IT201900001815A1 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

"Washing machine"

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for washing linen, in particular a domestic washing machine.

[0002] Household washing machines comprise a support and housing structure, inside which is housed a washing tank equipped with a front opening that can be closed by means of a porthole door hinged at the front of the housing. Inside the washing tank is housed, in a rotatable way around a horizontal or inclined axis, a basket to accommodate the laundry to be washed. The drum also delimits a front opening placed in correspondence with the opening of the washing tank, in order to be able to load and unload the laundry.

[0003] The washing tank is suitable for containing the washing liquid during the washing phases of the laundry.

[0004] In order to allow the tank to be filled with mains water and detergent substances and additives, a washing water loading system is provided which can be connected to the water mains. At the bottom of the washing tank there is a drain duct with associated drain pump which removes the washing liquid from the tank and which controls, together with the loading system, the level of liquid inside the tank.

[0005] To add a detergent or a treatment additive to the washing liquid it is known to arrange a detergent basin in flow communication with the water loading system.

[0006] The detergent basin can be configured as an extractable drawer which can be inserted into the housing structure and can be filled manually during each wash, with a quantity of detergent and / or treatment additive sufficient for a single wash cycle.

[0007] Washing machines are also known with dispensing and dosing systems for so-called "multiple dispensing" treatment substances configured to contain a quantity of treatment substance sufficient for a plurality of washing cycles and to automatically deliver a controlled dose of treatment substance during each wash cycle.

[0008] It is also known to position the multiple dispensing system in the front door and, more precisely, in the porthole of the front door of the washing machine.

[0009] For heating the washing liquid contained in the tub, an electric resistance is provided, arranged inside the tub in the interspace between the tub wall and the laundry basket.

[0010] In order to reduce the consumption of water and detergent, it is known to equip washing machines with recirculation systems that remove the washing liquid from the bottom of the tub (where it accumulates even before wetting the laundry inside the drum ) and re-emit it into the laundry basket so that a small volume of liquid is repeatedly poured onto the laundry to be washed.

[0011] The recirculation systems usually comprise a recirculation duct that extends externally to the washing tank, from a lower opening of the washing tank (for collecting the liquid to be recirculated) up to an upper opening of the washing tank (for the re-introduction of the recirculated liquid), as well as an electric recirculation pump or ejector.

[0012] The characteristics described up to now in relation to washing machines of the prior art to the applicant, can be all, or in part, also implemented in at least some embodiments of an improved washing machine according to the invention.

[0013] The known washing machines, although satisfactory from many points of view, do not allow the use of electrical auxiliary functions in correspondence with the laundry basket and / or the tub without having to wire the tub and / or the drum and then connect them electrically to the power supply of the washing machine. On the other hand, a wired electrical connection of the drum and / or tub with the mains power supply of the washing machine is generally unwanted and complicated due to the humid / wet environment, direct contact between the user's hand and the metal wall of the basket, the relative movement between the basket and the tank, as well as the cost and size of the wiring itself.

[0014] On the other hand, in order to further improve the operation of the washing machine and the perception of ergonomics by the user, the need is felt to carry out auxiliary electrical functions precisely in correspondence with the tub and / or the drum linen. Exemplary electrical functions may include the illumination of the inside of the laundry drum, the detection of parameters and operating parameters of the washing machine (number of revolutions, position, speed, angular acceleration of the drum, electrical conductivity of the laundry soaked in washing liquid and / or the detection of laundry characteristics (weight, color, stains, degree of filling of the drum, volume of the laundry, liquid saturation of the laundry, temperature of the laundry).

[0015] These problems and requirements of washing machines apply by analogy also to drying machines.

[0016] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved washing machine, having characteristics such as to obviate the problems described with reference to the known art and to provide one or more auxiliary electrical functions in correspondence with the tub and / or the drum laundry without a tub-basket group wiring drawing electricity directly from the washing machine's electrical power supply (mains) wiring.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved drying machine, having characteristics such as to obviate the problems described with reference to the prior art and to provide one or more auxiliary electrical functions in correspondence with the laundry drum without a wiring of the drum draws electricity directly from the power supply (mains) wiring of the drying machine.

