RU2497435C2 - Method and device for delivery of detergents into washing machine tank - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal use articles.

SUBSTANCE: this invention relates to a method for alternating supply of crossing jets into one of the three outlet nipples (C, D, E) of the device (1) delivering liquid into three detergent containers (41, 42, 43) in the washing machine (100), in particular - a laundry washing or washing-and-drying machine wherein the three containers (41, 42, 43) communicate the washing machine (100) tank via fluid medium; in the washing machine the device (1) with crossing jets contains a crossing chamber (X) wherein the inlet nipples (A, B) are directed and three outlet nipples (C, D, E); the outlet nipples (C, D, E) communicate with the three containers (43, 41, 42) via fluid medium and are alternatively supplied with the said liquid depending on whether one or the both inlet nipples (A, B) are supplied; liquid supplied into the first inlet nipple (A) is clear water taken from the running water system while the liquid delivered into the second inlet nipple (B) is washing liquid taken from the tank. This invention additionally relates to a washing machine adapted to ensure the said method implementation.

EFFECT: increased efficiency of the method.

12 cl, 5 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a method for supplying detergents to a washing machine tub in accordance with the preamble of the main claim.

The present invention also relates to a washing machine equipped with a device for supplying detergents to the tank in accordance with the preamble of claim 5.

In this document reference will be made to washing machines, such as washing or washing-drying machines for linen or the like, which are equipped with a rotary drum installed in the tub and accommodating laundry.

Such machines are connected to a water pipe supplying clean water, which passes into the machine through a feed channel. Pure water is usually used to supply two detergents, for example, detergent and a softener, to the tank.

For this purpose, the machine is equipped with two separate containers, made with the possibility of washing with an incoming stream of clean water, the latter crossing them and carrying away the detergent contained in them, towards the tank. Such containers are usually separate compartments of the loading drawer.

When using this system, the supply channel connected to the water supply is divided into two supply channels, each passing into an appropriate container or drawer compartment and equipped with a valve to ensure its individual opening and closing, so that detergents can be supplied independently.

Over time, designers felt the need to dispense three different detergents or dispense detergents, at three different points in time, during the operating cycle of the machine (for example, the first detergent or paint fixative, the second detergent and softener). This requires three separate containers, each of which is capable of containing appropriate detergent.

To this end, a third additional compartment, performing the same function as the other two, was added to the drawer. Consequently, it has become necessary to ensure that the third compartment is also provided through the use of a third supply channel, which includes an additional cost, especially because it must also be equipped with a special valve.

To simplify the design of the machine and to limit its cost, a feed device with two inlet pipes and three discharge nozzles, known as “intersecting jet” devices, was conceived like the device described in patent GB 2353540 of the company AWEGO Appliance System GmbH & CO.KG. In these devices, three outlet pipes may be provided alternately depending on how the two inlet pipes are provided.

The known device 1 with intersecting jets is also shown in the attached figure 1. Said device 1 receives water from a water supply pipe through a supply channel 7, which branches into two supply channels 2, 3, ending at respective inlet pipes consisting of supply holes A, B. It should be noted that each supply channel 2, 3 contains a special valve or electromagnetic valve 22, 23, so that it can open or close.

The intersecting jet device 1 comprises an intersection chamber X into which two supply openings A, B and three drain openings C, D, E pass, the latter being connected to the same number of drain channels 4, 5, 6 in fluid communication with three drawer compartments. Two drain holes C, D are located on one straight line with two feed holes A, B in such a way that the lines connecting each feed hole with a corresponding drain hole intersect inside chamber X. The third drain hole E is located between the other two, and all holes A, B, C, D, E, essentially lie in the same horizontal plane.

The intersection chamber X contains air, and the operating principle of the device 1 is based on the intersection of the water jets discharged through the supply openings A, B. When a water stream exits either inlet pipe A or inlet pipe B, the jet will cross chamber X to cross in a straight line and reach the corresponding outlet pipe C or D. This state is shown in FIG. solid arrows.

