US20140208810A1 - Drum Washing Machine - Google Patents

Drum Washing Machine Download PDF

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Publication number
US20140208810A1
US20140208810A1 US14/232,644 US201214232644A US2014208810A1 US 20140208810 A1 US20140208810 A1 US 20140208810A1 US 201214232644 A US201214232644 A US 201214232644A US 2014208810 A1 US2014208810 A1 US 2014208810A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
drum
laundry
side wall
openings
circular
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/232,644
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English (en)
Inventor
Andrea Zattin
Calum Armstrong
Davide Bignu'
Elisa Stabon
Levente Szabo
Maurizio Ugel
Monica Celotto
Nicola Reid
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Original Assignee
Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Home Products Corp NV filed Critical Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Assigned to ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V. reassignment ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SZABO, LEVENTE, Bignu', Davide, UGEL, MAURIZIO, Armstrong, Calum, CELOTTO, MONICA, REID, NICOLA, Stabon, Elisa, ZATTIN, ANDREA
Publication of US20140208810A1 publication Critical patent/US20140208810A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
    • D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
    • D06F37/04—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
    • D06F37/04—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
    • D06F37/06—Ribs, lifters, or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
    • D06F37/04—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
    • D06F37/06—Ribs, lifters, or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle
    • D06F37/065—Ribs, lifters, or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle ribs or lifters having means for circulating the washing liquid

