Laundry washing machine comprising a water softening device and a local electronic control unit

A laundry washing machine having a washing tub, a rotatable drum, a detergent dispenser, a fresh-water supply circuit, a water softening device, a brine reservoir, and a pump assembly to move the brine from the brine reservoir to the water softening device for regenerating the same. The machine also has a water distributor module having: a manifold body having a water inlet and a number of water outlets; an electrically-operated, internal water channelling means are at least partially located inside the manifold body and are structured to selectively put the water inlet of the manifold body in fluid communication with any one of the water outlets of the same manifold body; and a local electronic control unit which is accommodated in a corresponding seat formed on the manifold body and moreover powers and/or controls both the pump assembly and the electrically-operated, internal water channeling means.

The present invention relates to a laundry washing machine.

More in particular, the present invention relates to a front-loading home laundry washing machine, to which the following description refers purely by way of example without this implying any loss of generality.

As is known, a front-loading home laundry washing machine generally comprises: a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer boxlike casing structured for resting on the floor; a substantially horizontally-oriented and approximately cylindrical washing tub which is usually suspended in floating manner inside the casing, with the front mouth directly facing a laundry loading/unloading through opening realized in the front wall of the casing; a substantially cylindrical, cup-shaped rotatable drum structured for housing the laundry to be washed, and which is fitted inside the washing tub with the concavity facing the laundry loading/unloading opening, and is supported by the washing tub in axially rotatable manner so as to be able to freely rotate inside the washing tub about its substantially horizontally-oriented, longitudinal axis; a substantially cylindrical, elastically-deformable bellows which watertight connects the front mouth of the washing tub to the laundry loading/unloading opening formed in the front wall of the casing; a porthole door which is hinged to the front wall of the casing to rotate to and from a closing position in which the door closes the laundry loading/unloading opening in the front wall of the casing for watertight sealing the washing tub; and an electrically-powered motor assembly which is structured for driving into rotation the rotatable drum about its longitudinal axis inside the washing tub.

This type of laundry washing machine furthermore comprises: a detergent dispenser which is located inside the boxlike casing, immediately above the washing tub, and is structured for selectively feeding into the washing tub, according to the washing cycle manually-selected by the user, a given amount of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent suitably mixed with fresh water arriving from the water mains; a fresh-water supply circuit which is structured for selectively drawing fresh water from the water mains according to the washing cycle manually-selected by the user, and channelling said fresh water to the detergent dispenser or directly to the washing tub; and finally an appliance control panel which is generally located on the front wall of the casing, above the laundry loading/unloading opening, and is structured for allowing the user to manually select the desired washing-cycle.

In addition to the above, high-end front-loading laundry washing machines may optionally have an internal water softening device which is located along the fresh-water supply circuit, and is structured to selectively reduce the hardness degree of the tap water channelled towards the detergent dispenser and the washing tub. The use of softened water during the washing cycle, in fact, significantly improves cleaning performances.

More in detail, the water softening device is generally internally provided with a given amount of ion-exchange resins which are capable of retaining the calcium and magnesium ions (Ca++ and Mg++) dissolved in the water flowing through the same water softening device, so as to reduce the hardness degree of the tap water directed towards the detergent dispenser and the washing tub.

In addition to the above, since the water softening capabilities of the ion-exchange resins are used to quickly drop away after a limited number of washing cycles, the laundry washing machines referred above are generally provided with an internal reservoir of salt (NaCl) to be used for selectively producing some brine (i.e. salt water) which is periodically channeled into the water softening device to regenerate the ion-exchange resins located therein. Salt water, in fact, is able to remove from the ion-exchange resins the calcium and magnesium ions previously combined/fixed to said resins.

More in detail, in these laundry washing machines the salt to be used in the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins is generally stowed into a large basin-shaped, regeneration-agent compartment formed in the detergent drawer of detergent dispenser, beside the traditional basin-shaped, detergent compartments. The drawer flush circuit of the detergent dispenser is capable of selectively and alternatively channelling the fresh water arriving from the fresh-water supply circuit either into the regeneration-agent compartment to form some brine (i.e. salt water) that accumulates into a basin-shaped bottom portion of the drawer housing, or into any one of the detergent compartments to flush the detergent therein directly into the washing tub.

A small electric pump is finally used for transferring the brine from the basin-shaped, bottom portion of drawer housing to the water softening device.

Unfortunately integration of the water softening device into the laundry washing machine makes the electric circuit of the household appliance much more complicated, with the drawbacks that this entails.

Aim of the present invention is to simplify the structure of the electric circuit of the laundry washing machines having an internal water softening device.

In compliance with the above aims, according to the present invention there is provided a laundry washing machine having an outer casing and comprising, inside said outer casing: a washing tub; a rotatable drum which is housed in axially rotatable manner inside the washing tub and is structured for housing the laundry to be washed; a detergent dispenser which is structured for supplying detergent into the washing tub; a fresh-water supply circuit which is structured for selectively channelling a flow of fresh water from the water mains towards the detergent dispenser and/or the washing tub; an internal water softening device which is connected to said detergent dispenser and/or said fresh-water supply circuit for being crossed by the fresh water directed towards the detergent dispenser and/or the washing tub, and is filled with a water softening agent capable of reducing the hardness degree of said fresh water;

the laundry washing machine being characterized by additionally comprising a brine reservoir for receiving and accumulating a given amount of brine; a pump assembly capable of selectively moving the brine from said brine reservoir to said water softening device for regenerating the water softening properties of said water softening agent; and a water distributor module for supplying water to said detergent dispenser;

said water distributor module in turn comprising: a manifold body having a water inlet and a number of water outlets; electrically-operated, internal water channelling means which are at least partially located inside the manifold body, and are structured to selectively put the water inlet of the manifold body in fluid communication with any one of the water outlets of the same manifold body; and a local electronic control unit which is accommodated in a corresponding seat formed on said manifold body and moreover powers and/or controls both said pump assembly and said electrically-operated, internal water channeling means.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that the water inlet of said water distributor module fluidically communicates with said fresh-water supply circuit and/or said water softening device for receiving unsoftened and/or softened fresh water.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that one or more of the water outlets of the water distributor module fluidically communicate with said detergent dispenser.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized by additionally comprising a regeneration-agent reservoir structured for being manually fillable with a given amount of consumable salt or other regeneration agent, and a first water-supply line which is structured for selectively channelling a flow of water into said regeneration-agent reservoir so as to form brine; said brine reservoir being fluidically connected to said regeneration-agent reservoir for receiving and accumulating the brine arriving from said regeneration-agent reservoir.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that a water outlet of the water distributor module fluidically communicates with said first water-supply line.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that a water outlet of the water distributor module fluidically communicates with said brine reservoir.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized by additionally comprising a detector assembly which is associated to the brine reservoir, and is capable of monitoring the salinity degree of the brine stored into the brine reservoir and/or the level of the water or brine stored inside brine reservoir; the local electronic control unit electronically communicating with said detector assembly.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that said detector assembly is capable of detecting whether the salinity degree of the brine stored into the brine reservoir exceeds a predetermined minimum salinity value sufficient to successfully perform the regeneration process of the water softening agent contained into the water softening device.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that said detector assembly is capable of detecting whether the amount of brine contained into the brine reservoir is sufficient to successfully perform the regeneration process of the water softening agent contained into the water softening device.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that said electrically-operated, internal water channelling means comprise: a flow diverter which is fitted movable manner inside the manifold body of said water distributor module, and is capable of channeling, according to its position inside the manifold body, the water entering into the manifold body via the water inlet towards any one of the water outlets of the same manifold body; and an electrically-powered motor assembly which is fixed to the manifold body of said water distributor module, and is mechanically connected to the flow diverter for controlling the position of the flow diverter inside said manifold body.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that said flow diverter is fitted in rotatable manner inside the manifold body of said water distributor module, and is capable of channeling, according to its angular position inside the manifold body, the water entering into the manifold body via the water inlet towards any one of the water outlets of the same manifold body; the electrically-powered motor assembly, being able to control the angular position of the flow diverter inside said manifold body.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that the manifold body of the water distributor module comprises a first inner compartment or seat accommodating the flow diverter, a second compartment or seat accommodating the electrically-powered motor assembly, and a third inner compartment or seat accommodating said local electronic control unit.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that said detergent dispenser comprises: a first drawer which is provided with one or more substantially basin-shaped, detergent compartments structured for being manually finable with a given amount of detergent, softener or other washing agent, and which is fitted/inserted in extractable manner into a corresponding drawer housing recessed into the outer casing; and a drawer flush circuit which is fluidically connected to the fresh-water supply circuit and/or the water softening device via said water distributor module, and is structured for pouring the water arriving from said fresh-water supply circuit or said water softening device into any one of said detergent compartments.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that said drawer flush circuit comprises a water conveyor which forms the upper lid of the drawer housing of the first drawer, so as to be located above the first drawer when said first drawer is inserted/recessed into the drawer housing, and is provided with a number of first water-delivery portions each of which is vertically aligned to a respective detergent compartment and is structured to allow the outflow of the water from the water conveyor towards the beneath-located detergent compartment; and in that said water distributor module is associated to said water conveyor so that a number of the water outlets of said water distributor module fluidically communicate with corresponding first water-delivery portions of said water conveyor.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that said regeneration-agent reservoir is a substantially basin-shaped, regeneration-agent compartment which is located on said first drawer beside the one or more detergent compartments.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized by additionally comprising a second drawer which is fitted/inserted in extractable manner into a corresponding drawer housing recessed into the outer casing, beside the first drawer, and which is provided with a substantially basin-shaped, regeneration-agent compartment forming said regeneration-agent reservoir.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that the water conveyor is additionally provided with a second water-delivery portion which is locally aligned to the regeneration-agent compartment of said first or second drawer; and in that a water outlet of said water distributor module fluidically communicates with said second water-delivery portion.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that said brine reservoir is a discrete brine tank which is located underneath the drawer housing of said first or of said second drawer and which fluidically communicates with said drawer housing for receiving the brine coming out from the regeneration-agent compartment of said first or said second drawer.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that the detergent dispenser, the water softening device, the regeneration-agent reservoir, the brine reservoir, the pump assembly and the local electronic control unit altogether form an intermediate modular assembly structured to be fitted into the outer casing.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized by additionally comprising an auxiliary water-supply line which is structured for selectively channelling a flow of fresh water into said brine reservoir bypassing said regeneration-agent reservoir; the local electronic control unit directly controlling also said auxiliary water-supply line.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that the water conveyor of the drawer flush circuit is additionally provided with a third water-delivery portion which is structured to allow the outflow of the water from the water conveyor towards the brine reservoir bypassing the regeneration-agent compartment; and in that a water outlet of said water distributor module fluidically communicates with said water-delivery portion.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized by additionally comprising a main electronic control unit which is adapted to implement a washing cycle selected by the user and which electronically communicates with the local electronic control unit so that the pump assembly and the internal water channeling means are driven according to the signals arriving from said main electronic control unit; said main electronic control unit being located on a supporting structure which is different and discrete from the manifold body of the water distributor module.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that water softening device contains a given amount of ion-exchange resins capable of retaining the calcium and magnesium ions dissolved in the water that flows through the same water softening device.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the laundry washing machine is furthermore characterized in that said regeneration-agent reservoir is dimensioned to accommodate an amount of consumable salt or other regeneration agent sufficient for performing one or more regeneration processes of water softening capabilities of the water softening agent contained into the water softening device.

