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(11) | EP 0 597 509 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A dynamic flow washing machine |
| (57) A dynamic flow washing machine in which the fill water is preliminarily heated and
then recirculated in order effectively to extract detergent from a first compartment
(1) of a detergent container (21) during the course of a first washing stage, and
from a second compartment (2) of the detergent container (21) during a second washing
stage, without intermediate emptying of wash liquid, in such a way as to restore the
effective concentration of detergent during washing without dispersion of the washing
liquid and its heat content and with more effective use of detergent. |
[0001] The present invention relates to a dynamic flow washing machine, that is a washing machine in which the washing liquid has variable characteristics of temperature and concentration of detergent during the washing operation to allow the maximum efficiency with the minimum consumption of energy, water and detergent.
[0002] There are washing machines known on the market in which, after a cold liquid-detergent solution has partially filled a washing vessel, this is heated, withdrawn from the bottom of the vessel and returned as a shower into the washing vessel.
[0003] With this operation it is possible to reduce the volume of liquid utilised for washing and the energy necessary for heating it, and consequently also to gain a certain saving in detergent.
[0004] It is also known from German Patent Application DE-O-1610190 that a similar recirculation system can be used to convey the liquid, already introduced into the vessel, to a detergent container to remove it therefrom and introduce it into the washing vessel.
[0005] In this way the continuous recirculating flow ensures the complete removal of the detergent from the detergent container.
[0006] It is likewise known from German Patent Application DE-O-1410985 that the withdrawal of detergent from the detergent container can be effected using a similar recirculation system after having heated the washing water.
[0007] With these arrangements the detergent is completely removed from the tray and more easily dissolved than when cold, thereby achieving a greater washing efficiency and a reduced formation of lumps and deposits of detergent which, however, cannot be completely eliminated since the removal of the detergent takes place in a single quantity adequate to obtain an optimum average concentration of detergent during the course of the entire washing operation.
[0008] The concept of optimum average concentration implies that at the beginning of the washing the concentration is very high and more detergent than is necessary is withdrawn, with consequent waste thereof and formation of lumps. Gradually as the washing proceeds and the detergent looses it efficiency, the concentration falls and does not succeed in performing its function in an adequate manner.
[0009] In order to avoid this disadvantage there are known detergent diffusers, consisting of a perforated casing in which the detergent is placed.
[0010] These diffusers are then introduced into the washing vessel together with the items of clothing to be washed, and reliance is placed on these diffusers to obtain a gradual release of the detergent, from which there is thus a gradual increase in the concentration as the washing operation proceeds, so as to ensure functional efficiency.
[0011] These diffusers, which have to be introduced into the washing vessel dry, have the disadvantage that initially the detergent is released dry onto limited regions of the fabrics to be washed, causing stains and alterations.
[0012] Although the release of detergent is gradual, it does not take place in a controlled manner and depends in large measure on contingent parameters such as temperature, porosity and impermeability of the fabrics in contact with the diffusers, the degree of packing of the fabrics into the washing vessel etc.
[0013] Alternatively, as a manual fall-back expedient, the washing cycle can be interrupted, the washing machine emptied of its liquid content, and a new washing cycle started manually, (with the introduction of new detergent) similar to the automatic prewashing, bleaching and rinsing cycles already known and used in the art.
[0014] This operation requires the user to be present during the operation of the washing machine in order to activate a repetition of the washing cycle with inevitable great consumption of water and energy for reheating the volume of water again.
[0015] All these disadvantages are eliminated by the dynamic flow washing machine which is the subject of the present invention, which ensures the possibility of varying the concentration of detergent by increasing it during the same washing operation without the necessity for renewing the washing liquid and without the need for external manual intervention and supervision by the washing machine operator.
[0016] In this way the initial concentration can be limited to the optimum value for commencing the wash without waste of detergent, formation of lumps and sediments, even with detergent having a compact formulation, the concentration being restored during the course of the same washing operation in one or more stages at rigorously controlled times.
