WO2012114245A1 - Washing liquid selector for a household washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid selector (6) for laundry washing machines, dishwashers and the like, wherein one inlet (61,62) and a plurality of outlets (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69) for the liquid are selectively placed in communication by means of diverter discs (12, 14) arranged along the liquid path, each comprising apertures (12A, 12B; 14A, 14B) for the passage of the liquid, a filter (10) associated with the liquid selector (6) can be crossed by opposed liquid flows depending on the orientation of the diverter disc (12, 14) so that it can be cleaned without having to be removed.

Description

WASHING LIQUID SELECTOR FOR A HOUSEHOLD WASHING MACHINE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a selector for a wash liquid of washing machines or the like.

In this frame, it must be pointed out that in this description and in the appended claims the term "washing machine" will generally refer, for simplicity, to any machine used for washing purposes and possibly also for drying laundry or other items, such as clothes dryers, dishwashers and the like, preferably but not exclusively for household use.

Furthermore, the term "selector" will refer to a valve assembly capable of selectively distribute a liquid towards different user apparatuses connected thereto, e.g. as it frequently happens in modern household appliances.

In fact, in order to reduce the water and power consumption, the latter often include operating cycles wherein the circulating liquid is reused; this is the case, for example, of rinse water, which can be used again in a next wash cycle for the same load, if it meets the necessary requirements: this leads to savings in terms of both water and power consumption, because the water from the main is usually colder than that circulating in the washing machine.

For these functions to be carried out, it is necessary to provide an adequate hydraulic circuit, with pipes for recirculating the water coming from the wash tub, filters for removing the impurities inevitably dispersed therein, and valves for intercepting the liquid and directing it towards the various parts of the machine.

It can be easily understood that the functions associated with power and water consumption make the hydraulic circuit of a household appliance more complex: it is therefore desirable that components of this circuit can perform multiple functions, so as to limit the number of pipes, valves and other parts of the circuit.

For example, in order to direct the liquid flow coming from the wash tub towards the drain, or towards a tank where it can be temporarily accumulated for further use, there must be a valve device capable of distributing the fluid either towards the drain or towards the tank. For the purpose of simplifying some sections of the hydraulic circuit and reducing the number of dedicated valves and pipes, selector or distributor valve devices have been introduced which perform the task of diverting the water flow into different branches of the hydraulic circuit: the present invention relates to a selector of this type.

One example of these known distributors, applied to a dishwashing machine, is described, for example, in international patent application WO03/053210 by BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE.

In this case, the selector is fitted with a discoidal diverter element that diverts the wash liquid into two different ducts depending on its orientation.

The selector is characterized by some construction complexity combined with poor flexibility of use, since it is functionally similar to a normal three-way valve, resulting in any simplification induced by it in a hydraulic circuit of a washing machine being substantially limited.

For example, in order to filter the liquid distributed by the selector described in the above-mentioned patent application, it would be necessary to provide a specific branch from the pipes in which the liquid circulates, so as to convey the liquid towards an external filter, which would require the use of additional distribution valves. De facto, the advantage given by a selector would thus be attenuated by the increased complexity of the system.

The present invention aims at overcoming this and other drawbacks of the prior art: therefore, it pursues the aim of providing a selector for washing machines, such as laundry washing machines, washing/drying machines and the like, whose structural and operational characteristics are such that a liquid flow can be distributed to a plurality of user apparatuses, preferably more than two, while nonetheless having dimensions and complexity similar to those of the distributors known in the art.

According to a preferred embodiment, the selector is associated with a filter in which the liquid can circulate with crossed flows and even in opposite directions.

In this manner, the washing machine comprising such a selector allows for a quick automatic cleaning of the filter, which may, for example, be advantageously carried out when the condition of the wash liquid is no longer such that it can be reused for washing operations, and must therefore be discharged into the domestic drain system.

