WO2019068337A1 - Machine à laver le linge - Google Patents

Machine à laver le linge Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2019068337A1
WO2019068337A1 PCT/EP2017/075422 EP2017075422W WO2019068337A1 WO 2019068337 A1 WO2019068337 A1 WO 2019068337A1 EP 2017075422 W EP2017075422 W EP 2017075422W WO 2019068337 A1 WO2019068337 A1 WO 2019068337A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
brine
salt
container
drawer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2017/075422
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Maurizio Del Pos
Francesca BISARO
Original Assignee
Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag filed Critical Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority to EP17780725.2A priority Critical patent/EP3692200B1/fr
Priority to CN201780095508.6A priority patent/CN111164253A/zh
Priority to PL17780725.2T priority patent/PL3692200T3/pl
Priority to US16/753,123 priority patent/US20200291563A1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2017/075422 priority patent/WO2019068337A1/fr
Publication of WO2019068337A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019068337A1/fr

Links

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
    • D06F35/003—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for using electrochemical cells
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01—Products
    • C25B1/24—Halogens or compounds thereof
    • C25B1/26—Chlorine; Compounds thereof
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • 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
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
    • D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F33/37—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of metering of detergents or additives
    • 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
    • D06F35/004—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for using chlorine generators
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/02—Water supply
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/42—Detergent or additive supply
    • 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 
    • D06F39/007—Arrangements of water softeners
    • 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 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • D06F39/028—Arrangements for selectively supplying water to detergent compartments