[0017] These results are achieved by the combination, in the washing machine forming the subject of the present invention, of a fluid recirculation circuit activated by pumps which selectively involves one or more detergent containers, a nozzle which can be orientated to control the direction of the recirculation fluid sprayed into a predetermined detergent container, heating elements for heating the recirculation fluid in a controlled manner, and programmed control means which, by acting on the pump, the orientable nozzle and the heating elements, allows several doses of detergent to be removed at predetermined times and temperatures, without interrupting the washing cycle with emptying and refilling stages.
[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention the recirculation flow is used not only for renewing the concentration of detergent, but also for the rinsing operations which are thereby made more efficient, and for taking in, preferably hot, bleach and additives the action of which is increased.
[0019] According to a further aspect of the present invention the recirculation flow is returned into the washing vessel by means of a spray nozzle preceded by a syphon with a piezometric loading column which ensures a forceful outflow.
[0020] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a twin parallel recirculation circuit for dividing the flow which passes through the detergent container and exploiting the delivery head of the pump for actuation of a water extractor which intensifies the jet action of the flow coming from the detergent container, making the adoption of the loading column superfluous and causes any possible lumps of detergent to be broken up making it easier for them to be dispersed and dissolved.
[0021] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a twin parallel recirculation circuit for dividing the flow which passes through the detergent container, exploiting a second flow duct directed within the washing vessel and utilising the whole delivery head of the pump.
[0022] According to a further aspect of the present invention the preceding characteristics are combined with the use of a single pump for recirculation of the fluid and for emptying, and a flow diverter device for diverting the flow towards the recirculation and towards the drain outlet, downstream from the pump and upstream from the orientable nozzle.
[0023] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the preceding characteristics are combined with the adoption of a double orientable nozzle, or double capture nozzle, which allows the washing machine to operate both in a conventional manner, without recirculation, and with dynamic flow recirculation at the choice of the user, by pressing a simple selection key, in such a way as to satisfy the most varied requirements of the user with automatic washing techniques from simple soaking in a static bath, to washing by agitation, to washing with a recirculation flow and spray whether or not combined with mechanical agitation, according to the various requirements of the fabrics.
[0024] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic frontal section of a dynamic flow washing machine formed according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a mechanical programming device for the machine of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of a preferred embodiment of the control system for the machine of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a timing diagram showing the functions of dynamic flow washing, dynamic rinsing and bleaching with the machine of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a schematic frontal section of the first embodiment of the machine of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a schematic frontal section of a second embodiment of the machine of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a section of an alternative embodiment of the flow diverting nozzle for the machine of Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a partial circuit diagram of a control system for the machine of Figure 1 which controls the manner of operation both for normal washing and dynamic flow washing in accordance with the present invention.
[0025] With reference to Figure 1, the machine comprises a washing vessel 7 of conventional type, in which is mounted a rotating drum 8 driven by a motor not shown.
[0028] A suction duct 12 connects the vessel to the input of a pump 13 fitted with a filter, the output of which pump is selectively connected via a flow diverter 14 to a drain pipe 15 or a recirculation pipe 16.
[0029] As an alternative to the flow diverter 14 a separate drain pump could be used with an input connected to the vessel and a delivery connected to the drain pipe 15.
[0030] The recirculation pipe 16 terminates at an orientable nozzle 17 (or other equivalent flow diverter) actuated by a distribution rod 18 controlled by the rocker 19 of a cam programmer 20.
[0031] The nozzle 17 opens above a detergent container 21 having several compartments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 which nozzle, as already mentioned, can be orientated selectively towards any of the compartments under the control of the programmer.
[0032] The container 21 is housed in a flow-collector box 22 which opens into a syphon 23 isolated from steam, terminating in a spray nozzle 24 orientated towards the interior of the washing drum 8 through the resilient seal 9.
[0033] The nozzle is provided with a piezometric column 25 disposed downstream of the syphon 23 and open into the vessel 7 with an overflow opening.
[0034] A water inlet duct 26 connected to the water mains via a control valve 27 opens via a nozzle 28 into a region 7 of the flow collector box 22, leading directly to the syphon 23.
[0036] The device essentially comprises a cam 20 with a step profile having several levels, identified in the drawings as L6, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 cooperating with a rocker 19 provided with a cam follower roller 29.
[0037] The cam 20 is coupled to a shaft 30 of a programmer 301 of known structure, having teeth 31 and 32 which allow free clockwise rotation of the cam 20 by means of the action of a knob 33 connected to the cam.
