阅读说明：本技术 包括具有一个或多个去污区域的柔性洗涤隔室的洗衣机 (Washing machine comprising a flexible washing compartment with one or more dirt removing areas ) 是由 弗雷德里克·马格努森 于 2018-06-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于洗涤衣物例如衣服和纺织品的洗衣机(1),所述洗衣机包括开放式框架的壳体(1a),其中壳体(1a)包括：用于供给洗涤水的入口(4),用于排放洗涤水的出口(5),用于泵送洗涤水和空气的泵(6),其中壳体(1a)包括至少一个、优选地多个洗涤抽屉(2),每个洗涤抽屉(2)具有一对管道(4a,5a),用于各自的用于洗涤衣物(L)且被布置在洗涤抽屉(2)内的柔性洗涤隔室(10)的流体密封连接,其中壳体(1a)的每个抽屉(2)被布置为通过管道(4a)将水从壳体(1a)的入口(4)引导至布置在抽屉中的各自的洗涤隔室(10),以及利用泵(6)和管道(5a)从各自的柔性洗涤隔室(10)泵出空气和水,以便在洗涤隔室(10)内形成相对于周围压力的压差以及由此将柔性洗涤隔室(10)的洗涤水和空气排空,其中一个或多个柔性洗涤隔室(10)还分别包括一个或多个去污区域(Z),在至少一个去污区域(Z)中,与一个或多个柔性洗涤隔室(10)的其它区域相比,水流被布置为增加。(Washing machine (1) for washing laundry, such as clothes and textiles, comprising a housing (1a) of an open frame, wherein the housing (1a) comprises: an inlet (4) for supplying washing water, an outlet (5) for discharging washing water, a pump (6) for pumping washing water and air, wherein the housing (1a) comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of washing drawers (2), each washing drawer (2) having a pair of conduits (4a, 5a) for a respective fluid-tight connection for washing laundry (L) and being arranged in flexible washing compartments (10) within the washing drawer (2), wherein each drawer (2) of the housing (1a) is arranged to guide water from the inlet (4) of the housing (1a) to a respective washing compartment (10) arranged in the drawer through the conduit (4a), and to pump air and water out of the respective flexible washing compartment (10) with the pump (6) and the conduit (5a) in order to create a pressure difference relative to the ambient pressure within the washing compartment (10) and thereby evacuate the washing water and air of the flexible washing compartment (10), wherein the one or more flexible washing compartments (10) further comprise one or more stain removal areas (Z), respectively, in at least one stain removal area (Z) the flow of water is arranged to be increased compared to other areas of the one or more flexible washing compartments (10).)

1. Washing machine (1) for washing laundry, such as clothes and textiles, comprising a casing (1a) of open frame, wherein said casing (1a) comprises:

an inlet (4) for supplying washing water,

an outlet (5) for discharging the washing water,

a pump (6) for pumping the washing water and air,

said housing (1a) comprising at least one, preferably a plurality of washing drawers (2), each washing drawer (2) having a pair of conduits (4a, 5a) for respective fluid-tight connection of a flexible washing compartment (10) for washing laundry (L) arranged within said washing drawer (2), wherein each drawer (2) of said housing (1a) is arranged to guide water from said inlet (4) of said housing (1a) to a respective flexible washing compartment (10) arranged therein through a conduit (4a), and to pump air and water out of said respective flexible washing compartment (10) with said pump (6) and said conduit (5a) so as to create a pressure difference relative to the ambient pressure within said washing compartment (10) and thereby evacuate the washing water and air of said flexible washing compartment (10), characterized in that the one or more flexible washing compartments (10) further comprise one or more decontamination areas (Z), respectively, in at least one decontamination area (Z) the water flow is arranged to be increased compared to other areas of the one or more flexible washing compartments (10).

2. Laundry washing machine according to claim 1, wherein an increased water flow is arranged to continuously pass through said at least one dirt-removing area (Z).