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a laundry washing machine.
  • the present invention relates to a front-loading home laundry washing machine, to which the following description specifically refers purely by way of example without this implying any loss of generality.
  • a front-loading home laundry washing machine generally comprises: a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer boxlike casing structured for resting on the floor; a substantially horizontally-oriented and approximately cylindrical washing tub which is usually suspended in floating manner inside the casing, with the front mouth directly facing a laundry loading-unloading through opening formed in the front wall of the casing; a substantially cylindrical, cup-shaped rotatable drum structured for accommodating the laundry to be washed, and which is fitted in axially rotatable manner inside the washing tub with the concavity facing the laundry loading-unloading opening, so as to be able to freely rotate inside the washing tub about the substantially horizontally-oriented, longitudinal axis of the washing tub; an elastically-deformable bellows which watertight connects the front mouth of the washing tub to the laundry loading-unloading opening formed in the front wall of the casing; a porthole door which is hinged to the front wall of the casing to rotate to and from a closing position in which the door closes the laundry loading-un
  • This type of laundry washing machine furthermore comprises: a detergent dispenser which is located inside the boxlike casing, immediately above the washing tub, and is structured for selectively feeding into the washing tub, according to the washing cycle manually-selected by the user, a given amount of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent suitably mixed with water arriving from the water mains; a fresh-water supply circuit which is structured for selectively drawing water from the water mains according to the washing cycle manually-selected by the user, and channelling said water to the detergent dispenser or directly to the washing tub; and finally an appliance control panel which is generally located on the front wall of the casing, above the laundry loading-unloading opening, and is structured for allowing the user to manually select the desired washing-cycle.
  • a detergent dispenser which is located inside the boxlike casing, immediately above the washing tub, and is structured for selectively feeding into the washing tub, according to the washing cycle manually-selected by the user, a given amount of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent suitably mixed with water arriving from the water mains
  • EP0146184 and EP0083740 disclose a laundry washing machine provided with a salt container which is adapted to contain a given amount of brine, i.e. a solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) in water, and an electrolytic cell which receives the brine from the salt container and is adapted to perform the electrolysis of said brine to produce a chlorine-based sanitizing agent which is subsequently channelled into the washing tub.
  • a salt container which is adapted to contain a given amount of brine, i.e. a solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) in water
  • an electrolytic cell which receives the brine from the salt container and is adapted to perform the electrolysis of said brine to produce a chlorine-based sanitizing agent which is subsequently channelled into the washing tub.
  • the salt container consists of a water-tight and manually-openable container which is located close to the bottom of the casing, with all problems that this entails.
  • the user is requested to adopt an uncomfortable excessively-bended stance for manually pouring the sodium- chloride grains into the salt container.
  • the refilling of the salt container is a relatively long and complicated operation because the salt container is normally filled up with brine, thus there is the risk that some brine accidentally overflows from the salt container when the sodium-chloride grains (NaCl) are too quickly poured into the salt container.
  • salt grains accidentally remaining on the mouth of the salt container may compromise the watertight sealing of the closure plug, thus causing water leakages.
  • Aim of the present invention is to simply and make easier the manual refilling of the salt container of the laundry washing machines disclosed in EP0146184 and in EP0083740, and also to simply the hydraulic circuit of the same laundry washing machines so as to reduce the overall production costs.
  • a laundry washing machine as defined in Claim 1 and preferably, though not necessarily, in anyone of the dependent claims, or as defined in Claim 22 and preferably, though not necessarily, in anyone of the dependent claims.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laundry washing machine realized in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;
  • Figures 2 is a second perspective view of the Figure 1 laundry washing machine, with parts in section and removed for clarity;
  • FIG 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the top of the laundry washing machine shown in Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity;
  • FIG 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the detergent dispensing assembly of the laundry washing machine shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, with parts removed for clarity;
  • Figure 5 is a partly exploded perspective view of the detergent dispensing assembly shown in Figure 4, with parts removed for clarity;
  • Figure 6 is a schematic view of the detergent dispensing assembly shown in Figures 4 and 5 ;
  • Figure 7 is a partly exploded perspective view of the detergent dispensing assembly shown in Figures 4 and 5, with parts removed for clarity;
  • FIGs 8 and 9 are partly exploded perspective views of the electrolytic reactor assembly shown in Figure 7, with parts removed for clarity;
  • Figure 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of the detergent drawer of the detergent dispensing assembly shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7, with parts removed for clarity;
  • Figure 11 is a sectioned side view of the detergent drawer shown in Figure 10, with parts removed for clarity;
  • Figure 12 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the detergent dispensing assembly shown in Figures 4 and 5; whereas
  • FIGs 13, 14 and 15 are perspective views of respective further alternative embodiments of the laundry washing machine shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
  • reference number 1 denotes as a whole a laundry washing machine 1 preferably suitable for domestic use.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 preferably basically comprises: a preferably substantially parallelepiped-shaped, boxlike outer casing 2 structured for stably resting on the floor; a preferably substantially horizontally- oriented, approximately cylindrical, hollow washing tub 3 which is arranged inside the casing 2 with the mouth directly facing a laundry loading-unloading opening formed on the outer casing 2; a substantially cylindrical, hollow rotatable drum (not shown) which is structured for accommodating the laundry to be washed, and is fitted in axially rotatable manner inside the washing tub 3 so as to be able to freely rotate about its longitudinal axis inside the washing tub 3; a door 4 which is hinged to the outer casing 2 so as to be manually movable to and from a closing position in which the door 4 closes the laundry loading-unloading opening on casing 2 for watertight sealing the washing tub 3; and an electrically-powered motor assembly 5 which is structured for driving into rotation the rotatable drum (not shown) about its longitudinal axis inside the washing tub 3.
  • the washing tub 3 preferably has a preferably substantially circular-shaped, front mouth and is arranged inside the outer casing 2 with said front mouth directly facing a laundry loading-unloading opening formed on a front wall 6 of casing 2; whereas the door 4 is preferably hinged to front wall 6 so as to be manually movable to and from a closing position in which the door 4 closes the laundry loading-unloading opening on front wall 6 for watertight sealing the washing tub 3.
  • the washing tub 3 is preferably suspended in floating manner inside the casing 2 via a suspension system that preferably, though not necessarily, comprises at least one, and preferably a couple of upper coil springs 7 connecting the upper portion of washing tub 3 to the top of casing 2, and preferably at least one, and preferably a couple of vibration dampers 8 connecting the bottom portion of washing tub 3 to the bottom of casing 2.
  • a suspension system that preferably, though not necessarily, comprises at least one, and preferably a couple of upper coil springs 7 connecting the upper portion of washing tub 3 to the top of casing 2, and preferably at least one, and preferably a couple of vibration dampers 8 connecting the bottom portion of washing tub 3 to the bottom of casing 2.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 moreover comprises an elastically- deformable tubular bellows (not shown) which watertight connects the front mouth of washing tub 3 to the laundry loading-unloading opening preferably realized on the front wall 6 of casing 2.
  • the rotatable drum is preferably substantially cup-shaped and is fitted in axially rotatable manner inside the washing tub 3 with the concavity facing the front mouth of washing tub 3.
  • the rotatable drum (not shown) is furthermore arranged inside washing tub 3 with the drum rotation axis locally substantially coaxial to the longitudinal axis of washing tub 3 (i.e. it is oriented substantially horizontally), and with the circular front mouth of the drum directly aligned and faced to the front mouth of washing tub 3, so as to receive the laundry to be washed through the laundry loading-unloading opening present on front wall 6.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 moreover comprises, inside the casing 2, a detergent dispenser 10 and a fresh-water supply circuit 11.
  • the detergent dispenser 10 is located inside the casing 2 above the washing tub 3 and preferably, though not necessarily, immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2, and is structured for selectively feeding into the washing tub 3, preferably according to the washing cycle manually- selected by the user, a given amount of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent suitably mixed with water.
  • the fresh-water supply circuit 11 is directly connected/connectable to the water mains, and is structured for selectively channelling, preferably according to the washing cycle manually-selected by the user, a flow of water from the water mains to the detergent dispenser 10 and/or directly to the washing tub 3.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 furthermore includes an electrochemical device 13 which is located inside the boxlike casing 2 and is capable of internally producing a chlorine-based sanitizing agent which is subsequently channelled into the washing tub 3 to perform, preferably on request of the user, a sanitizing or bleaching process of the laundry during the washing cycle.
  • a chlorine-based sanitizing agent is moreover water-diluted bleach.
  • the electrochemical device 13 is preferably connected to the detergent dispenser 10 and is capable of internally producing a chlorine-based sanitizing agent which is preferably subsequently channelled into the detergent dispenser 10. On arrival into the detergent dispenser 10, this chlorine-based sanitizing agent preferably then flows directly into the washing tub 3, preferably, though not necessarily, together with any water directed towards the washing tub 3.
  • the electrochemical device 13 firstly includes: an unpressurized salt container 14 which is adapted to contain a given amount of consumable salt grains, i.e. solid salt, preferably of sodium chloride (NaCl), and additionally has an unsealed loading inlet which is directly exposed or exposable to the outside of the boxlike casing 2, and is preferably specifically designed to allow the user to easily manually pour/load the salt grains of sodium chloride (NaCl) directly into the same salt container 14; and preferably also a water supply line 15 which is adapted to channel, on command, a given amount of water into the salt container 14 so as to dissolve at least part of the salt grains contained therein and form a given amount of brine, i.e. a solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) in water.
  • an unpressurized salt container 14 which is adapted to contain a given amount of consumable salt grains, i.e. solid salt, preferably of sodium chloride (NaCl), and additionally has an unsealed loading inlet which
  • salt container 14 is moreover dimensioned to contain an amount of consumable salt grains sufficient for performing the sanitizing or bleaching process in several washing cycles.
  • the salt container 14 is preferably dimensioned to contain an amount of consumable salt grains of sodium chloride (NaCl) sufficient for producing an amount of chlorine -based sanitizing agent sufficient for performing the sanitizing or bleaching process in several washing cycles.
  • NaCl sodium chloride
  • the electrochemical device 13 furthermore includes an electrolytic reactor 16 which fluidically communicates with the salt container 14, and is adapted to collect and contain substantially the whole brine previously formed into the salt container 14, so as to avoid any prolonged stagnation of the water/brine intra the salt container 14.
  • This electrochemical reactor 16 is furthermore adapted to internally convert the brine into the chlorine-based sanitizing agent, and preferably also to subsequently channel/feed said chlorine-based sanitizing agent to the detergent dispenser 10.
  • the electrolytic reactor 16 is provided with a brine inlet communicating with the salt container 14 for receiving the brine produced into the latter, and with a sanitizing-agent outlet communicating with the detergent dispenser 10 for suppling the chlorine-based sanitizing agent to the detergent dispenser 10 or directly to the washing tub 3.
  • the electrolytic reactor 16 is moreover provided with at least one air vent for releasing the air or other gas contained or formed inside the same electrolytic reactor 16.
  • the electrolytic reactor 16 is preferably located beneath the salt container 14 and preferably directly communicates with the same salt container 14 so as to allow the brine (i.e. salt water) to freely flow by gravity from the salt container 14 to the electrolytic reactor 16.
  • brine i.e. salt water
