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    • 专利摘要:
    CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE This is a washing machine (1) comprising an external housing (2) and, inside said housing (2), a washing basket (3) disposed within said housing (2) facing directly to an opening for loading / unloading clothes carried out on a front wall (2a) of said housing (2), a rotating drum arranged axially rotating inside the washing basket (3) and structured to receive the laundry to be washed , a detergent dispenser (9) which is structured to supply detergent to the inside of the washing basket (3) and a water softening device (11) which is structured to reduce the hardness of the fresh water supplied to the washing basket (3); the water softening device (11), in turn, comprising a container of water softening agent (23) filled with a water softening agent capable of reducing the hardness of the fresh water supplied to the basket. washing (3), a regenerating agent reservoir (21) which is structured to receive a salt or other regenerating agent to perform a regeneration of the water softening function of said water softening agents and a water supply circuit (22) which is structured (...).
    公开号:BR112014002513B1
    申请号:R112014002513-4
    申请日:2012-07-26
    公开日:2020-12-22
    发明作者:Maurizio Del Pos；Andrea Zattin；Daniele Favaro
    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 for purposes of example without implying any loss of generality. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [003] As it is known, homemade front-loading washing machines currently commercialized generally comprise: a housing similar to the outer box in a substantially parallelepiped shape structured to rest on the floor; a washing basket in a shape substantially similar to a bell that is suspended in a floating manner inside the carcass, directly facing a loading / unloading passage opening for washing carried out on the front wall of the carcass; a substantially cylindrically elastically deformable bellows, which connects the front opening of the washing basket to the loading / unloading opening for washing formed on the front wall of the housing; a porthole door that is hinged relative to the front wall of the housing to rotate to and from a closed position in which the door closes the opening for loading / unloading clothes on the front wall of the housing for waterproof sealing of the washing basket; a rotating drum in the shape of a substantially cylindrical bell structured to house the clothes to be washed, which is housed inside the washing basket in an axially rotating manner around its longitudinal geometric axis horizontally oriented substantially, and with its concavity facing the opening for loading / unloading clothes; and finally an electrically powered motor assembly that is structured to drive the rotating drum in rotation around its longitudinal geometric axis inside the washing basket.
    [004] This type of domestic washing machine is additionally provided with a drawer detergent dispenser which is located inside the box-like housing, immediately above the washing basket, and is structured to selectively feed the washing basket, according to the washing cycle manually selected by the user through a control panel normally located on the front wall of the housing similar to the box, a certain amount of detergent, softener and / or other washing agent properly mixed with the fresh water that enough from the mains, or even just a certain amount of fresh water from the mains.
    [005] More specifically, the detergent dispenser generally comprises a detergent drawer that is fitted in a manually extractable manner into an internal drawer housing whose entrance is located on the front wall of the housing similar to the box, above the porthole door. This detergent drawer is normally divided into numerous detergent compartments, each of which is manually fillable with a corresponding detergent product, and the detergent dispenser additionally comprises a drawer wash circuit that is structured to pour / pour a certain amount of fresh water extracted from the mains selectively and alternatively in each detergent compartment of the detergent drawer to rinse the detergent, fabric softener or other washing agent out of the compartment and down through a funnel-shaped catch bowl that is carried out at the bottom drawer housing and communicates directly with the inside of the washing basket through a drain duct.
    [006] As it is known, the hardness of the fresh water extracted from the mains has a profoundly negative effect on the cleaning efficiency of the detergents and softeners used in the washing cycle, thus, the user is normally required to considerably increase the amount of detergent and 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 supplied with an internal water softening device capable of reducing, during each washing cycle, the degree of hardness of the tap water used in the pre-wash and wash phases of the wash cycle. This water softening device uses ion exchange resins to contain calcium and magnesium ions (Ca ++ and Mg ++) dissolved in tap water tapped into the wash basket, and uses brine (ie, salt water) to periodically regenerate these ion exchange resins. Salt water, in fact, is able to remove from the ion exchange resins the calcium and magnesium ions previously combined / fixed in said resins.
    [008] Unfortunately, the integration of the salt reservoir at the back of the detergent drawer brought to a very complicated detergent dispenser structure a consequent significant increase in the overall production cost of detergent dispenser.
    [009] Another disadvantage 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 may accidentally leave the salt reservoir during extraction and normal insertion of the detergent drawer and form, at the bottom of the drawer housing, relevant salt deposits that, in the long run, may impair the extraction and insertion of the detergent drawer and / or prevent the correct alignment of the salt reservoir with the resin container located immediately below said salt reservoir, with all related problems.
    [0010] Last but not least, the brine that accidentally leaves the salt reservoir can fall into the funnel-shaped catch basin at the bottom of the drawer housing. This catch basin communicates with the upper portion of the washing basket, so the brine can build up on the outer surface of the rotating drum which is usually produced from metal and therefore causes rapid rusting of the rotating drum. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [0011] The purpose of the present invention is to make an internal water softening device designed to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above.
    [0012] In accordance with the above objectives, according to the present invention, a washing machine is provided comprising an external housing and, inside said housing, a washing basket disposed within said housing directly facing a opening for loading / unloading clothes carried out on a front wall of said frame, a rotating drum arranged axially rotating inside the washing basket and structured to receive the clothes to be washed, a detergent dispenser that is structured to supply detergent in the washing basket, and a water softening device that is structured to reduce the hardness of the fresh water supplied to the washing basket; wherein the water softening device, in turn, comprises a container of water softening agent filled with a water softening agent that has the ability to reduce the hardness of the fresh water supplied to the washing basket, a regenerating agent reservoir which is structured to receive a salt or other regenerating agent to perform a regeneration of the water softening function of said water softening agents, and a water supply circuit which is structured to selectively pour / pour a certain amount of fresh water in the regenerating agent reservoir; wherein the regenerating agent reservoir comprises a regenerating agent container that is fillable with a certain amount of regenerating agents, and where the water supply circuit comprises a first sprinkler head provided with a shower forming portion which it is structured to feed a shower with water droplets by gravity in said recipient of regenerating agent.
    [0013] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the said regenerating agent container is housed within the housing in a corresponding first seat; the housing being provided with a corresponding first opening and the regenerating agent container being accessible through said first opening.
    [0014] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said container of regenerating agent is movable within said first seat so as to be at least partially removable from the first seat through said first opening.
    [0015] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said first opening is made in the front wall of the housing.
    [0016] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the regenerating agent reservoir comprises a first drawer that is fillable with a certain amount of regenerating agents, and is inserted in a manually extractable manner in a first drawer housing that extends inside the housing that starts from an entrance or front opening that is realized in the housing; the sprinkler head of the water supply circuit is structured to selectively pour / pour water into said salt drawer.
    [0017] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the salt drawer has a water-permeable structure.
    [0018] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the bottom and / or at least one of the side walls of said salt drawer has a mesh structure.
    [0019] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the detergent dispenser comprises a detergent container that is fillable with a certain amount of detergent, and a detergent rinse circuit that is structured to selectively pour / pour water into said detergent container.
    [0020] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said detergent container is housed within the housing in a corresponding second seat; the front wall of the housing being provided with a corresponding second opening and said detergent container being accessible through said second opening.
