Household appliance

A household appliance having a casing, a washing tub for receiving laundry, a detergent dispenser to convey detergent/treating agents to the washing tub, and an inlet water unit for controlling and supplying water to the detergent dispenser and/or the tub. The inlet water unit includes a valve body having at least one inlet configured to connect to a water supply and outlets for connection to the detergent dispenser and/or the tub. The outlets are arranged in at least two rows in the valve body.

This application is a U.S. National Phase application of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2017/059990, filed Apr. 26, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a household appliance.

BACKGROUND ART

Nowadays the use of household appliances is widespread. Household appliance are, for example, refrigerators, cooling appliances, as well as laundry treatment machines, both “simple” laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can only wash and rinse laundry) and laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry), or drying machines (i.e. drying machines which can dry laundry).

Washing machines in households, also called domestic washing machines, are well-known and usually are used for washing laundry. Washing machines usually comprise washing tubs in which a rotatable drum is housed for receiving goods to be washed, usually laundry. Washing liquid is introduced into the washing tub, which washing liquid consists only of water or mainly of water and detergents or washing or cleaning agents added to or dissolved in the water for improving the washing quality.

In the present description the term “laundry treatment appliance” will refer to simple laundry washing machines, laundry washing-drying machines or drying machines. Laundry treatment appliances such as washing or washing-drying machines generally comprise an external casing provided with a washing tub which contains a rotatable perforated drum where the laundry is placed. A loading/unloading door ensures access to the drum. Laundry treatment appliances typically comprise a water supply unit and a products supply unit, preferably a drawer, for the introduction of water and washing/rinsing products (i.e. detergent, softener, rinse conditioner, etc.) into the tub. Known laundry treatment appliances are also provided with water draining devices that may operate during different phases of the washing program to drain the dirty water from the tub.

According to the known art, a complete laundry treating program typically includes different phases during which the laundry to be washed is subjected to adequate treatments. A treating cycle usually comprises a main washing phase during which the laundry is treated by means of water and a detergent. The water is typically heated to a pre-determined temperature based on the washing program selected by the user. It is also possible that hot water is introduced into the tub from the hot water mains. During the main washing phase the drum is rotated, so as to apply also a mechanical cleaning action on the laundry. At the end of the main washing phase the drum is typically rotated at high rotational speed, so in such a way that dirty washing liquid (i.e. water mixed with detergent) is extracted from the laundry, and this dirty washing liquid is drained to the outside by the water draining devices.

A laundry treatment program usually comprises one or more rinsing phases in which typically a rinsing product which is provided in a compartment of the dispenser/drawer is flushed into the tub together with fresh water or in which fresh water is flushed into the tub directly. These phases which are typically subsequent to a washing phase typically comprise one or more rinsing cycles/steps. In a rinsing cycle or phase, clean rinse water may be first added to the laundry. The rinse water is absorbed by the laundry and the rinse water removes from the laundry detergent and/or dirty water not previously removed by washing liquid in the main washing cycle. The drum is then rotated to extract water and dirty water/detergent from the laundry: the dirty water extracted is drained from the tub to the outside by the water draining devices.

A household appliance typically comprises an inlet water unit connected to the water mains/external water supply. The inlet water unit on demand allows water from the external supply to flow through an outlet into the tub or into a chamber of the detergent dispenser. In order to stop or allow water flow on demand, the inlet water unit typically comprises several solenoid valves with bobbins that are activated on demand during different times of the washing cycle. The concrete number of bobbins is linked to the number of water channels communicating with the chambers of the detergent dispenser; in case several detergents/agents have to be used during a specific program, several chambers have to be provided on the drawer respectively, to distinctly collect said detergents/agents; in order to flush each of them at the right time pursuant to the selected program, a suitable channel has to provide water inside the respective chamber. Due to the several detergents/agents to be managed during a machine program, the selective allowance or stop of water flow toward each chamber requires a large amount of water channels communicating with the detergents/agents chambers, and consequently a large amount of outlets provided on the inlet water unit, causing an increasing of dimensions of the inlet water unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to provide a household appliance with an inlet water unit which needs only a small installation space due to its compact structure.

It is a further aim of the invention to provide a household appliance with an inlet water unit requiring easier/cheaper manufacturing processes.

