WO2018069875A1

WO2018069875A1 - A deviating device for managing flows of liquids, in particular in electrical household appliances such as washing machines, washers, dishwashers or the like

Info

Publication number: WO2018069875A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/056346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano ROCCHITELLI; Alessandro Mansutti
Original assignee: Elettrotecnica Rold S.R.L.
Priority date: 2016-10-14
Filing date: 2017-10-13
Publication date: 2018-04-19
Also published as: IT201600103488A1

Abstract

A flow deviating device 100 for managing flows of fluids such as gases and/or liquids, in particular in electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electrical household appliances, said device comprising a main supporting body 8 which defines an inner space 81 and comprises a delivery opening 82 for allowing said fluid to be delivered into said inner space 81, and at least one first discharge or diversion opening 85 and a second discharge or diversion opening 84 for discharging or diverting said fluid from said inner space 81, wherein said device 100 comprises a closing and deviating element 9 housed in said inner space 81 and interposed between said delivery opening 82 and said first 85 and second 84 diversion or discharge openings, said closing and deviating element 9 being switchable and positionable in at least one first position and one second position, wherein with said closing and deviating element 9 in said first position and second position, said delivery opening 82 is fluidly dynamically connected with said first 85 and second 84 diversion and discharge openings respectively.

Description

A deviating device for managing flows of liquids, in particular in electrical household appliances such as washing machines, washers, dishwashers or the like

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention belongs to the field of electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and/or similar electrical household appliances. In particular, the present invention relates to a deviating device, for managing flows of fluids, in particular of liquids. In detail, the present invention relates to a device of the type mentioned above for managing flows of fluids, in particular liquids, in electrical household appliances such as washing machines, washers, dishwashers or the like, adapted to allow, for example during the operation of the electrical household appliance, a management of fluids, in particular of liquids, according to the operating modes of the electrical household appliance itself, for example in the case of a washing machine and/or washer, according with the requirements resulting from the washing cycles such as wash, rinse, soak, spin, etc. The present invention further relates to a hydraulic system or circuit comprising a deviating device of the type mentioned above, as well as to an electrical household appliance (for example a washing machine or similar electrical household appliance) equipped with a device and/or system of the type mentioned above.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known in the field of electrical household appliances, in particular of washing machines and/or washers, the requirement to optimize the managing of liquids. The last-generation electrical household appliances offer in fact the possibility of choice, by the consumer or user, between different washing programs, each provided for a particular type of linen and/or for different washing requirements (for example, more dirty or less dirty linens); washing programs are in fact widespread for delicate items, for colored items, for sheets or resistant items etc., as well as for removing particularly resistant stains such as grease, paint stains or the like. The programs mentioned above further involve the usage and use of different products; for example, some programs involve the use, besides the detergent, also of softeners, disinfectants or the like, wherein in relation to the same product (for example detergent and/or softener), the same can be of a different type (for example in powder or liquid).

The last-generation washing machines are therefore provided with a plurality of trays for the simultaneous storage of different products, for example of one or more detergents, one or more softeners etc., wherein at the moment of use, the products are drawn from the storing trays by the introduction of water in the same trays.

For this purpose, the most common solutions implemented in the most common electrical household appliances, provide the use of flow deviating devices by which water entering through a main delivery, is deviated (diverted) towards different destinations, for example towards storing trays differing from time to time according to the washing program or optionally also directly in the drum.

The deviating devices most commonly widespread provide in particular the use of a plurality of solenoid valves arranged both along the main delivery duct and along the various secondary diversion ducts, wherein the different combinations of open and closed solenoid valves each correspond to the diversion of water from the main delivery duct or pipe towards a predefined diversion destination through a corresponding diversion pipe.

The deviating devices and/or systems according to the prior art, in particular those with solenoid valves briefly summarized above, although appreciable from different points of view (high standardization and easy availability), have, however, several drawbacks.

A first drawback is certainly represented by the overall cost generated by the unit cost of the solenoid valves, and therefore substantially proportional to the number of solenoid valves used, the cost often being incompatible with feasible prices, in particular for not very high value and/or quality electrical household appliances. It should also be noted that to the cost of the solenoid valves it has to be added that of the circuitry necessary for the operation thereof. A second drawback is represented by the maintenance costs, as the failure of a solenoid valve often implies the need to substitute the entire deviating device.