    [0021] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said detergent container is movable within said second seat so as to be at least partially removable from the second seat through said second opening on the front wall of the housing.
    [0022] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said detergent dispenser comprises: a second drawer that is fillable with a certain amount of detergent, and is inserted in a manually extractable way in a second drawer housing that extends inside the housing that starts from an entrance or front opening that is made in the front wall of the housing; and the detergent rinse circuit is structured to selectively pour / pour a certain amount of water into the detergent drawer.
    [0023] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said second drawer housing is disposed next to said first drawer housing.
    [0024] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the detergent container is provided with one or more detergent compartments, each filling with a respective detergent product, and in which the circuit A detergent rinse head comprises a second sprinkler head which is provided with one or more shower-forming portions, each of which is aligned with respect to a corresponding detergent compartment of the detergent container and is structured to feed a shower with droplets of gravity water only in said detergent compartment.
    [0025] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the detergent rinsing circuit also comprises a hydraulic distributor assembly that is located upstream of the sprinkler head, and is structured to channel the water selectively and alternatively into one of the shower-forming portions of said sprinkler head.
    [0026] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the detergent dispenser comprises a water delivery member that incorporates the first sprinkler head of the water supply circuit and the second head of water sprinkler of the detergent rinsing circuit.
    [0027] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said water delivery member is provided with a first internal water channel that is fluidly connected to the first sprinkler head and makes part of the water supply circuit.
    [0028] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that it comprises electrically controlled main valve means that are disposed between the detergent dispenser and the mains, and controls / regulates the water flow of the mains towards the detergent dispenser and / or the washing basket.
    [0029] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said water delivery member is provided with a second internal water channel that connects the detergent rinsing circuit to said main means of channel.
    [0030] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said second internal water channel is fluidly connected to the water softening agent container.
    [0031] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said water delivery member is provided with numerous third internal water channels, in which each connects a respective outlet of the distributor assembly to a corresponding shower-forming portion of the sprinkler head.
    [0032] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the water delivery member is provided with one or more ducts that fluidly connect the water delivery member to the agent agent container. water softening.
    [0033] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the water softening agent container is disposed below the water delivery member and that said water delivery member is provided with one or more duct appendages extending down to the water softening agent container to fluidly connect the water delivery member to said water softening agent container.
    [0034] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the regenerating agent reservoir is arranged below the water delivery member, and that the water softening agent container is disposed below regenerating agent reservoir.
    [0035] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the duct appendages of the water delivery member extend downwards beside the regenerating agent reservoir.
    [0036] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that said first internal water channel branches off from the hydraulic distributor assembly of the detergent rinsing circuit.
    [0037] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the water supply circuit comprises electrically controlled auxiliary valve means that are disposed between the mains and said first internal water channel, and control / regulate the water flow from the water mains towards the said first internal water channel.
    [0038] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the detergent dispenser further comprises a cover or top cover which is designed to close the top of said second drawer housing; wherein said cover or top cover forms said water delivery member.
    [0039] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the hydraulic distributor assembly is substantially lowered within said cover or top cover.
    [0040] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the hydraulic distributor assembly comprises a rotating water disperser which is preferably lowered into the cover or upper cover in an axially rotating manner; and an electrically operated actuator that is fixed on the side of the cover or top cover and is mechanically connected to the rotary water disperser in order to directly control / vary the angular position of the rotary water disperser; the first and / or second internal water channel being in communication with said rotating water disperser.
    [0041] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the detergent rinse circuit also comprises an auxiliary water drain line that branches off from a corresponding outlet of the assembly of hydraulic distributor.
    [0042] Preferably, although not necessarily, the washing machine is additionally characterized by the fact that the first drawer housing is made in one piece with the second drawer housing of the detergent dispenser. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0043] A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described, for example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a front-loading domestic washing machine carried out in accordance with with the teachings of the present invention, with parts removed for the sake of clarity; - Figure 2 is a side view of the domestic washing machine of Figure 1 with parts removed for clarity; - Figure 3 is a front view of the washing machine of Figure 1 with parts removed for clarity; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the top portion of the washing machine of Figure 1 in a first operating position; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the top portion of the washing machine of Figure 1 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 water softening device of Figure 6; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the internal detergent dispenser and internal water softening device schematically shown in Figure 6, with parts removed for clarity; Figure 11 is a schematic view of the alternative embodiment of Figure 10 of the internal detergent dispenser and water softening device of the washing machine of Figure 6; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the internal detergent dispenser and 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 water softening device of the washing machine of Figure 1; Figure 15 shows perspective views 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 purposes; Figure 16 shows perspective views 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 purposes; while - Figures 17 and 18 show two perspective views 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 purposes. DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE INVENTION
    [0044] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, reference number 1 as a whole indicates a domestic washing machine comprising: - an external housing similar to the box preferably, although not necessarily, in substantially parallelepiped format 2 which it 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 and substantially vertically oriented, and a substantially horizontal top wall 2d; - a hollow washing basket, preferably, although not necessarily, cylindrical and substantially bell-shaped 3 which is arranged inside the housing 2 preferably suspended in a floating manner by means of a suspension system which preferably comprises numerous spiral springs 4 and shock absorbers. vibration 5, directly facing an opening for loading / unloading laundry to be carried out on the front wall 2a of the housing similar to box 2; - an elastically deformable and substantially cylindrical bellows 6 that connects the front opening of the washing basket 3 to the opening for loading / unloading clothes formed on the front wall 2a of the housing 2; and - a substantially cylindrical bell-shaped rotary drum (not shown) structured to house the laundry to be washed, and which is housed axially rotating inside the washing basket 3 so as to be able to rotate freely around longitudinal reference axis.
    [0045] In the example shown, in particular, the rotating drum is housed axially rotating inside the washing basket 3 with its front opening directly facing / aligned with the opening for loading / unloading clothes on the front wall 2a of frame 2 , and the drum rotation geometrical axis is preferably arranged substantially coincident with the substantially horizontally oriented longitudinal reference axis L of the washing basket 3.
    [0046] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the washing machine 1 further comprises: - a guard door 7 which is hinged in relation to the front wall 2a of the housing 2 to rotate around a vertically oriented geometric axis preferably, although not necessarily, oriented vertically to and from a closing position in which the peripheral edge of the guard door 7 rests completely on the front wall 2a to close the opening for loading / unloading clothes and to waterproof the basket. wash 3; - an electrically powered motor assembly 8 which is structured to drive the rotating drum in rotation around its longitudinal reference geometric axis inside the washing basket 3; - a detergent dispenser 9 which is housed inside the housing 2, above the washing basket 3, so as to emerge from the front wall 2a of the housing similar to box 2 above the washing loading / unloading opening previously mentioned, and it is structured to selectively feed in the washing basket 3, according to the selected washing cycle, a certain amount of detergent, softener and / or other washing agent properly mixed with the fresh water that arrives from the mains, or even simply a certain amount of fresh water that arrives from the mains; and - an electrically controlled on-off valve 10 which is arranged between the detergent dispenser 9 and the mains, and is able to control / regulate the flow of fresh water from the mains towards the detergent dispenser 9 and / or the basket wash 3.
