EP2270272A1 - Washing machine - Google Patents
Washing machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2270272A1 EP2270272A1 EP09008485A EP09008485A EP2270272A1 EP 2270272 A1 EP2270272 A1 EP 2270272A1 EP 09008485 A EP09008485 A EP 09008485A EP 09008485 A EP09008485 A EP 09008485A EP 2270272 A1 EP2270272 A1 EP 2270272A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- drum
- lifters
- tub
- rotation
- washing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 144
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 110
- 241000239290 Araneae Species 0.000 claims description 26
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 17
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 12
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000010412 laundry washing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
- D06F37/04—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
- D06F37/06—Ribs, lifters, or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle
- D06F37/065—Ribs, lifters, or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle ribs or lifters having means for circulating the washing liquid
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
- D06F37/206—Mounting of motor
Definitions
- the present invention refers to a washing machine, particularly a laundry washing machine.
- laundry washing machines comprises an external casing containing a washing tub in which a rotary perforated drum is placed, adapted for loading the laundry to be washed.
- the drum is provided with some lifters (called also elevators, or ribs, or diverter), adapted to improve the stirring of the laundry during the rotation of the drum;
- the lifters are substantially prismatic elements fixed to the inner face of the lateral surface of the drum, and positioned with their longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the drum.
- One of the parameters which affect the quality of the wash in a washing machine is the wetting of the laundry; in fact, in order to obtain an optimal wash of the laundry, it is important that its wetting is as uniform as possible.
- Another parameter which affects the quality of the wash is the temperature of the washing liquid (i.e. water, or water mixed with washing/rinsing products) in contact with the laundry; the temperature of the washing liquid in contact with the laundry should be also in this case as uniform as possible in order to obtain an optimal wash.
- the washing liquid i.e. water, or water mixed with washing/rinsing products
- both the wetting of the laundry and the temperature of the washing liquid in contact with the laundry are typically higher at the periphery of the drum, and lower in the middle of the latter, particularly in the full load condition, which results in worse washing performances, in a longer wash cycle, and in higher water and energy consumptions.
- washing machines are provided with re-circulating means that are adapted to lift up the washing liquid from the bottom of the tub and to pour it again and again into the drum, preferably into and through the washload itself, in view of enhancing the effectiveness of the washing action, while reducing both energy and water usage.
- Machines of this kind are particularly efficient and their diffusion and popularity on the marketplace are indicative of them being largely accepted by the consumers, actually.
- these machines generally referred to as "re-circulating type” machines in the art, have an obvious major drawback in that they are significantly more expensive than traditional designs, since they require the construction of a re-circulating circuit, along with the pump and the various devices and arrangements associated thereto.
- This solution provides that the lifters are hollow and that they are provided, on their surface, of some apertures or holes; in this solution the internal of the lifters fluidly communicates with the external of the drum via the openings provided on the lateral surface of the drum in order to allow the washing liquid contained in the tub to flow into and out of the drum.
- the washing liquid enters the lifter via the openings present in the lateral cylindrical surface of the drum, and, while the lifter is taken aloft by the rotation of the drum, the washing liquid is discharged inside the drum through the apertures or holes provided on the lifter.
- US 6,386,004 discloses a laundry drum, comprising a liquid diverter (i.e. a lifter or elevator) including a driver having a driver interior and a run-off ramp therein.
- the driver interior receives liquid scooped and lifted by the drum during its rotation.
- the driver discharges the scooped liquid, in its lifted position, into the drum interior.
- the run-off ramp is oriented horizontally or has a descending gradient when the drum rotation axis is orientated in a direction deviating from horizontal, and when the drum is in a rotary position in which the driver is in its highest position, and thereby permits, in all of the drum's rotation directions, a flow of scooped liquid on the run-off ramp in a direction of a rising part of the rotation axis when in the driver's lifted position.
- the liquid is conducted into only part of the drivers in a case of low liquid level as a result of the inclination.
- EP 0 360 059 discloses a water-saving apparatus comprising a drum, contained in a tub, possessing a scooping ring of a relatively large diameter, mounted on a drum end wall (i.e. a base of the drum), with radially disposed scooping compartments; these scooping compartments dip into the liquor level underneath the drum, and with the aid of a laterally disposed scooping compartment, feed openings, and drum inlet openings, convey the washing liquor from the bottom of the tub to the textile goods by virtue of the rotation of the drum.
- washing liquor is introduced into the tub from drum inlet openings provided in proximity of the drum end wall (or base), and therefore such washing liquor wets mainly the portion of the laundry placed near to these openings, while the wetting is reduced in the portion of the laundry which is farther from the end wall (or base) of the drum.
- DE 43 26 496 discloses a washing machine comprising a tub containing a drum provided, on its rear base, with a supporting star (i.e. the so called “spider"), the arms of which, when passing through lye (i.e. the washing liquid) located in the tub bottom, scoop up some of this lye and, during the further rotation of the drum, lift it and guide it to perforations which are arranged in the rear base of the drum in the vicinity of the hub of the supporting star.
- lye i.e. the washing liquid
- this solution has a drawback; in fact the washing liquid is introduced into the tub from perforations arranged in the rear base of the drum, in the vicinity of the hub of the supporting star, and therefore such washing liquid wets mainly the portion of the laundry placed near to these perforations, while the wetting is reduced in the portion of the laundry which is farther from the rear base of the drum.
- EP 0 304 391 discloses a washing machine comprising a drum, on which scoop-shaped water-inlet orifices are arranged underneath the drum ribs (i.e. lifters); the drum ribs fill with washing fluid from the free liquor during the washing operation.
- the drum ribs In the drum ribs there are also water-outlet orifices, through which the fluid can trickle onto the laundry again during the further drum rotation.
- the water-inlet orifices are effective in both directions of rotation of the drum.
- the water-inlet orifices are designed as scoop elements shaped out from the drum casing. The water-inlet orifices are aligned alternately in order to take effect in both directions of rotation of the drum.
- the washing fluid is scooped mainly in correspondence of the lateral cylindrical surface of the drum, and the mixing of the washing fluid, and therefore the equalizing effect on the temperature of the washing fluid in contact with the laundry, is very low.
- the aim of the present invention is therefore to improve the uniformity of the wetting of the laundry and of the temperature of the water in contact with the laundry contained in the drum of a washing machine, so as to increase the washing performances.
- Another object of the invention is to reduce the duration, the water consumption, and the power consumption of the washing cycles.
- Another object of the invention is the possibility to improve the wetting of the laundry and of the temperature of the water in contact with the laundry also in a standard washing machine, by modifying only the drum of the latter, and not the tub.
- the Applicant has found that by placing the lifters of a drum of a washing machine (such lifter being hollows and provided with one or more outlet openings adapted to fluidly connect the internal of the lifters to the internal of the drum in order to allow the release of the washing liquid inside the drum when the more lifters are in the upper region of the tub), in a region of the lateral surface of such a drum which is not provided with apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in a tub to flow into and out of the drum, and by providing inlet apertures on a base of such drum, fluidly connecting the lifters to the external of the drum so as to allow, during the rotation of the drum, the washing liquid present in a rear and bottom region of the tub to enter the lifters, it is possible to obtain a recirculation of the washing liquid which ensures an uniform wetting of the laundry and of the temperature of the washing liquid in contact with the laundry.
- a washing machine comprising a washing tub containing a drum comprising a base and a lateral surface with one or more first regions provided with apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in the tub to flow into and out of the drum, the lateral surface comprising one or more second regions which are not provided with the apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in the tub to flow into and out of the drum, the drum comprising one or more lifters, hollow, protruding from the lateral surface towards the internal of the drum and provided with one or more outlet openings adapted to fluidly connect the internal of the one or more lifters to the internal of the drum in order to allow the release of a liquid contained in the one or more lifters inside the drum when the one or more lifters are in an upper region of the tub; the one or more lifters are associated with the one or more second regions of the lateral surface , the base of the drum 1 being provided with one
- a washing machine comprising a washing tub containing a drum comprising a lateral surface and a base connected to a spider member comprising a central region from which a plurality of arms radially protrudes, the drum comprising one or more lifters, hollow, protruding from the lateral surface towards the internal of the drum, and provided with one or more outlet openings adapted to fluidly connect the internal of the lifter to the internal of the drum in order to allow the release of a liquid contained in the one or more lifters inside the drum when the one or more lifters are in an upper region of the tub; the spider member is provided with scooping means adapted, during the rotation of the drum, to collect the washing liquid from the rear and bottom region of the tub and to guide the washing liquid into the internal of the lifter.
- a washing machine not illustrated, according to the invention, comprises a tub 2 containing a drum 1 comprising a base 3 (i.e. a end wall or surface), which is advantageously substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis 4 of the drum 1, and a lateral surface 5 (substantially cylindrical) provided with one or more first regions 200 provided with apertures 6 adapted for allowing a washing liquid (e.g. water, or water mixed with washing/rinsing products) contained in the tub 2 to flow into and out of the drum 1.
- a washing liquid e.g. water, or water mixed with washing/rinsing products
- the drum 1 comprises also one or more second regions 100 which are not provided with apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in the tub 2 to flow into and out of the drum 1.
