Abstract: A system (10) includes a support structure (20) associable with a bottom wall (BW) of a washing tub (WT) of a washing machine (WM). The system further includes a container body (22) having a receptacle (14) configured for receiving a quantity of washing agent. The container body (22) has an opening (24) leading into the receptacle (14). The container body (22) is mountable on the support structure (20) in the washing tub (WT). The container body (22) is configured for being reversibly brought by a user into a retracted condition and an extracted condition. In the retracted condition, the container body (22) is inserted in the support structure (20). In the extracted condition, the container body (22) is removed and separate from the support structure (20). The system (10) includes a closure element (16) configured for closing the opening (24).

Abstract: A filtering system (10) includes a casing (12) internally defining a cavity (14) and has an inlet (16) configured to receive a fluid and leading into the cavity (14), and an outlet (18) configured to deliver the fluid coming from the cavity (14). A filtering assembly (100) is contained in the cavity (14) and is configured to be crossed by the fluid entering the casing (12) through the inlet (16), so as to trap any solid particles, in particular microplastic ones, contained in the fluid. A compacting assembly (200) situated in the cavity (14) is configured for collecting and compacting the solid particles trapped by the filtering assembly (100). A driving assembly (300) is configured to drive the compacting assembly (200).

Abstract: An electrodynamic position transducer has a casing in which a membrane is clamped, the membrane with a portion of the casing defining at least one chamber of variable volume, a coil having at least one conductive track formed on a coil support, and an interaction element configured to interact magnetically with the coil as a result of a movement of the membrane, in such a way that self-inductance of the coil is variable depending on a relative position of the interaction element with respect to the coil. A circuit, coupled to the coil, provides electrical signals, a parameter of the electrical signals being indicative of the self-inductance of the coil. A hole or recess is formed in the coil support and is configured to receive the interaction element in such a way that one end of the interaction element is positionable flush with or beyond a turn of the coil.

Abstract: A system (10) includes a support structure (20) associable with a bottom wall (BW) of a washing tub (WT) of a washing machine (WM). The system further includes a container body (22) having a receptacle (14) configured for receiving a quantity of washing agent. The container body (22) has an opening (24) leading into the receptacle (14). The container body (22) is mountable on the support structure (20) in the washing tub (WT). The container body (22) is configured for being reversibly brought by a user into a retracted condition and an extracted condition. In the retracted condition, the container body (22) is inserted in the support structure (20). In the extracted condition, the container body (22) is removed and separate from the support structure (20). The system (10) includes a closure element (16) configured for closing the opening (24).

Abstract: A volumetric flow meter, including a casing (10) fitted into a duct (C; 51, 62, 63) and including a base body (11) and a cap (13) cooperating to define a housing chamber (15), the housing chamber (15) being on opposite sides delimited by a base plane (11c) formed in the base body (11) and by a cap plane (13d) formed in the cap (13). Through the cap (13) there is formed an inlet passage (13e) communicating with the housing chamber (15) and extending orthogonally to the base plane (11c). Through a bottom (11d) of the base body (11) there is an outlet passage (11e) communicating with the housing chamber (15) and extending orthogonally to the base plane (11c). The flow meter has rotors (17, 18) mounted rotatably within the housing chamber (15), a permanent magnet (19) arranged on board one of the rotors (17), and a magnetic sensor (20).

Abstract: A vessel contains a quantity of liquid and has a duct connected to an outlet of the vessel. A dispensing device can be actuated in order to cause the quantity of liquid to flow out of the vessel through the duct. A color sensor is also included, which faces towards a monitoring region situated in one of the vessel, the duct and the dispensing device. The color sensor is configured for providing a color signal indicative of the color of the quantity of liquid arriving at the monitoring region. A control device is configured for receiving the color signal from the color sensor and for actuating the dispensing device as a function of the color signal. A method is for dispensing the quantity of liquid from the vessel.

Abstract: A method includes actuating a pump at a constant nominal flow-rate to induce liquid flow out of a vessel through an outlet duct. The outlet duct communicates with the vessel with an upper aperture at an intermediate level height, and a lower aperture at a reduced level height. Flow of liquid is detected in the outlet duct. A digital signal assumes an alternate sequence of states when the liquid level is between the intermediate and reduced levels. Each state is an air-indicating state or liquid-indicating state. The presence or absence of air bubbles is detected in the flow of liquid. The digital signal is compared with a reference signal having a predetermined sequence of air-indicating states and liquid-indicating states. Pump actuation duration is modified as a function of a difference between the digital and reference signals. An apparatus is controls the supply of a liquid level in a vessel.

