(19)
(11)EP 3 066 251 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
27.06.2018 Bulletin 2018/26

(21)Application number: 14793488.9

(22)Date of filing:  24.10.2014
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
D06F 39/00(2006.01)
D06F 39/02(2006.01)
(86)International application number:
PCT/EP2014/072872
(87)International publication number:
WO 2015/062988 (07.05.2015 Gazette  2015/18)

(54)

A WASHER COMPRISING A STEAM GENERATOR

WASCHMASCHINE MIT EINEM DAMPFGENERATOR

MACHINE À LAVER COMPORTANT UN GÉNÉRATEUR DE VAPEUR


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 04.11.2013 TR 201312723

(43)Date of publication of application:
14.09.2016 Bulletin 2016/37

(73)Proprietor: Arçelik Anonim Sirketi
34950 Istanbul (TR)

(72)Inventors:
  • TOP, Ahmet Burak
    34950 Istanbul (TR)
  • AYDAY BESIKCI, Aysegul
    34950 Istanbul (TR)
  • ERDEM, Ilkan
    34950 Istanbul (TR)
  • UNAL, Sukru Baris
    34950 Istanbul (TR)
  • TATAR, Hakan
    34950 Istanbul (TR)


(56)References cited: : 
DE-A1-102008 051 113
KR-B1- 100 866 883
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to a washer comprising a steam generator.

    [0002] Steam generators are used in order to prevent wrinkles in the laundry that are washed in washers like the washing machine and laundry washer dryers and for cleansing the laundry from bad odors. The steam generator produces steam by heating the water stored therein or the water passing therethrough by means of a heater and delivers it to the tub. When the tub is filled with water, water may flow towards the steam generator and the wash water can pass through the steam generator by vacuum effect and mix with the mains water. According to environmental standards, the mains water is considered dirty after it leaves the valve and is not desired to be mixed with the mains water again. In the known technique, this problem is denoted as reverse flow or reverse siphon effect and the problem is tried to be solved by apparatuses that prevent reverse flow.

    [0003] In the Patent Application No. EP1813704, a washing machine is disclosed that prevents reverse flow by a unidirectional valve.

    [0004] In the Patent Application No. KR20090017663, a washing machine is disclosed that prevents reverse flow by a magnetic valve.

    [0005] In the Patent Application No. CN101466886, a washing machine is disclosed that prevents reverse flow by a spring mechanism.

    [0006] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer wherein the wash water that flows reversely through the steam generator is prevented from mixing with the mains water.

    [0007] The washer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a reverse flow preventing apparatus having a body disposed between the valve and the steam generator, an inlet opening arranged on the body and connected to the valve, an outlet opening connected to the steam generator and a discharge conduit, one end connected to the body and one end connected to the detergent dispenser.

    [0008] The reverse flow preventing apparatus in the washer of the present invention enables the mains water coming from the valve to enter through the inlet opening and to reach the steam generator by means of the outlet opening and when there is reverse flow, enables the wash water entering the outlet opening to bypass the inlet opening and to be discharged by the discharge conduit.

    [0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the reverse flow preventing apparatus is mounted to the detergent dispenser.

    [0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the reverse flow preventing apparatus is mounted to the side walls at the interior region of the washer.

    [0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the reverse flow preventing apparatus comprises a flow channel that is disposed in the body and that extends curvedly along the inlet opening and the outlet opening. By means of the flow channel, the water entering from the inlet opening is directed to leave from the outlet opening. Thus, decrease of efficiency is prevented by preventing water from leaking into the discharge conduit during the process of filling the steam generator with water.

    [0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer comprises a flushing section that enables the cleaning agents on the detergent dispenser to be mixed with wash water by flushing. One end of the discharge conduit is connected to the reverse flow preventing apparatus and the other end to the flushing section.

    [0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, a mains water inlet is provided on the flushing section whereto the mains water delivered from the mains is connected and a discharge conduit inlet whereto the discharge conduit is connected. A barrier is disposed between the mains water inlet and the discharge conduit inlet so that the wash water flowing from the discharge conduit does not mix with the mains water through the mains water inlet.

    [0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the reverse flow preventing apparatus is positioned to be at a level higher than the tub and the steam generator. When there is reverse flow, mixing of the dirty water with the mains water is made difficult by preventing the siphon effect by positioning the reverse flow preventing apparatus above the tub and the steam generator and by means of the discharge conduit opening to the outer environment.

    [0015] The reverse flow preventing apparatus of the present invention is suitable to be used in washing machines and laundry washer dryers.

