Laundry treating machine having a nozzle for introducing a liquid jet

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry treatment machine (1) having a rotatable drum (3) which is located in a vibrationally suspended washing liquor container (2) and which can be filled with laundry through a door (5) which is located in a front side (4) which is oriented essentially vertically and which can be closed sealingly, wherein the door (5) is sealed with respect to the front side (4) and the washing liquor container (2) by means of a collar (6) which is composed of an elastically deformable material, and the laundry treatment machine has a delivery device (14) and a nozzle (12) for introducing a jet of liquid into the drum (3), wherein the nozzle (12) is arranged on the collar (6). Additionally, the nozzle (12) is formed from an elastically deformable material and has a discharge face (23) which extends along a longitudinal axis (22) and is recessed multiple times.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry processor having a rotatable drum located in a detergent container suspended in a vibratory manner, and capable of being filled with laundry through a door located in a substantially vertically oriented front side and capable of sealing shut, wherein the door is sealed relative to the front side and the detergent container by means of a manschette made of an elastically deformable material, and the laundry processor having a conveying device and nozzles for introducing jets of liquid into the drum, wherein the nozzles are arranged on a diaphragm. Background Technology

[0002] Document EP 1 505 191 A1 discloses a laundry detergent processor of this type. Therein is disclosed a washing machine equipped with nozzles for spraying laundry detergent into a drum, wherein the laundry detergent is distributed at a widened angle in the range of 30° to 40°. The washing machine includes a detergent container for holding the laundry detergent, a drum for holding laundry rotatably arranged in the detergent container, a motor for rotating the drum, and a circulation device for circulating the laundry detergent, thereby spraying the laundry detergent through the nozzles into the drum.

[0003] Document DE 43 30 079 A1 discloses a front-loading drum washing machine having spray nozzles for fresh water or detergent, arranged in a manner that is unobstructed for the operator and safe for spraying fresh water or detergent into the drum. For this purpose, the spray nozzles are arranged in a door that closes the detergent container, and when the door is closed, the inlet of the spray nozzles is connected via a seal to the outlet of an inlet line arranged beside the loading and unloading openings of the detergent container and the drum.

[0004] In such a known laundry handling machine (configured as a washing machine or a washing and drying machine that combines laundry washing and laundry drying functions), the circulation of washing liquid or rinsing liquid by means of a corresponding conveying system and nozzles is used to wet the laundry particularly strongly with the washing liquid or rinsing liquid. The washing liquid or rinsing liquid pumped from the liquid container is sprayed back into the drum through the nozzle and sprayed onto the laundry located there.

[0005] The washing or rinsing solutions in laundry detergents typically contain suspended particles that have detached from the laundry during the washing and rinsing process. These are dirt particles and fiber particles, which separate from the textile material of the laundry and are often referred to as lint. These dirt particles and lint can clump together in the washing or rinsing solutions to form impurities that can clog the conveying device and, in particular, the nozzles through which the washing or rinsing solution is conveyed.

[0006] However, in known laundry detergent dispensers, the jet of washing or rinsing liquid flowing from the nozzle does not penetrate deep enough into the drum, resulting in uneven wetting of the laundry within the drum. This is particularly problematic for laundry located far from the filling opening of the drum.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a laundry detergent processor of this type that is not only less sensitive to clogging caused by dirt particles and lint, but also enables better distribution of circulating washing or rinsing liquid. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To solve this task, a laundry detergent processing machine is provided according to the present invention, which has the features of the present invention.

[0009] Preferred configurations of the laundry treatment machine according to the invention are given in the following description, and even if not explicitly explained herein, the preferred configurations can be used in combination with each other as long as technical considerations permit.

[0010] To address this task, the present invention provides a laundry detergent dispenser having a rotatable drum located in a detergent container suspended in a vibratory manner, and capable of being filled with laundry through a door located on a substantially vertically oriented front side and capable of sealing shut. The door is sealed relative to the front side and the detergent container by means of a collar made of an elastically deformable material. The laundry detergent dispenser has a conveying device and nozzles for introducing jets of liquid into the drum, wherein the nozzles are arranged on the collar. Furthermore, the nozzles are formed of an elastically deformable material and have a discharge surface extending along a longitudinal axis and repeatedly recessed.

[0011] According to the invention, the nozzle is made of an elastically deformable material and has a shape defined by the discharge surface. This shape, due to its relatively large perimeter, facilitates the elastic deformation of the nozzle when impurities consisting of dirt particles and / or lint are deposited on or near the discharge surface, thus creating an increased pressure gradient on the nozzle during liquid circulation. The nozzle can thus deform such that impurities can flow out of the nozzle through the discharge surface. Therefore, nozzle clogging is effectively prevented.