A further drawback and/or disadvantage is further represented by the high electric energy consumption that results in often significantly high operating costs. And more yet, a drawback is represented by the high noise level and/or by the limited duration and reduced reliability, an overall pewdefined number of operating cycles (closing - opening) being predictable for each solenoid valve.

Finally, the dimensions of the device are often incompatible with the increasing need to limit as much as possible the size of the electrical household appliance. The main object of the present invention is therefore to overcome or at least minimize the problems summarized above and found in the deviating and/or liquid flow managing devices and/or systems according to the prior art.

In particular, a first object of the present invention is to provide a deviating device that allows a reliable deviation (more generally management), which provides simple and equally reliable operating methods, wherein the management of flows by a device according to the invention implies limited management costs (limited energy consumption).

Moreover, with the present invention a deviating device of limited cost is proposed, with reduced dimensions and sizes, high operating silence as well as characterized by construction simplicity.

According to the present invention, the deviating device must further be implementable according to simple manufacturing methods and therefore at limited costs and guarantee the aforesaid objects for a prolonged period of time, in particular also after a minimum number of operating cycles.

And more yet, a further object of the present invention is to propose a deviating device and/or system adapted to be installed in electrical household appliances of the known type according to equally simple methods and at equally limited costs as well as without requiring substantial modifications of said electrical household appliances.

And finally, a further object of the present invention is to propose a deviating device of the type mentioned above adapted to be activated (switched, see the following description) both by a high voltage power source (for example an electric motor) and by a low voltage power source (preferable in terms of safety).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is based on the general consideration according to which it is possible to achieve the above intended objects by a device which comprises a switchable closing and deviating element (in particular rotatable) and positionable in different positions, wherein each position of said closing and deviating element corresponds to a corresponding different diversion of the fluid, in particular of the liquid (for example water) entering into the device (through a main delivery) through a respectively different diversion or discharge opening from the same device.

A further consideration at the base of the present invention is related to the fact that the assisted switching of said closing and deviating element may be obtained using simple electromechanical means retrievable or found at limited costs as well as such to guarantee a greater reliability of the same device.

Moreover, the closing and switching element can be made of low cost materials such as plastic or the like, and therefore with direct advantages in terms of reduced manufacturing and maintenance costs, as well as in terms of high resistance to fluids, in particular to water.

On the base of the aforesaid considerations, as well as in consideration of problems and/or drawbacks affecting the closing devices and/or systems according to the prior art, according to a first embodiment of the present invention there is provided a flow deviating device for managing flows of fluids, in particular of liquids, for example in electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electrical household appliances, said device comprising a main supporting body which defines an inner space and comprises a delivery opening for allowing said liquid to be delivered into said inner space, and at least one first discharge or diversion opening and a second discharge or diversion opening for discharging or diverting said fluid (in particular liquid) from said inner space, wherein said device comprises a closing and deviating element housed in said inner space and interposed between said delivery opening and said first and second diversion or discharge openings, said closing and deviating element being switchable and positionable in at least one first position and one second position, wherein with said closing and deviating element in said first position and second position, said delivery opening is fluidly dynamically connected with said first and second diversion and discharge openings, respectively, wherein said closing and deviating element can be switched by rotation between said first position and second position, and wherein with said closing and deviating element in said first position and second position, only said first diversion and discharge opening and only said second diversion and discharge opening, respectively, is fluidly dynamically connected with said delivery opening.

According to a variation, said closing and deviating element comprises at least one first hollow duct and a second hollow duct, wherein with said closing and deviating element in said first position and second position, respectively said delivery opening and said first diversion and discharge opening are fluidly dynamically connected by means of said first hollow duct and said delivery opening and said second diversion and discharge opening are fluidly dynamically connected by means of said hollow duct.

According to a variation, said main supporting body comprises a third discharge or diversion opening for the discharge or diversion of said liquid from said inner space, wherein said closing and deviating element is further positionable in a third position, and wherein, with said closing element in said third position, said delivery opening and said third diversion and discharge opening are fluidly dynamically connected by means of said first hollow duct.