    [0047] In addition to the above, washing machine 1 is additionally provided with an internal water softening device 11 which is arranged inside the housing similar to box 2 between the on-off valve 10 and the detergent dispenser 9 or even directly in the washing basket 3, and is structured to selectively reduce, during each washing cycle, the degree of hardness of the fresh water extracted from the mains and channeled to the detergent dispenser 9 and / or directly to the washing basket 3 .
    [0048] This water softening device is housed within the housing similar to box 2 next to the detergent dispenser 9 in a preferred and substantially horizontal direction and substantially parallel to the front wall 2a of housing 2, so that both the detergent dispenser 9 and the water softening device 11 are directly exposed or susceptible to exposure outside the housing similar to box 2, next to each other, so that they are preferably independently accessible by the user to any time.
    [0049] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, in particular, the detergent dispenser 9 is arranged inside the housing 2 between the washing basket 3 and the top wall 2d of the housing 2, and is provided with a first loading inlet which is exposed or liable to be exposed to the exterior on the front wall 2a of frame 2, above the opening for loading / unloading clothes, and is suitable for loading detergent, fabric softener and / or other washing agent into the detergent dispenser 9 .
    [0050] In other words, the detergent dispenser 9 comprises a detergent container that is fillable with a certain amount of detergent, softener and / or other washing agent, and is housed inside housing 2 in a corresponding seat or housing , and the front wall 2a of the housing 2 is provided with a corresponding passage opening through which the detergent container is accessible by the user.
    [0051] In the example shown, in particular, the detergent dispenser 9 is located inside the housing similar to box 2, immediately above the washing basket 3, so that the inlet of the detergent dispenser 9 is arranged on the front wall 2a of frame 2, immediately above the laundry loading / unloading opening, and preferably next to an appliance control panel 12 which is arranged on the front wall 2a of housing 2 above the loading / unloading opening and immediately below the top 2d wall of frame 2.
    [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 inserted in a manually extractable manner into a drawer or seat housing 14 which extends substantially horizontal inside the housing similar to box 2, immediately above the washing basket 3, which starts from a front opening or passage entrance 14a which is carried out on the front wall 2a of the housing 2 immediately above the opening for loading / unloading clothes. The detergent drawer 13 of the detergent dispenser 9 is therefore movable within the seat or drawer housing 14 so as to be at least partially removable from the seat or drawer housing 14 through the front opening or opening 14a in the front wall 2a frame 2.
    [0053] With reference to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, in the example shown, in particular, the detergent drawer 13 is movable within the drawer housing 14 in a direction of travel that is preferentially oriented and substantially horizontal and also locally substantially perpendicular to the front wall 2a of the housing 2.
    [0054] With reference to Figures 6 to 9, the detergent dispenser 9 additionally comprises a drawer washing circuit 15 which is structured to selectively pour / pour a certain amount of fresh water that arrives from the mains through the on-off valve 10 in the detergent drawer 13 to rinse the detergent, fabric softener or other washing agent from the detergent drawer 13 and down into a funnel-shaped catch bowl that is formed at the bottom 14b of the drawer housing 14, and which communicates with the inside of the washing basket 3 via a corresponding supply duct 16 preferably connected to the upper portion of the washing basket 3.
    [0055] The water softening device 11 is preferably interposed between the on-off valve 10 and the drawer washing circuit 15 of the detergent dispenser 9.
    [0056] Additionally, the detergent drawer 13 is preferably divided into numerous detergent compartments 13a (three in the example shown), each of which is manually fillable with a respective washing agent, and the drawer washing circuit 15 is structured to selectively pour / pour fresh water from the mains selectively and alternatively into the various detergent compartments 13a of the detergent drawer 13 to rinse the detergent or softener out of compartments 13a and down into the funnel-shaped catch basin formed in the bottom 13b of drawer housing 14.
    [0057] In particular, the drawer washing circuit 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 water softening device 11 selectively and alternatively in 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 drawer washing circuit 15 preferably comprises: - a sprinkler head 17 which is associated with the drawer housing 14 so as to be located immediately above the detergent drawer 13 when the latter is completely inserted / lowered into the drawer housing 14, and which is provided with numerous (three in the example shown) shower-forming portions / sections, each of which is preferably and substantially aligned to a corresponding detergent compartment 13a of the detergent drawer 13 and is structured to feed a dense shower with water droplets 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 sprinkler head 17, that is, between the sprinkler head 17 and the on-off valve 10, and is structured to channel incoming fresh water of the on-off valve 10 selectively and alternatively towards the various shower forming sections / portions of the sprinkler head 17.
    [0059] In the example shown, each shower forming section / portion of the sprinkler head 17 is preferably vertically aligned with respect to a respective detergent compartment 13a of the detergent drawer 13, and is structured to feed a dense shower with water droplets exclusively inside the detergent compartment 13a located immediately below.
    [0060] With reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8, in the example shown, in particular, the drawer housing 14 is preferentially and substantially bowl-shaped, and the detergent dispenser 9 further comprises a preferred cover or top cover and substantially flat 19 which is designed to close the top of the drawer housing 14 so as to be located immediately above the detergent drawer 13 when the latter is fully inserted / lowered into the drawer housing 14. The detergent housing of the detergent dispenser 9 is therefore preferably formed by the bowl-shaped drawer housing 14 and top cover or lid 19.
    [0061] The cover or cover 19 is additional and preferably structured to incorporate the sprinkler head 17 of the drawer washing circuit 15. In other words, an area of the cover or cover 19 on top of the drawer housing 14 forms the sprinkler head 17 of the drawer washing circuit 15 and is therefore divided into numerous (three in the example shown) shower-forming portions, each of which is vertically aligned with respect to a corresponding detergent compartment 13a of the drawer of detergent 13, and is structured to receive fresh water from the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 and to feed a dense shower with water droplets by gravity exclusively in the detergent compartment 13a located immediately below.
    [0062] The hydraulic distributor assembly 18, instead, preferably comprises a rotating water disperser 18a which is preferably lowered into the cover or cover of the sprinkler 19 in an axially rotating manner; and an electric motor or other electrically operated rotatable actuator 18b which is fixed sideways to the sprinkler cover or cover 19 and is mechanically connected to the central rod of the rotary water disperser 18a by means of a crankshaft mechanism, so as to directly check / vary the angular position of the rotary water disperser 18a.
    [0063] With reference to Figures 7 and 9, the sprinkler cover or cover 19 has a first internal water channel 19a that connects the inlet of the rotating water disperser 18a to the on-off valve 10, in order to channel fresh water to the inlet of the rotary water disperser 18a; and numerous second water channels 19b, each of which connects a respective outlet of the rotating water disperser 18a to a corresponding shower-forming portion of the sprinkler head 17, that is, of the cap or cover 19. In other words, the channel internal water supply 19a connects the on-off valve 10 to the drawer washing circuit 15.
    [0064] The fresh water from the mains reaches the entrance of the rotary water disperser 18a and is selectively channeled / directed to one of the shower-forming portions of the sprinkler cover or cover 19 according to the angular position of the rotary water disperser 18a.