With reference toFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, reference number1indicates as a whole a laundry washing machine1which preferably basically comprises: a preferably substantially parallelepiped-shaped, outer boxlike casing2structured for resting on the floor; a preferably substantially horizontally-oriented, approximately cylindrical washing tub3which is arranged inside the casing2with the mouth directly facing a laundry loading/unloading pass-through opening realized in the front wall4of the outer casing2; a substantially cylindrical, cup-shaped rotatable drum (not shown) which is structured for housing the laundry to be washed, and is fitted in axially rotatable manner inside the washing tub3with the concavity facing the front opening or mouth of washing tub3, so as to be able to freely rotate about its longitudinal axis inside the washing tub3; a porthole door5which is hinged to the front wall4of casing2so as to be movable to and from a closing position in which the door5closes the laundry loading/unloading opening on front wall4for watertight sealing the washing tub4; and an electrically-powered motor assembly6which is structured for driving into rotation the rotatable drum (not shown) about its longitudinal axis inside the washing tub3.

In the example shown, in particular, the rotatable drum (not shown) of laundry washing machine1is preferably arranged inside the washing tub3with the drum rotation axis locally substantially coaxial to the longitudinal axis of washing tub3, i.e. oriented substantially horizontally, and with the circular front opening or mouth of the drum directly aligned and faced to the circular front opening or mouth of washing tub3, so as to receive the laundry to be washed through the laundry loading/unloading opening realized on front wall4.

The washing tub3, in turn, is preferably suspended in floating manner inside the casing2via a suspension system that preferably, though not necessarily, comprises at least one, and preferably a couple of upper coil springs7connecting the upper portion of washing tub3to the top of casing2, and preferably at least one, and preferably a couple of vibration dampers8connecting the bottom portion of washing tub3to the bottom of casing2. Moreover the laundry washing machine1is preferably provided with a substantially cylindrical elastically-deformable bellows (not shown) which watertight connects the front mouth of washing tub3to the laundry loading/unloading opening realized on front wall4of casing2.

With reference toFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the laundry washing machine1furthermore comprises: a detergent dispenser10which is located inside the casing2preferably above the washing tub3and preferably, though not necessarily, immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall11of casing2, and is structured for selectively feeding into the washing tub3, according to the washing cycle manually-selected by the user, a given amount of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent suitably mixed with fresh water; a main fresh-water supply circuit12which is connectable directly to the water mains, and is structured for selectively channelling, according to the washing cycle manually-selected by the user, a flow of fresh water from the water mains to the detergent dispenser10or directly to the washing tub3; and an internal water softening device13which is located inside the boxlike casing2, along the fresh-water supply circuit12or along the detergent dispenser10, and is structured for selectively reducing, during each washing cycle, the hardness degree of the tap water that fresh-water supply circuit12channels towards detergent dispenser10or washing tub3.

More in detail, the water softening device13basically consists in a closed container which has a water inlet and a water outlet fluidically connected to the fresh-water supply circuit12and/or the detergent dispenser10so as to be crossed by the tap water directed towards the washing tub3, and which is furthermore filled with a given amount of ion-exchange resins capable of retaining the calcium and magnesium ions (Ca++ and Mg++) dissolved in the water flowing through the same container, so as to reduce the hardness degree of the tap water directed towards the washing tub3.

In the example shown, in particular, the water softening device13is preferably located inside the boxlike casing2adjoined to the detergent dispenser10, and is preferably fluidically connected directly to detergent dispenser10so as to be crossed by the fresh water flowing along the detergent dispenser10towards the washing tub3.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 3, in addition to the above, the laundry washing machine1furthermore comprises: a main electronic control unit14which controls the motor assembly6, the detergent dispenser10and the fresh-water supply circuit12so as to perform the washing cycle currently selected by the user; and preferably also an appliance control panel15which electronically communicates with control unit14and is structured to allow the user to manually select the desired washing cycle among a number of available washing cycles.

The main electronic control unit14is located inside the casing2, preferably, though not necessarily, adjacent to a side wall of the casing2and preferably, though not necessarily, immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall11. The appliance control panel15, in turn, is preferably located on front wall4of casing2, above the laundry loading/unloading opening and preferably also immediately beneath the upper worktop or top wall11of casing2.

With reference toFIGS. 3-8, detergent dispenser10in turn basically comprises: a detergent drawer16which is provided with one or more substantially basin-shaped, detergent compartments17(three detergent compartments17in the example shown) each structured for being manually tillable with a given amount of detergent, softener or other washing agent, and which is fitted/inserted in manually extractable manner into a corresponding preferably substantially basin-shaped, drawer housing18which, in turn, is located/recessed inside the casing2above washing tub3, and whose entrance is preferably located on front wall4of casing2, above the laundry loading/unloading opening realized on the same front wall4; and a drawer flush circuit19which is structured for receiving the fresh water of the water mains from the water softening device13and/or from the fresh-water supply circuit12, and for selectively channelling/pouring, when the detergent drawer16is completely fitted/inserted into drawer housing18, said fresh water into any one of the detergent compartments17of detergent drawer16, so as to selectively flush the detergent, softener or other washing agent out of the same detergent compartment17and down onto the bottom of drawer housing18.

In addition to the above, the laundry washing machine1moreover comprises an electrically-operated, water distributor module20which is interposed between the detergent dispenser10, or better the drawer flush circuit19of detergent dispenser10, and the water softening device13and/or the fresh-water supply circuit12. The water distributor module20is controlled by the main electronic control unit14, and is structured for selectively supplying the fresh water of the water mains to the drawer flush circuit19of the detergent dispenser10.

More in detail, the water distributor module20is preferably interposed between the drawer flush circuit19of detergent dispenser10and both the internal water softening device13and the fresh-water supply circuit12, thus to be able to selectively supply to the drawer flush circuit19of the detergent dispenser10a flow of softened or unsoftened fresh water.

With reference toFIGS. 3, 4 and 6, in the example shown, in particular, the detergent drawer16is preferably movable inside the drawer housing18parallel to the substantially horizontally-oriented, longitudinal axis L of same drawer housing18between:a retracted position (seeFIG. 2) in which detergent drawer16is completely fitted/inserted into drawer housing18, so as to be almost completely recessed into the front wall4of casing2; anda completely extracted position (seeFIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6) in which detergent drawer16partly juts out from the front wall4of casing2, so as to expose the one or more detergent compartments17at once.

In other words, detergent drawer16is movable inside the drawer housing18in a substantially horizontally-oriented, displacement direction d which is locally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of both drawer housing18and detergent drawer16, between:a retracted position (seeFIG. 2) in which detergent drawer16is almost completely recessed into the front wall4of casing2and the one or more detergent compartments17of detergent drawer16are inaccessible to the user; anda completely extracted position (seeFIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6) in which detergent drawer16partly juts out from the front wall4of casing2, so that all detergent compartments17of detergent drawer16are fully accessible to the user at same time.

In the example shown, furthermore, the entrance of drawer housing18is preferably located on front wall4of casing2, immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall11of casing2and substantially horizontally aligned beside the appliance control panel15. Moreover the longitudinal axis L of both detergent drawer16and drawer housing18, and as a consequence the displacement direction d of detergent drawer16, are preferably locally substantially perpendicular to front wall4of casing2.

Preferably each detergent compartment17is additionally dimensioned to contain a given amount of detergent, softener or other washing agent sufficient for performing only a single washing cycle.

In addition to the above, the detergent drawer16preferably has, inside each detergent compartment17, a siphon assembly suitably structured/dimensioned to selectively channel the mixture of water and detergent, softener or other washing agent formed inside the detergent compartment17out of the same detergent compartment17and down onto the bottom of drawer housing18.

As an alternative to the siphon assembly, detergent drawer16may have, on the bottom of the detergent compartment17, a large pass-through opening which is suitably shaped/dimensioned to allow the mixture of water and detergent, softener or other washing agent formed inside the same detergent compartment17to freely fall on the bottom of drawer housing18.

Preferably the drawer flush circuit19, in turn, is structured for directly pouring, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, a shower of water droplets by gravity selectively and alternatively into any one of the detergent compartments17of detergent drawer16, so as to selectively flush the detergent, softener or other washing agent out of the same detergent compartment17and down onto the bottom of drawer housing18.

In addition to the above, with reference toFIGS. 3 to 8, detergent drawer16is preferably furthermore provided with a substantially basin-shaped, regeneration-agent compartment21which is located beside the one or more detergent compartments17, and is structured for being manually tillable with a given quantity of salt grains (NaCl) or other regeneration agent suitable to be used in the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins of the water softening device13.