In contrast, when water exits both inlet pipes A and B, two respective water jets will intersect with each other inside chamber X, resulting in a jet directed toward the third hole E. This state is shown in Fig. 1 by dashed arrows.

Thus, it is not necessary to use a third supply channel with a corresponding solenoid valve, since the three outlet pipes can be supplied alternately by supplying the first inlet pipe A, the second inlet pipe B or both inlet pipes A and B.

Further improvements are described in the aforementioned GB 2353540, to which reference should be made for further explanation.

Although this solution simplifies the design of the washing machine, it is still relatively complex and requires the feed channel to be divided into two feed channels, each of which must be equipped with a special solenoid valve.

The first objective of the present invention is to further simplify the above solution by creating a washing machine with a low cost and simpler design.

Another objective of the present invention is to reduce the number of elements necessary for the operation of a device for feeding with intersecting jets, similar to the device described above.

The aforementioned goal is achieved using a washing machine, ensuring the implementation of the method in accordance with the main paragraph of the attached claims.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a washing machine in accordance with the attached paragraph 5.

Additional advantageous aspects or variations are also indicated in the attached claims, which is intended to be an integral part of the present description.

The present invention is based on the idea of using a circuit for recirculating the washing liquid contained in the tub (which may be either pure water or water mixed with detergent, in this case), also to supply one of the two inlet nozzles of the dispenser with intersecting jets.

To reduce the consumption of clean water, washing machines are often equipped with recirculation circuits similar to those described in DE 4337943 or DE 19902911, both in the name of MIELE & CIE GmbH, and US 5191669 in the name of WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION.

In these machines, the washing liquid contained in the tank is removed, possibly filtered, and then fed back into the tank, for example by spraying it onto the laundry without the need for an additional supply of clean water.

To this end, the known machines are equipped with a pump for circulating the washing liquid in the recirculation circuit, usually the latter includes pipes passing into and out of the tank, and possibly also valves or switches and filters for cleaning.

By supplying at least a portion of the washing liquid contained in the tub to the intersecting jet feeder, the machine can be simplified, as will be further explained below, by eliminating the entire portion of the hydraulic circuit that is used to divide the feed channel on two supply channels connected to a device with intersecting jets. This is advantageous in terms of reducing the number of elements and simplifying the hydraulic circuit.

These features, as well as other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of its embodiment, as shown in the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example, in which

figure 1 is a schematic view of a device for feeding with intersecting jets and the corresponding hydraulic circuit in accordance with the prior art;

figure 2 - schematic view of a device for feeding with intersecting jets and the corresponding hydraulic circuit in accordance with the present invention;

figure 3 depicts a first embodiment of figure 2;

figure 4 depicts a second variant of figure 2;

figure 5 is a schematic view of a washing machine containing the device and the circuit in figure 2.

The operation of the intersecting jet feeding apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 is known per se and has already been described above, so that no further explanation is required.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, a feed device 1 with intersecting jets with an appropriate hydraulic circuit is depicted in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The aforementioned FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate a simple and inexpensive solution to said circuit using the general scheme (FIG. 2) and a schematic view of the location of said circuit in the washing machine 100 (FIG. 5), i.e. washing or washer-dryer.

In this case, the intersecting jet supply device 1 is located directly at the top of the detergent drawer 40 and has three outlet pipes consisting of three drain holes C, D and E in fluid connection (through drain channels 4, 5 , 6) with the same number of separate compartments 43, 41, 42 of the drawer 40. The first and second inlet pipes consist of two supply channels A and B. The compartments 41, 42, 43 are in turn fluidly coupled to the tank 101 through a feed funnel 103 (known per se). The washing or washer-dryer 100 typically also includes a rotary drum 102 installed in the tub in which the laundry is placed.