[0018] These and other purposes are achieved by means of a washing machine according to the independent claim. The dependent claims relate to advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0019] A washing machine comprises:

[0020] - a housing,

[0021] - a stationary washing tank arranged inside the housing and having a front opening that can be closed by means of a porthole door hinged in front of the housing, or an upper opening that can be closed and accessible through an upper door of the housing,

[0022] - a basket arranged inside the washing tub and rotatable around a horizontal or inclined axis, in which the basket defines a peripheral or front loading opening for loading and unloading the laundry to be washed.

[0023] - a water loading system connectable to the water mains and in communication with the washing tank to load water into the washing tank,

[0024] - a drain duct connected to the washing tank and to a drain pump for removing the washing liquid from the washing tank and to regulate, together with the water loading system, a liquid level inside the tank washing machine, [0025] - a dispensing system for dispensing laundry treatment substances.

[0026] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the washing machine comprises an electric generator connected between the tub and the laundry basket and which generates electric current depending on the rotation of the laundry basket with respect to the tub.

[0027] The electric current thus generated is available directly in correspondence with the tub and / or basket without any need for their connection wiring with the main power supply of the appliance.

[0028] This electric current is the result of an energy conversion of the mains electricity into a rotary motion of the electric motor that drives the movement of the drum and the rotary motion of the drum into electric current. The advantage of having electricity available in correspondence with the tank and / or basket without the wiring problems prevails over the disadvantage of the energy losses that occur during the two conversion phases.

[0029] Further advantageous aspects of the invention will emerge from the following description of some of its embodiments by way of non-limiting example, referring to the attached figures, in which:

[0030] - Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0031] - Figures 2 to 5 are sectional views of a support region of the laundry basket in the washing tub according to embodiments;

[0032] With reference to the figures, a washing machine 1 or washer-dryer comprises a support and housing structure 2, inside which is housed a washing tank 3 equipped with an opening (front or peripheral) that can be closed by means of a door 4, eg. porthole, hinged at the front or above the housing 2. Inside the washing tub 3 there is housed, in a rotatable way around a horizontal or inclined axis, a basket 5 for receiving the laundry to be washed. The basket 5 can also delimit a front opening located at the opening of the washing tank 3, or a closable peripheral opening, in order to be able to load and unload the laundry.

[0033] The washing tank 3 is suitable for containing the washing liquid during the washing phases of the laundry.

[0034] To allow the tank 3 to be filled with mains water, a washing water loading system 6 is provided which can be connected to the water mains. The loading system 6 can comprise a plurality of ducts extending for example from one or more, e.g. two supply solenoid valves 7, 8, directly or through the detergent compartments of a detergent tray 9, up to the wash tank 3.

[0035] A drain duct 11 with associated drain pump 12 is connected to the bottom 10 of the washing tank 3, which removes the washing liquid from the tank 3 and which controls, together with the supply solenoid valves 7, 8 the level of liquid inside the tank 3.

[0036] To heat the washing liquid contained in the tub 3, an electric resistance 13 may be provided, arranged inside the tub 3, in particular on the bottom of the tub 10, in the gap between the wall of the tub 3 and the laundry basket 5 .

[0037] For the agitation and mixing of the laundry with the washing liquid, the laundry basket 5 can be driven in rotation by an electric motor 14 and a transmission 15, for example by belt.

[0038] The operation of the washing machine 1 is controlled by an electronic control unit 16, operatively connected to a user control interface 17 positioned to an external wall or to the door 4 of the housing 2 and which allows the selection of washing and / or drying cycles (more generally: treatment cycles) and their characteristics. In response to the selections made by the user through the user interface 17, the control unit 16 drives the various components of the washing machine 1 to automatically wash the laundry.

[0039] The washing machine 1 can also comprise a dispensing system 18 of the "multiple dosage" type for dispensing laundry treatment substances.

[0040] In addition to or as an alternative to the detergent basin 9, the dispensing system 18 comprises a plurality of reservoirs 19 for containing the treatment substances, e.g. detergent for white and resistant cloths, detergent for colored and delicate cloths, detergent for wool, perfuming substances, enzymes, fixing substances and / or softener. The plurality of tanks 19 can be positioned in the porthole door 4 and the individual tanks 19 are sized to each contain a volume of treatment substance sufficient for a plurality of washing cycles.