    [0016] In the washer of the present invention, when there is reverse flow with the vacuum effect, the dirty water coming from the tub is prevented from mixing with the mains water. In order to achieve this, a reverse flow preventing apparatus is used that enables the steam generator to open to the atmosphere. The reverse flow preventing apparatus has the curved flow channel that enables the water to be directed so that it does not flow into the discharge conduit while flowing in the normal direction. The reverse flow preventing apparatus prevents the water from flowing in the incoming direction by discharging water by means of the discharge conduit when there is a flow in the reverse direction. The discharge conduit is connected to the flushing section and is separated from the mains water inlet by a barrier and the discharged water is prevented from mixing with the mains water through the flushing section.

    [0017] The washer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

    Figure 1 - is the front schematic view of a washer.

    Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a reverse flow preventing apparatus.

    Figure 3 - is another perspective view of a reverse flow preventing apparatus.

    Figure 4 - is the schematic view of a detergent dispenser.

    Figure 5 - is the perspective view of a detergent dispenser.



    [0018] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
    1. 1. Washer
    2. 2. Tub
    3. 3. Detergent dispenser
    4. 4. Steam generator
    5. 5. Water inlet
    6. 6. Steam outlet
    7. 7. Valve
    8. 8. Reverse flow preventing apparatus
    9. 9. Inlet opening
    10. 10. Outlet opening
    11. 11. Body
    12. 12. Discharge conduit
    13. 13. Flow channel
    14. 14. Flushing section
    15. 15. Mains water inlet
    16. 16. Discharge conduit inlet
    17. 17. Barrier


    [0019] The washer (1) comprises a tub (2) wherein the washing and/or drying processes are performed, a detergent dispenser (3) wherein the cleaning agents are stored, a steam generator (4) that provides delivery of steam to the tub (2) and that has a water inlet (5) and a steam outlet (6), at least one valve (7) that supplies mains water to the tub (2), the detergent dispenser (3) and the steam generator (4), and a reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) that prevents the wash water from mixing with the mains water.

    [0020] In the washer (1), the steam generator (4) is supplied by mains water from the water inlet (5) by opening the valve (7) controllably. The steam generator (4) receives the water from the mains by means of the valve (7), changes it into steam by heating and delivers to the tub (2) through the steam outlet (6).

    [0021] The washer (1) of the present invention comprises a reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) comprising a body (11) disposed between the valve (7) and the steam generator (4), an inlet opening (9) situated on the body (11) and connected to the valve (7) and an outlet opening (10) connected to the steam generator (4), and a discharge conduit (12), one end of which is connected to the body (11) and the other end to the detergent dispenser (3). When there is reverse flow of water from the tub (2) towards the steam generator (4), the dirty water coming from the tub (2) is prevented from mixing with the mains water with the vacuum effect by means of the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8).

    [0022] In the washer (1) of the present invention, the water received from the mains enters the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) through the inlet opening (9) and flows to the steam generator (4) by leaving from the outlet opening (10). When there is a reverse flow, the water enters from the outlet opening (10) and leaves through the discharge conduit (12).

    [0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) comprises the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) having a body (11) that is fixed to the detergent dispenser (3).

    [0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) comprises the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) having a body (11) that is fixed to the side walls at the interior region of the washer (1).

    [0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) comprises a curved flow channel (13) that extends inside the body (11) between the inlet opening (9) and the outlet opening (10). The flow channel (13) directs the water entering from the inlet opening (9) to the outlet opening (10) during the water supply process of the steam generator (4) and prevents the water from leaving from the discharge conduit (12) by preventing formation of vortex in the water.

    [0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) comprises a flushing section (14) disposed on the detergent dispenser (3) for mixing the powder and/or liquid cleaning agents with the wash water, and one end of the discharge conduit (12) is connected to the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) and the other end is connected to the flushing section (14). As the discharge conduit (12) is connected to the flushing section (14), the surfaces that contact with the discharged dirty wash water are aimed to be washed by flushing.

    [0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flushing section (14) comprises a mains water inlet (15) whereto the mains water coming from the valve (7) is connected, a discharge conduit inlet (16) whereto the end of the discharge conduit (12) is connected and a barrier (17) that separates the mains water inlet (15) from the discharge conduit inlet (16). The wash water that is discharged by means of the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) so that it does not mix with the mains water is also prevented from mixing with the mains water inlet (15) in the flushing section (14) by the barrier (17).

    [0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) is positioned to be at a level higher than the tub (2) and the steam generator (4). Thus, the tub (2) and the steam generator (4) that open to atmospheric pressure by the discharge conduit (12) are prevented from having reverse siphon effect.

    [0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) is a washing machine.

    [0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) is a laundry washing and drying machine.