The three compartments 41, 42, 43 of the drawer 40 can be filled with three different detergents (for example, a paint fixer, detergent and softener) or, in general terms, with any detergents (even all of the same type) suitable for feeding into the tank at different times washing cycle (for example, two detergents, either the same or different, and a softener or the like).

FIGS. 2 and 5 also show a pump 10 that is fluidly connected to the tank 101 through the suction channel 11. The outlet of said pump 10 is connected to a supply channel 3 ending in chamber X for intersecting device 1 with a second opening B lying on a straight line with drain hole D.

When the machine is equipped with a recirculation circuit, the pump 10 and the suction channel 11 mainly consist of a recirculation pump and a channel for recirculation, respectively, of the washing machine.

The supply channel 7, overlapped by the valve 22, is the second supply channel 2, ending in the chamber X for intersection with the first hole A, located on one straight line with the drain hole C. The third drain hole E is visible between the drain holes C and D, located on one straight line with corresponding feed holes A and B.

The system works as follows: first, the tank 101 is filled (this usually happens during the “prewash” or “water supply” phase, when the laundry is soaked). To this end, the valve 22 opens, and pure water (supplied by the supply channel 7 connected to the water supply) passes into the supply channel 2 and reaches the supply opening A. A water stream exiting the supply opening A crosses the chamber X in a straight line and reaches the drain hole C, which is in fluid communication with the tank through the drain channel 4, the compartment 43 and the funnel 103.

If detergents are in drawer 43, clean water will carry them along during this initial phase.

When a certain amount of washing liquid (which can be either pure water or water mixed with detergents) is present in the tank 101, a pump 10 can be used to supply the detergent contained in the compartment 42 or in the compartment 41.

In this case, if the detergent contained in the compartment 41 is to be supplied, the pump 10 is turned on and the valve 22 is held in a state in which it closes the supply passage 7. The washing liquid taken from the tank through the suction channel 11 thus passes into the supply channel 3 and exits the opening B in the form of a jet that crosses the chamber X without interruption, thus reaching the opening D and then the compartment 41, from whom she carries away any detergents contained in it, towards the tank.

When the detergent contained in the compartment 42 is to be supplied, the pump 10 is turned on and the solenoid valve 22 also opens. Thus, the washing liquid taken from the tank passes into the supply channel 3 and exits from the opening B in the form of a jet which collides with a stream of clean water exiting from the opening A, thus forming one common stream directed towards the central opening E, which is in fluid communication with the compartment 42, thereby supplying detergents contained therein to the tank.

It should be noted that compartments 41 and 42 must be designed for detergents used at the working stages of the machine, which are performed after the filling stage of the tank, for example, compartments 41 and 42 are designed for washing powder and / or softener, while compartment 43 can be used for paint fixer or washing powder, which must be supplied during the prewash phase. Preferably, the compartment 41 is for washing powder, and the compartment 42 is for a softener.

In accordance with this idea of the present invention, the washing liquid recirculation circuit to and from the tank 101 also includes a device 1 and a drawer 40. During the machine recirculation step, the washing liquid taken from the tank passes through both the device 1 and the drawer box 40. In more detail, two types of recirculation are possible: mixed recirculation, which also uses clean water, and unmixed recirculation.

In mixed recirculation mode, valve 22 is open and pump 10 is turned on. In this case, the washing liquid stream taken from the tank is added to the clean water stream supplied from the water supply, and then this combined stream reaches the tank through the compartment 42. This mode of operation can be used when the amount of washing liquid in the tank is insufficient for the subsequent washing steps performed by the machine 100. The washing liquid recirculation circuit to the tank 101 / from the tank 101 includes in this case a suction channel 11, a pump 10, a supply channel 3, a supply opening B, a chamber X, an exhaust pipe E drain channel 5, from division 42 and funnel 103.

