Washing Machine
A washing machine (2) has a tub (4) having a sump (6), and a draining circuit (8). The sump (6) is fluidly connected to the draining circuit (8), and a filter element (16) is removably positionable in the sump (6). The filter element (16) includes at least one first magnetic element (12) adapted to magnetically cooperate with at least one second magnetic element (14) arranged at the sump (6), such that the filter element (16) is positioned in its operating position in the sump.
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The invention relates to a washing machine (this expression including also a washing machine having dryer function) comprising a filter element.
GB 1,197,919 B discloses a washing machine, wherein a filter element is provided below a tub of the washing machine. The filter element is removable through an opening in the drum of the washing machine, which is closed by a plug.
DE 10 2006 043 516 B3 discloses a washing machine comprising a fluff filter accessible through a front of a housing of the washing machine. The washing machine further comprises a detection system for determining a correct position of the filter element, which comprises a magnetic sensor. The washing machine performs a safety function if the filter is not correctly positioned.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,020,986 B1 discloses a washing and drying machine which comprises a drawer-type lint trap device accessible from the front surface of the machine. The machine comprises a detecting unit comprising a magnetic sensor for detecting the position of the lint trap device.
It is an object of the invention to provide a washing machine providing easy handling and use of a filter element.
The invention is defined in claim 1. Particular embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.
According to claim 1, a washing machine comprises a tub having a sump and a draining circuit, wherein the sump is fluidly connected to the draining circuit. A filter element is provided, which is removably positionable in the sump. I.e. the filter element can be removed from the sump by a user, e.g. for cleaning thereof, and can be reinserted into the sump thereafter. As the filter element is positioned in the sump, upstream the draining circuit, foreign objects and fluff are filtered effectively out of the water drained from the tub, i.e. foreign objects or fluff do not enter the draining circuit of the washing machine. For correctly positioning the filter element within the sump, i.e. to achieve the operating position of the filter element, the filter element comprises at least one first magnetic element which is adapted to magnetically interact or cooperate with at least one second magnetic element arranged at the sump. The interaction between the magnetic elements provides a self-alignment and positioning of the filter element to and at the correct position or operating position. That means even when a user places the filter in the sump in an incorrect or misaligned position, the magnetic interaction, in particular attraction, between the at least one first and the at least one second magnetic element moves the filter element into the correct position, i.e. into its operating position. In particular the operating position of the filter element is secured by attraction force between the at least one first and the at least one second magnetic element. The washing machine provides a convenient handling and positioning of the filter element within the sump, in particular a user can be certain that the filter element positions itself in its correct position, e.g. such that fluff bypassing the filter or filter drum collisions due to an incorrect position of the filter element are avoided. Furthermore, due to the presence of the first and/or the second magnetic element, metallic foreign objects, e.g. coins, are trapped securely in the filter element.
Preferably the at least one second magnetic element is arranged on an inner surface of the sump, or on an outer surface of the sump, and can additionally or alternatively be embedded, totally or partially, in the sump.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the magnetic element is attached subsequent to fabrication of the sump to an inner or outer surface of the sump, such that a replacement of the magnetic element can be easily achieved. Another example would be to embed, totally or partially, the magnetic element within the sump, e.g. during molding the sump. Preferably the magnetic element is at least partially encapsulated and thereby protected by the material of the sump.
In an advantageous embodiment the magnetic element is attached subsequent to fabrication of the filter element to an inner or outer surface of the filter element, such that a replacement of the magnetic element can be easily achieved. In a further embodiment the magnetic element is embedded, totally or partially, within the filter element, e.g. during molding the filter element. Preferably the magnetic element is at least partially encapsulated and thereby protected by the material of the filter element.
According to a preferred embodiment the tub and the sump are integrally formed. Thereby no additional attaching or assembling step for mounting the sump at the tub is required, whereby the assembly of the washing machine is facilitated and the assembly time reduced.
Preferably a chamber for at least a portion of a draining pump of the washing machine is integrally formed with the tub and the sump, such that less assembly steps and assembly time are required during assembly of the washing machine.
