CN109957906B

CN109957906B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN109957906B
Application number: CN201811572785.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 阿尔多·福马加利
Original assignee: Candy SpA
Current assignee: Candy SpA
Priority date: 2017-12-22
Filing date: 2018-12-21
Publication date: 2021-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-21
Also published as: EP3502335B1; ES2913074T3; CN109957906A; EP3502335A1

Abstract

A washing machine (1) comprising: a housing (2); a washing drum (3) arranged in the housing (2), said washing drum being closable by a porthole door (4); a basket (5) in the washing drum (3) for containing the laundry to be washed; a water loading system (20) connectable to the water pipe and communicating with the washing drum (3); -a dispensing system (17) for dispensing laundry treatment agent, having a plurality of reservoirs (18) in a porthole door (4) sized to contain a sufficient amount of treatment agent for a plurality of washing cycles, wherein the dispensing system (17) comprises a metering pump (36), and the reservoirs (18) are connected to an inlet (38) of the metering pump (36) by one or more delivery ducts (44, 44') and one or more selector valves (45) for selectively opening and interrupting a fluid connection between each reservoir (18) and the metering pump (36).

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for washing laundry, and more particularly, to a household washing machine.

Background

A domestic washing machine comprises a support and housing structure inside which a washing drum is housed, provided with a front opening which can be closed by a porthole door hinged frontally to the housing. A basket for containing the laundry is arranged inside the washing drum in a rotatable manner about a horizontal or inclined axis. The basket also defines a front opening at the opening of the washing drum to enable loading and unloading of the laundry.

The washing drum is adapted to contain washing liquid during a laundry washing step.

A water loading system connectable to the water pipe is provided to allow water from the main pipe, detergent and additives to be loaded into the sump. At the bottom of the washing drum there is a drain pipe with an associated drain pump, which removes the washing liquid from the tank and, together with the loading system, controls the liquid level in the tank.

In order to add detergent or treatment additives to the wash liquor, it is known to place a detergent tray in flow communication with the water loading system.

The detergent tray may be configured as a drawer that can be withdrawn from and inserted into the housing structure and each wash can be manually filled with an amount of detergent and/or treatment additive sufficient for a single wash cycle.

Laundry washing machines having a so-called "multi-dispense" laundry mass dispensing and metering system are also known which are configured to contain a quantity of treatment agent sufficient for multiple wash cycles and to automatically dispense a controlled dose of treatment agent for each wash cycle.

It is also known to place a plurality of dispensing systems in the front door, more precisely in the porthole of the front door of a washing machine.

In order to heat the washing liquid contained in the container, an electrical resistor is provided, which is arranged in the gap between the walls of the laundry basket inside the container.

In order to reduce the consumption of water and detergent, it is known to equip the washing machine with a recirculation system which recovers the washing liquid from the bottom of the drum (accumulated even before contacting the laundry in the basket) and reintroduces the recovered liquid into the washing basket, so that a smaller quantity of liquid is repeatedly poured on the laundry.

The recirculation system generally comprises a recirculation conduit extending from a lower opening of the washing drum (for sucking the liquid to be recirculated) to an upper opening of the washing drum (for reintroducing the recirculated liquid) and an electric circulation pump or ejector to the outside of the washing drum.

In at least some embodiments of the improved laundry washing machine according to the present invention, the features relating to the laundry washing machines of the prior art known to the applicant can be fully or partially realised.

Known laundry washing machines, although satisfactory from many points of view, up to now still require a strong and very complex user interaction, in particular with reference to the selection of the quantity and type or types of treatment agent per wash and the loading operation of the treatment agent in the laundry washing machine, last but not least the selection of the detergent loading or the handling, cleaning and maintenance operations of the dispensing system.

Disclosure of Invention

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a front loading type washing machine having an improved dispensing system of laundry treating agents.

A particular object of embodiments of the present invention is to facilitate the interaction between the user and the laundry washing machine, reducing the number of loading and/or cleaning and/or maintenance and/or operations of the detergent loading system, to assist the user in selecting the type and quantity of treatment agent per washing cycle.

Further objects of the present invention are to improve the laundry washing and treatment performance and to save resources, in particular washing and/or treatment agents, electricity, water, volume, size.

It is a further object of the present invention to overcome the problem of poor treatment efficacy of multi-purpose pre-packaged detergent compositions.

A further object of the present invention relates to the user perceived simplicity of use and greater versatility and capacity of the washing machine to adjust and influence a variety of laundry washing and treatment conditions and parameters.

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a housing; a wash tub disposed within the housing and having a front opening that is closable by a porthole door that is frontally hinged to the housing; a basket disposed within the drum and rotatable about a horizontal or inclined axis, wherein said basket defines a loading opening at the front opening of the drum for loading and unloading the laundry to be washed; a water loading system connectable to the water pipe and communicating with the washing drum to load water in the washing drum; a drain line connected to the washing drum and the drain pump to remove the washing liquid from the washing drum and to regulate a liquid level within the washing drum together with the water loading system; a dispensing system for dispensing a laundry treatment agent, the dispensing system comprising a plurality of reservoirs for containing the treatment agent, the plurality of reservoirs being located in a porthole door and each reservoir being sized to contain a sufficient amount of treatment agent for a plurality of wash cycles.

According to one aspect of the invention, the dispensing system may include a (e.g., only one) metering pump fixed in or outside the door.