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns the field of laundry washing techniques.
  • the present invention refers to a drum for a laundry washing machine.
  • laundry washing machines both “simple” laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can only wash and rinse laundry) and washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry), is widespread.
  • laundry washing machine will refer to both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing-drying machines.
  • Laundry washing machines generally comprise an external casing provided with a washing tub inside which there is a rotatable perforated drum in which the laundry is placed.
  • a loading/unloading door ensures access to the tub and the drum.
  • Laundry washing machines typically comprise a detergent supply unit containing washing and/or rinsing products (i.e. detergent, softener, etc.).
  • a detergent supply unit containing washing and/or rinsing products (i.e. detergent, softener, etc.).
  • Laundry washing machines of known type typically comprise a water inlet circuit for supplying water inside the tub and also a recirculation circuit adapted to drain the liquid from the bottom of the tub and to re-admit such liquid into an another part of the tub.
  • the water inlet circuit and the recirculation circuit preferably comprise ducts terminating with respective injection nozzles from which the water or the liquid is sprayed toward the perforated drum.
  • the ducts of the water inlet circuit and of the recirculation circuit terminate at common spraying nozzles.
  • the water or the liquid admitted in the tub either through the water inlet circuit or the recirculation circuit reaches the laundry inside the drum by means of the holes present in the peripheral wall of the perforated drum.
  • the perforated drum comprises a substantially cylindrical side wall.
  • the drum is perforated throughout substantially the extent of the side wall.
  • the side wall comprises a number of first small opening and a series of second larger openings which are circumferentially spaced around the sidewall in groups which are spaced axially of the drum.
  • the laundry washing machine further comprises a conduit for admitting fresh water into the tub and a plurality of water nozzles which are spaced apart and disposed, respectively, in the planes of the axially-spaced groups of large openings.
  • the laundry washing machine also comprises a re-circulation circuit wherein the liquid from the bottom of the tub is withdrawn through a conduit and conveyed to the water nozzles.
  • the water conveyed to the nozzles is discharged by means of the nozzles into the drum through the circumferentially-spaced large openings.
  • the large openings of the perforated drum enhance the water flow entering into the drum for wetting the laundry.
  • the water enters radially inside the drum towards the centre of the drum itself.
  • a first drawback posed by this known technique is constituted by the fact that the clothes disposed inside the drum may be damaged during the rotation of the drum due to the large size of the openings, especially when the drum is made rotate at high speed with the clothes subjected to a high centrifugal force.
  • a further drawback of the known technique is represented by the fact that the water is not uniformly distributed inside the drum but it is concentrated in correspondence of the large openings.
  • the main object of the present invention is therefore to overcome said drawbacks.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a drum for laundry washing machine which allows a more uniform distribution of water/liquid to the clothes than the laundry washing machine of known type.
  • the present invention therefore relates, in a first aspect thereof, to a drum for a laundry washing machine comprising side walls defining a laundry receiving space, at least one of said side walls being circular and comprising a plurality of openings for the passage of a liquid therethrough, the drum comprising at least a circular member circumferentially associated to an inner portion of said circular side wall, said circular member defining a chamber for receiving said liquid from at least one receiving opening of said openings and comprising at least one aperture facing said laundry receiving space suitable to modify the flow of said liquid from the at least one receiving opening to said laundry receiving space.
  • the circular member is fixed to the inner portion of the circular side wall.
  • the circular member is associated to the inner portion of the circular side wall in a removable way.
  • the circular member is a portion of circumference.
  • the circular member has a substantially U-shaped section.
  • the circular member has a substantially trapezoidal-shaped section.
  • the size of the aperture is less than the size of the receiving opening.
  • the plurality of openings of the circular side wall comprises a first plurality of openings and a second plurality of openings wherein the size of the first plurality of openings is less than the size of the second plurality of openings.
  • the circular member is associated to the inner portion of the circular side wall in correspondence of the second plurality of openings.
  • At least one of the side walls is a rear side wall and the circular member is associated to the inner portion of the circular side wall in a position close to the rear side wall.
  • the drum further comprises at least one lifter associated to the inner portion of the circular side wall.
  • the lifter defines a chamber for receiving the liquid from the at least one receiving opening and comprises at least one aperture facing the laundry receiving space suitable to modify the flow of the liquid from the at least one receiving opening to the laundry receiving space.
  • the chamber of the at least one lifter communicates with the chamber of the circular member.
  • the at least one lifter is fixed to the inner portion of the circular side wall.
  • the at least one lifter is associated to the inner portion of the circular side wall in a removable way.