In unmixed recirculation mode, valve 22 is closed and pump 10 is turned on. In this case, the flow of washing liquid taken from the tank is completely re-fed into the tank (with the exception of liquid spilled or partially diverted by any means) through compartment 41. This operating mode can be used when the amount of washing liquid in the tank is sufficient for the subsequent washing steps carried out by the machine 100. The washing liquid recirculation circuit to the tank 101 / from the tank 101 includes in this case a suction channel 11, a pump 10, a supply channel 3, a supply opening B, a chamber X, an exhaust pipe D, drain anal 6, branch 41 and the hopper 103.

The pump 10 may be a conventional recirculation pump, known per se, which will not be discussed further.

In particular, it should be noted that the piston pump will also block the flow of water when it is turned off, thus acting on the channel 11 just like a closed valve.

Following the ideas of the present invention, it is possible to simplify the machine and reduce the number of its elements, since any of the three outlet nozzles C, D, E can be supplied alternately depending on the two inlet nozzles A, B, one of which is supplied with washing liquid from the tank of the washing machine , and in another pure water is supplied from the water supply.

Thus, the three compartments 41, 42, 43 of the drawer 40 can be filled by using a minimum number of machine parts or elements.

Of course, this basic idea can undergo many changes. One such change is shown by way of example in FIG. 3. Here, the recycle step may also be performed without using the drawer 40 (as was the case in FIG. 2). In this drawing, equivalent elements are denoted by like reference numerals and will not be described further.

The pump 10 'has two exhaust pipes, which can be supplied depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor of the pump itself. Pumps of this type are known per se and are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,617,733 to DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

In short, the pump 10 'is a dynamic vane pump. Depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor, which drives the impeller, the washing liquid entering from the suction channel 11 will be alternately supplied to any of the channels 3 and 13.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 3, by using this type of pump 10 ′, it is possible to direct the washing liquid taken from the tank 101 through the suction channel 11, alternately to the supply channel 3 passing into the device 1, or to the return channel, which is directed, for example, nozzles made with the possibility of spraying liquid for washing on linen.

It should be noted that the above pump 10 'can be replaced by another pump, for example, a pump equipped with a flow deflector or valve, configured to partially divert the output stream to direct part of it to channel 3 and another part to channel 13.

The return channel 13 may also include a drain pipe, which can be opened by means of a special valve (not shown).

This option works in much the same way as the example described above with reference to figure 2, and therefore will not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that in this case, the detergent contained in the compartment 41 or 42 can be supplied independently of recirculation, unlike the previous case, where during the first stage of the recirculation, the detergent contained in the compartment 41 or 42 (depending on whether it is open or closed solenoid valve 21) must be supplied. It follows that if, on the one hand, this solution implies the existence of a return channel 13 specifically designed for recycling, on the other hand, it offers greater flexibility of use.

Different recirculation modes (mixed or unmixed) are similar to the recirculation modes discussed above, with the additional option of performing the unmixed recirculation step and the mixed recirculation step without using drawer 40 (or any compartment thereof). In unmixed recirculation mode, it will be sufficient to actuate the pump 10 so that it directs the washing liquid into the channel 13 while keeping the valve 22 closed, while in the mixed recirculation mode it will be sufficient to actuate the pump 10 so that it directs the liquid for washing into the channel 13 while keeping the valve 22 open (in this second case, mixing takes place in the tank 101).

Another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4 using similar reference numbers for equivalent parts.

This embodiment is basically similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3, with the difference that in this case, the pump 10 is a conventional pump (with one inlet and one outlet). On the discharge side of the pump 10, there is a flow deflecting device 14 configured to supply washing liquid alternately to the return channel 13 or to the supply channel 3. In practice, the pump 10 and the flow diverting device 14 perform the same functions as the pump 10 'and can even be combined into one housing.