[0041] The washing machine 1 can further comprise a recirculation system 20 of the washing liquid from the bottom of the tub 10 to the laundry basket 5, similarly to the recirculation systems described with reference to the prior art.

[0042] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the washing machine 1 comprises an induction electric generator 21 connected between the washing tub 3 and the laundry drum 5 and which generates electric current depending on the rotation of the laundry drum 5 with respect to the tank 3.

[0043] The electric current thus generated is available directly at the tank 3 and / or the drum 5 without any need for their connection wiring with the main power supply of the washing machine 1.

[0044] This electric current is the result of an energy conversion of the mains electricity into a rotary motion of the electric motor 14 which drives the movement of the drum 5 and the rotary motion of the drum 5 into electric current. The advantage of the availability of electrical energy in correspondence with the tank 3 and / or the basket 5 without the wiring problems prevails over the disadvantage of the energy losses that occur during the two conversion phases.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the basket 5 is rotatably supported by the tank 3 by means of a shaft or hub 22 integral with a side wall 23 (for example rear wall opposite the front opening) of the basket 5 and rotatably supported in a wall 24 (lateral, e.g. rear opposite the front opening) of the tank 3, by means of at least one radial bearing, preferably by means of two radial rolling bearings 25, 26 spaced apart along the rotation axis of the basket 34 in order to better resist at shaft bending moments 22.

[0046] Advantageously, the electric generator 21 is positioned in an axially confined space between the two rolling bearings 25, 26 and radially between the shaft 22 of the basket 5 and the side wall 24 of the tank 3. This position protects the electric generator 21 and allows protected local wiring through a groove or hole 25 made in shaft 22 and / or through a groove or hole 26 made in side wall 24 of tank 3.

[0047] According to an alternative embodiment, the electric generator 21 is positioned on an external side 37 (of the side wall 24) of the tank 3, facing away from the basket 5, and freely accessible from the outside of the tank 3. C iò it facilitates the assembly and maintenance of the electric generator 21 and in any case allows protected local wiring through a groove or a hole 25 made in the shaft 22 and / or through a groove or a hole 26 made in the side wall 24 of the tank 3.

[0048] In accordance with an embodiment, the electric generator 21 comprises a magnetic part 27, having for example a plurality of permanent magnets, and a winding part 28 comprising a plurality of conductor turns, in which the winding part 28 is arranged rotatably with respect to the magnetic part 27. In this way, due to the relative rotation between the two magnetic parts 27 and the winding 28, the resulting movement of the conductor coils through the magnetic field generates in the conductor coils in known way the electric current (induction effect).

[0049] According to an embodiment the magnetic part 27 is fixed to the shaft 22 of the basket 5 or to the basket 5 and the winding part 28 is fixed to the tank 3, so that the current is generated in the winding 28 in correspondence of the tub 3.

[0050] Alternatively or in addition, the magnetic part 27 of an electric generator 21 'is fixed to the tank 3 and its winding part 28 is fixed to the drum 5 or to the shaft 22, so that the current is generated in the winding part 28 in correspondence of the basket 5.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, the washing machine 1 can comprise two electric generators 21, 21 'configured and / or positioned as described above, in which:

- the winding part 28 of the first electric generator 21 is fixed to the shaft 22 of the basket 5 or to the basket 5, so that the current is generated in the winding part 28 in correspondence with the basket 5, and

- the winding part 28 of the second electric generator 21 'is fixed to the tank 3, so that the current is generated in the winding part 28 in correspondence with the tank 3,

or viceversa.

[0052] According to an embodiment, between the electric generator 21, 21 'and at least one between the drum 5 and the tank 3 there is arranged a multiplication or reduction transmission (reducer) 29 in order to be able to reconcile the number range of revolutions at which the electric generator 21 operates with the interval of number of revolutions at which the drum 5 is to be rotated.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 also comprises at least a chargeable electric accumulator 30, 30 'fixed to the tank 3 and / or to the basket 5 and electrically connected with and chargeable through the electric generator 21, 21'. This makes it possible to compensate for variations in electrical power due to variations in the rotational speed of the drum 5 and to accumulate electrical energy that can be used when the drum 5 is stationary.

