Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a water delivery system used in a washing machine.

BACKGROUND

Typically, during a washing cycle of a washing machine, the water is poured into a tub of the washing machine either directly from a tap by using a plurality of pumps and flow control valves. Some washing machine also recirculates the water in the tub and pours it onto a laundry being cleaned inside the washing machine. However, the pouring of the water on the clothes/laundry creates a non-uniform and localized supply of water into the tub of the washing machine. This may lead to uneven wetting of the laundry before the cleaning cycle is initiated and may lead to uneven cleaning of the laundry in the washing machine. In addition, for cleaning the tub, water is poured into the tub and the tub of the washing machine is spun to facilitate the cleaning of the walls of the tub. This is a complex process resulting in more utilization of water and lesser cleaning efficiency of the laundry and the tub of the washing machine.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a personal sprinkler that eliminates the deficiencies of the conventional valve pouring water into the tub of the washing machine.

SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
The present disclosure relates to a sprinkler adapted to spray a water stream in a tub of a washing machine. The sprinkler includes an inlet portion adapted to receive the water stream, an outlet portion installed downstream to the inlet portion, and a venturi downstream to the inlet portion and upstream to the outlet portion. The venturi is adapted to atomize the water stream. In addition, the sprinkler includes an impeller rotatably installed at the outlet portion and is adapted to rotate in response to the application of pressure from the water stream to spray the water homogeneously in the tub.

In another embodiment, the washing machine includes a housing, a tub installed in the housing, and the tub having an opening and adapted to receive laundry via the opening. In addition, the washing machine includes a sprinkler installed on the housing at a predefined location with respect to the opening and adapted to spray a water stream in the tub. Further, the sprinkler includes an inlet portion adapted to receive the water stream, an outlet portion installed downstream to the inlet portion, and a venturi downstream to the inlet portion and upstream to the outlet portion. The venturi is adapted to atomize the water stream. Additionally, the sprinkler includes an impeller rotatably installed at the outlet portion and is adapted to rotate in response to the application of pressure from the water stream to spray the water homogeneously in the tub.

The sprinkler of the washing machine facilitates the equal distribution of the water in the tub. In addition, the sprinkler facilitates the spraying of a stream of freshwater and a stream of detergent water in the tub of the washing machine. Further, the recirculation of the detergent water into the tub facilitates improved cleaning of the laundry with less water consumed per washing cycle. In addition, the rotation of the impeller in response to the application of pressure from the water stream facilitates in homogeneously distributing/spraying of the water in the tub, thereby facilitating better cleaning. In addition, there is no such requirement for any additional sprinkler for circulating the freshwater stream and the detergent water stream into the tub of the washing machine.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine with a sprinkler attached above a tub, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the washing machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a top portion of the washing machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a top-perspective view of the sprinkler of the washing machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the sprinkler, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

To promote an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more…” or “one or more elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

A washing machine 100 has been referred to in Figure 1 to Figure 3. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the washing machine 100, Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the washing machine 100, and Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a top portion of the washing machine 100. The washing machine 100 facilitates the cleaning of a laundry. In one example, the washing machine 100 is a top-load washing machine having a housing 102, a tub 104 rotatably coupled inside the housing 102, a door 106 coupled with the housing 102 and is adapted to selectively access the tub 104, and a controller 108 to facilitate the operations of the washing machine 100. Further, the tub 104 includes a base 109 adapted to be positioned inside the housing 102 and disposed proximate to a floor/ground (not shown), a sidewall 110 extending upwardly from the base 109, and an opening 112 defining an access to the tub 104. As shown, the tub 104 of the washing machine 100 is aligned vertically along an axis of rotation A1 of the tub 104.

In one example, the washing machine 100 includes a sprinkler 120 securely coupled with the housing 102 and disposed spaced apart from the tub 104, such that the sprinkler 120 is disposed over and above the opening 112 of the tub 104. In an embodiment, the sprinkler 120 is installed on the housing 102, such that the sprinkler 120 is positioned above the tub 104. In one example, the sprinkler 120 is installed on the housing 102, such that the sprinkler 120 is positioned eccentrically above the tub 104 and disposed offset from a central portion of the tub 104. The eccentric positioning of the sprinkler 120 allows unrestricted access to the tub 104 for a user for placing and removing the laundry from the tub 104.

