Patent Description:
The invention finds application in the technical field of household appliances, more precisely in the field of household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and the like.

Nowadays, the appliances on the market allow the choice between a plurality of operating programs in accordance with the specific needs of the user.

In particular, the washing machines allow the user to choose from a multitude of washing types, or washing programs, in order to ensure a high level of garment cleanliness while preserving the integrity thereof.

When carrying out the aforementioned work programs, according to a predetermined logic, the appliance withdraws the appropriate amounts of water and cleaning products, for example different types of detergent, softener, bleach and other.

Each of these products is generally prepared by the user in a special tray prior to washing, from which they are subsequently transported to the basket to act on the laundry.

The movement of these products takes place thanks to appropriate jets of water adequately conveyed in the aforementioned trays.

In particular, the water is supplied to the washing machine through a delivery pipe, and thanks to the presence of a plurality of solenoid valves, is diverted according to the specifications of the pre-selected washing program.

That is, the washing machines include diverter devices specially configured to divert water from a delivery pipe to the different trays containing the washing products.

In particular, the diverter devices may comprise an increasing number of valves with the number of containment trays provided to define an adequate sorting of the water flows.

For example, to direct the water directly into the washing basket, avoiding the passage from the containment trays, the known devices must install a special solenoid valve.

It is particularly evident that the management of fluid flows within the aforementioned household appliances involves very cumbersome and complicated management.

In more detail, it can be observed that in the current state of the art, the "washing machine" type appliances do not have a predetermined "autonomous electronic logic" for the collection and dosing of detergents (and for these machines this logic is replaced by the manual intervention of the operator. who puts detergents in the drawers in a usually inaccurate manner), while in the few recent cases where the appliances are equipped with self-dosing systems, the number of detergents or washing aids which can be chosen is still limited (usually to a number not exceeding two) because each individual substance requires a special pump (with consequent bulk and increase in costs): this limits manufacturers to maintain the "drawer" construction architecture to give the user the flexibility to use more than two detergents.

Unfortunately, increasing the number of solenoid valves leads to an inevitable increase in operating costs due to electrical power consumption. Unfortunately, the cost of solenoid valves (and related circuitry) reaches not insignificant figures which greatly affects the final price of the product, limiting the diffusion and accessibility thereof.

Unfortunately, moreover, the maintenance of solenoid valves often entails high costs. In fact, the failure of a solenoid valve is often resolved by replacing the diverter device in the entirety thereof, resulting in a high outlay for the user and an unjustified disposal of the components still in operation.

In addition, the high level of noise of the household appliances of the prior art and the bulk created by the presence of containment trays is particularly inconvenient, especially in light of the increasingly careful attention to minimizing bulk within living volumes.

A further drawback is due to the poor adaptability of the diverters currently on the market. In fact, each diverter is specially sized for use with a predetermined number of trays, and therefore, according to predetermined types of washing programs. A pumping and switching device with the features of the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from the prior art document <CIT>. It should also be noted that the same Applicant has developed an innovative pumping and switching device, which innovatively and originally solves the problems of the known art listed above: however, this same device has some functional limitations in terms of the possibility of achieving greater accuracy and operating speed (especially in the case where a greater purity or cleaning of the substances conveyed through the device is necessary) and in terms of better compaction and volumetric dimensions of the device itself, as well as the possibility of better integration with the sensors of the machinery in which the device can be assembled.

The technical task of the present invention is therefore to provide a pumping and switching device and an apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids which are able to overcome the drawbacks arising from prior art.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a pumping and switching device and an apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids which have a high adaptability to the design needs imposed by a plurality of different operating specifications and simultaneously have the maximum structural simplification.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pumping and switching device and an apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids which reduce construction and maintenance costs, which have reduced dimensions and bulk and are characterized by a high operating silence.

At the level of the finished product/system (for example, considering a complete washing machine), an object of the present invention is to implement a household appliance in which user interaction is minimized only in cases of "extreme need", such as only when the tanks of the various substances useful for washing are depleted and the washing machine can dose a variable number of detergents (also well above two, as opposed to the prior art!).

The technical task mentioned and the objects stated are substantially achieved by a pumping and switching device and an apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids, comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of an exemplary, but not exclusive, and therefore non-limiting preferred embodiment of a pumping and switching device and an apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids.

Such description will be set out hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings given only for illustrative and, therefore, non-limiting purpose, in which:.

