Cleaning element and method for cleaning washing machine

Abstract

A cleaning element (101) for cleaning a washing drum (3) of a washing machine (1) and an inner side (5a) of a drum housing (5) of the washing machine (1) has: a box body (103) provided with holes on at least one side surface (103a); and the sponge is arranged in the box body 103. The box body 103 is provided with a magnet, by means of which the cleaning element 101 can be fixed against the inner side of the drum wall 3a of the washing drum 3. The sponge is configured such that during centrifugation, the absorbed cleaning liquid is thrown out of the sponge through holes in the cartridge 103 towards the inner side 5a of the drum housing 5. This not only well cleans the washing drum 3, but also cleans the inner side 5a of the drum housing 5.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning element for cleaning a washing drum of a washing machine and the inside of a drum housing of the washing machine, wherein the washing drum is rotatable in the drum housing. Background Art

[0002] Washing machines, over long periods of use, can become contaminated with dirt from the laundry, which can adhere to the inside of the washing drum and the drum housing in which the washing drum can rotate. A well-known method of cleaning the drum and the drum housing is to add a cleaning liquid to the detergent dosing unit of the washing machine, then select and run a wash program. The cleaning liquid ends up in the wash water at the bottom of the drum housing, through which the drum rotates. The disadvantage of this method is that the cleaning agent cannot reach the part of the drum housing that is above the water level. Since the drum housing is usually made of plastic, dirt can adhere to it particularly easily. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning element for cleaning the washing chamber of a washing machine, with which a better cleaning effect can be achieved than with known cleaning methods. To this end, the cleaning element according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises:

[0004] - a box body provided with a hole on at least one side;

[0005] - a cleaning liquid absorbing device, housed in the box body; and

[0006] - fixing means for fixing the cleaning element against the inner side of the wall of the washing drum;

[0007] The fixing device is configured so that the side of the box body provided with the hole abuts against or is close to the inner side of the wall of the washing drum, and

[0008] The cleaning liquid absorbing device is configured such that during the centrifugation process, the absorbed cleaning liquid is ejected from the cleaning liquid absorbing device through the holes in the box body.

[0009] By throwing the cleaning fluid out of the cleaning elements during centrifugation, the cleaning fluid hits the inside of the drum wall and passes through the perforations in the drum wall, after which the cleaning fluid is thrown toward the inside of the drum shell where it can achieve its cleaning effect. This also thoroughly cleans the inside of the drum shell.

[0010] The cleaning fluid absorbent means preferably comprises a sponge, as sponges are inexpensive and have suitable fluid retention and release properties.

[0011] In order to easily fix the cleaning element against the inner side of the drum wall of the washing drum, the fixing means preferably comprises a magnet attached to the cassette. Since the washing drum of a washing machine is almost always made of steel, the cleaning element can be firmly and easily fixed to the washing drum with the magnet.

[0012] The cleaning liquid can also already be present in the absorption device, instead of entering the drum housing and the washing drum via the detergent dosing unit, so that it is not necessary to add the cleaning liquid to the detergent dosing unit.

[0013] An embodiment of the cleaning element according to the invention is characterized in that, in addition to the side provided with holes, at least the opposite side of the housing is also provided with holes. If the cleaning liquid eventually enters the drum housing and the washing drum via the detergent dosing unit, the cleaning liquid can better enter the housing if there are more holes on the housing, preferably on the side opposite to the drum wall. More preferably, all sides of the housing have holes.

[0014] The invention also relates to an assembly of a washing machine and at least one cleaning element, the washing machine comprising:

[0015] - a drum housing provided with an opening closed by a door for inserting and removing laundry;

[0016] - a washing drum which is rotatable in a drum housing and has a perforated drum wall;

[0017] - a drive for rotating the washing drum;

[0018] -Detergent dosing unit;

[0019] a control unit for controlling the drive of the washing drum and controlling the detergent dosing unit according to a preprogrammed washing program, and

[0020] - A selection device for selecting one of the washing programmes.

[0021] With regard to this assembly, the invention is characterised in that the cleaning element is a cleaning element according to any one of the preceding claims and is configured to fit against the inside of the drum wall of the washing drum.

[0022] Preferably, the assembly comprises two or more cleaning elements which are evenly distributed over the entire circumference in such a manner as to be arranged against the inside of the drum wall of the washing drum.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a method for cleaning a washing machine. With regard to the method, the present invention is characterized in that a cleaning liquid is placed in a detergent dosing unit or in one or more cleaning elements, and the one or more cleaning elements are arranged against the inner side of the drum wall of the washing drum, and then a washing program including a centrifugation program is selected and performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will be further explained below based on the accompanying drawings. These drawings show embodiments of a washing machine and a cleaning element according to the invention. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 An embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 A washing machine is shown with its door open;

[0027] Figure 3 The drum housing and the washing drum with the drive of the washing machine are shown in exploded view;

[0028] Figure 4 shows a cross section of a washing machine in which three cleaning elements are arranged;

[0029] Figure 5 An embodiment of a cleaning element according to the invention is shown in perspective view; and

[0030] Figure 6 The cleaning element is shown in cross-section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A known washing machine is shown. The washing machine 1 has a washing drum 3 which can be rotated in a drum housing 5 by a drive 11 connected to the washing drum 3 . Figure 3 The drum housing 5 and the washing drum 3 with the drive 11 are shown in an exploded view. The drum housing 5 is flexibly suspended (via springs (not shown)) in the housing 2 of the washing machine 1. The drum housing 5 is provided with an opening 9 closed by a door 7 for inserting and removing laundry. The drum wall 3a of the washing drum 3 is perforated to allow water to pass during operation.