More in details, the regeneration-agent compartment21, i.e. the regeneration-agent reservoir, is preferably arranged, on detergent drawer16, beside the one or more detergent compartments17transversally to the displacement direction d of detergent drawer16, so that both detergent compartment/s17and regeneration-agent compartment21are allowed to almost contemporaneously come out from the front wall4of casing2when detergent drawer16moves from the retracted position to the extracted position.

Detergent drawer16is therefore movable inside drawer housing18in the substantially horizontally-oriented, displacement direction d between:a retracted position (seeFIG. 2) in which detergent drawer16is completely recessed into the front wall4of casing2, so that both the detergent compartment/s17and the regeneration-agent compartment21are inaccessible to the user; anda completely extracted position (seeFIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6) in which detergent drawer16partly juts out from the front wall4of casing2, so that both the detergent compartment/s17and the regeneration-agent compartment21are simultaneously fully exposed and accessible to the user.

Preferably the regeneration-agent compartment21is moreover dimensioned to accommodate/contain an amount of consumable salt grains (NaCl) or other regeneration agent sufficient for performing a plurality of regeneration processes of the ion-exchange resins of the water softening device11.

With reference toFIG. 8, in addition to the above the detergent drawer16preferably has, on the bottom of regeneration-agent compartment21, a large pass-through draining opening22which is suitably shaped/dimensioned to allow the brine (i.e. the salt water) formed inside the regeneration-agent compartment21to freely fall on the bottom of drawer housing18.

The drawer flush circuit19, in turn, is preferably structured for separately channelling, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, the fresh water of the water mains also into the regeneration-agent compartment21, so as to dissolve some of the salt grains contained into the regeneration-agent compartment21and form some brine (i.e. salt water).

In other words, drawer flush circuit19is preferably structured for selectively and separately pouring/channeling, when the detergent drawer16is completely fitted/inserted into drawer housing18, the fresh water arriving from the water mains into any one of the detergent compartments17and also into the regeneration-agent compartment21.

In case of detergent compartment/s17, the poured fresh water serves to selectively flush the contents of the detergent compartment17out of the same compartment17and down on the bottom of drawer housing18via the corresponding siphon assembly. In case of regeneration-agent compartment21, the poured fresh water serves to dissolve some salt grains contained into the regeneration-agent compartment21to form the brine the salt water) that falls on the bottom of drawer housing18via draining opening22.

With reference toFIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8, in the example shown, in particular, detergent drawer16preferably comprises: a drawer main body23which is preferably made in a one piece construction, and is fitted/inserted in axially sliding manner into the drawer housing18; and a manually-sizable front panel24which is arranged/located on a front side of the drawer main body23, so as to close the entrance of drawer housing18when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position (seeFIG. 2). The one or more basin-shaped detergent compartments17and the basin-shaped regeneration-agent compartment21are formed directly on the drawer main body23one side by side the other.

With reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, the detergent drawer16is preferably additionally provided with a preferably manually-removable, water-permeable partitioning septum25which extends inside the regeneration-agent compartment21immediately above the bottom of regeneration-agent compartment21and its large pass-through opening22, and has a water-permeable structure designed for preventing the grains of consumable salt to come out of the regeneration-agent compartment21via the draining opening22and, at same time, for allowing the brine to trickle onto the bottom of the regeneration-agent compartment21and then freely flow by gravity towards the draining opening22.

Preferably the partitioning septum25furthermore has a water-permeable structure suitably designed to slow down the outflow of the brine from the regeneration-agent compartment21via draining opening22thus to cause a temporarily stagnation of the water poured into the regeneration-agent compartment21, above the same partitioning septum25

In other words, the water-permeable partitioning septum25is arranged above the draining opening22so as to completely cover the latter, and is preferably structured to allow the passage of the water/brine through the same partitioning septum25with a flowrate which is lower than that of the fresh water channelled/poured into the regeneration-agent compartment21by the drawer flush circuit19, thus to cause the stagnation of the fresh water above the partitioning septum25.

Preferably the water-permeable partitioning septum25furthermore extends inside regeneration-agent compartment21, slightly spaced from, and preferably also locally substantially parallel to, the bottom of regeneration-agent compartment21, so as to form a thin air gap immediately above the bottom of regeneration-agent compartment21.

In the example shown, in particular, the water-permeable partitioning septum25preferably consists in a rigid plate-like element25preferably made of plastic material, which substantially copies the shape of the bottom of regeneration-agent compartment21, and has a microperforated structure which is suitably dimensioned to cause a prolonged stagnation of the water poured into the regeneration-agent compartment21above the partitioning septum25.

More in detail, the central portion of plate-like element25is preferably provided with a plenty of substantially evenly distributed, transversal pass-through microholes or microslots each preferably having a cross-sectional area lower that 3 mm2(square millimetres), so as to allow the flow/passage of the brine/water through the partitioning septum25with a flowrate preferably ranging between 0.4 and 1 litre/min (litre per minute). The flowrate of the fresh water poured into the regeneration-agent compartment21instead preferably ranges between 5 and 8 litre/min (litre per minute).

With reference toFIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7 to 8, the detergent drawer16preferably, though not necessarily, additionally comprises a manually openable, upper lid assembly26which is firmly fitted on the drawer main body23, on top of the regeneration-agent compartment21, and is structured to selectively close the upper mouth of regeneration-agent compartment21, preferably so as to almost completely cover the upper mouth of regeneration-agent compartment21. Furthermore, this upper lid assembly26is additionally structured so as to be able to receive, from the drawer flush circuit19and at least when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, a flow of fresh water and to channel said water into the beneath-located regeneration-agent compartment21, preferably while spreading out the same fresh water inside the regeneration-agent compartment21.

In other words, the upper lid assembly26is preferably provided with a water inlet which is faced to the outside of regeneration-agent compartment21and is structured to allow the fresh water to enter into the same upper lid assembly26, and with one or more water outlets which are faced to the inside of regeneration-agent compartment21, fluidically communicate with said water inlet, and are finally suitably structured to allow the water entered into the upper lid assembly26through the water inlet to come out of the lid assembly26and fall into the regeneration-agent compartment21.

The drawer flush circuit19, in turn, is preferably structured to separately channel, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, a flow of fresh water towards the water inlet of the upper lid assembly26.

In other words, drawer flush circuit19is preferably structured for channeling, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, the fresh water arriving from water distributor module20towards the water inlet of lid assembly26which, in turn, is structured to distribute the fresh water arriving from drawer flush circuit19into the regeneration-agent compartment21, so as to dissolve some of the salt grains (NaCl) contained into the regeneration-agent compartment21and form the brine that falls on the bottom of drawer housing18via opening22.

Drawer flush circuit19is therefore preferably suitably structured for separately channelling, when the detergent drawer16is completely fitted/inserted into drawer housing18, the fresh water arriving from water distributor module20towards any one of the detergent compartments17, and towards the water inlet of the upper lid assembly26.

In addition to the above, in the example shown the water inlet of lid assembly26is preferably furthermore structured to hydraulically couple, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, in a stable, though easy detachable manner, with the drawer flush circuit19for receiving the fresh water of the water mains, and the upper lid assembly26is preferably structured to drip the fresh water into the regeneration-agent compartment21.

With reference toFIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8, in the example shown, in particular, the upper lid assembly26preferably comprises: a plate-like member27which is structured to rigidly fit into the upper rim of regeneration-agent compartment21to substantially completely cover/close the upper mouth of the regeneration-agent compartment21; and a manually-movable trapdoor28which is arranged to close a preferably substantially rectangular-shaped, large pass-through opening which is preferably formed roughly at centre of plate-like member27, and which is preferably suitably shaped/dimensioned to allow the user to easily manually pour the consumable salt (NaCl) or other regeneration agent into the regeneration-agent compartment21.

The plate-like member27preferably has a hollow structure and is preferably provided with a water inlet29which is suitably structured to watertight couple, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, with the drawer flush circuit19thus to allow the fresh water to enter into the plate-like member27; and with one or more water-outlets30which are arranged on the lower face of plate-like member27, preferably all around the central pass-through opening closed by trapdoor28. Each water-outlet30allows the fresh water entered into the plate-like member27to slowly come out of plate-like member27and freely fall into the regeneration-agent compartment21.

Preferably the water-outlets30of plate-like member27are furthermore suitably shaped/structured to pour a shower of water droplets by gravity into the regeneration-agent compartment21.

The manually-movable trapdoor28, in turn, is preferably flag-hinged to plate-like member27at one of the two major sides of central pass-through opening, so as to be able to rotate about a rotation axis locally substantially coplanar to plate-like member27.

Drawer flush circuit19is therefore preferably structured to selectively couple, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, with the water inlet29of plate-like member27, so as to be able to channel the fresh water of the water mains into the plate-like member27of lid assembly26which, in turn, distributes said water into the regeneration-agent compartment21.

With reference toFIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9, in particular the drawer flush circuit19of detergent dispenser10preferably comprises a plate-like water conveyor31which is suitably structured to form the upper lid of the substantially basin-shaped drawer housing18, so as to be located immediately above the detergent drawer16when the latter is placed in the retracted position, i.e. when the latter is completely inserted/recessed into drawer housing18, and is provided with a number of water-delivery portions each suitably structured to allow the outflow of water from plate-like water conveyor31towards the beneath-located detergent drawer16.

The water distributor module20, in turn, is preferably coupled/associated to the plate-like water conveyor31, and is suitably structured to selectively channel the softened fresh water arriving from the water softening device13or the unsoftened fresh water arriving from fresh-water supply circuit12, towards any one of the water-delivery portions of the plate-like water conveyor31.

More in detail, with particular reference toFIG. 9, the plate-like water conveyor31is to provided, on the side directly faced to the inside of drawer housing18, with a group of first water-delivery portions33which are locally substantially vertically aligned, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, each to a respective detergent compartment17of detergent drawer16, and are each suitably structured to allow the slow outflow of the fresh water from the water conveyor31towards the beneath-located detergent compartment17.

In the example shown, in particular, each water-delivery portion33of plate-like water conveyor31is preferably structured to pour by gravity a shower of water droplets directly into the beneath-located detergent compartment17of detergent drawer16.

