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    • 专利摘要:
    washing machine is a washing machine (1) comprising an outer covering (2) with a front wall (2a), two side walls (2b), a rear wall (2c) and an upper wall ( 2d), a washing basin (3) disposed within said coating (2) facing directly to an opening for loading / unloading laundry included in the front wall (2a) of said coating (2), a rotating drum disposed of axially rotating inside the wash basin (3) and structured to receive the laundry to be washed, a detergent dispenser (9) which is housed within the liner (2) between the wash basin (3) and the upper wall ( 2d) of the liner (2), a rotating tuft rotating axially within the wash basin (3) and structured to receive the laundry to be washed, a detergent dispenser (9) which is housed within the liner (2) between the wash basin (3) and the upper wall (2d) of the rev (2) and is structured to feed into the wash basin (3) a detergent, softener and / or other washing agent mixed with fresh water coming from the water supply network, and a water softening device (11 ) comprising water softening agents to reduce the degree of hardness of the fresh water supplied to the wash basin (3), and a reservoir of regenerating agent (21) which is housed within the coating (2) and is structured to receive salt or other regeneration agent to perform a regeneration of said water softening agents; wherein the detergent dispenser (9) is provided with a first inlet (13a) which is exposed or exposed to the outside on the front wall (2a) of said coating (2); and that the regenerating agent reservoir (21) is housed within the coating (2) between the detergent dispenser (9) and one of the side walls (2b) of said coating (2b) and is provided with a second independent inlet ( 33a) that is exposed or exposed to the outside of the coating (2).
    公开号:BR112014002511B1
    申请号:R112014002511-8
    申请日:2012-07-27
    公开日:2020-12-22
    发明作者:Andrea Zattin；Daniele Favaro；Maurizio Del Pos
    申请人:Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
    [001] The present invention relates to a washing machine.
    [002] In particular, the present invention relates to a domestic front-loading washing machine, to which the following description refers purely by way of example without this implying any loss of generality. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [003] As is known, the domestic front-loading washing machines currently commercialized generally comprise: a box-like structured outer covering substantially in the form of a parallelepiped to rest on the floor; a substantially bell-shaped wash basin that floats suspended within the liner, facing directly for loading / unloading laundry to be washed through an opening comprised in the front wall of the liner; a substantially cylindrical, deformable bellows that connects the front opening of the wash basin to the opening for loading / unloading laundry formed on the front wall of the liner; a door with a window that is hinged to the front wall of the liner to rotate to and from a closed position in which the door closes the opening for loading / unloading laundry to wash on the front wall of the liner for water sealing the wash basin; a rotating bell-shaped, substantially cylindrical drum structured to accommodate the laundry to be washed, and which is housed within the wash basin in a rotating manner axially around its substantially horizontal oriented axis, and with its hollow facing the opening for loading / unloading laundry; and finally, an electric motor set that is structured to rotate the rotating drum around its longitudinal geometric axis inside the wash basin.
    [004] This type of domestic washing machine is, in addition, equipped with a detergent dispenser drawer that is located inside the box-type liner, immediately above the wash basin, and is structured to selectively feed into the basin. washing, according to the washing cycle selected manually by the user through a control panel usually located on the front wall of the box type coating, a given amount of detergent, softener and / or other washing agent properly mixed with the fresh water that enough of the water supply network, or even merely a given amount of fresh water that arrives from the water supply network.
    [005] More specifically, the detergent dispenser generally comprises a detergent drawer that is manually removable in an internal drawer receptacle whose entrance is located on the front wall of the box-like covering, above the door with a window. This detergent drawer is usually divided into a plurality of detergent compartments each of which is manually fillable with a corresponding detergent product, and the detergent dispenser furthermore comprises a drawer rinse circuit which is structured to pour / pour a given amount of fresh water from the water supply network selectively and alternately into each detergent compartment of the detergent drawer to rinse the detergent, fabric softener or other washing agent out of the compartment and into a catchment basin in the form of a funnel that is understood at the bottom of the drawer receptacle and communicates directly with the interior of the wash basin through a drain duct.
    [006] As the hardness of fresh water removed from the water supply network is known to have a profound negative effect on the cleaning efficiency of detergents and softeners used in the washing cycle, the user is usually asked to considerably increase the amount of detergent and fabric softener used in the wash cycle when the tap water hardness is too high.
    [007] To solve this problem, European Patent Application No. 1085118 discloses a front-loading domestic washing machine with an internal water softening device capable of reducing, during each washing cycle, the degree of hardness of the tap water used in the prewash and wash phases of the wash cycle. This water softening device uses ion exchange resins to restrict calcium and magnesium ions (Ca ++ and Mg ++) dissolved in tap water tapped into the wash basin, and uses brine (ie, salt water) to periodically regenerate these ion exchange resins. Salt water, in fact, is able to remove calcium and magnesium ions previously combined / attached to said resins from ion exchange resins.
    [008] Unfortunately the integration of a salt reservoir at the rear of the detergent drawer brought a very complicated detergent dispenser structure with a consequent significant increase in the total cost of production of the detergent dispenser.
    [009] Another drawback associated with the arrangement of the salt reservoir at the rear of the detergent drawer is that the capacity of the salt reservoir is limited, and that the brine formed inside the salt reservoir can accidentally leave the salt reservoir during extraction and normal insertion of the detergent drawer and form, at the bottom of the drawer receptacle, relevant salt deposits which, in the long run, may prevent the extraction and insertion of the detergent drawer and / or prevent the correct alignment of the salt container with the container resin located immediately below said salt reservoir, with all associated problems.
    [0010] Finally, but not least, the brine that accidentally leaves the salt reservoir can fall into the funnel-shaped catchment bowl at the bottom of the drawer receptacle. This catchment bowl communicates with the upper part of the wash basin, so the brine can fall on the eternal surface of the rotating drum which is usually made of metal, and therefore cause the rotating drum to quickly rust. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [0011] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an internal water softening device designed to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above.
    [0012] In accordance with the above objective, in accordance with the present invention a washing machine is provided comprising an outer covering provided with a front wall, two side walls, a rear wall and an upper wall, a wash basin arranged within said coating facing directly to an opening for loading / unloading laundry to be comprised in the front wall of said coating, a rotating drum arranged rotationally axially within the wash basin and structured to receive the laundry to be washed, a detergent dispenser which is housed within the liner between the wash basin and the top wall of the liner and is structured to provide detergent within the wash basin, and a water softening device comprising water softening agents to reduce the degree of hardness of the water to be supplied to the wash basin, and a reservoir of regenerating agent that is housed in inside the coating and is structured to receive salt or other regenerating agent to regenerate a water softening function of said water softening agents; wherein the detergent dispenser is provided with a first inlet which is exposed or capable of being exposed to the outside on the front wall of said coating; wherein said regenerating agent reservoir is housed within the liner between the detergent dispenser and one of the side walls of said liner, and is provided with a second inlet which is exposed or capable of being exposed to the outer side of the liner.
    [0013] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the entrance of said regenerating agent reservoir is exposed or capable of being exposed to the external side of the covering through the front wall of said coating.
    [0014] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the entrance of the detergent dispenser is arranged on the front wall of the lining above the opening for loading / unloading laundry included in the front wall of the cladding.
    [0015] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is further characterized by the fact that said water softening device which comprises a container of water softening agent which is filled with said softening agents of water is fluidly connected to said regenerating agent reservoir, and is located below said regenerating agent reservoir within a seat bounded by the side wall of the liner, the upper part of the wash basin and the front wall of the liner.
    [0016] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that said detergent dispenser comprises a detergent container that is fillable with a given amount of detergent, softener and / or other agent washing, and is housed within the liner within a corresponding first seat; wherein the front wall of the liner is provided with a corresponding first opening and the one in which said detergent container is accessible through said first opening.
