WO2020088848A1

WO2020088848A1 - A washing machine with improved detergent dissolving effectiveness

Info

Publication number: WO2020088848A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/075615
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fatih KASAP; Murat Elgun; Turan SENDINC; Samet ILICA; Eda KARAOSMANOGLU
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2018-11-01
Filing date: 2019-09-24
Publication date: 2020-05-07

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a tub (2); a drum (3); a fresh water line (5) which provides the intake of washing water from the water mains (4) into the washing environment in the tub (2); at least one water inlet valve (6); a detergent dispenser (7) which is disposed on the fresh water line (5) and wherein chemical cleaning agents such as detergent, softener, etc. are loaded; a circulation line (11) which enables the water taken from the tub outlet (8) during the washing process to be sent back into the tub (2) by means of a circulation pump (10); and a detergent dissolving box (12) for agitating in a closed volume the detergent water coming from the fresh water line (5) or from the circulation line (11) so as to dissolve the detergent residues.

Description

[Title established by the ISA under Rule 37.2] A WASHING MACHINE WITH IMPROVED DETERGENT DISSOLVING EFFECTIVENESS

The present invention relates to a washing machine wherein the cleaning agents are effectively mixed into the washing water.

In washing machines, the water taken from outside at the beginning of the washing process is mixed with detergent, thus forming the washing water (wash solution), and then the main washing process is started. While preparing the washing water and performing the washing processes, some of the detergent does not dissolve in the water and settles on the base of the tub. The settling detergent is not effectively used in the washing process and discharged together with the water which is discharged at the end of the washing process and undissolved detergent remains on the washed laundry. Consequently, the desired washing performance cannot be achieved and the detergent consumption increases. In some embodiments, the temperature of the washing water is increased by means of a heater, thus trying to dissolve the settling detergent or the mechanical movements of the drum are increased; however, especially in washing programs for delicate laundry, the textiles are damaged.

The Patent Application No. CN106536811 (A) relates to a washing machine wherein the dissolving is carried out in the detergent dispenser. A propeller is provided in the detergent dispenser, and the propeller is rotated by means of the water flow. The movement of the propeller allows the mixing of the detergent and water. In the embodiment of the invention, the detergent dissolving process is carried out in a box separate from the detergent dispenser, and the propellers in the box are rotated by means of a fluid taken from the outside.

The Patent Application No. WO2008119630 (A1) relates to, in a washing machine, a mixer which is disposed in the gap between the tub and the drum at the lower side of the tub and which moves inside the water under the tub, thus providing the dissolving of the detergent in the washing water.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein the detergent, before being take into the washing environment in the tub, is dissolved in a box separate from the detergent dispenser.

The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention comprises a detergent dissolving box wherein the detergent water is agitated in a closed volume, thus dissolving the detergent residues. In the detergent dissolving box, at least one impeller is provided, which rotates with the effect of the dynamic pressure of a fluid taken from the water mains or the pressurized air source and which agitates the washing water. The detergent dissolving box is used in the fresh water line between the water mains and the tub or in the circulation line which receives the washing water from the tub and sends the same back to the tub.

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

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of the washing machine of the present invention.

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

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

Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the washing machine in another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Washing machine
Tub
Drum
Water mains
Fresh water line
Water inlet valve
Detergent dispenser
Tub outlet
Discharge pump
Circulation pump
Circulation line
Detergent dissolving box
Impeller
Hydraulic hose
Hydraulic valve
Water inlet nozzle
Pressurized air source
Pneumatic hose
Pneumatic valve
Air inlet nozzle

The washing machine (1) comprises a body; a tub (2) wherein the laundry is washed/dried; a drum (3) which moves inside the tub (2) and wherein the laundry is loaded; a fresh water line (5) which provides the intake of washing water from the water mains (4) into the washing environment in the tub (2); at least one water inlet valve (6); a detergent dispenser (7) which is disposed on the fresh water line (5) and wherein chemical cleaning agents such as detergent, softener, etc. are loaded; a tub outlet (8) which is arranged at the lower side of the tub (2); a discharge pump (9) which provides the discharge of the washing water; a circulation line (11) or a "jet system" which enables the water taken from the tub outlet (8) during the washing process to be sent back into the tub (2) by means of a circulation pump (10) so as to improve the washing performance; and a detergent dissolving box (12) for agitating in a closed volume the detergent water coming from the detergent dispenser (7) by the fresh water line (5) or from the circulation line (11) so as to dissolve the detergent residues.

The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises at least one impeller (13) which is disposed in the detergent dissolving box (12), which rotates around its own with the effect of the dynamic pressure of a pressurized fluid taken into the detergent dissolving box (12) from an external source independent of the water mains (4) or the detergent dispenser (7), and which agitates the washing water so as to dissolve the detergent residues.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the detergent dissolving box (12) is positioned on the fresh water line (5) between the detergent dispenser (7) and the tub (2), and the washing water coming from the detergent dispenser (7) and containing undissolved detergent is enabled to be agitated by means of the impellers (13) before entering the tub (Figure 1, Figure 2).