    [0031] The problem of dirty water mixing with the mains conduit encountered in washers (1) is solved by the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) that is used in the washer (1) of the present invention. When there is water flow in any way from the tub (2) towards the steam generator (4), the dirty water is prevented from dirtying the mains water by being discharged from the discharge conduit (12) of the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) and is enabled to flow to the detergent dispenser (3). The water that enters from the inlet opening (9) by the flow channel (13) in the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) is prevented from going to the discharge conduit (12) and is enabled to be directed to the outlet opening (10). Consequently, two different water flow directions are formed on the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8). Formation of vacuum effect is prevented by the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) opening to the atmosphere and being positioned at a higher elevation than the tub (2) and the steam generator (4). In washers (1) that can store cleaning agents for more than one washing process, the discharge conduit (12) is connected to the flushing section (14) since a discharge conduit (12) that is connected to the detergent dispenser (3) can spoil the powder and/or liquid cleaning agents inside the detergent dispenser (3) to be used in more than one washing process. The barrier (17) is used so that the dirty water coming from the discharge conduit (12) does not mix with the mains water by reaching the valve (7) through the mains water inlet (15) with the vacuum effect.


    Claims

    1. A washer (1) comprising a tub (2) wherein the washing and/or drying processes are performed, a detergent dispenser (3) wherein the cleaning agents are stored, a steam generator (4) that provides delivery of steam to the tub (2) and that has a water inlet (5) and a steam outlet (6), at least one valve (7) that supplies mains water to the tub (2), the detergent dispenser (3) and the steam generator (4), and a reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) that prevents the wash water from mixing with the mains water, characterized in that the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) comprising a body (11) connected between the valve (7) and the steam generator (4), an inlet opening (9) situated on the body (11) and connected to the valve (7), an outlet opening (10) connected to the steam generator (4) and a discharge conduit (12) with one end of which is connected to the body (11) and the other end to the detergent dispenser (3), enabling the water flowing in the reverse direction through the steam generator (4) to be delivered to the detergent dispenser (3).
     
    2. A washer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) having a body (11) that is fixed to the detergent dispenser (3).
     
    3. A washer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) having a body (11) that is fixed to the side walls at the interior region of the washer (1).
     
    4. A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) having a curved flow channel (13) that extends inside the body (11) between the inlet opening (9) and the outlet opening (10).
     
    5. A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the detergent dispenser (3) having a flushing section (14) enabling the powder and/or liquid cleaning agents to be mixed with the wash water and in that the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) having the discharge conduit (12) with one end connected to the body (11) and the other end to the flushing section (14).
     
    6. A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that a mains water inlet (15) disposed in the flushing section (14) whereto the mains water coming from the valve (7) is connected, in that a discharge conduit inlet (16) whereto the discharge conduit (12) is connected and in that a barrier (17) that separates the mains water inlet (15) from the discharge conduit inlet (16).
     
    7. A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims characterized in that the reverse flow preventing apparatus (8) that is positioned to be at a level higher than the tub (2) and the steam generator (4).
     
    8. A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, which is a washing machine.
     
    9. A washer (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 7, which is a laundry washing and drying machine.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Waschanlage (1) umfassend, eine Wanne (2) wobei Wasch- und/oder Trocknungsprozesse durchgeführt werden, einer Waschmittelspender (3), in der die Reinigungsmittel gespeichert sind, einem Dampferzeuger (4), der Dampf in die Wanne (2) abgibt und mit einem Wassereinlass (5) und einem Dampfauslass (6), mindestens einem Ventil (7), das der Wanne (2), dem Reinigungsmittelspender (3) und dem Dampferzeuger (4) Leitungswasser zuführt und eine Rückfluss-Verhinderungsvorrichtung (8), die verhindert, dass sich das Waschwasser mit dem Leitungswasser vermischt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Rückfluss-Verhinderungsvorrichtung (8) einen zwischen dem Ventil (7) und dem Dampfgenerator (4) verbundenen Körper (11) umfasst, eine Einlassöffnung (9), die an dem Körper (11) angeordnet und mit dem Ventil (7) verbunden ist, eine Auslassöffnung (10), die mit dem Dampfgenerator (4) verbunden ist, und eine Auslassleitung (12), die mit einem Ende mit dem Körper (11) und mit dem anderen Ende mit dem Reinigungsmittelspender (3) verbunden ist, wodurch das Wasser in umgekehrter Richtung durch den Dampf fließen kann Erzeuger (4) an den Reinigungsmittelspender (3) abzugeben.
     
    2. Waschanlage (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Rückfluss-Verhinderungsvorrichtung (8) einen Körper (11) aufweist, der an dem Waschmittelspender (3) befestigt ist.
     
