Patent Application
20230108390
The present invention refers to a laundry washing machine (called also washing machine).
Nowadays washing machines, both “simple” washing machines (i.e. washing machines which can only wash and rinse the laundry) and washing-drying machines (or “washer-driers”, i.e. washing machines which can also dry the laundry), usually comprise an external casing (called also cabinet) housing a washing tub (called also tub), typically suspended to the cabinet through springs and dampers, in which a washing drum (called also drum) is rotatably contained.
The drum typically comprises a tubular mantle rotatable with respect to a rotation axis.
The tubular mantle delimits an inner volume in which the laundry to be treated (for example washed) by the washing machine can be loaded.
A first end of the tubular mantle is closed, at least partially, by flange, fixed to the tubular mantle, for example by welding, clinching, or by bending the edges of the flange and the tubular mantle over one another, so that the flange rotates with the tubular mantle.
Such a flange is typically perforated for allowing liquid (in washing machines and washer-driers) or air (in washer-driers) to enter/exit the inner volume delimited by the tubular mantle.
The washing tub comprises a tubular wall closed at one end by an end wall facing the flange of the drum.
The known washing machines comprise a shaft protruding from the flange of the drum towards the end wall of the tub facing the latter; the shaft passes through the end wall of the tub, so as to protrude, with an end or portion thereof, from an external face of the end wall facing away from the flange of the drum.
Such a protruding end of the shaft is associated to a driving system comprising an operating module, typically mounted on the washing tub, and an operated module fixed to the protruding end of the shaft; the operating module is configured for rotating the operated module, and therefore the drum fixed thereto, with respect to the washing tub.
In some known washing machines, the operated module comprises a pulley fixed to the protruding end of the shaft, and the operating module comprises a rotary electric motor, mounted on an external surface of the washing tub, and a belt connecting the rotary electric motor to the pulley and configured for transmitting the rotation from the rotary electric motor to the pulley.
In some other known washing machines, the operated system comprises an electric motor rotor fixed to the protruding end of the shaft, and the operating module comprises an electric motor stator mounted on the external face of the end wall of the washing tub.
Washing machines are also known, in which one or more electric loads (for example an electric light source, an electric heater, an electromechanical actuator, etc.) are mounted in/on the washing drum.
It is underlined that in the present application, unless otherwise specified, “mounted on” means mounted (directly or with the interposition of a further element, for example a spacer or a connection piece, etc.), at least partially, on an external surface delimiting an element; for example, stating that a certain element is “mounted on the washing drum”, means that such an element is, at least partially, mounted on (or attached to) the external surface of the washing drum.
In the present application, unless otherwise specified, “mounted in” means mounted, at least partially, “within” a certain element, wherein “within” can mean “inside a volume delimited by such an element” or “recessed or embedded in the body of such an element”; for example, stating that a certain element is “mounted in the washing drum” means that such an element is mounted, at least partially, inside the volume delimited by the drum, or that it is, at least partially, embedded in a wall of the drum.
In some known solutions, electric power is provided to the one or more electric loads by a wireless power transmitting system comprising a wireless power transmitter unit, mounted in/on the washing tub or in/on the cabinet, electrically connected to the electrical system of the washing machine, and arranged for wireless transmitting electric power to a wireless power receiver unit, mounted on the drum and configured for supplying electric power to the one or more electric loads.
A known washing machine of this type is disclosed for example in the PCT application n. WO2019223850, disclosing a laundry treating apparatus comprising a cabinet, a drum rotatably housed inside the cabinet, a wireless power transmitter unit associated to the cabinet separately from the drum and arranged for wireless transmitting electric power to a wireless power receiver unit mounted on the drum; the laundry treating apparatus comprises one or more electromechanical actuators mounted in/on the drum and power supplied by the wireless power receiver unit.
In such known solution, the wireless power transmitter unit and the wireless power receiver unit are positioned, one opposite to the other, fixed respectively to the tub and to the drum, parallel in radial direction; in a first embodiment described in WO2019223850, the wireless power receiver unit is positioned within the tub and fixed to a front wall of the drum corresponding to its opening side, and the wireless power transmitter unit is fixed to a front wall of the tub, facing the wireless power receiver unit. In a further embodiment described in WO2019223850, the wireless power transmitter unit is fixed to the rear wall of the tub facing the drum, and the wireless power receiver unit is positioned within the tub and is fixed to the rear wall of the drum facing the tub.
The possibility to provide wireless electric power to the one or more electric loads allows avoiding sliding contacts (and the related wear and tear problems) for transmitting electric power from a non-rotating part of the washing machine (i.e. the tub), and a rotating part (i.e. the drum).
