LAUNDRY WASHING MACHINE WITH IMPROVED WASHING PERFORMANCES

Abstract

A laundry washing machine comprising: a cabinet, a washing tub housed inside the cabinet, a drum rotatably housed inside the tub, and an electric liquid supplying device mounted in or on the drum and configured for dispensing a liquid in an inner region of the drum. The invention is also related to a method for operating such a laundry washing machine.

Claims

1. A laundry washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a washing tub housed inside said cabinet; a drum rotatably housed inside said tub; and an electric liquid supplying device mounted in/on in or on said drum and configured for dispensing a liquid in an inner region of said drum.

2. The laundry washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said electric liquid supplying device is configured for drawing a liquid from a region of said tub external to said drum, and dispensing said liquid in an inner region of said drum.

3. The laundry washing machine, according to claim 1, wherein said electric liquid supplying device is configured for drawing a liquid from an inner region of said drum and dispensing said liquid in a different inner region of said drum.

4. The laundry washing machine, according to claim 3, comprising a liquid reservoir mounted in/on in or on said drum, wherein said electric liquid supplying device is configured for drawing a liquid from said liquid reservoir and dispensing said liquid in an inner region of said drum.

5. The laundry washing machine, according to claim 1, wherein said electric liquid supplying device is or comprises a pump.

6. The laundry washing machine, according to claim 1, comprising at least one hollow lifter protruding inwardly from a lateral internal surface of said drum.

7. The laundry washing machine according to claim 6, wherein said electric liquid supplying device is at least partially housed within said lifter.

8. (canceled)

9. The laundry washing machine according to claim 7, 8, wherein said electric liquid supplying device comprises a pump.

10. The laundry washing machine, according to claim 9, wherein a discharge side of said pump is connected to a discharge duct configured for pumping a liquid out of said lifter.

11. The laundry washing machine, according to claim 9, wherein a discharge side of said pump is connected to a discharge duct configured for pumping a liquid within said lifter, and wherein said lifter comprises one or more perforated outlet walls by which a liquid can exit said lifter and go to an inner region of said drum.

12. The laundry washing machine according to claim 7, further comprising a liquid reservoir housed within said lifter.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. The laundry washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said electric liquid supplying device is controlled by a dedicated control system mounted in or on said drum.

17. The laundry washing machine according to claim 16, wherein said laundry washing machine comprises a control unit managing operations of said laundry washing machine, and said dedicated control system is operatively connected to and controlled by said control unit.

18. The laundry washing machine according to claim 5, wherein: said laundry washing machine comprises a control unit managing operations of said laundry washing machine; a suction side of said pump is fluidly connected by a suction pipe to the internal of said tub; and said control unit is configured for activating said pump when an angular position of said drum is such that said suction pipe is in contact with liquid contained in said tub.

19. The laundry washing machine according to claim 16, wherein: said electric liquid supplying device is controlled by a dedicated control system mounted in or on said drum; a suction side of said pump is fluidly connected by a suction pipe to the internal of said tub; and said dedicated control system is configured for activating said pump when the angular position of said drum is such that said suction pipe is in contact with liquid contained in said tub.

20. The laundry washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said liquid reservoir is manually and/or automatic refillable.

21. (canceled)

22. The laundry washing machine according to claim 1, comprising: a wireless power transmitter unit associated to said cabinet and/or to said washing tub separately from said drum, and arranged for wirelessly transmitting electric power to a wireless power receiver unit mounted in or on said drum, wherein said wireless power receiver unit is configured for supplying electric power to said electric liquid supplying device.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. The laundry washing machine according to claim 22, wherein said wireless power transmitter unit is mounted in or on said washing tub.

27. The laundry washing machine according to claim 26, wherein the power transmitter unit and said power receiver unit are positioned, one opposite to the other, fixed respectively to said washing tub and to said drum, parallel one another, and to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of said drum.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. A method for operating a laundry washing machine comprising: a cabinet, a washing tub housed inside said cabinet, a drum rotatably housed inside said tub, an electric liquid supplying device mounted in or on said drum and configured for dispensing a liquid in an inner region of said drum, wherein said method comprises: loading laundry within said drum; and activating said electric liquid supplying device for dispensing a liquid in an inner region of said drum.