The invention therefore relates to a household appliance comprising a casing, a washing tub for receiving laundry, a detergent dispenser to convey detergent/treating agents to the washing tub, an inlet water unit for controlling and supplying water to the detergent dispenser and/or the tub, whereby the inlet water unit comprises a valve body comprising at least one inlet configured to connect to a water supply and comprising a plurality of outlets for connection to the detergent dispenser and/or the tub, whereby the outlets are arranged in at least two rows in the valve body.

The spatial arrangement in a row means that the outlets are arranged in a common plane. An arrangement of outlets in several rows means that these outlets are arranged in several planes, i.e. for instance a first number of outlets is arranged in a first plane and a second number of outlets is arranged in a second plane. Preferably, these planes are arranged parallel to each other. Preferably, for several outlets arranged in a single row is intended that the centers of a group of outlets are aligned each other along an ideal straight line.

The invention is based on the consideration that the inlet water unit is an important component which at the same time needs a considerable amount of installation space. Especially if the appliance offers a variety of treatment programs/options, several water flow paths have to be realized by a corresponding number of outlets. This requirement leads to a complicated compact design or a cumbersome configuration using considerable space.

Applicant has found that it is possible to realize an inlet water unit which simultaneously has a compact design and robust design by arranging the outlets in two or more rows or planes. In this way, the width of the water inlet unit can be kept rather small. At the same time, this design allows to build a robust design of the arrangement of the valve actuators which on demand allow or prevent water flow through these outlets.

The valve body is preferably built as a valve block. The valve block preferably comprises a common casing which is built to receive plurality of valve actuators and comprises respective channels which can be fluidly opened or closed by the valve actuators.

Preferably, the detergent dispenser comprises a drawer received in a drawer housing, whereby the valve body is connected to a receiving body which is provided on the drawer housing. The drawer preferably comprises at least one, most preferably several compartments for receiving laundry treatment products such as detergent, rinsing agent, bleaching agent etc.

Advantageously at least one outlet of the inlet water unit is respectively connected to a channel of the receiving body by a sealing element.

The sealing element is preferably respectively built as a gasket. It is preferably made of rubber.

In a preferred embodiment, the receiving body is integrated with the drawer housing. The inlet water unit is preferably connected to the receiving body by a screw connection. Alternatively or additionally, the connection can also by realized by gluing and/or a snap connection.

Preferably, the drawer comprises at least one detergent compartment and the drawer housing is being associated with a flushing device, whereby the flushing device comprises at least one channel communicating with the drawer compartment and a channel in the receiving body.

Each channel of the receiving body preferably comprises an inlet horizontal channel communicating with a respective outlet vertically/inclined disposed to communicate with the flushing device. This configuration allows the design of a compact valve also along the depth direction of the drawer viewed from the front side of the machine, because the water channels are developed along the vertical direction too.

Advantageously, the flushing device in a mounted state of the appliance is arranged at least partially on top of the drawer housing. In this way, a compact design is achieved and the respective length of the channels of the flushing device and be realized comparatively small.

Preferably the valve body is configured to receive at least one valve actuator for selectively putting in fluid communication, i.e. providing a fluid connection of, the respective at least one inlet with at least one outlet.

Preferably, at least one valve actuator is built as a solenoid valve. Most preferably, each valve actuator is built as a solenoid valve.

In a preferred embodiment, for each of the outlets, a solenoid valve is provided for opening and closing the outlet. In other words, for each outlet, a solenoid valve is arranged for allowing or preventing water flow through the outlet.

Preferably, each of the at least two rows comprises at least two outlets.

Preferably, a first row comprises three outlets, whereby a second row comprises two outlets.

Preferably, valve actuators provided for connecting at least one inlet with outlets of the second row are arranged closer to the at least one inlet than valve actuators provided for connecting at least one inlet with outlets with the first row.

Preferably, in a mounted state, the first row is arranged on a higher elevation compared to the second row.

In a preferred embodiment, the detergent dispenser comprises at least two crossing channels configured for crossing of water streams, and whereby said crossing channels are fluidly connected to outlets of said inlet water unit which are arranged in the same row.

The invention also relates to a household appliance comprising a casing, a washing tub for receiving laundry, a detergent dispenser to convey detergent/treating agents to the washing tub, a receiving body with a plurality of inlets which is configured for fluid connection to an inlet water unit which comprises a valve body comprising at least one inlet configured to connect to a water supply and comprising a plurality of outlets for connection to the detergent dispenser and/or the tub, whereby the inlets of the receiving body are arranged in at least two rows.