According to a preferred embodiment the at least one second magnetic element is integrated in, associated to and additionally, or alternatively, connected to a sensor element or a magnetic circuit comprising a sensor element for determining a position or the positioning in the correct position of the filter element. I.e. the sensor element or magnetic circuit provides the additional function of verifying the filter element being in its operating position. In particular a sensor element is adapted to sense whether the first or second magnetic element is in its correct position, e.g. whether the magnetic elements face or contact each other, and to determine thereby whether the filter element is in its correct position.
Preferably the sensor element is connected to a logic unit of the washing machine for receiving a sensor signal. Preferably the logic unit enables an operation of the washing machine only if the filter element is correctly positioned in the sump as indicated by the sensor signal (preferably enables a washing operation). E.g. a washing operation is preferably prevented when the filter is not in its operating position.
According to a preferred embodiment the sensor element or the magnetic circuit comprising a sensor element comprises a reed sensor or a hall sensor to detect the operating position of the filter element. Reed sensors and hall sensors are robust and not sensitive to environmental influences like water and heat. Thus a robust sensor element for conditions in a washing machine is provided.
Preferably the sensor element or the magnetic circuit comprising the sensor element is connected to a visual interface, e.g. of the washing machine console, and additionally or alternatively to a speaker. The sensor element is connected, e.g. wireless or by wire, to the logic unit of the washing machine or is directly connected to an interface control having e.g. an audio source and/or indicator, such that an incorrect position of the filter element can be communicated/indicated to a user. E.g. in case the filter element is not within the sump the user is informed thereof and can take the appropriate steps, i.e. insert the filter element into the sump.
According to a preferred embodiment the at least one first magnetic element and additionally or alternatively the at least one second magnetic element is a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. I.e. such a magnet can be associated to the filter element or to the sump. For example the second magnetic element can be an electromagnet which is only operated during inserting the filter element or which increases its magnetic force during inserting the filter element, i.e. the magnetic field force can be adapted to the present requirement. Alternatively the first or the second magnetic element is a permanent magnet, which provides a low-maintenance possibility for achieving self-alignment and positioning, i.e. securing, of the filter element.
Preferably the at least one first magnetic element or the at least one second magnetic element comprises ferromagnetic material, e.g. iron, AlNiCo, NdFeB, or ferrimagnetic material, like ferrite, adapted to cooperate with the above described corresponding magnet of the second or first magnetic element in that an attractive force is exerted between the at least one first and the at least one second magnetic element.
According to a preferred embodiment the filter element and additionally or alternatively the sump comprises a locking or snap fitting element for fixing or locking the filter element in place within the sump. I.e. after the above described self-alignment and positioning of the filter element within the sump, the filter element is snapped or locked securely in the sump. This is particularly advantageous as the user does not have to check or verify himself whether the filter element is in the correct position to lock the filter element with the snap fitting element, but this position is provided by the self-alignment of the filter element, provided by the first and second magnetic elements. In another embodiment the attractive force between the first and second element(s) is strong enough that a self-locking is provided by the magnetic attraction, such that no additional locking or snap fitting element is required.
Preferably the at least one first magnetic element contacts the at least one second magnetic element in the operating position of the filter element, such that a maximum interaction, i.e. attraction, between the magnetic elements is provided.
According to a further embodiment the filter element comprises at least two magnetic elements adapted to cooperate with at least two magnetic elements arranged at the sump. Thereby the self-alignment of the filter element within the sump is further improved due to additional attraction force between the additional magnetic elements and the additional attraction points or locations.
Preferably the at least two magnetic elements of the filter element and additionally or alternatively the at least two magnetic elements arranged at the sump have opposite polarity. For example the at least two magnetic elements of the filter element have opposite polarities, i.e. the side of the magnetic elements facing the sump comprise opposite polarities. The magnetic elements of the sump also comprise the corresponding opposite polarities to each other, but opposite to the polarity to the magnetic elements of the filter element. Thus an attraction force is exerted between the at least two magnetic elements of the filter element and of the sump which is at its maximum when the filter element is in its operating position. Thereby it is prevented that the filter element is positioned back to front as in such a position the like polarities or poles of the magnetic elements of the filter element and the sump would cause them to repel. I.e. a user would recognize the incorrect position of the filter element, because the filter element would not be attracted to the sump.