According to an aspect of the invention, the metering pump may comprise: a cylinder defining a metering volume and forming an inlet having an inlet check valve and an outlet having an outlet check valve; a piston movable by an actuator.

According to one aspect of the invention, the tanks are connected to the metering pumps (the inlets thereof) by means of one or more delivery ducts and one or more selector valves for selectively opening and interrupting the fluid connection between each tank and the metering pump.

This allows a single volumetric pump to be used to meter out a plurality of different treating agents contained in a plurality of different storage tanks. Furthermore, the positioning of the metering pump fixed in the door rather than in the washing machine housing avoids the need to provide a conduit with a hydraulic coupling and separation system for transporting the treating agent from the movable porthole door to the fixed part of the washing machine housing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of tanks includes a single tank and a multi-tank unit having a plurality of the tanks connected to each other, wherein the multi-tank unit may be reversibly coupled to the door as a separate body and independently of the separate tank, and wherein the separate tank may be reversibly coupled to the door independently of the multi-tank unit.

This allows for simplified and reduced handling, extraction, cleaning, filling and reinsertion operations of the refillable reservoir. In fact, not all wash cycles need to dispense all available types of treatment agents, and various wash cycles need different amounts of one or the other treatment agent, with the result that the consumption of some treatment agents is different from the consumption of other treatment agents. For example, in some embodiments, the consumption of enzymes is lower than the consumption of soap and softener. The structural configuration of the tank as a separate and independent multi-tank unit and an independent tank allows to extract and manipulate only the strictly necessary tank, i.e. the tank that has been emptied, so that the tank that has not been emptied is in its place.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing system comprises, for each tank, a dedicated metering pump and the tanks are connected to the respective dedicated metering pump by respective dedicated delivery pipes, optionally each equipped with a check valve.

This allows for simplified piping and avoids the need for selective solenoid valves to control the dispensing of different treatment agents from multiple different reservoirs.

According to another aspect of the invention, the plurality of reservoirs comprises: a first reservoir containing a first detergent for white and laundry-resistant; a second reservoir containing a second detergent for coloring and softening the laundry; a third reservoir comprising a fixing and/or softening agent; a fourth reservoir comprising an enzyme and/or an additional reservoir comprising a decontaminating substance different from the enzyme.

This allows for the formation of mixtures or compositions of treating agents with adjustable quantitative ratios that can be optimized for a particular selected wash cycle, thereby improving wash performance and saving treating agents.

According to another aspect of the invention, each reservoir forms a dispensing opening that directly faces the basket.

This avoids the need to place piping, valves and pumping systems externally with respect to the tank within the dimensions of the porthole door. Accordingly, the structure of the porthole door is simplified, and the usable volume of the sump is increased, and therefore, the number of times that the washing cycle can be performed without filling the sump is increased. In addition, with reference to all embodiments, it is advantageous to introduce the detergent directly into the laundry basket, since it is ensured that all dispensed detergent is actually in contact with the laundry.

Drawings

Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a front view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a treating agent tank for a washing machine according to another embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a multi-dosing diagram of a washing machine according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an implementation of the multi-metric graph of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a dosing and dispensing diagram of a washing machine according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a multi-metering system having single and multiple sump assemblies of a washing machine according to one embodiment;

figures 7 and 8 show further multi-dosing graphs with alternative detergent powder dispensing according to embodiments;

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a multi-dosing scheme according to an embodiment, wherein the treatment agent reservoir is located in the door of the washing machine and the dispensing assembly containing the dosing pump is located in the housing outside the washer door;

FIG. 11A illustrates a multi-dosing scheme with a pipe cleaning system according to another embodiment;

FIG. 11B illustrates a multi-metering scheme with a pipe cleaning system according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are perspective views of a washing machine according to one embodiment, wherein the treatment agent reservoir is located in the door of the washing machine and the dispensing unit containing the metering pump is located in the housing outside the door of the washing machine;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a door for a washing machine including a multi-dispense assembly with the sump and outer lid removed, according to one embodiment;

fig. 16, 17, 18 are views from outside of a door of a washing machine according to an embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a door of a washing machine according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 20, 21, 22 show a door of a washing machine according to an embodiment, in which a detergent reservoir assembly is removed and inserted;

FIG. 23 shows a detergent reservoir assembly for the door of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 shows a single detergent reservoir with a grip portion and an opening/filling lid;

FIG. 25 illustrates a door of a washing machine having a detergent reservoir assembly or rigid disposable cartridge according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 26 and 27 are views of the disposable cartridge assembly of FIG. 22;

FIG. 28 shows a door of a washing machine having a disposable detergent flexible wall container assembly according to one embodiment;

fig. 29 and 30 are views of a disposable detergent flexible wall container.

Detailed Description

With reference to the figures, a washing machine 1 or washer-dryer comprises a support and housing structure 2, inside which a washing drum 3 is housed, provided with a front opening that can be closed by a porthole door 4 hinged frontally. A basket 5 for containing the laundry 3 is arranged inside the washing tub in a rotatable manner about a horizontal or inclined axis. The basket 5 also defines a front opening at the opening of the washing drum, so as to be able to load and unload the laundry.

The washing drum 3 is adapted to contain washing liquid during a laundry washing step.

A water loading system connectable to the water pipe is provided to allow the reservoir 3 to be loaded with water from the water pipe. The loading system 20 may comprise a plurality of conduits extending, for example, from one or more (e.g., two)

supply solenoid valves

6, 7 to the washing drum 3, either directly or through a detergent compartment of a detergent pool 8 (optional).