Further, the washing machine 100 includes a three-way connector pipe 130 to facilitate the supply of a freshwater stream and a detergent water stream to the sprinkler 120 from two different water sources. As shown, the three-way connector pipe 130 includes a first inlet port 132 coupled to a first source of water supply, a second inlet port 134 coupled to a second source of water supply, and an outlet port 136 coupled to the sprinkler 120. As shown in Figure 2, the first inlet port 132 is fluidly coupled with a source of freshwater such as but is not limited to, a tap 138, the second inlet port 134 is fluidly coupled with the tub 104 having the detergent water.

As shown in Figure 2, the first inlet port 132 of the three-way connector pipe 130 is fluidly coupled with the tap 138 via a one-way valve 140 to facilitate a transfer of freshwater stream to the first inlet port 132 and prevent backflow to the source of freshwater 138. In one example, the one-way valve 140 is disposed downstream to the tap 138 and upstream to the first inlet port 132 of the three-way connector pipe 130. In addition, the washing machine 100 includes a pump 142 for facilitating the transfer of freshwater to the first inlet port 132 and further facilitates increasing the pressure of the freshwater stream entering the three-way connector pipe 130.

As an example, the one-way valve 140 is a solenoid valve adapted to be actuated by the controller 108 during the washing cycle of the washing machine 100. In one example, a hose pipe 152 couples the solenoid valve to the tap 138 to facilitate the conveying of the freshwater from the tap 138 to the solenoid valve.

As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the second inlet port 134 of the three-way connector pipe 130 is coupled with a recirculating pump 160 (Figure 2) via a fluid line 162 to facilitate the hydraulic coupling of the recirculating pump 160 with the sprinkler 120. Further, the recirculating pump 160 is fluidly coupled with the tub 104 having the detergent water flowing into the tub 104 for cleaning of the laundry. The recirculating pump 160 is adapted to pump the detergent water stream into the sprinkler 120 and further increase the pressure of the detergent water stream. In one example, the recirculating pump 160 is actuated based on the inputs from the controller 108 during the washing cycle of the washing machine 100.

Details of the sprinkler 120 will now be explained with referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5. Specifically, Figure 4 illustrates a top-perspective view of the sprinkler 120, and Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the sprinkler 120. The sprinkler 120 facilitates the sprinkling/spraying of the freshwater stream or the detergent water stream into the tub 104 of the washing machine 100. In addition, the positioning of the sprinkler 120 eccentrically above the tub 104 of the washing machine 100 facilitates improved accessibility to the tub 104 and avoids any hindrance to the tub 104 while positioning of the laundry.

As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5, the sprinkler 120 is adapted to spray a stream of freshwater or a stream of detergent water in the tub 104 of the washing machine 100. As shown, the sprinkler 120 includes a venturi 164 to facilitate the atomization of the water stream and an impeller 166 rotatably installer at the outer portion 194 of the venturi 122 and is adapted to rotate in response to the application of the pressure from the water stream to spray the water homogeneously in the tub 104 of the washing machine 100.

Further, the sprinkler 120 includes a convergent portion 170 coupled with the outlet port 136 of the three-way connector pipe 130, a divergent portion 172 downstream to the convergent portion 170, a throat portion 174 downstream to the convergent portion 170, and upstream to the divergent portion 172 having a consistent area of cross-section across a length of the throat 174.

Further, the sprinkler 120 includes a first end 180 defining an end proximate to the convergent portion 170, and a second end 182 disposed opposite to the first end 180 and disposed proximate to the divergent portion 172. As shown, the first end 180 of the sprinkler 120 includes an inlet portion 190 to facilitate the entry of the water stream into the sprinkler 120, and the second end 182 includes an outlet portion 194 having one or more openings 196 to facilitate the exit of the water stream. Further, the inlet portion 190 is coupled with the outlet port 136 of the three-way connector pipe 130 via a hose pipe 192 (Figure 2) to facilitate the transfer of the water stream to the sprinkler 120.