The above described washing machine can be a front-loading type or a top-loading type washing machine. Further, the washing machine can also be a washing machine having a dryer function.
Reference is made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures, which show:
It is underlined that, while in the embodiments illustrated in the enclosed figures the first magnetic element 12 is associated to a bottom part of the filter 16, and the second magnetic element 14 is associated to a bottom 28 of the sump 6, the first magnetic element 12 may be associated substantially to any part of the filter 16 (for example to a lateral wall of the latter), and the second magnetic element may be associated substantially to any part of the sump 6 (for example to a lateral wall of the latter, in a position in which when the filter 16 is correctly inserted in the sump 6 the first and second magnetic elements face one another), provided that the reciprocal positioning of the first and second magnetic elements is such that the interaction between these magnetic elements provides a self-alignment and positioning of the filter 16 to and at the correct position or operating position.
In another embodiment not shown, locking of the filter 16 in its operation position in the sump 6 is exclusively provided by the magnetic attraction between the one or more first magnetic elements and one or more second magnetic elements.
- 2 washing machine
- 4 tub
- 6, 6′ sump
- 8 draining circuit
- 10 drum
- 12 first magnetic element
- 14 second magnetic element
- 16 basket filter
- 18 openable lifter
- 20 fixed lifter
- 22, 22′ snap fit
- 24 grip
- 26 sensor
- 28 bottom of sump
- 30, 30′ shoulder of sump
- 32 detergent drawer
- 34 loading door
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising:
- a tub having a sump,
- a draining circuit, wherein the sump is fluidly connected to the draining circuit, and
- a filter element, which is removably positionable in the sump,
- wherein the filter element comprises at least one first magnetic element adapted to magnetically cooperate with at least one second magnetic element arranged at the sump, such that the filter element is positioned in its operating position in the sump.
2. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second magnetic element is arranged on an inner surface of the sump, or on an outer surface of the sump and/or embedded in the sump.
3. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the tub and the sump are integrally formed.
4. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second magnetic element is integrated in and/or associated to and/or connected to a sensor element for detecting the filter element being in its operating position.
5. A washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the sensor element is connected to a logic unit, wherein the logic unit is adapted to enable an operation of the washing machine only if the sensor element provides a signal indicating that the filter element is correctly positioned in the sump.
6. A washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the sensor element comprises a reed sensor or a hall sensor.
7. A washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the sensor element is operatively connected to a visual interface and/or a speaker for communicating to a user the filter element being in a correct position or not.
8. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first magnetic element and/or the at least one second magnetic element is a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.
9. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first magnetic element and/or the at least one second magnetic element comprises ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material.
10. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the filter element and/or the sump comprises at least one locking or snap fitting element for fixing the filter element within the sump.
11. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein in the operating position of the filter element the at least one first magnetic element contacts the at least one second magnetic element.
12. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the filter element comprises at least two magnetic elements adapted to cooperate with at least two magnetic elements arranged at the sump.
13. A washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the at least two magnetic elements of the filter element and/or the at least two magnetic elements arranged at the sump comprise opposite polarity.
14. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the filter element is a basket filter element.
15. A washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a drum within said tub, said drum comprising an openable or removable lifter through which the filter element is removable from the sump.
16. A washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the sensor element is operatively connected to a visual interface and/or a speaker for communicating to a user the filter element being in a correct position or not.
17. A washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the sensor element is operatively connected to a visual interface and/or a speaker for communicating to a user the filter element being in a correct position or not.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 29, 2011
Publication Date: Aug 22, 2013
Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V. (Brussels)
Inventors: Marco Monacchi (Porcia), Lucio Valent (Pordenone)
Application Number: 13/820,283
International Classification: D06F 39/10 (20060101);