A drain line 10 provides a relative drain pump 11 connected to the bottom of the washing drum 3, the drain pump 11 removing the washing liquid from the tank 3 and, together with the

supply solenoid valves

6, 7, controlling the liquid level inside the tank 3.

In order to heat the washing liquid contained in the tank 3, an electric resistor 12 may be provided inside the container 3, in particular on the bottom of the tank 9, in the gap between the walls of the basket 5.

To agitate and remix the laundry with wash liquid, the wash basket 5 may be rotationally actuated by a motor 13 and a transmission 14 (e.g., a belt).

The operation of the laundry washing machine 1 is controlled by an electronic control unit 15, the electronic control unit 15 being operatively connected to a user control interface 16 located at the outer wall or door 4 of the casing 2 and allowing the selection of the washing and/or drying cycle (more generally, the treatment cycle) and its characteristics. In response to selections made by the user through the user interface 16, the control unit 15 controls various components of the washing machine 1 to automatically wash the laundry.

The laundry washing machine 1 further comprises a dispensing system 17 of the "multiple dosing" type for dispensing laundry treatment agents.

In addition to or as an alternative to the detergent tray 8, the dispensing system 17 comprises a plurality of reservoirs 18 to contain treatment agents, for example, detergents for white-resistant fabric items, detergents for delicate colored fabric items, detergents for wool, perfuming substances, enzymes and/or detersive substances other than enzymes, fixatives and/or fabric softeners. A plurality of reservoirs 18 are preferably located in the porthole door 4, and each reservoir 18 is sized to contain an amount of treatment agent sufficient for multiple wash cycles.

Multi-metering reservoir with dispensing opening and integrated pump

According to one embodiment, each reservoir 18 forms a dispensing opening 19 facing directly towards the basket 5, so as to dispense the treatment agent directly and without requiring modifications to the water loading system 20. Particularly advantageously, the porthole door 4 is free of water pipes.

According to one embodiment, each tank 18 comprises an internal metering and dispensing mechanism 21, which is directly on the tank 18, but is configured to interact with an external dispensing actuator 22, located in the door 4 outside the tank 18.

It is particularly advantageous that the inner metering and dispensing mechanism 21 and the outer dispensing actuator 22 are configured for magnetic interaction.

According to one embodiment, the metering and dispensing mechanism 21 comprises:

a dispensing chamber 23, which defines a metered volume, which communicates with the dispensing opening 19, via an interposed check valve 24, and with the interior of the reservoir 18,

at least one metering member 25, which is movable from a retracted position outside the metering chamber 23, wherein the dispensing chamber 23 is allowed to be filled with a treatment agent, to an extended position in the metering chamber 23, wherein a metered volume of treatment agent is pushed out of the metering chamber 23 through the non-return valve 24 and the dispensing opening 19.

According to one embodiment, the metering chamber 23 is shaped as a cup or a cylinder open on one side, having a bottom wall 26 housing the check valve 24 and having a peripheral wall 27, the peripheral wall 27 defining, together with the bottom wall 26, said (predetermined) metering volume.

By moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the metering member 25 (e.g., metering piston) sealingly engages the peripheral wall 27 to prevent the treating agent from returning from the metering chamber 23 into the interior space 29 of the reservoir 18 and forcing the treating agent through the check valve 24 and the dispensing opening into the basket 5. Another check valve 28 is located between the metering chamber 23 and the interior space 29 (e.g., in a passage formed in the metering piston 25) to allow liquid to enter the metering chamber 23 from the interior space 29 during return of the metering piston 25 from the extended position to the retracted position.

The metering member 25 comprises a magnetically sensitive (in particular attractable) element 30, e.g. a ferromagnetic or magnetic block, for moving the metering member 25 via magnetic actuation from outside the reservoir 18.

The flow actuator 22 may comprise an electromagnet 31, which electromagnet 31 is located outside the tank 18, but in the vicinity of the metering and dispensing mechanism 21 and may be energized by the control unit 15 in order to actuate the displacement of the metering member 25.

Alternatively, the flow actuator 22 may comprise a magnetic or magnetically sensitive structure 32, which is located outside the reservoir 18, but in the vicinity of the metering and dispensing mechanism 21 and is movable (e.g. by a motor or solenoid controlled by the control unit 15) so as to actuate the displacement of the metering member 25.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the or each reservoir 18 comprises a loading opening which can be closed by a plug 33, and the metering mechanism and the dispensing mechanism 21 are at least partially integrated in said plug 21.

Multi-metering dispensing system with single metering pump

According to another embodiment, the dispensing system 17 comprises a metering pump 36, the metering pump 36 being fixed in the door 4 (fig. 15).

Alternatively, and with reference to a metering system with a single pump or with multiple pumps (fig. 9-14), one or more metering pumps 36, 36' are provided in the housing 2 outside the door 4, while the tank 18 is formed or located in the door 4 and is connected to the metering pump or pumps 36, 36' by a connecting duct 59 extending at the hinges 61', 61 "connecting the door 4 to the front wall of the housing 2.

Advantageously, the hinges 61', 61 "comprise a lower hinge 61' and an upper hinge 61", and the connecting duct 59 extends in the (protected) space between the lower hinge 61' and the upper hinge 61 "(fig. 13).