With reference to the attached figures, the number <NUM> globally refers to a pumping and switching device, hereinafter referred to as device <NUM>.

The device <NUM> defines a containment volume "V", which can be a containment volume for the components inside the device <NUM> itself (components which will be explained in greater detail later, in a possible embodiment) but which, if necessary, can be adapted to contain at least one fluid, for example water, detergent, softener, bleach, etc..

Preferably, the device <NUM> comprises a first flange <NUM> and a second flange <NUM> operatively connected to define the containment volume "V".

In particular, the first and second flange <NUM>, <NUM> are connected by generic coupling means, for example a bolt-screw type coupling, rivets and/or a shape coupling.

As illustrated in the attached figures, the device <NUM> comprises a predetermined number of inlet openings <NUM> configured to allow an inlet of the fluid within the containment volume "V".

The device <NUM> further comprises a predetermined number of outlet openings <NUM> configured to allow an outflow of fluid from the containment volume "V" to a volume of use external to the device <NUM>, preferably towards the basket of a washing machine.

In particular, the aforementioned outlet openings <NUM> are selectively put into fluid communication with the inlet openings <NUM>.

In other words, the fluid entering from one or more of the inlet openings <NUM> may be selectively made to outflow from one or more of the outlet openings <NUM>.

Preferably, the containment volume "V" defines a main floodable chamber "C" suitable to contain at least the aforementioned fluid.

In particular, the main floodable chamber "C" can be placed in fluid communication with at least one inlet opening <NUM> and/or with at least one outlet opening <NUM>.

In accordance with a possible embodiment and as illustrated in the attached figures, the first flange <NUM> comprises at least one inlet duct 2a, in fluid communication with the main floodable chamber "C" to allow a fluid supply to the main floodable chamber "C", and an outlet duct 2b in fluid communication with the outlet opening <NUM>.

In addition, the second flange <NUM> has a plurality of inlet openings <NUM> which can be put in fluid communication with the main floodable chamber "C".

In accordance with some possible embodiments of the present invention, the device <NUM> can comprise an additional floodable chamber <NUM> configured to receive a predetermined amount of a fluid, said additional floodable chamber <NUM> being obtained in the first flange <NUM> and/or in the second flange <NUM> and being able to be put in fluid communication with the main floodable chamber C at at least one relative angular position between the selector device <NUM> and the pump <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention and as illustrated in <FIG>, the two floodable chambers "C" and <NUM> are in fluid communication with each other at a particular configuration of the device <NUM>: in this configuration the device <NUM> is capable of moving the fluid previously accumulated in the additional floodable chamber <NUM>, and this previously accumulated fluid is in turn put into circulation inside the device <NUM>, washing it and then preparing it for a new input (from the outside) of a new fluid.

In other words, in <FIG> the configuration of the device <NUM> is shown in which the two floodable chambers "C" and <NUM> are mutually connected so as to be able to implement the washing described above, and this configuration corresponds to a given relative angular position between the second flange <NUM>, the pump <NUM> and the selector device <NUM>.

Alternatively, the additional floodable chamber <NUM> can be obtained in the pump <NUM> or the selector device <NUM>.

In accordance with a further possible embodiment not shown in the attached figures, the main floodable chamber "C" may not be provided, moreover the inlet openings <NUM> and/or the outlet openings <NUM> may be obtained only on the first flange <NUM> or on the second flange <NUM> without altering the inventive concept underlying the present invention.

The device <NUM> may comprise connecting means "M" for connecting the containment volume "V" to at least one fluid supply or outflow pipe.

Preferably, the connection means "M" comprise a bayonet coupling.

As illustrated in the attached figures, the device <NUM> comprises a selector device <NUM> configured to place in fluid communication at least one inlet opening <NUM> and at least one outlet opening <NUM>.

Such a selector device <NUM> is at least partially arranged within the containment volume "V".

The selector device <NUM> is rotatable in a single first predetermined rotation direction within the containment volume "V" so as to allow a fluid communication between at least one inlet opening <NUM> and at least one outlet opening <NUM>.

Advantageously, at least one of the inlet openings <NUM> and/or outlet openings <NUM> can be obtained on the device <NUM> so that the rotation of the selector device <NUM> puts them in communication with the containment volume "V".

