WO2013098068A1

WO2013098068A1 - A washing machine comprising a salt container

Info

Publication number: WO2013098068A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/075028
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kagan Kurtkaya; Ilkan Erdem; Coskun Filiz; Gokhan Gurbuzer; Salih YILDIRIM
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2011-12-30
Filing date: 2012-12-11
Publication date: 2013-07-04
Also published as: EP2798110B1; PL2798110T3; EP2798110A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a body (2), a panel (3) situated on the body (2), a dispenser (4) disposed on the panel (3) and wherein cleaning agents like detergent and softener are placed and a salt container (5) that provides the softening of the water.

Description

A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A SALT CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a washing machine that comprises a salt container..

In washing machines, water softening systems are used for decreasing the hardness of the washing water and for providing an effective washing. The water softening system comprises an ion exchanger and a salt container that provides the regeneration process to be performed by keeping the resin in the ion exchanger in salty water. In order to decrease the hardness of water, the water received from outside is passed over the ion exchanger and is delivered to the tub to be used in the washing process. Brine is present in the salt container that is activated in the regeneration processes of the ion exchanger and the amount of salt content in the brine decreases in the course of time. When salt decreases in the salt container, decreasing of salt is detected by a conductivity sensor and the user is alerted to add salt into the salt container. In the state of the art, some solutions exist that facilitate adding salt into the salt container by the user. However, generally the user is provided to reach the salt container while the salt container is inside the body. Due to this reason, it becomes difficult for the user to add salt into the salt container.

In the state of the art United States Patent Document No. US6557382, a washing machine is explained that comprises a detergent dispenser having a partition wherein salt is added.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of washing machine wherein access of the user to the salt container for filling in salt is made easier.

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 dispenser wherein the cleaning agents are placed, a salt container providing the softening of the water and a locking element having a first position wherein the user is allowed to access the dispenser together with the salt container and a second position wherein the user is allowed to access only the dispenser.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking element comprises at least one pusher whereon force is exerted by the user and which enables the locking element to change position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking element comprises at least one latch integrated with the pusher and at least one connector attached to the salt container, which enables the salt container to move together with the dispenser by bearing against the latch when force is exerted to the pusher by the user.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the connector comprises at least one extension that extends from the free end towards the latch and enables the connector to clutch the latch.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking element comprises at least one flexible member that changes position when the locking element changes position and provides the locking element to remain in the first position when changed to the first position or to remain in the second position when changed to the second position.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the direction in which the flexible member exerts force changes if the force exerted on the pusher by the user is greater than the tensile force.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the flexible member is a spring.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking element comprises at least one movable arm that moves by rotating around its axis, while the locking element moves between positions that are between the flexible member and the pusher and a stationary arm disposed between the flexible member and the panel.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking element comprises at least one support situated between the movable arm and the panel and which provides the movable arm to move rotatably.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt container and the dispenser are placed one in front of the other.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises at least one recess located on the surface of the dispenser facing outside the body, at least one handle actuated by the user, partially situated at the front of the recess and the pusher that can be accessed from the recess.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises the handle and pusher disposed inside the recess at almost vertical directions to one another.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises a side wall that covers the recess and at least one opening located on the side wall, and the pusher that provides the opening to be covered when the locking element is in the second position and that moves to open the front of the opening when the locking element changes from the second position to the first position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the latch extends towards the part of the pusher facing inside the body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking element comprises at least one hole located on the salt container wherein the connector moves forwards/backwards and at least one protrusion integrated with the connector and that limits the movement of the connector towards the outside of the body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the connector is a shaft.

By means of the present invention, a washing machine is realized comprising a salt container whereto access is allowed depending on the need of the user. By means of the locking element, when required, the user easily accesses the salt container together with the dispenser wherein the cleaning agents are placed. Consequently, the salt container is prevented from going out of the body when not required.

The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a washing machine.

Figure 2 – is the perspective view of a dispenser disposed inside the body.

Figure 3 – is the rear view of a dispenser.

Figure 4 – is the rear view of the front wall of a dispenser.

Figure 5 – is the perspective view of the dispenser and the salt container when the locking element is in the first position and the dispenser is partially out of the body.

Figure 6 – is the view of detail A in Figure 5.

Figure 7 – is the perspective view of the dispenser and the salt container when the locking element is in the second position and the dispenser is partially out of the body.

Figure 8 – is the view of detail B in Figure 7.

Figure 9 – is the sideways view of the dispenser and the salt container when the locking element is in the second position and the dispenser is partially out of the body.

Figure 10 – is the view of cross-section C in Figure 9.

Figure 11 – is the sideways view of the dispenser and the salt container when the locking element is in the first position and the dispenser is partially out of the body.

Figure 12 – is the view of cross-section D in Figure 11.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Washing machine
Body
Panel
Dispenser
Salt container
Locking element
Pusher
Latch
Connector
Extension
Flexible member
Movable arm
Stationary arm
Support
Recess
Handle
Side wall
Opening
Hole
Protrusion

The washing machine (1) comprises a body (2), a panel (3) situated on the body (2), a dispenser (4) disposed on the panel (3) and wherein cleaning agents like detergent and softener are placed and a salt container (5) that provides the softening of the water (Figure 1, Figure 2).

