A washing machine with improved washing performance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a tub (2) wherein the washing water is received; a drum (4) which is disposed in the tub (2) and which is suitable to be rotated about a rotational axis by means of a motor (3); at least one opening (5) which is provided on the drum (4); at least one baffle (7) which is fixed to the drum (4) so as to remain on the opening (5) and which has at least one hole (6) opening into the drum (4); a spraying member (12) which is positioned in the tub (3) and which has at least one inlet (8) providing water intake, at least one impeller (10) having a plurality of fins (9) and rotating about an impeller axis and at least one outlet (11) delivering the water accelerated by the rotation of the impeller (10) toward the opening (5); at least one circumferential wall (14) which is provided on the baffle (7) and which defines a mixing volume (13) in the baffle (7) opening to the opening (5) by extending from the opening (5) into the baffle (7); and at least one guiding member (15) which is provided on the circumferential wall (14) and which is in the form of a protrusion extending along an at least partially curved path into the mixing volume (13).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine wherein the washing performance is improved by increasing the amount of cleaning agent penetrating into the laundry.

[0002] In washing machines, cleaning agents such as detergent and softener are generally loaded into a dispenser disposed at the upper portion of the body. The cleaning agents swept by water supplied into the dispenser flow into the space between the tub and the drum and dissolve in the water agitated by the rotation of the drum. However, in cases where the cleaning agent settles at the bottom of the tub and the washing water is cold, the dissolution rate of the cleaning agent decreases, resulting in a reduced amount of cleaning agent reaching the laundry and a decrease in the washing performance. Therefore, manufacturers develop various solutions to increase the dissolution rate of the cleaning agent and the amount of cleaning agent-water mixture which penetrates the laundry. One of these solutions is to increase the amount of water and cleaning agent which penetrates the laundry by collecting the water between the tub and the drum into the baffle by means of scoops and pouring the same back onto the laundry under the effect of gravity. However, the effectiveness of this solution is limited to the surface-level contact of the detergent-water mixture sent from the baffle with the laundry remaining at the top in the drum.

[0003] In the state of the art German Patent Application No. DE3820409A1, a washer is disclosed, wherein the water is delivered into a baffle by means of a wheel pump and a valve having an openable-closable shutter.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein the amount of cleaning agent penetrating the laundry is increased.

[0005] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a tub wherein the washing process is performed; a drum which is disposed in the tub, wherein the laundry is loaded and which is suitable to be rotated about a horizontal axis by means of a motor; at least one opening which is arranged on the drum and which provides fluid passage between the tub and the drum; at least one baffle which is fixed to the inner side of the opening facing the drum, which is in fluid communication with the opening and which has at least one hole opening into the drum; at least one spraying member which is disposed on the tub so as to remain between the drum and the tub, which supplies the water toward the opening when aligned with the opening on the rotating drum and which has an inlet through which water is taken, at least one impeller rotatable about an impeller axis having a plurality of fins which accelerate the water received from the inlet by pushing the same during rotation, and an outlet enabling the water accelerated by the rotating impeller to be directed toward the drum; at least one circumferential wall which is provided on the baffle and which extends from the opening into the baffle so as to at least partially surround a mixing volume in the baffle which directly receives the water coming from the opening; and at least one guiding member which forms at least one protrusion following a curved path on the surface of the circumferential wall facing the mixing volume. The circumferential wall is in the form of a passage which defines the mixing volume, one end of which opens into the tub by means of the opening and the other end of which allows the flow of water toward the hole. On the inner surface of the circumferential wall, at least one guiding member in the form of a rib is positioned so as to follow a curved path. When the opening and the outlet are aligned with each other, the guiding member changes the flow direction of the water filling into the mixing volume through the opening such that a curved flow guided by the guiding member is created in the mixing volume, at least in the vicinity of the inner surface of the circumferential wall. Thus, by changing the direction of the water pumped into the baffle from the spraying member in the mixing volume, the dissolution of the cleaning agent is improved, and the water with increased cleaning agent concentration in the mixing volume is delivered onto the laundry through the hole. Thus, even in case large amounts of cleaning agent are used at low washing temperature, the cleaning agent is enabled to be rapidly dissolved in the washing water and delivered onto the laundry.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, on the circumferential wall, there is a plurality of guiding members extending helically. By directing the water entering the mixing chamber by means of the helical guiding members, a vortex flow is generated in the mixing volume such that the dissolution efficiency of the cleaning agent is further increased.