This also allows distributing the reusable wash liquid towards different user apparatuses in a simple manner, without having to provide complex hydraulic systems specifically adapted for this purpose.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the non- limiting explanatory example illustrated in the annexed drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a hydraulic circuit of a washing machine according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a simplified diagram of a part of the hydraulic circuit of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are exploded views from different angles of a selector according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the selector of Figs. 3 and 4;

Figs. 6, 6a-6d show a longitudinal cross-section of the selector of the preceding figures and some details thereof, in a first operating condition;

Figs. 7, 7a-7d show a longitudinal cross-section of the selector of the preceding figures and some details thereof, in a second operating condition;

Figs. 8, 8a-8d show a longitudinal cross-section of the selector of the preceding figures and some details thereof, in a third operating condition;

Figs. 9, 9a-9d show a longitudinal cross-section of the selector of the preceding figures and some details thereof, in a fourth operating condition;

Figs. 10, 10a, 10b show a longitudinal cross-section of the selector of the preceding figures and some details thereof, in a fifth operating condition;

Figs. 11, 11a, l ib show a longitudinal cross-section of the selector of the preceding figures and some details thereof, in a sixth operating condition.

In order to fully illustrate the various features of the present invention, regarding both the filter and the household washing machine comprising it, the hydraulic circuit of said machine will first be analyzed.

For this purpose, Fig.1 shows a general diagram of a hydraulic circuit 1 for a household washing machine according to the present invention; in this example, the wash circuit 1 is intended for a washing/drying machine of the type fitted with a rotary drum inside a tub, where the laundry to be washed is placed, and optionally equipped with a condenser and channels for air that, heated by suitable resistors, dries the laundry in the drum at the end of the washing action.

Said washing machines usually comprise a dispenser which is filled with wash agents such as detergents, softeners and the like; said dispenser is in fluidic communication with the tub and with a source of water or, more in general, of a wash liquid, so that the wash agent contained therein can flow down into the tub.

In accordance with such a scheme, the circuit comprises a first supply branch 2A and a second supply branch 2B; along the first branch 2A there is a first valve 20A, preferably a solenoid valve, which is connected to the household water main through suitable pipes (not shown), and the box 21 A acting as the above-mentioned dispenser; of course, it is worth mentioning right away that said box may likewise with replaced with an equivalent wash liquid dispenser that can be filled by a user.

Through suitable tubing, the valve 20 A is connected to the dispenser 21 A, and the latter is connected to the tub 3, so that, when the valve 20 A is open, water flows from the main into the dispenser 21 A and from there into the tub 3, thus transporting the wash agent into the latter for the typical laundry wash or rinse operations.

The second supply branch 2B is optional; it is used when the machine concerned is a washing/drying machine (as in the present example).

In this case, the washing machine also comprises a laundry drying function, which utilizes a heated air jet which is blown onto the wet laundry in order to subtract water therefrom.

The moisture in the hot air flow circulating within the machine is reduced by having the air flow pass through a condenser (of a per se known type, which will not be described any further herein), on the cold walls of which the steam water contained in the air flow condenses.

The second branch 2B comprises the valve 20B, preferably a solenoid valve, and the above-described condenser 2 IB.

The latter is in turn connected to the tub 3, for discharging into it the water condensing during the laundry drying step or for heating, through thermal exchange, a wash liquid flow that must be subsequently reused.

The tub 3 includes a drain pit whereto the wash liquid contained in the tub flows, said pit being connected to a corresponding drain duct. Immediately downstream of the tub 3, near the drain pit or the drain duct, there is a turbidity sensor 4 adapted to detect the presence of dye in the wash liquid.

Along the drain duct there is a pump 5, the delivery side of which is connected to a selector 6 according to the present invention, which performs the task of distributing the wash liquid exiting the pump 5 to different user apparatuses.

The practical implementation of said selector 6 will be discussed later on with reference to the next figures; for now it will suffice to underline that the selector 6, in the example shown, comprises two inlets 61 and 62 and a series of outlets 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69.

The first inlet 61 of the selector is connected to the delivery side of the first pump 5, whereas the second inlet 62 is connected to the delivery side of a second pump 7 (which may be replaced with a suitable actuator), which in turn is in fluidic communication with a recovery tank 8.

Both inlets 61 and 62 of the selector 6 are afferent to a common inlet chamber 68; from the latter, the liquid is directed as necessary towards one of the outlets 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69.