  • the at least one lifter is fixed to the circular member.
  • the at least one lifter and the circular member are formed as a single piece construction.
  • the present invention concerns a laundry washing machine comprising a casing supporting a washing tub external to a washing drum suitable to receive the laundry to be washed, said washing drum being a drum as described above.
  • FIG. 1 shows a isometric view of a laundry washing machine according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a isometric view of a drum for the laundry washing machine of FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 shows a isometric view of some particulars of the drum shown in FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 3A shows a section view along line III°-III° of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 3B shows a construction variant of FIG. 3A ;
  • FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section view of the drum of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 4A shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 4 ;
  • FIG. 5 shows a construction variant of the drum of FIG. 2
  • FIG. 6 shows a isometric view of some particulars of the drum shown in FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section view of the drum of FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 8 shows a further construction variant of the washing machine of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 9 shows a isometric view of a drum for the laundry washing machine of FIG. 8 ;
  • FIG. 10 shows a isometric view of some particulars of the drum shown in FIG. 9 ;
  • FIG. 10A shows a section view along line X°-X° of FIG. 10 ;
  • FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal section view of the drum of FIG. 9 .
  • a laundry washing machine W with a drum 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is described here below with reference to Figures from 1 to 4 .
  • the laundry washing machine W shown in FIG. 1 is a front loading washing machine.
  • the present invention has proved to be particularly successful when applied to front loading laundry washing machines. It should in any case be underlined that the present invention is not limited to this type of application. On the contrary, the present invention can be usefully applied to different types of loading washing devices, as for example top loading laundry washing machines or laundry washing-drying machines.
  • the laundry washing machine W comprises an external casing or casing 2 , in which a washing tub 3 is provided that contains a rotatable perforated drum 1 , where the laundry to be washed can be loaded.
  • a hollow space is defined between the tub 3 and the drum 1 .
  • the casing 2 is provided with a loading/unloading door, not illustrated, which allows access to the washing tub 3 and the drum 1 .
  • the tub 3 is preferably suspended in a floating manner inside the casing 2 , advantageously by means of a number of coil springs and shock-absorbers, that are not illustrated herein.
  • the tub 3 is preferably connected to the casing 2 and/or the door by means of an elastic bellows 7 , or gasket.
  • the drum 1 is advantageously rotated by an electric motor which preferably transmits the rotating motion to the shaft 14 of the drum 1 , advantageously by means of a belt/pulley system.
  • the motor can be directly associated with the shaft 14 of the drum 1 .
  • a water inlet circuit 5 is arranged in the upper part of the laundry washing machine W and is suited to supply water and washing/rinsing products (i.e. detergent, softener, etc.) into the tub 3 .
  • the water inlet circuit 5 advantageously comprises a removable drawer 6 provided with various compartments suited to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products.
  • the water is advantageously supplied into the tub 3 by making it flow through the drawer 6 and through a supply pipe 9 which extends toward the front side of the washing machine 1 .
  • the supply pipe 9 is provided with an output 9 a placed partially inside the bellows 7 in the proximity of the front door.
  • the water which reaches the tub 3 can selectively contain one of the products contained in the compartments of the drawer 6 , or such water can be clean and in this case it may reach the tub 3 directly, bypassing the compartments of the drawer 6 .
  • the phase of the washing cycle selected may depend on the phase of the washing cycle selected.
  • the products are conveyed into the tub 3 over the laundry.
  • the rinsing phase only water in conveyed into the tub 3 .
  • a further separate water supply pipe can be provided, which supplies exclusively clean water into the tub 3 .
  • the water inlet circuit 5 also preferably comprises a water flow sensor, for example a flow meter, which makes it possible to calculate the quantity of water supplied into the tub 3 .
  • the laundry washing machine W advantageously comprises a water outlet circuit 25 .
  • the water outlet circuit 25 advantageously comprises a drain pump 26 , a first pipe 27 connecting the tub 3 to the drain pump 26 and an outlet pipe 28 ending outside the casing 2 .
  • the water outlet circuit 25 is suited to drain the liquid, i.e. dirty water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products, from the tub 3 to the outside.
  • the water outlet circuit 25 is advantageously provided with a recirculation circuit 30 adapted to drain liquid from a bottom region of the tub 3 and to re-admit such a liquid into a higher region of the tub 3 .
  • the recirculation circuit 30 comprises a recirculation pump 29 and a recirculation pipe 31 .
  • the recirculation pipe 31 advantageously ends with two injection nozzles 32 , 33 in an upper region of the tub 3 and with a third injection nozzle 34 in the proximity of the front door.
  • the drain pump 26 and the recirculation pump 29 are properly controlled in order to allow selective drainage of the liquid from the tub 3 towards the outside through the outlet pipe 28 or towards the upper region of the tub 3 through the recirculation pipe 31 .