[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one hole is positioned opposite the opening so as to lie on the same linear axis with the opening. Thus, it is ensured that the majority of the water guided by at least one guiding member in the mixing volume is delivered quickly to the laundry in the drum through the hole without interruption in the flow.

[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, the circumferential wall is in the form of a hollow cylindrical channel extending along the baffle from the opening to the hole, with one end opening to the hole and the other end opening to the opening. Thus, the flow path of the water carrying the cleaning agent in the mixing volume is extended so as to improve the mixing effectiveness and accelerate the vortex flow up to the drum.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the circumferential wall has a skirt section which extends from the opening toward the tub. The skirt section extends below the water level between the tub and the drum so as to provide a volume partially isolated from the remaining volume of the tub between the spraying member and the opening and prevent the agitated water in the tub from disturbing the flow of water supplied from the spraying member.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the impeller axis extends vertically, and the fins on the impeller and the guiding members on the circumferential wall substantially share the same curved shape. Thus, the vortex flow is enabled to be initiated by the impeller and continued in the mixing volume so as to increase the vortex effect.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the spraying member has a chamber which connects the inlet and outlet in fluid communication and which receives the impeller, and the chamber is shaped so as to narrow the cross-sectional area of the flow accelerated by the impeller toward the outlet. Thus, the water is enabled to be delivered more rapidly toward the opening.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, on the baffle, there is a perforated region which is formed by positioning a plurality of holes side by side along a circular path. The perforated region ensures that the laundry in the drum is safely separated from the mixing volume and that the water flows from the mixing volume into the drum in a spread-out manner without losing its rotational motion.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the spraying member comprises a wheel which is connected to the impeller so as to rotate together with the impeller around the impeller axis and which is positioned opposite the inlet so as to directly receive the water coming from the inlet within the chamber. In the tub, a supply line is positioned, which provides a continuous flow of water to the inlet so as to rotate the wheel and hence the impeller. Thus, by ensuring that the water sent to the baffle also rotates the impeller, ease of installation and control is achieved.

[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, in the tub, there is a heater for heating the water, and the supply line extends at least partially under the heater. Thus, with the flow from the supply line toward the inlet, a portion of the heated water around the heater is enabled to be carried toward the inlet, and the temperature of the water taken into the spraying member to be sent to the mixing volume is increased. Consequently, the increased temperature of the water increases the dissolution rate of the cleaning agent.

[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, the supply line is connected to a mains line which receives mains water from the mains, and the mains water is sent to the inlet. Thus, the amount of dissolved detergent in the water taken from the inlet into the spraying member to be delivered into the mixing volume is minimized, and the amount of detergent dissolved per unit time in the low-saturation water in the mixing volume is increased.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises a circulation line which enables the water drawn from the tub to be delivered back into the tub, and the supply line is connected to the circulation line. Thus, the water taken from inside the tub is sent to the inlet. Consequently, as no additional water intake into the tub is needed during the rotation of the impeller, the water level in the tub is maintained, and the impeller drive duration is enabled to be extended as needed without any restriction.

[0017] By means of the present invention, a washing machine with a simple structure and low cost is realized, wherein the water with increased cleaning agent concentration is delivered at high speed onto the laundry in the drum.