    3. Waschanlage (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Rückfluss-Verhinderungsvorrichtung (8) einen Körper (11) aufweist, der an den Seitenwänden im Innenbereich der Waschanlage (1) befestigt ist.
     
    4. Waschanlage (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Rückfluss-Verhinderungsvorrichtung (8) einen gekrümmten Kanal (13) aufweist, der sich in den Körper (11) zwischen der Einlassöffnung (9) und der Auslassöffnung (10) erstreckt.
     
    5. Waschanlage (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Waschmittelspender (3) eine Spülstrecke (14) aufweist, die es ermöglicht, die pulverförmigen und / oder flüssigen Waschmittel mit dem Waschwasser zu vermischen, und dass Rückfluss-Verhinderungsvorrichtung (8) mit der Auslassleitung (12), wobei ein Ende mit dem Körper (11) und das andere Ende mit dem Spülabstrecke (14) verbunden ist.
     
    6. Waschanlage (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Wasserleitungseinlass (15) in dem Spülabschnitt (14) angeordnet ist, an den das aus dem Ventil (7) kommende Leitungswasser angeschlossen ist, dass Auslassleitungseinlass (16), mit dem die Auslassleitung (12) verbunden ist, und dass eine Barriere (17), die den Leitungswassereinlass (15) von dem Auslassleitungseinlass (16) trennt.
     
    7. Waschanlage (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Rückfluss-Verhinderungsvorrichtung (8), die so positioniert ist, dass sie höher als die Wanne (2) und der Dampferzeuger (4) ist.
     
    8. Waschanlage (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, die eine Waschmashine ist.
     
    9. Waschanlage (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, die eine Wasch- und -trockenmaschine ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Rondelle (1) comprenant une cuve (2) dans laquelle les processus de lavage et / ou de séchage sont effectués, un distributeur de détergent (3) dans lequel les agents de nettoyage sont stockés, un générateur de vapeur (4) qui fournit de la vapeur à la cuve (2) et qui a une entrée d'eau (5) et une sortie de vapeur (6), au moins une vanne (7) qui fournit de l'eau de distribution à la cuve (2), le distributeur de détergent (3) et le générateur de vapeur (4), et un dispositif de prévention d'écoulement inverse (8) qui empêche le mélange de l'eau de lavage avec l'eau de distribution, caractérisée en ce que l'appareil de prévention d'écoulement inverse (8) comprend un corps (11) connecté entre la soupape (7) et le générateur de vapeur (4), une ouverture d'entrée (9) située sur le corps (11) et reliée à la valve (7), une ouverture de sortie (10) reliée au générateur de vapeur (4) et une conduite d'évacuation (12) dont une extrémité est reliée au corps (11) et l'autre extrémité au distributeur de détergent (3), permettant à l'eau circulant dans le sens inverse à travers le générateur de vapeur (4) d'être délivrée au distributeur de détergent (3).
     
    2. Rondelle (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'appareil de prévention d'écoulement inverse (8) comporte un corps (11) qui est fixé au distributeur de détergent (3).
     
    3. Rondelle (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'appareil de prévention d'écoulement inverse (8) comporte un corps (11) qui est fixé aux parois latérales à la zone intérieure de la rondelle (1).
     
    4. Rondelle (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'appareil anti-retour (8) présente un canal d'écoulement incurvé (13) qui s'étend à l'intérieur du corps (11) entre l'ouverture d'entrée (9) et le ouverture de sortie (10).
     
    5. Rondelle (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le distributeur de détergent (3) ayant une section de rinçage (14) permettant de mélanger les agents de nettoyage en poudre et / ou liquides avec l'eau de lavage et en ce que l'appareil de prévention d'écoulement inverse (8) comporte le conduit d'évacuation (12) avec une extrémité reliée au corps (11) et l'autre extrémité à la section de rinçage (14).
     
    6. Rondelle (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'une entrée d'eau de réseau (15) disposée dans la section de rinçage (14) à laquelle est connectée l'eau de réseau provenant de la vanne (7), en ce qu'une entrée de conduit d'évacuation (16) à laquelle est raccordé le conduit d'évacuation (12) et en ce qu'une barrière (17) séparant l'entrée d'eau de réseau (15) de l'entrée de conduite d'évacuation (16).
     
    7. ondelle (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'appareil de prévention d'écoulement inverse (8) est placé à un niveau supérieur à celui de la cuve (2) et du générateur de vapeur (4).
     
    8. Rondelle (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, qui est une machine à laver.
     
    9. Rondelle (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, qui est une machine à laver et à sécher le linge.
     




    Drawing




















    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description