  • electrolytic reactor 16 preferably comprises: an unpressurized brine container 17 that directly communicates with the salt container 14 and is adapted/dimensioned to collect and contain preferably the whole brine previously formed into the salt container 14, so as to avoid any prolonged stagnation of the water/brine intro the salt container 14; an electrolytic cell 18 which is preferably located/incorporated into the brine container 17 and is capable of converting the brine into a chlorine-based sanitizing agent; and preferably also a small, electrically- powered pump assembly 19 which is capable of selectively pumping the chlorine- based sanitizing agent accumulated into the brine container 17, from the brine container 17 to the detergent dispenser 10.
  • the pump assembly 19, when deactivated, is moreover capable of watertight isolating the brine container 17 from the detergent dispenser 10.
  • the brine container 17 is preferably located immediately underneath the salt container 14 and preferably directly communicates with the same salt container 14 so as to allow the brine (i.e. salt water) to freely flow by gravity from salt container 14 to brine container 17.
  • brine i.e. salt water
  • the electrolytic cell 18, is preferably adapted to perform the electro- chlorination of the brine contained into the brine container 17, so as to produce hydrogen gas (H 2 ) and water-diluted sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), commonly known as bleach.
  • This water-diluted sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) preferably forms the chlorine-based sanitizing agent.
  • the whole electrochemical device 13 is preferably arranged inside the casing 2, above the washing tub 3 and preferably, though not necessarily, also immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2.
  • the salt container 14 is preferably arranged inside the casing 2 above the washing tub 3 and preferably, though not necessarily, also immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2.
  • the loading inlet of salt container 14 is furthermore exposed or exposable to the outside on front wall 6 of casing 2, above the laundry loading-unloading opening.
  • the electrolytic reactor 16, in turn, is preferably located between the salt container 14 and the washing tub 3, preferably substantially vertically aligned to the salt container 14.
  • the whole electrochemical device 13 is preferably located immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2, between the detergent dispenser 10 and a vertical sidewall 20 of the same casing 2.
  • the salt container 14 is preferably located inside the boxlike casing 2, between the detergent dispenser 10 and the vertical sidewall 20 of casing 2, preferably substantially adjacent to the same vertical sidewall 20.
  • the electrolytic reactor 16 in turn, is preferably located immediately underneath the salt container 14, again preferably substantially adjacent to the vertical sidewall 20.
  • the loading inlet of salt container 14 is furthermore exposed or exposable to the outside on the front wall 6 of casing 2, immediately beneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2.
  • the whole electrochemical device 13 is preferably adjoined to the detergent dispenser 10.
  • the electrochemical device 13 and the detergent dispenser 10 preferably form a single assembly unit.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 furthermore comprises: an appliance electronic control unit (not shown) which is located inside the casing 2 and controls the motor assembly 5, the detergent dispenser 10, the fresh- water supply circuit 11 and the electrochemical device 13, so as to automatically perform the washing cycle preferably selected by the user; and preferably also a control panel 21 which electronically communicates with said electronic control unit and is structured to allow the user to manually select the desired washing cycle preferably among a number of available washing cycles.
  • an appliance electronic control unit (not shown) which is located inside the casing 2 and controls the motor assembly 5, the detergent dispenser 10, the fresh- water supply circuit 11 and the electrochemical device 13, so as to automatically perform the washing cycle preferably selected by the user
  • a control panel 21 which electronically communicates with said electronic control unit and is structured to allow the user to manually select the desired washing cycle preferably among a number of available washing cycles.
  • control panel 21 is preferably located on the front wall 6 of casing 2, above the laundry loading-unloading opening and preferably also immediately beneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2.
  • exposed or exposable loading inlet of salt container 14 is preferably located on the front wall 6 of casing 2 substantially horizontally aligned beside the control panel 21.
  • detergent dispenser 10 in turn, preferably basically comprises: a detergent drawer 22 which is preferably provided with one or more substantially basin-shaped, detergent compartments 23 (two detergent compartments 23 in the example shown) each structured for being manually fillable with a given amount of detergent, softener or other washing agent, and which is fitted/inserted in manually extractable manner into a corresponding preferably substantially basin-shaped, drawer housing 24 which, in turn, is located/recessed inside the casing 2 above washing tub 3, and whose entrance is preferably located on front wall 6 of casing 2, preferably above the laundry loading-unloading opening; and a drawer flush circuit 25 which is connected to the fresh- water supply circuit 11 for receiving the water of the water mains, and is structured for selectively channelling/pouring, when the detergent drawer 22 is completely fitted/inserted into the drawer housing 24, said water into any one of the detergent compartments 23 of detergent drawer 22, so as to selectively flush the detergent, softener or other washing agent out of the same detergent compartment 23 and down onto the bottom of drawer housing 24.
  • a detergent drawer 22 which is preferably
  • this drawer flush circuit 25 is furthermore directly controlled by the appliance electronic control unit.
  • the detergent drawer 22 is preferably movable inside the drawer housing 24 parallel to a substantially horizontally-oriented, longitudinal axis L of drawer housing 24 between: a retracted position (see Figure 5) in which detergent drawer 22 is completely fitted/inserted into drawer housing 24, so as to be almost completely recessed into the front wall 6 of casing 2; and a completely extracted position (see Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7) in which detergent drawer 22 partly juts out from the front wall 6 of casing 2, so as to expose the one or more detergent compartments 23 at once.
  • detergent drawer 22 is movable inside the drawer housing 24 in a substantially horizontally-oriented, displacement direction d which is locally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of both drawer housing 24 and detergent drawer 22, between: a retracted position (see Figure 5) in which detergent drawer 22 is almost completely recessed into the front wall 6 of casing 2 and the one or more detergent compartments 23 of detergent drawer 22 are inaccessible to the user; and a completely extracted position (see Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7) in which detergent drawer 22 partly juts out from the front wall 6 of casing 2, so that all detergent compartments 23 of detergent drawer 22 are fully accessible to the user at same time.
  • the entrance of drawer housing 24 is preferably located on front wall 6 of casing 2, immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2 and substantially horizontally aligned beside the control panel 21. Furthermore the longitudinal axis L of detergent drawer 22 and drawer housing 24, and as a consequence the displacement direction d of detergent drawer 22, is preferably locally substantially perpendicular to the front wall 6 of casing 2.
  • each detergent compartment 23 is additionally dimensioned to contain a given amount of detergent, softener or other washing agent sufficient for performing only a single washing cycle.
  • the detergent drawer 22 preferably has, on the bottom or on a sidewall of each detergent compartment 23, a large through opening (not shown) which is suitably shaped/dimensioned to allow the mixture of water and detergent, softener or other washing agent formed inside the same detergent compartment 23 to freely fall on the bottom of drawer housing 24.
  • the detergent drawer 22 may have, inside the detergent compartment 23, a siphon assembly (not shown) which is suitably structured/ designed to selectively channel the mixture of water and detergent, softener or other washing agent formed inside the detergent compartment 23 out of the same detergent compartment 23 and down onto the bottom of drawer housing 24.
  • the drawer flush circuit 25 is preferably structured for directly pouring/channelling, when detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, a shower of water droplets by gravity selectively and alternatively into any one of the detergent compartments 23 of detergent drawer 22, so as to selectively flush the detergent, softener or other washing agent out of the same detergent compartment 23 and down onto the bottom of drawer housing 24.
  • the detergent drawer 22 is preferably additionally provided with a substantially basin- shaped, salt compartment 26 which is located beside the one or more detergent compartments 23, and is structured/dimensioned for containing a given quantity of consumable salt grains to be used for producing the brine to be channelled into the electrolytic reactor 16, i.e. into the brine container 17.
  • the salt compartment 26 is moreover dimensioned to contain an amount of consumable salt grains sufficient for producing an amount of chlorine- based sanitizing agent sufficient for performing the sanitizing or bleaching process in several washing cycles.
  • the salt compartment 26 is preferably dimensioned to contain a maximum amount of salt grains of sodium chloride (NaCl) preferably equal to approximately 0,6 Kg (Kilos) and which suffices for successfully performing the sanitizing or bleaching process during a number of washing cycles preferably ranging between 5 and 15.
  • NaCl sodium chloride
  • the salt container 14 of electrochemical device 13 therefore, is preferably incorporated into the detergent dispenser 10, or rather into the detergent drawer 22 of detergent dispenser 10.
  • the electrolytic reactor 16, in turn, is preferably adjoined to the drawer housing 24 of detergent dispenser 10.
  • the salt compartment 26 is preferably arranged, on detergent drawer 22, beside the one or more detergent compartments 23 transversally to the displacement direction d of detergent drawer 22, i.e. transversally to the longitudinal axis L of detergent drawer 22, so that both detergent compartment/s 23 and salt compartment 26 are allowed to almost contemporaneously come out from the front wall 6 of casing 2 when detergent drawer 22 moves from the retracted position to the extracted position.
  • Detergent drawer 22 is therefore movable inside drawer housing 24 in displacement direction d between: a retracted position (see Figure 5) in which detergent drawer 22 is completely recessed into the front wall 6 of casing 2, so that both detergent compartment/s 23 and salt compartment 26 are inaccessible to the user; and a completely extracted position (see Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7) in which detergent drawer 22 partly juts out from the front wall 6 of casing 2, so that both detergent compartment/s 23 and salt compartment 26 are simultaneously fully exposed and accessible to the user.
  • the drawer flush circuit 25 of detergent dispenser 10 is preferably additionally structured for selectively and separately channelling, when detergent drawer 22 is in the retracted position, the water of the water mains also into the salt compartment 26, so that said water can dissolve some of the salt grains contained into the salt compartment 26 to form the brine (i.e. salt water).
  • the water supply line 15 of electrochemical device 13 is preferably incorporated into the detergent dispenser 10, or rather into the drawer flush circuit 25 of detergent dispenser 10.
  • the drawer flush circuit 25 is preferably structured for selectively and separately pouring/channelling, when the detergent drawer 22 is completely fitted/inserted into drawer housing 24, the water arriving from the fresh-water supply circuit 11 into any one of the detergent compartments 23 and also into the salt compartment 26.
  • the poured water serves to selectively flush the contents of the detergent compartment 23 out of the same compartment 23 and down on the bottom of drawer housing 24 via the corresponding through opening or siphon assembly.
  • the poured water serves to dissolve some of the consumable salt grains contained into the salt compartment 26 to form the brine (i.e. salt water).
  • the detergent drawer 22 preferably has, on the bottom of salt compartment 26, a large pass-through drain opening 27 which is suitably shaped/dimensioned to allow the brine (i.e. the salt water) formed inside the salt compartment 26 to freely fall by gravity on the bottom of drawer housing 24.
  • brine i.e. the salt water
  • brine i.e. salt water
  • detergent drawer 22 preferably comprises: a substantially basin-shaped, drawer main body 28 which is fitted/inserted in axially sliding manner into the drawer housing 24, and is shaped/dimensioned to be totally recessed/accommodated inside the drawer housing 24; and a manually-sizable front panel 29 which is arranged/located on a front side of the drawer main body 28, so as to close the entrance of drawer housing 24 when detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position.
  • the drawer main body 28, furthermore, is preferably made in a one piece construction via an injection moulding process, and the one or more detergent compartments 23 and the salt compartment 26 are preferably directly formed on the drawer main body 28, one side by side the other.
  • the detergent drawer 22 additionally includes a preferably manually-removable, water-permeable cover 30 that closes the drain opening 27, and additionally has a water-permeable structure designed for preventing the salt grains to accidentally spill out of the salt compartment 26 via the drain opening 27 and, at same time, for allowing the brine to freely flow out of the salt compartment 26 via the drain opening 27.
  • the water-permeable cover 30 furthermore has a water-permeable structure suitably designed/dimensioned to slow down the outflow of the brine from the salt compartment 26 via the drain opening 27, thus to temporary increase/rise the level of the water/brine into the salt compartment 26.
