WO2017108358A1

WO2017108358A1 - A washer

Info

Publication number: WO2017108358A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/079246
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gokhan Ak; Orhan Atabey
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2015-12-25
Filing date: 2016-11-30
Publication date: 2017-06-29

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washer (1) comprising a container (2) that has two inlets (3) each connected to each of two separate lines, one being the mains line and the other being the hot water line, and one outlet (4) which provides the delivery of the water received from the inlets (3) to the tub.

Description

A WASHER

The present invention relates to a washer having dual water inlet.

In washers having dual water inlet such as laundry washing machines or dishwashers, the water used in the washing process is supplied from two separate lines, the one being the mains line from which the cold water is taken and the other being the household line from which the hot water is supplied from an appliance such as combi boiler, water heater, etc. In some washers, hot water and cold water are mixed at certain ratios depending on the need in the course of the washing process in a container and delivered to the tub. However, in this type of washers with a mixing container, in the event that vacuum occurs in the mains line, the water accumulated in the container may flow back to the line and mix with the mains. In this case, the mixed water may be delivered to any other faucets or appliances that are connected to the mains line. Occurrence of vacuum in the line may also cause operational faults resulting from lack of adequate water in the container.

In the state of the art European Patent No. EP1683904, a shutter control method suitable for use in washers with dual water inlet is disclosed. By means of a revolving shutter structure, the water inlets can be opened/closed in a controlled manner. However, in such embodiments wherein the inlets are kept open throughout the water intake, the flow of water back to the line when vacuum occurs in the mains line in the course of the water intake cannot be prevented.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer wherein the water in the container is prevented from mixing with the mains line.

The washer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the claims, comprises a container that has two inlets connected to a mains line from which the mains water is taken and a household line from which the hot water is taken and an outlet through which the water filled therein from the inlets is delivered to the tub. The hot water and the cold water are mixed in the container and delivered to the tub.

In the washer of the present invention, the container has at least one shutter that is disposed in the container so as to be at the end of the inlet and that can be moved toward the inlet and away from the inlet. While the water is being received from the inlet, the shutter is pushed by the water toward the inside of the container so as to leave the port of the inlet open. If vacuum occurs in the line, the shutter moves by the effect of the suction force and covers the port of the inlet. Thus, the hot water is prevented from mixing with the mains in a simple and efficient manner.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the shutter has a cylindrical form such that the cross-sectional area thereof has a wider diameter than the port of the inlet. If vacuum occurs in the line, the base of the shutter bears against the port of the inlet and blocks the inlet. By means of the elongated structure of the shutter, the movement of the shutter in the container can be easily guided.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one protrusion that extends into the inlet is provided on the surface of the shutter facing the inlet. If the shutter moves sideways, the protrusion contacts the inner wall of the recess. Thus, the shutter is enabled to be kept in front of the inlet.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the shutter has a spherical form the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the port of the inlet. In this embodiment, the shutter can be moved easily by means of the spherical structure thereof.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a stopper is provided in the container so as to face the inlet. The shutter can be moved between the port of the inlet and the stopper. Thus, movement of the shutter toward the outside of the inlet is limited.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a channel in the form of a labyrinth is disposed in the container, through which the water received from the inlets passes and reaches the outlet. By means of the channel disposed between the inlets and the outlet, the waters received from the inlets at different temperatures can be mixed homogenously until they reach the outlet.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a temperature sensor is disposed in the container so as to be immediately before the outlet. Thus, the amounts of cold water and hot water to be received into the container are determined.

By means of the present invention, the water in the container is prevented from mixing with the mains line without the need for using any structure that requires electronic control, such as a cover or a shutter. Thus, cost advantage is provided.

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

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the washer related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the container related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 - is the partial perspective view of the container and the shutter related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 - is the partial perspective view of the container and the shutter related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 - is the cross-sectional view of the container and the shutter related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 - is the cross-sectional view of the container and the shutter related to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Washer
Container
Inlet
Outlet
Shutter
Protrusion
Stopper
Channel
Temperature sensor

The washer (1) comprises a container (2) that has two inlets (3) each connected to each of two separate lines, one being the mains line and the other being the hot water line, and one outlet (4) which provides the delivery of the water received from the inlets (3) to the tub (Figure 2). The water obtained at proper temperature by mixing the hot water and the cold water received from the inlets (3) in the container (2) is delivered to the tub and used in the washing process.