According to one embodiment, the metering pump 36 comprises a cylinder 37, the cylinder 37 defining a predetermined metering volume and forming an inlet 38 with an inlet check valve 39 and an outlet 40 with an outlet check valve 41 and a piston 42, for example a solenoid or a drive motor, which can be moved by an actuator 43, which in turn is controlled by the control unit 15.

The tanks 18 are connected or can be connected to the inlet 38 of the metering pump 36 by respective delivery conduits 44, each delivery conduit 44 being provided with a selection valve 45 for selectively opening and interrupting the fluid connection between each tank 18 and the metering pump 36.

Advantageously, in order to avoid the formation of scales and deposits in the metering cylinder 37, a flushing duct 46 may be provided, located in the door 4 and communicating with the delivery duct 44. The flushing line 46 is connected to the water loading system 20 via the supply valve 6' and the air gap 58 and to a portion of the one or more delivery lines 44 upstream of the inlet check valve 39 of the metering pump 36.

Also in this embodiment, the reservoir 18 may be fixed in the door 4 or may be withdrawn from the door 4 for filling.

According to one embodiment, the single outlets of the tanks 18 are respectively in communication with a single delivery duct 44 through a plurality of selector valves 45 arranged in series (one after the other) along the delivery duct 44. Each selector valve 45 has a first inlet 47 and an outlet 48 connecting (ensuring continuity) the selector valve 45 in the delivery duct 44 and a second inlet 49 connecting the selector valve 45 to the respective selector valve 45. The first and

second inlets

47, 49 and the outlet 48 of the selector valve 45 are in communication with each other to allow:

a flow path from the first inlet 47 to the outlet 48 (flushing water and/or treatment agent introduced into the delivery duct 44 at a position upstream of the selector valve 45), and

an inlet flow (of treating agent) from the second inlet opening 49 to the outlet 48.

The selector valve 45 further comprises a shutter 50 movable to:

a passage position in which the second inlet 49 is closed and the first inlet 47 and the outlet 48 are kept open, to allow passage flow only and to prevent inlet flow of the treating agent,

an inlet position in which the first inlet 47 is closed and the second inlet 49 and outlet 48 are left open, to allow inlet flow only and prevent channel flow.

The flushing line 46 is connected to the delivery line 44 upstream of the selector valve 45, and the delivery line 44 is connected to the metering pump 36 downstream of the selector valve 45, as shown, for example, in fig. 3 and 4.

Thus, by placing the selector valve 45 associated with the selected reservoir 18 in the inlet position and leaving the selector valves 45 of the remaining reservoirs 18 in the pass position, the metering pump 36 can selectively draw in and meter the treatment agent of the selected reservoir while intercepting (blocking) the flow of flush water at the selector valve 45 of the selected reservoir and intercepting (blocking) all remaining input flows of treatment agent at the selector valves 45 of the non-selected reservoirs 18.

Similarly, bringing the selector valves 45 of all the tanks 18 into passage position, the whole delivery duct 44 (including all the selector valves 45) and the metering pump 36 can be crossed and cleaned by the flow of washing water, while intercepting (blocking) all the inlet flow of treatment agent at the selector valves 45 (fig. 3, 4, 5).

According to one embodiment (fig. 9), the pumping unit 60 comprises:

-a metering pump 36 for delivering the liquid to the tank,

flushing

pipes

46, 46', 66, 67, 68,

a selector valve 45, and

a portion of the delivery pipe 44, where the selection valve 45 is arranged,

the pumping unit is arranged in the housing 2 outside the door 4 and is connected to the reservoir 18 in the door 4 by means of the aforementioned connecting duct 59. This avoids the need to extend wires from the housing 2 in the door 4.

In this embodiment, the outlet 40 of the metering pump 36 can be connected to a supply conduit 65 (injector 62 placed therein), the supply conduit 65 being connected to the water loading system 20 through a supply solenoid valve 6 "and communicating with the interior of the basket 5 or drum 3 so as to deliver (sucked through the injector 62) the treatment agent dispensed by the metering pump 36 into the basket 5 or into the washing drum 3.

According to one embodiment (fig. 11B), a delivery pipe 44 connects the selector valves 45 in series with each other and with the distribution pump 36, a plurality of dedicated delivery pipes 44' connecting the selector valves 45 (which may be, for example, outside the door 4) to the respective tanks 18 (inside the door 18).

A flushing line 46 'may be provided, located completely outside the door 4, to avoid the formation of scale and deposits in the selection valve 45 and in the delivery lines 44, 44'. The flushing pipe 46 'comprises a distribution pipe 66 connected to the water loading system 20 through the supply valve 6' and a plurality of dedicated pipes 67 branching from the distribution pipe 66. Each dedicated conduit 67 comprises a non-return flushing valve 68 and is connected to one dedicated delivery conduit 44' (fig. 11B) respectively upstream of the selection valve 45 and downstream of the non-return valve 63 of the tank 18.

When the supply solenoid valve 6' is open, the mains water fills the entire flushing conduit 46' and cleans the delivery conduits 44, 44' downstream of the non-return valve 63 and the selection valve 45. During this washing, the mains water pressure in the dedicated delivery pipe 44' keeps the check valve 63 closed, thereby preventing mains water from entering the reservoir 18.

At the end of the cleaning step, the supply valve 6 is closed and the metering pump 36 is activated to fill the dedicated delivery conduit 44' again with the liquid treatment agent sucked from the tank 18.