3. Laundry washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the increased water flow is arranged to oscillate through said at least one decontamination area (Z).

4. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said decontamination area (Z) is arranged in a member (12) for decontaminating, said member (12) having a set of specific decontamination areas (Z).

5. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein a set (12) of specific decontamination areas (Z) is generally adapted to a specific washing compartment (10).

6. The laundry machine (1) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein said member (12) is a substantially flat plate.

7. The laundry machine (1) according to claim 6, wherein said member (12) is made of plastic.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine for washing laundry in a washing apparatus provided in a fluid-tight manner on the washing machine, particularly suitable for flexible washing.

Background

The decontamination of laundry is often a cumbersome task and some stains cannot be easily removed in today's conventional washing machines. Therefore, some kind of pre-treatment for decontaminating the laundry is generally required before washing the laundry in the washing machine.

As an example, a fabric pretreatment of laundry with so-called "soil release agents" is required. As another example, only a pretreatment of immersing laundry in water is required, or a pretreatment of immersing laundry in water is required in addition to using a detergent.

Some soil release agents can generally bleach fabrics. A typical example is chlorine bleach, which is not safe for fabrics and harmful to the environment.

Thus, in addition to being time consuming, soil removal is generally not safe for the fabric or harmful to the environment.

Today, sensor controlled washing machines for decontamination are known. Complex and expensive sensor technology controls the washing machine so that more washing of dirty laundry (decontamination), or less intensive washing (no decontamination) is provided. Typically, the movement of the rotating drum is controlled. Typically, the entire garment is washed, not just the stained portion thereof. This may cause unnecessary wear to laundry that does not require soil removal.

Based on the above knowledge and related problems, there is a need to find solutions to the decontamination problem.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine without a conventional cylindrical drum, which washes stained laundry in a satisfactory manner without using a pretreatment for stain removal.

The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a casing (or open frame) having an inlet and an outlet for water, and at least one pump. In contrast to conventional washing machines, laundry is washed in at least one or more flexible washing compartments within the casing (or frame) of the washing machine, arranged stacked on top of each other or side by side with each other. The flexible washing compartment(s) typically comprises one flexible and rigid panel or alternatively two flexible membranes, which together constitute the washing compartment, or are arranged as one washing compartment. A plurality of flexible washing compartments are arranged adjacent to each other in a plurality of drawers. Each flexible washing compartment is arranged inside the drawer by means of a respective suitable fluid tight connection for the inlet and outlet of water and air. One or more of the flexible washing compartments further comprise one or more decontamination areas, the water flow in at least one decontamination area being arranged to be increased compared to other areas of the washing compartment. In the one or more decontamination areas, the increased water flow has the effect of decontaminating in the washing compartment only by the washing machine.

The detergent may be provided directly to the washing compartment or dispensed with the water through a separate compartment in the washing machine. After water has been added to the washing compartment, the pump is started.

First, a pump is used to suck air from the washing compartment to reduce the volume of the washing compartment, whereby the laundry is compressed and soaked in water. The water is gradually sucked out and, before the water is replaced, it can be returned to the washing compartment several times, for example by means of a filter of a water reservoir provided in the washing machine, and the cycle repeated again.

In particular, the present invention relates to a washing machine for washing laundry, such as fabrics, garments and textiles. The washing machine has means for removing dirt, in particular a zone. An advantage of having at least one dirt removal area with an increased water flow is that no time-consuming and/or dangerous pre-treatment is required before the washing in the washing machine. Thus, washing is locally increased in each decontamination area.

An advantage compared to conventional washing machines is that the entire laundry has to be washed even if only a portion of the laundry is stained. This is because it is not known where the stain is located relative to the drum. In the washing machine of the present invention, laundry is always located at the same position, but only water flows (moves). This means that the stains are located in specific local areas and by preparing these local areas with higher water flow, higher amount of detergent or other additional treatment, the washing can be optimized such that only parts of the laundry are subjected to additional treatment while other parts of the laundry are subjected to mild treatment. This means less wear, less ultra-fine fibres (micro-fibers), less use of chemicals and less energy required.