Preferably the plate-like water conveyor31is furthermore provided, on the side directly faced to the inside of drawer housing18, with a second water-delivery portion34which is locally substantially vertically aligned, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, to the regeneration-agent compartment21of detergent drawer16, and is suitably structured to allow the outflow of the fresh water from the plate-like water conveyor31towards the beneath-located regeneration-agent compartment21.

More in detail, with reference toFIGS. 6 and 9, in the example shown the water-delivery portion34preferably comprises a male or female hydraulic connector which is suitably structured to couple, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, in detachable manner with a complementary second hydraulic connector which is incorporated into the water inlet29of the upper lid assembly26, or better into the water inlet29of plate-like member27, so as to put the upper lid assembly26in fluid communication with the plate-like water conveyor31.

Preferably the plate-like water conveyor31is furthermore provided, on the side directly faced to the inside of drawer housing18, with a third water-delivery portion35which is vertically misaligned to the detergent drawer16placed in retracted position, and is structured to allow the outflow of the water from the plate-like water conveyor31directly towards the bottom of drawer housing18and then towards the washing tub3without affecting the detergent compartment/s17of detergent drawer16.

The electrically-operated, water distributor module20, in turn, is preferably capable of selectively channeling the softened fresh water arriving from water softening device13or the unsoftened fresh water arriving from fresh-water supply circuit12towards any one of the water-delivery portions33,34and35.

More in detail, the electrically-operated, water distributor module20is preferably firmly attached to the outside of the plate-like water conveyor31, at a coupling socket36preferably realized on one of the two major faces of the same plate-like water conveyor31. The electrically-operated, water distributor module20is therefore discrete from plate-like water conveyor31.

With reference toFIGS. 6, 10, 11 and 12, in particular, the electrically-operated, water distributor module20basically comprises:a manifold body37having a water inlet38and a number of water outlets39;a flow diverter (not shown) which is fitted in axially rotatable manner inside the manifold body37, and is capable of channeling, according to its angular position inside the manifold body37, the water entering into the manifold body37via the water inlet38towards any one of the water outlets39of the same manifold body37; andan electrically-powered motor assembly41which is at least partially recessed/accommodated inside the manifold body37, and is mechanically connected to the rotatable flow diverter for controlling the angular position of the flow diverter inside the manifold body37.

The water inlet38of water distributor module20communicates with the water softening device13for directly receiving a flow of softened fresh water, and preferably also with the fresh-water supply circuit12for also directly receiving a flow of unsoftened fresh water. The water outlets39of water distributor module20, in turn, separately communicate with corresponding water-delivery portions33,34and35of plate-like water conveyor31, so that the water distributor module20is capable of selectively feeding, towards any one of the water-delivery portions33,34and35of plate-like water conveyor31, the softened or unsoftened fresh water entering into the water distributor module20.

In addition to the above, the water distributor module20moreover comprises a local electronic control unit42which is discrete from the main electronic control unit14, and is to accommodated into a corresponding seat formed on the manifold body37, and is finally configured for directly powering and/or controlling the internal water channeling means of water distributor module20, or better the electrically-powered motor assembly41of the rotatable flow diverter, according to the control signals arriving from the main electronic control unit14.

In other words, the motor assembly41is directly powered and/or controlled by the electronic control unit42which, in turn, is discrete from the main electronic control unit14, is preferably located/recessed inside the manifold body37of water distributor module20, preferably beside the electrically-powered motor assembly41, and finally electronically communicates with the main electronic control unit14.

More in detail, in the example shown the manifold body37preferably has a first inner compartment or seat accommodating the rotatable flow diverter, a second compartment or seat accommodating the electrically-powered motor assembly41, and finally a third inner compartment or seat accommodating the local electronic control unit42. The water inlet38and the water outlets39of manifold body37are in direct communication exclusively with this first inner compartment or seat.

As an alternative, the electrically-operated, water distributor module20may have, in place of the rotatable flow diverter and of the corresponding electrically-powered motor assembly41, an electrically-operated valve assembly comprising a number of electrically-operated on-off valves which are housed/accommodated inside the manifold body37and are capable to put the water inlet38in direct fluid communication selectively and alternatively with any one of the water outlets39, thus to selectively channel the softened or unsoftened fresh water entering into the manifold body37via the water inlet38towards any one of the water outlets39of the manifold body37.

Likewise the rotatable flow diverter and the corresponding electrically-powered motor assembly41, the electrically-operated on-off valves are obviously directly controlled by the local electronic control unit42according to the control signals arriving from the main electronic control unit14.

In the example shown, in particular, the manifold body37of water distributor module20is preferably structured to couple with the plate-like water conveyor31at coupling socket36, whereas the water outlets39of manifold body37are located, preferably one side by side the other, at the interface portion of manifold body37suited to couple with the coupling socket36of plate-like water conveyor31.

With reference toFIGS. 6, 9 and 10, the plate-like water conveyor31, on the other hand, is provided with a number of water inlets43which are located at coupling socket36and separately fluidically communicate each with a respective water-delivery portion33,34,35of the water conveyor31via a corresponding internal water channel extending inside the body of the same water conveyor31. Preferably each water outlet39of the water distributor module20is structured to watertight couple/connect, at coupling socket36, with a corresponding water inlet43of plate-like water conveyor31, preferably with the interposition of a corresponding annular sealing gasket.

The electrically-operated, water distributor module20is therefore structured to selectively and alternatively channel, on command, the water entering into the same water distributor module20via the water inlet38towards any one of the water inlets43of the plate-like water conveyor31.

In addition to the above, in the example shown the plate-like water conveyor31of drawer flush circuit19is preferably furthermore structured to directly receive the unsoftened fresh water from the fresh-water supply circuit12, to channel said unsoftened fresh water towards the water inlet of water softening, device13, and to channel the softened fresh water coming out from the water outlet of water softening device13towards the water inlet38of water distributor module20.

With reference toFIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the bottom of drawer housing18in turn is preferably divided into two separated and substantially basin-shaped, bottom portions46and47which are located, when detergent drawer16is placed in retracted position, respectively underneath all detergent compartments17of detergent drawer16and underneath the regeneration-agent compartment21of detergent drawer16.

More in detail, in the example shown the bottom of drawer housing18is preferably divided into two separated and substantially basin-shaped bottom portions46and47, which are arranged side by side to one another transversally to the displacement direction d of detergent drawer16inside drawer housing18, i.e. transversally to the longitudinal axis L of drawer housing18. The basin-shaped bottom portion46is vertically aligned, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, to the one or more detergent compartments17of detergent drawer16, and preferably also to the water-delivery portion35of plate-like water conveyor31. The basin-shaped bottom portion47, in turn, is vertically aligned, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, to the regeneration-agent compartment21of detergent drawer16.

With particular reference toFIGS. 6 and 7, drawer housing18preferably furthermore comprises a substantially vertical, partitioning wall48that protrudes upwards from the bottom of drawer housing18while remaining locally substantially parallel to the displacement direction d of detergent drawer16, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis L of drawer housing18, and the basin-shaped bottom portions46and47of drawer housing18are arranged on opposite sides of partitioning wall48.

In other words the vertical partitioning wall48is arranged between the two basin-shaped bottom portions46and47of drawer housing18.

Detergent drawer16, in turn, is preferably arranged astride the partitioning wall48and the drawer main body23is designed so that the one or more detergent compartments17and the regeneration-agent compartment21are located on opposite sides of partitioning wall48. Preferably detergent drawer16is furthermore structured to additionally abut in sliding manner on the straight upper crest line of partitioning wall48.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 6, the basin-shaped bottom portion46is structured for receiving the mixture of fresh water and detergent, softener or other washing agent falling down from any one of the detergent compartments17of detergent drawer16via the corresponding siphon assembly, and optionally the water falling down from the water-delivery portion35of plate-like water conveyor31, and communicates with the inside of washing tub3preferably via a connecting duct49that branches off from the basin-shaped bottom portion46of drawer housing18and ends directly into the beneath-located washing tub3, so as to allow the mixture of water and detergent, softener or other washing agent to quickly flow by gravity directly into the washing tub3.

With reference toFIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the basin-shaped bottom portion47, in turn, is structured for receiving the brine (i.e. the salt water) trickling/falling down from the regeneration-agent compartment21via opening22, and directly communicates with the inside of a discrete, small brine tank50which is dimensioned to catch and contain a given amount of brine preferably greater than 100 ml (millilitres), and is arranged underneath the same basin-shaped bottom portion47so as to allow the brine to quickly fall/flow by gravity directly into the brine tank50and to accumulate therein.

Preferably said brine tank50furthermore fluidically communicates with the inside of the water softening device13via a small, electrically-powered pump assembly51which is directly powered and/or controlled by the local electronic control unit42, and is capable of selectively pumping the brine (i.e. the salt water) accumulated into brine tank50, from brine tank50to water softening device13, and preferably also to watertight isolate brine tank50from water softening device13when deactivated.

In the example shown, in particular, brine tank50is preferably dimensioned to contain a maximum amount of brine preferably overapproximating, i.e. slightly greater than, the whole amount of brine to be pumped into the internal water softening device13for performing the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins located inside the same water softening device13.

More in detail, assuming for example that the overall amount of brine to be pumped into the water softening device13for performing the whole regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins is preferably equal to 250 cm3(cubic centimeters), brine tank50is preferably dimensioned to contain a maximum amount of brine preferably equal to 270 cm3(cubic centimeters).

With reference toFIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 13, in the example shown, in particular, the water softening device13preferably comprises a substantially plate-like, discrete modular cartridge52which is provided with a water inlet and a water outlet, and is filled with a given amount of ion-exchange resins capable of retaining the calcium and magnesium ions (Ca++ and Mg++) dissolved in the water flowing through the same modular cartridge52.

This modular cartridge52is preferably furthermore rigidly attached to a sidewall of drawer housing18preferably by means of one or more anchoring screws and/or one or more releasable mechanical couplings, so as to cantilevered extend downwards beyond the bottom of drawer housing18and next to brine tank50, preferably while remaining locally substantially parallel and tangent to a vertical sidewall of the outer casing2.