For simplicity, the inlet shown in Figs. 6 to 11 is always the inlet 61 connected to the delivery side of the first pump 5 and hence to the tub 3; however, this must not be considered as a limitation, in that one may likewise use also the other inlet 62 connected to the second pump 7 and hence to the tank 8.

More in detail, when the machine is operating, the selector 6 conveys the wash liquid, as necessary, from an inlet chamber 68 to the outlet 65, leading to the recovery tank 8, or to the outlet 67, leading to the dispenser 21 A, or to the outlet 63, leading to the drain 15, or to the outlet 66, leading to the condenser 2 IB.

According to this embodiment, the fluid must not necessarily flow through the filter 10; for this purpose, in the selector 6 the fluid can be diverted directly towards the tub 3 or the drain 15: in such a case, from the inlet chamber 68 the fluid is directed towards the outlets 69 or 64.

In Fig. 1 these hydraulic connections are illustrated by means of variously dashed lines, so as to make them clearly identifiable.

The construction details of the selector 6 will be clarified later on with reference to

Figs. 3 and 4; referring now to Fig. 2, it shows a detail of the selector 6 which is suitable for illustrating its general principle of operation.

As aforementioned, the selector 6 comprises internal channels that alternatively place in fluidic communication one of the inlets with one of the outlets 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, so that the wash liquid can flow through the filter 10 in two opposite directions.

More in particular, the filter 10 comprises a central draining core 10B, defined by a rigid plastic mesh, which can be crossed radially by the liquid inwards or outwards; to this end, the filter 10 is of the cartridge type and also comprises, in addition to the draining core in which the liquid flows in the axial direction, a filtering substrate IOC made of a suitable known material, e.g. a textile, fibrous or porous material, arranged externally around the central core 10B.

The internal channels of the selector can be connected in various ways to one another to cause the liquid to flow in at least two opposite directions in the hollow internal portion 10B and in an external chamber 30 of the filter.

More in detail, the selector 6 comprises a first and a second diverter discs, respectively 12 and 14, arranged upstream and downstream along the hydraulic circuit that includes the filter 10.

In general, the possible modes of operation are essentially two: in a first mode, the liquid flows through the filter from the inside out, whereas in the second mode the liquid flows through the filter in the opposite direction.

More in detail, in the first mode the liquid flow is conveyed axially towards the internal area of the filter 10, then crosses it radially and exits into the external chamber 30, to be finally directed towards the outlet 67 connected to the dispenser 21 A or towards the outlet 65 connected to the tank 8 or towards the outlet 66 connected to the condenser 2 IB.

In the second mode, on the contrary, the liquid flow is first conveyed into the annular chamber 30 that surrounds the filter, then crosses the latter inwards into the internal portion and reaches the outlet 63 connected to the drain 15.

This second mode of operation is used when the turbidity sensor 4 has detected the presence, in the liquid exiting the tub 3, of dye due to a previous laundry washing action (or of other similar impurities that cannot be filtered), which prevent the possibility of reusing the wash liquid.

The first mode of operation, instead, is executed when the turbidity sensor 4 has not detected the presence of dye in the liquid exiting the tub 3, which means that the wash liquid can be used to advantage for saving both water and electric energy (which would otherwise be required to warm up the water coming from the main).

In fact, in the first mode of operation the wash liquid, after having been filtered, is delivered to the various user apparatuses of the machine to be reused in wash or dry processes of the machine itself; in this case, after having been filtered the wash liquid is delivered to, alternatively:

- the dispenser 21 A, in order to be supplied into the tub 3 again for a new wash cycle,

- the recovery tank 8, where it is accumulated for further use,

- the condenser 2 IB, to be heated through thermal exchange and then conveyed into the tub 3 for being reused.

As far as the tank 8 is concerned, it should be noted that it is connected to a closed hydraulic circuit, which also includes, in addition to the tank 8 itself, the pump 7 and the selector 6, so that, for using the wash liquid stored therein, it is necessary to use the selector 6 to alternatively convey it either to the condenser 2 IB or to the dispenser 21 A.