    [0017] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that said detergent container is movable within said first seat so as to be at least partially removable from the first seat through said first opening in the front wall of the cladding.
    [0018] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is furthermore characterized by the fact that said regenerating agent reservoir comprises a regenerating agent container that is fillable with a given quantity of regenerating agents, and is housed within the casing within a corresponding second seat; wherein the front wall of the liner is provided with a corresponding second opening and wherein said regenerating agent container is accessible through said second opening.
    [0019] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is furthermore characterized by the fact that said container of regenerating agent is movable within said second seat so as to be at least partially removable from the second seat through the said second opening in the front wall 8a of the liner.
    [0020] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is further characterized by the fact that the direction of removal of the regenerating agent container within the second seat is locally substantially parallel to the direction of removal of the detergent container inside the first seat.
    [0021] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is further characterized by the fact that said detergent container and said regenerating agent container are able to protrude from the front wall of the coating at the same time that locally remain substantially parallel to each other.
    [0022] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, moreover, characterized by the fact that the said water softening device, moreover, comprises a water supply circuit that is structured to pour / pour a given amount of fresh water within said regeneration agent reservoir to dissolve at least partially the regeneration agents stored within it; the water softening agent container communicates with said regenerating agent reservoir to receive said regenerating agent solution.
    [0023] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, moreover, characterized by the fact that said detergent dispenser comprises: a detergent drawer that is manually inserted in a removable way in a first drawer receptacle that is extends into the lining above the wash basin, starting at a front entrance or opening that is comprised in the front lining wall above the loading / unloading opening for laundry; and a drawer rinse circuit that is structured to selectively pour / pour a given amount of fresh water from the water supply network into the detergent drawer to rinse the detergent, fabric softener or other washing agent out of the drawer. detergent and into the bottom of the first drawer receptacle that communicates with the inside of the wash basin.
    [0024] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, moreover, characterized by the fact that said reservoir of regenerating agent comprises a salt drawer that is manually inserted in a removable way in a second drawer receptacle that extends inside the liner, next to the detergent dispenser, starting at a front entrance or opening that is comprised in the front liner wall above the loading / unloading opening for laundry.
    [0025] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the second drawer receptacle is comprised of a piece with said first drawer receptacle.
    [0026] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the detergent dispenser comprises structured closing means to selectively cover the entrance of the detergent dispenser; wherein said closing means are dimensioned so as to also cover the second independent entry of the regenerating agent reservoir.
    [0027] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the detergent drawer is provided with a substantially cable-shaped front panel that is dimensioned to cover completely, when the laundry drawer is detergent is completely inserted into the first drawer receptacle, both the front entrance or opening of the first drawer receptacle 14 and the front entrance or opening of the second drawer receptacle.
    [0028] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is further characterized by the fact that it also comprises valve means that are arranged between the detergent dispenser and the water supply network, and are able to control / regulate the flow of fresh water from the water supply network towards the detergent dispenser and / or the wash basin.
    [0029] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is furthermore characterized by the fact that the water softening agent container is disposed between the rinsing circuit of the detergent dispenser drawer and said means of valve.
    [0030] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the detergent drawer is provided with a plurality of detergent compartments each one fillable with a respective detergent product, and in which the drawer rinse circuit comprises: a spray head which is located inside the first drawer receptacle above the detergent drawer, and is provided with a number of shower parts each of which is aligned with a corresponding detergent compartment in the drawer drawer detergent and is structured to feed a shower of drops of water by gravity only within said detergent compartment; and a hydraulic distributor assembly that is located upstream of the sprinkler head, and is structured to channel the fresh water that arrives from the selective water supply network and alternately inside one of the shower parts of the sprinkler head.
    [0031] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the water softening agent container is disposed between said valve means and said hydraulic distributor assembly, so as to be crossed by fresh water directed to the entrance of said hydraulic distributor assembly.
    [0032] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is further characterized by the fact that the first drawer receptacle is substantially bowl-shaped, and that the spray head comprises a first substantially flat lid or cover which is designed to close the top of the first drawer receptacle; wherein said first lid or cover is divided into a number of shower parts, each of which is vertically aligned to a corresponding detergent compartment of the detergent drawer and is structured to receive fresh water from the hydraulic distributor assembly and to feed a shower of water drops only inside the detergent compartment located immediately below.
    [0033] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the hydraulic distributor assembly is substantially lowered within said first cover or cover.
    [0034] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is further characterized by the fact that the second drawer receptacle is substantially bowl-shaped, and that the first lid or cover of the drawer rinsing circuit is designed to also close the top of said second drawer receptacle.
    [0035] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the water supply circuit of the water softening device branches off the rinsing circuit of the detergent dispenser drawer.
    [0036] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the water supply circuit comprises a first water channel that branches from a corresponding outlet of the hydraulic distributor set and is connected fluidly said regeneration agent reservoir.
    [0037] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the water softening device is, in addition, provided with a first water drain line which is structured to drain selectively the brine or fresh water out of the resin container.
    [0038] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that said first water drainage line comprises an exhaust duct that connects the bottom of the resin container or with the basin of with the drain collector or the water filter set of the washing machine, and an on-off valve located along the exhaust duct to control the discharge flow of brine or fresh water from the resin.
    [0039] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is, in addition, characterized by the fact that the rinsing circuit of the drawer, moreover, comprises a second water drain line that branches from the hydraulic distributor assembly.
    [0040] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is furthermore characterized by the fact that the desiccant container, the water softening of the water softening device is a stand-alone modular component that is endowed with a mechanical coupling interface structured to allow rigid tightening and fluid connection of said autonomous modular component part directly to the bottom of the regenerating agent reservoir. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0041] A non-limiting realization of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a domestic front-loading washing machine comprised of according to the teachings of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity; - Figure 2 is a side view of the domestic washing machine in Figure 1 with parts removed for clarity; - Figure 3 is a front view of the washing machine in Figure 1 with parts removed for clarity; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the top part of the washing machine of Figure 1 in a first operating position; - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the top part of Figure 1 washing machine in a second operating position; - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the internal detergent dispenser and internal water softening device of the washing machine of Figure 1; - Figure 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the internal detergent dispenser and internal water softening device shown in Figure 6, with parts removed for clarity; - Figure 8 is a perspective view of some component parts of the internal detergent dispenser and water softening device shown in Figures 6 and 7; - Figure 9 is a schematic view of the detergent dispenser and the water softening device of Figure 6; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the internal detergent dispenser and the internal water softening device shown schematically in Figure 6, with parts removed for clarity; Figure 11 is a schematic view of the alternative embodiment of the internal detergent dispenser and water softening device of Figure 10 of the washing machine of Figure 6; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the internal detergent dispenser and the internal water softening device shown in Figure 6, with parts removed for clarity; Figures 13 and 14 are respective schematic views of additional alternative embodiments of the internal detergent dispenser and the water softening device of the washing machine of Figure 1; - Figure 15 shows a perspective view of an additional alternative embodiment of the internal water softening device of the washing machine of Figure 1, with parts cut and parts removed for clarity; - Figure 16 shows a perspective view of an additional alternative embodiment of the internal water softening device of the washing machine of Figure 1, with parts cut and parts removed for clarity; while - Figures 17 and 18 show two perspective views of an additional alternative embodiment of the internal water softening device of the washing machine in Figure 1, with cut pieces and parts removed for clarity. DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE INVENTION
    [0042] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the reference numeral 1 as a whole indicates a domestic washing machine comprising: a box-like outer covering preferably, although not necessarily, substantially in the form of a parallelepiped 2 which is structured to rest on the floor and is provided with a front wall 2a, two side walls 2b, and a rear wall 2c all preferably oriented substantially vertically, and a substantially horizontal top wall 2d; a hollow wash basin preferably, although not necessarily, cylindrical, substantially bell-shaped 3 which is arranged within the liner 2 preferably suspended floating through a suspension system which preferably comprises a number of spiral springs 4 and vibration dampers 5, facing directly to a loading / unloading passage opening for washing comprised in the front wall 2a of the box-type lining 2; a substantially cylindrical, elastically deformable bellows, 6 which connects the front opening of the wash basin 3 to the opening for loading / unloading laundry formed on the front wall 2a of lining 2; and a substantially cylindrical bell-shaped rotary drum (not shown) structured to accommodate the laundry to be washed, and which is rotationally housed axially within the wash basin 3 so as to be able to rotate freely around its axis longitudinal reference.