  • the drain pump 26 In case of drainage of the liquid from the tub 3 towards the outside only the drain pump 26 is activated. In case of drainage of the liquid from the tub 3 towards the towards the upper region of the tub 3 only the recirculation pump 29 is activated.
  • the recirculation circuit may comprise a dedicated recirculation pipe connecting a bottom region of the tub with an higher region of the latter, and provided with a dedicated recirculation pump; in this case the recirculation circuit is advantageously completely separated from the water outlet circuit.
  • the drum 1 comprises a cylindrical side wall 50 , a rear side wall 51 and a front side wall 52 .
  • the side walls 50 , 51 and 52 define a laundry receiving space 53 where the laundry to be washed is loaded.
  • the front side wall 52 comprises an aperture 54 , substantially aligned with the loading/unloading door of the laundry washing machine W, from which the laundry is loaded/unloaded.
  • the drum 1 is also advantageously provided with three inwardly extending lifters 61 , 62 and 63 , as better visible in FIG. 3 .
  • the lifters 61 , 62 and 63 extend over the inner surface 50 a of the cylindrical side wall 50 substantially from the rear side wall 51 to the front side wall 52 .
  • the lifters 61 , 62 and 63 are circumferentially spaced and engage the laundry as the drum 1 is rotated.
  • the lifters 61 , 62 and 63 raise the laundry contained in the laundry receiving space 53 toward the top of the drum 1 and then release the laundry to cause the laundry to be dropped to the bottom of the drum 1 , in accordance with the rotation of the drum 1 .
  • the cylindrical side wall 50 of the drum 1 is provided with openings 41 , as better visible in FIG. 2 .
  • the openings 41 comprises a plurality of first openings 42 preferably uniformly distributed over the cylindrical side wall 50 .
  • the first openings 42 preferably have a circular shape with a diameter preferably comprised between 2 mm and 4 mm.
  • the first openings may have different shape than the circular one shown in the figures, as for example an oval shape.
  • the maximum size of each of the first openings is preferably less than 4 mm.
  • the openings 41 further comprises a plurality of second openings 43 preferably distributed circumferentially over the cylindrical side wall 50 in two parallel rows 43 a and 43 b.
  • Each of the two parallel rows 43 a and 43 b of the second openings 43 advantageously faces a respective injection nozzle 32 , 33 of the recirculation pipe 31 .
  • Second openings 43 advantageously have a larger size than the first openings 42 .
  • the second openings 43 preferably have a circular shape with a diameter comprised between 8 mm and 20 mm.
  • Second openings may have different shape than the circular one shown in the figures, as for example an oval shape.
  • the maximum size of each of the second openings is preferably less than 20 mm.
  • Both the first and the second openings 42 and 43 allow the passage of a liquid therethrough, in particular the passage of a liquid from outside of the drum 1 to the laundry receiving space 53 .
  • the larger size of the second openings 43 with respect to the size of the first openings 42 advantageously enhances the passage of the liquid from the injection nozzles 32 , 33 to the laundry receiving space 53 inside the drum 1 .
  • the drum 1 advantageously comprises two cover rings 55 , 65 which extend circumferentially over the inner surface 50 a of the cylindrical side wall 50 .
  • the cover rings 55 , 65 face the second openings rows 43 a and 43 b.
  • Cover rings 55 , 65 are substantially equal to each other and therefore only one is described in detail hereinafter.
  • the cover ring 55 is substantially circular so as to fit the inner surface 50 a of the cylindrical side wall 50 .
  • the cover ring 55 comprises three adjacent circular portions 55 a, 55 b and 55 c which are disposed between the lifters 61 , 62 and 63 , as shown in FIG. 3 where the cover rings 55 , 65 and the lifters 61 , 62 , 63 are illustrated separated from the rest.
  • Each of the circular portions 55 a, 55 b and 55 c is preferably a portion of circumference.
  • the cover ring 55 preferably has a substantially U-shaped section, as better shown in FIG. 3A .
  • the cover ring 55 comprises two lateral sides 56 , 57 and a link side 58 between the two lateral sides 56 , 57 .
  • the cover ring 55 in combination with the inner surface 50 a of the cylindrical side wall 50 defines a liquid receiving chamber 59 , as shown in FIG. 4A .
  • the link side 58 of the cover ring 55 advantageously comprises apertures 66 for the communication of the liquid receiving chamber 59 with the laundry receiving space 53 inside the drum 1 .
  • the apertures 66 preferably have a circular shape with a diameter comprised between 2 mm and 8 mm.
  • the apertures may have different shape than the circular one shown in the figures, as for example an oval shape.
  • the maximum size of each of the second openings is preferably less than 8 mm.
  • the apertures 66 may have preferably the same shape and size of the first openings 42 of the cylindrical side wall 50 .
  • the liquid at the bottom of the tub 3 may be re-circulated and re-introduced inside the drum 1 by means of the activation of the recirculation circuit 30 .
  • the recirculation pump 29 is activated and the drained liquid may flow from the bottom of the tub 3 along the recirculation pipe 31 up to injection nozzles 32 , 33 and 34 .
  • the liquid is sprayed with a proper pressure from the injection nozzles 32 , 33 in the upper region of the tub 3 towards the second openings 43 of the cylindrical side wall 50 of the drum 1 .
  • the drum 1 advantageously rotates during this recirculation phase.
  • the larger size of the second openings 43 with respect to the size of the first openings 42 enhances the passage of the liquid inside the drum 1 .
  • Part of the liquid may reach the first openings 42 of the cylindrical side wall 50 of the drum 1 and gets in through the first openings 42 inside the drum 1 .