To selectively dispense the treatment agent selected from the selected reservoir 18, the supply valve 6 'is kept closed and the metering pump 36 and the selected selection valve 45 are actuated, thereby creating a vacuum in the corresponding dedicated delivery conduit 44' that opens the check valve 63 associated with the selected reservoir 18 and draws the selected treatment agent from the selected reservoir 18. Due to the closing of the supply valve 6' and the flush check valve 68, the vacuum in the dedicated delivery line 44' cannot draw in tap water from the flush line 46' or treatment agent from the other reservoir 18.

Alternatively, the pumping assembly 60 may be located entirely within the door 4, thereby allowing for direct dispensing in the basket 5 and avoiding the need for another conduit with an eductor for delivering a metered dose of treating agent into the reservoir 3 or basket 5.

Multi-metering dispensing system with multiple dedicated pumps

According to another embodiment, the dispensing system 17 comprises a dedicated metering pump 36' (fig. 10, 11, 14), preferably a volumetric pump, for example a pneumatic piston pump, for each treatment agent reservoir 18.

The tanks 18 are connected or connectable to respective dedicated metering pumps 36' by respective dedicated delivery pipes 44', each dedicated delivery pipe 44' being optionally equipped with a check valve 63.

If a dedicated metering pump 36' is fixed in the door 4, its outlet can be in direct communication with the interior of the basket 5 or connected to a common outlet duct 64 leading to the drum 5.

In the embodiment in which the dedicated metering pump 36' is located in the housing 2 outside the door 4, the dedicated metering pump 36' is connected to a common output conduit 64, the common output conduit 64 being connected to a supply conduit 65 (the injector 62 placed therein), the supply conduit 65 being connected to the water loading system 20 through the supply solenoid valve 6 ″ and communicating with the interior of the basket 5 or, optionally, the drum 3, so as to deliver (by suction through the injector 62) the treatment agent dispensed by the dedicated metering pump 36' to the basket 5 or to the washing drum 3.

Advantageously, in order to avoid the formation of scales and deposits in the dedicated metering pump 36' and in the conduits 44', 64 of the distribution system 17, according to an embodiment, a flushing conduit 46' may be provided, located at least partially inside the door 4 or completely outside the door 4. The flushing pipe 46 'includes a distribution pipe 66 connected to the water loading system 20 through the supply valve 6' and a plurality of dedicated pipes 67 branched from the plurality of dedicated pipes 67. Each dedicated conduit 67 comprises a non-return flushing valve 68 and is connected to a respective one of the dedicated delivery conduits 44 '(fig. 11A) at a point upstream of the dedicated metering valve 36' and downstream of the non-return valve 63.

When the supply solenoid valve 6 'is opened, the tap water fills the entire flushing line 46' and cleans the check valve 63 and the dedicated delivery line 44 'downstream of the dedicated metering valve 36'. During this cleaning, the mains water pressure in the dedicated delivery conduit 44' keeps the check valve 63 closed, thereby preventing mains water from entering the reservoir 18.

At the end of the cleaning step, the supply valve 6' is closed and the dedicated metering pump 36' is activated to fill the dedicated delivery conduit 44' again with the liquid treatment agent sucked from the reservoir 18.

To selectively dispense the treatment agent selected from the selected reservoir 18, the supply valve 6 'is kept closed and the selected dedicated metering pump 36 is activated, thereby creating a vacuum in the corresponding dedicated delivery conduit 44' that opens the check valve 63 associated with the selected reservoir 18 and draws the selected treatment agent from the selected reservoir 18. Due to the closing of the supply valve 6' and the flush check valve 68, the vacuum in the dedicated delivery line 44' cannot draw in tap water from the flush line 46' or treatment agent from the other reservoir 18.

Also, in the embodiment with a dedicated metering pump 36' (fig. 10, 11), the reservoir 18 can be fixed to the door 4 or can be taken out of the door 4 for filling.

According to one embodiment, the pumping unit 60' comprises:

a special metering pump 36',

flushing

conduits

46', 66, 67, 68,

the portion of dedicated delivery duct 44 to which the

flushing ducts

46', 66, 67, 68 are connected,

the pumping unit is arranged in the housing 2 outside the door 4 and is connected to the reservoir 18 in the door 4 by means of the aforementioned connecting duct 59. This eliminates the need to extend wires from the housing 2 in the door 4.

Alternatively, the pumping assembly 60' may be located entirely within the door 4, allowing direct dispensing in the basket 5, and without the need for another conduit with an eductor for delivering a metered dose of treating agent into the reservoir 3 or into the basket 5.

Multi-dosing dispensing system with additional dispensing of powder detergent

According to another embodiment (fig. 7, 8), the distribution system 17 further comprises:

an auxiliary compartment 51 located in the door 4 and suitable for containing a powdered detergent; and a channel 54 (for example, an overflow channel) also formed in door 4 for discharging (by flushing) the powdered detergent from auxiliary compartment 51 into basket 5 or drum 3, and

an auxiliary conduit 52 connected to the water loading system 20, for example by means of the supply valves 6', 7' and the air gaps 58, 58', and communicating with the auxiliary compartment 51, to introduce an auxiliary water flow into the auxiliary compartment 51 and to dispense the powdered detergent from the auxiliary compartment 51 into the basket 5 or the cartridge 3.

This further increases the versatility of the dispensing system 17.