The advantages of the invention are especially as follows. The arrangement of outlets of the inlet water unit in several rows allows realizing a compact unit which can be manufactured with a reduced material need, thereby at the same time saving installation space and manufacturing cost.

Identical parts are labelled by the same reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

InFIGS. 1 and 2, a household appliance2is shown which is built as a front-loading washing machine and comprises housing or casing6with a preferable parallelepiped shape, the casing6comprising a front wall10, two side walls14, a cover plate20and a rear wall22. Front wall10and side walls14are preferably part of a cabinet. A front door24is provided which can be opened for loading or unloading laundry through an opening28into a washing drum and which can be closed. Door24can be preferably operated, especially opened and closed, by a handle26.

Advantageously a washing tub8is contained within casing6, whereby a rotatable and perforated drum is contained by the washing tub8. Both washing tub8and drum have a preferable substantially cylindrical shape. Advantageously the tub is suspended in a floating manner inside casing6by means of a number of coil springs and shock absorbers. The drum is rotated by an electric motor, which transmits the rotating motion of a motor shaft to the drum by a belt/pulley system. In a different embodiment of the invention, the motor can be directly associated with the shaft of the drum. The tub is preferable connected to casing6by means of an elastic bellows or gasket. The tub preferably comprises two complementary hem i-shells structured for being reciprocally coupled to form tub. Alternatively, the household appliance can be a combined washer and dryer.

The preferred washing machine shown inFIGS. 1 and 2on a front panel40comprises a drawer42with a front plate34and a handle36for pulling out and pushing back the drawer42. Drawer42comprises at least one compartment for receiving detergent or washing additives.

Adjacent to drawer42, preferably a rotatable or rotary knob38is arranged for selecting a laundry treatment program and/or at least one parameter of a laundry treatment program. Preferably, knob38has also a push-functionality and can be pressed for selected and/or confirmation of selected options. Knob38is preferably provided on a control panel62which can provide further indicating and/or control elements. Knob38is preferably arranged on front panel40adjacent to drawer42. On control panel62, preferably a touch display is arranged. Household appliance2preferably comprises an ON/OFF button for switching on or off the machine. A service door (not shown) is preferably arranged on front wall10which can be opened to access a filter unit.

A drain pipe50is fluidly connected to tub8and to rear wall22for transporting liquid to the outside of appliance2. A flushing device60is arranged on top of a detergent dispenser in which drawer34can be inserted. An inlet water unit66is via two pipes70,72connected to entrances on rear wall22for connection with water mains/an external water supply. An overflow channel74is provided to allow water flow from the flushing device60(in case of sudden overflow, i.e. valve damages) to the bottom side of the washing machine.

InFIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the flushing device60is shown which is mounted on top of a detergent dispenser80. As known, the flushing device60comprises several channels configured to allow the water coming from the inlet valve unit to selectively flow toward the detergent/additives/agents compartments provided on the drawer34. A receiving body82is provided which preferably is built in an integrated way with the detergent dispenser80/flushing device60. Preferably, receiving body82and detergent dispenser60are built of the same material in a common manufacturing process. The receiving body82which preferably is built as a block comprises a plurality of inlets88which are preferably connected to channels. In a mounted state, each of these inlets88is respectively connected to an outlet of inlet water unit66. The respective connection is preferably sealed by a respective sealing element84which is advantageously built as a gasket. Preferably, inlet water unit66is attached to receiving body82with a screw connection, especially by four screws86. Inlet water unit66preferably comprises two inlet ports130,132for fluidly connecting to an external water supply, whereby in a mounted state inlet port130connects to pipe70(preferably connected to the hot water mains) and inlet port132connects to pipe72(preferably connected to the cold water mains). Also seen inFIG. 3is the drawer housing78.

The inlet water unit66shown in a perspective view inFIG. 6comprises five outlets100,104,108,112,116which in the mounted state are received by the corresponding inlets88of receiving body82. The outlets100,104,108,112,116are arranged in two rows120,124. In a first row, two outlets100,104are arranged. In a second row124, three outlets108,112,116are arranged. The row120defines a first plane and the row124defines a second plane. In the first plane, the two outlets100,104are arranged and in the second plane, the three outlets108,112,116are arranged. This means that the axial outlets at least partially lie in a common plane. This arrangement of the outlets100-116allows providing a compact design of the inlet water unit66which requires only a considerably small installation space within casing6. Additionally, the inlet water unit66can be manufactured in a single manufacturing process, especially by molding. Since it provides a compact design, the amount of needed material can be considerably reduced compared common designs. Inlet water unit66therefore essentially consists of a body140which preferably is built by injection molding. Each outlet100,104,108,112,116at an end comprises an outlet port100a,104a,108a,112a,116afor connection with the receiving body82. The corresponding outlet port100a-116atherefore is essentially an end portion of the respective outlet100-116.