The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a locking element (6) that provides the dispenser (4) to be moved together with the salt container (5) and taken out of the body (2) when in the first position (F) and provides the dispenser (4) to be taken out of the body (2) by being moved independently from the salt container (5) when in the second position (S) (Figure 3, Figure 6).

The user is allowed to access only the dispenser (4) while the locking element (6) is in the second position (S). The user accesses both the dispenser (4) and the salt container (5) when the locking element (6) is changed from the second position (S) to the first position (F) by the user. Thus, when the user desires to add detergent to the dispenser (4), only the dispenser (4) is accessed and the salt container (5) is provided to remain inside the body (2). The user easily accesses the salt container (5) together with the dispenser (4) by changing the locking element (6) to the first position (F) when he/she desires to place salt into the salt container (5). When the locking element (6) is in the first position (F), detergent can be placed into the dispenser (4) while placing salt into the salt container (5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the salt container (5) is disposed almost behind the dispenser (4). The locking element (6) provides the dispenser (4), disposed back to back with the salt container (5), to be connected to one another with the salt container (5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking element (6) comprises at least one pusher (7) that is actuated by the user and which provides the locking element (6) to move between the first position (F) and the second position (S). The user changes the locking element (6) from the second position (S) to the first position (F) by means of the pusher (7) and accesses the dispenser (4) together with the salt container (5). The position of the locking element (6) is changed by means of the pusher (7) depending on the desire of the user (Figure 2, Figure 6, Figure 8).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking element (6) comprises at least one latch (8) disposed on the pusher (7) and at least one connector (9) mounted to the salt container (5) that enables the salt container (5) to move together with the dispenser (4) as the latch (8) locks with the pusher (7) is actuated by the user. The pusher (7) rotates by moving when actuated by the user. The latch (8), moving together with the pusher (7), moves towards the connector (9) and locks with the connector (9) by being in the same vertical direction as the connector (9). Consequently, the salt container (5) is provided to move together with the dispenser (4) by means of the connector (9) (Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 8).

When the locking element (6) is changed from the first position (F) to the second position (S) by the user, the latch (8), rotatingly moving together with the pusher (7), moves away from the connector (9). When the locking element (6) is in the second position (S), the connector (9) is prevented from bearing against the latch (8) and the dispenser (4) is provided to move independently from the salt container (5).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the connector (9) comprises at least one extension (10) that extends from its free end and provides the connector (9) to bear against the latch (8). When the locking element (6) is in the first position (F), the latch (8) bears against the extension (10) and provides the latch (8) to easily lock with the connector (9) (Figure 10, Figure 12).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking element (6) comprises at least one flexible member (11) that exerts a holding force thereon for keeping the locking element (6) in the changed position. When the locking element (6) is in the second position (S), the flexible member (11) exerts force on the pusher (7) in the direction to provide the locking element (6) to remain in the second position (S) (Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 8).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the flexible member (11) allows the locking element (6) to pass to a different position than the changed position when a force that exceeds the holding force is exerted thereon by the user. When the locking element (6) is in the first position (F), if the force exerted on the pusher (7) by the user is greater than the force exerted on the pusher (7) by the flexible member (11), the direction of the force exerted on the pusher (7) by the flexible member (11) changes such that the locking element (6) is provided to remain in the second position (S).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the flexible member (11) is shaped as a spring. A force is exerted on the flexible member (11) while the locking element (6) moves between the first position (F) and the second position (S). The flexible member (11) is compressed with the effect of the force exerted thereon and exerts force on the pusher (7) by stretching such that the pusher (7) is provided to remain in the position it is changed by moving. By means of the flexible member (11), the actuation force exerted on the pusher (7) provides the pusher (7) to remain in the changed position (Figure 10).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the locking element (6) comprises at least one movable arm (12) connected to the flexible member (11) from one end and to the pusher (7) from the other end and which moves together with the pusher (7) and at least one stationary arm (13) that enables the flexible member (11) to be mounted to the panel (3). The movable arm (12) moves by rotating together with the pusher (7) that is actuated by the user. The force exerted on the pusher (7) is transmitted to the flexible member (11) by means of the movable arm (12). The stationary arm (13) mounted to the panel (3) is an immovable component. The flexible member (11) mounted to the stationary arm (13) from one end moves connected to the movable arm (12) whereto it is mounted from the other end. Thus, the flexible member (11) is provided to change position in the direction opposite to the force exerted on the pusher (7) and the flexible member (11) is provided to exert force on the pusher (7) in the opposite direction (Figure 8, Figure 10).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the locking element (6) comprises at least one support (14) that provides the movable arm (12) to be fixed rotatably to the panel (3). The flexible member (11) is provided to be connected to the panel (3) by means of the support (14), the movable arm (12) and the stationary arm (13).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises at least one recess (15) disposed on the surface of the dispenser (4) facing outside of the body (2), at least one handle (16) that partially covers the front of the recess (15) and enabling the dispenser (4) to be taken out from the body (2) by being held by the user and the pusher (7) which is accessible from the recess (15). The user moves the dispenser (4) back and forth by means of the handle (16). The user easily accesses the pusher (7) from the recess (15) and exerts force on the pusher (7).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the handle (16) and the pusher (7) that are disposed inside the recess (15) at almost vertical directions to one another. The user reaches the handle (16) or the pusher (7) by means of the recess (15). However, since the handle (16) and the pusher (7) are situated at different directions, the pusher (7) is prevented from being actuated when the user holds the handle (16).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a side wall (17) that forms the recess (15), at least one opening (18) disposed on the side wall (17) and a pusher (7) that provides the front of the opening (18) to be closed in the second position (S) and the front of the opening (18) to be opened in the second position (S) by moving with the effect of the force exerted thereon by the user. When the user exerts force on the pusher (7), the pusher (7) moves and moves away from the opening (18). Thus, the locking element (6) is provided to change to the first position (F).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the latch (8) is disposed on the part of the pusher (7) facing the inside of the body (2). When the user exerts force to the pusher (7), the pusher (7) moves by turning towards the inside of the body (2) together with the latch (8) and moves closer to the connector (9) by moving away from the opening (18).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking element (6) comprises at least one hole (19) arranged on the salt container (5) through which the connector (9) passes and at least one protrusion (20) that extends from the connector (9) and prevents dislodging of the connector (9) from the hole (19) when the locking element (6) is in the first position (F). As the latch (8) bears against the extension (10), the connector (9) is provided to lock with the pusher (7). Thus, when the dispenser (4) is moved towards the outside of the body (2), the connector (9) also moves towards the outside of the body (2) by passing through the hole (19). The movement of the connector (9) towards the outside of the body (2) is limited by means of the protrusion (20) and separation of the connector (9) from the salt container (5) is prevented.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the connector (9) is shaped as a shaft. The connector (9) that is integrated with the salt container (5) extends from the salt container (5) towards the panel (3).

