WO2009083365A1

WO2009083365A1 - A washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2009083365A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/066386
Authority: WO
Inventors: Baris Unal; Emre Ozturk
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-12-28
Filing date: 2008-11-28
Publication date: 2009-07-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) wherein the undissolved detergent at the base of the tub (2) effectively participates in the washing process thereby enhancing the washing performance.

Description

A WASHING MACHINE

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine wherein the washing performance is enhanced.

[0002] In washing machines, during water intake, most of the detergent undissolved in the wash water enters into the hose or the pump and is discharged at the end of the washing without being participated in the washing process. This situation results in ineffectual use of detergent and the washing process to be performed ineffectively. Various embodiments are available that maintain the detergent to participate effectively in washing and to stay in the tub during the washing process.

[0003] In the state of the art, solutions are provided wherein a ball disposed in the hose is used.

[0004] In the washing machines wherein these solutions are used, the pump discharges the water at the end of the washing. When the pump stops, the water remaining in the discharge line returns back to the hose and moves the ball, which has a lower density than water, towards the discharge hole. The ball moves in the hose until contacting with the stopper preceding the discharge hole. A passage is arranged on the stopper that allows the passage of air and water between the tub and the hose. As the ball contacts the stopper and closes the passage therebetween, leak-proofing is maintained between the tub and the hose. Thus, during the next washing cycle, the detergent water taken into the machine stays in the tub without passing into the discharge hose and participates in the washing.

[0005] In these embodiments, the ball floats on the water due to the density thereof being less than that of water. The width of the hole situated on the stopper is less than the diameter of the ball. When the ball contacts the stopper and closes the hole in between, air is compressed between the stopper and the water in the hose. If the air compressed in the hose is more, then the ball presses on the stopper with a lesser force. The ball is displaced more easily particularly during the operation of the washing program due to vibrational motion resulting from the washing movements. As the ball moves, the water in the hose and the wash water mix together. [0006] In the state of the art German patent application no DE3602217, a system is defined incorporating a ball, an outflow tube wherein the ball can move and a stopper.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein the detergent effectively participates in the washing process.

[0008] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a ball or stopper or hose with at least some portions thereof surrounding the volume wherein air is compressed, is produced of a gas permeable water impermeable material, allowing the compressed air in the space between the water in the hose and the stopper to be discharged when the ball closes the discharge hole by bearing against the stopper.

[0009] The surfaces contacted by the air compressed in the hose when the ball closes the discharge hole are produced of gas permeable water impermeable material. Upon closing of the discharge hole, the air compressed in the hose between water and the stopper can be discharged from these places to outside of the hose. The air in the hose is replaced by the water returning from the discharge line.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the entire ball is produced of gas permeable water impermeable material. Thus, the air compressed in the hose passes through the ball and is continued to be discharged even after the ball closes the discharge hole.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, an orifice is provided on the hose or the stopper. A gas permeable water impermeable membrane covers this orifice and air passes from the orifice to outside of the hose.

[0012] When the orifice is arranged on the hose, it is at a place preferably close to the stopper, above the water level in the hose after the ball closes the discharge hole.

[0013] The orifice and the membrane of the present invention are preferably produced by single molding method. The membrane is placed into the orifice during molding and the hose is produced as a single piece.

[0014] In the washing machine of the present invention, the gas permeable water impermeable ball or the hose or the stopper or the membrane is produced of a microporous material. [0015] By means of the present invention, the ball more readily submerges in the water in the hose and a better leak-proofing between the stopper and itself is provided. [0016] A washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: [0017] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washing machine. [0018] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of the hose when the ball bears against the stopper.

[0019] Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the hose after the discharge of air. [0020] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the hose wherein the orifice is disposed on the stopper. [0021] Figure 5 - is the top schematic view of the stopper in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 - is the schematic view of detail A in Figure 4. [0023] Figure 7 - is the schematic view of the hose in the embodiment wherein the orifice is disposed on the hose. [0024] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Tub

3. Drum

4. Discharge hole

5. Pump

6. Hose

7. Ball

8. Stopper

9. Orifice

10. Membrane

[0025] The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises:

- a tub (2) wherein the washing process is performed,

- a drum (3) disposed inside the tub (2) wherein the laundry is emplaced,

- a discharge hole (7) disposed at the base of the tub (2) for discharging the water, - a pump (5) for participating the water in the tub (2) to the washing or for discharging,

- a hose (6), with one end connected to the discharge hole (4) and the other end to the pump (5) for delivering the water in the tub (2) to the pump (5),

- a ball (7) disposed in the hose (6) that opens or closes the discharge hole (4) with the pressure of water,

- a stopper (8) situated at the end of the hose (6) coupled with the discharge hole (4), extending from the inner surface of the hose (6) towards the center, preventing the ball (7) from leaving the hose (6) by the discharge hole (4) when it bears against thereto.

[0026] The ball (7) or the stopper (8) or at least some portion of the hose (6) surrounding this volume is produced of a gas permeable water impermeable material for allowing the air in the space between the water in the hose (6) and the stopper (8) to be discharged when the ball (7) closes the discharge hole (4) by leaning against the stopper (8).

[0027] A passage (G) is arranged at the center of the stopper (8), with a width smaller than the diameter of the ball (7) that allows the flow of the water and air between the tub (2) and the hose (6). When the ball (7) contacts the stopper (8) the passage (G) therebetween closes and the flow of the water and air between the tub (2) and the hose (6) is prevented.