The following detailed description of the construction of the selector 6 will refer to the annexed Figs. 3, 4, which show exploded views of the selector 6, and Fig. 5, where it is shown in the assembled condition.

In these drawings, one can see that the general structure of the selector 6, in this embodiment, has a substantially cylindrical symmetry.

In general, the internal channels of the selector 6 can be alternatively connected to one another in a variable manner by means of a first and a second diverter discs 12,14 communicating with the inlets 61,62 and with an interspace 18D defined in the body 18 of the selector 6.

The interspace 18D is delimited by the walls 18A, 18B of a double perforated transverse distribution septum, in which there are access and drain holes 16 A, 16B, 16C; 16D; 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E, 17F.

At the interspace 18D, which is visible in the details of Figs. 6 to 11 , the body 18 comprises a plurality of channels, each opening into one of the outlets 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 e 69, which are distinct from and not in fluidic communication with one another. The selector 6 also rotatably accommodates the first and second diverter discs 12, 14, which are both perforated and mounted on the opposed faces of the double septum 18 A, 18B, and hence of the interspace 18D.

The first and second diverter discs 12, 14 are rotatably integral with each other, since they are both coupled to the same drive shaft 19A actuated by an actuator 19, e.g. a direct- current electric motor; in the illustrated solution, the first diverter disc 12 is directly fitted to the shaft 19A and has a pin jutting out towards the second diverter disc 14, to which the latter is coupled.

The first diverter disc 12 comprises two diverting windows 12A and 12B arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the diverter disc 12, so that a rotation thereof implies a movement along corresponding ideal circumferences with a centre corresponding to the axis of rotation (substantially coinciding with the axis of the shaft 19A).

The second diverter disc 14 is made in a similar way, and comprises two diverting windows 14A and 14B which are arranged, when assembled, substantially in front of the two windows 12A and 12B of the first diverter disc 12, to ensure the proper operation thereof; the second diverter disc 14 further comprises an engagement crown 14C, which will be discussed hereafter.

The hollow body 18 of the selector further comprises a cup-like portion 18E that houses the filter 10: the latter and the cup-like portion 18E are shaped and sized in a manner such that a chamber 30 for the passage of the liquid (visible in Figs. 6-9) is formed therebetween, thus allowing the liquid to flow through the filter 10 from the inside out and vice versa and to flow around the filter, externally to the latter' s filtering substrate 10B.

The cup-like portion 18E of the selector is closed by a cover 18H; as an alternative, the closing action may be effected by using a dispenser wall; in such a case, the lower cover will be omitted, also because it may be incorporated into a functional unit of the washing machine on which the selector 6 is mounted, possibly as one piece.

The selector 6 further comprises a collector 40 with a central hole, positioned between the filter 10 and the second diverter disc 14, so as to convey the liquid flowing through the first diverting window 14A towards the internal portion of the filter 10. The central hole of the collector 40 accommodates a wide-mesh pre-filter for mechanical filtration of coarse particles. Advantageously, the collector 40 is glued to the filter 10, so that no leakage can occur between the filter 10 and the collector 40.

For this purpose, in fact, the diverter disc 14 is fitted with a circumferential engagement crown 14C, which separates, from a fluid dynamics viewpoint, the first diverting window 14A from the second diverting window 14B, and which sealingly engages with a matching circumferential crown 40C of the collector, so that a liquid flowing through the first window 14A will be conveyed into the internal portion of the filter 10, while a liquid flowing through the second diverting window 14B will be conveyed into the chamber 30 outside the filter 10.

In the assembled condition, the two diverter discs 12 and 14 are mounted in adherence to the respective faces of the double septum 18 A, 18B on opposite sides thereof, so that their rotation progressively brings the various windows 12A,12B,14A,14B into a condition where they match the ports 16A-16D and 17A-17F of the double septum 18 A, 18B, thus creating a plurality of different operating conditions, each corresponding to the opening of a passage that from the inlet chamber 68 crosses the filter 10 and leads to one of the outlets 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69. Together, the ports 16D of the septum 18A and 17D of the septum 18B create a through hole in the interspace 18D, which provides a fluidic connection between the inlet chamber 68 and the central portion 10B of the filter 10. Likewise, the ports 16B of the septum 18A and 17E of the septum 18B create a through hole in the interspace 18D, which provides a fluidic connection between the inlet chamber 68 and the annular chamber 30 around the filter 10.