[0018] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: Figure 1 - is the schematic view of the washing machine related to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 - is the sideways view of the drum, the spraying member, the supply line and the mains line related to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 - is the partial perspective view of the baffle, the mixing volume, the spraying member, the supply line and the circulation line related to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 - is the exploded view of the baffle, the spraying member and the supply line related to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 - is the bottom perspective view of the baffle related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows: 1. Washing machine 2. Tub 3. Motor 4. Drum 5. Opening 6. Hole 7. Baffle 8. Inlet 9. Fin 10. Propeller 11. Outlet 12. Spraying member 13. Mixing volume 14. Circumferential wall 15. Guiding member 16. Perforated region 17. Skirt section 18. Chamber 19. Supply line 20. Gear 21. Heater 22. Mains line 23. Circulation line

[0020] The washing machine (1) comprises a tub (2) wherein the washing water is received; a drum (4) which is disposed in the tub (2) and which is suitable to be rotated about a rotational axis by means of a motor (3); at least one opening (5) which is provided on the drum (4); at least one baffle (7) which is fixed to the drum (4) so as to remain on the opening (5) and which has at least one hole (6) opening into the drum (4); and a spraying member (12) which is positioned in the tub (3) and which has at least one inlet (8) providing water intake, at least one impeller (10) having a plurality of fins (9) and rotating about an impeller axis and at least one outlet (11) delivering the water accelerated by the rotation of the impeller (10) toward the opening (5). The water taken into the tub (3) fills in between the tub (2) and the drum (4). The drum (4) disposed in the tub (2) has a cylindrical form and is rotated in the tub (2) about a horizontal or substantially horizontal axis by means of a motor (3). The baffle (7) is positioned on the opening (5) so as to receive the water coming through the opening (5), and has at least one hole (6) which enables the water entering through the opening (5) to reach the drum (4). The spraying member (12) is positioned between the tub (2) and the drum (5), and comprises an inlet (8) which allow the water to enter therein, an outlet (11) which is positioned so as to align with the opening (5) when the drum (4) is brought to a certain position by the motor (3) and an impeller (10) having a plurality of fins (9) which are suitable to be rotated about an impeller axis and which push and accelerate the water taken from the inlet (8) toward the outlet (11) as a result of the rotational movement. When the drum (4) is stopped by the motor (3) such that the outlet (11) and the opening (5) are aligned, the water pushed toward the outlet (11) by the rotating impeller (10) enters the baffle (7) through the opening (5) and reaches the laundry in the drum (4) by means of the hole (6).

[0021] The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises at least one circumferential wall (14) which is provided on the baffle (7) and which defines a mixing volume (13), opening into the opening (5), in the baffle (7) by extending from the opening (5) into the baffle (7), and at least one guiding member (15) which is provided on the circumferential wall (14) and which is in the form of a protrusion extending along an at least partially curved path into the mixing volume (13). The circumferential wall (14) defines the mixing volume (13), which is directly reached by the water entering through the opening (5), and at least partially surrounds the mixing volume (13). The guiding member (15) is in the form of a curved groove protruding from the circumferential wall (14) into the mixing volume (13), and enables the flow of water entering the mixing volume (13) to be guided so as to follow the curved form. Thus, the cleaning agent carried with the water into the mixing volume (13) dissolves rapidly in the water under the effect of the directed flow. The water with increased cleaning agent concentration, which flows at least partially in a rotational manner in the mixing volume (13), spreads into the drum (4) through the hole (6).

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a plurality of guiding members (15) having a helical form. A plurality of guiding members (15), each defining a helical protrusion, are provided on the circumferential wall (14). The guiding members (15) are arranged circumferentially along the inner surface of the circumferential wall (14) which defines the mixing volume (13). By means of the helical guiding members (15), a continuous vortex flow is provided in the mixing volume (13) so as to accelerate the flow in the mixing volume (13).