Abstract: A device for measuring the flow rate includes an impeller rotatably mounted in a conduit about an axis, and a detector indicating the angular speed of the impeller. A diffuser has a plurality of passages for dividing the flow into reduced flows which are directed toward the vanes of the impeller to cause rotation. The diffuser forms peripheral passages which extend in planes parallel to the axis and inclined in a same direction about the axis. Each passage has a longitudinal inlet portion, parallel to the axis and a transverse outlet portion laterally facing a first axial portion of the impeller such that in operation, the outlet portions of the passages direct towards the vanes of the impeller corresponding flows or jets of fluid in non-radial directions inclined in a same direction around the axis.

Abstract: An electric valve device (1) for household appliances, includes a hollow body (2) with an inlet (4, 5) and an outlet (5, 4) for a flow of a liquid, between which in the body (2) there is defined a chamber (6) wherein a first valve seat (7) is provided, a (first) obturator (17) moveably mounted in the chamber (6) and cooperating with the first seat (7) for controlling the communication between the inlet (4, 5) and the outlet (5, 4), and a movable member (12) coupled with the obturator (17) and displaceable towards and away from the first valve seat (7) and controlled by means of an electrically operable actuator (10) carried by said body (2). In the body (2) a second valve seat (8) is staggered with respect to the first valve seat (7) along the direction of displacement of the first obturator (7), to which is connected a second obturator (18) displaceable from and towards the second valve seat (8).

Abstract: A volumetric flow meter, including a casing (10) fitted into a duct (C; 51, 62, 63) and including a base body (11) and a cap (13) cooperating to define a housing chamber (15), the housing chamber (15) being on opposite sides delimited by a base plane (11c) formed in the base body (11) and by a cap plane (13d) formed in the cap (13). Through the cap (13) there is formed an inlet passage (13e) communicating with the housing chamber (15) and extending orthogonally to the base plane (11c). Through a bottom (11d) of the base body (11) there is an outlet passage (11e) communicating with the housing chamber (15) and extending orthogonally to the base plane (11c). The flow meter has rotors (17, 18) mounted rotatably within the housing chamber (15), a permanent magnet (19) arranged on board one of the rotors (17), and a magnetic sensor (20).

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body, having an inlet duct, an outlet duct and an intermediate portion. An electrovalve is located proximal to the intermediate portion. A measurement device is directly connected to the valve body. The measurement device includes a sensor for taking a measurement for determining a physical characteristic of the fluid that can flow in the valve assembly. The electrovalve includes a first electronic circuit for conducting an electric control signal from a control unit to the electrovalve. The measurement device includes a second electronic circuit for conducting the electric signals exchanged between the control unit and the sensor. The first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit are implemented on a single header or printed circuit board. The electrovalve and the measurement device are mechanically connected directly to the single header or printed circuit board.

Abstract: An assembly includes a transducer and anti-flood device. The transducer receives, as an input, a pressure signal taken by a liquid held in a main container and includes a circuit, for providing, as an output, an electric control signal having a variable parameter representing the pressure signal. The anti-flood device includes a receptacle, a float and a sensor. The receptacle is arranged to receive and hold a part of liquid coming from the secondary container. The float is movably mounted in the receptacle and moves up to a height representing the level reached by the part of liquid. The sensor is configured to detect the height reached by the float and to transmit an electric level-indicating signal representing the height to the circuit. The circuit is designed to apply, to the variable parameter, a correction that is determined as a function of the level-indicating signal according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A knob includes a support structure defining a chamber containing magnetorheological fluid. A holding element is supported and guided by the support structure to be rotated and pressed by the user. A movable portion is rotatably supported by the support structure and is rotatably controlled by the holding element. A switching member moves between rest and work positions when the holding element is pressed. A sensor detects the angular position of the movable portion. A haptic feedback assembly in the chamber acts upon the movable portion to provide haptic stimulation in response to action of the user. A generating apparatus emits a magnetic field with an intensity affecting viscosity of the fluid so the assembly exerts a force upon the movable portion. A control device determines the intensity of the magnetic field depending on predetermined or programmable criteria that are based on angular position and/or arrangement.