Anyway, this known solution has some drawbacks; first of all, since the wireless power receiver unit is positioned within the washing tub, it requires a specific waterproofing in order to avoid transmitting electric current to the washing liquid (water, or water mixed with a washing/rinsing additive) contained in the tub.
In addition, being positioned within the tub, which typically is not openable once assembled, for example by welding two shells, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to repair and/or replace the wireless power receiver unit in case of fault or malfunction.
Moreover, positioning the wireless power receiver unit within the tub could reduce the internal space of the latter available for the laundry.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a washing machine that does not present above mentioned problems, and which allows transmitting electric power from the washing tub to the washing drum by a wireless power transmitting system, without requiring a specific waterproofing of the wireless power receiver unit.
Within this aim, a further object of the invention is obtaining a laundry washing machine in which the wireless power receiver unit can be easily repaired and/or replaced if needed.
A further object of the present invention is obtaining a laundry washing machine wherein the wireless power transmitting system does not reduce, or reduces less than the prior art solutions, the space internal to the tub available for the laundry.
Applicant has found that, by providing a laundry washing machine with a wireless power transmitter unit mounted in/on the washing tub, and a wireless power receiver unit rotatable together with the drum, but positioned outside the tub, it is possible transmitting electric power from the tub to the drum rotatably contained therein without a specific waterproofing of the wireless power receiver unit. In addition, since the wireless power receiver unit is positioned outside the tub, it is easily accessible for maintenance or replacement. Moreover, since the wireless power receiver unit is positioned outside the tub, it does not reduce the space internal to the tub available for the laundry.
In particular, above aim is solved by a laundry washing machine comprising:
a cabinet;
a washing tub housed inside the cabinet and comprising a tubular wall closed at one end by an end wall;
a washing drum, rotatably housed within the washing tub, comprising a tubular mantle rotatable with respect to a rotation axis, a first end of the tubular mantle being closed, at least partially, by a flange facing the end wall of the washing tub;
a shaft protruding from the flange towards the end wall and passing through the latter, so that a free end thereof protrudes and/or is accessible from an external face of the end wall facing away from the flange;
a driving system comprising an operating module, mounted on the washing tub, and an operated module fixed to the free end of the shaft, the operating module being configured for rotating the operated module with respect to the washing tub;
one or more electric loads mounted in/on the washing drum;
a wireless power transmitting system comprising a wireless power transmitter unit, mounted in/on the washing tub, electrically connected to an electrical system of the laundry washing machine and arranged for wireless transmitting electric power to a wireless power receiver unit configured for supplying electric power to the one or more electric loads,
wherein the wireless power receiver unit is mounted in/on the operated module.
It is underlined that stating that a free end of the shaft is accessible from an external face of the end wall of the tub means that it is possible mechanically interacting with such a free end (e.g. fixing a mechanical element, like for example a pulley or a motor rotor, to such an end) from the external of the end wall of the tub; this is possible, for example, if the shaft protrudes from such external face, but also, for example, if the shaft is flush with the external face, or even if the free end of the shaft is recessed within the end wall of the tub.
In a preferred embodiment, the wireless power transmitter unit is mounted on, or embedded, partially or totally, or recessed within, the external face of the end wall of the washing tub facing away from the flange. In this preferred embodiment, the power transmitter unit is therefore positioned outside the internal volume delimited by the washing tub wherein the drum is rotatably housed, and wherein washing liquid is loaded; this preferred embodiment is particularly advantageous, since, being positioned externally to this internal volume, the wireless power transmitter unit does not require a specific waterproofing, and, in addition, it does not reduce the volume available for the laundry within the tub.
In a further preferred embodiment, the wireless power receiver unit is electrically connected to the one or more electric loads by a wiring.
More preferably the wiring passes through a passage passing through the shaft (i.e. obtained through the body of the shaft).
It is underlined that the washing machine is provided with one or more sealing elements for preventing liquid from exiting the washing tub through the mechanical coupling between the shaft and its one or more bearings provided at the end wall of the washing tub; the advantageous solution in which the wiring passes through a passage passing through the shaft, does not affect the one or more bearings and the one or more sealing elements, and reduces therefore the overall complexity, the costs and the assembling procedure of the washing machine.
Advantageously, a further seal can be provided, arranged for preventing liquid from passing from the internal of the tub to the external thereof through the passage. It is underlined that this further seal is static with respect to the shaft, and therefore it is not subject to friction like the one or more sealing elements provided for the shaft.