[0038] The cam is rotated in a clockwise direction by a drive shaft 30, driven by a geared motor 47 and controlled by a step-by-step timing escapement and the program set on the cams (of which only the cams 305, 306 are shown) read by the electric circuit.
[0039] As known, the cams, via the knob 33, are set in a starting position by the user who can chose from a plurality of working cycles by moving a predetermined sector of the knob 33 into correspondence with a fixed reference index. With this movement a predetermined sector of the cam 20, indicated for example by the arrow 34, is brought into correspondence with the roller 29.
[0040] The different levels of the cams define different working conditions of the control switches of the programming system (cams 305, 306) and different orientations of the nozzle 17 of Figure 1 (cam 20).
[0041] The working conditions progress gradually as the cams rotate and the different levels of the cams 20 are disposed under the roller 29.
[0042] Thus, with reference jointly to Figures 1 and 2, when the level L1 is active the nozzle 17 is orientated towards the compartment 1, when the level 2 is active the nozzle 17 is orientated towards compartment 2 etc.
[0043] The levels L4, L5 define active conditions of the rinsing steps, with possible operation of the pump 13.
[0045] Figure 3 is a simplified circuit diagram illustrating the control and actuation system for the washing machine of Figure 1.
[0046] A main operating switch 35, manually controlled by a bistable push button, connects and isolates the system from the main voltage.
[0047] A two-way pressure switch 36 having hysteresis, in series with a switch 37, controls activation of the water fill valve 27.
[0048] The terminal 139 of the pressure switch 36 closes on the terminal 138 when the washing vessel is empty, and commutes to the terminal 40 when the liquid in the vessel reaches a pre-determined level (indicated N in Figure 1).
[0049] The switch 37, which is normally open, is closed by control from the programmer (cams 305, 306) when the active profile of the cam 20 corresponds to predetermined levels, indicated in brackets, next to the switch, although not necessarily in synchronism with the activation/disactivation of the levels.
[0050] The same convention is used with reference to the normally open switches 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and the normally closed switch 45, all actuated by the cams of the programmer such as 305, 306 fixed to the cam 20.
[0052] Switch 38, when closed, and on the condition that the washing vessel is filled with a sufficient quantity of water (pressure switch 36 activated) activates a heating element 10.
[0053] The same function is performed by the switch 39, which activates a heating element 11 if the further condition is satisfied that a bistable economy switch or temperature limitation switch 44, which is normally closed, is actuated to open.
[0054] The switch 40, when closed, activates the emp- tying/recirculation pump 13 and the switch 41, when closed, commutes the flow diverter 14, which is normally open to the drain, towards the recirculation pipe 16.
[0055] The switch 42, when closed, activates the motor 46 for slow intermittent bi-directional rotation of the drum 8.
[0056] The switch 43, when closed, activates a spin- drying operation by acting on the circuits MC of a motor 46.
[0057] Finally, the normally closed switch 45 disac- tivates the geared motor 47 for driving the programmer and the cam 20 at the end of a working cycle.
[0058] With these premises, the timing diagram of Figure 4, which describes the operation of the dynamic flow washing machine of the present invention, will be immediately comprehensible.
[0059] The first qualitative diagram 48 indicates the effective concentration of detergent in the washing liquid.
[0060] By "effective concentration" is intended here and hereinafter the ratio by weight between the detergent fraction which has not lost its detergent power by agglomeration, sedimentation or aggregation and combination with particles of dirt, and the weight or volume of liquid in which this fraction is dispersed or dissolved.
[0062] In line OP of the lower table, preceded by graphic symbols the significance of which will be immediately understood, relating to the begin- ning/end of specific activities, are indicated the sequential operations; the letter F indicates a filling operation, the letter L an agitation/washing operation of conventional type, letters LD a dynamic washing operation in accordance with the present invention, the letter S emptying the vessel, the letters RD a dynamic rinsing operation, the letter T a spin drying operation and the letters CD a dynamic bleaching operation.
[0064] In line LEV is indicated the level of liquid in the washing vessel, namely N (normal) at the end of filling, B (low) by the effect of rotation of the drum and soaking up by the fabrics, R (reduced) by the effect of activation of the recirculation pump, or 0 (empty).