[0012] The nozzle of the laundry treatment machine according to the invention is exposed and can be manufactured using methods typically used when processing the corresponding materials, and therefore can be shaped, positioned, and connected to the collar according to its function. Thus, it is also possible to achieve a jet of circulating liquid that reaches deep into the drum carrying the laundry to be treated and ensures uniform and intense wetting of the laundry.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the discharge surface is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and has a plurality of recesses on both sides of the longitudinal axis. Therefore, the jet generated by the nozzle is particularly suitable for shaping liquid evenly distributed onto laundry being treated in the drum, the jet extending particularly from the area of ​​the drum near the nozzle until it penetrates deep into the drum.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the discharge surface has a circumference formed by an arc. This allows the nozzle to be constructed and manufactured particularly easily, and is especially well-suited for shaping a jet from circulating liquid.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the recesses are arranged in pairs opposite each other along the longitudinal axis, and the discharge surface narrows perpendicular to the longitudinal axis until it is 50% of the maximum width of the discharge surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The nozzle can thus be constructed and manufactured particularly easily, and is particularly well-suited for shaping a jet from circulating liquid.

[0016] In an additional preferred configuration of the invention, the number of recesses is equal to four. Thus, the discharge surface is formed by three adjacent, separate circles connected by two corresponding connecting portions, particularly arcs. The corresponding nozzle is well-flexibly deformable and can be easily constructed and manufactured.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzle extends openly from the collar. This facilitates nozzle deformation because the nozzle is largely unobstructed by other components of the laundry machine, particularly the collar.

[0018] In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is connected to the conveying device via a nozzle holder, wherein the nozzle holder passes through a collar and connects the nozzle to the conveying device, and wherein the nozzle has support ribs on both sides along the longitudinal axis, the support ribs abutting against the nozzle holder to support the nozzle. Thus, the largely unimpeded deformability of the nozzle, combined with the improved orientation of the nozzle via the support ribs, supports uniform distribution of the circulating liquid within the drum.

[0019] In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzle retainer is flush with the inner side of the collar. This avoids steps or depressions on the surface near the nozzle, which is advantageous in preventing the deposition of lint or dirt particles near the nozzle.

[0020] In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the collar is substantially circular and has a central axis. This creates the possibility for advantageous additional extensions, particularly as described below.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is arranged in a vertical plane perpendicular to the central axis and above a horizontal axis that intersects the central axis in the vertical plane.

[0022] In one of the corresponding preferred configurations of the invention described above, a position line extending from the central axis, located in a vertical plane, and leading to the nozzle forms an angle with the horizontal axis, the angle being between 30° and 60°, particularly approximately 45°. Therefore, the nozzle is arranged on the collar between the two o'clock and three o'clock positions. This, on the one hand, eliminates damage during the loading and unloading of the laundry treatment machine by the operator, and on the other hand, achieves an advantageous position for the nozzle to form a jet that evenly wets the laundry in the drum.

[0023] For a jet of liquid to achieve uniform wetting of the laundry, the design of the conveying device is crucial, particularly the volume of liquid it can deliver and the pressure at which it can supply the liquid to the nozzles. Therefore, appropriate structural and operational parameters for the conveying device can be selected within the bounds of conventional practice. Additionally, in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzles are oriented such that the jet of liquid formed by the conveying device and the nozzles wets the laundry in the drum as uniformly as possible.

[0024] Furthermore, the operating parameters of the conveying device, especially the pump speed, can be varied during operation to adjust different conveying volumes and pressures. This variation in operating parameters can advantageously influence the formation of the jet, thereby ensuring that laundry facing the nozzles and laundry positioned deep within the drum (e.g., not far in front of the rear wall of the drum) are evenly wetted. Similarly, the operating parameters of the conveying device can be varied according to the load of laundry.

[0025] Therefore, in a corresponding preferred embodiment of the invention, the discharge surface defines a discharge plane that forms an angle with the position line, the angle being between 20° and 40°, particularly about 28°.

[0026] Therefore, in another corresponding preferred configuration of the invention, the longitudinal axis forms an angle with the vertical plane, the angle being between 15° and 30°, and particularly about 22°.

