can be seen, which are configured in a funnel-shaped manner in their inlet regions 14, 15. This results in an inlet orifice of larger cross-section which narrows towards the interior of the outflow lines 12, 13. The inlet regions 14, 15 of the outflow lines 12, 13 are a] igned with the orifice forming outlet regions 21, 22 of the inflow lines 2, 3.

The outflow lines 12, 13 communicate with outflow connection pieces 16, 17 which are perpendicular to the lines 12, 13. Provided on the centre line between the outflow lines 12, 13 is an intercepting slope 18, the inclination of which cannot be seen because of the viewing direction from the top. This intercepting slope 18 terminates via a funnel-shaped wall 19 in a third outflow connection piece 20 which, in the present case, is parallel to the abovementioned outflow connection pieces 16, 17.

During operation, either the inflow line 2 or the inflow line 3 or else both inflow lines 2, 3 can be fed selectively with liquid.

In so far as only one of the inflow lines 2,3 is fed with liquid, a welldefined flow with high acceleration is obtained in the region of the cross-sectional narrowings 10, 11, the result of which is that the air section 9 is bridged by the liquid concentrated in a virtually laminar flow. At the same time, the liquid enters the inlet region 14, 15 of the outflow lines 12, 13 which are curved outwards in a funnel-shaped manner in order to intercept this liquid flow virtually completely in the regions 14, 15. As a result of the following narrower cross-sectional shape of the outflow lines 12, 13, these are filled completely with liquid, so that a considerably higher liquid pressure can be built up in the outflow lines 12, 13 than is 8 the case in straightforward intersecting outflow lines with an upper air space. Due to the well-defined and reproduced flow conditions as a result of the measures described, it is possible to have a narrow cross section in the outflow lines 12, 13 and, at the same time, comparatively little pealing water occurs in the air section 9.

The defined flow condition can be achieved, in particular, by ensuring that the edges of the outlet orifices 21, 22 of the inflow lines 2, 3 are produced without burrs and with low tolerance, and an insert part, not illustrated in any more detail, is provided in the intersection region. The insert part surrounds the inflow and outflow lines 6, 7, 12, 13 and the air section 9 to control the flow.

If both inflow lines 2, 3 are fed with liquid, the two flows meet approximately level with the centre line M and deflect one another in the direction of the intercepting slope 18. Due to the fact that the two liquid flows impinge on one another, it is possible only with diffic ulty to have routing which is similarly narrow to that in the outflow lines 12, 13. For this reason, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, a largearea intercepting slope 18 is used, which intercepts the liquid mixture and delivers it via the funnel-shaped wall 19 to the outflow connection piece 20.

The outflow connection piece 20 may be connected, for example, to a chamber, into which liquid washing agent or rinsing agent, for example fabric conditioner in the case of a washing machine, is introduced. Liquid washing agent can be rinsed out more easily than pulverulent washing agent, and because of this it is not necessary in this chamber to have the desired high operating pressure, as in the connecting pieces 16, 17 of the outflow lines 12, 13. These lines 12, 13 are therefore preferably connected, via their outflow connection pieces 16, 17, to washing-agent chambers which contain pulverulent washing agent and can therefore be rinsed out with higher pressure.

In Figure 2, a further embodiment of the invention can be seen, which has a third channel 9 In Figure 2, a further embodiment of the invention can be seen, which has a third channel forming another inflow line 23 in addition to the abovementionA features. This additional inflow line 23 is designed in a similar way to the inflow lines 2, 3, that is easy to say it comprises a bend 24 inside the lower shell 8 and is connected, for example, to hot- water line via a straight connection piece 25 having a third liquid supply. In this case, the connection piece 25 is parallel to the abovementioned connection pieces 4, 5. In the region between the bend 24 and the air section 9, the third inflow line 23, too is straight and is provided with a cross-sectional narrowing 26, so that the same functioning as in the inflow lines 2, 3 described above is obtained.