38. The method for operating a laundry washing machine, according to claim 37, wherein said laundry washing machine comprises a wireless power transmitter unit associated to said cabinet and/or to said washing tub separately from said drum, and arranged for wireless transmitting electric power to a wireless power receiver unit) mounted in or on said drum, wherein said wireless power receiver unit is configured for supplying electric power to said electric liquid supplying device, wherein said method comprises: wireless supplying electric power from said wireless power transmitter unit to said wireless power receiver unit; and supplying electric power from said wireless power receiver unit to said electric liquid supplying device, so that the latter can be activated.

Description

[0063] Other advantages and features of a laundry washing machine according to the present invention will be clear from the following detailed description, provided only as a not limitative example, in which:

[0064] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a possible embodiment of a laundry washing machine according to the invention.

[0065] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a detail of a possible embodiment of a wireless transmitter power unit and a wireless receiver power unit of a laundry washing machine according to the invention.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing more in detail an advantageous embodiment of the fixation of the wireless power transmitter unit to the tub and the wireless power receiver unit to the drum of a laundry washing machine according to the invention.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a power supply circuit of the electric additive treating device(s) of a laundry washing machine according to the invention.

[0068] FIG. 5 is block diagram of another embodiment of a power supply circuit of the electric additive treating device(s) of a laundry washing machine according to the invention.

[0069] FIG. 6 is block diagram of another embodiment of a power supply circuit of an electric additive treating device of a laundry washing machine according to the invention, including an interface unit.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of an electric liquid supplying device of a laundry washing machine according to the invention.

[0071] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of an electric liquid supplying device of a laundry washing machine according to the invention.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of an electric liquid supplying device of a laundry washing machine according to the invention.

[0073] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of an electric liquid supplying device of a laundry washing machine according to the invention.

[0074] In the figures same parts are indicated with the same reference numbers.

[0075] An advantageous embodiment of a laundry washing machine 10 according to the invention is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1; in this advantageous embodiment, the washing machines is a “simple” washing machine (i.e. a washing machine which can only wash and rinse the laundry);

[0076] anyway, it is clear that the invention can be applied, without any substantial modification, also to washer-driers.

[0077] Advantageously the laundry washing machine 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is of the front-loading type; it is however clear that the invention can be applied, without any substantial modification, also to top-loading washing machines.

[0078] The laundry washing machine 10 according to the invention advantageously comprises a cabinet 20 in which frontal wall 20a an access opening is preferably obtained, preferably connected to the cabinet 20 via a flexible bellows, not illustrated.

[0079] Preferably, a loading/unloading door 4 allows the access to a washing tub 30, advantageously suspended to the cabinet 20 through springs 40 and dampers 80.

[0080] The washing tub 30 advantageously contains a rotary perforated drum 50 in which the laundry to be washed, not illustrated, can be loaded.

[0081] The drum 50 is preferably provided with a rotating shaft 6, protruding from its rear wall 50b, and supported by one or more bearings, not illustrated, provided in the rear wall 30b of the tub 30; the shaft 6, and therefore the drum 50, is preferably rotated by an electric motor 5, preferably, but not necessarily, fixed directly to the rear wall 30b of the tub 30, or connected to the shaft 6 by a belt-pulley assembly, not illustrated.

[0082] Advantageously, as in the examples illustrated in attached Figures, the laundry washing machine 10 comprises at least one lifter 500 (called also elevator, or rib, or diverter), hollow, protruding from the lateral internal surface 50c of the drum 50, towards the internal of the latter, adapted to improve the stirring of the laundry during the rotation of the drum 50; the lifter 500 is, preferably, a substantially prismatic element, advantageously positioned with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the drum 50.

[0083] The laundry washing machine 10 preferably comprises a washing/rinsing liquid supply circuit 100, connectable to water delivery mains, not illustrated, present outside the machine, and adapted to feed a washing/rinsing liquid (i.e. water, or water mixed with a washing and/or rinsing additive) into the tub 30.

[0084] Preferably, but not necessarily, the washing/rinsing liquid supply circuit 100 can advantageously comprise an additive housing 101, associated to the cabinet 20, containing an additive drawer 102 provided with a plurality of compartments, not illustrated, adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing additives; water, coming from water mains to which the washing/rinsing liquid supply circuit 100 is connected, is selectively taken into one or more of the compartments of the additive drawer 102 (e.g. by controlling suitable electromagnetic inlet valve(s), not illustrated), so as to contact and mix with the additive(s) contained therein, and forming a washing/rinsing solution.