According to one embodiment (fig. 7), the auxiliary duct 52 branches from (or connects to) the flush duct 46 at a branch point 53 downstream of the air gap 58 (in the flush duct 46) and upstream of the delivery duct 44, and forms an elevated section 55 (for example in the form of an inverted siphon) above the delivery duct 44 but below the air gap 58, so that the liquid treatment agent can be dispensed from the tank 18 while maintaining the water level in the auxiliary duct at the level of the section 55, and therefore the detergent powder is not dispensed from the auxiliary compartment 51.

This enables the auxiliary conduit 52 to be devoid of a switching valve.

In case the liquid treatment agent is not dispensed from the reservoir 18 at the same time, dispensing of the detergent powder from the auxiliary compartment 51 may be performed by filling the flushing conduit 46 above the level of the raised section 55, so as to achieve the above-mentioned auxiliary flow in the auxiliary compartment 51, for example by preventing the water flow from entering the delivery conduit 44 through the

non-return valves

39, 41 or one of the selection valves 45.

Either alternatively or optionally, dispensing of the detergent powder from the auxiliary compartment 51 may be performed simultaneously with dispensing of the treatment liquid from one of the reservoirs 18.

Alternatively, the auxiliary duct 52 may comprise an on-off valve 56, the on-off valve 56 being operable to control the dispensing of the detergent powder from the auxiliary compartment 51. In this embodiment, the elevated section 55 may be avoided.

According to one embodiment (fig. 8), the auxiliary conduit 52 is connected to the water loading system 20 through its own supply valve 7 'and its own air gap 58', providing a second water path independent of the flushing conduit 46 for dispensing the detergent powder from the auxiliary compartment 51 and for introducing water into the basket 5 or cartridge 3.

According to one embodiment, the auxiliary compartment 51 and the possible passage 54 may be formed in an auxiliary insert 57, which auxiliary insert 57 may be inserted in the door 4 to operate the laundry washing machine 1 by dispensing detergent powder and may be removed from the door 4 to operate the laundry washing machine 1 without dispensing detergent powder from the door 4.

In this embodiment, the insert 57 or the accessory cover 57' without auxiliary compartment can be applied, as required, from the inside (facing the basket 5) to the door 4 and form an inner surface facing the basket 5 and in direct contact with the laundry to be washed (fig. 19).

System for detecting the presence/level of detergent in the tank 18

According to another embodiment, dispensing system 17 comprises a detergent detection device configured to detect the presence and absence of treatment agent within reservoir 18 and generate a corresponding warning for the user.

In one embodiment (fig. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9), the detergent detection means may comprise an optical sensor 69, for example a turbidity sensor, connected to the control unit 15 and associated with a transparent detection duct portion formed in the delivery duct 44 downstream of the selector valve 45 and upstream of the metering pump 36 and configured to generate an empty tank signal in the event of air being sucked in the detection duct portion.

In one embodiment (fig. 10, 11), the detergent detection device may comprise a plurality of optical sensors 69', for example turbidity sensors, connected to the control unit 15 and each associated with a transparent detection duct portion formed in the dedicated delivery duct 44' of each tank 18 (fig. 7, 8) upstream of the dedicated metering pump 36' and downstream of the check valve 63 (if provided). The optical sensor 69' is configured to generate an empty reservoir signal in the event that air is drawn in the detection duct portion associated therewith.

During the suction of the selected treatment agent from the reservoir 18, a filling state detection of the reservoir 18 occurs and the control unit 15 attributes the signal generated by the optical sensor 69, 69' of the presence or absence of detergent to the selected reservoir 18 and generates an "empty reservoir" alarm for the user.

Multiple reservoir unit 35

According to another embodiment, the plurality of tanks 18 includes a single tank 34 and a multi-tank unit 35 having a plurality of said tanks 18 connected to each other. The multi-tank unit 35 may be attached/detached to/from the door 4 as an independent unit of the individual tanks 34, and the individual tanks 34 may also be attached/detached to/from the door 4 independently of the multi-tank unit 35. This is particularly advantageous if different treatment agents with different amounts of use and emptying times are used.

For example, the individual reservoirs 34 may contain enzymes and/or decontaminating substances other than enzymes and need to be filled at a very low frequency, while the reservoirs 18 of the multi-reservoir unit 35 may contain individually a first detergent for white and durable goods, a second detergent for coloured and delicate goods and a fixing and/or softening agent and need to be filled more frequently.

Advantageously, the tank 18 containing the enzymes and/or the decontaminating substance other than the enzymes is arranged separated from the other tanks 18 and from the inside of the basket 5 by an air gap which constitutes an insulation suitable for protecting the enzymes and/or the decontaminating substance other than the enzymes from thermal degradation.

To allow for selective manipulation of each of the tanks 18 according to one embodiment, each tank 18 may be coupled to/detached from the door 4 independently of the other tanks 18.

System for accessing a tank 18 and replacing the tank 18

According to another embodiment, the tank 18 and possible pumping units 60, 60' are located in a lower portion 70 of the door 4, which may have a vertical extension of at least half or more than half of the total height of the door 4 (preferably between 1/2 and 2/3) and is covered by an outer lid 71, preferably an opaque outer lid, in order to hide the dispensing system 17 from the user.

In one embodiment (fig. 12, 18), the tank 18 is housed or formed in a swinging drawer 72', which drawer 72' can be partially extracted from the door 4 and inserted into the door 4 by a pivoting movement about a horizontal axis, to allow access to the tank 18 (fig. 18) from the outside of the door 4 (the side opposite the basket 5) and from the top, for filling and extraction and insertion or replacement of the tank 18, for example for maintenance or cleaning of the tank 18.