According to a variant, said main supporting body comprises a fourth discharge or diversion opening for the discharge or diversion of said fluid (in particular liquid) from said inner space, wherein said closing and deviating element is further positionable in a fourth position and comprises a third hollow duct, and wherein, with said closing element in said fourth position, said delivery opening and said fourth diversion and discharge opening are fluidly dynamically connected by means of said third hollow duct.

According to a variant, said main supporting body comprises a fifth discharge or diversion opening for the discharge or diversion of said fluid (in particular liquid) from said inner space, wherein said closing and deviating element is further positionable in a fifth position, and wherein, with said closing element in said fifth position, said delivery opening and said fifth diversion and discharge opening are fluidly dynamically connected by means of said third hollow duct. According to a variant, said closing and deviating element comprises a main discshaped body delimited by two substantially circular opposite surfaces and a substantially cylindrical connecting surface, wherein said main disc-shaped body can be switched by rotation around its longitudinal axis of symmetry.

According to a variant, said first hollow duct extends between different first and second portions of said substantially cylindrical connecting surface, wherein said second hollow duct extends between a third portion of said substantially cylindrical connecting surface and a portion of one of said substantially circular opposite surfaces, and wherein said third hollow duct extends between different fourth and fifth portions of said substantially cylindrical connecting surface.

According to a variant, said inner space is delimited by a substantially cylindrical outer wall and at least one substantially flat circular wall, wherein said second opening is obtained in said substantially flat circular wall and each of said first, third, fourth and fifth openings is obtained in said substantially cylindrical outer wall.

According to a variant, said device further comprises a rotatable actuation element coupled with said closing and deviating element so that the rotation of said actuation element results into said closing element being switched.

According to a variant, said device comprises electromechanical means for switching said actuation element.

According to a variant, said electromechanical means comprise an electric motor and one or more transmission elements interposed between said electric motor and said actuation element.

According to a variant, said actuation element comprises a circular serrated ring nut, wherein said serrated ring nut is engaged by at least one of said transmission elements.

According to a variant, said device comprises a first, a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth tubular terminal element rigidly fixed to said delivery opening and first, second, third, fourth and fifth diversion and discharge openings respectively, wherein each of said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth terminal elements comprises an end portion for connection to a corresponding pipe. A further object of the present invention is a hydraulic system or circuit, in particular for electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electrical household appliances, wherein said system or circuit comprises a device according to one or more of the variants summarized above and an electrical household appliance such as a washing machine, dishwasher or similar electrical household appliance including at least one of said hydraulic system or circuit.

Any further embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Hereinbelow, the present invention will be further clarified by the following detailed descriptions of the possible embodiments depicted in the drawings in which corresponding or equivalent features and/or component parts of the present invention are identified by the same reference numerals. It should be noted in any case that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and depicted in the drawings, instead, all those variants and/or modifications of the embodiments described below and depicted in the accompanying drawings, which will become apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, fall within the scope of the present invention.

In the drawings:

- Figures 1 and 2 show an exploded view and a perspective view, respectively, of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

- Figures 3 and 4 show plan views respectively from opposite observation points of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 5 shows a plan view of the device according to the present invention where, for reasons of clarity of description, some component parts are not shown;

- Figures from 6 to 10 show plan views of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention with the closing and deviating element thereof in respectively different positions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention finds particular application in the field of electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electrical household appliances, this being the reason why, below, the present invention will be described with particular reference to its application in the field of electrical household appliances, in particular of a washing machine.

It should in any case clarify that the possible applications of the present invention are not limited to those described below. On the contrary, the present invention finds convenient application in all the cases where it is necessary to reliably manage flows of one or more fluids, like for example in the case of irrigation systems or circuits for gardening and/or horticulture or also in the case of gas pipes or the like.

In figures from 1 to 5, the device according to the embodiment therein shown is identified by reference numeral 100 and comprises a base 1 1 with a substantially circular portion 89, in which a (diversion and discharge, see the following description) through opening 84 is obtained, to which a diversion and discharge terminal element 840 is connected. The device 100 further comprises a main body 8 that defines (figure 5) an inner space 81 delimited in particular by a substantially flat circular wall 101 (of shape and size corresponding to that of the portion 89) and by a substantially cylindrical wall 88. In the practice, as shown in figure 2, the base 1 1 and the main body 8 are joined together with the walls 101 and 89 substantially opposite to each other and connected together by the cylindrical wall 88 to enclose and define the inner space 81 . For example, according to the present invention, the base 1 1 and the main body 8 may be glued together or welded or mutually fixed by an equivalent solution and are per se known and therefore not described in detail for synthesis reasons.