  • the liquid coming from the injection nozzles 32 , 33 which gets in through the second openings 43 is received in the liquid receiving chamber 59 formed by the cover ring 55 . From the liquid receiving chamber 59 the liquid under pressure is then conveyed through the apertures 66 inside the laundry receiving space 53 along a preferred radial direction R 1 .
  • the liquid direction R 1 inside the laundry receiving space 53 depends substantially on the orientation of the link side 58 of the cover ring 55 and on the number and size of the apertures 66 .
  • the provision of the cover rings 55 , 65 with apertures 66 having reduced size with respect to the second opening 43 of the cylindrical side wall 50 avoid damaging of the laundry during the rotation of the drum 1 , especially when the drum 1 is made rotate at high speed with the laundry subjected to a high centrifugal force.
  • cover rings and the lifters are advantageously fixedly connected to each other.
  • cover rings and the lifters may be separated parts.
  • the cover rings are fixedly connected to the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall, for example by means of snap-fit, screws, welding, gluing or other suited fastening means.
  • cover rings are made of the same material of the cylindrical side wall.
  • the cover rings may be of a different material, as for example plastic.
  • the cover rings may be associated to the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall in a removable way.
  • the cover rings may be advantageously replaced. This is particularly useful when the cover rings are damaged or when the cover rings are being replaced with different cover rings having different disposition and/or shape of the apertures. This may advantageously confer different desiderate directions to the liquid.
  • This cover ring 255 differs from the one described above with reference to FIG. 3A for the fact that the lateral sides 256 , 257 comprise further apertures 266 for the communication of the liquid receiving chamber 259 with the laundry receiving space 53 inside the drum 1 .
  • the liquid coming from the injection nozzles 32 , 33 reaches the laundry from different directions R 1 , R 2 and R 3 . This determines a more uniform distribution of the liquid over the laundry.
  • the liquid directions R 1 , R 2 and R 3 inside the laundry receiving space 53 depend substantially on the orientation of the lateral sides 256 , 257 and 258 of the cover ring 255 and on the number and size of the apertures 66 , 266 formed therein.
  • This drum 71 differs from the drum 1 shown in FIG. 2 for the different construction of the lifters 81 , 82 and 83 .
  • the lifters 81 , 82 and 83 are substantially equal to each other and therefore only one is described in detail hereinafter.
  • the lifter 81 extends inwardly from the inner surface 50 a of the cylindrical side wall 50 and extend longitudinally between the rear side wall 51 and the front side wall 52 of the drum 1 .
  • the lifter is substantially U-shaped, as better shown in FIG. 6 , comprising two lateral sides 85 a, 85 b and a link side 85 c between the two lateral sides 85 a, 85 b.
  • the two lateral sides 85 a, 85 b and the link side 85 c have respective smooth outer surfaces in order to engage gently the laundry and avoid laundry damages.
  • the lifter 81 in combination with the inner surface 50 a of the cylindrical side wall 50 defines a liquid receiving chamber 87 .
  • the lateral sides 85 a, 85 b and the link side 85 c of the lifter 85 advantageously comprise apertures 90 for the communication of the liquid receiving chamber 87 with the laundry receiving space 53 inside the drum 1 .
  • the apertures 90 preferably have an oval shape with a maximum size comprised between 5 mm and 12 mm.
  • the apertures may have different shape than the oval one shown in the figures, as for example a circular shape.
  • the maximum size of each of the second openings is preferably less than 12 mm.
  • At least one of the second openings 43 of the cylindrical side wall 50 communicates with the liquid receiving chamber 87 of the lifter 81 . More particularly, one opening 43 ′ a of the first row 43 a of the second openings 43 communicates with the liquid receiving chamber 87 .
  • At least one of the first openings 42 of the cylindrical side wall 50 may communicate with the chamber 87 .
  • the liquid receiving chamber 87 of the lifter 81 may communicate with the liquid receiving chambers 59 of the adjacent cover rings 55 , 65 .
  • the lifter 81 is advantageously associated to the inner surface 50 a of the cylindrical side wall 50 in a removable way.
  • a snap fit connection between the lifter 81 and the cylindrical side wall 50 is provided.
  • the snap fit connection comprises two couples of attaching elastic wings 91 - 94 which engage respective receiving holes 97 - 100 in the cylindrical side wall 50 .
  • the lifter 81 further comprises two threaded holes 88 for receiving fixing screws, not illustrated, passing through respective holes 78 of the side wall 50 of the drum 1 .
  • the lifter 81 therefore may be easily detached and, in case, replaced with a new one.
  • the new lifter may have, for example, a new configuration of the apertures.
  • the lifter may be fixedly connected to the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall, for example by means of snap-fit, screws, welding, gluing or other suited fastening means.
  • the liquid coming from the injection nozzles 32 , 33 is sprayed with a proper pressure from the injection nozzles 32 , 33 in the upper region of the tub 3 towards the second openings 43 of the cylindrical side wall 50 of the drum 1 .
  • the liquid coming from the injection nozzles 32 , 33 which gets in through the second openings 43 is received in the liquid receiving chamber 87 of the lifter 81 . From the liquid receiving chamber 87 the liquid under pressure is then conveyed through the apertures 90 inside the drum 1 along different directions according to the orientations of the apertures 90 along the lifter 81 .