According to an embodiment, the increased flow of water is arranged to flow continuously through the at least one decontamination area.

According to another embodiment, the increased water flow is oscillated.

Typically, the decontamination area is arranged in a set of decontamination areas. The specific groups are then generally adapted to the specific washing compartments.

The advantage is that a plurality of different types of laundry can be washed simultaneously in different washing compartments; in the case of multiple drawers, there are also multiple different sets of decontamination areas. In this way,

further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description and the dependent claims.

Drawings

Fig. 1a shows an embodiment of a laundry washing machine in perspective view, comprising a housing with a plurality of washing drawers, each drawer comprising a flexible washing compartment realized with a set of decontamination areas; FIG. 1b shows another alternative embodiment of a washing machine having a plurality of drawers arranged side by side; and figure 1c shows an alternative embodiment of a washing machine comprising one drawer combined with a conventional washing machine (metal washing drum with perforations).

Fig. 2a shows in top view a washing compartment realized as a flexible bag with a set of decontamination areas.

Fig. 2b shows in a top perspective view a flexible washing compartment realized as a flexible bag with a set of decontamination areas. The flexible washing compartment may be arranged in a drawer as shown in fig. 3 (to be referred to later).

Fig. 2b shows in a side perspective view a flat, flexible washing compartment filled with a specific type of laundry, here a pair of trousers,

fig. 2c shows a set of decontamination areas with increased water flow, in a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a in fig. 2b, where the water is oscillating,

FIG. 2d shows a set of decontamination areas with increased water flow in a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2b, wherein water flows continuously through at least one decontamination area; and

fig. 3 shows a washing drawer with a film-type washing compartment in a perspective view.

Detailed Description

A first embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention is shown in fig. 1 a. In this figure, the various parts of the washing machine are only schematically shown, but will be shown in more detail in fig. 2-3. The washing machine 1 is suitable for washing various types of laundry (e.g. clothes and textiles) simultaneously or in any desired manner. In this embodiment, it is appropriate that the user has multiple sets of stain removal areas, for example, a first set of stain removal areas for a type of clothing (such as a pair of pants) having one type of stain removal area Z (e.g., knees, pockets, etc.), and a second set of stain removal areas for a shirt having another type of stain removal area Z (e.g., ends of arms, neck, etc.).

FIG. 1a shows an embodiment of a washing machine in perspective view, comprising a housing with a plurality of washing drawers; FIG. 1b shows another alternative embodiment of a washing machine having a plurality of drawers arranged side by side; and figure 1c shows an alternative embodiment of a washing machine comprising one drawer combined with a conventional washing machine (metal washing drum with perforations). Alternatively, the housing may be implemented as a frame in all embodiments without departing from the invention.

Reference is now made to fig. 1 a.

The washing machine shown in fig. 1a comprises a housing 1 a. The casing 1a comprises a plurality of drawers 2, these drawers 2 being provided as a set of washing drawers 2 stacked on top of each other in the casing 1a, each drawer 2 comprising a respective flexible washing compartment 10 with one or more decontamination areas Z (schematically shown in the uppermost drawer), for example a substantially flat washing compartment with a zipper or with other water-and air-tight closable seal, or a pair of flexible membranes (not shown in fig. 1a) for washing the laundry and arranged within the washing drawer 2, such that the one or more decontamination areas are correctly positioned and adapted to locally treat the soiled areas of the laundry.

Alternatively, an openable rigid frame with a watertight seal and/or an airtight seal may be provided instead of the zipper.