The water taken from the water mains in a controlled manner by means of the water inlet valve (6) sweeps the detergent in the detergent dispenser (7) and is sent to the detergent dissolving box (12) before the tub (2). The impellers (13) rotate with the effect of the dynamic pressure of the fluid sent into the detergent dissolving box (12) from outside, and after the detergent in the washing water is dissolved, it is transferred into the washing environment in the tub (2).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the detergent dissolving box (12) is positioned on the circulation line (11) between the tub outlet (8) and the circulation pump (10). The washing water coming into the detergent dissolving box (12) from the tub outlet (8) and containing undissolved detergent is agitated by means of the impellers (13) in the detergent dissolving box (12) before entering the tub (2) via the circulation line (11) (Figure 3, Figure 4).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a hydromechanical drive means which is disposed on the fresh water line (5) or the circulation line (11), which enables the impellers (13) in the detergent dissolving box (12) to move and which uses the water taken from the water mains (4) as the drive fluid (Figure 1, Figure 3).

The hydromechanical drive means comprises a hydraulic hose (14) which is disposed between the water mains (4) and the detergent dissolving box (12), a hydraulic valve (15) which is disposed at the outlet of the water mains (4) and which controls the water flow, and at least one water inlet nozzle (16) which extends from the hydraulic hose (14) into the detergent dissolving box (12) and which provides the delivery of pressurized water onto the impellers (13). The water used as the drive fluid provides the dilution of the washing water while the impellers (13) agitates the same, thus increasing the amount of the detergent dissolved and the speed of the dissolving process.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a pneumatic drive means which is disposed on the fresh water line (5) or the circulation line (11), which enables the impellers (13) in the detergent dissolving box (12) to move and which uses the air taken from a pressurized air source (17) as the fluid (Figure 2, Figure 4).

The pneumatic drive means comprises a pneumatic hose (18) which is disposed between a pressurized air source (17) such as air tank, compressor, etc., a pneumatic valve (19) which controls the air flow at the outlet of the pressurized air source (17), and at least one air inlet nozzle (20) which extends from the pneumatic hose (18) into the detergent dissolving box (12) and which provides the delivery of pressurized air onto the impellers (13). The air used as the drive fluid creates bubbles in the detergent water, thus activating the chemicals while the impellers (13) agitates the same, thus increasing the amount of the detergent dissolved and the speed of the dissolving process.

In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, the impellers (13) disposed in the detergent dissolving box (12) and the water or air used as the drive fluid enable the detergent to be efficiently dissolved in the washing water. Especially in programs with low mechanical movements, the entire detergent used is activated, thus improving the washing performance. Moreover, the problem of undissolved detergent remaining on the laundry is eliminated.

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising a tub (2) wherein the laundry is washed/dried; a drum (3) which moves inside the tub (2) and wherein the laundry is loaded; a fresh water line (5) which provides the intake of water from the water mains (4) into the washing environment in the tub (2); at least one water inlet valve (6); a detergent dispenser (7) which is disposed on the fresh water line (5); a tub outlet (8) which is arranged at the lower side of the tub (2); a discharge pump (9) which provides the discharge of the washing water; a circulation line (11) which enables the water taken from the tub outlet (8) during the washing process to be sent back into the tub (2) by means of a circulation pump (10); and a detergent dissolving box (12) for agitating in a closed volume the detergent water coming from the detergent dispenser (7) by the fresh water line (5) or from the circulation line (11) so as to dissolve the detergent residues, characterized by

- at least one impeller (13) which is disposed in the detergent dissolving box (12), which rotates with the effect of the dynamic pressure of a pressurized fluid taken from an external source independent of the water mains (4) or the detergent dispenser (7), and which agitates the washing water.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the detergent dissolving box (12) which is positioned on the fresh water line (5) between the detergent dispenser (7) and the tub (2), and wherein the washing water coming from the detergent dispenser (7) is enabled to be agitated by means of the impellers (13).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the detergent dissolving box (12) which is positioned on the circulation line (11) between the tub outlet (8) and the circulation pump (10), and wherein the washing water coming from the tub outlet (8) is enabled to be agitated by means of the impellers (13).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a hydromechanical drive means which is disposed on the fresh water line (5) or the circulation line (11), which enables the impellers (13) in the detergent dissolving box (12) to move and which uses the water taken from the water mains (4) as the drive fluid.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the hydromechanical drive means comprising a hydraulic hose (14) which is disposed between the water mains (4) and the detergent dissolving box (12), a hydraulic valve (15) which is disposed at the outlet of the water mains (4), and at least one water inlet nozzle (16) which extends from the hydraulic hose (14) into the detergent dissolving box (12) and which provides the delivery of pressurized water onto the impellers (13).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized by a pneumatic drive means which is disposed on the fresh water line (5) or the circulation line (11), which enables the impellers (13) in the detergent dissolving box (12) to move and which uses the air taken from a pressurized air source (17) as the fluid.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the pneumatic drive means comprising a pneumatic hose (18) which is disposed between a pressurized air source (17), a pneumatic valve (19), and at least one air inlet nozzle (20) which extends from the pneumatic hose (18) into the detergent dissolving box (12) and which provides the delivery of pressurized air onto the impellers (13).