In the (substantially cylindrical) connecting walls 88 through openings 82, 83, 85, 86 and 87 are in particular formed (which therefore put the space 81 in communication with the outside), to which terminal elements 820, 830, 850, 860 and 870 are respectively connected. The terminal element 820 and the corresponding opening 82 are provided for the delivery of a fluid, in particular of a liquid, into the space 81 and are therefore identified below as terminal element 820 and corresponding delivery opening 82, the terminal elements 830, 850, 860 and 870 and the corresponding openings 83, 85, 86 and 87 (as well as the terminal element 840 and opening 84) are provided for the discharge and diversion of the fluid from the inner space 81 outwards according to methods clarified in detail below. Each of the terminal elements 820, 830, 840, 850, 860 and 870 comprise an end portion opposite to the corresponding opening 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87 for the connection (for example by a metal band) to a pipe or duct of a hydraulic circuit or system (not depicted), for example of a washing machine or dishwasher or similar electrical household appliance.

In the space 81 there is housed a closing and deviating element 9 of shape and size compatible with the shape and size of the space 81 , and therefore of substantially cylindrical shape, the element 9 being particularly delimited by two substantially flat circular surfaces (opposite to each other) 94 and 95 connected by a cylindrical surface 96, the element 9 being in particular adapted to be rotated inside the space 81 with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry thereof in two opposite rotation directions, clockwise and counter-clockwise.

Hollow ducts 91 , 92 and 93 extend through the element 9, wherein the longitudinal axis of symmetry of each duct 91 and 93 rests on a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the element 9 (which coincides with the rotation axis of the element 9), while the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the duct 92 crosses the plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the element 9. In the practice, the duct 91 extends between different portions of the connecting surface 96, where the duct 93 also extends between different portions of the surface 96, whereas the duct 92 extends between a portion of the surface 96 and a portion of the surface 95.

It is therefore understood from the above description that by rotating the element 9 and consequent suitable positioning of element 9, the delivery terminal element 820 and the relative delivery opening 82 are placed in fluidly dynamically connection alternatively with the diversion and discharge opening 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87 and the relative terminal elements 830, 840, 850, 860 and 870, so that the fluid (in particular the liquid) entering through the opening 82 and the terminal element 820 can be deviated (diverted or discharged) through one of the openings 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87 (and relative terminal element 830, 840, 850, 860 and 870) based on the effective position of the element 9.

While reference shall be made to the following detailed description in relation to the effective switching and/or deviating methods of the device according to the present invention (in particular of the element 9), it is suitable to specify how the device itself, according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in the drawings comprises, for the assisted switching (rotating) of the element 9, electromechanical means 5, 6, and 7. The element 5, substantially a ring nut, is rigidly fixed to an abutment key 97 which extends from the surface 94 of the element 9, through the wall 101 of the body 8, so that the ring nut 5, rotating, drags the element 9 in rotation. Moreover, the electromechanical means essentially comprise an electric motor 7 on the spindle whereof there is fixed a first pinion which engages in turn a second intermediate pinion 6, where the second pinion 6 comprises a rotation shaft with an outer surface that comprises a helical slot which finally engages the outer toothing of the ring nut 5. It is therefore understood that the activation of the motor 7, with the consequent rotation of the spindle and of the relative pinion, results in a rotation of the second pinion 6 and of the relative shaft, and finally in a rotation of the ring nut 5 of the element 9. Of course, different and/or alternative embodiments where electromechanical means may be provided different from those just now described, or also where the electromechanical means are omitted (in part or totally), fall within the scope of the present invention, the rotation of the element 9 being in this case manually obtained.

In figures from 1 to 5, a flow meter 10 arranged along the delivery terminal element 820 so as to intercept the and be placed in rotation by the fluid entering through the terminal element 820, as well as a sensor 4 for the collection of data related to the flow, are further shown.

Moreover, a helical clip 3 (drive encoder) is arranged on the ring nut 5, whose free ends, during the rotation of the ring nut 5 (and therefore of the element 9), engage metal tracks (not shown) of a board 2 maintained in position by means of a frame 1 , where the contact of the element 3 with the metal tracks results in the generation of corresponding signals to the various positions taken from time to time by the element 9 and therefore in the possibility to monitor, by means of a control unit (not shown) connected to the board 2, the effective position of the element 9.

