MACHINE WASH

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a washing machine. In particular, the invention relates to a washing machine with a tub for holding water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub for holding laundry, and a device for admitting liquid into the tub. The device has a cistern with a first chamber in which a water inlet for supplying water and an outlet for discharging the supplied water are formed, and a further chamber in which a further outlet for discharging the water is formed, wherein an overflow for filling the further chamber with water from the first chamber is formed between the first and further chambers.

[0002] If detergent is located in both the chamber and the additional chamber, these can be fed separately to the tub using the overflow and timed inlet flow. Timed inflow makes it possible to generate a larger and a smaller flow with just one valve. The smaller flow is required to rinse out the chamber but not cause it to overflow. The larger flow, on the other hand, is suitable for causing the chamber to overflow so that the detergent in the additional chamber can be rinsed out. However, there are the following disadvantages: The system must be very well balanced to ensure it works even at low water pressure. The timing must be adapted to the existing water pressure. The opening and closing times of the valve can be a maximum of 3 seconds. Timing shortens the service life of the valve.

[0003] Further washing machines are known from WO 2019 / 068698 A1, DE 10 2019 132280 A1 and WO 2008 / 044133 A1.

[0004] The invention therefore addresses the problem of providing a washing machine in which timing of the valve can be dispensed with.

[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a washing machine having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the following subclaims.

[0006] The advantages achieved with the invention include eliminating the need for cycled valve operation and allowing the flushing process to occur in a single cycle. With varying line pressures, the design of the components of such a system is significantly simpler than with a cycled valve. The control of the double valve is also simpler, as it is independent of line pressure. The service life of the double valve is extended compared to the cycled valve.

[0007] The invention relates to a washing machine with a tub for holding water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub for holding laundry, a device for admitting liquid into the tub, which comprises a cistern with a first chamber in which a water inlet for supplying water and an outlet for discharging the supplied water are formed, and a further chamber in which a further outlet for discharging the water is formed, wherein an overflow for filling the further chamber with water from the first chamber is formed between the first and further chamber, a double valve with a valve and a further valve for controlling the water supply to the tub, an inlet line for supplying water from an external water supply to the tub, into which the double valve is integrated,so that the inlet line is connected via the valve of the double valve to the tub via an inlet line part and via the further valve of the double valve to the first chamber via a further inlet line part, and a control device for controlling the double valve, which is designed to control the double valve in such a way that the valve and the further valve can be switched independently of one another, so that the water can be supplied to the tub exclusively via the inlet line part, exclusively via the further inlet line part or simultaneously via the inlet line part and the further inlet line part.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the double valve has a flow rate regulator designed to regulate the volume flow into the double valve to a maximum of 10 l / min. Such a volume flow can be controlled such that the detergents located in the chamber and the additional chamber can be flushed separately into the tub. The term "detergent" refers to all types of detergents used for washing laundry, such as heavy-duty detergents, mild detergents, fabric softeners, dyes, waterproofing agents, and the like.

[0009] The double valve is preferably designed in such a way that the volume flow flowing through is evenly distributed when the valve and the additional valve are switched simultaneously. As a result, when both valves of the double valve are switched simultaneously, a sufficient volume flow is ensured to rinse out the detergent in the chamber, while water continues to be supplied directly to the tub to moisten the laundry. When both valves of the double valve are switched simultaneously, with a volume flow of 10 l / min flowing into the double valve, the volume flow flowing through the valve is 5 l / min, and the volume flow flowing through the additional valve is also 5 l / min. When one of the valves of the double valve is switched, it is open or on. When one of the valves of the double valve is not switched, it is closed or shut.

[0010] According to the invention, the first chamber has a compartment connected to the further chamber via the overflow, and a further compartment downstream of the compartment that can be filled with detergent. This allows a user of the washing machine to place one detergent in the chamber and another detergent in the further chamber to carry out a washing process, ensuring that these are flushed separately into the tub.

[0011] Preferably, the compartment has an outlet for draining the water into the additional compartment, the cross-section of which is designed such that the drain volume flow into the additional compartment is smaller than the nominal volume flow. This ensures a rise in the water level in the compartment of the chamber, which guarantees an overflow of water into the additional chamber to flush the additional detergent arranged there into the tub. If the volume flow flowing into the additional valve is, for example, 10 l / min, the nominal volume flow is, for example, 6 l / min, and the drain volume flow is, for example, 5 l / min.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the control device is designed to control the double valve when carrying out a washing program in such a way that first, only one valve is switched in order to supply a predetermined amount of water to the suds container via the inlet line part, and subsequently, one valve and the other valve are switched simultaneously in order to supply a further predetermined amount of water to the suds container via the inlet line part and the further inlet line part simultaneously and / or subsequently, only the other valve is switched in order to supply a further predetermined amount of water to the suds container via the further inlet line part.