- the drum 1 illustrated in the enclosed Figures is of the type adapted to be used in a front-loading washing machine, that is a washing machine, not illustrated, provided with and external casing, typically parallelepiped-shaped, on which frontal wall an opening is provided, facing a further opening obtained in the tub 2; the drum 1 is placed into the tub 2 in such a way that its opened end 7 (that is the end of the drum 1 opposite to the base 3) faces the opening of the tub 2, so that the laundry can be loaded in the drum 1 via its opened end 7.
- the first openings of the external casing and of the tub 2 are closable by an external lid, not illustrated, hinged to the upper surface of the external casing.
- washing machine of the so-called top-loading type that is a washing machines comprising a casing, typically parallelepiped-shaped on the upper surface of which an opening is obtained, facing a further opening obtained in the lateral surface of the tub; these openings are closable by an external lid, hinged to the upper surface of the external casing.
- the drum 1 is also provided with a further base, not illustrated, substantially equal to the base 3, which closes also the opened end 7 of the drum 1; in this case, therefore, the drum 1 is closed in correspondence of both its bases, and the laundry can be loaded into the drum 1 via a suitable opening, not illustrated, obtained in the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1, an closable by one or more internal lids, also not illustrated, which, when closed, substantially constitute a portion of the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1.
- the drum 1 comprises one or more lifters 8 (or elevators, or ribs, or diverter), hollow (i.e. box-shaped end empty), protruding from inner face 5a of the lateral surface 5 towards the internal of the drum 1, and provided with one or more outlet openings 9 adapted to fluidly connect the internal of the lifters 8 to the internal of the drum 1 in order to allow the release of a liquid contained in such one or more lifters 8 inside the drum 1 when the one or more lifters 8 are in an upper region 2b of the tub 2.
- lifters 8 or elevators, or ribs, or diverter
- hollow i.e. box-shaped end empty
- each lifter 8 is associated with one of the one or more second regions 100 of the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1 which are not provided with the apertures 6; this means that the washing liquid can't flow into (and therefore nor flow out of) a lifter 8 through the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1.
- the lifters 8 may be associated with the first regions 200 of the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1 provided with the apertures 6, so that the washing liquid can also flow into/out of these lifters through the lateral surface 5.
- the lifters 8 are distributed in an orderly arrangement along the inner face 5a of the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1; in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 10 there are three lifters 8, but it is clear that, according to the invention, any number of lifters (even only one) can be used. Clearly, the lifters 8 could be also distributed in a non-orderly arrangement along the inner face 5a of the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1.
- the lifters 8 are "box-shaped” (or “sell-shaped” or “doomed-shaped”), so that a liquid can be collected in their inside.
- each lifter 8 is, in a plan view, substantially trapezoidal, and it is provided with two lateral walls 10a and 10b, inclined relative to each other, and connected, respectively in correspondence of a frontal end 11a and of a rear end 11b of the lifter 8, by a frontal wall 12a and by a rear wall 12b.
- the lateral walls 10a and 10b, the frontal wall 12a and the rear wall 12b are connected by a flowing surface 13, adapted to guide a washing liquid contained in the lifter 8 towards the outlet openings 9; preferably the flowing surface 13 is inclined in such a way to guide a washing liquid contained in the lifter 8 towards the frontal end 11 a of the lifter 8 when, during the rotation of the drum 1, the lifter 8 is in the upper region 2b of the tub 2.
- the above mentioned outlet openings 9 are advantageously provided on the lateral walls 10a, 10b, on the frontal wall 12a, and on the flowing surface 13 of the lifters 8.
- the lifters 8 are fixed to the inner face 5a of the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1 with their opened border, numbered 14 in the enclosed figures, opposite to the flowing surface 13.
- the lifters 8 are fixed to the inner face 5a of the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1 by suitable fixing means, comprising, for example, suitable screw or rivets, not illustrated, and/or by gluing, and/or by welding, and/or by snap-fittings means, comprising, for example, suitable pawls (or pins or hooks) 15 protruding from the lifters 8 and adapted to snap fit with suitable seats 16 provided on the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1.
- suitable fixing means comprising, for example, suitable screw or rivets, not illustrated, and/or by gluing, and/or by welding
- snap-fittings means comprising, for example, suitable pawls (or pins or hooks) 15 protruding from the lifters 8 and adapted to snap fit with suitable seats 16 provided on the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1.
- these pawls 15 substantially obstruct the respective seats 16, and therefore at most a very small quantity of the washing liquid can flow into and out of the drum 2 through the clearances which should be present between the seats 16 and the pawls 15; in other words the seats 16 aren't intended for allowing the washing liquid contained in the tub 2 to flow into and out of the drum 1, even if a small quantity of such a liquid should flow through the possible clearances between the seats 16 and the pawls 15.
- the lifters 8 are fixed to the drum 1 in such a way that their lateral surface engages (i.e. touches or is in contact with) the base 3 of the drum 1.
- the drum 1 comprises a further base, not illustrated, which closes also the opened end 7 of the drum 1, the lifters 8 could engage (i.e. touch or be in contact with) one or both the base 3 and the further base of the drum 1.
- the lifters 8 are separated from the base 3 of the drum 1 (and also from the further base in the case of a top-loading washing machine).
- the base 3 is provided with one or more inlet apertures 17 fluidly connecting the lifters 8 to the external of the drum 1, so as to allow, during the rotation of the drum 1, the washing liquid present in a rear and bottom region 2a of the tub 2 to enter one lifter 8, in order to allow the release of the washing liquid inside the drum 1, when such a lifter 8 is in the upper region 2b of the tub 2, advantageously through the one or more outlet openings 9.
- an inlet aperture 17 is obtained in each region of the base 3 which engages the rear wall 12b of a lifter 8; in this case, in the rear wall 12b of each lifter 8, a inlet hole 18 is obtained, facing the corresponding inlet aperture 17, so that a liquid can flow into the lifter 8 through the inlet aperture 17 and the inlet hole 18 facing this inlet aperture 17.
- one or more inlet apertures 17 may be associated to a single lifter 8.
- the lifters 8 aren't provided with a rear wall, and they are connected to the base 3 in correspondence of the border of the lateral walls 10a, 10b and of the flowing surface 13; in this case each inlet aperture 17 is arranged in such a way that it directly communicates with the internal of one lifter 8.
- the lifters 8 doesn't engage the base 3, and the internal of each lifter 8 is fluidly connected to one or more inlet apertures 17 obtained in the base 3 by connecting means comprising, for example, a pipe or a duct, not illustrated, connecting these one ore more inlet apertures 17 to the internal of the lifter 8.
- one ore more inlet apertures 17 may be obtained in the base 3 and/or in the further base closing the drum 1, and such apertures 17 can communicate with the internal of the lifters 8, for example via suitable inlet holes obtained in the lifters 8 and facing the corresponding inlet aperture 17.
- the one or more inlet apertures 17 can be arranged in such a way that they directly communicate with the internal of the lifter 8.
- the lifters 8 may also be separated from the base 3 and/or from the further base of the drum 1; in this case one ore more inlet apertures 17 may be obtained in the base 3 and/or in the further base closing the drum 1, and such apertures 17 may communicate with the internal of the lifters 8 also by connecting means comprising, for example, a pipe or a duct, not illustrated, connecting these one ore more inlet apertures 17 to the internal of the lifters 8.
- a liquid may therefore flow into a lifter 8, from the rear and bottom region 2a of the tub 2 only via one or more inlet apertures 17, and therefore not through the lateral (cylindrical) surface 5 of the drum 1; in fact each lifter 8 is associated to the drum 1 in correspondence of a second region 100 of the latter which is not provided with apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in the tub 2 to flow into and out of the drum 1, and therefore the washing liquid may flow into such lifter 8 only via the one ore more inlet apertures 17 associated to said lifter 8.
- the drum 1 comprises scooping means adapted, during the rotation of the drum 1, to collect the washing liquid from the rear and bottom region 2a of the tub 2 and to guide the washing liquid into the internal of the lifter 8 through the one or more apertures 17.
- the base 3 of the drum 1 is connected to a spider member 19 (or supporting star) comprising a central region 20 from which a plurality of arms 21 radially protrudes, fixed to the outer face 3a of the base 3.
- the central region 20 of the spider member 19 is fixed to a shaft 32, adapted to cross the tub 2, so as to be connected, directly of by a suitable belt pulley, to a motor, not illustrated, for allowing the rotation of the drum 1.
- the above mentioned scoping means are provided in/at the spider 19, particularly in/at the arms 21 of the latter; in this case the number of the arms 21 is advantageously equal to the number of the lifters 8, and the free end of each arm 21 is fixed to the base 3 in proximity of the one or more inlet apertures 17 (only one in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 10 ) associated to one lifter 8.
- the scoping means comprises, for each arm 21, a conveyor element 22 (i.e. a blade, or paddle, or bucket) protruding laterally from the free end of this arm 21, and arranged to cover the one or more inlet apertures 17, in such a way to define a guide or a duct 122a which, during the rotation of the drum 1 in one of the directions of rotation, as will be explained in the following, guides the liquid contained in the rear and bottom region 2a of the tub 2 towards the one or more inlet apertures 17 covered by the conveyor element 22, and therefore into the respective lifter 8.
- a conveyor element 22 i.e. a blade, or paddle, or bucket
- all the conveyor elements 22 protrude from a same lateral side (i.e. the right side or the left side) of the arms 21, in order to scoop the liquid contained in the rear and bottom region 2a of the tub 2 only during the rotation of the drum 1 in a specific direction of rotation (called scooping direction), and not in the other direction of rotation.