The washer (1) of the present invention comprises at least one shutter (5) that is disposed in the container (2) so as to be in front of at least one inlet (3), that allows the water to fill in the container (2) by being pushed by the water entering through the inlet (3) toward the inside of the container (2) and, if vacuum occurs in the line, that enables the inlet (3) to be closed by moving by the effect of the suction force toward the inlet (3) (Figure 3, Figure 4). The water taken from the mains line and the hot water line is transferred to the container (2) by means of pumps. The shutter (5) is placed in front of the inlet (3) that is connected to the mains line. While the water is being received from the mains line into the container (2), the shutter (5) is pushed by the water coming from the inlet (3) toward the inside of the container (2) and the mains water fills into the container (2). When it is interrupted to receive water from the mains line and it is started to receive water from the inlet (3) that is connected to the hot water line, the shutter (5) is pushed by the water filling into the container (2) toward the inlet (3) and closes the front of the inlet (3). If vacuum occurs in the mains line when the port of the inlet (3) is open, the shutter (5) is pulled toward the inlet (3) by the effect of the suction force and closes the front of the inlet (3). Thus, if any problem occurs in the mains line, the inlet (3) is immediately blocked and the water in the container (2) is prevented from mixing with the mains line.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the shutter (5) has a cylindrical form so as to have a cross-sectional area larger than the port of the inlet (3). When the shutter (5) is moved toward the inlet (3), the circular base of the shutter (5) bears against the port of the inlet (3) and closes the inlet (3). The shutter (5) moves between the opposite walls of the container (2), between the walls that extend almost across the length of the container (2). Thus, the walls both guide the movement of the shutter (5) and serve as a screen extending between the inlets (3), thus enabling the water received into the container (2) to be mixed at a spot away from the inlets (3).

In another embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion (6) that extends into the inlet (3) is provided on the surface of the shutter (5) facing the inlet (3). If the shutter (5) moves sideways, the protrusion (6) bears against the inner surface of the inlet (3). Thus, the shutter (5) is always kept on the plane of the inlet (3).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the shutter (5) has a spherical form so as to have a cross-sectional area larger than the port of the inlet (3). If vacuum occurs in the mains line, the shutter (5) is seated into the port of the inlet (3) and closes the inlet (3). By means of its spherical structure, the shutter (5) can be moved easily in the container (2).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the container (2) has a stopper (7) that is disposed so as to remain in the container (2) behind the shutter (5) and that limits the movement of the shutter (5) toward the inside of the container (2). The shutter (5) is pushed by the water coming from the inlet (3) toward the inside of the container (2) and bears against the stopper (7). The stopper (7) limits the movement of the shutter (5), thus preventing the same from moving away from the inlet (3) in an excessive manner.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a channel (8) that enables the water received from the inlets (3) to be delivered to the outlet (4) by being meandered through a curved path is provided in the container (2). The waters received from the inlets (3) at different temperatures move through the channel (8) by hitting the walls of the channel (8) and thereby are mixed homogenously until they reach the outlet (4).

In another embodiment of the present invention, a temperature sensor (9) is disposed in the container (2) so as to be immediately before the outlet (4). The temperature sensor (9) measures the temperature of the water arriving at the outlet (4) before being delivered to the tub. The operational status of the pumps connected to the mains line and the hot water line is checked by the data received from the sensor (9).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) is a dishwasher.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) is a washing machine.

By means of the present invention, the water in the container (2) is prevented from mixing with the mains line in a simple and efficient manner. Since the shutter (5) does not require electronic control, production and assembly costs are reduced. Thus, a washer (1) that is affected from any problems in the mains at a minimum level is obtained.

Claims

A washer (1) comprising a container (2) that has two inlets (3) each connected to each of two separate lines, one being the mains line and the other being the hot water line, and one outlet (4) which provides the delivery of the water received from the inlets (3) to the tub, characterized by at least one shutter (5) that is disposed in the container (2) so as to be in front of at least one inlet (3), that allows the water to fill in the container (2) by being pushed by the water entering through the inlet (3) toward the inside of the container (2) and, if vacuum occurs in the line, that enables the inlet (3) to be closed by moving by the effect of the suction force toward the inlet (3).
A washer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the shutter (5) that has a cylindrical form so as to have a cross-sectional area larger than the port of the inlet (3).
A washer (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by at least one protrusion (6) that is disposed on the surface of the shutter (5) facing the inlet (3) and that extends into the inlet (3).
A washer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the shutter (5) that has a spherical form so as to have a cross-sectional area larger than the port of the inlet (3).
A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a stopper (7) that is disposed in the container (2) so as to remain behind the shutter (5) and that limits the movement of the shutter (5) toward the inside of the container (2).
A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a channel (8) that is disposed in the container (2) and that enables the water received from the inlets (3) to be delivered to the outlet (4) by being meandered through a curved path.
A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a temperature sensor (9) that is disposed in the container (2) so as to be immediately before the outlet (4).
A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, which is a dishwasher.
A washer (1) as in any one of the claims 1 to 7, which is a washing machine.