[0027] Therefore, in another corresponding preferred configuration of the invention, the nozzle is oriented such that the jet formed by the conveying device centered across the drum. This reliably ensures that the jet formed by the conveying device and the nozzle wets the laundry in the drum as evenly as possible. This is particularly advantageous when the laundry is wetted in a distributed manner against the drum wall due to the high drum rotation speed and when a free space (Freiraum) has been formed in the center of the drum.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the material constituting the nozzle is the same as the material constituting the collar. This simplifies the design and construction of the nozzle and also ensures that the function of the collar with the nozzle is not impaired by incompatibility between different materials.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the material is a synthetic rubber, particularly EPDM or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). This material has proven effective in applications involving the manufacture of collars for laundry machines. In particular, this material offers applicability under all temperature (0°C to 100°C), ambient conditions, and usage conditions that are currently conceivable. In an even further preferred embodiment of the invention, the material has a Shore A hardness between 35 and 50, particularly between 35 and 41, or between 42 and 48. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0031] Figure 1 Horizontal cross-section of a laundry processing machine;

[0032] Figure 2 A vertical view of a collar for a laundry treatment machine, in which a nozzle is installed;

[0033] Figure 3 Figure 2 The view of the loop perpendicular to line AA;

[0034] Figure 4 Figure 2 The view of the loop perpendicular to line BB;

[0035] Figure 5 Figure 4 The view of the collar perpendicular to the line CC there;

[0036] Figure 6 Figure 5 Enlarged view of circle D in the image; and

[0037] Figure 7 A schematic partial view of the nozzle. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Figure 1 A horizontal cross-section of a laundry detergent dispenser 1 is shown. The dispenser has a rotatable drum 3 located in a detergent container 2 suspended in a vibratory manner, and is capable of being filled with laundry through a door 5 located in a substantially vertically oriented front side 4 and capable of sealing shut. Figure 1 The position of the front 4 is only schematically shown by a dashed line. For clarity, in Figure 1 Only the observation glass of door 5 is shown; other components are not shown for clarity. When door 5 is as Figure 1 When closed, the door is sealed relative to the front side 4 and the detergent container 2 by means of a collar 6 made of a material capable of elastic deformation. The collar 6 must be movable because it must follow the movement of the detergent container 2 and here permanently seal the detergent container 2 relative to the door 5. The detergent container continues to move as the drum 3 filled with laundry rotates, despite the presence of a damping suspension device (not shown) in the housing of the laundry processor 1.

[0039] The central axis 7 defines not only the spatial center of the door 5 or the spatial center of its observation glass, but also the rotation axis of the roller 3, which is rotatably mounted in the detergent container 2 and movably supported by means of a roller bearing 8. The roller 3 is driven to rotate by means of a motor (not shown) through the roller bearing 8. A carrying element 9 is installed in the roller 3 to lift and thoroughly mix the laundry within the roller 3 during rotation, thus mechanically processing the laundry. The carrying element 9 can also be used to draw detergent from the detergent container 2 and allow it to flow onto the laundry.

[0040] Figure 1The following figures show how the collar 6 is equipped with devices to (if necessary, in addition to the draw-up function of the carrier 9) enable enhanced circulation of the washing liquid or rinsing liquid (hereinafter collectively referred to as "washing liquid" or "liquid") in the washing liquid container 2 and to enhance the wetting of the wash to be treated by means of such washing liquid or rinsing liquid.

[0041] Figure 2 Showing the use of Figure 1 A vertical view of the collar 6 of the laundry treatment machine 1. In this substantially circular collar 6, an inlet 10 is first installed, through which fresh laundry detergent or fresh water can be introduced into the detergent container 2 by means of a corresponding supply device (not shown). An outlet 11 is also present, through which laundry detergent accumulated in the folds of the collar 6 can flow out, preferably returning to the detergent container 2. Furthermore, a nozzle 12 is provided, which is configured to intensify the circulation of liquid in the detergent container 2 during the laundry treatment process. For this purpose, a conveying device 14 is provided, which pumps liquid from the detergent container 2 and supplies it to the nozzle 12 to guide a jet of liquid into the drum 3. The nozzle 12 is arranged on the collar 6 and is formed of an elastically deformable material. The nozzle has a specially shaped discharge surface 23, which will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures, extending along the longitudinal axis 22 and repeatedly recessed. The nozzle 12 also extends openly from the collar 6. This is particularly useful for allowing the nozzle 12 to deform when foreign matter (such as a mixture of dirt particles and lint) enters the nozzle 12 along with the liquid to be circulated through the conveying device 14. By deforming, the nozzle 12 is able to allow such foreign matter to pass through, thereby effectively preventing the nozzle 12 from becoming clogged.