[0065] The numerals 1, 2, 3, in line DET indicate, from which compartment the detergent is to be taken, or (by numeral 6) that the collection vessel is to receive water direct.
[0066] At an initial instant TO the user, after having set the programmer at the beginning of the dynamic washing cycle, closes the switch 35 and starts the cycle.
[0067] The valve 27 is open and starts filling with cold water which sprays, through the nozzle 24, onto the washing in the drum 8 until reaching a first wash level N. Subsequently the drum will be rotated slowly. The diverter 14 is also activated.
[0068] At instant T1 when the water in the washing vessel reaches predetermined level N (Figure 1) the valve 27 is closed and this allows energisation of the heating elements 10, 11 which rapidly raise the temperature of the washing water. The drum is put into slow rotation.
[0069] At an instant T2, when the active cam profile has fallen to level 1, the pump 13 is activated (the diverter 14 is already activated) and the washing water is recirculated in the pipe 16 and expelled from the nozzle 17 towards the detergent compartment 1 to take detergent from the compartment and carry it into the syphon 23.
[0070] The detergent solution is introduced through the nozzle 24 into the washing drum. At this stage the level of wash water in the vessel falls somewhat and is indicated in Figure 1 by level R.
[0071] The detergent, carried away by the hot liquid, rapidly dissolves with a reduced formation of lumps, and the effective concentration of detergent increases rapidly up to the optimum value, thereby developing its best action on the fabrics to be washed.
[0072] A first dynamic washing stage has thus started in which the detergent bath in continually recirculated to ensure that the whole of the detergent is removed from the compartment 1 and continuously sprayed onto the fabrics to be washed via the nozzle 24. The wash temperature can be gradually increased (diagram 49) or, if the temperature limitation function has been set, the heating can be interrupted and the temperature can be allowed to fall naturally as shown in the diagram by the broken line 50.
[0073] During this stage, from instant T2 to instant T3 the effective concentration of the detergent gradually decreases as it carries out its activity (diagram 48). At instant T3, after a convenient time, for example 15 minutes from commencement of this stage, the nozzle 17 is displaced by cam 20 and is so disposed that the recirculation flow carries a new quantity of detergent contained in compartment 2, bringing the effective concentration of detergent back to the optimum value.
[0074] The same operation, as illustrated in Figure 4, can be repeated on a further detergent compartment (third compartment) starting from instant T4.
[0075] At this stage heating of the wash liquid is preferably interrupted, if not already interrupted before by the economiser control, in preparation for the following wash liquid emptying and subsequent spin drying and rinsing operations.
[0076] A dynamic flow washing operation is thus achieved, constituted by a first stage and second or subsequent stages (two in Figure 4) during the course of which the effective concentration of the detergent is restored, always being taken by hot liquid and therefore being more easily dissolved, without interruption of the washing cycle by liquid emptying, refilling and reheating stages. It is only at the end of these stages that the washing vessel is emptied.
[0077] The effectiveness of the wash is further increased by the direct spraying of the fabrics to be washed through the nozzle 24, preceded by a syphon 23, isolated from steam, with the piezoelectric loading column 25 which ensures a head H (Figure 1) and therefore a predetermined outflow speed of the jet which, with its dynamic action, exerts a further breaking up of the dirt and penetration of the wash liquid into the fibres of the fabric.
[0078] The loading column also ensures an adequate outflow pressure at the nozzle to prevent clogging and, in the improbable case of blockage, guarantees overflow into the vessel from the top.
[0079] Clearly the head H cannot exceed the limits allowed by the normal dimensions of the washing machine and is therefore kept between 25 and 40 cm.
[0080] According to a further aspect of the present invention the speed of outflow of the jet is increased by wholly or partly exploiting the delivery head of the pump 13.
[0081] Figure 5 schematically represents the relevant details of this improvement: upstream of the nozzle 17 where the lose of static head produced by the pump 13 predominantly takes place, the recirculation pipe 16 has a branch 51 which terminates in a nozzle 52 within the nozzle 24 and orientated towards the outflow opening of this latter.