In one example, the convergent portion 170 includes a sidewall 200 converging from the first end 180 to an end disposed proximate to the throat portion 174. As shown, the sidewall 200 of the convergent portion 170 defines an enclosure to facilitate the movement of the water stream from the convergent portion 170 to the throat portion 174. In addition, the throat portion 174 includes a sidewall 202 defining an enclosure and facilitating a passage for the stream of water to pass to the divergent portion 172. In one example, the throat portion 174 may include an opening 210 extending through the sidewall 202, such that the opening 210 provides access to the ambient pressure conditions. The opening 210 on the sidewall 202 of the throat portion 172 facilitates the entry of the air into the throat portion 174 while the stream of water is flowing through the throat portion 172.

As shown, the divergent portion 172 includes a sidewall 212 diverging outwardly from the throat portion 174 to the second end 182, such that the sidewall 212 defines a taper having an increased cross-sectional area proximate to the second end 182 as compared to the cross-sectional area proximate to the throat portion 174. As shown, the sidewall 212 of the divergent portion 172 defines an enclosure defining a passage for the stream of water to disperse. In addition, the sidewall 212 of the divergent portion 172 includes a plurality of holes 220 extending within the sidewall 212, such that the holes 220 define the outlet portion 194 of the sprinkler 120. In one example, the plurality of holes 220 may define different orientations to facilitate different spray patterns of the stream of water from the divergent portion 172 to the tub 104 of the washing machine 100.

In one example, the hole 220 on the divergent portion 172 may include a nozzle (not shown) protruding outwardly from the hole 220 such that the nozzle facilitates the exit of the stream of water from the venturi 164. In addition, the nozzle protruding outwardly is adapted to rotatably couple the impeller 166. The coupling of the impeller 166 with the nozzle facilitates the rotation of the impeller 166 along an axis of the nozzle. In one example, the nozzle may include a collar/step (not shown) to facilitate the locking of the impeller 166 within the nozzle.

As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5, the impeller 166 includes a first surface 230 adapted to face towards the sidewall 212 of the divergent portion 172 and defines a flat surface, and a second surface 232 disposed opposite to the first surface 230 is adapted to face away from the sidewall 212 of the divergent portion 172 of the venturi 164. As shown, the second surface 232 includes a plurality of guide vanes 234 (Figure 5) extending from a center 236 of the second surface 232 to a periphery 238 of the impeller 166. In an embodiment, the guide vanes 234 on the second surface 232 of the impeller 166 may define a hydrofoil shape configuration to facilitate the equal distribution of the water stream across the tub 104 of the washing machine 100.

The application and the working of the sprinkler 120 of the washing machine 100 are now explained. In the initial washing cycle of the washing machine 100, the tub 104 of the washing machine 100 is filled with freshwater from the tap 138. For so doing, the controller 108 of the washing machine 100 actuates the solenoid valve, and the pump 142 supplies the freshwater to the venturi 164 of the sprinkler 120.

In response to receiving the freshwater, the nozzle of the divergent portion 172 of the venturi 164 ejects the freshwater. The pressurized freshwater exiting the nozzle facilitates the rotation of the impeller 166 along the axis of the nozzle, thereby facilitating the spraying of the freshwater along a periphery of the tub 104 of the washing machine 100.

After the water filling cycle, the controller 108 moves to the cleaning cycle of the washing machine 100, for so doing the controller 108 turns off the solenoid valve and actuates the recirculating pump 160. The recirculating pump 160 is adapted to intake the detergent water from the tub 104 and recirculate it back into the tub 104 via the sprinkler 120. The actuation of the recirculating pump 160 facilitates the supply of the detergent water stream to the second inlet port 134 of the three-way connector pipe 130. The detergent water stream moves to the convergent portion 170 of the venturi 164 and then to the divergent portion 172 via the throat portion 174. The throat portion 174 typically increases the velocity of the detergent water and reduces the pressure of the detergent water stream. The pressure difference condition between the throat portion 174 and the ambient facilitates the entering of the air into the throat portion 174 from the opening 210. The entering air into the throat portion facilitates the atomization of the detergent water and the detergent water enters the divergent portion 172 of the venturi 164.