In an advantageous embodiment, the operated module comprises a pulley fixed to the free end of the shaft protruding and/or accessible from the external face of the end wall, and the operating module comprises a rotary electric motor, mounted on an external surface of the washing tub, and a belt connecting the rotary electric motor to the pulley and configured for transmitting the rotation from the rotary electric motor to the pulley, wherein the wireless power receiver unit is mounted in/on the pulley.
Preferably, in the advantageous embodiment in which the wireless power transmitter unit is mounted on, or embedded, partially or totally, or recessed within the external face of the end wall of the washing tub facing away from the flange, the pulley comprises an inner face facing the external face of the end wall of the washing tub, and the wireless power receiver unit is mounted in/on the inner face of the pulley in such a way to face the wireless power transmitter unit. This preferred embodiment has the advantage that the wireless power transmitter unit and the wireless power receiver unit are hidden in the gap between pulley and tub, and therefore the risk of an accidental contact of the user with the wireless power transmitting system, for example in case the user opens the casing for searching the cause of a possible fault or malfunctioning, is reduced.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the operated module comprises an electric motor rotor fixed to the free end of the shaft, and the operating module comprises an electric motor stator mounted on the external face of the end wall of the washing tub, wherein the wireless power receiver unit is mounted in/on the electric motor rotor.
In an advantageous embodiment, the wireless power transmitter unit comprises a transmission coil configured for generating a variable magnetic field, and the wireless power receiver unit comprises a reception coil configured for generating electric power from the variable magnetic field generated by the transmission coil.
Preferably, the transmission coil and the reception coil are centred on the rotation axis of the tubular mantle.
In a preferred embodiment, the transmission coil is mounted on, or embedded, partially or totally, or recessed, within the external face of the end wall, and the reception coil is mounted in/on the inner face of the pulley, the reception coil facing the transmission coil.
In a preferred embodiment, the inner face of the pulley and the external face of the end wall of the washing tub facing the latter are truncated-cone shaped, or substantially truncated-cone shaped, at least in their regions where the reception coil and the transmission coil are respectively positioned. This advantageous embodiment allows obtaining a compact construction for the tub, its driving system and the wireless power transmitting system, which can be easily housed within the cabinet.
Advantageously, the one or more electric loads comprise one or more of the following electric loads:
an electric heater, an electric pump, an electric fan, an electric steam/mist/aerosol generator, an electric washing/rinsing additive dispenser, an electric light source, an electric sensor.
It is underlined that in the present application, unless otherwise specified, the word “fixed” means both “fixed directly” and “fixed with the interposition of one or more connection elements”.
Other advantages and features of a laundry washing machine according to the present invention will be clear from the following detailed description, provided only as a not limitative example, in which:
In the figures same parts are indicated with the same reference numbers.
Advantageously, the laundry washing machines illustrated in attached figures are of the front-loading type; it is however clear that the invention can be applied, without any substantial modification, also to top-loading washing machines, both of the “horizontal axis” and of the “vertical axis” type.
It is highlighted that the washing machines illustrated in attached figures are “simple” washing machines (i.e. washing machines which can only wash and rinse the laundry); anyway, it is clear that the invention can be applied, without any substantial modification, also to washer-driers.
The laundry washing machine 10 according to the invention comprises a cabinet 20, or housing, preferably parallelepiped, configured to be positioned on a horizontal surface 2, for example the floor of a building, preferably by suitable feet 21, one or more of which can have, advantageously, an adjustable height, so as to adapt to a possible not perfect planarity of the horizontal surface 2.
Advantageously, in the frontal wall 20a of the cabinet 20 an access opening, not illustrated, is preferably obtained, advantageously selectively closable by a loading/unloading door 4, preferably hinged to the frontal wall 20a.
The laundry washing machine 10 comprises a washing tub 30 (in the following called also simply “tub”), preferably suspended to the cabinet through springs and dampers, wherein a washing liquid (water or water mixed with a washing/rinsing additive) can be loaded.
Advantageously the tub 30 comprises a tubular wall 31 closed at one end by an end wall 32.
The laundry washing machine 10 comprises a washing drum 40 (in the following called also simply “drum”), rotatably housed inside the tub 30, comprising a tubular mantle 41 rotatable with respect to a rotation axis Ax; the tubular mantle 41 delimits an inner volume 45 in which laundry, not illustrated, can be loaded.
In the advantageous examples illustrated in attached figures, the rotation axis Ax is advantageously horizontal, or slightly inclined.
Preferably, the tubular mantle 41 is cylindrical or prismatic.