  • the water-permeable cover 30 is arranged above the drain opening 27 so as to completely cover the latter, and is preferably structured to allow the passage of the water/brine through the same water-permeable cover 30 with a flowrate which is lower than that of the water channelled/poured into the salt compartment 26 by the water supply line 15, or rather by the drawer flush circuit 25, so as to cause a temporary increase/rise of the level of the water inside the salt compartment 26.
  • the drain opening 27 and the water-permeable cover 30, therefore, form a brine draining system that allows the brine formed inside the salt compartment 26 to freely fall by gravity on the bottom of drawer housing 24 preferably after a short stay (for example 1 to 3 minutes) into the salt compartment 26.
  • the water- permeable cover 30 has a substantially platelike structure and preferably moreover extends inside the salt compartment 26 above the whole bottom of the salt compartment 26, preferably slightly spaced from, and locally substantially parallel to, the bottom of salt compartment 26, so as to form a thin air gap immediately above the bottom of salt compartment 26.
  • Said thin air gab allows the brine to quickly flow on the bottom of the salt compartment 26 towards the drain opening 27.
  • the water-permeable cover 30 preferably consists in a rigid platelike body which is preferably made of plastic material, which preferably substantially copies the shape of the bottom of salt compartment 26, and which has a microperforated structure suitably dimensioned to slow down the flow of the brine through the same platelike body 30 thus to cause a temporary increase/rise the level of the water/brine into the salt compartment 26, above the same platelike body 30.
  • the central portion of platelike body 30 is preferably provided with a plenty of substantially evenly distributed, transversal pass-through microslots or microholes each preferably having a cross-sectional area lower that 3 mm 2 (square millimetres), so as to allow the flow/passage of the brine/water through the platelike body 30 with a flowrate preferably ranging between 0,4 and 1 litre/min (litre per minute).
  • the flowrate of the water poured into the salt compartment 26 instead preferably ranges between 5 and 8 litre/min (litre per minute).
  • the detergent drawer 22 preferably additionally comprises a manually openable, upper lid assembly 31 which is firmly fitted on the drawer main body 28, on top of the salt compartment 26, and is structured to selectively close the upper mouth of salt compartment 26, preferably so as to almost completely cover said upper mouth.
  • the upper lid assembly 31 is additionally structured so as to be able to receive, from drawer flush circuit 25 and at least when detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, a flow of water and to channel said water into the beneath-located salt compartment 26, preferably while spreading out the same water inside the salt compartment 26.
  • the upper lid assembly 31 is preferably provided with a water inlet which is faced to the outside of salt compartment 26 and is structured to allow the water to enter into the same upper lid assembly 31 , and with one or more water outlets which are faced to the inside of salt compartment 26, fluidically communicate with said water inlet, and are finally suitably structured to allow the water previously entered into the upper lid assembly 31 through the water inlet to come out of the lid assembly 31 and fall into the salt compartment 26.
  • the drawer flush circuit 25, is preferably structured to selectively channel, when detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, a flow of water towards the water inlet of the upper lid assembly 31.
  • drawer flush circuit 25 is preferably additionally structured to selectively channel, when detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, the water arriving from the fresh-water supply circuit 11 towards the water inlet of lid assembly 31 which, in turn, is structured to distribute the water arriving from drawer flush circuit 25 into the salt compartment 26, so as to dissolve some of the consumable salt grains contained into the salt compartment 26 and form the brine (i.e. the salt water) that falls on the bottom of drawer housing 24 via the drain opening 27.
  • the brine i.e. the salt water
  • the water inlet of lid assembly 31 is preferably furthermore structured to selectively couple in a stable, though easy detachable manner, with the drawer flush circuit 25 for receiving the water arriving from fresh-water supply circuit 11 , only when the detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position; whereas the upper lid assembly 31 is preferably structured to drip the water into the salt compartment 26.
  • the drawer flush circuit 25 could be structured to selectively channel, when detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, a flow of water directly into the salt compartment 26 of detergent drawer 22 bypassing the upper lid assembly 31.
  • the upper lid assembly 31 preferably comprises: a platelike member 32 which is structured to rigidly fit into the upper rim of the salt compartment 26 to substantially completely cover/close the upper mouth of the salt compartment 26; and a preferably substantially rectangular-shaped, manually-movable trapdoor 33 which is arranged to close a complementary-shaped, pass-through opening which is preferably formed nearly in the middle of platelike member 32, and is moreover suitably shaped/ dimensioned to allow the user to easily manually pour/load the consumable salt grains of sodium chloride (NaCl) into the same salt compartment 26.
  • NaCl sodium chloride
  • the manually-movable trapdoor 33 is preferably flag -hinged to platelike member 32 at one of the two longer sides of the central pass-through opening, so as to be able to freely rotate about a reference axis locally substantially coplanar to the platelike member 32 and preferably also substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of both drawer housing 24 and detergent drawer 22.
  • the platelike member 32 furthermore has a hollow structure and is provided with a water inlet 34 which is suitably structured to watertight couple, when detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, with the drawer flush circuit 25 thus to allow the water to enter into the platelike member 32; and with one or more water-outlets 35 which are arranged on the lower face of platelike member 32, preferably all around the central pass-through opening closed by trapdoor 33, so as to face the inside of salt compartment 26.
  • the drawer flush circuit 25, is preferably structured to selectively couple, when detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, with the water inlet 34 of platelike member 32, so as to be able to channel the water of the water mains directly into the platelike member 32 of lid assembly 31.
  • Each water-outlet 35 allows the water previously entered into the platelike member 32 to slowly come out of platelike member 32 and freely fall into the salt compartment 26.
  • the water-outlets 35 of platelike member 32 are furthermore suitably shaped/structured to pour a shower of water droplets by gravity into the salt compartment 26.
  • the drawer housing 24 is preferably divided into two separated and substantially basin-shaped, bottom portions 36 and 37 which are located, when detergent drawer 22 is placed in retracted position, one underneath all detergent compartments 23 of detergent drawer 22 and the other underneath the salt compartment 26 of detergent drawer 22.
  • the bottom of drawer housing 24 is preferably divided by a substantially vertical, partitioning wall into two separated and substantially basin- shaped bottom portions 36 and 37, which are arranged side by side to one another transversally to the displacement direction d of detergent drawer 22 inside drawer housing 24, i.e. transversally to the longitudinal axis L of drawer housing 24.
  • the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 of drawer housing 24 is vertically aligned, when detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, to the one or more detergent compartments 23 of detergent drawer 22 for receiving/collecting the mixture of water and detergent, softener or other washing agent falling down from any one of the detergent compartments 23, and moreover directly communicates with the beneath- located washing tub 3.
  • the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 preferably directly communicates with the inside of washing tub 3 via a specific connecting duct 38 that branches off from the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 and ends directly into the beneath-located washing tub 3.
  • the connecting duct 38 allows the mixture of water and detergent, softener or other washing agent to quickly and freely flow by gravity directly into washing tub 3.
  • the basin-shaped bottom portion 37 preferably directly communicates with the inside of the beneath-located electrolytic reactor 16, or rather with the inside of the beneath-located brine container 17, so as to allow the brine to freely flow by gravity from the basin-shaped bottom portion 37 to the electrolytic reactor 16, or rather to the brine container 17, and accumulate therein.
  • the drawer flush circuit 25 of detergent dispenser 10 preferably comprises: a platelike water conveyor 40 which is suitably structured/designed to form the upper lid of the drawer housing 24, so as to be located immediately above the detergent drawer 22 when the latter is placed in the retracted position, i.e.
  • the water distributor 41 is furthermore directly controlled by the appliance electronic control unit.
  • the water conveyor 40 is preferably located immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2.
  • the platelike water conveyor 40 furthermore has, on its lower face (i.e. on the side directly facing the bottom of drawer housing 24), a group of first water delivery portions which are locally substantially vertically aligned, when the detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, each to a respective detergent compartment 23 of detergent drawer 22.
  • Each first water delivery portion of platelike water conveyor 40 is suitably structured to let the water arriving from water distributor 41 to slowly fall into the beneath-located detergent compartment 23.
  • each first water delivery portion of platelike water conveyor 40 is preferably structured to pour by gravity a shower of water droplets directly into the beneath- located detergent compartment 23.
  • the platelike water conveyor 40 furthermore has, on its lower face, a second water delivery portion which is substantially vertically aligned, when the detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, to the salt compartment 26 of detergent drawer 22, and is suitably structured to let the water arriving from water distributor 41 to slowly fall into the beneath-located salt compartment 26.
  • the second water delivery portion is preferably structured to couple with the water inlet 34 of upper lid assembly 31 for channelling the water into the upper lid assembly 31.
  • the second water delivery portion preferably consists in a male or female hydraulic connector (not visible in the figures) that protrudes from the lower face of platelike water conveyor 40 (i.e. on the side directly facing the bottom of drawer housing 24), locally parallel to the displacement direction d, and is suitably arranged to couple, when the detergent drawer 22 is placed in the retracted position, in detachable manner with a complementary second hydraulic connector which is incorporated into the water inlet 34 of upper lid assembly 31, or rather into the water inlet 34 of platelike member 32, so as to put the upper lid assembly 31 in direct fluid communication with the platelike water conveyor 40.
  • a male or female hydraulic connector not visible in the figures
  • the platelike water conveyor 40 moreover has, on its lower face (i.e. on the side directly facing the bottom of drawer housing 24), a third water delivery portion which is both substantially vertically aligned to the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 of drawer housing 24 and misaligned to the detergent drawer 22 placed in retracted position.
  • This third water delivery portion of platelike water conveyor 40 is suitably structured to pour/channel the water arriving from water distributor 41 directly into the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 of drawer housing 24, without affecting/reaching the detergent compartment/s 23.
  • the drawer flush circuit 25, is preferably also capable of selectively channelling the water of the water mains directly into the washing tub 3 bypassing the detergent compartment/s 23 of detergent drawer 22.
  • the platelike water conveyor 40 moreover has, on its lower face (i.e. on the side directly facing the bottom of drawer housing 24), a fourth water delivery portion which is both substantially vertically aligned to the basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24 and misaligned to the detergent drawer 22 placed in retracted position.
  • This fourth water delivery portion of platelike water conveyor 40 is suitably structured to pour/channel the water arriving from the water distributor 41 directly into the basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24, without affecting/ reaching the salt compartment 26.
  • the drawer flush circuit 25, therefore, is preferably also capable of selectively channelling the water of the water mains directly into the electrolytic reactor 16, or rather into the brine container 17 of electrolytic reactor 16, bypassing the salt compartment 26 of detergent drawer 22.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 is preferably additionally provided with an auxiliary water supply line capable of selectively channelling the water of the water mains directly into the brine container 17 of electrolytic reactor 16.
  • the electrically-operated, water distributor 41 is preferably discrete from the platelike water conveyor 40, and is preferably firmly coupled/associated to the platelike water conveyor 40 at a corresponding coupling socket (not visible in the figures) preferably realized on the lower face of the platelike water conveyor 40.
  • this water distributor 41 furthermore has a water inlet (not visible in the figures) which directly communicates with the fresh-water supply circuit 11 for directly receiving the water of the water mains; and a number of water outlets 42 which are located, preferably one side by side the other, on the interface portion of water distributor 41 suited to couple with the complementary coupling socket present in the platelike water conveyor 40.
  • the platelike water conveyor 40 is preferably provided with a number of independent water inlets (not visible in the figures) that are located at coupling socket and separately communicate each with a respective water delivery portion of the same water conveyor 40 via a corresponding internal connecting channel 43 extending inside the body of the platelike water conveyor 40.