[0082] The recirculation flow is therefore divided: a suitable fraction is utilised for taking up detergent to be introduced at ambient pressure into the syphon 23; the residual fraction, at the pressure set by the delivery head of the pump, is used to obtain at the outlet of the nozzle 52 a high speed jet which dynamically urges the solution present in the syphon 23 towards the outlet of the nozzle 24 thereby causing, among other things, the fragmentation and dissolution of possible lumps of detergent present therein.
[0083] With an arrangement of this type the piezometric loading column of Figure 1 becomes superfluous and can be replaced by a simple safety overflow aperture 251 open to the vessel.
[0084] In an alternative embodiment the effectiveness of the washing jet from the nozzle 24 is increased not by an increase in its speed, but by interference with a second transverse spray jet obtained, as illustrated in Figure 6, by dividing the recirculation flow: upstream of the nozzle 17 the recirculation pipe 16 has a branch 61 which ends in a nozzle 62 orientated towards the filling opening of the drum 8.
[0085] The recirculation flow is thus divided: suitable fraction is utilised to remove the detergent and is introduced under ambient pressure into the syphon 23; the residual fraction, at the pressure set by the delivery head of the pump, is used to obtain at the output of the nozzle 62 a high velocity jet cooperating in the washing action with the output flow from the nozzle 24.
[0086] According to a further aspect of the invention the washing machine described is improved by being able to operate in a wide range of different modes comprising at least one "conventional" washing mode with simple agitation and the "dynamic flow" washing mode with recirculation and restoration of the effective detergent concentration.
[0087] In this way a fundamental requirement of the user is satisfied, that is of benefiting from the new function and performance in addition to and not in replacement for already available performance.
[0089] In Figure 7 the nozzle assembly 17, detergent container 21 and flow collection box 22 are shown in sectional side view.
[0090] The nozzle 17, pivoted about a vertical axis on the recirculation pipe 23, receives the recirculation fluid from this and projects it through a first outlet opening 53 against an outflow guide 54 (one for each detergent compartment).
[0091] The flow is diverted by the guide 54 into the associated detergent compartment 21, which is sprayed with liquid which, by overflowing (or filtering) into the box 22 and the syphon 23, conveys the detergent with it.
[0092] The nozzle 17 is provided with an additional guide duct 55 open to the water fill duct 28 and provided with an outflow opening 56 disposed above the opening 53 and orientated in the same direction.
[0093] With this modification the nozzle 17 constitutes a double nozzle which can take detergent from any of the compartments with a jet obtained from the filling duct or from the recirculation duct according to which of the two streams is activated.
[0094] Figure 8 repeats in partial form the control diagram of Figure 3 with modifications introduced to allow the multifunctions described.
[0095] The functionally equivalent elements already present in Figure 3 and described with reference to this figure are identified in Figure 8 with the same reference numerals.
[0096] In Figure 8 the heating element 10 is activated by closure of the switch 38 (as in Figure 3) and also by closure of a switch 56, in series with a normally closed switch 57, and actuated by a bistable control push button LD which selects the dynamic washing mode as an alternative to a normal mode.
[0097] The pump 13 is activated by closure of the switch 40, in series with a normally open switch 58 actuated by the bistable push button LD.
[0098] The pump 13 is then activated by closure of a switch 59 during the course of the emptying and spin drying stages.
[0099] The fill valve 27 is enabled by the switch 37 during the stage characterised by the active profile of cam L6 only if consent given by closure of the switch 60 (actuated by push button LD) is present.
[0100] On the other hand, the fill valve 27 is enabled by the switch 61 (closed by the active cam profile at level L1).
[0101] It is evident that in the event of selection of dynamic washing mode the behaviour of the control system is identical to that already described with reference to Figure 3.
[0102] On the other hand, activation of a washing cycle does not cause any operation during the time interval in which the active cam profile is at level L6.
[0103] This loss of time can be avoided by starting the normal washing cycle with the cam level L1 already set in the initial position, that is to say by postponing the commencement of the normal washing cycle with respect to that of dynamic washing.
[0104] In these stages filling with water from the mains involves taking detergent cold from a first compartment and subsequently heating and washing without recirculation: a greater quantity of detergent is therefore required to compensate for the loss of effectiveness during the course of washing.
