WO2020011442A1

WO2020011442A1 - Washing machine with enhanced detergent dissolving efficiency

Info

Publication number: WO2020011442A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/063781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fatih KASAP; Mehmet Kaya; Samet ILICA; Turan SENDINC; Eda KARAOSMANOGLU
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2018-07-10
Filing date: 2019-05-28
Publication date: 2020-01-16

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a tub (2), a drum (3), a detergent drawer (4) in which cleanser chemicals such as detergent and fabric softener are placed, at least one water intake valve (5), a washing water transmission tube (6) enabling washing water in the detergent drawer (4) to be sent to the tub (2), and a detergent dissolving box (7) integrated on the tub (2) enabling washing water coming from the detergent drawer (4) by means of the washing water transmission tube (6) to be swashed in an enclosed volume prior to being introduced to the tub (2).

Description

WASHING MACHINE WITH ENHANCED DETERGENT DISSOLVING EFFICIENCY

The present invention relates to a washing machine enabling cleanser substances to be effectively mixed into washing water.

In washing machines, washing water (wash solution) is formed by mixing detergent with the water received from outside at the beginning of the washing process, and the main washing process starts afterwards. A part of detergent does not dissolve in water during the preparation of washing water and during the washing process, and precipitates to the bottom of the tub. Detergent precipitating to the bottom is not efficiently involved in washing and is discharged together with water after the washing process. Consequently, detergent consumption increases and a desired washing performance cannot be achieved. In some applications, the precipitating detergent is attempted to be dissolved by increasing the temperature of washing water by a heater or by increasing mechanical motions of the drum, but this causes textile damage particularly on delicate laundry items.

In the patent no. US6557199 (B2), in a washing machine, an additional operation step is defined after water intake at the beginning of the washing process for detergent to be properly mixed into washing water. In this step, turbulence is generated by rotating the drum in which the laundry items are placed, at a higher speed than normal, enabling the precipitated detergent to mix into washing water.

The patent application no. WO2017110406 (A1) mentions a washing machine in which detergent can be more effectively dissolved by water containing air bubbles generated by a "fine bubble" generator placed upstream of the detergent drawer.

The patent application no. WO2008119630 (A1) discloses a washing machine comprising a mixer placed on the lower portion of the tub, in the space between the tub and the drum, enabling dissolving the detergent in washing water by moving in the water between the tub and the drum.

The aim of the present invention is to realize a washing machine in which detergent is enabled to be efficiently dissolved in washing water prior to being received in the washing environment in the tub.

The washing machine realized to achieve the aim of the present invention comprises a detergent dissolving box integrated on the tub, enabling washing water with detergent coming from the detergent drawer to be swashed in an enclosed volume prior to being introduced into the tub.

The washing machine realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the washing machine of the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the washing machine in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the washing machine in another embodiment of the invention.

The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Washing machine
Tub
Drum
Detergent drawer
Water intake valve
Washing water transmission tube
Detergent dissolving box
Water transmission nozzle
Auxiliary water intake valve
By-pass line
Manifold
Jet nozzle
Bellows
Tub connection tube
Bellow connection tube

The washing machine (1) comprises a body, a tub (2) in which the laundry washing/drying processes are performed, a drum (3) moving inside the tub (2), in which the laundry items are placed, a detergent drawer (4) in which cleanser chemicals such as detergent and fabric softener are placed, at least one water intake valve (5) enabling water received from the water mains to be directed to the detergent drawer (4) in order to be sent into the washing environment in the tub (2), a washing water transmission tube (6) enabling washing water flushing the detergent in the detergent drawer (4) to be sent to the tub (2) and a bellows (13) provided between the tub (2) and the body, encircling the laundry loading/unloading opening.

The washing machine (1) of the invention comprises a detergent dissolving box (7)

- integrated on the tub (2),

- to which the washing water transmission tube (6) is connected upstream of the tub (2) inlet,

- provided on the flow path of washing water coming from the detergent drawer (4) by means of the washing water transmission tube (6) and enabling the washing water to be swashed in an enclosed volume prior to being introduced to the tub (2).

In an embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises at least one water transmission nozzle (8) provided between the detergent dissolving box (7) and the tub (2), enabling the water in the detergent dissolving box (7) to be transmitted to the washing environment in the tub (2) (Figure 1).

The washing water directed from the detergent drawer (4) by flushing detergent therein to the tub (2) by the washing water transmission tube (6), first fills into the detergent dissolving box (7) prior to being introduced to the tub (2). The washing water is swashed by colliding the inner surfaces of the detergent dissolving box (7), enabling detergent to dissolve efficiently. The washing water in which detergent is dissolved, is transmitted to the tub (2) by means of the water transmission nozzles (8).