A first end of the tubular mantle 41 is closed, at least partially, by a flange 42, preferably perforated, so that water (and also air in the case of a washer-drier) can enter the inner volume 45 of the tubular mantle 41 through the flange 42.
The flange 42 is advantageously fixed to (e.g. by welding or clinching) and rotates with the tubular mantle 42.
The laundry washing machine 10 comprises a shaft 50 protruding from the flange 42 towards the end wall 32 of the tub 30 and passing through the latter, so that one end 51 thereof protrudes and/or is accessible from an external face 320 of the end wall 32 facing away from the flange 42 of the drum 40.
Advantageously, the shaft 50 can be fixed directly to the flange 42, or it can be fixed to a so called “spider” 53 fixed, in turn, to the flange 42.
Advantageously, the shaft 50 can be rotatably supported by one or more bearings 54 provided at the end wall 32 of the washing tub 30, in such a way to allow the rotation of the shaft 50 with respect to the tub 30.
In advantageous embodiments, like the ones illustrated in attached figures, the one or more bearings 54 are contained in a bushing 57 fixed to, preferably embedded into, the end wall 32 of the washing tub 30.
The washing machine 30 is also provided with one or more sealing elements 56, preferably integrated into the bearing 54, arranged for preventing liquid from exiting the washing tub 30 through the mechanical rotatable coupling between the shaft 50 and the bearing(s) 54.
In the advantageous embodiment illustrated in attached figures, the free end 51 of the shaft 50 is flush, or substantially flush, with the external face 320 of the end wall 32.
The washing machine 10 advantageously comprises a water inlet circuit, not illustrated, adapted to feed water into the tub 30; the water inlet circuit can advantageously comprise a water pipe, a first end of which is preferably connected or connectable to the water mains of a building (also not illustrated), and a second end of which is preferably arranged in such a way to take water coming from its first end to internal of the washing tub 30.
Preferably, the water inlet circuit comprises an electro-valve, not illustrated, configured for selectively allowing or preventing the passage of water from the first end to the second end of the water pipe.
Advantageously, the washing machine 10 is also advantageously provided with a drain circuit, also not illustrated, adapted for draining washing/rinsing liquid from the washing machine. The drain circuit of a washing machine/washer-drier is well known in the art, and therefore it will not be described in detail.
Advantageously, as in the examples illustrated in attached Figures, the laundry washing machine 10 comprises at least one (preferably two or more) lifter 500 (called also elevator, or rib, or diverter), adapted to improve the stirring of the laundry during the rotation of the drum 40.
Advantageously, the lifter 500 comprises a hollow body 555 protruding from an inner surface of the tubular mantle 41 towards the rotation axis Ax of the drum 40; the hollow body 555 is, preferably, a substantially prismatic element, advantageously positioned with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis Ax.
Advantageously, the laundry washing machine 10 comprises a control unit, depicted schematically in
Advantageously, the washing machine 10 comprises a driving system 70 comprising an operating module 71, mounted on the washing tub 30, and an operated module 72, fixed to the free end 51 of the shaft 50; the operating module 71 is configured for rotating the operated module 72, and therefore the shaft 50 fixed thereto, with respect to the washing tub 30.
In first advantageous embodiments, like the ones illustrated for example in
In a further advantageous embodiment, illustrated for example in
Advantageously, the washing machine 30 comprises one or more electric loads, schematically illustrated in
For example, the one or more electric loads 80 can advantageously comprise one or more of the following electric loads (not illustrated): an electric heater, an electric pump, an electric fan, an electric steam/mist/aerosol generator, an electric washing/rinsing additive dispenser, an electric light source, an electric sensor, etc.
Advantageously, as in the examples illustrated in
Advantageously, the washing machine 10 comprises a wireless power transmitting system 600 comprising a wireless power transmitter unit 62, mounted in/on the washing tub 30, electrically connected to an electrical system 90 of the laundry washing machine 10 (connectable, in turn, to electric mains external to the washing machine 10), and arranged for wireless transmitting electric power to a wireless power receiver unit 63 configured for supplying electric power to the one or more electric loads 80.
In advantageous embodiments, like for example the ones illustrated in attached figures, the wireless power transmitter unit 62 is partially recessed within the end wall 32 of the washing tub 30.
In a further advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, the wireless power transmitter unit 62 can be partially or totally embedded within the end wall 32 of the washing tub 30, with the exception of the electrical connectors for the electrical connection to the electrical system 90 of the laundry washing machine 10; this can be obtained, for example, by over-moulding the washing tub 30 on the wireless power transmitter unit 62.