- the conveyor elements 22 are advantageously paddle-shaped, and comprise a curved surface 23 adapted to guide a liquid towards the inlet apertures 17 while the conveyor element 22 moves in this liquid in a prefixed direction.
- the scooping means aren't associated to the spider 19; in this case one or more conveyor elements, not associated to the spider 19, are provided on the base 3 in proximity of the one or more inlet apertures 17; these one or more conveyor elements are adapted to guide, during the rotation of the drum 1 in the scooping direction, the liquid contained in the rear and bottom region 2a of the tub 2 towards the one or more inlet apertures 17, and therefore into the lifters 8 fluidly communicating with these one or more inlet apertures 17.
- some of the scoping means are associated to the spider 19, and other scoping means aren't associated to the spider 19.
- Figure 1 schematically illustrates part of the tub 2 and of the drum 1 of a a washing machine according to the invention.
- the scooping means in this case the conveyor elements 22 associated to the arms 21 of the spider 19
- the conveyor elements cyclically immerge in the liquid contained in the rear and bottom region 2a of the tub 2; if the drum 1 rotates in the scooping direction (for example, with reference to Figure 4 , the scooping direction is counter-clock), the conveyor elements, while moving through the washing liquid contained in the rear and bottom region 2a of the tub, scoop the washing liquid and convey it towards the inlet apertures 17 covered by such conveyor elements 22, and therefore into the lifters 8 associated to these inlet apertures 17.
- this lifter 8 is lifted and taken in an upper position (which is for example the position of the lifter numbered 8a in enclosed Figure 1 ), in which it is placed in the upper region 2b of the tub 2.
- Figures 11 to 18 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, which, as will be explained in the following, differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 10 because of the shape of the lifters 8 and of the spider 19, and because of number and position of the inlet apertures obtained in the base 3, and of the scooping means.
- the lifters 8 comprises two lateral walls 10a and 10b, inclined relative to each other, so as to join each other along a common side and to define a flowing surface 13, adapted to guide a washing liquid contained in the lifter 8 towards the outlet openings 9 during the rotation of the drum 1; preferably the flowing surface 13 is inclined in such a way to guide a washing liquid contained in the lifter 8 towards the frontal end 11a of the lifter 8 when, during the rotation of the drum 1, the lifter 8 is in the upper region 2b of the tub 2.
- the lateral walls 10a and 10b are also connected each other, respectively in correspondence of a frontal end 11a and of a rear end 11b of the lifter 8, by a frontal wall 12a and by a rear wall 12b.
- the outlet openings 9, adapted to fluidly connect the internal of the lifters 8 to the internal of the drum 1, are advantageously provided on the lateral walls 10a, 10b and on the frontal wall 12a of the lifters 8.
- each lifter 8 there is situated a partition wall 24, which bisects the lifter 8 lengthwise, thereby creating two chambers 25a, 25b.
- each chamber 25a, 25b fluidly communicates with the internal of the drum 1 via one or more of the outlet openings 9.
- the partition wall 24 is arranged in such a way that the chambers 25a and 25b are fluidly separated one another; in another embodiment, not illustrated, the partition wall 24 is arranged in such a way that the chambers 25a and 25b are fluidly connected one another.
- the partition wall 24 is a planar, rectangular member, which is arranged with the major side thereof joining with the flowing surface 13; preferably the partition wall 24, in proximity of the rear wall 12b of the lifter 8, divides in two curved arms 24a, 24b, diverging each other and connected to the second wall 12b.
- the lifters 8 are fixed to the inner face 5a of the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1 by suitable fixing means, comprising, for example, suitable screw or rivets, not illustrated, and/or by snap-fittings means, also not illustrated.
- the lifters 8 are fixed to the drum 1 in such a way that their rear wall 12b engages (i.e. touches or is in contact with) the base 3 of the drum 1.
- the base 3 is advantageously provided, for each lifter 8, with at least one inlet aperture 17a, and at least one inlet aperture 17b, fluidly communicating respectively with the two chambers 25a, 25b defined inside the lifter 8.
- each lifter 8 two inlet holes 18a, 18b are obtained, facing the corresponding inlet apertures 17a, 17b, so that a liquid can flow into the two chambers 25a, 25b defined inside the lifter 8, respectively through the inlet apertures 17a, 17b and the inlet holes 18a, 18b facing these inlet apertures 17a, 17b.
- the lifters 8 doesn't engage the base 3, and the two chambers 25a, 25b of a lifter 8 are fluidly connected, respectively to one ore more inlet apertures 17a, 17b obtained in the base 3, by connecting means comprising, for example, pipes or a ducts, not illustrated, connecting these one ore more inlet apertures 17a, 17b respectively to the internal of the two chambers 25a, 25b.
- the washing machine is of the top-loading type and the drum 1 comprises a further base, not illustrated, which closes also the opened end 7 of the drum 1, and in which the lifters 8 engage (i.e. touch or be in contact with) both the base 3 and the further base of the drum 1, for each lifter 8 one ore more inlet apertures 17a, 17b may be obtained in the base 3 and/or in the further base closing the drum 1, and such apertures 17a, 17b may communicate respectively with the internal of the two chambers 25a, 25b defined inside the lifter 8 via suitable inlet holes obtained in the lifters 8 and facing the corresponding inlet aperture 17a, 17b.
- the lifters 8 may also be separated from the base 3 and/or from the further base of the drum 1; in this case, for each lifter 8, one ore more inlet apertures 17a, 17b may be obtained in the base 3 and/or in the further base closing the drum 1, and such apertures 17a, 17b may communicate respectively with the two chambers 25a, 25b defined inside the lifter 8 also by connecting means comprising, for example, pipes or ducts, not illustrated, connecting these one ore more inlet apertures 17a, 17b respectively to the internal of the two chambers 25a, 25b.
- a liquid may flow into a lifter 8 only via one or more inlet apertures 17a, 17b, and therefore not through the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1; in fact each lifter 8 is associated to the drum 1 in correspondence of a second region 100 of the latter which is not provided with apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in the tub 2 to flow into and out of the drum 1, and therefore the washing liquid may flow into such lifter 8 only via the one ore more inlet apertures 17a, 17b associated to said lifter 8.
- a liquid contained in a lifter 8 can exit the latter only via the outlet openings 9.
- the lifters 8 are associated with the one or more first regions 200 of the lateral surface 5 of the drum 1 provided with the apertures 6, so that the washing liquid can also flow into/out of these lifters 8 through the lateral surface 5.
- the base 3 of the drum 1 is connected to a spider member 19 (or supporting star) comprising a central region 20 from which a plurality of arms 21 radially protrudes, fixed to the outer face 3a of the base 3; the central region 20 of the spider member 19 is fixed to a shaft 32, adapted to cross the tub 2 and to be connected, directly of by a suitable belt pulley, to a motor, not illustrated, for allowing the rotation of the drum 1.
- a spider member 19 or supporting star
- the central region 20 of the spider member 19 is fixed to a shaft 32, adapted to cross the tub 2 and to be connected, directly of by a suitable belt pulley, to a motor, not illustrated, for allowing the rotation of the drum 1.
- the scoping means are advantageously provided in/at the spider 19, particularly in/at the arms 21 of the latter; also in this case the number of the arms 21 is equal to the number of the lifters 8, and the free end of each arm 21 is fixed to the base 3 in proximity of the one or more inlet apertures 17a, 17b associated to each lifter 8.
- the scoping means comprises, for each arm 21, two conveyor elements 22a, 22b (i.e. two blades, or paddles, or buckets) protruding laterally from the free end of this arm 21, and arranged to cover the one or more inlet apertures 17a, 17b, in such a way to define two guides or ducts 222a, 222b which, during the rotation of the drum 1, depending on the direction of rotation of the drum 1, guides the liquid contained in the rear and bottom region 2a of the tub 2 towards one or the other inlet apertures 17a, 17b, and therefore into one or the other of the two chambers 25a, 25b defined inside each lifter 8.
- two conveyor elements 22a, 22b i.e. two blades, or paddles, or buckets
- the liquid can be scooped from the rear and bottom region 2a of the tub 2 during the rotation of the drum in both the directions of rotation, which consequently are both scooping directions.
- the partition wall 24 isn't provided, and the washing liquid, flowing through the one or more inlet apertures 17a or 17b associated to a lifter 8, collects inside this lifter 8.
- the conveyor elements 22a, 22b are advantageously paddle-shaped, and comprise a curved surface 23 adapted to guide a liquid towards the respective inlet opening 17a or 17b, depending on the direction of rotation of the drum 1.
- the scooping means aren't associated to the spider 19; in this case the inlet apertures 17a, 17b associated to each lifter 8 may be provided with one or more conveyor elements, not associated to the spider 19, adapted to guide, during the rotation of the drum 1, depending on the direction of rotation, the liquid contained in the bottom 2a of the tub 2, towards one ore the other inlet apertures 17a, 17b associated to the same lifter 8.
- the recirculation of the the washing liquid allows to reduce the water consumption and the power consumption of the washing cycles, without using an expensive re-circulating circuit.
- washing machine according to the invention may be also obtained, starting from a "standard” washing machine, by replacing the drum of the latter with a drum obtained according to the invention, substantially without any modification of the tub and of the rest of the washing machine.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention refers to a washing machine, particularly a laundry washing machine.
