WO2010023304A1

WO2010023304A1 - A washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2010023304A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/061193
Authority: WO
Inventors: Onur Boztas; Ibrahim Yildirim
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2008-09-01
Filing date: 2009-08-31
Publication date: 2010-03-04
Also published as: EP2334862B1; EP2334862A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) wherein the dirty water is prevented from passing from the second conduit (7), which provides the transmission of water from the mains directly to the tub (2), to the mains. This is achieved by a passage (8) which is located on the second conduit (7) and which opens into the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3).

Description

A WASHING MACHINE

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine wherein dirty water is prevented from leaking to the water mains.

[0002] In washing machines, the water taken from the mains by means of valves for use in the washing process is directed into the tub by means of hoses. The water inlet valve is generally connected to the dispensers wherein the cleaning agent is disposed. The cleaning agent disposed into the dispenser is mixed with the washing water and then transferred to the washing tub. However, in some cases, the hoses connected to the valve are directly connected to the tub instead of being connected to the dispenser. In such cases, if a vacuum occurs in the mains, the problem of dirty water absorption from this line, which is directly connected to the tub, towards the mains can be confronted.

[0003] In the state of the art, unidirectional control vanes are disposed into the valve or further of the valve for the solution of this problem. However, this method, which is expensive and wherein use of more than one control vane is required according to the standards, is not much preferred.

[0004] In the state of the art European Patent Document No EP0719884, a washing machine is described that comprises a water guide conduit extending from above the detergent dispenser directly to the tub.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein dirty water is prevented from leaking from the conduit to the mains in situations wherein water is given to the tub by means of a water conduit connected from the mains directly to the tub.

[0006] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the claims.

[0007] The washing machine of the present invention comprises a second conduit providing the water taken from the mains to be transferred directly to the tub by being connected to the water inlet valve. On the second conduit, a passage is located that opens into the flushing device located on the dispenser housing or into the dispenser housing.

[0008] The water taken to the second conduit by means of the water inlet valve is provided to pass partly to the dispenser housing or flushing device by means of the passage and to be directed partly to the tub directly. When a situation such as a vacuum occurs in the mains, since the passage is open to the atmospheric pressure, the air absorption from over the flushing device or dispenser housing is provided by means of the passage and hence the dirty water in the second conduit is prevented from returning to the mains.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises an opening located on the flushing device or dispenser housing, and the passage opens to the dispenser housing or flushing device by means of the opening.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second conduit is fastened onto the flushing device. Thus, contact of the passage on the second conduit with the flushing device is provided.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises a T-shaped passage that connects the two lines, one of which is connected to the water inlet valve and the other to the tub. T-shaped passage connects the lines by its horizontal arms while its vertical arm seats onto the opening located on the flushing device or dispenser housing. The passage having a T-shape provides the connection between the mains, tub, and dispenser housing or flushing device.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the arm of the passage that seats into the opening is narrower than the width of its arm that is connected to the tub. Thus, the condition is provided that the atmospheric pressure at the orifice of the opening is greater than the pressure in the line extending towards the tub. When a vacuum occurs in the mains, air absorption from the flushing device or dispenser housing towards the mains is provided due to the atmospheric pressure at the orifice of the opening and hence the dirty water in the second conduit is prevented from returning to the mains.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the T-shaped passage is produced in a way integrated to the flushing device. Thus, the second conduit connected to the arms of the passage is enabled to be carried by the flushing device more firmly. [0014] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: [0015] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washing machine. [0016] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a flushing device, first conduit and second conduit. [0017] Figure 3 - is the cross-sectional view of the dispenser housing and the passage together. [0018] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the passage in the situation wherein water flows from the water inlet valve to the second conduit. [0019] Figure 5 - is the schematic view of the passage in the situation wherein air flows from the passage to the mains when a vacuum occurs in the mains. [0020] The elements shown in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Tub

3. Dispenser housing

4. Flushing device

5. Water inlet valve

6. First conduit

7. Second conduit

8. Passage

9. Opening [0021] 71 , 72 Line

[0022] The washing machine (1) comprises a tub (2) wherein items to be washed are disposed and the washing process is performed, a dispenser housing (3) wherein a dispenser is disposed in which cleaning agents such as detergent and softener are disposed and cleaning agents are mixed with water, a flushing device (4) disposed onto the dispenser, enabling the water to be directed into the dispenser, at least one water inlet valve (5) providing the water that will be used in washing to be taken from the mains, at least one first conduit (6) providing the water taken from the mains by means of the water inlet valve (5) to be directed onto the flushing device (4), at least one second conduit (7), one end of which is connected to the water inlet valve (5) and the other end opens to the tub (2), and a passage (8) which is located on the second line (7) and which opens into the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3) (Figure 1).

[0023] In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, water is taken from the mains by means of the water inlet valve (5) for use in the washing process. The water taken by means of the water inlet valve (5) is directed to the tub (2) by means of the first conduit (6) and second conduit (7) after branching (Figure 2).

[0024] The washing machine (1) comprises a passage (8) which is located on the second line (7) and which opens into the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3). The water directed to the second conduit (7) by means of the water inlet valve (5) is provided to be transmitted partly to the tub (2) directly and to be directed partly to the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3) by means of the passage (8). By a direct transmission of water to the tub (2), items in the tub (2) that will be washed are enabled to get wet faster.