In a further advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, the wireless power transmitter unit 62 is mounted on the external face 320 of the end wall 32 of the washing tub 30, in such a way not to be embedded nor recessed into the latter.
In preferred embodiments, like the ones illustrated in attached figures, the wireless power receiver unit 63 is electrically connected to the one or more electric loads 80 by a wiring 81, preferably passing through a passage 82 passing through the shaft 50; in this way the one or more bearings 54 and the one or more sealing elements 56 are not affected by the presence of the wiring 81.
Preferably, a further seal 83, can be provided for preventing liquid from passing from the internal of the tub 30 to the external thereof through the passage 82.
Anyway, this further seal 83 is static with respect to the shaft 50, and therefore it is not subject to friction during the rotation of the shaft 50, like the one or more sealing elements 56.
In a further advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, the passage 82 can be so small that the presence of the wiring 81 could prevent liquid from entering the passage 82; in this case a seal 83 is not necessary.
In a further advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, after inserting the wiring 81, the passage 82 can be filled with a waterproof filler (e.g. a glue or similar material), so that liquid is prevented from entering the passage 82;
here too, a seal 83 is not necessary.
In a further advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, the wiring 81 can be positioned on the external lateral surface 58 of the shaft 50; in this case, the one or more bearings 54 and/or the one or more sealing elements 56 could be opportunely configured for allowing the rotation and the waterproofing of the shaft 50 having a wiring 81 fixed on its external lateral surface 58.
In advantageous embodiments, like the ones illustrated in
In further advantageous embodiments, for example the one illustrated in
In advantageous embodiments, like the ones illustrated in attached figures, the wireless power transmitter unit 62 comprises a transmission coil 620 configured for generating a variable magnetic field, and the wireless power receiver unit 63 comprises a reception coil 630 configured for generating electric power from the variable magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 620.
Preferably, the transmission coil 620 and the reception coil 630 are integrated, respectively, into an enclosing material, not illustrated.
Preferably, both the transmission coil 620 and the reception coil 630 are centred on the rotation axis Ax of the tubular mantle 41.
In an advantageous embodiment, like in attached
Preferably, in this advantageous embodiment, like illustrated for example in the advantageous embodiments of
In advantageous embodiments, like for example the ones illustrated in
The voltage induced in the reception coil 630 can be preferably rectified and conditioned in a coil interface block 611, and can be preferably brought, preferably with wires, to one more electric loads 80 (if they are more than one, they can be preferably, but not necessarily, electrically connected one another in parallel).
Preferably, the components of the interface block 611 could be integrated in the power receiver unit 63.
In the advantageous embodiment of
In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in
In advantageous embodiments, not illustrated, the wireless power receiver unit 63 can advantageously comprise a receiver magnetic shielding member, and the wireless power transmitter unit 62 can comprise a transmission magnetic shielding member.
Preferably, the receiver magnetic shielding member is positioned between the reception coil 630 and the operated module 72, and the transmission magnetic shielding member is positioned between the transmission coil 620 and the washing tub 30.
The functioning of the washing machine 10 according to the invention will be described in the following only in relation to the functioning of the wireless power transmitting system; it is underlined that the wireless power transmitting system can be activated for transmitting electric power from the electrical system 90 of the washing machine 10 to the one or more electric loads 80 during a washing and/or rinsing program, during a drying program (in case of a washer-drier), or while the washing machine 10 is not performing any washing or drying program, so, for example, before or after executing such a program.
When there is the need to provide electric power to the one or more electric loads 80, the control unit 60 controls the electrical system 90 of the washing machine 10 in such a way that it provides electric power to the wireless power transmitter unit 62, which wireless transmit such an electric power to the wireless power receiver unit 63 mounted in/on the operated module 72 of the driving system 70.
Finally, the wireless power receiver unit 63, electrically connected to the one or more electric loads 80, transfers electric power to such one or more electric loads 80, that can operate according to their specific function(s) (e.g. generating heat, light, steam, etc.).
It is seen therefore how the invention achieves the proposed aim and objects, there being provided a laundry washing machine that, thanks to the specific positioning of the wireless power transmitter unit and of the wireless power receiver unit allows transmitting electric power from the tub to the drum rotatably contained therein without requiring a specific waterproofing of the wireless power receiver unit.
In addition, since the wireless power receiver unit is positioned outside the tub, it is easily accessible for maintenance or replacement. Moreover, since the wireless power receiver unit is positioned outside the tub, it does not reduce the space internal to the tub available for the laundry.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/053358 | 2/10/2020 | WO |
