IT201900005524A1 - WASHING MACHINE WITH HYDRAULIC COUNTERWEIGHT SYSTEM. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

accompanying a patent application for an industrial invention entitled:

“WASHING MACHINE WITH HYDRAULIC COUNTERWEIGHT SYSTEM”.

TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

The present patent application for the invention relates to a washing machine with a hydraulic counterweight system.

As is known, a washing machine comprises a frame or casing in which a tub containing a rotating basket moved in rotation by an electric motor is arranged.

The garments are placed in the basket, the washing water is fed into the tank from the water supply and the basket is rotated at low speed during the washing phases. At the end of the washing, the water is sucked from the tank towards the drain and the drum is rotated at high speed (generally higher than 1,000 rpm) to carry out a spin phase in which the laundry is dried by the centrifugal action of the water that tends to migrate outward.

Due to the high rotation of the drum during the spin cycle, the frame of the washing machine tends to vibrate and move from its support surface. To reduce this vibration it is known to apply counterweights in the tank. These counterweights are generally made of concrete or other heavy material. The counterweights are mounted during the production phase of the washing machine and are generally not disassembled during the transport and installation of the washing machine.

Considering that generally a washing machine weighs about 60-70 kg and generally such a washing machine has two or three counterweights of about 10-12 kg each, it is evident that the counterweights have a considerable influence on the total weight of the washing machine.

As a result, known washing machines are excessively heavy, creating serious problems for their transport and handling.

To solve this drawback, a washing machine is known comprising a counterweight consisting of a container that is filled with water when the washing machine is installed. This counterweight always remains full of water during all washing cycles for the entire life of the washing machine. The counterweight is emptied of water at the end of the washing machine's life, i.e. when the washing machine must be taken for disposal.

Obviously, this type of counterweight system consisting of a container filled with water solves the problem of the excessive weight of the washing machine during transport and handling, before installation and at the end of the washing machine's life.

However, such a type of washing machine carries out traditional washing programs which involve an excessive waste of water and detergent. This problem of water waste is particularly felt especially in countries with scarce water resources. Furthermore, the waste of detergent is not only a cost for the owner of the washing machine, but also contributes to increasing water pollution in the sewage system.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the known art by providing a washing machine with a hydraulic counterweight system that is capable of making the washing machine light, practical and easy to handle during transport and stable and reliable during the spin cycle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a type of washing machine with a hydraulic counterweight system which is capable of minimizing the waste of water and detergent during the washing cycles.

These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention with the features of independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

The washing machine according to the invention is defined by claim 1.

The advantages of the washing machine according to the invention are evident. In fact, this washing machine can keep the tanks empty during transport, lightening the weight of the washing machine and filling the tanks connected to the tank only before the spin phase in which a counterweight is required to dampen vibrations.

Furthermore, the water contained in the tanks can be used for the next washing cycle, with the result of a considerable saving of water and detergent.

Further features of the invention will appear clearer from the detailed description that follows, referring to a purely exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiment, illustrated in the attached drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of a portion of the washing machine according to the invention.

With reference to Fig. 1, a portion of a washing machine (1) is illustrated.

The washing machine (1) comprises a frame (2) within which a tub (3) generally of cylindrical shape is arranged. In the tank (3) a basket (4) with perforated walls is rotatably mounted to allow the water to pass. The basket (4) is connected to an electric motor directly (direct drive) or by means of a transmission, for example by belt.

Between the frame (2) and the tank (3) there is one or more tanks (5) suitable to be filled with water. The tank (5) surrounds the tank (3), and is integral with the tank (3). The tank (5) has a capacity of approximately 30-50 liters. The tank (5) can be formed by several rooms communicating with each other or separated.

In the example of the Figure, the tank (5) includes three chambers: an upper chamber (50) that extends above the tub and two lower chambers (51, 52) that extend below the tub. The three chambers (50, 51, 52) of the tank are communicating.

