Classifications

• • 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
  • D06F35/00—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
  • D06F35/002—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for using bubbles
• • 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 
  • D06F39/04—Heating 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
  • D06F17/00—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, wherein the washing action is effected solely by circulation or agitation of the washing liquid
  • D06F17/12—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, wherein the washing action is effected solely by circulation or agitation of the washing liquid solely by gases, e.g. air or steam, introduced into the washing liquid

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a washing machine with a tub, and a bubble generating unit for introducing air into the tub and generating bubbles in a washing liquid within said tub.
• a laundry washer with a rotating drum that has a bubble generator for washing the laundry with bubbles is known from the document US 2008/250823 A1.
• the laundry washer includes a tub to contain the washing liquid, a bubble generator, and a supplier of bubbles to the tub.
• the bubble generator includes a bubble generating pump that permits the washing liquid to flow therethrough and an ejector unit formed integrally with one side of same for mixing air with the washing liquid.
• the bubble generation is produced by injecting ambient temperature air into the generator, and the bubbles subsequently supplied to the tub are cooled, which affects the temperature of the washing liquid.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry washing machine that easily solves the mentioned problem in the state of the art.
• this problem is solved in accordance with the invention by means of a washing machine with a tub, and a bubble generating unit for introducing air into the tub and generating bubbles in a washing liquid within said tub, wherein the bubble generating unit has a heating element for heating the air before introducing into the tub.
• the temperature of the washing liquid will not drastically change a wash cycle that requires a certain temperature. For example, if air bubbles at ambient temperature are introduced into a wash cycle at a high temperature of 90 °C, this would extend the cycle time. By introducing hot air, the cycle time will not be increased and might even be shortened since introducing high-temperature air favors rapid heating of the water, accelerating the washing process and thus shortening of the cycle time.
• the heating element is provided for heating a mixture of the air and the washing liquid. Thereby an improved efficiency of heating can be achieved.
• the bubble generating unit has an air duct through which the air is introduced into the wash tub, and a heating element is arranged in the air duct, inside same or in thermal contact with the exterior of same. In this manner, the heating element rapidly heats the air that circulates through the interior of the duct.
• the heating element is arranged between the tub and a rotatable drum housed inside the tub.
• a heating element of this type heats the washing liquid in the wash cycles and at the same time heats the air duct for introducing the air used for generating bubbles.
• the bubble generating unit is provided with a bubble distributing element arranged between the tub and the drum housed inside the tub. In this way, the bubbles are generated directly inside the tub.
• the bubble distributing element is also provided as part of the air duct and with a plurality of air outflow orifices. Still more preferred, the bubble distributing element is a body of a porous material. The surface of the air duct is utilized to distribute bubbles through its surface, preferably through its entire surface.
• each air outflow orifice has a diameter of 0.05 mm to 2 mm, preferably to 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, more preferably of 0.5 mm.
• the heating element has a tubular element in thermal contact with the bubble distributing element.
• This type of heating element is standard for washing machines, and the use thereof in thermal contact with the bubble distributing element makes the bubble generating unit inexpensive because it can be manufactured in a manner similar to standard heating elements.
• this type of tubular element has at least one U-shaped portion, and the bubble distributing element comprises an air duct arranged between arms of the U-shaped portion Such a tubular element encircles and encloses the bubble distributing element and improves the temperature transmission.
• the bubble distributing element is formed from a metallic tube with high temperature transmission.
• the bubble generating unit is provided with an air compressor that propels the air into the tub, especially by means of the bubble distributing element, and especially through the outflow orifices. If these are very small, the air pressure can be higher while at the same time preventing these orifices from becoming plugged.
• Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a washing machine
• Figure 2 is a perspective, isometric, schematic view of a washing machine
• Figure 3 is a frontal section schematic view of a washing machine; and, Figure 4 is a top view of a heating element with a bubble distributing element.
• FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional elevation view of washing machine 10.
• the washing machine 10 has laundry loading door 1 1 for placing the clothing to be washed in drum 30 through drum mouth 31 .
• the drum is rotated by a motor (not shown) around shaft 33 that is held by rear part 39 of the drum within wash tub 20.
• the washing machine 1 10 has filling system 60 connected by means of solenoid valve 63 to an external water supply.
• the water enters tub 20 through detergent compartment 50 having come from the solenoid valve through compartment tube 61 , and after having collected the detergent enters therein through filling pipe 62.
• the tub 20 is filled with washing liquid W that enters drum 30 through drum orifices 37 of the side band of the drum 30.
• it is provided with an elastic bellows that connects tub portal 21 with a washing machine chassis.
• Door 1 1 closes and is held in against the elastic bellows to ensure that no washing liquid will escape from tub mouth 21.
• tub outlet 27 is provided for drainage of the liquid W that is brought through emptying pipe 29 toward drainage pump 90 that propels it through drainage pipe 71 to exit the machine 10.
• bubble generating unit 40 is provided and introduces air into the lowest part of tub 20 between the lower wall of same and drum 30.
• Air duct 81 extends through the interior of the tub 20 with bubble distributing element 45 that has a plurality of air outflow orifices 46 over its entire surface.
• Each air outflow orifice 46 has a diameter of 0.05 mm to 2 mm, preferably to 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, more preferably of 0.5 mm.
• Bubble distributing element 45 is arranged in contact with heating element 41 , and the assembly is held to the interior wall of the tub by means of support 49.
• the assembly of heating element 41 and bubble distributing element 45 is introduced into the tub 20 through an opening that is closed by cap 48 of the assembly.
• Figure 2 shows a perspective view of machine 10, this time with loading door 1 1 open and where in addition to the elements from figure 1 is shown air compressor 80 of bubble generating unit 40 that introduces compressed air into wash tub 20 by means of air duct 81. Shown here in dotted lines is heating element 41 with a tubular element 43 within which is enclosed bubble distributing element 45 from air duct 81 .
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a frontal section of washing machine 10. Shown here in particular is the space between tub 20 and drum 30 wherein are arranged the lower portion of the tub 20, heating element 41 , and bubble distributing element 45. During the wash cycle, this lowest part of the tub 20 is filled with washing liquid W.
• FIG 4 shows in detail the bubble generating unit 40 assembly comprising air compressor 80 that propels pressurized air through the tubular air duct 81.
• the heating element 41 has a tubular shape with three U-shaped portions 43 and four arms 44. The two longer arms 44 are fixed to cap 48 with which the tub opening is closed to introduce heating element 41 therein, which protrudes together with its electrical connection connectors 47.
• the air duct 81 passes through a sealed through hole in cap 48, and extends as bubble distributor element 45 to the side of the heating element 41 to be fixed between arms 44 of the heating element 41.
• Bubble distributor element 45 has air outflow orifices 46 originating from air compressor 80.
• the compressor 80 can be joined to the external part of the tub 20 near the opening through which the heating element 41 is introduced, or fixed to another separate part of the tub 20 and with a flexible air duct 81.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
• Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
• Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=49620252

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2012
  • 2012-11-27 ES ES201231827A patent/ES2463317B1/es not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2013
  • 2013-11-06 EP EP13792763.8A patent/EP2925923B1/en active Active
  • 2013-11-06 RU RU2015123497A patent/RU2608924C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2013-11-06 WO PCT/IB2013/059943 patent/WO2014083457A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2013-11-06 CN CN201380061601.7A patent/CN104822872B/zh active Active

Patent Citations (4)

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