[0013] The exclusive switching of one valve, which is connected to the tub via the inlet line section, serves to fill the tub with water before the laundry comes into contact with water. This ensures that a level sensor of the washing machine, which is designed to sense the water level in the tub, is functioning properly. If one valve and the other valve are switched simultaneously in order to supply water to the tub via the inlet line section and the further inlet line section at the same time, a volume flow is supplied to the chamber which is designed not to lead to a level increase and therefore not to overflow of the chamber. As a result, the detergent in the chamber is rinsed out, but not the additional detergent in the further chamber.If only the other valve is switched to supply water to the tub exclusively via the additional supply line section, the entire volume flow into the cistern is directed, in particular, first into the chamber, causing a rise in water level and, consequently, overflow of the chamber, so that the additional detergent in the additional chamber is flushed into the tub. Preferably, the chamber serves to hold a detergent for washing laundry, such as heavy-duty detergent, mild detergent, and the like, while the additional chamber serves to hold a fabric softener.

[0014] The washing machine preferably further comprises a siphon located at the outlet of the additional chamber. A siphon effect is preferably used to flush the detergent out of the additional chamber. The control device is preferably configured to calculate an opening time of the other valve of the double valve such that sufficient water flows via the overflow into the additional chamber to activate the siphon.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the washing machine further comprises a housing with a loading opening for loading the drum with laundry and a door that closes the loading opening and has a door inspection glass. The device is integrated into the door inspection glass or is designed as a door inspection glass. The washing machine is preferably designed as a front loader.

[0016] The double valve is preferably designed as a double solenoid valve. Solenoid valves are highly switchable.

[0017] The term "washing machine" includes an automatic washing machine as well as a combination appliance such as a washer-dryer.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows schematically and not to scale. Fig. 1 is a partial sketch of a washing machine according to the invention during a rinsing process; Fig. 2 is a sketch of the Fig. 1 washing machines shown during a further rinsing process; and Fig. 3 a sketch of the Fig. 1 washing machines shown during a further rinsing process.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a partial sketch of a washing machine according to the invention during a rinsing cycle. The washing machine has a tub 10 for holding water, a drum (not shown) rotatably mounted in the tub 10 for holding laundry (not shown), and a device for admitting liquid into the tub 10.

[0020] The device has a cistern with a first chamber 1 and a further chamber 4. In the first chamber, a water inlet 18 for supplying water 14 and an outlet 6 for draining the supplied water 14 are formed. In addition, an overflow 5 for filling the further chamber 4 with water 14 from the first chamber 1 is formed between the first chamber 1 and the further chamber 4. In the further chamber 4, a further outlet 7 for draining the water 14 is formed. The further chamber 4 can be filled with a fabric softener 11 and is shown filled here. The first chamber 1 has a compartment 2, which is connected to the further chamber 4 via the overflow 5, and a further compartment 21, which is downstream of the compartment 2 and which can be filled with detergent 12 and is shown filled here.Compartment 2 has an outlet 3 for draining the water into the additional compartment 21, the cross-section of which is designed such that the drain volume flow into the additional compartment 21 is smaller than the nominal volume flow. For example, the drain volume flow is 5 l / min, and the nominal volume flow is 6 l / min.

[0021] The washing machine further comprises a double valve 9, in particular a double solenoid valve. The double valve comprises a valve 19 and another valve 20 for controlling the water supply to the tub 10.

[0022] Furthermore, the washing machine has an inlet line 15 for supplying water 14 from an external water supply to the tub 10. The double valve 9 is integrated into the inlet line 15, so that the inlet line 15 is connected via the valve 19 to the tub 10 via an inlet line section 16 and via the further valve 20 to the first chamber 1 via a further inlet line section 17.

[0023] In addition, the washing machine has a control device for controlling the double valve 9, which is designed to control the double valve 9 such that the valve 19 and the further valve 20 can be switched independently of one another. As a result, if only the valve 19 is switched, i.e. is on or open, but the further valve 20 is not switched, i.e. is off or closed, the water 14 can be supplied to the tub 10 exclusively via the inlet line part 16. Furthermore, if only the further valve 20 is switched, i.e. is on, but the valve 19 is not switched, i.e. is off, the water 14 can be supplied to the tub 10 exclusively via the further supply line part 17 into the chamber 1. If the valve 19 and the further valve 20 are both switched, ie are on, the water 14 can be supplied to the tub 10 simultaneously via the inlet line part 16 and the further inlet line part 17.For example, the washing machine is designed so that the volume flow into the double valve 9 is 10 l / min.