In the following, with reference to figures from 6 to 10, the switching methods of the element 9 will be described, and therefore of the relative deviation and/or diversion possibilities of a liquid provided by the device according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in the drawing.

In figures from 5 to 10, component parts and/or features of the device already described above with reference to other figures are identified by the same reference numerals.

A first position that can be taken by the element 9 is shown in figure 6, wherein with the element 9 in the position in figure 6 the delivery opening 82 is fluidly dynamically connected with the diversion and discharge opening 85 by means of the hollow duct 91 , for which the fluid entering from the terminal element 820 is deviated in the terminal element 850.

A second position that can be taken by the element 9 is shown in figure 7, wherein with the element 9 in the position in figure 7 the delivery opening 82 is fluidly dynamically connected with the diversion and discharge opening 84 by means of the hollow duct 92, for which the fluid entering from the terminal element 820 is deviated in the terminal element 840.

A further (third) position that can be taken by the element 9 is shown in figure 8, wherein with the element 9 in the position in figure 8 the delivery opening 82 is fluidly dynamically connected with the diversion and discharge opening 83 still by means of the hollow duct 91 , for which the fluid entering from the terminal element 820 is deviated in the terminal element 830.

A (further) fourth position that can be taken by the element 9 is shown in figure 9, wherein with the element 9 in the position in figure 9 the delivery opening 82 is fluidly dynamically connected with the diversion and discharge opening 87 by means of the hollow duct 93, for which the fluid entering from the terminal element 820 is deviated in the terminal element 870.

A further (fifth) position that can be taken by the element 9 is shown in figure 10, wherein with the element 9 in the position in figure 10 the delivery opening 82 is fluidly dynamically connected with the diversion and discharge opening 86 by means of the hollow duct 93, for which the fluid entering from the terminal element 820 is deviated in the terminal element 860.

It should be further appreciated that, with the element 9 in each of the respectively shown positions in figures from 6 to 10, the delivery opening 82 is always fluidly dynamically connected only with one of the discharge and diversion openings 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87 for which the entering fluid is diverted from the delivery terminal element 820 in only one of the diversion and discharge terminal elements 830, 840, 850, 860 and 870. It should moreover be noted that, according to the present invention, embodiments of the deviating device are possible wherein the entering fluid is simultaneously diverted in two or more of the diversion and discharge terminal elements.

It has therefore been shown by means of the previous detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention depicted in the drawings that the present invention allows obtaining the desired results and overcoming or at least limiting the drawbacks found in the prior art.

In particular, by means of the present invention a flow deviating device is provided which allows for a precise and reliable management (deviation) of flows of fluids (in particular liquids).

The device according to the present invention is further implementable according to simple manufacturing methods and therefore at limited costs, characterized by limited sizes and dimensions, and applicable to electrical household appliances of the known type according to equally simple methods and at equally limited costs, as well as without requiring substantial modifications of said electrical household appliances.

Although the present invention has been previously clarified by means of the detailed description of the embodiments depicted in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and depicted in the drawings; instead, all of those variants and/or modifications of the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings, which will become apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is thus defined by the claims.

Claims

1 . A flow deviating device (100) for managing flows of fluids such as gases and/or liquids, in particular in electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electric household appliances, said device comprising a main supporting body (8) which defines an inner space (81 ) and comprises a delivery opening (82) for allowing said fluid to be delivered into said inner space (81 ), and at least one first discharge or diversion opening (85) and a second discharge or diversion opening (84) for discharging or diverting said fluid from said inner space (81 ), wherein said device (100) comprises a closing and deviating element (9) housed in said inner space (81 ) and interposed between said delivery opening (82) and said first (85) and second (84) diversion or discharge openings, said closing and deviating element (9) being switchable and positionable in at least one first position and one second position, wherein with said closing and deviating element (9) in said first position and second position, said delivery opening (82) is fluidly dynamically connected with said first (85) and second (84) diversion and discharge openings, respectively, characterized in that said closing and deviating element (9) can be switched by rotation between said first position and second position, and in that with said closing and deviating element (9) in said first position and second position, only said first diversion and discharge opening (85) and only said second diversion and discharge opening (84), respectively, is fluidly dynamically connected with said delivery opening (82).

2. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said closing and deviating element (9) comprises at least one first hollow duct (91 ) and a second hollow duct (92), and in that, with said closing and deviating element (9) in said first position and second position, respectively said delivery opening (82) and said first diversion and discharge opening (85) are fluidly dynamically connected by means of said first hollow duct (91 ) and said delivery opening (82), and said second diversion and discharge opening (84) are fluidly dynamically connected by means of said second hollow duct (92).

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that said main supporting body (8) comprises a third discharge or diversion opening (83) for the discharge or diversion of said fluid from said inner space (81 ), in that said closing and deviating element (9) is further positionable in a third position, and in that, with said closing and deviating element (9) in said third position, said delivery opening (82) and said third diversion and discharge opening (83) are fluidly dynamically connected by means of said first hollow duct (91 ).

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said main supporting body (8) comprises a fourth discharge or diversion opening (87) for discharging or diverting said fluid from said inner space (81 ), in that said closing and deviating element (9) is further positionable in a fourth position and comprises a third hollow duct (93), and in that, with said closing and deviating element (9) in said fourth position, said delivery opening (82) and said fourth diversion and discharge opening (87) are fluidly dynamically connected by means of said third hollow duct (93).

5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that said main supporting body (8) comprises a fifth discharge or diversion opening (86) for the discharge or diversion of said fluid from said inner space (81 ), in that said closing and deviating element (9) is further positionable in a fifth position, and in that, with said closing element (9) in said fifth position, said delivery opening (82) and said fifth diversion and discharge opening (86) are fluidly dynamically connected by means of said third hollow duct (93).

6. A device according to one of the claims from 2 to 5, characterized in that said closing and deviating element comprises a main disc-shaped body delimited by two substantially circular opposite surfaces (94, 95) and a substantially cylindrical connecting surface (96), and in that said main disc-shaped body can be switched by rotation around its longitudinal axis of symmetry.

7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that said first hollow duct (91 ) extends between different first and second portions of said substantially cylindrical connecting surface (96), in that said second hollow duct (92) extends between a third portion of said substantially cylindrical connecting surface (96) and a portion of one of said substantially circular opposite surfaces (94, 95), and in that said third hollow duct (93) extends between different fourth and fifth portions of said substantially cylindrical connecting surface (96).

8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that said inner space (81 ) is delimited by a substantially cylindrical outer wall (88) and at least one substantially flat circular surface (89), in that said second diversion and discharge opening (84) is obtained in said substantially flat circular wall (89) and each of said delivery openings (82) and first (85), third (83), fourth (87) and fifth (86) diversion and discharge openings is obtained in said substantially cylindrical outer wall (88).

9. A device according to one of the preceding claims from 1 to 8, characterized in that said device further comprises a rotatable actuation element (5) coupled with said closing and deviating element (9) so that the rotation of said actuation element (5) results into said closing and deviating element (9) being switched.

10. A device according to claim 9, characterized in that said device comprises electromechanical means (6, 7) for switching said actuation element (5).

1 1 . A device according to claim 10, characterized in that said electromechanical means (6, 7) comprise an electric motor (7) and one or more transmission elements (6) interposed between said electric motor (7) and said actuation element (5).

12. A device according to claim 1 1 , characterized in that said actuation element (5) comprises a circular serrated ring nut and in that said serrated ring nut is engaged by at least one of said transmission elements (6).

13. A device according to one of the claims from 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a first, a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth tubular terminal element (820, 850, 840, 830, 870, 800) rigidly fixed to said delivery opening (82) and first (85), second (84), third (83), fourth (87) and fifth (86) diversion and discharge openings respectively, and in that each of said first (820), second (850), third (840), fourth (830), fifth (870) and sixth (860) terminal elements comprises an end portion for connection to a corresponding pipe.

14. A hydraulic system or circuit, in particular for electric household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electric household appliances, characterized in that said system or circuit comprises a flow deviating device (100) according to one of claims from 1 to 13.

15. An electronic household appliance such as a washing machine, dishwasher or similar electric household appliance including at least one hydraulic system or circuit, characterized in that it comprises a hydraulic system or circuit according to claim 14.