An inlet duct (6) of the tank is connected to the water network (R) and to the tank (3) to feed water from the water network into the tank. In the inlet duct there is a valve (60) designed to open and close the inlet duct. The valve (60) is of the one-way type which allows flow in one direction only from the water mains to the tank.

An emptying duct (7) is connected to the basin (3) to empty the basin (3). The drainage pipe (7) is connected, by means of a connecting pipe (30), to a discharge pipe (40) connected directly to the sewer discharge (S). In the emptying duct (7) there is a circulation pump (70) suitable for sucking water from the tank (3) towards the drain (S). In the emptying duct (7) there is a valve (71) upstream of the circulation pump (70) to open and close the emptying duct. The valve (71) is of the one-way type to allow flow in one direction only from the tank to the drain.

A valve (72) is located in the drain pipe (40), to open and close the evacuation of water to the drain (S). The valve (72) is of the one-way type to allow flow in one direction only from the tank to the drain.

A mixing tank (100) is arranged in the frame (2). The mixing tank (100) is filled with additives, such as ozone, perfumed essences, softeners that reduce the hardness of the water. An inlet conduit (8) of the mixing tank is connected to the water supply (R) and to the mixing tank (100), to feed water from the water supply into the mixing tank (100), where the water is mixed with additives. In the inlet duct (8) of the mixing tank there is a valve (81) designed to open and close the inlet duct (8). The valve (81) is of the one-way type which allows flow in one direction only from the water mains to the mixing tank (100).

The tank (5) is connected to feeding means (A) which feed water into the tank (5).

The feeding means (A) can feed water into the tank (5) from the water mains, from the mixing tank (100) and / or from the tank (3).

The supply means (A) can comprise any type of supply conduit connected to the tank (5) for feeding water into the tank (5).

As shown in Fig. 1, advantageously, the feeding means (A) comprise:

- an outlet pipe (200) of the tank connected to the mixing tank (100) and to the connecting pipe (30), - the connecting pipe (30),

- an inlet pipe (80) of the tank connected to the connecting pipe (30) and to the tank (5), e

- the circulation pump (70).

The outlet pipe (200) of the mixing tank is arranged upstream of the circulation pump (70). The inlet pipe (80) of the tank is arranged downstream of the connection pipe (30) and of the circulation pump (70). Valves (210, 82) are arranged in the outlet pipe (200) of the mixing tank and in the inlet pipe (80) of the tank to open and close the access of water from the mixing tank (100) to the tank (5 ). The valves (210, 82) are of the one-way type to allow flow in one direction only from the mixing tank at (100) to the tank (5).

Preferably, the supply means (A) can be a communication duct connected to the tank (3) and to the tank (5) for supplying water from the tank to the tank.

Advantageously, as shown in Fig. 1, in this case the feeding means (A) comprise the emptying duct (7), the connecting duct (30) and the inlet duct (80) of the tank.

Transfer media (T) transfers water from the tank (5) to the tank (3).

The transfer means (T) may comprise a transfer conduit (9) connected to the tank and the tub.

In the transfer conduit there is a pump (90) for pumping water from the reservoir to the tank and a valve (91) for opening and closing the transfer conduit. The valve (91) is of the one-way type which allows flow in one direction only from the tank to the tank.

The operation of the washing machine is described below (1).

When the washing machine is being transported, the tank (5) is empty and therefore the washing machine is light and can be transported and handled easily.

When the washing machine is switched on for the first time, the first wash cycle begins.

The tank (5) is empty, the water is fed from the water supply into the tank (3) through the inlet duct (6) of the tank, by opening the valve (60).

In the subsequent washing phases, the water is fed into the tank (3) from the water mains through the inlet pipe (6) of the tank and is discharged from the tank towards the drain through the emptying pipe (7), the connection pipe (30), the exhaust duct (40), opening the valves (71, 72) and closing the valves (210, 82).

In any case, during the washing phase the tank (5) can be empty and does not act as a counterweight. This is not a problem, since during the washing phases, the drum (4) turns at low speed and the washing machine does not need a counterweight to dampen the vibrations.

