RU2657229C1 - Household appliance with water tank - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: household appliances.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to household appliance with water tank, drainage manifold, designed to remove water from water tank, and free-swimming float designed to close drainage hole, free-swimming float can be pressed by means of magnetic force to the drainage hole.

EFFECT: household appliance designed to close drainage hole is proposed.

14 cl, 3 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a household appliance with a water tank, a drain pipe for draining water from a water tank, and a freely floating float for closing the drain hole.

State of the art

In household appliances with a water tank for washing fabrics, in particular clothes, or for washing dishes or cutlery, the water tank often contains a lockable drain hole, to which a drain pipe is connected, designed to drain water or water containing surface active substances from the water tank. During a washing or washing program, such household appliances often carry out several program steps in which the drain hole can be open or closed. For example, before and during washing or washing, the drain hole may be closed to prevent surfactants or detergents from escaping from the water tank and thereby increase the efficiency of washing or washing. To close the drain hole, a freely floating float is often used, which, under the action of the buoyancy force, can be pressed against the drain hole and close it. Vibrations of the household appliance, which may be caused, for example, by clothing falling in the washing drum, can cause the float to float and thus open the drain hole, which could lead, for example, to the leakage of surfactants or detergents from the water tank .

In patent document EP 2 407 586 A1, a household appliance with a drum is disclosed, with openings located on the entire lateral surface of the drum, each of which can be closed by a locking element.

EP 2 580 505 A0 discloses a membrane valve with a membrane film and a support surface, wherein the membrane film and the support surface are rotatable relative to each other in an area working like a hinge so that they can accept both closed and open state of the diaphragm valve.

DE 10 2009 028 481 B3 discloses a plumbing household appliance with a switching valve comprising a valve actuated by means of a magnetic actuator which interacts with a first surface of a valve seat and, on the other hand, with a second surface of a valve seat to form a seal seat.

DE 10 2010 042 038 A1 discloses a laundry treating machine with a washing solution tank containing a drain hole that can be closed by a float under the action of a buoyancy force.

Utility Model DE 90 11 190 U1 discloses a valve device for closing and opening a drain opening of a tank filled with liquid, in particular a drain opening of a washing solution or dishwasher washing tank. Magnetic force of an electromagnet is required to open the valve device. If no current is supplied to the electromagnet, and therefore there is no magnetic force, then the valve device will be closed. In addition, the valve device contains a sealing element that does not have buoyancy, but is immersed in water, that is, drowning. Thus, the static pushing force of this element in water is less than the force of gravity acting on it.

Disclosure of invention

The objective of the invention is to develop a household appliance with a water tank, in which the drain hole of the water tank can be closed in an efficient and reliable manner.

This problem is solved by the object of the invention with the features disclosed in an independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the figures, description and dependent claims.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the problem is solved by a household appliance with a water tank, a drain pipe for draining water from the water tank, and a free-floating float designed to close the drain hole, the free-floating float can be pressed against the drain hole due to magnetic force. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that to close the drain hole, a freely floating float can be fixed in it by magnetic force. A household appliance is understood to mean a appliance used for housekeeping. This can be a large household appliance, in particular a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, stove, range hood or refrigerator, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer or a combined refrigerator-freezer. But it can also be a small household appliance, in particular a water heater, an automatic coffee machine, a food processor or a vacuum cleaner.

The water tank may be a tank for cleaning solution.

A freely floating float may be a sealing body or a sealing element.

In a preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the freely floating float comprises a permanent magnet. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that a freely floating float creates a magnetic field through which magnetic force can be applied to the ferromagnetic components of the water tank.

The water tank may contain ferromagnetic components, for example, a washing drum made of ferromagnetic stainless steel.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the permanent magnet is in the form of a molded part. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that a permanent magnet can be effectively integrated into a freely floating float.

The molded part may contain magnetically hard ferritic material in a binder resin.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, a magnetic holding device is located at the drain hole. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that a magnetic holding device can act with magnetic force on a freely floating float.

The magnetic holding device may comprise a permanent magnetic and / or ferromagnetic component.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the magnetic holding device comprises an electromagnet. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that the magnetic field generated by the magnetic restraint can be turned on or off as needed.

An electromagnet may comprise a magnetic coil and an iron core.

In a further preferred embodiment, the household appliance further comprises a motor-driven pump and an upwardly directed drain pipe for pumping water from the household appliance, the suction side of the motor-driven pump can be connected to the drain pipe, and the discharge side of the pump driven by engine - with the drainage pipe directed upwards. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, the possibility of efficiently pumping water from a household appliance.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, water can be drained from the upwardly directed drain pipe to a drain pipe to press a freely floating float to a drain hole. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that a freely floating float can be pressed against the drain hole under the action of a buoyancy force.

