WO2009083396A1

WO2009083396A1 - A washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2009083396A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/066962
Authority: WO
Inventors: Korhan Ozkalay
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-12-31
Filing date: 2008-12-06
Publication date: 2009-07-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a bellows (8) disposed between the tub (2) and the body (2), with one end fastened to the loading port (5) and the other end to the tub entry orifice (7), and having a fold (14) for dampening the oscillations of the tub (3).

Description

A WASHING MACHINE

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a bellows.

[0002] In washing machines, a bellows of resilient structure is provided between the tub and body that encloses all around the rim of the laundry loading port leak-proof and extending from the tub towards the body. One end of the bellows is attached to the rim of the opening in the body, and the other end to the opening in the tub peripherally. The bellows has folds that dampen the oscillations of the tub during washing.

[0003] The folds of the bellows situated between the loading port thereof on the body, used for loading and unloading laundry, and the tub entry orifice have a "U" shaped cross section. At the end of the washing or spinning steps, some portion of the wash water remains in the bellows folds due to this configuration of the bellows.

[0004] The water remaining at the bottom of the bellows leads to formation of mold and microorganisms and bad odors. Moreover, the mold and microorganisms formed are carried up into the tub with the wash water intake in another washing and can cause stains on the laundry. In some cases these microorganisms on the laundry can also pose a health hazard for humans. In the technique, various implementations have been developed to prevent these kinds of adversities.

[0005] In the state of the art United States of America patent no US5970753, a structure is explained wherein a boot drain includes an elongated hollow tube with a forward end disposed within a lower portion of the boot, and a rearward end disposed within the tub to drain fluid from the lower portion of the boot into the tub by the siphon effect.

[0006] In another state of the art document, the United States of America patent application no US2004148978, a structure is explained wherein a suction pipe disposed between a hose communicating with the tub and the pump and an orifice under the gasket is used to discharge the water remaining in the gasket to the pump.

[0007] In the above cited embodiments, discharging all the water that remains in the bellows and keeping the inside of the bellows dry cannot be achieved effectively.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein water is prevented from remaining in the bellows after the washing or spinning steps.

[0009] In the washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, a heating means is provided for removing the water remaining in the fold of the bellows by vaporizing. The heating means vaporizes the water remaining in the accordion shaped fold of the bellows by heating.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the heating means comprises a fan, an air channel and a heater. The fan blows the air heated by the heater to the fold in the bellows by means of the air channel. Furthermore, orifices are provided on the bellows for directing the air to the fold. These orifices are arranged at a position above the level of pooled water in the fold and as close as possible to the accumulated water.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the heating means comprises a heater disposed on the inner or outer perimeter of the fold. This heater is preferably selected from resilient heaters such as elastomeric heater panel or sheet heaters with a high dampening capacity for dampening the vibrations during washing. The heater used is preferably a silicon rubber type heater.

[0012] By means of the heating means of the present invention, the water remaining inside the folds of the bellows at the end of the washing or spinning steps is vaporized. Thus, hygiene is provided in the washing machine by preventing the water from accumulating inside the folds of the bellows.

[0013] A washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0014] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washing machine.

[0015] Figure 2- is the schematic view of detail A in Figure 1.

[0016] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of detail B in Figure 3. [0018] Figure 5 - is the schematic view of detail B in another embodiment of the present invention. [0019] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Body

3. Tub

4. Drum

5. Loading port

6. Door

7. Tub entry orifice

8. Bellows

9. Heating means

10. Fan

11. Air channel

12. Heater

13. Orifice

14. Fold

[0020] The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises:

- a body (2),

- a tub (3) disposed inside the body (2),

- a drum (4) positioned inside the tub (3) wherein the laundry is emplaced,

- a loading port (5) arranged on the body (2) and used for loading, unloading the laundry,

- a door (6) that closes the loading port (5) preventing water from leaking out during washing,

- a tub entry orifice (7) situated on the tub (3) in alignment with the loading port (5) and

- a bellows (8) disposed between the tub (3) and the body (2), with one end fastened to the loading port (5) and the other end to the tub entry orifice (7), having a fold (14) for dampening the oscillations of the tub (3).

[0021] The washing machine (1) furthermore comprises a heating means (9) that heats the fold (14) for vaporizing to remove the water remained in the fold (14) after the washing.

[0022] The fold (14) is situated between the lower portion of the bellows (8) loading port (5) and the lower portion of the tub entry orifice (7), having a "U" shaped cross section. This cross section of the fold (14) provides dampening however water remains inside the fold (14) at the end of the washing or spinning step (Figure 2). The heating means (9) vaporizes to remove the remained water by heating the fold (14). Accordingly, the bellows (8) is kept dry thus preventing the formation of mold and microorganisms.

[0023] Vaporizing the water remained in the fold (14) during the washing and spinning operations is performed at the end of the washing process in the washing machine (1). Preferably, opening the door (6) of the washing machine (1) at the end of washing is delayed and the heating means (9) is operated during this delay time. Thus, the door (6) is prevented from opening while the heating means (9) operates and the user is prevented from harm by contacting the heating means (9).

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the heating means (9) comprises a fan (10), an air channel (11) in communication with the fan (10) for delivering the air blown by the fan (10) to the fold (14), a heater

(12) for heating the air flowing through the air channel (11) and an orifice

(13) that directs the air to the fold (14) (Figure 3 and Figure 4). [0025] The orifice (13) is configured to direct the hot air coming from the air channel (11) towards the fold (14). The air channel (11) blows hot air from the said orifice (13) to the fold (14).

[0026] One end of the orifice (13) opens to the air channel (11) on the outer surface of the bellows (8) and the other end opens to the fold (14). The orifice (13) of the bellows (8) opening to the fold (14) is positioned on the fold (14) above the water level. Accordingly, the hot air coming from the air channel (11) vaporizes the water remained in the fold (14) by its heat.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, the heating means (9) comprises a heater (12) disposed on the inner or outer periphery of the fold (14) (Figure 5). The heater (12) vaporizes the water remained in the fold (14) locally. In this embodiment, a heater (12) similar to a silicon rubber heater (an elastomeric heater panel or sheet) or a heat source that surrounds the bellows (8) is used.

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) that comprises a body (2), a tub (3) disposed in the body (2), a drum (4) positioned inside the tub (3) wherein the laundry is emplaced, a loading port (5) arranged on the body (2) and used for loading, unloading the laundry, a door (6) that closes the loading port (5) preventing water from leaking out during washing, a tub entry orifice (7) situated on the tub (3) positioned in alignment with the loading port (5) and a bellows (8) disposed between the tub (2) and the body (2), with one end fastened to the loading port (5) and the other end to the tub entry orifice (7), having a fold (14) for dampening the oscillations of the tub (3) and characterized by a heating means (9) that heats the fold (14).

2. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a heating means (9) comprising a fan (10), an air channel (11) in communication with the fan (10) for delivering the air blown by the fan (10) to the fold (14), a heater (12) for heating the air flowing through the air channel (11) and at least one orifice (13) situated on the bellows (8) that directs the air coming from the air channel (11) to the fold (14).

3. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by an orifice (13) that is positioned on the fold (14) above the water level.

4. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a heating means (9) comprising a heater (12) disposed on the inner periphery of the fold (14).

5. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a heating means (9) comprising a heater (12) disposed on the outer periphery of the fold (14).

6. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 4 or 5, characterized by a silicone rubber type heater (12).