During the washing phase, water is supplied from the network (R) to the mixing tank (100), through the inlet duct (8) of the mixing tank, opening the valve (81).

The water stored inside the mixing tank (100) is added to additives such as ozone, perfumed essences, additives that reduce the hardness of the water.

Simultaneously the water stored inside the mixing tank (100) is sent into the tank (5) passing through the outlet pipe (200) of the mixing tank, the connection pipe (30) and the inlet (80) of the tank, by pumping the pump (70).

The water stored inside the tank (5), added with additives, is used for the final rinse. The water is fed from the tank (5) into the tank (3) through the transfer means (T) consisting of the transfer duct (9), opening the valve (91).

In the last phase of the washing program before the final spin (properly the rinse phase), the water from the tank (3) is not sent to the drain, but is fed to the tank (5), by means of the feeding means (A ) consisting of the drainage duct (7), the connection duct (30) and the inlet duct (80) of the tank, i.e. the valves (71, 82) are open, while the valves (210, 72) are closed. In the subsequent washing cycles, the water contained in the tank (5) will always be used in the first washing phase.

It should be noted that the water in the last phase of the washing program, used to fill the tank (5), is sufficiently clean since it is the water that was used to carry out the last rinse, a phase in which the laundry is now clean. Therefore, this water contained in the tank (5) is not wasted, but will be reused in the following first washing phase, a phase in which the clothes are dirty and there is no difference whether the water used is clean water from the water mains or clean water recycled and stored in a tank.

On the contrary, it must be considered that the water recycled in the final rinse phase of the previous washing program contains detergent residues, as a result, the user can save on the amount of detergent to be added to the washing machine, since in the next washing program, during the phase washing, the detergent residues contained in the rinse water from the previous cycle will be used.

Equivalent variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiments of the invention, within the reach of a person skilled in the art, which however fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Washing machine (1) comprising: - a frame (2), - a tank (3) arranged in the frame (2), - a basket (4) rotatably mounted in the tank (3), - an electric motor connected to the basket (4) to make it rotate, - a tank (5) connected to the tank (3) and able to be filled with water to act as a counterweight, - an inlet duct (6) of the tank connected to the water supply (R) and to the tank (3) to feed water from the water supply into the tank, - an emptying pipe (7) connected to the tank (3) to empty the tank and send water to a drain pipe (40) connected to a sewer drain (S), - a circulation pump (70) arranged in the emptying duct (7) to pump water from the tank to the drain, - supply means (A) which feed water into the tank (5), and - transfer means (T) which transfer water from the tank (5) to the tank (3). Washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said feeding means (A) feed water from the tank (3) to the tank (5). Washing machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein said feeding means (A) comprise a conduit connected to the tank (3) and to the tank (5) and a pump arranged in said conduit. Washing machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein said feeding means (A) comprise: - the drainage duct (7), - a connection duct (30) connected to said emptying duct (7), downstream of said recirculation pump (70), and - an inlet duct (8) of the tank connected to the connection duct (30) and to the reservoir. Washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said feeding means (A) feed water from the water mains to said tank (5). Washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a mixing tank (100) containing water mixed with additives and in which said feeding means (A) feed water from said mixing tank (100) to said tank (5). Washing machine (1) according to claim 6, wherein said feeding means (A) comprise: - an outlet conduit (200) of the mixing tank connected to said mixing tank (100) and to said recirculation pump (70), - a connecting pipe (30) connected to the recirculation pump (7), e - an inlet duct (8) of the tank connected to the connection duct (30) and to the tank. Washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said transfer means (T) comprise: - a transfer pipe (9) connected to the tank (5) and to the tank (3), e - a pump (90) arranged in said transfer duct (9) for pumping water from the tank to the tank. Method of operation of a washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising the following steps: - filling said tank (5) of the washing machine with water, so that the tank can act as a counterweight during a spin cycle of the washing machine; - transfer of the water contained in the tank (5) into said tank (3), during a first washing cycle. Method according to claim 10, wherein said tank (5) is filled with water coming from the tank (3) during a last rinse cycle.