    [0043] In the example shown, in particular, the rotating drum is housed in a rotating manner axially inside the wash basin 3 with its front opening directly facing / aligned with the loading / unloading opening for laundry on the front facing wall 2a 2, and the drum rotation axis is preferably arranged locally substantially coincident with the substantially horizontal oriented longitudinal washing axis L.
    [0044] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the washing machine 1 further comprises: a door with a window 7 which is hinged to the front wall 2a of lining 2 to rotate around a reference axis preferably, although not necessarily, vertically oriented to and from a closed position in which the peripheral edge of the door with a viewfinder 7 rests completely on the front wall 2a to close the opening for loading / unloading laundry and to seal the wash basin watertight 3 ; a power supply motor assembly 8 which is structured to drive the rotating drum in rotation around its longitudinal reference axis within the wash basin 3; a detergent dispenser 9 which is housed within the liner 2, above the wash basin 3, to thus emerge from the front wall 2a of the box-type liner 2 above the aforementioned laundry loading / unloading opening, and is structured to selectively feed into the wash basin 3, according to the selected wash cycle, a given amount of detergent, softener and / or other washing agent properly mixed with fresh water from the water supply network, or even simply a given amount of fresh water that arrives from the water supply network; and an electrically controlled on-off valve 10 that is arranged between the detergent dispenser 9 and the water supply network, and is able to control / regulate the flow of fresh water from the water supply network towards the detergent dispenser 9 and / or the wash basin 3.
    [0045] In addition to the above, the washing machine 1 is furthermore provided with an internal water softening device 11 which is disposed within the box-like liner 2, between the on-off valve 10 and the detergent dispenser 9 or even directly in the wash basin 3, and is structured to selectively reduce, during each wash cycle, the degree of hardness of fresh water removed from the water supply network and channeled to the detergent dispenser 9 and / or directly to the wash basin 3.
    [0046] The water softening device 11, in turn, generally comprises some water softening agents to reduce the degree of hardness of fresh water taken from the water supply network and supplied to the wash basin 3, and a regenerating agent reservoir which is structured to receive a given amount of salt or other regenerating agents and is capable of regenerating the water softening function of the water softening agents. This reservoir of regenerating agent is further arranged within the box-like liner 2, next to the detergent dispenser 9 in a substantially horizontal direction locally and substantially parallel to the front wall 2a of liner 2, so that both the detergent 9 as well as the water softening device 11 are directly exposed or exposed on the outside of the box-type coating 2, next to each other, so that they are preferably accessible independently by the user at any time.
    [0047] Preferably, with reference to Figures 1 to 5, the detergent dispenser 9 disposed within the liner 2 between the wash basin 3 and the upper wall 2d of the liner 2 and is provided with a first load inlet that is exposed or capable of being exposed to the outside on the front wall 2a of lining 2, above the opening for loading / unloading laundry, and is suitable for loading detergent, fabric softener and / or other washing agent.
    [0048] The water softening device regenerating agent reservoir 11 is instead housed within the liner 2 between the detergent dispenser 9 and one of the side walls 2b of liner 2, and is provided with a second inlet independent that is exposed or able to be exposed to the outside of the box-type coating 2; wherein this second independent inlet is suitable for loading salt or other regenerating agents into the regenerating agent reservoir.
    [0049] In the example shown, in particular, this second independent inlet is preferably located on the front wall 2a of the box-like liner 2, next to the detergent dispenser inlet 9 and even more preferably, immediately adjacent to the detergent dispenser inlet 9. However, in an additional embodiment, the second independent entrance can be arranged on the upper wall 2d of the outer covering 2.
    [0050] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, in the example shown, in particular, the detergent dispenser 9 is located inside the box-type liner 2, just above the wash basin 3, so that the detergent dispenser inlet 9 is arranged on the front wall 2a of the liner 2, immediately above the opening for loading / unloading laundry, and preferably immediately next to a control panel of the utensil 12 which is arranged on the front wall 2a of the liner 2 above the opening for loading / unloading laundry to be washed and immediately below the top wall 2d of coating 2.
    [0051] The water softening device 11, instead, is located inside the box-like liner 2, preferably immediately next to the detergent dispenser 9, on the other side of the control panel of the utensil 12.
    [0052] With reference to Figures 4 to 9, in the example shown, in particular, the detergent dispenser 9 comprises a detergent drawer 13 which is manually removable into a drawer or seat receptacle 14 that extends substantially horizontal within the box-like lining 2, immediately above the wash basin 3, starting at an entrance passage or front opening 14a which is comprised in the front wall 2a of lining 2 immediately above the loading / unloading opening for laundry. Therefore, the detergent drawer 13 of the detergent dispenser 9 is movable within the drawer or seat receptacle 14 so as to be at least partially removable from the drawer or seat receptacle 14 through the front opening or opening 14a in the front wall 2a of cover 2.
    [0053] The detergent dispenser 9, moreover, comprises a rinsing circuit of the drawer 15 which is structured to selectively pour / pour a given amount of fresh water arriving from the water supply network inside the detergent drawer 13 to rinse the detergent, softener or other washing agent out of the detergent drawer 13 and into a funnel-shaped catchment bowl that is formed at the bottom 14b of the drawer receptacle 14, and which communicates with the inside of the detergent bowl wash 3 through a corresponding supply duct 16 preferably connected to the upper part of the wash basin 3.
    [0054] The water softening device 11 is preferably interposed between the on-off valve 10 and the rinsing circuit of the detergent dispenser drawer 15.
    [0055] With reference to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, in the example shown, in particular, the detergent drawer 13 is movable within the drawer receptacle 14 in a direction of travel which is preferably oriented substantially horizontally and locally also substantially perpendicular to the front facing wall 2a 2.
    [0056] Furthermore, the detergent drawer 13 is preferably divided into a plurality of detergent compartments 13a (three in the example shown) each of which is manually fillable with a respective washing agent, and the rinse circuit of the drawer 15 is structured to pour / pour fresh water that arrives from the selective water supply network and alternately into the various detergent compartments 13a of the detergent drawer 13 to rinse the detergent or softener out of compartments 13a and into the catchment basin at funnel shape formed at the bottom 14b of the drawer receptacle 14.
    [0057] Preferably, the rinsing circuit of the drawer 15 is connected to the on-off valve 10 downstream of the water softening device 11, and is structured to pour / pour fresh water from the selective water softening device 11 and alternately within one or more of the detergent compartments 13a of the detergent drawer 13.