In another embodiment (fig. 17), tank 18 is housed or formed in a translatable drawer 72, which drawer 72 can be partially extracted from door 4 and inserted into door 4 by a translational movement along a horizontal axis, to allow access to tank 18 (fig. 18) both from the outside of door 4 (the side opposite to basket 5) and from the top, for filling and extraction and insertion or replacement of tank 18, for example for maintenance or cleaning of tank 18.

To allow the drawer 72, 72' to move and to extract and reinsert the tank 18, the tank 18 and delivery tubes 44, 44' of the pumping unit 60, 60' are connected by male and female hydraulic connectors 73 (fig. 15, 20, 21) which close the tank and delivery tubes 44, 44' in the disconnected configuration and open the fluid passage between the tank 18 and delivery tubes 44, 44' in the connected configuration.

The upper portion 74 of the door 4 formed above the lower portion 70 containing the sump 18 is preferably transparent and forms a porthole area to allow the interior of the basket 5 to be viewed from the exterior of the door 4.

The auxiliary insert 57 and the auxiliary accessory 57' (if provided) forming the auxiliary compartment 51 for the detergent powder are preferably housed in the upper portion 74 of the door 4 (figures 15, 19).

Refillable rigid reservoir 18

According to one embodiment (fig. 20-24), the reservoir 18 comprises a refillable rigid or semi-rigid container of stable shape that can be inserted into and removed from the door 4 through a front opening on the outside of the door 4 and can be closed by an outer lid 71, preferably a swinging lid that can be opened by tilting downward.

The refillable container is provided with a filling opening with a cap 75 and a manual grip portion 76 to facilitate withdrawal from the door 4 (fig. 24).

The fluid connection of the reservoir 18 to the pumping unit 60, 60' is achieved by male and female hydraulic connectors 73.

Disposable rigid or semi-rigid reservoir 18

According to another embodiment (fig. 25-27), the reservoir 18 comprises a disposable, rigid or semi-rigid container with a stable shape that can be inserted into the door 4 and removed from the door 4 through a front opening on the outside of the door 4 and can be closed by an outer lid 71, preferably a swinging lid that opens by tilting downwards.

To maximize the capacity of the reservoir 18 within the circular door 4, the refillable or disposable containers may include one or more first arc-shaped containers having a peripheral surface with a circular arc shape and one or more second containers having a shape complementary to the shape of the first containers so as to together form a half-disk shaped capacity compatible with the circular shape of the door 4 (fig. 22, 23, 25-27). Advantageously, the capacity of the first container is greater than the capacity of the second container, so that its capacity is adapted to different treatment agent consumptions.

Disposable flexible bag-like reservoir 18

According to a further embodiment (fig. 28, 29, 30), the reservoir 18 comprises a disposable flexible-wall container (sachet) that can be inserted into and removed from the door 4 through a front opening on the outside of the door 4 and can be closed by an outer lid 71, preferably a swing lid that opens by tilting downward.

Advantageously, the reservoir 18 comprises a disposable container, in particular a flexible plastic bag, for soap and softener (the consumption of which is very high), and also a separately refillable reservoir of stable shape and of a smaller capacity than that of the disposable container, for containing the enzyme (the consumption of which is very low) and/or a decontaminating substance other than the enzyme.

The disposable flexible pouch container may have a generally elongated prismatic shape and may together form a volume having a downwardly tapering trapezoidal shape that substantially fills the lower semi-circular portion of the door 4 (fig. 28).

The disposable reservoir 18 may be fluidly connected to the pumping unit 60, 60' by male and female hydraulic connectors 73 or by hydraulic connectors adapted to pierce a disposable container and be inserted therein in a sealed manner.

The laundry washing machine 1 may also comprise a system for recirculating the washing liquid from the bottom of the reservoir to the laundry basket, similar to the recirculation system described with reference to the prior art.

Finally, the invention also relates to a washing method as described with reference to the washing machine 1, the features of which are not repeated here for the sake of brevity.

It is clear that a person skilled in the art may carry out further variations and modifications to the washing method according to the invention, all without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, as defined in the annexed claims.

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) comprising:

-a housing (2),

-a washing drum (3) arranged inside a casing (2) and having a front opening closable by a porthole door (4) frontally hinged to said casing (2),

-a basket (5) arranged inside said washing drum (3) and rotatable about a horizontal or inclined axis, wherein said basket (5) defines a loading opening at said front opening of the washing drum (3) for loading and unloading the laundry to be washed,

-a water loading system (20) connectable to a water pipe and communicating with said washing drum (3) for loading water in said washing drum (3),

-a dispensing system (17) for dispensing a laundry treatment agent, said dispensing system (17) comprising a plurality of reservoirs (18) for containing said treatment agent, said plurality of reservoirs (18) being located in said porthole door (4), and each of said reservoirs (18) being dimensioned to contain a sufficient amount of treatment agent for a plurality of washing cycles,

characterized in that the dispensing system (17) comprises a metering pump (36),

wherein the tanks (18) are connected to the inlet (38) of the metering pump (36) by means of one or more delivery ducts (44, 44') and one or more selector valves (45) for selectively opening and interrupting the fluid connection between each tank (18) and the metering pump (36),

wherein the tank (18) communicates with the delivery duct (44) through respective selection valves (45) arranged in series in the delivery duct (44),

wherein the delivery duct (44) is connected to a metering pump (36) located downstream of the selector valve (45),

wherein each of the selector valves (45) comprises:

-a first inlet (47) and an outlet (48) connecting the selector valve (45) in the delivery duct (44),

-a second inlet (49) connecting the selection valve (45) to a respective reservoir (18),

-an inner space communicating the first and second inlets (47, 49) and the outlet (48),

-a shutter (50) movable in:

A) a passage position in which the second inlet (49) is closed and the first inlet (47) and the outlet (48) remain open to allow passage flow only from the first inlet (47) to the outlet (48) and prevent inlet flow from the second inlet (49) to the outlet (48),

B) an inlet position in which the first inlet (47) is closed and the second inlet (49) and the outlet (48) remain open to allow inlet flow only and prevent channel flow.

2. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said distribution system (17) comprises:

A) the metering pump (36) being fixed in the porthole door (4), or

B) One or more of said metering pumps (36, 36') disposed in said housing (2) outside said door (4), while said tank (18) is connected to said one or more metering pumps (36, 36') through a connecting duct (59) extending at a hinge (61' ) connecting said door (4) to a front wall of said housing (2), or

C) -a single said dosing pump (36) comprising:

-a cylinder (37) defining a metering volume and forming an inlet (38) with an inlet check valve (39) and an outlet (40) with an outlet check valve (41),

-a piston (42) movable by an actuator (43),

wherein the tanks (18) are connected to the inlet (38) of the metering pump (36) by means of one or more of said delivery ducts (44) and one or more of said selector valves (45) for selectively opening and interrupting the fluid connection between each of the tanks (18) and the metering pump (36).

3. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 1, comprising a flushing duct (46) communicating with said delivery duct (44) and connected to said water loading system (20).

4. The laundry machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein the pumping assembly (60) comprises:

-the metering pump (36),

-the flushing duct (46, 46'),

-the selection valve (45), and

-the portion of the delivery duct (44) where the selection valve (45) is arranged,

the pumping assembly is arranged in the housing (2) outside the door (4) and is connected to the reservoir (18) located in the door (4) by means of a connecting duct (59).

5. The laundry machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein:

-the outlet (40) of the metering pump (36) is connected to an injector (62) placed in a supply conduit (65),

-said supply conduit (65) is connected to said water loading system (20) through a supply solenoid valve (6 ") and communicates with the inside of said basket (5) or drum (3).

6. The laundry machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said metering pump (36) is fixed in said door (4).

7. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said distribution system (17) comprises:

-an auxiliary compartment (51) located in the door (4) and adapted to contain a powdered detergent,

-an overflow channel (54) formed in the door (4) for discharging the powdered detergent from the auxiliary compartment (51) into the basket (5) by flushing,

-an auxiliary duct (52) connected to said water loading system (20) through a supply valve (6', 7') and an air gap (58, 58') and communicating with said auxiliary compartment (51) to introduce an auxiliary water flow into said auxiliary compartment (51) and to dispense a powdered detergent from said auxiliary compartment (51) into said basket (5).

8. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 7, wherein said auxiliary compartment (51) is formed in an auxiliary insert (57) insertable into and removable from said door (4).

9. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said dispensing system (17) comprises a detergent detection device configured to detect the presence and absence of a treatment agent inside said tank (18) and to generate a corresponding warning for a user,

the detergent detection device comprises an optical sensor (69) connected to the control unit (15) and associated with a transparent detection duct portion formed in the delivery duct (44) upstream of the metering pump (36) and configured to generate an empty tank signal in the event of air suction in said detection duct portion.

10. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said sump (18) is located in an inclined drawer (72') which can be partially extracted from and inserted into said door (4) by an inclined movement about a horizontal axis, allowing access to said sump (18) from outside and above said door (4).

11. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said sump (18) is located in a translatable drawer (72) which can be partially extracted from the door (4) and inserted therein by a translational movement along a horizontal axis, so as to allow access to the sump (18) from the outside and above the door (4).

12. Washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir (18) comprises a rigid refillable container of stable shape that can be inserted into and extracted from the door (4) through a front opening on the outside of the door (4) that can be closed by an outer lid (71),

the refillable container has a filling opening (75) with a stopper and a manual grip portion (76) that facilitates withdrawal of the refillable container from the door (4).

13. Washing machine (1), according to claim 1, wherein said tank (18) comprises a rigid disposable container of stable shape, which can be inserted in and extracted from said door (4) through its front opening, which can be closed by an outer cover (71).

14. The laundry machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of tanks (18) comprises:

a first reservoir containing a first detergent for white and laundry-resistant,

-a second reservoir containing a second detergent for coloring and softening the laundry,

a third reservoir containing a fixing and/or softening agent,

-a fourth reservoir comprising an enzyme and/or a decontaminating substance different from the enzyme.

15. The laundry machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein:

-said delivery duct (44) connects said selection valves (45) in series with each other and to a metering pump (36), and a plurality of dedicated said delivery ducts (44') connect said selection valves (45) to respective storage tanks (18),

-the distribution system (17) comprises a flushing duct (46') having:

-a distribution conduit (66) connected to the water loading system (20) through a supply valve (6'), and

-a plurality of dedicated ducts (67) branching from the distribution duct (66),

wherein each of said dedicated conduits (67) comprises a non-return flushing valve (68) and is connected to one dedicated said delivery conduit (44') upstream of said selection valve (45) and downstream of a non-return valve (63) of said tank (18), respectively.