The washing machine 1 includes an inlet 4 for supplying clean washing water and an outlet 5 for discharging used washing water. The laundry washing machine 1 further comprises one or more pumps 6 for pumping the used washing water out of the washing compartment. In order to supply clean water through the inlet 4, a pump is usually not needed, as water will be provided from a pressurized and closed water system (e.g. a public water supply). Each washing compartment 10 in each drawer 2 is connected to a pair of ducts 4a, 5a arranged to lead water from the inlet 4 to the respective washing compartment 10 arranged in each drawer 2 through the duct 4a and to lead air and water out of the washing compartment 10 through the duct 5a by means of a pump 6. The pair of ducts 4a, 5a from each washing compartment 10 in each drawer 2 may be combined into one inlet 4 and one outlet 5 for all washing compartments 10. The duct 5a may also be connected to a reservoir 7 (schematically shown) within the laundry washing machine 1, which reservoir 7 serves to contain used washing water and to recirculate it one or more times back to the washing compartment 10.

A pressure difference (generally negative pressure) (generally referred to as vacuum inside the washing compartment 10 and atmospheric pressure inside the drawer 2) is created between the washing compartment 10 and its surroundings (inside the drawer 2) by means of the pump 6.

According to another embodiment, as shown in fig. 1b, the washing compartments 10 may alternatively be arranged side by side.

Alternatively, for the embodiment shown in fig. 1a comprising a plurality of drawers, there may be only one drawer 2 potentially combined with a conventional laundry machine as shown in fig. 1c, but is not limited thereto. Alternative embodiments are also possible, without departing from the invention, combining one or more drawers 2 with a conventional laundry washing machine having a perforated metal washing drum on either side of the conventional laundry washing machine. The side-by-side combination is advantageous for washing hanging shirts, for example.

Referring now to fig. 2a, fig. 2a shows in top view a flexible washing compartment 10 realized as a flexible bag with an openable and closable seal 13 for opening and closing the washing compartment 10, or the washing compartment 10 may alternatively be arranged in an openable/closable airtight and watertight frame (not shown). The flexible washing compartment 10 may be made of any suitable fluid tight material (e.g. plastic) and may be transparent so that a user can easily see if the washing compartment is empty. In fig. 2a, the washing compartment 10 is shown as a flat transparent bag 10 filled with a garment 11, here the garment 11 is illustrated as a pair of trousers placed in a flat manner inside the flexible washing compartment 10.

According to this aspect, but not limited thereto, the laundry 11 is wetted in the longitudinal direction (schematically shown) when the pump is turned on.

The possibility of the laundry 11 being laid flat is advantageous in that ironing can be avoided and some sensitive laundry can benefit from being washed flat and without the laundry moving inside the washing compartment 10, thus avoiding the wear of the laundry 11 by the walls of the washing compartment 10, as is typically the case with conventional washing machines having a perforated rotating metal drum inside which the laundry is worn by impact against the drum. The stain removal in such a conventional washing machine means that the entire laundry 11 is always washed, even a portion without stains. This also provides unnecessary wear to the parts that are free of stains (not in the stain removal zone Z, without the need for increased water flow).

The washing compartment 10 is connected to a pair of ducts 4a, 5a, which are only schematically shown. Typically, the washing compartment 10 is permanently fixed to the drawer 2 and permanently connected to the ducts 4a, 5 a.

Now, reference is made to fig. 2b in addition to fig. 2 a.

Fig. 2b shows in a side perspective view a flat flexible washing compartment 10 filled with a specific type of laundry 11, here the laundry 11 is a pair of trousers.

On the laundry 11 means 12 are provided for providing a set of decontamination areas Z. The device 12 may be a flat, solid sieve member, for example made of plastic, having through holes providing a dirt-removing area Z, through which an increased water flow can flow when the pump 6 is switched on. The sifter elements 12 may vary/look different to provide a particular set of stain removal areas to a particular garment 11. The open stain removal zone Z provides increased water flow through the laundry 11 and thereby localized and effective stain removal in certain areas of the laundry 11 without negatively washing other portions of the laundry that do not require stain removal. As schematically marked in fig. 2 a. This embodiment is suitable for removing soil from a particular area of the garment 11, such as on the knees of a pair of pants (or other portions of the garment 11 known to have more soil than portions known to have less soil). The advantage of the inventive solution is that it is simple and easy to implement compared to the complex and expensive sensor solutions known today.