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, the hole (6) is positioned so as to face the opening (5). The opening (5) and the hole (6) are arranged on the baffle (7) so as to face each other. Thus, the vortex effect provided in the mixing volume (13) is maintained up to the drum (4), and the distribution efficiency of the water with increased cleaning agent concentration in the drum (4) is improved.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the circumferential wall (14) is cylindrical and extends between the opening (5) and the hole (6) so as to define a mixing volume (13) enclosed along the baffle (7). The circumferential wall (14) is in cylindrical form, and surrounds the opening (5) and the hole (6) so as to extend along the baffle (7) between the opening (5) and the hole (6). Thus, a mixing volume (13) fully enclosed and opening at one end to the opening (5) and at the other end to the hole (6) is obtained such that the water reaching the mixing volume (13) through the opening (5) is guided toward the hole (6) without undergoing flow separation. Thus, the vortex effect generated in the mixing volume (13) is improved.

[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the circumferential wall (14) has a skirt section (17) which extends from the opening (5) outward from the drum (4). On one side of the circumferential wall (14), the skirt section (17) is provided, extending outward from the opening (5). The skirt section (17) extends into the tub (3) and acts as an inlet port positioned closer to the spraying member (12). Thus, the water sprayed from the outlet (11) of the spraying member (12) toward the opening (5) is enabled to be at least partially separated from the remaining volume of the tub (3) before reaching the opening (5) so as to flow toward the opening (5) without any disruption in the flow.

[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, the impeller axis is perpendicular to the rotational axis, and on the impeller (10), there are the fins (9) having substantially the same form as the guiding member (15). The guiding member (15) and the fins (9) have the same curved form and extend along parallel directions. Thus, the water accelerated by the impeller (10) is enabled to form a rotational flow, and at least part of the water reaching the opening (5) enters the mixing volume (13) already in a fastrotating manner. Consequently, the vortex effect generated in the mixing volume (13) is significantly improved.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, the spraying member (12) has a chamber (18) which is positioned between the inlet (8) and the outlet (11), which receives the impeller (10), and at least a part of which is configured to narrow gradually toward the outlet (11). The chamber (18) forms the part of the spraying member (12) which is positioned between the inlet (8) and the outlet (11) and which houses the impeller (10). The upper part of the chamber (18) which is positioned downstream of the impeller (10) and which is in the vicinity of the outlet (11) has a gradually narrowing section toward the outlet (11). Thus, by narrowing the flow crosssection during the flow of the water from the impeller (10) towards the outlet (11), the flow rate is increased, and the water is enabled to enter the mixing volume (13) more rapidly.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, on the baffle (7), a plurality of holes (6) are positioned so as to define a circular perforated region (16). On the surface of the baffle (7) facing the drum (4), a perforated region (16) is provided wherein a plurality of holes (6) are positioned to form a circular shape. The water coming from the mixing volume (13) reaches the drum (4) by passing through the holes (6) in the perforated region (16). The perforated region (16) prevents the laundry from entering the mixing volume (13) and enables the flow from the mixing volume (13) to reach the drum (4) with minimal disruption.

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a supply line (19) which is provided in the tub (2) and which is configured to supply the water to the inlet (8), and at least one wheel (20) which is provided on the side of the impeller (10) facing the inlet (8) and which rotates together with the impeller (10) and provides rotation of the impeller (10) about the impeller axis by being hit by the water supplied from the inlet (8). The supply line (19) is suitable to supply the water at high speed to the inlet (8) from an end facing the inlet (8). The wheel (20) is fixed to the lower end of the impeller (10), which faces the inlet (8), so as to rotate together with the impeller (10) about the impeller axis. The water entering through the inlet (8) hits the wheel (20) and enables the impeller (10) to rotate together with the wheel (20). The water which rotates the wheel (20) is simultaneously pushed toward the outlet (11) as a result of the rotation of the impeller (10) and is delivered into the mixing volume (13) through the outlet (11). Thus, by enabling the water, which improves the solubility of the cleaning agent in the mixing volume (13), to also rotate the impeller (10), the water is enabled to be delivered to the baffle (7) at high speed without the need for costly components such as a motor.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a heater (21) which is provided in the tub (2), and the supply line (19) extends from under the heater (21) toward the water inlet (8). A heater (21) for heating water is provided at the base of the tub (4), and the supply line (19) remains at least partially under the heater (21). Thus, by ensuring that the supply line (19) remains emerged in the relatively hot water in the heater (21) housing, the temperature of the water delivered to the spraying member (12) is increased.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a mains line (22) which receives water from the mains, and the supply line (19) is connected to the mains line (22). At least a portion of the mains water received from the mains line (22) is delivered to the supply line (19). Thus, at the beginning of the washing process, a portion of the water taken into the tub (2) is enabled to be directly sent to the spraying member (12) and the mixing volume (13) so as to start the dissolution of the cleaning agent at the very beginning of the washing process.