  • Each water outlet 42 of water distributor 41 is preferably structured to watertight couple/connect, at coupling socket of platelike water conveyor 40, with a corresponding water inlet of the same water conveyor 40.
  • the water distributor 41 preferably consists in an electrically-operated, discrete flow-diverter module which is firmly attached to the outside of platelike water conveyor 40, at said coupling socket, and is directly controlled by the appliance electronic control unit so as to selectively and alternatively channel the water arriving from the fresh- water supply circuit 11 towards any one of the water delivery portions of platelike water conveyor 40.
  • the discrete flow-diverter module 41 preferably internally accommodates: a rotatable flow diverter which is capable of channelling, according to its angular position, the water entering into the same flow-diverter module 41 via the water inlet towards any one of the water outlets 42; and an electrically-operated driver assembly (not shown) which is mechanically connected to the rotatable flow diverter and is capable of controlling/varying the angular position of the same flow diverter according to the electronic signals arriving from the appliance electronic control unit.
  • a rotatable flow diverter which is capable of channelling, according to its angular position, the water entering into the same flow-diverter module 41 via the water inlet towards any one of the water outlets 42
  • an electrically-operated driver assembly (not shown) which is mechanically connected to the rotatable flow diverter and is capable of controlling/varying the angular position of the same flow diverter according to the electronic signals arriving from the appliance electronic control unit.
  • the platelike water conveyor 40 of drawer flush circuit 25 is moreover fludically connected to the electrolytic reactor 16 for receiving the chlorine-based sanitizing agent produced therein, and is additionally provided with an internal sanitizing-agent delivery line 44 structured/ designed for separately channelling the chlorine-based sanitizing agent arriving from electrolytic reactor 16 directly into the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 of drawer housing 24, preferably without affecting/reaching the detergent compartment/s 23.
  • the platelike water conveyor 40 is preferably fludically connected to sanitizing-agent outlet of electrolytic reactor 16.
  • the sanitizing-agent delivery line 44 of water conveyor 40 preferably includes: a sanitizing-agent inlet 45 preferably directly communicating with the sanitizing-agent outlet of electrolytic reactor 16 for receiving the chlorine- based sanitizing agent produced therein; and a sanitizing-agent delivery portion which directly communicates solely with the sanitizing-agent inlet 45 via a specific internal connecting channel 46 extending inside the body of platelike water conveyor 40, and which is located on the lower face of the water conveyor 40 (i.e. on the side directly facing the bottom of drawer housing 24), both substantially vertically aligned to the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 of drawer housing 24 and preferably misaligned to the detergent drawer 22 placed in retracted position.
  • the sanitizing-agent delivery portion of platelike water conveyor 40 is preferably suitably structured to directly pour/channel the chlorine-based sanitizing agent arriving from the electrolytic reactor 16 directly onto the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 of drawer housing 24, actually without affecting/reaching the detergent compartment/s 23.
  • this chlorine-based sanitizing agent freely flows by gravity along the connecting duct 38 up to the washing tub 3, preferably, though not necessarily, together with any water or mixture of water and detergent, softener or other washing agent almost contemporaneously arriving into the basin-shaped bottom portion 36.
  • the platelike water conveyor 40 additionally includes: an air inlet 47 that directly communicates with the air vent of electrolytic reactor 16 for receiving any air or other gas contained or formed inside the electrolytic reactor 16; and preferably also a corresponding internal air duct that extends inside the body of the water conveyor 40 and is adapted to exhaust said air or other gas out of the same platelike water conveyor 40. More specifically, said internal air duct preferably ends into one or more holes adapted to discharge inside the drawer housing 24 the air or other gas arriving from the electrolytic reactor 16.
  • the sanitizing-agent inlet 45 of water conveyor 40 preferably consists in a first male of female hydraulic connector which preferably protrudes downwards from the lower face of platelike water conveyor 40 (i.e. from the side directly facing the bottom of drawer housing 24) spaced apart from the coupling socket of platelike water conveyor 40, and while remaining locally substantially perpendicular to the same lower face of platelike water conveyor 40.
  • the air inlet 47 of water conveyor 40 preferably consists in a second male of female hydraulic connector which preferably protrudes downwards from the lower face of platelike water conveyor 40 (i.e. from the side directly facing the bottom of drawer housing 24) both adjacent to the hydraulic connector of sanitizing- agent inlet 45 and spaced apart from the coupling socket of platelike water conveyor 40, and while remaining locally substantially perpendicular to the lower face of platelike water conveyor 40.
  • the hydraulic connector of sanitizing-agent inlet 45 and, if present, the hydraulic connector of air inlet 47 are preferably adapted to watertight couple with corresponding and complementary hydraulic connectors present in the electrolytic reactor 16.
  • the brine container 17 of electrolytic reactor 16 in turn, preferably includes a pair of unpressurized storage tanks or vessels 48 and 49 that are horizontally adjoined to one another and are in permanent fluid communication to one another via a pass-through opening 50, which is directly formed in the partitioning wall between the same storage tanks or vessels 48 and 49, preferably adjacent to the bottom of both storage tanks or vessels 48 and 49.
  • these unpressurized storage tanks or vessels 48 and 49 are preferably dimensioned to receive and accumulate substantially the whole brine arriving on the same bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24.
  • the ensemble of storage tanks 48 and 49 is preferably firmly fixed/secured to the drawer housing 24 and to the platelike water conveyor 40 by means of one or more anchoring screws and/or one or more releasable mechanical couplings, and is preferably dimensioned to catch and accumulate a given amount of brine preferably ranging between 100 and 250 ml (millilitres).
  • the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 48 is preferably located immediately underneath the drawer housing 24, preferably substantially vertically aligned to the basin- shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24, and directly communicates with the basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24 so as to receive the brine arriving on the same bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24.
  • the brine inlet of electrolytic reactor 16 is preferably located in the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 48.
  • the unpressurized storage tank 48 is furthermore rigidly fixed/ secured to the bottom of drawer housing 24 by means of one or more anchoring screws and/or one or more releasable mechanical couplings.
  • the storage tank or vessel 48 is preferably directly connected to the superjacent basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24 so that the brine arriving onto the bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24 is allowed to freely flow by gravity into the same storage tank or vessel 48.
  • the storage tank or vessel 48 preferably directly communicates with the basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24 via at least one and preferably a pair of tubular extensions 51 that protrude downwards from the bottom of drawer housing 24, directly communicate with the basin- shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24, and lastly directly fit in substantially watertight manner each into a respective complementary- shaped opening 52 formed on top wall of the same storage tank or vessel 48.
  • the storage tank or vessel 48 preferably directly communicates with the basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24 via one or more tubular extensions 51 protruding downwards from the bottom of drawer housing 24 and directly communicating with the superjacent basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24.
  • the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 49 internally accommodates the two, preferably platelike, electrodes 53 of electrolytic cell 18, and is preferably located between the storage tank or vessel 48 and the vertical sidewall 20 of casing 2. Furthermore the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 49 preferably directly communicates with the platelike water conveyor 40 of detergent dispenser 10, so as to be able to feed the chlorine-based sanitizing agent and optionally also the air or other gas contained or formed inside the same storage tank or vessel 49 to the platelike water conveyor 40.
  • the sanitizing- agent outlet and preferably also the air vent of electrolytic reactor 16 are preferably located in the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 49.
  • the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 49 preferably has a flattened boxlike structure and is preferably arranged adjacent to a sidewall of the drawer housing 24, preferably nearly perpendicular to the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2 and/or nearly parallel to vertical sidewall 20 of casing 2.
  • the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 49 furthermore extends downwards beyond the bottom of drawer housing 24, locally substantially tangent to the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 48.
  • the upper edge of storage tank or vessel 49 moreover stably abuts against the platelike water conveyor 40, and the sanitizing-agent outlet and the air vent of electrolytic reactor 16 are preferably located on this upper edge.
  • the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 49 preferably has, on its upper edge, two hydraulic connectors 55 and 57 which are complementary to the hydraulic connectors 45 and 47 of platelike water conveyor 40, and are adapted to couple in substantially watertight manner with the hydraulic connectors 45 and 47 of platelike water conveyor 40.
  • the storage tank or vessel 49 is finally rigidly fixed/secured to the platelike water conveyor 40 and/or to the drawer housing 24 by means of one or more anchoring screws and/or one or more releasable mechanical couplings.
  • the electrolytic cell 18 of electrolytic reactor 16 in turn comprises: the aforesaid two, preferably platelike, electrodes 53 accommodated in the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 49; and preferably also an electric power unit (not shown) which is preferably controlled by, or incorporated into, the appliance electronic control unit, and is adapted to selectively apply a given electric DC voltage to the electrodes 53 preferably so as to cause the electro-chlorination of the brine contained into the brine container 17, i.e. into the ensemble of storage tanks 48 and 49, thus preferably producing hydrogen gas (3 ⁇ 4) and water-diluted sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO), commonly known as bleach.
  • an electric power unit not shown
  • This sodium hypochlorite is the chlorine-based sanitizing agent that pump assembly 19 subsequently moves into the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 of drawer housing 24 via the platelike water conveyor 40 of detergent dispenser 10.
  • the electrolytic cell 18 may also include a water-permeable partitioning septum or membrane (not shown) that divides the inside of storage tank or vessel 49 into two complementary inner compartments each accommodating a respective platelike electrode 43.
  • the DC voltage applied on electrodes 53 causes the electrolysis of the sodium chloride (NaCl) and the consequent production of chlorine (CI) and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda).
  • the pump assembly 19 is preferably firmly fixed/secured to both storage tanks or vessels 48 and 49, and is capable of pumping/moving, on command of the appliance electronic control unit, the chlorine -based sanitizing accumulated into the ensemble of unpressurized storage tanks or vessels 48 and 49, from the ensemble of storage tanks or vessels 48 and 49 to the platelike water conveyor 40 of detergent dispenser 10.
  • the pump assembly 19 is preferably configured to suck the chlorine-based sanitizing agent from the bottom of storage tank or vessel 48 and to feed/pump said chlorine-based sanitizing agent into an auxiliary vertical duct 58 that preferably extends in pass-through manner inside the storage tank or vessel 49, up to the platelike water conveyor 40 of detergent dispenser 10.
  • the vertical duct 58 preferably extends inside the storage tank or vessel 49 up to the hydraulic connector 55 located on the upper side of storage tank or vessel 49.
  • the pump assembly 19 when deactivated, is moreover capable of watertight isolating the ensemble of unpressurized storage tanks or vessels 48 and 49 from the platelike water conveyor 40 of detergent dispenser 10.
  • the pump assembly 19 preferably basically comprises an electrically-powered membrane pump or other electrically- powered volumetric pump, which preferably has a first duckbill valve or other nonreturn valve at suction mouth of the pump, and a second duckbill valve or other nonreturn valve at delivery mouth of the pump.
  • the suction mouth 19a of the pump is preferably directly connected to the storage tank or vessel 48, preferably close to bottom of storage tank or vessel 48 and/or close to the pass-through opening 50 communicating with storage tank or vessel 49, and preferably also beneath a filtering structure 59 located inside the same storage tank or vessel 48.
  • the delivery mouth of the pump is preferably connected to the lower mouth of vertical duct 58 via a tubular connecting member 60 preferably additionally capable of firmly locking the pump to the ensemble of storage tanks or vessels 48 and 49.
  • the electrolytic reactor 16 additionally includes a detector device 61 capable of monitoring/detecting the level and/or salinity degree of the water or brine momentarily contained into the brine container 17, i.e. into the ensemble of storage tanks 48 and 49, and which preferably electronically communicates with the appliance electronic control unit.