  • the liquid coming from the injection nozzles 32 , 33 reaches the laundry from different directions. This causes an enhanced and uniform distribution of the liquid over the laundry.
  • the liquid directions inside the laundry receiving space depend on the orientation of the lateral sides 85 a, 85 b and 85 c of the lifter 81 and on the number and size of the apertures 90 formed therein.
  • the lifters 81 , 82 and 83 therefore, do not have only the function of raising the laundry contained in the laundry receiving space 53 .
  • a lifter and at least one of the adjacent circular portions of the cover rings may be formed as a single piece construction, obtained for example by means of an injection moulding process.
  • the lifter and the adjacent circular portions of the cover ring are preferably associated to the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall of the drum in a removable way.
  • the lifters are made of the same material of the cover rings.
  • the laundry washing machine W shown in FIG. 8 differs from the laundry washing machine W described with reference to FIG. 1 only for the fact that the recirculation pipe 31 ends with a rear injection nozzle 35 in a rear upper region of the tub 3 instead of the two injection nozzles 32 , 33 in the upper central region of the tub 3 .
  • the drum 101 comprises a cylindrical side wall 110 , a rear side wall 111 and a front side wall 112 .
  • the side walls 110 , 111 and 112 define a laundry receiving space 113 where the laundry to be washed is loaded.
  • the front side wall 112 comprises an aperture 114 , substantially aligned with the loading/unloading door of the laundry washing machine W, from which the laundry is loaded/unloaded.
  • the drum 101 is also advantageously provided with three inwardly extending lifters 121 , 122 and 123 , as better visible in FIG. 10 .
  • the lifters 121 , 122 and 123 extend over the inner surface 110 a of the cylindrical side wall 110 substantially from the rear side wall 111 to the front side wall 112 of the drum 101 .
  • the lifters 121 , 122 and 123 are circumferentially spaced and engage the laundry as the drum 101 is rotated.
  • the cylindrical side wall 110 of the drum 101 is provided with openings 161 , as better visible in FIG. 9 .
  • the openings 161 comprises a plurality of first openings 162 preferably uniformly distributed over the cylindrical side wall 110 .
  • the first openings 162 preferably have a circular shape with a diameter preferably comprised between 2 mm and 4 mm.
  • the first openings may have different shape than the circular one shown in the figures, as for example an oval shape.
  • the maximum size of each of the first openings is preferably less than 4 mm.
  • the openings 161 further comprises a plurality of second openings 163 preferably distributed circumferentially over the cylindrical side wall 110 in a single row 163 a.
  • the row 163 a of the second openings 163 advantageously face the rear injection nozzle 35 of the recirculation pipe 31 , the latter shown in FIG. 8 .
  • Second openings 163 preferably have a larger size than the first openings 162 .
  • the second openings 163 preferably have a circular shape with a diameter comprised between 8 mm and 20 mm.
  • Second openings may have different shape than the circular one shown in the figures, as for example an oval shape.
  • the maximum size of each of the second openings is preferably less than 20 mm.
  • the larger size of the second openings 163 with respect to the size of the first openings 162 advantageously enhances the passage of the liquid from the rear injection nozzle 35 to the laundry receiving space 113 inside the drum 101 .
  • the drum 101 advantageously comprises a cover ring 115 which extend circumferentially over the inner surface 110 a of the cylindrical side wall 110 .
  • the cover ring 115 face the second openings row 163 a.
  • the cover ring 115 is preferably placed in the proximity of the rear side wall 111 of the drum 101 .
  • the cover ring 115 is substantially circular so as to fit the inner surface 110 a of the cylindrical side wall 110 .
  • the cover ring 115 comprises three adjacent circular portions 115 a, 115 b and 115 c which are disposed between the lifters 121 , 122 and 123 , as shown in FIG. 10 where the cover ring 115 and the lifters 121 , 122 , 123 are illustrated separated from the rest.
  • Each of the circular portions 115 a, 115 b and 115 c is preferably a portion of circumference.
  • the cover ring 115 preferably has a substantially trapezoidal-shaped section, as better shown in FIG. 10A .
  • the cover ring 115 comprises two lateral sides 116 , 117 and a front side 118 between the two lateral sides 116 , 117 .
  • the lateral sides 116 , 117 and the front side 118 define a liquid receiving chamber 119 .
  • the front side 118 of the cover ring 115 advantageously comprises apertures 126 for the communication of the liquid receiving chamber 119 with the laundry receiving space 113 inside the drum 101 .
  • the apertures 126 preferably have a circular shape with a diameter comprised between 2 mm and 8 mm.
  • the apertures may have different shape than the circular one shown in the figures, as for example an oval shape.
  • the maximum size of each of the second openings is preferably less than 8 mm.
  • the apertures 126 may have preferably the same shape and size of the first openings 162 of the cylindrical side wall 110 .
  • the lifters 121 , 122 and 123 are substantially equal to each other and therefore only one is described in detail hereinafter.
  • the lifter 121 is substantially U-shaped, as better shown in FIG. 10 , comprising two lateral sides 185 a, 185 b and a link side 185 c between the two lateral sides 185 a, 185 b.
  • the two lateral sides 185 a, 185 b and the link side 185 c have respective smooth outer surfaces in order to engage gently the laundry and avoid laundry damages.
  • the lifter 121 in combination with the inner surface 110 a of the cylindrical side wall 110 defines a liquid receiving chamber 187 .
  • the lateral sides 185 a, 185 b and the link side 185 c of the lifter 121 advantageously comprise apertures 190 for the communication of the liquid receiving chamber 187 with the laundry receiving space 113 inside the drum 101 .