Preferably the water inlet and a water outlet of modular cartridge52are additionally fluidically connected to the plate-like water conveyor31preferably via appropriate hydraulic connectors, so that the modular cartridge52is crossable by the unsoftened fresh water arriving from fresh-water supply circuit12and flowing inside the plate-like water conveyor31directed towards the water inlet38of water distributor module20.

Brine tank50, in turn, is preferably firmly attached directly to the bottom of drawer housing18, preferably locally substantially vertically aligned to the basin-shaped bottom portion47of drawer housing18and preferably by means of one or more anchoring screws and/or one or more releasable mechanical couplings.

Preferably brine tank50is moreover adjacent to modular cartridge52and is preferably rigidly attached also to the same modular cartridge52, preferably by means of one or more anchoring screws and/or one or more releasable mechanical couplings.

With reference toFIGS. 4, 6, 7, 13 and 14, in the example shown, in particular, brine tank50preferably directly communicates with the basin-shaped bottom portion47of drawer housing18via a first vertical pipe-extension53that protrudes downwards from the bottom of drawer housing18and directly fits, preferably in a substantially airtight and/or watertight manner, into a complementary brine inlet opening53aformed on top wall of the same brine tank50preferably with the interposition of a corresponding annular sealing gasket.

In addition to the above, brine tank50preferably directly communicates with the basin-shaped bottom portion47of drawer housing18also via a second vertical pipe-extension54that protrudes downwards from the bottom of drawer housing18and directly fits, preferably in a substantially airtight and/or watertight manner, into a complementary air vent opening54aformed on top wall of brine tank50, beside the brine inlet opening53a, preferably with the interposition of a corresponding annular sealing gasket,

Furthermore, with reference toFIG. 7, in the example shown vertical pipe-extension54preferably additionally protrudes upwards into drawer housing18within the perimeter of the basin-shaped bottom portion47, so as to arrange its upper mouth at a given high from the basin-shaped bottom portion47and thus prevent the brine from normally freely falling into brine tank50via the same vertical pipe-extension54.

As a result, the brine preferably falls into brine tank50solely via the vertical pipe-extension53, and the vertical pipe-extension54allows free ventilation of brine tank50and moreover the selective overflow into brine tank50of the exceeding brine that may accidentally stagnate on the basin-shaped bottom portion47of drawer housing18.

With reference toFIGS. 4, 7 and 13, pump assembly51, in turn, is preferably interposed between brine tank50and modular cartridge52of water softening device13so as to remain unmovably trapped between brine tank50and modular cartridge52when they are rigidly attached to one another.

Moreover pump assembly51preferably basically comprises an electrically-powered membrane pump55or other electrically-powered volumetric pump, which has the suction of the pump connected to brine tank50preferably via a first duckbill valve56, so as to be able to suck the brine from the inside of brine tank50, and the delivery of the pump connected to the modular cartridge52of water softening device13preferably via a second duckbill valve57, so as to be able to feed the brine into the water softening device13. The electrically-powered membrane pump55is directly powered and/or controlled by the local electronic control unit42.

Moreover, detergent dispenser10, brine tank50, water softening device13, pump assembly51, and local electronic control unit42preferably altogether form a preassembled intermediate modular assembly structured to be easily fitted into the box-like casing2of the laundry washing machine1.

With reference toFIGS. 7, 12 and 14, in addition to the above the laundry washing machine1furthermore comprises a detector assembly60which is associated to brine tank50, is capable of monitoring the salinity degree of the brine (i.e. salt water) stored into brine tank50and/or of detecting the level of the fresh water or brine (i.e. salt water) stored inside brine tank50, and directly electronically communicates with the local electronic control unit42.

More in detail, the local electronic control unit42preferably directly powers and/or controls the detector assembly60; whereas the detector assembly60is preferably capable of detecting when the salinity degree of the brine (i.e. salt water) stored into brine tank50exceeds a predetermined minimum salinity value, and/or of detecting when the level of the fresh water or brine (i.e. salt water) stored inside brine tank50is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value L0.

Preferably said predetermined minimum salinity value is furthermore equal to or higher than the minimum salinity value required to successfully perform the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins contained into the water softening device13. Detector assembly60therefore is preferably structured for detecting whether the salinity degree of the brine (i.e. salt water) currently stored into brine tank50is equal to or exceeds a predetermined minimum salinity value sufficient to successfully perform the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins contained into the water softening device13.

The threshold value L0, in turn, preferably corresponds to a brine tank50completely filled up with fresh water or brine (i.e. salt water), i.e. filled up with an amount of brine sufficient to successfully perform the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins contained into the water softening device13. Detector assembly60therefore is preferably structured for detecting whether the current level of brine inside brine tank50is sufficient to successfully perform the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins contained into the water softening device13

More in detail, assuming that brine tank50is preferably dimensioned to contain a maximum amount of brine preferably equal to 270 cm3(cubic centimeters), the threshold value L0preferably corresponds to 270 cm3(cubic centimeters) of fresh water or brine into brine tank50.

As an alternative, the threshold value L0could correspond to a brine tank50filled up with an amount of fresh water or brine (i.e. salt water) significantly lower than the maximum capacity of brine tank50, and preferably solely sufficient to avoid cavitation or other malfunctioning of pump assembly51.

More in detail, assuming that brine tank50is preferably dimensioned to contain a maximum amount of brine preferably equal to 270 cm3(cubic centimeters), the threshold value L0could correspond to only 20 cm3(cubic centimeters) of fresh water or brine into brine tank50.

In the example shown, in particular, detector assembly60is preferably at least partially accommodated inside brine tank50, and is preferably structured for detecting, at same time, whether the salinity degree of the brine (i.e. salt water) stored into brine tank50exceeds said minimum salinity value, and whether the level of the fresh water or brine (i.e. salt water) stored inside brine tank50is equal to or higher than said predetermined threshold value L0.

Preferably detector assembly60is therefore incorporated in the preassembled intermediate modular assembly together with detergent dispenser10, brine tank50, water softening device13, pump assembly51, and electronic control unit42.

With reference toFIGS. 12 and 14, in the example shown, in particular, detector assembly60preferably comprises: a salinity detector device61which is capable of detecting when the salinity degree of the brine inside brine tank50is equal to or exceeds said minimum salinity value; and a water-level detector device62which is capable of detecting when the level of the water or brine inside brine tank50is equal to or exceeds the threshold value L0. Both salinity detector device61and water-level detector device62electronically communicate with the local electronic control unit42.

With reference toFIGS. 7 and 14, in the example shown, in particular, the water-level detector device62preferably comprises: a first floating body63which has a nominal density lower than that of the fresh water (i.e. lower than roughly 1000 kg/m3), so as to float in presence of any kind of water (i.e. both fresh water and brine), and is housed inside brine tank50with the capability to freely move upwards and downwards according to the current level of fresh water or brine inside brine tank50; and a corresponding electronic sensing unit64which is capable of monitoring the position of floating body63inside brine tank50.

Preferably the floating body63is moreover housed inside brine tank50with the capability to freely move upwards and downwards between a lowered position and a raised position according to the current level of fresh water or brine inside brine tank50, and electronic sensing unit64is preferably capable of detecting when floating body63reaches said specific raised position inside the brine reservoir50.

The raised position of floating body63corresponds to a level of fresh water or brine salt water) inside brine tank50equal to or exceeding said threshold value L0. The lowered position of floating body63, in turn, preferably corresponds to roughly no fresh water or brine (i.e. salt water) inside brine tank50.

The electronic sensing unit64obviously electronically communicates with the local electronic control unit42so as to timely signal to the same local electronic control unit42when the floating body63reaches said specific raised position.

More in detail, in the example shown the floating body63is preferably rigidly attach to the distal end of a guide arm65which is pivotally jointed to a sidewall of brine tank50so as to be able to freely swing up and down inside brine tank50while remaining on a vertical reference plane.

The electronic sensing unit64, in turn, preferably comprises a presence sensor66which is capable of detecting when the floating body63is in said specific raised position corresponding to an actual level of the fresh water or brine inside brine tank50equal to or exceeding the threshold value

More in detail, the electronic sensing unit64is preferably located on top of brine tank50, vertically aligned to the floating body63, and preferably comprises a presence sensor66which is capable of detecting when the floating body63substantially abuts against the top wall of brine tank50.

In the example shown, in particular, the electronic sensing unit64is preferably accommodated on a hollow seat formed on top wall of brine tank50, preferably vertically aligned to floating body63, and the presence sensor66preferably comprises a mechanical transducer, namely a microswitch, capable of signalling when floating body63abuts against the same mechanical transducer66.

Still with reference toFIGS. 7 and 14, the salinity detector device61, in turn, preferably comprises: a second floating body67which has a nominal density higher than that of the fresh water, and is housed inside brine tank50with the capability to move upwards and downwards; and a corresponding electronic sensing unit68capable of monitoring the position of floating body67.

More in detail, the floating body67preferably has a nominal density higher than that of the fresh water and underapproximating, i.e. slightly lower than, the density of the brine having a salinity degree equal to said minimum salinity value (i.e. a brine capable of successfully performing the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins of the water softening device13), so as to float only in presence of selected brines having a salinity degree equal or higher that said minimum salinity value.

Preferably the floating body67is moreover housed inside brine tank50with the capability to freely move upwards and downwards between a lowered position and a raised position according to the current level of said selected brines inside brine tank50, and the electronic sensing unit68is preferably capable of detecting when floating body67reaches said specific raised position inside brine tank50.

The raised position of floating body67corresponds to a level of a selected brine (i.e. a brine having a salinity degree equal to or exceeding said minimum salinity value) inside brine tank50equal to or exceeding a predetermined second threshold value preferably lower than the threshold value L0. The lowered position of floating body67, in turn, preferably corresponds to roughly no selected brine (i.e. a brine having a salinity degree equal to or exceeding said minimum salinity value) inside brine tank50.