  • a detector device 61 capable of monitoring/detecting the level and/or salinity degree of the water or brine momentarily contained into the brine container 17, i.e. into the ensemble of storage tanks 48 and 49, and which preferably electronically communicates with the appliance electronic control unit.
  • the detector device 61 is preferably located inside the storage tank or vessel 48, preferably above the filtering structure 59, and preferably comprises: a first floating member 62 capable of floating when the liquid contained into the storage tank or vessel 48 is either fresh water or salt water; a second floating member 23 capable of floating solely when the water contained into the storage tank or vessel 48 is fresh water; and a local electronic control unit 64 capable of detecting when each of the two floating members 62 and 63 arrive on top of storage tank or vessel 48.
  • the fresh- water supply circuit 11 of laundry washing machine comprises: a main water delivery line 70 which is connected/connectable to the water mains and is structured to channel, on command, the fresh water of the water mains towards the drawer flush circuit 25 of detergent dispenser 10, or rather towards the water inlet of water distributor 41; and optionally also an auxiliary water delivery line 71 which is connected/connectable to an alternative external water source of hot fresh water (for example the hot branch of the piping, fittings, and fixtures generally involved in the distribution and use of hot water in a domestic building), and is structured to independently channel, on command, the hot fresh water of said alternative water source towards the washing tub 3, preferably via the platelike water conveyor 40 of detergent dispenser 10.
  • a main water delivery line 70 which is connected/connectable to the water mains and is structured to channel, on command, the fresh water of the water mains towards the drawer flush circuit 25 of detergent dispenser 10, or rather towards the water inlet of water distributor 41
  • an auxiliary water delivery line 71 which is connected/connectable to an alternative external water source of hot fresh water (for example
  • main water delivery line 70 Obviously both main water delivery line 70 and auxiliary water delivery line
  • the appliance electronic control unit 71 are preferably directly controlled by the appliance electronic control unit.
  • the main water delivery line 70 basically comprises: a first electrically-operated on-off valve 72 which is preferably located on a rear wall of boxlike casing 2, preferably immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2, is directly connectable to the water mains, and is preferably directly controlled by the appliance electronic control unit; and a first tube 73 connecting the on-off valve 72 to the water inlet of the water distributor 41.
  • the auxiliary water delivery line 71 preferably basically comprises: a second electrically-operated on-off valve 74 which is preferably located on the rear wall of boxlike casing 2, preferably immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2, is connectable to the alternative external water source and is preferably directly controlled by the appliance electronic control unit; and a second tube 75 connecting the on-off valve 74 to a corresponding tubular extension 76 that preferably protrudes downwards from the lower face of the platelike water conveyor 40 preferably while remaining locally substantially perpendicular to the latter, and moreover directly communicates with one of the water delivery portions of water conveyor 40 vertically aligned to the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 of drawer housing 24.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 preferably, though not necessarily, includes an auxiliary water drain line 80 that braches off from the drawer flush circuit 25 and preferably ends directly into the drain sump (not shown) beneath the washing tub 3, or even directly into the suction of the electric pump that drains the waste water or washing liquor outside the laundry washing machine 1; and the drawer flush circuit 25 is capable of selectively channelling, towards the water drain line 80, any kind of water arriving into the same drawer flush circuit 25.
  • the water drain line 80 preferably basically includes: a drain tube 81 having a first end connected to a corresponding tubular extension 82 preferably protruding downwards from the lower face of the platelike water conveyor 40 while remaining locally substantially perpendicular to the latter, and a second end connected to the drain sump beneath the washing tub 3; and preferably also an air-gap device 83 located upstream of drain tube 81.
  • the water distributor 41 of drawer flush circuit 25, in turn, is capable of selectively channelling, towards the drain tube 81, any kind of water entering into the drawer flush circuit 25.
  • the appliance electronic control unit controls the motor assembly 5, the detergent dispenser 10, and the fresh-water supply circuit 11 so as to automatically perform the washing cycle preferably selected by the user via the control panel 21.
  • the appliance electronic control unit controls/activates the electrochemical device 13 so as to timely produce, during the washing cycle, a given amount of chlorine-based sanitizing agent to be subsequently used in the sanitizing or bleaching step of the same washing cycle.
  • the appliance electronic control unit activates the water supply line 15 of electrochemical device 13 (i.e. controls the water distributor 41 of drawer flush circuit 25) so as to channel a given amount of fresh water of the water mains into the salt container 14 (i.e. into the salt compartment 26 of detergent drawer 22).
  • the fresh water dissolves at least part of the salt grains contained into the same salt container 14 thus forming a given amount of brine that freely flows and accumulates into the beneath-located brine container 17 of electrolytic reactor 16 (i.e. into the ensemble of storage tanks 48 and 49).
  • the appliance electronic control unit activates the electric power unit of electrolytic cell 18 so as to perform the electro-chlorination/electrolysis of the brine contained into the brine container 17 (i.e. into the ensemble of storage tanks 48 and 49).
  • the chlorine-based sanitizing agent resulting from the electro-chlorination/electrolysis of the brine then accumulates inside the brine container 17 (i.e. inside both storage tanks 48 and 49).
  • the appliance electronic control unit assumes that the electro-chlorination/electrolysis of the brine contained into the brine container 17 (i.e. inside both storage tanks 48 and 49) is completed and that a suitable amount of the chlorine-based sanitizing agent is actually contained into the same brine container 17.
  • the appliance electronic control unit activates the pump assembly 19 of electrolytic reactor 16 so as to move substantially the whole chlorine-based sanitizing agent accumulated into the brine container 17 (i.e. into both storage tanks or vessels 48 and 49), from the brine container 17 to the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 of drawer housing 24 preferably via the sanitizing- agent delivery line 44 of platelike water conveyor 40.
  • the chlorine-based sanitizing agent freely flows by gravity into the connecting duct 38 and arrives into washing tub 3.
  • the hydraulic circuit of laundry washing machine 1 is significantly simpler than that of the laundry washing machines disclosed in EP0146184 and EP0083740, with the cost reduction that this entails.
  • the arrangement of the loading inlet of salt container 14 above the laundry loading-unloading opening, i.e. on the upper part of the boxlike casing 2, makes significantly easier and comfortable the manual refilling of the salt container 14.
  • the salt container 14 only temporarily contains the brine to be used for producing the chlorine-based sanitizing agent, thus there is actually no risk of spilling around the brine during manual refilling of the salt container 14.
  • brine draining system including the drain opening 27 and the water-permeable cover 30 significantly improves the salinity degree of the brine arriving on the basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24, thus improving performances of the electrolytic cell 18.
  • the electrochemical reactor 16 could channel/feed the chlorine-based sanitizing agent directly into the washing tub 3 without involving the platelike water conveyor 40 of drawer flush circuit 25 and the basin-shaped bottom portion 36 of drawer housing 24.
  • the pump assembly 19 could feed the chlorine-based sanitizing agent directly into washing tub 3 bypassing the detergent dispenser 10.
  • the platelike water conveyor 40 of detergent dispenser 10 would lack the sanitizing-agent delivery line 44.
  • the drawer flush circuit 25 of detergent dispenser 10 may lack the water distributor 41, and the fresh- water supply circuit 11 may have a number of electrically-operated on- off valves each of which is interposed between the water mains and a respective water delivery portion of platelike water conveyor 40.
  • each of these on- off valves is furthermore directly controlled by the appliance electronic control unit.
  • the electrolytic cell 18 is separated from brine container 17 and is located along the fresh- water supply circuit 11, or more precisely along the main water delivery line 70 of fresh-water supply circuit 11 , so as to be permanently crossed by the fresh water directed to the detergent dispenser 10 or to the washing tub 3.
  • the water inlet of the drawer flush circuit 25 of detergent dispenser 10 receives the fresh water of the water mains directly from the electrolytic cell 18.
  • the electrolytic cell 18 of electrolytic reactor 16 includes a water-tight closed container 100 which is arranged along the main water delivery line 70 of fresh-water supply circuit 11 so as to be permanently crossed by the fresh water directed towards the detergent dispenser 10, and is additionally adapted to also receive the brine previously contained into the brine container 17.
  • the water-tight closed container 100 furthermore has nearly the same capacity as brine container 17 so as to be able to contain a given amount of water or brine preferably substantially equal to that containable into the brine container 17.
  • the chlorine -based sanitizing agent preferably enters into the detergent dispenser 10 via the drawer flush circuit 25, or rather via the water inlet of the water distributor 41 of drawer flush circuit 25.
  • the platelike water conveyor 40 of detergent dispenser 10 preferably lacks the sanitizing-agent delivery line 44.
  • the brine container 17 of electrolytic reactor 16 in turn, preferably incudes a single unpressurized storage tank or vessel 101 which is again preferably located immediately underneath the drawer housing 24, and directly communicates with the basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24 so as to receive and accumulate substantially the whole brine arriving on the same bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24.
  • the storage tank or vessel 101 is preferably dimensioned to catch and accumulate a given amount of brine preferably ranging between 100 and 250 ml (millilitres), and is preferably firmly attached/fixed to the bottom of drawer housing 24, preferably substantially vertically aligned to the basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24.
  • the storage tank or vessel 101 is furthermore fluidically connected to the superjacent basin-shaped bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24 so that the brine arriving onto the bottom portion 37 of drawer housing 24 is allowed to freely flow by gravity into the same storage tank or vessel 101.
  • the electrolytic reactor 16 preferably comprises, in place of pump assembly 19, a small, electrically-powered pump assembly 102 which is capable of selectively pumping/moving the brine (i.e. the salt water) accumulated into the brine container 17 (i.e. into the unpressurized storage tank or vessel 101), from the brine container 17 to the water-tight closed container 100 of electrolytic cell 18.
  • pump assembly 102 is preferably moreover capable of watertight isolating the brine container 17 from the electrolytic cell 18.
  • pump assembly 102 is interposed between the brine container 17, or rather the storage tank or vessel 101, and the water-tight closed container 100 of electrolytic cell 18.
  • the auxiliary water delivery line 104 preferably basically comprises: a third electrically-operated on-off valve 105 which is preferably located on the rear wall of boxlike casing 2, preferably immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2, is connectable to the water mains and is preferably directly controlled by the appliance electronic control unit; and a third tube 106 connecting the on-off valve 105 directly to the water inlet of the water distributor 41 bypassing the whole electrolytic cell 18.
  • the electrochemical device 13 operates as follows.
  • the appliance electronic control unit activates the water supply line 15 of electrochemical device 13 (i.e. controls the water distributor 41 of drawer flush circuit 25) so as to channel a given amount of fresh water of the water mains into the salt container 14 (i.e. into the salt compartment 26 of detergent drawer 22), thus dissolving at least part of the salt grains contained therein and form a given amount of brine that freely flows and accumulates into the brine container 17 (i.e. into the storage tank or vessel 101 located immediately underneath the drawer housing 24).
  • the water supply line 15 of electrochemical device 13 i.e. controls the water distributor 41 of drawer flush circuit 25
  • the appliance electronic control unit activates the water supply line 15 of electrochemical device 13 (i.e. controls the water distributor 41 of drawer flush circuit 25) so as to channel a given amount of fresh water of the water mains into the salt container 14 (i.e. into the salt compartment 26 of detergent drawer 22), thus dissolving at least part of the salt grains contained therein and form a given amount of brine that freely flows and accumulates into the brin
  • Either the main water delivery line 70 or the auxiliary water delivery line 104 may be used for feeding the fresh water of the water mains towards the water distributor 41 of drawer flush circuit 25.
  • the appliance electronic control unit firstly activates the pump assembly 102 so as to move the brine (i.e. the salt water) accumulated into the brine container 17 (i.e. into the storage tank or vessel 101), from the brine container 17 to the electrolytic cell 18 (i.e. to the water-tight closed container 100).
  • the brine i.e. the salt water