The general operation of the selector 6 is illustrated in Figs. 6-6d to 11-1 lb in different operating conditions, each of which corresponds to feeding a different outlet 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69.

It must be pointed out that the cross-sections shown in Figs. 6 to 11 have been obtained by sectioning the selector 6 along different planes, and therefore some details may be more or less visible depending on the sectional plane chosen.

In general, a rotation of the shaft 19A of the actuator 19 corresponds to a predetermined alignment of the windows of the diverter discs 12, 14, which corresponds to one of the different operating conditions mentioned above.

More in particular, in three of these conditions, i.e. those shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, the selector 6 operates in accordance with the first mode previously described: the liquid from the chamber 68 enters the interspace 18D, and from there it flows axially into the central portion 10B of the filter 10 by passing through the distribution window 14 A.

The wash liquid then flows radially outwards through the central core 10B to enter the annular chamber 30; by flowing outside the filter 10, the liquid returns towards the second diverter disc 14 and flows through the peripheral window 14B, downstream of which it gains access to one of the channels of the interspace 18D, depending on specific requirements; following this channel, the liquid finally reaches one of the outlets 65, 66 or 67, depending on whether it must be accumulated into the tank 8 or conveyed to the condenser 2 IB or recirculated into the tub 3 through the dispenser 21 A.

In the second mode of operation (Fig. 9), the liquid enters the chamber 68 and from there, through the peripheral window 12B of the first diverter disc 12, it flows through the ports 16B and 17E on the faces 18A and 18B of the interspace 18D; instead of matching the central window 14A (as in the first mode of operation), in this case the port 17E on the face 18B matches the peripheral window 14B of the second diverter disc 14, said peripheral window 14B being in fiuidic communication with the annular chamber 30 that surrounds the filter 10.

The liquid then flows through the filter 10 radially in the direction opposite to that of the first mode, to then gain access to the central draining portion 10B, through which it runs towards the central window 14A of the second diverter disc 14.

This central window matches the central port 17F of the interspace 18D, which is in direct fiuidic communication with the outlet 63 leading to the drain 15.

This advantageously allows cleaning the filter 10, which in the second mode is run through by the wash liquid in the direction opposite to that followed by the flow when it is being filtered, so that the wash liquid, when directed towards the drain 15, can drag along any impurities previously collected by the filter 10 when operating in the first mode.

In accordance with the options presented in Figs. 10, 10a, 10b and in Figs. 11, 11a, 1 lb, it is also possible to prevent the wash liquid from going through the filter 10.

In the option shown in Fig. 10, the filter 10 can be bypassed by means of the selector in order to recirculate unfiltered wash liquid into the tub 3, by using the outlet 69 from the interspace 18D. In such a case, the fluid entering the chamber 68 from the inlet 61 flows through the peripheral window 12B of the first diverter disc 12 and through the port 16C of the septum 18A, to then exit the selector through the outlet 69, which communicates with the tub 3 by means of the branching channel 70.

In the option of Fig. 11, instead, the filter 10 is bypassed for the purpose of delivering unfiltered wash liquid directly to the drain 15, by using the outlet 64 from the interspace 18D (e.g. when the filter 10 is clogged and would therefore obstruct the drain flow and prevent the proper operation of the machine, or when the sensor 4 has detected an excessive quantity of dye in the wash liquid, so that it cannot be reused or accumulated in the tank 8).

In such a case, the fluid entering the chamber 68 from the inlet 61 (or, alternatively, from the inlet 62, if the machine must also include a function for draining the tank 8) flows through the peripheral window 12B of the first diverter disc 12 and through the port 16A of the septum 18 A, to then exit the selector through the outlet 64, which communicates with a channel 77 connected to the drain 15.

Of course, the above-described solutions may be subject to many variations, all of which will still fall within the scope of the present invention.