[0032] The washing machine 1 also has a detergent dosing unit 13 for introducing detergent for cleaning the clothes. Cleaning liquid for cleaning the washing drum 3 and the drum housing 5 can also be introduced via the detergent dosing unit 13. The washing machine 1 is also provided with a control unit 15 for controlling the drive 11 of the washing drum 3 and the detergent dosing unit 13 according to a preprogrammed washing program, and the washing machine 1 is provided with a selection device 17 for selecting one of the washing programs.

[0033] The washing drum 3 and the inner side 5a of the drum housing 5 can be cleaned using a cleaning element 101 which must be placed against the inner side of the drum wall 3a of the washing drum 3, see Figure 4 , wherein the washing machine is shown in cross section.

[0034] Figure 5 and Figure 6 An embodiment of a cleaning element according to the present invention is shown in a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively. The cleaning element 101 has a box body 103, to which a magnet 109 is attached, and the cleaning element 101 can be fixed against the inner side of the barrel wall 3a of the washing drum 3 by the magnet 109. During use, the side 103a of the box body 103 is located at a shorter distance from the inner side of the barrel wall 3a of the washing drum 3. At least the side 103a of the box body 103 is provided with a perforation 105, through which a cleaning liquid (or water mixed with a cleaning liquid) can flow into the box body and can be thrown out of the box body during centrifugation. In this embodiment, the opposite side 103b of the box body 103 is also perforated to allow the cleaning liquid to flow in better and faster.

[0035] In the box 103 there is a sponge 107 for absorbing the cleaning liquid. When cleaning the inside of the washing drum 3 and the drum shell 5, the cleaning liquid is injected into the drum shell 5 via the detergent dosing unit 13. The cleaning liquid is preferably concentrated, and water is also added to the drum shell 5 to mix with the cleaning liquid. The liquid level in the drum shell 5 is such that a portion of the washing drum 3 is below the liquid level. During the low-speed rotation of the washing drum 3, the cleaning elements 101 alternately enter the cleaning liquid present in the drum shell 5, whereby the cleaning liquid can flow into the box 103 via the perforations 105 and be absorbed by the sponge 107. After the sponge 107 is fully filled with the cleaning liquid, the washing drum 3 is accelerated (centrifugal process), whereby the cleaning liquid contained in the sponge 107 is thrown out of the sponge 107 and thrown toward the inside 5a of the drum shell 5 via the holes in the drum wall 3a, whereby the cleaning liquid can perform its cleaning action on the inside 5a of the drum shell 5.

[0036] Although the invention has been explained above based on the given drawings, it should be noted that the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Within the framework defined by the claims, the invention also covers all embodiments that differ from the embodiments shown in the drawings. The sponge can also be pre-provided with (concentrated) cleaning liquid, so that the cleaning liquid does not have to be put into the washing machine via a detergent dosing unit. All sides of the box can also be provided with holes to allow better inflow of water and cleaning liquid.

Claims

1. A cleaning element (101) for cleaning the inner side (5a) of the washing drum (3) of a washing machine (1) and the inner side of the drum housing (5) of the washing machine (1), the washing drum (3) being rotatable in the drum housing, the cleaning element comprising: - a cartridge (103) provided with holes (105) on at least one side (103a); - a cleaning liquid absorption device (107) accommodated in the cartridge (103); and - a fixing device (109) for fixing the cleaning element (101) against the inner side of the barrel wall (3a) of the washing drum (3), wherein the fixing device (109) is configured such that the cartridge (103) abuts or is close to the inner side of the barrel wall (3a) of the washing drum (3) with the side (103a) provided with the holes (105), and wherein the cleaning liquid absorption device (107) is configured such that during centrifugation, the absorbed cleaning liquid is ejected from the cleaning liquid absorption device (107) through the holes (105) in the cartridge (103).

2. The cleaning element (101) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning liquid absorption device (107) comprises a sponge.

3. The cleaning element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing device (109) comprises a magnet attached to the cartridge (103).

4. The cleaning element (101) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the cleaning liquid absorption device (107) contains a cleaning liquid.

5. The cleaning element (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the opposite side (103b) of the cartridge (103) is also provided with holes (105) in addition to the side (103a) provided with the holes (105).

6. The cleaning element according to claim 5, characterized in that all sides of the cartridge are provided with holes.

7. An assembly of a washing machine and at least one cleaning element, the washing machine (1) comprising: - a drum housing (5) provided with an opening (9) closed by a door (7) for loading and unloading laundry; - a washing drum (3) which is rotatable in the drum housing (5) and is provided with a perforated barrel wall (3a); - a drive (11) for rotating the washing drum; - a detergent dispensing unit (13); - a control unit (15) for controlling the drive (11) of the washing drum (3) and the detergent dispensing unit (13) according to a pre-programmed washing program; and - a selection device (17) for selecting one of the washing programs, characterized in that the cleaning element is the cleaning element (101) according to any one of the preceding claims and is configured to be assembled against the inner side of the barrel wall (3a) of the washing drum (3).

8. The assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the cleaning element (101) is arranged against the inner side of the barrel wall (3a) of the washing drum (3).

9. The component according to claim 7, wherein, the washing machine (1) includes at least two, preferably at least three, of the cleaning elements (101), and the cleaning elements (101) are evenly distributed on the entire circumference of the cylinder wall (3a) in a manner that abuts against the inner side of the cylinder wall (3a) of the washing drum (3).

10. A method for cleaning the washing machine according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein, the cleaning liquid is placed in the detergent dispensing unit (13) or in one or more of the cleaning elements (101), and one or more of the cleaning elements (101) are arranged to abut against the inner side of the cylinder wall (3a) of the washing drum (3), and then a washing program including a centrifugation program is selected and executed.

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