  • the appliance electronic control unit Before moving the brine to the electrolytic cell 18 (i.e. to the water-tight closed container 100), the appliance electronic control unit additionally puts the water outlet of electrolytic cell 18 (i.e. the water outlet of water-tight closed container 100) in fluid communication with the water drain line 80 so as to channel towards the drain sump any liquid coming out of electrolytic cell 18.
  • the appliance electronic control unit could put the water outlet of electrolytic cell 18 (i.e. the water outlet of the water-tight closed container
  • the appliance electronic control unit activates the electric power unit of electrolytic cell 18 so as to perform the electro-chlorination/ electrolysis of the brine contained into the electrolytic cell 18 (i.e. into the water-tight closed container 100).
  • the appliance electronic control unit preferably firstly controls the water distributor 41 of drawer flush circuit 25 so as to channel any liquid arriving from the electrolytic cell 18 (i.e. from the water-tight closed container 100) preferably directly towards the third water-delivery portion of platelike water conveyor 40 or alternatively towards one of the first water- delivery portions of platelike water conveyor 40; and then temporarily opens the on- off valve 72 of water delivery line 70 so as to feed, towards the washing tub 3, an amount of fresh water that flows though the electrolytic cell 18 (i.e. through the water-tight closed container 100) and flushes the whole chlorine-based sanitizing agent accumulated therein into the washing tub 3, so as to perform the sanitizing or bleaching step of the washing cycle.
  • the water distributor 41 of drawer flush circuit 25 so as to channel any liquid arriving from the electrolytic cell 18 (i.e. from the water-tight closed container 100) preferably directly towards the third water-delivery portion of platelike water conveyor 40 or alternatively towards one of the first water- delivery portions of platelike water conveyor 40;
  • the appliance electronic control unit optionally temporarily puts the water outlet of electrolytic cell 18 (i.e. the water outlet of water-tight closed container 100) in fluid communication with the water drain line 80, and then waits the end of the sanitizing or bleaching step of the washing cycle for activating the fresh-water supply circuit 11, or rather the main water delivery line 70 of fresh- water supply circuit 11, for feeding through the electrolytic cell 18 (i.e.
  • the salt container 14 of electrochemical device 13 is preferably located/ incorporated into a supplementary drawer 122 which is fitted/inserted in manually extractable manner into a corresponding, preferably substantially basin-shaped, second drawer housing 124 which is preferably discrete and spaced apart from the drawer housing 24 of detergent drawer 22, and is preferably located/recessed inside the boxlike casing 2 substantially horizontally aligned to the drawer housing 24 of detergent drawer 22.
  • the appliance control panel 21 is furthermore located on front wall 6 of casing 2, astride the vertical midplane of boxlike casing 2, and the entrances of drawer housings 24 and 124 are arranged on opposite sides of said control panel 20, preferably immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2.
  • the detergent drawer 22 lacks the salt compartment 26, whereas the supplementary drawer 122 is preferably provided with a substantially basin-shaped, salt compartment (not visible in Figure 13) which is structured/dimensioned for being manually fillable with a given quantity of consumable salt grains of sodium chloride (NaCl) to be used for producing the brine to be channelled into the electrolytic cell 18.
  • NaCl sodium chloride
  • the water supply line 15 is structured to selectively channel, when the supplementary drawer 122 is completely recessed into the corresponding drawer housing 124, a given amount of water into the salt container of said supplementary drawer 122 so as to dissolve at least part of the salt grains contained therein and form a given amount of brine (i.e. the salt water).
  • this salt compartment is moreover provided with a large pass-through drain opening (not visible in Figure 13) which is suitably shaped/ dimensioned to allow the brine (i.e. the salt water) formed inside the same salt compartment to freely fall by gravity on the bottom of drawer housing 124.
  • a large pass-through drain opening (not visible in Figure 13) which is suitably shaped/ dimensioned to allow the brine (i.e. the salt water) formed inside the same salt compartment to freely fall by gravity on the bottom of drawer housing 124.
  • drain opening 27 also this latter drain opening is preferably closed by a platelike water-permeable cover (not visible in Figure 13) having a water- permeable structure designed for preventing the salt grains contained into the salt compartment of supplementary drawer 122 to accidentally spill out of the same salt compartment and fall on the bottom of drawer housing 124.
  • this latter water-permeable cover preferably also has a water-permeable structure which is suitably designed/ dimensioned to slow down the outflow of the brine from the salt compartment of supplementary drawer 122 onto the bottom of drawer housing 124, thus to cause a temporary stay of the water into the same salt compartment.
  • the supplementary drawer 122 is additionally provided with a manually openable, upper lid assembly 131 which is arranged on top of the salt compartment of the same supplementary drawer 122, and is structured to selectively close the upper mouth of said salt compartment.
  • the lid assembly 31 is preferably structured to receive the water from the water supply line 15, and to distribute said water into the salt compartment of supplementary drawer 122.
  • the at least one unpressurized storage tank or vessel of brine container 17 is preferably located beneath drawer housing 124, and moreover preferably directly communicates with the bottom of the same drawer housing 124 so as to allow the brine (i.e. salt water) to freely flow by gravity from bottom of drawer housing 124 to the same brine container 16.
  • brine i.e. salt water
  • the appliance control panel 21 is preferably located on front of a supplementary drawer 222 which is fitted/ inserted in extractable manner into a corresponding, preferably substantially basin-shaped, second drawer housing 224 which is preferably discrete and spaced apart from the drawer housing 24 of detergent drawer 22, and is preferably located/recessed inside the boxlike casing 2 substantially horizontally aligned to the drawer housing 24 of detergent drawer 22.
  • the salt container 14 of electrochemical device 13 is preferably located/incorporated into said supplementary drawer 222, behind the control panel 21.
  • the detergent drawer 22 lacks the salt compartment 26, whereas the supplementary drawer 222 is preferably provided with a substantially basin-shaped, salt compartment 226 which is structured /dimensioned for being manually fillable with a given quantity of consumable salt grains of sodium chloride (NaCl) to be used for producing the brine to be channelled into the electrolytic cell 18.
  • the water supply line 15, in turn, is structured to selectively channel, when the supplementary drawer 222 is completely recessed into the corresponding drawer housing 224, a given amount of water into the salt container 226 of said supplementary drawer 222 so as to dissolve at least part of the salt grains contained therein and form a given amount of brine (i.e. the salt water).
  • the bottom of salt compartment 226 is furthermore provided with a large pass-through drain opening (not visible in Figure 13) which is suitably shaped/ dimensioned to allow the brine (i.e. the salt water) formed inside salt compartment 226 to freely fall by gravity on the bottom of drawer housing 224.
  • a large pass-through drain opening (not visible in Figure 13) which is suitably shaped/ dimensioned to allow the brine (i.e. the salt water) formed inside salt compartment 226 to freely fall by gravity on the bottom of drawer housing 224.
  • this latter drain opening is preferably closed by a platelike water-permeable cover (not visible in Figure 12) having a water- permeable structure designed for preventing the salt grains contained into salt compartment 226 of supplementary drawer 222 to accidentally spill out of salt compartment 226 and fall on the bottom of drawer housing 224.
  • this latter water-permeable cover preferably has a water-permeable structure which is suitably designed/dimensioned to slow down the outflow of the brine from salt compartment 226 onto the bottom of drawer housing 224, thus to cause a temporary stay of the water/brine into the salt compartment 226.
  • the supplementary drawer 222 is additionally provided with a funnel-shaped lid 231 which is arranged on top of salt compartment 226 so as to ease the pouring/loading of the consumable salt grains within the salt compartment 226.
  • the at least one unpressurized storage tank or vessel of brine container 17 is preferably located beneath drawer housing 224, and moreover preferably directly communicates with the bottom of the same drawer housing 224 so as to allow the brine (i.e. salt water) to freely flow by gravity from the bottom of drawer housing 224 to the unpressurized storage tank or vessel of brine container 17.
  • brine i.e. salt water
  • the salt container 14 of electrochemical device 13 is preferably located immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2, and the unsealed loading inlet of the same salt container 14 is directly accessible via a trapdoor 300 present on the upper worktop or top wall 12.
  • the detergent drawer 22 lacks the salt compartment 26, whereas the salt container 14 basically comprises: a basin- shaped container 326 which is preferably recessed into the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2, underneath the trapdoor 300 present on the upper worktop or top wall 12, and is structured/dimensioned so as to be manually fillable with a given quantity of consumable salt grains of sodium chloride (NaCl) to be used for producing the brine to be channelled into the electrolytic cell 18; and preferably also a funnel- shaped lid 331 that closes the upper mouth of said basin-shaped container 326 so as to ease the pouring/loading of the consumable salt grains within the basin-shaped container 326.
  • a basin- shaped container 326 which is preferably recessed into the upper worktop or top wall 12 of casing 2, underneath the trapdoor 300 present on the upper worktop or top wall 12, and is structured/dimensioned so as to be manually fillable with a given quantity of consumable salt grains of sodium chloride (NaCl) to be used for producing the brine
  • the water supply line 15 is obviously structured to selectively channel a given amount of water into the basin-shaped container 326 so as to dissolve at least part of the salt grains contained therein and form a given amount of brine (i.e. the salt water).
  • the at least one unpressurized storage tank or vessel of brine container 17 is preferably located beneath the basin-shaped container 326 and moreover preferably directly communicates with the bottom of the basin-shaped container 326 so as to receive and accumulate the whole brine previously formed into the same basin-shaped container 326. Also in this embodiment, therefore, a prolonged stagnation of the brine inside the salt container 14 is prevented.
  • this unpressurized storage tank or vessel of brine container 17 preferably communicates with the superjacent basin-shaped container 326 via a draining water-way structured so as to allow the brine (i.e. the salt water) formed inside the basin-shaped container 326 to freely flow by gravity into the same unpressurized storage tank or vessel.
  • a draining water-way structured so as to allow the brine (i.e. the salt water) formed inside the basin-shaped container 326 to freely flow by gravity into the same unpressurized storage tank or vessel.
  • this draining water-way is preferably structured for preventing the salt grains contained into the basin-shaped container 326 to accidentally fall into the beneath-located brine unpressurized storage tank or vessel of brine container 17, and preferably also for slowing down the outflow of the brine from the basin-shaped container 326 to the beneath- located brine container 17, so as to cause a temporary stay of the water/brine into the basin-shaped container 326.
  • the electrolytic cell 18 may be the electrolytic cell disclosed in WO2016/162327.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une machine à laver le linge (1) possédant un carter externe (2) et comprenant, à l'intérieur dudit carter externe (2) : une cuve de lavage (3) ; un tambour rotatif qui est logé de manière rotative axialement à l'intérieur de la cuve de lavage (3) et qui est structuré pour loger le linge à laver ; un distributeur de détergent (10) qui est structuré pour fournir un détergent dans la cuve de lavage (3); un circuit d'alimentation en eau douce (11) qui est structuré pour acheminer sélectivement l'eau douce d'une source d'eau externe jusqu'au distributeur de détergent (10) et/ou jusqu'à la cuve de lavage (3) ; et un dispositif électrochimique (13) qui comprend à son tour : une cellule électrolytique (18) capable de convertir de manière interne une saumure en un agent de désinfection à base de chlore qui est ensuite acheminé dans la cuve de lavage (3) ; un récipient de sel non pressurisé (14) qui est conçu pour contenir une quantité donnée de grains de sel consommable et qui comprend une entrée de chargement non scellée qui est directement exposée ou exposable à l'extérieur du boîtier (2) ; une ligne d'alimentation en eau (15) conçue pour acheminer, sur commande, une quantité donnée d'eau dans le récipient de sel (14) de façon à dissoudre au moins une partie des grains de sel contenus dans celui-ci et à former de la saumure ; et un récipient de saumure non pressurisé (17) qui communique de manière fluidique avec le récipient de sel (14) et qui est conçu pour collecter et contenir la saumure préalablement formée dans le récipient de sel (14), de manière à éviter toute stagnation prolongée de l'eau/saumure dans le même récipient de sel (14) ; la cellule électrolytique (18) communiquant avec ledit récipient de saumure (17) de façon à recevoir la saumure contenue dans celui-ci.
PCT/EP2017/075422 2017-10-05 2017-10-05 Machine à laver le linge WO2019068337A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17780725.2A EP3692200B1 (fr) 2017-10-05 2017-10-05 Machine à laver le linge
CN201780095508.6A CN111164253A (zh) 2017-10-05 2017-10-05 洗衣机
PL17780725.2T PL3692200T3 (pl) 2017-10-05 2017-10-05 Pralka
US16/753,123 US20200291563A1 (en) 2017-10-05 2017-10-05 Laundry washing machine
PCT/EP2017/075422 WO2019068337A1 (fr) 2017-10-05 2017-10-05 Machine à laver le linge