    [0065] Alternatively, the electric motor 18b could be connected to the central rod of the rotary water disperser 18a by means of a drive belt wrapped in a double pulley, one embedded in the drive rod of the electric motor 18b, and the other on the central stem of the rotary water disperser 18a.
    [0066] In a different embodiment not shown, the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 formed by the rotary water disperser 18a and the electric motor 18b can be replaced by numerous electrically controlled on-off valves, each of which is interposed between the on valve - disconnects 10 and a respective shower forming section / portion of the sprinkler head 17 to directly control the flow of fresh water towards the corresponding shower forming section / portion of the sprinkler head 17.
    [0067] With reference to Figure 9, preferably, although not necessarily, the drawer washing circuit 15 also comprises a one-way valve 20a which is located immediately downstream of the on-off valve 10, that is, between the on-off valve 10 and the inlet of the rotary water disperser 18a, and is structured to allow fresh water to flow only from the on-off valve 10 to the water disperser 18a of the detergent dispenser 9 and not vice versa.
    [0068] In addition to the drawer washing circuit 15, it is preferably also provided with several air-breaking assemblies 20b, each of which is located immediately downstream of a corresponding water outlet of the rotary water disperser 18a, that is , along a second corresponding water channel 19b of the sprinkler cover or cover 19.
    [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 20a if present, and the inlet of the assembly of hydraulic distributor 18 of the washing circuit 15, in order to be crossed by fresh water flowing towards the assembly of hydraulic distributor 18, and basically comprises: a water softening agent container that is filled with a water softening agent which has the ability to reduce the hardness of fresh water flowing through said water softening agent container, and a regenerating agent reservoir which is fluidly connected to said water softening container water softening and is structured to receive a certain amount of salt or other regenerating agent and has the ability to regenerate the water softening function of water softening agents.
    [0070] Both the water softening agent container and the regenerating agent reservoir are housed within the housing 2, and the regenerating agent reservoir is furthermore preferably arranged within the housing 2, next to the water dispenser. detergent 9 in a direction locally substantially parallel to the front wall 2a of the housing 2, so that both the detergent dispenser 9 and the regenerating agent reservoir of the water softening device 11 are directly exposed or liable to be exposed to the exterior of the housing similar to box 2, next to each other, so that it is preferably accessible independently by the user at any time.
    [0071] The regenerating agent reservoir of the water softening device 11 is housed within the housing 2 between the detergent dispenser 9 and one of the side walls 2b of the housing 2, and is provided with a second independent inlet which is exposed or liable to be exposed to the outside of the housing similar to box 2 next to the inlet of the detergent dispenser 9. This second independent inlet is suitable for loading salt or other regenerating agents into the regenerating agent reservoir.
    In other words, the regenerating agent reservoir of the water softening device 11 comprises a regenerating agent container that is fillable with a certain amount of regenerating agents and is housed within the housing 2 within one second corresponding housing or seat, and the front wall 2a of housing 2 is provided with a corresponding second through opening through which the regenerating agent container is accessible by the user.
    [0073] In the example shown, in particular, this second independent entry of the regenerating agent reservoir of the water softening device 11 is preferably located on the front wall 2a of the housing similar to box 2 immediately adjacent to the entry of the detergent dispenser 9.
    [0074] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, in the example shown, in particular, the water softening device 11, and more specifically the regenerating agent reservoir of the water softening device 11, is located inside the housing similar to box 2, preferably immediately next to the detergent dispenser 9, on the other side of the device control panel 12 which is arranged on the front wall 2a of the housing 2 above the opening for loading / unloading clothes and immediately under the top wall 2d frame 2.
    [0075] With reference to Figures 6 to 9, in the example shown, in particular, the water softening device 11 comprises: - a reservoir of regenerating agent accessible from the outside 21 which is structured to receive a certain amount (for example, half a kilo or one kilo) of grains of salt (sodium chloride) or a similar regenerating chemical agent, and is housed inside the box similar to box 2 immediately next to the drawer housing 14 of the detergent dispenser 9 in a substantially direction parallel to the front wall 2a of the housing 2, so as to emerge from a corresponding through opening made in the front wall 2a of the housing similar to box 2 immediately next to the front entrance / opening 14a of the drawer housing 14; - a water supply circuit 22 which is structured to selectively pour / pour, under command, a certain amount of fresh water inside the regenerating agent reservoir 21 in order to dissolve at least partially the salt or other stored regenerating agents in it and form a certain amount of brine (ie, salt water); and - a water softening agent container 23 that is filled with a certain amount of ion exchange resins (not shown) that have the ability to contain calcium and / or magnesium ions (Ca ++ and Mg ++) dissolved in the water fresh I went through the resin container 23, which is interposed between the on-off valve 10, or the one-way valve 20a if present, and the detergent dispenser 9.
    [0076] The ion exchange resins (not shown) stored inside the resin container 23 form the water softening agents of the water softening device 11.
    [0077] In addition, the water softening device 11 comprises a water pipe assembly that is structured to channel the fresh water that arrives from the mains through the resin container 23.
    [0078] In the example shown, in particular, the resin container 23 is preferably interposed between the on-off valve 10, or the one-way valve 20a if present, and the drawer washing circuit 15 of the detergent dispenser 9 of in order to be crossed by the fresh water flowing from the on-off valve 10. More particularly, the resin container 23 is preferably interposed between the on-off valve 10, or the one-way valve 20a if present, and the inlet of the assembly of hydraulic distributor 18 of the washing circuit of drawer 15 so as to be crossed by the fresh water flowing from the on-off valve 10 for the assembly of hydraulic distributor 18.
    [0079] The resin container 23 is preferably located inside the housing 2, immediately under the regenerating agent reservoir 21 and immediately next to the upper portion of the washing basket 3, so as to be facing internally towards the front wall 2a of the housing 2. Thus, the resin container 23 is located below the drawer housing 14 of the detergent dispenser 9.
    [0080] The resin container 23 is preferably located inside a seat or pocket compartment approximately triangular delimited by the side wall 2b of the housing similar to box 2, by the upper portion of the washing basket 3, by the front wall 2a of the housing 2 and through the supply duct 16 that connects the drawer housing 14 to the washing basket 3.
    [0081] With reference to Figure 7, the resin container 23 is supplied as a completely independent cartridge or similar part of modular component 23 which is provided with a mechanical coupling interface 23a structured to allow rigid fixation and fluid connection of the part of independent modular component 23 directly to the bottom of the regenerating agent reservoir 21.
    [0082] This independent modular component part 23 is furthermore provided with two hydraulic connectors 23b, 23c structured to allow a fluid connection of the resin container 23 in series to the water supply line that channels the fresh water from the connecting valve -connect 10 to the entrance of the hydraulic distributor assembly 18.
    [0083] A first hydraulic connector 23b communicates directly with the on-off valve 10 to allow fresh water to flow into the resin container 23, while a second hydraulic connector 23c communicates directly with the distributor assembly hydraulic 18 so as to allow fresh water to flow from the resin container 23 towards the entrance of the rotary water disperser 18a.
    [0084] In addition to the above, ion exchange resins (not shown) are preferably, although not necessarily, confined within resin container 23, inside a water-permeable basket (not shown) whose volume is less than of the resin container 23 so as to form an internal peripheral gap or gap that allows free circulation of fresh water.