[0085] The washing/rinsing solution (i.e. water mixed with washing and/or rinsing additive(s)) is then taken to the washing tub 30 by a conduit 103 fluidly connecting the additive housing 101 and the washing tub 30.

[0086] Advantageously, also clean water can be taken to the washing tub 30, for example for rinsing the laundry during the rinsing phase; this can be obtained by bringing the clean water coming from the water mains to an empty compartment of the additive drawer 102, from which this clean water goes to the tub via conduit 103.

[0087] Advantageously, the laundry washing machine 10 comprises a control unit 60, preferably managing the operations of the laundry washing machine 10, for example by controlling the drum motor rotation speed as well as the other valves and/or actuators comprised in the laundry treating apparatus, for example a drain pump and a user interface (not illustrated).

[0088] The laundry washing machine 10 is also advantageously provided with a drain circuit, also not illustrated, adapted for draining washing/rinsing liquid from the machine.

[0089] The drain circuit of a washing machine is well known in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0090] A wireless power transmitter unit 62 is preferably associated to the cabinet 20 and/or to the washing tub 30, separately from the drum 50; in the advantageous embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the wireless power transmitter unit 62 is advantageously fixed to the tub 30, preferably to the internal wall of the tub 30 facing the drum 50.

[0091] In a different advantageous embodiment, the wireless power transmitter unit 62 can be mounted, for example, in a static or fixed part of the cabinet 20.

[0092] The laundry washing machine 10 is also preferably provided with a wireless power receiver unit 63, mounted in/on the drum 50.

[0093] The wireless power transmitter unit 62 is arranged for wireless transmitting electric power to the wireless power receiver unit 63.

[0094] The wireless power transmitter unit 62 is electrically connected, preferably wired, to the electric system, not illustrated, of the laundry washing machine 10; the electric system is connectable, for example, to the electric mains, not illustrated, of the building where the laundry washing machine 10 is installed, so as to be power supplied by such electric mains.

[0095] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in FIG. 1, the wireless power transmitter unit 62 and the wireless power receiver unit 63 are positioned, one opposite to the other, fixed respectively to the washing tub 30 and to the drum 50, and preferably parallel one another, and to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 50.

[0096] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in FIG. 1, the wireless power receiver unit 63 is fixed to a front wall 50a of the drum 50, advantageously corresponding to its opening side, and the wireless power transmitter unit 62 is preferably fixed to the front wall 30a of the tub 30, facing the wireless power receiver unit 63.

[0097] In another advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, the wireless power transmitter unit 62 can be fixed to the rear wall 30b of the tub 30, preferably facing the drum 50, and the wireless power receiver unit 63 can be fixed to the rear wall 50b of the drum 50, facing the tub 30.

[0098] The wireless power receiver unit 63 is electromagnetically coupled to the wireless power transmitter unit 62.

[0099] Preferably, the wireless power transmitter unit 62 and the wireless power receiver unit 63 are annular shaped (e.g. they are or comprise electrically conductive coils); more preferably, they are centered with the drum 50 center, and mounted parallel one another, and to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 50, respectively on the tub 30 and on the drum 50.

[0100] The power receiver unit 63 is advantageously fixed opposite the power transmitter unit 62, and parallel to the latter and to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 50.

[0101] In FIG. 2 a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the wireless power transmitter unit 62 and wireless power receiver unit 63 is schematically shown.

[0102] The wireless power transmitter unit 62 has preferably a transmission coil 620 which is electromagnetically coupled to a reception coil 630 of the wireless power receiver unit 63. They are preferably integrated into an enclosing material 622, 632 and they have, preferably, respectively magnetic sheets 621 and 631 that provide the side magnetic shield to the sides external to the coupling area, and improve the magnetic coupling between the two coils 620 and 630.

[0103] Preferably, the wireless power transmitter unit 62 and the wireless power receiver unit 63 are parallel, centered with respect to the drum 50 center in order to maximize the electromagnetic coupling, as shown for example in FIG. 3.

[0104] In the advantageous example of FIG. 3, the wireless power receiver unit 63 could be advantageously fixed in an annular opening formed in the drum 50 external periphery, while the power transmitter unit could advantageously have its side 622 fixed with screw or glued to the tub 30 wall.