In accordance with a possible embodiment and as illustrated in the attachments, the second flange <NUM> has a plurality of inlet openings <NUM> circumferentially arranged and angularly equally spaced from the axis of rotation of the selector device <NUM>.

In this manner, the rotation of the selector device <NUM> selectively puts the aforementioned openings in communication with the containment volume "V".

The device <NUM> comprises a pump <NUM> mounted on the selector device <NUM> inside the containment volume "V" and integral with the selector device <NUM> during the rotation in the first rotation direction.

The pump <NUM> is configured to promote a movement of fluid from a storage volume external to the device <NUM> to the containment volume "V" and from the containment volume "V" to a use volume external to the device <NUM>.

For example, the pump <NUM> may promote the movement of cleaning products towards a use volume or temporary station (such as a washing machine basket or a so-called "drawer" of a washing machine).

As illustrated in the figures, the pump <NUM> has an inlet <NUM> and an outlet <NUM> to allow the aforementioned fluid movement.

In other words, the pump <NUM> moves a fluid through the inlet opening <NUM> and the outlet opening <NUM>, placed in fluid communication by the selector device <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment, the selector device <NUM> comprises two coupling portions operatively connected to the aforementioned inlet <NUM> and outlet <NUM> of the pump <NUM> and configured to put in fluid communication the inlet <NUM> and/or the outlet <NUM> with an inlet opening <NUM> and/or an outlet opening <NUM>.

In this manner, as previously discussed, the rotation of the selector device <NUM> selectively puts the inlet <NUM> and/or the outlet <NUM> of the pump <NUM> in fluid communication with an inlet opening <NUM> and/or an outlet opening <NUM> of the device <NUM>.

Preferably, the device <NUM> comprises hydraulic sealing means <NUM> circuitally associated with the inlet <NUM> and/or the outlet <NUM> of the pump <NUM> (or more generally, circuitally associated with the pump <NUM>, this expression meaning that the hydraulic sealing means can have a qualitative or quantitative or directional "modification" or "regulation" effect on the flows which can be generated by the pump <NUM> and can cross, according to different possible paths, the entire device <NUM> in accordance with the invention).

Such hydraulic sealing means <NUM> are active between the inlet <NUM> and/or the outlet <NUM> of the pump <NUM> and the inlet opening <NUM> and/or outlet opening <NUM>.

In particular, the hydraulic sealing means <NUM> may comprise at least one suction-cup gasket <NUM>.

Preferably, the suction-cup gasket <NUM> comprises a first portion at least partially inserted within the inlet <NUM> or the outlet <NUM> (or one of the coupling portions if provided) and a second portion which can be respectively activated on the inlet opening <NUM> or on the outlet opening <NUM> of the device <NUM>. Preferably, the hydraulic sealing means <NUM> further comprise a duckbill valve suitable to prevent a reverse recirculation of the fluid.

That is to say, the duckbill valve prevents the reflux of the fluid moved by the pump <NUM>.

More generally, and referring to what has been said above regarding the circuital association of the hydraulic sealing means <NUM> to the pump <NUM>, it can be seen how the latter can be structurally and/or functionally designed so that they are interposed between the selector device <NUM> and the containment body cooperatively defined by the flanges <NUM> and <NUM> (which in turn define the containment volume "V") and that they are suitable to simultaneously implement the sealing function and the non-return function. The pump <NUM> comprises a rotor <NUM> rotatable with respect to the selector device <NUM> only in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction.

In other words, the rotor <NUM> is integral with the selector device <NUM> during the rotation in the first rotation direction and is rotatable with respect to the selector device <NUM> in the direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

For example, if the selector device <NUM> can rotate clockwise (or counter-clockwise), the rotor <NUM> can rotate counter-clockwise with respect to the device <NUM> (or clockwise).

In particular, the rotor <NUM> rotates with respect to a rotation axis "X", preferably coaxial to the selector device <NUM>.

The rotation of the selector device <NUM> and/or the rotor <NUM> is promoted by a rotary actuator (not shown in the attached figures).

That is, the device <NUM> comprises a rotary actuator active on the selector device <NUM> and/or on the rotor <NUM> to move the selector device <NUM> and/or the pump <NUM> in the aforementioned first and/or second rotation direction.

In accordance with a possible embodiment and as illustrated in the attached figures, the device <NUM> may have an access light "M" for the at least partial insertion of the aforementioned actuator.

Preferably the selector device <NUM> and the rotor <NUM> are arranged coaxially on an actuating shaft of the aforementioned rotary actuator.