Abstract: A control system includes a motor, first and second movable members, which can be rotated by the motor and which are adapted to interact with a first and a second controlled apparatus, respectively, and a transmission mechanism configured for controlling the movable members. The motor is bidirectional and is configured for selectively rotating, through the transmission mechanism, the first and second movable members, respectively, when the motor turns in a first direction and a second direction of rotation, respectively, opposite to each other. The transmission mechanism includes a first and a second unidirectional clutch selectively cooperating with the motor.

Abstract: A method includes actuating a pump at a constant nominal flow-rate to induce liquid flow out of a vessel through an outlet duct. The outlet duct communicates with the vessel with an upper aperture at an intermediate level height, and a lower aperture at a reduced level height. Flow of liquid is detected in the outlet duct. A digital signal assumes an alternate sequence of states when the liquid level is between the intermediate and reduced levels. Each state is an air-indicating state or liquid-indicating state. The presence or absence of air bubbles is detected in the flow of liquid. The digital signal is compared with a reference signal having a predetermined sequence of air-indicating states and liquid-indicating states. Pump actuation duration is modified as a function of a difference between the digital and reference signals. An apparatus is controls the supply of a liquid level in a vessel.

Abstract: An assembly includes a transducer and anti-flood device. The transducer receives, as an input, a pressure signal taken by a liquid held in a main container and includes a circuit, for providing, as an output, an electric control signal having a variable parameter representing the pressure signal. The anti-flood device includes a receptacle, a float and a sensor. The receptacle is arranged to receive and hold a part of liquid coming from the secondary container. The float is movably mounted in the receptacle and moves up to a height representing the level reached by the part of liquid. The sensor is configured to detect the height reached by the float and to transmit an electric level-indicating signal representing the height to the circuit. The circuit is designed to apply, to the variable parameter, a correction that is determined as a function of the level-indicating signal according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A device (1) for measuring the flow rate comprises an impeller (10) to be rotatably mounted in said conduit (C), around an axis (X-X) and having a plurality of radial vanes (13) to be hit by a flow of said fluid for making the impeller (10) rotate with an angular speed which is a function of the flow rate of said fluid, and a detector (16, 17) associated with the impeller (10) to provide signals indicating the angular speed thereof. Upstream of the impeller (10) a diffuser (20) is provided defining a plurality of passages (21, 22) for dividing said flow into a plurality of reduced flows and directing said reduced flows toward the vanes (13) of the impeller (10), such as to make the latter rotate in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An electric valve device (1) for household appliances, includes a hollow body (2) with an inlet (4, 5) and an outlet (5, 4) for a flow of a liquid, between which in the body (2) there is defined a chamber (6) wherein a first valve seat (7) is provided, a (first) obturator (17) moveably mounted in the chamber (6) and cooperating with the first seat (7) for controlling the communication between the inlet (4, 5) and the outlet (5, 4), and a movable member (12) coupled with the obturator (17) and displaceable towards and away from the first valve seat (7) and controlled by means of an electrically operable actuator (10) carried by said body (2). In the body (2) a second valve seat (8) is staggered with respect to the first valve seat (7) along the direction of displacement of the first obturator (7), to which is connected a second obturator (18) displaceable from and towards the second valve seat (8).

Abstract: A method that allows the determination of at least one variable operational characteristic of a hydraulic system which includes a hydraulic fluid source a utilizing apparatus connected to the source through a conduit, and a flow-rate measuring device, positioned after the source for providing a signal indicative of the flow-rate of the liquid. The method includes the operations of providing in the hydraulic system an indicator device containing information indicative of the values taken by a predetermined parameter of the flow-rate measuring device as a function of the flow rate of the fluid; providing an acquisition means adapted to acquire the information from the indicator device; and predisposing an electronic processing means to calculate in a predetermined manner at least one operational characteristic of the hydraulic system, as a function of the flow-rate measuring device and of the information acquired by the indicator device.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body, having an inlet duct, an outlet duct and an intermediate portion. An electrovalve is located proximal to the intermediate portion. A measurement device is directly connected to the valve body. The measurement device includes a sensor for taking a measurement for determining a physical characteristic of the fluid that can flow in the valve assembly. The electrovalve includes a first electronic circuit for conducting an electric control signal from a control unit to the electrovalve. The measurement device includes a second electronic circuit for conducting the electric signals exchanged between the control unit and the sensor. The first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit are implemented on a single header or printed circuit board. The electrovalve and the measurement device are mechanically connected directly to the single header or printed circuit board.