WO1994012716A1

WO1994012716A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO1994012716A1
Application number: PCT/EP1993/002966
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Merloni
Original assignee: Antonio Merloni S.P.A.
Priority date: 1992-11-30
Filing date: 1993-10-26
Publication date: 1994-06-09
Also published as: ITMI922737A1; IT1256611B; ITMI922737A0

Abstract

A laundry washing machine including a drum (3) arranged in a supporting frame (5) and adapted to contain a soap and water mixture and the laundry to be washed; the drum includes electrodes (7) connected to a high frequency generator (9) in turn connected to a power line (111). The electrodes generate a high frequency electrical field for activating the soap at a lower temperature with respect to a conventional washing machine.

Description

WASHING MACHINE

The present invention relates to a washing machine, particularly a laundry washing machine. In conventional washing machines the laundry is tumbled with admixture of water and soap. The water has to be heated, usually by means of an electric resistance, and the stirring and high temperature of the water activate the washing means (soap, hypochlorite, phosphates) for washing the laundry.

It is known the detergents are more and more active as the temperature increases. Most of the clothes however cannot be washed at high temperature because the fabrics and especially the dyes would be damaged. It is therefore a strongly felt problem that of obtaining an effective cleaning of the laundry at a temperature as low as possible. This problem is usually approached chemically by devising new detergents that are supposed to be able to remove even the most durable stains without damaging the fabric and fading the colors.

The aim of the present invention is to improve the washing action of conventional detergents at lower temperatures.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the power consumption of the washing machine.

A further object of the invention is to reduce the water consumption of the washing machine. Still a further object of the invention is to reduce the time required for washing.

The above aim, as well as these and other objects that will be more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a washing machine as claimed in the appended claim 1.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent by the following description of an embodiment of the invention, illustrated, by way of example in the enclosed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front, elevational view of a washing machine according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic top section view of the drum of the machine of the previous figure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front, elevational view of a washing machine according to a second aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top section view of the drum of the machine of the previous figure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front, elevational view of a washing machine according to a third aspect of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top section view of the drum of the machine of the previous figure; FIG. 7 is a schematic front elevational view of a washing machine according to a fourth aspect of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic top section view of the drum of the machine of the previous figure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic front elevational view of a washing machine according to a fifth aspect of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic top section view of the drum of the machine of the previous figure.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, a washing machine, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, includes a drum 3 arranged in a frame 5, in a per se known manner. According to the invention electrodes 7 are arranged in the drum 3 and are connected to a high-frequency generator 9, connected to a power line 11. The electrodes 7 generate a high frequency electric field that dissolves and rapidly activates the washing means (soap, hypochlorite, etc.). In this manner the detergent action is activated at a very low temperature and increases with a higher temperature up to about 60-70°C. Above this temperature the advantage of the high frequency field becomes less consistent. The machine according to the invention can wash the laundry effectively at a considerably lower temperature and is particularly effective with delicate clothes. The advantages of the invention also include a reduced washing time, because the water does not have to reach a high temperature. This also entails a considerably lower power consumption. Further embodiments of the invention are illustrated in figures 3 to 10, wherein like reference characters denote similar features to those of figures 1-2. In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in figures 3-4, the machine 101 comprises an electric resistance 113 connected to the power line 111, in parallel with the high frequency generator 9. The high frequency generator preferably has a power of 150-250 W, which is sufficient for a drum of about 15 liters, while the electric resistance preferably has a power of 1800-2000 W.

For a greater safety, it is convenient to operate the electrodes at a lower voltage, for example 12 or 24 Volts. To this purpose, figures 5-6 illustrate a machine 201 comprising a transformer 215 connected between the electrodes 7 and the generator 9. Figures 9-10 illustrate a machine 401 wherein the transformer 415 is connected directly to the power line 111. The embodiment illustrated in figures 5-6 has the advantage, over the embodiment illustrated in figures 9-10, that the transformer is considerably smaller.

Figures 7-8 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention wherein the machine 301 respectively comprises a transformer 315, connected to the power line 111, a generator 9, and a power limiter 317, connected between the generator 9 and the electrodes 7. In fact, the electrical properties of the soap and water mixture may vary considerably depending on the concentration of the detergents and on the general washing conditions. The power limiter limits the current fed to the electrodes in the case of an excessive conductibility of the washing mixture.

The ideal operating frequency of the electrical field varies according to the type and concentration of the soap used for washing. Generally there are better results as the frequency increases starting from 50 Hz, and an effective washing can be obtained at about 5000 - 10000 Hz. The materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may hie any according to the specific needs and the state of the art.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect, on the scope of each element, identified byway of example by such reference signs.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Washing machine, particularly a laundry washing machine, comprising a drum (3) arranged in a supporting frame (5) and adapted to contain a washing means and water mixture and laundry to be washed, characterized in that, said drum comprises electrodes (7) connected to a high frequency generator (9), said generator being connected to a power line (11, 111), said electrodes being adapted to generate a high frequency electrical field for activating said washing means.

2. Machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a transformer (315, 415) connected between said power line (111) and said generator (9) for operating said generator at. a lower voltage.

3. Machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a transformer (215) connected between said electrodes (7) and said generator (9) for operating said generator at a lower voltage.

4. Machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lower voltage is comprised between 12 and 24 Volts.

5. Machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it. comprises a power limiter (317) connected between said electrodes (7) and said generator (9).

6. Machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electric resistance (113) connected to said power line (111) in parallel to said generator (9).

7. Machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electric resistance (313) operates at about 1800 to 2000 W.

8. Machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, said electrodes operate at about. 200 to 250 W.