More in detail, in the example shown floating body67has a nominal density preferably ranging between 1100 kg/m3and 1140 kg/m3, so as to float only in presence of selected brines having a salinity degree preferably higher than 10% (i.e. preferably having more that 10 grams of dissolved salts per litre of water).

The second threshold value, in turn, corresponds for example to 70 cm3(cubic centimeters) of brine into brine tank50.

Likewise electronic sensing unit64, also electronic sensing unit68electronically communicates with the local electronic control unit42so as to timely signal to the same local electronic control unit42when the floating body67reaches said specific raised position.

With reference toFIGS. 7 and 14, similarly to floating body63, in the example shown also floating body67is preferably rigidly attach to the distal end of a guide arm69which is pivotally jointed to brine tank50so as to be able to freely swing up and down inside brine tank50while remaining on a vertical reference plane.

The electronic sensing unit68, in turn, preferably comprises a presence sensor70which is capable of detecting when the floating body67is arranged in said specific raised position corresponding to an actual level of the selected brine (i.e. a brine with a salinity degree equal to or exceeding said minimum salinity value) equal to or exceeding said second threshold value L0.

More in detail, the electronic sensing unit68is preferably located on top of brine tank50, vertically aligned to the floating body67, and preferably comprises a presence sensor70which is capable of detecting when the floating body67substantially abuts against the top wall of brine tank50.

In the example shown, in particular, the electronic sensing unit68is preferably accommodated on a hollow seat formed on top wall of brine tank50, preferably vertically aligned to floating body67, and the presence sensor preferably comprises a mechanical transducer70, namely a microswitch, capable of signalling when floating body67abuts against the same mechanical transducer70.

With reference toFIGS. 7 and 14, in particular, the floating bodies63and67are preferably pivotally jointed to brine tank50so as to be able to freely independently swing inside brine tank50one side by side the other.

More in detail, both guide arms65and69are fitted in axially rotatable manner on a common supporting pin or shaft71extending inside brine tank50substantially horizontally and very close and parallel to the sidewall of brine tank50.

The electronic sensing units64and68, in turn, are preferably incorporated on a single control board72which is electronically connected to the local electronic control unit42, and is preferably accommodated on a corresponding hollow seat formed on top wall of brine tank50, preferably vertically aligned to floating bodies63and67.

Furthermore, each floating body63,67is preferably provided with an upwards-protruding appendage63a,67athat cantilevered extends substantially vertically towards the top wall of brine tank50, and is dimensioned to abut on the control board71, against the corresponding mechanical transducer66,70, when the floating body63,67reaches the corresponding raised position.

With reference toFIG. 5, the laundry washing machine1is preferably furthermore provided with an auxiliary fresh-water supply line73which is capable of selectively channelling the fresh water of the water mains directly into the brine tank50while bypassing the regeneration-agent compartment21of detergent drawer16, so that the non-salted fresh water can rinse the inside of brine tank50.

Preferably the auxiliary fresh-water supply line73is furthermore directly controlled by the local electronic control unit42

In the example shown, in particular, the auxiliary fresh-water supply line73is preferably incorporated into the drawer flush circuit19of detergent dispenser10.

The drawer flush circuit19is therefore preferably structured to separately channel the fresh water arriving from the water distributor module20into anyone of the detergent compartments17, into the regeneration-agent compartment21, and additionally also into the basin-shaped bottom portion47of drawer housing18while bypassing the regeneration-agent compartment21, or directly into brine tank50

More in detail, with reference toFIG. 9, the plate-like water conveyor31is preferably provided, on the side directly faced to the inside of drawer housing18, with a fourth water-delivery portion74which is vertically aligned to the bottom portion47of drawer housing18and vertically misaligned to the detergent drawer16arranged in retracted position, and is structured to allow the outflow of the fresh water from the plate-like water conveyor31towards the basin-shaped bottom portion47without affecting the regeneration-agent compartment21.

In the example shown, in particular, the vertical pipe-extension53preferably branches off from the basin-shaped bottom portion47of drawer housing18at region of the basin-shaped bottom portion32vertically misaligned, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, to the drawer main body23of detergent drawer16. The water-delivery portion74of plate-like water conveyor31, in turn, is preferably arranged beside the water-delivery portions33,34and35, locally substantially vertically aligned to the vertical pipe-extension53protruding downwards from the bottom of drawer housing18, and is preferably structured to project a jet of water into the upper mouth of the vertical pipe-extension53directly communicating with the inside of brine tank50, thus to form an air-break.

In other words, in the example shown the drawer flush circuit19of detergent dispenser10is preferably structured to direct a jet of fresh water of the water mains directly into the upper mouth of the vertical pipe-extension53, thus to pour the fresh water directly into brine tank50. The electrically-operated, water distributor module20, in turn, is preferably structured to selectively channel the water arriving to its water inlet38also towards the water-delivery portion74via a further internal water channel extending inside the body of plate-like water conveyor31, from coupling socket36to water-delivery portion74.

With particular reference toFIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the fresh-water supply circuit12of laundry washing machine1, in turn, preferably comprises: a first water delivery line which is structured to channel the unsoftened fresh water of the water mains towards the water inlet of water softening device13preferably via the plate-like water conveyor31which, in turn, preferably furthermore channels the softened fresh water coming out from the water softening device13directly to the water inlet38of water distributor module20; and optionally also a second water delivery line which is structured to channel the unsoftened fresh water of the water mains directly to the water inlet38of water distributor module20bypassing water softening device13.

Both first and second water delivery lines are preferably directly controlled by main electronic control unit14.

More in detail, the first water delivery line of fresh-water supply circuit12preferably basically comprises a first electrically-operated on-off valve75which is connectable to the water mains and is preferably directly controlled by the main electronic control unit14, and a first connecting tube76or other piping which fluidically connects the on-off valve75to a corresponding auxiliary pipe-fitting77of plate-like water conveyor31.

The auxiliary pipe-fitting77of plate-like water conveyor31, in turn, fluidically communicates with the water inlet of the water softening device13, or better with the water inlet of modular cartridge52, whereas the water outlet of water softening device13, or better the water outlet of modular cartridge52, fluidically communicates with the water inlet38of water distributor module20via a further internal water channel extending inside the body of plate-like water conveyor31up to coupling socket36.

The second water delivery line of fresh-water supply circuit12, in turn, preferably basically comprises a second electrically-operated on-off valve78which is connectable to the water mains and is preferably directly controlled by the main electronic control unit14, and a second connecting tube79or other piping which fluidically connects the on-off valve78directly to the water inlet38of water distributor module20.

In addition to the above, with reference toFIGS. 4, 6 and 9, in the example shown the fresh-water supply circuit12preferably additionally comprises a third water delivery line which is structured to channel the hot unsoftened fresh water towards the water distributor module20or directly towards the washing tub3.

Alike first and second water delivery lines, third water delivery line is preferably directly controlled by main electronic control unit14.

More in detail, the third water delivery line of fresh-water supply circuit12preferably basically comprises: a further independent electrically-operated, on-off valve80which is separately connectable to a source of hot water (namely the hot branch of the piping, fittings, and fixtures involved in the distribution and use of hot water in the domestic building), and is preferably directly controlled by the main electronic control unit14; and a further connecting tube81or other piping which fluidically connects the on-off valve80to a second pipe-fitting82that preferably protrudes from plate-like water conveyor31preferably next to pipe-fitting77.

This second pipe-fitting82directly communicates, via a further internal water channel extending inside plate-like water conveyor31up to coupling socket36, with the water inlet38of water distributor module20, thus to channel a flow of hot, unsoftened fresh water towards the water inlet38of water distributor module20.

As an alternative, pipe-fitting82of plate-like water conveyor31may directly communicate with the water inlet of the water softening device13, or better with the water inlet of modular cartridge52, thus to channel a flow of hot, unsoftened fresh water towards the water inlet of the water softening device13.

With reference toFIGS. 2, 5 and 9, the water distributor module20is preferably finally structured to selectively channel any kind of water that enters into the same water distributor module20, to a water drain line83that preferably branches off from the drawer flush circuit19and ends into the drain sump84of washing tub3, or even directly into the suction of the electric pump that drains the waste water or washing liquor outside the laundry washing machine1.

In the example shown, in particular, the water drain line83preferably comprises a tube85or other piping, that branches off from a funnel-shaped portion86of drawer casing18and fits directly into the drain sump84of washing tub3.

With reference toFIG. 9, the plate-like water conveyor31, in turn, is preferably provided, on the side directly faced to the inside of drawer housing18, with a further water-delivery portion87which is substantially vertically aligned to the funnel-shaped portion86of drawer casing18, and is structured to allow the outflow of any kind of water from the plate-like water conveyor31towards said funnel-shaped portion of drawer casing18.

Alike the other water-delivery portions33,34,35,74of plate-like water conveyor31, the water-delivery portion87selectively receives, from the electrically-operated, water distributor module20, any kind of water entering into the same water distributor module20.

With reference toFIG. 5, the laundry washing machine1is preferably finally provided with a second water drain line88that beaches off from brine tank50and ends into the drain sump84of washing tub3, or even directly into the suction of the electric pump that drains the waste water or washing liquor outside the laundry washing machine1. Preferably second water drain line88is moreover directly controlled by the local electronic control unit42.

In the example shown, in particular, the second water drain line88preferably comprises: a tube89or other piping, that branches off from the bottom of brine tank50and fits directly into the drain sump84of washing tub3; and an electrically-operated, on-off valve90which is arranged along tube89for controlling the outflow of the water or brine from brine tank50towards drain sump84, and is preferably directly controlled by the local electronic control unit42.

General operation of the laundry washing machine1is similar to that of the front loading washing machine disclosed in European patent No. 2657387, the main exception being that the brine (i.e. salt water) accumulates into brine tank50before being supplied to the internal water softening device13, i.e. to modular cartridge52, for performing the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins.

The partitioning septum25with micro-perforated structure, moreover, causes an extremely slow outflow of the brine (i.e. salt water) from the regeneration-agent compartment21which increases the salinity degree of the brine arriving into brine tank50. The auxiliary fresh-water supply line73, in turn, allows to selectively rinse/wash up the brine tank50preferably at the end of the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins contained into the water softening device13.