In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises

- an auxiliary water intake valve (9) enabling water intake from outside, and

- a by-pass line (10) provided between the auxiliary water intake valve (9) and the detergent dissolving box (7), enabling the water received from outside to be sent directly to the detergent dissolving box (7) without passing through the detergent drawer (4).

In this embodiment, water is sent to the detergent dissolving box (7) through the by-pass line (10) by means of the auxiliary water intake valve (9). Washing water with detergent coming from the detergent drawer (4) through the washing water transmission tube (6) is mixed in the detergent dissolving box (7) with the water without detergent received from the water mains, enabling dissolving the detergent.

In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a manifold (11) extending from the by-pass line (10) into the detergent dissolving box (7), enabling the water received from outside by the auxiliary water intake valve (9) and coming through the by-pass line (10) to be directed into the detergent dissolving box (7), and at least one jet nozzle (12) provided on the manifold (11), enabling water to be sprayed into the detergent box (7) by (jetting) giving dynamic pressure to water and to be mixed with the detergent containing water coming from the detergent drawer (4) through the washing water transmission tube (6) (Figure 2, 3).

In this embodiment, the washing water with detergent directed from the detergent drawer (4) by flushing detergent therein to the tub (2) through the washing water transmission tube (6), first fills into the detergent dissolving box (7) prior to being introduced to the tub (2). The water without detergent received from outside by the auxiliary water intake valve (9) fills into the detergent dissolving box (7) by means of the by-pass line (10). Water received from outside into the detergent dissolving box (7) passes through the manifold (11) and is sprayed into the detergent dissolving box (7) by means of the jet nozzles (12). Water sprayed through the jet nozzles (12) stirs the detergent water and enables detergent to efficiently dissolve in water.

In an embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a tub connection tube (14) whose one end is connected to the detergent dissolving box (7) and the other end to the tub (7), enabling the washing water with dissolved detergent in the detergent dissolving box (7) to be transmitted to the tub (2) (Figure 2).

In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a bellows connection tube (15) whose one end is connected to the detergent dissolving box (7) and the other end to the bellows (13), enabling the washing water with dissolved detergent in the detergent dissolving box (7) to be transmitted through the bellows (13) to the tub (2) (Figure 3).

In the washing machine (1) of the invention, particularly in programs by which delicate laundry items are washed and having shorter durations and less mechanical motion, in slower washing speeds of the drum (3), detergent is enabled to dissolve efficiently in washing water prior to being introduced into the tub (2), enhancing washing performance. In addition, undissolved detergent is prevented from remaining on the laundry items.

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising a body, a tub (2) in which the laundry washing/drying processes are performed, a drum (3) moving inside the tub (2), in which the laundry items are placed, a detergent drawer (4) in which cleanser chemicals such as detergent and fabric softener are placed, at least one water intake valve (5) enabling water received from the water mains to be directed to the detergent drawer (4) prior to the washing environment in the tub (2), a washing water transmission tube (6) enabling washing water flushing the detergent in the detergent drawer (4) to be sent to the tub (2), and a bellows (13) provided between the tub (2) and the body, characterized by a detergent dissolving box (7) integrated on the tub (2), to which the washing water transmission tube (6) is connected upstream of the tub (2) inlet, provided on the flow path of washing water coming from the detergent drawer (4) by means of the washing water transmission tube (6) and enabling the washing water to be swashed in an enclosed volume prior to being introduced to the tub (2).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by at least one water transmission nozzle (8) provided between the detergent dissolving box (7) and the tub (2), enabling the water in the detergent dissolving box (7) to be transmitted to the washing environment in the tub (2).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by an auxiliary water intake valve (9) enabling water intake from outside, and a by-pass line (10) provided between the auxiliary water intake valve (9) and the detergent dissolving box (7), enabling the water received from outside to be sent directly to the detergent dissolving box (7).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized by a manifold (11) extending from the by-pass line (10) into the detergent dissolving box (7), enabling the water received from outside by the auxiliary water intake valve (9) and coming through the by-pass line (10) to be directed into the detergent dissolving box (7), and at least one jet nozzle (12) provided on the manifold (11), enabling water to be sprayed into the detergent box (7) in a pressurized manner.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized by a tub connection tube (14) whose one end is connected to the detergent dissolving box (7) and the other end to the tub (2), enabling the washing water with dissolved detergent in the detergent dissolving box (7) to be transmitted to the tub (2).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized by a bellows connection tube (15) whose one end is connected to the detergent dissolving box (7) and the other end to the bellows (13), enabling the washing water with dissolved detergent in the detergent dissolving box (7) to be transmitted through the bellows (13) to the tub (2).