    [0058] With reference to Figures 6 to 9, in the example shown, in particular, the rinsing circuit of drawer 15 preferably comprises: a spray head 17 which is associated with the drawer receptacle 14 so as to be located immediately above the drawer. detergent 13 when the latter is fully inserted / collected in the drawer receptacle 14, and which is provided with an amount (three in the example shown) of shower / cut parts each of which preferably is substantially aligned to a corresponding detergent compartment 13a the detergent drawer 13 and is structured to feed a dense shower of water drops by gravity into the detergent compartment 13a located immediately below; and preferably an electrically controlled hydraulic distributor assembly 18 which is located immediately upstream of the spray head 17, that is, between the spray head 17 and the on-off valve 10, and is structured to channel the fresh water that arrives from the on-off valve turns off 10 selectively and alternately towards the various cuts that form the shower / sprinkler head parts 17.
    [0059] In the example shown, each cut that forms the shower / spray head part 17 is preferably vertically aligned to a respective detergent compartment 13a of the detergent drawer 13, and is structured to feed a dense shower of water drops exclusively into the detergent compartment 13a located immediately below.
    [0060] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, in the example shown in particular, the drawer receptacle 14 is preferably substantially bowl-shaped, and the spray head 17 is preferably formed preferably as a substantially flat lid or spray cover 17 which is designed to close the top of the drawer receptacle 14 so that it is located immediately above the detergent drawer 13 when the latter is completely inserted / retracted into the drawer receptacle 14. This substantially flat lid or cover 17 is divided into an amount ( three in the example shown) of shower parts, each of which is vertically aligned to a corresponding detergent compartment 13a of the detergent drawer 13, and is structured to receive fresh water from the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 and to feed a dense shower of gravity drops of water exclusively inside the detergent compartment 13a located immediately below.
    [0061] In addition to the above, the sprinkler cap or cover 17 is provided entirely with the hydraulic distributor set 18.
    [0062] In particular, the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 preferably comprises a rotating water spreader 18a which is preferably collected within the spray cap or cover 17 in an axially rotating manner; and an electric motor or other electrically operated rotary actuator 18b which is attached to the sprinkler cap or cover 17 and is mechanically connected to the central axis of the rotary water spreader 18a through a crank rod mechanism, so as to directly control / vary the angular position of the rotating water spreader 18a.
    [0063] With reference to Figures 7 and 9, the sprinkler cap or cover 17 has a first internal water channel 17a that connects the inlet of the rotating water spreader 18a to the on-off valve 10, thus channeling fresh water into the inlet the rotary water spreader 18a; and a number of second water channels 17b in which each connects a respective outlet of the rotating water spreader 18a to a corresponding part of the spray cap or cover that forms the shower 17.
    [0064] The fresh water from the water supply network reaches the entrance of the rotating water spreader 18a and is channeled / directed selectively to one of the shower parts of the sprinkler cover or cover 17 according to the angular position of the rotating water spreader 18th.
    [0065] As an alternative, the electric motor 18b can be connected to the central axis of the rotary water spreader 18a through a drive belt wrapped in a pair of pulleys one of which is fitted to the drive shaft of the electric motor 18b, and the another to the central axis of the rotary water spreader 18a.
    [0066] In a different embodiment not shown, the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 formed by the rotary water spreader 18a and the electric motor 18b can be replaced by a number of electrically controlled on-off valves each of which is interposed between the on valve - turn off 10 and a respective cut that forms the shower / sprinkler head part 17 to directly control the flow of fresh water towards the cut that forms the corresponding shower / sprinkler head part 17.
    [0067] With reference to Figure 9, preferably, although not necessarily, the rinsing circuit of drawer 15 also comprises a one-way valve 19 which is located immediately downstream of the on-off valve 10, that is, between the on-off valve 10 and the inlet of the rotating water spreader 18a, and is structured to allow fresh water to flow only from the on-off valve 10 to the water spreader 18a of the detergent dispenser 9 and not vice versa.
    [0068] In addition, the drawer 15 rinsing circuit is also preferably provided with a number of aeration sets 20 each located immediately downstream of a corresponding water outlet of the rotating water spreader 18a, that is, over a second corresponding water channel 17b of the spray cap or cover 17.
    [0069] With reference to Figures 4 to 9, the water softening device 11, in turn, is preferably inserted / located between the on-off valve 10, or the one-way valve 19 if present, and the inlet of the distributor assembly hydraulic 18 of the rinsing circuit of the drawer 15, in order to be crossed by the fresh water flowing towards the hydraulic distributor assembly 18, and comprises: an externally accessible regenerating agent reservoir 21 which is structured to receive a given quantity (for example , half a kilo or a kilo) of grains of salt (Sodium Chloride) or similar chemical regenerating agent, and is housed within the box-like liner 2 immediately next to the drawer receptacle 14 of the detergent dispenser 9 in a substantially parallel direction to the front wall 2a of the cladding 2, so as to emerge from a corresponding passage opening comprised, preferably, in the front wall 2a of the box-like cladding 2 immediately next to the front entrance / opening 14a of the drawer receptacle 14; a water supply circuit 22 which is structured to selectively pour / pour, upon command, a given amount of fresh water into the regenerating agent reservoir 21 so as to dissolve at least partially the salt stored therein and form a given amount brine (ie, salt water); and a water softening agent container 23 that is filled with a given amount of ion exchange resins (not shown) capable of restricting the calcium / magnesium ions (Ca ++ and Mg ++) dissolved in the fresh water flowing through the container resin 23, which is interposed between the on-off valve 10, or the one-way valve 19 if present, and the detergent dispenser 9.
    [0070] The resin container 23 is preferably interposed between the on-off valve 10, or the one-way valve 19 if present, and the entrance of the rotating water spreader 18a of the rinsing circuit of the drawer 15 so as to be crossed by fresh water flowing from the on-off valve 10 to the hydraulic distributor assembly 18.
    [0071] Therefore the water supply circuit 22 is structured to pour / pour a given amount of fresh water into the regenerating agent reservoir 21 of the water softening device 11 to at least partially dissolve the salt or other regenerating agents stored inside.
    [0072] The ion exchange resins (not shown) stored inside the resin container 23 instead form the water softening agents of the water softening device 11.
    [0073] In the example shown, in particular, the resin container 23 is preferably located within the coating 2, immediately below the regenerating agent reservoir 21 and immediately next to the upper part of the wash basin 3, between the side wall 2b and the upper part of the wash basin 3, so as to confront the front wall 2a of coating 2 internally. In this way the resin container 23 is located below the drawer receptacle 14 of the detergent dispenser 9.
    [0074] The resin container 23 is preferably located inside a pouch compartment or approximately triangular seat delimited by the side wall 2b of the box-type coating 2, the upper part of the wash basin 3, the front wall 2a of the coating 2, and the supply duct 16 that connects the drawer receptacle 14 to the wash basin 3.
    [0075] With reference to Figure 7, the resin container 23 is preferably formed as a completely autonomous cartridge or similar modular component part 23 which is provided with a mechanical coupling interface 23a structured to allow rigid clamping and fluid connection of the modular component part autonomous 23 directly to the bottom of the regenerating agent reservoir 21.
    [0076] This autonomous modular component part 23 is furthermore provided with two hydraulic connectors 23b, 23c structured to allow fluid connection of the resin container 23 in series to the water supply line that channels the fresh water from the connected valve disconnect 10 to the entrance of the hydraulic distributor assembly 18.
    [0077] A first hydraulic connector 23b communicates directly with the on-off valve 10 to thus allow fresh water to flow into the resin container 23, while a second hydraulic connector 23c communicates directly with the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 so as to allow the fresh water discharge flow from the resin container 23 towards the entrance of the rotary water spreader 18a.
    [0078] In addition to the above, ion exchange resins (not shown) are preferably, although not necessarily, confined, inside resin container 23, in a water-permeable basket (not shown) whose volume is less than that of the resin container 23 to thus form a peripheral gap or internal interspace that allows free circulation of fresh water.