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2017/075422 WO2019068337A1 (fr) 2017-10-05 2017-10-05 Machine à laver le linge

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019068337A1 true WO2019068337A1 (fr) 2019-04-11

Family

ID=60037602

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2017/075422 WO2019068337A1 (fr) 2017-10-05 2017-10-05 Machine à laver le linge

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20200291563A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP3692200B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN111164253A (fr)
PL (1) PL3692200T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2019068337A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108797055A (zh) * 2017-04-28 2018-11-13 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 热泵底壳和洗衣机
CN113215781A (zh) * 2020-01-21 2021-08-06 Lg电子株式会社 衣物处理装置
DE102020103641A1 (de) 2020-02-12 2021-08-12 Miele & Cie. Kg Verfahren zum Betreiben eines wasserführenden elektrischen Geräts und wasserführendes elektrisches Gerät
DE102020103662A1 (de) 2020-02-12 2021-08-12 Miele & Cie. Kg Wasserführendes elektrisches Gerät
DE102020103651A1 (de) 2020-02-12 2021-08-12 Miele & Cie. Kg Verfahren zum Betreiben eines wasserführenden elektrischen Geräts und wasserführendes elektrisches Gerät
NL2025116B1 (en) * 2020-03-12 2021-10-19 Spectro B V Fluid dispenser
CN114293346A (zh) * 2020-10-08 2022-04-08 Lg电子株式会社 衣物处理装置

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021149950A1 (fr) * 2020-01-20 2021-07-29 Lg Electronics Inc. Appareil de traitement de linge
CN116265642A (zh) * 2021-12-16 2023-06-20 青岛海尔洗涤电器有限公司 一种杀菌装置、投放盒组件及衣物处理装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0083740A1 (fr) 1981-12-14 1983-07-20 INDUSTRIE ZANUSSI S.p.A. Machine à laver avec pile électrochimique
EP0146184A2 (fr) 1983-12-16 1985-06-26 Whirlpool International B.V. Machine à laver comportant des moyens pour produire une solution oxydante d'hypochlorite de sodium
WO2016096009A1 (fr) * 2014-12-18 2016-06-23 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Machine à laver le linge
WO2016162327A1 (fr) 2015-04-07 2016-10-13 Ceram Hyd Cellule electrolytique pour la production d'au moins une substance chimique et machine de lavage
DE102015223616A1 (de) * 2015-11-30 2017-06-01 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Haushaltsgerät mit einer elektrolytischen Biofilmbekämpfung sowie Verfahren zu seinem Betrieb

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH10201694A (ja) * 1997-01-21 1998-08-04 Omuko:Kk 食器類の洗浄・殺菌方法及び装置
US20030213503A1 (en) * 2002-05-17 2003-11-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Signal-based electrochemical methods for automatic dishwashing
CN2635699Y (zh) * 2003-09-17 2004-08-25 郑李霜 消毒洗衣机
CN1884666A (zh) * 2005-06-22 2006-12-27 广东科龙电器股份有限公司 利用电解盐水的洗衣机洗涤方法及盐水电解装置
EP3071742B1 (fr) * 2013-11-20 2022-03-09 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Machine à laver le linge avec tiroir à détergent comprenant un panneau de commande
JP5932927B2 (ja) * 2014-09-19 2016-06-08 シャープ株式会社 電解水生成器、電解水生成用電解質及び除菌用電解水

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0083740A1 (fr) 1981-12-14 1983-07-20 INDUSTRIE ZANUSSI S.p.A. Machine à laver avec pile électrochimique
EP0146184A2 (fr) 1983-12-16 1985-06-26 Whirlpool International B.V. Machine à laver comportant des moyens pour produire une solution oxydante d'hypochlorite de sodium
WO2016096009A1 (fr) * 2014-12-18 2016-06-23 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Machine à laver le linge
WO2016162327A1 (fr) 2015-04-07 2016-10-13 Ceram Hyd Cellule electrolytique pour la production d'au moins une substance chimique et machine de lavage
DE102015223616A1 (de) * 2015-11-30 2017-06-01 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Haushaltsgerät mit einer elektrolytischen Biofilmbekämpfung sowie Verfahren zu seinem Betrieb

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108797055A (zh) * 2017-04-28 2018-11-13 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 热泵底壳和洗衣机
CN113215781A (zh) * 2020-01-21 2021-08-06 Lg电子株式会社 衣物处理装置
CN113215781B (zh) * 2020-01-21 2022-12-13 Lg电子株式会社 衣物处理装置
US11560667B2 (en) 2020-01-21 2023-01-24 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treatment apparatus
DE102020103641A1 (de) 2020-02-12 2021-08-12 Miele & Cie. Kg Verfahren zum Betreiben eines wasserführenden elektrischen Geräts und wasserführendes elektrisches Gerät
DE102020103662A1 (de) 2020-02-12 2021-08-12 Miele & Cie. Kg Wasserführendes elektrisches Gerät
DE102020103651A1 (de) 2020-02-12 2021-08-12 Miele & Cie. Kg Verfahren zum Betreiben eines wasserführenden elektrischen Geräts und wasserführendes elektrisches Gerät
NL2025116B1 (en) * 2020-03-12 2021-10-19 Spectro B V Fluid dispenser
CN114293346A (zh) * 2020-10-08 2022-04-08 Lg电子株式会社 衣物处理装置
CN114293346B (zh) * 2020-10-08 2023-11-28 Lg电子株式会社 衣物处理装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL3692200T3 (pl) 2023-09-25
EP3692200A1 (fr) 2020-08-12
CN111164253A (zh) 2020-05-15
EP3692200B1 (fr) 2023-06-07
US20200291563A1 (en) 2020-09-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3692200B1 (fr) Machine à laver le linge
US10385500B2 (en) Laundry washing machine with a water softening device
US9637856B2 (en) Laundry washing machine
US9790636B2 (en) Laundry washing machine with a water softening device
US9663892B2 (en) Laundry washing machine
AU2016399230B2 (en) Laundry washing machine comprising a water softening device and a local electronic control unit
US10640908B2 (en) Laundry washing machine
EP3433409B1 (fr) Machine à laver comprenant un dispositif d'adoucissement d'eau
AU2017281507B2 (en) Operating method of a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine implementing such method
EP3234253B1 (fr) Machine à laver le linge
EP3221503B1 (fr) Machine à laver le linge

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 17780725

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2017780725

Country of ref document: EP

Effective date: 20200506