[0105] By losing the spraying action of the jet it is furthermore necessary to use a greater volume of wash water, the fill level of which can be controlled by a different pressure sensitive switch, indicated C in Figure 1. Initially it is also necessary to have available greater energy to heat to the same temperature.
[0106] It is furthermore evident that the detergent compartment must be so dimensioned as to contain an adequate quantity of detergent, corresponding to the requirements of washing machines which use conventional washing cycles.
[0107] As an alternative to having detergent containers over-dimensioned for the requirements of a dynamic flow wash, but necessary for the requirements of normal washing, the machine forming the subject of the present invention may operate a double detergent withdrawal in two successive steps from two different compartments, which requires a further filling with water, with consequent further availability of energy for heating. As indicated in Figure 8, the water level in the vessel can now reach a height C2.
[0108] These considerations further underline the advantages offered by the dynamic flow washing machine forming the subject of the present invention as opposed to the limitations of traditional washing systems.
[0109] In the preceding description reference has been made to the washing cycle of the washing machine, added to which, as is known, other functions are also required such as rinsing and bleaching.
[0110] The machine forming the subject of the present invention is able to contribute in a substantially more effective manner to the performance of these operations.
[0111] By reconsidering Figure 4, instant T6 represents the commencement of a rinsing stage. The diagram shows that the rinsing can be performed not only by the effect of slow rotation of the drum, but also by the effect of a continuous spraying by the recirculation flow (dynamic rinsing: interval T7-T8).
[0112] This recirculation not only more easily renews the liquid in contact with the fabric, but also ensures cleaning of the rinsing liquid which, during its recycling, is continually filtered and cleaned of lint which would otherwise adhere to the fabric during emptying of the vessel (T8-T9) and subsequent spin drying (interval T9-T10).
[0113] The diagram of Figure 4 also shows, after a rinsing cycle, the execution of a bleaching cycle at (high) temperature. In this case, too, the liquid infill can be effected (interval Tl 0-Tl 1) before taking the bleach, from a compartment indicated with reference numeral 5, due to the recirculation flow and before heating of the pre-fill water (interval T11-T12) to make the dynamic bleaching action more effective (Interval T12-T13), followed by emptying and conventional spin drying (intervals T13-T14-T15).
[0114] The same criteria can be followed for taking up other additives (conditioners, decalcifiers etc).
[0115] It is clear that the preceding description only relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention and some of its improvements, and that many other variants can be introduced without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0116] Thus, for example, the temperature of operation of the heating elements can be controlled by thermostats, and the number of times the effective concentration is restored can be different from two.
[0117] The nozzle 17 for directing the recirculation flow onto the detergent container can also be replaced by any functionally equivalent element, such as a two-way diverter or a plurality of solenoid valves, even though the nozzle is preferred because of its simplicity and effectiveness.
[0118] It is also evident that, although in the performance of the dynamic flow washing cycle the subject of the present invention it is preferable to have pre-filling of the machine with cold water, heating and removal of a first quantity of detergent with the hot recirculation flow, followed by successive restorations of the effective concentration of the detergent using hot water, the restoration concept does not necessarily require that the first withdrawal of detergent be undertaken hot.
[0120] To this end, the presence of the double nozzle such as that shown in Figure 7, or of equivalent devices in as much as they are preferable for achievement of the multifunctionality already described, is not indispensable: in fact, it is sufficient that the washing machine fill nozzle 28 be positioned on a first compartment of the detergent container to allow filling of the washing machine and simultaneous withdrawal of a first quantity of detergent.