    [0079] Referring to Figure 9, the water softening device 11, furthermore, comprises a one-way valve 24 that is interposed between the regenerating agent reservoir 21 and the resin container 23, and is structured to allow the brine contained in the regenerating agent reservoir 21 flows freely by even gravity into the resin container 23, and to prevent fresh water that arrives inside the resin container 23 from the on-off valve 10 from rising into the drying agent reservoir regeneration 21. The water softening device 11 is also preferably provided with water hardness sensing means (not shown) structured to measure the degree of hardness of the fresh water leaving the resin container 23 directed to the detergent dispenser 9.
    [0080] In the example shown, in particular, the water hardness sensing means are capable of communicating with an internal central control electronic unit (not shown) that controls all the electrically operated component parts of the washing machine 1, and is housed within the box-type liner 2, preferably at the rear of the control panel 12.
    [0081] Preferably, although not necessarily, the water softening device 11 is finally provided with a water drain line 25 which is structured to selectively drain the brine or fresh water out of the resin container 23 and preferably channel it brine or fresh water directly into the wash basin 3, into the drain collector 26 that extends downwards to form the bottom of the wash basin 3, or into the water filter assembly 27 that is interposed between the collector wash basin drainage 26 and the suction water circulation pump 28 and the water exhaust pump 29, which, in the example shown, are both preferably located at the bottom of the casing type 2, or substantially directly inside the water exhaust pump 29 that drains water or washing liquid out of the machine.
    [0082] In the example shown, in particular, the water drain line 25 preferably comprises an exhaust duct 30 that directly connects the bottom of the resin container 23 or the wash basin 3, to the drain collector 26, for the water filter assembly 27, or for the water exhaust pump 29, and an electrically controlled on-off valve 31 which is located along the exhaust duct 30 to control the discharge flow of brine or fresh water from the container of resin 23.
    [0083] Referring to Figures 5 to 9, the regenerating agent reservoir 21 instead preferably comprises a salt drawer 32 which is manually removable into a second drawer or seat receptacle 33 which extends substantially horizontal within the box-like liner 2, immediately next to the detergent dispenser drawer receptacle 14, starting at an inlet passage or front opening 33a which is preferably comprised in the front wall 2a of liner 2 locally adjacent to the inlet / front opening 14a of drawer receptacle 14 of detergent dispenser 9.
    [0084] Therefore the salt drawer 32 of the regenerating agent reservoir 21 is movable within the receptacle or drawer seat 33 so as to be at least partially removable from the drawer receptacle or seat 33 through the front opening or opening 33a in the front wall 2a of coating 2.
    [0085] Preferably the direction of removal of the salt drawer 32 locally is, in addition, substantially parallel to the direction of removal of the detergent drawer 13, thus the detergent drawer 13 and the salt drawer 32 are able to protrude from the front wall 2a of coating 2 while locally remaining substantially parallel to each other.
    [0086] In addition to the above, in the example shown, the front panel 13f of the detergent drawer 13 is preferably substantially cable-shaped and is preferably dimensioned to completely cover, when the detergent drawer 13 is completely inserted into the drawer receptacle 14, both the front opening / opening 14a of the drawer receptacle 14 and the front entrance / opening 33a of the drawer receptacle 33, to thereby completely hide both the detergent dispenser 9 and the water softening device 11.
    [0087] The water supply circuit 22 of the water softening device 11 is structured to pour / pour fresh water directly into the salt drawer 32 when the latter is fully inserted into its drawer receptacle 33, and the reservoir 21 it preferably also comprises a substantially bowl-shaped water-permeable salt pouch 34 which is adjusted / collected within the salt drawer 32 preferably in a manually removable manner, and is sized to be manually filled with said amount of salt grains or other chemical water softening agent.
    [0088] With reference to Figures 5 and 7, in the example shown, in particular, the bottom and / or at least one of the side walls of the salt pouch 34 which has a mesh structure to thereby allow fresh water to be poured / poured inside the salt drawer 32 reach freely and at least partially dissolve the salt grains located inside the salt pouch 34 to form a given amount of brine which is subsequently drained into the drawer receptacle 33 via a set of siphons or funnel or discharge opening (not shown) incorporated in the salt drawer 32.
    [0089] The brine accumulated at the bottom of the drawer receptacle 33, in turn, is subsequently drained / channeled into the resin container 23 through the unidirectional valve 24, when the hydrostatic pressure inside the resin container 23 allows the brine to flow by gravity into the resin container 23.
    [0090] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, in the example shown, in particular, the drawer receptacle 33 of regenerating agent reservoir 21 is preferably substantially bowl-shaped similar to the drawer receptacle 14, and is preferably, although not necessarily comprised of a part with the detergent dispenser drawer receptacle 14.
    [0091] In addition, the bottom 33b of the drawer receptacle 33 is preferably shaped to form a funnel-shaped catchment bowl 33b that communicates directly with the interior of the resin container 23 through a large through opening within the which preferably the one-way valve 24 is retracted. This passage opening is preferably closed at the top by a protective grid that is dimensioned to prevent the grains of salt from reaching and blocking the one-way valve 24.
    [0092] With reference to Figure 7, the mechanical coupling interface 23a of the resin container 23, in turn, is preferably provided with a sleeve or connector that protrudes externally which is structured / dimensioned to couple in a watertight manner with the opening opening at the bottom 33b of the drawer receptacle 33, so as to place the interior of the resin container 23 in direct communication with the drawer receptacle 33 through the unidirectional valve 24.
    [0093] As an alternative, the one-way valve 24 can be retracted into the sleeve or connector collector 23a that protrudes above the resin container 23.
    [0094] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the drawer receptacle 33 is preferably, although not necessarily, provided with a discharge funnel or opening 33c which is preferably located on a side wall of the drawer receptacle 33 and is structured to drain out of the funnel-shaped catchment bowl 33b the brine in case of overflow.
    [0095] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the salt drawer 32, in turn, is preferably fixed to / supported by a longitudinal rail or telescopic slide 35 which is disposed locally within the drawer receptacle 33 substantially parallel to the direction of insertion and extraction of the salt drawer 32, preferably oriented substantially horizontally, in order to allow manual displacement of the salt drawer 32 into and out of the drawer receptacle 33. Preferably a reciprocating mechanism 36 is also arranged within the receptacle of drawer 33 to facilitate the insertion and manual extraction of salt drawer 32.
    [0096] In addition to the above, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the cap or spray cap 17 of the detergent dispenser 9 is preferably shaped / designed to additionally completely close the top of the drawer receptacle 33 and preferably also incorporate part of the circuit water supply 22 of the water softening device 11.
    [0097] In addition, the resin container 23 is preferably inserted / disposed along the internal water channel 17a which, within the sprinkler cover or cover 17, channels fresh water towards the entrance of the rotating water spreader 18a. In this way the first and second hydraulic connectors 23b and 23c of the resin container 23 are preferably structured to be connectable to the cap or spray cap 17, along the internal water channel 17a of the cap or cap 17.
    [0098] In the example shown, in particular, the sprinkler cap or cover 17 preferably has two tubular appendages 17a 'and 17a ”that extend downwards, next to the drawer receptacle 33, until it finds and connects to the hydraulic connectors 23b and 23c of the resin container 23 located below the drawer receptacle 33. The tubular appendage 17a 'connected to the hydraulic connector 23b forms the end part of a first section of the internal water channel 17a that communicates directly with the on-off valve 10 ; the tubular appendage 17a ”connected to the hydraulic connector 23c forms the starting part of a second section of the internal water channel 17a that communicates directly with the entrance of the rotating water spreader 18a.
    [0099] Referring to Figures 6 to 8, instead, the water supply circuit 22 of the water softening device 11 preferably branches the rinsing circuit of the drawer 15 of the detergent dispenser 9.