In accordance with some possible embodiments of the present invention, the rotary actuator is suitable to connect to a movement shaft <NUM> associated with the pump <NUM> and/or with a selection shaft <NUM> associated with the selector device <NUM>.

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the movement shaft <NUM> and the selection shaft <NUM> are arranged in a condition of mutual coaxiality, in which the movement shaft <NUM> and the selection shaft <NUM> are simultaneously crossing the first flange <NUM> or the second flange <NUM>.

Alternatively, the movement shaft <NUM> and the selection shaft <NUM> are arranged in a condition of mutual opposition, in which the movement shaft <NUM> and the selection shaft <NUM> are respectively crossing the first flange <NUM> and the second flange <NUM>.

The pump <NUM> is preferably a peristaltic pump.

That is, the pump <NUM> moves a fluid by applying a bottleneck to a channel <NUM> in which a fluid is contained so as to push it from the inlet <NUM> to the outlet <NUM> of the pump <NUM>.

Preferably, the channel <NUM> is made of one or more rubbery and/or polymeric materials, such as for example silicone, CSM, EPDM, HNBR, NBR and others, depending on the needs of the moment.

In accordance with a possible embodiment and as illustrated in the attached figures, the rotor <NUM> comprises three rollers <NUM> radially equidistant from the rotation axis "X" of the rotor <NUM> and angularly equally spaced.

Advantageously, the rollers <NUM> are active on the channel <NUM> of the pump <NUM> to move fluid.

In particular, the roller conformation of the elements acting on the channel <NUM> limits the stresses on the channel <NUM>, helping to increase the operating life span thereof.

In accordance with embodiments not illustrated in the attached figures, a different number of rollers <NUM> may be present or the elements acting on the channel <NUM> may have a different shape without altering the inventive concept underlying the present invention.

As illustrated in the attached figures, the device <NUM> may comprise first unidirectional free rotating means <NUM>, active between the selector device <NUM> and a respective portion "P" of the device <NUM> inside the containment volume "V", and second unidirectional free rotating means <NUM>, active between the rotor <NUM> and the selector device <NUM>.

In particular, the first and second unidirectional free rotating means <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to allow a rotation in the first rotation direction and in the second rotation direction, respectively.

Preferably, the first unidirectional free rotating means <NUM> comprise a first sawtooth guide <NUM>, obtained on the selector device <NUM> or on the portion "P" of the device <NUM>, and at least one first protrusion <NUM>, respectively associated with the portion "P" of the device <NUM> or the selector device <NUM>.

Preferably, moreover, the second unidirectional free rotating means <NUM> comprise a second sawtooth guide <NUM>, obtained on the selector device <NUM> or on the rotor <NUM>, and at least one second protrusion <NUM>, associated with the rotor <NUM> or the selector device <NUM>, respectively.

Advantageously, the sawtooth guides <NUM>, <NUM> allow the rotation by sliding of the relative protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> in the predetermined rotation directions and prevent the rotation thereof by sliding in the opposite directions thanks to the presence of active abutment walls on the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> if moved in the opposite direction.

The device <NUM> further comprises sensor means <NUM> associated with the selector device <NUM> and/or the pump <NUM> configured to measure one or more operating parameters of the device <NUM>.

In particular, the sensor means <NUM> can measure an absolute angular position of the selector device <NUM> within the containment volume V.

Furthermore, the sensor means <NUM> can be configured to measure and/or an absolute angular position of the pump <NUM> within the containment volume V and/or a relative angular position between the selector device <NUM> and the pump <NUM>.

For the purposes of the present discussion, the expression "absolute angular position" means a given angular rotation value with respect to a reference system definable by the external parts of the device <NUM>, i.e., the first flange <NUM> and/or the second flange <NUM> (which during the operation of the device <NUM> can be considered as stationary).

For example, the sensor means <NUM> can comprise "contact" sensors, for example sliding contacts or the like, and sensors of the "non-contact" type, for example with a Hall effect (or again, depending on particular movement methods of the selector device <NUM> and/or the pump <NUM>, can comprise an adequate electronics for operating and controlling electric motors, generally of the step-step type, which is able to register and detect an angular position of movement of the motors themselves: this angular position of the motors obviously corresponds to the position of the selector device <NUM> or the pump <NUM> associated with that given motor).