- While reference will be generally made to a "single-duty" laundry washing machine, i.e. a machine designed to only wash the laundry, throughout the following description, it shall be understood that the considerations and explanations set forth and given hereinbelow equally apply to combined clothes washing and drying machines, i.e. the so-called washer-driers.
- Usually laundry washing machines comprises an external casing containing a washing tub in which a rotary perforated drum is placed, adapted for loading the laundry to be washed.
- Usually the drum is provided with some lifters (called also elevators, or ribs, or diverter), adapted to improve the stirring of the laundry during the rotation of the drum; the lifters are substantially prismatic elements fixed to the inner face of the lateral surface of the drum, and positioned with their longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the drum.
- One of the parameters which affect the quality of the wash in a washing machine is the wetting of the laundry; in fact, in order to obtain an optimal wash of the laundry, it is important that its wetting is as uniform as possible.
- Another parameter which affects the quality of the wash, is the temperature of the washing liquid (i.e. water, or water mixed with washing/rinsing products) in contact with the laundry; the temperature of the washing liquid in contact with the laundry should be also in this case as uniform as possible in order to obtain an optimal wash.
- However both the wetting of the laundry and the temperature of the washing liquid in contact with the laundry are typically higher at the periphery of the drum, and lower in the middle of the latter, particularly in the full load condition, which results in worse washing performances, in a longer wash cycle, and in higher water and energy consumptions.
- In order to overcome this drawback, nowadays some washing machines are provided with re-circulating means that are adapted to lift up the washing liquid from the bottom of the tub and to pour it again and again into the drum, preferably into and through the washload itself, in view of enhancing the effectiveness of the washing action, while reducing both energy and water usage.
- Machines of this kind are particularly efficient and their diffusion and popularity on the marketplace are indicative of them being largely accepted by the consumers, actually. However, these machines, generally referred to as "re-circulating type" machines in the art, have an obvious major drawback in that they are significantly more expensive than traditional designs, since they require the construction of a re-circulating circuit, along with the pump and the various devices and arrangements associated thereto.
- In view of at least partly doing away with such drawback, a solution that has been largely adopted in the art lies in sizing and shaping in a particular manner the above mentioned lifters that are usually applied on the inner face of the lateral surface of the drum.
- This solution provides that the lifters are hollow and that they are provided, on their surface, of some apertures or holes; in this solution the internal of the lifters fluidly communicates with the external of the drum via the openings provided on the lateral surface of the drum in order to allow the washing liquid contained in the tub to flow into and out of the drum.
- During the rotation of the drum, when a lifter passes by the bottom of the tub, in which the washing liquid is collected, the washing liquid enters the lifter via the openings present in the lateral cylindrical surface of the drum, and, while the lifter is taken aloft by the rotation of the drum, the washing liquid is discharged inside the drum through the apertures or holes provided on the lifter.
- However this solution allows achieving only a small recirculation of the washing liquid, and therefore its effect on the uniformity of the wetting of the laundry and of the temperature of the washing liquid is modest.
- Other solutions have been developed in order to try to obtain a more uniform wetting of the laundry contained in the drum of a washing machine; for example
US 6,386,004 discloses a laundry drum, comprising a liquid diverter (i.e. a lifter or elevator) including a driver having a driver interior and a run-off ramp therein. The driver interior receives liquid scooped and lifted by the drum during its rotation. The driver discharges the scooped liquid, in its lifted position, into the drum interior. - The run-off ramp is oriented horizontally or has a descending gradient when the drum rotation axis is orientated in a direction deviating from horizontal, and when the drum is in a rotary position in which the driver is in its highest position, and thereby permits, in all of the drum's rotation directions, a flow of scooped liquid on the run-off ramp in a direction of a rising part of the rotation axis when in the driver's lifted position. The liquid is conducted into only part of the drivers in a case of low liquid level as a result of the inclination.
- This solution has however the drawback that the driver interior fluidly communicates with the external of the drum also via some orifices obtained in the lateral cylindrical surface of the drum, and therefore during the rotation of the drum some of the scooped liquid exits from the drum through these orifices, returning in the bottom of the tub, and reducing in this way the quantity of scooped liquid which reaches the laundry contained in the drum, and therefore reducing the equalizing effect on the wetting of the laundry.
-
EP 0 360 059 - This solution allows washing with and extremely low liquor fill level, and therefore shortens the fabric wetting times and the water consumption.
- Also this solution has however a drawback; in fact the washing liquor is introduced into the tub from drum inlet openings provided in proximity of the drum end wall (or base), and therefore such washing liquor wets mainly the portion of the laundry placed near to these openings, while the wetting is reduced in the portion of the laundry which is farther from the end wall (or base) of the drum.
- Therefore this solution has only a very low effect on the uniformity of the laundry wetting.
-
DE 43 26 496 discloses a washing machine comprising a tub containing a drum provided, on its rear base, with a supporting star (i.e. the so called "spider"), the arms of which, when passing through lye (i.e. the washing liquid) located in the tub bottom, scoop up some of this lye and, during the further rotation of the drum, lift it and guide it to perforations which are arranged in the rear base of the drum in the vicinity of the hub of the supporting star. - Also this solution has a drawback; in fact the washing liquid is introduced into the tub from perforations arranged in the rear base of the drum, in the vicinity of the hub of the supporting star, and therefore such washing liquid wets mainly the portion of the laundry placed near to these perforations, while the wetting is reduced in the portion of the laundry which is farther from the rear base of the drum.
- Therefore also this solution has only a very low effect on the uniformity of the laundry wetting.
-
EP 0 304 391 - In this solution, however, the washing fluid is scooped mainly in correspondence of the lateral cylindrical surface of the drum, and the mixing of the washing fluid, and therefore the equalizing effect on the temperature of the washing fluid in contact with the laundry, is very low.
- The aim of the present invention is therefore to improve the uniformity of the wetting of the laundry and of the temperature of the water in contact with the laundry contained in the drum of a washing machine, so as to increase the washing performances.
- Within this aim, another object of the invention is to reduce the duration, the water consumption, and the power consumption of the washing cycles.
- Another object of the invention is the possibility to improve the wetting of the laundry and of the temperature of the water in contact with the laundry also in a standard washing machine, by modifying only the drum of the latter, and not the tub.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the above-noted problems, thereby doing away with the drawbacks of the cited prior art.
- The Applicant has found that by placing the lifters of a drum of a washing machine (such lifter being hollows and provided with one or more outlet openings adapted to fluidly connect the internal of the lifters to the internal of the drum in order to allow the release of the washing liquid inside the drum when the more lifters are in the upper region of the tub), in a region of the lateral surface of such a drum which is not provided with apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in a tub to flow into and out of the drum, and by providing inlet apertures on a base of such drum, fluidly connecting the lifters to the external of the drum so as to allow, during the rotation of the drum, the washing liquid present in a rear and bottom region of the tub to enter the lifters, it is possible to obtain a recirculation of the washing liquid which ensures an uniform wetting of the laundry and of the temperature of the washing liquid in contact with the laundry.
- In particular, the above-mentioned aim and objects, as well as others that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a washing machine comprising a washing tub containing a drum comprising a base and a lateral surface with one or more first regions provided with apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in the tub to flow into and out of the drum, the lateral surface comprising one or more second regions which are not provided with the apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in the tub to flow into and out of the drum, the drum comprising one or more lifters, hollow, protruding from the lateral surface towards the internal of the drum and provided with one or more outlet openings adapted to fluidly connect the internal of the one or more lifters to the internal of the drum in order to allow the release of a liquid contained in the one or more lifters inside the drum when the one or more lifters are in an upper region of the tub; the one or more lifters are associated with the one or more second regions of the lateral surface , the base of the
drum 1 being provided with one or more inlet apertures fluidly connecting the one ore more lifters to the external of the drum, so as to allow, during the rotation of the drum, the washing liquid present in a rear and bottom region of the tub to enter the one or more lifters. - The above-mentioned aim and objects are also achieved by a washing machine comprising a washing tub containing a drum comprising a lateral surface and a base connected to a spider member comprising a central region from which a plurality of arms radially protrudes, the drum comprising one or more lifters, hollow, protruding from the lateral surface towards the internal of the drum, and provided with one or more outlet openings adapted to fluidly connect the internal of the lifter to the internal of the drum in order to allow the release of a liquid contained in the one or more lifters inside the drum when the one or more lifters are in an upper region of the tub; the spider member is provided with scooping means adapted, during the rotation of the drum, to collect the washing liquid from the rear and bottom region of the tub and to guide the washing liquid into the internal of the lifter.