[0042] The nozzle 12 is arranged in a vertical plane perpendicular to the central axis 7 and above a horizontal axis 16 located in that vertical plane and intersecting the central axis 7. Figure 2 The vertical plane is also depicted. Here, the position line 17, which originates from the central axis 7, lies in the vertical plane, and leads to the nozzle 12, forms a first angle 18 with the horizontal axis 16. This first angle can be between 30° and 60° and depends on... Figure 2 It is approximately 45°.

[0043] Depend on Figure 3 and Figure 4This indicates that the nozzle 12 has a specific orientation and is therefore tilted and rotated about the horizontal and vertical lines. This is for the purpose of ensuring that the jet formed by the conveying device and the nozzle wets the laundry in the drum as evenly as possible. This depends on the design of the conveying device, particularly on the amount of liquid it can deliver and the pressure at which it can supply the liquid to the nozzle 12. Therefore, appropriate structural and operating parameters for the conveying device 14 can be selected within the scope of conventional practice. The nozzle 12 is specifically oriented such that the jet formed by the conveying device 14 centrally traverses the drum 3 and evenly wets the laundry in the drum 3. Correspondingly, the longitudinal axis 22 of the nozzle forms a second angle 20 with the vertical plane, which can be between 15° and 30° and depends on… Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is approximately 22°.

[0044] according to Figure 5 and Figure 6 ,in, Figure 6 Enlarged display Figure 5 As part of the nozzle 12, the nozzle 12 is connected to the conveying device 14 via a nozzle holder 13, wherein the nozzle holder 13 passes through the collar 6 and connects the nozzle 12 to the conveying device 14. The nozzle 12 has support ribs 21 on both sides along its longitudinal axis 22, wherein the support ribs 21 abut against the nozzle holder 13 to support the nozzle 12. The shape of the nozzle 12 extending along the longitudinal axis defines and maintains the deformability of the nozzle so that, if necessary (even in the presence of the support ribs 21), a mixture of dirt particles and / or lint can pass through. The advantage of the support ribs is that they support the nozzle 12 against the nozzle holder 13 and thus ensure that the nozzle 12 is oriented for forming the jet.

[0045] The nozzle retainer 13 is flush with the collar 6 on the inside, as if from Figure 6 As can be seen most clearly in the middle. Therefore, steps and depressions on the surface near nozzle 12 are avoided, which is meaningful and advantageous in preventing the deposition of lint or dirt particles near nozzle 12.

[0046] The discharge surface 23 of the nozzle 12 is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 22, and in particular mirror symmetrical, and has multiple, in particular four, recesses on both sides of the longitudinal axis 22. The discharge surface 23 has a circumferential line formed by an arc. Here, these recesses are paired and opposite each other along the longitudinal axis 22, thereby narrowing the discharge surface 23 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22 until it is 50% of the maximum width of the discharge surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22. This configuration has proven to be particularly suitable for the prescribed operation of the nozzle 12.

[0047] Figure 7A simplified partial view of nozzle 12 is shown, from which some of the details already mentioned are also clearly seen. Figure 7 It is also shown how the nozzle 12 is tilted with respect to a local vertical line defined by the position line 17. For this purpose, the discharge surface 23 defines the discharge plane, which forms a third angle 26 with the position line 17, which can be between 20° and 40° and is approximately 28° in the present case.

[0048] The material constituting the nozzle 12 is the same as the material constituting the collar 6. For this purpose, synthetic rubber, especially EPDM and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), are particularly considered. When selecting the latter, care should be taken to ensure that the material is sufficiently inert under the temperatures (i.e., 0°C to 100°C) considered in the washing machine 1 and under the ambient conditions determined, especially by the presence of strongly alkaline washing solutions. Materials with a Shore A hardness between 35 and 50, particularly between 35 and 41, or between 42 and 48, are particularly considered.

[0049] According to the invention, the nozzle 12 is made of an elastically deformable material and has a shape defined by the discharge surface 23 of the nozzle. This shape, due to its relatively large perimeter, facilitates elastic deformation when impurities consisting of dirt particles and / or lint are deposited on / near the discharge surface 23, thus creating an increased pressure gradient on the nozzle 12 during liquid circulation. The nozzle 12 can thus deform such that the impurities can flow out through the discharge surface 23. Therefore, nozzle clogging is effectively prevented. Consequently, a jet of circulating liquid can be achieved, reaching deep into the drum with the laundry to be treated and ensuring uniform and enhanced wetting of the laundry.