Fig. 2d shows a set 12 of decontamination areas Z with an increased water flow in a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a in fig. 2b, wherein the water is oscillating (schematically shown by the double arrow) and the water flow passes through the decontamination areas Z.

Fig. 2c shows a group 12 of decontamination areas Z with an increased flow of water in a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a in fig. 2b, wherein the water flows continuously through the decontamination areas Z.

Reference is now made to fig. 3, which shows in perspective view a washing drawer 2 with a pair of conduits 4a, 5a for the fluid-tight connection of respective flexible washing compartments 10 for washing soiled laundry and arranged in the washing drawer 2. The washing compartment 10 with the decontamination area Z shown in this figure comprises two flexible membranes, here an upper membrane 10a and a lower membrane (not shown), which washing compartment 10 can be opened or closed in a fluid-tight manner by moving the drawer 2 out of the housing 1a for opening the washing compartment 10 or moving the drawer 2 into the housing 1a for closing the washing compartment 10. This is possible because the membranes are mounted within the respective upper and lower frames 10aa, 10bb, the upper membrane 10a of the frame 10aa can be moved, opened or closed. According to various embodiments, the washing compartment 10 may alternatively comprise one or more membranes, for example one flexible membrane arranged on a rigid plate. The upper frame with the upper membrane 10a is arranged to open automatically when the drawer 2 is pulled out. This may be provided by providing the frames 10aa, 10bb at the rails, wherein pressure rollers are arranged for pressing the upper frame 10aa with the upper membrane 10a and the lower frame 10bb with the lower membrane against each other when the drawer is pushed in, and for releasing the frames 10aa, 10bb from each other when the drawer is pulled out. Other mechanisms for opening or closing the washing compartment (e.g. parallelogram-shaped doors, centripetal doors, traction control system doors, manual doors, etc.) will be apparent to the skilled person and the invention is in no way limited to this particular embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows a washing compartment 10 made of a film and containing laundry, the washing compartment 10 comprising two films 10a, 10 b.

An alternative embodiment of a flexible washing compartment 10 made of two flexible films 10a, 10b with laundry in it is shown. The two membranes 10a, 10b are arranged on the frame bounding the washing compartment 10 to confine the two membranes 10a, 10b laterally and along the frame, but the two membranes 10a, 10b still provide a flat compression due to the pressure difference between the pressure inside the flexible compartment 10 and the pressure of its surroundings in the drawer 2, typically the pressure inside the flexible compartment being a negative pressure and the pressure outside the flexible compartment being atmospheric or positive pressure to provide a pressure difference.

The laundry washing machine may further comprise an additional drying unit to dry the laundry by supplying dry hot air within the flexible washing compartment 10.

The washing machine 1 may operate as follows.

One or more flexible washing compartments 10 are opened and filled with laundry 11. Subsequently, the flexible washing compartment(s) 10 is provided with water through the inlet 4 and/or the duct 4 a. The water is heated to a desired temperature. The heating may be provided by a conventional heater (not shown) arranged inside or outside the washing machine 1. Air is then sucked out of the flexible washing compartment and then water is sucked out.

The detergent may be supplied directly into the washing compartment or be dispensed together with the water into the washing compartment 10 through a separate detergent compartment 2a provided in the centre of the washing machine 1 or a particular drawer 2. After water has been provided to the washing compartment, the pump 6 is activated. First, the pump 6 is used to suck air from the washing compartment in order to minimize the volume that has to be wetted, whereby the laundry is compressed and soaked in water (see fig. 2a, wherein the wetting of the trousers in the washing compartment 10 with the zipper 13 is schematically indicated by the designation "wet"). The water is gradually sucked out and may be returned to the washing compartment several times, for example by means of a water reservoir 7 and filter(s) arranged in the washing machine, before the water is replaced, and the cycle repeated again.