[0028] After the ball (7) closes the passage (G), the inner space of the hose (6) remaining between the water in the hose (6) and the stopper (8) is denoted as the air chamber (H). The walls of the air chamber (H) are surrounded by the ball (7), the hose (6) and the stopper (8). Some portions of these walls are produced of gas permeable water impermeable material. The portions produced of gas permeable water impermeable material, allow the air in the air chamber (H) to be discharged outside of the hose (6) but prevent the passage of liquids.

[0029] When the ball (7) closes the passage (G), the pressure of the compressed air in the air chamber (H) increases with the rising of the returning water into the discharge line and the pressure of the air in the air chamber (H) becomes more than ambient pressure. Due to the difference in pressure, air passes from the air chamber (H) to outside of the hose (6). The water in the hose (6) rises with the passage of air and the air chamber (H) is filled with water to a large extent.

[0030] As the water rises the ball (7) becomes more submerged in water.

Accordingly, the water pressure acting on the ball (7) increases and the ball (7) exerts pressure more forcibly on the stopper (8) with this increased water pressure. Thus, a better leak-proofing is maintained between the tub (2) and the hose (6).

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hose (6) and the stopper (8) are entirely produced of gas permeable water impermeable material. Thus, air can be discharged from every place of the hose (6).

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises at least one orifice (9) on the periphery of the air chamber (H), opening from the air chamber (H) to outside the hose (6) and a membrane (10) made of gas permeable water impermeable material that closes this orifice (9).

[0033] Consequently, even after the ball (7) closes the passage (G), air can be discharged from the orifice (9) and the water level inside the hose (6) rises. The orifice (9) is preferably disposed at the portions of the stopper (8) or the hose (6) that are close to the stopper (8) since air cannot continue to be discharged when the water level rises over the orifice (9). Thus, less air remains in the air chamber (H).

[0034] The membrane (10) can be placed on the hose (6) by various methods so that the orifice (9) is closed. Some of these are mechanical fastening methods, adhering by an adhesive, ultrasonic cladding or single piece molding. Of these, the preferred method is the single piece molding. In this method, the membrane (10) is preferably automatically cut from a roll of membrane material in suitable sizes and placed inside the hose (6) mold. Afterwards, the periphery of the membrane sides is filled with the hose (6) material during molding. Thus, when the molding process is completed, the membrane (10) is inside the hose (6) such that both sides thereof allow air to pass through. By means of the single piece molding, it is easier and cheaper to fasten the membrane (10) on the hose (6) such that the orifice (9) is covered.

[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ball (7) is entirely produced of gas permeable water impermeable material. The air compressed in the air chamber (H) passes through the ball (7) into the tub (2). Accordingly, air discharge is continued between the passage (G) and the tub (2) even after the ball (7) closes the passage (G) therebetween by contacting the stopper (8).

[0036] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ball (7) or the stopper (8) or the hose (6) or the membrane (10) is produced by preferably using a microporous material as the gas permeable water impermeable material. The average pore size of the microporous material is selected to allow the discharge of air in the hose (6) to outside of the hose (6) and prevent the wash water (liquid detergent, water, softener mixtures etc) in the hose (6) from passing through. Thus, a high liquid impermeability level is maintained while air is not prevented from passing outside of the hose (6).

[0037] By means of the washing machine (1) of the present invention, a lesser amount of air remains in the hose (6) after the ball (7) submerges more into the water in the hose (6) and the ball (7) bears against the stopper (8). Thus, a higher compression force between the ball (7) and the stopper (8) is provided and also a better leak-proofing is maintained between the tub (2) and the hose (6).

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) that comprises a tub (2) wherein the washing process is performed, a drum (3) that is disposed inside the tub (2) wherein the laundry is emplaced, a discharge hole (7) disposed at the base of the tub (2) for discharging the water, a pump (5) for the water in the tub (2) to participate in the washing cycle or to be discharged, a hose (6), with one end connected to the discharge hole (4) and the other end to the pump (5) for delivering the water in the tub (2) to the pump (5), a ball (7) disposed in the hose (6) that opens or closes the discharge hole (4) with the pressure of water, a stopper (8) situated at the end of the hose (6) coupled with the discharge hole (4), extending from the inner surface of the hose (6) towards the center, preventing ball (7) from leaving the hose (6) by the discharge hole (4) when it bears against thereto and characterized by at least some portions of the ball (7) or the stopper (8) or the hose (6) surrounding this volume is produced of a gas permeable water impermeable material for allowing the air in the space between the water in the hose (6) and the stopper (8) to be discharged when the ball (7) closes the discharge hole (4) by leaning against the stopper (8).

2. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the ball (7) that is entirely produced of gas permeable water impermeable material.

3. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by an orifice (9) disposed on the stopper (8), and a membrane (10) made of gas permeable water impermeable material that covers the orifice (9).

4. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the orifice (9) disposed on the hose (6), and the membrane (10) made of gas permeable water impermeable material that covers the orifice (9).

5. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the orifice (9) disposed at a position close to the stopper (8) above the water level in the hose (6) when the ball (7) closes the passage (G).

6. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized by the gas permeable water impermeable membrane (10) that is placed on the orifice (9) by single piece molding method so that the orifice (9) is covered.

7. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the gas permeable water impermeable material being a microporous material.