- Features and advantages of the present invention will anyway be more readily understood from the description that is given below by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 is a schematic, lateral and partially sectioned view, of a tub and a drum of a washing machine according to the invention; -
Figure 2 is a schematic, lateral and partially sectioned view, of the drum ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 3 is a frontal and prospective view of the drum ofFigure 2 , in which one of the lifters has been removed; -
Figure 4 is a rear and prospective view of the drum ofFigures 2 and3 ; -
Figure 5 is a prospective view of the spider of the drum ofFigure 4 ; -
Figure 6 is a rear and prospective view of the drum ofFigures 2 and3 , in which the spider has been removed; -
Figure 7 is a first prospective view of a lifter of the drum ofFigure 2 ; -
Figure 8 is a lateral view of the lifter ofFigure 7 ; -
Figure 9 is a second prospective view of the lifter ofFigures 7 and 8 ; -
Figure 10 is a plan view from the bottom of the lifter ofFigures 7 to 9 ; -
Figure 11 is a rear and prospective view of the drum of a further embodiment of a washing machine according to the invention; -
Figure 12 is a frontal and prospective view of the drum ofFigure 11 , in which two of the lifters have been removed; -
Figure 13 is a first prospective view of a lifter of the drum ofFigure 12 ; -
Figure 14 is a lateral view of the lifter ofFigure 13 ; -
Figure 15 is a rear view of the lifter ofFigures 13 and 14 ; -
Figure 16 is a plan view from the bottom of the lifter ofFigures 13 to 15 ; -
Figure 17 is a rear and prospective view of the drum ofFigures 11 and 12 , in which the spider has been removed; -
Figure 18 is a prospective view of the spider of the drum ofFigure 11 . - With reference to
Figures 1 to 10 a washing machine, not illustrated, according to the invention, comprises atub 2 containing adrum 1 comprising a base 3 (i.e. a end wall or surface), which is advantageously substantially perpendicular to therotational axis 4 of thedrum 1, and a lateral surface 5 (substantially cylindrical) provided with one or morefirst regions 200 provided withapertures 6 adapted for allowing a washing liquid (e.g. water, or water mixed with washing/rinsing products) contained in thetub 2 to flow into and out of thedrum 1. - Advantageously the
drum 1 comprises also one or moresecond regions 100 which are not provided with apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in thetub 2 to flow into and out of thedrum 1. - The
drum 1 illustrated in the enclosed Figures is of the type adapted to be used in a front-loading washing machine, that is a washing machine, not illustrated, provided with and external casing, typically parallelepiped-shaped, on which frontal wall an opening is provided, facing a further opening obtained in thetub 2; thedrum 1 is placed into thetub 2 in such a way that its opened end 7 (that is the end of thedrum 1 opposite to the base 3) faces the opening of thetub 2, so that the laundry can be loaded in thedrum 1 via its openedend 7. In the case of a front-loading washing machine, the first openings of the external casing and of thetub 2 are closable by an external lid, not illustrated, hinged to the upper surface of the external casing. - However it is clear that the invention can be applied, substantially without any crucial modification, also in order to obtain a washing machine of the so-called top-loading type, that is a washing machines comprising a casing, typically parallelepiped-shaped on the upper surface of which an opening is obtained, facing a further opening obtained in the lateral surface of the tub; these openings are closable by an external lid, hinged to the upper surface of the external casing.
- In the case of a top-loading washing machine the
drum 1 is also provided with a further base, not illustrated, substantially equal to thebase 3, which closes also the openedend 7 of thedrum 1; in this case, therefore, thedrum 1 is closed in correspondence of both its bases, and the laundry can be loaded into thedrum 1 via a suitable opening, not illustrated, obtained in thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1, an closable by one or more internal lids, also not illustrated, which, when closed, substantially constitute a portion of thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1. - Advantageously (both in the case of a front-loading washing machine and in the case of a top-loading washing machine) the
drum 1 comprises one or more lifters 8 (or elevators, or ribs, or diverter), hollow (i.e. box-shaped end empty), protruding frominner face 5a of thelateral surface 5 towards the internal of thedrum 1, and provided with one ormore outlet openings 9 adapted to fluidly connect the internal of thelifters 8 to the internal of thedrum 1 in order to allow the release of a liquid contained in such one ormore lifters 8 inside thedrum 1 when the one ormore lifters 8 are in anupper region 2b of thetub 2. - Preferably, each
lifter 8 is associated with one of the one or moresecond regions 100 of thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1 which are not provided with theapertures 6; this means that the washing liquid can't flow into (and therefore nor flow out of) alifter 8 through thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1. - In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the
lifters 8 may be associated with thefirst regions 200 of thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1 provided with theapertures 6, so that the washing liquid can also flow into/out of these lifters through thelateral surface 5. - Advantageously, but not necessarily, the
lifters 8 are distributed in an orderly arrangement along theinner face 5a of thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1; in the embodiment illustrated inFigures 1 to 10 there are threelifters 8, but it is clear that, according to the invention, any number of lifters (even only one) can be used. Clearly, thelifters 8 could be also distributed in a non-orderly arrangement along theinner face 5a of thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1. - Advantageously, the
lifters 8 are "box-shaped" (or "sell-shaped" or "doomed-shaped"), so that a liquid can be collected in their inside. - For example, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 1 to 10 , eachlifter 8 is, in a plan view, substantially trapezoidal, and it is provided with twolateral walls frontal end 11a and of arear end 11b of thelifter 8, by afrontal wall 12a and by arear wall 12b. - The
lateral walls frontal wall 12a and therear wall 12b are connected by a flowingsurface 13, adapted to guide a washing liquid contained in thelifter 8 towards theoutlet openings 9; preferably the flowingsurface 13 is inclined in such a way to guide a washing liquid contained in thelifter 8 towards thefrontal end 11 a of thelifter 8 when, during the rotation of thedrum 1, thelifter 8 is in theupper region 2b of thetub 2. - In the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 1 to 10 , the above mentionedoutlet openings 9 are advantageously provided on thelateral walls frontal wall 12a, and on the flowingsurface 13 of thelifters 8. - The
lifters 8 are fixed to theinner face 5a of thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1 with their opened border, numbered 14 in the enclosed figures, opposite to the flowingsurface 13. - Advantageously, the
lifters 8 are fixed to theinner face 5a of thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1 by suitable fixing means, comprising, for example, suitable screw or rivets, not illustrated, and/or by gluing, and/or by welding, and/or by snap-fittings means, comprising, for example, suitable pawls (or pins or hooks) 15 protruding from thelifters 8 and adapted to snap fit withsuitable seats 16 provided on thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1. - Clearly, once the
pawls 15 have engaged theseats 16, thesepawls 15 substantially obstruct therespective seats 16, and therefore at most a very small quantity of the washing liquid can flow into and out of thedrum 2 through the clearances which should be present between theseats 16 and thepawls 15; in other words theseats 16 aren't intended for allowing the washing liquid contained in thetub 2 to flow into and out of thedrum 1, even if a small quantity of such a liquid should flow through the possible clearances between theseats 16 and thepawls 15. - Advantageously, but not necessarily, the
lifters 8 are fixed to thedrum 1 in such a way that their lateral surface engages (i.e. touches or is in contact with) thebase 3 of thedrum 1. - In another embodiment, not illustrated, in which the washing machine is of the top-loading type, and the
drum 1 comprises a further base, not illustrated, which closes also the openedend 7 of thedrum 1, thelifters 8 could engage (i.e. touch or be in contact with) one or both thebase 3 and the further base of thedrum 1. - In another embodiment thereof, also not illustrated, the
lifters 8 are separated from thebase 3 of the drum 1 (and also from the further base in the case of a top-loading washing machine). - Advantageously, the
base 3 is provided with one ormore inlet apertures 17 fluidly connecting thelifters 8 to the external of thedrum 1, so as to allow, during the rotation of thedrum 1, the washing liquid present in a rear andbottom region 2a of thetub 2 to enter onelifter 8, in order to allow the release of the washing liquid inside thedrum 1, when such alifter 8 is in theupper region 2b of thetub 2, advantageously through the one ormore outlet openings 9. - In the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 1 to 10 , in which therear wall 12b of thelifters 8 engages (i.e. touches or is in contact with) thebase 3, aninlet aperture 17 is obtained in each region of thebase 3 which engages therear wall 12b of alifter 8; in this case, in therear wall 12b of eachlifter 8, ainlet hole 18 is obtained, facing thecorresponding inlet aperture 17, so that a liquid can flow into thelifter 8 through theinlet aperture 17 and theinlet hole 18 facing thisinlet aperture 17. - Advantageously one or
more inlet apertures 17 may be associated to asingle lifter 8. - In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the
lifters 8 aren't provided with a rear wall, and they are connected to thebase 3 in correspondence of the border of thelateral walls surface 13; in this case eachinlet aperture 17 is arranged in such a way that it directly communicates with the internal of onelifter 8. - In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the
lifters 8 doesn't engage thebase 3, and the internal of eachlifter 8 is fluidly connected to one ormore inlet apertures 17 obtained in thebase 3 by connecting means comprising, for example, a pipe or a duct, not illustrated, connecting these one oremore inlet apertures 17 to the internal of thelifter 8. - In another embodiment, not illustrated, in which the washing machine is of the top-loading type and the drum comprises a further base, not illustrated, which closes also the opened
end 7 of thedrum 1, and in which thelifters 8 engage (i.e. touch or be in contact with) both thebase 3 and the further base of thedrum 1, one oremore inlet apertures 17 may be obtained in thebase 3 and/or in the further base closing thedrum 1, andsuch apertures 17 can communicate with the internal of thelifters 8, for example via suitable inlet holes obtained in thelifters 8 and facing thecorresponding inlet aperture 17. Alternatively, if alifter 8 isn't provided with the frontal and/or therear walls base 3 and/or to the further base in correspondence of the border of thelateral walls surface 13, the one ormore inlet apertures 17 can be arranged in such a way that they directly communicate with the internal of thelifter 8. - In another embodiment thereof, also not illustrated, in which the washing machine is of the top-loading type, and the