    [00100] The water supply circuit 22 preferably comprises a water channel that branches from an outlet of the corresponding water spreader 18a and is fluidly connected to the water reservoir 21, so as to supply water to the water reservoir 21 under control of the hydraulic distributor set 18.
    [00101] In the example shown, in particular, the water supply circuit 22 is preferably integrated with the sprinkler cap or cover 17 which closes both drawer receptacles 14 and 33, and comprises a third internal water channel 17c which extends within of the sprinkler cap or cover 17 from an outlet of the corresponding rotary water spreader 18a of the rinse circuit of the drawer 15 and is fluidly connected to the salt drawer 32 to thus channel the fresh water coming out of the rotating water spreader 18a directly into the salt drawer 32.
    [00102] The electric motor 18b of the rinsing circuit of drawer 15, in turn, is preferably structured to selectively place / dispose the rotary water spreader 18a in a position that allows, when the brine is requested, to channel the fresh water that arrives from the resin container 23 to the third internal water channel 17c of the spray cap or cover 17.
    [00103] With reference to Figure 9, in the example shown, the rinsing circuit of drawer 15 also preferably comprises a second auxiliary water drain line 37 that branches from an outlet of the corresponding hydraulic distributor assembly 18, and is structured to channel the brine or fresh water that arrives from the resin container 23 preferably, though not necessarily, directly into the wash basin 3, or into the drain collector 26, or into the water filter assembly 27, or to the pump water leak 29.
    [00104] In other words, one of the outlets of the rotating water spreader 18a of the rinsing circuit of the drawer 15 is preferably connected to an auxiliary water drain line 37 which preferably, although not necessarily, ends inside the wash basin 3 or inside the drain collector 26 or inside the water filter assembly 27 or inside the pump 29; and the electric motor 18b is preferably structured to selectively place / dispose the rotary water spreader 18a in a position that allows channeling the brine or fresh water that arrives from the resin container 23 to the auxiliary water drain line 37 which, in turn, instead, it channels said brine or fresh water directly into the wash basin 3 or into the drain collector 26 or into the water filter assembly 27, or into the pump 29.
    [00105] Like the water drain line 25, the auxiliary water drain line 37 of the rinse circuit of the drawer 15 allows to selectively channel / drain out the resin container 23 the brine or fresh water that fills said container of resin.
    [00106] In the example shown, in particular, the sprinkler cap or cover 17 preferably comprises a fourth internal water channel 17d which extends within the sprinkler cap or cover 17 from an outlet of the corresponding rotating water spreader 18a of the rinsing circuit of the drawer 15 for the entrance of an auxiliary water tube or hose 37 that extends towards the bottom of the box-type liner 2 and ends directly inside the wash basin 3 or inside the drain collector 26 or inside the water filtration set 27 or inside the pump 29.
    [00107] Preferably the auxiliary water drain line 37 can also comprise an aeration assembly disposed along the fourth internal water channel 17d of the sprinkler cap or cover 17.
    [00108] The general operation of domestic washing machine 1 is clearly inferable from the description above. When the on-off valve 10 is opened, fresh water flows from the water supply network to the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 of the rinsing circuit of the drawer 15 which, according to the wash cycle, channels said fresh water to one of the sections forming the shower / parts of the cover or spray cover 17 to rinse the detergent, fabric softener or other washing agent out of the corresponding detergent compartment 13a of the detergent drawer 13 and into the wash basin 3 through the supply duct 16.
    [00109] While flowing towards the rinsing circuit of drawer 15, fresh water flows through the resin container 23 in which the ion exchange resins reduce the degree of hardness of the fresh water directed to the detergent drawer 13. The water hardness sensing means monitor the degree of hardness of the fresh water directed to the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 of the rinsing circuit of the drawer 15.
    [00110] When determining that the ion exchange resins inside the resin container 23 are no longer able to reduce the hardness of the fresh water directed to the detergent drawer 13, the central control electronic unit (not shown) of the washing machine 1 preferably performs a process of regeneration of the ion exchange resins stored inside the resin container 23 immediately before the rinsing phase of the wash cycle. Obviously, the regeneration process can also occur during the wash phase of the wash cycle.
    [00111] Naturally, a dedicated regeneration process can be provided even when no washing cycle is taking place, this regeneration process can be selected by the user.
    [00112] During this regeneration process, the central control unit first arranges the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 to channel fresh water towards the water supply circuit 22, and then opens the on-off valve again for a short time 10 in order to pour / pour a given amount of fresh water into the regenerating agent reservoir 21. Obviously, before reaching the salt drawer 32, this given amount of fresh water flows through the resin container 23, rotating water 18a of rinsing circuit of drawer 15, and of the sprinkler cover or cover 17.
    [00113] When a sufficient amount of brine is formed inside the regenerating agent reservoir 21, the central control unit has the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 to thus place the resin container 23 in direct communication with the auxiliary water drain line 37, and at about the same time opens the on-off valve 31 of the water drain line 25 to thereby drain fresh water out of the resin container 23. Since at that time the on-off valve 10 is closed , draining the fresh water from the resin container 23 causes the hydrostatic pressure to drop inside the resin container 23 and the consequent automatic opening of the one-way valve 24 which allows the brine to flow by gravity into the resin container 23, thus replacing fresh water previously stored inside.
    [00114] Fresh water previously stored in resin container 23, instead, flows directly into the wash basin 3 or into the drain collector 26 or into the water filter assembly 27, or into the pump 29, through the water drain line 25 and / or through the auxiliary water drain line 37.
    [00115] When the brine has completely filled the resin container 23 in place of the fresh water previously stored in it, the central control unit closes the on-off valve 31 of the water drain line 25 to restrict the brine inside the resin container 23 at a predetermined time interval generally sufficient to allow the brine to remove the previously combined / attached calcium and magnesium ions from the ion exchange resins.
    [00116] Since in the example shown the rotating water spreader 18a of the rinsing circuit of drawer 15 is located higher than the resin container 23 and the brine inside the resin container 23 is at ambient pressure, there is no need for the washing machine's central electronic control unit 1 change the configuration of the rotary water spreader 18a to prevent the brine leaving the resin container 23 through the auxiliary water drain line 37.
    [00117] After the resin regeneration interval has elapsed, the central control unit opens the on-off valve 31 of the water drain line 25 again to drain the brine out of the resin container 23 and, more or less at At the same time, open the on / off valve 10 again so that the pressurized fresh water from the water source pushes the brine away from the resin container 23 and into the wash basin 3 or drain collector 26 or the assembly water filter 27 or into the pump 29, through the water drain line 25 and / or through the auxiliary water drain line 37.
    [00118] Finally, preferably after closing the on-off valves 17 and 31 again, the central control unit of the washing machine activates the water exhaust pump 29 to thus discharge the brine out of the washing machine 1 preferably together with the wash or rinse water already stored at the bottom of the wash basin 3, and the wash cycle continues.
    [00119] However, in a less sophisticated embodiment, the electronic control unit of the washing machine 1 can be programmed to regenerate the ion exchange resins stored in the resin container 23 after a given number of washing cycles. In which case the water hardness monitoring means are therefore unnecessary.
    [00120] This number of washing cycles can be decided by the user based on an alleged degree of hardness of the fresh water that leaves the water supply network.
    [00121] The advantages resulting from the arrangement of the regenerating agent reservoir accessible from the outside 21 immediately next to the detergent dispenser 9 are remarkable.
    [00122] First of all, the side-by-side modular structure of the detergent dispenser 9 and the water softening device 11 greatly simplifies the structure of the detergent dispenser 9 with the consequent reduction in the total production costs of the detergent dispenser.