An example of the operation of the present invention according to various embodiments will now be given. Firstly, the laundry 11 is placed in a washing compartment 10 of any of the above-mentioned types of washing machine 1 and in the drawer 2. In the embodiment shown, laundry 11 is placed in the washing compartment 10 inside the drawer 2. The washing compartment 10 is then closed. After these measures, firstly air is sucked out, a vacuum or reduced pressure is created in the fibres and/or textile fabric of the laundry 11 (under pressure), then clean washing water is supplied to the washing compartment 10 through the inlet 4 to replace the reduced pressure or vacuum and the pressure is normalized, and any air remaining inside the washing compartment 10 is pumped out by the pump 6, so that the laundry 11 is soaked and compressed through the walls of the washing compartment 10. Once the laundry 11 is soaked, the washing water may be pumped out of the washing compartment by means of the pump 6, wherein a certain negative pressure is again formed within the washing compartment, and wherein the laundry 11 is further compressed by the atmospheric pressure (or alternatively a positive overpressure) outside the bag. The washing becomes effective due to the combination of the pressure to the laundry and the movement of the washing water and the bubbles, which penetrate between the fibers of the laundry and remove the foreign substances more deeply. The pressure differential acting on the bubbles affects the bubbles to change size, which means that the microscopic bubbles "pump" water back and forth within the fiber. In contrast to water, air is elastic, so water is displaced as the bubbles grow or contract. If the micro-bubbles get stuck inside the hollow fibers, the fibers are sucked clean inside the fibers. At the lowest pressure, the bubbles are as large as possible. Furthermore, the laundry may be rubbed by the walls of the washing compartment, which increases the washing efficiency. Once the wash water has been circulated through the filter a number of times, the water is sucked out to a desired extent and the rinse water is supplied to the wash compartment. The purpose of the rinse water is, for example, to carry out the final cleaning of the laundry and to remove any residues of the detergent. In addition, rinse liquid and/or fabric softener for softening and/or imparting a pleasant fragrance to the laundry may be supplied together with the rinse water. The rinse water is removed from the washing machine in the same manner as the wash water. Thus, any air remaining in the bag is pumped out such that the laundry is compressed and soaked, and subsequently the rinse water is pumped out of the washing compartment, wherein a certain negative pressure is formed within the washing compartment, and wherein the laundry is compressed by the atmospheric pressure outside the washing compartment. Preferably, the electronic device of the washing machine includes a controller with which the dryness of the laundry can be controlled. The dryness can also be one of the parameters controlled with different washing programs, so that each washing program is connected to a specific dryness, which of course can also be the same for a number of different washing programs. Before opening the washing compartment, air should be let in order to facilitate the opening of the bag.

Preferably, the washing machine further comprises a heater unit by which the incoming water in the inlet 4 can be heated to a desired temperature regardless of the incoming temperature.

The washing machine 1 may further include a small cabinet in which the heating unit may be disposed. The tank makes it possible to reuse the washing water. For environmental reasons, it is advantageous to wash the laundry several times with the same water, since this saves both water and heat energy. In addition, since it is difficult for the washing water to reach the impurity saturation, the washing efficiency is not significantly deteriorated because the same washing water is used several times. Therefore, the first water exchange pre-washing is required only when very dirty laundry is to be washed. However, for rinsing the laundry, water change should always be performed.

Parts of the inner wall of the washing compartment may be provided with drainage means, such as recesses and/or protrusions, in order that the walls do not get stuck towards each other and let water and air pass when a certain amount of underpressure has been created in the washing compartment.

By forming the island of the drainage surface surrounded by the fluid movement preventing area, a maximum flow of water through the garment can be achieved. In contrast, when the fluid flows through the laundry, preferably while rubbing the laundry through the walls as they are drawn towards each other, a washing effect is achieved.