Inlet water unit66comprises a valve body144which is part of the body140and comprises several valve seats150,154,158,162,166. In each of these valve seats, a valve actuator302,303,304,305,306(compare withFIGS. 12, 13, 14) is received for controlling flow of liquid though the corresponding outlet100-116. Preferably, each valve actuator302,303,304,305,306comprises a movable body able to open/close the passage between an inlet and an outlet, as below described, though its sliding between the open and the closed position; these positions are preferable assured by a solenoid bobbin associated to a respective movable body, so that though an electric signal/supply said bobbin provides to switch the movable body from an open to a closed position or vice versa. The inlet water unit66is show inFIG. 6in its position and orientation when it is mounted in household appliance2and connected to receiving body82. The row120is preferably located at a lower elevation than the row124, see alsoFIG. 12.

InFIG. 7, the bottom view of the inlet water unit66is depicted; in this view some protuberances108,112,200,116from the valve body144are visible; said protuberances correspond to the channels connecting the inlets130,132with the outlets100,104,108,112,116; according to the preferred embodiment shown inFIGS. 7 and 8the inlet130, in which the pipe70is connected, communicate with the valve actuator seat158and then with the pipe108and the outlet port108a; this means that if the valve actuator opens said passage, preferably though the switch of the bobbin of valve actuator302associated with the valve actuator seat158, the water flows from the pipe70to the outlet port108a; also according to the preferred embodiment shown inFIGS. 7 and 8the inlet132, in which the pipe72is connected, communicate with the valve actuator seats150,162,154,166; as shown inFIG. 13, when the water reaches the actuator seats150, if the respective actuator (through the bobbin306) open the passage, the water flows from the inlet132to the outlet port112a; at the same way, when the water reaches the actuator seats162, if the respective actuator (through the bobbin303) open the passage, the water flows from the inlet132to the outlet port100a.

As shown inFIG. 14, when the water reaches the actuator seats154, if the respective actuator (through the bobbin305) open the passage, the water flows from the inlet132to the outlet port116a; at the same way, when the water reaches the actuator seats166, if the respective actuator (through the bobbin304) open the passage, the water flows from the inlet132to the outlet port104a.

InFIG. 8, inlet water unit66is show in a top view with some components removed. As can be inferred from this FIG. the outlets108,112,116are arranged parallel to each other in a plane. Also outlets100,104are arranged in a common plane. Valve seats166and154are arranged in a line and parallel to an axis defined by the axial direction of, respectively, outlets116and104. Valve seats162and150are arranged in a line and parallel to an axis or axial direction defined by outlet112or100. While two groups of outlets are arranged in two rows120,124which in the mounted state lie at different elevations, i.e. they are arranged in different heights or vertical positions, the valve seats150,154are arranged in a first row232and the valve seats158,162,166are arranged in a second row234. Rows232and234in the mounted state are arranged in the same horizontal plane. In this way, a very compact design of inlet water unit66can be realized.

InFIG. 9, receiving body82is shown in a frontal view with some components removed. Receiving body82comprises preferably four connecting elements252which respectively are built to receive a screw86(seeFIG. 5) and therefore they could comprise an inner thread. Inlet water unit66preferably comprises corresponding connection elements300(seeFIG. 12) with openings through which the respective screw86can be lead. Receiving body82comprises channels of which channels260,262,264are visible which lead from the corresponding inlet881,882,883,884,885to a top side270where they are built to fluidly connect with channels in the flushing device60.

In the preferred embodiment in which the inlet water unit66is configured as shown inFIGS. 6-8 and 12-14, when the inlet water unit66is connected with the receiving body82, the outlet port116ais connected with the inlet881and the channel260(compare withFIG. 10), the outlet port104ais connected with the inlet882and the channels266and268(compare withFIG. 10), the outlet port112ais connected with the inlet883and the channel262(compare withFIG. 11), the outlet port100ais connected with the inlet885and the channels290and291(compare withFIG. 11), whereas the outlet port108ais connected with the inlet884and the channel264; preferably, all connections between the inlet ports116a,104a,112a,110aand108aare respectively connected to the respective inlets881,882,883,885and884in a water-tight manner, preferable through the gaskets84