drum 1 comprises a further base, not illustrated, which closes also the openedend 7 of thedrum 1, thelifters 8 may also be separated from thebase 3 and/or from the further base of thedrum 1; in this case one oremore inlet apertures 17 may be obtained in thebase 3 and/or in the further base closing thedrum 1, andsuch apertures 17 may communicate with the internal of thelifters 8 also by connecting means comprising, for example, a pipe or a duct, not illustrated, connecting these one oremore inlet apertures 17 to the internal of thelifters 8. - In the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 1 to 10 , a liquid may therefore flow into alifter 8, from the rear andbottom region 2a of thetub 2 only via one ormore inlet apertures 17, and therefore not through the lateral (cylindrical)surface 5 of thedrum 1; in fact eachlifter 8 is associated to thedrum 1 in correspondence of asecond region 100 of the latter which is not provided with apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in thetub 2 to flow into and out of thedrum 1, and therefore the washing liquid may flow intosuch lifter 8 only via the one oremore inlet apertures 17 associated to saidlifter 8. - Advantageously, the
drum 1 comprises scooping means adapted, during the rotation of thedrum 1, to collect the washing liquid from the rear andbottom region 2a of thetub 2 and to guide the washing liquid into the internal of thelifter 8 through the one ormore apertures 17. - In the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 1 to 10 , thebase 3 of thedrum 1 is connected to a spider member 19 (or supporting star) comprising acentral region 20 from which a plurality ofarms 21 radially protrudes, fixed to theouter face 3a of thebase 3. - The
central region 20 of thespider member 19 is fixed to ashaft 32, adapted to cross thetub 2, so as to be connected, directly of by a suitable belt pulley, to a motor, not illustrated, for allowing the rotation of thedrum 1. - In the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 1 to 10 , the above mentioned scoping means are provided in/at thespider 19, particularly in/at thearms 21 of the latter; in this case the number of thearms 21 is advantageously equal to the number of thelifters 8, and the free end of eacharm 21 is fixed to thebase 3 in proximity of the one or more inlet apertures 17 (only one in the embodiment illustrated inFigures 1 to 10 ) associated to onelifter 8. - Advantageously, in this case the scoping means comprises, for each
arm 21, a conveyor element 22 (i.e. a blade, or paddle, or bucket) protruding laterally from the free end of thisarm 21, and arranged to cover the one ormore inlet apertures 17, in such a way to define a guide or aduct 122a which, during the rotation of thedrum 1 in one of the directions of rotation, as will be explained in the following, guides the liquid contained in the rear andbottom region 2a of thetub 2 towards the one ormore inlet apertures 17 covered by theconveyor element 22, and therefore into therespective lifter 8. - Advantageously, in the embodiments illustrated in
Figures 1 to 10 , all theconveyor elements 22 protrude from a same lateral side (i.e. the right side or the left side) of thearms 21, in order to scoop the liquid contained in the rear andbottom region 2a of thetub 2 only during the rotation of thedrum 1 in a specific direction of rotation (called scooping direction), and not in the other direction of rotation. - For example, with reference to
Figure 4 , all theconveyor elements 22 protrudes from the left side of therespective arm 21, and therefore they are able to scoop the liquid only when the drum is rotating, with reference toFigure 4 , in the counter-clock direction (corresponding in this case to the scooping direction). - It is therefore possible to arrange a washing machine in which during the spin phase the
drum 1 rotates only in the scooping direction, so that theconveyor elements 22 don't scoop potential liquid which could collect in the bottom 2a of the tub during this spin phase, ensuring in this way a better spin phase. - The
conveyor elements 22 are advantageously paddle-shaped, and comprise acurved surface 23 adapted to guide a liquid towards theinlet apertures 17 while theconveyor element 22 moves in this liquid in a prefixed direction. - In another embodiment, not illustrated, the scooping means aren't associated to the
spider 19; in this case one or more conveyor elements, not associated to thespider 19, are provided on thebase 3 in proximity of the one ormore inlet apertures 17; these one or more conveyor elements are adapted to guide, during the rotation of thedrum 1 in the scooping direction, the liquid contained in the rear andbottom region 2a of thetub 2 towards the one ormore inlet apertures 17, and therefore into thelifters 8 fluidly communicating with these one ormore inlet apertures 17. - In a further embodiment, also not illustrated, some of the scoping means are associated to the
spider 19, and other scoping means aren't associated to thespider 19. - The functioning of the invention is the following:
Figure 1 schematically illustrates part of thetub 2 and of thedrum 1 of a a washing machine according to the invention. - During the rotation of the
drum 1, the scooping means (in this case theconveyor elements 22 associated to thearms 21 of the spider 19), cyclically immerge in the liquid contained in the rear andbottom region 2a of thetub 2; if thedrum 1 rotates in the scooping direction (for example, with reference toFigure 4 , the scooping direction is counter-clock), the conveyor elements, while moving through the washing liquid contained in the rear andbottom region 2a of the tub, scoop the washing liquid and convey it towards theinlet apertures 17 covered bysuch conveyor elements 22, and therefore into thelifters 8 associated to theseinlet apertures 17. - When a
conveyor element 22 passes in correspondence of the rear andbottom region 2a of the tub in the scooping direction, the washing liquid contained in such rear andbottom region 2a enters the guide orduct 122a defined by theconveyor element 22, and is guided by thecurved surface 23 towards the one ormore inlet apertures 17 covered by theconveyor element 22. - Therefore, during the rotation of the
drum 1 in the scooping direction, when aconveyor element 22 passes in correspondence of the rear andbottom region 2a of thetub 2, such aconveyor element 22 scoops some of the liquid contained therein and flows it into thelifter 8 fluidly connected to the one ormore inlet apertures 17 covered by theconveyor element 22. - Because of the rotation of the
drum 1, thislifter 8 is lifted and taken in an upper position (which is for example the position of the lifter numbered 8a in enclosedFigure 1 ), in which it is placed in theupper region 2b of thetub 2. - When a
lifter 8 is in the upper position, the liquid contained in thislifter 8 flows on the flowingsurface 13, because of the inclination of the latter, towards thefrontal end 11a of thelifter 8, and flows out of the latter through theoutlet openings 9. - In this way the liquid contained in the rear and
bottom region 2a of thetub 2 is released over the laundry, not illustrated, from a position close to theupper region 2b of thetub 2; during the rotation of thedrum 1 in the scooping direction, the washing liquid is therefore drawn from the rear andbottom region 2b of the drum and is flown into thedrum 1 from an upper region of thetub 2, improving the uniformity of the wetting of the laundry and also the temperature of the washing liquid in contact with the laundry. - The particular inclination of the flowing
surface 13, flowing the washing liquid towards the end of the drum opposite to thebase 3, further improves the uniformity of the wetting and of the temperature. -
Figures 11 to 18 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, which, as will be explained in the following, differs from the embodiment illustrated inFigures 1 to 10 because of the shape of thelifters 8 and of thespider 19, and because of number and position of the inlet apertures obtained in thebase 3, and of the scooping means. - In fact, in the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 11 to 18 , thelifters 8 comprises twolateral walls surface 13, adapted to guide a washing liquid contained in thelifter 8 towards theoutlet openings 9 during the rotation of thedrum 1; preferably the flowingsurface 13 is inclined in such a way to guide a washing liquid contained in thelifter 8 towards thefrontal end 11a of thelifter 8 when, during the rotation of thedrum 1, thelifter 8 is in theupper region 2b of thetub 2. - The
lateral walls frontal end 11a and of arear end 11b of thelifter 8, by afrontal wall 12a and by arear wall 12b. - In the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 11 to 18 , theoutlet openings 9, adapted to fluidly connect the internal of thelifters 8 to the internal of thedrum 1, are advantageously provided on thelateral walls frontal wall 12a of thelifters 8. - Inside each
lifter 8 there is situated apartition wall 24, which bisects thelifter 8 lengthwise, thereby creating twochambers - Advantageously the
partition wall 24 is arranged in such a way that eachchamber drum 1 via one or more of theoutlet openings 9. - Advantageously the
partition wall 24 is arranged in such a way that thechambers partition wall 24 is arranged in such a way that thechambers - Advantageously the
partition wall 24 is a planar, rectangular member, which is arranged with the major side thereof joining with the flowingsurface 13; preferably thepartition wall 24, in proximity of therear wall 12b of thelifter 8, divides in twocurved arms second wall 12b. - Also in this case the
lifters 8 are fixed to theinner face 5a of thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1 by suitable fixing means, comprising, for example, suitable screw or rivets, not illustrated, and/or by snap-fittings means, also not illustrated. - Advantageously the
lifters 8 are fixed to thedrum 1 in such a way that theirrear wall 12b engages (i.e. touches or is in contact with) thebase 3 of thedrum 1. - In the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 11 to 18 , thebase 3 is advantageously provided, for eachlifter 8, with at least oneinlet aperture 17a, and at least oneinlet aperture 17b, fluidly communicating respectively with the twochambers lifter 8. - In the
rear wall 12b of eachlifter 8 twoinlet holes corresponding inlet apertures chambers lifter 8, respectively through theinlet apertures inlet holes inlet apertures - In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the
lifters 8 doesn't engage thebase 3, and the twochambers lifter 8 are fluidly connected, respectively to one oremore inlet apertures base 3, by connecting means comprising, for example, pipes or a ducts, not illustrated, connecting these one oremore inlet apertures chambers - In another embodiment, not illustrated, in which the washing machine is of the top-loading type and the
drum 1 comprises a further base, not illustrated, which closes also the openedend 7 of thedrum 1, and in which thelifters 8 engage (i.e. touch or be in contact with) both thebase 3 and the further base of thedrum 1, for eachlifter 8 one oremore inlet apertures base 3 and/or in the further base closing thedrum 1, andsuch apertures chambers lifter 8 via suitable inlet holes obtained in thelifters 8 and facing thecorresponding inlet aperture - In another embodiment thereof, also not illustrated, in which the washing machine is of the top-loading type and the