  • the apertures 190 preferably have an oval shape with a maximum size comprised between 5 mm and 12 mm.
  • the apertures may have different shape than the oval one shown in the figures, as for example a circular shape.
  • the maximum size of each of the second openings is preferably less than 12 mm.
  • At least one of the second openings 163 of the cylindrical side wall 110 communicates with the liquid receiving chamber 187 of the lifter 121 . More particularly, one opening 163 ′ a of the first row 163 a of the second openings 163 communicates with the liquid receiving chamber 187 .
  • At least one of the first openings 162 of the cylindrical side wall 110 may communicate with the liquid receiving chamber 187 .
  • the liquid receiving chamber 187 of the lifter 121 communicates with the liquid receiving chambers 159 of the adjacent cover ring 155 through a communicating channel 191 .
  • the lifter 121 is advantageously associated to the inner surface 110 a of the cylindrical side wall 110 in a removable way.
  • a snap fit connection between the lifter 121 and the cylindrical side wall 110 is provided.
  • the snap fit connection comprises two couples of attaching elastic wings 291 - 294 which engage respective receiving holes 297 - 300 in the cylindrical side wall 110 .
  • the lifter 121 further comprises two threaded holes 288 for receiving fixing screws, not illustrated, passing through respective holes 278 of the side wall 110 of the drum 101 .
  • the lifter 121 therefore may be easily detached and, in case, replaced with a new one.
  • the new lifter may have, for example, a new configuration of the apertures.
  • the lifter may be fixedly connected to the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall, for example by means of snap-fit, screws, welding, gluing or other suited fastening means.
  • the liquid at the bottom of the tub 3 may be re-circulated and re-introduced inside the drum 101 by means of the activation of the recirculation circuit 30 .
  • the recirculation pump 29 is activated and the drained liquid may flow from the bottom of the tub 3 along the recirculation pipe 31 up to injection nozzles 34 , 35 .
  • the liquid is sprayed with a proper pressure from the rear injection nozzle 35 in the upper and rear region of the tub 3 towards the second openings 163 of the cylindrical side wall 110 of the drum 101 .
  • the drum 101 advantageously rotates during this recirculation phase.
  • the larger size of the second openings 163 with respect to the size of the first openings 162 enhances the passage of the liquid inside the drum 101 .
  • Part of the liquid may reach the first openings 162 of the cylindrical side wall 110 of the drum 101 and gets in through the first openings 162 inside the drum 101 .
  • the liquid coming from the rear injection nozzle 35 which gets in through the second openings 163 is received in the liquid receiving chamber 119 formed by the cover ring 115 . From the liquid receiving chamber 119 the liquid under pressure is then conveyed through the apertures 126 inside the laundry receiving space 113 along a direction R 4 , which is preferably directed towards the centre of the drum 101 .
  • the liquid coming from the rear injection nozzle 35 reaches the laundry from the rear. This determines a more uniform distribution of the liquid over the laundry.
  • the liquid direction R 4 inside the laundry receiving space 113 depends on the orientation of the front side 118 of the cover ring 115 and on the number and size of the apertures 126 formed therein.
  • the provision of the cover ring 115 with apertures 126 having reduced size with respect to the second opening 163 of the cylindrical side wall 110 avoid damaging of the laundry during the rotation of the drum 101 , especially when the drum 101 is made rotate at high speed with the laundry subjected to a high centrifugal force.
  • the liquid is sprayed with a proper pressure from the rear injection nozzle 35 in the upper and rear region of the tub 3 towards the second openings 163 of the cylindrical side wall 110 of the drum 101 .
  • the liquid which gets in through the second openings 163 is also received in the liquid receiving chamber 187 of the lifter 121 .
  • the liquid also reaches the liquid receiving chamber 187 from the liquid receiving chambers 119 of the cover ring 115 through the communicating channel 191 .
  • the liquid under pressure is then conveyed inside the drum 101 through the apertures 190 .
  • the liquid enters the laundry receiving space 113 along different directions.
  • such directions may be different and opportunely set according to the orientations of the sides of the lifters and according to the number and size of the apertures.
  • a lifter and at least one of the adjacent circular portions of the cover rings may be formed as a single piece construction, obtained for example by means of an injection moulding process.
  • the lifter and the adjacent circular portions of the cover ring are preferably associated to the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall of the drum in a removable way.
  • the lifters are made of the same material of the cover ring.
  • the cover ring is fixedly connected to the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall, for example by means of snap-fit, screws, welding, gluing or other suited fastening means.
  • the cover ring is made of the same material of the cylindrical side wall.
  • the cover ring may be of a different material, as for example plastic.
  • the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved.
  • it makes it possible to obtain a gently treatment of the clothes during rotations.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
US14/232,644 2011-07-14 2012-07-16 Drum Washing Machine Abandoned US20140208810A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11173925.6 2011-07-14
EP11173925A EP2546403A1 (fr) 2011-07-14 2011-07-14 Machine à laver à tambour
PCT/EP2012/063873 WO2013007835A1 (fr) 2011-07-14 2012-07-16 Machine de traitement de linge à tambour