[0105] According to the invention, the laundry washing machine 10 comprises an electric liquid supplying device 200, that will be better described in the following, mounted in/on the drum 50 and configured for dispensing a liquid 3 in an inner region of said drum 50.

[0106] The liquid 3 can be water or water mixed with a washing and/or rinsing agent.

[0107] In advantageous embodiments, like the ones illustrated in attached Figures, the wireless power receiver unit 63 is configured for supplying electric power to the electric liquid supplying device(s) 200.

[0108] In advantageous embodiments, like the ones illustrated in attached Figures, the electric liquid supplying device 200 is wired connected to the wireless power receiver unit 63.

[0109] As shown for example in the advantageous embodiment of FIG. 4, in the control unit 60 of the laundry washing machine 10 an oscillating voltage can be generated by switching elements 602, that are electrically connected to the transmission coil 620 of the wireless power transmitter unit 62 coupled to the reception coil 630 of the wireless power receiver unit 63. The voltage induced in the coil 630 can be preferably rectified and conditioned in a coil interface block 611, and can be preferably brought, preferably with wires, to one more electric liquid supplying device 200 (if they are more than one, they can be preferably, but not necessarily, electrically connected one another in parallel), only schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, mounted in/on the drum 50.

[0110] Preferably, the components of the interface block 611 could be integrated in the power receiver unit 63.

[0111] In a further advantageous embodiment, for example the one shown in FIG. 5, the power receiver unit 63 has multiple coils 630, each coil 630 preferably supplying, through its own interface block 611, one or more respective electric liquid supplying device 200.

[0112] A further advantageous embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, on the drum 50 there is fixed an interface unit 61, together with the power receiver unit 63 and the one or more electric liquid supplying device 200. The interface unit 61 can be supplied by a dedicated reception coil 640 of the receiver unit 63, as shown in FIG. 6, or it could be connected in parallel to the reception coil 630 supplying the electric additive treating device(s) 200.

[0113] The interface unit 61 has preferably a wireless connection 601 to transfer measurement data to the appliance control unit 60.

[0114] For example, the interface unit 61 could transfer to the appliance control unit 60 measured temperatures 615 from temperature measurement elements, not illustrated, positioned, for example, in the lifters 500; this would allow, for example, configuring washing cycles based on the real temperature measured in the drum 50, and not extrapolated by the temperature measured in the tub 30 that at the beginning of the cycle can be very different.

[0115] The interface unit 61 could be for example positioned integrated in the isolating support material 632 of the power receiver unit 63, or it could be positioned, for example, on the drum 50 rear wall 50b, preferably in a central region of the latter. The biggest advantage of this position is that the interface unit 61 components are not subject to the high centrifugal forces.

[0116] In a further advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, the electric power can be supplied to the electric liquid supplying device(s) 200 by a sliding electric contact, not illustrated, configured for electrically connecting the electric liquid supplying device(s) 200, mounted in/on the drum 50, to a power supply device, not illustrated, mounted on a not-rotating part of the laundry washing machine 10 (e.g. the tub 30 or the cabinet 20), preferably electrically connectable to the electric mains of a building.

[0117] In the following, different possible advantageous embodiments of electric liquid supplying devices 200 according to the invention will be described.

[0118] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the ones illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 10, the electric liquid supplying device 200 is configured for drawing a liquid from a region of the tub 30 external to the drum 50, and for dispensing this liquid 3 in an inner region of the drum 50.

[0119] In further advantageous embodiments, like for example the ones illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the electric liquid supplying device 200 is configured for drawing a liquid from an inner region of the drum 50 and dispensing this liquid 3 in a different inner region of the drum 50.

[0120] In advantageous embodiments, like the ones illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the laundry washing machine 10 comprises a liquid reservoir 7 mounted in/on the drum 50, and the electric liquid supplying device 200 is configured for drawing a liquid 3 from the liquid reservoir 7 and dispensing this liquid 3 in an inner region of the drum 50.

[0121] In advantageous embodiments, like the ones illustrated in attached Figures, the electric liquid supplying device 200 is at least partially, preferably totally, housed within a lifter 500.

[0122] In preferred embodiments, like for example the ones illustrated in attached Figures, the electric liquid supplying device 200 is or comprises a pump 9.