drum 1 comprises a further base, not illustrated, which closes also the openedend 7 of thedrum 1, thelifters 8 may also be separated from thebase 3 and/or from the further base of thedrum 1; in this case, for eachlifter 8, one oremore inlet apertures base 3 and/or in the further base closing thedrum 1, andsuch apertures chambers lifter 8 also by connecting means comprising, for example, pipes or ducts, not illustrated, connecting these one oremore inlet apertures chambers - Also in the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 11 to 18 , a liquid may flow into alifter 8 only via one ormore inlet apertures lateral surface 5 of thedrum 1; in fact eachlifter 8 is associated to thedrum 1 in correspondence of asecond region 100 of the latter which is not provided with apertures adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in thetub 2 to flow into and out of thedrum 1, and therefore the washing liquid may flow intosuch lifter 8 only via the one oremore inlet apertures lifter 8. - Moreover a liquid contained in a
lifter 8 can exit the latter only via theoutlet openings 9. - In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the
lifters 8 are associated with the one or morefirst regions 200 of thelateral surface 5 of thedrum 1 provided with theapertures 6, so that the washing liquid can also flow into/out of theselifters 8 through thelateral surface 5. - Also in the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 11 to 18 , thebase 3 of thedrum 1 is connected to a spider member 19 (or supporting star) comprising acentral region 20 from which a plurality ofarms 21 radially protrudes, fixed to theouter face 3a of thebase 3; thecentral region 20 of thespider member 19 is fixed to ashaft 32, adapted to cross thetub 2 and to be connected, directly of by a suitable belt pulley, to a motor, not illustrated, for allowing the rotation of thedrum 1. - The scoping means are advantageously provided in/at the
spider 19, particularly in/at thearms 21 of the latter; also in this case the number of thearms 21 is equal to the number of thelifters 8, and the free end of eacharm 21 is fixed to thebase 3 in proximity of the one ormore inlet apertures lifter 8. - Advantageously, in this case the scoping means comprises, for each
arm 21, twoconveyor elements arm 21, and arranged to cover the one ormore inlet apertures ducts drum 1, depending on the direction of rotation of thedrum 1, guides the liquid contained in the rear andbottom region 2a of thetub 2 towards one or theother inlet apertures chambers lifter 8. - In this embodiment, therefore, the liquid can be scooped from the rear and
bottom region 2a of thetub 2 during the rotation of the drum in both the directions of rotation, which consequently are both scooping directions. - In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the
partition wall 24 isn't provided, and the washing liquid, flowing through the one ormore inlet apertures lifter 8, collects inside thislifter 8. - In the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 11 to 18 , theconveyor elements curved surface 23 adapted to guide a liquid towards the respective inlet opening 17a or 17b, depending on the direction of rotation of thedrum 1. - In another embodiment, not illustrated, the scooping means aren't associated to the
spider 19; in this case theinlet apertures lifter 8 may be provided with one or more conveyor elements, not associated to thespider 19, adapted to guide, during the rotation of thedrum 1, depending on the direction of rotation, the liquid contained in the bottom 2a of thetub 2, towards one ore theother inlet apertures same lifter 8. - The functioning of the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 11 to 18 is substantially the same of the one illustrated with reference toFigures 1 to 10 , with the only differences that in the embodiment ofFigures 11 to 18 the scooping means scoop the liquid contained in the rear andbottom region 2a of thetub 2 while thedrum 1 rotates in both the directions of rotation, and that this liquid is flown into one ore the other of twochambers lifter 8 is in theupper region 2b of thetub 2, through theoutlet openings 9 fluidly connecting therespective chamber drum 1. - It is seen therefore how the invention achieves the proposed aim and objects, there being provided a washing machine which, thanks to the recirculation of the the washing liquid actuated by the scooping means, and by the inlet means, allows to improve the uniformity of the wetting of the laundry and of the temperature of the water in contact with the laundry contained in the drum of such a washing machine, increasing in this way the washing performances.
- Moreover, the recirculation of the the washing liquid allows to reduce the water consumption and the power consumption of the washing cycles, without using an expensive re-circulating circuit.
- Furthermore a washing machine according to the invention may be also obtained, starting from a "standard" washing machine, by replacing the drum of the latter with a drum obtained according to the invention, substantially without any modification of the tub and of the rest of the washing machine.
Claims (14)
- Washing machine comprising a washing tub (2) containing a drum (1) comprising a base (3) and a lateral surface (5) with one or more first regions (200) provided with apertures (6) adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in said tub (2) to flow into and out of said drum (1), said lateral surface (5) comprising one or more second regions (100) which are not provided with said apertures (6) adapted for allowing a washing liquid contained in said tub (2) to flow into and out of said drum (1), said drum (1) comprising one or more lifters (8), hollow, protruding from said lateral surface (5) towards the internal of said drum (1) and provided with one or more outlet openings (9) adapted to fluidly connect the internal of said one or more lifters (8) to the internal of said drum (1) in order to allow the release of a liquid contained in said one or more lifters (8) inside the drum (1) when said one or more lifters (8) are in an upper region (2b) of said tub (2),
characterized in that
said one or more lifters (8) are associated with said one or more second regions (100) of said lateral surface (5), said base (3) of said drum (1) being provided with one or more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b) fluidly connecting said one ore more lifters (8) to the external of said drum (1), so as to allow, during the rotation of said drum (1), the washing liquid present in a rear and bottom region (2a) of said tub (2) to enter said one or more lifters (8). - Washing machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises scooping means adapted, during the rotation of said drum (1), to collect a washing liquid from the rear and bottom region (2a) of said tub (2) and to guide said washing liquid into the internal of said lifters (8) via said one or more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b).
- Washing machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that said scooping means are provided on said base (3) in proximity of said one or more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b).
- Washing machine, according to claim 2, comprising a spider member (19), associated to said base (3), comprising a central region (20) from which a plurality of arms (21) radially protrudes, said spider member (19) comprising said scooping means.
- Washing machine comprising a washing tub (2) containing a drum (1) comprising a lateral surface (5) and a base (3) connected to a spider member (19) comprising a central region (20) from which a plurality of arms (21) radially protrudes, said drum (1) comprising one or more lifters (8), hollow, protruding from said lateral surface (5) towards the internal of said drum (1), and provided with one or more outlet openings (9) adapted to fluidly connect the internal of said lifters (8) to the internal of said drum (8) in order to allow the release of a liquid contained in said one or more lifters (8) inside the drum (1) when said one or more lifters (8) are in an upper region (2b) of said tub (2),
characterized in that
said spider member (19) is provided with scooping means adapted, during the rotation of said drum (1), to collect the washing liquid from the rear and bottom region (2a) of said tub (2) and to guide said washing liquid into the internal of said lifter (8). - Washing machine, according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said scoping means comprises at least a conveyor element (22, 22a, 22b) provided at/on at least one arm (21) of said spider member (19) and defining a guide or a duct (122a, 222a, 222b) which, during the rotation of said drum (1) in at least one of the directions of rotation, guides the liquid contained in the rear and bottom region (2a) of said tub (2) towards one ore more of said one or more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b).
- Washing machine, according to claim 6, characterized in that said conveyor elements (22, 22a, 22b) are paddle-shaped, and comprise a curved surface (23) adapted to guide a liquid towards one or more of said inlet apertures (17, 1a, 17b) while said conveyor element (22, 22a, 22b) moves in said liquid during the rotation of said drum (1) in a prefixed direction of rotation.
- Washing machine, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said one or more lifters (8) are directly fluidly connected to said one or more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b).
- Washing machine, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said one or more lifters (8) are fluidly connected to said one or more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b) via one or more inlet holes (18, 18a, 18b) provided in/at said lifters (8) and arranged to face said one or more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b).
- Washing machine, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said one or more lifters (8) are fluidly connected to said one or more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b) by connecting means connecting said one ore more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b) to the internal of said lifters (8).
- Washing machine, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said one or more lifters (8) comprises a flowing surface (13) adapted, during the rotation of said drum (1), to guide a washing liquid contained in the respective lifter (8) towards the outlet openings (9) of said lifter (8), said flowing surface (13) being inclined in such a way to guide said washing liquid towards a frontal end (11a) of the respective lifter (8), opposite to said base (3), when, during the rotation of said drum (1), said lifter (8) is in the upper region (2b) of said tub (2).
- Washing machine, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that in at least one of said one or more lifters (8) is provided with two chambers (25a, 25b) fluidly connected to the internal of said drum (1) via one or more of said outlet openings (9), each chamber (25a, 25b) being fluidly connected to the external of said drum (1) via at least one of said one ore more inlet apertures (17a, 17b), so as to allow, during the rotation of said drum (1), the washing liquid present in a rear and bottom region (2a) of said tub (2) to enter said one or more lifters (8).
- Washing machine, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said scooping means are adapted to collect a washing liquid from the rear and bottom region (2a) of said tub (2) and to guide said washing liquid into the internal of said lifters (8), via said one or more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b), during the rotation of said drum (1) in both the directions of rotation.