    [0085] Referring to Figure 9, the water softening device 11 further 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 through gravity into the resin container 23, and to prevent fresh water from reaching the resin container 23 from the on-off valve 10 to rise in the interior of the regenerating agent reservoir 21. The water softening device 11 is preferably also provided with water hardness sensor means (not shown) structured to measure the degree of hardness of fresh water from the resin container 23 towards the detergent dispenser 9.
    [0086] In the example shown, in particular, the water hardness sensor means have the ability to communicate with an internal electronic central control unit (not shown) that controls all the electrically operated component parts of the washing machine 1, and is housed inside the housing similar to box 2, preferably at the rear of the control panel 12.
    [0087] 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 said brine or fresh water directly into the wash basket 3, into the drain pit 26 that extends downward from the bottom of the wash basket 3, or into the water filter assembly 27 that is interposed between the drain pit 26 of the washing basket 3 and the suction of the water circulation pump 28 and the water exhaust pump 29, which, in the example shown, are preferably located at the bottom of the housing similar to box 2 , or substantially directly inside the water exhaust pump 29 which drains the water or washing liquid out of the machine.
    [0088] 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 to the washing basket 3, to the drain pit 26, to the assembly water filter 27 or the water exhaust pump 29; and an electrically controlled on-off valve 31 which is located along the exhaust duct 30 to control the flow of brine or fresh water from the resin container 23.
    [0089] Referring to Figures 5 to 9, the regenerating agent reservoir 21 instead preferably comprises a salt drawer 32 which is inserted in a manually extractable manner into the second seat or drawer housing 33 which extends substantially horizontally inside the housing similar to box 2, immediately next to the drawer housing 14 of the detergent dispenser 9, starting from a front opening or passage entrance 33a which is preferably carried out on the front wall 2a of the housing 2 locally adjacent to the front entrance / opening 14a of the drawer housing 14 of the detergent dispenser 9.
    [0090] The salt drawer 32 of the regenerating agent reservoir 21 is therefore movable within the seat or drawer housing 33 so as to be at least partially removable from the seat or drawer housing 33 through the entrance or front opening 33a on the front wall 2a of frame 2.
    [0091] Furthermore, the direction of travel of the salt drawer 32 is preferably locally substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the detergent drawer 13; thus, the detergent drawer 13 and the salt drawer 32 have the capacity to eject from the front wall 2a of the housing 2 while remaining locally substantially parallel to each other.
    [0092] The salt drawer 32 of the regenerating agent reservoir 21 is, moreover, dimensioned to be manually fillable with the said quantity of salt grains or other chemical water softening agent, and 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 completely inserted into the drawer housing 33. In addition, the bottom and / or at least one of the side walls of the salt drawer 32 has a water-permeable structure so as to form brine directly at the bottom of drawer housing 33.
    [0093] In the example shown, in particular, the bottom and one of the two longest side walls of the salt drawer 32 have a mesh structure so as to allow fresh water spilled / poured into the salt drawer 32 to reach freely and at least partially dissolve the salt grains located within the salt drawer 32 to form a certain amount of brine which falls directly to the bottom 33b of the drawer housing 33.
    [0094] With reference to Figures 1, 4 and 5, in the example shown, the front panel 13f of the detergent drawer 13 is preferably substantially shaped like a handle and is preferably dimensioned to cover completely, when the detergent drawer 13 is completely inserted in the drawer housing 14, both the front entrance / opening 14a of the drawer housing 14 and the front entrance / opening 33a of the drawer housing 33, in order to completely hide both the detergent dispenser 9 and the water softening device 11.
    [0095] The brine accumulated at the bottom of the drawer housing 33, in turn, is subsequently drained / channeled into the resin container 23 through the one-way valve 24, when the hydrostatic pressure inside the resin container 23 allows the brine to flow by gravity into the resin container 23.
    [0096] Similar to the washing circuit of drawer 15, the water supply circuit 22 of the water softening device 11 is provided with a corresponding sprinkler head 34 which is associated with the drawer housing 33 in order to be located immediately above the salt drawer 32 when the latter is completely inserted / recessed in the drawer housing 33, and which is provided with a shower-forming portion / section which preferably, although not necessarily, extends above the entire salt drawer 32 , and is structured to feed a dense shower of water droplets by gravity to the interior of the salt drawer 32.
    [0097] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, in the example shown, in particular, the drawer housing 33 of the regenerating agent reservoir 21 preferably has a substantially basin shape similar to the drawer housing 14, and is preferably, although not necessarily made in a piece with the drawer housing 14 of the detergent dispenser 9.
    [0098] Furthermore, the bottom 33b of the drawer housing 33 is preferably shaped so as to form a funnel-shaped catch basin 33b that communicates directly with the interior of the resin container 23 through a large passage opening inside the which the one-way valve 24 is preferably lowered. This passage opening is preferably closed upwards by a protective grid that is sized to prevent the grains of salt from reaching and blocking the one-way valve 24.
    [0099] With reference to Figure 7, the mechanical coupling interface 23a of the resin container 23, in turn, is preferably provided with a distributor or connecting sleeve that protrudes outwards which is structured (a) ) to waterproof the water through the opening opening at the bottom 33b of the drawer housing 33, in order to place the interior of the resin container 23 in direct communication with the drawer housing 33 through the one-way valve 24.
    [00100] As an alternative, the one-way valve 24 can be lowered inside the distributor or connection sleeve 23a projecting upwards from the resin container 23.
    [00101] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the drawer housing 33 is finally preferably, although not necessarily, provided with an opening or discharge funnel 33c which is preferably located on a side wall of the drawer housing 33 and is structured to drain the brine out of the funnel-shaped catch basin 33b in case of overflow.
    [00102] 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 (a) inside the drawer housing 33 locally. substantially parallel to the direction of insertion and extraction oriented preferably substantially horizontally of the salt drawer 32, so as to allow manual displacement of the salt drawer 32 into and out of the drawer housing 33. Preferably, a locking mechanism push / pull 36 is also arranged inside drawer housing 33 to facilitate manual insertion and extraction of salt drawer 32.
    [00103] In addition to the aforementioned, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, the cover or cover of the sprinkler 19 of the detergent dispenser 9 is shaped / designed to extend, in addition, above the drawer housing with the shape of a bowl 33 so to also close the top of the drawer housing 33. The housing of the regenerating agent reservoir 21 of the water softening device 11 is therefore preferably formed by the bowl-shaped drawer housing 33 and a portion of the cover or lid top 19 of the detergent dispenser 9.
    [00104] The cover or lid of the sprinkler 19 of the detergent dispenser 9 is furthermore structured to incorporate, at least, at least part of the water supply circuit 22 of the water softening device 11.
    [00105] In particular, the top cover or cap 19 of the detergent dispenser 9 is preferably structured so as to further incorporate the sprinkler head 34 of the water supply circuit 22. Therefore, the top cap or cap 19 forms a water delivery member 19 incorporating at least part of the detergent rinsing circuit 15, i.e., the sprinkler head 17 of the detergent rinsing circuit 15, and at least part of the water supply circuit 22.