By means of the present invention, a washing machine (1) is realized comprising a salt container (5) that is provided to be accessed together with the dispenser (4) depending on the desire of the user. The user actuates the pusher (7) that can be easily accessed, providing the locking element (6) to be moved between the first position (F) and the second position (S). Consequently, the user accesses the salt container (5) any time he/she wants. The locking element (6) remains in the second position (S) only when the user places detergent into the dispenser (4) and the salt container (5) is prevented from going out of the body (2).

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising a body (2), a panel (3) situated on the body (2), a dispenser (4) disposed on the panel (3) and wherein cleaning agents like detergent and softener are placed and a salt container (5) that provides the softening of the water, characterized by a locking element (6) that provides the dispenser (4) to be moved together with the salt container (5) and taken out of the body (2) when in the first position (F) and provides the dispenser (4) to be taken out of the body (2) by being moved independently from the salt container (5) when in the second position (S).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the locking element (6) having at least one pusher (7) that is actuated by the user and which provides the locking element (6) to move between the first position (F) and the second position (S).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the locking element (6) having at least one latch (8) disposed on the pusher (7) and at least one connector (9) mounted to the salt container (5) that enables the salt container (5) to move together with the dispenser (4) as the latch (8) locks with when the pusher (7) is actuated by the user.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the connector (9) having at least one extension (10) that extends from its free end and provides the connector (9) to bear against the latch (8).
A washing machine (1) as in any one the Claims 1 to 4, characterized by the locking element (6) having at least one flexible member (11) that exerts a holding force thereon for keeping the locking element (6) in the changed position.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the flexible member (11) that allows the locking element (6) to pass to a different position than the changed position when a force that exceeds the holding force is exerted thereon by the user.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 5 or 6, characterized by the flexible member (11) which is shaped as a spring.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 5 to 7, characterized by the locking element (6) having at least one movable arm (12) connected to the flexible member (11) from one end and to the pusher (7) from the other end and which moves together with the pusher (7) and at least one stationary arm (13) that enables the flexible member (11) to be mounted to the panel (3).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by at least one support (14) that provides the movable arm (12) to be fixed rotatably to the panel (3).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a salt container (5) that is disposed almost behind the dispenser (4).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 10, characterized by at least one recess (15) disposed on the surface of the dispenser (4) facing the outside of the body (2), at least one handle (16) that partially covers the front of the recess (15) and enables the dispenser (4) to be taken out from the body (2) by being held by the user and the pusher (7) that is accessible from the recess (15).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 11, characterized by the handle (16) and pusher (7) that are disposed inside the recess (15) at almost vertical directions to one another.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 11 or 12, characterized by a side wall (17) that forms the recess (15), at least one opening (18) disposed on the side wall (17) and a pusher (7) that provides the front of the opening (18) to be closed in the second position (S) and that provides the front of the opening (18) to be opened in the second position (S) by moving with the effect of the force exerted thereon by the user.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 12, characterized by at least one latch (8) disposed on the part of the pusher (7) facing the inside of the body (2).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 3 to 14, characterized by the locking element (6) having at least one hole (19) arranged on the salt container (5) through which the connector (9) passes and at least one protrusion (20) that extends from the connector (9) and prevents dislodging of the connector (9) from the hole (19) when the locking element (6) is in the first position (F).