    [00123] In addition, the regenerating agent reservoir 21 is directly accessible by the user on the front wall 2a of the box-type coating 2, next to the detergent dispenser 9, thereby greatly simplifying the manual loading of the salt grains into the reservoir. regenerating agent 21.
    [00124] Finally, but not least, the brine is no longer allowed to reach the rotating drum, thus avoiding the rusting of this component part.
    [00125] Clearly, changes can be made to the front loading washing machine 1 as described above without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.
    [00126] For example, with reference to Figures 10 and 11, in a more sophisticated realization of the water supply circuit 22, the internal water channel 17c of the sprinkler cap or cover 17, instead of communicating with an auxiliary outlet of the rotary water spreader 18a of the rinsing circuit of the drawer 15, is connected directly to the water supply network through an additional electrically controlled on-off valve 110 which, similarly to the on-off valve 10, is capable of controlling / regulate the flow of fresh water towards the regenerating agent reservoir 21.
    [00127] In the example shown, in particular, the on-off valve 10 and the on-off valve 110 are preferably integrated within a set of valves comprising a third electrically controlled on-off valve 210 which is connected to a hose 211 which ends inside the wash basin 3. This third on-off valve is able to control / regulate the flow of fresh water from the water supply network directly to the wash basin 3 bypassing the detergent drawer 9 and the softening device. water 11.
    [00128] Like the rinsing circuit of the drawer 15, the water supply circuit 22 preferably also has a corresponding one-way valve 119 which is located immediately downstream of the on-off valve 110, that is, between the on-off valve -offs 110 and the internal water channel 17c of the cap or sprinkler cover 17, and is structured to allow fresh water to flow only from the on-off valve 110 to the internal water channel 17c of the cap or sprinkler cover 17 and not vice versa.
    [00129] Referring to Figure 12, instead, the sprinkler cap or cover 17 is shaped / sized to exclusively close the top of the bowl-shaped drawer receptacle 13, and the regenerating agent reservoir 21 comprises a second cap or cover, preferably substantially flat 117 which is designed to exclusively close the top of the bowl-shaped drawer receptacle 33, adjacent to the flat cover or cover 17. This second cover or cover 117 integrates at least part of the water supply circuit 22 of water softening device 11.
    [00130] In particular, the lid or cover 117 is preferably provided with an internal water channel (not shown) that ends inside the drawer receptacle 33 and is fluidly connected to the salt drawer 32. However, instead of communicating with an outlet of the rotating water spreader 18a from the rinsing circuit of drawer 15, this internal water channel is connected directly to the water supply network via an additional electrically controlled on-off valve 110 which, similarly to the on-off valve off 10, is able to control / regulate the flow of fresh water towards the internal water channel (not shown) of the lid or cover 117.
    [00131] Furthermore, in this embodiment a first hose 120 directly connects the on-off valve 10 to the hydraulic connector 23b of the resin container 23, while a second hose 121 directly connects the hydraulic connector 23c of the resin container 23 to the inlet of the resin container. internal water channel 17c of the cover or sprinkler cover 17.
    [00132] As with the previous implementation, the water supply circuit 22 preferably also has an additional one-way valve (not shown) which is located immediately downstream of the on-off valve 110, that is, between the on-off valve disconnects 110 and the internal water channel of the auxiliary cover or cover 117, and is structured to allow fresh water to flow only from the on-off valve 110 to the auxiliary cover or cover 117 and not vice versa.
    [00133] Referring to Figure 13, instead, the water softening device 11 does not have the water drain line 25, while the rinsing circuit of drawer 15 of the detergent dispenser 9 does not have the aeration sets 20 located along internal water channels 17b, 17c and 17d of the sprinkler cover or cover 17 and instead comprises an aeration assembly 38 which is located along the internal water channel 17a of the sprinkler cover or cover 17, immediately at upstream of the resin container 23, and preferably incorporates a discharge funnel which, in turn, communicates either with the wash basin 3, the drain collector 26 or the water filter set 27, or the pump 29, through of a specific water drain line 39. In this way, fresh water or brine that exceeds the nominal capacity of the resin container 23 is allowed to escape from the resin container 23 through the aeration assembly 38 and is channeled directly into the basin wash ia 3 or into the drain collector 26 or into the water filter assembly 27 or pump 29, through the water drain line 39.
    [00134] Referring to Figure 14, instead, the rinsing circuit of drawer 15 of the detergent dispenser 9 does not have the aeration assemblies 20 located along the internal water channels 17b, 17c and 17d of the sprinkler cover or cover 17, and instead comprises a single aeration assembly 40 which is located along the internal water channel 17a of the sprinkler cap or cover 17, immediately upstream of the entrance of the rotating water spreader 18a.
    [00135] Referring to Figures 15 and 16, instead, the regenerating agent reservoir 21 of the water softening device 11 may comprise a salt container 132 which is permanently collected / confined within a seat within the type liner box 2, immediately next to the drawer receptacle or seat 14 of the detergent dispenser 9, and is provided with a salt loading mouth 132a which is aligned to / fits into a corresponding passage opening comprised in the front wall 2a of lining 2 immediately next to the front entrance / opening 14a of the drawer receptacle 14 so that the salt loading mouth 132a is exposed or capable of being exposed on the front wall 2a of cabinet 2.
    [00136] In carrying out Figure 15, the regenerating agent reservoir 21, furthermore, comprises a telescopic loading funnel or slide 134 which is manually extractable into the salt loading mouth 132a of the salt container 132. In the embodiment of Figure 16, the regenerating agent reservoir 21, furthermore, comprises a screw plug 135 which is inserted / screwed into the salt loading mouth 132a in an easily removable manner to preferably seal in a substantially water-tight manner the salt container 132.
    [00137] Referring to Figures 17 and 18, instead, the regenerating agent reservoir 21 of the water softening device 11 may comprise a salt container 232 which is slidably attached horizontally to the box-like liner 2, next to the drawer receptacle 14 of the detergent dispenser 9, so as to be able to slide freely within the liner 2 in a direction d substantially parallel to the direction of removal of the detergent drawer 13, towards the rear of a through opening 232a comprised in the front wall 2a of cover 2 immediately next to the front entrance / opening 14a of the drawer or seat receptacle 14.
    [00138] The regenerating agent reservoir 21 is provided with a salt loading funnel 234 that protrudes from a side wall of the salt container 232 directly towards the front wall 2a of coating 2, and is shaped / sized to fit the through opening 232a in the front wall 2a of the box-like liner 2 to thereby protrude from the front wall 2a of liner 2 next to the detergent drawer 13 when the salt container 232 is arranged at a minimum distance from the front wall 2a of liner 2.
    [00139] Finally, in a first embodiment not shown, the regenerating agent reservoir 21 preferably does not have the removable basket 34, and the bottom and / or at least one of the side walls of the salt drawer 32 has a permeable mesh structure water, to form the brine directly at the bottom of the drawer receptacle 33.
    权利要求:
    Claims (20)
    [0001]
    1. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1), comprising an outer covering (2) with a front wall (2a), two side walls (2b), a rear wall (2c) and an upper wall (2d), a basin wash (3) disposed inside the liner (2) facing directly to an opening for loading / unloading laundry to be included in the front wall (2a) of the liner (2), a rotating drum disposed in a rotating manner axially within the wash basin. washing (3) and structured to receive the laundry to be washed, a detergent dispenser (9) which is housed within the liner (2) between the wash basin (3) and the upper wall (2d) of the liner (2) and is structured to provide detergent within the wash basin (3), and a water softening device (11) comprising water softening agents to reduce the degree of hardness of the water to be supplied to the wash basin (3 ), and a regenerating agent reservoir (21) which is housed within the reve (2) and is structured to receive salt or other regenerating agent to regenerate a water softening function from the water softening agents; wherein the detergent dispenser (9) is provided with a first inlet (13a) which is exposed or capable of being exposed to the outside on the front wall (2a) of the coating (2); the washing machine (1) being characterized by the regenerating agent reservoir (21) being housed within the liner (2) between the detergent dispenser (9) and one of the side walls (2b) of the liner (2), and be provided with a second entrance (33a) which is exposed or capable of being exposed to the external side of the coating (2).