    [00106] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, in the example shown, in particular, the water supply circuit 22 of the water softening device 11 branches preferentially from the drawer washing circuit 15 of the detergent dispenser 9.
    [00107] In fact, the sprinkler cover or cover 19 is preferably provided with a third internal water channel 19c that extends within the sprinkler cover or cover 19 from a corresponding outlet of the rotating water disperser 18a of the control circuit washing of drawer 15 and ends inside the sprinkler head 34 in order to channel the fresh water that leaves the rotating water disperser 18a directly into the salt drawer 32.
    [00108] The electric motor 18b of the washing circuit of drawer 15, in turn, is structured to selectively position / dispose the rotary water disperser 18a in a position that allows, when the brine is required, to channel the fresh water that arrives from the resin container 23 to the third internal water channel 19c of the cover or cover 19.
    [00109] In other words, the water supply circuit 22 comprises an internal water channel 19c which branches off from a corresponding outlet of the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 of the washing circuit 15, and extends within the cover or cover 19 until reaching the salt drawer 32, in order to feed water to the regenerating agent reservoir 21 under control of the hydraulic distributor assembly 18.
    [00110] Furthermore, in the example shown, the resin container 23 is preferably inserted / disposed along the internal water channel 19a which, within the sprinkler cover or lid 19, channels fresh water towards the entrance of the rotating water disperser 18th. Thus, the first and second hydraulic connectors 23b and 23c of the resin container 23 are preferably structured to be connectable to the sprinkler cap or cap 19, along the inner water channel 19a of the cap or cap 19.
    [00111] In the example shown, in particular, the cover or cover of the sprinkler 19 of the detergent dispenser 9 is preferably provided with two duct appendages 19a 'and 19a ”which extend downwards, next to the drawer housing 33, up to reach and connect to the hydraulic connectors 23b and 23c of the resin container 23 located under the drawer housing 33. The conduit appendage 19a 'connected to the hydraulic connector 23b forms the end portion of a first section of the internal water channel 19a that communicates directly with the on-off valve 10; the conduit appendage 19a ”connected to the hydraulic connector 23c forms the initial portion of a second section of the internal water channel 19a which communicates directly with the inlet of the rotating water disperser 18a.
    [00112] Thus, the lid or cover 19 of the detergent dispenser 9 forms a water delivery member 19 that incorporates at least part of the detergent rinse circuit 15, i.e., the sprinkler head 17 of the detergent rinse circuit 15, at least part of the water supply circuit 22, that is, the sprinkler head 34 of the water supply circuit 22, and finally at least part of the water pipe assembly that channels the fresh water that arrives from the water channel on-off 10 through the resin container 23.
    [00113] With reference to Figure 9, in the example shown, the drawer washing circuit 15 preferably also comprises a second auxiliary water drain line 37 that branches from a corresponding outlet of the hydraulic distributor assembly 18, and it is structured to channel the brine or fresh water that arrives from the resin container 23 preferably, although not necessarily, directly into the washing basket 3, or into the drain pit 26, or inside the assembly of water filtration 27 or to the water exhaust pump 29.
    [00114] In other words, one of the outlets of the rotating water disperser 18a of the washing circuit 15 is preferably connected to an auxiliary water drain line 37 which preferably, although not necessarily, ends inside the washing basket 3 or inside the drain pit 26 or inside the water filter assembly 27 or inside the pump 29; and the electric motor 18b is preferably structured to selectively dispose / position the rotary water disperser 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 washing basket 3 or into the drain pit 26 or into the water filter assembly 27 or into the pump 29.
    [00115] Similar to the water drain line 25, the auxiliary water drain line 37 of the drawer washing circuit 15 allows to selectively channel / drain out the resin container 23 the brine or fresh water that fills the said resin container.
    [00116] In the example shown, in particular, the sprinkler cover or cover 19 of the detergent dispenser 9 is preferably provided with a fourth internal water channel 19d which extends within the sprinkler cover or cover 19 from a corresponding outlet from the rotating water disperser 18a of the drawer washing circuit 15 to the entrance of a hose or auxiliary water tube 37 that extends towards the bottom of the housing similar to box 2 and ends directly inside the washing basket 3 or in inside the drain pit 26 or inside the water filter assembly 27 or inside the pump 29.
    [00117] Preferably, the auxiliary water drain line 37 may further comprise an air-breaking arrangement disposed along the fourth internal water channel 19d of the sprinkler cover or cover 19.
    [00118] It is possible to clearly infer the general operation of a domestic washing machine 1 from the description above. When the on-off valve 10 is opened, fresh water flows from the mains to the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 of the drawer washing circuit 15 which, according to the washing cycle, channels said fresh water to one of the portions / shower production sections of the sprinkler cover or cover 19 to rinse the detergent, fabric softener or other washing agent out of the corresponding detergent compartment 13a of the detergent drawer 13 and downwardly into the washing basket 3 through the supply pipeline 16.
    [00119] During the flow towards the washing 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 sensor means monitors the degree of hardness of the fresh water directed to the assembly of hydraulic distributor 18 of the washing circuit 15 drawer.
    [00120] When it is determined that the ion exchange resins inside the resin container 23 no longer have the ability to reduce the hardness of fresh water directed to the detergent drawer 13, the electronic central control unit (not shown) of washing machine 1, preferably immediately before starting the rinse phase of the washing cycle, a process of regeneration of the ion exchange resins stored inside the resin container 23. Obviously, the regeneration process can also take place during the wash phase of the wash cycle.
    [00121] Of course, a dedicated regeneration process can be provided even when no washing cycle is in operation; such a regeneration process can be selected by the user.
    [00122] During this regeneration process, the central control unit has, first, the installation of hydraulic distributor 18 in order to channel the fresh water towards the water supply circuit 22, and then it opens again for a the on-off valve 10 for a short time to pour / pour a certain amount of fresh water into the regenerating agent reservoir 21. Obviously, before reaching the interior of the salt drawer 32, that certain amount of fresh water flows through the resin container 23, the rotating water disperser 18a of the drawer washing circuit 15 and the sprinkler cover or lid 19.
    [00123] When a sufficient amount of brine is formed inside the regenerating agent reservoir 21, the central control unit arranges the installation of hydraulic distributor 18 in order to place the resin container 23 in direct communication with the drainage line of auxiliary water 37, and at about the same time opens the on-off valve 31 of the water drain line 25 in order to drain fresh water out of the resin container 23. Since at that moment 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 that allows the brine to flow by gravity into the interior of the resin container resin 23, thus replacing the fresh water previously stored in it.
    [00124] Fresh water previously stored in resin container 23, instead flows directly into the washing basket 3 or into the drain sump 26 or into the water filter assembly 27 or into the interior of the pump 29, through the water drain line 25 and / or through the auxiliary water drain line 37.
    [00125] When the brine has completely filled the resin container 23 in place of the fresh water previously stored therein, the central control unit closes the on-off valve 31 of the water drain line 25 to contain the brine inside the water container. resin 23 for a predetermined period of time generally sufficient to allow the brine to remove from the ion exchange resins the magnesium and calcium ions previously combined / attached to said resins.