[0025] At the beginning of the washing, the water inlet valve (5) is opened, whereto the second conduit (7) is connected. For a short while, water intake to the tub (2) is provided by means of the second conduit (7). Then, the water intake process is continued by opening the water inlet valves (5) connected to the first conduit (7) and when the water required for the washing process is taken, the water flow from the mains is stopped by closing the water inlet valves (5). The water inlet valves (5) are not unidirectional valves; they are valves that determine the flow direction according to the pressure of the fluid flowing in the water conduit. The water inlet valves (5) are valves that provide a flow from high pressure to low pressure when brought to the active position and unidirectional water-tightness when brought to the passive position.

[0026] When a problem such as a vacuum occurs in the mains during the water intake process to the washing machine (1) by means of the second conduit (7), air absorption from the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3) is provided by means of the passage (8) and hence the dirty water in the second conduit (7) is prevented from leaking to the mains. When a vacuum occurs in the mains, since the pressure at the orifice of the passage (8) that opens to the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3) is equal to the atmospheric pressure, an air flow occurs from the passage (8) to the end of the second conduit (7) which extends towards the mains and wherein the vacuum occurs. Thus, the absorption of the air in the passage (8) is realized instead of the absorption of the dirty water in the second conduit (7) from the second conduit (7) towards the mains.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises an opening (9) located on the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3). The passage (8) is connected to the opening (9) and the connection between the passage (8) and the dispenser housing (3) or flushing device (4) is provided by means of the opening (9). The water taken from the mains by means of the water inlet valve (5) reaches the flushing device (4) by the second conduit (7). The water flowing in the second conduit (7) is provided to reach partly in the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3) by passing through the opening (9) on the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3) by means of the passage (8) on the second conduit (7) and to be directed partly to the tub directly.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second conduit (7) is fastened onto the flushing device (4) and hence the passage (8) on the second conduit (7) is enabled to contact the flushing device (4).

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a second conduit (7) having two lines (71 , 72), one of which is connected to the water inlet valve (5) and the other to the tub (2), and a passage (8) mounted between the two lines (71 , 72), having a T-shape, to the horizontal arms of which the two lines (71 , 72) are connected and the vertical arm of which seats into the opening (9) on the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3). The passage (8) is mounted onto the flushing device (4) such that the passage (8) will seat onto the opening (9). Thus, the passage (8) facilitates the placement of the second conduit (7) in the washing machine (1) and also enables the second conduit (7) to be carried on the flushing device (4) more firmly. Furthermore, since the arm of the passage (8) which seats into the opening (9) remains far above the overflow level of the dispenser housing (3), it increases the reliability that dirty water is not absorbed to the mains (Figure 3).

[0030] In this embodiment, the width of the end of the passage (8) that seats into the opening is narrower than the width of its arm that is connected to the line (72) connected to the tub (2). Thus, when a situation such as a vacuum occurs in the mains, the conditions are provided that the water pressure in the line (72) is less than the atmospheric pressure at the orifice of the opening (9). Due to a vacuum that occurs in the mains, when a vacuum occurs in the line (71) connected to the mains, the atmospheric pressure at the orifice of the passage (8) which seats into the opening (9) is greater than the pressure in the line (72) connected to the tub (2). Thus, the dirty water in the line (72) is prevented from returning to the mains; air absorption from the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3) towards the mains is provided by means of the passage (8), instead . Furthermore, since the width of the line (72) connected to the tub (2) is greater, the amount of water directed from the line (71), which is connected to the mains, directly to the tub (2) is provided to be greater than the amount of water directed into the dispenser housing (3) or flushing device (4).

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the T-shaped passage (8) is produced in a way integrated to the flushing device (4). Thus, fastening of the second conduit (7) onto the flushing device (4) is simplified.

[0032] In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, by means of the passage (8) which is located on the second line (7) and which provides air absorption from the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3), the dirty water is prevented from passing from the second conduit (7) to the mains. Thus, the safety of the mains is provided, which contributes to a healthier environment.

[0033] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) comprising a tub (2) wherein items to be washed are disposed and the washing process is performed, a dispenser housing (3) wherein a dispenser is placed in which cleaning agents such as detergent and softener are disposed and cleaning agents are mixed with water, a flushing device (4) disposed onto the dispenser, enabling the water to be directed into the dispenser, a water inlet valve (5) providing the water that will be used in washing to be taken from the mains, at least one first conduit (6) providing the water taken from the mains by means of the water inlet valve (5) to be directed to the flushing device (4), at least one second conduit (7), one end of which is connected to the water inlet valve (5) and the other end opens to the tub (2), characterized by a passage (8) which is located on the second line (7) and which opens into the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3).

2. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by an opening (9) located on the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3) and the passage (8) connected to the opening (9).

3. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the second conduit (7) fastened onto the flushing device (4).

4. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the second conduit (7) having two lines (71 , 72), one of which is connected to the water inlet valve (5) and the other to the tub (2), and the passage (8) mounted between the two lines (71 , 72), having a T-shape, to the horizontal arms of which the lines (71 , 72) are connected and the vertical arm of which seats into the opening (9) on the flushing device (4) or dispenser housing (3).

5. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the passage (8) wherein the width of its end that seats into the opening (9) is far narrower than the width of its arm that is mounted to the line (72) connected to the tub (2).

6. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the passage (8) that is produced in a way integrated to the flushing device (4).