Depending on the needs of the moment, the sensor means <NUM> can be positioned in various positions of the device <NUM>, as long as they are capable of detecting the absolute and/or relative angular positions mentioned above: for example, the sensor means <NUM> can be located circumferentially and/or radially in the selector device <NUM> and/or in the pump <NUM> and can also be positioned "externally" on the first flange <NUM> and/or on the second flange <NUM>.

Among the many possible implementations of the sensor means <NUM>, and more particularly with reference to <FIG>, the sensor means <NUM> can be keyed coaxially to a movement shaft <NUM> associated with the pump <NUM>.

In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids comprising a pumping and switching device <NUM> and a predetermined number of ducts suitable for supplying and sorting fluid of the pumping device <NUM>.

In particular, the apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids is configured to move a predetermined amount of a fluid, for example water and/or cleaning products, from at least a first containment volume, such as a cleaning product storage tray, to at least a second containment volume, for example the basket of a washing machine or the operating space of a dishwasher.

Preferably, the apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids comprises at least one duckbill valve arranged within at least one of the aforementioned ducts to prevent fluid reflux after pumping by the appropriate pump.

It is therefore noted that the present invention achieves the proposed object thanks to a pumping and switching device and an apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids with high adaptability to the design requirements imposed by the different operating specifications thanks to the presence of a selector device capable of selectively putting a plurality of openings for the inlet and outflow of liquid from the pumping and switching device in fluid communication: this high adaptability is achieved with an extremely simplified structure and in any case capable of ensuring a switching between an extremely variable number of inlets and outlets.

Advantageously, the pumping and switching device reduces the number of solenoid valves used, helping to limit the construction costs.

In addition, the pumping and switching device and the apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids have limited dimensions.

Advantageously, moreover, the pumping and switching device and the apparatus for selecting and sorting fluids are characterized by a high silence during operation.

In more detail, at the level of advantages of the invention it can be illustrated that the adoption of the peristaltic pump allows to relate the flow rate of pumped fluid without the need for further flow measurement devices (such as flowmeters), to the full advantage of the manufacturing economy and efficiency as well as dosage accuracy.

The integrated system developed in accordance with the invention also makes it possible to significantly increase the number of tanks without affecting costs, but above all it makes it possible to eliminate the drawers, thus creating a washing machine (or more generally, an appliance or any other machine where the dosing of different substances is necessary for the functionality of the machine itself) with a higher level of automation: this implies that the machine in which the object of the present invention is integrated can analyse the amount of detergent necessary according to the washing conditions and the user no longer has to fill the drawers with each wash (so much so that by imagining installing the present invention in a washing machine, with a single actuator and with dimensions comparable to those of a single-pump dosing system, two or more tanks can be easily managed, for example up to six).

Claim 1:
Pumping and switching device (<NUM>) defining a containment volume (V) and comprising:
- a predetermined number of inlet openings (<NUM>) configured to allow an inlet of at least one fluid into said containment volume (V);
- a predetermined number of outlet openings (<NUM>) configured to allow an outflow of at least said fluid from said containment volume (V), said outlet openings being able to be selectively put in fluid communication with said inlet openings (<NUM>);
- a selector device (<NUM>) arranged at least partially within said containment volume (V), said selector device (<NUM>) being rotatable in a single first predetermined rotation direction within said containment volume (V), said selector device (<NUM>) putting in fluid communication at least one inlet opening (<NUM>) and at least one outlet opening (<NUM>); and
- a pump (<NUM>);
characterized in that:
the pump (<NUM>) is mounted on said selector device (<NUM>) inside said containment volume (V) and integral with said selector device (<NUM>) during the rotation in said first rotation direction, said pump (<NUM>) comprising a rotor (<NUM>) rotatable with respect to said selector device (<NUM>) only in a second rotation direction opposite to said first rotation direction, the pump (<NUM>) moving a fluid through said inlet opening (<NUM>) and said outlet opening (<NUM>) put in fluid communication by the selector device (<NUM>); and
it further comprises sensor means (<NUM>) associated with the selector device (<NUM>) and/or the pump (<NUM>), said sensor means (<NUM>) being adapted to measure:
- an absolute angular position of the selector device (<NUM>) within the containment volume (V); and/or
- an absolute angular position of the pump (<NUM>) within the containment volume (V); and/or
- a relative angular position between the selector device (<NUM>) and the pump (<NUM>).