    [00126] Since, in the example shown, the rotary water disperser 18a of the drawer washing circuit 15 is located higher than the resin container 23 and the brine inside the resin container 23 is at ambient pressure, it is not necessary that the electronic central control unit of the washing machine 1 changes the configuration of the rotary water disperser 18a to prevent the brine from leaving the resin container 23 through the auxiliary water drain line 37.
    [00127] After the resin regeneration interval has ended, 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 to the At the same time, open the on-off valve 10 again so that the pressurized fresh water from the water mines pushes the brine away from the resin container 23 and into the wash basket 3 or drain pit 26 or assembly water filter 27 or into the pump 29, through the water drain line 25 and / or through the auxiliary water drain line 37.
    [00128] Finally, preferably after having closed the on-off valve 17 and 31 again, the central control unit of the washing machine activates the water exhaust pump 29 in order to discharge the brine out of the washing machine 1 preferably together with the washing or rinsing water already stored at the bottom of the washing basket 3, and the washing cycle continues.
    [00129] In a less sophisticated embodiment, however, the washing machine 1 electronic central control unit can be programmed to regenerate the ion exchange resins stored in the resin container 23 after a certain number of washing cycles. In this case, the monitor's water hardness sensor means are therefore unnecessary.
    [00130] This number of washing cycles can be decided by the user based on a supposed degree of hardness of the fresh water that leaves the mains.
    [00131] The advantages that result from the provision of the regenerating agent reservoir accessible from the outside 21 immediately next to the detergent dispenser 9 are notable.
    [00132] Firstly, the side-by-side structure of the drawer housing 14 of the detergent dispenser 9 and the drawer housing 33 of the water softening device 11 in combination with a single cover or cover 19 that closes the two storage housings drawer 14 and 33 greatly simplify the structure of the detergent dispenser 9 with a consequent reduction in the overall production costs of the detergent dispenser
    [00133] Furthermore, the regenerating agent reservoir 21 is directly accessible by the user on the front wall 2a of the housing similar to box 2, next to the detergent dispenser 9, greatly simplifying, thus, the manual loading of the grains of salt to the inside the regenerating agent reservoir 21.
    [00134] Last but not least, brine is no longer allowed to reach the rotating drum, thus preventing oxidation of that component part.
    [00135] Of course, changes can be made to the front loading washing machine 1 as described above, without departing, however, from the scope of the present invention.
    [00136] For example, with reference to Figures 10 and 11, in a more sophisticated embodiment of the water supply circuit 22, the internal water channel 19c carried out inside the cover or cover of the sprinkler 19 of the detergent dispenser 9, instead communicating with a rotating water disperser outlet 18a of the washing circuit 15 drawer, is directly connected to the mains via an additional electrically controlled on-off valve 110 which, similarly to the on-off valve 10, has the ability to control / regulate the flow of fresh water towards the regenerating agent reservoir 21.
    [00137] Thus, in this embodiment the internal water channel 19c fluidly connects the sprinkler head 34 of the water supply circuit 22 directly to the on-off valve 110.
    [00138] In the example shown, in particular, the on-off valve 10 and the on-off valve 110 are preferably integrated into a valve assembly comprising a third electrically controlled on-off valve 210 which is connected to a pipe hose 211 that ends inside the washing basket 3. This third on-off valve has the ability to control / regulate the flow of fresh water from the mains directly to the washing basket 3 bypassing the detergent drawer 9 and the device water softening 11.
    [00139] Similar to the washing circuit of drawer 15, the water supply circuit 22 is preferably also provided with a valve of a corresponding way 120a which is located immediately downstream of the on-off valve 110, i.e. , between the on-off valve 110 and the internal water channel 19c of the cover or sprinkler cover 19, and is structured to allow fresh water to flow only from the on-off valve 110 to the internal water channel 19c of the cover or sprinkler cap 19 and not vice versa.
    [00140] Referring to Figure 12, instead, the sprinkler cover or lid 19 is shaped / dimensioned to exclusively close the type of the bowl-shaped drawer housing 12.
    [00141] The sprinkler cover or lid 19 was therefore a water delivery member 19 that lacks the inner channel 19c and the sprinkler head 34 of the water supply circuit 22, and the regenerating agent reservoir 21 comprises furthermore, a second, substantially flat lid or cover 117 which is designed to exclusively close the top of the bowl-shaped drawer housing 33, adjacent to the flat lid or cover 19. That second lid or cover 117 comprises at least least part of the water supply circuit 22 of the water softening device 11.
    [00142] In particular, the lid or cover 117 is structured so as to incorporate the sprinkler head 34 of the water supply circuit 22.
    [00143] In addition, instead of communicating with an outlet of the hydraulic distributor assembly 18 of the washing circuit 15, the cover or cover 117 is provided with an internal water channel 117a that preferably connects directly to the sprinkler 34 of the water supply circuit 22 to the mains via an additional electrically controlled on-off valve (not shown) which, similarly to the on-off valve 10, has the ability to control / regulate the flow of fresh water in towards the sprinkler head 34. In the example shown, in particular, the internal water channel 117a of the cover or cover 117 is preferably connected to the additional on-off valve via an auxiliary hose tube 118.
    [00144] Referring to Figure 13, and instead, the water softening device 11 lacks the water drain line 25, while the drawer washing circuit 15 of the detergent dispenser 9 lacks the air breather assemblies 20b located along internal water channels 19b, 19c and 19d of the sprinkler cover or cover 19 and instead comprises an air rupture assembly 38 which is located along the internal water channel 19a of the sprinkler cover or cover 19, immediately upstream of the resin container 23, and preferably includes a discharge funnel, which in turn communicates with the washing basket 3, the drain pit 26, the water filter assembly 27 or the pump 29 , through a specific water drain line 39. Thus, fresh water or brine that exceeds the nominal capacity of the resin container 23 is allowed to leave the resin container 23 through the air breach assembly 38 and to be piped d directly into the wash basket 3 or into the drain pit 26 or into the water filter assembly 27 or into the pump 29 via the water drain line 39.
    [00145] Referring to Figure 14, instead, the washing circuit for drawer 15 of the detergent dispenser 9 lacks the air-breaking assemblies 20b located along the internal water pipes 19b, 19c and 19d of the cover or lid of the sprinkler 19, and instead comprises a single air-breaking assembly 40 which is located along the internal water channel 19a of the sprinkler cover or cover 19, immediately upstream of the inlet of the rotating water disperser 18a.
    [00146] 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 lowered / confined within a seat within the housing similar to box 2, immediately next to the seat or drawer housing 14 of the detergent dispenser 9, and is provided with a salt loading nozzle 132a which is aligned to / engages with a corresponding through opening made in the front wall 2a of the housing 2 immediately next to the front entrance / opening 14a of the drawer housing 14 so that the salt loading nozzle 132a is exposed or liable to be exposed on the front wall 2a of cabinet 2.
    [00147] In carrying out Figure 15, the regenerating agent reservoir 21 further comprises a telescopic loading slide or funnel 134 which is inserted in a manually extractable manner into the salt loading nozzle 132a of the salt container 132. In the In the embodiment of Figures 16, the regenerating agent reservoir 21 further comprises a threaded plug 135 which is inserted / threaded into the salt loading nozzle 132a in an easily removable manner to preferably seal substantially impermeable to the water container. salt 132.