1. A dynamic flow washing machine comprising:
- a washing vessel (7) and a washing drum (8),
- a fill valve (27) to control the flow of filling water,
- a heating element (10, 11) in the said vessel,
- a detergent container (21) having several compartments,
- a recirculation circuit (12, 13, 16, 17) comprising a suction pump (13) for taking recirculation liquid from the said vessel (7) and introducing it into the said container (21),
- first deflection means (17, 18, 19) for deflecting the said recirculation liquid selectively into one of the said compartments, and
- means (13, 14, 15) for emptying the said liquid from the said vessel, characterised in that it includes:
- control means (301) for controlling at least one of two operating sequences, a first of which sequence comprises:
- activation of the said fill valve (27) for filling the said vessel (7),
- activation of the said heating elements (10, 11) when the vessel is filled,
- activation of the said suction pump (13) coordinated with a first actuation of the said first deflection means (17, 18, 19) to direct the said recirculation liquid into a first (1) of the said compartments,
- a second actuation of at least said first deflection means (17, 18, 19) to direct the said recirculation liquid into a second (2) of the said compartments,
- activation of the said emptying means (13, 14, 15) after the said first and second actuations, a second sequence comprising:
- activation of the said fill valve (27) for filling the said vessel (7) and withdrawal of a first quantity of detergent from a first (1) of the said compartments,
- activation of the said heating elements (10, 11) when the vessel is full,
- activation of the said suction pump (13) coordinated with a first actuation of at least said first deflection means (17, 18, 19) to direct the said recirculation liquid to a second (2) of the compartments,
- activation of the said emptying means (14, 15) after the said filling and the said first actuation.
2. A washing machine as in Claim 1, in which the said emptying means (13, 14, 15)
includes the said suction pump (13) and a flow diverter (14) downstream from the said
suction pump (13).
3. A washing machine as in Claim 2, in which the said flow diverter (14) is located
in the said recirculation circuit (12, 16) downstream from the said suction pump (13)
and upstream from the said first deflection means (17).
4. A washing machine as in Claims 1, 2 or 3, including a syphon (23) for collecting
the said recirculation liquid from the said compartments (1, 2, 3), the said syphon
(23) having a pressure head loading column (25) and a spray nozzle (24).
5. A washing machine as in Claim 4, including a branch circuit (51) of the said recirculation
circuit, having an inlet connected to the said recirculation circuit (16) downstream
from the said pump (13) and upstream from the said first deflection means (17) and
an outlet constituted by an hydraulic extraction nozzle (52) cooperating with the
said spray nozzle.
6. A washing machine as in Claims 1, 2, 3 including a syphon (23) for collection of
the said recirculation liquid from the said compartments, the said syphon (23) having
a first spray nozzle (24), further including a branch circuit (61) of the said recirculation
circuit having an input connected to the said recirculation circuit (16) downstream
from the said pump (13) and upstream from the said first deflection means (17) and
an outlet constituted by a second spray nozzle (62) cooperating at an angle with the
said first spray nozzle (24).
7. A washing machine as in any preceding Claim, in which the said deflection means
include an orientable nozzle (17, 53).
8. A washing machine as in any preceding Claim, including second deflection means
(55, 56) for deflecting the said flow of fill water selectively into one of the said
compartments (1, 2, 3), and setting means (LD) for setting the said control means
(301) for selective execution of one of at least two control cycles, a first control
cycle comprising:
- activation of the said fill valve (27) and filling of the said vessel,
- activation of the said heating element (10, 11) when the vessel is full,
- activation of the said suction pump (13) coordinated with a first actuation of the said first deflection means (17) to direct the said recirculation liquid into the said first of the said compartments,
- a second actuation of at least the said first deflection means (17) to direct the said recirculation liquid to a second of the said compartments,
- actuation of the said emptying means (13, 14, 15) after the said first and second actuation, a second control cycle comprising:
- joint activation of the said fill valve (27) and the said second deflection means (55, 56) for filling the said vessel with the said flow of fill water and detergent extracted from one of the said compartments,
- activation of the said heating element (10, 11) when the vessel is filled, and
- activation of the said emptying means (13, 14, 15).
9. A washing machine as in Claim 8, in which the said first (17) and second (55) deflection
means comprise a orientable double nozzle (53, 56).
10. A washing machine as in Claim 9, in which the said orientable double nozzle (53,
56) is pivotally mounted on a delivery pipe (25) of the said recirculation circuit.
11. A dynamic flow washing process effected automatically by a washing machine, comprising:
- filling the said machine with fill water,
- heating the said fill water,
- recirculating the said fill water through a first detergent compartment during a first washing stage, a first extraction of detergent being effected by the said fill water during the said filling or the said recirculation,
- recirculating the said fill water through a second detergent compartment during the course of a second washing stage, a second extraction of detergent being effected during the course of the second washing stage, and
- emptying the said fill water after the said second washing stage.