[0024] In the Fig. 1 A rinsing process is shown in which the valve 19 is on while the other valve 20 is off. As a result, the water 14 is supplied to the tub 10 exclusively via the inlet line section 16, which connects the external water supply directly to the tub 10 via the inlet line 15, without a path via the chamber 1 or the other chamber 4. This rinsing process is used in particular to moisten the laundry at the beginning of a wash cycle before the detergent 12 or the fabric softener 11 is rinsed into the tub 10. The volume flow flowing through the inlet line section is 10 l / min.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a sketchy representation of the Fig. 1 washing machines shown during a further rinsing cycle. In the Fig. 2 In the rinsing process shown, one valve 19 and the other valve 20 of the double valve 9 are both switched, i.e. on or open. In this state, the volume flow of 10 l / min flowing into the double valve 9 is divided into 2 x 5 l / min, so that the volume flow flowing through the inlet line section 16 is 5 l / min and the volume flow flowing through the further inlet line section is 5 l / min. With an outlet volume flow of compartment 2 of 5 l / min, the water 14 flowing into chamber 1 does not lead to a rise in level and accordingly does not cause chamber 1 to overflow. The detergent 12 is flushed into the tub 10 by means of the water 14 flowing through the further compartment 21. The water flow of the water 14 in the cistern is indicated by arrows.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows a sketchy representation of the Fig. 1 washing machines shown during a further rinsing process. In the Fig. 3During the flushing process shown, valve 19 is off or closed, while the other valve 20 is open, i.e. on. In this state, the entire volume flow of 10 l / min is directed into the cistern. With an outlet volume flow of compartment 2 of 5 l / min, the incoming water 14 leads to a rise in the water level and, accordingly, to overflowing of chamber 1. The opening time of the other valve 20 is calculated so that enough water runs via the overflow 5 into the further chamber 4 to activate the siphon 8. The cross-section of the outlet 3 of compartment 2 is designed so that a drain volume flow of 5 l / min flows into the further compartment 21, so that even at low line pressure with a nominal volume flow of an average of 6 l / min, overflow of chamber 1 occurs. The water flow of the water 14 in the cistern is indicated by arrows. Reference symbol list

[0027] 1First chamber 2Compartment 3Water inlet opening 4Further chamber 5Overflow 6Drain 7Further drain 8Syphon 9Double valve 10Soap container 11Fabric softener 12Detergent 14Water 15Inlet line 16Inlet line section 17Further inlet line section 18Water inlet 19Valve 20Further valve 21Further compartment

Claims

1. Washing machine comprising - a suds container (10) for receiving water (14), - a drum, which is rotatably mounted in the suds container (10), for receiving laundry, - a device for letting liquid into the suds container (10), which a flushing tank having a first chamber (1) in which a water inlet (18) for supplying water (14) and a discharge (6) for discharging the supplied water (14) are formed, and a further chamber (4) in which a further discharge (7) for discharging the water (14) is formed, - a double valve (9) having a valve (19) and a further valve (20) for controlling the water supply to the suds container (10), - an inlet line (15) for supplying water (14) from an external water supply to the suds container (10), in which line the double valve (9) is integrated, so that the inlet line (15) is connected via the valve (19) of the double valve (9) to the suds container (10) via an inlet line part (16) and via the further valve (20) of the double valve (9) to the first chamber (1) via a further inlet line part (17), and - a control device for controlling the double valve (9), which device is designed to control the double valve (9) in such a way that the valve (19) and the further valve (20) can be switched independently of one another, so that the water (14) can be supplied to the suds container (10) exclusively via the inlet line part (16), exclusively via the further inlet line part (17) or simultaneously via the inlet line part (16) and the further inlet line part (17) - characterised in that - an overflow (5) is formed between the first and further chamber (1, 4) for filling the further chamber (4) with water (14) from the first chamber (1), and - in that the first chamber (1) has a compartment (2) which is connected to the further chamber (4) via the overflow (5) and a further compartment (21) which is connected downstream of the compartment (2) and which can be filled with detergent (12).

2. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the double valve (9) has a flow rate regulator which is designed to control a volume flow flowing into the double valve (9) up to a maximum of 10 l / min.

3. Washing machine according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the double valve (9) is designed in such a way that the volume flow flowing through is evenly divided when the valve (19) and the further valve (20) are switched simultaneously.

4. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the compartment (2) has a discharge (3) for discharging the water (14) into the further compartment (21), the cross section of which discharge is designed in such a way that a discharge volume flow into the further compartment (21) is smaller than a nominal volume flow.

5. Washing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control device is designed to control the double valve (9) when carrying out a washing programme in such a way that - firstly, exclusively one valve (19) is switched in order to supply a predetermined amount of water (14) to the suds container (10) exclusively via the inlet line part (16), and - one valve (19) and the other valve (20) are switched at a later time in order to simultaneously supply a further predetermined amount of water (14) to the suds container (10) via the inlet line part (16) and the further inlet line part (17) and / or exclusively the other valve (20) is switched at a later time in order to supply a further predetermined amount of water (14) to the suds container (10) via the further inlet line part (17).

6. Washing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by a suction lifter (8) which is arranged at the discharge (7) of the further chamber (4).

7. Washing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by a housing having a loading opening for loading the drum with laundry and a door which closes the loading opening and has a door inspection glass, the device being integrated into the door inspection glass or designed as a door inspection glass.

8. Washing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the double valve (9) is designed as a double solenoid valve.