A pump driven by an engine during operation can produce a vacuum that reduces the water column in the drain pipe and, therefore, diverts a freely floating float from the drain hole. Reducing the power of the pump allows water to drain from the upwardly directed drain pipe back into the drain pipe and, thereby, press the freely floating float to the drain hole.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, an elastic sealing lip, in particular an elastic sealing lip with an inner ring, to which a freely floating float can be pressed to close the drain hole is located on the drain hole. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, the ability to effectively close the drain hole.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the counteracting force of the elastic sealing lip is less than the sum of the buoyancy force of the freely floating float and the magnetic force acting on the freely floating float. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, the possibility of tightly closing the drain hole.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the drain pipe comprises a chamber in which a freely floating float is disposed to limit the distance between the freely floating float and the drain hole. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that a freely floating float can be quickly brought to the drain hole to close it.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the free-floating float is made in the form of a trap for ferromagnetic particles floating in water. The technical advantage of this solution lies, for example, in the possibility of efficiently capturing ferromagnetic particles floating in water with a freely floating float.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the drain hole is in the form of a trap of ferromagnetic particles floating in water. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that it is possible to effectively capture ferromagnetic particles floating in water in a drain hole.

A trap for floating ferromagnetic particles in water is, in particular, a device for trapping such particles. For example, a trap in one embodiment comprises a magnet (or, for example, several magnets). Such a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet, can attract and hold ferromagnetic particles due to magnetic force.

This means, in particular, that in one embodiment, the freely floating float comprises a magnet, for example a permanent magnet.

This means, in particular, that in one embodiment, the drain hole comprises a magnet (or several magnets), for example, a permanent magnet and / or an electromagnet. The presence of a magnet in the drain hole in one embodiment implies, for example, the location of the magnet in the edge region of the drain hole. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that the magnet does not reduce the cross section of the drain hole, nevertheless providing the possibility of effective magnetic capture of particles.

The presence of a magnet in the drain hole in one embodiment implies, for example, the location of the magnet in the drain hole. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that the magnet is located directly in the stream of water flowing through the drain hole, which provides a particularly effective magnetic capture. In particular, due to the direct location in the water stream to obtain the same effect of magnetic capture, a weaker magnetic field of the magnet may be quite sufficient compared to the remote location option. Although a magnet located directly in the drain hole can reduce the cross section of the drain hole, this potential disadvantage will be compensated by a particularly effective magnetic pickup.

The float, made in the form of a trap, in one embodiment, the implementation contains a through hole with an integrated mesh. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that particles can be trapped by the grid when water with particles flows through the through hole. A through hole passes through the entire float.

A drain hole made in the form of a trap, in one embodiment, the implementation contains a grid. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that the water flowing through the drain hole must pass through the mesh, which can trap the particles it may contain.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, a hollow freely floating float is provided. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, the ability to effectively ensure the buoyancy of the float.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the density of the material of the floating float is less than the density of water. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that a freely floating float can be made in the form of a one-piece element that can withstand, therefore, mechanical loads.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the free-floating float is in the shape of a ball. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that a freely floating float can be pressed against the drain hole regardless of its rotation.

In a further preferred embodiment, the freely floating float has a static buoyancy in water in excess of the gravity acting on the float. This means that a freely floating float is designed in such a way that, when freely floating in water, it has a static buoyancy in excess of the gravity acting on the float. The technical advantage of this solution is, for example, that the float can float in water and not sink. In one embodiment, this can be achieved by selecting the appropriate density of the float, and in another by selecting the appropriate volume of the float, since the static buoyancy depends, in particular, on the density of the free floating float and its volume. Thus, this means that, depending on the embodiment, the density and / or volume of the free-floating float is selected so that the static buoyancy of the free-floating float in water exceeds the gravity acting on the free-floating float.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention shown in the figures in detail are described in detail below:

Figure 1: a schematic representation of a household appliance, in particular a laundry care appliance.

Figure 2: schematic representation of the locking device of the water tank of a household appliance in accordance with one embodiment.

Figure 3: schematic representation of the locking device of the water tank of a household appliance in accordance with another embodiment.

The implementation of the invention

The figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a household appliance 100, in particular a device for the care of linen. The household appliance 100 comprises a program board 101, controls 103 and the door 105 of the household appliance with a handle 107. The door 105 of the household appliance closes outside access to the water tank inside the household appliance 100.