As regards interaction between main electronic control unit14and local electronic control unit42, during the washing cycles the main electronic control unit14controls the motor assembly6, the fresh-water supply circuit12, and indirectly the water distributor module20, so as to perform the washing cycle selected by the user. The local electronic control unit42, in turn, passively controls the internal water channeling means of the water distributor module20, or better the motor assembly41of the rotatable flow diverter, according to the control signals arriving from the main electronic control unit14.

In addition to the above, with reference toFIG. 12, the electronic control unit14continuously controls, preferably via a traditional electronic water-meter91located along fresh-water supply circuit12, the water consumption of the laundry washing machine1as from the last regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins of water softening device13, i.e. the number of liters of fresh water entering into the laundry washing machine1as from the last regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins of water softening device13, so as to determine when regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins of water softening device13is to be performed again.

When regeneration of the ion-exchange resins is to be performed, the main electronic control unit14electronically communicates to the local electronic control unit42that a regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins is to be performed, and temporarily leaves control of the laundry washing machine1to the local electronic control unit42so that the latter carries out the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins.

More in detail, after taking control of the laundry washing machine1, the local electronic control unit42operates the internal water channeling means of water distributor module20, or better the motor assembly41of water distributor module20, so as to channel, towards the regeneration-agent compartment21, the softened or unsoftened fresh water entering into the water distributor module20, and then requests the main electronic control unit14to open for a short time either the on-off valve75or the on-off valve78of the fresh-water supply circuit12, so as to pour a given amount of fresh water, for example 100 cm3(cubic centimeters) of fresh water, into the regeneration-agent compartment21.

Due to the presence of water-permeable partitioning septum25, the softened or unsoftened fresh water poured into the regeneration-agent compartment21temporarily accumulates above the partitioning septum25wherein can dissolve a great amount of salt grains and form the brine.

The brine formed into the regeneration-agent compartment21, above the partitioning septum25, slowly passed across the partitioning septum25and then trickles into the basin-shaped bottom portion47of drawer housing18. From the basin-shaped bottom portion47, the 100 cm3(cubic centimeters) of brine then quickly falls into brine tank50wherein accumulates.

Then, if detector assembly60detects that in brine tank50there is room for other brine, the local electronic control unit42requests the main electronic control unit14to open again for a short time either the on-off valve75or the on-off valve78of the fresh-water supply circuit12, so as to pour some more fresh water, for example another 100 cm3(cubic centimeters) of fresh water, into the regeneration-agent compartment21, so as to form further 100 cm3of brine that, again, slowly moves into brine tank50.

Sequential quantum supplying of fresh water into the regeneration-agent compartment21continues until brine tank50is completely filled with brine, i.e. the level of the brine into brine tank60is equal to or exceeds the threshold value L0.

In other words, the local electronic control unit42continues feeding fresh water into the regeneration-agent compartment21until brine tank50contains an amount of brine sufficient for performing the whole regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins contained into water softening device13.

When detector assembly60detects that level of the brine into brine tank50is equal to or exceeds the threshold value L0and that the salinity value of the brine inside brine tank50is equal to or higher than said predetermined minimum salinity value, the local electronic control unit42activates pump assembly51to move at a time the whole brine from brine tank50to water softening device13, so as to till up the water softening device13with brine.

In other words, when brine tank50is completely filled with brine, the local electronic control unit42activates pump assembly51so as to substantially empty the brine tank50into the water softening device13.

Preferably, immediately before activating pump assembly51, the local electronic control unit42moreover operates the internal water channeling means of water distributor module20, i.e. the motor assembly41, so as put the water inlet38of water distributor module20in direct communication with either the water-delivery portion35of plate-like water conveyor31or the water-delivery portion86of plate-like water conveyor31, so as to channel any kind of water entering into the water distributor module20directly towards washing tub3or water drain line83.

In other words, the local electronic control unit42preferably operates the internal water channeling means of water distributor module20so as to directly channel the water coming out from water softening device13either to washing tub3or to water drain line83.

The regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins begins when the brine contained into brine tank50moves into the water softening device13.

During the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins, i.e. during the stay of the brine inside the water softening device13, the local electronic control unit42preferably leaves control again to the main electronic control unit14so as to continue the washing cycle.

More in detail, when pump assembly51finishes pumping the brine from brine tank50to water softening device13, the local electronic control unit42preferably electronically communicates to the main electronic control unit14that the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins is in progress, and awaits any request of the main electronic control unit14for repositioning the water channeling means of water distributor module20and continue the washing cycle.

As an alternative, during the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins, the local electronic control unit42operates the internal water channeling means of water distributor module20, or better the motor assembly41, so as to channel the fresh water entering into the water distributor module20directly towards the water-delivery portion74of plate-like water conveyor31, i.e. directly towards brine tank50while bypassing the regeneration-agent compartment21, and then requests the main electronic control unit14to open again the on-off valve78of fresh-water supply circuit12thus to feed fresh water directly into brine tank50.

The fresh water channelled into the brine tank50serves for rinsing/washing up the inside of brine tank50.

In the example shown, in particular, the local electronic control unit42keeps the on-off valve78open until brine tank50is completely filled with fresh water.

After having filled up brine tank50with fresh water, the local electronic control unit42operates the internal water channeling means of water distributor module20, or better the motor assembly41of water distributor module20, so as to put the water inlet38of water distributor module20in direct communication with either the water-delivery portion35of plate-like water conveyor31or the water-delivery portion86of plate-like water conveyor31, so as to channel any kind of water entering into the water distributor module20directly towards washing tub3or water drain line83, and the awaits the end of the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins.

After a given time preferably, though not necessarily, ranging between 10 and 20 minutes, the local electronic control unit42assumes that the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins is completed and activates again the electric-pump assembly51to move at a time the whole rinse water from brine tank50to water softening device13, so as to substantially empty the brine tank50and at same time push the brine out of water softening device13.

As an alternative, rather than activating again pump assembly51, the local electronic control unit42may request the main electronic control unit14to open again the on-off valve75of fresh-water supply circuit12thus to feed fresh water directly into water softening device13.

In both cases, the brine coming out from the water outlet of water softening device13preferably enters into the water distributor module20and is immediately channeled to the washing tub3or to the drain line83thus to leave as soon as possible the laundry washing machine1.

Preferably, furthermore, the local electronic control unit42may fill up brine tank50with fresh water and subsequently move said fresh water into the water softening device13several times, thus to repeatedly wash up/rinse both the brine tank50and the water softening device13to clean and remove any salt deposit inside both components.

As an alternative, rather than activating again pump assembly51, the local electronic control unit42may open for a short time the electrically-operated, on-off valve90of drain line88, thus to empty the brine tank50directly into the drain sump84without affecting the water softening device13.

When washing up/rinsing of brine tank50and/or of water softening device13is completed, the local electronic control unit42returns control to the main electronic control unit14, and awaits any request of the main electronic control unit14for repositioning the internal water channeling means of water distributor module20and continue the washing cycle.

According to an alternative mode of operating, regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins is directly controlled by the main electronic control unit14and local electronic control unit42passively drives the internal water channeling means of water distributor module20, i.e. the motor assembly41, and pump assembly51according to electronic signals arriving from electronic control unit14. In other words the main electronic control unit14never leaves control to local electronic control unit42for performing the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins of water softening device13.

The advantages resulting from allowing the local electronic control unit42to directly power and/or control the internal water channeling means of water distributor module20, the pump assembly51and finally the detector assembly60are large in number.

First of all, wiring of the household appliance is greatly simplified because the laundry washing machine1requests a sole electronic connection between the main electronic control unit14and the local electronic control unit42.

Furthermore the water distributor module20forms, together with the detergent dispenser10, the brine tank50, the water softening device13and the pump assembly51, an intermediate modular assembly which can be easily preassembled apart from the laundry washing machine1and subsequently supplied to the production line of the laundry washing machine1, thus significantly reducing overall production costs.

Clearly, changes may be made to the laundry washing machine1without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, according to a non-shown alternative embodiment, the local electronic control unit42is accommodated on a corresponding socket or seat formed on the outer surface of manifold body37.

Moreover, with reference toFIG. 15, according to a further alternative embodiment, the electronic sensing units64and68are arranged outside brine tank50, preferably in abutment on top wall of the same brine tank50and preferably vertically aligned to floating bodies63and67.

Preferably the presence sensor66,70of each electronic sensing unit64,68moreover comprises optical- or magnetic-type transducer/s which are capable of detecting when the corresponding floating body63,67, or better the distal ends of the upwards-protruding appendage63a,67aof the corresponding floating body, abuts against, or is very close to the top wall of brine tank50.

More in detail, in the example shown the electronic sensing units64and68are preferably incorporated on a single preferably substantially U-shaped, control board100which is preferably fork fitted onto an upwards-extending protrusion101formed on top wall of brine tank50, and which electronically communicates with the local electronic control unit42.

The distal ends of the upwards-protruding appendages63aand67aof floating bodies63and67, in turn, are preferably allowed to directly abut against the top wall of brine tank50, inside the upwards-extending protrusion101on top wall of the same brine tank50.

In the example shown, in particular, the presence sensor66of electronic sensing unit64preferably comprises a photo-emitter102and a photo-receiver103which are located on control board100, aligned to one another on opposite sides of protrusion101. The photo-emitter102generates a light beam that travels across protrusion101before reaching the photo-receiver103, whereas the distal end of the upwards-protruding appendage63aof floating body63is structured to interrupt the light beam directed to photo-receiver103preferably when abuts against the top wall of brine tank50, inside the upwards-extending protrusion101.

Similarly the presence sensor70of electronic sensing unit68preferably comprises a photo-emitter104and a photo-receiver105which are located on control board100, aligned to one another on opposite sides of protrusion101. The photo-emitter104generates a light beam that travels across protrusion101before reaching the photo-receiver105, whereas the distal end of the upwards-protruding appendage67aof floating body67is structured to interrupt the light beam directed to photo-receiver104preferably when abuts against the top wall of brine tank50, inside the upwards-extending protrusion101.