In this case, also, the operation of the system is similar to the operation of the system described above with reference to FIG. 3 and, therefore, will not be discussed further, except that the flow deflecting device 14 can also partially deflect the washing liquid flow, so that the device 1 and return channel 13 receives streams that can be controlled if desired by actuating the flow deflection device 14. Such a solution may be preferable when the jets simultaneously discharged through holes A and B are not able to form one jet directed to hole E (for example, since the flow rates of the jets leaving holes A and B are different, and the resulting jet does not is directed to the hole E), in this case, the flow deflecting device 14 also acts as an element for adjusting and calibrating the device 1, thereby providing a change in the speed of the washing liquid passing into one of the two inlet pipes at device 1, in order to ensure optimal operation of the device 1.

In addition, this makes it possible to obtain a comprehensive work in which part of the washing liquid taken from the tank is fed back into it through the return channel 13, and the other part is sent to dispenser 1 and from it to compartments 41 or 42 (depending on open or closed solenoid valve 21).

It is also possible to connect the return channel 13 to the drain hole.

Additional advantages are proposed by this option by providing the use of a conventional pump 10, which is less expensive and sensitive compared to a pump 10 'with two outlet pipes, and by deflecting the output stream using a simple, reliable and inexpensive flow deflecting device 14.

The solutions illustrated above clearly showed that, in contrast to the prior art, the supply channel 7 is not divided into two, since it only passes into the supply channel 2, and the electromagnetic valve 22 in FIG. 1 is absent, which gives the advantage of a simpler a circuit having fewer elements.

Based on the ideas described herein, many other variations and variations are possible, all of which will continue to be within the scope of the present invention.

For example, pump 10 (or 10 ') may be (in some solutions) a pump used for both recirculation and discharge (into the drain channel) functions performed for this purpose by a flow deflection device located downstream of the pump itself and made with the possibility of switching the trajectory of the washing liquid taken from the tank, to the drain hole or to the recirculation scheme. In other solutions, the pump used for the drain function may alternatively be different from the pump used for the recirculation function.

As another alternative, the flow diverting device 14 may be a three-way valve.

Preferably, the valves may consist of solenoid valves that can be controlled automatically.

Of course, as an alternative to the drawer 4, the compartments 41, 42, 43 for the three detergents may generally be three separate detergent containers connected to or included in other devices of the washing machine. For example, they can be built into the machine body, located in a stationary position and filled from above, or they can also be containers internally or externally connected to the tank, for example, located on a door that provides access to the tank and the drum.

In all these cases, these three containers will be provided using the device 1, as described above, which is additionally necessary only to ensure that the three drain channels 4, 5, 6 pass into the respective containers in fluid communication with the tank 101.

The arrangement of the device 1 with intersecting jets on the upper part of the drawer 4 is optional, since the device 1 can also be installed in a remote position at a distance from the drawer or containers.

Alternatively, four or more containers may be used and provided alternately depending on the flow of water supplied by the channel 3. In the above intersecting jet device, in fact, two inlet streams form an outlet stream directed to that outlet which is not located on one straight line with two inlet pipes.

If the two fluid flows in channels 2 and 3 are different, the resulting jet may not be directed to the middle, but at a different angle depending on the difference in flow rates between the two jets, so that it can be uniformly fed into the fourth outlet pipe (not shown) passing into the fourth container.

This conclusion can be extended to any number of exhaust pipes, provided that the flow rate can be precisely controlled.

In this regard, the flow rate can be controlled by acting on the pump, for example, by increasing its rotation speed if it is a dynamic vane pump, or by using the flow deflection device 14, as described above.

By adjusting the flow rate, thus, it will be possible to supply any of the existing outlet pipes.