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a circulation line (23) which receives the washing liquid from inside the tub (2) and returns the same back into the tub (2), and the supply line (19) is connected to the circulation line (23). At least a portion of the water carried in the circulation line (23) is delivered to the supply line (19). Thus, at least a portion of the cleaning agent present in undissolved form in the water in the tub (2) is enabled to be dissolved with the flow provided by the circulation line (23) such that a certain amount of cleaning agent is dissolved before reaching the spraying member (12) and the mixing volume (13).

[0033] By means of the present invention, the washing performance of the washing machine (1) is improved by effectively increasing the concentration of cleaning agent in the washing water and the penetration thereof into the laundry

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) comprising a tub (2) wherein the washing water is received; a drum (4) which is disposed in the tub (2) and which is suitable to be rotated about a rotational axis by means of a motor (3); at least one opening (5) which is provided on the drum (4); at least one baffle (7) which is fixed to the drum (4) so as to remain on the opening (5) and which has at least one hole (6) opening into the drum (4); and a spraying member (12) which is positioned in the tub (3) and which has at least one inlet (8) providing water intake, at least one impeller (10) having a plurality of fins (9) and rotating about an impeller axis and at least one outlet (11) delivering the water accelerated by the rotation of the impeller (10) toward the opening (5), characterized by at least one circumferential wall (14) which is provided on the baffle (7) and which defines a mixing volume (13)in the baffle (7) opening to the opening (5) by extending from the opening (5) into the baffle (7), and at least one guiding member (15) which is provided on the circumferential wall (14) and which is in the form of a protrusion extending along an at least partially curved path into the mixing volume (13).

2. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a plurality of guiding members (15) having a helical form.

3. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the hole (6) which is positioned so as to face the opening (5).

4. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the circumferential wall (14) which is cylindrical and which extends between the opening (5) and the hole (6) so as to define a mixing volume (13) enclosed along the baffle (7).

5. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the circumferential wall (14) having a skirt section (17) which extends from the opening (5) outward from the drum (4).

6. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the impeller axis which is perpendicular to the rotational axis, and the fins (9) which are provided on the impeller (10) and which have substantially the same form as the guiding member (15).

7. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the spraying member (12) having a chamber (18) which is positioned between the inlet (8) and the outlet (11), which receives the impeller (10), and at least a part of which is configured to narrow gradually toward the outlet (11).

8. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a plurality of holes (6) which are positioned on the baffle (7) so as to define a circular perforated region (16).

9. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a supply line (19) which is provided in the tub (2) and which is configured to supply the water to the inlet (8), and at least one wheel (20) which is provided on the side of the impeller (10) facing the inlet (8) and which rotates together with the impeller (10) and provides rotation of the impeller (10) about the impeller axis by being hit by the water supplied from the inlet (8).

10. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by a heater (21) which is provided in the tub (2), and the supply line (19) which extends from under the heater (21) toward the water inlet (8).

11. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 8 or Claim 9, characterized by a mains line (22) which receives water from the mains, and the supply line (19) which is connected to the mains line (22).

12. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 8 or Claim 9, characterized by a circulation line (23) which receives the washing liquid from inside the tub (2) and returns the same back into the tub (2), and the supply line (19) which is connected to the circulation line (23).

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