[0054] The electric generator 21, 21 'can be a dynamo with a switch to generate direct current or an alternator suitable for generating alternating current.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the electric generator 21, 21 'can be in signal connection (via signal cable or without cable) with the control unit 16 of the washing machine 1, for example in such a way as to provide to the control unit 16 a signal indicative of the angular position and / or the instantaneous angular speed (or number of revolutions) of the drum 5 with respect to the tub 3.

[0056] This is particularly advantageous for the implementation of anti-unbalancing strategies of the laundry in the drum 5 in order to reduce the dynamic stresses of the washing machine 1 in preparation of washing and / or spinning phases at high number of revolutions of the basket 5. The anti-unbalancing procedures are performed by the control unit 16 through the steps of:

[0057] - identification of an unbalanced situation of the laundry in the drum 5 by comparing the rotational speed values (number of revolutions) of the drum 5 detected with reference values for a specific control program of the electric motor 14,

[0058] - in the event of an identified unbalance situation, perform a sequence of alternating rotary movements of the electric motor 14 and, therefore, of the drum 5 in order to re-balance (in other words to standardize the spatial distribution of the mass of the) laundry in the drum 5.

[0059] Experimental tests have shown that an "indirect" detection of the number of revolutions of the drum 5 by reading the number of revolutions of the engine 14, for example by means of a tachometer dynamo positioned on the rotor of the engine, does not sufficiently take into account the alteration of the transmission ratio due to belt slippage and is therefore not very precise.

[0060] A "direct" detection on the drum 5 through the use of the electric generator 21, 21 'as a tachometric dynamo more precisely identifies the dynamics of the drum 5 and allows a more targeted adjustment of the control of the electric motor 14 to balance the load of laundry in the drum 5. Consequently, the structure of the washing machine 1 is subjected to reduced mechanical stresses.

[0061] Furthermore, the "direct" detection of the number of revolutions on the drum 5 through the use of the electric generator 21, 21 'as a tachometric dynamo allows a simplification of the software (or method) of anti-unbalancing of the control unit 16 , with respect to a reading of the number of revolutions of the motor 14 in which it is necessary to customize the software for a multiplicity of different types of electric motors and of different motor pulley diameters.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the electric generator 21, 21 'comprises means for detecting the angular position of the basket connected to the control unit and the control unit controls the motor to make a stop of the basket in a position predefined angular (for example with the laundry loading opening facing upwards in top loading washing machines), as a function of an angular position signal of the drum supplied by the electric generator 21, 21 '.

[0063] According to embodiments, the washing machine 1 comprises one or more or all of the following:

[0064] a lighting system 31 inside the laundry basket 5 and / or

[0065] one or more detectors 32 of parameters and / or operating variables of the washing machine 1 (for example number of revolutions, position, speed, angular acceleration of the drum 5), for example Hall effect sensors,

[0066] one or more detectors 33 of laundry characteristics (for example electrical conductivity of the laundry in the drum 5, weight of the laundry in the drum 5, color of the laundry in the drum 5, stains of the laundry in the drum 5, degree of filling of the drum 5 , volume of the laundry in the drum 5, liquid saturation of the laundry in the drum 5, temperature of the laundry in the drum 5), for example conductivity sensors, optical sensors, resistance sensors, weight sensors,

[0067] in which said one or more systems 31 or detectors 32 or sensors 33 are electrically connected with and powered by the current generator 21, 21 'and can optionally be in signal connection with the control unit 16.

[0068] As already highlighted at the introduction, the invention is also applicable to laundry drying machines with a laundry basket or drum 5 rotatably supported in a stationary support structure and rotatable by means of an electric motor 14, similarly or identically to what has been described with reference to the washing machine 1, with the only difference that the electric generator 21, 21 'is coupled between the drum 5 and the stationary support structure instead of the tub 3.