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20140208810A1 true US20140208810A1 (en) 2014-07-31

Family

ID=46583981

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/232,644 Abandoned US20140208810A1 (en) 2011-07-14 2012-07-16 Drum Washing Machine

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20140208810A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2546403A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN103797176A (fr)
AU (1) AU2012282477A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR112014000823A2 (fr)
RU (1) RU2014105427A (fr)
WO (1) WO2013007835A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

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US20180117645A1 (en) * 2015-04-27 2018-05-03 Lg Electronics Inc. Clothes-processing apparatus
WO2020126465A1 (fr) * 2018-12-19 2020-06-25 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Machine à laver comprenant un élévateur de tambour d'aspersion
US11078615B2 (en) * 2016-08-04 2021-08-03 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Lifter and washing machine having the same
WO2021221467A1 (fr) * 2020-04-29 2021-11-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Appareil de traitement de linge

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US10648116B2 (en) * 2017-09-29 2020-05-12 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance lifter
IT201800002846A1 (it) * 2018-02-23 2019-08-23 Roberto Asara "macchina lava bossoli automatica"
CN108642800A (zh) * 2018-07-04 2018-10-12 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 滚筒洗衣机及其桶组件
EP3690105B1 (fr) * 2019-02-01 2021-03-10 LG Electronics Inc. Appareil de traitement du linge
TR201903848A2 (tr) * 2019-03-14 2020-09-21 Arcelik As Duşlama özelli̇kli̇ tambur kanadi i̇çeren çamaşir maki̇nasi

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US6543074B1 (en) * 2001-11-13 2003-04-08 Maytag Corporation Spinner basket having labyrinth ring and method for using same
US20070295035A1 (en) * 2006-06-15 2007-12-27 Lim Hee T Washer and method of forming drum thereof
US20090071202A1 (en) * 2007-04-10 2009-03-19 Lg Electronics Inc. Washing machine

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US6543074B1 (en) * 2001-11-13 2003-04-08 Maytag Corporation Spinner basket having labyrinth ring and method for using same
US20070295035A1 (en) * 2006-06-15 2007-12-27 Lim Hee T Washer and method of forming drum thereof
US20090071202A1 (en) * 2007-04-10 2009-03-19 Lg Electronics Inc. Washing machine

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180117645A1 (en) * 2015-04-27 2018-05-03 Lg Electronics Inc. Clothes-processing apparatus
US11332869B2 (en) * 2015-04-27 2022-05-17 Lg Electronics Inc. Clothes-processing apparatus
US11078615B2 (en) * 2016-08-04 2021-08-03 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Lifter and washing machine having the same
WO2020126465A1 (fr) * 2018-12-19 2020-06-25 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Machine à laver comprenant un élévateur de tambour d'aspersion
WO2021221467A1 (fr) * 2020-04-29 2021-11-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Appareil de traitement de linge

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2014105427A (ru) 2015-08-20
BR112014000823A2 (pt) 2017-02-21
WO2013007835A1 (fr) 2013-01-17
EP2546403A1 (fr) 2013-01-16
CN103797176A (zh) 2014-05-14
AU2012282477A1 (en) 2014-01-16

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STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

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