As can be seen inFIG. 10, which shows a cut along the line A-A inFIG. 9, the channel260preferably directly connects to inlet881. Another channel272preferably has two channel sections266,268which are fluidly connected with each other and are preferably arranged perpendicular to each other and preferably are built in one piece. The channel section266arranged directly adjacent to inlet882preferably runs parallel to top side270and the channel section268preferably runs perpendicular to channel section266and perpendicular to top side270. Channel260and channel section268are preferably arranged perpendicular to each other. This alignment and arrangement of channels leads to a very compact design of receiving body82. As can be seen inFIG. 11, which shows a cut throughFIG. 9along line B-B, channel262and a channel291are preferably arranged in a similar manner as channels260and272as shown inFIG. 11

InFIG. 12, the inlet water unit82is shown in a frontal view. In each valve seat of inlet water unit66(shown are valve seats158,150,154), a valve actuator302is inserted which respectively is preferably built as a solenoid valve.FIGS. 13 and 14show inlet water units along cuts D-D and E-E, respectively. Shown are also electrical connectors322to the bobbins of the valve actuators.

As can be seen in theFIG. 12, the outlet ports100a,104a,108a,112a,116are arranged in two rows120,124. In a first row, the outlet ports100a,104aare arranged. In a second row124, the outlet ports108a,112a,116aare arranged. The row120defines a first plane and the row124defines a second plane. The expression that several outlets/outlet ports are arranged in the same row or plane in this context means that the centers of a group of outlets, especially the centers of a group (at least two) of the axial outlet ports100a,104,108a,112a,116a, are aligned each other along a ideal straight line.

The configuration/spatial orientation of the inlet water unit66shown inFIG. 12corresponds to its mounting position in which the row120is arranged below row124in vertical direction.

InFIG. 15, a section through the flushing device60is shown in a manner to partially show the water channels330,332,334,336,338. Flushing device60comprises several channels330,332,334,336,338which connect channels of the receiving body82with compartments of detergent dispenser80or allow a flow of water directly into the tub8. According to the preferred embodiment shown in the FIGs, the channel260is connected to the flushing channel332through the aperture3321(seeFIGS. 10 and 17), the channel272is connected to the flushing channel338through the aperture3381(seeFIGS. 10 and 17), the channel262is connected to the flushing channel334through the aperture3341(seeFIG. 11), the channel291is connected to the flushing channel336through the aperture3361(seeFIG. 11), and the channel264is connected to the flushing channel330through the aperture3301(seeFIG. 9).

Preferably, the flushing channels336and338are configured to be two crossing channels for crossing water streams when the water flows to said channels contemporaneously. According to the shown and above described embodiment, the channel336is connected to the channel291(through the aperture3361), that is connected to the inlet885of the receiving body that in its mounting position is connected with the outlet port100aof the inlet water unit66; accordingly, the channel338is connected to the channel272(through the aperture3381), that is connected to the inlet882of the receiving body that in its mounting position is connected with the outlet port104aof the inlet water unit66; consequently, according a preferred embodiment the two crossing channels336,338are fluidly connected to the outlets100a,104aof said inlet water unit (66) which are arranged in the same row120(seeFIG. 12).

FIGS. 16 and 17shows inlet water unit66mounted on receiving body82. The respective outlets ports (visible inFIG. 17are outlet ports104aand116a) are connected to respective channels of receiving body82(visible are channels260,272) with gaskets84(seeFIG. 5).

Also according to the preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 18, the inlet132, in which the pipe connected to the cold water mains is preferably assembled, communicate with the valve actuator seats150,162,166so that when the water reaches the actuator seats150,162,166, the water flows to the respective outlet port.

The invention thus conceived can be subjected to numerous modifications and variants all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

For example, inFIG. 18is disclosed the a bottom view of the inlet water unit66according to an alternative embodiment. In this view, some protuberances108,112,116,200,202from the valve body144are visible; these protuberances correspond to the channels connecting the inlets130,132(connected to the pipe connected to the cold water mains) with the outlets of the valve body; according to the preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 18the inlet130, in which the pipe connected to the hot water mains is preferably assembled, communicate with the valve actuator seats158and159so that when the respective valve actuator opens said passage, preferably through the switch of the bobbin associated with the valve actuator seat158and159, the water flows to the respective outlet port.

In addition, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the shapes and contingent dimensions, may vary depending on the requirements without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.