In the divergent portion 172, the detergent water facilitates dispersion that may further lead to the formation of scum/soap bubbles in the detergent water stream. Further, the detergent water stream exits the nozzle of the divergent portion 172 and flows through the impeller 166. The pressure exerted on the impeller 166 by the detergent water stream facilitates the rotation of the impeller 166 and facilitates a homogenous distribution/sprinkling of the detergent water into the tub 104 of the washing machine 100. After the completion of the cleaning cycle, the controller 108 moves the washing machine 100 to the tub cleaning cycle. In the tub cleaning cycle, the controller 108 actuates the solenoid valve as done in the tub filling cycle and sprinkles the freshwater in the tub 104 of the washing machine 100.

According to the present disclosure, the sprinkler 120 facilitates the equal distribution of water in the tub 104 of the washing machine 100. In addition, the sprinkler 120 facilitates the spraying of freshwater and the detergent water in the tub 104 of the washing machine 100. For the initial filling and cleaning of the tub 104, the sprinkler 120 sprays freshwater and during the cleaning cycle, the sprinkler 120 sprays the detergent mixed water in the tub 104 of the washing machine. The recirculation of the detergent water into the tub 104 facilitates improved cleaning of the laundry with less water per washing cycle.

In addition, the spraying of the detergent mixed water and fresh water facilitates the homogenous distribution of the water into the tub 104 thereby facilitating better cleaning. In addition, there is no such requirement for any additional sprinkler for circulating detergent water stream or freshwater stream into the tub 104 of the washing machine 100.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. , C , C , Claims:1. A sprinkler (120) adapted to spray a water stream in a tub (104) of a washing machine (100), the sprinkler (120) comprising:
an inlet portion (190) adapted to receive the water stream;
an outlet portion (194) installed downstream to the inlet portion (190);
a venturi (164) downstream to the inlet portion (190) and upstream to the outlet portion (194) wherein the venturi (164) is adapted to atomize the water stream; and
an impeller (166) rotatably installed at the outlet portion (194) and is adapted to rotate in response to the application of pressure from the water stream to spray the water homogeneously in the tub (104).

2. The sprinkler (120) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water stream is one of a freshwater stream and a detergent water stream.

3. The sprinkler (120) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the venturi (164) includes a convergent portion (170) adapted to couple with the inlet portion (190), a divergent portion (172) downstream to the converging portion (170) and is adapted to couple with the outlet portion (194), and a throat portion (174) disposed between the convergent portion (170) and the divergent portion (172).
4. A washing machine (100) comprising:
a housing (102);
a tub (104) installed in the housing (102), the tub (104) having an opening (112) and adapted to receive a laundry via the opening (112); and
a sprinkler (120) installed on the housing (102) at a predefined location with respect to the opening (112) and adapted to spray a water stream in the tub (104), the sprinkler (120) comprising:
an inlet portion (190) adapted to receive the water stream;
an outlet portion (194) installed downstream to the inlet portion (190);
a venturi (164) downstream to the inlet portion (190) and upstream to the outlet portion (194), wherein the venturi is adapted to atomize the water stream; and
an impeller (166) rotatably installed at the outlet portion (194) and is adapted to rotate in response to the application of pressure from the water stream to spray the water homogeneously in the tub (104).

5. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the water stream is one of a freshwater stream and a detergent water stream.

6. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 5 further including a three-way connector pipe (130) having:
a first inlet port (132) adapted to receive the freshwater stream;
a second inlet port (134) adapted to receive the detergent water stream; and
an outlet port (136) fluidically coupled to the inlet portion (190) of the sprinkler (120) and adapted to selectively supply the freshwater stream and the detergent water stream to the sprinkler (120).

7. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 6 further including
a one-way valve (140) fluidically coupled to the first inlet port (132) and adapted to supply the freshwater stream to the first inlet port (132); and
a recirculating pump (160) fluidically coupled to the second inlet port (134) and adapted to supply the detergent water stream from the tub (104) to the second inlet port (134).

8. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one-way valve (140) is a solenoid valve.

9. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the venturi (164) includes a convergent portion (170) adapted to couple with the inlet portion (190), a divergent portion (172) downstream to the convergent portion (170) and is adapted to couple with the outlet portion (194), and a throat portion (174) disposed between the convergent portion (170) and the divergent portion (172).

10. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sprinkler (120) is positioned eccentrically with respect to an axis of rotation (A1) of the tub (104).