According to one of such variations, for example, the hydraulic circuit branch 2B and the condenser 2 IB are absent, as is the case when the machine is a simple laundry washing machine (i.e. without a drying function); this solution also lacks the outlet 66 leading to the condenser 2 IB (which is absent), and therefore the selector 6 will only have three outlets instead of four.

In another variation, which may be alternative to or combined with the above, instead of two inlets 61 and 62 there is just one inlet, e.g. 61 , to which both ducts from the tub 3 and from the tank 8 are afferent; it is also conceivable that only the circuit branch connected to the tub 3 is afferent to the single inlet duct, the tank 8 being connected otherwise, e.g. directly, to the dispenser 21 A or to the tub 3.

Likewise, the selector 6 may have only two or three outlets (instead of all those indicated herein by reference numerals 63 to 69), or more, provided that the selector is so designed as to allow at least two modes of operation wherein the wash liquid flows within its internal channels in opposite directions.

It is also worth pointing out that the selector 6 according to the present invention can be easily applied to any household washing machine, whether a laundry washing machine, a washing/drying machine or a dishwasher, even if the hydraulic circuit thereof is different from the one described in Fig. 1 , to which reference was made herein in order to exemplify, without limitation whatsoever, one possible and advantageous use of the selector 6.

Claims

1. A liquid selector (6) for laundry washing machines, dishwashers and similar washing machines, comprising a body (18) with at least one inlet (61,62) and a plurality of outlets (63, 64, 65, 66) for the liquid, means (18D, 12A, 12B, 14A, 14B, 30) for selectively placing said at least one inlet (61,62) in fluidic communication with one of the outlets (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69),

characterized in that said means comprise a plurality of diverter discs (12, 14) arranged one downstream of the other along the fluid path, each comprising at least one aperture (12A, 12B; 14 A, 14B) for the passage of the fluid.

2. A selector according to claim 1, wherein between the diverter discs (12, 14) there is at least one septum (18A, 18B) that comprises an aperture (16A-16D; 17A-17F) for the passage of the liquid.

3. A selector according to claim 2, comprising an interspace (18D) defined by a double septum (18A, 18B), at which interspace there are the outlets (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69) through which the liquid flows out of the selector body (18).

4. A selector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diverter discs (12, 14) are rotatably integral with each other.

5. A selector according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a fluid inlet chamber (68) arranged upstream of the first diverter disc (12) and communicating with said at least one liquid inlet (61 , 62).

6. A selector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a filter (10) associated with the selector body (18), wherein, along its path between said at least one inlet (61, 62) and the outlets (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69), the liquid flows through the filter.

7. A selector according to claim 6, wherein the diverter discs (12, 14) direct the liquid flow in a manner such that the filter (10) can be crossed by opposed flows for cleaning purposes.

8. A selector according to claim 7, comprising a chamber (30) external to the filter (10), which further comprises a central draining core (10B) that can be run internally by the liquid in the axial direction.

9. A washing machine such as a laundry washing machine, a washing/drying machine or a dishwasher, characterized in that it comprises a selector (6) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A washing machine according to claim 9, comprising at least one hydraulic circuit for the passage of a wash liquid, wherein said hydraulic circuit comprises:

- a first branch for feeding said selector, comprising at least one tub (3) of said 5 machine connected to a first pump (5) for feeding at least one first inlet (61) of said selector

(6);

- a drain (15) connected to a first outlet (63) of said selector (6);

- a dispenser (21 A) for loading wash agents, connected to a second outlet (67) of said selector (6).

10 11. A washing machine according to claim 10, further comprising:

- a second branch for feeding said selector, comprising at least one tank (8) for recovering said wash liquid, which is connected to a second pump (7) for feeding at least one second inlet (62) of said selector (6), said tank (8) being connected to at least one third outlet (65) of said selector (6).

15 12. A household washing machine according to one of claims 10 or 11, of the type comprising a drying function and comprising at least one condenser (2 IB) for drying air circulating within said machine, wherein the hydraulic circuit comprises an additional supply branch in fluidic communication with said condenser (2 IB) and said tub (3), said condenser (2 IB) being connected to at least one fourth outlet (66) of said selector (6).

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