As an alternative, each floating body63,67may have, incorporated on the distal end of the corresponding appendage63a,67a, an insert made of ferromagnetic material or permanent-magnetic material.

The presence sensor66,70of the corresponding electronic sensing unit64,68, in turn, may comprise an magnetic transducer which is located on control board100, close to protrusion101, and is capable of switching according to the strength of the magnetic field in the proximity of the transducer. Magnetic field that significantly increases when the distal end of the appendage63a,67aabuts against or is very close to the top wall of brine tank50, inside the upwards-extending protrusion101.

Furthermore, according to a further non-shown alternative embodiment the brine tank50may be incorporated into the drawer housing18.

In other words, the bottom portion47of drawer housing18may integrally have a big catchment sump wherein the brine accumulates, and pump assembly51sucks the brine from the bottom of said catchment sump.

Preferably this catchment sump furthermore may be dimensioned to contain a given amount of brine which is preferably greater than 100 ml (millilitres), and which preferably also overapproximates the whole amount of brine to be pumped into the internal water softening device13for performing the regeneration process of the ion-exchange resins located inside the same water softening device13.

Obviously detector assembly60is preferably at least partly accommodated inside the catchment sump formed on the bottom portion47of drawer housing18for detecting whether the salinity degree of the brine (i.e. salt water) stored into catchment sump exceeds said predetermined minimum salinity value, and optionally also for detecting whether the level of the fresh water or brine (i.e. salt water) accumulated into the same catchment sump is equal to or higher than said threshold value L0.

In addition to the above, according to a further non-shown and less-sophisticated embodiment, the detergent drawer16lacks the manually openable, upper lid assembly26, and the water-delivery portion34is arranged on the plate-like water conveyor31so as to be locally substantially vertically aligned, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, to the regeneration-agent compartment21of detergent drawer16and is structured to pour the fresh water directly into the beneath-located regeneration-agent compartment21.

Preferably the water-delivery portion34of the plate-like water conveyor31is furthermore structured to pour by gravity a shower of water droplets directly into the beneath-located regeneration-agent compartment21of detergent drawer16.

In other words, the drawer flush circuit19of detergent dispenser10is preferably capable of pouring by gravity a shower of water droplets selectively and alternatively into any one of the detergent compartments17and into the regeneration-agent compartment21, and for additionally channelling the fresh water of the water mains directly to the brine tank50bypassing the regeneration-agent compartment21of detergent drawer16.

With reference toFIG. 16, in a further alternative embodiment, the regeneration-agent compartment21is located/incorporated into a corresponding manually extractable, regeneration-agent drawer200which is discrete from detergent drawer16, and is fitted/inserted in manually extractable manner into a corresponding substantially basin-shaped, drawer housing201which is preferably located/recessed inside casing2horizontally beside the detergent dispenser10.

Drawer housing201, in turn, has its own basin-shaped bottom portion which is structured for receiving the brine trickling/falling down from the regeneration-agent compartment21through the corresponding draining opening22, and directly communicates with the inside of a beneath-located brine tank50so as to allow the brine to quickly fall/flow by gravity directly into the brine tank50and to accumulate therein.

Brine tank50, therefore, is located underneath the drawer housing201and is fluidically connected to said drawer housing201for catching and accumulating the brine trickling/falling down from the regeneration-agent compartment21through the corresponding draining opening22.

Likewise the previous embodiments, brine tank50communicates with the inside of the water softening device13via the electrically-powered pump assembly51which is capable of selectively pumping the fresh water or brine (i.e. salt water) accumulated into brine tank50, from brine tank50to water softening device13, and preferably also to watertight isolate the brine tank50from the water softening device13when deactivated.

Similarly to the main embodiment, the drawer housing201preferably directly communicates with brine tank50via at least one, and preferably two vertical pipe-extensions (not shown) that protrudes downwards from the bottom of drawer housing201and directly fits, preferably in a substantially airtight and/or watertight manner, into corresponding openings formed on top wall of the brine tank50preferably with the interposition of corresponding annular sealing gaskets.

Again the detector assembly60is preferably at least partly accommodated inside the brine tank50for detecting whether the salinity degree of the brine (i.e. salt water) stored into brine tank50exceeds a predetermined minimum salinity value, and/or for detecting whether the level of the fresh water or brine (i.e. salt water) accumulated into the same brine tank50is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value L0.

Preferably detergent drawer16and regeneration-agent drawer200are furthermore independently movable inside the respective drawer housings18and201parallel to and side by side to one another.

More in detail, alike detergent drawer16, the regeneration-agent drawer200is movable in a substantially horizontally-oriented, displacement direction between:a retracted position in which regeneration-agent drawer200is almost completely recessed into the front wall4of casing2and the regeneration-agent compartment21, or better the upper lid assembly26, is inaccessible to the user; anda completely extracted position in which regeneration-agent drawer200partly juts out from the front wall4of casing2, so that the regeneration-agent compartment21is exposed and fully accessible to the user prior opening of the upper lid assembly26.

With reference toFIG. 15, in the example shown, in particular, drawer housing201is preferably realized in one piece with drawer housing18, and the plate-like water conveyor31of drawer flush circuit19is preferably structured to form the upper lid of both drawer housings18and201.

Furthermore, even if regeneration-agent compartment21is no more formed/incorporated to into the drawer main body23of detergent drawer16, the manually-sizable front panel24of detergent drawer16is preferably still dimensioned to close, when detergent drawer16is placed in the retracted position, both the entrance of drawer housing18and the adjacent entrance of drawer housing201. Thus the axial displacement of regeneration-agent drawer200towards the completely extracted position is exclusively allowable when also the detergent drawer16is placed in the extracted position.

In a further non-shown alternative embodiment, the drawer flush circuit19of detergent dispenser10is structured to solely channel the fresh water of the water mains into any one of the detergent compartments17of detergent drawer16and into the regeneration-agent compartment21; and the laundry washing machine1furthermore comprises an auxiliary fresh-water supply line which is directly connectable to the water mains and/or is incorporated into the fresh-water supply circuit12, and is structured for selectively channelling a flow of fresh water from the water mains directly into the brine tank50while bypassing the regeneration-agent compartment21of detergent drawer16.

In this embodiment, therefore, the auxiliary fresh-water supply line is discrete from drawer flush circuit19, and brine tank50receives the fresh water directly from the water mains, bypassing the water distributor module20and the drawer flush circuit19. The local electronic control unit42preferably, though not necessarily, controls also this auxiliary fresh-water supply line.

More in detail, the auxiliary fresh-watersupply line may comprise: a further independent electrically-operated, on-off valve which is separately connectable to the water mains, and is preferably directly controlled by the local electronic control unit42; and a connecting tube or other piping which directly connects said electrically-operated, on-off valve directly to brine tank50thus to channel the fresh water of the water mains directly into brine tank50.

In a further non-shown and less-sophisticated embodiment, furthermore the drawer flush circuit19of detergent dispenser10may be structured to solely pour the fresh water of the water mains selectively and alternatively into any one of the detergent compartments17of detergent drawer16.

In this less-sophisticated embodiment, furthermore, the laundry washing machine1may additionally comprise a second auxiliary fresh-water supply line which is directly connectable to the water mains and/or is incorporated into the fresh-water supply circuit12, and is structured for selectively channelling a flow of fresh water from the water mains directly into the regeneration-agent compartment21, or better into the upper lid assembly26located on top of regeneration-agent compartment21. This second auxiliary fresh-water supply line is therefore discrete from drawer flush circuit19.

The local electronic control unit42preferably, though not necessarily, controls also this second auxiliary fresh-water supply line.

More in detail, this second auxiliary fresh-water supply line may comprise a further independent electrically-operated, on-off valve which is separately connectable to the water mains, and is preferably directly controlled by the local electronic control unit42; and a connecting tube or other piping which directly connects said further electrically-operated, on-off valve to an hydraulic connector which is stationary inside the drawer housing18and is structured to couple, when detergent drawer16or regeneration-agent drawer200is placed in the retracted position, in detachable manner with the water inlet29of the upper lid assembly26, so as to put the upper lid assembly26in fluid communication with said tube.

In this less-sophisticated variation, therefore, the regeneration-agent compartment21of detergent drawer16, or the upper lid assembly26if present, receives the fresh water directly from the water mains bypassing the drawer flush circuit19and the water distributor module20.

According to a still further not-shown alternative embodiment, the detergent drawer16of detergent dispenser10may have, in place of the draining opening22, a siphon assembly which is located inside the regeneration-agent compartment21and is suitably structured/dimensioned to selectively channel the brine formed inside the regeneration-agent compartment21onto the bottom of drawer housing18.

According to a still further not-shown alternative embodiment, the one or more detergent compartments17of detergent drawer16may be dimensioned to contain a given amount of detergent, softener or other washing agent sufficient for performing a number of washing cycles. Furthermore, the detergent drawer16may optionally comprise, for each detergent compartment17, a respective electrically-powered detergent feeding pump which is structured to selectively suck the dose of detergent, softener or other washing agent necessary to perform a washing cycle from the detergent compartment17and pump said dose of detergent, softener or other washing agent on the basin-shaped bottom portion46of drawer housing18.

According to a still further not-shown and less-sophisticated alternative embodiment, the water distributor module20may be incorporated into the plate-like water conveyor41of drawer flush circuit19as disclosed in EP2562303, and the local electronic control unit42is located/accommodated into a corresponding seat formed into the resulting outer casing.

Lastly, in a non-shown alternative embodiment of laundry washing machine1, the laundry loading/unloading opening may be located on the upper worktop or top wall11of boxlike casing2, and the washing tub3may be arranged inside casing2with the mouth directly facing the upper worktop or top wall11. The rotatable drum, in turn, may be fitted vertically into washing tub3with the concavity facing the upper mouth of washing tub3, so as to be able to rotate about a substantially vertically-oriented, longitudinal axis.