By a household appliance 100 is meant a appliance used for housekeeping. This can be a large household appliance, in particular, a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, stove, cooker hood or refrigerator, such as a refrigerator, freezer or combined refrigeration / freezer. But it can also be a small household appliance, in particular, a water heater, an automatic coffee machine, a food processor or a vacuum cleaner.

The figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the locking device 109 of the reservoir 111 for water of a household appliance in accordance with one embodiment. The locking device 109 also includes a drain pipe 113 located in the drain hole 115 of the tank 111 for water. The drain pipe 113 comprises a chamber 123 into which a freely floating float 117 is placed. In addition, the water level 125 in the drain pipe 113 and the magnetic holding devices 119 and 121 are shown.

The household appliance comprises a water tank 111, a drain pipe 113 for draining water from the water tank 111, and a free-floating float 117 designed to close the drain hole 115, the free-floating float 117 can be magnetically pressed against the drain hole 115.

The reservoir 111 for water may be a tank for cleaning solution. In addition, the water tank 111 may contain ferromagnetic components, for example, a washing drum made of ferromagnetic stainless steel.

The freely floating float 117 may be a sealing element. In addition, the freely floating float 117 may comprise a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet can be made in the form of a cast part, which may contain magnetically hard ferritic material in a binder resin.

Magnetic holding devices 119 and 121 may be located in the drain hole 115. In addition, magnetic holding devices may comprise permanent magnetic and / or ferromagnetic components. In addition, the magnetic holding devices 119 and 121 may comprise an electromagnet. In addition, magnetic restraints 119 and 121 may be integral. For example, magnetic restraints 119 and 121 may form a ring around a drain hole 115 or chamber 123.

An electromagnet may comprise a magnetic coil and an iron core.

A free-floating float 117 to limit the distance between the free-floating float 117 and the drain hole 115 can be placed in the chamber 123. In addition, the free-floating float 117 can be hollow or made of a material with a density lower than the density of water. In addition, the freely floating float 117 may be in the form of a ball.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a locking device 109 of a water reservoir 111 of a household appliance according to another embodiment. The locking device 109 includes a drain pipe 113, a drain hole 115, a drain pipe 131 and an elastic sealing lip 127 with an inner ring 129. The drain pipe 113 includes a chamber 123 into which a freely floating float 117 is placed. In addition, the water level 125 in the drain pipe is shown. 113 and direction 133 drain. A freely floating float 117 closes the drain hole 115.

In a further embodiment, the water tank 111 or the detergent solution tank may be closed by means of an electromagnet to prevent leakage or loss of detergents in the water tank 111 or the detergent solution tank. To this end, in the sealing plane, for example, between the sealing lip 127 and the water tank 111 or on the drain pipe 131, a magnetic holding device may be installed, containing an electromagnet with a coil, designed to create a magnetic field. In addition, the freely floating float 117 or the sealing element may comprise magnetic material, for example, an insert made of soft magnetic iron. Such electromagnetic locking allows you to close the tank 111 for water or the tank for the washing solution at the time of dissolution of the detergent. For emptying, the water tank 111 or the washing solution tank can be opened over a large area. In order to translate the free-floating float 117 or the sealing element into its position on the coil, the free-floating float 117 or the sealing element can be made in the form of a floating element. After turning off the pump, a freely floating float 117 or a magnetic floating element can be raised back by a rising water column to the coil in the seal plane. By means of the voltage applied to the coil, a freely floating float 117 or a magnetic sealing element can be drawn, which closes the water tank 111 or the washing solution tank.

In a further embodiment, for tightly pressing the freely floating float 117 or the floating element against the sealing lip 127, they are attracted by the force of a permanent magnet. For this, in one embodiment, the permanent magnet can be located in the sealing plane, for example between the sealing lip 127 and the reservoir 111 for water or on the drain pipe 131, and the freely floating float 117 may contain ferromagnetic material. In an alternative embodiment, for this purpose it is possible to arrange the ferromagnetic material in the sealing plane, for example between the sealing lip 127 and the water tank 111 or on the drain pipe 131, the free-floating float 117 may contain a permanent magnet, for example, a cast piece of magnetically hard ferritic material in a binder resin. The magnitude of the magnetic force can be selected so that the freely floating float 117 or the floating element is held in position by the applied water level only when the magnetic force and the buoyancy force interact. After the water level applied on the reverse side decreases due to the inclusion of the pump, the freely floating float 117 or the floating element may fall due to insufficient buoyancy force.

In one embodiment, an improved seal on the water tank 111 or the washing solution tank of the household appliance 100 or the washing machine relative to the pump sump can be implemented to reduce detergent leakage.