[0123] In advantageous embodiments, like the ones illustrated in attached Figures, the wireless power receiver unit 63 is configured for supplying electric power to the pump 9.

[0124] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the ones illustrated in attached Figures, the pump 9 is wired connected to the wireless power receiver unit 63.

[0125] In preferred embodiments, like for example the ones illustrated in attached Figures, the pump 9 is housed within the lifter 500.

[0126] In preferred embodiments, like for example the ones illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, a discharge side of the pump 9 is connected to a discharge duct 92 configured for pumping a liquid 3 out of the lifter 500.

[0127] In further advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in FIG. 10, the discharge duct 92 is configured for pumping a liquid within the lifter 500; in this case, the lifter 500 comprises one or more perforated outlet walls 16 by which the liquid 3 can exit the lifter 500 and go to an inner region of the drum 50.

[0128] In preferred embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in FIG. 8, the liquid reservoir 7 is housed within the lifter 500.

[0129] In preferred embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in FIG. 9, the liquid reservoir 7 coincides with a portion of the lifter 500.

[0130] In preferred embodiments, the electric liquid supplying device 200 is controlled by the control unit 60 of the laundry washing machine 10, to which it is operatively connected.

[0131] Preferably, the electric liquid supplying device 200 is operatively connected to the control unit 60 by a data transmission system, not illustrated.

[0132] In a further advantageous embodiment, the electric liquid supplying device 200 is controlled by a dedicated control system, not illustrated, mounted in/on the drum 50.

[0133] Preferably, the dedicated control system is operatively connected to and controlled by the control unit 60.

[0134] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the ones illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 10, a suction side of the pump 9 is fluidly connected by a suction pipe 91 to the internal of the tub 30.

[0135] Preferably, the control unit 60 is configured for activating the pump 9 when the angular position of the drum 50 is such that the suction pipe 91 is in contact with the liquid contained in the tub 30.

[0136] In a further advantageous embodiment, the dedicated control system is configured for activating the pump 9 when the angular position of the drum 50 is such that the suction pipe 91 is in contact with the liquid contained in the tub 30.

[0137] In advantageous embodiments, the liquid reservoir 7 is manually and/or automatic refillable, for example by opening a suitable lid 71 of the liquid reservoir 7.

[0138] The functioning of the laundry washing machine 10 according to the invention will be described in the following only in relation to the functioning of the electric liquid supplying device(s) 200.

[0139] With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, after loading the laundry in the drum 50 and closing the loading/unloading door 4, a washing process can be selected and started, for example by a user interface, not illustrated.

[0140] During the washing process, a washing and/or rinsing liquid (i.e. water or a solution of water mixed with a washing and/or rinsing additive) can be loaded in the washing tub 30, for example by the washing/rinsing liquid supply circuit 100.

[0141] After taking the drum 50 (if needed) in an angular position in which the suction pipe 91 is in contact with the washing/rinsing liquid contained in the tub 30, the pump 9 can be activated, so as to draw such liquid a, and to take it into the drum 50, where the laundry is positioned.

[0142] In this way, such a liquid 3 directly contacts the laundry contained in the drum 50, effectively wetting the latter, and ensuring an optimal washing and/or rinsing effect.

[0143] The functioning of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 differs from the one of FIG. 7 only because in the embodiment of FIG. 10 the pump 9 pumps the liquid 3 within the lifter 500, from which such a liquid 3 goes into the drum 50 via the perforated outlet walls 16 of the lifter 500.

[0144] The embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 differ from the one of FIG. 7 only because in the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 the pump 9 draws the liquid 3 from reservoir 7.

[0145] It is seen therefore how the invention achieves the proposed aim and objects, there being provided a laundry washing machine which can supply a liquid directly within the drum, and therefore exactly where the laundry is positioned, ensures that all the laundry, or most of it, is effectively wetted by this liquid.

[0146] In the advantageous embodiment in which the electric liquid supplying device is electrically powered by a wireless power receiver unit mounted in/on the drum, and to which the electric power is wireless transmitted by a power transmitter unit associated to the cabinet and/or to the tub, separately from the drum, it is also possible avoiding sliding contacts (and the related wear and tear problems) for transmitting electric power between a not-rotating part of the washing machine (the cabinet or the washing tub) and the drum, and therefore the reliability of the washing machine is improved.