    [00148] 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 horizontally slidably attached to the housing similar to box 2, next to the drawer housing 14 of the detergent dispenser 9, in order to have the ability to slide freely within the housing 2 in a direction d locally substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the detergent drawer 13, towards the opening of passage 232a (and backwards) made in the front wall 2a of the housing 2 immediately next to the front entrance / opening 14a of the seat or drawer housing 14.
    [00149] The regenerating agent reservoir 21 is furthermore provided with a salt loading funnel 234 which projects from a side wall of the salt container 232 directly towards the front wall 2a of the housing 2, and it is shaped / dimensioned to engage the through opening 234a in the front wall 2a of the housing similar to box 2 so as to eject from the front wall 2a of the housing 2 next to the salt drawer 13 when the salt container 232 is arranged at a minimum distance from the front wall 2a of frame 2.
    权利要求:
    Claims (17)
    [0001]
    1. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1), which comprises an external housing (2) and, inside the housing (2), a washing basket (3) disposed within the housing (2) directly facing an opening for loading / unloading of clothes carried out on a front wall (2a) of the housing (2), a rotating drum arranged axially rotating inside the washing basket (3) and structured to receive the clothes to be washed, a detergent dispenser (9) that it is structured to supply detergent to the washing basket (3) and a water softening device (11) which is structured to reduce the degree of hardness of the fresh water supplied to the washing basket (3); the detergent dispenser (9) comprises a detergent container (13) that is fillable with a given amount of detergent and a detergent washing circuit (15) that is structured to selectively pour / pour water into the detergent container (13) ; the water softening device (11), in turn, comprises a container of water softening agent (23) filled with a water softening agent capable of reducing the hardness of the fresh water supplied to the washing basket ( 3), a regenerating agent reservoir (21) which is structured to receive a salt or other regenerating agent to perform a regeneration of the water softening function of the water softening agents and a water supply circuit (22) which is structured to selectively pour / pour a given amount of fresh water into the regenerating agent reservoir (21); the washing machine (1) being characterized by the reservoir of regenerating agent (21) comprising a container of regenerating agent (32) which is fillable with a given quantity of regenerating agents, by the water supply circuit ( 22) comprising a first sprinkler head (34) provided with a shower forming portion which is structured to feed a shower of water droplets by gravity into the regenerating agent container (32), through the detergent container (13) be provided with one or more detergent compartments (13a), each filling with a respective detergent product, the detergent washing circuit (15) comprises a second spray head (17) which is provided with one or more forming portions each of which is aligned to a corresponding detergent compartment (13a) of the detergent container (13) and is structured to feed a shower of water droplets water by gravity only in the detergent compartment (13a), and the detergent dispenser (9) comprises a water delivery member (19) which incorporates both the first sprinkler head (34) of the water supply circuit (22) and the second sprinkler head (17) of the detergent washing circuit (15).
    [0002]
    2. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the regenerating agent container (32) is housed within the housing (2) within a corresponding first seat (33); the housing (2) having a corresponding first opening (33a) and the regenerating agent container (32) is accessible through the first opening (33a).
    [0003]
    3. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the regenerating agent container (32) is movable within the first seat (33) so as to be removable from the first seat (33) through the first opening (33a).
    [0004]
    4. WASHING MACHINE (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the first opening (33a) is made in the front wall (2a) of the housing (2).
    [0005]
    5. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the regenerating agent reservoir (21) comprises a first drawer (32) that is fillable with a given quantity of regenerating agents, and is inserted in a manually extractable way into a first drawer housing (33) that extends into the housing (2) that starts from a front entrance or opening (33a) that is made in the housing (2 ); the sprinkler head (34) of the water supply circuit (22) is structured to selectively pour / pour water into the salt drawer (32).
    [0006]
    6. WASHING MACHINE (1), according to claim 5, characterized by the salt drawer (32) has a water-permeable structure.
    [0007]
    7. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1) according to claim 6, characterized by the bottom wall and / or at least one of the side walls of the salt drawer (32) has a mesh structure.
    [0008]
    8. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the detergent container (13) is housed within the housing (2) inside a corresponding second seat (14 ); the front wall (2a) of the housing (2) having a corresponding second opening (14a) and the detergent container (13) is accessible through the second opening (14a).
    [0009]
    9. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the detergent container (13) is movable within the second seat (14) so that it can be removed from the second seat (14) through the second opening (14a ) on the front wall (2a) of the housing (2).
    [0010]
    10. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1), according to claim 9, characterized by the detergent dispenser (9) comprising: a second drawer (13) that is fillable with a given amount of detergent and is inserted in a manually extractable manner interior of a second drawer housing (14) which extends into the housing (2) starting from a front entrance or opening (14a) which is carried out on the front wall (2a) of the housing (2); and the detergent washing circuit (15) is structured to selectively pour / pour a certain amount of water into the detergent drawer (12).
    [0011]
    11. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the second drawer housing (14) is arranged next to the first drawer housing (33).
    [0012]
    12. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the detergent washing circuit (15) also comprises a hydraulic distributor assembly (18) which is located upstream of the sprinkler head (17) and is structured to channel water selectively and alternatively into one of the shower-forming portions of the sprinkler head (17).
    [0013]
    13. WASHING MACHINE (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the water delivery member (19) is provided with a first internal water channel (19c) that is fluidly connected to the first sprinkler head (34) and forms part of the water supply circuit (22).
    [0014]
    14. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises electrically controlled main valve means (10) which are arranged between the detergent dispenser (9) and the mains and control / regulate the water flow from the water mains towards the detergent dispenser (9) and / or the washing basket (3).
    [0015]
    15. WASHING MACHINE (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the water delivery member (19) is provided with a second internal water channel (19a) that connects the detergent washing circuit (15) the main channel media (10).
    [0016]
    16. CLOTHING WASHING MACHINE (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the second internal water channel (19a) is fluidly connected to the water softening agent container (23).
    [0017]
    17. WASHING MACHINE (1), according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the water delivery member (19) is provided with several third internal water channels (19b), each of which connects a respective outlet from the hydraulic distributor assembly (18) to a corresponding shower-forming portion of the sprinkler head (17).
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    同族专利:
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    CN103732820A|2014-04-16|
    CN103732820B|2016-11-23|
    US10385500B2|2019-08-20|
    US20140157835A1|2014-06-12|
    WO2013017516A1|2013-02-07|
    US9790635B2|2017-10-17|
    AU2012292157A1|2014-02-06|
    EP2554739A1|2013-02-06|
    AU2012292157B2|2016-12-15|
    RU2014107948A|2015-09-10|
    US20170350059A1|2017-12-07|
    EP2554739B1|2018-04-18|
    BR112014002513A2|2017-03-14|
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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 26/07/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    EP11176089.8A|EP2554739B1|2011-08-01|2011-08-01|Laundry washing machine|
    EP11176089.8|2011-08-01|
    PCT/EP2012/064655|WO2013017516A1|2011-08-01|2012-07-26|Laundry washing machine with a water softening device|
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