In one embodiment, a ball or valve may be used to close the water tank 111 or the detergent tank. Since the free-floating float 117 or the floating element is pressed back by the rising water level against the sealing lip 127 in the water tank 111 or in the washing solution tank, it can close the water tank 111 or the washing solution tank from below.

In one embodiment, at the beginning of the washing or washing process, water is drained through the washing tray to a household appliance 100 or to an appliance. At the same time, she can carry detergent from the washing tray with herself to the household appliance 100 or the appliance. If the free floating float 117 or the sealing element between the drain hole 115 or the outlet of the detergent solution tank and the pump does not close the drain, the detergent can be washed directly into the pump and can no longer participate in the washing or washing process in sufficient quantities. Therefore, the water tank 111 or the tank for the washing solution can be hermetically closed by a freely floating float 117 or a floating element. In this case, the ejection force may be sufficient to close the reservoir 111 for water or the tank for the washing solution. The dynamics of the washing or washing process, in particular the drop in the laundry, can cause the freely floating float 117 or the floating element to move and break the sealing. In this case, additional magnetic force can prevent the accidental opening of a freely floating float 117 or a floating element caused by an impulse of falling laundry.

In one embodiment, the magnetic force may be adjustable. The electromagnet can be turned off and, thereby, long-term retention of the ferromagnetic components is prevented.

In one embodiment, the lack of detergent can be eliminated by additional energy, for example, due to the mechanics of washing, washing time or temperature.

In one embodiment, for an effective washing process or to achieve desired goals, a full amount of detergent may be used for washing.

In one embodiment, a permanent magnet, for example, a permanent magnet of a magnetic holding device 119, 121 or a freely floating float 117, can be used as a trap for ferromagnetic particles of any size contained in a washing solution.

All features disclosed and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be considered in various combinations within the scope of the object of the present invention to simultaneously realize their beneficial effect.

The protected scope of the present invention is defined by the formula and is not limited to the features disclosed in the description or depicted in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 household appliance

101 program boards

103 governing bodies

105 appliance door

107 door handle

109 locking device

111 water tank

113 drain pipe

115 drain hole

117 float

119 magnetic restraint

121 magnetic restraint

123 camera

125 water level

127 sealing lip

129 inner ring

131 drain pipe

133 discharge direction

Claims (14)

1. A household appliance (100) with a tank (111) for water, a drain pipe (113) designed to drain water from a tank (111) for water, and a freely floating float (117) designed to close the drain hole (115), moreover, a freely floating float (117) can be pressed by magnetic force to a drain hole (115), characterized in that the free-floating float (117) contains a permanent magnet. 2. A household appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the permanent magnet is made in the form of a cast part. 3. A household appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that a magnetic holding device (119, 121) is located on the drain hole (115). 4. A household appliance (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the magnetic holding device (119, 121) contains an electromagnet. 5. A household appliance (100) according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the household appliance (100) further comprises a pump driven by an engine and an upwardly directed drainage pipe for pumping water from the household appliance (100), the suction side of the pump driven by an engine can be connected to a drain pipe (113), and the discharge side of a pump driven by an engine can be connected to an upward-directed drain pipe. 6. A household appliance (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that for clamping a freely floating float (117) to a drain hole (115), it is possible to drain water from an upwardly directed drain pipe into a drain pipe (113). 7. A household appliance (100) according to one of paragraphs. 1-4, 6, characterized in that on the drain hole (113) there is an elastic sealing lip (127), in particular an elastic sealing lip (127) with an inner ring (129), to which a freely floating float (117) can be pressed to close the drain hole (115). 8. A household appliance (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the opposing force of the elastic sealing edge (127) is less than the sum of the buoyancy force of the freely floating float (117) and the magnetic force acting on the freely floating float (117). 9. A household appliance (100) according to one of claims. 1-4, 6, 8, characterized in that the drain pipe (113) contains a chamber (123) in which a freely floating float (117) is placed, to limit the distance between the freely floating float (117) and the drain hole (115). 10. A household appliance (100) according to one of claims. 1-4, 6, 8, characterized in that the freely floating float (117) is made in the form of a trap of ferromagnetic particles floating in water. 11. A household appliance (100) according to one of paragraphs. 1-4, 6, 8, characterized in that the drain hole (115) is made in the form of a trap floating in the water of ferromagnetic particles. 12. A household appliance (100) according to one of paragraphs. 1-4, 6, 8, characterized in that the freely floating float (117) is made hollow. 13. A household appliance (100) according to one of claims. 1-4, 6, 8, characterized in that the density of the material of a freely floating float (117) is less than the density of water. 14. A household appliance (100) according to one of paragraphs. 1-4, 6, 8, characterized in that the freely floating float (117) has the shape of a ball.

Images