Obturator device for the tub of a laundry washing machine

Abstract

 An obturator device for the tub of a laundry washing machine comprising a tub housing the drum containing the laundry to be washed and having its bottom portion formed with a port forming a seat for an obturator element coupled to a cinematic transmission mechanism advantageously actuated by a solenoid connected to the discharge pump for energization in synchronism therewith, so that during the initial phases of the washing operation the water and the detergent supplied thereto are exclusively utilized forthe washing operation, without any portion of the solution flowing into the discharge circuit disposed below the level of the tub and only accessible during operation of the discharge pump.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device intended for incorporation in a laundry washing machine with the object of exhaustively utilizing the detergent introduced into the washing water.

[0002] As generally known, in laundry washing machines the introduction of a detergent is brought about by the first litres of water flowing through the compartments of a detergent supply receptacle previously filled with the detergent. A certain amount of the thus formed water- detergent solution flows into the at this time still empty parts of the liquid flow circuit situated below the levels whereat the agitation of the liquid and laundry takes place, so that this portion of the water- detergent mixture is not utilized for the laundry washing operation.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to prevent the solution of water and detergent from flowing into these non-productive circuit parts, so that the full amount of the solution is utilized for soaking and washing the laundry without flowing into the discharge section of the flow circuit until the washing operation has been carried out.

[0004] To this purpose, the tub containing the drum in which the laundry to be washed is contained has its lower portion provided with a plug maintained in a closure position while the laundry is being washed, particularly during the first phase of the operating cycle, so as to prevent the water with the detergent from flowing into sections of the liquid flow circuit situated below the bottom of the tub and forming part of the discharge system. The aforementioned plug may be actuated to open at a suitable time with the aid of a mechanism associated to a piston device comprising a solenoid valve the operation of which is coupled to that of the electric discharge pump. Until such time at which the said pump is energized for discharging the water that has been used for the washing operation, the plug remains in its closed position, so that there occur no losses of water and useable detergent.

[0005] The characteristics of the invention will become more clearly evident from the following description, given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, the only figure of which shows a diagrammatical illustration of a laundry washing machine provided with an obturator device according to the invention.

[0006] Shown in the drawings is a simplified illustration of the hydraulic and electromechanical parts of the device designated by reference numerals to which reference is made in the following.

[0007] The tub 1 of a washing machine houses a conventional drum 2 containing the laundry to be washed, and has its lower portion formed with a port 3 forming a seat for a plug 4 operatively connected to a transmission linkage 5 one end portion of which is articulated to the rod of a piston enclosed in a cylinder 6. The displacement of the piston is advantageously brought about by means of an electromagnet associated to a solenoid valve the energization of which is synchronized with that of an electric pump 7 employed for discharging the washing liquid and communicating through a passage 8 with a chamber 9 associated to port 3 and plug 4 and acting as a washing liquid drain.

[0008] The outlet of electric pump 7 is conventionally connected to a discharge conduit 10 having a discharge assembly 11 at its free end.

[0009] In the described manner it is ensured that the detergent supplied to the washing water is exhaustively utilized for the washing operation, and that part of it does not get lost by unrecoverably entering the spaces represented by chamber 9, passage 8 and pump 7.

[0010] Any particulars not affecting, altering or modifying the essentials of the described device shall be variable within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Obturator device for the tub of a laundry washing machine, essentially characterized in that the tub (1) housing the drum (2) containing the laundry to be washed has its bottom portion formed with a port (3) forming a seat for an obturator element (4) coupled to a cinematic transmission mechanism (5) actuated by a cylinder-piston mechanism (6), the latter being advantageously actuated by a solenoid connected to a discharge pump (7) for energization in synchronism therewith, so that during the initial phases of the washing operation, the water and the detergent supplied thereto are exclusively utilized for the washing operation, without any portion of this solution flowing into the discharge circuit situated below the level of the tub and accessible only during operation of the discharge pump (7).

Drawing