Claims (12)

1. The method of alternately supplying one of the at least three outlet pipes (C, D, E) of the device (1) with intersecting jets, supplying liquid to at least three containers (41, 42, 43) for detergents in a washing machine (100), in particular a washing machine or a clothes washer-dryer, in which the at least three containers (41, 42, 43) are in fluid communication with the tub of the washing machine (100), and in which the device (1) with intersecting jets contains a camera (X) for the intersection, which are directed the second and second inlet nozzles (A, B) and at least three outlet nozzles (C, D, E), and the outlet nozzles (C, D, E) are in fluid communication with the at least three containers (43, 41, 42) and are supplied with the alternately mentioned liquid depending on whether one or both of the inlet pipes (A, B) are supplied, and the liquid supplied to the first inlet pipe (A) is pure water, taken from the water supply, characterized in that the liquid supplied to the second inlet pipe (B) is a washing liquid, zyatoy tank. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that according to the method:
- remove said liquid for washing from the tank;
- serves said liquid for washing in the second inlet pipe (B) of the said device (1) with intersecting jets;
- prevent the flow of clean water into the first inlet pipe (A) of said device (1) with intersecting jets to form a jet of said washing liquid, which reaches, without interruption, the first pipe (D) from said discharge pipes and then passes into the first container (41) for the detergent, thus supplying the detergent contained in said first container (41) to the tank (101). 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that according to the method:
- remove said liquid for washing from the tank;
- serves said liquid for washing in the second inlet pipe (B) of the said device (1) with intersecting jets;
said pure water is fed into the first inlet pipe (A) of said device (1) with intersecting jets to form a stream of said washing liquid and a stream of said clean water interacting in the chamber (X) to intersect to form one stream directed to the third an outlet pipe (E) from said outlet pipes, which then passes into a respective detergent container (42), thereby supplying the detergent contained in said container (42) to a tank (101). 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that according to the method, a stream of said washing liquid is partially diverted before it is fed into said inlet pipe (B). 5. A washing machine (100), in particular a washing or washing-drying machine for laundry, comprising a tub (101) that houses a rotary drum (102), in which the tub (101) is in fluid communication with at least , three containers (41, 42, 43) for detergents, and further comprising a device (1) with intersecting jets for supplying liquid to said at least three containers (41, 42, 43), in which the device (1) with intersecting jets contain a chamber (X) for the intersection into which the first and second inlet ports are directed tubes (A, B) and at least three outlet pipes (C, D, E), and the outlet pipes (C, D, E) are in fluid communication with the aforementioned at least three containers (43 41, 42) and are alternately supplied with said liquid depending on whether one or both of the inlet pipes (A, B) are supplied, while the first inlet pipe (A) of the device (1) with intersecting jets is in fluid communication with water supply, characterized in that the second inlet pipe (B) of the device (1) with intersecting jets is in fluid communication with tank (101). 6. A washing machine (100) according to claim 5, comprising a pump (10, 10 ′) in fluid communication with a tank (101) through a suction channel (11), said pump (10, 10 ′) being in communication fluid with a second inlet pipe (B) of said intersecting jets (1). 7. A washing machine (100) according to claim 5, comprising a supply channel (7) in fluid communication with the water supply and said first inlet pipe (A), wherein the cross section of said supply channel (7) is closed by a valve (22) . 8. The washing machine (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the pump (10 ′) is a dynamic pump with two outlet pipes, further comprising a return channel (13) in fluid communication with the dynamic pump (10 ′) with two exhaust pipes and with the mentioned tank (101). 9. A washing machine (100) according to claim 8, in which the device (1) for feeding with intersecting jets is located in the upper part of the drawer (40) for loading detergents, and in which three containers are three separate containers of the said drawer ( 40). 10. A washing machine (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the flow deflecting device (14) is installed downstream of the pump (10) and also comprises a return channel (13) in fluid communication with said tank (101) ), and in which the flow deflection device (14) is in fluid communication with at least a pump (10), a second inlet pipe (B) and a return channel (13). 11. The washing machine (100) according to claim 10, in which the device (1) for feeding with intersecting jets is located in the upper part of the drawer (40) for loading detergents, and in which three containers are three separate containers of the said drawer ( 40). 12. A washing machine (100) according to claims 5-7, in which the device for feeding with intersecting jets is located in the upper part of the drawer (40) for loading detergents, and in which three separate containers of said drawer are three containers drawer (40).

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