[0050] List of reference numerals

[0051] 1. Laundry processing machine

[0052] 2. Washing solution container

[0053] 3 rollers

[0054] 4. Front side

[0055] 5 doors

[0056] 6 rings

[0057] 7. Central Axis

[0058] 8 Roller Bearings

[0059] 9. Carrying components

[0060] 10 Imports

[0061] 11 Exports

[0062] 12 nozzles

[0063] 13 Nozzle Holder

[0064] 14 Conveying device

[0065] 15 Laundry Deflector

[0066] 16 Horizontal axis

[0067] 17 Position Line

[0068] 18 First Angle

[0069] 19. A vertical line perpendicular to the discharge surface.

[0070] 20 Second Angle

[0071] 21 Supporting ribs

[0072] 22. Longitudinal axis

[0073] 23 Discharge surface

[0074] 24. Inflow surface

[0075] 25. Parallel lines to the central axis

[0076] 26 Third Angle

Claims

1. A laundry detergent dispenser (1) having a rotatable drum (3) located in a detergent container (2) suspended in a vibratory manner, and capable of being filled with laundry through a door (5) located in a substantially vertically oriented front side (4) and capable of sealingly closing, wherein, The door (5) is sealed relative to the front side (4) and the washing liquid container (2) by means of a collar (6) made of an elastically deformable material, and the laundry treatment machine has a conveying device (14) and a nozzle (12) for introducing a jet of liquid into the drum (3), wherein the nozzle (12) is arranged on the collar (6), characterized in that the nozzle (12) is formed of an elastically deformable material and has a discharge surface (23) extending along a longitudinal axis (22) and being recessed multiple times, the discharge surface (23) being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis (22) and having multiple recesses on both sides of the longitudinal axis (22), the discharge surface (23) having a circumference formed by an arc.

2. The laundry detergent processing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The recesses are arranged in pairs opposite each other along the longitudinal axis (22), and the discharge surface (23) narrows perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (22) until it is 50% of the maximum width of the discharge surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (22).

3. The laundry detergent processing machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The number of recesses is four.

4. The laundry detergent (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The nozzle (12) extends openly from the collar (6).

5. The laundry detergent processing machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The nozzle (12) is connected to the conveying device (14) via a nozzle holder (13), wherein the nozzle holder (13) passes through the collar (6) and connects the nozzle (12) to the conveying device (14), wherein the nozzle (12) has support ribs (21) on both sides along the longitudinal axis (22), and the support ribs (21) support the nozzle (12) against the nozzle holder (13).

6. The laundry detergent processing machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The nozzle retainer (13) is aligned with the collar (6) on the inside.

7. The laundry detergent processing machine (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, 5, and 6, wherein, The collar (6) is substantially circular and has a central axis (7), wherein the nozzle (12) is arranged in a vertical plane perpendicular to the central axis (7) and above a horizontal axis (16) located in the vertical plane and intersecting the central axis (7).

8. The laundry treatment machine (1) according to claim 7, wherein, A position line (17) originating from the central axis (7), located in the vertical plane, and leading to the nozzle (12) forms a first angle (18) with the horizontal axis (16), the first angle being between 30° and 60°.

9. The laundry detergent processing machine (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The first angle is 45°.

10. The laundry treatment machine (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The discharge surface (23) defines a discharge plane, which forms a third angle (26) with the position line (17), the third angle being between 20° and 40°.

11. The laundry detergent (1) according to claim 10, wherein, The third angle is 28°.

12. The laundry treatment machine (1) according to claim 7, wherein, The longitudinal axis (22) forms a second angle (20) with the vertical plane, the second angle being between 15° and 30°.

13. The laundry detergent processing machine (1) according to claim 12, wherein, The second angle is 22°.

14. The laundry treatment machine (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, 5, 6, 8-13, wherein, The nozzle (12) is oriented such that the beam formed by the conveying device (14) passes centrally across the roller (3).

15. The laundry detergent processing machine (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, 5, 6, 8-13, wherein, The material constituting the nozzle (12) is the same as the material constituting the collar (6).

16. The laundry detergent (1) according to claim 15, wherein, The material is synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

17. The laundry detergent (1) according to claim 16, wherein, The material is EPDM.

18. The laundry detergent (1) according to claim 15, wherein, The material has a Shore A hardness between 35 and 50.

19. The laundry detergent (1) according to any one of claims 16-18, wherein, The material has a Shore hardness A between 35 and 41 or between 42 and 48.

Images