    [0002]
    2. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE, according to claim 1, characterized in that the entrance (33a) of the regenerating agent reservoir (21) is exposed or capable of being exposed to the external side of the covering (2) through the front wall ( 2a) of the coating (2).
    [0003]
    CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the inlet (33a) of the detergent dispenser (9) is arranged on the front wall (2a) of the cover (2) above the loading opening / unloading of laundry to be carried on the front wall (2a) of the covering (2).
    [0004]
    4. WASHING MACHINE according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the water softening device (11) comprises a water softening agent container (23) which is filled with the water softening agents , being fluidly connected to the regenerating agent reservoir (21), and being located below the regenerating agent reservoir (21) within a seat bounded by the side wall (2b) of the liner (2), the upper part of the wash (3) and the front wall (2a) of the liner (2).
    [0005]
    CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the detergent dispenser (9) comprises a detergent container (13) that is fillable with a certain amount of detergent, softener and / or other agent washing, and be housed within the liner (2) within a corresponding first seat (14); wherein the front wall (2a) of the liner (2) is provided with a corresponding first opening (14a) and where the detergent container (13) is accessible through the first opening (14a).
    [0006]
    6. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to claim 5, characterized in that the detergent container (13) is movable within the first seat (14) so as to be at least partially removable from the first seat (14) through the first opening (14a ) on the front wall (2a) of the cladding (2).
    [0007]
    CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the regenerating agent reservoir (21) comprises a regenerating agent container (32, 132, 232) that is fillable with a given amount of regenerating agents, and being housed within the liner (2) within a corresponding second seat (33); wherein the front wall (2a) of the liner (2) is provided with a corresponding second opening (33a) and where the regenerating agent container (32, 132, 232) is accessible through the second opening (33a).
    [0008]
    8. WASHING MACHINE according to claim 7, characterized in that the regenerating agent container (32, 132, 232) is movable within the second seat (33) so as to be at least partially removable from the second seat (33) through the second opening (33a) in the front wall (2a) of the cover (2).
    [0009]
    9. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to any of claims 5 and 8, characterized by the direction of removal of the regenerating agent container (32, 132, 232) within the second seat (33) locally being parallel to the direction of removal of the detergent container (13) inside the first seat (14).
    [0010]
    10. WASHING MACHINE according to claim 9, characterized in that the detergent container (13) and the regenerating agent container (32, 132, 232) are able to protrude from the front wall (2a) of the coating (2 ) while locally remaining parallel to each other.
    [0011]
    11. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to any one of claims 4 to 11, characterized by the water softening device (11), further comprising a water supply circuit (22) that is structured to pour / pour a given amount of fresh water inside the regenerating agent reservoir (21) to dissolve at least partially the regenerating agents stored inside it; wherein the water softening agent container (23) communicates with the regenerating agent reservoir (21) to receive the regenerating agent solution.
    [0012]
    12. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE, according to claim 6, characterized in that the detergent dispenser (9) comprises: a detergent drawer (13) which is manually inserted in a removable way into a first drawer receptacle (14) which extends into the liner (2) above the wash basin (3), starting at a front entrance or opening (14a) that is comprised in the front liner wall (2a) above the laundry loading / unloading opening to wash; and a drawer rinse circuit (15) which is structured to selectively pour / pour a given amount of fresh water from the water supply network into the detergent drawer (13) to rinse the detergent, softener or other cleaning agent. wash out of the detergent drawer (13) and to the bottom (14b) of the first drawer receptacle (14) that communicates with the interior of the wash basin (3).
    [0013]
    13. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to claim 8, characterized in that the regenerating agent reservoir (21) comprises a salt drawer (32) which is manually inserted in a removable way into a second drawer receptacle (33) which extends inside the liner (2), next to the detergent dispenser (9), starting at a front inlet or opening (33a) that is comprised in the front liner wall (2a) above the loading / unloading opening laundry to wash.
    [0014]
    14. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to any of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the second drawer receptacle (33) is comprised in one piece with the first drawer receptacle (13).
    [0015]
    15. WASHING MACHINE according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the detergent dispenser (9) comprises closing means (13f) structured to selectively cover the inlet (14a) of the detergent dispenser (9); wherein the closing means (13f) is dimensioned to also cover the second independent entrance (33a) of the regenerating agent reservoir (21).
    [0016]
    16. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE, according to claim 15, when dependent on claim 12, characterized in that the detergent drawer (13) is provided with a front panel (13f) in the form of cable that is dimensioned to cover completely, when the detergent drawer (13) is completely inserted into the first drawer receptacle (14), both the front opening or opening (14a) of the first drawer receptacle (14) and the front entrance or opening (33a) of the second drawer receptacle (32).
    [0017]
    17. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the detergent drawer (13) is provided with a plurality of detergent compartments (13a) each filling with a respective detergent product, and in which the drawer rinsing circuit (15) comprises: - a spray head (17) which is located inside the first drawer receptacle (14) above the detergent drawer (13), and is provided with a number of shower parts each one of which is aligned to a corresponding detergent compartment (13a) of the detergent drawer (13) and is structured to feed a shower of water drops by gravity only inside the detergent compartment (13a); and - a hydraulic distributor assembly (18) which is located upstream of the spray head (17), and is structured to channel the fresh water that arrives from the selective water supply network and alternately within one of the shower parts of the spray head (17).
    [0018]
    18. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE, according to claim 17, characterized in that the water softening agent container (23) is arranged between the valve means (10) and the hydraulic distributor assembly (18), in order to be crossed by the fresh water directed to the entrance of the hydraulic distributor assembly (18).
    [0019]
    19. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to any one of claims 17 to 18, characterized in that the first drawer receptacle (14) is bowl-shaped, and that the spray head (17) comprises a first cover or flat cover (17 ) which is designed to close the top of the first drawer receptacle (13); wherein the first cover or cover (17) is divided into a number of shower parts, each of which is vertically aligned to a corresponding detergent compartment (13a) of the detergent drawer (13) and is structured to receive water of the hydraulic distributor assembly (18) and to feed a shower of water drops only inside the detergent compartment (13a) located immediately below.
    [0020]
    20. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the second drawer receptacle (33) is bowl-shaped, and that the first lid or cover (17) of the drawer rinse circuit ( 14) is designed to also close the top of the second drawer receptacle (33).
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US9637856B2|2017-05-02|
    BR112014002511A2|2017-03-14|
    AU2012292180B2|2017-07-06|
    CN103842577A|2014-06-04|
    US20140157836A1|2014-06-12|
    EP2554736B1|2014-04-30|
    RU2014107944A|2015-09-10|
    RU2604484C2|2016-12-10|
    CN103842577B|2016-06-29|
    EP2554736A1|2013-02-06|
    WO2013017539A1|2013-02-07|
    AU2012292180A1|2014-02-06|
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    法律状态:
    2018-03-27| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-07-30| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-10-27| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-12-22| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 27/07/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    EP11176075.7|2011-08-01|
    EP11176075.7A|EP2554736B1|2011-08-01|2011-08-01|Laundry washing machine|
    PCT/EP2012/064766|WO2013017539A1|2011-08-01|2012-07-27|Laundry washing machine|
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