- Washing machine, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said scooping means are adapted to collect a washing liquid from the rear and bottom region (2a) of said tub (2) and to guide said washing liquid into the internal of said lifters (8), via said one or more inlet apertures (17, 17a, 17b), during the rotation of said drum (1) in only one direction of rotation, while they are adapted not to collect said washing liquid during the rotation of said drum (1) in the other direction of rotation.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20090008485 EP2270272B1 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-06-29 | Washing machine |
EP12167119.2A EP2489773B1 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-06-29 | Washing machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20090008485 EP2270272B1 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-06-29 | Washing machine |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12167119.2A Division EP2489773B1 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-06-29 | Washing machine |
EP12167119.2A Division-Into EP2489773B1 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-06-29 | Washing machine |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2270272A1 true EP2270272A1 (en) | 2011-01-05 |
EP2270272B1 EP2270272B1 (en) | 2012-09-19 |
Family
ID=41468744
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20090008485 Active EP2270272B1 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-06-29 | Washing machine |
EP12167119.2A Active EP2489773B1 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-06-29 | Washing machine |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12167119.2A Active EP2489773B1 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-06-29 | Washing machine |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP2270272B1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2631342A1 (en) * | 2012-02-27 | 2013-08-28 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | A laundry drum for a laundry treating machine |
US20140318190A1 (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2014-10-30 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
WO2015169641A1 (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2015-11-12 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Domestic appliance for cleaning laundry items, comprising a specifically designed region between a drum and a support star |
JP2016059652A (en) * | 2014-09-19 | 2016-04-25 | 日立アプライアンス株式会社 | Drum type washing machine |
WO2020088849A1 (en) | 2018-11-02 | 2020-05-07 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | A washing machine |
CN111519383A (en) * | 2019-02-01 | 2020-08-11 | Lg电子株式会社 | Clothes treating apparatus |
CN114929961A (en) * | 2019-11-18 | 2022-08-19 | 伊莱克斯家用电器股份公司 | Washing machine with improved washing performance |
US11976403B2 (en) | 2019-06-21 | 2024-05-07 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treating appliance |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN107385803B (en) * | 2017-07-19 | 2020-05-15 | 无锡小天鹅通用电器有限公司 | Drum washing machine and washing tub assembly for drum washing machine |
CN107503086B (en) * | 2017-07-19 | 2020-03-24 | 无锡小天鹅通用电器有限公司 | Drum washing machine and washing tub assembly for drum washing machine |
CN107245849B (en) * | 2017-07-19 | 2020-05-19 | 无锡小天鹅通用电器有限公司 | Drum washing machine and washing tub assembly for drum washing machine |
CN107245850B (en) * | 2017-07-19 | 2020-03-20 | 无锡小天鹅通用电器有限公司 | Drum washing machine and washing tub assembly for drum washing machine |
CN107503087B (en) * | 2017-07-19 | 2020-02-18 | 无锡小天鹅通用电器有限公司 | Drum washing machine and washing tub assembly for drum washing machine |
WO2019127464A1 (en) * | 2017-12-29 | 2019-07-04 | 陈坚胜 | Water agitating device of washing machine and washing machine |
CN110195314B (en) * | 2018-02-27 | 2021-10-01 | 青岛胶南海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Inner tube and washing machine exempts from |
KR102650116B1 (en) | 2018-09-11 | 2024-03-21 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Drum type washing machine |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR993216A (en) * | 1949-06-13 | 1951-10-29 | Washing machine improvements | |
EP0304391A1 (en) | 1987-08-11 | 1989-02-22 | Miele & Cie. GmbH & Co. | Drum washing machine |
EP0360059A1 (en) | 1988-09-08 | 1990-03-28 | Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-GmbH | Washing machine drum |
DE4326496A1 (en) | 1993-08-06 | 1995-02-09 | Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete | Drum-type washing machine with a rotatably mounted laundry drum |
US6386004B2 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2002-05-14 | Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgerate Gmbh | Laundry drum |
DE20023048U1 (en) * | 1999-06-07 | 2002-09-26 | Bsh Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete | Front loading washing machine with a rotating laundry drum |
US20070006618A1 (en) * | 2005-07-07 | 2007-01-11 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Drum type washing machine |
EP1947229A2 (en) * | 2007-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | Miele & Cie. KG | Washing machine comprising a washing unit with a tub, in which a rotatable fitted drum is located |
-
2009
- 2009-06-29 EP EP20090008485 patent/EP2270272B1/en active Active
- 2009-06-29 EP EP12167119.2A patent/EP2489773B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR993216A (en) * | 1949-06-13 | 1951-10-29 | Washing machine improvements | |
EP0304391A1 (en) | 1987-08-11 | 1989-02-22 | Miele & Cie. GmbH & Co. | Drum washing machine |
EP0360059A1 (en) | 1988-09-08 | 1990-03-28 | Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-GmbH | Washing machine drum |
DE4326496A1 (en) | 1993-08-06 | 1995-02-09 | Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete | Drum-type washing machine with a rotatably mounted laundry drum |
US6386004B2 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2002-05-14 | Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgerate Gmbh | Laundry drum |
DE20023048U1 (en) * | 1999-06-07 | 2002-09-26 | Bsh Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete | Front loading washing machine with a rotating laundry drum |
US20070006618A1 (en) * | 2005-07-07 | 2007-01-11 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Drum type washing machine |
EP1947229A2 (en) * | 2007-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | Miele & Cie. KG | Washing machine comprising a washing unit with a tub, in which a rotatable fitted drum is located |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2631342A1 (en) * | 2012-02-27 | 2013-08-28 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | A laundry drum for a laundry treating machine |
US9347165B2 (en) | 2013-04-30 | 2016-05-24 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
EP2799611A1 (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2014-11-05 | LG Electronics, Inc. | Washing machine |
CN104131438A (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2014-11-05 | Lg电子株式会社 | Washing machine |
US20140318190A1 (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2014-10-30 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
CN106460284B (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2019-05-17 | Bsh家用电器有限公司 | For care of laundry items object, household appliance with the specifically configured region between roller and carrying star part |
WO2015169641A1 (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2015-11-12 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Domestic appliance for cleaning laundry items, comprising a specifically designed region between a drum and a support star |
CN106460284A (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2017-02-22 | Bsh家用电器有限公司 | Domestic appliance for cleaning laundry items, comprising a specifically designed region between a drum and a support star |
JP2016059652A (en) * | 2014-09-19 | 2016-04-25 | 日立アプライアンス株式会社 | Drum type washing machine |
WO2020088849A1 (en) | 2018-11-02 | 2020-05-07 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | A washing machine |
CN111519383A (en) * | 2019-02-01 | 2020-08-11 | Lg电子株式会社 | Clothes treating apparatus |
US11408109B2 (en) | 2019-02-01 | 2022-08-09 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Laundry treating apparatus |
CN111519383B (en) * | 2019-02-01 | 2022-09-06 | Lg电子株式会社 | Clothes treating apparatus |
US11976403B2 (en) | 2019-06-21 | 2024-05-07 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treating appliance |
CN114929961A (en) * | 2019-11-18 | 2022-08-19 | 伊莱克斯家用电器股份公司 | Washing machine with improved washing performance |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2489773B1 (en) | 2013-12-11 |
EP2489773A1 (en) | 2012-08-22 |
EP2270272B1 (en) | 2012-09-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2270272B1 (en) | Washing machine | |
EP2799611B1 (en) | Washing machine | |
EP1500736B1 (en) | Washing machine | |
EP3054046B1 (en) | Method for washing and washing machine | |
AU2010335141B2 (en) | Washing method and washing machine | |
RU2300594C2 (en) | Drum-type washing machine | |
EP1877613B1 (en) | Household appliance with at least one lifter comprising means for containing washing agents | |
EP2516718B1 (en) | Washing method and washing machine | |
CN109983169A (en) | Washing machine and its control method | |
CN105839336A (en) | Method of controlling washing machine | |
CN101831779B (en) | Drum-type washer | |
JP6548872B2 (en) | Washing machine | |
KR100465724B1 (en) | Lift of drum washer | |
JPH10235076A (en) | Washing machine | |
JP5516298B2 (en) | Drum washing machine | |
KR101049140B1 (en) | Washing machine | |
KR20110053081A (en) | Method for washing and washing machine | |
EP0957195A2 (en) | Washing machine | |
US20120272690A1 (en) | Motor-mounted balance ring for a washing machine appliance | |
CN110741118B (en) | Laundry treating apparatus and control method thereof | |
EP2966211B1 (en) | Washing machine and washing method thereof | |
JP7149461B2 (en) | washing machine | |
EP3222767B1 (en) | Laundry method | |
US11603619B2 (en) | Detachable wash basket for a washer appliance | |
JP6060369B2 (en) | Washing machine |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA RS |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V. |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V. |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20110705 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20110722 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAC | Information related to communication of intention to grant a patent modified |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 576102 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20121015 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602009009747 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20121115 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121219 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: VDEP Effective date: 20120919 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 576102 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20120919 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D Effective date: 20120919 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121220 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121230 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130119 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130121 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121219 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20130620 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602009009747 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20130620 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130629 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130630 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130630 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130629 Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20090629 Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20120919 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20160621 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20160627 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20170629 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20180228 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170629 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170630 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20220627 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20220620 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230625 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 602009009747 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 602009009747 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20240103 |