The inflow line 23 is at an angle 0 to the inflow line 3 and, like the inflow line 3, is directed into the inlet region 14 of the outflow line 12. The additional inflow line 23 thus serves for admixing a further liquid to the liquid stream in the inflow line 3. This includes, for example, the admixing of hot water. In conjunction with a corresponding quantity regulation not illustrated in any more detail, the temperature of the liquid flowing out in the outflow line 12 can thereby be set. A thermal sensor 27 is additionally provided in the outflow line 12 for temperature regulation.

Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a flushing mechanism for toilets with an inflow device 1. Here, two air sections forming the prolongation of two inflow lines 2 and 3 intersect, a corresponding outflow line 12, 13 being arranged in each case on the opposite side of the two inflow lines 2 and 3.

When, for example, a valve 28 is opened, water flows via the inflow line 2 into the inflow device I and further on, via the outflow line 13, into the cylinder/piston unit 31 and actuates the latter, so that a larger flushing quantity is released. The same applies accordingly to the opening of the valve 29, flushing with a small flushing quantity ultimately being triggered.

When both valves 28 and 29 are opened simultaneously, however, water passes via the inflow lines 2 and 3 into the inflow device 1, so that the two waterjets are, as it were, added vectorially and a common waterjet leaves the inflow device I via the outflow connection piece 20. A cistern of the toilet is filled as a result.

A level switch 33 is connected to a control 32 causes the valves 28 and 29 to close by means of the control 32, so that the filling of the cistern is stopped and an overflow is prevented.

The flushing operation is triggered, for example, by means of IR sensor technology 34, so that a non-contact and/or automatic toilet is implemented by means of the control 32. Triggering may, however, also take place manually and/or mechanically.

List of reference symbols:

1. Inflow device 2. Inflow line 3. Inflow line 4. Connection piece 5. Connection piece 6. Bend 7. Bend 8. Lower shell 9. Air section 10. Cross-sectional narrowing 11 Cross-sectional narrowing 12. Inflow line 13. Outflow line 14. Inlet region 15. Inlet region 16. Outflow connection piece 17. Outflow connection piece 18. Intercepting slope 19. Funnel-shaped wall 20. Outflow connection piece 21. Outlet orifice 22. Outlet orifice 23. Inflow line 24. Bend 25. Connection piece 26. Cross-sectional narrowing 27. Thermal sensor 12 28. Valve 29. Valve 30. Cylinder/piston unit 31. Cylinder/piston unit 32. Control 33. Level switch 34. IR sensor technology 13

Claims

1. An inflow device for use with water-carrying appliances which are to be connected to a water system, in particular in domestic machines, such as washing machines, dishwashers, toilets or the like, said device comprising at least two inflow lines (2, 3, 23) which intersect with outlet regions (21, 22) in an air section (9), and an insert part in the region of the air section to control liquid flow issuing from the inflow lines.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the inflow lines have, upstream of the intersection, a portion orientated along a straight axis.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 and further comprising outflow lines (12, 13) with a closed cross section downstream of the air section, for receiving liquid from the inflow lines.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising an inclined surface provided upstream of the air section (9) in the inflow lines (2, 3).

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each inflow line has a cross-sectional narrowing (10, 11, 26) provided upstream of the air section (9).

6. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4 or 5 when appended to claim 3 wherein a cross-sectional narrowing (14, 15) is provided downstream of the air section (9) in the outflow lines (12, 13).

7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and composed of a double-shell, with the exception of the insert part.

14

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein a lower shell of the device is block-shaped defying at least the inflow lines and air section and onto which an upper shell as a plane cover is mounted.

9. A device according to any one of preceding claims and further confirTn a third inflow line (23) which has an outlet region communicating with the air section (9).

10. A device according to claim 3 or any of claims 4 to 9 when appended to claim 3 wherein a thermal sensor (27) is provided in at least one of the outflow lines (12).

11. A device according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 10 when appended to claim 3 and further comprising an inclined wall surface (18) disposed between the outflow lines (12, 13) adjacent the air section (9) opposite the outlets of the inflow lines (2, 3, 23).

12. An inflow device substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A domestic machine, in particular a washing machine or dishwasher, incorporating an inflow device according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. A flushing mechanism for toilets, incorporating in an inflow device according to any one of the claims 1 to 11.

15. A flushing mechanism for toilets substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 or 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.