[0069] Finally, the present invention also relates to the method of operation of the washing machine 1 or of the washing machine and the characteristics of which are not repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0070] Obviously, an expert in the field, in order to meet contingent and specific needs, may make further modifications and variations to the washing machine 1, the washer-dryer machine and the method of treating linen according to the present invention, all of which are contained in the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims (15)

Claims 1. Washing machine (1) comprising: - a housing (2), - a stationary washing tank (3) arranged inside the housing (2) and having an opening that can be closed by means of a door (4) of the housing (2), - a laundry basket (5) rotatably supported inside the washing tub (3) and can be rotated around a drum rotation axis (34) by means of an electric motor (14), - a water loading system (6) that can be connected to the water mains and in communication with the washing tank (3) to load water into the washing tank (3), characterized by the fact that it comprises an induction electric generator (21) connected between the washing tub (3) and the laundry basket (5) and which generates electric current depending on the rotation of the laundry basket (5) with respect to the tub (3). Washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the basket (5) forms a shaft (22) projecting from a side wall (23) of the basket (5) and rotatably supported in a side wall (24) of the tub (3) by at least one radial bearing or by two radial bearings (25, 26) spaced apart along the basket rotation axis, in which the electric generator (21) is positioned adjacent to said one or more radial bearings ( 25, 26). Washing machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein the electric generator (21) is positioned in an axially confined space between the two rolling bearings (25, 26) and radially between the shaft (22) of the drum (5 ) and the side wall (24) of the tank (3). Washing machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein the electric generator (21) is positioned on an outer side (37) of the tub (3), facing away from the drum (5). 5. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a local electrical wiring basket (35) connected with the electric generator (21) and extended into a groove or hole (25) in the shaft 22. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a tub room electrical wiring (36) connected to the electric generator (21) and extended into a groove or hole (26) in the side wall (24) of the tub (3 ). Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric generator (21) comprises: - a magnetic part (27), having a plurality of magnets, e - a winding part (28) comprising a plurality of conductor turns, in which the winding part (28) is rotatably arranged with respect to the magnetic part (27), in which the magnetic part (27) is coupled to the shaft (22) or basket (5) and the winding part (28) is coupled to the tank (3), so that the current is generated in the winding part (28) in correspondence with the tank (3). 8. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electric generator (21) or a further electric generator (21 ') comprises: - a magnetic part (27), having a plurality of magnets, e - a winding part (28) comprising a plurality of conductor turns, in which the winding part (28) is rotatably arranged with respect to the magnetic part (27), in which the magnetic part (27) is coupled to the tub (3) and the winding part (28) is coupled to the basket (5) or to the shaft (22), so that the current is generated in the winding part (28) in correspondence with the basket (5). 9. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two said electric generators (21, 21 '), in which: - the winding part (28) of a first electric generator (21) is coupled to the shaft (22) or to the basket (5), so that the current is generated in the winding part (28) in correspondence with the basket (5), and - the winding part (28) of the second electric generator (21 ') is coupled to the tank (3), so that the current is generated in the winding part (28) in correspondence with the tank (3). 10. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electric generator (21, 21 ') is coupled to at least one of the basket (5) and the tank (3) by means of a reduction transmission (29). 11. Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one chargeable electric accumulator (30, 30 ') fixed to the tub (3) or to the basket (5) and electrically connected to the electric generator (21, 21') . Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric generator (21, 21 ') is in signal connection with a control unit (16) of the washing machine (1) and supplies the control (16) a signal indicative of the angular position and / or the number of revolutions of the drum (5) with respect to the tub (3). 13. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 12, in which the control unit (16) performs an anti-imbalance procedure through the steps of: - identification of an unbalanced situation of the laundry in the drum (5) by comparing the rotational speed values of the drum (5) detected by the electric generator (21, 21 ') with reference values for a specific control program of the electric motor (14), - in the event of an unbalanced situation identified, execution of a sequence of alternating rotary movements of the electric motor (14) in order to uniform the distribution of the laundry in the drum (5). Washing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more of: - a lighting system (31) inside the laundry basket (5) and / or - one or more detectors (32) of operating parameters of the washing machine (1), - one or more detectors (33) of laundry characteristics, electrically connected to the current generator (21, 21 '). 15. Dryer machine, comprising: - a housing (2), - a stationary support structure (3) arranged inside the housing (2), - a laundry basket (5) rotatably supported inside the stationary support structure (3) and can be rotated around a drum rotation axis (34) by means of an electric motor (14), characterized in that it comprises an induction electric generator (21) connected between the stationary support structure (3) and the laundry basket (5) and which generates electric current depending on the rotation of the laundry basket (5) with respect to the support structure stationary (3).